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MILOT-BALLDREN, RRUGA ME E SHTRENJTË NË SHQIPËRI
Technology

MILOT-BALLDREN, RRUGA ME E SHTRENJTË NË SHQIPËRI

Ministria e Infrastrukturës shpalli garën për të dhënë me koncesion ndërtimin e autostradës Milot-Balldre. Ky segment është pjesë e të ashtuquajturit Korridori Adriatiko-Jonian ose siç njihet ndryshe Korridori Blu, të cilin qeveria ka vendosur që ta ndërtojë të gjithin me koncesion. Deri tani qeveria shqiptare ka tenderuar 3 segmente të këtij Korridori. I pari, që është realizuar tashmë është autostrada Thumanë-Kashar, ndërsa dy segmente të tjera nga Kashari deri në Fier janë tenderuar, por ndonëse janë shpallur dhe fituesit prej gati dy vitesh tashmë, kontratat nuk janë nënshkruar.Ndersa Milot-Balldre është segmenti i katërt koncesionar. Ai ka një gjatësi 17 kilometër të gjatë dhe do të kushtojë 182.5 milionë euro për vetëm si kosto ndërtimi. Nëse përfshihen dhe kostot e projektimit, ato të mirëmbajtjes dhe të operimit, investimi i privatit është parashikuar 365 milionë euro për të gjithë periudhën 35 vjeçare të koncesionit.Sipas dokumentave të tenderit, qeveria ka vendosur se tarifa referencë e kalimit në segmentin Milot Balldre do të jetë 0.12 euro për çdo kilometër. Kjo do të thotë se për 17 kilometrat e rrugës automjetet e thjeshta do të paguajnë 4.1 euro për çdo kalim.Kjo e bën këtë aks një nga më të shtrenjtët në Europë, ndërkohë që edhe në vendet e zhvilluara të Bashkimit Europian, tarifat e kalimit janë 0.07 euro për kilometër ose gati dy herë më lirë.Sipas të dhënave në dokumentat e tenderit për Milot Balldre parashikohet që privati të ketë një kosto prej 365 milionë eurosh pa tvsh. Por kjo shifër nuk përfshin koston e kapitalit dhe fitimin e tij. Nëse i shton edhe këto dy zëra atëherë vlera që do të paguajnë qytetarët shqiptarë në 35 vite për të kaluar në këtë rrugë tejkalon 1 miliardë euro.

VITI AKADEMIK NË ARTE: INTERES I QËNDRUESHËM
Technology

VITI AKADEMIK NË ARTE: INTERES I QËNDRUESHËM

Departamenti I Arteve në Shkodër në vitin e ri akademik ka mirëpritur brezin e ri të studentëve të arteve pamore dhe digjitale. Drejtuesi i departamentit të arteve, Rubin Mandija, u shpreh se shifrat e studentëve janë të konsoliduara, me 10–15 studentë të rinj të regjistruar çdo vit, çka tregon një interes të qëndrueshëm për programet e ofruara dhe një bazë të qëndrueshme të komunitetit artistik në formim. Megjithatë, Mandija thekson se për zhvillimin maksimal të potencialit të studentëve, duhen investime në pajisje teknologjike, veçanërisht për fuqizimin e lëndëve digjitale në art, një fushë që po zë vend gjithnjë e më të rëndësishëm në formimin artistik bashkëkohor. Këto zhvillime tregojnë se Departamenti i Arteve mbetet një qendër e rëndësishme formimi krijues në Shkodër, ndërsa theksi te investimet teknologjike shihet si hap i domosdoshëm për të vijuar me ritmet e artit bashkëkohor

INVESTIMI NË VARREZAT PUBLIKE NË PUKË
Technology

INVESTIMI NË VARREZAT PUBLIKE NË PUKË

Kryetari i këshillit të qarkut Shkodër Edmond Ndou i shoqëruar nga kryebashkiaku i Pukës Rrok Dodaj, inspektuan punimet e projektit “Rehabilitimi dhe Zgjerimi i Varrezave Publike të Qytetit të Pukës”. Investimi i qarkut në bashkëpunim me bashkinë vjen si kërkesë e komunitetit të zonës, pasi varrezat publike të Pukës kanë një numër të kufizuar parcelash të lira, gjë që ka sjellë vështirësi për shumë familje në momentet më të ndjeshme të jetës. Përmes këtij investimi, krijohet një hapësirë e denjë, e sistemuar dhe e sigurt, ku qytetarët të kenë mundësi të kryejnë shërbimet funerare. Punimet përfshijnë rrethimin e territorit, sistemimin dhe nivelimin e terrenit, ndërtimin e rrugëve për këmbësorë, si dhe zgjerimin e parcelave për t’iu përgjigjur nevojave të ardhshme. Ky projekt është pjesë e një pakete investimesh që këshilli i qarkut po kryen me 5 bashkitë e qarkut Shkodër me fokus për të përmirësuar infrastrukturën publike dhe për t’i dhënë komunitetit shërbime me standarde më të larta.

Technology

«Պուտինը չի ուզում, որ ապրենք»․ Ռևանշիստական ուժերը օտար թելադրանքով քանդում են պետությունը

«Պուտինը չի ուզում, որ ապրենք»․ Ռևանշիստական ուժերը օտար թելադրանքով քանդում են պետությունը Կապը մեզ հետ Հրատարակչություն եւ տպարան Հեռուստատեսություն ՆՈՅՅԱՆ ՏԱՊԱՆ TV Մամուլի սրահ 5-րդ խոսափող Տեխնոլոգիական Հայաստան Հետաքրքիր զրուցակից Հայոց շավիղ Կարեւորի մասին՝ համառոտ Հետադարձ կապ Ազատ խոսափող Հայաստան․ գալիքի սպասումով Ազգային Պետություն Հրատապ հարցեր Հատուկ կարծիք Прямым текстом Ноян Тапан на русском Բարդ Իրականություն Мягкая сила Փրկության ուղի Ժողովրդի ձայն Իրավունք, օրենք, հասարակություն Ամբերդ Քրոնիկոն Լինենք առողջ Ժամանակների խաչմերուկում Попробуем понять Այո, թե՞ ոչ Ազգային օրակարգ Հանուն Հայերնիքի Կարմիր գծեր Откровенный разговор Համահայկական առողջապահական հարթակ Հետաքրքիր զրուցակից Բացում ենք փակագծերը Ինքնիշխանության ուղի Անկեղծ զրույց Մոռացված Պետականություն Перемещенные лица Հայ մայրերի պատգամը Բացարձակ ժողովրդավարություն Голос армянских матерей Միջազգային հարաբերություններ և միջազգային իրավունք Ինքնորոշում Նոր քաղաքներ Հայոց մայրեր Բարդ գաղափարները պարզ մոտեցմամբ Noyan Tapan in English Անկեղծ երկխոսություն Ազատ խոսափող Երկիրը հզորացնելու բանաձեւերը Գիտական Հայաստան Կարճ տեսանյութեր Ազատություն Важное к этому часу ԿԱՐԵՎՈՐԸ ԱՅՍ ԺԱՄԻՆ КОРОТКО О ГЛАВНОМ ԿԱՐԵՎՈՐԸ ՀԱՄԱՌՈՏ Հասարակություն Տնտեսություն Ականատեսի աչքերով Ի՞նչ է գրում մամուլը Մամլո հաղորդագրություն Մամուլի տեսություն Հարցազրույցներ Գիտություն եւ տեխնոլոգիաներ Հայտարարություններ Բարեգործություն Արցախն այսօր ՎԵՐԼՈՒԾՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ Մեկնաբանություն Հիշարժան Տարեթվեր Սպասվող Իրադարձություններ Դաս. հայերեն News Details «Պուտինը չի ուզում, որ ապրենք»․ Ռևանշիստական ուժերը օտար թելադրանքով քանդում են պետությունը 15-11-2025 16:30:55 | Հայաստան | ԿԱՐԵՎՈՐԸ ՀԱՄԱՌՈՏ Լևոն Շիրինյան, Քրիստոնեա - Ժողովրդավարական կուսակցության նախագահ Տեսանյութն ամբողջությամբ՝ https://www.patreon.com/posts/bak-own-zenk-i-n-143418779 Բաժանորդագրվեք մեզ / Subscribe us on:/ Подписывайтесь ➜ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NoyanTapanTV ➜ YouTube 1: https://www.youtube.com/@NoyanTapanTV ➜ YouTube 2: https://www.youtube.com/@NoyanTapan (in Russian) ➜ YouTube 3: https://www.youtube.com/@NoyanTapanLiveTV (Special Programs) ➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoyanTapanHolding ➜ Telegram: https://t.me/NoyanTapanTV ➜ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@noyan.tapan.news.7 ➜ Website: https://nt.am/ ➜ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noyantapan3/ ➜ HyeID: https://hyeid.net/ #noyantapantv #noyantapan #ноянтапан #ноянтапантв #ноянтапаннарусском #Арцах #карабах #armenia #НоянТапан #armenia4k #аналитика #armenianews #новостиармениисегодня #Армения #karabakh #политика #новости #интервью #армения #ереван #южныйкавказ #европа #сша #война #арцах #нагорныйкарабах #news #analytics #NoyanTapanTV #Temu#noyantapanshort #short #shorts #noyantapanreel #reel #reels #noyantapantvreel, #reelnoyantapan, #shortnoyantapan #shortԿարենՍարգսյան #reel #gayanearakelyan #tigranharutyunyan #maripetrosyan #elizazakharyan #vladimirpogosyan #short Владимир Погосян # Владимир Погосян #reel Владимир Погосян Noyan Tapan Media Holding («NT Holding») Isahakyan 28, Yerevan, 0009 Armenia +374 55509050, +374 60351122, +1 818 967 5677 e-mail contact@nt.am Նոյյան տապան - ԿԱՐԵՎՈՐԸ ՀԱՄԱՌՈՏ Կարդացել են Սպասվող Իրադարձություններ 18-11-2025 17:00 | Համերգ Noyan Tapan TV Copyright © 2025 | Developed by ITMedia Լուրերի ամբողջական հոսքը հասանելի է միայն բաժանորդներին

Քոչարյանի հանրային սպառնալիքները մնում են առանց հետևանքների, իսկ բլոգերներին բերման են ենթարկում
Technology

Քոչարյանի հանրային սպառնալիքները մնում են առանց հետևանքների, իսկ բլոգերներին բերման են ենթարկում

Քոչարյանի հանրային սպառնալիքները մնում են առանց հետևանքների, իսկ բլոգերներին բերման են ենթարկում Կապը մեզ հետ Հրատարակչություն եւ տպարան Հեռուստատեսություն ՆՈՅՅԱՆ ՏԱՊԱՆ TV Մամուլի սրահ 5-րդ խոսափող Տեխնոլոգիական Հայաստան Հետաքրքիր զրուցակից Հայոց շավիղ Կարեւորի մասին՝ համառոտ Հետադարձ կապ Ազատ խոսափող Հայաստան․ գալիքի սպասումով Ազգային Պետություն Հրատապ հարցեր Հատուկ կարծիք Прямым текстом Ноян Тапан на русском Բարդ Իրականություն Мягкая сила Փրկության ուղի Ժողովրդի ձայն Իրավունք, օրենք, հասարակություն Ամբերդ Քրոնիկոն Լինենք առողջ Ժամանակների խաչմերուկում Попробуем понять Այո, թե՞ ոչ Ազգային օրակարգ Հանուն Հայերնիքի Կարմիր գծեր Откровенный разговор Համահայկական առողջապահական հարթակ Հետաքրքիր զրուցակից Բացում ենք փակագծերը Ինքնիշխանության ուղի Անկեղծ զրույց Մոռացված Պետականություն Перемещенные лица Հայ մայրերի պատգամը Բացարձակ ժողովրդավարություն Голос армянских матерей Միջազգային հարաբերություններ և միջազգային իրավունք Ինքնորոշում Նոր քաղաքներ Հայոց մայրեր Բարդ գաղափարները պարզ մոտեցմամբ Noyan Tapan in English Անկեղծ երկխոսություն Ազատ խոսափող Երկիրը հզորացնելու բանաձեւերը Գիտական Հայաստան Կարճ տեսանյութեր Ազատություն Важное к этому часу ԿԱՐԵՎՈՐԸ ԱՅՍ ԺԱՄԻՆ КОРОТКО О ГЛАВНОМ ԿԱՐԵՎՈՐԸ ՀԱՄԱՌՈՏ Հասարակություն Տնտեսություն Ականատեսի աչքերով Ի՞նչ է գրում մամուլը Մամլո հաղորդագրություն Մամուլի տեսություն Հարցազրույցներ Գիտություն եւ տեխնոլոգիաներ Հայտարարություններ Բարեգործություն Արցախն այսօր ՎԵՐԼՈՒԾՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ Մեկնաբանություն Հիշարժան Տարեթվեր Սպասվող Իրադարձություններ Դաս. հայերեն News Details Քոչարյանի հանրային սպառնալիքները մնում են առանց հետևանքների, իսկ բլոգերներին բերման են ենթարկում 15-11-2025 14:15:23 | Հայաստան | ԿԱՐԵՎՈՐԸ ՀԱՄԱՌՈՏ Արման Բաբաջանյան, «Հանուն հանրապետության» կուսակցության նախագահ Տեսանյութն ամբողջությամբ՝ https://www.patreon.com/posts/lav-lowrer-kan-i-143492016 Բաժանորդագրվեք մեզ / Subscribe us on:/ Подписывайтесь ➜ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NoyanTapanTV ➜ YouTube 1: https://www.youtube.com/@NoyanTapanTV ➜ YouTube 2: https://www.youtube.com/@NoyanTapan (in Russian) ➜ YouTube 3: https://www.youtube.com/@NoyanTapanLiveTV (Special Programs) ➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoyanTapanHolding ➜ Telegram: https://t.me/NoyanTapanTV ➜ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@noyan.tapan.news.7 ➜ Website: https://nt.am/ ➜ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noyantapan3/ ➜ HyeID: https://hyeid.net/ #noyantapantv #noyantapan #ноянтапан #ноянтапантв #ноянтапаннарусском #Арцах #карабах #armenia #НоянТапан #armenia4k #аналитика #armenianews #новостиармениисегодня #Армения #karabakh #политика #новости #интервью #армения #ереван #южныйкавказ #европа #сша #война #арцах #нагорныйкарабах #news #analytics #NoyanTapanTV #Temu#noyantapanshort #short #shorts #noyantapanreel #reel #reels #noyantapantvreel, #reelnoyantapan, #shortnoyantapan #shortԿարենՍարգսյան #reel #gayanearakelyan #tigranharutyunyan #maripetrosyan #elizazakharyan #vladimirpogosyan #short Владимир Погосян # Владимир Погосян #reel Владимир Погосян Noyan Tapan Media Holding («NT Holding») Isahakyan 28, Yerevan, 0009 Armenia +374 55509050, +374 60351122, +1 818 967 5677 e-mail contact@nt.am Նոյյան տապան - ԿԱՐԵՎՈՐԸ ՀԱՄԱՌՈՏ Կարդացել են Սպասվող Իրադարձություններ 18-11-2025 17:00 | Համերգ Noyan Tapan TV Copyright © 2025 | Developed by ITMedia Լուրերի ամբողջական հոսքը հասանելի է միայն բաժանորդներին

