Topic: US
Masood Azhar issue moving towards settlement, says China
China dismissed reports that it was served an ultimatum by US, UK and France and given an April 23 deadline to lift its technical hold on designating Masood Azhar a global terrorist.
China is joining the rush for Arctic riches
Melting Arctic ice will give China access to 100 billion barrels of oil & create shipping routes, necessary for its One Belt One Road project.
Iran’s biggest oil clients put imports on hold as they wait to see if US extends waivers
Most Asian buyers are avoiding imports for next month as it’s unclear what will happen to the exemptions that expire in the first week of May.
Former US envoy Blackwill rates Donald Trump — D+ in foreign policy, B+ for India ties
In report for Council on Foreign Relations, former US envoy to India Robert D. Blackwill says Donald Trump exhibits ‘contempt for diplomacy and the officers who conduct it’.
US advises citizens against travel to Pakistan following Balochistan terror attacks
The US state department asked its citizens to reconsider travel plans to Pakistan stating that terror groups continue plotting possible attacks.
Trump believes immigration is harmful but study finds it has long-term benefits for the US
According to the study historical immigration resulted in significantly higher incomes, less poverty, less unemployment, more urbanization in US today.
Don’t panic yet, China’s Belt & Road project doesn’t mean it’ll boost Beijing’s power
China is playing the role of loan shark with smaller countries in terms of GDP, increasingly isolating it globally. This is not a winning game for it.
US didn’t start the war, says envoy Khalilzad as Taliban launches op against Afghan govt
As talks dwindle and Taliban announces Operation Al-Fath against the Afghanistan govt, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad says ‘war is not the answer’, draws criticism.
Pentagon defends India’s A-SAT test, says country is preparing for threats in space
Pentagon told the US Congress that India is concerned about the threats it faces in space, and therefore feels it needs to have a capability to defend itself.
There’s a quiet siege happening underwater as China targets internet cables
There is no way to stop China's Huawei from building undersea cables, or to keep private owners from contracting with Chinese firms. But US is worried about back doors and other security risks.
India’s caste problem has a silver lining: urbanisation, and inter-caste marriage
Unlike villages, search for partners in cities shifts its focus from family and caste networks to friends and professional networks.
IAS poll observer: With Modi breaking rules, should EC give him special security treatment?
The Election Commission has suspended an IAS officer who had inspected PM Narendra Modi’s chopper in Odisha’s Sambalpur Tuesday.
Defence
China is now testing laser ASAT weapons from its naval ships
China has already tested missile & EMP anti-satellite weapons from the ground. Now it’s using icebreaker ships in the Yellow Sea/Bohai Sea area.
Modi & Shah have turned India into ‘Jingostan’ & are out to conquer the paranoid country
The Modi-Shah BJP has resurrected dangers & the enemy from the past, and built a scary jingoism. It’s a great diversionary tactic, but it never ends well.