Two Russian oil tankers with 29 crew members on board have sunk in the Black Sea amid bad weather and are now leaking oil, Russian authorities have said.
Video emerging on social media, which the BBC has been unable to verify, appears to show one of the tankers broken in half and sinking amid a heavy storm, with streaks of oil visible in the water.
The incident took place in the Kerch Strait, which separates Russia from occupied Crimea.
A rescue and clean-up operation is underway involving two tugboats, two helicopters and more than 50 personnel, TASS news agency reported.
“Today, as a result of a storm in the Black Sea, two tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, sank,” Russia’s federal sea and inland water transport agency, Rosmorrechflot, wrote in a statement.
“There were crews of 15 and 14 people on board the ships. The accident resulted in a spill of oil products,” it continued.
Taxpayers must pay advance tax by December 15, 2024, but if it falls on a Sunday, they can pay on December 16 without penalties.
The advance tax payment deadline for the fiscal year 2024–2025 is December 15, 2024. Firms, freelancers, and salaried workers must complete their tasks by this day to comply with income tax laws. However, as the deadline falls on a Sunday, many people wonder what would happen if it were missed.
The advance tax payment deadline for the fiscal year 2024–2025 is December 15, 2024. Businesses, independent contractors, and salaried employees must finish their job by this day in order to comply with income tax regulations.(Hindustan Times)
Income tax paid in installments throughout the year rather than at the end of the fiscal year is known as advance tax or “pay as you earn” tax. It applies to people and companies that owe at least ₹10,000 in taxes annually.
There are four payments in the payment schedule:
*15% of the tax obligation by June 15th
*45% of the tax obligation by September 15 (adjusted for previous payments)
*75% of the tax obligation by December 15
*100% of the tax obligation by March 15
The good news is that taxpayers automatically receive an extension if December 15 occurs on a Sunday. There are no penalties or interest if payments are made on December 16, 2024, the next business day, Business Today reported.
This relief is based on a long-standing rule that the Income Tax Department clarified in a 1994 circular. It said,”If the receiving bank is closed on the day that the last day for payment of any installment of advance tax is due, the payment may be made on the following working day without incurring interest under sections 234B or 234C of the Income Tax Act.”
Here is a brief how-to for completing the payment:
Choose “e-Pay Tax” from the Quick Links section of the Income Tax Department’s website.
Provide your registered mobile number, confirm your information, and enter your PAN.
Enter the obtained OTP.
Enter the amount owed under “Advance Tax (100)” after selecting the tax category.
Choose your payment option, check the information, and make sure.
Taxpayers may relax now that the extension has been granted. To prevent problems, just make sure the payment is paid before December 16.
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News/Business/ Missed December 15 advance tax deadline? Here’s what will happen
Al Jazeera journalist Moath al-Kahlout was reporting on humanitarian aid being delivered to the barely-function Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, when an Israeli attack struck nearby.
MUMBAI: Through its AI initiative – FinAI, a key pillar of Bajaj Finance 3.0 – the company aims to triple lead conversion rates, double back-office productivity, and boost front-line performance by 1.5 times. The company’s AI-driven transformation will integrate with its existing cloud and digital infrastructure, said Rajeev Jain, managing director of Bajaj Finance. “We’ve always been early adopters of technology,” he said, adding, “Technology drives revenue growth, reduces costs, and mitigates operational risks. AI will take this a step further by improving customer engagement, lowering operating expenses, and augmenting profitability.” Over the past year, the company has tested over 30 AI use cases to validate its effectiveness. “Ninety percent of our computers operate on Microsoft Azure, and our data lake supports hundreds of thousands of variables,” he said. “These foundations make AI a logical next step.” One significant use case for AI at Bajaj Finance is conversational AI. Jain explained, “Currently, SMS communication is static. With AI, messages will include interactive links. For instance, if a customer clicks a link, they can specify preferences like a smartphone instead of a smart TV. AI will then provide options, specifications, and prices, even connecting them to a dealer… Over the next four years, we aim to reduce operating cost-to-net-interest-margin ratio by 100 basis points.” Jain emphasised that AI will complement existing systems rather than replace them. “AI will integrate into our current cloud, data, and digital infrastructure. However, physical processes like KYC and AML compliance will remain essential due to regulatory requirements,” he said. Discussing the broader lending environment, Jain addressed concerns around unsecured loans. “Unsecured loans have grown rapidly after Covid, prompting necessary regulatory measures. For us, our product mix has remained consistent over the past decade,” he said. He added that recent credit cost increases are a return to pre-Covid norms. “If credit costs were 195 basis points pre-Covid, they went down to 153 last year, and are now at 205-210… it’s not a dramatic shift,” he said.
Australia says the five remaining members of the “Bali Nine” drug ring have returned home after almost 20 years in Indonesian prison.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote on social media: “I am pleased to confirm that Australian citizens, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush and Martin Stephens have returned to Australia this afternoon.”
He thanked Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto “for his compassion”.
The high-profile case began in 2005 when Indonesia caught nine young Australians trying to smuggle 8.3kg (18lb) of heroin out of Bali.
Getty Images
Bali Nine members (clockwise from top left) Myuran Sukumaran, Scott Rush, Tach Duc Thanh Nguyen, Renae Lawrence, Andrew Chan, Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Martin Stephen and Si Yi Chen
The eight men and one woman were arrested at an airport and hotel in Bali after a tip-off from Australian police.
The case made news worldwide when two of the gang’s ringleaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by firing squad in 2015 – sparking a row with Australia, which abolished the death penalty.
Other members of the Bali Nine were handed life terms in prison.
The case put a spotlight on Indonesia’s strict drug laws, some of the most stringent in the world.
One of the nine, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, died of cancer in 2018. Shortly afterwards, Renae Lawrence, then 41, the only woman among the group, had her sentence commuted after spending almost 13 years in prison.
Australia’s government said of the five men’s return: “The men will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.”
It expressed “deep appreciation” to Indonesia for allowing them to return home on humanitarian grounds.
Australian broadcaster ABC has reported that the men are effectively free to live unhindered in Australian society.
Maggi Price In India: Maggi, the beloved two-minute noodles in India, may see a price increase starting January 1, 2025, as reported by Asianet News. This potential hike is linked to the ongoing trade dispute between India and Switzerland, which is expected to impact the cost of these popular instant noodles.
The price increase is tied to a significant shift in international trade relations: Switzerland has announced the suspension of the Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) clause under its 1994 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India, effective from January 1, 2025.
Hence, this decision may force Swiss companies, including Nestlé, to incur higher costs in the form of up to 10% tax on dividends earned from Indian sources, a rate which is now higher than the previous one.
Notably, Nestle India announced that Maggi sales hit six billion servings in the 2023-24 financial year, cementing India as the brand’s largest market globally reportedly. Adding further, Nestle India also noted that it sold 4.2 billion fingers of the popular chocolate KitKat, making India its second-largest market.
India-Switzerland Trade Tension
The controversy erupted following a 2023 ruling by India’s Supreme Court, which clarified that the MFN (Most Favoured Nation) clause does not apply automatically and must be explicitly notified by the Indian government. Switzerland contended that it was not receiving the same benefits extended to other countries with more favorable tax treaties. In response to this lack of reciprocity, Switzerland chose to suspend the MFN clause.
How India-Switzerland Tax Disputes Could Impact Consumers
The additional tax burden on companies is likely to be passed on to consumers, leading to higher prices for products like Maggi and other Nestle items in India. This highlights the ongoing challenges in trade between India and Switzerland and underscores the significant impact of international tax policies on everyday consumer goods.
January will mark the onset of double beginning celebrations as the new year also unlocks a fresh chapter for anime stores. The Winter 2025 slate revealed by Crunchyroll brings a brand-new roster of TV anime adaptations to India, including the highly anticipated second season of Solo Leveling as it also slams the Dr STONE anime book shut. The buzzworthy introduction of MAPPA’s Zenshu anime will make way for an intriguing character from a meta perspective. Meanwhile, another returning quest will take fans back to the Re:ZERO world as the second installment of the show’s Season 3 rolls out as part of the new anime season slate.
Dr STONE SCIENCE FUTURE, Solo Leveling Season 2 – Arise from the Shadow and Zenshu release this January. Stream all shows on Crunhyroll India.(Crunchyroll)
In addition to the below listed anime arrivals, series continuing from Fall 2024 are: Trillion Game, One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga, Shangri-La Frontier Season 2, Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister, Ruruoni Kenshin and A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul Season!
Here is the simulcasting weekly schedule for a new era of anime. Dub date launches have yet to be unveiled for the highlighted shows. (Schedule and dub languages are subject to change. Availability may vary by region)
Winter 2025 anime Crunchyroll slate
Release dates to be announced
Solo Leveling Season 2 – Arise from the Shadow
Animation studio: A-1 Pictures
Dubs: English / Hindi / Tamil / Telugu
Plot: “Jinwoo has become a formidable necromancer with an army of loyal shadows at his command. But he must master these abilities while keeping them hidden from other hunters, all while racing against the clock to save his mother. As he faces humanity’s toughest foes, Jinwoo pushes his body and mind to the limit, and the full extent of his newfound power is revealed.”
Blue Exorcist – the Blue Night Saga –
Animation studio: Studio VOLN
Even Given the Worthless “Appraiser” Class, I’m Actually the Strongest
Animation studio: Okuruto Noboru
Plot: “In a world where heroes are born, not made, Ein’s god-given gift is the weakest: the power to appraise things. Treated cruelly by his peers, Ein spends his days in self-abasement—until he meets Yuri, the spirit of the World Tree. Yuri and her protector, Ursula, bless Ein with the Spirit Eye, unlocking new strength. As his abilities grow, Ein embarks on a journey to uncover his true purpose.”
January 1
Headhunted to Another World: From Salaryman to Big Four!
Animation studio: GEEKTOYS and CompTown
Dubs: English
Plot: “In an alternate fantasy world, the Demon King reigns with a formidable army led by his Four Heavenly Kings. One happens to be Uchimura Denosuke, a normal salaryman unexpectedly plucked from his mundane life by the Demon King himself. But even in this new realm, Uchimura is bestowed no particular powers. Can he survive treacherous missions with only the knowledge of an office worker?”
Ameku MD: Doctor Detective
Animation studio: Project No 9
Dubs: English / Hindi
Plot: “Ten’ikai General Hospital’s Supervisory Department of Diagnostic Pathology handles cases other physicians deem too difficult to treat. It’s also where bizarre mysteries surface, from unexplained illnesses to strange murders even the police can’t solve. At the centre of it all is Takao Ameku, a brilliant doctor determined to reveal the shocking truth behind these anomalies.”
Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time
Animation studio: Studio Comet
Dubs: English / Hindi / Tamil / Telugu
Plot: “Iruma Takumi finds himself caught up in a hero summoning, even though he’s not a hero. Summoned by mistake to Mildgard, a fantasy world of swords and magic, Takumi is given a chance to start over. Though he dreams of a peaceful life, the goddess Nolyn grants him “alchemy,” an ultra-powerful skill that allows him to create anything from holy swords to flying ships. His reluctant adventure begins!”
January 3
I’m Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class
Animation studio: Studio Gokumi and AXsiZ
Dubs: Hindi / Tamil / Telugu
Plot: “High school student Saito Hojo is set to inherit his grandfather’s major corporation. First, he must marry Akane Sakuramori, the girl he despises the most, and who hates him just as much. The two are determined to keep their unexpected marriage a secret from their classmates. But as they begin their newlywed life, the distance between them starts to close.”
January 4
OKIT SURA: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She’s Saying
Animation studio: Millepensee
Plot: “When Teruaki Nakamura transfers to laid-back Okinawa, he falls for the lively Kyan-san—but her dialect is a complete mystery to him. With Higa-san translating, Teru’s misunderstanding-filled island life takes off…and subtle hints suggest Higa-san might want his heart too. On this serene island, love flows as freely as the ocean breeze!”
Plot: “After high school, Natsuko Hirose starts her career as an animator and quickly rises to director. Her first anime is a huge hit, earning her recognition as an up-and-coming genius director. But her next project isn’t going as well. It’s a romantic comedy, but she’s never been in love before! Struggling to grasp the concept, Natsuko can’t create the storyboard, bringing production to a standstill.”
January 6
I’m a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic
Animation studio: Studio DEEN and Marvy Jack
Plot: “While innocently enjoying himself after work, one man’s life changes forever. He wakes in the body of Liam Hamilton, the youngest son of a noble house on the brink of collapse. Amid the chaos, Liam realizes he finally has time to learn and practice magic. Once he begins, it takes his life for an even bigger turn. Can Liam master magic and save his noble family? The aristocratic fantasy begins!”
Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms
Animation studio: SynergySP
Dubs: English
Plot: “For Mona Kawai, winning hearts and turning heads comes naturally. Everything changes when Medaka Kuroiwa, a new transfer student, arrives. He won’t even give Mona a second look, and it turns her life upside down! Mona tries everything she can to win Medaka over, even going to the extreme at times. Tune in to a new rom-com about a queen bee and an unfazed boy among the school’s halls.”
January 7
Animation studio: ENGI
Plot: “After traveling to the past to save a young Tinasha, Oscar finds himself living in an alternate timeline. While visiting the kingdom of Tuldarr, he discovers Tinasha lying in a deep slumber beneath the castle. As he approaches, she awakens, and they meet for the first time once again.”
Bogus Skill <> About that time I became able to eat unlimited numbers of Skill Fruits (that kill you)
Animation studio: Asahi Production
Plot: “In a world where Skill Fruits grant powers, aspiring adventurer Light is stuck with the useless <> skill. Eating another one results in death, so no do-overs. Meanwhile, his childhood friend Rena quickly rises to S Rank. But when Light accidentally eats a second Skill Fruit, he survives and discovers his true power: He can consume unlimited Skill Fruits and gain their abilities!”
January 8
Magic Maker: How to Make Magic in Another World
Animation studio: Studio DEEN
Dubs: English / Hindi / Tamil / Telugu
Plot: “On the night of his 30th birthday, one man’s dreams of wielding magic come true after he unexpectedly passes away. He wakes as Sion, a young child in another world. He and his elder sister, Marie, are the children of a lower-class noble family who govern their region. After receiving conflicting messages from their father, Sion and Marie set out on an adventure to uncover the magic.”
January 9
Animation studio: TMS Entertainment
Dubs: English / Hindi / Tamil / Telugu
Plot: “After the battle on Treasure Island, Senku and the gang return to the Kingdom of Science. With their sights set on the Moon, they must first voyage to the Americas in hopes of beginning to harvest the required materials. Through teamwork and science, they continue the fight to save humanity once and for all!”
The Daily Life of a Middle-Aged Online Shopper in Another World
Animation studio: East Fish Studio
Plot: “Kenichi Hamada is just a regular, middle-aged man working as an illustrator in Japan. One day, he is transported to another world and wakes to find himself in the middle of a dangerous forest filled with ravenous monsters. He quickly discovers a massive online shopping site that can deliver him exactly what he needs. Join Kenichi on his search for relaxation in a new world!”
Anyway, I’m Falling in Love With You
Animation studio: Typhoon Graphics
Dubs: English
Plot: “It’s the year 2020, and Mizuha is having the worst 17th birthday ever. Her parents forgot it’s her birthday, she still can’t seem to get close to the senior she likes, and all her school trips and tournaments are cancelled thanks to a new disease going around. She’s convinced she’ll never have the kind of youth she’s always dreamt of…until her childhood friend, Mizuki, suddenly asks her out.”
January 10
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Animation studio: TOHO Animation STUDIO and OLM
Dubs: English / Hindi / Tamil / Telugu
Plot: “When a favoured concubine becomes pregnant, Maomao is put to the test as her food taster. She must keep her wits sharp, not only to protect the concubine but also against rising dangers in the palace. A new concubine with powerful ties, an unsolved attempt at Jinshi’s life, and a foreign envoy with impossible demands hint at a grand conspiracy poised to engulf the empire.”
Animation studio: Bridge
Plot: “In Felicidad, farmers known as the Farmagia raise monsters under the peaceful rule of the Magus Diluculum. After the Magus passes, a power struggle erupts among forces using monsters to seize control. In the town of Centvelt, Farmagia Ten and his friends band together against the despotic new ruler, Glaza. Ten, his friends, and their home-grown monsters must stay strong to defend their freedom.”
I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time
Animation studio: CloverWorks
Dubs: English
Plot: “Alina thought she had found the perfect job as a guild receptionist. It’s stable, safe, and has a super cute uniform. But this dream gig turns into an overtime nightmare whenever adventurers get stuck clearing a dungeon. Tired of the long nights, Alina starts taking down the bosses herself! She even earns the name Executioner for her impressive skills. Can she keep her identity a secret?”
January 11
Toilet-bound Hanako-kun Season 2
Animation studio: Lerche
Dubs: English / Hindi
Plot: “There’s a rumour going around about the Seven Wonders of Kamome Academy. Nene Yashiro and her classmate, Kou Minamoto, work with Hanako-san to expose a traitor among the ranks of the Seven Wonders. After breaking No. 2, the Misaki Stairs, and No. 5, the 4 O’clock Library, only five remain. Can they uncover the perpetrator before it’s too late?”
Animation studio: CloverWorks
Plot: “The journey continues after an exhilarating performance that solidifies PROTOSTAR’s bond. Now, Akira, Banri, and Chihiro are determined to build on their momentum as they face new challenges in the competitive entertainment industry. As the boys work to refine their skills and grow as aspiring idols, they encounter rival groups who push them to their limits.”
I Left My A-Rank Party to help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths!
Animation studio: Bandai Namco Pictures
Dubs: English
Plot: “Not every party treats you like a hero—especially when you’re a lowly red mage like Yuke. So, after years of constant ridicule by his A-rank party members, he ditches them. Searching for a new party, he reunites with former students Marina, Silk, and Rain, and joins their group. But on a quest to conquer the world’s greatest dungeon, they become entangled in chaos that threatens the world.”
January 12
The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World
Animation studio: SATELIGHT
Dubs: English / Hindi
Plot: “Togo Asagaki was the Red Ranger in a heroic Ranger squad. During their final battle against an evil organization, he gave his life to guarantee their triumph. But fate had other plans, and he found himself reborn in an entirely different world. Embracing his new role as an adventurer, he transforms into Kizuna Red and continues his pursuit of justice, helping those in need.”
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You Season 2
Animation studio: Bibury Animation Studio
Dubs: English
Plot: “Rentaro Aijo was rejected 100 times in middle school. He visits a shrine and prays for better luck in high school. The God of Love appears and promises that he’ll soon meet 100 people he’s destined to date. But there’s a catch—once destiny introduces someone to him, the two must happily love each other. If they don’t, they’ll die. What will befall Rentaro and his 100 girlfriends in high school?”
February 5
Re:ZERO – Starting Life in Another World – Season 3 Part 2
Animation studio: White Fox
Dubs: English
Plot: “A year has passed since Subaru’s victory at the Sanctuary. He savours a life of fulfilment while Emilia’s camp stands united for the royal selection—until a fateful letter arrives. Anastasia, a royal selection candidate, has invited Emilia to the Watergate City of Priestella. But as the party begins its journey, crisis stirs beneath the surface and Subaru meets a cruel fate once again.”
Russia has begun using North Korean troops in significant numbers for the first time to conduct assaults on Ukrainian forces battling to hold an enclave in the country’s Kursk region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine’s air defences shot down 58 of 132 Russian drones, the Ukrainian air force said. It said 72 Russian drones were “lost” due to the use of electronic warfare interference tactics. There were no immediate reports of damage.
Russia’s air defence systems destroyed 15 Ukrainian drones overnight, the Ministry of Defence announced. Thirteen of the drones were downed over the Black Sea and one each over the Russian border regions of Kursk and Belgorod, it added.
A nine-year-old child was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on Belgorod, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Two other people, including another child, were injured in the attack.
A Ukrainian serviceman and drone pilot of the 12th Special Operations Brigade ‘Azov’ inspects a Ukrainian unmanned aerial system before an aerial reconnaissance mission in Donetsk [Maria Senovilla/EPA]
Ukrainian drones carried out an attack on the Steel Horse oil facility in Russia’s Oryol region which is a crucial source of fuel supplies for Russian troops, Ukraine’s military announced.
Ukrainian drones struck a “fuel infrastructure facility” in Orlov, the local governor said, causing a fire to break out. Governor Andrei Klychkov said 11 drones had been shot down over the region. No casualties were reported.
Politics and diplomacy
Zelenskyy said he had instructed his government to set up mechanisms to supply food to Syria in the aftermath of the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Since al-Assad’s fall, Russia’s wheat export to Syria has been suspended.
Ukrainian General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, 54, has been appointed to head the operational and tactical group Donetsk, replacing General Oleksandr Lutsenko, the military announced, as Russia makes swift advances in the Donetsk region.
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024: Follow IND vs PAK live score and updates from Kuala Lumpur
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024: The next generation of Asian cricket will be on display at the Baumas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as the ACC Women’s Under-19 Asia Cup gets underway on the heels of the men’s Under-19 tournament which concluded earlier this week.…read more
The tournament always starts with a high-profile match between India and Pakistan, as the two arch rivals take to the field on the first day of the tournament to see who can achieve a big win to start their campaign and Can keep himself in a strong position. In the rest of the tournament.
India and Pakistan are part of three-team Group A along with Nepal. The top two teams at the end of the round-robin group stage will qualify for the Super Four stage, meaning that although it is not necessary to win the competition, a defeat would put either team in a difficult position. Rest of the tournament.
This is the first edition of the Under-19 Asia Cup for women’s cricket, with the tournament being played in the emerging nation of Malaysia as Asian cricket tries to branch out into countries with less traditional cricket. Both these teams will consider themselves among the strong contenders for the title for the first time and will want to present a great performance which is in line with that.
The Indian team will be led by Karnataka’s Nikki Prasad, who missed out on a place in India’s bid to win the inaugural Under-19 T20 World Cup in 2023. The team is captained by Shafali Verma. Prasad leads a team full of candidates who will be closely monitored by the WPL franchise owners, ahead of the tournament auction on Sunday. The players will know that a strong performance against Pakistan will be their last chance to stake their claim for a WPL roster spot, defeating an arch-rival in a crucial match. Meanwhile, Pakistan will be captained by Zofishaan Ayaz.
Follow all the updates here:
December 15, 2024 12:12 pm First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: 37-4, Sonam takes another wicket
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: India dominates Pakistan all over! Arisha Ansari tried to sweep Sonam ahead, but she was only able to take it back onto her stumps. Unfortunate dismissal, but Sonam is excited. Second of the day, Pakistan struggling at 37-4.
December 15, 2024 12:06 pm First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Another one! Mithila sets out Komal Khan
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: India continue to dominate with the ball, another LBW decision in their favour. Komal Khan, batting on 24, tried to swipe Mithila across the line but missed completely and the umpire declared him out. Now 33-3 for Pakistan, trouble for Pakistan?
December 15, 2024 12:04 pm First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Two defeats for Pakistan! Excellent bowling from India
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Left-arm spinner Sonam Yadav sets up Maham Anees beautifully and takes the second wicket of the innings! After much flying and shopping throughout the over, Sonam fired an arm ball and Maham was given out LBW. Excellent bowling, Pakistan 29-2 after 8 overs.
December 15, 2024 11:55 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Pakistan 25-1 at end of powerplay, India keep it cool
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: A few fours for Pakistan in the last over of the powerplay, but India will be happy bowling with the new ball. Strong start for the Indian team.
December 15, 2024 11:50 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: India kept it quiet from both ends
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Pakistan are yet to get out of the blocks. India is succeeding in connecting the dot balls together. Pakistan 17-1 after 5 overs.
December 15, 2024 11:39 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Joshita VJ strikes! PAK 12/1 after 2 overs
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Great start from Pakistan, lead and half-hearted chances for India. Finally, Joshita attacked, dismissing Faiza LBW on the last ball of the over. Good start for India!
December 15, 2024 11:32 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Shabnam MD bowls the first over.
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Both teams enter the field with Andhra fast bowlers Shabnam MD, Komal Khan and Faiza Faiz with the ball in hand. Gujarat Giants’ bowlers featured in the WPL in 2024, taking some impressive wickets including Nat Sciver-Brunt and Chamari Athapaththu.
December 15, 2024 11:25 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Expect 130-140 runs in first innings, says Pakistani captain
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Pakistan captain Zufishan says the team feels they are looking for 130-140 runs in the first innings. He mentioned that fans should keep an eye on Mahnoor Zeb, whom the team calls “left-handed Bumrah”.
December 15, 2024 11:23 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Pitch Report from Baumass Oval
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: With a 55-metre boundary on the ground, the pitch is likely to deteriorate due to the heat and humidity throughout the day, which explains why Pakistan decided to bat first and Set a tough score for India. The batsmen are expected to play well.
December 15, 2024 11:20 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Batsman G Kamalini speaks before match proceedings
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: India’s top-order batsman G Kamalini interviewed by broadcasters before the start of the match: “I am very confident about my first match. All the teammates are very confident and happy and we are looking forward to winning. I undoubtedly look up to Smriti Mandhana, a good left-handed batsman. The Super Kings Academy, one-on-one coaching and facilities are great.
December 15, 2024 11:16 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: India will bowl first after winning the toss.
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Pakistan captain Zofian Ayyaz won the toss and decided to bowl to Nikki Prasad’s team in the first innings. The match will start in 15 minutes.
December 15, 2024 11:01 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Will India finally be able to lift the Asia Cup trophy in 2024?
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: With the senior women’s team losing in the final of the Asia Cup in the summer and India’s U19 team losing in the final against Bangladesh last week, India have suffered two defeats in the ACC competition. Had to do. India’s U19 women’s team will look to reverse that run of fortunes.
December 15, 2024 at 10:50 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Two groups in U19 Women’s Asia Cup
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: India and Pakistan are part of Group A in this tournament along with Nepal team. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 4 stage, potentially making for an exciting affair. The second group includes Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
December 15, 2024 10:46 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Can an India player make a late bid for a WPL spot?
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: WPL auction set to take place today, and 19 spots still left, some players on today show may try to argue their case at the last minute India’s franchise league A chance to show your quality.
December 15, 2024 10:36 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Sri Lanka start tournament with win over hosts Malaysia
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Sri Lanka defeated hosts Malaysia by 94 runs in the first match of the tournament. India and Pakistan will be keeping an eye on how the pitch is playing to decide what strategy they need to adopt to move ahead in their respective contests.
December 15, 2024 10:28 am First
India vs Pakistan Live Score U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: Captain Nikki Prasad talks game ahead of the tournament
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The presence of Rohingya community within India is progressively becoming an issue of political blame-game and some political actors are busy pedalling mass anxiety without factoring in the complex multiplicity of vectors related to the issue, including the growing importance of the issue globally. Thus it is creating a situation where the presence of Rohingyas is becoming a manifestation of classic tale of poor and illegal immigrants in global north or global south as they are vilified and blamed for the rise in crime. They are dehumanised and subjected to dog-whistle tactics of mainstream politicians to induce mass anxiety.
In Uttar Pradesh, in July 2023, the police had reportedly detained 74 Rohingya Muslims — 55 men, 14 women, and five minors — in 2023. Now, in Muslim majority former State of J&K , the BJP recently gave a new turn to the issue by appealing to J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha to initiate a CBI probe into the rising number of Rohingyas and Bangladeshi settlers in J&K. It termed their settlement as a major “political conspiracy”. They have accused the ruling National Conference government of protecting the settlers by providing them with power and water connections because they were members of a “particular community.” The J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who assumed office only in October, 2024, urged the central government to formulate a clear policy to determine the fate of the Rohingyas in the Union Territory, terming the condition to be a ‘humanitarian dispute’. He reportedly said, “The central government should decide what to do about them. If they can be sent back, they should be sent back. But if we cannot send them back, we cannot let them starve or freeze to death.” Stating that the Rohingyas must be treated with “dignity”, the Chief Minister said, “They are human beings and must not be treated like animals.”
In the national capital, within the same time-frame as the Delhi Assembly elections approach, the AAP accused the BJP of orchestrating a conspiracy to bring and settle Rohingya refugees in Delhi. AAP leader Manish Sisodia had reportedly referred to Minister Hardeep Puri’s social media post on August 17, 2022, where he reportedly announced the relocation of Rohingya refugees to EWS flats in Delhi’s Bakkarwala area. In the social media post, Minister Puri had said, “India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country. In a landmark decision, all Rohingya refugees will be shifted to EWS flats in Bakkarwala, Delhi. They will be provided basic amenities, UNHCR IDs, and round-the-clock Delhi Police protection.”
In this season of points scoring over Rohingya presence in India, multi-dimensional nuances related with the community both at the national, regional and global levels, including the historical context which has deep connections with India, are being ignored. A key argument in support of their deportation is that their stay in India may endanger national security. However, there is no evidence to this effect, a fact underlined by security officials, including in the sensitive region of J&K. The number of Rohingyas living outside, particularly in Bangladesh, as stateless population, is more than two million which is four times that of those who are in that country. As per the Arakan Project, in 2019-20, the approximate number of Rohingyas living in Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, the UAE and Malaysia was 9,47,000, 5,00,000, 3,50,000, 40,000, 50,000 and 1,50,000, respectively. Bangladesh hosts the maximum of number of refugees and they have come to the country in several phases. The most recent was in August 2017 as 720000 Rohingyas were expelled from Rakhine in Myanmar on account of the army’s allegedly disproportionate use of force after attacks by the Arakan Rakhine Salvation Army on military’s posts. The magnitude of the displacement in 2017 can be gauged from the fact that Maungdaw district, comprising the townships of Maungdaw and Buthidaung, with a population of over 7,50,000 Rohingyas, witnessed a near-total exodus.
The issue requires unpacking within its regional as well as broader context. Within the subcontinent, in actual terms, the presence of Rohingya is nothing new. They had been migrating from Myanmar in the last three-decades and the trigger for the migration of the Rohingyas is persecution. To understand the problems of statelessness of the Rohingyas, one has to factor in the contestations of history, identity, colonialism and conceptualisation of modern-day nationhood. Myanmar’s version is that the Rohingyas came from Bangladesh to Rakhine and their language is Chittagonian, which has similarities with Bengali. Myanmar calls Rohingyas ‘Bengalis’, which goes against the universally agreed right of the community to ‘self-identify’. It is said that the British, when they gained control of Rakhine, facilitated the flight of the Rohingyas as sharecroppers. The community contests this version. Its members affirm that they are native to Rakhine and have a distinct language.
In this battle of versions, little attention is paid to the fact that till the British empire imploded in 1947-48 in Myanmar and India and new nation-states were created, including Myanmar and East Pakistan (which became Bangladesh in 1971), the border between the coastal Rakhine and neighbouring Bangladesh’s Chittagong district was porous. The seeds of the exclusionary citizenship project in Myanmar, which directly impacted Rohingyas, were sowed by General Ne Win, a military dictator who ruled the country from 1962 to 1981. General Ne Win’s administration identified 135 national races of Myanmar, excluding the Rohingya. Building on that, his successor President San Yu passed a citizenship law in 1982. The law recognised three categories of citizens, namely, citizen, associate citizen and naturalised citizen. Full citizenship is granted to the descendants of residents who lived in Myanmar prior to 1823 or were born to parents who were citizens at the time of birth. 1824 is the year when the first Anglo-Burmese war took place. Associate citizens are those who acquired citizenship through the 1948 Union Citizenship Law. Naturalised citizens are those who lived in Myanmar before January 4, 1948, the date of the country’s independence, and applied for citizenship after 1982. Thus Rohingyas were stripped of citizenship rights in 1982 and thus started more than four decades of institutionalized discrimination and oppression.
The 2008 Constitution drafted and promulgated by the military is still in operation and it has 135 national races enshrined. The authorities in Myanmar argue that the Rohingya are not a distinct ethnic group and that they are ‘Bengalis’. However, facts demonstrate that the Rohingya were once part and parcel of the country’s political and electoral landscape. A Rohingya leader, who had been a Member of Parliament, had even served as a federal minister in the early 1960s. Till 2010, the Rohingya even participated in national elections, though they were declared non-citizens in 1982. It was only in 2015 that the authorities took away their voter cards. Facing criticism, including at the Security Council and General Assembly, President Thein Sein and his successor Aung Sung Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy’s governments often cited the national verification card (NVC) process as their commitment to grant citizenship to anyone who fulfilled any of the three criterion. However, there was a catch as the Rohingya could only declare themselves as ‘Bengalis’ as Myanmar does not accept the Rohingya as an ethnic group. The 2014 census failed to officially enumerate the Rohingya as they boycotted the exercise. The fact is that the anti-Rohingya narrative of several decades created a situation where even a seemingly democratic and liberal party like the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) exacerbated the situation of Rohingyas. The NLD oversaw two phases of violent expulsions of Rohingyas in 2016 and 2017.
In the present context, keeping in mind the complicated and turbulent past, there is little doubt that the problem of Rohingyas has also coincided with a surge in territorial nationalism and Islamophobia that has swept across the globe. In Myanmar, the new official narrative promoted a binary history, which was internalised, including the idea of natives and foreigners, by the Burman Buddhist majority. In a country of multiplicities in terms of ethnicity and religion, internal strife became a way of life, including among adherents of Buddhist majority of different ethnicities such as Rakhine Buddhists as a result of the enforcement of the singular national vision of the majority. The Rohingyas, who are cent per cent Muslim and with their own ethnicity, stood little chance of being included in such a polity. The Myanmar military has often invoked the threat of Rohingyas to gain political legitimacy and the ruling political elite is always insecure about adopting a liberal, accommodating approach towards the Rohingyas as this would potentially invite the wrath of the majority.
The Myanmar leadership, be it the military or political, consistently deny the claim that they are anti-Muslim. They cite the recognition of the Kaman Muslims as one of the indigenous ethnic groups listed in the Constitution. In the post-2010 elections — catalysed by many variables, including the availability of greater right to free expression in the backdrop of the ongoing democratic transition that also unleashed old stereotypes against the Rohingya in the public domain — the citizenship project played out differently on the ground. In 2012, a case of sexual violence and murder of a Rakhine Buddhist woman sparked off inter-communal violence in Sitwe, central Rakhine, that led to internal displacement of both communities, including 1,20,000 Rohingya. Belying the claims of the authorities, the animosity against the Rohingya had morphed into Islamophobia across the country and not just Rakhine. Extremist Buddhist monk Wirathu became a symbol of hate as he peddled vitriol against the Muslims. Islamophobia became the trend among the vast swathes of the Buddhist community. A number of inter-communal riots took place across the country in 2013. In Meiktila, situated in central Myanmar, more than 40 people were killed. There was inter-communal violence in Yangon and Lashio of Shan state, situated in the north. The ruling political elite become even more rigid and shunned any accommodation. In fact, when the then United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) António Guterres, who is now the UN Secretary-General, met President Thein Sein in July 2012, the President stated that his government was prepared to hand over the Rohingya to the UNHCR and then they can resettle the ethnic group in any third country “that are willing to take them.”
Coming to the subcontinent, more than twenty-three-years ago, the author remembers, while reporting for this paper, it was common for the Border Security Force (BSF) to send press releases about the arrest of “Myanmarese” citizens. Many times, political reporters were taken to meet “Myanmarese” along the India-Pak international border in J&K and there was no mention of their Rohingya identity. In the press release, there was explicit mention of the fact that they were caught by the BSF for crossing over to adjoining Sialkot district of Pakistan which adjoins the plains of J&K. The issue got little notice nationally as there was an acceptance to the fact that they were attempting to crossover to Pakistan as desperate economic migrants with the purpose to migrate to the Middle East. In fact, one of the terrorist attacks on slum dwellers by Lashkar on 13th July 2002 in the plains of J&K took place in the same area where Rohingyas are presently living. On the ground zero, various interviews of Rohingyas by the author in the last four-years suggest many of the Rohingyas have refugee cards issued by UNHCR. They are even routinely hired and preferred by local contractors to work as masons and labourers for municipality work as they charge less than the market rates.
Within India, there is an ongoing litigation between Mohammad Salimullah vs Union of India, where the apex court has to decide whether the deportation of Rohingyas will violate the right to equality under Article 14 and also Article 21 of the Constitution, which upholds the right to life. In March 2024, the Central Government had told the Supreme Court that illegal Rohingyas did not have the fundamental right to reside and settle in India and that New Delhi did not recognise refugee cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Rohingya case cannot be divorced from the community’s institutionalised victimisation. This aspect is critical to the ongoing litigation and will clarify India’s refugee policy, which will have international consequences as well. In an interim order, the SC said in April 2021 that Articles 14 and 21 were guaranteed to all, irrespective of citizenship. However, the court added: “The right not to be deported is ancillary or concomitant to the right to reside or settle in any part of the territory of India guaranteed under Article 19(1)(e).” This meant that Article 19(1)(e) only applied to Indian citizens. The court further ordered that unless the procedure prescribed for such deportation is followed, it cannot be undertaken.
While there is no universal definition of migrants, as per the UN, refugees are people who have fled their countries to escape conflict, violence or persecution and have sought safety in another country. In line with the universally acknowledged ‘refugee protection regime’, the authorities as well as civil society should ensure that xenophobia is avoided with respect to the Rohingyas. International norms dictate that no one can be deported without informed consent. The Centre has stated that the deportation process will follow the procedure of notifying the government of the country of origin of the foreigners and the deportation will be ordered only when confirmed by that government that the persons concerned are citizens/nationals of that country and that they are entitled to come back. Practically, the same procedure is being followed for non-Rohingya Myanmar refugees living in Manipur, who escaped after the 2021 coup. The first batch was deported from India in the first quarter of 2024. For all practical purposes, even if this procedure is adhered to, the Rohingya deportation is subject to the Myanmar Government’s consent, which is an unlikely scenario.
Obviously, the main impediment stalling repatriation is the demand by Rohingyas for the full recognition of their political, social and economic rights that no one in Myanmar is willing to concede. As per the international humanitarian norms, the return should be a fully informed and voluntary decision with enabling conditions. The ongoing case also cannot be delinked from the litigation on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Except the clause on religion, the Rohingyas fulfil the criterion of persecution mentioned in the CAA. The apex court will also have to reconcile Article 21 and Article 19(1)(e) in its final order. This will determine whether refugees coming to India will have legal recourse like they do in some Western democracies or their stay/deportation will solely depend on the executive’s discretionary powers. Meanwhile, within camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the situation is becoming more and more challenging for the authorities. Many have expressed the risk that because of depressing status quo ante there is a potential of radicalisation in the midst of poverty and a situation of hopelessness, particularly among the youth, as incidents of violence and fatalities increase as a result of intra-camp feuds.
Burdened by previous experiences of forced expulsion, particularly in 1978 and in 1991-92, a feeling of despondency lurks among the Rohingya community about the various international initiatives being taken in the context of accountability, justice and repatriation efforts being pursued after the 2017 crisis. A fatigue also prevails in the international community as efforts towards repatriation have achieved little success. It is obvious that a sustainable resolution of the Rohingya crisis is predicated upon support for current efforts to create a democratic and federal polity in Myanmar along with the simultaneous pursuit of accountability for human rights violations. Rohingyas will only be accepted in a democratic, inclusive, federal Myanmar.
Within the multilateral arena, Myanmar is facing trial at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an alleged genocide, apart from being the subject of several human rights reports and mechanisms at the United Nations. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing the Rohingya genocide case (The Gambia vs Myanmar) whereas in November 2024 an arrest warrant had been filled by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan against Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar’s armed forces and Acting President, alleging his involvement in crimes against humanity targeting the Rohingya population. Considering their large presence in South Asia, South East Asia and West Asia as refugees, the situation of Rohingyas is a humanitarian problem and it has often been stressed that they require a concerted engagement among the relevant host countries to evolve a common strategy in their engagement with Myanmar about their long-term status.
Keeping in mind the wider global interest in the community, the intent and shrill narrative by the political actors to deport the Rohingyas is an empty rhetoric and will worsen the state of affairs. As half of the 10 elected members of UNSC will be from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2025, Rohingya issue will be one of the critical agenda items. With the forcible deportation of a community universally recognised as one of the most persecuted an unlikely prospect, political stakeholders should desist from perpetuating a state of mass-scale anxiety against the community as it harms the country’s image. In fact, as one of the leaders of the global south, India should take a lead in constituting a consortium of host countries to address the multifold challenges facing the Rohingyas, including formulating innovative solutions for the community members. This would enable them to work legally and also address the concerns of law enforcement authorities in the host countries. This includes the proposal of Saudi Arabia of the issuance of permanent residency. Some of the Gulf countries, which now have good relations with India, may be willing to join India to fund this consortium, and this can provide a template for similarly persecuted refugees and their host countries elsewhere. There is also the proposal of settlement of a few refugees in western countries willing to accept them as part of their overall asylum policy. This is obviously not a panacea to the basic lingering conceptual problem of their statelessness and the rights of the vast majority of Rohingyas living both within Myanmar and outside.
Rather than attracting international attention by uncalled statements and acts that may be seen as victimizing the victims, Indian political elite as well as political stakeholders should contribute to a more compassionate understanding of Rohingya’s flight from Myanmar globally. Because of the history and geography, ideally, India should be more aware of the nuances of the challenges facing the Rohingya community. As mentioned above, it could also further facilitate global and regional efforts aimed at evolution of an innovative solution-oriented approaches to the challenges facing the community. This would cement India’s image as an effective global south leader that has an ability to craft viable sustainable and humane solutions to global challenges.
The author was an a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Good Offices on Myanmar.
