The top court asked SEBI to complete within three months its probe into two cases pending out of 24 cases…reports Asian Lite News
In a relief to the Adani group of companies, the Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to transfer the probe from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or CBI into the Adani-Hindenburg issue over allegations of stock price manipulation by the Indian corporate giant.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, PS Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said the scope of power of the apex court to enter into the regulatory domain of SEBI is limited.
It said the scope of judicial review is only to see whether any fundamental right has been violated. The SC said the facts of the case do not warrant the transfer of the probe to the SIT or other agency. The SC also said there was no material to doubt the investigation carried out by the SEBI.
The verdict of the top court came on a batch of petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation or CBI probe into the allegations made by US-based firm Hindenburg Research against the Adani group of companies regarding violations of the stock market.
The bench said there has been no regulatory failure by SEBI and the market regulator cannot be expected to carry on its functions based on press reports though such reports can act as inputs for SEBI.
The top court asked SEBI to complete within three months its probe into two cases pending out of 24 cases.
The case is related to the allegations (part of a report by short-seller Hindenberg Research) that Adani had inflated its share prices. After these allegations were published, it led to a sharp fall in the share value of various Adani companies, reportedly to the tune of USD 100 billion.
The Adani Group has dismissed the charges as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements.
Various petitions were filed alleging that changes to the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act (SEBI) had provided a shield and an excuse for the Adani Group’s regulatory contraventions and market manipulations to remain undetected.
The apex court then asked SEBI to independently probe the matter and also constituted an expert committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice AM Sapre to look into the matter.
In May last year, the expert committee in its report had found no prima facie lapse on the part of the SEBI in the matter.
While reserving the verdict, the Supreme Court had said it has no reason to “discredit” SEBI, which probed allegations against the Adani group, as there was no material before it to doubt what the market regulator has done and the court does not have to treat what was set out in the Hindenburg report as a “true state of affairs”.
It had observed that it cannot ask a statutory regulator to take as a “gospel truth” something which was published in the media.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for one of the petitioners, had told the apex court that there were many factual revelations in the Hindenburg report.
He said it was for the top court to see whether the investigation done by the SEBI was credible or not and whether some other independent organisation or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) needs to be formed to investigate it. (ANI)
Tendering for an advanced smart fencing system for 300 km of the India-Myanmar border is already in pipeline and the work will be started very soon…reports Asian Lite News
The Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other’s territory without visa, will be ended soon, a senior government functionary said on Tuesday.
The 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, currently has FMR. It was implemented in 2018 as part of India’s Act East policy.
Under the FMR, every member of the hill tribes, who is either a citizen of India or a citizen of Myanmar and who is resident of any area within 16 km on either side of border can cross over on production of a border pass with one year validity and can stay up to two weeks per visit.
“We are going to end the FMR along the Indo-Myanmar border soon. We are going to put fencing along the entire border. The fencing will be completed in next four-and-a-half years. Anyone coming through will have to…get a visa,” the functionary said.
The idea is to not only to stop the misuse of FMR, which is used by insurgent groups to carry out attacks on Indian side and flee towards Myanmar, but also put a halt to influx of illegal immigrants, and paralyse drugs and gold smuggling networks.
Tendering for an advanced smart fencing system for 300 km of the India-Myanmar border is already in pipeline and the work will be started very soon.
It may be mentioned that Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had urged the Centre in September 2023 to end the FMR. The state government has argued that insurgents use the free movement regime to further their activities.
Manipur shares around 390 km of porous border with Myanmar and only about 10 km has been fenced so far. In July last year, the state government shared data that around 700 illegal immigrants entered the state.
Besides, Mizoram has seen an influx of anti-Junta rebels in thousands since the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021. According to government estimates, several thousand refugees are living in different parts of Mizoram since the coup.
Mizoram shares a 510-km-long porous border with Myanmar.
The Manipur chief minister had also said that several persons from Myanmar tried to enter into his state but returned on seeing the presence of a large number of security personnel. Manipur shares a 398-km border with Myanmar.
