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Former Zimbabwe cricketer Brendan Taylor discloses being ‘blackmailed’ by Indian businessmen to ‘spot-fix’ international matches, may face ICC ban

OpIndia Staff
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Former Zimbabwe cricketer Brendan Taylor discloses being ‘blackmailed’ by Indian businessmen to ‘spot-fix’ international matches, may face ICC ban

Former Zimbabwe cricket team captain Brendan Taylor has disclosed in a shocking accusation that he took money purportedly to spot-fix international matches from an anonymous Indian businessman after being blackmailed that a video of him consuming cocaine would be made public.

Taylor said in a comprehensive tweet posted on Twitter that he was asked by a businessman in October 2019 to travel to India to discuss sponsorship arrangements and the prospective introduction of a T20 league in Zimbabwe.

Taylor alleges that he agreed to the person’s request because of not being paid by Zimbabwe Cricket for six months. On the last day of his stay in India, however, he was brought for a celebration meal by the aforementioned businessman and his associates. Taylor claims he was compelled to consume cocaine at the event and that a video of it was later used to harass him. He states that he subsequently returned to Zimbabwe and did not report the episode to the ICC for four months, despite the fact that he “did not get engaged in any form of spot-fixing.”

The statement of Taylor on Twitter Reads “In late October 2019, I was approached by an Indian businessman requesting that I attend India to discuss sponsorships and the potential launch of a T20 competition in Zimbabwe and was advised that I would be paid USD$15 000 to make the journey. I can’t deny I was a little wary. But the timing was such that we hadn’t been paid for 6 months by Zimbabwe cricket and it was questionable whether Zimbabwe would be able to continue playing in the international arena. So I made the journey…We had drinks and during the course of the evening they openly offered me cocaine, which they themselves engaged in, and | foolishly took the bait…”

A part of Page 1 of his statement

“The following morning, the same men stormed into my hotel room and showed me a video taken of me the night before doing cocaine and told me that if I did not spot fix at international matches for them, the video would be released to the public”, he said.

A portion of page 2 of the statement

Revealing the amount offered by the man he said, “I was handed the USD$15 000 but was told this was now a ‘deposit’ for spot-fixing and that an additional USD$20 000 would be paid once the “job” was complete. I took the money so I could get on a plane and leave India. I felt I had no choice at the time because saying no was clearly not an option. All| knew was I had to get out of there.”

“The ‘businessman’ wanted a return on his investment which I could not and would not give. It took me 4 months to report this offence and interaction to the ICC. I acknowledge this was too long of a time but I thought I could protect everyone and in particular, my family. I approached the ICC on my own terms and | hoped that if | explained my predicament, my genuine fear for our safety and wellbeing, that they would understand the delay.” Taylor added stating why it took time to report such an incident to the International Cricket Council.

He also explicitly said in his statement that he has “never been involved in any form of match-fixing“.

He stated that the ICC will issue an official announcement soon declaring a ban on Taylor’s cricket career. “That being said, the ICC is taking the decision to impose a multi-year ban on my international cricketing career. I humbly accept this decision and only hope that my story will be used as a means of encouragement for cricketers to report any approaches early,” he added.

Taylor had stated that he will be entering a rehabilitation center soon in order to improve the remainder of his life and get out of this mental turmoil.

Sanjay Raut boasts about Shiv Sena Wave in North India after Babri Demolition. Facts, however, don’t match up

OpIndia Staff
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Sanjay Raut boasts about Shiv Sena Wave in North India after Babri Demolition. Facts, however, don’t match up

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday lashed out on BJP accusing the party of using ‘Hindutva’ to gain power. While talking to the media, he said, “We took BJP from bottom to top in Maharashtra. After Babri, there was a Shiv Sena wave in Northern India, if we had fought polls at that time, there would have been our (Shiv Sena) PM in the country but we left it for them.”

In his recent statement, he has taken a stand alleging a supposed wave of Shiv Sena in North Indian states, after the demolition of disputed structure often referred to as Babri Masjid at Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. He also claimed that had his party fought election that time, there would have been a Prime Minister from Shiv Sena leading the country. His claims that it was Shiv Sena which helped BJP gain power in Maharashtra came a day after Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray remarked that Shiv Sena had ‘wasted’ its time with BJP for 25 years.

