EU launches first phase of world's first carbon border tariff

The European Union inaugurated the first phase of the world’s first system of imposing CO2 emissions levies on imported steel, cement, and other commodities on Sunday, in an effort to prevent more polluting foreign items from undercutting its green transition.

The anticipated tax has alarmed trading partners, and at a recent meeting, China’s top climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, warned countries not to resort to unilateral measures like the EU fee.

The EU will not start collecting CO2 emissions taxes at the border until 2026.

However, on Sunday, the first phase of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will begin, with EU importers required to disclose the greenhouse gas emissions buried in the production of imported amounts of iron and steel, aluminium, cement, power, fertilisers and hydrogen.

Importers will be required to acquire certificates to cover these CO2 emissions beginning in 2026, putting foreign manufacturers on a par with EU businesses that must purchase permits from the EU carbon market when they pollute.

The goal, according to European Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, is to stimulate a global move to greener production and to prevent European industries from migrating to nations with weaker environmental regulations.

It is also meant to prevent them from losing out to foreign competitors while they invest to contribute to meeting EU targets to cut the bloc’s net emissions by 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels.

Companies in the European Union, Britain and Ukraine have told Reuters they expect little initial impact during the trial phase.

The European Commission says the border levy is in line with World Trade Organization rules in that it treats foreign and domestic firms alike and allows deductions from the border fees for any carbon prices already paid abroad.

“CBAM is not about trade protection. It is about protecting the EU’s climate ambition – and seeking to raise the level of climate ambition worldwide,” Gentiloni said in written responses to Reuters’ questions.

European steel industry association Eurofer, which has been at the forefront of those in Europe seeking a border tariff, said the initial phase would test how watertight CBAM is at avoiding industrial production shifting abroad to countries with less ambitious climate policies.

Among Europe’s significant trade partners, China’s foreign ministry, Turkey’s trade ministry and a U.S. official declined to comment on the launch.

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Mali separatists claim deadly attack against army

Tuareg-dominated separatist groups claimed on Saturday that they had inflicted severe losses on the Malian military in an offensive in the country’s heart.

The insurgents first claimed 98 dead troops, but subsequently lowered the tally to 81.

The allegation was made in comments issued by the Permanent Strategic Framework, which is headed by the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), an alliance of primarily Tuareg factions demanding autonomy or independence from the Malian state.

The insurgents also claimed to have injured scores of soldiers, seized five prisoners, and lost seven of their own fighters.

Because of the remoteness of the impacted areas, assertions made by rebels and other sides participating in the war are difficult to verify.

Access to independent sources is complicated by the conflict.

The Malian army had only acknowledged an assault on one of its camps in Dioura in the Mopti region on Thursday, without giving further details.

Despite the official information blackout, images and claims linked to the incident quickly spread online.

If confirmed it would mark the CMA’s most southerly operation since it resumed attacks against the Malian army in the north of the country at the end of August.

The north of Mali has seen a resumption of hostilities by the CMA and an intensification of jihadist attacks against the Malian army.

Operations have targeted several army positions.

The upsurge coincides with the ongoing withdrawal of the UN stabilisation force MINUSMA, which has been pushed out by the ruling junta

Mali’s junta, which seized power in 2020, faces a multitude of security challenges throughout the poor and landlocked country.

The military rulers also pushed a French anti-jihadist force to leave last year.

Politically and militarily, it has turned to Russia. Many observers claim that it has enlisted the services of the Wagner mercenary group, despite its constant denials.

The junta has made the restoration of sovereignty over the entire country one of its mantras and claims to be reversing the security trend.

However, various experts are reporting a deterioration in the situation in a country that has been plunged into turmoil since 2012.

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Scotland Police launches probe into attack on Indian envoy at Glasgow gurudwara

The Scotland Police said on Friday that it responded to a report of a disturbance in the Albert Drive neighbourhood of Glasgow. It added that an investigation is ongoing to determine the complete facts surrounding the incident.

The Scotland Police’s announcement follows a statement made by the Indian High Commission in London on Saturday, which said it had informed UK authorities of the “disgraceful incident” at the Glasgow Gurudwara, where individuals from outside Scotland “deliberately disrupted” a planned event for Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to Britain.

In an email statement to news agency ANI, Scotland police spokesperson said, “We were called around 1.05pm on Friday, 29 September, to a report of a disturbance that happened in the Albert Drive area of Glasgow”.

The spokesperson added, “There were no reports of any injuries and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”

In a statement released on Saturday, the Indian High Commission in London said that individuals from outside Scotland “deliberately disrupted” an event organised for the Indian High Commissioner to the UK.

“On September 29, 2023, three persons- all from areas outside Scotland-deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organised by the Gurudwara Committee for the community, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India. This interaction was to discuss community and consular issues,” the Indian High Commission in London said in a statement.

“The organizers included senior community leaders, ladies and Committee members, and a member of Scottish Parliament. They were threatened and abused by these elements. In an effort to prevent any potential altercation, the HC and CG decided to leave the premises shortly upon their arrival,” it added.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police were notified of the incident, according to the Indian High Commission. According to the statement, numerous community bodies, including the organisers, have publicly expressed regret for the tragedy and requested the authorities to punish those responsible.

“One of the non-local extremist elements attempted to violently force open the HC’s car door – a matter that will require suitable police consideration. It is due to the quick reaction of one of the organizers, who physically intervened at the car door, that a bigger incident was avoided,” the India’s High Commission added in its statement.

The statement was released after social media videos showed Doraiswami being accosted near the parking area of the gurudwara located on Albert Drive in Glasgow by pro-Khalistani elements, who blocked the Indian envoy from entering the gurudwara.

In the video, some of the men are heard saying, “All Indian envoys must be subjected to this as India was targeting them”.

Several British MPs denounced the incident.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the UK’s Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, stated on Saturday that she was “concerned” to learn that the Glasgow meeting between the Gurudwara Committee and the Indian High Commissioner Doraiswami had been postponed.

Trevelyan stated on X, formerly Twitter, that everyone should be able to enter places of worship in the UK and that the security and safety of international locations is of the utmost importance.

Trevelyan posted, “Concerned to see that the Indian High Commissioner @VDoraiswami was stopped from meeting with the Gurudwara Committee at the Gurudwara in Glasgow. The safety and security of foreign diplomats is of utmost importance and our places of worship in the UK must be open to all.”

(With agency inputs)

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Nepal PM Prachanda concludes 'successful' trip to China

After concluding his week-long visit to China, Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said that both countries successfully strengthened ties during the trip and further deepened the historic relations existing between the two neighbours.

After landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on Saturday, PM Prachanda told reporters that his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang contributed to taking Nepal-China relations to a new height.

“During the high-level meetings, the Chinese president and Prime Minister have given assurance that the past agreements reached between Nepal and China will be gradually implemented. The Chinese authorities have also agreed to resume operations of all the trading points between Nepal and China that were shut down due to the outbreak of Corona pandemic,” the prime minister said.

He added, “Important discussions were held with the Chinese authorities regarding the regular operation of Pokhara International Airport, the Prime Minister said. After doing some preparatory work, there will be direct two-way flights between Pokhara and Chengdu in China.”

He continued, “We have exchanged views on further deepening multi-faceted relations between Nepal and China and held an open dialogue in having China’s support and assistance in Nepal’s development endeavours.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud, who was also part of the delegation, said that PM Prachanda’s visit was both economically and diplomatically successful.

“The bilateral meetings that Prachanda held with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang were important and the agreements reached between Kathmandu and Nepal were also in the interest of Nepal and important for the economic development of the country,” the secretariat of the Foreign Minister said.

With inputs from PTI

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California set to bring law addressing gender, race 'bias' in venture capital funding

California is set to become the first state in the US to enact legislation to address gender and race bias within the venture capital industry. State Bill no. 54 (SB54), which received approval from the state legislature earlier this month and now awaits the Governor’s assent, will require venture capital firms to disclose the race and gender of the founders they fund.

While the business community opposes the legislation, decrying it as bureaucratic overreach, civil rights groups and female entrepreneurs argue that it could be a significant stride towards equalising opportunities in Silicon Valley, where startup funding has overwhelmingly favoured white men.

According to the Guardian, which cited business data firm PitchBook, companies founded by all-female teams secured a mere 2 per cent of venture capital funding last year. Ventures led by Black and Latin American women fared even worse, receiving just 0.85 per cent of the funding.

Marquesa Finch, who helped Democratic state senator Nancy Skinner to draft the bill, emphasised its importance, stating, “This is a chance for us, for the industry to look itself in the mirror – to finally, wholeheartedly internalise that we have a bias problem.” She recounted instances of being mistaken for support staff and facing sceptical questions about her leadership capabilities when pitching to venture capital partners, who are predominantly white males. This, she argued, stands in stark contrast to the questions posed to her male counterparts, which often revolve around growth and potential.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has yet to signal whether he will sign or veto the bill. He has until the 14th of October to make a decision.

California played a pivotal role, representing over 40 per cent of the nearly $246 billion in venture capital funding invested in the United States in 2022, as per data from PitchBook. Given that the law applies to both California-based venture capital firms and those that invest in the state or solicit funds from its residents, its impact is expected to reverberate throughout the country.

The legislation encompasses virtually all major players making substantial investments in artificial intelligence, including Silicon Valley giants such as Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Soma Capital, and Khosla Ventures. These firms have been instrumental in funding ventures like OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT), Character.ai, Cohere, and SellScale.

Controversies surrounding racial and gender bias in AI products, which attracted $22.7 billion in venture investment in the first quarter of 2023, have received extensive coverage in the media and have been the subject of academic scrutiny and civil rights advocacy.

In response, the Biden administration introduced its “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights” last year, aimed at addressing algorithmic discrimination and mitigating the adverse impacts of automated systems on underserved communities, according to White House senior adviser Susan Rice.

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Elon Musk's Tesla sued over 'racial bigotry' at California plant

A United States civil rights agency has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk-led Tesla, accusing the electric car manufacturer of permitting severe racial harassment against Black employees at its flagship assembly plant in California.

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) initiated legal proceedings in a federal court on Thursday, alleging that from 2015 to the present, Black workers at Tesla’s Fremont facility have consistently endured racial slurs, offensive graffiti featuring symbols such as swastikas and nooses, and a hostile work environment.

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Tesla has failed to adequately investigate complaints of racial misconduct and has taken retaliatory measures against employees who reported harassment.

The lawsuit marks an escalation of federal charges following prior discrimination claims by the state of California and lawsuits brought by Tesla workers. Settlement negotiations with the EEOC broke down after the agency officially raised concerns last year.

Tesla is currently facing several race discrimination lawsuits that make similar allegations, including a class-action lawsuit filed by Fremont plant employees and a lawsuit by a California civil rights agency. In response to these claims, the company has consistently asserted its commitment to preventing discrimination and addressing employee complaints.

As of now, Tesla has not provided an immediate response to the latest lawsuit.

Stephen Diamond, a law professor at Santa Clara University, commented on the situation, saying, “If the federal government gets involved, it certainly adds credibility to the claims. Major institutional investors like pension funds will be very concerned about this type of behaviour.”

The EEOC’s investigation into Tesla began after the commission’s chair, Charlotte Burrows, filed an internal complaint against the company. Last year, the agency determined that there was “reasonable cause” to believe Tesla had violated federal laws prohibiting racial discrimination in the workplace, but attempts to reach a settlement agreement with the company proved unsuccessful.

In a statement, Chair Charlotte Burrows affirmed the EEOC’s commitment to combating workplace harassment: “Every employee deserves to have their civil rights respected, and no worker should endure the kind of shameful racial bigotry our investigation revealed.”

The EEOC’s lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for an unspecified number of affected Black workers, in addition to an order mandating Tesla to reform its anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policies.

Tesla faces similar allegations from the California Department of Civil Rights, a state-level counterpart of the EEOC, which claims that Tesla discriminated against Black workers in decisions related to compensation, promotions, and work assignments. A California judge rejected Tesla’s attempt to dismiss this case last year.

Tesla has contended that the California department’s lawsuit is politically motivated and has argued that the agency violated state law by filing the suit without prior notification of all claims or an opportunity to settle.

In a separate case, Owen Diaz, a former Black elevator operator at the Fremont plant, is seeking a third trial in his 2017 lawsuit alleging severe racial harassment. A jury awarded him $3.2 million in April, following a prior award of $137 million in 2021, which a federal judge deemed excessive. Diaz opted for a new trial instead of accepting a reduced award of $15 million.

Furthermore, Tesla is currently facing a class-action lawsuit in a California state court over allegations of mistreatment of Black factory workers, with approximately 240 workers seeking to join the lawsuit.

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Khalistani activists stop Indian high commissioner from entering UK gurudwara

Khalistani activists Friday stopped the Indian high commissioner to the United Kingdom from entering a gurudwara in Scotland.

Sikh Youth UK posted a video showing Khalistani activists confronting officials at the Glasgow gurudwara on Alberta Drive over making langar (the community kitchen at Sikh temples) arrangements for the Indian high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami. The official can be seen snatching away the camera from the activist.

 

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A post shared by Sikh Youth UK (@sikhyouthuk)

The video further shows a few Khalistani activists trying to gang up on the high commissioner’s car before he had to eventually leave.

The radical Sikh activists found out that Doraiswami had planned a meeting with the gurudwara committee and stormed the scene, Times of India reported.

“A few people turned up and told him he was not welcome and he left. There was a slight confrontation. I don’t think the Gurdwara committee is too happy about what happened. But Indian officials are not welcome in any gurdwara in the UK,” TOI quoted a Khalistani activist as saying.

“We are fed up with the UK-India collusion. The recent tensions since the Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing have led to British Sikhs being targeted. This is to do with Avtar Singh Khanda and Jagtar Singh Johal too.”

Avtar Singh Khanda was a Khalistani activist, who, the National Investigation Agency believes, staged the violent protest at the Indian High Commission in London earlier this year in March. The ruckus saw the miscreants scale the wall of the High Commission building and take down India’s flag.

He died a couple of months later in June. His medical records claimed that he died of blood cancer, but his supporters claimed that he was poisoned.

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India's G20 Presidency brought the world together: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar lauded India’s presidency of G20, saying that it “brought the world together.” Speaking at the World Cultural Festival event in Washington DC, Jaishankar said New Delhi managed to install new energy in sustainable development, green growth and digital delivery.

“Our collective living has become more intense. It must also be more harmonious and more collaborative. The big challenges of the day, be there climate change, economic progress or societal well-being, cannot be effectively addressed in isolation,” the foreign minister said.

He said that India used the opportunity of the G20 to bring the world closer. “Bringing the world together has become even more important. It is with this approach that India took up the responsibilities of the G20 presidency. Our theme: One Earth, One Family, One Future is represented so well today before us culturally.”

#WATCH | Washington, DC: At the World Culture Festival 2023, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “Our collective living has become more intense. It must also be more harmonious and more collaborative. The big challenges of the day, be there climate change, economic progress or societal… pic.twitter.com/RaIldxrh3b

— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2023

He added, “I am proud to say that we in India lived up to our responsibility and as a result, we have managed to install new energy in sustainable development, in green growth and in digital delivery”.

Washington DC is hosting the World Cultural Festival 2023 where countries from across the globe have come together to portray their culture.

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Terrorists given operating space in Canada: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said terrorists have been given operating space in Canada because of the country’s politics and that India has expressed its concern about the same to the US.

“We consider there’s a permissive Canadian attitude to terrorists and people who openly advocate violence. They have been given operating space in Canada because of Canadian politics. For us, it is certainly been a country where organised crime from India mixed with trafficking in people, secessionism and violence,” Jaishankar said in New York Friday.

VIDEO | “We consider there’s a permissive Canadian attitude to terrorists and people who openly advocate violence. They have been given operating space in Canada because of Canadian politics. For us, it is certainly been a country where organised crime from India mixed with… pic.twitter.com/2rlRUEPHmi

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 29, 2023

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted yesterday that his country is committed to having “stronger ties” with India, days after making “credible allegations” that the Indian government was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

“The Canadian Prime Minister made some allegations, initially privately and then publicly, and our response to him, both in private and public, was that what he was alleging was not consistent with our policy. And that if he or his government had anything relevant and specific that they would like us to look into, we were open to looking at it. That’s where that conversation is at this point of time,” Jaishankar said.

‘Embassies targeted’

“Our point is that there is today a climate of violence, an atmosphere of intimidation…Just just think about it. We have had smoke bombs thrown at the mission. We’ve had our consulates, violence in front of them. Individuals have been targeted and intimidated,” the foreign minister added.

#WATCH | Washington, DC: On India-Canada row, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “…Our point is that there is today a climate of violence, an atmosphere of intimidation…Just just think about it. We have had smoke bombs thrown at the mission. We’ve had our consulates, violence in front… pic.twitter.com/QCYLlaMPCr

— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2023

He continued, “Let’s not normalize what is happening in Canada…So I think it’s necessary to call out what is happening there and our point is this: There may be an individual incident. Yes, if there is an incident and there is an investigation and there are allegations you know there are processes involved in it. I mean nobody is disputing that.”

Stating that India does not require lessons from other countries on the concept of freedom of speech, Jaishankar said that freedom of expression should not extend to incitement of violence.

He said, “I flagged it here (in US), and I flagged this to the Canadians as well. We are a democracy. We don’t need to learn from other people what freedom of speech is about, but we can tell people this…we don’t think freedom of speech extends to incitement to violence. That to us, is the misuse of freedom, that’s not defence of freedom”.

Open to dialogue

The Indian foreign minister said that the governments of India and Canada will have to talk to each other and see how they resolve their differences over the death of a Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Jaishankar said India was ready to look into the information related to Canada’s allegations of the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.

Jaishankar said India has had an ongoing problem with Canada and its government for some years now.