Landslide strikes stone quarry in UP's Sonbhadra, several workers feared trapped
Technology

Landslide strikes stone quarry in UP's Sonbhadra, several workers feared trapped

A major accident occurred at a stone mining site in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district on Saturday after a hill section reportedly collapsed. The landslide triggered a massive fall of debris inside the quarry, raising fears that several labourers may be trapped beneath the rubble.According to initial information, multiple workers, including a compressor operator, are suspected to be buried under the fallen stone mass. The incident took place in the Obra police station limits, in the Billi area, where mining activity is carried out regularly.Local authorities, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and police personnel, rushed to the spot soon after receiving information about the collapse. Rescue operations were initiated as efforts began to locate the trapped workers and clear the debris.This is a developing story. It will be updated..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}- EndsPublished By: Prateek ChakrabortyPublished On: Nov 15, 2025

LY-80 ‘Triumph’ Over S-400? Pakistani Propaganda Crumbles Under Technical Scrutiny
Technology

LY-80 ‘Triumph’ Over S-400? Pakistani Propaganda Crumbles Under Technical Scrutiny

SOURCE: AFI In the echo chamber of cross-border disinformation, a fresh salvo of “Churan” – that quintessentially Pakistani blend of myth and misinformation – has emerged from the notorious Qaum ke Fakar handle, claiming a Chinese LY-80 (HQ-16) surface-to-air missile system heroically intercepted an Indian S-400’s formidable 40N6E missile during the May 2025 skirmishes. But peel back the layers of this tall tale, and it unravels faster than a monsoon-soaked propaganda poster: The real story, buried under debris near Dinga in Punjab province, points to a devastating Indian strike on a high-value aerial target, with the 40N6E’s wreckage serving as unwitting confetti for a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) catastrophe. The claim, splashed across social media on November 14, posits that on May 8, amid Operation Sindoor’s fury, a LY-80 battery near Lahore swatted down the incoming 40N6E like a pesky fly – a narrative peddled to salvage Islamabad’s bruised ego after a string of air defense embarrassments. Yet, as defence analysts dissect the physics, it’s clear this is no David-vs-Goliath upset; it’s desperate deflection from the S-400’s lethal debut, which eyewitnesses and wreckage confirm downed a PAF Saab Erieye AWACS deep inside Pakistani airspace. With 40N6E fragments scattered across Dinga fields – not from interception, but terminal impact – the LY-80 fairy tale crumbles under three irrefutable pillars: velocity mismatch, altitude impossibility, and range-reality gap. At the heart of the LY-80 myth is a glaring kinematic chasm. The 40N6E, S-400’s crown jewel, is engineered for hypersonic havoc, clocking target engagement speeds up to Mach 14 (4,800 m/s) against tactical ballistic threats – a blistering pace that leaves most interceptors in the dust. By contrast, the LY-80’s missiles top out at Mach 3 (1,000-1,200 m/s), a leisurely cruise more suited to regional skirmishes than chasing relativistic rockets. This isn’t armchair analysis; it’s physics 101. For a kinetic kill – the LY-80’s bread-and-butter – the interceptor must achieve sufficient closing velocity to collide mid-flight. Against a 40N6E screaming at over four times its speed, the LY-80 would need superhuman acceleration just to get in the neighborhood, let alone detonate on proximity. “The 40N6E is simply too fast,” as one Russian missile expert quipped in post-Sindoor debriefs. Pakistani attempts to spin debris photos as “intercepted wreckage” ignore the math: No Mach 3 slug closes on a Mach 14 sprint without divine intervention – or, in this case, doctored timelines. Compounding the speed shortfall is an altitudinal no-fly zone for the LY-80. The 40N6E soars on over-the-horizon trajectories, engaging targets at 30-35 km altitudes (with some configs pushing 185 km against ballistics), turning it into a high-altitude assassin that hugs the edge of space. The LY-80? Capped at 15-18 km for export variants like those fielded by Pakistan – a ceiling more akin to a commercial jet than a strategic interceptor. Visualize it: As the 40N6E arcs skyward on its boost-glide path toward a PAF Erieye lumbering at 10-12 km, the LY-80 batteries on the ground strain their necks, firing blindly into the void. “The 40N6E would fly a trajectory well above the LY-80’s engagement ceiling, making interception physically impossible,” defence forums echoed in May, backed by radar track logs leaked from Indian sources. Debris in Dinga – booster casings and fin fragments – aligns with a high-velocity reentry burn-up, not a mid-air tango with a mid-tier SAM. Qaum ke Fakar’s pixel-peeping ignores the stratosphere: You can’t swat what you can’t see. Range seals the farce. The LY-80, a medium-range workhorse, engages combat aircraft at 40-70 km – fine for defending Lahore’s suburbs, but woefully outgunned by the 40N6E’s 400 km envelope, which lets S-400 batteries in Punjab pick off targets over Islamabad without breaking a sweat. In Sindoor’s chaos, the 40N6E was ripple-fired from Adampur, arcing 300+ km to nail the EW/ Erieye – a record shattered, per IAF Chief Air Marshal AP Singh’s August confirmation. For the LY-80’s fire control radar – a Type 305A with 100-150 km detection – to even acquire the incoming 40N6E, it’d wait until the terminal phase: Seconds from impact, with the missile already diving at Mach 5+. “The LY-80 system’s fire control radar would likely not be able to track or lock onto the 40N6E until it was already within the terminal phase of its flight, leaving virtually no time for an effective intercept sequence,” as OSINT sleuths dissected in real-time X threads. Eyewitness videos from Dinga – massive fireballs and ATF plumes – scream “AWACS fuel dump,” not “SAM success.” The “intercepted missile” spin? A classic psyop to mask the PAF’s loss of eyes in the sky, crippling command-and-control for days. The Dinga debris – recovered May 9 by locals and PAF crash teams – isn’t interceptor shrapnel; it’s vindication. Booster sections etched with Cyrillic markings, consistent with 40N6E’s cold-launch canisters, littered fields alongside what forensics peg as Erieye radome shards and actuator mounts. No LY-80 fragments in sight, but plenty of jet fuel infernos raging through the night of May 7-8, as geolocated clips confirm. This wasn’t a dud; it was a bullseye, with the Erieye’s 14-man crew lost in the blaze – a blow that forced PAF to ground AWACS ops for weeks. Indian Harop drones gutted a Lahore battery’s command post, and HQ-16 salvos downed zero threats amid Sindoor’s drone deluge. Beijing’s tech, once hyped as S-400-killers, proved overhyped – much like Qaum ke Fakar’s latest fever dream. NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.

Azerbaijan Bags 9 JF-17 Block 3 Fighters, Likely Diverted from Pakistan Air Force Orders
Sports

Azerbaijan Bags 9 JF-17 Block 3 Fighters, Likely Diverted from Pakistan Air Force Orders

SOURCE: AFI Online imagery has surfaced suggesting that Azerbaijan has received nine examples of the JF-17 Block III fighter jet, with three of them appearing to be tandem-seat variants, identifiable by their distinct vertical stabilizers. The aircraft currently lack national insignia or unit markings, with bare airframes seen without fin flashes or liveries. While official confirmation from Baku remains absent, it is likely that these aircraft will eventually sport Azerbaijan’s signature light and dark blue digital camouflage pattern, matching the scheme seen on its earlier JF-17 Block II fleet. What’s particularly interesting is the source of these jets. Indications suggest these Block III aircraft were originally intended for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) but may have been diverted for export to Azerbaijan instead. Reports indicate that the PAF had placed an order for around 30 JF-17 Block III aircraft, but with a strategic shift underway inside the service, those production slots may have been reassigned to fulfill Baku’s growing defense requirements. The current PAF leadership appears increasingly disinterested in the JF-17 program, despite it being touted for years as the “backbone” of Pakistan’s fighter fleet. The Air Chief reportedly favors more advanced Chinese platforms like the J-10CE and even the stealth-capable J-35A, which are seen as better suited to replace the PAF’s ageing F-16s and Mirage-III/V fleets. This internal policy shift has resulted in a surplus of JF-17s, especially as the service delays or reduces its own induction pace. In what can only be described as a strategic “dump,” Pakistan now seems to be channeling those surplus airframes to friendly countries, with Azerbaijan being the latest recipient. Azerbaijan’s acquisition of the Block III variant — the most advanced version of the JF-17 to date — marks a significant upgrade in its aerial capabilities. The Block III introduces an AESA radar, new avionics, an improved electronic warfare suite, and compatibility with advanced Chinese weapons like the PL-15 BVRAAM, extending the jet’s reach and lethality. For Pakistan, the move also helps boost export credibility for the JF-17 program, which has struggled to find consistent buyers outside Myanmar and Nigeria. However, the optics of offloading jets originally earmarked for its own fleet could be seen as a tacit admission that the JF-17 has fallen out of favor within its own air force. This windfall is the latest tranche of a blockbuster $4.6 billion deal inked in September 2024, under which Pakistan pledged up to 40 JF-17 Block IIIs to its South Caucasus ally – Azerbaijan’s largest-ever arms buy. Deliveries kicked off in earnest last month, with the first batch touching down in October: six single-seat JF-17Cs for frontline fangs and three dual-seat JF-17Bs for training talons. The jets made their public debut last week at a rousing military parade in Baku, thundering overhead in tight formation – a not-so-subtle flex amid simmering tensions with Armenia. Whispers in defence corridors suggest these nine jets might be more than just export filler – they could be the very airframes Islamabad originally earmarked for its own Pakistan Air Force (PAF) squadrons. With production humming at over 30 units annually, Pakistan’s co-production line with China has churned out a surplus that’s now flooding the export market like yesterday’s chai. Sources close to the matter hint that a batch of 30 JF-17s, greenlit for PAF induction to bolster No. 16 Black Panthers or No. 19 Sherdils, got rerouted eastward instead – a classic case of “build it, then ship it out.” Blame it on the man at the top: Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, who ascended in 2024 with a clear-eyed vision that’s anything but Thunderstruck. The ACM isn’t shy about his pivot: JF-17s, once the poster child of Pak-China indigenization, are yesterday’s news in his hangar. Reliable insiders report Babar views the lightweight fighter – nimble and affordable at $25-30 million a pop – as a stopgap, not a silver bullet, especially against India’s Rafale squadrons and China’s own J-20 ghosts. Instead, he’s all-in on Beijing’s heavy hitters: ramping up orders for Chengdu J-10CE “Vigorous Dragons” (another 36 on the shopping list, bringing the tally to 50+) and eyeing a game-changing tranche of 40 Shenyang J-35A stealth fighters – China’s FC-31 export variant, pitched as a 5th-gen bargain at $70 million each. NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.

High Alert: India Monitors Pakistan’s Covert Drone Technology Collaboration in Europe
World

High Alert: India Monitors Pakistan’s Covert Drone Technology Collaboration in Europe

SOURCE: AFI In a move that has heightened tensions along the Line of Control, Indian intelligence agencies are closely monitoring a reported Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement between a Europe-based drone manufacturer and Pakistan’s state-owned Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT). The discreet deal, if confirmed, could significantly enhance Islamabad’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities, raising alarms in New Delhi amid ongoing regional rivalries. A senior official tracking the development revealed that the ToT pact has reportedly been inked between the unidentified European firm and HIT, Pakistan’s premier defence production entity known for manufacturing tanks, armoured vehicles, and increasingly, advanced weaponry. “We are keeping a close watch on the development as Pakistan is trying to keep the deal discreet,” the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the intelligence. The timing of this agreement is particularly concerning for India, coming in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor – a brief but intense cross-border conflict in May 2025 that exposed stark asymmetries in drone warfare between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Launched on May 7, 2025, Operation Sindoor saw Indian forces conduct precision missile strikes on terrorism-related infrastructure linked to Pakistan-based militant groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed. In retaliation, Pakistan unleashed a barrage of over 600 low-cost, swarm-style drones aimed at saturating Indian air defences, emulating tactics observed in the Russia-Ukraine war. While India’s indigenous Akashteer air defence system achieved a near-perfect 100% kill rate, downing the drones with remarkable efficiency, the episode underscored Pakistan’s aggressive push to bolster its UAV arsenal. Post-Sindoor, senior Pakistani military officers reportedly reached out to drone powerhouses in Ukraine, Russia, and various European nations for military-grade medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones. These platforms, capable of loitering for over 24 hours at altitudes exceeding 25,000 feet, are ideal for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strikes – capabilities that could dramatically amplify Pakistan’s drone warfare footprint if the European ToT materializes. “These could boost Pakistan’s drone warfare capacity if the reported deal goes through,” the Indian official added, highlighting fears that indigenous production under the agreement would allow Islamabad to circumvent export restrictions and sanctions often imposed on direct arms sales to the country. Analysts point to the deal as part of a regional arms race in unmanned systems, where South Asia’s air power dynamics are rapidly evolving. Pakistan already operates Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones, as well as Chinese Wing Loong series UAVs, but lacks the full-spectrum MALE capabilities of India’s Heron TP or the U.S.-supplied MQ-9 Reapers. A European ToT could bridge this gap, introducing advanced avionics, sensor suites, and payload integration that would make Pakistani drones more lethal and survivable against Indian countermeasures. The secrecy surrounding the agreement has only amplified Indian concerns. Unlike high-profile pacts, such as the 2021 discussions between Russia and Pakistan for co-production of Turkish Bayraktar drones – which ultimately fizzled due to geopolitical pressures – this European deal appears shrouded in non-disclosure, possibly to evade scrutiny from bodies like the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). European firms, facing strict export controls under EU regulations, have been cautious about dealings with Pakistan, but the allure of technology transfer fees and market access might have tipped the scales. India’s vigilance extends beyond passive monitoring. The Indian armed forces have ramped up investments in counter-drone technologies since Sindoor, with the Akashteer system – a networked, AI-driven platform integrating radars, jammers, and kinetic interceptors – emerging as a cornerstone of defence strategy. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan recently noted that some Pakistani drones recovered intact during the operation were “crude” and unarmed, suggesting reconnaissance probes rather than full assaults, but warned of escalating sophistication in future threats. NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.

The Gripen Lesson and LCA Mk-1A Exports: Shylock Sam Will Exact His Pound of Flesh
World

The Gripen Lesson and LCA Mk-1A Exports: Shylock Sam Will Exact His Pound of Flesh

SOURCE: AFI In the high-stakes world of global arms deals, where sovereignty clashes with superpower leverage, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has thrown down the gauntlet. In a fiery post on X last week, Petro lambasted U.S. officials for sabotaging Bogotá’s bid to acquire sleek, new JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighter jets from Sweden. The offense? Colombia dared to snub Washington’s offer of refurbished, second-hand F-16s in favor of cutting-edge Scandinavian engineering. “The issue behind the anger of U.S. government officials, first and foremost, seems to be that I didn’t buy the second-hand F-16s the U.S. offered me, but instead opted for new Gripens from Sweden,” Petro wrote. “Colombian law allows me to make this deal. As far as I know, Sweden is not a terrorist country, nor are the owners of Gripen drug traffickers.” Petro didn’t stop there. He urged the Kingdom of Sweden and Saab, the Gripen’s manufacturer, to “speak out about this attack on our freedom and sovereignty.” It’s a bold rebuke from a leader who’s no stranger to thumbing his nose at Yankee imperialism, but this time, the stakes involve not just pride but the very skies over Colombia. Colombia’s air force has been limping along on a fleet of aging Israeli Kfir jets, relics from the 1970s that are as reliable as a politician’s promise. Modernization has been a national priority, with Bogotá shopping around for replacements since early 2025. The shortlist included the ubiquitous U.S. F-16—offered in used batches from Denmark or other allies—the flashy French Rafale, and Sweden’s nimble Gripen E/F, a multirole marvel known for its cost-effectiveness and interoperability. In April 2025, Petro made his choice: 16 Gripens for a hefty $4.356 billion, a deal that would not only bolster Colombia’s defenses against narcotraffickers and regional threats but also align it with fellow Latin American Gripen operators like Brazil. The Swedish bird edged out competitors for its lower lifecycle costs, superior short-field performance in Colombia’s rugged terrain, and—crucially—no strings attached from NATO overlords. Or so they thought. Enter the fine print: the Gripen E/F’s beating heart is the General Electric F414 turbofan engine, a U.S.-designed powerhouse churning out 22,000 pounds of thrust. Under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Washington holds veto power over any re-export of American tech. In March 2025, the U.S. State Department quietly denied Sweden the necessary license, citing vague “foreign policy concerns.” By October, whispers of overpricing scandals swirled around the deal, but the real culprit was clear: Uncle Sam wasn’t about to let a pesky leftist like Petro dictate his own arsenal. Petro’s X salvo, posted amid escalating tensions, paints this as raw bullying. It’s not just about jets; it’s a reminder that in the arms bazaar, true independence is a myth when your ride depends on Detroit’s blueprints. Saab, for its part, has downplayed the veto, insisting the U.S. has “no veto” over deliveries—a diplomatic tightrope walk that fools no one. Sweden, ever the neutral broker, has stayed mum, perhaps wary of jeopardizing its own F-35 aspirations. Half a world away, in New Delhi, this Colombian drama should be ringing alarm bells at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) headquarters. India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A Tejas—its homegrown answer to the fourth-generation fighter conundrum—harbors grand export dreams. Yet, like the Gripen, it’s shackled to U.S. engine tech, and HAL’s track record suggests those ambitions are as grounded as Colombia’s Kfirs. The Tejas Mk-1A, an upgraded variant of the original LCA, relies on the GE F404-IN20 afterburning turbofan, a less potent sibling to the F414 but no less American. Signed in 2016, the $1 billion deal for 83 Mk-1A jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) was meant to deliver the first aircraft by 2021. Five years later, in November 2025, HAL is still scrambling, with production delays blamed on supply chain snarls and GE’s tardy engine shipments. The IAF, already short on squadrons, awaits its first flyaway in early 2026, while HAL’s Nashik facility ramps up amid fanfare from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Undeterred, HAL is reviving export pitches, eyeing markets from Argentina to the Philippines. In August 2025, with GE finally stabilizing F404 deliveries (12 engines per month by Q4), Bengaluru touted the Tejas as a budget Rafale-killer: $50 million a pop, with Israeli avionics and indigenous airframe. But here’s the rub: any overseas sale requires U.S. nod for the engines. Argentina’s 2024 flirtation with Tejas fizzled partly over this, as Washington dragged its feet. The irony deepens with India’s next-gen bets. The LCA Mk-2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) both pin their hopes on the F414—the very engine dooming Colombia’s Gripens. A July 2023 tech transfer pact with GE promised local co-production, but by September 2025, it’s mired in delays, with India eyeing French Safran as a hedge. As one analyst quipped, “Engine warfare” is the new great game, leaving Delhi “critically dependent” on U.S. whims. Shakespeare’s Shylock didn’t just want gold; he craved control, exacting his due with surgical precision. So too with “Shylock Sam”—the Stars and Stripes’ unyielding grip on global defense supply chains. Colombia’s saga isn’t an outlier; it’s a template. From Turkey’s S-400 woes to India’s Rafale offsets, superpowers don’t sell hardware—they sell influence. For Indian planners, the Gripen lesson is stark: Ambitions of “Aatmanirbhar” (self-reliance) ring hollow when your jets breathe American air. Exporting the Mk-1A? Possible, but only if Uncle Sam approves the customer list. Pushing the F414-powered Mk-2 abroad? Dream on, unless it’s to a U.S. ally. Petro’s plea for sovereignty echoes in Bengaluru: Diversify now, or watch your wings get clipped. NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.

