Jaipur, Dec 28 (PTI) The BJP government of Rajasthan has decided to dissolve nine districts formed by the previous Congress dispensation, saying they were neither "practical" nor in "public interest". Three new divisions were also dissolved in a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Saturday. The state will now only have seven divisions and 41 districts, Parliamentary Affairs Minister and Law Minister Jogaram Patel said. In another decision taken in the cabinet meeting, CET scores would be valid for three years in Rajasthan, instead of one year. The state Congress leadership has condemned the decision and said that it will move court if needed. The previous Ashok Gehlot government had formed 17 new districts and three new divisions. It had also issued a notification for three new districts, which is also being cancelled by the Bhajan Lal Sharma government. Minister Jogaram Patel said that decisions were taken on the basis of a report by a cabinet sub-committee and an expert committee set up for the purpose. He said, "The committee found that these newly formed districts are not practical, these districts are not in the public interest. These districts are putting an unnecessary burden on the Rajasthan government. These districts have no utility at all." Patel said that the Congress government formed the new districts and divisions solely for political gains. Availability of financial resources, administrative requirements, law and order, cultural harmony etc. was not taken into consideration, he said. The minister said the previous government neither created necessary posts in the offices for the new districts nor constructed office buildings. He said that the government has decided to retain Balotra, Beawar, Deeg, Didwana-Kuchaman, Kotputli-Behror, Khairthal-Tijara, Phalodi and Salumbhar from among the districts created by the Congress. The cabinet has decided not to retain nine newly created districts -- Anupgarh, Dudu, Gangapur City, Jaipur Rural, Jodhpur Rural, Kekri, Neem Ka Thana, Sanchore and Shahpura. Banswara, Pali and Sikar divisions were dissolved by the state cabinet. It has also decided to cancel three new districts -- Malpura, Sujangarh and Kuchaman City, which were announced just before the elections. Patel said that the government has taken the decision after considering all aspects of administration. Condemning the BJP government's decision, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot said, "The decision of the BJP government to cancel nine out of the new districts created by our government is an example of indiscretion and mere political vengeance." Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra and Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully also slammed the decision. "We strongly condemn this decision and the Congress party and the common people of Rajasthan will protest against this decision. There are winter holidays in the court. Such a decision was taken hastily so that no one could go to the court and could not even file a PIL. If required, we will also approach the court," Dotasra told reporters at a press conference. Jully said that the Congress will start a mass movement to get the government to revert the decision. "We will raise voices against the decision in the assembly. From the road to the assembly, we will not let BJP sit in peace. This decision is anti-people. They have killed the rights of the people." Patel said that other important decisions regarding the development of the state were also taken at the meeting at Chief Minister's Office. There was no discussion, he said, on cancelling the Police Sub Inspector (SI) recruitment exam in the cabinet meeting. The minister added that the cabinet has decided to reorganise the panchayat, panchayat samitis and district councils in the state. Meanwhile, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sumit Godara said in a press conference that Schedule-1 of Rule 14 of Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2017, were amended to make the validity of Common Eligibility Test scores valid for three years in Rajasthan. (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.HIP container handling aims to capture the Relay market
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New Delhi: Shares of Ola Electric fell 4.6 per cent to an intraday low of Rs 85.93 on the BSE following the resignations of two senior executives - Chief Technology and Product Officer Suvonil Chatterjee and Chief Marketing Officer Anshul Khandelwal. Their resignations, effective December 27, 2024, mark yet another instance of high-level exits at Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola. Chatterjee joined Ola in 2017 as Head of Design, while Khandelwal began his journey in 2018 as Head of Marketing. Both executives initially worked with Ola Cabs before transitioning to Ola Electric. Their departures add to a growing list of top-level resignations across Ola's ventures, including its AI business, Krutrim, this year. In his resignation email, Chatterjee stated, “Formally sending in my resignation effective today, December 27, 2024.” Previously, Chatterjee was Head of Design at Flipkart and played a key role in Ola’s leadership. Ola has been seeing a steady stream of senior exits. In October, Sidharth Shakdher, Chief Business Officer of Ola Consumer, resigned after just nine months and moved to Paytm as Chief Marketing Officer and Business Head. The same month, Ola Electric Vice President and Head of Sales, Mahesh Alanthat, also stepped down. Also Read: Private Banks May Face Operational Risks In Nearby Future? Here's Why RBI Is Concerned Earlier this year, the ride-hailing business of Ola under parent company ANI Technologies faced notable exits. Chief Financial Officer Kartik Gupta resigned in May, just two weeks after CEO Hemant Bakshi stepped down. Ola: Layoffs And ChallengesIn addition to leadership changes, Ola Electric laid off 300-400 employees in recent months, primarily in manufacturing and supply-chain management roles. The company is also grappling with falling market share, increasing customer complaints, and a declining stock price. Ola Electric's IPO prospectus, filed before its August 2024 stock market debut, revealed a high employee attrition rate. In FY24, the attrition rate was 44.25 per cent. (Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as any investment advice. Times Now Digital suggests its readers/audience to consult their financial advisors before making any money-related decisions.) Also Read: Officers To Get Allowances In Digital Rupee Wallets? Know All About RBI's Plan Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Markets, Business Economy and around the world.
