Podcasts about Chhattisgarh

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I'm Nelson John and here are today's top stories. Flat Start for Markets, All Eyes on RBI Indian markets are bracing for a cautious open this Monday. Global cues are mixed—Japan's Nikkei and Topix dipped, while US indices closed steady after clocking their best monthly gains since Nov 2023. Gift Nifty hints at a flat open. The big domestic trigger? The RBI's monetary policy decision on Friday, with markets pricing in a 25-bps rate cut. Investors will also track May auto sales, foreign fund flows, and the fallout from Trump's move to double US steel tariffs to 50%. India's GDP grew 7.4% in Q4, even as FY25 growth slowed to 6.5%. GST collections stayed strong at ₹2 lakh crore+, and crude oil prices are heating up again. “Stay diversified,” says PL Capital's Vikram Kasat. “Macro resilience is intact, but global uncertainty looms.”

This is the story of a man who didn't wait for change — he became it.The Man Who Stood Up For The Forgotten Birhors traces the extraordinary life of Jageshwar Yadav, a quiet revolutionary from Chhattisgarh who dedicated his life to the forgotten Birhor tribe. Born in 1955, Yadav's journey began with a simple question: why were tribal children left behind? What followed was decades of unwavering work — securing land rights, building schools, launching health campaigns, and igniting dignity among some of India's most marginalised communities.About Padma PridePadma Pride is an inspiring audio series by The Good Sight and Rise Against Hunger India, celebrating Padma Awardees and their extraordinary impact. Every Sunday, we bring you the story of a changemaker shaping India's future. (Narration: Shalini Singh, The Good Sight).

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary about a major encounter in Chhattisgarh in which security forces claimed to have killed top Maoist leader Nambala Keshava Rao, alias Basavaraju.Next, we speak to The Indian Express' Dheeraj Mishra about the Indian Railways' Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and the rollout of Amrit Bharat Express trains. (09:55)And in the end, we discuss the fallout from the capsizing of a container vessel off the Kerala coast and the emergency response now underway. (20:04)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar

This week on Hafta, Newslaundry's Newslaundry's Abhinandan Sekhri, Manisha Pande, Jayashree Arunachalam, Raman Kirpal and Shardool Katyayan are joined by senior journalist and CGNet Swara's co-founder Shubhranshu Choudhary.We start with a discussion on the killing of 27 suspected Maoists in Chhattisgarh this week and analyse if the Maoist movement in the state has declined. Shubhranshu says, “We don't agree with the strategy, but it is hugely successful… This war has been won by the Bastariyas (residents of Bastar) themselves who gave information.”However, he warns that unresolved issues like mining and lack of development could reignite tensions, asking, “What will be our development policy? That will determine whether Maoism will be dead.”Jayashree raises concerns about the accuracy of government claims, questioning, “Should we be more suspicious when the government says it's killed dozens of Maoists?” She highlights the lack of judicial scrutiny in encounters, citing, “I think of thousands of encounters that have happened in Bastar in the last 25 years. There've only been two judicial inquiries.”Abhinandan adds, “There's an overlap of mining interests in media interests – even in ownership,” and Manisha stresses on political representation for a better future for Bastar's residents. “If militants in the Northeast can join the BJP, why not here? Political representation matters. It gives people real options.”This and a lot more. Tune in!We have a page for subscribers to send letters to our shows. If you want to write to Hafta, click here. Check out the Newslaundry store and flaunt your love for independent media. Download the Newslaundry app. Song: Blowing in the windTimecodes00:00:00 – Introductions 00:06:51 – Headlines 00:16:59 - Operation Black Forest01:13:52 – Letters01:36:04 – RecommendationsCheck out previous Hafta recommendations, references, songs and letters Produced by Priyali Dhingra.Recorded by Hassan Bilal and Anil Kumar. Production assistance by Ankit Raj. This episode is outside of the paywall for now. Before it goes behind the paywall, why not subscribe? Get brand-new episodes of all our podcasts every week, while also doing your bit to support independent media. Click here to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Basavaraju—tech grad to Maoist commander-in-chief who scripted deadliest massacres including Dantewada   https://theprint.in/india/basavaraju-tech-grad-to-maoist-commander-in-chief-who-scripted-deadliest-massacres-including-dantewada/2632948/

#cuttheclutter Security forces Wednesday dealt a massive blow to Left Wing Extremism (LWE) by eliminating Basavaraju, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), in an operation in Chhattisgarh's Abujhmad. In Episode 1667 of #CutTheClutter Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at the roots of the Maoist movement, how it is structured, and efforts over the years to rid India's central east region of Left Wing Extremism. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read reports by Ananya Bhardwaj & Mayank Kumar: https://theprint.in/india/basavaraju-tech-grad-to-maoist-commander-in-chief-who-scripted-deadliest-massacres-including-dantewada/2632948/ https://theprint.in/india/top-maoist-leader-basavraj-likely-among-27-killed-by-security-forces-in-chhattisgarhs-abujhmad/2632851/ https://theprint.in/india/over-200-maoists-eliminated-since-2021-on-path-to-naxal-free-india-top-commanders-prove-elusive/2410102/ https://theprint.in/india/forces-dealt-a-big-blow-to-maoist-top-rung-with-chalapathi-killing-but-many-big-guns-still-at-large/2460700/ https://theprint.in/politics/blowing-up-police-stations-to-murders-of-mlas-the-life-of-slain-maoist-commander-chalapathi/2455759/ https://theprint.in/india/wanted-in-37-cases-maoist-prayag-manjhi-killed-in-jharkhand-was-big-headache-for-security-forces/2597702/ https://theprint.in/india/bastar-armed-with-new-weapons-to-end-maoism-once-for-all-roads-ration-cards-crpf-gurukul/2488114/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To visit ThePrint Store: https://store.theprint.in/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

Hello, this is your daily dose of news from Onmanorama. Tune in to get updated about the major news stories of the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Sound Kitchen you'll hear the answer to the question about the drop in pollution rates in Paris. There's “On This Day” and “The Listener's Corner” with Paul Myers, and plenty of good music. All that, and the new quiz and bonus questions too, so click the “Play” button above and enjoy!    Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday – here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll hear the winners' names announced and the week's quiz question, along with all the other ingredients you've grown accustomed to: your letters and essays, “On This Day”, quirky facts and news, interviews, and great music … so be sure and listen every week.Erwan and I are busy cooking up special shows with your music requests, so get them in! Send your music requests to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr Tell us why you like the piece of music, too – it makes it more interesting for us all!Facebook: Be sure to send your photos to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr for the RFI English Listeners Forum banner!More tech news: Did you know we have a YouTube channel? Just go to YouTube and write “RFI English” in the search bar, and there we are! Be sure to subscribe to see all our videos.Would you like to learn French? RFI is here to help you!Our website “Le Français facile avec RFI” has news broadcasts in slow, simple French, as well as bilingual radio dramas (with real actors!) and exercises to practice what you have heard.Go to our website and get started! At the top of the page, click on “Test level”. According to your score, you'll be counselled to the best-suited activities for your level.Do not give up! As Lidwien van Dixhoorn, the head of “Le Français facile” service told me: “Bathe your ears in the sound of the language, and eventually, you'll get it.” She should know – Lidwien is Dutch and came to France hardly able to say “bonjour” and now she heads this key RFI department – so stick with it!Be sure you check out our wonderful podcasts!In addition to the news articles on our site, with in-depth analysis of current affairs in France and across the globe, we have several podcasts that will leave you hungry for more.There's Spotlight on France, Spotlight on Africa, The International Report, and of course, The Sound Kitchen. We also have an award-winning bilingual series – an old-time radio show, with actors (!) to help you learn French, called Les voisins du 12 bis. Remember, podcasts are radio, too! As you see, sound is still quite present in the RFI English service. Please keep checking our website for updates on the latest from our journalists. You never know what we'll surprise you with!To listen to our podcasts from your PC, go to our website; you'll see “Podcasts” at the top of the page. You can either listen directly or subscribe and receive them directly on your mobile phone.To listen to our podcasts from your mobile phone, slide through the tabs just under the lead article (the first tab is “Headline News”) until you see “Podcasts”, and choose your show. Teachers take note! I save postcards and stamps from all over the world to send to you for your students. If you would like stamps and postcards for your students, just write and let me know. The address is english.service@rfi.fr  If you would like to donate stamps and postcards, feel free! Our address is listed below. Another idea for your students: Br. Gerald Muller, my beloved music teacher from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, has been writing books for young adults in his retirement – and they are free! There is a volume of biographies of painters and musicians called Gentle Giants, and an excellent biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., too. They are also a good way to help you improve your English - that's how I worked on my French, reading books that were meant for young readers – and I guarantee you, it's a good method for improving your language skills. To get Br. Gerald's free books, click here.Independent RFI English Clubs: Be sure to always include Audrey Iattoni (audrey.iattoni@rfi.fr) from our Listener Relations department in your RFI Club correspondence. Remember to copy me (thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr) when you write to her so that I know what is going on, too. N.B.: You do not need to send her your quiz answers! Email overload!This week's quiz: On 12 April I asked you a question about the drop in air pollution in Paris. That week, Airparif, an independent group that tracks air quality, reported that between 2005 and 2024, levels in Paris of the two most harmful air pollutants – fine particles and nitrogen dioxide – fell by 55 percent and 50 percent respectively.You were to re-read our article “Air pollution in Paris region 'cut in half' over the past 20 years” and send in the answer to this question: According to Airparif, what are the policies that led to the reduction in Paris' pollution? What are some of the concrete steps that were taken?The answer is, to quote our article: “Antoine Trouche, an engineer at Airparif, told France Inter radio that several concrete steps had made a difference.These included ‘the Euro emissions standards, taxation of industrial pollutant emissions, and increased public transport and cycling infrastructure'.He also pointed to ‘the replacement of diesel vehicles with petrol and electric vehicles.'”In addition to the quiz question, there was the bonus question, suggested by Jayanta Chakrabarty from New Delhi, India: “Suppose you find an old magical lamp which when rubbed a genie appears and tells you he will fulfill one wish. What would your wish be?”Do you have a bonus question idea? Send it to us! The winners are: RFI English listener Malik Allah Bachaya Khokhar, the president of the Sungat Radio Listeners Club in Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. Malik is also the winner of this week's bonus question. Congratulations on your double win, Malik.Also on the list of lucky winners this week are Ramu Reddy, a member of the RFI Pariwar Bandhu SWL Club in Chhattisgarh, India, and RFI Listeners Club members Sardar Munir Akhter from Punjab, Pakistan, as well as Deekay Dimple from Assam, India.Last but not least, RFI English listener Ataur Rahman Ranju, the president of the Alokito Manush Cai International Radio Listeners Club in Rangpur, Bangladesh.Congratulations, winners!Here's the music you heard on this week's programme:  “Free Wheelin'” by Thierry Durbet and Laurent Thierry-Meig; “Arc en Ciel 3” by Philippe Bestion; “The Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; “The Cakewalk” from Children's Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by the composer, and “Un Nuit à Paris” by Kevin Godley and Lol Cream, performed by 10cc.Do you have a music request? Send it to thesoundkitchen@rfi.frThis week's question ... you must listen to the show to participate. After you've listened to the show, re-read our article “France hosts summit to lure scientists threatened by US budget cuts”, which will help you with the answer.You have until 9 June to enter this week's quiz; the winners will be announced on the 14 June podcast. When you enter, be sure to send your postal address with your answer, and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number.Send your answers to:english.service@rfi.frorSusan OwensbyRFI – The Sound Kitchen80, rue Camille Desmoulins92130 Issy-les-MoulineauxFranceClick here to learn how to win a special Sound Kitchen prize.Click here to find out how you can become a member of the RFI Listeners Club, or form your own official RFI Club.   

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, March 23, 2025: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Samagam -Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, March 23, 2025: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Samagam -Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

Hello, this is your daily dose of news from Onmanorama. Tune in to get updated about the major news stories of the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha SharmaToday is the 20th of March and here are the headlines.Both Houses of Parliament were marred by protests staged by the DMK over the delimitation issue, with the presiding officers calling their behaviour unbecoming of the dignity of Parliament. Lok Sabha was adjourned within two minuates after it met at 11 am, as DMK MPs came wearing identical T-shirts as a mark of protest against the proposed delimitation. Speaker Om Birla said they cannot come to the House wearing T-shirts and protest in ways that lower the dignity of the House, and adjourned Lok Sabha till noon. The delimitation is expected after 2026 following the decennial census unless the Parliament extends the freeze yet again by amending the Constitution.The Cyberabad police in Telangana booked 25 people on Sunday, including Tollywood actors and social media influencers, for allegedly promoting illegal betting, gambling and casino apps, causing financial losses to the public. Among the 25 named in the FIR are actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Devarakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha and Nidhi Agarwal. Named accused 1 and accused 2, Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj are alleged to have promoted Junglee Rummy through pop-up ads. Vijay Devarakonda is accused of promoting A23 Rummy, Manchu Lakshmi Yolo247, Praneetha Fairplay Live, and Nidhi Agarwal Jeet Win, all by way of pop-up ads, the police said.Billionaire Elon Musk's social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Government, challenging the creation of a “parallel” and “unlawful” content censorship regime through a provision under the Information Technology Act. In its petition filed in the Karnataka High Court earlier this month, the company has contended that through the use of Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, multiple government departments and agencies are now issuing content takedown notices to social media companies like X, “attempting to bypass the multiple procedural safeguards” prescribed under Section 69A of the IT Act, which also allows for content blocking.A jawan and 22 Maoists were killed in two encounters in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region today. One encounter broke out at 7 am while security forces were undertaking an operation based on intelligence indicating the presence of Maoists in the jungles under the jurisdiction of Gangaloor police station in Bijapur district near the Dantewada border. The encounter involved intermittent firing for hours, said Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range. A jawan from the Bijapur District Reserves Guard (DRG) and 18 Maoists were killed in the firing. “We have recovered explosives and weapons. Search operations are going on,” the officer said.An Indian researcher at Georgetown University, Badar Khan Suri, has been detained by US immigration authorities days after another Indian national's student visa was cancelled over accusations of supporting Hamas. According to a report in Politico that cited court documents, the US government has accused Suri, an Indian national and postdoctoral fellow, of allegedly having connections with Hamas — a Palestinian group that the US and several other Western countries have designated as a terrorist organisation. This comes just days after the student visa of Columbia University student Ranjani Srinivasan was revoked by the Donald Trump administration.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

First, we talk to veteran journalist and Contributing Editor for The Indian Express Neerja Chowdhury about BJP's plans in the South and what challenges lie ahead of them.Next, The Indian Express' Jayprakash S Naidu gives us details of the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, the investigation and the reasons behind searches being conducted at former CM Bhupesh Baghel's residence. (15:59)Lastly, we speak about heightened security and mosques being covered in UP on the occasion of Holi. (22:04)Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This week on The Sound Kitchen we'll celebrate International Women's Day. You'll hear the answer to the question about the French Socialist party and the no-confidence vote, “The Listener's Corner” with Paul Myers, and Erwan Rome's “Music from Erwan” – all that, as well as the new quiz and bonus questions, so click the “Play” button above and enjoy!  Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday – here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll hear the winner's names announced and the week's quiz question, along with all the other ingredients you've grown accustomed to: your letters and essays, “On This Day”, quirky facts and news, interviews, and great music … so be sure and listen every week.Erwan and I are busy cooking up special shows with your music requests, so get them in! Send your music requests to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr Tell us why you like the piece of music, too – it makes it more interesting for us all!Facebook: Be sure to send your photos to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr for the RFI English Listeners Forum banner!More tech news: Did you know we have a YouTube channel? Just go to YouTube and write “RFI English” in the search bar, and there we are! Be sure to subscribe to see all our videos.Would you like to learn French? RFI is here to help you!Our website “Le Français facile avec RFI” has news broadcasts in slow, simple French, as well as bilingual radio dramas (with real actors!) and exercises to practice what you have heard.Go to our website and get started! At the top of the page, click on “Test level”. According to your score, you'll be counselled to the best-suited activities for your level.Do not give up! As Lidwien van Dixhoorn, the head of “Le Français facile” service told me: “Bathe your ears in the sound of the language, and eventually, you'll get it.” She should know – Lidwien is Dutch and came to France hardly able to say “bonjour” and now she heads this key RFI department – so stick with it!Be sure you check out our wonderful podcasts!In addition to the news articles on our site, with in-depth analysis of current affairs in France and across the globe, we have several podcasts that will leave you hungry for more.There's Spotlight on France, Spotlight on Africa, The International Report, and of course, The Sound Kitchen. We also have an award-winning bilingual series – an old-time radio show, with actors (!) to help you learn French, called Les voisins du 12 bis. Remember, podcasts are radio, too! As you see, sound is still quite present in the RFI English service. Please keep checking our website for updates on the latest from our journalists. You never know what we'll surprise you with!To listen to our podcasts from your PC, go to our website; you'll see “Podcasts” at the top of the page. You can either listen directly or subscribe and receive them directly on your mobile phone.To listen to our podcasts from your mobile phone, slide through the tabs just under the lead article (the first tab is “Headline News”) until you see “Podcasts”, and choose your show. Teachers take note! I save postcards and stamps from all over the world to send to you for your students. If you would like stamps and postcards for your students, just write and let me know. The address is english.service@rfi.fr  If you would like to donate stamps and postcards, feel free! Our address is listed below. Another idea for your students: Br. Gerald Muller, my beloved music teacher from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, has been writing books for young adults in his retirement – and they are free! There is a volume of biographies of painters and musicians called Gentle Giants, and an excellent biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., too. They are also a good way to help you improve your English - that's how I worked on my French, reading books that were meant for young readers – and I guarantee you, it's a good method for improving your language skills. To get Br. Gerald's free books, click here.Independent RFI English Clubs: Be sure to always include Audrey Iattoni (audrey.iattoni@rfi.fr) from our Listener Relations department in your RFI Club correspondence. Remember to copy me (thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr) when you write to her so that I know what is going on, too. N.B.: You do not need to send her your quiz answers! Email overload!This week's quiz: On 8 February, I asked you a question about our article “French PM pushes through budget, faces second no-confidence vote”. That's because French Prime Minister François Bayrou used Article 49.3 – a special executive power - to push the budget through. The Parliament does not take kindly to Article 49.3, because the executive branch can use it to bypass their votes.After it went through, a no-confidence motion was immediately brought forward by the hard-left France Unbowed party. At that time, it was not thought the no-confidence motion would pass, because the Socialists said they would vote against it. My question to you was: Why did France's Socialist party say they would vote against the no-confidence motion brought by the France Unbowed party? The answer is, to quote our article: “The Socialist Party said in a press release that it did not want to see France in an extended period of financial limbo and would therefore, ‘in a spirit of responsibility', not back the no-confidence vote.”They held to their word: The Socialist party did not back the no-confidence vote - France has a budget now, and the same prime minister, François Bayrou. In addition to the quiz question, there was the bonus question: “Is the favorite child the worst child?”Do you have a bonus question idea? Send it to us! The winners are: RFI English Listeners Club member Nasyr Muhammad from Katsina State, Nigeria. Nasyr is also this week's bonus question winner. Congratulations, Nasyr, on your double win !Also on the winner's list this week are: Reepa Bain, the secretary of the RFI Pariwer Bandhu SWL Club in Chhattisgarh, India; Mukta Banu, a member of the Shetu RFI Listeners Club in Naogaon, Bangladesh; RFI English Listeners Club member Dipita Chakrabarty from New Delhi, India, and last but not least, RFI English listener Murshida Parvin Lata, the vice - president of the Sonali Badhan Female Listeners Club in Bogura, Bangladesh.Congratulations, winners!Here's the music you heard on this week's programme: “One Woman” by Beth Blatt, Graham Lyle, and Fahan Hassan, performed by the United Nation Women Singers; “Toy Symphony” by Leopold Mozart; “The Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; “The Cakewalk” from Children's Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by the composer, and “Nubian Lady” by Kenny Barron, performed by Bobbi Humphrey and her orchestra.  Do you have a music request? Send it to thesoundkitchen@rfi.frThis week's question ... you must listen to the show to participate. After you've listened to the show, take another listen to the first story on Alison Hird and Sarah Elzas' Spotlight on France podcast number 124, which will help you with the answer.You have until 31 March to enter this week's quiz; the winners will be announced on the 5 April podcast. When you enter, be sure to send your postal address with your answer, and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number.Send your answers to:english.service@rfi.frorSusan OwensbyRFI – The Sound Kitchen80, rue Camille Desmoulins92130 Issy-les-MoulineauxFranceClick here to learn how to win a special Sound Kitchen prize.Click here to find out how you can become a member of the RFI Listeners Club, or form your own official RFI Club.   

In Chhattisgarh, Ramesh Baghel has been fighting a lone battle to bury his father, Subhash, in the village graveyard—but both the High Court and the Supreme Court have turned him away.  

First, The Indian Express' Nihal Koshie tells us how, despite the ongoing sexual harassment trial against former Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the WFI continues to function from his bungalow in Delhi.Next, The Indian Express' Jayprakash Naidu explains why a man from Chhattisgarh has been struggling to bury his father in his village (11:24).Finally, The Indian Express' Sohini Ghosh reports on a Delhi couple whose bank accounts were frozen for over three years without explanation—until they discovered the reason (17:45).Hosted, written and produced by Shashank BhargavaAdditional help from Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This week on The Sound Kitchen you'll hear the answer to the question about Russia and Syria. There's The Sound Kitchen mailbag, “The Listener's Corner” with Paul Myers, and Erwan Rome's “Music from Erwan” – all that, and the new quiz and bonus questions too, so click the “Play” button above and enjoy!  Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday – here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll hear the winner's names announced and the week's quiz question, along with all the other ingredients you've grown accustomed to: your letters and essays, “On This Day”, quirky facts and news, interviews, and great music … so be sure and listen every week.WORLD RADIO DAY is coming up - it's on 13 February. As we do every year, we'll have a feast in The Sound Kitchen, filled with your voices.Send your SHORT recorded WRD greetings to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr by 1 February. This year's theme is "Radio and Climate Change", but you don't have to talk about the theme – if you just want to say "hello!", that's fine, too.Be sure you include your name and where you live in your message.Most importantly, get under a blanket to record. This will make your recording broadcast quality.Bombard me with your greetings !!!!The RFI English team is pleased to announce that Saleem Akhtar Chadhar, the president of the RFI Seven Stars Listening Club in District Chiniot, Pakistan, won the RFI / Planète Radio ePOP video contest, in the RFI Clubs category. Bravo Saleem! Mubarak ho!Erwan and I are busy cooking up special shows with your music requests, so get them in! Send your music requests to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr  Tell us why you like the piece of music, too – it makes it more interesting for us all!Facebook: Be sure to send your photos to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr for the RFI English Listeners Forum banner!More tech news: Did you know we have a YouTube channel? Just go to YouTube and write “RFI English” in the search bar, and there we are! Be sure to subscribe to see all our videos.Would you like to learn French? RFI is here to help you!Our website “Le Français facile avec RFI” has news broadcasts in slow, simple French, as well as bilingual radio dramas (with real actors!) and exercises to practice what you have heard.Go to our website and get started! At the top of the page, click on “Test level”. According to your score, you'll be counselled to the best-suited activities for your level.Do not give up! As Lidwien van Dixhoorn, the head of “Le Français facile” service told me: “Bathe your ears in the sound of the language, and eventually, you'll get it.” She should know – Lidwien is Dutch and came to France hardly able to say “bonjour” and now she heads this key RFI department – so stick with it!Be sure you check out our wonderful podcasts!In addition to the news articles on our site, with in-depth analysis of current affairs in France and across the globe, we have several podcasts that will leave you hungry for more.There's Spotlight on France, Spotlight on Africa, The International Report, and of course, The Sound Kitchen. We also have an award-winning bilingual series – an old-time radio show, with actors (!) to help you learn French, called Les voisins du 12 bis. Remember, podcasts are radio, too! As you see, sound is still quite present in the RFI English service. Please keep checking our website for updates on the latest from our journalists. You never know what we'll surprise you with!To listen to our podcasts from your PC, go to our website; you'll see “Podcasts” at the top of the page. You can either listen directly or subscribe and receive them directly on your mobile phone.To listen to our podcasts from your mobile phone, slide through the tabs just under the lead article (the first tab is “Headline News”) until you see “Podcasts”, and choose your show. Teachers take note! I save postcards and stamps from all over the world to send to you for your students. If you would like stamps and postcards for your students, just write and let me know. The address is english.service@rfi.fr  If you would like to donate stamps and postcards, feel free! Our address is listed below. Another idea for your students: Br. Gerald Muller, my beloved music teacher from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, has been writing books for young adults in his retirement – and they are free! There is a volume of biographies of painters and musicians called Gentle Giants, and an excellent biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., too. They are also a good way to help you improve your English - that's how I worked on my French, reading books that were meant for young readers – and I guarantee you, it's a good method for improving your language skills. To get Br. Gerald's free books, click here.Independent RFI English Clubs: Be sure to always include Audrey Iattoni (audrey.iattoni@rfi.fr) from our Listener Relations department in your RFI Club correspondence. Remember to copy me (thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr) when you write to her so that I know what is going on, too. N.B.: You do not need to send her your quiz answers! Email overload!This week's quiz: On 14 December, I asked you a question about Syria and the end of Bashir al-Assad's dictatorship. Rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, seized Damascus on 8 December; Assad fled to Russia, ending his family's six-decade- rule.You were to re-read our article “France's support for Syrian transition hinges on respect for minority rights” and send in the answer to this question:  France's outgoing Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot was quoted in the article. He noted that “Assad's fall is a ‘clear defeat for Moscow'”. Why? Why does Jean-Noel Barrot think that Assad's fall is a “clear defeat for Moscow”?The answer is, to quote our article: “… Russia now could lose access to military bases in Syria which allowed it to conduct operations in the Magreb and elsewhere on the African continent.”In addition to the quiz question, there was the bonus question, suggested by Debashis Gope from West Bengal, India: “How can we have peace amongst all people?”  Do you have a bonus question idea? Send it to us! The winners are: RFI English listener Dia Zanib from Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. Dia is also this week's bonus question winner. Congratulations on your double win, Dia!Also on the list of lucky winners this week is Omar Faruk, a member of the Shetu RFI Listeners Club in Naogaon, Bangladesh, and Alok Bain, a member of the RFI Pariwer Bandhu SWL Club in Chhattisgarh, India. There's RFI Listeners Club member Abdul Mannan Teacher from Sirajganj, Bangladesh, and last but not least, RFI English listener Nargis Akter from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Congratulations, winners!Here's the music you heard on this week's programme: “Vivace” from the Piano Concerto No. 11 in D major for fortepiano and orchestra by Franz Joseph Haydn, performed by Ronald Brautigam and the Concerto Copenhagen; the first movement from the Suite for Oud Quartet by Mohammad Osman, performed by the Syrian Oud Quartet; “The Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; “The Cakewalk” from Children's Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by the composer, and “Kudzi Malaissane” by José Pires and Roberto Isaias, performed by Kapa Dêch.Do you have a music request? Send it to thesoundkitchen@rfi.frThis week's question ... you must listen to the show to participate. After you've listened to the show, re-read our article “French NGOs to quit social media platform X following Trump inauguration”, which will help you with the answer.You have until 17 February to enter this week's quiz; the winners will be announced on the 22 February podcast. When you enter be sure to send your postal address with your answer, and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number.Send your answers to:english.service@rfi.frorSusan OwensbyRFI – The Sound Kitchen80, rue Camille Desmoulins92130 Issy-les-MoulineauxFranceClick here to learn how to win a special Sound Kitchen prize.Click here to find out how you can become a member of the RFI Listeners Club, or form your own official RFI Club.   

Conceptualised in 1941 and approved in 2005, the Polavaram project has encountered significant delays, cost overruns, and challenges like coffer dam leaks and diaphragm wall damage. Designed to irrigate 7.2 lakh acres and stabilise water for over 23.5 lakh acres, it plans to interlink the Krishna and Godavari rivers, promising water to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. As the central government releases over ₹2,300 crore to revive the Polavaram project and Andhra Pradesh moves closer to completing this massive irrigation initiative, Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta and Deputy Editor Moushumi Das Gupta discuss the timeline and significance of the project. #cuttheclutter episode 1591 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read ‘Budget windfall for Naidu with Amaravati aid, Polavaram commitment. ‘TDP sold public short' — YSRCP': https://theprint.in/budget/budget-windfall-for-naidu-with-amaravati-aid-polavaram-commitment-tdp-sold-public-short-ysrcp/2187654/ Read ‘Understanding the D-Wall: Polavaram Project | Megha Engineering' here: https://theprint.in/india/governance/unfinished-after-20-yrs-andhras-polavaram-dam-plagued-by-technical-issues-funds-crunch-politics/1971332/ Watch '20 years & Rs 21,000 crore later, why Andhra's Polavaram project is still not complete' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6rSne_MVcU Read ‘Calling Jagan a ‘curse', Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu releases white paper on stalled Polavaram project' here: https://theprint.in/politics/calling-jagan-a-curse-andhra-pradesh-cm-naidu-releases-white-paper-on-stalled-polavaram-project/2153269/ Watch 'Understanding the D-Wall: Polavaram Project | Megha Engineering here': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO2YVxYIGDY 

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 10th of January and here are this week's headlines.After news of respiratory infections caused by human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, at least seven cases of the virus were detected during routine surveillance by ICMR's (Indian Council of Medical Research) network of laboratories. Clarifying the status of the virus, the Union Health Ministry issued a statement that read “HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries.” It added that there was no history of international travel in the two cases that were picked up during surveillance, meaning that these infections have no connection to the reported surge in respiratory infections in China.The Chhattisgarh police Sunday arrested the alleged main accused Suresh Chandrakar in connection with the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in the state's Bijapur district from Telangana. Last Saturday, the police arrested three people, including Suresh's brothers Ritesh Chandrakar and Dinesh Chandrakar, and construction supervisor Mahendra Ramteke, in connection with the murder case, and the district administration also razed alleged “illegal property” belonging to the key accused. A freelancer, Mukesh worked with media houses such as NDTV and News 18, and hosted a YouTube channel, Bastar Junction, with 1.59 lakh subscribers.Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice for his alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist and American citizen, has stated that since his extradition from the Czech Republic to the US seven months ago, he has not been contacted by anyone from the Indian government. Gupta expressed to The Indian Express that despite his family's multiple requests for assistance, there has been no communication from Indian officials regarding his situation. Gupta, currently being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, was responding to a set of questions from The Indian Express. His replies were shared through an intermediary who has been in regular contact with him.Although Ahmedabad is the primary focus of India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics, discussions are underway to expand the event's reach across the country. The government is considering hosting various sports in different cities to foster a nationwide movement. Proposed venues include hockey in Bhubaneswar, rowing in Bhopal, canoeing and kayaking in Pune, and cricket in Mumbai. India has been actively engaging with the International Olympic Committee's Future Hosts Commission since submitting a Letter of Intent last October. This proposal aims to showcase India's diverse sporting capabilities and will be presented to the IOC soon. An official noted that while the final structure of the plan is still being developed, there is a strong desire to involve multiple regions in this significant event, making it a collective national effort.On the global front, a new wildfire has reportedly erupted in the Hollywood Hills scrubland, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced, as five other blazes continued to devastate the county. The powerful Santa Ana winds, typically associated with high wildfire risks, fanned the flames and hindered firefighting operations. Raging wildfires have surrounded Los Angeles, killing at least five people, destroying hundreds of homes as more than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate. Pacific Palisades, home to celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis and Mark Hamill, saw widespread destruction, forcing evacuations. Homes and properties worth millions were consumed by the flames, with more than 1,000 structures destroyedThis was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express

First, The Indian Express' Jayprakash Naidu tells us about Mukesh Chandrakar, a journalist from Chhattisgarh who was allegedly murdered last week by two men, including his cousin and childhood best friend, Suresh Chandrakar.Next, The Indian Express' Vidheesha Kuntamalla explains how IIT campuses across the country have changed six years after implementing the 20% quota for women (10:00).Finally, we discuss the ongoing "Sheesh Mahal" controversy between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (20:40).Hosted, written and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, The Indian Express' Sukrita Baruah explains why India is planning to construct the country's largest hydropower dam in Arunachal Pradesh and why the locals are opposing it.Next, The Indian Express' Udit Misra discusses the reasons behind the rupee's fall against the dollar and the factors influencing the exchange rate (13:42).Finally, The Indian Express' Jayprakash Naidu provides updates on the latest Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, which claimed the lives of eight security personnel (27:12).Hosted, written, and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 12th of December and here are the headlines.In a significant ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court directed that civil courts cannot hear cases challenging the ownership and title of places of worship. This includes major disputes like the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura. The court clarified that no new suits can be filed, and no interim or final orders, including surveys, will be allowed until further hearings. Several similar suits are pending in different locations across India.On Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved two crucial bills related to holding simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies. One bill proposes a constitutional amendment, while the other seeks to align assembly elections in Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir. These bills are expected to be introduced in the current Parliament session. This development follows months of discussions after the Kovind-led committee's recommendations on simultaneous elections.Thursday saw chaos in both Houses of Parliament. The Lok Sabha was adjourned after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey raised allegations about Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's alleged ties to billionaire George Soros. Opposition MPs protested fiercely, even climbing the Speaker's dais. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned after a disruption over a motion by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury, leading to further tension in the parliamentary proceedings for the day.Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal announced that the Mahila Samman Rashi Scheme will increase the monthly allowance for women to Rs 2,100, up from Rs 1,000, if AAP is re-elected. The scheme, approved by Chief Minister Atishi's Cabinet, is aimed at supporting women's financial empowerment. The announcement is seen as part of the AAP's strategy to secure women's votes in the upcoming elections.In a clash between security forces and alleged Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, seven Maoists were killed early Thursday. The encounter, which lasted over seven hours, took place in the dense jungles of Abujhmad, a heavily forested and un-surveyed area. The police are continuing search operations to confirm the number of casualties and recover weapons. The region has long been a hotspot for Maoist insurgents, making security operations challenging.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

It's Wednesday, December 4th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark 1,500 people loot harvest of Christians in India Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports eight villages in India's central state of Chhattisgarh  banned Christians last month. The village resolutions told Christians to either leave or renounce their faith in Christ. Otherwise, the believers would have their property and fields looted. The resolutions affect about 100 Christians. Soon after, a mob of 1,500 people, many of them Hindus, looted the harvest of the Christians who received little assistance from local police. Forty villagers had to leave their homes following the looting. In Luke 18:29-30, Jesus said, “There is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” South Korean president declares Martial Law (audio of South Korean protestors) South Korea  erupted in chaos on Tuesday after President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a martial law declaration. Yoon claimed he was trying to eliminate “anti-state” forces at work among his political opponents in the country. He accuses them of sympathizing with communist North Korea.  It's the first martial law declaration since 1980. The military attempted to enter the Parliament building, and hundreds of people gathered to protest the move. South Korea's parliament quickly voted that the martial law declaration was invalid. Yesterday morning, President Yoon rescinded the declaration after the tense standoff, reports Reuters. 23 Conservative Party members voted for British euthanasia bill After the British Parliament voted for the euthanasia bill in a 330-275 vote, let the record show that 23 Conservative Party members joined 234 Labor Party members who voted for the bill. Conservative Party leader, and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak,  a Hindu, voted in favor of the bill. However, previous Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Theresa May, and Liz Truss had publicly stated opposition to the bill. Pro-death euthanasia laws have been incorporated into the ex-Christian nations of Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, and Australia; as well as Columbia and Ecuador. Trump picks reformer Kash Patel to lead FBI In the United States, President-elect Donald Trump announced last Saturday that Kash Patel is his pick to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Patel served during Trump's first administration as Chief of Staff for the Department of Defense and wrote the book entitled Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy.  In his endorsement of Patel's book, Trump wrote, “We will use this blueprint to help us take back the White House and remove these Gangsters from all of Government!” Appearing on CBS' Face the Nation, Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas commented on the pick. CRUZ: “He has a serious, professional background. He was a prosecutor. He was a public defender. He was a senior intelligence staffer on Capitol Hill. He was a senior intelligence staffer in the White House. He was the Chief of Staff of the Department of Defense. He was the deputy director of National Intelligence.  "And I got to say, all of the weeping and gnashing of teeth, all of the people pulling their hair out are exactly the people who are dismayed about having a real reformer come into the FBI and clean out the corrupted partisans who sadly have burrowed into senior career positions at the FBI.  "The FBI and the Department of Justice are two institutions incredibly important to the rule of law in the United States. I revere both. And one of the most tragic consequences of four years of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is both the DOJ and the FBI have been politicized and weaponized. And I think Kash Patel is a very strong nominee to take on the partisan corruption in the FBI."   Guttmacher: Abortions up 10% between 2020 and 2023 The U.S. Center for Disease Control has issued a report  indicating that the number of abortions in the U.S. had decreased by 2% between 2021 and 2022, and a 1% decrease between 2020 and 2022.  However, earlier this year, another report from the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute concluded the number of abortions in 2023 of 1,027,000 was a 10% increase between 2020 and 2023.  Medication abortions, which include those issued by "virtual clinics" through the mail, were up 31% in just three years. Today, 63% of abortions in the U.S. are medication abortions, and 37% are surgical abortions.  Office mortgage delinquency hit 10.4% The delinquency rate of office mortgages has spiked to 10.4%, just about where the index was in 2010, during that last great recession. Vacancy rates are higher than ever, causing defaults on these commercial loans. Visual Capitalist tracks the survival rate of U.S. businesses over the last 10 years. 35% are still functioning, with farming businesses touting the highest survival rate of 51%. Mining and technology companies were the lowest at 25% and 29% respectively. Bible sales grew 22% And finally, the sale of printed Bibles is up this year. U.S print book sales increased only 1% from January through October this year compared to last year. Meanwhile, printed Bible sales grew by 22% over the same period! In 2023, 14.2 million Bibles were sold in the U.S. During the first 10 months of this year alone, 13.7 million were sold. It's not clear what all is behind the increase in Bible sales. One theory was offered by Amy Simpson with Tyndale House Publishers who noted a growing interest in the Bible among Gen Z and college students. She said, “You have a generation that wants to find things that feel more solid.” Psalm 119:160 says, “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, December 4th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

How getting an abortion is linked to contraceptive use How a person seeking abortion is treated often relates to their contraception history. When someone seeks abortion, the health system discriminates against those who take temporary contraceptives or no contraceptives at all. The public health hospitals often deny abortion unless women undergo a permanent sterilisation or at least take a long acting contraceptive such as intrauterine devices. This is the fourth episode of a series 'Matter of Choice', a series that explores how women face. This podcast explores how these systemic denials and attitudes have classist and casteist implications. Suno India's Menaka Rao also speaks to women who got pregnant after a sterlisation surgery, which is rare. Despite exhausting all their methods to avoid pregnancy, these women barely get any help when they seek abortion. medical, legal and social barriers to abortions. This podcast features women from Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Menaka speaks to human rights activist and educationist, Shreya Khemani, and labour rights activist, Saraswati Sahu, both of whom are based in Chhattisgarh. Menaka also spoke to Dr Suchitra Dalvie,  gynaecologist and coordinator of Asia Safe Abortion Partnership.  This podcast is supported by Pulitzer Center.  References Mistreatment and Coercion: Unethical Sterilization in India Men's Participation in Family Planning & Reproductive Health Comparative effectiveness of hysteroscopic and laparoscopic sterilization for women: a retrospective cohort study - ScienceDirect End sterilisation camps, says Supreme Court - The Hindu India sterilisations: More Chhattisgarh botched cases - BBC NewsSee sunoindia.in/privacy-policy for privacy information.

The Indian government plans a new law to punish those making hoax bomb threats against flights, which disrupt the schedules of airlines and cause massive inconvenience to thousands of passengers. In less than two weeks, more than 120 flights operated by Indian carriers have received bomb threats, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said that the government is planning to introduce legislation that would put offenders on a no-fly list and amend the 1982 Civil Aviation Act so that they can be arrested and investigated without a court order. IndiGo, a private Indian airline, said nine of its flights destined for Jeddah and Dammam in Saudi Arabia and some flights from Turkey had received such hoax calls. The flights were diverted to the nearest airports for security checks. "We worked closely with the relevant authorities and followed standard operating procedures,” the airline said in a statement. The hoaxers have largely gone untraced so far. The Mumbai police said they detained a 17-year-old boy from eastern Chhattisgarh state for allegedly posting bomb threat messages on the social media of various airlines. Police officer Maneesh Kalwaniya said the boy's motive was to implicate another person involved in a business dispute with him. The Press Trust of India said 30 domestic and international flights operated by Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India, received bomb threats in just one night. "Even though bomb threats are hoaxes, things cannot be taken non-seriously,” Rammohan said. This article was provided by The Associated Press.

It's Monday, November 11th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Hundreds of Hindus attacked 14 Christians in India As police officers watched in India, hundreds of Hindus attacked 14 Christians on October 30 in Chhattisgarh, after the believers defied orders to abandon their Christian faith and harvested crops from a communal farm, reports International Christian Concern. Several of the Christians, including two women, were beaten with wooden rods and suffered head trauma and broken bones. The mob also demolished the believers' homes, destroyed the crops they had harvested, and injured a police officer who had tried to help.  Nagesh Micha, a Christian rights activist, said, “The police, which are supposed to uphold the fundamental rights of an individual, have allowed 14 people to be beaten in their presence. This means there are higher authorities who are supporting the mobs.”  According to Open Doors, India is the 11th most dangerous country worldwide in which to be a Christian. Trump flipped Nevada and Arizona While Donald Trump was declared the presidential victor over Kamala Harris, the vote counting continued. Last Friday, Trump flipped Nevada 50.6%-47.4%, reports The Epoch Times. And on Saturday night, Trump was declared the victor in Arizona, 52.6%-46.4%. Remarkably, that means Trump has now won all seven of the swing states. Trump earned 312 electoral votes to Kamala's 226. To win, 270 electoral votes were needed. U.S. House: GOP has 213 vs Dems at 202 And, in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Republicans have won 213 seats compared to the 202 seats won by the Democrats. Outstanding races where ballots are still being counted are located in Arizona, Alaska, California, Iowa, Louisiana, Oregon, and Washington State. The party with 218 seats gets the majority. Trump selects first-ever female Chief of Staff President-elect Donald Trump chose Susie Wiles, the co-chair of his presidential campaign, to serve as his chief of staff, reports Fox News. She will be the first woman ever to serve in that role. Franklin Graham urges Trump to seek God daily Evangelist Franklin Graham tweeted, “Congratulations to Donald Trump on being elected the 47th president of the United States of America! I pray that you will look to God every day for His guidance and wisdom.” On the Billy Hallowell CBN podcast, Graham added these cautionary words. GRAHAM: “Our country, I believe, is doomed unless we repent of our sins and call upon the name of Almighty God and His Son, Jesus Christ. “The entertainment industry, they're normalizing sin. It's in every program you watch on TV. They try to make sin normal. It has a dulling effect, I believe, on us spiritually. It takes the sharp edge off of us, and we just begin to kind of become ‘ho hum' about it. We should be shocked. We should be embarrassed. “We should never accept it within the church. Unfortunately, many churches have accepted sin.” 3 things Christian should do in wake of Trump's victory In the wake of Trump's re-election, Pastor Josh Howerton tweeted three things that Christians should do. First, “Give thanks. Our nation was given an undeserved mercy. It is a window for repentance. No Christian anywhere should've supported the policy platform that was mercifully defeated and saying that should never have been controversial. In fact, it should prompt deep reflection about what happened to the U.S. church…. It is not wrong to celebrate and give thanks today for being spared from something our rebellious nation deserved … ‘When wicked things perish, there are shouts of joy' — Proverbs 11:10” Second, “Pray. Not only because we are commanded to pray for our governing leaders in 1 Timothy 2:1, but because of the situation. We elected Jehu, a flawed leader who defeated a greater evil, not Josiah, a righteous leader who led national revival, and that comes with risks. “The command to “trust not in princes” (Psalm 146:3) means there is Someone 10 trillion times greater than a President and something 10 billion times greater than an election that we should ache and hunger for — an outpouring of the Spirit in our generation.” Third, “Hurl yourself into the purposes of God in our generation. … Judeo-Christian values can keep a nation out of chaos, but they cannot keep a person out of Hell. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can do that.” Former DNC official: Biden should resign & appoint Kamala president Jamal Simmons, a former deputy director of communications for the Democratic National Committee, proposed an idea so wild that even the CNN panel he was taking part in seemed skeptical, reports Red State. SIMMONS: “Joe Biden has been a phenomenal president. He's lived up to so many of the promises he's made. There's one promise left that he could fulfill, being a transitional figure. “He could resign the presidency in the next 30 days, make Kamala Harris the president United States.” CNN CONSERVATIVE CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT JENNINGS: “Woah!” SIMMONS: “He would absolve …” DANA BASH: “Wow!” SIMMONS: “…her from having to oversee the January 6 transition of her own defeat. And it would dominate the news at a point where Democrats have to learn drama and transparency and doing things that the public wants to see. This is the moment for us to change the entire perspective of how Democrats operate.” BASH: “This has now jumped from an internet meme to a Sunday morning show.” If Biden resigned and appointed Kamala as president, this would indeed dominate the news. The message sent would be that the Democrats treated the presidency like a participation trophy.  No doubt, if President Biden were to take this foolish suggestion seriously, he would both sully what's left of his reputation and simultaneously cement the Republican hold on the White House for decades to come. Big snowstorm hit Colorado (“Let it snow” song) God sent a whole lot of snow into Colorado, reports the Denver Gazette. Not only did Denver receive 8 inches and Colorado Springs got 14 inches, but Evergreen got 18 inches of the white stuff and La Veta Pass was buried in 37 inches of snow. Deep sleep boosts brain health, reduces memory problems And finally, deep sleep could be the key to forestalling slow declines in brain health that may one day lead to Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, reports Science Alert. Matthew Walker, a neuroscientist at the University of California Berkeley, said, "Think of deep sleep almost like a life raft that keeps memory afloat, rather than memory getting dragged down by the weight of Alzheimer's disease pathology. This is especially exciting because we can do something about it. There are ways we can improve sleep, even in older adults." Want some more deep sleep yourself?. Cut out coffee late in the day. Get exercise. Then, right before bed, avoid screen time, and take a hot shower. Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, November 11th, my 18th wedding anniversary to my beloved bride Amy, in the year of our Lord 2024. Check out our love story at www.AdamsWedding.net. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 07th of November and here are the headlines.The Bandra police in Mumbai received a threatening call demanding Rs 50 lakh from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. The caller, who threatened to kill Khan, was identified as Faizan Khan from Raipur, Chhattisgarh. An FIR has been registered under sections related to extortion and criminal intimidation. Police teams have been dispatched to Raipur for his arrest. The call was made on Tuesday evening, and the investigation is ongoing.The Supreme Court of India ordered the liquidation of Jet Airways under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), overturning a National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) decision that approved the transfer of ownership to the Jalan KalRock Consortium. The bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud ruled in favor of the lenders, including the State Bank of India. The consortium had proposed an Rs 4783 crore payment, but the liquidation order now takes precedence.The Goa government issued a clarification responding to criticism of its tourism infrastructure, including comparisons to international destinations like Sri Lanka. The Department of Tourism emphasized that Goa is a state within India, and comparing it to foreign countries may give an inaccurate perspective. The clarification follows public discussions about the state's tourism sector and infrastructure, defending Goa's position while addressing concerns raised about its current tourism offerings.A Hindu temple priest in Brampton, Canada, has been suspended for spreading violent rhetoric during clashes between Khalistani supporters and other temple attendees. The incident, which occurred on November 3 at the Hindu Sabha temple, saw protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashing with attendees, leading to fistfights and pole strikes. Unverified videos circulating on social media show the altercations disrupting a consular event co-organized by the temple and the Indian Consulate.Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory, urging China and the US to improve dialogue and manage differences. Despite past tensions, including Trump labeling China as a “strategic rival,” Xi emphasized communication. Trump's administration had imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, a policy he has indicated will continue in his new term. Both nations are expected to navigate complex trade and diplomatic challenges as they continue to assert their global positions.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, The Indian Express' Jayprakash S. Naidu explains the situation in Hasdeo forest, Chhattisgarh. He talks about the mining issue, the violence that broke out in the area last week, the villagers' protest, the reasons behind it and the government and opposition's response on the same.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about one of the major causes behind blindness in India - corneal damage. She explains how frequently the cases of corneal damage come up and how the government is working towards pushing cornea donation. (8:14)Finally, we talk about the amount of money that Indians lost to cyber crime during the first quarter of this year. (18:23)Written, produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda. Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, we talk to Indian Express' Jayprakash S Naidu about the biggest Maoist encounter in the history of Chhattisgarh which led to the death of 31 Maoists. He shares how it happened, the intelligence tip that the security personnel received and more.Next, Indian Express' Vikas Pathak talks to us about the Shivaji Maharaj statue that collapsed in August and how that has caused a political war of words, as a part of which Devendra Fadnavis accused Jawaharlal Nehru of insulting Shivaji. (7:57)And in the end, we talk about Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar retiring from gymnastics. (18:25)Hosted, written and produced by Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This week, host Tanishka Sodhi is joined by Newslaundry's Manisha Pande and Shivnarayan Rajpurohit.Manisha reported on press freedom in Kashmir from ground zero. She speaks about her interviews and conversations with journalists in the valley, who described an intensifying clampdown on media, a sense of suffocation, and censorship, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370. Shivnarayan reported on an Adani-operated coal mine in Chhattisgarh that received environmental clearance despite a National Green Tribunal order. He delved into how these clearances were granted and the loopholes used to violate orders passed by the NGT. Tune in.Timecodes00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:26 - Media in Kashmir00:27:16 - Violation of NGT orders00:39:52 - RecommendationsRecommendationsShivnarayanThe Great Nicobar BetrayalManishaThe Case Against TravelThe Rohingya Suffer Real Horrors. So Why Are Some of Their Stories Untrue?Loving LiesTanishkaIndian village midwives make a shocking confession - BBC World Service DocumentariesProduced and edited by Saif Ali Ekram, recorded by Anil Kumar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India has maintained its position as the world's largest producer of direct-reduced iron (DRI) for several years. As the global race to accelerate energy transition efforts intensifies, DRI has gained prominence due to its potential for reducing carbon emissions in energy-intensive sectors like steel. Recognized as a key pathway to 'green steel,' DRI offers various low-carbon steelmaking alternatives. Walking the DRI path is expected to help India's steel industry to lower its emissions. Capturing this evolving and dynamic market in India, S&P Global Commodity Insights' Platts has launched a daily pellet-based Indian domestic direct reduced iron spot price assessment on an ex-works Raipur, Chhattisgarh basis. Related: Indian domestic direct reduced iron price assessment  

First, Indian Express' Abhishek Angad talks to us about the Jharkhand excise constable recruitment physical examination during which 12 people died. Of the 12 aspirants who died, some fainted during the 10km run that was a part of the examination and some lost consciousness post the run. He shares the reason behind the death, the process of the recruitment and how the Jharkhand government has responded to the incident.Next, Indian Express' Avaneesh Mishra speaks to us about the signboards that came up in Rudraprayag as a 'warning' to 'non-Hindus' to not enter and work in the villages of the city. He talks about the reasons behind the coming up of such signboards, the police's reaction to them upon identification of the issue and how this impacted life in Rudraprayag. (10:49)And in the end, we talk about a Congress leader and a former Chhattisgarh minister along with three other men being booked for abetment of suicide of a government school teacher. (18:43)Hosted, written and produced by Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

In this episode, we sit down with Manish Mohta, the visionary founder of Learning Spiral Pvt Ltd, an ed-tech company that leverages information technology and AI to revolutionize assessment solutions. Starting with a modest investment of just Rs. 1.85 lakh and the support of three passionate friends, Manish transformed his dream into a thriving business with a turnover of Rs. 31 crore. Based in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Learning Spiral is a successful subsidiary of the Mohta Group of companies, a diverse conglomerate with interests in steel, power, copper, chemicals, and plastics. Join us as we explore new ideas in education, discuss how to choose the right business or sector, balance purpose with profit, and imagine a new dream for India's future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India has one of the largest & most complex education systems in the world, with 26.5 crore children going to 15 lakh schools taught by 95 lakh teachers. In order to ensure learning outcomes for all children are met Central Square Foundation or CSF has been working with State governments dedicatedly towards system-led reforms to ensure quality access to school education in schools across India.On the occasion of Teacher's Day that is 5th September, The Indian Express in association with CSF is curating a series of conversations with educators and experts in the field on the importance of achieving Foundational Learning in a child's future learning journey.Make sure to tune in this Thursday morning. The conversation will follow our regular 3 Things episode and will be available on our website indianexpress.com and everywhere you get your podcasts.Now, on with the showThis is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 3rd of September and here are the headlines.The West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the newly drafted anti-rape Bill today. After it was tabled this morning, CM Mamata Banerjee spoke in favour of the Bill and hailed it as “a model and historic”. She also said that a special unit of the state police — ‘Aparajita Task Force'– will be set up once the Bill becomes a law. The ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024'  proposes capital punishment to rape convicts if their actions result in victims' death or send them into a vegetative state.However, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari proposed amendments to the Bill which were not accepted by the House. The two-day special session of the Assembly has been called by the TMC government in the wake of the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.Three crew members of an Indian Coast Guard (ICG) have been missing since Monday night after their helicopter made a hard landing and ditched into the sea off the Porbandar coast in Gujarat while they were on a mission to address a medical emergency on board a tanker. In a statement posted on its official X account, the Indian Coast Guard said the helicopter took off at 11 pm on Monday in response to a distress call from Hari Leela, an Indian-flagged oil tanker while it was sailing at sea off Porbandar coast. ICG said there were four crew members on board the helicopter, and one of them was rescued, a massive search and rescue operation has been launched to find the others.A day after a mob vandalised around a dozen shops owned by Muslims in Chamoli's Nandanagar following an allegation that a 25-year-old man from the community made an obscene gesture toward a minor girl, the Chamoli police Monday lodged an FIR against 300 unidentified people. According to the FIR, the mob specifically targeted a particular community, instilling fear and insecurity among women, children, and men residing in the affected houses.Nine alleged Naxals were killed today in an encounter with security forces on the inter-district border between Chhattisgarh's Dantewada and Bijapur districts, police said. A joint team of District Reserve Guards (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had begun an operation in the area on Monday, after receiving information on the presence of around 40 Naxals from the West Bastar division. An SLR, a .303 rifle, and a 315 bore rifle were among the items recovered from the site of the encounter.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back against growing calls for a ceasefire in Gaza on Monday, despite massive protests in Israel and increasing pressure from US President Joe Biden. He also emphasized his commitment to the hostages, stating, “No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me…No one will preach to me on this issue.” He also implored the international community to maximise pressure on Hamas for the hostage exchange ceasefire.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

In this episode of the Energy News Beat Daily Standup, the host, Stuart Turley discusses various energy-related news, including leftist calls for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to support Green New Deal projects, the International Energy Agency's (IEA) forecast of a 4% growth in global power demand for 2024-2025, India's issuance of vesting orders for ten coal mines to boost energy security, Chevron's relocation of its headquarters to Texas amid California's deindustrialization, and Shell's initiation of a $2 billion share buyback program. He also critiques current renewable energy and electric vehicle policies.Highlights of the Podcast00:00 - Intro01:42 - Leftists Beg Feds To Cut Interest Rates To Revive Green New Deal Projects03:19 - Global Power Demand Is Soaring, IEA Expects 4% Growth in '24 & ‘2505:11 - India issued vesting orders for 10 coal mines06:04 - Chevron Taking Its Headquarters To Texas08:25 - DAVID BLACKMON: Continuing EV Bloodbath Leaves Harris With A Lot To Answer For10:05 - Shell Initiates £2 Billion Share Buyback Program11:32 - OutroPlease see the links below or articles that we discuss in the podcast.Leftists Beg Feds To Cut Interest Rates To Revive Green New Deal ProjectsAugust 3, 2024 Stu TurleyLeftists are desperately hoping the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, believing higher rates are hampering the ‘country's ability to combat the climate crisis.' ​ Leftists are desperate to have the Federal Reserve cut interest rates, […]Global Power Demand Is Soaring, IEA Expects 4% Growth in '24 & ‘25August 2, 2024 Mariel AlumitENB Pub Note: We recommend following and subscribing to Robert Bryce's Substack. I have thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with him on my podcasts. Electricity is the world's most important and fastest-growing form of energy. […]India issued vesting orders for 10 coal minesAugust 2, 2024 Stu TurleyThese are projected to generate $19.96m annually. Coal Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy, has announced vesting orders for ten key coal mines across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. This includes one fully explored […]Chevron Taking Its Headquarters To TexasAugust 2, 2024 Stu TurleyU.S. oil and gas giant Chevron announced Friday it will relocate its corporate headquarters from its long-time location in San Ramon, hashtag#California to Houston, hashtag#Texas in the coming months. In a release, the company said […]DAVID BLACKMON: Continuing EV Bloodbath Leaves Harris With A Lot To Answer ForAugust 1, 2024 Mariel AlumitOnce the ongoing effort by the legacy media to reinvent presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris as a dynamic leader and competent campaigner passes, we will presumably enter the part of the presidential race in which […]Shell Initiates £2 Billion Share Buyback ProgramAugust 1, 2024 Mariel AlumitShell reported adjusted earnings of $6.3bn for the second quarter, beating analyst consensus. The company initiated a $3.5bn share buyback program, to be completed by the third quarter results. Shell's focus on value under CEO […]Follow Stuart On LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Michael On LinkedIn and TwitterENB Top NewsEnergy DashboardENB PodcastENB SubstackENB Trading DeskOil & Gas Investing In 2024– Get in Contact With The Show –

It's Tuesday, July 23rd, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Hindus are beating up Christians in India Last month, on June 12th, a mob of vigilantes in Chhattisgarh, India knocked two Christians unconscious while three others were hospitalized with severe injuries, reports Open Doors. Before the mob banished Christian families from the village, the believers were forced into signing a statement that declared if they returned to the village, they would have to convert to Hinduism within 10 days. This coercion took place in the presence of and with the cooperation of local authorities. The Christians have now fled the village fearing that if they return they will be killed since they have no plans to renounce Jesus Christ as their Savior. In addition, on July 13th, a mob of more than 50 Hindu activists attacked a gathering of Christians organized by a local church in central India, reports International Christian Concern. Members of the mob beat those in attendance, including a 60-year-old woman who was punched in the face. Her face swelled up for more than three days. The Clintons, 16 governors, and 33 senators endorsed Kamala After President Joe Biden backed out of the 2024 presidential race, Bill and Hillary Clinton, 16 state governors, and 33 senators have thus far endorsed Kamala Harris for the Democrat Party nomination. Alexander Soros, the son of the well-known billionaire George Soros, and the Chair of Open Society Foundations, also endorsed Kamala Harris on X. He tweeted, “It's time for us all to unite around Kamala Harris and beat Donald Trump. She is the best and most qualified candidate we have. Long live the American Dream!”    According to Breitbart, Alexander Soros has visited the Biden White House 17 times.  However, holding off on endorsements are former President Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.  But Job said, “The Lord makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them. He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the Earth, and makes them wander in a pathless wilderness. They grope in the dark without light, and He makes them stagger like a drunken man.” (Job 12:23-25) The financial shift from West to East World power is shifting from West to East The economic production of Russia, China, India, South Africa, and Brazil will grow from 16% of the total world economy in 1992 to an estimated 34% by the year 2028, reports GeoCapitalist.com.  Meanwhile, the Western G7 nations drop from 46% to 28% over the same time period. South America depending on China South America is moving towards more economic dependence upon China. Chinese trade with South America has increased from $18 billion in 2002 to $450 billion in 2022, reports The Economist. And China's trade with Brazil increased by more than a third in the first two months of the year, according to The Financial Times.  Venezuela: The economic disaster in South America Venezuela has become the worst economic disaster in South America. Since 2007, the country has been subjected to Marxist rule under President Hugo Chavez and his protégé' Nicolás Maduro. The nation's GDP fell from $316 billion to $114 billion since then. The nation will have an opportunity to elect another president this coming weekend, although doubts are high as to whether the current president will conduct fair elections. Venezuela has the lowest Gross Domestic Product per capita of South America — that's $8,500. Over 7 million people or 20% have fled the Marxist “paradise.” Proverbs 28:15 points out that ”Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.” America's $1.9 trillion deficit The Congressional Budget Office is projecting a $1.9 trillion deficit this year.  That's up $400 billion from what was originally estimated. And it's twice the average deficit spending under the 8-year-long Obama administration.   The average deficit spending under the Trump administration was $2.06 trillion per year.  The estimated average deficit spending per year under the Biden administration will be $1.75 trillion. By contrast, the average deficit spending under the Obama administration was only $817 billion per year. Rite Aid, Walgreens, and CVS shutter hundreds of pharmacies Since October, the pharmacy chain, Rite Aid, has closed 520 of its 2,111 stores.  And now, Walgreen's Chief Executive Tim Wentworth told the Wall Street Journal that his company plans to shutter approximately 2,100 stores, which amounts to about a quarter of its retail outlets. CVS has closed 600 stores since 2022, and plans another 300 closures this year. Coincidentally, CVS and Walgreens began selling the abortion pill over the counter in March of this year. Historic First Baptist Dallas sanctuary burned down The historic sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Dallas, pastored by outspoken Trump supporter Robert Jeffress, burned to the ground late last week in a four-alarm fire, reported Fox 4. An emotional Pastor Jeffress shared his thoughts. JEFFRESS: “This sanctuary has been around since 1890. It was the home for our church for a long time until we moved to our new Worship Center about 12 years ago. “This historic sanctuary was the site of many personal events, including my own. I was baptized there when I was six. I was ordained for the ministry when I was 21. It holds a lot of memories.” Pastor Jeffress was grateful that no one was hurt. JEFFRESS: “But we thank God that nobody has been hurt. We had just concluded Vacation Bible School with over 2,000 kids. They were all gone. So, God has protected us through all of this. “I'm grateful that the church is not bricks and mortar or wood. It's people and the people of God will endure. First Baptist Dallas will endure. And we thank so many of our friends around the country who are praying for us right now.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives sent investigators to assist in determining the cause of the fire which is still unknown. The newer worship center where the congregation meets is still intact thankfully. If you'd like to help support First Baptist, you can make a donation through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com.  And consider sending a card of encouragement to Pastor Robert Jeffress first Baptist Dallas 17 07 San Jacinto Street, Dallas, Texas 75201 3 girls save another girl from attempted kidnapping Three 11-year-old girls saved a 6-year-old girl from a kidnapping and perhaps worse at the Meridian Green Apartments in Kent, Washington last Tuesday. While the girls were walking towards an ice cream truck outside their apartment complex they confronted the man who was forcibly removing a little girl by the wrist.  They recorded the abduction with their phone cameras, and then asked him if he knew the girl. The man indicated he did, but the 6-year-old disagreed. Police subsequently arrested the man, and, at last report, the 40-year-old male, Hayder Albu Mohammed, has been charged with second-degree attempted kidnapping. Adam McManus on vacation And finally, I'm taking my first vacation from the newscast in almost 10 years with my bride, Amy, and our three children, Honor, Mercy, and Valor. We'll be flying from San Antonio, Texas to Virginia to visit my parents over the next two weeks.  Please pray for our safe travels and for God's healing touch on my mother, Harriet, who is 84, and my father, Mike, who is 83.  That would mean the world to me! I'll be voicing the newscast again on Thursday, August 8th. Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, July 23rd, in the year of our Lord 2024. Join me Adam McManus, and my two sons, Honor and Valor, at the Colorado Father-Son retreat Thursday, August 15th through Sunday, August 18th. Go to ColoradoFatherSon.com.  Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Born and raised in undivided Bihar, Mrityunjay Sharma is a first-generation entrepreneur and social activist. An engineering graduate from BIT Mesra, Ranchi and an MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur, Mrityunjay worked in various senior HR roles at Asian Paints before moving to the hinterlands of Chhattisgarh, where he worked with the then chief minister Dr Raman Singh on developmental issues. He subsequently moved to his home state of Jharkhand to work at the grassroots. Sharma is the co-founder of Ranchi-based start-up biofie.com. He also runs a social initiative called Kartavyapath to teach mathematics to underprivileged children and is a visiting faculty at several institutes, including the IIMs. His book ‘Broken Promises' tells the story of Bihar's plunge into an abyss of crime, corruption and economic ruin during the tumultuous decade of the 1990s, often referred to as the ‘Jungle Raj' years. 00:00 British, Nehru & Lalu 06:11 Mafia Raj before Lalu 07:44 Suryadeo Singh & Gangs of Wasseypur 10:26 Rise of Pappu Yadav in Kosi-Seemanchal 13:03 Rise & fall of Anand Mohan 18:01 Why Lalu Yadav & RJD fear Pappu Yadav 20:51 Story of ‘Chote Sarkar' Anant Singh of Mokama 25:13 How Ranvir Sena was born 28:48 Ranvir Sena & caste massacres 34:43 Jungle Raj of Lalu Prasad Yadav & family 37:02 IAS officer who exposed Chaara Ghotala 43:07 Kidnapping Industry of Bihar 48:20 Pakruah Byah of Bihar 50:42 How Lalu & family became landlords 54:51 Ranjeet Don & paper leak industry of Bihar 59:00 If Lalu was so bad, how he kept winning?

A few weeks ago, the richest family in Britain, the Hinduja family, was convicted in a Swiss court and four of its members were given a prison sentence for exploiting their domestic workers, brought from India to a villa in Geneva. They were accused of paying the workers a pittance, making them work long hours and not allowing them to leave the premises. The family has said it will appeal the verdict, but the case throws a spotlight upon an issue that has long been neglected in India – the rampant exploitation of domestic help in the country and abroad. India has not ratified the International Labour Organisation's Domestic Workers Convention No. 189 which advocates for their rights nor the ILO's Forced Labour Protocol which would make it mandatory for countries to safeguard the interests of workers. India is estimated to have about 50 million domestic workers, largely women, primarily drawn from the five states of Assam, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, with hundreds of thousands migrating within the State, to other States and abroad, but a law to protect their rights – which would cover their wages, working hours, holidays and other rights – has been pending with the Central government for some years now. So what is the legal situation of domestic workers in the country? Why is the government dragging its feet on bringing about a national legislation to protect them? Are the many recruitment agencies that have mushroomed across the country, subject to regulation? What happens when our workers go abroad? How do other countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines protect their workers? Guest: Sonia George, national vice president, of the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) and Asian executive member, International Domestic Workers Federation Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Jude Francis Weston

OP Choudhary is a prominent Indian politician and former bureaucrat from Chhattisgarh, currently serving as the Finance Minister of the state. Born and raised in a modest farming family, Choudhary pursued his education with determination, eventually earning a position in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). As an IAS officer, he is best known for his transformative work in the educational sector, particularly in the Naxal-affected Dantewada district, where he initiated numerous programs to improve literacy and access to education. His efforts earned him widespread recognition and several accolades, including the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration. In 2018, Choudhary resigned from the IAS to enter politics, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His transition into politics was driven by a desire to further contribute to the development of Chhattisgarh on a larger scale. As Finance Minister, he continues to be an influential figure, advocating for education, rural development, and financial stability in the region.

First, Indian Express' Jayprakash S Naidu explains what happened in Chhattisgarh where 8 Maoists were killed in an encounter by the security forces on June 15. He also shares how the frequency of such anti-Naxal encounters are increasing and why is it so.Next, Indian Express' Divya A speaks to us about the extradition of Nikhil Gupta to the United States. Indian national Nikhil Gupta was arrested in Czech Republic last June on the allegation that he was involved in the murder plot of Khalistani Separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. (8:22)And in the end, we talk about the rise in fatalities due to the heatwave conditions prevailing across many states in India and what the Health ministry is doing in order to improve the situation. (16:31)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 18th of June and here are the top stories of the week.Hearing petitions highlighting the alleged irregularities in this year's National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exams, the Supreme Court today told the Centre and the National Testing Agency that “even if there is 0.001% negligence on the part of anyone, it should be thoroughly dealt with”. The bench said that all these matters ought not to be treated as adversarial litigation. The court also referred to the effort candidates put in to prepare for the exam.Saddam Qureshi, who was among three people allegedly assaulted by a mob in Chhattisgarh's Raipur while they were transporting cattle, died in hospital today after battling for his life for 10 days. The two others with him died on June 7 – the day of the alleged attack. According to doctors the 23-year-old had been in a coma until his death. Chhattisgarh Police had registered a case of attempted murder and culpable homicide in the case after Qureshi's relative Shoaib said he had received a frantic call from him while the three were being assaulted.Curfew was imposed in Odisha's Balasore town late last night following a clash between two communities over suspicion of cow slaughter earlier in the day. Though the administration initially imposed prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 in certain pockets of the town, it later decided to impose curfew in the entire town to prevent the situation from escalating. The state government has also ordered suspension of internet services in Balasore town and nearby areas. Additional director general of police, law and order, said 34 people from both communities have been arrested and the number is likely to go up.AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal has written to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, the Congress's Rahul Gandhi, the Shiv Sena's (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray and the Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav seeking appointments with them to discuss the assault she was allegedly subjected to at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's home. All the parties are constituents of the Opposition INDIA bloc. Maliwal also alleged that she had been receiving “multiple rape and death threats” since the AAP started a “smear campaign” against her in “electronic and social media to undermine my reputation, character and credibility”.With 172 nuclear weapons, India is now ahead of Pakistan in the ranking of nuclear-armed countries across the world, according to findings of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). According to the report, India's nuclear arsenal has seen a slight expansion in a year, growing from 164 warheads in January 2023 to 172 warheads in January this year, placing it 6th among the world's nuclear-armed states. Pakistan, meanwhile, has recorded no increase in the number of warheads which stood at 170 both in January 2023 and 2024. In the same period, China's nuclear arsenal has increased significantly from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, Indian Express' Deeksha Teri discusses the controversy surrounding the NEET UG results, where an unprecedented 67 candidates scored a perfect 720 out of 720 marks.Next, Indian Express' Sukrita Baruah talks about the fresh tensions arising in Manipur and the recent attack on a police convoy escorting Chief Minister Biren Singh (10:22).And in the end, we provide an update on a large mob that rampaged through the Baloda Bazar district collector's office in Chhattisgarh, torching part of the government building and several vehicles within its perimeter (19:18).Hosted by Shashank BhargavaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This week, Newslaundry's Abhinandan Sekhri, Raman Kirpal, and Anand Vardhan are joined by The Caravan's editor-in-chief Hartosh Singh Bal and investigative journalist Aruna Chandrashekhar.On the final phase of elections, Hartosh says “it's baffling” that the voting date in Punjab coincides with the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. He says because of the strong anti-BJP sentiment in Punjab, the state remains a political battleground primarily for the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, despite the “quadrangular fight” after the split between the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP.The conversation then shifts to the issue of natural resource mining in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Aruna describes them as “sacrificed zones”, regardless of the governing party. She says that due to the Congress's “neglect”, the locals had turned to the BJP.On the rise in temperatures in Delhi and other metropolitan cities, Aruna says the environmental crisis has been triggered by urbanisation, reduced green cover, and increased concrete structures. She delves into the mention of environmental issues in the political parties' manifestos. The panel also discusses the working conditions for labourers in the heatwave.This and a whole lot more. Tune in!We have a page for subscribers to send letters to our shows. If you want to write to Hafta, click here. Check out the Newslaundry store and flaunt your love for independent media. Download the Newslaundry app.General elections are at its peak and Newslaundry and The News Minute teams are bringing ground reports from across the country. Click here to support us.Song: Punjabiyan Di ShaanTimecodes00: 00:00 - Introduction00: 07:47 - Headlines 00: 19:02 - Elections in Punjab 00: 25:25 - Voter sentiments in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha 00: 31:49 - Key party battles in Punjab00: 43:03 - On climate change and soaring heat waves 01: 00:20 - Hartosh's recommendations 01:04:03 - Aruna's recommendations 01:21:34 - Podcast letters 01:40:49- Panel recommendations Hafta letters, recommendations, songs and referencesCheck out our previous Hafta recommendations.Produced and recorded by Aryan Mahtta and Prashant edited by Hassan Bilal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To replace the Clean Power plan the Obama Administration failed to get past the courts the EPA published new rules for existing coal plants and new gas power plants that tighten standards for mercury emissions, wastewater, and coal ash and also curb coal plant CO2 emissions over time. Also how the 2024 Goldman environmental prize winner from Asia mobilized his community to protect the Hasdeo Aranya forests in the state of Chhattisgarh from coal mining. As well as how 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize recipient from North America, Andrea Vidaurre led a campaign that convinced the California Air Resources Board to make rules designed to decrease air pollution and lead to zero-emission trucking by 2036.  And the fourth meeting of UN talks aimed to address plastic pollution took place this April in Ottawa, Canada. The goal is to have a legally binding international agreement on plastics pollution by the end of 2024. — We rely on support from listeners like you to keep our journalism strong. You can donate at loe.org – any amount is appreciated! – and thank you for your support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 7th of May and here are today's headlines.The third phase of the Lok Sabha elections is underway today with voters in 93 parliamentary constituencies across 11 states and Union Territories casting their ballot to elect the new government. The state of Gujarat and the union territories of Goa, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu will complete polling in a single phase on Tuesday. Among the other constituencies voting in the third phase are four in Assam, five in Bihar, seven in Chhattisgarh, eight in Madhya Pradesh, 11 in Maharashtra, 10 in Uttar Pradesh and four in West Bengal.The Supreme Court today said that if it grants interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, he cannot function as the chief minister as it will have “cascading effect” on other issues. The court noted, quoted, “We are on the issue of propriety today, not on legality. We do not want anything to affect the functioning of the government," Unquote. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's judicial custody in the excise policy corruption case has been extended until 15th of May.In his first-ever comments on the sexual assault allegations against now-suspended JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there was “zero tolerance” for such people. During an interview with a national TV channels, he also hit out at the Congress party, questioning the timing of the release of the videos, during an interview with TV channel Times Now. He questioned, quote, “...if it happened in Karnataka, then the Karnataka government is responsible to take action,” Unquote.The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Jharkhand Congress Minister Alamgir Alam's personal secretary Sanjiv Lal and the officer's domestic help. This follows raids conducted at various premises yesterday which led to the seizure of around Rs 34.50 crore in cash. Hours later, a Special Court in Ranchi remanded Lal and his house help to seven-day ED custody, after the agency submitted that names of senior bureaucrats and politicians have emerged. The agency also alleged that “officials from top to bottom” of Rural Development Department were involved in a money laundering nexus.The Israeli military said it had established “operational control” over the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip overnight Monday into Tuesday. Footage broadcast on Israeli media showed an Israeli flag flying on the Gaza side of the crossing, though the Israeli army refused to comment on the flag. On Monday night, the Israeli military said it was carrying out “targeted strikes” in eastern Rafah. It said 20 Hamas militants were killed in the operation and it discovered three tunnel shafts. An Israeli army official said the vast majority of people located in the evacuation zone have left.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 23rd of April and here are today's headlines.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh, hit out at the Congress party again for “appeasement” and “vote bank” politics. He termed the opposition as a party that “divides the country on the  basis of religion.” He said the party skipped Ayodhya's Ram Mandir consecration ceremony because “they think they are bigger than Lord Ram”.Amidst reports about added sugar content in baby food sold by Nestle in India, the Supreme Court today asked the Centre about action taken regarding “misrepresenting advertisements for things like foods for babies, children, and elderly” sold by Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies. The raised the issue while hearing a contempt of court case against Patanjali Ayurved for allegedly flouting its orders. The  bench clarified that it is a PIL and is in the larger interest of the consumer public to know which way they are going and how and why they get misled and how agencies are acting to prevent that misuse.A Delhi court today extended the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislator K Kavitha till 7th of May 7 in the money-laundering case related to the excise policy. Kejriwal had been sent to Tihar Jail on April 1 after the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja sent him to judicial custody till April 15. His judicial custody was later extended till April 23. Meanwhile, Kavitha, a Telangana Member of the Legislative Council who has been under the scanner of central investigating agencies for almost two years, was arrested by the ED from Hyderabad on March 15.The Bombay High Court today dismissed a suit challenging Syedna Muffadal Saifuddin's position as the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community by his challenger Syedna Taher Fakhruddin. While pronouncing the verdict on Tuesday, Justice Patel clarified he has kept the verdict “as neutral as possible for personalities involved” as ‘feelings will run high' and he has decided the issue “on proof and not faith”. After the verdict, the Dawoodi Bohra community issued a press release praising the “landmark judgement”.As per the ‘State of the Climate in Asia 2023' report, Asia faced the most disasters in the world. In total 79 events of extreme weather, climate, and water-related hazards in 2023 affected over nine million people in the region, directly killing over 2,000 people. The report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said over 80 per cent of the reported hydrometeorological hazards in Asia were flood and storm events.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

It's Wednesday, March 27th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark 161 acts of persecution against Christians so far in 2024 During the first 75 days of 2024, the United Christian Forum documented 161 incidents of persecution against Christians in India. Christians in the Hindu-majority country often face accusations of forced conversion.  The group noted Christians experienced the most persecution in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It said, “There is clear evidence of state-sponsored harassment of Christians in this state, as the police file false allegations of conversion against pastors, even for praying in birthday parties and other social gatherings.” One billion people in India expected to vote Nearly a billion people will head to the polls in India next month. It's considered the largest democratic election in history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to win a third term in a row. His Hindu-nationalist party, known as the Bharatiya Janata Party, is also expected to remain in power. India overtook China as the world's most populated country last year. India also overtook the U.K. as the fifth largest economy in 2022 and is on track to be the third largest behind the U.S. and China. Isaiah 40:15 reminds us, “Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, [the Lord] lifts up the isles as a very little thing.” Air & Space Museum in trouble for mocking pro-lifers In the United States, a national museum agreed to a $50,000 settlement with pro-life tourists. Twelve students visited the National Air and Space Museum last year, wearing pro-life apparel. Museum staff mocked the students and forced them to leave. Patrick Murphy, one of those pro-life students, appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox show and explained what happened. MURPHY: “We got done with the March for Life and we decided to go to the Air and Space Museum. We ended up but the Flight Brothers exhibit. At this time, we were addressed by security guards and they tell, ‘All people wearing a pro-life hat, take it off.' One of the students with us proceeds to say, ‘We use these hats for identification purposes. This is for our group.' “We were approached by a large man as we were walking out, rubbing his hands together, saying ‘Y'all are about to make my day!' He tells us he's got reports saying we said no to taking our hats off and we're in trouble for some odd reason. I then said, ‘This is a violation of our First Amendment right. This is a government-funded building.' He said, ‘It's a neutral zone, and that doesn't apply here.' And we were blown away. We had almost no words.” The Smithsonian oversees the museum and agreed to the settlement, offering the students a private tour. Jordan Sekulow with the American Center for Law and Justice wrote, “This was a clear-cut First Amendment violation, not only of their freedom of speech but of religion as well. The federal government simply cannot ban speech with which it or its employees disagree.” Kansas pro-life bill would end chemical abortion In welcome news,  Students for Life Action applauded the roll call vote on Senate Bill 286 in the Kansas Senate, which, if signed into law, will greatly increase pro-life protections in Kansas, stopping dangerous Chemical Abortion pills and ending intentional abortion.  This vote resulted from the hard work of Students for Life Action intern Cheyenne Vandeventer, who helped introduce the law in 2023, and was championed by Kansas GOP State Senator Dr. Mark Steffen. Ship crashed into Baltimore bridge, causing collapse A massive, Singapore-flagged container ship, named Dali, bound for Sri Lanka, crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge yesterday at 1:30am in Maryland, causing it to collapse. Watch the video. The ship was departing from Baltimore, Maryland when it lost power. The collision sent people and cars into the icy Patapsco River. First responders rescued two people from the river, but six more are unaccounted for and presumed dead.  Maryland's Democratic Governor Wes Moore spoke to the press. MOORE: “This morning our state is in shock. To our first responders, I'm in awe of you. I'm in awe of your courage. I'm in awe of your strength.  You saw a crisis and you said, ‘What can I do to help' to rescue and recover the victims of this collapse literally as we speak.” Ship traffic to the Baltimore Harbor is suspended for now. The port is the busiest one in the United States for car shipments. Maternal mortality rate did not skyrocket at all A new study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found the U.S. maternal mortality rate may have been overestimated. In 2003, death certificates started to include a box if someone was pregnant near the time of death. This led to the appearance of a 143% increase in maternal mortality rates over the last 21 years. However, researchers found the rate only increased by two percent in reality.  LifeSiteNews noted, “Maternal mortality is frequently used as an excuse to expand legal abortion. … Across the globe, statistics have shown that legal abortion does not lower the maternal mortality rate.” Alabama defunded “woke” programs Last Wednesday, Alabama's Republican Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill to defund diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The state will no longer fund such woke programs at schools, public colleges, and government agencies. The law put restrictions on “divisive concepts” like the idea that “any individual should accept, acknowledge, affirm, or assent to a sense of guilt, complicity, or a need to apologize on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.” Weekly U.S. church attendance down 12 points And finally, Gallup released a new poll on church attendance in America. Overall, 30% of Americans say they attend religious services weekly or almost weekly. Eleven percent attend once a month, and 56% seldom or never attend. Since 2000, weekly or almost weekly religious attendance is down 12 points for U.S. adults. It's down 12 points for Catholics and down four points for Protestants. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, March 27th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It's Thursday, February 22nd, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Eight Christians attacked in India by radical Hindus A radical Hindu group recently attacked eight Christians in India's central state of Chhattisgarh. The group beat the Christians in the street as they returned from their weekly worship service. The injured Christians had to go to the Intensive Care Unit, including their pastor. He suffered the worst injuries. And it's not the first time he faced an attack like this. Yet, he has continued to serve his church for years. One local Christian told International Christian Concern, “The persecution has increased after the new Government formed in the state. The Christian community has been going through psychological trauma, as both radical Hindu nationalists and the successful administration of the state target the Christian minorities.” British Parliamentarians opposed a ban on so-called “conversion therapy” Earlier this month, the House of Lords in the British Parliament debated a bill that would ban so-called “conversion therapy.” Christians warn the bill could be used to punish parents, therapists, and pastors who want to help individuals overcome unwanted sexually perverted desires and identities.  Remarkably, parliamentarians opposed the bill. The U.K.-based Christian Concern shared, “This was the first time in British history that more politicians in Parliament opposed a conversion therapy ban than supported one. This was also an international first, as this has never previously happened elsewhere either.” COVID vaccine recipients had neurological, blood, and heart-related issues The Global Vaccine Data Network released the largest global study on COVID-19 shots this month. The study looked at nearly 100 million people who got the shot. It covered the countries of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, New Zealand, and Scotland.  The research found people who got the shot from Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca had increased risk for certain adverse effects. Adverse events included neurological, blood, and heart-related issues. Trump hinted at possible VP pick On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump spoke at a Fox News town hall event hosted by Laura Ingraham. Trump confirmed several names that are on his vice presidential shortlist. The names include entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. INGRAHAM: “Are they all on your shortlist?” TRUMP: “They are.” INGRAHAM: “And when can we expect that you will announce your choice.” TRUMP: “Honestly, all of those people are good. They're all good. They're all solid. And I always say I want people with common sense because there's so many things happening in this country that don't make sense. Who wants an open border? Who wants high interest rates? Who wants all electric vehicles?” Capital One is buying Discover Capital One Financial agreed to acquire  Discover Financial Services on Monday for $35.3 billion. The deal would merge two of America's largest credit card issuers. If completed, the acquisition would create the sixth largest bank in the U.S. and the largest credit card issuer.  The deal would give Capital One ownership of one of the four major credit card networks. The other networks are Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. George Barna: "America needs spiritual renewal more than political majority” And finally, Dr. George Barna released his latest report, titled “America Needs Spiritual Renewal More than a Political Majority.” With the upcoming presidential election, many hope a political leader can unite the country. However, the report noted Americans are very fragmented based on their worldview beliefs: “A majority of adults possess the same points of view in relation to less than one-third of the 53 unique worldview indicators in the Inventory.” Dr. Barna wrote, “Placing the burden of uniting this divided a country on the shoulders of a president or political party is unrealistic. Only a spiritual awakening can usher in the required tidal wave of spiritual wisdom and commitment, and that kind of renewal does not happen overnight or randomly. It must become an intentional and long-term commitment.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, February 22nd in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It's Monday, February 12th, A.D. 2024.  This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus.  (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Indian pastor beaten unconscious A group of Christians in India were physically assaulted by members of Hindutva organizations which champion nationalist Hindu philosophy, reports The Christian Post. On January 21st, Pastor Mahesh Mahananda claimed that he and the group of Christians were ambushed by people brandishing sticks at approximately 5:30 p.m. while they were returning from a lunch gathering in the Chhattisgarh state.  The perpetrators were the same people who had been participating in Rama temple rallies regularly. Sadly, Pastor Mahananda was rendered unconscious by the attack leading to his hospitalization. In Matthew 10:22, Jesus said, “You will be hated by everyone because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” China looking to cyber attack U.S. civilian infrastructure imminently Last week, FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress that the Chinese government is planning cyber attacks on America's civilian infrastructure in the near future, that would cripple the U.S. society, reports RealClearPolitics.com. Listen. WRAY: “There has been far too little public focus on the fact that [People's Republic of China] hackers are targeting our critical infrastructure, our water treatment plants, our electrical grid, our oil and natural gas pipelines, our transportation systems, and the risk that poses to every American requires our attention now. “China's hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real world harm to American citizens and communities. If and when China decides the time has come to strike.” Talk show host Steve Malzberg asked Gordon Chang, a Chinese expert who lives in New Jersey and the author of The Great U.S.–China Tech War, what he thought. MALZBERG: “On a scale from 1 to 10, how serious a threat is it for what he's describing to actually happen?” CHANG: “Oh, about a 20 maybe. This is something which is not a theoretical threat because on November 25, Iranian hackers took control of part of a water system in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, which is close to Pittsburgh. The workers were able, through manual means, to get back control of their water. But that showed you what can happen. “Right after that, other utilities, about four others, were hit by hackers. We know that last year there were Chinese hacks on oil pipelines in the U.S. Hospitals, in November in the United States, were hit in Texas, Mexico, Oklahoma, and my state of New Jersey. We also can't forget May 2021 when Russian ransomware attackers took down the Colonial Pipeline, disrupting airline services and U.S. car traffic on the East Coast.” Special Counsel calls Biden “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,' brings no charges Special Counsel Robert Hur, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, described President Biden as a "sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory." Hur said he would not bring criminal charges against Biden after a months-long investigation into his improper retention of classified documents related to national security, reports Fox News.  Hur's report was made public Thursday afternoon. Even liberal CNN reporter Min Jung Lee asked President Biden tough questions about his mental competence. LEE: “Mr. President for months when you were asked about your age, you would respond with the words, ‘Watch me!'” BIDEN: “Watch me.” LEE: “Many of the American people have been watching and they have expressed concerns about your age.” BIDEN: “Your judgment. That is your judgment public. That is not the judgments of the press.” LEE: “They expressed concerns about your mental acuity. They say that you are too old. Mr. President, in December you told me that you believe there are many other Democrats who could defeat Donald Trump. So, why does it have to be you now? What is your answer to that question?” BIDEN: “Because I'm the most qualified person in this country to be president of the United States and finish the job I started.” Professor: Special prosecutor saying Biden unfit to be president Appearing on The Angle with Laura Ingraham, Victor Davis Hanson, Professor Emeritus from California State University, said most journalists will now acknowledge Biden's mental incompetence which most Americans have known for some time. HANSON: “Right now, there is a lot of journalists who are saying, ‘I want to get out of dodge. I want to go on record that I've always said he had mental problems.' “I think they are going to try to be the first to say, ‘I have integrity. I was unempirical. I'm disinterested.' Because it's going to get worse and worse and they don't want to be the last person on the ‘Biden is competent' train. I think they want to get off. “Because I think we are reaching a point where I don't see how he is going to be tenable when a federal special prosecutor, appointed by his own attorney general, says that he is essentially unfit to be president of the United States.” Brave sister rescues brother from Walmart kidnapping And finally, a brave sister stepped in and saved her 4-year-old younger brother from becoming a possible kidnapping victim, reports KDIA. A YouTube clip shows a man in a Lehigh Acres, Florida Walmart approaching the four-year-old boy on December 29th, grabbing his wrist, and forcing him to go in his direction. He then attempts to leave the area quickly with the child. Thankfully, the man's sinister attempt was prevented. The child's older sister witnessed the man's devious actions, reached out to the 4-year-old, grabbed her brother's arm, and pulled him back to safety, sheltering him behind a nearby shopping cart.  When their mother called Walmart security, they scanned video footage which led them to discover his license number.  Within an hour of the incident, deputies identified the perpetrator as 64-year-old Pablo Pintueles Hernandez and arrested him at his home. He has been charged with false imprisonment of a child.  Hernandez has since been released on a $100,000 bond. Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” Praise God that the alert older sister bravely rescued him from harm. Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Monday, February 12th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com).  Seize the day for Jesus Christ.