NIA arrests Al-Falah University MBBS student in Bengal for ‘links’ with terror outfits
Technology

NIA arrests Al-Falah University MBBS student in Bengal for ‘links’ with terror outfits

SOURCE: PTI An MBBS student has been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in West Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur district for his alleged links to terror outfits, a senior police officer said on Saturday. The accused, identified as Janisur Alam alias Nisar Alam, an MBBS student of Al-Falah University, Haryana, and resident of Ludhiana with ancestral roots in Konal village near Dalkhola in Uttar Dinajpur, was picked up from the Surjapur Bazar area on Friday morning, he said. Alam was arrested from the Surjapur Bazar area in Uttar Dinajpur while returning from a wedding ceremony at his ancestral home, on suspicion of alleged terror links by sleuths of the NIA, he said. “The youth is a medical student of Haryana’s Al-Falah University. He had travelled to his ancestral home with his mother and sister to attend a relative’s wedding. Officers of the NIA intercepted him on his way back after tracking his movements through mobile-tower location data,” the officer said. “A few days ago, there was a wedding in the family, and Nisar had come home to attend the event,” the officer said, adding that they were suspecting his involvement in activities related to the recent Delhi blast case. However, the NIA was yet to provide detailed information on how Nisar is allegedly linked to the blasts. Another officer earlier stated that Alam was also seen “loitering suspiciously” near a station in the area before being detained. “During questioning, he allegedly attempted to flee, following which he was taken into custody,” a source in the central probe agency said. “We are yet to establish whether he has any direct connection with the Delhi blast. Digital devices and documents were seized from his possession,” he said. The accused is currently being taken to Siliguri for further questioning and investigation. Relatives and family members said Nisar was a quiet, studious individual with no apparent connection to any such events. “He was a very calm and polite young man, always busy with his studies and showing no interest in anything else. To think that he could be connected to an explosion is simply unbelievable,” the accused’s uncle said. Nisar’s mother claimed that her son has always been law-abiding, and the accusations against him are beyond comprehension. The NIA was yet to comment officially on the nature of the charges against Nisar or any specific evidence linking him to terrorism. Thirteen people were killed and several were injured in the blast near the Red Fort in New Delhi. The government had termed the blast near the Red Fort as a “terrorist incident”. After the Delhi blast, the NIA had also raided the residence of migrant worker Moinul Hasan at Nabagram in Murshidabad district on Wednesday, an officer said. “Hasan had worked intermittently in Delhi and Mumbai, and during his time in Delhi, he shared accommodation with a Bangladeshi national with whom he is believed to have maintained long-term contact,” the NIA source told PTI. The central probe agency detectives are examining whether Hasan had any links to members of extremist organisations during that period, or he was in touch with the youth arrested from Uttar Dinajpur.

FINALIZOHET OPERACIONI POLICOR I KODUAR “NEONËT 3”
Technology

FINALIZOHET OPERACIONI POLICOR I KODUAR “NEONËT 3”

Shkodër / Zbulohet një tjetër ambient i përshtatur për kultivimin e bimëve narkotike me anë të llambave. Finalizohet operacioni policor i koduar “Neonët 3”. Shkon në 6 numeri i ambienteve të zbuluara dhe të goditura në kuarër të operacionit Neonët. Arrestohen në flagrancë 3 shtetas, si dhe shpallet në kërkim një 33-vjeçar. Ndalohen gjithashtu 2 punonjës të OSHEE-së dhe procedohen penalisht edhe 5 punonjës të tjerë, për veprën penale “Shpërdorim i detyrës” të kryer në bashkëpunim. Sekuestrohen 119 bimë të dyshuara narkotike kanabis, 2 kg e 170 gramë të kësaj lënde të tharë, 284 pajisje elektrike që shërbenin për kultivimin e bimëve narkotike, 7 celularë, 1 armë zjarri pistoletë, municion luftarak, disa dokumente italiane dhe një palë targa angleze, të cilat dyshohen si të falsifikuara, 3 byzylykë, 1 unazë dhe 1 orë dore Rolex, 1 DVR, 1 fenelinë si ato të policisë, 1 këllëf arme dhe rripa për mbajtjen e armës, si dhe një shumë vlerash monetare në paund. Në vijim të planit të masave për goditjen e kultivimit të bimëve narkotike në ambiente të mbyllura, bazuar edhe në informacionet e siguruara në rrugë operative, shërbimet e specializuara ne DVP Shkoder, ne bashkepunim me Komisariatin e Policise Shkoder, te mbeshtetura nga Forca Operacionale dhe “Shqiponja”, kanë ushtruar kontrolle intensive në ambiente të mbyllura, me qëllim konstatimin dhe goditjen e rasteve të kultivimit të bimëve narkotike me anë të llambave, tharjes dhe përpunimit të tyre për shitje. Në këtë kuadër u organizua dhe finalizua operacioni policor i koduar “Neonët 3”. Në kuadër të operacionit u arrestuan në flagrancë shtetasit P. N., 27 vjeç, banues në fshatin Torovicë; S. Gj., 24 vjeç, banues në fshatin Mjedë; dhe A. B., 58 vjeç, banues në Shkodër. Si dhe u shpall në kërkim shtetasi K. P., 33 vjeç, banues në Shkodër. Në vijim të operacionit u ndaluan edhe shtetasit G. A., 63 vjeç, dhe B. C., 33 vjeç, të dy banues në Shkodër, dhe nisi procedimi penal për shtetasit G. Z., 36 vjeç; I. Rr., 34 vjeç; D. T., 54 vjeç; D. P., 32 vjeç; D. S., 39 vjeç; të gjithë banues në Shkodër dhe të gjithë punonjës të OSHEE-së, për veprën penale “Shpërdorimi i detyrës”, kryer në bashkëpunim. Nga kontrollet në një ambient (magazinë) në lagjen “Mark Lula”, të përshtatur për kultivimin dhe tharjen e bimëve narkotike kanabis, shërbimet e Policisë gjetën dhe sekuestruan në cilësinë e provës materiale 119 bimë të dyshuara kanabis, 2 kg e 170 gramë të kësaj lënde të tharë, 284 pajisje elektrike që shërbenin për kultivimin e bimëve narkotike dhe 7 celularë. Gjithashtu, nga kontrolli i ushtruar në banesën e shtetasit K. P., u gjetën dhe u sekuestruan në cilësinë e provës materiale një armë zjarri pistoletë, municion luftarak, disa dokumente italiane dhe një palë targa angleze të cilat dyshohen si të falsifikuara, 3 byzylykë, 1 unazë dhe 1 orë dore Rolex , 1 DVR, 1 fenelinë si ato të policisë, 1 këllëf arme dhe rripa për mbajtjen e armës, si dhe një shumë monetare në paund anglez. Vijon puna intensive për kapjen e shtetasit K. P. dhe për dokumentimin e plotë të kësaj veprimtarie kriminale. Materialet procedurale iu kaluan Prokurorisë së Shkodrës, për veprime të mëtejshme.

ZGJEDHJET E PJESSHME LOKALE, BERISHA: MBËSHTETJA E KANDIDATËVE TË PAVARUR NUK ISHTE GABIM
Technology

ZGJEDHJET E PJESSHME LOKALE, BERISHA: MBËSHTETJA E KANDIDATËVE TË PAVARUR NUK ISHTE GABIM

Kreu i PD Sali Berisha ka deklaruar se strategjia e përdorur nga PD në zgjedhjet e pjesshme lokale të 09 nëntorit, nuk ishte një gabim. Sipas tij kjo tregoi se kryeministri Edi Rama se asnjë skenar nuk lejon mbajtjen e zgjedhjeve të lira e të ndershme, ndërsa shtoi se PS u braktis nga qytetarët. “Mbështetja e kandidatëve të pavarur nuk ishte gabim. Opozita duhet të tregojë vullnet për hapje. Kjo faktoi se në asnjë variant Rama zgjedhje nuk bën. Populli e braktisi Ramën, braktisje ekzemplare, kjo tregon që ne si opozitë duhet të kapitalizojmë revoltën në shpirtin e zemrat e shqiptarëve e ta kthejmë në energji të fuqishme në përmbysje të regjimit”, tha ai në bashkëbisedim me qytetarët online.

Will spread right message: Rana Daggubati after SIT grills him in betting app case
Technology

Will spread right message: Rana Daggubati after SIT grills him in betting app case

Tollywood actor Rana Daggubati on Saturday appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) office in Hyderabad, as part of the ongoing investigation into the promotion of an online betting app. The SIT had earlier issued notices seeking clarification on his involvement in certain promotional activities linked to the case.RANA SPEAKS OUT AFTER INTERROGATIONAfter several hours of questioning, Rana told reporters he was committed to helping authorities send the right message about online gaming and betting."We are going to use the right ways to communicate the right message about gaming and gaming apps. The legalities will be completed later. But I am here to do whatever is needed to help spread the message," he said while leaving the SIT office. WHAT TRIGGERED THE INVESTIGATION?The case originates from an FIR filed earlier this year by the Telangana Police against 25 celebrities and influencers, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, Manchu Lakshmi and others, for allegedly promoting illegal betting and gambling applications..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}The FIR, registered on a complaint by businessman PM Phanindra Sarma, pointed to a troubling rise in celebrity endorsements of gambling platforms that violate the Public Gambling Act of 1867.According to Sarma, several youths he interacted with had invested money in these apps after being influenced by promotions from well-known actors and social media personalities. He himself nearly invested but backed out after his family warned him of the risks.CELEBRITIES UNDER THE SCANNERThe FIR alleges that many celebrities accepted large sums of money to promote betting platforms that mislead users with promises of easy money. Those named include Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha, Nidhhi Agerwal, Ananya Nagella, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, among several others.Police say these endorsements have caused widespread financial distress, especially among lower- and middle-income families.LEGAL CHARGES AND INVESTIGATIONThe accused have been charged under provisions of the TS Gaming Act and the Information Technology Act, including Section 66(D) related to cheating and identity theft. The probe, led by Officer G Ramesh Naidu, is examining financial deals, promotional agreements, and potential violations by the celebrities involved.Rana Daggubati, renowned for his performances in Baahubali, Baahubali 2, and Vettaiyan, is among the most prominent figures questioned so far, drawing significant national attention to the issue of celebrity-backed illegal betting promotions.- EndsPublished By: Sonali VermaPublished On: Nov 15, 2025Must Watch

Larnaca Marathon shuts down key roads tomorrow: Full closure schedule
World

Larnaca Marathon shuts down key roads tomorrow: Full closure schedule

The Radisson Blu International Marathon takes place for the 8th year in Larnaca city and district tomorrow, Sunday, November 16, 2025. Authorities announce the following essential road closures: Friday 14/11/2025 (9:00 p.m.) until Sunday 16/11/2025 (6:00 p.m.) Athinon Avenue Exclusion: Commercial supply vehicles can enter on Saturday 15/11/2025 from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to supply shops, entering from Filiou Zannetou Street. Sunday 16/11/2025 (6:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.) Athinon Avenue at its junction with Archbishop Makarios III Avenue. Zinonos Kitieos Street, Zinonos Pieridi Street, Armenian Church Street. Part of Ermou Street (from the Ermou Square junction to the Achillea Theodoulou Square junction). Nikolaou Rossou Street, Mehmet Ali Street (up to the Um Harram junction). Um Harram Street (up to the Evxinon Pontou junction). Piale Pasha Street and Tassos Mitsopoulos Avenue. One direction of Artemidos Avenue from the Tassos Mitsopoulos Avenue traffic lights up to the airport. (Note: Traffic will be regulated by the Police, and one lane of Artemidos will be converted to a two-way traffic flow for vehicles). The road from Artemidos Avenue to the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque. From the Control Tower Roundabout towards the Airport Roundabout. Sunday 16/11/2025 (6:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.) Archbishop Makarios III, Tassos Papadopoulos, and Dimitri Christofia Avenues up to the B3 (Dhekelia Road). Larnaca Nautical Club Roundabout up to the Voroklini Fire Station Roundabout. The direction to and from Dekelia from the Voroklini Fire Station to the Livadia Roundabout (American University) towards Larnaca will be closed. The Livadia Roundabout (American University), to and from the Livadia roundabout, will be closed. Sunday 16/11/2025 (6:00 a.m. until 1:15 p.m.) Archbishop Makarios III Avenue up to its junction with Archbishop Kyprianou (Traffic Lights). Drivers must note the closure times and seek alternative routes for essential travel tomorrow.

Child safety experts call for Roblox to be included in Australia’s social media age ban over grooming fears
Technology

Child safety experts call for Roblox to be included in Australia’s social media age ban over grooming fears

MPs and experts are calling for the controversial online game Roblox to be included in Australia’s forthcoming social media age ban, warning that significant loopholes in the legislation could leave children vulnerable to online predators. Professor Lisa Given, an expert in information sciences with RMIT in Melbourne, says Roblox presents unique challenges despite being primarily marketed as a creative gaming platform. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Call for action as popular kids’ game remains haven for predators Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow “Roblox is really interesting. It’s a creative space. Very many children are on this platform because it allows them to really build new worlds, use their creativity to the best of their abilities,” Given said. The platform boasts over 380 million users worldwide, making it extremely popular across a range of ages. However, its social components have raised serious safety concerns. “The critical piece here is that many of these platforms also have a huge social component. So it becomes a really complex question of are they considered social media? Are they something different?” Given explained. ‘Many predators are active on these spaces’ Gaming platforms were exempted from the social media age ban legislation from the beginning, despite many featuring significant social interaction capabilities. Given highlighted particular concerns about predatory behaviour on the platform. “We know that Roblox in particular has had a lot of concerns around grooming. Many predators are active on these spaces because so many children are on the platforms.” The expert warned that parents may develop a false sense of security from the age ban legislation, which she described as sounding “simple on paper” but “very difficult to implement because of the nature of these platforms”. Roblox has announced plans to strengthen privacy controls and give parents more oversight of the platform, with changes to be implemented shortly. Given advised parents to stay actively involved in their children’s online activities. “The number one piece always is: know what your kids are doing. What are the platforms they’re engaging in? Ideally, parents should be working and playing with their kids on these platforms.” She recommended parents utilise resources from the eSafety Commissioner’s Office, which provides toolkits and guidance on combating online harm and understanding how digital technologies function.

Trump threatens BBC with up to $5 billion lawsuit over ‘fraudulent’ editing
Politics

Trump threatens BBC with up to $5 billion lawsuit over ‘fraudulent’ editing

United States President Donald Trump declared on Friday, November 14, that he plans to take legal action against the BBC within the next week, seeking damages that he claimed could reach $5 billion. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he stated the BBC “has admitted it committed fraud” and that it “changed the words that came out of my mouth.” Trump also launched criticism against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, although he provided no further details on the content of his remarks. Trump argued that the case has outraged the British people, as—he said—it portrays the BBC as a news outlet that transmits false news. He added that he intends to raise the issue with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who has supported the organisation’s independence without taking a stance against Trump. «I’m calling him this weekend. He called me himself. He’s very embarrassed,» he said. GB News Interview: ‘Impossible to Believe the Editing’ In an interview with the television channel GB News, the American President described the BBC’s editing as “incredible” and compared it to election interference. «I made a beautiful statement and they turned it into a not beautiful one,» he said, adding that the term “fake news” is insufficient to describe the situation, which he termed “corruption.” ‘Apology is Not Enough’ – BBC Responds Trump stated that the BBC’s apology is not adequate, claiming that they “cut two parts of the speech almost an hour apart,” giving the false impression that he had delivered an aggressive speech that led to riots. He said one statement portrayed him as provocative, while the second was reassuring. The BBC, in a letter to the White House, expressed regret for the way it edited an excerpt of Trump’s speech in the documentary Trump: A Second Chance?, but stressed that there is no legal basis for a defamation lawsuit. Its chairman, Samir Shah, acknowledged the editing was wrong, though he did not accept the accusations of defamation. Focus on 2024 Election Documentary The documentary, broadcast before the 2024 US elections, included a compilation of three segments from Trump’s speeches dating back to January 6, 2021, creating—as reported—the impression that he was inciting his supporters to attack the Capitol. His lawyers had threatened the BBC with a lawsuit of up to $1 billion unless the contested elements were withdrawn and an apology was issued. British Government’s ReactionBritish Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated that the BBC was right to apologise for the impression created regarding Trump’s statements. BBC Issues Second Apology The BBC apologised again on Monday, stating that the documentary, aired in 2023, incorrectly created the impression that Trump had incited «violent actions» before the Capitol attack. (information from protothema.gr)

Taylor Swift shows never-before-seen side of Travis Kelce love story
Sports

Taylor Swift shows never-before-seen side of Travis Kelce love story

Taylor Swift gave her fans a glimpse into her romantic life with fiancé Travis Kelce in the latest trailer for The End of an Era docuseries. Following the couple's engagement on August 26, the trailer featured plenty of intimate moments with the NFL star alongside behind-the-scenes form the Eras Tour. One moment that captured the docuseries' rawness, was when the Shake It Off popstar went makeup-free, letting her natural beauty shine. The singer was also seen wearing a Kansas City Chiefs merchandise during the tour in support of her fiancé while watching a Chiefs game. 'The End of an Era' The End of an Era follows "the development, impact, and inner-workings that created the phenomenon that was The Eras Tour" and will give "an intimate look at Taylor’s life as her tour made headlines and thrilled fans around the world." "This show created a bonding experience for, like, 70,000 people all at once," Swift said in the trailer. "There’s something very special about that." "I wanted to overserve the fans in terms of the amount of songs they were going to hear and how far I was going to push myself," she added. "My main goal is to give something to the fans that they didn’t expect." In addition to Kelce, Sabrina Carpenter, Ed Sheeran, and Swift’s mom Andrea were also featured in the trailer. The End of an Era is slated for release on December 12. The record breaking tour spanned over 149 shows in 51 cities, following the release of The Life of a Showgirl, on October 3, she admitted to BBC Radio 1 that tour won’t be happening soon. She said, "I’m gonna be really honest with you. I am so tired when I think about doing it again. Because I would want to do it really, really well again."

Storm Claudia chaos: Major incident declared after Monmouth floods overnight
Technology

Storm Claudia chaos: Major incident declared after Monmouth floods overnight

Flooding in Monmouth has been declared a major incident by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service after severe and widespread flooding. Storm Claudia has brought a wave of cold weather and torrential rain to the United Kingdom as more warnings are in place for major parts of England. Four severe flood warnings were issued at 6 a.m. by Natural Resources Wales. The emergency services have been working tirelessly throughout the night, conducting rescues, evacuations and welfare checks to help those affected by the natural calamity. Authorities have urged the public to avoid travelling to Monmouth, stating they need the routes to remain clear for emergency services to reach the affected. The fire service area manager Matt Jones thanked the emergency personnel involved in rescue missions, adding, “The professionalism and care our personnel continue to show in these difficult times is commendable.” Severe flooding has been recorded in Monmouth and the city council has urged residents to avoid travelling unless “absolutely necessary”. A total of 194 flood alerts and 92 flood warnings have been issued across England. For context, If a flood alert is issued, it means to remain alert and make early preparations for potential flooding. Flood warnings mean that flooding is imminent. Immediate action is required – take measures to protect yourself and your property. According to the Met Office, Storm Claudia is not expected to move across UK directly as it will maintain its position in the west.

Japan to launch world’s first Pokémon theme park next year: Check details
Technology

Japan to launch world’s first Pokémon theme park next year: Check details

The world’s first permanent outdoor theme park named PokePark Kanto is all set to open in Japan next year. The new development will offer fans and families an intriguing experience to step directly into the fictional world of the pocket monsters. However, the exciting news has been confirmed that PokePark Kanto, which spans approximately 26,000sqm of woodland and solid grounds, will operate within Yomiuriland, an amusement park in the Tama hills west of central Tokyo. The company has started releasing promotional content earlier this month, including a freehand map and a short trailer showing intriguing glimpses of the themed landscape. Visitors will get a chance to enter through a “Pokémon Research Lab” which serves as a doorway to the park’s two sections: Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town. The park will be sectioned into two main zones: The Pokémon Forest- a woodland trail with more than 600 Pokémon placed in the landscape and Sedge Town which will feature live performances and intriguing themed attractions. It also features Pokémon Centre, a series of vitality forums, and character appearances to captivate the attention of the audience. Pokepark kanto demonstrated a successful fusion of the digital Pokémon world with the real-world Japanese landscape, creating an iconic landmark destination for trainers globally. Additionally, this is not the first attempt but marks the permanent one, as temporary PokeParks were previously installed for a shorter time in Nagoya and Taiwan in 2005 and 2006 respectively. In essence, it presents a successful fusion of the digital and real world, creating an essential stop for visitors worldwide.

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