देश-विदेश

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    Modi unveils free coaching and AI training plan to…

    ByJustpaste.in

    NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a major education and skills initiative aimed at addressing growing concerns among young people over employment, competitive exams and the rising cost of education. Speaking at India’s Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort, Modi said the government would offer free online coaching for a range of competitive examinations. He said the programme would help reduce the financial pressure on families whose children spend years preparing for highly competitive entrance and recruitment tests. The announcement follows nationwide youth protests sparked by allegations of examination paper leaks and recruitment irregularities. The demonstrations intensified pressure on the government and contributed to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan last month. Modi also announced an ambitious artificial intelligence skills programme, saying 10 million young Indians would receive AI-related training over the next year. The government hopes the initiative will equip young people with skills needed in a rapidly changing job market. India’s competitive education system has created a large private coaching industry, with many families spending heavily on preparation courses. Modi said free digital coaching would allow students to remain with their families while reducing the financial burden associated with preparation. During his speech, Modi also outlined a broader seven-point development and reform agenda covering manufacturing, agriculture, technology, defence and sectors linked to India’s cultural influence. He reiterated his goal of transforming India into a developed economy within the next two decades. The prime minister also announced plans for additional semiconductor facilities and nuclear reactors, with the government seeking to expand domestic manufacturing and energy capacity. Modi said India’s young population would be central to achieving the country’s development ambitions, describing youth as the biggest potential beneficiaries of a more prosperous and developed India.

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    ‘Patriotism has no single definition’: CJP lea…

    ByJustpaste.in

    NEW DELHI: Abhijeet Deepke, leader of India’s Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has criticised the Indian government after being labelled a national security threat, saying patriotism should not be defined according to the government’s expectations. Speaking in an interview with an American television channel, Deepke said he considered himself a patriot but rejected the idea that citizens must demonstrate their patriotism in a particular way prescribed by the authorities. Deepke said he was deeply disappointed by the government’s decision to portray him as a threat to national security after he spoke out against the system and established the CJP. He had been living in the United States as an Indian student while holding an Indian passport. The CJP leader said he had decided to return to India from the United States, describing the move as an opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to the country and challenge the allegations made against him. His remarks come amid heightened political tensions surrounding youth-led protests and growing criticism of the government over its handling of dissent and political opposition.

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    Five killed in Michigan shooting as suspect found …

    ByJustpaste.in

    MICHIGAN: Five people were killed in a shooting in northern Michigan on Friday, while a suspected gunman was later found dead after police launched a manhunt, authorities said. Michigan State Police said troopers were dispatched at around 11:40am to a home in Missaukee County following reports of gunfire. Officers arriving at the scene discovered three people dead and a fourth victim seriously wounded. The injured person was taken to hospital and remained in critical condition, police said. Investigators identified the suspected shooter as 39-year-old Chad Hickman, who allegedly fled the area before officers arrived. His disappearance triggered an extensive search across the surrounding area as law enforcement teams worked to locate him. During the manhunt, investigators discovered another deceased victim at a second residence, bringing the reported death toll to five. Police later found Hickman’s vehicle near a wooded area close to Whitlock Lake. When officers searched the area, they found Hickman and another person dead, according to the state police statement. Authorities have not yet provided details about how Hickman or the other person died, and the circumstances surrounding the additional death remain under investigation. “This situation is heartbreaking for the community and challenging for the investigators involved,” Lieutenant Ashley Miller said in a statement cited by police. Police have withheld the names, ages and genders of the victims while officials work to notify their next of kin. The incident has left the northern Michigan community shaken as investigators continue examining the shooting, the second residence and the circumstances that led to the suspect’s death. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation progresses.

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    Gaza oxygen stations face shutdown

    ByJustpaste.in

    At least 22 of Gaza’s 34 oxygen stations have stopped operating, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Saturday, warning that the remaining facilities could also shut down because of the Israeli blockade and a critical shortage of spare parts. The ministry said the 12 functioning stations are operating under severe technical and mechanical strain. Frequent breakdowns and a lack of maintenance have pushed the facilities beyond their normal capacity, making it increasingly difficult to supply oxygen to hospitals and other healthcare providers. Only four of the 30 machines used to refill oxygen cylinders remain operational, according to the ministry. It warned that these machines could fail at any time because engineering teams lack the parts and equipment needed for emergency repairs. The ministry stressed that oxygen supplies are essential for life-saving hospital departments and patients receiving treatment at home. It urged the immediate opening of channels to allow spare parts, technical equipment and new oxygen stations to enter Gaza. The warning follows a statement by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on August 12, which said Israeli authorities continued to restrict the entry of engine oil and spare parts needed for hospital generators, ambulances and other critical services. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its latest report that Kerem Shalom remains the only operational crossing for goods entering Gaza, while restrictions remain on several essential supplies and types of equipment. The World Health Organisation, in data published on August 11 covering the period through July 31, also reported severe shortages of healthcare resources and services across Gaza’s medical facilities.

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    Indonesia earthquake, 38 dead as rescue teams race…

    ByJustpaste.in

    JAKARTA: At least 38 people have died after a powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, sending residents fleeing from homes, damaging buildings and triggering a brief tsunami warning, officials said. The shallow offshore earthquake was followed by dozens of aftershocks, complicating rescue efforts across East Nusa Tenggara province. Authorities said tsunami waves measuring less than one metre were recorded in several areas before the warning was lifted about three hours after the main tremor. Suharyanto, head of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), said 38 people had died, while two were seriously injured and 11 suffered minor injuries. About 2,000 residents were evacuated to safer areas as authorities assessed the damage. Maumere, the main town in Sikka Regency on Flores Island, was among the worst-hit locations. Rescue officials reported finding 20 bodies there, while several people were injured and others remained trapped beneath collapsed structures. The disaster also struck Nagekeo, the area closest to the earthquake’s epicentre. Rescue teams faced major difficulties reaching the region because landslides blocked roads and communication signals were disrupted. Authorities said around 2,000 residents in Nagekeo had moved to safer locations, while houses, warehouses and government facilities were damaged. Officials said power outages and traffic congestion were reported in parts of the affected region. In some locations, residents rushed outdoors as buildings shook violently. Hospitals also moved patients outside as a precaution against further tremors. A resident of Talibura described the shaking as extremely powerful, saying her family ran from their home after the earthquake struck. Her account reflected the panic felt across communities as the ground continued to shake. The Indonesian geophysics agency said the initial earthquake occurred at a depth of about 15 kilometres and was followed by multiple aftershocks. Rescue workers are continuing to search damaged buildings and isolated communities for survivors. Officials said emergency crews were using boats and other routes where roads remained blocked by landslides and debris. Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly active seismic zone where tectonic plates meet. The region has suffered devastating earthquakes before, including a magnitude-7.5 quake in 1992 that caused extensive destruction. Authorities warned that the situation remains fluid as rescue teams work to reach isolated areas, determine the full scale of damage and provide assistance to displaced residents. The death toll could rise as search operations continue.

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    Taliban mark five years in power

    ByJustpaste.in

    KABUL: The Taliban on Saturday marked five years since returning to power in Afghanistan, staging a military parade in Kabul and presenting their rule as a period of stability despite mounting humanitarian and human rights concerns. Armoured Taliban vehicles moved past the former US embassy in Kabul as officials raised flags and banners for what the government called “victory day” over Western domination. Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said in a video message that the Taliban’s return resulted from “morale, courage” and “divine assistance.” He also acknowledged that the country still faces unresolved issues and problems. The United Nations and international aid organisations have warned that Afghanistan continues to struggle with severe humanitarian and natural crises. They have also criticised the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls. According to UNESCO, the Taliban have kept around 2.5 million girls and women out of secondary schools and universities since 2021 and imposed restrictions on their movement. UN Women reported this week that half of Afghan women now leave their homes only once or twice a month. The Taliban maintain that they uphold women’s rights under Islamic Sharia law. The group has also faced security challenges, including a series of attacks on officials in northeastern Afghanistan. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the killing of the Taliban’s information director in Badakhshan in late July. The mayor of the provincial capital was also killed in an attack on Thursday, according to local media. The Taliban seized power in August 2021 as US and allied forces withdrew from Afghanistan. The group initially promised a more moderate form of government than during its previous rule in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, rights groups say its policies have instead imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls. Five years after returning to power, the Taliban government still lacks broad international recognition. Russia remains the only country to have formally recognised it. Meanwhile, relations with Pakistan have deteriorated. Islamabad accuses Kabul of allowing Pakistani militants to operate from Afghan territory, adding further pressure to an already strained relationship.