BSF recovers two China-made Pak drones in Punjab

Chandigarh, June 20, 2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) said on Thursday that in extensive search operations based on specific inputs, two China-made Pakistani drones were recovered in Punjab.

In the first incident, BSF troops recovered a drone from Rattankhurd village in Amritsar district. In the second incident, troops and Punjab Police recovered a drone from Dal village in Taran Taran district.

Both drones are Chinese-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic models.

The reliable information and swift action of BSF troops thwarted yet another attempt at drone intrusion in Punjab from across the border, said the BSF.

The BSF, responsible for safeguarding the 553-km long varied, tough and challenging India-Pakistan border in Punjab, said that in 2023 it detected and shot down 107 drones and seized 442.395 kg of heroin.

Last year, the BSF troopers of the Punjab Frontier handed over 12 Pakistani nationals, who had inadvertently crossed the International Border, to Pakistan Rangers.

Braving innumerable challenges, including inclement weather conditions and the spate of smuggling, BSF men are guarding borders around the clock with unflinching dedication.(Agency)

10 Palestinian security personnel of merchant trucks killed by Israeli army in Rafah: Sources

Gaza, June 20 2024-

At least 10 Palestinian security personnel of merchant trucks were killed by the Israeli army in Rafah City in the south of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian security and medical sources said.

Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua on Wednesday that Israeli aircraft targeted a group of security personnel securing commercial goods in the east of Rafah.

Meanwhile, medical sources said that the bodies of the dead, as well as several others injured, were all transported to European Gaza Hospital, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Israeli army has not yet commented on the incident.

Recently, Israeli authorities have allowed commercial goods from the West Bank to enter the southern war-torn besieged enclave, following prior coordination, according to Palestinian security sources.

This incident was the second in two days, as on Monday night, at least nine people were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting security personnel for commercial goods.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Gaza-based health authorities said the death toll of Palestinians from the ongoing conflict has risen to 37,396 since last October.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 were taken hostage. (Agency)

US: Two dead in plane crash in Alaska

San Francisco, June 20, 2024
Two men were presumed dead after a small plane crashed into Crescent Lake on the Kenai Peninsula, US state of Alaska, state troopers said.

Two hikers witnessed the crash and reported it to troopers on Tuesday afternoon. The rescue team took a helicopter and a float plane to the area and located debris in the lake, with no signs of survivors in the water or on the shore, reported Xinhua news agency, citing troopers.

Efforts to recover their bodies were underway on Wednesday.

A Piper PA-18 Super Cub plane with two men aboard had been reported overdue in the area. The plane had departed from Moose Pass and was expected to return to the same area, according to troopers’ spokesman Austin McDaniel.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.(Agency)

Rajpal Yadav says responsibility of film’s interpretation lies with directors, writers

Mumbai, June 19 2024-

Actor Rajpal Yadav, who is receiving a lot of positive responses for his recently released streaming movie, ‘Luv Ki Arrange Marriage’, has said that the responsibility of the interpretation of a film lies with the writer and director and not an actor.

He said that an actor’s job is to simply portray a character which is given to them.

“The interpretation of a film lies with the writer and director; it’s not the responsibility of the actor, who simply portrays their character. The director ensures that justice is done to the writing and the characters,” he added.

He further mentioned, “When it comes to the balance of family activities, dynamics, and the message to be conveyed–these aspects are entirely within the director’s purview. I have full confidence in Raaj Shaandilyaa, whether it’s his past films or this one, he has always done justice to the story.”

Produced by Bhanushali Studios, ‘Luv Ki Arrange Marriage’ is streaming on ZEE5. (Agency)

World citizens to gather at UN to showcase yoga’s power to unite

United Nations, June 20 2024-

Citizens from around the globe will gather here on Friday to show the uniting power of yoga across boundaries and divisions as the world organisation celebrates the 10th International Day of Yoga.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Yoga for Women Empowerment’ and it will be featured on the North Lawn of the UN headquarters where diplomats, UN officials and employees, and aficionados of the ancient art will perform asanas in synchronicity.

Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed is expected to participate in the event and a video message from General Assembly President Dennis Francis is anticipated.

The global celebrations with millions participating every year were set in motion by the General Assembly in December 2014 when it declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in a resolution proposed by India, cosponsored by 175 countries and adopted unanimously.

The date was chosen because the Summer Solstice falls on that day in the northern hemisphere most years, although it is a day early this year and next.

The yoga celebration is here at 6 p.m. New York Time (3:30 a.m. IST Saturday) will be webcast by the UN (https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1b/k1bvb85iak).

With a blazing temperature of 35 degrees Centigrade, it will be held on a day that is forecast to be the hottest so far this year.

India’s UN Mission is cosponsoring it with the UN Secretariat.

Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the yoga celebration at the UN and it made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for the most nationalities — 135 — participating in yoga practice at one place.

On the day of the Solstice, Thursday, the annual ‘Mind over Madness’ event will be held at Times Square with day-long yoga sessions creating an island of calm and serenity amid the cacophony and the bustle of the place known as ‘the Crossroads of the World’.

India’s Consulate General is one of the sponsors of the event that runs from 7.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. and features seven yoga classes run by instructors of several ethnicities and national origin showing yoga’s universality.

PM Modi presented the idea of an International Day of Yoga in September 2014 at his first address to the General Assembly, declaring, “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition”.

Asoke Kumar Mukerji, who was then the permanent representative, rounded up the 175 cosponsors cutting across international divisions and had it adopted within three months — likely a record for the quickest passage of a resolution at the General Assembly. (Agency)

Former OpenAI Co-founder Ilya Sutskever launches new AI company

San Francisco, June 20 2024-

Ilya Sutskever, one of the co-founders of AI company OpenAI, has launched a new firm called Safe Superintelligence Inc (SSI), just a month after leaving the ChatGPT maker.

Sutskever, along with Jan Leike, who co-led OpenAI’s ‘Superalignment’ team, left the Sam Altman-run company in May last year after a fall-out with the leadership at OpenAI.

Leike now heads a team at rival AI company Anthropic, in which tech giants Google and Amazon have made investments.

In a post on X social media platform, Sutskever said that “SSI is our mission, our name, and our entire product roadmap, because it is our sole focus”.

“We plan to advance capabilities as fast as possible while making sure our safety always remains ahead. This way, we can scale in peace,” read the post.

“Our singular focus means no distraction by management overhead or product cycles, and our business model means safety, security, and progress are all insulated from short-term commercial pressures,” it added.

The company is hiring a lean, cracked team of the world’s best engineers and researchers dedicated to focusing on SSI and nothing else.

“If that’s you, we offer an opportunity to do your life’s work and help solve the most important technical challenge of our age,” said the company. (Agency)

CM Mann holds meeting with AAP leaders of Gurdaspur and Khadoor Sahib LS constituencies

Chandigarh, June 19, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday held a meeting with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and office bearers of Gurdaspur and Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituencies. Lok Sabha elections results and important issues of both the areas were discussed in the meeting.

Candidates of both the Lok Sabha constituencies, all the MLAs and chairmen of the party from Gurdaspur and Khadoor Sahib constituencies were present in the meeting. It is noteworthy that the performance of Aam Aadmi Party in both the Lok Sabha constituencies has been very good as compared to the last Lok Sabha elections.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed the party leaders and MLAs to pay special attention to the development works of their area,‌ to solve the problems of the people and asked them to work at the grassroots level.

The Chief Minister thanked the AAP workers for their hard work and dedication during the elections and said that the workers are the backbone of the party. He said that all the leaders and workers who work hard for the party will be taken care of and will be given responsibilities in the government and the organization according to their merit.

Samsung unveils industry’s first AI hybrid fridge using ‘Peltier’ modules

Seoul, June 20 2024-

Samsung Electronics on Thursday unveiled the industry’s first hybrid refrigerator using semiconductor elements and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve energy efficiency and performance.

The new Bespoke AI Hybrid Refrigerator adopts a hybrid cooling method that combines Peltier modules, along with a traditional compressor, reports Yonhap news agency.

Peltier modules, or thermoelectric modules, are thermal control devices that provide both heating and cooling effects, maintaining the surface temperature at a set target.

These modules are commonly used in small consumer products, such as portable coolers and minibar fridges, but are less frequently applied to larger appliances due to their traditionally lower power efficiency.

Samsung said its new Hybrid Refrigerator is the first large-sized fridge that uses Peltier modules for cooling, thanks to the company’s advancements in improving the power efficiency of these modules.

“We developed a new type of cooling for refrigerators in which the compressor and semiconductor work together like a hybrid car to achieve optimal efficiency,” said Wee Hoon, vice president at Samsung. “I think there are no similar products overseas.”

The company said the hybrid cooling system reduces power consumption of the fridge, one of the most power-hungry appliances in the home.

During normal operation, the AI inverter compressor functions alone to maintain constant energy consumption. However, when a large amount of energy is required — such as during peak ice usage in summer or when a substantial amount of new food is added — the Peltier module activates to provide rapid and efficient cooling.

Additionally, an AI algorithm built with machine learning optimises operation by distinguishing between routine door openings and situations requiring maximum cooling. (Agency)

AAP protests against NEET Scam, demands fresh examination

19 June, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

On Wednesday, the Aam Aadmi Party Punjab held a massive protest in Jalandhar and demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Union Education Minister over the rigging in the NEET exam.

AAP workers protested and demanded a fresh exam of NEET.

On this occasion, the officials of ‘AAP’ said that the rigging in the NEET exam is no less a crime than treason. The Prime Minister and the Education Minister have no moral right to remain in their posts. The Prime Minister should apologize to the country and the Union Education Minister should resign immediately.

24 lakh children have been affected by this. He said that there was rigging at two levels in this exam. First, papers were leaked in Bihar and Gujarat and sold for 50-70 lakhs. After this, NTA wrongly gave grace marks to some students.

He said that the BJP has an old connection with paper leaks. Papers have been leaked 70 times in the last 7 years in BJP ruled states. This is a very big matter. Therefore, this matter should be looked into directly by the Supreme Court.

Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that Indian doctors are known all over the world. It is said that the doctors of our country are very intelligent. Because in our country, children taking admission in medical colleges are selected on the basis of merit.

The best children from all over the country take admission in these medical colleges. For this, there is a system which is working for the good education and training of these medical doctors.

If you bring corruption in this system, then in future no good doctor will come out of this country. He said that in a country where the dreams and future of children are made a business, it can be nothing less than treason.

AAP Punjab General Secretary Harchand Singh Barsat said that if the country has to move forward, then the institutions will have to be strengthened further. The country cannot move forward by corrupting institutions like this.

Today, a middle class, farmer and children with rural background have only one way, that is to somehow study well and pass this exam, then his future will improve. But if these papers start getting sold and corruption enters into them too, then their hopes and dreams will end.

AAP Punjab general secretary and Mandi Board chairman Harchand Singh Barsat, Khanna MLA Taranpreet Singh Sondh, Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Cabinet Minister Balkar Singh, Sharanpal Singh Makkar (Chairman Planning Board),

MLA Kulwant Singh Sidhu, MLA Ashok Pappi Parashar, MLA Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Manwinder Singh Gyaspura, Aman Bagga and thousands of AAP leaders and workers from all over Punjab participated in the protest.

Punjab Health Minister inaugurates 3-days National Workshop on WHO-MPOWER

Chandigarh, June 19, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Amidst the ongoing campaign to make Punjab a tobacco free state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said that the state of Punjab has done exemplary work in tobacco control including recent ban on hookah bars in the state.

Dr Balbir Singh was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the three-day National Workshop on ‘Implementation of WHO-MPOWER and Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Article 5.3’ organised by the Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (RCTC), Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh, and supported by Vital Strategies.

At leat 35 delegates from 12 different states are here to participate in this workshop organised at Hotel Mountview here.

The Health Minister informed the gathering that Punjab was the first State in the country to constitute an Empowered Committee to implement WHO FCTC Article 5.3. Punjab was also the first state to declare E -Cigarettes as an unapproved drug under Drugs & Cosmetics Act, he added.

He said that in the state, a total of 865 villages have declared themselves tobacco free villages after passing the resolution by Panchayats.

Dr Balbir Singh congratulated the RCTC team for their leadership in tobacco control since 2018 and for organising this crucial workshop. He also released the 29th edition of the Tobacco-Free Times, a theme-based newsletter of RCTC, which has compiled best practices of digital interventions in tobacco control in the country.

Prof. Sonu Goel, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health and Director of RCTC, elaborated on the status of WHO FCTC Article 5.3, the work being done by different states to stop tobacco use, and the importance of learning from these efforts.

He emphasised strengthening tobacco control through a whole-of-government approach, enhancing networking and partnerships, and detailed the resources available through the RCTC, including online courses and publications.

He also highlighted the creation of a Tobacco Endgame Hub, aimed at developing state-specific policies on Article 5.3 and establishing state-level monitoring mechanisms.

Dr L Swasticharan, Additional Deputy Director General & Director EMR, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, discussed the critical importance of Article 5.3 and the need for such workshops to accelerate its implementation.

Dr Rana J Singh, Director of Vital Strategies, discussed the burden of tobacco in India, its economic impact, and the necessity of stopping its spread through effective policy enactment and implementation.

Various dignitaries who attended the workshop included Dr Rakesh Gupta, President of the Rajasthan Cancer Foundation, Mr Praveen Sinha, and Dr Shivam Kapoor, Technical Advisor at Vital Strategies.