Video PlayerClose BEIJING, Dec. 9, 2019 (Xinhua) -- The world in the past 24hrs. A selection of the best daily press photos from Xinhua. Mi-26 heavy transport helicopter loaded with an excavator arrives at Abuluoha Village in Butuo County of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 5, 2019. Nestled in the mountainous area, Abuluoha Village is connected with the outside world with a rugged trail built along a cliff. One way trip needs about 4 hours by walk and goods are transported by horses. To improve the transportation conditions which are believed to hinder the villagers from getting rid of the poverty, local authority decided to build a 3.8-km-long road that will link Weimu Village of Laguo Township with Abuluoha Village in Butuo County of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. As the road construction was carried out, problems came. Large-scale machinery and equipment need to be transported to the construction site. A Mi-26 heavy transport … [Read more...] about Xinhua Photos of the Day (Dec. 9)
Hampden township recycling
Copper hits highest level since July
Although a final decision had not been made, sources suggested the US was laying the groundwork for a postponement to the latest round of tariffs which are due on December 15. "Prices are continuing to climb steadily higher today," said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen. "We have had the usual rollercoaster in the conflicting news on whether tariffs will be postponed." The technical picture for copper had improved significantly over the last week, Hansen said, adding that key technical and psychological support rested at $US6,000 a tonne. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) ended 0.9 per cent higher at $US6,156 a tonne after touching its highest level since July 19. The prolonged trade conflict has weighed on prices for the metal used in construction and power, limiting gains this year to 2.4 per cent. Copper is also used as a gauge of economic health, which has faltered this year. "As we approach the trade tariff deadline this Sunday, trade-related headlines over the … [Read more...] about Copper hits highest level since July
Kashmiri crewel work on cotton bags at Craftpreneur
Indian artistes have often drawn inspiration from Kashmir’s shikaras, chinar leaves and paisley motifs. Just this year we saw Rina Singh of Eka bring out a winter collection that took shape in the quaint Aru valley. Designer Ritu Kumar recreated Kashmiri shawls in her film, No Fathers in Kashmir, while Nilofer Shahid’s latest collection, showcased at Bridal Couture Week, paid tribute to the region. And let’s not forget Rohit Bal’s couture that consistently includes delicate embellishment techniques like crewel. So, it is lovely to see said crewel work on dosoot (thick Kashmir cotton) bags in Chennai, just in time for the holidays ahead. In fact, the lineup at Crafts Council of India’s annual Craftpreneur, at Lalit Kala Akademi, explores this and other age-old techniques, giving wool, sabaii grass, papier-mâché and woodwork a delightful spin.The crewel-embroidered basket bags and stoles with aari work come from Commitment to Kashmir (CtoK), an … [Read more...] about Kashmiri crewel work on cotton bags at Craftpreneur
Decoding the Winter Session: The Parliament’s 8 big legislations
The winter session of Parliament began on November 18 and will conclude on December 13. The nearly month-long sessions saw some key Bills being table and passed. A few Bills such as the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019 that seeks to prohibit commercial surrogacy, but allows altruistic surrogacy has been sent to a Rajya Sabha select committee. Another controversial Bill, the Protection Data Protection Bill has been sent to a joint select committee. Here are a few Bills passed during the current session. 1. The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019The bill was passed in Rajya Sabha on December 2. The Bill provides domestic companies with an option to pay tax at the rate of 22%, provided they do not claim certain deductions under the Income Tax Act. The Bill also provides new domestic manufacturing companies with an option to pay income tax at the rate of 15%, provided they do not claim certain deductions. These new domestic manufacturing companies must be set up and registered after … [Read more...] about Decoding the Winter Session: The Parliament’s 8 big legislations
Karan Tacker: Wastage of food a big issue in India
Actor Karan Tacker says wastage of food is a big issue all over the world, adding that people are still callous about how they treat food. "Food wastage is such a big issue in India as well as globally. Even then most of us are very callous with the way we treat food because we don't understand the implications of food wastage and loss. It's honestly heartbreaking to see that," Karan said. "There are 194 million people in India alone who go days without a single morsel and together, we can really end this by just taking small and easy steps - don't buy more food than you and your family needs. If you have prepared excessive food, recycle what's left and maybe make something else out of it. We live in a land of spices and as a country, we know more than 5 different ways to just cook rice, so it is really not very difficult," he added. The "Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai" star appreciated the "Good in Goodbye" initiative, an activity started by Star World in partnership with the … [Read more...] about Karan Tacker: Wastage of food a big issue in India