World

US has built up military stash for potential Taiwan war

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According to US officials interviewed by the Reuters news agency, the war materiel was stashed during the Talisman Sabre exercises last July and August. The drills, which were held in and around Australia, involved more than 34,000 troops from 13 nations and focused on boosting combat readiness and logistical capabilities.

The equipment from the exercises included 330 vehicles and trailers and 130 containers stored in the southeastern part of Australia, Reuters reported. It added that in the event of a conflict, this would be enough to supply about three logistics companies with a combined strength of 500 or more soldiers. Alternatively, the equipment could be used during future drills or to deal with a potential natural disaster.

Numerous officials interviewed by the news agency cited logistics as a weak spot in the US military which China could exploit in the event of a conflict, potentially by bombing refueling ships and jet fuel depots. Such tactics, the officials warned, could allow Beijing to hamstring Washington without having to engage the bulk of US forces.

The Chinese Embassy in the US did not directly comment on the report, but told Reuters that Washington should “stop enhancing military contact with the Taiwan region” and “stop creating factors that could heighten tensions in the Taiwan Strait.” 

The rift between the US and China over Taiwan has widened in recent months, fueled by Washington’s arms sales as well as visits by senior lawmakers to the self-governing island.

Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory, and has denounced US contact with Taipei as meddling in its internal affairs. President Xi Jinping has said China is seeking peaceful reunification with the island, although Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this goal.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden pledged in 2022 that Washington would defend Taiwan if “there was an unprecedented attack,” but insisted that his country is not encouraging independence for the island.

MNA?PR

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Nicaragua names street after Gaza

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A man holds a Palestinian flag during the inauguration of Gaza Street in support of the Palestinian people, in the historic center of capital Managua on January 30, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Camila Escalante

Press TV, Managua

Over now to Latin America, where Nicaragua honored the Palestinian people by inaugurating a street named after Gaza. 

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

Hyderabad

Mahindra introduces all-electric XUV400 Pro Range starting from Rs. 15.49 lakh

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While the Mahindra XUV400 EC Pro is priced at Rs. 15,49,000 (ex-showroom), the XUV400 EL Pro is available at Rs. 16,74,000 and the XUV400 EL Pro with 39.4 kWh battery is available at Rs. 17,49,000.

Updated On – 1 February 2024, 05:47 PM


Mahindra introduces all-electric XUV400 Pro Range starting from Rs. 15.49 lakh

XUV400 EL Pro (Photo: Twitter)

Hyderabad: Indian SUV manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra on Thursday announced the launch of the XUV400 Pro Range, in three new variants EC Pro with 34.5 kWh battery and a  3.3 kW AC charger, EL Pro with a 34.5 kWh battery and a  7.2 kW AC charger and EL Pro with a 39.4 kWh battery, 7.2 kW AC charger.

The new range will come equipped with a 26.04 cm infotainment system and a 26.04 cm instrument cluster for easy use and modern connectivity. The Asrenox connected car system with over 50 connected features adds to the ownership experience while enhance the drive, safety and overall functionality of the car.

The Pro Range also offers an elevated cabin experience with dual-zone automatic temperature control, complemented by rear air vents. With the introduction of Android Auto and Apple Carplay, which will be made available through over-the-air firmware updates in the next few months will add to the experience.  The enhancement along with Alexa compatibility will offer effortless navigation.

The all Nebula Blue colour option complemented by dual-tone interiors of light grey with a mild black contrast with satin-copper accents enhances the electric SUV’s overall aesthetic.

While the XUV400 EC Pro is priced at Rs. 15,49,000 (ex-showroom), the XUV400 EL Pro is available at Rs. 16,74,000 and the XUV400 EL Pro with 39.4 kWh battery is available at Rs. 17,49,000.

 

India

Special court reserves order in Hemant Soren case; ex-CM to be in one-day judicial custody

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Soren was arrested on Wednesday night after a seven-hour grilling by the ED in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. He resigned as the chief minister before that.

Updated On – 1 February 2024, 05:28 PM


Special court reserves order in Hemant Soren case; ex-CM to be in one-day judicial custody


Ranchi: The special PMLA court here sent former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, to judicial custody for a day, lawyers said.

The ED sought 10 days remand for Soren. The court reserved its order for Friday.

The JMM executive president has been sent to judicial custody for a day, lawyers said.

Advocate General Rajeev Ranjan, who appeared for Soren, said outside the court that the JMM leader was sent to judicial custody till an order was passed.

“The entire case is driven by wrong intentions. This is a conspiracy to topple the government. There is no evidence in the entire proceedings against the former chief minister. His arrest was made when proceedings were on to record his statement, which is illegal,” he said.

Soren was arrested on Wednesday night after a seven-hour grilling by the ED in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. He resigned as the chief minister before that.

The JMM leader was taken to the Birsa Munda Birsa Munda Central Jail here.

As the ex-chief minister was brought outside the court building on the way to the jail, his supporters raised slogans like “Hemant Soren Zindabad”.

The JMM leader greeted them in response.

Top News

Japan Footballer Junya Ito Investigated After Sexual Assault Reports

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Junya Ito is currently with the Japan team at the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.© AFP




Japanese police said Thursday that they have launched an investigation into international footballer Junya Ito after local media reports said two women had accused him of sexual assault, a claim he denies. “We received a criminal complaint against him and have started an investigation,” a police spokesman in Osaka working in the department covering crimes including sexual assaults told AFP. He declined to give further details including what the complaint was about. Ito is currently with the Japan team at the Asian Cup in Qatar.

The incident involving the two women is alleged to have taken place at a hotel in Osaka in June last year after a friendly between Japan and Peru, media reports said.

The midfielder has denied the allegations, Kyodo news agency reported, quoting his lawyer as saying the claims were “totally unfounded”.

While Ito did spend time with the two women, their accounts are inconsistent and there is no physical evidence supporting their allegations, Kyodo quoted the unnamed lawyer as saying.

Asked by AFP in Doha about Ito’s status with the team after Japan’s round of 16 match against Bahrain on Wednesday, national coach Hajime Moriyasu told reporters: “I’m not fully aware (of the allegation) yet. I’ll deal with it after examining it.”

The 30-year-old was named in the matchday squad but was an unused substitute as Japan won 3-1 to reach the quarter-finals.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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World

Ukraine hails EU deal on $54bn aid package

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“It is very important that the decision was made by all 27 leaders, which once again proves strong EU unity,” the Ukrainian president said on X.

“Continued EU financial support for Ukraine will strengthen long-term economic and financial stability, which is no less important than military assistance and sanctions pressure on Russia,” Zelenskyy added, according to Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal has hailed a deal reached by the EU to supply Kyiv with 50 billion euros ($54bn) in aid that Hungary initially had blocked.

“Each of your votes is a significant contribution to our joint victory,” Shmygal said in a message on social media thanking member states.

He added that the agreement was a display of “solidarity” and “unity” in the 27-member bloc.

All 27 EU members have agreed on an additional 50 billion euro ($54bn) support package for Ukraine, Charles Michel, president of the council of European Union leaders, said on social media platform X.

“This locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for Ukraine”, he added.

MNA

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US Woman Banned From Dropping Children Off At School Over OnlyFans Sticker

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US Woman Banned From Dropping Children Off At School Over 'OnlyFans' Sticker On Car

Michelle Cline’s car sports an advertisement for the adult OnlyFans website.

In Central Florida, a woman has been prohibited from escorting her children to a private Christian school due to an advertisement for her “OnlyFans” account displayed on her vehicle, according to The New York Post.

The school has mandated that she park her car in a lot across the street, requiring her children to navigate a busy road, and cross a parking lot to reach the school premises. However, the school has offered a solution – the ban will be lifted if she removes the advertisement for the adult content site from her vehicle.

Michelle Cline, 35, told The NY Post she is now forced to walk her children across a busy street to get them to class – and that some parents want her family expelled from Liberty Christian Preparatory School in Tavares altogether.

“I don’t think it’s right,” she said. “People are going to be offended by all sorts of things, different bumper stickers, whatever. But at the end of the day, this is something that supports my family.”

Ms Cline, who previously worked in assisted living facilities and as a beautician, first launched the explicit venture – which clears up to $20,000 a month – roughly three years ago.

“It’s only me and my husband,” she said. “No one else is brought in, male or female. We always were into cameras in our bedroom, so we said, ‘Hey, let’s make some money off of this.'”

According to reports, Ms Cline, known as “Piper Fawn” on the internet, strategically placed a big sticker featuring her OnlyFans account details on the rear of her SUV about two years ago to enhance her business. The sticker caught the attention of fellow parents during school pickup and drop-off at the religious school, leading to the gradual spread of discussion about Ms Cline’s profession.

Hyderabad

Man calls ‘108’ ambulance for lift during Hyderabad-Jangaon footslog

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There was no bus facility to the locality in Jangaon where he wanted to go, he said.

Updated On – 1 February 2024, 05:29 PM


Man calls ‘108’ ambulance for lift during Hyderabad-Jangaon footslog

Representational Image

Yadadri-Bhongir: A man, who decided to walk all the way to Jangaon from Hyderabad, got exhausted after reaching Bhongir. A video of the solution he saw for his dilemma is now going viral on social media.

