YouTube has announced its decision to restrict access to videos featuring performances of the banned protest song “Glory to Hong Kong” in Hong Kong.

Following a ruling by Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal deeming the protest song “Glory to Hong Kong” illegal, YouTube has announced plans to block access to videos featuring performances of the song in the city. Voice of America reported that the court characterized the song as a “weapon,” leading to its ban. YouTube expressed disappointment with the ruling but confirmed compliance with the removal order. The online platform also voiced concerns about the impact on free speech online and mentioned exploring options for appeal.

YouTube plans to block access to 32 videos of the song in Hong Kong, which were deemed “prohibited content” by the court. A search for the banned videos on YouTube in Hong Kong now yields a message stating that they are “not available on this country domain due to a court order,” as reported by Voice of America.

The ban covers any broadcast or distribution of the song intended to promote Hong Kong’s independence or misrepresent it as the city’s official anthem. Despite being a semi-autonomous city, Hong Kong does not have its own anthem and uses mainland China’s official anthem, “March of the Volunteers.”

The Court of Appeal’s ruling overturns a previous decision by the High Court, which had cited concerns about free speech. The government pursued legal action last year to have the song banned after Google and other internet service providers refused to remove it from their search results. Both YouTube and Google are owned by California-based Alphabet.

This latest ban adds to a series of measures taken by the government to suppress dissenting voices since Beijing imposed a sweeping security law for Hong Kong in 2020 in response to the 2019 protests. The security law criminalizes acts of terrorism, separatism, subversion of state power, or collusion with foreign forces. Since its enactment, hundreds of pro-democracy advocates have been arrested, tried, and jailed, leading to a stifling of the once-vibrant civil society in the city.

George Chen, co-chair of digital practice at the Washington-based consultancy Asia Group, expressed concerns that daily pressure from officials to remove online content could damage Hong Kong’s reputation as a global financial hub. Such actions may raise questions about the city’s commitment to allowing the free flow of information, Voice of America reported.

Voice of America (VOA) reported that in response to the US’s decision to raise tariffs on imports from China, Chinese officials have strongly vowed to retaliate, emphasizing that this action will significantly impact bilateral cooperation with the US. The White House stated on Tuesday that President Joe Biden has instructed his Trade Representative to elevate tariffs on $18 billion worth of imports from China, encompassing semiconductors, solar cells, batteries, and crucial minerals, with the aim of safeguarding American workers and businesses.

China’s Ministry of Commerce, in a reply to the US’s move, stated, “This will seriously affect the atmosphere of bilateral cooperation. The United States should immediately correct its wrongdoing and cancel the additional tariffs imposed on China. China will take resolute measures to defend its rights and interests.”

The White House announcement on Tuesday came at the conclusion of a statutory review of tariffs, which occurs every four years.

It further stated that the decision has come in response to China’s ‘unfair trade practices’ and to counteract the resulting harms. “China’s unfair trade practices concerning technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are threatening American businesses and workers. China is also flooding global markets with artificially low-priced exports. In response to China’s unfair trade practices and to counteract the resulting harms, today, President Biden is directing his Trade Representative to increase tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on USD 18 billion of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses,” the White House statement read.

The statement on hiked tariffs on imports from China also noted that the Chinese government has used unfair and non-market practices for too long now. Moreover, US President Biden accused the Chinese government of “cheating” when it competes with other nations in international trade. “For years, the Chinese government has poured state money into Chinese companies across a whole range of industries: steel and aluminium, semiconductors, electric vehicles, solar panels – the industries of the future–and even critical health equipment, like gloves and masks,” he said. “China heavily subsidised all these products, pushing Chinese companies to produce far more than the rest of the world can absorb,” Biden said. “And then dumping the excess products onto the market at unfairly low prices, driving other manufacturers around the world out of business.”

Additionally, Biden said that the existing tariffs, many of which were put in place during the administration of former President Donald Trump, would remain in place and that the additional tariffs would target specific products and industries.

Moreover, along with the 100 per cent tariff on electric vehicles, the administration is also planning new levies on electric vehicle batteries, certain kinds of semiconductors, solar cells, and equipment used in the health care industry, including face masks, medical gloves, syringes and needles.

Modi’s endorsement of Adityanath’s governance approach is a strategic move aimed at bolstering support for the BJP ahead of the crucial Uttar Pradesh elections.

Addressing a rally in Azamgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s endeavors in transforming the state into a crime-free zone. Modi commended Adityanath’s successful execution of the cleanliness campaign, drawing parallels to his own “Swacchta Abhiyan.” He highlighted Adityanath’s resolute actions against mafia syndicates, rioters, kidnappers, and extortion gangs, asserting that the era of “gundaraj” under the Samajwadi Party’s rule is now a thing of the past.

Expressing his astonishment at the overwhelming outpouring of love, blessings, and affection from the people of Azamgarh, Modi underscored the transformative strides taken by the Uttar Pradesh government under Adityanath’s leadership. He lauded Adityanath’s commitment to ensuring law and order and hailed the efforts to root out criminal elements from the state.

Modi’s remarks come amidst ongoing political campaigns in Uttar Pradesh, with the state gearing up for crucial elections. The Prime Minister’s endorsement of Adityanath’s governance approach is seen as a strategic move to bolster support for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the polls.

Adityanath’s tenure as Chief Minister has been characterized by a tough stance on crime and corruption, with a focus on maintaining law and order. His administration’s crackdown on organized crime, including stringent actions against mafia elements and illegal syndicates, has garnered widespread acclaim. Adityanath’s proactive approach to governance aligns closely with Modi’s vision of a clean, efficient, and secure Uttar Pradesh.

The rally in Azamgarh served as a platform for Modi to rally support for the BJP and underscore the achievements of the state government under Adityanath’s leadership. Modi’s praise for Adityanath’s governance model resonated with the crowd, reflecting the positive reception of the Chief Minister’s initiatives among the electorate.

The upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh are poised to be a closely contested affair, with multiple parties vying for electoral supremacy. The BJP, under the leadership of Modi and Adityanath, is seeking to consolidate its position and secure a renewed mandate to continue its developmental agenda in the state.

As the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh evolves, Modi’s endorsement of Adityanath’s administration signals a united front within the BJP and reaffirms the party’s commitment to governance reforms and inclusive development. The rally in Azamgarh served as a testament to the enduring popularity of Modi and Adityanath among the electorate, setting the stage for a spirited electoral battle in the state.

To sum up, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address in Azamgarh underscored the transformative agenda pursued by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership. Modi’s praise for Adityanath’s resolute actions against crime and corruption resonated with the electorate, reaffirming the BJP’s commitment to good governance and law enforcement. As Uttar Pradesh braces for upcoming elections, Modi’s endorsement of Adityanath’s administration serves as a rallying cry for party supporters and a testament to the strides made in ensuring the state’s progress and prosperity. With momentum building, the BJP aims to secure a renewed mandate to continue its developmental initiatives and steer Uttar Pradesh towards a brighter future.

Two congressional sources confirmed that the Joe Biden administration has begun the initial steps toward advancing a new $1 billion arms deal for Israel. Discussions have commenced between the State Department and the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees regarding the potential sale, following an informal notification on Tuesday. While no specific timeline has been set for official notification to Congress, the process has begun, setting in motion the eventual approval process.

This move comes amidst a temporary halt in the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs and 500-pound bombs to Israel, with concerns raised about their use in densely populated areas such as Rafah. The proposed arms deal, valued at USD 1 billion, could include the transfer of USD 700 million in tank ammunition, USD 500 million in tactical vehicles, and USD 60 million in mortar rounds, as confirmed by one of the congressional sources.

The Wall Street Journal initially reported on the administration’s discussions with Congress regarding this potential sale. It’s important to note that the weapons being discussed would not immediately reach Israel. The sale would necessitate official notification to Congress and subsequent congressional approval, a process that could prove lengthy, especially if met with objections from lawmakers. While acknowledging a review of other weapons shipments to Israel, US officials have reiterated the commitment to ensuring Israel’s military capacity for self-defence remains intact.

This stance suggests that longer-term weapons agreements will not be halted at this juncture. “We are continuing to send military assistance, and we will ensure that Israel receives the full amount provided in the supplemental. We have paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs because we do not believe they should be dropped in densely populated cities. We are talking to the Israeli government about this,” stated national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Monday.

The State Department refrained from providing additional comments on the informal notification, deferring to Sullivan’s remarks. Similarly, the Pentagon declined to offer any comments on the matter.

President Xi Jinping as Chinese Ambassador to India. China-India relations on the track of sound and stable development.

The newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, presented the provisional Letter of Credence to Rohit Rathish, the acting Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of External Affairs, on Tuesday. “Delighted to deliver the provisional Letter of Credence to Mr. Rohit Rathish, acting Chief of Protocol at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan,” stated the Chinese envoy on X. Xu arrived in New Delhi on May 10 and assumed charge as the Chinese Ambassador to India.

Xu Feihong is the 17th Chinese Ambassador to India. Notably, he became the first Chinese envoy to India in over 18 months. The last Chinese Ambassador to India was Sun Weidong, who left in October 2022, at a time when India and China were trying to manage ties via multiple channels following the Ladakh border standoff in 2020.

After assuming the charge, Xu said that India and China boast of being time-honoured civilizations and are each other’s important neighbors. In an interview with China Global Television Network, Xu Feihong shared his first reaction to being appointed as the Indian ambassador after a considerable hiatus and said that it is an honorable mission and a sacred duty. “I will do my best to deepen understanding and friendship between the two peoples, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and improve and advance the bilateral relationship,” he said.

He further stressed that India and China are the biggest emerging markets and developing countries of the world. “As President Xi Jinping said, If China and India speak with one voice, the whole world will listen; if the two countries join hands, the whole world will pay attention,” he noted. “I will follow the important consensus between our leaders, reach out to friends from all sectors of India, earnestly enhance the understanding and trust between the two sides, work to restore exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and create favorable conditions for a sound and steady China-India relationship,” he added.

He further assured that this is in the interest of both countries, the region, and the world, and is also what the people and the international community hope to see.

The Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, is currently visiting Tehran for the signing ceremony of a long-term cooperation agreement between Iran and India, engaged in discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. According to an official release from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amirabdollahian emphasized Iran’s strategic approach to its relations with India, expressing readiness to enhance cooperation bilaterally, multilaterally, and within frameworks such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Iran’s Foreign Minister described India as a reliable partner, emphasizing Iran’s commitment to long-term cooperation with India. The discussions also highlighted the signing of a contract to equip and operate terminals at the Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar, along with enhancing cooperation in both the north and south corridors. Amirabdollahian emphasized the significance of these developments in boosting trade between the two nations and the wider region.

Moreover, the Iranian government expressed readiness to support the implementation of the contract through various departments. Sonowal, in response, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, labeling it as a significant and historic milestone in bilateral relations and regional ties. He emphasized the potential for business development opportunities arising from the contract’s implementation.

Sonowal highlighted the importance of the signed agreement in strengthening ties between Iran and India, as well as positioning India within the global supply chain and maritime sector. He stressed that the deal aligns with India’s business plans, offering an alternative trade corridor for India, Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asian countries.

The agreement underscores India’s commitment to deepening economic and strategic ties with Iran, particularly in the context of the Chabahar Port project, which holds immense significance for regional connectivity and trade. By investing in the development of Chabahar Port, India aims to bypass Pakistan and establish a direct trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, reducing dependency on traditional routes.

The cooperation between India and Iran in the maritime domain is viewed as a strategic move to counter China’s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean region through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). India’s involvement in the Chabahar Port project not only enhances its regional connectivity but also serves as a counterbalance to China’s growing presence in neighboring Pakistan’s Gwadar Port.

Furthermore, the signing of the long-term cooperation agreement reflects the mutual trust and confidence between Iran and India, paving the way for deeper economic engagement and collaboration in various sectors. The agreement holds significant potential for enhancing bilateral trade, facilitating smoother logistics, and promoting economic growth in both countries.

In conclusion, the meeting between Sarbananda Sonowal and Hossein Amirabdollahian underscores the mutual commitment of India and Iran to strengthen their strategic partnership and enhance economic cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain. The signing of the long-term cooperation agreement marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations, offering promising opportunities for both nations to leverage their strengths and foster mutual prosperity.