10 Jan, 2024 | 07:33:50 AM IST
Delhi Cold Wave: In the grip of an intense and bone-chilling cold wave, North India, including Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, witnesses a struggle to stay warm as temperatures hit record lows. The mercury plummeted in Uttar Pradesh, prompting people to gather around bonfires for warmth. Meanwhile, in the national capital, the homeless sought refuge in government-run night shelters.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi faced its coldest day this winter on Tuesday, with the minimum temperature dropping to 5.3°C. The chill was even more pronounced in Uttar Pradesh, as Kanpur and Agra recorded minimum temperatures below freezing point, at 1.1 and 1.0°C, respectively.
In response to the harsh weather conditions, night shelters in Delhi played a crucial role in providing a haven for those without homes. Offering blankets, beds, hot water, and meals, these shelters aim to alleviate the suffering of those living on the streets with nowhere else to turn.
Caretakers at one such night shelter in Delhi’s Anand Vihar highlighted the importance of their role in rescuing people from the biting cold. Mohit, a caretaker, stated, “Our rescue team brings people found lying on the roads in the bitter cold.” The facilities include essential amenities such as blankets, mattresses, beds, and food, with meals provided by Akshaya Patra, an NGO.
A female worker at the Anand Vihar night shelter expressed satisfaction with the provided amenities, stating, “The amenities here are very good. I wish to express my gratitude to the Delhi government and (CM Arvind) Kejriwal-ji for taking good care of us.” A man seeking refuge at the shelter echoed the sentiment, appreciating the efforts to ensure warmth and comfort in the challenging weather conditions.
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Air Force Two carrying VP Harris diverted to DC-area airport after encountering ‘wind shear’
Vice President Kamala Harris’ aircraft was forced to divert to a Washington-area airport after encountering stormy weather Tuesday night as she returned from a trip to Georgia.
Press secretary Kirsten Allen said in a statement, “Tonight, en route from Atlanta, GA, Air Force 2 was diverted from Joint Base Andrews to Dulles International Airport due to inclement weather.”
A person familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss it, said the aircraft encountered wind shear as a powerful storm brought high winds and rain to the nation’s capital.
Wind shear is a sudden shift in wind direction or speed that can be hazardous during takeoff and landing.
As unrelenting cold wave sweeps Delhi UP, people struggle for warmth
As the bone-chilling cold wave continued to sweep Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere across the North Indian belt, people struggled to keep warm.
As the mercury went into a free fall in Uttar Pradesh, people sat around bonfires to take the warmth from the crackling flames.
In the national capital, homeless people were seen huddling in government-run night shelters.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi experienced its coldest day this winter on Tuesday, with the minimum temperature dropping to 5.3°C.
It was still colder in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, with the minimum temperatures in Kanpur and Agra dropping below freezing point — at 1.1 and 1.0°C respectively.
ICRC urges protection for medical facilities, staff in Gaza
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has urged protection for medical facilities and workers in the Gaza Strip, as they were facing a severe lack of security amid persistent Israeli attacks.
The ICRC emphasised on Tuesday in a statement that the whole medical system in Gaza has been affected by the Israeli attacks, with medical professionals even being killed and detained, Xinhua news agency reported.
In the statement, William Schomburg, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Gaza, highlighted that the shortage of equipment and essential supplies due to the ongoing Israeli hostilities has led to the complete shutdown of most hospitals in the enclave.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin diagnosed with prostate cancer
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December and underwent a minimally invasive procedure, Walter Reed National Military Centre officials said in a statement.
The latest announcement came on Tuesday, a day after the White House and the Pentagon both said that they would investigate why President Joe Biden and other high-ranking officials were not informed immediately about the Defence Secretary’s hospitalisation and left in the dark for several days.
The cancer was discovered after a routine prostate screening, Walter Reed officials said.
Boeing’s CEO admits ‘our mistake’ after 737 Max door blowout
Boeing Co. Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun said the planemaker must own up to its shortcomings as it grapples with a safety incident that has renewed questions over the quality of its manufacturing.
“We’re going to approach this — No. 1 — acknowledging our mistake,” Calhoun told Boeing employees Tuesday during a companywide meeting at its 737 factory near Seattle. “We’re going to approach it with 100% and complete transparency every step of the way.”
The remarks came during an all-hands meeting called by Calhoun to reinforce safety as the company’s top priority after a door plug ejected from a 737 Max 9 last week mid-flight, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane. He and other senior Boeing leaders addressed employees from its Renton, Washington, factory where the 737 is assembled, and webcast their remarks to workers at other locations.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise to buy Juniper Networks in $14 bln deal
Hewlett Packard Enterprise will buy networking gear maker Juniper Networks for $14 billion in an all-cash deal, in an attempt to spruce up the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) offerings.
HPE offered $40 per share to Juniper shareholders, the companies said on Tuesday. That represents a 32.4% premium to the stock’s close on Monday, when the news of the deal first emerged.
The acquisition comes at a time when the AI gold rush has led companies to pour billions of dollars into upgrading and developing new wares and is expected to double HPE’s networking business.
HPE, grappling with sluggish demand in its traditional server business, is looking to tap into Juniper’s offerings such as network security and AI-enabled enterprise networking operations (AIOps).
