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PM Modi at SCO summit in Bishkek: Nations supporting terrorism be held accountable

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PM Modi at SCO summit in Bishkek: Nations supporting terrorism be held accountable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Keeping up the pressure on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek today (Friday, June 14) said that countries sponsoring, aiding and funding terrorism must be held accountable as he called for a global conference to combat the menace.

Modi arrived in the Kyrgyz capital on Thursday for the two-day SCO summit. The SCO is a China-led 8-member economic and security bloc with India and Pakistan being admitted to the grouping in 2017.

Modi highlighted the spirit and ideals of the SCO to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism and said India stood for a terrorism-free society.

“During my visit to Sri Lanka last Sunday, I visited the St Anthony’s church, where I witnessed the ugly face of terrorism which claims the lives of innocents anywhere,” he said.

To combat the menace of terrorism, countries will have to come out of their narrow purview to unite against it, Modi said in the presence of his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan.

“To tackle the danger of terrorism, all humanitarian powers should come forward together. Countries that provide encouragement, support, and finances to terrorism must be held accountable,” Modi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

PM Modi also called on the SCO member states to cooperate under the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) against terrorism.

He also urged the SCO leaders to organise a global conference on terrorism.

“Literature and culture provide our societies a positive activity, specially they stop the spread of radicalisation among the youths in our society,” Modi said.

During his bilateral meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit on Thursday, PM Modi reiterated India’s stand that Pakistan should take concrete action against terror before talks can resume.

“Pakistan needs to create an atmosphere free of terror, but at this stage we do not see it happening. We expect Islamabad to take concrete action” to resume talks, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale quoted the Prime Minister as telling President Xi.

Ahead of the summit, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for resumption of bilateral talks. After assuming office too, Imran Khan had written to PM Modi, seeking dialogue on all issues, including Kashmir.

But no bilateral interaction was scheduled between PM Modi and Imran Khan during the summit, where the two leaders are meeting for the first time since the cricketer-turned politician took over as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

India has not been engaging with Pakistan since an attack on the Air Force base at Pathankot in January of 2016 by a Pakistan-based terror group, maintaining that talks and terror cannot go together.

Early this year, tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was later handed over to India.

China played a role in easing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. In a significant win for India, China also lifted its technical hold on listing Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. Beijing said it took the decision after it found no objection from the US, UK and France.

Pakistan also under FATF pressure to act against terror

Pakistan is also under pressure from the inter-governmental body formed to help combat terror funding and money laundering, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to show compliance with action points set for it before the organisation’s upcoming plenary meet. India is likely to take up Pakistan failure to act on more than 90 per cent of those points.

The FATF, an inter-governmental body that is now in its 30th year, works to “set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system”. Its plenary meet is scheduled to be held from June 16 to June 21.

Pakistan has been under the FATF’s scanner since last June, when it was put on the greylist for terror financing and money laundering risks, after an assessment of its financial system and law enforcement mechanisms. India was not part of the group that moved the resolution to greylist Pakistan last year in Paris. The movers were the US, UK, France, and Germany; China did not oppose.

FATF and its partners such as the Asia Pacific Group (APG) review Pakistan’s processes, systems, and weaknesses on the basis of a standard matrix for anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) regime.

In June 2018, Pakistan gave a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to strengthen its AML/CFT regime, and to address its strategic counter-terrorism financing-related deficiencies. Based on this commitment, Pakistan and the FATF agreed on the monitoring of 27 indicators under a 10-point action plan, with deadlines.

In a statement, the FATF said in February: “Given the limited progress on action plan items due in January 2019, the FATF urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its action plan, particularly those with timelines of May 2019.”

Last month, at a meeting in Guangzhou, China, Pakistan presented its progress on the 27 indicators in a meeting with the Joint Group of the APG. India is co-chair of the Joint Group.

Last week, the Joint Group informed Islamabad that its compliance on 18 of the 27 indicators was unsatisfactory, and asked it to do more to demonstrate strict action against eight terrorist groups, and in combating money laundering.

Successful implementation of the action plan and its physical verification by the APG will lead the FATF to move Pakistan out of the greylist; failure by Pakistan will result in its blacklisting by September 2019.

The formal announcement will be made at the FATF Plenary scheduled in Paris from October 13-18, but the decision will be made in the forthcoming FATF Plenary in Orlando, where such a proposal could be moved.

There are various kinds of costs associated with getting on the blacklist. A blacklisted country’s customers and financial institutions face immense difficulties in transacting with banks of FATF member-countries. From a global network point of view, the blacklisted country is cut off from international banking networks. Such non-compliant states also face the risk of being downgraded by multilateral lending institutions and rating agencies.

A country being on this blacklist generates a lot of uncertainty for financial institutions or funding agencies, which makes it hard for the state to easily receive capital inflows.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Amazon to slash 14,000 managerial jobs in cost-cutting drive

Amazon is set to cut 14,000 managerial jobs by early 2025 as part of a cost-cutting drive, reducing bureaucracy and streamlining operations.

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Amazon headquarters with workforce restructuring news

Amazon is set to cut 14,000 managerial positions by early 2025 as part of its ongoing cost-reduction strategy, according to reports. This move, which accounts for a 13% reduction in its global management workforce, is expected to help the company save between Rs 210 crore and Rs 360 crore annually. Following the layoffs, Amazon’s total managerial headcount will drop from 1,05,770 to 91,936, according to the report.

Part of broader restructuring strategy

The job cuts come as Amazon continues to restructure its workforce, having previously trimmed roles in its communications and sustainability divisions. CEO Andy Jassy has been leading a strategic overhaul to eliminate bureaucratic layers and enhance operational efficiency.

In line with these changes, the company has launched a “bureaucracy tipline”, allowing employees to report inefficiencies. Additionally, Amazon has revised its managerial directives, focusing on:

  • Expanding the number of direct reports per manager
  • Limiting senior-level recruitment
  • Reviewing compensation structures

These steps are aimed at improving productivity and profitability while ensuring a leaner management structure.

Focus on core business operations

Amazon has also discontinued certain initiatives, including the ‘Try Before You Buy’ clothing programme and a rapid brick-and-mortar delivery service, as it shifts focus to its core business areas.

CEO Andy Jassy’s strategy includes raising the ratio of individual contributors to managers by at least 15% by 2025. His approach is designed to streamline decision-making and remove unnecessary management layers, facilitating faster operations.

Changes in workplace policies

The restructuring follows Amazon’s decision to enforce an in-office work policy, requiring employees to return five days a week starting January 2025. Jassy previously stated that office-based work would enhance collaboration and efficiency.

According to an October 2024 report by Morgan Stanley, Amazon’s restructuring is expected to eliminate around 13,834 managerial roles by early 2025.

Workforce expansion and previous layoffs

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon saw a surge in its workforce, growing from 7.98 lakh employees in 2019 to over 16 lakh by the end of 2021. However, the company later scaled back, cutting 27,000 jobs in 2022 and 2023.

With these latest layoffs, Amazon continues its transition towards a more cost-effective and streamlined workforce, prioritizing efficiency over managerial expansion.

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Sunita Williams returns home after 286 days at space, greeted with smiles and applause

Astronaut Sunita Williams returned home after an unplanned 286-day mission in space, originally intended to last only eight days.

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Sunita Williams waving after returning from space

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her crewmate Butch Wilmore have successfully returned to Earth after spending an unexpected 286 days in space. Originally meant to be an eight-day mission, the duo faced prolonged delays due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which left them stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Williams and Wilmore finally made their journey back aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which splashed down in the ocean near Florida. The mission, which initially launched on June 5 last year, concluded with a safe landing early this morning.

Splashdown near Florida

After spending 17 hours in transit back to Earth, the capsule deployed its parachute, ensuring a controlled descent before making a water landing. NASA teams were on standby to retrieve the astronauts, assisting them onto mobility aids as they adapted to Earth’s gravity.

Williams was seen waving and flashing thumbs-up signs as she emerged from the capsule, signaling a positive return despite the physical challenges posed by prolonged space travel.

SpaceX ensures safe return

The return of the astronauts was made possible through SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission. The Dragon capsule, which was launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket, was sent to replace Crew-9 at the ISS. The spacecraft undocked at 10:35 am (IST), with NASA sharing visuals of the departure.

From an eight-day mission to nine months in space

Williams and Wilmore initially traveled to the ISS on what was to be the first crewed flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. However, the Starliner developed propulsion issues and was deemed unfit for the return journey. NASA reassigned them to SpaceX’s Crew-9, and in September, a Dragon capsule was sent with a two-member crew to ensure their safe return.

After multiple delays, a relief team finally arrived on Sunday, paving the way for their journey home.

Challenges faced by returning astronauts

A prolonged stay in space presents multiple health challenges. Astronauts experience muscle and bone density loss due to the lack of gravity, which can lead to long-term physical impairments. NASA estimates that for every month in space, astronauts’ weight-bearing bones lose approximately one percent of their density.

Radiation exposure is another concern, as the Earth’s atmosphere provides protection that is unavailable in space. Vision impairment and weakened muscles are also common issues faced by astronauts after extended space travel.

PM Modi acknowledges Sunita Williams’ achievements

Ahead of her return, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a letter to Sunita Williams, praising her resilience and contribution to space exploration. The letter, dated March 1 and shared publicly by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, expressed India’s pride in Williams’ achievements.

PM Modi mentioned that he had discussed Williams’ mission with both former US President Donald Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, during his visits to the United States. “1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your achievements. Recent developments have yet again showcased your inspirational fortitude and perseverance,” the letter read.

Williams’ return marks the end of an eventful mission filled with challenges and triumphs, further reinforcing her legacy as a seasoned space traveler.

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Russia condemns Israel’s new airstrikes on Gaza, urges both sides to return to negotiations

Hamas, in a statement on Tuesday, blamed the U.S. for the deadly airstrikes, citing Washington’s “unlimited political and military support” for Israel.

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Russia on Tuesday expressed “deep regret” over Israel’s renewed airstrikes on Gaza, condemning actions that result in civilian casualties and urging both sides to return to negotiations.

The statement came after Palestinian health authorities reported that more than 400 people were killed in what Israel described as a “preemptive offensive” against Hamas militants, who are still holding 59 Israeli hostages.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated, “Moscow learned with deep regret of Israel’s renewal of its military operation in the Gaza Strip. As experience shows, it is impossible to resolve the issue of freeing hostages by force. Russia strongly condemns any actions that lead to the death of civilians and the destruction of social infrastructure.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed these concerns, highlighting the alarming reports of civilian casualties. “We are monitoring the situation very closely and, of course, are waiting for it to return to a peaceful course,” Peskov said.

The Israeli airstrikes, which began early Tuesday, shattered a ceasefire that had been in place since January, threatening to reignite the 17-month-long conflict. According to hospital officials, at least 404 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in the bombardment.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes after Hamas refused to modify the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The operation, described as open-ended, is expected to expand further. The White House confirmed it had been consulted and expressed support for Israel’s actions.

The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for eastern Gaza, including parts of Beit Hanoun and other southern communities, signalling the possibility of renewed ground operations. Netanyahu’s office stated, “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength.”

The surprise attack disrupted a period of relative calm during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, raising fears of a full-scale return to violence in a conflict that has already claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and caused widespread destruction across Gaza.

Hamas, in a statement on Tuesday, blamed the U.S. for the deadly airstrikes, citing Washington’s “unlimited political and military support” for Israel. “With its unlimited political and military support for the occupation (Israel), Washington bears full responsibility for the massacres and the killing of women and children in Gaza,” the group said.

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