WORLD

Australia’s parliament passed landmark legislation on Thursday requiring global technology giants to pay for the news content shared on their platforms, in a move that is being closely watched around the world.

The law was passed after a last-gasp deal that watered down binding rules Facebook and Google had fiercely opposed and which last week prompted Facebook to remove all news from its Australian platform.

“The code will ensure that news media businesses are fairly remunerated for the content they generate, helping to sustain public-interest journalism in Australia,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said in a joint statement. The rules will be reviewed after a year.

Walmart-owned Flipkart on Wednesday (February 24) said it will deploy more than 25,000 EVs in its supply chain to completely transition to electric mobility by 2030.

The company has partnered with key players including Hero Electric, Mahindra Electric and Piaggio to procure electric vehicles(EVs) through logistics partners for specific vehicles to be deployed for its first and last-mile delivery fleet across the country.

This is in line with Flipkart's public commitment to transition to EVs across its city logistics fleet and help set up charging infrastructure around delivery hubs and offices to fast-track the adoption of such vehicles in India, a statement said. 

The White House on Tuesday said America's relationship with China is one of "strong competition".

The statement comes a day after Beijing urged the US to stop interfering in its internal affairs and lift trade sanctions.

Earlier, Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had said that the US should stop "smearing" the ruling Communist Party of China and its one-party political system, lift sanctions on trade and halt Washington's backing of "separatist forces'' in Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

He also said that the Biden administration should adjust the hardline policy pursued by former President Donald Trump towards Beijing to check its growing influence.

The Indian government has cleared three proposals from Hong Kong on February 5, much before the first phase of disengagement began at the Pangong lake. The inter-ministerial committee (IMC) led by the home ministry cleared the proposal on January 22.

After the Galwan incident of last year, India had increased scrutiny on the Chinese investment into the country. Media has learnt the policy remains intact. India had lost 20 of its soldiers during the aggressive actions of the Chinese PLA. China has accepted the loss of 4 of its soldiers.

The three proposals include two from Japanese companies and NRI investors, not something that is "hardcore" proposals from mainland China. Media has seen the proposals, one of them is the restructuring of a company.

Pakistan’s Sikh leadership spewed venom against India during a function held on Sunday at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, to observe the centenary of Saka Nankana Sahib.

The function was jointly organised by Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) during which Khalistani Sikh leaders including Gopal Singh Chawla instigated Indian Sikhs in the presence of Pak’s federal minister Brig (r) Izaz Shah.

India had denied the Sikh jatha to leave for Pakistan owing to security reasons and the prevalent Covid-19 situation in the neighboring country.