Arunachal Pradesh shares a 520-km border with Myanmar while Nagaland shares a 215-km border with the country.
Beyond these educational initiatives, Camila has made a deliberate choice to address menstrual stigma, recognizing its profound impact on girls’ education…reports Asian Lite News
As the world ushers in the festive season, Miss Colombia 2022, Camila Pinzon, has chosen to spend this meaningful time with a special initiative in India. With a deeply rooted commitment to educational advocacy, Camila’s visit aims to empower children and promote educational opportunities, fostering hope and determination among underserved communities during this significant time of the year.
During her stay in India, Camila will be engaging with children in various child centers and underserved communities, providing educational materials and delivering motivational speeches. Her focus lies not only on tangible resources but also on changing mindsets, emphasizing discipline, and the transformative power of education.
Reflecting on her elevated platform as Miss Colombia, Camila stated, “Becoming Miss Colombia has amplified my voice and extended my reach to a broader audience. It has magnified the impact of my efforts to champion educational policies and challenge societal barriers, allowing me to advocate for positive change on a larger scale.”
Beyond these educational initiatives, Camila has made a deliberate choice to address menstrual stigma, recognizing its profound impact on girls’ education.
KHUSHII’s “Pads for Freedom” campaign focuses on workshops and discussions, to dispel myths surrounding menstruation and encourage young girls to view menstrual health as a natural and essential aspect of their well-being. The objective of the campaign is to ensure that girls feel empowered to continue their education without fear or stigma, thereby fostering an environment conducive to their academic success. The silence on menstruation is pushing adolescent girls out of school, creating a cycle of neglect that is taking away their right to equal opportunity.
In the last 4 months, this campaign has reached 33,000 girls across several states in India making a tangible positive impact. KHUSHII’s commitment to ensure holistic development of every child in India led to setting up of sanitary pad manufacturing units which are run by women who are trained and organized as Self Help Groups (SHGs) to produce environment friendly, biodegradable sanitary pads to serve the disadvantaged girls and women.
The Pads distributed in this campaign are made by these empowered women residing in remote villages, creating financial and skills opportunities for them.
Camila passionately believes in the campaign’s objective and she became so engrossed with the varied participant mix of children, mothers of the students and staff members that she didn’t realize it was time for her to leave KHUSHII’s Swatantra Shikshaantra school and move onwards with a comeback promise from her next year as KHUSHII had touched her heart beyond expression.
She carried back with her beautiful memories embedded in a card made for her especially by KHUSHII’s dynamic children.
KHUSHII (Kinship for Humanitarian Social and Holistic Intervention) is an independent Not for Profit organization working for the upliftment and holistic development of underprivileged children, women and vulnerable families.
Shikshaantra Plus is a dedicated school transformation programme that tackles the obstacles hindering student learning in Government Schools and “Swatantra Shikshaantra is KHUSHII’s independent school with its inception in 2007.
Camila, a passionate advocate for educational policies, brings her extensive background in management and marketing, holding two master’s degrees from Sorbonne University in Paris. Her mission is driven by the belief that education serves as a pivotal tool in eradicating social disparities, echoing her ongoing efforts across ten countries, including recent endeavors in Turkey, Syria, Poland, Ukraine, Indonesia, Kenya, among others.
Having fluency in French, English, Spanish, and Italian, Camila’s dedication to education has transcended borders. Her guest lectureship at the University of Cambridge underscores her commitment to inspire and empower future generations globally.
“Education opens doors and transcends boundaries. My goal is to empower these children, irrespective of their circumstances, and instill the belief that with determination, discipline, and education, they can achieve anything they set their minds to.” reflecting on her mission, shares Camila Pinzon .
Camila sees parallels between India and Colombia, particularly in confronting societal inequalities. Choosing to visit India during the Christmas season was a deliberate decision , she views this period as an opportune moment to extend hope and joy to children facing significant challenges, aiming to illuminate their lives during this festive period .
Speaking about her decision to include menstrual well-being in her mission, Camila expressed, “Menstrual stigma continues to pose barriers to girls’ education globally. By addressing this issue, we aim to empower girls to embrace their well-being confidently and pursue their educational aspirations without hindrance.”
