80jili telegram Australian Senate begins debate on world-first social media ban for children under 16

Intel Corp. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) a report on Tuesday highlighting the worsening condition of press freedom in Afghanistan, with journalists encountering increasing limitations, arbitrary detentions, and a widespread atmosphere of fear and self-censorship, since the Taliban seized power in August 2021. During Taliban control, Afghan , such as threats, torture, and intimidation, as well as arbitrary arrests without proper legal proceedings. From August 2021 to September 2024, UNAMA recorded 336 infractions against journalists and media personnel, with 130 cases involving torture and mistreatment. These measures underscore the Taliban’s strict control of information, which coerces journalists to work under the constant fear of retaliation. Censorship is a vital tool in enforcing this oppression. The Taliban have released unclear orders that prohibit material they believe goes against their version of Islam or Afghan traditions. Paired with financial challenges, these measures have caused more than 40 percent of media establishments to shut down since the Taliban regained control. The journalists who are left must adhere to strict editorial restrictions and seek approval from Taliban officials before publication, leading to widespread self-censorship. Female journalists are facing a particularly dire situation. Women under the Taliban are subjected to extra such as clothing mandates, restricted movement, and being banned from appearing in broadcasts. Many women have been compelled to leave their profession entirely due to the obligation of being accompanied by a male guardian (mahram) when traveling and following strict public behavior guidelines. These actions not only infringe upon the rights of women but also diminish the variety of viewpoints in Afghan media, stifling critical perspectives and topics that impact women. Even though some Afghan have moved overseas to keep operating, they still encounter intimidation from the Taliban. The regime’s dedication to silencing opposing viewpoints is evident in its attempts to disrupt satellite frequencies and take control of online spaces. Specific Afghan media organizations have relocated to other countries to continue their operations but continue to face persistent intimidation from the Taliban. The regime’s efforts to disrupt satellite signals and seize control of media platforms underscore their determination to suppress dissenting voices, even beyond Afghanistan’s borders. Despite these challenges, exiled media remain essential for Afghan citizens, providing uncensored news and countering the Taliban’s propaganda narrative. The Taliban’s censorship and intimidation violate Article 19 of the , which guarantees the right to free expression. As a signatory to the ICCPR, Afghanistan’s actions highlight a broader erosion of legal norms that endangers its citizens and undermines international efforts to uphold justice and human rights. Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Pope Urban's address. Catholic Code of Canon Law revised On November 27, 1983, the revised of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect.Learn more about the history of Canon Law from of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law. Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the . about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.

As we enter the holiday season many young people are no doubt beginning to consider their future options. With a range of paths to pursue, a and a higher education sector it may seem logical to wonder if university is worth it. In my role as president of York University I see these issues play out every day in the lives of my students and faculty. However, I can say with certainty that, yes, university is worth it for both students and society. And while you might think that I might be biased, there is real data to back it up. Simply put, going to university enriches both students and society over the long term. We must ensure that students and universities are supported to help ensure as broad access as possible. While many students entering the market fresh out of university will make entry-level wages, the reality is that . Those with a bachelor’s degree earn 24 per cent more than the national average. The more education, the higher the earning potential. Students with a university degree are more likely to have stable employment even amidst economic disruption, . Graduates are also more likely to gain employment that offers a wider range of benefits. Simply put, an education increases one’s chances of finding fulfilling employment and living a longer and healthier life. Beyond individual benefits, there are also key benefits to society. Canada . Further To quote Nelson Mandela: “ .” The world faces a host of wicked problems ranging from economic inequality to climate change, geopolitical conflict and ongoing wars. Universities and graduates play a key role in addressing these challenges. Technology is not going away and it is not slowing down. A recent study revealed that the jobs of more than . Moreover, an estimated one out of 10 employees in Canada could be at a high risk of automation-related job redundancy. Canada’s