Quick Reads
News Dabba for 22 February 2023: Five stories for a balanced news diet
Here are the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites.
Indie Journal brings you the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites. Here's a glance through some of the National and International news updates, from the Biden administration proposing strict asylum restrictions at border, AAP's Shelly Oberoi elected Delhi mayor, to Russians taking refuge in Thailand.
Biden administration proposes strict asylum restrictions at border, BBC reports
US President Joe Biden's administration has unveiled a plan that would make it harder for migrants to claim asylum once Covid border controls lift in May. BBC reports that it would require adult asylum seekers to use an app to book a meeting with US officials or first claim asylum in another country before reaching the US. Failure to comply, it adds, would make migrants ineligible if they subsequently reach the border. Pro-migrant groups likened the plan to Trump-era policies. Tuesday's proposed measure is the toughest to curtail immigration yet introduced by Biden. Read the full report here.
Hindustan Times on AAP's Shelly Oberoi elected new Delhi mayor
Hindustan Times reports that Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Shelly Oberoi on Wednesday won the mayoral election. The polls took place days after the Supreme Court ordered that nominated members will play no role in the voting process. Oberoi received 150 votes as against BJP candidate Rekha Gupta's 116. Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia congratulated Shelly Oberoi for winning the mayoral election, saying the "goons lost, the public won." Oberoi will now preside over the rest of the polls, including that of the deputy mayor and six members of the powerful standing committee. Read the full report here.
Al Jazeera report: Russians make Thailand a refuge from Ukraine war
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, a growing number of Russians have looked to Thailand as their ticket to a new life, Al Jazeera reports. Tens of thousands of Russians hoping to avoid the threat of conscription and the economic ravages of the war have travelled to Thailand in the year since the invasion. The report says that in Phuket, Russians are buying off-plan condos with half a million dollars or more. Between November 1, 2022, and January 21, 2023, more than 233,000 Russians arrived in Phuket, according to data from Phuket International Airport, as per the report. Read the full report here.
Indian Express: Supreme Court begins live transcription of its hearings using AI
For the first time in its history, the Supreme Court on Tuesday started a system for testing live transcription of oral arguments using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology. Indian Express reported that Chief Justice (CJI) D Y Chandrachud, while heading a Constitution Bench, pointed to a screen placed facing lawyers in his courtroom and said, “We are just trying to explore the possibility of live transcription of arguments in court.” The report adds CJI saying that the record would be a “huge resource” for both lawyers and law students. He said there may be a problem when two or more lawyers argue at the same time but sought to assure the Bar that even that issue will be sorted. Read the full report here.
The Wire reports Hindutva outfits lend support to accused in Bhiwani killings
The Wire reported that a ‘Hindu Mahapanchayat’ was called by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in support of Monu Manesar, a cow vigilante, who is accused in the killing of Rajasthan residents Junaid and Nasir recently. As reports emerged that Rajasthan Police would arrest Monu Manesar and other accused in the case, a Hindu Mahapanchayat was convened in Manesar to protest against the "targeting of innocent Gau Rakshaks". The report says speakers at the event dared Rajasthan Police to arrest Manesar and others accused in the case. The two Muslim men from Rajasthan were kidnapped and killed in Haryana allegedly by cow vigilantes. FIRs have been registered against several accused. Read the full report here.
