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Tehelka magazine’s founder Tarun Tejpal admits falsely accusing Maj Gen MS Ahluwalia of taking bribes, says will apologise

OpIndia Staff
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Tehelka magazine’s founder Tarun Tejpal admits falsely accusing Maj Gen MS Ahluwalia of taking bribes, says will apologise

On Friday, January 12, Tehelka magazine’s former editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal and co-founder Aniruddha Bahal admitted before a Delhi High Court bench that retired Indian Army official Major General MS Ahluwalia neither asked for nor accepted any bribe.

Admitting to falsely framing Ahluwalia, Tejpal and Bahal said they were ready to publish an unconditional apology in leading newspapers like the Hindustan Times for defaming a decorated Army officer in the year 2001. The duo also agreed to deposit Rs 10 lakh each with the Delhi High Court.

Notably, Ahluwalia had filed a defamation case against Tehelka and its journalists Tarun Tejpal, Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel in 2002 after the magazine accused him of taking bribes in defence deals in its sting operation named Operation West End.

A division bench comprising Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora and Acting Chief Justice Manmohan was deliberating over an appeal filed by Tejpal and Bahal against a single judge’s ruling from the previous year ordering Tehelka and journalist Mathew Samuel to pay Rs 2 crores to Ahluwalia for defaming him.

Major General (retd) M S Ahluwalia had named Tehelka and its journalists Tarun Tejpal, Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel, saying they published false allegations against him. Zee TV, its chairman Subhash Chandra and CEO Sandeep Goyal were also named in the defamation case, as the sting operation was broadcast on Zee TV.

How Tehelka magazine framed an Army Major General in false corruption case

In March 2001, Tarun Tejpal’s newly found media organization Tehelka decided to “uncover” corruption in political and defence establishments. They floated a fake company by the name of ‘West End International’ and set out to sell hand-held thermal cameras/ imagers to the Government of India. The undercover investigation spanned several months.

Along with some prominent politicians, bureaucrats, and army personnel Tehelka did a sting on Major General (retd) M S Ahluwalia.

In the sting, Ahluwalia was seen offering a bribe of ₹50,000, but he refused to accept it. However, it was alleged that he had said he would need money to introduce West End officials to top army brass.

Tehelka had also claimed that the army officer had demanded a bottle of Blue Label. MS Ahluwalia had denied the allegations made by Tehelka and said that when Tehelka did the sting, he was not involved in any post related to the selection or purchase of imported weapons.

As a result of the false allegations against him, Major General MS Ahluwalia was court-martialled by the Indian Army with the recommendation to dismiss him from the service. Later, the punishment was downgraded and he was awarded Severe Displeasure (Recordable)’ by the army chief.

It is notable that initially, Tehelka had claimed he had demanded ₹1 lakh, but later changed it to ₹50,000. In the army’s court of inquiry, Tehelka journalist Mathew Samuel admitted that Ahluwalia never demanded any money or expensive whiskey.

US: Maths teacher arrested for having sex with a student while asking other students to act as ‘lookouts’, victim’s father booked for child endangerment

OpIndia Staff
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US: Maths teacher arrested for having sex with a student while asking other students to act as ‘lookouts’, victim’s father booked for child endangerment

A school teacher was arrested in Texas state of United States on charges of child molestation, sexual contact with a student, statutory rape and endangering the welfare of a child.

Identified as Hailey Clifton-Carmack, she worked as a maths teacher at Laquey High School in Pulaski County in Missouri state of US. Clifton-Carmack is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old on campus ground and using other students as ‘lookouts.’

The matter came to light after a student complained about the sexual grooming of his classmate to the school administration. The school principal and the superintendent reportedly knew about Clifton-Carmack’s sexual predatory behaviour before the official complaint.

In December 2023, the police obtained a search warrant to check the phone of the accused teacher. After going through the phone’s content, they found a conversation between Clifton-Carmack and the 16-year-old victim discussing their ‘relationship.’

It later came to light that the victim’s father Mark Crieghton was aware of the abuse. He let Clifton-Carmack visit the 16-year-old at home.“They are going to do it behind my back so I may as well let it happen,” he brazened out.

