Reflecting on significant global events of 2024: a devastating tsunami hit Japan, the EU approved an AI regulation, Narendra Modi secured a third term, Donald Trump returned to the White House despite assassination attempts, Syrian rebels ended Bashar al-Assad's rule, and the UK saw Labour topple Conservatives.
A Mumbai special court sentenced 65-year-old Nitin Bhanushali to 20 years in prison for drug trafficking in a 1989 contraband seizure case. Bhanushali and others were found with 4,365 kg of hashish valued at Rs 2.62 crore. The court emphasized the social menace of narcotic addiction and noted Bhanushali showed no remorse.
The Centre has declared the Wayanad landslides in Kerala, which occurred on July 30, as a disaster of severe nature. The catastrophic event claimed over 200 lives, injured many, and caused significant displacement. The Union home ministry has assured additional assistance through the National Disaster Response Fund.
The government's new ropeway projects to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib face scrutiny as current protests by stakeholders at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine highlight the risk to local livelihoods. An inter-ministerial panel is likely to review these projects, with potential inclusion of relief and rehabilitation measures for affected individuals.
More than 100 people, including a village head, are booked for allegedly attacking Hindu activists protesting the poor condition of a cow shelter in Muzaffarnagar. Additionally, 36 activists, including a Bajrang Dal leader, face charges for allegedly attacking the villagers, with cases registered under multiple sections including the SC-ST Act.
The road transport ministry mandates road agencies to paint speed limits and vehicle logos on pavements every 10 km to guide drivers on expressways and highways. New guidelines coming into force in February 2025 also require larger signs at frequent intervals, highlighting speed limits, exit points, no parking areas, and lane information for safer driving.
Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance, including Amit Shah and Chandrababu Naidu, met in Delhi to counter Congress' criticism of Shah's Ambedkar remark. They emphasized good governance and people's welfare, reaffirmed unity in upcoming elections, and discussed Vajpayee's legacy and future strategies.
Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised using technology in implementing new criminal laws, focusing on generating alerts for criminal cases stages, aiding victims and complainants. He highlighted integrating software and databases, adopting biometric tech, and continuous monitoring for effective law enforcement.
Delhi's air quality plummeted to 'severe' on Sunday, with an AQI of 409, following Saturday's 'very poor' rating. The city experienced foggy conditions and fluctuating humidity. Temperatures reached a maximum of 24.1°C and a minimum of 7.3°C. Cloudy skies and light rain are forecast for Monday, with temperatures expected between 7°C and 20°C.
The Indian Embassy in Tripoli is working to repatriate a group of Indian workers stranded in Libya due to improper documentation. The workers, who traveled via Dubai with the promise of cement factory jobs, are currently being assisted by the embassy with food and necessities while awaiting exit permits.
The Allahabad high court granted anticipatory bail to Sushil Singhania, uncle of Nikita Singhania, in the suicide case of AI engineer Atul Subhash. Nikita, her mother, and brother were arrested for alleged abetment. Singhania's lawyer argued his client's poor health and that allegations pointed to harassment, not abetment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged state chief secretaries to lead business reforms, reduce bureaucracy, and attract overseas investment. He emphasized developing tier-2 and tier-3 cities, leveraging their unique strengths to create employment opportunities through increased investment.
A Lucknow court summoned Rahul Gandhi for trial on January 10, 2025, following a complaint about his remarks on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Gandhi allegedly called Savarkar a "British servant" during a press conference in 2022, distributing pamphlets that allegedly tarnished Savarkar's image. The court found sufficient grounds to proceed with the trial for promoting enmity and public mischief.
Tragedy struck a Dindigul orthopaedic hospital as a fire claimed seven lives, including a child and two women, and injured 20 others. The blaze, likely sparked by a short circuit in the reception area, rapidly engulfed the hospital, leading to suffocation from thick smoke.
Home Minister Amit Shah is pushing for full implementation of the new criminal laws in Haryana by March 31, 2025. He chaired a review meeting, emphasizing the use of technology for scientific evidence and higher conviction rates. Shah set a deadline and instructed officials to monitor progress, ensuring timely justice and adherence to timelines for case investigations.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav criticized the Nitish Kumar government for its handling of protesting BPSC aspirants and the state's overall condition. Yadav highlighted issues like unemployment, poverty, and rising electricity bills, promising relief if elected. He questioned the 'double-engine government's' achievements and the Chief Minister's upcoming yatra, emphasizing the need to address student concerns.
The Indian government launched 'Anna Chakra,' a tool developed with the World Food Programme and IIT-Delhi, to optimize the foodgrain supply chain under the Public Distribution System (PDS). This system uses algorithms to optimize routes, potentially saving Rs 250 crore annually and reducing transport distances by 15-50%. A pilot project across 30 states and UTs has already shown promising results.