Yesterday, Uddhav Thackeray, while speaking online at an event to commemorate the birth anniversary of late Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackrey had said, “Shiv Sena Pramukh had told us about Hindutva. We wanted power for Hindutva. What we are seeing now, the Hindutva that is practised by these people (BJP), is only a pretence. Their Hindutva is for power. They are only wearing a fake skin of Hindutva. People ask us whether we have left Hindutva. But we have left BJP and not Hindutva.” He added, “BJP does not mean Hindutva.”

It was in the 1990s during the Ram Mandir Movement that ‘Hindutva’ as a political ideology got acceptance among the masses. In the 1993 assembly elections of Uttar Pradesh, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party securing 177 out of a total of 425 seats. However, Mulayam Singh Yadav was sworn in as a chief minister as the face of his newly formed Samajwadi Party (SP) with an alliance with Mayawati’s BSP and support from Congress.

The strong undercurrents of Hindutva sentiments owing to the Babri demolition helped the BJP with a 33.3% vote share. Contrary to Raut’s claims, Shiv Sena as a regional party did participate in the Uttar Pradesh state elections but could bag only 1,38,919 total votes in the state. While Sena received a total vote share of only 0.28%, its candidates lost deposits from 179 out of 180 seats contested. Netizens were quick to point out the facts after Sanjay Raut’s statements emerged on Twitter.

Shiv Sena has announced to contest 50-100 seats in upcoming UP assembly elections without any alliance as Congress, its ally in Maharashtra, has decided to fight solo.

EV charging facilities at railway stations across country will help it become net-zero carbon emitters by 2030, says NITI Aayog

OpIndia Staff
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EV charging facilities at railway stations across country will help it become net-zero carbon emitters by 2030, says NITI Aayog

The NITI Aayog is in talks with the Indian Railways to set up Electronic Vehicle (EV) charging facilities across major railway stations in the country. The draft policy, with a view to promoting electronic vehicles among the masses, has been submitted to the Railways by the NITI Aayog.

The primary policy drafted by the NITI Aayog recommends putting up EV charging infrastructure powered by renewable energy resources with the aim of Indian Railways to become net-zero carbon emitter by 2030. Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog, while talking about the policy has said that the facility can be immediately started at 123 newly redeveloped railway stations as a pilot project. The railways can thence scale up the policy across Railway stations in the country by 2030. “Railway stations are landmark locations and they play a unique role in the entire transport sector, which make them strategic locations for providing public charging solutions for EVs,” he added.

The decision is in recognition of the Central Government’s FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and EV) scheme which aims to foster quick adoption of EVs as a sustainable boost to the transport sector. Under the scheme, the central government aims to support 7,000 e-buses, 500,000 electric three-wheelers, 55,000 electric four-wheeler passenger cars and one million electric two-wheelers through subsidy. With a view to establishing a critical and accessible EV charging infrastructure network across the country, railway stations can provide secure and accessible charging infrastructure to city residents, NITI Aayog officials said. Responding to this move, Rajeev Jain, additional DG, PR, railway ministry, said, “We have very recently received the communication. We are working on it.”

Last week, The Central Ministry of Power had given nod to allow charging of EVs using existing electrical connections at homes, offices while issuing guidelines and standards. The new guidelines also enable individuals to set up public charging stations without the requirement of a license. Steps for laying out a critical EV charging network have come after India witnessed a 132% growth in the sale of electric two-wheelers in 2021.

R Nagaswamy, the distinguished archaeologist who produced vital evidence in the Ram Janmabhoomi case, dies at age of 91, PM Modi expresses condolence

OpIndia Staff
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R Nagaswamy, the distinguished archaeologist who produced vital evidence in the Ram Janmabhoomi case, dies at age of 91, PM Modi expresses condolence

R Nagaswamy, the first director of the Tamil Nadu government’s Department of Archaeology, passed on Sunday. He was a renowned archaeologist, art historian, and Padma Bhushan awardee. He was 91 years old. His son-in-law Baskar Kailasam informed PTI that he died at 2.30 p.m. at his Chennai home after expressing unease.

Nagaswamy was a prolific writer who published a number of intellectual works as well as a strong proponent for cultural enlightenment. He established the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department and was its director for 22 years before retiring.

Following his death, several people expressed their condolences, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. PM Modi tweeted on Sunday that future generations will remember Nagaswamy’s efforts to popularise Tamil Nadu’s vibrant culture.

A Guru for generations of archaeologists

Nagaswamy was fluent in both Tamil and Sanskrit. He graduated from the University of Madras with a master’s degree in Sanskrit. Pune University awarded him a Ph.D. in Indian Arts. Nagaswamy, who received the Padma Bhushan in 2018, is widely recognized as a mentor to a generation of Tamil Nadu archaeologists.

He also received a number of additional honours, including the ‘Kalaimamani’ Award from the Tamil Nadu government. He was a well-known academic, researcher, and art historian. He wrote over 40 books in English, Tamil and Sanskrit including “Masterpieces of Early South Indian Bronzes.” Nagaswamy’s articles have been translated into 23 languages and published in the journal of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

He was instrumental in the restoration of various archaeological monuments. In the 1980s, he was invited as an expert witness before the London High Court in the Nataraja case, based on his extensive knowledge and experience excavating temple towns in search of rare bronzes. His role in bringing back the Pathur Nataraja idol was hailed as a triumph. He was regarded by the court as an “unequaled expert in Chola bronzes.”

His contribution to the Ram Janambhoomi Case

He provided expert advice to the Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench, which heard the Ayodhya title suits. According to Nagaswamy, the earliest construction for which evidence was discovered dates back to the 3rd century BC. He stressed that artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations at the disputed site in Ayodhya proved that it was a sacred site rather than merely a human habitation.

While the ASI was excavating on the HC’s instructions in 2003, Nagaswamy delivered a report to the court that detailed the artifacts discovered by the ASI. “The artifacts demonstrated that they belonged to a sacred site, not just any human settlement.” “The existence of a shrine was one of the most important pieces of evidence presented to the judges,” Nagaswamy explained.

Nagaswamy made significant contributions to subjects such as architecture, paleography, numismatics, temple rites and philosophy, ancient law and society, music, dance, and South Asian art, in addition to archaeology and epigraphy.

China intrudes into air defence zone of Taiwan with 39 aircraft, largest incursion since October 2021

OpIndia Staff
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China intrudes into air defence zone of Taiwan with 39 aircraft, largest incursion since October 2021

In yet another glaring example of Chinese aggression, 39 aircraft belonging to its airforce breached the air defence zone of Taiwan on Sunday (January 23), reported Reuters. The incident has been described as the largest Chinese incursion in Taiwanese territory since October 2021.

Reuters reported that the latest incursion involved 34 fighter jets, along with 1 bomber and 4 electronic warfare aircraft and was carried out in the northeastern zone of Pratas Islands. As per the Taiwanese Defence Ministry, missile systems were used to track the movement of the Chinese jets and combat aircraft were dispatched to fend off the enemy’s aircraft.

Although China has not yet commented on the development, the Communist regime had earlier justified its misadventures in the island nation as ‘drills meant to protect its sovereignty.’ Taiwan has repeatedly questioned air missions, conducted by China, in its Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) near Pratas Islands.

The democratically ruled island nation has pointed out how China carried out military activities in the ‘grey zone’ to test the response of Taiwan and wear out its forces. The latest Chinese incursion comes at a time when the United States and Japan have been conducting naval exercises in the Philippine Sea.

Earlier in October last year, Taiwan informed that 148 Chinese aircraft entered the country’s air defence zone in the Southern and southwestern sectors. The island nation had emphasised that about its resolve for peace but cautioned that it would defend in case of attacks.

‘PRC has infiltrated almost all military ranks in Taiwan’

In December 2021, a retired Taiwanese Lt Commander Lu Li-shih had stated that China had infiltrated almost all ranks and levels in the Taiwanese military, including top-level generals. The officer stated that Chinese intelligence first approached the targeted officers with lavish gifts and meals, and offered handsome payment for information. After the first few exchanges, they started blackmailing the corrupt officers for more information, with smaller payments.

In July last year, even Taiwan’s former deputy defence minister was interrogated in a national security probe. Xie Xezhang, who had introduced himself as a Hong Kong-based businessman to Taiwanese military officers, actually reported to an office that functions directly under the PRC’s intelligence apparatus and served as a front for China’s Central Military Commission.

Gorakhpur is not a political move, Yogi Adityanath is contesting from Gorakhpur because he loves the people

Pallav
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Gorakhpur is not a political move, Yogi Adityanath is contesting from Gorakhpur because he loves the people

The decision of Yogi Adityanath to contest in the next assembly elections from Gorakhpur is not the result of a choice taken by a couple of party leaders, but rather of the local populace’s demand and Yogi’s determination to the development of the once-underdeveloped region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. His concern for the upliftment of the downtrodden and his unwavering devotion to public service can be traced back to the late 1990s.

When Yogi Adityanath was elected from Gorakhpur in 1998, he was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha, at the age of 26. He has been the Member of Parliament for the same constituency for five consecutive terms till 2017 when he was appointed Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. This silences those who are calling his contestation from Gorakhpur as a safe bet, as the decision owes to the goodwill of the people of Gorakhpur and the neighbouring districts, whose lives have flourished since Yogi Adityanath entered active politics.

No one is unaware of how UP was perceived several years ago. A state situated along the Ganga basin and rich in natural resources had the worst infrastructure and a dreadful state of public services a few years ago. And this awful state of affairs was the product of years of negligent leadership and vote-bank-oriented policies, rather than any “Act of God.” Eastern Uttar Pradesh was long regarded as an area prone to flooding during the monsoon season and rife with extremely contagious illnesses that spread on a regular basis.

When Yogi Adityanath took over as Chief Minister, he inherited a state that was falling behind in every category, whether it was road connectivity or health infrastructure. The community did not even anticipate electricity to be available on a regular basis. People were accustomed to power outages. The situation in the western half of the state was better due to people’s prosperity, which was also a result of previous governments’ leaders putting more emphasis on that region. Everyone around the country can discern the transformation Yogi Adityanath has brought to Uttar Pradesh since gaining power.

Since the Yogi Government came to office, UP has scored substantially higher in all areas, including highway construction and ease of doing business. In the Leads ranking, Uttar Pradesh is ahead of states like Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. This is essentially due to increasing investment opportunities in the state as a result of better law and order as well as commercial ease. The announcement of a number of Medical Colleges to be built in the coming years demonstrates the state’s vision to upgrade its health infrastructure. The work of the incumbent government has thoroughly satisfied the people of Uttar Pradesh. People who are attempting to incite unrest among the public are those who have lost their bread as a consequence of stringent anti-corruption policies introduced by the Yogi government.

Also, portraying Muslim displeasure as a result of so-called “populist policies” is a deception used by anti-development forces and opposition parties to divert attention away from the development agenda and instigate communal division to their advantage. For example, when the Yogi government came down hard on those creating violence during the anti-CAA riots, the opposition and the left ecosystem was quick to claim that Yogi Adityanath was being “communal”. It was almost as if they wanted him to not take action against violent forces and restore law and order because the chaos benefitted the opposition and therefore if the perpetrators were from the Muslim community, the trope of communalism would help the chaos continue.

Surprisingly, the Muslim population of Gorakhpur and its neighbouring districts, such as Deoria, Kushinagar, Basti, and Maharajganj, is delighted that Yogi was elected CM of UP because, despite the opposition’s instigated apprehension about their treatment after the formation of the BJP government, they are in far better condition than they expected to be under previous governments. While it is true that the Muslim community will perhaps never vote for BJP en masse, it is true that the Yogi government itself has ensured that it works for the development of the entire state.

Yogi Adityanath had in 2020 described his state of mind and manner of functioning adequately when he said that as a Hindu, he will not enter a mosque, but as a Chief Minister, he does not discriminate against the people he governs. For the ‘liberals’, this sentiment is one that is beyond their realm of understanding. While the Chief Minister works for the populace without fear or favour, the Yogi is free to follow his religious identity and wear it proudly.

In fact, not only eastern UP has benefitted from the policies of the incumbent government but the western region has also benefitted extensively. Whether it be the announcement of a world-class film city or making Noida into a global level manufacturing hub, policies by the Yogi government are strongly committed to the development of the state as a whole. Frequent visits of CM Yogi to Noida has bolstered the confidence of the companies planning to invest in the region.

Parvez Ansari, a local shopkeeper from Deoria said “It is this government which has provided us excellent facilities. There was a two-lane road from Deoria to Gorakhpur and now it is made four-lane by Yogiji. We were referred to BRD medical college for any serious health issue but now medical college is being built in Deoria. We get electricity 24 hours and all the roads in the city and adjoining towns have street lights. We are happy that Yogiji became CM. We will vote for him again. He will surely win.”

Speaking on Yogi’s contestation from Gorakhpur, Sanjay Singh, BJP District Vice President from Deoria said “This is the love of people of Gorakhpur which is manifesting in his candidature from Gorakhpur. He has an emotional connection with the people of Gorakhpur and Deoria. Yogiji keeps visiting the Gorakhnath Mandir frequently and keeps connecting with people. And not only a particular section is happy about him contesting from Gorakhpur but every single community including Muslims are committed to voting with ‘Gaurav’ in the upcoming elections. This time Yogiji’s win will be historic.”

Given the fervour with which people are rallying behind their favourite leader, it is logical to think that Yogi Adityanath has emerged as a mass leader and that his campaign from Gorakhpur is motivated by a dedication to the people he considers his family. Yogi Adityanath’s Uttar Pradesh is poised to play a key part in PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a New India. Uttar Pradesh’s growth will be accelerated thanks to the state’s dual-engine government.

Anushka Sharma claims was ‘caught off guard’ after daughter Vamika’s pictures are captured in a stadium full of cameras on Team India’s ex-captain

OpIndia Staff
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Anushka Sharma claims was ‘caught off guard’ after daughter Vamika’s pictures are captured in a stadium full of cameras on Team India’s ex-captain

On January 24, actress Anushka Sharma requested everyone to not share Virat and Anushka’s daughter Vamika’s photograph anywhere on social media. She said they were caught off-guard and did not know the camera was on them at the time when the photograph was clicked. Anushka was watching the Indian cricket team play against South Africa in Cape Town. As the match was going on, it was full of cameras. The official broadcaster panned the camera towards Anushka holding Vamika cheering for team India during the game.

Anushka and Virat shared the same story requesting everyone not to share Vamika’s photo. Source: Instagram

In the statement, she said, “Hi guys! We realise that our daughter images were captured at the stadium yesterday and widely shared after that. We want to inform everyone that we were caught off guard and didn’t know that the camera was on us. Our stance and request on the matter stays the same. We would really appreciate it if Vamika’s images were not clicked/published for reasons we have explained earlier. Thank you!”

The story was also published by Virat on his Instagram account.

Virat and Anushka had explained the rationale behind not sharing Vamika’s photos

In May 2021, during an Instagram stories Q and A session, Virat Kohli had replied to a fan explaining the rationale behind not sharing Vamika’s photographs or videos on social media. He had said, “We have decided as a couple to not expose our child to social media before she has an understanding of what social media is and can make her own choice.”

In December 2021, a video had turned up on social media where Kohli was seen asking paparazzi not to take Vamika’s photos, and his request was obliged by the photographers. Later, Anushka had said, “We seek privacy for our child and would like to do our best to give her a chance to live her life freely away from media and social media. As she is older, we cannot restrict her movement, and hence your support is needed, so kindly practice (retrain) in the matter. A special thank you to fan clubs and people of the internet for going out of your way to not post images. It was kind and highly mature of you.”

Anushka gave birth to Vamika in January 2021. The couple had decided to keep her daughter away from social media till she was mature enough to make her own decisions about her presence on social media.

Rana Ayyub plays the victim card, blames PM Modi after netizens from UAE also call her out for attacking Saudis

OpIndia Staff
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Rana Ayyub plays the victim card, blames PM Modi after netizens from UAE also call her out for attacking Saudis

Rana Ayyub, the controversial journalist, has been getting called out from all sides for her Houthis-supporting tweet in which she had called Saudis especially the leadership “bloodthirsty”. Netizens from Saudi Arabia expressed their displeasure over the misleading tweet posted by Ayyub. Irked by the backlash, Ayyub blamed PM Modi for the attack she might not have expected to receive from Saudi netizens. In a tweet, she wrote, “Saudi trolls are being cheered on by Modi supporters in India. You missed nothing.”

Ayyub blamed PM Modi for her own blunder.

A few hours later, netizens from the United Arab Emirates also called out Ayyub and questioned her support for Houthis Terrorists. Hassan Sajwani, an Emirati businessman, said, “The likes of Rana Ayyub are the biggest culprits. Under the smokescreen of “Humanitarian Voice”, they constantly back Houthis, Hamas, and Muslim Brotherhood aligned groups. Ms. Rana forgot that Houthis killed two innocent Indians (her countrymen) last week in Abu Dhabi. Shame!”

He further mentioned how Ayyub conveniently ignored the war crimes committed by Houthis and called Saudis bloodthirsty. He said, “She ignores the atrocities and war crimes committed by the Houthis but calls Saudis “bloodthirsty”. These white label Islamists are even more dangerous than the terrorists themselves! Shame!”

She was also called out by other people such as lawyers based out of New York who accused her of spreading propaganda.

Many Muslims also called her out for supporting Iran-backed terrorists.

Many from Saudi continued to call her out. Some even accused her of not being a good Muslim for not covering her head.

Ayyub had posted a tweet against Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen that also destroyed a prison run by a Houthi rebel group. The strikes were in response to a deadly drone attack in UAE by Houthis, a member of the Saudi-led alliance. The group has been launching missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia.

Notably, Houthis control a large territory in northern Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition is supporting the internationally-recognized Yemen government to fight the group. As the coalition supports the Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi government in Yemen, the netizens from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were shocked to see an Indian journalist supporting Houthis.

The Indian netizens also criticized Ayyub for her misleading tweet on Saudis.

US authorizes departure of govt employees from Ukraine amid escalating tensions, says it won’t be able to evacuate American citizens if Russia attacks Ukraine

OpIndia Staff
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US authorizes departure of govt employees from Ukraine amid escalating tensions, says it won’t be able to evacuate American citizens if Russia attacks Ukraine

On January 24 (local time), the United States government authorized the departure of the US government employees and ordered that thefamily members of US government employees at the US Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine leave the country amid escalating tensions. The authorized departure gives the govt employees an option to leave the country if they want to, however, their family members must leave Ukraine.

In the official statement issued by the Department of State, it was mentioned the decision was taken due to the “continued Russian efforts to destabilize the country and undermine the security of Ukrainian citizens and others visiting or residing in Ukraine.” It further added the US State Department had elevated travel advisory for Ukraine to level four, which means the US citizens must not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of significant Russian military action. Earlier, the advisory was at Level 4 due to Covid-19.

The US Embassy in Ukraine would continue to function, and Kristina Kvien, in charge at the embassy, would remain in Ukraine. The department further added it was working on finding a diplomatic solution to Russia’s “troubling build-up of forces in and around Ukraine.”

Notably, the US had delivered the first of several shipments of $200 million security assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces that was approved by President Biden in December. The statement added, “While the United States continues to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy, if Russia chooses escalation and massive consequences due to significant military action against Ukraine, the current unpredictable security conditions, particularly along Ukraine’s borders, in Russia-occupied Crimea, and Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine could deteriorate with little notice.”

‘US govt will not be in a position to evacuate US citizens’ – President Biden

One of the significant portions of the statement was the fact that the US government clearly told its citizens that in case Russia moves ahead with the military action against Ukraine, it would not be in a position to evacuate American citizens. It said, “As President Biden has said, military action by Russia could come at any time, and the United States government will not be in a position to evacuate American citizens in such a contingency, so US citizens currently present in Ukraine should plan accordingly, including by availing themselves of commercial options should they choose to leave the country.”

Russia completed military build-up at Ukraine border

On January 19, it was reported that Russia could invade Ukraine at any time as it had completed military build-up at the Ukrainian border. Russia also has started reducing the number of people in ints embassy in Ukraine, giving a possible hint of invasion. Reportedly, families of Russian diplomats left Ukraine on buses in the past few days, and the diplomats are told to be prepared to leave when instructed.

The Ukrainian military report further has revealed that the Russian troops have made their permanent camps in the Central and Eastern part of the country and that it supports around 35,000 rebels in eastern Ukraine. However, Russia denied the claims and agreed to set up additional radio and satellite traffic units near the Ukrainian border and tripled the reconnaissance flights.

