Thousands of Syrians celebrate in central Damascus during first Friday prayers since Assad's fall DAMASCUS (AP) — Thousands of Syrians have celebrated in Umayyad Square, the largest in Damascus, after the first Muslim Friday prayers following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. The leader of the insurgency that toppled Assad, Ahmad al-Sharaa, appeared in a video message in which he congratulated “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the Turkish capital of Ankara that there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the United States on what they would like to see in Syria. The top U.S. diplomat also called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian" interim government. American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a US official says WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has transported an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to a U.S. official, who says Travis Timmerman was flown out on a U.S. military helicopter. Timmerman, 29, told The Associated Press he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Texas sues New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills by telemedicine Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. It appears to be the first challenge in the U.S. to a state shield law that's intended to protect providers in Democratic-controlled states from being punished by states with abortion bans for exactly this kind of prescription. Prescriptions like these, made online and over the phone, are a key reason that the number of abortions has increased across the U.S. even after state bans started taking effect. Anti-abortion groups are increasingly focusing on the rise of pills. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump's suite at football game FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A military veteran who choked an agitated New York subway rider and was acquitted of homicide this week has been invited by Vice President-elect JD Vance to join Donald Trump’s suite at the Army-Navy football game on Saturday. Daniel Penny was cleared of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely’s 2023 death. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed last week. Vance served in the Marine Corps and had commented on the acquittal earlier this week. He said that “justice was done in this case” and Penny should never have been prosecuted. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit that alleged sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Abdul filed a notice of settlement of the case in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday. The lawsuit filed nearly a year ago had also accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lythgoe’s other competition show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Lythgoe said at the time that he was “shocked and saddened” by the allegations, which he called “an appalling smear.” Yankees get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees acquired All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. The Yankees also will send more than $1 million to the Brewers as part of the trade. A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams and his signature “Airbender” changeup are eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28. Williams was 14 for 15 in save chances with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 11 in 21 2/3 innings.Govt cancels auction of 11 critical mineral blocks
By COLLEEN SLEVIN DENVER (AP) — Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family’s home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet’s killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey.” In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. “What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come into detectives,” he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the “media circus” surrounding the case. JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet’s clothing that pointed to the involvement of an “unexplained third party” in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys “victims of this crime.” Related Articles National News | Massive balloons take shape ahead of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade National News | Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail a third time as he awaits sex trafficking trial National News | Ex-US Sen. Bob Menendez seeks new trial, citing prosecutors’ recently admitted error National News | Federal court dismisses defamation lawsuit against Fox News for Jan. 6 conspiracy theory National News | Northern lights may be faintly visible across parts of the US this Thanksgiving John Ramsey has continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado’s governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he has been advocating for several items that have not been prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators have identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn’t been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be “consumed” if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review had ended but that police continue to work through and evaluate a “lengthy list of recommendations” from the panel. Amy Beth Hanson contributed to this report from Helena, Montana.
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Skin doctor sues Ronaldo over ace’s £40k ‘unpaid’ billHailing the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s win in Maharashtra assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the state has witnessed the triumph of development, good governance and genuine social justice. “Today, development, good governance and true social justice has won in Maharashtra. At the same time, today lies, deceit and fraud have been badly defeated in Maharashtra. Divisive forces have been defeated, negative politics has been defeated, today nepotism has been defeated,” Modi said. “Today, the forces of deception, divisive politics, and family dynasty have been defeated! Today, Maharashtra has strengthened its resolve for a developed India. I congratulate and applaud all BJP and NDA workers across the country,” the Prime Minister said while addressing party workers and leaders at the BJP headquarters here after the results of Assembly elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and bypolls were announced. Advertisement Talking about the results of bypolls across 48 assembly and two Lok Sabha seats in 15 states, the Prime Minister said the BJP has increased its strength. PM Modi said that Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan have given strong support to the BJP adding that the people of Assam have once again expressed confidence in BJP. “We have got success in Madhya Pradesh also. NDA’s support has increased in Bihar also. This shows that the country now wants only development,” the Prime Minister said. Mentioning about Jharkhand in his address, the Prime Minister said: “I bow to the people of Jharkhand. We will work even harder for the rapid development of Jharkhand, and every single BJP worker will contribute their utmost efforts towards this goal.” Advertisement
Former Trump envoy to India says the new administrations will push hard on Iran sanctions, China challenge India should expect raised tariffs, and a renewed push to get a Free Trade Agreement finalised from the United States as Donald Trump gets set to begin a second term in office, said former Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster. In an exclusive interview to The Hindu via videoconferencing from New York, Mr. Juster, a former U.S. department of Commerce official who was appointed by Mr. Trump to India in the first term (2017-2021) said that the first tenure and Mr. Trump’s campaign pronouncements were indicators that the second term would see a further strengthening of India-U.S. ties , but certain irritants in ties, such as over high tariffs , market access in areas like “agricultural exports from United States to India and the IT (information technology) equipment sector and medical devices”, and differences over Iran policy could also return. In Mr. Trump’s first term, the U.S. had withdrawn India’s GSP status for exporters, and forced India to cancel all oil imports from Iran. Mr. Juster pointed out that Mr. Trump’s cabinet nominees thus far had very strongly pro-India positions, and that they also saw China as the U.S.’s “major strategic challenge”, pointing in particular to NSA-designate Michael waltz , currently co-chair of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives, whom External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met in Washington last week. Mr. Juster said that it was unlikely the Department of Justice indictments in the Pannun case and against the Adani group would have “any substantial effect on the broader US-India relationship”. When asked about a possible invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Trump inauguration on January 20, Mr. Juster pointed out that foreign leaders have not traditionally attended the inauguration, but that the two leaders share a close personal relationship from Mr. Trump’s previous term. With the inauguration of Donald Trump as the President of the United States for the second time just weeks away, New Delhi stepped up its outreach to the incoming administration with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri both spending the year-end week in Washington. In an exclusive interview to The Hindu over a video conference from New York, Mr. Trump’s last envoy to India (2017-2021) Kenneth Juster spoke about what to expect from his next tenure in office. Broadly, how do you think President Trump will approach India, given your experience of the ties during his previous tenure? I think there’s going to be a very strong U.S.-Indian relationship during the second term of the Trump presidency, and I base that on what happened during the first term. U.S.-India relations were among the highlights of the Trump administration’s foreign policy. President Trump was the first U.S. President to label China as a strategic challenge to the United States and to popularize the concept of the Indo Pacific, which strategically links the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean regions. It was a concept that was pioneered by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, but the United States really enhanced it by its own activities, and soon the entire region and world was speaking of the Indo Pacific. Under the Trump administration, we also revived the Quad, the grouping among the United States, India, Japan and Australia, which has continued to thrive under the Biden administration. We enhanced our defence cooperation significantly, signing three major foundational agreements, increasing the number of military exercises and having the first ever tri-services exercise. We increased energy exports to India of all types, clean coal, natural gas, oil and renewables, and worked closely with India on those issues. There was also a very strong people-to-people relationship. There was a Howdy Modi event in Houston with over 50,000 people that President Trump was at. And then there was a Namaste Trump event in February of 2020, that had over 100,000 people in Gujarat. So, there’s a very strong relationship between the President and the Prime Minister, and the United States really provided very critical and important assistance to India when China came across the Line of Actual Control into disputed territory in 2020. What should one make of Trump nominees thus far, including Rubio, Hegseth, Gabbard, Ramaswamy and Hegseth, all of whom have been positively disposed towards India? Let me also mention Representative Michael waltz, who’s going to be the incoming National Security Advisor, who is currently co-chair of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives. And yes, I think the appointees by and large will be furthering the strength of the US-India relationship that we saw in the first term of the Trump administration. Senator Rubio, who’s the nominee to be Secretary of State, had introduced legislation that would treat India as equivalent to an ally for purposes of technology transfers and provide a variety of other positive elements to the US-India relationship. But in addition, these advisors see China as the major strategic challenge that the United States faces. And in that sense, I think there’s a certain strategic clarity between the United States and India as to what some of the challenges will be in the Indo-Pacific region. What about the unusual and special relationship with Elon Musk, who has been trying to bring in companies like Tesla and Starlink to India, but asking for more concessions, tax waivers. Do you think India should be prepared to give more when it comes to business? Well, that’s going to be a business decision for India. India made concessions to bring Apple into India, and that’s been a great success in terms of its manufacturing operations there. And the government of India will have to decide whether the concessions being sought by Mr. Musk relative to Tesla and Starlink, and I don’t know all the specifics of that, make sense from its perspective or not. But given Mr. Trump’s threats of the past on India being a “tariff abuser” and how India lost its GSP status for exporters, should India expect more of such shock therapy? Look, the President has been clear that he believes India should lower tariffs and is too protectionist, and he bases this on both the levels of tariffs, which the real tariff level in India is high, and the trade deficit that exists between the United States and India. And he had this opinion during the first term. I don’t think it’s correct to say that the GSP issue was shock therapy. There’s a statute that provides the generalized system of preferences benefits to countries, which gives tariff free entry to hundreds and even thousands of products into the United States. But the statute also requires that the beneficiary country increase its own market access to US products. There were complaints filed by the medical devices industry and the dairy industry that they were not getting access to India. So, the US Trade Representative’s Office undertook a full investigation. They felt that there were other industries, including the IT services industry, that also were not getting sufficient access. But instead of withdrawing GSP right away, the US government undertook an extensive negotiation with the Government of India to try to reach some resolution of this issue. The negotiations lasted for over one year. The US government felt that they were coming close to an agreement, but it could never get concluded. And finally, under the statutory requirement, they were compelled to have to terminate GSP, and yet still continued negotiations after that to try to reinstate GSP, to get some market opening measures. Regrettably, that was still not possible. I think by the time President Trump came to India in February of 2020, it looked like the Indian side was willing to close the deal, but at that point the President was seeking a bigger deal. We have to remember that part of the effort in putting tariffs on a country is to try to get a negotiation to increase market access for the United States. So, the President-elect has indicated that he will slap tariffs of 10 to 20% on most countries around the world, and I think that would probably include India. But I also think that could be the beginning of a negotiation to open markets a bit and, from India’s perspective, to try to lock down the benefits of its largest trade partner, the United States, in both goods and services. And one should think expansively in terms of what other issues of concern, whether it be in technology, in energy, or elsewhere, where the two sides could do some horse trading and reach a broader trade and economic agreement. Will reopening FTA talks be a priority for the Trump administration, as when the Biden administration came in it made it clear it wasn’t a priority? Well, to be fair, the Biden administration chose not to move forward in the free trade agreement area and, instead, launched a different initiative, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. President Trump, despite being known as someone who loves tariffs, also negotiated several trade deals during his first term, including with Mexico and Canada and with Japan as well. And I think he would want to do so in the second term with India. Some of the areas that were sticky were in some agricultural exports from United States to India and the IT (information technology) equipment sector and medical devices. And I would hope that we could get beyond those issues, reduce tariffs there, and then look at other broader measures that could be addressed to enhance our economic relationship. One strategic reason for doing this is that China really dominates the Indo Pacific region with its economic strength, and if the United States and India were to strike a larger trade and economic agreement, that would begin to counter some of China’s enormous presence in the region. Also, we should work out an understanding on the digital economy, because so much data flows back and forth between our two countries. Both of our technology sectors are critical to our economies and are leading technology sectors of the world. Do you think the ease of doing business in India is now better in these last four years? Yes, I think the ease of doing business in India has certainly improved, although I think there could still be further improvements. We’ve seen enormous investments by the government in infrastructure, whether it be airports, seaports, roads or highways. We’ve seen efforts to attract investors through a variety of different incentives, and certainly India is on the radar screen of most major US and other international companies that are looking for a major market to invest in. I still hear, though, from US companies that they find the regulatory framework can be a bit slow and burdensome, and that at times there’s regulatory uncertainty. My concern at times about some of the high barriers to trade -- not to investment, but to trade -- is that this may dissuade some companies that want to move goods in and out of India from making it the supply chain hub that India would like to be. Like with the GSP removal, the feeling in India is that the Trump administration strong-armed India- the US insisted that India must zero out Iran oil import. It’s interesting that despite many requests from the Biden administration, India did not actually reduce its oil intake from Russia. What would the expectations be from India in the next four years? I don’t think we strong armed India on trade, because we never changed the situation. So, it was a negotiation that was unable to be concluded. Yes, you are correct on Iran, the Trump administration had a maximum pressure campaign, which I think may well get reinstituted in this next term. India was treated like every other country, which meant you needed to zero out oil imports from Iran. And India complied with that. I think on Russia, there is an understanding of the long historical relationship India has had. And in the previous term of the Trump administration, there were not ultimatums put on India with regard to Russia. As you know, there was an S-400 sale. There was talk of potential sanctions under CAATSA, but that never was implemented. I think Russia is a fluid issue, and it may well depend on how negotiations go between Russia and Ukraine. But I think Iran is one area where the administration has shown a very consistent and tough position in terms of seeking to economically isolate the Iranians. Delhi has also been shocked by US Department of Justice investigations and indictments- first in the Pannun assassination plot case, and then against the Adani group. Do you think a Trump administration will approach these DOJ investigations and indictments differently, and now that the Pannun case trial is actually underway, will it affect India US bilateral ties? Well, when cases get into our Justice Department and into the legal process, I would not want to comment on them, and they should probably not be affected by any concerns other than the legal considerations that are being followed by the prosecutors. I would not expect that the Trump administration would seek to inject itself in these cases. I can’t foresee what the legal people at the Department of Justice will do and how they will read the evidence overall. But beyond that, I don’t see these cases having any substantial effect on the broader US-India relationship. The BJP has said on its official handle in response to these cases that the US State Department is targeting the Modi government, and that it is, in fact trying to in some way weaken India. Were you surprised that the investigations have had such a negative effect in India? Well unfortunately, at times, folks in India can be very sensitive about legal matters, but I can tell you from my experience, this would not have been something that the State Department would have chosen to push or not push. If anything, the diplomatic community would wish that these types of cases did not exist, but they get into our legal process, and we are very strict about not interfering with what the prosecutors do. The Attorney General and the people in the Justice Department make those decisions, but it’s really inappropriate for someone at the State Department or an ambassador or diplomat to try to inject him or herself into those matters. The Biden administration has sought to leave its legacy on Indian ties with the iCET. What do you think will be the major areas of growth for the India, US relationship in the next four years of Trump? The US-India relationship has continued to grow in a positive direction over the last 25 years, and each administration has built on the successes of the previous one, despite changes of parties [in power], and I expect that to continue. Technology has always been an important aspect of the US-India relationship. When I was Under Secretary of Commerce (2001-2005), we launched the High Technology Cooperation Group. We then had an initiative called the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) that worked on civil defence, civil nuclear and high technology issues. We then had the civil nuclear deal, which was a landmark occasion, followed by the Defence Technology Transfer Initiative (DTTI). So, the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) really builds on top of those. And I expect technology to continue to be an important area and a key area for the two countries to focus on. The exact nature that it takes will depend on conversations that the two countries have. Semiconductors has been an area where they’ve been working together. There may be other avenues in artificial intelligence and elsewhere, but technology is a key linkage between our countries. In fact, many CEOs of US companies are Indian Americans, who came from India and contributed to our country. I think defence cooperation will also continue to be very critical. We hopefully will do more tabletop exercises together and scenario planning and other issues, understanding that India wants to maintain its own autonomy. But I think it’ll be important that we increase our ability to work together and have some level of interoperability. Lastly, I think energy is an area that holds enormous promise, because India needs to import a lot of energy, and the Trump administration will be pushing all forms of energy exports, as in the first Trump term, whether it be liquefied natural gas, oil, clean coal or renewables. Would a revival of the big Tellurian LNG deal, that was announced by the leaders, but never made headway, be on the cards? I don’t know what the status of that deal in particular is, but deals of that type, I think , have potential. There’s a lot of speculation in India about who will be the next Trump envoy to India. Given your experience, including of handling his unexpected social media posts (on Twitter/X), what are the skills that you think he should be looking for? Well, obviously I have some biases in terms of what one should look for, but one should remember that people in Washington do not wake up in the morning worrying about India. They may worry about China, about Russia, about Iran. Ideally, you want the ambassador to be someone who knows a lot about India and understands its history and culture and has dealt with Indians previously, because it’s a complicated country. But at the same time, one must have good relationships back in Washington, DC, at the White House and with the State Department, so that this individual can help shape policy and be actively involved in a country with a ten and one-half hour time difference [from the United States]. Over time, the US has gravitated increasingly toward political appointees [for India], and so I would expect you’ll see that here as well. I know there are a number of candidates interested, but I’m not sure who has the leading edge on it thus far. But the choice should be one that understands President Trump and how he operates, so that he or she can help deal with any statements that come out of Washington in terms of translating them effectively to the Indian government. There’s also some commentary on whether Prime Minister Modi will get an invitation to the Trump inaugural on January 20, as Chinese President Xi Jinping has. Your thoughts? It’s not normally been the tradition to have foreign leaders come to an inauguration. Instead, it’s been representatives and ambassadors in Washington who attend. I don’t know what the thinking is within the administration, and I have not yet heard anything one way or the other in terms of an invitation to Prime Minister Modi. But I would emphasize again that the two leaders have a very good relationship. President Trump felt his trip to India in February 2020 was an excellent one. And I think that personal relationship will be important going forward. The Biden administration has had a strong relationship with India, I think the first Trump team did too and I expect that trend to continue going forward. Published - December 29, 2024 08:45 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit India-United States / USA / IndiaBetty White Forever: New stamp will honor the much-beloved 'Golden Girls' actorRecently State Bank of India has cautioned its customers about an a new fraud module where fraudsters posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or Income tax Department officials may threaten you and exhort heavy fines in the name of some made up legal action. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Election Results Jharkhand Election Results Bypoll Election Results "Dear SBI Customer, Fraudsters may pose as CBI or IT Dept officials and may threaten legal action or heavy fines to extort money from you. Beware of such frauds,” said the State Bank of India (SBI) to its customers. Read below to find out how the fraud works and what precautions you should take: How the fraud works Vikram Babbar, Partner, EY Forensic & Integrity Services explains how the fraud works: The first act: Initiation of the fake call In this type of fraud, the imposter at first identifies the gullible customer and calls him/her. This usually happens over messenger apps video calling feature. The crucial piece of the fraud is the bait which convinces the customer that the concerned official has some critical information about him. This bait can be literally anything which can be used to trap the customer like KYC number, address, etc. For example: the fraudster may collect information about you which is available on the public domain and present it to you in such a way that you get convinced. 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Now he or she may get this information from property websites where you listed it or from the property broker’s website or even from a data leak in the property registrar’s office. The second act: Initiation of the fear Once the customer is convinced about the imposter being a real agent of CBI, income tax or other government departments, the fraudster narrates a story to the customer. He may say that you have evaded income tax or missed a crucial judicial process, etc and hence you may get arrested. Naturally when you hear the word jail, arrest, legal process a situation of panic will occur in most people. This fear and panic are what the fraudster uses to his advantage. In the panic of the situation, the fraudster further "stage manages" the scene through scrutiny of some documents, in some cases he simulates an actual police interrogation as well. The customer is then asked to share other information like Aadhaar documentation, bank account details, etc. The final act: An escape route from the created problem This staged acting which the fraudster so carefully played may convince some people. Once the customer is convinced that the enquiry process will take time (could be days or months) and only post complete verification, can he/she be considered innocent, the fraudsters offer a way out. The narrative that the fraudster plays is that all your legal, tax and other problems will go away if only you give him or her a bribe. The customer is asked to transfer money to different bank accounts pending inquiry and that the same would be transferred back once the investigation is complete. “This type of scam is commonly known as "phishing" or " social engineering ," where fraudsters pose as legitimate officials to intimidate victims into providing money or personal information,” says Sheetal R Bhardwaj, executive member of Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists - ACFCS. Bhardwaj highlights that this type of scams including phishing and impersonation fraud have become a significant global issue and not just India specific. “The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States reports millions of dollars lost to fraud each year. Various studies indicate that billions of dollars are lost annually worldwide due to different types of financial fraud, and the problem is escalating as technology evolves and more people conduct transactions online,” she says. What precautions should you take for this kind of fraud Bhardwaj shares some essential tips which you may follow for safeguarding yourself from this fraud: ● Verify the source: Always verify the identity of the caller or sender. Official organisations typically do not ask for sensitive information over the phone or via SMS or video call. ● Do not share personal information: Never share personal or financial information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. ● Be sceptical of threats: Be suspicious if someone threatens you with legal action or fines. Legitimate organisations usually communicate through official channels and provide ample time to respond. ● Report suspicious activity: Report any suspicious messages to your bank and local authorities. ● Use security features: Enable two-factor authentication on your bank accounts and use strong, unique passwords for different services. 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Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100Share Tweet Share Share Email In today’s fast-paced digital world, where every character and click counts, URL shortening tools have become a necessity. Whether you’re sharing links on social media, within emails, or even through text messages, short URLs make the process faster, cleaner, and more efficient. These services not only condense long and cumbersome URLs into shorter, more user-friendly versions, but they also offer powerful features such as analytics, link tracking, and even branding options. This guide explores the top URL shortening tools available in 2024, discussing their features, benefits, and how they can be used to maximize your online presence. What Is a URL Shortening Service? A URL shortening service takes a long web address, such as a link to an article, product, or resource, and reduces it into a compact, easy-to-share format. By shortening the URL, you can make it more aesthetically pleasing, easier to remember, and more suitable for platforms with character limits like Twitter or SMS. Additionally, these tools offer functionalities that go beyond just shortening URLs, providing capabilities for tracking click data, managing links, and even customizing the shortened address to fit specific branding needs. For example, a lengthy URL like: https://www.examplewebsite.com/2024/spring-sale-overview/discounts-and-deals-for-you Can be shortened to something simpler and more shareable like: https://bit.ly/springsale2024 These short URLs are more manageable, and they help streamline sharing processes while offering valuable insights into how the links are performing. Why Should You Use URL Shorteners? The decision to use URL shorteners is not just about convenience. There are several key advantages to incorporating these services into your digital strategy. Improved Link Management and Organization As your business or personal brand grows, managing multiple URLs can become overwhelming. URL shortening services offer a central dashboard for organizing and tracking all your links. This makes it easier to monitor campaigns, assess performance, and stay organized. Enhanced Branding and Customization For businesses, branding is crucial. Many URL shortening services allow you to create custom short links that are in line with your brand. For instance, instead of using a generic service-generated URL, you can create a branded short URL, such as https://brand.ly/promo2024 . This not only helps with brand recognition but also increases trust with your audience, as they can instantly identify that the link leads to a trusted source. Advanced Tracking and Analytics URL shorteners come equipped with analytics features that provide valuable insights into your link’s performance. These tools can track data like the number of clicks, the geographic location of visitors, the devices they are using, and even the time of day the link is clicked. This data is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of your campaigns and adjusting strategies accordingly. Convenience for Sharing on Social Media Long URLs can look cluttered and unattractive when shared on platforms like Twitter, which limits the number of characters per post. A short URL not only conserves space but also looks cleaner, making it more appealing to share. Increased Click-Through Rates (CTR) Studies have shown that links with clear, concise, and easy-to-remember URLs tend to get more clicks. By using a URL shortener, you can potentially boost your link’s visibility and increase engagement with your content. Top URL Shorteners for Quick and Efficient Links Now that we’ve established the importance of URL shorteners, let’s explore the top services available in 2024. These tools offer a wide range of features to help you manage and share your links effectively. 1. Bitly Bitly is one of the most popular URL-shortening services available today, known for its robust features and reliability. Key Features: Custom Branded Links: Bitly allows you to create custom URLs that align with your branding, which is particularly useful for businesses aiming to boost brand recognition. Comprehensive Analytics: With Bitly, users can access detailed analytics on each shortened link, including the number of clicks, the geographic location of users, and the type of device used to access the link. Link Management: Bitly provides a centralized dashboard where users can manage and edit links, making it a great tool for users with multiple campaigns to track. API Access: Bitly offers API integration for developers looking to automate the shortening process or build custom applications. Ideal For: Business owners, marketers, and content creators who need advanced features and analytics to track and optimize link performance. 2. TinyURL TinyURL is one of the oldest URL shorteners and is known for its simplicity and ease of use. Key Features: Quick and Simple: With TinyURL, you can create shortened URLs quickly without the need to create an account. This makes it perfect for users who need to shorten a link on the fly. Custom Aliases: TinyURL allows users to personalize the shortened link by selecting their preferred alias, such as https://tinyurl.com/mywebsitepromo . Browser Extension: TinyURL offers a browser extension, allowing users to shorten links directly from their browser without visiting the site. Ideal For: Casual users and those who need a fast, no-frills URL-shortening service. 3. Rebrandly Rebrandly specializes in creating branded short links, making it an ideal option for businesses and enterprises. Key Features: Branded Custom Domains: Rebrandly allows users to create short URLs with their domain names, such as https://brand.ly/summerpromo , which reinforces brand identity. Link Management Tools: Rebrandly provides a comprehensive dashboard where users can manage and track all their links in one place. Team Collaboration: For businesses with multiple team members, Rebrandly offers collaboration tools that allow users to work together on creating and managing links. Analytics and Insights: The platform provides in-depth analytics, such as geographic data, device usage, and click-through rates. Ideal For: Businesses looking to enhance their brand visibility with custom URLs require advanced analytics and management tools. 4. T2M T2M is another strong URL shortener, offering a range of useful features for businesses and individuals alike. Key Features: Lifetime Analytics: One standout feature of T2M is that it provides lifetime analytics, meaning users can track their links for as long as they remain active. Unlimited Links: With T2M, users can create an unlimited number of short URLs, making it a great choice for large campaigns or organizations that need a high volume of links. Password Protection: T2M offers security options, including password-protected links, to control who can access the shortened URLs. Custom Domains: Like Rebrandly, T2M allows users to use custom domains for creating branded links. Ideal For: Individuals and businesses need robust analytics, custom domains, and enhanced security features. 5. BL.INK BL.INK is a premium URL-shortening service with powerful features, making it suitable for enterprise-level users. Key Features: Enterprise-Grade Analytics: BL.INK offers detailed link tracking with real-time data, including geographic and device-based insights. Custom Branded Links: Users can create branded links using their domains to improve trust and recognition. Advanced API Integration: BL.INK offers advanced API capabilities, allowing developers to integrate link-shortening features into their applications and workflows. Link Management and Collaboration: The platform provides tools for managing links at scale, making it an excellent choice for large businesses with multiple users. Ideal For: Enterprises that require sophisticated link management and integration capabilities. 6. Ow.ly Ow.ly is a URL-shortening tool integrated with Hootsuite, a popular social media management platform. Key Features: Social Media Integration: Ow.ly is built into the Hootsuite platform, making it easy for users to shorten links directly within their social media management workflow. Comprehensive Analytics: Ow.ly provides detailed analytics for every shortened link, including click-through rates, geographic data, and device types. Bulk Link Creation: Ow.ly supports bulk link shortening, which is ideal for large campaigns or businesses that need to manage numerous links at once. Ideal For: Social media marketers who use Hootsuite need to shorten links for sharing on social media platforms. Factors to Consider When Choosing a URL Shortener When selecting a URL shortening service, it’s essential to consider various factors to ensure that the tool aligns with your needs. Ease of Use Some tools, like TinyURL, are extremely user-friendly and ideal for casual users. If you’re looking for a more feature-rich experience with analytics and branding, then Bitly or Rebrandly may be better suited to your needs. Features and Customization For businesses, it’s critical to choose a URL-shortening service that offers branding options and customizable URLs. Rebrandly and T2M are excellent choices for businesses that require full control over their links. Pricing While many URL shortening tools offer free versions, businesses may find that the premium options are worth the investment for additional features like advanced analytics, team collaboration, and custom branding. Compare the pricing plans to see which one fits within your budget. Security Some URL shortening services provide additional security features such as password protection for links. If privacy is a concern, look for services that offer these types of features. Analytics and Tracking If you need to track the performance of your links, choose a service that offers comprehensive analytics, such as Bitly, Rebrandly, or BL.INK. FAQs 1. Can I track the performance of my shortened URLs? Yes, most URL shortening services provide analytics dashboards that show metrics like clicks, user locations, and devices used. 2. Are URL shorteners safe to use? Yes, reputable URL shortening services take security seriously, often including features like link expiration and password protection. 3. Can I customize my shortened URL? Yes, many services, like Rebrandly and T2M, allow users to create custom URLs that align with their branding. 4. Do short URLs impact SEO? No, URL shorteners use 301 redirects, which pass on the SEO value from the original URL. 5. Can I integrate these tools with my marketing platforms? Yes, many URL shorteners, such as Bitly and Rebrandly, offer integrations with popular marketing platforms and CRMs. Conclusion URL shorteners are indispensable tools in the digital world, simplifying the sharing of links and enhancing online marketing strategies. Whether you’re looking for a simple tool to shorten links or a comprehensive solution with analytics and branding options, there is a URL shortener to meet your needs. By carefully selecting the right tool for your objectives, you can streamline your link management, improve user engagement, and track performance to optimize your digital presence. Related Items: Quick and Effective Link Management , Tools for Quick and Effective Link Management Share Tweet Share Share Email Comments
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Some public libraries in Japan will trial sales of new books from fiscal 2025 to fill the void caused by a nationwide decline in the number of physical bookstores, industry officials said. The program is aimed at increasing opportunities for people to buy books, particularly the elderly who may be unfamiliar with the process of using online shopping sites. The trial will be conducted in a number of libraries by TRC Library Service Inc, which provides library services for local governments and others, in conjunction with major book wholesaler Nippon Shuppan Hanbai Inc, they said. The libraries will have separate counters for book purchases and regular lending as well as taking orders for books not held in stock. The trial will be funded by the two companies which are currently selecting candidate libraries. They expect to expand the system if demand for book sales is strong, they said. As the libraries may also sell stationery and locally-grown vegetables, an official from Nippon Shuppan Hanbai said, "We hope to create a hub for local interactions by revitalizing libraries." The number of stores excluding university cooperatives or secondhand bookstores in Japan stood at 7,828 in March, down 145 from the previous survey in August, according to the Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture. The survey also found 24 cities in 15 prefectures had no bookstores at all. Bookstore operators have come under pressure due to the nation's falling population and increasing popularity of online sales.Bill Belichick didn't wait around for a call that he might not get from an NFL team. With no guarantees that another opportunity might come his way — only the Atlanta Falcons interviewed Belichick last offseason — and unsure whether he could find the right fit in the NFL, the 72-year-old future Hall of Fame coach decided to go back to school. Belichick took his eight Super Bowl rings to North Carolina on a mission to build a college program the way he constructed two dynasties during 24 seasons with the New England Patriots. It starts with doing things his way. The Patriot Way is legendary. Perhaps it'll translate into the Tar Heel way. That's to be determined. But Belichick is back doing what he loves: coaching. And, he's going to run the show with his guys around him. An NFL team giving Belichick full control the way he had in New England seemed unlikely. Success at North Carolina could change that thinking. For now, Belichick's quest to break Don Shula's all-time record for most wins in the NFL is on hold. He's 15 victories short but the buyout clause in his college contract — a $10 million fee if done before June 2025 and $1 million after that date — leaves the window open for a return to the league. If Belichick stays in college or retires without returning to the NFL, his legacy is already cemented. Winning at North Carolina will only enhance his reputation. Losing won't impact his NFL resume. "He's one of the all-time great coaches. What he's done for the NFL and the game, we all know where he'll end up — in the Hall of Fame with a gold jacket," Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said Wednesday shortly before Belichick agreed on a five-year deal with North Carolina that pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary annually with up to $3.5 million in bonuses per year. Belichick has his detractors. There's no denying he couldn't win without Tom Brady. He was 29-39 and had no playoff wins without No. 12 in his final four seasons with the Patriots. Critics have labeled him a cheater because of the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. He overlooked Aaron Hernandez's issues. He was tough on players, even alienating Brady in the end and letting him walk him away in free agency in 2020 only to see him lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl in his first season there. But Belichick instilled in players the importance of doing their job and presided over an unprecedented two-decade run of dominance that withstood changing times, free agency, salary-cap restrictions and much more. Brady has always maintained how important Belichick was for his career, giving him credit for helping him become one of the best players in sports. Now, Belichick is onto Chapel Hill in a surprise twist after he spent most of the NFL season reinventing himself as an entertaining and engaging analyst. Belichick is a football genius and his knowledge came across on television. But he also displayed a fun personality, trading quips with the Mannings and cracking jokes with Pat McAffee. "College kind of came to me this year," Belichick said at his introductory news conference. "I didn't necessarily go and seek it out. I had many coaches, probably a couple dozen coaches, talk to me and say, 'Can we come down and talk to you about these things?' Let's call it the salary cap of pro football relative to college football. The headsets, the green dot, the two-minute warning, the tablets on the sideline. Those were all rules changes this year for college football that were either or the same or similar to what we had in the NFL. These coaches said, 'Hey coach can we talk to you about how you did this? How you did that? How did you use this?'. "As those conversations started and then the personnel conversations started relative to salary cap and how you spend whatever the allotment of money you have. I'd say that started to make me a lot more aware of it because the first thing I would have to do is learn about it. .... As you learn different things about different programs you start to put it all together. There is some common threads and there's some variables." How will he do as a college coach? Nobody knows yet. Three of Belichick's former players were skeptical before he took the job. "There's a lot of things he can do, and obviously he's tremendous, and even showing his personality. But getting out there on the recruiting trail and dealing with all these college kids, that would be ..." Brady said before trailing off during a conversation on Fox's NFL pregame show last Sunday. Fellow former Patriots Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman also wondered the same. "Can you imagine NIL, and all that nonsense?" Gronkowski said. Edelman added: "Can you imagine Bill on a couch recruiting an 18-year-old?" But Belichick doesn't have to recruit kids on visits. These are new times in college sports. The NIL has dramatically changed the landscape. Plus, Belichick's name is enough. Just like Deion Sanders at Colorado. "I think it could be great for this game, honestly, if he can find a way to make college football more like this in terms of what's being asked of the coaches, the recruiting staff, the personnel, the NIL, and all those different things," Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen said. "If he can make it a little bit less demanding on some of the coaches and create a great atmosphere and have success, I think it's great for our game. It's pretty cool to see, actually." Time for Belichick to do his job. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Rodgers says he'll enjoy the rest of the Jets' season and 'let the future take care of itself'Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein was carted off the field with an air cast on his left leg in the first quarter of Saturday's game at Louisville . Holstein appeared to have his leg rolled up on when Cardinals defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte sacked him on the second drive of the game. Nate Yarnell , who started when Holstein missed last week's game against Clemson with a concussion, replaced him Saturday. Holstein, a transfer from Alabama, won the starting quarterback job over Yarnell during fall practice and helped lead the Panthers to a 7-0 start.Dolphins waive Odell Beckham Jr. after just nine games
DALLAS (AP) — Boopie Miller scored 24 points and added seven assists and Yohan Traoire posted a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds to help power SMU to its seventh straight win, closing out its nonconference schedule with a 98-82 victory over Longwood on Sunday. The Mustangs (11-2) shot 62% from the field for the game, knocking down 10 of 20 shots from behind the 3-point arc to earn their seventh win in eight home games. Longwood (11-4) stayed close by taking advantage of 20 SMU turnovers and 10 steals. Elijah Tucker's jumper with 11:37 left pulled the Lancers within seven, 69-62, but the Mustangs answered with a 14-1 run to take a 20-point lead. Miller knocked down 6 of 7 shots from the field, including both of his 3-point attempts, and was 10 of 12 from the free-throw line. Traore was 7 of 10 from the floor, including 2 of 4 from deep, and was 4 for 4 at the line. Matt Cross added 19 points and Chuck Harris chipped in 12 points off the bench. Tucker finished with 20 points and six rebounds to lead Longwood. Coby Garland posted a double-double with 19 points and 11 assists and Emanuel Richards finished with 12 points off the bench. SMU, off to a 2-0 start in its first season of Atlantic Coast Conference play, hosts No. 4 Duke on Saturday. Longwood opens Big South Conference play Thursday at home against Presbyterian. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Gaston Martirena and Adrian Martinez scored first-half goals as Argentina’s Racing won its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil’s Cruzeiro 3-1 in the final on Saturday. Martirena opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Martinez added a goal five minutes later to give “La Academia” its first international title since 1988 when it won the now defunct Supercopa Sudamericana. “Maravilla” Martinez scored 10 goals in 13 matches and finished as the top scorer in the competition. “We suffered until the last minute, but to be able to win a cup after so many years is a blessing,” Martinez said. “It’s historic, it was a long time without being able to raise an international cup, we have a poor year in the league, but we were able to give the fans this satisfaction.” Roger Martinez sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th. Kaio Jorge scored in the 52nd for Cruzeiro. Racing, a team based in the city of Avellaneda, took the lead when Martirena, a Uruguayan right-back, sent in what appeared to be a cross from the right but the looping ball went over Cruzeiro goalkeeper Cassio and into the far corner of the net. RELATED COVERAGE Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr eyes Asian glory amid revitalised Saudi Pro League campaign 10-man Barcelona concedes two late goals in draw at Celta Vigo Diego Simeone chokes up when speaking about his love for Atletico and his future Martinez doubled the lead with a shot from five meters. The game was played in Estadio General Pablo Rojas in Asuncion, Paraguay, where most of the 45,000 fans were supporting Racing. Copa Sudamericana is the second most prestigious club competition in South America behind the Copa Libertadores, and its first edition was in 2002. Racing is the first Argentinian team to win the competition since 2020 when Defensa y Justicia beat Lanus. The last two competitions were won by Ecuadorian teams. Brazilian teams Atletico Mineiro and Botafogo will play next weekend in the Copa Libertadores final in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer