Pak President To Not Draw Salary During His Tenure, Cites Economic Crisis

Pakistan's newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday announced that he would not draw any salary during his tenure as part of his bid to help the cash-strapped country face the challenging economic hardship.Mr Zardari, 68, who took oath as Pakistan's 14th President on Sunday, decided to encourage prudent financial management and not burden the national exchequer, his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said in a statement on X. "The President considered it essential not to burden the national exchequer and preferred to forgo his salary," President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Tuesday.Former president Arif Alvi was drawing ₹ 8,46,550 per month, which was fixed by Parliament in 2018. Mr Zardari is one of the richest politicians in Pakistan. Mr Zardari, co-chairman of the PPP, took oath as President of Pakistan for a second term at a ceremony at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad on Sunday. Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, following the steps of Zardari, also decided to forego his salary while in office citing the economic challenges faced by the country. Taking to X, Mr Naqvi said that he committed to serving the nation in challenging times "in every possible way". Mr Naqvi said that he has decided to forego his salary during the tenure. "In these challenging times, committed to supporting and serving our nation in every possible way," he said in an X post.Debt-struck Pakistan has been reeling under economic pressure with the price of commodities touching sky-high prices. The newly elected government needs a new loan from the International Monetary Fund on an urgent basis, and its politicians, who are often super-rich, use such tactics to win support from the impoverished masses. In February last year, the Cabinet of then-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif gave up their salary and other perks to help the country tackle its possible default on external liabilities.Addressing the maiden cabinet meeting after inducting 19 members on Monday, Prime Minister Sharif said that the first test of the cash-strapped country's newly-elected government is to rein in inflation and prices of food items. Mr Sharif, who was elected for a second term on Sunday, said that bringing inflation under control is the biggest challenge, however, the government together with the provincial administrations would consider ways how to manage the prices of the essentials.Taking stock of the issues and problems affecting the economy and the country, the prime minister asked his Cabinet members to "perform or perish", saying that the time is "now or never". Mr Sharif said the government should make difficult decisions without wasting any time. "Deep surgery is needed as antibiotics will not work," he said. He directed the immediate formation of a committee to control the prices of essential food items. He emphasised that strict action would be taken against unjustified price increases and profiteering in essential commodities.  

India Holds Agni-5 Missile Test, Chinese Vessel On Watch Off Vizag Coast

Within days of India issuing an alert for an impending missile test off the Odisha coast, a Chinese research vessel has raced up India's eastern seaboard and is currently anchored in international waters off the Indian coastline.This test - of the Agni-5 missile which has Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology - took place successfully on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the successful test with a post on X (formerly Twitter). The Chinese ship, Xian Yang Hong 01, is now less than 260 nautical miles - about 480 kilometres - off the coast of Visakhapatnam. Incidentally, that's where India bases its three nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, arguably the most sensitive weapons systems in India's arsenal.There were reports the missile India was planning was the K-4, a nuclear capable missile designed to be launched by submarines. The missile was designed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and is capable of carrying warheads weighing up to 2 tonnes. Ahead of the test a NOTAM alert was issued last week. NOTAM, meaning notice to airmen, are alerts issued to designate an area as a no-fly zone. The alert was for the Bay of Bengal area, which was seen as a clear indication India is planning a missile test that may take place anytime between March 11 and 16. This no-fly zone earmarked in the NOTAM alert spans 3,500 kilometres, well into the south of the Bay of Bengal. China has been monitoring India's activities, including missile tests off the eastern seaboard. Hence, the positioning of Xiang Yang Hong 01, a 4,813-tonne research vessel, and the timing has raised suspicion. NDTV has tracked how the ship has changed its position over the past week before reaching its current location. This vessel entered the Malacca straits on March 6 and was spotted between the Great Nicobar Island and Indian peninsula on March 8. The ship, which went into service in 2016, is about 100 metres long and has a range of 15,000 nautical miles, according to reports in the Chinese state media. It has remote sensing equipment that can enable exploration to depths up to 10,000 metres, the reports say. It is believed that the ship has sensors to detect sub-surface acoustic signatures. This means it may sense sound associated with the of submarines. These sounds can be detected through the ship's sonar and the buoys it deploys, and this may be used to record the acoustic footprints of submarines and possible underwater launches. This information is nothing less than an intelligence goldmine. The Navy has told NDTV that the vessel is "being monitored". "As of now the vessel is operating outside the Exclusive Economic Zone in the Bay of Bengal," it has said.The developments off the Indian coast come weeks after another Chinese ship of the same class set off alarm bells in New Delhi. The Xiang Yang Hong 03, which is now off the Sri Lankan cost and is surveying the region, docked in the Maldives last month. This came amid strained ties between New Delhi and Male after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu asked Indian troops to leave. Ties between India and the Maldives have touched an all-time low after Muizzu took over as President last year. Following a visit to Beijing, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping, Muizzu had said, "We may be small, but this doesn't give them the licence to bully us." The remark, which did not name any country, was seen as a swipe at India. India has played down the strain in ties. Asked about the relations between India and the Maldives, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said neighbours need each other. "History and geography are very powerful forces. There is no escape from that."Before the Chinese vessel docked in Male last month, the Maldives had said it would not conduct any research but will only come for "rotation and replenishment". India's concerns, however, were not limited to the waters of the Maldives. The ship has been moving in the waters between the Maldives and Sri Lanka in a zigzag manner.    

"Assured Us, But...": Tunnel Rescue Heros SOS After House Demolished

One of the houses that was razed in the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) recent demolition drive belonged to Vakeel Hasan, a rat-hole miner who played a key role in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation last year. The DDA said that the demolition on Wednesday was part of a broader effort to clear illegal encroachments in the Khajuri Khas area of northeast Delhi. However, Hasan and other residents argue that they were not given any prior notice. Hasan expressed his dismay, stating, "I am Vakeel Hasan. The reward we got for saving 41 from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel was that our house had been demolished. I need help. They have caught me, and my children, and are keeping us in a police station. They have also beaten some of us." Munna Qureshi, another miner involved in the rescue operation, echoed Hasan's sentiments, saying, "The government had assured us that they would give us the privilege of sitting at home, but they have snatched our team member's home." The DDA countered these claims, asserting that prior information had been given to all the residents. Officials also said that the land was designated for planned development. The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel rescue operation gained widespread recognition for its use of rat-hole mining, a practice banned for safety reasons. The miners, including Vakeel Khan and Munna Qureshi, stepped in when high-tech, imported machines failed during the operation in November 2023. Mr Khan, a rat-hole miner employed by a Delhi engineering services company, vividly described the moment of the successful rescue. "They hugged me, cheered in applause, and thanked me profusely," he had said after the trapped workers who spent 17 days in the tunnel were successfully brought out.  

"Fit Is Not Healthy": Entrepreneur Dilip Kumar After Zerodha CEO Suffers Mild Stroke

Entrepreneur Dilip Kumar recently addressed the "crazy theories" that surfaced online after Zerodha co-founder and Chief Executive officer (CEO) revealed that he suffered a mild stroke six weeks ago. Taking to X, Mr Kumar, who claims to have worked with Mr Kamath "closely", debunked a popular myth by explaining that "being fit is not equal to being healthy". He also clarified that fitness is about the ability to perform physical activities such as endurance, stamina, flexibility, power and speed. "Okay, about the recent post by Nithin and all the crazy theories being spread around - there are a few things people should know. First, I work with Nithin closely. We have done workouts and races together. I know him a little more than others making opinions and commentary on social media. So, what should be the takeaway from his post?" Mr Kumar tweeted. In the following post, the entrepreneur explained how one's health encompasses a broader spectrum, including physical, mental and social well-being, where the body's systems operate in harmony. "Being fit is not equal to being healthy. Most people believe being healthy and being fit are one and the same. It's not. They are not synonymous and are distinct states of physical well-being," Mr Kumar wrote. "Being fit means your ability to perform physical activities such as endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power & speed. These are a set of attributes that people have or develop to perform a physical activity," he continued. Further, Mr Kumar went on to debunk more misconceptions. "We often look at athletes or movie stars as fit and healthy. But often they are not," he wrote. "You may be a runner, go to gym regularly or get your ten thousand daily steps. Fitness doesn't guarantee health. While being fit can contribute to overall health, it's possible for someone to be physically fit but still experience health issues due to poor nutrition, stress, lack of sleep, or underlying medical conditions,' he explained. Mr Kumar emphasised the importance of a balanced approach to fitness and health in his post as well. "The gap between being healthy and looking fit is a modern-day confusion caused by social media. Fitness is important and can be achieved through specific physical activities. Health considers various dimensions of well-being and is achieved by sustainable long-term practices," he tweeted. "Striking a balance between fitness and health is essential," he added. Notably, Mr Kamath revealed that he suffered a mild stroke six weeks ago. He said although he does not know what exactly caused it, he thinks that a combination of factors including his father's death, poor sleep, exhaustion and overworking could be the reasons.  

US To Airdrop Supplies In Gaza: Risks, Past Examples, Other Options

The US military will start carrying out airdrops of food and supplies into Gaza in the coming days, joining other countries like France, Jordan and Egypt that have done the same.The United States will use military aircraft to drop supplies over Gaza. While it is unclear which type of aircraft will be used, the C-17 and C-130 are best suited for the job. According to the U.S. Air Force, a C-130 can hold 16 pallets while a C-17 can carry 40. Military personnel on the ground load supplies onto the pallets, which are then loaded onto planes, and locked in place. Once the aircraft is over the area where the supplies are needed, the lock holding them in place is released and they sail to the ground with the help of a parachute attached to the pallet.While the military can look at weather patterns ahead of time, the wind plays a large role in ensuring that they land where they should. Social media videos have shown some aid delivered by other countries ending up in the sea. Gaza is densely populated and officials say it will be difficult to ensure that the aid reaches the people who need it and doesn't end up in some place that is unreachable."It is extremely difficult to do an airdrop in such a crowded environment as is Gaza," John Kirby, President Joe Biden's top national security spokesperson, said. Officials also say that without a US military presence on the ground, there is no guarantee that the aid will not end up in the hands of Hamas.Each year over Christmas, it drops humanitarian aid to remote islands in the Pacific Ocean in an effort known as "Operation Christmas Drop."  

US Woman Born On Leap Day Gives Birth To Baby On Leap Day

A North Carolina doctor, Dr Kai Sun, welcomed a very special delivery on Thursday-her daughter, Chloe, who arrived on the same rare day Dr Sun herself was born: Leap Day.Dr Sun, an assistant professor and rheumatologist at Duke Health, and her husband, Michael Paik, celebrated the birth of their third child at 5:12 am on February 29th. Though Chloe was three days past her due date of February 26th, she made a grand entrance on a truly unique day. Baby Chloe weighed in at 6 pounds and 13 ounces. "My husband and I were just saying how cool it would be if she were born on the same day as my birthday. And somehow, it happened," Sun told "Good Morning America" Thursday morning from her hospital bed at Duke University Hospital, where she also works. "She was breathing fast initially when she was born, so they took her to the nursery for a little bit to see the paediatrician, but everything checked out, and she's peacefully sleeping," Dr Sun said. This Leap Day birth holds even more significance for the family as Chloe is also a rainbow baby, a term used for a child born after a miscarriage or infant loss."There were some little things along the way," the doctor added of her pregnancy. "There was some abnormal finding on the initial ultrasound that we were nervous about. And then I had COVID. And I fell on my belly in my third trimester. There are just some small things that happened that made us a little nervous, but everything turned out well in the end.""We had a miscarriage almost exactly a year ago, and so that makes her more special," Dr Sun said.  

Damaged Cables In Red Sea Disrupting Global Internet Traffic: Report

The damage caused to undersea cables in the Red Sea, following the Houthi strikes in the region, is disrupting global telecommunications networks and forcing internet providers to reroute as much as a quarter of traffic between Asia, Europe and the Middle East, reported CNN.Hong Kong telecoms company HGC Global Communications, release a report as the Houthis continue to launch indiscriminate attacks targeting the commercial ships in the Red Sea. According to the HGC, cables belonging to four major telecoms networks have been "cut" causing "significant" disruption to communications networks in the Middle East.The telecom company estimated that 25 per cent of traffic between Asia and Europe as well the Middle East has been impacted, the report stated on Monday, according to CNN. Further, the company said that it is rerouting traffic to minimize disruption for customers and also "extending assistance to affected businesses." However, the HGC did not mention the reason behind the cables damage or who was responsible. This comes weeks after the official Yemeni government warned of the possibility of an attack on the cables by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have already disrupted global supply chains by attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, CNN reported. Israel news outlet Globes, in a report last week, suggested that the Houthis had been behind the damage to the cables.However, Yemeni rebel leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi denied the allegations and said, "We have no intention of targeting sea cables providing internet to countries in the region." Among the networks affected is the Europe India Gateway, spanning 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) between Europe, the Middle East and India. Moreover, Asia-Africa-Europe, a 25,000-kilometer cable system connecting South East Asia to Europe via Egypt, has also been damaged, as reported by CNN. The Houthis have been carrying out attacks on commercial and military shipping since November.The Houthis initially said that they would target Israel-linked ships in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, but later expanded their targets to include vessels linked to the United Kingdom and the US, Al Jazeera reported.  

Air India-Vistara Merger Gets Singapores Conditional Approval

Singapore's flagship carrier announced its plan to merge Vistara and Air India in November 2022, in a bid to create a dominant full-service airline in the domestic and international markets.Singapore's competition watchdog said on Tuesday it has approved the merger between Tata Group-owned Air India and sister airline Vistara, a joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines, subject to certain conditions. While India's antitrust body approved the deal in September last year, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) had identified certain competition concerns regarding the merger. The watchdog said the parties possessed the majority of the market share among airlines operating direct flights on four routes of concern - between Singapore and Indian cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Tiruchirapalli. To address the concerns raised by the watchdog, the parties have proposed to maintain capacity on the said flights at pre-COVID levels, appoint independent auditors to monitor compliance with capacity commitments and submit annual as well as interim reports. "CCCS considers the proposed commitments sufficient to address the competition concerns arising from the transactions," the watchdog said on Tuesday.The proposed merger awaits other regulatory and foreign direct investment approvals. "Singapore Airlines continues to work with our partner Tata Sons to secure the remaining approvals from the relevant authorities to complete the merger," a spokesperson for Singapore Airlines said.Air India did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com According to the terms of the deal, autos-to-steel conglomerate Tata would hold 74.9% of the combined entity, while Singapore Airlines will own the remaining 25.1%.  

"Truly Important Partners": S Jaishankar Describes India, South Korea Ties

On a two-day visit to South Korea, Mr Jaishankar said that India is interested in now expanding the partnership to new areas like critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen and nuclear cooperation among others.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today said that India and South Korea have become "truly important partners" for each other and stressed that bilateral exchanges have witnessed steady growth. On a two-day visit to South Korea, Mr Jaishankar said that India is interested in now expanding the partnership to new areas like critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen and nuclear cooperation among others. Mr Jaishankar recalled that the ties between the two counties were elevated to a special strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to South Korea in 2015. He noted that the two counties celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2023.'Truly Important Partners': S Jaishankar Describes India, South Korea TiesS Jaishankar exchanges greetings with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. Seoul: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today said that India and South Korea have become "truly important partners" for each other and stressed that bilateral exchanges have witnessed steady growth.On a two-day visit to South Korea, Mr Jaishankar said that India is interested in now expanding the partnership to new areas like critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen and nuclear cooperation among others. Mr Jaishankar recalled that the ties between the two counties were elevated to a special strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to South Korea in 2015. He noted that the two counties celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2023. In his opening remarks at the 10th India - South Korea Joint Commission Meeting in Seoul, Mr Jaishankar said, "Last year, as you noted, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic ties. During our Prime Minister's visit in 2015, our relations were elevated to a special strategic partnership. It is important that we live up to that." "We have grown from strength to strength in the years that have passed. We have become truly important partners for each other. And our bilateral exchanges - trade, investments, defence, and S&T cooperation, have all seen a steady growth," he added.Mr Jaishankar and his South Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, chaired the 10th India-South Korea Joint Commission Meeting in Seoul on Wednesday. The External Affairs Minister congratulated Cho Tae-yul on his appointment as South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs.Stressing expanding cooperation between India and South Korea to new sectors, Mr Jaishankar said, "While keeping up the momentum in the traditional areas of cooperation, we would be very much interested now in expanding it to new areas, such as critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen, human resource mobility, nuclear cooperation, supply chain resilience, etc, to make our ties more contemporary." He recalled the meetings between PM Modi and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Hiroshima and New Delhi in 2023. He further said, "I think their discussions have provided us the guidance to go forward."  

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Iran subjecting women to ‘draconian’ surveillance on hijab rule, says Amnesty

Iranian authorities are subjecting women to widespread surveillance to enforce the obligatory headscarf, even inside cars, and then imposing punishments including the confiscation of vehicles, Amnesty International said on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.The Islamic republic’s leadership was shaken in 2022 by mass protests that saw women denounce the dress code but has made clear it has no plan to abandon the obligatory hijab imposed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Amnesty said in a report, based on testimony from over 40 women inside Iran published ahead of the March 8 International Women’s Day, that women were being targeted with “widespread surveillance” in public spaces and “mass police checks” targeting women drivers. “In a sinister attempt to wear down resistance to compulsory veiling... Iran’s authorities are terrorising women and girls by subjecting them to constant surveillance and policing,” said Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty’s deputy director for the West Asia and North Africa, denouncing “draconian tactics”. Access to transport, airports and banking services is regularly denied and made conditional upon women wearing a headscarf, Amnesty said. Those defying the rule face prosecution and in January 2024 a flogging sentence of 74 lashes was implemented against a young woman, Roya Heshmati, for appearing unveiled in public.  

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast: Moments when explosion rocked food joint | Watch video

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: The explosion that took place at the popular eatery in Karnataka's capital city Bengaluru's The Rameswaram cafe was caught on CCTV. The CCTV footage was released by the Karnataka Police. In the CCTV video, people are seen peacefully going about their chores inside the restaurant, until the camera shook indicating a loud blast. Dense smoke can be seen covering The Rameswaram Cafe as customers, staff run away from the establishment to safety. At least nine persons have sustained injuries in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast.Police teams and fire brigade teams rushed to the blast site and were seen analysing the aftereffects of the explosion. Shattered glass and furniture were seen strewn on the floor of the cafe, which drew attention among residents. Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddramaiah said that the blast occurred from a bag that was left behind by a customer at 12pm. Although the immediate cause has not been determined, Karnataka DGP has confirmed the explosion to be a bomb blast, supposedly an IED blast. "I have spoken to the police, they told me about the ongoing investigation. There was a small bag carried by a person. The identity of the person is not known. The cashier at the eatery is being questioned, as the person had gone to the cashier to take the token and ate the food...the same person had placed the bag," said Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah . A team of forensic experts also collected evidence from the site of the explosion in The Rameswaram Cafe. A dog squad also arrived at the site of the explosion. The area around The Rameswaram Cafe was secured by the police and Fire Brigade teams and the injured were hospitalised. Divya Raghavendra Rao, co-founder and managing director of the cafe chain, said she was told there were two explosions within 10 seconds of each other, injuring one customer and three employees. The Rameshwaram Cafe is one of the popular hangouts and is usually extremely crowded during lunch hours. Further details are awaited.       

"Fit Is Not Healthy": Entrepreneur Dilip Kumar After Zerodha CEO Suffers Mild Stroke

Entrepreneur Dilip Kumar recently addressed the "crazy theories" that surfaced online after Zerodha co-founder and Chief Executive officer (CEO) revealed that he suffered a mild stroke six weeks ago. Taking to X, Mr Kumar, who claims to have worked with Mr Kamath "closely", debunked a popular myth by explaining that "being fit is not equal to being healthy". He also clarified that fitness is about the ability to perform physical activities such as endurance, stamina, flexibility, power and speed. "Okay, about the recent post by Nithin and all the crazy theories being spread around - there are a few things people should know. First, I work with Nithin closely. We have done workouts and races together. I know him a little more than others making opinions and commentary on social media. So, what should be the takeaway from his post?" Mr Kumar tweeted. In the following post, the entrepreneur explained how one's health encompasses a broader spectrum, including physical, mental and social well-being, where the body's systems operate in harmony. "Being fit is not equal to being healthy. Most people believe being healthy and being fit are one and the same. It's not. They are not synonymous and are distinct states of physical well-being," Mr Kumar wrote. "Being fit means your ability to perform physical activities such as endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power & speed. These are a set of attributes that people have or develop to perform a physical activity," he continued. Further, Mr Kumar went on to debunk more misconceptions. "We often look at athletes or movie stars as fit and healthy. But often they are not," he wrote. "You may be a runner, go to gym regularly or get your ten thousand daily steps. Fitness doesn't guarantee health. While being fit can contribute to overall health, it's possible for someone to be physically fit but still experience health issues due to poor nutrition, stress, lack of sleep, or underlying medical conditions,' he explained. Mr Kumar emphasised the importance of a balanced approach to fitness and health in his post as well. "The gap between being healthy and looking fit is a modern-day confusion caused by social media. Fitness is important and can be achieved through specific physical activities. Health considers various dimensions of well-being and is achieved by sustainable long-term practices," he tweeted. "Striking a balance between fitness and health is essential," he added. Notably, Mr Kamath revealed that he suffered a mild stroke six weeks ago. He said although he does not know what exactly caused it, he thinks that a combination of factors including his father's death, poor sleep, exhaustion and overworking could be the reasons.    

"Assured Us, But...": Tunnel Rescue Heros SOS After House Demolished

One of the houses that was razed in the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) recent demolition drive belonged to Vakeel Hasan, a rat-hole miner who played a key role in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation last year. The DDA said that the demolition on Wednesday was part of a broader effort to clear illegal encroachments in the Khajuri Khas area of northeast Delhi.However, Hasan and other residents argue that they were not given any prior notice. Hasan expressed his dismay, stating, "I am Vakeel Hasan. The reward we got for saving 41 from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel was that our house had been demolished. I need help. They have caught me, and my children, and are keeping us in a police station. They have also beaten some of us." Munna Qureshi, another miner involved in the rescue operation, echoed Hasan's sentiments, saying, "The government had assured us that they would give us the privilege of sitting at home, but they have snatched our team member's home." The DDA countered these claims, asserting that prior information had been given to all the residents. Officials also said that the land was designated for planned development. The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel rescue operation gained widespread recognition for its use of rat-hole mining, a practice banned for safety reasons. The miners, including Vakeel Khan and Munna Qureshi, stepped in when high-tech, imported machines failed during the operation in November 2023. Mr Khan, a rat-hole miner employed by a Delhi engineering services company, vividly described the moment of the successful rescue. "They hugged me, cheered in applause, and thanked me profusely," he had said after the trapped workers who spent 17 days in the tunnel were successfully brought out.    

"Assured Us, But...": Tunnel Rescue Heros SOS After House Demolished

One of the houses that was razed in the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) recent demolition drive belonged to Vakeel Hasan, a rat-hole miner who played a key role in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation last year. The DDA said that the demolition on Wednesday was part of a broader effort to clear illegal encroachments in the Khajuri Khas area of northeast Delhi. However, Hasan and other residents argue that they were not given any prior notice. Hasan expressed his dismay, stating, "I am Vakeel Hasan. The reward we got for saving 41 from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel was that our house had been demolished. I need help. They have caught me, and my children, and are keeping us in a police station. They have also beaten some of us." Munna Qureshi, another miner involved in the rescue operation, echoed Hasan's sentiments, saying, "The government had assured us that they would give us the privilege of sitting at home, but they have snatched our team member's home." The DDA countered these claims, asserting that prior information had been given to all the residents. Officials also said that the land was designated for planned development. The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel rescue operation gained widespread recognition for its use of rat-hole mining, a practice banned for safety reasons. The miners, including Vakeel Khan and Munna Qureshi, stepped in when high-tech, imported machines failed during the operation in November 2023. Mr Khan, a rat-hole miner employed by a Delhi engineering services company, vividly described the moment of the successful rescue. "They hugged me, cheered in applause, and thanked me profusely," he had said after the trapped workers who spent 17 days in the tunnel were successfully brought out.    

Can Reassess Red Sea Attacks If "Israel Stops Gaza Aggression": Houthis

Yemen's Houthis said on Tuesday they could only reconsider their missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea once Israel ends its "aggression" in the Gaza Strip.Asked if they would halt the attacks if a ceasefire deal is reached, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters the situation would be reassessed if the siege of Gaza ended and humanitarian aid was free to enter. "There will be no halt to any operations that help Palestinian people except when the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the siege stop," he said.Shipping risks have escalated due to repeated Houthi strikes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait since November in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war. U.S. and British forces have responded with several strikes on Houthi facilities but have so far failed to halt the attacks.Top global container line Maersk on Tuesday told its clients in a statement that they should prepare for disruptions in the Red Sea to last into the second half of the year and to build longer transit times into their supply chain planning. Seafarers remain in the firing line and have signed agreements to receive double pay when entering the high-risk zones and have the right to refuse to sail on ships passing through the Red Sea. Galaxy Maritime Ltd, the UK-registered owner of car carrier Galaxy Leader which was hijacked by the Houthis on Nov. 19 with its 25 crew members, said on Tuesday that the mariners from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Mexico, Romania and the Philippines had "nothing whatsoever to do with the conflict in the Middle East". "From the few permitted phone calls they are allowed, crew members are becoming increasingly concerned about their loved ones at home," Galaxy Maritime said in an update. "Families of those being detained are now calling on the international community to take action to secure the immediate release of the crew."Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the U.N.'s International Maritime Organization (IMO), called for "collective action to fortify the safety of those at sea" and for the release of the Galaxy Leader.    

Video: When PM Modi Stepped Into Gujarat Legislature As MLA For 1st Time

Rajkot will always have a very special place in my heart, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, sharing a throwback video of him campaigning for his first electoral battle in the city.The throwback video was shared by Modi Archive, a Twitter handle that narrates the life journey of the Prime Minister through archival photos, videos, and newspaper clips. On this day in 2002, PM Modi became a member of the Gujarat assembly for the first time, winning his first election from Rajkot. He was already sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat the previous October and was required to become a member of the legislative assembly within six months to continue in the post. This Rajkot by-election gave him his opportunity. Sharing it, PM Modi said, "Rajkot will always have a very special place in my heart. It was the people of this city who put their faith in me, giving me my first-ever electoral win. Since then, I have always worked to do justice to the aspirations of the Janta Janardan." He also pointed out the "happy coincidence" that he is in Gujarat for two days, during which one of his programmes will be held in Rajkot. From here, five AIIMS will be dedicated to the nation, added the Prime Minister. The video is a montage of clips and images of him filing nomination, campaigning, and giving speeches in Rajkot.    

Germany Votes To Legalise Cannabis But Theres A Catch

The German parliament voted Friday in favour of legalising the possession and controlled cultivation of cannabis starting in April, despite fierce objections from the opposition and campaign groups.Under the new law, it will be possible to obtain up to 25 grams of the drug per day for personal use through regulated cannabis cultivation associations, as well as to have up to three plants at home. However, possession and use of the drug would remain prohibited for anyone under 18.Ahead of the vote, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called on members of parliament to back the controversial law, arguing that "the situation we are in now is in no way acceptable". Germany has seen a sharp rise in the number of young people using cannabis obtained on the black market, with no guarantees over the drug's composition, said Lauterbach, a member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats. But Simone Borchardt of the opposition CDU said the new law would only increase health risks for young people, calling Lauterbach's assurances "no more than mere lip service".In their coalition agreement, the three parties had pledged to go further and allow cannabis to be sold in shops, only to be slapped down by the European Union. Borchardt accused the three parties in Scholz's coalition government of "making policy for their ideology and not for the country".The cannabis law has also been the subject of bitter wrangling within the coalition of Scholz's Social Democrats, the Greens and the liberal FDP. The new law has also been widely criticised by medical associations and health groups. The German public is divided on the issue: According to a YouGov poll published on Friday, 47 percent are in favour of the plan and 42 percent are against.    

Meet Shazza, the Singaporean singer who went viral after a Crash Adams TikTok

It was 1.30pm when the 23-year-old, whose real name is Shareefa Aminah, saw her phone blowing up with messages from her friends and social media pages. I got a bit worried for a moment because sometimes, social media is not the nicest space and I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was very happy to see that it was all positive stuff about the video,” said the singer. The video in question, posted by Canadian pop duo Crash Adams, featured Shazza singing a freestyle verse for their latest single Good Side. Since its release on Feb 6, it has garnered over 17 million views on TikTok and another 6.8 million on YouTube at the time of writing. Thanks to the viral video, Shazza's Instagram followers shot up from about 2,000 to over 90,000 in just one week. As for how the collaboration came about, she said: “It was a right place, right time kind of thing that really worked out in my favour.” Crash Adams came to Singapore to perform at Mediacorp’s Let’s Celebrate 2024 at The Promontory at Marina Bay on Dec 31 last year. While Shazza sang at the same event, she didn’t get to talk to them as it was too hectic backstage. Having seen some of their previous videos, she thought it would be a fun opportunity. So, she took it and sang Good Side live at Marina Bay Sands.