‘Russia-China alliance the biggest threat since WWII’
Stockholm, Sep 1: The United States House Foreign Affairs chair said on Friday that a partnership of the Russian and Chinese leaders worried him, adding, “We have never seen a threat this large-scale to Europe and the Pacific, I would argue, since World War II.” The alliance of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin “provides a very big challenges I think for the free world in this great power competition that we find ourselves in,” said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, during a visit to Sweden. Earlier in the year, the Biden administration warned Xi’s government of unspecified consequences if it supports the Kremlin’s war effort in Ukraine. A US intelligence report said Beijing possibly provided equipment used in Ukraine that might have military applications. The report cited Russian customs data that showed Chinese state-owned military contractors supplied navigation equipment, fighter jet parts, drones and other goods, but didn’t say whether that might trigger US retaliation. China has stepped up purchases of Russian oil and gas, which helps Putin’s government offset lost sales after the United States, Europe and Japan cut off most purchases of Russian energy. China rejects Western trade and financial sanctions on Russia. (AP)
Thailand’s king reduces prison term of former PM Shinawatra
Bangkok, Sep 1: Thailand’s king on Friday reduced the prison term of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from eight years to one year following the divisive politician’s return from 15 years of self-imposed exile. The decision by King Maha Vajiralongkorn was published Friday in the Royal Gazette, making it effective immediately. Thaksin was prime minister from 2001 to 2006, when he was ousted by a military coup. He fled Thailand in 2008 when he faced prison time on charges he described as politically motivated. He returned to Thailand last week and was immediately sent to prison, but was quickly transferred to a state hospital because of what was described as his frail health. (AP)
Gang terrorising Indian, Asian jewellery stores in US busted
Washington, Sep 1: A total of 16 members of a major crime ring have been arrested for allegedly committing multiple violent armed robberies targeting Indian and other Asian jewellery stores across four east coast US states in a span of one year. Federal law enforcement arrested eight suspects on Wednesday, while the remaining eight were apprehended previously, according to a release by the US attorney’s office, District of Columbia. According to the indictment, between January 7, 2022 and January 27, 2023, the defendants conspired in the District of Columbia to commit robberies in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida, targeting jewellery stores owned by Asian Americans. The chargesheet listed nine “South Asian” jewellery shops that were targeted by the gang. Out of those, at least four could be identified as owned by people of Indian origin. (AP)