A Voter ID Card Does Not Guarantee Right To Vote: Delhi Election Officer

The Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, is conducting a Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls with the qualifying date set as January 1, 2025, a statement said on Tuesday, highlighting the CEO's emphasis that mere possession of a voter ID card does not guarantee the right to vote.

This process is being carried out as per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, ensuring that the electoral rolls remain updated and inclusive for all eligible voters.

During the pre-revision period, house-to-house verification was carried out from August 20, 2024, to October 18, 2024, by Booth Level Officers.

This exercise aimed to identify unregistered eligible citizens, prospective voters turning 18 by October 1, 2024, as well as permanently shifted or deceased electors and duplicate entries, the statement said.

Following this, the draft electoral rolls were published on October 29, 2024, inviting the public to file claims and objections. These were accepted by November 28, 2024, and all the claims and objections received were already disposed of by December 24, 2024.

The final electoral roll, reflecting these updates, is scheduled for publication on January 6, 2025.

However, the process of updation of rolls with respect to addition, deletion and modification is a continuous activity and the same is undergoing at present also.

Between November 29, 2024, and the present date, 4,85,624 applications for new registrations (Form 6), 82,450 applications for deletions (Form 7), and 1,71,385 applications for modifications (Form 8) have been received till date.

Citizens who have not yet registered as voters can still apply for enrollment using Form 6, which requires submission of supporting documents for verification by the respective Booth Level Officer.

For modifications or deletions in the electoral roll, Form 8 and Form 7 can be filed.

The CEO Office, Delhi also reminded citizens that having multiple entries in the electoral roll or multiple voter ID cards is a punishable offence under Sections 17 and 18 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Recently, FIRs have been filed against eight individuals for submitting false documents for voter registration in the Okhla Assembly constituency in Delhi. Strict action will continue to be taken against such violations.

As a transparency measure, meetings with representatives of political parties were held on September 4. October 9 and 29.

The CEO Office emphasised that any un-enrolled eligible citizen, who has still not enrolled himself/herself in the electoral rolls, can apply for enrollment by filing Form-6 along with supporting documents. After filing Form-6, the form is assigned to the Booth Level Officer (BLO) of the part concerned for field verification.

On the basis of the BLO's field verification report and the supporting documents, the form is disposed of by the Electoral Registration Officer concerned as per the procedure laid down by the Election Commission.

After the update of his/her name in the electoral roll, an EPIC PDF is generated and sent for printing. After receipt of printed EPIC, the same is delivered to the elector through post. An elector can also download his/her e-EPIC from the ECI's portal https://ift.tt/v5w4NYS

In case any elector has permanently shifted or expired, any elector of that particular Assembly Constituency can file Form 7 objecting to such entry in the electoral roll. After filing Form 7, notices are issued to the Objector and the Objectee through speed post as per relevant guidelines of the ECI except for registered death cases. If the elector fails to respond, the name is deleted from the electoral roll after following due procedure as laid down by the ECI and after giving sufficient opportunity to the elector concerned.

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

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Retirement Hint? Australia Great Highlights Rohit Sharma's "Unusual" Act

The talks around India captain Rohit Sharma's potential retirement from Test cricket have intensified with the team's bitter defeat to Australia in the 4th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday. India's defeat in the match makes World Test Championship (WTC) qualification quite difficult while Rohit's form with the bat does make it difficult for the management to fit him in the XI. Suggestions are that the Sydney Test is likely to be Rohit's last in the longest format, and Australia great Justin Langer also spotted an 'unusually emotional' India skipper on Day 5 at MCG, hinting that the end is near for him.

Langer said that Rohit was unusually emotional on the field at MCG on Day 5 of the 4th Test, which could be seen as a hint behind his potential exit from the format. The former Australia batter also feels Rohit is quite tired, with the stress of the game getting to his nerves.

"Rohit Sharma looks very tired to me. I saw him quite emotional on the field yesterday. That's unusual for us to see Rohit like that. He's usually so calm, so chilled out. But he was showing his emotions; he looks tired. It's understandable because as a cricketer, when you're not making runs, that's all that stays on your mind. And as captain, if you're not making runs and your team is not winning, the stress starts to come into the game. Whether he can get up for Sydney, that's up to him. It's a big challenge. India need him to get up to speed in Sydney," Langer said after the end of the game.

Langer, however, doesn't have the same opinion on Virat Kohli. He feels Virat still has a few years of top-level cricket to offer and he has what it takes to improve his form.

"With Virat, I agree [with Ravi Shastri]. He looked excellent in that first innings. Maybe the run out [of Jaiswal] did ruffle him, but we were surprised to see him get out the way he did. He is still a great player, is in outstanding physical condition, and all Indians would be hoping he comes good," he asserted.

Shastri also feels the end is near for Rohit in Tests but Kohli is likely to play for a few more years.

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Australia, Umpires Labelled "Cheaters" By MCG Crowd For Jaiswal DRS Drama

India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal's controversial dismissal on Day 5 of the 4th Test against Australia has become a hot topic of debate. The incident happened on the fifth ball of the 71st over. Jaiswal was given not out for a caught-behind appeal, following an attempted pull shot. However, the decision was overturned by the TV umpire on visual evidence that the ball had changed direction, even though no spike was picked up by the 'Snicko'. Jaiswal expressed his displeasure over the incident as he was seen confronting the on-field umpire.

It was a crucial moment as far as the result of the match is concerned, with Jaiswal batting on 84 at that time. Following his dismissal, India suffered a late collapse, losing the match by 184 runs.

A section of Indian fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) weren't happy with the third umpire's decision. Chants of of 'cheaters' rang around the ground as Wilson was forced to change his decision.

The Jaiswal dismissal. The crowd is not having it. Been chanting non stop for 10 mins now #BGT #BoxingDayTest pic.twitter.com/3WsqHipNbI

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) December 30, 2024

In the chase of 340, a draw looked imminent, especially after playing a wicketless second session.

But when it mattered the most, India suffered a batting collapse in the final session by losing their last seven wickets for 34 runs and suffer a 184-run defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.

In front of a record 74,362 fans, Australia looked on course for the win after reducing India to 33/3 in the first session. But Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant kept them at bay in the second session, as the old ball began to soften.

But in the final session of the gripping Test match, Pant fell to Travis Head and that opened the door for Australia to barge in as India collapsed from 121/3 to 155 all out. Captain Pat Cummins and Scott Boland picked three wickets in a terrific bowling performance from Australia, who now have a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, ahead of next week's Test match in Sydney.

(With PTI Inputs)

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Dutch Plane Skids Off Runway After Emergency Landing In Norway

An Amsterdam-bound flight skidded off the runway at Oslo Torp Sandefjord Airport in Norway after an emergency landing. The incident happened on Saturday night, when a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines-operated Boeing 737-800 experienced a hydraulic failure shortly after taking off from Oslo Airport, prompting the crew to divert to Sandefjord Airport.

This came hours before a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operated by Jeju Air, flying from Bangkok to South Korea with 181 people on board crashed on landing at Muan International Airport on Sunday, leaving all but two people plucked from the wreckage feared dead.

As per media reports, the KLM flight was carrying 176 passengers and six crew members. It landed safely at Sandefjord Airport, situated 110 kilometres south of Oslo. However, on landing, the plane veered off the runway before stopping in soft grass near a taxiway, a video of which is being widely shared on social media.

