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Tarun Tahiliani’s Celebration Of Summer 2024

With a philosopher’s touch and a poet’s vision, Tarun Tahiliani crafts a symphony of timeless elegance, threading the delicate whispers of the past through the vibrant pulse of the modern. Taking rare Indian techniques of Kashida, Chikankari, Phulkari and Farshi embellishment, he meshes it with modern lightness and design sensibility … writes Soniya Kirpalani Visuals: A Style Statement

In the luminous narrative of his Spring-Summer 2024 collection, “Sol,” Tarun Tahiliani captures the essence of sunshine in all its diaphanous and iridescent radiant spirit.

With a philosopher’s touch and a poet’s vision, Tarun Tahiliani crafts a symphony of timeless elegance, threading the delicate whispers of the past through the vibrant pulse of the modern. Taking rare Indian techniques of Kashida, Chikankari, Phulkari and Farshi embellishment, he meshes it with modern lightness and design sensibility. The same signature resonates through his silhouettes some fluid, some with structured elegance, using timeless stories in stiches but infusing it with innovation in technique to sign in India Modern.

This reflects through his collection “Sol” which is filled with lightness, like the first soft glow of dawn, a celebration of light’s gentle ascendancy over hues an ode to heritage, reimagined through Tahiliani’s lens—where embellishments are stories retold in stitches and sprinkled with pearls, beads, and the sparkle of Swarovski crystals.

The palette is a dream spun in ivory, gold, and soft pastels, deepening into rich reds and russets, midnight blues and deep pinks. Reimagining drapes, that dances across forms that flow and sculpt, designed to whisper secrets of ancient drapery. And whilst the drapes flirt like cascade, Tarun’s blouse/ bodices are architecturally structured. This controlled narrative weaves a new chapter in a larger story of cultural reverence, where tradition and innovation merge.

Every garment in the “Sol” has been treated as a canvas, an amalgamation of form and fluidity. Whilst it is a salutation to India’s rich cultural tapestry of silken skeins and embroidery, it seamlessly adds diverse printing techniques weaving in silken threads, with metallics and Swarovski crystals effortlessly. Chikankari paisleys meets geometrics and abstract patterns, classical motifs, meet vibrant summer floral motifs.

The final touches are given by the precision of Tarun’s atelier, who work modern tailoring into the timeless draped stories. Tarun weaves heritage boldly into the contemporary world, merging the every changing but with its eternal roots. These are the top five trends, that stand out for summer dressing 2024: Elevating Embellishments Reinterpreting traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary twist Color In Transitions From Dawn’s luminescence, ivories, pastels, to rich gold and deep reds. Fluid To Structured Form Flirting with drapes, layering it with precision- boned bodices and jackets.

India Modern Blending India culture & creativity with innovative international trends Creative Fusion Manipulating fabric, with digital printing, and a touch of dynamic embellishment.

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INDIA 2024 India News Politics

BJP has weakened Parliament, judiciary, says Priyanka  

Vadra further said that a government led by the Congress will work for women, farmers and the youth, who have been “all along neglected by the BJP.”…reports Asian Lite News

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said that the BJP-led central government has “weakened” institutions like Parliament and judiciary in the last 10 years.

“If they (the BJP) come to power again, they will change the Constitution and cut down on reservations. They (BJP) has weakened democracy in last 10 years, as well as institutions like Parliament and judiciary,” Vadra said while addressing a rally in Jharkhand’s Godda.

Priyanka Gandhi called Kalpana Soren, the wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren “lioness,” and claimed that all those who opposed the Centre’s policies were being victimised.

“The policies of Congress have always been there to give you more power. The BJP government does not know you and is not able to make proper policies. Your CM has been jailed before the elections based on fake statements and cases. The case filed against him cannot ever be true. You are forced to contest the elections without him. PM Modi must have thought that he would win elections easily after jailing Hemant Soren. But today, Kalpana Ji is fighting Hemant Ji’s battle. She is facing all problems like a lioness. She is telling everyone about the programs of the INDIA bloc. I consider her as a younger sister of mine and a symbol of ‘Nari Shakti’,” Vadra said.

She further alleged that capitalists are eying your ‘Jal, Jungle and Jameen’ (water, forest and land)” and said that “Your land, your water… has been given to PM’s billionaire friend Adani… this is BJP’s policy. Indira Gandhi ji gave you the rights to water, forest and land.”

