Big diplomatic win for India's global outreach as US declares TRF a terror group
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First Post
32 minutes ago
- First Post
Microsoft bars China-based engineers from Pentagon support after US scrutiny
Microsoft, a key contractor for the US government, has previously experienced high-profile breaches by Chinese and Russian hackers. It said that it had disclosed its arrangements with China-based personnel to the government read more Microsoft said it will no longer allow engineers based in China to provide technical assistance for US military cloud computing systems, following a report that raised concerns over potential cybersecurity threats and prompted a high-level review by the Pentagon. The move comes after investigative outlet ProPublica published a report detailing how Chinese engineers had been involved in supporting the Pentagon's cloud infrastructure, under the supervision of American 'digital escorts'. These escorts, employed via subcontractors and holding security clearances, were reportedly often not equipped with the technical expertise to detect cybersecurity risks posed by the Chinese engineers' work. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Microsoft, a key contractor for the US government, has previously experienced high-profile breaches by Chinese and Russian hackers. It told ProPublica that it had disclosed its arrangements with China-based personnel during the government's authorisation process. Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw said on the social media platform X that the company had modified its procedures 'in response to concerns raised earlier this week … to assure that no China-based engineering teams are providing technical assistance' for services supporting the Pentagon. Review launched, senator raises alarm Earlier on Friday, Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas and chair of the Senate intelligence committee, sent a letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding clarification on Microsoft's reported practices. Cotton, who also serves on the armed services committee, requested a list of contractors using Chinese personnel and more detail on how digital escorts are trained to identify suspicious activities. 'The US government recognises that China's cyber capabilities pose one of the most aggressive and dangerous threats to the United States, as evidenced by infiltration of our critical infrastructure, telecommunications networks, and supply chains,' Cotton wrote. He added that the military 'must guard against all potential threats within its supply chain, including those from subcontractors'. In a video statement posted on X, Hegseth said he had ordered a two-week review to ensure that no China-based engineers were involved in other Department of Defence cloud contracts. 'I'm announcing that China will no longer have any involvement whatsoever in our cloud services, effective immediately,' Hegseth said. 'We will continue to monitor and counter all threats to our military infrastructure and online networks.'
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"100 MPs Have Signed": Kiren Rijiju On Impeachment Move In Judge Cash Row
New Delhi: Over 100 MPs have signed their consent to bring an impeachment motion in Parliament against Justice Yashwant Varma, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, a day before the Monsoon Session begins. The judge hit headlines when a huge sum of unaccounted cash was recovered from his Delhi home after a fire in March. The cash recovery triggered allegations of massive corruption within the Judiciary, prompting the Supreme Court to start an inquiry. A three-member panel has recommended his impeachment, and the judge has challenged this in the top court. The cash recovery row has also played out against the backdrop of some voices in the ruling dispensation accusing the Supreme Court of judicial overreach, and stressing the supremacy of Parliament. According to the Constitution, a Supreme Court judge can be removed from office only through a Presidential order on the grounds of "proved misbehaviour or incapacity". A motion for impeachment in such a case will be admitted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the Rajya Sabha or at least 100 in the Lok Sabha. This motion would need the support of two-thirds of the MPs in the House for passage. Earlier, Mr Rijiju said corruption in the judiciary is an "extremely sensitive" matter and all political parties are united on this issue. "The government will bring an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma in this session," he said today. Main opposition Congress, sources have said, has also joined cause with the ruling BJP on this front. About 35 Lok Sabha MPs, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, have signed the proposal to bring the impeachment motion against the judge, the sources added. Monsoon Session Begins Tomorrow Mr Rijiju told the media that during the all-party meeting held a day before the new Parliament session begins, 40 representatives from 51 parties were present. "They presented their views and we requested everyone to ensure that the House runs smoothly. It is a shared responsibility - both the ruling and opposition sides must contribute. We will take up the suggestion of giving more time to smaller parties in the BAC (Business Advisory Committee) meeting, in accordance with the rules." The Opposition is expected to mount a spirited offensive against the government over the Pahalgam terror attack and ask tough questions regarding Operation Sindoor and US President Donald Trump's claims of having brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. "We are ready to discuss all important issues, including Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor - but it must be as per parliamentary rules. We have listened to all suggestions from the opposition members," the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said today. On the Opposition's allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi often skips Parliament, Mr Rijiju said, "The Prime Minister is always present in the House, except during foreign visits or in rare