A meeting between Salman Khan, AR Murugadoss and Sajid Nadiadwala, earlier this year, had sparked speculations of a collaboration between the three. There were many reports that carried the news of a potential Salman Khan film being directed by AR Murugadoss. An official confirmation was being awaited, but the wait is finally over as both Salman Khan and AR Murugadoss have officially confirmed the collaboration. The anticipation is palpable as Salman Khan gears up for his next big project. Salman recently revealed news of this collaboration, promising another triumphant return on Eid 2025. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see what this dynamic trio has in store for them.
Sharing a photo of all the three of them in separate frames, Salman Khan announced the yet untitled project from his official handle, saying he was glad to join hands with the two. “Glad to join forces with the exceptionally talented, @a.r.murugadoss and my friend, #SajidNadiadwala for a very exciting film !! This collaboration is special, and I look forward to this journey with your love and blessings. Releasing EID 2025,” he captioned his social media announcement post.
AR Murugadoss also announced the collaboration on his own handle and assured his fans of an “unforgettable cinematic experience”.
Sajid Nadiadwala has a rich history of producing successful films with Salman Khan including hits like Judwaa, Kick and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi?.
Notably, Nadiadwala made his directorial debut with the film Kick in 2014. AR Murugadoss is a well-known figure in Tamil cinema and made his entry into Bollywood with the remake of his own Tamil film Ghajini. He also directed Akshay Kumar in Holiday, another successful remake, based on the Tamil film Thuppakki.
The collaboration between these experienced figures in the industry adds a layer of excitement to Salman Khan’s upcoming project, hinting at a blend of creative expertise and cinematic flair. A source previously gave Pinkvilla information about the major project, saying that the action thriller will be filmed in Portugal and other European countries, with some scenes in India. It is the most ambitious production that Sajid Nadiadwala has ever undertaken, with a massive budget of Rs 400 crore.
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Salman Khan teaming up with A R Murugadoss for new film
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Kareena, Tabu, Kriti Sanon set the dance floor on fire in Ghagra song from Crew
A new song, Ghagra, from Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu and Kriti Sanon-starrer Crew has been unveiled.
Ghagra is a party anthem in which the terrific trio radiates infectious energy, joyously celebrating amidst the dynamic beats of the dance number set in a vibrant club space. It is the reprised version of Ila Arun’s iconic song. The film will be hitting the theatres on March 29. Earlier it was slated to release on March 22 but the makers have decided to push the film’s release. Crew is a story of three women and is touted as a laugh-riot, set against the backdrop of the struggling airline industry. However, their destinies lead to some unwarranted situations and they get caught in a web of lies.
The movie marks the second collaboration between Ektaa R Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor after the 2018 female buddy comedy Veere Di Wedding. Source: ANI -
‘Pehle stomach burn, ab abs ka turn’, Sara drops workout video
Actress Sara Ali Khan, who recently sustained a burn injury on her belly, has shared a workout video in which she could be seen doing abs burnout exercises. Sara, who is currently gearing up for the release of her two films — ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ and ‘Murder Mubarak’ — had suffered a minor burn injury on March 6 when she accidentally spilled hot coffee on her belly while she was busy with promotional activities. The actress, known for her work in ‘Kedarnath’, took to Instagram where she shared a reel video. The snippet shows Sara in light blue shorts and a matching sports top, working out in gym while flaunting her toned abs. “Pehle stomach burn… Ab abs ka turn…You gotta work so you can earn… the sarso ka saag for which you yearn…,” Sara captioned the post. The video has already garnered 1.3 million views, with fans showering love on Sara.
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Indian Film Critic and Curator Murtaza Ali Khan Attends 74th Berlin International Film Festival as State Guest of Germany
New Delhi (TIP)- Murtaza Ali Khan, noted Indian film critic and curator, was invited by the Federal Republic of Germany to attend the prestigious 74th Berlin International Film Festival. As a distinguished guest of the Federal Republic of Germany, Khan’s participation underscored the strong cultural ties between India and Germany. The festival was held in Berlin from 15 – 25 February, 2024.
Hosted by the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany through its Visitors Programme, Khan’s attendance at the Berlinale presented a unique opportunity for him to engage with various luminaries from the global cinema industry. During his visit, Khan got a firsthand taste of the vibrant culture of Germany. His itinerary included visits to prominent institutions such as Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen, Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, Federal Foreign Office, and Goethe-Institute, Berlin. Additionally, Khan participated in events organized by Berlinale Talents and engaged in discussions on film financing and location promotion.
The Berlin International Film Festival, established in 1951, is renowned for its rich history and serves as a vital platform for intercultural exchange and critical exploration of societal issues. Khan’s presence at the festival as a critic, cultural writer, and curator further enhances the dialogue between India and Germany, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to fostering global understanding through cinema.
This year the Berlin International Film Festival witnessed a very strong Indian presence with films such Raam Reddy’s ‘The Fable,’ Siddartha Jatla’s ‘In the Belly of a Tiger,’ PS Vinothraj’s ‘The Adamant Girl,’ Gavati Wad’s ‘O Seeker,’ Nishi Dugar’s short film ‘Sour Candy,’ and Subarna Dash’s animated short film The Girl Who Lived in the Loo, among others. ‘The Fable,’ starring Manoj Bajpayee alongside Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, and Tillotama Shome, made its debut at the 2024 Berlinale in the festival’s competitive Encounters section, garnering praise from critics and audiences worldwide.
In a tribute to a three-decade-long illustrious, the Tagore Centre at the Indian Embassy in Berlin paid homage to Manoj Bajpayee. The event, hosted by Trisha Sakhlecha, Director of the Tagore Centre, coincided with the premiere of ‘The Fable’ at the 74th Berlinale. The celebration, commemorating both Manoj Bajpayee’s 30-year career and the foundation of the Tagore Centre, drew a diverse crowd of fans from India and Germany. Parvathaneni Harish, the Ambassador of India to Germany, also graced the occasion alongside various distinguished dignitaries, including the German Diplomat Karsten Warnecke, the former Ambassador and Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), who currently heads the Cultural & Societal Relations with Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean at the Federal Foreign Office.
Murtaza Ali Khan’s participation in the Berlin International Film Festival holds special significance for Indo-German cultural exchange as Khan is set to curate a rare retrospective for the Indian audiences based on the legendary German filmmaker Fritz Lang known for films such as Metropolis, M, The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, etc. Back in 2022, Khan had curated and presented a very unique film festival dedicated to the city of Berlin at the India Habitat Centre for the Embassy of Germany. -
If voted to power, INDIA bloc to be farmers’ voice: Rahul
Nashik (TIP)- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, March 14, said the opposition INDIA alliance, if voted to power, will be the “voice of farmers” and frame policies to protect them.
He was addressing a farmers’ rally at Chandwad in Maharashtra’s Nashik district along with NCP (SP) head Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, as part of the Congress’ ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’.
“The INDIA alliance government will be the voice of farmers and work to protect their interests,” Gandhi said.
He promised loan waiver for farmers, restructuring of crop insurance scheme to benefit cultivators, to protect crop prices in formulation of export import policies and to make efforts to exclude agriculture from GST and work on only one tax.
The Lok Sabha member from Wayanad also reiterated the Congress’ promise of a legal guarantee to minimum support price (MSP) as per the Swaminathan committee report.
The former Congress president claimed 20 to 25 people in the country have wealth equivalent to 70 crore of the country’s population. The Narendra Modi government waived off Rs 16 lakh crore debt of industrialists, he further claimed.
“This amount is equivalent to 24 years of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) under which Rs 35,000 crore is spent every year to give employment to the poor people,” Gandhi said. He said the previous Congress-led UPA government had waived off Rs 70,000 crore debt of farmers.
“If the loans of rich people can be written off, farmers also should get the benefit,” he said.
Criticising the Agnipath scheme (under which soldiers are enrolled as Agniveers by the armed forces), Gandhi said the Agniveers are excluded from pension and martyrdom status and are given training for only six months.
“Like soldiers who protect our country’s borders, farmers protect citizens within the country. If we don’t safeguard our jawans and kisans, the country cannot progress,” he said.
NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar accused the central government of being apathetic to the plight of farmers and the agriculture sector.
“Due to lack of a proper price for their produce, farmers are debt-ridden and committing suicide. The UPA government had waived off Rs 70,000 crore loan of farmers,” he said.
“It is our collective responsibility to defeat the anti-farmer, anti-youth government which invites inflation,” the former Union minister said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is with Rahul Gandhi in the struggle to fight for people’s causes.
The MVA comprises the Congress, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). It is part of the national-level opposition INDIA bloc. Source: PTI -
Kovind-led panel backs ‘one nation, one election’
New Delhi (TIP)- A high-level committee led by former president Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday, March 14, unanimously backed simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies, state and local tiers and called for a raft of constitutional amendments to achieve the goal, potentially setting the stage for the far-reaching but controversial reform that can reshape the world’s largest democracy.
The eight-member committee submitted its 18,626 page-long report to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday morning, outlining a phased approach to synchronise elections, beginning first with Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, and following up with local body polls within 100 days. “Simultaneous polls will help save resources, spur development and social cohesion, deepen the foundations of democratic rubric and help realise the aspirations of India, that is Bharat,” the report said.
“Simultaneous elections will bring fundamental transformation in the electoral process and overall governance. It will result in optimising scarce resources and also encourage voters to participate in the electoral process in larger numbers,” the panel added.
To be sure, simultaneous elections do not mean that voting across the country for the three tiers of government must take place on a single day. “In a country as large as India, it is not possible to have that. Pragmatism requires elections to be held in phases,” clarified the panel.
The proposal was welcomed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “It is a historic day for the country’s democratic system,”Union home minister Amit Shah said in a post on X.
The Opposition, led by the Congress, said the recommendations could hurt democracy.
“How can there be One Nation, One Election when the current regime is not accepting the people’s mandate? Also, it’s against the spirit of decentralisation of the panchayats and everything else. So let’s see what the recommendations are,” Congress leader Priyank Kharge said. From the first elections in Independent India in 1952 until 1967, elections were held simultaneously across the country. But since the Lok Sabha and state assemblies can be dissolved before their tenures end, the state and national elections came to be held at different times after that. Several committees, including a parliamentary panel, the Niti Aayog and the Election Commission of India, have studied simultaneous polls in the past, backing the idea but flagging logistical concerns.
The report said that the panel – set up by the Union government on September 2, 2023 — received responses from 47 political parties, with 32 favouring simultaneous elections. These parties — which include the BJP, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Janata Dal United (JDU) and the Shiv Sena — said the proposal will save scarce resources, protect social harmony, and stimulate economic development. However, 13 political parties opposed simultaneous elections — including Congress, BSP, Aam Aadmi Party, CPI(M) —expressing concerns that it could violate the basic structure of the Constitution, be anti-democratic and anti-federal, marginalise regional parties, encourage the dominance of national parties, and lead to a presidential form of government. Source: HT -
Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu assume charge as Election Commissioners
Newly appointed election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu assumed charge on Friday, March 15. The former bureaucrats were appointed as election commissioners on Thursday, March 14. They are the first ones to have been appointed as members of the poll panel after the new law on the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and ECs came into force recently.Welcoming them, CEC Rajiv Kumar spoke about the significance of their joining at a historic point when the Election Commission is all set to conduct Lok Sabha elections, a spokesperson said.
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Kejriwal moves sessions court over summons
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has moved a Delhi sessions court against the summons issued to him by the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, barely a few days before he is to make a physical appearance before the magisterial court over a complaint of non-compliance filed against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Special judge Rakesh Syal of Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court is expected hear the arguments on the application today. Kejriwal was directed to appear before the magistrate on March 16.
ED had approached the magistrate court on February 3 and March 6 with a complaint seeking initiation of proceedings against Kejriwal under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for not appearing before investigators despite repeated summons issued to him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.
As per Section 174 of the IPC, a person not appearing despite summons issued by a public servant shall be punished with imprisonment up to one month and a fine of Rs 500.
The federal investigating agency has so far issued eight summons to Kejriwal — March 4, February 26, February 19, February 2, January 18, January 3, and December 22 and November 2 last year — asking him to join the investigation into an alleged money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor excise policy case. -
Yediyurappa booked after woman accuses him of sexually assaulting her minor daughter
Bengaluru (TIP)- Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, 81, was on Friday, March 15, booked under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a woman lodged a complaint alleging the veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader sexually assaulted her 17-year-old daughter on February 2.
Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said the complaint was lodged on Thursday night. “After examining the details, police have registered a case. Until the investigation is done, I cannot comment on the details… She [the woman] typed the complaint and gave it to the police. They will probe.”
Yediyurappa vowed to deal with the matter legally. “I have come to know that a complaint has been filed against me by a woman. It must have been about a month back that they used to visit but I did not pay attention. But one day, when I was told they were crying, I called them and asked what happened.”
Yediyurappa added he was told that they had been wronged. “I then called the police commissioner [B] Dayananda and asked him to hear them out…But then she started talking against me then and there. I thought she was unwell and asked the police commissioner to investigate.” Yediyurappa said this has now been twisted and a First Information Report has been filed. “We will do what is legally required. I did not think helping someone would result in this. I had even given some money to them,” he said.
A police officer said the case has been registered under Section 8 of POCSO (sexual assault) and the Indian Penal Code’s Section 354A (sexual harassment). -
SC to hear pleas seeking stay of CAA rules on March 19
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear pleas seeking a stay of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 on March 19. Upon the matter being mentioned by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said that the matter will be listed next week.
A clutch of over two hundred petitions, filed in the top court since 2019, have challenged various CAA provisions which aim at granting fast-track citizenship to non-Muslim refugees who came to India because of religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014. The law has been questioned on grounds of religious discrimination against Muslims and arbitrariness. While the CAA was passed by the Parliament in December 2019, the Union government issued the rules for it on Monday, March 11.