Supported by organizations such as the French Embassy and the French Alliance, Camila’s visit not only underscores her dedication to holistic educational development but also amplifies her belief in the transformative power of language. This collaboration seamlessly aligns with her mission to promote language learning and cultural exchange, thereby shaping young minds and fostering a more inclusive society.
Gather friends and family for an evening of joy, laughter, and scrumptious dishes to ring in the New Year with lively gatherings and simple, delectable recipes! Simplify your hosting by serving some delicious finger foods that will surely delight your guests. Cheers to a delightful start to the year! We bring to you some lip-smacking recipes by Chef Aji Joseph, Head – Culinary Development, FreshToHome.
CORDON BLEU CHICKEN POPS
Cordon Bleu Pops are crumb fried spiced chicken mince dumplings filled with molten cheese. They are crunchy, tender, oozy, more like little bites of heaven and make for a perfect party food.
Ingredients:
Chicken mince : 200 g
Onion, finely chopped – 1 tbsp
Garlic, finely chopped – 1 tsp
Celery, finely chopped – 1 tbsp
Parsley, finely chopped – 1 tsp
Butter: 30 g
Mixed Herbs : 1 pinch
Salt : To taste
White pepper powder : 1tsp
Potato, mashed : 50 g
Cheddar cheese, grated : 25 g
Mozzarella cheese, grated : 25 g
Egg, beaten : 2 nos
Refined flour : 50 g
Bread crumbs : 100 g
Method:
Cooking the chicken:
Heat up a non-stick pan and melt the butter.
Add the chopped onion, garlic and celery and sauté till translucent. Add mixed herbs and white pepper powder.
Now add the minced chicken and cook till the mixture is almost dry with very little moisture content. Make sure the chicken mince is all separated and does not have any lumps.
Allow the mixture to cool down and then add the potato mash and mix well.
Preparing the cheese filling:
Mix together both grated cheeses, parsley and just enough salt to make a thick cheese mixture.
Assembling the dish:
With the chilled chicken mince mixture, make small dumplings of 15 g each. With the cheese mixture, make smaller dumplings of 1/4th the size of chicken dumplings.
Take the chicken dumplings in hand and slightly flatten them. Place the cheese dumplings in the centre of the flattened chicken mixture and reshape back to a ball with cheese completely covered inside.
Break 2 eggs and beat them in a bowl.
Take 50 g of flour in another bowl.
Place the breadcrumbs in the third bowl.
Dust the cheese filled dumplings with flour and then drop them into the egg mixture and then evenly coat them with breadcrumbs.
Keep the breaded chicken pops in a refrigerator and let them chill for some time.
Heat up a saucepan and add oil just enough to immerse couple of dumplings.
When the oil is hot, slide the breaded chicken balls into the oil and allow to fry to a golden brown.
Strain them from oil to a butter paper.
Serve along with your favourite sauce.
MUTTON SEEKH KEBAB
Seasoned and spiced mutton mince wrapped around metal skewers and cooked on charcoal fire. The heat and smoke of the charcoal give the seekhs a very earthy and smoky note.
Ingredients:
Mutton boneless: 500 gms
Mutton fat: 25 gms
Egg whole: 1 nos
Besan flour: 50 gms
Onion chop: 100 gms
Cashew nuts: 50 gms (soaked in water)
Ginger chop: 2 tbsp
Garlic chop: 2 tbsp
Green chilly: 2 tbsp
Kashmiri red chilli powder: 2 tsp
Garam masala powder: 2 tsp
Coriander powder: 1/5 tsp
Dry mango powder:1/5 tsp
Jeera powder: 1 tsp
Black cardomum powder: 1 tsp
Cinnamom powder:1 tsp
Black pepper powder: 1 tsp
Coriander leaves: 3 tbsp
Salt: 2 tbsp
Method:
Mince the mutton with all the ingredients except egg and besan flour to a fine mince. To this mince mixture, add beaten eggs and besan flour and mix well.
Take a metal skewer and with one’s wet hands take a handful of mince and press and spread it around the metal skewer.
Heat up a charcoal grill and place the skewers of meat above the hot charcoal and turn sides and cook around. Apply some ghee while the seekhs are getting cooked.
Once cooked, loosen the ends of the cooked seekhs and slide the seekhs out of the metal skewers.
Cut into bite size pieces and serve along with mint chutney and onion salad.
PEEL & EAT GARLIC PRAWNS
One of the simplest recipes to make in a jiffy. Whole prawns with shell is pan sauteed with garlic, olives and parsley. One of the easiest recipes to make this prawn preparation with garlic, olives,s chili flakes and parsley makes it very exotic, and the addition of white wine lifts the dish to a different level. The quick cooking retains all the goodness and flavour of the prawns. The outside shell turns a beautiful orangish red, and that’s quite a visual treat. This PEEL & EAT PRAWNS becomes a fun activity by itself along with good company and conversation.
Ingredients:
Prawn with shell: 250 gm
Olive oil (pomace): 30 ml
Prawns (head removed and shell cut open and inside intestine removed): 250 gm
Garlic slice: 10 cloves
Chilli flakes: 1 tsp
Olive slices: 5 black & 5 green olives
White wine: 50 ml
Parsley: 2 tbsp
Salt: 1 tsp
Butter: 20 gm
Lemon wedges: 4 nos
Ingredients for butter sauce:
Butter(salted): 50 gm
Lemon juice: half a lemon
Parsley chop: 2 pinches
Soften the butter and mix the lemon juice and parsley to form a soft butter dip.
Method:
Detach and remove the prawn heads and discard. With a sharp knife slit open the top or hump side of the prawn along with the shell. Slightly open the slit portion and remove the veins in running water.
Heat up a non-stick saucepan. Add olive oil and sliced garlic and saute to golden. To this, add the chili flakes. Drop the cleaned prawns into this hot pan and toss. Add the white wine, olive slices and salt. Toss till the white wine is evaporated. Add the chopped parsley,lemon wedges and butter and toss again. Don’t allow the butter to burn but just coat the prawns which gives them a buttery and silky coating.
Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with some chopped parsley. Serve along with the butter lemon dip.
As we look ahead, to the year 2024, the data analysis of Thomas Cook reveals tourism industry anticipates the following trend not only to persist but to evolve, shaping the preferences and choices of contemporary Indian travellers…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
The unwavering appetite for exploration among Indian travellers is evident. As we step into 2024, Rajeev Kale – President and Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited, believes that the robust travel sentiment persists, and anticipates a sustained surge in demand from the dynamic Indian market.
The onset of new beginnings brings positivity and anticipation and according to the data analysis of Thomas Cook, it reveals key trends gaining traction among Indian consumers in 2024, further accelerating to meet evolving preferences.
“Event-based travel is emerging as a significant trend, driven by the enthusiasm of Young India’s millennials, young professionals, and Gen Z. Their keen interest in the thrill of live concerts, events, and cultural immersion is poised to be a driving force for travel in the upcoming year. This demographic seeks immersive experiences that go beyond traditional tourism, reflecting a desire for dynamic and culturally rich journeys,” says Rajeev.
As we look ahead, to the year 2024, the data analysis of Thomas Cook reveals tourism industry anticipates the following trend not only to persist but to evolve, shaping the preferences and choices of contemporary Indian travellers.
Sleep Tourism and Wellness Retreats for Rejuvenation: Young Indians are diverging significantly from the travel habits of previous generations, moving away from tightly scheduled sightseeing holidays to embrace more relaxed vacations. The current generation, burdened by work fatigue, seeks opportunities for rest and rejuvenation. Trends like sleep tourism, which go beyond uninterrupted sleep to include activities like yoga, swimming, and spa wellness therapy, are gaining widespread popularity. Consequently, accommodations offering soundproof rooms, sleep consultations, recorded sleep meditations, pillow menus, sleep kits, and concierge services are experiencing a surge in demand. Notable destinations for such experiences include Goa, Coorg, Mysore, Kodaikanal, Alleppey, and Puducherry. At the same time, more people are choosing wellness retreats for peace and well-being. This has led to a noticeable increase in yoga and meditation tourism in places like Rishikesh, Mysore, and Pondicherry, showing how people today prefer a holistic approach to travel.
