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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'After 20 years, an unknown CM…': Himanta warns of demographic change on Independence Day
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma warned on Friday that "a CM from unknown people" will hoist the national flag in Assam in 20 years if the Assamese people remain silent, PTI reported. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inspects a Guard of Honour during the 79th Independence Day celebration, in Guwahati, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.(PTI) Sarma, who was hoisting the national tri-colour in Guwahati on Independence Day, did not clarify who the 'unknown people' are. However, according to PTI, he used the expression several times in his speech in an apparent reference to Bengali-speaking Muslims. 'If we do not act now, in just a few years, Assam's demography will change in such a way that even the chief minister will be from the community of infiltrators,' he later wrote in a post on his X handle. Also Read | Assam launches scheme for indigenous people in 'vulnerable areas' to get arms licence Sarma also appealed to indigenous people to pledge to fight for survival and said that his government would clear every piece of land from unauthorised occupancy. "Like love jihad, now a section is trying to threaten Assamese identity by indulging in land jihad. Through a series of evictions, we have given the message that our government will never compromise," he added. Also Read | Assam's Muslim population may equal Hindus by 2041: Himanta Sarma Sarma added that "unknown" people's aggression changed the demography of lower and central Assam, and then they eyed upper and north Assam. "To stop them, we have declared war on their aggression. I promise that we will evict the unknown people from every piece of grazing land, tribal belt and government land," he said, according to PTI. 'These unknown people are advancing to capture political power now, after almost capturing economic power. They have captured every sphere of the construction sector. We cannot remain silent,' he added.


Time of India
04-08-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Buga Metallic sphere, claimed to be of alien origin is responding to Sanskrit chants as per viral video
As per several viral videos circulating online, a strange metallic object, which is termed the Buga sphere by the scientists, is said to respond to Sanskrit mantras and Vedic chants! While the validity of this is yet to be established, the videos online show people chanting mantras in front of the intriguing object and recording the intensity of the vibrations that it produces in return. What is the Buga Sphere The sphere was first seen in March 2025 hovering in the skies over Buga, Colombia, moving in an unusual zig-zag pattern that didn't match the behavior of any known aircraft. After it fell to the ground, it was quickly retrieved and sent for scientific analysis. Since then, there have been numerous theories about it and the sphere has been under study by researchers at Mexico's prestigious National Autonomous University (UNAM), and their findings are as strange as the object itself It is also named after the Colombian town where it was discovered. Why is the Buga Sphere such a big deal As described by Dr. Carlos Muñoz and Engineer Rodolfo Garrido during a UNAM‑hosted press conference organized by Jaime Maussan, the microscopic scans revealed complex fiber-optic-like wiring inside the object, indicating that it could transmit and receive signals. Bizarrely, it also contains a central 'nucleus,' which they call as a 'chip,' and is surrounded by 18 microspheres and three layers of a metal-like material. The object also caused strange effects on the environment. The spot where it landed experienced complete grass and soil die-off, with no signs of regrowth months later. Scientists were unable to detect any radiation, but as per Mail Online, they believe 'an invisible energy' might have extracted all moisture from the area. Rodolfo Garrido, an engineer with the research team, told Maussan Televisión that a 'strong, decaying ionised field' could be the reason. Something which is surprisingly strange about this sphere is that it has become heavier over time. 'Its weight changed to 16, 20, and then 22 pounds,' Garrido explained. One theory is that the object uses 'futuristic gravitational forces' to reduce weight during flight. As per speculations, it is believed that it's a sophisticated alien probe that manipulates gravity and generates its own electromagnetic field, some scientists do not belive it. Dr. Julia Mossbridge, a cognitive neuroscientist and UAP researcher, said to FoxNews, 'The sphere itself seems kind of like an art project,' adding that she believes only humans could have created it. What does research say According to the research, A Unified Framework for the Buga Sphere: Quantitative Validation of a Negative-Mass Model Governed by Topo-Temporal Physics by P. Morcillo, the sphere contains an internal network of advanced structures that create something called a "negative mass effect," essentially making the object behave as if it weighs less. This network operates under a concept called the Axiom of Topo-Temporal Reality, which is based on the idea that the sphere is interacting with a complex, fractal-like version of space and time. Researchers using a new model say the Buga Sphere can reduce its inertia by 81%, move without visible thrust, and emit a steady 100-watt cooling effect. They believe this energy loss comes from how it interacts with space-time—possibly making it real evidence of a new, unexplored branch of physics.


Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New RE policy to attract Rs 1.5 lakh cr investment, generate jobs: Bihar Energy Secy
Bihar's new renewable energy policy has the potential not only to attract investments worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore but also generate huge employment opportunities across the state, Bihar's Energy Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh said. Launched earlier this week, the policy for 'Promotion of Bihar New and Renewable Energy Sources 2025' aims to harness 23.96 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy and 6.1 GW of storage by FY 2029-30 through non-conventional sources and energy storage potential of the state. Other key objectives of the policy are promoting new and efficient techniques for development of RE and storage projects, increasing awareness for RE integration, and maximizing stakeholder participation for RE development among others. Sharing his views with PTI, the secretary said, "This is one of the most progressive policies in the country. Bihar will not only lead in the clean energy sphere but also make significant contributions to India's commitment towards Net Zero. Besides becoming one of the most attractive investment destinations, it will generate huge employment opportunities as the next renewable hub of the country." Singh said Bihar is offering one of the most attractive policy regimes in the country and assures investors of policy support which will help them with good returns for their investments in the state. Live Events When asked about the expected investments and job opportunities, the official said the policy has potential to attract investments of "Rs 1,50,000 crore and generate 1,25,000 jobs." Replying to another question on the benefits for investors, the secretary said the policy introduces a highly competitive suite of incentives designed to attract investors and developers from across the country. These include a streamlined single-window clearance system to fast-track project approvals and comprehensive financial benefits such as 100 per cent reimbursement of SGST, land conversion fees, and stamp duty on lease or transfer of land. The policy also grants a 100 per cent waiver on electricity duty for 15 years and provides long-term open access for 25 years along with full exemption from transmission and wheeling charges. State utilities will bear the cost of transmission and distribution infrastructure up to 10 kilometers, with shared responsibility beyond that point. "I urge national and international investors to invest in the state and avail the benefits of the policy. The entire policy is in the public domain. The government will fully support the investors to address their concerns," he added. PTI Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘We are not at war, but neither are we at peace': Chan Chun Sing
SINGAPORE – Singapore has to raise its vigilance in various places given the conflicts around the world, as it is unclear if it could become 'collateral in other people's fight', said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing. He noted that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is dealing with a range of threats and challenges daily across all four of its services. 'Today, we are not at war in the conventional sense, neither are we at peace in the conventional sense,' he told reporters in an interview on June 25. 'We are always operating somewhere in between, with different gradations. And that's what keeps us on our toes.' Mr Chan cited how the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) and other government agencies deal with thousands of attempts to penetrate Singapore's cyber systems every day, without naming those behind these attacks. 'Sometimes it could be just people fooling around, but often, I think people are doing this very intentionally and probably with malicious intent,' he said. It is a round-the-clock operation to protect Singapore's cyber domain, he added, noting that a breach could mean not just a hit to the country's reputation or the loss of some classified information, but real consequences for its power grid and financial and water systems. There are also constant efforts to secure Singapore's airspace and territorial waters. Mr Chan said the air force responds to hundreds of cases every year, some requiring air defence assets to be scrambled to verify unknown threats. 'For the navy, it is the same thing,' said Mr Chan, who was chief of army before entering politics. 'The number of ships that sail through the narrow Singapore Strait, the number of boardings that we have to (do to) check and verify to make sure that the strait remains safe from threat actors, that goes into the hundreds as well and, in fact, sometimes the thousands.' In the information sphere, people are constantly trying to shape how Singaporeans think – another threat the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) counters daily, he said. 'The type of information operations that people conduct, perhaps directly on us and sometimes indirectly on us, where we are the collateral, is also not something that we will take lightly.' Mr Chan spoke to the media at Mindef's headquarters in Bukit Gombak ahead of SAF Day on July 1, amid rising global tensions fuelled by escalating conflict in the Middle East. Addressing the conflict between Iran and Israel, which also involved the US bombing Iran's nuclear facilities, he said retaliation from Iran may not be limited to targets in America or Israel. 'It could be anywhere else,' Mr Chan said, adding: 'It could also stoke up emotions in the region, and we must be careful that these do not spill into terrorist activities.' There are greater security concerns because of these conflicts, he said, noting that the threats now go beyond conventional terrorism and extend into new areas such as cyberspace. Similarly, the nature of threats that Singapore faces has changed, Mr Chan said. While some technologies, such as computer viruses and drones, are not new, the way and intensity in which they are applied have evolved, he said. The lines between military and civilian use of these technologies have also blurred, he added. Moving forward, security operations will be more decentralised, with troops operating in smaller units, he noted. This plays into the SAF's strengths, Mr Chan said. The SAF has never relied on the size of its troops since 1965, but on technology as a force multiplier, he noted. 'If anything, going forward, the new generations of technology that is coming in across the world will allow the SAF to multiply its manpower capabilities even more.' Another strength is the quality of manpower and leadership it has, he said. Mr Chan said some believe that having full-time national servicemen (NSFs) or national servicemen (NSmen) is a disadvantage for the SAF. 'We never think so, because by having NSF and NSmen, we are able to have the best across society operating our systems, participating in the design of our systems.' This is why the SAF can operate with more decentralisation, he added. There will be more leadership opportunities for these groups going forward, he said, noting that this does not just refer to an increase in the number of soldiers attending SAF leadership schools, he said. It also means more leadership at different levels and more of such opportunities for many NSFs, he said. Mr Chan gave an example from the DIS, the SAF's newest service, where soldiers operate in groups as small as three or five, compared with traditional army companies that can have around 100 men. 'Each and every one of them must be able to take (on) leadership because of the technology that they are using and applying.' Going forward, the SAF will continue to spend prudently and in areas that will 'give us bang for (our) buck', Mr Chan said. It will not simply target a certain amount of expenditure but ensure that spending is sustainable because building new capacities takes many years, he said. 'What we don't want is what we call the 'feast and famine' kind of spending, where you buy a lot of things when you have money, and then you find that you can't maintain it,' he added. 'That's not how we stretch the defence dollar.' Over the last few years, defence spending has hovered around 3 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP), Mr Chan noted. This does not include security spending outside Mindef, such as on the Home Team and cyber security. The minister was answering a question on whether Singapore's current spending is sufficient given the global security situation. There have been calls in the region for an increase in defence spending. At the Shangri-La Dialogue in May, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth asked American allies in the Indo-Pacific to raise their defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP. Mr Chan said the SAF has been fortunate to have the public and political support to spend up to 6 per cent of GDP. There will be areas that will require more spending because of the new nature of warfare, he added. 'Today there are also new opportunities for us to look at other low-cost options to complement what we have and what we need,' he said. 'We will continue on that trajectory.' On adopting new technology, Mr Chan said the SAF is constantly looking at emerging tech such as artificial intelligence, but does not want to be caught up in fads. 'We've been looking at many of these technologies for many years. We want to be able to apply them to what we call 'tangible use cases',' he said. 'So, it's not applying things in general, but very specifically how it helps us.' While the SAF constantly tracks changes to warfare, such as the increased use of drones and cyber attacks, its challenge is to predict what new threats will emerge in the future, Mr Chan said. This is so that the SAF can put in place programmes to develop capabilities to counter these threats even before they emerge and be able to deal with them by the time they do. He made the point that the SAF does not build new capabilities just because there is a new defence minister. After a recent Cabinet reshuffle, Mr Chan took over the portfolio from Dr Ng Eng Hen, who was defence minister from 2011 to 2025 and retired ahead of the 2025 General Election. 'Many of the capabilities that the SAF has today are built up through the generations,' he said, including those that were mooted during or before his stint as chief of army from 2010 to 2011. That is why many SAF projects are classified, so the force remains ahead of the curve, he said. 'We don't always publicise all that we do, but at the appropriate time, we will reveal those capabilities to let Singaporeans have the confidence that we are ready,' he said. 'And there'll be many capabilities in the SAF which we will never reveal. The fact that we don't have to reveal them, we don't have to use them by the time they get retired – to us, that is success.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here

Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
‘We are not at war, but neither are we at peace': Chan Chun Sing
Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said the SAF is dealing with a range of threats and challenges daily across all four of its services. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY 'We are not at war, but neither are we at peace': Chan Chun Sing SINGAPORE – Singapore has to raise its vigilance in various places given the conflicts around the world, as it is unclear if it could become 'collateral in other people's fight', said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing. He noted that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is dealing with a range of threats and challenges daily across all four of its services. 'Today, we are not at war in the conventional sense, neither are we at peace in the conventional sense,' he told reporters in an interview on June 25. 'We are always operating somewhere in between, with different gradations. And that's what keeps us on our toes.' Mr Chan cited how the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) and other government agencies deal with thousands of attempts to penetrate Singapore's cyber systems every day, without naming those behind these attacks. 'Sometimes it could be just people fooling around, but often, I think people are doing this very intentionally and probably with malicious intent,' he said. It is a round-the-clock operation to protect Singapore's cyber domain, he added, noting that a breach could mean not just a hit to the country's reputation or the loss of some classified information, but real consequences for its power grid and financial and water systems. There are also constant efforts to secure Singapore's airspace and territorial waters. Mr Chan said the air force responds to hundreds of cases every year, some requiring air defence assets to be scrambled to verify unknown threats. 'For the navy, it is the same thing,' said Mr Chan, who was chief of army before entering politics. 'The number of ships that sail through the narrow Singapore Strait, the number of boardings that we have to (do to) check and verify to make sure that the strait remains safe from threat actors, that goes into the hundreds as well and, in fact, sometimes the thousands.' In the information sphere, people are constantly trying to shape how Singaporeans think – another threat the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) counters daily, he said. 'The type of information operations that people conduct, perhaps directly on us and sometimes indirectly on us, where we are the collateral, is also not something that we will take lightly.' Mr Chan spoke to the media at Mindef's headquarters in Bukit Gombak ahead of SAF Day on July 1, amid rising global tensions fuelled by escalating conflict in the Middle East. Addressing the conflict between Iran and Israel, which also involved the US bombing Iran's nuclear facilities, he said retaliation from Iran may not be limited to targets in America or Israel. 'It could be anywhere else,' Mr Chan said, adding: 'It could also stoke up emotions in the region, and we must be careful that these do not spill into terrorist activities.' There are greater security concerns because of these conflicts, he said, noting that the threats now go beyond conventional terrorism and extend into new areas such as cyberspace. Changing threats, more leadership for NSFs and NSmen Similarly, the nature of threats that Singapore faces has changed, Mr Chan said. While some technologies, such as computer viruses and drones, are not new, the way and intensity in which they are applied have evolved, he said. The lines between military and civilian use of these technologies have also blurred, he added. Moving forward, security operations will be more decentralised, with troops operating in smaller units, he noted. This plays into the SAF's strengths, Mr Chan said. The SAF has never relied on the size of its troops since 1965, but on technology as a force multiplier, he noted. 'If anything, going forward, the new generations of technology that is coming in across the world will allow the SAF to multiply its manpower capabilities even more.' Another strength is the quality of manpower and leadership it has, he said. Mr Chan said some believe that having full-time national servicemen (NSFs) or national servicemen (NSmen) is a disadvantage for the SAF. 'We never think so, because by having NSF and NSmen, we are able to have the best across society operating our systems, participating in the design of our systems.' This is why the SAF can operate with more decentralisation, he added. There will be more leadership opportunities for these groups going forward, he said, noting that this does not just refer to an increase in the number of soldiers attending SAF leadership schools, he said. It also means more leadership at different levels and more of such opportunities for many NSFs, he said. Mr Chan gave an example from the DIS, the SAF's newest service, where soldiers operate in groups as small as three or five, compared with traditional army companies that can have around 100 men. 'Each and every one of them must be able to take (on) leadership because of the technology that they are using and applying.' Prudent spending Going forward, the SAF will continue to spend prudently and in areas that will 'give us bang for (our) buck', Mr Chan said. It will not simply target a certain amount of expenditure but ensure that spending is sustainable because building new capacities takes many years, he said. 'What we don't want is what we call the 'feast and famine' kind of spending, where you buy a lot of things when you have money, and then you find that you can't maintain it,' he added. 'That's not how we stretch the defence dollar.' Over the last few years, defence spending has hovered around 3 per cent of Singapore's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Mr Chan noted. This does not include security spending outside Mindef, such as on the Home Team and cyber security. The minister was answering a question on whether Singapore's current spending is sufficient given the global security situation. There have been calls in the region for an increase in defence spending. At the Shangri-La Dialogue in May, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth asked American allies in the Indo-Pacific to raise their defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP. Mr Chan said the SAF has been fortunate to have the public and political support to spend up to 6 per cent of GDP. There will be areas that will require more spending because of the new nature of warfare, he added. 'Today there are also new opportunities for us to look at other low-cost options to complement what we have and what we need,' he said. 'We will continue on that trajectory.' On adopting new technology, Mr Chan said the SAF is constantly looking at emerging tech such as artificial intelligence, but does not want to be caught up in fads. 'We've been looking at many of these technologies for many years. We want to be able to apply them to what we call 'tangible use cases',' he said. 'So, it's not applying things in general, but very specifically how it helps us.' While the SAF constantly tracks changes to warfare, such as the increased use of drones and cyber attacks, its challenge is to predict what new threats will emerge in the future, Mr Chan said. This is so that the SAF can put in place programmes to develop capabilities to counter these threats even before they emerge and be able to deal with them by the time they do. He made the point that the SAF does not build new capabilities just because there is a new defence minister. After a Cabinet reshuffle, Mr Chan recently took over the portfolio from Dr Ng Eng Hen, who was defence minister from 2011 to 2025 and retired ahead of the 2025 General Election. 'Many of the capabilities that the SAF has today are built up through the generations,' he said, including those that were mooted during or before his stint as chief of army from 2010 to 2011. That is why many SAF projects are classified, so the force remains ahead of the curve, he said. 'We don't always publicise all that we do, but at the appropriate time, we will reveal those capabilities to let Singaporeans have the confidence that we are ready,' he said. 'And there'll be many capabilities in the SAF which we will never reveal. The fact that we don't have to reveal them, we don't have to use them by the time they get retired – to us, that is success.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.