Vadra further said that a government led by the Congress will work for women, farmers and the youth, who have been “all along neglected by the BJP.”

Meanwhile, the Congress General Secretary performed a traditional dance with locals in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

The BJP has fielded Nishikant Dubey from the Godda Lok Sabha constituency, where he is the sitting MP. The Congress has fielded Pradeep Yadav. He is also a former BJP member who joined Congress in 2019.

Dubey has been repeated by his party from his constituency. He has been winning from Godda for the last three terms.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Dubey defeated Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) Pradeep Yadav by a margin of 1,84,227 votes.

In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 12 seats in Jharkhand, with the BJP winning 11. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress got one seat each. (ANI)

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-Top News INDIA 2024 India News

EC notice to Nadda, Kharge

The EC has come down heavily on both the BJP and the Congress for campaigning along caste, community, language, and religion…reports Asian Lite News

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) president JP Nadda and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to issue formal notes to star campaigners to correct their discourse, exercise care and maintain decorum.

This is the Commission’s unprecedented orders to the BJP and Congress in the wake of plummeting quality of campaigning led by their star campaigners.

The EC has come down heavily on both the BJP and the Congress for campaigning along caste, community, language, and religion.

The poll body has directed star campaigners from both parties to refrain from religious and communal overtones in their campaigning. The ECI has also asked the BJP to stop campaign speeches that may lead to division in society.

The EC has directed the Congress to ensure that star campaigners do not make statements that give false impressions such as the Constitution of India may be abolished or sold. Moreover, while speaking on the Agniveer scheme, the poll body has asked the Congress campaigners or candidates not to politicise the defence forces and to not make potentially divisive statements regarding the socio-economic composition of the defence forces.

The Commission has observed that India’s sociocultural milieu is an enduring preserve and cannot be made a casualty of elections. The EC has also said that the BJP and the Congress will not be allowed to weaken the heritage of quality electoral experience of the Indian voter.

The Election Commission has bared all allegations by the BJP and Congress against each other and rejected their defences. The Commission has pointed out that the party in power should have extra responsibility during poll time and has said that there should not be any unlimited extra space for the Opposition as well.

Calcutta HC slams EC

Earlier, the Calcutta HC pulled up the Election Commission of India for its inaction regarding Trinamool Congress’ (TMC) complaints against the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) alleged slanderous ads, which violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), according to a report by Bar and Bench.

The court also prohibited the BJP from publishing any derogatory advertisements against the TMC until further notice.

Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya, presiding over a single bench, noted that the advertisements in question breached both the MCC and the Press Council of India guidelines. He pointed out the ECI’s failure to act promptly, necessitating the court’s intervention.

“The ECI has grossly failed to address the complaints of the TMC in due time. This Court is surprised that resolution of the complaints after the conclusion of elections is nothing to the court and as such in due failure on part of the ECI in due time this court is constrained to pass an injunction order,” Justice Bhattacharya said.

Legal blow to BJP’s election ads

The court found the BJP’s advertisements during the ‘silence period’ to be in violation of the MCC, impacting the rights of both the TMC and citizens to fair elections.

The court deemed the allegations and publications against the TMC as overtly derogatory and intended to insult rivals and launch personal attacks, thereby contradicting the MCC and infringing upon the rights of the petitioners and Indian citizens to a free and fair electoral process.

“The allegations and publications made against TMC are outright derogatory and definitely intended at insulting the rivals and levelling personal attacks. Hence, the said Ads being directly contradictory to the MCC as well as being violative of the rights of the Petitioner and all citizens of India to free, fair and untainted election process. The BJP, thus ought to be restrained from further publishing such Ads until further orders,” the court said.

The petitioners’ counsel had argued that the advertisements were slanderous and directly contravened the MCC, which prohibits political campaigns based on caste, creed, or religion.

EC inaction despite complaint

Despite lodging a complaint with the ECI, no action was taken until the filing of the writ petition, the report said. According to the petitioners, these advertisements infringed on their right to a free and fair election and violated the electorate’s rights.

ALSO READ-Kharge attacks Modi in poll-bound Haryana

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INDIA 2024 India News Politics

Battle for Bhumihar votes hots up in Vaishali  

The race is likely to be close as NDA is challenged by RJD’s Munna Shukla who is a strong contender in the constituency belonging to Bhumihars, the biggest land-owning general caste in UP…reports Asian Lite News

Bihar’s Vaishali district is poised for a keen contest between the Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), with both parties vying for Bhumihar votes.

