Latest news with #Kaiser
Scroll.in
a day ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
A new book recounts the formation of the Berlin Indian Independence Committee in 1914
The Germans exhibited no particular interest in India before 1886. That year, they established consular relations with India by opening their first-ever embassy in Calcutta (the capital of British India then). Later, they sent only their best officers, adept at foreign dealings, to take care of affairs with India. They were in a strong position in Europe while Britain stood isolated despite its conquests, guarding its own, lacking the trust of its peers, amongst whom they failed to generate neither faith nor friendship. Along with their suspicions about Russia, France and Japan, Britain was also wary about Turkey with its Pan-Islamism, which invoked the trust of the 85 million Muslims of India. The empire feared the Muslim community and had so far kept them out of the army, reposing its trust in Sikhs, who had not forsaken it in 1857, and the Gurkhas for their loyalty. Muslims in India respected the caliphate and there had been reports of people from the Ottoman Empire instigating Indian Muslims to revolt against British rule. Turkey had just won the war against Greece with the Greeks accepting an armistice on 20 May 1897. The sound of celebrations had reverberated in India too. The Muslim majority in India was angry with the Queen for not supporting the caliphate in the war against Greece and later favouring the Armenians in another conflict. Britain did try a rapprochement of sorts by sending medical missions to Turkey and helping them out with financial aid. But whether this was enough for them to garner the sympathies of their Islamic counterparts would be seen later. It was a question of millions of Muslims who could be easily aroused and angered by outside influences. There was another fear of Russia conquering Turkey and then taking along the Muslim population to invade India. The Germans were keeping a tab on these fears but not meddling with them or provoking them to raise the intensity. Germany, at least on the face of it, did not seem as if they desired India's freedom. The emperor of Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II, was always full of praise for Lord Curzon. He had a motive that would be revealed later. The idea of the white man's supremacy was not lost on the Kaiser and he firmly believed in it. The maintenance and expansion of the British Empire was a dream Curzon visualised with his eyes wide open. He would not let the Russians, the French, the Japanese or even the Germans have a share of what he deemed was the right of the empire. The Persian Gulf was one such area of his interest where he would not let others carry out operations. He had even extracted a secret agreement from Mubarak, the Sheikh of Kuwait, to not let any foreign power conduct operations in the Persian Gulf without British consent. The Kaiser's praise for Lord Curzon, and his desire to have some kind of control over India, was known to Britain and they were wary of the Germans. They did not trust the Germans or their word. There was only an outward show of love and affection between the two nations. The Germans, when they started with their expansionist programme, needed British help to create business in Indian territory. They did not want to antagonise the empire by working against them but on the contrary, they had extended a hand of help when India suffered a famine in early 1900. The Kaiser pledged a sum of half a million marks by sending a telegram to the Queen and Lord Curzon. Lord Curzon too did not lose the opportunity to thank the Kaiser publicly for this generous offer, but this kindness did not wash away the distrust from the mind of the empire. And though the Kaiser wanted to erase this British antipathy at least from India, it was not successful. Germany wanted Lord Curzon to allow Indian immigrant labour to settle in German East Africa, their African colony that was reeling from a labour shortage. This area, spread around 3,85,000 square miles, amounted to twice the size of the German Empire in Europe. Here they had plans to grow rubber, sisal, cotton and coffee. The African wars had taken a toll on the men, leading to a crunch in manpower. The Germans wanted to employ Indian labour to change the prospects of this land, but their hopes could not materialise because the final approval from the viceroy never arrived. They were able to establish illegal colonies of Indian labourers with the help of the Aga Khan, the influential Muslim religious figure. Lord Curzon was so firm in his disapproval that when he came to know about this proposed plan, the Aga Khan had to let it go because there were issues that could not be settled and Indian immigrants could not be accommodated in German East Africa at that time. In the coming years, Indians did follow the Germans and ended up making East Africa their home, adding to the economy by working as traders and artisans. The Kaiser also needed Curzon to approve the high-profile Baghdad Railway project in the Persian Gulf area, a possession very dear to Curzon where he wanted no intrusion despite the reservations of the British authorities in London, who deemed this obsession unnecessary. The Kaiser did get the nod for the Baghdad Railway in the area of the Persian Gulf, which now saw Russian activity as well, but this project would run into difficulties after the Entente powers resolved their differences. Britain, in 1905, included the safeguard of India in its already continuing treaty with Japan. The issues with Russia too were being sorted out as it no longer posed a threat and assured support against any infringement on Indian territory by the signing of a treaty. Thus, the trio of England, Russia and Japan grew strong, painting a grim picture for