With inputs from agencies

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'Avoidable risk': IMF urges US parties to avoid government shutdown, citing economic risk

The International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday that a US government shutdown would be an “avoidable risk” to the country’s economy, and urged all parties to achieve an agreement on continuous funding for the federal government.

“We certainly are urging the parties to come together to reach a consensus and find a way forward,” IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack told reporters at a regular briefing. “We do see a shutdown as an avoidable risk for the US economy.”

To avert furloughs of hundreds of thousands of government workers and a halt to a wide variety of services, from economic data releases to nutrition assistance, Congress must enact legislation that Democratic President Joe Biden may sign into law by midnight Saturday.

House Republicans, driven by a tiny number of far-right lawmakers in the chamber they control by a 221-212 margin, have rejected fiscal year 2024 spending levels reached by McCarthy and Biden in May.

Kozack declined to comment on the probable impact of a shutdown on the US economy and had no comment on the United Auto Workers strike against the Big Three Detroit manufacturers.

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Blinken meets Indian counterpart Jaishankar as row between India and Canada simmers

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with India’s foreign minister on Thursday, amid a simmering dispute between New Delhi and Ottawa over suspicions of Indian government involvement in the death of a Sikh activist in Canada.

Blinken and S Jaishankar met at the State Department on Thursday as the US attempts to manage the conflict between its northern neighbour and the South Asian country important to its Indo-Pacific plan to challenge China’s growing influence in the area.

In brief remarks to reporters, neither man addressed the scandal that has strained Canada-India relations, but a US official indicated the subject was broached. According to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the confidential meetings, Blinken pushed India to participate with the Canadian investigation.

“We have consistently engaged with the Indian government on this question and have urged them to cooperate,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters ahead of the meeting.

After the meeting, Miller said in a statement that Blinken and Jaishankar had “discussed a full range of issues, including key outcomes of India’s G20 presidency, and the creation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and its potential to generate transparent, sustainable, and high-standard infrastructure investments.”

They also covered “the continued importance of cooperation ahead of the upcoming 2+2 Dialogue, in particular in the areas of defence, space, and clean energy,” Miller said. The G20 refers to the Group of 20 Summit that was recently held in New Delhi and was attended by President Joe Biden. The “2+2” dialogue is a format for meetings between the US and Indian foreign and defence ministers.

A US State Department statement after Blinken met his Indian counterpart made no mention of Nijjar’s murder or of Canada as a whole.

A short State Department summary of the issues discussed in the meeting between Blinken and Jaishankar, formally called a readout, listed topics like India’s G20 presidency, the creation of an India-Middle East-Europe corridor and topics like defence, space and clean energy.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was sure US Secretary of State Antony Blinken would raise the murder of a Sikh separatist leader when he met his Indian counterpart on Thursday but a US statement after the meeting made no mention of the issue.

“The Americans have been with us in speaking to the Indian government about how important it is that they be involved in following up on the credible allegations that agents of the Indian government killed a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil,” Trudeau said.

“This is something all democratic countries, all countries that respect the rule, need to take seriously and we are moving forward in a thoughtful, responsible way anchored in the rule of law with all partners, including in our approach with the government of India,” he told reporters in Montreal.

Trudeau made his remarks to reporters in Quebec, 10 days after he announced Canada suspected Indian government agents were linked to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which took place in the province of British Columbia in June.

US officials have acknowledged that the fallout from the allegations, which they take seriously, could have a profound impact on relations with India but have been careful not to cast blame on the June killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was slain in a Vancouver suburb.

Nijjar was a Canadian citizen but India had declared him a “terrorist.” Killed by masked gunmen, Nijjar was a leader in what remains of a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan, and India had designated him a terrorist.

India’s foreign ministry has dismissed the allegation as “absurd” and accused Canada of harbouring “terrorists and extremists.” It also implied that Trudeau was trying to drum up domestic support among the Sikh diaspora.

In his comments, Trudeau said Canada did not want to rupture ties with India but takes the matter seriously.

“As we’ve presented with our Indo-Pacific strategy just last year, we’re very serious with about building closer ties with India,” he said. “At the same time … we need emphasize that India needs to work with Canada to ensure that we get the full facts on this matter.”

India has dismissed Canada’s allegations as absurd. Jaishankar, though, said on Tuesday that New Delhi has told Canada it was open to looking into any “specific” or “relevant” information it provides on the killing.

Trudeau, who is yet to publicly share any evidence, said last week he shared the “credible allegations” with India “many weeks ago.”

Blinken said last week the United States was “deeply concerned” about the allegations raised by Trudeau and added it was important for India to work with Canada in this investigation.

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Former crypto star Sam Bankman-Fried faces US trial

Sam Bankman-Fried, once the most revered face of cryptocurrency, goes on trial Tuesday in federal court on seven charges of fraud, which could land him in jail for decades.

In just a few years, the curly-haired MIT graduate developed his FTX platform into the world’s second-largest crypto exchange, driving him to become the IT world’s next unexpected billionaire.

Bankman-Fried’s stratospheric ascent was only matched by his dismal fall, which saw him removed from his opulent apartment in the Bahamas by police last year and deported to face charges in the United States.

At the height of his celebrity, Bankman-Fried was thought to be worth $26 billion, with FTX becoming a near household name through a frenzied marketing campaign and celebrity endorsements by supermodel Gisele Bundchen, NBA star Stephen Curry and others.

The 31-year-old’s empire began to crumble last November when revelations alleged that client money in the FTX platform was being funnelled to prop up Alameda Research, the company’s crypto-focused investment arm.

The rumours quickly snowballed and investors pulled their money from FTX, sinking it swiftly into bankruptcy and disgracing Bankman-Fried as a financial pariah on par with Bernie Madoff or Elizabeth Holmes.

Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams has accused him of diverting funds from FTX clients, but also wire fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and money laundering.

Danielle Sassoon, an attorney for the prosecution, told a hearing that the number of victims of Sam Bankman-Fried’s alleged actions could be “in excess of a million.”

Pointing fingers

Charged with fraud and criminal conspiracy, SBF, as Bankman-Fried is known, was extradited at the end of December from the Bahamas, where FTX was headquartered, and released on a $250 million bail upon his arrival in New York.

Pending the trial, Bankman-Fried was placed under house arrest at the Silicon Valley home of his parents, both professors at Stanford University.

But US District Judge Lewis Kaplan rescinded that decision, ordering Bankman-Fried behind bars over alleged attempts of witness intimidation.

According to prosecutors, while holed up at his parent’s home, Bankman-Fried passed on documents to the New York Times in an attempt to influence the testimony of Caroline Ellison, his ex-girlfriend and a former Alameda executive.

She has also been indicted in the case and has agreed to cooperate with the US authorities, along with three other former executives.

They are expected to take the stand in his six-week trial — where Bankman-Fried will likely admit egregious management errors but no wrongdoing, and point the finger at Ellison.

“If the prosecutors can do a good job explaining that people invested money, the fact that it’s crypto won’t really make a difference,” said Julia Jayne, a California lawyer specializing in white-collar crime.

A long blog post that Bankman-Fried had planned to publish on the social network X, published by the Times before he was taken into custody, offered clues to his defense strategy.

In it, he presents himself, as he has done in the past, as an overworked boss — unable to rely on his incompetent or disinterested teams — who let himself be overtaken by outside circumstances.

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Why Trudeau versus India is a political game of absurdities

Every day, we see an escalation – Canada’s defence of Khalistani terror, India’s firm rejection of Trudeau’s charges and his politics.

This has now reached global forums. This week, it was brought up at the United Nations General Assembly. India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar addressing world leaders said, “political convenience must not determine responses to terrorism”. Without naming Canada, he called them out. Later in the day, he spoke at another event on the sidelines. This time he was far more direct. “Our concern is that it’s [Canada’s] really been very permissive because of political reasons. And, a lot of this is often justified as saying, that’s how democracies work.”

That’s classic Jaishankar – does not mince his words. His tone is even and his message unambiguous. He basically said: Canada is harbouring extremists because it suits their politics. And it is this politics that is driving Canada’s agenda, not any commitment to democratic values.
It’s unfortunate that this has to be said, over and over again because Trudeau’s motivations are quite obvious. A textbook example of votebank politics and justifying terrorism as freedom of expression. It’s been more than a week since he spoke in Parliament. What has followed is more accusations and selective leaks. No proof, though.

The absurdity…

What is Trudeau’s biggest charge against India? That there’s an Indian hand in the killing of a Khalistani terrorist in Canada. Trudeau says his allegations are “credible”, and India must cooperate in the probe.

Does that mean India is not cooperating? At least, that seems to be the implication. Well, here is India’s response. “We told the Canadians saying that, look, if you have something specific, if you have something relevant, let us know. We are open to looking at it.”

“If you have something specific or relevant, show us” – sounds like a fair argument. If Canada does have these so called “credible” inputs, why is it shy of sharing them? The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who India calls a designated terrorist and Canada a plumber, a citizen and a Sikh activist happened in June. Prime Minister Trudeau raised his death only three months later. That too, in the Canadian Parliament. Must’ve been a high-profile plumber. Trudeau accused India of ordering the hit. India called the charge absurd.

… even before the killing

You know what else is absurd? Ottawa’s charge of foreign interference. And this pre-dates the current diplomatic dispute. Canada raised this in June when Trudeau’s national security advisor Jody Thomas said: “India is among top sources of foreign interference in Canada”. Jaishankar said, Canada is the one that interferes in Indian politics. “So, we have a situation where actually our diplomats are threatened. Our consulates have been attacked. And you know, and often comments are made about … there’s interference in our politics”.

He’s talking about Khalistani terrorists. They want to break up India. And Canada is harbouring and shielding them. Khalistanis have launched campaigns against India and its political leadership. They’re targeting Indian missions and temples. Why is Canada supporting them?

“Is the Trudeau government a friend of Khalistanis?” One of his ministers was asked this question. He rejected the charge. This was last week. Now India has weighed in. “We have actually been badgering the Canadians. We have given them a lot of information about organized crime leadership, which operates out of Canada. And there are a large number of extradition requests. There are terrorist leaders who have been identified,” Jaishankar said.

The ‘undiplomacy’

Intelligence, information and extradition requests – India has given all of this. But Ottawa refuses to act. “We cannot bend the rules of state-to-state relations for political expediency, because we’ve seen and continue to see the extent to which democracies are under threat through various means of foreign interference,” says Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the UN. His statement is being seen as a dig at India. But after getting off the podium, he took a different tone. He said he’s discussed the Nijjar case with his Indian counterparts and that “there is scope for diplomacy”.

As they say, there’s always scope for diplomacy. But Canada’s selective leaks aren’t helping.

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OpenAI’s Sam Altman met iPhone designer Jony Ive, may be working on a smartphone or other AI hardware

It seems that OpenAI is just getting started with AI, and has some major plans, much larger than ChatGPT, on how the general public, that is non-techie people use and interact with AI.

Legendary tech designer Jony Ive, one of the most prominent figures when it comes to design in tech, wants to be involved with OpenAI in whatever they are planning to do next.

Call his designs controversial, boring or elegant, but the iPhone, as it is known today, is what it is design-wise, largely because of Jony Ive. Ive has a pretty impressive resume given his work with Apple and his own design firm, Love From, which he started when he departed Apple in 2019.

OpenAI working on an AI personal device
OpenAI’s founder, Sam Altman, held a meeting with Jony Ive, the renowned designer responsible for Apple’s iconic products. Their discussions revolved around the development of an AI hardware device, as conveyed by two individuals familiar with the matter.

The potential implications of this collaboration are substantial, and it is conceivable that Sam Altman may seek Jony Ive’s assistance in creating a next-generation consumer electronics device, aimed at seamlessly integrating AI into our daily lives.

The conversations between these two visionaries strongly suggest a future heavily influenced by artificial intelligence in the technology landscape. Up to this point, AI has primarily been associated with software programs and machine learning algorithms.

A successful partnership, should it materialize, would represent one of the initial endeavours to introduce AI into the mass market for consumer devices.

No specifics at this point, but the meeting itself has sent shockwaves
While specific details about the nature of this product remain scarce, the involvement of Jony Ive alone inspires confidence. According to Dan Ives, the managing partner of Wedbush Securities, who is a highly respected voice in the financial world, “Jony Ive is undeniably one of the most brilliant minds of our generation.”

Dan Ives, who is not related to Jon Ive, has been consistently optimistic about the future of AI, comparing the current investment climate to the early days of the internet in 1995, rather than the speculative bubble of 1999 preceding the dotcom crash.

As Ives noted in June, we are witnessing the emergence of the second, third, and fourth stages of this AI revolution, shaping the technological landscape. Drawing from his extensive experience in the tech sector, Ives believes that a fourth industrial revolution is unfolding, which is still underestimated by many in the financial industry.

In a manner akin to how personal computers were once regarded as the future of consumer electronics, Ives, referencing the report about Altman’s discussions with Ive, predicts that AI will take a central role in the design of new hardware.

He also emphasized that OpenAI, in collaboration with Nvidia, is at the forefront of this AI revolution, and Jony Ive aspires to be at the forefront, much like he played a pivotal role in the remarkable success of the iPhone and Apple’s innovative products.

When AI meets inspired design
Over the past year, Sam Altman has risen to prominence as a leading figure in Silicon Valley and has garnered global attention, positioning himself as the face of the AI revolution. His approachable demeanor and openness to regulation stand in stark contrast to the previous tech industry giants.

Meanwhile, Jony Ive has built his reputation as a design visionary, working closely with Apple’s co-founder and CEO, Steve Jobs, and later with Tim Cook, to create some of the world’s most beloved consumer products, including the vibrant iMac desktops, the iconic iPhone with its revolutionary buttonless design, and an Apple Watch recognized as a fashion accessory.

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North Korea makes nuclear weapons status part of constitution

North Korea’s rubber-stamp legislature has written into the country’s constitution the country’s position as a nuclear weapons power, official media announced Thursday.

“The DPRK’s nuclear force-building policy has been made permanent as the basic law of the state, which no one is allowed to flout with anything,” leader Kim Jong Un said at a meeting of the State People’s Assembly that was held Tuesday and Wednesday, the KCNA news agency said.

The country’s official name is abbreviated as DPRK.

North Korea has performed a record number of missile tests this year, and tensions with South Korea and the United States remain strained, with Pyongyang threatening to undertake its first nuclear test since 2017. It has held six in total since 2006.

The assembly enacted a statute designating North Korea to be a nuclear weapons state a year ago, and Kim stated that this status was “irreversible.” This new law also permitted the use of nuclear weapons as a deterrent.

Now, depressing expectations for denuclearisation even more, the legislature has gone so far as to include nuclear weapons status in the constitution itself.

“This is a historic event that provided a powerful political lever for remarkably strengthening the national defense capabilities,” Kim said, according to KCNA.

Kim also said the United States, South Korea and Japan had formed a “triangular military alliance” and this “finally resulted in the emergence of the ‘Asian-version NATO’, the root cause of war and aggression.”

“This is just the worst actual threat, not threatening rhetoric or an imaginary entity,” Kim said.

North Korea has conducted a string of banned weapons tests so far this year, the last one involving two short-range ballistic missiles on September 13 as Kim prepared to travel to Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin.

It also last month failed in its second attempt to put a spy satellite into orbit.

South Korea and the United States have ramped up defence cooperation in response, staging joint exercises as well as naval drills with Japan.

Relations between the two Koreas are at their lowest point in years, and diplomacy is stalled after failed attempts to discuss Pyongyang’s denuclearisation.

On September 2, North Korea staged a “simulated tactical nuclear attack” drill with mock atomic warheads attached to two long-range cruise missiles that were test-fired into the ocean, KCNA reported.

It said the operation was a “counteraction drill” in response to joint military activity by US and South Korean forces that the agency said had escalated tensions in the region.

Kim’s visit to Russia — his first abroad since the coronavirus pandemic — fanned Western fears that Moscow and Pyongyang will defy sanctions and strike an arms deal.

Moscow is believed to be interested in buying North Korean ammunition to continue fighting in Ukraine, while Pyongyang wants Russia’s help to develop its internationally condemned missile programme.

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US soldier Travis King heads home after North Korea expels him

Private Travis King, the US soldier who escaped into North Korea in July, is in US custody and on his way home after North Korea ejected him into China, the US announced on Wednesday.

While specifics regarding the negotiations that resulted in King’s transfer were scant, the development was a rare example of collaboration between the US, North Korea, and China. According to the State Department, King is anticipated to return to the United States later Wednesday.

On 18 July, while on a civilian tour of North Korea’s heavily defended border, King, 23, made a surprise leap into North Korean custody from the South.

Washington declined to declare him a prisoner of war despite heated debate within the government. For its part, North Korea appears to have treated his case as one of illegal immigration.

North Korea’s KCNA state news agency said King told Pyongyang he entered North Korea illegally because he was disillusioned about unequal US society.”

North Korea’s decision to expel King, published by KCNA, detailed the final results of an investigation into his border crossing. Last month, it said that he wanted refuge in North Korea or elsewhere because of maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army.

King in ‘good health’

The Swedish government, which represents US interests in North Korea because Washington has no diplomatic presence in the country, retrieved King in North Korea and brought him to China.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that King was met by the US ambassador to Beijing, Nicholas Burns, in Dandong, China, a river city bordering North Korea. Miller said King flew from there to Shenyang, China, then to Osan Air Force Base in South Korea.

Expressing gratitude to Sweden and China, US officials, citing US diplomatic representatives who saw King, told reporters he appeared in good health and was “very happy” to be on his way home. He was able to speak with his family after his release from North Korea.

His release followed months of intense diplomacy, the US officials said, adding that no concessions were made to the North in exchange for King.

“This incident, to our minds, demonstrates that keeping lines of communication open even when ties are strained is a really important thing to do and can deliver results,” one senior administration official said.

“We, again, stand by ready for any further diplomacy (with North Korea) that might be possible.”

Miller said he did not view King’s return as a sign of a wider breakthrough with North Korea and that China had not served as a mediator in the matter, but rather as a transit point for the soldier.

China’s embassy in Washington did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Discipline for King possible

Jonathan Franks, spokesperson for King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said: “Ms. Gates will be forever grateful to the United States Army and all its interagency partners for a job well done.”

King’s uncle, Myron Gates, told ABC News in August that his nephew, who is Black, experienced racism during his military deployment, and that after he spent time in a South Korean jail, he did not sound like himself.

King, who joined the US army in January 2021, faced two allegations of assault in South Korea. He pleaded guilty to one instance of assault and destroying public property for damaging a police car during a profanity-laced tirade against Koreans, according to court documents. He had been due to face more disciplinary measures when he arrived back in the United States.

King had finished serving military detention and was at the airport awaiting US military transport to his home unit in the United States. Instead, he left the airport and joined a tour of the border area, where he ran across despite attempts by South Korean and US guards to stop him.

One US official said the military would consider administrative actions against King after he was evaluated, taken through a reintegration process and reunited with his family in the United States. The official declined to answer directly whether King would face a court martial.

A different US official said King was heading to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, which is located at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. It is the same base that treated basketball star Brittney Griner in December last year after a prisoner swap with Russia ended her 10 months in Russian detention.

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EAM Jaishankar arrives in Washington DC; set to meet Blinken, Tai

In the midst of the diplomatic uproar between India and Canada caused by the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Thursday.

The most recent diplomatic crisis between two of America’s allies, its traditional ally Canada and India, is anticipated to be a major topic of discussion during the discussions, while officials from both sides are mum on the agenda.

After the meeting with Blinken, Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai in a closed press meeting in Washington, DC.

Besides, he is expected to have a series of meetings with senior officials of the Biden administration, review the progress made between the two countries after the historic State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June and talk about other regional and global issues.

The minister is also expected to engage with the diaspora, think-tank community and interact with leaders from the corporate sector.

Responding to questions about the meeting between Jaishankar and Blinken at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department on Thursday afternoon, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “I don’t want to preview the conversations he (Blinken) will have in that meeting (with Jaishankar) , but as we’ve made clear, we’ve raised this; we have engaged with our Indian counterparts on this and encouraged them to cooperate with the Canadian investigation, and we continue to encourage them to cooperate.”

The two leaders are expected to pose for pictures ahead of the meeting and are not expected to take any questions from the media.

While the meeting between the two top diplomats was scheduled much before the Canadian crisis broke out, the US has been urging India to cooperate in the Canadian investigation into the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia early this year.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged that the Indian government was behind the killing of Nijjar, 45, outside a gurdwara in Surrey in British Columbia on 18 June. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India has rejected the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official. India has also asked Canada to crack down on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians.

Miller said that the issue did not come up for discussion in New York during the Quad ministerial that involved foreign ministers of the US, India, Japan and Australia.

It was a meeting of a number of countries and it did not come up in that meeting. But we have engaged with our Indian counterparts on this issue and urged them to fully cooperate with the Canadian investigation, the State Department spokesperson said.

Jaishankar arrived in the American capital from New York after attending the annual General Assembly meetings of the United Nations on Tuesday.

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Ukraine asks World Court to dismiss Russia's objection, hear genocide case in totality

Ukraine on Wednesday urged judges at the UN’s highest court to dismiss Russia’s objections and hear in full Kyiv’s claim that Moscow abused international law by saying the 2022 invasion was done to stop an alleged genocide.

“The court should promptly dismiss Russia’s preliminary objections and schedule a hearing on the merits,” Harold Koh, a lawyer for Ukraine, said.

Last week Russia urged the ICJ, also known as the World Court, to throw out the case, claiming Kyiv’s legal arguments were flawed.

Ukraine brought the case before the ICJ days after the Russian invasion on February 24 last year.

Kyiv argues Russia is abusing international law by saying the invasion was justified to stop an alleged genocide in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine says there was no risk of genocide in eastern Ukraine, where it had been fighting Russian-backed forces since 2014.

Koh said the court should dismiss Russia’s claim the court has no jurisdiction because the central issue is not genocide but use of force, which the ICJ has no jurisdiction over.

Instead the court should focus on what Koh called the real issue before it: “May a powerful state falsely accuse its neighbour of genocide (and) then use illegal force to kill its citizens, devastate their homeland and destabilise the global legal order all on the pretext of preventing and punishing genocide?”

Russia has so far ignored a preliminary ruling by the ICJ in March last year which ordered Moscow to stop its military actions and the court has no way of enforcing its decisions. Experts say a full ruling in favour of Ukraine can pave the way for compensation payments.

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Nitrogen Hypoxia: US inmate refuses to become first 'subject' of new execution method

A prisoner on death row in Alabama is opposing plans to execute him using a new method involving nitrogen gas. This method, called nitrogen hypoxia, brings about death by making the prisoner breathe in only nitrogen, which keeps them from getting any oxygen.

Authorities in Alabama are aiming to execute Kenneth Smith using this method, but his legal representatives argue that he shouldn’t be used as a “guinea pig” for this untested procedure. Smith’s lawyers claim that the state hasn’t provided sufficient details about how nitrogen executions would be carried out.

Nitrogen hypoxia has been given the green light for use in three US states, but it has yet to be used in an actual execution. Nitrogen is a gas that makes up 78% of the air we breathe, and it’s harmless when breathed in alongside the right amount of oxygen. During the execution, a mask would be placed over the inmate’s face, and their supply of air would be replaced with nitrogen until their heart stops.

Supporters of this new method argue that it would be painless, but opponents liken it to conducting experiments on humans. Trip Pittman, a former senator from Alabama who introduced this new execution method, disputes the criticism that it’s an experiment. He points out that although no state has used nitrogen for executions, there have been instances where people have died from breathing nitrogen in industrial accidents and suicide attempts, so its effects are known.

Smith’s legal team revealed that he had already experienced one failed execution attempt in November when the state attempted lethal injection. This attempt had to be halted because the execution team couldn’t establish the two necessary IV lines.

They argue that Smith is currently pursuing ongoing appeals and accuse the state of attempting to expedite his execution ahead of other inmates in order to bypass his lawsuit challenging lethal injection procedures.

Smith was found guilty in 1988 of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot to kill Elizabeth Sennett. Prosecutors claim that Smith, along with another man, was paid $1,000 each to carry out the murder on behalf of Mrs. Sennett’s husband, who was deeply in debt and wanted to collect on her insurance policy.

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Ukraine's secret report reveals European tech in Iranian Kamikaze drones used by Russia

A confidential document sent by the Ukrainian government to Western allies has exposed that Iranian kamikaze drones used in recent attacks on Ukrainian cities contain components sourced from Europe.

The report, obtained by The Guardian, discloses that over 600 drone attacks on cities occurred in the previous three months, all equipped with Western technology. Notably, the Shahed-131 drone carried 52 electrical components from Western companies, while the Shahed-136 model, with a flight range of 2,000km and cruising speed of 180kmh, contained 57 such components.

The 47-page document, sent to the G7 nations in August, calls for support in obtaining long-range missiles to target production facilities in Russia, Iran, and Syria.

The comprehensive report, titled “Barrage Deaths: Report on Shahed-136/131 UAVs,” was collaboratively drafted with input from Ukraine’s central research institute of armaments and military equipment, as well as its intelligence services.

The document provides the most recent analysis of Russia’s evolving drone tactics and production plans, starting from the first use of Shahed drones in the Kharkiv region on September 13, 2022, in the city of Kupiansk.

The report revealed that a break in attacks from November 17 to December 7, 2022, was likely due to adjustments required for the drones to function effectively in Ukraine’s winter conditions, indicating potential cooperation between Russia and Iran in drone production.

Also, Shahed-136/131 UAVs are transported from Iran to Russia across the Caspian Sea, passing through Iranian and Russian ports.

The report notes that electronic component markings on drones used in Ukraine were deliberately destroyed, potentially using lasers. Russian forces have started referring to the drones as Geranium-1 and Geranium-2, possibly as part of an agreement to conceal Iran’s involvement.

Russia and Iran are collaborating on developing a new engine for the Shahed-136 to enhance its speed and range.
The report also reveals the presence of various components produced by Western companies in the downed drones, which were identified by the G7 nations, including France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the European Union.

Components identified include a fuel pump manufactured in Poland by the German company Ti Automotive Gmbh, a subsidiary of the British multinational TI Fluid Systems. Additionally, a microcontroller with built-in flash memory and a low-voltage drop regulator with inhibitor from Swiss firm STMicroelectronics were found in a Shahed-136 model.

Another Western component was an integrated circuit of a buffer network driver and a transistor made by International Rectifier, a subsidiary of the German firm Infineon Technologies AG.

In response to these findings, TI Fluid Systems did not comment, but the company has previously stated that it does not sell its equipment to Iran. STMicroelectronics emphasized their adherence to global trade compliance regulations and export controls.

