TODAY NEWS ON October 03, 2024

News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants

Source: The Hindu

National News

• Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk released, allowed to visit Rajghat
• 56 years after IAF plane crash, body of Army soldier to be handed over to extended family
• ‘Love Jihad’ being waged by certain community, poses major threat to nation’s unity: U.P. court judge
• Air India cabin crew complain that airline’s new policy on shared hotel rooms will impact their rest requirements
• Badlapur accused encounter: Maharashtra government appoints single member commission to probe shooting
• In Delhi’s biggest drug bust, police seizes over 500kg cocaine worth ₹2,000 crore
• Junior doctors’ mega rally on Mahalaya begins demanding justice for R.G. Kar Medical College victim
• Pune helicopter crash: All three onboard killed; police investigation underway
• Deeply concerned at the escalation of security situation in West Asia: MEA; Indians asked to avoid unnecessary travel to Iran
• India-U.S. working to address regional, global challenges: Blinken after Jaishankar meeting
• U.P. govt to bear entire fee of Dalit student in IIT Dhanbad
• PM Modi, in Jharkhand, says population of Hindus, Adivasis on decline
• NSA Doval meets French Foreign Minister; shares perspective on wars in Europe, West Asia
• ₹60,000 crore investment opportunity by railways in West Bengal: Ashwini Vaishnaw
• Hathras stampede probe: Uttar Pradesh Police files 3,200-page charge sheet
• Prashant Kishor floats Jan Suraaj Party
• Reliance Group forays into Bhutan with new company to develop renewable energy projects

International News

• Israel bars U.N. Secretary-General from entering country
• ‘Sickening cycle of escalation’ in Mideast must stop, says UN chief Antonio Guterres
• U.S. prosecutors detail evidence in Donald Trump election subversion case
• Ukraine withdraws from eastern town of Vugledar
• Ukraine says it downed 11 drones during Russia’s overnight attack
• U.S. bomb from World War II explodes at Japanese airport, causing large crater in taxiway
• Tim Southee steps down as New Zealand Test captain ahead of India tour, Latham to take over

Headlines in detail

Israel bars U.N. Secretary-General from entering country

Israel’s Foreign Minister said on Wednesday (October 2, 2024) that he was barring U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering the country because he had not “unequivocally” condemned Iran’s missile attack on Israel. Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday (October 1, 2024) amid an escalation in fighting between its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel. Many were intercepted mid-air but some penetrated missile defences. No casualties were reported.

Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk released, allowed to visit Rajghat

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was released by the Delhi Police and allowed to visit Rajghat on Wednesday (October 2, 2024). Mr. Wangchuk and about 120 others had been detained on Monday night (October 1, 2024) as they marched to the capital seeking constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.

56 years after IAF plane crash, body of Army soldier to be handed over to extended family

Fifty-six years after his death, the body of soldier Narayan Singh will reach his ancestral village in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on Thursday, and will be received by his extended family .Narayan was one of the four crew members on board the Indian Air Force AN-12 transport plane that crashed into snow-covered mountains near Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh on February 7, 1968. The plane carried 102 passengers, including the crew.  A joint team of Dogra Scouts of the Indian Army, in collaboration with representatives of Tiranga Mountain Rescue, recovered the remains of four individuals from the crash site, almost 16,000 ft. above seal level near Dhaka glacier, earlier this week.

‘Love Jihad’ being waged by certain community, poses major threat to nation’s unity: U.P. court judge

The objective of “love jihad” is to establish dominance by certain anti-social elements of a particular religion against India through demographic warfare and international conspiracy, a local court here has observed .Additional District Judge (Fast Track Court) Ravi Kumar Diwakar said Hindu girls are being lured into “love” for the sake of illegal conversions and create conditions similar to those in Pakistan and Bangladesh in India. Justice Diwakar said that illegal conversions pose a significant threat to the country’s unity, integrity, and sovereignty as he heard a case involving marriage under false identities, relationships, and abortion on Monday.

‘Sickening cycle of escalation’ in Mideast must stop, says UN chief Antonio Guterres

UN chief Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to the “sickening cycle of escalation” in the Middle East, while specifically condemning Iran over its latest missile attack after facing harsh criticism from Israel. The secretary-general was speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Secrity Council, called after Iran on Tuesday launched a massive missile barrage at Israel, which has ramped up its offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

U.S. prosecutors detail evidence in Donald Trump election subversion case

A U.S. judge on Wednesday made public a court filing in which federal prosecutors laid out their evidence accusing former President Donald Trump of illegally trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The 165-page filing is likely the last opportunity for prosecutors to detail their case against Trump before the Nov. 5 election given there will not be a trial before Trump faces Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

Air India cabin crew complain that airline’s new policy on shared hotel rooms will impact their rest requirements

Air India’s recent announcement that most of its cabin crew must share hotel rooms during layovers has sparked concern over their need for rest and privacy, especially during long-haul flights .In a mail to its cabin crew on Tuesday (October 1, 2024), the airline informed them of some key policy changes regarding layover entitlements, leisure travel, and gratuity, among others. It informed them that while Air India crew were earlier entitled to a single room during layovers, “cabin crew” and “cabin seniors” will now be assigned rooms on twin-sharing basis; only senior cabin crew such as “cabin managers” and “cabin executives” will be allotted single rooms.

Ukraine withdraws from eastern town of Vugledar

Ukraine’s army said Wednesday (October 2, 2024) that it had withdrawn from the eastern town of Vugledar, handing Russia one of its most significant territorial gains in weeks .The fall of the coal mining town raised new questions about Ukraine’s defensive positions along its southeastern front line with Russia advancing ahead of winter. Around 14,000 people lived in Vugledar before Russia invaded, making it one of Moscow’s more important gains in months of grinding advances across the east.

Badlapur accused encounter: Maharashtra government appoints single member commission to probe shooting

The Maharashtra government has formed a single-member inquiry commission consisting of a retired Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, to probe into the shooting of the Badlapur assault accused. The commission consisting of Chief Justice (retired) Dilip Bhosale will have to submit a report within three months. Akshay Shinde had died in an alleged police encounter last month. He was an alleged accused in the sexual assault of two minor girls at a Badlapur school. “The Home Department had sent the proposal to the Chief Minister’s Office. We approved it immediately after we received it,” a top official of the Chief Minister’s Office told The Hindu.

In Delhi’s biggest drug bust, police seizes over 500kg cocaine worth ₹2,000 crore

The Delhi Police has made one of the biggest drug busts ever seen in the city, seizing over 560 kilograms of cocaine estimated to be worth around ₹2,000 crore, officials said in Delhi. A Delhi Police Special Cell team nabbed four people from South Delhi’s Mehrauli and confiscated the consignment weighing over 565 kilograms. The officials said those arrested had planned to sell the cocaine in Delhi and the National Capital Region.

Junior doctors’ mega rally on Mahalaya begins demanding justice for R.G. Kar Medical College victim

The mega rally organised by the Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front on Mahalaya (October 2, 2024), marking the beginning of Devi Paksha, began from College Street. The rally, set to converge at Esplanade, saw a large turnout of medical practitioners, including common people, demanding justice for the doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered in state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. Besides, they also protested against the culture of fear and intimidation within the state’s medical system.

Pune helicopter crash: All three onboard killed; police investigation underway

A helicopter crash in the Bavdhan area of Maharashtra’s Pune district on Wednesday (October 2, 2024) morning around 7.00 A.M., claimed three lives, including two crew pilots and an engineer. The helicopter Agusta A109S Grand (VT EVV), belonging to a Delhi-based private firm Heritage Aviation, took off from the Oxford Golf Course helipad here and was heading to Juhu in Mumbai, an official said. The helicopter collapsed near the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).

Deeply concerned at the escalation of security situation in West Asia: MEA; Indians asked to avoid unnecessary travel to Iran

Expressing deep concern as tensions continue to escalate between Iran and Israel, after Tehran launched a barrage of missiles overnight, the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday (October 2, 2024) asked Indians to avoid unnecessary travel to Iran. “We are deeply concerned at the escalation of security situation in West Asia and reiterate our call for restraint by all concerned and protection of civilians,” it said in a statement. “It is important that the conflict doesn’t take a wider regional dimension and we urge that all issues be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy.”

India-U.S. working to address regional, global challenges: Blinken after Jaishankar meeting

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken met in Washington DC and discussed working together to address regional and global challenges. Mr. Jaishankar— on his first visit to the U.S. capital since the third Modi government took office— met Mr. Blinken on Tuesday (October 1, 2024) at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the U.S. State Department. Mr. Blinken said after the meeting, “Together, the U.S. and India are working to address regional and global challenges. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and I met to discuss our continued cooperation on the climate crisis and ways we can promote regional security and prosperity.”

U.P. govt to bear entire fee of Dalit student in IIT Dhanbad

The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday (October 2, 2024) said it will help Dalit student Atul Kumar, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, to get admission to IIT Dhanbad and its social welfare department will bear the entire fee through a scholarship. “Under the state’s scholarship scheme, the Social Welfare Department will bear the entire fee of IIT through scholarship so that Atul’s education can be ensured,” according to an official statement.

PM Modi, in Jharkhand, says population of Hindus, Adivasis on decline

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (October 2, 2024) cautioned that the population of Hindus and Adivasis in Jharkhand is declining and accused the JMM-led coalition government of engaging in dangerous “vote bank politics” by supporting infiltrators at the expense of the State’s identity, culture, and heritage. He asserted that it was time to “throw such forces out” to protect “mati, beti, roti” (land, daughter, bread).

NSA Doval meets French Foreign Minister; shares perspective on wars in Europe, West Asia

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Wednesday (October 2, 2024) met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot here and shared perspectives on the wars in Europe and West Asia. “NSA Ajit Doval concluded his visit with a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot @jnbarrot. Shared perspectives on the wars in Europe and the Middle East,” the Indian Embassy in France said in a post on X. Mr. Doval last month visited Russia, where he met President Vladimir Putin on the margins of a conclave of national security advisors of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) nations in St Petersburg.

₹60,000 crore investment opportunity by railways in West Bengal: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday (October 2, 2024) announced that there is a ₹60,000-crore investment opportunity by the railways in West Bengal. He highlighted that 61 projects are currently pending in the State due to issues related to the handover of land to the railways, emphasising that the completion of these projects requires the TMC government to rise above politics. “₹60,000 crore investment opportunity by the railways exists in West Bengal,” Mr. Vaishnaw said after inaugurating several railway projects and train services at Sealdah station.

Hathras stampede probe: Uttar Pradesh Police files 3,200-page charge sheet

The Police, in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, have filed a 3,200-page charge sheet in a court in connection with the stampede that occurred during the Narayan Sakar Hari “Bhole Baba” congregation on July 2, which claimed 121 lives. The Police have named 11 individuals as accused, including those responsible for securing the event’s permit. The court has set October 4 as the date for providing copies of the charge sheet to the accused, defence lawyer A.P. Singh said.

Prashant Kishor floats Jan Suraaj Party

Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor on Wednesday (October 2, 2024) announced the launch of his political outfit Jan Suraaj Party, a much-anticipated move by which he hopes to take the political landscape in Bihar by storm. The party was launched at Veterinary College Ground in the state capital in presence of many renowned figures, including former Union minister Devendra Prasad Yadav, diplomat-turned-politician Pavan Varma and ex-MP Monazir Hassan.

Ukraine says it downed 11 drones during Russia’s overnight attack

Ukraine’s forces destroyed 11 out of 32 Russian attack drones launched overnight, Ukraine’s air force said on Wednesday (October 2, 2024). Another four drones left Ukrainian airspace in the direction of Russia, and 10 drones were lost in northern and central Ukrainian regions as a result of electronic warfare countermeasures, it said. “Russian drones attacked the Ukrainian Izmail district near the Danube river in the southern Odesa region,” local governor Oleh Kiper said on the Telegram messenger.

U.S. bomb from World War II explodes at Japanese airport, causing large crater in taxiway

An unexploded U.S. bomb from World War II that had been buried at a Japanese airport exploded Wednesday (October 2, 2024), causing a large crater in a taxiway and the cancellation of more than 80 flights but no injuries, Japanese officials said. Land and Transport Ministry officials said there were no aircraft nearby when the bomb exploded at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan. Officials said an investigation by the Self-Defence Forces and police confirmed that the explosion was caused by a 500-pound U.S. bomb and there was no further danger. They were determining what caused its sudden detonation.

Reliance Group forays into Bhutan with new company to develop renewable energy projects

Reliance Group led by Anil Ambani has announced entering into a partnership agreement with Druk Holding and Investments Ltd. (DHI), the commercial and investment arm of the Royal Government of Bhutan, to undertake various projects in the renewable and green energy landscape of Bhutan. “The partnership between Reliance Group and Druk Holding will focus on green energy generation, specifically solar and hydropower initiatives, while also exploring innovative green technologies,” Reliance Group said in a statement.

Tim Southee steps down as New Zealand Test captain ahead of India tour, Latham to take over

Tim Southee has stepped down from New Zealand captaincy ahead of the three-Test series against India and Tom Latham has been appointed in the veteran pacer’s place. Southee captained New Zealand in 14 Tests in which the Kiwis won six, lost six and drew two.