Daily Archives: March 21, 2021

By Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against cook Naushad, who was arrested for spitting on the dough while making rotis at a wedding function in the Meerut district last month.

The process of NSA was completed by the police on Thursday and the file was sent to DM for approval on Thursday.

Naushad was arrested after a video clip showing his disgusting and unhygienic act went viral on social media. The video, shot by one of the guests at the wedding at Aroma Garden of Lishari Gate in Meerut, caught Naushad spitting on the rotis before putting them in the tandoor for the dinner at aparty on February 16.

The guest, who had filmed Naushad, shared the video with other guests at the party and they left the function without having food.

Later, social activist Sachin Sirohi, associated with Hindu Jagran Manch, and his accomplices staged a protest at Lala Lajpat Rai Medical College Police Station. This was followed by the registration of a case against Naushad under the Epidemic Act and relevant sections of IPC on February 19, and Naushad was arrested and sent to jail.

During the investigation, the police found the charges of spitting in the dough to be true.

Recently, when Naushad was produced in the local court for a hearing on his bail application, a group of irate lawyers and the common public thrashed him. He was also beaten up when he came out of the court.

The NSA was slapped against him as his release from the jail might create law and order problems in the city, said Meerut SSP Ajay Sahni.

Meanwhile, a similar case was reported from Ghaziabad where a cook was caught on camera spitting on the dough while making rotis. The Ghaziabad Police are also in the process of invoking the NSA against the arrested cook.

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NSA slapped on man held for spitting on dough while making rotis in UP - The New Indian Express

Theeranan Tangthong,1,2 Thananchai Piroonpan,2 Velaphi C Thipe,3,4 Menka Khoobchandani,4,5 Kavita Katti,4,5 Kattesh V Katti,4 6 Wanvimol Pasanphan1,2

1Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand; 2Center of Radiation Processing for Polymer Modification and Nanotechnology (CRPN), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand; 3Laboratrio de Ecotoxicologia - Centro de Qumica e Meio Ambiente - Instituto de Pesquisas Energticase Nucleares (IPEN) - Comisso Nacional de Energia Nuclear- IPEN/CNEN-SP, So Paulo, Brasil; 4Institute of Green Nanotechnology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; 5Department of Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; 6Department of Physics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

Correspondence: Wanvimol PasanphanDepartment of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, ThailandTel +66 2562 5555 (Ext. 646518)Email wanvimol.p@ku.ac.thKattesh V KattiInstitute of Green Nanotechnology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USATel +1 573 882-5656Fax +1 573 884-5679Email KattiK@health.missouri.edu

Introduction: Functionalization of water-soluble chitosan (WSCS) nanocolloids with, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and LyslLys3 (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid)-bombesin 1 14 (DOTA-BBN) peptide affords an innovative pathway to produce prostate tumor cell-specific nanomedicine agents with potential applications in molecular imaging and therapy.Methods: The preparation involves the production and full characterization of water-soluble chitosan (WSCS), via gamma () rays (80 kGy) irradiation, followed by DOTA-BBN conjugation for subsequent use as an effective template toward the synthesis of tumor cell-specific AuNPs-WSCS-DOTA-BBN.Results: The WSCS-DOTA-BBN polymeric nanoparticles (86 2.03 nm) served multiple roles as reducing and stabilizing agents in the overall template synthesis of tumor cell-targeted AuNPs. The AuNPs capped with WSCS and WSCS-DOTA-BBN exhibited average Au-core diameter of 17 8 nm and 20 7 nm with hydrodynamic diameters of 56 1 and 67 2 nm, respectively. The AuNPs-WSCS-DOTA-BBN showed optimum in vitro stability in biologically relevant solutions. The targeted AuNPs showed selective affinity toward GRP receptors overexpressed in prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and LNCaP).Discussion: The AuNPs-WSCS-DOTA-BBN displayed cytotoxicity effects against PC-3 and LNCaP cancer cells, with concomitant safety toward the HAECs normal cells. The AuNPs-WSCS-DOTA-BBN showed synergistic targeting toward tumor cells with selective cytotoxicity of AuNPs towards PC-3 and LNCaP cells. Our investigations provide compelling evidence that AuNPs functionalized with WSCS-DOTA-BBN is an innovative nanomedicine approach for use in molecular imaging and therapy of GRP receptor-positive tumors. The template synthesis of AuNPs-WSCS-DOTA-BBN serves as an excellent non-radioactive surrogate for the development of the corresponding 198AuNPs theragnostic nanoradiopharmaceutical for use in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Keywords: DOTA-bombesin, gold nanoparticle, water-soluble chitosan, nanoradiopharmaceutical, prostate cancer

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License.By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

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Targeted therapeutic agents for prostate cancer | NSA - Dove Medical Press

U.S. Department of State

REMARKSANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATEANCHORAGE, ALASKAMARCH 18, 2021

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, and welcome. On behalf of National Security Advisor Sullivan and myself, I want to welcome Director Yang and State Councilor Wang to Alaska, and to thank you very much for making the journey to be with us.

I just returned myself from meetings with Secretary of Defense Austin and our counterparts in Japan and the Republic of Korea, two of our nations closest allies. They were very interested in the discussions that well have here today and tomorrow because the issues that well raise are relevant not only to China and the United States, but to others across the region and indeed around the world. Our administration is committed to leading with diplomacy to advance the interests of the United States and to strengthen the rules-based international order.

That system is not an abstraction. It helps countries resolve differences peacefully, coordinate multilateral efforts effectively, and participate in global commerce with the assurance that everyone is following the same rules. The alternative to a rules-based order is a world in which might makes right and winners take all, and that would be a far more violent and unstable world for all of us. Today, well have an opportunity to discuss key priorities, both domestic and global, so that China can better understand our administrations intentions and approach.

Well also discuss our deep concerns with actions by China, including in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyber attacks on the United States, and economic coercion toward our allies. Each of these actions threaten the rules-based order that maintains global stability. Thats why theyre not merely internal matters and why we feel an obligation to raise these issues here today.

I said that the United States relationship with China will be competitive where it should be, collaborative where it can be, adversarial where it must be. Our discussions here in Alaska, I suspect, will run the gamut. Our intent is to be direct about our concerns, direct about our priorities, with the goal of a more clear-eyed relationship between our countries moving forward. Thank you for being here.

And before turning to you, Mr. Director, Id like to invite National Security Advisor Sullivan to say a few words.

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SULLIVAN: Thank you, Mr. Secretary, and welcome to Director Yang and State Councilor Wang. Its fitting that were meeting here in Alaska. We may be far from the continental United States, but there are few places that are as quintessentially American: big-hearted, resilient, intrepid. This is truly a fitting place for us to host this meeting.

Secretary Blinken and I are proud of the story about America were able to tell here about a country that, under President Bidens leadership, has made major strides to control the pandemic, to rescue our economy, and to affirm the strength and staying power of our democracy. Were particularly proud of the work that weve done to revitalize our alliances and partnerships, the foundation of our foreign policy. Just last week, President Biden hosted the Quad leaders summit that spoke to the can-do spirit of the worlds democracies and committed to realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is through partnerships like these that all of us can deliver progress and prosperity for our peoples.

Secretary Blinken laid out many of the areas of concern, from economic and military coercion to assaults on basic values, that well discuss with you today and in the days ahead. Well do so frankly, directly, and with clarity. These are the concerns that are on the minds of the American people, but it goes beyond that. Weve heard each of these concerns posed from around the world from our allies and partners to the broader international community during the intensive consultations weve undertaken in the last two months.

Well make clear today that our overriding priority from the United States side is to ensure that our approach in the world and our approach to China benefits the American people and protects the interests of our allies and partners. We do not seek conflict, but we welcome stiff competition and we will always stand up for our principles, for our people, and for our friends. We look forward to discussing all of these matters with you in the hours ahead. Thank you.

DIRECTOR YANG: (In Mandarin.)

PARTICIPANT: Its a test for the interpreter.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Were going to give the translator a raise. (Laughter.)

DIRECTOR YANG: (Via interpreter) Secretary Blinken and Mr. Sullivan, the State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and I have come to Anchorage, the United States to have this strategic dialogue with the United States. We hope that this dialogue will be a sincere and candid one. Both China and the United States are major countries in the world, and together we shoulder important responsibilities to the peace, stability, and development of the world and the region. In China, we have just concluded the Lianghui, or the two sessions of the National Peoples Congress and the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference. During the sessions, we adopted the outline for the 14th five-year economic and social development plan and the long-range objectives through the year 2035.

For China, we are now in a historic year where we will move from finishing the first centenary goal to the second centenary goal, and by the year 2035 China will surely achieve basic modernization. And by the year 2050, China will achieve full modernization. China has made decisive achievements and important strategic gains in fighting COVID-19, and we have achieved a full victory in ending absolute poverty in China. Chinas per capita GDP is only one-fifth of that of the United States, but we have managed to end absolute poverty for all people in China. And we hope that other countries, especially the advanced countries, will make similar efforts in this regard. And China has also made historic achievements in building the country into a moderately prosperous one in all respects. The Chinese people are wholly rallying around the Communist Party of China. Our values are the same as the common values of humanity. Those are: peace, development, fairness, justice, freedom, and democracy.

What China and the international community follow or uphold is the United Nations-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, not what is advocated by a small number of countries of the so-called rules-based international order. And the United States has its style United States-style democracy and China has the Chinese-style democracy. It is not just up to the American people, but also the people of the world to evaluate how the United States has done in advancing its own democracy. In Chinas case, after decades of reform and opening up, we have come a long way in various fields. In particular, we have engaged in tireless efforts to contribute to the peace and development of the world, and to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

The wars in this world are launched by some other countries, which have resulted in massive casualties. But for China, what we have asked for, for other countries, is to follow a path of peaceful development, and this is the purpose of our foreign policy. We do not believe in invading through the use of force, or to topple other regimes through various means, or to massacre the people of other countries, because all of those would only cause turmoil and instability in this world. And at the end of the day, all of those would not serve the United States well.

So we believe that it is important for the United States to change its own image and to stop advancing its own democracy in the rest of the world. Many people within the United States actually have little confidence in the democracy of the United States, and they have various views regarding the Government of the United States. In China, according to opinion polls, the leaders of China have the wide support of the Chinese people. So no attempt to the opinion polls conducted in the United States show that the leaders of China have the support of the Chinese people. No attempt to smear Chinas social system would get anywhere. Facts have shown that such practices would only lead the Chinese people to rally more closely around the Communist Party of China and work steadily towards the goals that we have set for ourselves.

In 1952, China adopted its first five-year development plan, and now we are into the first year of the 14th five-year development plan. We will continue along this path, step by step. Chinas development is not just about delivering benefits for the people of China, but also about contributing to the development of the world in the 21st century. China and the United States are both major countries and both shoulder important responsibilities. We must both contribute to the peace, stability, and development of the world in areas such as COVID-19, restoring economic activities in the world, and responding to climate change. There are many things that we can do together and where our interests converge.

So what we need to do is to abandon the Cold War mentality and the zero-sum game approach. We must change the way we think and make sure that in this century, the 21st century, countries big or small, particularly the big countries, should come united together to contribute to the future of humanity and build a community with a shared future for humankind. Its also important for all of us to come together to build a new type of international relations, ensuring fairness, justice, and mutual respect. And on some regional issues, I think the problem is that the United States has exercised long-arm jurisdiction and suppression and overstretched the national security through the use of force or financial hegemony, and this has created obstacles for normal trade activities, and the United States has also been persuading some countries to launch attacks on China.

And as for China, we believe and we have handled import- and export-related issues according to scientific and technological standards. Secretary Blinken, you said you just came back from Japan and the ROK. Those two countries are Chinas second and the third largest trading partners. ASEAN has now become Chinas largest trading partner, overtaking the European Union and the United States. So we do hope that the United States will develop sound relations with all countries in the Asia-Pacific. We should have many mutual friends. This is the right way forward in the 21st century.

On the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden had a phone conversation. The two presidents agreed to step up communication, manage differences, and expand cooperation between our two countries. We are having this dialogue today to follow up on the common understanding of the two presidents reached during their phone conversation. And having this dialogue is, in fact, a decision made by the two presidents. So for the people of the two countries and the world, theyre hoping to see practical outcomes coming out of our dialogue. And with Xinjiang, Tibet, and Taiwan, they are an inalienable part of Chinas territory. China is firmly opposed to U.S. interference in Chinas internal affairs. We have expressed our staunch opposition to such interference and we will take firm actions in response.

On human rights, we hope that the United States will do better on human rights. China has made steady progress in human rights and the fact is that there are many problems within the United States regarding human rights, which is admitted by the U.S. itself as well. The United States has also said that countries cant rely on force in todays world to resolve the challenges we face. And it is a failure to use various means to topple the so-called authoritarian states. And the challenges facing the United States in human rights are deep-seated. They did not just emerge over the past four years, such as Black Lives Matter. It did not come up only recently. So we do hope that for our two countries, its important that we manage our respective affairs well instead of deflecting the blame on somebody else in this world.

And for China, we will manage our own affairs well, and we hope to deliver a better life for our 1.4 billion Chinese people. This is the goal of Chinas diplomacy. And also, we will make our contribution to the peace and stability of the world. Since breaking the ice between our two countries in our engagement several decades ago, China and the United States have achieved a lot together. This is the result of the concerted efforts of the people with vision of both countries, and this past is a part of our achievements. Although so much has changed in this world, it is important that our two countries think about how we can work together and expand our cooperation under the new circumstances.

If there is competition between our two countries, I think the competition focuses on the economic aspect, and in this area, as I have said just now, for frictions in our economic engagement, it is important to respond to them in a rational way and seek win-win results. And China-U.S. trade has already achieved a lot, and we should do even better. The overwhelming majority of American businesses in China have said that Chinas business environment is good and nobody has forced them to stay in China. They see a profit coming from their presence in China and they see immense opportunities in China. Thats why they are staying in China. And I believe that for our two countries, under the new circumstances, we need to enhance communication, properly manage our differences, and expand our cooperation instead of engaging in confrontation.

But between our two countries weve had confrontation in the past, and the result did not serve the United States well. What did the United States gain from that confrontation? I didnt see any, and the only result was damages done to United States. And China will pull through and has pulled through such confrontation.

So the way we see the relationship with the United States is as President Xi Jinping has said that is, we hope to see no confrontation, no conflict, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation with the United States. And actually, during the phone call between the presidents, President Biden himself also talked about the importance of having no conflict or confrontation between our two countries. So at our level, I think its vital that we do everything we can to fully and faithfully follow up and implement the understandings reached between our two presidents and bring back the China-U.S. relationship to the track of sound and steady growth.

On cyber attacks, let me say that whether its the ability to launch cyber attacks or the technologies that could be deployed, the United States is the champion in this regard. You cant blame this problem on somebody else.

The United States itself does not represent international public opinion, and neither does the Western world. Whether judged by population scale or the trend of the world, the Western world does not represent the global public opinion. So we hope that when talking about universal values or international public opinion on the part of the United States, we hope the U.S. side will think about whether it feels reassured in saying those things, because the U.S. does not represent the world. It only represents the Government of the United States. I dont think the overwhelming majority of countries in the world would recognize that the universal values advocated by the United States or that the opinion of the United States could represent international public opinion, and those countries would not recognize that the rules made by a small number of people would serve as the basis for the international order.

Because, Mr. Secretary and NSA Sullivan, you have delivered some quite different opening remarks, mine will be slightly different as well.

STATE COUNCILOR WANG: (Via interpreter) Well, I will stay quite brief compared with Director Yang. Secretary Blinken, NSA Sullivan, you have been involved in the relationship with China for many years, so youre also true friends for the Chinese people. And I would say that I am pleased to meet you today, and China the Chinese delegation is here at the invitation of the United States. And as NSA Sullivan said, Anchorage is the midpoint of the air route connecting our two countries, and it is fair to say that this place is a refueling station for China-U.S. exchanges and also a place that China and the United States can meet each other halfway.

And China certainly in the past has not and in the future will not accept the unwarranted accusations from the U.S. side. In the past several years, Chinas legitimate rights and interests have come under outright suppression, plunging the China-U.S. relationship into a period of unprecedented difficulty. This has damaged the interests of our two peoples and taken its toll on world stability and development, and this situation must no longer continue. China urges the U.S. side to fully abandon the hegemonic practice of willfully interfering in Chinas internal affairs. This has been a longstanding issue and it should be changed. It is time for it to change. And in particular, on the 17th of March, the United States escalated its so-called sanctions on China regarding Hong Kong, and the Chinese people are outraged by this gross interference in Chinas internal affairs and the Chinese side is firmly opposed to it.

Anchorage is a midpoint between China and the United States, but after all, its still the United States territory, and I accept that the Chinese delegation has come here at the invitation of the United States. However, just the other day, before our departure, the United States passed these new sanctions. This is not supposed to be the way one should welcome his guests, and we wonder if this is a decision made by the United States to try to gain some advantage in dealing with China, but certainly this is miscalculated and only reflects the vulnerability and weakness inside the United States. And this will not shake Chinas position or resolve on those issues.

And let me also say that the phone conversation that President Xi Jinping and President Biden had on the eve of the Chinese New Year is a very important one, and during this phone conversation they agreed to some common understandings that have pointed the way forward for us to bring back the China-U.S. relationship onto the right track. And the international community is following very closely our dialogue for today and tomorrow. Theyre watching whether our two sides will each demonstrate goodwill and sincerity, and they are watching whether this dialogue will send out a positive signal to the world.

So we will be watching what will happen today and tomorrow, and if United States is willing, I think our two sides should step up to this responsibility and deliver on this task that we are given. I will stop here. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much.

(Break.)

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Mr. Director, State Councilor, given your extended remarks, permit me, please, to add just a few of my own before we get down to work, and I know Mr. Sullivan may have things to say as well.

I have to tell you, in my short time as Secretary of State, I have spoken to I think nearly a hundred counterparts from around the world, and I just made my first trip, as I noted, to Japan and South Korea. I have to tell you, what Im hearing is very different from what you described. Im hearing deep satisfaction that the United States is back, that were re-engaged with our allies and partners. Im also hearing deep concern about some of the actions your government has taken, and well have an opportunity to discuss those when we get down to work.

A hallmark of our leadership, of our engagement in the world is our alliances and our partnerships that have been built on a totally voluntary basis. And it is something that President Biden is committed to reinvigorating.

And theres one more hallmark of our leadership here at home, and thats a constant quest to, as we say, form a more perfect union. And that quest, by definition, acknowledges our imperfections, acknowledges that were not perfect, we make mistakes, we have reversals, we take steps back. But what weve done throughout our history is to confront those challenges openly, publicly, transparently, not trying to ignore them, not trying to pretend they dont exist, not trying to sweep them under a rug. And sometimes its painful, sometimes its ugly, but each and every time, we have come out stronger, better, more united as a country.

I recall well when President Biden was vice president and we were visiting China. This was in the wake of the financial crisis. There was much discussion then, including with then-Vice President Xi Jinping. And Vice President Biden at the time said its never a good bet to bet against America, and its true today.

STAFF: Thank you, press.

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SULLIVAN: Just briefly, to add to what Secretary Blinken has said because I was actually going to make the same point without us even consulting a confident country is able to look hard at its own shortcomings and constantly seek to improve. And that is the secret sauce of America.

The other secret sauce of America is that our people are a problem-solving people, and we believe we solve problems best when we work together with allies and partners around the world.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the United States landed another rover on Mars, and it wasnt just an American project. It had technology from multiple countries from Europe and other parts of the world. It is also going to leave behind a collection of material for Mars that the United States and Europe will build a device that can fly there to pick it up and bring it back.

That is what can be accomplished by a country that is constantly reinventing itself, working closely with others, and seeking constantly to produce the kind of progress that benefits all of us, and is rooted in a concept of human dignity and human rights that is truly universal that every man, woman, and child in this world aspires to.

So we will look forward to the conversation today, but I do hope this conversation will be one carried out with confidence on both sides. So its not lectures or long, winding statements; its the opportunity for us to explain where were coming from, to hear where you are coming from, and to indicate, at bottom, what our principles, our priorities, and our long-term strategies are. Thats what we hope for in the dialogue that lies ahead, that is the spirit with which we approach this, and we look forward to continuing the discussion today. Thank you, everybody.

STAFF: Thank you very much, everyone.

(Break.)

QUESTION: (Off-mike.)

DIRECTOR YANG: (Via interpreter) Well, it was my bad. When I entered this room, I should have reminded the U.S. side of paying attention to its tone in our respective opening remarks, but I didnt.

The Chinese side felt compelled to make this speech because of the tone of the U.S. side.

Well, isnt this the intention of United States, judging from what or the way that you have made your opening remarks, that it wants to speak to China in a condescending way from a position of strength?

So was this carefully all planned and was it carefully orchestrated with all the preparations in place? Is that the way that you had hoped to conduct this dialogue?

Well, I think we thought too well of the United States. We thought that the U.S. side will follow the necessary diplomatic protocols. So for China it was necessary that we made our position clear.

So let me say here that, in front of the Chinese side, the United States does not have the qualification to say that it wants to speak to China from a position of strength. The U.S. side was not even qualified to say such things even 20 years or 30 years back, because this is not the way to deal with the Chinese people. If the United States wants to deal properly with the Chinese side, then lets follow the necessary protocols and do things the right way.

Cooperation benefits both sides. In particular, this is the expectation of the people of the world. Well, the American people are certainly a great people, but so are the Chinese people. So have the Chinese people not suffered enough in the past from the foreign countries? Well, at times I have not been sure since China started being encircled by the foreign countries.

Well, as long as Chinas system is right with the wisdom of the Chinese people, there is no way to strangle China. Our history will show that one can only cause damages to himself if he wants to strangle or suppress the Chinese people.

While the United States has talked about its cooperation to land on some other planet with the European side, well, China would welcome it if there is a will to carry out similar cooperation from the United States with us.

Ill stop here. Would the State Councilor wish to add?

STATE COUNCILOR WANG: (Via interpreter) Secretary Blinken and NSA Sullivan, you mentioned that during your engagements and the visit that Mr. Secretary had just recently, the two countries you visited mentioned coercion from China. We dont know if this is a direct complaint coming from those countries that you visited, or is it just the United States own view?

Well, I think for those relationships, it brings in Chinas relationship with the United States, with Japan, and with Australia. I dont think we could know from all being together because for all of those instances, they each have their own set of issues and different positions are involved. So to accuse China of coercion even before sharing the relevant views with China, is this the right act to do? Of course not.

If the United States would indiscriminately protest and speak up for those countries just because they are your allies or partners, we believe for the long term (inaudible), then it will be very difficult for international relations to develop properly. So we dont think one should be so testy as to accuse some other country of coercion. Who is coercing whom? I think history and the international community will come to their own conclusions.

But if the United States is interested in having those discussions with China, then we are ready to have those discussions with the U.S. side, but based on mutual respect so that we can increase our mutual understanding on those issues.

By U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong | 19 March, 2021 | Topics: News, U.S. Secretary of State | Tags: Antony J. Blinken

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Remarks at the Top of Their Meeting March 18, 2021 | US Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau - US Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau

By Udora Orizu

The House of Representatives has asked the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to immediately stop issuing licences to oil serving companies for the importation of explosives.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Micheal Enyong Okon, gave the directive in his ruling at an investigative hearing on licencing and sale of explosive devices by chief executives of some oil servicing companies in Nigeria.

He said some companies were not complying with the extant laws, and with the prevailing security situation in the country, there is the need to ascertain the adherence of these companies to extant statutes and regulations on explosives control vis-a-vis the administration and utilisation generally.

The lawmaker said the companies were importing more than authorised, fearing that the explosives could get into the hands of terrorists who may use it against the country.

Okon said: It is important that we educate them on the need to ensure that the administration and utilisation of explosives is in accordance with the Explosives Act of 1967 as contained in the laws of Nigeria. The permit is issued by the Ministry of Mines and Steel, and the end users certificate is also issued by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

The end user certificate would also show the items you brought into the country. You can have less of these products. It is not a problem, but when you have more than what was authorised, what you were allowed in the permit, it therefore means that you are importing these explosives illegally into the country, and that is worrisome, especially in the prevailing security situation in the country. So, we want to know the whereabouts of these explosives. We want to make sure these particular items do not end up in the wrong hands-it can be terrorists, aliens. Thats why we are here to make sure there is a corresponding inventory from the end users.

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Insecurity: House Urges NSA to Stop Issuing Licences for Importation of Explosives - THISDAY Newspapers

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) managed to send two Filipino boxers to the Tokyo Olympics just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world of sports last year.

Middleweight Felix Eumir Marcial and flyweight Irish Magno booked berths in the 2020 Olympiad during their campaigns in the Asia and Oceania Boxing Qualification Tournament in Amman, Jordan, with Marcial even bagging the gold medal in the 75 kg division.

The boxing body headed by President Ricky Vargas now has its fingers crossed that two more will qualify once the International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force (BTF) comes out with its final list of qualified boxers to the Tokyo Games. This, after the BTP officially cancelled the scheduled final qualification tournament set in Paris this May.

ABAP is putting its hopes on flyweight Carlo Paalam and world womens champion Nesthy Petecio (bantamweight) to make it based on their current Asian rankings.

For its consistent work of qualifying Filipino pugs in the Olympics, ABAP will be the recipient of the NSA (National Sports Association) of the Year honor in the coming SMC-PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) virtual Awards Night on March 27 at the TV5 Media Center.

This marks the second straight year the boxing federation will receive the special award in the event co-presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Cignal TV, with 1-Pacman Partylist and Rain or Shine as major backers.

Pro golfer Yuka Saso headlines the 2020 honor roll of the countrys oldest media organization headed by President Tito S. Talao, sports editor of the Manila Bulletin, as she will be recognized with the prestigious Athlete of the Year honor.

ABAP qualified two boxers in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics in Rogen Ladon (light flyweight) and Charly Suarez (lightweight). None of them made it past the round-of-16, though.

This time, the federation hopes to surpass the numbers should Petecio and Paalam make it to the final qualifying list.

But the 25-year-old Marcial looms as boxings biggest hope for a possible first-ever gold medal following his impressive triumph during the Asia-Oceania qualifiers last year.

Now fighting as a pro, the native of Lunzuran, Zamboanga eked out a close 3-2 decision against Abilkhan Amankul of Kazakhstan to win the gold and make it to the Olympics.

The 29-year-old Magno was not fortunate to make the semifinals of the same tournament in Jordan. She still clinched a berth in Tokyo after winning her box-off against Sumaiya Qosimova of Taijikistan, 5-0. She is also the first Filipina boxer to reach the Olympics.

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PSA to honor ABAP as NSA of the Year - Tiebreaker Times

The US already has MDO in place. And India will be seeking its expertise in an effort to adopt the same system for its own forces.

When the visiting US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets his counterpart Rajnath Singh on Saturday, India will seek cooperation from the US in Multi Domain Operation (MD), and Intelligence Sharing.

On Friday late afternoon the US Defense Secretary arrived in India on Friday on a two day visit which is aimed at enhancing the bilateral defense and security ties between the two countries. He is accompanied by a high level official delegation. This is the first visit of one of the top officers from the Biden administration and assumes importance as it follows the recently concluded Quad Leaders Summit which was called by the US President Joe Biden

Since India is trying to transform from man-power intensive to technology-intensive force, talks with the US is going to be in Multi-Doman Operations (MDO). And also Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Big Data as well as block chain. The two are also going to talk about Intelligence sharing, as well as operationalizing agreements inked between the two countries, a senior officer confirmed to Financial Express Online, late Friday evening.

Though India has recently started focusing on jointness among all the three services this means that the all the services participate together, and need not necessarily be in an integrated manner.

MDO is a step beyond joint. Roughly it means that capabilities are employed through multiple domains. This is very critical in network centric warfare. And is already operational among the NATO members as well as countries like Australia has this in operation. Once this is operational then it is able to provide C4 [command, control, communication and computer] services which will help the forces to deploy the troops and assets in a very short time.

The US already has MDO in place. And India will be seeking its expertise in an effort to adopt the same system for its own forces. This means that right from the soldier on the ground will be able to enhance his individual performance which will be through AI support systems, machine learning, and biotechnical sensors.

India and the US will also talk about the operationalization of the agreements inked by both sides. As has been reported by Financial Express Online the two countries have concluded: The foundational agreement for mutual logistics support The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA); Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA). The COMCASA agreement facilitates encrypted communications between the two armed forces. Both countries have also concluded the Industrial Security Annex or ISA, which enables the US to share sensitive information with private Indian entities on military hardware and helped paving the way for joint production of military equipment. Last year, the two countries inked the long pending Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA).

Also read | India-US talks: Interoperability, CATSAA, Indo-Pacific Region and other issues to be the focus of talks with Lloyd Austin

Both the US Navy and the Indian Navy have signed a loan agreement and installed two Pacific fleet- provided CENTRIXS systems at the Indian Navy headquarters and the two sides are in discussions for installing several more at other locations. New Delhi, has according to reports also created a common account of USD 5 million, this has been set up to pay for services or information sought from the US under the COMCASA.

And to analyze large volumes of data that are received as part of Maritime Domain Awareness, a tactical data link, Sealink Advanced Analysis (S2A), is in the process of being set up. For the Big Data Analytics, the S2A is being co-developed by India and the US.

He reached New Delhi after concluding his visits to Japan and South Korea. And later in the evening called on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Several issues including the ongoing standoff between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the situation in Myanmar as well as other issues of mutual interests were discussed.

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India-US talks: MDO, intelligence sharing, and operationalizing agreements to be discussed; Lloyd Austin calls on NSA Ajit Doval - The Financial...