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Afghanistan-Pakistan border clash: ‘Serious conflict’: Afghanistan says retaliatory strikes after Pakistani airstrikes

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Pakistan attacks Afghanistan; night air strikes reportedly cause massive civilian casualties WATCH

Afghan military authorities said they had begun strikes against Pakistan in response to recent Pakistani air strikes on Afghan territory.A statement from a military media office in eastern Afghanistan said officials said “violent clashes” broke out late Thursday.

Pakistan attacks Afghanistan; night air strikes reportedly cause massive civilian casualties WATCH

They said the fighting was “in response to recent air strikes by the Pakistani military in Nangarhar and Paktia provinces,” according to the Associated Press.Pakistan did not immediately confirm the news and there were no details on casualties at the time of reporting.

Trigger: Cross-border air strikes

The latest escalation came on Sunday when Pakistan launched a military attack on the Afghan border. The Pakistani military said it killed at least 70 militants in these operations.Kabul denies the claims, insisting the strikes killed dozens of civilians, including women and children.“Last night they bombed our fellow civilians in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, martyring and injuring dozens of people, including women and children,” Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on X.The Afghan Defense Ministry also said “dozens of innocent civilians, including women and children, were killed or injured” after airstrikes hit a school and homes in the eastern province.Afghan media “Tolo News” reported that a house was attacked in the Besud area of ​​Nangarhar Province, and 23 members of a family were reportedly buried under the rubble. The broadcaster also said that the Pakistan Air Force attacked a religious seminary in the Bemar district of Paktika province and carried out multiple air strikes in the Khojani district of Nangarhar province.Pakistan confirmed it had carried out cross-border attacks since Saturday in the Belmar and Ergun districts of Paktika and the Khojani, Basod and Ghanikal districts of Nangarhar.

Pakistan calls it militancy target

Islamabad said the operations targeted the militant group it blames for a recent series of suicide attacks in Pakistan.“Fitna al Khwarij” (Pakistan’s term for the banned Taliban group) and its affiliates and seven camps and hideouts in Daesh’s Khorasan province were attacked, Geo News reported, citing Pakistan’s Information Ministry. The ministry said the operation was “precise and accurate” and came in response to suicide attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu during the holy month of Ramadan.Talal Chaudhry, Pakistan’s minister of state for the interior, said the country had “conclusive evidence” that recent attacks – including a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad that killed 31 worshipers – were carried out by militants on the instructions of leadership and managers in Afghanistan.The Pakistani government has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to prevent armed groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks, and called on the international community to put pressure on Kabul to fulfill its commitments in the Doha Agreement.

Tensions rise between the two sides

A few days ago, a suicide bomber drove a vehicle packed with explosives into a security post in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing 11 soldiers and a child. Authorities later said the attacker was an Afghan national.Another suicide bombing in Bannu killed two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel.Following the incidents, Pakistan’s military warned it would not “exercise any restraint” and would continue to take action against the perpetrators “wherever they are”, a sign of growing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.Afghanistan has always denied accusations that armed groups have used its territory to launch attacks against Pakistan.India also reacted to the matter. The foreign ministry said it “strongly condemns Pakistan’s air strikes on Afghan territory during Ramadan, which resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children.”Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained tense in recent months, with earlier border clashes resulting in casualties among soldiers, civilians and suspected militants on both sides. The latest exchange marks one of the most serious escalations between the two neighbors in recent years.

Railway Minister urges startups, innovators to join ‘Railway Technology Portal’ for transformative solutions | India News

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Railway minister urges start-ups, innovators to join 'Rail Technology Portal' for transformative solutions
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw invited startups and innovators to collaborate with the government through the Railway Technology Portal to solve technical challenges within the Indian Railways. Speaking at a DNPA conclave on Thursday, the minister described the portal as primarily a “digital way of accepting solutions”. He encourages anyone interested in solving problems to contribute to the platform.

