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As PNG PM vouches to ‘rally behind India’s leadership at global forums’, Read about India’s consistent support to PNG over the years

OpIndia Staff
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As PNG PM vouches to ‘rally behind India’s leadership at global forums’, Read about India’s consistent support to PNG over the years

On Sunday, May 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian PM to visit the Pacific Islands nation Papua New Guinea. He received a warm welcome from the Island nation’s Prime Minister James Marape who broke all protocols to receive PM Modi at the airport. PM Marape also sought blessings from PM Modi by touching his feet, an Indian gesture of seeking blessings from elders.

In his address at the Forum of India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), PM Marape said that the Pacific Islands nations consider PM Modi as the leader of the Global South. He further added that the Pacific Islands nations would rally behind India’s leadership at the International forums. He pointed out that his country is the victim of global powerplay and said, “We are victims of global powerplay… You (PM Modi) are the leader of Global South. We will rally behind your (India) leadership at global forums.”

Speaking on the issue of Russia Ukraine war, PM Marape added that small economies like his country “imported inflation” as a result of the war. He said, “The issue of Ukraine war with Russia or Russia war with Ukraine rather, we import the inflation to our own small economies. These nations sitting before you, Mr Prime Minister (PM Modi), have high costs of fuel and power tariffs in their own countries and we suffer as a result of big nations at play in terms of geopolitics and the power struggles out there.”

He further urged PM Modi to become an active voice of the small island nations at the global forums including G7 and G20. He said, “You are the voice that can offer our issues at the highest as advanced economies discuss matters relating to economy, commerce, trade and geopolitics.”

PM Marape added, “We ask you, using this moment where I am co-chairing and I speak for my small brother and sister nations of the Pacific. Whilst our land may be small and the number may be small, our area and space in the Pacific are big. The world uses it for trade, commerce and movement.”

Wishing to see PM Modi as PNG’s advocate on international forums, he said, “We want you to be an advocate for us. As you sit in those meetings and continue to fight for the rights of small emerging nations and emerging economies. Our leaders will have a moment to speak to you. I want you, Mr Prime Minister, for you to spend time hearing them. And hopefully, at the end of these dialogues, may India and the Pacific’s relationship is entrenched and strengthened.”

Calling PM Modi the leader of the Global South, he added, “But more importantly, the issues that are facing the Pacific island nations, especially the smaller ones amongst us ahead in its right context and given support by you, the leader of the Global South.”

PM Marape wants Indians to establish business in PNG

Before PM Modi’s arrival at PNG, PM Marape gave an exclusive interview with DD India. In the interview, he talked about his plan to import India’s expertise in the field of technology, medicine and other sectors. He specifically talked about India’s growing expertise in technology and said he would talk to PM Modi about importing a biometric identification system (Aadhaar) and Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) for future elections, especially the general elections in PNG that are scheduled for 2027.

PM Marape also talked about inviting Indian entrepreneurs to settle in PNG and establishing businesses to export products including agriculture, fisheries, forest, oil, gas and mineral not only to India but also to the rest of the world.

Indian Diaspora in PNG

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, there are 4,500 members of the Indian Diaspora living in PNG. They include professionals like Chartered Accountants, University Professors, School Teachers and Doctors. Some are engaged in professions like IT, finance, trading, business, missionary work, etc.  There are influential Indians owning, directly or in partnership, prominent super stores and businesses in the country.

Humanitarian aid from India to PNG

India has a long history of humanitarian aid and disaster relief to PNG. During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, India donated 1,32,000 doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine to PNG. There are only two vaccines available and approved in PNG, both AstraZeneca Vaccine’s variants. The first is from India and the second is from South Korea.

According to MEA, in 2016, Indian High Commission handed over a consignment of 7.2 million dosages of anti-retroviral drugs that cost around US 3 million to PNG’s government.

In 2017-18, India provided computers and peripherals worth USD 7,60,000 as part of the grant-in-aid under India’s Regional Assistance to Pacific Island Countries to the PNG’s government.

In February 2018, the Government of India provided USD 1 million grant to PNG’s government for earthquake relief work.

In June 2019, India extended another financial aid of USD 1 million for relief and restoration work of areas affected by the Ilawun volcano.

