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Israel denies reports ordering evacuation of Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital in an hour, thousands fled the medical centre amid conflicting reports

OpIndia Staff
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Israel denies reports ordering evacuation of Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital in an hour, thousands fled the medical centre amid conflicting reports

On 18th November (Saturday), the Israel Defence Forces denied reports that it had given orders to Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital to evacuate patients and staff within an hour. It added that it only responded to requests made by the director of Shifa Hospital who asked them for a safe route out for patients and staff who wished to leave the building. Earlier the hospital director said that Israeli troops instructed him to evacuate patients and staff, prompting thousands of people to flea.

In a statement, the IDF said, “This morning, the IDF acceded to the request of the director of Shifa Hospital to enable additional Gazans who were in the hospital, and would like to evacuate, to do so via the secure route.”

It categorically asserted, “At no point did the IDF order the evacuation of patients or medical teams and in fact proposed that any request for medical evacuation will be facilitated by the IDF.” 

“Medical personnel will remain in the hospital to support patients who are unable to evacuate,” the IDF added. According to the IDF, it provided additional food, water, and humanitarian aid to Shifa Hospital overnight.

It is important to note that earlier news agency AFP reported that the IDF troops had ordered the evacuation of Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza “in the next hour” over loudspeakers. According to the hospital’s director, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, he was instructed to ensure “the evacuation of patients, wounded, the displaced and medical staff, and that they should move on foot towards the seafront.” 

Nonetheless, the purported orders by the IDF prompted thousands of Gazans lodged inside Al-Shifa Hospital to flee from the building and move Southwards. According to an estimate by the United Nations, around 2,300 patients, staff, and displaced Palestinians were sheltered inside the Al-Shifa facility.

As per the news agency AFP citing Gazan Health officials, hundreds of Gazans left Al-Shifa after reports claimed that Israel’s army gave the purported order to evacuate Gaza’s main hospital- Al-Shifa. Around 450 patients were left behind at the Al-Shifa Hospital. 

During the course of the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza City’s biggest medical centre Al-Shifa Hospital has been the focus of fighting for several weeks as the IDF has been asserting that the Hamas terror organisation operates a command center and labyrinth of tunnels underneath the hospital and making documentary revelations regarding the same.

Amid claims and counter-claims of evacuation orders for Al-Shifa Hospital, Israel has made repeated calls for the hospital to be evacuated to the south while the Gazan authority had maintained that many of the patients cannot be moved. 

Additionally, yesterday, the IDF released new images that showed a tunnel shaft found in the hospital complex. 

Apart from making revelations about Shifa Hospital, the military has said it recovered the bodies of two Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas on 7th October from the area of Shifa Hospital. Evidently, on Thursday evening (16th November), the IDF troops located the body of Yehudit Weiss in a building near the medical centre’s compound. 

Later on Friday morning, the IDF announced that it had recovered the body of Cpl. Noa Marciano a day earlier from another building adjacent to Shifa. It came three days after announcing that she had been killed in Hamas captivity.

“We see clear Hamas presence in all hospitals”: IDF official

Meanwhile, on Friday (17th November), Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, head of the IDF Southern Command asserted that Palestinian terror group Hamas has a “clear presence” in all Gaza hospitals. 

While carrying out an assessment at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Finkelman told troops, “We see the presence of Hamas in all hospitals, it is a clear presence. They make cynical use of the hospitals, like here in the heart of Shifa.” 

At the hospital, Israeli forces discovered an entry point to a Hamas tunnel and a stockpile of weapons, along with other findings in the preceding days.

While briefing media on Friday, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that troops found additional underground infrastructure at Shifa. He added that troops are still searching the complex for information on the hostages. 

His announcement came around 48 hours after the IDF launched a raid on Al-Shifa Hospital. 

Consipicoulously, Israeli forces have been sharing evidence stressing that the Palestinian terror outfit Hamas has been using ordinary Gazans as human shields and using buildings like schools, mosques, and Hospitals to hide its terror infrastructure. 

Sharing more updates on the same, the IDF released footage of the elite Duvdevan unit operating in the Gaza Strip. It said that the forces have raided several sites used by Hamas, killing operatives in the process.

As per the IDF, the Duvdevan forces found weapons and Hamas military equipment during a raid on a high school in Gaza. Further, the troops also raided the home of a Hamas field commander, finding weapons and Hamas instructional booklets. 

Israel Hamas war

It is important to note that on 7th October thousands of Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel killing more than 1,200, killing babies, raping women, maiming thousands, and taking more than 250 Israeli and foreign nationals as hostages to Gaza. The scale of brutality was the largest in the Independent history of the Jewish nation. 

In its retaliation, Israel has been carrying out ground operations in Northern Gaza in what it has called an operation to “dismantle” the terror infrastructure of Hamas in the Palestinian enclave. The ground operation was followed after nearly three weeks of aerial bombardment of the Palestinian enclave and Israel has asserted that Hamas has lost operational control of Northern Gaza.   

CBSE to implement biometric authentication in examination halls to curb malpractices, unfair means and impersonation: Report

OpIndia Staff
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CBSE to implement biometric authentication in examination halls to curb malpractices, unfair means and impersonation: Report

On 18 November, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released proposals and announced its intention to introduce biometric authentication in exams in an effort to reduce misconduct, unfair practices and impersonation, News 18 reported. The significant change is going to impact about 17 lakh students and 1,500 test centres nationwide.

