Latest news with #NOS
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Provisional award letters given to all selected candidates under National Overseas Scholarship: govt.
Weeks after withholding provisional award letters to 66 selected candidates from marginalised caste and tribe backgrounds under the government's National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) scheme, the Social Justice Ministry informed Parliament on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) that the letters had been issued to all selected candidates. On July 1, the Ministry declared the list of candidates selected under the NOS scheme meant for students from Scheduled Castes, Denotified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes, and landless agricultural labour socio-economic backgrounds. It said that for the 2025-26 period, it had selected 106 students who will avail the scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies in top universities abroad. Rahul's objection However, the Ministry had added that it was issuing provisional award letters to 40 of them and that it would get to the rest 66 candidates 'subject to availability of funds'. Reports on this declaration of NOS results had led Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to attack the Narendra Modi-led government over its commitment to removing the barriers for Bahujan students trying to move forward. On Tuesday, responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale said, 'For Selection Year 2025-26, provisional award letters have been issued for all selected 106 students.' In the reply, the Ministry added that the Expenditure Finance Outlay Committee for the NOS scheme had initially approved an outlay of ₹175 crore to be spent over five years (₹35 crore each year). 'The expenditure, however, under the NOS Scheme for the period 2021-22 to 2024-25 has been ₹298.39 crore which is in excess of the approved budgetary outlay of ₹175 crore for five years. Further, additional funds allocated under Budget Estimate (BE) for 2025-26 is ₹l30 crore,' the reply added.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Councillor warns of laughing gas dangers after ‘toxic' den discovered in NI town
Under current legislation, the knowing or reckless supply of nitrous oxide (NOS) for inhalation is banned and dealers face up to seven years behind bars. However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has found that it can readily be bought online for around £25 a bottle. Slieve Croob representative Alan Lewis said he has personally removed 'multiple cylinders' from the Grove Road after residents complained that they 'can be regularly found at this location'. 'These gas bottles were found with pump nozzles attached and used balloons scattered alongside,' he said. 'There are dozens of these bottles being found on a weekly basis at this location. 'At the moment, we are working on how to dispose of these gas bottles safely. These gas bottles are a real and present danger for younger children who will not know what they are. 'Some of these bottles were thrown away without any thought for others' safety, some even still had balloons attached, which an innocent child could easily pick up and be exposed to the dangers. Inhaling nitrous oxide is dangerous. It's being talked about as a quick high." The potentially deadly gas is typically released into balloons from small silver canisters and then inhaled. Prolonged use can cause vitamin B12 deficiency, anaemia and nerve damage. Doctors previously warned that using the substance can lead to spinal injuries and, in some cases, even death. The DUP councillor warned that, despite the nickname, laughing gas isn't funny. 'This gas starves the brain of oxygen, leading to dizziness, unconsciousness, and in some cases, death,' Mr Lewis said. 'There is a toxic warning label on these for a reason, it's dangerous. 'Some brands are stronger than regular NOS and may contain unknown additives. You never know what you're inhaling. Life is worth more than a 60-second high. Stay smart. Stay safe. Don't be stupid.' The PSNI said nitrous oxide is a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and warned that 'making possession and sale for recreational purposes a criminal offence'. The Northern Ireland Public Health Agency website states that New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) have received a high media profile over the past few years, 'in part because of the difficulties in restricting access to these drugs using the law and also because of deaths in Northern Ireland relating to NPS.'
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
If the king of Belgium can speak the truth about Gaza, why can't Europe's cowardly politicians?
Just when it seemed that Europe's moral failure over Gaza was complete, the head of state of one EU country has stood up with a powerful message of moral clarity. King Philippe of Belgium, whose direct political statements are rare, condemned the grave humanitarian abuses in Gaza as 'a disgrace to humanity'. In a televised address to mark Belgium's national day on 21 July, Philippe said: 'I stand with all those who denounce the grave humanitarian abuses in Gaza, where innocent civilians, trapped in their enclave, are dying of hunger and being killed by bombs.' The monarch said he fully supported the calls of the UN secretary general, António Guterres, to end 'this unbearable crisis'. From the royal palace in Brussels, the king added: 'The current situation has dragged on for far too long. It is a disgrace to humanity.' After a weekend in which at least 100 people across Gaza were killed as they sought food and water – violence that elicited no formal EU response – the monarch's message stood out. He spoke of a recent meeting with Rami Elhanan and Bassam Aramin – two fathers, one Israeli and one Palestinian, who had each lost a daughter in earlier outbreaks of violence in the Middle East. 'They have put aside any desire for revenge and have chosen to transform their pain into a message of peace,' he said. 'It is always human dignity that is at stake.' The king's speech resonated beyond Belgium. The Dutch national broadcaster NOS openly questioned why King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands had not made a similar statement. As a constitutional monarch, Philippe has limited formal powers. His two annual addresses – on Belgium's national day and Christmas Eve – are reviewed by the prime minister before broadcast. But this year's remarks stood in sharp contrast to the federal government and the prime minister, Bart De Wever, a Flemish nationalist. His party, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), Belgium's largest, includes several outspoken defenders of Israel's military operations in Gaza. De Wever has resisted calls to impose sanctions on Israel. He even questioned whether Belgium would arrest Benjamin Netanyahu, as international law would require if the Israeli prime minister were to visit the country. Transcending domestic politics, Philippe issued a broader call to action: 'Europe must assert its leadership even more strongly. It must stand as a bulwark against – and a worthy alternative to – the brutal power struggles we are witnessing today.' Given the EU's intolerable silence on Israel's war crimes, human rights violations and the deepening humanitarian catastrophe, it was a relief to hear at least one head of state speak the truth out loud. EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels last week failed to take action against Israel, prompting an accusation of 'cruel and unlawful betrayal' of Palestinians from Amnesty International. Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France would recognise Palestinian statehood in September, while important, remains symbolic in the absence of any economic, financial or diplomatic sanctions. The king, who was speaking just days after an audience with humanitarian organisations working in Gaza, highlighted the failure to uphold international law. 'For decades, international law was the cornerstone upon which states could rely,' he said. 'Today, that is being openly called into question. But when international law is trampled, the whole world suffers. Unpredictability and violence are then given free rein.' While praising collective efforts to meet challenges such as the climate crisis, digital transformation and defence cooperation, Philippe urged EU leaders to 'remain true to our values: democracy, justice and the rule of law'. In a political landscape increasingly dominated by realpolitik, here was a voice insisting on the ethical foundations of the European project. The Belgian king has a consistent record of opposing discrimination and upholding human rights. After a deadly terror attack on the Jewish museum in Brussels in 2014, he made an official visit to the site. In 2015, he invited a large delegation of rabbis and Jewish community leaders to the palace after the dismantling of Islamist terrorist cells in Brussels and Verviers. His moral stance has deep roots in the Belgian monarchy. His great-grandmother Queen Elisabeth was recognised by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations. During the second world war, she used her position as queen mother to intervene on behalf of Jews facing deportation. According to Yad Vashem, 'these interventions by a member of a royal family in Europe on behalf of Jews were unparalleled'. Since its independence in 1830, Belgium has granted full civil rights to Jews – except during the years of Nazi occupation. Those rights, including freedom of religion, expression and the press, are enshrined in the Belgian constitution. More recently, in 2022, Philippe undertook his first visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the former Belgian colony that was founded and brutally exploited by his ancestor Léopold II. While visiting DRC, the king expressed his 'deepest regrets' for the suffering inflicted by Belgian colonialism. 'The colonial regime itself was based on exploitation and domination,' he said. It was 'marked by paternalism, discrimination and racism'. The fact that Philippe's defence of international law and his remarks on the suffering in Gaza felt like news shows how timid Europe's elected leaders have been. He was saying only what they should have said months ago. Of course, his remarks won't end the war. But they should remind Europe – and the world – that silence in the face of injustice amounts to complicity. And that in times of political cowardice, a constitutional monarch can still be a moral leader. David Van Reybrouck is philosopher laureate for the Netherlands and Flanders. His books include Revolusi: Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World, and Congo: The Epic History of a People
Newsweek
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Han's Mazda RX-7 Straight Out of Tokyo Drift Auctioned for $1.2 Million
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Han's popular Mazda RX-7 from The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift has been auctioned for a huge sum of $1.2 million at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, recording the highest sale price anyone has paid for an RX-7. The movie showcased intense drifting sequences, with the bright orange and black 1992 RX-7 FD Veilside Fortune Coupé stealing the spotlight as Han's car, a character played by Sung Kang. Featuring a wide body kit from Veilside, only the roof and the tailgate remained stock. This particular RX-7 was used for stunt and static scenes rather than for actual drift scenes, and is one of the two examples that survived the battering. Bonhams Cars confirmed that the car was in excellent condition at the time of sale, featuring several signs that it was used extensively for filming, such as the "Universal Studios production markings" that a car collector would covet. The listing stated: "Preserved in generally excellent condition, the car's exterior is finished in a spectacular pearlescent orange with high-gloss black accents. Numerous Universal Studios production markings are still present, including '#71 HANS' labels on the passenger door, engine bay, and scuttle, together with marks left by camera mounts used during filming." Atmosphere during "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift "Tokyo Photocall at Harumi Kyakusen Terminal in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by JIL Studio/WireImage) Atmosphere during "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift "Tokyo Photocall at Harumi Kyakusen Terminal in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by JIL Studio/WireImage) JIL Studio/WireImage/Getty Images Revealing the modification done to the car under the hood, the listing added: "The RX-7's twin-rotor turbocharged engine was rebuilt by legendary tuner RE-Amemiya and is in close-to-stock tune, producing around 280bhp. The car is said to weigh a little over 1,050kg." The RX-7 had covered 66,785 miles since the day it rolled out of the dealership, and came with documents supporting its role in the movie. In typical Fast and Furious fashion, the car also featured a well-set-up sound system. Not to forget the original NOS bottle that was still intact inside the car, though yet to be connected. The listing highlighted: "Veilside's own racing bucket seats with composite shells replace the originals, while the cabin features a combination of carbon fibre, aluminium, velour, vinyl and chrome trim. An Alpine sound system is installed, boasting twin amplifiers and multiple loudspeakers, while a polished NOS bottle (currently not connected) is mounted above the propshaft tunnel. "The car is fitted with a vehicle tracker with 24/7 live monitoring. There is also a custom-made stainless steel prop for the rear hatch to enable the sound system to be displayed." Stored carefully in dry conditions, the RX-7 is declared road legal in the United Kingdom. It is the most expensive car ever sold from the Fast and Furious series.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
National Overseas Scholarship Funds Frozen, Selected Candidates Have Offers From Global Varsities, Can't Go
Nagpur: Many bright students, including 29 girls from underprivileged communities — scheduled castes, denotified tribes, landless labourers and minorities — could lose their opportunity to study in premier foreign universities with the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment failing to issue award letters to majority selected candidates under the govt's prestigious National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) scheme for 2025–26. The ministry has cited insufficient funds. Though 106 students were officially selected after a rigorous process in the first round, only 40 received provisional award letters. The others — many of whom hold offers from top global universities — are left in the lurch. These 106 students, including 29 girls hail from Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. They gained admissions to master's and PhD programmes in universities in Singapore, Australia, USA, and the UK. The scholarship is granted for only QS-ranked institutions like Johns Hopkins, University of Cambridge, University of Leeds, University of Sydney, National University of Singapore. In its July 1 notification, the Union ministry stated that 440 online applications were received while publishing the list of selected candidates. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Uber luxury living at Hyderabad's billionaire junction Sumadhura Group Learn More Undo "Of these, provisional award letters will be issued to candidates from Serial Number 1-40. Provisional award letters to the remaining candidates (41-106) may be issued in due course, subject to availability of funds." However, the notification goes on to state the "candidature of selected candidates is provisional, subject to being found eligible and availability of funds during the 2025-26 fiscal. " Yogesh Taneja, undersecretary in the ministry, told TOI that the five-year budget allocated for NOS was exhausted in the last three years. "We require additional funds, and this will be arranged soon," he said. Taneja mentioned that total allocation of funds for each student varies, as per university's fee, course duration, and country's living expenses. The govt incurs expenses anywhere from Rs40 lakh to Rs 2.5 crore. To a query on why all 106 were not given provisional letters if funds were being arranged and a rider 'subject to availability of funds' put for even selected candidates, Taneja didn't respond. Rajiv Khobragade, president, The Platform for Justice & Human Rights, said, "This is the first time the central govt is short of funds for NOS. Generally, we have to pursue state govts to get scholarship funds released," he said. Though the scheme was allocated ₹130 crore this year — its highest ever — bureaucratic delays, pending clearances, and possible fund diversions have halted implementation, he said. Khobragade, who raised the issue with Union minister Ramdas Athawale, said, "Funds meant for marginalised communities are quietly diverted to other purposes such as tourism or schemes with far less impact, compared to education. How will this country develop if we continue to shift educational funds elsewhere?" In its letter, The Platform has put forward a five-point proposal. It said all selected candidates must be issued award letters even if fund release happens in phases. Formal confirmation will allow students to proceed with visa and admission processes. Temporarily reallocate unused welfare funds to support NOS scholars. Facilitate public sector bank loans with govt undertaking. Place a supplementary demand in the monsoon session of parliament to approve additional education-specific funds. Engage CSR support from PSUs and corporates.
