Home Blog Page 1454

‘Hamas can have peace in five minutes. Bring back our hostages’ – Jerusalem Deputy MayorFleur Hassan-Nahoum in conversation with OpIndia Editor-in-Chief

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Hamas can have peace in five minutes. Bring back our hostages’ – Jerusalem Deputy MayorFleur Hassan-Nahoum in conversation with OpIndia Editor-in-Chief

On 14th January, in a candid and hard-hitting interview with OpIndia’s editor-in-chief, Nupur J Sharma, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, talked about the aftermath of the 7th October massacre and the broader Israel-Palestine conflict. The conversation addressed some of the most contentious issues amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and shed light on Israel’s position. Hassan-Nahoum also responded to the international criticism Israel has been facing following the declaration of war on the terrorist organisation Hamas.

Harrowing details of the massacre

The deputy mayor described the gruesome details that the Israeli forces uncovered in the aftermath of the 7th October terrorist attack by Hamas. She said, “The depravity of everything that happened that day… decapitated babies is just one of the worst things that first responders found that has been documented. We found burnt babies with a baby in an oven. We found raped women. We found mutilated children.” She stressed the brutality of the attacks while dismissing the claims that Israel was exaggerating the violence to blame Hamas.

On Israel’s actions against Hamas

Responding to the questions about the military action initiated by Israel in Gaza and the civilian casualties, she emphasised the role of Hamas in perpetuating violence. She said, “Hamas can have peace now, today, in five minutes. Bring back our hostages. That’s all they need to do.” She highlighted that in 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza, but the Palestinian leadership missed the chance for peace. She said, “They could have turned [Gaza] into Dubai, and instead they turned it into Beirut,” while criticising the choices made by Palestinian leadership.

Accusations of an ‘Open-Air Prison’

While addressing the accusation that Israel has turned Gaza into an “open-air prison”, Hassan-Nahoum countered with the details of the efforts made by Israel to provide aid to the economy in Gaza through work permits. She pointed out that those who received Israeli aid turned it into reconnaissance for terrorist activities; she said, “If we put down our arms, we would have a Jewish genocide. If they put down their arms, we would have peace,” while highlighting the stark choices facing in the region.

Gratitude towards India and a call to Egypt

The Deputy Mayor expressed her gratitude towards the support that India has provided primarily in the aftermath of the 7th October terrorist attack. She said, “I want to thank our friends in India… I’m very grateful that you see the truth, you have moral clarity about what really went on here.” Furthermore, she urged Egypt to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict. She suggested that Egypt should open its borders to refugees and improve its vetting process to prevent terrorist infiltration.

Delhi: Suspended BJP leader and lawyer Nupur Sharma participates in the Jan Jagran Yatra ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi: Suspended BJP leader and lawyer Nupur Sharma participates in the Jan Jagran Yatra ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration

A number of Hindu outfits are organising religious processions in advance of the historic Ram Mandir consecration ceremony which is scheduled for 22nd January. Notably, Nupur Sharma, the former Bharatiya Janta Party leader and spokesperson who was dismissed from the party after her statement regarding Prophet Muhammad was witnessed in one such Jan Jagran Yatra program in Delhi. She was carrying a religious flag while wearing a saffron stoll around her neck amid the sound of drums and chants of “Jai Shree Ram.” A red tilak adorned her forehead as she honoured individuals dressed as Lord Ram and Goddess Sita.

However, this is not the first time that the lawyer has made a public appearance since she was ousted from the party two years back in June of 2022. She went to watch Vivek Agnihotri’s film ‘The Vaccine War’ in September 2023 and expressed gratitude towards Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientists. She stated, “I just have to thank you all. Because of you all, we Indians are still alive. I thank you from the depth of my heart,” when the filmmaker invited her to share the stage with him. Vikas Panday also posted a picture alongside her on social media in 2022 with a note expressing his pride in his courageous sister and friend. He is a software engineer and social media personality.

Nupur Sharma criticised Islamist Taslim Ahmed Rehmani for repeatedly using derogatory language against Sanatan Dharma and referred to Shivling as a fountain during a debate on the disputed structure at Gyanvapi in Kashi in May 2022. She questioned what he would feel if she cited passages from Islamic texts.

Mohammed Zubair, a co-founder of Alt News, cleverly removed Taslim Rehmani’s inflammatory comments and uploaded the out-of-context footage on social media to claim that she insulted Prophet Muhammed. The severe allegations led to massive protests and riots across the nation as well as many FIRs were filed against her. The Indian government came under fire from Islamic countries which issued strong statements condemning Nupur Sharma after which she was suspended from the party.

Murderous slogans like “Gustakh-e-Rasool ki Ek hi saza, sar tan se Juda, sar tan se Juda (There is only one punishment for being disrespectful to Rasool (Prophet Muhammad), their head separated from their torso, their head separated from the torso,” were raised in the streets by rabid mobs as extremists attacked and killed Hindus including Kanhaiya Lal in Rajasthan and Umesh Kohle in Maharashtra for supporting her.

Madhya Pradesh: Salman Khan, Altaf Khan and 2 others insult tribal driver by garlanding him with shoes, Dalit Times blames nationalists

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Madhya Pradesh: Salman Khan, Altaf Khan and 2 others insult tribal driver by garlanding him with shoes, Dalit Times blames nationalists

In the area under the Ari police station in Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh, four drivers named Salman Khan, Altaf Khan, Raqib Khan, and Irfan Khan garlanded another tribal driver from Seoni with shoes during their demonstration for demands.

All four criminals have been arrested by the Ari police and a case has been registered against them after the video of the disgraceful incident went viral. Navbharat Times and Dalit Times, however, hid the identity of the perpetrators and presented it as an insult to Dalits by non-Dalits and blamed nationalists.

A chakka jam lasting approximately three days ensued as truck drivers across India participated in a collective strike, bringing all transportation to a standstill in various states. It was against the provisions of severe punishment in the newly adopted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for crimes like hit and run. These drivers were also protesting for the same.

During this time, in the middle of the Ari bus stand in Seoni district, these four criminals insulted a tribal youth driver garlanding him with shoes and humiliating him. They also made a video of the incident in which they were seen shamelessly laughing while doing this act. The victim tribal youth driver hails from the Bramhodi area which comes under the Barghat police station area. He was carrying goods in his truck. The accused protesting drivers stopped him in Ari Chowk in front of the Ari bus stand. They adorned him with shoe beads and shot a video of the incident. They also made this video viral.

As the video went viral, the Ari police came into the action and arrested the accused. The tribal youth driver somehow got rid of these people and got out of there and reached the police directly. The police and station in-charge took prompt action and caught these accused and while taking action, they were presented before the SDM and sent to jail. They are identified as Salman Khan (son of Ibrahim Khan, age 24), Altaf Khan (son of Abdul Khan, age 40), Raqib Khan (son of Idrish Khan, age 55), and Irfan Khan (son of Iqbal Khan, age 28). All of them live in Ari. All of them are booked under sections 341, 294, 323, 355, 506, and 34 of the IPC and sections 3(1)(d),3(2)(VA),3(1)(D),3(1)(E) of the SC/ST Act.

However, the Navbharat Times reported the incident without naming the accused and presented it as non-Dalits insulting Dalits. It also questioned the nationalists taking pride in Chandrayaan’s success out of context.

A similar propaganda was run by X handle of Dalit Times. It wrote, “Madhya Pradesh: In Seoni, casteists garlanded a Dalit truck driver with shoes and also used caste-based abuses.”

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s party loses Male Mayor election to pro-India leader amid diplomatic row with India

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s party loses Male Mayor election to pro-India leader amid diplomatic row with India

In a major setback on the domestic front, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s ruling party lost the key Mayoral election in the capital Male to the Pro-India opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Adam Azim, the MDP candidate has been elected as the new mayor of Male. Notably, he will succeed Muizzu who had held the post before making a foray for the Presidential post. Last year, Muizzu resigned from the Mayor’s post to contest the presidential elections. 

