AT SCO MEET, RUSSIA HITS OUT AT US OVER QUAD, BACKS CHINA

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu yesterday blamed the US-led alliance for ramping up tension in Ukraine and also trying to threaten China through the “Quad” and the “AUKUS”.

He was speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meet in Delhi. India that hosted the meet is part of the Quad along with the US, Australia and Japan. The Chinese Defence Minister, Gen Li Shangfu, was present at the meet.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Sergei Shoigu had a bilateral meeting. The Ministry of Defence issued a statement, saying, “The ministers expressed satisfaction over the continued trust and mutual respect between the two countries, particularly in defence, and reiterated their commitment towards strengthening the partnership.”

The statement is significant as the US has threatened to impose sanctions on the countries dealing with Russia.

Earlier, Shoigu, in his address to the SCO Defence Ministers, said: “In a bid to maintain global dominance, the US and its allies have severely eroded the global security architecture.” He blamed the US for having unilaterally terminated the US-Soviet anti-ballistic missile treaty.

“Today, Washington and its enablers are pursuing their strategic agenda of provoking other countries into military confrontation with Russia and China,” he added. "The conflict in Ukraine is a clear demonstration of this policy. Its real aim is to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, threaten China and maintain its monopoly in the world.”

“Arms deliveries to Kiev will only prolong the conflict, affecting the stability of Europe and the world as a whole. The transferred weapons end up on the black market and go further into the hands of terrorist organisations,” Shoigu claimed.

CHINA TRIES TO DELINK LAC STAND-OFF FROM BILATERAL TIES

A day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh blamed China for having “eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations” by its actions along the LAC, Beijing yesterday issued a statement attempting to delink the border issue from other bilateral issues.

A statement posted on the Chinese Defence Ministry website described Thursday meeting between Rajnath and Gen Li Shangfu at New Delhi. Without wanting to commit itself to resolving the three-year-old stand-off at the LAC, the Chinese statement said: “The two sides should take a long-term view, place the border issue in an appropriate position in bilateral relations, and promote the transition of the border situation to normalised management”.

Clearly making an attempt to delink the LAC stand-off from other matters, the Chinese statement quoted General Shangfu as having said, “As major neighbouring countries and important developing countries, China and India share far more common interests than differences.” India has conveyed that the resolution of the LAC stand-off is a prerequisite to anything else. Rajnath Singh had yesterday categorically conveyed that “development of relations between India and China was premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders”. He had added that “all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and commitments. Violation of the existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations”.

The two sides should view bilateral relations and each other’s development from a comprehensive, long-term and strategic perspective, and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to world and regional peace and stability, the Chinese statement said.

IAF PILOTS IN A DARING NIGHT-OP TO RESCUE 121 FROM SUDAN

In a daring midnight operation, pilots of the Indian Air Force landed a plane on a remote airstrip in Sudan to rescue 121 people, including a pregnant woman.

IAF’s special operations plane C-130J planed without runway lights on ground and no navigational landing aids at a small airstrip at Wadi Siedna, about 40 km north of Khartoum.

The 121 people had no means to reach Port Sudan, located a distance of some 850 km from Wadi Siedna.

The operation was carried out on the intervening night of April 27 and 28. The Wadi Siedna airstrip has a degraded surface, with no navigational approach aids or refuelling facility. It does not have lights required to guide an aircraft landing at night.

On landing, the aircraft engines were kept running while eight IAF Garud commandos, fully armed with automatic weapons, secured the passengers and their luggage into the aircraft.

CALCUTTA HC JUDGE THROWS MIDNIGHT CHALLENGE TO SC, APEX COURT STAYS ORDER IN SPECIAL HEARING

In a rare 8 pm hearing, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed Calcutta High Court Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay's order directing the Supreme Court secretary general to produce before him the transcript of his interview given to a news channel by ‘midnight’.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court directed the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court to reassign the West Bengal teachers' recruitment case to another judge. The court's direction came based on a report submitted by the Registrar General of the Calcutta High Court over Justice Gangopadhyay's interview with a news channel, wherein he spoke about the case which he was hearing.

Hours after the Supreme Court's order, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay directed the Supreme Court secretary general to produce the transcript of his interview. Justice Gangopadhyay also sought the affidavit submitted by the Registrar General of the Calcutta High Court before the Supreme Court along with the official translation of his media interview in question by midnight.

Following this, the Supreme Court convened a special hearing at 8 pm. A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli noted that the order by Justice Gangopadhyay was "improper" and against "judicial discipline".

Around midnight in Kolkata, Justice Gangopadhyay told reporters, “I will raise my voice against any kind of corruption. I did not hear this case (teachers’ recruitment case) to suit my personal interest… I believes that gradually all recruitment related cases will be taken away from me.” “Supreme Court jug jug jiyo,” he added.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

UKRAINE SAYS READY TO LAUNCH ASSAULT TO RETAKE OCCUPIED LAND

Kyiv said on Friday it was nearly ready to launch a huge ground assault to retake occupied land, after Russia hurled missiles at cities as people slept overnight, killing at least 21 civilians in its first large-scale air strikes in nearly two months.

The war is coming to a crucial juncture after a months-long Russian winter offensive that gained little ground despite the bloodiest fighting so far. Kyiv is preparing a counteroffensive using hundreds of tanks and armoured vehicles sent by the West, hoping to drive Russia out of the nearly a fifth of the country that it occupies and claims to have annexed.

PAK ARMY DEFENDS BAJWA, SAYS ‘MILITARY COMBAT WORTHINESS’ REMARK MISQUOTED

The Pakistan army sprang to its ex-chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s defence on Friday over the latter’s alleged remarks about the military’s “combat worthiness” and his views on “future threats” to the country, saying he had been quoted out of context and the topic blown out of proportion.

“The army assures the people of Pakistan that we always took and will continue to take pride in our operational preparedness and utmost combat worthiness,” the army’s media arm ISPR said. “Pakistan’s armed forces always did, and will continue to keep their weapons, equipment and battle-hardened human resource ever ready for the defence of the motherland.”

The statement comes days after journalist Hamid Mir claimed that the former army chief told a group of 20-25 journalists in 2021 about the Pakistan army being incapable of combat. He alleged that General Bajwa “made a deal on Kashmir” with India. Mir claimed that immediately after the 2021 ceasefire, PM Narendra Modi was to visit Pakistan, but then foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and then PM Imran Khan weren’t aware of it.

TRUMP VOWS TO PROBE PROSECUTORS, SAYS BIDEN REPRESENTS ANARCHY

Donald Trump said on Thursday that if he wins the 2024 presidential election, he will order the Justice Department to investigate “radical” county and state prosecutors whom he accused, without evidence, of targeting conservatives. In a campaign speech, the former president, who faces multiple criminal investigations, said the prosecutors were “persecuting conservatives” and touched on his policy positions and personal grievances as he painted himself as a victim of the so-called Deep State.

“On day one of my new administration, I will direct the DOJ to investigate every radical district attorney and attorney general in America for their illegal, racist . . . enforcement of the law,” Trump told supporters in Manchester, New Hampshire.

THE REST

=========

FINALLY, 2 FIRs AGAINST WFI CHIEF BRIJ BHUSHAN

As the chorus of support for the protesting wrestlers grew, Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment levelled by seven women wrestlers.

The FIRs were filed hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi Police, told a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that a case will be registered on Friday.

While the first FIR pertains to allegations of a minor wrestler and was registered under POCSO Act, the second was related to outraging modesty.

After Mehta's submission, the country's top wrestlers, who have been on a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday demanding action against Singh, rejoiced "the first step towards victory" but said they will continue their agitation. They demanded that the BJP MP be removed from all the positions he holds.

The film and sporting fraternity, meanwhile, put their weight behind the protesting wrestlers with Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra leading the way calling for "quick action" to ensure that justice is served.

Besides Chopra, a champion javelin thrower, ace boxer Nikhat Zareen, tennis star Sania Mirza, hockey player Rani Rampal, renowned former cricketers Kapil Dev, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Madan Lal and Navjot Singh Sidhu also came out in support of the wrestlers.

BITTER WAR OF WORDS AS KARNATAKA POLL CAMPAIGN HEATS UP

As the Karnataka election campaign gathered steam, invectives took centre stage on Friday, with the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress slugging it out in defence of their respective leaders.

A high-level BJP delegation featuring Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, national general secretary Tarun Chugh and media in charge Anil Baluni petitioned the Election Commission to book and bar Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for his “venomous snake” remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress led by general secretary Karnataka Randeep Surjewala meanwhile sought the expulsion of BJP’s Basangouda Patil Yatnal for calling Sonia Gandhi “vishkanya”.

On the campaign trail in Karnataka’s Dharwad today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the BJP’s offensive against Kharge.

To start with, Congress leadership was of the view that the party’s campaign for the May 10 Assembly polls should be on state-level issues, whose target should be the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government. This strategy seems to have come undone now with the focus shifting to personality issues of top leaders.

MANISH SISODIA’S BAIL PLEA IN MONEY LAUNDERING CASE DISMISSED

Noting that the evidence prima facie “speaks volumes of his involvement in commission of the offence”, a Delhi court on Friday dismissed former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s bail plea in a money laundering case related to the excise policy scam.

Special Judge MK Nagpal said the prosecution was able to show a genuine and prima facie case for Sisodia’s involvement in commission of the alleged offence of money laundering and the possibility of the accused influencing prime witnesses of the case could not be ruled out.

The judge noted that the offence alleged against Sisodia was a “serious economic offence of money laundering” and he has not been accused of commission of the offence in his individual capacity, but he has been alleged to have committed it in his official capacity of a public servant holding the charge or portfolio of Excise Ministry as well as being the Deputy CM of Delhi.

The court also said the alleged medical illness of Sisodia’s wife was also not a ground to enlarge him on bail in the case.

THOSE ABUSING TAX SYSTEM NEED TO BE PUNISHED: FM

Honest taxpayers need to be commended while those abusing the system should face action, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence 2022.

In a fireside chat, the FM squarely addressed a question on the perception of a rise in tax notices in recent years. The tax authorities are always ready to address grievances but, at the same time, the plethora of artificial intelligence-driven data and faceless assessment systems make it incumbent upon them to act against unscrupulous elements to ensure that genuine taxpayers’ faith in the system isn’t shaken, she told the audience of industry leaders and top officials in Mumbai.

She admitted that there can be cases of harassment.

“But today, when you're looking at deep data on AI-driven, faceless assessment systems, I can't see how the CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) or the CBIC(Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) can remain mute spectators… when data is showing brazen misuse of (law) by some sections,” Sitharaman said. “It's only natural that you should go after them and I'm glad if they're going after (the wrongdoers) efficiently.

BOOK THOSE MAKING HATE SPEECH EVEN IF NO COMPLAINT: SUPREME COURT TO STATES

Describing hate speeches a “serious offence capable of affecting the secular fabric of the country”, the Supreme Court on Friday directed all states and union territories to register cases against those making such speeches even without complaints.

A Bench led by Justice KM Joseph extended the scope of its October 21, 2022, order beyond Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Uttarakhand and made it applicable irrespective of religion. The Bench – which also included Justice BV Nagarathna — warned that any delay in registering cases would be treated as contempt of the court.

The top court’s order came on a plea filed by journalist Shaheen Abdullah, who had originally sought direction against governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to register cases against those making hate speeches. Abdullah moved a fresh application seeking implementation of the top court’s October 21, 2022, order across India.

SUPREME COURT ASKS UP: WHY WAS ATIQ AHMAD PARADED BEFORE MEDIA?

The Supreme Court on Friday wondered why gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were paraded before the media as it sought to know from the Uttar Pradesh Government how the killers got to know that the duo was being taken to a hospital in Prayagraj.

Ahmad (60) and Ashraf (49) — who were in handcuffs — were shot dead by three men posing as journalists when the two brothers were interacting with the media while being escorted by police personnel to a hospital in Prayagraj for a check-up on April 15 night. A Bench, led by Justice S Ravindra Bhat, asked the government to file a comprehensive affidavit on steps taken to probe the dramatic killing of Atiq and Ashraf in Prayagraj. The Bench — which also included Justice Dipankar Datta — directed the government to also submit a report on the April 13 encounter in which Ahmad’s son Asad was killed along with his associate in Jhansi by a special task force team of the state police.

IPL MATCH 38: DOMINANT LSG ROUT PBKS

Marcus Stoinis and Kyle Mayers put on a power-hitting masterclass as Lucknow Super Giants slayed Punjab Kings by 56 runs in a high-scoring contest in Mohali on Friday after amassing the second highest total in IPL history.

A display of brutal hitting from Kyle Mayers and Marcus Stoinis fired Lucknow Super Giants to a record 257/5 -- the second highest total in IPL history -- against a profligate Punjab Kings.

Needing almost 13 runs per over to pull off an improbable chase, Punjab remained behind in the game despite scoring at a decent rate to end with 201 in 19.5 overs.

Wins Tally: LSG 5/8; PBKS 4/8

ABHILASH TOMY ONLY HOURS AWAY FROM FINISHING 2ND IN GOLDEN GLOBE RACE

India’s Abhilash Tomy, a Navy veteran, is set to make a new record as he completed the Golden Globe Race 2022. Abhilash is expected to finish the race Saturday morning, in second position.

This 'F1 race of the seas', a solo, round the world yacht race, that requires its participants to use rudimentary devices like sextants and paper charts for navigation. Sailors are confined to boats measuring 32 to 36 feet. For food and water, they completely rely on rationed supplies and techniques such as rainwater harvesting.

This gruelling competition is coming to an epic conclusion and the Kerala-born retired Naval officer, Abhilash Tomy is expected to finish the race on Saturday morning by arriving at Les Sables-d’Olonne. Kirsten Neuschafer from South Africa has scripted a new record as she crossed the finishing line yesterday.

Abhilash is currently at number two and as per predictions made by the race organisers, he is likely to cross the finish line on the morning of April 29. Tomy has been out at sea for 234 days and counting. He has traversed all major oceans, crossed all the major capes and the Equator (thrice), bearing the brunt of world climatology that too with limited resources.

INDICATORS

Sensex 61,112 (+463), Nifty 18,065 (+150)

Nasdaq 12,227 (+84) Dow 34,098 (+272), S&P 4,169 (+34)

US$-Rs. 81.75, GBP-Rs. 102.31, Euro-Rs. 90.02, UAE Dhm-Rs. 22.25, Can$-Rs. 60.12, Aus$- Rs. 54.02

GBP 0.79 /US$, Euro 0.90 /US$, Jap.Yen 135.60 /US$, Aus$ 1.51 /US$, Sing 1.33 /US$, Bang Taka 104.96 /US$, Can$ 1.35 /US$, Mal Ring 4.45 /US$, Pak Re 283.22 /US$, Phil Peso 55.43 /US$, Russian Rouble 80.56 /US$, NZ$ 1.62 /US$, Thai Baht 34.09 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 36.68 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 29,305

Dollar Index 101.43 Brent Crude 79.54 BDI 1,576

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,989 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 6,082 / 5,575, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 76,200

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Being right too soon is socially unacceptable. - Robert Heinlein

OFF TRACK

A guy sits in a taxi and sees his wife entering a hotel with another man, and tells the driver, "Do you want to earn two hundred dollars right away?"

The driver excitedly said, "What do I have to do?"

"Bring my wife by the hair out of that hotel, here's a picture of her."

After a while the driver is seen dragging a woman by the hair, while kicking and beating her and puts her in the Taxi.

And the husband says to him, "This is not my wife."

The driver replied, "Nooooo, this is mine, hold her for me. Now I'm going for yours!"