US Warships Sail Through Taiwan Strait.

The US Seventh Fleet has announced that a pair of Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers, the USS Antietam and the USS Chancellorsville conducted a 'routine' transit yesterday ''through waters where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law". 

The United States demonstrated its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The ships transited through a corridor in the strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state. 

The Chinese PLA said the US had 'openly hyped up' the ships' passage through the strait.

The US and Western allies have increased 'freedom of navigation' crossings by naval vessels of both the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea to reinforce the concept that those seas are international waterways, sparking anger from Beijing.

Courtesy. The NIE

My take

Triggering an escalation? 

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A Fiasco Concerning Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi

* A housing society in Coimbatore wanted to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.

* They had to go to the police to get permission to bring in idol and carry out a procession.

* The police didn't give permission because the area has a majority of Muslims, so they daid that the celebration of a Hindu festival will cause law and order problem.

* The local Muslims went to the police and said that they don't have any problem and want to participate in the celebrations.

* The police still didn't give permission.

* The Hindus went to the High Court and put forth their case.

* HC didn't give permission saying it will hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslims.

* The Hindu side said that the local Muslims were ready to celebrate.

* The court directed the Hindu side to get a written affidavit from the local Jamaat.

* The Hindus got that too..

* The court, finally, gave permission to celebrate with the following caveats :-

   > The idol should only be placed inside the housing society.

   > No music allowed.

   > Only puja and celebrations.

   > No processions should be taken out.

   > The police would be watching over the celebrations to ensure that no rule is broken.

* The justice was N Satish Kumar.

* I guess the police officers were overwhelmingly from the Hindu community. 

Courtesy. What'sApp

My take

Why was everyone scared in carrying out their duty?

Tailpiece.

Got up at a quarter past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 10.

Went to Thampuraanpadi junction to buy fish for Kittu and his children.

Sheena comes with her colleague, requesting for investment.