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In a bold move, the Modi government is determined to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, despite stiff resistance from prominent opposition figures, including Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has made it clear that the government will not back down, emphasising that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to overhaul the Waqf Board to improve efficiency and ensure better management of Waqf properties.

The amendments are set to address long-standing issues related to the management, preservation, and potential misuse of Waqf properties. The bill focuses on enhancing the efficiency of the Waqf Board’s operations, ensuring that these properties are administered in a transparent and accountable manner. Key highlights include provisions to prevent encroachment and ensure the proper utilisation of Waqf properties.

A major aspect of the proposed legislation is the streamlining of administrative processes to facilitate better oversight and governance. Shah’s assertion that the government intends to push through these changes comes amid opposition from the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is headed by Sharad Pawar. Both parties are part of the opposition INDIA alliance and have voiced their concerns over the amendments.

Opposition parties, however, are raising concerns about the potential impact of these amendments on Muslim communities and the management of Waqf properties. Critics argue that the changes could lead to an erosion of Muslim autonomy over religious properties.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2024, is currently under review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The committee has heard views from various stakeholders, including Islamic scholars and Muslim social workers, some of whom have expressed support for the amendments, recognizing the need for greater accountability.

As the bill continues its journey through Parliament, the government faces both political challenges and support from various quarters. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the government will succeed in pushing through the reforms or if opposition forces will prevail.

To the increasing global conversation surrounding ethical concerns in artificial intelligence (AI), Udemy, a prominent online learning platform, has launched a new course on AI Ethics. With AI becoming a dominant force in technology, responsible development and deployment are becoming more critical. This course aims to address these issues by providing a deep dive into ethical considerations in AI, ensuring that professionals are equipped with the knowledge to make informed, responsible decisions.

The course, which has already received a solid rating of 4.5/5, covers a wide range of essential topics, including AI ethics principles and frameworks, bias and fairness in AI decision-making, privacy and data protection, transparency, accountability, and AI's impact on human rights. The curriculum is designed to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical insights, helping students apply ethical principles in real-world AI scenarios.

The course is led by an industry expert with over a decade of experience in both AI and ethics, offering participants valuable perspectives from someone deeply embedded in the field. By completing the course, students will gain the ability to identify potential ethical issues in AI, develop strategies to mitigate risks, and implement responsible AI solutions in their work.

This course is particularly beneficial for AI professionals, data scientists, software developers, business leaders, and anyone interested in the ethics of AI. It is also available at a discounted rate of 81% off, bringing the price down to just ₹649 (original price ₹3,499) when using the coupon code IND21PM.

The course includes 2.5 hours of video lectures, quizzes, downloadable resources, and lifetime access. In addition, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a certificate of completion, making it a valuable addition to any professional’s skill set.

As AI continues to permeate various aspects of life, its ethical implications are becoming more important. This course aims to promote fair decision-making, ensure data protection, enhance transparency, and uphold human rights in AI systems, preparing professionals to contribute to the responsible growth of AI.

In a powerful display of protest, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, New Zealand's youngest Member of Parliament, tore up a copy of a bill that seeks to reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi before performing the traditional Māori war dance, 'haka', in Parliament. The bill, which proposes a re-examination of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, has sparked significant controversy, as it addresses the historic agreement that established the governance framework between the British Crown and Māori chiefs in New Zealand.

Maipi-Clarke’s dramatic gesture, which she was later joined in by other MPs, temporarily halted parliamentary proceedings as Speaker Gerry Brownlee suspended the session. The act of tearing the bill and performing the 'haka' was a statement of defiance, rooted in the ongoing struggle for Māori rights and sovereignty, and served as a powerful reminder of the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi for indigenous communities in New Zealand.

The Treaty, widely considered the founding document of the nation, continues to be a central point of contention in New Zealand's politics, especially in relation to Māori land rights, language, and culture. The reinterpretation of the Treaty, as proposed in the bill, has been perceived by many as an attempt to diminish Māori sovereignty, prompting outrage among various Māori and activist groups.

The 'haka', a deeply symbolic and energetic Māori war dance, is often used to express unity, strength, and defiance. By performing the *haka* in Parliament, Maipi-Clarke underscored the gravity of her protest and the passionate resistance to the proposed changes to the Treaty. The public demonstration also highlighted the generational divide in New Zealand’s political landscape, as younger leaders like Maipi-Clarke are pushing for a more active rethinking of the nation's colonial history and its ongoing impact on Māori communities.

As the protest gained attention, discussions about the future of the Treaty of Waitangi and its modern-day relevance have intensified, with many questioning whether the government should pursue such reinterpretations without consulting Māori leaders and communities more thoroughly. The event has reignited debates on the rights and recognition of Māori people, prompting calls for a broader national conversation on these crucial issues.

Global hiring practices are undergoing a major transformation as leading companies such as Google, IBM, and Apple move away from traditional degree requirements, focusing instead on skills and experience. This shift reflects a growing belief that Ivy League degrees or prestigious educational credentials are no longer prerequisites for landing top jobs. Prominent industry leaders have openly supported this trend, with

Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasising the priority on skills over formal qualifications. Similarly, Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM, labelled skills as the "new currency," while Apple’s Tim Cook stressed that their hiring process prioritises talent and experience over degrees.

This approach has been adopted by organisations including Ernst & Young and Penguin Random House, marking a significant departure from conventional hiring norms. The change addresses key challenges such as bridging the skills gap left by traditional education systems, promoting diversity by opening opportunities to a broader talent pool, and recognizing raw talent and potential over academic pedigree. Experts like Dr. Peter Cappelli from Wharton School argue that degrees are no longer reliable indicators of capability, while a Society for Human Resource Management survey reveals that 73% of companies plan to prioritise skills in recruitment.

Statistics further validate this trend, with 60% of employers viewing skills as more important than education, highlighting the need for practical experience and industry-relevant expertise. The implications are profound, signalling the need for educational reforms to align curricula with workplace demands. Meanwhile, employers are adopting innovative recruitment strategies, such as skills assessments and hands-on evaluations, fostering an equitable hiring environment that values merit over formal qualifications. As skills-based hiring gains momentum, the job market is evolving to prioritise adaptability, creativity, and technical expertise, reshaping the future of work and creating opportunities for candidates from diverse backgrounds. This shift challenges conventional norms and paves the way for a more inclusive and talent-driven workforce.

A global summit titled "Confronting the Climate Crisis: A Global Summit for Media and Social Change" is set to bring together media professionals, policymakers, and grassroots organisations to address the climate crisis and its outsized impact on women, girls, and marginalised communities. Organised by One World Media in collaboration with POPLab, the event will take place in both London and Mexico City in November 2024. The summit aims to harness the power of media to inspire awareness and promote action against climate challenges, focusing on the role of filmmakers and journalists in portraying ethical climate reporting.

The summit’s core objectives include fostering collaborations across diverse media and policy spheres, supporting impactful storytelling and investigative journalism, and enabling journalists to discuss strategies for accurately covering climate issues with an emphasis on justice. The event will feature a mix of panels, workshops, and networking sessions designed to equip participants with practical skills and insights into climate communication. Renowned journalists and filmmakers, along with grassroots organisation leaders, students, and researchers, will contribute to discussions on climate-induced issues such as displacement, human trafficking, community resilience, and girls’ education.

A special focus on climate justice will underpin much of the event’s programming, addressing critical themes such as the ethical considerations in reporting on vulnerable communities and the urgent need for policy reform to protect those most affected by climate change. Expert-led workshops on climate storytelling and policy influence will provide attendees with hands-on guidance to elevate their reporting on environmental issues. Additionally, attendees can network with peers, exchange ideas, and form alliances that could lead to sustained collaborative efforts in climate activism and advocacy.

The summit will be accessible to a global audience through livestreams, and all registered participants will have access to post-event resources. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request to ensure that the event is inclusive for all. 

The event’s organisers, One World Media, a UK-based charity focused on supporting global storytellers, and POPLab, a journalism collective focused on marginalised voices, aim to use this summit as a platform for media-driven change. Participants can engage in the conversation through #ClimateJusticeMedia on Twitter and follow updates on One World Media’s and POPLab’s social media channels.

In celebration of Children's Day on November 14, here is a list of five powerful young adult books that inspire resilience, self-discovery, and empathy in young readers. These books not only encourage children to dream big but also help them build social awareness and critical thinking skills, which are vital for the leaders of tomorrow. Starting with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, this memoir captures the resilience and strength of a young girl in the face of unimaginable adversity, making it a timeless read for ages 13 and up. Another popular pick, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, introduces readers to a dystopian world where bravery and strategic thinking are keys to survival, engaging young minds with its adventurous and thought-provoking themes. 

For younger readers aged 10 and up, Wonder by R.J. Palacio offers a heartwarming tale of kindness and acceptance through the experiences of a young boy with facial differences navigating the challenges of middle school. The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan brings in a fantastical twist with Greek mythology, while To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, recommended for ages 12 and up, addresses issues of social justice and moral courage.

Experts in child development emphasise the importance of empowering literature, as it significantly impacts a child’s mindset and can inspire positive changes in their worldview. Dr. Kumar, a child psychologist, states that exposure to such narratives helps children develop empathy and a broader social perspective. For parents looking to engage their children more deeply with reading, experts recommend shared reading sessions and open discussions about book themes, establishing an environment that fosters a love for literature. Book clubs, where children can express their thoughts and share insights, are also encouraged. Furthermore, statistics reveal that 75% of children read for pleasure regularly, and 60% of parents believe reading plays a crucial role in child development, according to data from the National Literacy Trust and Penguin Random House.

This Children's Day, these five empowering reads provide a meaningful way to celebrate by promoting a love for reading that can profoundly shape young minds. By nurturing children’s curiosity and resilience through stories, parents can contribute to raising socially aware, compassionate individuals prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow.