25 MAY 2014

Ø  Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will discuss setting up a secret diplomatic channel to manage any crisis that may erupt between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, official sources have told. Islamabad announced that Mr. Sharif would travel to New Delhi for the swearing-in of India’s new Prime Minister, in response to an unprecedented invitation from Mr. Modi to leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation states. It also announced the release of 150 fishermen, held after straying into Pakistani waters, as a goodwill gesture.

Ø  Aurally challenged Indian citizens will be able to follow Narendra Modi’s swearing-in with three sign-language interpreters on duty at the function.

Ø  An Iranian businessman convicted of masterminding a $2.6 billion banking scam, the biggest fraud case in the country’s history, was hanged. Mahafarid Amir Khosravi was sent to the gallows in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Ø  Plagued by rising unemployment, Ireland has stepped up efforts to attract investment from emerging countries, including India, by projecting itself as the gateway for the European Union (EU) market. About 30 Indian companies, including 19 through IDA’s initiatives, have already set up base in Ireland.