Month: May 2024

Amid the ongoing visit of US lawmakers to Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning has said that Beijing strongly opposes military contact between the US and Taiwan, as well as any attempt of the nation to arm Taiwan.

The visit of the US lawmakers to the self-governing island of Taiwan comes days after China conducted ‘massive’ military drills near Taiwan.

In a regular press conference on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning said, “There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. China firmly opposes military contact between the US and Taiwan and any attempt to arm Taiwan.”

“We urge relevant members of the US Congress to stop playing the “Taiwan card,” stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, stop supporting and conniving at “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, and stop undermining China-US relations and cross-Strait peace and stability,” the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

On US lawmakers expressing support for Taiwan’s defence, Mao Ning noted that it “violates” the one-China principle.

“In disregard of China’s strong opposition, relevant members of the US Congress still decided to visit Taiwan, which violates the one-China principle, the three China-US joint communiques, and the US government’s own political commitment to maintaining only unofficial relations with the Taiwan region, and sends a severely wrong signal to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces,” she said.

“China firmly opposes it and has made serious protests to the US. We will take necessary measures to firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated.

The US senators notably promised to strengthen Taiwan’s deterrence against China on Monday during a bipartisan congressional visit to the self-governing island, just days after Beijing ringed the island with major military drills.

Last week’s drills were the largest China had conducted in more than a year, and they occurred just days after Taiwan swore in its new president, Lai Ching-te.

Lai Ching Te is openly despised by Beijing for promoting the island’s sovereignty and distinct character.

During a news conference in Taipei, US Representative Michael McCaul, head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, described the exercises as an “intimidation tactic to punish democracy” and promised to strengthen Taiwan’s defence by expediting the supply of defensive weaponry from the US, CNN reported.

McCaul pledged that Taiwan would get the weapons it purchased from the US “as soon as possible,” citing recent foreign military financing for Taiwan approved by the US House.

“We are moving forward on those weapons systems. I’d like to see them faster, but they are forthcoming,” he said.

The US maintains strong but informal relations with Taiwan and is required by law to provide the island with weapons to protect itself.

Despite never having governed Taiwan, China’s governing Communist Party considers it part of its territory and has threatened to conquer it by force if necessary. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): In a significant development, contract negotiations between the governments of India and France in the over Rs 50,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets is scheduled to begin on May 30 with the arrival of a high-level French team here.

The French side would meet with Indian Defence Ministry counterparts to begin official negotiations in the fighter jet deal for the Indian Navy under which aircraft would be operated from both aircraft carriers operated by the force, defence industry officials told ANI.

The French team will include officials from their defence ministry and industry including original equipment manufacturers Dassault Aviation and Thales, the officials said.

The Indian side would include members from the defence acquisition wing and the Indian Navy.

Sources in the government said that they would try to complete negotiations with France and sign the agreement by the end of this financial year.

France had submitted its response to India’s tender for buying 26 Rafale Marine jets for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers – INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya in December itself.

The response to India’s Letter of Acceptance had been submitted by France in New Delhi.

The Indian side has carried out a detailed study of the French bid for the Indian deal including the commercial offer or price for the aircraft, along with other details of the contract, they said.

India will now go in for tough negotiations in the deal with French government officials, as it is a government-to-government contract.

The Navy Chief has directed his team to ensure that the timeframe required for the project is squeezed significantly to ensure early finalisation and induction of the planes in the inventory. (ANI)

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The Delhi Court on Tuesday dismissed the bail plea of Umar Khalid in connection with the Delhi riots larger conspiracy case 2020 registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

He has been in custody since September 2020 in a case under UAPA.

Former JNU student leader Umar Khalid has sought regular bail on the grounds of delay and parity with other accused persons.

Special judge Sameer Bajpai rejected the regular bail plea of Umar Khalid. It was the second regular bail application of Umar Khalid.

Meanwhile, a detailed bail order is yet to be uploaded.

After withdrawing his bail plea from the Supreme Court in February, Khalid moved to trial court, seeking bail on the grounds of a change in circumstances and parity with other accused persons.

It is alleged by the Delhi Police that Umar Khalid had pre-planned protests in 2020 at 23 sites that culminated in riots.

The Delhi Police’s Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) opposed the plea calling it frivolous and baseless, and also filed written submissions.