Vaishali is set to poll in the sixth or penultimate phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on May 25.

LJP (Ram Vilas) has put sitting MP Veena Devi into the fray for Vaishali while the RJD has fielded former MLA and strongman Vijay Kumar Shukla alias Munna Shukla from the prized Lok Sabha seat.

While Veena Devi identifies herself as a Rajput, Shukla hails from the Bhumihar caste. While both candidates are eyeing Bhumihar votes, the Rajputs and the biggest land-owning general caste make for prominent vote banks in the constituency.

The general sense is that the Bhumihars have traditionally sided with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), putting whoever the alliance fielded in the Lok Sabha. However, the battle, this time, is likely to be a stiff one as keen to weaken the NDA’s hold on the seat, the RJD has fielded Shukla, who belongs to the electorally significant community in the region.

Speaking to ANI, sitting MP Veena Devi opened up on the electoral challenge from a Bhumihar face this time, saying, “I don’t see any competition as everybody wants local leaders to represent the public (in Parliament). Our electoral preparations and campaign are going well and I anticipate one-sided voting (in her favour) this time as well. There will be no split in Bhumihar votes as the community will yet again lean on the NDA and vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I believe the people will vote overwhelmingly for the country’s development and progress.”

The LJP (Ram Vilas), who has set her hopes of a fresh term in the Lok Sabha from Vaishali on the electoral goodwill and popularity of PM Modi, added, “PM Modi has put in tireless and sincere work for the country and my job is to take his work to the people here. Even the children here are admirers and fans of Modiji.”

However, her RJD rival Munna Shukla talked up his chances of springing an upset victory this time in Vaishali, saying he was confident of polling good numbers in the elections.

Expressing confidence in mining Bhumihar votes being a member of the community, Shukla told ANI, “We (Bhumihar) are the ones who brought NDA (to power). However, with unemployment, inflation, and high taxes on everything, the mood of the nation has changed and the electoral destiny of Vaishali could also be up for a change this time. I am hopeful that the INDIA bloc will form the government at the Centre on June 4.”

However, Veena Devi said she was confident of retaining Vaishali by a margin of 4 lakh votes, which, if accomplished, would be more than her tally in the previous elections in 2019.

Ashish Ranjan, a local, said unemployment and development were the main issues of voters going into the May 25 polling, adding that not much development happened in the last five years. He added while the sitting MP received votes in PM Modi’s name in the last elections, she didn’t do anything of note for the people of the constituency.

“Bhumihars have been among the core BJP voters. However, Lalu Yadav gave a ticket to a Bhumihar candidate this time. Bihar, as we all know is known for its caste identities and politics and putting a Bhumihar candidate in the fray here could favour the RJD this time,” Ashish added.

Sharing his views on the prevailing political headwinds in the region, another local, Vivek Singh Kashyap, who is a Bhumihar voter, said jobs and development are the need of the hour for Vaishali.

“I’m a Bhumihar voter and we have historically voted in favour of the NDA. However, not much work was done for the community over the last five years. My sense is that 95 per cent of voters will swing towards the RJD this time. Almost 2.5 lakh voters here are Bhumihars while the Rajputs account for another 1.5 lakh. We feel we have been neglected which is why we want to go with the RJD this time,” Kashyap told ANI.

Prem Kumar Singh, also a resident, reckoned that while the NDA faces an intense challenge from the RJD, not all votes will go to the latter. However, he said, the majority of Bhumihars would vote for Munna Shukla.

“It is just Modi whom we want to vote for as he has worked for the poor, has given them ration, provided sanitation, gave us health cards and vaccines free of cost,” he told ANI.

The first five phases of polling in Bihar were held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. The next two rounds of voting are scheduled to be held on May 25 and June 1.

The counting of votes for all phases in the state and elsewhere is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)

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-Top News UK News

Sunak Calls Surprise Early Election for July

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer for a bilateral meeting and press conference at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Responding to the announcement, Labour party chief, Sir Keir Starmer called this a moment the country needs and has been waiting for…reports Asian Lite News

 In a surprise development, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday called an early general election in July.