New Delhi: Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vashnoinviting startups and innovators to collaborate with the government through the Railway Technology Portal to solve technical challenges within Indian Railways. Speaking at a DNPA conclave on Thursday, the minister described the portal as a major “digital way of accepting solutions”. He encourages anyone interested in solving problems to contribute to the platform.The minister invited the start-up and innovator community to participate in the digital framework of the portal.“I would like to request start-ups, innovators and all those interested in solving difficult problems with technology across the country to get connected with the Railway Technology Portal. Rail Tech Portal is the digital way to receive solutions. Any issue you think deserves attention. We are delighted to see it as part of the Rail Technology Portal. “The minister also explained that the initiative is built on a concrete vision of inclusive innovation driving national achievements.“The Prime Minister’s vision at the inception of this Railway Technology Portal is that when science meets scale, when innovation becomes inclusive, and when technology drives transformation, this is the basis of great achievements. So, with this vision, this Railway Technology Portal will move forward”At the same event, Washnow also spoke about the responsibilities of tech platforms to the internet and the rights of content creators.The minister said platforms must recognize their role in protecting society.“I demand that platforms wake up and understand the importance of strengthening trust in the institutions that human society has created over thousands of years. Platforms must take responsibility for the content they host,” he said.“The online safety of children and the online safety of all citizens is the responsibility of the platform. Failure to adhere to these principles will certainly expose them to liability as the nature of the internet has now changed,” he added.Talking about a fair revenue system for content creators, Vishno said, “I will ask all platforms to reconsider their revenue sharing policies because this is also one of the major concerns raised by society as a whole today. If this is not done voluntarily, there are many countries that have shown the path to do it in a legal way.”

How US students get around a $25 phone lock bag filled with magnets, rocks and scissors World News

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How US students bypassed a $25 phone lock bag filled with magnets, rocks and scissors

In classrooms across America, a product designed to enforce phone-free learning is being undermined by low-tech ingenuity. Yondr sells a $25 cell phone locking bag designed to keep students from physically accessing their smartphones during class while allowing students to take the device with them. But within weeks of the rollout in some districts, students began sharing solutions. A hard knock on a table, ordering a powerful magnet online, or even stuffing a well-chosen rock into a bag could be enough to pick the lock. Schools viewed this as a simplified solution, but many students now see it as a puzzle to be solved.

The purpose of mobile phone lock bag

The Yondr Bag is a magnetically lockable fabric cover. Students put their phones inside at the start of the day and unlock them at designated stations after school. The idea is to eliminate temptation, reduce classroom conflict and ease anxiety about lost or damaged equipment without confiscating it. School districts have spent millions of dollars adopting the system, at $20 to $25 per student.

How students break it

These methods are very simple. Some students have found that hitting the bag against a hard surface at an angle pops the lock. Others use strong magnets to release them directly. Another tactic is to slide a flat rock or virtual object into the bag to make it appear sealed while the phone remains free. Scissors and pencils are also used to pry or cut seams. Once a few students succeed, these techniques spread quickly through word of mouth and social media.

Why the system is failing in schools

These bags first became popular at concerts and comedy shows, where staff controlled access and the audience had no incentive to sabotage. Schools are different. Students handle the bags all day long, peer pressure rewards smart infractions, and enforcement is spotty. A successful bypass could undermine the trustworthiness of the entire system.When bags are damaged or cut, schools must replace them. Some district administrators say costs are adding up quickly, especially when budgets are already tight. Teachers question whether the same results could be achieved with cheaper options such as wall caddies, lockers or backpack rules.Some educators report that phone-free classrooms improve attention and discussion skills regardless of the method used. Others said the bag itself became a distraction. Parents also have their differences. Some people like to limit screen time, while others worry about delaying cell phone use in emergencies.

More important issues than hardware

Experts believe the debate over ostomy bags misses a deeper issue. Blocking access will not change students’ relationship with their phones. It only delays it. As one teacher put it, teenagers view the pouch as something to be outsmarted rather than a habit to rethink. Until schools view phone use as a cultural issue (rather than just a technical issue), even the strongest locks may be temporary.

DNPA Conclave 2026: Evolving regulations a key driver for innovation in news media | India News

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DNPA Conclave 2026: Evolving regulations an important driver of news media innovation

At the 4th Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) Conclave 2026, industry leaders and policy experts gathered to discuss the country’s current regulatory environment and its impact on the media industry and publishers. On whether these conditions are a barrier to publisher survival or a matter of mechanism, Rajnish Gupta, partner and leader, economic policy, India, EY, said, “It depends on the angle from which you look at the problem.” He emphasized that it needs to be understood that the results of each policy will vary from person to person, saying “we are in an evolving space, it is not fixed. For example, if you are a platform, you may not like the guidelines around these intermediaries.” From a digital media perspective, in the age of artificial intelligence and deepfakes, the credibility, research, and authenticity of work are all called into question. ” Highlighting his experience working through different media platforms, Shivnath Thukral, VP Public Policy and Government Affairs at PhonePe (former VP Public Policy at Meta) said, “It’s hard for me to complain that policy didn’t become a driving factor.” He went on to say, “There must be a reason why Facebook, Google and all other platforms have the largest market base in India. There must be a reason why the Reserve Bank of India, with the support of the Indian government, is committed to policy support. India has the largest digital payments ecosystem,” adding, “Regulation follows innovation. Regulation of the digital ecosystem, including digital media, creates a lot of room for innovation.”Highlighting the importance of regulation for a good economy, Supreme Court lawyer Vivek Narayan Sharma said: “There is no question of absence of regulation and operations, for a good economy and a stable economy, regulation must be in place. If they are not in place, everything will become chaotic and everyone will do what they want and there will be no control. “Sharma also addressed the important issue of how much control should be given and to what extent. “Controls should be put in place on the basis of fundamental rights under the constitution. So regulation is there for a purpose so that people can run their own businesses, so these are very, very important regulations,” he said.Pavan Duggal, founder and chairman of the International Cybersecurity Law Commission, added another perspective, saying “Don’t wait for regulation.” He added, “Current regulation is neither adequate nor sufficient, nor can it be called over-regulation.”“These are not enough, so if you think this is the end of the rules on this topic, it’s certainly not… but we need to make sure that we are actually complying with the rules that are in place,” Dougal said of the centre’s newly introduced rules on artificial intelligence content.

‘No country gets a pass’: Anita Anand on whether Indian gangs are behind Canada’s extortion threat

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'No country gets a pass': Anita Anand on whether Indian gangs are behind Canada's extortion threat

No country will be given a pass, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said after being asked if she believed Indian criminal gangs were behind the extortion threat in Canada. “I want to focus on the fact that no country has a pass when it comes to Canada’s internal safety and security,” the Indian-origin minister said. “The importance of the rule of law and compliance with criminal laws is critical to our government. Period.”“What does this mean?” Anand continued. “What that means is that in terms of the enforcement of the criminal code, you mentioned racketeering, but the RCMP and police forces take many other provisions of the Canadian criminal code very seriously. As a government, we believe that law enforcement must have the ability to enforce criminal laws and try cases fairly at all times. This is a process in which we do not interfere. This is what the rule of law provides. Political actors have no role in this process. ” said Anand. “My second point about India is that there is an ongoing law enforcement dialogue at the highest levels of Canada’s public service with its Indian counterpart that is ongoing to address the relationship between the two countries and make that dialogue a place where issues related to these issues can be addressed,” the minister said. The comments come ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India (February 27-March 2).

Ottawa says India no longer linked to violent crime in Canada

Ahead of Carney’s long-awaited trip to India, the Toronto Star reported that the Canadian government now believes India is no longer linked to violent crime in Canada. “We have had very strong diplomatic engagement, including between the national security advisers, and I think we can say we are confident that this activity will not continue,” a senior official told the Toronto Star.

‘Foreign truck driver’ drove the wrong way on Missouri highway and went miles over the speed limit: ‘Can’t read basic road signs’

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'Foreign truck driver' drove the wrong way on Missouri highway and went miles over the speed limit: 'Can't read basic road signs'

