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Tourists Play Temple Run In Cambodia's Angkor Wat Temple, Sparking Outrage

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Tourists Play 'Temple Run' In Cambodia's Angkor Wat Temple, Sparking Outrage

The trend continues to gain popularity, with new videos emerging daily.

A growing trend on social media has sparked concern among conservationists and historians as tourists film themselves reenacting the popular “Temple Run” video game at Cambodia’s ancient temple. The temple run videos are being shot at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat, a Hindu-Buddhist temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which has received an influx of tourists reportedly disrespecting their religious structure by replicating a Temple Run mobile game experience that was very popular in 2011.

According to Bloomberg, TikTokers, Facebook users, and YouTubers are making videos of themselves running, jumping, and crashing through the historic Angkor Wat complex and other temple ruins as a mimic of what happens in the game. These short videos, set with fun sound effects, have gained widespread attention, with some clips receiving more than 2 million views.

However, experts caution that such stunts might seriously damage the structures, which are nearly 900 years old. Conservationists are afraid that in the gambit for viral content, sacred sites are being disrespected and cause a serious threat to the preservation of ancient cultural treasures. The trend continues to rise because new videos pop up every day.

“It’s not just potential damage to the stones by people bumping into them and falling or knocking things over-which is real,” conservation consultant Simon Warrack told Bloomberg, “but it’s also damage to the spiritual and cultural value of the temples.”

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16-Year-Old Dies By Suicide After Parents Confiscate Phone In Noida: Cops

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16-Year-Old Dies By Suicide After Parents Confiscate Phone In Noida: Cops

Further investigation into the matter is underway. (Representational)

Prakasam:

A 16-year-old intermediate student gave birth to a stillborn baby in the bathroom of a government girls’ hostel at Kothapatnam in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district.

The student, a first-year intermediate student at the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), had been living in the hostel for the past two months.

According to school authorities, the student had been complaining of stomach pain and was taken to the bathroom, where she gave birth to a stillborn baby. The incident happened on Wednesday when the student failed to return to her classroom after a long time, and her classmates informed the teachers.

The student, a resident of Cheemakurthi Mandal, had joined the KGBV on June 19 and had been attending classes regularly. She had gone home for a week and returned to the hostel, where she had been living with other students.

The school authorities claimed they were unaware of the student’s pregnancy, and it was only when she failed to return to her classroom that they discovered what had happened. The student was taken to the RIMS hospital in Ongole for medical attention.

Kothapatanam Circle Inspector Jagadish stated that a sixteen-year-old girl gave birth in a college washroom at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya. The college staff noticed she had not come out of the washroom for a long time. A lady lecturer went in and found a baby boy lying dead beside her. They informed the police, who rushed to the spot and shifted the girl to RIMS Hospital in Ongole.

A case has been registered, and a person from Chimakurthi is suspected to be involved in the incident.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

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

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Stealth Disease Claims Four Lives In Milan, Origin Remains A Mystery

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Stealth Disease Claims Four Lives In Milan, Origin Remains A Mystery

Legionnaires’ disease, a serious pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria.

A recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Milan, Italy, has killed at least four people and hospitalised several dozen more, according to The Metro. The health authorities say that at least 53 cases have been confirmed in two regions inside the Milan metropolitan area of a severe lung infection.

In response, local authorities are taking urgent measures to control the situation, including deploying chemicals to disinfect the city’s water supply. However, despite extensive testing of water supply systems in private residences and cooling towers, the exact source of the outbreak remains unidentified, according to the news report.

The continuous investigation of finding the source of infection has left the city in great suspense, and sensitivity has developed regarding what efforts should be present to prevent further cases.

What is Legionnaires’ disease?

According to a Washington Post report, Legionnaires’ is a serious form of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella. The pathogen can also cause Pontiac fever, a flu-like illness considered to be a less serious disease.

The bacteria was first discovered decades ago when a mysterious illness sickened dozens attending a 1976 convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia. In that outbreak, 221 people were infected, and 34 died.

The disease initially alarmed health officials, who feared the sickness might spread beyond the conferencegoers. Ultimately, scientists found the bacteria bred in the water of a cooling tower of the air-conditioning system at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, where the conference was being held.

How does Legionnaires’ disease spread?

Legionella grow in biofilms lining water pipes, pipes that lead to showers, drinking faucets, and HVAC systems for cooling, said Panagis Galiatsatos, an associate professor of medicine in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Centre at Johns Hopkins University.

Legionella can even grow in the tanks that hold windscreen wiper fluid in a car, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

People can become infected by breathing in mist or swallowing water into the lungs that’s contaminated with the bacteria. “Less commonly, people can get sick by aspiration of drinking water containing Legionella,” a CDC spokeswoman said Tuesday.

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AG Noorani, Noted Constitutional Expert, Lawyer, Author And More

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AG Noorani, Noted Constitutional Expert, Lawyer, Author And More

As an author, AG Noorani penned books on constitutional law, politics, and history.

New Delhi:

Abdul Ghafoor Noorani, eminent constitutional expert, lawyer and author, died today at the age of 93. A noted scholar on Jammu and Kashmir, his absence is being felt in the Union Territory, where many are mourning him.

An alumnus of Mumbai’s Government Law College, his unwavering commitment to justice and legal acumen brought him accolades and helped him blaze a trail from the Bombay High Court to the topmost court of the land.

In the courts, Noorani played a critical role at a difficult time, defending some of the leading lights of the day — including Sheikh Abdullah during his detention and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

In recent days, he emerged as a sharp and incisive commentator on legal issues, including key judgements of the Supreme Court. With an overview of British India — he was born in 1930 — and the post-Independence ideologies, he was a stern critic of what, in his opinion, was a gradual degeneration of the legal system.  

These opinions were expressed in an array of eminent publications including The Statesman, Frontline, Economic & Political Weekly, The Hindustan Times and The Hindu. His views were cited by academics and judges and even in Supreme Court judgments. But along with many admirers, they also earned him some critics, who felt his views were out of sync with ground realities.

As an author, he penned books on constitutional law, politics, and history. Some of his notable works include The Kashmir Question (1964), Ministers’ Misconduct (1973), Constitutional Questions and Citizens’ Rights (2006), and The RSS: A Menace to India (2019). He also authored the biographies of Badruddin Tyabji and Dr Zakir Hussain.

“Sorry to hear about the demise of A G Noorani Sb earlier today. Noorani Sb was a man of letters, an accomplished lawyer, a scholar & a political commentator. He wrote extensively on matters of law and on subjects like Kashmir, RSS and the constitution. May Allah grant him highest place in Jannat,” posted former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his condolence message on X, formerly Twitter.

“AG Noorani, a giant among scholars has passed away. I learnt a great deal from him, from the constitution, to Kashmir, to China & even the art of appreciating good food. May Allah grant him maghfirah,” posted AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

“A man erudite, gruff n scholarly! Be it the #BabriMasjid #Kashmir #RSS #Hyderabad history & rigorous legal documentation was is his forte! Salaam forever #Nooranisaheb or #Ghafoor as his close friends knew him! AG Noorani passes away at 93!” posted activist Teesta Setalvad.

Sports

Paris Paralympics: Suhas Yathiraj, Sukant Kadam start singles campaigns on winning note

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Yathiraj, who is an IAS officer of the 2007 batch of Uttar Pradesh cadre and has served as District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar & Prayagraj, started the day with a defeat in the Mixed Doubles SL3-SU 5 partnering Palak Kohli.

Published Date – 29 August 2024, 05:47 PM


Paris Paralympics: Suhas Yathiraj, Sukant Kadam start singles campaigns on winning note


Paris: Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj had a mixed day while Sukant Kadam won his opening match in the group stage on the opening day of badminton competitions in the Paralympic Games here on Thursday.

Yathiraj, who is an IAS officer of the 2007 batch of Uttar Pradesh cadre and has served as District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar & Prayagraj, started the day with a defeat in the Mixed Doubles SL3-SU 5 partnering Palak Kohli. They lost to compatriots Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan 0-2 (14-21, 17-21) at Court 4 of the La Chapelle Arena in the French Capital.

The 41-year-old shuttler then came back a couple of hours later to start his campaign in the men’s singles SL4 on a rousing note, defeating Indonesia’s Hikmat Ramdani 21-7, 21-5 in just 22 minutes in his first match in Group A.

Kyung Hwan Shin of South Korea is the third player in the preliminary Group A. Yathiraj will have to next beat the Korean to advance as only the group winners make it to the semifinals.

In the same SL4 category, India’s Sukant Kadam and Tarun Dhillon also won their first match in their respective groups. Yathiraj is the top seed in his category.

In Group B, Kadam started his campaign with a hard-fought three-game win over fourth seed Mohd Amin Burhanuddin of Malaysia. Kadam defeated the Malaysian 2-1 (17-21, 21-15, 22-20) in a 61-minute encounter. Thailand’s Siripong Teamarrom is the third player in the group.

In Group D, India’s 30-year-old Tarun Dhillon got the better of Brazil’s Rogerio Junior Xavier de Oliveira 2-0 (21-17, 21-19). Tarun had represented the country in the Tokyo Paralympics but had failed to win any medals.

India suffered a setback in the Women’s Singles SL3 category as both Manasi Joshi and Mandeep Kaur lost their opening matches. The 35-year-old Manasi, who is making her Paralympic Games debut in Paris, ran into top seed Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh of Indonesia in her first match in Group A and put up a superb fight before going down 1-2.

Manasi won the first game but lost the next two to lose the match 21-16, 13-21, 18-21. She put up a strong fight in the third game but could not go all the way. Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna is the third player in the group.

In the Mixed Doubles SH6 section, India’s Sivarajan Solaimalai and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan lost their opening match to the American combine of Miles Krajewski and Simon Jayci 0-2 (21-23, 11-21. All is not lost for the Indian pair as they need to beat the third pair in the group, Natthapong Meechai to keep their hopes alive to advance to the next stage as two pairs from the group will qualify for the semifinals.

 

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CM Revanth reviews Ganesh festivities plans

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Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed Electricity department officials to examine the applications filed by youth associations and extend free power supply to the pandals during the ensuing Ganesh festivities.

Published Date – 29 August 2024, 09:40 PM


CM Revanth reviews Ganesh festivities plans

File photo

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed Electricity department officials to examine the applications filed by youth associations and extend free power supply to the pandals during the ensuing Ganesh festivities.

He held a meeting with officials here on Thursday. During the meeting, officials were instructed to prepare foolproof planning to ensure area-wise idols immersion processions.

Seeking cooperation from youth associations for smooth conduct of the festivities, the Chief Minister said coordination committees involving officials from different departments in each area.

He wanted the officials to focus on September 17, which was a significant day for Telangana. He said particularly VVIP movement, besides political and non-political programmes should be monitored.

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Iran warns against Israel’s plots to expand war across Palestine

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The spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry says the Israeli regime is pursuing “sinister and racist” plots to expand the scale of killing and crimes across Palestine and violate Islamic sanctities.

In a statement on Thursday, Nasser Kan’ani lambasted Israel’s raids and assaults in the occupied West Bank and urged international circles to take immediate action to end the regime’s genocide against the people of Palestine.

He said Israel’s attack on the Palestinian cities and camps in north of the West Bank, the destruction of urban infrastructure and even the armed and violent entry into medical centers and hospitals are in line with the regime’s continuation of the genocide in the Gaza Strip.

They all “indicate the Zionist regime’s intention to expand the scope of killing and crime against Palestinian citizens,” the Iranian spokesman added.

He emphasized that Israel’s violation of the sanctities of al-Quds and the al-Aqsa Mosque in recent days and revelation of the cabinet’s provocative plots “clearly show the regime’s ominous and racist plots against the entire geography of Palestine, the Palestinian citizens as well as the Islamic sanctities of this holy land.”

Kan’ani called on international bodies, especially the United Nations Security Council, to abandon the approach of inaction in the face of Israel’s flagrant violation of international law.

World bodies are required to fulfill their legal responsibilities and take a swift and effective action to stop the genocide of the Palestinian people by the child-killing Israeli regime, he said.

Kan’ani also hailed brave resistance of the Palestinian people and resistance groups in the face of the killing machine of the criminal Israeli regime in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

In the early hours of Wednesday, the Israeli army conducted its biggest operation – dubbed “Camps of Summer” – in the West Bank in over 20 years, deploying hundreds of troops and airstrikes on Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas, which are major centers of Palestinian resistance against the occupying entity.

At least 17 Palestinians were killed in Israeli military raid in several towns, including Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas, after the first day of the incursion, while many more sustained injuries. 

In a statement on Wednesday, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is “deeply concerned” over Israel’s all-out military assault on the occupied West Bank, calling for a swift end to the aggression in the Palestinian territory.

Guterres also expressed concern over “dangerous and provocative acts and statements” by Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

In an interview with Israel’s Army Radio on Monday, Ben-Gvir proactively confirmed that he plans to construct a synagogue inside the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied East al-Quds, drawing condemnation from various countries and international organizations.

It was the first time for the Israeli minister to openly speak about building a synagogue inside the complex, strengthening the narrative that the Muslim holy site and Palestinian national symbol is under threat from the occupying regime.

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Wrestler Sakshi Malik's Memoir To Be Out In October

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One of India’s top women wrestlers Sakshi Malik will come out with her memoir in October in which she gives an “honest account” of her life — the highs, lows, and everything in between. Published by Juggernaut Books, “Witness” is co-authored by Jonathan Selvaraj. In her fiery memoir, Malik tells her story beginning from childhood, introduction to wrestling in Rohtak, win in the Rio Olympics, post-Olympics journey, struggles and triumphs over injuries and self-doubt, and finally, the most recent public battle with the administration of Wrestling Foundation of India (WFI) that has played out on the streets of New Delhi.

Interspersed throughout her story are fascinating insights into the world of women’s wrestling in India — training, camp life, body image, dating, finances, and what it takes to be an elite international wrestler, Juggernaut said in a statement.

“It’s a really honest account of my life – the highs, lows, and everything in between. I gave this book my all and I hope readers like it,” says Malik of her literary venture. According to Chiki Sarkar, publisher of Juggernaut Books, “Witness” is “one of the great memoirs of our time – Sakshi has written a no-holds barred book”.

“It not only talks about her struggles with the Wrestling Foundation of India but also brings vividly alive her childhood, the world of wrestling and what it takes to be an Olympic medalist. We are extremely proud to be publishing this milestone book,” she added.

In December 2023, Malik quit professional wrestling. She was, at that point, India’s best known woman wrestler — the first and only woman wrestler to win a medal at the Olympics with fights both ongoing and ahead of her.

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

Topics mentioned in this article

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Opposition Rubbishes NDA Budget With "Kursi Bachao" Tag

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The first budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term has been received with disdain by the newly-strengthened Opposition. While the Congress has been sharp in its criticism, its INDIA bloc allies have been unanimous that this is a “kursi bachao (save the chair)” budget. The term has been coined by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav concurred. But his grouse lay elsewhere. 

“It is understandable that they have to save their government and gave special packages to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, but a state like Uttar Pradesh that gives the country its prime ministers, is there anything for the farmers here?” Mr Yadav told reporters today.   

“This is their 11th budget and it is strange that people are still alive. The problems that have been there before — inflation, unemployment (are still there). If we look at Uttar Pradesh, what is the status of investment? They talk about big numbers, but none of their big projects are finished,” he added. 

Mr Yadav was also scathing about the government’s big ticket skilling programme in collaboration with the private sector. 

“They created unemployment for 10 years. And they hope to solve it now, that too with jobs in bits and pieces. The country’s youth need stable jobs. They are offering a paltry one-year training,” he said.  

Ms Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress was scathing. Senior party leader Kalyan Banerjee took a swipe at the special packages for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, calling it “Kursi bachao budget”.

“They have presented the budget for allies which will save their seats. This budget is to keep their NDA partners Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu happy,” he said. 

The “Kursi Bachao” epithet was also used by Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress has also alleged that the government’s flagship skilling announcement has been lifted straight its manifesto. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge has called it a “nakalchi (copy-paste)” budget. 

“I am glad to know that the Hon’ble FM has read the Congress Manifesto LS 2024 after the election results. I am happy she has virtually adopted the Employment-linked incentive (ELI) outlined on page 30 of the Congress Manifesto… I wish the FM had copied some other ideas in the Congress Manifesto. I shall shortly list the missed opportunities,” posted senior party leader P Chidambaram on X, formerly Twitter.

Trinamool’s Kalyan Banerjee He also pointed out that there has been nothing for Bengal, where the BJP has lost ground. “This budget is not for India. They have not given anything to Bengal. They can’t tolerate Bengalis. The BJP will be wiped out of Bengal,” he added.

Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD leader Rabdi Devi said the Rs 26,000-crore support allocated to Bihar for the development of crucial projects including road connectivity and infrastructure, is a “jhunjhuna” (child’s rattle). 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced huge packages for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, that includes a boost in infrastructure and special financial support.

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Germany To Limit Support For Illegal Migrants After Knife Attack: Minister

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Germany To Limit Support For Illegal Migrants After Deadly Knife Attack: Minister

Carrying knives at festivals will be banned, German Interior Minister said. (File)

Berlin:

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Thursday the government would toughen knife controls and limit the support given to some illegal migrants following a suspected Islamist stabbing.

Three people were killed and eight others injured at a festival in the western city of Solingen on Friday, in an attack allegedly carried out by a 26-year-old Syrian man with links to the Islamic State group.

The knife attack has inflamed the debate over immigration in Germany and put pressure on the government to act ahead of key regional elections on Sunday.

The stabbing has “shocked us deeply”, Faeser said at a press conference on Thursday.

In response to the threat highlighted by the attack, the government is preparing “tough measures”, Faeser said alongside Justice Minister Marco Buschmann.

Carrying knives at festivals, like the one in Solingen, as well as “sports events and other similar public events” will be banned, Faeser said.

There will be reasoned exceptions to the ban, including for those working in hospitality and performers, she added.

A ban will also be introduced on long-distance trains, the minister said, with police given more powers to search members of the public for knives.

Germany will also refuse benefits payments to migrants set to be deported to other countries in the European Union, Faeser announced.

The government will continue to work “intensively” to restart deportations to Afghanistan and Syria, which have been halted for years, she said.

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