Personalised and Curated Travel: Indians increasingly seek personalised and tailor-made journeys, gaining more control over their itineraries. The demand for fully customisable private holidays, especially among discerning travellers, is on the rise. This trend caters to those looking for premium, experience-led travel, with a focus on a leisurely exploration of a destination’s history, culture, cuisine, and hidden gems. This is anticipated to attract interest from High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs), multigenerational families, ad-hoc groups of friends, and honeymooners/couples, reflecting a preference for exclusive and tailored travel adventures.
Visa-Friendly Destinations on the Rise: The recent announcements of free visa travel to countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Kenya are expected to spark increased interest among Indian travellers. The accessibility of easy-visa and visa-on-arrival options in these destinations further contributes to the growing appeal for hassle-free international travel.
Top Destinations Overview: We foresee Australia, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, and Finland to be top choices when it comes to long-haul journeys. Meanwhile, those opting for shorter getaways favour bustling locations such as Singapore, Malaysia, the Maldives, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Thailand, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ras Al Khaimah, Oman, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Bhutan. And for those seeking something mid-way, destinations like South Korea, Japan, and Turkiye offer compelling options.
Daniel D’Souza, President and Country Head of Holidays, SOTC Travel, adds, ” In 2024, a dynamic shift in the global travel landscape is anticipated, blending enduring trends with compelling new ones. With 75 years of expertise, we believe no one understands the Indian traveller better than us. Leveraging this legacy, we not only discern our travellers’ wants but also understand their evolving needs.”
According to the Holidays, SOTC Travel analysis existing trends, foresee a significant uptick in emerging travel preferences sustained trends:
Hidden Gems and Offbeat Destinations: The quest for unique and lesser-explored locales continues to gain momentum, with travellers seeking authentic and offbeat experiences beyond conventional tourist destinations. Domestic destinations such as Meghalaya, Ziro, Ponmudi, Sandakphu, Gokarna, Halebidu, Patan, Varkala, Mandu, Tawang, Hampi, Jawai and many more will continue to pop up on travellers itineraries for more unconventional travel.
Adventure Tourism: The thrill of adventure is a constant driver for Indian travellers, with a growing demand for experiences such as trekking, wildlife safaris, and adrenaline-pumping activities. Destinations that will continue to cater to this demand include Rishikesh, Manali, Aamby Valley, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Goa, Kovalam, Auli, Bir Billing, Gulmarg, and Vagamon.
Sports Tourism: The intersection of sports and travel remains a significant trend, with enthusiasts travelling to witness major sporting events, tournaments, and championships across the globe.
Travel for Festivals: Cultural celebrations and festivals around the world attract Indian travellers, seeking to immerse themselves in diverse traditions and celebrations.
Luxury Travel: There is a sustained interest in luxury travel experiences, with discerning travellers seeking exclusive accommodations, personalised services, and opulent amenities.
Food Tourism: Culinary exploration remains a key trend, with travellers increasingly interested in discovering local cuisines, street food, and culinary traditions.
Cruise Holidays: Cruises continue to be a popular choice, offering a unique blend of luxury, entertainment, and the opportunity to explore multiple destinations in a single journey.
The Holidays, SOTC Travel study also indicates some of the emerging developments in the tourist business that we may anticipate, such as:
Astro Tourism: Catering to celestial enthusiasts, Astro Tourism involves travel experiences centred around stargazing, celestial events, and astronomical wonders.
Travel During Shoulder Season (Off-Season Travel): Embracing off-season travel allows for a more serene and economical exploration of destinations, avoiding peak tourist times.
Instant Holidays (Holidays On-the-Go/Short Booking Window): Catering to the fast-paced lifestyles of modern travellers, instant holidays involve spontaneous bookings and short planning windows.
