The Meteorological Department has issued a warning of a strong cyclone building in the Bay of Bengal, which is predicted to make landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh around midnight on May 26. The depression, which is currently located over the central Bay of Bengal, is expected to build into a cyclonic storm by May 25 morning and a severe cyclonic storm by May 25 evening, according to the Met Department, reported PTI. WML concentrated to Depression over central Bay of Bengal(BoB) at 0530hrs of 24May. Likely to move northeastwards and intensify further into a cyclone over eastcentral BoB by 25 morning. Subsequently, it would move nearly northwards, intensify into a severe cyclone by 25evening. pic.twitter.com/Jibfi6LUu4 — India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 24, 2024 Per the PTI report, the severe cyclonic storm is expected to cross the shores of West Bengal and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara on the night of May 26, bringing heavy to very heavy rain to coastal regions. The Met Office has issued heavy rain warnings for May 26 and 27 in Kolkata, South and North 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, and Howrah districts. Wind gusts of up to 90 to 100 kmph are forecast in South 24 Parganas and 80 to 90 kmph in Purba Medinipur on these days, with speeds reaching 60 to 70 kmph in Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, and Howrah. Depression over central BoB moved with speed of 20kmp during past 03 hours and is about 730km south southwest of Khepupara and 750km south of Canning.Likely to continue to move northeastwards and intensify to cyclonic storm over eastcentral Bay of Bengal by 25th May morning. pic.twitter.com/AUNOk0kY5i — India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 24, 2024 Fishermen are urged not to enter the sea in the north Bay of Bengal until the morning of May 27. Light to moderate rain and thunderstorms are forecast in Odisha's north and south regions from May 25. Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for Balasore on May 26, as well as Bhadrak and Kendrapara on May 26 and 27, the PTI report added. According to meteorological scientist Umashankar Dash, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak districts are expected to receive heavy rain on May 27.
24 May,2024 01:46 PM IST | Kolkata/Bhubaneswar | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court refused to provide interim relief on a petition to publish booth-by-booth voter turnout data during the India General Elections 2024. The bench, which included Justices Dipankar Dutta and Satish Chandra Sharma, stated that it could not intervene in the existing election process, as five of the seven phases had already been finished and the sixth was set for Saturday, reported ANI. According to the report, the court deferred the application, emphasising the importance of a "hands-off" policy during India General Elections 2024. It highlighted that the interim plea raised in the current case paralleled a petition that had been ongoing since 2019. The bench ordered that the interim plea be heard after the summer holiday, but did not express an opinion on the merits of the case. "Prima facie we are not inclined to grant any interim relief since prayer A of the 2019 petition is similar to prayer B of the 2024 application. List the interim plea after (summer) vacation," ordered the bench. The NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) submitted the application, which seeks to disclose final authenticated voter participation data within 48 hours of polls closure. Meanwhile, Senior counsel Maninder Singh, representing the Election Commission of India (ECI), rejected ADR's application, citing "unfounded suspicions" and "false" assertions. Singh contended that such petitions could diminish voter turnout by constantly challenging the electoral process, so harming public interest and the legitimacy of election results. "Petitions like these are responsible for reducing the voter turnout because of the "continuous questioning of the process", said Singh. The ECI previously said that publishing voter participation data based on Form 17C would create confusion among voters because it includes postal ballot counts. The court asked the ECI to respond to the application by May 17. ADR claimed a delay in disclosing voter turnout numbers for the first two stages of polling during India General Elections 2024, as well as anomalies in the first disclosed figures. The NGO requested that the ECI disclose tabulated polling station data and upload scanned copies of Form 17C Part II to its website. The application highlighted a significant increase in voter turnout percentages between the initial announcements on polling days and the data published by the ECI later.
24 May,2024 12:53 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPolice stated that two First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered after posters with pro-boycott slogans for the Lok Sabha elections in the nation's capital were discovered on the walls at various locations throughout the vast Delhi University campus on Thursday. On May 25, there will be polls for all seven Lok Sabha seats in the Capital during the last phase. Meanwhile, officials said that an anonymous call threatening explosions was received by two Delhi University-affiliated colleges on Thursday. The call was later found to be fraudulent after further inquiry. According to the Delhi Fire Service, calls threatening explosions were received by Lady Shri Ram College and Sri Venkateswara College in the national capital. "We received an anonymous call, threatening bomb strikes at Delhi's Lady Shri Ram College and Sri Venkateswara College. Fire tenders and Delhi Police team are at the spot," an official told ANI. Subsequently, the Delhi Police said there was no reason to be concerned as the calls were fraudulent. "Some calls were received threatening explosions in two DU colleges. However, these calls have now been determined as bogus. There is nothing to worry about," an officer with Delhi Police said. The Ministry of Home Affairs is housed in North Block, and earlier on Wednesday, Delhi Police reported that they got an email informing them that a bomb had been put there. The Delhi High Court had earlier in April requested a thorough status report on the hoax bomb threat against multiple private schools in the Capital from the AAP government. (With Inputs from ANI)
24 May,2024 12:31 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAn analysis that is part of a four-paper series published in The Lancet journal suggests that by enhancing strategies that prevent infections, antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-related mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) might be avoided annually by almost 7.5 lakh deaths. According to the researchers, these precautions included administering paediatric immunisations, ensuring that healthcare facilities have clean, sterile hands, and regularly cleaning and sterilising their equipment. According to the estimates of the multinational study team, bacterial illnesses account for one out of every eight deaths worldwide each year. Approximately 77 lakh deaths are linked to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To meet ambitious and doable goals for combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the authors urged assistance for the provision of sustainable access to antibiotics, a PTI report says. "Access to effective antibiotics is essential to patients worldwide. A failure to provide these antibiotics puts us at risk for not meeting the UN sustainable development goals on child survival and health ageing," said series co-author, Iruka Okeke of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Okeke said that effective antibiotics prolong lives, reduce disabilities, limit healthcare costs and enable other life-saving medical actions such as surgery. "However, antimicrobial resistance is on the rise - accelerated by inappropriate use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic - threatening the backbone of modern medicine and already leading to deaths and disease which would have once been prevented," said Okeke. The modelling study carried out for the compilation of the papers suggests that current infection prevention strategies can avoid mortality linked to antimicrobial resistance. The authors discovered that by enhancing infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities—including improved hand hygiene and routine cleaning and sterilisation of equipment—up to 3.37 lakh fatalities annually may be prevented. They discovered that by ensuring that everyone has access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation in public areas, almost 2.5 lakh deaths may be prevented annually. Additionally, the researchers discovered that by introducing additional vaccinations, including the RSV vaccine for pregnant women, and boosting the distribution of particular paediatric vaccines, such as the pneumococcal vaccine, which helps protect against pneumonia and meningitis, 1.82 lakh fatalities annually might be prevented. "Our findings highlight how public health actions to prevent infections in the first place should be prioritised as a strategy to tackle AMR as these methods have the potential to drastically reduce the number of deaths from AMR-associated infections," said co-author Yewande Alimi of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "If we can focus on improving infection control methods, water and sanitation and vaccination in LMICs then it should be possible to reduce the number of deaths linked with AMR by 10 per cent by 2030," said Alimi. Along with preventing infections in the first place, the authors also looked at evidence for preventing resistance emerging in bacteria. Antibiotic stewardship (reducing the use of antibiotics when the benefit to patients is limited) is thought to reduce the selection pressure on bacteria to develop resistance, however, there is a lack of research in this area. "The currently limited evidence on the impact of antibiotic stewardship on AMR from low-and middle-income countries does not mean it is not a key intervention that needs focus but rather makes it difficult to anticipate the effects of antibiotic stewardship in those countries. "We urgently need studies to investigate the impact to help inform future policies and interventions fit for different contexts," said co-author Esmita Charani of the University of Cape Town, South Africa. (With Inputs from PTI)
24 May,2024 12:10 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentKanpur Police sent the minor son of a well-known doctor to a juvenile home after he allegedly crashed his father's car into people, killing them in October 2023, amid the country's outrage over the Porsche hit-and-run deaths and calls for justice for the two IT professionals who died in the incident. In another hit-and-run incident in which the kid, who is not yet old enough to legally drive, injured four persons in the Barra neighbourhood of Kanpur, the police also took action against him. Per an ANI report, an investigation against several members of the local police for allegedly doing nothing about the situation was also started. The child was allegedly involved in the two hit-and-run incidents on the surface, but he was nonetheless given free reign to explore. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Harish Chandra, briefed the media that a departmental investigation has been initiated over the purported hold-up in submitting the chargesheet against the accused adolescent and taking action against him. "On October 27, 2023, a case was registered that a car was involved in a hit-and-run incident in which two persons lost their lives. The case was registered under IPC Section 304 A, and, further investigation determined that a minor was behind the wheel of the vehicle. The accused was detained and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board on May 21, this year. The Board committed him to a juvenile correctional centre," ACP Harish Chander said. "Another hit-and-run case was registered against the same minor earlier. The father, too, was booked along with the accused. Action will be taken against the officers in charge of the previous case for not filing a chargesheet in the matter," the ACP said. Further details are awaited. (With Inputs from ANI)
24 May,2024 11:55 AM IST | Kanpur | mid-day online correspondentFollowing the reported interruption of a roadshow he was leading on behalf of BJP candidate Debashree Chowdhury in South Kolkata on Thursday, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha expressed his deep concern that the state has gone into a 'forest raj'. Speaking to ANI after the roadshow was allegedly stopped, the Tripura CM said, "The police stopped our roadshow saying that we did not have the permission to go ahead. We had only just started the roadshow after taking all necessary permission and clearances from the authorities. This just goes to show that jungle raj is prevailing in Bengal. Can't Opposition leaders hold election campaigns here?" Additionally, there were claims of altercations between BJP supporters and Kolkata Police officers after the city purportedly stopped the roadshow featuring Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. Per an ANI report, a video recording of the event showed BJP supporters pushing a police-erected roadblock in the middle of the roadshow. The roadshow, held on Thursday evening at Hazra Road, was intended to bolster support for former Union Minister Debashree Chowdhury. CM Saha, one of the BJP's star campaigners amid the Lok Sabha elections, arrived for the roadshow on Thursday but it was disrupted after the city police personnel allegedly blocked the procession, citing lack of permission. Reacting strongly to being allegedly stopped, Saha said, "There is absolute lawlessness and jungle raj here. Can't Opposition leaders even campaign for the elections here?" Debashree Chowdhury, too, hit out at the Mamata Banerjee government over the alleged police action. Further accusing the prevailing TMC regime of arrogance and tyranny, the Tripura CM said, "The incident at Hazra Road where our roadshow was blocked by the police was a blatant insult to our democracy and the Constitution", adding, "The people of Bengal cherish democracy and will rise against this arrogance and injustice. They will give a befitting reply through their votes." Later, taking to his social media handle, CM Saha posted, "It seems CM Mamata Banerjee is committed to flouting the democratic values, which also shows her dictatorial ways and desperation after sensing defeat in the general elections." Debashree Chowdhury is running against Mala Roy of the Trinamool Congress in the South Kolkata seat. On June 1, voters will cast ballots for the seat. In West Bengal, there will be seven phases of polling, and the final two phases will include voting on May 25 and June 1. June 4 is the date of the vote count. Voting in the sixth round will take place in Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur on May 25. (With Inputs from ANI)
24 May,2024 11:18 AM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentOn Thursday, the day of Buddha Purnima, President Droupadi Murmu stated that mankind needs a "guiding light" now more than ever to help it navigate through this "critical phase" of conflict, environmental dangers, and security issues. During an event organised at the National Museum to commemorate Vaishakha Buddha Purnima, she also stated in a recorded video message that the world can achieve peace and harmony by adhering to the values taught by Lord Buddha. "Today I would like to reassert the sublime message of compassion, peace and harmony given by the Sakhyamuni Buddha. The full moon day of Vaisakha has special significance as it is the most auspicious day, not only for the followers and practitioners of Buddha Dhamma but for all those who are working to spread peace, compassion and harmony," President Murmu told PTI. It commemorates the day of the birth of Siddhartha Gautama at Lumbini, his enlightenment as the Buddha in Bodh Gaya and his Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar. Thus she claims it to be the "triple sacred day" for the followers. "Today, we live in a world marred by conflicts, environmental hazards, social tensions and security challenges, all of which cause anxiety, uncertainty and fear among human beings. This is the time when we need a guiding light that can help us wade smoothly through this critical phase. It is now more evident than ever that humility and empathy are essential for the well-being of all," the president said. The practice of Dhamma and the teachings of the Buddha are crucial to finding "useful and lasting solutions to the unavoidable conflicts that arise in our lives," she said. "These valued principles can ensure peace and harmony in the society, country and the world," President Murmu said. "Being the land of Buddha, India is committed to serving humanity and has made a singular contribution towards global peace and prosperity... May the teachings of Buddha continue to guide humanity on the path of harmony and peace," she said. According to a statement from the organisers, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) staged the event in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the National Museum, which houses some of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha. Five historical sites associated with the Buddha Dhamma in Delhi were the site of prayers for unity, harmony, and world peace for the "first time": the Peace Pagoda, Indraprastha Park, Ring Road; Ashokan Rock Edict, east of Kailash; Ashoka Pillar, Firoz Shah Kotla; Buddha Jayanti Park along the ridge; and the Asoka Mission, Mehrauli. Around 50 monks from Subharti University, Meerut, Delhi University and the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association with representation from Nalanda, Theravada, and Mahayana traditions prayed at these sites to gain merit for everyone and harmony and peace in a strife-torn world, the statement said. (With Inputs from PTI)
24 May,2024 11:09 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAfzal Ansari, the MP for Ghazipur, filed a criminal appeal on Thursday, contesting his conviction and four-year term in a Gangsters Act case by a trial court. The Allahabad High Court postponed the hearing to May 27. Following the 2005 murder of BJP MLA Krishna Nand Rai, Ansari was charged under the Gangsters Act. As a candidate for the Samajwadi Party, Ansari is vying for the Ghazipur Lok Sabha constituency. He won't be able to run for office if the high court sustains the decision made by the trial court. June 1st is election day in Ghazipur. Ansari's attorneys wrapped up their arguments in the high court on Tuesday, according to a PTI report. The state government's attorneys and Piyush Rai's attorney, who is the son of the late Krishna Nand Rai, wrapped up their arguments on Thursday. On May 27, the Ansari's attorneys will once more turn in their rebuttal response. Ansari was previously declared ineligible to serve as an MP after a special MP-MLA court in Ghazipur ruled on April 29, 2023, that he had been found guilty in the Gangsters Act case, given a four-year term, and fined Rs one lakh. Ansari then appealed the criminal case to the high court. Ansari was granted bail by the high court on July 24, 2023, although his conviction in the case was not overturned. He was consequently freed from prison, but his status as a member of Parliament was not reinstated. In addition, he was not eligible to run for office because the term he received was more than two years. Later on, Ansari's conviction in the case was upheld by the Supreme Court. As a result, he was able to run for the Lok Sabha and had his membership in Parliament reinstated. The criminal appeal that is currently before the high court is to be heard by the apex court as soon as possible, with a decision expected by June 30. (With Inputs from PTI)
24 May,2024 10:57 AM IST | Prayagraj | mid-day online correspondentAkola on Thursday recorded a maximum temperature of 45.5 degrees Celsius, the highest in Vidarbha region (eastern Maharashtra), the India Meteorological Department said here. It was followed by Yavatmal (43.5), Amravati (43.2), Brahmpuri (43.2), Chandrapur (43.2), Wardha (43.2), Gadchiroli (42.6), Buldhana (42), Washim (42), Nagpur (41.9), Gondia (40.4) and Bhandara (40.2). Heat wave conditions are expected to prevail for the next five days in Akola and Amravati, IMD Nagpur said in the release. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 May,2024 10:47 AM IST | Nagpur | PTIA government-appointed lifesaving organisation in Goa reported on Thursday that there had been multiple cases of stray dogs attacking beachgoers in the state recently. The attacks have targeted foreign tourists, a Bollywood actor, and lifeguards. Drishti Marine Lifesavers, which has been tasked with lifeguarding the beaches, claimed in a statement that three of the agency's lifesavers were assaulted on separate occasions by roving dog packs on various state beaches. According to the report, first aid was administered to them during these two-week-long episodes in May 2024. On May 22, lifesaver Roshan Patil was bitten by a stray dog on Betalbatim beach in South Goa while patrolling, while on May 21, another lifesaver Sarvesh Tandial was bitten by a stray dog at Calangute beach, it said. Per a PTI report, last weekend, Sashikant Jadhav, a Drishti Marine lifesaver and operations manager for the North and South Goa sectors, was bitten thrice by a stray dog while patrolling on an e-cycle at Mandrem beach, it said. A spokesman of the agency said, "A 35-year-old woman from Russia was bitten by five dogs. She was saved and taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. Also, a woman from Canada was chased by a pack of four dogs and bitten on her right thigh. She was taken to a nearby medical facility." According to the spokesperson, there have also been additional reports of reports of beachgoers and stray dogs getting together recently around the coastline, with Benaulim and Colva beaches turning into hotspots for these kinds of situations. "Bollywood actor Rayya Labib sustained bruises and scratches after she was chased by stray dogs last week at Colva beach while holidaying in Goa," he added. Last week, a 24-year-old Russian woman was bitten by a pack of stray dogs while cycling on Benaulim beach. She sustained minor injuries and was rescued by nearby fishermen, he said. "Mid-May, a 24-year-old woman from Loutolim was bitten six to seven times by stray dogs on the Benaulim beach, and later taken to the Primary Health Centre in Loutolim, even as a senior citizen at Colva beach was also chased by a pack of stray dogs during his morning run but managed to remain unharmed," the spokesman said. (With Inputs from PTI)
24 May,2024 10:44 AM IST | Panaji | mid-day online correspondentAccording to authorities, on Thursday, an 18-year-old woman jumped to her death from the fifteenth floor of a residential society in the Gurugram area. The demised was identified by the police as Subhi, a resident of Gadoli village who was employed by the Ramprastha Society in sector 37D as a domestic helper. The woman was discovered deceased inside the building, according to a call that was placed to the police on Wednesday. According to police, they hurried to the scene and brought her to the hospital, where the medical staff pronounced her dead. According to a police spokesperson, the girl leapt from the building's 15th floor due to a suspected romantic relationship, according to the results of their preliminary inquiry. The victim's family did not, however, provide a name. He added that following the post-mortem, the body was given to the family. (With Inputs from PTI)
24 May,2024 10:24 AM IST | Gurugram | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
