In search of safety, Kuki cop fled to Churachandpur; killed four months later

Sukrita Baruah

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Haokip was shot dead on Wednesday afternoon at N Chingphei village, close to Churachandpur’s boundary with Bishnupur. His final rites were held in Churachandpur on Thursday.

Sub-inspector Onkhomang Haokip, a Kuki police officer, had fled from his posting in Meiti-dominated Bishnupur district.

Canada-India FTA negotiations stand paused, talks to resume after resolution of political issues

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The bilateral trade between the countries has increased to USD 8.16 billion in 2022-23 from USD 7 billion in 2021-22.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

Afghanistan is the fastest-growing maker of methamphetamine, UN drug agency says

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ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghanistan is the world’s fastest-growing maker of methamphetamine, a report from the United Nations drug agency said Sunday. The country is also a major opium producer and heroin source, even though the Taliban declared a war on narcotics after they returned to power in August 2021.

The United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crimes, which published the report, said meth in Afghanistan is mostly made from legally available substances or extracted from the ephedra plant, which grows in the wild.

Key trade crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan reopens after 9 days

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PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A key northwestern border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan reopened Friday after a nine-day closure due to clashes between border forces, officials from both sides said.

Pakistan shut the Torkham border with its neighbor on September 6 after guards from both countries exchanged fire.

Japan elevates Taiwan security ties in move likely to rile China

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Japan has appointed a serving government official to act as its de facto defence attache in Taiwan, four sources said, elevating security ties in a move likely to anger China, which claims the strategic, democratic island as its own.

Japan does not have any formal diplomatic representation in Taiwan, and instead handles bilateral relations through the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in Taipei, which is chiefly staffed by reassigned foreign and trade ministry officials. The defence attache role, however, has until now been held by a retired Japan Self Defence Force officer to avoid antagonising China.

He has been joined by an official dispatched by the defence ministry to enhance information gathering and communicate with Taiwan’s military, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Taiwan reports 40 Chinese military aircraft in its air defence zone

Ben Blanchard

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Airplane is seen in front of Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration, August 6, 2022. 

Taiwan's defence ministry said on Thursday that in the past 24 hours it had detected 40 Chinese air force aircraft entering the island's air defence zone, mostly flying to the south of Taiwan and into the Bashi Channel.

At least four of the aircraft also crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait to the northwest of the island, according to a map the ministry provided.

EU urges Dhaka to foster enabling environment for civil society

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• Freedom of expression essential in democratic society
• EU followed the Odhikar case closely

Flags of Bangladesh and the European Union. 

The EU called on the government of Bangladesh to foster an enabling environment for civil society to carry out their work without fear of reprisals.

Nipah outbreak in India, Nepal on alert

Arjun Poudel

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Virus found in India’s Kerala now is Bangladeshi variant, less infectious but more lethal.

Members of a medical team from Kozhikode Medical College carry areca nut and guava fruit samples to conduct tests for Nipah virus in Maruthonkara village in Kozhikode district, Kerala, India.

RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Riley Bailey

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Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations in western Zaporizhia Oblast and around Bakhmut and reportedly advanced south of Bakhmut on September 14. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces achieved unspecified partial successes near Bakhmut, Klishchiivka (7km southwest of Bakhmut), Andriivka (10km southwest of Bakhmut), and Kurdyumivka (13km southwest of Bakhmut).[1] Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar prematurely announced the Ukrainian liberation of Andriivka but later clarified that heavy fighting for the settlement is still ongoing.[2] Ukrainian Eastern Group of Forces Spokesperson Ilya Yevlash stated on September 13 that Ukrainian forces pushed Russian forces out of positions near Minkivka (15km northwest of Bakhmut) and

RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

Riley Bailey

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Ukrainian forces conducted missile strikes on occupied Sevastopol, Crimea, on September 13, damaging a Russian landing ship, a Kilo class submarine, and port infrastructure. The Department of Strategic Communications of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that Ukrainian forces successfully conducted missile strikes on Russian naval means and port infrastructure in occupied Sevastopol.[1] Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Spokesperson Andriy Yusov stated that the missiles struck the Russian state-owned ship repair facility Sevmorzavod, damaging repair facilities as well as a landing ship and a submarine, both of which he described as unrecoverable.[2] The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian air defenses intercepted seven out of 10 Ukrainian cruise missiles targeting the Sevmorzavod ship repair facility but acknowledged that Ukrainian missiles struck two ships under repair.[3] Geolocated footage published on September 13 shows explosions at the dry dock in the Sevastopol port.[4] Satellite imagery published on September 12 shows one Ropucha class landing ship and one Kilo class submarine at the dry dock, and satellite imagery published on September 13 shows that the Ukrainian missile strike likely destroyed the two vessels.[5] Ukrainian

Missing Chinese defense chief signals turmoil in Xi's government

JESSE JOHNSON

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The United States believes Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has been placed under investigation and relieved of his command, reports said Friday, in what could be the latest sign of turmoil in Chinese leader Xi Jinping's government, just over six months after he installed a collection of loyalist leaders in his Cabinet.

Three U.S. officials and two people briefed on intelligence surrounding Li told the Financial Times that Washington has concluded that the defense chief, who took up his post in March, had been stripped of his responsibilities. They did not offer further insights into the probe.

China’s Defense Minister Being Removed From Post, U.S.

Chun Han Wong

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Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu was taken away last week by authorities for questioning, according to a person close to decision making in Beijing, while U.S. officials say he is being removed from his post.

Li hasn’t made a public appearance since late August. The U.S. officials cited unspecified intelligence as the basis for their assessment that he has been relieved of his duties.

China’s Ministry of Defense didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment submitted through the State Council Information Office, which handles media inquiries on behalf of the government.

Is Climate Change Causing Extreme Droughts?

James Aman

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Are extreme droughts in the West and Southwest caused by climate change?

The answer in a nutshell is "partially". As is often the case with climate change, there are lots of pieces to fit together to solve this puzzle.

To solve the puzzle, let's start with the easier edge pieces. There are certain things that can be pretty much proved with scientific data. For example, it is a known fact that levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere have been slowly increasing over the past 250 years and have been increasing more rapidly in the past 50 to 60 years. The CO2 levels are measured in parts-per-million (ppm) and have increased from less than 300 ppm in the 1800s to well over 400 ppm today.

‘Back to school’ has new dangers for students this year

TARA D. SONENSHINE

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September is back-to-school month for millions of students everywhere in the world. In the United States, routine anxiety and nervousness about returning to classrooms is compounded by a new list of worries: heat, school violence and, alas, even COVID-19.

I teach at a university outside Boston. Learning is challenging enough, but add external factors beyond our control and it can become overwhelming.

Texas impeachment: 5 things to know as jury deliberates on Paxton

JULIA MUELLER

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After eight days of testimony, a jury of state senators started deliberation Friday in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s (R) historic impeachment trial.

Paxton is accused of corruption and bribery, and misusing the powers of his office to help real estate developer Nate Paul. Currently suspended from his post, a conviction on even one of the 16 articles of impeachment he now faces would permanently remove him from office. Paxton pleaded not guilty.

The attorney general is only the third sitting official in the Lone Star State’s history to be impeached. Paxton, who couldn’t be compelled to testify, appeared Friday for closing arguments, his first time in the chamber since the trial kicked off.

Trump blasts partial gag order: Jack Smith ‘wants to take away my right of speaking freely’

NICK ROBERTSON

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Former President Trump attacked Justice Department (DOJ) special counsel Jack Smith after the prosecutor asked for a partial gag order in the trial related to Trump’s alleged effort to overturn the 2020 election.

“Deranged Jack Smith, he’s the prosecutor, he’s a deranged person, wants to take away my rights under the First Amendment,” Trump said during a speech Friday at the Concerned Women of America conference in Washington. “He wants to take away my right of speaking freely and openly.”

“Never forget our enemies want to stop us because we are the only ones that can stop them,” the former president continued. “They want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom.”

Despite Russia’s war, house prices in some parts of Ukraine still rise

Mansur Mirovalev

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Kyiv, Ukraine – The very names of suburbs where Marina Krasnolenska sells real estate may make one tear up.