Skip-Gen Travel (Grandparents Travelling With Their Grandchildren): A growing trend where grandparents create memorable travel experiences with their grandchildren, fostering intergenerational bonds.
Plan-Free Travel (Plan on the Move): Emphasising spontaneity and flexibility, plan-free travel allows for on-the-go decision-making, and adapting plans based on immediate preferences.
Religious Tourism: Spiritual journeys remain a focal point, with travellers seeking profound experiences at sacred destinations. Notable among these are the Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir, Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, Shirdi in Maharashtra, Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand, Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.
2024 needs to witness Moscow freeing itself from the chokehold of Beijing by increasing economic involvement with India, writes Prof. Madhav Das Nalapat
2024 needs to witness Moscow freeing itself from the chokehold of Beijing by increasing economic involvement with India.
During the visit to Moscow of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, efforts were reportedly on from the Russian side to increase the joint production of defence items by the two countries. This would be an error. Given the configuration of players in what is now the Cold War 2.0 period, it is consumer goods such as shoes, textiles and other items that need to be produced in India by Russian investors. White goods such as refrigerators or washing machines could also be part of the menu, meeting the needs of Russian consumers.
Were defence items to be the main focus of investment by Russian entities of the rupees earned by the country through a surplus of trade with India, that surplus would only grow still more, to levels that are unsustainable. Emphasis where production by Russian businesses in India is concerned needs to be on items that are of use to consumers in Russia, so that the India-Russia trade balance becomes more balanced. Rather than increase further, the proportion of defence-related items in Indo-Russian trade needs to steadily get replaced with other items in the way that is taking place now. Rather than seek a return to the past, when that vast country was the USSR, what is needed by Russian leaders is to look to the future, and in the desirability of creating manufacturing opportunities in India that would enable Russia to lower its dependence on other countries for meeting several of its needs.
Although sought by NATO policy to be barred from western markets, items produced in India by Russian companies would find a market in the Global South in particular. By next year, the war in Ukraine that is increasingly being termed as “Biden’s Folly” will end in a manner unfavourable to Kiev. This need not have been the case. It was the US President together with then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson who persuaded President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reject the Kremlin’s March 2022 offer of an immediate halt to the hostilities that will soon be entering its second year of operations.
As mentioned earlier, Johnson’s motivation for seeking to continue the war was transparent. Under attack within his own party for repeatedly breaking Covis-19 rules that his own government had enforced, his view was that the Conservative Party would not remove a leader as deliberately seeming to be Churchillian as Boris Johnson. Sadly for him, they nevertheless did. In Biden’s case, the President of the US appears not to have been able to shake off the Cold War 1.0 way of thinking that marked his career in the US Senate.
In the case of Ukraine, Biden has acted as though in the 21st century it is still Moscow that is the primary threat to the US and not Beijing. The war in Ukraine has been a disaster not just for Ukraine, several parts of which look like present-day Gaza, but for other countries in Europe, especially Germany. If Chancellor Ludwig Erhard was the originator of the transformation from collapse into prosperity of the German economy, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been its destroyer, by permitting without protest the shutting down of gas supplies from Russia through Nord Stream I and the sabotage of Nord Stream II by as yet unacknowledged Russophobes within NATO. Interestingly, it is Germany’s “liberal” Green Party that is the fiercest proponent of NATO’s prosecution of the Ukraine war, and it is the “right-wing” Alternative for Germany that opposes involvement in the war.
Given their interest in prolonging the Ukraine war and other diversionary flashpoints across the globe, the Greens in Germany must be favourites of the CCP leadership. As for Chancellor Scholz, he has pivoted away from the longtime external policies of the Social Democratic Party, evidence that he has been completely house-trained into an old-fashioned Cold War 1.0 conservative through his loyal apprenticeship under Chancellor Angela Merkel during the period when her Christian Democrats were the dominant party in government. Merkel kneecapped the prospects for her own party by allowing two million immigrants from societies that were not entirely congruent with the values and needs of Germany, to put it mildly. By her generous gesture, Merkel will enter the history books as the mother of indiscriminate immigration into Germany. Her party paid the price for expanding the population of Germany quickly and substantially through an infusion of vast numbers of migrants from entirely different cultures, and Scholz was the beneficiary, taking over as Chancellor in 2021.
