TODAY NEWS ON April 20, 2024

News Headlines for CAT,CLAT and IPM aspirants

Despite heatwave, Phase I of Lok Sabha polls registers 62.37% polling

The voter turnout in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls on April 19, which sealed the fate of candidates in 102 constituencies across 21 States, was 62.37%. The voting percentage is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said in a statement. The poll body also commended the “high” voter turnout “despite the heatwave”.

T.N. registers 69.46% as polling passes off largely incident-free

The fate of 950 candidates in 39 Lok Sabha constituencies of Tamil Nadu was sealed on April 19, with 69.46% of the electorate turning up to exercise their franchise in a four-cornered contest. Except for a few minor incidents, there was no major untoward incident during the polling, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo told journalists.

Manipur Lok Sabha elections | Over 72% votes cast as violence mars polling; 3 arrested

Amid complaints of voter intimidation, booth-capturing, and violence across several polling booths, the first phase of the Lok Sabha election in Manipur concluded on April 19 evening, with officials pegging the average turnout of the State’s two constituencies at 72.17%. Three persons were arrested in connection with the violence.

Donald Trump’s hush money trial | Full jury of 12 people and 6 alternates is seated in New York

A full jury of 12 people and six alternates was seated on April 19 in Donald Trump’s hush money case, drawing the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president a step closer to opening statements. Lawyers spent days quizzing dozens of New Yorkers to choose the panel that has vowed to put their personal views aside and impartially judge whether the presumptive Republican presidential nominee is guilty or not.

Fossils of massive prehistoric snake found in lignite mine in Gujarat

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have reported the discovery of fossils of one of the largest snakes that ever existed and likely lived 47 million years ago during a period called the Middle Eocene. The fossils were found in Kutch, Gujarat, and the reptile, named Vasuki Indicus, could have been anywhere between 10 metres and 15 metres long, or as big as a modern-day school bus.

Great Nicobar’s particularly vulnerable tribal group, Shompen, cast their vote for the first time

For the first time, members of the Shompen, one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the country and who reside in the dense tropical rain forests of the Great Nicobar island, on Friday took part in the election process by casting their votes in the Andaman and Nicobar Lok Sabha constituency.

Left a safer bet than Congress, its leaders not turncoats: Sitaram Yechury

Before hurling allegations at the CPI(M) in Kerala, the Congress will do well to ask itself why a large number of people joining the BJP are Congress leaders, said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in an interaction with The Hindu at Parakkandy early this week. “In Kerala, too, people think it’s a safer bet to have the Left which is unlikely to defect to the BJP. In West Bengal and Tripura, we are getting killed. But our leaders don’t become turncoats. That sort of character you require in the party, which the Congress doesn’t have,” Mr. Yechury said.

India delivers first batch of BrahMos to Philippines

India delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Philippines on Friday. In January 2022, Philippines concluded a $375-million deal with India for three batteries of shore-based, anti-ship variant of the BrahMos becoming the first export customer for the joint venture missile between India and Russia.

China sets up powerful information warfare force to support ‘military struggles’

China’s military helmed by President Xi Jinping on April 19 unveiled a powerful information warfare support force in a major overhaul of a largely opaque structure of strategic units with the aim of supporting “military struggles” in all areas.

Lok Sabha election | CRPF jawan on poll duty killed in accidental explosion of grenade launcher shell in Chhattisgarh

A 32-year-old jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed on poll duty in Chhattisgarh‘s Bijapur district was killed on April 19 when a shell of Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) exploded accidentally, police said. The incident took place near Galgam village under Usoor police station limits when a team of security personnel was out on an area domination operation half a kilometer away from a polling booth, said an official.

Forests a national asset and a major contributor to financial wealth, SC judgment

The Supreme Court asserted in a judgment that forests in India are a national asset and a major contributor to the nation’s financial wealth. “It is the spirit of the forest that moves the earth,” a Bench headed by Justice M.M. Sundresh observed in a judgment based on appeal filed by the State of Telangana against a High Court decision “graciously gifting” forest land to a private person. The State’s forest officials, expected to preserve the forest, had made matters worse by filing conflicting affidavits in court about the nature of the land in question. The apex court ordered ₹5 lakh in costs from both the State government and the private persons. The State was asked to open an enquiry against its own forest officials.

Air India suspends Tel Aviv flights till April 30

Air India on April 19 said its flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till April 30 amid tensionsin the Middle East. The airline operates four weekly flights between the national capital and the Israeli city.

Violence breaks out in Inner Manipur constituency on polling day

Despite stringent security arrangements, violence marred voting for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Inner Manipur constituency on April 19. Shooting by miscreants broke out at a polling station at Thamanpokpi under Moirang Assembly segment. Three people are reportedly injured, prompting authorities to swiftly reinforce security measures in the area.

Africans attack Bengaluru police to rescue suspected drug-dealer in Rajanakunte

A group of Africans allegedly assaulted sleuths from the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Bengaluru City Police, who were in the process of arresting one of them for drug peddling, and also local police personnel who came to rescue their colleagues at Mavallipura, near Rajanukunte on the outskirts of the city, on the night of April 18.  Four police personnel sustained minor injuries and are being treated at a private hospital in Bengaluru.

Centre asks FSSAI to probe claim of Nestle adding sugar to baby products

The Consumer Affairs Ministry on Friday said it has asked the food safety regulator FSSAI to investigate the composition of Nestle’s Cerelac baby cereals sold in India, amid a global report that claimed the company was adding higher sugar content in the product. “We have written to the FSSAI to take cognizance of the report on Nestle’s baby product,” Consumer Affairs Secretary and the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) chief Nidhi Khare told PTI.

Preparing for third Olympics at 34, Ashwini Ponnappa in no mood to slow down

Ashwini Ponnappa has been around for a long while now but the 34-year-old has no plans of slowing down. Preparing for her third Olympics in a sport as demanding as badminton can be gruelling. To do so in doubles, with a partner almost 15 years younger, is unheard of. Ashwini isn’t bothered. “There is no Olympic medal yet, it’s a dream to be there and I am grateful that I have an opportunity to give it a shot at this point of my career. (But) there are quite a few (empty) slots that can be filled (in the medal cabinet),” she said in an interaction with The Hindu on Friday, making it clear that retirement was not on her mind any time soon.

Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor gets bail in bank fraud case; to walk out of jail after four years

A special court in Mumbai on April 19 granted bail to Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor in the ₹466.51 crore bank fraud case, paving the way for him to walk out of jail after four years. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kapoor in March 2020 in a money laundering case, and he has been booked in eight cases related to fraud at the bank. The banker has now secured bail in all the cases.

K. Nalini, resident of Sri Lankan refugee camp in Tiruchi, becomes first from her community to vote

Friday, April 19, 2024, was a special day for K. Nalini, as the 38-year-old homemaker from the Kottapattu camp for Sri Lankan refugees in Tiruchi district, became the first naturalised Indian national from her community to exercise her franchise at the booth at St. Lourdes Primary School. “My only hope is for my family and children to be able to progress and live without fear in India, as Indians,” Ms. Nalini told The Hindu. “The Tamil Nadu government has taken good care of the 450 families in our camp, by providing free electricity, water and medical aid, but the lack of official identity papers remains a stumbling block for many of the older residents,” she added.

Hamas slams U.S. veto of Palestinian U.N. membership bid

Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned on April 19 the U.S. veto that ended a long-shot Palestinian bid for full United Nations membership. “Hamas condemns the American veto at the Security Council of the draft resolution granting Palestine full membership in the United Nations,” the Gaza Strip rulers said in a statement, which comes amid growing international concern over the toll inflicted by the war in the besieged Palestinian territory.

G7 Foreign Ministers’ communique warns of new sanctions on Iran and urges de-escalation

Group of Seven Foreign Ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on April 19 for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired the meeting of Ministers of industrialised countries, said the agenda of the three-day meeting was changed on April 19 to address the latest developments.

Shobana and Mohanlal, one of Malayalam cinema’s favourite pairs, to reunite in Tharun Moorthy’s ‘L 360’

We had previously reported that Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s 360th film, tentatively called L360, is set to be directed by Tharun Moorthy of Operation Java and Saudi Vellakka fame. Today, popular actor and dancer Shobana has announced that she has joined the cast of the film, reuniting with Mohanlal after 20 years.

IPL-17: LSG vs CSK | Rahul, De Kock fifties propel Lucknow Super Giants to 8-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings

Openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, who made classy fifties on a slow pitch, produced a chasing masterclass to power Lucknow Super Giants to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL match in Lucknow on April 19.

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