HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 September 2025 – Response to the Policy Address 2025/26 by KK Chiu, International Director, Chief Executive, Greater China of Cushman & Wakefield: Housing Supply and Land Policy Optimize land resource allocation and accelerate public housing supply Hong Kong’s land allocation policies have a profound impact on people’s lives. We are pleased to see the government actively promoting Light […]
A constitutional referendum in Guinea is scheduled for 21 September 2025 under the government led by General Mamady Doumbouya, with a draft constitution that would allow him to run for president, extend presidential term limits, and reshape the country’s political structures. The proposal removes a provision in the current transition charter that bars junta members from contesting elections. It introduces a seven-year presidential term renewable once, up […]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 75 today amid widespread greetings and the launch of a two-week “Sewa Pakhwada” campaign aimed at welfare and outreach efforts across India. State and central leaders as well as ordinary citizens extolled his leadership, while a slate of new programs for women, children and tribal communities were rolled out, especially from Dhar in Madhya Pradesh.
President Droupadi Murmu hailed Modi as “an exemplar of hard work” who has inspired the nation to set and pursue large goals. She wished him health and joy, emphasising how his leadership has helped shape India’s progress globally. Union ministers including Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and BJP president J. P. Nadda echoed these sentiments, pointing to Modi’s role in promoting self-reliance, elevating India’s international stature, and executing reforms across sectors.
The “Sewa Pakhwada” initiative has been structured as a fortnight of activity ending on 2 October, coinciding with the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Under the campaign, programmes such as health check-ups, cleanliness drives, blood donation camps, environmental awareness efforts, promotion of indigenous products, exhibitions, and sports events will take place. BJP youth wings are staging runs and community events in dozens of cities to mark the milestone.
From his birthplace town of Vadnagar in Gujarat to distant corners of the country, celebrations have taken on local flavour. In Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district, special welfare initiatives for women, children and tribal populations were unveiled. Across India, schools and public spaces have hosted rangoli displays, devotional prayers, and cultural performances. Special Ganga Aarti ceremonies have been organised and major state capitals are seeing visual tributes such as large-scale posters and tricolours.
Political reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with opposition voices largely restrained or offering measured praise. Chief ministers from various states, as well as senior figures within BJP and allies, emphasised continuity of governance and commitment to delivering public services. Some messages focused on Modi’s global diplomatic presence, while others lauded domestic schemes and grassroots infrastructure projects.
Analysts see the birthday observances and accompanying welfare push as both symbolic and strategic. The scale of the celebrations and outreach efforts suggests an aim to reinforce popular support ahead of upcoming elections. The use of service initiatives spans across regions and social groups; the focus on tribal welfare and women’s health is being viewed as an attempt to address longstanding development gaps. Modi’s third consecutive term as Prime Minister has already witnessed significant policy moves in defence, infrastructure, manufacturing, and digital governance, boosting India’s international profile even as challenges such as inflation, unemployment and rural distress persist.
Greenlogue/AP QatarEnergy has awarded Samsung C&T’s Engineering & Construction Group the contract to build a mammoth solar power facility in Dukhan, around 80 km west of Doha. The plant will deliver 2,000 MW in two phases by mid-2029. Phase one will supply 1,000 MW to the Kahramaa grid by end-2028. The full plant is designed to support QatarEnergy’s drive to exceed 4,000 MW of renewable generation capacity […]
Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit against The New York Times, four of its journalists, and Penguin Random House, alleging that a pattern of false reporting and published material has severely damaged his reputation and business interests. The suit, lodged in the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, identifies articles and a book written by Times reporters Susanne […]
A vast photograph of Donald Trump standing beside convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been unfurled on the grounds of Windsor Castle as the president prepares for a state visit to the United Kingdom. The installation was organised by the activist collective Everyone Hates Elon, which claims the display was crowd-funded by members of the British public to draw attention to Trump’s historical connections with Epstein. The […]
A framework agreement has been reached between the United States and China that will shift control of TikTok to a US‐based ownership, while aiming to protect both national security and the app’s “Chinese characteristics,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said after trade talks in Madrid. The deal, though lacking full disclosure of commercial details, is to be finalised when President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping speak on […]
