Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during his debate on 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution on Saturday, December 14, alleged that the Union government does not follow the philosophy of the Constitution of India. Quoting Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader VD Savarkar, Gandhi said that the former did not believe in the Indian Constitution and preferred Manusmriti , a scripture, be codified as Indian laws. Savarkar called Manusmriti “most worshipable” for Hindus after the Vedas, according to Gandhi. The Congress leader asked the ruling party MPs, those who have recently been advocating “protecting the constitution”, whose philosophy they stood for – the RSS or the Indian constitution. “Nice that you say you are defending the Constitution, but I want to ask, do you stand by your leader’s words? Because when you speak about protecting the Constitution you are abusing, ridiculing Savarkar,” the Leader of Opposition told the BJP. “The Constitution is a document of modern India but it could never have been written without ancient India and her ideas,” Rahul Gandhi said. His speech during the Constitution debate continued the theme of “ Abhay mudra ,” symbolised by an open palm. It is also the Congress’s party symbol. In Saturday’s speech, Rahul Gandhi told the story of Hindu mythological characters of Ekalavya and Dronacharya. Ekalavya was an Adivasi warrior who was denied arms education by Dronacharya. He was later asked to cut off his thumb as a token of gratitude to the teacher. Drawing a parallel to the current Indian scenario Rahul accused the Union government of metaphorically “cutting its citizens’ finger” through its policies. “When you give Dharavi to Adani, you chop off the thumb of the small and medium businesses there...You have fired tear gas shells on farmers outside Delhi, the farmers are asking for fair prices...You are cutting the thumb of that farmer,” the Congress leader said. When the government gives the country’s ports, airports, and defence industry to Adani, fair play businesses in India are being cut off,” he continued. When the Modi-led government introduces lateral entry in the civil services and Agniveer schemes in the Indian army, lakhs of Indian youth are being cut off, Rahul Gandhi said. VIDEO | "When you give Dharavi to Adani, you cut the thumb of entrepreneurs and small and medium business. When you give India's ports, airports, defence industry to Adani, you cut the thumb of fair play businesses who work honestly... With lateral entry in the Constitution, you... pic.twitter.com/5HvvBJSY5Q “We want to tell every poor of this country that the Constitution protects you while the BJP attacks the ethos of the Constitution all day. The Constitution states that the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them,” he said. “Some days ago, youngsters from Sambhal came to see me; innocent people, who had done nothing, they were just standing nearby. Five people were shot dead. Where is this written in the Constitution? Wherever you go, you make people from one religion fight with another,” the Leader of the Opposition said. (With inputs from PTI)
President-elect Donald Trump has been very vocal about planning a mass restructuring of the federal government, with plans to downsize several federal agencies. There is one department that he would like to eliminate completely: the Department of Education. Local and state governments typically establish educational policies and curriculums, but the federal Education Department still plays an important role. It is responsible for administering federal grant programs such as Title I, which provides supplemental funding to high-poverty K-12 schools and the program that helps cover the cost of education for students with disabilities. It also oversees the federal student loan program and enforces civil rights laws that bar discrimination at school. While campaigning, Trump promised to "cut federal funding for any school or program pushing critical race theory, gender ideology or other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children," to "keep men out of women's sports," and to "find and remove the radicals who have infiltrated the federal Department of Education." But could he actually eliminate the department? And what happens if he does? What did the commentators say? "Trump cannot eliminate the agency on his own," said The Washington Post. It would require congressional approval and a supermajority of 60 votes in the Senate . "Politically, this would be difficult, if not impossible," with potential opposition from both parties. If he successfully shuttered the Education Department, it would "surely have symbolic impact." Without it, a Cabinet member would no longer be "focused solely on education issues and empowered to speak to Americans about the challenges schools face." That would make it harder for the federal government to "elevate education issues or press for change in schools." Beyond that, the impact would largely depend on "how Congress restructured the work of the department." If Trump were genuinely concerned about K-12 education, he would "make a bold move right now to help public schools," Jessica Grose said at The New York Times . While a small portion of public school funding comes from the federal government, the "problems we face are so large that they are crying out for a federal response that includes continued funding for things like high-dosage tutoring to ameliorate Covid learning loss." Unfortunately, his first term offers "scant evidence that he has the desire to do much more than wage painful culture-war battles." What Trump will undoubtedly do is "pick splashy fights that he can win through executive orders," said Grose. For instance, he will most likely "reverse the transgender student protections put in place by an executive order from Biden this year." Though it is "pretty unclear how that would play out in practice," it is "certainly chilling." Eliminating the agency is not the same as "eliminating the myriad programs that it runs, billions that it sends out, and multitudinous regulations that it enforces (mostly pursuant to laws enacted by Congress)," Chester Finn Jr., president emeritus of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, said to the Washington Examiner . "Undoing those functions, programs, activities means dealing separately with the laws that created them — dozens and dozens." If the department is disbanded but its functions are not, it would be a "mostly symbolic act" akin to simply "taking the name off the door." What next? Trump has been swiftly tapping people for his Cabinet picks since his election, and with Trump's plans for eliminating the DOE looming, the "next Education secretary could also be the last," said The Hill . Several names were floated as potential candidates, including Ryan Walters and Cade Brumley, the state superintendents of Oklahoma and Louisiana , respectively, and Tiffany Justice, the co-founder of Moms for Liberty . Ultimately, Trump selected Linda McMahon to head the Department of Education. She is best known for building the professional wrestling company WWE alongside her husband. During Trump's first term, he tapped her to run the Small Business Administration. Like many of his choices, McMahon's nomination was not well received by critics. Selecting her shows that Trump "could not care less about our students' futures," Becky Pringle, the president of the National Education Association , said in a statement. "Our students and our nation deserve so much better than Betsy DeVos 2.0."
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Anchored by next-generation IBM Quantum System Two in Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, new initiative will advance useful quantum applications as industries move towards quantum-centric supercomputing YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. and CHICAGO , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IBM (NYSE: IBM ) and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced a collaboration to establish the new National Quantum Algorithm Center in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago . Anchored by IBM and other quantum computing pioneers including the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , the center will be fueled by IBM's next-generation quantum computer, IBM Quantum System Two, which the company plans to deploy in Chicago in the coming year. IBM Quantum System Two within the IQMP will be powered by IBM Quantum Heron, which can execute utility-scale algorithms beyond the capabilities of brute-force, classical simulation methods. Users will be able to leverage this system with Qiskit, IBM's performant quantum software, which is designed to be able to extend the length and complexity of quantum circuits to extract accurate results for problems of scientific and research value. These capabilities will enable Illinois' growing ecosystem of quantum innovators across academia, national labs, and industries to discover how quantum-centric supercomputing could be used for complex industry challenges. As the next evolution of high-performance computing, IBM's vision of quantum-centric supercomputing will integrate quantum and classical computers with performant software to break apart problems, allowing each architecture to solve parts of a complex algorithm for which it is best suited. Ultimately, this is engineered for users to run applications that are inaccessible or difficult for each computing paradigm on its own. "We are proud of the progress we have made to bring useful quantum technology to the world, and this new partnership with the State of Illinois and its thriving innovation ecosystem brings us one step closer to defining the future of computing," said Arvind Krishna , Chairman and CEO, IBM . "With IBM's best performing quantum hardware and software in the heart of Illinois' innovation network, together we can truly unlock the potential of quantum computing to solve the world's hardest problems." "We're making Illinois the global quantum capital and the center for job growth in the quantum industry – a true center of innovation with the power to solve the world's most pressing and complex challenges and create jobs and investment for our state," said Governor JB Pritzker. "The groundbreaking National Quantum Algorithm Center in Illinois represents a transformative step forward, whose impact will reverberate throughout the tech industry and beyond. I'm grateful to the leadership at IBM and our university and other industry partners for their ongoing efforts to accelerate quantum computing across our state." Within the National Quantum Algorithm Center, quantum information experts, experimentalists, and domain experts across industries will share a unified objective to uncover yet unknown algorithms that leverage quantum-centric computing, including those which combine quantum and classical supercomputing resources across workflows. These teams will explore rigorous experimentation to determine how to execute workloads for complex, industry challenges and within future hybrid supercomputing architectures. To help drive new algorithm discovery, IBM will leverage its leadership as a pioneer in bringing useful quantum computing to the world with its existing relationships with Illinois academic and industry leaders, including long-standing collaborations with the University of Chicago , the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , and members of the Chicago Quantum Exchange and the U.S. Economic Development Administration-designated Bloch Quantum Technology Hub. "IBM's decision to engage more deeply with our vibrant Illinois quantum ecosystem marks a new phase in the development of quantum information technologies," said Paul Alivisatos , President of the University of Chicago . "UChicago faculty and students will be able to deepen and expand their work in this area in collaboration with IBM scientists, colleagues from other universities, and many interested companies. The development of new algorithms is the next step to demonstrating effective quantum computations across a wide range of important problems and sectors." "We're thrilled to partner with IBM to bring the National Quantum Algorithm Center to life and look forward to hosting its state-of-the-art Quantum Computer as part of the IQMP," said Harley Johnson , Director and CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, and Founder Professor in Mechanical Science and Engineering, U. of I . "The IQMP is building upon Illinois' strong existing ecosystem of top-tier talent, research centers, universities and more to further establish our state as a global hub for quantum, and all of the economic growth and technological advancement that comes with it. The National Quantum Algorithm Center will be a place where innovators can realize the potential quantum computing holds to solve some of our most complex problems, and we're grateful to have IBM as a part of our campus." "The great promise of quantum innovation is being realized through powerful partnerships with industry leaders like IBM connecting further to our universities, national labs, and state government," said Rashid Bashir , Dean of The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign . "Our collaborative ecosystem is perfectly positioned to lead the National Quantum Algorithm Center through world-renowned faculty and students, and an entrepreneurial spirit that answers the most pressing questions of our time." "The announcement of the National Quantum Algorithm Center in collaboration with IBM and some of our brightest higher education institutions is a pivotal moment in Illinois' trajectory toward becoming a world leader in quantum research and development," said John Atkinson , Chairman of Intersect Illinois. "Thanks to the planning, foresight and execution of our Team Illinois partners — including Governor JB Pritzker and his administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the state's unmatched quantum ecosystem — we are well positioned to ensure the investment and job creation generated by this industry stays right here in Illinois ." About IBM IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit ibm.com for more information. Media Contact Chris Nay IBM Research cnay@us.ibm.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2580135/Quantum_System_2_Banner.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2580191/Quantum_Heron156.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2319830/IBM_LOGO_1.jpg
24X National Exchange Plans to be the First Exchange to Offer U.S. Equities Trading 23 Hours-Per-Day on Weekdays STAMFORD, Conn. , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 24 Exchange announced today that it has received approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to operate 24X National Exchange as the first national securities exchange in the U.S. that allows trading of U.S. securities 23 hours each workday. The extended hour trading is subject to Equity Data Plans making changes that would facilitate overnight trading hours and 24X National Exchange making an additional rule filing with the SEC confirming the changes and the Exchange's ability to comply with the Securities Exchange Act. 24X National Exchange will be subject to the SEC's ongoing regulatory oversight and full range of investor protections. The new Exchange will enable retail and institutional customers anywhere in the world to trade in U.S. equities via broker-dealers who are approved members of 24X National Exchange. 24X National Exchange will be launched in two stages. A first stage will open in the second half of 2025, with the Exchange operating from 4:00AM ET to 7:00PM ET on weekdays. The second stage, which will launch once the conditions noted above are met, will offer trading in U.S. equities from 8:00PM ET on Sunday through 7:00PM ET on Friday . A one-hour operational pause will occur during each trading day to accommodate routine software upgrades and functionality testing. 24 Exchange CEO and Founder Dmitri Galinov said: "The SEC's approval of our new exchange is a thrilling development that the 24X Team has been working toward for many years. Traders are most at-risk when the market is closed in their geographic location. 24X National Exchange will seek to alleviate this problem by facilitating around-the-clock U.S. equities trading for broker-dealers and their institutional and retail customers." As the first national securities exchange approved by the SEC to operate 23 hours each weekday, subject to the conditions noted above, 24X National Exchange will initially focus on capturing the expanding demand in the APAC region for overnight liquidity in U.S. equities. The 24X National Exchange will run on a proven, state-of-the-art technology platform provided by MEMX Technologies. The new Exchange's executive team will place a high priority on enhancing client experience through continuous technology innovations and improvements. "With this historic SEC approval in place, we will build and operate a customer-driven Exchange that can rapidly align with market demands and adapt quickly to client feedback," Galinov added. "We look forward to bringing a superior trading experience to global customers. 24X National Exchange will deliver the cost efficiency, speed, resilience, and adaptability that the company's financial institutional customers have long come to expect." 24X National Exchange will close on U.S. market holidays, similar to the schedules maintained by the NYSE and Nasdaq. 24 Exchange through 24X Bermuda Limited, an affiliate of 24X National Exchange, will continue to offer FX NDFs, Swaps and Spot trading to institutional clients. Since its launch in 2019, 24 Exchange's multi-asset offering through a single trading interface has enabled clients to access increased liquidity at lower cost. About 24 Exchange 24 Exchange allows market participants to seamlessly exchange their exposures at the lowest possible cost. 24 Exchange's mission is to enable members to initiate the most cost-effective trades across a growing range of asset classes, 24 hours a day. 24 Exchange lowers the cost of exchanging assets in the global markets while delivering creative and unique workflows catered to each asset class. More information is available at https://24exchange.com/ . Media Contact: Eric Andrus , KARV 24Xmedia@karv.global Phone: +1 (212) 333-0275 View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/24-exchange-receives-sec-approval-of-its-new-national-securities-exchange-24x-national-exchange-302317878.html SOURCE 24 ExchangeStocks down 1,991 points amid future contracts rollover pressure
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed his now former Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya over a leaked nude video. Over a week on from the earthquake, Port Vili is taking stock of the impact of last earthquake and how to best work towards infrastructure repairs and economic improvement. The Bishop of the Diocese of Vanuatu & New Caledonia, The Right Rev. James Tama, says the church has been playing a key role in disaster response efforts in Vanuatu. In Tonga, a custom exists where weddings are specifically held on the last Thursday of the year. Invasive Brown Treesnakes have wrecked havoc on Guam's wildlife. The reptilians have completely exterminated most of the native forest bird species.I went undercover as an Uber Eats courier and made just $1.74 per hour online. Here's what I learned about the troubling cost of convenience
Baijiayun was honored with the title of "Exclusive Member Unit" by the Beijing Educational Informationization Industry Alliance.NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a lawsuit has been filed against Zeta Global Holdings Corp. ZETA and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws. If you invested in Zeta, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/zeta-global-holdings-corp . Investors have until January 21, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in Zeta securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and is captioned Davoodi v. Zeta Global Holdings Corp. , et al. , No. 24-cv-08961. What is the Lawsuit About? Zeta is a cloud-based technology company that provides a marketing platform to assist marketers in acquiring customers. The complaint alleges that Zeta represented that its marketing platform was powered by the industry's largest opted-in data set. On November 13, 2024, prominent investment research firm Culper Research published a report titled: "Zeta Global Holdings Corp (ZETA): Shams, Scams, and Spam." Based on Culper's investigation that included proprietary interviews with industry experts and former Zeta employees, the research firm found that Zeta's data set had been generated from a network of "consent farms" – i.e., sham websites designed to gather consumer data under false pretenses or awards that did not exist. Culper Research further wrote that these consent farms drove almost the entirety of Zeta's growth over the past 2+ years, representing 56% of its Adjusted EBITDA, and could result in devastating regulatory action. The news caused a significant decline in the price of Zeta stock. On November 13, 2024, the price of the company's stock fell 37%, from a closing price of $28.22 per share on November 12, 2024, to $17.76 per share on November 13, 2024. Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/zeta-global-holdings-corp . What Can You Do? If you invested in Zeta you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/zeta-global-holdings-corp Or contact: Ross Shikowitz ross@bfalaw.com 212-789-3619 Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP? Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd. For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com . https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/zeta-global-holdings-corp Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Editorial: Aldermen, vote for this bloated Chicago budget at your political peril. Peer cities are not so reckless in their spending.
Trump gave Interior nominee one directive for a half-billion acres of US land: ‘Drill.’
Govt to consider PTI’s written demands, not Imran’s statements: Siddiqui Senator says, “The negotiating committee will consider written demands of the PTI" Senator Irfan Siddiqui (Left) and PTI founder Imran Khan. — APP/Reuters/File ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) in Senate and Chairman Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee Irfan Siddiqui Thursday said the government would consider only written demands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) without paying heed to statements of Imran Khan or anybody else. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); “The negotiating committee will consider written demands of the PTI,” he said in an interview with a private TV channel. Senator Siddiqui, who is also member of the government’s committee, said both the committees had decided to ignore external influences and statements in the process of talks, during its first meeting. He said initiation of talks with the PTI and formation of the government negotiating committee were approved by PMLN President Nawaz Sharif. He said the interior ministry was conveyed on the very first day to facilitate members of the PTI negotiating committee for their meeting with Imran Khan, and the facilitation would continue in future also. “The atmosphere was very positive, and it was a great opening,” Siddiqui added when asked about the details of the first meeting. He said since the PTI had also been in the government in the past and it knew well the constitutional and legal requirements for getting someone out of jail by an executive order. To a question about sentencing 60 people through a field general court martial and its potential impact on the dialogue process, Senator Irfan Siddiqui said both sides had agreed that dialogue process would continue irrespective of the sentences or any other developments. “I don’t think that recent verdict of the military court will hamper talks,” he added. To a question that keeping Imran Khan in jail would not be considered as a deadlock for the positive outcome of talks, he replied that many prominent political leaders had remained behind bars for a long time and yet the democratic process was never stalled. He rejected the impression of political unrest in the country and added that all state organs were functioning according to the constitutional harmony and economic indicators further emphasised that fact. “There is absolutely no political instability in the country,” he added. Senator Siddiqui thanked Imran Khan on his comments of recognising the government’s efforts of saving country from default and said the efforts of PM Shehbaz Sharif and his team were so obvious that even Imran Khan was compelled to acknowledge it. When asked about Richard Allen Grenell’s tweets and statements, Siddiqui said Pakistan’s policies were not framed on the basis of such tweets. “He is a nonentity. State of Pakistan decides issues according to the constitution and law of the land,” he said.
Former President Jimmy Carter , the 39th president of the United States and a tireless advocate for peace and human rights, has passed away at the age of 100, his office confirmed on Sunday. Carter , who had been under hospice care since February 2023 at his home in Plains, Georgia, became the first U.S. president to reach the age of 100. His wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter , died just weeks earlier, on November 19, 2023, at the age of 96. Carter ’s milestone 100th birthday in October 2024 was marked by widespread tributes, including a message from President Joe Biden. In a video shared with CBS News, Biden praised Carter as a moral force for the nation and the world, calling him a voice of courage and compassion and a cherished friend to him and his family. Born in Georgia, Carter was elected president in 1976 as a Democrat, defeating the incumbent Republican Gerald Ford in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. His presidency was marked by significant challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis, which persisted for 444 days and contributed to his loss in the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan. Despite leaving office with relatively low popularity, Carter ’s post-presidency efforts earned him widespread admiration, leading many to view him as one of the most impactful former presidents. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his global human rights work, Carter spent decades advocating for peaceful conflict resolution, democratic principles, and social justice. In 1982, he and Rosalynn established the Carter Center at Emory University in Atlanta. Through the center, the Carters traveled to developing nations to monitor elections, strengthen democratic institutions, and campaign for human rights. They also led efforts to eradicate diseases and provided critical support for victims of oppression. Carter was also known for his hands-on involvement with Habitat for Humanity, where he and Rosalynn could often be found building homes for underserved families. His dedication to public service after his presidency transformed his reputation, with many referring to him as " America’s greatest ex-president. " Carter , who became the oldest living former president after George H.W. Bush’s death in 2018, was also the first U.S. president born in a hospital. At 56, he left the White House relatively young, allowing him to dedicate over four decades to humanitarian work, which became the hallmark of his legacy.Baijiayun was honored with the title of "Exclusive Member Unit" by the Beijing Educational Informationization Industry Alliance.
