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The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has approached the Supreme Court in support of freebies, opposing the petition filed by former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay against the giveaways and election promises. Seeking intervention in the issue, the DMK, in its plea, argued that the scope of freebies is “very wide”. “…the scope of a “freebie” is very wide and there are a lot of aspects which are to be considered. Only a welfare scheme introduced by a State Government cannot be judged to be classified as a freebie. The ruling government at the Union giving tax holidays to foreign companies, waiver of bad loans of influential industrialists, granting crucial contracts to favoured conglomerates etc. also have to be considered and cannot be left untouched,” the DMK said, hitting out at the Centre. It was further argued by the south India-based political party that a welfare scheme providing a free service is introduced with an intent to secure social order … [Read more...] about ‘Scope of Freebies Wide, Tax Holidays, Loan Waivers for Corporates Can’t be Left Out’: DMK Moves SC to Join Case

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor on Tuesday announced a public-private partnership to overhaul the island’s cruise ship docks as part of a $425 million project to boost the U.S. territory’s tourism sector. Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said the project aims to transform Puerto Rico into the Caribbean’s main cruise ship destination by modernizing, repairing and expanding nine docks located in the capital of San Juan to receive larger vessels and more passengers. “It’s an extremely important day for tourism in Puerto Rico,” said Carlos Mercado, executive director for the island’s Tourism Company. San Juan Cruise Port — a subsidiary of London-based Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator — will be responsible for operating and overseeing the project as part of a 30-year deal with Puerto Rico’s Ports Authority that was five years in the making. The contract states the island’s government will receive annual payments representing at least 5% of … [Read more...] about Puerto Rico cruise ship docks face $425M public-private deal

While the online video platform Rumble has long taken criticism for amplifying right-wing misinformation and conspiracy theories, the video-hosting service is preparing to head in an even darker direction, hiring one of Alex Jones’ lawyers to draft new content moderation policies that remove an existing ban on material that promotes or incites hate groups. In June, Rumble put one of Jones’ longtime defamation attorneys in charge of overhauling the site’s moderation rules. And he made some unsettling changes. The attorney, Robert Barnes, is a frequent Infowars guest and Jones’ top Sandy Hook defamation attorney for more than three years . But while Barnes wasn’t in the Texas courtroom during the explosive final days of Jones’ recent multimillion-dollar defeat, he did step up to broadcast an “opening statement” to a critical shadow jury: the Infowars audience. Rumble—which has business ties to high-profile Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, billionaire tech … [Read more...] about Alex Jones Lawyer Helps Rumble Change Policy for Hate Groups

In what seems to be a post-pandemic brain drain, Indian students are not only opting to go abroad for better academic opportunities, but also better healthcare management and living conditions. Ansh Anand, 17, took a loan to pursue a diploma in Canada as opposed to a degree in India. “The depreciating value of the rupee, major changes in the education system and widespread chaos during Covid-19 has made me look at options abroad. Even though my family could not afford to pay the fee, we thought it’s better to take a loan and study where jobs and lifestyle are better than India.” The teenager is not a standalone example. Experts believe the rise in the number of such students is not just because of the pending demand due to travel restrictions during Covid-19, but owing to the better healthcare systems abroad. In 2019, as many as 5,86,337 students flew abroad, while in 2020 due to the pandemic, only 2,59,655 Indian students could go abroad. In 2021, with relaxed travel … [Read more...] about Post-Pandemic Brain Drain: Indian Students Fly Abroad in Search of ‘Healthier’ Study Destinations

Home Depot is seeing sustained demand for goods related to home improvement projects despite soaring prices and mortgage rates for homes. Despite record profit and revenue, the Atlanta home improvement chain maintained its guidance for the year. Revenue for the three months ended July 31 rose 6.5% to $43.79 billion, which topped projections of $43.35 billion on Wall Street, according to a survey by Zacks Investment Research. Sales at stores open at least a year, a key indicator of a retailer's health, climbed 5.8%, and 5.4% in the U.S. While the number of customer transactions fell 3%, the amount shoppers spent per transaction rose 9.1%. Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, said Tuesday that there was some inflation baked into the numbers. “This is one of the reasons why Home Depot’s average ticket has risen by 9.1% over the prior year," Saunders wrote. "While inflation does not account for all the gains, it has flattered Home Depot’s numbers." Saunders … [Read more...] about Home Depot posts record profit, revenue; sticks to outlook

