Home Blog Page 20

Operation Sindoor Row Deepens as India Rebukes China Over Pakistan Support

By
Dhruv
-
0
Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor

India on Tuesday issued a sharp response to China over reports that Beijing had extended support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The Ministry of External Affairs said countries attempting to shield terror infrastructure must consider how such actions affect their global reputation.

Speaking at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the international community closely watches how major powers position themselves in matters linked to terrorism and regional security.

His remarks came after reports suggested that Beijing had acknowledged providing technical support to Islamabad during the military confrontation in May 2025, which continued for more than three days.

Jaiswal said recent reports only reinforced what had already been widely understood. He added that nations claiming to act responsibly should reflect on whether supporting attempts to protect terror infrastructure damages their credibility and international standing.

The MEA spokesperson also explained the rationale behind India’s military response, describing Operation Sindoor as a carefully calibrated counter terror action aimed at safeguarding national security from cross border threats.

He said the operation was a precise and targeted response to the Pahalgam terror attack and was intended to dismantle state sponsored terror infrastructure operating from Pakistan and under its direction.

India recently marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor on May 7. The operation was launched after the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 civilians were killed. The military operation lasted 88 hours and involved coordinated strikes across multiple domains.

China acknowledges support to Pakistan

China last week publicly acknowledged for the first time that it had provided on site technical assistance to Pakistan during the four day conflict that followed India’s Operation Sindoor.

The acknowledgement emerged through reports in Chinese state media.

According to reports, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV aired an interview with Zhang Heng, an engineer associated with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China and its Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, which develops advanced fighter aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Reports stated that Zhang had provided technical assistance to Pakistan during the conflict.

Pakistan’s air force currently operates Chinese made J-10CE fighter jets manufactured by a subsidiary of AVIC.

iPhone Messages Getting Major Security Boost as Apple Confirms RCS Encryption

By
Dhruv
-
0
Apple RCS
Apple RCS

Apple first introduced support for RCS in its Messages app with the rollout of iOS 18 in September 2024. However, the feature arrived with a major limitation because it lacked end-to-end encryption, widely regarded as the strongest form of protection for digital communication. Nearly two years later, Apple is finally preparing to address that issue with the release of iOS 26.5.

What is RCS, and why does encryption matter?

RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is essentially a modern upgrade to traditional SMS and MMS messaging. Unlike older text messaging systems, RCS relies on internet connectivity through mobile data or Wi Fi to send messages.

The service is managed by telecom operators, allowing smartphones to communicate with carrier networks and partner systems to establish RCS messaging.

RCS offers several features unavailable in regular SMS and MMS. Users can send high-resolution photos, videos, audio clips, and files without worrying about size limits. It also supports read receipts, typing indicators, and group chats.

End-to-end encryption plays a crucial role in securing these conversations. The technology ensures that messages cannot be intercepted or read by anyone other than the sender and recipient, including hackers or third parties. The same type of encryption is already used by Meta to secure conversations on WhatsApp.

RCS messages have supported end-to-end encryption on Google Messages since 2020. However, Apple’s Messages app continued to leave RCS chats unencrypted, even though iMessages between Apple users were already protected. That situation is now set to change with iOS 26.5.

Encryption support finally arrives

Apple has released the iOS 26.5 Release Candidate version to developers. According to reports, the update notes confirm that end-to-end encryption for RCS messages will now be supported inside the Messages app.

Once enabled, the feature will secure conversations exchanged between Apple and Android devices through RCS.

There is one important requirement, however. Both the sender and the receiver must have RCS functionality turned on for encryption to work properly across devices.

Availability

Apple has currently made iOS 26.5 available to developers, while the wider public rollout is expected later this month.

Govt Defends PM Modi’s Fuel Conservation Appeal, Says Oil Firms Facing ₹1,000 Crore Daily Losses

By
Dhruv
-
0
government
government

A day after Narendra Modi urged citizens to conserve fuel, avoid buying gold, and work from home, the government convened a formal ministerial meeting on the West Asia crisis and said there is no shortage of petroleum products in the country.

At the same time, officials acknowledged that public sector oil marketing companies are currently absorbing losses of nearly ₹1,000 crore every day to prevent fuel prices from rising amid surging global crude oil rates.

Government’s response and PM Modi’s appeal

Rajnath Singh chaired the fifth meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers on West Asia on Monday. The meeting was attended by ministers handling petroleum, railways, civil aviation, fertilizers, ports, and science.

According to a government release, India currently holds 60 days of crude oil and natural gas reserves, along with 45 days of LPG rolling stock.

The Press Information Bureau said there was no reason for public anxiety or panic buying at fuel stations. Officials also highlighted that India’s foreign exchange reserves remain comfortable at around 703 billion dollars.

However, the ministers were informed that the country is bearing a massive financial burden because international crude oil prices remain extremely high.

The government said fuel conservation could help reduce this pressure. Referring to Modi’s recent speech in Hyderabad, the release said the Prime Minister had urged people to use petroleum products prudently and cut down on wasteful consumption to reduce the fiscal burden both now and in the future.

Later in the day, Modi repeated the appeal during an event in Gujarat. He said that whenever India had faced wars or major crises in the past, citizens had always responded responsibly to government appeals.

The Prime Minister also stressed that India spends lakhs of crores in foreign exchange importing goods from abroad, while global prices continue to rise and supply chains remain disrupted. He urged people to reduce dependence on imported products and avoid unnecessary activities that increase foreign exchange spending.

Oil firms absorb losses amid global crisis

The ministerial group noted that India remains among the few countries where fuel prices have stayed stable despite weeks of global volatility.

Officials pointed out that several countries have seen petroleum prices rise between 30 and 70 percent, while Indian oil marketing companies have absorbed under recoveries worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore in the first quarter of the current financial year. This, they said, was done to shield citizens from the impact of soaring international crude prices.

The opposition has repeatedly accused the government of refusing to reduce taxes on fuel and of eventually passing on the burden of rising oil prices to consumers.

Opposition attacks government over austerity appeals

Rahul Gandhi criticized Modi’s calls for austerity, describing the appeals as “proofs of failure” in a post on X.

He said the country had reached a point where citizens were being told what to buy, what not to buy, and how to live, while also calling Modi a compromised prime minister incapable of effectively running the country.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh suggested the Prime Minister’s remarks indicated tougher measures could be ahead, including possible fuel price hikes. He said an atmosphere was being created to make such decisions easier for the public to accept.

Akhilesh Yadav questioned why the crisis narrative had emerged only after elections concluded in four states and one Union Territory. He mocked BJP leaders for extensively using chartered flights during campaigning.

Tejashwi Yadav also attacked Modi, contrasting the current appeal to avoid gold purchases with the Prime Minister’s 2024 Lok Sabha campaign speeches defending gold ownership.

Markets react to uncertainty

Financial markets reacted sharply to the austerity messaging. The BSE Sensex fell more than 1,300 points on Monday, marking its sharpest decline since March.

Titan Company emerged as the biggest loser on the Sensex, dropping nearly 7 percent. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee closed at a record low of 95.31 against the US dollar.

PM faces criticism over travel and events

Modi also faced criticism from opposition voices and social media users over continuing roadshows after urging citizens to conserve fuel. Questions were also raised over his upcoming seven-day foreign tour covering the UAE, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, and Italy.

Responding to the criticism, Amit Malviya argued that Modi had not asked citizens to sacrifice but had instead encouraged conscious choices in the national interest.

He compared the appeal to similar calls made by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, during the Korean War.

The conflict between the US and Iran currently remains under a fragile ceasefire, though the blockade around the Strait of Hormuz continues to remain in effect.

Cannes 2026 Sees Hollywood Studios Back Off Over Review Fears and ‘Controlled’ Promotions

By
Dhruv
-
0
cannes film festival
cannes film festival

Just a few years ago, the Cannes Film Festival regularly doubled as a glamorous launchpad for major Hollywood productions. Tom Cruise electrified the festival with the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick, while recent entries from the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises also turned the French Riviera into a blockbuster hotspot. This year, however, the red carpet looks noticeably different.

For the first time in years, the 2026 edition of Cannes is unfolding without a major Hollywood studio tentpole in its official program. The absence of big-budget productions from studios such as Disney, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, and Paramount Pictures has triggered discussion across the film industry about why Hollywood appears to be distancing itself from the prestigious festival.

Cannes has traditionally balanced arthouse cinema with high-profile studio premieres, creating a blend of artistic prestige and mainstream glamour. Festival director Thierry Frémaux spent decades strengthening ties with American studios after taking charge more than 25 years ago. Yet while unveiling this year’s lineup, even he acknowledged the shift, pointing out that independent filmmaking outside the Hollywood system continues to thrive.

