SUBHADITYA NEWS CHANNEL PRESENTS NEWS OF THIS WEEK DATED 22/6/2024 : SCIENCE,POLITICAL,SPORTS, MOVIE AND BOOK NEWS THIS WEEK

 

1) Astronomers watch a supermassive black hole turn on for the first time By Adam Mann

The observation will help researchers better understand active galactic nuclei Somewhere in the not-too-distant universe, a galaxy named SDSS1335+0728 is waking up.

Over the past four years, astronomers have been able to watch the supermassive black hole in SDSS1335+0728’s center go from dim and quiet to bright and active, the first time such a transition has been observed in real time, researchers report June 18 in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The finding will provide insights into the processes powering active galactic nuclei, or AGN, which occur when supermassive black holes consume enormous amounts of material, becoming bright enough to be seen clear across the cosmos (SN: 6/18/20).Located 300 million light-years from Earth, SDSS1335+0728 first caught scientists’ attention in December 2019, when the Zwicky Transient Facility at Palomar Observatory in California noticed it brightening dramatically in optical wavelengths.

“At the beginning we thought, ‘Okay, this is a normal AGN candidate,’” says Paula Sánchez Sáez, an astrophysicist at the European Southern Observatory in Garching, Germany. But archival data stretching back 20 years revealed that SDSS1335+0728 hadn’t previously shown signs of activity.

Black holes can light up when they rip apart and consume stars, a phenomenon known as a tidal disruption event (SN: 5/16/22). As material from the demolished object spins around the black hole, it heats up and produces bright radiation. Such events are relatively short lived, lasting a few days or months at most. Yet Sánchez Sáez and her colleagues watched SDSS1335+0728 remain luminous for the next few years.

The team was gearing up to publish their findings when, in February, the space-based Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory watched SDSS1335+0728 begin glowing in X-rays. Other facilities caught it turning on in a variety of other wavelengths.

“All the data we have in hand seems to tell us that we are observing the formation of an AGN for the first time,” Sánchez Sáez says.

It’s possible that SDSS1335+0728 is consuming a smaller satellite galaxy that fell into it, though at this point it’s still unclear exactly what’s going on. The researchers hope to conduct follow-up observations using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, or future facilities like the Extremely Large Telescope, which should allow them to watch how gas is moving around the black hole and potentially help explain what they’re seeing.

“We hope that from this source we will be able to learn how AGNs become AGNs, and how supermassive black holes grow,” Sánchez Sáez says.

2) This tentacled, parasitic ‘fairy lantern’ plant is new to science By Jake Buehler

In the weird world of chlorophyll-free “fairy lantern” plants, there’s a new species to admire.

Fairy lanterns (Thismia) are a type of mysterious, parasitic herb that look like something from another planet. Their pint-size flowers can have psychedelic shapes and bright colors, and they have evolved to lure in fungus gnats and other insects as pollinators. In the Malaysian rainforest, the vibrant saffron flowers of a never-before-seen Thismia species sprout just above the dense leaf litter, researchers report May 31 in PhytoKeys. By plant standards, Thismia are truly odd. Lacking chlorophyll, they eschew photosynthesis, instead siphoning sustenance from subterranean fungi that partner symbiotically with other, more conventional plants. Fairy lanterns spend most of their lives underground, typically in mature tropical forests. When the plants do briefly erupt from the soil to flower, they can be easy to miss, being only a few centimeters tall.

Botanist Mat Yunoh Siti-Munirah has been cataloging the biodiversity of these parasitic plants in Malaysia. In 2020, one of her colleagues encountered an unusual fairy lantern in Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve. Later, a colleague spotted more of the same in a different Malaysian park. Siti-Munirah traveled to the rainforests in these parks to confirm the reports.

“The search for Thismia is not easy,” says Siti-Munirah, of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia in Kepong. “If at the right time and in the right place, we can find it. But sometimes the visit remains unsuccessful even after a few attempts.”

These newly named fairy lanterns — found poking out of leaf litter and rotten logs — are brown and white, with the only visible vibrance being the rich yellow interior of the flower. Encircling the top of the flower are several drab, tentacle-like extensions, evoking a squid or an eccentric fungal fruiting body.

After taking specimens back to the lab, carefully examining their physical features, and comparing them with known fairy lantern species, Siti-Munirah and her team determined the plants were a previously unrecognized species, which they have dubbed T. malayana. Unlike its closest relatives, it has a distinct curve to the cup shape of the flower, and the pollen-bearing structures inside the flower are a brilliant violet.

A record of a new species is “like a birth certificate for plants,” Siti-Munirah says.

She and her colleagues have proposed the species be considered vulnerable to extinction. Both locations where T. malayana has been found are relatively protected. But Siti-Munirah’ survey uncovered less than 10 individual plants. Complicating the situation is the subterranean lifestyle of the plant, which interferes in any count of mature plants in protected pockets of forest.There are around 100 species of fairy lantern known, found from tropical South America to Asia and Australia (SN: 11/5/20). Historically, researchers have reported on the plants only sporadically due to their “elusive nature” and propensity to live in specialized habitats, says botanist Kenji Suetsugu of Kobe University in Japan.

“However, in recent years, there has been a concerted effort [by some researchers] to explore understudied regions and employ new technologies, such as genetic analysis,” says Suetsugu, who was not involved with the new research.

This has led to the identification of multiple new species, such as the violet-tendrilled T. paradisiaca in Colombia and the pale, periscopic T. belumensis in Malaysia, the latter of which was described by Siti-Munirah and her colleagues in 2021. Some species haven’t been seen in decades, like the dramatic, tridentlike T. neptunis of Borneo, which was recently rediscovered after over 150 years without any reported sightings. One species described recently by Suetsugu and his colleagues was originally identified from a decades-old museum specimen, believed extinct considering the past destruction of its only known habitat, and then rediscovered in the wild just three years later.

The trend of discovery and rediscovery “reflects a growing interest and investment in understanding the biodiversity of these unique plants,” Suetsugu says. Determining what environmental conditions help T. malayana grow and survive, he says, could inform conservation efforts for the plants in the future.

3) Sensory secrets of penis and clitoris unlocked after more than 150 years By Sara Reardon

Low-frequency vibrations arouse genital nerve cells in mice — a finding that might lead to treatments for erectile dysfunction and more.Specific nerve cells on the penis and clitoris detect vibrations and then become activated, causing sexual behaviours such as erections, a study in mice has revealed1. The findings could lead to new treatments for conditions such as erectile dysfunction, or for restoring sexual function in people with lower-body paralysis.

Krause corpuscles — nerve endings in tightly wrapped balls located just under the skin — were first discovered in human genitals more than 150 years ago. The structures are similar to touch-activated corpuscles found on people’s fingers and hands, which respond to vibrations as the skin moves across a textured surface.

But there is little research into how the genital corpuscles work and how they are involved in sex, probably because the topic is sometimes considered taboo. “It’s been hard to get people to work on this because some people have a hard time talking about it,” says David Ginty, a sensory neurobiologist at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, who led the team that conducted the latest research. “But I don’t, because the biology is so interesting.”

Good vibrations

Ginty and other sensory biologists have long wanted to study these mysterious neuron balls. But activating and tracking specific neurons was nearly impossible until advanced molecular techniques emerged in the past 20 years.

In a 19 June paper in Nature1, Ginty and his collaborators activated the Krause corpuscles in both male and female mice using various mechanical and electrical stimuli. The neurons fired in response to low-frequency vibrations in the range of 40–80 hertz. Ginty notes that these frequencies are generally used in many sex toys; humans, it seems, realized that this was the best way to stimulate Krause corpuscles before any official experiments were published.The researchers, who last year made the research public on the preprint server bioRxiv ahead of peer review, also found that the genitalia of male and female mice contain about the same number of corpuscles, which spread out spatially as the organs grow during the animals’ development. But the corpuscles are 15 times as concentrated on the clitoris as on the penis, because the clitoris is smaller. “It’s almost wall-to-wall Krause corpuscles” on the clitoris, Ginty says, “and we think each is a vibration detector” — which could help to explain why the organ is so sensitive.

To learn what part the corpuscles play in sex, the team genetically engineered mice so that the corpuscle neurons would fire when exposed to a flash of light. In anaesthetized mice, this activation caused erections in males and vaginal contractions in females. Mice that were genetically engineered to lack Krause corpuscles couldn’t mate normally, suggesting that the structures are necessary for sex.

Although most sensory neurons are developed before birth, the researchers found that Krause corpuscles didn’t develop until the mice were around 4–6 weeks old — just before the animals reached sexual maturity. Ginty says the team is studying whether hormones in the female mouse’s oestrus cycle affect the corpuscles’ function, as well as how these late-developing neural systems wire themselves into the body’s existing nervous system.

So far, the researchers have learnt that the corpuscles connect to a particular sensory region of the spinal cord. Stimulating this region caused erections and contractions in the genitals, even if the spinal cord’s connection to the brain had been severed, suggesting that sexual reflexes are automatic.

Sexual healing

“It’s a very comprehensive piece of work,” says Elena Gracheva, a neuroscientist at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. She was struck by how many sensory pathways seem to be involved in genital sensitivity. The paper “opens a lot of different directions for a lot of scientists”, she says.Alexander Chesler, a sensory biologist at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health in Bethesda, Maryland, says that the study complements a paper his group published last year2 showing that a touch-sensitive protein in the genitals is necessary for successful mating. “Sex is a fundamental area of biology and is one of the main drivers of behaviour and evolution,” Chesler says. He hopes that further research into these nerve cells will eventually lead to treatments for conditions such as erectile dysfunction and vaginal pain.

Ginty and his coworkers now want to look at other aspects of Krause corpuscles, such as whether the neurons cause pleasure sensations in the brain and whether they retain their sensitivity as animals age. “Every finding leads to some new insight because there’s so much we don’t know about this,” Ginty adds.

4) New analysis determines ancient polar sea reptile fossil is oldest ever found in Southern Hemisphere by Uppsala University:

An international team of scientists has identified the oldest fossil of a sea-going reptile from the Southern Hemisphere—a nothosaur vertebra found on New Zealand's South Island. 246 million years ago, at the beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs, New Zealand was located on the southern polar coast of a vast super-ocean called Panthalassa.Reptiles first invaded the seas after a catastrophic mass extinction that devastated marine ecosystems and paved the way for the dawn of the Age of Dinosaurs almost 252 million years ago. Evidence for this evolutionary milestone has only been discovered in a few places around the world: on the Arctic island of Spitsbergen, northwestern North America and southwestern China.

Although represented by just a single vertebra that was excavated from a boulder in a stream bed at the foot of Mount Harper on the South Island of New Zealand—this discovery has shed new light on the previously unknown record of early sea reptiles from the Southern Hemisphere.

Reptiles ruled the seas for millions of years before dinosaurs dominated the land. The most diverse and geologically longest surviving group were the sauropterygians, with an evolutionary history spanning over 180 million years. The group included the long-necked plesiosaurs, which resembled the popular image of the Loch Ness Monster.

Nothosaurs were distant predecessors of the Plesiosaurs. They could grow up to seven meters long and swam using four paddle-like limbs. Nothosaurs had flattened skulls with a meshwork of slender conical teeth that were used to catch fish and squid.The New Zealand nothosaur was discovered during a geological survey in 1978, but its importance was not fully recognized until paleontologists from Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Australia and East Timor joined their expertise to examine and analyze the vertebra and other associated fossils. The paper is published in the journal Current Biology.

"The nothosaur found in New Zealand is over 40 million years older than the previously oldest known sauropterygian fossils from the Southern Hemisphere. We show that these ancient sea reptiles lived in a shallow coastal environment teeming with marine creatures within what was then the southern polar circle," explains Dr. Benjamin Kear from The Museum of Evolution at Uppsala University, lead author on the study.

The oldest nothosaur fossils are around 248 million years old and have been found along an ancient northern low-latitude belt that stretched from the remote northeastern to northwestern margins of the Panthalassa super-ocean. The origin, distribution and timing of when nothosaurs reached these distant areas are still debated. Some theories suggest that they either migrated along northern polar coastlines, or swam through inland seaways, or used currents to cross the Panthalassa super-ocean.The new nothosaur fossil from New Zealand has now upended these long-standing hypotheses.

"Using a time-calibrated evolutionary model of sauropterygian global distributions, we show that nothosaurs originated near the equator, then rapidly spread both northwards and southwards at the same time as complex marine ecosystems became re-established after the cataclysmic mass extinction that marked the beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs" says Kear.

"The beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs was characterized by extreme global warming, which allowed these marine reptiles to thrive at the South Pole. This also suggests that the ancient polar regions were a likely route for their earliest global migrations, much like the epic trans-oceanic journeys undertaken by whales today.

"Undoubtedly, there are more fossil remains of long-extinct sea monsters waiting to be discovered in New Zealand and elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere," adds Kear.

5) Researchers create new class of materials called 'glassy gels' :by North Carolina State University

Researchers have created a new class of materials called "glassy gels" that are very hard and difficult to break despite containing more than 50% liquid. Coupled with the fact that glassy gels are simple to produce, the material holds promise for a variety of applications.A paper describing this work, titled "Glassy Gels Toughened by Solvent," appears in the journal Nature.

Gels and glassy polymers are classes of materials that have historically been viewed as distinct from one another. Glassy polymers are hard, stiff and often brittle. They're used to make things like water bottles or airplane windows. Gels—such as contact lenses—contain liquid and are soft and stretchy.

"We've created a class of materials that we've termed glassy gels, which are as hard as glassy polymers, but—if you apply enough force—can stretch up to five times their original length, rather than breaking," says Michael Dickey, corresponding author of a paper on the work and the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University. "What's more, once the material has been stretched, you can get it to return to its original shape by applying heat. In addition, the surface of the glassy gels is highly adhesive, which is unusual for hard materials."

"A key thing that distinguishes glassy gels is that they are more than 50% liquid, which makes them more efficient conductors of electricity than common plastics that have comparable physical characteristics," says Meixiang Wang, co-lead author of the paper and a postdoctoral researcher at NC State. "Considering the number of unique properties they possess, we're optimistic that these materials will be useful."

Glassy gels, as the name suggests, are effectively a material that combines some of the most attractive properties of both glassy polymers and gels. To make them, the researchers start with the liquid precursors of glassy polymers and mix them with an ionic liquid. This combined liquid is poured into a mold and exposed to ultraviolet light, which "cures" the material. The mold is then removed, leaving behind the glassy gel."The ionic liquid is a solvent, like water, but is made entirely of ions," says Dickey. "Normally, when you add a solvent to a polymer, the solvent pushes apart the polymer chains, making the polymer soft and stretchable. That's why a wet contact lens is pliable, and a dry contact lens isn't. In glassy gels, the solvent pushes the molecular chains in the polymer apart, which allows it to be stretchable like a gel.

"However, the ions in the solvent are strongly attracted to the polymer, which prevents the polymer chains from moving. The inability of chains to move is what makes it glassy. The end result is that the material is hard due to the attractive forces, but is still capable of stretching due to the extra spacing."

The researchers found that glassy gels could be made with a variety of different polymers and ionic liquids, though not all classes of polymers can be used to create glassy gels.

"Polymers that are charged or polar hold promise for glassy gels, because they're attracted to the ionic liquid," Dickey says.

In testing, the researchers found that the glassy gels don't evaporate or dry out, even though they consist of 50–60% liquid.

"Maybe the most intriguing characteristic of the glassy gels is how adhesive they are," says Dickey. "Because while we understand what makes them hard and stretchable, we can only speculate about what makes them so sticky."The researchers also think glassy gels hold promise for practical applications because they're easy to make.

"Creating glassy gels is a simple process that can be done by curing it in any type of mold or by 3D printing it," says Dickey. "Most plastics with similar mechanical properties require manufacturers to create polymer as a feedstock and then transport that polymer to another facility where the polymer is melted and formed into the end product."We're excited to see how glassy gels can be used and are open to working with collaborators on identifying applications for these materials."Co-lead author of the paper is Xun Xiao of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The paper was co-authored by Salma Siddika, a Ph.D. student at NC State; Mohammad Shamsi, a former Ph.D. student at NC State; Ethan Frey, a former undergrad at NC state; Brendan O'Connor, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at NC State; Wubin Bai, a professor of applied physical sciences at UNC; and Wen Qian, a research associate professor of mechanical and materials engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

 

 

1) Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal granted bail in excise policy case

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted regular bail almost three months after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate.A Delhi court on Thursday granted bail to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to a now-scrapped excise policy.“Accused is admitted to bail in the sum of ₹1 lakh,” Special Judge Niyay Bindu said.

The court also imposed certain conditions before granting Kejriwal the relief, including that he will not try to hamper the investigation or influence the witnesses.

The Enforcement Directorate requested the court to grant the probe agency 48 hours to accept bail bonds so that order can be challenged in the higher court.

Special Judge Bindu, however, clarified that there was no stay on the bail order.

The court said that the counsel of Arvind Kejriwal can apply for bail bond tomorrow before the concerned judge.“We have faith in the court… Kejriwal ji gets bail… truth wins,” Punjab chief minister and senior AAP leader Bhagwant Mann posted on X in Hindi.AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who is also out on bail in the same case, said the ED's submissions till date were based on lies and asserted that the Kejriwal's release from jail will stregthen democracy.

"Arvind Kejriwal coming out of jail at such a time is going to strengthen democracy. This is good news for the people of Delhi...ED's statements till now were based on lies...this is a baseless fake case formed to trap Kejriwal," he told ANI.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal congratulated Kejriwal on getting bail, which he said was "long overdue"."Tom the prosecutions standpoint now that elections are over no need to keep him in jail ! The justice delivery system has been unfair !" Sibal said on X.Judge Bindu reserved the order earlier today after hearing the matter for two days.

During the hearing, the central financial crime-fighting agency had sought to link Arvind Kejriwal to the alleged proceeds of crime and co-accused, while the defence had claimed the prosecution has no evidence to nail the AAP leader.

The ED submitted that on November 7, 2021, during the assembly poll campaign in Goa, Kejriwal stayed at the Grand Hyatt hotel, with the bill paid by Chanpreet Singh, who is alleged to have managed the AAP funds in the coastal state." ₹1 lakh was paid in two instalments (to the hotel). It was paid by Chanpreet Singh (co-accused) from his bank account.Chanpreet is the person who received ₹45 crore from different 'Angadiyas' (couriers)," the ED told the court

Kejriwal's counsel, however, asserted that the entire case against him rests on statements.

"The statements are of those people who have confessed to being guilty. They are not saints here. They are those who are not only tainted, but it appears that some who were arrested were given a promise of bail and promise of being granted pardon. Approvers. And there is another category who have not been arrested," the counsel said.

"Circumstances have to be so intrinsically linked (as to) lead to the guilt. These statements by tainted persons discredit the case of prosecution. There is no evidence that ₹100 crore came from South Group. These are all statements. There is no evidence," the counsel said.Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21, less than three weeks before the country was heading for the parliamentary elections. On May 10, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to the AAP national convener till June 1 for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections.The Aam Aadmi Party launched an aggressive ‘Jail ka Jawab Vote Se’ campaign during the elections and Kejriwal, who was out on an interim bail, repeatedly claimed in his rallies and roadshows that he won't have to stay in jail if the opposition INDIA bloc comes to power. While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was able to retain the power for a successive third term, it couldn't muster a parliamentary majority on its own.

2) NEET, UGC-NET row: Rahul Gandhi attacks Narendra Modi, says PM psychologically collapsed, bothered about Speakers post

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacks Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid ongoing row over NEET-UG result and cancellation of UGC-NET exam.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the ongoing row over NEET-UG results and cancellation of the UGC-NET exam, and said that PM is more concerned about Speakers election.

"It was being said that Modi ji stopped the Russia-Ukraine war. But for some reasons, Narendra Modi has not been able to stop or doesn't want to stop paper leaks in India," quipped Rahul Gandhi.Gandhi alleged that the silence (of govt) is because the PM is crippled and Narendra Modi's main agenda right now is the (election of) Speaker.

“He is bothered about his govt and Speaker...The PM has psychologically collapsed and he will struggle to run a government like this. Modi's idea of running govt is to generate fear in people. But now people are not scared of him,” ANI quoted Gandhi as saying.The Congress leader further alleged that the reason behind paper leaks is that the education system has been captured by the BJP's parent organisation.

"Till the time this is not reversed, paper leaks will go on. Modi ji facilitated this capture. It is an anti-national activity," claimed Gandhi.Amid the re-tests of 1,563 students who received grace marks in NEET-UG amid allegations of ‘irregularities’, the government on Wednesday also cancelled the UGC-NET examination due to the ‘compromised integrity’ of the examination.

The Congress leader stated that the party would raise the issue in Parliament.

“It's happening because all our institutions have been captured. Our Vice-Chancellors are placed not based on merit, but because they belong to a particular organization. And this organization and the BJP have penetrated our education system and destroyed it,” alleged Gandhi.The Congress leader claimed that what was done by Narendra Modi to the economy through demonetization, has now been done to the education system.

"It is very important that the people who are guilty here are brought to book, and they are punished."

Reacting to the clean chit to NTA by the Union Education Minister in the NEET-UG row, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “They have no credibility in these matters. If they give a clean chit, it means nothing, their credibility is zero. Everybody knows that the epicentres are Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh...”

3) NEET exam row: Congress holds country-wide protests today, Gaurav Gogoi says ‘PM Modi failed India’s youth’

NEET UGC Row: Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has accused PM Narendra Modi of betraying Indian youth with NET exam cancellation and NEET-UG irregularities. He questioned the Centre's stance and announced that the opposition will stage a nationwide protest today.pposition Congress leaders have begun their planned nationwide protest over the NEET exam row in Delhi today.

On June 20, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing the youth of India and remaining silent on critical issues. He also criticised the Central Government for cancelling the NET exam and highlighted irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.

“Prime Minister Modi has failed the youth of India. First, with the NEET exam, 24 lakh people have been disappointed, and now through the NET exam, 9 lakh students have been betrayed. Yet the PM chooses to be silent,” Gogoi told ANI on June 20.

Questioning Government Stances, Protests Planned

Gogoi questioned the government's inconsistent approaches, saying, “I don't know why this government is adopting two different positions. On NET exam, they are willing to cancel and reschedule. Why can't they do the same with NEET? On the NET exam, they feel that the paper leak has occurred. Why on the matter of NEET, is the Education Minister (Dharmendra Pradhan) giving a clean chit to the National Testing Agency? Clearly, this government is trying to bury the issue.”He further mentioned, “Rahul Gandhi and Congress will not let them go. Tomorrow, the Congress party will hold a nationwide protest on this matter. Rahul Gandhi will raise the matter of NEET students in the House.”

Ministry of Education Cancels NET Exam

On Wednesday (June 19), the Ministry of Education cancelled the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). A fresh examination will be conducted, and information will be shared separately.

On June 19, 2024, the UGC received inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit indicating that the integrity of the NET exam may have been compromised. The Education Ministry stated that the test was scrapped due to these concerns and emphasised that action will be taken against those responsible.

Irregularities in NEET-UG Exam

The NEET-UG 2024 exam, held on May 5, had its results declared on June 4, ahead of the scheduled date of June 14. Protests erupted alleging irregularities and paper leaks, with 67 students reportedly scoring a perfect 720.

The NEET-UG exam, conducted by the NTA, is crucial for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses in institutions across the country.

4) Gautam Adani meets Bhutan PM, signs MoU for 570 MW green hydro plant: ‘Looking forward to working closely’

ON 23rd March 2024 just before the Loksabha election PM Modi Concludes Fruitful Two-Day Bhutan Trip; Here Are Some Key Highlights:

The two leaders also reviewed all aspects of bilateral energy cooperation and, welcomed the expert-level discussions on the 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydro- electric Project, adding that they look forward to the commissioning of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydro- electric Project later this year.

PM Modi and PM Tobgay agreed that the India-Bhutan energy partnership has the potential to benefit both countries by enhancing energy security, strengthening their economies, generating employment, enhancing export earnings, and contributing to the further development of industrial and financial capacities.

PM Modi’s two-day state visit to Bhutan spanned from March 22-23. He was welcomed by a massive crowd at the Para International Airport, highlighting the friendly atmosphere between the two nations.

Therefore just after loksabha win 2024 Gautam Adani get its Green energy deal in Bhutan through PM Modiji:

Gautam Adani met Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and said that the monarch's vision for Bhutan is inspiring.Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani met Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the country's Druk Green Power Corporation for a 570 MW hydroelectric plant in Chukha province. Praising Bhutan's efforts to develop infrastructure under the vision of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Gautam Adani expressed eagerness to collaborate on hydro and other projects in the country.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gautam Adani said, "Absolutely fascinating meeting with Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Hon. Prime Minister of Bhutan. Signed an MoU with DGPC for a 570 MW green hydro plant in Chukha province. Admirable to see @PMBhutan advancing the vision of His Majesty The King and pursuing broad ranging infrastructure initiatives across the kingdom. Looking forward to working closely on hydro & other infra in Bhutan."

He also met Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and said that the monarch's vision for Bhutan is inspiring.Gautam Adani wrote on X, “Honoured to meet His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan. Inspired by his vision for Bhutan and the ambitious eco-friendly masterplan for Gelephu Mindfulness City, including large computing centres and data facilities. Excited to collaborate on these transformative initiatives as also on green energy management for a carbon negative nation!”

5) Nalanda’s reawakening...’: PM Modi shares his ’missions’ at Nalanda University inauguration | 10 points

PM Modi praised the inclusive nature of Nalanda University in ancient times, where admission was not based on nationality, emphasizing the pursuit of education by people from diverse backgrounds.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University at Rajgir in Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Governor Rajendra V Arlekar, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also attended the event.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Nitish Kumar said, “I welcome Prime Minister Modi, I congratulate and thank him. When I got to know that you are coming here, I was very happy...”

1) “I am happy that I got the opportunity to visit Nalanda within 10 days after swearing in as PM for the 3rd time...Nalanda is not just a name, it is an identity and respect. Nalanda is a value and mantra...fire can burn books but it can't destroy knowledge.”

2) “Nalanda was once the epicentre of India's educational identity. Education goes beyond borders, profits, and losses. Education shapes our thoughts and behaviour."

3) "During ancient times, admission to Nalanda University was not based on the nationality of the student. People from different walks of life used to come here in pursuit of

education.”

4) “Nalanda will stand as a testimony to the fact that nations that are founded on strong human values are the nations which revive the past and lay the foundation for a better future."

5) “Nalanda is not only the renaissance for India's heritage but also of the collective heritage of Asia and the world. Various nations have contributed to the reconstruction of Nalanda. I thank all of you for your efforts and trust in us.”

6) “Nalanda University is working towards making ASEAN- India University network... Many leading global institutions have joined in, and the 21st century is being called the Asian century.”

7) “My mission is to make India, the centre of education and knowledge to the world. My mission is to again make India's identity emerge as the world's most prominent knowledge centre...today more than 1 crore children are getting the benefits of exposure to the latest technology in Atal Tinkering Lab...”

8) "The rebuilding of Nalanda is going to start the golden era of India...Nalanda's reawakening, this new campus, will give the world an introduction to India's capability..."

9) “Nalanda is the first-ever campus in India which will work on the model of - Net Zero energy, Net Zero emissions, Net Zero waste - Working on the idea of 'Be your own light', this campus will guide the world

10) “Nalanda University will soon become an important centre for our cultural exchange programmes. Documentation of various artworks from India and Southeast Asia is being undertaken here.. Common Archival Resources Centre is also being established here.”

Amartya Sen's 9-year-long association with Nalanda University ends IN 2015:

Amartya Sen’s nine-year-long association with the Nalanda University, first as a Chancellor and later as a member of the governing board, has come to an end.

Sen, who had criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, resigned as Chancellor in February 2015 and publicly lashed out at the BJP-led NDA government after stepping down. However, he continued to be a member of the governing board, as he was a part of the Nalanda Mentors Group (NMG) since 2007, which was tasked by the Manmohan Singh government with the revival of the Nalanda University.

6) Kanchanjunga Express accident: Critical safety and tech issues that need to be addressed

Over the past few years, the Railways seems to be focusing more on visible events, which may show that it is on the path of modernisation.The recent accident of a freight train rear-ending the Kanchanjunga Express and the consequent fatalities have brought to light — once again — the vulnerability to unsafe events in the Indian Railways (IR). While IR is in the mode to run more and more trains and expand the network, the emphasis on safety (and other customer-facing attributes like cleanliness and hygiene, punctuality, and convenience) needs greater attention. Let us examine the various issues that this accident, and in fact a series of accidents/malfunctions and possibly many more near misses of the recent past bring out.

2. Operations and maintenance protocols consequent to a (signal-based) disruption: While IR is known for its manuals and procedures, it appears that these are not keeping pace with newer technologies, or the training to observe the protocols is not up to standard. In the context of the recent accident, it is frightening that we have received different viewpoints from key functionaries. The first response was that the freight train loco pilot passed the signal at danger. Subsequently, there was a view that given the signal failure, the loco pilot was allowed to pass signals at danger, with a paper order. This view further said that he would have to stop at every red signal and then proceed at a low speed, while he was actually at a much higher speed causing a serious accident. Another view was that the paper order indicated that the track was clear until the next station so he could go at a higher speed. We hope that the inquiry to be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety will throw a better light on this. However, it seems that the issue of differing protocols needs to be resolved. This issue also takes us back to the horrific railway accident at Bahanaga Bazar in Odisha in June 2023.

Signal overshot, missing Kavach system: 2 factors that likely caused goods train to collide with Kanchanjunga Express

Collision between Kanchanjunga Express and a goods train in Darjeeling district kills 15 and injures 60. Missing Kavach system blamed for the accident.Kanchanjunga Express collision: On Monday morning, a tragic train collision occurred on the busy route between West Bengal's capital city, Kolkata's Sealdah station, and New Jalpaiguri station in Siliguri, which connects South Bengal to North Bengal. A goods train collided with the popular-with-tourists, Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express in Darjeeling district, killing 15 people and injuring at least 60.

Possible causes of the Kanchanjunga Express collision

Two factors that likely contributed to the crash between the goods train and the Kanchanjunga Express have been identified.

Missing Kavach System

One significant factor was the absence of the Kavach, a made-in-India system that prevents accidents if two trains travel on the same line. According to reports, the Kavach system was not installed on the tracks in Darjeeling, where the collision occurred.An old video of Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explaining the Kavach system went viral following today's crash. Officials said the system has yet to be installed across much of India's rail network.

Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman of the Railway Board, informed NDTV that the Railways intends to implement the safety system on the Delhi-Guwahati route to cover more than 6,000 km of tracks by the following year. She mentioned that Bengal is included in the 3,000 km tracks to receive Kavach protection this year. Additionally, she stated that the system will be implemented on the Delhi-Howrah route.

Goods train overshot signal

Another contributing factor was the goods train overshooting the signal. Officials said that the goods train had overshot the signal before it rammed into the Kolkata-bound Kanchanjunga Express train. A senior railway official said the deceased included the pilot and the co-pilot of the goods train and the guard of the passenger train.

7) Arvind Kejriwal news Highlights: No bail yet for Delhi CM, high court to pronounce verdict in 2-3 days

 The Delhi High Court said it will pass the final order on the ED's stay application in two-three days. Till then, the trial court's order granting bail to Kejriwal will remain stayed.The Delhi High Court will pronounce the final order in connection with the bail of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the next two-three days. Till then, the high court has stayed the trial court's June 20 order granting bail to Kejriwal. This means, there's no bail for Kejriwal yet.

The Delhi High Court was hearing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) plea,  challenging the trial court's bail order in a money laundering case linked to now-scrapped excise policy.

Kejriwal, the AAP national convenor, was granted bail on June 20. The Rouse Avenue Court granted bail on a bail bond of ₹1 lakh. The court, however, imposed certain conditions on Kejriwal before granting him the relief – he should not try to hamper the investigation or influence the witnesses.  The judge also directed Kejriwal to appear before the court whenever required and to cooperate with the investigation. The ED had on Friday challenged the order dated June 20, 2024, passed by Special Judge (Vacation Judge), Rouse Avenue District Courts that granted bail to Kejriwal.On Delhi High Court staying CM Arvind Kejriwal's bail order, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "...The fight against corruption will continue. I have full faith in the court and the investigation agencies... AAP should learn to respect the court's decision... Bail is not a relaxation..."

On Delhi Minister Atishi sitting on an indefinite hunger strike over the water crisis, he says, "AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi is protesting against the water crisis. It was the duty of the Delhi government to provide water to the people. She is protesting against her own government..."

“After hearing both sides of the argument, the high court reserved its order and has asked the parties to give written submissions, if any, within the next two days. The court will give its verdict on the stay order by Monday or Tuesday,” said advocate and AAP Legal Cell head Sanjeev Nasiar

4:55 pm: No bail yet for Delhi CM!

Delhi High Court stayed he trial court order granting bail to Arvind Kejriwal. The court said it will pass order on the ED's stay application in two-three days and till then, the trial court order will remain stayed.

3:50 pm: 'ED is a sacred cow...,' says Delhi CM's lawyer

Taking potshots at the ED for opposing Kejriwal's bail, the Delhi CM's counsel remarked, "If my lords goes against me, I lose, and I am in jail. ED is a sacred cow that says how can anyone get bail under my nose? Not one paisa has been traced to me.Advocate Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, said the Supreme Court “gave express liberty to the trial court to consider the bail application”.

"The Court expressly said you can approach the trial court for bail. My question is if J Sharma's judgement was final as suggested by ED why this express liberty given by SC? Number two, if the illegal arrest proceedings can be mixed up with bail as the ED is doing then why did the SC make a distinction between go to bail and we are reserving order on illegal arrest?," Singhvi was quoted by Bar and Bench as saying.

Earlier, the ED's lawyer, while opposing Kejriwal's bail, had said the trial court relied on the SC order where Kejriwal was released on interim bail. “The SC itself said this order can't be relied upon. The SC said he can't go to the CM secretariat,” he added.

3:30 pm: Does a stay on bail mean cancellation of bail?

Kejriwal's lawyer said, "Stay is nothing but a cancellation of bail. The application is styled like Section 439(2). These two words are nothing but cancellation." He said, "I am on the basic point that bail grant and bail cancellation are two different things. Singhvi refers to judgements on the issue.

3:00 pm: ‘ED completely partisan,’ says Delhi CM's counsel

Advocate Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, said, " The ED is completely partisan. There is complete partisanship in every argument, every submission." He added, “This matter last for five hours. Nearly 3 hous 45 minutes were taken by Mr Raju and then trial judge is faulted because they don't repeat every comma and full stop.”

2:50 pm: No such finding that Kejriwal is guilty, says ED

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju: “There has to be finding that he is not guilty. There is no such finding... There cannot be a better case for cancellation of bail.”

2:45 pm: Kejriwal guilty of money laundering offence in 2 capacities, says ED

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju said the ED's case is that Kejriwal is guilty of money laundering offence in two capacities. “One is individual capacity where he personally demanded ₹100 crore and was part of the policy. His role shows generation of proceeds of crime. Second, he is vicariously liable because the AAP is guilty of offence of money laundering,” he added.

2:30 pm: ‘We have given direct evidence,’ says ED

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju preparing for the ED: “The order says ED failed to give direct evidence. We have given direct evidence. Statement of Magunta Reddy is there. You can decide against me, but don't give wrong facts...There is Direct evidence. The person says Kejriwal said give me 100 crore Rupees. This is proceeds of crime.”

2:15 pm: Court hearing resumes

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju refers to trial court order.

1.59 pm: Sunita Kejriwal on ED's plea against Arvind Kejriwal's bail, '…behaving as if he is a terrorist’

Even before Kejriwal's bail order was uploaded, ED reached HC; they are behaving as if he is a terrorist: Delhi CM's wife Sunita Kejriwal said as quoted by news agency PTI.

1.36 pm: Sunita Kejriwal reads out CM's message from jail

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal says, " Kejriwal says that 'when I see on tv, the way Delhi people are suffering due to water scarcity, it hurts me. I hope Atishi's 'tapasya' will succeed and Delhi people get relief. I wish all the best to Atishi, may God protect her'..."

1.30 pm: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Arvind Kejriwal's bail hearing

On Arvind Kejriwal's bail hearing, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, "Bail is a temporary process, not a relaxation. We have faith in the court. We are fighting against corruption. Our stand is zero tolerance against corruption...Court and investigation agencies are independent bodies..."

1.17 pm: ASG SV Raju for ED says that the trial court order is “perverse.”

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appearing for Enforcement Directorate calls the trial court order perverse and says proper opportunity has not been given to probe agency for argument before the trial court. He informed Delhi HC that the trial court says records are voluminous and passes the order. He further says that without going through documents filed by both sides and without giving the probe agency an opportunity, the matter is decided. Without going to documents how can you say it's relevant or not relevant, ASG Raju points out.

1.12 pm: ‘In the last 10 years…’, Jairam Ramesh criticizes Modi govt of misusing Central Investigation agencies

On Arvind Kejriwal & Hemant Soren, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says, "...In last 10 years, Narendra Modi has grossly misused the Central investigation agencies like CBI, ED. These agencies must function in an unbiased manner..."

1.07 pm: Delhi HC begins hearing ED's plea challenging trial court order

Delhi High Court begins hearing on Enforcement Directorate plea challenging trial court order granting bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in liquor policy case

12.48 pm: ‘What is the HC hearing? Bail order of lower court has not been uploaded yet?’ questions AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the Delhi High Court's haste in hearing the ED petition. Speaking to ANI he said: “Never heard of such a thing before. The bail order of the lower court has not been uploaded yet, we also haven't received it. When the order itself hasn't come, what is the High Court hearing? With what ED approached the court? and on what basis is the Court saying they will hear the matter? What is ED challenging...BJP's central govt is taking this as personal enmity. This is not the way a central agency should be working.”

 

 

 

 

1) T20 World Cup 2024: Afghanistan batters failed the Bumrah test, says coach Trott

Bumrah was almost unplayable once again, with the India pace spearhead claiming three Afghan wickets and conceding only seven runs in four impeccable overs at Kensington Oval.Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott was disappointed with the shot selection of his batters in their defeat by India in Thursday’s T20 World Cup Super Eight match and said they failed to execute their plans for facing Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah was almost unplayable once again, with the India pace spearhead claiming three Afghan wickets and conceding only seven runs in four impeccable overs at Kensington Oval.

IND vs AFG, T20 World Cup 2024: Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah shine as India strolls past Afghanistan

Bumrah deceived Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan’s leading scorer in the tournament, with a clever change of pace and got the better of the other opener, Hazratullah Zazai, with an off-cutter that resulted in a leading edge at point.

“Obviously disappointed with a few of the shots or the decision-making,” Trott said after their 47-run loss in the Group 1 contest.

“Bumrah is going to be a key bowler for any side. For India, he’s crucial and we needed to play him better. His figures suggest we didn’t play him very well. We’d obviously spoken about it and how we were going to play him. So, we weren’t able to execute that and, yeah, that’s very disappointing,” he added.

India posted a strong total of 181/8, riding Suryakumar Yadav’s second successive half-century.Afghan captain Rashid Khan, also their main strike bowler, finished his quota by the 14th over and India milked 66 runs from the final six overs.

Trott, however, backed Rashid’s decision to exhaust his overs so early and said other bowlers should have stepped up.“When you bowl three for 26, I think no matter when you bowl you’ve done a good job,” Trott said of Rashid.

“It’s not just one bowler. Other people have to bowl the 16 other overs to be bowled, and it’s the responsibility of other bowlers to be able to execute the plans that we put in place. I thought Rash bowled brilliantly today. He has high expectations of himself and he delivered today. Everybody else, could follow suit. That would be great,” he said.

Even if Afghanistan was unable to take wickets the bowlers should have been trying to stem the runs and put pressure on the Indian batters, he added.“Wicket taking, and certainly in T20 and on these types of wickets, comes from creating pressure. So you need to find a way to create pressure on these types of wickets where there’s a short boundary and with the wind. So you need to (make

2) SLO v SER, Euro 2024: Jovic scores stoppage-time equaliser for Serbia against Slovenia

After a goalless and tight first-half, right-back Zan Karnicnik found the net in the 69th minute to give his side the lead but Luka Jovic scored a stoppage time equaliser for Serbia.Serbia substitute Luka Jovic headed a last-gasp equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw with Slovenia in an entertaining Group C clash at Euro 2024 on Thursday.

A brilliantly worked goal from right-back Zan Karnicnik had given Slovenia the lead and put it on the brink of its first-ever Euros win before Serbia’s Jovic nodded home a corner five minutes into added time to leave its opponent distraught.

Slovenia missed several good chances before Karnicnik drove upfield from the edge of his penalty area, released the ball to Timi Elsnik and then met a beautiful return cross to slot past Predrag Rajkovic in the 69th minute.

Serbia failed to capitalise on periods of superiority despite the menace of veteran striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who saw a close-range shot deflected by Karnicnik onto the woodwork until Jovic struck.The result at the Munich Football Arena put Slovenia in second place on two points, with group leader England to come in its third and final Group C game. Serbia, bottom with one point, faces Denmark next.

3) Euro 2024: Denmark holds England to a 1-1 draw to pick first points of campaign

Despite the result, England retains the top spot with four points, while Denmark is second with two points.

It has ended all square as both Denmark and England failed to score the winner in the second half. England would be disappointed with its performance against an underdog Danish side. Denmark on the other hand, would be delighted since it was the better of the two sides. With this England leads the Group C standings but all four teams have a chance to qualify for the Round of 16 as we approach the final group stage matchday.

England started off strong but after the first goal went in, Denmark has been the better of the two sides and proved it by equalising in fine fashion. Denmark is dominating the midfield and hence England’s backline is feeling the extra pressure. It will be interesting to see if Southgate makes any changes since his side has been below par in the first half.

4) Paavo Nurmi Games HIGHLIGHTS: Neeraj Chopra wins gold medal with 85.97m throw as he prepares for Paris 2024 Olympics

 Paavo Nurmi Games where reigning Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra won gold in men’s javelin throw with 85.97m.FINAL ROUND - Neeraj wins gold

Last round begins.

Etelätalo fouls in his last attempt.Dehning wraps up his day with 77.81m and stays seventh.

Third foul for Walcott and he will finish sixth.Foul for Mardare also. He stays in fifth spot.

Third straight foul in this round, this time from Peters.Make that another foul. Helander will have to settle for bronze.Can Keränen make things interesting and overtake Neeraj? No, he can’t as he also commits a foul. Gold confirmed for Neeraj Chopra!

Still, the Indian will go for his final attempt. And he finishes with 82.97m.

5) T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8: India takes on Bangladesh, eyes to maintain winning momentum

The overall head-to-head record is overwhelmingly in India’s favour, but Bangladesh has been known to be plucky, and Rohit Sharma and his men would be wary of that.The ever-present tension of their over a decade-long big-stage rivalry would make for an engrossing sub-plot when an undefeated India takes on a faltering Bangladesh, both teams desperately hoping for their batting stars to strike form in the Super Eights clash of the T20 World Cup on Saturday.

The overall head-to-head record is overwhelmingly in India’s favour, but Bangladesh has been known to be plucky, and Rohit Sharma and his men would be wary of that.The two South Asian neighbours have also been locked in some off-field drama in the past, with Bangladesh often expressing its misgivings about India’s financial might in the sport.

At the ongoing World Cup, though, there is no doubt that India is as mighty a cricketing power to be a serious title contender. The Men in Blue produced a professional performance against Afghanistan in their opening Super Eights match.

With only a travel day separating its remaining two games, India would be hoping that the players, who have not performed as per expectations so far, deliver the goods.

At the top of that list would be the opening pair of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom have gotten starts, but have not been able to turn them into defining knocks. They have made a conscious effort to force the pace but have ended with minimal returns.

Another under-pressure team member is left-hander Shivam Dube, who was picked in the World Cup squad to hammer sixes in the middle and death overs.However, the IPL form that helped him seal a World Cup berth has deserted him and he is yet to come to the party.The southpaw did make an unbeaten 31 against the USA in a group league game, but it was Suryakumar Yadav’s effort that made the difference.However, the IPL form that helped him seal a World Cup berth has deserted him and he is yet to come to the party.