The Maldivian media reported Azim’s win as a “landslide” and “victory by a large margin” as he defeated Aishath Azima Shakoor of Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC). 

According to Maldivian news website Adhadhu, Azim received 45 percent of the votes while ruling party candidate Azima Shukoor received 29 percent of the vote. After counting 41 boxes, Azim had taken a huge lead with 5,303 votes while his rival Shakoor got 3,301 votes, Maldives’ Sun Online news portal reported.

Conceding defeat, the Maldivian President congratulated the newly elected Mayor. Incidentally, Muizzu had earlier issued an appeal to the public to “not take a risk” by electing a mayor who is not aligned with the government, as that would impede the implementation of the government’s plan, as reported by Maldivian newspaper The Edition. 

The party, however, lost the key election in less than 2 months of forming the government at the national level and this comes as a major setback to the ruling party.  

Nonetheless, the MDP is headed by pro-India former president Mohammad Solih. He was defeated in the presidential elections by Muizzu, a pro-China leader 

Following Azim’s victory, the former foreign minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, launched a scathing attack on the Muizzu government. He asserted that by defeating Muizzu’s party in the Male Mayor election, the public had given a categorical NO to his government and policies. 

Taking to X, Abdulla Shahid wrote, “Kudos @adamazim and to @MDPSecretariat on winning the Male’ Mayoral by-election! The capital city has said a categorical NO to President Muizzu and his policies – within just 58 days in office!”

Befitting response of S Jaishankar to Maldivian President’s antics

Earlier on Saturday (13th January), President Muizzu returned to the archipelago following his five-day visit to China. On his return, he said that even though the Maldives is a small country in size, other countries should not influence the country’s internal affairs. 

Muizzu said, “We are not a country that is in the backyard of another country. We are an independent nation.” Although he didn’t mention the name of any country his remarks sparked a debate as it came at a time when the archipelago is engaged in a diplomatic row with India. 

On the same day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar responded to the ongoing diplomatic row with Maldives. He asserted that “politics is politics” and it can’t be guaranteed that every country will support or agree with India every time. 

He said, “Politics is politics. I cannot guarantee that in every country, every day, everybody will support us or agree with us.” 

“But, seriously, as a solution, what we have been trying to do in the last 10 years, with a lot of success, is to build a very strong connection, so that, though the politics may go up and down, the people of the country, the society, generally have good feelings towards India and understand the importance of having good relations with India,” the EAM added.

Diplomatic row with India

Notably, it all started on 4th January after PM Narendra Modi shared some pictures of his visit to Lakshadweep. He exhorted people to explore the scenic islands in what could be seen as a push to his ‘vocal for local’ slogan, and an effort to give a boost to tourism on the archipelago.

Following his visit to Lakshadweep, a large demand erupted among Indians to explore the Indian Islands and boost our tourism sector before visiting beaches or tourism sites in other countries. However, jittery Maldivian politicians interjected and reacted by making racial commentary on Indians. 

It is important to note that neither the Indian PM mentioned any country nor it was targeted toward any nation, yet some Maldivians feared a potential hit to their tourism economy. 

Mariyam Shiuna, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, recently made insulting remarks against PM Modi, referring to him as a ‘clown’ and a ‘puppet of Israel’ after he posted pictures from his visit to Lakshadweep Islands. She later deleted the tweet and was among one of the three Ministers who were suspended by the Maldivian government for making disparaging remarks on India. 

On Friday (5th January), Zahid Rameez, a Council member of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) also took to the microblogging site X to mock Indians.

In response to Maldivian users’ and politicians’ uncalled-for and racial commentary, trends like #BoycottMaldives, and cancellation of trips to Maldives are picking steam in India.

From prominent Cricketers to Actors, all have in unison slammed Maldives for their hateful remarks against Indians and promoted tourism in Lakshadweep and other Indian Islands snubbing Maldives. Since then, the Maldivian President has been in the dock on the domestic front by his opposition who have initiated a slew of measures against his government and facing criticism from the tour operating body and the public at large.  

Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation leader Sathar Panthallur threatens to chop the hands of those who insult the party, FIR filed

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation leader Sathar Panthallur threatens to chop the hands of those who insult the party, FIR filed

On Sunday (14th January), Kerala Police said that they booked Sathar Panthallur, vice-president of the Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF), for making ‘hand-chopping’ statements during an SKSSF protest here dubbed Muqaddas in Mallapuram. The incident’s video had gone viral on social media.

Panthallur is reportedly seen threatening in the video of his controversial speech that SKSSF activists will chop off the hands of anyone who tries to tarnish, insult, or attack Samastha leaders.

“The activists of the SKSSF will come forward to chop off the hands of anyone who tries to give a blow or cause difficulties to the eminent scholars and ustads of the Samastha,” he had said.

Panthallur also condemned the influence of Wahhabism in the Muslim community, according to a Manorama report. “Wahhabism has given ideological legitimacy to terrorist organisations such as ISIS. Muslims in Kerala would have been compelled to bear such a burden if Samastha had not compromised and joined forces with such groups in the community,” Sathar Panthallur added.

The comments came just days after Muslim League state general secretary P M A Salam was accused of making slandering statements about Samastha President Jifri Muthukoya Thangal.

Police filed a complaint against him under IPC Section 153, which stipulates punishment for willfully making provocative remarks with the intent of inciting a riot. According to a Manorama report, a man named Ashraf Kalathingal filed a complaint against Panthallur. Meanwhile, Samastha and the Muslim League are reported to have expressed disappointment over the SKSSF leader’s comments.

Samastha is a Sunni cleric federation divided into two factions, with one faction sympathetic to the IUML and the other siding with the CPM. Panthallur is one of the leaders who has spoken out against IUML’s dominance within the group. Panthallur’s contentious remarks came amid reports of growing discord between a group of Samastha scholars and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the UDF’s second-largest coalition member.

Notably, SKSSF is the student wing of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama. Recently, Kozhikode Police booked Samastha leader Mukkam Umar Faizi over his alleged remark “Muslim women who did not wear the hijab were persons of loose morals” during a television debate.

Dumped coconuts, pan gutka stains: Miscreants litter the newly inaugurated Atal Setu, netizens fume

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Dumped coconuts, pan gutka stains: Miscreants litter the newly inaugurated Atal Setu, netizens fume

Days after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, some unidentified miscreants dumped litter on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu). Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s longest bridge in Maharashtra on Friday (12th January).

Coconuts were thrown near the railing wall of the bridge while stains of pan gutkha were also spotted in some places. People, who parked their cars along the road on the bridge, were also criticised for causing unnecessary blockades and turning the world-class infrastructure into a tourist spot.

Netizens took to social media to vent their anger. Posting a picture of coconuts thrown on the bridge, Lala wrote on his X handle, “Identify the litter culprit through CCTV and deliver the disposed waste back to their home. The best way to stop it is to shame them. Atal Setu.”

Divya Gandotra Tandon also posted a photograph and wrote on her X handle, “And some say Mumbaikars are the most civilised ones! Atal Setu.”

Index of India – Tech and Infra posted on its X handle, “On Day 1 itself, Pan Gutkha stains were spotted on MTHL. PLease stop this. Respect our infrastructure.”

Many people visited the bridge on the first day of its public use. People stopped in between and parked their cars on the Atal Setu to watch the sea around. Commenting on this behaviour, X handle Roads of Mumbai posted, “Money can buy cars, fuel and toll fees. Money can’t buy common sense.”

Another X handle Ghatak posted, “Unpopular Opinion:- The Indian population doesn’t deserve any of the good facilities which include infrastructure, transport etc. because they don’t treat it the way they should. The only thing they deserve is Belt-e-belt treatment 3 times a day!!”

Atal Setu is also the longest sea bridge in the country. It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport and will also reduce travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India.

