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Houston: Petroleum minister <keyword id="19968713" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hardeep-Singh-Puri" source="keywords">Hardeep Singh Puri</keyword> lauded India's economic growth under Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword>, saying the country has advanced from the 10th largest economy in 2014 to the 5th largest by 2019, surpassing the UK. Speaking at a community reception, organized by Consul General of India in Houston, D C Manjunath, at India House here, Puri emphasized Houston's pivotal role in the global energy sector, particularly in green hydrogen and aerospace. Expressing his thoughts about deepening <keyword id="22356868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-India-collaboration" source="keywords">US-India collaboration</keyword> in the clean energy sector, Puri praised India's refining capacity and initiatives in biofuel blending, aiming to boost refining capacity to 300 million metric tons per annum. He termed the US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership as a cornerstone of future collaboration between the two countries. He acknowledged the political successes of Prime Minister Modi's party in the recent elections and said the country under Modi's regime has advanced from the 10th largest economy in 2014 to the 5th largest by 2019, surpassing the UK. The minister also pointed towards the Indian government's ambitious urban development initiatives, saying that the country has committed USD 25 billion (Rs 1.57 lakh crore) to urban schemes from 2017 to 2024. He compared this investment to constructing a new Chicago each year, illustrating the rapid expansion of urban infrastructure, including new metro systems and airports. He also noted that India's civil aviation sector is set to grow significantly, with the number of airports increasing from 74 to 150. Puri lauded Houston as a global hub for energy innovation and said events like "Howdy Modi" in 2019 showcased the strength of Indian-American relations. The minister paid tribute to the contributions of the Indian diaspora in various fields, particularly in medicine and engineering, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining cultural traditions, even while living abroad. He expressed gratitude for the warmth and hospitality received from the Indian community in Houston, acknowledging their role in enhancing India's global image.

India advanced from 10th place in 2014 to become 5th largest economy in 2019: Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri

On Friday, gold prices rose across India. In Delhi, 10 grams of 24-carat gold cost ₹72,450. On the MCX, June delivery gold contracts increased by ₹750, reaching ₹73,250. <h2>Here is an extensive daily list to give you the most recent information on silver prices in India's key cities.</h2><table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">City </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">22-Carat </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">24-Carat </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Delhi </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 66,410 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 72,450 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mumbai </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 66,410 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 72,450 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Kolkata </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 66,410 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 72,450 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chennai </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 67,010 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 73,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bengaluru </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 66,410 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 72,450 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hyderabad </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 66,410 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 72,450 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Ahmedabad </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 66,460 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 72,500 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Pune </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 67,150 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 73,250 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Surat </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 67,200 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 73,300 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Nagpur </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 67,150 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 73,250 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Kerala </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 67,150 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 73,250 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Vijayawada </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 67,150 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹ 73,250 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/gold-rate-today-india-20th-june-mumbai-delhi-kolkata-bengaluru-chennai/articleshow/111126947.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Click to view the details of the gold rate on 20th June</a> The gold COMEX closed at $2,375.10, reflecting an increase of $6.10 or 0.26%. Throughout the trading session, the highest price reached was $2,378.30, while the lowest point was $2,370.60. The opening price for the day was $2,373.80, indicating a generally positive movement in gold prices. "Gold prices surged over 1% on Thursday, reaching their highest level in two weeks, fueled by indications of economic slowdown in the US prompting expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts this year. Recent data showing a decline in jobless claims suggested a stable labor market, but soft retail sales and ongoing economic lethargy in the second quarter bolstered bets on monetary easing. With markets pricing in a significant probability of a Fed rate cut in September, alongside safe-haven demand driven by global uncertainties and central bank buying, gold maintained its rally from March to May, peaking at record highs on May 20," says Prathamesh Mallya, DVP Research, Non-Agro Commodities &amp; Currency, Angel One. The Nifty's weekly settlement started cautiously due to a lack of major global triggers but gained bullish momentum, closing at 23,567, up 0.22%. The broader market maintained a bullish stance with positive advance-decline ratios. Despite muted price action and a narrow-bodied candlestick on the daily chart, Nifty is expected to consolidate until decisive triggers emerge. Strong support is seen at 23,450-23,400 and 23,300-23,200, while 23,650-23,700 remains challenging for the Bulls. Diverse sector participation is driving positive sentiment, emphasizing a stock-centric approach. Monitoring global indices is crucial as they will likely influence the initial market tone, says Sameet Chavan, Head Research, Technical and Derivative - Angel One. While these data points offer valuable insights into market trends and factors driving price movements to assist investors in navigating the gold market effectively, investors are advised to perform their own due diligence before making any investment decisions. As the day progresses, we encourage investors to remain vigilant and monitor gold rates closely for any emerging trends or market developments. By staying informed about these daily price fluctuations, investors can identify potential trading opportunities and make well-informed investment decisions. For daily updates and in-depth analysis of gold rates, continue following our coverage on Business Insider India. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Rates are subject to change from time to time and across multiple geographical locations. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Gold rate today (21st June 2024): Latest Rates in Indian Cities

<ul><li><keyword id="482957" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-insurance" source="Orion">Home Insurance</keyword> protects one’s home from any unforeseen circumstances such as fire, theft, and natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, and storms. </li><li>For individual homeowners, it is recommended to choose comprehensive coverage. </li><li>Homeowners can boost their standard home insurance policies with add-on options.</li></ul>Scary as it may sound, with climate change now a reality, all our cities are likely to experience devastating floods. We have seen it in Mumbai, in Chennai, in Bangalore, and very recently in Himachal and Uttarakhand. Let us take the case of Mumbai. Studies suggest that high rainfall, rising sea levels and sinking land expose more people to the risk of floods. Moreover, there are other natural calamities that may occur too and add to that the risk of theft and burglary. This makes home insurance very essential for anyone who owns a property, or even those who stay in rented accommodation where one can insure the contents of the house against various risks. “Home insurance is a type of property insurance that protects one’s home from any unforeseen circumstances such as fire, theft, and natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, and storms. It also covers the damage caused due to water-logging due to floods,” says Vivek Chaturvedi, CMO and head of direct sales, Digit Insurance. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Home insurance in India is abysmally low" comment="subhead" text="Home insurance in India is abysmally low">Home insurance in India is abysmally low</cmsannotation> Home insurance penetration in India is very very low. Data from The Asia Insurance Review revealed that home insurance in India stood at only 1% five years back. In contrast, countries like the US, UK, France and Australia have home insurance rates ranging from 90% to 97%. There are a couple of reasons for it. “One is the perception that nothing will happen to me and I do not need home insurance. The second is related to the lack of knowledge of new products, that one can insure both the building and the content,” says Gurdeep Singh Batra, national head, retail non-motor underwriting and coinsurance, Bajaj Allianz <keyword id="6366282" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="general-insurance" source="Orion">General Insurance</keyword>. Also, home insurance in India is not mandatory. While it is also not legally mandatory in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Canada, many mortgage lenders in these countries often require borrowers to have home insurance as a condition of the mortgage loan. This requirement is to protect the lender's financial interest in the property. While it's not a legal obligation for homeowners, it is a practical necessity to secure coverage to safeguard their homes, personal belongings, and liability in unforeseen circumstances while satisfying lender requirements. We look at why home insurance is important and what it covers. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What is covered under home insurance" comment="Subhead" text="What is covered under home insurance">What is covered under home insurance</cmsannotation> Under home insurance, there are three kinds of cover available. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Building-Only Cover" comment="subhead" text="Building-Only Cover">Building-Only Cover</cmsannotation>: This type protects the physical structure of the building, including the net usable area (carpet area). It excludes external walls, service shafts, balconies, verandahs, and open terrace areas but includes internal partition walls within the residential unit. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Content-Only Cover" comment="subhead" text="Content-Only Cover">Content-Only Cover</cmsannotation>: This option covers personal belongings inside the house that aren't permanently attached to the structure, such as furniture, electronics, and kitchen equipment. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Comprehensive Cover" comment="Subhead" text="Comprehensive Cover">Comprehensive Cover</cmsannotation>: This provides complete protection for both the building and its contents. It often includes additional options like coverage for equipment breakdown and burglary. Individuals can choose the option that suits their specific needs and circumstances. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Insure your home according to your needs" comment="Subhead" text="Insure your home according to your needs">Insure your home according to your needs</cmsannotation> For individual homeowners, it is recommended to choose comprehensive coverage because it provides protection for both the building and the contents of the house. If you own a flat within an apartment complex, it is typically the responsibility of the housing society to insure the structure itself. In this case, the flat owner would only need to insure the personal contents within their home. “In case the building isn’t insured, then one can buy a cover individually as well to protect the structures of their flat,” says Chaturvedi. If you're a tenant residing in an apartment or a standalone house, you might want to focus solely on obtaining 'content-only' insurance coverage.This type of insurance safeguards all your possessions within the dwelling. “It could be a wise idea for landlords who have let-out properties to consider landlords' insurance, which covers damage to the building as well as loss of rent,” says Mathur. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Subhead" text="Add-ons to boost your home insurance">Add-ons to boost your home insurance</cmsannotation> “Protecting your home with a comprehensive home insurance policy coupled with tailored add-ons is the most sensible and prudent thing to do,” says Tarun Mathur, CBO - General Insurance, Policybazaar.com. "Theft and Burglary Cover" protects against losses not typically covered by standard policies, such as theft of valuable items like gold and electronics. "Gold and Jewelry Add-On" extends coverage to include precious metals and offers significant protection. "Portable Electronic Items Add-On" is essential, covering devices like laptops and phones that may not be included in standard policies. In the event of home damage, "Alternate Accommodation Add-On" eases the burden by covering the cost of temporary housing during repairs. For added security, "New-for-Old Cover" ensures valuable items are replaced with new ones, rather than reimbursed at their depreciated value. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Low premiums" comment="Subhead" text="Low premiums">Low premiums</cmsannotation> Interestingly home insurance premiums are low and are very manageable. Home insurance premiums vary based on factors like property value and coverage. “ The premium for home insurance lies between 0.10 per thousand to 0.25 per thousand sum insured,” says Batra. You can get a ₹ 1 crore sum assured for as low as ₹2,500 per year and ₹25,000 for a 10-year period. Comprehensive plans with added features will cost you more. It's essential to obtain quotes from different insurers to find the best policy that suits your specific needs and budget.

From fire to floods – Why home insurance is something you should not  ignore

<ul class="summary-list"><li>US officials said that the FBI has been investigating the Chinese <keyword id="6405594" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="consulate">Consulate</keyword> in <keyword id="100821" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Houston">Houston</keyword> over espionage concerns, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/chinese-consulate-houston-was-hotspot-spying-say-u-s-officials-n1234634">NBC News</a> reported.</li><li>The US government ordered the consulate to close earlier this week and gave it until Friday to do so. </li><li>There were reports of people burning papers not long after the order was given.</li></ul>The Chinese Consulate in Houston that on Wednesday the US government ordered to close was being investigated by the FBI over allegations of <keyword id="6392096" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Spying">spying</keyword>, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/chinese-consulate-houston-was-hotspot-spying-say-u-s-officials-n1234634">NBC News</a> reported, citing multiple sources. US officials told NBC <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="news">News</keyword> that the consulate has a history of being used to steal valuable medical research as well as attempts to get into the natural gas and oil industries, and said that President Donald Trump was briefed on the suspected spying soon after he took office.Business Insider <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-houston-consulate-document-burning-us-told-quickly-close-2020-7">previously reported</a> that the US government ordered the consulate to shut down; it has until 4 p.m. local time on Friday to close. The decision prompted people to burn papers in the consulate's courtyard, according to reports. Police and firefighters who responded to the scene were not allowed on the premises. In an interview with the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-u-s-ordered-us-to-close-our-houston-consulate-11595407075">Wall Street Journal</a>, Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell said the closure was "long overdue." Stilwell said the consulate had ramped up its spying and stealing of medical research, as well as visa fraud when the pandemic began.Stilwell also told The New York Times, that the top Chinese official and two other diplomats at the consulate were alleged to have used fake IDs to escort Chinese travelers to the gate area of a charter flight at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. "It's always possible," Trump said on Wednesday when asked if other Chinese consulates would close. "You see what's going on. We thought that there was a fire in the one that we did close. I guess they were burning documents or papers."According to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/world/asia/us-china-houston-consulate.html">The Times</a>, <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> called the closure illegal and vowed to retaliate."On July 21, the US suddenly requested China to close the Consulate General in Houston. This was a political provocation unilaterally initiated by the US against China," a Chinese Foreign Ministry representative, Wang Wenbin, <a href="https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/XJ2_PSfoVeFiq4aFcE3CJw">said on Wednesday.</a>Wenbin called it an "unprecedented escalation" in US-China relations, Business Insider reported. While he didn't tell NBC News exactly why the consulate was ordered to close, Sen. Mark Warner, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee said the move was most likely made by the FBI.He told NBC: "But I can tell you for the last two years I and other members of the intel committee have been holding classified briefings with business leaders and academic leaders about the concerted efforts of the Chinese communist party to steal our intellectual property, to steal it from companies, to steal it from universities, to be on better guard."<h2><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/chinese-consulate-houston-was-hotspot-spying-say-u-s-officials-n1234634">Read the full NBC News report here »</a></h2>

