Ein Dienstagslächeln / … A Tuesday smile – Stella, oh, Stella

Source: Ein Dienstagslächeln / … A Tuesday smile – Stella, oh, Stella

India’s alleged covert campaign to silence overseas separatists and critics | Semafor

The Indian government is allegedly engaging in covert campaigns to silence opposition abroad, according to new reports from The Intercept and the Washington Post. The reports suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is attempting to crack down on Sikh separatists in North America and deploying a sophisticated social media network to discredit his critics abroad.

India is reportedly concerned about its global image, particularly in North America, where the Modi government believes that Sikh separatist groups are undermining the country’s interests by pushing “anti-India propaganda” on Western governments, The Intercept reports. Despite warming relations between the U.S. and India, tensions remain over Washington’s refusal to crack down on Sikh separatists who India describes as “terrorists.” According to a secret memo distributed to several Indian consulates in the U.S. and Canada and obtained by The Intercept, the Modi government wants Indian authorities in the West to work with local law enforcement l to keep an eye on Sikh activists. The memo also suggests recruiting members of the Indian diaspora, especially moderate Sikhs, to counter the separatist campaign.

An Indian intelligence officer is reportedly running a disinformation lab to discredit foreign critics of the Modi government by publishing reports that are widely circulated on social media by Hindu nationalists and right-wing Indians, the Washington Post reports. Though researchers have previously revealed large online networks that promote Modi’s nationalist agenda to foreign audiences, The Disinfo Lab is regarded as one of the most “sophisticated players,” the Post reports. Undermining foreign governments is “routine” work for intelligence agencies, an expert in Indian diplomacy told the Post, but if Indian intelligence is “besmirching American critics and civil society organization, it would be crossing a line reminiscent of KGB tactics during the Cold War,” he said…

Source: India’s alleged covert campaign to silence overseas separatists and critics | Semafor

Anguish grows over ‘effective ban’ on most UK citizens marrying foreign nationals | Euronews

“The whole thing has made me incredibly angry,” said Katharine Ward. “These are the most private things in people’s lives: Who you love, where you live… Then you have a government announcement pop up that removes all of those things from your control.”

“There’s absolutely no justification for it.”

Like tens of thousands of Britons up and down the country, Katherine has been affected by new family visa rules announced by the government last Monday.

Source: Anguish grows over ‘effective ban’ on most UK citizens marrying foreign nationals | Euronews

Linhas de costura–sewing threads – Coisas da SIL

In life we ​​need to work with lines
You need to know how to sew life, and know how to use threads.
Fine lines are special,  but fragile to use.
As for thick lines, when tightly tightened they become strong and resistant.
It’s not about the brand of thread, but about the force you exert to handle it.

If we take it to real life, every point in us hurts and sometimes it’s fatal.
Take practice and start over when handling it.

The points are not the same nor the same.
Each point has its ease and its purpose.
The starting and starting points are not the same.

I think sometimes I think too much and the points don’t always come out the same, some too high and some too low.
But I’m not giving up, I’m learning to sew my life with stitches.

Reflection: SiL Things

Source: Linhas de costura–sewing threads – Coisas da SIL