Central News Hub

Month: December 2024

Ukrainian Army Prepares for Major Drone Boost in 2025

The Minister did not say how these drones will be distributed among Ukrainian troops. Ukraine is working to scale up domestic defence production, aiming to produce 1.5 million drones by the end of 2024…reports Asian Lite News

The Ukrainian army is set to receive more than 30,000 Deep Strike combat drones next year, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said. “These next-generation drones can operate autonomously over long distances and strike enemy targets with high precision,” Umerov wrote on Thursday on Facebook.

The delivery of the drones is a part of the “Resilience Plan” unveiled last month by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Umerov noted. He added that a portion of these drones is funded by international partners that have invested in Ukraine’s defence industry, Xinhua news agency reported. The Minister did not say how these drones will be distributed among Ukrainian troops. Ukraine is working to scale up domestic defence production, aiming to produce 1.5 million drones by the end of 2024.

There is a “significant volume” of new and long-term orders for first-person-view (FPV) drones, reconnaissance drones, long-range drones, and missile drones, Zelensky said on Tuesday. Kyiv employs long-range drones to strike deep into Russian territory, targeting military infrastructure such as airfields and logistics, as well as oil refineries and depots. Earlier this year, Ukrainian officials outlined plans to produce in 2024 between 1 million and 2 million FPV drones, about 10,000 medium-range and more than 1,000 long-range combat drones.

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6 December 2024
Global Help Needed for Africa’s Kids

UNICEF Regional Director Etleva Kadilli said that eastern and southern Africa is home to millions of children facing extraordinary challenges…reports Asian Lite News

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched an appeal for $1.2 billion to support 51 million children facing multiple crises, including climate shocks, public health emergencies, conflicts, and economic impacts in eastern and southern Africa.

UNICEF said the figure shows an increase of six million children in need compared to the previous year, signalling a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the region, Xinhua news agency reported.

The UN agency said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the funds will enable it to prioritise the needs and rights of underserved children and communities in the region, where more than 63 million people are affected by public health emergencies.

Over 150mn kids in Africa gripped by poverty, climate disaster: Report.(photo:kenya.savethechildren.net)

UNICEF Regional Director Etleva Kadilli said that eastern and southern Africa is home to millions of children facing extraordinary challenges.

“Yet even in the face of adversity, we see remarkable dynamism, hope and resilience. By prioritising action and investment, we can make a transformative change, ensuring that children have the opportunities they need to make a difference in their lives,” Kadilli said.

UNICEF noted that the growing frequency and rapid spread of public health emergencies, combined with fragile resilience and cross-border population movements, heighten the region’s vulnerability to infectious disease outbreaks, including mpox, Marburg, cholera, malaria, and other vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and polio.

UNICEF said approximately one in three children in the region faces food poverty and 28 million are at risk of being trapped in a cycle of malnutrition and poverty amid declining food production and rising malnutrition.

According to the UN agency, despite improved enrolment rates across the region, children’s access to education is dire, with nearly 47 million children out of school.

“Children in this region are at the epicentre of the global learning crisis, and disproportionately affected by public health emergencies, conflict and climate-related disasters, with nine out of 10 children unable to read a simple text by age 10,” it said.

Displacement in the region increased by almost 15 per cent due to climate impacts such as floods and droughts as well as escalating conflicts in neighbouring countries, UNICEF said.

From April 2023 to October 10, 2024, more than 826,000 people, including 415,000 children, crossed into South Sudan, fleeing war in Sudan.

To protect children and build community and systemic resilience amid the shocks of multiple crises, UNICEF will continue to prioritise lifesaving efforts for the most vulnerable, while strengthening national capacity and preparedness for timely and efficient humanitarian responses to ensure children’s rights.