Infineon Technologies AG denied selling components to Iran and stated their commitment to compliance with sanctions against Russia, even liquidating their operation in Russia in March of the previous year.

The Ukrainian experts identified various components from Dutch company NXP Semiconductor, including a 14-channel integrated power management circuit and a microprocessor in the Shahed-131 model. Additionally, a power transistor and integrated circuit from International Rectifier were found.

A Shahed-131 also contained components from STMicroelectronics and a GPS tracker chip from the Swiss firm U-blox. U-blox expressed strong condemnation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ceased sales to Russia, Belarus, and occupied Ukrainian territories, and implemented policies against the use of their products in weapons.

NXP Semiconductor affirmed its commitment to preventing the misuse of its technology and compliance with export control and sanctions laws.

According to the report, Iran has extended its production capabilities by utilizing a Syrian factory located in the port of Novorossiysk. Nevertheless, drone production is gradually moving to Russia, specifically the Alabuga region in central Tatarstan, while Iran continues to provide the necessary components.

The report highlights Iran’s efforts to distance itself from directly supplying Russia with weapons, citing its inability to meet Russian demand and the intensity of drone usage in Ukraine.

One of the document’s suggestions for action, which may not find favor with Ukraine’s Western allies, includes missile strikes on UAV production plants in Iran, Syria, and potentially Russia. These strikes could be carried out by Ukrainian defense forces if supported by the necessary means of destruction.

Report does not imply any wrongdoing on the part of the Western companies whose components were identified. The report attributes Iran’s easy access to these components to the poorly controlled supply of commercial parts.

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Drills near Taiwan to combat 'arrogance' of separatists forces, says China

China on Wednesday said that its recent drills near Taiwan are intended to counter the perceived “arrogance” of separatist elements. This announcement comes in response to Taipei’s reports of increased military activity in the region in recent weeks, including exercises conducted on land facing the island.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has said this month that it had detected numerous fighters, drones, bombers, and other aircraft, along with warships and the presence of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong operating in close proximity.

The increased frequency of China’s military activities has raised the risk of events “getting out of hand” and sparking an accidental clash, the island’s defence minister said on Saturday.

Asked at a regular news briefing in Beijing about the rise in Chinese drills, and Taiwan’s concerns about increased risk, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian said the People’s Liberation Army had carried out a “series” of drills.

“The purpose is to resolutely combat the arrogance of Taiwan independence separatist forces and their actions to seek independence,” Zhu said.

“The provocation of Taiwan independence continues all day long, and the actions of the People’s Liberation Army to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity are always ongoing,” she added.

“I hope that the majority of Taiwanese compatriots will clearly distinguish between right and wrong, resolutely oppose Taiwan independence, and work with us to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

“China’s armed forces have not explicitly mentioned or commented on the drills, which have been taking place as Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu has gone missing from public view. Sources have told Reuters he is being investigated for corruption.

Taiwan’s democratically elected government says only the island’s people can decide their future and has repeatedly offered talks with China, which Beijing has rejected.

Taiwan’s defence ministry on Wednesday reported further Chinese military movements, saying that in the previous 24 hours, it had detected and responded to 16 Chinese aircraft entering the island’s air defence identification zone.

Of those, 12 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which had served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides until China began regularly crossing it in August of last year.

On Thursday, Taiwan is due to launch the first of eight domestically made submarines as part of its plans to bolster defences against China.

Zhu, asked about the submarines, said efforts by Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party to “seek independence with force” would only exacerbate tensions and “push the Taiwanese people into a dangerous situation”.Taiwan’s defence ministry last week also took the unusual step of announcing it was monitoring Chinese drills in Fujian province, opposite Taiwan.

Taiwan normally only gives details on drills in the skies and waters around the island. A senior Taiwan official familiar with security planning in the region told Reuters the information was released to show Taiwan’s surveillance and intelligence capacity.

“We can see the details and we are prepared,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media. China’s military has also not commented on the Fujian exercises.

With inputs from Reuters.

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Would look into any 'specific' info on Nijjar killing: EAM S Jaishankar on Canada’s allegations

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday promised the Canadian side that action would be taken if they provided specific information regarding the murder of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Nijjar, saying that “we are open to looking at it.”

“We told the Canadians that this is not the government of India’s policy. Secondly, we said if you have something specific and if you have something relevant, let us know. We are open to looking at it…The picture is not complete without the context in a way,” said Jaishankar while speaking at the ‘Discussion at Council on Foreign Relations’ in New York.

#WATCH | New York: On India-Canada row, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “…We told the Canadians that this is not the Government of India’s policy…If you have something specific and if you have something relevant, let us know. We are open to looking at it…The picture is not… pic.twitter.com/VcVGzDelJt

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2023

Notably, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In the last few years, he said Canada actually has seen a lot of organised crime, relating to the secessionist forces, organised crime, violence and extremism and the Indian government has given a lot of information to Canada regarding this.

“…In the last few years, Canada actually has seen a lot of organised crime, relating to the secessionist forces, organised crime, violence and extremism. They’re all very, very deeply mixed up. So in fact, we have been talking about specifics and information. We have given them a lot of information about organised crime and leadership, which operates out of Canada. There are a large number of extradition requests. There are terrorist leaders, who have been identified,” he said.

The EAM raised concern over these incidents of threats to Indian diplomats and attacks on Indian consulates, stating that these are “very permissive” because of political reasons.

“Our concern is that it’s really been very permissive, because of political reasons. So we have a situation where our diplomats are threatened, our consulates have been attacked…A lot of this is often justified, as saying that’s how democracies work. If somebody gives me something specific, it doesn’t have to be restricted to Canada. But if there’s any incident which is an issue and somebody gives me something specific, as a government, I would look at it,” Jaishankar further said.

Early last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an explosive statement accusing the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – a claim that India has outrightly rejected, calling it ‘absurd’ and ‘motivated’.

India has suspended its visa services in Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing.

Amid strained ties, India issued an advisory for its citizens and those who are travelling to Canada to exercise “utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence” in the country.

With inputs from agencies

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Imran Khan shifted to Adiala Jail from Attock prison

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan was on Tuesday shifted to the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi from Attock prison, a day after the Islamabad High Court ordered authorities to relocate him to the high-security jail.

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Monday ordered the authorities to shift 70-year-old Khan to Adiala Jail where all accused being tried in the courts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are kept.

An 18-vehicle convoy, including 15 vehicles of Islamabad police, two armoured vehicles and an ambulance, escorted Khan from Attock to Adiala jail, Dunya News reported.

The Express Tribune newspaper also confirmed that Khan had been shifted to Rawalpindi.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party spokesperson Zufiqar Bukhari shared a clip showing several vehicles moving fast in a convoy on a busy road, and wrote: “Khan going to Adiayla. Apparently”.

Adiala jail superintendent Asad Warraich confirmed to Dawn.com that the ex-premier had reached the prison. He said security surrounding the Adiala jail was tightened.

Waraich added that Khan would be provided facilities according to the jail manual.

The shifting followed the confusion on Monday when Naeem Panjhota, who is Khan’s spokesperson on legal affairs, claimed that the ousted premier had been shifted to the Adiala Jail but later it proved wrong.

Khan was in the Attock jail during the day where hearing of his cipher case was held and he was remanded for another 14-days to jail. The next hearing would be held on October 10.

The former prime minister has been detained since August 5 after his arrest following conviction in the Toshakhana case. Khan’s sentence was suspended by the Islamabad High Court on August 29 in the Toshakhana case, but he continues to remain in prison in the cipher case.

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Saudi envoy links Israel normalisation talks to land-for-peace offer

In an apparent effort to convey that Riyadh has not given up on the Palestinian cause, Saudi Arabia’s first envoy to the Palestinians described a long-standing Arab land-for-peace offer on Tuesday as a cornerstone of any normalisation of relations with Israel.

Over the past week, anticipation for a historic Saudi-Israeli agreement brokered by the United States has increased, albeit the timetable and specifics are still unclear.

Calls from Riyadh and Washington for the Palestinians to establish diplomatic ties as part of any settlement are among the complications; this is a prospect that Israel’s conservative coalition government finds repugnant.

Tuesday was the first visit by Saudi Arabia’s non-resident ambassador to the Palestinians, a position it announced last month. He brought credentials identifying him as “consul-general in Jerusalem” as well as making the trip to their seat of government in the occupied West Bank.

That phrase is controversial since Israel views all of Jerusalem as its capital and disagrees with the Palestinians’ notion that East Jerusalem would serve as the seat of their future state.

Reporters in Ramallah were told by the ambassador, Nayef Al-Sudairi, that his visit “reaffirms that the Palestinian cause, Palestine, and the people of Palestine are of high and important status and that there will be a chance for a bigger cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the state of Palestine in the coming days.”

Referring to the prospect of normalisation with Israel, Al-Sudairi said: “It is the normal thing among nations to have peace and stability.”

“The Arab initiative, which Saudi Arabia presented in 2002, is a fundamental pillar of any upcoming agreement,” he added.

That was in reference to a plan put up by Riyadh and then largely adopted by Arab governments, according to which Israel would only receive pan-Arab recognition if it ceded regions it had seized in the 1967 war, including those where the Palestinians desired to establish their own state.

Despite the fact that negotiations with the Palestinians have been on hold for years, Israel has been eager to pursue more peace agreements with Arab states without ceding any land. In 2020, it was able to normalise relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain and upgrade ties with Morocco and Sudan.

The Palestinians have been more involved in the Saudi negotiations out of frustration over being left out of the 2020 diplomatic effort.

President Mahmoud Abbas stated that Al-Sudairi’s visit “will contribute to reinforcing the strong ties between the two countries and the two fraternal peoples” in a statement that was carried by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

According to Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, any Saudi normalisation agreement “will be one supported by the right wing”—a reference to religious-nationalist groups in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition that refuse to hand over occupied West Bank territory to the Palestinians.

Given, among other things, shared Arab fears over the growth of Iran, Netanyahu reiterated in a speech that Israeli military and economic might, rather than territorial compromises, are the keys to regional statecraft.

“Thanks to this strength, we are deterring our enemies. Thanks to this strength, we are achieving peace with our neighbours,” he said.

(With agency inputs)

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Serbs in Kosovo mourn those killed in monastery shootout

Following the deadliest violence in years in the contested area, the biggest political party representing Serbs in northern Kosovo on Tuesday declared three days of mourning for those slain in a shooting with Kosovo police in a monastery.

Around 30 heavily armed Serbs, according to Kosovo’s officials, assaulted Banjska on Sunday, beating police and barricading themselves inside the Serbian Orthodox monastery. After three assailants and one police officer were slain, police took back control of the monastery late on Sunday.

The gunbattle has prompted new international concern over stability in Kosovo, which has an ethnic Albanian majority and declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a guerrilla uprising and a 1999 NATO intervention.

Belgrade has never acknowledged the former province’s independence. Around 50,000 ethnic Serbs in the north reject rule from Pristina.

No organisation has stepped forward to take credit for the assault or to provide an explanation for the gunmen’s motivations.

Serbia claims that Kosovo is to responsible for mistreating locals in the Serb-majority area, while Kosovo has accused Serbia of supporting the armed terrorists.

Flags will be flown at half-staff and all entertainment cancelled from Tuesday through Thursday, according to the Serb List party.

Without directly endorsing the shooters or their complaints, Serbia proclaimed Wednesday a day of sorrow “due to the tragic events”.

“Serbia has no problem to say it condemns the murder of an (Kosovo) Albanian policeman, but we cannot remain mute, deaf and blind to the persecution and killing of Serbian people in Kosovo,” Defence Minister Milos Vucevic said in Belgrade after meeting his Norwegian counterpart Bjoern Arild Gram.

Tuesday in Belgrade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic discussed the event with the ambassadors of the US, EU, UK, France, Germany, and Italy. He said that in place of (Kosovo Prime Minister Albin) Kurti’s police, he had demanded that the international KFOR peacekeeping force “take care of all security issues in the north of Kosovo.”

In a hotel in the country’s primarily Serb north, Kosovo police said they detained two more suspects on Tuesday and seized a number of weapons, including assault rifles and a heavy machine gun.

Additionally, on Monday, Banjska police searched homes and revealed guns and equipment they claimed to have found.

A police drone video that purported to show a number of armed men sleeping within the monastery was also released.

One of them, according to the report, was Milan Radojcic, a politician and leader of the Serb List party from Kosovo.

For comments on the video, neither Radojcic nor the party could be reached by phone or email. Other than the proclamation of mourning, the party has not commented on the tragedy.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm the individual in the video’s identification. The Banjska Monastery was the confirmed location, however Reuters was unable to independently corroborate the date the video was shot.

Before Serbs from the north and those who supported Belgrade boycotted Kosovo’s institutions about a year ago, Serb List dominated the Serb representation in the parliament. It has close ties to Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party.

Tuesday’s session was held in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, and two Serbs who were taken prisoner during the gunfight attended.

Dusan Maksimovic, a suspect in the shooting, is represented by Dejan A. Vasic, who stated he intends to file an appeal against his client’s 30-day imprisonment.

According to the court, a third alleged shooter who was hurt had already gone before a judge while receiving medical attention. There, he was accused of taking part in a terrorist assault and was given a one-month remand.

(With agency inputs)

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India Semicon: Tata Projects will build Micron’s $2.75 billion semiconductor plant in Gujarat

In a major development, Tata Projects has bagged the contract for constructing Micron Technology’s upcoming semiconductor assembly and test plant, at Sanand, Gujarat.

This ambitious venture will be situated within the sprawling precincts of the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation area in Chaarodi, Sanand, encompassing an expansive landmass of 93 acres.

Sanand factory will make DRAM and NAND modules
The project’s Phase 1, which is currently in the pipeline, will encompass the creation of an extensive 500,000 square feet of cleanroom space, with the aim of becoming fully operational by the latter part of 2024.

It’s worth noting that Micron Technology had previously disclosed plans to establish India’s inaugural semiconductor unit at an estimated cost of $2.75 billion.

Of this substantial investment, Micron will contribute $825 million or about approximately Rs 6,760 crore, while the remaining funding will be funded by the government in two distinctive phases.

This groundbreaking project is set to herald the establishment of a one-of-a-kind Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) and NAND assembly and testing facility within the boundaries of India.

The DRAM component, a vital element in computer memory, serves as a repository for code for various algorithms and processes. Meanwhile, NAND, another integral facet of memory technology, is where data is stored.

Sustainability in focus
The upcoming factory will adhere to LEED Gold Standards established by the Green Building Council. Moreover, it will seamlessly integrate cutting-edge water-saving technologies, paving the way for a Zero Liquid Discharge system. These remarkable features underscore Tata Projects’ steadfast dedication to environmentally responsible construction practices.

Vinayak Pai, the Managing Director and CEO of Tata Projects, expressed his enthusiasm for this transformative collaboration with Micron Technology, a global frontrunner in pioneering memory and storage solutions.

He emphasized how this partnership mirrors Tata Projects’ resolute dedication to advancing technology, championing sustainable development, and making substantial contributions to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

He underlined that this endeavour transcends the mere establishment of a cutting-edge semiconductor assembly and test plant; it is, in fact, a cornerstone for India’s ascension on the global technological stage.

Pivotal moment
Gursharan Singh, Senior Vice President of Global Assembly and Test Operations at Micron, expressed his excitement about commencing the construction of Micron’s new assembly and test facility in the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) area of Sanand, Ahmedabad, India. He noted that this development marks a pivotal moment in the transformation of India’s semiconductor industry.

Singh further elaborated on the choice of Tata Projects as the construction partner, citing their exceptional track record for delivering projects of the highest quality, consistently meeting deadlines and budgetary constraints, and maintaining the utmost standards of safety and ethical conduct. This selection reflects Micron’s confidence in Tata Projects’ ability to execute this venture with excellence.

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India-Canada row: Ottawa updates travel advisory for citizens in India

Canada has updated its travel advisory for its citizens in India asking them to “stay vigilant and exercise caution” as the row over killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar escalated between the two countries.

“In the context of recent developments in Canada and in India, there are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada on social media. Please remain vigilant and exercise caution,” the Canadian government said in an updated advisory.

The ties between India and Canada strained after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed “potential” contribution of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar in British Columbia on 18 June.

India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India furiously dismissed the charges as “absurd” and “motivated” and removed a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s ejection of an Indian diplomat over the issue.

The revised Canadian advisory came after New Delhi issued a similar advisory for Indian nationals and students living in Canada and halted visa services late last week.

India has accused Canada of not acting upon “specific evidence about criminal activities” done by Canada-based individuals.

Meanwhile, Khalistani sympathisers on Tuesday protested outside the Indian embassies and consulates in Canada’s Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver over Nijjar’s killing.

Protesters – led by the members of a pro-Khalistani outfit -‘Sikhs For Justice’ (SFJ) – were seen raising slogans and waving Khalistani flags.

With inputs from agencies

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Tech firms roll back misinformation curbs ahead of 2024 polls

As a worldwide election season that is generally predicted to be riddled with disinformation and lies approaches, the major US-based digital platforms are rolling back regulations designed to combat them, raising concerns.

Whether it’s YouTube removing a crucial misleading policy or Facebook changing fact-checking measures, the social media behemoths are behaving erratically as the internet’s sheriffs.

The adjustments have occurred in the context of layoffs, cost-cutting measures, and pressure from right-wing organisations accusing companies like Facebook parent Meta and YouTube owner Google of stifling free expression.

As a result, digital corporations have relaxed content moderation procedures, reduced trust and safety teams, and, in the case of Elon Musk’s X (previously Twitter), restored accounts renowned for spreading false conspiracy theories.

Researchers claim that these measures have weakened their capacity to combat what is projected to be a flood of disinformation during more than 50 key elections across the world next year, including those in India, Africa, and the European Union.

“Social media companies aren’t ready for the 2024 election tsunami,” the watchdog Global Coalition for Tech Justice said in a report this month.

“While they continue to count their profits, our democracies are left vulnerable to violent coup attempts, venomous hate speech, and election interference.”

In June, YouTube said it would stop removing content that falsely claims the 2020 US presidential election was plagued by “fraud, errors or glitches,” a move sharply criticized by misinformation researchers.

YouTube justified its action, saying that removing this content could have the “unintended effect of curtailing political speech.”

‘Era of Recklessness’

Twitter, now known as X, said in November it would no longer enforce its COVID misinformation policy.

Since billionaire Musk’s turbulent acquisition of the platform last year, it has restored thousands of accounts that were once suspended for violations including spreading misinformation and introduced a paid verification system that researchers say has served to boost conspiracy theorists.

Last month, the platform said it would now allow paid political advertising from US candidates, reversing a previous ban and sparking concerns over misinformation and hate speech in next year’s election.

“Musk’s control over Twitter has helped usher in a new era of recklessness by large tech platforms,” Nora Benavidez, from the nonpartisan group Free Press, told AFP.

“We’re observing a significant rollback in concrete measures companies once had in place.”

Platforms are also under pressure from conservative US advocates who accuse them of colluding with the government to censor or suppress right-leaning content under the guise of fact-checking.

“These companies think that if they just keep appeasing Republicans, they’ll just stop causing them problems when all they’re doing is increasing their own vulnerability,” said Berin Szoka, president of TechFreedom, a think tank.

For years, Facebook’s algorithm automatically moved posts lower in the feed if they were flagged by one of the platform’s third-party fact-checking partners, including AFP, reducing the visibility of false or misleading content.

Facebook recently gave US users the controls, allowing them to move this content higher if they want, in a potentially significant move that the platform said will give users more power over its algorithm.

Hot topic

The hyperpolarized political climate in the United States has made content moderation on social media platforms a hot-button issue.

Earlier this month, the US Supreme Court temporarily put on hold an order limiting the ability of President Joe Biden’s administration to contact social media companies to remove content it considers to be misinformation.

A lower court of Republican-nominated judges had given that order, ruling that US officials went too far in their efforts to get platforms to censor certain posts.

Misinformation researchers from prominent institutions such as the Stanford Internet Observatory also face a Republican-led congressional inquiry as well as lawsuits from conservative activists who accuse them of promoting censorship — a charge they deny.

Tech sector downsizing that has gutted trust and safety teams and poor access to platform data have further added to their challenges.

“The public urgently needs to know how platforms are being used to manipulate the democratic process,” Ramya Krishnan, from the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, told AFP.

“Independent research is crucial to exposing these efforts, but platforms continue to get in the way by making it more costly and risky to do this work.”

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Yemeni Houthi rebel drone attack kills Bahraini officer, soldier guarding Saudi Arabia's border

A Yemeni Houthi rebel drone attack killed a Bahraini officer and soldier guarding Saudi Arabia’s southern border early Monday, according to Bahrain’s military leadership. The Houthis did not immediately admit to carrying out the attack, as negotiations between Riyadh and the rebels continued.

According to the military statement, which was relayed by the state-run Bahrain News Agency, “a number” of Bahraini soldiers were also injured in the strike, but no more details were provided.

“This terrorist attack was carried out by the Houthis, who sent aircraft targeting the position of the Bahraini guards on the southern border of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia despite the halt of military operations between the warring sides in Yemen,” the statement said. It did not identify the site of the attack.

The corpses were eventually returned to Bahrain, where they were received by an honour guard and top military authorities.

Bahrain, a small island nation, is a strong ally of Saudi Arabia, which has spearheaded the battle against the Houthis. The worst attack on Bahrain thus far in the fight was a missile strike by the Houthis near Marib in September 2015, which killed five of its forces as well as 52 Emirati and 10 Saudi troops.

A cease-fire had essentially put an end to the fighting, and the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis looked to be close to reaching an accord in recent months.

It was unclear if the strike would disrupt Saudi Arabia’s and its partners’ efforts.

In a statement from Riyadh, the Saudi-led military coalition mourned those killed and claimed there had been attacks targeting an electrical distribution site and a police station on its southern border by “some Houthi elements.”

“In line with the positive efforts being made to seek to end the crisis and reach a comprehensive political solution, the leadership of the joint forces of the coalition affirms its rejection of repeated provocations and reserves the right to respond at the appropriate time and place,” Brig. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said in a statement.

Yemen’s war began in 2014 when the Houthis swept down from their northern stronghold and seized the capital, Sanaa, along with much of the country’s north. In response, a Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognized government to power.

The fighting soon devolved into a stalemated proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, causing widespread hunger and misery in Yemen, which even before the conflict had been the Arab world’s poorest country. The war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more.

Saudi Arabia and Iran restored diplomatic relations earlier this year in a deal brokered by China, further raising hopes for an end to Yemen’s conflict. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia welcomed a Houthi delegation for peace talks, saying the negotiations had “positive results.”

A UN-brokered cease-fire had already largely halted the violence, and Yemen has seen only sporadic clashes since the truce expired nearly a year ago. But diplomats have warned that the situation remains volatile.

Yemen’s internationally recognized government condemned the attack. Foreign Minister Ahmed Bin Mubarak said he spoke by phone with Bahrain’s chief diplomat, Abdullatif al-Zayani, offering his condolences and solidarity with Bahrain.

Bahrain, an island nation in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Saudi Arabia, was rocked by an uprising in 2011 inspired by the Arab Spring protests elsewhere in the region. Many from the country’s Shiite majority called for the overthrow of Bahrain’s Sunni monarchy. Bahrain quashed the revolt with aid from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and blamed much of the unrest on Shiite-majority Iran.

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EAM Jaishankar meets top UN officials to discuss India's G20 Presidency, UNSC reforms

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with top UN officials in New York to address India’s G20 presidency, regional difficulties and global challenges, sustainable development objectives, and Security Council reforms.

On Monday, a day before addressing the General Debate at the present high-level United Nations General Assembly session, Jaishankar met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the 78th General Assembly Dennis Francis at the international organization’s headquarters.

He also met with Achim Steiner, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.

Jaishankar stated that meeting with Guterres was a “pleasure” and that they addressed “how India’s G20 Presidency has contributed to strengthening” the UN’s sustainable development agenda.

“We have coordinated closely in this regard over the last year,” Jaishankar said in a tweet, adding that he appreciated Guterres’ strong commitment to reforming international financial institutions.

In a readout of the meeting issued by the UN spokesperson’s office, Guterres “expressed appreciation for India’s cooperation with the UN and its leadership of the G20”.

Guterres and Jaishankar also “discussed the situations in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and other global challenges”, according to the readout.

The UN secretary-general attended the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on 9 September and 10 September held under India’s Presidency of the grouping.

Before his meeting with Guterres, Jaishankar met Francis and welcomed his appreciation of the outcomes of India’s G20 Presidency.

“Confident that it would contribute to the UN General Assembly’s discourse and deliberations. Agreed on the importance of reforming multilateralism and giving the Global South its due on crucial issues of our times,” Jaishankar said.

In a post on ‘X’, Francis said he was “delighted” to meet Jaishankar and congratulated him on India’s “successful G20 Chairmanship, especially on India’s unwavering advocacy in support of the Global South”.

Delighted to meet External Affairs Minister of India 🇮🇳, H.E. @DrSJaishankar.

Congratulated India’s successful #G20 Chairmanship, especially on 🇮🇳’s unwavering advocacy in support of the Global South.

Discussed #UNGA78 priorities and key issues, including UNSC reform and… pic.twitter.com/1Dk06pVpLH

— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) September 25, 2023

Francis added that he discussed priorities and key issues of the 78th UNGA session, including UNSC reforms and building on the outcomes of the Sustainable Development Goals Summit held during the high-level week ahead of the Summit of the Future to be held in 2024.

Jaishankar also thanked Francis for his presence at the special 'India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development' side event. The minister hosted the event in New York on Saturday.

At the event, Francis said that India's recent G20 Presidency marked a historic milestone being the first to usher the African Union into the group as a permanent member.

"India's legacy of contributions serves as a guiding light encompassing endeavours such as championing democracy, promoting women-led development, and being among the pioneers in adopting the UN's Global Goals. Indeed, it is a matter of great honour for me to follow in the footsteps of Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, the first-ever female president of the General Assembly, whom India proudly entrusted to the United Nations," Francis had said.

In his meeting with Steiner, Jaishankar appreciated the UNDP's engagement with India's G20 Presidency initiatives. "Can work together to scale up Indian success stories for global benefit," he said.

Jaishankar also had a "warm meeting" with "our SAGAR partner", Minister for Foreign Affairs of Madagascar Yvette Sylla, referring to the security and growth for all in the region.

"Discussed development partnership, millets and rice production, digital delivery and defense cooperation," he said.

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