Central Team of Officials to Visit Nipah-Hit Areas in Kerala
A team of Central officials is set to visit the Maruthonkara and Ayancheri areas in Kozhikode district, Kerala, where two individuals recently died from Nipah infection. So far, five people have tested positive for the virus, with two fatalities and the remaining under treatment. As a precautionary measure, restrictions are still in place in nine grama panchayats in Kozhikode district, accompanied by a temporary closure of educational institutions until Saturday. The Central team arrived in Kozhikode on Thursday and has engaged in discussions with State officials. It is expected that they will collaborate with the State departments of Health and Animal Husbandry to implement adequate containment measures.
Hunter Biden Indicted on Gun Charges
Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, has been indicted on Thursday for purchasing a firearm illegally five years ago while heavily using drugs. The charges include two counts of making false statements, as Mr. Biden claimed on forms that he was not involved in illegal drug activity at the time he acquired a Colt revolver in Delaware. Additionally, he is accused of illegally possessing the firearm based on the false information provided, a charge that could carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The charges were filed by Justice Department Special Counsel David Weiss, who has been investigating Mr. Biden since 2018.
Sri Lanka Secures Thrilling Victory over Pakistan in Asia Cup
In a thrilling match at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka emerged victorious over Pakistan, securing a spot in the final of the Asia Cup against India. Sri Lanka exhibited a clinical approach in their chase, but their nerves unravelled towards the end. With just two wickets left, Sri Lanka managed to cross the finish line during the nail-biting final over bowled by Zaman Khan. Despite defending seven runs, Khan conceded only two runs in the first four balls before Asalanka’s edge resulted in a boundary. With two runs needed off the last delivery, Khan erred by bowling on the pads, allowing the left-hander to flick it for a couple, causing a deafening roar from the capacity crowd.
Business Jet Veers Off Runway at Mumbai Airport
Operations at Mumbai’s international airport were temporarily halted for nearly two hours after a business jet from Vishakapatnam veered off the runway. The jet, identified as VT-DBL, skidded off onto the grass surface adjacent to the primary runway (runway 27) due to inclement weather and ongoing rainfall. Photos of the incident reveal that the aircraft broke into two sections upon impact with the cockpit portion. The eight individuals on board, including two pilots, suffered injuries and were swiftly transported to hospitals by airport authorities.
Congress Contemplates Second Edition of Bharat Jodo Yatra Ahead of Lok Sabha Polls
Within the Congress Party, discussions are underway regarding the possibility of organizing a second edition of the Bharat Jodo Yatra (Unite India March) from east to west before the 2024 general election. With increasing demand from party members, all eyes are on the upcoming meeting of the newly constituted Congress Working Committee in Hyderabad on September 16 and 17. Led by former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the first Bharat Jodo Yatra began in Kanniyakumari on September 7 last year, covering 4,000 kilometers and continuing for 136 days until it concluded in Srinagar on January 30.
Jana Sena and TDP Join Forces for 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly Polls
Jana Sena Party (JSP) President K. Pawan Kalyan announced that his party and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will form an alliance and collectively contest against the YSR Congress Party in the 2024 Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh. Kalyan made the announcement following a meeting with former Chief Minister and TDP Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is currently in Rajamundry Central Prison. Stressing that the decision was made for the state’s welfare and development rather than purely for political gains, Kalyan, along with Nara Lokesh (Naidu’s son) and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna (Naidu’s brother-in-law), held discussions with Naidu for approximately 45 minutes during their permitted interaction.
Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal Against Meat Ban in Lakshadweep School Meals
The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal against the Lakshadweep administration’s decision to remove meat from mid-day meals served to school children in the islands. The petitioner, advocate Ajmal Ahmed, a resident of the Union Territory, argued that meat was an integral part of the islands’ culture and a crucial dietary component for children, many of whom come from tribal families. However, the Bench, Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M. Trivedi, maintained that the removal of meat from the menu was a government policy and found no evidence of illegality or arbitrariness.
BJP Ticket Fraud Case Implicates Prominent Figures, Claims Arrested Activist
Chaitra Kundapura, a Hindutva activist who was arrested for allegedly defrauding a businessman of crores of rupees by promising him a BJP ticket to contest in the Byndoor Assembly elections, stated that many prominent figures are involved in the case. Kundapura claimed that the arrest of a Swamiji (religious leader) would unveil the truth behind the conspiracy related to the pending Indira canteen bill issue. Responding to media questions while being escorted to the CCB interrogation center from the State home for women, where Kundapura had been housed overnight, the accused activist expressed confidence that the arrest of a prominent individual would expose many big names.
Tourists Flock to Bharat Mandapam to View G-20 Summit Installations
The area surrounding Pragati Maidan’s Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the recently concluded G-20 Summit, has transformed into a tourist attraction. Delhi residents and visitors from neighboring cities are thronging to the location in large numbers to take selfies and admire the fountains, lights, and other art installations. Many individuals are captivated by the enormous lion and panther statues adorning the New Delhi police district and hold hopes that these features will be maintained by the authorities in the future.
Delhi High Court Confirms Mandatory Rules for Electric Vehicles
The Delhi High Court has affirmed that relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor Vehicles Rules already apply to electric vehicles. These provisions specifically outline the necessity of mandatory insurance coverage and the wearing of helmets on two-wheelers, alongside penalties for non-compliance. A Bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad rejected a public interest litigation plea seeking directives to make insurance coverage mandatory for electric two-wheelers in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Act. Additionally, the plea filed by advocate Rajat Kapoor called for the compulsory use of helmets on all types of electric motorcycles and scooters.
El Niño Conditions Expected from January to March 2024
According to the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), there is a greater than 95% chance that the El Niño weather pattern will persist during the Northern Hemisphere winter from January to March 2024. The CPC noted that sea surface temperatures across the equatorial Pacific Ocean were above average in August, with notable strengthening in the central and east-central regions. El Niño, a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific, can trigger extreme weather phenomena such as wildfires, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts. This naturally occurring phenomenon is already causing calamities worldwide, with emerging markets facing heightened risks due to fluctuations in food and energy prices.
Govinda May Face Questioning in Connection with Ponzi Scheme
The Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Police is considering summoning veteran actor Govinda for his alleged involvement in promoting Solar Techno Alliance (STA), a Ponzi scheme that reportedly defrauded numerous investors. STA is believed to be one of India’s largest cryptocurrency-based Ponzi schemes, involving ₹1,000 crore and affecting 200,000 people. Last month, the EOW in Odisha arrested several individuals connected to the scheme.