In November 2022, India handed over a cheque of USD 50,000 as Grant in-Aid for providing IT equipment to the National Cultural Commission of PNG.

Recently, India has approved a Grant in Aid proposal to provide financial support of USD 1,53,893 to improve ICT infrastructure at the University of Technology in Lae.

Under an MOU for the Establishment of a Centre of Excellence in IT, India has set up a Centre of Excellence in Info Tech (CEIT) at the University of PNG in Port Moresby. Two IT Experts from India were stationed at the centre for two years till November 2021 to provide support.

In October 2022, India approved a proposal to send an IT expert for CEIT for 2 years.

Mastermind of Akola violence arrested, Arbaaz Khan instigated mob, edited and made selective chat viral, leading to ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans, violence: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Mastermind of Akola violence arrested, Arbaaz Khan instigated mob, edited and made selective chat viral, leading to ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans, violence: Details

The Maharashtra Police on Saturday arrested the mastermind of the violence unleashed by a Muslim mob in Akola. The arrested individual has been identified as Arbaaz Khan. Khan is believed to be the mastermind of the violence against Hindus in Akola. Reportedly, the police are still on the lookout for the ‘godfather’ behind the violence.

According to the reports, Khan is 23 years old and played the main role in spreading the violence in the city. Akola SP Sandeep Ghuge confirmed that the violence began and revolved around a controversial Instagram chat, which Arbaaz Khan had edited and selectively made viral. The violence escalated in the entire city at the behest of Khan.

How Arbaaz Khan lit fire in Akola against Hindus, leading to unbridled violence by Islamist mob

The saga is said to have begun after Sameer Sonawane created an Instagram page regarding the recently released movie ‘The Kerala Story’, which shows how ISIS indoctrinates and traps innocent Hindu girls, converts them to Islam and then turns them into ISIS terrorists and sex slaves. Accused Arbaaz saw the Instagram page, which merely supported the movie, and started chatting with the page admin.

The conversation soon turned into an argument with the duo using objectionable words. It is pertinent to note that on social media, this is a usual technique used by Islamists where they initiate a conversation and instigate the Hindu individual. While both parties used abusive language during the argument, Arbaaz Khan edited the chat and made only a selective portion viral to brainwash the Muslim community and light a fire against the Hindus of Akola.

Police said that 23-year-old Arbaaz Khan initiated the chat with Sonawane who had made a page supporting the movie.

Once Khan made the selective portion of the chat viral through social media, a Muslim mob gathered in the vicinity of the police station. The same mob incited more people to commit violence in different parts of the city.

According to reports, Khan incited the mob through social media saying how objectionable things were being said towards the Muslim community and their religion. After this, hundreds of people from the Muslim community gathered at the police station first and intended to file a complaint. Reportedly, Arbaaz instigated the people and provoked them to escalate the violence.

While the Muslim mob had gathered at the police station, Sar Tan Se Juda slogans were also raised. It is pertinent to remember that several individuals were murdered recently for allegedly insulting Islam. Kanhaiya Lal was merely beheaded for supporting Nupur Sharma after similar chants were raised by Muslim mobs across the country. Umesh Kohle had also met the same fate for extending support to Nupur Sharma.

Apart from arresting the mastermind of the Islamist violence, the police have also arrested the Hindu man, Sameer Sonawane, who made an innocent Instagram page supporting the movie The Kerala Files and provoked into a conversation by Arbaaz Khan.

The incident was reported on May 13 when Islamists went on a rampage in the Old City police station area in the Akola district of Maharashtra. According to the police, stones were pelted and vehicles were damaged. One person was reportedly brought dead to the Civil Hospital after the clash and eight others including two policemen were reported injured.

The Police booked 150 for the violence and had already arrested more than 100 persons in the case. However, the police nabbed the mastermind, Arbaaz Khan on Saturday and is still on the lookout for the ‘godfather’ behind the violence.

IPL: Delhi and Punjab never win, Rajasthan always fall short, Kolkata and Hyderabad are in doldrums, but only RCB’s fans abuse opponents for their team’s failure, why?