The notification of the Act triggered criticism from Opposition leaders, who claimed that the notified rules were “unconstitutional”, “discriminatory” and violative of the “secular principle of citizenship” enshrined in the Constitution.
Critics of the CAA also argued that by excluding Muslims from its purview and linking citizenship to religious identity, the law undermines the secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
The Centre, however, has maintained that the CAA is about granting citizenship and that no citizen of the country will lose citizenship. Source: HT -
Ex-Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’s sons’ arrest warrants in Panama Papers scandal-linked cases cancelled
Islamabad (TIP): In a major relief to ex-Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s family, an anti-corruption court on March 14 cancelled the permanent arrest warrants against his two sons, who recently returned from the UK after a seven-year self-imposed exile. Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz left the country in 2018 after they were named in the 2016 Panama Papers scandal.
They faced charges in three corruption cases related to the Panama Papers but never appeared before the courts, which declared them absconders.
The brothers returned to Pakistan on Tuesday after an Islamabad anti-corruption court on March 7 suspended the perpetual arrest warrants against the two until Thursday, clearing the last hurdle for their safe return to the country.
On Thursday, Hassan and Hussain appeared at the Islamabad-based Accountability Court, which, after hearing the arguments, cancelled the permanent arrest warrant issued in the Flagship, Al-Azizia and Avenfield corruption cases.
The court also approved their bail against a surety bond worth Rs 50,000 each.
Both sons of the former prime minister also applied for exemption from attending court on the next hearing. The court adjourned the hearing till Friday.
The brothers, who are British nationals, were implicated in the cases in 2018 along with their father, Nawaz Sharif, sister Maryam Nawaz and her husband, Muhammad Safdar.
Nawaz Sharif, Maryam and Safdar were convicted in the Avenfield while the three-time former premier was also convicted in the Al-Azizia cases and acquitted in the Flagship case.
All of them separately challenged convictions in the Islamabad High Court. Maryam and Safdar were the first to get relief in 2022 when they were acquitted while Nawaz Sharif was still living in London. Last year, he returned and, after brief proceedings, was acquitted in all cases.
After their acquittal, only the two brothers were required to face the courts, as they were not formally tried due to their absence. Like their father, the two brothers are likely to get acquitted in all three cases as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which had instituted these cases against them, has given them a clean chit.
Since the Sharif family and their party—the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)—are being patronage by the current military establishment, all the cases against them have either been closed or acquitted.
In October last year, Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan after a four-year self-imposed exile in the UK, and after brief proceedings, he was acquitted in all cases.
His younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, was elected as Pakistan’s prime minister for a second time after the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party agreed on a power-sharing deal to form a coalition government.
Maryam, the 50-year-old daughter of Nawaz Sharif, took oath as the first-ever woman chief minister of Pakistan’s most populous and politically crucial Punjab province on February 26. (Reuters) -
Nepal PM wins trust vote in Parl for third time
Kathmandu (TIP): Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on March 14 secured a vote of confidence in Parliament, as the Himalayan country struggled to maintain political stability.
Prachanda, 69, a former guerilla leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) — the third largest party
in the House of Representatives — got 157 votes in the 275-member lower house. He needed 138 votes to win the trust vote, his third since December 2022. (PTI) -
21 Indians arrested in Sri Lanka for working illegally while on tourist visa: Report
Colombo (TIP): Sri Lankan authorities have arrested 21 Indian nationals for illegally operating an online marketing centre in the island nation, violating the relaxed tourist visa norms, a media report said on Wednesday.
The 21 Indian men in the age group of 24 to 25, who were in Sri Lanka on tourist visas, were taken into custody on March 13 by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.
After a preliminary inquiry, the department raided a rented house in Negombo city, where those arrested were found operating an online marketing centre. The house had been converted into an office space where computers and other devices had been installed, the report said.
Under Sri Lanka’s law, those who visit the island nation on tourist visas are prohibited from engaging in any paid or unpaid work.
The Indian nationals had used the free-of-charge visa condition that Sri Lanka has granted to a set of countries till March 31 as part of an ongoing pilot project to promote tourism in the cash-strapped country.
They had arrived in Sri Lanka in February and March on tourist visas, a senior immigration official told the newspaper. The arrested Indian nationals were transferred to the department’s detention centre in Welisara on the orders of relevant authorities, the report said. (PTI)
Al-Qaida’s Yemen branch says leader Khalid al-Batarfi dead in unclear circumstances
DUBAI (TIP): : The leader of Yemen’s branch of al-Qaida is dead, the militant group announced late March 11, without giving details.
