World

New document reveals ISI’s links to Hizbul Chief ahead of Pakistan’s FATF review
30Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

New document reveals ISI’s links to Hizbul Chief ahead of Pakistan’s FATF review

In October, Pakistan will be thoroughly reviewed in implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Action Plan and mounting evidence is coming to light of Islamabad’s continuing financial support to terrorism.A new document accessed by security agencies confirms links of a terror proxy with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is likely to further muddy the waters as Pakistan’s Grey Listing is taken up at the FATF plenary session.One of the important terrorist groups that have been used by Pakistan to foment terrorism in India is Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), headed by Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin. He is also the head of the United Jihad Council (UJC), an umbrella organisation of terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM...
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Czech Mayor blasts ‘unmannered rude clowns’ of China after Beijing’s threat
29Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Czech Mayor blasts ‘unmannered rude clowns’ of China after Beijing’s threat

The mayor of a Prague district lashed out at Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for issuing threats to Czech Republic Senate Speaker Milos Vystrcil following his visit to Taiwan.Wang Yi had warned that Vystrcil would "pay a heavy price" for his “short-sighted behaviour”, accusing the Czech official of committing an act of “international treachery”.Responding to the warning, the Mayor of Prague district Reporyje, Pavel Novotny, in a letter addressed to Wang on his Facebook page, demanded an immediate apology from the Chinese minister, saying this was the last time he opened his mouth against the Czech Republic.He accused Wang of “crossing the lines” of acceptable diplomatic norms and chastised the foreign ministry as “unmannered rude clowns!”Novotny asked China to apologise for the threat “ri...
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Developer says ‘New City’ on Thai-Myanmar border part of BRI, despite China’s denials
29Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, Singapore, World

Developer says ‘New City’ on Thai-Myanmar border part of BRI, despite China’s denials

The Chinese developer of a “new city” project on the Myanmar-Thai border has insisted the project is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), despite the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar denying the claims.The project in Karen State, known locally as the Shwe Kokko New City after the village where it is located, was launched in 2017 by Yatai International Holdings Group (YIHG) after the company signed a deal with a local ethnic Karen armed group, the Border Guard Force (BGF).Locals have criticised the project over what they see as a lack of transparency, as well as confusion over the scale of construction and a growing influx of Chinese migrants. Also, suspicions have been aroused over possible illicit activity and concerns about the social impacts of casino businesses.From the beginning,...
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How China’s top-notch mass surveillance system threatens global freedoms
26Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, Market, USA, World

How China’s top-notch mass surveillance system threatens global freedoms

Going by the records of Beijing Public Safety Bureau, every step, every action is monitored by state-of-the-art surveillance cameras. Facial recognition algorithms filed away in a secret database could land you in legal trouble for something you did near your front door. A semi-political post made in a private chat could lead to the loss of your job.Yet it is only the beginning of the rise of technologically-advanced China and its dystopian dreams. It might be a deterrent to crime, as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership says, but it also means a substantial loss of privacy and free expression."The Chinese Communist Party is committed to the production and use of technology that controls and surveils its population," Chairman Robin Cleveland and Vice Chairman Carolyn Bartholomew of...
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Will ask US for military assistance if China attacks in South China Sea: Philippines
25Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Will ask US for military assistance if China attacks in South China Sea: Philippines

In a statement, the Philippines have made it clear to China that it would turn to the United States for military help during ongoing flare-ups between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.Philippines Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said Manila would invoke its defence agreement with the US if China attacks its naval vessels in the disputed waters."If something happens that is beyond incursion but is, in fact, an attack on say a Filipino naval vessel.....means then I call up Washington DC," he added.Since 1951, the US and the Philippines have had a Mutual Defence Treaty that commits them to support each other in the event if either is attacked.The statement by the Philippines Foreign Secretary marks the first time President Rodrigo Duterte administration openly declaring its intent...
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India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar join hands to enhance conservation of river dolphins
17Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar join hands to enhance conservation of river dolphins

Recognizing the importance of dolphins in an ecosystem and the declining numbers of dolphins, experts from four different countries - India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar joined hands to enhance conservation of river dolphins, paving way for regional cooperation.The decision was taken during a webinar on “Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the ecosystem health of rivers and its dolphin population: Present status and future strategy for conservation in India-Bangladesh-Myanmar-Nepal” organised by Inland Fisheries Society of India, ICAR – Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum (PFGF) and Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society.Dr JK Jena, DDG (Fisheries Science), ICAR, during the webinar said, “These anim...
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Football: City have unfinished business in the Champions League, says Laporte
6Sep By Desk TeamNo Comments
World

Football: City have unfinished business in the Champions League, says Laporte

LONDON: The Champions League is the missing piece in Manchester City's growing silverware collection, defender Aymeric Laporte said ahead of his side's last-16 second leg against Real Madrid on Friday. City have dominated English football in recent years under Pep Guardiola, although they finished second to Liverpool in the Premier League this season, but have yet to add Europe's most coveted prize to their trophy cabinet. "City have unfinished business in the Champions League, we have been talking about it for a long time, it's the thing we are missing," Laporte told Spanish newspaper AS on Thursday. "Last year we won four trophies in the same season but couldn't win the Champions League, so if it's our turn this year, perfect." City were knocked out in the quarter-finals last yea...
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As uncertainty threatens US growth, Fed seeks more firepower
6Sep By Desk TeamNo Comments
USA, World

As uncertainty threatens US growth, Fed seeks more firepower

related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery. 2 related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery. A year ago, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned fellow central bankers of the significant risks posed by trade policy uncertainty, and the lack of precedents for monetary policy in the face of those unknowns. REUTERS: A year ago, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned fellow central bankers of the significant risks posed by trade policy uncertainty, and the lack of precedents for monetary policy in the face of those unknowns. As Powell this week prepares to address the Fed's annual central bankers' conference - usually held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but being conducted virtually this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pan...
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102 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, including 4 seamen and 4 unlinked community cases
6Sep By Desk TeamNo Comments
Singapore, World

102 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, including 4 seamen and 4 unlinked community cases

SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 102 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Thursday (Aug 13), including five in the community and six imported infections, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). This brings Singapore's total number of cases to 55,497, with fatalities remaining at 27. Four of the imported COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday are seafarers who arrived in Singapore on a vessel from India on Aug 8. The four Philippine nationals, who are special pass holders, are also linked to another Filipino seafarer reported in Wednesday's update. The four men, aged between 24 and 33, had not disembarked from the vessel after arriving in Singapore, said MOH. They reported having symptoms between Aug 9 and 12 and were swabbed while on the vessel, where they had remained until their test results c...
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Claiming Social Security retirement benefits? Don’t let these myths trip you up
5Sep By Desk TeamNo Comments
World

Claiming Social Security retirement benefits? Don’t let these myths trip you up

katleho Seisa For most Americans, deciding when to claim Social Security retirement benefits will be one of the biggest financial decisions they ever make. But the difference between the right or wrong decision can be costly. The typical beneficiary age 65 and up relies on Social Security for half of their income. But if a worker claims before their full retirement age — typically age 66 or 67, depending on the year in which they were born — their benefits will be permanently reduced. "The earlier the claim, the steeper the penalty," said Shai Akabas, director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, which recently released a new research paper on the topic. Waiting to claim benefits beyond age 62, the earliest possible age when a worker can claim retirement benefits, pays off...
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