Addressing reporters outside his 10, Downing Street residence, amid rain, he said that, earlier in the day, he had asked King Charles to dissolve Parliament on May 30 and this was granted, and thus the election will take place on July 4, the BBC reported.

Elections were slated for later this year.

Noting that the last five years have seen the country fight through the most challenging times since World War Two, Sunak, who chaired a Cabinet meeting before his announcement, said that the country has fought through those challenges and it made him proud to be British.

He stressed that the UK economy is still growing, inflation has returned to normal, interest rates have come down and the government’s plan is working, However, he acknowledged that he recognises things are not easy for many people currently.

Among a resurgent Labour Party seeking to return to power after 14 years in the wake of his Conservatives dismal performance in the recent Council elections, the Indian-descent Sunak told the people that the question now is “who do you trust”.

It is the moment to decide Britain’s future, he said, to decide whether you want to “build on the future you’ve made or risk going back to square one”.

Sunak also admitted that he cannot and will not claim they got everything right while in power, but he is proud of what they achieved and what can be done in the future, listing his achievements as giving “record funding” to the NHS, improving children’s reading, putting energy security over “environmental dogma” and increasing defence spending.

Responding to the announcement, Labour party chief, Sir Keir Starmer called this a moment the country needs and has been waiting for.

This is the time to change communities and the country, he said, terming the election campaign an opportunity to secure a better future.

Starmer said the Labour party has changed over the last few years and asks for a chance to do the same for the country, promising it will “return Britain to the service of working people”.

It will reverse things like sewage being pumped into rivers, people waiting for treatment in A&E, and reverse the trend of rising mortgages and food prices, he promised

A vote for Labour is a vote for stability, Starmer said, and a vote for “a politics that treads more lightly… and stops the chaos”.

“It is time for change,” he said.

Liberal Democrats leader, Sir Ed Davey said the general election will be a “chance to kick Rishi Sunak’s appalling Conservative government out of office and deliver the change the public is crying out for”.

“The NHS has been brought to its knees, people’s mortgages and rents have soared by hundreds of pounds a month and water companies have got away with pumping filthy sewage into our rivers and beaches.”

ALSO READ-Sunak backtracks

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-Top News EU News Europe

Zelensky Rallies Global Leaders for June Peace Summit

The aim is to involve around 80 countries in the summit. This first step is not about negotiations with Russia; Moscow has not been invited and rejects participation…reports Asian Lite News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is continuing to collect pledges for the planned peace summit in Switzerland in mid-June.

“Today I spoke with the heads of state and Prime Ministers of Chile, Albania, Austria, and Mozambique,” Zelensky said in his regular video message on Wednesday evening.

“Four more countries at the summit — I thank them.”

It is already known that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be travelling to the meeting on behalf of Germany.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer will also attend the meeting on June 15-16 near the Swiss city of Lucerne, the Chancellery confirmed in Vienna.

Nehammer called the conference an important step towards making peace possible again.

What was needed was a “broad alliance of allies for peace, also outside the echo chambers of the EU,” he said.

The summit, organised by Switzerland at Ukraine’s request, is intended to mobilise more international support for the country currently under attack from Russia.

Ukraine is hoping to convince neutral states or states in the Global South that are friendly with Russia of the correctness of its position. China in particular is being courted.

The aim is to involve around 80 countries in the summit. This first step is not about negotiations with Russia; Moscow has not been invited and rejects participation.

“Russian aggression has tried to turn the UN Charter into a museum piece,” Zelensky said in Kiev.

“Our peace summit and the participation of leading politicians from all over the world can restore the UN Charter to full effectiveness and full protection for all nations.”

Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than two years.

In addition to the Crimean peninsula annexed in 2014, Moscow has declared four other Ukrainian territories to be part of its territory.

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-Top News USA

Haley Backs Trump Despite Past Criticism

Trump, who has stoked speculation about his running mate naming those in consideration, has ruled out Haley…reports Asian Lite News

After running a spirited primary challenge to former US President Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, the former Ambassador to the UN, said on Wednesday that she will vote for him.

“I will be voting for Trump,” the Indian-descent politician said in a speech at Hudson Institute, a think-tank where she will hold a chair.

“She went on to explain her reasons. As a voter, I put my priorities on a President who’s going to have the backs of our allies and hold our enemies to account. Who would secure the border, no more excuses. A President who would support capitalism and freedom. A President who understands we need less debt, not more debt.”

“Trump has not been perfect on these policies. I have made that clear many, many times. But Biden has been a catastrophe.”

Haley’s endorsement triggered talk of joining the Trump ticket as running mate.

Trump, who has stoked speculation about his running mate naming those in consideration, has ruled out Haley.

But if Haley can change her mind about Trump, so and Trump about her.

Running against him for the party’s nomination to run for the White House, she had called him “unhinged” and chaos followed him wherever he went.

She had even suggested a mental acuity test for candidates running for President citing some of his many fumbles, which included mistaking Haley for Nancy Pelosi, a former Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives.

A key reason Trump could change his mind on Haley is her supporters in the Republican Party, who remain so deeply hostile to him that they have continued to vote for her in the ongoing primaries even though she is no longer in the race. And these are not a handful of voters.

She won 21 per cent of the votes in the Indiana primary earlier this month even though she has been out of the contest for weeks now.

Haley reminded Trump about her supporters.

“Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me and not assume that they’re just going to be with him. And I genuinely hope he does.”

Even President Joe Biden’s campaign has been eyeing Haley’s supporters and has been wooing them as a sizable voting block.

Trump has a tight grip on the core of the Republican Party, which ensured his victory in the primaries and grants him an extortionist’s hold on the lawmakers of his party who fear the support of his base if they upset him. But Trump will need to carry his party to come within striking range of the White House and he needs Haley’s supporters.

None of the other Vice-President aspirants who Trump paraded at a recent fundraiser at his Mar-a-Lago resort, have anything similar to offer to the former President. She has secured 14 per cent in the Republican primaries even after exiting the race.

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Lite Blogs Woman

BTF Honours Women Achievers

Through the Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival, we aim to shine a spotlight on the inspiring stories and accomplishments of women, highlighting their invaluable contributions to society, culture, and the arts…reports Asian Lite News

In celebration of International Women’s Day and in recognition of the remarkable contributions of women, the Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival (BTF) annually honors women from diverse backgrounds and disciplines across the West Midlands. This special initiative underscores the importance of celebrating the achievements and impact of women globally. Through the Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival, we aim to shine a spotlight on the inspiring stories and accomplishments of women, highlighting their invaluable contributions to society, culture, and the arts.

The inspiring women honored during the BTF 2023 were:

  • Carmen Watson DL, Chair of Pertemps Network Group: Carmen Watson has made significant contributions in the field of recruitment and employment, demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Elizabeth Kardynal, Founder and Managing Director at European Welfare Association: Elizabeth Kardynal has dedicated her career to supporting the welfare of European migrants, providing essential services and advocacy to improve their lives in the UK.
  • Josie Belt, Facilities Manager, Sense Touch Base Pears, Birmingham: Josie Belt has shown unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive environment for individuals with complex disabilities, ensuring that the facilities at Sense Touch Base Pears are accessible and welcoming.
  • Sarah Rennie DL, Accessibility and inclusion consultant, trainer, and non-practising solicitor: Sarah Rennie has made impactful strides in promoting accessibility and inclusion across various sectors, advocating for the rights and needs of disabled individuals.

Through the Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival, these remarkable women are celebrated for their dedication, leadership, and contributions to society. Their stories inspire future generations and highlight the importance of recognizing and supporting the achievements of women globally.

ALSO READ-10th Annual Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival Receives Blessings from PMs of India and UK

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London News USA

US embassy in London refuses to pay $18.6 mn in congestion charge

CNN reported that this is not the first time a dispute has emerged over whether the US embassy should pay the charge…reports Asian Lite News

The US embassy in London is refusing to pay more than $18.6 million in charges from unpaid congestion fees, CNN reported citing Transport for London (TfL), which oversees the city’s vast transport network.

The congestion charge was introduced in 2003 to stem traffic and pollution in central London. Drivers within the congestion charge zone are required to pay a USD 19 daily charge between 7 am and 6 pm on weekdays and 12 pm and 6 pm on weekends.

TfL said it will pursue all unpaid fees, adding in a statement ot was even “pushing for the matter to be taken up at the International Court of Justice.”

The US embassy declined to pay up claiming diplomatic immunity from the fines, CNN reported.

“In accordance with international law as reflected in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, our position is that the congestion charge is a tax from which diplomatic missions are exempt,” a US embassy spokesperson said, CNN reported.