The court documents said, “[Mark] Creighton knew of the relationship of his minor child and the 26-year-old teacher and instead of reporting the information, he continued to cover for them and allowed the relationship to continue’ and ‘even allowed Hailey to come over to his residence and see the victim while he was present.”

The victim’s father was arrested on 3rd January this year and produced in court on 8th January 2023. He pleaded not guilty to first-degree child endangerment. On the other hand, the bail of Clifton-Carmack was set at $2,50,000 (₹2.07 crores).

She will be extradited to Missouri. The school district has informed that it has no plans to re-hire her as a teacher. “The employee has not been in the district since 8th December 2023 and we do not anticipate her return,” it said.

Teacher in Oklahoma charged for sexually grooming 10 minor students

In March last year, a former high school teacher was arrested for sexually grooming 10 minor students at McLoud High School in Oklahoma in the United States. The accused was identified as 43-year-old Serena Cator.

As per reports, the matter came to light in November last year after a student told her mother that the accused was having sexual relations with one of the students.

Soon after, the school administration initiated a probe into the matter. During an interview with Cator, she admitted to having sent nude pictures of her to underage students and soliciting their pictures in return.

“We are fighting terrorists, and we are fighting lies”: Netanyahu slams South Africa over genocide case at ICJ

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“We are fighting terrorists, and we are fighting lies”: Netanyahu slams South Africa over genocide case at ICJ

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed South Africa over its genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague during its war against Hamas in Gaza on Thursday.

“We are fighting terrorists, and we are fighting lies. Today, again, we saw an upside-down world in which the State of Israel is accused of genocide at a time when it is fighting genocide,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

He said that Israel is fighting against “terrorists,” as he referenced Hamas, and added that the group has committed horrific crimes against humanity since the October 7 assault.

Netanyahu said, “Israel is fighting against murderous terrorists who committed horrific crimes against humanity: they slaughtered, they raped, they burned, they dismembered, they beheaded–children, women, the elderly, young men and young women.”

“A terrorist organisation carried out the worst crime against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and now someone comes to defend it in the name of the Holocaust. What brazen gall! The world is upside down,” he added, as he lambasted South Africa over its ICJ case.

The Israeli Prime Minister further questioned South Africa of its case when millions of people were being murdered and uprooted from their homes in Syria and Yemen.

In his statement, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, Netanyahu said, “And the IDF, the most moral army in the world, which does everything to avoid harming non-combatants, stands accused – by the representatives of these monsters – of genocide. South Africa’s hypocrisy screams to the high Heavens.”

“Where was South Africa when millions of people were being murdered and uprooted from their homes in Syria and Yemen, by whom? By Hamas’s partners. The world is upside down. Where were you?” he questioned.

Netanyahu said that Israel “will continue to fight the terrorists” and also continue to refute the lies.

“We know where we are. We will continue to fight the terrorists. We will continue to refute the lies. We will continue to uphold our just right to defend ourselves and to ensure our future – until total victory,” Netanyahu said.

Proceedings began on Thursday in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, where Israel is being accused of committing “genocidal” acts during its war against Hamas in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported.

South Africa has lodged an urgent appeal to the ICJ to force Israel to “immediately suspend” its military operations in the Strip.

South Africa has based its accusation both on actions taken by Israel throughout the war and controversial comments made by Israeli officials regarding Palestinians in Gaza and how they should be treated.

At the ICJ, South Africa’s Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said that Palestinians have suffered at the hands of Israel since 1948.

“The violence and the destruction in Palestine did not begin on October 7, they have experienced violence for the last 76 years,” Lamola said, as per The Times of Israel.

“In the Gaza Strip since 2004 Israel exercises control over land crossings, civilian infrastructure. Entry and exit to Gaza is strictly prohibited, with Israel operating the only entry points,” he said.

“Gaza is still considered to be under occupation by international law,” he said.

He further said: “South Africa unilaterally condemned the targeting of civilians by Hamas and taking of hostages on October 7, 2023. That said, no attack, however serious, can justify breaches to the convention whether as a matter of law or morality.”

“Israel has crossed this line, and breached the [genocide] convention,” he said. “This is why South Africa has filed this case.”

The Israel-Hamas war began following the October 7 Hamas terror onslaught in which some 1,200 people in Israel were killed and approximately 240 kidnapped and held hostage in Gaza, mainly civilians.

An attorney for South Africa puts forward the accusation that Israel is committing “acts of genocide” during its war against the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip.

“South Africa contends that Israel has transgressed Article II of the convention, by actions which show a systematic pattern of conduct from which genocide can be inferred,” said Adila Hassim, as per The Times of Israel. (ANI)

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

South Africa strips David Teeger, who supported Israeli soldiers in conflict against Hamas, of U-19 cricket team captaincy

OpIndia Staff
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South Africa strips David Teeger, who supported Israeli soldiers in conflict against Hamas, of U-19 cricket team captaincy

South Africa has stripped cricketer David Teeger of its U-19 cricket team captaincy citing ‘safety concerns’ following his comments supporting the Israeli soldiers in their operation against Hamas.

Cricket South Africa is preparing for potential protests at the upcoming tournament, set to commence on January 19. They acknowledged the possibility of these protests escalating into conflict or violence, particularly among rival groups of demonstrators.

The removal of Teeger as captain was made by CSA in the “best interests of all players, the SA U-19 team, and David himself.” Although he will continue to be part of the squad as a player, a new captain will be appointed “in due course.”

It is noteworthy to mention that Teeger was exonerated of breaching the CSA and Lions code of conduct about his position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and an inquiry against him found that he was within his rights to express personal views to a Jewish audience, a matter unrelated to cricket.

The development, nonetheless, brought to the fore the double standards of the African nation, long billed as an oasis of democracy in a continent plagued by dictatorships and internal wars. The removal of Teeger as U-19 captain has raised concerns among political observers and African analysts as a country, known for its charamistic leader Mandela, sliding into autocracy where dissent and expressing opinions contrary to the official line could attract punishment. 

To many others, it is an occasion when the South African regime has weaponised its geopolitical position to suppress domestic dissent, raising concerns over its future as a democratic nation with room for opposing views and opinions. 

South Africa moves ICJ to challenge Israeli retaliation to October 7 assault by Hamas

The development also gains significance from the fact that it came hot on the heels of South Africa’s case at the ICJ, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, sparking an ironic juxtaposition. In its plea, South Africa demanded an emergency suspension of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, alleging genocidal acts.

The allegations point to Israel’s actions since the 7th October 2023 attack by terrorist organisation Hamas with claims of intentional harm causing substantial so-called Palestinian casualties. Israel staunchly refuted these accusations, emphasising its military actions are solely directed against Hamas.

The ICJ hearings were initiated when South Africa presented its case, arguing that Israel’s actions in Gaza are “genocidal in character” and fall within the definition of genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention. The allegations encompassedkilling Palestinians, causing bodily and mental harm, and creating conditions for their physical destruction. Israel, a signatory to the Genocide Convention, deniedthese charges, labelling them as baseless and emphasising its commitment to international law.

Debris of IAF’s AN-32 aircraft that went missing in 2016 found near Chennai coast by an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

OpIndia Staff
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Debris of IAF’s AN-32 aircraft that went missing in 2016 found near Chennai coast by an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

The debris of the Indian Air Force’s AN-32 aircraft that went missing over the Bay of Bengal in 2016 have been located after over 7 years. The Ministry of Defence on 12th January issued a statement saying that the debris were found at a depth of 3400 meters around 310 km away from the Chennai coast.

The AN-32 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force went missing over the Bay of Bengal on 22 July 2016 with 29 people onboard. A large-scale Search and Rescue operation by aircraft and ships conducted at that time could not locate any missing personnel or aircraft debris.

The debris was located by an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) with deep-sea exploration capability deployed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. NIOT conducted searches at the last known location of the missing aircraft using multiple payloads, which included a multi-beam SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging), synthetic aperture SONAR and high resolution photography. 

“Analysis of search images had indicated the presence of debris of a crashed aircraft on the sea bed approximately, 140 nautical miles (approx. 310 Km) from the Chennai coast,” the defence ministry statement said. The ministry added that after scrutinising the images they were found to be ming with an An-32 aircraft.

“This discovery at the probable crash site, with no other recorded history of any other missing aircraft report in the same area, points to the debris as possibly belonging to the crashed IAF An-32 (K-2743),” the ministry concluded.

The statement didn’t add whether any mission has been planned to try to locate and recover the black box of the aircraft, which includes the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.

The IAF Antonov An-32 had taken off from the Tambaram Air Force Station in Chennai on the morning at 8 AM on 22 July 2016. The aircraft were carrying 29 people including the crew to Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The aircraft was to land at INS Utkrosh, an Indian naval air station, in Port Blair.

But shortly after take-off, when the plane was over the Bay of Bengal, all communications with the aircraft were lost and it disappeared from radar. India launched the largest search and rescue operation to locate the plane after that, but could not find it.

The incident happened just two years after the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in March 2014. The plane presumably crashed in the Indian Ocean, and could not be located even after a massive search operation by several countries including India. Years later, some parts of the aircraft washed up on the coasts of islands east of Africa.

Bengal: 2 persons arrested for attack on ED team in Sandeshkhali, PDS scam accused TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh still absconding

OpIndia Staff
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Bengal: 2 persons arrested for attack on ED team in Sandeshkhali, PDS scam accused TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh still absconding

Two people were taken into custody today (12th January), Mehboob Mollah and Sukamal Sardar, concerning the 5th January attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team in the North 24 Parganas area of West Bengal.

Mollah and Sardar are accused of being involved in the violent attack on the investigation agency team during a raid on the home of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh. Residents of Fokir Tokia, Nazat Police Station in North 24 Parganas, Mollah, and Sardar both were identified as members of the unruly mob who attacked the ED personnel.

Main accused Shahjahan Sheikh, who is a TMC leader, is still on the run.

The attackers not only caused grievous injuries to three ED officials, but they also seized personal things such as mobile phones and wallets, according to the investigation agency. The mob also attacked the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers who were accompanying the ED team, according to reports.

The incident sparked a political firestorm in West Bengal, with Governor CV Ananda Bose criticizing the attack and referring to the Trinamool-ruled state as a “banana republic.”

The ED officers were conducting the raid as part of a probe into a ration distribution scam involving TMC politician Shahjahan Sheikh, a close aide of state minister Jyotipriyo Mallick, who was detained last year in connection with the same scam.

The opposition BJP has described the attack as a “direct assault on the federal structure,” and has asked for President’s Rule in West Bengal, alleging a threat to national security due to the alleged misrule of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool administration.

At a news conference in Delhi, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia sought Chief Minister Banerjee’s resignation over the event. In response, the TMC accused ED officers of instigating locals, which exacerbated political tensions. The Calcutta High Court on Thursday (11th January) awarded interim protection to the ED workers who were attacked by a crowd.

PM Modi inaugurates the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu: India’s longest sea bridge

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PM Modi inaugurates the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu: India’s longest sea bridge

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, India’s longest bridge, in Maharashtra on Friday.

Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were also present on the occasion.

Atal Setu is also the longest sea bridge in the country.

It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport and will also reduce travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India.

The foundation stone of the bridge was also laid by the Prime Minister in December 2016.

Atal Setu has been constructed at a total cost of more than Rs 17,840 crore.

It is a 21.8-kilometer-long, 6-lane bridge with about 16.5 km of length over sea and about 5.5 km of length on land.

It will also improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of National Youth Day, emphasised the significance of India’s youth power, which is leading the country’s development in every field.

Inaugurating the 27th National Youth Festival at Tapovan Ground in Maharashtra’s Nashik today, the Prime Minister urged the youth of India to use local products and avoid drugs.

“From the sages and saints of our country to the common man, everyone has always kept youth power paramount. Sri Aurobindo believed that if India wants to achieve her goals, the youth of India will have to move forward with independent thinking. Swami Vivekananda used to say that India’s hopes rest on the character and commitment of her youth,” the PM said.

PM Modi is on a one day visit to Maharashtra.

Shankaracharyas of Dwarka and Sringeri Maths give blessings for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha and ask devotees to participate, refute claims of opposing the event

OpIndia Staff
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Shankaracharyas of Dwarka and Sringeri Maths give blessings for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha and ask devotees to participate, refute claims of opposing the event

Top spiritual leaders of Sanatan Hindu Dharma, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Dwarka SharadaPeetham and Sringeri Math have issued statements addressed to Lord Ram devotees regarding the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the idol of Lord Ram in Ayodhya on 22nd January. The denounced the fallacies disseminated in the social media by vested interests and extended their firm support and belief in the temple. They were reacting to claims by Congress leaders and others that four Shankaracharyas in India including the Shankaracharyas of Dwarka and Sringeri math have opposed the pran pratishtha ceremony and that they are not attending the event.

It was being claimed that Shankaracharya Swami Shri Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati of Badrikashram Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand, Shankaracharya Swami Shri Nischalananda Saraswati of Purvaamnaya Govardhanmath in Puri, Shankaracharya Swami Shri Bharati Teerth Ji of Sringeri Mutt and Shankaracharya Shri Swami Sadanand Saraswati of Paschimannaya Dwarka Shardapeeth are opposed the way the pran pratishtha ceremony is being held, and they will not attend the ceremony.

While the Shankaracharyas of Jyotirmath and Puri have indeed said that they will not attend the event, no such announcements were made by Dwarka and Sringeri , but their names were also added in the claims. They have not said that they are opposed to the ceremony, and have not said that the Ram Mandir is incomplete, as claimed by several opposition leaders. Therefore the Dwarka and Sringeri Maths have issued statements refuting such claims, and they urged the devotees to celebrate the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Jagadguru Shankaracharya Dwarka SharadaPeetham shared a letter on social media which read, “There has been no official announcement on Ramjanmbhoomi Ayodhya from Gujarat’s Shankaracharya Math Dwarkashardapeeth. The news published in news outlets is misleading and has been carried without the permission of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Ji Maharaj.”

It highlighted, “Our Gurudev Bhgawan worked hard through Ram Janmbhoomi Punarudhar Samiti and Ramalaya Trust to obtain the Ramjanmbhoomi. The resolution of the disagreement that lasted for almost 500 years brings delight to the adherents of Sanatan Dharma. We wish all of the events leading up to the inauguration program to be executed correctly in accordance with the Vedas and within the bounds of religious texts. Prayers to Lord Dwarkadhish for the same.”

The statement was signed by Subodhanand Maharaj, the personal secretary of the Dwarka Shankaracharya.

A similar official statement was released by Sringeri Math which stated, “It is a matter of joy for all Astikas (believers in Sanatan Dharma) that after a struggle of about five centuries, the Prana-pratishtha (consecration ceremony) is to take place in the beautiful temple constructed for Bhagavan Sri Rama in the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Kshetra of sacred Ayodhya on Pushya Shukla Dvadashi (22-1-2024).”

The statement slammed the vicious elements who tried to pollute the auspicious occasion with their misinformation and fictitious claims. “It has been noted that during such an occasion, certain ill-wishers of our Dharma have used the name of ‘www.dainikjagran.com’ in social media to spread a post, which carries a photo of Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peethadheeshwara, His Holiness Paramapujya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji and conveys that the Sringeri Shankaracharya in a message has expressed displeasure over the Prana-pratishtha.”

It further refuted the unfounded assertions and highlighted, “However, the Sringeri Shankaracharya has not given any such message. This is merely a false propaganda by ill-wishers of our Dharma. All Astikas are hence requested to disregard such false propaganda and take note of what has only been published by the official website (www.sringeri.net) and official social media platforms of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham.”

The official letter mentioned, “It has to be noted here that on the occasion of Deepavali (12-11-2023), the ‘sharadapeetham’ YouTube channel of the Peetham had published the message of the Sringeri Jagadguru conveying that all Astikas engage in the chanting of the Rama Taraka Mahamantra keeping in mind the upcoming Prana-Pratishtha at Ayodhya. Accordingly, Astikas have been chanting the Mahamantra in large numbers.”

It concluded with, “His Holiness Sringeri Shankaracharya has conveyed blessings that every Astika must suitably take part in this most sacred and rare Prana-pratishtha and be a recipient of the unbounded grace of Bhagavan Sri Rama.” The letter signed by the CEO and Administration of Sringeri Math was put up in English, Hindi and Kannada.

The four main ashrams (monasteries or maths) including Jyotir Math (Joshimath, Uttarakhand), Govardhan Math (Puri, Odisha), Sringeri Sharada Peetham (Sringeri, Karnataka) and Dwarka Sharada Peetham (Dwarka, Gujarat) that the eighth-century Hindu saint Adi Shankara, a proponent of the Advaita Vedanta school of Hinduism founded are headed by the Shankaracharyas. The ashrams are located in the four cardinal directions and are among the most visited pilgrimage sites in India.

Against the claims that four Shankaracharyas have made opposed the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, only one, the Jyotirpeeth Shankaracharya has made such comments, saying that the Ram Mandir is incomplete and it is being inaugurated for political reasons. He also alleged that the ceremony is being held in violation of shashtras. While Puri Shankaracharya has said that he will not attend the event on 22 January, he has not opposed it. He only said that he is unwilling to attend the event as a spectator, adding that he would visit the Mandir for darshan at an opportune time.

‘HanuMan’ wave hits theatres, echoes of Jai Shri Ram in cinema halls, more shows & screens to be added

OpIndia Staff
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‘HanuMan’ wave hits theatres, echoes of Jai Shri Ram in cinema halls, more shows & screens to be added

Prashanth Varma’s “HanuMan” has turned out to be a blockbuster. Based on the divine character of Shri Hanuman, the biggest devotee of Shri Ram, the movie introduces its audience to India’s very own cinematic universe by displaying the characteristics of Hanuman ji as superpowers of the superhero – HanuMan.

Netizens are praising the movie for its beyond-par VFX quality despite being a moderately low-budget film at Rs 30 crores which reportedly includes print and advertisement. According to Film Trade Analyst Sumit Kadel, the actual cost of production of the film was approximately Rs 12 crores.

Notably, the makers had announced that for every ticket bought, Rs 5 from it will go as a donation to the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra for Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Videos are doing rounds on social media showing fans celebrating with loud chants inside the theatres. Audiences appeared visibly pumped up with the superhero avatar of Shri Hanuman ji.

Another video showed a theatre echoing with the chants of Jai Shri Ram and Ram Lakshman Janki, Jai Bolo Hanuman Ki. Some netizens are claiming that more theatres have added the movie to their screening schedules. One of the highlights of the movies is that it ends with the Hanuman Chalisa.

The movie, starring Teja Sajja as HanuMan, was released alongside Mahesh Babu starrer Guntur Kaaram which is reportedly a big budget project. However, the timing of HanuMan ahead of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha has earned it a much bigger opening than was projected.

Film news website Koimoi has described the movie as “an answer to Hollywood and Marvel’s Superhero Fatigue”. According to initial reports, the movie has collected Rs 4.5 crores worldwide in advance bookings as of 11h January.

All-India advance booking as of 11th January were recorded at Rs 2.5 crores for paid previews. In Hyderabad itself the movie has collected Rs 1 crore and Rs 90 lakhs in paid premiers.

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the movie has collected Rs 2 crore in advance booking whereas in Karnataka it has collected Rs 0.4 crores including 20 lakh in Bangalore.

The movie is expected to collect Rs 10 to 15 crores worldwide. Box Office on X, formerly Twitter, has given 4/5 ratings to the movie. Taran Adarsh has touted the paid premieres calling it a “massive success” and “exceptional response”.

Another movie review page on X, Daily Culture pointed out that the cutout of the HanuMan movie poster which was, it claimed, left fallen on the road two days ago has now been erected in the same theatre in Warangal in Telangana.

According to Harshath RVS, distribution head of Sakthi Film Fctry, extra shows have been added in Telugu and extra screens added in Tamil Nadu. He too has lauded the movie as a blockbuster.

USA failed to track weapons and equipment worth over $1 billion given to Ukraine: Concerns flare up about possible smuggling and illicit trading

OpIndia Staff
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USA failed to track weapons and equipment worth over $1 billion given to Ukraine: Concerns flare up about possible smuggling and illicit trading

The US Department of Defence failed to properly track more than $1 billion in shoulder-fired missiles, night-vision goggles, one-way attack drones, and a variety of sensitive equipment provided to Ukraine in its war against Russia, according to the Pentagon’s inspector general in a report released on 10th January.