The news agency was able to obtain a document which read, “The Board conducts various examinations across the country both in offline/online modes i.e., pen and paper exam or CBT mode in various selected Cities across India. Biometric Authentication services (Digital Fingerprint capturing, photo capturing, Face matching with scanned photos of candidates for authentication of candidates) during Examination and post-examination are to be provided in approximately 1,200 to 1,500 examination centres per exam across the country.”

According to the board, the measure’s objective is to prevent malpractice, unfair methods and impersonation to guarantee a smooth examination process. The document added, “CBSE is keen to implement biometric authentication and attendance marking system to make the examination process robust by implementing Digital Finger-print capturing and Face matching (including photo capturing) of candidates by verifying Candidate’s identity on a real-time basis to monitor various activities of candidates at the examination centres across the country.”

CBSE said that four exams, 1,200–1,500 centres and 17 lakh applicants are expected to be covered under this initiative. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 5 crore.

The utilisation of the system

The CBSE document stated that a specified agency would use centre-specific data (roll numbers, photos, names, exam dates/shifts, etc.) from all registered candidates that the CBSE has received. This agency is going to employ the data for face matching, fingerprinting and photo capture during the exams, enabling a robust mechanism for candidate verification both during and after the process.

CBSE noted, “The agency will have to install state-of-the-art devices for digital fingerprint or photo capturing along with trained technical manpower to carry out this task at each & every examination centre during the conduct of the examination.” Furthermore, the CBSE has stated that there would be real-time attendance tracking. It has been stated that in order to automatically retrieve the candidate details from the application database supplied by the CBSE, the candidate’s admit card’s barcode or QR code including their roll number should be scanned or read.

It is necessary to manually enter the roll number and candidate information if the QR code or barcode on the admit card is missing or cannot be scanned. “Thereafter, fingerprint/photo capturing of a candidate and face matching by the device shall be done at the security gate before the beginning of the examination.”

The board stipulated that all tasks be finished prior to the examination’s conclusion. The database and application server are going to be located in two distinct seismic zones in India, with one location designated as DR (disaster recovery) and the other as a DC (data centre). “The agency should deploy a de-duplication algorithm across the database to avoid duplicating candidates’ records. The face matching should be performed between two images (provided during the online registration and the other captured on the day of the exam).”

At the time of security gate access, the specified agency also has to physically verify that the candidate’s photo matches the application database that CBSE provided. On the day of the exam, the agency would turn over all collected data to the CBSE upon completion of the task.

In addition, during the examination and post-examination phases, the agency would assign a minimum of one fingerprint/photo-capturing device and one face-matching device for every sixty candidates, to ensure that there are enough devices for quick entry of the students. “The Agency will have to ensure that all the devices must be functional and have captured fingerprints and photographs of each candidate who has appeared in the examination at each centre.”

According to the document, the agency would uphold absolute confidence and secrecy and won’t give any information about assignments or examinations to any individual or third party. In order to familiarise themselves with the facilities offered at each centre, the designated agency has also been encouraged by the CBSE to visit each one well in advance.

Apart from class 10 and class 12 board examinations, CBSE conducts the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) and the Class X optional proficiency test. It used to conduct several competitive exams earlier, including the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) (now merged with IIT JEE), All India Pre-Medical test/ Pre-Dental Entrance Test (replaced with NEET) and UGC NET, which are now conducted by the National Testing Agency.

OP Jindal Global University slams ‘activist’ who made anti-Hindu remarks during talk on Palestine issue, issues warning to ‘Professor’ for discriminating against Hindu students

OpIndia Staff
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OP Jindal Global University slams ‘activist’ who made anti-Hindu remarks during talk on Palestine issue, issues warning to ‘Professor’ for discriminating against Hindu students

On Monday (13th November), the Registrar of OP Jindal Global University wrote to academic turned ‘activist’ Achin Vanik about the anti-Hindu remarks that he made during a lecture on Palestinian history earlier this month.

In his letter, Professor Dabiru Shridhar Patnaik wrote, “I deeply regret that some remarks you made in your lecture were gratuitous and unrelated to its subject. Our faculty acted in good faith and, out of great respect for you, invited you to address our students.”

“For our students and faculty, it was informative to learn that Zionism is not anti- Muslim. But it was unnecessary and objectionable that you added that Hindutva is anti-Muslim,” he added.

The Registrar of the varsity pointed out, “Your remarks about the motivation of suicide bombers (and terrorists, intended to explain that they are more determined to die for their cause than to kill) came across as an expression of sympathy towards them instead of an unalloyed condemnation of the violence and death caused by them.”

“Unfortunately, when a scholar as distinguished as you are fails in the responsibility to exercise prudence when speaking about sensitive subjects, our university is rendered vulnerable,” he added.

While asking Achin Vanik to introspect, Professor Dabiru Shridhar Patnaik said, “We cannot contest the charge that some of your remarks were irresponsible and influenced your audience to take positions about developments in India which are not comparable to developments in Palestine and Israel.

“I earnestly hope that you will acknowledge these observations, made in my capacity as the Registrar, are reasonable. They call for your regret for bringing upon our university charges of insensitivity and irresponsibility. Therefore, I look to you to introspect on the consequences of your remarks and join me in sincerely regretting what happened,” he concluded.

On 1st November this year, ‘activist’ Achin Vanaik delivered a lecture at the OP Jindal Global University and claimed, “Zionism is not anti-Muslim, it is anti-Palestinian, but it is happy to piggyback on current Islamophobia. Hindutva is fundamentally and foundationally anti-Muslim”.

He also claimed that the assertion that Hindus are original inhabitants of India and Hinduism is among the oldest civilisations is wrong. Although the full video of the lecture is not available, one of the clips seems to suggest that he was referring to Israeli action against Hamas as terrorism.

Achin Vanaik also glorified suicide bombing, a very effective tool for Islamic Jihadi terrorists.

OP Jindal University calls out ‘Professor’ Sameena Dalwai

The Vice Chancellor of the varsity has written to Professor Sameena Dalwai, who had raised objections to the Hindu religious slogan ‘jai Shri Ram’, discriminated against Hindu students and invaded the privacy of pupils.

The said Professor accepted the accusations levelled against her in response to a show-cause notice. On Monday (13th November), Vice-Chancellor Professor C Raj Kumar wrote, “You (Sameena Dalwai) have failed in exercising due diligence and acted irresponsibly and thereby failed the university in its promise to create a safe space for its students.”

“We have noted that you have realized this mistake. We extend a letter of warning to you so that it shall not be repeated in future and that there will be no further condonation on our part to such acts,” he added.

“You have departed from the ethics of constructive conversation…Our university is a democratic and inclusive space, and we pride in the fact that we have carefully nurtured this ecosystem. Your actions have clearly undermined this spirit,” he added.

“We issue a warning to you that you shall remain aware of the dialogical proprieties and engage in respectful intellectual conversations with peers and students, even with and those who have viewpoints diametrically opposite to yours. There shall be no repetition of the violations in question,” the Vice Chancellor of the University warned.

In an email written by Sameena Dalwai to students who were opposed the lecture of Achin Vanik, she claimed that Hamas didn’t commit any atrocities on Israeli civilians, and it was all ‘fake news by Indian troll armies’.

She wrote, “Otherwise, I hear shouts of ‘Jai Sriram’ on campus, I see right wing students and faculty doing their own events. I want to react, but I keep quiet in favour of peace.”

Sameena Dalwai also came under the scanner for violating the privacy of a student in the classroom. The Organiser reportedly accessed a complaint letter submitted by the students on 23rd September, which allegeed that the accused Professor violated the privacy of students by accessing their Bumble account during class.

Uttarkashi tunnel rescue: Operational difficulties, fear of landslides, and machine malfunctions posing challenges, drilling from the top and other end also to begin

Paurush Gupta
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Uttarkashi tunnel rescue: Operational difficulties, fear of landslides, and machine malfunctions posing challenges, drilling from the top and other end also to begin

The rescue operation to extract 41 labourers from an under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi that collapsed on 12th November entered its seventh day on Saturday (18th November). 165 personnel-strong rescue team from multiple agencies is working round-the-clock and all necessary measures have been put in place including roping in assistance from tunnel rescue experts from Thailand and Norway. 

However, the rescue efforts have encountered various challenges, with intermittent pauses attributed to factors such as fumes produced by the diesel-driven machinery in confined spaces, vibrations during drilling in the tunnel, and technical malfunctions in the drilling equipment.

Notably, on Friday (17th November) afternoon, the rescue operation was briefly halted for nearly an hour. The drilling work was halted after a loud cracking sound was heard in the tunnel at around 2:45 pm. The precautionary halt was taken as debris began once again falling toward the drilling machine while the rescue team was inserting the fifth tube into the tunnel. Soon, the rescue workers inside the tunnel were quickly evacuated to ensure their safety. 

The current rescue plan involves inserting six-meter sections of steel pipes one after the other as the machine drills through the debris. Each pipe has a diameter of 800 or 900 mm providing enough space for trapped labourers to squeeze out once the rescue team drills through the 60-meter debris and the pipes are inserted. 

“The machine is not able to push further as the machine is getting lifted and its bearings are getting damaged. Now they are anchoring the machine to a platform,” NHIDCL, which is building the tunnel said in a statement. 

Additionally, on Friday, the rescue operation also faltered as the second drilling machine also suffered damage, forcing authorities to slow down operations. Moreover, they were also forced to call in another auger machine and prepare a contingency plan.

Amid reports that the American auger machine, employed for drilling, encountered a technical fault, the construction company refuted these claims. It asserted that another American auger machine weighing approximately 25 tonnes was being brought in from Indore as a mere ‘backup’. As per media reports, it was slated to arrive at the rescue site today morning. 

Further, according to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) director Anshu Manish Khalkho, the operation occasionally pauses due to factors such as fumes generated by the diesel-driven machine in confined spaces and vibrations induced in the tunnel during drilling.

Another reason for the delay in the rescue operation is the complexity of achieving precise alignment of pipes and welding them before pushing through the debris has been taking time, the company director noted. 

Khalkho explained, “The pipes, each 6 metres in length, are aligned on the machine and pushed forward, with the auger drilling through debris and pushing muck backward. While this part of the process is relatively quick, the complexity arises during the alignment and welding of the pipes. The meticulous approach is intentional to prevent any misalignment, even for a centimetre.” 

Earlier while explaining the challenges faced by the rescue team, Khalkho said, “The nature of the rocks here is quite fragile, posing a significant challenge to the operation.”

An additional hurdle in the rescue operation is that they are forced to use diesel-powered auger machines within a confined space which pose breathing difficulties and should not be used in closed spaces. 

Khalkho added, “Diesel machines should ideally not operate in such confined spaces as the vibrations and need for continuous ventilation pose risks. But there is no other option, which is why we must run at optimal speed without rushing.”

Plan C involving the Indian Army

The repeated halts and operational difficulties coupled with machines developing technical slags have forced the rescue teams to develop a contingency plan. As horizontal drilling is facing challenges, the rescue team will now start separately drilling from the upper section of the tunnel. Uttarkashi DFO DP Baluni said that a spot right above the tunnel has been identified to start the vertical drilling. He said that a hole will be drilled from the top of the hill to reach the section of the tunnel where the workers are trapped. The depth of the whole would be approximately 300-350 feet.

Earlier an official involved in the rescue operation said that a team of geological experts was exploring a “plan C” and trying to identify suitable locations for creating a “parallel vertical tunnel followed by a horizontal one and vice versa”.

The official had said, “Initially, we did not conduct this survey as we believed we could navigate through the 60 metres of debris. However, based on a previous survey, we identified that a minimum drill depth of 103 metres will be required for this plan C. Implementing a 103-metre vertical drill poses risks as it may lead to additional debris falling. Nevertheless, if the current plan proves ineffective, we may consider exploring this alternative option.” 

The Indian Army has been deployed to build a trek to the top of the hill, from where vertical drilling will be done. Major Naman Narula said, “We have been given the work to build a trek so that we can do vertical drilling…We have to build around 320 meters trek so that we can take the drilling rig at the top. Our target is that we have to complete it by 9 AM tomorrow morning. We are working at war footing.”

The army official said around 150 people are working on it, and trees will be cut if needed to make the path. He added that at present one hole will be drilled as there is one machine, and around 80-100 meters will be needed to drill to reach the trapped workers.

Apart from this, another horizontal drilling from the Barkot end of the tunnel, the other end, will also be taken up. However, these two will be alternate options, the the drilling from the Silkyara will continue.

The third Rescue operation ongoing

Initially, it was believed that 40 persons were trapped inside the tunnel, but on Friday evenings officials said rescuers have now identified that 41 people have been trapped inside. According to officials, they have been monitoring the health of those trapped and they are safe. Additionally, officials have asserted that the temperature inside the tunnel is greater than outside conditions and there is no complaint of cold by persons stuck inside the tunnel.  

Small steel pipes have been inserted through the debris, which is being used to supply air, water and food to the trapped workers. Communication devices have also been provided to communicate with them. Their health statuses are continuously monitored.

The official said, “Nuts, roasted chickpeas, popcorn, and medicines were being sent to them via a pipe every two hours.” 

The officials supervising the rescue operation have asserted that while the progress in reaching the workers has been slow, the drilling machine has been able to drill a distance of 22 metres till Friday, approximately one-third.  

They said, “We have made a significant progress and reached approximately 22 metres inside. Our goal is to reach the opposite side as quickly as possible.” 

In the first four days of operations, two rescue attempts failed. In the first, rescuers tried to dig through the rubble using heavy excavator machines, but loose rock and sand collapsing from the roof of the tunnel impeded progress. Then they tried to drill a hole using an auger machine and fitting large pipes. But the attempt was stymied when the machine suffered damages after hitting a boulder.

At around 10:30 am on Thursday, the third attempt began using a heavier American auger machine transported from Delhi. The initial auger machine, boasting 35 HP (horsepower), could drill at a rate of 1 meter per hour. In contrast, the new 175-200 HP machine demonstrated the capability to cut through rock at a speed of 5 meters per hour. However, on Friday, this machine also encountered difficulties and has been unable to advance further. 

Earlier during the rescue operation, the drilling machine had stopped after it hit a metallic object. After a halt of a few hours, the matching started working on Friday morning. As per officials, there could be a JCB machine or other similar earth-moving equipment of large size under the debris. This is why it is taking so long to dig through it and make a way for a safe escape.

It is important to note at this pace, even if operations continue uninterrupted under the current method, the rescuers will need at least two more days to reach the workers.

Sacha Baron Cohen and other Jewish celebrities slam TikTok for promoting people supporting Osama Bin Laden in meeting with the app’s officials

OpIndia Staff
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Sacha Baron Cohen and other Jewish celebrities slam TikTok for promoting people supporting Osama Bin Laden in meeting with the app’s officials

On Wednesday, November 15, Jewish actor Sacha Baron Cohen slammed TikTok for allegedly creating “the biggest antisemitic movement since the Nazis. The film “Dictator” fame actor made these remarks during a private video call meeting joined by TikTok executives and other officials and over 30 Jewish TikTok content creators and celebrities. It is notable that the short video platform has come under fire after a video containing Osama Bin Laden’s letter to the USA shortly after the 9/11 attack went viral, with thousands of youths sharing the video in support of the terror leader’s views.

The video conference, which lasted roughly 90 minutes and was attended by more than 30 people, included actors Sacha Baron Cohen, Debra Messing, and Amy Schumer. In the meeting, TikTok was represented by its head of operations, Adam Presser, and Seth Melnick, the company’s global head of user operations. The management stated that they wanted to learn more about the experiences of the actors and TikTok content creators to enhance the app, The New York Times reported.

During the meeting, Sacha Baron Cohen said, “What is happening at TikTok is it is creating the biggest antisemitic movement since the Nazis. Shame on you! The actor added that TikTok could “flip a switch” to silence such videos.

“If you think back to Oct. 7, the reason why Hamas were able to behead young people and rape women was they were fed images from when they were small kids that led them to hate,” Cohen continued.

The celebrities and content creators emphasised how TikTok’s mechanisms failed to prevent a deluge of comments such as “Hitler was right” or “I hope you end up like Anne Frank” under videos made by them and other Jewish TikTokers.

One TikTok executive Adam Presser, the head of operations who is also Jewish, agreed, “Obviously a lot of what Sacha says, there’s truth to that,” but added that there was no “magic button” that would solve all of the problems.

He also appeared to have condoned the usage of anti-Semitic slogans such as “from the river to the sea,” which calls for the annihilation of all Jews from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Adam Presser asserted that it was a matter of interpretation and that the phrase was being used “casually”.

This prompted a strong response from Debra Messing who said, “It is much more responsible to bar it at this juncture than to say, ‘Oh, well, some people, they use it in a different way than it actually was created to mean.’ I understand that you are in a very, very difficult and complicated place, but you also are the main platform for the dissemination of Jew hate.”

Notably, TikTok organised the meeting with the Jewish celebrities on Wednesday in reaction to an open letter they published last week criticising the short video application.

Jewish celebrities write letter slamming TikTok

“Simply put, TikTok lacks critical safety features to protect Jewish content creators and the broader Jewish TikTok community, leaving us in digital and physical danger. Sadly, rampant antisemitism is a common problem that TikTok has failed to address for far too long. The daily reality for Jewish content creators on TikTok includes death threats, endless threatening comments on posts (many just for being Jewish) and a barrage of harassment in all forms of TikTok-facilitated interaction,” the letter read signed by Amy Schumer, Debra Messing and other Jewish celebrities read.

Osama Bin Laden’s letter goes viral, TikTok issues statement saying content justifying Osama’s letter not a viral trend

It is pertinent to note that after Islamic terrorist Osama Bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ in which he explained why Al Qaeda executed the attacks of 9/11 in America went viral over social media, TikTok was alleged to have been promoting posts justifying the deadly terror attack.

On Thursday, TikTok took to X to say that the platform is removing posts promoting Bin Laden’s letter as it wrote, “Content promoting this letter clearly violates our rules on supporting any form of terrorism. We are proactively and aggressively removing this content and investigating how it got onto our platform.”

The company, however, also claimed that the content did not reflect a pervasive trend, but rather a few posts on the platform. “The number of videos on TikTok is small and reports of it trending on our platform are inaccurate. This is not unique to TikTok and has appeared across multiple platforms and the media.”

This came after a large number of Americans demanded a ban on TikTok for promoting Osama’s letter. On Friday (17th November), Former UN Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley called for a ban on the Chinese video app over the viral videos supporting Osama. “Ban Tik Tok. Stop giving the Chinese Communist Party the ability to influence Americans,” she said. American TV personality Donny Deutsch said that around 51 percent of the young Americans sided with Laden for attacking the Twin tower. “This is majorly because of the TikTok app run by China. What is happening to people’s minds? I am really worried,” he said.

Israel War Room Twitter handle said that TikTok is a Chinese Communist Party propaganda app that is doing incalculable damage to the mental health of young people in America, adding that it broadcasts one-sided and dishonest content on Israel.

The letter that went viral on TikTok and was supported by thousands of American youths is an English translation of an original Arabic letter, published by the Guardian in 2002. Following the controversy, Osama Bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ was removed by The Guardian from its website on 15 November, 21 years after it was published. The English translation of the original Arabic letter by the Islamic terrorist was published in ‘Observer’ of ‘The Guardian’ on 24th November 2002.

It is notable that Israel attacked Gaza in retaliation to the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7th October 2023. After the war started, there were multiple incidents of pro-Gaza and pro-Palestine demonstrations in the USA and other countries. Moreover, Jews especially Jewish students have been abused, harassed and even attacked in the US and other parts of the world.

Australian navy divers injured by sonar pulses after Chinese destroyer came near it despite warnings and deployed powerful sonar

OpIndia Staff
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Australian navy divers injured by sonar pulses after Chinese destroyer came near it despite warnings and deployed powerful sonar

On Saturday (18th November) Australia’s government conveyed serious apprehensions to China following a perilous encounter between an Australian navy vessel and a Chinese warship that resulted in injuries to Australian military divers. Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles termed the interaction as “unsafe and unprofessional.”

