Xi, Putin to skip BRICS Summit in Brazil
Instead, Chinese Premier and Xi's confidant Li Qiang will take part in the summit, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
HC grants Centre time to file affidavit in misuse of national emblem
1 2 3 Cuttack: Orissa high court granted the Centre time till July 22, 2025 to submit a more detailed affidavit in response to a PIL alleging widespread misuse of the national emblem of India. Adopted on Jan 26, 1950, the national emblem is based on the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, with the words Satyameva Jayate inscribed below in Devanagari script. A two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman on Tuesday, granted the time following a request by deputy solicitor general P K Parhi to file the improved affidavit. The PIL, filed by Ganjam-based Alone Trust on Dec 27, 2024, seeks strict action against unauthorised and incorrect usage of the national emblem. The petition highlighted several instances where the emblem is misrepresented, including omission of key elements like the animals and the motto Satyameva Jayate. Advocate Pabitra Kumar Dutta represented the petitioner. The court had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre's counter affidavit filed on March 12, following its directives dated Jan 22 and Feb 19. "There has to be verification, action taken and report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Counter will be accepted on adjourned date upon advance copy served," the court stated, setting the next hearing on March 26. I n its Feb 19 order, the HC criticised repeated adjournments sought by the Centre and emphasised the seriousness of the allegations regarding the emblem's misuse. "We do not appreciate prayer for adjournment, earlier obtained for verification and rectification," the bench had observed. The PIL also calls for the inclusion of the national emblem of India in school curricula and campaigns to promote public awareness about its legal, cultural, and symbolic significance. It argues that a lack of awareness is contributing to its misuse across the country. Interestingly, the PIL was filed on Dec 27, 2024, just two days after the Centre proposed stricter regulations, including a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh and jail terms, to curb unauthorised use of national symbols, as well as names and photographs of the President and Prime Minister. Currently, the emblem's usage is governed by two separate laws — the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, overseen by the ministry of home affairs, and the emblems and names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, enforced by the consumer affairs department. The Centre is reportedly considering merging the two laws under a single administrative authority for better enforcement.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
How India Ramping Up Army Firepower Following Israel-Iran Conflict, Eyeing Indigenous Edge Over Pakistan And China
New Delhi: Seemingly taking lessons from the recent Israel-Iran conflict, India has quietly shifted gears to strengthen its own military muscle. The Ministry of Defence, under Rajnath Singh's leadership, has approved a fast-track plan to arm the Indian Army with new-generation weapons sourced from domestic firms. The list includes high-tech drones, loitering munitions and advanced counter-drone systems – tools tailored for today's evolving battlefield. These purchases carry weight beyond just numbers. They signal a strategic message that New Delhi is preparing for any threat looming on its western or northern frontiers. The decision is likely to cause unease in both Islamabad and Beijing. The Indian Army has been given full autonomy to make rapid acquisitions. It is already in talks with domestic companies to deliver precision-guided systems, artillery shells and long-range strike equipment. These tools are being treated as essentials for operations ranging from counter-terror missions to high-altitude defence posturing. One of the most notable acquisitions is the Nagastra 1R loitering munition. The Army has placed an order worth Rs 158 crore with Solar Industries to procure 450 units. These munitions are already deployed in select sectors and have proven effective. Capable of eliminating infiltrators and destroying enemy infrastructure along the Line of Control, the new batch is expected to be delivered within a year. Another key addition is the hybrid mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) – a fixed-wing VTOL system that can take off and land vertically. It has been tested thoroughly by two high-level technical committees to ensure that no components are of Chinese origin. These UAVs have been field-tested during recent military exercises and are now approved for frontline use. Behind these decisions is a larger plan. The Army is drawing up contracts worth tens of thousands of crores. In the coming weeks, purchases totalling Rs 44,000 crore are on the table. These include long-range strike weapons, smart jammers, advanced radars and an arsenal of ammunition built for sustained warfare. The Army's focus remains sharp on 'long-range vectors' – systems capable of hitting deep inside enemy territory without needing boots on the ground. The need for stronger air defences is also high on the list. After 'Operation Sindoor', where Pakistani drones posed a serious threat, the Army wants to deploy low-altitude radars and anti-drone systems in more locations. These tools were critical during that operation and are now seen as a core component of India's future defence architecture. A new security doctrine is quietly taking shape. It favours homegrown innovation, battlefield autonomy and 24x7 readiness. The Army is also ensuring that modernisation does not get entangled in red tape. Instead of waiting years for approvals, it is now signing faster contracts with domestic vendors. This is no ordinary procurement push. It is a recalibration of India's military approach in a world where regional conflicts can spill across borders within hours. As global powers react to the Israel-Iran war, India is making its own moves – which appear to be calculated, quiet and deeply strategic.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Must draw a hard line: US lawmakers want AI systems from these countries to be ‘banned' from government agencies
Representative Image A bipartisan group of US lawmakers have proposed a bill to ban AI systems from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from federal executive agencies, a report claims. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the legislation wants to create a permanent framework to prohibit the use of these foreign-developed AI models by US government agencies. The recently introduced bill by Representative John Moolenaar (Republican-Michigan) and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat-Illinois) would require the Federal Acquisition Security Council to establish and regularly update a list of AI models developed in these countries. What US lawmakers said about this bill In a statement to Reuters, Moolenaar said: 'The US must draw a hard line: hostile AI systems have no business operating inside our government. This legislation creates a permanent firewall to keep adversary AI out of our most sensitive networks, where the cost of compromise is simply too high.' Under the proposed law, federal agencies would be barred from purchasing or using these AI technologies unless granted a specific exemption, such as for research purposes, from the US Congress or the Office of Management and Budget, Reuters reported. The bill also includes a provision allowing technologies to be removed from the banned list if proof is provided that they are not controlled or influenced by a foreign adversary. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo This comes after a previous Reuters report cited a senior US official who claimed that DeepSeek is helping China's military and intelligence operations, and the Chinese AI company has had access to "large volumes" of Nvidia's chips. In January, DeepSeek came into the spotlight by announcing it had developed an AI model similar in capability to OpenAI's ChatGPT but at a lower cost. Since then, several US companies and government agencies have restricted its use due to data security concerns, and the Trump administration is reportedly considering a ban on its use on federal devices. The bill was co-sponsored by US Representative Ritchie Torres (Democrat-New York) and Representative Darin LaHood (Republican-Illinois). In the US Senate, it is being led by Senators Rick Scott (Republican-Florida) and Gary Peters (Democrat-Michigan), the Reuters report added. Redmi Pad 2: Know these Things Before Buying! AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