already volatile job market will continue to be impacted. Those with . Graduates are also more likely to have the transferable skills needed to withstand workforce disruption. , AI technologies pose less of a risk for highly-skilled workers. In fact, their jobs are less likely to be replaced by automation because they possess the critical thinking skills needed to provide oversight to tasks that use AI and automation. While these technologies are sophisticated and becoming even more so each day, they currently cannot replicate human cognitive, critical and decision-making skills. There is also compelling research that shows to upgrade and reskill, a quality that makes students more agile in a shifting labour market. Universities have also been increasing , programs which help learners re-skill while they are holding employment and balancing familial obligations, to support lifelong learning and build a more resilient Canadian workforce. If Canada is to meet the expanding needs of students and of the country then we must invest now in higher education. Access is something I worry deeply about to ensure that we are not leaving any talent behind. Data from the indicates that 48 per cent of first- and fourth-year undergrad students at York came from households where neither parent held a bachelor’s degree. What’s more, York’s revealed that 59 per cent of students could not have attended university without financial support. Creating accessible educational opportunities for diverse learners to develop responsive skills is critical for a vibrant future workforce and for resilient communities. York and other universities in Canada have a good track record for this. At the same time, . Continuing to ensure that eligible students have access to university education including at the graduate level is imperative to address these trends. The significant numbers of Canadian . These are troubling trends which Canadian universities are committed to addressing. While the commitment and innovation of universities is evident, the unfortunate truth is that universities across much of Canada have seen a steady decline in real dollar funding for years. In Ontario, . To meet the changes in Canada’s labour market, . We have also worked to enhance access through flexible teaching formats and . Universities have also . In short, universities in Canada are one of the country’s most important assets. If we are to continue delivering the high-quality education for which we are known and serving the needs of the communities who rely on us, especially given fierce global competition for talent, it is essential that we secure a financially sustainable model for universities. Canada’s high youth unemployment has many people anxious about how they will fare in a job market that bears a striking resemblance to the Hunger Games. Expanding employment opportunities is necessary and will require collaboration across all sectors. But the data are clear. A university education will provide our youth with a running start and the ability to adapt as they go.LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — with a moment of silence before the Atlanta Falcons’ game at the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, hours after the 39th president of the United States in Plains, Georgia. Beyond being a Georgia native who led the country from the White House less than 8 miles (12 kilometers) away during his time in office from 1977-81, Carter was the first president to host the NFL's Super Bowl champions there when he welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. released by the team before kickoff said he was deeply saddened by the loss of his dear friend and mentor, calling Carter “a great American, a proud Georgian and an inspirational global humanitarian.” “He lived his life with great civic responsibility and took it upon himself to be the change he wished to see amongst other,” Blank said, recalling meeting Carter at The Home Depot. “President Carter’s kind and uniting spirit touched so many lives. He was a man of deep faith, and did everything with principal and grace, doing things the right way for the right reasons." AP NFL:

Neal Maupay: Whenever I’m having a bad day I check Everton score and smile

On a rare two-game skid, No. 24 Arizona faces DavidsonJavaris Terry gives statement after resigning from position as County MarshalNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — What began as a childhood hobby more than six decades ago has led to what might be Africa's largest butterfly collection in a suburb of Kenya's capital. Steve Collins, 74, was born and raised in western Kenya. By the age of 5, he was fascinated by butterflies and started building a collection that has grown to more than 4.2 million, representing hundreds of species. “My parents encouraged us to look for butterflies after visiting the Congo and were gifted a trapping net by some friends," Collins said. “By the time I was 15 years old, I was already visiting other countries like Nigeria to study more about butterflies.” During his 20-year career as an agronomist, Collins dedicated his free time to research. He established the African Butterfly Research Institute in 1997. Now, running out of space and time, he hopes to hand it over to the next generation. On his 1.5 acres (0.6 hectare) of land, hundreds of indigenous trees and flowering bushes form a well-knit forest. Hundreds of butterflies dance from one flower to another, at times landing on Collins' hand. His collection is private, although it was initially open to the public when he ran it as an education center between 1998 and 2003. Collins has 1.2 million butterflies from across Africa delicately pinned in frames and stored in rows of shelves, with another 3 million in envelopes. “They need to be kept in dark spaces," he said. “The form of storage also ensures the dried butterflies are not eaten by other insects, parasites and predators. We also ensure we apply insecticides once a year to keep them safe.” Julian Bayliss, an ecologist specializing in Africa and a visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University, said he has collected butterflies for Collins over two decades. “There is a large part of that collection that is completely irreplaceable because a large part of Africa’s habitat is being destroyed,” Bayliss said. Africa is vulnerable to climate change, with periods of prolonged drought and serious flooding destroying forests and other butterfly habitats. Bayliss suggested digitizing the collection to make it accessible worldwide. Whoever takes it over "needs to be an institution that is well-founded, well-funded and secure,” he said. Scott Miller, an entomologist at the Smithsonian Institution, met Collins almost 30 years ago. He said such collections provide critical information that could show environmental changes over 60 years. “These physical specimens, you can actually keep going back to them to get new layers of information as you learn more or you get a different technology or you get different questions," he said. Collins is concerned that soon he will no longer be able to sustain his research. He said his most prized butterfly costs $8,000 — which he keeps from sight, concerned about possible theft — and hopes to sell the collection to an individual or research institution. The costs of running his institute are high. An annual budget posted in 2009 on the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa website was $200,000. Collins estimates that the specimens and other assets are worth $8 million. “This has been my hobby for decades, and I can’t put a price on what I have done so far. I’m currently seeking to ensure the species are in safe hands when I’m out of this world,” he said. Associated Press journalist Khaled Kazziha in Nairobi, Kenya, contributed to this report.

Neal Maupay: Whenever I’m having a bad day I check Everton score and smile

No. 24 Arizona is coming off consecutive defeats for the first time in the Tommy Lloyd era when it faces undefeated Davidson on Wednesday to begin the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Arizona (2-2) lost at Wisconsin 103-88 on Nov. 15 and followed that with a home loss against Duke 69-55 on Friday. The Wildcats have dropped 15 spots in the Associated Press Top 25 poll in two weeks. Arizona's record is .500 this early in a season for the first time since it was 3-3 to start the 2017-18 schedule. "I've got work to do, so let's get to work," said Lloyd, in his fourth year as Arizona's head coach. "Let's see where we're at in a month, and if we're still struggling, you know what I'll do? I still got work to do, but I'm gonna get to it." Arizona shot 39.6 percent from the field against Duke, and just 26.1 percent (6 of 23) from 3-point range. The Wildcats were outrebounded by 43-30 and their 15 turnovers led to 19 points. Jaden Bradley led Arizona with 18 points and KJ Lewis added 12. Preseason All-American Caleb Love had eight points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field, including 1-of-9 from 3-point range. Arizona made only one field goal in the last 5:39 as Duke pulled away after its lead was trimmed to six points. "We didn't play great," Lloyd said. "Now we need to take a step back and figure out why. Are there some schematic problems? Are there some problems with how our personnel is kind of put together? "We got to figure out what our certainties are, and the things we have to have, and then over the course of the next couple of days, if there's adjustments we need to make, we need to figure out what those are." Davidson is 4-0 after a 15-17 record last season, in which it lost its last six games to put an end to postseason hopes. A 93-66 win over visiting VMI on Friday followed a 91-85 win at Bowling Green and 76-70 victory over visiting East Tennessee State. The two wins by 10 points or fewer are important because Davidson was 6-12 in such games last season. It was 4-11 in games decided by five points or fewer. "The goal (is) to get better," Davidson head coach Matt McKillop said after the season opener. "We talk about fighting to win every possession. I think we had to figure out what that really felt like with the lights on." Davidson made 13 shots from 3-point range in the win over VMI. Reed Bailey had 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Bobby Durkin added 19 points, including 17 of them and a career-best five 3-pointers in the first half. Bailey leads Davidson in scoring (19 points per game) and rebounding (7.8). Durkin is shooting 57.9 percent (22 of 38) from the field and 54.2 percent (13 of 24) from 3-point range. By contrast, Arizona's Love is shooting 32 percent (16 of 50) from the field and 21.4 percent (6 of 28) from beyond the arc. Bradley leads Arizona with 15.5 points per game. He is shooting 50 percent (24 of 48) from the field and is 35.7 percent (5 of 14) from 3-point range. --Field Level Media

Earlier this month, Sam Leigh of Blinking Birch Games dropped two long-awaited releases: Death of the Author and The World We Left Behind . Designer of the genre-pushing, Ennie-nominated solo RPG Anamnesis — a tarot-based journaling game about memory and identity — Leigh’s work is often a contemplative meditation on a given theme, with these newest releases delving into isolation, history, agency, and hubris. The World We Left Behind is a GMless game that asks players to take on the role of cosmic researchers finding a post-society planet. Throughout multiple trips to a single alien planet, these astronauts walk among the overgrown ruins of a once great culture, uncovering it’s past while studying the plants and animals that still inhabit the ecosystem. Played using a single deck of cards, the game leaves behind game artifacts as players take notes and draw symbols on the cards, which compound with each subsequent session. The game’s surrealist pastel artwork was made by Helena Santana, with the game’s layout by Sinta Posadas. Commissioned by the New York City-based Ballet Collective for their 2023 season, The World We Left Behind has been in development for multiple years. The initial game was made in collaboration with composer Phong Tran and choreographer Troy Schumacher . Tran and Schumacher playtested early versions of The World We Left Behind and created a ballet of the same name inspired by their sessions, which premiered last fall in New York City’s Trinity Commons and was revived for a second performance earlier this year. A limited edition box set is available on The World We Left Behind Bandcamp page , alongside Tran’s original compositions. Leigh’s second release, Death of The Author follows in the tarot-based tradition of Anamnesis . Building on similar themes to Dillin Apelyan’s Metalepsis , Leigh uses the card’s archetypes to depict a conflict between a fictional character and the author who wrote them. Death of the Author takes place throughout five chapters of play, as the character rejects the story their author has written for them. As the narrative changes under their pen, the author may retaliate, forcing this fictional reality to bend to their whims, leading to an ultimate confrontation between the creator and their creation. Death of The Author ’s greyscale, horror-inspired tarot artwork was done by Victor Winter, with layout by James Hanna and editing by Marx Shepherd. I have had the opportunity to play the solo iteration of both of the games, though Death of the Author has options for two-person play, while The World We Left Behind can accommodate up to five players. Much like Leigh’s previous games, these two games offer emotionally moving experiences, which is unsurprising from the designer behind the solo TTRPG that launched a thousand solo TTRPGs. Death of the Author ’s tarot-prompts focusing more on the relationship to individual agency and creation, which will especially appeal to creatives and writers. The World We Left Behind ’s slow unravelling of the solitude of adventure, alongside the mystery that is this alien planet’s history, is a contemplation about the state of our world and what it might be like once we too are left behind. Both games are currently available for purchase on the Blinking Birch Games itch.io page — and they’re both RPGs at their best. The World We Left Behind 1-5 player game of interstellar exploration Death of The Author A 1-2 player tarot TTRPG about a character fighting for agency within their own story. Gaming News Tabletop GamesCopy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login The legal profession is supporting its lawyers to develop technology competencies in a world where AI is ubiquitous. This means ensuring legal professionals are developing skills that differentiate them from AI, such as professional judgement, leadership, collaboration and emotional intelligence. AI presents the legal profession challenges and opportunities. iStock Meanwhile, law firms are exploring practical and ethical ways to use AI to enhance their competitive strengths. Initiatives such as the University of NSW’s Centre for the Future of the Legal Profession are key to the legal profession understanding the gamut of AI’s limitations and risks. UNSW law and justice professor, Michael Legg, who is also the director of UNSW’s Centre for the Future of the Legal Profession, says the centre is a way for the university to engage the legal profession on the challenges and opportunities it faces with AI. “We’re bringing the academy and the profession together to solve problems and communicate what the tech can do consistent with lawyers’ ethical responsibilities. It’s also about working out what the profession does that is different from technology and the value add a human lawyer provides,” Legg says. Sponsored by UNSW This content has been funded by an advertiser and written by the Nine commercial editorial team. Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login Introducing your Newsfeed Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. 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Iris Energy accelerates EH/s target, may start distributions in '25Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie knows how to pull off a bowl game upset. Flash back to the 2004 Holiday Bowl, when Cumbie threw for 520 yards to lead No. 23 Texas Tech to a 45-31 win over Aaron Rodgers, Marshawn Lynch and No. 4 California. Twenty years later, Cumbie hopes to engineer another postseason surprise as Louisiana Tech (5-7) is a prohibitive underdog against No. 22 Army (11-2) in the Independence Bowl on Saturday in Shreveport, La. The Bulldogs weren't supposed to be a part of this game. They are a replacement for Marshall (10-3), which withdrew because of the exodus of at least 25 players through the transfer portal. Enter Louisiana Tech, which adds local flavor as Shreveport is an hour drive from the Bulldogs' campus in Ruston. Cumbie said that the seniors were especially excited after they had left campus for the holiday break figuring their college careers were over. "The first guys we got on the phone with were the seniors," Cumbie said. "They thought it was like a prank call. They thought we were jacking with them." Louisiana Tech is dealing with 16 portal losses, including several linemen from a defense which allowed 301.9 yards per game, the best mark in Conference USA. Defensive lineman David Blay, who led the Bulldogs in sacks (6.5) and tackles for a loss (10.5), has committed to Miami. Offensively, Louisiana Tech averages just 3.0 yards per carry. The Bulldogs rely more on Evan Bullock, who has thrown for 1,932 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Army has an opportunity to finish the season on a positive note after surrendering the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy in a deflating 31-13 loss to Navy on Dec. 14. It's also a chance for Bryson Daily to rebound as he threw three interceptions against Navy after tossing just one previously in the regular season. Daily, who finished sixth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, is the bell cow in Army's rush-heavy triple-option offense. He has carried for 1,532 yards and 29 touchdowns and has also thrown for nine scores. Army will be without its second-best running threat, Kanye Udoh, who announced his transfer to Arizona State hours after the Navy game, prompting Black Knights coach Jeff Monken to call the transfer landscape "off the rails." "I don't think it's healthy to have a transfer portal window open during the season," Monken said. Udoh rushed for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. If Army can handle Louisiana Tech, it will finish with 12 wins, which would be the most in a season in program history, even if it didn't get the one it wanted the most. "Anytime you get your butt whipped, you want to get back out there and prove that's not who we are," Monken said. This will be Louisiana Tech's first bowl appearance since 2020 and its sixth time in the Independence Bowl, where it has a 3-2 record. Army was last in a bowl game in 2021, and this is its second appearance in the Independence Bowl. In its first appearance, it lost to Auburn 32-29 in 1996. Army and Louisiana Tech have met twice before, with the Black Knights winning both matchups in 2008 and 2013. --Field Level Media

NoneTelesat Corp ( NASDAQ:TSAT – Get Free Report ) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 94,800 shares, a drop of 21.6% from the November 30th total of 120,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 61,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days. Currently, 0.8% of the company’s stock are short sold. Institutional Trading of Telesat An institutional investor recently raised its position in Telesat stock. Simplify Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Telesat Corp ( NASDAQ:TSAT – Free Report ) by 25.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 365,781 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 75,000 shares during the period. Simplify Asset Management Inc. owned 2.68% of Telesat worth $3,329,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Telesat Trading Down 3.6 % NASDAQ TSAT opened at $16.37 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 4.36 and a quick ratio of 4.36. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $13.99 and its 200 day moving average price is $11.34. The company has a market capitalization of $223.30 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.74 and a beta of 2.30. Telesat has a 12 month low of $6.93 and a 12 month high of $18.80. Analysts Set New Price Targets Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on TSAT Telesat Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Telesat Corporation, a satellite operator, provides mission-critical communications solutions to broadcast, enterprise, and consulting customers worldwide. The company’s satellite-based services allow direct-to-home (DTH) service providers to deliver television programming, audio, and information channels directly to customers’ homes; and enables broadcasters, cable networks, and DTH service providers to transmit television programming services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Telesat Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telesat and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Pep Guardiola admitted his “fragile” Manchester City side face a tough season and that he must lift the players for their trip to Liverpool on Sunday after they allowed a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord in Tuesday’s Champions League game. The draw ended a five-match ­losing sequence but, after ­cruising at 75 minutes with two Erling Haaland goals and one from Ilkay ­­Gündogan, City capitulated as a panic set in and Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Giménez and David Hancko scored to claim a point for the visiting side. Hadj Moussa and Giménez finishes were ­initiated by loose Josko ­Gvardiol passes, while Hancko’s equaliser came after ­Ederson rushed out and missed the ball. Guardiola said: “It will be a tough season for us and we have to accept it. We lost a lot of games lately, we are fragile and of course we needed a ­victory. We were playing at a good level but the first time something ­happened we had problems. I don’t know if it is mental. The first goal ­cannot happen and the second as well. After that we forget what happens. “Three episodes, they didn’t allow us what we needed to win for many reasons, not just in terms of qualification or get the points to go through. Other reasons. It is what it is, difficult to swallow right now.” City are 15th in the Champions League table on eight points, with nine to play for against Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Club Brugge, as they seek the top-eight berth that awards direct qualification for the last 16. City will fall 11 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title chase if they lose on Sunday. “That is my job [to lift them],” Guardiola said. “Every­body knows the situation, I don’t have to add absolutely anything. We are going to train tomorrow, recover and prepare for the next game. Day off and we have two or three days to prepare for that and go for it. We will learn for the future and what has been has been.” Guardiola, who said one of his fingers had caused a cut on his nose, defended Gvardiol. “He is so young, he will learn,” the manager said. “It will be a good experience. The way he has played – he was the best player on the pitch but I will be so wrong if I point out specific thing for our defeat.”Chandigarh: Amidst the ongoing discussions on the privatisation of the electricity department, Parimal Rai , IAS (retd) and former UT adviser, said that privatisation is the only way for Chandigarh's electricity department to improve efficiency. Rai served as adviser to the administrator of Chandigarh from 2015 to 2018, leading major initiatives in infrastructure modernisation, civic reforms, and public service delivery. Speaking on why modernisation of utility services is important, Parimal said: "Private sector investment leads to better and more efficient services that add value to the consumer through improvements in operational efficiency, infrastructure, and an enhanced grievance redressal mechanism. Ultimately, consumers want an uninterrupted and high-quality power supply without any additional financial burden." "There are several issues that require immediate attention, such as fault detection, load enhancement (which needs to be expedited), and safety concerns. The security of electrical installations and the safety of electrical stations are of paramount importance. These issues can be effectively addressed through privatisation, ensuring that consumers are in a win-win situation." He further said that privatisation is essential for securing investment in the modernisation and revamping of infrastructure, the infusion of technology, the implementation of best practices, the skilling and training of manpower, and the development of a customer-oriented approach. Chandigarh: Amidst the ongoing discussions on the privatisation of the electricity department, Parimal Rai, IAS (retd) and former UT adviser, said that privatisation is the only way for Chandigarh's electricity department to improve efficiency. Rai served as adviser to the administrator of Chandigarh from 2015 to 2018, leading major initiatives in infrastructure modernisation, civic reforms, and public service delivery. Speaking on why modernisation of utility services is important, Parimal said: "Private sector investment leads to better and more efficient services that add value to the consumer through improvements in operational efficiency, infrastructure, and an enhanced grievance redressal mechanism. Ultimately, consumers want an uninterrupted and high-quality power supply without any additional financial burden." "There are several issues that require immediate attention, such as fault detection, load enhancement (which needs to be expedited), and safety concerns. The security of electrical installations and the safety of electrical stations are of paramount importance. These issues can be effectively addressed through privatisation, ensuring that consumers are in a win-win situation." He further said that privatisation is essential for securing investment in the modernisation and revamping of infrastructure, the infusion of technology, the implementation of best practices, the skilling and training of manpower, and the development of a customer-oriented approach. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes .

NoneMETAIRIE, La. (AP) — Dejounte Murray plans to return to the New Orleans Pelicans ' lineup on Wednesday night for the first time since fracturing his left hand in a season-opening victory over Chicago on Oct. 23. And when Murray takes the court against the Toronto Raptors , his mother will be on his mind. After practice on Tuesday, Murray discussed his impending return and disclosed more details about the previously unspecified “personal matters” that caused him to leave the team during the final days of the preseason. His mother had a stroke, he said. “It was tough to leave and go deal with that. As she got better, she wanted me to come play,” Murray said of his last-minute decision to start against Chicago. He added that his hand injury near the end of that game was God's way of telling him, “‘Nah, you need to stay with your mom.’” “I was more concerned about my mother. That was my priority,” Murray continued. “I wasn’t really worried about my recovery.” Murray's mother has recovered well, he said, while he is “healthy and ready to help this team.” “I’m ready to hoop. Play for my mother — she’s going to be watching," Murray said. “I’m ready to compete, bring that winning spirit.” The Pelicans (4-14) certainly could use the help, having lost 14 of 16 games since opening the season with a pair of victories. Injuries have ravaged the roster. At times, all five starters have been out. Star power forward Zion Williamson has missed 12 games this season — one with an illness and 11 with a hamstring injury. Herb Jones has been sidelined by a shoulder strain and Brandon Ingram's status is in doubt after he sat out practice on Tuesday with calf soreness that also sidelined him during a loss on Monday night at Indiana. But at least two starters — Murray and fellow guard CJ McCollum — are expected to play against the Raptors. “I don’t care how many games we’ve lost. I just know every time I step on the floor I feel like we can win games,” said Murray, who had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in his lone game with the Pelicans. "That’s just my mentality, and I feel like it can carry over to a lot of guys.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBAThe hallmark of mature leaders is to resolve disputes peacefully and not let them escalate into conflicts. Even when a historically inherited dispute triggers a conflict, they make every effort to ensure that it is diffused through dialogue and does not balloon into a bigger conflict. On this test of maturity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China’s President Xi Jinping have fared admirably. The military standoff between the two countries, triggered by the violent confrontation in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, has ended because of the political authority they lent to a disengagement agreement that was reached after a series of patient talks between the military and diplomatic teams of the two countries. Shun hostility, pursue cooperation Now, the two leaders are called upon to show the same wisdom and responsibility to address a bigger challenge. Will they make a strategic determination to move India-China relations uninterruptedly in the direction of comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation? Or will they allow the accumulated deposit of mutual distrust to drag the ties in the opposite direction of minimal cooperation and increased rivalry? Pursuit of the second option surely has the danger of sparking future military clashes, especially since the inherited boundary dispute is still not settled. Any new clash, small or big, will wreck peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control, which is a precondition for bilateral cooperation to flourish. At a time when the world has entered an era of growing geopolitical turbulence and uncertainty, India-China hostility will add to the load of global woes. On the other hand, cooperation will not only bring immense mutual gains but also make the world a better and safer place. This is the strategic choice Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi will have to make. Making the right choice requires bold new thinking in New Delhi and Beijing. But this is not possible unless both make an honest effort to remove mutual apprehension that one is acting against the other’s core interests. Specifically, China must do three things. One, it must demonstrably convince India that it poses no threat to its national security, now or in the future — on its own or in alliance with its “all-weather friend” Pakistan. Beijing’s equivocation to condemn Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir and elsewhere in India has made common Indians view China as an unfriendly nation. Second, China must not act in a manner that makes India suspect that it seeks to contain India’s rise in Asia and on the global scene. As evidence, it should forcefully advocate the inclusion of India, now the world’s most populous nation, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Third, Beijing must respect India as an equal pole in a multipolar Asia and a multipolar world, knowing that India will never accept a subordinate position vis-à-vis any country in the world, including China. On its part, India too must do three things. First, India must not be guided by the misleading notion of “power asymmetry” between the two countries, and, hence, join hands with the United States to augment its own strength (through confrontational initiatives such as the Quad) in dealing with the “China threat”. The Quad (India, Japan, Australia and the U.S.) has made China think that New Delhi has joined Washington’s “Contain China” strategy. Second, India must not deviate from its “One China” policy by appearing to support Taiwan’s independence or to play the “Tibet” card. Third, it does not behove a great and independent nation such as India to allow the West’s anti-China narratives to shape the Indian media’s and academia’s — hence our people’s — thinking about its neighbour. In this writer’s frequent visits to China, he has seen far less anti-India feelings among Chinese people than is the case vice versa. This is because Indian TV channels and newspapers (with some exceptions) indulge in constant anti-China propaganda. India’s ruling party and the government do nothing to stop this. The Chinese media, even though it is controlled by the communist party, rarely does so. There is nothing in the millennia-old history of the two civilisations that predestines India and China to become adversaries and rivals, much less enemies. Rather, the profound wisdom of their civilisations requires the world’s two most populous nations in the world to serve certain higher ideals of humanity — peace, inclusive global development that prioritises eradication of poverty everywhere, democratic global governance, saving the planet from the climate crisis, and cultural-spiritual rejuvenation of the entire human race. We should not allow cynical practitioners of “realpolitik” on both sides, who argue that idealism has no place in the conduct of diplomacy, to hijack the India-China discourse. Trust-building ideas Now is the time for the world’s second largest and soon-to-be third largest economies to become partners in domestic development. With the U.S. under Trump 2.0 threatening to hike tariffs on Chinese imports, India’s large and fast-expanding market offers a growth opportunity to China’s slowing economy. Similarly, China with its formidable strengths in infrastructure modernisation, green energy, electric vehicles and several other breakthrough technologies provides greater opportunities than any other country for the realisation of India’s aspiration to become a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed nation). India and China are Global South countries. As such, their cooperation can greatly help other developing countries and, especially, underdeveloped countries, in Asia, Africa and Latin America. If India and China enhance convergence in their foreign policies, they can bring greater stability, predictability and fairness to global governance, which is now becoming increasingly ineffectual. For example, should not the two countries work together to end the Russia-Ukraine war and for peace in West Asia? And why not, closer home, in strife-torn areas of Myanmar? Be it Myanmar or India’s own disturbed State of Manipur, a common problem is the lack of opportunities for employment and upward mobility for the youth. Hence, the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Corridor, languishing on paper for nearly two decades, can bring prosperity to India’s north-eastern States, besides adding strength to India’s Act East policy. The more immediate problems All these trust-building ideas are what can be called high-hanging fruits. A lot of time, hard work and careful nurturing is needed before they can be harvested. There are, however, five low-hanging fruits ready for picking. First, direct flights, suspended after the outbreak of COVID-19, must be restarted. Second, the Indian government should begin issuing visas to Chinese businesspeople, engineers, technicians, and also to scholars and tourists eager to visit India. Last year, China issued visas to over 2,00,000 Indians; in contrast, India issued less than 10,000 visas to Chinese nationals. Three, New Delhi and Beijing should reverse their decisions that led to the exit of Chinese journalists from India and Indian journalists from China. Fourth, the Indian government had banned dozens of Chinese apps, including WeChat, in the wake of the Galwan Valley clash. The ban should be lifted. Fifth, the two countries should quickly make big moves on trade and investment. China can easily reduce the huge deficit in the bilateral trade by importing more from India. As rightly suggested by India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran, another way to manage this trade imbalance is by getting more foreign direct investment from China. Today, almost every big Indian business house is hungry for joint ventures, technology tie-ups and third-country export collaborations with Chinese companies. Let 2025 be a breakthrough year for India-China cooperation. A telling demonstration of this could be an official visit by Mr. Xi to India or Mr. Modi’s visit to China early next year. Sudheendra Kulkarni served as a close aide to the late Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the Prime Minister’s Office Published - December 25, 2024 12:16 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit India-China / diplomacy / Prime Minister Narendra Modi / unrest, conflicts and war / armed Forces / Pakistan / terrorism (crime) / Jammu and Kashmir / United Nations / Japan / Australia / Tibet / Taiwan / media / history / democracy / poverty / climate change / culture (general) / USA / imports / taxes and duties / economy (general) / green technologies / Electric vehicles / technology (general) / Russia-Ukraine Crisis / Myanmar / Manipur / Bangladesh / employment / air transport / Coronavirus / tourism / trade policy / investmentsInzaghi satisfied after unconvincing Inter snatch 1-0 win over Leipzig