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1:59 AM

US general says IS in Iraq and Syria still long-term threat

Although the Islamic State extremist group is battered and scattered, it cannot be fully defeated until the world finds a way to reconcile and resettle the thousands of people displaced by years of war in Iraq and Syria, the general overseeing American military operations in the Mideast said on Thursday.

Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander of US Central Command, said there is no military means of solving the problem of Mideast refugees and internally displaced persons, or IDPs, who await repatriation or resettlement and represent what he called an unfortunate byproduct of armed conflicts. Today, across vast swaths of Syria and Iraq, the systemic indoctrination of IDP and refugee camp populations who are hostage to the receipt of ISIS ideology is an alarming development with potentially generational implications, McKenzie said in remarks to the National Council on US-Arab Relations.

He said a solution must come from a joint effort by diplomatic, security and humanitarian organizations.

1:27 AM

Facebook estimates hate speech seen in 1 out of 1000 views on its platform

Facebook Inc for the first time on Thursday disclosed numbers on the prevalence of hate speech on its platform, saying that out of every 10,000 content views in the third quarter, 10 to 11 included hate speech.The world's largest social media company, under scrutiny over its policing of abuses, particularly around November's U.S.presidential election, released the estimate in its quarterly content moderation report.

 

On a call with reporters, Facebook's head of safety and integrity Guy Rosen said that from March 1 to the Nov. 3 election, the company removed more than 265,000 pieces of content from Facebook and Instagram in the United States for violating its voter interference policies.

12:40 AM

People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration announces seat-sharing formula for 4th phase of District Development Council polls in J-K. Of 16 seats, PDP to contest seven, NC four, CPI(M) two.

12:09 AM

Rajasthan govt to give Rs 6,000 to women becoming mothers for second time

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said Rs 6,000 will be given to women becoming mothers for the second time under a new government scheme. He said the beneficiary women will get the amount directly in their bank accounts in five phases.

On the birth anniversary of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, Gehlot launched Indira Gandhi Matritva Poshan Yojana through a video conference. The scheme will not only help fight malnutrition, but will also increase awareness among the people about the importance of a mother's health and her nutrition level for proper development of children, he said in a statement.

"If a pregnant woman gets adequate nutrition, then the baby will also be born healthy," Gehlot said, adding that the scheme was announced in the state budget on March 13.

10:16 PM

Bharti Infratel, Indus Towers merge; VIL gets Rs 3,760 cr for Indus holding

The merger of Bharti Infratel and Indus Towers to create a mega tower company has been completed, and Vodafone Idea has received Rs 3,760.1 crore cash for its 11.15 per cent holding in Indus, a regulatory filing said on Thursday.

 

Vodafone Group will hold 28.12 per cent stake in the merged entity, while the holding of Airtel Group will be about 36.7 per cent. Read More...

10:02 PM

Over 3 million Indians returned from abroad under 'Vande Bharat' mission: MEA

9:16 PM

2020 US elections: Donald Trump's campaign says they are withdrawing lawsuit in Michigan, says Reuters

9:01 PM

PM Modi pitches for strong economic relations in India-Luxembourg summit

Asserting that there was a huge potential to further ramp up economic engagement between India and Luxembourg, the third largest source of Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPI) for the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while adressing the first summit in two decades between the two countries on Thursday pitched for strengthening of cooperation in a range of areas like financial and digital technologies.

 

Addressing the summit, held through videoconferencing, Modi also talked about the common values like democracy, rule of law and freedom which have strengthened the bilateral ties.

 

"There is a huge potential to expand economic engagement between the two countries. We have good cooperation in areas like steel, financial technology, digital domain, but there is a massive possibility of taking it forward," Modi said at the meeting with his Luxembourg counterpart Xavier Bette. READ ON...

8:48 PM

Loan moratorium is fiscal policy matter, required steps taken: Centre to SC

The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that issue pertaining to loan moratorium in view of the COVID-19 pandemic is a fiscal policy matter and the government has taken various proactive steps keeping in mind different sectors.

 

While apprising the apex court about the steps and measures taken so far by the Union Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Centre told a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan that it is not a case of no action and no further indulgence may be given even if the petitioners say that there could be better option on this issue.

 

The bench, also comprising Justices R S Reddy and M R Shah, was told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that to ask for sector specific reliefs from the top court now is perhaps not a remedy available under Article 32 of the Constitution. READ ON...

8:39 PM

Technology will help us vaccinate large population in short time: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told India Inc including top industry leaders, technologists and startup founders that the country is uniquely positioned to leap ahead in the information era. He said it is time for tech-solutions designed in India to be deployed for the world.

 

“We have the best minds as well as the biggest market,” said Modi at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, 2020, which was held virtually. “Our local tech solutions have the potential to go global.”

 

He said that technology is the prime reason that the government’s schemes have gone beyond files and have changed the lives of Indians at speed and at scale. This includes providing electricity to almost all households. He said technology gives India the confidence that it would be able to vaccinate a large population of people against the Covid-19 virus in a short period of time. “When it comes to technology, the way ahead lies in learning and growing together,” said Modi. Inspired by that approach, a number of incubation centres are opening in India. He said the government is providing support to the vibrant startup community. Over the last few years, a great culture of hackathons has developed in the country. READ ON...