Month: March 2022

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-Top News Asia News

Who is Shehbaz Sharif?

Shehbaz Sharif, co-chairperson of political party Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and leader of the Opposition, has been nominated to become the Prime Minister, after the ouster of Khan…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, with his latest address to the nation, seems to be finally certain about the “bitter reality” that his government is in power for a couple more days and his premiership will be “toppled” through the no-confidence vote, scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on April 3.

With Khan losing majority in the National Assembly, and the Opposition alliance claiming over 172 out of 342 votes, the next Prime Minister is geared up to lead the country.

Shehbaz Sharif, the former Chief Minister of Punjab province, co-chairperson of political party Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, has been nominated to become the Prime Minister, after the ouster of Khan.

Shehbaz is the younger brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted off his premiership on charges of assets beyond means by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and later by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), is currently in London and is being accused by Imran Khan of orchestrating, planning and facilitating the no-confidence motion against him by hatching a conspiracy in partnership and support of the US and other western countries.

Nawaz Sharif remained Prime Minister at least three times, but failed to complete his five-year term every time.

Shehbaz, being member of the wealthy and well-known Sharif family, is also accused of being part of the family dynasty that leads their political party PML-N and is “centred” for people within the family only.

However, Shehbaz, for many, comes with a different set of capabilities and credentials, which many think, may be a good change for the country.

He comes with a strong political track record of being the longest serving Chief Minister of the Punjab province. Shehbaz has been credited in the past for being the “best” Chief Minister, in comparison to other provinces as Punjab stands as the most developed and empowered province in Pakistan.

In 1988, Shehbaz was elected to the Punjab provincial Assembly. Later, he became Member National Assembly (MNA) in 1990.

But with the then Army Chief Pervez Musharraf toppling the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government in 1999, Shehbaz along with the Sharif family, spent years of exile in Saudi Arabia before returning to Pakistan in 2007.

Shehbaz was re-elected as Punjab Chief Minister as his party PML-N formed the government in the province. Shehbaz became president of PML-N after his brother, Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Pakistani courts.

Shehbaz Sharif(Wikipedia)

He was Chief Minister of Punjab for the third time in 2013 and served his full tenure till 2018, when PML-N lost the general elections.

It is pertinent to note that Shehbaz, like other members of the Sharif family, are facing serious charges of corruption and money-laundering by the country’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He was arrested from the Lahore High Court (LHC) in 2020 on the same charges and was put behind bars.

But after being bailed out, Shehbaz today stands as the next in line to become the country’s Prime Minister. Many say, he played a major role in uniting the Opposition parties and forming the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

It is also believed that unlike Khan, who “ignored and negated” the Opposition and did not even “desired” to talk with them, Shehbaz’s approach will be more inclusive being more of a statesman, whose efforts may be focused on running a coalition government with better political understanding and with mutual agreements, to ensure having “better and smooth” political and democratic consistency in Parliament and legislations.

ALSO READ: Won’t resign, will fight till last ball: Imran

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UK News

Painting of Tipu’s win over British sold for £630,000

Tipu showed that the Indians could fight back, that they could win the first time that a European army is defeated in India is this Battle of Pollilur,” he explains…reports Asian Lite News

A vividly illustrated painting depicting a historic victory of Mysore ruler Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan over the East India Company in 1780 went under the hammer in London on Wednesday for whopping 630,000 pounds.

‘The Battle of Pollilur’, which took place on September 10, 1780 as part of the Second Anglo-Mysore War, was the centrepiece of the Arts of the Islamic World and India sale at Sotheby’s auction house.

As a visual record of the battle and to commemorate his victory, Tipu Sultan had commissioned a painting of the Battle of Pollilur as part of a large mural for the newly-built Daria Daulat Bagh in Seringapatam in 1784.

“What this painting has is the terror and anarchy and violence of battle. It’s arguably the greatest Indian picture of the defeat of colonialism that survives. It’s unique and fantastic artwork,” said Sotheby’s expert William Dalrymple, author of ‘The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company’.

“Tipu Sultan was probably the most effective opponent that the East India Company ever faced. Tipu showed that the Indians could fight back, that they could win the first time that a European army is defeated in India is this Battle of Pollilur,” he explains.

According to the auction house, three existing copies of the original Pollilur painting are known three details in a miniature in the Baroda Museum, 24 preparatory paintings depicting sections of the series, and the complete panorama sold this week, comfortably beating its lowest guide price of £500,000.

The painting extends over 10 large sheets of paper, nearly 32 feetlong, and focuses in on the moment when the East India Company’s ammunition tumbril explodes, breaking the British square, while Tipu’s cavalry advances from left and right, “like waves of an angry sea,” according to Mughal historian Ghulam Husain Khan.

At Pollilur, Tipu Sultan known as the Tiger of Mysore inflicted on the East India Company what has become known as the most “crushing defeat” ever and the painting captures the “sheer energy” of that victory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTFTWW3itRk

Another highlight at the auction was “A gem-set and enamelled gold shield” from 19th century Jaipur, which outperformed its guide price range of between 40,000 pounds and 60,000 pounds to go under the hammer for 258,300 pounds.

“This magnificent shield must have been crafted to commemorate a particular event; several shields were presented to the Prince of Wales during his visit to India in 1875-76, all luxuriously enamelled and set with precious stone,” Sotheby’s said.

“The colour scheme and the motifs in the roundels are comparable to contemporaneous Jaipur craftsmanship,” it said.

ALSO READ-Karnataka to tone down Tipu content in school syllabus

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-Top News Asia News

Won’t resign, will fight till last ball: Imran

The premier, while terming the no-trust move as a “foreign-backed conspiracy” to topple his government, said that the nation will not forgive those lawmakers who will vote against him…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed that “come what may”, he will not step down and face the no-confidence motion filed by the joint Opposition against him in the National Assembly, Express Tribune reported.

“Vote on the no-confidence motion will be held this Sunday [April 3] when it will be decided in which direction this country will go,” he said while addressing the nation on Thursday evening.

“I will not resign and will fight till the last ball,” he added.

The premier, while terming the no-trust move as a “foreign-backed conspiracy” to topple his government, said that the nation will not forgive those lawmakers who will vote against him in the Lower House of the Parliament.

“People should see those people [lawmakers] who will ‘sell their conscience’ on Sunday,” said Khan as he warned the parliamentarians that the coming generation will never forget them if they voted against him.

“I will never let this conspiracy succeed come what may,” he said.

The Prime Minister, who appears to have lost majority in the National Assembly after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) joined hands with the Opposition, has accused the Opposition of being part of a ‘foreign-funded’ conspiracy to dislodge his government.

To corroborate his claim, Khan is also using an alleged letter by a foreign power wherein Pakistan has been warned of “grave consequences” if the no-trust motion failed.

ALSO READ: Threat letter: Imran mentions US, then correct himself

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-Top News India News UK News

Jaishankar, Liz Truss discuss Ukraine conflict

On a question regarding India’s consideration of purchasing discounted Russian oil, Truss said, “India is a sovereign nation, I am not gonna tell India what to do.”…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss discussed the Ukraine conflict and its global ramifications at length during the first India-UK Strategic Futures Forum (IUSFF).

The IUSFF dialogue was organised on the sidelines of the UK Foreign Secretary’s India visit and was moderated by Lord Dean Godson, Director of Policy Exchange.

“India had an immediate concern (over Ukraine-Russia crisis) which was we had about 22,000 students there; getting them out safely was quite a challenge and a lot of Ukraine’s neighbours were extremely helpful,” Jaishankar said at the dialogue.

“In the last 2-3 years, COVID-19 has been a big shock, Afghanistan has been a shock, Ukraine is a new shock and to a degree, the US-China relationship has its impact,” Jaishankar further said.

On a question regarding India’s consideration of purchasing discounted Russian oil, Truss said, “India is a sovereign nation, I am not gonna tell India what to do.”

Elaborating on the question of Russian oil and gas exports, Jaishankar said, “Europe bought 15 per cent more oil and gas from Russia than it did a month before. Most of the major buyers of oil and gas from Russia are in Europe. We get the bulk of our energy supplies from the Middle East, about 7.5-8 per cent from the US, maybe less than a per cent from Russia.”

“When oil prices go up, it’s natural for countries to look for good deals for their people. But I’m pretty sure if we wait 2-3 months & look at the big buyers of Russian gas & oil, I suspect the list won’t be any different than what it used to be & we won’t be in the top 10,” Jaishankar further said.

Jaishankar also talked about the recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India, saying that he discussed with him the Ukraine crisis and the troublesome bilateral relationship between India and China.

“We had Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in India about a week ago, we discussed the Ukraine situation & our own relationship which is not exactly going through its best period. But the Chinese have their own analysis of what’s happening in Ukraine,” Jaishankar said.

“The bit that we did agree on was that there is a need for an urgent ceasefire & a need to return to diplomacy & dialogue… in the British cooperation, we have logic in the relationship. There are plenty of things for us to work on,” he added.

Talking about the Russian invasion, UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss said that the events in Ukraine cannot be confined to Europe.

“Countries across the world understand there is a fundamental problem if an aggressor gets away with invading a sovereign nation. The idea that we should only focus on Europe because of this crisis is wrong, the implications are far-reaching,” she said.

On Ukrainian resistance, Truss said, “The response of the Ukrainians and the brave people of Ukraine fighting for their country and the freedom to communicate is proving more effective than the Russians who were been asked to fight in a war for reasons they don’t know.”

Truss further alleged that Russia remains a security threat and that the UK along with the US had warned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“The integrated review of the Russia-Ukraine crisis was very clear that Russia remained the number one security threat. In fact, the United Kingdom alongside the United States was highlighting the threat that Russia pays to Ukraine,” she said.

The UK Foreign Secretary also talked about the bilateral relationship between India and the UK.

“India and UK lead the world in areas like the number of Unicorns, the number of people involved in the tech industry. Both freedom-loving democracies will help lead the world. Free Trade deals between both countries can be completed rapidly,” Truss said.

“I’m very determined that we have a forward-looking relationship. We have a very strong people-to-people relationship. Our focus should be on where we want to be in the next 20 yrs. We’re both democracies, we need to work together for a better future,” she further said.

Earlier today, Jaishankar had welcomed his British counterpart and said that he was looking forward to their discussion later today.

The two leaders held a delegation-level meeting later in the day. (ANI)

ALSO READ: ‘India, UK committed to delivering FTA by year-end’

Categories
UK News

High Commissioner Ellis displays his Hindi skills

The party was held ahead of the talks between UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Ellis indicated that talks may include the Russia-Ukraine crisis…reports Asian Lite News

British diplomat flaunted his Hindi speaking skills at The Queen’s Birthday Party organised at the British High Commission on Wednesday night. Speaking at the event, the British high commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, said that the last year was quite difficult due to the coronavirus disease and nowadays Ukraine is facing difficulty due to Russia.

“Namaskar, main aur meri patni dono bahut khush hain ki aaj yahan iss baar sab log hain. Pichhle saal kaafi mushkil tha Covid ke wajah se. Aajkal Ukraine mein bahut mushkil hai Russia ke wajah se. Lekin aaj hum log saath hain. (Hello, I and my wife, both are elated that this time everyone is here. Last year was quite difficult due to Covid. Nowadays it is difficult in Ukraine due to Russia. But today were are together),” Ellis told the gathering.

The British diplomat then switched to English, saying it was the extent of his Hindi. Ellis added that his Hindi teacher was present at the event but “probably hiding with embarrassment.”

“Guruji, my apologies.”

The party was held ahead of the talks between UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Ellis indicated that talks may include the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

“I don’t want to comment on specific issues regarding Ukraine. What I would say is that the principles of UN Charter are important to us all. That is exactly what our Foreign Secretary will be talking with Jaishankar on March 31,” news agency ANI quoted Ellis as saying.

Amitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Ayog, was also present at Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday party. Kant said that “We’ve had long, historic relations with Britain but we’ve very vibrant relations in world of trade, investment, climate change, sustainability and many areas of growth and partnership.”

“We have a very vibrant, dynamic and very energetic relationship that is going to grow and expand in the years to come even further,” he added.

ALSO READ-Ambassador Ellis holds talks on vax certification with India

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-Top News Asia News

No-trust motion: Pak assembly adjourned till Sunday

The session was held under the chairmanship of NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, with more than 172 members from the Opposition benches in attendance….reports Asian Lite News

The crucial session for the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan which started after much delay was adjourned till Sunday, Geo News reported.

The Pakistan National Assembly Secretariat had issued the order of the day for Thursday on Wednesday night, with a discussion on the no-trust move against the premier on the session’s agenda.

The session was held under the chairmanship of NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, with more than 172 members from the Opposition benches in attendance.

As the session kicked off, during the question and answer session, all the Opposition members demanded the deputy speaker allow voting on the no-confidence motion.

At this, Suri said due to the “non-serious” attitude of the Opposition lawmakers, the session is being adjourned till Sunday — almost 10 minutes after it had started, Geo News reported.

PM Imran Khan has seemingly lost the majority in the lower house after PTI’s allies — MQM-P, BAP, JWP, independent MNA from Balochistan Aslam Bhootani — decided to side with the Opposition.

The prime minister, after the allies started leaving the government’s camp, has time and again repeated that he will not resign and “fight till the last ball”.

PM Imran Khan, who waved a “threat letter” at a March 27 rally in Islamabad, has said that the memo warned the country of the consequences if the no-confidence motion does not pass.

As the Opposition’s number game got stronger, PM Imran Khan had earlier offered to dissolve the assembly if the no-confidence motion against him is withdrawn, sources told Geo News.

According to sources, an “important personality” has given a message of PM Imran Khan to the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif.

This was revealed during the meeting of the Opposition leaders on Thursday ahead of the crucial National Assembly session for the debate on the no-confidence motion.

It was shared that the premier has asked for a “safe passage” amid a deepening political crisis.

ALSO READ: Imran chairs NSC meeting ahead of no-trust motion

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India News UK News

‘India, UK committed to delivering FTA by year-end’

India welcomes the UK’s Indo-Pacific strategy and its desire to deepen engagement in the region as reflected in the deployment of the Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific last year, he said…reports Asian Lite News

India and the UK are committed to delivering a comprehensive and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of this year along with an interim deal for early gains, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Wednesday.

Addressing the First India-UK Strategic Futures Forum, Shringla said the Roadmap 2030 launched by both countries details comprehensive plans for the relationship over the next 10 years and also serves as a useful instrument to actively monitor and pursue agreed priorities.

“The potential for a transformative change is most evident in our economic relationship. India and the UK are the 5th and 6th largest economies in the world that enjoy huge complementarities and offer tremendous opportunities for growth on both sides,” Shringla said.

A major step in this direction was taken last year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson launched the India-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership that aims to more than double bilateral trade by 2030.

“Bilateral trade negotiations that began early this year have been put on a fast track. Two rounds have already taken place with the last round in mid-March witnessing good progress. Both sides are committed to delivering a comprehensive and balanced FTA by the end of this year along with an interim deal for early gains,” Shringla said.

“We are also building a strong financial partnership with closer cooperation in fintech, market regulation, and sustainable and green finance,” he said.

Noting that defence and security is another key element of the India-UK renewed partnership, Shringla said the focus is on research and innovation and joint industrial cooperation to develop advanced defence capabilities and strengthen collaboration in tackling new threats in the cyber, space, counter-terrorism and maritime domains.

“We are keen to overcome legacy issues and engage in a robust dialogue to promote greater alignment on defence and strategic issues, including in the context of the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

India welcomes the UK’s Indo-Pacific strategy and its desire to deepen engagement in the region as reflected in the deployment of the Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific last year, he said.

This interest of the UK has the potential to contribute to regional stability and support shared prosperity, he added.

“Our interests are also aligned in securing trusted and resilient supply chains for strategic technologies like 5G,” Shringla said.

He noted that as the world faced a pandemic of unprecedented proportions, India and the UK joined hands in bringing in game-changing solutions.

A notable success was the collaboration between Oxford Astra Zeneca and the Serum Institute of India, he said.

“We are partners in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Initiative (CEPI) that has an ambitious 100-day plan to develop vaccines to deal with future pandemics and strengthen global preparedness,” Shringla said.

In today’s highly charged international security situation, India and the UK have worked closely in the UN Security Council to address global challenges that threaten international peace and security, he said.

“We also work together on other areas of interest in the multilateral arena, including sustainable development, protecting the environment, blue economy and maritime security, health etc.,” he said.

This mutual cooperation defines our modern partnership and has allowed India and the UK to take leadership in tackling global challenges in areas like climate change, clean energy and global health, Shringla said.

ALSO READ-S.Korea, GCC to resume FTA talks after 13 yrs

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-Top News Asia News

Threat letter: Imran mentions US, then correct himself

The Prime Minister then discussed the ‘threat letter’ that purportedly shows ‘evidence’ of a foreign conspiracy to oust his government….reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed the nation on Thursday, days ahead of the voting on a no-trust motion moved against him by the Opposition in the National Assembly that will decide his fate, Dawn reported.

“Since I joined politics, I have always said that neither will I bow down before anyone, nor will I let my nation bow down. It means I will not let my nation be a slave to anyone. I have never backed down from this stance,” Khan said.

The Prime Minister then discussed the ‘threat letter’ that purportedly shows ‘evidence’ of a foreign conspiracy to oust his government.

In what appeared a slip of tongue, he named the United States as the country behind the threat.

“I am here today because on March 8 or 7, the United States… not the US… we got a message. For a free country, a message like this is [not only] against its Prime Minister but is also against the country [itself],” Khan said.

Pic credits Twitter @ImranKhanPTI

“They knew beforehand that a no-trust move was coming. The no-trust motion was not even submitted [at the time]. It means that they (the opposition) was connected with these people abroad. They say they are angry with Pakistan… they make this excuse. They say they will forgive Pakistan if Imran Khan loses the no-trust move, but if the move fails, Pakistan will have to go through a difficult time,” Khan said.

“In an official document it was said that ‘if Imran Khan remains the Prime Minister, our ties will suffer and you will face difficulties’,” he added.

“I am telling my nation today that this is our status. We are a nation of 220 million and another country — and they are not giving any reason — is issuing threats. They said that Imran Khan decided to go to Russia on his own even though the Foreign Office and the military leadership was consulted,” he said.

“Our ambassador told them that the decision [to visit Russia was made after consultations] but they are denying it and saying that ‘it was only because of Imran Khan and that our ties cannot be good if he stays’. What they are actually saying is that they have no issue with the people who will replace Imran Khan.

“The most disturbing thing is that they (foreign forces) have links with the people through whom the conspiracy happened. They are stooges, and stooges mean loyal slaves.”

ALSO READ: Imran chairs NSC meeting ahead of no-trust motion

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Environment Environment and WIldlife Lite Blogs

Dead endangered Olive Ridleys washed ashore

Despite the conservation efforts being made by the forest authorities who take care of eggs and leave the hatchlings into the sea, they are unable to check deaths of turtles who come to lay eggs…reports Asian Lite News

Hundreds of Olive Ridley turtles have been found dead along the coast in Srikakulam district in north coastal region of Andhra Pradesh during the last few days.

The dead endangered Olive Ridleys were washed ashore along the coastal belt from Ratti to Baruva Kotturu village in Santabommali, Vajrapu Kothuru, and a few other mandals (blocks) in the district.

The carcasses of the dead turtles along the beach raised a stink in the coastal villages. According to fishermen, the dead turtles weighed up to 50 kg each. The length of the carapace is between 60 cm and 70 cm.

Every year, during this season, the turtles come to north coast Andhra and adjoining south coastal Odisha travelling thousands of kilometers from their home for mass nesting.

Despite the conservation efforts being made by the forest authorities who take care of eggs and leave the hatchlings into the sea, they are unable to check deaths of turtles who come to lay eggs.

Forest officials say the reasons for the deaths of these creatures are beyond their control. Majority of the turtles are killed after getting trapped in the plastic nets or after being hit by heavy mechanised boats, and authorities’ efforts to create awareness against the use of plastic nets have not yielded desired results.

According to local fishermen, if turtles are trapped in the traditional nets, they are released immediately into the sea, but turtles get injured while trying to come out the nets. However, fishermen of the mechanised boats use heavy nets made of plastic. They collect the fish and throw the trapped turtles into the sea, but most of the turtles succumb to the injuries and their bodies wash ashore.

Every year, lakhs of Olive Ridley sea turtles come to India’s east coast for nesting, travelling thousands of kilometers during breeding season from countries like Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. According to wildlife experts, the turtles move to east coast to hatch eggs as rising temperatures are favourable for reproduction.

The turtles move towards Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts from November to May to hatch eggs. However, the season peaks from December to March. A large number of them prefer certain coastal villages as their home along the 978-km-long coastline in Andhra Pradesh from Srikakulam to Nellore district.

As these turtles are considered essential for preserving biodiversity, experts have called for coordinated efforts by various departments to save these turtles from mechanised boat nets which are proving death traps.

Vajrapu Kotturu, Palasa, Baruva in Srikakulam district and RK Beach, Bheemili and Sagarnagar in Visakhapatnam district are among the nesting spots of Olive Ridleys in north coastal Andhra. During the breeding season, about 1,000 nesting spots are found in this area.

However, while heading to the coast for nesting, many meet tragic end after getting trapped in the mechanised boats.

Officials say mechanised boats equipped with speed engines beyond the permissible capacity are proving to be death traps for Olive Ridley turtles on Andhra coast in recent years.

They feel that a complete ban on fishing or use of mechanised boats in the potential area could save the Olive Ridley turtles.

The drop in the number of arrivals of Olive Ridleys during the breeding season has alarmed the wildlife experts. The Godavari estuary, with a 30-km long coastline, was once known as a safe nesting ground but in recent years, witnessed a sharp fall in the arrival of turtles.

The estuary had seen 1,061 arrivals in 2018-19 season, but this came down to 640 in 2019-20 and dropped further to 471 in 2020-21.

Despite the challenges, the Forest Department is taking steps for conservation of Olive Ridleys. For last few years, it set up rookeries under in situ conservation method – collection of eggs and release of the hatchlings – while taking steps to protect the eggs from stray dogs, pigs and wolves, who move along the coast in search of food.

In Srikakulam district, the sanctuaries have been established at Srikakulam, Kalingapatnam, Vajrapu Kotturu, and other areas.

Each turtle lays around 100-150 eggs. The incubation period is for 45 days. The people involved in conservation efforts trace the eggs by following the footprint of the turtles.

Meanwhile, people in Visakhapatnam are saying goodbye to Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings. Every Sunday, the state’s Forest Department releases hatchlings into the sea. It released about 1,000 hatchlings into the sea near Joduglapalam beach under turtle protection and conservation programme on March 27.

The Forest Department set up five base camps at RK Beach, Jodugullapalem, Chepala Uppada, Pedanyagayyapalen and Muthyalamma Palem for conserving the eggs of Olive Ridleys. Five farmers guard each camp and keep a watch on the eggs laid by the turtles.

According to Visakhapatnam district forest officer Anant Shankar, the department has so far got 50,000 eggs.

These creatures are known to have emotional bonding to the place where they are born. After taking birth there, the little ones head back home. After coming of age, they go back to the same location to lay the eggs.

ALSO READ-Iran, China and Russia hold joint naval drill in Indian Ocean

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Europe

Putin’s advisors fear telling truth, says spy chief

The Russian leader had also overestimated his own military’s ability to secure a rapid victory, he added…reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s advisors fear telling him the truth about his “failing” Ukraine war strategy, the head of Britain’s top communications spying agency said Thursday.

Putin had “massively misjudged” the invasion, the director of Britain’s intelligence agency GCHQ Jeremy Fleming said in a prepared speech to the Australian National University in Canberra.

His remarks, released in advance, echoed US intelligence issued by the White House the previous day indicating Putin was being “misinformed” by his advisors about the progress of the Russian operation.

Western intelligence sources have been keen to play up Russia’s failures in the war and highlight divisions within Putin’s inner circle.

Fleming said Putin had underestimated Ukraine’s resistance, the strength of the international coalition against him, and the impact of economic sanctions.

The Russian leader had also overestimated his own military’s ability to secure a rapid victory, he added.

“We’ve seen Russian soldiers — short of weapons and morale — refusing to carry out orders, sabotaging their own equipment and even accidentally shooting down their own aircraft,” Fleming said.

“And even though Putin’s advisors are afraid to tell him the truth, what’s going on and the extent of these misjudgements must be crystal clear to the regime.”

Russia’s public statement this week that it would “radically” reduce combat operations around the capital Kyiv and the northern city of Chernigiv “perhaps shows they have been forced to significantly rethink”, Fleming said.

He warned that cyber attacks from Russia remain a threat.

Though some people were surprised that Moscow had not launched a catastrophic cyber attack, Fleming said it was “never our understanding” that such an offensive was central to the Russian invasion.

Britain’s intelligence services had, however, detected a “sustained intent from Russia to disrupt Ukrainian government and military systems”, he said.

“We’ve certainly seen indicators which suggests Russia’s cyber actors are looking for targets in the countries that oppose their actions.”

On the battlefields in Ukraine, Moscow was using mercenaries and foreign fighters to support its own forces, Fleming said.

They included the Wagner Group, which was “taking it up a gear” after being active in the country since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.

“The group works as a shadow branch of the Russian military, providing implausible deniability for riskier operations,” he said.

Fleming noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had refused to condemn the invasion, providing a level of diplomatic and economic support for Russia.

“With an eye on re-taking Taiwan, China does not want to do anything which may constrain its ability to move in the future,” he said, predicting however that the China-Russia relationship may deteriorate as China’s military and economy grow in power.

ALSO READ-‘Sanctions imposed on Russia returning to West like a boomerang’