Amit Kelkar
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IPL: Delhi and Punjab never win, Rajasthan always fall short, Kolkata and Hyderabad are in doldrums, but only RCB’s fans abuse opponents for their team’s failure, why?

Indian Premier League (IPL) started in 2008 on the back of India’s surprising win in the 2007 T20 World Cup. The league was an instant success thanks to Brendon McCullum’s insane 158 in the very first game of the league. Since then, the title has been won by Mumbai Indians (5 times), Chennai Super Kings (4 times), Kolkata Knight Riders ( 2 times), Hyderabad ( 2 times, once as Deccan Chargers and once as Sunrisers), Rajasthan (once, the inaugural edition), and once by newly formed franchise Gujarat Titans.

The three teams who have played every season of IPL and haven’t managed a win are Delhi Capitals (earlier Delhi Daredevila), Punjab Kings (earlier Kings XI Punjab), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kochi Tuskers, Pune Warriors India, Rising Pune Super Giants, Gujarat Lions, and Lucknow Super Giants are the other teams who never won the IPL. However, the first 4 out of them only had a brief guest appearance in the tournament while Lucknow are still there but only in their second season. Though Lucknow has made back-to-back playoff appearances and who knows, this may still be their year.

Among all these teams who have never won the IPL, one team’s fans stand out, and that is the Bangalore franchise. Widely known on “cricket social media” as the most abusive and vitriolic fans, RCB fans gave another example of their worst behaviour when Gujarat Titans easily brushed them aside in the last league match of the season. The humbling loss knocked RCB out of the tournament and made sure Mumbai Indians made it through to face Lucknow Super Giants in the first eliminator.

The star of the show for Gujarat Titans during their comfortable win against RCB was Shubman Gill, who stroked a brilliant century leading his team to a 6-wicket win. Gill ended with 104 off 52 balls in innings studded with 5 fours and 8 sixes. However, little did Gill anticipate what was to follow on social media after that impressive knock. Shubman Gill’s social media accounts were flooded with thousands of abuses, there were people wishing for his death all over the internet.

If that wasn’t bad enough, RCB fans dug up the social media accounts of Gill’s family members, including his sister, and started showering abuses at them as well just because Gill played well for his team. The deluge of abuses and threats makes you hope that the Gill family doesn’t check their social media accounts for a few months.

Gill wasn’t the only Gujarat player to get abused by RCB fans, his teammate Vijay Shankar, who scored a half-century and put on 123 for the second wicket with Gill wasn’t spared either. At least in Shankar’s case, the abuses were limited to him alone and no family member was targeted but still, he had to see his Instagram feed turn into a flood of abuses just because he played well.

Gill and Shankar are not exceptions but rather the rule when it comes to RCB fans. Throughout this season of IPL, RCB fans have become infamous for their terrible behaviour. Whether it was shouting “Vadapav” at Indian captain Rohit Sharma or trolling and abusing Indian legend Gautam Gambhir, or even trolling the youngster from Afghanistan Naveen-ul-Haq, RCB fans’ behaviour made more news than their players’ performances.

Over the years, we have seen sportspersons get abused on social media if they don’t play well as passionate fans go over the edge, but RCB fans have turned the trend on its head. They start abusing anyone who plays well for their team. Interestingly, RCB fans never take a look at their perennially unbalanced team and question their pathetic management but are more willing to abuse the opposition for playing well against them.

Why is it always RCB, why is it always RCB fans, is the team leadership paying any heed to their fans’ behaviour online or are they comfortable with this image of the “abusive franchise”? The silence from RCB seniors and their management suggests they are very happy to see their “fans” abuse everyone and their families if they perform well against the Bengaluru franchise.

Don’t rush to the bank, says RBI Governor: Read what he said about the currency note being withdrawn and the deadline to deposit

ANI
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Don’t rush to the bank, says RBI Governor: Read what he said about the currency note being withdrawn and the deadline to deposit

Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das on Monday reiterated that Rs 2000 notes will continue to be a legal lender, after the Central bank’s announcement that the notes will be withdrawn from circulation. 

He also said he doesn’t expect a rush in the branches and urged people to not rush to banks. The Governor said the Rs 2000 note was primarily issued to replenish money, taken out from the system during the demonetisation of Rs 500 notes and Rs 1,000 notes. 