About 45 minutes into Chicago Bears practice Tuesday at Halas Hall, linebacker Roquan Smith walked across Field 3 wearing a navy practice jersey and a white ballcap. Smith was present for the day’s activities, standing with the defense along the sideline while the rest of his team continued the training camp grind. But for the 15th consecutive practice, Smith was a bystander, a stubborn statue unwilling to break his “hold-in” amid stalled contract negotiations. After practice, Bears coach Matt Eberflus acknowledged Smith likely will board the team flight to Seattle for Thursday night’s preseason game against the Seahawks. But as the financial joust drags into its fourth week, it’s difficult to predict how this might end. Or when. The Bears aren’t saying much. Smith remains off limits to reporters. General manager Ryan Poles offered four minutes of irritated thought on Aug. 9, the day Smith used NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport to publish his statement requesting a trade . And … [Read more...] about Column: As Roquan Smith’s contract strife with the Chicago Bears drags on, it’s difficult to see how this might end. Or when.

Millions of struggling households could save money on their internet and phone bill under new plans being launched during the cost of living crisis . The Department for Work and Pensions is introducing a new scheme to help telecoms giants check if a customer is eligible for cheaper deals. Virgin Media O2 has already signed up to the scheme and ministers are hoping other providers will follow suit. Despite over four million households being eligible for so-called “social tariffs” only around 55,000 have signed up - largely due to most people not realising they are available. Social tariffs are special discounted deals available for certain low-income customers. The new scheme should make it easier for telecoms giants to identify if you're eligible for cheaper deals ( Image: Getty Images/Westend61) This normally includes those who claim benefits, although the exact requirements do vary between broadband and mobile providers - and some are only available in … [Read more...] about Millions could see broadband and phone bills slashed under new cost of living help

BREAKING: BORDER ENCOUNTERS HIT HIGHEST MONTHLY TOTAL ‘IN RECORDED HISTORY’ … LUKE BARR, ABC : The total monthly encounters of migrants along the southern border in April, were 234,088, according to an overnight court filing, the highest total in recorded history. EARTH’S BORDER GETS A HEARING TODAY… CNN : House panel to hold highly anticipated public hearing on UFOs A House panel is set to hold a public hearing on Tuesday on “unidentified aerial phenomena,” popularly known as UFOs, a high-profile moment for a controversial topic that has long been relegated to the fringes of public policy. The hearing, which is slated to begin at 9 a.m. ET and will be livestreamed, has been convened by the House Intelligence Committee’s Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation subcommittee, a panel chaired by Democratic Rep. André Carson of Indiana. As part of the proceedings, Ronald Moultrie, under secretary of defense for intelligence and security, and Scott … [Read more...] about Editor Daily Rundown: Border Encounters Hit Highest Monthly Total ‘In Recorded History’

Kerala’s ‘Year of Enterprises’ drive that aims to start one lakh Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is well on target with tremendous achievements within the first quarter itself, State Industries Minister P. Rajeev has said. The State has announced financial year 2022-23 as the Year of Enterprises . In the first four months, work on more than 45,000 MSMEs have started, with an investment of ₹2687.91 crore. They are expected to create nearly a lakh jobs, the Minister said. In an exclusive conversation with The Hindu in the national capital, the Minister said Kerala was building on the international reputation it gained with its uniquely successful management of the Covid pandemic to turn the State into an attractive investment destination. Investors and companies conscious of ESG — Environmental, Social, and Governance — factors, a global trend now, will find Kerala extremely attractive, according to the Minister. “Environmental and social consciousness is very high … [Read more...] about Kerala is a brand, investors are coming: State Industries Minister P. Rajeev

A Chinese coronavirus vaccine is set to be rolled out in Turkey later this month, with some Latin American country also in line to receive COVID-19 shots developed in the East Asian nation over the coming months. On Wednesday, Turkish health minister Fahrettin Koca said his country had ordered 50 million doses of the CoronaVac vaccine produced by China's Sinovac Biotech pharmaceutical company, with the first shipment set to arrive on December 11, according to a statement. Turkish labs will assess the safety of the vaccine and initial results from Phase III clinical trials, with an emergency use authorization possible soon, he said. "If developments continue positively as we expect, Turkey would be among the first countries in the world to begin vaccinations in the early phase," Koca said. The vaccine is one of five COVID-19 shots being developed in China that are currently undergoing large-scale, Phase III clinical trials, which are typically required before regulatory … [Read more...] about China’s “vaccine diplomacy” begins as shots to be rolled out in Turkey, Latin America