Latest news with #Ukrainian-style
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Deep drone attacks in Russia hold key lessons for India
Strikes deep inside Russia that took down several of its strategic bombers and targeted air bases that were almost 5,000 km away from the frontline, utilising low-cost drones that Ukraine managed to smuggle in, hold key lessons for India, which is likely to lead to a higher requirement of counter UAV systems . The strikes were unique as military targets located at strategic depth were easily taken down by First Person View (FPV) drones launched from modified cargo containers mounted on trucks, which were parked close to military bases. While the Indian armed forces have invested heavily in counter drone systems on its border - the recent success in taking down Pakistani drones during Operation Sindoor showed their effectiveness - establishments located deeper within the mainland are yet to get an effective counter drone grid. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Neuropathy? This Nighttime Routine Fights the Root Cause of Neuropathy! Health Journal Britain Learn More Undo At present, the muti-layered grid used close to the border relies largely on jamming equipment, air defence guns that have been modified to track small, slow flying targets and traditional surface-to-air missile systems that can take on larger drones. The armed forces are also slowly inducting DRDO-developed laser-based drone kill systems that can at present target a limited number of drones at effective distance. Higher powered versions of the laser-based systems are under development and are likely to be inducted in large numbers in the coming years. Live Events The forces, the Army in particular, are also fostering the development of hard kill drone systems that can be used to take down swarms targeting sensitive locations. Given the prevalence of fibre optic drones that are immune to jamming, the hard kill option would be in higher demand in the coming days. The Army is already overseeing trials of a mobile 'micro missile' system that is being designed to take on swarm drones. The Navy in particular is more vulnerable to Ukrainian-style drone attacks as its bases and sensitive establishments are based far from the frontlines.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
After Ukraine deal, US turns its critical minerals gaze to Africa: Andy Home
Andy Home The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo reached out to the Donald Trump administration with a Ukrainian-style proposal in February in response to the rapid advance of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group in the east of the country, The U.S. government has responded enthusiastically with a flurry of negotiations aimed at ending a decades-long conflict born out of the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The political momentum is building towards a potential peace deal between Congo and Rwanda as soon as May, to be accompanied by bilateral minerals deals between both countries and the United States. At stake are the mineral riches of North and South Kivu provinces, a major but highly problematic source of metals such as tin, tungsten and coltan. Saving the Bisie tin mine The M23 rebels seized control of Goma and Bukavu, eastern Congo's two largest cities, in February. By early March, they had advanced rapidly westwards to Walikale, the location of the Bisie tin mine. Bisie is a poster child for ethical mining in the Congo, having transitioned from an artisanal site to a fully-modernised operation that is the world's fourth largest producer of tin concentrates. Bisie's operator, Alphamin Resources, quickly shut down and evacuated the site as M23 rebels closed in, sending tin prices into a frenzy and threatening the Congolese government with the loss of a major source of revenue. The fall of Walikale seems to have accelerated direct talks between the U.S. government, Congo and Rwanda, resulting in M23 fighters withdrawing in what they presented as a goodwill gesture ahead of Qatar-brokered peace talks. Alphamin resumed operations at Bisie on April 15. Armed riches Bisie is the only official-sector mine in North and South Kivu provinces. Everything else is artisanal. Researchers from The International Peace Information Service have mapped over 2,800 sites in eastern Congo since 2009 and collected information from 829 active sites that it estimated employed some 132,000 miners between 2021 and 2023. Of the sites surveyed, 85% were mining gold and most of the rest digging for the 3T minerals - tin, tungsten and tantalum, the latter occurring as coltan ore. The IPIS estimates that 61% of miners at these sites were affected by "armed interference", defined as coercive rent-taking, from one of the many armed groups operating in the region, not least the Congolese army. This has been a problem for many years. Indeed, Congo was the template for what became known as "conflict minerals" legislation such as the 2010 Dodds-Frank Act requiring U.S. companies to adhere to responsible sourcing rules. Sadly, not much has changed on the ground. The M23 rebels themselves are involved in the minerals trade. Artisanal producers of coltan in the town of Rubaya pay a 15% tax to the group, Reuters journalists found on a visit to rebel-controlled areas. The seepage of metals across Congo's eastern borders is a major problem, not just for the Congolese government, but also for Western buyers due to the threat of conflict minerals contaminating the official supply chain. The great railway game Congo's minerals wealth is undisputed and its potential rewards far more immediate than from the deal with Ukraine. A peace deal between Rwanda, Congo and the M23 rebel group would be an important first step to restoring order to the troubled Kivu provinces. But there are plenty of other armed groups actively operating in the region and it is unclear how far the United States would want to commit to any military presence to deter them. The prize, however, is tantalisingly large. Congo is also one of the world's richest sources of copper and cobalt, which are produced far away from the Great Lakes region in the southern province of Katanga. This part of Congo's mineral wealth is largely controlled by Chinese operators, which ship both raw materials and finished metal back to China. The West would love to loosen China's grip. A lot of investment is going into the Lobito Corridor project, which will rehabilitate and extend a railway line linking the Angolan port of Lobito with Congo's copper-belt mines. The aim is to use the railway as a generator of economic development and also open up a western transport route for Congo's metals. China's response is a $1.4 billion deal to upgrade the Tanzania-Zambia railway line that transports Chinese-produced metals eastwards to the port of Dar es Salaam. Railways have until now defined the great minerals game being played out between East and West in the heart of Africa. A minerals-for-security deal in the north of the country would open a whole new front in that strategic competition and a new chapter in Congo's history. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters. (Editing by Barbara Lewis)
TimesLIVE
07-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
After Ukraine deal, US turns critical minerals gaze to Africa
Away from the headlines around the minerals deal with Ukraine, the US has pursued a potentially more significant critical metals deal in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reached out to US President Donald Trump's administration with a Ukrainian-style proposal in February in response to the rapid advance of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group in the east of the country, The US government has responded enthusiastically with negotiations aimed at ending a decades-long conflict born out of the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The political momentum is building towards a potential peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda as soon as this month, to be accompanied by bilateral minerals deals between the two countries and the US. At stake are the mineral riches of North and South Kivu provinces, a major but highly problematic source of metals such as tin, tungsten and coltan. The M23 rebels seized control of Goma and Bukavu, eastern DRC's two largest cities, in February. By early March, they had advanced rapidly westwards to Walikale, the location of the Bisie tin mine.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
After Ukraine deal, US turns its critical minerals gaze to Africa: Andy Home
By Andy Home After Ukraine deal, US turns its critical minerals gaze to Africa: Andy Home LONDON, - Away from the headlines around the minerals deal with Ukraine, the United States has pursued a potentially even more significant critical metals deal in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo reached out to the Donald Trump administration with a Ukrainian-style proposal in February in response to the rapid advance of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group in the east of the country, The U.S. government has responded enthusiastically with a flurry of negotiations aimed at ending a decades-long conflict born out of the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The political momentum is building towards a potential peace deal between Congo and Rwanda as soon as May, to be accompanied by bilateral minerals deals between both countries and the United States. At stake are the mineral riches of North and South Kivu provinces, a major but highly problematic source of metals such as tin, tungsten and coltan. SAVING THE BISIE TIN MINE The M23 rebels seized control of Goma and Bukavu, eastern Congo's two largest cities, in February. By early March, they had advanced rapidly westwards to Walikale, the location of the Bisie tin mine. Bisie is a poster child for ethical mining in the Congo, having transitioned from an artisanal site to a fully-modernised operation that is the world's fourth largest producer of tin concentrates. Bisie's operator, Alphamin Resources, quickly shut down and evacuated the site as M23 rebels closed in, sending tin prices into a frenzy and threatening the Congolese government with the loss of a major source of revenue. The fall of Walikale seems to have accelerated direct talks between the U.S. government, Congo and Rwanda, resulting in M23 fighters withdrawing in what they presented as a goodwill gesture ahead of Qatar-brokered peace talks. Alphamin resumed operations at Bisie on April 15. ARMED RICHES Bisie is the only official-sector mine in North and South Kivu provinces. Everything else is artisanal. Researchers from The International Peace Information Service have mapped over 2,800 sites in eastern Congo since 2009 and collected information from 829 active sites that it estimated employed some 132,000 miners between 2021 and 2023. Of the sites surveyed, 85% were mining gold and most of the rest digging for the 3T minerals - tin, tungsten and tantalum, the latter occurring as coltan ore. The IPIS estimates that 61% of miners at these sites were affected by "armed interference", defined as coercive rent-taking, from one of the many armed groups operating in the region, not least the Congolese army. This has been a problem for many years. Indeed, Congo was the template for what became known as "conflict minerals" legislation such as the 2010 Dodds-Frank Act requiring U.S. companies to adhere to responsible sourcing rules. Sadly, not much has changed on the ground. The M23 rebels themselves are involved in the minerals trade. Artisanal producers of coltan in the town of Rubaya pay a 15% tax to the group, Reuters journalists found on a visit to rebel-controlled areas. The seepage of metals across Congo's eastern borders is a major problem, not just for the Congolese government, but also for Western buyers due to the threat of conflict minerals contaminating the official supply chain. THE GREAT RAILWAY GAME Congo's minerals wealth is undisputed and its potential rewards far more immediate than from the deal with Ukraine. A peace deal between Rwanda, Congo and the M23 rebel group would be an important first step to restoring order to the troubled Kivu provinces. But there are plenty of other armed groups actively operating in the region and it is unclear how far the United States would want to commit to any military presence to deter them. The prize, however, is tantalisingly large. Congo is also one of the world's richest sources of copper and cobalt, which are produced far away from the Great Lakes region in the southern province of Katanga. This part of Congo's mineral wealth is largely controlled by Chinese operators, which ship both raw materials and finished metal back to China. The West would love to loosen China's grip. A lot of investment is going into the Lobito Corridor project, which will rehabilitate and extend a railway line linking the Angolan port of Lobito with Congo's copper-belt mines. The aim is to use the railway as a generator of economic development and also open up a western transport route for Congo's metals. China's response is a $1.4 billion deal to upgrade the Tanzania-Zambia railway line that transports Chinese-produced metals eastwards to the port of Dar es Salaam. Railways have until now defined the great minerals game being played out between East and West in the heart of Africa. A minerals-for-security deal in the north of the country would open a whole new front in that strategic competition and a new chapter in Congo's history. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New York Post
30-04-2025
- Business
- New York Post
The Queens Night Market remains inflation-proof for 8th year running
For inflation-ravaged New Yorkers, the Queens Night Market has long been a lush oasis in an affordable food desert — offering a global array of gut-busting gourmet dishes for less than the cost of a sad skinny latte in Midtown. Back for a milestone 10th summer season, the Flushing Meadows feeding ground has once again declined to raise prices, meaning visitors will pay $5 to $6 max for any item — from Ukrainian-style knishes to sweet and savory Khmer fish curry. These bazaar-ely good deals are particularly notable considering the clamor over the nocturnal noshing mecca — which has managed to attract more than 3 million visitors since its 2015 inception. And this year, organizers have added dozens more vendors into the mix — to further reflect the culinary diversity of the borough, one of the most multicultural zones in the known world. 11 Sheila Kushner, 57, owner of The Knish, serves a classic Ukrainian potato knish. Stephen Yang for Following a sneak preview on April 19 (which cost $8 at the door), the Queens Night Market was slated to hold its first free admission event last Saturday, but the opening was pushed back due to a less-than-favorable weather forecast. Now, it will run every Saturday starting May 3 until October 25 — with a short break from August 23-September 26 for the US Open — from 4 p.m. to midnight. New Yorkers are likely willing to wait a couple weeks for such a big 'deal.' Queens Night Market founder John Wang said that the price cap, which has been in place since 2017, is a credit to the vendors 'who overwhelmingly voted to keep the status quo, despite major inflationary pressures.' The founder put in a call to companies and philanthropists alike in the hopes of waiving vendor fees, but when he failed to secure sponsorship, 80% of participating hawkers voted to maintain the bargain prices for another year. 11 Lemai Gittens (left) and Akira Phillip, owner/chef of Ella Spice is pictured here with her dish, Breadfruit Croquettes. Stephen Yang for 11 Cassa serves Pikliz (Haitian pickled relish) with fried plantains and salt cod Chiktay. Stephen Yang for 'What the vendors decided upon was a tremendous gift to NYC,' Wang told The Post. 'At a time when we seem to be consistently paying $5 to $6 for even a cup of coffee, the vendors have helped create an oasis — right when our wallets need it most.' He acknowledged that most of the fare could go from $10 to $20 elsewhere, but that the mom-and-pop hawkers prioritize their food and the stories behind it over mere profits. Holding the line is doubly impressive considering that inflation has spiked by 30% in the last eight years, forcing wallet-weary diners to fork out a fortune for so-called cheap eats. To wit, Big Apple diners now pay $13.99 for a Whopper meal at certain Burger King branches — and $6 for a standard Starbucks espresso beverage. 11 Alexis Sutton, 48 (left) Briteny Sutton, 20 (center) and Bernadette Boatswain, 78, of Alexis Caribbean Cuisine. Stephen Yang for And unlike at your typical alfresco grease depots, market visitors can go around the world in 80 bites here — the vibrant venue features 100 vendors representing 95 countries through its hawkers and their food. Spots of note include Jiutoiniao, serving Cambodian fish amok, a rich coconut seafood curry; Caribbean Street Eats for a Trinidadian deep-fried shark sandwich served with coleslaw, tomatoes, cucumbers and more on a fried flatbread; and Alexis Caribbean Cuisine's Guyanese metemgee — a stew with root vegetables simmered in a creamy coconut milk broth with dumplings that's typically eaten with fried fish. 11 A variety of knishes at The Knish. Stephen Yang for 11 Vendor serving skewered meat. Stephen Yang for All told, Queens Night Market has welcomed 600 vendors since its inception, 450 of whom started their businesses at the bazaar. Meet the first-timers 11 The Queens Night Market represents 95 countries through its hawkers. Stephen Yang for Miriam Hunte, 30, who runs first-time night market vendor Alexis Caribbean Cuisine with her aunt Alexis, espoused the virtues of metemgee to The Post. 'When that all is combined, it's [the metemgee's] just [a] salt and sweet mixture,' she said. 'Then the fish is like, you like salty spicy, the fish gives you that. Guyanese food is very sweet, tangy, salty, it has all things combined.' 11 Alexis Caribbean Cuisine's Pepper Pot. Stephen Yang for 11 From left: manager of Cassa Jennifer Cassagnol, 44, sous chef Victoria Cassagnol, 28, sous chef Lawrence Quirk, 26, and chef/owner Christian Cassagnol, 47. Stephen Yang for Christian Cassagnol, 46, the proprietor of Haitian hot spot Cassa, was born in the US but moved to Haiti when he was a child. After his father's restaurant went under following the Haiti earthquake of 2010, he moved back to the US and got a job in city government before eventually continuing his father's culinary legacy at the Queens Night Market. 'I told him, 'Pa, let's do it in New York,' and so here we are,' he told The Post. Among other dishes, Cassagnol specializes in salted herring and salted cod that has been marinated in lime, Scotch parsley, different herbs and blistering Scotch bonnet peppers that Cassagnol grows himself when in season. The Knish's Sheila Kushner, 57, is a psychologist by trade but decided to bring her special Ukrainian-Jewish round potato knishes — a deep-fried dough pocket the recipe of which she learned from her grandmother — to the market for the first time. 'I'm super excited for people to try this and to see the kind of knish I grew up with,' said Kushner, who has been in the US since 1976, when Ukraine was under Soviet rule. 11 Mercy's Kitchen's Encebollado, a tuna stew with citrus. Stephen Yang for 11 Plantain chips are served atop the dish. Stephen Yang for Despite being in America for so long, she didn't think to bring her native cuisine to the market until Wang prodded her this year. 'I know your food,' Kushner recalled him saying to her. 'Just do it.'