Russia-Ukraine conflict

Since 2014, Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has been facing a conflict with Russian-backed separatists. These separatists are holding control of several territories in Ukraine with the help of Moscow.

In 2013, then-President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, decided to reject a deal for greater economic integration with European Union. His decision led to a series of protests and conflicts that led to a violent crackdown by the security forces. However, the administration’s decision to forcefully stop the protesters backfired and the number of protesters increased exponentially on the streets. As a result, President Yanukovych had to flee the country in February 2014.

In March 2014, Russian troops took control of the Crimean region in Ukraine. Crimea is located in the south of the Ukrainian region of Kherson. After Russia took control over the Crimean region, a local referendum was done where the Crimeans voted to join the Russian Federation. After the referendum, it was formally annexed in Russia.

In July 2014, the situation in Ukraine took the shape of an international crisis when a Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukrainian airspace. There were 298 people on board, including the staff and pilot. No one survived the incident. The incident caused tension between Russia and its western counterparts, including the United States and the European Union.

Since the conflict started, it has been alleged that Russia has been targeting Ukraine with cyber attacks. In December 2015, it was reported that around 225,000 people lost power due to a cyber attack. In December 2016, another blackout happened in Kyiv due to an alleged cyber attack.

According to United Nations, till April 2021, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has claimed over 13,000 lives since 2014. Around 24,000 people have been injured in the conflicts.

‘You are supporting terrorists’: Saudi netizens slam Rana Ayyub after she attacked ‘bloodthirsty Saudis’ for air-strike in Yemen

OpIndia Staff
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‘You are supporting terrorists’: Saudi netizens slam Rana Ayyub after she attacked ‘bloodthirsty Saudis’ for air-strike in Yemen

If getting slammed by Indians for fake news and supporting terrorists was not enough, Rana Ayyub is now being blasted by Saudis for one of her tweets. Yesterday, the controversial journalist had posted a tweet slamming Saudi Arabia for launching a military operation against Yemen. She is now attacked on Twitter by Saudi netizens in response to that, accusing her of supporting terrorism.

“Yemen is bleeding and there is nobody to stop the bloodthirsty Saudis,” Rana Ayyub had tweeted on Saturday, saying that as a Muslim she is ashamed that “these savages are guardians of the holy mosque”.

Her comments came after Saudi led air-strikes on a temporary prison run by Houthi rebel group in Yemen. The strikes were intensified after a deadly drone attack on UAE, a member of the Saudi led alliance, by the Houthis. The group has been launching missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis control a large territory in northern Yemen, and the Saudi-led coalition is supporting the internationally recognised Yemen govt to fight the group. As the coalition is supporting the Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi government in Yemen, Saudi citizens were shocked to see that the Indian journalist was slamming them for the same.

After Rana Ayyub posted the tweet, several Saudi netizens responded to her saying that their govt is supporting a recognised government, while Ayyub was supporting a Islamist terror group trying to overthrow that government.

Saudi engineer Gassan called it fake news, and said that Saudi Arabia has launched military operations in Yemen as part of a coalition of over ten countries in response to a direct request from the legitimate government of Yemen. “We supporting legitimate and you supporting terrorists”, he added.

One Twitter user Abu Sultan called her a “fu**ing liar”, saying all she “said are bullshit”. The user noted that this why Ayyub has disabled replied to her tweets.

Another Saudi netizen said that she is among the “media elitist Hypocrites who support Terrorist Houthis who use child soldiers and are the main root cause of suffering in Yemen.” He said that why Saudi Arabia is working to end the tyrannical reign of the Houthis, she is supporting the terror group.

One user from Greece said that Rana Ayyub is supporting terrorists like the Houthis who use child soldiers, kill, abuse Yemeni and attack other countries with drones almost everyday.

One user went a bit off-track, and slammed Rana Ayyub for not covering her hair and face despite being a Muslim.

Rana Ayyub was also slammed by netizens from India and many other countries for her support to the Houthi group. People commented that she is speaking against the attack on the group, she was silent when several innocents including two Indians were killed in the drone attack in Abu Dhabi by the terror group.

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