Four persons, including two children, have died and several others remained missing while over 2.30 lakh individuals were affected across Sri Lanka due to inclement weather following a massive rain system in southwest Bay of Bengal, authorities said on Wednesday. At least six Colombo-bound flights were diverted to other airports on Wednesday morning due to heavy rain – 75 mm in 24 hours ending at 8:00 am – and high winds experienced in most parts of the island due to the Deep Depression (heavy rain bearing system) over the southwest Bay of Bengal. The Deep Depression is likely to move north-northwest wards closer to the east coast of Sri Lanka and intensify further into a cyclonic storm later in the day, the meteorological department said. Army and navy troops were deployed to rescue victims and provide food and other essentials to those affected. News portal NewsFirst.lk said six flights scheduled to arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) here were diverted to other airports, including to Indian airports. Sri Lankan Airlines flight from Tokyo, Emirates flights arriving from Male, and IndiGo flight from Chennai, all destined for Colombo, were diverted to the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport while Air Arabia flight from Sharjah was diverted to Kozhikode International Airport. Sri Lankan Airlines flight from Male and Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Colombo, both were diverted to Mattala International Airport, NewsFirst.lk said. Meanwhile, police said bodies of two of the six students who were swept away in raging floods on Tuesday in the eastern Ampara district, were found while efforts were on to trace others continued on Wednesday. The six students, between 12-16 years, and the tractor operator were on their way back from school at Sammanthurai in the Ampara district when the farm tractor trolley they were travelling on was swept by the massive floods following the heavy rains in the area. Five other children and the tractor driver were rescued, police added. Ahead of the forecast of the Deep Depression intensifying into a cyclonic storm, the island nation has been experiencing heavy downpours since Monday leaving large area inundated – flooded homes, fields and roads, everything. Train services were suspended in the mountain areas. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said reported the floods have resulted in two more fatalities elsewhere while seven persons are reported missing in different parts of the country. Among the two deceased was a woman, who was killed when a brick wall collapsed on her in Badulla in central Sri Lanka but gave no details about the other person. The DMC also that the prevailing inclement weather conditions have affected a total of 2,30,743 individuals across Sri Lanka while more than 10,000 individuals from 3,102 families are currently being sheltered in 104 relief centres, news portal Adaderana.lk said. The National Building Research Institute (NBRI) has issued landslide warnings covering four of the nine provinces. “The rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 75 mm. If the rain continues, there is a possibility of landslides and slope failures,” a release from the NBRI said. The Irrigation Department too has issued flood warning for several low-lying areas of Kelani River Basin and Kala Oya Basin effective until Friday morning, Adaderana.lk said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 November,2024 10:54 PM IST | Colombo | PTIAustralia's House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalise the world-first law. The major parties backed the bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (USD 33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts. The legislation was passed with 102 votes in favour to 13 against. If the bill becomes law this week, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the age restrictions before the penalties are enforced. Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan told Parliament the government had agreed to accept amendments in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections. Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver's licenses. The platforms also could not demand digital identification through a government system. "Will it be perfect? No. But is any law perfect? No, it's not. But if it helps, even if it helps in just the smallest of ways, it will make a huge difference to people's lives," Tehan told Parliament. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the Senate would debate the bill later Wednesday. The major parties' support all but guarantees the legislation will be passed by the Senate where no party holds a majority of seats. Lawmakers who were not aligned with either the government or the opposition were most critical of the legislation during debate on Tuesday and Wednesday. Criticisms include that the legislation had been rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, would not work, would create privacy risks for users of all ages and would take away parents' authority to decide what's best for their children. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media reluctant to report harms they encountered and take away incentives for platforms to make online spaces safer. Independent lawmaker Zoe Daniel said the legislation would "make zero difference to the harms that are inherent to social media." "The true object of this legislation is not to make social media safe by design, but to make parents and voters feel like the government is doing something about it," Daniel told Parliament. "There is a reason why the government parades this legislation as world-leading, that's because no other country wants to do it," she added. The platforms had asked for the vote on legislation to be delayed until at least June next year when a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies made its report on how the ban could been enforced. Melbourne resident Wayne Holdsworth, whose 17-year-old son Mac took his own life last year after falling victim to an online sextortion scam, described the bill as "absolutely essential for the safety of our children". "It's not the only thing that we need to do to protect them because education is the key, but to provide some immediate support for our children and parents to be able to manage this, it's a great step," the 65-year-old online safety campaigner told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "And in my opinion, it's the greatest time in our country's history," he added, referring to the pending legal reform. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 November,2024 11:31 AM IST | Melbourne | APThe United States and India are stronger when they work together, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said. Blinken made the remarks in a post on X after meeting India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, Italy on Tuesday. "The US and India are stronger when we are working together. Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and I met today in Italy to discuss the importance of our continued close cooperation to promote global security and prosperity," Blinken said. He also shared a picture from the meeting. Jaishankar also posted about the meeting on X and said he discussed the state of the world and the India-US partnership, which continues to move forward, with Blinken. After the meeting, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "The United States desires to continue coordinating closely with India to address global security challenges." During the meeting, Blinken and Jaishankar affirmed the US and India's enduring commitment to deepening bilateral ties, Miller said in a readout of the meeting. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 November,2024 11:29 AM IST | Washington | PTIThe European Union’s top diplomat said on Tuesday there were “no excuses” for Israel to refuse to accept a ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, saying all its security concerns had been addressed in the US-French-brokered deal. Josep Borrell, the outgoing EU foreign policy chief, called for increased pressure on Israel. Speaking on the sidelines of a Group of Seven (G7) meeting in Italy, Borrell warned that if a ceasefire is not implemented, “Lebanon will fall apart”. Israeli officials said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet was set to convene on Tuesday to discuss a proposed ceasefire. Among the issues that remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. Borrell said under the proposed deal, the US would chair a ceasefire implementation committee, with France participating at Lebanon’s request. “On the proposal agreement brokered by the US and France, Israel has all security concerns (addressed),” Borrell told reporters. “There is not an excuse for not implementing a ceasefire. Otherwise, Lebanon will fall apart.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 November,2024 08:12 AM IST | Italy | AgenciesTaiwan’s baseball team rode in military vehicles through the capital Taipei on Tuesday following their historic victory in an international tournament. F-16 fighter jets firing flares escorted the men’s team back to Taiwan on Monday, a day after they beat Japan 4-0 in the final of the WBSC Premier12 in Tokyo. Baseball is wildly popular in Taiwan. The street parade saw thousands of adoring fans waving Taiwanese flags and ‘Team Taiwan’ signs. After playing under the name Chinese Taipei, the team wore black hooded sweaters emblazoned with Taiwan as they stood in the back of military jeeps and trucks. The parade ended at the Presidential Office Building. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 November,2024 08:11 AM IST | Taipei City | AgenciesBabies are born with fine body hair called lanugo. The term comes from the Latin word “lana”, meaning wool. In some babies, there can be quite a lot of hair. It is nothing to worry about and will disappear a few weeks after birth. It appears on the fetus around the third month of pregnancy and grows thicker by the seventh month. Most babies shed lanugo in the womb at around 33-36 weeks of pregnancy. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 November,2024 08:04 AM IST | Sydney | AgenciesJailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s supporters reached the heart of Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday after removing barricades and battling police in clashes that killed six security personnel and injured dozens. Four paramilitary Rangers and two policemen were killed late Monday and over 100 security personnel injured when protesters marching towards D-Chowk turned violent, prompting the federal government to deploy the army in Islamabad along with shoot-at-sight orders. Geo News shared footage, which showed Khan’s supporters climbing on the shipping containers placed on the roads leading to D-Chowk, which is located close to several important government buildings: the Presidency and the PM Office. It was unclear if the protesters would stage a sit-in or leave D-Chowk. Top leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had vowed to remain in Islamabad until Khan was released. Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, who stubbornly led the protests, said in one of her addresses to the protestors to go away only if Khan comes in person to tell about the next course of action. The protestors reached their declared destination despite repeated claims by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi that nobody would be allowed to make it to D-Chowk. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 November,2024 08:01 AM IST | Islamabad | AgenciesRussia launched 188 drones against most regions of Ukraine in a nighttime blitz, the Ukrainian air force said on Tuesday, describing it as a record number of drones deployed in a single attack. Most of the drones were intercepted, according to the air force, but apartment buildings and critical infrastructure such as the national power grid were damaged. No casualties were immediately reported in the 17 targeted regions. Russia has been hammering civilian areas of Ukraine with increasingly heavy drone, missile and glide bomb attacks. At the same time, Russia’s army has largely held the battlefield initiative for the past year and has been pushing hard in the eastern Donetsk region where it is making significant tactical advances, according to Western military analysts. Ukraine faces a difficult winter, with worries about the reliability of the electricity supply amid Russia’s attacks and how much US support it can count on next year after Donald Trump takes office in January. The air raid alert in the Kyiv region overnight lasted more than seven hours. Meanwhile, the Russia said on Tuesday its forces destroyed 39 Ukrainian drones overnight over Russian regions near the border with Ukraine. Ukraine’s General Staff said on Tuesday that over the past 24 hours roughly half of the clashes along the about 1,000-kilometer front line occurred near Pokrovsk and Kurakhove in the Donetsk region. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 November,2024 07:51 AM IST | Kyiv | AgenciesFormer Ambassador of Israel to India, Naor Gilon observed the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, making a tragic connection to the recent murder of Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the United Arab Emirates, ANI reported. Gilon took to social networking platform X on Tuesday to bring out that Kogan's wife was the niece of Rabbi Gabi Holtzberg, who was killed in the 2008 26/11 attack on the Chabad House in Mumbai. "As we commemorate 16 years to the horrific Mumbai attacks, terror sends another sad reminder. The wife of Zvi Kogan, the Chabad Rabbi who was murdered in the UAE last week, is the niece of Rabbi Gabi Holtzberg, who was murdered in the 26/11 attack on Mumbai Chabad house," the former ambassador of Israel to India said. As we commemorate 16 years to the horrific #Mumbaiattacks, terror sends another sad reminder.The wife of Zvi Kogan, the Chabad Rabbi who was murdered in the UAE last week, is the niece of Rabbi Gabi Holtzberg who was murdered in the 26/11 attack on Mumbai Chabad house. 🪔 pic.twitter.com/aWqflt7rfz — Naor Gilon🎗️ (@NaorGilon) November 26, 2024 Kogan was an outreach rabbi with the Chabad movement working in Abu Dhabi, was found dead in the UAE on Sunday. He has been reported missing since Thursday in the Arab nations. Along with his outreach, the 28-year old Kogan also ran a kosher grocery store. He is survived by his wife, who is a US national, ANI reported. Notably, at least 174 people, which includes 20 security force personnel and 26 foreigners, were killed and over 300 injured in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks back in 2008. Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu and several union ministers also paid homage to the martyred security personnel who bravely fought against the terrorist. "A grateful nation salutes its valiant security personnel who made ultimate sacrifice while protecting our people. It is also the day to reiterate that India remains firmly committed to defeating terrorism in all its forms," the X post by the President read. On the anniversary of cowardly terror attacks in Mumbai on 26th November 2008, I join the entire nation in paying homage to the bravehearts who lost their lives and expressing solidarity with their families. A grateful nation salutes its valiant security personnel who made… — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 26, 2024 Union Home Minister Amit Shah also said that terrorism is a blot on the entire human civilisation, calling India a world leader in anti-terrorism, ANI cited. "Terrorism is a blot on the entire human civilization. The Modi government's 'zero tolerance' policy against terrorism has been appreciated by the entire world and today India has become a world leader in anti-terrorism initiatives," Amit Shah's post on X said. साल 2008 में आज ही के दिन मुंबई में कायर आतंकवादियों ने निर्दोष लोगों की हत्या कर मानवता को शर्मसार किया था। 26/11 के मुंबई हमलों में आतंकियों से लड़ते हुए वीरगति को प्राप्त होने वाले जवानों को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करता हूँ और अपना जीवन गँवाने वाले लोगों को नमन करता हूँ।… — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 26, 2024 Today marks the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, a series of coordinated attacks at the Taj Mahal, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Cafe, Mumbai Chabad House, Nariman House, Cama Hospital, and Metro Cinema by ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, ANI reported. Ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists entered Mumbai via sea route from Pakistan and carried out the attacks. (With ANI inputs)
26 November,2024 02:27 PM IST | Tel Aviv | mid-day online correspondentA court in Bangladesh on Tuesday ordered Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent leader of the Hindu organisation Sammilita Sanatani Jote, to be sent to jail, rejecting his bail plea. According to PTI, the order was issued by Chattogram’s Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam at approximately 11:45 am. Following the court's decision, Das’s supporters erupted in protest at the court premises, chanting slogans and expressing discontent over the denial of bail, as per reports from BDNews24.com. Das, a Hindu priest and community leader, was arrested on Monday near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. The police spokesperson for the Detective Branch, Rezaul Karim, confirmed the detention, stating it was carried out upon request from regular police forces. However, no further details regarding the charges against him were disclosed at the time of his arrest. The arrest comes amidst heightened tensions following a case filed on October 30, which named Das and 18 others as accused. According to PTI, the complaint, lodged at Chattogram's Kotwali Police Station, alleged that the group disrespected Bangladesh's national flag during a Hindu community rally in the New Market area of Chattogram. Das had reportedly been scheduled to travel from Dhaka to Chattogram by air on Monday before he was detained. Bdnews24.com cited Gaurang Das Brahmachari, a key organiser of Sanatani Jagran Jote, who expressed concern over the arrest and its implications for the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The court’s decision and the circumstances surrounding Das’s arrest have sparked outrage among his followers. Members of the Hindu community have accused the authorities of targeting minority leaders and claimed that the charges stem from misinterpretations and political motivations. However, law enforcement has maintained that the case is being handled as per legal protocol. As per PTI reports, the rejection of Das's bail plea has intensified the already volatile situation, with calls for a fair and transparent investigation into the allegations. The Hindu community in Bangladesh continues to voice concerns about their safety and rights, particularly in light of such high-profile cases. The case against Das highlights ongoing challenges faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh, a nation where the Hindu population comprises a significant minority but often reports incidents of discrimination and violence. Observers say the case underscores the delicate balance between community rights and law enforcement in a politically charged environment. According to PTI, authorities have assured that the legal process will be impartial, but tensions remain high as the Hindu community awaits further developments in the case.
26 November,2024 02:23 PM IST | DhakaThere is a possibility that the bribery charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, involving a USD 265 million scheme, could be dropped if the case is found to be unfounded or defective once Donald Trump assumes office as US President, according to a prominent Indian-American attorney. Attorney Ravi Batra, speaking to PTI, explained that the incoming President, who will take office on January 20, 2025, has the power to oversee significant changes in prosecutorial decisions. "Each new president brings in a fresh team, and President-elect Trump, as the 47th President of the US, will likely take action to end any prosecutions not based on good faith but rather on what he has referred to as 'lawfare'," Batra said. Batra described 'lawfare' as the selective use of the law to target political opponents, denying them their right to equal protection under the law, as guaranteed by the US Constitution. He suggested that this is a principle Adani could invoke through diplomatic channels, urging the Indian government to raise the issue with the new administration. "If the charges are found to be baseless or flawed, President Trump's Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could potentially withdraw both criminal and civil cases," Batra explained. He also highlighted the importance of prosecutorial discretion in ensuring the integrity of both domestic and international legal systems. The case against Adani, along with his nephew Sagar Adani and business associate Vneet Jaain, was unsealed last week in Brooklyn federal court. The indictment accuses the trio of orchestrating conspiracies to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice. The case claims they paid over USD 250 million in bribes to Indian government officials and misled investors and financial institutions to raise billions. Batra also raised the issue of the extraterritorial reach of US laws, as neither Adani nor those involved reside in the US. "There is a fundamental question regarding the application of US laws in foreign jurisdictions," Batra noted, pointing out that Adani's role in the alleged bribery scheme spans beyond American borders. Alongside the criminal charges, the SEC filed a civil case, alleging that Adani and his associates conducted fraudulent activities tied to renewable energy projects funded by US investors. The SEC claims Adani Green Energy raised more than USD 175 million through the scheme, while Azure Power's stock was traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The timing of the case is significant, with changes at the SEC and within the US Attorney's offices expected following Trump's swearing-in. SEC Chair Gary Gensler announced his resignation, effective January 20, 2025, the same day Trump is set to take office. US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, also plans to step down by December 13. These moves are part of a broader reshuffling of federal appointees ahead of Trump's second term, which will likely result in the appointment of new officials, including Jay Clayton, nominated by Trump to become the new US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The prospect of new appointments and a change in the prosecutorial landscape raises questions about the future of the case against Adani, especially as Trump's administration prepares to take a more hands-on approach to foreign policy and legal matters. As PTI reports, this could lead to a shift in how the charges are handled, with the potential for the case to be dismissed if found to be unsubstantiated.
26 November,2024 11:26 AM IST | New YorkADVERTISEMENT
