Author: TELO Admin

China’s growing global influence extends beyond its borders, and the so-called “Panama Strategy” serves as a crucial component of its broader geopolitical ambitions. By leveraging strategic trade routes and infrastructure, Beijing is seeking to reshape the global order to its advantage. The Panama Canal, a vital waterway legally controlled by Panama but influenced by Chinese investment, has raised significant concerns about the militarization of this global trade artery.

The Panama Canal is not only crucial to international trade, but also a symbol of China’s expanding reach. While the United States remains its largest user, China is second in terms of gaining disproportionate control over this critical shipping lane. Critics argue that China’s growing control has already led to higher costs for U.S. shipping and is undermining the neutrality that Panama once secured under the 1978 U.S.-Panama Treaty. The Trump administration has expressed concern that China’s actions violate these treaties, highlighting the growing intersection of China’s economic power and its geopolitical leverage.

This “Panama Strategy” is a key component of China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is investing in infrastructure projects around the world. These projects often burden countries with massive debt burdens, giving Beijing leverage over their economic and political decisions. In Latin America, this approach has already deepened China’s influence, eroding the sovereignty of nations, and shifting the global balance of power away from U.S.-dominated institutions.

Beyond Panama, China’s maritime ambitions extend to contested regions such as the South China Sea, through which more than $3 trillion in global trade moves annually. Through militarized artificial islands, Beijing is challenging U.S. security commitments in the region, stoking tensions with allies such as Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. These actions threaten the open seas doctrine that has governed global trade and security since World War II.

Strategic chokepoints such as the Straits of Malacca and the Suez Canal are also in China’s sights. Beijing’s investments in these regions offer a potential boost to global oil and trade flows. The same strategy can be seen in the Persian Gulf, where China has formed a partnership with Iran, and controls another crucial shipping lane – the Strait of Hormuz.

China’s strategy revolves around four main pillars: economic dominance, military dominance, unchecked geopolitical influence, and energy security. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is seeking to dismantle the rules-based international order and replace it with a system that favors Beijing’s rule. From Panama to the South China Sea, each strategic investment is part of a long-term effort to position China as the world’s preeminent power.

Critics warn that this expansion comes with risks, particularly in terms of breaking international treaties, eroding sovereignty, and increasing the potential for military conflict. The United States and its allies face an urgent challenge in countering China’s influence—not just through military and economic means, but also by reaffirming global principles of free trade, open seas, and the rule of law.

China’s “Panama Strategy” is a stark reminder that its ambitions are not limited to domestic policies, but are aimed at reshaping the world according to an authoritarian vision. For democracies around the world, the response is clear: vigilance, strategic alliances, and a commitment to openness and fairness will be key in countering China’s growing influence.

An international cybercrime network with links to Sri Lanka has been busted in India, the Indian media reported.

The Darjeeling Police have unearthed an international cybercrime network following the arrest of Md Saidur, a key operative from the Phansidewa police station area in Siliguri.

Addressing the media, Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Praween Prakash revealed that Saidur played a pivotal role in facilitating money laundering by renting out bank accounts to the racket.

Saidur, who operated a cyber café in Phansidewa, was linked to cybercrime syndicates based in Gujarat and Mumbai, which, in turn, were connected to a larger operation in Dubai. Saidur visited Gujarat to meet the racketeers, and later, a group of people from Gujarat arrived here to collect SIM cards from him. The racket utilised hundreds of rented bank accounts, many of which were operated from countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.

“This is a massive, multi-layered cybercrime operation,” said Mr Prakash. “We have formed a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by an ASP and SDPO to delve deeper into the case.”

Saidur had been evading arrest for nine months before being apprehended by the police. During interrogation, he disclosed critical details about the racket, which exploited bank accounts of unsuspecting individuals across the country. Police investigations revealed that Saidur had provided hundreds of bank accounts from his locality, including the Chater Haat area in Siliguri.

The probe began after complaints from six residents of Chater Haat, eventually uncovering 314 related cases registered with the National Crime Bureau. A raid on Saidur’s residence yielded 414 ATM cards, over 545 passbooks, PAN cards, and other incriminating documents. Saidur’s arrest followed the detention of accomplices Anil Gope, Md Anwar, and Tapan Gope.

According to Mr Prakash, Saidur earned over Rs 60,000 per rented bank account, amassing nearly 1,000 accounts, though police suspect the number could exceed 3,000. The racket facilitated transactions worth Rs 80 crore through 230 accounts, all of which have now been frozen. Additionally, nine accounts belonging to Saidur’s relatives held Rs 35 crore, with transactions traced to multiple locations.

“So far, we have identified fraudulent transactions exceeding Rs 100 crore, but the total could surpass Rs 200 crore,” Mr Prakash added. He cited examples of victims, including a Kolkata woman blackmailed into paying Rs 13 lakh and cases in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka where victims lost Rs 42 lakh. The amounts were funnelled through accounts provided by Saidur.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to uncover the full extent of the racket’s operations and bring all involved to justice.

(The Statesman)

The Election Commission has issued a special notice to government officials, security officers, and postal vote certifying officers who wish to cast postal votes and are qualified to do so.

Accordingly, the deadline for submitting postal vote applications for the Local Government elections, originally set for midnight on March 12, has been extended to midnight on March 17.

This extension was granted due to possible postal delays and requests made to the commission, it said.

The Election Commission states that the relevant applications must be received at the relevant District Election Office before midnight on March 17.

Additionally, the relevant notice stated that to avoid potential delays in receiving applications, the commission advises against submitting postal voting applications completed between March 13 and 17 by post. Instead, applicants are advised to categorize them by district, place them in separate envelopes, and deliver them by hand to the District Election Office in the district where the Certifying Officer’s office is located.

Furthermore, the Election Commission has announced that the deadline for accepting postal vote applications is March 19 only for the Local Government institutions of Poonakary Pradeshiya Sabha in Kilinochchi District, Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha in Mannar District, and Dehiattakandiya Pradeshiya Sabha in Ampara District, as their nomination notice was published on March 10.

The deadline for the accepting of applications to cast postal votes in the 2025 Local Government (LG) Elections ends at 12.00 midnight today (12).

The Election Commission earlier announced that the duly filled applications must be handed over to District Returning Officers through the District Election Office address on or before August 05.

The applications must be received by the respective District Election Offices before 12.00 midnight today, and mere delivery of applications by post on that day is not a reason for acceptance of applications, the Election Commission said.

The applications received after the deadline will be rejected without consideration, as per the Election Commission.