KLM flight #KL1204, a Boeing 737-800, veered off the right side of runway 18 after landing at Oslo Torp Sandefjord Airport.
The flight had diverted there shortly after takeoff from Oslo Airport (OSL).pic.twitter.com/SKIwHIfMBV

— Aviation Safety Network (ASN) (@AviationSafety) December 28, 2024

Video shows passengers being evacuated from the aircraft using mobile stairs, as emergency responders arrived on the site. Fortunately, all 182 people on board were unharmed.

Later, KLM in a statement confirmed that incident and said that during takeoff, a loud noise was heard, leading to the diversion. On landing, pilots were unable to control the aircraft and it slid and entered the grass next to the runway, NOS said in a report.

The airline also reassured that the passengers and crew were unharmed and were cared for and an investigation has been launched into the incident.

The flight departed from Oslo at 6:55 pm (local time) and the aircraft landed at Torp's Sandefjord airport at 7:14 pm (local time), according to Dutch media reports.

After safely evacuating them, all the passengers were transported to Torp Sandefjord airport's terminal by bus and a little before 9:00 pm (local time) everyone was off the plane, the reports added.

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

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UP Teacher Caught Watching Porn, Slams 8-Year-Old Boy's Head Against Wall

A school teacher allegedly beat up an eight-year-old boy who found him watching an obscene film in the classroom, in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, police said on Saturday.

The student, along with his classmates, was reportedly laughing at the teacher Kuldeep Yadav over watching the video in the classroom, when he grabbed the boy by his hair and slammed his head against the wall.

The teacher has been taken into custody for questioning and a probe is underway, the police added.

According to the student's father, Mr Yadav was reportedly watching a porn video on his mobile phone in the classroom, when the students started discussing his act and laughing among themselves. 

"The students' reaction angered Mr Yadav, who then abused and brutally thrashed my son. He grabbed my son by his hair and slammed his head against the wall. He also thrashed him with a cane. My son sustained injuries, including in his ear. I have registered a police complaint against the teacher," the victim's father said. 

Superintendent Of Police (Rural) Gopinath Soni said a case has been filed and a detailed probe is underway. "We have taken the teacher into custody for questioning," Mr Soni said.

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What's Kessler Syndrome And Why It Has Scientists Worried For Future Of Space

Defunct satellites and other human-made objects that continue to hurtle around Earth's orbit long after they have served their purpose comprise the majority of space debris. With thousands of satellites set to be launched in the coming years as government-sponsored space exploration slowly gives way to private industry -- the accelerated accumulation of garbage up there raises the possibility of a "collision cascading" effect called the Kessler Syndrome that has scientists worried.

Kessler Syndrome is a hypothetical scenario proposed by NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler in 1978 which predicts that when the density of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO)-roughly 100-1,200 miles above our planet at a certain critical level, it could lead to a chain reaction of collisions which could render the orbit unfit for human use and halt the space age.

"This syndrome predicts an escalating space debris population that leads to an increased likelihood of collisions and further debris creation, resulting in a cascade of detrimental impacts," highlighted a 2023 study about the phenomenon, published in the journal Frontiers.

"Such collisions, even minor ones, can set off a catastrophic chain reaction, jeopardizing all existing satellites and filling orbits with high-velocity debris. Accessing space orbits would become immensely challenging, and the prospect of exploring outer space might be compromised."

As per a CNN report citing several domain experts, we might be witnessing the beginning of Kessler Syndrome.

"The number of objects in space that we have launched in the last four years has increased exponentially. So we are heading towards the situation that we are always dreading," Dr Vishnu Reddy, a professor of planetary sciences at the University of Arizona in Tucson was quoted as saying by the publication.

Also Read | What Is Space Junk And How Does It Affect Us? All You Need To Know

What would happen?

The devastating effects of Kessely Syndrome were portrayed in the 2013 film "Gravity," where a missile strike on a satellite sets off a chain reaction of collisions. However, in reality, Kessler Syndrome would not unfold so quickly with scientists giving a timeline spanning decades or even centuries.

As per NASA, currently, there are no international space laws to clean up debris in LEO. The LEO is now viewed as the world's largest garbage dump, and it's expensive to remove space debris from LEO because the problem of space junk is huge. There are close to 6,000 tons of materials in low Earth orbit.

If the chain reaction of explosions happened in this orbit, it could threaten the lives of astronauts, halt rocket launches and lead to the destruction of all the satellite technology present there.

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Maharashtra Man Sets Wife On Fire For Giving Birth To Girl For 3rd Time

A man allegedly poured petrol and set his wife ablaze in Maharashtra's Parbhani district after she gave birth to the couple's third daughter, a police official said on Saturday.

Kundlik Uttam Kale (32) killed his wife Maina in Gangakhed Naka, some 520 kilometres from here, on Thursday night, the official said.

As per the complaint submitted by Maina's sister, the accused used to taunt his wife over giving birth to three daughters and would frequently pick up fights with her on this issue, the official said.

"On Thursday night, after one such argument, he poured petrol on her and set her ablaze. She ran out of the house screaming where people tried to douse the fire. However, by then she was severely burnt and died while being rushed to a hospital," the official said.

Kale has been arrested for murder, the Gangakhed police station official informed.

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

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17 Years Of Taare Zameen Par: Tisca-Darsheel Have A Fun Reunion

Taare Zameen Par clocked 17 years last Saturday (December 21). Can you believe it? Led by Aamir Khan, the film also featured Darsheel Safary and Tisca Chopra. Tisca played the role of Darsheel's mother in the movie. 

A week after the Taare Zameen Par's 17th anniversary, Tisca Chopra posted a video on Instagram that took fans on a fun, nostalgic ride.

In the clip, the actress can be seen showing two notes to the camera. One of them features a home-cooked meal: dal, chawal and sabzi. The other note comprises a list of junk foods like pizza, pasta and ice cream.

She asks Darsheel, sitting on the sofa, to choose one of them without looking. He chooses the junk food option.

Hold on, there's a twist. Later in the video, it is seen that despite selecting the snack list note, Darsheel is enjoying a plate of dal chawal and sabzi instead. 

Reacting to the hilarious turn of events, Tisca mouthed, “Still can't read.” ICYDK: the actress was referring to Darsheel Safary's Taare Zameen Par character Ishaan.

In the film, Ishaan is portrayed the role of a kid suffering from dyslexia. His life changed after meeting his art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan) at the boarding school. Tisca's side note read, “17 years of Taare Zameen Par. Darsheel Safary waiting for clap back.” 

Tisca Chopra added, “Disclaimer: We understand Dyslexia to be a serious issue that affects not just the person with Dyslexia but families too… this reel is for humour only.” Darsheel's comment read, “Hahahaha you wait now.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tisca Chopra (@tiscaofficial)

On Taare Zameen Par completing 17 years, Aamir Khan Productions dropped a set of BTS pictures from the film sets on Instagram. A young Darsheel Safary made it to the post as well. “17 Years Of Taare Zameen Par and a timeless truth that remains. Every child is special,” the caption read. Take a look: 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aamir Khan Productions (@aamirkhanproductions)

According to a report by Pinkvilla, Aamir Khan has wrapped up the shoot of Sitaare Zameen Par — the sequel to  Taare Zameen Par. Read all about it here.

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New Landmark: Tamil Nadu To Get India's 1st Vertical Lift Sea Bridge Soon

India's first vertical lift sea bridge at Pamban in southern Tamil Nadu will be opened in January to restore rail connectivity to Rameswaram island from the country's mainland. 

The 2.08-km-long bridge, constructed by the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), is expected to allow the Indian Railways to operate trains at a higher speed.

It has been built parallel to an existing bridge that was constructed by the British and is believed to be 110 years old. 

Officials said that unlike the heritage structure, the girders from each side of the new bridge will open up like a butterfly to allow ships and other vessels to pass through. A lift span, which is 72.5-metres long, 16 metres wide and weighs 550 tonnes, can be lifted up automatically up to 17 metres. 

Although the Commissioner for Railway Safety has given his nod to run trains on the bridge, he has flagged key concerns, including inadequate measures to check corrosion and deviation from the girder's original design. 

However, authorities said the concerns are being addressed. "We have made a robust 250 micron level coat and this has qualified CECRI (Central Electrochemical Research Institute)'s test," said R Srinivasan, Senior Deputy General Manager, RVNL. 

On complaints of design deviation, Mr Srinivasan said: "It's a new concept and both IIT Madras and IIT Bombay have approved our design." The original design was conceptualised by the Research Design and Standards Organisation of the Indian Railway.

He also said the bridge is ready for inauguration, and that the structure will last for a 100 years.

The train services between Mandapam in the mainland and Rameswaram island were suspended on December 23, 2022 after the existing rail bridge was declared non-operational from the safety point of view. Severe corrosion had made it weak and unfit for operations, officials said.

At present, all trains terminate at Mandapam and people use road routes to reach Rameswaram.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of the new bridge in November 2019. The work started in February 2020 and was supposed to be completed by December 2021, but the deadline was extended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Washington Gets A Rude Jolt: How Pakistan Kept US Guessing Its Nuke Plans

Pakistan has a knack of pulling the rabbit out of the hat every once in a while - one that leaves the United States perplexed and perturbed time and again. But before the US can delve into the method behind the trick, Washington, which has reasons for serious concern, often finds itself quickly distracted by one of the many other pressing problems it faces globally. Islamabad knows this, and so, it makes its move slowly, quite like the hour hand of the clock, knowing fully well that the watchful eyes are often focusing on the routinely-ticking seconds hand.

Pakistan has only one rabbit - the nuclear bomb - which it pulls out of the bag every time Islamabad is either held accountable for its actions, or finds itself in the diplomatic corner with no way out.

With time, that rabbit has grown, both in number and in range. As long as it only bothered the neighbours, it wasn't a priority for Washington. But the latest reports to emerge from Pakistan has left the United States deeply troubled.

As per reports, Pakistan is working on the latest version of its Shaheen missile - the updated Shaheen-III - which will be capable of striking the United States. This move has jolted Washington out of its slumber.

The original stated purpose of the Shaheen-III missile was to be able to strike India's naval facilities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with an estimated range of 2,750 km, but that was possible only if the launch pads were right on the International Border with India, in Pakistan's south eastern-most region. To change that, Rawalpindi, home to the Pak Army headquarters, is seeking help to extend the range.

A similar effort is also being made by Rawalpindi to increase the range of its other long-range missile Ababeel, which can currently strike at a distance up to 2,000 km.

China, which is the reason why Pakistan was able to have its nuclear programme to begin with, has reportedly been helping Rawalpindi reach this goal. Confirming the news, US Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer said recently that "Pakistan is working on its long-range missiles and may soon have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States".

Speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace last week, Mr Finer noted that "it is hard for us to see Pakistan's actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States."

This is not just a concern for the US, but for Israel too. While Andaman and Nicobar is Pakistan's focus in the east, if it turns its focus westward, it already has the range to strike US naval assets in east Africa, in Somalia's Mogadishu and Djibouti. It can also strike the US base in Bahrain, in the Persian Gulf. Moving northwest, the range of these missiles, even if extended marginally, will be able to strike Israel.

US is also aware of the turmoil in Pakistan and the fact that Pakistan has the world's largest number of terrorist groups. There is always a threat of such technology falling in the wrong hands or getting transferred to regimes hostile towards the US and Israel.

LATEST SANCTIONS

As recently as last week, the US sanctioned four Pakistani entities, including the state-owned flagship aerospace and defence agency - National Development Complex or NDC - on charges related to its long-range ballistic missile program.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said four Pakistani firms were slapped with sanctions under an executive order that "targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery."

Apart from NDC, the three other entities sanctioned by the US are Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, Affiliates International, and Rockside Enterprises. All three are based in Karachi, while the NDC is located in Islamabad. According to the US State Department, these companies worked with the NDC to acquire equipment related to the long-range ballistic missile program.

A statement issued by the US State Department last week said "The United States holds NDC responsible for Pakistan's development of ballistic missiles, including the Shaheen-series ballistic missiles." It noted that NDC and the three other entities worked to acquire several items, including special vehicle chassis intended to be used as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles, besides acquiring missile testing equipment.

PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM - A BRIEF HISTORY

On May 28, 1998, two weeks after India carried out its nuclear test in Pokhran, Pakistan carried out its nuke test deep in the desert-region of Balochistan. Bill Clinton, the US President at the time, imposed sanctions on both countries. From there on India and Pakistan took divergent routes to shape its nuclear legacy. While India established itself as a responsible nuclear power, Pakistan has been mired in multiple acts of proliferation and repeated rounds of sanctions.

From the early 90s, China has been actively involved in ensuring Pakistan has a nuclear weapons program, regardless of the risks involved. In the process, Beijing too has been sanctioned for providing assistance and technology to Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

In June, 1991, Washington held Beijing accountable for exporting sensitive missile technology to Islamabad and imposed sanctions on China. These sanctions were lifted nearly a year later, when Beijing, which was already a nuclear weapons state, agreed to abide by the international rules of the Missile Technology Control Regime or MTCR, though till date, China has not officially joined the MTCR.

Pakistan and China lay low for a while, and again, in 1993, Washington caught Beijing exporting sensitive missile tech to Islamabad. The sanctions were re-imposed, but did not prove to be too effective. Since then, China and Pakistan steadily increased cooperation on missile technology and delivery systems, disregarding the international rules stated in the MTCR.

Even after Pakistan tested the N-bomb in 1998, US sanctions proved to be effective only temporarily, as Washington lifted those sanctions soon after the 9/11 terror attack as it needed Islamabad on its side for the 'war on terror' in Afghanistan.

In another incident which highlights how China helped Pakistan with sensitive technology while enhancing its own, in August 1998, Pakistan managed to get its hands on a US-made Tomahawk missile. Two Tomahawk missiles, considered the latest technology of the time, turned out to be defective. They were a part of a barrage of 75 missiles fired by the US targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan.

Pakistan secretly shipped the Tomahawk missile to Beijing, where the technology was deciphered and replicated by China. From that new technology China developed its then-latest cruise missile - DH-10. Beijing later sold these missiles back to Islamabad, where they were renamed as the Babur missile, which is nuclear-capable.

Pakistan has, since the start, found itself being caught red-handed in aiding nuclear proliferation. Islamabad has long been accused of secretly exporting sensitive nuclear weapons technology through its network of rouge elements. The most infamous of them all being when disgraced Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan was found illegally selling nuke-related technology to North Korea, Iran, Iraq, and Libya. It left Pakistan red-faced globally and the US shut down those operations in 2004. But two decades later, North Korea and Iran continue to get their supply of equipment and sensitive technology from nefarious underground networks that experts believe stem from Pakistan - some believe with China's blessings.
 

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Quantum Teleportation Now Possible Over Everyday Internet Cable

In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, researchers have figured out a way to achieve the unthinkable: quantum teleportation. While the name may suggest that humans could be teleported through the technology, it is far from the real-life implication of the technology. Quantum teleportation allows the transfer of information instantly and over any distance without needing any future technology. Led by Prem Kumar from Northwestern University, Illinois, US, scientists demonstrated quantum teleportation over standard fibre optic cable that already carries everyday internet traffic, according to a report in ScieneAlert.

In simple terms, quantum teleportation involves sending information from one place to another using something called "quantum entanglement". Think of entanglement like an invisible twin connection where two particles, even if miles apart, are linked in a way that what happens to one instantly affects the other. Unlike sending a physical object, you are sending the state or condition of a particle.

"This is incredibly exciting because nobody thought it was possible. Our work shows a path towards next-generation quantum and classical networks sharing a unified fibre optic infrastructure. Basically, it opens the door to pushing quantum communications to the next level," said Mr Kumar.

The study involved the careful management of light scattering to ensure that the delicate quantum information, carried by photons, could survive amidst the swarm of internet data. To achieve the desired result, the scientists utilised a specific wavelength for the quantum signal and implemented filters to minimise interference from other data streams.

"We carefully studied how light is scattered and placed our photons at a judicial point where that scattering mechanism is minimised. We found we could perform quantum communication without interference from the classical channels that are simultaneously present," added Mr Kumar.

Also Read | Google's Latest Breakthrough A Major Leap In Quantum Computing

The result was a successful teleportation of a quantum state of light, which represents a significant leap towards integrating quantum communication with existing internet infrastructure. Notably, this was not just a simulation; it was done in real-world conditions, showcasing the practical viability of quantum communication alongside traditional data transmission.

One of the biggest appeals of quantum teleportation is that it can occur almost as fast as light travels. The development is a big step towards quantum internet that could revolutionise traditional computing. From secure encryption methods to enhanced sensing capabilities to potentially even connecting quantum computers on a global scale, without needing specialised infrastructure -- the potential for the technology remains immense.

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Manmohan Singh, The Technocrat Who Transformed India's Economy

Manmohan Singh -- former Prime Minister of India, renowned economist, technocrat and the architect of India's liberalisation, which pulled the country out of economic atrophy - has died at 92. Dr Singh, who had been ailing for a while, died at Delhi's AIIMS hospital this evening.

Seen as a reluctant politician, Manmohan Singh was the automatic choice for Sonia Gandhi when, after an unexpected victory of the Congress-led UPA, she stepped away from the post of Prime Minister.

Dr Singh's background as Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor and former finance minister, and his unimpeachable reputation made it an obvious decision.

While the economy has never looked back after the liberalisation of 1991 that pulled it out of a phenomenal low of the balance of payments crisis, delivering an average growth rate of around 8.5 per cent, Manmohan Singh took the other huge step, in foreign policy, in 2009.

The India-US nuclear deal was forged in the fire of a huge political row in the country, the withdrawal of support by the left Front, which left Dr Singh's government confronting a test of strength.

The deal he stood by ended the era of sanctions placed on India after the Pokhran 2 nuclear tests of 1998, with partial sanctions by IAEA that covered only the civil nuclear facilities. It also steered the country away from the Nehruvian policy of non-alignment, placed it front and centre of the international community and secured it a place at the nuclear club high table.  

Dr Singh's political journey of over three decades saw his meteoric rise from a post-partition humble background to the country's highest office.

Born in Gah in undivided Punjab (now in Pakistan) on September 26, 1932, Dr Singh was a brilliant student who got a first class degree in Economics from Cambridge University and a DPhil from Oxford in the early 1960s.

He was handpicked as finance minister by former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao after having held almost every top job in the government: Chief Economic Advisor, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission,  Reserve Bank of India Governor and Union Finance Secretary.

While Dr Singh's personal honesty was never questioned, his government faced allegations of corruption and  policy paralysis in its final years. Allegations linked to the 2G, CWG and Coal block allocations were seized by the Opposition BJP.

The other huge criticism against his government was sparked by the perception of then party chief Sonia Gandhi as a parallel power centre. 

His critics even disparagingly dubbed him as the "Accidental Prime Minister".

Dr Singh, however, maintained that history would be kinder to him.

In January 2014, addressing his last press conference as Prime Minister, he said, "I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament".

Even his fiercest rivals, however, respected and admired him - which is rare in today's politics.

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"Mohan Bhagwat Isn't Feeling Hindus' Pain": Shankaracharya On Temple Remark

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has been criticised by a prominent spiritual leader over his recent remark against raking up temple-mosque disputes. "Mohan Bhagwat does not understand the plight of Hindus," said Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Wednesday.

"Several Hindu temples are being demolished. This is the truth. He is not feeling the pain of Hindus. It is clear from his statement. He does not truly understand the plight of Hindus," he said.

The RSS chief had on December 19 expressed concern over the resurgence of several temple-mosque disputes and asserted that certain individuals, after the construction of Ayodhya's Ram temple, seem to believe they can become "leaders of Hindus" by raking up such issues.

"Mohan Bhagwat has claimed that some people raise these issues to become leaders, but I want to clarify that ordinary Hindus do not aspire to become leaders," Swami Avimukteshwaranand said.

Mr Bhagwat, delivering a lecture in Pune on 'India-The Vishwaguru,' at Sahjeevan Vyakhyanmala (lecture series), advocated for an "inclusive society."

"Raking up new issues every day for disdain and enmity should not be done. What is the solution here? We should show the world that we can live in harmony, so we should have a little experiment in our country," he had said.

His comments also sparked a political controversy with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav saying that the RSS chief must make his appeal for "harmony" to the BJP. "If he even makes a call to the chief minister (Yogi Adityanath), then there will be no survey and no such controversy," Mr Yadav said.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh slammed Mr Bhagwat's statement and termed it as "double standards".

Uttar Pradesh has witnessed several litigations filed in various courts related to temple-mosque disputes from Sambhal's Shahi Jama to Budaun's Jama Masjid Shamsi, Atala Masjid in Jaunpur and Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, where Hindu petitioners have sought permission to offer prayers, claiming that ancient temples existed at the sites where the mosques now stand.

Recently, clashes between protestors and police over the court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal resulted in five deaths in November. Dozens were injured in the violence that also triggered a massive political row. The issue also reached the Supreme Court, which halted survey action and directed the mosque's management committee to approach the Allahabad High Court.

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Nothing Phone 3a, Phone 3a Plus Tipped to Offer Upgraded Camera Capabilities

Nothing Phone 3a, Phone 3a Plus, and the CMF Phone 2 are said to be in the works. The phones were also spotted in the IMEI database earlier this month. Most recently, camera specifications and other details of the unannounced Nothing smartphones have surfaced on the Web. The Nothing Phone 3a is tipped to come with a telephoto camera. Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Plus are said to be equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, whereas the CMF Phone 2 could run a MediaTek SoC.

Nothing Phone 3a Camera Details Leaked

Android Authority claims to have received information about the Nothing Phone 3a, Phone 3a Plus, and the CMF Phone 2, stating that they're in the works with codenames steroids, asteroids_plus, and galaga, respectively. The Nothing Phone 3a is said to include a telephoto camera, while the Phone 3a Plus will reportedly boast a periscope zoom camera.

If this turns out to be true, the Phone 3a series could be the first in the Nothing lineup to switch to dedicated sensors for optical zoom. Existing Nothing Phones boast a wide and ultra-wide rear camera setup.

The report further states that the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Plus could be the first phones from the UK brand to offer eSIM support. They are likely to provide two physical nano-SIMs or an eSIM with a physical nano-SIM for dual-SIM configurations.

CMF Phone 2, on the other hand, is likely to stick to physical SIM only. Further, the report reiterates that the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Plus will be reportedly equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, while the CMF Phone 2 will run a MediaTek SoC.

The Nothing Phone 3a series is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2025. It is speculated to ship with Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.1 user interface.

 

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Childhoods Chained, Dreams Sold In Forgotten Corner of Madhya Pradesh

In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, nestled amid the rugged terrains of Rajgarh district, lies Jaitpura - a village where time seems to have stopped, leaving dreams in shackles and childhoods stolen. Here, innocence is traded, and the cruel weight of tradition drags children into adulthood long before their time.

Our journey began where the road ended, over narrow, broken paths that echoed the hardship of lives untouched by development.

In these forgotten corners of India, we found children whose laughter has been silenced by customs like child marriage and engagement, bound by the age-old practice of Jhagda-Natra. 

This grim tradition demands exorbitant amounts from families seeking to break free from pre-arranged marriages, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and despair.

The stories of Jaitpura are a reflection of a broader malaise plaguing 50 villages, where over 700 children have lost their right to a carefree childhood. 

Rama Bai, now 40, recalls how her childhood ended abruptly three decades ago.

"I got married at the age of 10 years... Every day, girls here are married off. This must stop," she said, her voice heavy with the weight of her past. 

Geeta, just 22, carries her young daughter in her arms. Engaged at two, married at 16, she refuses to let history repeat itself. "I will not engage my daughter. This must end with me," she asserts, her resolve a tiny ray of light amid the darkness that lies heavy over the lives of the children.

One parent explained the harsh reality: "Here relationships are often fixed even before birth. When a woman is six months pregnant, families decide-'if you have a boy and we have a girl, they will be engaged.' They stick to their word. As children grow, more money is required, and sometimes, in a drunken state, engagements are finalised. This happened in our family too," she said, a tone of resignation in her voice.

Childhood Dreams in Chains

These decisions impact children profoundly, robbing them of their innocence and dreams. Some are as young as one year old when they are engaged, marked with bracelets or lockets to signify the commitment.

Dinesh, a young boy, shared a bittersweet moment about his fiancee: "My fiancee is frim Gangapar. She was given a bracelet and a pendent during the engagement."

Another child, Mangilal's fiancée, said: "I was just a year old when I got engaged. I don't remember much, but I know his name is Mangilal. I didn't receive anything during the engagement."

For many, these symbols of commitment are not cherished but burdensome. 

A boy, just 10 years old, was vocal about his discomfort. "I was given sweets when I got engaged, but I didn't want to. I've decided-I won't marry. I'm in the 5th standard, and I want to become a doctor," he said.

For the young girls, anklets and bangles are not adornments but symbols of oppression. The pain, both physical and emotional, weighs heavily on them.

"My feet hurt a lot because of the anklets. I tell my parents every day, but they say I must wear them. This is bondage. I want freedom from these," a girl said.

For most, these ornaments represent a lifelong burden. 

A 10-year-old, married when she was far younger, said: "The bangles were put on me during my engagement and marriage. They're said to enhance a girl's beauty, but to me, they are shackles. Sometimes, when there is trouble at my in-laws' house, these bangles are removed and sold."

Villagers justify the system as a compulsion - a way to escape debt, or wedding expenses. But it is the children who pay the price, their lives reduced to mere transactions.

Govardhan Tanwar, the deputy sarpanch, sounded matter of fact. "Engagements happen when parents are drunk. They take loans, marry off their daughters, and the cycle continues."

According to the National Family Health Survey-5, 46 per cent of women aged 20-24 in Rajgarh were married before they turned 18. Education remains a distant dream, with over half the women in the district illiterate.

Breaking these shackles comes at a cost. Families must pay hefty fines to annul pre-arranged marriages, often appearing before social panchayats. 

The price of freedom is crushing, leaving many resigned to their fates. In certain regions of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, if a girl dares to break free from this bondage or refuses to go through with a prearranged marriage, she and her family are summoned before social councils. These councils impose fines, known as 'jhagda' (penalty), for canceling the marriage. In some cases, practices like nata or natara, involving widows or abandoned women returning to society, are also intertwined with these traditions. 

Amid these statistics and age-old customs, this story is not just about Jaitpura village-it is a reflection of countless tales of pain and struggle. It is the story of countless villages where tradition chains childhood, and dreams are sold.
 

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Scarlett Johansson Shocked As Husband Colin Jost Jokes About Her On SNL

Scarlett Johansson was left shocked as she made a surprise appearance on the latest episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL) with her husband, Colin Jost, making numerous jokes about the Hollywood star's age, their child and their sex life. During the "Weekend Update" of SNL's Christmas edition, anchors, Mr Jost and Michael Che were doing their annual "joke exchange" where they both write jokes for each other. The prompts are designed to land either of them in hot water and this year, Mr Jost received the short end of the stick.

“I want to dedicate this next joke to my boo, Scarlett Johansson,” said Mr Jost, reading the joke from the teleprompter as the Avengers star looked on nervously from the backstage.

“Oh my gosh, she's so genuinely worried,” said Mr Jost, briefly breaking his on-screen character.

“Y'all know Scarlett just celebrated her 40th birthday, which means I'm about to get up out of there,” he added, with the camera quickly panning away to Ms Johansson, who was both simultaneously laughing and gobsmacked.

“Shiz! Nah, nah. I'm just playin',” he added.

“We just had a kid together, and y'all ain't see no pictures of him yet, because he's Black as hell!” said Mr Jost as a photoshopped image of himself and Ms Johansson was displayed on the screen.

Just when Mr Jost thought the segment had ended, another joke popped up which he reluctantly began to read.

“Costco has removed their roast beef sandwich from its menu, but I ain't tripping. I be eating roast beef every night since my wife had the kid,” said Jost causing an eruption of laughter from the entire cast and crew.

Ms Johansson looked shocked, mouthing, “Oh my gosh".

Colin Jost and Michael Che just did their annual SNL joke-swap where they write each other's jokes

this joke about Scarlett Johansson...and then the camera cutting to her for her shocked reaction...omg pic.twitter.com/q7CKknJB1q

— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) December 22, 2024

2024 Christmas Joke Swap with Colin and Che! pic.twitter.com/0uExTX8MHL

— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) December 22, 2024

Internet reacts

The jokes left the audience as well as social media users in split who said Mr Che had landed his colleague in trouble with the brutal jokes.

"Scarlett is either a fantastic actress or was truly genuinely shocked," said one user, while another added: "Haven't laughed like this watching Saturday Night Live in a while. Che definitely got Colin this year. Lol."

A third commented: "The Weekend Update joke swap has become the best part of the show and tonight did not disappoint."

Notably, this is not the first instance when Mr Jost has been forced to make such jokes about her wife. In July, earlier this year, during another joke swap segment, Mr Che made his colleague say:

“ChatGPT has released a new voice assistant feature inspired by Scarlett Johansson's AI character in Her,” a nervous Mr Jost told viewers. “Which I've never bothered to watch, because without that body what's the point of listening?”

While the jokes are made at the expense of both anchors, the segment is often the most-watched part of SNL.

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140 Trillion Oceans Of Water Discovered In Deep Space

A colossal water reservoir has been discovered by astronomers in a remote corner of the universe, orbiting a quasar over 12 billion light-years away. This staggering distance means the light we observe today embarked on its journey shortly after the universe's birth. 

The magnitude of this distant water supply is immense, containing an estimated 140 trillion times the volume of all Earth's oceans combined. This vast reservoir resides near a supermassive black hole, approximately 20 billion times more massive than our sun. 

Enveloping this black hole is a quasar named APM 08279+5255, emitting energy equivalent to a thousand trillion suns. According to astronomers, this quasar harbours the most distant and substantial water reservoir ever identified within the universe.

Quasar APM 08279+5255 and its water

Matt Bradford, a scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, leads one of the teams studying the observations.

"The environment around this quasar is unique because it's producing a vast amount of water," Bradford explained. "It's another indication that water is widespread throughout the universe, even in its earliest stages."

Bradford's team, along with a separate group of astronomers, investigated APM 08279+5255 and its central black hole, which pulls in surrounding matter.

As the black hole draws in material, it heats the surrounding gas and dust, creating a region filled with molecules never before detected at such an extreme distance.

Quasars were first discovered over 50 years ago when telescopes revealed mysterious sources of intense brightness in distant parts of space.

These objects are not ordinary stars. They shine brightly from the centres of distant galaxies, outshining all the stars within those galaxies.

At their core lie supermassive black holes, millions or even billions of times the mass of our sun. As gas and dust spiral toward these black holes, the material heats up and releases energy.

This energy radiates across all wavelengths, making quasars some of the brightest and most energetic phenomena ever observed.

Studying quasars allows astronomers to learn about the early universe, as the light we observe today has travelled billions of years to reach us.

Quasars provide insights into the formation of galaxies, the distribution of matter, and the development of the earliest cosmic structures.

They can even map the distribution of matter between galaxies, revealing regions that would otherwise remain hidden.

Some quasars also emit massive jets of high-speed particles that extend across vast distances. These jets can influence star formation, affecting entire regions of cosmic material.

A Surprising Discovery of Water

Astronomers discovered water vapour in the environment surrounding this particular quasar. The vapour spans a region hundreds of light-years across, with one light-year equaling roughly six trillion miles.

Although the gas is thin by Earth standards, it is unusually warm and dense compared to similar regions in our Milky Way.

With temperatures around minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, the gas is about 300 trillion times less dense than Earth's atmosphere. Despite this, it is five times hotter and up to hundreds of times denser than gas found in typical galaxies. These exceptional conditions make this region a unique find.

Why Does This Matter?

Water vapour is more than just a molecule; its presence indicates that the quasar is emitting radiation that keeps the surrounding gas relatively warm.

Astronomers also detected other molecules, such as carbon monoxide, suggesting an abundance of material that could feed the black hole as it continues to grow.

They estimate that there is enough gas for the black hole to increase its mass by roughly six times, though the outcome remains uncertain.

Some of this gas could form new stars, while other portions may be expelled into space. Regardless, these observations provide a glimpse into the conditions of the early universe.

Quasars, Water, and the Building Blocks of Life

The detection of water vapour in such a distant quasar expands our understanding of how life's essential building blocks appear over vast expanses of time and space.

Water is vital for life as we know it, and its presence billions of years ago suggests that the elements necessary for life have been available for a long time.

Moreover, water plays a crucial role in shaping the evolution of stars and galaxies. When gas clouds cool, water facilitates their collapse, promoting the birth of stars.

Finding water this far back provides astronomers with new insights into how galaxies evolved as the universe matured.

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Jeff Bezos Denies Report Of $600 Million Lavish Wedding: "Completely False"

Jeff Bezos has categorically denied media reports that his upcoming wedding to fiancee Lauren Sanchez will cost a staggering $600 million. Taking to X, the billionaire founder of Amazon set the record straight, dismissing the rumours as "completely false". The report, picked up by several outlets across the world, alleged that the couple is set to exchange vows on December 28 and spend over half a billion dollars on the extravagant event.

Mr Bezos' reaction was sparked by a post from billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who expressed scepticism about the reported $600 million wedding. "This is not credible. Unless you are buying each of your guests a house, you can't spend this much money," he wrote on X. 

Reacting to Mr Ackman's tweet, the Amazon founder wrote, "Furthermore, this whole thing is completely false — none of this is happening. The adage "don't believe everything you read” is even more true today than it ever has been. Now lies can get around the world before the truth can get its pants on. So be careful out there folks and don't be gullible. Will be interesting to see if all the outlets that "covered" and re-reported on this issue a correction when it comes and goes and doesn't happen."

See the tweet here:

Furthermore, this whole thing is completely false — none of this is happening. The old adage “don't believe everything you read” is even more true today than it ever has been. Now lies can get ALL the way around the world before the truth can get its pants on. So be careful out… https://t.co/wz2SWp6wBZ

— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) December 22, 2024

His fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, also weighed in on the matter, sharing Mr Bezos' post on her Instagram stories and adding a clear rebuttal: "Not true".

Initial reports from the Daily Mail and the New York Post alleged that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were planning an extravagant winter wonderland-themed wedding in Aspen, Colorado. According to the reports, the couple had booked Matsuhisa, an upscale sushi restaurant, as the exclusive venue for their celebration. The reports claimed that the luxury restaurant would be reserved from December 26 to 27, hosting around 180 guests including big names like Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Queen Rania of Jordan. 

Notably, Ms Sanchez started dating the Amazon boss in 2018. The couple went public with their relationship on July 14, 2019, after Mr Bezos' divorce from his first wife MacKenzie Scott was finalised. 

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4,000-Year-Old Massacre In England: 37 Victims Were Slaughtered And Eaten

A 4,000-year-old massacre in southwestern England was linked to possible acts of cannibalism, new research has revealed. The remains of at least 37 individuals -- men, women and children -- were found in a 50-foot-deep shaft at Charterhouse Warren Farm, showing snapped femurs, bashed skulls, and slicing cuts. Researchers suggest the victims were slaughtered and possibly eaten in a ceremonial feast, with some bones bearing marks of human teeth.

The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, suggest the victims were slaughtered in a single, large-scale event between 2210 and 2010 BC. Discovered in 1970 at Charterhouse Warren Farm, near Bristol, the site had initially been dismissed as a typical Bronze Age burial. However, the new study reveals the remains belonged to victims who were likely captives or caught in a surprise attack. No evidence of weapons or defensive injuries was found.

Nearly half of the recovered skulls bear fatal injuries consistent with blows from wooden clubs. Tool marks on leg bones suggest flesh was stripped, and fractures on long bones point to marrow extraction -- practices associated with cannibalism. The perpetrators also dumped butchered animal remains into the shaft alongside human bones, possibly as part of a ritual.

“It's taken us all aback. It was completely unexpected, totally atypical for the period and for almost all of British prehistory,” said lead author Rick Schulting, archaeology professor at Oxford University.

The scale of the violence and its motivations remain unclear. Researchers believe that a cycle of escalating revenge killings between nearby communities may have triggered the massacre. Rick Schulting suggests that the killings may have been a warning or a form of dehumanisation of the victims. “There has been no [previous] indication of violence on this scale in Britain at that time, both regarding the number of victims and the way in which they were treated after death,” he said.

Unlike the relatively peaceful archaeological record of the British Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, where violent conflict was rare, Charterhouse Warren presents a unique case of mass violence and systematic postmortem processing. The disarticulated remains stand out against the typical burial practices of the period, where articulated skeletons or cremations dominated. Charterhouse Warren joins a handful of European prehistoric sites that document extreme violence and body processing.

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2 Dead, 60 Injured In German Christmas Market Car Attack, Saudi Man Arrested

German police arrested a Saudi man after a deadly car ramming attack on a Christmas market Friday in which a vehicle barrelled through a crowd of revellers at high speed, leaving a trail of bloody carnage.

At least two people were killed and more than 60 injured, said rescue services in the eastern city of Magdeburg located about 130 kilometres (80 miles) southwest of Berlin.

The unnamed suspect was a 50-year-old medical doctor from Saudi Arabia living in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, said regional premier Reiner Haseloff, speaking at the scene which was cordoned off and guarded by police commandos.

"We have arrested the perpetrator, a man from Saudi Arabia, a doctor who has been in Germany since 2006," he told reporters, calling the attack a "catastrophe" for the city and the country.

"From what we currently know he was a lone attacker so we don't think there is any further danger."

Police said the vehicle drove "at least 400 metres across the Christmas market" leaving behind a trail of bloodied casualties at the city's central town hall square.

Ambulances and fire engines rushed to the chaotic site, which was doused in blue emergency lights with sirens wailing, with badly injured people being treated as they lay on the ground or rushed off to hospitals.

Cries and screams could be heard as around 100 police, medics and the fire service officers deployed to the litter-strewn market decorated with Christmas trees and festive lights.

"The pictures are terrible," said city spokesman Michael Reif.

New weekly Der Spiegel, citing security sources, said that a black BMW had barrelled through the crowd at high speed just after 7:00 pm local time (1800 GMT) when the market was filled with revellers.

Haseloff said the Saudi man had driven a rented car with Munich licence plates into the Christmas market.

Die Welt daily reported that a piece of luggage was found on the passenger seat and it was "unclear whether there may be an explosive device in it", adding that "the authorities have not yet ruled out this scenario".

The Magdeburg city administration said in a Facebook post that 15 people were critically injured, with 37 people suffering serious injuries and 16 sustaining light injuries.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had quickly written on X that "the reports from Magdeburg raise the worst fears".

"My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours."

Scholz was expected to travel to the city on Saturday, said the state premier.

- Series of attacks -

The bloody carnage recalled a 2016 jihadist attack in which a Tunisian man driving a lorry killed 12 people in a Christmas market in Berlin, the country's worst ever such attack.

A 13th victim died later having suffered serious injuries in the assault, claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has recently called on people to be vigilant at Christmas markets, although she said that authorities had not received any specific threats.

Domestic security service the Office for the Protection of the Constitution had warned it considers Christmas markets to be an "ideologically suitable target for Islamist-motivated people".

Germany has in recent times seen a series of suspected Islamist-motivated knife attacks.

Three people were killed and eight wounded in a stabbing spree at a street festival in the western city of Solingen in August.

Police arrested a Syrian suspect over the attack that was claimed by IS.

In June, a policeman was killed in a knife attack in Mannheim, with an Afghan national held as the main suspect.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wrote that "the anticipation of a peaceful Christmas was suddenly interrupted" but he cautioned that "the background to the terrible deed has yet been clarified".

The leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alice Weidel, which has focused on jihadist attacks in its campaign against immigrants, wrote on X "when will this madness stop?"

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "profoundly shocked" the attack and that he "shares the pain of the German people".

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also said she was "deeply shocked by the brutal attack on the defenceless crowd", adding: "Violence must have no place in our democracies."

Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez said he was "shocked" by the "terrible attack".

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

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Namita Thapar And Anupam Mittal Clash Over 70-Hour Workweek Debate

It's been several months, but the debate on India's work productivity, sparked by Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy's '70-hour workweek' comment continues to rage on. Now, 'Shark Tank India' judges, Namita Thapar and Anupam Mittal, have expressed their views on the matter. During an interview with 'Humans of Bombay', Mr Mittal, founder and CEO of Shaadi.com, engaged in a fiery debate with Ms Thapar, the CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals. While Mr Mittal supported the idea that one should not look at the number of hours being clocked at work, Ms Thapar disagreed with him calling it a "crock of bullsh*t".

In the interview, Mr Mittal was asked about his opinion on the workweek debate. He said, "I think it is a big lie that's being told to this generation, and I think it stinks because you are not ever going to... okay this is for people who want to achieve something extraordinary in life... you are not going to achieve anything extraordinary in life by counting the hours that you are putting in."

Mr Thapar then quickly chimed in, saying that it is different for founders as they have an "upside" which is not there for regular employees and therefore, they should work for stipulated hours, considering the work-life balance. "Basically this whole discussion and argument that is going on, pardon my language, is a crock of bullsh*t," she said.

Ms Thapar explained three data points to support her argument. "No. 1, when Emcure went public, it was $3 billion, my family owns 80 percent, so imagine the kind of wealth I am making. The founders, set of co-founders and top management, look at the kind of money they are making. Obviously, we could work 20 hours a day, which is what we all do. But the employee? Today, my accountant, he is making a salary, he does not have the upside of putting in that kind of hours," she said. 

Ms Thapar then went on to say that extended work hours cannot be a norm for regular employees as it will have far-reaching implications. "If he is going to put in that kind of hours, my second data point is, he is going to have serious, serious, serious physical and mental health issues," she said.

"So, I think for founders and high stakeholders, who make tons of money - go for it. Work 24 hours a day forever! But I think for the common man and woman... (there needs to be) a certain number of hours that they are supposed to work, and of course when there are deliverables... people work longer hours, but it is not on a non-stop, standard number basis," she continued. 

Also Read | Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal's Strongly-Worded Email To Employees On WFH Misuse Goes Viral

"Third thing: For God's sake, don't get married and have children because the next generation is suffering because of non-existent parents... just spare them the misery and mental health issues due to having an absentee parent. So, I think for people with high stakes, yes (work long hours), but for common employees, have a reasonable work limit, knowing that there will be some blips during deliverable time, but it cannot be a constant 70-hour work week, which is what a lot of people are proposing," she added. 

Notably, the 70-hour workweek debate started when Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy said that India's work productivity is one of the lowest in the world and asked the youth the contribute towards building the culture so that India can compete effectively on the global stage. 

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Elon Musk Faces Assassination Threat? "He's A CEO" Cryptic Post Viral

A post shared on X (formerly Twitter) has gone viral, igniting controversy after a user appeared to call for the assassination of Elon Musk.

