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A six-storey building in Mohali, Punjab, collapsed on Saturday evening, trapping five people beneath the rubble. Rescue operations are currently underway, with one individual successfully rescued and transported to the hospital. Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Pareek confirmed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and fire teams are on-site, investigating the cause of the collapse. Authorities suspect that the building's structural integrity may have been compromised following excavation work for a nearby basement. Local officials, including Punjab's Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, are overseeing the rescue efforts. Mann expressed his concern on social media, emphasizing the administration's commitment to ensuring safety and accountability. The building reportedly housed a gym across three floors, and estimates indicate that between five to eight individuals may still be trapped. Medical teams are on standby to assist as needed. 
Published: Dec 22 2024, 4 ameznews.inIn a significant move during the 55th GST Council meeting, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, several tax adjustments were announced to alleviate financial burdens for consumers and businesses. Key reductions include a decrease in GST on fortified rice kernels to 5% when supplied through the Public Distribution System and a complete exemption for gene therapy, making treatments more accessible. Additionally, food preparations for free distribution will also see a 5% GST rate. However, certain items will become more expensive, notably old and used vehicles, which will now incur an 18% GST, up from 12%. Ready-to-eat popcorn and autoclaved aerated concrete blocks will also face increased taxes. Other recommendations include exempting vouchers from GST and clarifying that penalties from banks and NBFCs are not subject to GST. The Council also proposed updates to the definition of pre-packaged goods to enhance regulatory clarity.
Published: Dec 22 2024, 11 ameznews.inChillai Kalan, the 40-day period marking Kashmir's harshest winter, began on Saturday, with Srinagar recording its coldest December night in 50 years at minus 8.5 degrees Celsius, according to the meteorological department. This temperature, which dropped from minus 6.2 degrees Celsius the previous night, is the lowest since 1974 and the third coldest since 1891. The extreme cold has frozen several water bodies, including parts of Dal Lake, disrupting water supply lines across the valley. Other regions also reported significant lows, including Pahalgam at minus 8.6 degrees Celsius and Konibal at minus 10.5 degrees Celsius. The weather office predicts mainly dry conditions until December 26, with potential light snowfall in higher areas around December 21-22 and again on New Year's Eve. Chillai Kalan concludes on January 31, followed by the shorter Chillai-Khurd and Chillai-Bachha periods.
Published: Dec 22 2024, 10 ameznews.inExternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized India's sovereignty, stating the nation can "never" allow others to dictate its choices. Speaking virtually from Mumbai, he asserted that India, referred to as "Bharat" in Sanskrit, will prioritize its national interests and global good without succumbing to external pressures. He highlighted the need for India to embrace its heritage while progressing, noting that the country is rediscovering its identity amid a deepening democracy. Jaishankar also called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council, advocating for India's permanent membership as the current structure, established in 1945, is outdated. He described India as an "exceptional" civilization state that must leverage its cultural strengths to emerge as a leading power in a multipolar world. He concluded by acknowledging India's progress over the past decade while recognizing persistent challenges that need addressing.
Published: Dec 22 2024, 9 ameznews.inA disturbing video has emerged from Bihar, showing a man being brutally assaulted by three individuals on the campus of MSKB College in Muzaffarpur. The footage depicts the victim being beaten with a stick and a belt, forced to perform sit-ups while holding his ears, and made to lick spit from the ground. Bystanders observed the attack without intervening. The victim's mother reported that he was threatened at knifepoint, which initially silenced him about the incident. After the video circulated on Facebook, she filed a complaint with the police, revealing that her son was abducted while running errands and robbed of Rs 2,000. Authorities have registered an FIR and are actively pursuing the suspects, who are currently at large. The victim's ordeal has sparked outrage, highlighting issues of violence and indifference in society.
Published: Dec 22 2024, 8 ameznews.inDelhi and Mumbai are experiencing severe cold wave conditions accompanied by a thick layer of smog that has significantly impacted air quality. In Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 386, categorizing it as 'very poor' for the second consecutive day, while Mumbai's AQI was recorded at 176, classified as 'moderate.' Authorities in Delhi have re-implemented the fourth stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), leading to the closure of schools and a ban on older diesel vehicles, with all construction activities halted. On Monday, Delhi's AQI breached 400, entering the 'severe plus' category, and visibility issues prompted an advisory at Delhi Airport. Meanwhile, Mumbai is experiencing its coldest winter in decades, with residents sharing images of the smog, which has obscured landmarks like the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The smog is expected to persist in both cities as cold conditions intensify.
Published: Dec 22 2024, 8 ameznews.inAllu Arjun, a prominent Telugu actor, faced significant backlash following a tragic incident during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' in Hyderabad on December 4, where a stampede resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and injuries to her eight-year-old son. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy accused Arjun of disregarding police orders by visiting the theatre despite a denied request for security due to crowd management concerns. Reddy claimed the actor's actions, including waving to fans from his car, exacerbated the situation. In response, Arjun held a press conference asserting he acted under police guidance and refuting claims of a roadshow. Following the incident, police registered a case against him, his security team, and the theatre management. Arjun was arrested on December 13 but was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court the same day. Meanwhile, the injured boy's condition remains stable, and the government has pledged support for the victim's family.
Published: Dec 22 2024, 7 ameznews.inA tragic building collapse in Mohali, Punjab, has resulted in the death of a 20-year-old woman, Drishti Verma, from Himachal Pradesh. The four-storey structure fell on Saturday, reportedly due to excavation work on an adjacent site. Rescuers retrieved Verma from the debris in critical condition, but she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being taken to Sohana Hospital. Currently, at least five individuals remain trapped under the rubble, prompting a multi-agency rescue operation involving the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Team (NDRF). Authorities have initiated legal action against the building owners, Parwinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh, under culpable homicide laws. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his condolences and is closely monitoring the situation, urging public cooperation with rescue efforts. A helpline has been established for those seeking information: 0172-2219506.
Published: Dec 22 2024, 7 ameznews.inDelhi Police have uncovered that bomb threats emailed to at least three schools were orchestrated by their own students, who sought to delay exams. The Venkateshwar Global School received a threatening email following a blast at a nearby multiplex on November 28. The two siblings responsible admitted during counselling that they were inspired by previous bomb threat incidents. Following the threats, police conducted thorough checks and deemed them hoaxes, allowing the students to leave after their parents were warned. Similar threats were reported at two other schools in Rohini and Paschim Vihar, with the same motive of closing schools. In recent weeks, over 100 bomb threats have caused panic across Delhi, with more than 50 incidents targeting various institutions since May. Police face challenges in tracking the perpetrators, as the emails were sent via a VPN, hindering their investigation efforts.
Published: Dec 22 2024, 6 ameznews.inUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced significant decisions following the 55th GST Council meeting, including a reduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on rice kernels from 18% to 5%, aimed at supporting economically weaker sections reliant on public distribution. The Council also exempted life-saving gene therapy from GST and maintained tax exemptions for components used in manufacturing surface-to-air missiles. Sitharaman noted that caramelised popcorn would see an increase in GST to 18% due to health concerns linked to added sugars. Additionally, black pepper and raisins sold by farmers remain GST-free, while those sold by merchants incur taxes. The Council discussed, but did not finalize, the taxation of delivery charges by e-commerce firms and the inclusion of Aviation Turbine Fuel under the GST framework. Efforts to simplify registration for small companies and clarify definitions for prepackaged goods were also highlighted.
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