‘If street namaz is wrong, then ban all festival celebrations’: Owaisi points out ‘double standards’ india news

'If street namaz is wrong, then ban all festival celebrations': Owaisi points out 'double standards'
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

New Delhi: AIMIM chairman Asaduddin Owaisi Friday said if praying on the streets is considered wrong, the ban should apply equally to religious activities of all religions, citing Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and the right to freely practice and profess one’s faith.Addressing the Eid Milap event, Owaisi argued that the public’s objection to namaz amounted to double standards and questioned why similar concerns were not raised over religious processions and celebrations organized by other communities.“Remember Article 25. If it is wrong to offer Namaz on the road, then it is wrong to come on the road during the festival of every religion. If you say that meat shops should be closed during someone’s festival, then close liquor shops for 30 days of Ramzan.” Close liquor shops for 30 days,’ Owaisi said.Alleging double standards, Owaisi said that people have no objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches, but have objection to Azaan and Namaz. He also questioned the restrictions imposed on the sale of eggs, meat and chicken during Hindu festivals and asked, ‘What kind of law is this?’He said, “Your hatred is purely for Muslims. And your hatred clearly shows that you want to suppress the followers of this religion and marginalize them. You want to make them second class citizens.”The AIMIM president alleged that whenever major Muslim festivals like Ramzan or Bakrid come, issues related to azaan and namaz are deliberately raised.“Problem with Azaan, problem with Namaz. What has happened to you guys?” he asked.The comments come amid the ongoing political debate over prayers in public places and recent directions from authorities in several states aimed at ensuring that religious gatherings do not disrupt traffic or public movement.Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that namaz should be performed in a regulated manner and, if necessary, can be organized in multiple shifts to avoid inconvenience to the public. He said officials will seek compliance through persuasion before taking further steps to enforce public order norms.The Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government decided not to allow the traditional Eid congregation on Kolkata’s Red Road and shifted the gathering to the Brigade Parade Ground to prevent spillover of prayers onto public roads.Continuing his criticism, Owaisi compared it with religious processions and processions, saying that during such events the streets are often occupied and similar objections are not raised.On prayers being offered on the streets, he said that this happens only for Friday or Eid prayers and not every day. He said, “In India, festivals of every religion happen on the street, right? You don’t see them; you become blind to them.”(With inputs from ANI)

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Don 3 controversy: Ranveer Singh ‘Don 3’ controversy: Ram Gopal Varma questions FWICE’s action, says ‘this is a kangaroo court’ hindi movie news

Ranveer Singh 'Don 3' controversy: Ram Gopal Varma raised questions on FWICE's action, said 'this is a kangaroo court'

events going on nearby Ranveer Singh And ‘Don 3’ remains a topic of discussion in the film industry. What initially appeared to be casting-related has now turned into a major controversy. film producer Ram Gopal Verma has now shared his views on this matter. The director publicly supported Ranveer Singh and strongly criticized the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) for its recent move against the actor.

Ram Gopal Varma reacts to FWICE decision

Ram Gopal Varma went to X and posted a long note. The filmmaker questioned the authority of FWICE and expressed disagreement over its decision to issue non-cooperation directions against Ranveer Singh. RGV also suggested that such actions may not have long-term significance. He further argued that the organization was attempting to maintain its influence amid the changing dynamics of the industry.“The FWICE is neither a court of legal justice nor a government-mandated regulatory body, and at best, it is a kangaroo court, which by definition pretends to deliver justice, but in reality it disregards established legal rules, due process and impartiality. This is because the decision is often taken by a specific agenda oriented group of people meeting privately, which also includes actors, who are scared of @RanveerOfficial’s huge success in Dhurandhar,” RGV wrote.

Ram Gopal Varma told about Ranveer Singh’s condition

The filmmaker also shared his opinion about Ranveer Singh’s position in the industry. According to Verma, ideally this issue should remain between Ranveer Singh and Farhan AkhtarAnd it shouldn’t have become an industry-wide debate. He also said that the actor continues to have strong market value and support within the industry. He wrote, “Here we reach the main point, which everyone including the company in dispute and even FWICE knows in their heart, that if @RanveerOfficial just nods yes, then tomorrow morning there will be a kilometer long queue of producers outside his house with cheques.”

RGV highlights the role of stars in the industry

Continuing his remarks, Ram Gopal Varma also discussed the role of actors in sustaining the film industry and creating opportunities. “It is stars like @RaneerOfficial who sell tickets in theatres, not FWICE. It is stars like @RaneerOfficial who create employment for those lakhs of FWICE employees, not FWICE. It is only because stars like @RaneerOfficial exist, that the industry exists, and FWICE also exists. So in short, here is my unsolicited advice to all parties concerned. Let’s not stick our unwanted noses into a civil dispute between two parties.

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Vaibhav Suryavanshi crying in the dugout after Rajasthan Royals’ exit from IPL 2026 – watch | cricket news

Vaibhav Suryavanshi cries in the dugout after Rajasthan Royals exit from IPL 2026 - watch
Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Image Credit: BCCI/IPL)

New Delhi: As Gujarat Titans celebrated their place in the IPL 2026 final, a distraught Vaibhav Suryavanshi sat quietly in the Rajasthan Royals dugout. The 15-year-old buried his face in his orange cap and wiped away tears, unable to hide his disappointment at seeing his team’s campaign end.This was a rare sight. Throughout the season, Suryavanshi played with freedom and a smile, fearlessly facing some of the best bowlers in the world and lighting up stadiums with his breathtaking strokeplay. But the girl got heartbroken on Friday night in Mullanpur. He did almost everything he could. A brilliant inning of 96 runs in 47 balls took Rajasthan Royals to a strong score of 214/6. However, their valiant effort was not enough as Gujarat Titans won by seven wickets to book their place in the IPL final against defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore.Chasing 215, Gujarat Titans were led by captain Shubman Gill, whose unbeaten 104 helped his team reach the target with eight balls to spare at New Chandigarh. This knock overshadowed Suryavanshi’s second consecutive 90-plus score in the playoffs.Suryavanshi carried the batting of Rajasthan Royals throughout the season, scoring 776 runs, hitting 72 sixes and rewriting the record books. Yet, in that moment, none of those accomplishments mattered.Even as captain Riyan Parag addressed the broadcasters during the post-match presentation, Suryavanshi remained sitting in the dugout, struggling to control his emotions. A member of the support staff was sitting near him, consoling the young player who had given everything for his team but had fallen just short at the final hurdle.“I can’t really put it into words. There’s a way where you just go and slog and then you get a lot of runs. But the way he has batted, it is not just slogging. This is not blind sloganeering. RR captain Parag said after the match, if you are moving from the very first ball then you cannot do what you did today.“He calculates, he assesses situations. He literally does everything well. I still don’t understand how. But hopefully he keeps doing that. Hopefully he represents our country and brings more glory to the country. And hopefully he keeps playing for Rajasthan Royals and gets us another championship,” Parag said.At the age of just 15, Suryavanshi showed that behind the fearless batting, sky-scraping sixes and record-breaking performances, there is a young cricketer who cares deeply for his team. Personal achievements and personal accolades could not ease the pain of abolition.His IPL 2026 journey may have ended with tears, but it also marked the arrival of one of the brightest young talents in the game. Rajasthan Royals’ season has ended, but for Vaibhav Suryavanshi it feels like just the beginning.

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Second Gulf War: Despite ceasefire, UAE attacks Iran – report

Second Gulf War: Despite ceasefire, UAE attacks Iran - report

The United Arab Emirates has been more deeply involved in the Middle East conflict than anticipated. The United Arab Emirates continued attacks on Iran during the conflict and after a ceasefire was announced in April.Sources told The Wall Street Journal that the attacks were coordinated with the US and Israel, which provided intelligence support. Targets reportedly included Qeshm and Abu Musa islands in the Strait of Hormuz, Bandar Abbas, the oil refinery on Lawan Island in the Persian Gulf, and the Asaluyeh petrochemical complex.Some attacks focused on Iranian energy facilities and were carried out in response to Tehran’s attacks on the emirate’s oil and gas infrastructure. The attack on Asaluyeh, carried out jointly with Israel, drew significant international criticism and prompted the US to ask Israel to stop attacks on energy facilities.

How did the situation in the Gulf change?

Before the conflict began, Gulf countries had said that their airspace and military bases would not be used for attacks. However, some changed their position after Iran launched missile and drone attacks against Gulf population centers, airports, and energy infrastructure in an effort to increase the economic and political costs of the war.The UAE was the primary target of those attacks, facing more than 2,800 missiles and drones from Iran, significantly more than any other country, including Israel.

Saudi Arabia-UAE differences emerge

The Emirati response also highlighted divisions within the Gulf region. In early April, Saudi Arabia reportedly complained to the US that the UAE’s military actions were increasing the risk of Iranian retaliation against regional energy facilities, a development that could impact oil prices and global markets. According to people familiar with the discussions, Saudi officials wanted Washington to pressure the UAE to stop retaliatory attacks and instead support diplomatic initiatives being taken by regional countries.“The UAE holds Iran fully responsible for these terrorist attacks and their consequences,” the Gulf state’s Foreign Ministry said, as quoted by the WSJ.Saudi Arabia, which experienced fewer and less damaging attacks from Iran, publicly condemned the attacks on Gulf states, but adopted a less confrontational approach, focusing on diplomatic efforts to address the conflict.Also, as the war escalated, tensions between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh also increased. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has become frustrated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after Salman refused to take part in coordinated military operations against Iran, Gulf officials said.The disagreement exacerbated existing differences between the two countries, which were already competing for influence in the Red Sea region and supporting opposing sides in the conflicts in Sudan and Yemen. In April, the UAE withdrew from OPEC and pledged to strengthen security ties with the US and Israel.

Political and economic measures against Iran

As well as its military actions, the UAE supported draft resolutions at the United Nations authorizing the use of force, if necessary, to end Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.The country also took steps targeting Iranian financial interests. Authorities closed Tehran-linked schools and clubs in Dubai and restricted visa and transit access for Iranian citizens, hurting economic ties that have long linked the emirate and Iran despite Western sanctions.Iran has repeatedly accused the UAE of participating in the US and Israeli campaign.

history of risk taking

Over the years, the emirate has been willing to take significant foreign policy risks and use military power to advance regional interests. It has previously supplied weapons to militias in Sudan and Libya and deployed mercenaries to Yemen as part of efforts to counter regional rivals.However, questions remain whether the UAE can effectively deter a larger and geographically closer rival like Iran. Its operations represented only a small portion of the more than 20,000 attacks conducted by the US and Israel during the conflict.Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have continued for more than 3 months, as the standoff between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and its use continues. The conflict began on 28 February, when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Following the attack, Tehran effectively shut down the vital oil pipeline, cutting off global energy supplies.

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AI giants create India’s aggressive pitches. india news

AI giants make India's aggressive pitches

Mumbai: India heads AI world’s arch rival Anthropic and OpenAI Here they took the stage at the annual Tech Week and presented their line of products to a room full of developers and founders.“What makes India really important in OpenAI’s journey is the opportunity focused on access, adoption and agency,” said Pragya Mishra, head of strategy and global affairs for OpenAI in India. He said the company will build out its capabilities here while reducing the cost of use to boost adoption.Anthropic, after recently raising $65 billion in funding, overtook OpenAI to become the most valuable AI startup. “We are making things from India, for India…reaching the last mile and creating a test case for the rest of the world,” said India MD Irina Ghosh.

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Baya Weavers: Upholding Darwin’s theory of evolution: The ‘genius’ nests of Baya weavers may be nature’s most brilliant snake-deterrents

Upholding Darwin's theory of evolution: The 'genius' nests of baya weavers may be nature's most brilliant snake-deterrents

If Charles Darwin could scroll through today’s wildlife videos, we bet he’d pause at the footage of the Baya weaver and say, “Now this is natural selection at its best.”Over 150 years ago, Darwin introduced us to evolution by natural selection, primarily in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, stating that organisms that have traits best suited to their environment have a better chance of survival and passing on those traits.A century and a half later, a tiny weaver bird is proving his theory right!

Baya Weaver: Bird that follows Darwinian theory

So, let’s talk about this little bird here – the Baya Weaver. It is a sparrow-sized, yellow-crowned bird, found throughout India and much of South and Southeast Asia. At first glance, it looks quite plain – nothing extraordinary. But wait until you see the artistry and functionality it produces!During breeding season, look up to a palm, and there’s something wild hanging from the branches: these nests that look like lanterns or upside-down bottles, or, as one Internet user put it, “nature’s most over-engineered apartment complex.”