The tweet has prompted accusations that the social media user, Bill Shea, indirectly suggested harm against Elon Musk.

Bill Shea shared a screenshot from the X page, 'Republicans against Trump,' which contained a statement comparing Elon Musk to George Soros. It read, "Elon Musk is literally everything MAGA Republicans accused George Soros of doing."

At the time of sharing the post, Bill Shea added a comment, "Folks, please do not forget Musk is a CEO of several companies. I say again, he's a CEO. Do with that information as you will."

The tweet has spread like wildfire on the Elon Musk-owned platform. Bill Shea's account was subsequently deactivated, likely in response to the huge negative attention the post generated.

You can delete your profile, Bill Shea, but the internet is
F o r e v e r @realDonaldTrump @JDVance @DHSgov @FBI @DOGE pic.twitter.com/iqezeQ8P6D

— Em J (@emjniner11) December 19, 2024

This incident has emerged in the wake of the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a crime allegedly carried out by Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a well-known Baltimore family.

Luigi Mangione's actions have ignited a heated debate, with certain online communities praising him as a symbol of protest against the perceived flaws within the US healthcare system. His actions have given rise to an ongoing conversation about the influence of CEOs and their role in shaping public policy, further polarising opinions.

The controversy surrounding Luigi Mangione was amplified when a "lookalike contest" was held in New York City, the location of Mr Thompson's death, by those who sympathised with his cause.

The situation took another turn when former Washington Post journalist Taylor Lorenz stoked further controversy on Bluesky. Ms Lorenz shared an image with the caption "CEO DOWN," and used the opportunity to criticise the role of insurance executives in perpetuating harm. 

This question presupposes something that I'm not sure should be taken for granted. https://t.co/P4KI7SeCHL

— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) December 5, 2024

While Ms Lorenz clarified that she does not support violence, she added the necessity of holding those responsible for systemic injustices accountable for their actions.

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India Lodges Protest With Bangladesh Over 'Map' Post By Muhammad Yunus Aide

India has lodged a strong protest with Dhaka over a now-deleted social media post by a key aide of Bangladesh's interim government that claimed certain areas of Indian territory should be part of that country.

Mahfuz Alam, known for his provocative comments, had also posted on Facebook four days ago a map purportedly showing parts of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam as parts of Bangladesh. He deleted the post after it triggered backlash.

Mr Alam is a de facto minister in the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh.

In strongly reacting to the post, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday reminded all concerned to be "mindful" of their public comments.

"We have taken this up with the Bangladeshi government. We have strongly registered a protest on this issue. We understand that the post being referred to has reportedly been taken down.

"We would like to remind all concerned to be mindful of their public comments. While India has repeatedly signalled interest in fostering relations with the people and the interim government of Bangladesh, such comments underline the need for responsibility in public articulation," he said.

The relations between India and Bangladesh are reeling under severe strain after the interim government headed by Mr Yunus came to power in August.

Mr Yunus assumed the charge as the head of the interim dispensation days after the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post and fled to India in the face of a massive anti-government protest.

Asked about Mr Yunus not providing a specific timeline for holding parliamentary elections in Bangladesh as he said it could be held between late 2025 and early 2026, Jaiswal did not give a clear answer.

"We have very clearly defined our approach towards our ties with Bangladesh. We have said that we support a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh," he said.

"We have reiterated our willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on mutual trust, respect and mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns and interest," Jaiswal said.

"We have also emphasised that the people of Bangladesh are the main stakeholders in the India-Bangladesh relations and noted that India's development cooperation and multi-faceted engagements with Bangladesh including in areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building which are all geared towards benefiting the people of Bangladesh," he added.

In an address to the nation on December 16, Mr Yunus said the elections could be held between late 2025 and early 2026, depending on implementation of various reforms.

Asked about Mr Yunus's comments offering to host the stalled SAARC summit in Bangladesh following his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Cairo, Jaiswal said India has been pushing for regional cooperation through various platforms.

"Our efforts have been to boost regional cooperation. We want to move forward with platforms like BIMSTEC," he said, adding, "SAARC is another platform...You know why cooperation under SAARC is not moving forward." The SAARC ((South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) is a regional bloc comprising India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The grouping has not been very effective since 2016 as its biennial summits have not taken place since the last one in Kathmandu in 2014.

The 2016 SAARC Summit was to be held in Islamabad. But after the terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to "prevailing circumstances".

The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet.

In the last few years, India has been making concerted efforts to make BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) a vibrant forum for regional cooperation as initiatives under SAARC were not moving forward.

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

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Superman Teaser Trailer Out, Features Superdog Krypto And Hawk Girl

James Gunn's much-awaited Superman's teaser-trailer is out now. The relatively new Superman David Corenswet will inhabit a world full of DC Comics characters. The teaser introduces the Superman, lying on a snow-covered terrain and blood spitting out of his mouth. When Krypto the Superdog, comes near a wounded Superman, he says, "Take me home."

The teaser offers a first look of David as Superman's bespectacled alter ego, Clark Kent, reporter for the Metropolis newspaper The Daily Planet. Kent's colleague and Superman's beloved, Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Superman's arch nemesis, Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), are also introduced in the teaser. Additionally, there are a few quick glimpses of Skyler Gisondo as Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen, as well as Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent, Clark's adopted father.

There are also glimpses of other DC superheroes making their debuts. They include Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, the pugnacious member of the Green Lantern corps, Isabela Merced ("Alien: Romulus") as the winged Hawkgirl; and Anthony Corrigan as the pale, bald Metamorpho.

During a press meet, James Gunn mentioned the essance of the film with these words this Superman "lives in a world with superheroes," quoted Variety.

The new Superman film is also David Corenswet's biggest Hollywood project yet. He is only the fourth actor to play the iconic role on the big screen, after Christopher Reeve (1978-87), Brandon Routh (2006) and Henry Cavill (2013-2022).  Before Superman, David has been seen in projects such as The Politician, Hollywood, and Pearl.

Before casting for the lead role of Superman/ Clark Kent, James Gunn had shared his vision for the film in an interaction with Variety. He had said: "The next Superman has to be someone who has all the humanity that Superman has but he's also an alien. It's gotta be somebody who has the kindness and the compassion that Superman has and be somebody who you want to give a hug."

James Gunn has previously directed films such as the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, The Suicide Squad, and Slither, among others.

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Video: Passengers Panic, Scream For Help As Ferry Sinks Off Mumbai Coast

A video of Indian Navy and Coast Guard personnel rescuing passengers of a ferry that sank near Mumbai after colliding with a naval speedboat shows people shouting for help as the boat slowly goes under water.

Thirteen people were killed and 99 were rescued. The navy craft whose engine was on a trial run lost control and collided with the passenger ferry that was going from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a tourist spot.

"Search and Rescue efforts were immediately launched by the Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and Marine Police. Four naval helicopters, 11 naval craft, one Coast Guard boat and three Marine Police boats were involved in the rescue efforts," the Navy said.

"The survivors picked up by Navy and civil craft in the area have been transferred to jetties and hospitals in the vicinity. So far 99 survivors have been rescued," it added.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur that 101 persons have been rescued. He said he was deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the collision between the passenger ferry and the Indian Navy craft.

Mr Fadnavis declared financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who died in the accident.

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