The man, K Ramesh, who says he was a daily wage labourer in Hyderabad, had decided to go to his aunt’s house in Jangaon, but for reasons known to himself, decided to take up the 90-odd kilometre journey by foot. However, after walking for about 40 km, he felt tired and called a ‘108′ ambulance.

The ambulance staff, who thought it was an emergency, rushed to the spot, where he told them that he was tired and unable to continue his journey. He felt he was “unconscious”. When the staff explained what the word meant, he said he was tired and that it was his “emergency”.

There was no bus facility to the locality in Jangaon where he wanted to go, he said.

The staff explained to him that the ambulance service was meant to shift persons in emergency to hospital for treatment. However, Ramesh was not ready to give up and said he was suffering from severe leg pain and asked them to shift him to Jangaon in the ambulance.

The staff then told him that they would shift him to the Bhongir area hospital if his condition was not good.

He however, denied the offer and continued to insist that they drop him at Jangaon, even pleading that he had a rod in his arm and that it was painful, apart from feeling exhausted.

The ambulance staff however explained the purpose of the ambulance and after checking his health, asked him to take rest for some time and continue his footslog or to catch a bus to Jangaon.

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Gyanvapi Cellar Verdict Was Varanasi Judge's Last Before Retirement

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Gyanvapi Cellar Verdict Was Varanasi Judge's Last Before Retirement

The Gyanvapi cellar was unsealed after the verdict and prayers held at 3 am today

Varanasi:

The judgment allowing Hindu prayers in a cellar at Varanasi’s Gyanvapi Mosque was the final verdict of a judge’s career. Yesterday was the last working day for Dr Ajaya Krishna Vishvesha, Varanasi district and sessions judge, before his retirement.

Born in 1964 in Haridwar, now in Uttarakhand, Dr Vishvesha holds a Bachelor’s degree in science and a Master’s in law. He joined the judicial service in 1990. He has earlier served as district and sessions judge in Bulandshahr and in several judicial posts across Uttar Pradesh.

In a judgment that is being considered a key development in the Gyanvapi legal battle, the Varanasi court allowed members of a family of Hindu priests’ to hold prayers in a cellar inside the Gyanvapi complex that was sealed for over 30 years. The 17th century mosque has four cellars. The cellar where puja has been allowed is called ‘Vyas ji ka Tehkhana’.

The petitioner, Shailendra Pathak Vyas, has said his family has worshipped idols in the cellar for generations. The petitioner also said that his maternal grandfather, Somnath Vyas, regularly worshipped the idols till 1993 when the Mulayam Singh Yadav sealed the premises. The Mulayam Singh Yadav government had sealed the premises, including the cellar, citing law and order concerns in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition. During the hearing, the Muslim side had said the petitioner had not placed any evidence that prayers were held in the cellar and claimed there is no idol there. They have now said that they would challenge the district court judgment in Allahabad High Court.

Hours after yesterday’s judgment, the district administration unsealed the premises and a puja was held there around 3 am today.

Jitendra Nath Vyas, a member of the Vyas family, told news agency ANI that five priests of Kashi Vishwanath temple, their family members and top district officials were present during the puja. Heavy force has been deployed near the mosque to prevent any flare-up.

Hyderabad

Netizens celebrate ‘Meme God’ Brahmanandam’s birthday with hilarious posts

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Brahmanandam, the crowned king of memes has become the unsung hero of countless internet memes, each a testament to his timeless comedic prowess.

Updated On – 1 February 2024, 05:07 PM


Netizens celebrate ‘Meme God’ Brahmanandam’s birthday with hilarious posts

Brahmanandam

Hyderabad: Tollywood’s reigning funnyman, Brahmanandam, has not just mastered the art of tickling funny bones but has ascended to the greatest height of meme immortality. As the sun rises on another glorious year for the ‘GOAT’ of comedy, netizens have unleashed a digital storm of birthday wishes, transforming social media into a virtual comedy club.

Brahmanandam, the crowned king of memes has become the unsung hero of countless internet memes, each a testament to his timeless comedic prowess. Social media is buzzing with fans and memers flooding all platforms with hilarious memes and edited videos, in a digital homage to the man who can make us giggle with just a raise of an eyebrow.

The actor’s comic wizardry takes center stage, with memes ranging from one-liners to ingenious edits of his most iconic scenes. It’s a birthday bonanza where the virtual party is not complete without a hearty dose of Brahmi magic.

As the digital space echoes with LOLs it is clear that Brahmanandam’s birthday bash is not just a celebration but is a riot of laughter, which is a testament to the legacy of the man who reigns supreme as the unrivaled ‘meme god’ of Tollywood.

Take a look at some of the most hilarious birthday memes and videos: