In a major breakthrough for the officials, fugitive Sikh separatist Amritpal Singh was arrested on Sunday (April 23) by Moga Police in Punjab, India. Singh handed himself in to police after a massive manhunt that lasted more than a month, police said while urging citizens to maintain peace and harmony. Police asked to not share fake news, and always verify before sharing anything.&nbsp;

More details are awaited but news agencies quoting Punjab police sources reported that Singh is likely to be shifted to Dibrugarh, Assam, where eight of his aides are kept. Media reports also mentioned that like his aides, Singh has been arrested under the National Security Act.&nbsp;

IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill said that during the entire operation, the "people of Punjab maintained peace and law and order, for which we thank them. We conducted the operation and arrested him at 6:45am".&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/al-qaeda-threatens-revenge-over-indian-gangster-politician-atiq-ahmeds-live-tv-murder-584902">Al-Qaeda threatens revenge over Indian gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed's live TV murder</a>&nbsp;

Videos shared on social media purportedly showed that Singh addressed a gathering at a Gurdwara in Rode village of Moga district before being arrested.&nbsp;

Hindustan Times quoted former Akal Takht Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode as saying that Amritpal reached Rode village late on Saturday night.&nbsp;

Jasbir said, "I got to know from the police that Amritpal is going to surrender. I reached here sometime before his surrender. After paying obeisance and reciting Path went to gurdwara where he addressed the Sangat (gathering). He explained the reasons for being late in surrender and also thanked people who helped him including providing him stays."&nbsp;

"He went outside of the gurdwara and surrendered before the police. The reports that Amritpal was arrested or forced to surrender are false. Police would have not allowed him to address a gathering, if they knew he was here," he added.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmritpalSingh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmritpalSingh</a> arrested in Moga, Punjab. 
 
Further details will be shared by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PunjabPolice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PunjabPolice</a> 
 
Urge citizens to maintain peace and harmony, Don't share any fake news, always verify and share.
— Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) <a href="https://twitter.com/PunjabPoliceInd/status/1649960198348627968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The radical preacher and his associates face several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempting to murder, attack police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants. He has been on the run since March 18.&nbsp;

Intelligence agencies say Amritpal Singh has been sourcing weapons from Pakistan through its spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and trying to divide Punjab on communal lines. Amritpal Singh had been allegedly leading young people towards "gun culture".

<h2>Amritpal's wife questioned&nbsp;</h2>

Recently, the 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal's wife Kirandeep Kaur was stopped at the Shri Guru Ram Dass International Airport, Amritsar on Thursday (April 20) while she was trying to board a flight to London, UK.&nbsp;

Media reports quoted airport sources as saying: "Amritpal Singh's wife Kirandeep Kaur was supposed to travel to Birmingham by Air India Flight scheduled at 2:30 pm. At 12:20 pm, she reported to the immigration counters and being an LOC subject the immigration has not permitted her to travel and detained her."&nbsp;

She was reportedly questioned.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a major breakthrough for the officials, fugitive Sikh separatist Amritpal Singh was arrested on Sunday (April 23) by Moga Police in Punjab, India. Singh handed himself in to police after a massive manhunt that lasted more than a month, police said while urging citizens to maintain peace and harmony.

In a major breakthrough for the officials, fugitive Sikh separatist Amritpal Singh was arrested on Sunday (April 23) by Moga Police in Punjab, India. Singh handed himself in to police after a massive manhunt that lasted more than a month, police said while urging citizens to maintain peace and harmony. Police asked to not share fake news, and always verify before sharing anything. More details are awaited but news agencies quoting Punjab police sources reported that Singh is likely to be shifted to Dibrugarh, Assam, where eight of his aides are kept. Media reports also mentioned that like his aides, Singh has been arrested under the National Security Act. IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill said that during the entire operation, the "people of Punjab maintained peace and law and order, for which we thank them. We conducted the operation and arrested him at 6:45am". ALSO READ | Al-Qaeda threatens revenge over Indian gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed's live TV murder Videos shared on social media purportedly showed that Singh addressed a gathering at a Gurdwara in Rode village of Moga district before being arrested. Hindustan Times quoted former Akal Takht Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode as saying that Amritpal reached Rode village late on Saturday night. Jasbir said, "I got to know from the police that Amritpal is going to surrender. I reached here sometime before his surrender. After paying obeisance and reciting Path went to gurdwara where he addressed the Sangat (gathering). He explained the reasons for being late in surrender and also thanked people who helped him including providing him stays." "He went outside of the gurdwara and surrendered before the police. The reports that Amritpal was arrested or forced to surrender are false. Police would have not allowed him to address a gathering, if they knew he was here," he added. #AmritpalSingh arrested in Moga, Punjab. Further details will be shared by #PunjabPolice Urge citizens to maintain peace and harmony, Don't share any fake news, always verify and share. — Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) April 23, 2023 × The radical preacher and his associates face several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempting to murder, attack police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants. He has been on the run since March 18. Intelligence agencies say Amritpal Singh has been sourcing weapons from Pakistan through its spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and trying to divide Punjab on communal lines. Amritpal Singh had been allegedly leading young people towards "gun culture". Amritpal's wife questioned Recently, the 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal's wife Kirandeep Kaur was stopped at the Shri Guru Ram Dass International Airport, Amritsar on Thursday (April 20) while she was trying to board a flight to London, UK. Media reports quoted airport sources as saying: "Amritpal Singh's wife Kirandeep Kaur was supposed to travel to Birmingham by Air India Flight scheduled at 2:30 pm. At 12:20 pm, she reported to the immigration counters and being an LOC subject the immigration has not permitted her to travel and detained her." She was reportedly questioned. (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.