MP: Mubarak Khan lures Hindu girl into live-in relationship in Damoh, gets her to sign an affidavit saying marriage will be as per Sharia, Hindu groups protest

OpIndia Staff
-
0
MP: Mubarak Khan lures Hindu girl into live-in relationship in Damoh, gets her to sign an affidavit saying marriage will be as per Sharia, Hindu groups protest

A major outrage erupted in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh after a case of alleged love jihad involving a 42-year-old Muslim man Mubarik Khan and a 22-year-old Hindu girl Shruti Tiwari came to the fore. On Saturday (13th January) Hindu rights group Sanatan Sangh and activist Updesh Rana led a protest near Ambedkar Chauraha.

According to media reports, the girl’s family has alleged that Mubarak Khan, a resident of Kala Tola came to their home with a knife on 15th-16th December last year and “abducted” their daughter. The duo then entered into a live-in agreement and started staying together as live-in partners. Meanwhile, the girl’s family approached the police to recover their daughter. Subsequently, a missing persons case was registered. The Hindu groups staged a protest following which Damoh Police found the girl and sent her to One Stop Centre for counselling. Reports say that Shruti met Mubarak for the first time in Bhopal.

Notably, some media reports earlier claimed that the police were not allowing the girl’s parents to meet her. A ZeeNews report says that since Mubarak and Shruti have furnished their live-agreement affidavit and the girl is an adult, they cannot coercively separate them.

According to the affidavit signed by the Hindu girl to stay in a live-in relationship with Mubarak, if in future they decide to get married, their wedding would be performed in a Shariah-complaint Nikah ceremony. Furthermore, the affidavit dated 18th December 2023 reads that in case a rift arises between the two and they decide to part ways, they would not file complaints against each other, demand maintenance and raise claims over each other’s money or properties.

Meanwhile, the Hindu activists told the media they talked to the girl and she reportedly claimed to have been lured by Mubarak Khan into eloping with him, however, she expressed her wish to return to her parents. CSP Abhishek Tiwari arrived at the protest site and heard the demands of the demonstrators. Subsequently, the Hindu activists informed the police about the same and the girl was handed over to her parents.

Moreover, Sanatan Sangh leader Updesh Rana said that the police should monitor Mubarak Khan’s activities and would ensure that the police do so. Rana further claimed that love jihad campaigns are being launched in Damoh in an organised fashion. In reference to cases like Love Jihad in Damoh, the Hijab scandal of Ganga Jamna School and religious conversion, Rana raised concerns about the role of the government administration. He added that amidst a surge in love jihad cases in the region, Hindu parents should impart the right values to their children.

Delhi: 19-year-old pregnant woman stabbed with screwdriver, neck slit with blade for refusing to take abortion pills, boyfriend arrested

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi: 19-year-old pregnant woman stabbed with screwdriver, neck slit with blade for refusing to take abortion pills, boyfriend arrested

On 13th January (Saturday), Police arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly attempting to kill his 19-year-old pregnant partner in east Delhi’s Mayur Vihar. According to the Police, the accused stabbed her multiple times with a screwdriver and slashed her neck with a blade when she refused to abort the pregnancy. 

The police said that the victim was found severely injured in the area on Thursday (9th January) morning. She was admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital where she has been on ventilator support and is battling for her life.

The accused was identified as Yogesh Dheda. Dheda and the victim both live in the same locality – Chilla village – and they have known each other for a few years. The accused is a first-year student at an open college. 

The police traced the accused after analysing footage from almost 100 CCTV cameras in the area as the crime scene was not covered by security cameras. The Police also questioned 50 witnesses, including shopkeepers. 

According to the police, the couple had been in a relationship for the past three years. A dispute arose when the woman disclosed to Dheda that she was expecting his child. However, Dheda wanted her to have an abortion and even gave her pills for it. When she didn’t agree, Dheda attacked, intending to kill her, on Wednesday night while she was coming back from work, as per the police.

An officer said, “Yogesh was in denial about the victim being pregnant with his child and wanted her to get an abortion… he claimed the child was not his but the woman said she wanted to marry him… her family too got to know about the pregnancy a few days back and were in agreement over the wedding. So, Yogesh bought a screwdriver and a blade to threaten the woman.”

Police said Dedha had planned the crime a week ago and deleted all their chats following the attack.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Achin Garg stated that the woman had met her partner outside the New Ashok Nagar Metro station. They walked together towards her home. 

The Additional DCP said, “When the couple reached a park near the fire brigade office in Chilla and sat there for some time, Dheda again tried to convince his partner to abort the child and when she refused, he allegedly attacked her with a screwdriver and blade.” 

Another officer said, “He allegedly stabbed her multiple times and slashed her neck with the blade. He also stoned her face with bricks to hide her identity.” 

According to Garg, it appeared as though the accused had met her on that night with a plan to kill her as he had a screwdriver and a blade in his possession. Dheda destroyed the woman’s mobile phone and sim card, the police said. 

The officer said, “Assuming that she was dead, he left her at the spot and fled. Based on technical evidence, chat history between the couple, and CCTV footage of the nearby area, the police zeroed in on Dheda and arrested him on Saturday.” Garg said that the accused was arrested on Saturday and produced before the court.

The incident came to light when the victim didn’t come home by her usual 9.30 pm time. Subsequently, her family contacted the police around midnight to report her missing. Police teams were immediately mobilised to search for her. By 9 am on Thursday, a distress call came in, informing the police that an injured woman was discovered in Chilla village near the fire brigade office. She had a slit throat, stab wounds on her ear and head, and other injuries.

According to the victim’s family, they knew she and Yogesh were friends but did not know anything about their relationship. 

Speaking with The Indian Express, her younger sister said, “We knew my sister would interact with Yogesh but did not know that they were in a relationship… we got to know about her pregnancy a few days ago… On Wednesday when she didn’t return home, my father made a PCR call… we were all worried… she is still in the ICU.” The victim is the eldest of three sisters.

Following the incident on Thursday, the police had lodged an FIR under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code and a probe is underway. 

We do not support the independence of Taiwan: US President Joe Biden following the re-election of anti-China administration in the East Asian country

OpIndia Staff
-
0
We do not support the independence of Taiwan: US President Joe Biden following the re-election of anti-China administration in the East Asian country

After voters in Taiwan rejected China and awarded the ruling party a third term in office, United States President Joe Biden on 13th January declared that his country does not support the island nation’s independence. Lai Ching-te also known as William, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came to power in Taiwan earlier in the day. He vehemently rejected Chinese attempts to spurn him and promised to both challenge Beijing and pursue dialogue. China had warned the Taiwanese voters against voting for him.

When asked about the fresh elections, Joe Biden responded, “We do not support independence.” The United States has long maintained that it opposes Taiwan issuing a formal declaration of independence, having moved its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. It does, however, continue to have informal ties with the self-governing island and continues to be its main source of support and weaponry. On the other hand, the dragon worries that Lai Ching-te would proclaim the creation of the Republic of Taiwan which he has stated he will not do but the Chinese govt has never given up using force to subjugate the tiny nation.

The people of Taiwan voted Vice President Lai Ching-te to the presidency and ensured the Democratic Progressive Party’s regime for a third consecutive term. The election’s outcome will determine how the nation and China interact for the ensuing four years. The latter asserts sovereignty over Taiwan and claims authority over the narrow stretch of sea separating the two nations even though the island has been self-governing for almost 75 years.

China had earlier issued a warning and announced that voters might be choosing between war and peace making the election crucial. Joe Biden’s position which acknowledged Beijing’s arguments that Taiwan has historically been a part of the mainland, supported the One China policy. The United States has pledged to maintain informal ties with Taiwan.

Following his meeting with President Xi Jinping in November, Joe Biden remarked that he “made clear” that China should not meddle in Taiwan’s election but noted that the United States upholds the One China agreement and he has no intention of altering it. After a long struggle against martial law and authoritarian control, Taiwan held the first direct presidential election in 1996 and has since become a model of democratic triumph.

After the elections, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai Ching-te and highlighted that the US “is committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability, and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure.” According to him, the United States is eager to collaborate with the new president and other political leaders of his country to further their “longstanding unofficial relationship, consistent with the US one-China policy.”

The Biden administration was concerned that tensions with Beijing would worsen as a result of the election, transition and new government. As part of his efforts to improve ties with China, Joe Biden agreed to address security-related disagreements with President Xi Jinping during their November summit in California. According to two senior government officials, Taiwan anticipates that China will try to exert pressure on its future president following the electoral process including staging military drills close to the island this spring.

China has never denied the right to use force to annex Taiwan. According to a senior Biden administration official, The US President intends to send an unofficial delegation to Taiwan as a show of support for the government. The official added that the names are still being decided, but it is probable that some former high-ranking American officials will be a part of it. House Speaker Mike Johnson also mentioned that he “will be asking the chairs of the relevant House Committees to lead a delegation to Taipei following Lai’s inauguration in May” in a post on social media. Taiwan has hosted such delegations in the past.

President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan and then-President-elect Donald Trump had their first phone conversation in 2016 which infuriated China. This was the first time since President Jimmy Carter had transferred diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979.

Google joins Apple in pulling major crypto exchange apps from Play Store in India after govt flagged them for operating illegally in the country

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Google joins Apple in pulling major crypto exchange apps from Play Store in India after govt flagged them for operating illegally in the country

On 13th January, in a significant development, Google followed Apple’s lead in removing several major cryptocurrency exchange apps, including Binance and Kraken, from the Play Store. The tech giant has taken the step following a crackdown on the crypto industry in India. Notably, the Government of India took a series of regulatory measures targeting the cryptocurrency sector.

In December 2023, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a key Indian government agency overseeing financial transactions, issued a show-cause notice to nine crypto firms. The FIU accused these firms of non-compliance with the anti-money laundering regulations in India. Later, the FIU asked the Ministry of Communication to block the apps and websites linked to these firms. On 10th January, Apple removed these apps from the App Store, and several telecom networks and ISPs blocked the websites of these exchanges.

FIU’s request to block nine services, including Binance, Kraken Huobi, Gate.io, Bittrex, and Bitfinex, underscores the GoI’s intent to regular the crypto sector aggressively. In response to the ban, Binance assured the users in India and the existing app installations would not be affected by the move by Google. The company emphasised its commitment to follow the local regulations.

It is noteworthy that the government of India has a strict stance when it comes to cryptocurrencies. Around five years ago, the Reserve Bank of India banned cryptocurrencies. However, the ban was overturned by the Supreme Court. Since then, government agencies have consistently pushed for strict laws to ensure cryptocurrencies are not used for anti-India activities.

In 2022, the GoI imposed a 30 per cent capital gains tax and a 1 per cent transaction levy on cryptocurrency transactions. The government’s steps have resulted in migrating Indian crypto traders to global platforms that require lesser know-your-customer (KYC) documentation. Over two years, WazirX, a leading Indian exchange, has reported a 97 per cent decline in trade on the platform.

Other Indian platforms, including CoinSwitch Kuber and CoinDCX, have enforced strict KYC protocols adhering to Indian regulations. Conversely, traders moving to lesser-regulated international platforms show a trend of avoiding tax payments. CoinSwitch’s co-founder Ashish Singhal recently called for foreign exchanges to register with FUI-IND and adhere to India’s anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) measures for better protection of the consumers in India.

The Indian government has shown a rigorous approach towards the crypto trade, which is in sync with the governments worldwide seeking strict control over digital currencies. As Google and Apple have complied with the Indian authorities’ directive to remove the apps, it shows that pressure on the crypto sector to comply with local laws is increasing.

Notably, there are reports that the cryptocurrencies are being used for money laundering and terror funding, which has raised concerns among the authorities. A few months back, OpIndia reported that ISIS was using cryptocurrency to seek funding for terror activities. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also warned against such usage on multiple occasions.

1...1,4531,4541,455...7,657Page 1,454 of 7,657