Meta, X And TikTok CEOs To Face US Senate Questioning Over Child Safety

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the chief executives of X, TikTok, Discord and Snap face a grilling by US lawmakers on Wednesday over the dangers that social media platforms bring to children and teens.

The tech chieftains have been convened by the US Senate Judiciary Committee where they will be asked about the effects of social media in a session titled "Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis."

The hearing promises to be grueling for the executives who are facing political anger for not doing enough to thwart online dangers for children, including from sexual predators.

"These CEOs have serious questions to answer about their shameful track records on child safety, and their attempts to keep these failures from public view for so many years," said Imran Ahmed, CEO and founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate.

Testifying to senators will be Mark Zuckerberg, X's Linda Yaccarino, Shou Zi Chew of TikTok, Evan Spiegel of Snap and Discord's Jason Citron.

"I'm proud of the work our teams have done to improve online child safety, not just on our services but across the entire internet," Meta's Zuckerberg will tell the committee, according to his prepared testimony made available to AFP.

No liability 

Under US law, web platforms are largely shielded from any legal liability in relation to content that is shared on their site.

While lawmakers would like to set up more rules to increase online safety, new laws have been stymied by a politically divided Washington and intense lobbying by big tech.

One existing proposal is the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, which aims to protect children from algorithms that might trigger anxiety or depression.

Another idea would require social media platforms to verify the age of account holders and completely bar children under the age of 13 from signing up.

Ahead of their testimony, Meta and X, formerly Twitter, announced new measures to satisfy any political pushback.

Meta, which owns the world's leading platforms Facebook and Instagram, said it would block direct messages sent to young teens by strangers.

By default, teens under age 16 can now only be messaged or added to group chats by people they already follow or are connected to.

Meta also tightened content restrictions for teens on Instagram and Facebook making it harder for them to view posts that discuss suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders.

Zuckerberg will tell lawmakers that around 40,000 Meta employees work on online safety and that $20 billion has been invested since 2016 to keep the platform safer.

He will also back legislation that delivers age verification and clear parental control.

'Center of excellence' 

X also announced last week, ahead of the hearing, that it was setting up a content moderation team in Austin Texas.

The initial goal of the "Trust and Safety center of excellence" in Austin will be to recruit 100 content moderators, focusing on weeding out child sexual exploitation content and other violations of the platform's rules.

Prior to the tech executives' Capitol Hill appearance, X's Yaccarino was in Washington to meet with lawmakers from both parties on topics including child protection.

X currently has more than 2,000 content moderators, both full-time employees and contractors, the company said.

But when Elon Musk first took over Twitter in late 2022, he imposed huge staff cuts that saw the company's trust and safety teams decimated.

Musk, a self-declared "free speech absolutist," also vowed to remove content restrictions, with numerous banned figures able to return.

For now the only American curbs to the online giants are through lawsuits brought by US states, with about 40 states jointly suing Meta over alleged failures with kids.

Those lawsuits contend Meta knowingly allows users younger than 13 on its Instagram platform, only disabling a fraction of those accounts.

The suits also accuse Meta of concealing internal studies showing user harm on Instagram and Facebook.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/8QpaxNR

NDTV Sports-Cricket

After scoring truckloads of runs on the domestic circuit, Sarfaraz Khan finally earned his maiden India call-up as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) added him to the roster for the second Test against England. Sarfaraz's maiden call-up came as a result of injuries to KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. But, as the uncapped star prepares for the second Test against England in Vizag, he revealed looking up to his younger brother, who is making waves for India in Under-19 cricket, during tough times.

Sarfaraz, in fact, admitted that his brother Musheer is a batter batter than him. Musheer famously scored a century against Ireland in the ongoing U19 World Cup in South Africa, leaving Sarfaraz in awe of his technique.

"He's a better batter than me. I'm not saying this because he's my brother. Sometimes, I may be struggling, but watching his technique and trying to work out what he's doing would give me confidence. His mannerisms, bat flow is very good. Sometimes when I'm not batting well, I look at him and learn," Sarfaraz told ESPNcricinfo.

"If I batted 300 balls, Musheer would bat for 300 balls even if he'd done a lot of bowling. Our middle brother, Moin, would do the throwdowns. Having two cricketers in the house, he decided to switch to training," Sarfaraz said.

Inside Sarfaraz's family, there's a lot of healthy competition, with him and Musheer looking to outdo each other. The comparison even comes down to different shots, with Sarfaraz suggesting that his sweep shot is better than Musheer's but when it comes to reverse-sweep, the younger brother has a better technique.

"Musheer's reverse sweep is better than mine. Sweep, I think mine is better, since I have better judgment that has come from experience. We always want the other to do better. Now when he bowls and I bat, there's a lot of healthy competition," he added.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/Hw4ExNu

15 Killed After Rebel Attacks In Pakistan's Balochistan

A separatist militant attack in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan region late on Monday left at least 15 people dead, including two civilians and four law enforcement agents, the Pakistani military said in a statement.

Militants, including suicide bombers, attacked Mach and Kolpur complexes in the southwestern province of Balochistan, the Pakistan military's Inter Services Public Relations agency (ISPR) said. At least nine militants including three suicide bombers were killed, it said.

"Security forces in the vicinity were immediately mobilised who are carrying out ensuing operation," ISPR said.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most prominent of several separatist groups in the southwestern province of Balochistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The group aims to achieve independence for mountainous and mineral-rich Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by territory but the smallest in terms of population, which has seen a decades-long insurgency.

Balochistan borders Afghanistan to the north, Iran to the west and has a long coastline on the Arabian Sea. It has Pakistan's largest natural gas field and is believed to hold many more undiscovered reserves. It is also rich in precious metals including gold, the production of which has grown over recent years.

Balochistan is a key location in China's huge multi-billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of President Xi Jinping's massive Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/YnOwEVX

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Down 0-1 in the 5-match Test series against England, the Indian cricket team has its task cut out as it heads into the second match in Vizag. While Virat Kohli was already set to miss the second match due to a personal issue, injuries to KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja have trimmed the Indian team even further. England coach Brendon McCullum, analysing the hosts' situation ahead of the Vizag encounter, said that he is disappointed as the trio of Jadeja, Rahul and Kohli will not be playing the second Test.

"Obviously, Jadeja and KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, he is obviously not playing the next game as well. You want to play against the best. But it's disappointing for the Indian side. But they have also got an incredible talent pool to pick from. So it becomes a bit more difficult, we will do our homework on them," McCullum was quoted as saying by India Today.

England produced a heroic performance in the series opener despite trailing by 190 runs in the first innings. But, McCullum is aware that his luck won't favour him every single time.

"We will enjoy where we sit at the moment and lap up the great experience we have had over the last few days and tomorrow we will travel to Vizag and once we get there, we will start to turn our attention to that game. And have a look at the conditions and make a call. You are not going to get every call right, especially in these conditions, it's hard to read some of these pitches, right?" McCullum said.

"But we will make a decision and we will try and commit to that and see where we land," concluded the England coach.

The second match of the series will be played from Jan 02 in Vizag.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/n2FGAWs

Only Waved "Piece Of Paper" In Rally Not State Secret: Imran Khan To Court

Jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a special court on Tuesday for leaking state secrets, has reportedly stated that he had only waved a "piece of paper" during his party rally to expose a conspiracy against his government.

"The plan was to give (General Qamar Javed) Bajwa - retired army chief - the message that the entire plan will be exposed if the government is conspired against," Khan was quoted as saying in the statement he submitted to the court by the Express Tribune newspaper.

The 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician also said the responsibility of protecting the cipher (secret diplomatic communication) was not his. "One of my ADCs (Aide-de-Camp) stole the cypher on Bajwa's directives," he said, adding that he was never in possession of the actual cypher.

"The responsibility for the PMO's security rested with the military secretary, principal secretary and secretary protocol during my three-and-a-half years," he said.

During the trial, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf founder submitted a mandatory statement in the special court, stating that he only waved a paper during the rally to merely express his fear of a conspiracy without naming any country, the report said.

The cipher controversy first emerged on March 27, 2022, when Khan - less than a month before his ouster in April 2022 - while addressing a public rally waved a letter before the crowd, claiming that it was a cipher from a foreign nation that had conspired with his political rivals to have his government overthrown.

Khan did not reveal the contents of the letter nor did he mention the name of the nation it came from. But a few days later, he accused the US of conspiring against him and alleged that Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs Donald Lu had sought his removal.

The cipher was about former Pakistan ambassador to the US Asad Majeed's meeting with Lu.

The case was filed against Khan and Qureshi on August 15 last year by the Federal Investigation Agency, which accused both of violating the secrecy laws while handling the cable sent by the Pakistan embassy in Washington in March 2022.

The verdict comes nine days before the February 8 general elections, which the PTI is contesting amid a state crackdown and without an electoral symbol.

In his statement, Khan said: "This is the only document that has gone missing from the Prime Minister's Office. If the cipher is missing then the military secretary should be asked to conduct an inquiry." The former premier said that this was the only time when he even got angry with the military secretary. "One of my ADCs stole the cypher on Gen Bajwa's order," Khan repeated his allegations.

He also said his government was toppled due to a conspiracy. "General Bajwa and US Secretary of State Donald Lu were involved in the conspiracy".

"The conspiracy to overthrow my government took place in October 2021 when General Bajwa replaced ISI chief Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed," the PTI founder stated.

Khan said that "all this happened with the connivance of Gen Bajwa, [PML-N leaders] Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, because they promised Gen Bajwa to extend his tenure".

"[Former ambassador to the US] Hussain Haqqani was hired to lobby in the US on behalf of Gen Bajwa, for which the former was paid $35,000. In April, Hussain Haqqani tweeted that Imran Khan was anti-US while Gen Bajwa was pro-US," the former premier maintained in his statement.

Khan claimed that the former army chief used the ISI to convince the PTI's political allies to withdraw their support for the government and also forced party members to leave, insisting that their "future lay with the PML-N".

"I asked Gen Bajwa regarding the conspiracy when I met him, but he claimed nothing of the sort was taking place. Despite several meetings with him, the ISI kept working against my government.

"During the first week of March, I had an official trip to Russia and the foreign ministry agreed with the visit. Before leaving for Russia, I also talked with Gen Bajwa and he too agreed that I should undertake the visit. A few days after I returned, Shah Mahmood Qureshi informed me that Asad Majeed had sent a cypher message from Washington." "It was a shocking cipher which was not meant for the prime minister or foreign minister to see. Qureshi then called Asad Majeed (ambassador to US) for information regarding the cypher and I was left surprised after reading it," Khan said.

He said there was no precedent for a diplomat being threatened by the US officials during a meeting. "They threatened that if the prime minister is not removed, there would be consequences." "Asad Majeed informed Donald Lu that all stakeholders had agreed on the official visit to Russia. Asad Majeed recommended issuing a demarche to the US, while our allies were sending us messages that they were being pressurised by the ISI to leave the alliance." Khan claimed that the US Embassy in Pakistan was also active. "They were calling people to the embassy and during this time, several meetings were also held with Gen Bajwa. They were told that if the government is ousted the economy would be destroyed, and the economic plan of Shehbaz Sharif will not be able to stabilise the economy." He further claimed that the "cypher sent by Donald Lu was addressed to Gen Bajwa as he had the power to topple the government". 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/g4vSbW2

NDTV Sports-Cricket

West Indies' dramatic triumph against Australia at The Gabba on Sunday turned the cricket world upside down, with rookie pacer Shamar Joseph running riot with the ball, bagging a 7-for in the second innings. Seeing West Indies secure their first Test win in Australia in over 2 decades, not just the team's players, their fans but also some legends of the game went emotional. A crying Brian Lara was hugged by former Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist while the legendary Carl Hooper was spotted crying inconsolably with his face towards a wall after the end of the match.

Hooper, who played 102 Tests and 227 ODIs for the Windies, was completely out of words, with his tears explaining the emotions he was going through at that moment. Here's the video:

What it means to Carl Hooper! @abcsport #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/5TlnhWezRS

— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron23) January 28, 2024

West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite couldn't stop hailing Joseph following the team's triumph at the Gabba, calling the pacer a "superstar".

"He's a superstar. I know he'll do great things for the West Indies in the future. Just his belief is incredible, he told me that he won't stop bowling till we win it. Very proud of the guys, they showed a lot of fire and heart, especially after the first Test. Very nice to see how they put in a fight, especially the batters. We can only learn from this win. I believe the more the better, that's how we learn. I would love more Test cricket for sure," Brathwaite said.

Joseph wasn't even expected to bowl for West Indies on Sunday because of a toe injury but he battled pain to steer his team home with a brilliant 7 for 68. 

"Having a bruised toe to bowl with, but I just go through the phase and pain, knowing that I need to do this for my team and you know for everyone in my country and the Caribbean. Came down to the crowd, to keep pushing us and actually believing us that we can bring the series to 1-1, thank you guys so much," he said after being named the player of the match.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/8rSQk5o

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Following West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph's match-winning spell against Australia in the second Test match at the Gabba, the Caribbean seamer on Monday signed for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) side Peshawar Zalmi. According to ESPNcricinfo, Joseph replaced Gus Atkinson in the squad and he will stay with the franchise for the entire season even after when the English pacer returns to the team. Atkinson is currently with the English squad in India for the ongoing five-match Test series which will end on March 11. The English pacer would miss all the matches of the tournament except for the playoff games.

Shamar signed for the Zalmi's via the replacement draft.

The 2024 season of the PSL will start on February 17 at the Gaddafi Stadium and will conclude on March 18. The final game of the tournament will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi. Last year, Lahore Qalandars were the champions of the tournament.

On the second Test match between West Indies and Australia, Joseph was named the 'Player of the Match' following his seven-wicket spell in the second inning. The young pacer dismissed Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/5I7upYS

Spain Police Bust Alleged Corpse-Selling Racket

Spanish police on Monday said they had busted the owners of a funeral parlour in Valencia for allegedly selling dead bodies to university research departments for 1,200 euros per corpse.

The four suspects, two owners and two employees, also helped the universities dispose of the bodies after they had been studied by incinerating them or disposing of their dismembered parts in other coffins slated for cremation.

Most of the bodies were of people without any family.

The suspects "falsified documentation to get the bodies from hospitals and retirement homes in order to later sell them to universities for research for 1,200 ($1,300) per corpse," a police statement said.

The suspects had sold at least 11 bodies, it added.

In some cases, they even billed the universities for cremations which never happened.

"They billed one university 5,040 euros for incinerating 11 bodies after being studied, which were not accounted for in the invoices of any of the crematoriums in the city," police said.

Police began investigating in early 2023 after discovering that two funeral parlour employees had taken a body from a hospital morgue using false documents and brought it to university researchers rather than burying it.

The body belonged to a man who was to be buried in his home town in an interment paid for by the local council, but instead was sold for study without anyone's consent.

The suspects "looked for people who had died without any living relatives, preferably foreigners," police said.

In another case, the suspects allegedly managed to persuade an elderly man with impaired mental faculties to agree to donate his body to science.

"That donor form said the body should be sent to a certain medical facility, but in the end it was taken to another" which "paid more money", the police statement said.

The suspects are facing charges of fraud and the falsification of documents.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/EXtLumJ

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Amid the ongoing first Test against England in Hyderabad, former India captain Anil Kumble reserved high praise for veteran spin-twins Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. Both the players have picked more than 500 wickets between them in Test cricket, bagging three each in the first innings against England. In the 49 Tests they have played together, India have won 35 games while losing just four in the process. On Ashwin and Jadeja surpassing him and Harbhajan as India's most successful Test bowling pair, Kumble hailed the achievement as "incredible". 

"The pressure on these two spinners right from the first test match when they came together to the 41st has not changed, and to have been through those pressure moments and come out with match winning performances, either by Ashwin or Jadeja or both is incredible," said Kumble.

"Sometimes both of them have picked up five-fers. If someone has picked up five in the first, then the other guy picks five in the second, and to consistently do that for 40 games and ensure that your team wins 30 times out of that is incredible," he added.

The legendary spinner also suggested that Ashwin and Jadeja don't let the opposition batters breathe due to their aggressive mindset.

"These two are brilliant. And it's not easy for a batter to just breathe even for one ball, because these two are constantly at you. And the best thing about spin bowling and about Indian conditions is these two can go on. They will be coming at you and that is the beauty about these two bowlers," Kumble concluded.

For India, Kumble (281) and Harbhajan (220) had picked 501 in 54 Tests. Meanwhile, Ashwin and Jadeja have crossed the mark in their 50th Test together.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/QmKnvts

3 American Soldiers Killed In Drone Attack In Syria

Jordan said Sunday a drone attack that killed three US troops did not occur on its territory as Washington reported earlier but at an army base in Syria near the border.

Government spokesman Muhannad Mubaidin said the "attack that targeted the American forces did not happen in Jordan... It targeted Al-Tanf base in Syria", where US forces are deployed as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/em2spOP

King Charles Recovering After Surgery, No Royal Duties For A Month: Report

Britain's King Charles III will not carry out any royal duties for up to one month as he recovers from a medical procedure for an enlarged prostate, media reports said on Sunday.

The 75-year-old King was treated for an enlarged prostate, after being admitted to the hospital on Friday morning and is "doing well".

He underwent the procedure at The London Clinic and remains in hospital.

Queen Camilla visited her husband again on Sunday as he continues to rest at The London Clinic following the treatment on Friday.

She has shared that the King is “doing well” and it has also been reported that the monarch visited his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales.

Princess Catherine is also recovering at the same central London hospital after her abdominal surgery last week.

Sky's royal correspondent Laura Bundock says there will now be a "period of recuperation" for the King.

He will be available for state matters while in hospital and can attend to red boxes with government papers when he is discharged, she added.

The King had last carried out duties in private on Thursday, ahead of arriving in London from Norfolk to prepare for the procedure.

King Charles, who only acceded to the throne 16 months ago, had to cancel engagements ahead of the surgery as his doctors urged him to rest, though the exact nature of his treatment is not known.

The King had been staying at the royal Sandringham estate and completing some tasks there ahead of journeying down to London for the medical procedure on Friday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished King Charles the "very best" for his treatment and a "speedy recovery" afterward, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

The King was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.

He is said to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/fGnqgIR

India Has Become Incredibly Dynamic Philanthropic Market: Gates Foundation

CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Mark Suzman has said that India has become an incredible exception in economic growth and dynamic philanthropic market.

In an exclusive interview with the news agency ANI, CEO Suzman said, "We have a range of other partners in India as well, and India has become an incredibly dynamic philanthropic market. It's another area that's seen growth. I think the annual growth in philanthropic giving outpaces overall economic growth, which is great to see. We hope that can happen at an even greater scale, because we think it is an incredible model to the world, and it's been very encouraging."

He said that this time, the investment will be twofold.

He said, "The focus is twofold. One is essentially announcing our new budget of $8.6 billion, but announcing it in the context of the big, growing global needs. India these days is an exception in terms of the economic growth and dynamism that is underway and the significant improvements we've been seeing in healthcare and poverty reduction. In fact, many other parts of the world are getting poorer, and have not yet recovered their per capita income to their pre-COVID levels."

"A big part of my letter is a call to action to increase the spending and resources on interventions, health interventions, AI interventions, and agricultural interventions. It's specifically a call not just on governments, but also on philanthropists because one group of people that have done comparatively well over the last decade are the world's billionaires," Mark Suzman added.

According to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation website, it works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives, guided by the belief that every life has equal value.

In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty.

Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of co-chairs Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates and the board of trustees.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/cx2kwB4

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has begun bowling full tilt after rehabilitation from his ankle injury, clearly indicating that he is on course for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League where he will captain Mumbai Indians. Pandya, who sustained an ankle injury during World Cup last year, was seen bowling here in a video footage shared on his Instagram. "I feel good to be back. My journey started 17 years back at this same ground," said Pandya, who was seen sending down a few deliveries while also doing some running drills and exercises.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hardik Himanshu Pandya (@hardikpandya93)

"I am giving it all I got, every single day." Pandya, who was named Mumbai Indians captain in place of highly-successful Rohit Sharma on December 15 following a high-profile trade from Gujarat Titans, has been out of action after sustaining the injury in November during World Cup clash against Bangladesh.

He missed the home T20I series against Afghanistan earlier this month.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/hp5D9NX

On Camera, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Thrashes Student With Shoe, Then Clarifies

Iconic Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan today sought to play down a viral video that purportedly showed him mercilessly thrashing a man with his shoe, who he claimed was his disciple.

The video shows the popular Qawwali singer repeatedly hitting and slapping him while enquiring about a "bottle". The man is seen pleading with the singer, saying he has no idea about it. In another scene, some people were seen trying to pull the singer away to save the student.

Samaa TV, a Pakistani broadcaster, identified the man as his employee and said such violent behaviour among singers is a worrying trend.

Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali khan was caught abusing his servant. Later, he gave an explanation. pic.twitter.com/PC0DawSEsq

— Брат (@B5001001101) January 27, 2024

Mr Khan, nephew of legendary Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, later clarified that it was a personal matter between an "ustad and his shagird (teacher and disciple)". He posted a video featuring the man who was seen being beaten up, as well as his father, to clarify his actions.

"This is about a personal issue between an ustad and shagird. He is like my son. This is how the relation is between a teacher and his disciple. If a disciple does something good, I shower my love on him. If he does something wrong, he is punished," he said in the video.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan said he had also apologised to him after the incident.

In the clarification video, the man who was beaten admitted he had misplaced a bottle containing holy water - which led to the incident, but clarified there was no ill-intention behind his actions. "He's like my father. He loves us a lot. Whoever spread this video is trying to defame my ustad," he added.

His father also supported Mr Khan, highlighting the relation between the 'ustad and shagird' in the field of Qawwali.

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/sejyGAc

Nawaz Sharif Promises "Message Of Peace" To India In Party Manifesto

Focus on bringing Pakistan's economy back on track, the message of peace to India, a vow to combat climate change, and zero-tolerance towards terrorism are the highlights of the manifesto unveiled by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's party on Saturday.

With less than two weeks before the February 8 general elections, Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) manifesto promises to send a "message of peace" to other countries, including India, on the condition that New Delhi revert its August 2019 action on Kashmir, Dawn.com reported, quoting the manifesto.

India has told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir is an inalienable and integral part of the country. Article 370, which was abrogated by India's Parliament in 2019, is entirely a matter of India as well as its Constitution, the Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated previously.

The manifesto also vows to combat the impacts of climate change and a "zero-tolerance policy" towards terrorism, it said.

The other agendas on the PML-N's table include a "secured water future" and "add life to the economy through exports".

Released at a special event here in the provincial capital of Punjab, the PML-N later shared the detailed manifesto titled 'Pakistan ko Nawaz do' on its official X account.

"If voted to power, the party vowed to provide the public with cheap and increased electricity as well as speedy development. Its promises include a 20 to 30 per cent reduction in power bills, a 15,000 megawatt-increase in electricity production, and a 10,000 MW production of solar energy," the Dawn newspaper reported.

The party has vowed to ensure youth representation in national politics through parliament, and provincial and local governments and also said, it aims to restore student unions, expand the National Youth Scheme, allocate funds for IT start ups and increase youth entrepreneurship.

It also promised to establish Pakistan's first sports university and 250 stadiums and academies along with youth skills development.

A plan to bring constitutional, legal, judicial and administrative reforms; combating violence against minorities; modernising agriculture, and making women independent apart from introducing a new labour policy to ensure their rights were also mentioned in the document.

The other promises include the abolition of the National Accountability Bureau and bringing in comprehensive amendments to the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, and Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 to standardise the procedural laws.

The manifesto also said court proceedings will be telecast live if the party is elected, according to The News International newspaper.

Nawaz Sharif termed it a "strange coincidence" that despite him being ousted as the prime minister in 2017 and "political vendettas" against the PML-N, his party members were once again "preparing to contest elections and presenting their manifesto." The former three-time prime minister also added that he neither intended to "express his grievances" nor was "in a mood to complain today." In an indirect reference to former prime minister Imran Khan, he said, "If I was there in the previous government instead of the person who you saw, I would have never done what he did." Criticising the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party that formed a government following the 2018 elections, Nawaz Sharif said Imran Khan's regime broke the poor people's back through inflation and cut off the electricity. Nawaz Sharif claimed that electricity was never cut off during his rule.

Nawaz Sharif also recalled the PML-N's previous tenures, saying there was "no inflation" back then.

Pakistan is in economic ruin and awaiting a monumental financial default without long overdue structural reforms sought by global creditors such as the IMF and the World Bank, along with bilateral partners like China and the UAE.

The primary reason behind Pakistan's economic issues is its staggering debt levels, which, as of 2023, amount to nearly USD 125 billion owed to external creditors, with approximately one-third to China.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/Q60sVDN

UN Agency Sacks Staff Over Alleged Role In October 7 Israel Attacks

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Friday it had sacked several employees accused by Israel of involvement in Hamas's October 7 attack, prompting the United States to suspend critical funding.

The head of the agency, Philippe Lazzarini, vowed to hold "accountable, including through criminal prosecution" any UNRWA employee found to have taken part in acts of terror.

In response to the firings, UN chief Antonio Guterres pledged to conduct an "urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA", his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The US State Department said it had "temporarily paused additional funding" to the agency while it reviewed the claims as well as the UN's plan to address concerns.

Twelve employees "may have been involved", it added.

Israel's foreign ministry said Friday it was "expecting an urgent investigation of UNRWA on the involvement of its employees in the terror attack of October 7."

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, said the sackings proved long-standing claims that "UNRWA employees are collaborators of the terrorist organization Hamas".

Relations between Israel and UNRWA deteriorated further in recent days, when the UN agency said tank shelling hit a shelter for displaced people in Gaza's main southern city of Khan Yunis.

The agency said tens of thousands of displaced people had been registered at the shelter and Wednesday tank shelling killed 13 people.

Asked about the incident, the Israeli army said "a thorough review of the operations of the forces in the vicinity is underway", adding it was examining the possibility that the strike was a "result of Hamas fire".

Lazzarini slammed Wednesday's bombardment as a "blatant disregard of basic rules of war", with the compound clearly marked as a UN facility and its coordinates shared with Israeli authorities.

The Israeli army is the only force known to have tanks operating in the Gaza Strip.

An UNRWA spokeswoman confirmed testimony from displaced people in the shelter who said the army gave them until 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Friday to flee.

AFP was not able to confirm the situation on Friday at the shelter.

- Funding woes -

UNRWA has struggled to meet funding requirements in recent years.

The agency's chronic budget shortfalls worsened dramatically in 2018 when former US president Donald Trump cut support to the agency.

The Trump administration branded UNRWA "irredeemably flawed", siding with Israeli criticisms of the agency founded in 1949, a year after Israel's creation.

But US President Joe Biden's administration has fully restored support, providing $340 million in 2022, making it the agency's largest donor.

The unprecedented October 7 Hamas attack resulted in the death of around 1,140 people in Israel, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Militants also seized about 250 hostages and Israel says around 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives.

At least 26,083 Palestinians, around 70 percent of them women, young children and adolescents, have been killed in the Gaza Strip in Israeli bombardments and ground offensive since then, according to the Hamas government's health ministry.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/LPWOr5Q

NDTV Sports-Cricket

The rollicking 80 that Yashasvi Jaiswal made against England in the first Test in Hyderabad is a validation of the team management's belief that the left-hander is India's next all-format opener. Jaiswal might have used a cliche - intent to play positive cricket - to describe his 74-ball blitz that gave India early momentum against the visitors, but the knock is certain to resonate more deeply within the walls of the dressing room. "I don't think it was any tactic (attacking England spinners early on Thursday evening), as I was just thinking to play well against certain balls, play some positive shots," Jaiswal humbly offered in his post-day press meet on Friday.

But the positive mien Jaiswal showed in snatching the initiative from England would have reminded many of a certain Virender Sehwag, as he made his runs at a strike-rate of 108.

Another school of thought will ascribe that innings to him being a child of the T20 era. Yes, the 22-year-old is a brilliant T20 player as well, but that is taking an easy and lazy route to label an innings that has a whole lot more significance.

Jaiswal was scrupulous in his shot-selection and there was hardly a moment when Jaiswal looked ill at ease in the crease.

His footwork was precise, as he seldom found himself in an ungainly position while executing a shot. It was madness with a method.

Now, roll back the memory to his debut Test hundred against the West Indies last year - a 387-ball 171 that spanned over 501 minutes.

It was a classic Test innings, built with care and patience.

So, now we have two Jaiswal knocks at the opposite ends of the spectrum and that adaptability to the situations makes the Mumbai lad a valuable entity in the eyes of the think tank led by head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma.

Jaiswal could have stuck in and nurdled the ball around on Friday morning to get another hundred but he looked to continue his dominance over England bowlers.

But a moment of over-enthusiasm cost him the wicket against Joe Root.

Jaiswal admitted that it would have been nice to get a hundred, but was not a repentant person.

"Yes, it would have been amazing if I scored a hundred but I think what brought me here was my process and thinking," Jaiswal said, hinting at the desire to follow his natural game.

That path can be fraught with danger, but one Jaiswal is ready to tread.

"I was trying to do my best and sometimes it (playing aggressive cricket) can work well, sometimes it won't.

"I can commit a mistake and get out but I am trying to make sure that I learn from my mistakes," he noted.

That thick layer of gray matter between his ears might have prompted Dravid recently to proclaim Jaiswal as the preferred partner of Rohit at the opening slot.

"As of now, we will certainly be opening with Rohit and Jaiswal. We're really happy with what Jaiswal has done as an opener for us. He gives us a left-right combination as well at the top," Dravid had said.

The judgment of Dravid rarely goes wrong.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/LCAWr2N

"Allegations Unfounded": US After UN Court Ruling In Israel Genocide Case

The United States on Friday reiterated its position that allegations Israel has committed genocide in Gaza are "unfounded," after the UN's top court ruled Israel must do more to prevent civilian deaths.

"We continue to believe that allegations of genocide are unfounded and note the court did not make a finding about genocide or call for a ceasefire in its ruling," a US State Department spokesman said after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to do everything to "prevent the commission of all acts within the scope" of the Genocide Convention.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/roaWZKi

US Regulator To Probe Microsoft, Google, Amazon's AI Investments

A US antitrust regulator said it was launching an inquiry Thursday into investments made by Microsoft, Google and Amazon into generative AI startups OpenAI and Anthropic.

"Our study will shed light on whether investments and partnerships pursued by dominant companies risk distorting innovation and undermining fair competition," said Lina Khan, head of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in a statement.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/Yw0MvZ9

California Homeless People Found Living In Deep Caves Stocked With Drugs

In a clear example of California's homelessness crisis, authorities found caves along the Tuolumne River where people had been living. These 20-foot-deep underground dwellings, reached by makeshift stairs, were filled with makeshift furniture and personal belongings, revealing the desperate measures some take for shelter. Located near Modesto, the caves were cleared over the weekend by police and volunteers from local homeless outreach organizations. Authorities expressed concern about safety risks from unstable structures and potential flooding from the nearby river.

"This particular area has been plagued by vagrancy and illegal camps, which have raised concerns due to the fact that these camps were actually caves dug into the riverbanks," the Modesto Police Department said in a statement.

"During the operation on Saturday, a total of 7,600 lbs of trash, as well as two truckloads and a trailer of garbage, were successfully removed from the area," the police department said.

While details about the number of people and the length of their stay are still emerging, the discovery highlights the dire need for affordable housing and support services for the state's growing homeless population.

The Modesto Police Department confirmed they are working with Pathways to Hope and other agencies to connect the former cave dwellers with resources and find them safer accommodations. However, officials acknowledge this is just one instance of a widespread problem.

California currently faces a severe housing shortage, with skyrocketing rental costs pushing more people onto the streets.

According to CNN, California has spent a stunning $17.5 billion trying to combat homelessness over just four years. But, in the same time frame, from 2018 to 2022, the state's homeless population actually grew. Half of all Americans living outside on the streets, federal data shows, live in California.

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/0oKB5jq

US says Alerted Iran of Attack Before Twin Bombing That Killed 90 People

The United States said Thursday it had alerted Iran to the threat of an attack before bombings claimed by the Islamic State group killed 90 people in the southeastern town of Kerman.

"Prior to ISIS' terrorist attack on January 3, 2024, in Kerman, Iran, the US Government provided Iran with a private warning that there was a terrorist threat within Iranian borders," a US official said on condition of anonymity.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/apx10dG

Birthright Citizenship Scrapped From New French immigration Law: Court

Parts of a contested new French immigration law go against the constitution and must be scrapped, France's Constitutional Council said on Thursday.

The court, a body that validates the constitutionality of laws, struck down nearly three dozen measures contained in the bill, including the lion's share of clauses introduced by opposition rightwing lawmakers during a turbulent parliamentary process.

Measures including toughening conditions for the family reunification of migrants, birthright citizenship and access to state welfare, were scrapped, mostly for procedural reasons.

The ruling will offer some relief to President Emmanuel Macron, who had made the bill a key plank of his second term. While he had defended its passage through parliament, Macron, who lacks a working majority in parliament, was embarrassed by the support it drew from Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party as conservative lawmakers hardened its content.

Macron had referred the legislation to the Council, along with three other groups.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin welcomed the ruling, saying it had validated the government's initial proposals.

"Never has a bill included more measures to expel delinquents or introduced stricter requirements for the integration of foreigners," Darmanin added.

Far-right opposition leader Jordan Bardella slammed the court's annullment of several of the bill's toughest anti-immigration measures.

"The Constitutional Council has censured those measures that were most approved by the French people. The immigration law is dead in the water. The only solution is a referendum on immigration," Bardella wrote on X.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/hQfayOq

Sri Lankan Parliament Approves Controversial Online Safety Bill

Sri Lankan Parliament on Wednesday approved with amendments the controversial Online Safety Bill that seeks to regulate online content amid criticism from the opposition that claimed it will stifle freedom of speech.

As many as 108 parliamentarians voted for it while 62 voted against the bill that was passed after a two-day debate.

The new legislation would lead to the establishment of the Online Safety Commission which is empowered to make punitive rulings on offenses.

A false statement on line would be liable, if convicted, to an imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand Sri Lankan rupees.

At the committee stage proceedings, the government went ahead presenting the amendments, which had come from the Supreme Court that checked its constitutionality.

The apex court had ruled to amend at least 31 of the full 57 clauses of the bill.

The main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa's assertion to speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to postpone the committee stage claiming the action was unconstitutional was ignored by the chair.

Earlier, the bill was severely criticised as one which impinged the freedom of expression. The opposition argued, citing the Asian Internet Coalition (AIC), that the bill would hamper efforts to invite foreign investment.

The opposition also vowed to repeal it when in power.

The AIC had said, “The proposed legislation, in its present form, poses significant challenges that, if not addressed comprehensively, could undermine the potential growth of Sri Lanka's digital economy.” During the day one of the debate on Tuesday, the opposition urged the Speaker to postpone the two day debate accusing the government of rushing through with it. They cited insufficient public consultation.

The Speaker had called for a vote to decide if the two-day debate should proceed. Out of 225 legislators, 83 voted in favour of holding the debate while 50 voted against it.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/sKYMr1p

NDTV Sports-Cricket

India are all set to take on England in the five-match Test series at home, starting January 25 in Hyderabad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced the squad for the first two games of the series. While England will aim to repeat the glory of 2012 where they won 2-1 in India, the hosts will eye to maintain their dominance against the Three Lions in Tests at home. Indian cricket team's head coach Rahul Dravid has given a hint on the kind of surface that will be offered for the first Test.

"It's hard to say. We will see once the game starts and figure it out. It looks like a good one from where I have seen it. The pitch may spin a little bit, how quickly and how fast that I don't know," Dravid said in the pre-match press conference.

Rahul Dravid on Tuesday also said that Virat Kohli, who will miss the first two Tests of the England series due to personal reasons, is a "phenomenal player" and other players will have opportunity to step up and put in some good performances in his absence.

Virat Kohli will miss the first two Tests of the five-match series against England due to personal reasons.

India will play against England in the first Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The second Test of the series will be played at Vishakapatnam, the third Test at Rajkot, the fourth Test at Ranchi and the fifth and final Test at Dharamshala.

Dravid said that any team will miss the absence of a player like Kohli.

"Any team will miss a quality player like Virat Kohli, there is no doubt about it. He is a phenomenal player and his records tell everything. He is a huge boost to the side but having said that it gives an opportunity to the other players to step up and put in some good performances," he said.

"We have got some good experience in the squad. We have players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who have played in the team for over a decade in Tests. There are some other great players in the team like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer but I will not call them youngsters...They have been there with the squad for a time now and they have the opportunity to perform and prove themselves in the five-match series," the former right-hand batter added.

(With ANI Inputs)

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/6BPJQ98

UK Paedophile Who Raped Child For Five Years In 1990's Jailed For 18 Years

A British man, Stefan Farbrother, who subjected a child to an extremely distressing and frightening series of sexually abusive incidents in the 1990s, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. Farbrother handcuffed the child and threatened them with a knife during this appalling campaign of abuse. The victim suffered multiple instances of rape and sexual abuse between 1991 and 1997, leading to a profoundly negative impact on their life described as "catastrophic."

Stefan Farbrother, who lived in Sevenoaks, Kent at the time of the incidents, has been convicted of several crimes, including multiple rapes over a five-year period. Detective Sergeant Adam Ferguson of Kent Police stated that the 47-year-old Farbrother subjected the victim to a highly distressing and frightening series of abusive acts.

Despite Farbrother's consistent denial of any wrongdoing, he was ultimately found guilty on all charges by a unanimous verdict.

In a statement by the Kent Police Force, Detective Sergeant Ferguson said, "Farbrother targeted the victim over a period of many years. He subjected them to the most appalling and terrifying campaign of abuse, using violence and threats that included restraining them with handcuffs and holding a knife to their throat."

"I would like to thank the victim, who has been incredibly brave to come forward and give evidence. The abuse has had a catastrophic effect on much of their adult lives, but I do hope they can now move forward from this knowing Farbrother will be serving a lengthy prison sentence," he added.

"Successful convictions such as this are just one of the reasons we continue to urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to contact the police. It is never too late to report a sexual offense. You will be believed."

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/uvoCdAg

UN Panel To Question Russia On Fate Of Thousands Of Ukrainian Children

Moscow will be asked to explain at the UN on Monday what has happened to thousands of Ukrainian children believed to have been forcibly sent to Russia since its 2022 invasion.

Kyiv estimates that 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2023 on the war crime accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child -- a panel of 18 independent experts -- is set over two days to examine Russia's record, as part of a regular review.

They want to know how many children have been "evacuated" to Russia or within Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.

They also want to know what Moscow has done to protect "the right of such children to preserve their identity, including nationality, name and family relations".

Their lengthy list of concerns was sent to Moscow in the first half of 2023.

Return mechanism idea 

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and says it wants to protect these children from the fighting.

Only around 400 children have so far been repatriated.

Such placements are arranged at the children's "request and with their consent," Russia said in a written response sent in October and shown to media by the UN on Friday.

It does not specify the total number of children affected, but said they "included children from national residential institutions for orphans and children without parental care (about 2,000 in total)" and children with Ukrainian citizenship.

It also said that in the second quarter of 2023, some 46,886 Ukrainian children acquired Russian citizenship.

Kateryna Rashevska, a legal expert with the Regional Center for Human Rights, a Ukrainian NGO, hopes the UN committee will call for an "international legal mechanism" to identify and return the children.

"The international community is ready to do something but there is a need to do it faster," she told AFP.

At the current rate, "we need another 90 years in order to repatriate only already-identified Ukrainian children".

The ICC has also levelled similar charges to Putin's against Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights.

Russia, which is not a member of the ICC, insists the warrant against Putin is "void".

Broader crackdown context 

The UN will also seek answers on what Moscow is doing to remove obstacles to children exercising their right to freedom of association and assembly, and to ensure that children are not punished for taking part in demonstrations, particularly against the war in Ukraine.

Russian lawyer Olga Sadovskaya, who heads the Crew Against Torture human rights organisation, said Russia had seen an increase in violence "in every part of life", which therefore affects children.

She noted a sharp increase in domestic violence and the severity of brutality when people are arrested.

In a report sent to the UN committee, the NGO Human Rights Watch said it was concerned about children's freedom of expression, their right to freedom of information, and discrimination linked to gender identity and sexual orientation.

Rachel Denber, deputy director of HRW's Europe and Central Asia division, told AFP this demonstrated how the "broader crackdown on rights in Russia has an impact on children's rights as well", noting how youngsters had faced "retaliation" for voicing critical opinions on Russia's war in Ukraine.

The UN committee also wants to discuss the illegal or arbitrary detention of children, corporal punishment, and measures taken to preserve the cultural and linguistic identity of indigenous children.

The experts want to know what Moscow is doing to combat certain "harmful practices" in the North Caucasus, such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, abductions for forced marriages and polygamy.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/p2Hf4GF

Car Rallies, Billboards, Live-Streaming: World Gears Up For Ayodhya Event

As the much-anticipated 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya draws near, people of the Hindu community across the globe are gearing up for grand celebrations, showcasing their unbridled enthusiasm and reverence for this historic occasion.

The 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony is not merely an Indian event but a global celebration that resonates with the hearts of millions around the world.

From car rallies scheduled to billboards erected and cultural events on the cards, the diverse celebrations reflect the unity and reverence shared by Hindus worldwide.

Here's a look at the series of celebrations of people of the Hindu community across the world ahead of the Pran Pratishtha event on January 22.

United States

The excitement for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 has transcended borders, with almost a dozen events planned across the United States to celebrate the historic occasion.

Car ? ? ? rally for Sri Ram Chandra ??in Bay Area in California

?? #AyodhaRamMandir #PranPratishthaRamMandir #WorldInAyodhya

pic.twitter.com/oSrLwGqyMw

— Shantanu Gupta (@shantanug_) January 21, 2024

Almost a dozen events across the United States will be held, where they will be celebrating the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Temple all the way from New York Times Square to Boston. There are events lined up in Washington, DC, LA and San Francisco that will happen at the same time as the ceremony in India happens.

The billboards have gone up in Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia, among other states. Additionally, Arizona and the State of Missouri are set to join this visual celebration, which began on January 15, according to the VHP, American chapter.

Congratulations on the auspicious occasion of Shri Ram Mandir Pran Prathista on Jan 21st 2024. May this sacred event bring peace, prosperity, and harmony to all. Jai Shri Ram! Billboard @ Milpitas Bay Area. pic.twitter.com/sWsZy87Z8F

— Ritesh Tandon US Congressional Candidate, CA 17 (@tandon4congress) January 20, 2024

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), US chapter, in association with Hindus from across the US, has put up more than 40 billboards in 10 states and more, displaying the message around the grand 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the birthplace of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya.
To commemorate the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Hindu American community across the US has organised several car rallies and has planned many more events in the run-up to the 'Pran Pratishtha' in Ayodhya.

Mauritius

In Mauritius, the Indian diaspora is uniting in celebration, lighting 'Diyas' in all temples and reciting 'Ramayan Path.'

The people of this island nation are standing united in celebration of the spiritual milestone unfolding in Ayodhya. They are preparing to light a 'Diya' each in all temples of Mauritius and the verses of the 'Ramayan Path' will echo through the corridors of these temples, creating an atmosphere of devotion and cultural celebration.

The symbolic gesture aims to create a luminous tapestry across the island nation, reflecting shared reverence for Lord Ram.

In a show of global significance, the Mauritian government announced a two-hour special break for Hindu public officers on January 22. This gesture aims to enable them to participate in local events marking the Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is also witnessing vibrant celebrations as Hindu temples gear up for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony.

Slough Hindu Temple, located thousands of miles away from Ayodhya in the heart of England, is brimming with enthusiasm as it is set to celebrate the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

#WATCH | UK: Slough Hindu Temple, England is all set to celebrate the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. Laddoos are being prepared by the members of the Indian diaspora and brought to the temple to distribute amongst the devotees on the day of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony.

The… pic.twitter.com/BqOqy4kLe9

— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2024

The 'Mangal Kalash' from Ayodhya that is touring the UK will reach the Slough Hindu Temple on Sunday, January 21, a day before the big day and shall be placed in this temple on January 22.

The excitement around the ceremony is palpable in the UK. There are about 250 Hindu temples in the UK and all of them are gearing up for the celebration on January 22.

From community events to car rallies, and from special 'aarti' to 'Akhanda Ramayan' recitation, the Hindu communities and temples in the UK are celebrating the occasion as "2nd Diwali" to mark the 'return' of Lord Rama to his rightful abode.

The Indian community in the United Kingdom also organised a car rally in London. The rally was attended by the Hindu diaspora, who turned out in huge numbers and over 325 cars participated in the car rally.

During the rally, the participants chanted slogans of 'Jai Shree Ram' and played songs in praise of Lord Rama.

Later in the evening, the India-UK community also organised a Maha-Aarti to mark the occasion.

Scores of volunteers from the Indian Diaspora in the UK (IDUK) organisation are working day in and day out to decorate the temple for the big day when the temple is deemed to receive around 4000-4500 visitors to celebrate the day.

Meanwhile, a UK declaration, signed by over 200 temples, community organisations, and associations nationwide on Thursday, will be presented to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya before the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

The powerful statement from Dharmic communities in the UK highlights shared joy and solidarity with the 1.5 billion global celebrants, warmly embracing the inauguration ceremony of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya.

A special 'puja' and bhajan will also be organised on January 22.

Australia

Amid the growing excitement and anticipation over the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya, a series of events have been planned across hundreds of temples in Australia in the next two days.

#WATCH | Indian diaspora in Sydney, Australia gather to celebrate the upcoming pranpratishtha of Ayodhya Ram Temple. More than 100 cars participated in the rally and 5000 people attended the celebrations. pic.twitter.com/mQtPMCgk7g

— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2024

Just a day before the grand 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Indian community in Sydney celebrated the occasion by organising a car rally on Saturday.

In the event, more than 100 cars participated, attracting hundreds of 'Ram Bhakts' and passersby in the neighbourhood.

In the visuals captured by ANI, cars were seen lined up on the roads and people were dancing and holding flags inscribed with images of Lord Ram.

People celebrated the occasion with fireworks and waving 'Shree Ram' flags.

Amid the growing excitement and anticipation over the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya, more celebrations have been planned across hundreds of temples in Australia in the next two days.

Nepal

As the countdown for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir has begun, along with Ayodhya, the Janakpurdham in Nepal, the maternal home of Goddess Sita is now brimming with happiness and enthusiasm, waiting for the occasion with high fanfare and gaiety, organising a slew of events.

Hymns of Lord Ram and Sita are echoing in the city around the clock. The Janaki Temple is decked up with lights, and enthusiasm can be seen on the faces of every Janakpurdham resident.

From Nepal's Janakpur, the Chief Mahanth and the Chotte Mahanth have been invited to the ceremony and have already set off for Ayodhya. Earlier, Janakpur sent offerings locally called "Bhaar" to Ayodhya as a part of the ritual, which included ornaments, cuisines, clothes and other daily essentials.

Scores of devotees have continued to take part and throng to various Astajaam's being held in Janakpur. Those taking part in these mass religious sermons and chanting ceremonies now wait for the railway link to be established between the two cities to facilitate their travel.

Taiwan

Adding to the spirit of unity, the Indian Association of Taiwan will organise a live stream of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. This initiative will allow members of the community to participate remotely, ensuring a broader reach and involvement in the auspicious proceedings.

On the eve of the highly anticipated Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Indian community in Taiwan came together in a joyous celebration, embracing the significant occasion.
The festivities, held on January 21, witnessed two distinct events organised by the vibrant Indian community in Taiwan, as well as the dedicated efforts of ISKON Taiwan.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/4RBkzUv

NDTV Sports-Cricket

The upcoming Test series between India and England will see two members of the 'Fab-4' of Test cricket square off against each other. India's Virat Kohli and England's Joe Root have been two of the most consistent batters in the format over the past decade. Australia's Steve Smith and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson are the other two members of the 'Fab-4' of Test cricket. After overcoming a lean patch with the bat, former India opener Aakash Chopra suggested that Kohli is back among his peers.

"Yours truly also said that he is no longer part of the Fab 4. He is now, by the way. It was about the runs at that time, in that period of two years, but he is back again. Steve Smith has fallen away. Kane Williamson is also going 50-50 but this guy is still there. He was there then also and has returned now," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Despite scoring runs, Kohli failed to score a century in over three years between 2019 and 2022.

Chopra added that Kohli has reignited his career, especially in Test cricket, after a three-year lean patch had raised doubts over his future.

"The way he has made a comeback has made his story even more beautiful. It seemed like things were done and dusted and you came and played a World Cup, and became the Player of the Tournament. You reinvented the wheel once again and reignited that passion," he added.

Kohli has been in sensational form of late. He was the top-scorer in the World Cup last year as India reached the final, only to go down against Australia.

In 11 matches, Kohli amassed 765 runs at an average of 95.62. He also broke Sachin Tendulkar's record of most ODI centuries with his knock in the semi-final against New Zealand.

He has also scored 8,848 runs in 113 Test matches for India at an average of 49.15, while scoring 30 fifties, 29 hundreds and seven double hundreds.

India's squad for first two Tests vs England

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/CuOTRs4

"We Are Going To Respond": White House On US Military Base Attack In Iraq

The United States is taking the attack by Iran-backed operatives on a base hosting US forces in Iraq over the weekend "extremely seriously," the White House said Sunday.

"Multiple ballistic missiles and rockets" were fired by Iranian-backed operatives at Al-Assad Airbase in western Iraq late Saturday, the US military said, leading to one Iraqi and possible American casualties.

"It was a very serious attack, using a capability of ballistic missiles that posed a genuine threat," White House Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said Sunday.

"We are going to respond... to establish deterrence in these situations, and to hold these groups accountable that continue to attack us," Finer added during his appearance on ABC's This Week.

"You can be assured that we are taking this extremely seriously."

Most of the projectiles fired at the base were intercepted by air defense systems, Finer and the Pentagon said.

Since mid-October, there have been dozens of attacks on the approximately 2,500 US troops in Iraq and the around 900 in Syria, deployed there with other coalition forces to fight jihadists of the Islamic State group.

Most incidents, including Saturday's attack, have been claimed by "Islamic Resistance in Iraq," a loose alliance of Iran-linked armed groups that oppose US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.

The use of ballistic missiles marks an escalation in the attacks, which had previously been carried out with lower-tech rockets and drones.

Saturday's air base attack comes amid soaring tensions in the Middle East following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/YtsuMya

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz on Friday revealed that he has been taking batting tips from India's batting talisman Virat Kohli and World Cup-winning captain MS Dhoni on how to improve his performance. In the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, Gurbaz notched up 87 runs in 3 innings. In the last T20I, he smashed a half-century in 32 balls and stitched up a 93-run stand with Ibrahim Zadran giving his team a chance to fight back against India.

Speaking to ANI, Gurbaz said, "I always talked to Virat and MS Dhoni about how to improve my cricket. I have a lot of things in my mind and I have to work on it. I was talking to Virat (bhai) about my cricket journey and how should i grow, and reach the next level."

The final T20I saw double Super Over drama as Afghanistan managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat and level India's mammoth total of 212 and push the game to super over. It needed not one but two Super Overs to finally decide the winner of the match on Wednesday.

"It was a good learning for us. This kind of game can happen. We also enjoyed the game and learned a lot from it. Playing against players like Virat and Rohit Sharma gave us a lot of confidence and learning. I hope we get a lot of series against India in future," Gurbaz said.

"We put our all in the World Cup and it was a hard-fought competition. There are some places we need to improve. I hope next time we will not make these kind of mistakes," the Afghanistan opener added.

The 22-year-old Afghanistan batter is currently representing Dubai Capitals in the second edition of the International League T20 - ILT20, starting on Friday.

Gurbaz expressed excitement about playing in the ILT20 and said, " I am excited to play. Really excited about the competition, especially playing in good weather. "

During the time of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, a video of Gurbaz went viral in which he was seen discreetly distributing money to the less fortunate on the streets of Ahmedabad during Diwali.

Talking about the video Gurbaz said that he wants people to spread humanity and help everyone in need.

"Everyone should help each other. I went outside for a walk at night and saw people sleeping on the road and I just felt so bad for them that I decided to help them with whatever I had. We need to help each other it does not matter where we are from. We need to respect humanity. India and Afghanistan people are like same and we support each other in every situation. I think we should support each other in this kind of situation too. I did not want to share this kind of thing on social media. Someone made this kind of video which is a good message for everyone that help each other," he added.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/deWpGkJ

Iran Says 'Reserves Right' To Avenge Deadly Israeli Strike On Damascus

Iran on Saturday blamed Israel for a strike on Damascus, saying it "reserves the right to respond" after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed four of its members had died.

Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani decried "frequent violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and an escalation in aggressive and provocative attacks" by Tehran's arch-foe Israel.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to respond... at the appropriate time and place" to the latest strike on the Syrian capital, Kanani said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said 10 people were killed in the Israeli strike on the Mazzeh neighbourhood of Damascus.

The Guards' Sepah news agency said the "evil and criminal Zionist regime (Israel)" killed four of its military advisers, while Iran's Mehr news agency reported one of them was the force's spy chief for Syria.

In recent weeks, Israel has been accused of intensifying strikes on senior Iranian and allied figures in Syria and Lebanon -- backers of the Palestinian group Hamas -- raising fears the Gaza conflict could expand further throughout the region.

Military actions across the region attributed to Israel "reflect the weakness and desperation" of its forces on the battlefield, Kanani charged.

He called the latest strike "a desperate attempt to spread instability and insecurity in the region".

The raid on Mazzeh came four days after the Revolutionary Guard said it attacked "an Israeli intelligence headquarters" in Arbil, the capital of Iraq's northern autonomous province of Kurdistan.

Iraqi authorities said the attack killed four civilians and wounded six others.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/PpjrkR2

Biden Speaks With Netanyahu As Israel Opposes Palestinian Statehood

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about Gaza Friday, in their first conversation for nearly a month amid reports of tensions between the leaders.

The call came a day after Netanyahu said he had told Washington that he opposes allowing Palestinian statehood after the conflict with Hamas, putting him at odds with long-standing US policy.

"President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to discuss the latest developments in Israel and Gaza. A readout of the call will be issued soon," the White House said in a statement.

The pair last spoke on December 23 and the silence since has led to repeated questions about a rift between Biden and Netanyahu over Israel's offensive in Gaza and future plans.

Democrat Biden and right-winger Netanyahu have had a notoriously complicated relationship in the past but the US president has stood firmly behind Israel since Hamas's October 7 attacks on the country.

But the divide over what comes next for the Palestinians after Israel's response to the attacks has been on sharp display.

Netanyahu said on Thursday that his country "must have security control over all the territory west of the Jordan (River)" and that he had made this clear to Israel's "American friends".

"This is a necessary condition, and it conflicts with the idea of (Palestinian) sovereignty," Netanyahu said in public remarks.

Washington stressed in return that it believes creation of a Palestinian state is the only way to guarantee Israel's long-term security.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that Washington and Israel "obviously see it differently."

One day earlier at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken renewed his call for a "pathway to a Palestinian state."

"You're not going to get the genuine security you need absent that," he said.

During a trip to the Middle East last week, Blinken emphasized to Israeli authorities that Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, were committed to helping reconstruct Gaza and aiding with future Palestinian governance, but only on the condition that Israel clear the path for Palestinian statehood.

Netanyahu maintained Thursday that "a prime minister in Israel should be able to say no, even to our best friends -- to say no when necessary, and to say yes if possible."

US officials have publicly rejected reports of a rift between Biden and Netanyahu when asked about the lack of communication between them in recent weeks.

"These are two guys that have known each other for a long, long time -- they don't agree on every issue and you wouldn't expect them to," the White House's Kirby said earlier this month.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/w4qIVhG

Biden Announces $5 Billion Debt Cancellation For Over 74,000 Students

US President Joe Biden on Friday announced cancellation of USD 5 billion in debt for more than 74,000 students, many of whom are Indian Americans.

Cancelling student debt was one of the key poll promises of Biden in the 2020 elections.

"Today, my administration approved debt cancellation for another 74,000 student loan borrowers across the country, bringing the total number of people who have gotten their debt cancelled under my administration to over 3.7 million Americans through various actions," Biden said.

Of the 74,000 borrowers approved for relief on Friday, nearly 44,000 of them are teachers, nurses, firefighters and other individuals who earned forgiveness after 10 years of public service, and close to 30,000 of them are people who have been in repayment for at least 20 years but never got the relief they earned through income-driven repayment plans, he said.

While the list is not maintained based on ethnicity, officials said a large number of them are Indian Americans.

"My administration is able to deliver relief to these borrowers - and millions more - because of fixes we made to broken student loan programmes that were preventing borrowers from getting relief they were entitled to under the law," Biden said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/OxSAVC3

NDTV Sports-Cricket

The Tata Group has retained the title sponsorship rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next five years, sources confirmed to NDTV. The new deal will see Tata continue as the title sponsor of the marquee T20 event until 2028. Tata cracked the deal after matching the figure presented by Aditya Birla by using its Right to Match (RTM) card. One of India's largest business conglomerates, the Tata Group had earlier replaced Chinese mobile manufacturer Vivo as the IPL title sponsor. It was a two-year deal from 2022 to 2023.

Vivo had a deal of Rs 2200 crore for title sponsorship rights of IPL from 2018-2022 but after the 2020 Galwan Valley military face-off between the Indian and Chinese Army soldiers, the brand took a break for a year with Dream11 replacing it in the IPL.

However, Vivo was back as IPL tittle sponsor in 2021 even as speculation raged that the company was looking to transfer the rights to a suitable bidder and the BCCI approved the move.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/g0VtMZF

Pics: Gaza Couple Marry In Tent City With Barbed Wire Fence

Palestinian groom Mohammed al-Ghandour wanted to give his bride a beautiful wedding but after war began in Gaza they had to flee their homes and the couple finally got married this week in the tent city where they now live.

Ghandour led his wife Shahad by the hand towards the tent decorated with some coloured lights and a mirror with a gold-coloured frame as a few relatives escorted them, clapping in time.

Inside the tent Shahad, wearing a white dress and veil with traditional red embroidery, lifted her hand and Ghandour put a ring on it.

"I wanted a party. I wanted a celebration, a wedding. I wanted to invite my friends, my relatives and my cousins, like anyone would," said Ghandour.

The couple are from Gaza City in the north of the tiny enclave where some of the worst of Israel's heavy bombardment and the fighting between it and Hamas have taken place since the war began on Oct. 7.

The homes of both Ghandour's family and Shahad's family were destroyed in Israeli airstrikes, they said, and they lost cousins and other family members in the bombardment.

"My happiness is maybe at 3% but will get myself ready for my wife. I want to make her happy," said Ghandour.

The war began when Hamas fighters rampaged into Israel, killing more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 240 hostages. Israel's bombardment and assault into Gaza have killed more than 24,760 people according to health authorities there.

Instead of the big party that Ghandour had wanted, he and Shahad had a small group of relatives who like them had managed to leave Gaza City and flee to Rafah, at the far southern end of the strip next to Egypt.

Shahad's mother led a small group of women ululating in celebration of the marriage and somebody had saved batteries for a small portable music player.

For a wedding feast in an enclave that the U.N. warns is heading towards famine, the couple had only a few snacks in plastic package, laid out carefully for them in the tent.

Both families had already spent lots of money on the wedding before the war began. Shahad had spent more than $2,000 on clothes, they said.

"My dream was to give Shahad the best wedding, the most beautiful in the world," said her mother, Umm Yahia Khalifa.

"We prepared her wedding things and she was happy. But it is all gone in the shelling. Every time she remembers she starts to cry," she said.

As the small wedding party began to clap and dance, people around them went about their daily chores among the lines of tents stretched across the sand, seeking food or hanging laundry.

A small girl in a pink and white dress smiled broadly as the clapping began and joined a group of other children dancing as the sun set behind the high border fence topped with barbed wire.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/uxep0rT