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The Inspirational story of Faris Aboobacker who built a millionaire empire from nothing

Faris Aboobacker life story is a testament to resilience and determination, marked by a diverse career that spans the ownership of the Deepika Newspaper and the leadership of a thriving firm in Chennai. Born in Koyilandi to parents Mundail Abu Bakar and Mariakarat Sophia, Faris’s early education at Poilkayil Government High School laid the foundation for his future success. He later completed his studies at Kozhikode’s prestigious Farooq College.

After graduation, Faris Aboobacker dedicated himself to his father’s modest leather products business in Chennai, transforming it into a prosperous venture through his commitment to export trading. His hard work paid off, propelling him to prominence in the export market and establishing him as a successful entrepreneur.

Managing various enterprises, including real estate holdings, Faris Aboobacker continues to uphold his reputation as a dynamic businessman. His remarkable achievements in the field have drawn comparisons to the country’s wealthiest individuals, showcasing his ability to thrive despite a challenging childhood. Faris’s success is a testament to his unwavering work ethic and perseverance.

A director of several corporations, Faris Aboobacker is associated with Chikmangaloor Real Estates Private Limited, Kadavanthara Properties Private Limited, Daram Developers Private Limited, Kadavanthara Realtors Private Limited, Parrot Grove Private Limited, and Petropas Automotive Private Limited. Before taking over as proprietor, he contributed to the success of the Deepika newspaper and owned “Deepika” and another daily newspaper in Kerala.

Faris Aboobacker’s journey to becoming the CEO of a prestigious corporation teaches a valuable lesson — our origins do not define our destination. His story inspires us to transcend limitations, evolve, and prosper, showcasing that incredible feats are achievable regardless of educational background or initial circumstances.

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Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh's Unconventional Valentine's Day Celebration Takes Social Media by Storm

On Valentine’s Day, the anticipation among Bollywood fans for glimpses of their favorite celebrity couples celebrating the day of love was palpable. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, one of the industry’s power couples, caught the attention of eager fans with a unique celebration that went viral on social media.

Contrary to the traditional romantic rendezvous, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh spent their Valentine’s Day on a work assignment. A viral picture captured the couple posing together on a shooting set, providing fans with a behind-the-scenes glimpse of their professional commitments. In the image, the stars exuded joy as they shared smiles, radiating the love that extends beyond personal moments.

The Gehraiyaan star, Deepika Padukone, looked stunning in an all-white ensemble, donning a white shirt paired with matching pants. Leaning towards her husband, Ranveer Singh, she showcased an effortless elegance. Ranveer, the Simmba actor, complemented her look with a dapper appearance, sporting a white shirt paired with beige-colored pants.

The caption on the picture revealed the couple’s dedication to their craft, stating, “Bringing in Valentine’s Day by shooting with the most adorable couple.” Despite the unconventional celebration, the image resonated with fans, showcasing the couple’s commitment to their professional commitments as well as each other.

Deepika Padukone’s upcoming projects include the much-anticipated cop movie “Singham Again,” where she stars alongside Ranveer Singh. The film, directed by Rohit Shetty, boasts a star-studded cast featuring Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tiger Shroff, and others. Additionally, she awaits the release of “Kalki 2898 AD,” a futuristic sci-fi adventure featuring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Disha Patani, along with the remake of “The Intern” alongside Amitabh Bachchan.

On the other hand, Ranveer Singh is set to make headlines with his role in “Don 3,” taking over from Shah Rukh Khan in the iconic series. Additionally, he shares the screen with Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, and others in “Singham Again,” promising an action-packed cinematic experience for fans.

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Congress Faces Another Blow: BJP Labels AAP's Delhi Seat Offer as Yet Another 'No-Confidence Motion

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has characterized the recent offer from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Congress for a single Lok Sabha seat in Delhi as another blow to the already beleaguered party. BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla declared that this move signifies another “no-confidence motion” against the Congress by its own allies.

Poonawalla highlighted recent incidents where other political entities had seemingly snubbed the Congress. He mentioned Mamata Banerjee’s offer of just two seats, Akhilesh Yadav’s allocation of seats in Uttar Pradesh, and Sanjay Raut’s assertion that the Congress should start from zero in Maharashtra. Poonawalla argued that these instances demonstrate a lack of confidence in the Congress among its alliance partners, transforming the coalition into an effort to diminish the party’s influence rather than challenging the ruling BJP.

Asserting that the alliance partners’ lack of confidence stems from the diminishing appeal of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, Poonawalla declared, “It is not an alliance of ‘Modi Hatao’ but an alliance of ‘Congress ko ghatao’ (diminish Congress).” He suggested that the Congress should be given around 200 seats or less nationwide, attributing the emergence of regional parties to a gradual erosion of the Congress’ voter base.

Poonawalla cited the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) rise to power in Delhi as an example of how regional parties have eclipsed the Congress. He argued that the AAP gained prominence by superseding the Congress in both Delhi and Punjab, emphasizing their reluctance to revive a diminishing political force.

Taking a swipe at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Poonawalla remarked on the perceived decline in support for the party since the initiation of Rahul Gandhi’s “Nyay Yatra.” He listed instances where leaders like Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, Milind Deora, and Ashok Chavan expressed dissatisfaction or distanced themselves from the Congress. Poonawalla predicted a widespread rejection of such alliances by the public.

Earlier, AAP MP Sandeep Pathak had offered the Congress one seat in Delhi, acknowledging the Congress party’s limited electoral success in the region. While the AAP plans to contest the remaining six seats, the gesture was made in the spirit of alliance and respect for the Congress party.

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Reflecting on Silicon Valley Bank's Decline: Perspectives from Shyam Maheshwari

In the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s (SVB) recent downfall, Shyam Maheshwari, Founder of Nextinfinity Management Pte Ltd., a visionary in long-term strategic investments supporting entrepreneurs, has brought forth intriguing perspectives on the critical role financial institutions play in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“SVB’s demise, though unfortunate, underscores the indispensability of such institutions,” remarks Shyam Maheshwari. Reflecting on the need for an Asian counterpart to SVB merely days before its collapse, he recognized the significance of a robust financial entity tailored for fostering innovation in the region. A colleague’s wry response to this suggestion post-SVB’s demise seemed justified, yet it resonated deeply with Maheshwari’s conviction about the necessity of such a venture.

Having witnessed Lehman Brothers’ collapse, Shyam Maheshwari ssg, empathizes with SVB’s stakeholders, emphasizing the far-reaching impact these financial institutions have on the entrepreneurial landscape. The breadth of SVB’s influence, evident through updates from Venture Funds on portfolio firms’ funding status, highlights the institution’s profound role in shaping the startup ecosystem.

SVB’s specialized services catered comprehensively to burgeoning businesses, from fundamental banking operations to intricate financial solutions like term loans, bridge loans, structured equity, and advisory services. Maheshwari underscores, “These services offered strategic backing, enabling startups to carve their path toward becoming impactful entities.”

In the context of SVB’s demise, Maheshwari foresees a testament to its profound influence on startup businesses’ environment. The perceived sense of helplessness and frustration among SVB’s clientele signifies the void left by its absence, signifying the institution’s integral role in nurturing startups’ growth and sustainability.

Maheshwari’s insights spotlight the imperative need for robust financial institutions tailored for startups’ unique requirements. They stand as pillars supporting entrepreneurial endeavors, fostering innovation, and catalyzing the growth of ventures destined to make an indelible mark on the landscape of time.

As Maheshwari aptly concludes, “The strategic support offered by institutions like SVB is instrumental in empowering startups on their journey to leaving an enduring legacy.

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Huge Fire, Blasts At Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, 25 Boats Turn To Ash

At least 25 fishing boats turned to ashes after a massive fire at a harbour in Vishakhapatnam late last night. An Indian Navy vessel had to be brought in to bring the fire under control over multiple fire engines struggled to douse the flames.

Each of the boats cost nearly 15 lakh, putting the estimated loss in the incident in ₹ 4–5 crores range.

Vishakhapatnam police commissioner Ravi Shankar said the fire started on a fishing boat late at night. “The boat was cut off and sent adrift to ensure the fire did not spread to the others. But the winds and water flow brought it back to the jetty. Soon, the other boats were burning too,” he said.

The senior police officer said diesel containers and gas cylinders on the boats added fuel to the fire and the entire jetty area was up in flames.

Fishermen suspect some criminals set the boats on fire. There is also suspicion that the fire was triggered by a party in one of the boats.

Shocking visuals from the harbour showed firefighters trying to douse the flames as fishermen stared helplessly at the fire destroying their means of livelihood.

Blasts in some of the boats, apparently caused by the fire reaching fuel tanks, led to panic in the area.

Senior police officer Ananda Reddy said the fire broke out around 11:30 pm. “Cylinders on boats are causing blasts, so we are asking people to stay away. Fire engines are working to control the fire,” he said. “The cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed. No casualties have been were reported. A case has been filed and investigation is underway,” he added.

Police Commissioner Ravi Shankar has said a multidisciplinary probe will be conducted to get to the bottom of the incident.

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Katrina Kaif’s Deepfake Photo Goes Viral Amidst Calls for Regulation After Rashmika Mandanna Controversy

Popular Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif fell victim to a deepfake AI incident when morphed images of her surfaced online, garnering significant attention. This occurrence coincided with the ongoing demand from both netizens and the Bollywood industry for stringent regulations against deepfake AI. Notably, the recent circulation of a deepfake video purportedly featuring actress Rashmika Mandanna highlighted the pressing need for regulatory measures against such manipulative technology.

In the case of Katrina Kaif, manipulated photos depicted her in a towel, an image originally shared by the actress herself from the sets of her upcoming movie, “Tiger 3,” alongside Salman Khan. The altered images removed the towel, presenting Katrina Kaif in a digitally manipulated scenario wearing a white bikini.

Deepfakes, a form of synthetic media, intricately modify digital content to convincingly replace one person’s likeness with another, leading to often undetectable alterations.

The Rashmika Mandanna deepfake controversy drew attention when a journalist highlighted the urgent necessity for a legal framework to address such occurrences in India. The journalist flagged a video allegedly featuring Rashmika Mandanna, clarifying that it was, in fact, a deepfake portrayal of another individual, Zara Patel, a British-Indian with a significant following on Instagram. The original video, posted by Zara Patel on October 9, was manipulated to convincingly portray Rashmika Mandanna, with subtle discrepancies observable in the video.

Responding to the distressing situation, Rashmika Mandanna expressed her dismay on her Instagram story, acknowledging the deepfake video circulating online. She expressed concern over the misuse of technology and its potential harm, emphasizing the vulnerability of individuals in the face of such manipulative tactics.

The incidents involving both Katrina Kaif and Rashmika Mandanna underscore the growing threat posed by deepfake technology and the imperative need for robust regulations to safeguard individuals against its detrimental effects.

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After Rashmika Mandanna And Katrina Kaif, Kajol’s Deepfake Video Surfaces Online

Following the circulation of deepfake videos and images involving Rashmika Mandanna and Katrina Kaif, a new digitally manipulated video featuring Bollywood icon Kajol has emerged online. The clip showcases a woman, whose face has been digitally altered to resemble Kajol, apparently changing clothes on camera. However, fact-checking platforms such as BoomLive have revealed that the video is originally from an English social media influencer’s TikTok post as part of the ‘Get Ready With Me’ trend.

Despite creating a buzz on social media, several users were misled into believing that the individual changing outfits in the edited video was the renowned ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ actress herself. Investigations by BoomLive and other websites exposed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to manipulate and substitute a person’s face in videos and images, resulting in the creation of misleading content.

The original video, initially posted by influencer Rosie Breen on TikTok on June 5, 2023, as part of the ‘Get Ready With Me’ (GRWM) trend, underwent editing where Breen’s face was replaced with Kajol’s, giving the impression that the actress was showcasing clothing changes and revealing her body on camera.

This incident occurs amidst escalating concerns regarding deepfake technology following the circulation of altered images and videos involving popular actresses. In Katrina Kaif’s case, an altered image from her upcoming film ‘Tiger 3’ surfaced online, depicting the actress fighting a stuntwoman dressed in a towel. However, the manipulated version depicted her in a low-cut white top and matching bottom instead of the towel.

Similarly, Rashmika Mandanna became the subject of a deepfake video where a woman dressed in black was digitally altered to resemble the actor while entering a lift. Social media users flagged the video as fabricated, raising concerns about the rapid dissemination of “unreliable” information online. Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan called for legal action after the morphed video circulated, prompting a response from Rashmika Mandanna, who labeled the situation as “extremely scary.”

In response to Mandanna’s case, the Delhi Police filed an FIR against unknown individuals, later questioning a 19-year-old from Bihar under suspicion of being the first person to upload the video on social media.

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NEET MOCK – Mocks test for NEET 2024 | Subscribe now

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Asia Cup: India thrash Pakistan by 228 runs after Kohli, Rahul tons and Kuldeep fifer

Rahul makes a memorable century, along with Kohli, on comeback helping India rout Pakistan by 228 runs.

COLOMBO: Had it not been for the last-minute injury to Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul would not have found a place in the playing XI against Pakistan in their Super Four match here at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The team sheet shared by India captain Rohit Sharma at the toss at least suggested so. The №4 position, where Rahul eventually came out to bat, was marked for Iyer while the former was at №13 on the team sheet with Suryakumar Yadav being the 12th man.

As if that uncertainty was not enough, inclement weather further prohibited Rahul from expressing himself despite taking the field after a gap of four months. When he was unbeaten on 17, skies opened up forcing match officials to suspend the game on Sunday. India was 147/2 after 24.1 overs with Virat Kohli also not out on 8.

The only solace was the fact that the contest had a reserve day as announced by the Asian Cricket Council a few days ago giving Rahul hope to carry on from where he had left on Sunday evening. The rain god, however, attempted to spoil his and Team India’s plan as it poured heavily minutes before the resumption, forcing the ground staff to cover the entire ground. The cloudy sky and consistent drizzling might have again made Rahul and other Indian batters restless but unlike Sunday, the weather showed mercy allowing the play to resume at 4:40 PM.

Once Rahul and Virat took the field, they showed no mercy as the duo sent Pakistan bowlers on a leather hunt. While openers Rohit (56) and Shubman Gill (58) had added 121 for the first wicket, Rahul and Virat remained unconquered. They stitched together a 233-run partnership for the third wicket. Kohli was unbeaten on 122 off 94 while Rahul was not out on 111 off 106 as India posted 356/2. Virat also became the quickest to reach 13,000 runs in ODIs. The century was also his 47th in the ODIs, only two behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Injury to Haris Rauf didn’t help Pakistan’s cause either as the pacer, who bowled five overs on Sunday, didn’t take the field on Monday. “He was subsequently taken for a precautionary MRI, which revealed no tear. He is under the observation of the team’s medical panel,” a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board read. Babar Azam and Co suffered another injury scare when pacer Naseem Shah left the field holding his wrist. He could not complete the penultimate over of the Indian innings and Iftikhar Ahmed had to bowl the remaining four deliveries. The target proved too big for Pakistan to chase down as they managed 128/8 in 32 overs. Rauf and Naseem didn’t come out to bat as India won by a huge margin of 228 runs. Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed a five-for (5/25) while Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur claimed a wicket each.

Earlier, returning after a long injury lay-off and a subsequent thigh surgery, 31-year-old Rahul did find a place in the 17-member squad for the Asia Cup but was left back at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru even as the team flew for Sri Lanka for the continental tournament. The reason as stated by the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, was a fresh niggle. After missing two matches, the wicketkeeper-batter joined the squad in Colombo. He was also named in the Indian squad of 15 for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Given his long absence from the field, questions were raised on his return to the team right before the World Cup. This is despite the fact that his performance in the 50-over format has been good in the recent past before injury sidelined him. This year he didn’t exactly dazzle with the willow but scored two half-centuries in the previous six ODIs before the match against Pakistan to stay in the hunt for a place in the World Cup squad.

But something was missing and even Rahul knew it. For a batter, who had made his ODI debut with a century, not reaching the three-figure mark for more than two years would have been frustrating. He last hit a century on March 26, 2021, when he made 108 against England in Pune. Since then he had played 17 ODIs scoring four half-centuries but the ton was looking elusive before it came against the arch-rivals.

Though Rahul has played maximum matches as an opener it’s №4 or №5 where he has scored the most runs with an impressive batting average so far. At №4, where he batted on Monday, his numbers are the most impressive. In 10 matches he batted in that position, he has scored 352 runs including two centuries at an average of 58.66. He is also equally good at No 5 where he has scored 742 runs from 18 matches including a century with an average of 53.

The recent show by the Karnataka batter might relieve Indian team management of a few worries, especially the injury concerns that have given it sleepless nights over the past few months. With Ishan Kishan looking in good touch and Iyer apparently having only back spasm, Rahul’s form may also lead to a healthy competition among batters giving the management plenty of options in the middle order.

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Indigo passenger booked for alleged sexual harassment onboard Mumbai-Guwahati flight

The complainant has filed an FIR with the local police and the airline will provide assistance in investigation when required, IndiGo said in a statement.

MUMBAI: A passenger travelling on budget carrier IndiGo’s flight to Guwahati from Mumbai was handed over to the Guwahati police on arrival for allegedly sexually harassing a passenger onboard, the airline said on Monday.

The complainant has filed an FIR with the local police and the airline will provide assistance in investigation when required, IndiGo said in a statement.

The airline, however, did not share any specific details about the incident.

“A passenger travelling on (IndiGo flight) 6E- 5319 between Mumbai- Guwahati was handed over to the Guwahati police on arrival, after receiving a complaint from another passenger for alleged sexual harassment,” the airline said.

An FIR has been filed by the complainant with the local police and “we will provide assistance in their investigation, where required,” IndiGo added.

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'We are both India and Bharat, rest will be taken care of by Baba Baidyanath': RJD chief Lalu

Lalu also expressed concern over present affairs in the country and asserted that PM Modi's "exit is certain" following the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

RANCHI: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday accused the BJP government of “doing away” with the constitution and “wipe out” the name of BR Ambedkar.

Speaking to the media after offering prayers at Baba Baidyanath Dham temple in Jharkhand’s Deoghar, the RJD supremo remarked, “We will not allow the constitution, poor, unemployed or Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar to be harmed in any way. They (the saffron party) want to wipe out the name of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar.”

Lalu also expressed concern over present affairs in the country and asserted that PM Modi’s “exit is certain” following the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

“The situation in the country is not good. Inflation and unemployment are at its peak. People are falling prey to hunger. Narendra Modi has resorted to deceiving people again with elections around the corner….But his exit is certain this time,” claimed the former Union Minister.

When asked about the ongoing ‘Bharat’ renaming controversy, the RJD Chief said, “We are both India and Bharat; the rest will be taken care of by Baba Baidyanath.”

“I visited both Baba Baidyanath and Basukinath and offered prayers to them and will visit a few other religious places following which I will jump into the poll battle and start the work for the INDIA block formed by 28 political parties,” he added.

He also came down heavily on PM Modi over the reduction of LPG prices, terming it a tactic to “deceive people before the elections.”

“The Prime Minister is trying to fool the people by reducing the price of gas cylinders by Rs 200, as if, he is paying it from his own pocket…. It is the money of the people. The funds for ration or kerosene come from citizens’ money,” the RJD chief remarked.

Terming the G20 summit a “waste of money”, Lalu questioned what benefit the common people of India would get from the summit. “What difference did G20 Summit make to the people of this Country…So much money in this Country was wasted by inviting so many people from across the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lalu informed that the INDIA bloc parties will start brainstorming soon to select candidates for the 2024 polls in New Delhi later this month, which will also be attended by Bihar Deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav. “A committee has already been formed and Prime Ministerial candidate will be elected one from them only,” he said.

There are no differences on the issue of the Prime Ministerial candidate and a consensus leader of the block will also be selected in due course, Yadav continued.

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Flooding in Libya leaves 2,000 people feared dead and more missing after storm collapsed dams

Video by residents of the city posted online showed major devastation. Entire residential areas were erased along a river that runs down from the mountains through the city center.

CAIRO: Mediterranean storm Daniel caused devastating floods in Libya that broke dams and swept away entire neighborhoods in multiple coastal towns in the east of the North African nation. As many as 2,000 people were feared dead, one of the country’s leaders said Monday.

The destruction appeared greatest in Derna, a city formerly held by Islamic extremists in the chaos that has gripped Libya for more than a decade and left it with crumbling and inadequate infrastructure. Libya remains divided between two rival administrations, one in the east and one in the west, each backed by militias and foreign governments.

The confirmed death toll from the weekend flooding stood at 61 as of late Monday, according to health authorities. But the tally did not include Derna, which had become inaccessible, and many of the thousands missing there were believed carried away by waters after two upstream dams burst.

Video by residents of the city posted online showed major devastation. Entire residential areas were erased along a river that runs down from the mountains through the city center. Multistory apartment buildings that once stood well back from the river were partially collapsed into the mud.

In a phone interview with the station Monday, Prime Minister Ossama Hamad of the east Libyan government said 2,000 were feared dead in Derna and thousands were believed missing. He said Derna has been declared a disaster zone.

Ahmed al-Mosmari, a spokesman for the country’s armed forces based in the east, told a news conference that the death toll in Derna had surpassed 2,000. He said there were between 5,000 and 6,000 reported missing. Al-Mosmari attributed the catastrophe to the collapse of two nearby dams, causing a lethal flash flood.

Since a 2011 uprising that toppled and later killed long-time ruler Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has lacked a central government and the resulting lawlessness has meant dwindling investment in the country’s roads and public services and also minimal regulation of private building. The country is now split between rival governments in the east and west, each backed by an array of militias.

Derna itself, along with the city of Sirte, was controlled by extremist groups for years, at one point by those who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, until forces loyal to the east-based government expelled them in 2018.

At least 46 people were reported dead in the eastern town of Bayda, Abdel-Rahim Mazek, head of the town’s main medical center said. Another seven people were reported dead in the coastal town of Susa in northeastern Libya, according to the Ambulance and Emergency Authority. Seven others were reported dead in the towns of Shahatt and Omar al-Mokhtar, said Ossama Abduljaleel, health minister. One person was reported dead Sunday in the town of Marj.

The Libyan Red Crescent said three of its workers had died while helping families in Derna. Earlier, the group said it lost contact with one of its workers as he attempted to help a stuck family in Bayda. Dozens of others were reported missing, and authorities fear they could have died in the floods that destroyed homes and other properties in several towns in eastern Libya, according to local media.

In Derna, local media said the situation was catastrophic with no electricity or communications.

Essam Abu Zeriba, the interior minister of the east Libya government, said more than 5,000 people were expected to be missing in Derna. He said many of the victims were swept away towards the Mediterranean.

“The situation is tragic,” he declared in a telephone interview on the Saudi-owned satellite news channel Al-Arabiya. He urged local and international agencies to rush to help the city.

Georgette Gagnon, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Libya, said early reports showed that dozens of villages and towns were “severely affected … with widespread flooding, damage to infrastructure, and loss of life.”

“I am deeply saddened by the severe impact of (storm) Daniel on the country … I call on all local, national, and international partners to join hands to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people in eastern Libya,” she wrote on X platform, formerly known as Twitter.

In a post on X, the U.S. Embassy in Libya said it was in contact with both the U.N. and Libyan authorities and was determining how to deliver aid to the most affected areas.

Over the weekend, Libyans shared footage on social media showing flooded houses and roads in many areas across eastern Libya. They pleaded for help as floods besieged people inside their homes and in their vehicles.

Ossama Hamad, the prime minister of the east Libya government, declared Derna a disaster zone after heavy rainfall and floods destroyed much of the city which is located in the delta of the small Wadi Derna on Libya’s east coast. The prime minister also announced three days of mourning and ordered flags across the country to be lowered to half-staff.

Controlling eastern and western Libya, Cmdr. Khalifa Hifter deployed troops to help residents in Benghazi and other eastern towns. Ahmed al-Mosmari, a spokesperson for Hifter’s forces, said they lost contact with five troops who were helping besieged families in Bayda.

Foreign governments sent messages of support on Monday evening. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, said his country would send humanitarian assistance and search-and-rescue teams to eastern Libya, according to the UAE’s state-run WAM news agency.

Turkey, which supports the country’s Tripoli-based government in the west, also expressed condolences, along with neighboring Algeria and Egypt, and also Iraq.

Storm Daniel is expected to arrive in parts of west Egypt on Monday, and the country’s meteorological authorities warned about possible rain and bad weather.

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Cacophony plays loud at Rahman’s concert in Tamil Nadu

AR Rahman’s concert ‘Marakkuma Nenjam’ (Can the heart forget) on Sunday turned out be an unforgettable night for fans for all the wrong reasons.

CHENNAI: AR Rahman’s concert ‘Marakkuma Nenjam’ (Can the Heart Forget) on Sunday turned out to be an unforgettable night for fans for all the wrong reasons. Traffic snarls, lack of space, denial of entry despite valid tickets, crying children, jostling crowd, and complaints of sexual harassment made the event held at Adityaram Palace in Panaiyur a distressful night for the fans who had shelled out huge sums to book tickets.

A number of social media posts showed people complaining about not being able to reach the venue due to severe traffic congestion on the scenic East Coast Road (ECR), which, according to some reports, even affected the movement of Chief Minister M K Stalin’s convoy.

With complaints pouring in online, the Oscar-winning composer on Monday said he would respond to the grievances of his audience. “Dearest Chennai Makkale (people), those of you who purchased tickets and weren’t able to enter owing to unfortunate circumstances, please do share a copy of your ticket purchase to arr4chennai@btos.in along with your grievances. Our team will respond asap,” Rahman said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

While police sources said the organisers, ACTC events, may have sold 50,000 tickets, twice more than the venue’s capacity of 25,000, the event management firm said arrangements were indeed made for 50,000 people. According to sources close to the music maestro, around 43,000 tickets were sold and 4,500 free passes were distributed. This includes around 5,000 tickets in the standing zone of the venue.

“Left-side of the venue was empty and people were crowding on the right side that had 17 entrances. There were 700 private security personnel and 300 student volunteers to guide people inside the venue. The area was big enough to accommodate 50,000 people,” said a member of AR Rahman’s team. “I went to the concert with my sister and four-year-old niece. We reached the venue at 5 pm and occupied our platinum seats,” Sinduja Sivaraja, a spectator, told TNIE.

‘Organiser failed to inform about separate entrances’

“Just before the concert started, people from other ticket classes started entering the platinum box and it was overcrowded. As my niece got scared by the swelling crowd, we decided to leave. Several men groped us as we were navigating our way through the crowd and it took us 30 minutes to reach the entrance,” Sinduja Sivaraja said.

Several women shared similar harrowing experiences on social media. People were also seen throwing bottles and chairs at each other leading to fights at the venue. “The organisers also failed to inform fans about separate entrances. Most of the fans reached the main entrance shown on Google Maps and organisers redirected them to other entrances saying it was reserved for VIPs.

Because of this, we had to take a detour of three km which took another one hour due to traffic holdups at several places,” said A Sriram, a fan. Visitors were outraged as many of them who had bought tickets priced up to Rs 40,000 were denied entry due to overcrowding. Spectators also complained about video and audio troubles. There were not enough toilets, mainly for those with silver and gold tickets priced at Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000, too.

Many of the fans parked their vehicles on the lanes opposite to the venue and walked more than three to four km to reach the venue. Policemen said they were unable to clear the vehicles because all the exit points were gridlocked. There was also an announcement about a missing child in the middle of the concert. Tambaram Police Commissioner Amalraj visited the spot on Monday to hold an inquiry.

[razorblogz]

American Pastor Boasts About Conversion In India – Should We Be Worried?

Christian associations continue to protest alleged mistreatment in India, and the United States has frequently reprimanded and lectured India on minorities’ rights in its numerous human rights reports. India, on the other hand, has constantly disputed their charges and replied in kind. Now, a 10-month-old video of a priest has surfaced, in which he declares that India is the top destination for conversions and that, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS’s efforts, they have succeeded in their mission. Father Chris Hodges of the Church of Highlands, said that his organization’s missionaries had already converted over 1 lakh Hindus in a single week. In this context, let us examine this claim and understand whether we should be worried about this disturbing news.

Controversial Claim

Pastor Chris Hodges stated that his organization’s missionaries converted over 100,000 Hindus in a single week. The preacher made the claims during a roughly 39-minute lecture. Chris Hodges is the senior pastor of the Highlands congregation, which advertises itself as a life-giving church gathering in numerous sites around Alabama and West Georgia on its official website. Chris Hodges serves as the founder and senior pastor of the Church of the Highlands, as mentioned on the website. He co-founded ARC (Association of Related Churches) in 2001, which has assisted in the establishment of hundreds of churches across the United States. He also launched Grow, a company that specialises in training and supporting clergy and congregations to help them overcome obstacles and realise their full potential. Chris Hodges, in addition to his role as the founder and senior pastor of the Church of the Highlands, is also the founder and Chancellor of Highlands College. This educational institution focuses on providing ministry training to students, equipping them for full-time employment in various areas of ministry. Referring to the Hindu majority of India as “lost people” in a film titled ‘Signs of the Times’ that was published on August 22, last year. According to Chris Hodges, one of the regions on the earth with the highest number of lost individuals who are both detached and unreached is the northern India region. The Pastor also expressed his disappointment that the RSS and Prime Minister Modi had made conversion harder in India. The missionary informed the pastor that they sponsor a group in north India, according to the preacher. And they organised into 3,931 outreach teams, which scattered over 15 northern Indian states to perform evangelism. He detailed how missionaries use the idea of demon possession to prey on the gullible. The pastor stated unequivocally that missionaries send ‘demon-possessed’ people to disturb villages, followed by the pastors coming into the villages as messiahs and casting out the demons.

Is Conversion Tougher Under Modi-Shah?

Among the troubling revelations, one of the intriguing things he said was how conversion has gotten more difficult in North India under the Modi-Shah BJP leadership. He asserted that it is in northern India, although the southern region was substantially Christianized. Over the last 10 years, India has taken a disastrous turn. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance has been in office since 2014 and has cancelled the licences of various organisations, including Christian ones, for violating the 2010 Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Pastor Chris Hodges expressed his dissatisfaction with recent events, saying, “Their Prime Minister has literally kicked out a lot of Christian agencies, and their entire organisation is set on making India 100% Hindu.” And it’s become extremely dark there. Most crucially, he failed to present any proof to support his fabricated charge. The Union Home Ministry has informed the Supreme Court that the right to religious freedom does not include the right to convert. Fraudulent or induced conversion violated an individual’s right to freedom of conscience while also jeopardising public order, according to the government, and therefore the state is fully within its rights to regulate/restrict it. The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Justices M R Shah and Him Kohli, expressed that while freedom of religion exists, it does not extend to forced conversions. This is a significant matter, and everyone has the freedom to choose their faith, but not through forced conversion or by providing temptation, according to the Bench. Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Centre has regulated the operation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in religious conversions and anti-national activities. He also stated that the administration has made changes to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Some NGOs had engaged in anti-national crimes and religious conversions while abusing the FCRA, according to Home Minister Shah. The government’s dedicated initiatives and stringent implementation of legal regulations have made conversion by coercion and seduction much more difficult for these groups.

UP As A Sample State

Since the Prohibition of Illegal Religious Conversions Act was passed in Uttar Pradesh in 2020, 507 people have been detained as a result of 291 complaints being filed. 59 of the 291 incidents included children being converted. In 150 of these incidents, the victims claimed that they were compelled to go underground. The government of Yogi Adityanath has been particularly tough on the issue. CM Yogi Adityanath has often instructed officials that this situation must be closely monitored. During a review meeting last week, the CM stated that Christmas must be celebrated cheerfully. He did, however, emphasise that there should be no religious conversions in the state. Thus, the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh has set a precedent for other Indian states to follow in order to avert this troubling trend.

Conversion from one faith to another is not an issue because it is based on an individual’s right to freedom and choice. However, such blatant declarations of conversion and finance in order to persuade and violently convert would do more harm than good to Indian society’s secular fabric. We, as responsible Indian citizens, will be concerned about this tendency and will be watchful enough to defend the nation’s secularism and integrity by resisting attempts to forcefully distort religious makeup.

[razorblogz]

Maharashtra man kills live-in partner after she files rape case against him

The police are yet to find the body of the 28-year-old victim, who allegedly refused to withdraw the rape complaint against her live-in partner.

PALGHAR: A 43-year-old man from Maharashtra’s Palghar district allegedly killed his live-in partner after she filed a rape complaint against him, police said on Tuesday.

The incident took place between August 9 and 12 and the body of the 28-year-old victim is yet to be found, they said.

The accused, a resident of Vasai area in Palghar, was arrested on Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Vasai, Padmaja Bade said.

The victim’s family filed a missing person’s complaint with the Naigaon police on August 14, an official from Naigaon police station said, adding they suspect the accused disposed of the body in neighbouring Vapi town of Gujarat.

A preliminary probe revealed the accused was angry as the victim had filed a rape complaint based on which a criminal case was registered against him, Bade said.

The woman had refused to withdraw the complaint, hence the man allegedly killed her, the official said.

The Naigaon police registered an FIR against the accused on Monday under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder) and 201(causing disappearance of evidence) following a complaint by the victim’s sister, she said.

The accused is also facing a case of abetment of suicide lodged against him at another police station in Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar police limits, the official said without elaborating.

[razorblogz]

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives in Russia before an expected meeting with Putin

Kim is making his first foreign trip since the COVID-19 pandemic, during which North Korea imposed tight border controls for more than three years.

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia on Tuesday for an expected meeting with President Vladimir Putin that has sparked concerns about a potential arms deal for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, joined by top military officials in charge of nuclear-capable weapons and munitions factories.

North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said Kim boarded his personal train Sunday afternoon, accompanied by unspecified members of the country’s ruling party, government and military.

South Korea’s military assessed the train crossed into Russia sometime early Tuesday, Jeon Ha Gyu, spokesperson of South Korea’s Defense Ministry, said in a briefing without elaborating on how the military obtained the information. Kim’s delegation likely includes his foreign minister, Choe Sun Hui, and his top two military officials, Korean People’s Army Marshals Ri Pyong Chol and Pak Jong Chon.

Other officials identified in North Korean state media photos may hint at what Kim might seek from Putin and what he would be willing to give. Kim is apparently bringing Jo Chun Ryong, a ruling party official in charge of munitions policies who accompanied the leader on recent tours of factories producing artillery shells and missiles.

North Korea may have tens of millions of artillery shells and rockets based on Soviet designs that could give a huge boost to the Russian army in Ukraine, analysts say.

Also identified in photos were Pak Thae Song, chairman of North Korea’s space science and technology committee, and Navy Adm. Kim Myong Sik, who are linked with North Korean efforts to acquire spy satellites and nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines. Experts say North Korea would struggle to acquire such capabilities without external help, although it’s not clear if Russia would share such sensitive technologies.

Kim Jong Un may also seek badly needed energy and food aid, analysts say. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that Tokyo will be watching the outcome of the Kim-Putin meeting with concern, including the “impact it could have on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

Kim and Putin may meet in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok, where Putin arrived Monday to attend an international forum that runs through Wednesday, according to Russia’s TASS news agency. Putin’s first meeting with Kim was held in 2019 in the city, which is about 425 miles (680 kilometres) north of Pyongyang.

Russian news agencies quoted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying Putin and Kim will meet after the Vladivostok forum, but the reports didn’t specify when or where. Peskov said the meeting would include a lunch in Kim’s honour.

Deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko said that Russia will inform South Korea about the meeting’s outcome upon request: “The South Koreans have an embassy in Moscow. If they want, we can provide them with the information we have.”

Kim is making his first foreign trip since the COVID-19 pandemic, during which North Korea imposed tight border controls for more than three years.

Associated Press journalists near the North Korea-Russia frontier saw a green train with yellow trim similar to one Kim used during previous foreign trips at a station on the North Korean side of a border river on Monday.

US officials released intelligence last week that North Korea and Russia were arranging a meeting between their leaders.

According to US officials, Putin could focus on securing more supplies of North Korean artillery and other ammunition to refill declining reserves as he seeks to rebuff a Ukrainian counteroffensive and show that he’s capable of grinding out a long war of attrition. That could potentially put more pressure on the US and its partners to pursue negotiations as concerns over a protracted conflict grow despite their huge shipments of advanced weaponry to Ukraine in the past 17 months.

“Arms discussions between Russia and the DPRK are expected to continue during Kim Jong Un’s trip to Russia,” said White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson, using the abbreviation for North Korea’s official name of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“We urge the DPRK to abide by the public commitments that Pyongyang has made to not provide or sell arms to Russia.”

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington will monitor the meeting closely, reminding both countries that “any transfer of arms from North Korea to Russia would be a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions,” and that the US “will not hesitate to impose new sanctions.”

After decades of a complicated, hot-and-cold relationship, Russia and North Korea have been drawing closer since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The bond has been driven by Putin’s need for war help and Kim’s efforts to boost the visibility of his partnerships with traditional allies Moscow and Beijing as he tries to break out of diplomatic isolation and have North Korea be part of a united front against Washington.

The United States has accused North Korea of providing Russia with arms, including selling artillery shells to the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Both Russian and North Korean officials denied such claims.

But speculation about the countries’ military cooperation grew after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made a rare visit to North Korea in July when Kim invited him to an arms exhibition and a massive military parade in the capital where he showcased ICBMs designed to target the US mainland.

Following that visit, Kim toured North Korea’s weapons factories, including a facility producing artillery systems where he urged workers to speed up the development and large-scale production of new kinds of ammunition.

Experts say Kim’s visits to the factories likely had a dual goal of encouraging the modernization of North Korean weaponry and examining artillery and other supplies that could be exported to Russia.

[razorblogz]

Scientist who led team that created Dolly the cloned sheep dies at 79

Peter Mathieson, the vice-chancellor of Edinburgh University, hailed Wilmut as "a titan of the scientific world" whose work cloning Dolly "transformed scientific thinking at the time".

Ian Wilmut, who revealed in 2018 he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, helmed the team at the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, which cloned Dolly in 1996.

Dolly was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell, and the breakthrough garnered global headlines and led to new advances in animal and medical research.

Peter Mathieson, the vice-chancellor of Edinburgh University, hailed Wilmut as “a titan of the scientific world” whose work cloning Dolly “transformed scientific thinking at the time”.

“This breakthrough continues to fuel many of the advances that have been made in the field of regenerative medicine that we see today,” he said in a statement.

Bruce Whitelaw, the current head of the Roslin Institute, said it was “sad news”.

“Science has lost a household name,” he added.

Wilmut retired from Edinburgh University of 2012.

But in 2018, he announced support for new research into Parkinson’s, revealing he had diagnosed with the uncurable, progressive brain disorder, which can cause uncontrollable movements such as shaking.

“There was a sense of clarity, well at least now we know and we can start doing things about it,” Wilmut told the BBC at the time.

“As well as obviously the disappointment that it will possibly shorten my life slightly, and more particularly it will alter the quality of life.”

Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and affects more than 8.5 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).