Day: December 26, 2024

Living Nostradamus’ eerie prophecies for 2025: Brazilian warns about ‘genetically modified humans’, ‘out of control AI’  Hindustan Times
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The 10 Best Crime Movies of the Last 25 Years, Ranked  Collider
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DELHI — As 2024 draws to a close, the Christian community in India reflects on a year marked by increasing challenges and persecution.
Data from various organizations paint a sobering picture of the difficulties faced by this religious minority, which comprises approximately 2.3% of the country’s population.
On June 24, Bindu Sodhi, a Christian resident from the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, was killed due to her faith. Villagers, including some of her close relatives, had been obstructing her from plowing a field because of her Christian beliefs. After lodging a police complaint against them, her family resumed their farming activities.
Later that evening, a group of villagers and relatives — armed with bows, arrows, axes and knives — launched a brutal attack. Bindu Sodhi was caught and killed, her throat slit during the assault. Following her death, her body was kept at a hospital in Dantewada, as the villagers refused to allow her burial on village land.
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In another incident, this one in Punjab, a member of a church was brutally assaulted by religious extremists during a prayer service. The attack left him with critical injuries, including severe head trauma. He was hospitalized at a Christian medical college in Ludhiana. Despite receiving medical care, Bhagwan Singh succumbed to his injuries on Feb. 19.
These two incidents highlight the challenges faced by the Christian community in various parts of India. According to the data collected by the United Christian Forum, a human rights organization, a total of 585 attacks have happened against the Christian community through September 2024.
To address the growing violence against the Christian community, UCF also submitted a detailed report to Kiren Rijiju, a federal minister for minority affairs in India. The memorandum highlighted that a primary reason for these attacks had been false allegations of fraudulent conversions.
It also mentioned how two areas — Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh — recorded the highest numbers of such incidents, with 156 and 127 cases respectively, involving either attacks on individuals during prayer or their unlawful detention by local authorities. The memo further highlighted a disturbing trend, where authorities have regularly arrested Christians at the behest of Hindu nationalist groups who have filed complaints.
The rise in violence against Christians is compounded by legal challenges, particularly the implementation and tightening of anti-conversion laws in several states. Uttar Pradesh, for instance, has arrested 1,682 people under its anti-conversion law in the past four years. Currently, 12 states in India have passed anti-conversion laws, reflecting the growing influence of Hindu religious nationalism.
The violence in Manipur has indeed contributed significantly to the rise in attacks against the Christian community in India. The situation in Manipur represents a particularly severe and concentrated outbreak of violence that has disproportionately affected Christians.
In May 2023, ethnic tensions between the predominantly Christian Kuki-Zo tribe and the majority-Hindu Meitei people erupted into widespread violence.
This conflict has resulted in devastating consequences for the Christian community, with reports indicating that over 230 churches were burned down, more than 1,000 Christian homes and institutions were destroyed and at least 60 Christians killed. The scale of destruction is staggering, with some sources citing even higher numbers — up to 300 churches burned and around 30,000 people displaced.
The plight of Christians in India has drawn international attention, with organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International calling for stronger protections.
In October, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended that India be designated a “country of particular concern” due to deteriorating conditions for religious minorities.
However, the Indian government has dismissed such criticisms — asserting that it upholds religious freedom and labeling reports of persecution as exaggerated.
Christian leaders and organizations have been vocal about the increasing persecution.
Catholic Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore expressed awareness of “overt and covert attacks on the Christians in many parts of our country, especially in Chattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh,”
The United Christian Forum has appealed to Indian lawmakers to end the violence and take strict measures against the perpetrators of such crimes.
As 2024 comes to a close, the Christian community in India faces an uncertain future. The sharp rise in attacks, coupled with legal challenges and institutional pressures, paints a picture of a minority under siege. The persistence of violence — often with apparent impunity — raises serious concerns about religious freedom and minority rights in the world’s largest democracy.
The coming year will be crucial in determining whether this trend continues or if measures will be taken to protect the rights and safety of this Christian minority. As the international community watches, the response of the Indian government and civil society to these challenges will be a significant indicator of the country’s commitment to religious pluralism and minority rights.
Rishabh Jain is an independent journalist based in Delhi. Follow him at @ThisIsRjain.
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YouTube Creator Denounces PayPal Browser Extension Honey as a Scam  Inc.
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The Deliverance
At long last, we have a really great Netflix original movie at #1 in the Top 10 list, dethroning the former #1, a truly terrible Netflix original movie. That awful movie is the horror film The Deliverance, and that good movie is Rebel Ridge, which has now debuted at #1 and is being widely watched as we speak.
The Deliverance reviewed horribly, supposedly based on a “true” ghost story (which was debunked in multiple ways). It has a 32% from critics, who are generally predisposed to be pretty kind to many horror movies, and a 47% from audiences, not much better. Thankfully, it has been replaced by a film doing much better, Rebel Ridge, which unlike a similarly-named Netflix original, Rebel Moon, is reviewing excellently with a 94% critic score and an 82% audience score. Here is the official synopsis for the film:
Netflix Top 10
The film does not boast any truly major stars. It’s led by Aaron Pierre whose longest stint was on the Syfy show Krypton before this. The most recognizable name in the cast is Don Johnson of Miami Vice fame. I know who AnnaSophia Robb is, as I remember from roles when she was much younger like Race to Witch Mountain and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Now, somehow, she’s 30. Time flies.
It looks to be excellent and I will be giving it a watch this weekend. Frankly, I am a little surprised that the newly added Sonic the Hedgehog movie is at #3, given all the hype for the third movie with its trailer just released. I figured it would probably be #1, but not so. Emma Stone’s Aloha was up pretty high a few days ago but now it’s down to #5 as perhaps people realized that it’s actually terrible. Former #1, the also-bad Netflix Original The Union is down to #8. Super Mario Bros. still refuses to fall off the list at #10. Incredible.
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Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 13F. Winds light and variable..
Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 13F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: December 25, 2024 @ 8:48 pm

DEAR HELOISE: I wanted to write in concerning not using rugs and towels at animal shelters. I have to wonder what sort of “shelter” is being offered to dogs and cats where it gets so cold and wet that the cloth can freeze. Not to mention the possibility of the poor animal freezing to death!
Are they saying these indoor animals are being kept outside? Or are their facilities not being properly heated and dry? This is shocking to me! I hope they can explain themselves.
— Frank F. ,Ventura, California
Frank, the letter was referring to feral cats and other outdoor animals. Shelter cats and dogs usually have a better situation than those who are born wild or mistreated by their owners. In my opinion, no animal should be kept outside in the winter if they have owners with a warm house. Sadly, there are too many abandoned cats and dogs who have no one to look after them, making their existence difficult and their lives short.
Straw is the best solution to helping these animals stay warm, provided that there is plenty of straw to snuggle in for warmth inside of some type of enclosure. There are a variety of such houses for animals online, and most aren’t expensive.
— Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: I often use paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls to keep artificial flower stems together. I also cut them lengthwise to put on gift-wrapping paper rolls. If the paper roll is too thin to keep a cardboard roll on, then I use a rubber band to secure the roll.
Your readers have given me so much I can use. I thank you and thank them, too.
— Jackie, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Jackie, I like your cardboard roll ideas. Lately, I’ve received several letters stating that readers use the cardboard roll in paper towels and toilet paper to start a fire in their fireplace. Some also use a toilet roll of cardboard to gather a number of loose cords together. Others use a paper towel roll to wrap tree lights around when putting them into storage. All of these are great ideas as well.
— Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: Our glass pie plates wouldn’t get clean, so my husband had the successful idea to use a ceramic cooktop cleaner! The pie plates are sparkling now!
— Connie B., Universal City, Texas
DEAR HELOISE: My mom was never really happy with any gift I gave her. Since she relied on Social Security, money was tight, so I started to give her a goody box. I usually used an empty paper box and filled it with toiletries and products that I knew she used. I also included postage stamps and gift cards for car washes. She would love her goody box and looked forward to it every year.
One year, my aunt was visiting from the old country at Christmas, so I made up a smaller box for her. I found out that she loved a certain brand of canned corn, so I included six cans. She was over the moon! It was also easy for me, as I would add things to the box all year long, making it easier on my time and budget.
— Liz N., via email

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The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.
Iowa first graders will soon receive one million books as part of a $3.5 million initiative by the governor and Department of Education to support early literacy.
Before students headed home for winter break, first-grade students at Waukee’s Schuler Elementary School received a little something extra.
“They were very excited to get their books,” said Mara Phillips, instructional coach at Schuler Elementary School.
The “decodable” books, a gift from the state, aim to give beginner readers a boost.
“The importance of having students get in a lot of reading and exposure to more words at this age is really important,” Phillips said.
The take-home books from reading vendor Just Right Readers are designed to reinforce classroom learning. They use simple words to help students connect letters and sounds.
The Department of Education’s literacy experts selected the program from Texas because it aligns with the state’s goal of prioritizing early literacy through evidence-based learning.
“When it comes to actual ability to be able to read grade-level text, it’s shockingly low,” said reading tutor Nicki Pratti.
State test scores from last year show that 66% of Iowa third-grade students are reading at grade level, slightly below the national average.
Pratti points to some teachers not being given the best curriculum to teach fundamental reading skills, which she believes causes students to struggle with reading after second grade.
“Mostly you’re reading content, and it does not have pictures, and you can’t lean on those pictures for vocabulary, three or multi-syllable words, and that’s where a lot of kids get stuck,” Pratti said.
Pratti acknowledges the importance of reading at home for young readers, but questions how the state plans to support parents in this effort.
“Not all parents have that. They might have a standard 8-t0-5 job, and they may struggle with reading themselves. We can’t put that on parents, too,” Pratti said.
The Iowa Department of Education says it is offering digital resources with the take-home books to help families support their readers.
KCCI asked how the state will measure the program’s success. The Department of Education said teachers can monitor progress through reading screenings and assessments.
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Key member of Nandu gang arrested
Ashish Rathi, a key member of Kapil Sangwan (Nandu gang) arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. A Pistol & two live cartridges recovered from his possession: Delhi Police
Several IAS appointed for DoPT Secy, revenue Secy and Higher Education Secy
Kerala cadre IAS Rachna Shah appointed as new DoPT secretary. Bihar Cadre IAS Arunish Chawla appointed as revenue secretary. He will also hold additional charge of culture. Manipur cadre IAS Vineet Joshi will be secretary Higher Education. Currently, he is chief secretary of Manipur
Four killed in Ukrainian strike on Russian region: Governor
A Ukrainian strike on Wednesday killed four people and injured five in the Russian town of Lgov in the Kursk region flanking Ukraine, the regional governor said.

“As a result of barbaric shelling from the Ukrainian armed forces on peaceful Lgov, three people were killed and one more person died later in hospital,” Alexander Khinshtein, said on Telegram.

4 died in road accident after 2 cars collided in Karnataka’s Haveri
4 people died in a road accident under the Tadas Police Station area, where 2 cars collided after one of them lost control and jumped the divider on the national highway: Additional SP, Haveri
Archeological survey inspects stepwell in Sambal
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team inspects an age-old stepwell found in the Lakshman Ganj area during excavation work.

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‘Bloodworm love spell’ ritual sold in Singapore online store sparks debate  South China Morning Post
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