Shaktikanta Das in an interaction with media persons today said that the higher value of currency was manufactured in a brief period of time to increase liquidity in the economy. He also added that Rs 2000 notes circulation came down below 50 per cent since then. 

On being asked about the deadline of September 30, the governor said the deadline, given for Rs 2000 notes exchange, was decided so that it would be taken seriously. 

The apex bank’s governor said that it will revisit the September deadline based on the situation. 

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday withdrew the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation but they will continue to remain as legal tender. It advised banks to stop issuing Rs 2000 denomination banknotes with immediate effect. 

Meanwhile, RBI said that people would continue to be able to deposit Rs 2000 banknotes into their bank accounts and/or exchange them into banknotes of other denominations at any bank branch up to September 30, 2023. 

The Rs 2000 denomination banknote was introduced in November 2016, primarily to meet the currency requirement of the economy in an expeditious manner after the withdrawal of the legal tender status of all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 banknotes in circulation at that time. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Congress cries foul over phasing out of Rs 2000 currency notes: How several Congress govt followed the ‘demonetisation’ path to control black money

Gopal Tiwari
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Congress cries foul over phasing out of Rs 2000 currency notes: How several Congress govt followed the ‘demonetisation’ path to control black money

On 19th May 2023, the Reserve Bank of India announced that it is withdrawing the circulation of ₹2000 currency notes. However, the central bank said that the currency notes will still continue to be legal tender, and added that the public can exchange the notes till 30 September. RBI also said that printing of the high-value banknotes was stopped almost five years ago.

However, all the opposition parties including Congress engaged in attacking the union government over this decision. The people have been given time till September 30, 2023, to exchange notes or deposit them in the bank. The 4-month deadline for exchanging notes is considered sufficient. However, the opposition is trying to politicize this issue. They are also trying to create panic by comparing it to demonetisation, which was a completely different move. In fact, this move to phase our Rs 2000 notes is not sudden at all and was being planned for the past many years. It was, in fact, only supposed to be a temporary move from the beginning.

It is, therefore, necessary to take an account of similar decisions taken by various Congress governments in the past when currency notes were either discontinued or demonetised.

Be it the Jawaharlal Nehru government which took over immediately after independence or the Manmohan Singh government that led the country for a decade in the twenty-first century, there have been many instances of significant decisions regarding currency notes. Sometimes the decisions were about introducing the currency, while at other times the decisions were about discontinuing the currency. But while accusing the Modi government of miscalculating demonetisation in 2016 and withdrawing Rs 2000 notes in 2023, congress has forgotten the currency decisions it took.

The Reserve Bank of India printed the highest denomination note, which was the Rs 10,000 note, in 1938 along with other higher denominations of Rs 100, 500 and 1000. It was demonetised in January 1946 but later reintroduced in 1954. During the reintroduction in 1954, Jawaharlal Nehru served as the Prime Minister of India.

In the first demonetisation, Rs 500, Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,000 notes were demonetised to control black money. the date was 12th August 1946. Jawaharlal Nehru became the de-facto Prime Minister – that is, the chief of the interim government – on 2nd September 1946. In 1954, his government reintroduced Rs 1000, 5000, and 10000 currency notes which were earlier demonetised to control black money. Essentially, this move by Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the factors which led to the problem of black money in the first place.

On 16th January 1978, the Morarji Desai government had to take a bold decision to demonetise all the denominations above Rs 100 in order to control the menace of black money. This included demonetisation of the currency notes of Rs 500, 1000, 5000, and 10000. After this announcement by the government, it was decided to close all the banks and their branches in the country as well as the treasury of the government on January 17, 1978. Dr Manmohan Singh played an important role in this demonetisation. He served as the finance secretary in the Morarji Desai government.

However, this step taken by the Morarji Desai government was not enough to revive the economy. Meanwhile, India saw two more Congress governments having a full majority in the Lok Sabha. Naturally, the corruption and black money went up, and despite a growing economy, the currency kept losing purchasing power. In October 1987, Rs 500 notes were reintroduced. Later, in 2000, Rs 1000 notes were also reintroduced.

