Election 2024: Phase 4 voting begins in 96 Constituencies across 10 States
Delhi bomb threat: Several hospitals, airports receive threatening emails after scare at schools
J-K: Terrorist associate arrested with arms, ammunition in Bandipora
12 Maoists killed in gunfight with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur
‘Our troops not capable of operating Dornier aircrafts given by India’: Maldives Def Min

What Else

DG Defence Intelligence Agency Lt Gen DS Rana embarks on an official visit to Tanzania
Canadian Police arrest fourth suspect in Terrorist Hardeep Nijjar killing case
China pips US to become India’s largest trading partner
AJK protests: Govt ‘accepts’ all demands following violent clashes, Policeman killed
Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to visit China from May 13-16
Pakistan: IMF delegation reaches Pakistan, talks to begin tomorrow: Aurangzeb
Philippines Sends ships to disputed atoll where China building ‘Artificial Island’
China warns Philippines over explusion of its diplomats amid South China Sea row:
Beijing raises ‘serious concerns’ after US stations Typhon Weapons System in Philippines amid South China Sea Tensions

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Election 2024: Phase 4 voting begins in 96 Constituencies across 10 States

The voting for the 4^th phase began at 7 am Mon in 96 seats across 9 states and a UT.
Notably, the campaigning for the 4^th phase ended on Sat, May 11.
In this phase, all 25 seats in Andhra and 17 in Telangana will go to polls.
The voting will also take place in 13 seats in UP, 11 in Maharashtra, 8 in WB, 8 in MP, 5 in Bihar, 4 each in Jharkhand and Odisha as well as 1 seat in J&K.
Among the prominent candidates in the fray are SP chief Akhilesh Yadav (Kannauj, UP), Union ministers Giriraj Singh (Begusarai), Congress leader Adhir Ranjan (Baharampur), AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi (Hyderabad) and Andhra Congress president YS Sharmila (Kadapa).
Voting for 4 LS Seats, 28 Assembly Segments in Odisha: Polling for 4 Lok Sabha and 28 assembly seats in Odisha began, amid stringent security measures.
Polling will continue till 6 pm with adjustments in certain remote and Maoist-hit areas, where voting will conclude earlier, the officials said. (here)
PM Modi lists out 5 guarantees to Bengal, says ‘no one can stop CAA implementation’: PM Modi on Sun hit out at West Bengal’s ruling TMC stating that infiltrators were flourishing under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
He further vowed to the people that no one could stop the implementation of CAA.
While addressing a rally in Barrackpur, PM Modi gave 5 “guarantees” to the people.
“Nobody can give reservations based on religion. Reservations for SC, ST, and OBC will not be touched. Nobody can stop you from celebrating Ram Navami. The judgment of the Supreme Court on Ram Mandir will not be quashed. Nobody can stop the implementation of CAA,” PM Modi said. (here)
10 Groups of Secretaries working on finalizing 100-day agenda for new govt: Even as the polling continues in different parts of the country for the Lok Sabha, 10 different groups of secretaries are working to finalize the 100-day agenda for the new govt to be formed after the Jun 4 results.
(sources)- 10 different sectoral groups of secretaries of the Modi govt are working on important decisions and projects that have to be finalized at the proposed first meeting of the Council of Ministers to take place after govt formation. (here)

Delhi bomb threat: Several hospitals, airports receive threatening emails after scare at schools

Several hospitals and the international airport in Delhi received bomb threats via email on Sun, according to local officials.
This comes days after similar threats were sent to more than 100 schools.
The threat emails were first reported by Burari Hospital and SG Hospital in Delhi in the afternoon, prompting authorities to dispatch multiple teams.
According to the Delhi Police, nothing suspicious was found.
The officials had earlier said local police and the Bomb Disposal Teams are at the 2 hospitals and a search operation is underway.
More airports receive threats: According to reports, at least 12 airports including Bhopal, and Ahmedabad received bomb threats on Sun.
Bomb scare at schools: Earlier this month, over 100 schools in the Indian national capital, a few in the adjoining Noida, and 1 in Lucknow received bomb threats (here)

J-K: Terrorist associate arrested with arms, ammunition in Bandipora

J&K Police on Sun said that it arrested a terrorist associate along with arms and ammunition in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
The operation was a collaborative effort involving the Indian Army, Bandipora Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The police said that a case has been registered under the relevant section of laws.
The security forces recovered four pistols, one hand grenade, and other war-like stores.
3 terrorists killed in an encounter in Kulgam: as told in the past, last week, 3 terrorists, including a wanted terrorist of LeT Basit Dar, were killed in an encounter.
According to Police security forces got inputs about the movement of terrorists in Redwani village following which a cordon and search operation was launched there.
In 2022, the NIA announced a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on Dar. (here)

12 Maoists killed in gunfight with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

12 Naxalites were killed in an encounter in Bijapur on Fri.
An exchange of fire broke out on Fri between Naxals and security forces in the forest near Pidiya village in Chhattisgarh.
The place where gunfights broke out between the forces and the Naxals falls under the limits of Gangaloor Police Station.
Earlier, 29 Naxals were killed and 3 security personnel sustained injuries in an encounter that broke out in Kanker, which lies in the Bastar region. (here)

‘Our troops not capable of operating Dornier aircrafts given by India’: Maldives Def Min

Days after the withdrawal of Indian soldiers, Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon has acknowledged that the country’s defense forces are still not capable of operating the three aircraft donated by India, local media reported on Sun.
This comes a day after Maldives FM Moosa Zameer said 76 Indian military personnel in the island nation, were replaced by civilian personnel sent by HAL, which manufactured the helicopter donated by the Indian govt.
Maumoon, at a presser, said that the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) “still does not have soldiers capable of” operating the aircraft.
Responding to a question, Ghassan said there were no Maldivian soldiers with the ability to operate the aircraft, despite some soldiers who began training to fly the Dornier and two helicopters under agreements formed by previous governments. (here)

DG Defence Intelligence Agency Lt Gen DS Rana embarks on an official visit to Tanzania

Director General Defence Intelligence (DG DIA) Lt Gen DS Rana has proceeded on an official visit to Tanzania, said the Ministry of Defence.
The aim of this visit, (from May 13-15) is to further reinforce the robust defense ties between the two and discuss opportunities for regional security partnership.
During his visit, the DG is scheduled to interact with the senior military leadership of Tanzania, including the CDS of Tanzania Gen Jacob John Mkunda, and his counterpart Maj Gen MN Mkeremy, Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The visit of the Indian Military delegation is expected to further strengthen the elevated Strategic Partnership with Tanzania, the Ministry of Defence also said. (here)

Canadian Police arrest fourth suspect in Terrorist Hardeep Nijjar killing case

The Canadian Police have arrested a 4^th suspect over his alleged involvement in the killing of the designated terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar was killed outside the Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18.
The accused has been identified as Amandeep Singh (22).
According to the IHIT in British Columbia, Singh was already in the custody of Peel Regional Police in Ontario for unrelated firearms charges.
The police said that Singh is an Indian national, splitting his time in Canada in Brampton, Ontario; Surrey, British Columbia, and Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Investigators haven’t given any further details of the arrest, citing ongoing investigations and court processes.
This comes days after the Canadian police arrested three Indian nationals — Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh — in Edmonton.
The trio was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder the homicide.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by the Indian Agency in 2020, was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. (here)

China pips US to become India’s largest trading partner

China is the largest trading partner of India with $118.4 billion bi-way commerce in 2023-24, edging past the US, according to data by economic think tank GTRI.
Bilateral trade between India and the US stood at &118.3 billion in 2023-24.
The data showed that India’s exports to China rose by 8.7% to $16.67 bn in the last fiscal, mainly iron ore, cotton yarn/fabrics/made-ups, handloom, spices, fruits and vegetables, plastic, and linoleum.
Washington was the top trading partner of New Delhi during 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Imports from the neighboring country increased by 3.24% to $101.7 bn.
On the other hand, exports to the US dipped by 1.32% to $77.5 bn in 2023-24 as against $78.54 bn in 2022-23, while imports dipped by about 20% to $40.8 billion
The GTRI said that from fiscal year 2019 to FY2024, India’s trade dynamics with its top 15 trading partners underwent significant transformations, impacting both exports and imports along with the status of trade surplus or deficit across various sectors. (here)
[So, Chinese envoy, Xu Feihong started working from the very 1^st day? Intresting]

[Neighborhood]

AJK protests: Govt ‘accepts’ all demands following violent clashes, Policeman killed

(sources)- following violent protests over the last 48 hours, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir govt on Sat accepted all demands of the Joint Awami Action Committee, protesting against high electricity bills and taxes, citing.
The JAAC, which has traders at the forefront in most parts of the state, has been seeking the provision of electricity as per hydropower generation cost in AJK, subsidized wheat flour, and an end to the privileges of the elite class.
The violent protesters damaged multiple vehicles, including a magistrate’s car on the Poonch-Kotli road.
Also, markets, trade centers, offices schools, and restaurants remained closed across AJK
The AJK govt has finally accepted all demands of the protesters following negotiations held between the JAAC delegation and the territory’s Chief Secretary
Sources claimed that the govt has also accepted the committee’s demand to provide a subsidy on flour and withdraw an increase in electricity bills. (here)
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has said that he is “deeply concerned” about it
He added that there is also no tolerance for taking the law into one’s own hands and damaging govt properties.
“Deeply concerned about the situation in AJK. Unfortunately, in situations of chaos and dissent, there are always some who rush in to score political points,” Shehbaz Sharif.
He noted that he has directed all PML-N office bearers in AJK to talk to the leaders of the action committee. (here)
A police sub-inspector has been killed as protestors and the law enforcers came face to face during a strike in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
This happened as the Pak admin deployed additional forces to crush the planned protests and a long march, announced by the J&K Joint Awami Action Committee.
The arrest of 70 activists also angered people, media reports suggest, leading to protests a day earlier.
Pakistan’s violence against the people: A local leader during a protest voiced the community’s frustration, condemning the aggressive tactics used by law enforcement. (here)

Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to visit China from May 13-16

Dy PM and FM, Ishaq Dar will visit Beijing, China from May 13-16 where he will co-chair the 5^th Pakistan-China FM’s Strategic Dialogue, said the Foreign Ministry
The two sides will broadly review Pakistan-China bilateral relations including economic and trade cooperation; high-level exchanges and visits; upgradation of the CPEC and future connectivity initiatives.
The two leaders will also exchange views on the unfolding regional geopolitical landscape and bilateral cooperation at the multilateral forum.
On the sidelines, the Minister is expected to meet Chinese leaders, senior ministers, and leading corporate executives.
China looks forward to Dar’s visit: Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the 1^st official visit of the Minister to China is an important part of the institutional exchanges between the two foreign ministries.
Pakistan, China agree to expedite CPEC projects: Pakistan and China have agreed to accelerate the implementation of projects under CPEC in different sectors.
The two sides agreed to implement the ICF Agreement and develop an Action Plan for the modernization of industry, mines, and mineral sectors. (here)

Pakistan: IMF delegation reaches Pakistan, talks to begin tomorrow: Aurangzeb

Fin Min Muhd Aurangzeb on Sun said that the IMF team has reached Pakistan, and the two sides would begin talks for a new loan program on Mon.
Addressing a pre-budget seminar, the minister said that the private sector would have to lead and guide the country out of the difficult phase.
The minister also said that the FBR’s Track and Trace System has utterly failed and vowed to bring traders into the tax net.
In his speech, the minister covered a variety of subjects, including the rupee exchange rate and interest rates, which, he added, were determined by the State Bank of Pakistan.
He said the rupee’s exchange rate has stabilized and the inflation coming down. (here)
The minister vowed to accelerate the privatization of state-owned entities in Pakistan as Islamabad gears up to hold crucial talks for a bailout package with the IMF.
“After a meeting tomorrow, we will go back to these ministries to say, ‘Hand over all of these [assets] to the private sector,’” he said. (here)

Philippines Sends ships to disputed atoll where China building ‘Artificial Island’

Manila said on Sat it has deployed ships to a disputed area in the South China Sea where it accused China of building “an artificial island” in an escalating maritime row.
The Coast Guard sent a ship “to monitor the supposed illegal activities of China, creating ‘an artificial island’,” the President’s office stated, adding 2 other vessels were in rotational deployment in the area.
The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Philippine NSA called on Fri to expel Chinese diplomats over an alleged leak of a phone conversation with a Filipino admiral about the maritime dispute.
Beijing and Manila have been embroiled for a year in heated stand-offs over their competing claims in the SCS, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually.
China claims almost all of the vital channels, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. (here)

China warns Philippines over explusion of its diplomats amid South China Sea row:

Post Philippines’ call for the expulsion of Beijing’s diplomats, China’s FM warned Manila and said that “any hasty action” could “potentially harm” the Philippines.
China’s Foreign Ministry stated after Def Secy Gilberto Teodoro and NSA Eduardo Ano urged the Dept of Foreign Affairs to expel the Chinese diplomat who illegally recorded a phone call with the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command
Spox said that if proven, this action could have severe diplomatic and legal implications.
He emphasized that the Philippines must refrain from making “reckless moves,” which could only “backfire” on the Philippines.
Earlier on Tue, the Chinese Embassy in Manila shared a phone call recording between an individual claiming to be the “AFP WesCom chief” and a Chinese diplomat with selected media organizations. (here)

Beijing raises ‘serious concerns’ after US stations Typhon Weapons System in Philippines amid South China Sea Tensions

China has raised “serious concerns” about the US deployment of a mid-range missile system in the Philippines during a meeting with Southeast Asian nations.
The US temporarily stationed the Typhon Weapon System, capable of supporting Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles, in the country during joint military drills last month.
It was the 1^st time it had stationed such a weapons system in the country, which has repeatedly clashed with China in the disputed waters of the SCS in recent months, raising fears about the risk of an armed conflict.
Speaking with reporters in Jakarta on Fri, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong said he “clearly conveyed China’s serious concerns” during a meeting between senior officials from China and the ASEAN.
Sun said the deployment posed a “serious threat to the security of the countries of the region and would seriously undermine regional peace and stability,” Chinese FM stated.

“China firmly opposes the recurrence of Cold War-style confrontation in the region and the use of regional countries as tools and agents of hegemony,” Sun said while reaffirming Beijing’s support for ASEAN’s strategic autonomy. (here)

Top Headlines: Election 2024: Phase 4 voting begins in 96 Constituencies across 10 States