Umar Khalid’s Counsel had argued that no terror case was made out against him and his name was repeated in the charge sheet of Delhi police. Repeating his name doesn’t make a lie, a truth. There was a vicious media trial taken against him. He had also filed his written submissions.

Senior advocate Tridip Pais questioned the submissions of Delhi Police and asked “Is sharing messages a criminal or terror act?”

He also responded to submissions earlier made by the Special public prosecutor (SPP) who had said that Khalid was amplifying his narrative as part of a conspiracy by sharing certain links with people from politics and others on social media. Pais argued that Umar Khalid was sharing the ‘correct narrative’.

The senior advocate had also submitted that there was a vicious media trial taking place against Umar Khalid. He also referred to various statements from news anchors from different media channels. He said that anchors were reading from the charge sheet around the clock.

He further argued that no terror case is made against Umar Khalid, and police have no material to this effect. The court must see whether a terror case is made against him or not.

There are contradictions in the statements of prosecution witnesses, Pais added. In this situation, the court must determine whether the witness statement prima facie makes a terror case against Umar Khalid.

Earlier, it was argued that the accused persons, namely Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita and Asif Iqbal Tanha were granted bail by the High Court. They had a similar role to that of Umar Khalid.

While opposing the bail application of Umar Khalid, Delhi police had said that his chats revealed that he is in the habit of creating narratives on media and social media to influence bail hearings.

It was also submitted by the Special Public Prosecutor that several people took to X (earlier Twitter) to influence bail hearings. He had referred to the post on X by Teesta Seetalvad, Amnesty India, Akar Patel, Raj Kaushik, Swati Chaturvedi, Arju Ahmed and others.

The Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) while opposing the bail application of Umar Khalid referred to his WhatsApp chats.

The SPP had submitted, “WhatsApp chats also revealed that he is in habit of creating media and social media narratives at the time of listing bail applications of the person booked in cases to clearly influence bail hearings.”

” Similar exercise is being adopted while applicants’ bails are being listed to influence his bail hearings, samples of post on X (earlier Twitter) with hashtag about applicant annexed herewith,” SPP added.

“Thus, in the light of the aforesaid, the present second application for grant of bail to the accused deserves to be dismissed by this honourable court in the interest of justice,” SPP Prasad submitted.

SPP Amit Prasad also mentioned the post on Twitter by Teesta Seetalvad, Aakar Patel, Kaushik Raj, Swati Chaturvedi, Arju Ahmed and others.

SPP had also read some of the tweets in the court. One of the tweets read “Ram Raheem”s parole approved, Umar Khalid bail 14 times adjourned in SC. #freeumarkhalid”

“Umar Khalid withdraws his bail petition from SC. This is a travesty of Justice,” another tweet read

SPP submitted that Amnesty India also tweeted which read, “SC has adjourned hearing his bail hearing 14 times. Acute Subversion of the right of Umar Khalid to get bail. #freeUmarKhalid was used,” the SPP submitted.

The SPP argued that while they claim that they were subjected to media trial, it is he who was playing around with the media, how his father giving interviews in the media and people associated with him also doing the same.

In his rebuttal arguments, Senior Advocate Tridip Pais argued that mere meetings of accused individuals don’t imply terrorism. None of the witnesses didn’t say anything but then miraculously said something two weeks later.

All the witnesses here seem to be taking tablets for memory. Prima facie requires depth, not frivolously reading out the chargesheet, Pais argued.

Senior advocate Pais submitted that the prosecution argument is that I (Umar Khalid) can fain tension. Therefore, I don’t deserve bail. His father gave an interview; therefore, he doesn’t deserve the bail.

While arguing, the senior advocate referred to the Supreme Court judgement in Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, Shoma Sen and Varnan Gonsalves.

It was submitted that the allegations should be good enough to establish that allegations are substantive, to reject the bail. The duty of the court is not to deal with the material meticulously but to see the broad probability, senior advocate added.

On the point of terrorist activity aspect, it was submitted that There is no evidence to show it is a terrorist activity. There is nothing on record to attract Section 15 of UAPA.

The High Court and the Special Court haven’t distinguished between the acts or persons. They’ve just painted everything with a broad brush. There is not a single witness whose statement attracts 15(1) qua me (Umar Khalid).

On the point of meeting Umar Khalid, the defence counsel rejected the prosecution’s arguments that meetings were secret.

He said that Umar Khalid, Tahir Hussain and Khalid Saifi met at the office of PFI has been referred by the Prosecution on the basis of the statement of a witness, CDR.

“You want to rely on CDR to deny me bail, Pais questioned. As per CDR, they were not there at the given time and date,” he argued.

He further argued that there is no credible case of conspiracy, which is also not terror activity. There is no seizure from me, which can attract the offence of terror activity.

“On the whimsical statement, sometimes even without witnesses, an act of terrorism is foisted towards me,” Pais submitted.

It was also said that Bangladeshi women and children were deployed at the protest sites. Did any woman say that it was against me,” Pais questioned.

In the Varnan Gonsalves and Shoma Sen case, the views of the Supreme Court on prima facie and analysis of prima facie have been clarified, the defence counsel argued.

Pais argued that at the time of hearing bail, the court was under a duty to scan the case diary to decide that the allegations were prima facie true or not. Third-party hearsay can not be attributed to me.

“Mere having a meeting is not enough to oppose the bail. There is no material as of now. The bail cannot be denied as the material can come later,” Pais argued.

If ten witnesses state my name, does that make a terror case against me? I have not indulged in a terrorist act. There is not even a seizure from me, Pais submitted. (ANI)

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After a stellar rally over the past few weeks, markets faced some resistance over the past couple of sessions. At Tuesday opening bell, indices Sensex and Nifty traded marginally higher with a downside bias.

At the time of filing this report, Sensex and Nifty were largely steady.

It is now expected that further up moves will depend on the cues from the various macroeconomic data that are scheduled later during the week, Q4 India GDP and US inflation data.

On Monday, the benchmark indices ended marginally lower. The decline could be partly attributable to investors booking profit at higher levels to avoid any potential risks in the market ahead of the Lok Sabha election results, said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.

“investors start(ed) booking profit at higher levels to avoid any knee jerk reaction in the market ahead of the election result. Better earnings growth, the expectation of a revival in private capex, and a moderation in FIIs selling intensity are the key positive triggers in the market,” Nair said.

“The release of India’s Q4 GDP and US inflation figures this week will also influence investors to get a direction in the near term,” Nair said.

India’s GDP grew at a massive 8.4 per cent during the October-December quarter of the financial year 2023-24, and the country continued to remain the fastest-growing major economy. India’s economy grew 7.2 per cent in 2022-23 and 8.7 per cent in 2021-22, respectively.

Lately, barring one odd session, Indian stock indices continued their rally, reaching fresh lifetime highs, tracking strong global market cues, hopes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comfortable return to office, besides other strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

With the six phases of elections now behind us, it is widely expected by investors that the Narendra Modi-led government will come back to office with a comfortable margin for his third term. This also likely triggered fresh stock buying.

In the past two weeks, Sensex jumped over 3,600 points, on a cumulative basis.

Overseas investors have been remaining net sellers of Indian equities for the past several sessions. Interestingly, domestic institutional investors during the same period stayed net buyers, largely making up for the outflows by the foreign investors.

Going ahead, the market will also actively track exit poll prediction.

“As we approach the election results a bit of nervousness is visible in the market. The sharp correction in Nifty in the afternoon yesterday indicates this nervousness. This uncertainty-led nervousness is likely to continue,” said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.

“A high possibility is the market getting a clue of the election results earlier than June 4th. This can happen any time and can trigger a big move in the market,” said Vijayakumar.

“We may see further consolidation in the index ahead, so participants should focus on careful stock selection and effective trade management,” said Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Article 370 was neither the agenda of the people of Kashmir nor of the country but only of “four-five families” and that it is a matter of greatest satisfaction for him that the brothers and sisters in Kashmir came forward to vote with great enthusiasm in the Lok Sabha polls.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Prime Minister said there is a feeling of more unity with the removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the feeling of belongingness is increasing and the result is visible in the elections and in the increase in tourism.

“Article 370 was the agenda of only four-five families, it was neither the agenda of the people of Kashmir nor the agenda of the people of the country. For their benefit, they had built such a wall of 370 and used to say that if 370 is removed, there will be a fire…Today it has become true that after the removal of 370, there is a feeling of more unity. The feeling of belongingness is increasing among the people of Kashmir and hence its direct result is also visible in elections, tourism,” he said.

Modi government abrogated Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, months after it came to office for the second successive term.

The Prime Minister noted that the people in Kashmir warmly welcomed the delegates during events related to the G20 summit.

Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituencies in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir saw record turnout in Lok Sabha polls held in different phases earlier this month.

Srinagar recorded 38.49 per cent polling, Baramulla 59.1 per cent and Anantnag-Rajouri 51.35 per cent as of 5 pm on April 25, the day the polling was held on the seat. The polling has been highest since 1989. These were the first Lok Sabha elections in Jamu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.

The Prime Minister said that the decisions of the government were always for a good cause.

“First of all, I would like to pray to the justice system of our country that if the government wants to do any work, they have a design, strategy to do that work. To solve such problems, work had to be done under that strategy. Now sometimes I had to shut down the internet for that. Some NGO went to court and it became a big issue in the court but today the children there proudly say that the internet has not been shut down for the last 5 years and we have been getting all the facilities for the last 5 years. There was some pain for a few days, but it was for a good cause… It is very important to save the country from such NGOs,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that enthusiastic participation of voters in Lok Sabha polls has given a message to the world and “those who had doubts”.

“When the common man votes there, it is not just to make someone win, voting means that the voter accepts the Constitution of India and expresses his dedication towards the entire spirit of India… As a result, voting records of 40 years have been broken. It is a matter of greatest satisfaction for me that my brothers and sisters from Kashmir came forward to vote with great enthusiasm. By voting, they have given a message to the world and to those who used to have doubts,” he said.

Voting has been held in six phases of Lok Sabha polls and will conclude with the last phase on June 1. Votes will be counted on June 4. (ANI)

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Rejecting opposition allegations about the misuse of probe agencies against them, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the government has a zero-tolerance towards corruption and that it is better “if these people read the Constitution, read the law of the country”.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, PM Modi said the probe agencies were making more seizures in corruption cases.

Asked about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s allegation that PM Modi decides who will go to jail, the Prime Minister said, “It would be better if these people read the Constitution, read the law of the country, I do not need to say anything to anyone”.

Kejriwal has been given interim bail by the Supreme Court till June 1 in the Delhi excise policy case.

Kejriwal has been attacking the BJP and PM Modi in his rallies for the Lok Sabha polls.

“In Bihar, Modi Ji said – ‘Tejashwi Yadav will go to jail in a few days.’ This clearly shows who will go to jail and for how many days will he stay in jail, this is decided by Modi Ji. When I said this a few days ago, I was asked how I was saying this. Yesterday Modi Ji accepted it in front of the whole country,” Kejriwal said in a post on X on May 26.

PM Modi said that during his 10-year tenure, ED has seized Rs 2,200 crore while during Manmohan Singh’s 10-year tenure as Prime Minister, it was only Rs 34 lakh.

“Ask the person who is throwing this garbage, what is the proof of what you are saying? I will convert this garbage into manure and will produce some good things for the country from it. When Manmohan Singh was in power for 10 years, Rs 34 lakhs were seized and currently in the last 10 years ED has seized Rs 2,200 crores. The one who has brought back Rs 2,200 crores to the country should be respected and not abused,” he said.

“The one whose money has gone is abusing. It means that whoever has a part in stealing money will shout a little after being caught. Today, a Sarpanch has the right to sign on a chequebook but the Prime Minister of the country does not have it. Modi government has told its officers that it has zero tolerance towards corruption,” he added. (ANI)

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After over 650 people lost their lives in the deadly landslide in Papua New Guinea, India, on Tuesday, announced immediate relief assistance worth USD 1 million to the island nation.

India expressed solidarity by announcing relief assistance to the island country which was hit by a massive landslide last week in its Enga Province, burying hundreds of people and causing major destruction and loss of life.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences and conveyed India’s readiness to extend all possible support and assistance to the Pacific island country in its time of difficulty.

” As a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Papua New Guinea, the Government of India extends an immediate relief assistance of USD 1 million to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Moreover, India has firmly stood by Papua New Guinea during times of difficulty and devastation caused by natural disasters, including in the wake of the earthquake in 2018 and volcanic eruptions in 2019 and 2023.

An important pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), announced by Prime Minister Modi in November 2019, is Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.

“India is committed to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and continues to be a responsible and steadfast responder,” the statement read.

Moreover, around 2000 people are feared to have been buried by the massive landslide.

“The landslide buried more than 2000 people alive, caused major destruction to buildings, and food gardens, and caused a major impact on the economic lifeline of the country,” Lusete Laso Mana, Acting Director of the National Disaster Centre, said in a letter to the UN.

Over 150 houses in Yambali village were buried in debris, according to the officials.

The area continues to pose an “extreme risk,” officials added, as rocks continue to fall and the ground soil is exposed to constant increased pressure. (ANI)

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Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan have set the bar high by continuing to remain respectful of each other after separation. They make sure to fulfil their responsibility as parents.

Recently, Hrithik Roshan and his ex-wife Sussanne came together for their son Hrehaan’s graduation ceremony. Their younger son Hridhaan too, joined them.

Sussane took to her Instagram handle to share a video from Hrehaan’s graduation ceremony. He was seen in a green robe, smiling with his batchmates.

Her post was a compilation of all the special moments from the graduation ceremony.

She can be seen posing with Hrithik, Hrehaan and Hridhaan. Hrehaan also cut a huge white cake on this special day.

“Where do we go nobody knows… but I gotta say I am on my way.. ‘ Congratulations my Son.. you are the epitome of grace and strength. I learn from you every day… So proud to be your mama.. @hrehaanroshan_01 This is the beginning to the best days of your Life..,” Sussanne wrote in the caption.

Hrithik and Sussanne got married in 2000. But in 2014, they decided to separate and got divorced. Even though they’re no longer together, Hrithik and Sussanne still share a friendly bond.

Their firstborn Hrehaan was born in 2006. In December 2023, Sussanne announced that Hrehaan had successfully enrolled in the prestigious Berklee College of Music.

“She wrote, “19th of December 2023.. Our Hrehaan got his acceptance letter from Berklee College of Music, offering him a scholarship merit award for his excellence.. this was the happiest day of my life… Ray you are my Hero and my best friend I have seen you persistently be at it for the last 9 years… pursuing your passion for Music.. and I am so so proud of you my Son you fill me up with the brightest light,” Sussanne wrote on Instagram.

“From here to eternity let this journey of your passion take you to the highest level of joy and love. God bless you my darling may the Universe shine brightest over your ever action… and your every tune fill the hearts of everyone. P.S I know you never gonna Stop This Train,” she added as John Mayer’s song was added as the background music.

Hrithik is currently dating actor-singer Saba Azad. On the other hand, Sussanne has been in a relationship with actor Arslan Goni. (ANI)

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Actress Aditi Rao Hydari yet again left her fans in awe with her looks from this year’s Cannes diaries.

Sharing dreamy pictures on her Instagram account on Monday, the ‘Heeramandi’ actress flaunted a pink gown with minimal makeup and red lipstick.

Along with the pictures, the actress added a caption that read, “Dream a little dream.”

Soon after the actress dropped her pictures, fans couldn’t help but flood the comment section.

One fan wrote, “She is very beautiful look like a Barbie.”

Another fan commented, “How can someone be soo gorgeous.”

“You look like a fairytale princess,” penned a third fan.

Meanwhile, on the acting front, Aditi is being lauded for her role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’.

Expressing her heartfelt gratitude for the mentorship and love she received during the filmmaking process, Aditi, in an interview with ANI recently, fondly recalled her experiences working alongside the visionary director.

“Sanjay sir is not just a filmmaker, he’s a beacon of inspiration. His guidance transcends mere instruction; it’s akin to a gentle hand leading you through the labyrinth of creativity,” she shared.

“He believes every woman, despite where she comes from, deserves to be treated like a queen. And her story is worth telling with a lot of dignity, pride and courage. So, to be a part of ‘Heeramandi’ and to be with Sanjay Sir, to surrender to him, to learn from him was incredible and I feel very blessed for it. I love Sanjay Sir and it was amazing working with him,” she further said.

Through the stories of courtesans and their patrons, the series delves deep into the cultural reality of Heeramandi. The series also features Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal, Taha Shah Badussha, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman.

For Aditi, it was a learning experience to work with a team of such talented actors.

“It was very valuable for me to work with incredible people. Also, it was surreal for me to work with Manisha Ma’am, Sonakshi, Richa, Sanjeeda. There were so many people on sets who were incredible. We all wanted the best for each other. Manisha ma’am is so kind and encouraging. Similarly, Sanjeeda, Sharmin, Taha, Fardeen (Khan), they are all great and incredible,” she said. (ANI)

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