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Bhubaneswar, April 7 (IANS) Odisha has attracted investment to the tune of over Rs 30,595 crore, with a potential to create around 48,390 jobs in the state on the first day of the two-day visit of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to New Delhi, an official said on Monday.

The strategic two-day visit of the Chief Minister to the national capital is aimed at enhancing the state’s industrial ecosystem and attracting substantial investments across key sectors.

An official said the state secured investment intents from 14 companies, amounting to investments worth Rs 3,000 crore, which has the potential to generate around 21,390 jobs in Odisha.

He said that additionally, the state government also formalised 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) valued at Rs 27,595 crore, which is expected to create 27,000 employment opportunities.

He further noted that the total investment generated during the interactions with various industry leaders in New Delhi amounts to Rs30,595 crore, with a potential to create jobs for around 48,390 individuals in Odisha.

“These interactions revealed considerable interest in establishing manufacturing units that would not only bolster local economic development but also create numerous employment opportunities for the youth of Odisha. We look forward to building on these collaborations and continuing to enhance the economic landscape of our state,” he said.

The Chief Minister on Monday visited the HCL Tech Campus in Noida and interacted with Ms. Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCL Technologies. There he explored the innovative initiatives being undertaken at their Mega IT Campus, AI Lab, and IoT Lab.

The visit also included an insightful tour of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, showcasing the intersection of technology and culture.

The official further noted that discussions during this engagement centered around establishing collaborative opportunities within the IT and ITeS sectors.

The Chief Minister emphasised Odisha’s commitment to becoming a hub for technology-driven enterprises.

He expressed optimism about the potential for HCL to expand its footprint in Odisha, reinforcing the state’s efforts to foster innovation and technological advancement.

Following the HCL engagement, the Chief Minister conducted a series of one-on-one meetings with various industry leaders at the Taj Palace in New Delhi.

Leaders from various organisations engaged in fruitful discussions aimed at expanding their operations in Odisha.

On Tuesday, the Odisha government is scheduled to sign an MoU with the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) for its dual-feed Naphtha Cracker Project in Odisha.

This transformative project is poised to significantly enhance the state’s petrochemical capabilities and foster comprehensive industrial development.

Alongside the IOCL agreement, Majhi will oversee the signing of additional MoUs with the Indian Strategic Petrochemical Reserves Ltd(ISPRL) and Petronet LNG, among others.

CM Majhi will also hold additional one-on-one meetings with industry leaders on Tuesday, aiming to attract more investments.

--IANS

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New Delhi/Shillong/Agartala, April 7 (IANS) Union Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday has suggested that the tourism model of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and other South Asian nations should be studied and build a model that further boosts the tourism potential of the region.

Attending the virtual meeting of the High Level Task Force (HLTF) on investment promotion in the northeastern region on Monday, Scindia said, “The region can leverage its rich heritage and natural beauty to drive sustainable development, boost local economies and generate employment.”

The DoNER minister in his post on the X said: “With NER’s growth rate surpassing the national average, sustaining this trajectory is imperative. The High Level Task Force on Investment Promotion will serve as a guiding platform for all 8 NER states, driving efforts toward building a Viksit North East.”

The Ministry of DoNER has earlier constituted the HLTF with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha as its convener, DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Chief Ministers Conrad K. Sangma (Meghalaya), Neiphiu Rio (Nagaland), and Prem Singh Tamang (Sikkim) as members.

An official in Shillong said that during the meeting, the framework to unlock northeast India’s tourism potential was discussed.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma remarked that tourists from the rest of India and globally identify the northeast region as “one”, and it is imperative that the states work in close coordination to facilitate tourism.

He lauded the DoNER Minister for taking up the initiative to constitute the task force, which the chief minister termed as a “landmark” intervention to boost tourism in the entire northeastern region.

He said that the NE region has come up with industrial policies and is paving the way for industrial growth.

The HLTF would study the tourism potential of the region, suggest interventions, identify strategic gaps and recommend a roadmap for the comprehensive development of the tourism sector in the region.

Tripura Chief Minister Saha suggested intervention, which has been initiated by the state to promote tourism, including presenting unique NE cuisines.

Chief Minister Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang spoke at length on tourism interventions and the flow of tourists to the state, while suggesting promotion of the region through consistent marketing and branding.

Tamang also recommended collaboration amongst all northeastern states to facilitate tourism.

The HLTF was constituted following the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) held in November last year at Agartala, Tripura.

The Task Force has been constituted by the Ministry of DoNER in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.

As part of the intervention, in each of the eight states, one tourism circuit will be identified. Through this intervention, the government aims to attract both domestic and international tourists to the region.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is the chairman of the NEC, chaired the NEC plenary session.

