Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:53am on 08 Mar 2024,Friday India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a ₹100 reduction in domestic gas cylinder prices on International Women's Day, aiming to alleviate financial burdens on households, particularly benefiting women. The move, promoting affordable cooking gas, aligns with the government's commitment to women's empowerment and a healthier environment. Additionally, the Central government extended the ₹300 per LPG cylinder subsidy for poor women under the Ujjwala Yojana in the upcoming fiscal year. PM Modi celebrated International Women's Day by saluting the strength and resilience of India's women, emphasizing the government's dedication to women's empowerment across various sectors.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:38am on 08 Mar 2024,Friday Entertainment
Akira Toriyama, the legendary creator of 'Dragon Ball' manga, passed away at 68 due to acute subdural hematoma on March 1, as confirmed by Bird Studio. Known for his influential work, Toriyama debuted the series in 1984, becoming a best-selling and impactful manga globally. The 'Dragon Ball' franchise extended to anime, films, and games. His death marks the end of an era, deeply saddening fans and industry peers. Shueisha expressed profound grief, and Eiichiro Oda of "One Piece" acknowledged Toriyama's untimely departure, stating it left "too big shoes to fill." Subdural hematoma, a severe brain condition, led to his demise.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:21am on 08 Mar 2024,Friday India
The Supreme Court quashed an FIR against a Maharashtra college professor for his WhatsApp status critical of Article 370 abrogation and Pakistan's Independence Day. Justices Oka and Bhuyan emphasized citizens' right to criticize such actions, stating it's not an offense under Section 153-A. They underscored the importance of democratic values, expressing dissent within lawful limits. The ruling stressed the need to sensitize the police on freedom of speech, highlighting that legitimate dissent is integral to constitutional rights. The High Court's concern about stirring emotions was dismissed, focusing on the impact on reasonable people, not those with weak minds.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:36am on 08 Mar 2024,Friday India
Delhi police arrested a man for fatally stabbing his 29-year-old son, Gaurav Singhal, just hours before the son's wedding in south Delhi. The crime scene indicated a possible involvement of multiple individuals. The strained relationship between Gaurav and his father surfaced during the investigation, revealing that Gaurav resisted marriage under family pressure and was in love with someone disapproved by his family. The accused showed no remorse and confessed to the crime. Gaurav's objections to the arranged marriage were a recurring source of conflict. Further investigation is ongoing.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:09am on 08 Mar 2024,Friday International
An 11-year-old boy in the UK, Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington, died after participating in the dangerous "chroming" social media challenge, where fumes from household products are inhaled to get high. The incident occurred during a TikTok craze at a friend's house, resulting in cardiac arrest. The grieving family is urging social media platforms to enforce stricter safety measures for children. Tommie-Lee's grandmother, Tina Burns, believes social media companies should be held accountable and, in extreme cases, shut down to prevent similar tragedies. Chroming videos on social media have led to a concerning trend and multiple teenage fatalities worldwide.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:10am on 08 Mar 2024,Friday International
The UK's Treasury Committee has urged a ban on finance firms in Britain misusing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence victims of sexual harassment. In a report on sexism in the City of London, lawmakers called for legislation to prohibit "gagging orders" protecting serial perpetrators and fostering corrosive workplace cultures. The committee expressed shock at the prevalence of harassment and poor handling of allegations in financial services. Progress in combating sexism since 2018 was deemed slow, with corporate inaction labeled both immoral and detrimental to business. The recommendations aim to end impunity for predators and bullies in the industry.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:43am on 08 Mar 2024,Friday International
A tragic incident in Ottawa saw six people from Sri Lanka, including a mother and four young children, fatally knifed. The 19-year-old suspect, Febrio De-Zoysa, a Sri Lankan student, has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. The victims, including a 35-year-old woman and her children, were known to the suspect. Ottawa Mayor called it one of the city's most shocking incidents, emphasizing the rarity of such violence in Canada. The attack occurred in Barrhaven, and the motive remains unclear. Mass killings in Canada are infrequent, with 14 murders in Ottawa in 2023.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:16am on 08 Mar 2024,Friday International
US Army analyst Sergeant Korbein Schultz, with top-secret clearance, was arrested for allegedly providing national defense information to China. The indictment states Schultz supplied documents, maps, and photos since June 2022, receiving $42,000. Information included potential US plans for Taiwan, fighter aircraft, hypersonic equipment, and more. This follows recent arrests of two Navy sailors in California for spying for China. Petty officer Wenheng Zhao was sentenced to 27 months in prison in January for conspiring with a foreign intelligence officer and accepting a bribe.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:00am on 08 Mar 2024,Friday Weather & Environment
Delhi experienced its coldest March morning in five years, with a minimum temperature of 8.8°C attributed to Himalayan snowfall. The maximum temperature dropped two notches below normal at 26.4°C. Unusual cold persisted throughout March, staying below 10°C. IMD predicts no rise in minimum temperature for the next two days. Scientist Kuldeep Srivastava links the cold to snowfall in the hills. Two Western Disturbances are expected to bring more snowfall/rainfall to the Himalayan region from March 10-12, impacting Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand. A 'yellow' warning for thunderstorms in the western Himalayas is issued from March 11-13.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:50am on 08 Mar 2024,Friday International
President Biden used his State of the Union address to criticize Donald Trump for seeking "revenge and retribution." While not naming Trump directly, Biden emphasized his commitment to freedom and democracy. Protests against Biden's support for Israel's actions disrupted his motorcade route. He aimed to dispel concerns about his age and positioned himself as the anti-Trump choice. Biden also tackled Republican abortion opposition and highlighted an optimistic view of the US economy, calling it the "greatest comeback story never told." Additionally, he addressed concerns about conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine in the annual congressional speech.