Among other withdrawals of currencies during the Congress governments, Rs 1 and Rs 2 notes were removed from circulation in 1995 while 25 paise and all paise coins below this denomination were withdrawn in 2011.

In early 2014, the Congress-led UPA government was in power at the Centre with Manmohan Singh as the prime minister. Then, on January 22, 2014, the RBI announced the withdrawal of all pre-2005 notes. It also included notes ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 500 and Rs 1000. However, then Congress leaders and their other allies did not try to oppose this decision of the government.

This decision came just before the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 – when Narendra Modi had come up as the challenger to this decade-long corruption-hit government whose evaluation was left to the historians by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself weeks before taking this decision. Congress leaders and their other allies did not try to oppose this decision of the government in 2014. But they did demonstrate a vocal and abusive opposition in 2016 and they are repeating the hues and cries in 2023 against Narendra Modi.

PM Modi conferred with Fiji’s highest ‘Companion of the Order’ honour, says, ‘This is the honour of 140 crores Indians’

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi conferred with Fiji’s highest ‘Companion of the Order’ honour, says, ‘This is the honour of 140 crores Indians’

The highest distinction conferred upon a non-Fijian, the Companion of the Order of Fiji, was awarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, May 22, in acknowledgment of his leadership on a worldwide scale.

During their meeting in Papua New Guinea, PM Modi was given a medallion as part of the honour by Sitiveni Rabuka, the prime minister of Fiji. “This honour is not just mine but that of 140 crores Indians, of centuries-old India-Fiji relations,” Prime Minister Modi remarked while receiving Fiji’s highest distinction.

In acknowledgment of exceptional achievement or the highest level of meritorious service to Fiji or mankind, the Companion of the Order is given to citizens or other foreigners as part of an Honorary Award.

In addition, Papua New Guinea awarded the Prime Minister the Companion of the Order of Logohu for promoting the unification of the Pacific Island nations and leading the “Global South” cause. This award has been given to a very small number of non-Papua New Guinean citizens.

In addition, Surangel Whipps, Jr., President of Palau, gave PM Modi an Ebakl. One of the most crucial instruments for the people of Palau, the Ebakl has a close connection to the indigenous way of life. It also represents knowledge and leadership.

On the eve of the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in Port Moresby, the Prime Minister met with President Whipps. FIPIC was established when PM Modi visited Fiji in 2014.

The visit by PM Modi is the first by an Indian prime minister to Papua New Guinea. His trip coincides with China’s ambitions to increase its diplomatic and military might in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indian Prime Minister met with James Marape, his counterpart from Papua New Guinea, earlier in the day, to discuss and assess their bilateral ties. In addition, the two leaders talked about ways to increase collaboration in fields including business, technology, healthcare, and climate change.

PM Modi also reaffirmed India’s commitment to upholding and respecting the goals and preferences of the Pacific Island countries. Additionally, he met separately with the island nation’s Governor-General, Bob Dadae, to discuss ways to further solidify the two countries’ collaboration in a variety of industries.

Lucknow: Meat seller Umar Qureshi threatens and rapes 8-year-old child for 6 months, forces her to get abortion

OpIndia Staff
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Lucknow: Meat seller Umar Qureshi threatens and rapes 8-year-old child for 6 months, forces her to get abortion

The Lucknow police have arrested a meat seller named Umar Qureshi for threatening and raping a minor girl in his neighbourhood. According to reports, the accused threatened and raped the victim for six months before she got pregnant. He then compelled her to get an abortion done at a private hospital.

The incident, which happened in the Amethi village in Gosaiganj Block in Lucknow, came to the fore on Sunday (May 21), when the girl’s health started to deteriorate after returning home from the hospital. Seeing her lose a lot of blood, the victim’s family members confronted her.

The 8-year-old child told her parents that six months ago, Umar Qureshi lured her to his house by offering her chocolates, where he sexually assaulted her. After that incident, he regularly started calling her home and raping her. When she protested he threatened to kill her.

The minor said that Qureshi use to show her his butcher knife and threaten to murder her if she informed anybody about the rape.

The torture lasted six months until the 8-year-old became pregnant. When Qureshi learned about the pregnancy, he rushed her to a private hospital and forced her to undergo an abortion.

