Author: Amar Thacker

Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna, who was recently targeted with a deepfake video, has urged people to not share such material. She particularly urged young women to speak up if somebody bullied them with such material. Ms Mandanna shared the message weeks after a deepfake video about her went viral on social media. The star’s face was morphed onto an Instagram video posted by a British-Indian woman. She had described the incident as “extremely scary” at the time. On Monday, the actress, 27, said the support from her film industry colleagues made her realise that sharing of such videos shouldn’t be normalised. “It…

A congressionally mandated commission is recommending the Pentagon train Taiwanese troops on U.S. soil to familiarize them with operating new weapons platforms the Asian nation purchased. The bipartisan U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission made the suggestion to Congress as part of its annual report released Tuesday, but Taiwan may already have plans to send hundreds of troops to train in the United States. Carolyn Bartholomew, the commission’s chair, told reporters the recommendation aims to ensure Taiwan is ready to use the weapons upon their receipt “so that there’s not a lag time between getting it and then taking another six months…

The German magazine Der Spiegel published a cover about Ukraine with the title “Endless War.” He called the situation in Kyiv “between courage and despair.” “Now, when the second winter of the war begins, it is clear: hopes for a new turn of events were in vain. The war has turned into a positional one, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine recently openly spoke about a “stalemate situation”. Only with heavy losses can the sides move the front line a little. That the military experts have known for a long time, the public now suspects: this war cannot be…

Police in India have arrested a man in connection with a series of explosions at a Jehovah’s Witnesses meeting in the southern state of Kerala. Three people were killed and more than 50 injured in the blasts at a programme held by the Christian-based religious movement on Sunday. Police said the man, Dominic Martin, was arrested under an anti-terror law. He had earlier posted a video claiming responsibility for the attacks and surrendered to police. The blasts took place during the last day of a prayer session organised by Jehovah’s Witnesses in the town of Kalamassery, about 10km (six miles) north-east of…

Given the dramatic developments in Canada, where PM Trudeau has said there is credible evidence to suggest India was involved in the killing of a Canadian Sikh, it is unsurprising that rumours now swirl around the deaths of other Sikh activists around the world, including in the UK. Avtar Singh Khanda, 35, was well known for his support of the creation of a breakaway Sikh homeland, Khalistan. He died from a sudden illness in Birmingham in June, and some of those close to him insinuate there was foul play involved. West Midlands Police say they thoroughly reviewed the case and…

California’s legislature has become the first in the US to approve a bill banning caste discrimination. Legislators said the measure would protect people of South Asian descent who allege unfair treatment. The governor must now decide whether to sign the bill into law. Seattle became the first US city to ban caste discrimination in February. The caste system in India dates back over 3,000 years and divides Hindu society into rigid hierarchical groups. The measure, which passed on Tuesday by 31-5, was sponsored by Democratic state senator Aisha Wahab, who said it would add caste as a protected category in…

The G20 joint declaration that avoids direct criticism of Russia for its war against Ukraine is being described as a significant diplomatic win for India. The agreement of a joint statement in Delhi looked almost impossible a few days ago, given how sharply divided the group was over Russia’s invasion of its neighbour. In the end, we had a declaration that garnered unanimous support from all G20 member nations, without a single dissenting note. Ukraine itself, which was not represented at the summit, was unhappy – though key players, including the US, the UK, Russia and China, praised the outcome.…

India has confirmed that an object that washed up on a Western Australian beach recently was from one of its rockets. The giant metal dome was found at Green Head beach, about 250km (155 miles) north of Perth, in mid-July – prompting speculation about its origins. India’s space agency spokesman told the BBC on Monday it was from one of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV). Sudhir Kumar added that it would be up to Australia to decide what to do with the object. He did not comment further. His comments came after the Australian Space Agency (ASA) on Wednesday…

If he wins the 2024 US presidential election, Donald Trump will offer Kiev to “stop” resisting, and threaten the Kremlin with increased military support for Ukraine. The former president said this in an interview with Fox News . Trump again said he would “make a deal in one day”. “I know Zelensky very well , and I know Putin very well, and even better . And I have good relations, excellent relations with them,” said the former US president. “I would say to Zelensky: that’s enough. You must conclude an agreement … I would say to Putin: if you do not conclude an agreement, we will give him (apparently…

“I danced in the dark. I used to light up the room with candles and perform. In the blackout, my naseeb (fate) was going to shine.” The year was 1962. War had broken out between India and China over a disputed border and the Indian government had declared a state of national emergency. Fear gripped people as wailing sirens and days-long blackouts became a part of daily life. The future seemed uncertain. But Rekhabai wouldn’t let the fear of dying dictate her destiny. Instead of shutting shop like the other courtesans (women entertainers), she would dress up in a beautiful sari night…