T It ranks third in terms of circulation within India and tops all English-language daily sales worldwide.
Established in 1838 as The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce, this newspaper has earned a reputation for accuracy, seriousness, and comprehensive coverage of international news.
1. BJP-Gujjar rift
The BJP-Gujjar rift is an example of how the party seeks to divide communities by playing with history. Last year, Mihir Bhoj’s community became incensed with the BJP after it referred to him as a ‘Gujjar Samrat’ instead of a Gujjar Kshatriya king.
Rumors have spread fear among the Gujjar community that they may split their votes.
Therefore, it is expected that the BJP will win only one of nine reserved seats in Jammu and Kashmir. BJP leader Amarjeet Singh Rahi however states there has been a slight shift in support towards their party among people living in the valley.
Muslim intellectuals have claimed the party is trying to distort its image and has made anti-Muslim statements. They believe the saffron party is trying to divide Muslims into sects and groups in an effort to diminish their political power.
2. US Air Force shoots down a Chinese spy balloon
On Saturday afternoon, the US Air Force shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had been spotted over America’s skies, capping off an intense three-day affair and diplomatic spat between Washington and Beijing. A single F-22 fighter jet fired an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile at the object which was six nautical miles off South Carolina’s shores.
President Joe Biden had directed the military to explore options for shooting down the drone, according to a senior defense official on Wednesday. But top military advisors advised against shooting it down over land since falling debris could injure people on the ground.
The Pentagon is taking action to recover the debris, including what appears to be a basket of surveillance equipment beneath it. U.S. intelligence officials will examine this debris as soon as possible in an effort to gain insights into what the Chinese balloon was viewing, according to a defense official.
3. Gujjars irked by Pilot’s friction
The Gujjars are not particularly fond of inept politicians and their apologists. Though their exact motivations remain a mystery, there’s no denying they don’t seem particularly pleased when their chief executive officer is charged with managing the state budget and launching a controversial nationwide advertising campaign. A quick scan of the state’s political scene reveals a dysfunctional and inept political class. Thus, the tycoon must operate on his own terms in order to succeed; unfortunately, competition is not quite so sophisticated. So it comes as no shock that there are plenty of gimmicks used throughout the state: from bumbling politicians with their adoring assistants, to an array of inept bureaucrats.
4. US Air Force strikes two new mystery objects
On Sunday afternoon, the US Air Force struck two mysterious objects near the Canadian border – the latest of three mysterious incursions into US airspace since Americans were alerted to an alleged Chinese spy balloon last week. Officials determined that these objects should be shot down as they were traveling at altitudes which could pose a danger for civilian aircraft.
On Friday, Alaska reported one object, while Canada’s Yukon territory reported another on Saturday and Lake Huron, Michigan on Sunday. This last object was octagonal in shape with strings hanging from it, according to the Pentagon.
On February 4th, a smaller and cylindrical object than the confirmed Chinese spy balloon that crashed off the Atlantic shore had an altitude of over 10,000 feet that could have posed a threat to commercial aviation, according to the Pentagon.
