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Germany Reveals Plans to Tighten Border

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Dhruv
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Germany announced this week that it will extend border controls to all its land crossings and turn away more asylum seekers in an effort to reduce irregular migration, marking a shift from its previous open-door policy.

Located at the heart of Europe, Germany shares land borders with nine countries. These new measures represent a setback for the EU’s principle of free movement, a key element of the European project, and could place pressure on regional unity.

Here’s more about the plans, their motivations, and the reactions they’ve sparked:

What did Germany announce?

On Monday, Germany revealed plans to extend temporary controls to all its land borders. These controls will begin on September 16 and last for an initial period of six months, affecting the normally open European Schengen zone. On Tuesday, the government proposed stricter enforcement of EU asylum rules, including detaining asylum seekers while authorities determine whether Germany is responsible for processing their claims. The use of tools like Europe’s shared fingerprint database, Eurodac, would help with these efforts.

However, the government rejected opposition calls for automatically turning away asylum seekers at the borders, deeming such measures incompatible with EU law.

Why now?

Analysts suggest the timing of these measures is not only due to the strain that irregular migration has placed on public services but also as a political move to curb growing support for far-right and conservative opposition parties ahead of state and federal elections. Migration is a key issue for voters in Brandenburg, where elections are approaching, and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is leading in the polls. The situation has been intensified by recent violent incidents involving asylum seekers, including a fatal knife attack in Solingen in August claimed by ISIS.

Impact on EU travel?

Travelers should expect random checks on cars, trains, or buses crossing the borders, which could lead to traffic delays. Similar border controls have already been reintroduced by other European countries, and anyone entering Germany illegally could be turned away or detained if they seek asylum.

Experts like Marcus Engler from the German Centre for Integration and Migration Research believe the Schengen area’s free movement won’t end, but its functionality could be reduced.

How did other countries react?

Reactions from neighboring countries have been mixed. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for consultations with other affected nations and more support for securing the EU’s external borders. Poland, however, is not seeking tighter controls on its border with Germany.

Some countries, like the Czech Republic, downplayed the change, noting that border checks will be random. Meanwhile, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a long-time critic of irregular migration, welcomed Germany’s move with a post on X, saying, “Scholz, welcome to the club! #StopMigration.”

Asylum application trends

The EU received over 1.14 million asylum applications in 2023, the highest number since the 2016 migrant crisis. However, applications have decreased in recent months, with May seeing a one-third drop from the previous autumn’s peak. Germany remains the top destination for asylum seekers, handling 22% of all applications, while Ireland received the most per capita.

What’s next?

Germany will need to discuss its plans to detain asylum seekers with its 16 regional governments, as they would be responsible for enforcing these measures. The government also intends to consult with European partners to coordinate the return of asylum seekers. However, it can immediately begin implementing border controls, as it has already notified the European Commission.

Maldivian Ministers Who Spoke Against Modi Resign Before Muizzu’s India Trip

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Dhruv
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Two junior ministers in the Maldivian government, who were suspended earlier this year for criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have resigned ahead of President Mohamed Muizzu’s proposed visit to New Delhi, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing an official.

The newly-elected president of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, had formally requested that India withdraw its military personnel from the archipelago (AP Photo).
President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives had formally requested that India withdraw its military personnel from the archipelago (AP Photo).

Malsha Shareef and Mariyam Shiuna, from the ministry of youth empowerment, information, and arts, along with fellow minister Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, were suspended in January after making derogatory remarks about PM Modi on X, the social media platform. The ministers referred to Modi as a “clown,” “terrorist,” and “puppet of Israel” after Modi promoted tourism in Lakshadweep, which was viewed as a message to pro-China Muizzu, who had pledged to end the Maldives’ “India first” policy.

These comments drew India’s ire, sparking a social media campaign by Indian celebrities promoting domestic tourism. This had an impact on Indian tourist arrivals in the Maldives, a nation renowned for its luxury resorts spread across 1,192 islands.

While Muizzu’s office did not issue a statement, a government official confirmed the resignations but provided no further details.

Muizzu to visit India soon
Local media outlets have reported that Muizzu plans to visit India in the near future.

This will be Muizzu’s second trip after attending PM Modi’s oath-taking ceremony as one of the heads of state from neighboring countries. Muizzu praised the invitation and described the visit as a “success,” noting that strong ties with India would bring greater prosperity to the Maldives.

India-Maldives relations improving
The relationship between the Maldives and India had become strained following Muizzu’s election victory and his demand for the withdrawal of Indian defense personnel stationed in the Maldives. India completed the replacements in May, and relations have since improved through diplomatic discussions.

Kareena Kapoor Reveals She Knows More about Football Than Actors Now

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Dhruv
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Kareena Kapoor often speaks candidly about both her professional and personal life. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar India, she opened up about balancing her career with family life. Kareena discussed embracing her sons Taimur and Jehangir’s love for sports and reflected on her relationship with her husband, Saif Ali Khan.

Kareena Kapoor on being a ‘boy mom’
Talking about her role as a ‘boy mom,’ Kareena shared, “With my boys, football and cricket have become the main focus. I now know more about footballers like Erling Haaland and Harry Kane than I do about actors! Being a ‘boy mom’ has definitely changed my interests. I’ve fully embraced their passions, and it’s been a joy to be part of their world.”

She also spoke about her bond with Saif, saying, “Saif (Ali Khan) is always full of fun, even though he may come across as serious. We both love our work, but we also enjoy having fun together. We share a love for travel and adventure. I think I’ve brought spontaneity and joy into his life, and our time together is filled with our mutual passion for exploration.”

Kareena and Saif got married on October 16, 2012. They welcomed their first son, Taimur, on December 20, 2016, and their second son, Jehangir, was born on February 21, 2024.

Kareena Kapoor’s upcoming projects
Kareena’s next appearance will be in The Buckingham Murders, directed by Hansal Mehta. The film also stars Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar, and Keith Allen, and is written by Aseem Arrora, Kashyap Kapoor, and Raghav Raj Kakker. A mystery-thriller, it is co-produced by Kareena, Ekta Kapoor, and Shobha Kapoor and is set to release in cinemas on September 13, 2024. Kareena will also feature in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again, releasing on Diwali 2024, alongside Ajay Devgn in the titular role. The cast includes Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Tiger Shroff, Akshay Kumar, and others.

Canadian Study Permit System Under Scrutiny After Terror Arrest

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Dhruv
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Toronto: Canada’s study permit system is facing increased scrutiny after it was revealed that a Pakistani national, arrested on terrorism-related charges last week, had entered the country as an international student. This has led to concerns that international students are being unfairly blamed for the shortcomings of the immigration system.

Indian international students have gathered for an indefinite protest in Brampton, organized by the Naujawan Support Network. Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, was arrested in Ormstown, Quebec, and faces terrorism charges in both Canada and the United States for allegedly planning attacks in New York City targeting the Jewish community. On Tuesday, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, confirmed that Khan arrived in Canada on a study visa in May 2023.

This incident is expected to further fuel anti-immigration sentiment in Canada, especially as the country grapples with a shelter affordability crisis linked to the large influx of temporary residents, including students. Many of these students, currently on post-graduate work permits, are facing an increasingly uncertain future.

In response, an indefinite protest has been launched in Brampton, located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), by the Naujawan Support Network. One of the lead organizers, Bikramjit Singh from Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district, stated that nearly 130,000 former international students are expected to see their work permits expire by the end of 2025, putting them at risk of deportation as pathways to permanent residency have become more limited.

Singh expressed frustration at the lack of support from Canadian politicians, attributing their inaction to rising anti-immigration sentiment. “Given the political climate, they’re not doing anything. Plus, we’re not voters,” said Singh, who arrived in Canada as a student in 2019.

The protest, which began last Friday, will continue until their demands are met, including the extension of work permits, the provision of post-graduate work permits for all international students, and a fair pathway to permanent residency.

Singh noted that some students, feeling desperate, are resorting to filing refugee claims, attempting illegal entry into the U.S., or entering into marriages to maintain their status in Canada.

The current protest contrasts with one held last year, when many former international students from India faced deportation after immigration consultants used forged documents to secure their study permits. That protest, which began in May and ended later in the summer, saw the Canadian government offer amnesty to those who had genuinely come to study, under pressure from MPs and political leaders who supported the demonstrators.

However, the situation has changed this year, with diminished public sympathy and a notable absence of political support. “The majority of society is against us, and politicians are staying away,” said Bikramjit Singh.

Govt Might Try Adopting PPI For Tracking Wholesale Prices

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Dhruv
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India is set to transition to a more comprehensive system for tracking wholesale price changes through the Producer Price Index (PPI), which is currently being reviewed by a multi-departmental team, according to government officials.

At present, the country relies on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), a system introduced in the 1970s, to measure the bulk rates of 117 primary articles, 16 fuel and power items, and 564 manufactured products—covering the most-traded goods in the economy.

Most advanced economies utilize the PPI to track producer prices, adhering to the UN’s System of National Accounts. This framework outlines methods for calculating key indices like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which measures the total value of goods and services produced by an economy.

India’s Ministry of Statistics uses a WPI-based ‘deflator’ to calculate real or inflation-adjusted GDP growth. A GDP deflator measures how much the GDP value decreases after accounting for inflation.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at the retail level for inflation forecasting and managing inflationary expectations, which reflects consumers’ predictions of future price changes—an important factor in actual inflation trends.

“The model for PPI is ready, developed in consultation with the International Monetary Fund to ensure the appropriate methodology. It will be reviewed by the National Statistical Commission,” said a government official, who asked to remain anonymous.

Unlike WPI, the PPI excludes indirect taxes and logistics costs. The WPI does not fully reflect producer-level prices and also omits the services sector, which represents 55% of India’s GDP.

Government economists have long advocated for a shift from WPI due to its limitations. For instance, WPI often double-counts the same commodity, while PPI captures prices that domestic producers receive at various stages of production, a second official explained.

“The government needs to determine which services to include in the PPI and how to assign weights to different items to accurately reflect inflation,” said PC Mohanan, former acting chairman of the National Statistical Commission.

When the PPI is implemented, officials expect a gradual transition, where both PPI and WPI will be used to calculate wholesale inflation.

In 2017, a working group led by economist BN Golder and established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry recommended aligning India’s wholesale inflation metrics with the UN’s PPI standards.

AAP MLA Gets Bail in Excise Policy Case

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Dhruv
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AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak was granted bail by the Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Pathak appeared before the court following a summons and was granted bail after submitting a bond of ₹1 lakh.

Earlier, on August 12, the court gave the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the go-ahead to prosecute Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Durgesh Pathak over a corruption case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.

Kejriwal’s judicial custody has been extended until September 25, and he, along with other accused held in custody, appeared via video conference from Tihar Jail. Pathak, a senior figure within AAP’s political affairs committee, is known to be closely associated with Kejriwal.

This is a developing story; stay tuned for further updates.

BSF Jawan Gets Injured After Pakistan’s Unexpected Firing

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Dhruv
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A Border Security Force (BSF) personnel was injured on Wednesday in the Akhnoor area of Jammu after Pakistani troops opened unprovoked fire on Indian posts, violating a ceasefire agreement along the border.

The BSF responded to the firing, although officials stated that the extent of Pakistani casualties was not immediately known.

“On 11 Sept 2024, around 2:35 AM, unprovoked firing occurred in the Akhnoor area from across the border, which was met with an appropriate response by the BSF. One BSF personnel sustained injuries due to Pakistani firing. Troops are on high alert,” the BSF said in a statement.

Ceasefire violations have been rare since India and Pakistan renewed their ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021. However, a BSF jawan was killed last year in a similar incident by Pakistan Rangers in the Ramgarh sector, marking the first such casualty on the Indian side in over three years.

This ceasefire violation comes just days before the first phase of the upcoming three-phase assembly elections, set to begin on September 18. The second phase is scheduled for September 25, followed by the third phase on October 1.

In preparation for the elections, the Union government has deployed paramilitary forces, particularly in light of a recent rise in terror attacks in the Jammu region since June. It is believed that 60 to 80 terrorists infiltrated the region in March-April this year, with Pakistan continuing to push more militants, prompting intensified counter-insurgency operations by security forces.

BSF Director General Daljit Singh visited the Jammu border on August 22 for a security review. The Union government has also retained around 450 paramilitary companies initially deployed for the Amarnath Yatra, while an additional 450 companies have been sent for election duty.

Trump Takes a Jab at Biden; States he was Thrown Out like a ‘dog’

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Dhruv
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During a Tuesday night event, Donald Trump sidestepped a question on whether he supports Ukraine in its conflict with Russia but vowed to end the war before taking office if he wins the upcoming election. He also criticized President Joe Biden’s leadership amid global unrest.

“I want the war to stop. I want to save lives,” Trump stated, emphasizing that the death toll was worse than reported. He highlighted his relationships with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, noting, “They respect me.”

When asked whether it’s in the U.S.’s best interest for Ukraine to win, Trump suggested that the U.S. should negotiate a peaceful resolution to prevent further loss of life. He warned of the potential for escalation, saying, “We’re playing with World War Three.”

Trump also attacked Biden’s political standing, suggesting his own party had sidelined him: “We don’t even know if he’s a president. They threw him out of his campaign like a dog.” He went on to claim Biden is unaware of his own condition.

In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris remarked on election integrity, claiming that global leaders ridicule Trump. “I’ve traveled the world, and they are laughing at Donald Trump,” she stated, adding that military leaders see him as a “disgrace.”

Kate Middleton Completes Chemotherapy; ‘tough nine months’

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Dhruv
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On Monday, Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, announced on Instagram that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment.

Sharing a reel from the ‘princeandprincessofwales’ Instagram account, she opened up about her “challenging nine-month journey.”

“Here’s a message from me, Catherine, The Princess of Wales. As summer comes to an end, I am relieved to share that I have completed my chemotherapy treatment,” Kate said in her latest video on Instagram.

The video features Kate alongside Prince William and their three children, Prince George, Louise, and Princess Charlotte, set against a backdrop of peaceful nature scenes. The clip captures serene forest visuals as the Princess shares her personal story.

Back in March 2024, Kate had posted a video on social media revealing that she underwent major abdominal surgery in January, which was successful. However, follow-up tests later revealed a cancer diagnosis.

Reflecting on the experience, Kate explained that “The past nine months have been incredibly difficult” for her and the Royal family. “Life can change in an instant, and we’ve had to face these uncertain times with resilience,” she said.

She described her cancer journey as “complex” and noted, “Facing cancer is a daunting, unpredictable experience, especially for those closest to you. It exposes your vulnerabilities and offers a new perspective on life.”

The importance of love

Kate emphasized the significance of love during this time, saying, “This experience has reminded William and me to appreciate the simple yet profound things in life—above all, the importance of love and being loved.”

She expressed her determination to focus on her health and remain cancer-free. “While chemotherapy is behind me, my recovery journey continues, and I am taking things one day at a time,” she said.

Looking ahead, Kate shared her eagerness to return to public life. “I am looking forward to resuming my public engagements in the coming months. Despite the hurdles, I am entering this new phase with a renewed sense of hope and gratitude.”

Kate also expressed heartfelt thanks for the support she has received. “William and I are deeply touched by the kindness, empathy, and compassion we’ve experienced throughout this time,” she said.

She ended her message with solidarity, saying, “To those still on their cancer journey, I stand with you. Even in darkness, there is light—let that light shine brightly.”

Bobby Deol Talks About his Relationship With Dharmendra 

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Dhruv
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Bobby Deol recently reflected on his relationship with his father, veteran actor Dharmendra, during his childhood. In an interview with Humans of Bombay, Bobby revealed how he struggled to develop a close bond with Dharmendra, who was often occupied with his film career. He explained that his feelings towards his father were a mix of fear and respect.

Bobby’s thoughts
When asked about his relationship with Dharmendra, Bobby shared, “It was normal for that time. My dad came from a small town where the culture and way of life were different. The city changes your lifestyle. My dad’s father was strict with him, so it naturally affected how he was with us. Although my dad wasn’t strict, he wasn’t a friend either while I was growing up. He was very busy with work. I would only see him for a few hours, often late at night or early in the morning.”

‘I wasn’t scared, it was more about respect’
Bobby further explained that now, with his parents getting older, the dynamics have shifted. “I wasn’t scared of him—it was more about respect. When you’re young, it’s easy to confuse the two. But it was always respect, even though we didn’t communicate easily with our parents back then. Now things have changed. They’ve become older and more vulnerable, and we have to take care of them. That’s the cycle of life.”

Bobby was last seen in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. He is set to play the antagonist in Alpha, a spy film featuring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, directed by Shiv Rawail. Bobby will also appear in Kanguva alongside Suriya, directed by Siruthai Siva, with co-stars Disha Patani, Natarajan Subramaniam, Jagapathi Babu, and Yogi Babu.

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