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Showing posts from October 16, 2022

‘The chances of nuclear use are minimal. Both Russia & Ukraine are well aware of results’: DB Venkatesh Varma

 In this explained.Live session, India’s former ambassador to Russia, D B Venkatesh Varma talks about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, whether it will be ending soon or not and what it means for India. The session was moderated by Shubhajit Roy, Deputy Chief of National Bureau Source:  ‘The chances of nuclear use are minimal. Both Russia & Ukraine are well aware of results’: DB Venkatesh Varma | Explained News,The Indian Express

Failure Of S-400? Belgorod Attack Hints At Russian Defense Systems Failing To Intercept HARM Missiles

Belgorod Airport was rocked by several explosions on October 17, apparently due to an air raid conducted by the Ukrainian Air Force that seems to have overwhelmed the Russian air defense systems. Several images and videos of the incident circulating on social media show air defense rockets being fired to repel Ukrainian missiles while simultaneously having explosions occurring on the ground. In a Telegram post, the Ukrainian armed forces confirmed the strikes, saying, “Meanwhile in Belgorod… Locals counted 16 explosions in the area of the airport.” The Governor of Belgorod Oblast, Vyacheslav Gladkov,  also confirmed  the explosions in the city and that the air defense systems had been activated. Gladkov reported that three people died, and another four were injured in the missile attack. Failure Of S-300 Or S-400? The attacks appear to have been conducted by the Ukrainian Air Forces using the US-made AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-radiation Missiles), based on the images showing the frag

‘Terror an absolute evil, fight without hesitation’: Guterres at Mumbai’s Taj

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there are “no reasons, no pretexts, no causes, no grievances” that can justify terrorism United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres participated in a simple ceremony at Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai – one of the main targets in the 26/11 attacks and met a survivor of the carnage. (UN Photo) NEW DELHI:  United Nations  Secretary-General  Antonio Guterres  on Wednesday said terrorism is an “absolute evil” that must be collectively countered by all countries as he paid tribute to the 166 people killed in the “barbaric” terror attacks in  Mumbai in November 2008. Guterres, who is on a two-day visit to India, participated in a simple ceremony at Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai – one of the main targets in the attacks carried out in India’s financial hub by a 10-member squad from Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) – and met a survivor of the carnage. “ Terrorism is absolute evil . There are no reasons, no pretexts, no causes, no grievan

Iran Schoolgirl Beaten By Security Forces For Refusing To Sing Pro-Regime Anthem, Dies

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 The protests began after the death of Mahsa Amini last month for allegedly violating Iran's strict rules for women to cover their faces with hijab. The protests began after the death of Mahsa Amini last month for allegedly violating Iran's strict rules for women to cover their faces with hijab. Asra Panahi was among the Iranian students who refused to sing pro-regime song. Another schoolgirl has been killed in Iran after she was beaten up by the security forces during a raid on her school, according to a report in   The Guardian . The security forces wanted children in the school to sing pro-regime song but when they refused, the soldiers beat the pupils, sparking protests, the outlet further said. The incident took place at the Shahed girls high school in Ardabil on October 13. Fifteen-year-old Asra Panahi was one of the several students injured in the incident and later died, according to a statement by the Coordinating Council of Teachers Syndicates. Iranian officials have

Protest against China's Xi Jinping spreads after 'no to great leader' poster in Beijing

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Protests against Chinese President Xi-Jinping and his zero-Covid policy has been spreading within China and across the globe. A banner protesting against Chinese President Xi Jinping has triggered a slew of banners and posters against the Chinese regime. (Photos from Twitter) By India Today Web Desk : Two days before Chinese President Xi Jinping was reappointed for a third term on October 16,  a man strung up protest banners on a bridge in Beijing calling for Xi's removal . The banner which criticized the strict lockdowns and restrictions that have defined Xi’s zero-Covid policy has now triggered a slew of protests within China and across the globe. PROTESTS IN CHINA According to a report by Bloomberg, VoiceofCN -- a group of anonymous Chinese nationals who run a pro-democracy Instagram account -- said the slogans calling for Xi's removal have cropped up in at least eight cities in China. These eight cities include Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as Hong Kong