US officials called the Chinese consulate in Houston the site of suspected spying. The US asked the consulate to close this week.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Iran and its militia allies showed they have the suicide drone technology to defeat US air defenses.</li><li>The drone struck Tower 22 near Jordan's border with Syria on Sunday, killing three US troops.</li></ul>American combat drones have hunted militants and their leaders for over two decades, key weapons that established America's primacy across vast swaths of the Middle East. But this deadly threat is no longer the exclusive preserve of US forces.In its Sunday attack on a US outpost in Jordan, Iran and its militia allies showed they have the suicide drone technology to defeat US air defenses. The drone struck Tower 22 near Jordan's border with Syria, killing three <a target="_blank" href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3659809/3-us-service-members-killed-others-injured-in-jordan-following-drone-attack/">US service personnel and injuring over 40</a>. The White House promptly blamed "radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq" in a statement."We are now at a point where major change is needed in military thinking to ensure the US and its allies can protect interests and ensure military effectiveness in an age of contested airspace," James Rogers, an expert on drones and precision weapons, told Business Insider.Iranian industry is now churning out advanced drones like the Shahed, used to terrifying effect by Russia in its Ukraine invasion, and Tehran is also sharing some of these systems with its so-called "Axis of Resistance" militia network across the region to upset American power."As Iran has spread around its drone technology, it has (rather too generously) shared it with Axis of Resistance forces in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon," Arash Azizi, senior lecturer in history and political science at Clemson University and author of <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=dcc3f7cfb229170bea819d65989597f21e7a9cb53b6d511524f16f12ca6781ce&amp;postID=65b94ff0e2d1eb191317e39f&amp;postSlug=iran-can-unleash-deadly-drone-war-against-us-troops-2024-1&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FShadow-Commander-Soleimani-Global-Ambitions%2Fdp%2F1786079445">The Shadow Commander: Soleimani, the US, and Iran's Global Ambitions</a>, told Insider."But this has spread the dangers of confrontation since these forces don't operate under a simple Iranian command and have a degree of autonomy," Azizi said. "The recent pace of attacks by Houthis in Yemen and now by Iraqi militias (which also operate on Syrian territory) doesn't seem to be in close coordination with Tehran."Azizi said he believes that "emboldened Iraqi militias," who are more frequently targeted in US retaliations than Iranian agents, have stopped respecting the "usual rules of engagement" between the US and Iran in recent months as Iran's militia network has increased its attacks.While the militias remain "loyal to Iran" and act under the general guidance from Tehran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Azizi underlined that the IRGC "doesn't have day-to-day command over their actions." Furthermore, the militias don't always coordinate their responses to developing events with Iran.<div type="image" title="Satellite view of the US military outpost known as Tower 22 in Jordan on Oct. 12, 2023 in this handout image." height="1966" width="3495" msid="107271784" hostid="261" sizebytes="252776"></div>Sunday's attack wasn't the first time these militias have used such drones against American troops.On Oct. 26, another drone launched by militants evaded US air defenses at their base in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-forces-under-fire-middle-east-america-slides-towards-brink-2023-11-09/">crashed into a barracks but failed to explode</a>. If it weren't for that malfunction, the US could have suffered fatalities much earlier.Rogers, the drone expert, said that the US assassination of IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani by a Reaper drone in January 2020 was a watershed moment."Not only have US military and diplomatic sites been targeted at an increasing rate since the killing of Soleimani, but due to the unchecked proliferation of drones, the number of groups able to conduct such attacks has grown," Rogers said."The drone was deployed at the same time as a returning US military drone, allowing it to approach undetected," Rogers said. "Drones used by these groups, such as the Samad or Shahed, are deadly due to their range of almost 2,000 km and pin-point precision lethality. Drones like these are, in essence, state military-grade weapons systems."The killing of American troops put more pressure on the Biden administration to respond forcefully. Following earlier attacks injuring American personnel, the US retaliated with airstrikes, including one <a target="_blank" href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/article/3632005/self-defense-strike-in-iraq-kills-terrorist-leader/">killing an Iraqi militia leader in Baghdad</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/23/politics/us-strikes-iran-backed-militia-iraq/index.html">others against militia facilities</a> on Jan. 4 and Jan. 23, respectively.Ceng Sagnic, chief of analysis of the geopolitical consultancy firm TAM-C Solutions, said a spate of attacks across the region by Iran-backed groups shows US efforts to contain Iran are struggling and that US retaliation is more likely to strike back at these groups rather than directly into Iran."These are not actions taken by a pressured, near-contained actor," Sagnic said. "Iran-backed militias definitely crossed a line and are likely to get a harsh response from the US."The US does not "need to look for significant Iranian assets anywhere farther than a few kilometers from its embassies and consulates" in the region, Sagnic continued."If Washington decides to retaliate against Iran itself, Iraq has a lot of targets to offer.".

Iran shows it can unleash its own deadly drone war against US troops  

<ul><li><keyword id="103788" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="hyundai-motor-india-ltd" source="Orion">Hyundai Motor India Ltd</keyword> is considering acquiring land and building and some assets of <keyword id="44666" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="general-motors-india" source="Orion">General Motors India</keyword>'s Talegaon plant in Maharashtra.</li><li><keyword id="108829" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="hyundai-motor-india" source="Orion">Hyundai Motor India</keyword> has earlier announced its plans to get into electric vehicle manufacturing.</li></ul>Chennai, The Hyundai Motor <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> Ltd with a view to have a second automobile plant in India is considering to acquire land and building and some assets of General Motors India's Talegaon plant in Maharashtra. According to Hyundai Motor India, a Term Sheet has been signed for the potential acquisition of identified assets of the plant like land and building, certain machinery and equipment situated at the General Motors India's plant in Talegaon. The Hyundai Motor India said the proposed acquisition is subject to the signing of the 'Definitive Asset Purchase Agreement' and fulfillment of conditions precedent and receipt of regulatory approvals from relevant Government Authorities and all the stakeholders related to the acquisition. The Indian subsidiary of the South Korea's Hyundai Motors has a big manufacturing facility in Irrungattukottai near here. The Hyundai Motor India has earlier announced its plans to get into electric vehicle manufacturing. Further another facility outside <keyword id="20154" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tamil-nadu" source="Orion">Tamil Nadu</keyword> is a sort of derisking strategy and also being closer to other markets in the country. It should be noted Ford Motor Company had shuttered its Chennai plant operations sometime back. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/how-you-can-open-the-ai-chatbot-directly-from-macs-menu-bar/articleshow/98449632.cms#:~:text=Once%20you%20have%20downloaded%20the,simply%20click%20on%20'Open.'">ChatGPT just got more accessible: Here’s how you can open the AI Chatbot directly from Mac's menu bar</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/tally-health-unveils-innovative-platform-to-enhance-longevity-in-humans/articleshow/98387387.cms">This US-based startup claims to have cracked the process of reverse aging</a>

