Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<keyword id="19929103" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nationalist-Congress-Party" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Nationalist Congress Party" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Nationalist Congress Party">Nationalist Congress Party</keyword> (SP) president <keyword id="19913755" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sharad-pawar" source="keywords">Sharad Pawar</keyword> on Friday hit out at the <keyword id="19909267" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Centre" source="keywords">Centre</keyword> over <keyword id="20214944" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Leader-of-Opposition" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Leader of Opposition" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Leader of Opposition">Leader of Opposition</keyword> <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> not being allotted a <keyword id="22807715" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="front-row-seat" source="keywords">front-row seat</keyword> at the <keyword id="22594483" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Independence-Day-event" source="keywords">Independence Day event</keyword>, accusing it of not honouring the post of LoP. Addressing party workers of the opposition bloc <keyword id="19924537" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maha-Vikas-Aghadi" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Maha Vikas Aghadi" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Maha Vikas Aghadi">Maha Vikas Aghadi</keyword>, Pawar said the threat to the <keyword id="19942019" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Constitution" source="keywords">Constitution</keyword> is still not over even if the BJP did not get majority in the Lok Sabha polls. "The Centre did not honour the post of Leader of Opposition," Pawar said. "The Leader of Opposition was made to sit in the back row," said the NCP (SP) chief. The Congress on Thursday said making Gandhi "sit in the fifth row" at the <keyword id="20069086" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="independence-day" source="keywords">Independence Day</keyword> celebrations at the Red Fort showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "pettiness" and lack of respect for democratic traditions. Pawar said that when he was the leader of the opposition during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure, his seating arrangement at the I-Day event was alongside the cabinet ministers. He recalled that when Manmohan Singh was the PM, the then LoP Sushma Swaraj was given a seat allotted to cabinet ranks. The prime minister is an institution, and so is the leader of the opposition. The prestige of the PM's post has to be maintained. Similarly, LoP's prestige is also equally important, Pawar stressed.

Centre did not honour LoP's post: Pawar on Rahul not being allotted front-row seat at Independence Day event

