TODAY NEWS ON January 09, 2025

News Headlines for CAT,CLAT and IPM aspirants

Source: THE HINDU 

Headlines:

Tirupati stampede: Four dead, several injured as devotees jostle at token counters for Vaikunta Ekadasi

Four devotees, including a woman, died in the pushing and jostling witnessed at the makeshift counter arranged at MGM High School in Bairagipatteda in Tirupati on Wednesday (January 8, 2025). About 10 persons suffered injuries in the melee.

Rollout of Data Rules set for mid-2025: IT Minister

The government is aiming to notify and begin implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 — currently in a draft state — by the middle of this year, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

No report of any unusual outbreak pattern for HMPV, says WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns, noted the Organisation in its latest disease outbreak report on HMPV. It added that the Chinese authorities report that the health care system there is not overwhelmed and that there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered.

India, EU discuss importance of protecting human rights, freedom of expression

India and the European Union (EU) on Wednesday (January 8, 2025) reaffirmed their commitment to principles and values of democracy, rule of law and human rights and agreed on the need to safeguard freedom and diversity of civil society actors.

India ready to support Maldives in enhancing its defence preparedness: Rajnath Singh

India has handed over defence equipment and stores to the Maldives on the request of the Maldivian government, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday as New Delhi also reaffirmed its readiness to support Male in capability enhancement for defence preparedness as per its national priorities.

Tricolour hoisted on 73-foot mast near India-China border

A tricolour on a 73-foot-tall mast now stands at Gorsam Chorten in Jemithang, the first administrative centre near the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district.

In a first, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meets Taliban’s ‘Foreign Minister’ in Dubai

Marking the highest-ranking outreach with the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday (January 8, 2025) met with the Taliban’s ‘Foreign Minister’ Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in the UAE. In a meeting that took place in Dubai, the two sides agreed to promote the use of the Iranian port of Chabahar for trade with the Indian delegation, saying that India would provide “further material support” for Afghanistan in areas such as refugee rehabilitation and health.

Government yet to wake up from its slumber on Dam Safety Act: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 8, 2025) orally said the Union government was yet to wake up from its “slumber” and fully implement a nearly five-year-old law to prevent disasters related to dams and ensure their safe functioning.

Donald Trump asks Supreme Court to block sentencing in his hush money case in New York

President-elect Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to call off Friday’s (January 10, 2025) sentencing in his hush money case in New York.

Pritish Nandy passes away at 73

Indian poet, painter, film producer and former parliamentarian Pritish Nandy has passed away at 73 on Wednesday (January 8, 2025). Actor Anupam Kher condoled Nandy’s demise in a post on X, calling him a ‘fearless’ artist and a source of strength during his struggling years.

Frame cashless medicare scheme for road victims during ‘golden hour’: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 8, 2025) directed the Centre to immediately frame a scheme for the cashless medical treatment of road accident victims during golden hour when their near and dear ones are not around and there may not be anyone to help them with money to pay for critical care.

ISRO delays satellite docking experiment again

ISRO has once again postponed the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEx) involving two satellites, citing excessive drift during a crucial manoeuvre.

Ahead of Union Budget, Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey entrusted with Revenue department

With a little over three weeks to go for the Union Budget on February 1, the Centre on Wednesday (January 8, 2024) shifted the recently appointed Revenue Secretary Arunish Chawla to the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), and entrusted Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey with the Revenue Department.

Gold googly bamboozles import data

In what may constitute the steepest revision in India’s trade data in recent times, the Centre has revised India’s import bill for November 2024 by almost six billion dollars to $63.86 billion from the record tally of $70 billion reported as quick estimates by the Commerce Ministry last month, led by a sharp $5 billion downward revision in gold imports.

Wildfires burn out of control across Los Angeles area and kill 2 as thousands flee homes

Massive wildfires roaring through the Los Angeles area left neighborhoods in ruins Wednesday (January 8, 2024), killing at least two people and threatening landmarks made famous by Hollywood as desperate residents escaped through flames, hurricane-force winds and towering columns of smoke.

On CEC/EC appointments’ law, the legal battle is between court’s opinion and legislative powers: SC

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar’s retirement in February brought back into focus before the Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 8, 2025) the need to fast track a decision on the legality of a new law dealing with the appointment of Election Commissioners which gives the Central government a dominant role.

Sam Altman’s sister accuses him of financial, sexual abuse; “untrue”, says OpenAI CEO

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has denied allegations that he sexually abused his sister, calling all of her allegations of abuse against him and his family “untrue” while claiming that his sibling was experiencing mental health challenges. Altman posted a note on the social media platform X on January 8, explaining that he was responding to a lawsuit his sister had filed against him.

U.S. Congressman challenges Biden administration’s decision to investigate Gautam Adani

Challenging the decision of the Biden administration to investigate the activities of billionaire Gautam Adani, an influential Republican lawmaker in the U.S. has said such selective actions risk damaging critical alliances with key partners. In a strongly worded letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, Congressman Lance Gooden, a member of the House Judiciary Committee also asked, “What will the U.S. do if India refuses to comply with an extradition request.”

Israeli TV reporter who lost ability to speak clearly, seeks AI’s help to get back on air

When a renowned Israeli TV journalist lost his ability to speak clearly because of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), he thought his career might be over. But now, using artificial intelligence software that can recreate his widely recognised gravelly voice, Moshe Nussbaum — known to generations of viewers simply as “Nussi” — is making a comeback.

Unprecedented 6 women in AFI Athletes Commission; Neeraj among 3 male members

Long-jump great Anju Bobby George was on Wednesday (January 8, 2025) named Chairperson of the Athletics Federation of India's nine-strong athletes commission that features six women with javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra being its most prominent male member. The other women in the new panel are runner Jyotirmoyee Sikdar, discus thrower Krishna Poonia, hurdler M.D. Valsamma, steeplechaser Sudha Singh and runner Sunita Rani. George, a 2003 world championships bronze-winner, is also a Senior Vice-President in the AFI.

Jasprit Bumrah continues to remain No. 1 in ICC Test rankings

India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah continued to reign supreme at the top of the bowlers' chart with a career-best rating of 908 in the latest ICC Test Rankings, released on Wednesday (January 8, 2025). Bumrah, who made history ahead of the fifth and final Test against Australia by recording the highest-ever ICC Rankings rating for an Indian bowler at 907 points, improved that tally by one point after taking two wickets in the first innings at the SCG.