Demonstrations in Iran pose biggest threat to hardline regime in 13 years

by Argus News

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Demonstrations have spread to most of Iran's 31 provinces and almost all urban centres, pitting anti-government demonstrators against regime forces, including the military, and posing the most serious test to the hardline state's authority in more than 13 years, local media reported.

London, Sep 25: Demonstrations have spread to most of Iran's 31 provinces and almost all urban centers, pitting anti-government demonstrators against regime forces, including the military, and posing the most serious test to the hardline state's authority in more than 13 years, local media reported.

The demonstrations have evoked images of an anti-government protest in 2009, known as the green revolution, that followed contentious presidential elections and marked the last time citizens faced off against security forces on a large scale.

"The main difference between the current protest compared to the green movement in 2009 is that now people are fighting back; they are not afraid of the brutal regime," said Sima Sabet, an Iranian journalist and presenter on the Iran International TV station, The Guardian reported.

"Demonstrators are now burning ambulances because the government is using ambulances to move their security forces not to rescue people. The protesters are now using different tactics; they move between all cities and make it hard for security forces to control all locations."

Firuzeh Mahmoudi, executive director of human rights NGO United for Iran, said the recent unrest followed months of Iranians being prepared to hold smaller protests on an array of issues. "The uprising in 2009 in some ways was more expansive in certain cities," she said.

"We had millions of people protesting in certain cities during the biggest day of that protest. It was the biggest thing since the [1979] revolution. They did not see it coming and were very surprised.

"Now we're seeing not only big cities but smaller cities that we've never seen before. We're now also seeing unprecedented ways in which people are showing up, in the messaging and the boldness. Things are a lot more unified."

Mahmoudi said chants heard at rallies, such as "We'll support our sisters and women, life, liberty", had been heard around the country.

"This is unprecedented for us. We have never seen women take their hijab off in mass like this. Burning down the police centers, running after their cars, burning down the pictures of [supreme leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei," she said, The Guardian reported.

Drawing on lessons learned over the past decade in anti-government uprisings elsewhere in the Middle East, smartphones have been used as organizing tools, with messages and places of demonstrations widely circulated, despite widespread cuts to the country's internet.

"They have tactics about how to send their videos outside of Iran despite the cut-off of the internet," said Sabet.

"For the first time now in Iran, women are burning their hijabs with the support of men," The Guardian reported.

Substantial numbers of Iranians have long been opposed to unflinching societal rules and the reach of the state's security forces, which have enforced one of the region's most formidable theocratic states over more than four decades.

As long as the protesters continue agitation on the streets and wear out the security forces, they will sustain and maybe expand the momentum. In at least one small city, Oshnavieh, in northwest Iran, the regime has lost effective control and retreated to the outskirts.

Internet provider Starlink has announced that it will activate its satellite so the internet can be accessed inside Iran, The Guardian reported.

(IANS)

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Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Reviews Progress On Metro Rail Phase-2 Project

by Manisha Das

Gandhinagar, Dec 9: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel conducted a comprehensive inspection of the ongoing operations related to the 6.5 km stretch of the C-2 project on the Metro Rail Phase-2 route from Motera to Gandhinagar.

This crucial phase of the project holds significance for the state's transportation infrastructure, aiming to enhance connectivity between Motera and Gandhinagar.

Accompanied by Chief Advisor Hasmukh Adhia, Chairman of Metro Rail Corporation SS Rathore, and other senior secretaries, CM Patel meticulously examined various aspects of the railway route and stations currently under construction.

During the inspection, the Chief Minister's visit covered a span from Bhaijipura to Ch-2, focusing on key areas including Dholakuwa, Randesan, Gift City, and other strategic locations along the route.

In addition to assessing the Metro Rail developments, CM Patel extended his scrutiny to the construction work underway on the Visat to Narmada to Koba Circle road.

The Chief Minister engaged with project stakeholders, obtaining technical insights into the ongoing construction activities.

The Metro Rail Phase-2 project is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Gujarat's modernised and interconnected urban landscape.

(ANI)

Also Read: National News

EU Lawmakers Agree On Artificial Intelligence Laws

by Manisha Das

Washington DC, Dec 9: European Union lawmakers on Friday agreed to one of the world's first major comprehensive artificial intelligence laws, CNN reported. The legislation called AI Act set up a regulatory framework to promote the development of AI while addressing the risks related to the rapidly evolving technology.

The legislation imposes a ban on harmful AI practises "considered to be a clear threat to people's safety, livelihoods and rights." The EU lawmakers' decision comes amid growing concerns over the disruptive capabilities of artificial intelligence, according to CNN report.

While addressing a news conference, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola termed the law a "balanced and human-centred approach" that she stressed will "no doubt be setting the global standard for years to come."

The regulatory framework, which categorises AI applications based on risk and tightens regulation on higher risk levels, was initially proposed in 2021, according to CNN report.

The risksy uses of Artificial Intelligence have been banned. According to the law, those include systems that target certain vulnerable groups, biometric identification systems for law enforcement uses and artificial intelligence that employs manipulative "subliminal techniques."

Limited-risk systems, such as chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT, or technology that generates images, audio or video content, will face new transparency obligations under the law.

Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for Internal Market, stressed that AI Act is much more than a rulebook.
Taking to X, Breton stated, "Historic! The EU becomes the very first continent to set clear rules for the use of AI The #AIAct is much more than a rulebook -- it's a launchpad for EU startups and researchers to lead the global AI race. The best is yet to come!"

Artificial intelligence entered the mainstream after the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot in November 2022. Generative AI technology gained popularity and led to an AI arms race, according to CNN report.

AI's disruption extends well beyond the world of big tech: educators have struggled with generative AI's ability to complete schoolwork assignments; artists and musicians have grappled with the possibility of AI-fueled imitation. (ANI)

PM Modi Lauds Uttarakhand CM Dhami On Launching 'House Of Himalayas' Brand

by Manisha Das

Dehradun, Dec 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on launching the 'House of Himalayas' brand during the Global Investors Summit in the state on Thursday.

Speaking during the main event of Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit-2023 today, PM Modi said that the 'House of Himalayas' brand strengthens the concept of 'Vocal for Local and Local for Global.'

Highlighting the 'Vocal for Local and Local for Global' campaign, PM Modi said, "India's special development has happened in the last few years. There was a population of the country that was deprived of everything. Now, due to the government's schemes, more than 13 crore people have come out of poverty in just 5 years. All these have given a boost to the economy. Today the country's consumption-based economy is moving forward rapidly.

We have to become 'Vocal for local and local for global."

He further said that the major development projects in the state have opened the doors for every investor.
"Today in Uttarakhand, work on village roads is going on at a very fast pace. That day is not far when the Delhi-Dehradun expressway travel time is about to be two hours. The rail line here is about to be strengthened. All these paths have brought golden opportunities for every investor," he said.

"Areas that have lagged in development are being brought forward, which means Uttarakhand has unmatched potential for every investor to reap maximum benefits. The state is going to emerge as a new brand of empowerment. There are possibilities here like nature, culture, heritage, Ayurveda, Yoga," PM Modi said.

He asserted that the third decade of the 21st century is the decade of Uttarakhand and all of you are also getting a huge opportunity to join this development journey of the state.

PM Modi also emphasized, "In my 3rd term as PM of the country, India will be listed in the top 3 economies in the world."

Before inaugurating the summit, PM Modi held a roadshow in Dehradun and also inspected an exhibition at the venue of the Global Investors Summit 2023 in Dehradun.