Pak off FATF Grey List; ‘Black Spot’ on Fight Against Terror Irks India; J&K Guv Says 'World is Watching'

In what can be termed as “travesty of the fight against terror", Pakistan is free of the control of the world anti-money-laundering body, even the proposal for which, last week, had led to anger in New Delhi. The country sought removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Grey List, claiming it has “complied with 11 conditions”, including prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing, according to a top diplomatic source. Pakistan has been on the list since June 2018. Commenting on Pakistan’s move to get out of the FATF list, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in an exclusive interview with News18, said, “Our neighbour is not happy with peace in India…The world is watching which country is aiding terrorism…Our ministry of external affairs (MEA) is vigilant and takes appropriate action.” ALSO READ |  Pakistan’s FATF ‘Grey’s Period’ to End? Islamabad Says Prevented Terror Financing;  India  Slams ‘White Lie’ | Exclusive News18 had reported on Octobe

Prices Of HIMARS ‘Skyrocket’! Taiwan To Pay Additional NT $400M To Receive 1st Batch Of US MLRS – Reports

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The cost of the first batch of 11 HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) that the US would deliver to Taiwan has reportedly gone up by NT400 million (12.5 million USD). The delivery of HIMARS armament systems will begin in 2024, reported Liberty Times, a Taiwan-based media outlet.  Taiwan  ordered  29 HIMARS missile systems, which Washington will ship in two batches. In 2021, the island government placed an initial order for 11 HIMARS; however, it was announced in August 2022 that the contract would now be expanded to 29 HIMARS.  Early agreements between Taiwan and the US originally stated that the first batch of 11 sets would cost NT$9.62 billion ($300.9 million) in total, the  report said.    However, the entire cost of the first batch is now increased by roughly NT 400 million, to NT$10.02 billion ($313.3 million), the report added, citing the latest announcement of the Ministry of National Defense. As initially planned, delivery of the first batch of HIMARS systems to Taiwan

Post JF-17 Thunder Deal, Myanmar Orders Midrange Fighter Jets From China Amid Crippling Western Sanctions

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The Junta government of Myanmar, condemned and sanctioned by the International community for toppling a democratically-elected government and carrying out widespread human rights violations, has found refuge in China and Russia for military support. To that end, news publication Irrawaddy  reported  that several FTC-2000G midrange fighter jets had been ordered by the Myanmar Air Force from China, a significant arms supplier to the Southeast Asian country. According to the report, about eight Air Force pilots, eight technicians, and at least two armaments officers traveled to China via Kunming in June. The development comes a week after the United States imposed additional sanctions on the Junta government and related individuals. FTC-2000G aircraft- Wikipedia The pilots that were part of the team that visited China earlier this year are known to fly the F-7 interceptor, A-5 bomber, and K-8 W trainer and light attack aircraft for the Myanmar Air Force, which is in dire need of moderniza

UK Fumes Over China’s Poaching Tactics; MoD Says Will Penalize British Military Pilots Recruited By Beijing

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China is luring retired British military pilots with vast sums of money to share their expertise with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which can be used to develop the tactics and capabilities of the PLA Air Force, according to reports. Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) is concerned that this practice could threaten the country’s national security and has been working with allies to try and stop it. According to an  unnamed  British official, China’s efforts to recruit retired military pilots have been ongoing since before the Coronavirus pandemic but have gained momentum in recent months. UK To Penalize Pilots? The United Kingdom warns of the risk of prosecution of former UK military pilots that train Chinese servicemen and sees the practice as undermining the UK’s defense advantage, the defense ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. “When former UK military pilots provide training to the People’s Liberation Army of China, it clearly erodes the UK’s defense advantage. We are ta