India: Fugitive separatist Amritpal Singh arrested in Punjab

Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old critically ill elephant, has died at Karachi Zoo, where several other animals are underfed and lacking care as a consequence of Pakistan's economic crisis. The animal welfare charity that had been treating the elephant called for the crisis-hit zoo's closure.&nbsp;

A global animal welfare organisation, Four Paws, said in a statement that the elephant suffered serious ailments before falling in a pond last week and was unable to get up without help.&nbsp;

"She (Jehan) rests in peace now," Dawn newspaper quoted animal rights activist Mahera Omar as saying. Omar had been closely working with vets treating the deceased pachyderm.

 
Austria-based Four Paws tweeted that Jehan's story was a "reminder of the suffering that captive wild animals endure in Pakistan and around the world. We hope that the authorities in Pakistan will take this as an example and do better for captive wild animals in the future."&nbsp;

Noor Jehan was an African elephant whose average lifespan is 60 to 70 years. Four Paws veterinarian Amir Khalil said it was "heartbreaking that she had to die at only 17 years old, when she could have had many more years".&nbsp;

Experts and vets who were treating her called for other animals at the Pakistan zoo to be evacuated. They want Madhubala, the other elephant at the zoo, to be relocated as soon as possible. They called for averting a second tragedy and shift Noor Jehan's "mourning" partner to a "species-appropriate place to at least give her a chance at a better life".&nbsp;

<h2>What had happened to Noor Jehan?&nbsp;</h2>

Noor Jehan underwent emergency treatment for a tumour which had crippled her hind legs. During her recovery period, she became trapped in her enclosure's pool.

The animal charity stated that zoo workers hauled out the 3.5-tonne mammal but she was unable to stand and lay stricken for nine days, "a life-threatening situation for elephants".&nbsp;

The statement further noted that experts were even considering euthanasia but before a decision was taken, "she succumbed to her critical condition".&nbsp;

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As agreed with the authorities, we recommend that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Madhubala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Madhubala</a> should be relocated as soon as possible to a species appropriate place to at least give her a chance at a better life.
— FOUR PAWS (@fourpawsint) <a href="https://twitter.com/fourpawsint/status/1649708930912645121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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VIDEO: Hanging from a crane, Noor Jehan has just been seen by vets at Karachi Zoo. The 3.5-ton African elephant, who could barely walk due to a large growth between her back legs, caught the attention of Four Paws International after images were shared on social media. <a href="https://t.co/YKpNur3wbP">pic.twitter.com/YKpNur3wbP</a>
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1643941622122414085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Alarming situation at zoos in Pakistan&nbsp;</h2>

A statement by Four Paws International said the Karachi zoo "does not fulfill international standards" and is not equipped to take appropriate care of elephants. The organisation expressed support for a forced closure.&nbsp;

The condition of animals kept in zoos continues to worsen across Pakistan. In April 2020, a court ordered the only zoo in Pakistan's capital Islamabad to shut down after poor facilities and mistreatment of the animals there were revealed. It is the same zoo where the elephant Kaavan was kept.&nbsp;

Kaavan, an Asian elephant, was airlifted to retirement in Cambodia in a project spearheaded by US popstar and actor Cher.&nbsp;

In March, Karachi zoo's Golden Tabby tiger died at 21 and according to sources, it had been ill for a long time and apparently failed to receive proper care.&nbsp;

Some 206 birds and 76 other animals died in 2017, while 122 birds and 45 other animals perished in 2018. Multiple deaths were also reported in the Peshawar zoo since it was inaugurated in February 2018.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old critically ill elephant, has died at Karachi Zoo, where several other animals are underfed and lacking care as a consequence of Pakistan's economic crisis.

Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old critically ill elephant, has died at Karachi Zoo, where several other animals are underfed and lacking care as a consequence of Pakistan's economic crisis. The animal welfare charity that had been treating the elephant called for the crisis-hit zoo's closure. A global animal welfare organisation, Four Paws, said in a statement that the elephant suffered serious ailments before falling in a pond last week and was unable to get up without help. "She (Jehan) rests in peace now," Dawn newspaper quoted animal rights activist Mahera Omar as saying. Omar had been closely working with vets treating the deceased pachyderm. Austria-based Four Paws tweeted that Jehan's story was a "reminder of the suffering that captive wild animals endure in Pakistan and around the world. We hope that the authorities in Pakistan will take this as an example and do better for captive wild animals in the future." Noor Jehan was an African elephant whose average lifespan is 60 to 70 years. Four Paws veterinarian Amir Khalil said it was "heartbreaking that she had to die at only 17 years old, when she could have had many more years". Experts and vets who were treating her called for other animals at the Pakistan zoo to be evacuated. They want Madhubala, the other elephant at the zoo, to be relocated as soon as possible. They called for averting a second tragedy and shift Noor Jehan's "mourning" partner to a "species-appropriate place to at least give her a chance at a better life". What had happened to Noor Jehan? Noor Jehan underwent emergency treatment for a tumour which had crippled her hind legs. During her recovery period, she became trapped in her enclosure's pool. The animal charity stated that zoo workers hauled out the 3.5-tonne mammal but she was unable to stand and lay stricken for nine days, "a life-threatening situation for elephants". The statement further noted that experts were even considering euthanasia but before a decision was taken, "she succumbed to her critical condition". As agreed with the authorities, we recommend that #Madhubala should be relocated as soon as possible to a species appropriate place to at least give her a chance at a better life. — FOUR PAWS (@fourpawsint) April 22, 2023 × VIDEO: Hanging from a crane, Noor Jehan has just been seen by vets at Karachi Zoo. The 3.5-ton African elephant, who could barely walk due to a large growth between her back legs, caught the attention of Four Paws International after images were shared on social media. pic.twitter.com/YKpNur3wbP — AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 6, 2023 × Alarming situation at zoos in Pakistan A statement by Four Paws International said the Karachi zoo "does not fulfill international standards" and is not equipped to take appropriate care of elephants. The organisation expressed support for a forced closure. The condition of animals kept in zoos continues to worsen across Pakistan. In April 2020, a court ordered the only zoo in Pakistan's capital Islamabad to shut down after poor facilities and mistreatment of the animals there were revealed. It is the same zoo where the elephant Kaavan was kept. Kaavan, an Asian elephant, was airlifted to retirement in Cambodia in a project spearheaded by US popstar and actor Cher. In March, Karachi zoo's Golden Tabby tiger died at 21 and according to sources, it had been ill for a long time and apparently failed to receive proper care. Some 206 birds and 76 other animals died in 2017, while 122 birds and 45 other animals perished in 2018. Multiple deaths were also reported in the Peshawar zoo since it was inaugurated in February 2018. (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.

Noor Jehan: Ailing elephant at Pakistan's Karachi Zoo dies

From Indonesia to Malaysia, Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid al-Fitr festival on Saturday (April 22), with their family and loved ones. People in Pakistan rushed to markets amid an evident economic crisis, with higher prices of clothes, shoes, and more. But the situation in Pakistan's western province Balochistan was different with protests in different parts of the province against "enforced disappearances". Protestors have demanded the safe release of Baloch's missing persons "forcibly disappeared" by Pakistan's Army or Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).&nbsp;

This comes after a recent news report by Sindh Express, which quoted Pakistan Human Rights Commission's vice-chairman advocate Habib Tahir expressing concerns over missing cases in Balochistan.&nbsp;

Tahir alleged that Pakistan is using forcible missing, abduction, and enforced disappearances on a large scale, as tools to suppress dissent.&nbsp;

Tahir on Thursday released the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan's (HRCP) report on rights violations in Balochistan titled "Balochistan's Struggle for Hope".&nbsp;

The 33-page fact-finding alleged that anger and pain are on the rise in people here (Balochistan) because of forcible missing cases/abductions, economic stress, gagging of media, inept administration.&nbsp;

Advocate Habib Tahir said on the occasion: "Abductions and people going missing ...all this has been going on for two decades."&nbsp;

According to the media outlet, the rate of such occurrences is not coming down and the only difference between then and now is, these days such cases are either not reported or a lesser number of such cases get reported nowadays.&nbsp;

The report further claimed that a network of army check posts is spreading and locals say these check posts have triggered a mood of panic in the region.&nbsp;

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This is Balochistan on Eid day... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EidUlFitr?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EidUlFitr</a> 
 
Pakistan: Release all forcibly disappeared Baloch missing persons.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndEnforcedDisappearaces?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndEnforcedDisappearaces</a> <a href="https://t.co/eoUUWCOOcn">pic.twitter.com/eoUUWCOOcn</a>
— Fazila Baloch🌺☀️ (@IFazilaBaloch) <a href="https://twitter.com/IFazilaBaloch/status/1649818930792243200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Quoting a civil society activist in Turbat, Balochistan, the report mentioned that Pakistan's law enforcement officials have apparently arrested boys who are yet to reach their teens.&nbsp;

The activist also claimed that the threat of enforced disappearances is directed towards university or college-going students. a student, whose identity was not revealed, told the fact-finding team that his/her cousin [a student at the University of Turbat] was "picked up and released after more than three years. The risk that any of us could be next has made us fearful of attending university at all".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Haq Do Tehreek (Give Rights Movement) recently said that Balochistan has been made hell for political activists, Pakistan vernacular media Qudrat reported. Protest rallies by Haq Do Tehreek for the release of Maulana Hidayatur Rahman and Mahil Baloch and the recovery of missing persons would be taken out across Balochistan.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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From Indonesia to Malaysia, Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid al-Fitr festival on Saturday (April 22), with their family and loved ones. People in Pakistan rushed to markets amid an evident economic crisis, with higher prices of clothes, shoes, and more.

From Indonesia to Malaysia, Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid al-Fitr festival on Saturday (April 22), with their family and loved ones. People in Pakistan rushed to markets amid an evident economic crisis, with higher prices of clothes, shoes, and more. But the situation in Pakistan's western province Balochistan was different with protests in different parts of the province against "enforced disappearances". Protestors have demanded the safe release of Baloch's missing persons "forcibly disappeared" by Pakistan's Army or Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). This comes after a recent news report by Sindh Express, which quoted Pakistan Human Rights Commission's vice-chairman advocate Habib Tahir expressing concerns over missing cases in Balochistan. Tahir alleged that Pakistan is using forcible missing, abduction, and enforced disappearances on a large scale, as tools to suppress dissent. Tahir on Thursday released the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan's (HRCP) report on rights violations in Balochistan titled "Balochistan's Struggle for Hope". The 33-page fact-finding alleged that anger and pain are on the rise in people here (Balochistan) because of forcible missing cases/abductions, economic stress, gagging of media, inept administration. Advocate Habib Tahir said on the occasion: "Abductions and people going missing ...all this has been going on for two decades." According to the media outlet, the rate of such occurrences is not coming down and the only difference between then and now is, these days such cases are either not reported or a lesser number of such cases get reported nowadays. The report further claimed that a network of army check posts is spreading and locals say these check posts have triggered a mood of panic in the region. This is Balochistan on Eid day... #EidUlFitr Pakistan: Release all forcibly disappeared Baloch missing persons.#EndEnforcedDisappearaces pic.twitter.com/eoUUWCOOcn — Fazila Baloch🌺☀️ (@IFazilaBaloch) April 22, 2023 × Quoting a civil society activist in Turbat, Balochistan, the report mentioned that Pakistan's law enforcement officials have apparently arrested boys who are yet to reach their teens. The activist also claimed that the threat of enforced disappearances is directed towards university or college-going students. a student, whose identity was not revealed, told the fact-finding team that his/her cousin [a student at the University of Turbat] was "picked up and released after more than three years. The risk that any of us could be next has made us fearful of attending university at all". Meanwhile, Haq Do Tehreek (Give Rights Movement) recently said that Balochistan has been made hell for political activists, Pakistan vernacular media Qudrat reported. Protest rallies by Haq Do Tehreek for the release of Maulana Hidayatur Rahman and Mahil Baloch and the recovery of missing persons would be taken out across Balochistan. (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.