In India, Children’s Day is celebrated on November 14, while International Children’s Day, established by the United Nations, is observed globally on November 20. India initially marked Children’s Day on November 20, but this changed after the passing of Pandit <keyword id="6360386" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jawaharlal-nehru" source="Orion">Jawaharlal Nehru</keyword>, the country’s first Prime Minister and a prominent leader in the freedom movement. An anti-colonial nationalist, social democrat, and author, Nehru was instrumental in India’s independence struggle and a champion of parliamentary democracy, secularism, and advancements in science and technology. He served as Prime Minister for 17 years, guiding India’s post-independence growth and development. During his leadership, India maintained a neutral stance amid Cold War tensions and made significant strides in education and other key areas, shaping the nation’s future trajectory. Nehru had a deep affection for children and placed immense trust in their potential. He saw them as invaluable treasures and the nation’s future, capable of transforming the country’s future. Because of this belief, he emphasised the importance of their education, upbringing, and development, seeing their growth as vital to the nation’s progress. Children lovingly called him "Chachaji," a name by which he is still fondly remembered as "Chacha Nehru" by both children and adults today. Children’s Day also serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritising children’s well-being, ensuring that every child—regardless of economic, social, or political background—enjoys a safe and fulfilling childhood. This includes access to basic necessities like shelter, education, healthcare, and sanitation. Beyond these essentials, safeguarding children’s human rights is crucial. It’s our collective responsibility to protect them from harmful practices such as abuse, trafficking, and child labour. Given that millions of children in India are orphans, it is essential to protect and nurture their present to secure a bright future for them and for the nation. To celebrate this day with your loved ones, here are heartfelt wishes and messages that will bring joy and positivity this Children’s Day. <h2>Children’s Day Wishes</h2><ul><li><keyword id="1451428" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Happy-Childrens-Day" source="Orion">Happy Children’s Day</keyword>! May you sparkle and shine with happiness always! </li><li>To the joy-bringers, the dreamers, and the pure-hearted—Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>May your childhood be filled with love, laughter, and endless joy. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>Every child is a miracle. You are our little star. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>May you grow up to achieve all that you dream and more! Happy Children’s Day. </li><li>Wishing you the happiest, brightest Children’s Day ever! </li><li>May your innocence and laughter light up the world. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>Here’s to the magical, carefree years of childhood! Enjoy it to the fullest. </li><li>Happy Children’s Day! May you always have a reason to smile. </li><li>Childhood is precious. Live every moment and make beautiful memories. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>Wishing you oceans of joy and a sky full of dreams. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>You are the stars of tomorrow. Shine bright, little ones! Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>May your imagination lead you to magical places. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>Happy Children’s Day to the sweetest kids who make our world so much brighter! </li><li>To the wonder-makers, the adventurers, the joyful souls—Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>May your life be filled with dreams, love, and laughter. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>Here’s to the laughter, the smiles, and the endless joy of childhood! </li><li>May every little child feel special, cherished, and loved. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>Wishing all the happiness and joy to the little hearts of the world! </li><li>May you always have a smile on your face and a song in your heart. </li><li>You bring joy to the world just by being you. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>Every child is a treasure, and you are the most precious. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>May your days be filled with colour, joy, and wonderful memories. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>You are the hope of tomorrow, and you bring so much joy today. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>Wishing you laughter, play, and endless joy. Have a fantastic Children’s Day! </li><li>To the world’s sweetest souls, may you always find happiness. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>Here’s to a day filled with dreams, games, and smiles. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>Keep shining, keep laughing, and keep being amazing! Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>May you live every day with the wonder and joy of childhood. Happy Children’s Day! </li><li>To the most wonderful part of life—children! Have a beautiful Children’s Day! </li></ul><h2>Messages for <keyword id="23888689" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Childrens-Day-2024" source="Orion">Children’s Day 2024</keyword></h2>On this day, let’s honour Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s legacy and nurture the future of India—our children. Happy Children’s Day! November 14 is a reminder to cherish childhood and encourage the potential within every child. Wishing all a joyful Children’s Day! Let’s promise to protect, care for, and empower every child, giving them a happy, healthy future. Happy Children’s Day! This Children’s Day, let’s remember that every child has the right to education, love, and a life of happiness. November 14, a day to celebrate the joy of childhood and the dream of a brighter future. Happy Children’s Day! Happy Children’s Day! Let’s make every child feel safe, loved, and cherished not just today but always. Today let’s dedicate ourselves to creating a world where every child feels valued and heard. Happy Children’s Day! Celebrating the laughter and dreams of children across India on this special day, November 14. On this Children’s Day, let’s embrace the spirit of innocence, joy, and hope that every child brings to the world. Children are our tomorrow; let’s make sure they grow up with love, respect, and opportunities. Happy Children’s Day! SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/10-kid-friendly-heritage-trips-for-childrens-day-2024/slidelist/115210134.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">10 kid-friendly heritage trips for Children’s Day 2024</a>

Happy Children’s Day 2024: Messages and heartfelt wishes for kids

<keyword id="21994945" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bangladesh-Prime-Minister" source="keywords">Bangladesh Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="20024637" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sheikh-hasina" source="keywords">Sheikh Hasina</keyword> on Monday resigned and left the country, several news reports said amid <keyword id="19946618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="massive-protests" source="keywords">massive protests</keyword> against her government that claimed more than 106 lives in the last two days. However, there was no official confirmation about her quitting and leaving <keyword id="19936600" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhaka" source="keywords">Dhaka</keyword>. BBC reported that Hasina left on a helicopter for Agartala in Tripura. The Associated Press said she has resigned but gave no other details. However, the Ministry of External Affairs or local officials in Agartala refused to confirm the report. Tripura Home Secretary P.K. Chakravarty told PTI "we have no such information. With the situation in the country fluid and uncertain, the <keyword id="22674698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bangladeshi-army-chief" source="keywords">Bangladeshi army chief</keyword> was said to address the nation later Monday. The private Jamuna television news channel reported that Hasina was forced to quit as prime minister after massive protests against her government over a controversial <keyword id="22297733" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="quota-system" source="keywords">quota system</keyword> that reserved 30 per cent of <keyword id="19970107" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-jobs" source="keywords">government jobs</keyword> for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971. The channel said that Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana left the country in a helicopter. Hours later, hundreds of protesters stormed the prime minister's official residence. The government earlier ordered a complete <keyword id="20563656" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="internet-shutdown" source="keywords">internet shutdown</keyword> as protestors asked the general public to join a "Long March to Dhaka". However, a government agency gave a verbal order to start broadband internet around 1:15 on Monday. Hasina, the 76-year-old daughter of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had been ruling the strategically located South Asian nation since 2009. She was elected for a record fourth consecutive term and fifth overall term in the 12th general election held in January, amid a boycott by the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former premier Khaleda Zia and its allies.

PM Sheikh Hasina resigns and leaves Bangladesh, possibly for Tripura: Reports

NDA nominee <keyword id="19896877" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Om-Birla" source="keywords">Om Birla</keyword> was elected as speaker of the Lok Sabha for a second consecutive term by voice vote on Wednesday, capping days of intense battle on the issue with the <keyword id="19895395" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="opposition" source="keywords">opposition</keyword> in a rare move proposing its own candidate. <keyword id="19911515" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prime-Minister" source="keywords">Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword>, who moved the motion for Birla's <keyword id="19895095" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="election" source="keywords">election</keyword> as speaker, lauded the balance he showed in maintaining decorum of the House during his previous term. Several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, congratulated Birla too, stressing on "impartiality" and hoping he would allow them to raise the voice of the people and not apply his restraint orders only to opposition benches. Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab made the announcement of Birla's election after the opposition, which had forwarded the the name of eight-term Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh as its candidate, did not press for votes to the motion. This is the fifth time that a speaker will serve beyond the tenure of one Lok Sabha. It is also amongst the few occasions that an election became necessary for a post conventionally decided by consensus. As he assumed charge, Birla read out a resolution condemning the Emergency imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 and asked members to observe a moment's silence, triggering a wave of protests by the opposition. "Democratic values and debate have always been supported in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>... Indira Gandhi imposed dictatorship on such an India. The democratic values of India were crushed and freedom of expression was strangled," Birla said while reading the resolution. His first day in the chair saw the House being adjourned. While opposition members vociferously protested inside, <keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BJP" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="BJP">BJP</keyword> members held a demonstration outside <keyword id="19895397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="parliament" source="keywords">Parliament</keyword> House, raising slogans and demanding an apology from the Congress for the Emergency. Earlier in the morning, after the election, the prime minister and Leader of Opposition Gandhi escorted Birla to the speaker's chair. Gandhi also shook hands with Modi before escorting him. In his address, the first in the 18th Lok Sabha, Modi said Birla's work as a parliamentarian should be an inspiration for new Lok Sabha members. He said Birla presided over a golden era in Lok Sabha history with a number of historic decisions taken during its previous term. Modi lauded the balance shown by him in maintaining the decorum of the House which also involved taking several tough decisions. He expressed gratitude towards Birla for choosing to uphold the values of the House while maintaining traditions. The prime minister emphasised that the functioning of the house, conduct and accountability deepen the foundation of <keyword id="19973112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="democracy" source="keywords">democracy</keyword> in the country. Congratulating Birla, Gandhi said the opposition wanted the House to function "often and well" and added that it was very important that cooperation happens with trust. "The opposition would like to assist you in your work. I am confident you will allow us to speak in the House," he said. Gandhi also pointed out that the opposition this time represents significantly more voices of the Indian people than last time. Samajwadi Party chief Yadav hoped that actions like suspension of MPs would not be taken as they hurt the dignity of the House. He said he also hoped Birla would be impartial towards the opposition and give its leaders equal opportunities. Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay and DMK leader T R Baalu echoed the sentiment. Bandyopadhyay said the functioning of the House always depends on the attitude of the treasury benches. "It is my firm belief and so far parliamentary democratic practice is concerned, the House belongs to the opposition," he said. He referred to the suspension of opposition MPs in the 17th Lok Sabha and said it was "not desirable". "You might have been elected by my BJP friends (but) hereafter there is no politics between you and the powers... You have to treat the opposition and the ruling party in the same manner. Kindly be impartial," added Baalu. Birla, 61, the BJP's MP from Kota, has risen through the ranks of the party. He is a third-term MP from Kota in Rajasthan and been a member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly thrice. "Treasury and opposition benches run the House together, the strength of Indian democracy is in listening to everyone, and running the House with everyone's agreement. I will expect that I run the House with everyone's agreement. Even if there is lone member from a party, they should get sufficient time," Birla said. "It will be my expectation that the House runs without obstruction. We are elected by people with hope, which is why I urge there should not be disruptions in the House." There can be criticism, but obstruction is not a tradition of the House, Birla said. "I never want to act against any member, but everyone wants the high standard of parliamentary tradition to be maintained. For that I have to make tough decisions at times," the speaker said. During the course of the proceedings, Birla intervened several times, reminding members to be precise and raise issues they wanted to during the debate on the motion of thanks to the president's address. He said the members should remember for the next five years that others should take their seat when the speaker is standing, Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan took a jibe at the opposition for forcing an election for the speaker's post. In many opposition ruled states, he said, the post of both speaker and deputy speaker in the assembly is held by the ruling party. Birla's election follows a rare showdown by both the ruling alliance and the opposition bloc after the effort for a consensus was failed. The opposition's last-minute decision to go for a contest came after senior BJP leaders did not agree to the precondition that the INDIA bloc must be offered the post of deputy speaker in lieu of supporting Birla. "INDIA parties exercised their democratic right and moved motions in support of Kodikunnil Suresh as <keyword id="19990696" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha-speaker" source="keywords">Lok Sabha Speaker</keyword>... Voice Vote was taken. Thereafter, INDIA parties could have insisted on division. They did not do so. "This is because they wanted to a spirit of consensus and cooperation to prevail, a spirit singularly lacking in the actions of the PM and the NDA," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X. With the NDA having 293 MPs in its kitty and the INDIA bloc 233 in the Lok Sabha, the numbers were clearly in favour of Birla. The Lok Sabha currently has 542 members after Rahul Gandhi resigned from one of the two seats he was elected from. At least three independent members also support the opposition. Balram Jakhar is the only presiding officer to have served two complete terms extending seventh and eighth Lok Sabha.

Om Birla elected for second time as Lok Sabha speaker, opposition hopes their voice will be heard

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Elon Musk praised Singapore's first prime minister, calling him a 'brilliant' man.</li><li>Musk shared a blog lauding Lee Kuan Yew's foresight in developing Changi Airport.</li></ul>Elon Musk said that Singapore's first prime minister, touted as the country's founding father, was a "brilliant" man.On Thursday, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO reposted a blog piece by newsletter writer George Mack, who praised Lee Kuan Yew's foresight and immigration policies.Mack wrote about Lee's efforts in conceiving Singapore's Changi Airport, which has been <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/changi-airport-regains-crown-named-world-s-best-airport-for-12th-time">named the world's best airport</a> 12 times by London-based research firm Skytrax."He was brilliant," Musk wrote of Lee.This is not the first time Musk has lauded the late prime minister. He previously <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1805134897591550248">called Lee a "genius"</a> for installing air-conditioning units in public service buildings to boost productivity in the humid, tropical country.To be sure, Singapore also draws critique on the global stage on topics including its policies towards low-income workers, freedom of speech, and human rights issues relating to the LGBTQ+ communities.Lee served as prime minister from 1959 to 1990 and died in 2015.Here are three things to know about the man credited for building up the prosperous Southeast Asian country:<h2 id="a03ce4b0-3ae4-46cb-a73f-a4328ad881d2">1. Singapore's award-winning Changi Airport was Lee's brainchild.</h2><div type="image" title="Singapore's Changi Airport." height="1412" width="2123" msid="111860873" hostid="261" sizebytes="397066"></div>Before Singapore's Changi Airport became operational in 1981, the island state had a small commercial airport located inland on the east side of Singapore, called Paya Lebar Airport.While efforts had begun to expand Paya Lebar Airport, Lee <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-17/issue-3/oct-dec-2021/changi-airport/">envisioned a much bigger airport</a> located on the coast of the island, which could be expanded in the future by reclaiming land from the sea."By mid 1970s, it was clear that Paya Lebar Airport would not be able to cope with the growing traffic for much longer," Lee said in 2006, at Changi Airport's 25th anniversary dinner. "We needed a bigger airport, with at least two runways."The new Changi Airport was planned to be five times bigger than its predecessor. And Lee wanted the airport to be an extension of Singapore's image as a garden city, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/columns/lee-kuan-yew-truly-father-changi-airport">The Business Times</a> reported in 2015.He wanted a lot of trees planted and said that he wished to "see a jungle" when driving from the city to the airport, located on the island's easternmost tip.As of 2024, the airport has four functioning terminals with a fifth <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.changiairport.com/corporate/our-expertise/changi-east.html#aboutt5">expected to open</a> in the mid 2030s.In 2023, it saw passenger traffic of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/changi-airport-s-2023-passenger-traffic-rebounds-to-86-of-pre-covid-19-levels#:~:text=Home-,Changi%20Airport's%202023%20passenger%20traffic%20rebounds%20to,of%20pre%2DCovid%2D19%20levels&amp;text=SINGAPORE%20%2D%20Some%2058.9%20million%20passengers,before%20the%20Covid%2D19%20pandemic.">58.9 million people</a>. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.worldairportawards.com/the-worlds-top-10-airports-of-2024/#google_vignette">Skytrax</a> called it one of the "busiest passenger hubs" for Southeast Asia.<h2 id="534d9837-7103-4ea5-b704-73587f72d562">2. Lee's policies transformed Singapore into a global financial and trading hub.</h2><div type="image" title="The Singapore skyline." height="1424" width="2106" msid="111860874" hostid="261" sizebytes="181064"></div>After Singapore's independence from British colonial rule in 1963 and its separation from Malaysia in 1965, the country was left with few resources, rampant unemployment, an overpopulation problem, and a lack of good public housing.Fast forward about 60 years, and the country has the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://tradingeconomics.com/country-list/gdp-per-capita?continent=asia">highest GDP per capita</a> in Asia. Its unemployment rate is low, at <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://stats.mom.gov.sg/Pages/Labour-Market-Report-4Q-2023.aspx">2.0% as of December 2023</a>.Lee gave Singapore's principle architect, Liu Thai Ker, the ambitious goal of resettling everyone living in slums by 1982, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/24/world/asia/singapore-public-housing-urban-planner.html">The New York Times reported.</a> And it worked: <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/-/media/doc/CCG/Annual-Report-FY2022/HDB-Key-Statistics-FY22.ashx">77% of the population</a> lived in state-subsidized housing, as of 2022.Singapore also holds the spot of Asia's top financial center, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3256297/singapore-keeps-crown-asias-top-financial-centre-outranks-hong-kong-all-factors-competitiveness-gfci">outranking Hong Kong </a>in the latest edition of the semi-annual <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.longfinance.net/media/documents/GFCI_35_Report_2024.03.21_v1.0.pdf">Global Financial Centres Index</a>.Singapore's growth has largely been credited to Lee's policies of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/03/how-lee-kuan-yew-transformed-singapore/">attracting foreign investment</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://asiafoundation.org/2015/03/25/lee-kuan-yews-role-in-singapore-u-s-relations/">strengthening</a> international ties.<h2 id="ad23dd23-97df-491a-947b-69e20ebc8828">3. Lee's robust immigration policies brought in skilled labor into Singapore</h2><div type="image" title="Crowds in Singapore's Orchard shopping district." height="1414" width="2121" msid="111860877" hostid="261" sizebytes="237264"></div>Lee saw the benefits to attracting skilled foreign talent to boost the country's productivity and spur Singaporean workers.One way he did this was by building a world class public <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/04/is-education-the-secret-to-singapores-success/">education system</a>, drawing in foreign students.The country's largest public universities, National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings">ranked</a> 8th and 15th, respectively, in the 2025 QS top universities rankings.The universities ranked higher than American universities Cornell, Princeton, and Yale.Lee reiterated his stance on foreign talent in 2011 when, at age 87, he was asked for his views on Singapore's "ability to absorb" foreign professionals in future."If Singapore depends on the talent it can produce out of 3 million people, it's not going to punch above its weight," Lee <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxX-tWksVaw">responded</a>.Like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48785695">other</a> developed countries, Singapore is now <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-tightens-rules-hiring-foreign-professionals-2024-03-04/">tightening its rules</a> for hiring foreigners by raising the minimum salary required to qualify for an employment visa.

Elon Musk praises the first prime minister of Singapore as 'brilliant' in response to a glowing blog post about the country's airport

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Elon Musk, a self-styled free-speech absolutist, actually has a spotty track record on the issue.</li><li>But in his ongoing public feud with Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes, Musk has a point.</li></ul>Even a broken clock is right twice a day.Billionaire businessman and X owner <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>, a self-styled free-speech absolutist, has for months been locked in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-fight-brazilian-supreme-court-justice-x-2024-4">public feud</a> with Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes over content moderation concerns.But this time, despite his <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/judge-throws-out-hate-speech-lawsuit-elon-musk-x-2024-3">poor track record</a> of actually living up to the values he espouses — for example, he has readily complied with moderation orders from India's increasingly authoritarian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — Musk might actually have a point.The battle between Musk and de Moraes hinges on government requests to ban social media accounts associated with extremist groups engaging in disinformation campaigns favoring Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's ousted far-right president.Musk has repeatedly refused to abide by de Moraes' orders to remove accounts affiliated with the "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-defies-brazil-order-to-block-x-accounts-2024-4">digital militias</a>" the justice is targeting as part of his anti-disinformation task force. Musk has also, against Brazilian law, refused to appoint a legal representative to handle government requests to remove content from the site.In response, de Moraes has levied millions of dollars in fines against X, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/brazil-judge-orders-elon-musk-x-stop-operations-2024-8">blocked access to the site</a> around the country, announced plans to fine Brazilians who attempted to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vpn-demand-surges-brazil-x-banned-legal-threats-fines-2024-9">access the app through VPNs,</a> and threatened a local X employee with jail time.Despite Musk being a far-from-perfect avatar for free speech issues, the Brazilian justice has taken a more extreme stance to address disinformation than other democratic leaders — one that appears to be bordering on outright censorship, critics say.Veridiana Alimonti, a Brazil-based expert with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told Bloomberg that, by international standards of freedom of expression, it's "problematic" to block access to an entire platform, especially one that hosts both legal and illegal speech."I don't post on X anymore myself, and I will not lament its passing when it disappears," tech journalist Casey Newton wrote in his Platformer newsletter. "But whatever role the 140 X accounts in question in Brazil may have played in threatening Brazil's democracy, they cannot have threatened it more than silencing the 20 million or so Brazilians who have been using it regularly."<h2 id="14d73b7e-374a-4bfd-a770-e6b7627cd912">Musk's questionable free speech record</h2>After he purchased Twitter in 2022, Musk quickly reduced moderation on the platform and restored accounts once banned for spreading false information, like those of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-said-donald-trumps-twitter-account-will-be-reinstated-2022-11">former President Donald Trump</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-restores-alex-jones-account-5-years-after-ban-2023-12">conspiracy theorist Alex Jones</a>, in the name of free speech.More recently, he was one of the first social media moguls to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-arrest-france-free-speech-2024-8">defend Telegraph founder Pavel Durov</a> when last month <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-arrested-french-airport-2024-8">French police arrested Durov</a>, in part due to his <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-charges-questions-free-speech-censorship-2024-8">refusal to moderate content</a> more strictly on his messaging app.Musk's commitment to the issue of free speech, however, is otherwise spotty, if not outright hypocritical.The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-ceo-elon-musk">Tesla CEO</a> has banned <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/musk-said-comedy-now-legal-twitter-jokes-getting-users-suspended-2022-11">parody accounts</a> that impersonated him and threatened to sue bloggers critical of him and his companies. He has also <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/free-speech-absolutist-elon-musk-censors-employees-critics-2022-3">fired employees who disagreed with him</a>.Perhaps even more egregious, at least in the context of his battle in Brazil, Musk said last year he had <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/musk-twitter-no-actual-choice-censorship-governmental-request-free-speech-2023-5">no "actual choice"</a> but to comply with government requests to restrict content in Turkey and India — both large democracies that have, in recent years, become more autocratic. One analysis by El Pais estimated that, under his leadership, X complied with 83% of requests from authoritarian governments to remove content.Though his history on the issue is inconsistent, Musk has made himself central to the conversation about censorship, content moderation, and free speech worldwide in part by picking fights like the one he has in Brazil.<h2 id="a4f17cb4-b06a-458e-9258-a98ac7bd5985">The battle in Brazil</h2>In Brazil, the battle got real for Musk.In addition to slapping X with more than $3 million in fines and threatening to jail the company's employees, prompting the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/x-closes-brazil-office-elon-musk-alexandre-de-moraes-2024-8">closure of X's Brazilian office</a>, de Moraes also targeted Musk's other business ventures in the country.The Brazilian judge briefly froze the financial accounts for Starlink — a subsidiary of Musk's company SpaceX that provides internet connectivity through its constellation of satellites — in order to collect the fines on X.When Starlink refused to comply with orders to block access to X in the country, Brazilian telecom regulators weighed slapping the company with sanctions and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/brazil-starlink-sanctions-amid-feud-elon-musk-x-2024-9">revoking the company's license to operate</a>.Starlink backed down, eventually complying with legal demands to block X in Brazil, but Musk hasn't given up.<h2 id="5f8a4d7c-bd6f-4f1f-8964-e222c474bfdf">Musk argues in memes</h2>For now, Musk seems to be defending free speech (and X's presence in Brazil) by publicly attacking de Moraes.In a series of recent posts on X, Musk questioned de Moraes' credibility and political motives, calling him "an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge" and accusing the justice of being "engaged in serious, repeated &amp; deliberate interference" in Brazil's most recent presidential election, during which voters elected leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over Bolsonaro.He has also shared images of de Moraes alongside Lord Voldemort from the "Harry Potter" franchise and suggested the judge belongs behind bars.These attacks may ultimately work against Musk and his companies.His decision not to appeal de Moraes' orders in court (and instead turn the topic into a battle of memes online) has scattered about 20 million active Brazillian X users to new platforms, including Bluesky and Threads."Where this is heading from here will really depend on Elon Musk. I think if Elon Musk decides to start to comply, as he eventually did in India, for example, it might be that X comes back," Mariana Valente, a law professor and the director of Brazil's InternetLab, a think tank, told Bloomberg. "But if Elon Musk doesn't act differently, I think X or Twitter will be blocked in Brazil for a long time."

Elon Musk is an imperfect mascot for free speech — but he's got a point on Brazil

Several portions of the maiden <keyword id="20010618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="speech" source="keywords">speech</keyword> of <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> as Leader of the Opposition in <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> targeting the central government over various issues, including <keyword id="20105286" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="minorities" source="keywords">minorities</keyword>, NEET row and Agnipath scheme among others, have been <keyword id="22254289" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="expunged" source="keywords">expunged</keyword> from the records of the Parliament on the orders of the Speaker. The portions expunged include his comments on Hindus, and PM Narendra Modi-BJP-RSS among others. Rahul Gandhi in his speech in Lok Sabha on Monday afternoon, during the debate on the motion of thanks on President Draupadi Murmu's address accused the <keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BJP" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="BJP">BJP</keyword> and RSS of preaching and spreading <keyword id="19972953" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="violence" source="keywords">violence</keyword> and hatred. His remarks drew protests from the Treasury benches. The Bharatiya Janata Party - led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh among others stood up to express their protest and rebut the <keyword id="19895371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Congress" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Congress">Congress</keyword> MP's remarks. The BJP leaders accused the Congress MP "of speaking lies, misleading the House and terming the entire <keyword id="20157361" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindu-community" source="keywords">Hindu community</keyword> violent". The Congress hit back with counter-allegations against the Modi government. Rahul Gandhi invoked Lord Shiva, Prophet Mohammad, Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Lord Budha and Lord Mahavir, saying that he had taken the idea of fearlessness from their teachings. <keyword id="19899320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Modi" source="keywords">PM Modi</keyword> slammed Rahul Gandhi during his speech. "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter," the Prime Minister said. Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi. While the BJP held a press conference later to denounce Rahul Gandhi's remarks, Congress also held an evening press conference to slam the ruling party at the Centre. Among the portions of Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha speech that got expunged were his accusations against the BJP, stating that the party was treating minorities unfairly and perpetrating violence. Portions of the Congress MP's remarks on industrialists Adand Ambani and on the Agniveer Scheme were also expunged. Dismissing Rahul Gandhi's claims on violence against minorities, Dilip Mandal a prominent Dalit voice, claimed that the last decade was the "most peaceful time for India since independence" as he compared the governance under the Congress party. "During his address, Rahul Gandhi made an objectionable statement that a lot of atrocities are happening against Muslims and Christians in India. I believe that the numbers don't suggest this. The last 10 years have been the most peaceful time for India after independence if you see the numbers," Dilip Mandal told ANI. "During the Congress regime, so many riots used to happen, if you compare that in the last 10 years, only two major communal riot incidents have happened, Delhi and Manipur. So the scale has reduced...riots don't last long now," he said. Mandal alleged Gandhi's remarks as an attempt "to scare investors" and added that the Congress party is "again trying to appease" Muslims. "This is an attempt to scare the investors and it will affect India. Congress is again trying to appease Muslims. He is thinking of getting the Muslim votes, especially the Muslim votes of Bihar and UP, from SP and RJD," Mandal said.

Portions of Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha expunged

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Putin made a surprise visit to Chechnya, his first trip there since 2011.</li><li>He was greeted by Chechnya's self-styled warlord Ramzan Kadyrov.</li></ul>Russia's President <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-invasion-russia-territory-kursk-huge-blow-to-putin-power-2024-8">Vladimir Putin</a> visited Chechnya this week for the first time in 13 years.He met with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-cybertruck-machine-gun-ukraine-chechnya-putin-elon-musk-2024-8">Chechen leader and self-styled warlord Ramzan Kadyrov</a>, before going to a special forces academy and speaking to fighters who are due to be sent to Ukraine."As long as we have men like you, we are absolutely, absolutely invincible," Putin told troops at the training school, according to a transcript on the Kremlin's website.Kadyrov said on Telegram that more than 47,000 fighters, including volunteers, have trained at the facility since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.<h2 id="c5f5a8fa-04de-46e6-8ea7-8882347c6c4d">Chechen resistance</h2>Putin has tried to keep Chechnya, a predominantly Muslim region in the North Caucasus, under Russia's control<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comic-sons-of-chechnya-ramzan-kadyrov-rise-to-power-2023-12"> ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union</a>.Similar to Ukraine, Chechnya has had a long history of opposition to Russian rule, as outlined in an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.npr.org/2022/03/12/1085861999/russias-wars-in-chechnya-offer-a-grim-warning-of-what-could-be-in-ukraine">NPR report</a>,Chechen resistance dates back at least two centuries.After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Chechnya sought to break away from the Russian Federation. Under Boris Yeltsin, the Russians had to come to an agreement with the Chechens in 1996.John Lough, an associate fellow at Chatham House, told Business Insider that many in Moscow saw this agreement as "way too generous, opening the past to further instability not just within the North Caucasus but in the Russian Federation generally."Then-Prime Minister Putin took a much stronger stance against Chechnya, placing the blame for apartment bombings on Chechen militants and taking the opportunity to order a large-scale bombing of the region, launching the Second Chechen War.Experts believe the Second Chechen War was crucial to cementing Putin's strongman reputation.In one of his most famous quotes, Putin said" "We will pursue the terrorists everywhere. You will forgive me, but if we catch them on the toilet, we will wipe them out in the shithouse.""Putin, from a very early stage, signaled that Chechnya was going to be subdued and they would do this, whatever the cost, and to that degree, he was successful," Lough told BI.<h2 id="530b588e-a1ee-4755-be60-3de1bf09437a">Similarities to Ukraine</h2>To many, Putin's insistent claims to victory in Chechnya sound similar to his rhetoric about Ukraine. "Victory will be ours" is an oft-repeated line in his speeches about the war.The use of heavy artillery, high civilian casualty toll, and indiscriminate bombing in Ukraine is also reminiscent of his hardline campaign in Chechnya, which spanned a decade.At least two all-Chechen battalions have fought on the Ukrainian side during the ongoing war.Meanwhile, Chechen leader Kadyrov has deployed Chechen military forces — sometimes called Kadyrovtsy — to fight on behalf of Russia since 2022.The UK's Ministry of Defence estimated in May that around 9,000 troops were fighting in pro-Russian Chechen units in Ukraine. This includes the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chechen-tiktok-soldiers-on-front-lines-show-russian-desperation-2024-7">Chechen "TikTok" forces</a> on the front lines, who are filling gaps left by the Wagner group since they ceased operations.The visit comes as Ukrainian forces continue to gain ground in Russia's Kursk region.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-ukraine-audacious-military-offensive-kursk-russia-could-backfire-experts-2024-8">The invasion, which is now in its third week,</a> shocked both Moscow and Ukraine's Western allies. It is believed to be the biggest attack by a foreign enemy on Russian soil since the Second World War.Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander in chief of the Ukrainian military, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-captured-more-territory-kursk-than-russia-seized-ukraine-year-2024-8">said on Tuesday</a> that his forces control some 1,263 square kilometers (roughly 488 square miles) of Russian territory in Kursk and 93 settlements within that area.Elsewhere in the war, however, Ukraine is struggling to hold its ground. Putin's visit to a part of Russia that once fought for independence serves as a chilling warning about the fate that may still befall Ukraine.

You Searched For "Independence Day speech Prime Minister" and got 8 results

Centre did not honour LoP's post: Pawar on Rahul not being allotted front-row seat at Independence Day event

PTI

Happy Children’s Day 2024: Messages and heartfelt wishes for kids

BI India Bureau

PM Sheikh Hasina resigns and leaves Bangladesh, possibly for Tripura: Reports

PTI

Om Birla elected for second time as Lok Sabha speaker, opposition hopes their voice will be heard

PTI

Elon Musk praises the first prime minister of Singapore as 'brilliant' in response to a glowing blog post about the country's airport

Aditi Bharade

Elon Musk is an imperfect mascot for free speech — but he's got a point on Brazil

Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert

Portions of Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha expunged

ANI

Putin made a rare visit to a part of Russia that fought for independence. It's a chilling warning to Ukraine.

Hannah Abraham

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides