China Consul General Highlights Strengthening India-China Relations, Trade Growth
China and India are witnessing renewed momentum in bilateral relations as trade, investment, and cultural exchanges deepen, said Xu Wei, Consul General of China in Kolkata, during an address titled “China’s Development and China-India Cooperation.” Xu highlighted that both countries, as major emerging economies, have maintained a robust trade partnership with volumes surpassing USD 100 billion for several consecutive years. From January to September this year, bilateral trade reached USD 115.2 billion, up 10.9 percent year-on-year. “The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued over 280,000 visas to Indian citizens this year,” Xu said. “Our Consulate in Kolkata alone issued 12,717 visas, already exceeding last year’s total. Most of these are business visas, showing strong commercial interest.” He also noted that India has reopened tourist visas for Chinese citizens, while direct flights between the two countries are set to resume after five years. “This Sunday, IndiGo will launch a Kolkata–Guangzhou route. In November, Shanghai–New Delhi and Guangzhou–New Delhi flights will also restart, making travel more convenient and cost-effective,” Xu added. The consul general shared his impressions after visiting Shanghai and Suzhou, describing Shanghai as “a window into China’s modernization” and a leader in international trade, finance, and technology. Shanghai’s GDP crossed 5.39 trillion yuan (USD 757 billion) in 2024 — larger than that of several developed nations. Suzhou, he said, has become a global manufacturing powerhouse with growing trade ties with India, reaching USD 10.16 billion last year. Xu also reviewed China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), emphasizing the nation’s steady economic growth and green development goals. “China’s GDP expanded from 110 trillion to over 134 trillion yuan during this period, growing by an average of 5.5 percent annually despite global challenges,” he said. Renewable energy now accounts for nearly 60 percent of China’s power capacity, and more than half of the world’s new energy vehicles are produced in China. China remains the world’s second-largest economy, with a GDP worth about USD 18.9 trillion — around 17 percent of the global total — contributing roughly 30 percent of global growth. Xu stressed that 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China. “President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have agreed that our two countries are partners, not rivals, and opportunities, not threats,” he said. Expressing optimism, Xu added, “With the guidance of our leaders and the efforts of our people, I believe China-India relations will continue to improve, bringing tangible benefits to both nations and contributing to peace and prosperity in Asia and beyond.”
Four people run over by train
In a tragic incident, four people, including a woman and her daughter, were killed after being run over by a train near Rahua Dhala in the Sahebpur Kamal police station area of Begusarai district late this evening. According to police , the victims were crossing the railway track when they were hit by a passing train. The deceased have been identified as Dharamdev Mahto, Rita Devi (wife of Madan Mahto) and her daughter Roshni Kumari, all residents of Rahua village. The identity of the fourth victim is yet to be confirmed. The bodies wete sent for post-mortem . An investigation into the incident has been initiated.
Durgapur court orders Test Identification Parade of six accused in alleged gang-rape of Odisha medical student
A city court, hearing the October 10 alleged gang-rape case of a 23-year-old MBBS student from Odisha, today directed the Test Identification (TI) parade of the six accused, including the classmate, at the Phooljhore jail on October 24, court sources said. The court order came about after advocate Partha Ghosh, appearing for the survivor, prayed for the TI parade of the accused persons as soon as possible, which would be done in the Fuljhore Correctional Home where all the accused are presently lodged. The Advocate maintained the rape was pre-planned, and classmate Wasef Ali (23) is a prime accused. Four of the six arrested accused, who were today produced before the Durgapur Mohokuma Court, have been remanded to judicial custody up to October 26. They are Wasef Ali, Nasiruddin Sheikh alias Samrat (23), Apur Bauri (21) and Firdous Sheikh (23). Yesterday, two other accused, Sheikh Riazuddin and Sheikh Safiq, who recorded their judicial confession before the Durgapur Judicial Magistrate, were also sent to jail custody up to October 26. The Durgapur Police wanted the duo to turn approvers in the case. The investigation revealed that Wasef Ali was in a relationship with his classmate. They had left the campus of her IQ City Medical College here on October 10 around 8 pm to buy dinner. However, investigation revealed that they were found in a compromising position in a forested area outside the campus by three of the five arrested accused youths. As the accused demanded money from the two, the male friend was allowed to leave the area to get money. It is at that time that one of the accused raped the medical student while two others watched. Later, two more youths turned up at the scene of crime. The mobile phone of the medical student was snatched. The male friend arrived with money and the two of them were allowed to go, the investigation revealed. The investigators are now comparing the statements of the victim, the male friend and five youths from the village. However, there are still several discrepancies in their statements, and police are trying to link in the alleged gang-rape.
TMC leader survives gun attack
Former Bidhannagar Municipality councillor and trade union leader Nirmal Dutta today survived a gun attack and sustained head injuries from unidentified assailants, who hit him after a misdirected firing at his Salt Lake party office, official sources said. Injured Dutta was taken to the hospital with head injuries by the local people, who came out after hearing several shots. It was not known immediately if the erstwhile councillor of Ward 38 was attacked by a single miscreant or more as police were investigating the crime by interrogating locals. Sources said the attacker suddenly entered the office of the TMC leader and fired several shots, which failed and as he tried to overpower, the gunman hit him on his head and ran away. Senior officials from Bidhannagar (south) police station were investigating the crime and examining the footage of CCTV cameras of the locality. The attacker had masked his face, sources said.r courses for common serious newborn infections.
Many Newborn infections can be treated with shorter antibiotic courses : Sutdy
Many Newborn infections can be treated with shorter antibiotic courses, according to Indian Neonatology team ( newborn specialist doctors) including Dr Saikiran D, a Consultant Neonatologist at Fernandez Hospital, published an important study in the UK-based journal, Lancet Clinical Medicine. The study showed that shorter antibiotic courses are often as effective as traditional longer courses for common serious newborn infections. Antibiotics save lives, but using them too often or too long can cause ‘antibiotic resistance’ that makes infections harder to treat, the study stated. It also exposed vulnerable newborns to side effects, longer hospital stays, and higher costs. Premature and sick newborns receive antibiotics more frequently and for longer periods than older children and adults. Doctors have long suspected that ‘shorter antibiotic courses’ may be sufficient in many cases, but strong and credible evidence has been limited — until now. During this study, researchers systematically reviewed and statistically combined data comparing different antibiotic durations for serious newborn infections. The authors also studied strategies that depend on “biomarkers”, which will help doctors to see if an infection is reducing and decide if they can stop the antibiotic course. Certain blood tests indicate the presence of infection, and these clues are called “biomarkers”. Key findings of this important study are –about 7 days of antibiotics may be enough in most cases, instead of the usually recommended 10–14 days, without added risk ; stopping treatment when the “biomarker” blood tests turn negative typically leads to shorter antibiotic courses that are effective and adequate for many newborn infections; Evidence comparing antibiotic courses of 3–4 days vs 5–7 days was unclear, highlighting the need for further research studies and there were insufficient data to draw firm conclusions for urinary infection, meningitis, and fungal infections. It is possible to safely use shorter antibiotic courses for proven blood infections in newborns, and if widely adopted, it could help fight antibiotic resistance, reduce hospital infections, and improve resource use, especially in hospital settings that have patient overload or limited facilities, the study added.
Modi to launch Bihar poll campaign from Karpoori Thakur’s birthplace
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch his campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 24 from Karpooripuram, where he will pay tribute to Bharat Ratna Jananayak Karpoori Thakur and address his first election rally in Samastipur. The decision to launch PM Modi’s campaign from the birthplace of the socialist icon and two-time Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur is seen as both political and symbolic of an emotional connection. The move is viewed as Modi’s attempt to give a new direction to the politics of social justice and development in Bihar. Bihar BJP President Dr Dilip Jaiswal told the media in Patna today that PM Modi will also address another rally in Begusarai later the same day. The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Bihar again on October 30, where he will address rallies in Muzaffarpur and Chhapra. A series of further visits to the state are planned. Dr Jaiswal expressed confidence that PM Modi’s rallies would help create a favourable atmosphere for the NDA in Bihar and connect the public with the central government’s schemes, developmental initiatives, and message of good governance. “All eyes in Bihar’s political circles are now on Modi’s visit and his first speech, which is expected to shape the course of the electoral battle in the state,” said Jaiswal. He added, “The NDA is focused on development, the welfare of the poor, and women’s empowerment. It is concerned about youth employment and job creation. The welfare measures for farmers under the NDA government have been unprecedented. The people of Bihar trust in PM Modi’s guarantees.”
Kancha Sherpa, last surviving member of 1953 Everest expedition, passes away
Kancha Sherpa, the last living member of the 1953 Everest expedition of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, passed away at his residence in Nepal’s Kathmandu at the age of 92. As per the family, Ang Phurba ‘Kancha’ Sherpa breathed his last at around 2:00 AM on Thursday. He had spent his final days in his ancestral home in Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Everest. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the first successful summit of Mount Everest in 1953. The Nepali tourism industry mourns the loss of this historic and legendary figure. His absence leaves an irreplaceable void,” said Phur Gyalje Sherpa, President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Born in 1932 in Namche, ‘Kancha’ Sherpa began his mountaineering journey at the age of 19, when he ran away from home to Darjeeling in search of work. There, he met Tenzing Norgay, who recognised him as the son of a fellow mountaineer from the 1952 Everest expedition from Tibet. Impressed by his dedication, Tenzing helped him join Sir Edmund Hillary’s 1953 expedition as one of 103 Sherpas, earning five rupees a day. Kancha Sherpa continued to work on mountaineering expeditions until 1973, when he retired at his wife’s request. He later worked with trekking groups, guiding trekkers through the Himalaya without venturing to extreme altitudes. Kanchha Sherpa did not reach the summit, but he played a crucial role in the expedition’s success. He climbed as far as the last camp, currently the South Summit. In a 2020 interview with Nepal’s state news agency, Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Kancha reminisced about the expedition’s early days. Sherpa had stated that the team had departed from Bhaktapur with 35 climbers and about 400 porters, who carried heavy loads on foot, in waves of 100 men per day. “There were no roads, no hotels- just trails and roasted corn to eat,” he recalled. The group took 16 days to reach Namche Bazaar. From there, only the climbers and local Sherpas continued, supported by yaks, reaching Everest Base Camp in another six days. Among their gear, Kancha said, were 25 bags filled solely with cash for expedition expenses. One of the biggest challenges was building the path to Camp 1. At the Khumbu Icefall, the team encountered a massive crevasse with no way to cross. “We had no ladders. So we hiked back to Namche, cut ten pine trees, carried them up, and made a wooden bridge,” Kancha had told the state news agency. He noted that at the time, Everest was not yet officially called Sagarmatha in Nepali- locals knew it as Chomolungma. After establishing Camp 4, Hillary and Tenzing continued their ascent. On May 29, 1953, around 1 p.m., a radio message confirmed their success. “We danced, hugged, and kissed. It was a moment of pure joy,” Kancha recalled.
Netanyahu ‘determined’ to pressure Hamas to find remaining dead hostages
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told a memorial for victims of the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023 that he is “determined” to secure the return of the dead hostages still in Gaza, and that the country will continue to fight terrorism with “full force”. Benjamin Netanyahu made the comments hours after Hamas returned the bodies of two more hostages but said it was not able to access the remaining 19. There has been fury in Israel that Hamas has not returned all the bodies in line with last week’s Gaza ceasefire deal, though the US has downplayed the suggestion it amounts to a breach, reports an international media. Also on Thursday, Donald Trump signalled he was willing to see fighting resume if Hamas “continues to kill people”. Earlier on Thursday, the Israeli government confirmed that two bodies handed over by Hamas to the International Committee of the Red Cross on Wednesday night had been identified as Inbar Hayman and Sgt Maj Muhammad al-Atarash. With this, the number of dead hostages returned since Monday has risen to nine out of 28. Meanwhile in Gaza, work is under way to identify the bodies of Palestinians returned by Israel in recent days in exchange for the hostages’ bodies. A further 30 were returned on Thursday, taking the total to 120.
Deepika Pandey Singh claims full public support for Mahagathbandhan in Bihar elections
Jharkhand Rural Development Minister and senior Congress leader Deepika Pandey Singh on Thursday asserted that the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) is receiving full public support in the Bihar Assembly elections, and based on this mandate, a majority government will be formed in the state. Singh claimed that the people of Bihar are fed up with the BJP and JD(U) rule, alleging attempts at voter manipulation by these parties. Singh said, “The public is aware of such tactics and is ready to bring a change in government. ” She added that despite claims of development by the NDA government led by BJP and JD(U), the ground reality reflects no significant progress. Rejecting any reports of disputes among Mahagathbandhan constituents, she emphasized that seat-sharing and candidate selection have been carried out with unity. “The people of Bihar desire change, and with their blessings, the Mahagathbandhan government is certain to form,” she said. Singh also expressed confidence over the upcoming Ghatsila Assembly bypoll in Jharkhand, stating that the alliance candidate is poised for a decisive victory.
Suvendu Adhikari demands ECI action
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari today sought attention of the Chief Election Commission of India that the West Bengal ruling party Trinamool Congress was brazenly violating the sanctity of the electoral process as several Booth Level Officers (BLOs) took part in the party meeting of the ruling party in Kharagpur in West Medinipur. “In a shameless display of political favoritism, several Booth Level Officers (BLOs) from the 224 Kharagpur Sadar constituency were spotted openly participating in a TMC party meeting, where they were proudly introduced by none other than TMC’s Paschim Medinipur district leader, Debasish Choudhary (alias Munmun). This is nothing short of a direct assault on the principles of free and fair elections,” Adhikari shared, naming the BLOs, on his X handle. Adhikari giving details of the BLOs said the booth No. 34: Anima Mukherjee, booth No. 35: M. Durga Rani, booth No. 36: Chandana Das Mohanti, booth No. 37: Ramanand Tewari, booth No. 38: Rabindranath, booth No. 39: R. Jyoti Lakshmi, booth No. 40: Dibakar Singh and booth No. 41: Malabika Mandal. The BJP leader alleged these BLOs, all of them school teachers, have been entrusted with the duty of ensuring impartiality at the grassroots level, but instead they were hobnobbing with TMC leaders openly.”How can we expect fair polls when BLOs are publicly aligning with the ruling party, potentially manipulating voter lists, intimidating opposition workers, and tilting the scales in TMC’s favor?,” the Nandigram MLA said. Adhikari demanded the ECI to immediately take cognizance of this violation and initiate stringent action and these BLOs put under suspension and barred from any involvement in the upcoming assembly elections. “These biased Officers must be suspended forthwith and barred from any involvement in the upcoming elections. A thorough investigation is warranted to uncover the full extent of TMC’s infiltration into the electoral machinery. Failure to act decisively will only embolden such corrupt practices and erode public faith in our democratic institutions,” the LoP said.
