<p>El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele can potentially rule perpetually, as the central American country's legislature has just approved constitutional reforms that scrapped presidential term limits. The term length will increase from five to six years and the next election is moved forward to 2027, reports said on Friday (Aug 1). The changes will also shorten Bukele’s current term by two years, so that the presidential, legislative, and municipal elections cuold be held together in 2027. The move is being slammed by critics as establishing one-party rule.</p><h2>How Bukele is cementing his rule in El Salvador</h2><p>The El Salvador Congress passed the reform with Bukele’s 57 allies backing it, while only three opposition members voted against the move. "Thank you for making history, fellow deputies," said Ernesto Castro, president of the Legislative Assembly from Bukele’s New Ideas party, after the vote. Bukele, the 44-year-old leader known for gangster crackdowns and love for cryptocurrency, has already won a second term last year despite constitutional prohibitions. In 2021, El Salvador’s top court, which is stacked with Bukele-backed judges, ruled that it was his “human right to run again.”</p><h2>Who is Nayib Bukele, the social media-savvy, crypto-loving populist president of El Salvador?</h2><p>First elected in 2019, Nayib Bukele is very popular in central America, having broken into El Salvador politics away from traditional parties. The social-media savvy Bukele became famous globally first for making cryptocurrency adoption the official policy in September 2021. Under him, El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. Bukele invested public funds into the cryptocurrency and envisioned a Bitcoin City, that would be powered by geothermal energy from volcanoes. Bukele argued that the move would promote financial inclusion, increase the efficiency of remittances and boost private investments. His move attracted digial nomads and crypto investors for some time to El Salvador. &nbsp;The IMF and financial analysts warned of fiscal risk and volatility, which were proven in later years as Bitcoin prices plummeted to record lows before recovering. The massive fluctuations in Bitcoin value led Bukele to amend the law in subsequent years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bukele-proposes-prisoner-exchange-with-venezuela-8984084/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/bukele-proposes-prisoner-exchange-with-venezuela-8984084/embed</a></p><h2>Bukele is known for tough crackdown on gangs and crime in El Salvador</h2><p>Bukele's signature initiative has been a massive crackdown on gang violence. He declared a state of emergency, which has been extended repeatedly since 2022, to fight crime. At least 75,000 people have been arrested, often without formal charges, under Bukele's anti-crime policies.&nbsp;</p><p>The crackdown led to a decline in homicide rates, but rights groups have raised alarm over violations of due process, and mass detentions. Last December, Amnesty International slammed the alleged “gradual replacement of gang violence with state violence.”&nbsp;</p><p>There have been allegations of abuse in overcrowded prisons of El Salvador. In order to address this, Bukele in 2022 inaugurated a 40,000-capacity Terrorism Confinement Center, a maximum security prison in Tecolucar.</p><h2>Bukele's 'perpetual rule' move criticised</h2><p>Critics have accused Bukele and his supporters of trampling on democracy, with opposition MP Marcela Villatoro saying, “Today, democracy has died in El Salvador.” "The day before vacation, without debate, without informing the public, in a single legislative vote, they changed the political system to allow the president to perpetuate himself in power indefinitely and we continue to follow the well-travelled path of autocrats," said Noah Bullock, executive director of human rights group Cristosal.</p><p>Despite international criticism, Bukele enjoys high approval ratings in El Salvador, where many citizens see him as restoring order and national pride.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

The changes will also shorten Bukele’s current term by two years, so that the presidential, legislative, and municipal elections cuold be held together in 2027. The move is being slammed by critics as establishing one-party rule

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele can potentially rule perpetually, as the central American country's legislature has just approved constitutional reforms that scrapped presidential term limits. The term length will increase from five to six years and the next election is moved forward to 2027, reports said on Friday (Aug 1). The changes will also shorten Bukele’s current term by two years, so that the presidential, legislative, and municipal elections cuold be held together in 2027. The move is being slammed by critics as establishing one-party rule. How Bukele is cementing his rule in El Salvador The El Salvador Congress passed the reform with Bukele’s 57 allies backing it, while only three opposition members voted against the move. "Thank you for making history, fellow deputies," said Ernesto Castro, president of the Legislative Assembly from Bukele’s New Ideas party, after the vote. Bukele, the 44-year-old leader known for gangster crackdowns and love for cryptocurrency, has already won a second term last year despite constitutional prohibitions. In 2021, El Salvador’s top court, which is stacked with Bukele-backed judges, ruled that it was his “human right to run again.” Who is Nayib Bukele, the social media-savvy, crypto-loving populist president of El Salvador? First elected in 2019, Nayib Bukele is very popular in central America, having broken into El Salvador politics away from traditional parties. The social-media savvy Bukele became famous globally first for making cryptocurrency adoption the official policy in September 2021. Under him, El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. Bukele invested public funds into the cryptocurrency and envisioned a Bitcoin City, that would be powered by geothermal energy from volcanoes. Bukele argued that the move would promote financial inclusion, increase the efficiency of remittances and boost private investments. His move attracted digial nomads and crypto investors for some time to El Salvador. The IMF and financial analysts warned of fiscal risk and volatility, which were proven in later years as Bitcoin prices plummeted to record lows before recovering. The massive fluctuations in Bitcoin value led Bukele to amend the law in subsequent years. https://www.wionews.com/videos/bukele-proposes-prisoner-exchange-with-venezuela-8984084/embed Bukele is known for tough crackdown on gangs and crime in El Salvador Bukele's signature initiative has been a massive crackdown on gang violence. He declared a state of emergency, which has been extended repeatedly since 2022, to fight crime. At least 75,000 people have been arrested, often without formal charges, under Bukele's anti-crime policies. The crackdown led to a decline in homicide rates, but rights groups have raised alarm over violations of due process, and mass detentions. Last December, Amnesty International slammed the alleged “gradual replacement of gang violence with state violence.” There have been allegations of abuse in overcrowded prisons of El Salvador. In order to address this, Bukele in 2022 inaugurated a 40,000-capacity Terrorism Confinement Center, a maximum security prison in Tecolucar. Bukele's 'perpetual rule' move criticised Critics have accused Bukele and his supporters of trampling on democracy, with opposition MP Marcela Villatoro saying, “Today, democracy has died in El Salvador.” "The day before vacation, without debate, without informing the public, in a single legislative vote, they changed the political system to allow the president to perpetuate himself in power indefinitely and we continue to follow the well-travelled path of autocrats," said Noah Bullock, executive director of human rights group Cristosal. Despite international criticism, Bukele enjoys high approval ratings in El Salvador, where many citizens see him as restoring order and national pride.

<p>The changes will also shorten Bukele’s current term by two years, so that the presidential, legislative, and municipal elections cuold be held together in 2027. The move is being slammed by critics as establishing one-party rule</p>

A Central American dictator? El Salvador just ENABLED gang-busting, crypto-loving president Bukele to potentially ‘rule for life’

<p>Frequent reports of turbulence are scaring many air passengers away from flying. The increasing regularity of turbulence is being attributed at least partially to climate change. Aviation engineers are looking at various methods to avert this. And many of them are looking at nature's design for inspiration, particularly one bird: the owl. Why is the owl's body design inspiring future aircraft design? Here are some fascinating insights:</p><h2>How owl wing features make them effective, silent fliers</h2><p>The owls’ wing features include serrated leading edges, fringed trailing edges, velvety down, and flexible wing control. Together, these make the bird's flight low-noise and turbulence-resistant. Aviation engineers are increasingly modelling the bird's adaptations to enhance stability and reduce noise in aircraft, drones, and turbines.</p><h2>How is the owl wing adaptations relevant to turbulence?</h2><p>The leading‑edge serrations are one key aspect. These teeth-like edges on bird feathers break up turbulent air into smaller vortices, preventing flow separation at high angles, and stabilising the airflow. Trailing‑edge fringes allow for the smooth flow of the body in the air, by breaking up pressure fluctuations. Velvety down feathers with porous texture absorb high-frequency noise and dampen vibrations caused by turbulence and reducing drag. Owls also have what's called ‘preflex reaction’: the flexible wing adjustments that are similar to suspension systems, instinctively compensating for gusts of wind to stabilise flight.</p><h2>Turbulence is growing due to climate change</h2><p>Turbulence is leading to increased risk of injuries for passengers. A 2023 study found that the world's skies are now nearly 55 per cent bumpier than 40 years ago due to climate-change-driven wind shear . Injuries caused by turbulence are rising, &nbsp;and airlines bear costs of between $150 million and 500 mn each year.</p><h2>Feather-like flaps for aircraft could be a reality</h2><p>In 2024, Princeton University researchers developed birdfeather-inspired flexible flaps. These flaps, which mimic covert feathers, were tested on a model aircraft. In test flights, the flaps improved aircraft lift by up to 45 per cent and reduced drag by 31 per cent. The stall onset was delayed, enhancing stability during gusts of wind.</p><h2>Silent flight and turbulence reduction inspired by owls</h2><p>Recent studies have found that wider leading-edge serrations can reduce airflow fluctuations and aerodynamic noise. Wind tunnel tests found that serrations and fringes can stabilise flow and suppress noise. Trailing-edge fringes can reduce airborne noise by up to 10 dB without losing lift.</p><h2>Owl aerodynamics in motion: Reducing the dreaded ‘eddies’</h2><p>Eddies, or vortices, are the swirling, circular movement of air that deviates from the main airflow. Eddies result from obstacles or uneven terrain and cause turbulence. Eddies can affect aircraft stability and handling. Recent scientific studies demonstrated that during owl flights, the eddies appear to dissipate faster, thanks to the aerodynamic design of their bodies.</p><p>In the case of all birds, the turbulence during their flapping flight is short-lived and dissipates fast.</p><h2>Bio‑inspired engineering could be the future of flight design</h2><p>Using computer design and high-speed imaging, Jonathan Stevenson documented owl preflex responses. That became the inspiration for Airbus’s hinged-wing AlbatrossOne prototype. Justin Jaworski created 3D-printed attachments that cut wind turbine noise by roughly 10 dB, maintaining aerodynamic efficiency. In 2023, scientists designed hybrid serrations combining owl and cicada wing geometries.&nbsp;<br>This design reportedly achieved nearly 10 per cent noise reduction and 48 per cent improved propulsive efficiency. A March 2025 study confirmed the structural viability of airfoils inspired by owls in wind turbines of aircraft.</p><h2>Engineering applications inspired by owls are here</h2><p>In research and implementation, owl body design is being slowly adapted on aircraft and drones, such as passive feather-like flaps and hinged wingtips to reduce the effects of turbulence. On wind turbines and fans, serrated airfoils and porous coatings are being used to lower noise and improve efficiency. On rotating machinery, serrated trailing edges and velvety coatings are being used to suppress turbulence-induced noise.</p><h2>Nature to the rescue for aviation turbulence</h2><p>Turbulence is a real issue in aviation now. Companies and scientists are looking at nature for inspiration to solve this. Biological designs for aircraft might take time due to challenges in finding the right material and certification delays. The research is ongoing for the perfect design.&nbsp;</p><p>Birds and insect flight have been the inspiration for aviation design since the inception of human flight. In the not-so-distant future, we might see passenger aircraft resembling more birds, including the owl.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Turbulence is a big issue in aviation now. Companies and scientists are looking at nature for inspiration to solve this

Frequent reports of turbulence are scaring many air passengers away from flying. The increasing regularity of turbulence is being attributed at least partially to climate change. Aviation engineers are looking at various methods to avert this. And many of them are looking at nature's design for inspiration, particularly one bird: the owl. Why is the owl's body design inspiring future aircraft design? Here are some fascinating insights: How owl wing features make them effective, silent fliers The owls’ wing features include serrated leading edges, fringed trailing edges, velvety down, and flexible wing control. Together, these make the bird's flight low-noise and turbulence-resistant. Aviation engineers are increasingly modelling the bird's adaptations to enhance stability and reduce noise in aircraft, drones, and turbines. How is the owl wing adaptations relevant to turbulence? The leading‑edge serrations are one key aspect. These teeth-like edges on bird feathers break up turbulent air into smaller vortices, preventing flow separation at high angles, and stabilising the airflow. Trailing‑edge fringes allow for the smooth flow of the body in the air, by breaking up pressure fluctuations. Velvety down feathers with porous texture absorb high-frequency noise and dampen vibrations caused by turbulence and reducing drag. Owls also have what's called ‘preflex reaction’: the flexible wing adjustments that are similar to suspension systems, instinctively compensating for gusts of wind to stabilise flight. Turbulence is growing due to climate change Turbulence is leading to increased risk of injuries for passengers. A 2023 study found that the world's skies are now nearly 55 per cent bumpier than 40 years ago due to climate-change-driven wind shear . Injuries caused by turbulence are rising, and airlines bear costs of between $150 million and 500 mn each year. Feather-like flaps for aircraft could be a reality In 2024, Princeton University researchers developed birdfeather-inspired flexible flaps. These flaps, which mimic covert feathers, were tested on a model aircraft. In test flights, the flaps improved aircraft lift by up to 45 per cent and reduced drag by 31 per cent. The stall onset was delayed, enhancing stability during gusts of wind. Silent flight and turbulence reduction inspired by owls Recent studies have found that wider leading-edge serrations can reduce airflow fluctuations and aerodynamic noise. Wind tunnel tests found that serrations and fringes can stabilise flow and suppress noise. Trailing-edge fringes can reduce airborne noise by up to 10 dB without losing lift. Owl aerodynamics in motion: Reducing the dreaded ‘eddies’ Eddies, or vortices, are the swirling, circular movement of air that deviates from the main airflow. Eddies result from obstacles or uneven terrain and cause turbulence. Eddies can affect aircraft stability and handling. Recent scientific studies demonstrated that during owl flights, the eddies appear to dissipate faster, thanks to the aerodynamic design of their bodies. In the case of all birds, the turbulence during their flapping flight is short-lived and dissipates fast. Bio‑inspired engineering could be the future of flight design Using computer design and high-speed imaging, Jonathan Stevenson documented owl preflex responses. That became the inspiration for Airbus’s hinged-wing AlbatrossOne prototype. Justin Jaworski created 3D-printed attachments that cut wind turbine noise by roughly 10 dB, maintaining aerodynamic efficiency. In 2023, scientists designed hybrid serrations combining owl and cicada wing geometries. This design reportedly achieved nearly 10 per cent noise reduction and 48 per cent improved propulsive efficiency. A March 2025 study confirmed the structural viability of airfoils inspired by owls in wind turbines of aircraft. Engineering applications inspired by owls are here In research and implementation, owl body design is being slowly adapted on aircraft and drones, such as passive feather-like flaps and hinged wingtips to reduce the effects of turbulence. On wind turbines and fans, serrated airfoils and porous coatings are being used to lower noise and improve efficiency. On rotating machinery, serrated trailing edges and velvety coatings are being used to suppress turbulence-induced noise. Nature to the rescue for aviation turbulence Turbulence is a real issue in aviation now. Companies and scientists are looking at nature for inspiration to solve this. Biological designs for aircraft might take time due to challenges in finding the right material and certification delays. The research is ongoing for the perfect design. Birds and insect flight have been the inspiration for aviation design since the inception of human flight. In the not-so-distant future, we might see passenger aircraft resembling more birds, including the owl.

<p>Turbulence is a big issue in aviation now. Companies and scientists are looking at nature for inspiration to solve this</p>

Owls inspire future aircraft design as rise in turbulence scare fliers. Here is how

<p>Donald Trump called India a ‘dead economy’ while announcing 25 per cent tariffs and penalties. The Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi agreed that India is a dead economy. But is it even a financial term, and is India indeed a dead economy? Here is what you should know:</p><h2>Is ‘dead economy’ a formal financial term?</h2><p>No, "dead economy" is not a term used in economics or finance. GDP growth, unemployment, inflation, or industrial output are the general criteria for checking the health of an economy, not vague, rhetorical terms like ‘dead economy.’&nbsp;</p><h2>Is India a ‘dead economy’? Reasons why it is not</h2><p>For argument's sake, let us take the dead economy jibe of Trump seriously and analyse India, one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. Below is an exploration of India's economic activity and global positioning, to debunk Trump's claims supported by a section of Indian politicians.</p><h2>India GDP growth at a steady pace despite global uncertainties</h2><p>India is projected to grow at 6.4 per cent in 2025 and 2026 as per recent IMF estimates. This growth rate is better than major economies like the US (1.9 pc) and Japan (0.7 pc). In the fiscal year 2023–2024, India’s real GDP growth reached 9.2 per cent, the highest in more than a decade. For the third quarter of 2024–2025, growth was at 6.2 pc, year on year. India is the fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP, valued at $4.187 trillion in 2025, slightly ahead of Japan, and the third-largest by purchasing power parity or PPP. India is set to become the third-largest by nominal GDP by 2027.</p><h2>Domestic demand remains strong in India</h2><p>Private consumption in India grew by 7.4 per cent in the first quarter of financial year 2025, at a healthy 56 per cent of GDP. Interestingly, rural consumption, supported by better harvests and lower inflation, accounts for around 40 per cent of consumer goods sales. Private sector investment grew by 7.5 per cent in the first quarter of &nbsp;2025 financial year, a sign of confidence in the Indian economy.</p><h2>India is blessed with a young and skilled workforce, unlike countries like US</h2><p>For decades now, India has enjoyed a relatively young population, with the median age at 28.8, compared to 38.5 in the US and 42.8 in Europe. This ‘demographic dividend’<br>&nbsp;is reflected in its tech-skilled workforce in fields like Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies and space. Many global firms are setting up manufacturing and research hubs in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. For years, India's robust service sector, especially IT and finance, has been well-known, contributing to exports.</p><h2>Foreign investment in India is growing, and exports include high-tech and research-intensive items now</h2><p>India continues to be a destination for foreign investment. In the financial year 2024, the International Finance Corporation, for instance, provided $4.2 billion in green energy and infrastructure investments. India's total exports, including goods and services, hit a record high in the financial year 2024-25, estimated at $824.9 billion by the Reserve Bank of India. And these exports include high-end items like smartphones, pharmaceuticals and textiles.<br><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-pushes-apple-to-halt-india-production-9074849/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-pushes-apple-to-halt-india-production-9074849/embed</a></p><h2>India's global economic standing is reflected in annual rankings</h2><p>The IMF and World Bank have regularly referred to India as a ‘bright spot' amid economic headwinds in the world, contributing 16 per cent to global growth. India's success in space missions and becoming a manufacturing and export hub for iPhones highlight innovation and industrial growth.</p><h2>Indian government is investing more in infrastructure, economic activity is growing&nbsp;</h2><p>Indian budget allocations for infrastructure are upwards of ₹10 trillion, including for roads, airports, and clean energy. Economic activity is also driven by employment guarantee programmes like MGNREGA, which employ 80 million people. Electricity access has reached 99.6 per cent of Indian villages by 2020. Food subsidies enhance inclusivity and reduce poverty.</p><h2>Why is Trump dismissive of Indian economy? Some issues remain</h2><p>There are certain areas that need to be addressed. One is youth unemployment, and jobs being concentrated in the informal sector. There have been reports of income inequality, and savings gaps, particularly among the rural population. Programmes like Aadhaar-linked transfers and food rationing are reducing poverty. &nbsp; There has been criticism of some policies like demonetisation of 2016 &nbsp;and the implementation of GST as hurting jobs and small businesses.&nbsp;But these reforms helped formalise the Indian economy, which continues to show growth. Annual growth of 6 to 7 per cent is pretty good for a developing economy of India's size.</p><h2>Those who support Trump's view of Indian economy should note that…</h2><p>In short, India’s economy is robust and vibrant, not dead or stagnating. With 6.4 per cent projected growth in 2025, a young and tech-skilled workforce, $800 billion in exports, and global recognition as a bright spot, India is a dynamic player in world economy. Challenges like unemployment, income inequality, and trade risks exist but are manageable . Trump’s ‘dead economy’ remark is obviously an exaggeration. India continues to be on a path to becoming the third-largest economy by 2027.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

India’s economy is robust and vibrant, not dead or stagnating. With 6.4 per cent projected growth in 2025, a young and tech-skilled workforce, $800 billion in exports, and global recognition as a bright spot, India is a dynamic player in world economy

Donald Trump called India a ‘dead economy’ while announcing 25 per cent tariffs and penalties. The Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi agreed that India is a dead economy. But is it even a financial term, and is India indeed a dead economy? Here is what you should know: Is ‘dead economy’ a formal financial term? No, "dead economy" is not a term used in economics or finance. GDP growth, unemployment, inflation, or industrial output are the general criteria for checking the health of an economy, not vague, rhetorical terms like ‘dead economy.’ Is India a ‘dead economy’? Reasons why it is not For argument's sake, let us take the dead economy jibe of Trump seriously and analyse India, one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. Below is an exploration of India's economic activity and global positioning, to debunk Trump's claims supported by a section of Indian politicians. India GDP growth at a steady pace despite global uncertainties India is projected to grow at 6.4 per cent in 2025 and 2026 as per recent IMF estimates. This growth rate is better than major economies like the US (1.9 pc) and Japan (0.7 pc). In the fiscal year 2023–2024, India’s real GDP growth reached 9.2 per cent, the highest in more than a decade. For the third quarter of 2024–2025, growth was at 6.2 pc, year on year. India is the fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP, valued at $4.187 trillion in 2025, slightly ahead of Japan, and the third-largest by purchasing power parity or PPP. India is set to become the third-largest by nominal GDP by 2027. Domestic demand remains strong in India Private consumption in India grew by 7.4 per cent in the first quarter of financial year 2025, at a healthy 56 per cent of GDP. Interestingly, rural consumption, supported by better harvests and lower inflation, accounts for around 40 per cent of consumer goods sales. Private sector investment grew by 7.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 financial year, a sign of confidence in the Indian economy. India is blessed with a young and skilled workforce, unlike countries like US For decades now, India has enjoyed a relatively young population, with the median age at 28.8, compared to 38.5 in the US and 42.8 in Europe. This ‘demographic dividend’ is reflected in its tech-skilled workforce in fields like Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies and space. Many global firms are setting up manufacturing and research hubs in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. For years, India's robust service sector, especially IT and finance, has been well-known, contributing to exports. Foreign investment in India is growing, and exports include high-tech and research-intensive items now India continues to be a destination for foreign investment. In the financial year 2024, the International Finance Corporation, for instance, provided $4.2 billion in green energy and infrastructure investments. India's total exports, including goods and services, hit a record high in the financial year 2024-25, estimated at $824.9 billion by the Reserve Bank of India. And these exports include high-end items like smartphones, pharmaceuticals and textiles. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-pushes-apple-to-halt-india-production-9074849/embed India's global economic standing is reflected in annual rankings The IMF and World Bank have regularly referred to India as a ‘bright spot' amid economic headwinds in the world, contributing 16 per cent to global growth. India's success in space missions and becoming a manufacturing and export hub for iPhones highlight innovation and industrial growth. Indian government is investing more in infrastructure, economic activity is growing Indian budget allocations for infrastructure are upwards of ₹10 trillion, including for roads, airports, and clean energy. Economic activity is also driven by employment guarantee programmes like MGNREGA, which employ 80 million people. Electricity access has reached 99.6 per cent of Indian villages by 2020. Food subsidies enhance inclusivity and reduce poverty. Why is Trump dismissive of Indian economy? Some issues remain There are certain areas that need to be addressed. One is youth unemployment, and jobs being concentrated in the informal sector. There have been reports of income inequality, and savings gaps, particularly among the rural population. Programmes like Aadhaar-linked transfers and food rationing are reducing poverty. There has been criticism of some policies like demonetisation of 2016 and the implementation of GST as hurting jobs and small businesses. But these reforms helped formalise the Indian economy, which continues to show growth. Annual growth of 6 to 7 per cent is pretty good for a developing economy of India's size. Those who support Trump's view of Indian economy should note that… In short, India’s economy is robust and vibrant, not dead or stagnating. With 6.4 per cent projected growth in 2025, a young and tech-skilled workforce, $800 billion in exports, and global recognition as a bright spot, India is a dynamic player in world economy. Challenges like unemployment, income inequality, and trade risks exist but are manageable . Trump’s ‘dead economy’ remark is obviously an exaggeration. India continues to be on a path to becoming the third-largest economy by 2027.

<p>India’s economy is robust and vibrant, not dead or stagnating. With 6.4 per cent projected growth in 2025, a young and tech-skilled workforce, $800 billion in exports, and global recognition as a bright spot, India is a dynamic player in world economy</p>

Trump, Rahul Gandhi think India is a ‘dead economy’. It's not even a financial term and India is a global growth engine. Reasons why

<p>The 2008 Malegaon blast case, in which all seven accused were acquitted on Thursday (July 31), was one of the longest terror trials in India. Among the accused was Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, a woman ascetic who, a decade after the case, went on to become a parliamentarian from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The blast drew extra attention because a woman was among the accused in a so-called cases of 'saffron terror', a reference to Hindutva organisations allegedly involved in violence.</p><p>The 2008 blast during Ramzan and ahead of Navratri in the Malegaon town of the western Maharashtra state killed six people and injured nearly 100. It became an instance of alleged Hindu terror.</p><p>After the National Investigation Agency (NIA) declared the verdict on Thursday, the 55-year-old Thakur said 'saffron has won today', implying that the Hindutva ideology of which she is an adherent was on trial, not just her.</p><h2>'Was branded as terrorist for being a sanyasi': Pragya Thakur breaks down in court</h2><p>At the NIA court in Mumbai, Pragya said she was "branded a terrorist for being a sanyasi" or ascetic. She painted her court ordeal of nearly two decades as a spiritual struggle. "It was Bhagwan [God] who fought this case for me.”<br>“I haven’t won, Saffron has. Whoever called Bhagwa [saffron] a terrorist, God will never forgive them,” she added.</p><h2>Why was Pragya an accused in Malegaon blast? What the court said in verdict</h2><p>The reason why Pragya Thakur got caught up in the case was an allegation that the bike in which the bomb was planted belonged to her. But in its verdict, the NIA court said there was no evidence to show Pragya was the owner of the LML Freedom bike allegedly used in the attack.</p><p>The judge noted that although the blast was proven to have taken place, the prosecution failed to link the explosives to the bike supposedly owned by Thakur: "The motorbike's chassis number was wiped out and engine number is in doubt," it said.</p><p>It cited key gaps in evidence, including inconsistencies in chargesheets, lack of link between the bomb and the recovered motorcycle, mishandled evidence, and no proof the bike was registered in Pragya’s name.&nbsp;</p><p>The court said the acquittal was due to lack of credible evidence, not proof of innocence.</p><h2>Pragya Thakur's 17-year court trial over Malegaon blast: ‘The face of Hindu terror’&nbsp;</h2><p>Thursday's ruling is a possible end to the 17-year-long trial for Thakur. Once labelled the face of 'Hindu terror,' &nbsp;she was accused of arranging manpower for the attack, while Lt Col Prasad Purohit was accused of supplying the explosives. The duo, along with five others, were acquitted on Thursday.</p><h2>'Ruined my whole life': Pragya was arrested, allegedly tortured</h2><p>After the verdict, Pragya told the judge: "I said this from the very beginning that if people are called for investigation, there should be a basis behind that. I was called, arrested and tortured. This ruined my whole life.&nbsp;<br>"I was living a sage's life, but I was made an accused, and no one was willing to stand beside us," she said, adding she is alive because she is an ascetic.</p><h2>The love for bike-riding that became the bane for Pragya Thakur</h2><p>Pragya was known to ride bikes in her younger years. And it was a bike at the centre of the blast case that led to her arrest on 23 October 2008. The bike used in the blast was found with tampered chassis and engine numbers. The forensic investigators allegedly restored the engine number and linked it to Thakur, leading to her arrest.</p><p>Thakur has claimed that she was tortured in custody. Her claims were probed in 2014 by the National Human Rights Commission, which found no supporting evidence.&nbsp;</p><h2>Pragya Thakur remained controversial in spite of being Malegaon blast accused</h2><p>Born on 2 February 1970, Pragya has been a firebrand leader of the BJP and controversial for her statements. She continued her activism even as she was fighting the court case against her.</p><p>She is known for making caustic remarks. In 2019, she made headlines for claiming that Hemant Karkare, the Mumbai Anti-Terror Squad chief who died in the 26/11 terror attacks of 2008, was killed due to her curse. "I said, 'tera sarvanash hoga' [ your ruin will come]. Just after a month, terrorists killed him."&nbsp;</p><p>But she retracted the comment amid criticism, &nbsp;and called Karkare a ‘martyr’.</p><h2>Pragya Thakur won the election despite Malegaon blast case</h2><p>Despite the controversies associated with the Malegaon blast case, she contested general elections and was elected to Parliament in 2019, defeating veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.</p><p>She continued to make public outbursts, including a praise of Nathuram Godse - the assassin of India's founding father Mahatma Gandhi - &nbsp;as &nbsp;a "patriot,". This prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond, saying he would 'never forgive those who insult' Gandhi.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

The Malegaon blast drew extra attention because Pragya Thakur was a rare instance of a woman becoming an accused in a so-called 'saffron terror' case.

The 2008 Malegaon blast case, in which all seven accused were acquitted on Thursday (July 31), was one of the longest terror trials in India. Among the accused was Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, a woman ascetic who, a decade after the case, went on to become a parliamentarian from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The blast drew extra attention because a woman was among the accused in a so-called cases of 'saffron terror', a reference to Hindutva organisations allegedly involved in violence. The 2008 blast during Ramzan and ahead of Navratri in the Malegaon town of the western Maharashtra state killed six people and injured nearly 100. It became an instance of alleged Hindu terror. After the National Investigation Agency (NIA) declared the verdict on Thursday, the 55-year-old Thakur said 'saffron has won today', implying that the Hindutva ideology of which she is an adherent was on trial, not just her. 'Was branded as terrorist for being a sanyasi': Pragya Thakur breaks down in court At the NIA court in Mumbai, Pragya said she was "branded a terrorist for being a sanyasi" or ascetic. She painted her court ordeal of nearly two decades as a spiritual struggle. "It was Bhagwan [God] who fought this case for me.” “I haven’t won, Saffron has. Whoever called Bhagwa [saffron] a terrorist, God will never forgive them,” she added. Why was Pragya an accused in Malegaon blast? What the court said in verdict The reason why Pragya Thakur got caught up in the case was an allegation that the bike in which the bomb was planted belonged to her. But in its verdict, the NIA court said there was no evidence to show Pragya was the owner of the LML Freedom bike allegedly used in the attack. The judge noted that although the blast was proven to have taken place, the prosecution failed to link the explosives to the bike supposedly owned by Thakur: "The motorbike's chassis number was wiped out and engine number is in doubt," it said. It cited key gaps in evidence, including inconsistencies in chargesheets, lack of link between the bomb and the recovered motorcycle, mishandled evidence, and no proof the bike was registered in Pragya’s name. The court said the acquittal was due to lack of credible evidence, not proof of innocence. Pragya Thakur's 17-year court trial over Malegaon blast: ‘The face of Hindu terror’ Thursday's ruling is a possible end to the 17-year-long trial for Thakur. Once labelled the face of 'Hindu terror,' she was accused of arranging manpower for the attack, while Lt Col Prasad Purohit was accused of supplying the explosives. The duo, along with five others, were acquitted on Thursday. 'Ruined my whole life': Pragya was arrested, allegedly tortured After the verdict, Pragya told the judge: "I said this from the very beginning that if people are called for investigation, there should be a basis behind that. I was called, arrested and tortured. This ruined my whole life. "I was living a sage's life, but I was made an accused, and no one was willing to stand beside us," she said, adding she is alive because she is an ascetic. The love for bike-riding that became the bane for Pragya Thakur Pragya was known to ride bikes in her younger years. And it was a bike at the centre of the blast case that led to her arrest on 23 October 2008. The bike used in the blast was found with tampered chassis and engine numbers. The forensic investigators allegedly restored the engine number and linked it to Thakur, leading to her arrest. Thakur has claimed that she was tortured in custody. Her claims were probed in 2014 by the National Human Rights Commission, which found no supporting evidence. Pragya Thakur remained controversial in spite of being Malegaon blast accused Born on 2 February 1970, Pragya has been a firebrand leader of the BJP and controversial for her statements. She continued her activism even as she was fighting the court case against her. She is known for making caustic remarks. In 2019, she made headlines for claiming that Hemant Karkare, the Mumbai Anti-Terror Squad chief who died in the 26/11 terror attacks of 2008, was killed due to her curse. "I said, 'tera sarvanash hoga' [ your ruin will come]. Just after a month, terrorists killed him." But she retracted the comment amid criticism, and called Karkare a ‘martyr’. Pragya Thakur won the election despite Malegaon blast case Despite the controversies associated with the Malegaon blast case, she contested general elections and was elected to Parliament in 2019, defeating veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. She continued to make public outbursts, including a praise of Nathuram Godse - the assassin of India's founding father Mahatma Gandhi - as a "patriot,". This prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond, saying he would 'never forgive those who insult' Gandhi.

<p>The Malegaon blast drew extra attention because Pragya Thakur was a rare instance of a woman becoming an accused in a so-called 'saffron terror' case.</p>

'Saffron won today': How Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, acquitted in Malegaon blast, went from 'sanyasi to being branded terrorist'

<p>Tsunamis, the massive displacement of water caused by earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions or man-made causes, are some of the most destructive natural disasters in the world. As the world grapples with yet another tsunami event following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia on Wednesday (July 20), here is a look at some of the biggest tsunamis based on wave height and death toll.</p><h2>Tsunami classification based on wave heights</h2><p>These destructive waves are generally classified as megatsunamis of wave heights above 100 metres, large tsunamis of 30–100 metres and moderate tsunamis of 20–30 metres. Wave heights alone, however, may not translate into destruction. Whether tsunamis hit populated coastal areas will have to be taken into account.&nbsp;</p><h2>Tsunami wave height is not an indication of destruction</h2><p>While megatsunamis reach mind-boggling heights, &nbsp;they cause relatively fewer deaths as they often occur in remote or sparsely populated areas. The most lethal tsunamis in recorded history, on the other hand, had more modest wave heights but occurred near dense coastal populations with little or no warning. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami remains the most devastating in terms of human loss, while the 1958 Lituya Bay tsunami had the highest wave height since records began.</p><p>There may have been even more destructive tsunamis in the past, particularly in the prehistoric period, before recordings started. The list below avoids such events.</p><h2>Megatsunamis - wave height above 100 metres</h2><p>Megatsunamis are exceptionally large waves, caused by landslides or volcanic collapses rather than tectonic plate movements. Although some reached unimaginable heights, most occurred in remote areas, sparing large populations.</p><h3>Lituya Bay, Alaska, USA (1958)</h3><p>This tsunami was triggered by a landslide following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. This was the tallest wave ever recorded at 524 metres or 1,719 feet. The wave destroyed everything in its path along the bay, but only two deaths were reported, due to the remote location.</p><h3>Spirit Lake, Mount St &nbsp;Helens, USA (1980)</h3><p>A landslide during the eruption of Mount St Helens caused a megatsunami in Spirit Lake, with waves reaching 260 metres or 850 feet. Despite its immense size, the event resulted in no deaths due to the uninhabited area surrounding the lake.</p><h3>Vajont Dam Disaster, Italy (1963)</h3><p>One of the most tragic man-made environmental disasters, this megatsunami was caused by a landslide into a reservoir behind the Vajont Dam. The impact created a wave 250 meters or 820 feet high, resulting in the toppling down of the dam. The tsunami flooded several towns, and is estimated to have killed around 2,000 people.</p><h3>Taan Fiord, Alaska, USA (2015)</h3><p>A massive landslide caused by glacial retreat in a remote Alaskan fjord generated a wave reaching 193 metres high. It was not a populated area and no casualties were reported.</p><h3>Karrat Fjord, Greenland (2017)</h3><p>This megatsunami was triggered by a landslide into the fjord, producing waves of around 100 metres high. At least 11 buildings in the village of Nuugaatsiaq were destroyed. Only four people were killed, as the area of impact was sparsely populated.</p><h3>Ambon Island, Indonesia (1674)</h3><p>An earthquake near the Hitu Peninsula generated a tsunami with waves as high as 100 metres, killing more than 2,000 people and devastating coastal communities.</p><h2>Large tsunamis - wave height of 30–100 metres</h2><p>Most of these large tsunamis resulted from undersea earthquakes and affected populated coastal areas. Even though their height is smaller than megatsunamis, they caused more human destruction, having hit in populated areas.<br>&nbsp;</p><h3>Indian Ocean tsunami (2004)</h3><p>This was the deadliest tsunami in recorded history in terms of human casualties. It was triggered by a massive, magnitude 9.1 undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. The waves reached up to 51 metres and swept across 14 countries. At the end of it, &nbsp;nearly 230,000 people were killed across continents, all the way from Asia to Africa.</p><h3>Krakatau volcano eruption and tsunami, Indonesia (1883)</h3><p>The tsunami of 1883 was a result of the Krakatau volcano eruption. Waves of up to 150 feet were recorded, and an estimated 36,000 people were killed. The volcanic ash that filled the atmosphere led to long-lasting effects on the climate.</p><h3>Sanriku tsunami, Japan (1896)</h3><p>A magnitude 7.6 earthquake led to a tsunami with heights of 125 feet hitting Japan's northeastern coast. The disaster killed around 22,000 people and wiped out entire coastal villages.</p><h2>Tohoku Tsunami, Japan (2011)</h2><p>This was yet another destructive tsunami, triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off Japan’s east coast. The waves were as high as 130 feet. At the end of the devastation, some 20,000 people were reported dead. It also led to the Fukushima nuclear power reactor accident and radiation. The 2011 tsunami caused an estimated $309 billion in damage, making it one of the costliest disasters in history.</p><h3>Lisbon, Portugal (1755)</h3><p>This is one of the earliest well-documented tsunamis of Europe. Caused by a massive earthquake across Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, the tsunami had waves of up to 100 feet. The death toll is uncertain, with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 100,000.</p><h2>Moderate tsunamis - wave height 20–30 metres</h2><p>These tsunamis are of lesser height, but were deadly as they occurred near coastal populations.</p><h3>Arica Earthquake and tsunami, Peru/Chile (1868)</h3><p>This tsunami was caused by a magnitude 8.5 earthquake near Arica. The waves, as high as 70 feet, moved across the Pacific, affecting the coasts of Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. It is estimated to have killed between 25,000 and 70,000 people.</p><h3>Valdivia earthquake and tsunami, Chile (1960)</h3><p>This tsunami came from the strongest earthquake since recordings began. The quake had a whopping magnitude 9.5 and the subsequent tsunami killed 1,655 people. The waves reached 80 feet, causing damage across the Pacific, including in Japan and Hawaii.</p>

The most lethal tsunamis in recorded history had more modest wave heights but occurred near dense coastal populations with little or no warning. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami remains the most devastating in terms of human loss

Tsunamis, the massive displacement of water caused by earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions or man-made causes, are some of the most destructive natural disasters in the world. As the world grapples with yet another tsunami event following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia on Wednesday (July 20), here is a look at some of the biggest tsunamis based on wave height and death toll. Tsunami classification based on wave heights These destructive waves are generally classified as megatsunamis of wave heights above 100 metres, large tsunamis of 30–100 metres and moderate tsunamis of 20–30 metres. Wave heights alone, however, may not translate into destruction. Whether tsunamis hit populated coastal areas will have to be taken into account. Tsunami wave height is not an indication of destruction While megatsunamis reach mind-boggling heights, they cause relatively fewer deaths as they often occur in remote or sparsely populated areas. The most lethal tsunamis in recorded history, on the other hand, had more modest wave heights but occurred near dense coastal populations with little or no warning. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami remains the most devastating in terms of human loss, while the 1958 Lituya Bay tsunami had the highest wave height since records began. There may have been even more destructive tsunamis in the past, particularly in the prehistoric period, before recordings started. The list below avoids such events. Megatsunamis - wave height above 100 metres Megatsunamis are exceptionally large waves, caused by landslides or volcanic collapses rather than tectonic plate movements. Although some reached unimaginable heights, most occurred in remote areas, sparing large populations. Lituya Bay, Alaska, USA (1958) This tsunami was triggered by a landslide following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. This was the tallest wave ever recorded at 524 metres or 1,719 feet. The wave destroyed everything in its path along the bay, but only two deaths were reported, due to the remote location. Spirit Lake, Mount St Helens, USA (1980) A landslide during the eruption of Mount St Helens caused a megatsunami in Spirit Lake, with waves reaching 260 metres or 850 feet. Despite its immense size, the event resulted in no deaths due to the uninhabited area surrounding the lake. Vajont Dam Disaster, Italy (1963) One of the most tragic man-made environmental disasters, this megatsunami was caused by a landslide into a reservoir behind the Vajont Dam. The impact created a wave 250 meters or 820 feet high, resulting in the toppling down of the dam. The tsunami flooded several towns, and is estimated to have killed around 2,000 people. Taan Fiord, Alaska, USA (2015) A massive landslide caused by glacial retreat in a remote Alaskan fjord generated a wave reaching 193 metres high. It was not a populated area and no casualties were reported. Karrat Fjord, Greenland (2017) This megatsunami was triggered by a landslide into the fjord, producing waves of around 100 metres high. At least 11 buildings in the village of Nuugaatsiaq were destroyed. Only four people were killed, as the area of impact was sparsely populated. Ambon Island, Indonesia (1674) An earthquake near the Hitu Peninsula generated a tsunami with waves as high as 100 metres, killing more than 2,000 people and devastating coastal communities. Large tsunamis - wave height of 30–100 metres Most of these large tsunamis resulted from undersea earthquakes and affected populated coastal areas. Even though their height is smaller than megatsunamis, they caused more human destruction, having hit in populated areas. Indian Ocean tsunami (2004) This was the deadliest tsunami in recorded history in terms of human casualties. It was triggered by a massive, magnitude 9.1 undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. The waves reached up to 51 metres and swept across 14 countries. At the end of it, nearly 230,000 people were killed across continents, all the way from Asia to Africa. Krakatau volcano eruption and tsunami, Indonesia (1883) The tsunami of 1883 was a result of the Krakatau volcano eruption. Waves of up to 150 feet were recorded, and an estimated 36,000 people were killed. The volcanic ash that filled the atmosphere led to long-lasting effects on the climate. Sanriku tsunami, Japan (1896) A magnitude 7.6 earthquake led to a tsunami with heights of 125 feet hitting Japan's northeastern coast. The disaster killed around 22,000 people and wiped out entire coastal villages. Tohoku Tsunami, Japan (2011) This was yet another destructive tsunami, triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off Japan’s east coast. The waves were as high as 130 feet. At the end of the devastation, some 20,000 people were reported dead. It also led to the Fukushima nuclear power reactor accident and radiation. The 2011 tsunami caused an estimated $309 billion in damage, making it one of the costliest disasters in history. Lisbon, Portugal (1755) This is one of the earliest well-documented tsunamis of Europe. Caused by a massive earthquake across Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, the tsunami had waves of up to 100 feet. The death toll is uncertain, with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 100,000. Moderate tsunamis - wave height 20–30 metres These tsunamis are of lesser height, but were deadly as they occurred near coastal populations. Arica Earthquake and tsunami, Peru/Chile (1868) This tsunami was caused by a magnitude 8.5 earthquake near Arica. The waves, as high as 70 feet, moved across the Pacific, affecting the coasts of Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. It is estimated to have killed between 25,000 and 70,000 people. Valdivia earthquake and tsunami, Chile (1960) This tsunami came from the strongest earthquake since recordings began. The quake had a whopping magnitude 9.5 and the subsequent tsunami killed 1,655 people. The waves reached 80 feet, causing damage across the Pacific, including in Japan and Hawaii.

<p>The most lethal tsunamis in recorded history had more modest wave heights but occurred near dense coastal populations with little or no warning. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami remains the most devastating in terms of human loss</p>

Worst tsunamis of the world ever recorded by height and death tolls, listed

<p>Australia has decided to add YouTube to social media platforms banned for teens in the world-first regulations on online safety that will kick in from December. Earlier, YouTube, the world's second biggest website and search platformm, was exempted from social media platforms that teens couldn't open accounts on. On Tuesday (July 29), the video-sharing platform was added to the list, which also includes Meta's Facebook, Instagram, as well as TikTok and Snapchat.</p><h2>Australia's social media ban for children: What is the landmark law all about?</h2><p>Australian parliament passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act on 29 November 2024. The law bans social media account access for those aged below 16 from this December. Violations can result in fines of up to A$49.5 million per platform.</p><p>YouTube was earlier exempted, having been seen as a platform with 'educational or health value'. But pressure from competitors and safety experts set the stage for the reversal for YouTube.<br>Note that the rules prevent those below 16 from creating accounts, and not from accessing the content.</p><h2>YouTube exemption for teens reversed over ‘harmful content’</h2><p>YouTube was exempted from the law as a 'valuable educational tool frequently used in classrooms', but additional research found that it was the platform where<br>minors aged 10–15 most frequently encountered harmful content, with 37 per cent reporting recent exposure, the highest for any platform.<br>Following this, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, formally recommended that YouTube be included in the ban.</p><p>YouTube will now be subject to the same restrictions preventing under-16s from having accounts. Age verification and deactivation will be required for existing accounts created by such individuals.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/social-media-overtakes-tv-as-main-source-of-news-in-us-1750296363570/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/social-media-overtakes-tv-as-main-source-of-news-in-us-1750296363570/embed</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>How Australian officials and YouTube reacted to teen social media ban</h2><p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said recently that while the ban is not the only solution, it will make a difference, adding, “Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.”</p><p>Communications Minister Anika Wells said there’s not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children. Protecting children from social media harm is “like trying to teach your kids to swim in the open ocean with the rips and the sharks compared to at the local council pool,” she added.</p><h2>YouTube ban for teens in Australia: What video platform said</h2><p>YouTube, owned by Alphabet, said the reversal on teen access undermines a prior commitment and hinted at legal action. Challenging its classification as a social media platform, YouTube stressed its educational value, with a statement calling itself a ‘video‑sharing platform with a library of free, high‑quality content.’<br>Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, as well as TikTok and Snapchat had criticised YouTube’s earlier exemption as “illogical, anti-competitive and short-sighted”, comparing it to allowing one soft drink brand while banning others.</p><p><br>YouTube ban in Australia: Educational value vs online safety<br>The Australian government's reversal is a shift in priorities between allowing access to educational tools and ensuring digital safety and mental health of children. Despite YouTube’s usefulness in learning, the country's regulators concluded that the interactive features and algorithm-driven recommendations exposed children to disproportionate harm.</p><h2>YouTube ban for teens in Australia: Can age verification be implemented on social media?</h2><p>There are various age-verification systems being tested. The results are mixed, with some detecting 15‑year-olds as adults. There are still questions about the feasibility and enforcement of the social media ban for teens.</p><p>Globally, the regulatory crackdown on social media in Australia is being watched eagerly, with countries like Norway and the UK expressing interest in similar legislation. YouTube’s inclusion in the Australian law sets a precedent for how digital platforms could be regulated beyond traditional definitions of social media.</p><p>The Australian government is prioritising a 'precautionary principle': Better to err on the side of restricting access than risk exposure to harmful content for teens. This could set a precedent on legal definitions of platforms and will be a landmark move in robust youth internet regulation.<br>For tech companies, it's not self-regulation only anymore. They could face enforcement, including heavy fines and mandatory compliance. The move against YouTube expands the definition of social media, with the awareness that educational utility alone does not outweigh algorithmic risk.&nbsp;<br>As Australia leads the way, similar policies may emerge globally, forcing tech platforms to rethink content moderation, age verification, and their role in safeguarding youth and children online.</p>

Australian parliament passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act on 29 November 2024. The law bans social media account access for those aged below 16 from this December. Violations can result in fines of up to A$49.5 million per platform.

Australia has decided to add YouTube to social media platforms banned for teens in the world-first regulations on online safety that will kick in from December. Earlier, YouTube, the world's second biggest website and search platformm, was exempted from social media platforms that teens couldn't open accounts on. On Tuesday (July 29), the video-sharing platform was added to the list, which also includes Meta's Facebook, Instagram, as well as TikTok and Snapchat. Australia's social media ban for children: What is the landmark law all about? Australian parliament passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act on 29 November 2024. The law bans social media account access for those aged below 16 from this December. Violations can result in fines of up to A$49.5 million per platform. YouTube was earlier exempted, having been seen as a platform with 'educational or health value'. But pressure from competitors and safety experts set the stage for the reversal for YouTube. Note that the rules prevent those below 16 from creating accounts, and not from accessing the content. YouTube exemption for teens reversed over ‘harmful content’ YouTube was exempted from the law as a 'valuable educational tool frequently used in classrooms', but additional research found that it was the platform where minors aged 10–15 most frequently encountered harmful content, with 37 per cent reporting recent exposure, the highest for any platform. Following this, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, formally recommended that YouTube be included in the ban. YouTube will now be subject to the same restrictions preventing under-16s from having accounts. Age verification and deactivation will be required for existing accounts created by such individuals. https://www.wionews.com/videos/social-media-overtakes-tv-as-main-source-of-news-in-us-1750296363570/embed How Australian officials and YouTube reacted to teen social media ban Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said recently that while the ban is not the only solution, it will make a difference, adding, “Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.” Communications Minister Anika Wells said there’s not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children. Protecting children from social media harm is “like trying to teach your kids to swim in the open ocean with the rips and the sharks compared to at the local council pool,” she added. YouTube ban for teens in Australia: What video platform said YouTube, owned by Alphabet, said the reversal on teen access undermines a prior commitment and hinted at legal action. Challenging its classification as a social media platform, YouTube stressed its educational value, with a statement calling itself a ‘video‑sharing platform with a library of free, high‑quality content.’ Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, as well as TikTok and Snapchat had criticised YouTube’s earlier exemption as “illogical, anti-competitive and short-sighted”, comparing it to allowing one soft drink brand while banning others. YouTube ban in Australia: Educational value vs online safety The Australian government's reversal is a shift in priorities between allowing access to educational tools and ensuring digital safety and mental health of children. Despite YouTube’s usefulness in learning, the country's regulators concluded that the interactive features and algorithm-driven recommendations exposed children to disproportionate harm. YouTube ban for teens in Australia: Can age verification be implemented on social media? There are various age-verification systems being tested. The results are mixed, with some detecting 15‑year-olds as adults. There are still questions about the feasibility and enforcement of the social media ban for teens. Globally, the regulatory crackdown on social media in Australia is being watched eagerly, with countries like Norway and the UK expressing interest in similar legislation. YouTube’s inclusion in the Australian law sets a precedent for how digital platforms could be regulated beyond traditional definitions of social media. The Australian government is prioritising a 'precautionary principle': Better to err on the side of restricting access than risk exposure to harmful content for teens. This could set a precedent on legal definitions of platforms and will be a landmark move in robust youth internet regulation. For tech companies, it's not self-regulation only anymore. They could face enforcement, including heavy fines and mandatory compliance. The move against YouTube expands the definition of social media, with the awareness that educational utility alone does not outweigh algorithmic risk. As Australia leads the way, similar policies may emerge globally, forcing tech platforms to rethink content moderation, age verification, and their role in safeguarding youth and children online.

<p>Australian parliament passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act on 29 November 2024. The law bans social media account access for those aged below 16 from this December. Violations can result in fines of up to A$49.5 million per platform.</p>

Harmful content: Australia adds YouTube to world-first social media ban for kids aged under 16. What does it mean?

<p>Big Tech companies like Microsoft and Indian software giants like TCS are slashing jobs and laying off their workforce. This should be a moment of reality check for Indian parents and students, who collectively spend trillions of rupees every year for software engineering courses in India or abroad, and allied entrance coachings, every year. There's clearly a disconnect between education investment and job realities in India in the IT field, which for nearly three decades was considered a sureshot ticket to job security with campus placements.</p><h2>Are you spending millions on your child's software degree? AI will disrupt your dreams</h2><p>Even as Indian parents continue to spend millions of rupees on IT education at home and abroad, the country's $283 billion software industry is undergoing a painful transformation of job cuts, often attributed to automation by Artificial Intelligence (AI), and 'skill gaps'.<br>This month, India’s largest IT firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced a cut of 12,000 jobs, which is 2 per cent of its workforce, at middle and senior levels, to become 'future ready' by investing heavily in AI.</p><p>"A number of reskilling and redeployment initiatives have been underway, said TCS, warning that it would be 'releasing associates from the organisation whose deployment may not be feasible'.</p><p>The shift is a result of AI automation of tens of thousands of repetitive IT tasks, for which global firms traditionally depended on the relatively cheap skilled labour from India. Now, clients of these IT firms who used to outsource such skills to India, are seeking innovation and not cost-cutting, because AI will take care of mundane and repetitive tasks.</p><h2>AI-related roles are not growing fast enough</h2><p>The Indian parents and aspiring IT students might still try to rationalise by thinking that an education in AI would offset the job losses in traditional IT. But the truth is, at least for some years now, roles in AI, cloud and cyberseucirty are not growing fast enough.</p><p>Then there is the problem of how fast IT institutions are changing their curriculum to match the fast-changing adoption of AI. There are just not enough AI-trained instructors in the colleges and institutes. According to industry monitor Nasscom, India faces a deep skills mismatch: It will need 1 million AI professionals by next year, but less than 20 per cent of the current IT workforce is trained in these areas, it said.</p><h2>The impact is already visible: From north to south India, IT Jobs are being slashed</h2><p>A compilation of recent data shows that at least 50,000 IT jobs were lost in 2023 across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, with the slide continuing into 2025.<br>There is a 72 per cent drop in net new hires at top IT firms in India.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-tcs-outlook-bleaker-for-current-quarter-blames-us-banking-crisis-world-business-watch-581966/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-tcs-outlook-bleaker-for-current-quarter-blames-us-banking-crisis-world-business-watch-581966/embed</a></p><h2>Campus placements are drying up amid India's IT job slowdown</h2><p>Once a sector known for campus placements, where companies lap up good talent for high salaries straight after college, software engineering is not a green pasture anymore when it comes to hiring. On average, annual fresh graduate hiring has fallen from 600,000 to just 150,000, according to recent estimates.</p><p>“20-25 per cent of fresh graduates will have no jobs,” a BBC report on the slump quoted Neeti Sharma, the CEO of HR firm TeamLease Digital, as saying.</p><p>For many parents who took education loans to send their wards to good IT courses at home or abroad, this could have a massive impact. The steady paychecks from IT jobs are now on shaky ground.</p><h2>What Indian parents are spending on IT education</h2><p>While clear data is not available, a gleaning of available information reveals that technical degrees like BTech in Computer Science at private colleges cost a minimum of ₹100,000 per year, or up to ₹400,000 over four years. Remember this is a low-side estimate, as costs vary in different institutes, and this amount is only the tuition fee.<br>Some 1.5 million engineering students are enrolled annually, many in software engineering. Domestically, the estimated spending in IT education by Indian parents likely ranges from ₹60,000 crore to 90,000 crore annually.<br>Then there is entrance coaching fees for exams like JEE or GATE, which could go up to 200,000 rupees per year per student.</p><h2>Spending on IT education went through roof, crossing one trillion rupees</h2><p>Indian students continue to go abroad for higher education, many of them in IT or allied courses. A specific number on how many go for IT education alone is difficult to gather, but it would be safe to assume that the majority of them do. Overall, 770,000 Indian students studied abroad in 2019, and the number was projected to hit 1.8 million in 2024. By that year, Indian families likely spent $75–85 billion annually on international education, with IT and computer science among the most popular fields. Putting this data together, it would be safe to estimate that Indian parents cumulatively spend around ₹60,000–1,00,000 crore (yes, one trillion rupees) on overseas IT education.</p><p>The biggest contributors to this outflow are families from higher-income states like Punjab, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.</p><p>Total annual estimate of IT education - combiing domestic, overseas, coaching and upskilling - is between ₹1.3 trillion to 2.1 trillion rupees.</p><h2>Indian IT firings: A wake-up call for parents and students</h2><p>The outcomes no longer match the investment on education, especially in the IT sector.</p><p>Many private colleges charge high fees, but their graduates face job uncertainty due to limited AI skills, a decline in legacy IT roles, and a shift towards leaner, AI-first IT teams both in India and abroad.</p><p>The quality of IT education in many institutions is also not aligned with current industry needs. This leads many IT graduates to spend even more money on certifications post-graduation, and many years into their jobs.</p><h2>Reassess your return on investment before opting for IT education</h2><p>Parents considering heavy investments in IT education, whether for domestic degrees, foreign universities, or coaching, must factor in the shifting job landscape, where&nbsp;<br>AI is redefining demand. Jobs that were once seen as 'stable' are fast drying up now. India's spending boom, facilitated by IT jobs since the 1990s, may be on its way out, unless both the government and the education system adapt fast to the technologies of the future, mainly driven by AI. An overhaul of the curriculum, upskilling of teachers, and a change in course offerings to match present-day industry needs are the order of the day. Till that happens, considering software engineering education as a 'safe bet' might prove to be risky.<br>&nbsp;</p>

There's clearly a disconnect between education investment and job realities in India in the IT field, which for nearly three decades was considered a sureshot ticket to job security with campus placements. READ this analysis so that you can make informed decisions

Big Tech companies like Microsoft and Indian software giants like TCS are slashing jobs and laying off their workforce. This should be a moment of reality check for Indian parents and students, who collectively spend trillions of rupees every year for software engineering courses in India or abroad, and allied entrance coachings, every year. There's clearly a disconnect between education investment and job realities in India in the IT field, which for nearly three decades was considered a sureshot ticket to job security with campus placements. Are you spending millions on your child's software degree? AI will disrupt your dreams Even as Indian parents continue to spend millions of rupees on IT education at home and abroad, the country's $283 billion software industry is undergoing a painful transformation of job cuts, often attributed to automation by Artificial Intelligence (AI), and 'skill gaps'. This month, India’s largest IT firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced a cut of 12,000 jobs, which is 2 per cent of its workforce, at middle and senior levels, to become 'future ready' by investing heavily in AI. "A number of reskilling and redeployment initiatives have been underway, said TCS, warning that it would be 'releasing associates from the organisation whose deployment may not be feasible'. The shift is a result of AI automation of tens of thousands of repetitive IT tasks, for which global firms traditionally depended on the relatively cheap skilled labour from India. Now, clients of these IT firms who used to outsource such skills to India, are seeking innovation and not cost-cutting, because AI will take care of mundane and repetitive tasks. AI-related roles are not growing fast enough The Indian parents and aspiring IT students might still try to rationalise by thinking that an education in AI would offset the job losses in traditional IT. But the truth is, at least for some years now, roles in AI, cloud and cyberseucirty are not growing fast enough. Then there is the problem of how fast IT institutions are changing their curriculum to match the fast-changing adoption of AI. There are just not enough AI-trained instructors in the colleges and institutes. According to industry monitor Nasscom, India faces a deep skills mismatch: It will need 1 million AI professionals by next year, but less than 20 per cent of the current IT workforce is trained in these areas, it said. The impact is already visible: From north to south India, IT Jobs are being slashed A compilation of recent data shows that at least 50,000 IT jobs were lost in 2023 across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, with the slide continuing into 2025. There is a 72 per cent drop in net new hires at top IT firms in India.

<p>There's clearly a disconnect between education investment and job realities in India in the IT field, which for nearly three decades was considered a sureshot ticket to job security with campus placements. READ this analysis so that you can make informed decisions</p>

Indian parents, READ THIS NOW if you spend millions of rupees on your child's software engineering degree

<p>On Monday (July 28), Israel resumed a military pause to allow for aid to enter for hundreds of starving and desperate Palestinians in Gaza. As the Hamas-Israel war continues, the pressure is mounting on Tel Aviv to end the humanitarian crisis, with the UN describing it as a ‘make-or-break days ahead’ for Gazans. In the past few days, Israel has faced allegations of using aid distribution as a weapon of war, with 'genocidal intent'. Will Israeli leaders be prosecuted for war crimes in the context of the aid blockade that left scores of children dying due to starvation?</p><h2>Did Israel use starvation as a weapon of war?</h2><p>This is an allegation made by rights groups like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, as well as the United Nations. They have described Israel’s aid blockade in Gaza as a ‘deliberate use of starvation’ to weaken the civilian population of Gaza. This is defined as a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) of the UN. The claims are bolstered by recent statements from some Israeli officials themselves, who claimed that a 'complete siege' of Gaza had been implemented with no food, fuel, electricity or medical care.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-gaza-war-israel-airdrops-aid-in-gaza-amid-starvation-wion-1753640057758/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-gaza-war-israel-airdrops-aid-in-gaza-amid-starvation-wion-1753640057758/embed</a></p><h2>Collective punishment of Gazan civilians by Israel</h2><p>The aid blockade is being seen as a collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population, which is prohibited under IHL. The women, children and men are deprived of basic needs like food and water amid the extensive destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, including hospitals that Israel had bombed during the war that started in 2023 after the Hamas terror attack.</p><h2>Genocide allegations against Israel over actions in Gaza</h2><p>According to Amnesty International, Israel's actions in Gaza amount to 'genocidal measures' aimed at physically destroying the Palestinian population by imposing lethal living conditions in Gaza.</p><p>The rights group, in a 2024 report, concluded that Israel’s actions meet the criteria for genocide under the Genocide Convention. It cited evidence of killings, serious bodily and mental harm, and conditions calculated to bring about the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza.</p><h2>Gaza war: Israel is already facing cases with genocide aspects</h2><p>Already, a genocide case against Israel is under review by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which issued orders demanding that Israel allow humanitarian aid access. Separately, the ICC had issued arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on war crimes charges related to the blockade and associated starvation tactics.</p><h2>Israel blockade invited widespread condemnation</h2><p>Besides the UN, several countries including France, UK, Germany and Germany have condemned the Gaza blockade, with the Spanish Prime Minister openly calling it a 'genocide.' The US, under President Donald Trump, has criticised Israel’s actions but stopped short of sanctions.</p><h2>What Israel says about claims of genocide and using aid as a weapon in Gaza</h2><p>Israel has rejected accusations of war crimes and genocide, characterising the aid blockade as a necessary security measure aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages and cease armed activities.</p><p>For its part, the Netanyahu government alleged that Hamas is plundering and diverting aid. Israel claims it only targets Hamas and not civilians, but the situation on the ground is more complicated, with rights groups and international organisations noting the disproportionate burden on civilians caused by the blockade and Israeli military operations.</p><h2>Future looks grim for Israel once the dust settles in Gaza</h2><p>Though minimal aid has started entering Gaza, the Israeli actions have caused a devastating humanitarian crisis for Palestinians. The developments may have triggered French President Emannual Macron's move to recognise Palestine state.</p><p>Without a doubt, after two years of bombardment, the starvation and infrastructure collapse in Gaza is widespread.</p><p>Legal experts and human rights bodies who insist that Israel’s policies constitute war crimes could pursue their cases even after the war is over.</p><p>The alleged use of starvation as a method of warfare and collective punishment of civilians with possible genocidal intent will come under scrutiny, particularly when the ICJ and ICC investigate further.</p>

Israel’s blockade of Gaza has drawn serious accusations of violating international humanitarian law (IHL), constituting war crimes with genocidal intent. The Israeli administration could face these charges even after its war with Hamas is over.

On Monday (July 28), Israel resumed a military pause to allow for aid to enter for hundreds of starving and desperate Palestinians in Gaza. As the Hamas-Israel war continues, the pressure is mounting on Tel Aviv to end the humanitarian crisis, with the UN describing it as a ‘make-or-break days ahead’ for Gazans. In the past few days, Israel has faced allegations of using aid distribution as a weapon of war, with 'genocidal intent'. Will Israeli leaders be prosecuted for war crimes in the context of the aid blockade that left scores of children dying due to starvation? Did Israel use starvation as a weapon of war? This is an allegation made by rights groups like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, as well as the United Nations. They have described Israel’s aid blockade in Gaza as a ‘deliberate use of starvation’ to weaken the civilian population of Gaza. This is defined as a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) of the UN. The claims are bolstered by recent statements from some Israeli officials themselves, who claimed that a 'complete siege' of Gaza had been implemented with no food, fuel, electricity or medical care. https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-gaza-war-israel-airdrops-aid-in-gaza-amid-starvation-wion-1753640057758/embed Collective punishment of Gazan civilians by Israel The aid blockade is being seen as a collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population, which is prohibited under IHL. The women, children and men are deprived of basic needs like food and water amid the extensive destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, including hospitals that Israel had bombed during the war that started in 2023 after the Hamas terror attack. Genocide allegations against Israel over actions in Gaza According to Amnesty International, Israel's actions in Gaza amount to 'genocidal measures' aimed at physically destroying the Palestinian population by imposing lethal living conditions in Gaza. The rights group, in a 2024 report, concluded that Israel’s actions meet the criteria for genocide under the Genocide Convention. It cited evidence of killings, serious bodily and mental harm, and conditions calculated to bring about the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza. Gaza war: Israel is already facing cases with genocide aspects Already, a genocide case against Israel is under review by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which issued orders demanding that Israel allow humanitarian aid access. Separately, the ICC had issued arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on war crimes charges related to the blockade and associated starvation tactics. Israel blockade invited widespread condemnation Besides the UN, several countries including France, UK, Germany and Germany have condemned the Gaza blockade, with the Spanish Prime Minister openly calling it a 'genocide.' The US, under President Donald Trump, has criticised Israel’s actions but stopped short of sanctions. What Israel says about claims of genocide and using aid as a weapon in Gaza Israel has rejected accusations of war crimes and genocide, characterising the aid blockade as a necessary security measure aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages and cease armed activities. For its part, the Netanyahu government alleged that Hamas is plundering and diverting aid. Israel claims it only targets Hamas and not civilians, but the situation on the ground is more complicated, with rights groups and international organisations noting the disproportionate burden on civilians caused by the blockade and Israeli military operations. Future looks grim for Israel once the dust settles in Gaza Though minimal aid has started entering Gaza, the Israeli actions have caused a devastating humanitarian crisis for Palestinians. The developments may have triggered French President Emannual Macron's move to recognise Palestine state. Without a doubt, after two years of bombardment, the starvation and infrastructure collapse in Gaza is widespread. Legal experts and human rights bodies who insist that Israel’s policies constitute war crimes could pursue their cases even after the war is over. The alleged use of starvation as a method of warfare and collective punishment of civilians with possible genocidal intent will come under scrutiny, particularly when the ICJ and ICC investigate further.

<p>Israel’s blockade of Gaza has drawn serious accusations of violating international humanitarian law (IHL), constituting war crimes with genocidal intent. The Israeli administration could face these charges even after its war with Hamas is over.</p>

Gaza aid blockade:  Israel faces allegations of war crimes, genocide and use of starvation as a weapon of war

<p>Mass shootings and stabbing attacks were once rare in Thailand, but have become more frequent in the past decade. The shooting in Bangkok on Monday (July 28) in which a lone gunman killed five people before taking his own life brought back memories of some of the worst mass killings in the South East Asian nation, often perpetrated by a single individual, and the reasons for the attacks.</p>

<h2>Shootings, mass killings are not unfamiliar for Thailand</h2><p>For a generally peaceful country, Thailand has also had a history of mass shootings, often involving single attackers. In the past few decades, Thailand has witnessed several high-profile and deadly attacks by lone wolf perpetrators. The incidents mostly involved guns, knives or vehicles. There have been government discussions and soul-searching in Thailand on why some people decide to go on such rampages in the ‘land of smiles.’ Some of the past attacks have links to Islamic terrorism and insurgencies, while others are described by ‘extrajudicial killings’. In the 2000s, at least 30 incidents of mass violence were reported, often involving insurgents, criminals and terrorists. In the 2010s, more than two dozen shootings, bombings and gun attacks were reported, often involving multiple perpetrators affiliated with terror or insurgent groups or ogranised crime. But lone wolf attacks for robbery or attributed to mental health issues started cropping up in the 2020s.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Here is a look at some of the worst such attacks.</p><h2>Thailand mass murders: Nakhon Ratchasima shootings of 2020</h2><p>The rampage in Nakhon Ratchasima, the largest city in Northeastern Thailand, took place on February 8 and 9, 2020. Jakraphanth Thomma, a 32-year-old soldier, began his attack at a military camp, killing his commanding officer and two others before stealing weapons and a Humvee vehicle. He drove to the Terminal 21 shopping mall, where he opened fire on civilians. Thomma even live-streamed parts of the attack, &nbsp;shocking the entire nation. At the end of the carnage, 29 people lay dead, and 58 others were injured. Investigations revealed that anger over a failed property deal was the cause of Thomma's attack, in which he used an HK33 assault rifle and other weapons stolen from the military.</p><p>As much as the attack, there was also shock about the media coverage, with live broadcasts possibly helping the attacker. The military's security protocols were also criticised.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thai-police-shoot-gunman-dead-after-15-hour-standoff-574884/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/thai-police-shoot-gunman-dead-after-15-hour-standoff-574884/embed</a></p>

<h2>Thailand mass killings: The Nong Bua Lamphu Massacre of 2020, the deadliest by single attacker</h2><p>The deadliest mass killing by a single perpetrator in Thailand took place in 2022. On October 6, Panya Khamrab, a 34-year-old former police officer, went on a shooting and stabbing rampage. Khamrab targeted a childcare centre in Uthai Sawan, killing mostly young children using a knife and guns. He then went home, killed his wife and stepson, and took his own life. The rampage left 36 dead, 24 of them children. At least 10 others were injured.<br>The killing was attributed to personal and domestic grievances, including Khamrab's disputes with his wife and community. A nationwide mourning was observed, with citizens calling for stricter gun and drug laws.</p><h2>Thailand mass shootings: Army War College Shooting of September 2022</h2><p>A clerk at the Army War College, 59-year-old Sergeant Major Yongyuth Mungkornkim, shot and killed two colleagues and injured another at the college in Bangkok.<br>The reason was a workplace conflict. The shooting brought focus on violence within military institutions.</p><p>Other than these, there was the Lopburi mall shooting of January 9, 2020, The robbery shooting at the Robinson Shopping Centre in the Lopburi province was carried out by Prasittichai Khaokaew, with a suppressed semi-automatic pistol. Three people were killed. The attacker stole gold jewellery worth 500,000 Thai Baht. He was arrested 13 days later and sentenced to death</p><h2>What are the causes of Thailand shootings and attacks? Guns, drugs and mental issues</h2><p>Availability of guns, drug abuse and mental health issues are the deadly cocktail causing frequent mass attacks in Thailand. The country has the highest civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia, estimated at around 15 guns per 100 people. In spite of strict laws, the enforcement is inconsistent. Illegal firearms are smuggled into Thailand from conflict zones in neighbouring countries.</p><p>Drug abuse is another issue, with methamphetamine use on the rise. Both the attackers of 2020 and 2022 had a history of drug abuse. Thailand's proximity to the drug trading region known as the Golden Triangle contributes to widespread drug trafficking, use and addiction.</p><p>Investigations have revealed that most of the attackers had personal grievances, such as domestic disharmony, workplace conflicts, and mental health conditions. Limited access to mental health services in Thailand is a recurring concern.</p><h2>Government, public are concerned about rising violence in Thailand</h2><p>The recent attacks have led to increased scrutiny of gun control, and media coverage of these events. People have been calling for improved mental health care facilities. Gun ownership reforms and drug enforcement are key areas of concern.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

For a generally peaceful country, Thailand has also had a history of mass shootings often involving single attackers. Why are these incidents becoming more frequent?



Mass shootings and stabbing attacks were once rare in Thailand, but have become more frequent in the past decade. The shooting in Bangkok on Monday (July 28) in which a lone gunman killed five people before taking his own life brought back memories of some of the worst mass killings in the South East Asian nation, often perpetrated by a single individual, and the reasons for the attacks.

<p>For a generally peaceful country, Thailand has also had a history of mass shootings often involving single attackers. Why are these incidents becoming more frequent?</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Trigger-happy in Thailand: Bangkok mass shooting is latest in series of shocking attacks by lone wolves

<p>Pressure is increasing on Britain to recognise the state of Palestine, just a day after French President Emmanuel Macron made the historic announcement to do so. While the UK continues to support a two-state solution since 1980 in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the war and worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza are forcing the hand of the Labour Prime Minister Kier Starmer to make the bold deicision.</p><h2>UK recognising Palestine state: What are Starmer's choices?</h2><p>Starmer and several member of his cabinet are of the view that a recognition of the Palestinian state should be ‘strategically timed’ within a peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. But criticis argue that waiting for a perfect moment could lead to &nbsp;missing the opportunity altogether, warning that ultimately there would not be a Palestinian state left to recognise. Amid the Gaza war, the UK has taken limited steps like sanctioning hardliner Israeli ministers like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for inciting violence.<br>But Labour governemnt's is being slammed for being overly cautious to avoid offending allies like the US.</p><h2>France’s recognition of Palestinian state</h2><p>On Thursday (July 24), French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to recognise Palestinian statehood by the UN General Assembly in September. France’s commitment to recognise Palestinian statehood has intensified scrutiny of the UK’s position. &nbsp;With this histoic move, France will become the first G7 member to recognise Palestine.<br>Macron’s initiative has increased expectations for UK alignment, since the two nations have pledged to coordinate on the Israel-Palestine issue.&nbsp;</p><p>Palestinian officials as well as countries like Saudi Arabia welcomed Macron's decision, while the US and Israel condemned it.</p><p>Starmer is expected to speak to Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as early as Friday.</p><h2>Starmer is facing pressure from both inside and outside his party</h2><p>If UK recognises Palestine, it would be a watershed moment. Already, more than 125 British MPs, including from Labour and the Liberal Democrats, supported the immediate recognition of Palestine, calling it an inalienable right, not conditional on a broader peace process.<br>Labour MP Sarah Champion recently organised a cross-party letter signed by more than 100 MPs, citing the UK’s historical responsibility stemming from the Balfour Declaration, to recognise Palestine. Some members of Starmer cabinet such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn have publically called for Palestine recognition. London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour-supporingng Trades Union Congress have also joined the call.</p><p>More than 30 former diplomats and ambassadors, the Archbishop of York have asked for recognition, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.</p><h2>What is Starmer's position on Palestinian statehood?</h2><p>The British prime inister has acknowledged Palestinian statehood as an “inalienable right”, and condemned the 'unspeakable and indefensible' situation in Gaza, where mass starvation is being reported due to Israel’s aid blockade.<br>But Starmer maintains that a recognition of Palestine must come within a peace process to ensure maximum impact, a view backed by some of his cabinet members like Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle.</p><h2>Starmer recognising Palestine could jeapordise ties with US amid Trump’s visit</h2><p>Trump is visiting Scotland on a private trip, but is expected to either meet or talk to Starmer when he is in UK on Friday. Starmer is supporting efforts led by the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Trump, &nbsp;a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is likely to pressure Starmer against recognising Palestine. Starmer, for his part, is likely to raise the Gaza humanitarian crisis with Trump. Netanyahu opposes the &nbsp;recognition of Palestine, calling it a launch pad to annihilate Israel.</p><h2>Starmer's dilemma on recognising Palestine</h2><p>As mentioned, there is internal division in Starmer's Labour Party, where pro-Israel voices have warned that a unilateral recognition of Palestine could undermine the UK’s diplomatic credibility, violate the Oslo Accords’ requirement for negotiated solutions to the issue. At the same time, ideologically, it is only a Labour government that can take te bold move of recognising the state of Palestine, failing which would be a loss of historic opportunity. Which side of history would Starmer want to be, is the question.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Critics argue that waiting for a perfect moment could lead to  missing the opportunity altogether, warning that ultimately there would not be a Palestinian state left to recognise.

Pressure is increasing on Britain to recognise the state of Palestine, just a day after French President Emmanuel Macron made the historic announcement to do so. While the UK continues to support a two-state solution since 1980 in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the war and worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza are forcing the hand of the Labour Prime Minister Kier Starmer to make the bold deicision. UK recognising Palestine state: What are Starmer's choices? Starmer and several member of his cabinet are of the view that a recognition of the Palestinian state should be ‘strategically timed’ within a peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. But criticis argue that waiting for a perfect moment could lead to missing the opportunity altogether, warning that ultimately there would not be a Palestinian state left to recognise. Amid the Gaza war, the UK has taken limited steps like sanctioning hardliner Israeli ministers like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for inciting violence. But Labour governemnt's is being slammed for being overly cautious to avoid offending allies like the US. France’s recognition of Palestinian state On Thursday (July 24), French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to recognise Palestinian statehood by the UN General Assembly in September. France’s commitment to recognise Palestinian statehood has intensified scrutiny of the UK’s position. With this histoic move, France will become the first G7 member to recognise Palestine. Macron’s initiative has increased expectations for UK alignment, since the two nations have pledged to coordinate on the Israel-Palestine issue. Palestinian officials as well as countries like Saudi Arabia welcomed Macron's decision, while the US and Israel condemned it. Starmer is expected to speak to Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as early as Friday. Starmer is facing pressure from both inside and outside his party If UK recognises Palestine, it would be a watershed moment. Already, more than 125 British MPs, including from Labour and the Liberal Democrats, supported the immediate recognition of Palestine, calling it an inalienable right, not conditional on a broader peace process. Labour MP Sarah Champion recently organised a cross-party letter signed by more than 100 MPs, citing the UK’s historical responsibility stemming from the Balfour Declaration, to recognise Palestine. Some members of Starmer cabinet such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn have publically called for Palestine recognition. London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour-supporingng Trades Union Congress have also joined the call. More than 30 former diplomats and ambassadors, the Archbishop of York have asked for recognition, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. What is Starmer's position on Palestinian statehood? The British prime inister has acknowledged Palestinian statehood as an “inalienable right”, and condemned the 'unspeakable and indefensible' situation in Gaza, where mass starvation is being reported due to Israel’s aid blockade. But Starmer maintains that a recognition of Palestine must come within a peace process to ensure maximum impact, a view backed by some of his cabinet members like Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. Starmer recognising Palestine could jeapordise ties with US amid Trump’s visit Trump is visiting Scotland on a private trip, but is expected to either meet or talk to Starmer when he is in UK on Friday. Starmer is supporting efforts led by the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Trump, a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is likely to pressure Starmer against recognising Palestine. Starmer, for his part, is likely to raise the Gaza humanitarian crisis with Trump. Netanyahu opposes the recognition of Palestine, calling it a launch pad to annihilate Israel. Starmer's dilemma on recognising Palestine As mentioned, there is internal division in Starmer's Labour Party, where pro-Israel voices have warned that a unilateral recognition of Palestine could undermine the UK’s diplomatic credibility, violate the Oslo Accords’ requirement for negotiated solutions to the issue. At the same time, ideologically, it is only a Labour government that can take te bold move of recognising the state of Palestine, failing which would be a loss of historic opportunity. Which side of history would Starmer want to be, is the question.

<p>Critics argue that waiting for a perfect moment could lead to &nbsp;missing the opportunity altogether, warning that ultimately there would not be a Palestinian state left to recognise.</p>

Will UK recognise Palestine state? Pressure mounts on PM Starmer to follow France as Trump comes calling

<p><strong>Narendra Modi in Maldives:</strong> Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Maldives on Friday (July 25) marks a pivotal moment in bilateral ties that nosedived after its government came to power on an ‘India Out’ plank. That anti-India movement was led by Mohamed Muizzu, the Maldives president, who laid the red carpet for the Indian leader in Male. What led to the two faces, or phases, of Muizzu, from anti-India candidate to India-loving president? The simplest answer: It's the economy, stupid. Here is a timeline of how Muizzu transformed, and the possible reasons for the Maldives loving India again.</p>

<h2>Muizzu’s political rise started with the ‘India Out’ movement</h2><p>Mohamed Muizzu saw his political fortunes rise by supporting the “India Out” campaign. At the core of this was the presence of Indian military personnel and alleged interference in the Maldives' internal affairs.&nbsp;</p><p>The anti-India campaign began sometime in 2020, amplified by Muizzu's allies in the PPM and PNC parties, and went on well into 2023. Muizzu, then the mayor of Maldives capital Male, supported the view that Indian military presence threatened the archipelago's sovereignty.</p><h2>Early years of Muizzu presidency saw strong anti-India stance</h2><p>After he won the presidency, Muizzu demanded in November 2023 that the 80 Indian military personnel leave the islands. This led to diplomatic strains.</p>

<p>But in December 2023, Muizzu and Modi met at the climate summit, COP28, in Dubai, where the leaders agreed to resolve issues through dialogue.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/maldives-polls-results-upset-balance-in-indian-ocean-as-pro-china-mohamed-muizzu-wins-641474/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/maldives-polls-results-upset-balance-in-indian-ocean-as-pro-china-mohamed-muizzu-wins-641474/embed</a></p><h2>Muizzu's China visit and tourism fallout for Maldives over Lakshadweep row</h2><p>In January 2024, Muizzu made a visit to China, which was a departure from tradition, wherein new Maldives presidents first visit India.</p><p>In the same month, Modi visited Lakshadweep, posting images on social media showing him snorkelling and walking along a beach in the Indian island. This was seen as a message by many Indians that, instead of going to the Maldives, they should go to Lakshadweep. Several hardline Maldivian politicians were incensed by this, and started slamming Modi online. This led to angry reactions from Indian netizens, and later, Indian tour operators and airlines joined the #BoycottMaldives campaign. Indian visitor numbers plunged, hitting the tourism-dependent economy hard. Muizzu, while suspending the officials, defended national sovereignty.</p>

<h2>India removes military personnel from Maldives</h2><p>By May 2024, &nbsp;India agreed to withdraw its troops and replace them with civilians. In June 2024, Muizzu was invited to Modi’s swearing-in ceremony for a third term as Indian PM. India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar visited Malé in August, and reaffirmed India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy.</p><p>In October 2024, &nbsp;Muizzu visited India in his first official state visit, with the two countries agreeing on a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. To help the economy of the Maldives, India extended a $400 million currency swap, $100mn in treasury bills, and development support. Muizzu invited Modi to the Maldives as the Guest of Honour for its 60th Independence Day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During Modi's visit, the two countries would sign pacts on infrastructure, capacity-building, and a potential Free Trade Agreement.</p>

<h2>Why was Muizzu forced to have a reset with India?</h2><p>The main reason could be the tourism-dependent economy, which contributes nearly one-third of the Maldives’ GDP. Before the relationship soured, India was the top tourist source with over 200,000 visitors in 2023. The #BoycottMaldives campaign led to a 42 per cent drop in Indian tourist arrivals, costing the country up to $2 billion.<br>During his 2024 visit, Muizzu urged Indian tourists to return.</p><h2>Maldives economic challenges&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Maldives foreign exchange reserves dropped to $395 million by mid-2024, which was barely enough for 1.5 months of imports. Maldives owes $1.37 billion to China and $400.9 million to India, with $600 mn due in repayments in 2025 and $1 billion in 2026.<br>Amid the standoff with India, rating agency Moody’s downgraded the Maldives’ credit rating in 2024.<br>At this point, India's financial aid became critical for the Maldives.</p><h2>Maldives' strategic and economic dependence on India</h2><p>Maldives has traditionally depended on India for many of its food items, healthcare, and building materials.<br>The nation could not diversify its imports from distant nations like Turkey or Europe.<br>India, meanwhile, continued to be a reliable partner, with infrastructure ventures like the Greater Malé Connectivity Project.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>China didn't prove to be a friend in need for the Maldives</h2><p>In spite of Muizzu's outreach and choosing China as his first destination for state visit, Beijing did not provide emergency financial relief that the Maldives so badly needed.<br>As mentioned, the Maldives still has a Chinese debt of around $1.37 bn.&nbsp;<br>Amid all this, domestic sentiment changed to a pivot back to India and an opposition to over-reliance on China.</p><h2>Desperate, or maverick? Why Muizzu shifted stance towards India</h2>

<p>It could be argued that Muizzu's initial anti-India rhetoric was helpful only up to the point of getting elected. Once in office, he chose pragmatism over populism, prioritising the Maldives' economic survival and stability over political slogans.<br>By October 2024, Muizzu acknowledged India’s importance to the Maldives, pledging not to undermine its interests.</p><p>In short, President Muizzu’s metamorphosis from an “India Out” hardliner to a cooperative regional leader shows the limited value of populist foreign policy for a vulnerable economy like that of the Maldives.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>

What led to the two faces, or phases, of Muizzu, from anti-India candidate to India-loving president? The simplest answer: It's the economy, stupid

Narendra Modi in Maldives: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Maldives on Friday (July 25) marks a pivotal moment in bilateral ties that nosedived after its government came to power on an ‘India Out’ plank. That anti-India movement was led by Mohamed Muizzu, the Maldives president, who laid the red carpet for the Indian leader in Male. What led to the two faces, or phases, of Muizzu, from anti-India candidate to India-loving president? The simplest answer: It's the economy, stupid. Here is a timeline of how Muizzu transformed, and the possible reasons for the Maldives loving India again.

<p>What led to the two faces, or phases, of Muizzu, from anti-India candidate to India-loving president? The simplest answer: It's the economy, stupid</p>

Two faces of Muizzu: From ‘India out’ to red carpet for Modi. China play didn't work, Maldives tourism suffered | Reasons and timeline, listed

<p>In the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case, something curious is happening. Ghislaine Maxwell, the late sex offender's accomplice, is being 'interviewed' by US officials on Thursday and Friday (July 24–25) near a Florida jail where she's serving a 20-year sentence for her crimes. This unprecedented interaction is purportedly for finding out if she knew about more people involved in Epstein's vast sex trafficking operation. But doubts are being raised whether this is to silence her, or to make her talk and reveal names. The tricky part is, politicians on both sides - Democratic former president Bill Clinton as well as current Republican President Donald Trump, for instance - were 'friends' with Epstein. How damning would it be for political and business figures if Maxwell, who also reportedly expressed interest in speaking to US lawmakers, reveals more names? With speculation about a yet-revealed 'client list' of Epstein still doing the rounds, what is in it for Maxwell to sing? Here is a detailed analysis of what happened to Maxwell, and why her words could bring down some very influential people.</p><h2>Details about Ghislaine Maxwell interview with US Department of Justice</h2><p>The DoJ met Maxwell in Tallahassee, Florida. The meeting was initiated by Maxwell, according to reports. Under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s direction, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Deputy Attorney General Diego Pestana met Maxwell. Also present was Maxwell’s attorney David Oscar Markus, who described the meeting as ‘very productive,’ in which Maxwell answered every question 'truthfully, honestly, and to the best of her ability' without invoking privilege or refusing to respond. Their first meeting on Thursday lasted nearly six hours, and a second follow-up meeting is scheduled for Friday.</p><h2>Why is DoJ meeting Ghislaine Maxwell?</h2><p>The reluctance of Trump administration to release all documents related to the Epstein case, now called 'Epstein files' - and the lack of anything new in the two tranches of documents it shared recently, have led to criticism. Even Trump's MAGA base is demanding new material and transparency, whereas Trump himself dismissed it as the 'Epstein hoax'.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/-will-ghislaine-maxwell-reveal-the-truth-about-jeffrey-epstein-s-client-list-1752750879595/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/-will-ghislaine-maxwell-reveal-the-truth-about-jeffrey-epstein-s-client-list-1752750879595/embed</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The DoJ, in a July 6 joint statement with FBI, claimed that there is no new evidence to implicate anyone other than Epstein and Maxwell. This is prima facie false, as such a vast cross-border and cross-country sex trafficking operation of Epstein could not have existed without anyone else participating in it as clients or partners in crime.</p><h2>The Maxwell - DoJ meeting revealed nothing new, as of now</h2><p>Interestingly, neither the DoJ nor Maxwell's lawyer revealed the contents of the conversation. Blanche did not share any substantive information, only saying it will be done 'at the appropriate time.' No specifics are out on what Maxwell disclosed, with her attorney Markus declining comment for 'obvious reasons.'</p><p>Note that Blanche is a former attorney for Trump.</p><h2>Will anyone believe Ghislaine Maxwell?</h2><p>It is a tough call. Maxwell’s history of alleged perjury in court, and motivation for sentence reduction or clemency, are leading people to doubt her reliability. She is probably seeking a reduction in her sentence, or even a pardon, in return for information and cooperation with DoJ.<br>This then leads to the question: Will she only rat out the names that the DoJ wants, making it a selective list that does not name anyone close to Trump, his business interests and political allies?</p><h2>Will Maxwell escape her sentence after cooperating with DoJ on Epstein case?</h2><p>It all depends on what kind of information is shared. If she is given any leniency, it would be safe to assume that she did not give any details unpalatable to the Trump administration.</p><p>But so far, no indication of her sentence adjustment has come out.</p><p>Maxwell’s brother Ian, meanwhile, had indicated that she is ‘compiling new evidence of ’government misconduct' related to her 2021 trial'.</p><h2>Will Maxwell testify publicly before Congress?</h2><p>The House Oversight Committee voted on July 23 to subpoena Maxwell for testimony. If it happens in public, it could be explosive. Maxwell might play her cards and seek a pardon in exchange for such testimony.</p><p>The development took place even as a Florida federal judge rejected a DOJ request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts.</p><h2>What are the charges against Ghislaine Maxwell? What is she sentenced for?</h2><p>Maxwell, who was arrested in the US after months of hiding, was sentenced on 28 June 2022 to 20 years in prison for facilitating Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls. The charges related to sexual abuse of minors between 1994 and 2004, and included sex trafficking, conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts and transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Her appeal was rejected in September 2024. Maxwell’s lawyers plan to appeal to the US Supreme Court.&nbsp;</p><h2>Political slugfest over Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein files</h2><p>There is a vast amount of distrust regarding the Epstein files. Democrats have accused the DoJ of using its meetings with Maxwell as a delay tactic to avoid releasing the full files. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced an early recess, which delayed a vote on releasing more of the files. This fueled conspiracy suspicions, even among Trump supporters. The DOJ’s outreach is being slammed as politically motivated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At any rate, this case is not just about Maxwell or Epstein, who died of apparent suicide in his New York jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial.</p><p>It has become a political issue, with public sentiment swaying both ways. Maxwell’s credibility is questioned due to her prior conduct and motives.<br>&nbsp;</p>

Will Maxwell reveal only the names that the DoJ wants, making it a selective list that does not name anyone close to Trump, his business interests and political allies?

In the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case, something curious is happening. Ghislaine Maxwell, the late sex offender's accomplice, is being 'interviewed' by US officials on Thursday and Friday (July 24–25) near a Florida jail where she's serving a 20-year sentence for her crimes. This unprecedented interaction is purportedly for finding out if she knew about more people involved in Epstein's vast sex trafficking operation. But doubts are being raised whether this is to silence her, or to make her talk and reveal names. The tricky part is, politicians on both sides - Democratic former president Bill Clinton as well as current Republican President Donald Trump, for instance - were 'friends' with Epstein. How damning would it be for political and business figures if Maxwell, who also reportedly expressed interest in speaking to US lawmakers, reveals more names? With speculation about a yet-revealed 'client list' of Epstein still doing the rounds, what is in it for Maxwell to sing? Here is a detailed analysis of what happened to Maxwell, and why her words could bring down some very influential people. Details about Ghislaine Maxwell interview with US Department of Justice The DoJ met Maxwell in Tallahassee, Florida. The meeting was initiated by Maxwell, according to reports. Under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s direction, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Deputy Attorney General Diego Pestana met Maxwell. Also present was Maxwell’s attorney David Oscar Markus, who described the meeting as ‘very productive,’ in which Maxwell answered every question 'truthfully, honestly, and to the best of her ability' without invoking privilege or refusing to respond. Their first meeting on Thursday lasted nearly six hours, and a second follow-up meeting is scheduled for Friday. Why is DoJ meeting Ghislaine Maxwell? The reluctance of Trump administration to release all documents related to the Epstein case, now called 'Epstein files' - and the lack of anything new in the two tranches of documents it shared recently, have led to criticism. Even Trump's MAGA base is demanding new material and transparency, whereas Trump himself dismissed it as the 'Epstein hoax'. https://www.wionews.com/videos/-will-ghislaine-maxwell-reveal-the-truth-about-jeffrey-epstein-s-client-list-1752750879595/embed

<p>Will Maxwell reveal only the names that the DoJ wants, making it a selective list that does not name anyone close to Trump, his business interests and political allies?</p>

DOJ interviews Ghislaine Maxwell: If she sings, heads will roll but can she? What's in it for her?

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