Indian wrestlers delay plan to throw medals into Ganges River as part of sexual abuse protest
May 30, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India's top wrestlers held off from throwing their medals into the country's sacred Ganges River on Tuesday — as part of an ongoing protest against sexual harassment — after a community leader intervened and persuaded them against doing so.
At least 10 dead, 55 injured as bus of Hindu pilgrims falls into gorge in Indian-controlled Kashmir
May 30, 2023 GMTSRINAGAR, India (AP) — A bus carrying Hindu pilgrims to a shrine in Indian-controlled Kashmir skidded off a highway bridge into a Himalayan gorge Tuesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring 55, police said.
GUWAHATI, India (AP) — Shootings and arson continued Monday in India’s northeastern state of Manipur, where clashes between security forces and tribal insurgents the previous day killed five people, media reports said.
Modi opponents boycott opening of new Indian Parliament; PM says it breaks with colonial past
May 28, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India’s major opposition parties on Sunday boycotted the inauguration of a new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a rare show of unity against his Hindu nationalist ruling party, which has ruled for nine years and is seeking a third term in next year's elections.
Indian official suspended after he drains reservoir to retrieve phone he dropped while taking selfie
May 28, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — A government official in India has been suspended from his job after he ordered a water reservoir to be drained so he could retrieve his smartphone, which he had dropped while taking a selfie.
As India’s electrical grid strains, rural hospitals and clinics find reliable power in rooftop solar
Indian wrestlers hold candlelight march demanding arrest of sports official for sexual abuse
May 23, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India’s top female wrestlers led a candlelight march of nearly 1,000 protesters in the capital on Tuesday demanding the resignation and arrest of the president of the wrestling federation for allegedly sexually harassing young athletes, one of whom was a minor.
SYDNEY (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by around 20,000 cheering fans, many chanting “Modi,” at a Sydney stadium on Tuesday during his second visit to Australia as his country's leader.
G20 delegates begin meeting in disputed Kashmir, with region’s intense security largely out of view
May 22, 2023 GMTSRINAGAR, India (AP) — Delegates from the Group of 20 leading rich and developing nations began a meeting on tourism in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Monday that was condemned by China and Pakistan, as authorities reduced the visibility of security in the disputed region’s main city.
India scorched by extreme heat with monsoon rains delayed
May 22, 2023 GMTLUCKNOW, India (AP) — Swathes of India from the northwest to the southeast braced for more scorching heat Monday, with New Delhi under a severe weather alert, as extreme temperatures strike parts of the country.
SRINAGAR, India (AP) — As India prepares to host a meeting of tourism officials from the Group of 20 in the disputed region of Kashmir, authorities have deployed elite commandos and stepped up security in the region's largest city.
G7 ‘outreach’ an effort to build consensus on global issues like Ukraine, China, climate change
May 21, 2023 GMTHIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies have joined their counterparts from other countries during their summit in Japan to try to expand the G7’s sway and to include voices from the so-called Global South.
Rajasthan stays alive in IPL playoffs race by eliminating Punjab
May 19, 2023 GMTDHARAMSHALA, India (AP) — Rajasthan Royals kept alive their slim chance of qualifying for the Indian Premier League playoffs after beating Punjab Kings by four wickets on Friday.
Rajasthan, with a 7-7 win-loss record, has finished the league stage at fifth, outside the top four playoff places.
India’s top court allows bull-taming sport to continue despite criticism from animal rights groups
May 18, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India’s top court on Thursday ruled to allow the continuation of the bull-taming sport of jallikattu, which is celebrated as cultural heritage in the southern state of Tamil Nadu but criticized by animals rights groups.
Heat wave in Asia made 30 times more likely because of climate change, scientists say
May 17, 2023 GMTBENGALURU, India (AP) — A searing heat wave in parts of southern Asia in April this year was made at least 30 times more likely by climate change, according to a rapid study by international scientists released Wednesday.
Biden, India’s Modi out to deepen their bonds, but geopolitical friendships have their limits
May 15, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has made it a mission for the U.S. to build friendships overseas — and the next few weeks will offer a vivid demonstration of the importance he's placing on a relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Guest nations at the G-7 reflect outreach to developing countries, worries over China, Russia
May 15, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — This week's summit of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies in Hiroshima will include eight other guest nations, part of a complicated, high-stakes diplomatic gambit meant to settle the world's most serious crises.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — The Pakistan Cricket Board is still hopeful India agrees to its hybrid model of hosting majority of the Asia Cup games at a neutral venue in September.
The hybrid model is the brainchild of Najam Sethi, who is the head of the PCB management committee.
Modi’s Hindu nationalist party loses India’s Karnataka state in crucial polls ahead of national vote
May 13, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India’s main opposition Congress party wrested control of the crucial southern Karnataka state from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party, according to a near complete vote count Saturday that boosted its prospects ahead of national elections due next year.
India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party challenged in only southern state where it holds power
May 11, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — People in the southern Indian state of Karnataka voted Wednesday in an election where pre-poll surveys showed the opposition Congress party favored over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing Hindu nationalist party.
India has the numbers, China still has more clout in sports
May 10, 2023 GMTWhile India has overtaken China as the world’s most populous nation and has perhaps grandiose ambitions of becoming a major international player, it has a long way to go to match its Asian neighbor’s clout in the sports arena.
Tourist boat capsizes in southern India; at least 22 dead
May 8, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — A double-decker boat carrying more than 30 passengers capsized Sunday night off a beach in southern India, and more than 22 people including children died, officials said.
Police officer Abdul Nazar said the rescue teams were expecting to recover more bodies from inside the boat after pulling it ashore from the muddy waters.
Group led by China, Russia criticizes global institutions
May 5, 2023 GMTPANAJI, India (AP) — Foreign ministers from a group of nations led by China and Russia criticized on Friday the ability of world institutions to resolve geopolitical problems, including the coronavirus pandemic, and said their organization should do more to address such challenges.
Rebels kill 5 Indian soldiers in Indian-controlled Kashmir
May 5, 2023 GMTSRINAGAR, India (AP) — Rebels fighting against Indian rule in disputed Kashmir triggered an explosive device during an encounter with the Indian army on Friday, killing five soldiers who were trying to flush them out of a forested area, the army said.
King’s coronation draws apathy, criticism in former colonies
May 5, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — When King Charles III is crowned on Saturday, soldiers carrying flags from the Bahamas, South Africa, Tuvalu and beyond will march alongside British troops in a spectacular military procession in honor of the monarch.
India meets with China, Russia before Central Asia forum
May 4, 2023 GMTPANAJI, India (AP) — India's foreign minister held talks Thursday with counterparts from China and Russia ahead of a meeting of a Central Asian security forum.
Russia unlikely to face criticism at Central Asian meeting
May 4, 2023 GMTPANAJI, India (AP) — Russia is unlikely to face backlash over its war in Ukraine at an upcoming meeting of Central Asian foreign ministers and instead could flex its influence with the regional group.
China says India border stable, contrasting with Indian view
April 28, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China’s defense minister says conditions along the tense, high-altitude border with India are “stable overall,” in sharp contrast with the far more pessimistic view from New Delhi.
The remarks from Li Shangfu came in a statement issued shortly after a meeting Thursday with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
India accuses China of violating border agreements
April 27, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India's defense minister accused China on Thursday of eroding the “entire basis” of ties between the countries by violating bilateral agreements, a reference to a nearly 3-year-old standoff involving thousands of soldiers stationed along their disputed border in the eastern Ladakh region.
Official says Maoist rebels kill 11 in central India attack
April 26, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — Maoist insurgents detonated an explosive device Wednesday in a forested area in central India, killing 10 police officers and the driver of their vehicle, a state government minister said.
Nepal to give priority to relations with India, China
April 26, 2023 GMTKATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal's new government, led by a communist prime minister, will give priority to enhancing relations with both of its giant neighbors, India and China, but won't use them against each other for its own benefit, the newly appointed foreign minister said Wednesday.
Australian leader to host Biden, Kishida, Modi at May summit
April 26, 2023 GMTCANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday he will host President Joe Biden and the leaders of India and Japan for a security summit next month.
The meeting at the Sydney Opera House on May 24 will be Australia’s first time hosting the Quad Leaders’ Summit.
Biden to visit Japan, Australia for meetings with allies
April 26, 2023 GMTPresident Joe Biden will visit Japan and Australia next month to huddle with allies on their continued response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine as well as ways to confront China's assertive economic and military moves in the Indo-Pacific region, the White House announced Tuesday.
India recalls Rahane for World Test Championship final squad
April 25, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — Ajinkya Rahane has been recalled to India’s squad for next month’s World Test Championship final against Australia as one of six specialist batters in the 15-man squad.
The 34-year-old Rahane has been in boundary-hitting form in the Twenty20 format in the Indian Premier League, but he hasn’t played a test match since January of last year.
India will be most populous country by month’s end, UN says
April 25, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India will be the world’s most populous country by the end of this month, eclipsing an aging China, the United Nations said Monday. The milestone raises questions about whether India can repeat the economic success that has made China central to the world’s economy and a leading global power.
Indian police arrest Sikh separatist leader after long hunt
April 23, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — Indian police on Sunday arrested a separatist leader who has revived calls for an independent Sikh homeland and the secession of India’s northern Punjab state, which has a history of violent insurgency.
Early warning is first defense in India climate disasters
April 21, 2023 GMTKOCHI, India (AP) — For deep sea fishermen Charlene Lenis, Jerome Beji and their 10-person crew, knowing when a cyclone is approaching can spell the difference between life and death.
When 2021's Cyclone Tauktae was nearing fishing areas off the southern coast of India, India’s weather agency sent out a message about the major storm.
India military: 5 soldiers killed in rebel ambush in Kashmir
April 20, 2023 GMTSRINAGAR, India (AP) — Five Indian army soldiers were killed on Thursday when rebels fighting against Indian rule ambushed a military vehicle in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, the military said.
Pakistan’s FM to attend regional group’s meeting in India
April 20, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan's top diplomat Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will travel to India next month for a meeting of a regional grouping known as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday.
India’s population will pass China’s soon, but when exactly?
April 20, 2023 GMTIndia should surpass China’s population midway through this year, according to the latest projection from the United Nations.
That’s of course unless it’s happened already – or happens later in the year.
India will pass China to be most populous nation by mid-2023
April 20, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India is on track to surpass China by mid-2023 as the world’s most populous nation, United Nations data said Wednesday, raising questions about whether a booming, young Indian population will fuel economic growth for years to come.
India’s heat is underestimated, harming progress, study says
April 19, 2023 GMTBENGALURU, India (AP) — The full extent of the damage from India's sizzling heat that's causing more deaths, illnesses, school shutdowns and crop failures is underestimated by lawmakers and officials in the country and slowing the nation's development, a study Wednesday said.
Apple Inc bets big on India as it opens first flagship store
April 19, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — Apple Inc. opened its first flagship store in India in a much-anticipated launch Tuesday that highlights the company's growing aspirations to expand in the country it also hopes to turn into a potential manufacturing hub.
Former Indian lawmaker, brother fatally shot live on TV
April 16, 2023 GMTLUCKNOW, India (AP) — A former Indian lawmaker convicted of kidnapping and facing murder and assault charges was shot dead along with his brother in a dramatic attack that was caught live on TV in northern India, officials said Sunday.
A cyclone-hit Indian hamlet pins its hopes on a sea wall
April 14, 2023 GMTKOCHI, India (AP) — Nearly two years ago, Mary Sebastian was hoisted on a chair and carried by a policeman in waist-deep floodwaters, leaving behind her now damaged home where she had spent more than 70 years of her life.
New India-born World Bank chief: Real change or rebranding?
April 13, 2023 GMTBENGALURU, India (AP) — The incoming president of the World Bank was born in India and forged his early business success there, a fact supporters say gives Ajay Banga valuable insight into the challenges faced by the developing countries the bank is supposed to help.
In Kerala, an aging trend bucks India’s booming population
April 12, 2023 GMTKOCHI, India (AP) — When 82-year-old Vasanthi Baby almost tripped while climbing down the stairs in her home in southern India’s Kerala state, she decided, along with her 84-year-old husband V. Baby, to move to an assisted living center.
Ukraine seeks medical, war recovery assistance from India
April 12, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — Ukraine has asked India to supply medicines and medical equipment and help it rebuild war-damaged infrastructure, India’s External Affairs Ministry said on Wednesday.
The request was conveyed by Emine Dzhaparova, the deputy minister of foreign affairs and Ukraine’s most senior official to visit India since Russia's invasion began a year ago.
Ukraine wants India to play bigger role in ending war
April 11, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — Ukraine wants India to play a bigger role in helping end Russia’s war, its deputy foreign minister said Tuesday during the first visit by a senior Ukrainian official to India since the war began last year.
As tiger count grows, India’s Indigenous demand land rights
April 9, 2023 GMTBENGALURU, India (AP) — It was a celebratory atmosphere for officials gathered just hours away from several of India's major tiger reserves in the southern city of Mysuru, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Sunday to much applause that the country's tiger population has steadily grown to over 3,000 since its flagship conservation program began 50 years ago after concerns that numbers of the big cats were dwindling.
In India, mangrove trees make way for booming city of Kochi
April 7, 2023 GMTKOCHI, India (AP) — Burrowed between mangroves and a bustling skyline, 70-year-old Rajan, who only uses one name, reminisces about his old home.
For nearly sixty years, Rajan has lived comfortably among the trees in Mangalavanam forest in India’s southern Kerala state.
Indian opposition lawmakers rally against Modi government
April 6, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — More than 100 Indian opposition lawmakers, including members of the Congress party, staged a protest march Thursday after the end of a parliamentary budget session that was marred by shouting and disruptions to proceedings amid a standoff with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Avalanche sweeps away tourists in northeast India; 7 killed
April 4, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — An avalanche swept away a group of tourists in the Himalayas in northeastern India on Tuesday, killing at least seven and injuring 11, officials said.
Army spokesperson Lt. Col Mahendra Rawat said rescuers pulled out at least 23 tourists from the snow and took them to a hospital for treatment.
ADB forecasts China, India to power strong growth in ’23
April 4, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — China’s recovery from the pandemic and strong demand in India will drive strong economic growth in Asia this year, the Asian Development Bank said in a report issued Tuesday.
The Manila, Philippines-based ADB’s latest update forecasts an expansion of 4.8% in this year and the next, up from 4.2% in 2022.