Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 95

Clashes erupt in western India as Hindu groups demand demolition of Mughal ruler’s tomb

Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in parts of a western Indian city on Tuesday, a day after sectarian clashes were sparked by Hindu nationalist groups who want to demolish the tomb of a 17th-century Muslim Mughal ruler. Clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Maharashtra state’s Nagpur city broke out on Monday during a protest led by Hindu nationalist groups demanding the demolition of the

China frees staff of US consultancy firm after two years

China has released five staff members of US due diligence firm Mintz Group, two years after they were detained as part of a crackdown on consulting firms working with foreign businesses. Their detention in March 2023 came at a time of heightened suspicion of foreign espionage in China and kicked off a wave of raids on consultancy firms such as Bain & Company and Capvision Partners."We are

'It felt like war': BBC journalists recall horrors of India's Covid lockdown

On 24 March 2020, India announced its first Covid lockdown, just as the world stood on the brink of a global pandemic that would claim millions of lives. India's already fragile healthcare system collapsed under the pandemic's weight. The WHO estimated over 4.7 million Covid deaths in India - nearly 10 times the official count - but the government rejected the figure, citing flaws in the

China is turning up pressure on Walmart. That could mean higher prices for US customers

Walmart thought it could use its immense power as America’s biggest retailer to make Chinese suppliers eat the cost of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. But Walmart got a response it’s not accustomed to hearing: No. Trump has slapped 20% tariffs — or taxes on imported goods — on all products coming from China. That’s put the squeeze on retailers like Walmart, which imports a lot of merchandise

India-China relations: Modi's hope for a thaw amid uncertain geopolitics

In a recent interview, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke positively about India's relationship with long-time rival China. He said normalcy had returned to the disputed India-China border and called for stronger ties. These are striking comments, because tensions have been high since a nasty border clash in the northern Ladakh region in 2020 - the deadliest since a 1962 war. Chinese foreign

Hong Kong, China hit out at sale of CK Hutchison ports to BlackRock

 Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has criticized the “bullying tactics by foreign governments” in the wake of the controversial US$23-billion sale of dozens of port facilities -- including those in the Panama Canal -- by homegrown conglomerate CK Hutchison to U.S. investment giant BlackRock.BlackRock and CK Hutchison, which is controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Lee Ka-shing, announced

EXPLAINED: Why March is a sensitive month for Tibetans

For decades now, March has been a politically sensitive month for Tibetans, when Chinese authorities ramp up restrictions and security measures. That’s because a series of important events and acts of Tibetan resistance have happened during this month over the years, starting with the March 10, 1959, uprising against Chinese rule. This year, too, Beijing has intensified security and surveillance

China forces Uyghurs to show video proof they are not fasting during Ramadan

 Chinese officials have ordered Uyghurs in the northwestern region of Xinjiang to send video proof that they are not fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, according to police officers and social media posts by Uyghurs. In a post on the Chinese social media platform Douyin, a resident of Peyziwat county in Kashgar prefecture said he must record a video of himself eating lunch

Modern Slavery And Cyber Fraud: The Growing Crisis In Myanmar – Analysis

Political instability has made Myanmar a center for cybercrime and human trafficking, with criminal syndicates exploiting the lawlessness for online fraud. Myanmar-based scams, like “pig butchering,” are responsible for billions in global losses, targeting victims worldwide through romance, investment, and cryptocurrency fraud. Urgent international cooperation is required to dismantle criminal

Why is China spending billions to get people to open their wallets?

The Chinese government has promised new child care subsidies, increased wages and better paid leave to revive a slowing economy. That is on top of a $41bn discount programme for all sorts of things, from dishwashers and home decor to electric vehicles and smartwatches.mBeijing is going on a spending spree that will encourage Chinese people to crack open their wallets.Simply put, they are not