Washington and Doha are on the verge of agreeing a substantially upgraded defence cooperation treaty following an Israeli airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders, sources say. The move signals a deepening strategic alignment as tensions in the region intensify. US diplomat Marco Rubio confirmed that both countries are “nearing finalisation” of an agreement that would strengthen joint military planning, basing, intelligence sharing and oversight of operations on […]
Kathmandu’s streets remain tense as Sushila Karki assumed the premiership and formed an interim cabinet, calling for unity after anti-corruption protests left at least 72 people dead and more than 2,100 injured. Violent demonstrations over corruption, nepotism and a short-lived social media ban triggered the collapse of the previous government led by K. P. Sharma Oli. Ms Karki, a former chief justice and Nepal’s first woman prime […]
Tanzania’s Independent National Electoral Commission disqualified opposition presidential candidate Luhaga Mpina for the second time on Monday, reversing an order from two days earlier that had reinstated his nomination. Mpina, leader of ACT-Wazalendo, Tanzania’s second-largest opposition party, had his nomination papers accepted by INEC following a high-court ruling. That court decision had overturned an earlier disqualification. But the electoral commission, citing procedural irregularities, reimposed the ban. With […]
Malawi has welcomed several international election observer missions ahead of its general elections due on 16 September 2025, in a move intended to enhance transparency and confidence in the electoral process. The European Union, Southern African Development Community, African Union in conjunction with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, among others, have deployed teams to monitor presidential, parliamentary and local government voting, campaigning, vote counting […]
Matein Khalid I go into purdah for Wednesday’s FOMC D-Day secure in the knowledge, based on CME futures probability that the most important central bank in the world will cut its overnight borrowing policy rate by at least 25 basis points on Wednesday. Yet there are also “known unknowns” with the Fed’s decision that will haunt and reshape the financial markets as well as America’s toxic politics […]
The Federal Reserve sets the price of money for the world’s largest economy, but the battle now unfolding in Washington is about far more than the next rate decision. President Donald Trump and his economic advisors are pushing to narrow the central bank’s mission and pull it closer to the White House. For international investors, this is not a distant Beltway turf fight. It’s a direct threat […]
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 September 2025 – In Shougang Park, a former ironworks site in western Beijing, new technologies from AI to cloud computing and green innovation are on display amid the rusty blast furnaces and steel relics. The 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), featuring digital innovation and intelligent technologies, is underway in the park, gathering nearly 2,000 enterprises, […]
Gold surged past levels not seen in over four months after growing confidence that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this month boosted demand for bullion, while silver climbed above $40 per ounce for the first time in over a decade.
Spot gold rose around 0.9% to roughly US$3,486.86 per ounce, reaching highs last marked in late April. US gold futures for December delivery also advanced, riding momentum from dovish comments by San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly and a U. S. appeals court decision that struck down most of former President Trump’s tariffs, which weighed on the dollar. Silver jumped about 2.2%, to near US$40.56, its best since September 2011. Other precious metals followed: platinum added 1.5% and palladium rose around 0.8%.
Investors have been digesting a weakening US dollar, cautious labour market indicators, and signals from policymakers suggesting the Fed could lower rates by 25 basis points. Some traders contemplate a larger cut, although forecasts remain varied. Demand for gold as a hedge has been reinforced by geopolitical uncertainty and concerns around the independence of central banking.
Analysts at ANZ and UBS have revised their forecasts for gold upward. ANZ now expects gold to average about US$3,800 per ounce by year-end, with upside toward US$4,000 by mid-2026. UBS similarly raised its year-end target, citing robust central bank buying, persistent inflation pressures, and the likelihood of further policy easing.
Silver’s rally, driven by industrial demand and tight supply, outpaces gold in percentage gains. ETF inflows have also favoured silver, reflecting investor appetite for high-beta exposure in the precious metals space.
Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki has approved the deployment of NATO forces on Polish territory as part of Operation Eastern Sentinel, authorising foreign allied units to bolster national defences. The approval came through a decree issued by the National Security Bureau, granting permission for allied troops from other NATO member states to be stationed in Poland. The decree is classified, and precise details—such as numbers, locations, or which […]
The India-Nepal border has begun reopening across several crossings following days of closure caused by violent protests in Nepal. Checkpoints at Sonauli, Rupaidiha, Kheri, Siddharthnagar and Balrampur have resumed partial movement of goods, under enhanced security and supervision by the Nepal Army.
At Rupaidiha’s Integrated Check Post, over 20 tankers loaded with petroleum, diesel, cooking gas and medicines have entered Nepal, helping to curb shortages of essentials. Nearly 1,000 trucks carrying foodstuffs, machinery and medical supplies await clearance amid prioritisation of life-saving and energy supplies. Market traders and transporters, impacted by steep price rises of commodities such as biscuits and cooking gas, have expressed relief. The border reopening comes amid tight controls, with curfews still in place in sensitive areas and heightened security patrols, including drone surveillance. Authorities warn that full restoration of trade and cross-border traffic will be gradual, given damage to infrastructure and logistical disruptions caused during the unrest.
Nepal is now under an interim government led by Sushila Karki, who took office after anti-corruption protests driven by Gen Z activists forced Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to resign. Her appointment as the first woman to lead the government was confirmed after negotiations involving the president, military leadership and protest representatives. Parliament has been dissolved, and new elections are scheduled for 5 March 2026.
Protesters had demanded transparency, political accountability and an end to nepotism and corruption. The protests were triggered by a controversial social media ban, but escalated rapidly, resulting in more than 50 deaths and over 1,300 injuries in clashes with security forces. Many government buildings, including parliament and the presidential residence, were set ablaze. Curfews were imposed in Kathmandu and neighbouring districts while transport, banking and other services came to a standstill.
With the new government now operating, authorities in Nepal are prioritising restoring law and order and ensuring that those who died or lost property during the unrest receive appropriate investigation and accountability. International reaction has been largely supportive of the transition, with neighbouring countries invoking hopes of stability and peace.
An Israeli airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders and a large drone incursion by Russian forces into Poland have severely challenged the United States’ standing among allies and adversaries alike. These events have intensified debates over Washington’s influence and reliability in preserving international norms and regional security. The Doha attack struck a compound used by senior Hamas political figures, including some negotiating with Qatar over a proposed […]
Discussions between Washington and New Delhi are said to have reached a critical stage, with US officials making India’s cessation of buying Russian oil a central condition for sealing a bilateral trade agreement. Ambassador-nominee Sergio Gor, during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, stated that the two sides are “not that far apart” and are now negotiating “the nitty-gritty” of deal terms. He added that ending oil purchases from Russia is one of the Trump administration’s highest priorities. Those talks are expected to involve India’s trade and commerce ministers in Washington next week.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed Gor’s position in an interview, saying the US will resolve trade barriers with India once India stops purchasing Russian oil. The US has imposed a 50% tariff on certain Indian goods, partly as a penalty tied to India’s energy imports from Russia, while insisting that market openness and reciprocal concessions are essential.
India’s leadership has defended its energy procurement strategy as aligned with national interests, citing economic factors and global market conditions. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed that New Delhi intends to continue buying Russian crude, describing it as a practical choice given price and supply stability. She referenced the high import dependency for energy and refined fuels and argued that decisions about suppliers are driven by utility and cost.
Diplomatic signals suggest that the trade impasse stems from more than tariffs and oil. Gor characterised previous delays as “hiccups” and praised the personal rapport between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as playing a pivotal role in reopening the dialogue. He noted shared strategic goals, including countering Chinese influence, enhancing regional stability, and expanding cooperation in defence and infrastructure.
Analysts warn that making the Russian oil condition a non-negotiable requirement may limit India’s flexibility. New Delhi has maintained that certain sectors — agriculture, dairy, small producers — cannot absorb full opening of its markets without harming domestic stakeholders. As US pressure mounts through tariffs and public statements, India seeks assurances about trade access, particularly for its exports, while preserving sovereign control over energy policy.
AACHEN, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 11 September 2025 – FEV, a leading global engineering and consulting service provider for the energy industry has announced a strategic partnership with the Japan-based Chiyoda Corporation (Chiyoda). The company is one of the world’s leading integrated engineering firms, active in a wide range of business areas including energy, decarbonization, and life sciences. FEV and Chiyoda combine their expertise to offer customers […]
By Sushil Kutty Nepal burned and continues to simmer. Next, France is in turmoil. French citizens have invaded streets and roads blocking all that stands in their way, from roads and buildings and commercial establishments. The agitators are calling it ‘Block #verything Movement’, which is not only telling, prophetic and on the dot but is […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 September 2025 – Singapore has long been recognized as a pivotal hub in Gree’s Southeast Asia growth strategy. With its advanced infrastructure, strong sustainability agenda, and dynamic role in the Asia-Pacific market, Singapore provides the ideal platform for Gree to showcase cutting-edge technologies that combine comfort, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility. This vision was further reinforced at the recent event, […]
