Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has died, AIIMS Delhi said on Thursday night.
Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Photo courtesy: x.com/ranvijayT90
Singh, 92, was brought to the emergency department on December 26 evening in a critical condition after “sudden loss of consciousness”, the hospital authorities said.
The news of Singh’s demise was also confirmed by his successor, current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji,” part of Modi’s tweet read.
“Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.
“His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” the PM said.
Another tweet from Modi read: “Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible.
Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible.
At least 24 domestic flights operated by Japan Airlines were affected by the December 26 cyber-attack. Representative photo courtesy: Instagram/japanairlines
Japan Airlines (JAL), the second-largest carrier in Japan after All-Nippon Airways (ANA), is the latest victim in the series of cyber-attacks on the global aviation sector in recent times. However, JAL recovered swiftly from the December 26 cyber-attack, which had delayed many flights, and announced by evening (around 7.40pm in Japan) that its systems were restored and flight movements would be normalised from December 27.
An X post by Japan Airlines informed today: “[Notice regarding network equipment malfunction as of 19:40]. There was a system malfunction with our network equipment today, but it has now been resolved. As of now, flights for tomorrow, December 27th, are scheduled to operate as normal. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
Earlier in the day, Associated Press had reported that “the cyber-attack had delayed 24 domestic flights for more than 30 minutes”.
The news agency quoted Japan Airlines as saying that “the problem started [on] Thursday morning when the company’s network connecting internal and external systems began malfunctioning”.
Soon, Japan Airlines identified the root cause of the trouble “as an attack intended to overwhelm the network system with massive transmissions of data”.
AP explained that cyber-attacks of this type “flood a system or [a] network with traffic until the target cannot respond or crashes”. In tech parlance, this is called a “DDoS attack”, short for “distributed denial of service”.
Japan Airlines said that there was no virus in its system or any customer data leaks resulting from the cyber-attack. It had first noticed the problem this morning (around 7.25am in Japan) when snags began to crop up in its luggage check-in system. Acting quickly, the carrier suspended all ticket sales — domestic and international — for the rest of the day.
Screenshot: X
The aviation sector remains highly vulnerable to cyber-crimes, as said in a December 2024 report by the global commercial law firm Clyde & Co. “The aviation industry has seen a surge in ransomware attacks in recent years and cyber incidents are a serious threat to business continuity, as was seen during the recent CrowdStrike outage in July 2024 which although not caused by bad actors, brought chaos to many airlines as well as other industries,” it said in the summary of findings.
Data shows that cyber-attacks rose by 131% between 2022 and 2023 across the aviation industry, with the highest proportion of attacks focussed on airspace users. The financial and reputational implications for the aviation industry of failures in cyber-security are enormous.
Clyde & Co market insight report
The CrowdStrike outage affected a number of business sectors, from aviation to banking, and even medical services. This outage was not caused by “bad actors” in the sense that the reason was a faulty update to security software and not a cyber-crime incident. However, it revealed how easily digitalised systems could be impacted.
The Indian rupee (INR) depreciated 10 paise to hit a new all-time low of 85.25 against the US dollar (USD) in early trade on Thursday, December 26, dragged down by the unabated outflow of foreign capital amid increased month-end demand of the American currency.
An increase in demand for the USD dragged down the Indian rupee. Representational image. Photo courtesy: Unsplash
Positive sentiment in domestic equity markets failed to support the Indian currency as the greenback index remained elevated while crude oil prices were on upward move, forex traders said.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened weak at 85.23 and slipped further to hit a life-time low of 85.25 against the greenback in initial deals, registering a loss of 10 paise against its previous closing level.
On Tuesday, December 24, the rupee fell four paise to settle at a record low of 85.15 against the US dollar. The forex markets were closed on Wednesday for Christmas.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading marginally lower by 0.11 percent but remained elevated at 107.90, amid soaring US Treasury yields and the fear of delayed interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve.
Brent Crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.38 percent to USD 73.86 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share benchmark index Sensex was trading higher by 335.63 points, or 0.43 percent at 78,808.50 points. The Nifty was up 103.55 points, or 0.44 percent, at 23,831.20 points.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Tuesday, as they offloaded shares worth INR 2,454.21 crore (USD 287,881,532), according to exchange data.
Renowned Japanese automobile manufacturers Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to start discussions and considerations toward a business integration between the two companies through the establishment of a joint holding company, an official news release, published on December 23, stated.
Cars from Nissan (left) and Honda. Representational image. Photo courtesy- Nissan: www.instagram.com/nissan, Honda: www.instagram.com/honda
To further accelerate their efforts toward achieving a carbon-neutral society and a zero-traffic-fatality society, Nissan and Honda signed an MoU on March 15 regarding a strategic partnership for the era of vehicle intelligence and electrification. Since then, the two companies have held discussions aimed at collaboration in various fields.
On August 1, both companies signed a further MoU to deepen the framework of the strategic partnership. The companies also announced that they had agreed to carry out joint research in fundamental technologies in the area of platforms for next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs), particularly in the areas crucial for intelligence and electrification, to advance focused discussions toward more concrete collaboration.
WATCH: Honda and Nissan have started talks toward a potential merger, they said, a historic pivot for Japan’s auto industry that underlines the threat Chinese EV makers now pose to some of the world’s best known car makers https://t.co/Ri4XsXHdGPpic.twitter.com/GOXLk8katu
Throughout the process, the two companies have engaged in discussions in consideration of various possibilities and options. At the same time, the business environment for both companies and the wider automotive industry have rapidly changed and the speed of technological innovation has continued to accelerate. The MoU between Nissan and Honda announced on December 23 is aimed to serve as an option to maintain global competitiveness and for the two companies to continue to deliver more attractive products and services to customers worldwide
If the business integration can be realized, both companies can aim to integrate their respective management resources such as knowledge, human resources, and technologies; create deeper synergies; enhance the ability to respond to market changes; and expect to improve mid- to long- term corporate value.
Additionally, Nissan and Honda can aim to further contribute to the development of Japan’s industrial base as a “leading global mobility company” by integrating Nissan and Honda’s four-wheel-vehicle and Honda’s motorcycle and power products businesses, continue to make the brands of both companies more attractive and deliver more attractive and innovative products and services to customers worldwide.
Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida. Photo courtesy: www.linkedin.com/in/makotouchida
Marking the announcement, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida said: “Today marks a pivotal moment as we begin discussions on business integration that has the potential to shape our future. If realized, I believe that by uniting the strengths of both companies, we can deliver unparalleled value to customers worldwide who appreciate our respective brands. Together, we can create a unique way for them to enjoy cars that neither company could achieve alone.”
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe. Photo courtesy: www.instagram.com/toshihiro.mibe
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said: “Creation of new mobility value by bringing together the resources including knowledge, talents, and technologies that Honda and Nissan have been developing over the long years is essential to overcome challenging environmental shifts that the auto industry is facing. Honda and Nissan are two companies with distinctive strengths. We are still at the stage of starting our review, and we have not decided on a business integration yet, but in order to find a direction for the possibility of business integration by the end of January 2025, we strive to be the one and only leading company that creates new mobility value through chemical reaction that can only be driven through synthesis of the two teams.”
Potential synergies from the business integration
Nissan and Honda will establish an integration preparatory committee to facilitate a smooth integration and will conduct focused discussions.
Based on the committee’s discussions, as well as the results of due diligence, the companies will examine and analyse more specific synergies. By promptly realising the synergies from the integration, Nissan and Honda can aim to become a world-class mobility company with sales revenue exceeding 30 trillion yen and operating profit of more than 3 trillion yen, the news release said.
The expected synergies from the business integration at this time are:
Scale advantages by standardizing vehicle platforms
By standardising the vehicle platforms of both companies across various product segments, the companies expect to create stronger products, reduce costs, enhance development efficiencies, and improve investment efficiencies through standardised production processes.
The integration is projected to increase sales and operational volumes, allowing the companies to reduce development costs per vehicle, including for future digital services, while maximising profits.
By accelerating the mutual complementation of their global vehicle offerings – including ICE, HEV, PHEV, and EV models – Nissan and Honda will be better positioned to meet diverse customer needs around the world and deliver optimal products, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
Enhancement of development capabilities and cost synergies through the integration of R&D functions
In accordance with the MOU to deepen strategic partnership and the joint research agreement on fundamental technologies dated August 1, the two companies have started joint research in fundamental technologies in the area of vehicle platforms for next- generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs), which is the cornerstone of the field of intelligence.
After the business integration, both companies will encompass more integrated collaboration across all R&D functions, including fundamental research and vehicle application technology research. This approach is expected to enable both companies to efficiently and swiftly enhance their technological expertise, achieving both improvements in development capabilities and reductions in development costs through the integration of overlapping functions.