Learning about her ordeal, the victim’s parents went to the Gosaiganj police station and lodged a complaint against Umar Qureshi.

The police sprung to action and arrested the accused. On the orders of Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, the police sealed the nursing home where the abortion was done. An FIR was also filed against the hospital authorities.

During the investigation, authorities revealed that the hospital was performing such illegal abortions on a regular basis and was operating without a licence. When the authorities raided the hospital on Sunday night, they discovered several women who had undergone similar abortions. They were transferred to a government hospital, and the authorities closed down the private hospital.

WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh agrees to narco test but with one condition: Read what that is

OpIndia Staff
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WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh agrees to narco test but with one condition: Read what that is

On Sunday (May 21), BJP legislator Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by wrestlers, announced that he is willing to undergo a narco test, a polygraph test as well as a lie detector test.

The development comes hours after the Sarv Khap Panchayat, organised in Meham in the Rohtak district of Haryana, demanded that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief undergo a ‘lie-detector narco test’ and come out clean.

In a Facebook post, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, “I am ready for narco, polygraph and lie detector tests. but I have one condition – Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia must also undertake these tests.”

“If they are ready for these tests, then, they can invite the press and announce their decision. I want to give my word to them that I am ready for these tests as well,” he announced.

The BJP legislator from Kaiserganj emphasised, “I stand by my words to this day and want to assure my countrymen that I will continue to do in the future as well.”

India’s ace wrestlers including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia have levelled allegations of sexual harassment of female wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The wrestlers are protesting against him at Jantar Mantar demanding that the BJP MP be sacked from the post of the WFI chief.

‘Will hang myself even if a single allegation is proved’: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

On May 7 this year, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had said that even if a single accusation made against him was found to be true, then, he would hang himself. He made the remark while speaking to the media over the ongoing wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

“Even if a single accusation against me is proven to be true, I will hang myself. I cannot openly talk about all these things as the matter is under consideration by the Delhi police. My family is associated with wrestling for a long time. My uncles were also attached to the sport,” he added.

“I had told them (protestors) on the very first day that if you have any video, or if I have called any of the players, or if they have any witnesses to prove their allegations, they should bring them out. If you don’t trust me, then you may ask any male or female wrestler in your acquaintance or neighbourhood,” he pointed out.

“Ask them – if this Brij Bhushan Singh is actually a Ravan. Ask them if he has a bad and criminal character. Ask any wrestlers barring these few wrestlers who may be 2, 4, 6, or 10 in number at max. Ask the wrestlers other than these few wrestlers. Ask them what have I done for Indian Wrestling in the last 11 years,” Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh emphasised.

Sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein issued threats to Bill Gates over an affair with a young Russian Bridge player: Details of the shocking revelations

OpIndia Staff
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Sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein issued threats to Bill Gates over an affair with a young Russian Bridge player: Details of the shocking revelations

In a shocking development, fresh information has come to light regarding the complicated relationship between billionaire co-founder of Microsoft Bill Gates and notorious financier and sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. It seems that Epstein not only had learned of Gates’ relationship with a Russian bridge player but also threatened the tech entrepreneur using that information. 

The information illuminates Epstein’s deceptive strategies and calls into question how much he was able to influence those with power. Around 2010, Bill Gates started dating a Russian bridge player by the name of Mila Antonova. The romance was uncovered by Epstein, who first met Antonova in 2013 and later financed her studies at a software coding school. Epstein boldly contacted Gates in 2017 to demand payment for the cost of the coding training. According to the reports, the mail had a clear implied threat saying, “Epstein could expose the affair if Gates didn’t maintain a relationship with him”. 

A Gates representative fiercely denied any wrongdoing, saying that Gates only met with Epstein for charitable reasons and that Epstein’s attempts to influence him were ineffective. Epstein, a sexual offender who had previously been accused of sexual assault, used his connections to further his personal interests and advance his own agenda. Gates emphasized that their talks were largely focused on philanthropic endeavours, regretting his involvement with Epstein.

“Mr Gates met with Epstein solely for philanthropic purposes. Having failed repeatedly to draw Mr Gates beyond these matters, Epstein tried unsuccessfully to leverage a past relationship to threaten Mr Gates,” said a spokeswoman for Gates.

