Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has accused the Modi government of preparing to "gag" digital media, social media, OTT platforms, and those who write and speak in private capacity by bringing the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill. She cited Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru as examples of freedom of speech and press. Gandhi argued that the government's actions are unacceptable and that the country will not tolerate such actions. The bill is a direct threat to freedom of speech and independent media, and could lead to excessive online surveillance. The government has said the bill is still in the drafting stage and stakeholders' consultation is ongoing.
Thailand is considering legalizing casinos to boost tourism, attract foreign investment, generate revenue, and regulate illicit gambling. The draft rules propose a 30-year casino license with a 10-year renewal option, part of large entertainment complexes with hotels and amusement parks. Major casino operators like Galaxy Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands have shown interest in the Thai market. Thailand aims to follow other Southeast Asian nations that have already legalized casinos.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin supports the plan to legalize casinos for better regulation and tax collection, aligning with the country's shift towards a more liberal landscape post-pandemic. The bill requires designated locations for entertainment venues managed by Thai companies with substantial capital. The move is expected to significantly boost tourism revenue and create competitive pressure on Macau.
Popular tourist destinations like Greater Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai are potential locations for these entertainment complexes. Tourism is a vital industry in Thailand, providing a significant portion of jobs and economic output. The number of foreign visitors has been increasing steadily, with arrivals in 2024 up by 34% compared to the previous year.
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a severe warning about critical vulnerabilities in Apple products, affecting iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices. The vulnerabilities impact various Apple software versions, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and Safari. These flaws could lead to unauthorized access, code execution, security bypass, denial of service, and spoofing attacks. CERT-In advises all Apple users to immediately install the latest updates to mitigate risks. Additionally, Apple has warned users worldwide, including in India, about potential spyware attacks similar to Pegasus. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Apple have not responded to inquiries yet. CERT-In recommends staying informed about security updates.
Hyderabad Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, IT ; Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu were warmly welcomed by NRIs in New York. Telugu-speaking individuals, including businesspersons & students, greeted the Chief Minister with flowers. Revanth Reddy expressed eagerness to start 10 days of meetings with US ; South Korean leaders. The goal is to attract investments in sectors like IT, healthcare, and manufacturing for the growth of Telangana. Major investment announcements are expected from these engagements with multinational companies.
The Supreme Court has issued a case following the deaths of three UPSC aspirants in a flooded coaching centre in Delhi. The court, led by Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, criticized the centres as "death chambers" and called for safety protocols to be improved. The court directed the Attorney General of India to assist and suggested that if centres couldn't comply, they should consider online classes. The deaths sparked outrage and led the Delhi High Court to direct the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the case.
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