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US Bill demanding ByteDance to divest TikTok introduced

It is the latest effort to impose a ban on TikTok over concerns about potential national security threats posed by ByteDance….reports Asian Lite News

A bipartisan bill introduced by lawmakers in the US House will force China-based ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to divest the shortform video app or face a ban on the platform in the United States, The Hill reported.

US Representatives – Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top lawmakers on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, introduced the bill on Tuesday. It is the latest effort to impose a ban on TikTok over concerns about potential national security threats posed by ByteDance.

The “Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” defines ByteDance and TikTok as foreign adversary controlled applications. The bill also creates a broader framework that would enable the US President to designate other foreign adversary controlled applications.

On Tuesday, the US House Energy and Commerce Committee said it will consider the bill at a Thursday markup, according to The Hill report.

In a statement on Tuesday, US Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chair of Energy and Commerce panel, said, “I commend Select Committee on the CCP Chair Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi for their leadership on this bipartisan bill and look forward to advancing the bill this week.”

Under the scope of the bill, foreign adversaries include China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. The bill will give more than five months to ByteDance after the law goes into effect to divest TikTok. If ByteDance does not divest from TikTok, it would become illegal to distribute it through an app store or web hosting platform in the US.

The bill has over 12 bipartisan sponsors, according to a committee aide. The aid, however, did not mention the details regarding the specific sponsors, according to The Hill report.

Gallager and Krishnamoorhti’s proposal tries to avert running into concerns that emerged as roadblocks to other bills, on the basis of description of the committee aides’. However, there are still concerns with banning the app due to its popularity with US users and concerns based on the loopholes users could use to gain access to TikTok even if it were effectively banned.

Speaking to The Hill, TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek called the bill an “outright ban” of TikTok. He stressed that this legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans.

“This bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it. This legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs,” The Hill quoted Alex Haurek as saying.

In 2023, a Republican backed bill tried to impose an outright ban on TikTok. However, the ban faced a pushback from Democratic lawmakers who stressed that the effort was rushed and could hinder free speech rights. (ANI)

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No More Facebook News, Meta Ceases Payments

In early April, the company will kill Facebook News, a dedicated tab for news content, in the US and Australia….reports Asian Lite News

Meta has announced not to enter into new commercial deals for traditional news content in Australia, France and Germany, and will not offer new Facebook products specifically for news publishers in the future.

In early April, the company will kill Facebook News, a dedicated tab for news content, in the US and Australia.

Facebook News was deprecated in the UK, France and Germany last year.

“People will still be able to view news on Facebook in feed in these countries, and publishers will continue to have access to their Facebook accounts and Pages, where they can post their news article links and content,” the company said in a statement.

This update does not impact the existing agreements the company has in relation to Facebook News with news publishers in Australia, France and Germany until they expire.

“This is part of an ongoing effort to better align our investments to our products and services people value the most,” Meta said.

The number of people using Facebook News in Australia and the US has dropped by over 80 per cent last year.

“As we previously shared in 2023, news makes up less than 3 per cent of what people around the world see in their Facebook feed, and is a small part of the Facebook experience for the vast majority of people,” said the company.

News organisations can still leverage products like Reels and ads system to reach broader audiences and drive people to their website, “where they keep 100 per cent of the revenue derived from outbound links on Facebook”.’

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SC Orders Patanjali to Stop ‘Misleading’ Ads

The Supreme Court bench was hearing a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association seeking action against Patanjali….reports Asian Lite News

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued contempt notice to Patanjali Ayurved’s Managing Director Acharya Balakrishna over continued publication of misleading advertisements.

Observing that Patanjali has, prima facie, violated the undertaking given to the apex court in November last year, a bench headed by Justice Hima Kohli asked the ayurvedic company to not issue any misleading advertisement or statement till the next date of listing.

The bench, also comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, was hearing a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association seeking action against Patanjali.

The matter will be heard next on March 19.

Patanjali had earlier assured the top court that it will not make any causal statements claiming medicinal efficacy of its product or advertise or brand them in violation of law. It also undertook that the company will not release any statement against any system of medicine to the media in any form.

Multiple FIRs were filed against yoga guru and Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev across several states over his controversial comments against allopathic treatment of Covid-19. In a video, Ramdev had said: “More people have died due to allopathic medicines than due to lack of medical oxygen or shortage of beds.”