Protest against 'enforced disappearances' during Eid al-Fitr celebration in Balochistan

The Indian government has installed&nbsp;254 network towers on Saturday (April 22) in order to provide 4G mobile telephony connectivity in around 336 villages in border areas of the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. The government aims at connecting remote areas of the Tawang district where there have been incursions of Chinese troops.&nbsp;

The government has given approval for the construction of 2,605 4G mobile towers for providing connectivity to more than 3,721 villages in the state with a total outlay of Rs 2,675 crore.&nbsp;

After a ceremony to dedicate the initial set of 254 mobile towers, India's Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said: "Today's launch has happened mostly in border areas. By and large, most of the villages will be in border areas."&nbsp;

"Our district headquarters like Itanagar are already connected. The target is to reach out to unconnected and unreached locations," Rijiju added.&nbsp;

Rijiju also tweeted: "Momentous occasion for the people of #ArunachalPradesh as 254 4G mobile towers were dedicated to the nation. This high-speed internet facility to 336 remote villages will transform the lives of the people. The border people are extending their gratitude to PM @narendramodi Ji."&nbsp;

Apart from Rijiju, Union Minister for Communications Ashwini Vaishnaw, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Union Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan were also present during the launch event.&nbsp;

Rijiju also weighed in on other aspects as he said that the 4G connectivity will help the security forces and people as people in the border area used to depend on mobile SIMs of a Nepalese company for communication, however, the situation will change after he informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation.&nbsp;

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Momentous occasion for the people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArunachalPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArunachalPradesh</a> as 254 4G mobile towers were dedicated to the nation. This high-speed internet facility to 336 remote villages will transform the lives of the people. The border people are extending their gratitude to PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> Ji. <a href="https://t.co/GjYnZTpoDE">pic.twitter.com/GjYnZTpoDE</a>
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1649725776626065408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The minister had also said that thinning of the population because of the non-availability of basic infrastructure had become a major concern. Rijiju also said that now facilities like drinking water, electricity, and roads are reaching remote and border areas.&nbsp;

Rijiju, who represents the Arunachal West constituency in the Lok Sabha, said that "we are not building anything in their [China] territory, only in ours" and "other governments did not even take these steps".&nbsp;

He further added that difficult terrain and the need to create an infrastructure ecosystem were among the challenges the government faced while setting up the towers.&nbsp;

Rijiju said: "All agencies have come together to set up the infrastructure from roads to electricity. It will be pivotal in providing digital services to the people. It was a whole of government approach that helped."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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The Indian government has installed 254 network towers on Saturday (April 22) in order to provide 4G mobile telephony connectivity in around 336 villages in border areas of the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Indian government has installed 254 network towers on Saturday (April 22) in order to provide 4G mobile telephony connectivity in around 336 villages in border areas of the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. The government aims at connecting remote areas of the Tawang district where there have been incursions of Chinese troops. The government has given approval for the construction of 2,605 4G mobile towers for providing connectivity to more than 3,721 villages in the state with a total outlay of Rs 2,675 crore. After a ceremony to dedicate the initial set of 254 mobile towers, India's Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said: "Today's launch has happened mostly in border areas. By and large, most of the villages will be in border areas." "Our district headquarters like Itanagar are already connected. The target is to reach out to unconnected and unreached locations," Rijiju added. Rijiju also tweeted: "Momentous occasion for the people of #ArunachalPradesh as 254 4G mobile towers were dedicated to the nation. This high-speed internet facility to 336 remote villages will transform the lives of the people. The border people are extending their gratitude to PM @narendramodi Ji." Apart from Rijiju, Union Minister for Communications Ashwini Vaishnaw, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Union Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan were also present during the launch event. Rijiju also weighed in on other aspects as he said that the 4G connectivity will help the security forces and people as people in the border area used to depend on mobile SIMs of a Nepalese company for communication, however, the situation will change after he informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation. Momentous occasion for the people of #ArunachalPradesh as 254 4G mobile towers were dedicated to the nation. This high-speed internet facility to 336 remote villages will transform the lives of the people. The border people are extending their gratitude to PM @narendramodi Ji. pic.twitter.com/GjYnZTpoDE — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) April 22, 2023 × The minister had also said that thinning of the population because of the non-availability of basic infrastructure had become a major concern. Rijiju also said that now facilities like drinking water, electricity, and roads are reaching remote and border areas. Rijiju, who represents the Arunachal West constituency in the Lok Sabha, said that "we are not building anything in their [China] territory, only in ours" and "other governments did not even take these steps". He further added that difficult terrain and the need to create an infrastructure ecosystem were among the challenges the government faced while setting up the towers. Rijiju said: "All agencies have come together to set up the infrastructure from roads to electricity. It will be pivotal in providing digital services to the people. It was a whole of government approach that helped." (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.