Bucha, Irpin, Vorzel and nearby areas north of the Ukrainian capital are where Russian servicemen were accused of killing, wounding, robbing or raping thousands of civilians.

Shelling during Moscow’s invasion destroyed or damaged hundreds of buildings, often burying residents alive, and the shock waves made thousands of roofs leaky.

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 569

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Fighting

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed what he described as Ukraine’s destruction of a sophisticated Russian air defence system in the annexed Crimean peninsula. “I thank you for today’s triumph,” he said in a reference to Russia’s “Triumf” air defence system. “The invaders’ air defence system was destroyed. Very significant. Well done!”
• Ukraine said it also attacked two Russian patrol ships in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy expected to visit Washington next week

Stephen Groves

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected on Capitol Hill and at the White House next week as he visits the U.S. during the United Nations General Assembly.

Zelenskyy’s trip comes as Congress is debating providing as much as $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine as it fights the Russian invasion.

Engineers' Day 2023: Here Are India's Top 10 Engineering Colleges

Rahul Kumar

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Engineers' Day 2023: The JEE Advanced 2023 alone saw approximately 1.9 lakh registrations this year.

Engineers' Day: IIT-Madras topped the engineering rankings in 2023 with a score of 89.79.

Cyber risk is business risk, and the SEC knows it

CHRIS INGLIS

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A long overdue policy change to improve corporate governance on cybersecurity is taking effect.

At the end of July, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted new rules requiring publicly traded companies and foreign private issuers to disclose material cybersecurity incidents; they are also required to annually update their cybersecurity risk management policies and governance. These companies are drivers of innovation and critical to the strength of the U.S. economy. It is in the public interest that they take corporate responsibility for their cybersecurity.

iPhone 15 Launch Just Became More Important to Apple

OMAR MOHAMMED

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A wrinkle has appeared in Apple's highly anticipated launch of new iPhones next week.

On September 12, Apple, the world's largest company by market value, is expected to launch its latest model of the iPhone 15 series of phones.

Elon Musk’s Starlink service denial in Ukraine war operation prompts Senate scrutiny over his ‘outsized role’

STEVEN T. DENNIS, ROXANA TIRON AND BLOOMBERG

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The Senate Armed Services Committee is probing national-security issues raised by Elon Musk’s decision not to extend the private Starlink satellite network to aid a Ukrainian attack on Russian warships near the Crimean coast.

Chairman Jack Reed said in a statement Thursday the reports on the use of Starlink exposed “serious national-security liability issues and the committee is engaged on this issue.”

The Army’s Most Important Warfighting Tool Isn’t A Weapon, It’s A Network

Loren Thompson

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Soldiers at the "tactical edge" desperately need a resilient.

The U.S. Army is in the midst of a technological transformation that is transporting its culture from the industrial age into the digital era.

Every facet of the institution is being rebuilt in the belief that success in future conflicts will be determined by who controls information and can exploit it to maximum advantage.

Russia's First Stealth Bomber Might Not Ever Fly

Maya Carlin

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PAK DA Looks Doomed - Russian aircraft designer Tupolev, now part of the United Aircraft Corporation - a powerhouse conglomerate that includes the likes of Sukhoi and Mikoyan-Gurevich - is well known for its large aircraft designs.

In the 1930’s, it held the record for the largest aircraft, the ANT-20 Maxim Gorky. Since then, the company has built on its pedigree with the Tu-95 strategic bomber, introduced in 1956 and still in service today; the Tu-154, one of the most ubiquitous short haul passenger jets in Russia and the former Eastern Bloc; and the Tu-144, the first ever supersonic commercial airliner.

Kashmir Encounter On For 48 Hours, 3 Officers Killed In Action, Soldier Missing

Nazir Masoodi

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The fierce encounter broke out early Wednesday morning after the army and the police launched a joint operation to hunt down terrorists in Kokernag.

A soldier has reportedly gone missing while two others were injured in an encounter with terrorists that is underway for over 48 hours in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. The gunfight broke out early Wednesday morning after the army and the police launched a joint operation to hunt down terrorists in the dense forests of Kokernag.

On Hindi Diwas, British Envoy To India Lists His Top 5 Words In The Language

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Earlier in the day, PM Modi wished Indians and said that Hindi will continue to "strengthen the thread of national unity and goodwill".

British Envoy Ale Ellis shared a video in Hindi on Hindi Diwas 

British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis wished Indians on the occasion of Hindi Diwas and shared his five favourite words in the language.

Kerala To Test Samples Of All Persons In 'High-Risk' Nipah Contact List

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State Health Minister Veena George said they had a high-level meeting this morning and after that the Principal Secretary had a meeting with officials of the Union Government.

Kerala Health Minister said the mobile lab has 2 machines each of which can test 96 samples at a time.

₹ 100-Crore District Labs, Immediate Action: Minister After Nipah Outbreak

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The Nipah virus spreads much slower than Covid and unlike Covid, it spreads through a vector, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told NDTV today. A treatment protocol is there and once the tests are done and the disease is identified, the treatment can progress fast, he added.

Five cases of Nipah virus have surfaced in Kerala. Two people have died and the other three, including a nine-year-old boy, are undergoing treatment. The boy is critical and on ventilator support.

Taliban gives a warm welcome to China’s new ambassador to Afghanistan

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The Taliban on Wednesday welcomed China’s new ambassador to Afghanistan, with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi saying the nomination of Zhao Sheng was a “significant step with a significant message”.

It is the first time since the Taliban takeover in 2021 that an ambassador to Kabul has been afforded such lavish protocol, with the Afghan officials saying the new envoy’s arrival is a sign for other nations to come forward and establish relations with the Taliban-led government.

Outgoing Singapore President Wishes New Indian-Origin President Elect

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The 66-year-old President-elect won 70.4 per cent of the 2.48 million ballots

Singapore's outgoing President Halimah Yacob on Wednesday extended her best wishes to the Indian-origin President-elect, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in her final speech as the holder of the city-state's highest but non-political post.

FM Momen for strengthening trade, investment ties with African nations

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Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has highlighted the imperative of tapping into unexplored trade opportunities between Bangladesh and African countries.

He attended at an interaction session held on Thursday at the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum Bangladesh 2023 in Dhaka.

All health services closed except emergencies

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In Makwanpur, all health services except for emergencies have been closed in protest against the incident of doctor beating.

All health services have been closed in protest against the incident of beating up Dr. Vikas Thapa and Prashant Bidari at Sancho Hospital in Hetauda.

People's representatives should work to elevate parliament's image

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House of Representatives (HoR) member Ram Prakash Chaudhary has expressed displeasure on clash of interests among the political parties towards realizing the shared goal of successful implementation of federal democratic republic system.

Recalling the former Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang's expression and stance against holding hostage the parliament and his role in the parliament, Chaudhary said, "Various questions have been raised in regard to our failure to play an appropriate role in the parliament".

RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

Kateryna Stepanenko

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Russian insider sources claimed that the Kremlin’s inner circle is again actively disagreeing about the necessity of and preparations for a second wave of reserve mobilization ahead of the semi-annual fall conscription cycle, which starts on October 1. A Russian Telegram channel with alleged connections to Russian security sources claimed that select Russian officials are “seriously” preparing for a second wave of reserve mobilization and are hoping to conduct another reserve mobilization wave in the fall.[1] It is important to distinguish between Russia’s normal semi-annual conscription callup, a large-scale reserve mobilization like the one that brought more than 300,000 reservists into the Russian armed forces in Fall 2022, crypto-mobilizations that bring reservists into the force at lower numbers over a long period of time, and various efforts to encourage or coerce Russians to sign ostensibly voluntary contracts with the Russian military. The channel claimed that Russian officials want to mobilize between 170,000 to 175,000 reservists and move the fall conscription date from October 1 to November 1 to accommodate a reserve mobilization processes, while simultaneously conducting “contract mobilization” to recruit an additional 130,000 personnel for contract service using coercive measures.[2] The channel claimed that a powerful group of “siloviki hawks” is also proposing stricter reserve mobilization measures such as restricting certain individuals from obtaining mobilization deferrals, which has sparked major disagreements with officials in the Russian Presidential Administration. The channel claimed that the Presidential Administration fears a response to such measures from other Russian officials and broader Russian society.