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Death toll from heavy rain in Central America rises to 30

Dead-Body feet

Mexico City, June 22 2024-

At least 30 people have died from heavy rain this season in the three Central American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, according to authorities of these three countries.

Luis Alonso Amaya, director of El Salvador’s national civil protection system, told local media that 19 people had been killed due to heavy rains, including two minors.

The minors were buried in a house located in the Soyapango district in the municipality of San Salvador, reports Xinhua news agency, citing Amaya.

The Salvadoran authorities’ report on the damage caused by the heavy rains has so far recorded more than 1,500 incidents, 706 fallen trees, 521 obstructed roads and 2,582 evacuated people.

In Guatemala, at least ten people died, five were injured, and 376 were sheltered as of 9 a.m. on Friday due to the rains, according to the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction.

Official figures also showed 239 roads and 27 schools were affected, along with 3,245 houses with slight, moderate and severe damage.

The risk and contingency management secretariat of Honduras has so far recorded one death as a result of the rains and more than 6,000 people affected, 945 of whom were evacuated.

According to experts, the continuous rainfall in Central America this week is due to the influence of several low-pressure systems in the region. (Agency)

How Vadhavan port will put India on global map, generate lakhs of jobs

Vadhavan-Port Containers

Mumbai, June 22 2024-

The proposed mega Vadhavan port in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, worth Rs 76, 220 crore, would not only boost sea-based trade but also herald a new wave of industrial development towards the country becoming the world’s third-largest economy by 2027 with a GDP of $5 trillion but also generate 10 lakh direct and indirect jobs.

The port will be developed as an all-weather Greenfield deep draft major port, which will include the development of core infrastructure, terminals and other commercial infrastructure in public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

The move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government will further cement India’s position in the global port map.

Managed by 12 key ports, India’s cargo volume is growing rapidly and reached 12.31 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in FY24, up from 11.39 million TEUs in FY23, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) alone has seven strategically located ports and terminals on the western coast and eight ports and terminals on the eastern coast, representing 27 per cent of the country’s total port volumes.

Adani Ports reached a record volume of 420 MMT (million metric tonnes) in FY24 which is 24 per cent growth (year-on-year).

With incremental cargo volumes of 100 MMT achieved in less than two years, APSEZ is well poised to achieve 500 MMT of cargo volumes in 2025, aided by the recently acquired Gopalpur Port, and the scheduled commissioning of Vizhinjam Port in the current year and West Container Terminal (WCT) in Sri Lanka next year.

In FY24, APSEZ handled 27 per cent of the country’s total cargo and 44 per cent of container cargo.

According to the ministry, the Vadhavan port will comprise nine container terminals, each 1,000 metres long, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth.

The project involves the reclamation of 1,448 hectares of area in the sea and the construction of 10.14 km of offshore breakwater and container/cargo storage areas. The project will create a cumulative capacity of 298 million metric tonnes (MMT) per annum, including around 23.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalents) of container handling capacity.

Vadhavan Port, on completion, will be one of the top ten ports in the world. The project, aligned with the objectives of PM Gati Shakti programme, also has the potential for direct and indirect employment opportunities for around 10 lakh people.

According to Maharashtra Ports Minister Sanjay Bansode, the Vadhavan port will be a game changer for the state, helping it achieve the ambitious target of a $1 trillion economy. (Agency)

28 Indian startups raised over $800 mn in funding this week

startup-logo BANNER

New Delhi, June 22 2024-

About 28 Indian startups have raised $800.5 million in funding across 29 deals this week.

This represents an increase of 296 per cent from the $201.8 million secured by the startups last week across 21 deals, reports Inc42.

Quick commerce unicorn Zepto announced the close of its mega funding round this week. It raised $665 million at a valuation of $3.6 billion, making it one of the largest funding bagged by a company in recent times.

Among the top sectors, consumer services alone raised $665 million, fintech raised $50.3 million, alcoholic beverages raised $25 million, cleantech raised $23.9 million, and enterprisetech raised $16.7 million.

Microlending platform Aye Finance raised Rs 250 crore ($30 million) this week in debt funding in a round led by FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank.

Craft beer maker Bira 91 has secured $25 million through ECB (External Commercial Borrowing) from its existing investor Kirin Holdings. Over the last three months, the firm has received $50 million in funding. In March, it raised $25 million from Tiger Pacific Capital.

Meanwhile, a new report by leading market intelligence platform Tracxn showed that Indian tech startups raised $4.1 billion in the first half this year (January to June to date), a 4 per cent increase from $3.96 billion in the second half of 2023. (Agency)

Researchers use diabetes medication as effective drug therapy for sleep-related disorder

diabetes--Banner

London, June 22 2024-

A team of researchers have demonstrated the potential of tirzepatide, known to manage type 2 diabetes, as the first effective drug therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a sleep-related condition characterised by repeated episodes of irregular breathing due to complete or partial blockage of the upper airway, a new study has said.

The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlighted the treatment’s potential to enhance the quality of life for millions worldwide affected by OSA.

“This study marks a significant milestone in the treatment of OSA, offering a promising new therapeutic option that addresses both respiratory and metabolic complications,” said Atul Malhotra, MD, lead author of the study, professor at UC San Diego Health.

OSA can cause low blood oxygen levels and raise the risk of cardiovascular problems such as hypertension and heart failure. Recent research, also led by Malhotra, suggests that there are approximately 936 million OSA patients globally.

The study involved 469 participants diagnosed with clinical obesity and living with moderate-to-severe OSA.

The participants were administered either 10 or 15 mg of the drug by injection or a placebo. The impact of tirzepatide was assessed over 52 weeks.

Researchers found that tirzepatide led to a significant drop in the number of breathing interruptions during sleep, a key indicator used to measure the severity of OSA.

“This improvement was much greater than what was seen in participants that were given a placebo,” the study mentioned.

In addition, the researchers noted that some participants who took the drug reached a point where CPAP therapy might not be necessary.

The therapy also improved other factors related to OSA, such as reducing the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and improving body weight.

“This new drug treatment offers a more accessible alternative for individuals who cannot tolerate or adhere to existing therapies. We believe that the combination of CPAP therapy with weight loss will be optimal for improving cardiometabolic risk and symptoms,” said Malhotra. (Agency)

Swati Maliwal case: Judicial custody of Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar extended

New Delhi, June 22 2024-

A Delhi court on Saturday extended Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar’s judicial custody in the Swati Maliwal assault case till July 6.

Bibhav Kumar was arrested on May 18 in connection with the assault on Maliwal, an Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha member and former Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, on May 13.

The Delhi Police had moved an application seeking an extension of Kumar’s judicial custody. While his counsel opposed the plea, the prosecution said that Kumar might interfere with the current investigation.

He was produced through video conferencing before Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal of Tis Hazari Court on the expiry of his previously extended judicial custody.

Earlier, his bail was dismissed by the judge.

On May 17, Swati Maliwal filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, revealing the extent of harassment and torture she faced at the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. She had visited the CM’s residence on May 13. (Agency)

Five troops killed in terror attack in Pakistan

gunmen terrorists shadow Maoists

Islamabad, June 22 2024-

Five troops were killed in a terrorist attack in Pakistan’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a military statement said.

The incident occurred when an improvised explosive device detonated on a security forces vehicle in Kurram district, said the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistani army.

The troops, aged between 24 and 33, hailed from various parts of the country, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the statement.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, and the statement did not attribute it to any particular entity.

An investigation is underway to eliminate any terrorists present in the area, and perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice, the statement added. (Agency)

Delhi court defers hearing on Engineer Rashid’s interim bail plea

Engineer-Rashid's-interim

New Delhi/Srinagar, June 22 2024-

A Delhi court on Saturday deferred the hearing on former MLA and MP-elect Engineer Rashid’s interim bail application till July 1 after NIA sought more time to file objections.

Lodged in Tihar Jail, Engineer Rashid fought the Lok Sabha elections from the Baramulla constituency in J&K.

He defeated former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah by more than two lakh votes.

Consequently, upon his victory, Engineer Rashid filed an interim bail application before the special sessions judge pleading that he had served more than half of the total punishment prescribed for the charge he was being detained for.

He has said in his jail application that he should be bailed out so that he can take oath as a Parliament member.

NIA counsel on Saturday sought more time from the Patiala House Court to file objections to the bail application following which the court deferred hearing till July 1.

NIA has opposed the interim bail application arguing that Engineer Rashid is being charged along with Yasin Malik of the JKLF, Syed Salahuddin of the Hizbul Mujahideen and Hafiz Saeed, founder of Laskar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit.

NIA counsel told the court that granting bail to Engineer Rashid would show the way to others charged with him. (Agency)

Vedang opens up on working with ‘fantastic co-star’ Alia Bhatt on ‘Jigra’

Vedang-raina-and-Alia-Bhatt

Mumbai, June 22 2024-

Actor Vedang Raina is all set to star alongside actress Alia Bhatt, whom he tagged as a “fantastic co-star.”

Without divulging much about ‘Jigra’, Vedang told IANS: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to get an opportunity to work with Alia, someone so experienced and proficient at what she does and the most fantastic co-actor. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity.”

Directed by Vasan Bala, the film is reportedly set to release on October 11. Details about the film are still under wraps.

‘Jigra’, a drama about a sister’s love for her brother and her determination to protect him, is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Alia’s own production house, Eternal Sunshine.

Vedang made his debut with Zoya Akhtar’s ‘The Archies’, which made him an instant sensation on social media.

How does he feel about the stardom he has achieved with just one film?

“I don’t know about rage, but it’s obviously a whole new experience for me to have people know me and say good things about the work I’m doing,” said the actor, who plays Reggie Mantle in the film.

The actor, who is reportedly dating his ‘The Archies’ co-star Khushi Kapoor, added: “It always feels good to be acknowledged for things you work hard for, and so I can only say I’m extremely grateful.” (Agency)

MP woman assaulted by men, seven arrested after video goes viral

Dead-red-hand Murder

Bhopal, June 22 2024-

In a shocking video that has gone viral in Madhya Pradesh, a woman was seen being brutally assaulted by a group of men in the Dhar district as bystanders were busy filming the act instead of helping her.

The video shows the helpless saree-clad woman being thrashed with sticks while three men hold her hands tightly. Around a dozen more surround her to prevent her from running away.

Adjacent to the spot where the woman was attacked, the slogan ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ can be seen scribbled on the wall of a building in the video.

The police swung into action after Dhar Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Singh watched the viral video and directed local area (Tanda police station) police to arrest the accused persons as soon as possible.

An intense search operation was carried out by several police teams. Seven accused were arrested from different villages, said officials on Saturday.

“All seven persons, who have been made accused in the FIR lodged by the victim, have been arrested. They have been booked under Section 307 of IPC and other relevant sections. We assure you that the accused will be punished as per the law,” SP Manoj Singh told IANS.

The reason for the attack was being probed, said sources, adding that the men were not known to her. (Agency)

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