“Our long-standing position is shared by many other diplomatic missions in London,” the spokesperson added.

However, TfL insisted that in an agreement with the UK government, London’s congestion charge constitutes a service and not tax. “This means that diplomats are not exempt from paying it,” it stated.

It has also politely declared there to be a ‘stubborn minority’ of embassies that do not pay the charge, despite “representations through diplomatic channels,” and posted a lengthy list of offenders.

As of December 31, 2023, a total of 161 embassies, high commissions and consulates owed more than $182 million combined in unpaid congestion charge fees, according to TfL data.

According to TfL’s figures, the Japanese embassy owes the second highest amount from unpaid congestion charge fees–around USD 12.8 million.

CNN reported that this is not the first time a dispute has emerged over whether the US embassy should pay the charge.

In July 2005, the embassy issued a diplomatic note, claiming the charge “is a tax that cannot be lawfully imposed on the US Government, its diplomatic and consular personnel, or its military force.”

While the embassy initially paid the charge, it stopped doing so on July 12, 2005, declaring the charge to be ‘in tension’ with “duties owed to foreign missions and diplomats.”

In 2020, then UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said British officials held “meetings with a number of diplomatic missions and international organisations” to press for “payment of outstanding fines and debt,” including “unpaid congestion charge” fees.

The Japanese embassy told CNN that “the government of Japan is of the view that the charge corresponds to neither ‘dues and taxes… such as represent payment for specific services rendered’ nor ‘charges levied for specific services rendered’, as stipulated in the relevant international conventions, and therefore the Embassy, its diplomatic agents and their family members should be exempt from the charge.”

The UK Foreign Office said that diplomats are expected to pay the charge, adding that they believe there are no legal grounds for diplomatic exemptions, CNN reported. (ANI)

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-Top News Arab News

Israel seizes broadcasting equipment of AP  

The AP denounced the move, accusing the government of abusing the recently passed foreign media law…reports Asian Lite News

Following its crackdown on Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera, the Israeli government seized the broadcasting equipment of The Associated Press (AP) in southern Israel, accusing the news agency of violating a new media law by providing images to Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based media giant reported on Tuesday.

Al Jazeera said it was among thousands of clients to receive live video feeds from the AP and other news organisations.

The AP denounced the move, accusing the government of abusing the recently passed foreign media law.

“The Associated Press decries in the strongest terms the actions of the Israeli government to shut down our longstanding live feed showing a view into Gaza and seize AP equipment,” Lauren Easton, vice president of corporate communications at the AP, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.

“The shutdown was not based on the content of the feed but rather an abusive use by the Israeli government of the country’s new foreign broadcaster law. We urge the Israeli authorities to return our equipment and enable us to reinstate our live feed immediately so we can continue to provide this important visual journalism to thousands of media outlets around the world,” she added.

According to Al Jazeera, officials from the Communications Ministry arrived at the AP location in the southern town of Sderot on Tuesday afternoon and seized the equipment. They handed the AP a piece of paper, signed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, alleging it was violating the country’s foreign broadcaster law.

Shortly before the equipment was seized, the AP was broadcasting a general view of famine-struck northern Gaza where Israeli forces continue to press on a ground and aerial assault.

The AP said it complies with Israel’s military censorship rules, which prohibit broadcast of details like troops movements that could endanger soldiers. The live shot showed smoke rising over the besieged territory, the Al Jazeera reported.

The seizure followed a verbal order Thursday to cease the live transmission, which the news organisation refused to do, according to Al Jazeera.

“In accordance with the government decision and the instruction of the communications minister, the communications ministry will continue to take whatever enforcement action is required to limit broadcasts that harm the security of the state,” the Israel ministry said in a statement.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid decried the move as “an act of madness”.

“This government behaves as if it has decided to make sure at all costs that Israel will be swayed all over the world. They went crazy,” he said.

The White House said it was a “concerning” development.

“We stand firm in our belief that journalists have the ability, right to do their jobs,” the White House said, according to Al Jazeera.

On May 5, the Israeli cabinet voted unanimously to shut down Al Jazeera in the country, immediately ordering the closure of its offices and a ban on the company’s broadcasts and websites. Al Jazeera condemned the decision as a ‘criminal act’.

It came weeks after Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, passed a law on April 1 allowing Israel to temporarily shut down foreign media outlets, including Al Jazeera if deemed a threat to security. (ANI)

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