Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:40pm on 11 Jan 2025,Saturday India
Rescue teams in Assam recovered three more bodies from a flooded coal mine in Dima Hasao district. Nine workers were trapped on January 6 when water suddenly filled the abandoned mine near the Assam-Meghalaya border. So far, four bodies have been retrieved. Efforts to drain the 340-foot-deep quarry face challenges due to flooding. Special equipment and divers are being used, but progress is slow. Two individuals, including the mine's leaseholder, have been arrested. Officials and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi are calling for accountability and stricter mining regulations to prevent such tragedies. Search operations for the remaining workers continue.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:32pm on 11 Jan 2025,Saturday International
Wildfires in Los Angeles caused chaos as firefighters struggled with low water pressure and dry hydrants. Areas like Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and Pasadena were hit hard. The intense demand drained storage tanks and overwhelmed water systems. A reservoir under maintenance made things worse, while power outages disrupted pumps. Over 9,000 structures were damaged in the fires. Governor Gavin Newsom called for an investigation into water supply failures. Experts suggest improving storage, upgrading pipelines, and adding backup power for pumps. Meanwhile, firefighters relied on tanker trucks and unconventional sources like swimming pools to battle the flames.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:28pm on 11 Jan 2025,Saturday India
A ceiling slab collapsed at the under-construction Kannauj railway station on Saturday morning, trapping several workers and staff under the debris. The building was being renovated under the Amrit Bharat scheme. About 40 people were on-site, and 23 have been rescued so far. Rescue teams, including SDRF, GRP, RPF, and local police, are working to save those trapped. Injured individuals have been taken to the hospital. The incident caused panic, and locals rushed to help but were unable to clear the heavy debris. Efforts are ongoing to ensure everyone's safety.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:23am on 11 Jan 2025,Saturday International
Former Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. has lost his home, belongings, and all ten Olympic medals in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The 50-year-old athlete, who won 10 medals across three Olympic Games, described the destruction as "worse than any apocalypse movie." His rented home in Pacific Palisades and the swimming pool where he taught his children were destroyed. Despite the tragedy, Hall remains optimistic, stating, "It's time to start a new chapter." A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Hall in rebuilding his life and business following the massive loss.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:20am on 11 Jan 2025,Saturday International
In a statement ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, outgoing US President Joe Biden, 82, ruled out retreating from public life after January 20. When asked if he would follow the post-presidency model of staying out of the spotlight, Biden told reporters, “I'm not going to be out of sight—out of mind.” While he didn’t share specific post-presidency plans, Biden’s comments suggest he intends to remain visible. This contrasts with the typical trend of US presidents, such as Barack Obama, who distanced themselves from the public after leaving office. Trump, Biden’s successor, plans to run for president again.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:10am on 11 Jan 2025,Saturday Weather & Environment
Dense fog in parts of Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad on January 11 caused disruptions, delaying over 100 flights and 45 trains. The fog reduced visibility to zero in several areas, prompting multiple advisories from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) to keep passengers informed about flight statuses. Despite low visibility procedures, flight operations remained unaffected. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached ‘severe’ levels at 409 in the morning, later settling at 397. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts rain and thunderstorms for the weekend along with continued foggy conditions in the morning.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:07am on 11 Jan 2025,Saturday Politics
A leaked Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on Delhi’s scrapped liquor policy reveals a staggering Rs 2,026 crore revenue loss due to irregularities in issuing licenses. The report highlights lapses, violations, and policy deviations, including ignoring expert panel recommendations and issuing licenses to financially unfit entities. It also claims that some violators were not penalized, and key decisions were made without proper approvals. The report attributes the losses to exemptions, waivers, and unfulfilled infrastructure promises. AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, face legal challenges in connection with the policy's alleged corruption.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:02am on 11 Jan 2025,Saturday India
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has grounded all Dhruv advanced light helicopters (ALH) until the cause of the Jan 5 crash in Gujarat is identified. Preliminary findings show that the pilots lost control of the helicopter seconds before the crash. The incident involved an ALH Mark-III, which nose-dived after failing to respond to control inputs, killing two pilots and a crew member. This follows a troubling safety record, including previous crashes and reports of power loss and gearbox failures. HAL has promised to fast-track the investigation and ensure safe flying operations resume after addressing all issues.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:55am on 11 Jan 2025,Saturday Sports
The BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has rejected KL Rahul's request for a break from the upcoming white-ball series against England. Rahul had asked for time off following his demanding performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Initially agreed upon, the committee reversed the decision, instructing Rahul to participate in the ODIs starting February 6. This decision was made to provide Rahul with match practice ahead of the Champions Trophy, starting February 19. The committee aims to finalize India's combination for the tournament, with Rahul being a key figure, especially as a wicketkeeper in the ODIs.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:15am on 11 Jan 2025,Saturday International
US President Joe Biden described Los Angeles as a "battle scene" following the devastating wildfires that continue to ravage the city. Speaking from the Oval Office, Biden noted "clear evidence" of looting in affected neighborhoods, prompting authorities to enforce nighttime curfews and deploy military and National Guard personnel for security. He criticized "demagogues" for spreading misinformation about the disaster, likening the destruction to targeted bombings in a war zone. Biden's remarks come as California grapples with one of its worst fire seasons, displacing thousands and causing widespread destruction. The fires have intensified debates over climate change and disaster preparedness.