As border tensions increase between world’s two most populous nations, India on Monday banned 59 Chinese mobile apps, including the wildly popular TikTok and WeChat. The apps were banned over national security and privacy concerns after several complaints were received by the ministry alleging theft of users’ data and violations of user privacy. It was unclear when the ban would come into force.
Sri Lanka “sold” the 2011 World Cup final to India, the country’s former sports minister said on Thursday. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who was sports minister at the time, is the second senior figure to allege the final was fixed, after 1996 World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga. Aluthgamage said he “did not want to disclose” the plot at the time.
A COVID-19 patient in India died after his family disconnected the ventilator to plug in the air cooler to combat the scorching heat.
Two officials of the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi were expelled by India, after being accused of espionage by Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Abid Hussain Abid, 42, an assistant in the Pakistani mission, and Mohammad Tahir Khan, 44, a clerk, were accused of obtaining documents about the Indian security establishment from a local person. Pakistan as was quick to reject the claims as “false and unsubstantiated”.
A deadly thunderstorm that rolled across parts of northern India damaged Taj Mahal partially. The Mahal’s main gate and a railing running below its five lofty domes were affected. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World has been shut since mid-March in a bid to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Images showed workers assessing the railing of the main mausoleum.
Monkeys mobbed a health worker and ran away with coronavirus test blood samples in India’s Meerut. This is spreading fears that the stealing simians could spread the pandemic in the local area. Indian authorities often have to grapple with primates snatching food and even mobile phones. After making off with the three samples, the monkeys scampered up nearby trees and one then tried to chew its plunder.
Pakistan Army has downed another Indian spy drone close to the Line of Control (LoC) for violation of airspace. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed that the Indian drone intruded about 650 meters in side Pakistan’s territory near the Rakhchikri sector at LoC. The drone was engaged in aerial photography when it was brought down in a swift retort by Pakistan Army, the military wing said.
After a standoff with India at the Himalayan border region of Ladakh, China has said that the overall situation is “stable and under control”. The two countries are capable of resolving border issues through dialogue and negotiations. In a statement on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that China and India have a sound border-related mechanism and communication channels.
Chinese President Xi Jingping has ordered the Chinese Army to strengthen the training of its troops and “prepare for war”, according to the state media reports. Xi’s speech comes amid rising tensions with the US and escalating clashes with the Indian army at the Ladakh border. Both armies are said to have deployed additional troops in sensitive areas along the boundary with experts predicting a lengthy standoff.
The Afghan Taliban have announced that they will start a regular jihad in India after Eid-ul-Fitr. India’s capital New Delhi has been terrified after this announcement. Afghan Taliban have taken this decision due to the indiscriminate atrocities perpetrated on Muslims and other minorities by the RSS, BJP, and other similar terrorist organizations in India, besides the massacre of Kashmiris by India. Taliban have announced open revenge against Indians.