ALSO READ: Boxing Champ To Fuel Muslim Aid

6 December 2024
Turkey, UN Stress Political Dialogue to End Syrian Conflict

Guterres said he emphasised during his talks with Erdogan the urgent need for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need and a return to the UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed…reports Asian Lite News

Turkey’s Erdogan, UN chief discuss Syrian conflict over phone Ankara, Dec 6 (IANS) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held a phone call, discussing the latest developments in Syria, according to a statement from Erdogan’s office.

During the phone conversation on Thursday, Erdogan highlighted Turkey’s commitment to stability in Syria, reiterating that Ankara’s primary objective is to prevent further instability and civilian casualties in the region, the statement said. “The Syrian government must urgently engage with its own people to work towards a comprehensive political solution,” the Turkish President added.

At a later UN press meeting, Guterres said he emphasised during his talks with Erdogan the urgent need for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need and a return to the UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed, Xinhua news agency reported. The UN Chief also stressed that all parties are obligated under international law to protect civilians. “It is time for serious dialogue,” he said, adding, “In other words, restoring Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, and meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.” Since November 27, Syrian rebel groups, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, have launched a significant offensive in northern Syria, seeking to advance into government-controlled areas. By Thursday, the rebel forces have seized major cities such as Aleppo and Hama. The surprise rebel offensive came as Syria has been reeling from the effects of a 13-year civil war.

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6 December 2024
India, the Forgotten Epicentre of Knowledge and Trade: Dalrymple

Referring to India’s rise as an IT powerhouse, Dalrymple said it was not the first time that Indian knowledge has contributed to the development of mankind…reports Asian Lite News

India is yet to claim rightful credit for its historical role as the epicentre of knowledge and world trade while other countries like China and Greece have established narratives to highlight their contribution to mankind, said renowned author William Dalrymple, here on Saturday.

He said this at the concluding day of the three-day Huddle Global event, here.

Referring to India’s rise as an IT powerhouse, Dalrymple said it was not the first time that Indian knowledge has contributed to the development of mankind.

“India was a part of the world which very early on answered the big questions of mankind like why are we here, how to lead a moral life what is the relation of the earth to the heaven and the size of the earth,” he said.

“It is worth asking why everyone in the West had heard about Archimedes and Pythagoras but no one knows the names of Brahmagupta whose works led to the concept of zero and the earth’s position in the solar system,” said the eminent author, whose recent book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World, illustrates the historical role of India in trade, science and religion that influenced the world.

Aryabhata proposed that the Earth was not the centre of the universe centuries before Galileo, but the latter received recognition for the discovery. He said that the knowledge developed in India later became weapons in the hands of European colonizers who used it to establish dominance and reap commercial benefits.

He said visiting Chinese scholars were amazed by the Takshashila University which was a flourishing education centre at that time and the physical structure of that university has influenced universities across the world since then, with learning centres placed around large courtyards. But India is yet to excavate 90 per cent of the Nalanda University remnants in today’s Bihar to present its case.

Dalrymple also pointed out that India’s ancient maritime trade routes were culturally and commercially busier than China’s Silk Road. The connections between Indian ports, especially Muziris on India’s western coast, and regions like Rome and Egypt, were of immense significance. Ancient India had greater integration with Mediterranean, Persian and Greek influences than widely believed, with reciprocal impacts on art and scholarship.

ALSO READ-William Dalrymple Unveils ‘The Golden Road’ in Hampi

6 December 2024
3 Minutes of Activity Cuts Heart Attack Risk by 51%

Female participants who averaged 3.4 minutes of VILPA daily were 51 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack and 67 per cent less likely to develop heart failure than those who did no VILPA…reports Asian Lite News

Australian research has found that short daily bursts of intense physical activity could reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events among middle-aged women by almost half.

The research, which was published on Wednesday by the University of Sydney, found that an average of four minutes of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) a day significantly reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, for middle aged women, Xinhua news agency reported.

It found that women aged 40-79 who did not engage in regular structured exercise but averaged 3.4 minutes of VILPA daily were 45 per cent less likely to experience a major cardiovascular event than those who did no VILPA.

