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Kash Patel was sworn in as the ninth Director of the FBI on Friday, taking the oath on the Bhagavad Gita at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, surrounded by family. Confirmed by the Senate with a narrow 51-49 vote, Patel succeeds Christopher Wray and is an ally of President Donald Trump, who praised him as a "tough, strong" leader respected by agents. In his inaugural remarks, Patel expressed his belief in the American dream, stating, "You are talking to a first-generation Indian who is about to lead the law enforcement agency of the greatest nation on earth." He committed to ensuring accountability within the FBI and restoring public trust in the agency. The White House welcomed Patel's confirmation as a significant step towards restoring integrity and upholding the rule of law, emphasizing a renewed focus on fair and unbiased justice enforcement. 
Published: Feb 22 2025, 6 am ISTeznews.inAn American-Lebanese man, Hadi Matar, was found guilty on Friday of attempting to murder Salman Rushdie by stabbing the author of "The Satanic Verses" multiple times during a 2022 event in New York. Matar, who faces up to 25 years in prison and will be sentenced on April 23, had attempted to argue against characterizing Rushdie as a victim of persecution due to the 1989 fatwa issued by Iran. Rushdie recounted the harrowing experience, describing intense pain and the moment he feared he was dying after being stabbed about ten times. His injuries included severed nerves in his right eye and damage to his liver and small bowel. The case has reignited debates over free speech and the limits of religious criticism, with Matar reportedly claiming he acted due to perceived attacks on Islam, despite admitting to only reading two pages of Rushdie's book.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 1 am ISTeznews.inIndian-American Kash Patel has been confirmed by the US Senate as the new head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), marking a historic milestone as he becomes the first Indian-American to lead the agency. Patel, 44, hails from the Patidar community in Bhadran village, Gujarat, where his family migrated to Uganda approximately 70 to 80 years ago. Community leaders noted that Patel's relatives sold their ancestral homes in Bhadran after relocating to Africa, and most of them now reside abroad, particularly in the US. Despite not having visited India recently, Patel's family is recorded in the Chh Gam Patidar Mandal’s family tree, which includes 18 generations. Patel, who was born in New York, previously served as Chief of Staff to the Acting Secretary of Defence and holds a law degree from New York. He is also an ice-hockey enthusiast, having played since childhood.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 12 am ISTeznews.inApple announced on Friday that it will no longer provide full end-to-end encryption, known as Advanced Data Protection (ADP), for its customers in the UK, following reports that the UK government requested global access to user data. The company stated that new users in the UK will not have access to ADP, and existing users will eventually need to disable the feature. ADP ensures that only account holders can access their stored content, safeguarding privacy against unauthorized access. The UK government reportedly demanded that Apple create a "back door" for law enforcement access, a request the company has firmly rejected, emphasizing its commitment to user privacy. While law enforcement argues that encryption can hinder investigations, privacy advocates stress its importance in protecting against unwarranted surveillance. Apple expressed disappointment over this development and remains hopeful for the future availability of robust security measures in the UK.
Published: Feb 21 2025, 11 pm ISTeznews.inThe European Union (EU) has issued a controversial warning labeling coffee as "harmful to humans if swallowed," as part of new chemical safety regulations. This decision, reported by _The Telegraph_, also includes a ban on using caffeine as a pesticide, citing potential adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, hydration, and body temperature, as well as impacts on sleep and anxiety in both adults and children. The regulation was prompted by a request from French company Progarein to use caffeine against pests on crops. Critics, including Danish MEP Anders Vistisen, have condemned the EU's intervention as unnecessary, questioning whether it could lead to restrictions on coffee itself. He highlighted past EU attempts to regulate food ingredients, emphasizing that such matters should be left to national authorities and personal choice. Despite the warning, coffee's cultural significance in Europe is unlikely to diminish amid these bureaucratic challenges.
Published: Feb 21 2025, 9 pm IST
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