Latest news with #DPC
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Row over murder case deepens in Pathanamthitta
The Pathanamthitta district police have found themselves at the centre of yet another controversy, this time over the appointment of a special public prosecutor in a sensational murder case. The dispute, which has erupted between District Police Chief V.G. Vinod Kumar and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Madhu Babu, currently serving in Alappuzha, stems from a complaint filed by the latter with the Chief Minister. The complaint alleges intervention by the DPC in appointing an individual, reportedly listed in the police rowdy sheet, as the special public prosecutor in the 2013 murder case. Mr. Babu, who had previously served as the Circle Inspector in Pathanamthitta during the initial investigation of the case, claimed that the appointment was driven by personal motives. In a sharp counter, the DPC has publicly accused the DySP of mishandling the early stages of the investigation and even suggested that Mr. Babu feared being named as an accused for alleged evidence tampering. The case in question involves the murder of Biju M. Joseph, a cashier at Karikineth Silks, who was killed on November 5, 2013. Despite the gravity of the crime, the chargesheet was filed only in 2015. The victim's brothers, Sabu M. Joseph and Baby M. Joseph, had later approached the High Court, alleging undue influence by the accused and requesting the appointment of a special public prosecutor to ensure a fair trial. Acting on their petition, the High Court selected one of three proposed candidates for the role of special prosecutor. The court also observed that, under Section 319 of the CrPC, individuals found to be involved in evidence tampering could be added as accused, if warranted. The controversy escalated after allegations emerged that Mr. Babu, then the investigating officer, had attempted to protect the accused. He was subsequently replaced and a new deputy superintendent took over the case and eventually filed the chargesheet. 'It was out of fear of facing action that the Deputy Superintendent came forward with such a complaint. The reports suggesting that I recommended a person with a rowdy background for the prosecutor's role are completely untrue,' Mr. Vinod Kumar stated. Meanwhile, the lawyer at the centre of the storm, Prashanth V. Kurup, has strongly denied all allegations. Talking to the media, Mr. Kurup claimed that the cases against him were fabricated and clarified that his appointment was made based on a High Court recommendation, following the petition by the victim's family.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Telangana releases Rs 180 crore for reimbursing medical bills of govt employees
HYDERABAD: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Thursday released Rs 180.38 crore towards clearing all pending medical reimbursement bills of government employees and pensioners at one go. He said that despite facing severe financial challenges on one hand and implementing numerous welfare schemes on the other, the government prioritised the long-pending medical reimbursement claims. 'The bills pending from March 4, 2023 to June 20, 2025, which also covers a period under the previous government, have been cleared. This decision has brought much-needed relief to 26,519 government employees and pensioners,' he said. 'The government, which recently transferred Rs 9,000 crore to farmers' accounts under the Rythu Bharosa scheme in a span of just nine days, has now cleared medical reimbursement bills of employees worth Rs 180.38 crore,' he added. The deputy CM also recalled that on June 13, the government announced a hike in two Dearness Allowances (DAs) for government employees and pensioners. Now, it has cleared medical reimbursement bills as well, he added. 'This DA hike benefits around 3.5 lakh regular government employees and three lakh pensioners. Each DA hike places a financial burden of Rs 2,400 crore per year on the state exchequer,' he said. Meanwhile, the deputy CM said that the government issued orders to increase cadre strength in the Women and Child Welfare and Planning departments. 'The process of forming a joint staff council to resolve employee and officer issues is in the final stages. Village panchayats are being classified into four grades based on population. A comprehensive health insurance scheme for employees and pensioners is nearing completion. DPC committees related to promotions in various departments have picked up pace,' he added.
Hi Dubai
24-06-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Press Club launches second Arab Podcast Programme to empower regional creators
The Dubai Press Club has launched the second edition of the Arab Podcast Programme, a five-week initiative aimed at advancing podcasting skills and digital storytelling across the Arab world. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the programme is designed to equip emerging and established creators with practical expertise in audio content creation. Through hands-on training, participants will learn every stage of podcast production — from concept development to monetisation — with guidance from leading Arab podcasters. Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club, said the programme aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to invest in Arab media talent and strengthen Arabic digital content. Al Marri noted the growing demand for original Arabic content and the need to shift from content consumption to content creation. She added that the programme supports Dubai's long-standing role in driving regional media innovation and empowering Arab youth with tools for the digital age. Set to begin on 7 July, the programme will feature updated modules, focused training tracks, and mentorship from industry experts. According to Maryam Al Mulla, Acting Director of DPC, the initiative reflects a deep understanding of the Arab podcasting landscape and aims to help creators build sustainable, impactful projects. The programme will conclude with a dedicated session for graduates of the first edition to showcase their progress and share insights. Registration details are available on the Dubai Press Club website. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dialysis Patient Citizens Applauds Texas Legislature for Passing Historic Bill Expanding Affordable Medigap Access for Dialysis and ALS Patients
AUSTIN, Texas, June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- House Bill 2516 has become public law, a significant victory for Texans living with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The legislation, championed by Representative Ryan Guillen (R-TX-31), received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Texas State Legislature, passing the House with a 133-4 vote and the Senate unanimously. The law guarantees that ESRD and ALS patients under the age of 65 can access affordable Medigap insurance. Specifically, Medigap Plans A, B, and D will be available at the same premium rate as for those age 65, while the remaining plans will be capped at no more than 200% of the age 65 rate. Now, younger Texans suffering from ESRD and ALS no longer need to worry about Medicare's gaps in coverage. "Today is a landmark moment for dialysis and ALS patients across Texas," said Andrew Conkling, Board President for Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC). "This law brings long-overdue relief to individuals who, until now, faced Medigap premiums as high as $1,700 per month simply because they were under 65. It restores fairness and makes critical coverage accessible to those who need it most." Previously, under-65 ESRD and ALS patients in Texas were priced out of Medigap plans due to prohibitively high premiums. HB 2516 ensures those patients can finally afford the supplemental insurance they rely on to cover the gaps in Medicare. DPC Patient Ambassador and Texas resident Patricia Benavidez-Patel shared her compelling story in support of the bill, stating: "I've lived with dialysis, and I've lived with the constant fear of bills I can't afford. This law gives patients like me a real chance; it gives me not only a chance to survive, but a chance to live without fear of medical debt." In addition, former DPC board member Natalie Zuniga, who recently passed away, wrote a letter to the editor in defense of Medigap access. Her voice continues to echo during this victory for the dialysis community, which she so fiercely supported. Dialysis Patient Citizens thanks Representative Guillen for his steadfast leadership, Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature, and all the patient advocates who helped make this victory possible. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Dialysis Patient Citizens Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Euronews
19-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Irish privacy watchdog seeks extra funding to handle expanded role
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has said it needs more money to carry out additional tasks it now handles, including oversight of the EU AI Act. The AI Act – which regulates the technology according to the risk it poses to society – has already entered into force, but as of 2 August all member states need to appoint an oversight authority to ensure companies' compliance with the rules. In its annual report published Thursday, the DPC said that 'in light of new responsibilities and a significantly additional workload for the DPC as a result of the AI Act and other digital regulations [...] it is critical that we continue to receive funding increases enabling the expansion of our workforce.' 'The Government's continuing support will be critical to the DPC's ability to meet its EU wide responsibilities and the delivery of effective regulation in support of the digital economy,' it added. This year, the Irish already dealt with several AI questions, stemming from the launch of chatbot tools such as X's Grok and Meta AI. As the lead authority for Meta, it ordered the company to halt the tool last year due to concerns about the use of personal data of users of Facebook and Instagram to train its large language models (LLMs). Euronews reported in May that – with months to go until the deadline – in at least half of the 27 member states, it remains unclear which authority will be nominated as AI oversight body. In addition, countries need to adopt an implementing law that sets out penalties and that empower their watchdogs. Not all of them have yet done so. The Irish watchdog is currently overseeing the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Ireland, including those of the global big tech companies that registered their EU headquarters in Dublin. It received some 11,091 new cases and resolved 10,510 ones, the report said. It gathered a total of €652 million in fines. Its staff increased from 213 in early 2024 to 251 as of 1 January. The use of a powerful American 'bunker bomb' against Iran's nuclear facilities continues to weigh over the country's conflict with Israel. CNN reported that US President Donald Trump is warming to the idea of using military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and that he is 'not much in the mood to negotiate with Iran'. One of the potential weapons that the US military has at its disposal, the GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), could reach one of Iran's key nuclear sites, which is buried deep in a mountain. Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said on state TV on Thursday that Iran 'will have to use its tools to both teach a lesson to aggressors and defend its national security and national interests,' if the US decides to intervene in the conflict. The GBU-57 MOP is a weapons system that is designed to attack 'hard and deeply buried targets such as bunkers and tunnels,' according to a 2024 US Air Force report. An archived fact sheet from the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) says it is a '30,000 pound (13.6 tonnes) class penetrator bomb,' that is approximately 20.5 feet long and has a diameter of 31.5 inches. The DTRA said the weapon can carry over 5,300 pounds of explosive material and delivers '10 times' the explosive power of its predecessor, the BLU-109. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) first contracted Boeing for the MOPs in 2004 with an initial contract worth $30 million (€26.2 million). The weapon was developed in three stages, the DTRA continued. The Air Force received the first bombs for testing in 2011, according to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle. The ordnance has been tested at the White Sands Missile Range, a military base in the US state of New Mexico. The Fordo Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) is buried deep under a mountain near Qom, Iran, and is believed to be one of Iran's key uranium enrichment facilities for it's nuclear weapons programme, according to Heather Williams, director of the project on nuclear issues at US-based Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS). Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA's director general, said on June 16 that there is so far no damage to the Fordo site, unlike the one at Natanz, which saw its pilot fuel enrichment plant destroyed. A recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimates that 166.6 kilograms of 60 per cent enriched uranium of the total 408.6 kilograms that Iran has at that enrichment percentage was produced at Fordow. Uranium needs to be enriched to roughly 90 per cent to become a nuclear weapon but experts have previously said that Iran could create weapons at 60 per cent enrichment. Israel lacks the ordnance to take out Fordow on its own, but 'multiple strikes' from the US GBU-57 that are mounted on B-2 bombers 'could destroy the facility,' Williams said. If President Trump decides to use the GBU-57, it could 'constitute direct support for Israel and have the potential to escalate and drag the US into another war in the region,' Williams wrote. There are other options that Israel could use to get to Fordo, Williams continued, like continual strikes at the facility by GPU-28 or BLU-109 weapons that can burrow into a target and could target above-ground entrances or exits to the facility.
