Airfares Sky High, Railways To Run Two Special Trains For Coldplay Concert

Two special trains being run between Mumbai and Ahmedabad on January 25 and 26 by Western Railway are set to provide relief for those wanting to attend concerts of renowned rock band Coldplay amid skyrocketing airfares between the two cities.

An official on Thursday said though the two trains are "winter specials" as per the directive of the Railway Board, these are being operated to clear the extra rush of passengers in view of the Coldplay concerts on January 25 and 26 at Narendra Modi stadium in Gujarat.

"Both the trains will depart from Bandra Terminus at 6:15am and reach Ahmedabad at 2pm on January 25 and 26. On the return leg, the trains will leave from Ahmedabad the next day at 1:40am and arrive at Bandra Terminus at 8:40am. These trains will halt at Borivali, Vapi, Udhna, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara and Gertapur in both directions," the official said.

Other officials said airfares have soared between the metropolis and Gujarat's largest city due to the concerts, while trains on the route are also full.

Even these two 'winter specials' might not be sufficient if the popularity of Coldplay and the past experience of the railways with the cricket world cup were anything to go by, these officials pointed out.

For the Coldplay concerts to be held at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on January 18, 19 and 21, the organisers have booked Full Tariff Rate (FTR) suburban locals for the attendees.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/kFOdMB4

Customs Department Imposes Fine On IndiGo, Airline To Take Legal Measures

Leading airline IndiGo on Wednesday said the customs department has imposed a fine of little over Rs 25 lakh on the company in relation to duty on jet fuel.

The fine has been imposed by the Joint Commissioner (Customs), Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Ludhiana.

In a regulatory filing, InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of IndiGo, said there was "demand for additional duty of customs on remnant Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF)".

The company will take appropriate legal measures against it, the filing said and added that there is no material impact on financials, operations or other activities.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/5O4AruQ

BJP Points Finger At AAP Over Delhi School Bomb Threats

The BJP on Tuesday asked AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal to clarify if his party has any connection with those allegedly involved in sending bomb threats to more than 400 schools in Delhi recently.

This came after Delhi Police claimed that a Class-12 student had sent hoax bomb threats to more than 400 city schools and that his parents are linked to an NGO that supports a political party. The police, however, did not reveal the name of the political party.

A police officer also said that during the investigation, it was found that the NGO had voiced support for Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

Hitting back, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the BJP of "concocting stories" ahead of Assembly polls and asserted that "no evidence has so far come from the police".

Terming the police findings as "very sensitive and serious", BJP national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed it has also been found during the probe that the student's parents were associated with some NGOs that were involved in the past in such activities considered inimical to national security.

"This news raises strong suspicion because we all know that AAP has deep links to such unwanted NGOs and others involved in anti-national activities," he told a press conference at the BJP headquarters here.

Stressing that it was not something pulled out of thin air, Mr Trivedi said, "Chief Minister Atishi Marlena's parents had supported Afzal Guru's clemency petition. AAP (government) kept the file of the case on the raising of 'tukde-tukde' slogan (in JNU campus) pending (for sanction of prosecution of the accused) for months," he alleged.

The BJP leader claimed that there appeared to be a "direct link" between the NGOs and the AAP leadership in the case related to bomb threats sent to schools in Delhi.

"Kejriwal talks all nonsense and makes false statements. I want to ask clearly if AAP will clarify what its links are to the horrifying and dangerous facts coming out because a direct ideological similarity with you is visible with the mechanism coming to light in the case," he said.

The BJP's Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva also targeted AAP on the issue and claimed that given the direction of the investigation in the case, the "links between the said NGO, AAP and its leaders will become visible somewhere or the other".

"It's not a coincidence...Those emails were sent to 400 schools under a well-thought-out conspiracy so that an atmosphere of fear is created in Delhi because they had to win the elections," he charged.

"Arvind Kejriwal is not just an enemy of Delhi but of the country as well... May Delhi be free from this 'aapda' (disaster) because they (AAP) have destroyed Delhi," he added.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh mocked Trivedi over his allegations, calling him the "newly appointed Delhi Police Commissioner".

