Burnt phone parts of the accused involved in the Dec 13 Indian Parliament security breach were recovered from the state of Rajasthan, the news agency ANI reported on Sunday (Dec 17) citing Delhi Police sources.

Burnt phone parts of the accused involved in the Dec 13 Indian Parliament security breach were recovered from the state of Rajasthan, the news agency ANI reported on Sunday (Dec 17) citing Delhi Police sources. However, the mastermind Lalit Jha's phone was yet to be recovered. The sources told ANI that Jha destroyed five phones before arriving in Delhi, and was misleading the investigating team. Before the security breach happened at the Lok Sabha, the four accused handed over their phones to Jha to prevent crucial details getting exposed in police probe. Delhi Police probe found that mastermind Lalit Jha fled to Nagaur, Rajasthan - about 450 km from Delhi - after the incident where he met Mahesh Kumawat who lodged him at a hotel in Trishangaya village where threw the phones of the four parliament trespassers into the flames, destroying key evidence. As per reports, Lalit had collected the phones of the four accused. He had also shot videos of the incident and sent them to an acquaintance in West Bengal, for dissemination to media. Also read: Lalit Jha, 'mastermind' of entire row, sent to seven-day police remand The security breach in the lower house of parliament happened when two accused, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, threw smoke canisters, and shouted anti-establishment slogans before being overpowered by lawmakers. Outside the parliament, two other accused Neelam and Anmol protested with smoke canisters too. Sixth accused arrested in the case On Saturday, the Delhi Police arrested the sixth accused Mahesh Kumawat for allegedly helping Lalit escape from Delhi. He was arrested on charges of destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy, WION earlier reported. He was sentenced to seven days of police custody. All the accused in the case were members of the now-deleted Bhagat Singh Fan Club page allegedly created by Jha. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla informed all members of parliament on Saturday that there was no link between the Dec 13 incident and the suspension of 13 lawmakers from the Lok Sabha. Also read: Indian Parliament security breach: Exploring the dynamics of suspension of MPs "There is no association between the suspension of the Members to the incident on December 13. The suspension is purely to uphold the sanctity of the house," Birla said. His comments came after some political parties alleged that the two incidents were linked. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Parliament security breach: Cops recover burnt phone parts of accused in Rajasthan

A religious freedom watchdog in the United States on Friday (Dec 15) called on the Joe Biden administration to designate India as a 'country of particular concern' under the US Religious Freedom Act, citing its alleged targeting of religious minorities overseas.

A religious freedom watchdog in the United States on Friday (Dec 15) called on the Joe Biden administration to designate India as a 'country of particular concern' under the US Religious Freedom Act, citing its alleged targeting of religious minorities overseas. In a statement, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom said that recent efforts by New Delhi to silence activists, journalists, and lawyers abroad posed a serious threat to religious freedom. "USCIRF implores the US Department of State to designate India a Country of Particular Concern due to India’s systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief," the statement said. Also read: Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatens to blow up Indian Parliament after 'plot' to kill him According to a report by the news agency Reuters, USCIRF's Commissioner Stephen Schneck called New Delhi's alleged involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar (a Khalistani terrorist) and plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (another Khalistani terrorist) in the US "deeply troubling." Earlier this month, federal prosecutors in Manhattan said an Indian national worked with an unnamed Indian government employee on a plot to assassinate a New York City (NYC) resident who advocated for a sovereign Sikh state in northern India. New Delhi denied any involvement in this plot, Reuters reported. India concerned about security over Pannun's threat On Dec 7, Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that New Delhi was worried about security following a threat from Pannun to attack the Indian Parliament on the anniversary of the 2001 attack on December 13. "We do take threats seriously, particularly depending on the context of that (threat)…in the specific case on the parliament (threat), we are caught in a bind, here I don't want to amplify too much credence to search extremists who make threats and get a lot of coverage…but on the other hand we take this seriously and this particular case I know that we have taken up this matter with the US and Canadian authorities about this threat...but as I said, extremists and terrorists have the tendency of wanting media coverage on an issue and I wouldn't like to dignify them that way," Bagchi told reporters. Also read: Indian parliament security breach: Sixth person arrested as authorities expand probe net "He (Gurpatwant Singh Pannu) is wanted by our agencies for violation of the law and there is a process under which we seek assistance, we seek that they be prosecuted, it depends on whether the crime is committed," he added. Meanwhile, on Dec 13, two men jumped inside the Lok Sabha (parliament's lower house) from the visitor's gallery above the chamber and threw smoke cannisters inside the premises. Six people, including the mastermind Lalit Jha, have been arrested in this case. (With inputs from agencies)

Pannun murder plot: US watchdog urges Biden to designate India as 'country of particular concern'

UFC 296 results: The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 296 officially came to an end on Sunday (Dec 17) with current Welterweight champion Leon Edwards (United Kingdom) and Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (Brazil) successfully defending their titles at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada.

UFC 296 results: The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 296 officially came to an end on Sunday (Dec 17) with current Welterweight champion Leon Edwards (United Kingdom) and Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (Brazil) successfully defending their titles at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada. Leon Edwards' fight with Colby Covington (United States) was the main event, while the co-main event was the Flyweight bout between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval (United States). Despite the main and co-main events being title defences, two other fights- Shavkat Rakhmonov (Kazakhstan) vs Stephen Thompson (United States) and Paddy Pimblett (United Kingdom) vs Tony Ferguson (United States) also garnered major attraction by the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) community. Here's a look at what happened: Main event: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington (Welterweight title fight) Leon Edwards defeated Colby Covington by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46), and successfully defended his Welterweight title for the second time. In the first two rounds of the five-round fight, Edwards stayed on his feet and picked his shots in low output. In the third round, Covington finally managed to get Edwards to the canvas. The American had a little more success in the fourth round, but Edwards managed to land good shots, neutralised his wrestling effectively, and kept Covington working at a far more reduced pace than usual. Edwards came to prove a point with the wrestling tonight 💪 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/Skb9CatIMY — UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023 × In the fifth and final round of the fight, Edwards had far greater attacks on the ground, attacking a triangle choke and minimising the effectiveness of Covington in the top position down the stretch. "I know I'm the better athlete. I can match him (Covington) with cardio. I can match him with technique and range to shut him down, and that's what I did. I wanted to grapple with him, I'm a mixed martial artist. I wanted to come out here and prove my case, out-grapple a grappler. This is my second title defense, I've tied GSP for most wins in a row, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing," the Englishman said in his post-fight interview. Co-main event: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval (Flyweight title fight) Alexander Pantoja retained his Flyweight title after a unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) win over Brandon Royval. Throughout the five-round fight, Pantoja displayed superior grappling, taking Royval down multiple times and keeping him on the canvas for longer periods. The champion threatened the title challenger with submission attempts and advancing to dominant positions. Pantoja on how the fight went with Brandon Royval in their rematch #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/iFrc8fN9Bt — UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023 × The fighting ended with Royval gassing out, giving the Brazilian an opportunity to go for a takedown. "This fight was maybe too boring, but Brandon Royval was a tough guy to fight. I watched him coming and I knew he was going to come for the belt. I needed to keep this belt for my family, for Brazil. They need idols right now. Keep working for your home and your kids, that's the most important thing in life," Pantoja said in his post-fight interview. Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen Thompson (Welterweight division fight) Shavkat Rakhmonov remains undefeated in the UFC and might soon head for a Welterweight title fight. On Sunday, the Kazakh defeated Stephen Thompson by submission in the final seconds of the second round. Rakhmonov dominated the fight. 18-0 FOR SHAVKAT!! 🇰🇿@Rakhmonov1994 gets the tap from Wonderboy and keeps his perfect finish rate intact 🔥 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/2G9H3UZA33 — UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023 × After failing to get the fight to the ground, he managed to put Thompson on the deck in the second, and after missing his initial choke, the Kazakh managed to get a rear-naked choke with Thompson tapping out. Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson (Lightweight division fight) Paddy Pimblett proved earlier predictions wrong as he defeated Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Pimblett boxed up and out-grappled the American. The Baddy improves to 5-0 in the Octagon after #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/IbzBckExF8 — UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023 × The Englishman had been out of the octagon for over a year. Pimblett battered Ferguson on the feet in the first before controlling things on the canvas in the second. In the third and final round, Pimblett was able to put the American on the canvas and grind out the clock from the top position, neutralising Ferguson’s attempts to find openings. Here's a look at other fight results in UFC 296: > Josh Emmett defeats Bryce Mitchell by KO (right hand) at 1:57 of Round 1. > Alonzo Menifield defeats Dustin Jacoby by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). > Irene Aldana defeats Karol Rosa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). > Cody Garbrandt defeats Brian Kelleher by KO (right hand) at 3:42 of Round 1. > Ariane Lipski defeats Casey O’Neill by submission (armbar) at 1:18 of Round 2. > Tagir Ulanbekov defeats Cody Durden by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:25 of Round 2. > Andre Fili defeats Lucas Almeida by TKO (strikes) at 3:32 of Round 1. > Shamil Gaziev defeats Martin Buday by TKO (strikes) at 0:56 of Round 2.

UFC 296: Edwards remains Welterweight champ; Pantoja successfully defends Flyweight title

A recent study has suggested that people who have been hospitalised with flu are at an increased risk of long-term illness. The study, <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(23)00684-9/fulltext">published in the Lancet journal </a>on Thursday (Dec 14) analysed data of&nbsp;81,280 patients in the United States who were hospitalised for Covid&nbsp;between March 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, and 10,985 patients who were hospitalised for seasonal influenza&nbsp;between Oct 1, 2015, and Feb 28, 2019.

"Previous comparative analyses of people admitted to hospital for COVID-19 versus influenza evaluated the risk of death, hospital readmission, and a narrow set of health outcomes up to 6 months following infection," the study said.&nbsp;

<h2>The findings</h2>

The study's participants were followed up for up to 18 months "to comparatively evaluate risks and burdens of death, a prespecified set of 94 individual health outcomes, 10 organ systems, overall burden across all organ systems, readmission, and admission to intensive care."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-witnessing-fluctuating-downtrend-of-respiratory-illnesses-among-children-668561">China witnessing 'fluctuating downtrend' of respiratory illnesses among children</a>

The study said that over 18 months of follow-up, compared to seasonal influenza, patients in the Covid group had an increased risk of death. "Comparative analyses of 94 prespecified health outcomes showed that COVID-19 had an increased risk of 68·1% (64 of 94) pre-specified health outcomes; seasonal influenza was associated with an increased risk of 6·4% (six of 94) pre-specified health outcomes, including three out of four pre-specified pulmonary outcomes," it added.

An analysis of organ systems showed that Covid had a higher risk across&nbsp;all organ systems except for the pulmonary system, the risk of which was higher in seasonal influenza.

<h2>'Covid patients associated with higher risks of death'</h2>

The study further said that although the rates of&nbsp;death and adverse health outcomes following hospital admission for either seasonal influenza or Covid were high, the comparative analysis showed that Covid-linked hospitalisations were&nbsp;associated with higher long-term risks of death and adverse health outcomes in nearly every organ system (except for the pulmonary system).

"The substantial cumulative burden of health loss in both groups calls for greater prevention of hospital admission for these two viruses and for greater attention to the care needs of people with long-term health effects due to either seasonal influenza or SARS-CoV-2 infection," the study added.

Speaking to The Guardian, the study's lead author Dr Ziyad Al-Aly from Washington University said, "Many people think they’re over COVID-19 or the flu after being discharged from the hospital. That may be true for some people. But our research shows that both viruses can cause long-haul illness."

“Some people are ending up with serious long-term health issues. We need to wake up to this reality and stop trivialising viral infections and understand that they are major drivers of chronic diseases,” Dr Al-Aly added.

(With inputs from agencies)

A recent study has suggested that people who have been hospitalised with flu are at an increased risk of long-term illness. The study, published in the Lancet journal on Thursday (Dec 14) analysed data of 81,280 patients in the United States who were hospitalised for Covid between March 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, and 10,985 patients who were hospitalised for seasonal influenza between Oct 1, 2015, and Feb 28, 2019.

A recent study has suggested that people who have been hospitalised with flu are at an increased risk of long-term illness. The study, published in the Lancet journal on Thursday (Dec 14) analysed data of 81,280 patients in the United States who were hospitalised for Covid between March 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, and 10,985 patients who were hospitalised for seasonal influenza between Oct 1, 2015, and Feb 28, 2019. "Previous comparative analyses of people admitted to hospital for COVID-19 versus influenza evaluated the risk of death, hospital readmission, and a narrow set of health outcomes up to 6 months following infection," the study said. The findings The study's participants were followed up for up to 18 months "to comparatively evaluate risks and burdens of death, a prespecified set of 94 individual health outcomes, 10 organ systems, overall burden across all organ systems, readmission, and admission to intensive care." Also read: China witnessing 'fluctuating downtrend' of respiratory illnesses among children The study said that over 18 months of follow-up, compared to seasonal influenza, patients in the Covid group had an increased risk of death. "Comparative analyses of 94 prespecified health outcomes showed that COVID-19 had an increased risk of 68·1% (64 of 94) pre-specified health outcomes; seasonal influenza was associated with an increased risk of 6·4% (six of 94) pre-specified health outcomes, including three out of four pre-specified pulmonary outcomes," it added. An analysis of organ systems showed that Covid had a higher risk across all organ systems except for the pulmonary system, the risk of which was higher in seasonal influenza. 'Covid patients associated with higher risks of death' The study further said that although the rates of death and adverse health outcomes following hospital admission for either seasonal influenza or Covid were high, the comparative analysis showed that Covid-linked hospitalisations were associated with higher long-term risks of death and adverse health outcomes in nearly every organ system (except for the pulmonary system). "The substantial cumulative burden of health loss in both groups calls for greater prevention of hospital admission for these two viruses and for greater attention to the care needs of people with long-term health effects due to either seasonal influenza or SARS-CoV-2 infection," the study added. Speaking to The Guardian, the study's lead author Dr Ziyad Al-Aly from Washington University said, "Many people think they’re over COVID-19 or the flu after being discharged from the hospital. That may be true for some people. But our research shows that both viruses can cause long-haul illness." “Some people are ending up with serious long-term health issues. We need to wake up to this reality and stop trivialising viral infections and understand that they are major drivers of chronic diseases,” Dr Al-Aly added. (With inputs from agencies)

People hospitalised with flu at increased risk of longer-term health problems: Study

The Geminids meteor shower, which is seen in mid-December every year, has lit up the night skies once again. According to a report by Forbes on Friday (Dec 15), the meteor peaked on Thursday night.

The Geminids meteor shower, which is seen in mid-December every year, has lit up the night skies once again. According to a report by Forbes on Friday (Dec 15), the meteor peaked on Thursday night. Even though the peak has now passed, the Geminids will continue through December 24. As per the report, the meteor shower was best seen in the Northern Hemisphere. Next year, there will be three meteor showers peaking in moonless skies- Quadrantids in early January, Eta Aquariids in May, and Perseids in August, the report added. What are Geminids? Geminids are a prolific meteor shower caused by 3200 Phaethon, an asteroid that may have broken off from a larger comet. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), observations show that the Geminids are denser than meteors belonging to other showers, enabling them to get as low as 29 miles above Earth’s surface before burning up. They are one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers. "The Geminids can be seen by most of the world. Yet, it is best viewed by observers in the Northern Hemisphere. As you enter the Southern Hemisphere and move towards the South Pole, the altitude of the Geminid radiant – the celestial point in the sky where the Geminid meteors appear to originate – gets lower and lower above the horizon," NASA said. How fast are Geminids? Geminids travel at a speed of 35km/second which is more than 1000 times faster than a cheetah, about 250 times faster than the swiftest car in the world, and over 40 times faster than a speeding bullet. “Most meteors appear to be colourless or white, however, the Geminids appear with a greenish hue. They’re pretty meteors!” said Bill Cooke, lead for the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.

Geminids meteor shower lights up night sky with a greenish hue

More young people in South Korea are considering marriage and childbirth as "nonessential." Citing recent government data, a report by the news agency Yonhap on Friday (Dec 15) said that only 27 per cent of women in their 20s considered marriage as essential last year, marking a decline from nearly 53 per cent in 2008. The report said that around 42 per cent of men in the same age group found marriage necessary, which&nbsp;is a drop of 30 per cent.

When it comes to South Koreans in their 30s, 31.8 per cent of women and 48.7 per cent of men were positive about getting married. Data showed that only 27.7 per cent of people in their 20s and 30s were positive about having no children after marriage in 2015, but the&nbsp;figure increased to 44.1 per cent in 2020.

The report also said that young people remained negative about having children outside of marriage. Only 20 per cent expressed a positive perspective (for having children outside marriage) in 2020. In 2015, this figure was at 11.1 per cent.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-cities-play-cupid-host-blind-dating-events-to-up-fertility-rate-623402">South Korean cities play cupid, host blind-dating events to up fertility rate</a>

The data is yet another gloomy sign of South Korea's demographic crisis over the extremely low birth rate, Yonhap reported.

Lack of financial resources topped the reasons for young people not getting married, a report by The Korea Times on Friday said. Speaking to the publication, a man surnamed Kim in his 20s said he did not wish to get married.

“I don’t want to support a family, not now, not ever,” he said. “I don’t want anyone bothering me about how much money I make or constantly nagging me about how I am not good enough,” Kim said.

Meanwhile, a woman in her 30s told the publication she and her husband did not want children. "It is a huge responsibility for me and my husband physically, financially, and psychologically, more for me than him. I have a job and I don’t want to give up a few good years of my life raising children. I’m fine where I am," the woman said.

(With inputs from agencies)

More young people in South Korea are considering marriage and childbirth as "nonessential." Citing recent government data, a report by the news agency Yonhap on Friday (Dec 15) said that only 27 per cent of women in their 20s considered marriage as essential last year, marking a decline from nearly 53 per cent in 2008.

More young people in South Korea are considering marriage and childbirth as "nonessential." Citing recent government data, a report by the news agency Yonhap on Friday (Dec 15) said that only 27 per cent of women in their 20s considered marriage as essential last year, marking a decline from nearly 53 per cent in 2008. The report said that around 42 per cent of men in the same age group found marriage necessary, which is a drop of 30 per cent. When it comes to South Koreans in their 30s, 31.8 per cent of women and 48.7 per cent of men were positive about getting married. Data showed that only 27.7 per cent of people in their 20s and 30s were positive about having no children after marriage in 2015, but the figure increased to 44.1 per cent in 2020. The report also said that young people remained negative about having children outside of marriage. Only 20 per cent expressed a positive perspective (for having children outside marriage) in 2020. In 2015, this figure was at 11.1 per cent. Also read: South Korean cities play cupid, host blind-dating events to up fertility rate The data is yet another gloomy sign of South Korea's demographic crisis over the extremely low birth rate, Yonhap reported. Lack of financial resources topped the reasons for young people not getting married, a report by The Korea Times on Friday said. Speaking to the publication, a man surnamed Kim in his 20s said he did not wish to get married. “I don’t want to support a family, not now, not ever,” he said. “I don’t want anyone bothering me about how much money I make or constantly nagging me about how I am not good enough,” Kim said. Meanwhile, a woman in her 30s told the publication she and her husband did not want children. "It is a huge responsibility for me and my husband physically, financially, and psychologically, more for me than him. I have a job and I don’t want to give up a few good years of my life raising children. I’m fine where I am," the woman said. (With inputs from agencies)

In South Korea, more young people consider marriage, childbirth as nonessential

The Indian state of Haryana will recruit 10,000 skilled workers for Israel where there has been a shortage of labour in the construction sector, the Times of India (TOI) reported on Saturday (Dec 16). According to a <a href="https://hkrnl.itiharyana.gov.in/RegisterCompanyDocuments/Construction_Workers.pdf">notice issued by the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN)</a> on Friday, there are four job roles mentioned by the state government- framework/ shuttering carpenter, iron bending, ceramic tile, and plastering.

"The first visa and work permit will be valid until the end of the calendar year and may be extended for additional periods of up to one year at a time to a maximum of 63 months," the <a href="https://hkrnl.itiharyana.gov.in/RegisterCompanyDocuments/Construction_Workers.pdf">notice said regarding</a> the job contract.

Framework/ shuttering carpenter role has vacancies for 3,000 workers, iron bending has vacancies for 3,000 workers, ceramic tile has vacancies for 2,000 workers, and plastering also has vacancies for 2,000 workers.

For all these job roles, the minimum education qualification is a Class 10 pass and a minimum working experience of three years is required. The minimum age requirement of candidates is 25 years while the maximum is 54 years.&nbsp;

All the workers will be paid a monthly salary of around $1,664 (Rs 138,235 or 6,100&nbsp;Israeli New Shekel). The medical insurance of the workers will be provided by their respective employers. A PCC document will be needed for visa processing.

Interested candidates will be interviewed offline.

Once selected, the workers will be entitled to 236 hours of work per month. The overtime hours will be decided by their employers. All workers will be provided leave benefits as per Israel's labour laws.

The notice also said that accommodation allowance and medical insurance charges will be deducted from the workers' salaries.

As per the TOI report, there has been a severe shortage of workers in Israel's construction sector following the country's war with Hamas. Around 90,000 Palestinians had their work permits cancelled due to the ongoing conflict.

The Haryana government's announcement came just days after Union Minister V. Muraleedharan informed the Rajya Sabha that the Modi government did not hold any discussions with Israel over a possible replacement of Palestinian workers by Indians, the report said.

The Indian state of Haryana will recruit 10,000 skilled workers for Israel where there has been a shortage of labour in the construction sector, the Times of India (TOI) reported on Saturday (Dec 16).

The Indian state of Haryana will recruit 10,000 skilled workers for Israel where there has been a shortage of labour in the construction sector, the Times of India (TOI) reported on Saturday (Dec 16). According to a notice issued by the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN) on Friday, there are four job roles mentioned by the state government- framework/ shuttering carpenter, iron bending, ceramic tile, and plastering. "The first visa and work permit will be valid until the end of the calendar year and may be extended for additional periods of up to one year at a time to a maximum of 63 months," the notice said regarding the job contract. Framework/ shuttering carpenter role has vacancies for 3,000 workers, iron bending has vacancies for 3,000 workers, ceramic tile has vacancies for 2,000 workers, and plastering also has vacancies for 2,000 workers. For all these job roles, the minimum education qualification is a Class 10 pass and a minimum working experience of three years is required. The minimum age requirement of candidates is 25 years while the maximum is 54 years. All the workers will be paid a monthly salary of around $1,664 (Rs 138,235 or 6,100 Israeli New Shekel). The medical insurance of the workers will be provided by their respective employers. A PCC document will be needed for visa processing. Interested candidates will be interviewed offline. Once selected, the workers will be entitled to 236 hours of work per month. The overtime hours will be decided by their employers. All workers will be provided leave benefits as per Israel's labour laws. The notice also said that accommodation allowance and medical insurance charges will be deducted from the workers' salaries. As per the TOI report, there has been a severe shortage of workers in Israel's construction sector following the country's war with Hamas. Around 90,000 Palestinians had their work permits cancelled due to the ongoing conflict. The Haryana government's announcement came just days after Union Minister V. Muraleedharan informed the Rajya Sabha that the Modi government did not hold any discussions with Israel over a possible replacement of Palestinian workers by Indians, the report said.

Indian state Haryana to recruit 10,000 skilled workers for jobs in Israel

More Chinese agencies and state-backed companies across the country have asked their staff to not bring&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;iPhones and other foreign devices to work, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

For over a decade, China has been seeking to reduce reliance on foreign technologies, asking state-affiliated firms such as banks to switch to local software and promoting domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing.

Multiple state firms and government departments across at least eight provinces have instructed employees in the past month or two to start carrying local brands, the Bloomberg News report said.

Apple&nbsp;did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for a comment.

In December, smaller firms and agencies in lower-tier cities from provinces including Zhejiang, Shandong, Liaoning and central Hebei, which houses the world's largest iPhone factory, issued their own verbal directives, the Bloomberg News report said.

Reuters reported in September that staff in at least three ministries and government bodies were told not to use iPhones at work.

Apple's shares were marginally down at $196.50 in extended trading.

More Chinese agencies and state-backed companies across the country have asked their staff to not bring Apple iPhones and other foreign devices to work, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

More Chinese agencies and state-backed companies across the country have asked their staff to not bring Apple iPhones and other foreign devices to work, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. For over a decade, China has been seeking to reduce reliance on foreign technologies, asking state-affiliated firms such as banks to switch to local software and promoting domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing. Multiple state firms and government departments across at least eight provinces have instructed employees in the past month or two to start carrying local brands, the Bloomberg News report said. Apple did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for a comment. In December, smaller firms and agencies in lower-tier cities from provinces including Zhejiang, Shandong, Liaoning and central Hebei, which houses the world's largest iPhone factory, issued their own verbal directives, the Bloomberg News report said. Reuters reported in September that staff in at least three ministries and government bodies were told not to use iPhones at work. Apple's shares were marginally down at $196.50 in extended trading.

China's ban on Apple's iPhone accelerates

The United States government's terrorist watchlist has nearly doubled in just six years. The consolidated database of individuals has not only been quietly expanding in number but also in who it targets, revealed a CBS Reports study released on Thursday (Dec 14).

The United States government's terrorist watchlist has nearly doubled in just six years. The consolidated database of individuals has not only been quietly expanding in number but also in who it targets, revealed a CBS Reports study released on Thursday (Dec 14). The terrorist watchlist, now known as the Terrorist Screening Dataset, had approximately 120,000 people when it was first launched in Dec 2003. CBS Reports said that by 2017, the list included 1,160,000 people. And by the end of 2023, the list includes approximately 2 million people. According to government policy, agents must have reasonable suspicion to put someone on the watchlist. However, the policy does not disclose what those suspicions are based on. 'Those on the list are there for a reason' Monte Hawkins, who helps oversee the watchlisting policy for President Joe Biden said the people on the list were there for a reason. Hawkins, who has served in the National Security Council for every administration since 9/11, noted that a majority number of people on the list were not American citizens or legal permanent residents. Russ Travers, an intelligence veteran who helped create the watchlist, said that everyone on the list was not a terrorist. "It means there's something that has led a department or agency to say, 'This person needs a closer look'," Travers told the publication. Travers pointed out that a lot of people in the database were dead that the government didn't know about. As per the report, national security officials have acknowledged that there are people listed in the database whose names should probably be removed, but there isn't enough staff to audit every individual's file regularly. How people's lives are affected CBS Reports said that the list has had significant consequences on those who have been a part of it. In numerous civil lawsuits over the last two decades, people on the watchlist described how they believed the database caused them to be stopped from flying home after a vacation, to fail background checks to get employment or to have their phones and computers searched. Others (on the watchlist) said the list triggered law enforcement agencies to handcuff them at gunpoint, adding they were detained and interrogated by foreign intelligence services. The report further said that over the years, tens of thousands of innocent people have complained to Washington about being incorrectly treated like terrorist suspects.

US terrorist watchlist nearly doubled in just six years: Report

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has made an interesting discovery on Saturday's icy moon Enceladus. A study by NASA on Thursday (Dec 14) showed that the agency found evidence of a key ingredient for life and a supercharged source of energy to fuel it.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has made an interesting discovery on Saturday's icy moon Enceladus. A study by NASA on Thursday (Dec 14) showed that the agency found evidence of a key ingredient for life and a supercharged source of energy to fuel it. Scientists have known that the giant plume of ice grains and water vapour spewing from Enceladus is rich in organic compounds. "Now, scientists analyzing data from NASA’s Cassini mission are taking the evidence for habitability a step further: They’ve found strong confirmation of hydrogen cyanide, a molecule that is key to the origin of life," the study said. Researchers also uncovered evidence that an ocean, which is hiding below the moon's icy outer shell and supplies the plume, holds a powerful source of chemical energy. "Unidentified until now, the energy source is in the form of several organic compounds, some of which, on Earth, serve as fuel for organisms," according to NASA. Also read: NASA preps for PACE mission to study factors that shape our climate The study's findings indicate there may be more chemical energy inside Enceladus than previously thought. The study's lead author Jonah Peter said his work provides further evidence that the moon is a host to "some of the most important molecules for both creating the building blocks of life and for sustaining that life through metabolic reactions." “Not only does Enceladus seem to meet the basic requirements for habitability, we now have an idea about how complex biomolecules could form there, and what sort of chemical pathways might be involved,” said Peter, a doctoral student at Harvard University who performed much of the research while working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Previous evidence found in 2017 In 2017, scientists found evidence at Enceladus that could help sustain life, if present, in its ocean. The combination of carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen in the plume was suggestive of methanogenesis, a metabolic process that produces methane, NASA said. Thursday's study has uncovered evidence for additional chemical sources far more powerful and diverse than the making of methane. Also read: 'Hello from the other side': NASA's Voyager 1 faces glitch in interstellar space, can't call back home “If methanogenesis is like a small watch battery, in terms of energy, then our results suggest the ocean of Enceladus might offer something more akin to a car battery, capable of providing a large amount of energy to any life that might be present,” said JPL’s Kevin Hand, co-author of the study. Reliance on statistical analyses Unlike earlier research where lab experiments and geochemical modelling were used to replicate the conditions the Cassini mission found at Enceladus, researchers this time relied on detailed statistical analyses. They examined data collected by Cassini’s ion and neutral mass spectrometer, which studied the gas, ions, and ice grains around Saturn, NASA said. "By quantifying the amount of information contained in the data, the authors were able to tease out subtle differences in how well different chemical compounds explain the Cassini signal," it added.

NASA finds energy source and molecule at Saturn's moon Enceladus

The Indian government's agency the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) on Friday (Dec 15) warned users of iPhone and other Apple products of multiple vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to access sensitive information.

The Indian government's agency the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) on Friday (Dec 15) warned users of iPhone and other Apple products of multiple vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to access sensitive information. In its report, the CERT said, "Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Apple products which could allow an attacker to access sensitive information, execute arbitrary code, bypass security restrictions, cause denial of service (DoS) conditions, bypass authentication, gain elevated privileges, and perform spoofing attacks on the targeted systems." Which Apple products have been affected? According to the CERT, the affected products include versions iOS versions prior to 17.2 and 16.7.3; iPad iOS versions prior to 17.2 and 16.7.3; macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.2; macOS Ventura versions prior to 13.6.3; macOS Monterey versions prior to 12.7.2; tvOS versions prior to 17.2; watchOS versions prior to 10.2; and Safari versions prior to 17.2. The CERT has put up the severity rating in all these Apple products as 'High'. Some of the impacts include denial of service, security feature bypass, elevation of privileges, and spoofing attacks. The government agency also advised users of these products to apply for appropriate software updates. Centre issues warning for Samsung phones The warning for Apple products comes after the CERT released security warnings for Samsung products, specifically the Galaxy phones. "Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Samsung products that could allow an attacker to bypass implemented security restrictions, access sensitive information, and execute arbitrary code on the targeted system," the CERT said in its vulnerability note. The note emphasised the issues which might affect Samsung mobile phones that have been using Android versions 11 and above.

After Samsung, India now issues security warnings for users of iPhone, other Apple products

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Dec 15) promised harsh punishment for any foreign interference in the 2024 presidential election. During a meeting with party leaders in the Duma, parliament's lower house, President Putin said, "Any interference in Russia's internal affairs will be punished, and punished harshly, according to Russian laws."

"We are defending the freedom of our people, their sovereignty, their right to choose their future. It's the people and only the people of Russia who are the source of power in our country," he added.

Last week, Putin announced he would run for a fifth presidential term in the election, with little doubt surrounding his victory after almost 25 years in power and with the opposition virtually non-existent.

<h2>Election on March 17 next year</h2>

The presidential election in Russia will be held on March 17 next year. Last week, &nbsp;Valentina Matviyenko, head of the Federation Council, said that for the first time, residents of the parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions of Ukraine annexed by Russia during the ongoing war would take part in the vote.

"By choosing a head of state together, we fully share the common responsibility and common destiny of our fatherland," Matviyenko said.

Vladimir Putin, 71, who was handed over the presidency by Boris Yeltsin on the last day of 1999, has already served as president for longer than any other ruler of Russia since Josef Stalin.

According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the presidential election is just a formality for Putin due to the support of the state, the state-run media and almost no mainstream public dissent.&nbsp;

Most leading Russian opposition figures have been jailed or exiled.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Dec 15) promised harsh punishment for any foreign interference in the 2024 presidential election. During a meeting with party leaders in the Duma, parliament's lower house, President Putin said, "Any interference in Russia's internal affairs will be punished, and punished harshly, according to Russian laws.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Dec 15) promised harsh punishment for any foreign interference in the 2024 presidential election. During a meeting with party leaders in the Duma, parliament's lower house, President Putin said, "Any interference in Russia's internal affairs will be punished, and punished harshly, according to Russian laws." "We are defending the freedom of our people, their sovereignty, their right to choose their future. It's the people and only the people of Russia who are the source of power in our country," he added. Last week, Putin announced he would run for a fifth presidential term in the election, with little doubt surrounding his victory after almost 25 years in power and with the opposition virtually non-existent. Election on March 17 next year The presidential election in Russia will be held on March 17 next year. Last week, Valentina Matviyenko, head of the Federation Council, said that for the first time, residents of the parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions of Ukraine annexed by Russia during the ongoing war would take part in the vote. "By choosing a head of state together, we fully share the common responsibility and common destiny of our fatherland," Matviyenko said. Vladimir Putin, 71, who was handed over the presidency by Boris Yeltsin on the last day of 1999, has already served as president for longer than any other ruler of Russia since Josef Stalin. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the presidential election is just a formality for Putin due to the support of the state, the state-run media and almost no mainstream public dissent. Most leading Russian opposition figures have been jailed or exiled. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Putin promises harsh punishment for foreign meddling in 2024 election

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