Former India pacer David Johnson falls from apartment building, dies; suicide suspected

Bengaluru, June 20, 2024
Former Team India cricketer David Johnson has died after falling from the fourth floor of his apartment in the Kothanur police station limits in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Police suspect that 52-year-old Johnson committed suicide by jumping off the apartment building. However, an official statement is yet to come in this regard. According to police, Johnson fell from the fourth floor of the SLV Paradise Apartment. Although he was immediately rushed to the hospital, the cricketer succumbed to his injuries.

The preliminary investigation indicated that the deceased, Johnson, was suffering from depression. Kothanur police are investigating the case.

The police stated that Johnson had been facing health issues for a year and had spent the last week in the hospital.

Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble stated, “Saddened to hear of the passing of my cricketing colleague David Johnson. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Gone too soon, ‘Benny’!”

Johnson was a former fast bowler known for his brief stint with the Indian cricket team. He played two Tests for India in 1996, taking three wickets. In domestic cricket, he picked up 125 wickets for Karnataka in 39 first-class appearances. The highlight of Johnson’s career was clocking a speed of 157.8 km/h during a Test match against Australia.

He was born on October 16, 1971, in Arsikere town of Hassan district in Karnataka.(Agency)

‘NEET papers sold for Rs 30-32 lakh, cops traced burnt documents’, admit mastermind & students

New Delhi/Patna, June 20, 2024
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2024 paper leak fiasco saw a fresh twist on Thursday with the accused persons confessing before the police that question papers were arranged for certain candidates a day before the exam for which the aspirants shelled out close to Rs 30-32 lakh.

The shocking confession came from four persons arrested by the Bihar Police, including a NEET aspirant named Anurag Yadav, his uncle Sikandar Yadavendu – a junior engineer in the Danapur Municipal Council, and two others named Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand, the purported mastermind behind the paper leak.

They admitted before the police that the question papers were provided to them a day before the NEET that was conducted on May 5.

Anurag Yadav confessed before the police that his uncle Sikander Yadavendu arranged the NEET papers for him in advance.

“I was preparing for NEET at the Allen Institute in Kota (Rajasthan). My uncle Sikander Yadavendu called me to Patna and took me to Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar, where I was given some questions and the answer keys for the exam.

I was told to memorise all the answers. When I sat for the test the next day, I saw it had the same questions which were given to me on May 4. However, after the test, the police arrested me,” he said.

Sikander Yadavendu claimed that he was told by Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar about the paper leak before the test.

“Amit and Nitish told me that the question papers for NEET would be leaked and it would cost about Rs 30-32 lakh. I agreed and told them about four students — Ayush Kumar, Anurag Yadav, Shivanand Kumar, and Abhishek Kumar. On May 4, I took all four students to a place where aspirants were already cramming up answers for all the questions.

“Out of greed, I asked for Rs 40 lakh from each student instead of the original amount. However, I was later caught by the police,” Yadavendu said, revealing the chain of events leading to the NEET paper leak.

Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand, in their statement to the police, admitted their role in the paper leak and revealed how their collusion with Yadavendu led to their arrest.

“After Yadavendu was arrested, he directed the police towards us. The police also raided the spot where the students were given the leaked papers. They also found the remaining pieces of the burnt question papers,” the duo said in their statement to the police.

About 24 lakh aspirants appeared for NEET on May 5 for admission to medical colleges. The results were announced before time on June 5 but were marred by allegations of paper leak and awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 candidates.(Agency)

BJP enacting drama of being pro-farmer, it should enact MSP Guarantee law: Babbi Badal

Chandigarh, June 20, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

On the slight increase in MSP of Kharif crops by the Central Government this year, the Aam Aadmi Party said that BJP is doing a drama of being farmer friendly. The party said that if the BJP is really concerned about the farmers of the country then it should make an MSP guarantee law as per the demand of the farmers.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Chandigarh on Thursday, AAP spokesperson Harsukhinder Singh Babbi Badal said that the cost of agriculture has increased by about 70 percent in the last several years and the Modi government is patting its own back by increasing the MSP by only 7 percent.

He said that the cabinet minister of the Modi government Piyush Goyal himself has said that 83 percent of crops are sold at prices lower than the MSP. Only 13 percent of crops are purchased at MSP. In many states, crops are not purchased at MSP. Therefore, this increase in MSP is ‘too little and too late’.

He said that farmers do not need a minor increase in MSP to get them out of the economic crisis. The farmers of the country can be prosperous only when they are paid the price of crops according to “C2 + 50%” as per the report of the Swaminathan Commission. Apart from this, farmers should be given separate financial incentives for crop diversification.

He said that the price of crops and policies related to agriculture should be prepared with the suggestions of farmers’ organizations. When the government brings any policy for the industry, it consults with Ambani-Adani and other industrialists, then why is there no discussion with the farmers before making any policy on agriculture?

Actually, the BJP government does not want the development of farmers. It only wants the development of some of its close capitalists.

It wants to give the fruits of the hard work of the farmers to its capitalist friends. He said that the BJP has been anti-farmer and pro-capitalist from the very beginning. This is clearly reflected in all its policies.

He said that during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and Prime Minister Modi had promised to double the income of farmers by 2022, but today instead of doubling the income of farmers, their suicides have doubled and the cost of agriculture has doubled. The price of petrol-diesel and other agricultural materials has doubled. The BJP should answer for this.

Babbi Badal attacked Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar and said that PM Modi and Sunil Jakhar are like a pair of Gappi and Khappi.

The Modi government makes dictatorial laws and Sunil Jakhar applauds them. Jakhar’s job is to just clap for every decision of the central government. After joining the BJP, he never raised any issue of the farmers of Punjab with the central government.

NTA must come clean on NEET shady exam matter: AAP

Chandigarh, June 20, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab lambasted the BJP government for jeopardizing the future of 24 lakh students who appeared in NTA NEET this year on May 5th. The party appealed to the Supreme Court to form an SIT to investigate this matter and demanded the strictest action against everyone involved.

In a press conference at the party office on Thursday, AAP spokesperson Bikram Jit Passi raised questions about the question paper leaks, result date, grace marks and on the silence of NTA (National Testing Agency) on the matter.

The AAP leader said that we cannot afford the silence of anyone on this matter, it is about the future of 24 lakh students, this matter cannot be taken lightly. He was accompanied by Advocate Inderjit Singh and Gagandeep Singh in this press conference.

Addressing the media Bikram Jit Passi said that NEET exam was conducted on May 5th and it’s result was scheduled for June 14th but the NTA declared its result on June 4th amidst the chaos of general elections results on the same day.

They announced 67 students as toppers with 720/720 marks. Then there were students who got 719, 718, 717 etc. marks, which is impossible.

In this exam a candidate is awarded 4 marks for a right answer, there is negative marking too, 1 mark deducted for a wrong answer. So there can be 715, 710, 705 and so on marks but not 719, 718, 717 etc. They tried to justify wrong marking by saying it was grace marks but they never publicly explained the basis and rules for grace marks.

These students work hard and study for 16-18 hours a day to clear such an exam, NTA cannot award grace marks to some selected students of their choice without transparent and previously mentioned process.

Passi said that some students had leaked question papers. Students have admitted that they had the exact same questionnaire before the exam but NTA, instead of addressing this properly, just released a press release that there was no paper leak.

If that was true, why were arrests made in Bihar and Gujarat in this matter. Passi said that it seems that NTA is not working properly, they are under pressure from the BJP government.

Passi said that the BJP talks about implementing the Gujarat model in India, but in Gujarat 11 such papers were leaked in the last 11 years. Similarly in UP, paper leak is common. Everyone’s aware of Vyapam scam too.

It appears that the BJP government is the paper leak government. They continuously jeopardize the present and future of lakhs of students and youth of our country. The BJP talks about being vishwaguru but they cannot even conduct an entrance exam without it getting leaked or rigged.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) appealed to the Supreme Court to form an SIT to investigate this scam thoroughly and demanded justice for 24 lakh students. The party said that these entrance exams are important and if corruption became rampant in these exams then the future of our youth will be in the dark.

Passi also appealed to the media to do their part and speak up against such failures of the Modi government and demand answers from NTA so that our students and youth don’t face such crises time and again.

Punjab Agriculture Minister Khuddian hands over job letters to 8 youth

Chandigarh, June 20, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Punjab Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Animal Husband, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Thursday, handed over appointment letters to eight newly inducted recruits in the departments of Agriculture and Fishers, here at his office.

The job letters were distributed to three Lab Technicians and two clerks in the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare department. These two clerks have been inducted on compassionate ground. A Junior Scale Stenographer and two Steno Typists also got appointment letters in the Fisheries Department.

While congratulating to the newly recruited officials, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian implored them to give their best in dispensing services to the people as honesty, efficiency and transparency are the top priorities of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s service delivery policy so that common man doesn’t face any hassle at government offices.

He further informed that over 42,000 youth had been recruited on the merit basis since the formation of CM Bhagwant Mann’s Government in the state.

Director Agriculture Jaswant Singh, Director Fisheries Jasvir Singh, Assistant Director Fisheries Brij Bhushan Goel and Satinder Kaur, Deputy Director Agriculture Gurmail Singh and other officials of both the departments were also present on the occasion.

Punjab approves implementation of Sixth Pay Commission for employees of Aided Institutions

Chandigarh, June 20, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday said that the Finance Department has given its in-principal approval regarding the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission on the employees of aided institutions of the state.

Revealing this in a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this decision would benefit the employees of aided schools and colleges under the Departments of School Education, Technical Education & Industrial Training, non-teaching staff of these institutes under the Higher Education department, and retirees of aided schools.

“The concerned Administrative Departments have been directed to issue notification for implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission on these employees of aided institutions and retirees of the aided schools”, he added.

The Administrative Departments will examine the financial statements of the last three years of all the aided schools and colleges, so as to correctly assess the deficit analysis and to send a detailed proposal giving financial implications.

“After considering the Administrative Departments’ proposal, the Finance Department will give financial sanction to these institutions”, said the Finance Minister.

Cheema emphasized the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Man led Punjab Government’s commitment to improving education in the state. “The education sector will not face any dearth of funds,” said the Finance Minister, adding, “We’ve witnessed a revolution in education these past two years, and we’ll continue taking steps to ensure quality education for future generations.”

Chennaiyin FC sign Brazilian midfielder Lukas Brambilla

Chennai, June 20, 2024
Chennaiyin FC have announced the addition of Brazilian midfielder Lukas Brambilla to their roster ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The Brazilian brings a wealth of experience and skills to the club, having played in various leagues around the world. Brambilla has joined the Marina Machans from Cyprus’s top-tier club Othellos Athienou.

Joining Chennaiyin on a one-year deal, the midfielder’s arrival marks the club’s ninth signing for the 2024-25 season and their fourth foreign acquisition, following Elsinho Dias, Chima Chukwu and Wilmar Jordan Gil.

Head coach Owen Coyle expressed his excitement, stating, “Lukas Brambilla is such an exciting player and he adds to the exciting players that we were saying. The young Indian players, in particular, will benefit from his creative skills.

Again, can take men on, he scores goals, creates goals, plays set-play delivery, and is excited coming aboard. Obviously, another Brazilian. What a terrific joy at the club with the Brazilians that we have had.

It’s similar to my time working with Rafa and Brambilla falls into that mould. Just a wonderfully entertaining player, well-skilled and the Brazilian comes with a desire to do well for the football club. So we are excited.”

He added, “The fellas had to beat off a lot of competition for his signature. He was chased all over Europe because of his outstanding season last year in Cyprus and again playing a very good league. So we look forward to working with Lukas and hoping we can help him to shine and blossom and continue to improve as a player.”

Brambilla has excelled in various countries, playing for clubs all over the world. He has played a total of 134 matches in his senior club career and notched up 22 goals and 24 assists with his sublime skills.

Reflecting on his new journey with Chennaiyin FC, the 29-year-old expressed his excitement about joining the club, saying, “I am very happy and honoured to join this great club. The expectations are huge and I can’t wait to wear this shirt and do my best on the field”.

Brambilla joining Chennaiyin FC represents a major advancement for the club as they prepare for the upcoming season.(Agency)

Patna HC strikes down Bihar govt’s quota hike from 50 pc to 65 pc

New Delhi, June 20, 2024
In a major blow to the Bihar government, the Patna High Court on Thursday struck down the decision to increase the reservation from 50 per cent to 65 per cent for Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the state, brought into effect last year. The quota hike was applicable in jobs and educational institutions in the state.

A division bench led by Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran revoked the amendments passed by the Bihar Assembly in 2023, saying that they violated the equality clause under Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution.

The quota was raised by the Bihar government after it carried out a caste survey in the state. In a notification issued in November 2023, it sought to amend the existing reservation laws.

A petition was filed in the Patna High Court by petitioner Gaurav Kumar, challenging the decision of the Nitish government. The petitioner argued that as per the Supreme Court’s judgement, the reservation can’t extend beyond 50 per cent.

The Nitish government’s decision would have brought the quota to a total of 75 per cent in the state, which included 20 per cent for SCs, 2 per cent for STs, 25 per cent for Extremely Backward Classes, 18 per cent for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and 10 per cent for Economically Backward Classes.

Last year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court also nullified a legislation by the Haryana government, which sought to provide 75 per cent reservation in Haryana-based industries for state residents.(Agency)

Doctors may soon be able to detect, diagnose cancer using AI: Study

London, June 20, 2024
Doctors may soon be able to detect and diagnose cancer in patients using artificial intelligence (AI) that will allow for earlier treatment, a new study said on Thursday.

According to the study published in the journal Biology Methods and Protocols, the researchers from Cambridge University and Imperial College London trained an AI mode, using a combination of machine and deep learning, to look at the “DNA methylation” patterns and identify 13 different types of cancer, including breast, liver, lung, and prostate cancers — from non-cancerous tissue with 98.2 per cent accuracy.

“Genetic information is encoded in DNA by patterns of the four based — denoted by A, T, G and C — that make up its structure. Environmental changes outside the cell can cause some DNA bases to be modified by adding a methyl group. This process is called ‘DNA methylation’,” the researchers explained.

Each cell possesses millions of these DNA methylation marks. Researchers have observed changes to these marks in early cancer development; they could aid in early cancer diagnosis.

“Computational methods such as this model, through better training on more varied data and rigorous testing in the clinic, will eventually provide AI models that can help doctors with early detection and screening of cancers,” said the paper’s lead author, Shamith Samarajiwa.

“This will provide better patient outcomes,” he added.

In addition, the researchers mentioned that identifying these unusual methylation patterns (potentially from biopsies) would allow healthcare providers to detect cancer early.

This could potentially improve patient outcomes dramatically, as most cancers are treatable or curable if detected early enough, they added.(Agency)

SC issues notice on plea seeking directions to NBE on NEET (PG) exam question paper, answer key

New Delhi, June 20, 2024
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice on a plea seeking directions to the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to release the question paper and answer key of the NEET (PG) examination.

Agreeing to examine the plea, a vacation bench presided over by Justice Vikram Nath sought a response from the NBE, Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and others.

“Issue notice returnable on 8th of July, 2024. In the meantime, respondents may file their counter affidavits,” ordered the Bench, also comprising Justice S.V.N. Bhatti.

During the hearing, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said it is not a necessary party to the litigation and may be deleted from the array of parties. “The PG (entrance exam) is conducted by the National Board of Examination,” submitted NTA’s counsel.

After hearing the submission, Justice Bhatti said, “You may put it on record. When we pass an order, we will use our discretion under Supreme Court rules and delete you from the array of parties.”

The plea filed directly before the apex court assailed the “arbitrary act and decision” of NBE of not releasing the question paper, answer key, and answer sheet for NEET-PG 2022 and not allowing any option to re-evaluate the score, even after knowing the fact that there were “serious discrepancies” in the scores of the candidates who appeared for the exam in recent past, i.e., for NEET-PG 2021 and NEET-PG 2022.

“There are no other competitive exams in India, with such lack of transparency and complete one-sided flow of information as NEET-PG,” said the plea filed through advocate Charu Mathur.

It added that the NEET-UG conducted by NTA gives an option to candidates to challenge the answer keys and several other prestigious exams, including IIT-JEE, CMAT, CLAT, and judicial services examinations, also give an option to challenge the answer keys.

However, the information bulletin published by NEET-PG 2024, following the trend of previous years, bars requests for accessing answer sheets and debars the petitioner from exercising her constitutional right and legitimate right to access her answer sheets even under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, the plea said.(Agency)