Chinese tech giant Huawei’s hope for a comeback might look promising with Trump gone. But Biden might follow his predecessor’s footsteps.
Having suffered huge losses in market share in 2020, Chinese telecom giants, especially Huawei has been watching with bated breath as to how the new US-China trade terms will pan out under President Joe Biden.
Following a tumultuous relationship with Huawei throughout his term, President Donald Trump’s parting gift was a nail in the coffin for the telecom supplier. On January 18, the Trump administration had notified Huawei suppliers that it is revoking certain licenses to sell to the Chinese company and intends to reject dozens of other applications to supply the telecommunications firm. Already reeling under what PRC mouthpiece Global Times calls “the US’ relentless assault”, Huawei is justified in its worry about the future.
Trump fails at downing the Chinese telecom giant
There is no denying that the US-China trade tensions precede Trump’s tenure. However, Trump did cut deep into the conflict by laying extraordinary tariffs and sanctions on Chinese tech firms.
Famously vowing, in his 2016 election year, to very quickly “start reversing” the US goods trade deficit with China, President Trump continued his anti-China rhetoric throughout his Presidency. The rhetoric grew in intensity following the Covid-19 pandemic that the US is still grappling with and has been a major factor in Trump’s loss.
However, economists play down the consequences of the trade war that was sold as a plan to bring China to its knees. The Trump Administration’s idea was to knock out the ‘Dragon’ in trade deficit by choking off the American market with 25 percent tariffs on Chinese imports and in turn boost American exports. Analysts believe that notwithstanding the heavy sanctions, China emerged strong and continued to grow once China got the virus under control within its borders. Growing demand for medical supplies and work-from-home gear expanded its trade surplus with the U.S. despite the prohibitive tariffs.
Yet, the mood in China is sombre. Huawei, denying Trump’s charge that their equipment poses a security risk, initially remained largely silent about its prospects under the Biden administration.
Huawei looks to Biden for its re-entry
Following Biden’s inauguration, the company made the firm’s founder Ren Zhengfei’s comments praising US tech public. According to a Reuters report, in a letter to the staff dated June 2020, Ren said that the US remains a “beacon of technology” to be emulated and “China’s Huawei Technology should consider cutting products in the wake of U.S. actions against it.”
Global Times expressed worry about the growing surge in Apple share while reporting a “substantial drop in both smartphone shipments and market share in China market in 2020, following a tough year of US government’s strangle on semiconductors supply allowing US rival Apple to rise to fill up the void.”
Having said that, the report ended with optimism stressing that Apple’s growth pace might be “hard to sustain”, as other Chinese mobile producers such as Xiaomi and Oppo are also targeting the high-end smartphone market.
Watch: How Huawei has been disruptive for US tech market?
Reports of the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro backtracking on his opposition to bar Huawei from bidding for cellular networks at auctions in June have also injected fresh hope for the Chinese telecom maker. Quoting a local newspaper, Reuters reported that “financial costs potentially worth billions of dollars and the exit of ally President Donald Trump from the White House” are forcing (Bolsonaro) to retract on earlier position. Like Trump, Bolsonaro opposed Huawei on ‘unproven grounds’ that it shares confidential data with China’s Communist government. However, he has been facing resistance both within and outside his government on this stance given that China is Brazil’s largest trading partner.
Way ahead for Huawei — Ladder or Pit?
What the future holds for Huawei remains to be seen. The Biden administration has already vowed to work to safeguard American telecoms networks from “untrusted vendors” like Huawei that threaten national security. Moreover, there is mounting pressure from the Republicans on Biden to clarify whether he supports keeping Huawei Technologies Co. on a restricted trade list, who see his refusal to commit as “alarming” and “dangerous.”
It is being speculated that Biden too is likely to remain tough on Chinese tech firms like Huawei. Biden strategy is likely to up America’s internal research and development and build an international tech alliance which is spearheaded by the United States. What will become critical in the ensuing months and years is who amongst the world’s two biggest economic powers wins over the developing markets — Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Kylie Jenner contained her ample assets in a skimpy blue string-bikini worn by elder sister Kourtney Kardashian only last week.
Kylie Jenner displayed her million-dollar figure in a barely-there blue bikini for the love of her 214 million Instagram followers on Friday.
The mother-of-one opted for a skimpy blue string bikini that barely contained her ample assets as she leaned tantalizing toward the camera.
Kylie’s blue bikini is by the Italian luxury fashion label Sommer Swim and is the same as Kourtney Kardashian’s red bikini which the POOSH founder modelled last week.
Kylie Jenner puts her body on display in a blue string bikini
Taking to Instagram on Friday, the 23-year-old reality star shared a series of photos and videos of her model-like figure in the blue bikini. With ample skin on display, Stormi’s mother set the internet on fire with her quirky antics.
In a social media post, Kylie used her Kylie Skin SPF body oil. Sharing the video of the same, the reality TV star sprayed the oil all over her body in a seductive manner, giving her skin a bit of extra sheen as she hypnotizes her fans. (see below)
The youngest Jenner complemented her swimsuit with a sexy body chain adding a splash of glitz to her sensuous attire.
Recently, Kylie and Travis Scott rang in their daughter Stormi’s third birthday. The entire celebration was relatively a low-key affair with attendance from closest to the family & friends only. Meanwhile, Stormi turned into princes for her princess-themed birthday with papa Travis Scott pampering his only daughter with a Cinderella-themed Chariot.
Besides, aunt Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian showered Stormi with gifts and individual praises on their personal Instagram accounts.
On the same day, Trinamool leader Dola Sen and Trinamool leader and actor Soham Chakraborty handed over the party flag to the television stars.
#Kolkata: A bunch of TV stars joined the Trinamool Congress again. On the same day, Trinamool leader Dola Sen and Trinamool leader and actor Soham Chakraborty handed over the party flag to the television stars. These stars include Ranita, Sauptik Chakraborty, Sritama Bhattacharya and Disha Roychowdhury.
Ranita got huge popularity by acting in Baha series. On the other hand, people know Sritma as the spark of the mother series. Sauptik is known to the people by acting in Jalnupur series. Disha Roychowdhury has acted in Joy Baba Loknath and Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya.
Ranita says, we have not left the industry. We have been with Didi for the last 10 years. We love Didi very much. From today we have become members of the grassroots and the people of the house. We will try to do all the work and responsibilities and we want the new generation to understand. Other leaders plan ahead and go to different places, eat and drink. Didi is a man of the soil. He went down to any tea shop in his car.
After hoisting the Trinamool flag, Sritama Bhattacharya said, “I got help from my sister.” I have received a lot of help from many in this team. But one of the things I joined was that my father was a social worker. His big dream was to work with the team. Serving people is not a matter of words. I will try because I want to work for people.
Actress Disha Roychowdhury says, Didi is by everyone’s side. The way he walked down the aisle in the Corona situation moved me. I also saw him during Amfan. Many have said many things. But Didi thought of the common man.
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Before joining the tele actors on the day, Dola Sen said, “I am a fan of the serial.” I wake up in the middle of the night. Just as they have won hearts as actors, they will also win hearts as soldiers of Mamata Banerjee.
According to sources, Shovon Baishakhi’s party has the full support of the grassroots behind this legal move. Debashree has also been assured of all possible cooperation on behalf of the party
Various details of this gang have been leaked as soon as the investigation reached deep. Their names also came up in an incident in Jorabagan police station area.
Susovan Bhattacharjee
#Kolkata: The police are keeping a close eye on the Jamtara gang. Whether it is ATM fraud or fraud in the name of KYC update, everyone is a mastermind of Jamtara gang. The gang was mentioned at the beginning of the investigation based on multiple allegations in the city. Various details of this gang have been leaked as soon as the investigation reached deep. Their names also came up in an incident in Jorabagan police station area.
A person lodged a complaint with Jorabagan police station on January 9 last year. Praveen Kumar Agarwal alleged that money had disappeared from his account. Veteran Kumar Agarwal suddenly saw about three lakh rupees disappear from a bank account at his Shyambazar branch. He hurriedly lodged a complaint with the Jorabagan police station and informed the investigating officer that the disappearance of money was mainly due to updating the KYC of an online payment bank’s app. He said he received a call from an unknown number to talk about various bank information. On the other end of the phone, the bank employee was informed that the service would be shut down after some time. After hearing about the difficulties of the much needed bank account, the specified requested information is given to the stranger on the other end of the phone.
As soon as the specified information is given, he is informed to use the “Quick Support Application”. Praveen Kumar Agarwal could not even dream of what he saw in front of his eyes as soon as he used that application. This time all his work has gone into the hands of fraudsters, because one message after another on his mobile phone. Only the message to withdraw money from the bank started coming on Praveen Kumar Agarwal’s mobile. Seeing all the messages, he can understand that about three lakh rupees has been stolen.
The complaint was immediately reported to Jorabagan police station. The bank fraud section of Lalbazar’s intelligence department took charge of the investigation on the basis of the allegations. Police can recover about one lakh rupees within the investigation. After getting various information from the bank, the detectives came to know about the Jamtara gang. Lalbazar detectives arrested five members of the gang based on various sources. After arresting the five accused and taking them to court, the police got them in custody till the 19th.
It’s been almost a year since the third season of CBC series ‘Anne with an E‘ released on Netflix. Will there be a season 4 of ‘Anne with an E’? Here’s what the producers of the show have to tell its fans.
Netflix has some of the finest period plays and historical drama series. ‘Bridgerton‘ was a new addition to its already existing giant library of period pieces. However, one of the most underestimated period pieces on the stage is ‘Anne with an E.’ Based on the classic work of children’s literature by author Lucy Maud Montgomery, “Anne of Green Gables”, the show was produced for CBC by Moira Walley-Beckett. ‘Anne with an E’ recounts the story of a 13-year-old orphan, Anne Shirley. Set at the late nineteenth century, the series follows Anne who was mistakenly adopted by the siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who originally intended to adopt a boy to support them in their Green Gables linear farm.
Highlights —
Will ‘Anne with an E’ be coming back for season 4?
Hopes for ‘Anne with an E’ Season 4
‘Anne with an E’ Season 4 release date
Anne Shirley’s leading character is played by actor Amybeth McNulty, starring Geraldine James as Marilla Cuthbert, R. H. Thomson as Matthew Cuthbert, Dalila Bela as Diana Barry, and Gilbert Blythe as Lucas Jade Zumann. ‘Anne with an E’ Season 3 premiered in September 2019. Now it has been almost a year since the previous season aired, and fans are still wondering why ‘Anne with an E’ hasn’t come back for another season.
Will there be a season 4 of ‘Anne with an E’?
Will ‘Anne with an E’ be coming back for season 4?
‘Anne with an E’ Season 3 premiered on 3 January 2020 on Netflix, with a total of 10 episodes. The show aired on CBC in Canada from September 22, 2019, to November 24, 2019, prior to its US debut. And following its conclusion in Canada, on November 25, 2019, it was announced that season 3 will be the last episode of the series. Creator and executive producer Moira Walley-Beckett confirmed the cancellation via Instagram, writing,
“We have reached the end of the red Green Gables road after 3 wonderful seasons. My heart is heavy but I am so proud of this show – proud of my talented cast, crew, writers, and directors for working together so passionately to bring my vision of #annewithane to life”.
As the news broke, a lot of fans took to Twitter to share their frustration, disappointment, and heartbreak about the show not coming back. The show’s acclaimed and loyal following generated the #renewannewithanE hashtag that began to trend on Twitter.
As the news broke, many fans took to Twitter to express anger, disappointment, and heartbreak that they were feeling about the show not returning. The show’s acclaim and loyal fanbase created the hashtag #renewannewithanE that began trending on Twitter. The main reason for the cancellation of ‘Anne with an E’ was revealed in 2019 by CBC’s general manager of programming, Sally Catto, after the creation of change.org petitions and social media campaigns.
Although the series was a favourite among younger viewers, in the 25 to 54 age range, the Netflix viewership numbers did not reflect a strong fanbase among older viewers of CBC and Netflix. Catto noted that “They [viewership numbers] unfortunately didn’t lift enough… They just weren’t reaching our specific target” (via CBC).
‘Anne with an E’ Season 4 release date
Many fans are still confused as to why the show, which was apparently enjoyed by so many people, was not renewed, especially in Canada, the USA, and Europe. Although Netflix has provided no official reason for the cancellation, a report by Good Housekeeping speculates that it may have something to do with the disintegration of the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company) partnership with Netflix, who jointly produced the show.
Not long after the third season of the show was announced, CBC President and CEO Catherine Tait announced that the network would no longer be partnering with Netflix. Hence, there will be no release date for season 4 of ‘Anne with an E’ as of now.
All ‘Anne with an E’ fans have lit a glimmer of hope and are eagerly waiting for a season 4 Let’s get our fingers crossed and stay tuned for more positive updates! Let us know if you want the show to return. Write to us in the comments below.
The democracies of the world have condemned the Myanmar coup individually, but failed to do so in unison.
On February 1, 2021 the Myanmar military, also known as the Tatmadaw, launched a military coup to overthrow the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. In the third such instance since the country’s independence in 1948, power was handed over to Commander-in-chief of Myanmar Armed Forces Min Aung Hlaing. The military also announced that Ministers and their Deputies of a number of portfolios, including Finance, Health, Interior and Foreign Affairs had been removed.
Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor and Chairperson and Supremo of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other leaders of the party were arrested. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Laureate, was the leader of the decades-long pro-democracy power struggle in the country having stayed in detention from 1989 to 2010. Her peaceful resistance was acknowledged globally. On February 3, two days after the military seized power, cases were filed against Suu Kyi for illegally importing, six unregistered walkie-talkie radios and using them without consent.
Highlights
The alleged claims of election fraud
Flaws in the Constitution that resulted in the coup
How the world is reacting to the coup
Myanmar’s geostrategic importance
Impact on the Rohingya crisis
Economic impact of the coup
Tatmadaw’s Election fraud claims: Why now?
The reason cited by the Junta, for the coup was alleged electoral fraud committed in the recently held election. Fissures between the Myanmar military and the civilian administration, which were already present, aggravated after the declaration of results of elections held in November 2020. Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD won a landslide 396 seats out of the 498 it contested. In doing so, the NLD bettered its performance of 2015 by nine seats. On the other hand, the military backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) fared very poorly securing a paltry 33 seats. The military junta believes there were numerous voting irregularities – arguing that there were 8.6 million such instances. Myanmar’s election commission had dismissed claims of electoral fraud.
Many commentators and observers had been anticipating a coup after the election commission’s decision. Military chief Min Aung Hlaing while commenting on the Myanmar Election Commission’s decision stated: ‘The constitution is the mother law for all laws. So we all need to abide by the constitution. If one does not follow the law, such law must be revoked. If it is the constitution, it is necessary to revoke the constitution’.
Dynamics since the Nov. elections have brought the three decades long contest btw the army and the NLD to a critical juncture. Over the coming days & weeks this relationship, crucial for every that happens next in Myanmar, will unfold in new directions. No business as usual.
Famous commentator and author of numerous books on Myanmar, Thant Myint U had on the eve of the coup commented: ‘Dynamics since the Nov. elections have brought the three decades long contest btw the army and the NLD to a critical juncture. Over the coming days & weeks this relationship, crucial for every that happens next in Myanmar, will unfold in new directions. No business as usual’. In fact, Myanmar’s parliament session had originally been scheduled for Monday, February 1, 2021 but was delayed due to rumors of a possible coup.
Watch: Myanmar State counsellor detained in a coup by Military
Inadequacies in Myanmar’s Constitution
Myanmar’s constitution of 2008, drafted by the Tatmadaw, had some crucial weaknesses skewed in favor of the country’s military – first, there is a provision which states that military can capture power during an emergency, second a quarter of seats were reserved for the military with important ministries such as foreign affairs and defense. This provision was important, because there can be no amendment to the constitution without support from 75 percent of lawmakers. Third, the constitution does not guarantee citizenship to all residents of the country.
Reactions from World Leaders
While reacting to the military coup, United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken in a statement said in a Press statement: “The United States expresses grave concern and alarm regarding reports that the Burmese military has detained multiple civilian government leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and civil society leaders,”
US President Joe Biden warned of sanctions against Myanmar, if Democracy was not restored (the transition towards democracy had begun significantly during Obama’s Presidency). Barack Obama had also visited Myanmar in 2012 with an aim towards strengthening the democratic process. Multilateral organizations like the UN, the EU also criticized the coup and expressed their apprehension with regard to its implications. Foreign Ministers of G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) in a tweet said: ‘We are deeply concerned by the detention of political leaders and civil society activists, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and targeting of the media. We call upon the military to immediately end the state of emergency, restore power to the democratically-elected government, to release all those unjustly detained and to respect human rights and the rule of law. The November election results must be respected and Parliament should be convened at the earliest opportunity’
"We stand with the people of Myanmar who want to see a democratic future." G7 Foreign Ministers' statement condemning the coup in Myanmar: https://t.co/hJmQ3Q73sc
— European External Action Service – EEAS (@eu_eeas) February 3, 2021
Reactions from Regional Superpowers China and India
China has been traditionally closer to the Myanmar military. In recent years China’s support for groups like Arakan Army has been well-known. Beijing was cautious in its response to the coup. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin emphatically dismissed the claim that it had in anyway lent support to the coup. He also expressed hope that all stakeholders would resolve their differences in a constitutional and legal manner and restore stability. China also blocked a statement by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) which sought to condemn the military coup in Myanmar.
Likewise, India has also been cautious in its response to the Coup, expressing its stand in favor of democracy and the rule of law and also expressed ‘deep concern’ over the events. Yet it will have to work with whoever is in power. New Delhi has both strategic and economic interests in Myanmar which it views as a ‘Gateway to South East Asia’ and an important component of its Act-East Policy. Some of the major infrastructural projects include the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral highway, the Kaladan Multi-modal transit transport network, and the Special Economic Zone at the Sittwe deep-water port. India also intends to work with Bangladesh and Myanmar in resolving the Rohingya Issue.
Myanmar, due to its geographical location, is important for China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Xi Jinping had established a reasonable rapport with Aung San Suu Kyi, best summed up by Thant Myint U in a title of one of his books: Where China meets India: Burma and the New Crossroads of Asia. It would be pertinent to point out, that China is the has become the second biggest foreign investor in Myanmar after Singapore. During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Myanmar in January 2020, the first after Jiang Zemin’s in 2001, a number of important agreements totaling to 33 were signed for pushing forward the China Myanmar Economic Corridor, an important component of the Belt and Road Initiative. The most significant agreements signed included the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone, and Deep Sea Port in the conflict-ridden Rakhine state. Kyaukphyu Deep Sea Port project had to be renegotiated and the cost had to be reduced from US $7.2 Billion to US $1.3 Billion due to domestic pressure. Another important project, the Myitsone Dam, estimated at US $3.6 Billion, has been put on hold due to increasing opposition.
An opinion piece in the Irrawady sums up Myanmar’s strategic and economic relevance for China: ‘By setting up the KDSP, the Chinese are hoping to lower their dependence on the Straits of Malacca, which is China’s main trade artery, linking the Indian and the Pacific oceans. With a new cold war with the United States on the horizon, the Chinese are desperate to reduce their over-reliance on the straits, which are militarily dominated by the US.”
Currently a whopping 80 percent of China’s oil imports pass through the Malacca strait. In recent years there has been a growing apprehension in Myanmar, that it could also fall into a ‘Debt Trap’ but many argue that the ASEAN nation was left with no other option.
Impact on the Rohingya Crisis
Myanmar has veered towards China after being criticized for its handling of the Rohingya Issue by the West. Aung San Suu Kyi, who had been dubbed as a ‘beacon of hope’ by President Obama, disappointed many with her handling of the Rohingya crisis. She even defended the flagrant violation of Human Rights by the military. More than 7,40,000 Rohingyas were compelled to flee burning villages in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. A UN fact finding mission had called for the prosecution of top army officers including Min Aung Hlaing. In a report it also stated: “Myanmar continues to harbour genocidal intent and the Rohingya remain under serious risk of genocide.”
Vice President of the European Parliament, Heidi Hautala, while criticizing the coup also referred to the tarnishing of Aung San Suu Kyi’s image: ‘We won’t forget what she said about the Rohingya people in the International Court of Justice. She has spoiled her international reputation as a human rights defender with her very open support of the military in the genocide issue‘.
The Trump Administration, which was otherwise not considered vocal on Human Rights Issues, had issued sanctions against Min Aung Hlaing along with other senior military officers including Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Soe Win; Brigadier General, Than Oo; Brigadier General, Aung, for violations not just in the Rakhine Province, but also, in Kachin and Shan states over the past decade. The four officers and their families were barred from visiting the United States.
Myanmar had received commitments of US $5.5 Billion till September 2020 (real estate and manufacturing accounted for 20 percent each of that figure) while the ASEAN nation grew less than two percent in 2020 and six percent in 2021. While there have been mixed reactions to the coup, it has been argued that a lot will depend upon the scope of western sanctions. Also, in terms of FDI, Myanmar receives a bulk of the investment from Asia. In the Infrastructure Sector, the top investors are China (which accounts for 29 percent), India (14 percent) and Japan (11 percent). While Asian countries are likely to be cautious in their reaction to the coup, Western countries are likely to take a stronger stand. Many argue that China may benefit further from such a situation.
While the US and other western nations are likely to favour economic sanctions, many analysts believe that such a step will only result in Myanmar moving even closer to China. Even US allies in Asia like India, Japan and South Korea, which have economic interests in Myanmar, may not be on the same page as the US with regard to slamming sanctions. In a media interview, Japan’s state minister of defense, Yasuhide Nakayama had stated: ‘If we do not approach this well, Myanmar could grow further away from politically free democratic nations and join the league of China,”
The coup in Myanmar is thus important not just for Asia where countries opposed to China’s increasing dominance in the region need to work together to come up with a joint strategy, but also for the Biden Administration which will have to strike a balance on its firm commitment to democracy and ‘realpolitik’.
(1/5) https://t.co/NFsIdIQpcr