The science behind a work of art

Now, the thing is: Scientists believe these nests are one of evolution’s cleverest answers to a problem that is as old as nests themselves – snakes looking for eggs.recently, researcher And bird lovers are discussing the weaver’s nest, especially its long entrance tunnel that points downwards. It really looks like something made specifically to drive snakes crazy. Instead of a standard nest, the male weaver weaves a hanging basket from grasses and leaves, hangs it from the thinnest branches, often above water, and tops it with this narrow, downward-facing entrance tube. Reaching the eggs means a hunter must grab a swinging, dangling object, crawl through a tight tunnel, then enter the nest chamber face down. For a snake, it’s like trying to rob a bank by hanging upside down on a rope bridge, that too during an earthquake.Actually, there is real data behind it. a major study “Proceedings of the Royal Society B” showed that birds with hanging nests and entrance tunnels lost fewer nests to predators, and their babies lived longer and developed for more days before leaving the nest. Simple math: The safer the home, the more baby birds make it.Scientists call it “convergent evolution” when unrelated bird families – such as weaverbirds and icterids – both build similar elaborate hanging nests. Different birds, same problem (predator), and evolution invents almost the same solution.The really surprising part? The Baya Weavers don’t “know” anything about snakes or blueprints. Evolution works without conscious thought. Birds that had just built intricate nests raised more chicks, and, over generations, their nesting instincts won out.As one Reddit user said: “This doesn’t make sense. This is the form that has survived.”Now Darwin would have loved that take!

Decoding the ‘talent’ of Baya Weaver

But it’s not just about beating up snakes. Baya weaver nests are also climate-control masterworks. Research Outside Malaysia says these nests actually help stabilize temperatures and air flow inside, creating a comfortable nursery for the chicks. Depending on the local weather, weavers vary their construction methods, as do contractors who work on building codes.then like this studies Show, there is also a demarcation of nest-building. Males do almost all the work: folding grass and leaves into elaborate structures with nothing but their beaks and feet. They display a half-built “helmet” nest to attract females. She observes. Sometimes she approves, and he keeps building, but if not? He abandons it and starts from scratch. Turns out, nest quality is a dealbreaker; A shabby nest is rejected, but a strong, secure nest helps the male get the chick.Good architecture, it seems, is an impressive feat in the bird world!Put it all together: design, climate adaptation, snake defense, even romance – everything is woven into one swinging composition.However, even the snakes have not given up yet – nature’s tug of war continues like this. Predator and prey keep pushing each other to develop trickier tricks. But if you’re looking for a living example of how natural selection shapes behavior, look no further than the Baya weaver’s nest.But the glow of Baya Weaver’s nests is fundamentally a reminder that genius solutions can come from trial, error, and the slow pace of survival—not from conscious thought or grand plans. Baya the weaver’s nest hangs there in the monsoon wind, understanding nothing of Darwin, evolution, or engineering, and yet, he beats all three at their own game.Now, that’s a real practical flexibility!

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Is iShowspeed working on FIFA World Cup 2026 songs? Behind-the-scenes footage sparks major speculation among fans

Is iShowspeed working on FIFA World Cup 2026 songs? Behind-the-scenes footage sparks major speculation among fans
Behind-the-scenes footage has fueled speculation that iShowspeed could be working on a song for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The video, shot largely in Miami, shows the streamer surrounded by production crew, drones, flags and football-themed scenery. Fans linked the project to the upcoming tournament, especially after Speed ​​hinted at World Cup plans during the recent tour. The rumors have gained momentum since his 2022 World Cup song went viral, garnering over 208 million views on YouTube.

iShowSpeed ​​is probably preparing for one of the biggest moments of his career outside of streaming. Fresh footage circulating on social media has fueled speculation that the YouTube star is working on a new anthem related to 2026. FIFA World CupAnd fans are already paying close attention.Several clips shared online show Darren “iShowspeed” filming the music video extensively in Miami. The videos quickly spread on fan pages, giving rise to rumors that the internet personality was planning another football-inspired release before the tournament’s opening match in June.

IShowSpeed ​​World Cup 2026 song rumors grow after Miami filming

The latest excitement began when fan account IShowSpeedHQ posted images and video of what looks like a professional music video production.“BREAKING: Speed ​​was recently spotted filming a music video for his new World Cup song! 🤯🤯”The video features Speed ​​with camera operators, production crew and a large creative team around him. Fans also noticed an ID badge that reportedly read “iShowspeed LLC,” adding to the intrigue of the report. The scene was a football festival. National flags, team jerseys, colored powders and a large number of participants created the atmosphere of an international tournament. Speed ​​was featured in a variety of clips, with cameras and drones following his progress around stadium-like settings.The sheer scale of production immediately attracted attention. This was not footage from a casual content shoot, but a carefully planned project with significant resources behind it. Many followers have interpreted this as the streamer targeting a global audience during football’s biggest event.Speed, on his Caribbean tour earlier this month, had hinted that major plans were already in the pipeline regarding the World Cup. “We’ve got a lot to do, and we’ve got the World Cup coming up… You all know I’ll be back with another tour.”

