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Chinese PhD student jailed for life after being exposed as serial rapist who filmed attacks as trophies
PhD student jailed for life after being exposed as serial rapist

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Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

Rahul Gandhi too busy undermining India's progress, can't see Modi-led transformation: BJP

The BJP on Saturday hit out at Rahul Gandhi , saying the Congress leader cannot see the transformation happening in the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's leadership because he is too busy "undermining India's progress". This came after Gandhi launched a fresh salvo at Prime Minister Modi, and said he has mastered the "art of slogans" but offered no solutions, claiming that India's manufacturing was at a record low despite the 'Make in India' initiative. Hitting back, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari wrote in a post on X, "Rahul ji, everyone in India can see the transformation, except you. Maybe because you're too busy undermining India's progress to notice it." Operation Sindoor is the latest and "landmark example" of India's manufacturing prowess where India's indigenous developed drones destroyed Chinese drones, he added. Bhandari said since 2014 under PM Modi's leadership, engineering exports have surged by 60 per cent while defence exports "skyrocketed from just Rs 686 crore to over Rs 23,000 crore". Live Events "From importing 70 per cent of our defence equipment, India now manufactures 65 per cent of its needs domestically. PMI is at a 10-month high, signalling industrial strength," he said. Bhandari said India under Modi's leadership supplied 60 per cent of the world's COVID-19 vaccines, becoming the "pharmacy of the world". India is now the second largest mobile phone manufacturer globally, he added. "While Indian startups and entrepreneurs were burning the midnight oil to build a world-class drone industry, you (Rahul Gandhi) were busy endorsing Chinese drones and promoting Chinese brands on Indian soil," the BJP spokesperson charged. Bhandari said Rahul Gandhi never believed in 'Make in India' because ' Atmanirbhar Bharat ' doesn't align with his "imported ideology." "What was there in that secret MoU which you signed with the Communist Party of China," Bhandari asked. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

The Star

an hour ago

• The Star

Will return of Indian pilgrims to Tibet help ease tensions with China?

China has been urged to use the resumption of visits to Tibet by Indian pilgrims to improve relations between the two countries after years of tensions. Earlier this year, China said it would allow pilgrims to return to the Tibet autonomous region this summer to follow two pilgrimage routes after a five-year suspension caused by Covid controls and ongoing cross-border tensions. It is open to Indian citizens with valid passports who wish to travel to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar for religious reasons. The sites are sacred to followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon. The pilgrimages are usually organised by the Indian government and involve treks through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand or Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. This year, 5,561 people applied to make the journey, 750 of whom will be allowed to travel along the two routes between June and August, India's Ministry of External Affairs said last month. 'Pilgrimages by Indian devotees to Tibet have played a positive role in restoring stability in China-India relations during times of crisis,' Yang Yabo, director of the Institute of South Asia Studies at the Tibet Academy of Social Sciences in Lhasa, wrote in an article published in news platform ThePaper on Thursday. 'More importantly, they have promoted people-to-people exchanges and fostered mutual understanding between the two countries.' China and India have been working to mend relations in recent months following years of tensions following a deadly 2020 clash along their disputed border, including an agreement to disengage troops last October. Last week, Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri held talks with Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong, and both sides agreed to work towards the resumption of direct flights and take other moves to boost exchanges on economics and trade. While Misri expressed his appreciation for China's decision to allow the Indian pilgrimages to resume, their long-running border dispute and rise of nationalist sentiment in both countries make this a fraught issue. Concerns have been expressed inside India about restrictions placed on pilgrims by the Chinese government, particularly regarding religious practices and access to holy sites. But in contrast, some Chinese nationalists are worried that allowing more religious activities might affect regional stability in Tibet, where Beijing has stressed religious activities must comply with national security rules. But Yang argued that the pilgrimage was a 'manageable' cultural exchange given the legal safeguards in place and small numbers involved. The numbers permitted this year are limited 'so we have the capacity and experience to ensure an orderly reception,' he said, and added that authorities have established a framework to oversee pilgrimages, including registration, route management and ecological protection. This move 'holds groundbreaking significance in shaping the pattern of friendly exchanges between China and India,' according to a commentary published on the website of party mouthpiece People's Daily's on Thursday. During their pilgrimage, Indian devotees will experience Tibet's religious culture, art and traditions, while Tibetans can interact with Indian pilgrims, fostering mutual understanding, it said. These exchanges will promote respect, cultural ties, and boost Tibet's tourism and services sectors, it added. 'This grass roots engagement helps eliminate misunderstandings and lays a solid public support foundation for the healthy and stable development of China-India relations,' it wrote. 'Such people-to-people interactions further promote cooperation across political, economic, and cultural fields, creating a positive environment for resolving historical issues.' - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

Hamilton Spectator

an hour ago

• Hamilton Spectator

Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong warns of persisting national security threats

HONG KONG (AP) — A top Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong affairs on Saturday warned of persisting threats in the city as a China-imposed national security law approaches its fifth anniversary, while seeking to allay concerns about the law's impact on the financial hub's openness. Speaking at a forum about the law, attended also by the city leader John Lee and other officials. Xia Baolong, the director of China's Hong Kong and Macao Work Office, said various forms of soft resistance continue to emerge in new forms and external forces have never ceased their intervention in Hong Kong. 'Hong Kong has transformed from chaos to order. But just as a tree desires stillness, the wind continues to blow,' Xia said. The Beijing and Hong Kong governments deemed the law necessary to maintain the city's stability following anti-government protests in 2019. Under the law, many leading pro-democracy activists, including Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, were prosecuted . Dozens of civil society groups disbanded. This month, authorities have stepped up their crackdown, including charging young activist Joshua Wong , who was already sentenced last year over a subversion case, under the law for the second time and targeting a mobile game app . Last week, China's national security authorities in Hong Kong and the city's police launched their first publicly known joint operation , raiding the homes of six people on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security. Critics say the political changes indicate that the Western-style civil liberties Beijing promised to keep intact when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 are shrinking. But Xia said the law only targeted an extremely small number of people who severely endanger national security. He also sought to allay concerns about Hong Kong's openness and international position. He insisted that normal international exchanges do not violate Hong Kong's national security law but rather are protected by it. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .