Latest news with #2009
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Delhi HC seeks response on challenge to Delhi Police's online content takedown powers
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has issued a notice in response to a plea challenging a notification by Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena that grants the Delhi Police authority to issue takedown orders for online content on social media platforms. A division bench, comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, on Wednesday acknowledged the submission made by the Software Freedom Law Centre ( and sought responses from the LG Office and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), directing that they be submitted within six weeks. SFLC has contested the constitutional validity of the notification, which designates the Delhi Police as the Nodal Agency under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021), enabling it to issue takedown orders for online content. The petition argues that allowing police officers to independently direct content removal, without judicial or external oversight, risks enabling unchecked censorship and arbitrary limitations on constitutionally protected free speech. It was argued that neither the IT Rules, 2021, nor Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act confer any authority for the establishment of a Nodal Agency, Nodal Officer, or any other positions specified in the contested Notification. Section 79 solely provides conditional immunity to intermediaries and delineates their due diligence responsibilities; it does not grant executive power to the State or Union to institute a mechanism for speech regulation or restriction. It was also contended that the authority to restrict access to online content falls exclusively within the purview of Section 69A, alongside the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009 (referred to as the 'Blocking Rules, 2009'). The Central Government has already exercised its authority to appoint a designated officer for issuing blocking orders through the formal implementation of these rules. The statutory framework does not envisage the establishment of any parallel or supplementary authority, particularly at the direction of a state-level executive. The plea stated that the IT Act does not provide for the creation or operation of a Nodal Agency in the manner proposed by the contested Notification. (ANI)
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Ballad of Wallis Island review – funny, melancholy yarn of a folk duo reunited by oddball superfan
Fictional folk duo McGwyer Mortimer (played by Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan) were big, back in the day – the day in question being circa 2009. But they weren't that big: not Dylan-big, not even Cat Stevens-big. They graced some NME covers, they played Glastonbury, but even at the height of their success they could definitely pop to the shops without getting mobbed. Still, you're always Dylan-big to your biggest fans, and Charles (Tim Key) is exactly that. He's also a reclusive lottery winner, giving him the motive and the means to stage a private reunion gig for an audience of one on a remote island. Basden and Key starring in a film about a folk band reunion might have you expecting something a little bit sketch comedy, but this turns out to be a different beast: a funny but also melancholy piece of work. It's more interested in maintaining a consistent and sincere emotional connection than in wild virtuoso showboating. As superfan Charles, Key blends a bit of the pleasant oddness he always brings to his acting roles with the verbal playfulness familiar to admirers of his poetry. Charles has a galloping case of verbal diarrhoea; like a perpetual talk radio DJ, he overflows with continual jokey non-jokes – 'Houston, we have chutney, and it's not a problem' – and is seemingly petrified of the possibility of leaving dead air. Basden does excellent work as a character, in contrast, whose face does the talking: a spiky presence, all low cut T-shirts, wounded ego and rounded shoulders. It's a perfect performance both as an actor and, when the songs come along, as a musician. Basden wrote the music here and it is played and sung completely straight; it's all rather beautiful. And while she might be a bigger name, Mulligan has a lot less to do than either of them: she is entirely plausible as a woman who was once part of the duo and now makes jam in Portland with her geek-chic birdwatching husband. You'll leave wanting your own island, your own gig and your own lock of Carey Mulligan's hair. The Ballad of Wallis Island is in UK cinemas from 30 May
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh rationalises 10,463 schools, outperforms national average in PTR across all school levels
RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government has completed the rationalisation of 10,463 government schools across the state with the objective of reducing school dropouts and ensuring quality education. Amidst the proposed Mantralaya gherao by the Shaley Shikshak Sangh Chhattisgarh and its affiliated organisations in protest against certain aspects of the school rationalisation process on Wednesday, Education Department Secretary Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi told reporters that rationalisation is a continuous process and should be carried out at regular intervals, as mandated by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. 'Chhattisgarh last undertook a rationalisation exercise about ten years ago, which is a considerable gap, while most states in India have been doing this regularly,' he said, asserting that the policy focuses solely on improving the quality of education, ensuring equitable distribution of teachers, and reducing dropout rates. He also stated that there is some misinformation among certain groups regarding the policy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo 'We have completed the first phase of rationalisation, covering 10,463 schools, including 10,297 located on the same campuses — accounting for 98% of the total. Swami Atmanand Schools have not been included in this phase, and no decision has yet been taken regarding PMSHRI schools,' Pardeshi said. Of the rationalised schools, 5,849 are from the E-cadre and 4,614 from the T-cadre. The move aligns with the objectives of NEP 2020 and the RTE Act 2009 and is aimed at ensuring optimal utilisation of academic resources. Key statistics from the rationalisation reveal that it includes 212 primary schools without any teachers, 6,872 primary schools with only one teacher, 48 upper primary schools without teachers, 255 upper primary schools with only one teacher each, and 211 schools without students. Conversely, eight primary schools with 15 or more teachers have been rationalised. There are 61 primary schools with 10–15 teachers each, 749 with 6–9 teachers each, nine upper primary schools with 15 or more teachers, 90 with 10–14 teachers, and 1,641 with 6–9 teachers. Across the state, 17,000 middle schools have a pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) below 1:20. In urban areas, 527 schools have a PTR below 1:10, 1,106 have a PTR between 11–20, and 837 fall between 21–30. Pardeshi added, 'Of the rationalised schools, 10,297 operate on the same premises. Additionally, 133 rural schools within a one-kilometre radius and 33 urban schools within a 500-metre radius have also been rationalised.' He explained that the initiative will help redeploy surplus teachers to schools with none or only one teacher, thereby improving education quality. It will also help balance staffing needs across schools and reduce administrative costs, allowing for more investment in infrastructure. He further stated that consolidating schools within the same premises will reduce dropout rates and improve student retention. Rationalisation will eliminate the need for repeated admissions, making the educational journey smoother. It will also enable the development and sharing of improved infrastructure, including libraries, computer labs, science labs, and sports facilities. This initiative supports the "cluster school" model outlined in the NEP, which envisions integrated campuses providing education from primary to higher secondary levels. Pardeshi clarified that the exercise involved only administrative coordination — no posts have been abolished. The initiative ensures fair distribution of teachers and improved access to quality education while adhering to the student-teacher ratio norms prescribed under the RTE Act. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has lauded the rationalisation initiative, stating that it marks a significant step forward for the state's education system. He noted that it will facilitate better use of teaching resources and provide students with consistent access to quality education. He further said that integrating various school levels within the same campus would be administratively efficient, enhance continuity in education, and address dropout concerns. This would contribute to a more effective learning environment and boost student confidence. The Chief Minister added that this step, in line with the NEP 2020, will be a milestone in Chhattisgarh's journey towards becoming a leading state in education. Chhattisgarh Shaley Shikshak Sangh spokesperson Dharmesh Sharma told TOI that they will go ahead with their planned Mantralaya gherao on Wednesday. \PTR in Chhattisgarh Schools School levelChhattisgarh 2023-24National 2023-24 (Approx) Primary schools2029 Upper primary schools 1838 High schools1638 Higher secondary schools2442
Entrepreneur
4 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
This is a BIGGER DEAL Than Tariffs
This could be a bigger deal than tariffs … And here are two stocks benefiting from this under-the-radar trend. This story originally appeared on WallStreetZen In recent weeks, a major topic of discussion among traders and investors is about trade deals and the state of the market. It's fair to say that these issues have dwarfed the other opportunities and risks that were on the minds of investors, prior to "Liberation Day'. Smartphone Analogue It reminds me of the 2007-2009 period, and what happened with smartphones. The iPhone was first introduced in June 2007. As expected, Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) stock enjoyed a spectacular rally as investors became excited about its prospects. The stock had rallied by 45% in the weeks leading up to the announcement and then tacked on another 50% in the ensuing months. Yet, the exuberance and Apple's stock came to a crashing halt as the financial crisis began to spread throughout the economy. And, it eventually infected Apple as its stock declined by more than 60% from its high in 2007 to its low in 2009. In hindsight, it's clear that not even a once-in-a-century financial crisis could affect the inevitability of smartphones becoming ubiquitous. And, the financial crisis provided a rare opportunity to acquire Apple with lower risk and at lower prices. Apple went on to be a major market leader, and the stock is up by more than 6,800% since its 2009 low. Electricity is the New Oil I believe that investors may be missing out on another major, secular opportunity due to current tariff uncertainty and headline risk. Electricity demand is rapidly increasing due to AI, electric vehicles, newer heating and cooling systems, reshoring of critical industries, and data centers. By 2030, electricity demand in the US is projected to increase by 25% which would require an additional 38 gigawatts to meet peak demand needs. This is equivalent to California's current capacity for producing electricity. Meanwhile, the utility sector is completely unprepared to meet this moment. Over the last two decades, growth in electricity demand has been flat. This has led to significant consolidation in the sector and underinvestment in capital expenditures. Thus, trillions will have to be spent on these efforts in the coming years in order to upgrade infrastructure and generate increased levels of electricity. In fact, increasing electricity production may be one of the few areas of agreement for conservatives and liberals. For Democrats, more electricity is integral to the battle against climate change and reducing emissions. For Republicans, the project is essential to re-shoring critical industries and boosting manufacturing. 2 Stocks to Consider A major factor in this electrification trend is the boom in AI and data centers. Emcor (NYSE: EME) manufactures advanced fiber-optic and photonic products that are essential for efficient data transmission. The data center boom is in its infancy, yet, EME's EPS has climbed from $7 to $26 over the last 5 years. The stock is also quite cheap with a forward P/E of 18, and earnings expectations that have been hiked for the last 11 quarters. EME is also part of the Zen Investor portfolio. Each stock in the Zen Investor portfolio is hand-picked by 40+ year market veteran Steve Reitmeister, who uses a rigorous 4-step screening process to locate the highest-potential stocks. Click here to check out other stocks in the Zen Investor portfolio. KBR (NYSE: KBR) is a global leader in engineering and construction consulting services. Engineering companies will also benefit from this secular trend, yet KBR stands out due to its expertise in these types of large-scale projects. KBR is a leader in designing and building data centers, grid resilience initiatives, power-generation projects, and working with the government on major industrial projects. KBR is also highly rated by the Zen Ratings with a Strong Buy (A) rating. A-rated stocks have produced an average annual return of 32.5% which outpaces the S&P 500's average annual gain of 10.8%. Conclusion The best investments are riding unstoppable trends. Yes, market tantrums and uncertainty can affect them in the short-term but won't derail their destiny. Increasing electricity needs are one such trend. Investors should seize this opportunity and consider high-quality stocks like EME and KBR that are well-positioned to reap the rewards. What to Do Next?
Washington Post
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
As the Senior PGA begins at Congressional, it feels a little like Scotland
When Stewart Cink began his opening round at the Senior PGA Championship, the accommodations Mother Nature presented at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda were far from welcoming. Cloud cover, precipitation and the occasional stiff breeze recalled British Open elements rather than spring on this side of the pond. No wonder Cink managed just fine over his front side during Thursday's morning wave, drawing from his memorable week in 2009 at Turnberry in Scotland, where the American defeated Tom Watson in a playoff to capture his first and only major championship.