iShowSpeed’s 2022 World Cup song is still a big milestone

There will be pressure on a new football anthem. Speed ​​dropped “World Cup” in November 2022, which became one of the most recognizable internet songs associated with the tournament in Qatar. The music video went viral, receiving over 208 million views youtube. The memorable opening and the line that became a catchphrase and went viral are still remembered by many fans today:“Let’s go play football.”The success of that release helped secure Speed’s place in football culture around the world. With the 2026 World Cup approaching and fresh footage being unveiled, fans are now waiting to see if another viral hit is on the way. If the rumors are true, Speed ​​could again find himself smack dab in the middle of one of the sport’s biggest global gatherings.

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There has been a decline in early marriages and cases of violence between husband and wife have also reduced. india news

There has been a decline in early marriage, as well as cases of marital violence.

New Delhi: Even though it may have indicated a decline in early marriage, data released as part of the National Family Health Survey-6 (2023-24) showed that 20.1% of women in the 20-24 age group surveyed were married before the age of 18, which is the legal age of marriage for women. This marks a decline of more than three percentage points compared to NFHS-5 (2019-21), when it was 23.3%.For men – aged 25–29 – 15.9% had married before the legal age of marriage was 21.This represents a decline of 17.7% from the 2019-21 survey.On gender-based violence, the report said the percentage of married women aged 18-49 who experienced marital violence declined from 29.2% in 2019-21 to 22.3% in 2023-24. However, a much higher percentage of rural women (24.4%) experienced spousal violence compared to 17.5% urban women. In 2019-21, this figure was 24.2% for urban and 31.6% for rural.Meanwhile, the prevalence of early marriage, now at 20%, has seen a decline over the NFHS round – it was 26.8% in 2015-16 (NFHS-4) and 47.4% in 2005-06 (NFHS-3).The 2023-2024 survey showed a wide gap in terms of percentage of early marriage between women in rural and urban India – 23.3% for rural and 11.4% for urban. In the 2019-21 survey, it was 27% for rural India and 14.7% for urban India. The difference – rural and urban – was also apparent for men.While 19% of men in rural India were married before the age of 21, the figure was 9.7% in urban India.In 2019-21, it was 11.3% for men in urban areas and 21.1% in rural areas.The report also focused on the percentage of women aged 15–19 who were already mothers or pregnant at the time of the survey. This was about the same as the previous survey’s 6.7%. In terms of gender-based sexual violence, the data showed that women aged 19-29 who had experienced such violence by the age of 18 were 0.7% of those surveyed, and this was down from 1.2% in 2019-21.

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Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ combined net worth in 2026: Inside the legendary tennis sisters’ rising fortunes international sports news

Serena Williams and Venus Williams' combined net worth in 2026: Inside the legendary tennis sisters' rising fortunes
Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ combined net worth in 2026: Inside the rising fortunes of the legendary tennis sisters (Image via Getty)

Serena Williams and Venus Williams have done more than just win tennis matches. The sisters became two of the biggest names in sports and amassed huge fortunes along the way. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Serena Williams’s net worth is estimated to be around $350 million in 2026, while Venus Williams’s net worth is estimated to be around $95 million, bringing the sisters’ net worth to around $445 million.Many fans still seek out the Williams sisters because their success did not stop even after they moved away from full-time tennis. Today, he continues to make money through business ventures, investments, endorsement deals, and real estate. While tennis helped them become global stars, most of their wealth now comes from what they do away from the court.

Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ net worth and career earnings

Social class serena williams venus williams Joint
Estimated Net Worth (2026) $350 million $95 million $445 million
Grand Slam singles titles 23 7 30
career award money $94.8 million $42.8 million $137.6 million
major approval Nike, Gatorade, Wilson Nike, Wilson, Tide Nike, Wilson and other major brands
main investment Serena Ventures, Real Estate Eleven, Real Estate, Design Business Business Enterprises and Properties

How Serena Williams and Venus Williams made their fortunes

Most athletes earn the bulk of their money from their sports. For Serena and Venus, that was only the beginning. Serena earned approximately $95 million in prize money during her tennis career, the most by any female tennis player. But after retirement he focused his attention on business. Through Serena Ventures, he has invested in dozens of companies and startups. Some of those businesses have grown rapidly, which has helped their wealth grow even more.Venus took a different path. With his tennis earnings, he launched his activewear brand Eleven. She also created a successful interior design company called V Star. Over the years, these businesses have become a significant part of their income.

Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ business ventures and investments

Serena’s biggest business success is Serena Ventures. The company invests in technology, health, fashion and consumer brands. Many of her investments have performed well, making her one of the most successful athlete-investors in the world.Meanwhile, Venus continues to develop Eleven while working on design projects through V Star. He has also invested in real estate and other business opportunities over the years.

Serena Williams and Venus Williams Lifestyle and Family Life

Away from tennis, the two sisters enjoy a quieter life than many people expect. Serena lives in Florida with her husband Alexis Ohanian and their children. Along with business projects, she spends most of her time with her family.Venus divides her time between business work, wellness projects and tennis-related activities. She remains active in fashion and continues to support causes that are important to her.

The legacy of Serena Williams and Venus Williams in tennis

Very few athletes have transformed their game the way Serena and Venus have. Serena won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, while Venus captured seven. Together, they won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and became one of the most successful sibling teams in sports history.Beyond the trophies, she inspired countless young players around the world and helped bring greater attention to women’s tennis.

How can Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ money grow after retirement?

Even though he is no longer playing a full tennis schedule, his net worth continues to grow. Serena Williams’ investments, endorsement deals and business ventures remain strong. Venus continues to earn through Eleven, design projects and brand partnerships.Because of these businesses and investments, the two sisters are expected to continue adding to their fortune in the years to come.

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China is building a launch pad near a nuclear missile silo

China is building a launch pad near a nuclear missile silo

In the remote Chinese desert, a vast military complex is taking shape that some security scholars say is designed to ensure that a U.S. first strike on China’s nuclear arsenal could not credibly overwhelm Beijing’s ability to retaliate. China’s nuclear missiles can already reach any American city. Now, satellite images show that Beijing is building a vast web of launch pads, bunkers and communications nodes near the isolated nuclear silos that house the Chinese military’s longest-range missiles.The ability to defend its desert silos is key to China’s stated goal of building a minimal but credible nuclear deterrent – ​​a policy based on the ability to retaliate if attacked first. When People’s Liberation Army (PLA) can fire nuclear weapons from submarines and aircraft, silo fields in the northwestern Xinjiang region and Gansu province are the center of its nuclear forces.The cornerstone of China’s doctrine is its “no first use” policy. Xi warned US President Donald Trump this month that mishandling his countries’ disagreement over Taiwan, which China claims as territory, could take them to a “dangerous place”.octagon in the desertThe new desert infrastructure focuses on two octagon-shaped installations built over the past six years in eastern Xinjiang. Both are south-west of the Hami nuclear silo fields – one about 140 kilometers away, the other about 230 kilometers away. The images show that exercises involving large military vehicles took place around the North Octagon during this month and April.Satellite images show that the octagonal structures contain accommodation for personnel and large military vehicles. They are surrounded by armored bunkers and fortified weapons-storage areas, as well as airfields and railheads that connect the Octagon to the Hami silos.Five security scholars interviewed by Reuters agreed that the infrastructure could broadly support China’s nuclear program, as well as other military objectives. But he cautioned that key details remain unknown — including what weapons China might deploy on the launch pad and whether the octagonal structures have facilities to fit truck-mounted ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons.US officials and arms-control analysts say China is expanding and improving its nuclear weapons capabilities faster than any other country. The latest Pentagon report on China’s military modernization says the country’s weapons production has slowed, but it is on track to field 1,000 weapons by 2030. A December report estimated that China had loaded 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) into its three main silos.According to US officials, China is also strengthening its early-warning system. According to the Pentagon, the system can detect an incoming ICBM within 90 seconds of launch and alert the command center within three to four minutes – enough time for China to fire its own silo-based weapons before they are hit.Defense isolated ChinaSignificantly, each octagon lies at the core of a network of dirt roads and drains that extend into the desert. These pathways connect to concrete pads. Three security scholars said the pads could be used to deploy mobile air-defense missiles, electronic warfare nodes or, to name a few, larger ones, road-mobile ICBM launchers. Hans Christensen, director of the Federation of American Scientists Nuclear Information Project, said that although it is difficult to draw conclusions about how the various installations will be used, “it is hard to rule out anything”.The extent of the defensive network near its silos potentially isolates China from other major nuclear powers. Christensen said the United States and Russia – whose warheads and deployed weapons far exceed Beijing’s – rely on a combination of the sheer number of silos, their relative isolation and rigid construction to stop a first strike, rather than comprehensive missile defense. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Christensen said. “This is an extraordinary effort.”(This is a Reuters story)

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