India: More than 300 border villages in Arunachal Pradesh to get 4G connectivity

Rounded bodies, bulging eyes, and eight long arms - these distinctive features define octopuses of the world. They are quite popular with their ability to camouflage, shape-shifting, and more.&nbsp;

Marine biologists and experts have often raised concerns over the soft body forms of octopuses and their elusive behaviour, and ever-threatened habitats, which make it difficult to track individuals in the wild over time.&nbsp;

Now a new study, published in PLOS One, has revealed that one octopus species' base pattern is visible regardless of its pixel display.&nbsp;

Overall, there are over 300 species that live off the coasts of every continent and among them, one is the Pygmy zebra octopus (Octopus chierchiae), which is also known as the lesser Pacific striped octopus.&nbsp;

The study mentioned that Pygmy zebra octopus comes in at about the size of a grape when fully grown and it has brown and tan stripes. They are native to the Pacific coast of Central America.&nbsp;

Experts believe that this unique 'fingerprint' will help scientists and even some non-experts to monitor the pygmy zebra octopus in their habitat.&nbsp;

They also found that their stripe patterns become permanent and distinctive after about two weeks of age. &nbsp;

The study revealed that octopus body patterns are produced by a combination of pigment-filled chromatophores, colour-reflective iridophores, and passively reflective leucophores. Notably, muscular and hydrostatic forces produce textural details.&nbsp;

The study noted that these characteristics allow for the rapid and neurally controlled colour change, but the octopuses operate within the fixed anatomical architecture of an octopus' skin.&nbsp;

This study was conducted at the University of California, Berkeley in an AAALAC-accredited facility, which was overseen by the Office of Laboratory Animal Care (OLAC).&nbsp;

Researchers photographed 25 Pygmy zebra octopuses in a lab for over two years to confirm that each individual has a distinct stripe pattern. Every week, from hatching to adulthood, they photographed the specimens. After that, they gathered 38 untrained volunteers to take part in a survey.&nbsp;

The average accuracy of the volunteers was 84.2 per cent, and over half of the participants scored at least 90 per cent. Furthermore, no single question was answered incorrectly by a majority of participants.&nbsp;

The study also revealed that survey respondents had a median score of 90%, with 44.7% of respondents (n = 17) scoring 95% or higher. On average, respondents "missed 13.7% of total possible matches (1.9 false negative responses out of 20 questions) and erroneously matched 17.2% of non-matching individuals (1.2 false positive responses out of 20 questions)".&nbsp;

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Rounded bodies, bulging eyes, and eight long arms - these distinctive features define octopuses of the world. They are quite popular with their ability to camouflage, shape-shifting, and more.

Rounded bodies, bulging eyes, and eight long arms - these distinctive features define octopuses of the world. They are quite popular with their ability to camouflage, shape-shifting, and more. Marine biologists and experts have often raised concerns over the soft body forms of octopuses and their elusive behaviour, and ever-threatened habitats, which make it difficult to track individuals in the wild over time. Now a new study, published in PLOS One, has revealed that one octopus species' base pattern is visible regardless of its pixel display. Overall, there are over 300 species that live off the coasts of every continent and among them, one is the Pygmy zebra octopus (Octopus chierchiae), which is also known as the lesser Pacific striped octopus. The study mentioned that Pygmy zebra octopus comes in at about the size of a grape when fully grown and it has brown and tan stripes. They are native to the Pacific coast of Central America. Experts believe that this unique 'fingerprint' will help scientists and even some non-experts to monitor the pygmy zebra octopus in their habitat. They also found that their stripe patterns become permanent and distinctive after about two weeks of age. The study revealed that octopus body patterns are produced by a combination of pigment-filled chromatophores, colour-reflective iridophores, and passively reflective leucophores. Notably, muscular and hydrostatic forces produce textural details. The study noted that these characteristics allow for the rapid and neurally controlled colour change, but the octopuses operate within the fixed anatomical architecture of an octopus' skin. This study was conducted at the University of California, Berkeley in an AAALAC-accredited facility, which was overseen by the Office of Laboratory Animal Care (OLAC). Researchers photographed 25 Pygmy zebra octopuses in a lab for over two years to confirm that each individual has a distinct stripe pattern. Every week, from hatching to adulthood, they photographed the specimens. After that, they gathered 38 untrained volunteers to take part in a survey. The average accuracy of the volunteers was 84.2 per cent, and over half of the participants scored at least 90 per cent. Furthermore, no single question was answered incorrectly by a majority of participants. The study also revealed that survey respondents had a median score of 90%, with 44.7% of respondents (n = 17) scoring 95% or higher. On average, respondents "missed 13.7% of total possible matches (1.9 false negative responses out of 20 questions) and erroneously matched 17.2% of non-matching individuals (1.2 false positive responses out of 20 questions)". 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.

Here's how the stripe patterns in Pygmy zebra octopus will help future studies

In defiance of calls from international powers for an end-of-Ramadan ceasefire, Sudan's warring parties engaged in fierce gun battles and explosions on Friday in the nation's capital Khartoum and elsewhere.

Sudan crisis: Violence overshadows Eid celebrations in Sudan

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu will be visiting India's capital New Delhi for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting. The upcoming visit by both the ministers will be the first.

Chinese, Russian defence ministers to attend SCO meet in Delhi

Activists from extinction rebellion along with protesters from different groups gathered in front of UK Parliament to raise awareness regarding the use of fossil fuels and to push politicians to take action over it.

UK: London marks Earth Day with four-day protests

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey had many bombshells, but nothing was quite as shocking as the couple's claims of racist behavior in the royal family.

Here's the real reason why Meghan Markle isn't attending the coronation

Some 67 million children partially or fully missed routine vaccines globally between 2019 and 2021 because of lockdowns and health care disruptions caused by the&nbsp;Covid-19 pandemic, the United Nations said Wednesday.

"More than a decade of hard-earned gains in routine childhood immunization have been eroded," read a new report from the UN's children's agency, UNICEF, adding that getting back on track "will be challenging."

Of the 67 million children whose vaccinations were "severely disrupted," 48 million missed out on routine vaccines entirely, UNICEF said, flagging concerns about potential polio and measles outbreaks.

Vaccine coverage among children declined in 112 countries and the percent of children vaccinated worldwide slipped 5 points to 81 percent -- a low not seen since 2008. Africa and South Asia were particularly hard hit.

"Worryingly, the backsliding during the pandemic came at the end of a decade when, in broad terms, growth in childhood immunization had stagnated," the report said.

Vaccines save 4.4 million lives each year, a number the United Nations figures could jump to 5.8 million by 2030 if its ambitious targets to leave "no one behind" are met.&nbsp;

"Vaccines have played a really important role in allowing more children to live healthy, long lives," Brian Keeley, the report's editor in chief, told AFP. "Any decline at all in vaccination rates is worrying."

Before the introduction of a vaccine in 1963, measles killed approximately 2.6 million people each year, mostly children. By 2021, that number had fallen to 128,000.

But between 2019 and 2021, the percentage of children vaccinated against measles fell from 86 percent to 81 percent, and the number of cases in 2022 doubled compared to 2021.

Declining vaccine confidence&nbsp;

The slide in vaccination rates could be compounded by other crises, Keeley warned, from climate change to food insecurity.

"You've got increasing number of conflicts, economic stagnation in a lot of countries, climate emergencies, and so on," he said. "This all sort of makes it harder and harder for health systems and countries to meet vaccination needs."

UNICEF called on governments "to double-down on their commitment to increase financing for immunization" with special attention on accelerating "catch-up" vaccination efforts for those who missed their shots.

The report also raised concerns about a drop in people's confidence in vaccines, seen in 52 out of 55 countries surveyed.

"We cannot allow confidence in routine immunizations to become another victim of the pandemic," Catherine Russell, UNICEF's executive director, said in a statement. "Otherwise, the next wave of deaths could be of more children with measles, diphtheria or other preventable diseases."

Vaccine confidence can be "volatile and time specific," the report said, noting that "further analysis will be required to determine if the findings are indicative of a longer-term trend" beyond the pandemic.

Overall, it said that support for vaccines "remains relatively strong."

In about half of the 55 countries surveyed, more than 80 percent of respondents "perceived vaccines as important for children."

"There is reason to be somewhat hopeful that services are recovering in quite a few countries," said Keeley, who added that preliminary vaccination data from 2022 showed encouraging signs.

But even getting numbers back up to pre-pandemic levels will take years, he said, not including reaching "the children who were missing before the pandemic."&nbsp;

"And they are not an insubstantial number."

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Some 67 million children partially or fully missed routine vaccines globally between 2019 and 2021 because of lockdowns and health care disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the United Nations said Wednesday.

Some 67 million children partially or fully missed routine vaccines globally between 2019 and 2021 because of lockdowns and health care disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the United Nations said Wednesday. "More than a decade of hard-earned gains in routine childhood immunization have been eroded," read a new report from the UN's children's agency, UNICEF, adding that getting back on track "will be challenging." Of the 67 million children whose vaccinations were "severely disrupted," 48 million missed out on routine vaccines entirely, UNICEF said, flagging concerns about potential polio and measles outbreaks. Vaccine coverage among children declined in 112 countries and the percent of children vaccinated worldwide slipped 5 points to 81 percent -- a low not seen since 2008. Africa and South Asia were particularly hard hit. "Worryingly, the backsliding during the pandemic came at the end of a decade when, in broad terms, growth in childhood immunization had stagnated," the report said. Vaccines save 4.4 million lives each year, a number the United Nations figures could jump to 5.8 million by 2030 if its ambitious targets to leave "no one behind" are met. "Vaccines have played a really important role in allowing more children to live healthy, long lives," Brian Keeley, the report's editor in chief, told AFP. "Any decline at all in vaccination rates is worrying." Before the introduction of a vaccine in 1963, measles killed approximately 2.6 million people each year, mostly children. By 2021, that number had fallen to 128,000. But between 2019 and 2021, the percentage of children vaccinated against measles fell from 86 percent to 81 percent, and the number of cases in 2022 doubled compared to 2021. Declining vaccine confidence The slide in vaccination rates could be compounded by other crises, Keeley warned, from climate change to food insecurity. "You've got increasing number of conflicts, economic stagnation in a lot of countries, climate emergencies, and so on," he said. "This all sort of makes it harder and harder for health systems and countries to meet vaccination needs." UNICEF called on governments "to double-down on their commitment to increase financing for immunization" with special attention on accelerating "catch-up" vaccination efforts for those who missed their shots. The report also raised concerns about a drop in people's confidence in vaccines, seen in 52 out of 55 countries surveyed. "We cannot allow confidence in routine immunizations to become another victim of the pandemic," Catherine Russell, UNICEF's executive director, said in a statement. "Otherwise, the next wave of deaths could be of more children with measles, diphtheria or other preventable diseases." Vaccine confidence can be "volatile and time specific," the report said, noting that "further analysis will be required to determine if the findings are indicative of a longer-term trend" beyond the pandemic. Overall, it said that support for vaccines "remains relatively strong." In about half of the 55 countries surveyed, more than 80 percent of respondents "perceived vaccines as important for children." "There is reason to be somewhat hopeful that services are recovering in quite a few countries," said Keeley, who added that preliminary vaccination data from 2022 showed encouraging signs. But even getting numbers back up to pre-pandemic levels will take years, he said, not including reaching "the children who were missing before the pandemic." "And they are not an insubstantial number." 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.

UNICEF: 67 million children missed out on vaccines because of Covid

A 22-year-old man from Long Island, US, was sentenced this week to six months behind bars for posting deepfake photos of underage females on porn sites. More than shock, this news came as a matter of grave concern as it gives a glimpse of what the future may look like for all genders, especially for women. It also shows the darker side of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, which is hottest tech trend at this moment.&nbsp;

<h2>What is artificial intelligence (AI)?&nbsp;</h2>

To understand deepfakes, AI imaging, etc, let's first understand what artificial intelligence is.

IBM defines AI as a field which combines computer science and robust datasets, in order to enable problem-solving and also encompasses sub-fields of machine learning and deep learning. AI algorithms are used in these disciplines to create expert systems that make predictions or classifications based on input data.&nbsp;

Recently, we saw and applauded several stunning AI images of places, nations, leaders, and celebrities, showing them in entirely different avatars. But when a viral AI-generated photo of the Pope in a puffy jacket, created by AI-based image generator Midjourney, looked amusing to some, we should also remember that the same technology can be used to picturise someone without clothes.&nbsp;

<h2>What is deepfake?&nbsp;</h2>

Deepfakes are produced by using deep learning AI to create synthetic media that have been digitally manipulated. They are aimed to replace one person's likeness convincingly with that of another, fake one. 'Innocent' minds may come across or use it in the form of mimicry, mockery, or other fun apps to play with. But, the same algorithm is used for non-consensual deepfake pornography, revenge porn, and child porn.&nbsp;

<h2>Deepfake pornography</h2>

Experts had raised concerns when porn created using the technology first started to spread across the internet several years ago. It began when a Reddit user shared clips that placed the faces of female celebrities on the shoulders of porn actors.&nbsp;

Similar images, as well as videos, have since been circulated by deepfake creators, mostly aimed at online influencers, journalists, and others with a public profile. Thousands of videos can be found on a variety of websites. And some apps have allowed users to create their own images, essentially allowing anyone to turn anyone into sexual fantasies without their consent, or to use the technology to harm former partners.&nbsp;

If we analyse the problem over which the concerns have been raised by experts, the main issue is the ease and simplicity available at one's fingertips to make sophisticated and visually compelling deepfakes. Experts also believe that the development of generative AI tools, will exacerbate the existing issue.&nbsp;

As quoted by The Associated Press, Adam Dodge, the founder of EndTAB, a group that creates awareness on technology-enabled abuse, said: "The reality is that the technology will continue to proliferate, develop and become sort of as easy as pushing the button. And as long as that happens, people will undoubtedly... continue to misuse that technology to harm others, primarily through online sexual violence, deepfake pornography and fake nude images."&nbsp;

<h2>How to stop it?&nbsp;</h2>

Amid growing concerns, some AI models claim to be restricting access to explicit images. OpenAI, the company behind the wildly popular ChatGPT, said it removed explicit content from data used to train the image-generating tool DALL-E, which limits the ability of users to create those types of images. OpenAI says it also filters requests and says it blocks users from creating AI images of celebrities and prominent politicians.

Midjourney, which is another AI model, blocks the use of certain keywords. It also promotes users to flag problematic images to moderators.&nbsp;

When reports emerged that some users made celebrity-inspired nude pictures using the image generator Stable Diffusion, developed by the startup Stability AI, the company issued an update in November that removed the ability to create explicit images using the technology.&nbsp;

Social media companies such as TikTok have come up with new guidelines to better protect the platforms. Other companies, where the use of deepfake is prominent, have introduced new rules against harmful materials and content.&nbsp;

Meta, and also some adult sites such as OnlyFans and Pornhub, began participating in Take It Down, an online tool that allows teens to report explicit images and videos of themselves on the internet.&nbsp;

As quoted by AP, Gavin Portnoy, a spokesperson for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which operates the Take It Down tool, said: "When people ask our senior leadership what are the boulders coming down the hill that we're worried about? The first is end-to-end encryption and what that means for child protection. And then second is AI and specifically deepfakes."&nbsp;

Portnoy said, "We have not ... been able to formulate a direct response yet to it."&nbsp;

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A 22-year-old man from Long Island, US, was sentenced this week to six months behind bars for posting deepfake photos of underage females on porn sites. More than shock, this news came as a matter of grave concern as it gives a glimpse of what the future may look like for all genders, especially for women.

A 22-year-old man from Long Island, US, was sentenced this week to six months behind bars for posting deepfake photos of underage females on porn sites. More than shock, this news came as a matter of grave concern as it gives a glimpse of what the future may look like for all genders, especially for women. It also shows the darker side of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, which is hottest tech trend at this moment. What is artificial intelligence (AI)? To understand deepfakes, AI imaging, etc, let's first understand what artificial intelligence is. IBM defines AI as a field which combines computer science and robust datasets, in order to enable problem-solving and also encompasses sub-fields of machine learning and deep learning. AI algorithms are used in these disciplines to create expert systems that make predictions or classifications based on input data. Recently, we saw and applauded several stunning AI images of places, nations, leaders, and celebrities, showing them in entirely different avatars. But when a viral AI-generated photo of the Pope in a puffy jacket, created by AI-based image generator Midjourney, looked amusing to some, we should also remember that the same technology can be used to picturise someone without clothes. What is deepfake? Deepfakes are produced by using deep learning AI to create synthetic media that have been digitally manipulated. They are aimed to replace one person's likeness convincingly with that of another, fake one. 'Innocent' minds may come across or use it in the form of mimicry, mockery, or other fun apps to play with. But, the same algorithm is used for non-consensual deepfake pornography, revenge porn, and child porn. Deepfake pornography Experts had raised concerns when porn created using the technology first started to spread across the internet several years ago. It began when a Reddit user shared clips that placed the faces of female celebrities on the shoulders of porn actors. Similar images, as well as videos, have since been circulated by deepfake creators, mostly aimed at online influencers, journalists, and others with a public profile. Thousands of videos can be found on a variety of websites. And some apps have allowed users to create their own images, essentially allowing anyone to turn anyone into sexual fantasies without their consent, or to use the technology to harm former partners. If we analyse the problem over which the concerns have been raised by experts, the main issue is the ease and simplicity available at one's fingertips to make sophisticated and visually compelling deepfakes. Experts also believe that the development of generative AI tools, will exacerbate the existing issue. As quoted by The Associated Press, Adam Dodge, the founder of EndTAB, a group that creates awareness on technology-enabled abuse, said: "The reality is that the technology will continue to proliferate, develop and become sort of as easy as pushing the button. And as long as that happens, people will undoubtedly... continue to misuse that technology to harm others, primarily through online sexual violence, deepfake pornography and fake nude images." How to stop it? Amid growing concerns, some AI models claim to be restricting access to explicit images. OpenAI, the company behind the wildly popular ChatGPT, said it removed explicit content from data used to train the image-generating tool DALL-E, which limits the ability of users to create those types of images. OpenAI says it also filters requests and says it blocks users from creating AI images of celebrities and prominent politicians. Midjourney, which is another AI model, blocks the use of certain keywords. It also promotes users to flag problematic images to moderators. When reports emerged that some users made celebrity-inspired nude pictures using the image generator Stable Diffusion, developed by the startup Stability AI, the company issued an update in November that removed the ability to create explicit images using the technology. Social media companies such as TikTok have come up with new guidelines to better protect the platforms. Other companies, where the use of deepfake is prominent, have introduced new rules against harmful materials and content. Meta, and also some adult sites such as OnlyFans and Pornhub, began participating in Take It Down, an online tool that allows teens to report explicit images and videos of themselves on the internet. As quoted by AP, Gavin Portnoy, a spokesperson for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which operates the Take It Down tool, said: "When people ask our senior leadership what are the boulders coming down the hill that we're worried about? The first is end-to-end encryption and what that means for child protection. And then second is AI and specifically deepfakes." Portnoy said, "We have not ... been able to formulate a direct response yet to it." 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.

Explained: Why deepfake porn is a massive concern amid artificial intelligence hype

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading a delegation to India for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), being held in Goa on May 4-5, the ministry announced on Thursday (April 20).&nbsp;

"Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May 4-5 2023, in Goa, India," foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch told a weekly media briefing.

​Baloch said the foreign minister would be attending the SCO CFM meeting at the invitation of the current chairman of SCO CFM, India's Minister for External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, local media reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She said, "Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan's commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities."&nbsp;

Here are some of the most recent key visits from Pakistan to India:

-The last visit by a Pakistan prime minister to India was in 2014 when Nawaz Sharif attended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.&nbsp;

-In December 2016, the Pakistan PM's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz, who was seen as the de-facto foreign minister, was on Indian soil for the Heart of Asia conference at Amritsar.&nbsp;

-The previous stand-alone bilateral trip by a Pakistani foreign minister was Hina Rabbani Khar's visit in 2012.&nbsp;

-Salman Sharif, Charge d’Affaires, represented Pakistan at the meeting of Heads of Ministries and departments responsible for the development of physical culture and sports in the SCO member States held in New Delhi on 15 March 2023.&nbsp;

India-Pakistan ties

A bilateral visit took place in 2015 when PM Modi made an unexpected detour to Lahore but relations dipped within a month over the terror attack at the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot, which deteriorated further after India's reaction to the attack - the "surgical strikes" in 2016.&nbsp;

The Imran Khan government took several drastic steps, like recalling ambassadors to cutting off trade ties, after the dilution of Article 370 that changed the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

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Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading a delegation to India for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), being held in Goa on May 4-5, the ministry announced on Thursday (April 20).

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading a delegation to India for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), being held in Goa on May 4-5, the ministry announced on Thursday (April 20). "Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May 4-5 2023, in Goa, India," foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch told a weekly media briefing. Baloch said the foreign minister would be attending the SCO CFM meeting at the invitation of the current chairman of SCO CFM, India's Minister for External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, local media reported. She said, "Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan's commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities." Here are some of the most recent key visits from Pakistan to India: -The last visit by a Pakistan prime minister to India was in 2014 when Nawaz Sharif attended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony. -In December 2016, the Pakistan PM's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz, who was seen as the de-facto foreign minister, was on Indian soil for the Heart of Asia conference at Amritsar. -The previous stand-alone bilateral trip by a Pakistani foreign minister was Hina Rabbani Khar's visit in 2012. -Salman Sharif, Charge d’Affaires, represented Pakistan at the meeting of Heads of Ministries and departments responsible for the development of physical culture and sports in the SCO member States held in New Delhi on 15 March 2023. India-Pakistan ties A bilateral visit took place in 2015 when PM Modi made an unexpected detour to Lahore but relations dipped within a month over the terror attack at the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot, which deteriorated further after India's reaction to the attack - the "surgical strikes" in 2016. The Imran Khan government took several drastic steps, like recalling ambassadors to cutting off trade ties, after the dilution of Article 370 that changed the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. 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.

Pak FM Bilawal Bhutto to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in India

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