China Accuses CIA Making "Absurd" Attempt To Recruit Spies
Beijing accused the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Wednesday of making an "absurd" attempt to recruit Chinese citizens via videos posted to social media.
China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) said the placement of what amounted to job advertisements on social media platform X was an "amateurish gambit" to convince people to spy for the Americans.
"These two painstakingly crafted 'job ads', riddled with clumsy rhetoric and slanderous claims, lay bare the absurd logic and paranoid delusions of American intelligence agencies," the ministry said in a statement posted to its official WeChat account.
"Once again, the self-proclaimed 'world's top intelligence power' has turned itself into an international laughingstock through its baffling incompetence," it added.
CIA director John Ratcliffe said that the videos posted last month -- which implored the sharing of state secrets -- were aimed at "recruiting Chinese officials to help the US".
Beijing condemned the posts at the time as "naked political provocation".
The MSS vowed on Wednesday to "resolutely protect the nation's strategic interests and core secrets".
It warned the CIA that "any attempt to incite betrayal among the Chinese people is doomed to fail, and any plot to infiltrate China for intelligence will prove futile".
The intelligence agency's diatribe was among the top trending items on China's X-like Weibo platform on Wednesday, with users mocking the alleged job ads.
"Can we organise a group of scammers to carry out a telecom fraud against the CIA? We can trick the US and make a little money at the same time," one wrote.
The United States and China have long traded accusations of espionage.
In April, security officials said they had implicated three US "secret agents" in cyberattacks during February's Asian Winter Games in the northeastern city of Harbin.
The MSS said in March it had sentenced to death a former engineer for leaking state secrets to a foreign power.
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Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
India-US trade talks need political push for final leg
The fine print of a preliminary trade deal between India and the US has mostly been worked out by negotiators from both sides but the ball is now in the court of the political leadership to break a stalemate, people aware of the parleys told HT, disclosing two of the topmost sticking points that remain. Trade experts said an interim trade deal between India and the US is possible by July 9, provided both respect practical and political sensitivities of each other. (AFP File) According to these people, these issues are: an unequivocal assurance that New Delhi seeks from Washington that all punitive levies will be repealed, and a freer access to India's politically sensitive agriculture sector that the American side has sought. 'The two-day deliberation that started in Washington on Thursday will likely stretch over to next week,' one of these people, who has direct knowledge of the talks, told HT. Both sides are in a sprint to announce a breakthrough, which will be a preliminary deal covering some portion of the trade between two nations, with a larger bilateral trade deal expected to be signed by October. Once the deal is done, India wants America to withdraw all existing and potential retaliatory tariffs, including the 26% reciprocal tariff — this comprises a 10% baseline tariff imposed from April 5 and an additional 16% country-specific levy set to trigger from July 9. India also wants the US to revoke all safeguard duties disputed at the World Trade Organisation—50% on Indian steel and aluminium and 25% on automobiles and auto parts—and to reciprocate New Delhi's move by proportionately slashing its most favoured nation tariffs. 'Washington has not yet given any unequivocal commitment on these matters, which are crucial for Indian interests,' another person said. American negotiators have been suggesting India replicate the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal model, where Britain accepted continued 10% baseline tariffs on most goods while securing relief from additional sectoral tariffs. However, Indian negotiators have rejected this approach. The other sticking point is the US insistence on India opening its agriculture and farming sector. While the American side is open to tariff rate quotas (TRQ) — a mechanism under which concessional duty or duty-free access of any specified item applies to a limited quantity — their insistence on some sensitive sectors is a challenge. 'The problem lies in wanting India to also open its sensitive sectors. Dairy imports are restricted for two reasons. First, India's dairy farming is at a subsistence level with one or two cows or buffaloes. The livelihoods of millions of farmers are at stake as they could not compete with America's commercial-scale dairy farms. Secondly, the US cattle feed includes non-vegetarian products, something against religious sentiments of Indian consumers,' a third person said. Similarly, India is unable to accept the US demand to allow unrestricted access to American agricultural items such as corn and soybean because Indian law does not permit genetically modified crops. 'America is unwilling to accept an institutional mechanism which would certify that its India-bound agriculture produce are not genetically modified, saying there is a practical problem in segregating GM and non-GM products,' this person said. This person added that solving such issues now require a political directive from the highest levels of the government. 'While majority of issues have been resolved with near consensus, including on removing tariff and non-tariff barriers on most of the items of interest for both countries, certain sensitive matters require political directives from the two leaders. An interim India-US trade deal, mainly involving goods, is possible to conclude before July 9, depending on political resolution of the stalemate,' the second person said. The Indian negotiating team could extend its stay in Washington next week and the two parties would discuss contentious issues, depending on any political directive, according to the first person. The Indian negotiating team led by chief negotiator and special secretary-commerce Rajesh Agrawal was still in Washington on Saturday, indicating that talks may extend into next week. Trade experts said an interim trade deal between India and the US is possible by July 9, provided both respect practical and political sensitivities of each other. Global Trade Research Initiative founder Ajay Srivastava outlined a likely scenario: 'The more likely outcome is a limited trade pact—styled after the US-UK mini trade deal announced on May 8. Under such a deal, India is expected to cut MFN tariffs on a wide range of industrial goods, including automobiles, a persistent demand from Washington. In agriculture, India may offer limited market access through tariff reductions and TRQs on select US products such as ethanol, almonds, walnuts, apples, raisins, avocados, olive oil, spirits, and wine.' 'However, India is unlikely to budge on sensitive sectors. No tariff cuts are expected for dairy products or key food grains like rice and wheat, where farm livelihoods are at stake. These categories are politically and economically sensitive, affecting over 700 million people in India's rural economy,' he added. Srivastava warned that 'the talks may collapse' if the US continues to insist on opening India's core agriculture sectors or allowing entry of GM products. The prudent move for Washington would be to respect Indian sensitivities and forge a deal for stronger strategic cooperation in future, he said, noting that 'agricultural goods account for less than 5% of US exports to India.' Another expert working in a multinational consulting firm said: 'Now it is the time for America to act as India has already given several concessions, making its intent clear for stronger and everlasting economic cooperation with the US.' After a week where tariffs took a back seat to the US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and the massive tax and spending bill in the US Congress, the Trump administration's trade negotiations have picked up. News agency Reuters reported Washington had sent a new proposal to the EU on Thursday and held talks with Japan on Friday. Both India and Japan are in advanced negotiations.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Whither America?
Quo Vadis? While we were growing up, America was the El Dorado, where every dream could turn into a reality with effort and enthusiasm. Those who left for those pastures came home to tell us that the country was one of immense promise for the young and inspired. They spoke of the universities with their libraries, research facilities, state-of-the-art laboratories, and wide campuses with students streaming in from all parts of the world in search of knowledge. A veritable repository of learning and opportunity. America has been the land of the immigrant from the moment the first immigrants stepped off the Mayflower on to American shores. With imagination and creativity, grit and struggle, with encouragement and opportunity they carved out lives for themselves and contributed to the idea of America, and its ideals of freedom and diligence. Today, owing to the exclusionary vision of the powers-that-be, international students are barred from the universities, Green Card holders are under threat, and migrants are treated without humanity. So many individuals of different origins have made the country great in all fields of learning and culture and it is not worthwhile to go back to the drawing board. The country can only become greater with greater cooperation from all countries and more humane, inclusive policies. All progress rises out of mutual interdependence and the immigrant heritage is truly what makes America exceptional. It is disappointing that the very ideals of freedom of expression and fairness of opportunity that America stood guardian for since the founding fathers should be under siege now. What the celebrated writer Toni Morrison said, 'In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate,' seems to ring true today. It would do well for America to hark back to the voice of Benjamin Franklin who said, 'God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the Rights of Man may pervade all the nations of the Earth so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say, 'This is my country.'' While we are far away from this idealised world today where every country is zealously guarding its turf, it would be right to realise the world would be more liveable if we can think in terms of mutual respect and dependence. sudhadevi_nayak@
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Only one to focus on New York': Republicans laud NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani; contrasts earlier criticism
Marjorie Taylor Greene (left), Zohran Mamdani (ANI,AP) In a surprising departure from usual partisan rhetoric, prominent Republican figures, including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and political commentator Tucker Carlson, have extended rare praise to New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, acknowledging his grassroots-focused campaign strategy, even as they continue to oppose his political ideology. Mamdani, a Muslim and Indian-American assemblyman,pulled a surprise victory in the Democratic primary this week, defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Carlson, on his show, lauded Mamdani's debate performance for staying focused on New York's local issues while other candidates discussed foreign policy. 'That guy was the only person in the New York City mayor's debate to say he wanted to focus on New York City. They were, all the candidates were asked if you could visit a foreign country, what would it be? And they all, of course, all had an answer. I think most said Israel,' Carlson said during the Friday episode of 'The Tucker Carlson Show.' Carlson remarked Mamdani was the only one to say he wouldn't travel abroad, he'd stay in New York and connect with constituents directly. The former Fox News host added about Mamdani's performance in the mayoral debate earlier this month, 'and he said, 'I wouldn't go anywhere. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo I'd stay in New York. And like, if I want to meet Jewish constituents, I go to their synagogues, their homes or whatever, but I'd be here in New York because that's what I'm doing. I'm running New York. That's my job,' adding, 'I totally oppose his program, but at least he's talking about economics and not just foreign affairs. ' Greene, who had earlier shared a doctored image of the Statue of Liberty in a burqa in response to Mamdani's rise, has since revised her stance. Speaking on Steve Bannon's podcast, she said, 'He really ran a campaign where he talked directly to the people… Even though his solutions are insane and socialist, he focused on their problems.' She also took a swipe at Cuomo, labelling him a 'dirty establishment Democrat' and praised Mamdani for offering 'unique and smart' outreach. Both Greene and Carlson have recently criticised the administration's handling of the Israel-Iran conflict, exposing growing rifts within the MAGA movement, between those who favour strong support for Israel and others who fear the US could be drawn into a broader war. Despite the acknowledgment, hostility remains strong in Republican circles. The New York Young Republican Club called for Mamdani's deportation under the Communist Control Act, while representative. Andy Ogles branded him 'antisemitic' and called for denaturalization proceedings. President Trump, writing on Truth Social, referred to Mamdani as a '100% Communist Lunatic,' adding, 'He looks terrible… and he's backed by AOC+3 and Cryin' Chuck Schumer.' Mamdani has responded positively to criticism from Republican lawmakers and even the president, who labeled him a '100% Communist Lunatic' due to his policy agenda. 'You know, this is not the first time that President Trump is going to comment on myself, and I encourage him, just like I encourage every New Yorker, to learn about my actual policies to make the city affordable,' Mamdani told ABC News's Rachel Scott in an interview Wednesday. Mamdani's campaign, which includes proposals such as free buses and rent freezes, continues to draw criticism from conservatives. Still, the recognition of his campaign tactics from unlikely quarters underscores a rare moment of bipartisan acknowledgment in an otherwise divided political landscape.