The lady who had an affair with Gates, Mila Antonova, asserts that she was unaware of Epstein’s criminal history or ulterior objectives at the time of their meeting. Antonova, who thought of Epstein as a successful businessman ready to assist, expressed revulsion at his behaviour. BridgePlanet, her online bridge lesson company, needed funding, and Epstein connected her with possible backers, including Gates confidant Boris Nikolic.

“I had no idea that he was a criminal or had any ulterior motive. I just thought he was a successful businessman and wanted to help. I am disgusted with Epstein and what he did,” Mila was quoted.

Epstein was charged in 2008 with soliciting and obtaining a juvenile for prostitution after being accused of sexually assaulting females as young as 14 in 2006. He was registered as a sex offender and served time in a Florida jail. He was detained in 2019 on suspicion of trafficking in sex after the Miami Herald published stories about dozens more women who said they had been mistreated. Later that year, while awaiting trial, he died in jail from what the medical examiner determined to be suicide.

With Gates as a key anchor contributor, Epstein sought to launch a multibillion-dollar philanthropic fund with JPMorgan Chase. He wanted to mend his reputation and obtain Gates’ backing. Epstein expressed a wish for Gates to be engaged in the fund, but it never materialized as evidenced by his communications with JPMorgan executives. Epstein’s claims of a close advisor relationship were denied by a Gates representative, who re-emphasized that Gates never collaborated with Epstein and that their relationships were misconstrued.

However, one of the social media influencers named Matt Wallace, posted a video on May 22 accusing Gates of allegedly taking advantage of the girl. “Receiving s*x in exchange for a 501(c)3 donation is HIGHLY ILLEGAL. Jeffery Epstein used this to blackmail Bill Gates for a reason. If it was infact a 501(c)3 donation, Bill Gates is going to prison!” he tweeted.

Reports mention that Epstein contacted Gates to request payment for Antonova’s coding school costs years after the relationship had ended, in 2017. According to people with knowledge of the situation, Epstein hinted in the email that he knew about the affair, giving it a subtext of blackmail. But Gates made no payment, and his spokesperson was adamant that he had no business relationships with Epstein.

Public outrage has been generated by the alarming disclosures about Jeffrey Epstein’s threats to Bill Gates regarding his relationship with a Russian bridge player. This scandalous incident reveals the extent of Epstein’s deceptive strategies and raises questions about his sway on powerful individuals. The consequences for both Gates and Epstein’s shattered reputations are yet unknown as the specifics come to light.

Karnataka school teacher suspended for ‘breaking service standards’ minutes after sharing Facebook post criticising Siddaramaiah-led Congress govt: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka school teacher suspended for ‘breaking service standards’ minutes after sharing Facebook post criticising Siddaramaiah-led Congress govt: Details

On Saturday, a primary school teacher identified as Shanthamurthy MG was suspended after he shared a message on social media platforms criticising CM Siddaramaiah and his new government in the state of Karnataka. The incident is said to have happened in the Hosadurga region of Chitradurga district.

According to the reports, the suspension order was sent on the same day when Siddaramaiah took an oath as a Chief Minister of the state. The school teacher from Kanubennahalli government school in Hosadurga shared a post on Facebook about the burden on the state due to freebies announced by the government.

“When SM Krishna was the CM, the debt was 3,590 crore. During Dharam Singh, HD Kumaraswamy and BS Yediyurappa, Sadananada Gowda and Jagadish Shettar’s tenures the debt was 15,635, 3,545, 25,653, 9,464 and 13, 464 crores respectively. But during Siddaramaiah’s tenure, the state debt touched 2,42,000 crores. Which is why it is for him to announce freebies,” the post read.

He received a suspension notice from the responsible officer, Field Education Officer L. Jayappa, shortly after sharing the message on his Facebook page for allegedly breaking the state’s civil services behaviour standards. Additionally, a departmental investigation of Santhamurthy’s actions has been authorized.

As promised, the Congress administration has in principle accepted the five assurances included in the party’s election manifesto, according to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday.

In the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, the Congress won 135 seats on May 10, unseating the governing BJP, which received 66 seats. The Janata Dal (Secular), on the other hand, won 19 seats, according to results released on May 13.

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