He withdrew his comments the next day after receiving a strongly-worded letter from then Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who termed his remarks as “inappropriate”.

Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court has directed the committee, constituted by the Union Ayush Ministry, to provide recommendations on establishing criteria for categorising raw materials used in drug production into vegetarian, non-vegetarian, or other categories.

The directive came in response to a plea filed by lawyer Yatin Sharma, alleging that Patanjali’s product “Divya Manjan” contains non-vegetarian ingredients despite being labeled as vegetarian.

Justice Subramonium Prasad directed the Committee, formed by the Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB), to submit its recommendations within 10 weeks.

Sharma accused Patanjali of misleading the public and sought action against the company for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and deceiving customers. He had filed a complaint with the Ayush Ministry last July, prompting the Ministry’s response stating that there were no provisions for indicating non-vegetarian ingredients in products under the labelling rules.

The Ministry informed that ASUDTAB recommended forming a committee to determine criteria for categorising raw materials used in drugs, taking into account various religious, ethical, and regional considerations.

The high court disposed of Sharma’s plea, citing the Ministry’s communication regarding the Committee’s formation. It expects the Committee to deliver its recommendations within the specified timeframe. The court said: “A perusal of the aforesaid communication dated 01.08.2023 shows that a Committee has been constituted to determine the criteria by which raw materials used in the production of drugs can be categorised into veg, non- veg or more categories,” the court said.

“In view of the above, it is expected that the Committee, so constituted, shall give its recommendations within a period of 10 weeks from today.”

‘Article 21 is the Soul of Our Constitution’

The Supreme Court emphasised the paramount importance of a citizen’s liberty, stressing that delays in addressing matters related to it would deprive individuals of their fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Referring to Article 21 as the “soul” of the Constitution, the apex court expressed concern over instances in the Bombay High Court where bail or anticipatory bail applications were not promptly addressed.

Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta, in their February 16 order, urged the chief justice of the Bombay High Court to ensure expeditious handling of such matters by judges.

Emphasizing the significance of Article 21, the bench cautioned against delaying decisions related to citizens’ liberty, emphasizing that such delays could infringe upon their constitutional rights.

The bench instructed the apex court’s registrar to convey the order to the high court’s registrar for further action, particularly directing the high court’s chief justice to take note of the directive.

This directive came during the hearing of a case where an accused, who had been in jail for around seven-and-a-half years, challenged the disposal of his bail application by the Bombay High Court.

The Supreme Court, on January 29, overturned the high court’s previous order and instructed it to address the matter promptly, leading to the accused being granted bail on February 12.

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Govt revises guidelines for setting up community radio stations

Anurag Thakur said the revised policy will ensure growth of the sector and financial sustainability of Community Radio Stations (CRSs)…reports Asian Lite News

On the occasion of World Radio Day, Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday released the revised policy guidelines for setting up community radio stations in the country.

The roadmap for the revised policy on community radio was unveiled during the regional Community Radio Sammelan (South) at Anna University, commemorating 20 years of Community Radio in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Anurag Thakur said the revised policy will ensure growth of the sector and financial sustainability of Community Radio Stations (CRSs)

Highlighting the importance of community radio, the minister said, “Community Radio Stations offer a platform where content is disseminated in localised dialects and regional languages. Local, context specific issues are raised and discussed in these stations in local idioms.

“The Government is committed to its mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’. It is important to realise the importance of community radio in this direction.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ has shown through personal example how important the radio medium is, in both speaking to and listening to the public. Each CRS is a reflection of the local model that has been built over the years and the experiential learnings that have been collected and shared.”

L. Murugan, Minister of State (MoS) for I&B, said, “Community Radio is a pioneering concept and provides a platform to unheard voices from the community. These stations are one of the best ways to reach out intimately and directly to the people as these stations create locally relevant programmes useful to the community. There cannot be a better way of reaching out to the community than through the relatively inexpensive medium of community radio stations.”

The two-day long Radio Sammelan for Southern Community Radio Stations (CRS) also marked completion of 20 years of Community Radio in India. The Sammelan gave an opportunity for capacity building to the CRSs.

For the uninitiated, the Community Radio Stations are low-power radio stations, meant to be operated by local communities. India’s first Community Radio was inaugurated in 2004 on the Anna University campus.

Presently, there are a total of 481 CRSs in the country. In the last two years, more than 133 CRSs have become operational.

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TikTok CEO grilled by lawmakers regarding China ties


During the hearing, Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas raised concerns to Chew about becoming CEO at the same time as the Chinese Communist Party acquired a 1% stake in ByteDance’s primary Chinese subsidiary….reports Asian Lite News

TikTok CEO Shou Chew found himself under scrutiny as lawmakers probed into the platform’s ties with China, particularly its parent company ByteDance, and the extent of access granted to the Chinese government, CNN reported.

During the hearing, Arkansas Republican Sen Tom Cotton questioned Chew about his appointment as CEO coinciding with the Chinese Communist Party’s acquisition of a 1 per cent stake in ByteDance’s main Chinese subsidiary.

Chew dismissed any connection, stating, “It’s a coincidence.” Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley also pressed Chew on TikTok’s links to China and its communist party.

In response to Texas Republican Sen Ted Cruz’s inquiry, Chew characterised the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident in Beijing as a “massive protest.” While accurate, Chew’s description omitted the subsequent government crackdown on pro-democracy activists, a dark chapter that is heavily censored on the Chinese internet today.

Under further questioning by Sen Cotton, Chew conceded, referring to the event as “a massacre.” Despite Chew’s acknowledgment, he had previously assured Congress that TikTok permits content related to Tiananmen Square, emphasising that the platform does not operate within China. However, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, distributes a similar app called Douyin within China.

The intense questioning reflects growing concerns among lawmakers about the potential influence of the Chinese government on TikTok’s operations and content policies.

The grilling was held at a dramatic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing of the CEOs of major tech companies, who faced intense scrutiny over the potential harms of their platforms on teens, CNN reported.

The Senate Judiciary Committee focused on examining the potential harms inflicted on teenagers by these platforms.

During the hearing, the CEOs sought to convey their commitment to child safety on their platforms by emphasising their roles as parents.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel mentioned that his wife approves every app their 13-year-old downloads, TikTok CEO Shou Chew highlighted being a father of three young children, X CEO Linda Yaccarino identified herself as a mother, and Discord CEO Jason Citron emphasised his role as a father of two. (ANI)

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ZUCKERBERG SAYS SORRY

In a tense Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Meta CEO stood to offer a public apology to families affected by the alleged repercussions of social media platforms, acknowledging the pain and suffering they have endured…reports Asian Lite News

In a dramatic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, the CEOs of major tech companies face intense scrutiny over the potential harms of their platforms to teens, CNN reported.

In a tense Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stood to offer a public apology to families affected by the alleged repercussions of social media platforms, acknowledging the pain and suffering they have endured.

“I’m sorry for everything you have all been through. No one should go through the things that your families have suffered, and this is why we invest so much,” Zuckerberg said, emphasising ongoing industry-wide efforts to mitigate the negative impacts associated with their products, as reported by CNN.

“We are going to continue doing industry wide efforts to make sure no one has to go through the things your families have had to suffer,” he added.

The apology came amid a grilling of five tech executives, including Zuckerberg, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, X (formerly Twitter) CEO Linda Yaccarino, TikTok CEO Shou Chew, and Discord CEO Jason Citron.

The Senate Judiciary Committee focused on examining the potential harms inflicted on teenagers by these platforms.

However, the hearing took a combative turn when Missouri Republican Sen Josh Hawley called on Zuckerberg, a billionaire, to financially compensate families affected by the adverse effects of his company’s platforms on their children. The demand for compensation underscored the severity of the allegations against these tech giants.

The atmosphere in the hearing room was charged as dozens of parents stood, holding up pictures of their loved ones allegedly harmed by social media. The room fell silent at the sight of grieving families, creating a poignant backdrop for the unfolding proceedings.

Lawmakers, including Texas Republican Sen Ted Cruz and South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, began to filter in as the audience awaited the testimonies.

Senator Lindsey Graham’s opening remarks set a confrontational tone, accusing the tech CEOs of having “blood on their hands” due to the alleged negative consequences of their products. Graham argued that these platforms, particularly Meta, have a product that is “killing people,” and he called for the repeal of Section 230, a federal law providing immunity to websites and social media platforms for their content moderation decisions and user-generated content.

Graham cited the case of South Carolina state house Rep Brandon Guffey, who lost his eldest son to suicide and is now suing Meta.

Guffey claims that after his son’s funeral, he received messages demanding money in exchange for explicit photos of his late son, who had unwittingly become a victim of sexual extortion on Instagram. The lawsuit alleges wrongful death, gross negligence, and other claims against Meta.

This hearing once again highlighted the bipartisan criticism of social media companies among lawmakers.

Senator Graham acknowledged the rare unity between Democrats and Republicans on the issue, emphasising the need to address the abuse facilitated by tech platforms, according to CNN.

Despite the bipartisan concern, meaningful legislation to regulate social media companies at the federal level is yet to be passed. The focus has shifted to state legislatures and courts, where battles over new policies, such as age minimums for social media use, are being waged.

During the hearing, the CEOs sought to convey their commitment to child safety on their platforms by emphasising their roles as parents.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel mentioned that his wife approves every app their 13-year-old downloads, TikTok CEO Shou Chew highlighted being a father of three young children, X CEO Linda Yaccarino identified herself as a mother, and Discord CEO Jason Citron emphasised his role as a father of two.

However, Zuckerberg, despite being a parent himself, did not explicitly mention his fatherly role in his remarks. The CEOs’ parental connections aimed to humanize them and demonstrate a personal stake in ensuring the safety of young users on their platforms.

As the hearing unfolded, it became clear that lawmakers are demanding more than apologies – they are pushing for accountability, regulatory measures, and, in some cases, financial compensation for the alleged damages caused by social media platforms, CNN reported.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has concluded its hearing.

In his opening remarks, Zuckerberg touted investments in safety and recent policy changes to give parents more control over their children’s data, while calling on Congress to force app store giants — like Google and Apple — to play a bigger part in vetting children’s ages online. Washington Post reporting this week revealed that Meta’s parental surveillance features are poorly used.

Yaccarino, the first executive for X to testify since Elon Musk took over the platform formerly known as Twitter, highlighted plans to stand up a new safety team in Texas and automate some of the company’s reports to government that flag child abuse material. TikTok’s Chew, meanwhile, repeatedly emphasized that despite a common perception that his platform’s audience skews young, the average age for users is over 30. (ANI)

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‘UAE Set to Become Global Hub For New Media’

Commenting on the 1 Billion Followers Summit, Al Gergawi said the event has started big and continued to grow in its second edition….reports Asian Lite News

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said that the global media sector today is going at a turning point that could bring about huge and unexpected shifts in both media and technology.

The minister noted: “Our goal for the UAE is to become the focal point for new media. Thanks to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish a permanent influencers headquarters in Dubai, the UAE will be a global hub for influencers by supporting them to create positive content.”
“Content creation is not an easy job, because content has the power to build communities or bring them down. Creating specialised content requires support and training, which helps build knowledge,” Al Gergawi said.

“The UAE government is an active government, as H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum always says: “We do what we say, and we say what we do”. And while many said that the global economic downturn marked the end of dreams, but the UAE proved it has just started… We have reached Mars; we are part of the lunar space station project; and we continue to affect a cultural and humanitarian transformation that serves all humankind. The UAE’s mission extends its positive impact well beyond our national boundaries, serving a larger, global purpose.”

Commenting on the 1 Billion Followers Summit, Al Gergawi said the event has started big and continued to grow in its second edition. He promised bigger and more influential future editions, highlighting the growing importance of new media, and the need to create exceptional content that adds value to humanity.

1 Billion Followers Summit Wraps Up 2nd Edition

The 1 Billion Followers Summit concluded its second edition in Dubai on Thursday reiterating the importance of digital content creation and its rapidly evolving role in communication, learning, and entertainment, in the region and around the world.

Organised by the New Media Academy on January 10- 11, the event engaged over 300 million social media users across various digital platforms.

The summit’s hashtag #1BillionSummit ranked among the most followed hashtags worldwide in the past couple of days, with engagements exceeding 489 million. Additionally, the summit was the focus of 300+ local and international journalists who took the summit’s voice to the world and conducted exclusive interviews with some of the world’s most famous influencers on social media.

