Father of Badaun Murder Victims Pleads: "Don't Kill Second Accused in Encounter"

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:39pm on 21 Mar 2024,Thursday India

Vinod Kumar, father of Badaun double murder victims, urges Uttar Pradesh Police not to encounter second suspect, Javed. He seeks interrogation to uncover possible conspiracy behind his children's killings. Two boys died, while their brother survived hospitalization. Vinod appeals to PM Modi and CM Yogi for investigation into the tragedy. Sajid, one accused, died in police encounter. Javed arrested after surrender. FIR alleges attackers sought money, then ambushed children with a knife. Victim's family demands justice, suspecting foul play in the brutal attack on their sons.

Read More at Hindustan Times

India's Fertility Rate Declines to Under 2, Projected to Reach 1.3 by 2050: Lancet Study

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:35pm on 21 Mar 2024,Thursday India

India's fertility rate has plummeted from nearly 6.2 in 1950 to under 2 in 2021, with projections indicating a further drop to 1.29 by 2050, as per a Lancet study. Globally, fertility rates mirrored this trend, declining from over 4.8 children per woman in 1950 to 2.2 in 2021, with estimates suggesting a decrease to 1.8 by 2050. The study highlights challenges faced by low-income countries with persistently high fertility rates, emphasizing the need for improved access to education and contraceptives. Experts stress the importance of proactive policy measures to address implications such as an ageing population and labour shortages.

Read More at News18

SBI Submits Electoral Bond Details, Including Serial Numbers, to Election Commission After SC Rap

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:30am on 21 Mar 2024,Thursday India

Following criticism from the Supreme Court, the State Bank of India (SBI) has furnished all details on electoral bonds to the Election Commission. This includes unique serial numbers crucial for matching donors with political parties. SBI's affidavit of compliance assures full disclosure, except for complete account numbers and KYC details. The Election Commission is poised to upload the data on its website imminently. This move comes amidst heightened scrutiny over transparency in political funding ahead of elections.          

Read More at NDTV

Supreme Court Pauses Centre's Fact-Check Unit, Citing "Freedom Of Speech" Concerns

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:06am on 21 Mar 2024,Thursday India

The Supreme Court has halted the Centre's Fact Check Unit, citing concerns over freedom of expression. Led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, the bench set aside the Bombay High Court's approval of the government's move, without commenting on the case's merits. Comedian Kunal Kamra and the Editors Guild of India had contested the unit's establishment, fearing censorship and restrictions on social media expression. The unit, part of amendments to IT rules, aimed to address fake news by flagging posts to intermediaries. The Centre argued for public interest, but concerns lingered over potential stifling of political satire and criticism.          

Read More at NDTV

Inequality is Increasing in India, with The Top 1% Now Holding a Larger Portion of The Total Income

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:36am on 21 Mar 2024,Thursday India

A new study led by economist Thomas Piketty finds India's wealthiest 1% now hold a staggering 22.6% of the country's income and 40.1% of its wealth, the highest levels ever recorded. The report highlights a widening wealth gap and calls for urgent government action, including tax reforms and increased social spending. While the Congress party criticizes Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, the BJP defends its poverty alleviation efforts. The study, spanning back to 1922 for income and 1961 for wealth, sheds light on India's soaring inequality, surpassing even the United States, Brazil, and South Africa in income concentration.

Read More at Hindustan Times

Delivery Guy Harassed a Tech Worker at Her Home in Bengaluru

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:01am on 21 Mar 2024,Thursday India

A 30-year-old software engineer residing in AECS Layout near Brookefield encountered a distressing situation on March 17, when a delivery person allegedly sexually harassed her at her residence. The incident unfolded after she ordered food through a popular online platform. Following the delivery, the individual made repeated requests for water and access to her restroom. Subsequently, he advanced towards her in the kitchen, leading to a confrontation where the victim defended herself. Despite reporting the incident to both the authorities and the online aggregator, swift action was reportedly lacking. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the suspect.

Read More at Times Of India

Experts Caution that India is Projected to Experience a Decline in Birth Rates by 2050

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:36am on 21 Mar 2024,Thursday India

A recent study published in Lancet warns of India's total fertility rate (TFR) dropping to 1.29 by 2050, potentially leading to population decline. India's TFR has steadily decreased from 6.18 in 1950 to 1.91 in 2021, below the replacement level of 2.1. Factors such as economic development, education, urbanization, and access to family planning contribute to this trend. Poonam Mutreja from the Population Foundation of India emphasizes the need for immediate action, particularly promoting gender equality and reducing the costs of motherhood. Globally, 76% of countries are predicted to have below replacement level fertility by 2050.

Read More at Times Of India

Patanjali Ayurved MD Apologizes to Supreme Court of India for Misleading Product Claims

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:35am on 21 Mar 2024,Thursday India

Acharya Balkrishna, MD of Patanjali Ayurved, apologized to the Supreme Court for misleading product claims. This followed the court's criticism and a contempt notice over deceptive ads. Balkrishna pledged to prevent future misleading ads and emphasized Patanjali's aim for healthier living. He argued against outdated laws, citing Ayurvedic research advancements. Patanjali faced scrutiny for false advertising, prompting a court directive for Balkrishna and Ramdev to appear. Previously, Patanjali assured the court of compliance with laws regarding product branding and efficacy claims. Established in 2006, Patanjali Ayurved faces legal scrutiny amid its multinational operations.

Read More at NDTV

Haris Farooqi, Leader of ISIS in India, and His Associate were Arrested in Assam's Dhubri

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:12am on 21 Mar 2024,Thursday India

Haris Farooqi, ISIS head in India, and associate arrested in Assam's Dhubri district after crossing from Bangladesh. Assam Police, aided by the Special Task Force, apprehended them in Dharamsala following a tip-off. Farooqi, alias Harish Ajmal Farukhi, and associate Anurag Singh, alias Rehan, are accused of recruiting, terror funding, and planning IED attacks across India. Singh's wife is a Bangladeshi national. They face pending cases in Delhi and Lucknow. Assam Police will transfer them to NIA custody. Intel from sister agencies helped nab the duo planning to enter India via Dhubri. Chess Gameplay: Assam Police strategically apprehended the ISIS leaders based on intelligence inputs.

Read More at The Indian Express

Kargil is Shutdown Today; People are Asking for Ladakh To Be Made a Separate State

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:20am on 21 Mar 2024,Thursday India

Thousands in Kargil, Ladakh, shut down businesses in a protest demanding statehood and inclusion in the Constitution's Sixth Schedule. Talks between socio-political groups and the Ministry of Home Affairs hit a deadlock over these issues following the region's unrest after the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. A high-powered panel, led by MoS Home Nityanand Rai, failed to resolve tensions. Concurrently, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike in Leh aims to press for democracy in Ladakh after unsuccessful negotiations with the government.

Read More at The Indian Express

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