Surprisingly for a Social Democratic Chancellor, he acted as a Cold War 1.0 warrior, adopting a soft line towards the PRC even as the CCP was working to ensure that China remained on track to replace Germany as the manufacturing hub of several sophisticated engineering products, including luxury automobiles and machinery. While several countries in Europe have paid a substantial price for the impulsive sanctions that were slapped on Russian individuals and exports since 2022, none has suffered as much as Germany, a country that is emerging as the “sick man of Europe” courtesy the policy errors made by Chancellor Scholz, who seems to be going by the Biden playbook as faithfully as postwar Japan responded to the cues received from US President Truman. The difference is that Truman’s guidance proved helpful in the rebuilding of Japan, whereas adoption of the Putinophobic line of President Biden is substantially harming German interests.
In the US and in most countries in Europe, the folly of driving Russia into the clutches of China is becoming more evident. The anger directed at India by the Ursula von der Leyens during the initial months of the Ukraine war has abated. 2024 needs to witness Moscow freeing itself from the chokehold of Beijing by increasing economic involvement with India. A rupee-rouble agreement is needed that results in the production within India of items unrelated to kinetic conflict but central to an improvement in the daily lives of the Russian people. The future of India-Russia trade is bright, but it needs to be in the civilian and not in the military field.
Hamas has confirmed the assassination, though the IDF is yet to issue an official statement in this regard…reports Asian Lite News
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed on Tuesday that it has neutralised the deputy leader of Hamas, Saleh al-Arouri, in Lebanon.
Hamas has confirmed the assassination, though the IDF is yet to issue an official statement in this regard.
Senior official of the Hamas group, Izzat al-Rishq, said in a statement, “The cowardly assassinations carried out by the Zionist occupation against the leaders and symbols of our Palestinian people inside and outside Palestine will not succeed in breaking the will and steadfastness of our people or in undermining the continuation of their resistance.”
He claimed that the strike “proves once again the abject failure of the enemy to achieve any of its aggressive goals in the Gaza Strip”.
While Israel has not officially issued a statement on the killing, Israeli politician and former diplomat Danny Danon in a social media post praised Israeli security forces for the killing of Saleh al-Arouri outside of Beirut.
It may be noted that top Israel leaders, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, have time and again said that Israel will kill all the top leaders of Hamas.
Fire and smoke are seen following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2023. Israel on Friday intensified airstrikes on military posts in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, in response to rockets fired from the areas at several parts in Israel, escalating tensions with Palestine over the past three days after Israeli police forcibly expelled Palestinian worshippers from the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Al Amal hospital was struck in the attack on Tuesday….reports Asian Lite News
At least five people, including a five-day-old infant, were killed in an alleged Israeli strike that hit a hospital within the premises of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis city.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Al Amal hospital was struck in the attack on Tuesday.
A training centre run by the PRCS within the hospital complex was also severely damaged, it said.
Condemning the strike, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that officials from OCHA and WHO “undertook a mission to the facilities, where they witnessed extensive damage and displacement of civilians”.
“The attacks, according to the PRCS, killed at least five civilians, including a 5-day old infant. 14,000 people were sheltering at the hospital in the besieged southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Many of them have now left, and those remaining are extremely fearful for their safety and planning to leave a place they had turned to for refuge and protection.
“Hospitals, ambulances, health workers, and people seeking care must be protected, at all times, under international humanitarian law. Today’s bombardments are unconscionable. Gaza’s health system is already on its knees, with health and aid workers continuously stymied in their efforts to save lives due to the hostilities,” he said in a post on X.
The WHO chief further called for “an immediate ceasefire, including urgent action to ensure the accelerated and unimpeded flow of food, medical supplies, water and other essential items to millions of civilians forced to live in unspeakable conditions of hunger, disease spread, and lack of hygiene and sanitation”.