On 14th November, the HMAS Toowoomba, a long-range frigate of the Australian Navy, which was heading towards a scheduled port visit, had to stop within Japan’s exclusive economic zone after fishing got entangled with its propellers. Navy divers dived into the eater to clear the fishing nets from the propellers. During this time, a destroyer of the Chinese navy that was operating nearby headed towards the Australian ship and deployed its powerful sonar, injuring the divers.

According to Marles, despite notifying the Chinese warship of the ongoing diving operation and requesting it to maintain a safe distance, the PLA-N destroyer (DDG-139) closed in at an uncomfortably close range and deployed its hull-mounted sonar.

After the Australian crew noticed the approaching Chinese vessel, they reiterated the request to maintain distance, and the Chinese vessel acknowledged the same, but still continued heading towards the frigate. The Chinese destroyer then started operating its sonar, the pulses of which hit the divers, forcing them to surface. The divers were assessed after they came up, and they had sustained minor injuries, likely from sonar pulses.

“Soon after, it was detected operating its hull-mounted sonar in a manner that posed a risk to the safety of the Australian divers who were forced to exit the water,” stated Marles. The Defense Minister emphasised that such conduct was both “unsafe and unprofessional.”

The Chinese embassy in Australia has not yet responded to requests for comment. Medical assessments revealed minor injuries to the ears of the divers, likely caused by the destroyer’s sonar pulses.

Marles asserted, “Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner,” underlining the Australian government’s commitment to the safety and well-being of Australian military personnel.

The Diving Medical Advisory Committee, an independent London-based organisation, has previously warned about the potential dangers of sonar sound waves, which can cause divers to suffer dizziness, hearing damage, and organ damage.

The incident occurred during Operation Argos, where the Australian ship was enforcing sanctions against North Korea as part of a regional presence deployment.

Notably, while the incident took place on Tuesday, the Australian govt chose to disclose it on Saturday, after PM Anthony Albanese met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in San Fransisco. It is not known if Albanese discussed the matter with Xi. Deputy PM Richard Marles, who is the acting PM as Albanese is visiting the US, said that the federal government had expressed “serious concerns” to the Chinese government.

In recent years, China has become more assertive in the Indo-Pacific region, heightening security ties with countries like the Solomon Islands. Australia, a close ally of the United States, conducted war games earlier this year involving over 30,000 troops in response to China’s growing regional influence.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, amid the maritime incident, revealed that he had invited China’s Premier Li Qiang to visit Australia. Despite recent positive meetings between Albanese and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the maritime incident underscores the complexities in the Australia-China relationship.

Albanese, who visited Beijing in early November, discussed the possibility of Premier Li visiting Australia in the coming year. Additionally, he urged Xi to lift remaining trade restrictions on Australian products. China is Australia’s largest trading partner, and diplomatic relations faced challenges in 2020 due to economic pressures imposed by Beijing.

Australia’s change in leadership has led to a thaw in relations, with China removing most restrictions since Albanese assumed office in May 2022.

Madhya Pradesh: Political fight between two groups in Jabalpur portrayed online as an attack on Sikhs

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: Political fight between two groups in Jabalpur portrayed online as an attack on Sikhs

On Friday (17th November), a video of a confrontation between two groups was falsely presented as a hate crime against the Sikh community by a Hindu mob.

The incident reportedly took place in Jabalpur city of Madhya Pradesh. A Sikh man in a scooter was assaulted by a group of men, the video of which went viral on social media.

Prominent fake news peddlers attempted to give a communal spin to the incident. “Sikh was attacked by a Hindu mob…Nobody is safe under BJP ruled government unless he is a BJP supporter,” claimed Islamist X handle ‘RheA’.

Screengrab of the tweet

Another Islamist claimed, “First Muslim, then Dalit and now Sikh.”

Screengrab of the tweet

“Madhya Pradesh – Sikh attacked by Hindu mob in Jabalpur. While raising religious slogans, people badly beat up a person from the Sikh community,” tweeted one ‘mdirfan997’.

Screengrab of the tweet

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also amplified the incident and asked the Madhya Pradesh Police to take action.

The Truth about the Incident

Contrary to claims on social media, the scuffle took place between a politician (the Sikh man seen in the video) and members of the opposite political party during Vidhan Sabha polling in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. There was no ‘communal angle’ in the incident.

Secretary of the Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA), Tejinder Singh Renu, informed, “A video circulated widely on social media (screenshots shared) is from Jabalpur; but it has nothing to do with #Hindu #Sikh enmity.”

“Yesterday there were elections in Madhya Pradesh and this incident happened in the Madan Mahal area. The Sikh man being thrashed is a political leader of the area and the men beating him mercilessly are from another political party,” he added.

Tejinder Singh Renu pointed out how the mob attacked one man and not other Sikhs in the vicinity. “The level of Political rivalry getting so low is extremely saddening. Please do not spread lies of Sikh Hindu enmity,” he concluded.

It’s high time to shoot and kill Netanyahu without a trial, Hamas not terrorists: Kerala Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan’s shocking comments

OpIndia Staff
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It’s high time to shoot and kill Netanyahu without a trial, Hamas not terrorists: Kerala Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan’s shocking comments

According to veteran Congress leader from Kerala, Rajmohan Unnithan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal who is conducting genocide in Palestine and it is time to shoot and murder him without a trial. The startling remarks were made during an anti-Israel demonstration and gathering hosted by the Kasaragod United Muslim Jama-ath, a group of mosques in and around the town of Kasaragod.

The Lok Sabha member claimed that the Sunni terrorist organisation Islamic Resistance Movement, commonly known as Hamas which is in control of the Gaza Strip, turned to violence in order to defend its people, land and lives. “They are not terrorists. If anyone portrays Hamas as terrorists, it is time to strongly react to them.” The event took place in the vicinity of Kasaragod’s Malik Dinar Mosque which is the country’s second-oldest mosque.

He charged that the United States slaughtered tens of thousands of Arabs or Muslims in Iraq, seventy thousand Muslims in Afghanistan and innocent people in Korea and Vietnam. “But America’s greed for war has not been satiated. That is what we are seeing in Palestine. Those who kill lakhs of people are patriots, but those who kill someone to protect their own land are extremists. If they are extremists, each of us is with the extremists.”

He voiced, “After World War II, something called the Nuremberg trials was used for those engaged in war crimes. In the Nuremberg trials, war criminals were shot dead without a trial. It’s high time a Nuremberg model trial is carried out. Benjamin Netanyahu is standing before the world as a war criminal. It’s high time to shoot and kill Netanyahu without a trial because that’s the level of cruelty he is doing.” He emphasised that punishment should be meted out to individuals who violate every provision of the Geneva Convention.

Mahatma Gandhi made India’s stance on Palestine known prior to the independence. The Kasaragod MP mentioned, “In 1938, Mahatma Gandhi wrote in Harijan magazine that like America is for Americans, England for the English and France for the French, Palestine is for the Palestinians.” India recognised Palestine as a nation under Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister. “At Indira Gandhi’s funeral, I remember Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat sobbing during the funeral procession in Delhi. He said his sister was gone. India had an emotional bond with Palestine.”

He even expressed his displeasure about being an Indian. “Now, I am ashamed to have been born in India. Is our Prime Minister not ashamed to back the US? Today Rishi Sunak, a person of Indian origin is the prime minister of the UK. But I am ashamed of him. The Indian Prime Minister has shamed India by agreeing to become a vassal of the US and the UK.”

He suggested that people worldwide should band together to put an end to the devastation in Gaza. “If the Islamic world comes together, even a speck of Benjamin Netanyahu will not be found. But they are peace-loving people. They have patience and self-restraint. Hamas took up arms because their patience was tested time and again.”

On 23 November, amidst the current Israel-Hamas conflict, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) is scheduled to stage a protest at the Kozhikode beach to express sympathy with the Palestinian people. The anti-Israel assembly is going to be inaugurated by KC Venugopal, General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee.

Starling statements by other Islamic leaders at the rally

Twaqa Ahmed Azhari Kasiyarakam, an Islamic scholar and qazi from Keezhur and Mangaluru urged the assembly to ignore anyone who referred to Hamas as a terrorist group. “Jews are one of the most blessed communities in the world. They are known for their intelligence and shrewdness. But they are showing their true colours in Gaza. He prayed to God for the people of Gaza to be granted justice and bravery and for wisdom and protection to be accorded to the Hamas forces. “We should be emotionally involved with them in the war.”

Islamic orator Ahmed Kabeer Baqavi, chairman of the Hamdan Foundation which provides courses on the Quran and the teachings of the Islamic Prophet justified the Holocaust and declared that the killings of women and newborns at the Al Shifa hospital in Gaza explained the reason Nazi Fuhrer Adolf Hitler massacred Jews. “In this evening, if you feel slight respect for a slight moment for Adolf Hitler, the cruellest man the world has seen.”

He added that in addition to Nazi Germany, the US, France, and Hungary also executed thousands of Jews and stressed, “People started killing Jews. Why? Because of their actions.” He proclaimed that Israel was established by the US and the UK to dispose of “waste that washed up on their land.”

He compared Indian freedom fighters Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh’s demand for violent resistance against the British to that of Hamas. He incorporated that Yasser Arafat advocated for nonviolent resistance much like Mohandas Karamachand Gandhi.

K Ali Kutty Musliyar, general secretary of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulamaor, an organisation of Sunni-Shafi’i scholars in northern Kerala was the main speaker and remarked that the fact that women, children and the elderly all attended the rally made the event lovely.

The meeting’s intention, per Kasaragod MLA N A Nellikkunnu who presided over it, was to pray for Gaza. A K M Ashraf, the Majeshwar MLA also spoke briefly and reaffirmed his support for the Palestinian people. Members of the mosques connected to the Kasaragod United Muslim Jama-ath marched in support of the Gazans from Pullikkunnu to Malik Dinar Nagar before the meeting.

Israel Hamas War

There have been thousands of deaths in the Israel-Hamas conflict which entered Day 43. War erupted when Hamas attacked Israel murdering civilians everywhere they went, including inside houses. The Israeli army has begun attacking the Gaza Strip and certain areas of Palestine in retaliation. Israeli police announced on 18 November that at least 364 people had been killed at the Nova music festival on 7 October by Hamas terrorists.

UP: FIR filed against several companies for selling products with fake Halal certificates, reports claim Yogi govt may ban Halal certification

OpIndia Staff
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UP: FIR filed against several companies for selling products with fake Halal certificates, reports claim Yogi govt may ban Halal certification

On Saturday, November 18, the Uttar Pradesh police registered an FIR against several companies selling “Halal certified” products using forged documents. It has also been reported that the CM Yogi Adityanath-led state government is contemplating a ban on Halal certification in the state.

On the complaint lodged by an Aishbagh resident named Shailendra Kumar Sharma, an FIR has been registered at Lucknow’s Hazratganj Kotwali against companies named Halala India Private Limited Chennai, Jamiat Ulema Hind Halal Trust Delhi, Halal Council of India Mumbai and Jamiat Ulema in Mumbai. These companies were selling products such as bathing soaps, spices, snacks, dairy and garments with fake Halal certifications. Lucknow Police has registered against the accused under sections 120b/153a/298, 384, 420, 467, 468, 471, and 505 of IPC. The police are investigating the matter.

The complainant alleged that the accused companies were giving fake Halal certificates to companies belonging to Muslims in exchange for money to increase their sales, encashing the religious sentiments of Muslims. These certificates are issued without complying with the prescribed standards and in violation of law. Complainant Shailendra Sharma expressed his apprehension that the profit earned in crores through this fake Halal certification conspiracy is being used in funding terror activities of terror outfits and anti-national groups.

“An anti-social conspiracy is being hatched against a particular religious community and their products. Halal certificate is being given even for the sale of vegetarian products like cosmetics, oil, soap, toothpaste, honey etc. whereas no such certificate is required for vegetarian items,” the FIR stated.

Meanwhile, media reports are claiming that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is mulling over banning Halal certification in the state. It is pertinent to note that the government has not issued any statement in this regard.

About Halal

The term Halal is used for products, services or systems which are considered lawful (Tayeib) or permissible under the Islamic Shariah law that do not consist of or contain any part that is considered unlawful (haram) according to Islamic law, and/or the actions permitted by Shariah law without punishment imposed on the doer.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah defends son Yathindra in ‘cash for posting’ scam, demands public apology from HD Kumaraswamy for allegations

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah defends son Yathindra in ‘cash for posting’ scam, demands public apology from HD Kumaraswamy for allegations

The ‘cash for posting’ scam has created a massive political row in Karnataka where Congress, its chief minister Siddaramaiah, and his son Yathindra have been put on the backfoot over their alleged involvement in the scam. The CM has now jumped in to defend his MLA son after the controversy broke, and targeted the opposition for making false charges against them.

Siddaramaiah called the former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy “desperate for attention.” The Karnataka CM stated, “Medically it is termed as Histrionic Personality Disorder. Better to address it soon than never.” He argued that the Janta Dal Secular president had mastered the art of conspiracy theories.

“With just the name of ‘Vivekananda’, he is trying to fabricate stories. We had issued a clarification that the phone call was about the development of schools using CSR funds and had released the document also. The document which was released was signed off by Mysuru Taluk BEO Vivekananda. Conversation over the phone was about this Vivekananda who had signed off the list of schools for development”, Siddaramaiah said.

The CM said that multiple individuals can share the same name and put forth an example to further prove his point. “Former BJP MLA M P Kumaraswamy was sentenced in a cheque bounce case. Did we say it was H D Kumaraswamy,” he questioned and added, “When Kumaraswamy ridiculed himself by calling ‘Yellidyappa Nikhil’ did everyone with the name Nikhil answer Kumaraswamy?”

Siddaramaiah further asked the JDS leader to apologise and remarked, ” There is still a chance for Kumaraswamy to accept his mistake and publicly apologise for his failed attempt. Instead of building up on lies, he should end it with an apology.”

Opposition attacks Siddaramaiah and Yathindra

The Bharatiya Janata Party and Janta Dal Secular joined forces to attack the Congress and dubbed CM’s son Yathindra as the “shadow chief minister.” The BJP called the chief minister a liar and asked, “Why was Vivekananda, who was heard on the phone call transferred immediately? It has been proven that the shadow CM told you over the phone that only the five names given by him should be considered which is related to the transfer scam. Need more evidence that the transfer business is rampant in the state?”

BJP demanded an inquiry into the clip and remarked, “CM Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s interference is going on everywhere in the state Congress government. It has been witnessed by our own eyes. Legal action should be taken regarding this. The viral video should be investigated and Siddaramaiah should resign as CM.”

HD Kumaraswamy already sought the resignation of the Congress chief minister and voiced, “Shame on you.” He pointed out, “This video clip is proof that the job posting for money ‘cash for posting’ scam has been going on in Karnataka uncontrollably and shamelessly. Karnataka Congress Government recovery business has come to the fore. The Karnataka collection king father and collection prince son have changed the Chief Minister’s Office into an extortion office. This has happened in the open, and one can guess what is happening behind closed doors.”

What is cash for posting’ scam

The accusation against Siddaramaiah’s son first surfaced when HD Kumaraswamy posted a clip on social media in which Yathindra can be heard stating, “Hello Appa (Father), Vivekananda! To where? No, I didn’t give that. Give it (phone) to Mahadeva. I had given only five. Mahadeva, why are you giving something? Who has given that? Nothing but whatever 4-5 I have given that alone should be done.” However, the Chief Minister responded by countering that Kumaraswamy had manufactured assertions based on a phone conversation he had with his son over the Varuna constituency.

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