special situations. Constantly dragging the Prime Minister into every issue is not appropriate. Whenever a particular department is being discussed, the minister concerned is present to respond," he said. The government has listed 15 bills for this session. These include key legislation on taxation, shipping, sports governance, and geo-heritage preservation. Opposition Preps Attack At the all-party meeting today, Congress MP and its Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, demanded that the Prime Minister address Parliament and respond to key questions on the Pahalgam attack, the government's foreign policy, and the unrest in Manipur. "Why hasn't the Prime Minister visited Manipur yet? We want focused discussions on national security and foreign affairs," he said. Supriya Sule (NCP), too, questioned why the terrorists who gunned down innocents in Pahalgam had not been caught yet. She also slammed a Maharashtra minister allegedly seen playing rummy in the Assembly. "Farmers are dying by suicide, and ministers are busy playing games. He must resign," she said. AAP's Sanjay Singh raised Trump's comments on Operation Sindoor and the Special Intensive Revision of voter list in poll-bound Bihar. BJD's Sasmit Patra expressed anguish over a student's self-immolation in Odisha and alleged that law and order in the BJP-ruled state had completely broken down. Samajwadi Party's Ramgopal Yadav alleged a foreign policy failure at the Centre and raised questions on the voter list revision in Bihar.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Monsoon Session: Oppn to corner Centre on Op Sindoor, Bihar SIR issue
New Delhi: As the Monsoon Session of Parliament kicks off on Monday, July 21, and continues till August 21, political leaders across party lines on Sunday expressed optimism for a smooth and productive session. The session, expected to be a stormy one, will be the first since Operation Sindoor, and the Opposition has already signalled its intent to raise several pressing issues -- significant among them the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, following an all-party meeting, called on both the ruling and Opposition parties to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament. "It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that Parliament runs smoothly," he said. Speaking to IANS, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said, "There are many legislative works to be completed in the Monsoon Session, including the passage of about eight bills. I hope the Opposition will play a constructive role." Stressing the importance of debates, he added, "If the Opposition comes with a positive attitude, we can fulfil the aspirations of the people through Parliament." BJP MP Chandra Prakash Joshi also called on the Opposition to ensure smooth conduct, without disruptions, stating, "Several important issues will be discussed. It is hoped that all political parties will work together to ensure the House functions without disruption, so every representative gets the opportunity to raise constituency concerns." However, Opposition leaders have made it clear that they will not hold back from raising sensitive national issues. RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha told IANS that the Opposition will demand an explanation for the Pahalgam terror attack and seek a broader discussion on Operation Sindoor. "What is the purpose of Parliament? It is meant to address public concerns in the Parliament. We must remember the pain of the Pahalgam terror attack before Operation Sindoor, and also consider how, after the operation, our global diplomatic standing has been affected. These issues are not about targeting any one party or political group. They are about the nation. Why did these circumstances happen? No one has an explanation," he said. "There should be open, honest discussion, not criticism, but course correction," Jha added. Earlier in the day, Congress Rajya Sabha member Pramod Tiwari also said that in the INDIA bloc meeting, held on Saturday, it was decided to raise several issues, including the Pahalgam terror attack and Bihar voter list revision. Speaking to IANS, Tiwari said, "With one voice, it was collectively decided that we must give top priority to the Pahalgam terror attack. The intelligence failure will be raised. We will also question the government's silence on this issue." "In addition, we will raise the issue of how, in Bihar, names of Dalits, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, and poor upper castes are being deleted from the voter list; we will also raise the issues of Gaza," he added. The CPI also came down heavily on the government during the all-party meet. In a statement following the all-party meet, the party said its Rajya Sabha MP P. Sandosh Kumar criticised the "grave security and intelligence failure" that led to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of several tourists. He demanded that the Prime Minister "come clean before the nation through the floor of Parliament." The CPI also raised concerns over US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of having mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor -- assertions that the party said have "emboldened international interference in Kashmir," a matter it described as "purely internal." Kumar also flagged electoral roll manipulation in Bihar, particularly the alleged misuse of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which he said has" disenfranchised" the poor. The party further demanded a probe into serious allegations of mass killings and rapes in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, urging that the case be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Meanwhile, BJP MLA Ram Kadam expressed confidence that the government will not be rattled by opposition pressure. "Over the past 11 years, the Opposition has repeatedly tried to corner our government but failed," he told IANS, adding, "Parliament is for discussion, not disruption." JD(U) leader K.C. Tyagi also struck a balanced tone, expressing hope that Parliament "functions smoothly, important bills are passed, and issues raised by the Opposition are also discussed."