A widely seen video shows a truck driving the wrong way on a Missouri highway, narrowly missing another vehicle and sparking an investigation by state and federal transportation officialsThe 18-wheeler, registered to Freight Transport LLC of Hopkins, Minn., was traveling north in the southbound lane. The truck traveled a few miles before coming to a stop near Troy, Missouri, and drivers pulled over to take cover.U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the incident onThe driver was detained for questioning, and toxicology testing and log review are ongoing. Officials have not released the identity or citizenship of the driver.A spokesman for the Missouri Department of Transportation called the incident a “clear violation of federal safety standards” and highlighted the dangers involved. “Wrong-way accidents on motorways often result in fatalities,” the spokesman said. “Fortunately no one was killed.”The video, recorded by a motorist who goes by @BtcLabe online, was viewed more than a million times in 24 hours and sparked debate about driver vetting and enforcement of commercial trucking regulations nationwide.The driver claimed the driver was a foreigner: “This is what happened. Highway 61, about 5 miles north of Troy, Missouri. The foreign intruder drove south in the northbound lane for about 3 miles. As I was driving north, he almost hit me and I pulled over to the left. I got in the southbound lane and followed him.”The truck has a DOT registration number of 4083603 and operates a fleet of small commercial vehicles. Federal officials are reviewing the company’s compliance history and safety record. Investigators said the truck was operated by Freight Transport LLC, a Minnesota-based company that reportedly operated from a residential address in Hopkins.

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh submits memorandum to Center, seeks increase in pensions, earnings per share | India News

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Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh submits memorandum to Center, seeking increase in pension, earnings per share

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has submitted a memorandum to the central government outlining a slew of demands related to labor laws, social security and workers’ welfare.in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi The union said the memorandum is based on the resolution passed at the 21st All India Triennial Conference held in Puri earlier this month.“During the three-day meeting, various pressing issues facing workers across the country were considered in detail and all resolutions were passed unanimously,” the organization said.Among its main demands, the BMS called for the universal application of labor laws “in the true spirit of Anteodaya, without any exemption for all sectors and all categories of workers.”The unions also urged the government to address concerns raised under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.On the social security front, the BMS sought a substantial increase in pension benefits, demanding an increase in the minimum pension under EPS-95 “from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,500 per month, coupled with dearness relief”.It further urged revision of the salary cap, demanding an increase in the EPF coverage limit to Rs 30,000 per month and an increase in the ESIC cap from Rs 21,000 to Rs 42,000 per month.The memorandum also raised issues such as regularization of scheduled and contract workers, lifting of general recruitment ban and implementation of the recommendations of the Third Pay Revision Commission for BSNL and MTNL employees.Talking about its protest plans, BMS said nationwide dharma and demonstrations were organized on February 25 to draw the attention of governments to the demands. “We ask that you intervene immediately and take swift action in the interest of your working community,” the group said.

‘Just some chocolates as gifts, nothing else’: 2024 body camera video shows three Indians stealing from Walmart

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'Just some chocolates as gifts, nothing else': 2024 body camera video shows three Indians stealing from Walmart

A YouTube channel released body camera video of three Indians caught shoplifting at a Florida Walmart on October 17, 2024, as such incidents become more common and reported. YouTube channel Body Cam Watch said the three Indians were charged with petty theft, but the charges were later dismissed because they had all completed a pre-cross-country diversion program. But the video sparked a backlash. “They hear America is the land of the free and take it literally,” one wrote. Another netizen wrote: “So they have the money to buy a plane ticket from Australia but don’t want to buy groceries at Walmart? That’s disgusting.” The man in the video said he is from India but came to the United States from Australia. Walmart surveillance cameras show a man and two women concealing items. The man took a bag full of stolen goods and placed it in their car, which they continued to do several times after they were flagged as shoplifters. Body camera video shows their interaction with police, who asked them if shoplifting was allowed in their country. One of the women said they were not stealing for themselves but to give gifts and they only stole some chocolates. The officer explained to them that if they were giving a gift, it would need to be purchased and not stolen from Walmart. They were told what would happen next and that they would need the money they didn’t spend at Walmart to get bail. When one officer reassured them it was a “lapse in judgment,” another interjected and said it wasn’t a mistake because it was a $397 issue.They apologized and said they understood they had committed a crime. One of the women said that she had been living in the United States for 2.5 years, and the other two were her brother and sister-in-law who came to the United States for vacation.

From Baramulla to the brink of history: Ochib Nabi defines Ranji Trophy season | Cricket News

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From Baramulla to the brink of history: Ochib Nabi defines Ranji Trophy season
Auqib Nabi in J&K (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav)

Hubballi: Auqib Nabi – a name that has struck a chord in the Indian domestic circuit over the past few seasons – is one of the standout players. Karnataka The camp would like to be forgotten in a hurry. The 29-year-old Simer from Baramulla on Thursday broke through Karnataka’s strong batting line-up to push Jammu and Kashmir to the brink of history-making ranji trophy title. However, Nabi downplayed his heroics, insisting his approach was based on keeping things simple, even if his bowling proved otherwise. Nabi’s pronounced swing, late movement and ability to consistently hit the seam with a strong wrist position kept Karnataka’s leading runner under relentless pressure on the third day of the final. Nabi, who entered the title race with 55 wickets this season, including 21 wickets in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, overtook Uttarakhand spinner Mayank Mishra (59 wickets) to become the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. In outlining his approach, Nabi said the Johnson & Johnson attack followed a collective plan. “In our team, we all follow the same plan, stick to specific lines and lengths. Even if the batsmen try to chase us, we keep bowling in the same channel,” he explained. Much of the preparation for the final has focused on the anticipated matchup between Naby and Naby Kuala Lumpur RahulTailor acknowledged concerns about dueling. “I was confident because I had been taking wickets. I went in with a positive mindset and just wanted to keep it simple. Before the game, I got a lot of messages about getting Rahul out, but I just wanted to bowl in a good channel and not focus on the batsmen,” he said. Naby emphasized the importance of wrist position in generating movement, an aspect of technique that has become central to his success. “Wrist position is very important. If your wrist is straight, everything else becomes easier. The ball moves with the wrist, so wrist straightness is very important for fast bowlers,” he said. Now that the visitors are within striking distance of their maiden Ranji Trophy victory, the anticipation is building. Big names from Johnson & Johnson are expected to arrive in Hubballi on Friday, on the eve of what could be a historic moment. For Naby, the possibility of lifting the trophy represents the realization of a long-held ambition. “When I first played for J&K, it was my dream to win trophies, especially in red-ball cricket. Growing up, I always knew we didn’t win trophies, so this means a lot,” he said.

Indian student subleases Texas apartment to sister for $1,000, sparks controversy Phone recording goes viral: ‘Stop the invasion’

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Indian student subleases Texas apartment to sister for $1,000, sparks controversy Phone recording goes viral: 'Stop the invasion'

An Indian student looking for a private apartment in Plano, Texas, is under scrutiny after discussions of subletting the apartment went viral. MAGA activist Carlos Turcios posted on H1-B visa aliens and violent Muslims are invading North Texas. Stop the invasion! “The center of the controversy involves student Shravanthi Varma, who was making accommodation arrangements for her sister. In their alleged taped conversation, she discussed sharing a one-bedroom apartment with another man while she moved part of her work week to Austin.Varma explained: “Well, it’s just me, actually. I only have one left.” My address, I mean, my office is in Austin, so I’m going to be moving to Austin. So, like, a few days, like, uh, twice a week, I’ll be in Austin. So I just want to give my apartment to people like me to share. So I’ll stay like I’m in the hall. So she’s, uh, like a BHK apartment. Therefore, I will give the master bedroom to those who are willing to share it with me.Discussions also involved leasing arrangements. She said the lease was in her name and her sister could pay her directly instead of being added to the lease.“Well, she could give me cash and everything. Because there’s no sublease clause here. So I would be on the lease, so she would need to pay me. I would pay from my side while she’s with me,” she said.The apartment is located at Michigan Gate Apartments in Plano, and Varma clarified that her sister will be able to visit the property over the weekend to see it in person.“Yeah, uh, she can come on the weekends if she wants to. Can you share her phone number? So we can be in direct contact so I can come here whenever she wants, if she’s ready,” Varma said.The talk also included a brief exchange about their origins.“Well, I am from Hyderabad state,” said the visitor. “Oh, she, she is from there too, from Telangana, Telugu, vegetarian, non-vegetarian,” Varma replied.While social media posts cast the discussion as part of a larger narrative about H1-B visa holders and immigration, there is no independent evidence that any legal action has been taken. Local authorities have not issued a statement confirming any investigation into illegal subletting or breaches related to the conversation.