Hyundai Motor considering buying GM India's Talegaon plant assets

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Syria this week killed top IRGC officials.</li><li>The attack is part of a years-long shadow war between Israel and Iran — two bitter foes.</li></ul>In the days following a fatal Israeli airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Syria this week, the Middle East continues to hold its breath as it waits to see how Tehran might retaliate.The brazen attack on Monday, which killed multiple senior Iranian military officials, marks a significant escalation in what has been a years-long shadow war between Israel and Iran. It has also raised fears across the region that a larger conflict between the two countries may be looming, which would have grave consequences.And the Biden administration is not sitting on the sidelines, either, creating risks for the US as well. This complex conflict has in the past put US forces in the crosshairs, and war experts say Iran may choose to respond, at least in part, to the latest strike by targeting American troops stationed in the Middle East.<h2>'It is certainly significant'</h2>For years, Israel and Iran have traded attacks as part of their shadow war — a simmering conflict between two bitter foes that has, in recent memory, featured assassinations, cyberattacks, drone strikes at sea, and more.Amid these hostilities, Israel has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-ukraine-weapons-fighting-syria-russia-2023-2">long carried out airstrikes</a> against Iranian assets and the the movement of weapons in Syria. But Monday's incident was different from those in the past because of where it occurred and who it targeted.<div type="image" title="Emergency and security personnel gather at the site of strikes which hit a building next to the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital Damascus, on April 1, 2024." height="683" width="1024" msid="109066884" hostid="261"></div>"It is certainly significant," Farzin Nadimi, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Business Insider, because this deadly incident "can be counted as the first time Israel struck an official Iranian government-affiliated site with high-ranking people inside."The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/01/world/middleeast/iran-commanders-killed-syria-israel.html">strike destroyed</a> an Iranian consulate building in Damascus and killed seven Iranian military officials, including two generals in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, according to a statement carried out by Tehran's state media.The IRGC was established in 1979 in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution and is listed by the US as a foreign terrorist organization. It is a separate branch of Tehran's armed forces and is responsible for supporting Iran's vast network of militias across the Middle East, which operate in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank.These groups make up the so-called <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/14/irans-axis-of-resistance-is-a-potent-coalition-but-a-risky-strategy">Axis of Resistance</a>, which seeks to destroy Israel and push its main ally — the US — from the region.In the aftermath of the Damascus strike, Iran blamed Israel, vowing revenge and harsh retaliation. But it also claimed that the US was responsible for the attack. Tehran's foreign minister, for instance, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Amirabdolahian/status/1774931580177334404">said</a> Tehran delivered a message to the Biden administration, through Switzerland, asserting that it would be held accountable.<div type="image" title="A banner displaying pictures of Israeli army officials with their faces encircled by a red crosshair icon, hang in Tehran on April 2, 2024 following a suspected Israeli strike in Damascus." height="683" width="1024" msid="109066889" hostid="261"></div>"Iranian officials and media are accusing the United States of enabling the Israeli airstrike, possibly to set conditions to target US forces in the Middle East," analysts at the Institute for the Study of War think tank wrote in a Tuesday <a target="_blank" href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-april-2-2024">assessment</a>.The US, however, has repeatedly pushed back on Iran's accusations. A Pentagon spokesperson on Tuesday said the Biden administration "made it very clear" to Tehran through private channels that it was not responsible for the strike in Damascus, nor did it have any advanced knowledge about the attack.When asked if the Israeli strike will increase the risk to US forces in the region, Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that she can't speak to "hypothetical actions" but said "we're going to continue to make sure that our forces are protected in the region. So, that means monitoring what's going on around them."<h2>Iran 'historically' holds the US accountable</h2>Iran-backed proxies have attacked US forces in the Middle East for many years as part of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-allies-stuck-violent-cycle-iran-backed-militias-want-blood-2023-4">a larger cycle of violence</a> across the region. Analysts say the strategy is part of Tehran's goal of both ousting American troops from the region and also retaliating against Israeli strikes targeting Iranian assets and weapons shipments.But the tempo of these attacks significantly increased following Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, which triggered the ensuing ground invasion of Gaza.<div type="image" title="Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (R) meets with Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh (3rd L) in Tehran, Iran on March 26, 2024." height="670" width="1024" msid="109066892" hostid="261"></div>Iran-backed militias began firing missiles, rockets, and drones at US forces in Iraq and Syria <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-strikes-back-in-response-to-deadly-drone-attack-2024-1">on a routine basis</a>. By late-January, the Pentagon had tracked over 170 attacks. Then, three American troops were killed at a base in Jordan, and Washington retaliated with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-strikes-back-in-response-to-deadly-drone-attack-2024-1">widespread airstrikes</a> targeting Tehran's assets.Since early February, there has been relative calm across Iraq, Syria, and Jordan; the last attack against coalition forces occurred in early February, a US defense official told BI this week.The Damascus strike, however, has ignited fears that American troops in Iraq and Syria may be targeted again. Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the top US Air Force commander in the region, said Washington is <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-latest-04-03-2024-0980966d62c623bbff9e02841debee01">concerned</a> about this possibility.If Iran chose to go after US forces in response, it would not be unprecedented. In March 2023, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-air-strike-targets-syrias-aleppo-airport-statement-2023-03-22/">shortly after Israeli airstrikes</a> hit Iran-linked targets in Syria, Tehran-backed militants conducted a drone attack on a coalition base, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-defenses-werent-working-right-iranian-drone-killed-american-syria-2023-3">killing an American contractor</a>."Iran has historically held the United States accountable for Israeli military activity against Iran and its proxies," the ISW analysts said.<div type="image" title="US Army Soldiers, assigned to 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, fire an M119 Howitzer during a live-fire exercise at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, May 11, 2023." height="2240" width="3360" msid="109066895" hostid="261"></div>It's certainly not a given that the US will get roped into the fallout of the Damascus strike. Nadimi, an expert in Iranian security affairs, said it's possible that Tehran will refrain from directly attacking American forces — especially in ways that could cause casualties — because it doesn't want to push Washington closer to Israel right now."They do not want to see any US airstrikes against their targets in the region," Nadimi said. Ultimately, if Washington steers clear of Iran's response to Israel, it can avoid becoming party to the retaliation until it escalates out of hand. Tehran also wants to avoid receiving condemnation from any of the countries in the region, he added."They will be very, very careful not to create any more enemies right now," Nadimi said. "They want to keep their focus on Israel."<h2>A 'rapid escalation' in the shadow war</h2>For now, it remains to be seen how Iran will respond. In the past, following the death of high-ranking officials, Tehran's response has ended with casualties, though it stopped short of all-out confrontation with the US or Israel.After the US assassinated Qassem Soleimani, who was the IRGC's elite Quds Force commander, in a 2020 drone strike, for example, Iran fired dozens of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51028954">ballistic missiles</a> at bases housing US forces in Iraq. Around 100 American troops were left injured.<div type="image" title="Qassem Soleimani" height="683" width="1024" msid="109066898" hostid="261"></div>Hours later, amid sky-high tensions, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/17/middleeast/iran-sentenced-ukraine-plane-shot-down-intl-hnk/index.html">IRGC shot down</a> a passenger jet that was bound for Kyiv shortly after it took off from Tehran. The aircraft was mistakenly misidentified as a cruise missile, and all 176 people on board were killed.Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, said on Wednesday that Tehran will make Israel "regret" its attack in Damascus. It's currently unclear what that may look like.The US will be closely monitoring the situation though. President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that his administration "strongly supports" Israel as it faces threats from Iran, according to a White House readout of the call between the two leaders.Regardless of how Iran retaliates, whether directly or through a proxy militia in the region, Nadimi said it will likely force an Israeli response as the country seeks to strengthen its deterrence against Tehran."They will feel obligated to respond to any Iranian retaliation," he said, warning that "we will see a rapid escalation" in the shadow war.

A deadly Israeli strike in Syria ratchets up a years-long shadow war with Iran that could again put US forces in the crosshairs

<ul class="summary-list"><li>People were seen burning <keyword id="6364212" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="documents">documents</keyword> at the Chinese <keyword id="6405594" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="consulate">Consulate</keyword> in <keyword id="100821" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Houston">Houston</keyword>, and <keyword id="28762" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="fire">fire</keyword> services were called to the scene.</li><li>The police told multiple outlets that people were burning documents in what appeared to be open trash cans. It is not clear what those documents were.</li><li>It came as <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> said the US ordered the consulate to be closed in an "unprecedented escalation." Chinese state media reported that the US had given China 72 hours to close it.</li><li>The State Department said the closing was ordered to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information.</li><li>China painted the decision in light of strained US-China relations, claiming the US "has repeatedly stigmatized China," and vowed to retaliate if the US did not reverse its order.</li></ul>People are burning documents at the Chinese Consulate in Houston after China said the US gave it 72 hours to close.The local outlet <a href="https://abc13.com/cans-full-of-documents-being-burned-at-chinese-consulate/6328284/">ABC 13 reported</a> early Wednesday morning that trash cans full of documents were being burned in the consulate's courtyard.A police official <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Paper-being-burned-at-Consulate-General-of-China-15424795.php">told the Houston Chronicle</a> that witnesses saw paper being burned in what appeared to be open trash cans outside the building. The police also <a href="https://www.fox26houston.com/news/fire-at-chinese-consulate-in-houston-due-to-classified-documents-being-burned-ahead-of-eviction">told the local outlet Fox26 Houston</a> that a fire reported at the consulate on Tuesday evening was the result of people burning documents. <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/07/22/houston-fire-and-police-responding-to-reports-of-documents-being-burned-at-consulate-general-of-china/">KPRC 2</a> reported that the police were told documents were being burned just after 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday.One witness told KPRC 2: "You could just smell the paper burning."Fox26 reported that police officers and the fire department were not allowed onto the premises as it's considered Chinese territory. The police official told the Houston Chronicle that the police were not allowed to access the building.Video footage appears to show documents being burned outside the building:The Houston police department also tweeted about the apparent document burning. "About 8:25 pm on Tuesday, our officers responded to a meet the firefighter call to the China Consulate General in Houston building ... Smoke was observed in an outside courtyard area," <a href="https://twitter.com/houstonpolice/status/1285826801244295168?s=20">the department said</a>. "Officers were not granted access to enter the building."Business Insider was unable to contact the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Houston outside its working hours.The <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="news">news</keyword> comes as China said the US abruptly ordered China to close it immediately."On July 21, the US suddenly requested China to close the Consulate General in Houston. This was a political provocation unilaterally initiated by the US against China," a Chinese Foreign Ministry representative, Wang Wenbin, <a href="https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/XJ2_PSfoVeFiq4aFcE3CJw">said on Wednesday</a>, calling it an "unprecedented escalation" in US-China relations.In a statement sent to Business Insider, the US State Department representative Morgan Ortagus said: "We have directed the closure of PRC Consulate General Houston, in order to protect American intellectual property and American's private information," using an abbreviation for the People's Republic of China."The United States will not tolerate the PRC's violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC's unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior," she added.Wang said the move "seriously violated international law and basic norms of international relation" and damaged relations between the US and China."China strongly condemns this. China urges the US to immediately revoke the wrong decision," he said. "Otherwise, China will definitely make a proper and necessary response."Hu Xijin, the editor of China's state-backed Global Times newspaper, <a href="https://twitter.com/HuXijin_GT/status/1285831071129427968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1285831071129427968%7Ctwgr%5E&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F2020-07-22%2Fu-s-asked-china-to-close-houston-consulate-top-editor-hu-sayssays">said</a> the US gave China just 72 hours to close the consulate.On Tuesday, the Justice Department <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-chinese-hackers-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer-intrusion">charged</a> two Chinese state-backed hackers with hacking into the computer systems of hundreds of companies, governments, and individual activists and stealing their data. It is not clear whether these charges are related to the ordered closing.China has four other consulates in the US — in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco — as well as an embassy in Washington, DC.The Foreign Ministry statement said the Houston consulate was being closed "unilaterally" by the US "for a limited time." It did not specify a deadline given by the US.The ministry also criticized the US's treatment of China."For a period of time, the US government has repeatedly stigmatized China, conducted unprovoked attacks on China's development, unreasonably made things difficult for Chinese diplomatic and consular staff in the US, and intimidated, interrogated, and confiscated personal electronic equipment from Chinese students studying in the US," it said, without giving evidence to back up its charges.Ortagus, the State Department spokeswoman, said: "President Trump insists on fairness and reciprocity in US-China relations."Sen. Marco Rubio, the acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, celebrated the move to close the consulate in a tweet. The Florida Republican referred to the Chinese consulate in Houston as a <a href="https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1285909840192315395?s=20">"massive spy center."</a>"#China's consulate in #Houston is not a diplomatic facility. It is the central node of the Communist Party's vast network of spies &amp; influence operations in the United States. Now that building must close &amp; the spies have 72 hours to leave or face arrest. This needed to happen," <a href="https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1285918905412853761?s=20">Rubio said</a>. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/world/asia/us-china-houston-consulate.html">The New York Times noted</a> that while ordering a consulate closed was a strong step, it was one that had been taken before in disputes between countries.For example, the US ordered Russia to close its consulate in San Francisco in 2017 after Russia restricted the number of diplomats the US could have in Moscow.An unidentified source <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-consulate/u-s-tells-china-to-shut-houston-consulate-in-move-china-calls-unprecedented-escalation-idUSKCN24N0UW?utm_medium=Social&amp;utm_source=twittertter">told Reuters</a> that Beijing was considering closing the US consulate in the Chinese city of Wuhan in retaliation, but China's next moves remain unclear. Tensions between the US and China have reached historic heights in the Trump era, with top experts warning that the two major powers are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-us-china-entering-new-cold-war-amid-coronavirus-2020-5">on the brink of a new Cold War.</a> Though he praised China's handling of COVID-19 early on, President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-blames-china-covid-19-but-mimics-its-authoritarian-behavior-2020-5">shifted to blaming Beijing for the pandemic</a> as the US coronavirus outbreak worsened, which has exacerbated the situation. The virus was originally detected in Wuhan. "We're essentially in the beginnings of a Cold War," Orville Schell, the director of <a href="https://asiasociety.org/node/20597">the Center on US-China Relations at the Asia Society</a>, told Insider in May. "We are on a downward slide into something increasingly adversarial with China."

People are burning documents at the Chinese Consulate in Houston, as Beijing says the US abruptly gave it 72 hours to shut it down

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Russian consulate in Scotland posted an anti-war <keyword id="11892996" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="instagram" source="Orion">Instagram</keyword>, denouncing the invasion in <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword>.</li><li>A consulate spokesperson told Insider that the account was hacked, and the post was taken down.</li></ul>A Russian consulate in Scotland posted an Instagram on Friday featuring criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin's <keyword id="11904994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="war" source="Orion">war</keyword> in Ukraine but later removed the post and said the account was hacked.The post, which went up early Friday afternoon local time, showed women wearing yellow and blue holding a sign that read "I support Ukraine" along with blue and yellow flowers. "I, Consul General of <keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword> in Edinburgh, A.I. Yakovlev, categorically condemn the military operation of the Russian Federation Armed Forces against the sovereign, independent state of Ukraine," the post read. "I fully support any assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the EU countries."A consulate spokesperson told Insider that the account was hacked and that the consulate was trying to delete the post, which gathered over 1,000 likes before it was ultimately <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdOGYj0MZRs/?igshid=NjY2NjE5MzQ=">taken down</a> after being up for nearly an hour. It was not immediately clear who might have hacked the account or made the post.But it would be a rare show of dissent for a Russian diplomat to publicly denounce Putin's unprovoked war. Russia's consulates and embassies around the world <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rusembassynl">have</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ruscgedinburgh">previously</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RussianEmbassy">shared</a> pro-war and anti-Ukraine rhetoric or remarks as the Kremlin repeatedly <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-russia-is-attacking-ukraine-putin-justification-for-invasion-2022-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tries to shape the narrative of the conflict and justify its February invasion.</a>As punishment for some of the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, some European countries have even <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/germany-will-expels-40-russian-diplomats-after-bucha-atrocities-2022-4">expelled Russian diplomats</a>. Social media has become a setting for the rhetorical battleground between Russia, Ukraine, and the West, even before the war began.Russia has used many of its platforms to spread disinformation, while other countries, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-embassy-trolls-russia-meme-after-putin-ukraine-history-rant-2022-2">including the US,</a> have lashed out online in response. Translations by Oleksandr Vynogradov.

