Statue of Tamil poet unveiled in Philippines
Manila, Feb 17: Indian Ambassador Harsh Kumar Jain unveiled the statue of noted Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar in the Philippines, an official statement said on Monday.
The unveiling took place at the Gullas College of Medicine (GCM) in Cebu on Saturday, the Indian embassy in the Philippines said in a post on X.
The envoy also attended the Indo-Philippine Cultural and Educational Exchange Summit at the college.
Both events were organised as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines. (PTI)
Mela celebrates deep-rooted India-SL civilisational ties
Colombo, Feb 17: The 2025 ‘Sripalee Mela’, celebrating the people-to-people contact and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka, concluded in Horana, a town in the Kalutara district of Western Province of Sri Lanka, on Monday.
India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, Sri Lankan Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala and former Member of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka graced the closing ceremony of the festival as special guests. In his speech, High Commissioner Jha highlighted the historic ties between India and Sri Lanka.
“During his remarks, the High Commissioner highlighted that Sripalee College is a testament of India-Sri Lanka people to people connect. It stands as a symbol of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s vision, nurturing creativity and strengthening India and Sri Lanka cultural bonds,” stated a post on X by the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka. (IANS)
Warning issued over surge in snake bites in Australia
Sydney, Feb 17: Australians in the northeastern state of Queensland have been warned to be cautious around snakes amid a surge in attacks.
Seven people in Queensland were hospitalised over the weekend with snake bites, including a man in his 30s who was in critical condition after being bitten on the ankle at a property about 40 km north of Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.
According to data from the Queensland Ambulance Service, there were 129 reported snake bites across the state in December and 128 in January.
In the seven days to February 10, there were 24 reported incidents.
Stuart McKenzie, owner of a Queensland snake-catching business, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television on Monday that it has been a record-breaking summer. He attributed the rise in snake confrontations to the growing urban sprawl into snake habitats. “If you have a snake in your yard or your house, it’s just about keeping a safe distance and always calling a snake catcher,” he said. (IANS)
BAPS Hindu Mandir marks first anniv in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, Feb 17: The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi celebrated its first anniversary with a grand event, aligning with the UAE’s Year of Community. The occasion brought together UAE leadership, dignitaries, faith leaders, and thousands of devotees.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance, traveled directly from Portugal to attend as the event’s patron. He was joined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, along with 450 dignitaries, ambassadors, and government officials. More than 20 members of the royal family, ministers, and UAE leadership attended, alongside 300 community leaders. In total, the Mandir welcomed over 13,000 visitors, including 2,000 gathered for the special ceremony. Themed “Mandir: The Heart of Community,” the program on Sunday celebrated the Mandir’s impact with esteemed leaders and visionaries. (IANS)
New Zealand net migration falls in 2024
Wellington, Feb 17: New Zealand had a net migration gain of 27,100 in 2024, down from a net gain of 128,300 in 2023, which was a feature of New Zealand’s history to experience ups and downs in net migration, according to the statistics department Stats NZ on Monday. The ups and downs in net migration have been much larger in 2023 and 2024, said Stats NZ international migration statistics spokesperson, net migration rose by just over 100,000 in 2023 and fell by a similar amount in 2024, Drake said, adding there was still a net migration gain overall. Fewer migrant arrivals of non-New Zealand passport holders contribute to the fall in New Zealand’s net migration in 2024, she said, adding the overall net migration gain in 2024 was just below the long-term average net gain of 29,100 before the Covid-19 pandemic. Changes in migration are typically due to a combination of factors, including relative economic and labor market conditions between New Zealand and the rest of the world, and immigration policy in New Zealand and other countries. (IANS)