Weak demand from inflation-hit wireless carriers and cable operators, as well as stiff competition from Cisco Systems and Nvidia in the networking space has been a drag on Juniper.
Blinken calls on Israel to work with moderate Palestinian leaders on plans for post-war Gaza
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Israel to work with moderate Palestinian leaders on plans for a post-war Gaza.
Israel has so far ruled out calls to allow the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza and instead talked about maintaining open-ended military control over the territory. The US has said a “revitalised” authority should return to Gaza.
“Israel must stop taking steps that undercut the Palestinians’ ability to govern themselves effectively,” Blinken said Tuesday.
The authority was ousted from Gaza when Hamas seized power in 2007.
“Israel must be a partner of the Palestinian leaders who are willing to lead their people and living side by side in peace with Israel,” he added.
He said Arab leaders across the region are ready to assist, but only “through a regional approach that includes a pathway to a Palestinian state.”
US appeals court judges appear sceptical of Donald Trump’s immunity claim
A federal appeals panel on Tuesday expressed deep scepticism over Donald Trump’s immunity from prosecution for trying to overturn the 2020 elections, raising the potentially extreme implications of absolute presidential immunity, CNN reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, the Republican leader’s lawyers argued that his federal election subversion indictment should be dismissed because he is immune from prosecution. But the three judges on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit panel questioned whether this immunity theory championed by Trump’s lawyers would allow presidents to sell pardons or even assassinate political opponents.
CNN reported that judges also wondered if they even had the jurisdiction to decide the question of presidential immunity at this point in the case. Trump is scheduled to go on trial in March for his role in trying to overturn the 2020 election. He has pleaded not guilty
Amid row over Maldivian posts on PM Modi’s visit, Lakshadweep plans tourism expansion
Amid the row over the disparaging remarks by Maldivian ministers and government officials against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent visit to Lakshadweep, the administration in the Indian archipelago stated it was working on plans to expand its tourism activities.
Social media posts by some Maldivian junior ministers and government officials, making distasteful references to PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit and his call for harnessing its tourism potential, sparked online fury and a flurry of cancellations of scheduled visits to the island country.
Amid the furore over the unsavoury references to PM Modi and unsolicited comparisons between beach tourism in the Maldives with that of India, New Delhi summoned the Maldivian envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb, who was seen leaving the Ministry of External Affairs in the national capital’s South Block.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah mourns demise of Ustad Rashid Khan
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday mourned the untimely demise of celebrated Indian classical vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan saying that his melodious voice will live on in the hearts and minds of his listeners worldwide.
Taking to official handle on X, the Karnataka CM posted, “Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ustad Rashid Khan at 55. A legend in the world of music, his voice and artistry will forever echo in the hearts of his fans worldwide. His departure is not just a loss to Indian classical music but to all who appreciated his extraordinary talent.”
Leading the tributes to the world-renowned vocalist, who was conferred with the Padma Shri, Prime Minister Modi condoled the demise of the music maestro, saying that “his passing leaves a void that will be hard to fill.”
Indian warship INS Kabra docks in Colombo, moved aimed at boosting maritime cooperation
Indian warship, INS Kabra, an indigenous fast attack craft, docked at the Colombo port on Monday, in a move aimed at fostering bilateral ties between the two countries.
The warship was accorded a warm welcome by the Sri Lankan Navy as it arrived in the island nation, the Indian Navy said in an official press release.
During the port call, the Commanding Officer, INS Kabra called on the Commander, Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral TSK Perera.
The Navy informed through a statement, “In a presentation ceremony, essential spares and stores meant for the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force were handed over by the ship. The visit further strengthens the bilateral cooperation and camaraderie between the two Navies in keeping with the Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR.”
Taiwan issues alert after Chinese satellite detected in its southern airspace
Taiwanese security forces issued a nationwide air raid alert after a Chinese satellite flew over its southern airspace on Tuesday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence informed.
Later, on Tuesday, the Ministry stated that the armed forces’ joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system are closely monitoring the situation, including the launch and trajectory of the satellite.
Taking to its official handle on X, the Taiwanese Defence Ministry posted, “The air raid alert system was activated in the form of text messages to inform the public. The default English message was not revised and therefore incorrectly stated the launch vehicle as “missile.” The MND extends an apology for any confusion this may have caused.”
“On 1503 hr today, the PRC conducted a satellite launch. The trajectory unexpectedly flew over and went exoatmospheric when the vehicle was above Taiwan’s southern airspace,” it added.
India, UK want strong strategic relations, says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said both India and the UK desire strong strategic relations and are working towards that.
“Both India and the UK want strong strategic relations. We want to strengthen the comprehensive strategic relations,” Singh, who is currently on an official visit to the UK, said.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Raksha Mantri paid a visit to the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple (Neasden Temple) in London.
The Hindu temple is Europe’s first authentic and traditionally built Hindu shrine. Singh offered Abishek Puja at the temple, according to sources.
Singh’s visit to the Neasden Temple also underlined the significance of cultural connections in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart Grant Shapps. The discussions centred on defence cooperation, security and enhancing defence-industrial cooperation.
