Rahul Gandhi meets college students in Chennai
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday interacted with students of Stella Maris College in Chennai.
JD(S) launches Lok Sabha poll campaign in Karnataka
Karnataka PWD Minister and JD (S) leader H.D Revanna along with party workers during a campaign in Holenarsipur in Hassan district on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.
The JD(S) launches campaign for Lok Sabha election by offering special prayers at a temple at Mudalahippe in Holenarsipur taluk. Party's national President H.D.Deve Gowda participated in the event.
Prajwal Revanna, who is expected to be the party's candidate in Hassan, his parents H.D Revanna, PWD minister, Bhavani Revanna, Hassan ZP member, conducted special pooja. A large number of party workers accompanied the leaders.
China using “pay-day loan diplomacy” in the Pacific: U.S. diplomat
U.S. Ambassador to Australia, Arthur Culvahouse Jr. speaks to the media during his first press conference outside his residence at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra on March 13, 2019.
China's is using “pay-day loan diplomacy” to exert influence in the Pacific, the new U.S. Ambassador to Australia said on Wednesday, comments that threaten to inflame regional tensions.
The United States and its regional allies have been battling China for greater influence in the Pacific — a region that has votes at international forums like the United Nations and controls vast swathes of a resource-rich ocean.
The geopolitical competition has seen both sides increase foreign aid to the region in recent months, which the West says is needed to prevent the Pacific falling into financial distress and becoming susceptible to diplomatic pressure from Beijing.
South Korea steps up fight against pollution, says problem is 'social disaster'
South Korean President Moon Jae-in (center) walks next to Malaysia King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah inspects an honor guard during his welcome ceremony at Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 13, 2019.
South Korea on Wednesday ramped up its firepower as its battle pollution, passing a set of bills that designate the problem a 'social disaster' and which could unlock emergency funds to tackle the issue.
Pollution in Asia's fourth-largest economy has been driven up by factors including coal-fired power generation and high vehicle emissions, sparking widespread concern among the public and weighing on President Moon Jae-in's approval ratings.
Designating the issue a 'disaster' allows the government to use parts of its reserve funds to help respond to any damage or emergency caused by polluted air. The country's reserve funds stand at up to 3 trillion won ($2.65 billion) this year.
(With inputs from Agencies)