Optimising manufacturing systems and facilities
The companies anticipate that optimising their manufacturing plants and energy service facilities, combined with improved collaboration through the shared use of production lines, will result in a substantial improvement in capacity utilisation leading to a decrease in fixed costs.
Strengthening competitive advantages across the supply chain through the integration of purchasing functions
To fully leverage the synergies from optimising development and production capacity, both companies intend to boost their competitiveness by improving and streamlining purchasing operations and source common parts from the same supply chain and in collaboration with business partners.
Realising cost synergies through operational efficiency improvements
The companies expect that the integration of systems and back-office operations, along with the upgrade and standardisation of operational processes, will drive significant cost reductions.
Acquisition of scale advantages through integration in sales finance functions
By integrating relevant areas of sales finance functions of both companies and expanding the scale of operations, the companies aim to provide a range of mobility solutions, including new financial services throughout the vehicle lifecycle, to customers of both organisations.
Establishment of a talent foundation for intelligence and electrification
The human resources of the companies are an invaluable asset, and establishing a strong human resource foundation is crucial for the transformation that will come with the business integration. After the integration, increased employee exchanges and technical collaboration between the companies are expected to promote further skill development. Moreover, by leveraging each company’s access to talent markets, attracting exceptional talent will become more attainable.
Method of business integration and stock listing
Nissan and Honda, with the result of the consideration, plan to establish, through a joint share transfer, a joint holding company that will be the parent company of both companies. This will be subject to approval at each company’s general meeting of shareholders and obtaining necessary approvals from relevant authorities for this business integration, based on the premise that Nissan’s turnaround actions are steadily executed. Both Nissan and Honda will be fully owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company.
Additionally, the companies plan to continue coexisting and developing the brands held by Honda and Nissan equally.
Shares of the newly established joint holding company under consideration are planned to be newly listed (technical listing) on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). The listing is scheduled for August 2026.
With the listing of the joint holding company, both Nissan and Honda will become wholly owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company and will be scheduled to be delisted from the TSE. However, shareholders of both companies will continue to be able to trade shares of the joint holding company issued during this share transfer on the TSE.
The listing date of the joint holding company and the delisting date of both Nissan and Honda will be determined in accordance with the regulations of the TSE.
Infographic courtesy: News release
Regarding the organisational structure of the joint holding company, and both companies which will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company after the business integration, the optimal structure for realising synergies, including the integration of R&D functions, purchasing functions, and manufacturing functions, will be discussed and considered within the integration preparatory committee, with the aim of establishing an organizational structure that enables efficient and highly competitive business operations after the business integration.
Share transfer ratio
The share transfer ratio for the share transfer will be determined by the time of concluding the final definitive agreement regarding the business integration. The determination will be based on the results of due diligence, third-party valuations with reference to the average closing prices of each company’s shares over a certain period prior to the announcement of the MOU.
Management structure following the realisation of business integration
At the time of the effective date of the share transfer, it is planned that Honda will nominate a majority of each of the internal and external directors of the joint holding company. President and representative director or president and representative executive officer of the joint holding company will be selected from among the directors nominated by Honda.
Other details of the joint holding company, including the name, registered office, representatives, executive composition, and organisational structure will be determined by the time of the execution of the definitive agreement, based on discussions and consideration aligned within the purpose of the business integration at the upcoming integration preparatory committee, as well as the results of the due diligence.
Instability in Syria following former president Bashar al-Assad’s fall may have spillover effects on Southeast Asia and Singapore, the city-state’s Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Monday, December 23.
Syria’s former President Bashar al-Assad (pictured) ruled for over 20 years before his regime was toppled in December 2024 by rebel forces. Photo courtesy: www.britannica.com
Terrorist groups such as the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda are likely to “exploit the current power vacuum to rebuild and recruit”, Channel News Asia quoted ISD as saying.
These groups may capitalise on developments in the country for their propaganda narratives, framing the fall of the Assad regime as a victory for the violent jihadist cause, the ISD said.
“Some may also issue calls for their supporters to join their ranks in Syria or to take inspiration from the victory by engaging in violence in their home countries,” the ISD said. “The security situation in Syria is fluid and bears watching,” it added, noting how the volatile environment could “increase the risk of extremism and terrorism”.
It cited how the civil war in Syria over a decade ago provided fertile ground for the formation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front.
Syria is currently under the control of rebel forces. Photo courtesy: Screengrab from X
Both groups have attracted hundreds of foreign fighters from Southeast Asian countries while their teachings have reportedly radicalised thousands of Muslims in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, inspiring some to launch deadly terrorist attacks in their respective countries, analysts previously noted.
The ISD has also detained radicalised Singaporeans in the past who intended to travel to Syria to engage in armed violence. The ISD warned it will take firm action against those who intend to engage in armed violence in Singapore or abroad.
“We will not hesitate to take firm action against any individual who supports, promotes, undertakes or makes preparations to engage in armed violence, be it in Singapore or overseas,” a spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Singapore’s top security agency was responding to a CNA query on whether terrorist groups could take advantage of the current situation in Syria to expand their reach, including in Southeast Asia and Singapore.
The situation in Syria
On December 8, rebels from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of the capital Damascus and other important Syrian cities. After midnight, news emerged that Assad had fled the country for Russia.
The fall of Assad marked the beginning of the end of Syria’s 13-year conflict which claimed over 580,000 lives and displaced 12 million others.
HTS denies it still has links with any terror network, but many countries and the UN Security Council have continued to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.
Arrest, restriction orders in Singapore
In the wake of Assad’s ouster, CNA had analysts saying that the Southeast Asian authorities must be vigilant. However, some experts viewed the risk of a new wave of extremism in Southeast Asia as being relatively low currently.
In October, a 17-year-old Singaporean student was arrested less than a month before his plan to carry out a terror attack in Singapore’s heartlands. The teen also intended to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State and engage in armed violence.
In July, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said two Singaporeans had been issued restriction orders for supporting terrorism and armed violence. They reportedly became radicalised after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Singapore Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam addressing the media on the Internal Security Act restrictions put on two individuals. Photo courtesy: X/@MothershipSG
One was a 14-year-old boy — the youngest person ever in the country to be issued the restriction order under the Internal Security Act (ISA) — while the other was a 33-year-old woman who was a manager with a statutory board.
In February last year, the ISD said an 18-year-old Singaporean IS supporter was detained in December 2022 after he considered attacking targets, including an army camp and a gravesite at a mosque in Singapore.
The student had also intended to travel overseas, including to Syria, to participate in armed violence.
Two other teenagers who were online contacts of the student were also issued ISA orders for terrorism-related activities.
The ISD has urged the public to remain vigilant to signs that the people around them may have become radicalised and report them to the authorities.
Possible signs of radicalisation include posting or sharing extremist views on social media and expressing support or admiration for terrorists or terrorist groups, as well as the use of violence, it said.
Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli thanked his childhood friend and ex-teammate Sachin Tendulkar for the latter’s continued blessings. Kambli, who made the statement from his hospital bed, was recently admitted to the medical facility by a fan following the deterioration of his health.
The southpaw has been suffering from health issues for several months now.
“I am feeling better now… I will never leave this (cricket) because I remember the number of centuries and double centuries I have hit… We are three left-handers in the family.” Asked about the wishes he has received from his former teammates, especially Tendulkar, Kambli said, “I am thankful to Sachin Tendulkar as his blessings have always been with me,” Kambli told ANI.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Former Indian Cricketer Vinod Kambli says, “I am feeling better now…I will never leave this (cricket) because I remember the number of centuries and double centuries I have hit…We are three left-handers in the family. I am thankful to Sachin Tendulkar as… https://t.co/ZQsUuVV1pOpic.twitter.com/Xj8UQbAgmQ
Kambli is currently undergoing medical supervision at Akruti Hospital in Thane. Following a series of examinations, doctors found clots in his brain, a report from NDTV, citing Dr. Vivek Trivedi, said. Trivedi said hospital in-charge S Singh has decided to provide Kambli life-long free treatment at his medical facility.
Recently, Sachin and Kambli attended an event to mark the inauguration of their coach Ramakant Achrekar’s memorial at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
Considered by many as a prodigious talent, Kambli — whose career was marred by controversies — played only 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India between 1993-2000.
PV Sindhu and Venkata Datta Sai got married in Udaipur recently. Photo Courtesy: PV Sindhu Instagram page
Away from the badminton court where she is seen fighting her opponents to bring laurels for the country, Olympic medalist PV Sindhu matched with her husband, Venkata Datta Sai, to look perfect as bride and groom during their marriage in Rajasthan’s Udaipur city recently.
Several images of the marriage are now out on social media and the couple could be seen dressed in traditional attire for the occasion, setting new-couple goals.
Sindhu could be seen sporting a tissue saree, while her husband wore a brocade sherwani from the shelves of ace designer Manish Malhotra.
Venkata Datta Sai is a techie and businessman. Photo Courtesy: PV Sindhu Instagram page
Apart from the dress they wore, it was the jewellery that the couple donned on the big day which earned the attention of people.
The star of the show was Sindhu’s traditional bridal jewellery from Manish Malhotra Jewellery, including her matha patti, a stunning multiple-layered necklace and matching earrings that featured precious Zambian emeralds and uncut diamonds, reported NDTV.
PV Sindhu shared several images of their marriage day on Instagram. Photo Courtesy: PV Sindhu Instagram page
The Olympic medalist’s stunning bridal look was completed with the kundan work haath phool, diamond-studded kadas and her gold chain.
Her husband Sai, a businessman and techie, did match his wife as he looked stunning on the special day of their life.
His traditional jewellery pick from Manish Malhotra High Jewellery made quite a statement, featuring an Imperial Heirloom collection of emeralds and diamonds studded double layered necklace set in gold, along with his ornate square-shaped emerald buttons that added a touch of sparkle to his sherwani, NDTV reported.
Azerbaijan Airlines flight with 67 onboard crashes in Kazakhstan. Photo Courtesy: X page video grab
At least 27 people are believed to have survived after a passenger plane flying from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed near Kazakhstan’s Aktau city on Wednesday, media reports said.
The plane, which was operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was carrying 62 passengers and five crew on board.
An unverified video of the incident has gone viral on social media, where an aircraft could be seen bursting into flames after crashing to the ground.
Kazakh Emergency Situations Ministry said in a statement as quoted by Sputnik news agency: “A plane flying from Baku to Grozny crashed at the Aktau airport. Fifty-two personnel and 11 units of equipment of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan arrived in Aktau at the crash site.”
🔴 #BREAKING | An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, with 72 people aboard. Originally bound for Grozny, it was redirected to Makhachkala and Aktau, circling before requesting an emergency landing. #Airways#Newspic.twitter.com/jz6UNAmFE4
“Upon arrival, the aircraft was found to be on fire. Rescue units began extinguishing the fire,” the statement said.
The Ministry said in the statement: “[A total of] 27 were taken to hospital, including three children.”
According to Russian media reports, the survivors have been taken to a hospital. Azerbaijan Airlines said in a statement: “Additional information will be provided to the public regarding the incident.”
In the statement posted on Facebook, the Airlines said flight J2-8243 was en-route from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in Russia when it crashed approximately 3 km from Aktau.
The Airlines, however, said no child was flying in the plane.
YENİLƏNİB / UPDATED / ОБНОВЛЕНО
Göyərtədə 62 sərnişin olub. İlkin məlumata görə onlardan 37 nəfər Azərbaycan vətəndaşı, 16 Rusiya vətəndaşı, 6 Qazaxıstan vətəndaşı, 3 Qırğızıstan vətəndaşı olub. Sərnişinlərin siyahısı yaxın zamanda ictimaiyyətə açıqlanacaq.
In an X post, the Airlines said: “There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members. There were no children among the passengers, and information about the injured will be provided shortly. According to the information, there are survivors who are receiving initial medical assistance.”
Indian food delivery app Swiggy inked a bond with the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) to roll out a comprehensive financial literacy program for delivery partners, with special focus on female delivery partners.
The MoU was signed at the NSE headquarters in Mumbai. Photo courtesy: x.com/NSEIndia
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at advancing financial inclusion and empowering gig workers, was signed on December 24 at the NSE headquarters in Mumbai.
Swiggy also announced that it intends to have 100,000 women delivery partners by 2030.
Amruta Fadnavis, who attended the event as the chief guest, underscored the importance of empowering women in the workforce and emphasised how financial literacy can contribute to their independence and well-being of their families.
The wife of current Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Amruta shared inspiring stories of women who have risen from grassroot level. She said ‘women are creators’ and need to stay focused to ensure that their families have a better life.
Integrated into Swiggy’s flagship initiatives, She the Change and Swiggy Skills, the program is designed to equip the delivery partners with vital financial skills that drive household stability, improve socio-economic outcomes, and contribute to the nation’s financial inclusion agenda.
NSE MD and CEO, Ashish Chauhan (left)
presenting the NSE Coffee Table Book and the NSE Bell to Amruta Fadnavis. Photo courtesy: x.com/NSEIndia
Financial literacy has been shown to increase household spending on education and savings by up to 40 percent, with ripple effects on long-term health, productivity, and overall well-being.
As per Swiggy, this initiative underscores its commitment to the holistic development of its delivery partners and aligns with the company’s sustainability goals to foster community welfare.
Highlighting their efforts towards inclusivity and upskilling of their delivery partners, Sriharsha Majety, MD & Group CEO, Swiggy shared, “Earlier this year, when we launched ‘She the Change’ programme, honourable Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Ji made a very pertinent observation when she said that in areas where women are visibly seen to be running more enterprises such as Food and Beverage businesses, crime and anarchy will gradually reduce. I believe that the presence of women delivery partners on the road is an equally positive signal. We, at Swiggy, will do our utmost in this direction; and commit to take the number of women delivery partners to at least 1 lakh by 2030. We will continue to come out with policies and programmes to support this positive change, and our MoU with NSE is a step in this direction.”
Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE, said, “At NSE, we are proud to lead the way in bringing financial literacy and investor awareness programs to the gig workforce, a vital and growing segment of our economy. This partnership with Swiggy reflects our commitment to equipping delivery partners, especially female partners, with the knowledge and awareness of tools needed for financial independence and long-term security. By focusing on financial literacy, we aim to empower gig workers to manage their finances more effectively for their financial well-being. Today’s initiative is another step in NSE’s mission to drive financial inclusion and well-being of people and transform lives through knowledge and empowerment.”
As part of the event, in a Fireside Chat, Rohit Kapoor, CEO- Food Marketplace, Swiggy, interacted with three women delivery partners. The conversation shed light on their experiences, challenges, and the support they have received through Swiggy’s policies.
Recognizing their remarkable opportunities, ten women delivery executives, who completed the highest number of orders in 2024, were felicitated during the event. Each recipient was awarded a cheque of INR 11,000 (USD 128), intended to serve as a corpus for their initial investments.
The program will feature interactive training sessions led by SEBI-certified trainers, covering topics such as budgeting, investments, debt management, and understanding capital markets. The modules will include AV content and will also be available in the DE app. The app-based training modules will also be localised into regional languages for broader reach.
Gay couple in USA gets 100 years in prison for sexually abusing their two adopted sons. Photo Courtesy: Mr Andy NGO X page
A gay couple in the USA has been sentenced to 100 years in prison without parole for raping two boys who they adopted as sons.
The two accused individuals were identified as William and Zachary Zulock.
“They will not be eligible for parole for the entirety of the 100 years. This all but guarantees that the victims will not have to worry as they grow older about their abusers being free,” read a statement posted on Facebook by the Walton County District Attorney’s office.
On July 22, 2022, Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) was contacted by the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit regarding a “Cyber Tip” they had received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding suspected homemade child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that had been uploaded to a Google account with an IP address in Walton County.
After further investigation, WCSO investigators executed a search warrant at that address.
They met with Hunter Lawless who admitted to receiving and viewing CSAM. Lawless stated that he had received the pictures and videos from “Zach Zulock”.
Lawless later pleaded guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Children and was sentenced to 20 years with the first 12 years in prison and agreed to fully cooperate in any prosecution of the Zulocks.
This led investigators to obtain a search warrant for the Walton County residence where both Zachary and William Zulock lived with the victims.
Investigators learned that the Zulocks had adopted two young boys a few years before the search warrant was executed.
“Both Defendants were interviewed that night. They both admitted to sexually abusing both boys over a period of time,” read a statement issued by the Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office.
“Numerous pieces of electronic evidence were seized and submitted to the GBI. Surveillance cameras from inside the house contained video of approximately 14 days before the DVR was seized,” the statement said.
This digital analysis took significant time to go through by the experts with the GBI since it contained over 7 terabytes of video.
A thorough analysis found videos of multiple incidents of the Defendants committing sexual abuse in different parts of the house.
“Cell phones were analyzed which contained graphic images and videos of the abuse as well as graphic text and social media messages about the sexual abuse,” the statement said.
The information obtained from the cell phones led to evidence of a Luis Vizcarro-Sanchez receiving messages from Zachary Zulock about sexual abuse of one of the victims.
Vizcarro-Sanchez later pleaded guilty to Pandering for a Person Under 18. At the same time, he pleaded guilty to numerous counts of Computer Theft in which he was stealing from his employer, the Loganville Kroger.
He was sentenced to a total of 60 years with the first 15 years in prison along with a requirement that he testify in any proceeding or trial of the Zulocks.