Up to 195 speakers and content creators from 95 countries and regions shared unique experiences, advice, and secrets to success across the fields of art, sports, education, health, business, and environment. The event attracted 7,000 attendees and participants, including 3,000 content creators, who hailed the platform as a unique opportunity to connect and collaborate with content creators from different countries and cultures.

Saeed Al Eter, Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, affirmed that the UAE continues to boost its influence on the international media scene, introducing the world to its collective achievements. He also lauded the country’s exceptional ability to stay ahead of developments and anticipate major transformations in the field of new media, to embrace this vast space and invest in its unlimited potential.

He said, “The 1 Billion Followers Summit embodies the UAE’s commitment to developing the creative industries and writing a new chapter in the evolution of digital media and content creation. This is achieved by providing a nurturing environment to attract talents and innovators, organizing events that bring together influential names in the field to benefit from their experiences, and inspiring journeys that serve as a motivation for new content creators in developing visions, goals, and tools”.

He added, “The Summit is a new affirmation of our country’s strong presence in every positive change aimed at advancing means of communication among people. We have great confidence that the success of this event, which brought together more than 7,000 participants from 95 countries around the world, including over 3,000 content creators, influencers, and creatives, will be a qualitative leap in its journey, as well as the journey of new media and content creation in our country, the Arab region, and the world,” affirming that the UAE will remain a cradle of creativity.

Alia Al Hammadi, CEO of the New Media Academy, affirmed that the vibrant regional and global engagement with the summit – its events, activations and discussions – asserts Dubai’s leadership in providing a nurturing and supportive environment for creative industry professionals and emerging talents. It also solidifies the city’s position as a preferred destination for content creators and influencers of various nationalities and cultures.

She said: “The summit offered a pioneering and comprehensive platform for exchanging experiences and knowledge among participants. It has offered the tools and the right guidance to empower social media practitioners to hone their talent, creativity and capabilities, asserting that communication is the new and most widely used global currency. Dubai will continue striving to offer the best platforms and services to advance the value of this sector and those who operate within it.”

Al Hammadi thanked the partners, sponsors, speakers, and attendees who contributed to the success of the second edition of the summit and expressed her hope to meet them again in the next edition.
The summit, over the course of two days, organised 24 panel discussions, hosting an elite group of the world’s leading social media pioneers. These discussions covered the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the creative industries and digital media. The event also featured speeches from top executives and international business leaders, highlighting the role of new media in enhancing community development, the importance of producing content that elevates the audience’s tastes and embedding awareness in generations in line with the summit’s vision.

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Global media commends BJP after saffron sweep  

The UK-based news agency, Reuters, dubbed the poll victories as a ‘big boost’ for PM Modi ahead of the general elections next year, heading its story as, “In boost for Modi, BJP sweeps polls in three Indian states.”…reports Asian Lite News

After BJP swept three of the four states, the results for which were declared on Sunday, global media commended the victory as an ‘expansion of PM Modi dominance’, adding that the outcomes were ‘vital’ ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Prominent US daily The Washington Post ran a detailed story hailing the BJP’s stupendous poll wins in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, calling the mandates ‘crucial’.

“The crucial poll has pitted India’s opposition against the ruling party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of next year’s vital national vote,” the Washington Post stated in its report.

The global media affirmed that the victories in three states would strengthen PM Modi’s chances of scoring a hat-trick of poll wins and returning for a third straight term at the country’s highest office.

Al Jazeera ran a report with the headline, “India’s BJP wins three of four state polls months before the national election”, terming the BJP’s poll victories “historic and unprecedented”.

The UK-based news agency, Reuters, dubbed the poll victories as a ‘big boost’ for PM Modi ahead of the general elections next year, heading its story as, “In boost for Modi, BJP sweeps polls in three Indian states.”

“The election results indicate the voter mood ahead of the national elections in May in which Modi is eyeing a third consecutive term,” it stated in its report.

A saffron Tsunami swept the Hindi heartland on the counting day for four states that polled for their assemblies last month, the BJP, with its stunning mandates in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, stumped not just their rivals but also some pollsters who had predicted tight races in these states.

The election results in four states, especially the losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, came as a huge to the Congress’s hopes for 2024 as it is now out of power across a vast swathe of the Hindi heartland.

In Rajasthan, the vote count painted a starkly different picture to what some of the pollsters had predicted, with the BJP poised to form the government, winning 115 seats, and the Congress trailing at 69 seats.

Of the 90 assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh, the BJP bagged 54 while the Congress won 35.

The counting for Mizoram is set for Monday, where BJP’s regional ally, the Mizo National Front, is the incumbent.

Assembly elections to five states were held last month, with more than 160 million people, or a sixth of India’s electorate, registered to vote. (ANI)

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Bombay HC Rejects PIL Based on Social Media

Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor, constituting the division bench, declined to entertain the PIL, expressing dissatisfaction with its lack of specifics….reports Asian Lite News

The Bombay High Court, in a recent hearing, rejected the inclusion of information obtained from social media in public interest litigation (PIL) proceedings. The PIL, filed by advocate Ajitsingh Ghorpade, sought the Maharashtra government’s intervention in safeguarding waterfalls and water bodies, alleging an annual loss of 1,500 to 2,000 lives in unsafe locations in the state.

Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor, constituting the division bench, declined to entertain the PIL, expressing dissatisfaction with its lack of specifics. Ghorpade’s lawyer, Manindra Pandey, mentioned that the data on fatalities was derived from newspapers and social media posts. However, the court criticized the petition as vague and admonished the use of social media information in PIL pleadings, emphasizing the need for responsibility in such legal actions.

The court questioned the petitioner’s approach, stating that filing a PIL based on accidental drownings during picnics might not necessarily constitute a violation of fundamental rights. The bench asserted that such cases were a “sheer wastage” of judicial time. Pandey argued for the state government to ensure the safety of individuals visiting these sites, but the court countered, highlighting the challenges of monitoring every waterfall and water body.

In response to the court’s queries about the petitioner’s firsthand knowledge, Pandey failed to provide substantial details. The bench suggested withdrawing the PIL and encouraged filing a more comprehensive one with proper specifics. The petitioner agreed, leading to the withdrawal of the petition.

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Hezbollah Demands Global Condemnation of Israeli Strikes on Media

On October 14, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry submitted a complaint to the UN Security Council against Israel for launching attacks on journalists…reports Asian Lite News

Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia military group, has vowed to retaliate against Israel’s “brutal aggression” after two journalists from Lebanese TV channel Al-Mayadeen were killed in Israeli attacks on the southern village of Tayr Harfa.

“This crime, the previous attack on Reuters photojournalist Issam Abdallah, the killing of dozens of journalists in Gaza and the destruction of their headquarters by the occupation forces, reveals the important role played by the media in exposing the enemy’s practices and exposing its horrific crimes against civilians, especially in the Gaza Strip,” Hezbollah said on Tuesday in a statement.

The military group called on international media and humanitarian bodies to condemn the “crime and similar crimes that preceded it,” and “exert the highest levels of pressure” on the Israeli government to stop its attacks on media professionals and civilians, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati strongly condemned the Israeli attacks that killed media professionals in the south on Tuesday. He said the attack proved once again that “Israel’s goal is to silence the media that exposes its crimes and attacks”.

For his part, Lebanese Defence Minister Maurice Slim called for “a unified and effective Arab and international position in the face of the continuous Israeli aggression as statements of denunciation and condemnation are no longer sufficient”.

Farah Omar, a reporter working for local TV channel Al-Mayadeen, and Rabih Al-Maamari, a photographer working for the same channel, were covering the events in southern Lebanon on Tuesday when two Israeli drones hit them, killing both of them and a civilian named Hussein Akil, Lebanese TV channel Al-Manar reported.

On October 13, Issam Abdallah, a Lebanese photojournalist working for Reuters, was killed while covering Israeli attacks in the southern village of Alma al-Shaab while several other journalists working for Agence France-Presse and Al Jazeera were injured.

On October 14, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry submitted a complaint to the UN Security Council against Israel for launching attacks on journalists.

The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension for over six weeks after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Shebaa Farms on October 8 in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel on Monday, prompting the Israeli forces to respond by firing heavy artillery toward several areas in southeastern Lebanon.

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