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A lawyer defending Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari,  the Hindu priest arrested and accused of sedition in Bangladesh, has been attacked, the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) has said. A court in Bangladesh is expected to hear the case on December 3. 

In a post on X, Radharaman Das, the spokesperson for ISKCON, said, "Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life".

Many lawyers in Bangladesh, however, have denied any such event.

Last month too, there were claims on social media and a few news outlets that a lawyer defending Chinmoy Krishna Das was killed. But investigations revealed that the murdered lawyer, Saiful Islam, was an assistant public prosecutor and he was not defending Chinmoy Das.

The post from Radharaman Das read: 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. 
 
Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaveBangladeshiHindus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaveBangladeshiHindus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu</a> <a href="https://t.co/uudpC10bpN">pic.twitter.com/uudpC10bpN</a>
— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) <a href="https://twitter.com/RadharamnDas/status/1863593503609303469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2024</a></blockquote>

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh, was arrested in Dhaka last month after protests by the Hindu community in Rangpur, demanding stronger legal protections for minority groups. He has been accused of sedition and was denied bail by a Dhaka court on Tuesday.

Bangladesh has seen widespread political violence and protests over minority rights since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Amid attacks on minority Hindus in the neighbouring coutry, Radharaman Das had earlier posted on X that two disciples of Chinmoy Krishna Das have gone missing in Chattogram after a second Hindu monk, Shyam Das Prabhu, was arrested.

India has condemned the arrest and urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities. 

The arrest has also been strongly criticised by Indian religious leaders and members of the civil society.

Protest rallies have been held in West Bengal and several other staes that share border with Bangladesh.

In Tripura, the criticism has taken the form of boycott. Hotels and restaurants have decided not to accept bookings from tourists from Bangladesh, the top association of the travel sector has said.

Earlier today, more than 50 protesters allegedly entered the premises of the Bangladeshi mission in Tripura capital Agartala, leading to panic among the officials and staff at the complex. India has described the incident as "deeply regrettable".

Advocate Defending Hindu Priest In Bangladesh Attacked, Says ISKCON

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Indian passengers At Kuwait Airport: कुवैत एयरपोर्ट पर भारतीय यात्री फंसे हुए हैं. मुंबई से मैनचेस्टर जा रही गल्फ एयर की फ्लाइट को तकनीकी खराबी के कारण कुवैत इंटरनेशनल एयरपोर्ट पर इमरजेंसी लैंडिंग करनी पड़ी. फ्लाइट के इंजन से धुआं निकलने की सूचना के बाद यह कदम उठाया गया. हालांकि, यात्रियों को वहां कोई मदद नहीं मिल रही है, जिससे वे 23 घंटे से ज्यादा समय से बिना &nbsp;खाना-पानी &nbsp;के एयरपोर्ट पर फंसे हुए हैं. दरअसल, मुंबई से मैनचेस्टर जा रही फ्लाइट के इंजन में खराबी के कारण कुवैत एयरपोर्ट पर इमरजेंसी लैंडिंग की गई. फ्लाइट में धुआं देखने के बाद यह निर्णय लिया. 60 भारतीय यात्री 23 घंटे से एयरपोर्ट पर इंतजार कर रहे हैं. उन्हें न तो बैठने की पर्याप्त जगह दी गई है और न ही भोजन-पानी उपलब्ध कराया गया है. सोशल मीडिया पर यात्रियों की शिकायतें
सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हो रहे वीडियो में यात्री कुवैत एयरपोर्ट अधिकारियों के साथ बहस करते दिख रहे हैं. यात्रियों ने आरोप लगाया है कि भारतीय यात्रियों के साथ जानबूझकर गलत व्यवहार किया जा रहा है. वहीं, अब तक गल्फ एयर की ओर से यात्रियों की मदद या समस्या के समाधान को लेकर कोई ठोस बयान नहीं आया है.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Embassy has been informed by Gulf Air that the flight for stranded passengers from Kuwait to Manchester is tentatively scheduled at 3.30 am on 2 Dec. This is being conveyed to all passengers by the Embassy team at the airport. <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KVSinghMPGonda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KVSinghMPGonda</a>
&mdash; India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) <a href="https://twitter.com/indembkwt/status/1863258309878267989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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दूतावास ने लाउंज में किया ठहराने की व्यवस्था
कुवैत में भारतीय वीजा ऑन अराइवल (VoA) के लिए पात्र नहीं हैं, इसलिए वे एयरपोर्ट से बाहर नहीं निकल पा रहे हैं हालांकि वहां भारतीय दूतावास उनकी सहायता करने की कोशिश कर रहा है. फंसे हुए भारतीयों की परेशानी और बढ़ गई है क्योंकि कुवैत में खाड़ी सहयोग परिषद (GCC) की बैठक के कारण एयरपोर्ट होटल उपलब्ध नहीं है. दूतावास ने उन्हें एयरपोर्ट लाउंज में ठहराने का प्रबंध किया है.
भारतीय दूतावास की प्रतिक्रिया
कुवैत में भारतीय दूतावास ने रविवार रात को एक्स पर कहा "दूतावास को गल्फ एयर की ओर से बताया गया है कि कुवैत से मैनचेस्टर के लिए फंसे हुए यात्रियों के लिए उड़ान 2 दिसंबर को सुबह 3.30 बजे निर्धारित है. हवाई अड्डे पर दूतावास की टीम &nbsp;सभी यात्रियों को यह जानकारी दे रही है. लाउंज में फंसे यात्रियों के लिए भोजन और पानी उपलब्ध है"
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Reading WHY BHARAT MATTERS while getting stuck in Kuwait without any help All British Passport holders got their hotels sorted with On-arrival visa while <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianPassport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianPassport</a> holders have been left stranded without any info, food, or any kind of help. <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a><a href="https://twitter.com/GulfAir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GulfAir</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GF5?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GF5</a> <a href="https://t.co/5qUNEP8rMO">pic.twitter.com/5qUNEP8rMO</a>
&mdash; Shivansh (@shiv4nsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/shiv4nsh/status/1863117612411994509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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फंसे हुए यात्रियों में से एक सॉफ्टवेयर इंजीनियर शिवांश ने एक्स हैंडल @shiv4nsh से लिखा &ldquo;बिना किसी मदद के कुवैत में फंसे रहने के दौरान (विदेश मंत्री एस जयशंकर की) Why Bharat Matters पढ़ रहा हूं. सभी ब्रिटिश पासपोर्ट धारकों को VoA के साथ अपने होटल की व्यवस्था कर दी गई, जबकि भारतीय पासपोर्ट धारक बिना किसी जानकारी, भोजन या किसी भी तरह की मदद के फंसे रह गए.&rdquo;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
01.12.2024 at 2.50 - I was traveling on a Gulf Air flight with other 268 passengers last night when the left engine caught fire mid air when we are cruising at 15000 meters attitude, leading to an emergency landing in Kuwait City. 💤💤<a href="https://twitter.com/GulfAir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gulfair</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thankyou?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#thankyou</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/flight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#flight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fire</a> <a href="https://t.co/KnA3h4Z6c1">pic.twitter.com/KnA3h4Z6c1</a>
&mdash; Sai Samrat Anandapu (@SamratChintu) <a href="https://twitter.com/SamratChintu/status/1863229575431332048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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एक अन्य यात्री साई सम्राट आनंदपु ने अपने हैंडल @SamratChintu से ट्वीट किया "मैं बहरीन में ट्रांजिट के साथ हैदराबाद से मैनचेस्टर जा रहा था. हमारी उड़ान सुबह 2.10 बजे शुरू हुई, लेकिन 1.5 घंटे बाद बाएं इंजन में आग लग गई, जिससे कुवैत सिटी में आपातकालीन लैंडिंग हुई. हम 6 घंटे से अधिक समय से मदद का इंतजार कर रहे हैं, लेकिन केवल ब्रिटिश नागरिकों और जीसीसी निवासियों को ही जगह दी गई है, जिससे हम भारतीयों को मदद नहीं मिल पा रही है. हमारे बीच बच्चे और बुजुर्ग भी हैं, जिन्हें मैनचेस्टर के लिए हमारी उड़ान के बारे में कुछ नहीं बताया गया है. कृपया हमें ठहरने के लिएआवास प्रदान करें, क्योंकि हमें फ्रेश होने हैं."
</div>
ये भी पढ़ें:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.abplive.com/states/delhi-ncr/arvind-kejriwal-said-delhi-is-captured-by-gangsters-in-press-conference-after-arrest-of-aap-mla-naresh-balyan-2834058">'नरेश बाल्यान खुद पीड़ित, उन्हें मिल रही धमकी', AAP विधायक की गिरफ्तारी पर बोले अरविंद केजरीवाल</a>

कुवैत में करानी पड़ी फ्लाइट की इमरजेंसी लैंडिंग, 23 घंटों से एयरपोर्ट पर ही फंसे कई भारतीय

Vodafone Idea is in exploratory talks with various satellite communication providers, including Starlink, the company said on Wednesday, a week after the Indian telecom firm's rivals signed deals with Elon Musk's company.

The mobile operator made the disclosure after Indian stock exchanges sought a clarification on its stock move and a report by local financial news website Moneycontrol earlier in the day.

Shares of Vodafone Idea rose nearly 5% on Wednesday.

"Our strategy is to provide services -- whether fixed or mobile -- in uncovered areas, where satellite makes perfect sense," Vodafone Idea Chief Technology Officer Jagbir Singh told Moneycontrol, as per the report.

"The other (strategy) is to provide fixed wireless broadband in rural areas and smaller towns, where it is expensive to roll out such services."

Last week, Elon Musk's SpaceX signed deals with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio to bring Starlink's internet services to India.

As part of the deals, the Indian operators will stock Starlink's equipment in their retail stores, giving the US-based satellite communication firm a direct distribution point in thousands of such outlets across the country.

The deals will be conditional on Starlink obtaining government approval to begin operations in the country.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Vodafone Idea In Talks With Elon Musk's Starlink, Other Satcom Providers

Four months after Ukraine's offensive on the Russian region of Kursk, text messages from soldiers the <a class="sp_lnk2" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4x9gz4ylwo" rel="noindex,nofollow">BBC</a> has been receiving, paints a bleak picture.

The soldiers are encumbered with fatigue and strained with sleeplessness because of terrifying 3,000 kg glide bombs. And now, as the winter stings, the only silver lining they can see amidst the grey - Donald Trump's inauguration.

The Ukrainian soldiers have lost their morale and the war isn't even about capturing anymore. It is about holding, and the soldiers say, "we're struggling a bit with that."

While both Russia and Ukraine await the president-elect Trump taking office, the latter is trying to hold maximum territory until Trump's inauguration. "The main task facing us is to hold the maximum territory until Trump's inauguration and the start of negotiations," Dmytro said. "In order to exchange it for something later. No-one knows what."

The one thing that remains constant apart from the immense pressure from the enemy is the loss of motivation.

With the war having been escalated, now the US, UK and France have all permitted Ukraine to use long-range weapons inside Russia, but that didn't do much for their spirits. "We live and fight here and now. And missiles fly somewhere else", Dmytro added.

The soldiers said that even if Atacms and Storm Shadow missiles proved effective somewhere, these successes hardly mean anything in the trenches. "We don't talk about missiles. In the bunkers we talk about family and rotation. About simple things", Marko said.

Regarding the North Korean troops set to join the Russian side, the soldiers BBC spoke with seemed to have no contact with. "I haven't seen or heard anything about Koreans, alive or dead," Andriy said. 

The soldiers have been told to capture at least one North Korean soldier with documents. Apparently, there are rewards such as drones and leaves for anyone who successfully captures a North Korean soldier.

Ukrainian soldiers will hold out at Kursk for "as long as it is feasible from the military point of view", since it is reaping military and political rewards for them and also since the situation in Kursk and heavy losses for Russia "annoys Putin".

The names in this article are not real.

Exhausted Ukrainian Troops Wait For Trump While Struggling To Hold Kursk

Eight years before the Boeing Starliner suffered glitches, ensuring an extended stay on the International Space Station for nine months, NDTV had spoken to Sunita Williams and asked whether she thought flying on a privately built spacecraft could be risky. The Indian-origin astronaut, who had already begun collaborating with Boeing at the time, had said that while there were bumps and even a few heated discussions, she was confident that the spacecraft would be safe when people flew in it.

Speaking exclusively to NDTV during a visit to India in 2016, Ms Williams also spoke about being the first astronaut to have samosas on the International Space Station (ISS) and how she intended to carry an idol of Lord Ganesh, whom she called her "good-luck charm", on her next spaceflight. <a class="sp_lnk2" href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sunita-williams-butch-wilmore-elon-musk-spacex-crew-9-earth-international-space-station-nasa-stranded-astronauts-return-journey-to-begin-shortly-7948251" target="_blank">Follow Sunita Williams Homecoming Live Updates Here</a>

Responding to a question on whether she thought she was taking a big risk by being one of the first astronauts on a private sector spacecraft, Ms Williams, who is vastly experienced and also held the record for the maximum hours of spacewalks by a woman, said the collaboration with Boeing and SpaceX had been really good and the companies had allowed them to participate in the development of the craft.

"We are working hand in hand with our commercial partners. And I think it's a really good collaboration, a really good partnership where, particularly the first four of us who are going to more than likely fly on their spacecraft, they have allowed us into their companies to take a look at what their engineers are doing and understand from the grassroots part of development of the spacecraft, how it is being made. What's interesting and nice about that, I think they are open to that because both of these companies only have a limited number of people who have flown in space," she had said.

Ms Williams said the companies understood that the astronauts were trying to ensure they would be successful and their expertise would help them.

"At the same time, we are not doing things the way we have always done them. We are letting the companies come up with new ideas. And so we are having this dialogue back and forth, a little bit of a debate, like, how come you think this process is correct? And then they have to defend it a little bit. We have to defend our ideas of why we think things should go a (certain) way. And then we could come to the best solution," she said.

"So, of course, we are going to run into bumps and have a little heated discussion on some of these things. But I think we will iron it all out and we will figure it all out. And I think by the time we put the people on the spacecraft, we will have a very safe spacecraft," she asserted.

Ms Williams was assigned to the Starliner project in 2018 and played a key role in the development of the spacecraft, which carried her and fellow NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station in June last year.

Indian Connection

Sunita Williams' father, Deepak Pandya, is from Jhulasan village in Gujarat's Mehsana and left for the United States in 1957. The Indian connection was clearly very much on her mind when NDTV asked her why she ate samosas at the ISS and said she had asked for some "special things that reminded her of home".

"I think my answer to a lot of things is, why not? If you have the opportunity, take it. I love samosas. I had asked for some special things that reminded me of home, and one of those things was samosas. And so my family was somehow able to work with NASA - we get some care packages when we are up in space for a long time, and so they put the samosas in there, and it was a nice surprise," she said.

The astronaut had carried the Gita into space in an earlier mission and to a question on what she intended to take with her next, she said it would probably be a Ganesh idol.

"Something for my niece and nephew, who are both Indian. I will probably bring something for them, some Indian toys as well as probably another Ganesh, because Ganesh is my good luck charm... I'm more of a just a spiritual person. I just know he's there with me, guiding (me)," she said.

Ms Williams also said she had been good friends with fellow Indian-origin astronaut Kalpana Chawla since she had met her after joining NASA.

"We did a lot of things together. Did a lot of nature walks, went bike riding quite a bit, just talked a lot. She's just the type of person that you would automatically connect with. And probably our similar backgrounds, just having Indian parents, you know, lent itself to that," she said.

Calculated Risks

When she was asked whether Ms Chawla's death - when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry into the Earth's atmosphere in 2003 - worried her sometimes, Ms Williams said, "Yes and no. I mean, we understood, I knew we would come to the conclusion and understand exactly what happened to Space Shuttle Columbia. And we would fix that problem. And moving on from there, I think all of the Columbia crew, all the members there, were all good friends of ours in the astronaut office. And I think what their dream, their vision, was just to continue and to explore.

"And, so, it worries us all. I think every time we or any of our friends from the office get on a rocket, it's a big explosion essentially that you're sitting on. But those are calculated risks," she asserted.

Samosas And The Risk Of Private Spacecraft: What Sunita Williams Had Told NDTV

Syria Civil War: सीरिया में मचे घमासान और तख्तापलट के बीच विद्रोही दमिश्क में इटली के राजदूत के आवास में जा घुसे. इटली के विदेश मंत्री एंटोनियो तजानी ने कहा कि एक आर्म्ड ग्रुप दमिश्क में इतालवी राजदूत के निवास के बगीचे में घुस गया और तीन कारें चुरा लीं. हालांकि विद्रोहियों ने राजदूत और कैराबिनियरी (दूतावास पुलिस) को कोई नुकसान नहीं पहुंचाया है. तजानी ने सीरिया में सत्ता के शांतिपूर्ण हस्तांतरण की अपील की है.&nbsp;
इटली के विदेश मंत्री कार्यालय ने सीरिया में रह रहे अपने 300 नागरिकों की सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने की प्रतिबद्धता जताई है. तजानी ने कहा कि उनकी सरकार देश छोड़ने में इच्छुक नागरिकों की मदद के लिए तैयार है. सीरिया की स्थिति पर हुए एक बैठक के बाद तजानी ने कहा, "आज सुबह, एक विद्रोही समूह इटली के राजदूत के निवास के बगीचे में घुस गया. उन्होंने तीन ऑटोमोबाइल छीन लिए."&nbsp;
'सीरिया में पूरी तरह से नियंत्रण में है स्थिति'
उन्होंने बताया कि विद्रोही समूह असद के सैनिकों की तलाश कर रहा था, लेकिन उसने राजदूत या वहां तैनात इतालवी पुलिस को कोई नुकसान नहीं पहुंचाया. तजानी ने पुष्टि की कि राजदूत "सुरक्षित" हैं और किसी अलग जगह से रिमोट फॉर्म में काम कर रहे हैं. उन्होंने कहा, " वहां स्थिति पूरी तरह से नियंत्रण में है. सीरिया में बहुत खुशी है, लेकिन हवा में गोलीबारी करके खुशी इजहार करना उलझन को बढ़ाता है." दिन की शुरुआत में इस्लामवादी नेतृत्व वाले विद्रोहियों ने घोषणा किया कि वे राष्ट्रपति बशर अल-असद की सेनाओं के खिलाफ़ हमला बोलकर दमिश्क में प्रवेश कर चुके हैं.
इराकी दूतावास को कराया गया खाली दमिश्क में घमासान के बाद इराकी दूतावास को खाली करा दिया गया है. &nbsp;इराक ने सीरिया के सीमा पर हाई अलर्ट का एडवाइजरी जारी किया है और वहां सैनिकों की तैनाता बढ़ा दी गई है. भारी संख्या में सीरियाई सेना के जवानों ने इराक में शरण ले रखी है.
भारत ने भी एडवाइजरी की जारी शनिवार को विदेश मंत्रालय की ओर से जारी एडवाइजरी में MEA ने भारतीय नागरिकों को अगली सूचना तक सीरिया की यात्रा नकरने की सलाह दी थी. एडवाइजरी में कहा गया है कि सीरिया में रहने वाले भारतीय दमिश्क स्थित भारतीय दूतावास के आपातकालीन हेल्पलाइन नंबर +963 993385973 और ईमेल आईडी hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in पर संपर्क में रहें.&nbsp;
<div id="article-hstick-inner" class="abp-story-detail ">
यह भी पढेंः&nbsp;<a href="https://www.abplive.com/news/world/britain-democrats-mp-raised-concerns-on-religious-freedom-and-human-rights-abuses-of-minority-religious-minorities-in-pakistan-2834527">बांग्लादेश में हिंदुओं पर जारी हिंसा के बीच ब्रिटेन की संसद में गूंजा पाकिस्तान का ये मुद्दा, सांसद ने लगाया गंभीर आरोप</a>
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सीरिया में इटली के राजदूत के घर में घुसे विद्रोही, चुरा ले गए तीन महंगी कारें! जानें और क्या हुआ

Scientists have been left amused after spotting an octopus hitchhiking during its journey, albeit with an unlikely marine friend. In a <a class="sp_lnk2" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cYlBarkmDY&t=1s" rel="noindex,nofollow">video </a>posted on social media, researchers captured the orange-hued Maori octopus clinging to the back of a large shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), regarded as one of the fastest sharks in the world.

The footage captured in December 2023 but released this week shows the "sharktopus", casually strolling around in the Hauraki Gulf off the northern coast of New Zealand's North Island.

"At first, I was like: 'Is it a buoy? Is it entangled in fishing gear or had a big bite?'" Rochelle Constantin, marine ecologist at the University of Auckland told the <a class="sp_lnk2" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/science/octopus-riding-shark-new-zealand.html" rel="noindex,nofollow">New York Times.</a>

Afterwards, one of the technicians set up a drone for a closer look which managed to capture the stunning footage. As per the researchers, what made the incident unusual was the fact that octopuses are usually found on the seabed where shortfin mako sharks rarely pay a visit.

"We moved on after 10 minutes, so I can't tell you what happened next. The octopus may have been in for quite the experience, though, since the world's fastest shark species can reach 50 km per hour," said Ms Constantin.

"The 'sharktopus' encounter is a reminder of the wonders of the ocean. One of the best things about being a marine scientist is that you never know what you might see next in the sea. By supporting conservation initiatives, we can help to ensure that such extraordinary moments keep happening."



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Octopus spotted riding on top of world's fastest shark <a href="https://t.co/631gtGK5eg">pic.twitter.com/631gtGK5eg</a>
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) <a href="https://twitter.com/AMAZlNGNATURE/status/1903172171410678242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<h3>Social media reacts</h3>

As the video went viral, social media users reacted in astonishment with many calling the octopus smart for utilising the ocean resources for its commute.

"This octopus is a genius. Work smart, not hard," said one user while another added: 'Bro got himself an Uber."

A third commented: "You know humanity is doomed when the alien octopi start domesticating the sharks to ride into battle."



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Bro got himself an Uber ? <a href="https://t.co/GbNHd1XH9V">https://t.co/GbNHd1XH9V</a>
— John Mark Bucsit (@JMBucss) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMBucss/status/1903299400488894786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The researchers said it is possible that the octopus may have fallen with the shark quickly devouring it but it is equally likely that the eight-armed commuter may have slid to the seabed safely, owing to the shallow waters.

Octopus Caught Hitchhiking On Shark's Back In Viral Video: "Bro Got An Uber"

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday signed a Project Implementation Agreement with the International Solar Alliance to operationalize a solar project worth USD 2 million in Fiji, Comros, Madagascar, and the Seychelles, according to an official release.
This development comes after India committed to invest USD 2 million in new solar projects in these Indo-Pacific countries under Quad Climate Working Group initiative
Following the signing of the agreement, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal took to social media platform X to highlight India's commitment to renewables and just energy transitions in island nations of the Indo-Pacific.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
New chapter in Quad Climate Initiatives. A Project Implementation Agreement was signed between Ministry of External Affairs and International Solar Alliance to operationalise solar projects in Comoros, Fiji, Madagascar and Seychelles. These projects underscore ??'s Quad&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/GrIScJxXTP">pic.twitter.com/GrIScJxXTP</a>
&mdash; Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1861333349614153848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
As per a study undertaken by the ISA, the countries under consideration for solar projects have energy issues related to the perishability of agriculture products, unreliable electricity supply in health centers, and irrigation purposes in remote areas where grid power supply or solar mini grids are not available yet, the release stated.
Solar projects in these countries are focused on the areas of cold storage, solarization of health care facilities, and solar water pumping systems are under consideration, the release stated.
The successful execution of these projects is expected to enhance energy access, create employment, and provide reliable and quality power supply in these Indo-Pacific countries, the release stated.
Solar energy is a viable solution to help these countries address climate change-related challenges.
"The latest round of clean energy investments by India in these countries strengthens the nation's commitment of the Quad to address the challenges posed by climate change and facilitate their transition to a clean energy economy for the people, planet and our shared prosperity," the MEA release added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday signed a Project Implementation Agreement with the International Solar Alliance to operationalize a sol

India Signs $2 Million Project Agreement With International Solar Alliance

Pakistan's tallest man, Naseer Soomro, has died at the age of 55 in his hometown of Shikarpur, Sindh province, after battling a prolonged lung illness. Standing at an incredible 7 feet 9 inches tall, Mr Soomro was considered one of the tallest individuals globally, towering over average people by at least three feet, <a class="sp_lnk2" href="https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/pakistan-world-s-tallest-employee-in-aviation-industry-working-with-pia-passes-away-1.500064332" rel="noindex,nofollow">Gulf News </a>reported. On Tuesday, a large crowd gathered in Shikarpur to pay their respects as funeral prayers were held for him. 

Mr Soomro's brother, Riaz Soomro, revealed that he had been battling severe respiratory problems for several months. Although he initially showed signs of recovery, his condition took a turn for the worse in recent months. He had been repeatedly hospitalised due to breathing difficulties and was also taken to Karachi for treatment.

His extraordinary height brought him global recognition, and he was even offered a job by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). In acknowledgement of his remarkable stature, PIA appointed him to its airport customer services team, making him a source of pride for both the aviation industry and Pakistan.

"The tallest man in #Pakistan & a valued #PIA's airport customer services team member, Mr Naseer Soomro has left this world for his eternal abode! Prayers and thoughts for his family & kin to bear this great loss," Pakistan International Airlines wrote in a condolence tweet. 



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The tallest man in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> & a valued <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIA</a>'s airport customer services team member, Mr. Naseer Soomro has left this world for his eternal abode! 
اِنّا لِلّهِ وَاِنّا اِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون 
Prayers ? and thoughts for his family & kin to bear this great loss! <a href="https://t.co/TEtxXDS7fV">pic.twitter.com/TEtxXDS7fV</a>
— PIA (@Official_PIA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_PIA/status/1901714223379743052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



The news of his death has sent shockwaves across Pakistan, with prominent figures, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, expressing their heartfelt condolences. Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged Soomro's remarkable contribution to putting Pakistan on the global map, praying for the elevation of his soul and offering strength to the grieving family.

Naseer Soomro, Pakistan's Tallest Man, Dies At 55 After Prolonged Illness

Towana Looney donated a kidney to her mother in 1999 only for the remaining one to fail several years later as a result of pregnancy complications.

The 53-year-old from Alabama has now become the latest recipient of a gene-edited pig kidney -- and is currently the only living person with an animal organ transplant -- a New York hospital announced on Tuesday.

"It's a blessing," she said in a press statement, published three weeks after the procedure at NYU Langone.

The field of xenotransplantation, long an elusive goal for science, is seeing renewed momentum as advancements in gene editing and managing the immune system bring the once-distant prospect closer to reality.

Advocates hope it can help address the organ shortage crisis, with more than 100,000 Americans waiting for an organ, including over 90,000 in need of kidneys.

Looney had been living with dialysis since December 2016 -- eight long years -- after high blood pressure from a pregnancy condition damaged her remaining kidney.

Although living donors receive higher priority on waiting lists, finding a suitable match proved impossible due to her unusually high levels of harmful antibodies, which made rejection highly likely.

Meanwhile, her body gradually lost accessible blood vessels to support dialysis, leaving her increasingly frail.

Looney's surgery marks the third instance of a gene-edited pig kidney being transplanted into a living human. The first, Rick Slayman, 62, passed away in May, two months after his groundbreaking procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The second, grandmother Lisa Pasano, underwent the transplant at NYU Langone, where she also received a heart pump.

While she initially showed signs of recovery, she had to return to dialysis after 47 days and passed away in July.

Despite these challenges, researchers remain optimistic as they refine their techniques, work with improved gene-edited pig kidneys, and select patients who are less critically ill.

"Without the generosity and altruism of those who participated in our research up to this point, this next step in xenotransplantation would not have been possible," said Robert Montgomery, who led the seven-hour procedure on November 25.

"Towana's case is a precursor to potential clinical trials, under the FDA's (Food and Drug Administration's) guidance, to determine if these organs are safe as a new, sustainable source of organs for those who need them."

The surgery was the seventh human xenotransplantation performed by Montgomery, who also carried out the world's first gene-edited pig-to-human organ transplant on a neurologically deceased patient on September 25, 2021.

Looney was discharged on December 6 to an apartment in New York City, though NYU Langone said that given her prior harmful antibodies "she may periodically undergo inpatient administration of medicine while her immune system adapts to her new organ."

She is expected to return home in three months.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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