India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies at 92
Rajnandgaon, Dec 21 (PTI) Six persons, including four cops, were arrested on Saturday for allegedly committing forgery in the ongoing constable recruitment drive in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district to favour some candidates in the selection process, police said. Those held have been identified as constables Yogesh Dhruve, Dharmraj Markam, Pushpa Chandravanshi and Paridhi, and two workers of a private firm providing technical assistance for the drive, Pavan Sahu and Nuteshwari Dhruve, they said. Also Read | Delhi Excise Policy Scam: AAP Rejects Claims of LG VK Saxena Granting Sanction to ED To Prosecute Arvind Kejriwal, Says 'ED Must Show Order Copy'. Pushpa, Paridhi and Nuteshwari are women, police said. The drive to recruit constables for Rajnandgaon Police Range began on the premises of the 8th battalion of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) on November 16 and is being held with technical support from Hyderabad-based Timing Technology Company, a police official said. Also Read | Mohali Building Collapse: Multi-Agency Rescue Effort On After Building Collapses in Punjab's Sohana, 5 Feared Trapped, CM Bhagwant Mann Says 'Will Take Action Against Culprits'. The police range covers the districts of Rajanandgaon, Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki and Kabirdham. The private company manages the technical equipment used in the recruitment process and storage of data, the official said. On December 17, an FIR was registered on the complaint of Deputy Superintendent of Police Tanupriya Thakur, in charge of a shot put event under the Physical Efficiency Test during the drive, after she found a candidate's marks to be forged, he said. She also noticed that the equipment used to record marks had been tampered with to benefit some candidates, he said. Examination of CCTV footage, mobile chats and statements of witnesses pointed to the involvement of these six accused in the malpractice following which they were apprehended, he said. Further investigation into the matter is underway, the official said. A constable, Anil Ratnakar, suspected to be involved in the alleged irregularities was found hanging from a tree in Rampur village under Lalbag police station limits in the morning, police said. “A note written with a pen was found on the left palm of Ratnakar, which stated employees were being targeted in the alleged irregularities in recruitment and officers protected. Prima facie, it seems to be a case of suicide and further investigation is underway,” Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg said earlier. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
( MENAFN - Jordan Times) Algorithms and data analytics are increasingly being used to influence public opinion and create informational bubbles. This growing trend raises significant legal and ethical questions, highlighting the urgent need for mechanisms to protect communities from such harmful practices. One of the main legal concerns is absence of clear legislation. The rapid pace of technological advancements often leaves legal frameworks outdated, creating a regulatory vacuum that is exploited for manipulating public opinion. Another concern is challenges in assigning liability. Determining legal responsibility becomes increasingly complex when multiple entities are involved in data misuse and public opinion manipulation. Thirdly is conflict of interests. Balancing freedom of expression with the need to protect societies from misinformation remains a contentious issue in many jurisdictions. In the same token, these informational bubbles cause ethical implications such as privacy violations. The unauthorised collection and analysis of personal data represent a blatant breach of privacy. Misinformation and deception is another ethical implication. The dissemination of false information and rumours with the intent to sway public opinion constitutes a profound ethical breach. Also, erosion of social cohesion is another is another ethical impact where manipulating public opinion exacerbates social divisions and undermines trust in institutions. A report by the World Economic Forum highlights that misinformation fuelled by advanced technologies tops the list of global threats for 2024. As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning continue to evolve, many scenarios are becoming increasingly plausible such as Advanced Deepfake Technologies. The creation of fake videos and images will reach unprecedented levels of sophistication, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish authentic content from manipulated material. Another scenario is Precision Targeting. Algorithms will enhance their ability to target individuals based on their personal data and behavioural patterns, significantly increasing the effectiveness of disinformation campaigns. As these challenges intensify, there is a pressing need for robust legislative frameworks. To keep pace with technological developments and close existing regulatory gaps. Also, it is important to enhance public awareness: Educating individuals about the risks of misinformation and their role in combating its spread. Collaboration among stakeholders is another action should be taken. Governments, tech companies and civil society must work together to develop ethical standards and enforce accountability. Addressing these challenges is essential to preserve societal trust, protect individual rights and promote a more informed and resilient public discourse. Furthermore, the use of to generate fake content, such as news articles or videos, poses a challenge in tracking the origins of such materials. Biometric data, which includes reading individuals' emotions and sentiments, can also be weaponised to manipulate opinions. Algorithms can create“information bubbles” by delivering tailored content that reinforces users' existing beliefs. This personalisation hinders constructive dialogue and consensus-building across differing perspectives. Furthermore, this can lead to erosion of trust in institutions. Public manipulation, coupled with the prevalence of misinformation, exacerbates the ongoing trust deficit in governmental and media institutions, many of which are already grappling with credibility crises. Data utilisation cause many challenges and risks such as privacy concerns. The aggregation and analysis of personal data remain fraught with privacy implications, demanding robust safeguards. Also, this could cause cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Data troves serve as prime targets for cyberattacks, jeopardising the integrity of critical systems. Governmental actions required to mitigate risks. Hence, to address these pressing issues, governments must undertake the following measures. Firstly, enact comprehensive laws that define responsibilities and establish clear data governance rules. Current data protection laws, such as Jordan's Personal Data Protection Law, require substantial enhancements to meet modern demands. Secondly, introduce mandates for greater corporate transparency regarding data collection, storage and usage practices. Also, to mitigate risks it required to launch nationwide awareness campaigns to educate citizens on identifying fake news and critically evaluating information. Too, develop educational programs to foster a tech-savvy populace capable of navigating the digital landscape responsibly. Strengthen individuals' rights to access is another measure should be taken to, delete, or modify their personal data, thereby promoting user autonomy. Investing in tools to detect disinformation, enhancing society's resilience to fake news and malicious content is important steps to avoid the risk of disinformation. This led to foster dialogue among governments, private sector entities, civil society organisations and technical experts to devise long-term, sustainable solutions to counter misinformation. The exploitation of data for public opinion manipulation represents a formidable challenge for modern societies. Addressing this issue necessitates a multifaceted approach involving legal reforms, ethical guidelines, public awareness and technological advancements. 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The opposition Labour Party; Peoples Democratic Party and others, on Thursday, lampooned the ruling All Progressives Congress over the country’s worsening poverty. The condemnation by the opposition parties followed a viral video showing long queues of Nigerians seeking foodstuffs at President Bola Tinubu’s Bourdillon residence in Lagos on Christmas Eve. Senator Ali Ndume, who shared the video on Wednesday via his official X account, said it highlighted the economic struggles facing the nation. The video showed a mammoth crowd standing or sitting down in long queues at Bourdillon Raod in Ikoyi, Lagos, where Tinubu’s house is located. Ndume, a member of the ruling APC, remarked, “Queues for presidential handouts at Bourdillon on Christmas Eve highlight a sobering reality. Poverty knows no tribe, religion, politics, or region. It is a universal challenge that demands collective action and sustainable solutions.” The development comes in the wake of tragic stampedes at food distribution events in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja, where over 50 persons died. Reacting to the development, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said it was sad that the ruling APC was turning more Nigerians into beggars by the day. Ifoh challenged the APC to come out of its denial and “come to terms with the reality that there is too much poverty, hunger, and oppression in the system.” “The statistics are out there for everybody to see. In fact, not too many people even understand that it is the season of Christmas. So, don’t be surprised at the sight of people going to queue at Bourdillon. A time will come when even able-bodied men wearing suits and ties will also carry plates to beg at his residence. “Imagine having to buy a bag of rice for Christmas at N100,000. What I am saying is that it is now clear to the blind and audible to the deaf that there is hunger in the land. Even the government itself has acknowledged it. “The international community has also given out statistics to show that the poverty level in Nigeria is second to India, which has over a billion population. Nigeria has just 240 million people. But our poverty level is over 40 per cent, and there is over 70 per cent unemployment in Nigeria. So, it is no longer news.” Also, LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, expressed concern about the deepening poverty in the country. Obi, speaking through his media aide, Umar Ibrahim, said it was sad that President Bola Tinubu’s harsh economic policies were reducing more Nigerians to beggars. “This reality is a stark contrast to what one would expect from a country with such potential and resources. The lack of effective governance is evident in the government’s failure to provide basic necessities, infrastructure, and opportunities for its citizens. It’s heartbreaking to see a nation with so much promise struggling to provide for its people,” he said. Also, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, accused President Tinubu’s administration of weaponizing poverty. He warned that Nigerians might get to the point of desperation where they would turn against the political elite. Related News Improve regulator-industry engagement, experts urge govt No French military presence in Nigeria, FG replies Niger president Tchiani Tinubu condoles Jigawa gov over mother’s death “I have always been of the opinion, and I seem to feel it, that this Presidency, as led by Bola Tinubu, has weaponised poverty and hunger to the point that Nigerians need to beg with a pleading hand to survive. And the man has reduced the dignity of the common man to the pauper state, where they lack basic dignity and self-sufficiency. So, people have to resort to begging. “President Tinubu’s APC administration has weaponized poverty. They unleashed hunger and hardship on Nigerians with their failed economic policies. The man has weaponised poverty and hunger to the point that you need to come to Bourdillon in Lagos to be able to afford a square meal a day or to get handouts. Across the country, they have created fields of strongmen who hand out arms and food to beggars or Nigerians they have reduced to beggars. “It is most despicable, it is inhuman, it is insensitive. And it borders on insensitivity for any sane government to encourage armed begging and the dehumanisation of human character and dignity in such a beautiful form as this government and this presidency have done,” Osadolor said. He warned that a time may come “when people will stop begging for food, they will eat those who are giving it to them, or go after the political elites, especially members of the APC because they caused the hardship, and that is where Nigerians are heading, if we are not careful.” Speaking in a similar vein, the National Publicity Secretary of the Young People’s Party, Egbeola Martins, said Nigerians had never had it so bad. “Things have never been this bad,” Martins said. He called on the APC-led government to urgently review its economic policies before things got completely out of hand. He said, “We are still very much insistent on the fact that there is a need to review some of the anti-masses policies that have actually impoverished Nigerians. We are particularly concerned about the subsidy removal policy, especially with the benefit of hindsight, even though it was once a major position of critical stakeholders in the past. “The implementation has shown that it leaves a lot to be desired. The pain this has caused Nigerians is excruciating. In our opinion, there is nothing wrong with the government reviewing this policy, especially the subsidy removal.” But the ruling APC dismissed the criticisms, accusing the opposition of trying to incite Nigerians against the President by mischaracterising his longstanding generosity. Speaking to The PUNCH, the APC National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, said, “Tinubu has been doing this thing for ages. This is not the first time he is doing it. But this time, because he is the President, it has become extremely conspicuous, and everybody is looking at it differently. “If it was something he initiated just after he became the President, then it can be a story for discussion. But he has been doing this thing for long. Anybody who knows Tinubu knows that he is a person that is naturally generous. He likes extending help and support to people in need. “In fact, I think he inherited it because his mother was also doing the same. Nobody is saying that there is no hardship in the land. But that is not a reason for people to make jest of those who intend to genuinely help, especially people who have been doing so for long.” Ibrahim, who said Tinubu’s name is synonymous with generosity, sympathy, and help, accused the opposition of always seeking fault in the President. “The only difference between what he was doing then and now is that his current palliative is coming with a presidential tag. The Bourdillon we know now is not the same as yesterday. It is a Bourdillon that now houses the President of the country. “There was a time he was accused of stationing a bullion van in front of his house and giving people money. Why wasn’t that painted in the same light as this? Now that he is doing it as a President, it has become a big story. “The opposition and critics are just grandstanding. The truth is that if there were to be an announcement and he says he is also extending this hand to the opposition, they will queue up. Their own is to amass wealth to eat alone. But this is a man who feels for the ordinary man,” Ibrahim said.
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