International

    Opinion: Falsehood trumps limping truth

    Monopolisation of social media and other digital platforms is empowering right-wing forces to control the world Propaganda, misinformation and fake news are nothing new in our society. It can be traced back to the time of Mahabharata when Yudhisthir, known for his unwavering truthfulness, misled Drona by declaring that Ashwathama was killed but murmured the latter part, “I do not know if it is a man or an elephant,” so softly that Drona could not hear it clearly. Believing Yudhisthir that his warrior son Ashwathama was killed, Drona bowed his head and was beheaded. Drona was one of the epical victims of fake news or disinformation. Propaganda and misinformation have taken a new turn now with the widespread availability of sophisticated methods of information and communication technology. The sharing of text, images, videos or links online often allows information to go viral within no time. Merriam-Webster defines misinformation as false…
    International

    Indian woman found murdered in car boot in UK, Police hunting for Indian-origin husband

    Harshita Brella, an Indian was found murdered and her body left in a car boot in Ilford area of London. Police are u=hunting for her Indian-origin husband London: The UK police investigating the murder of 24-year-old Harshita Brella, whose body was recovered from a car boot in east London, have launched a manhunt for her Indian-origin husband who they suspect fled the country after killing his wife earlier this month. In an updated statement from the Northamptonshire Police on Sunday, Chief Inspector Paul Cash said more than 60 detectives were working on the case as the force released an image of Pankaj Lamba, the accused husband, in an appeal for information. “Our inquiries lead us to suspect that Harshita was murdered in Northamptonshire earlier this month by her husband Pankaj Lamba,” Cash said. “We suspect Lamba transported Harshita’s body from Northamptonshire to Ilford by car. We believe he has now fled…
    International

    Number of Indian students applying to UK universities drops 20%, reveals report

    Student groups attribute trend to limited job prospects, safety concerns following recent anti-immigration riots in some cities London: Indian students are being put off applying to UK universities, adding to their financial woes at a time when education institutions are already coping with constrained budgets, a new report into the stability of the higher education sector in England has revealed. Based on UK Home Office data on confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) by UK providers from 2022-23 to 2023-24, an Office for Students (OfS) analysis shows a 20.4 per cent drop in Indian student numbers — down from 139,914 to 111,329. Indian student groups in the UK said the fall was to be expected amid limited job prospects and safety concerns following recent anti-immigration riots in some cities. “There has been a considerable decline in student visa applications from prospective non-UK students in some major source countries,” notes the report by OfS, a non-departmental…
    International

    Trump picks ‘Great’ Elon Musk, ‘Patriot’ Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Dept of Govt Efficiency

    Says they will help his administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, restructure federal agencies Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that Tesla owner Elon Musk and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). “I am pleased to announce that the Great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),” Trump announced. Ramaswamy is the first Indian American to have been tapped by Trump into his administration beginning January 20 next year. “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies — essential to the ‘Save America’ Movement,” Trump said. “This will send shockwaves through the system and anyone involved in government waste, which is a lot of people!” said Musk, as per the statement issued by Trump. The US President-elect…
    International

    21 killed, 46 injured in Pakistan railway station blast

    Preliminary reports indicate that explosion took place at Quetta railway station’s booking office just before Jaffer Express arrived at the platform Peshawar: At least 21 people were killed and 46 others injured in a bomb explosion at Quetta‘s railway station in Pakistan on Saturday, according to a media report. Preliminary reports indicate that the explosion took place at the railway station’s booking office just before the train arrived at the platform, Geo News reported. The Jaffer Express was scheduled to depart for Peshawar at 9 am, the report said, quoting railway officials. The officials said the train had not yet arrived at the platform when the explosion took place. Given the station’s usual crowd, there is a high risk of significant casualties, the report said.
    International

    Vivek Ramaswamy says Trump’s victory is hopefully US’ comeback

    A Trump win will result in the renewal of national self-confidence, says the Indian-American politician and close confidant of President-elect Washington: Donald Trump‘s victory in the US presidential election will renew national self-confidence, an Indian-American politician and a close confidant of the President-elect has said, expressing hope that his comeback will signify America’s comeback. In a historic election on Tuesday, Trump defeated his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris and was elected the 47th President of the United States, becoming only the second commander-in-chief in over a century to win two nonconsecutive presidential terms. “America has this great tradition. We believe in our own manifest destiny…We are born to be the greatest nation that sets an example for everybody else of what’s possible for human capacity,” Vivek Ramaswamy told the Tucker Carlson Show in an interview. “I think that that’s the kind of leader we need right now to bring that back. And that’s Donald Trump as a…
    International

    Indian Americans hail Donald Trump’s victory, say he is a ‘strong leader’

    Say the country needs a leader like him who will deliver on his promises to tame inflation and curtail illegal immigration New York: Members of the Indian-American community welcomed Donald Trump‘s victory in the US presidential election, saying the country needs a “strong leader” like him who will deliver on his promises to tame inflation and curtail illegal immigration. In a historic election, Trump defeated his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris and was elected the 47th President of the United States, becoming only the second commander-in-chief in over a century to win two nonconsecutive presidential terms. Before Trump, it was Grover Cleveland who had served two nonconsecutive terms as President from 1885-1889 and 1893-1897. With his electoral victory, Trump also became the first convicted felon and twice-impeached to be elected President. However, Trump’s criminal cases, his rhetoric or baggage from his previous tenure as President, including the January 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol, had little…
    International

    Australia proposes social media ban for children under 16

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced plans on Thursday to legislate a minimum social media age limit of 16. While Albanese had earlier committed to proposing age restriction legislation by the end of 2024, this is the first time a specific age limit has been confirmed. Canberra: Australian children younger than 16 will be banned from using social media under a proposal put forward by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Albanese and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland on Thursday pledged to legislate a minimum age limit of 16 years for social media access. The Prime Minister had previously announced an intention to introduce legislation to parliament for the age limit before the end of 2024 but had not committed to a specific cut-off age. He said on Thursday that the legislation would take responsibility for enforcing the minimum age limit on social media platforms, Xinhua news agency reported. “Social…
    International

    Cause for concern: 2024 likely to be the hottest year on record again!

    News of a likely second year of record heat comes a day after Republican Donald Trump, who called climate change a “hoax” and promised to boost oil drilling and production Chicago: For the second year in a row, Earth will almost certainly be the hottest it’s ever been. And for the first time, the globe this year reached more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming compared to the pre-industrial average, the European climate agency Copernicus said. “It’s this relentless nature of the warming that I think is is worrying,” said Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus. Buontempo said the data clearly shows the planet would not see such a long sequence of record-breaking temperatures without the constant increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere driving global warming. He cited other factors that contribute to exceptionally warm years like last year and this one. They include El Nino — the temporary warming of parts of…
    International

    Will concede defeat, but not the fight, says Harris in her concession speech

    Says she spoke to President-elect Donald Trump and congratulated him on his victory, noting that her administration would facilitate a peaceful transfer of power Washington: US Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has delivered a concession speech at Howard University in Washington, DC, saying that she is proud of the campaign and stressing that “when we lose an election, we accept the results”. “I am so proud of the race we ran and the way we ran it. Over the 107 days of this campaign, we have been intentional about building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background, united by the love of the country with enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future. And we did it with the knowledge that we all have so much more in common than what separates us,” Harris said in the speech at her alma mater. “While I concede this election,…

    International

    • Jun- 2023 -
      8 June
      439

      Senators call on TikTok CEO to explain ‘inaccurate’ statements about how company manages US data

      TikTok has been under scrutiny from Western governments, who’ve been wary of the company’s Chinese ownership and have prohibited its use on government issued devices New York: Two U.S. senators are asking TikTok to explain what they called “misleading or inaccurate” responses about how it stores and provides access to U.S. user data after recent news reports raised questions about how the Chinese-owned social media platform handles some sensitive information. In a letter sent Tuesday to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn cited a report from Forbes that said TikTok had stored financial information of U.S. content creators who get paid by the company – including their Social Security numbers and tax IDs – on China-based servers. The…

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    • 8 June
      424

      Indian-origin professor Joyeeta Gupta awarded Dutch Nobel Prize

      Joyeeta Gupta was chosen by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) selection committee for her “incredibly broad and interdisciplinary” research Joyeeta Gupta. New Delhi: Indian-origin professor Joyeeta Gupta has been awarded the Spinoza Prize, the highest distinction in Dutch science, for her scientific work focusing on a “just and sustainable world”. Gupta, Professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of Amsterdam since 2013, was chosen by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) selection committee for her “incredibly broad and interdisciplinary” research. Also referred sometimes as the ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’, the award will give Gupta 1.5 million euros to spend on scientific research and activities related to knowledge utilisation. Gupta’s research involves solution to issues arising from climate change…

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    • 8 June
      441

      Meta Verified badge arrives in India, starts from Rs 699

      With Meta Verified in India, you will get a verified badge, confirming you’re the real you and that your account has been authenticated with a government ID New Delhi: Meta on Wednesday brought its verified subscription bundle on Instagram and Facebook to India that includes a verified badge that authenticates accounts with government ID, proactive account protection and access to account support. Meta Verified is available for purchase on Instagram or Facebook in India via a monthly subscription for Rs 699 on iOS and Android. In the coming months, the company will also introduce a web purchase option for Rs 599 a month. “We’ll also retain the verified badge for accounts that were verified before the introduction of Meta Verified,” the social network said…

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    • 8 June
      434

      Dozens arrested after West Ham fans attacked in Prague bar

      More than 30 people were detained after violence broke out ahead of the match between the Premier League team and the Italian side, Sky Sports News has been told. A group of West Ham fans were drinking in a bar in the centre of the Czech capital when they were attacked by large numbers of men dressed in black, it is believed. As other Hammers supporters arrived at the scene, riot police were deployed to keep the rival groups apart. At least three people were injured in the unrest and an officer was also attacked. There was broken glass and a burnt-out chair on the ground outside the Tek’ila Tek’ila bar following the disorder. A West Ham fan, who did not want to be…

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    • 8 June
      429

      Ukraine dam disaster may not have been caused by Russia’s blasts but ‘poor maintenance’

      The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam and hydroelectric power plant may have been the result of “poor maintenance” by the Russian-installed authorities and shellings sustained during the past months of conflict, it has been claimed. More than 24 hours after the Ukrainian dam was destroyed, no side of the conflict claimed responsibility for the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused “Russian terrorists” of the action, while Moscow denied any involvement in it. While some countries have backed Ukraine’s claim Russians were behind the dam breach, the US national security council spokesperson John Kirby said Washington “cannot say conclusively” who was responsible for the disaster. Speaking from Ukraine on Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also didn’t directly accuse Russia of the disaster,…

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    • 8 June
      412

      Vladimir Putin could drop a nuclear bomb on Russian territory

      Vladimir Putin could drop a nuclear bomb on Russia to fight “invading partisans”. Wagner Group mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin made the chilling prediction in his latest rant as he continues his criticism of the Kremlin amid Russia’s struggles on the battlefield in Ukraine. In his latest rambling statement, Prigozhin said: “Could they (Russia) have the vile idea of dropping a tactical nuclear bomb on their own territory? “Is that why we are retreating in the Belgorod region, allowing them to advance, because it’s frightening to throw (a bomb) at someone else’s territory but we’ll throw one on our own. “It’s a big question if the (nuclear bomb) would work properly.” Last month, Russians who are against the war in Ukraine launched…

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    • 8 June
      356

      Pope admitted to hospital

      It comes a day after he had medical tests at a Rome hospital. The Vatican said the procedure would be under general anaesthetic on Wednesday afternoon and he would stay in hospital for “some days”. It said the 86-year-old had been suffering “recurrent, painful and worsening” symptoms caused by a incarcerated laparocele (abdominal hernia). The Pope spent three days in hospital with a respiratory infection in March – joking “I’m still alive!” when he was discharged – and last month had to skip audiences because of a fever. Two years ago, he also had 33cm (13 inches) of his colon removed because of an inflammation and narrowing of the large intestine. He is also missing part of one lung, which was removed when he was a young man…

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    • 8 June
      417

      Diverted Indian jet lands in middle of Russia airspace row

       The diversion of a U.S.-built Air India jetliner to Russia with engine problems has thrust industry tensions surrounding Russian airspace into the spotlight – just a day after the head of a major American carrier predicted an almost identical scenario. A global industry meeting ended on Tuesday with carriers at odds over the use of Russia as a pivotal crossing point in the global air transport network, with United Airlines citing trade concerns but India’s flag carrier defending it. A Russian ban on some foreign carriers using its airspace, in retaliation for Western sanctions over the Ukraine war, has redrawn air routes and upset business models for some airlines that now need to fly around the world’s largest country. The…

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    • 8 June
      407

      Gang member jailed for smuggling Afghan migrants into UK in makeshift coffins

      A gang member has been jailed for smuggling Afghan migrants into the UK in coffin-like structures built from wardrobes. Adrian Constantin, 36, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and failing to appear for an earlier court hearing. Constantin is the sixth person to be jailed after a people-smuggling operation that saw six attempts to traffic 35 Afghan migrants, including children as young as two and a person with physical disabilities, through Europe to the UK between August and October 2019. The migrants were screwed into purpose-built coffin-like hides and smuggled into the country in the back of vans. Constantin acted as a ‘minder’ to facilitate the…

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    • 7 June
      409

      Air India to send reserve plane for passengers stranded in Russia

      An Air India plane flying from New Delhi to San Francisco was diverted to Russia’s Magadan after it developed an engine problem. Air India passenger aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport in Mumbai Air India says a reserve plane would take off from Mumbai for passengers whose flight was forced to land at an airport in Russia’s Far East because of engine trouble. An Air India plane flying from New Delhi to San Francisco was diverted to Russia’s Magadan, a port town on the Sea of Okhotsk, after it developed an engine problem, officials said. The plane, a Boeing 777 carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members, landed safely at Magadan airport on Tuesday, Air…

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