Also condemning the bombardment, Gemma Connell, the OCHA head in Gaza, said that there was no safe place in the besieged enclave.
“Five people were killed here, including a five-day-old child. It’s a Palestinian Red Crescent Society facility clearly marked with the Red Crescent emblem on the roof.
“No child in the world should be killed, let alone one sheltering under the emblem of a humanitarian organisation, the world should be ashamed,” she added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Saudi Arabia.(photo:instagram)
Russia launched almost 100 missiles of various types at Ukraine, killing at least five people and injuring 130 others, Zelensky was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying…reports Asian Lite News
Russia has fired nearly 300 missiles and more than 200 Shahed combat drones against Ukraine since December 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
“No other state has ever repelled such attacks, combined ones: both drones and missiles, including air-launched ballistic missiles. Ten Kinzhal missiles have been shot down today alone,” Zelensky said in a video address on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Russia launched almost 100 missiles of various types at Ukraine, killing at least five people and injuring 130 others, Zelensky was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.
Oleksii Kuleba, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, said on Telegram that more than 250 civilian facilities have been damaged in the latest attack, which targeted mostly the Ukrainian capital and the country’s second-largest city of Kharkiv.
In Kiev alone, two people were killed and 49 others injured in the air strike, and 43 of them were hospitalized, said the city’s mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said the attack was a serious assault on the Lebanese people, security, and sovereignty…reports Asian Lite News
Hamas has reportedly announced a freeze on ceasefire negotiations with Israel after the faction’s deputy chief, Saleh al-Arouri, was killed on Tuesday evening in an Israeli attack in Lebanon.
“We have informed the brothers in Qatar and Egypt of the freezing of negotiations,” a Palestinian source told Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity. Qatar and Egypt have been mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The source added that Hamas, at war with Israel, rejected any talks about reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip amid escalated Israeli aggression and “assassination schemes” against Palestinian leaders.
Earlier, a Hamas source told Xinhua that several aides of al-Arouri, deputy head of the Hamas politburo, were also killed in the Israeli attack targeting a Hamas office in the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
In a statement, Hamas confirmed that seven of its members were slain in the Israeli attack, slamming it as a “barbaric and heinous” terrorist act, a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, and an expansion of Israeli aggression against Palestine and its people.
Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said the attack was a serious assault on the Lebanese people, security, and sovereignty.
“This crime will never pass without response and punishment,” it said in a statement, warning that the attack signalled “a dangerous development” in the current Israel-Hamas conflict.
There was no immediate comment from Israel on the incident, but Israeli media, citing senior officials, said that the country was on high alert against “a significant retaliation” by Hamas or its Iranian-backed ally, Hezbollah, including the launching of precision weapons at Israeli cities.
“The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is in a very high state of readiness in all arenas, both in defence and offence. We are highly prepared for any scenario,” IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said during a briefing to reporters.
Iran on Tuesday condemned Israel’s “despicable” move of assassinating al-Arouri, as well as two commanders of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas armed wing, in the drone strike in Beirut.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also strongly condemned the Israeli attack that rocked the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
“The explosion is a new Israeli crime aimed at inevitably dragging Lebanon into a new phase of confrontation, following the daily ongoing assaults in the south, resulting in a significant number of martyrs and wounded individuals,” Mikati said in a statement.
In recent weeks, Israeli officials threatened to assassinate Hamas leaders in Palestinian territories and beyond, particularly al-Arouri, who was accused by Israel of directly being responsible for the “Al-Aqsa Storm” attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, which sparked the current Israel-Hamas conflict.
Al-Arouri, 57, is considered one of the prominent Hamas leaders, and a founder of the al-Qassam Brigades and its cells in the West Bank.
He was imprisoned in Israel for more than 18 years and was deported by Israeli authorities from Palestinian territories upon his last release in 2010. In the same year, he was elected as a Hamas politburo member.
Al-Arouri became the No. 2 in the top Hamas leadership body in 2017.
