Iran hanged a 26-year-old man for a second time Wednesday months after a previous execution was halted half a minute in, an NGO said. Ahmad Alizadeh was arrested in October 2018 on a murder charge, which he denied, and was sentenced to death, Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR), which tracks executions in Iran, said in a statement. His death sentence was carried out on April 27 in Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj outside Tehran. But just 28 seconds into the hanging he was brought down from the gallows when the victim's family suddenly shouted "forgiveness." His "lifeless" body was successfully resuscitated and the execution was halted, IHR said. Under Iran's sharia law, a victim's family can ask for blood money to spare the life of the perpetrator or also decide to forgive. However, in many cases the family of the condemned person cannot afford the sum set and the execution goes ahead, according to activists. Alizadeh remained under the threat of the death penalty in the absence of any deal with the victim's family for blood money. He was executed again in the Ghezel Hesar prison on Wednesday morning, IHR said. "Ahmad Alizadeh, a talented student, was hanged for the second time on charges of murder, which he denied and claimed he confessed to under torture," said IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, denouncing the "execution machine of the Iranian regime." Activists accuse Iran of using the death penalty to instill fear throughout society, particularly in the wake of 2022-2023 nationwide protests which shook the Islamic authorities. According to IHR, 2024 is seeing a new surge in executions, with at least 166 executions recorded in October alone, the highest number recorded in a single month since the group began documenting executions in 2007. Activists including Amnesty International say Iran carries out more annual executions than any country other than China, for which no reliable figures are available.

washington — A hack of U.S. telecommunications systems linked to China that initially appeared to focus on the American presidential campaigns goes much deeper, according to investigators, and is likely part of a vast effort by Beijing to spy on the United States. The FBI and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned on Wednesday that the breach first detected late last month has now “revealed a broad and significant cyber espionage campaign.” The two agencies said in a statement that their investigation has confirmed Chinese-linked hackers compromised the networks of multiple U.S. telecommunication companies, gaining access to a potential treasure trove of information. Specifically, they said the hackers would have been able to access customer call records and infiltrate the private communications of a select number of government officials and politicians. Additionally, the hackers appear to have been able to copy information requested by U.S. law enforcement as a result of court orders. “We expect our understanding of these compromises to grow as the investigation continues,” the FBI and CISA said. “We encourage any organization that believes it might be a victim to engage its local FBI field office or CISA,” they added. The two agencies first announced they were investigating a breach of U.S. telecommunications systems in late October, less than two weeks before U.S. voters cast their ballots in nationwide elections. Word of the breach followed a report by The New York Times that Chinese hackers were thought to have broken into telecommunications networks to target the campaign of President-elect Donald Trump — including phones used by Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. The Trump campaign confirmed the breach in a statement to VOA. Separately, a person familiar with the investigation told VOA that people affiliated with the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris were also targeted. The Chinese Embassy in Washington at the time dismissed the U.S. hacking allegations as disinformation, calling the U.S. "the origin and the biggest perpetrator of cyberattacks." The embassy has yet to respond to the latest FBI and CISA allegations. U.S. intelligence agencies warned for months that foreign adversaries were using a combination of cyberattacks and influence operations to meddle with the November 5 U.S. presidential election. In addition, reports issued by private cybersecurity firms indicated a significant uptick in activity by actors linked to Russia, China and Iran. All three nations have repeatedly denied accusations of election meddling. U.S. agencies, led by CISA and the FBI, have long warned that China-linked hackers have burrowed into U.S. computer systems and networks, in some cases hiding for years. The China-linked group, known as Volt Typhoon, has been "positioning itself to launch destructive cyberattacks that would jeopardize the physical safety of Americans," according to an advisory issued in February. "What we've found to date is likely the tip of the iceberg," CISA Director Jen Easterly said in a statement at the time.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka began voting in a snap election on Thursday which will determine if the island nation wants to empower its new, leftist President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to push his pro-poor policies as it recovers from a financial meltdown. A little over 17 million Sri Lankans are eligible to elect lawmakers to the 225-member parliament for a five-year term. A record 690 political parties and independent groups are in the fray across 22 electoral districts. Marxist-leaning Dissanayake, 55, was elected president in September but his National People's Power (NPP) coalition had just three of 225 seats in parliament, prompting him to dissolve the legislature almost a year before its term ended and seek a fresh mandate. Over 7,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure free and fair elections at the more than 13,400 polling stations set up across the country, police officers told Reuters. "The military is also on standby to assist the police but we do not expect any incidents," said Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa, adding that voting was proceeding smoothly. As polling opened in the early hours of the morning, people began trickling into temples, schools and other public buildings being used as polling stations. Among them was Umeshi Perera, 32, who lined up to cast her ballot at a school in Biyagama, a suburb about 15 km from the South Asian nation's largest city of Colombo. "I think we are seeing the first signs of a positive political change in Sri Lanka after the president was elected and we should give him the chance to continue that change," she said. Analysts say Dissanayake's coalition is expected to draw significant support, while a victory for a rival could lead to a policy logjam the country cannot afford. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya party of opposition leader Sajith Premadasa - who favors a mix of interventionist and free-market economic policies - is NPP's main challenger. The other key contender is the New Democratic Front, backed by previous President Ranil Wickremesinghe. "All arrangements are in place and we appeal to the public to work with us to ensure a free and fair election," Election Commission Chairman RML Rathnayake told reporters at a pre-election briefing on Tuesday. Votes will be counted soon after polling closes on Thursday and results are expected to be announced on Friday. A country of 22 million people just across the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka was crushed by a 2022 economic crisis triggered by a severe shortfall of foreign currency, causing the economy to shrink by 7.3% in 2022 and 2.3% last year. Boosted by a $2.9 billion bailout program from the International Monetary Fund, the economy has begun a tentative recovery, but the high cost of living is still a critical issue for many voters, especially the poor. Dissanayake wants to push anti-poverty policies including bigger welfare schemes and fight corruption as a political outsider in a country dominated by family parties for decades. He also aims to tweak targets set under the IMF program to reduce high income taxes and free up funds to invest in welfare for millions hit hardest by the crisis. The new government must deliver a budget to reach a crucial primary surplus target of 2.3% of GDP in 2025 set under the IMF program, deliver pro-poor policies, and put growth on a sustainable path. But investors worry Dissanayake's desire to revisit the terms of the IMF bailout could delay future disbursements, and make it harder for Sri Lanka to hit that primary surplus target. "In past elections, people did not have confidence in us but in September people gave us victory and proved that we are a winning party and we can form a government," Dissanayake said on Sunday as the campaign neared its conclusion. "The next task is to unite people from the four corners of this country and build a powerful people's movement," he said.

1. India has the highest number of diabetic people in the world, even more than China: Report  The Economic Times
2. Why Lancet study on diabetes is a red flag: A quarter of diabetics globally are Indians  The Indian Express
3. 800 million diabetics worldwide and most aren't getting treatment, finds study  The Times of India
4. Indians account for quarter of world’s adult diabetes patients: Lancet study  Hindustan Times
5. Why have diabetes rates doubled over the past 30 years – and what can be done about it?  The Guardian

Greece’s intelligence service on Wednesday declassified 58 intelligence reports connected to the Greek-led coup in Cyprus in 1974 and the subsequent Turkish invasion, giving an inside account of the historic events for the first time. The redacted documents shed light on the Greek perspective between July and August 1974 and have been released with the […]

[New Times] Achieving rapid private sector growth in Rwanda is unlikely without far-reaching reforms to economic policies, a new report released on November 13, by the World Bank has shown.

[Liberian Observer] A six-member ECOWAS delegation visiting Liberia yesterday concluded a consultative meeting with the leadership of the Liberian Senate, with the Speaker assuring Senators that the delegation was here to seek clarity, and facilitate mediation.

Conan Gray and Olivia Rodrigo became friends because of their shared love for Taylor SwiftLong-time besties Olivia Rodrigo and Conan Gray are celebrating their time off together as the two are done with their successful tours this year.The drivers license hitmaker took to Instagram and shared a...

Jude Law on signing up for 'Alfie', 'bad move' Jude Law regretted making that one “bad move” that pulled him down from a “strong position” in Hollywood.In an interview with GQ Magazine UK, Law revealed that taking on the lead role in 2004’s Alfie was a “bad...

John Krasinski knew Emily Blunt was the right one for him “the second” he met her.In an interview with People for his Sexiest Man Alive cover story, he recalled the spark he felt in him when he met her Blunt.“I don't know what happened, but I remember someone introduced us, and...

KARACHI: The stock market bounced back on Wednesday as investors indulged in value-hunting, helping the benchmark KSE 100 index partially recover overnight losses.

Ali Najib, Head of Sales at Insight Securities, attributed the market’s positive performance to continued buying activity from high-net-worth individuals and mutual funds, supported by improvements on the macroeconomic front, a stable rupee, and a decline in bond market yields.

In early trade, the benchmark KSE-100 index lost 281.49 points to 92,943.59 but rebounded on renewed buying interest, adding 579.02 points to hit an all-time high at 93,803.59 intraday. How­ever, the index settled at 93,355.43 with a trimmed gain of 130.86 points or 0.14pc day-on-day.

Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation said stocks showed recovery led by second and third-tier scrips on strong valuations.

He added that upbeat data on car sales surging 112pc year-on-year in October and the FBR assurance to IMF for dropping contingency measures on revenue, reversing fears about mini-budget were other factors that supported the positive performance at PSX.

Topline Securities Ltd said the market exhibited a consolidation phase, with the index reaching a peak of 93,804 and dipping to a low of 92,943.

The index was boosted by positive contributions from Mari Petroleum, Lucky Cement, The Searle, Engro Corporation, and POL, which collectively added 461 points. Conv­ersely, Oil and Gas Dev­elop­ment Company, Fauji Fertiliser, and Meezan Bank experienced some profit-taking, resulting in a combined loss of 213 points to the index.

The trading volume was up 1.78pc to 807.06m shares, and its value by 2.92pc to Rs31.68.

Stocks contributing significantly to the traded volume included WorldCall Tele­com (43.29m shares), Waves Home Appliances (33.20m shares), Pakistan Refinery (31.52m shares), K-Electric (27.45m shares) and Pak Elektron (26.99m shares).

The shares registering the most significant incre­ases in their prices in absolute terms were Rafhan Maize (Rs64.96), Philip Morris (Rs38.17), Mari Pet­ro­leum (Rs30.13), Lucky Cement (Rs28.64) and Packages Ltd (Rs28.37).

Foreigners remained net sellers as they offloaded shares worth $5.01m.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2024

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s army said on Wednesday it had arrested 2,500 people and recovered 6,000 guns as it seeks to bolster security since the revolution that ousted ex-leader Sheikh Hasina in August.

Thousands of weapons were looted in the deadly violence during the student-led revolution that toppled Hasina and the immediate chaos after she escaped mass protests and fled to India by helicopter.

More than 3,700 weapons were handed in during an amnesty that ended in early September, with the security forces then launching a weapons sweep to collect the guns.

Colonel Intekhab Haider Khan told reporters that a total of 6,000 illegally held firearms had been collected, along with 200,000 rounds of ammunition. “Our operation is still ongoing,” Khan said.

The interim government that took over after Hasina granted the armed forces judicial power, allowing them to engage in day-to-day enforcement activities like the police. “There has been no directive from the government regarding the army’s withdrawal,” Khan said.

The army rejected reports four people had died in military custody since August, insisting troops were “strictly adhering” to rules. “Should any complaints arise, we will take necessary action,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2024

Scholars need incentives to tell the truth, not to hide it and promote socially acceptable ideas.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has been sidelined for several games, and on Wednesday, the team announced that the longtime NBA coach had suffered a "mild stroke" on Nov. 2.

The coroner’s inquest into the deaths of five men at the Niagara Detention Centre ended with the jury making 66 recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths. Changes include staffing nurses all day and more closely monitoring patients who have overdosed.

Retired banker, M Purushothaman has an extensive collection of vinyls and amplifiers, all in perfect working condition

1. 'Singham Again' box office collection day 13: The Ajay Devgn starrer makes Rs 3.15 crore on second wednes  TOI Etimes
2. 'Singham Again' becomes Ajay Devgn’s biggest hit in North America as it crosses Rs 35 crore mark  TOI Etimes
3. Singham Again box office collection: Ajay Devgn film zooms past 200 crore in India, set to cross 300 crore worldwide  Hindustan Times
4. This Bollywood Filmmaker Has 10 Films In Rs 100 Cr Club, And No He's NOT Karan Johar Or Sanjay Leela Bhansali - Guess Who?  Zee News
5. Singham Again Leaves Behind This Movie To Become 2nd Highest-Grossing Bollywood Film In 2024  News18

Amazon is marking down a slew of its products for Black Friday and that includes its streaming devices. Currently, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is down to $33 from $60 — a 45 percent discount that brings it to a new all-time low price. This device is Amazon's most powerful streaming stick, supporting a 4K Ultra HD display, with an enhanced Alexa Voice Remote and Wi-Fi 6E support. You can, of course, use it to access Amazon Prime Video, along with Netflix, Disney+ and all your favorite streamers. 

While the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a good option for streaming, we also use it for something a bit different: playing retro games. Our senior reporter Jeff Dunn bought one to play games from the PS1, Game Boy, Genesis, old arcade games and more. He finds it works much better than having to lug around any bigger devices. However, using your Fire TV Stick 4K Max to play old games requires a bit of setup so, if you're interested in trying it, may I direct you to Dunn's helpful guide here. 

Amazon's Fire TV Cube is also discounted as part of a larger sale on Fire TV devices for Black Friday. Right now, you can pick up the streaming device for 29 percent off, dropping to $100 from $140. The Cube is your pick if you want access to ethernet and hands-free use with Alexa. It's more powerful than the 4K Max, but, for the price difference, it's a tough call if it's worth it. 

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

Black Friday deals are already popping up around the web, and that includes some Apple devices. You can pick up a four-pack of Apple AirTags for just $70, which brings the price per tag down to $17.50. That's a record-low price for the four pack and just about the cheapest we've seen on the price per unit.

Apple AirTags easily made our list of the best Bluetooth trackers, particularly for regular iPhone users. We love the vast finding network, which really helps when you misplace a tag. Just think of all of those AirTags, iPhones and other Apple devices out there helping to create this network.

Apple AirTags also offer the ability to tap into the ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless protocol. This creates a sort of game out of finding lost items, as long as the object is within 25 feet of the phone. The screen will display directional arrows and a distance meter so you can zero in on the lost item without having to ring the AirTag.

There are some caveats. These trackers only really work with iPhones, so Android users should buy something else. Also, the ringer only goes for seven seconds at a time, which isn’t always enough time to track something down. Finally, there’s no attachment point for connecting to a keychain or a related item. However, there are plenty of good AirTag accessories to solve that problem.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

With its rich resources, uranium mining companies want Canada to play a key role in fuelling nuclear reactors worldwide.

"Class, what do you think?" is just a clever way to buy time.

Acclaimed San Diego hospitality group CH Projects today announces its second hotel, Baby Grand, opening in early 2025. Situated across from the iconic Hotel Del Coronado in the town center on Orange Avenue, the hotel will be the first design hotel of its kind in two decades in the popular Southern California destination. The $17 million project by award-winning Brooklyn design firm Post Company will feature 31 keys and three new restaurant concepts. The design will thematically reference the area’s coastal setting paired with CH Projects’ signature maximalism, striving to progress the social landscape of San Diego’s distinctive neighborhoods and cultures. CH Projects is behind some of the city’s most acclaimed restaurant and bar destinations, including Morning Glory, Youngblood, Born & Raised and more, as well as the trailblazing Lafayette Hotel and Club, the team’s first hotel project in North Park. "Coronado is such a unique element of San Diego’s layered persona. We wanted to creat...

Total two-wheeler sales in the country surged by a robust 14.2 per cent to 21.64 lakh units in October this year, compared to 18.96 lakh units in October 2023, according to figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Wednesday.

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who is all set to enthrall fans with his music tour in the U.S., shared that the concert feels like a homecoming for him, as he used to perform in musicals during college.

1. Wayanad, where Priyanka made poll debut, records lowest-ever voter turnout since constituency’s formation  The Indian Express
2. Wayanad, where Priyanka Gandhi made election debut, sees lowest-ever voter turnout  Hindustan Times
3. Bypolls for one Lok Sabha, 31 Assembly seats keep 10 states busy  The Economic Times
4. Rahul Gandhi Takes Kerala's Longest Zipline In Landslide-Hit Wayanad  NDTV
5. You’re inspiration to keep fighting for ideals nation was built on: Priyanka to Wayanad voters  The Indian Express

1. Jharkhand Phase-I Assembly poll records over 65% turnout; Wayanad bypoll 64.72%  The Hindu
2. Watch: MS Dhoni casts his vote in Ranchi for Jharkhand Assembly Elections  The Times of India
3. First phase of polling ends in Jharkhand with 64.86% turnout of voters  The Hindu
4. Situation in West Asia matter of deep concern: Jaishankar  The Economic Times
5. Jharkhand Assembly elections: High voter turnout recorded in Maoist-hit pockets  Telegraph India

CM APPL. 65920/2024 (Exemption) Exemption allowed, subject to all just exceptions. W.P.(C) 15698/2024

1. The present petition, filed under Article 226 read with Article 227 Constitution of India, seeks issuance of writ to the respondents directing respondent No.1 to not dispossess them from the premises in question. It is claimed that they are protected under Delhi Rent Control Act and the provisions of Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act (SARFAESI) cannot override the beneficial objective behind the enactment of Delhi Rent Control Act.

and background of the case:

The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 21.09.2023 seeking information on following points:-

"What kind of punishment is sanctioned by the law for any Pilot who gets the RTR permit or licence on the basis of false documents?"

The CPIO, Sr. DWA (COP & regulations) vide letter dated 05.10.2023 replied as under:-

"- Information sought does not fall under purview of RTI Act 2005, hence this RTI is closed"

Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 08.10.2023. The FAA vide order dated 08.11.2023 stated as under:-

"Reply :- I have gone through the case and found that information sought was denied by the CPIO stating that the information did not fall under the purview of the RTI Act, 2005. The undersigned is convinced with the above reply in view of Section 8-1(j) of the RTI Act. 2005."

and background of the case:

The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 21.09.2023 seeking information on following points:-

"To, Shri Umang Srivastva Sr.DWA (COP) I had complained on 05/05/2023 against Rahul Sinha regarding his COP permit. What action or inquiry has been conducted in this regard?"

The CPIO, Sr DWA (COP & Regulation) vide letter dated 05.10.2023 replied as under:-

"Information sought does not fall under purview of RTI Act 2005, hence this RTI is closed"

Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 08.10.2023. The FAA, JWA vide order dated 08.11.2023 stated as under:-

"Reply :- I have gone through the case and found that information sought was denied by the CPIO stating that the information did not fall under the purview of the RTI Act, 2005. The undersigned is convir.ced with the above reply in view of Section 8-1(j) of the RTI Act. 2005."

At 9 am on Wednesday, the air quality was 'very poor' with a reading of 366 which later rose to 418.

Good polling was reported at the landslides-affected region in Chooral Mala and tribes-populated areas in the district.

According to a UN report released last month, India's greenhouse gas emissions surged by 6.1 per cent in 2023, contributing to 8 per cent of the global total

Wall Street is already making big bets on what take two for a White House led by Donald Trump will mean for the economy and markets