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) on field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images/ File Photo FILE PHOTO: The Federal Bureau of Investigation seal is seen at FBI headquarters in Washington, U.S. June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs looking to throw the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images/ File Photo NEW YORK - The FBI has warned the NBA that many recent home burglaries targeting professional athletes and high net worth individuals may be connected to sophisticated, transnational theft rings, the league said in a memo obtained by Reuters on Friday. Two players in the NBA had their homes broken into in recent weeks, according to media reports, along with the NFL's twice MVP Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce, who is dating pop superstar Taylor Swift. The memo, which the NBA directed to teams across the league, advised that players should install updated security systems and utilize protective guard services when they are away from home for extended periods of time. "NBA Security received a briefing from the Federal Bureau of Investigation ('FBI') that connected many of the home burglaries to transnational South American Theft Groups ('SATGs')," the memo read. "These SATGs are reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices." The FBI said that the homes that were broken into were all unoccupied and, in most cases, were equipped with alarm systems that had not been activated, according to the memo. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The memo is similar in nature to a document that the NFL sent this week, in which the league advised players to ramp up home security. Around-the-clock media reports and team schedules make it easy to know when players are on the road for extended periods of time and the NFL urged players to exercise caution in what they post to social media. The NFL said that surveillance tactics included attempted home deliveries and individuals posing as joggers or home maintenance workers. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now
This week in AI, security researchers stole artificial intelligence models with near-perfect accuracy by capturing electromagnetic signals , as MIT unveiled a robot system that can handle odd-shaped warehouse packages with 80% success. Meanwhile, three nations launched AI regulations, and Google released its more autonomous Gemini 2.0. Tech leaders acknowledge tougher challenges ahead as some AI models make dramatic leaps while others hit roadblocks. AI Models Vulnerable to Electromagnetic Signal Theft North Carolina State University researchers demonstrated a security vulnerability in AI systems , achieving over 99% accuracy in extracting AI models by capturing electromagnetic signals from computer hardware. The technique, which doesn’t require direct system access, raises alarms for tech giants like OpenAI , Anthropic and Google, which have invested heavily in proprietary AI models. The discovery highlights growing cybersecurity challenges as businesses increasingly rely on AI for competitive advantage. MIT Develops AI System for More Capable Warehouse Robots MIT researchers created PRoC3S, a new AI system that could help warehouse robots handle odd-shaped packages and navigate crowded spaces more effectively. The system combines AI language models with computer vision and tests actions in a virtual environment before executing them. In lab tests, it completed basic tasks like drawing shapes and sorting blocks with 80% accuracy. The technology aims to help robots perform complex warehouse jobs that typically require human dexterity. Three Nations Advance AI Oversight With Different Approaches A bipartisan U.S. House task force recommended industry-specific AI oversight rather than broad federal regulations, marking Congress’s first comprehensive framework. Meanwhile, Malaysia established a National AI Office to coordinate policy and development as it positions itself as a tech hub. And, the United Kingdom introduced a consultation on copyright reforms to balance AI innovation with creative industry protections. The moves reflect growing global efforts to establish AI governance frameworks. Google’s Gemini 2.0 Promises More Autonomous AI Operations Google released Gemini 2.0 , an AI system designed to handle complex tasks across multiple platforms with greater autonomy. The system powers projects like Astra for Android devices and Mariner for web navigation, suggesting a shift from command-based AI to more independent operation. A key feature is its unified approach to processing different types of information, integrating text, images and audio handling that previously required separate tools. AI Progress Shows Mixed Signals as Tech Giants Navigate Future AI is delivering contrasting signals, with some models achieving dramatic leaps while others hit unexpected roadblocks. Tech leaders acknowledge that while AI isn’t stalling, future progress faces steeper challenges. As companies race to develop more practical AI tools, businesses are carefully weighing investment decisions against a technology curve that defies simple characterization as either accelerating or slowing. For all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI Newsletter .Can you shoot down a drone? Common misconceptions, regulations and rights