India

South Africa Files Genocide Case Against Israel At World Court

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'Genocidal Acts In Gaza': South Africa Files Case Against Israel At World Court

Israel rejected South Africa’s charges “with disgust”.

Hague:

South Africa launched a case on Friday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel for what it said were “genocidal” acts in Gaza, with Israel rejecting the case “with disgust”.

According to a statement, the ICJ application related to alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Genocide Convention, and said that “Israel has engaged in, is engaging in and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza”.

In The Hague application, South Africa also says that Israel has been acting “with the requisite specific intent…to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group.”

Israel rejected the charge, with Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat writing on X, formerly Twitter: “Israel rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa and its application” to the ICJ.

The war started by the violent Hamas attacks on Israel is nearing its twelfth week, with vast areas of northern Gaza in ruins and Israeli air strikes and ground combat focussing on central and southern districts.

Gunmen of Hamas launched an attack on October 7 that left about 1,140 people dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

The Palestinian militants also took about 250 people hostage — more than half of whom remain captive inside the war zone, some of them believed dead.

Israel’s relentless military campaign since then has killed at least 21,507 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

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

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Economic Growth Sustainable, Inflation Falling, Says Centre

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Economic Growth Sustainable, Inflation Falling, Says Centre

New Delhi:

India’s economy will sustain growth momentum quarter on quarter after it beat expectations in July-September, and inflation is on the decline despite temporary food shocks, the government said on Friday in its monthly economic report.

India’s economy grew faster than expected in July-September raising expectations that Asia’s third-largest economy will outperform its own estimates for the full year.

“Risks to growth and stability outlook mainly emanate from outside the country. Nonetheless, the Indian economy is expected to comfortably achieve a growth rate upwards of 6.5 per cent in FY24,” the government said in its report.

“The momentum gained in Q2 of FY24 is likely to be sustained in Q3 as well,” it said.

Retail inflation in November rose at its quickest pace in three months due to higher food prices, but core inflation – which strips out volatile food and energy prices – was the lowest in nearly four years at 4.1%.

Growth in consumption demand is expected to be sustained while rural demand is catching up, the government also said.

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

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"Genocidal Acts In Gaza": South Africa Files Case Against Israel At World Court

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'Genocidal Acts In Gaza': South Africa Files Case Against Israel At World Court

Israel rejected South Africa’s charges “with disgust”.

Hague:

South Africa launched a case on Friday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel for what it said were “genocidal” acts in Gaza, with Israel rejecting the case “with disgust”.

According to a statement, the ICJ application related to alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Genocide Convention, and said that “Israel has engaged in, is engaging in and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza”.

In The Hague application, South Africa also says that Israel has been acting “with the requisite specific intent…to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group.”

Israel rejected the charge, with Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat writing on X, formerly Twitter: “Israel rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa and its application” to the ICJ.

The war started by the violent Hamas attacks on Israel is nearing its twelfth week, with vast areas of northern Gaza in ruins and Israeli air strikes and ground combat focussing on central and southern districts.

Gunmen of Hamas launched an attack on October 7 that left about 1,140 people dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

The Palestinian militants also took about 250 people hostage — more than half of whom remain captive inside the war zone, some of them believed dead.

Israel’s relentless military campaign since then has killed at least 21,507 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

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

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Rajasthan Cabinet Expansion Today, 3 MPs-Turned-MLAs Likely To Be Included

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Rajasthan Cabinet Expansion Today, 3 MPs-Turned-MLAs Likely To Be Included

The BJP had sprung a surprise by picking first-time MLA Bhajan Lal Sharma as the chief minister.

Jaipur:

Amid questions over the delay, the expansion of the Rajasthan cabinet will take place on Saturday, with the BJP seeking to strike a balance between new and experienced faces as well as caste equations. Sources have told NDTV that between 22 and 25 MLAs are expected to take oath as ministers and three MPs-turned-MLAs, who have resigned from the Lok Sabha, are likely to find a place in the cabinet.

The BJP had sprung a surprise in the state when it picked first-time MLA Bhajan Lal Sharma as the chief minister and Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa as his deputies. 

Three key contenders for a place in Mr Sharma’s cabinet are Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore from the Jhotwara assembly constituency, Kirodi Lal Meena from the Sawai Madhopur seat and Baba Balak Nath from the Tijara constituency. At least two of these three former MPs were seen as frontrunners for the chief minister’s post and had resigned from the Lok Sabha after the election results were declared. Baba Balak Nath is popularly called the ‘Yogi of Rajasthan’.

Among the other frontrunners are Mahant Pratap Puri, who had defeated a sitting Congress minister in Pokaran in western Rajasthan, and former minister and five-time MLA Anita Bhadel.

Some of the other probables are: Jhabar Singh Kharra, Jogeshwar Garg, Sumit Godara, Deepti Kiran Maheshwari, Pabba Ram Bishnoi, Bhera Ram Siyol, Nauksham Chaudhary, Jitendra Gothwal, Jawahar Singh Bedam, Udayalal Bhadana, Shrichand Kriplani, Hansraj Patel, Jethanand Vyas, Phool Singh Meena, Ajay Singh Kilak, Sidhi Kumari, Pushpendra Singh Ranawat, Kailash Verma, Sanjay Sharma, Shailesh Singh, Shatrughan Gautam, Manju Baghmar, Heeralal Nagar, Pratap Singh Singhvi and Madan Dilawar.

OBC Faces?

Bhajan Lal Sharma is a Brahmin while Diya Kumari is a Rajput and Prem Chand Bairwa is a scheduled caste leader. To balance caste equations, the cabinet is expected to see faces from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), which make up 35-40% of the state’s population.

Mr Sharma, who had taken oath on December 15, was in Delhi last week and had met the BJP brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda. Probable names for the cabinet were said to have been discussed. 

In last-month’s elections, the results of which were declared on December 3, the BJP had won 115 of the state’s 200 seats. The Congress, under Ashok Gehlot, which was hoping that its welfare schemes would help it buck the state’s revolving-door trend, was reduced to 69 seats. The party has questioned the BJP over the delay in the cabinet expansion. 

Governor Kalraj Mishra will administer the oath of office to the ministers at the Raj Bhavan in Jaipur at 3:15 pm. The state can have a maximum of 30 ministers, including the chief minister. 

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Editorial: Tackling deepfake menace

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Combating deepfakes requires a collaborative effort, one that involves open communication and proactive mitigation strategies

Published Date – 11:40 PM, Fri – 29 December 23


Editorial: Tackling deepfake menace

Representational Image

Like any technology tool, artificial intelligence (AI) is a double-edged weapon; it is transforming our lives in myriad positive ways at a pace never heard of in human history but at the same time its spin-off technologies have the potential to create chaos and tear apart societies. Deepfake, the digital alteration of videos to spread false and misleading information, is one such rogue application of AI that has become a major cause for concern across nations. The fears over the dangerous implications of this emerging technology are growing around the world following a series of deepfake videos involving film stars and other celebrities that took social media platforms by storm. The proliferation of online deepfake videos has surged by 550%, reaching a staggering 95,820, as revealed in the 2023 State of Deepfakes report by Home Security Heroes, a US-based organisation. The report identifies India as the sixth most susceptible country to this emerging threat. Against this backdrop, the Centre has sent an advisory, the second in as many months, to social media companies and media-sharing web services such as YouTube to ensure that deepfakes are not displayed to users in India and also sought an action taken report from them. Experts have pointed out that India lacks specific laws to address deepfakes and AI-related crimes, but provisions under several pieces of legislation under the IT Act could offer both civil and criminal relief. With no dedicated law on AI, identifying the originator of deepfakes and the first transmitter of deepfakes is a big challenge.

Deepfakes have the potential not just for personal injury, but to hurt national security and trust in institutions. It is widely suspected that Russia was using deepfakes last year to justify its invasion of Ukraine. It can also be used to impersonate friends or loved ones to trick individuals into sending money to scammers. The morphing tools can be used to commit crimes, harm reputations, influence polls and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Cybercriminals use facial mapping technologies to create an accurate facial symmetry dataset. They then use AI to swap the face of a person onto the face of another person. Voice matching technology is also used to accurately copy the user’s voice. There is no silver bullet to combat deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation. It requires a collaborative effort, one that involves open communication, rigorous risk assessment and proactive mitigation strategies. The time has come for India to take more effective action in terms of legal provisions on deepfakes. Google, one of the largest tech companies in the world, has promised to work with the Indian government to address the safety and security risks posed by deepfake and disinformation campaigns. While solutions must be found to counter the misuse of technology tools, the overreach of state authorities and invasion of privacy should be avoided.

Hyderabad

Pranahita-Chevella project back on the anvil

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Pranahita Chevella project would have been a much more viable option compared to KLIS, says Uttam Kumar Reddy

Published Date – 07:10 PM, Fri – 29 December 23


Pranahita-Chevella project back on the anvil


Kaleshwaram: The Pranahita – Chevella project conceived by the previous Congress regime would be considered again for implementation, according to the Minister for Irrigation N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday. A ministerial group including D Sridhar Babu, Komatreddy Venkat Reddy, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Ponnnam Prabhakar visited Medigadda Barrage as part of a stock- taking mission.

Talking to media persons on the occasion, he said that the government was seriously alarmed by the structural issues faced with the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme. The mounting financial burden on the State exchequer because of the huge investment involved in the project is a source of concern.

Pranahita Chevella project would have been a much more viable option compared to KLIS. As part of the scheme a barrage was proposed at Tammidihatti to divert water from Pranahita river, a tributary of Godavari at an estimated cost of rs 38000 crores. But the proposal was shelved for political considerations. Pranahita Chevella proposal would be put forth before the Chief Minister soon after reaching Hyderabad. It would be considered for implementation to meet the irrigation needs and drinking water needs of the people in the region.

The Minister pointed out that because of the cost overruns the State would end up spending over Rs 1,50,000 crore on the KLIS though it was taken up with an estimated cost of Rs 80,400 crore. The net yield of the project since it’s commissioning was hardly 50 tmc. Tall claims made over the project results proved to be far from reality. It is a sheer waste of public money on a large scale. In an obvious reference to the Engineer-in-chief, C Muralidhar, the Minister said, ‘being the custodian of public money, you should have opted to go on leave, when the project was not implemented as you desired.

Questioning the need for implementation of the expansion phase intended for lifting one more tmc a day under KLIS, when the first phase itself was not fruitful, he said bills worth over Rs 8000 crore were yet to be cleared. Overall pendency of bills in the irrigation department mounted to Rs 9000 crore.

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Thick fog disrupts north India rail travel

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Train services were delayed across northern India on Friday (December 29) due to severe fog conditions that reduced visibility.

Rail passengers said they were affected by delays of more than four hours for some services. A number of international as well as domestic flights were also delayed due to poor visibility induced by the fog.

Parts of northern and central India often experience dense fog due to cold waves at this time of the year, according to media reports.

The India Meteorological Department said in an update on X on Thursday (December 28) that the dense fog was likely to persist over parts of northwest and central India across the next few days.

(Source: Reuters)

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Hyderabad

Telangana girl travels 33 hours in free bus to escape hostel return

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The 12-year-old girl’s outing came an end at last in the wee hours of Friday, when police teams located her in Jubilee bus station in Hyderabad

Published Date – 08:00 PM, Fri – 29 December 23


Telangana girl travels 33 hours in free bus to escape hostel return

Representational Image

Karimnagar: Free travel for women in RTC buses in Telangana came in handy for this 12-year-old girl to venture out on a travel binge. The motivation for this, however, was the disinclination of the girl to go back to the hostel from her grandparents place.

The young girl’s outing came an end at last in the wee hours of Friday, when police teams located her in Jubilee bus station in Hyderabad, bringing down curtains on a 33-hour drama with the anxious parents and worried police teams searching for her.

In all, the girl, whose name is being withheld, has traveled non-stop for 33 hours hopping from one bus to another. Apparently, none took interest in her as the Government had made travel free for women in RTC buses.

The eighth class student hailed from Vidyaranyapuri and was studying in a private school while staying in the hostel. She had gone to her grandmother’s house in Peddapalli for Christmas holidays and was to return to her hostel on Wednesday as mandated by her father.

Her grandfather accompanied her upto the bus station and after ensuring that she got onto a bus at 11 am and sent details of the bus to her father Kanukuntla Narsimham, who is an ex-serviceman, hailing from Utoor village of Manakondur mandal and was living in Karimnagar.

The girl, apparently was not interested to go back to the hostel and she got down at Bommakal crossroads on Karimnagar outskirts instead of Mancherial chowk where her father was waiting. She went to the Karimnagar bus stand in an autorickshaw and boarded Hyderabad bus.

Meanwhile, Narsimham, who was waiting for his daughter at Mancheiral chowk, enquired with the conductor about his daughter as she was not found in the bus. Conductor informed that she got off at Bommakal flyover-bridge.

Narsimham immediately rushed to the Bommakal crossroads, but could not find her. He approached the police and police teams began investigation by checking the CCTV cameras fixed at bus stands and other localities besides circulating the photos of the girl on social media.

After seeing the photos of the girl on social media, one Abhilash from Gangadhara informed the police that the girl had travelled in a bus along with him from Hyderabad to Gangadhara. When he asked where she was going, the girl informed him that she was going to Jagtial.

Based on the information given by Abhilash, police came to an understanding that she was traveling in buses from one place to another and sent teams to Jagtial, Korutla and JBS bus stands.

A team that went to Hyderabad found the girl getting down from the Nizamabad bus at 1 am on Friday and alerted her family members. She was handed over to her family members after conducting a health checkup.

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Gurbaz Blitz Powers Afghanistan To 72-Run Win Over UAE In 1st T20I

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Rahmanullah Gurbaz Blitz Powers Afghanistan To 72-Run Win Over UAE In 1st T20I

Rahmanullah Gurbaz celebrates after scoring a T20I century against UAE.© X (formerly Twitter)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s century powered Afghanistan to clinch a 72-run win over United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first T20I match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. After winning the toss, UAE opted to field first but their decision did not go in their favour after the hosts’ bowling attack failed to keep a check on Afghanistan’s run rate in Sharjah. Afghan opener Hazratullah Zazai (13 runs from 16 balls) failed to make a mark but Gurbaz (100 runs from 52 balls) shined against the UAE bowling attack to post 203/3 for the Afghans. Ibrahim Zadran (59 runs from 43 balls) also played a crucial role by making a solid partnership with Gurbaz.

On the other hand, Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique and Aayan Khan were the only wicket-takers for the host.

In the run chase, Vriitya Aravind (70* runs from 64 balls) played an unbeaten knock in the second inning but could not make a solid partnership with his teammates.

Meanwhile, the Afghan bowling attack displayed a quality performance to defend the target. Fazalhaq Farooqi scalped two wickets in his four-over spell and gifted 19 runs. Naveen-ul-Haq and Qais Ahmad took one wicket each in their respective spells to seal a 72-run win in the first match of the three-game series.

Gurbaz was named the ‘Player of the Match’ after his onslaught in the first inning.

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

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India

Pro Kabaddi League: Patna Pirates Outgun Haryana Steelers

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Pro Kabaddi League: Patna Pirates Outgun Haryana Steelers

Patna Pirates scored a facile 46-33 victory over Haryana Steelers on Friday.© X (formerly Twitter)

Three-time champions Patna Pirates scored a facile 46-33 victory over Haryana Steelers in their Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 match in Noida on Friday. Manjeet, who logged in 13 points, and Krishan Dhull, who scored five points, were the best performers for the Pirates. The game began on a cagey note as only five points were scored in the opening five minutes. The Steelers led 4-1 and swelled it to an 8-3 advantage when they reduced the Pirates to just one man.

But Sachin came to the Pirates’ rescue tagging two defenders to prevent an ‘all out’.

He then followed it up with a brilliant solo tackle on Vinay to inflict a ‘super tackle’.

The Pirates trailed 7-8 at the 10th-minute mark and levelled the scores three minutes later when skipper Neeraj Kumar executed a ‘super tackle’.

Sudhakar produced a moment of magic in the 15th minute when he twisted past Jaideep Dahiya and Ashish and the ‘all out’ came right after as the Pirates led 15-10.

Pirates went into the interval with a three-point lead at 18-15.

Their defence was on song in the second half as they got six tackle points in 10 minutes, which paved the way for a second ‘all out’.

It was pure domination thereon from the Pirates as they took a massive 16-point lead which they easily defended.

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

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