The southpaw did make an unbeaten 31 against the USA in a group league game, but it was Suryakumar Yadav’s effort that made the difference.added.

India’s sole aim in the Caribbean is to win the trophy and a solid performance against Bangladesh will be another step forward in that context. A tougher battle awaits against Australia on June 24.Bangladesh, which has struggled with its batting throughout the tournament, finds itself in a must-win situation after the loss to Australia.

The lack of power-hitters is hurting the team, and there is no quick fix to that problem. The under performance of openers Litton Das and Tanzid Khan has also compounded Bangladesh’s woes.“It’s very important for the top-order to get runs like we did today, that’s a big boost, hopefully the bowlers will continue their form. Looking for a good show against India in our next match,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Shanto said after the loss to Australia here on Friday.Both Shanto (41) and Towhid Hridoy (40) did well but the rest of the line-up was not quite up to it

They will need to find a way to tackle Bumrah, who has been sensational thus far, taking eight wickets at an unparalleled economy rate of 3.46 runs per over.The pacers, led by Mustafizur Rahman, have done alright but leg-spinner Rishad Hossain needs more support in the spin department.

ARANMANAI 4 – DISNEY+ HOTSTAR

The recent success of horror comedy movies motivated the makers of Aranmanai to return with another instalment starring Tamannaah Bhatia, Sundar, Raashii Khanna and Yogi Babu. The Tamil movie directed by Sundar revolves around a middle-aged man who is willing to go to any extent to uncover the truth behind his sister’s mysterious death.

BIGG BOSS OTT SEASON 3 – JIOCINEMA

Anil Kapoor is all set to host the third season of Bigg Boss OTT Season 3 — a spin-off based on the popular Indian reality show Bigg Boss. Watch several celebrities, influencers and TV actors participate in the upcoming reality show as they compete against each other for the top prize.

 TRIGGER WARNING – NETFLIX

Apart from Anyone But You, Gangs of Galicia and other titles, the list of new OTT releases arriving this Friday (June 21, 2024) includes an intense action thriller titled Trigger Warning. Headlined by Jessica Alba, the story centres around a Special Forces commando who returns to her hometown post her father’s untimely death. She soon finds herself at odds with a dangerous gang which pushes her to investigate and find the answers about her father’s death. The Mouly Surya directorial features Jessica Alba in the lead role.

BOKA BAKSHOTE BONDI – HOICHOI

Boka Bakshote Bondi is a Bengali drama that centres around a woman who encounters multiple hurdles in her personal and professional lives when the lines between reel and reality are blurred. The upcoming series stars Solanki Roy, Neel Bhattacharya and Shoumo Banerjee in pivotal roles.

BAD COP – DISNEY+ HOTSTAR

This new action thriller series titled Bad Cop features Anurag Kashyap, Gulshan Devaiah, and Harleen Sethi in lead roles. It tells the story of a fierce cop who sets out on a mission to capture a gangster while trying to solve his personal issues.

ISHQ VISHK REBOUND – THEATRES

Rohit Saraf, Pashmina Roshan, Naila Grrewal, and Jibraan Khan come together for an entertaining coming-of-the-age romantic movie helmed by Nipun Dharmadhikari. The movie centres around four young individuals as they navigate the ups and downs of life.

THE EXORCISM – THEATRES

Horror genre lovers are in for a real treat as Joshua John Miller’s much-awaited movie, The Exorcism, arrives in cinemas this week. The movie follows a troubled actor who begins to unravel during the filming of a horror movie. This forces his daughter to intervene and figure out what’s wrong. The ensemble cast of the movie includes Russell Crowe, Sam Worthington, Ryan Simpkins, and Chloe Bailey.

BOOK OF THIS WEEK:

  

The Black Orphan by Hussain S. Zaidi (Author)

A bold and daring cop.

A passionate human rights lawyer.

And a deadly terror plot.

It's love at first sight for DIG Ajay Rajvardhan of the National Investigation Agency when he sees attractive young lawyer Asiya Khan in court, defending a young woman the NIA has arrested on charges of terrorism. They are on opposite sides - he specializes in taking down terrorists while she defends those wrongfully arrested by the authorities - but he finds he is unable to get her out of his head.

Even as Ajay and Asiya are drawn closer, a web of crime, deception and intrigue weaves itself around them and threatens to take them down. A serial killer is on the loose, murdering India's most famous nuclear scientists one by one. And something far worse is brewing in the bylanes of Mumbai. Time is running out for Ajay and his associates, Deputy Commissioner Sagar Pratap and Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, to find the mastermind behind these incidents and stop them.

Inspired by true events, this riveting tale of love, terror and revenge is Hussain Zaidi at his best.

S. Hussain Zaidi is a prominent Indian author, journalist, and screenwriter celebrated for his invaluable contributions to the world of crime reporting, investigative journalism, and storytelling. Born on February 28, 1962, in Mumbai, India, Zaidi has left an indelible mark on the literary and cinematic landscapes of India, particularly in the realm of crime and the Mumbai underworld.

S. Hussain Zaidi embarked on his career as a crime reporter, where he honed his skills in uncovering hidden truths and delving into the intricacies of organized crime in Mumbai. His early experiences as a journalist provided him with a deep understanding of the criminal world and its dynamics.Over the years, Zaidi transitioned from journalism to writing and screenwriting, bringing his unparalleled insights and storytelling prowess to a wider audience. His unique ability to humanize the characters in his narratives, whether they are criminals or law enforcement officers, sets his work apart.

"Black Friday: The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts" - Zaidi's book "Black Friday" is a compelling account of the 1993 Bombay bombings. It presents a factual and thorough examination of the events leading up to the blasts and their aftermath.

"Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia" - This critically acclaimed book stands as one of Zaidi's most notable works. It meticulously traces the evolution of organized crime in Mumbai over six decades. The book offers a comprehensive and gripping account of the city's criminal history.

"Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands" - In this compelling book, Zaidi sheds light on the powerful and enigmatic women who played significant roles in Mumbai's underworld. He tells their stories with empathy and detail, providing a fresh perspective on the world of crime.

S. Hussain Zaidi's influential literary works have transcended the confines of the written word and made a powerful impact on the silver screen. Some noteworthy adaptations of his books include:

"Black Friday" (2007) - Directed by Anurag Kashyap.

"Shootout at Wadala" (2013) - Directed by Sanjay Gupta.

"Class of '83" (2020) - Directed by Atul Sabharwal.

"Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2022) - Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, among many others.