<p>After India expedited the construction of four "strategic lines" of railways near its disputed boundary with China, the Beijing-controlled Tibet Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission revealed that the expansion of railway network will be expanded by 2,641 km by 2025 which will pass through the contentious Aksai Chin region close to the Line of Actual Control with India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 38,000 sq. km area in India's north, part of the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, remains under illegal Chinese occupation partly since 1950s and completely since 1962.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The development comes as India and China remain locked in an evolving military standoff across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh (region with contiguous boundary with Aksai Chin), since June 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India does not consider its current boundaries with China as a typical international "border". The unresolved international boundary, with roots in imperial British cartographic blunders, is called Line of Actual Control in India's north and McMahon Line in the northeast, named after a British administrator Henry McMahon who led the effort to finalise the boundary question with the then-Chinese rulers in 1914.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-lac-skirmishes-increase-india-to-build-a-1700-km-highway-in-arunachal-pradesh-544428">As LAC skirmishes increase, India to build a 1,700-km highway in Arunachal Pradesh</a></strong></p>

<p>"By 2025, the construction of several railway projects, including the Ya’an-Nyingchi section of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, the Shigatse-Pakhuktso section of the Xinjiang-Tibet Railway, and the Bomi-Ra’uk section of the Yunnan-Tibet Railway will all see major progress," a report by Tibet Autonomous Region Development was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-there-is-a-new-alliance-between-china-iran-and-russia-should-india-be-worried-561643">Gravitas: There is a new alliance between China, Iran and Russia. Should India be worried?</a></strong></p>

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<p>The Shigatse-Pakhuktso section of the proposed Xinjiang-Tibet Railway line will pass through Aksai Chin.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>Chinese railway expansion near the LAC: Response to India's "strategic lines"?</strong></h2>

<p>India has expedited its efforts in constructing strategic railway lines near the Line of Actual Control with China and has already released the detailed project reports (DPR) of these lines. New Delhi will have a total railway network of about 1,352 km near the Line of Actual Control (in the country's north) and the McMahon Line (in the country's northeast) it shares with China. New Delhi has unveiled four proposed railway lines, three in the Northeast and one in the North.</p>

<p>India's proposed Bhanupli-Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line, once opened, will be the world's highest railway line, overtaking China's Qinghai-Tibet line.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The other three railway lines are links to the border in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh: Missamari-Tenga-Tawang (378 km); Pasighat-Tezu-Rupai (227 km); North Lakhimpur-Bame-Silapathar (249 km).</p>

<h2><strong>India's position on Aksai Chin</strong></h2>

<p>On August 4th 2019, when Indian parliament did away with Article 370 of Indian constitution which gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status -- the Union Territory whose Aksai Chin is a part -- India's home minister Amit Shah while moving a parliamentary resolution laid out country's position on the status of Aksai Chin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"When I say Jammu and Kashmir, I include Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin, both are included in the territorial boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir," Amit Shah said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A 1962 Indian parliamentary resolution asserted New Delhi's "firm resolve to drive out the aggressor from the sacred soil of India", while referring to the Chinese illegal occupation of Aksai Chin after the 1962 India-China war.&nbsp;</p>

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After India expedited the construction of four "strategic lines" of railways near its disputed boundary with China, the Beijing-controlled Tibet Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission revealed that the expansion of railway network will be expanded by 2,641 km by 2025 which will pass through the contentious Aksai Chin region close to the Line of Actual Control with India.

After India expedited the construction of four "strategic lines" of railways near its disputed boundary with China, the Beijing-controlled Tibet Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission revealed that the expansion of railway network will be expanded by 2,641 km by 2025 which will pass through the contentious Aksai Chin region close to the Line of Actual Control with India. The 38,000 sq. km area in India's north, part of the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, remains under illegal Chinese occupation partly since 1950s and completely since 1962. The development comes as India and China remain locked in an evolving military standoff across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh (region with contiguous boundary with Aksai Chin), since June 2020. India does not consider its current boundaries with China as a typical international "border". The unresolved international boundary, with roots in imperial British cartographic blunders, is called Line of Actual Control in India's north and McMahon Line in the northeast, named after a British administrator Henry McMahon who led the effort to finalise the boundary question with the then-Chinese rulers in 1914. ALSO READ | As LAC skirmishes increase, India to build a 1,700-km highway in Arunachal Pradesh "By 2025, the construction of several railway projects, including the Ya’an-Nyingchi section of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, the Shigatse-Pakhuktso section of the Xinjiang-Tibet Railway, and the Bomi-Ra’uk section of the Yunnan-Tibet Railway will all see major progress," a report by Tibet Autonomous Region Development was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: There is a new alliance between China, Iran and Russia. Should India be worried? × The Shigatse-Pakhuktso section of the proposed Xinjiang-Tibet Railway line will pass through Aksai Chin. Chinese railway expansion near the LAC: Response to India's "strategic lines"? India has expedited its efforts in constructing strategic railway lines near the Line of Actual Control with China and has already released the detailed project reports (DPR) of these lines. New Delhi will have a total railway network of about 1,352 km near the Line of Actual Control (in the country's north) and the McMahon Line (in the country's northeast) it shares with China. New Delhi has unveiled four proposed railway lines, three in the Northeast and one in the North. India's proposed Bhanupli-Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line, once opened, will be the world's highest railway line, overtaking China's Qinghai-Tibet line. The other three railway lines are links to the border in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh: Missamari-Tenga-Tawang (378 km); Pasighat-Tezu-Rupai (227 km); North Lakhimpur-Bame-Silapathar (249 km). India's position on Aksai Chin On August 4th 2019, when Indian parliament did away with Article 370 of Indian constitution which gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status -- the Union Territory whose Aksai Chin is a part -- India's home minister Amit Shah while moving a parliamentary resolution laid out country's position on the status of Aksai Chin. "When I say Jammu and Kashmir, I include Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin, both are included in the territorial boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir," Amit Shah said. A 1962 Indian parliamentary resolution asserted New Delhi's "firm resolve to drive out the aggressor from the sacred soil of India", while referring to the Chinese illegal occupation of Aksai Chin after the 1962 India-China war. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China proposes to expand railway in Aksai Chin region

<p>India on February 14th marked the fourth anniversary of the Pulwama attack, a terrorist attack carried out in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 that resulted in the death of 40 Indian troops. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several others took to social media to remember the lives of Indian troops that were lost four years ago.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Remembering our valorous heroes who we lost on this day in Pulwama. We will never forget their supreme sacrifice. Their courage motivates us to build a strong and developed India.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1625324032295055361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The suicide attack, carried out by Pakistan-sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammad, was executed by Adil Ahmed Dar, 22, who rammed his vehicle into a bus carrying India's Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What happened immediately after Pulwama attack?</strong></h2>

<p>The attack led to the galvanisation of national public opinion to act against those responsible for the attack. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, then in its first term in office, vowed to act against the perpetrators.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Two days after the attack, in a significant breakthrough, security forces gunned down top Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) commander Abdul Rasheed Ghazi alias Kamran, in a 12-hour-long encounter with multiple Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists in Pulwama area.</p>

<p>Ghazi was a Pakistani national and the brain behind the Pulwama attack.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/exclusive-wion-examines-balakot-air-strikes-by-indian-air-force-201044">Exclusive: WION examines Balakot air-strikes by Indian Air Force</a></strong></p>

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<p>On February 26, 2019, Indian forces conducted a bombing raid in Balakot in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, targeting a set of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camps. The operation resulted in the deaths of 200-300 terrorists, reports said. The exact number of terrorists killed in the raid was not specified.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Balakot airstrikes added to the sequence of Indian strategic evolution of hitting terror at its origin that began in September 2016. In retaliation to the terrorist attack on an army base in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, 2016 which led to the loss of lives of 19 Indian soldiers, India had conducted surgical strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camps across the Line of Control in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation inflicted "significant casualties" on terror infrastructure in the region.</p>

<h2><strong>Why are Balakot airstrikes so crucial?</strong></h2>

<p>Balakot is known as the birthplace of jihad ('holy fight') in South Asia. The first notable jihad occurred in 1831 in Balakot, in which a man named Sayyid Ahmad led hundreds of his followers against Maharaja Ranjit Singh's forces. Ahmad's forces lost but he was promptly declared a martyr. According to American journalist Declan Walsh's book 'The Nine Lives of Pakistan', to date, Sayyid Ahmad's grave is a shrine to many who come to Balakot to pay their respects. "The lush hills around Balakot are dotted with secretive training camps where modern-day Pakistani jihadis train for battle against Indian forces in Kashmir," Walsh writes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fatf-lauds-france-for-its-sanctions-against-masood-azhar-after-pulwama-terror-attack-479873">FATF lauds France for its sanctions against Masood Azhar after Pulwama terror attack</a></strong></p>

<p>The Balakot airstrikes were as much symbolic as they were strategic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India went after the nucleus of terrorism in the region with its diplomatic overdrive focusing more on its fight against terrorism than on just hyphenating itself with Pakistan, the country which sponsored Pulwama terrorist attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In May 2019, Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar was designated a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council, a move cited as a major diplomatic win for India.&nbsp;</p>

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India on February 14th marked the fourth anniversary of the Pulwama attack, a terrorist attack carried out in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 that resulted in the death of 40 Indian troops.

India on February 14th marked the fourth anniversary of the Pulwama attack, a terrorist attack carried out in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 that resulted in the death of 40 Indian troops. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several others took to social media to remember the lives of Indian troops that were lost four years ago. Remembering our valorous heroes who we lost on this day in Pulwama. We will never forget their supreme sacrifice. Their courage motivates us to build a strong and developed India. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2023 × The suicide attack, carried out by Pakistan-sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammad, was executed by Adil Ahmed Dar, 22, who rammed his vehicle into a bus carrying India's Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF). What happened immediately after Pulwama attack? The attack led to the galvanisation of national public opinion to act against those responsible for the attack. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, then in its first term in office, vowed to act against the perpetrators. Two days after the attack, in a significant breakthrough, security forces gunned down top Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) commander Abdul Rasheed Ghazi alias Kamran, in a 12-hour-long encounter with multiple Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists in Pulwama area. Ghazi was a Pakistani national and the brain behind the Pulwama attack. ALSO WATCH | Exclusive: WION examines Balakot air-strikes by Indian Air Force × On February 26, 2019, Indian forces conducted a bombing raid in Balakot in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, targeting a set of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camps. The operation resulted in the deaths of 200-300 terrorists, reports said. The exact number of terrorists killed in the raid was not specified. The Balakot airstrikes added to the sequence of Indian strategic evolution of hitting terror at its origin that began in September 2016. In retaliation to the terrorist attack on an army base in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, 2016 which led to the loss of lives of 19 Indian soldiers, India had conducted surgical strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camps across the Line of Control in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation inflicted "significant casualties" on terror infrastructure in the region. Why are Balakot airstrikes so crucial? Balakot is known as the birthplace of jihad ('holy fight') in South Asia. The first notable jihad occurred in 1831 in Balakot, in which a man named Sayyid Ahmad led hundreds of his followers against Maharaja Ranjit Singh's forces. Ahmad's forces lost but he was promptly declared a martyr. According to American journalist Declan Walsh's book 'The Nine Lives of Pakistan', to date, Sayyid Ahmad's grave is a shrine to many who come to Balakot to pay their respects. "The lush hills around Balakot are dotted with secretive training camps where modern-day Pakistani jihadis train for battle against Indian forces in Kashmir," Walsh writes. ALSO READ | FATF lauds France for its sanctions against Masood Azhar after Pulwama terror attack The Balakot airstrikes were as much symbolic as they were strategic. India went after the nucleus of terrorism in the region with its diplomatic overdrive focusing more on its fight against terrorism than on just hyphenating itself with Pakistan, the country which sponsored Pulwama terrorist attack. In May 2019, Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar was designated a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council, a move cited as a major diplomatic win for India. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pulwama attack 4th anniversary: When India raided birthplace of jihad in South Asia

<p>Pakistan's dire state of economy after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sought more time to conclude a $1.1 billion loan tranche, is severely hitting its retail consumers. Pakistanis across the length of the country located in India's northwest in South Asia, are struggling to put necessary food items on the table, such as milk and chicken — a common principal item in Pakistani meals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report in The Dawn stated that the prices of loose milk have been increased from PKR 190 to 210 per litre. Meanwhile, the prices of live broiler chickens have seen an increase of Pakistani Rupees 30-40 per kg this week, following which it now costs 480-500 per kilogram.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-inconclusive-talks-pakistan-fails-to-get-imf-lifeline-to-revive-its-economy-560342">IMF seeks more time for negotiations over $1.1 billion deal for Pakistan</a></strong></p>

<p>The report added that the prices of boneless meat have hit a peak of Pakistani Rupees 1,000-1,100. While the typical chicken meat is being sold at PKR 700-780 per kg from PKR 620-650 before.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The representatives of Pakistani milk industry told the media that many shopkeepers are selling milk at an inflated price —a common marketplace malpractice in the countries facing economic crisis or a looking economic collapse.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Over 1,000 shopkeepers are selling milk at an inflated rate. These are actually shops of wholesalers/dairy farmers and not our members," Karachi Milk Retailers Association media coordinator Waheed Gaddi was quoted as saying by The Dawn.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the same time, representatives of Pakistani poultry industry justified the wholesale to retail price difference of meat prices in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sindh Poultry Wholesalers Association general secretary Kamal Akhtar Siddiqui told Dawn that the wholesale rate of live bird was PKR 600 per kg while meat rate was hovering between PKR 650 and PKR 700.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/imf-seeks-flood-rehabilitation-expenditure-details-from-pakistan-560388"><strong>IMF seeks flood rehabilitation expenditure details from Pakistan</strong></a></p>

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<p>In Pakistan, the inflation is at a 48-year high. Foreign currency reserves, according to the country's own official estimates, cover less than a month of imports. The Consumer Price Index index increased by 27.6 per cent in January 2023. Wholesale Price Index has increased to 28.5 per cent in the same period.</p>

<p>The skyrocketing retail prices of the common food items in Pakistan come after the negotiations between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Islamabad for a $1.1 billion loan tranche. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government has cited last year's devastating floods of the country as defining attribute of country's current state of dire economy. Critics, however, cite years of economic mismanagement amid consistent political uncertainty in Islamabad's power corridors as underlying causes beneath the shaky foundations of the country's economy at present.</p>

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Pakistan's dire state of economy after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sought more time to conclude a $1.1 billion loan tranche, is severely hitting its retail consumers.

Pakistan's dire state of economy after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sought more time to conclude a $1.1 billion loan tranche, is severely hitting its retail consumers. Pakistanis across the length of the country located in India's northwest in South Asia, are struggling to put necessary food items on the table, such as milk and chicken — a common principal item in Pakistani meals. A report in The Dawn stated that the prices of loose milk have been increased from PKR 190 to 210 per litre. Meanwhile, the prices of live broiler chickens have seen an increase of Pakistani Rupees 30-40 per kg this week, following which it now costs 480-500 per kilogram. ALSO READ | IMF seeks more time for negotiations over $1.1 billion deal for Pakistan The report added that the prices of boneless meat have hit a peak of Pakistani Rupees 1,000-1,100. While the typical chicken meat is being sold at PKR 700-780 per kg from PKR 620-650 before. The representatives of Pakistani milk industry told the media that many shopkeepers are selling milk at an inflated price —a common marketplace malpractice in the countries facing economic crisis or a looking economic collapse. "Over 1,000 shopkeepers are selling milk at an inflated rate. These are actually shops of wholesalers/dairy farmers and not our members," Karachi Milk Retailers Association media coordinator Waheed Gaddi was quoted as saying by The Dawn. At the same time, representatives of Pakistani poultry industry justified the wholesale to retail price difference of meat prices in the country. The Sindh Poultry Wholesalers Association general secretary Kamal Akhtar Siddiqui told Dawn that the wholesale rate of live bird was PKR 600 per kg while meat rate was hovering between PKR 650 and PKR 700. ALSO WATCH | IMF seeks flood rehabilitation expenditure details from Pakistan × In Pakistan, the inflation is at a 48-year high. Foreign currency reserves, according to the country's own official estimates, cover less than a month of imports. The Consumer Price Index index increased by 27.6 per cent in January 2023. Wholesale Price Index has increased to 28.5 per cent in the same period. The skyrocketing retail prices of the common food items in Pakistan come after the negotiations between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Islamabad for a $1.1 billion loan tranche. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government has cited last year's devastating floods of the country as defining attribute of country's current state of dire economy. Critics, however, cite years of economic mismanagement amid consistent political uncertainty in Islamabad's power corridors as underlying causes beneath the shaky foundations of the country's economy at present. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistanis struggle with skyrocketing milk and chicken prices as inflation tops 48-year high

<p>Former Afghanistan Vice President and ethnic Uzbek&nbsp;leader of the Junbish-e Milli political party, General Abdul Rashid Dostum declared war against Taliban this week. General Dostum, who once aligned himself with Ahmad Shah Massoud-led Northern Alliance to oust Taliban when it first came to power in the 1990s, said that he will soon begin the struggle for Afghanistan's freedom. Dostum added that if he is killed upon entering Afghanistan at Hairatan -- one of the outposts at Afghanistan-Uzbekistan border -- he would not regret his actions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>General Dostum was among the leaders who escaped Kabul&nbsp;days after&nbsp;Kabul fell to thew Taliban hardliners in August 2021.</p>

<h2><strong>Abdul Rashid Dostum: The 'CIA asset' who became Afghanistan's vice president</strong></h2>

<p>Abdul Rashid Dostum had been the&nbsp;first vice president of Afghanistan (2014-2020), and marshal in the Afghan National Army is another key face in Afghan politics. After being run out of the country by the Taliban during their rise to power, he returned to the country, widely perceived as a&nbsp;'CIA asset'.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exiled-afghan-warlord-organising-group-in-turkey-against-taliban-481388">Exiled Afghan warlord organising group in Turkey against Taliban</a></strong></p>

<p>In 2018, Dostum was accused of killing hundreds of Taliban prisoners of war. The methods included stuffing the prisoners of war into shipping containers where they often suffocated.</p>

<h2><strong>Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Should Return Former Govt’s Helicopters to NRF Fighters:&nbsp;Dostum</strong></h2>