"He knows things that even the police is unaware of," the AAP leader said at a press conference.

Mr Singh also asked why the BJP is raising the issue eight months after the first bomb threat was received by a school in the city in May last year.

"No evidence has so far come from the police, while the BJP for political gain has now raised the issue and Trivedi is concocting baseless stories when the Delhi Assembly elections are hardly 15 days away," the AAP leader said.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/q8zh4nm

Police To Probe AAP's Charges Against Parvesh Verma On Money Distribution

The district election officer (DEO) of New Delhi constituency has forwarded various complaints of violations of model code of conduct, filed by AAP and its convener Arvind Kejriwal against BJP candidate Parvesh Verma, to the police for investigation.

The complaints filed by AAP's legal cell and Mr Kejriwal alleged setting up of job camps under "Har Ghar Naukari" campaign for registrations, and distribution of Rs 1100 by BJP and Mr Verma, officials said.

The election officers in separate reports said that flying squads formed to check model code of conduct violations did not find any camps or pamphlets as alleged by the AAP.

The New Delhi district election officer in an action taken report submitted to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Delhi, has said that police authorities were asked to investigate the facts of the allegations of job camps and distribution of Rs 1100 and take action as per Representation of Peoples Act.

It also said that instructions were issued to take preventive steps against holding of a job camp on January 15.

Arvind Kejriwal, BJP's Parvesh Verma and Congress' Sandeep Dikshit are among the prominent candidates from the New Delhi constituency.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/Ec0sOhl

Psychologist Arrested For Sexually Exploiting Students For 15 Years: Police

A 45-year-old psychologist was arrested in Nagpur for allegedly blackmailing and sexually exploiting at least 50 of his students over the past 15 years, a police official said on Monday.

The accused, who operated a clinic and residential program in east Nagpur, faces charges under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Hudkeshwar police station official said.

"The psychologist allegedly lured students, particularly girls, with promises of personal and professional development. He organized trips and camps where he would sexually abuse them, take explicit photos, and later use these to blackmail them. The incident came to light after a former student, who was being blackmailed by the accused, approached the police," he said.

Several victims are married and may be hesitant to approach police to file complaints, the official added.

Police have formed a special committee to assist victims and ensure a thorough investigation, the official added.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/m6Oa9WM

Violent Attack On Cows In Bengaluru Sparks Outrage, Chief Minister Orders Probe

Tension gripped Chamarajapet area in the city after unidentified people attacked three cows, severing their udders.

According to police sources, the incident occurred at Vinayakanagar in Chamarajpet. The cows belong to a local named Karna.

Residents woke up to the distressing sounds of the cattle and found the injured animals lying in a pool of blood, sparking outrage in the locality.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he has directed Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda to investigate the case and take action.

Reacting to the incident, the BJP announced plans to observe 'Black Sankranti' if the government failed to take action.

"This heinous act reflects a Jihadi mindset. We will observe 'Black Sankranti' if the government fails to take action against the accused persons," Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka told reporters.

He further stressed the cultural and religious significance of cows and bulls, which are decorated and worshipped during Sankranti festival.

"After this incident, how could we celebrate Sankranti?" Ashoka asked.

The BJP leader along with the party workers visited the spot and consoled the owner of the cows.

Several BJP leaders, including the Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and former Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan condemned the incident.

CM Siddaramaiah said he has instructed the police to take action against the culprits.

“I have spoken to the Police Commissioner. I have told him to take immediate action against the culprits. I have told him to find out those who did it,” the CM told reporters in Ballari.

He said he would ensure that whoever did it will be brought to book.

To a query on Hindu outfits staging protests, Siddaramaiah said they were trying to "politicise" the issue.

A case has been registered in connection with the incident, police said.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/IVMmPsL

Video: Moment When Under-Construction Building Collapsed In UP's Kannauj

A man narrowly escaped potentially serious injury when an under-construction building at Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj Railway station collapsed on Saturday afternoon. Moments before the accident, which trapped around two dozen workers under the rubble, the man was seen walking with a wooden pole around a scaffolding frame, CCTV footage showed.

He entered the frame and looked up when suddenly the under-construction shuttering of the roof came crashing down. He ran out of the frame in the nick of time as the structure fell apart.

Roof shuttering is a temporary structure that supports concrete while it sets.

At the time of the accident, 35 workers were working at the construction site for the new terminal of the Kannauj Railway Station under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).

Twenty-three of them have been rescued so far. "While 20 of them suffered minor injuries, three of them sustained grievous injuries. The rescue operation is underway and will take a few more hours," Minister of State (Independent Charge), Social Welfare, Asim Arun said.

"Once the rescue operation is completed, a thorough probe will be launched into the incident," he said.

Worker Mahesh Kumar, who escaped the accident, told news agency PTI, "As soon as the concrete was poured over the shuttering, it suddenly collapsed. Everyone on it fell. I was standing at the edge and managed to escape," he said.

Along with local authorities, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have also been deployed at the site for rescue operations.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure the safe recovery of those trapped inside.

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that an inquiry committee has been set up to probe the collapse. "A very tragic incident has occurred, and immediate action has been taken. An inquiry committee has also been set up there," Mr Vaishnaw said.

- With inputs from Israil Khan.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/rk2Xb7q

Police Charges KT Rama Rao For Allegedly Causing Road Obstruction, Public Nuisance

The Banjara Hills police here on Friday registered a case against BRS working president K T Rama Rao for allegedly causing road obstruction and public nuisance at the ACB office here after his questioning on January 9 in the Formula-E race case.

The case was booked following a complaint by the traffic police.

KT Rama Rao, who appeared before the ACB officials on January 9, left for the BRS office, situated near the ACB headquarters, accompanied by party leaders and others.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/9J0ZH7k

ISRO To Launch Communication Satellite Of US-Based Firm AST SpaceMobile

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) LVM3 rocket will launch in March a communication satellite of a US-based firm AST SpaceMobile that plans to provide space-based cellular broadband network services on smartphones.

"The commercial LVM3-M5 mission, set for March, will deploy BlueBird Block-2 satellites under a contract with the US-based AST SpaceMobile," an official statement said.

The statement came after Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh reviewed the functioning of the Department of Space with senior officials, including the outgoing ISRO chairman S Somanath, his successor V Narayanan and Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).

V Narayanan, who will succeed S Somanath on January 14, during the meeting outlined a strategic roadmap for expanding the ISRO's global footprint.

The joint NASA-ISRO satellite - NISAR - and a navigation satellite NVS-02 are set for launch in February on board two separate missions of the GSLV rocket, it added.

With ambitious projects on the horizon, including the first "uncrewed" orbital mission under "Gaganyaan", India's space exploration efforts are poised for groundbreaking achievements.

The ISRO has lined up significant missions showcasing technological prowess and international collaboration, which include the launch of Gaganyaan's uncrewed orbital test mission.

"This critical endeavour will pave the way for India's human spaceflight program, aiming to validate systems for crew safety and recovery," the statement said.

In addition, two GSLV missions, a commercial launch of LVM3 and the much-anticipated ISRO-NASA collaboration on the NISAR satellite are slated for the coming months.

The GSLV-F15 mission in January will carry the NVS-02 navigation satellite to augment the NavIC constellation, bolstering India's positioning and navigation capabilities with indigenously developed atomic clocks.

In February, the GSLV-F16 mission will launch NISAR, a sophisticated Earth observation satellite co-developed with NASA.

Equipped with advanced radar imaging technology, NISAR will provide critical data on agriculture, natural disasters and climate monitoring.

Mr Singh lauded the ISRO's strides in fostering innovation and advancing India's position as a space-faring nation.

He emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in fuelling the country's space ambitions.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/gvIyDxo

Urgent Upskilling Needed To Cater 78 Million New Jobs: World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum (WEF) says that job disruption will equate to 22 per cent of the jobs by 2030.

In a report released on Tuesday titled 'Future of Jobs Report 2025' WEF says 170 million new jobs will be created and 92 million jobs will be displaced resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs by 2030.

Based on data from over 1000 companies, the report finds that skill gap is the most significant hurdle for business transformation in these companies. Nearly 40 per cent of skills required for the jobs need to change and 63 per cent of the employers says they are facing proper skillset as the key barrier.

The report said out of every 100 workers from the global workforce, 59 are projected to require reskilling or upskilling by 2030, but out of this 11 are unlikely to receive it which suggests that over 120 million workers are at medium-term risk of redundancy.

The report analysed that technology skills in Artificial intelligence (AI), big data and cybersecurity are expected to see rapid growth in demand, but human skills, such as creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, will remain critical. Persons having a combination of both skill types will be increasingly crucial in a fast-shifting job market.

While advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping and driving the market, Frontline roles and essential in sectors like care and education will see the highest job growth by 2030.

Till Leopold, Head of Work, Wages and Job Creation at the World Economic Forum says "Trends such as generative AI and rapid technological shifts are upending industries and labour markets, creating both unprecedented opportunities and profound risks,"

Leopold added "The time is now for businesses and governments to work together, invest in skills and build an equitable and resilient global workforce."

The report said frontline roles, including farmworkers, delivery drivers and construction workers, will be more in demand and poised to see the largest job growth in absolute terms by 2030. Significant increases are also projected for care jobs, like nursing professionals, and education specialists, such as secondary school teachers, with demographic trends driving growth in demand across essential sectors.

Meanwhile, advances in AI, robotics and energy systems, notably in renewable energy and environmental engineering, are expected to increase demand for specialist roles in these fields.

However, roles like cashiers and administrative assistants will come under the fastest declining sector but are now joined by roles including graphic designers as generative AI rapidly reshapes the labour market.

With half of the employers globally are planning to reorient their businesses to target new opportunities, AI is reshaping their business models. While 77 per cent employers are planning to upskill their workers, 41 per cent are planning to reduce their workforce as AI automates certain tasks

The WEF report said urgent and collective action are required across government, businesses and education to bridge skills gaps, invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives and create accessible pathways into fast-growing jobs and skills that are seeing fast growth in demand

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, taking place in Davos-Klosters from 20 to 24 January, convenes global leaders under the theme, Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/Ts9Wx0F

"Your Posts Could Get Someone Killed": TED Chief Chris Anderson To Elon Musk

Chris Anderson, the head of TED, wrote an open letter to billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday over the tech mogul's recent posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). According to Anderson, the owner of X is forgetting the "core tenets of journalism".

"...Without them, I think your efforts to make X the respected home of citizen journalism will fail. When you tell hundreds of millions of people that someone should be hanged or jailed for outrageous crimes against humanity, just possibly you should first sound out what those who know those people really well would say about them. Some of your recent posts could literally get someone killed. Do you really want to risk that?" Anderson questioned, referring to Musk's recent posts.

Musk has been frequently bashing international governments whose politics he dislikes and praising far-right figures. He has been using X to post several criticisms and accusations aimed at political figures - especially in UK, Germany, and Canada.

"You say you want to maximize un-regretted user seconds on X.  By far the simplest way you could do this, Elon, is simply to thoughtfully edit what you yourself post," Anderson said.

According to Anderson, the owner of X is failing to follow the "fairness doctrine" - which says that before publishing critical claims about an individual, or an institution, one must reach out to them for their side of the story. While the TED chief believes that Musk is eyeing issues that are important and worthy of efforts, he said that the way it is being presented is "playground bullying". 

"It's crass and it's cruel, and it's therefore not nearly as effective as it could be. You're hearing the cheers of your most loyal followers, but missing the fact you're making yourself a laughing stock among many who you really want on your side. Long-term that's going to damage X, your other businesses, and indeed your long-term dreams for humanity.  No one wants to follow a playground bully to Mars," Anderson said.

With a certain amount of trepidation, I'm posting this open letter to @elonmusk, someone I have admired, but who, right now, is causing me concern. I know I'm not alone in thinking these thoughts. Please like or repost if you're willing... And Elon, if you're listening, please… pic.twitter.com/WGU9okIXJ3

— Chris Anderson (@TEDchris) January 7, 2025

Anderson mentioned that while Musk is someone he admires, at present, he is causing concern.

"I miss the old Elon. You can be funny, interesting, insightful and inspiring. You've fought incredibly hard for what you've built. And you may feel you're entitled to do whatever the hell you want with it. But I also know that you understand the danger of holding too tightly to the ring of power, how it can distort someone's judgement and turn them ugly," he wrote.

"I'm hoping you can loosen that ring just a little. For the love of humanity that you profess, I really urge you to embrace the fairness doctrine and showcase a better face of X," Anderson added.

Musk has not yet responded to the letter.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/P81ZM47

Human Remains Found Inside Fridge Of Abandoned House In Kerala

Human remains, including a skull and bones, were found inside an abandoned house near Chottanikkara in Ernakulam district on Monday, police said.

The remains were found stored in a fridge within the house, which has reportedly remained unoccupied for two decades.

The property, situated on an expansive private estate, had been locked and neglected throughout this period.

Police launched an inspection of the house following a tip-off received at the Chottanikkara police station.

The discovery was made during their search of the premises.

Police said they have launched a detailed investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the case.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/Ltd1RFT

Kerala MLA PV Anvar Arrested In Forest Office Attack Case

Nilambur legislator PV Anvar was arrested on Sunday for allegedly vandalising the District Forest Office (DFO) following a protest over the death of a tribal man in an elephant attack in this north Kerala district, police said.

Earlier in the day, PV Anvar, an independent MLA, criticised the state government and the forest department over the death of the tribal man Mani, who was trampled by a wild elephant on Saturday evening.

The workers of the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK), a social collective led by the MLA, staged a protest in front of the forest office alleging negligence by wildlife personnel in addressing man-animal conflicts in the area. Nearly 10 of them trespassed into the North DFO office and vandalised the office room.

Nilambur police booked PV Anvar and 10 others over the incident under various sections of the BNS and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/3yTPOtj

Royal Nanny's Stepson Among Those Killed In New Orleans Attack

King Charles III was on Saturday said to be "deeply saddened" after police said a British relative of his sons' former nanny was among the victims of the deadly truck-ramming attack in New Orleans.

Edward Pettifer, 31, who died in the atrocity, was the stepson of Prince William and Prince Harry's former nanny Tiggy Pettifer.

It was "understood the King was... deeply saddened, and had been in touch with the family to share personal condolences", the UK's Press Association news agency said in a report.

Heir to the throne Prince William said he and his wife Catherine had also been "shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer".

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack," he wrote on the couple's Kensington Palace social media account.

Pettifer's half-brother Tom is one of William's godsons and was a page boy at his wedding to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, in 2011.

In 1993, Charles employed Tiggy Legge-Bourke, now Pettifer, whose family had longstanding links to the royals, as a nanny for William and his younger brother Harry after his separation from their mother, Princess Diana.

"The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed's death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, and a friend to so many. We will all miss him terribly," the Pettifer family said in a statement.

On New Year's Day a US army veteran, who the FBI says pledged loyalty to the Islamic State jihadist group, used a pickup truck to kill and wound revellers in New Orleans's crowded French Quarter, before being killed by police.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he was "extremely saddened" to learn a British man had been among those killed in the attack.

"We are supporting his family and stand united with the US against terror threats," he wrote on X.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/rD1Lcg0

India Sends 1st Batch Of Humanitarian Aid To Bolivia To Combat Forest Fires

India on Friday dispatched the first batch of humanitarian assistance to Bolivia to support the country's efforts in tackling devastating forest fires.

In a post X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the details of the consignment which includes firefighting gear, first-aid kits, medicines, and other essential utilities.

"India sends the first tranche of humanitarian assistance to Bolivia to support tackling of forest fires. The consignment consisting of fire fighting gears, first-aid kit, medicines and other utilities has departed for Bolivia," Jaiswal said on X.

?? sends the first tranche of humanitarian assistance to Bolivia to support tackling of forest fires.

The consignment consisting of fire fighting gears, first-aid kit, medicines & other utilities has departed for Bolivia. Overall, 16 tons of fire-fighting equipment and related… pic.twitter.com/trHtXt5A7r

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 3, 2025

"Overall, 16 tons of fire-fighting equipment and related relief material will be sent. The assistance would also help in tackling environmental crisis and health issues caused by forest fires," he added.

Last year, Bolivia's Defence Ministry declared a state of national emergency on September 7, 2024, in response to the widespread and intense forest fires sweeping the country.

Earlier, India has sent humanitarian assistance consignment to Lesotho compromising of 1000 metric tonnes of rice to help in addressing the food security and nutritional requirements of people in Lesotho.

In a post on X, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal wrote, "India sends humanitarian assistance to Lesotho. A consignment of 1000 MT rice, today departed from Nhava Sheva Port for Lesotho. The consignment will help in addressing food security and nutritional requirements of the friendly people of Lesotho."

Last year in November, India had sent 15 tons of humanitarian aid to Nigeria as the country reels under devastating floods.

The details of the humanitarian assistance were shared by the Ministry of External Affairs in a post on the social media platform, X.

"In keeping with our commitment to humanitarian assistance for the people of Nigeria, India sent 15 tons of the total 75 tons of aid to Nigeria in the wake of the devastating floods in the country.

The post also noted, "The aid comprises of food items, sleeping mats, blankets, water purification supplies etc. and will support the rehabilitation efforts in the region".

India and Nigeria enjoy warm, friendly, and deep-rooted bilateral relations.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/7mEt1wI

US Appeals Court Blocks Biden Administration's Net Neutrality Rules

A US appeals court on Tuesday ruled the Federal Communications Commission did not have the legal authority to reinstate landmark net neutrality rules.

A three-judge panel of the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the FCC lacked authority to reinstate the rules initially implemented in 2015 by the agency under Democratic former President Barack Obama but then repealed by the commission in 2017 under Republican former President Donald Trump.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/ntTzgU5

Donald Trump Said Goodbye To His Legal Cases But Issues Have Not Left The Horizon

What could have proven luckier for Donald Trump than getting elected as the president of the United States? Because of his election win, federal prosecutions against him have already been dismissed, his criminal cases are at risk of facing the same fate and his state cases have been stalled.

This time last year, he was reeling under the pressure of trials that could put him behind bars for years, moreover even have him shell out millions of dollars.

However, sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.

Steven Cheung, Trump's spokesperson said that since the election was a "mandate" from the people, they "demanded an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and a swift dismissal of all the Witch Hunts against him. We look forward to uniting our country as President Trump Makes America Great Again."

As per NBC, here are a few court cases looking Donald Trump in the eye:

Hush money case

Trump was convicted in a New York state court in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records. These records were related to a hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels by Trump's then-lawyer Michael Cohen during the 2016 presidential election. Daniels alleged she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, which Trump denies.

Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges and was initially set to be sentenced in July. However, the sentencing was delayed due to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that established a new standard for presidential immunity. Trump's attorneys argued that this ruling meant the indictment and conviction should be dismissed, as they partly relied on evidence from Trump's time in office. Judge Juan Merchan rejected this argument in a December 16 ruling.

The judge also indicated that sentencing Trump after he takes office might not be possible. This decision was based on a Justice Department memo and the Supreme Court ruling, which emphasise the need for a sitting President to carry out their duties without interference from criminal proceedings. The Manhattan district attorney's office argues that Trump could be sentenced after his term in office ends. However, Trump's attorneys oppose this, stating that having a pending sentencing would unfairly impact Trump's presidency.

Georgia election interference case

Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants were indicted in August 2023 by the Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney's office. The charges allege conspiracy to illegally overturn Trump's 2020 election loss to Joe Biden in the state. Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The case stalled due to allegations of conflict of interest involving District Attorney Fani Willis. Trump and some co-defendants argued Willis should be disqualified due to her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor overseeing the case. A Georgia appeals court ruled in Trump's favour on December 19, disqualifying Willis and her office from the case.

Willis' office is appealing the ruling, which may take several months. Even if successful, the trial would need to wait until Trump is out of office, as it's expected to take months. Alternatively, the case could be referred to the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia to find a new prosecutor.

The council's executive director, Pete Skandalakis, stated that a new prosecutor could utilise existing investigative work, conduct additional investigations, and choose to use or discard parts of Willis' indictment.

Civil fraud verdict

A major financial threat is looming over President-elect Trump, stemming from a $350 million judgment made by a New York judge in February last year. The judge found Trump and his company guilty of years of fraudulent conduct, which Trump has denied and appealed. The judgment has now ballooned to over $500 million with interest, with Trump personally liable for nearly $489 million.

During a September hearing, three out of five judges on the state Appellate Division panel expressed concerns that the financial penalty might be excessive, but a ruling has yet to be made. Following the November election, Trump's attorney, John Sauer, requested that the case be voluntarily dismissed to promote "unity" and avoid interfering with Trump's presidential duties. However, the office of Attorney General Letitia James declined the request.

E. Jean Carroll verdicts

Writer E. Jean Carroll has got two significant civil verdicts against Trump in a New York federal court over the past two years. In 2023, Trump was ordered to pay $5 million after being found liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll. Additionally, a separate verdict awarded Carroll $83 million in damages for defamation by Trump while he was president.

Trump has denied all allegations and appealed both verdicts to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Recently, the appeals court rejected Trump's appeal of the $5 million verdict, with his spokesperson stating that the decision will be further appealed.

The appeal for the $83 million verdict is still pending, with Carroll's attorneys preparing to counter Trump's claim that the Supreme Court's July immunity ruling exempts him from liability for comments made while in office.

Jan. 6 lawsuits

Donald Trump is no longer facing a criminal federal election interference case related to the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot, but he still has to contend with eight civil suits. These suits were filed by law enforcement personnel who were injured during the attack, as well as some Democratic members of Congress.

Trump's defence is that his actions are protected by presidential immunity. Both sides will be submitting filings on this issue in the coming months. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who is presiding over the case, plans to rule on the presidential immunity issue by summer, according to a court filing.

Central Park Five

Donald Trump is facing a defamation lawsuit from the "Exonerated Five" - Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise. The five men are suing Trump over remarks he made during a presidential debate with Kamala Harris, where he falsely claimed they pleaded guilty to the assault and rape of a woman in Central Park in 1989. Trump also incorrectly stated that the victim had died.

The Exonerated Five, who were aged 14-16 at the time of the attack, were coerced into making false confessions and later exonerated in 2002 after DNA evidence linked another man to the crime. Trump has moved to dismiss the suit, arguing that his remarks were "substantially true" and protected as political speech. However, the five men claim they suffered severe emotional distress and reputational harm due to Trump's statements and are asking the judge to deny his motion to dismiss.
 

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/jGOb6tu

Iran Summons Saudi Envoy Over Execution Of Citizens: Foreign Ministry

Iran summoned the Saudi ambassador on Wednesday to protest Riyadh's execution of six of its citizens for drug trafficking, the foreign ministry said.

"Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Tehran was summoned," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Tehran conveyed its "strong protest" against Riyadh's action, which it described as "unacceptable" and a violation of "the rules and norms of international law". 

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/K1htZx6

NIA To Probe Suspected Kuki Militant 'Tiger' Who Claimed Attack On CRPF, Burned Homes In Manipur

A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has accepted evidence submitted by the NIA of a suspected Kuki militant commander saying he and his men attacked the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and set fire to homes in Manipur.

The NIA told the court that a viral video on a YouTube channel shows a man "suspected to be a Kuki militant called 'Tiger', a commander of the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P), claiming he and his men attacked CRPF and burnt down houses on November 11."

The NIA investigating a suspected Kuki militant of the KNF-P also raises questions over possible violation of the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement. 

Three big escalations happened in ethnic violence-hit Manipur on November 11 - first, six of a family from the Meitei community were kidnapped and killed in Jiribam district by suspects who the Manipur government in a cabinet statement called "Kuki militants"; second, 10 others - also identified as "Kuki militants" by the state government - were shot dead in an encounter with the Central Reserve Police Force in the same district, and third, firing from the hills towards Imphal West District's Kangchup and Koutruk just hours after the Jiribam encounter left two people injured.

The court in its order accepting the NIA evidence said the anti-terror agency downloaded the viral video of the suspected Kuki militant into a pen drive in the presence of two witnesses.

The NIA submitted the pen drive to the court in a sealed envelope under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that deals with electronic evidence.

NDTV has seen a copy of the court order.

The court said the pen drive has been returned to the NIA for further investigation.

About KNF-P

The 'P' in KNF-P means "president"; it is used to indicate KNF-P is the original KNF, hence the letter "president", the supreme. The KNF was founded in 1987. In 1994, KNF split into two factions i.e. KNF-MC led by SK Kipgen, and the original became KNF-P led by ST Thangboi Kipgen.

So, KNF is the KNF-P; the rest are its factions.

The KNF is a signatory to the controversial suspension of operations (SoO) agreement signed between nearly two dozen Kuki militant groups and the state and the centre. Under SoO, the militants are to stay at designated camps and their weapons kept in locked, monitored storage.

The Manipur government has been asking the joint monitoring group, which reviews the SoO agreement every year, to scrap it for good, over allegations that the SoO groups have been majorly involved in the Manipur violence from the beginning. The SoO agreement lapsed in February this year.

There are many villages of the Kuki tribes in the hills surrounding the Meitei-dominated valley. The clashes between the Meitei community and the nearly two dozen tribes known as Kukis, who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, have killed over 250 people and internally displaced nearly 50,000.

The general category Meiteis want to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the Kukis who share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar's Chin State and Mizoram want a separate administration carved out of Manipur, citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.

Meitei leaders have alleged the SoO groups have been working to strengthen themselves over the years by taking advantage of the ceasefire, until a time came to engineer a violent attack for a separate land. Geopolitical analysts have speculated the Kuki armed groups were used as mercenaries to fight Meitei and Naga militants operating in the India-Myanmar border.

Kuki-Zo civil society groups such as the ITLF and the CoTU, and their 10 MLAs have joined the call for a separate administration carved out of Manipur, a demand also made by the nearly two dozen militant groups that have signed the SoO agreement.

This single demand has brought the Kuki militant groups, the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs, and the civil society groups on the same page.

The security forces have been trying to dismantle bunkers in the hills surrounding Imphal valley after several incidents of firing for the last few days.

Kuki protesters tried to stop the security forces from destroying the bunkers. Some protesters were injured when the security forces tried to disperse them.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/FUGM2Wl

Five Years On, WHO Urges China To Share Data On Covid Origins

The World Health Organization on Monday implored China to share data and access to help understand how Covid-19 began, five years on from the start of the pandemic that upended the planet.

Covid-19 killed millions of people, shredded economies and crippled health systems.

"We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of Covid-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative," the WHO said in a statement.

"Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics."

The WHO recounted how on December 31, 2019, its country office in China picked up a media statement from the health authorities in Wuhan concerning cases of "viral pneumonia" in the city.

"In the weeks, months and years that unfolded after that, Covid-19 came to shape our lives and our world," the UN health agency said.

"As we mark this milestone, let's take a moment to honour the lives changed and lost, recognise those who are suffering from Covid-19 and Long Covid, express gratitude to the health workers who sacrificed so much to care for us, and commit to learning from Covid-19 to build a healthier tomorrow."

'Same weaknesses'

Earlier this month, the WHO's Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the issue of whether the world was better prepared for the next pandemic than it was for Covid-19.

"The answer is yes, and no," he told a press conference.

"If the next pandemic arrived today, the world would still face some of the same weaknesses and vulnerabilities that gave Covid-19 a foothold five years ago.

"But the world has also learnt many of the painful lessons the pandemic taught us, and has taken significant steps to strengthen its defences against future epidemics and pandemics."

In December 2021, spooked by the devastation caused by Covid, countries decided to start drafting an accord on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The WHO's 194 member states negotiating the treaty have agreed on most of what it should include, but are stuck on the practicalities.

A key fault-line lies between Western nations with major pharmaceutical industry sectors and poorer countries wary of being sidelined when the next pandemic strikes.

While the outstanding issues are few, they include the heart of the agreement: the obligation to quickly share emerging pathogens, and then the pandemic-fighting benefits derived from them such as vaccines.

The deadline for the negotiations is May 2025.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/7g5nuNC