Russian consulate posted criticism of Putin's war in Ukraine but later claimed its Instagram account was hacked

<ul class="summary-list"><li>For years, the US Navy has struggled to complete repairs of its ships on time.</li><li>Protracted delays heighten concerns about maintaining US naval presence in the Western Pacific.</li></ul>The rapid expansion of China's navy has heightened concerns about the availability of the US Navy's fleet, driving Washington to look abroad for help repairing warships that might otherwise face long delays at home.China has the world's largest navy, with more than 370 ships and submarines in service in 2022, according to the Pentagon latest report on the Chinese military. Officials and experts say the US Navy's battleforce of roughly 300 ships has a qualitative advantage, but its edge has been dulled by protracted delays at domestic shipyards, problems that have the US looking to foreign shipyards to perform some maintenance and repairs its ships have had to leave the Pacific to receive.The Government Accountability Office <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-106673.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in January that across 10 classes of US Navy ships, the average depot-maintenance delay per ship increased from 14 days in 2011 to 19 days in 2021. That number has improved, but delays persist amid other challenges at Navy shipyards.The number of US shipyards has shrunk since the Cold War, and at the four public shipyards still in operation, "the condition of their dry docks and facilities is poor, and their equipment is generally past its useful life," the GAO <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-106067.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in June.<div type="image" title="Navy Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Vicksburg dry dock" height="1335" width="2000" msid="104679379" hostid="261"></div>Public and private shipyards face some of the <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2022/09/20/ship-repair-delays-increased-in-2022-due-to-labor-material-challenges/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">same challenges</a>, including worker shortages. The Navy and Congress are pursuing shipyard <a href="https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Shipyards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">upgrades</a> and industrial-base investments that have had a positive impact, and the Navy is seeking <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-looking-for-drones-ai-tools-to-help-shipyards-2023-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high-tech tools</a> to streamline the work. But the Biden administration is also looking abroad for help.The US and India agreed "<a href="https://www.state.gov/fourth-annual-u-s-india-22-ministerial-dialogue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to explore possibilities</a>" of using Indian shipyards for repairs and maintenance on US Maritime Sealift Command ships and <a href="https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3115983/mid-deployment-voyage-repair-through-a-maintenance-lens/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mid-voyage repairs</a> of US Navy ships during during a summit in April 2022.That August, USNS Charles Drew, a dry cargo ship, arrived at Larsen &amp; Toubro Shipyard in Chennai for what officials <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1849430" target="_blank" rel="noopener">touted</a> as the first repairs of a US Navy ship in India. It was followed in March by <a href="https://in.usembassy.gov/united-states-naval-ship-matthew-perry-returns-to-indo-pacific-waters-after-voyage-repair-in-india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USNS Matthew Perry</a>, also a dry cargo ship, and in July by <a href="https://in.usembassy.gov/united-states-navy-ship-salvor-reaches-lt-kattupalli-shipyard-for-voyage-repairs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USNS Salvor</a>, a rescue and salvage ship.Salvor was the first ship repaired in India following the signing of a Master Ship Repair Agreement with L&amp;T Shipyard. The deal allows the shipyard to bid on US Navy and Military Sealift Command repair contracts and has "a rigorous vetting process" to ensure the shipyard can perform the work, the US consul general in Chennai <a href="https://in.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/CG-Judith-Ravin-remarks-LT-Master-Ship-Repair-Agreement-Ceremony-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on July 10.Another MSRA was reached with Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai in August, and the US and India are working on a third for Goa Shipyard in Goa.<div type="image" title="Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald Japan dry dock" height="1500" width="2000" msid="104679380" hostid="261"></div>"These agreements will allow mid-voyage US Navy ships to undergo service and repair at Indian shipyards, facilitating cost-effective and time-saving sustainment activities for US military operations across multiple theaters," the White House <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/22/fact-sheet-republic-of-india-official-state-visit-to-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in June.Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, the service's top civilian official, said in February that the ability to do "forward-based repair and maintenance is critical" and that the repair of USNS Charles Drew in India "was a perfect example of how well-executed we can do this mission.""We're also looking at other opportunities throughout Asia as well to where we might be able to do that," Del Toro said at the National Press Club, "perhaps in the Philippines and Singapore and other places like that."One of those places appears to be Japan. It hosts several US Navy bases where warships receive maintenance from Japanese workers, but more extensive or complex repairs, or work on nuclear-powered vessels, requires returning to a US shipyard, according to <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/U.S.-turns-to-private-Japan-shipyards-for-faster-warship-repairs?__hstc=43953530.3189f3be57ae83cde2068349f9630ddc.1674653175596.1694205597299.1695071223563.9&amp;__hssc=43953530.1.1695071223563&amp;__hsfp=2330113259" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nikkei Asia</a>. Current and former officials have advocated expanding the scope of repair work done in Japan, turning to private shipyards to fix US warships so they can remain in the region longer.<div type="image" title="USNS Charles Drew Chennai India" height="601" width="802" msid="104679381" hostid="261"></div>Japan has "a tremendous amount" of shipyard capacity and its industrial base can be "a big part of the solution" to the US's problems, Rahm Emanuel, US ambassador to Japan, said at <a href="https://milkeninstitute.org/events/japan-symposium-2023/livestream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an event</a> in March. Using private Japanese shipyards "will enhance our readiness, which will save lives, money, and time," Emanuel <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-able-maintain-america-naval-vessels-repair-shipyards-pacific-e2bfd39b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a Wall Street Journal op-ed in July, adding that "Japan has the capability and capacity to do the work."Until the US can expand its own shipyard capacity, "we ought to look at, in the interim, using our allies' capabilities," Harry Harris Jr., a former commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, said at <a href="https://www.aei.org/events/peace-in-the-pacific-a-conversation-with-former-indo-pacific-commanders-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an event</a> on October 16. "There's no better shipbuilding place in the world than South Korea and Japan and the like. We ought to use them to increase our capabilities."Diverting repair work overseas and even using foreign shipbuilders to build auxiliary ships like those recently repaired in India <a href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2023/may/use-allies-shipyard-modernization" target="_blank" rel="noopener">could reduce the workload</a> at US shipyards, allowing them to invest more resources in modernization, but doing so would likely worry US firms and the lawmakers who represent those shipyards and their employees."I know that's not optimal," Harris, a retired US Navy admiral, said of sending that work abroad. "We want to bring those shipyards to the US and rightly hire American workers to build those ships, but we're approaching extremis here. We need to be creative in how we go about fixing the industrial-policy shortfalls that we created ourselves."<div type="image" title="Navy ship hull Puget Sound Naval Shipyard" height="1583" width="2000" msid="104679382" hostid="261"></div>US officials and lawmakers say US shipyards need continued investment but that tensions with China and the demand for US naval presence in the Western Pacific necessitates looking for more immediate options."We know that there is a need in the Indo-Pacific theater. We also know we have a challenge in making sure we maintain the proper workloads at our American repair yards," Rep. Rob Wittman, a Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, told Insider at <a href="https://twitter.com/committeeonccp/status/1704104825225392519" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an event</a> on Capitol Hill on September 19."The reality is it's a logistical nightmare to bring a ship all the way back 6,000 miles if it needs emergency repairs," Wittman said. "So the question is how do we have that capacity there and maintain the ship-repair capacity in the United States, and I think we can do both."Turning to India and Japan to repair ships would be "a force multiplier," Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Republican and chairman of House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with China, said at the same event."We can't think about our ships program as a jobs program. It's about national security. We need more ships. We need more repair yards," Gallagher told Insider. "It's all hands on deck within the free world right now, and I think something like that would simultaneously enhance our ability to repair ships more quickly and also be a deterrent in the Pacific."

China's massive navy is only getting bigger, and the US is looking overseas for help keeping its warships in action

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The FBI believes that a researcher who hid her connections to the Chinese military is hiding out at her country's <keyword id="12161" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="San-Francisco">San Francisco</keyword> consulate.</li><li><a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6999950-Tang-Juan-2-1.html">According to court filings</a>, Tang Juan was interviewed by the FBI on June 20 and charged with visa fraud on June 26. She is still believed to be at the consulate.</li><li>She appears to be "part of a program" involving several others with military connections sent to the US "under false pretenses," the court filings said.</li><li>One expert <a href="https://www.axios.com/san-francisco-consulate-harboring-chinese-military-researcher-fbi-17325706-7983-4b17-aa6f-f19a450b646b.html">told Axios</a> that sheltering a person charged with federal crimes at a consulate would be an "extraordinary" move.</li><li>The claims come at a time of heightened US-<keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> tensions. China said the US on Tuesday abruptly gave it <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-houston-consulate-document-burning-us-told-quickly-close-2020-7?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">72 hours to shut down its Houston consulate</a>.</li></ul>The FBI believes that China's San Francisco consulate is harboring a fugitive researcher who committed visa fraud and hid her affiliations to the Chinese military.The FBI allegations were detailed in <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6999950-Tang-Juan-2-1.html">court papers</a> filed on Monday. Axios first reported on the case on Wednesday.According to the court filings, Tang Juan, who worked as a researcher at the University of California, had stated in her visa application that she had never served in the military.However, photographs emerged of her in the civilian cadre uniform of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and that she had been a researcher at the Air Force Military Medical University (FMMU). "Further evidence of Tang's PLA affiliation" was then found in a digital search, the document said.She was interviewed by the FBI on June 20, and the agency believes she headed to China's San Francisco consulate shortly after, according to the filings. She was charged with visa fraud on June 26.According to the filing, she is one of several people who appeared "to be part of a program conducted by the PLA ... to send military scientists to the United States on false pretenses."<div type="image" title="Chinese consulate Houston" height="1000" width="2000" msid="77128713" hostid="261"></div>Business Insider has contacted the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.The sheltering of a person charged with a federal crime is an "extraordinary" step, a lawyer who has worked on intellectual-property theft cases related to China <a href="https://www.axios.com/san-francisco-consulate-harboring-chinese-military-researcher-fbi-17325706-7983-4b17-aa6f-f19a450b646b.html">told Axios</a>. "Sheltering a defendant in a criminal case by using the diplomatic immunity of a consular building, if true, is really extraordinary," Minyao Wang told the outlet.<div type="image" title="wang wenbin chinese foreign ministry spokesperson" height="1000" width="2000" msid="77128716" hostid="261"></div>The FBI report comes as US-China tensions hit a new peak.On Tuesday, the US abruptly ordered the Chinese consulate in <keyword id="100821" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Houston">Houston</keyword> to close down immediately, under allegations that it is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-officials-chinese-consulate-in-houston-responsible-for-mass-spying-2020-7?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">a site of spy activity</a>. Papers <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-houston-consulate-document-burning-us-told-quickly-close-2020-7?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">were seen burning</a> in the courtyard on Tuesday night.In reaction to the order, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin <a href="http://www.chinaconsulatesf.org/eng/xw/fyrth/t1799871.htm">told a Wednesday press conference</a> that China "strongly condemns" the move and considers it illegal.He said, without offering evidence, that the US "has been shifting the blame to China with stigmatization and unwarranted attacks against China's social system, harassing Chinese diplomatic and consular staff in the US," among other allegations. The State Department told Business Insider in a statement: "The United States will not tolerate the PRC's violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC's unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior."

The FBI believes China's San Francisco consulate is harboring a fugitive researcher who hid her military connections, as the US orders the Houston branch to shut

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