Emmanuel Stamatakis, lead author of the study, said that daily incidental vigorous activity completed in short bursts lasting up to one minute was shown to improve heart health outcomes in middle-aged women.

“Making short bursts of vigorous physical activity a lifestyle habit could be a promising option for women who are not keen on structured exercise or are unable to do it for any reason,” he said in a media release.

“As a starting point, it could be as simple as incorporating throughout the day a few minutes of activities like stair climbing, carrying shopping, uphill walking, playing tag with a child or pet, or either uphill or power walking.”

The study drew on data from 22,368 participants in the United Kingdom (UK) Biobank study who wore physical activity trackers between 2013 and 2015.

Cardiovascular health was monitored through hospital and mortality records until November 2022.

Female participants who averaged 3.4 minutes of VILPA daily were 51 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack and 67 per cent less likely to develop heart failure than those who did no VILPA.

A minimum of 1.2 minutes of VILPA per day was associated with a 30 per cent lower risk of total major cardiovascular events, a 33 per cent lower risk of heart attack, and a 40 per cent lower risk of heart failure.

Men were found to experience fewer health benefits from VILPA. Those who averaged 5.6 minutes daily were only 16 per cent less likely to experience a major cardiovascular event than those who did none.

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6 December 2024
Macron Promises PM Pick Soon

On Thursday morning, Barnier formally submitted his resignation to Macron…reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that he will nominate a new Prime Minister “within the coming days” to replace Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote a day before.

“I will name a new Prime Minister within the coming days. I will instruct him to form a government of general interest representing all the political forces,” Macron said on Thursday evening in a national address delivered 24 hours after the historic non-confidence vote, Xinhua news agency reported.

The vote marked a significant political crisis for France, forcing a Prime Minister to step down for the first time since 1962 and making Barnier’s government the first to fall to such a motion in over six decades.

On Thursday morning, Barnier formally submitted his resignation to Macron. Pending the formation of a new government, Macron has tasked Barnier with leading a caretaker administration to manage current affairs, the Elysee Palace said in a press statement.

Moreover, in his speech, Macron reaffirmed his commitment to the presidency amid calls from a left-wing alliance for him to resign.

“The mandate you have given me is for five years and I will exercise it until the very end,” he said.

Looking ahead, Macron said that the new government will present a revised budget “at the very beginning of next year”.

He added that a special law would be proposed in Parliament to extend the terms of the 2024 budget into 2025 to ensure the continuity of public services.

With less than a month remaining to approve the 2025 national budget and Barnier’s government collapse, the urgency of resolving the political deadlock has intensified.

ALSO READ: Macron, Netanyahu Meet Over Arms Embargo

5 December 2024
Boxing Champ To Fuel Muslim Aid

Muslim Aid Expands UK Initiatives for 2024 with Focus on Knife Crime, Homelessness, and Refugee Support. It Teams Up with Inspired Capital Sports and Champion Boxer Hamza Uddin to Strengthen Its Efforts

Muslim Aid has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly enhance its UK aid activities in 2024, addressing critical social challenges such as homelessness, knife crime, and support for refugees.

To strengthen its campaign against youth offending, Muslim Aid announced the appointment of professional boxer Hamza Uddin as its new Brand Ambassador. The charity is also partnering with Inspired Capital Sports (ICS) to create meaningful change through sports and education.

Hamza Uddin, a National Champion and International Gold Medalist, brings both athletic excellence and a deep commitment to community betterment. As a role model for young people, Uddin will collaborate with Muslim Aid to raise awareness about knife crime and provide alternatives for at-risk youth.

Speaking about the partnership, Hamza Uddin said: “I’m honoured to partner with Muslim Aid and support their incredible work in tackling knife crime. Growing up, I saw how crucial positive influences and support systems are. Boxing taught me discipline, respect, and hard work. Together, we can inspire young people to choose a better path and make our streets safer.”

Muslim Aid’s partnership with ICS aims to drive transformative change in underserved communities. Riz Khan, Founder and CEO of ICS, said: “Muslim Aid and Inspired Capital Sports have come together to create opportunities through sports and education. This partnership will provide bursaries to help individuals unlock their potential and support professional athletes with sponsorship and ambassador programs, enabling them to contribute positively to their communities.”

Hamza Uddin will work closely with community groups, schools, and local authorities across the UK to promote mentorship and sports programs for at-risk youth. The initiative aims to use sports and positive role models to address the rise in knife-related violence, particularly in urban areas.

Muslim Aid’s expanded UK projects include partnerships with local authorities, MPs, faith organisations, and community initiatives such as The Felix Project, Help the Homeless Leicester, Breaking the Cycle, and the NHS. The charity has committed substantial funding to assist thousands of vulnerable individuals, including: Street homeless populations; Families affected by the cost-of-living crisis; Refugees and asylum seekers and Communities impacted by knife crime.

Khalid Javid, CEO of Muslim Aid, expressed his enthusiasm for the new initiatives:

“We are thrilled to welcome Hamza Uddin as our Brand Ambassador in tackling knife crime. His dedication inside and outside the ring makes him an inspiring figure for young people. Together, we aim to highlight that there are alternatives to violence and, through proper support, we can create stronger, safer communities.”

Muslim Aid’s renewed focus on UK aid reflects the rising demand for assistance due to economic pressures, housing instability, and increasing crime rates. Through collaborative efforts and grassroots programs, the charity is committed to addressing these pressing issues and building resilient communities across the nation.

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5 December 2024
Indian Fintech Sees Job Boom

Continued job growth is anticipated throughout 2024, propelled by digital transformation, changing regulatory landscapes, and initiatives aimed at enhancing financial inclusion…reports Asian Lite News

Job opportunities are expected to rise by 7.5 per cent in the Indian fintech industry, spurred by the widespread embrace of digital payments, blockchain innovations and the growth of open banking systems, according to a report on Thursday.

While the banking industry has seen a 7.3 per cent net rise in employment, fuelled by regulatory initiatives, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are also showing steady growth, with a 5.1 per cent net rise in employment, according to latest insights from TeamLease Staffing.

Continued job growth is anticipated throughout 2024, propelled by digital transformation, changing regulatory landscapes, and initiatives aimed at enhancing financial inclusion, the report noted.

“We’ve observed an important inflection point for workforce dynamics in India. Beyond the numbers, what stands out is the increasing interdependence of technological adoption and workforce efficiency,” said Krishnendu Chatterjee, VP and Business Head of TeamLease.

Industries are no longer just hiring to meet headcount goals but are strategically aligning workforce skills with evolving business models.

“For instance, the surge in cloud adoption, AI, and IoT integration is not just reshaping how businesses operate but also redefining the roles and skills needed. These trends suggest that workforce growth is becoming more qualitative, where productivity, innovation, and adaptability are as critical as expansion,” Chatterjee added.

Banks are prioritising recruitment in areas such as compliance, digital product management, and AI-enhanced fraud detection to facilitate a transition towards more digital-centric services while still upholding traditional banking practices.

Approximately 63 per cent of NBFCs anticipate further expansion as they adjust their strategies to comply with new regulatory standards and strengthen their digital lending offerings.

“In demand are positions such as credit risk analysts, digital lending managers, and compliance experts as NBFCs continue to strengthen their digital capabilities while expanding into underbanked regions,” said the report.

While showing a more modest growth of 2.0 per cent in net employment, the insurance sector remains focused on leveraging AI, big data analytics, and insurtech innovations for risk modeling, distribution strategies, and customer experience improvements.

Hiring is concentrated in roles such as actuarial experts, data scientists, and customer experience managers as the industry embraces new technologies to drive efficiency and market penetration, said the report.

ALSO READ: ‘False alarm’ results in King and Queen being pulled away

5 December 2024
Hyundai Announces Price Hike

The price increase will be done across models, and the extent of increase will be up to Rs 25,000….reports Asian Lite News

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) on Thursday announced to increase prices across its model range effective from January 1, 2025, owing to an increase in input costs and other factors.

The price increase will be done across models, and the extent of increase will be up to Rs 25,000. The price increase has been necessitated owing to an increase in input costs, adverse exchange rate and increase in logistics costs, the automaker said in a statement.

“At Hyundai Motor India Limited, our endeavour is always to absorb rising costs to the extent possible, ensuring minimal impact on our customers,” said Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer, HMIL.

However, with the sustained increase in input cost, “it has now become imperative to pass on a part of this cost escalation through a minor price adjustment”, he added. The price increase will be effective from January 1, 2025 on all MY25 models.

In April-September period (H1 FY25), the company sold a total of 3,83,994 units of passenger vehicles. This includes 2,99,094 units in the domestic market with a strong contribution from SUV segment. The export volume stood at 84,900 units.

In November alone, Hyundai Motor India registered total monthly sales of 61,252 units. The company’s domestic sales were at 48,246 units while export sales stood at 13,006 units during the month.

The automaker reported a 16 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit to Rs 1,375 crore for the July-September quarter of the current financial year on the back of lower car sales both in the domestic and export markets.

The country’s second-largest car manufacturer had reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,628 crore in the year-ago period.

The auto major said its consolidated revenue from operations declined 7.5 per cent to Rs 17,260 crore in the second quarter of 2024-25 from Rs 18,660 crore in the same quarter of the previous year.

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5 December 2024
Coal Markets Feel India

India’s growing domestic supply and the government’s focus on reducing import dependence are expected to restrict industrial purchases to the local market…reports Asian Lite News

India’s rising domestic production of thermal coal and the slowdown in the Chinese economy are expected to exert downward pressure on the price of fossil fuel in Asian markets during 2025, according to an S&P Global report released on Thursday.

India’s rising domestic supply and the government’s emphasis on reducing import dependency are likely to keep industrial purchases limited to the domestic market, the report states.

Vignesh Sundaram, a principal research analyst with Commodity Insights, forecast total imports to reach around 206 million MT in 2025 due to increased capital spending on infrastructure. However, strong domestic production will likely keep overall imports stable, he noted.

The report also expects the slowdown in the Chinese economy to reduce the demand for coal in the international market.

China imported around 353 million metric tonnes (MT)of thermal coal so far in 2024, according to the latest data available in S&P Global Commodities at Sea.

According to Pat See Khoo, a senior analyst at S&P Global Commodity Insights, the country is likely to import around 380 million mt of thermal coal in 2025, slightly less than 2024 imports amid stable domestic supply and moderate coal-based power generation growth.

An S&P Global Ratings report said the US is likely to increase export tariffs on Chinese goods in South Asia.

“We assume the U.S. will raise the effective tariff on Chinese imports to 25 per cent from around 14 per cent currently, starting in the middle of 2025,” the report said. It also forecasts Chinese GDP growth at 4.1 per cent in 2025, 0.2 percentage points lower than the September baseline.

Meanwhile, Indonesia is set to remain a cornerstone of the Asian thermal coal market in 2025, retaining its status as the world’s largest exporter. However, mid to small-sized miners could encounter challenges due to suppressed global coal prices amid China’s hard bargaining stance.

Australia’s position in the Asian thermal coal market remains strong in 2025, supported by mid-calorific vale (CV) coal demand from China. A structural supply shortfall in seaborne high-CV thermal coal due to underinvestment and depletion of existing reserves could lead to rising prices, according to the latest market outlook for Whitehaven coal.

Russia’s coal exports to Asia are anticipated to face significant challenges in 2025 due to infrastructure limitations and declining production in its major coal-producing area, Kuzbass. Despite these obstacles, Russia continues to be a key supplier of mid- to high-CV coal, particularly to China and South Korea, the report added.

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5 December 2024