Khalid al-Batarfi had a $5 million bounty on his head from the U.S. government over leading the group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula over years that saw him imprisoned, freed in a jailbreak and governing forces in Yemen amid that country’s grinding war.
Though believed to be weakened in recent years due to infighting and suspected U.S. drone strikes killing its leaders, the group known by the acronym AQAP has long been considered the most dangerous branch of the extremist group still operating after the killing of founder Osama bin Laden.
Al-Qaida released a video showing al-Batarfi wrapped in a white funeral shroud and al-Qaida’s black-and-white flag.
Militants offered no details on the cause of his death and there was no clear sign of trauma visible on his face. Al-Batarfi was believed to be in his early 40s.
The leader of Yemen’s branch of al-Qaida is dead, the militant group announced Sunday, March 10, 2024, without giving details.
An attack by al-Qaida-allied group in northwest Syria kills, wounds dozens of troops, activists say
The group made the announcement on the eve of Ramadan, the Muslim holy fasting month that Yemen will begin Monday.
In the announcement, the group said Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki would take over as its leader. The U.S. has a $6 million bounty on him, saying al-Awlaki “has publicly called for attacks against the United States and its allies.”
“Although in decline, AQAP remains the most effective terrorist group in Yemen with intent to conduct operations in the region and beyond,” a recent United Nations report on al-Qaida said.
Estimates provided to the U.N. put AQAP’s total forces as numbering between 3,000 and 4,000 active fighters and passive members. The group raises money by robbing banks and money exchange shops, as well as smuggling weapons, counterfeiting currencies and ransom operations, according to the U.N.
Al-Batarfi took over as the head of the branch in February 2020. He succeeded leader Qassim al-Rimi, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike ordered by then-President Donald Trump. (AP) -
Rio police release 17 hostages from gunman on a bus, 2 people wounded
Rio De Janeiro (TIP): Brazilian police said on March 12 they released 17 hostages from a gunman that took over a crowded bus in Rio de Janeiro and wounded at least two people.
Rio police said in its social media channels that all hostages aboard a bus parked at one of the city’s main terminals had been freed “after a successful work of negotiation” led by its elite squad.
The man’s motive remains unclear, Police Col Marco Andrade said in an interview on TV news channel Globo News. “We have children and older people inside the bus,” Andrade said, adding that very little was known at this stage.
The bus was parked at the Sao Cristovao terminal in the city centre and was scheduled to head to the neighboring state of Minas Gerais.
Police cars and ambulances could be seen waiting near the bus, while thousands of passengers were stranded waiting for information on scheduled travel.
People interviewed on TV said they heard several gunshots, causing panic inside the crowded terminal.
One wounded person was sent to a nearby hospital, police said. (AP) -
Rare protest by Chinese official media against police crackdown on coverage of deadly blast
Beijing (TIP): In a rare show of defiance, Chinese media on March 14 protested against the attempts by police to block the coverage of a suspected gas leak explosion at an eatery in the country’s north, which killed seven persons and injured 27. The blast that rocked a fried chicken shop in Yanjiao township in the city of Sanhe, near Beijing, on Wednesday is suspected to have been caused by a gas leak.
As Chinese official media and foreign journalists rushed to cover the explosion, which killed two people and injured 27 others, they were forcibly prevented by local authorities from the scene, raising a rare controversy over the country’s press restrictions.
A journalist with state broadcaster CCTV was interrupted while reporting live from the scene of the blast. The journalist was seen surrounded by several uniformed police officers who blocked the camera and shouted about the potential danger at the scene, according to a video that circulated online.
The video of the report was no longer available on CCTV’s website as of Thursday, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper reported.
In another video, reporters were seen surrounded by a group of uniformed police officers asking them to leave the scene.
A reporter with state-run China Media Group, of which CCTV is a division, was heard saying, “We three reporters are shoved by a dozen people”.
The state-run All China Journalists Association objected to the official crackdown, saying that officials should not “simply and brutally obstruct journalists in the normal performance of their duties for the sake of controlling public opinion”. The association urged officials to make it easier for media to conduct on-site interviews when reporting emergencies.
The police crackdown against media was seen as an attempt by the local officials to downplay the coverage, fearing reprisals as last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered steps to curb occurrences of recurring incidents of building fires due to various causes and protect people’s lives and property and social stability.
As the videos of media protests went viral on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, akin to X, local authorities on Thursday issued a statement saying they were “deeply remorseful” and apologised to the journalists, the Post report said.
The media protest against the official crackdown also figured in the Chinese foreign ministry briefing, as many foreign journalists were reportedly prevented from covering the evening.
When questioned on restrictions imposed on journalists, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said local officials have issued a statement on the incident.
China welcomes foreign journalists conducting reporting activities under the law and is willing to facilitate if the media faces any problems, Wang said.
Fire and gas explosions have been taking place almost every month, prompting President Xi to order the concerned agencies to take pre-emptive measures. (PTI) -
Plan to install new leaders in Haiti appears to crumble after political parties reject it
PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (TIP): A proposal to install new leadership in Haiti appeared to be crumbling March 13 as some political parties rejected the plan to create a presidential council that would manage the transition.
The panel would be responsible for selecting an interim prime minister and a council of ministers that would attempt to chart a new path for the Caribbean country that has been overrun by gangs. The violence has closed schools and businesses and disrupted daily life across Haiti.
Jean Charles Moïse, an ex-senator and presidential candidate who has teamed up with former rebel leader Guy Philippe, held a news conference Wednesday to announce his rejection of the proposed council backed by the international community.
Moïse insisted that a three-person presidential council he recently created with Philippe and a Haitian judge should be implemented.
“We are not going to negotiate it,” he said in a loud voice as he wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. “We have to make them understand.”
His ally, Philippe, who helped lead a successful revolt in 2004 against former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and was recently released from a United States prison after pleading guilty to money laundering, said no Haitian should accept any proposal from the international community.
It was not immediately clear who be awarded a position on the council if it was rejected by certain political parties. (AP) -
Ukraine fires missiles at poll-bound Russia
Moscow (TIP): Ukraine fired at least eight missiles at Russia’s Belgorod border region, killing one person and wounding six, local officials said March 14, as Kyiv’s forces apparently kept up their efforts to rattle the Kremlin on the eve of Russia’s presidential election.
Also, in Russia’s Kursk border region, Ukrainian forces attempted a cross-border raid that was repelled, according to local authorities. It was not possible to independently verify the Russian claims.
The Ukrainian assaults on Russian territory in recent days, including long-range drone attacks and alleged incursions by Ukraine-based Russian proxies, have come as President Vladimir Putin heads for near-certain reelection. Putin has sought to persuade Russians to keep him in power against a backdrop of what he says are foreign threats to the country. — AP -
UK redefines extremism to counter hate crime, radicals
London (TIP): The UK government on March 14 issued a new, “more precise” definition of extremism in response to increased threats since the October 2023 Hamas terror attacks in Israel and to protect liberal democratic principles against extreme right-wing and Islamist extremists.
Extremism in the UK is now defined as the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in the first two categories.
PM flagged issue
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned that Britain’s multi-ethnic democracy was being deliberately undermined by both Islamist and far-right extremists, and more needed to be done to tackle the problem
Antisemitic incidents rose by 147% in 2023, fuelled by the October 7 attacks, according to Community Security Trust, a Jewish safety watchdog
The previous definition, introduced in 2011 under the government’s Prevent strategy, defined extremism as “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and belief”.
UK Levelling Up and Communities Secretary Michael Gove said the update was needed to safeguard the UK as a multi-national, multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy “success story”, which is stronger because of its diversity.
“But our democracy and our values of inclusivity and tolerance are under challenge from extremists. In order to protect our democratic values, it is important both to reinforce what we have in common and to be clear and precise in identifying the dangers posed by extremism,” said Gove.
The minister said the new measures would ensure that the government does not inadvertently provide a platform to those setting out to subvert democracy and deny other people’s fundamental rights. He also indicated it marks the first in a series of measures to tackle extremism and protect British democracy. The new definition is not statutory, does not create new powers and has no effect on the existing criminal law of the country.
It will be used by ministerial departments and officials alongside a set of engagement principles to ensure they are not “inadvertently” funding or legitimising groups or individuals who attempt to advance extremist ideologies. — PTI -
Kremlin says Putin didn’t threaten to use nuclear weapons, US took him out of context
Moscow (TIP): The Kremlin said on March 14 that comments on nuclear weapons that Russian President Vladimir Putin made in an interview with state media did not constitute a threat to use them, and accused the US of deliberately taking the remarks out of context.
Putin said in the interview published on Wednesday that Russia was technically ready for nuclear war and that if the US sent troops to Ukraine, it would be considered a significant escalation of the conflict.
Commenting on Putin’s words, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Washington understood that the Russian leader was restating Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, but accused Russia of deploying “reckless and irresponsible” nuclear rhetoric throughout the Ukraine conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Putin had merely been answering a journalist’s questions on the subject and restating the already well known circumstances in which Russia would theoretically be forced to use nuclear weapons.
Peskov also drew attention to the fact that Putin had said in the same interview that the idea of using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine had never crossed his mind.
Asked about the White House comments, Peskov said: “This was deliberately taking something out of context. Putin made no threats about the use of nuclear weapons in this interview. The president was just talking about the reasons that could make the use of nuclear weapons inevitable.”
“These are the reasons that are stated in our relevant documents, which are well known throughout the world. Moreover, everyone in the West deliberately failed to notice his words that it had never occurred to him to use tactical nuclear weapons (in Ukraine), despite the various situations that have developed in the course of the fighting. This is a deliberate distortion of the context and an unwillingness to hear President Putin,” he added. (Reuters) -
Israeli jets hit more Hezbollah targets in Lebanon’s Bekaa
BEIRUT (TIP): Israeli warplanes struck deep into Lebanon for a second consecutive day on March 13, hitting a facility belonging to Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley and killing at least one member of the Iran-backed group, sources in Lebanon said.
Ship carrying aid to Gaza leaves Cyprus
A ship carrying 200 tonnes of aid for Gaza left Cyprus on Tuesday in a pilot project to open a sea route to deliver supplies to a population aid agencies say is on the brink of famine
Aid groups say it is nearly impossible to deliver aid in much of the territory because of Israeli restrictions and ongoing hostilities. The US has also announced plans to construct a sea bridge near Gaza in order to deliver aid
The Israeli military said its fighter jets had “struck two Hezbollah military command centres” in the Baalbek area, in response to Hezbollah rocket launches towards northern Israel earlier in the day.
The violence marked an uptick of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel which has been fought in parallel to the Gaza war and fuelled fears of an all-out conflict between the heavily armed adversaries.
Hezbollah said in a statement it had fired more than 100 Katyusha rockets at 7 am (0500 GMT), targeting several Israeli military posts, in response to Israeli shelling of the Bekaa Valley region on Monday night.
At least one civilian was killed and several others were wounded in Monday’s strikes by Israel, one of which hit the southern entrance to the city of Baalbek, about 2 km (1.2 miles) from its ancient Roman ruins, two security sources in Lebanon and the Baalbek governor, Bashir Khader, said.
The Israeli military said in response to Monday’s rocket launches, its fighter jets had struck sites in the Baalbek area which Hezbollah used to store “significant assets used to strength its weapons arsenal”.
“A military compound in the area of Khiam and terrorist infrastructure in the area of Bint Jbeil were also struck,” the Israeli military added.
The Hezbollah member was killed and several more were wounded in an airstrike in the Bekaa Valley village of Nabi Chit, said one of the Lebanese sources. The targeted region is a stronghold of the Shi’ite Islamist group near the Lebanese-Syrian border. — Reuters -
Scary sight: Japan’s 1st private-sector rocket explodes seconds after launch
Tokyo (TIP): A rocket that was supposed to become Japan’s first from the private sector to put a satellite into orbit exploded shortly after takeoff on March 13, a livestreamed video showed.
Online video showed the rocket called Kairos blasting off from Wakayama Prefecture, in central Japan, a mountainous area filled with trees, but exploding midair within seconds.
A huge plume of smoke engulfed the area, and flames shot up in some spots. The video then showed spurts of water trying to put out the blaze.
There were no reports of injuries, and the fire has been brought under control, according to the fire department in Kushimoto city, Wakayama.
Tokyo-based startup Space One, behind the rocket launch, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Live footage on public broadcaster NHK relayed a voice announcing to the crowd gathered to watch the takeoff from a safe distance. NHK showed debris scattering from the sky, and later charred pieces strewn about on the ground. The cause of the problems was still under investigation, according to NHK.
The launch was already delayed several times, with the last postponement coming on Saturday, after a ship was spotted in a risk area, according to Japanese media reports.
If it had succeeded, Space One would have been the first private company to put a rocket into orbit.
Tokyo-based Space One was set up in 2018, with investments from major Japanese companies, including Canon Electronics, IHI, Shimizu and major banks. (AP) -
Four, including three Indians, arrested while entering US illegally from Canada
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Three Indian nationals are among four people arrested in Upstate New York after they jumped off a moving freight train coming from Canada in their bid to enter the US illegally.
US Border Patrol agents arrested the four, including a woman, on March 12. The investigation concluded that all four people were undocumented non-citizens.
Border Patrol agents assigned to the Buffalo Station spotted four people jumping off a moving freight train on the International Railroad Bridge in the city of Buffalo.
The men left the woman who became immobile due to an injury and were caught shortly after a foot pursuit. The injured woman received first aid from Erie County Sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers (CBP). After treatment, the woman was transported by ambulance to a local medical centre.
Border Patrol agents were able to identify that the woman and two men were from India and the third man was from the Dominican Republic. The three men are being processed for removal and detained in Batavia Federal Detention Facility awaiting a deportation hearing for charges under Sections 212 and 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a media release said.
The woman remains at a local medical centre awaiting further medical treatment. This is a great example of how our Border Patrol agents, CBP officers and law enforcement partners work tirelessly to protect the Western New York area,” said Chief Patrol Agent Thomas G. Martin, US Border Patrol Buffalo Sector.
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Virginia State Senate commends Indian origin journalist for his “dedication to journalism and foreign policy.”
RICHMOND, VA (TIP): On March 8, 2024, the Virginia State Senate approved a formal resolution with a voice vote commending Washington Bureau Chief of News India Times, T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, for his “dedication to journalism and foreign policy.” The resolution was introduced by Indian-American Virginia State Senator, Suhas Subramanyam, who is also a Democratic candidate for US Congress from Virginia’s 10th Congressional district. Introducing Jayaraman in the Senate gallery, on March 4th, Senator Subramanyam referred to him “as the recipient of the prestigious Ashoka Award for social change,” while commending his dedication to journalism and foreign policy.
He further said, on January 27th, Jayaraman “received a Distinguished Service Award ‘for advancing media coverage for the Indian diaspora and fostering US-India relations’ from the Indian Ambassador to United States Taranjit Sandhu and of course, you Madam President,” referring to Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and President of the Senate, Winsome Sears.
The National Council of Asian Indian Associations hosted the event to commemorate India’s 75th Republic Day Celebrations on January 27th in McLean, Virginia.
Accepting a request from Senator Subramanyam “to give him [Jayaraman] a warm Senate welcome and recognition of all that he’s accomplished in the field,” Lieutenant Governor Sears expressed, “Part of a democracy and I think probably the very first part is that the media be free. And we are so glad that you are there to help remind us of that. Hence, all the accolades that you’ve received, we can congratulate you. And thank you for coming. Senators, let us give him the warm welcome of our Senate.”
On February 28th, Kannan Srinivasan, the first Indian-American immigrant elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, also presented a commendation to Jayaraman on the House Floor for having received the Distinguished Service Award.
The Ashoka Award was presented to Jayaraman by the former Governor of Arunachal Pradesh and 22nd Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army, General J. J. Singh, and former India’s Minister of Home Affairs and Tourism, Subodh Kant Sahay in New Delhi on December 17, 2023. The event was organized by The Charles Walters Council/Society for Innovation & Research, India. Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Jayaraman, also known as J. T. Vishnu, previously worked with Hindustan Times, The Tribune, and The Sunday Observer in New Delhi. He also worked at the Department of Public Information at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and contributed to publications including UN Yearbook and UN Chronicle.
Jayaraman has an undergraduate degree from Loyola College, Chennai. He has a Master’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, and a PhD in International Administration and the United Nations from the University of Madras. He also has a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University, New Jersey.
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India-US security cooperation will become even more important in the years ahead: Richard Verma
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): India-US security cooperation will become even more important in the years ahead and the work of the two countries on emerging technologies will take on even more promise, a top American diplomat said on Thursday, March 14, reiterating the remarks of President Joe Biden that this is the defining partnership of the 21st century.
“As both President Biden and Prime Minister Modi have said, our impact on each other is important, but what we can do for the world is even more important. Whether it’s addressing food insecurity or battling the next pandemic or connecting millions to the digital economy, there is so much we can do together,” Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard Verma, wrote in a blog post in his recent return from India.
Verma is the highest-ranking Indian-American ever in the State Department. He was also the first ever Indian-American to serve as the US Ambassador to India.
“So, where are we headed?” Verma wrote as he described in detail the significant growth in the India-US relationship over the last few decades.
He identified defense, democracy and technology as three key areas of cooperation between the two countries.
“Our security cooperation will become even more important in the years ahead. The threats we face are real, but building our collective capabilities, increasing sharing of information, and improving maritime domain awareness and interoperability will ensure India continues to be a provider of net security across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” Verma wrote. “Our work on protecting, preserving, and strengthening democracy will continue to be even more important, with the rise of authoritarian leaders and movements. This includes continuing to strengthen a global rules-based order architecture, ensuring we bridge the divide on income inequality, and battling mis and disinformation. Democracy must continue to deliver for our peoples,” he said.
“Our work on emerging technologies will take on even more promise. New and emerging technologies offer tremendous opportunities for economic growth and development. At the same time, recent disruptive cyber attacks, carried out by criminals and nation states, demonstrate the risk that cyber vulnerabilities can pose to global peace and security,” said the top American diplomat.
“We must work together to tackle data privacy issues, such as identity theft, by exchanging knowledge on data protection issues. Through the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership, the US is working closely with India to build and maintain internet infrastructure and strengthen cybersecurity protections. From semiconductors to critical minerals to space exploration and innovation in clean energy, battling climate change, and so much more, this is about economic and physical security,” Verma wrote.