According to the Pentagon Inspector General’s report, while the Defence Department has improved its ability to track military aid sent to Ukraine, it “did not fully comply” with requirements, and much of the equipment sent is “delinquent,” meaning that an inventory of everything sent is impossible to complete.

Weapons such as the Javelin and Stinger missiles, night-vision gadgets, AIM-9X missiles, and Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles are among the items designated for enhanced end-use monitoring (EEUM). According to the IG report, as of June 2023, approximately $1.005 billion of the total $1.699 billion of equipment subject to end-use monitoring had not been inventoried.

“The DoD did not fully comply with the EEUM program requirements to account for EEUM‑designated defense articles in Ukraine. As of June 2, 2023, $1.005 billion, or 59 percent of the more than $1.699 billion, of EEUM‑designated defense articles was delinquent for a required serial number inventory,” the DoDIG’s report reads.

According to the report, revisions to the Defence Department’s and Ukrainian Armed Forces’ inventory processes have resulted in an improvement in the Pentagon’s ability to track the weapons since December 2022. Despite this, “significant personnel limitations and accountability challenges remain.”

The specific number of weapons designated delinquent is undetermined however the report stated that “high rates of delinquency may correlate with an inability to maintain complete accountability of the EEUM-designating defence articles, which, in turn, may increase the risk of theft or diversion.”

An excerpt from the DoDIG report released on 10th January 2024

According to the report, obtaining a “complete picture” of EEUM-designated weapons in Ukraine “will be difficult as the inventory continues to change,” and “accuracy and completeness will likely only become more difficult over time as the total number of EEUM-designated defence articles in Ukraine continues to change.”

Media reports say that the DoDIG report’s observations, which raise concerns about the US’ ability to ensure that its weapons are not stolen, were made public at an inconvenient time for the Biden administration. As the United States’ existing aid to Ukraine runs out, the president and other top officials have encouraged Congress to authorise a substantial package of extra military aid to Kyiv worth $60 Billion immediately as any further delay might damage Ukraine’s prospects of winning against Russia. However, the debate has stagnated as Republicans seek radical changes to the country’s border policies.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has provided more than $44 billion in military aid to the country. The report by the Defence Department’s inspector general comes as Republicans in Congress are opposing further funding to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, senior Pentagon and State Department officials dismissed the report, claiming that, while real-time tracking of military aid was impossible during wartime, they had devised alternative methods for Ukrainians to account for the equipment and weaponry and were satisfied that they were tracking the assistance sufficiently.

“To date, there is no evidence of unauthorized or illicit transfer … outside of Ukraine. A lack of a full accounting does not preclude the US government from reasonably concluding Ukraine is in compliance with US government requirements with respect to use, transfer, and security of the items it has received,” acting undersecretary of defence for policy Alexandra N. Baker wrote in an answer included in the report.

Furthermore, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated on January 11th that there is “no credible evidence of illicit diversion of US-provided advanced conventional weapons from Ukraine.”

“We do see some instances of Russia continuing to spread disinformation to the contrary, but the fact is, as we observe the Ukrainians employing these capabilities on the battlefield, we’re seeing them use them effectively for all the obvious reasons, in that Russia continues to present a significant threat to Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Ryder said.

Interestingly, this is not the first time that the US Department of Defence, one of the most well-funded federal entities, has fallen short of keeping track of weapons and equipment sent to other countries. Previously, the same thing happened while tracking US military aid to countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Yemen.

According to a previously released Defence Department review obtained by Amnesty International in 2017, the US military failed to adequately oversee more than $1 billion in weaponry transactions in Iraq and Kuwait.

As per reports, the US Government Accountability Office discovered in 2009 that the Pentagon had failed to track thousands of weapons provided to Afghan security forces. According to the Washington Post, the Pentagon was unable to account for more than $500 million in military aid supplied to Yemen in 2015. And, for the sixth year in a row, the Pentagon failed an annual audit of its accounting procedures.

Ever since USA started supplying weapons to Ukraine, there have been concerns over illegal trading, and the weapons ending up in the black market.

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