<p>Dostum recently called on Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to hand over the former government army’s helicopters to National Resistance Front (NRF) fighters.&nbsp;He said that these helicopters should be used by the NRF personnel in different provinces of Afghanistan.</p>

<p>At least 40 helicopters of the former democratically-elected government’s army were transferred to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Dostum said in London. Earlier, the defence ministry of the United States had announced that 46 flights had landed in Uzbekistan and 18 in Tajikistan until August 21, 2021, a week after Taliban took over Kabul.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Afghanistan: NRF still remains a thorn at Taliban's side</strong></p>

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<p>In April, Uzbek authorities had announced that helicopters and aircraft of Afghanistan’s former government will not be handed to the Taliban.&nbsp;Ismatullah Irgashev, Uzbekistan’s special representative for Afghanistan had said that the military equipment belongs to the United States . He said that these equipment&nbsp;will be kept in Uzbekistan in collaboration with Washington.</p>

<p>Abdul Rashid Dostum says that the Taliban kills former Afghan National Army with no mercy – the group conducts door-to-door search operations, find former army personnel, tortures them in the worst possible manner, and eventually kills them.</p>

<p>Dostum's remarks come days after the US-based Brookings Institution released an investigative report that claimed NRF's resistance would not pose any immediate threats to the Taliban regime.</p>


Former Afghanistan Vice President and ethnic Uzbek leader of the Junbish-e Milli political party, General Abdul Rashid Dostum declared war against Taliban this week.

Former Afghanistan Vice President and ethnic Uzbek leader of the Junbish-e Milli political party, General Abdul Rashid Dostum declared war against Taliban this week. General Dostum, who once aligned himself with Ahmad Shah Massoud-led Northern Alliance to oust Taliban when it first came to power in the 1990s, said that he will soon begin the struggle for Afghanistan's freedom. Dostum added that if he is killed upon entering Afghanistan at Hairatan -- one of the outposts at Afghanistan-Uzbekistan border -- he would not regret his actions. General Dostum was among the leaders who escaped Kabul days after Kabul fell to thew Taliban hardliners in August 2021. Abdul Rashid Dostum: The 'CIA asset' who became Afghanistan's vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum had been the first vice president of Afghanistan (2014-2020), and marshal in the Afghan National Army is another key face in Afghan politics. After being run out of the country by the Taliban during their rise to power, he returned to the country, widely perceived as a 'CIA asset'. ALSO READ | Exiled Afghan warlord organising group in Turkey against Taliban In 2018, Dostum was accused of killing hundreds of Taliban prisoners of war. The methods included stuffing the prisoners of war into shipping containers where they often suffocated. Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Should Return Former Govt’s Helicopters to NRF Fighters: Dostum Dostum recently called on Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to hand over the former government army’s helicopters to National Resistance Front (NRF) fighters. He said that these helicopters should be used by the NRF personnel in different provinces of Afghanistan. At least 40 helicopters of the former democratically-elected government’s army were transferred to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Dostum said in London. Earlier, the defence ministry of the United States had announced that 46 flights had landed in Uzbekistan and 18 in Tajikistan until August 21, 2021, a week after Taliban took over Kabul. ALSO WATCH | Afghanistan: NRF still remains a thorn at Taliban's side × In April, Uzbek authorities had announced that helicopters and aircraft of Afghanistan’s former government will not be handed to the Taliban. Ismatullah Irgashev, Uzbekistan’s special representative for Afghanistan had said that the military equipment belongs to the United States . He said that these equipment will be kept in Uzbekistan in collaboration with Washington. Abdul Rashid Dostum says that the Taliban kills former Afghan National Army with no mercy – the group conducts door-to-door search operations, find former army personnel, tortures them in the worst possible manner, and eventually kills them. Dostum's remarks come days after the US-based Brookings Institution released an investigative report that claimed NRF's resistance would not pose any immediate threats to the Taliban regime.

Who is General Dostum? The Uzbek strongman who has declared war on Taliban

In pics | Before Rio carnival, Brazilians spread the dogged charm of parades

<p>Scammers have propped up by the numbers to exploit the humanitarian crisis in Turkey and Syria,&nbsp;asking gullible netizens to donate money to help in the aid process.&nbsp;The White House said on Monday, 13 February, that there is "no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity" in the recently downed unidentified objects over North American skies. Meanwhile, an active shooting situation is being reported from the Michigan State University in East Lansing in US. Police and other emergency services are responding to the shooting that has led to at least one death.</p>

<p><strong>Click on the headlines to read more:</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crisis-profiteers-scammers-turn-turkey-syria-earthquake-to-a-money-swindling-opportunity-561702"><strong>Crisis profiteers, scammers turn Turkey-Syria earthquake into a money-swindling opportunity</strong></a><br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/14/332169-copy-of-untitled.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Amid the debris and ruins left in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Turkey-Syria, scammers have propped up by the numbers to exploit the humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;The scammers have made elaborate profiles on social media platforms such as Twitter and TikTok, asking gullible netizens to donate money to help in the aid process.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-says-no-alien-activity-in-unidentified-downed-objects-over-us-561665"><strong>White House says no 'alien' activity, not sure if three downed aerial objects linked to surveillance</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/14/332136-untitled-design-2023-02-14t003738118.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>The White House said on Monday, 13 February, said that there is "no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity" in the recently down unidentified objects over North American skies. "I know there have been questions and concerns about this but there is no, again no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "I wanted to make sure that the American people knew that," she added during her daily press briefing.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/active-shooting-at-michigan-state-university-5-shot-fatalities-feared-561691"><strong>Multiple people wounded in shooting at Michigan State University; one dead</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/14/332165-untitled-design-2023-02-14t085944977.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>An active shooting situation is being reported from the Michigan State University in East Lansing in US. Police and other emergency services are responding to the shooting that has led to at least one death. At around 8:30 pm on Monday, the police were called in for an active shooter at Berkey Hall. Officers arrived on the scene to find multiple victims.&nbsp;Initial reports suggest that there are at least five victims. A large number of emergency services are at the scene.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyclone-gabrielle-updates-new-zealand-declares-national-state-of-emergency-561680"><strong>Cyclone Gabrielle Updates: New Zealand declares national state of emergency, thousands left without power</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/14/332149-untitled-design-2023-02-14t023539042.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>n order to bolster resources in response to Cyclone Gabrielle, the New Zealand government issued a National State of Emergency on Tuesday morning. In the history of New Zealand, this is the third time a National State of Emergency has been declared. The six regions—Northland, Auckland, Tairwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawkes Bay—that have previously declared a local State of Emergency will be covered under the new declaration.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-proposes-to-expand-railway-in-aksai-chin-region-561699"><strong>China proposes to expand railway in Aksai Chin region</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/14/332168-captureindiachina.JPG?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>After India expedited the construction of four "strategic lines" of railways near its disputed boundary with China, Beijing-controlled Tibet Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission revealed that the expansion of railway network will be expanded by 2,641 km by 2025 which will pass through the contentious Aksai Chin region close to the Line of Actual Control with India.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistanis-struggle-with-skyrocketing-milk-and-chicken-prices-as-inflation-tops-48-year-high-561693"><strong>Pakistanis struggle with skyrocketing milk and chicken prices as inflation tops 48-year high</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/14/332163-1594409-pakistan-milkcopy1200x675.jpg?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Pakistan's dire state of economy after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sought more time to conclude a $1.1 billion loan tranche, is severely hitting its retail consumers. Pakistanis across the length of the country located in India's northwest in South Asia, are struggling to put necessary food items on the table, such as milk and chicken — a common principal item in Pakistani meals.&nbsp;</p>


Scammers have propped up by the numbers to exploit the humanitarian crisis in Turkey and Syria, asking gullible netizens to donate money to help in the aid process.

Scammers have propped up by the numbers to exploit the humanitarian crisis in Turkey and Syria, asking gullible netizens to donate money to help in the aid process. The White House said on Monday, 13 February, that there is "no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity" in the recently downed unidentified objects over North American skies. Meanwhile, an active shooting situation is being reported from the Michigan State University in East Lansing in US. Police and other emergency services are responding to the shooting that has led to at least one death. Click on the headlines to read more: Crisis profiteers, scammers turn Turkey-Syria earthquake into a money-swindling opportunity Amid the debris and ruins left in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Turkey-Syria, scammers have propped up by the numbers to exploit the humanitarian crisis. The scammers have made elaborate profiles on social media platforms such as Twitter and TikTok, asking gullible netizens to donate money to help in the aid process. White House says no 'alien' activity, not sure if three downed aerial objects linked to surveillance The White House said on Monday, 13 February, said that there is "no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity" in the recently down unidentified objects over North American skies. "I know there have been questions and concerns about this but there is no, again no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "I wanted to make sure that the American people knew that," she added during her daily press briefing. Multiple people wounded in shooting at Michigan State University; one dead An active shooting situation is being reported from the Michigan State University in East Lansing in US. Police and other emergency services are responding to the shooting that has led to at least one death. At around 8:30 pm on Monday, the police were called in for an active shooter at Berkey Hall. Officers arrived on the scene to find multiple victims. Initial reports suggest that there are at least five victims. A large number of emergency services are at the scene. Cyclone Gabrielle Updates: New Zealand declares national state of emergency, thousands left without power n order to bolster resources in response to Cyclone Gabrielle, the New Zealand government issued a National State of Emergency on Tuesday morning. In the history of New Zealand, this is the third time a National State of Emergency has been declared. The six regions—Northland, Auckland, Tairwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawkes Bay—that have previously declared a local State of Emergency will be covered under the new declaration. China proposes to expand railway in Aksai Chin region After India expedited the construction of four "strategic lines" of railways near its disputed boundary with China, Beijing-controlled Tibet Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission revealed that the expansion of railway network will be expanded by 2,641 km by 2025 which will pass through the contentious Aksai Chin region close to the Line of Actual Control with India. Pakistanis struggle with skyrocketing milk and chicken prices as inflation tops 48-year high Pakistan's dire state of economy after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sought more time to conclude a $1.1 billion loan tranche, is severely hitting its retail consumers. Pakistanis across the length of the country located in India's northwest in South Asia, are struggling to put necessary food items on the table, such as milk and chicken — a common principal item in Pakistani meals.

Morning Brief: Scammers swindle money from quake crisis, US says no 'alien' activity amid spy balloon row

<p>The Valentine week 2023 is concluding with Valentine's Day on February 14th. The day of love is the day that is typically spent with the person one is supposedly in love with, usually concluding into romantic dates, getaways and a diverse range of affairs – an expensive affair at that. But for some people not dating currently or without a partner by choice or compulsion, the day gets quite irksome. To address the same, a politician from India's northeastern state of Nagaland ended up sending a call to 'Heil Singles', as 'Freedom is a gift not meant for everyone.’</p>

<p>Temjen Imna Along, the state president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Nagaland and a minister in the state cabinet, posted a picture of himself that showed him with folded arms and a sharp focus, looking out at a distance hailing singlehood on the day of love.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/this-valentines-day-celebrate-the-power-of-love-with-these-super-romantic-ott-series-561217">This Valentine's Day, celebrate the power of love with these OTT series</a></strong></p>

<p>"Freedom is a gift not meant for everyone. Let us cherish our day. Heil Singles!," the leader wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Freedom is a gift not meant for everyone.<br />
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Let us cherish our day. Heil Singles! <a href="https://t.co/4icAaRZNPv">pic.twitter.com/4icAaRZNPv</a></p>
— Temjen Imna Along (@AlongImna) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlongImna/status/1625306330952253440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The tweet went viral on Twitter, with many urging their micro-blogging counterparts to rebrand Valentine's Day as Single's Day. Many users shared Temjen's tweet with 'Happy Singles Day' and 'All Hail Singles' captions respectively.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The leader of singles," a user addressed Temjen Imna Along on Twitter. "Hero of singles...," wrote another user. "Singles around the globe follow Temjen," the user added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"My Vote goes for (Temjen Imna Along) as the President of AISM ( All India Singles Movement )," wrote a third user.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Petition for this dude to be the next Prime Minister," wrote a fourth Twitter user.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Sir, You should be appointed as a 'Minister of Humour'," a fifth user wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/this-heart-shaped-island-is-up-for-sale-ahead-of-valentines-day-561628">This heart-shaped island is up for sale ahead of Valentine's Day</a></strong></p>

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<p>The BJP leader is famous for his humourous quips on social media, along with reported instances of professional camaraderie with his BJP colleagues. His Valentine's Day tweet is only the latest in his social media hall of fame filled with sarcasm and humour along with BJP-oriented regular political social media feed.&nbsp;</p>

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The Valentine week 2023 is concluding with Valentine's Day on February 14th. The day of love is the day that is typically spent with the person one is supposedly in love with, usually concluding into romantic dates, getaways and a diverse range of affairs – an expensive affair at that.

The Valentine week 2023 is concluding with Valentine's Day on February 14th. The day of love is the day that is typically spent with the person one is supposedly in love with, usually concluding into romantic dates, getaways and a diverse range of affairs – an expensive affair at that. But for some people not dating currently or without a partner by choice or compulsion, the day gets quite irksome. To address the same, a politician from India's northeastern state of Nagaland ended up sending a call to 'Heil Singles', as 'Freedom is a gift not meant for everyone.’ Temjen Imna Along, the state president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Nagaland and a minister in the state cabinet, posted a picture of himself that showed him with folded arms and a sharp focus, looking out at a distance hailing singlehood on the day of love. ALSO READ | This Valentine's Day, celebrate the power of love with these OTT series "Freedom is a gift not meant for everyone. Let us cherish our day. Heil Singles!," the leader wrote on Twitter. Freedom is a gift not meant for everyone. Let us cherish our day. Heil Singles! pic.twitter.com/4icAaRZNPv — Temjen Imna Along (@AlongImna) February 14, 2023 × The tweet went viral on Twitter, with many urging their micro-blogging counterparts to rebrand Valentine's Day as Single's Day. Many users shared Temjen's tweet with 'Happy Singles Day' and 'All Hail Singles' captions respectively. "The leader of singles," a user addressed Temjen Imna Along on Twitter. "Hero of singles...," wrote another user. "Singles around the globe follow Temjen," the user added. "My Vote goes for (Temjen Imna Along) as the President of AISM ( All India Singles Movement )," wrote a third user. "Petition for this dude to be the next Prime Minister," wrote a fourth Twitter user. "Sir, You should be appointed as a 'Minister of Humour'," a fifth user wrote. ALSO WATCH | This heart-shaped island is up for sale ahead of Valentine's Day × The BJP leader is famous for his humourous quips on social media, along with reported instances of professional camaraderie with his BJP colleagues. His Valentine's Day tweet is only the latest in his social media hall of fame filled with sarcasm and humour along with BJP-oriented regular political social media feed. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Freedom is a gift': Indian leader's Valentine's Day tweet celebrating singlehood goes viral

<p>Facebook's parent company Meta has reportedly delayed finalising the team budgets at multiple levels as it reportedly sets the backdrop for yet another round of job cuts. A report in Financial Times, citing two Meta employees, said that there has been a lack of clarity on crucial matters such as team budgets as well as "future headcounts" in recent weeks. People at Meta have complained that since their managers have been unable to plan their upcoming workloads, their work efficiency is being hampered up to the point of "zero work".</p>

<p>"Honestly, it’s still a mess," Financial Times quoted one of the Meta employees as saying. "The year of efficiency is kicking off with a bunch of people getting paid to do nothing."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-why-did-meta-fire-13-per-cent-of-its-employees-whats-in-store-for-the-facebook-parent-company-533887">Meta layoffs EXPLAINED: Why did Meta fire 13% of its employees? What next for the Facebook parent company?</a></strong></p>

<p>Meta executed the layoff of about 11,000 staffers or close to 13 per cent of its total workforce in November. The report added that Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is planning a fresh round of job cuts.</p>

<h2><strong>Zuckerberg's 'year of efficiency' call and layoffs</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier this month, Meta-owner Mark Zuckerberg announced that the social media company would continue to bring its costs under control as 2023 should be&nbsp;"the year of efficiency" for the company.&nbsp;Meta had also announced that it expects its 2023 expenses at between $89 billion and $95 billion</p>

<h2><strong>Meta layoffs: Potential timeline for next round</strong></h2>

<p>The Financial Times report claimed that the further job cuts at Meta are expected around March, as the company is currently going through performance reviews of staff, the paper said while citing&nbsp;three current and former employees.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-business-news-meta-preparing-large-scale-layoffs-reports-531772">WION Business News | Meta preparing large-scale layoffs</a></strong></p>

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<p>After Meta's November 2022 layoffs, other tech companies such as Amazon and Microsoft too announced thousands of layoffs citing the economic downturn and the need to cut the costs of operations.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Facebook's parent company Meta has reportedly delayed finalising the team budgets at multiple levels as it reportedly sets the backdrop for yet another round of job cuts.

Facebook's parent company Meta has reportedly delayed finalising the team budgets at multiple levels as it reportedly sets the backdrop for yet another round of job cuts. A report in Financial Times, citing two Meta employees, said that there has been a lack of clarity on crucial matters such as team budgets as well as "future headcounts" in recent weeks. People at Meta have complained that since their managers have been unable to plan their upcoming workloads, their work efficiency is being hampered up to the point of "zero work". "Honestly, it’s still a mess," Financial Times quoted one of the Meta employees as saying. "The year of efficiency is kicking off with a bunch of people getting paid to do nothing." ALSO READ | Meta layoffs EXPLAINED: Why did Meta fire 13% of its employees? What next for the Facebook parent company? Meta executed the layoff of about 11,000 staffers or close to 13 per cent of its total workforce in November. The report added that Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is planning a fresh round of job cuts. Zuckerberg's 'year of efficiency' call and layoffs Earlier this month, Meta-owner Mark Zuckerberg announced that the social media company would continue to bring its costs under control as 2023 should be "the year of efficiency" for the company. Meta had also announced that it expects its 2023 expenses at between $89 billion and $95 billion Meta layoffs: Potential timeline for next round The Financial Times report claimed that the further job cuts at Meta are expected around March, as the company is currently going through performance reviews of staff, the paper said while citing three current and former employees. ALSO WATCH | WION Business News | Meta preparing large-scale layoffs × After Meta's November 2022 layoffs, other tech companies such as Amazon and Microsoft too announced thousands of layoffs citing the economic downturn and the need to cut the costs of operations. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Meta delays setting team budgets, triggers speculation of more layoffs

<p>The chief minister of the state of Rajasthan in India's northwest committed a monumental blunder in the state legislature when he came to deliver the annual budget speech on February 10. Ashok Gehlot, one of the top&nbsp;leaders of the Congress party and the Rajasthan chief minister, started reading the budget speech of the previous year and continued for about seven minutes&nbsp;till he&nbsp;was interrupted by the chief whip. From the state capital Jaipur to the national capital New Delhi, the faux pas created a significant political uproar.</p>

<p>Gehlot's not-meant-to-be budget speech&nbsp;was mentioned in the parliament in New Delhi by the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who said that she prays&nbsp;to God that "nobody should make such a mistake."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ</strong> |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-bidens-faux-pas-as-he-confuses-the-date-of-january-6-capitol-hill-riots-550176"><strong>Biden's faux pas as he confuses the date of January 6 Capitol Hill riots</strong></a></p>

<p>Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje also hit out at Gehlot over the goof-up. "For eight minutes, CM kept reading the old budget. When I was the CM, I used to repeatedly check and read before presenting the budget. You can imagine how safe the state is in the hands of a CM who reads out an old budget,"&nbsp;she said.</p>

<h2><strong>Gehlot's defence</strong></h2>

<p>Amid criticism, the chief minister retorted, "You (Opposition) can point out only if there's a difference b/w what's written in the budget in my hand and its copies were given to the House members. If a page was added to my budget copy by mistake, then how does the matter of leaking of budget arise?"</p>

<p>Later, the House proceedings resumed and Gehlot presented his budget.</p>

<p>"I feel sorry, what happened was by mistake,"&nbsp;he said.</p>

<p><b>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;US President Donald Trump's list of faux-pas</b></p>

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<p>The state of Rajasthan is set to go to polls later this year. The state remains one of the fewest in the country which is governed by the Congress party amid its diminishing political footprint since the dominant rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014.</p>

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The chief minister of the state of Rajasthan in India's northwest committed a monumental blunder in the state legislature when he came to deliver the annual budget speech on February 10.

The chief minister of the state of Rajasthan in India's northwest committed a monumental blunder in the state legislature when he came to deliver the annual budget speech on February 10. Ashok Gehlot, one of the top leaders of the Congress party and the Rajasthan chief minister, started reading the budget speech of the previous year and continued for about seven minutes till he was interrupted by the chief whip. From the state capital Jaipur to the national capital New Delhi, the faux pas created a significant political uproar. Gehlot's not-meant-to-be budget speech was mentioned in the parliament in New Delhi by the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who said that she prays to God that "nobody should make such a mistake." ALSO READ | Biden's faux pas as he confuses the date of January 6 Capitol Hill riots Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje also hit out at Gehlot over the goof-up. "For eight minutes, CM kept reading the old budget. When I was the CM, I used to repeatedly check and read before presenting the budget. You can imagine how safe the state is in the hands of a CM who reads out an old budget," she said. Gehlot's defence Amid criticism, the chief minister retorted, "You (Opposition) can point out only if there's a difference b/w what's written in the budget in my hand and its copies were given to the House members. If a page was added to my budget copy by mistake, then how does the matter of leaking of budget arise?" Later, the House proceedings resumed and Gehlot presented his budget. "I feel sorry, what happened was by mistake," he said. ALSO WATCH | US President Donald Trump's list of faux-pas × The state of Rajasthan is set to go to polls later this year. The state remains one of the fewest in the country which is governed by the Congress party amid its diminishing political footprint since the dominant rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Major faux pas! Indian state's top leader reads out annual budget speech of previous year

<p>A number of prominent Iranian women activists and journalists were released from Tehran's Evin prison on Thursday. Soon, a video showing the just-released women prisoners chanting defiant slogans began&nbsp;making rounds on social media. The women, in the viral video, can be heard chanting, "Dictatorial regimes must be toppled", and, "Women, life, freedom."</p>

<p>"If bravery had a face," wrote Afghanistan-based analyst Habib Khan on Twitter while sharing the video. "These brave Iranian women just got off the jail and started chanting against the dictator in front of the prison," he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If bravery had a face. These brave Iranian women just got off the jail and started chanting against the dictator in front of the prison. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IranRevoIution?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IranRevoIution</a> <a href="https://t.co/CHg5PSdlHs">pic.twitter.com/CHg5PSdlHs</a></p>
— Habib Khan (@HabibKhanT) <a href="https://twitter.com/HabibKhanT/status/1623860178100551682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Incredible bravery," reacted a Twitter user. "Damn (sic), Step out of prison and keep on with the struggle. "</p>

<p>"Iranian women in Iran are the leaders of this Iran Revolution," wrote another user.</p>

<p>"These are our brave, beautiful, strong, and resilient women. IR (Islamic Revolution) regime, look at them and know your days are numbered," wrote a third user.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-ousted-from-un-womens-group-over-human-rights-abuses-543331">Iran ousted from U.N. women's group over human rights abuses</a></strong></p>

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<p>Media based outside Iran said a total of seven women were released, while Iran continues to press a crackdown against protests that erupted in September.</p>

<p>It was not immediately clear if the releases were linked to an announcement by the Iranian office of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that he had agreed to pardon a large number of convicts, including those detained over the protests.</p>

<p>Iranian authorities have arrested thousands since nationwide protests broke out following the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd who had been arrested for allegedly breaching the country's strict dress rules for women.</p>

<p>Women still detained include prize-winning rights defender Narges Mohammadi, the two journalists who helped expose the Amini case, Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, as well as foreigners including German national Nahid Taghavi and French academic Fariba Adelkhah.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A number of prominent Iranian women activists and journalists were released from Tehran's Evin prison on Thursday. Soon, a video showing the just-released women prisoners chanting defiant slogans began making rounds on social media.

A number of prominent Iranian women activists and journalists were released from Tehran's Evin prison on Thursday. Soon, a video showing the just-released women prisoners chanting defiant slogans began making rounds on social media. The women, in the viral video, can be heard chanting, "Dictatorial regimes must be toppled", and, "Women, life, freedom." "If bravery had a face," wrote Afghanistan-based analyst Habib Khan on Twitter while sharing the video. "These brave Iranian women just got off the jail and started chanting against the dictator in front of the prison," he added. If bravery had a face. These brave Iranian women just got off the jail and started chanting against the dictator in front of the prison. #IranRevoIution pic.twitter.com/CHg5PSdlHs — Habib Khan (@HabibKhanT) February 10, 2023 × "Incredible bravery," reacted a Twitter user. "Damn (sic), Step out of prison and keep on with the struggle. " "Iranian women in Iran are the leaders of this Iran Revolution," wrote another user. "These are our brave, beautiful, strong, and resilient women. IR (Islamic Revolution) regime, look at them and know your days are numbered," wrote a third user. ALSO WATCH | Iran ousted from U.N. women's group over human rights abuses × Media based outside Iran said a total of seven women were released, while Iran continues to press a crackdown against protests that erupted in September. It was not immediately clear if the releases were linked to an announcement by the Iranian office of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that he had agreed to pardon a large number of convicts, including those detained over the protests. Iranian authorities have arrested thousands since nationwide protests broke out following the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd who had been arrested for allegedly breaching the country's strict dress rules for women. Women still detained include prize-winning rights defender Narges Mohammadi, the two journalists who helped expose the Amini case, Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, as well as foreigners including German national Nahid Taghavi and French academic Fariba Adelkhah. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH | Iranian women, released out of jail, chant anti-regime slogans outside prison complex

In Pics | Miracle rescues in quake-hit Turkey and Syria give rare glimpse of triumph of life over death

<p>Microsoft-backed ChatGPT is attracting significant interest in China, with country's homegrown firms reportedly rushing to integrate the technology into their products. The ChatGPT app, however, remains off-limits to users in China purportedly 'protected' by Beijing's 'great firewall'.&nbsp;ChatGPT supports Chinese language interaction and is highly capable of conversing in Chinese, which has helped drive its&nbsp;adoption in the country.&nbsp;OpenAI or ChatGPT itself is not blocked by Chinese authorities but OpenAI does not allow users in mainland China, Hong Kong, Iran, Russia and parts of Africa to sign up.</p>

<p>Reports say that people in China are using&nbsp;virtual private networks and foreign phone numbers to access the artificial intelligence-powered (AI) chatbot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There is huge excitement around ChatGPT. Unlike the metaverse which faces huge difficulty in finding real-life application, ChatGPT has suddenly helped us achieve human-computer interaction," said Ding Daoshi, director of Beijing-based internet consultancy Sootoo was quoted as saying by Reuters.</p>

<p>"The changes it will bring about are more immediate, more direct and way quicker."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;ChatGPT takes the world by storm within 50 days of launch</strong></p>

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<p>OpenAI told Reuters it is working to make its services more widely available.</p>

<p>"While we would like to make our technology available everywhere, conditions in certain countries make it difficult or impossible for us to do so in a way that is consistent with our mission," the San Francisco-based firm said in an emailed statement cited by Reuters. "We are currently working to increase the number of locations where we can provide safe and beneficial access to our tools."</p>

<h2><strong>Potential competition from Baidu, Alibaba in China</strong></h2>

<p>Dozens of bots rigged to ChatGPT technology have emerged on China's WeChat network.&nbsp;Many people are reported to be&nbsp;using it to make programmes or automated accounts that can interact with users. At least one account charges users a fee of 9.99 yuan ($1.47) to ask 20 questions.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the country's&nbsp;largest tech giants such as Baidu and Alibaba updated&nbsp;this week on Artificial Intelligence&nbsp;models they have been working on, prompting their shares to zoom.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/chatgpt-figures-out-way-to-smuggle-drugs-from-columbia-to-the-uk-559718">ChatGPT figures out way to smuggle drugs from Columbia to the UK</a></strong></p>

<p>Baidu is testing&nbsp;its "Ernie Bot" in March, a big AI model the search firm has been working on since 2019. On Wednesday, Alibaba said that its research institute Damo Academy was also testing a ChatGPT-style tool.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Microsoft-backed ChatGPT is attracting significant interest in China, with country's homegrown firms reportedly rushing to integrate the technology into their products.

Microsoft-backed ChatGPT is attracting significant interest in China, with country's homegrown firms reportedly rushing to integrate the technology into their products. The ChatGPT app, however, remains off-limits to users in China purportedly 'protected' by Beijing's 'great firewall'. ChatGPT supports Chinese language interaction and is highly capable of conversing in Chinese, which has helped drive its adoption in the country. OpenAI or ChatGPT itself is not blocked by Chinese authorities but OpenAI does not allow users in mainland China, Hong Kong, Iran, Russia and parts of Africa to sign up. Reports say that people in China are using virtual private networks and foreign phone numbers to access the artificial intelligence-powered (AI) chatbot. "There is huge excitement around ChatGPT. Unlike the metaverse which faces huge difficulty in finding real-life application, ChatGPT has suddenly helped us achieve human-computer interaction," said Ding Daoshi, director of Beijing-based internet consultancy Sootoo was quoted as saying by Reuters. "The changes it will bring about are more immediate, more direct and way quicker." ALSO WATCH | ChatGPT takes the world by storm within 50 days of launch × OpenAI told Reuters it is working to make its services more widely available. "While we would like to make our technology available everywhere, conditions in certain countries make it difficult or impossible for us to do so in a way that is consistent with our mission," the San Francisco-based firm said in an emailed statement cited by Reuters. "We are currently working to increase the number of locations where we can provide safe and beneficial access to our tools." Potential competition from Baidu, Alibaba in China Dozens of bots rigged to ChatGPT technology have emerged on China's WeChat network. Many people are reported to be using it to make programmes or automated accounts that can interact with users. At least one account charges users a fee of 9.99 yuan ($1.47) to ask 20 questions. Meanwhile, the country's largest tech giants such as Baidu and Alibaba updated this week on Artificial Intelligence models they have been working on, prompting their shares to zoom. ALSO READ | ChatGPT figures out way to smuggle drugs from Columbia to the UK Baidu is testing its "Ernie Bot" in March, a big AI model the search firm has been working on since 2019. On Wednesday, Alibaba said that its research institute Damo Academy was also testing a ChatGPT-style tool. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

ChatGPT makes unofficial inroads in China amid competition bids from Baidu, Alibaba

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