--IANS

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Washington, April 7 (IANS) The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition by Tahawwur Rana to stop his extradition to India to face legal consequences for his role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed 157 people.

“Application (…) denied by the Court,” read the Supreme Court docket as updated Monday.

Rana had tried to stop his extradition, citing fears of torture, citing a UK case.

“A man convicted of money laundering was prevented from being extradited by a London court upholding his fears of torture. If that person could not be extradited to India because he was likely to be tortured, the petitioner is even more likely to be tortured and similarly should not be extradited,” Tillman J. Finley, counsel to Rana, said in the application.

The application was rejected by Justice Elena Kagan in March. Rana went on appeal to Chief Justice John Roberts, and the matter was posted for conference on Friday.

The justices’ verdict was posted on Monday.

Rana is wanted in India for helping David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American found guilty by a US jury of scoping out the targets hit by the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba terrorists in 2008.

Although he was acquitted by a US jury of providing material support for the attacks, he was found guilty of two other charges for which he was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.

Due to failing health in the aftermath of the COVID-19 epidemic, he was ordered to be released from jail. But he was rearrested for extradition to India.

Headley had secured himself a guarantee against extradition in a plea deal with US authorities.

Rana appealed against his extradition and had now exhausted his legal options with his appeal to the chief justice being denied.

President Donald Trump had announced his extradition to India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House in February.

Rana had subsequently gone to the Supreme Court to stop his extradition.

It could not be immediately ascertained how soon he will be on a flight to India.

--IANS

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Jerusalem/Beirut, April 7 (IANS) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Monday that it has targetted a Hamas militant posing as a journalist in Gaza and killed a Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon.

The IDF said in a statement that the army and the internal security service Shin Bet struck Hamas "terrorist" Hassan Abdel Fattah Mohammed Aslih in the Khan Younis area, southern Gaza, "who operates under the guise of a journalist and owns a press company."

According to the IDF statement, Aslih, a member of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, participated in the attack on October 7, 2023, during which "he documented and uploaded footage of looting, arson, and murder to social media."

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported earlier in the day that Israeli warplanes bombed a media tent near Nasser Medical Complex Hospital in Khan Younis, killing two journalists and wounding Aslih and eight others.

In another statement, the IDF said it killed Mohammed Adnan Mansour, Hezbollah's artillery commander, in an airstrike in the Taybeh area, southern Lebanon, on Monday.

The IDF said Mohammed directed and carried out numerous projectile attacks toward the Upper Galilee area in northern Israel, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, affiliated with the Ministry of Public Health, said a person was killed on Monday in an Israeli drone strike targetting a motorcycle in the center of the village of Taybeh, located in the eastern sector of the border area, without providing further details regarding the attack.

Since November 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect, putting an end to more than a year of hostilities triggered by the war in Gaza.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli military occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming that the operations target Hezbollah "threats".

--IANS

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Beirut, April 7 (IANS) Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed on Monday that disarming Hezbollah is a national and international priority, stressing that the only viable path to achieving this goal is through dialogue, a statement from the presidency said.

"As I said in my inauguration speech, there is no place for weapons or armed groups outside the framework of the state," Aoun stated. "These issues must be resolved through communication and dialogue. After all, Hezbollah is a Lebanese component."

He also revealed that work will soon begin on drafting a National Security Strategy, which will lay the foundation for a National Defence Strategy.

"We are all committed to the same objective," he added. "Differences in opinion are normal; that's the essence of democracy. What matters is that our goal is unified."

Aoun's remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon, led by Edward Gabriel, Xinhua news agency reported. The delegation delivered a clear message from Washington emphasising two urgent priorities: the disarmament of Hezbollah and the implementation of reforms necessary for Lebanon to access international financial aid.

Gabriel praised the efforts of the Lebanese army and the President personally, while also noting that "there is still much to be done." He added that the quicker reforms are implemented, the sooner the US can offer meaningful support.

Gabriel also disclosed that the US Congress is preparing a funding bill for Lebanon next year.

In addition, Aoun emphasized the need to ease tensions in the south, underlining that Lebanon needs both time and space to resolve issues calmly.

He called on the United States to pressure Israel to withdraw from the five points Israel continues to occupy, saying their presence complicates the situation further. To bolster security, he noted that the Lebanese government had recently approved the recruitment of 4,500 soldiers.

Since November 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect, putting an end to more than a year of hostilities triggered by the war in Gaza.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli military occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming that the operations target Hezbollah "threats".

--IANS

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Washington, April 7 (IANS) The White House on Monday pushed back on reports about US President Donald Trump considering a 90-day pause in the implementation of his sweeping reciprocal tariffs, according to a news report.

US markets opened in the negative on Monday for the third consecutive day, but it climbed back into the positive later in the morning and fluctuated around that point as investors tried to ascertain the veracity of a report that the White House was considering a 90-day pause in the tariffs.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House has denied the pause report. "Fake news", a White House official said in a text message to The Wall Street Journal, the newspaper reported.

Bill Ackman, an influential Wall Street investor, called for a 90-day pause in the tariff in a post on X. "I have a lot of respect for our President and what he has accomplished so far, but I don't think he is infallible, which is why I am stating loud and clear that I strongly believe launching tariffs on April 9th against the entire world — massively in excess of what we are being charged — is a mistake," said Ackman.

"Skeptics are attempting to discredit my views by making the case that I am conflicted or otherwise vulnerable to tariffs, a market crash or a correction, or that I have somehow positioned our portfolio to benefit from my recommended 90-day pause on the implementation of reciprocal tariffs," he went on to say.

The Journal reported that the false report may have caused a "powerful mid-morning morning rally" in US stocks, causing a surge in the S&P 500 by 7 per cent in about half an hour.

But Trump and his advisors are not budging on the tariffs, and threatened China with fresh levies.

"Yesterday, China issued Retaliatory Tariffs of 34 per cent, on top of their already record setting Tariffs, Non-Monetary Tariffs, Illegal Subsidization of companies, and massive long term Currency Manipulation, despite my warning that any country that Retaliates against the US by issuing additional Tariffs, above and beyond their already existing long term Tariff abuse of our Nation, will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs, over and above those initially set. Therefore, if China does not withdraw its 34 per cent increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50 per cent, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated! Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social website.

--IANS

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Colombo, April 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited and laid a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, near Colombo, on Saturday evening. While paying respects, he hailed the brave soldiers of the IPKF who had laid down their lives in the service of peace, unity and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

The IPKF Memorial in Sri Lanka is perhaps the only war memorial commemorating the sacrifice of Indian soldiers, dedicated by a foreign country other than the United Kingdom.

It honours the memory of the 1169 personnel of the Indian forces who lost their lives while serving with the IPKF between 1987-1990. The memorial was constructed by the Lankan government on the outskirts of Colombo in 2008.

"Laid a wreath at the IPKF Memorial in Colombo. We remember the brave soldiers of the Indian Peace Keeping Force who laid down their lives in service of peace, unity and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Their unwavering courage and commitment remain a source of inspiration for us all," said PM Modi.

The Prime Minister had also visited the monument during his first visit to the island nation in 2015.

Earlier in the day, several key agreements, including on defence cooperation and development of Trincomalee as an energy hub, were signed between the two countries following the bilateral discussions held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Other MoUs signed included on Implementation of HVDC Interconnection for Import/Export of Power; on Cooperation in the Field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation; on Multi-sectoral Grant Assistance for Eastern Province; on Cooperation in the Field of Health and Medicine and on Pharmacopoeial Cooperation.

Prime Minister Modi also announced comprehensive capacity-building programme in India covering 700 Sri Lankans annually; India's grant assistance for the development of Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee, Sita Eliya temple in Nuwara Eliya, and Sacred City Complex project in Anuradhapura; the Exposition of Lord Buddha relics in Sri Lanka on International Vesak Day 2025; as well as the conclusion of Bilateral Amendatory Agreements on Debt Restructuring.

Some other key projects built with Indian assistance that are being inaugurated during PM Modi's ongoing visit include inauguration of upgraded railway track of Maho-Omanthai railway line; Launch of Construction of Signalling System for Maho-Anuradhapura railway line; Ground Breaking ceremony of Sampur Solar power project; Inauguration of Temperature Controlled Agricultural Warehouse in Dambulla; and, supply of Solar Rooftop Systems for 5000 Religious Institutions across Sri Lanka.

The visit of the Indian Prime Minister, undertaken at the invitation of President Dissanayake, reaffirms the shared vision of 'Friendship of Centuries – Commitment to a Prosperous Future' between the two nations.

--IANS

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Colombo, April 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reiterated India's strong commitment to the development and progress of the Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) community in Sri Lanka during his meeting with the community leaders in Colombo.

"The meeting with leaders of Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) was fruitful. The community constitutes a living bridge between the two countries for over 200 years. India will support construction of 10,000 houses, healthcare facilities, the sacred site Seetha Eliya temple and other community development projects for IOTs in cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka,"

The PM also met the leaders of the Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka.

"It is always a pleasure to meet the leaders of the Tamil community of Sri Lanka. Conveyed my condolences on the passing of respected Tamil leaders, Thiru R. Sampanthan and Thiru Mavai Senathirajah, both of whom were personally known to me. Reiterated unwavering commitment to a life of equality, dignity and justice for the Tamil community within united Sri Lanka. Many projects and initiatives launched during my visit will contribute to their social, economic and cultural progress," he said.

Earlier in the day, while making a Joint Press Statement along with the Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Modi highlighted India's longstanding support for the Indian Origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka, stating that the construction work of 10,000 houses for them will be completed soon.

PM Modi also met Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and appreciated his valuable contribution in fostering India-Sri Lanka friendship.

"Glad to meet Sri Lanka's Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa. Appreciated his personal contribution and commitment to strengthening India-Sri Lanka friendship. Our special partnership receives support in Sri Lanka cutting across party lines. Our cooperation and robust development partnership are guided by the welfare of the people of our two countries," said PM Modi.

Premadasa acknowledged the importance of strong bilateral relations between both nations and expressed gratitude for India's consistent support during the difficult times of Sri Lanka.

"Honoured to have met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a moment that calls for more than economic cooperation, it calls for a deeper partnership between our nations. Sri Lanka and India have the chance to shape a future of Shared Ascent, where growth is not just measured in trade, but in the well-being of our people. Grateful for India's unwavering support during Sri Lanka’s most difficult times," Premadasa posted on X.

Prime Minister Modi travelled to the island nation straight after attending the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok.

Praising Sri Lankan President Dissanayake for his "personal commitment" to India-Sri Lanka ties, PM Modi said that the two countries have added more momentum to linkages in security, trade, agriculture, housing, culture, and other sectors during the bilateral discussions held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Saturday.

--IANS

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Washington, April 4 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Friday said China had “panicked” by retaliating to his reciprocal tariff with a matching levy of 34 per cent on all imported goods from America.

Market turmoil deepened on news of China's retaliation. All major US indexes dropped more than 3 per cent in morning trading. And the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite had fallen by 4 per cent, and the Wall Street Journal said, it was on pace to close in a bear market, meaning it has fallen more than 20 per cent from a recent peak.

Trump announced a 34 per cent tariff on imports from China on Wednesday, along with levies on all of America’s trading partner countries, including India with 26 per cent. A base-line rate of 10 per cent has been levied on all trading partner countries with some of them such as China, India, Japan, the EU and others, were hit with higher rates.

"China played it wrong, they panicked - the one thing they cannot afford to do!" the American President wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform.

The unsaid implication seemingly was that the president either expected or preferred that Beijing had chosen negotiation over retaliation.

“Well, it depends,” he said in response to a question from a reporter on Thursday if he was open to negotiations.

“If somebody said that we're going to give you something that's so phenomenal, as long as they're giving us something, that’s good.”

He said earlier: “The tariffs give us great power to negotiate. I've always used them very well in the first administration, as you saw, but now we're taking it to a whole new level, because it's a worldwide situation, and it's very exciting to see."

But his position seemed at odds with his top aides, who have said these tariffs are not negotiable.

“I don’t think there’s any chance…that President Trump’s going to back off his tariffs,” Howard Lutnick, secretary of commerce and a key architect of the president’s tariffs, said on Thursday. “The world should stop exploiting the United States of America.”

Top trade aide Peter Navarro told a media outlet the tariffs are “not a negotiation”.

--IANS

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United Nations, April 4 (IANS) While appealing for international help to quake-ravaged Myanmar, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for transforming the “tragic moment” into an opportunity to end the brutal civil conflict.

He asked the international community to immediately step up vitally needed funding to match the scale of this crisis.

And to the government and people of Myanmar, he said, “as they unite in grief, it’s also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict”.

“There must be an end to the violence and human rights violations across the country and a pathway for democracy to take root,” he said while speaking to reporters at the UN on Thursday.

Guterres announced that he was rushing Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher to Myanmar and his Special Envoy Julie Bishop will visit the country "to reinforce our commitment to peace and dialogue”.

India had already launched “Operation Brahma” immediately after the earthquake, flying relief supplies and personnel to Myanmar, which was the epicentre of the March 28 earthquake.

Guterres said, “The death toll is now 3,000 and climbing – with thousands injured, and many trapped under the rubble. This disaster has laid bare the deeper vulnerabilities facing people throughout the country,” he said.

He added that as communities across Myanmar unite in grief, it’s also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict.

Welcoming the temporary ceasefire between the military government and the rebels in the civil war, he said, “This is essential to help aid flow and let rescuers do their jobs. But an end to fighting must quickly lead to a beginning of a serious political dialogue and the release of political prisoners.”

He said that the ceasefire should lead to an inclusive political process where all the people of Myanmar feel represented.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the quake has affected more than 17 million people.

Myanmar is ruled by the military, which overthrew the democratically elected government in 2021.

The regime has not been recognised and the representatives of the civilian government continue to hold Myanmar’s seat at the UN.

--IANS

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