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Taliban reportedly kills suspected mastermind behind Kabul bombing

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2023

The terrorist allegedly responsible for planning the August 2021 bombing at the Kabul, Afghanistan, airport that killed 13 U.S. service members and at least 170 Afghans was himself killed by Taliban fighters “in recent weeks,” U.S. officials tell ABC News.

A senior Biden administration official on Tuesday described the deceased leader of the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate (also known as ISIS-K or Islamic State Khorasan) as “the mastermind” of the attack, which involved a suicide bomber detonating an explosive device from within the dense crowds desperately trying to enter the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal.

“We have become aware in recent weeks that the ISIS-K terrorist most responsible for that horrific attack of August 26, 2021, has now been killed in a Taliban operation,” the senior official said on Tuesday.

The U.S. did not coordinate with the Taliban in the killing of the ISIS-K leader, according to the official.

“We did not conduct this operation directly with the Taliban. We are not partnering with the Taliban. But we do think the outcome is a significant one,” the official said, adding that the U.S. did not learn of the killing from the Taliban.

The Taliban, which has been in control of Afghanistan’s government since 2021, is opposed to ISIS-K.

The senior administration official said that ISIS-K still aspires to extend the reach of its violent operations but so far has not grown strong enough to pose a major threat outside of Afghanistan.

But the U.S. military’s top general for the Middle East gave a dire warning in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee last month.

“Specifically ISIS-Khorasan, senator, it is my commander’s estimate that they can do an external operation against U.S. or Western interests abroad in under six months, with little to no warning,” U.S. Central Command’s Commander Gen. Erik Kurilla said.

It is not clear why the Taliban has so far not publicly taken credit for such a high-profile blow against its adversary, according to the senior official.

The official would not give the name of the leader but said he “remained a key ISIS-K figure and plotter” after the Abbey Gate bombing.

In a statement later Tuesday, White House spokesman John Kirby confirmed the operation, describing it as “a series of high-profile leadership losses ISIS-K has suffered this year.”

“He was a key ISIS-K official directly involved in plotting operations like Abbey Gate, and now is no longer able to plot or conduct attacks,” Kirby said, in part.

“We have made clear to the Taliban that it is their responsibility to ensure that they give no safe haven to terrorists, whether al Qa’ida or ISIS-K,” Kirby said.

While U.S. officials became aware the leader was likely killed soon after the Taliban attack, it took weeks until they were certain enough to begin informing the families of service members who were killed in the suicide bombing.

“It took a bit of time to go to a high level of confidence that this indeed was an individual who had been removed in the operation. And we of course we wanted to get that right before notifying families,” the administration official told ABC News.

The official said that there’s no expectation the news will take away the pain felt by grieving families, but “we felt and feel a moral responsibility” to inform them.

The Afghanistan withdrawal received renewed public attention last month after the most gravely wounded U.S. survivor of the blast at Abbey Gate gave powerful testimony during a GOP-led House hearing on the matter.

Marine Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews, who lost two limbs in the attack, said he believes his sniper team had the suicide bomber in its sights before the explosion but was not allowed to take the shot.

The 13 service members killed in the bombing were Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover; Sgt. Johanny Rosario; Sgt. Nicole L. Gee; Cpl. Hunter Lopez; Cpl. Daegan W. Page; Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez; Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza; Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz; Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum; Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola; Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui — all Marines — and Navy Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, who chaired the hearing at which Vargas-Andrews testified, criticized the Biden administration in a statement to ABC News on Tuesday.

“Any time a terrorist is taken off the board is a good day. But this doesn’t diminish the Biden administration’s culpability for the failures that led to the attack at Abbey Gate, and will in no way deter the committee’s investigation,” McCaul said. “I will not sleep until every stone is unturned and these Gold Star families have answers — and justice.”

ABC News’ Ben Gittleson contributed to this report.

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Gear

PM Kisan 14th Installment: Eligibility Criteria, Beneficiaries, and Installment Details

Published

2 years ago

May 10, 2023

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The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM Kisan) is a government scheme launched in 2019 to provide financial assistance to small and marginal farmers in India. Under this scheme, eligible farmers receive a direct cash transfer of Rs. 6,000 per year in three equal installments. The government recently announced the release of the 14th installment of the PM Kisan scheme, which is expected to be disbursed soon. In this article, we will discuss all the details about the PM Kisan 14th installment.

Expected Date of Release for PM Kisan 14th Installment:

The 14th installment of PM Kisan is expected to be released between April 2023 and July 2023. However, the exact date of release has not been announced by the government yet.

Eligibility Criteria for PM Kisan Scheme: To be eligible for the PM Kisan scheme, farmers need to meet the following criteria:

The farmer must be a citizen of India.
The farmer should have a valid Aadhaar card.
The farmer’s landholding should be in his/her name or in the name of his/her family members.
The farmer should not be a taxpayer.
The farmer should not be a pensioner.

If a farmer meets all these criteria, he/she can apply for the PM Kisan scheme.

Beneficiaries of PM Kisan Scheme: The PM Kisan scheme is aimed at providing financial assistance to small and marginal farmers in the country. The scheme has also been extended to other categories of farmers and professionals who meet the eligibility criteria. The following beneficiaries are eligible for the PM Kisan scheme:

Self-help groups (SHGs) of farmers, which have been recognized by the government.
Farmer families that have retired from farming but still own land and are eligible under the scheme.
Professionals such as doctors, engineers, accountants, and architects who also own farmland and meet the eligibility criteria.

These beneficiaries are entitled to receive the cash transfer under the PM Kisan scheme.

How to Check PM Kisan Status and Installment Details: Farmers who have applied for the PM Kisan scheme can check their status and installment details on the official website of PM Kisan (https://pmkisan.gov.in/). Here are the steps to check your PM Kisan status and installment details:

Go to the official website of PM Kisan.
Click on the ‘Farmer Corner’ tab.
Select the ‘Beneficiary Status’ option from the drop-down menu.
Enter your Aadhaar number or account number or mobile number.
Click on ‘Get Data’.

Once you click on ‘Get Data’, you will be able to see your PM Kisan status and installment details.

Documents Required for PM Kisan Scheme: To apply for the PM Kisan scheme, farmers need to provide the following documents:

Aadhaar card
Land ownership documents
Bank account details
Passport size photograph

These documents need to be submitted along with the PM Kisan application form to avail of the scheme’s benefits.

PM Kisan Helpline: If farmers have any queries or face any issues with the PM Kisan scheme, they can contact the PM Kisan helpline at 155261 or 1800115526 (Toll-Free). Farmers can also send an email to pmkisan-ict@gov.in to raise their concerns.

Conclusion: The PM Kisan scheme has been a major source of financial assistance for small and marginal farmers in the country. The government’s decision to release the 14th installment of the scheme is expected to provide much-needed relief to farmers who have been struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme has also been extended to other categories of farmers and professionals, which has widened its reach and impact. With the PM Kisan helpline and the online portal, the government has made it easy for farmers to apply for the scheme and receive their benefits. The PM Kisan scheme has undoubtedly been a game-changer in the lives of farmers, and the government’s continued support is crucial in ensuring their welfare and prosperity.

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Instagram Introduces Notes and Other New Sharing Features to Enhance User Experience

Published

2 years ago

May 1, 2023

alokcomosft

Instagram, the popular social media platform, has recently introduced a new feature called Notes that allows users to share text updates with their followers. This feature has been long-awaited by users who have been looking for an easier way to share their thoughts and ideas on the platform.

In addition to Notes, Instagram has also introduced several other new sharing features that are designed to make the platform more user-friendly and engaging. Let’s take a closer look at these new features and what they have to offer.

Notes

Notes is a new feature that allows users to share text updates with their followers. This feature is similar to the status updates on other social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and it allows users to share their thoughts, ideas, and updates with their followers in a more convenient way.

To use Notes, users can simply tap on the “Create a Note” option, which will open up a text editor. From there, users can type in their text update and customize the background color and font style to make it more appealing. Once the update is complete, users can then share it with their followers, who will see it in their Instagram feed.

This feature is especially useful for users who want to share longer-form content or updates that are more text-based. With Notes, users can now share their thoughts and ideas in a more engaging and visually appealing way, making it easier to connect with their followers and grow their audience.

Other New Sharing Features

In addition to Notes, Instagram has also introduced several other new sharing features that are designed to make the platform more user-friendly and engaging. These features include:

Story Replies

Instagram now allows users to reply to stories with photos and videos, making it easier to share their reactions and thoughts with the original poster. Users can simply swipe up on a story and select the camera icon to take a photo or record a video reply, which will then be sent to the original poster as a direct message.

Live Rooms

Instagram has also introduced Live Rooms, which allow users to go live with up to three other people. This feature is great for hosting live Q&A sessions, interviews, or group discussions, and it makes it easier to collaborate with other creators on the platform.

Vanish Mode

Vanish Mode is a new feature that allows users to send disappearing messages in a chat. When users activate Vanish Mode, the chat window will turn black, and any messages sent will disappear after they are viewed. This feature is great for sending sensitive or private information that users don’t want to keep on their device.

Conclusion

Overall, the new features introduced by Instagram are designed to make the platform more user-friendly and engaging. With the introduction of Notes, users now have a more convenient way to share text updates with their followers, while other features like Story Replies, Live Rooms, and Vanish Mode make it easier to connect with other users and share content in a more engaging way.

As Instagram continues to evolve, it’s clear that the platform is committed to improving the user experience and providing new and innovative ways for users to connect and share content. Whether you’re a casual user or a professional creator, these new features are sure to enhance your experience on the platform and help you grow your audience.

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Tinder’s New Verification Process Incorporates AI and Video Selfies for Enhanced User Safety

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2023

alokcomosft

Tinder, the popular dating app, has announced a new verification process that incorporates AI and video selfies. The update aims to enhance the security and authenticity of user profiles.

Tinder’s previous verification process involved users uploading a series of photos to confirm their identity. However, this system was prone to abuse, with users frequently using fake photos or images of other people.

With the new AI and video selfie verification process, users will be prompted to record a short video of themselves performing a series of random actions, such as blinking or smiling. This video will then be compared to the user’s profile photos, as well as other publicly available images, to verify the user’s identity.

The AI component of the verification process will use facial recognition technology to match the user’s face in the video selfie to their profile photos. This technology has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, and is now capable of detecting even subtle differences in facial features.

The video selfie aspect of the new verification process is intended to prevent users from using photos that don’t accurately represent their current appearance. By requiring users to record a short video, Tinder can ensure that the user’s profile photos are up-to-date and accurate.

Tinder’s decision to incorporate AI into its verification process is part of a broader trend in the tech industry towards using artificial intelligence to enhance security and privacy. AI-powered authentication systems are becoming increasingly common in industries such as banking and finance, where security is of utmost importance.

The new verification process has already been rolled out in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The process will be gradually rolled out to other countries in the coming weeks.

In addition to the new verification process, Tinder has also announced that it will be introducing a number of other features designed to enhance user safety and security. These include improved reporting mechanisms for inappropriate behavior, as well as enhanced background checks for users who have been flagged for suspicious activity.

Overall, the new verification process and other security enhancements are a welcome development for Tinder users who are concerned about their safety and privacy on the app. By using AI and video selfies to verify user identities, Tinder is taking an important step towards making its platform safer and more secure for everyone.