Germany, who felt that it was being targeted by them along with other European nations for being too ambitious and carrying on its expansionist policies. The Austro-Hungarians were the only ones it could count on as its friends. In the later part of 1907, Germany's fears about this deliberate encirclement policy proved right when England raised fresh objections to the continuation of the Baghdad Railway project. Britain wanted the last stretch of the railways to be handed over to them because it feared that it posed a threat to Indian security. The Kaiser had objected and rebuked them for this folly. The makings of war had begun. Another German fear was the use of the railway for sending Turkish troops into Indian territory in the scenario of a conflict and Turkey lending support to England. That Pan-Islamic Turkey would seek the support of its ardent Muslim followers in India was feared by Britain as well as Russia. The Germans were keeping a tab on the growing friendship between Britain and Russia after the opening of the Russian consulate in Calcutta and the favours being bestowed on them. Along with it, they saw the rise of Indian nationalism, which evoked a curious interest in them. Their prestige rose in the eyes of the Indian Muslim who connected the dots by placing Turkish-German friendliness on an exalted frame. In the Greco-Turkish War, when Turkey won, Kaiser Wilhelm supported them. He negotiated with Greece for the autonomy of one of their islands and refrained from working out an armistice, defying the diktats of Queen Victoria. This attitude of Germany was seen as a sympathetic gesture towards the Turks. Different camps were in the making – the Entente powers or Allied powers versus the Central powers. If Germany had enjoyed the pre-war period with aplomb by making great strides into the Indian economy, garnering business of DM105 million in exports, now was the time to rethink its strategy. The Indian plight from which it had disengaged itself, being a votary of imperialism, suddenly began to haunt them. Educated Indians impressed them with their prowess and intelligence. Indian oppression was beginning to look real and their fight for rights appeared just. There was a sea change in German attitude as the clouds of war began hovering over the horizon, making them see an enemy's enemy as their friend. The Germans would eventually invest themselves in India's independence struggle. Now that war was on the cards, it wanted to weaken the defence of the enemy at all costs, hoping to win or at least expecting a rapprochement from the enemy side. Indian revolutionaries working in London, Paris and other European cities were being hounded by British authorities putting a check on their activities. They drifted towards Berlin, which by now was ready to welcome them. Help from Germany was initially sought by Bengali revolutionaries and groups such as the Dacca Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar, but the right time for this association coupled with German interest only arrived after the initiation of the First World War in July 1914. The Indian National Party, later known as the Berlin Indian Independence Committee, came into existence towards the end of 1914 with Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, who was studying in Germany in early 1914, as its architect. Virendranath Chattopadhyaya was closely involved with Shyamaji Krishnavarma's India House earlier and was a close friend of Savarkar.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
4 people charged in Loveland park incident involving council member Erin Black
Four people were issued a summons for harassment, but not Loveland City Council member Erin Black, after a March park altercation that has led to an effort to recall her. The Larimer County Sheriff's Office said in a news release May 30 it concluded its investigation into the case, and the Eighth Judicial District Attorney's Office issued summonses for class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor harassment. But Black is not among the people who will be facing criminal charges. The charges stem from a March 29 incident in Loveland's Dwayne Webster Park that involved resident Dillon Kaiser, Black and others who were at the park with her. A video recording publicly posted March 30 by Kaiser showed the two sides arguing with each other for about 10 minutes. In the video, taken by Kaiser, the parties can be seen taunting each other, calling each other names and daring each other to make physical contact. Black can be seen yelling at Kaiser, carrying an umbrella and gesturing toward him with it while standing close to him. After the incident, Loveland City Council members formally asked Black to resign, calling her behavior unacceptable. They said her actions lacked decorum that an elected official should have, undermined public trust and damaged the integrity of the council. She has not resigned, and now a recall effort is underway. The Loveland Police Department asked the sheriff's office to take over the criminal investigation after learning a Loveland council member was involved. The District Attorney's Office, in a social media post, explained why Black was not charged. In a Facebook post, the DA's office said it had multiple video angles of the incident, including some that were not made public. The complete video evidence demonstrated there was no contact between Black and Kaiser, the post said, and "it was reviewed by multiple attorneys who came to the same conclusion." While the allegation of physical contact involving Black did not lead to charges, another allegation did because it was corroborated by video evidence and on-scene statements, the post said. "In Colorado, a criminal charge of harassment must fall into a narrow set of parameters," the post said. In the case of the four people charged, there was actual physical contact and repeated taunts that specifically tried to solicit a physical confrontation or violence, the DA's office says. "Other communications, even if aggressive or confrontational, that don't meet the narrow statutory exceptions, are Constitutionally protected free speech," the post says. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Loveland council member Erin Black isn't charged in park incident