American cinema is still represented in competition through smaller productions such as Paper Tiger by James Gray, starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, along with The Man I Love by Ira Sachs, featuring Rami Malek. But the large-scale studio presence that once defined recent editions is largely missing.

Industry observers believe Hollywood’s growing caution around festival premieres is tied to the increasingly fragile theatrical market. Earlier this year, the Berlin International Film Festival also struggled to attract blockbuster titles. Festival director Tricia Tuttle suggested that studios are becoming more risk-averse, especially when early critical reactions can shape public perception months before release.

The disappointing commercial performance of Joker: Folie à Deux after its high-profile festival debut reportedly reinforced fears inside Hollywood about exposing expensive productions to intense critical scrutiny too early.

Critics and industry insiders say studios now prefer tightly controlled marketing campaigns instead of relying on film festivals to build momentum. Los Angeles-based critic J. Sperling Reich noted that studios spend months crafting publicity strategies around major releases and may see festivals as unpredictable environments where harsh reviews can derail audience excitement long before a film reaches theatres.

Several major productions expected later this year, including The Odyssey from Christopher Nolan and Disclosure Day directed by Steven Spielberg, were considered natural fits for Cannes in previous years. Neither made the trip this time.

Even so, Hollywood has not disappeared entirely from the festival. Cannes will host a special screening celebrating 25 years of the Fast & Furious series, with original cast members Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster expected to attend.

Oil Price Spike Drags Rupee Down 139 Paise, Currency Nears ₹95 Mark

By
Dhruv
-
0
oil prices
oil prices

The Indian rupee came under intense pressure on Monday morning, tumbling sharply against the US dollar as global markets reacted to fresh tensions in West Asia after Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest response to Washington’s ceasefire proposal.

The domestic currency weakened by 139 paise in early trading, slipping to 94.90 against the dollar after opening at 94.97 in the interbank foreign exchange market. The steep decline erased the gains recorded on Friday, when the rupee had strengthened by 71 paise to close at 93.51.

Currency traders attributed the selloff to surging crude oil prices, heavy foreign investor outflows, and renewed strength in the US dollar. Markets turned risk averse after signs emerged that negotiations between the United States and Iran had once again stalled.

Iran reportedly conveyed its response to the latest American proposal through Pakistani mediators, seeking discussions centred on a permanent end to the conflict. Trump, however, dismissed the proposal as unacceptable, while calls for tougher military action also gained traction within sections of the Republican leadership.

Analysts noted that fears of prolonged instability in the region drove oil prices sharply higher, adding to pressure on import dependent economies such as India. Continued military activity involving Israel, Hezbollah, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates further unsettled investors.

Brent crude prices jumped more than four percent to around 105.5 dollars per barrel in futures trade, while the dollar index strengthened against major global currencies.

The turbulence also spilled into Indian equity markets. The Sensex dropped more than 800 points during early trade, while the Nifty slipped below the 24,000 mark as investors moved away from riskier assets.

Foreign institutional investors continued their selling spree, offloading Indian equities worth over ₹4,110 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.

At the same time, India’s foreign exchange reserves also declined significantly. Latest figures released by the Reserve Bank of India showed reserves falling by 7.794 billion dollars to 690.693 billion dollars during the week ending May 1, extending losses seen in the previous reporting period.

Rahul Gandhi Hits Out at PM Modi’s WFH and Austerity Appeals, Calls Them ‘Proofs of Failure’

By
Dhruv
-
0
Gandhi on Modi

Narendra Modi has called on citizens to make temporary lifestyle adjustments in response to the global economic strain caused by the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. Speaking at an event in Hyderabad on Sunday, the Prime Minister suggested measures such as reducing fuel consumption, postponing foreign travel, limiting gold purchases, and even returning to work from home arrangements wherever possible.

His remarks come more than two months after tensions in West Asia escalated into conflict on February 28, disrupting global energy markets and increasing pressure on fuel supplies worldwide. Although a temporary ceasefire is currently in place, uncertainty surrounding the region’s stability continues to affect economies across the globe.

The Prime Minister said the country must respond to the crisis with a sense of national responsibility. He urged people living in cities with metro systems to rely more on public transport and encouraged carpooling to reduce petrol and diesel usage. Modi also suggested that companies and employees consider work-from-home arrangements again, arguing that it would help conserve fuel in the national interest.

He further appealed to citizens to avoid non-essential foreign travel for at least a year and advised people to delay buying gold in order to help conserve foreign exchange reserves at a time when import costs are rising sharply.

The comments immediately triggered criticism from the opposition, with Rahul Gandhi accusing the government of shifting the burden of the crisis onto ordinary citizens. In a post on social media, Gandhi described Modi’s appeals as evidence of governance failure rather than leadership. He argued that after more than a decade in power, the government was now asking people to alter their daily lives because it had failed to adequately prepare the country for global shocks.

Gandhi also revived his criticism of Modi’s leadership, claiming the Prime Minister was no longer capable of effectively steering the country through difficult times.

Senior Congress leader K. C. Venugopal echoed those concerns and questioned the government’s handling of India’s energy security. He said the administration appeared unprepared despite the conflict having continued for weeks and criticized the idea of pushing citizens toward inconvenience instead of strengthening economic safeguards and fuel reserves.

Another Congress MP, Karti P. Chidambaram, described the Prime Minister’s remarks as serious directives rather than simple appeals. He called for an immediate session of Parliament to discuss the situation and urged the government to explain what circumstances had led to such extraordinary public requests.

The concerns come as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut, disrupting one of the world’s most important energy trade routes. With nearly a fifth of global energy supplies passing through the corridor, prolonged instability in the region has intensified fears over fuel availability and rising import bills for countries heavily dependent on energy imports, including India.

Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Sends Americans Into Nebraska Quarantine

By
Dhruv
-
0

The United States government is moving forward with plans to evacuate American passengers from a cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak. Health officials said those being brought back to the country will be transported to a military facility in Nebraska, where they will undergo quarantine and medical monitoring.

The outbreak aboard the M/V Hondius has been tied to at least three deaths and several confirmed infections, according to reports citing the World Health Organization.

Addressing the situation on Friday, Donald Trump said authorities believe the outbreak is being managed effectively and stressed that hantavirus is not easily transmitted from person to person. He said experts familiar with the virus are closely monitoring developments and expressed confidence in the response effort.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the overall risk to the American public remains extremely low while preparations continue for a government organised medical evacuation flight. Officials emphasised that safely returning US passengers remains the top priority.

Passengers are expected to be flown to Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha before being transferred to the National Quarantine Center at the University of Nebraska for further observation and care.

The CDC also confirmed that health guidance had been issued for affected travellers through the United States Department of State. In addition, teams of epidemiologists and medical specialists have been deployed to the Canary Islands, where the cruise ship is expected to arrive.

According to the agency, specialists on the ground will evaluate each passenger’s level of exposure and determine the degree of monitoring required. Another CDC team will be stationed at Offutt Air Force Base to assist with the health assessment process once passengers return to the United States.

The outbreak reportedly began in early April when a passenger first became ill and has since escalated over several weeks, eventually leading to multiple deaths and growing international concern.

Two New Chip Manufacturing Units Worth ₹3,936 Crore Approved for Gujarat

By
Dhruv
-
0
Chip Manufacturing Units
Chip Manufacturing Units

The Union Cabinet of India has approved two new semiconductor projects under the first phase of the country’s semiconductor mission, marking the completion of the initial rollout of the program. The combined investment for the newly cleared units stands at ₹3,936 crore and will be supported through the ₹76,000 crore allocation set aside for the India Semiconductor Mission launched in 2022.

Announcing the decision, Ashwini Vaishnaw said both facilities will be established in Gujarat. With these latest approvals, the total number of projects sanctioned under ISM 1.0 has reached 12, taking overall committed investments to nearly ₹1.65 lakh crore.

The government is now shifting focus toward the next stage of the initiative, ISM 2.0, which is expected to involve investments exceeding ₹1 lakh crore.

A major highlight among the newly approved projects is the Crystal Matrix facility planned for Dholera. Officials see the unit as part of India’s effort to position itself early in the rapidly evolving MicroLED display sector. While LCD manufacturing has long been dominated by countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and later China, policymakers believe the industry is now transitioning toward newer display technologies.

The Crystal Matrix project, with an investment of ₹3,068 crore, will manufacture gallium nitride wafers used in MiniLED and MicroLED displays, alongside advanced semiconductor packaging technologies. These components are expected to support applications ranging from augmented and virtual reality systems to large video displays, studio production equipment, defense technology, and medical imaging solutions.