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation Publishes 2024 Sustainability Report
FRANKLIN, Tenn., May 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (NASDAQ: KALU) today published its 2024 Sustainability Report, highlighting the Company's sustainable business practices and initiatives. The report reflects Kaiser's commitment to its corporate values—to be a preferred investment, a preferred supplier, a preferred employer, a preferred customer, and a valued corporate citizen. The report is available on the Company's website at "I'm proud of our team and their consistent dedication to our core values," said Keith A. Harvey, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. "These values are not just principles; they are deeply embedded in our culture and drive our decision-making, operational discipline, and strategic direction. They underpin our commitment to delivering sustainable performance, acting as responsible stewards of capital, and creating lasting value for our stakeholders. Our 2024 achievements reflect our focus and our values." Key highlights from Kaiser's 2024 Sustainability Report include: New Product LaunchThe Company successfully launched the KaiserSelect® Next Gen product line in 2024, building on its proprietary KaiserSelect® technology. This new highly-engineered offering, developed with sustainability in mind, delivers enhanced machining performance and consistency, enabling customers to improve operational efficiency while reducing material waste. Major Greenhouse Gas Emissions ReductionA significant capital investment project at the Kaiser Aluminum Warrick facility played a key role in achieving a 11% reduction in total Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions intensity, along with a 19% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 absolute GHG emissions—marking a meaningful step toward achieving the Company's 2030 emission intensity reduction targets. Empowering Plant-Level LeadershipThe Company introduced the Leaders of Leaders program—designed to empower plant leaders to build the next generation of leadership and strengthen management capabilities across operations. Ongoing Commitment to Community EngagementThroughout the year, Kaiser deepened community partnerships through employee volunteer efforts, charitable sponsorships, and corporate donations—reflecting the Company's commitment to being a responsible and valued community partner. About Kaiser Aluminum Corporation Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., is a leading producer of semi-fabricated specialty aluminum products, serving customers worldwide with highly-engineered solutions for aerospace and high-strength, packaging, general engineering, automotive extrusions, and other industrial applications. The Company's North American facilities produce value-added plate, sheet, coil, extrusions, rod, bar, tube, and wire products, adhering to traditions of quality, innovation, and service that have been key components of the culture since the Company was founded in 1946. The Company's stock is included in the Russell 2000® index and the S&P Small Cap 600® index. Available Information For more information, please visit the Company's website at The website includes a section for investor relations under which the Company provides notifications of news or announcements regarding its financial performance, including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, investor events, and earnings and other press releases. In addition, all Company filings submitted to the SEC are available through a link to the section of the SEC's website at which includes: Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Proxy Statements for the Company's annual stockholders' meetings, and other information statements as filed with the SEC. In addition, the Company provides a webcast of its quarterly earnings calls and certain events in which management participates or hosts with members of the investment community. View source version on Contacts Addo Investor RelationsInvestors@ 949-614-1769
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation Publishes 2024 Sustainability Report
FRANKLIN, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (NASDAQ: KALU) today published its 2024 Sustainability Report, highlighting the Company's sustainable business practices and initiatives. The report reflects Kaiser's commitment to its corporate values—to be a preferred investment, a preferred supplier, a preferred employer, a preferred customer, and a valued corporate citizen. The report is available on the Company's website at 'I'm proud of our team and their consistent dedication to our core values,' said Keith A. Harvey, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. 'These values are not just principles; they are deeply embedded in our culture and drive our decision-making, operational discipline, and strategic direction. They underpin our commitment to delivering sustainable performance, acting as responsible stewards of capital, and creating lasting value for our stakeholders. Our 2024 achievements reflect our focus and our values.' Key highlights from Kaiser's 2024 Sustainability Report include: New Product Launch The Company successfully launched the KaiserSelect® Next Gen product line in 2024, building on its proprietary KaiserSelect® technology. This new highly-engineered offering, developed with sustainability in mind, delivers enhanced machining performance and consistency, enabling customers to improve operational efficiency while reducing material waste. Major Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction A significant capital investment project at the Kaiser Aluminum Warrick facility played a key role in achieving a 11% reduction in total Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions intensity, along with a 19% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 absolute GHG emissions—marking a meaningful step toward achieving the Company's 2030 emission intensity reduction targets. Empowering Plant-Level Leadership The Company introduced the Leaders of Leaders program—designed to empower plant leaders to build the next generation of leadership and strengthen management capabilities across operations. Ongoing Commitment to Community Engagement Throughout the year, Kaiser deepened community partnerships through employee volunteer efforts, charitable sponsorships, and corporate donations—reflecting the Company's commitment to being a responsible and valued community partner. About Kaiser Aluminum Corporation Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., is a leading producer of semi-fabricated specialty aluminum products, serving customers worldwide with highly-engineered solutions for aerospace and high-strength, packaging, general engineering, automotive extrusions, and other industrial applications. The Company's North American facilities produce value-added plate, sheet, coil, extrusions, rod, bar, tube, and wire products, adhering to traditions of quality, innovation, and service that have been key components of the culture since the Company was founded in 1946. The Company's stock is included in the Russell 2000® index and the S&P Small Cap 600® index. Available Information For more information, please visit the Company's website at The website includes a section for investor relations under which the Company provides notifications of news or announcements regarding its financial performance, including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, investor events, and earnings and other press releases. In addition, all Company filings submitted to the SEC are available through a link to the section of the SEC's website at which includes: Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Proxy Statements for the Company's annual stockholders' meetings, and other information statements as filed with the SEC. In addition, the Company provides a webcast of its quarterly earnings calls and certain events in which management participates or hosts with members of the investment community.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Zurich North America names Chuck Kaiser Chief Communications Officer
Kaiser brings years of financial services, agency and technology experience to the role. He will lead the insurance provider's communications strategy in North America. SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zurich North America is pleased to announce Chuck Kaiser is joining the company as Chief Communications Officer, effective May 27. He will be based at the company's North American headquarters in Schaumburg, Ill., reporting to Zurich North America CEO Kristof Terryn. Kaiser will be responsible for overseeing and executing Zurich's communications strategy for the United States and Canada. He will also focus on enhancing the visibility and reputation of Zurich's brand across North America, strengthening connections with internal and external audiences in support of Zurich's overall strategy and business objectives. "Chuck is an accomplished communications leader with a proven track record in corporate reputation management and strategic communications," said Terryn. "Throughout his career, Chuck has demonstrated an ability to manage complex communications challenges and drive impactful business results." Kaiser brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate communications to Zurich, including senior leadership roles at Vela Capital Management LLC, Edelman, Motorola and Allstate Corp. Most recently, he served as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Vela Capital Management LLC, where he was responsible for marketing, business development and thought leadership initiatives. Kaiser holds bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from University of Missouri-Columbia. He has served in board roles with the (Chicago) Metropolitan Planning Council and the Mizzou Alumni Association and is a frequent speaker on trust in business. About Zurich North AmericaZurich North America delivers insurance and risk management services to help make businesses and people more resilient. As one of the largest providers of insurance solutions and services to businesses and individuals, Zurich serves mid-sized and large businesses, including over 90% of the Fortune 500. It employs 10,000 people in the United States and Canada. Recognized by Fortune as one of the "World's Most Admired Companies," Zurich has earned its reputation through dedication and excellence. Zurich North America is part of Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich), a leading global multi-line insurer founded over 150 years ago. Zurich serves over 75 million customers in more than 200 countries and territories, delivering industry-leading total shareholder returns. Reflecting its purpose to "create a brighter future together," Zurich offers protection services that go beyond traditional insurance, to support its customers in building resilience. Since 2020, the Zurich Forest project has supported reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil's Atlantic Forest. The Group has more than 63,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at and View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Zurich North America Sign in to access your portfolio