India’s entry into this space comes at a time when the global MicroLED industry is still developing, with companies such as Sony and Samsung currently among the leading players driving innovation in the segment.

Iran Oil Tanker Disabled by US During Attempt to Violate Hormuz Blockade

By
Dhruv
-
0
Iran
Iran

The United States Central Command said American forces intercepted and disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel allegedly attempted to head toward an Iranian port in violation of the US blockade.

According to CENTCOM, the incident took place at around 9 am Eastern Time on May 6. The tanker, identified as the M/T Hasna, was reportedly traveling without cargo when it was spotted moving through international waters toward Iran. The vessel was ultimately disabled after a US Navy fighter jet launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln fired on it.

Tensions in the region have remained high since the outbreak of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran earlier this year. Following the collapse of initial negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Donald Trump announced that American forces would enforce a naval blockade outside the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to restrict movement to and from Iranian ports.

CENTCOM said the tanker ignored repeated warnings from US forces before action was taken. Officials stated that American personnel informed the crew the vessel was violating the blockade, but the tanker allegedly failed to comply despite multiple alerts.

The US military said the ship’s rudder was disabled after a Navy F/A 18 Super Hornet used its 20-millimeter cannon to fire several rounds at the vessel. CENTCOM added that the tanker was no longer heading toward Iran and stressed that the blockade remains fully active against ships attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports.

The incident comes amid continued instability surrounding Trump’s recently announced “Project Freedom,” an operation intended to help neutral commercial vessels navigate safely through the Strait of Hormuz during the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

The operation quickly escalated tensions after Iran reportedly launched drone and missile attacks on several ships, while exchanges of fire between US and Iranian forces resumed. Iranian strikes also targeted locations in the United Arab Emirates, further straining the ceasefire.

Following the escalation, Trump announced a temporary halt to Project Freedom, saying the move came after requests from Pakistan and several other nations seeking to avoid further conflict in the region.

Mamata Digs In After BJP Sweep, Says ‘Let Them Dismiss Me, Impose President’s Rule’

By
Dhruv
-
0
Banerjee
Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday described the election result as a “black day” and signalled that she would not step down quietly following the Trinamool Congress’ heavy defeat in the Assembly polls. The party also termed her refusal to resign a symbolic act of protest against what it called manipulation of the counting process.

Speaking at a closed door meeting with newly elected MLAs and senior leaders at her Kalighat residence, Banerjee reportedly said she was prepared for any action from the Centre, including dismissal or the imposition of President’s Rule. She urged party workers to remember the day as a dark chapter in the state’s political history.

The gathering, which included TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and other key leaders, focused on the party’s response after suffering its first major electoral setback since coming to power in 2011. Leaders present at the meeting said Banerjee accused the BJP of effectively “looting” the election and indicated that the party plans to move the Supreme Court over alleged irregularities during vote counting.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh defended Banerjee’s decision not to resign, calling it a democratic form of dissent rather than a constitutional standoff. According to him, the move was meant to highlight the party’s allegation that the Election Commission of India manipulated results in over 100 constituencies. He further claimed that the TMC had been unfairly defeated and accused the poll body of favouring the BJP.

Banerjee has continued to reject the outcome publicly, insisting that the defeat was the result of a conspiracy rather than the will of the electorate. She has accused the Election Commission and central security forces of working in favour of the BJP during both polling and counting. The Election Commission has dismissed these allegations, stating that the process followed established rules and was conducted under strict supervision. The BJP has also rejected the accusations.

Constitutionally, however, the situation leaves little room for manoeuvre. The current Assembly term ends on May 7, after which Banerjee’s government cannot continue without majority support in the House. With the BJP winning 207 seats in the 294 member Assembly and the TMC reduced to 80, the ruling party no longer commands the numbers needed to stay in power.

The Governor is now expected to invite the BJP to form the next government in the state. The party has already announced plans for a swearing in ceremony on May 9 at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds, with state president Samik Bhattacharya confirming preparations are underway.

Amid concerns over internal unrest after the defeat, the TMC has also announced the formation of a disciplinary committee. Party leaders said all key organisational decisions will continue to be taken under Banerjee’s leadership.

1...192021...345Page 20 of 345