Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 07:36am on 11 Apr 2025,Friday India Global
In a significant operation, Amritsar Police arrested a cross-border drug peddler and seized 18.2 kg of heroin. The contraband, smuggled from Pakistan, was intercepted based on intelligence inputs. The accused was apprehended near the Indo-Pak border, and the heroin was concealed in a specially designed cavity in his vehicle. This seizure underscores the persistent threat of narcotics trafficking along the border and highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among security agencies. Authorities are intensifying efforts to dismantle such networks and prevent the influx of drugs into the region. Investigations are ongoing to trace the broader network involved in this smuggling operation. (PC: India Lawyers & X/@DGPPunjabPolice)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 07:34am on 11 Apr 2025,Friday Health & Wellness
A groundbreaking breast cancer drug, capivasertib, has been approved for NHS use in England and Wales. Developed by AstraZeneca and the Institute of Cancer Research, this twice-daily pill targets hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with specific genetic mutations (PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN), present in about half of such cases. When combined with hormone therapy fulvestrant, it doubles the time before disease progression from 3.1 to 7.3 months. Approximately 3,000 women annually could benefit. Patients like Ellen Hughes report improved quality of life and extended survival. Experts hail this as a major advancement in personalized cancer treatment, emphasizing the need for routine genetic testing to identify eligible patients. (PC: Cancer Today & YouTube)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 07:17am on 11 Apr 2025,Friday India
During his visit to Varanasi on April 11, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for multiple development projects totaling over ₹6,100 crore. Key initiatives include the ₹2,870 crore expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, new civil enclaves at Agra, Darbhanga, and Bagdogra airports, and new terminal buildings at Rewa, Ambikapur, and Saharanpur airports. Additionally, he will inaugurate the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital, phases 2 and 3 of the Varanasi Sports Complex redevelopment under the Khelo India scheme, and tourism development projects in Sarnath, including pedestrian-friendly streets and upgraded drainage systems. These projects aim to enhance infrastructure, healthcare, sports facilities, and tourism in the region. (PC: YouTube/@narendramodi via PTI)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 07:09am on 11 Apr 2025,Friday India Global
A 2011 tweet by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resurfaced following the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. In the tweet, Modi criticized the then UPA government's foreign policy after a US court cleared Rana of direct involvement in the attacks, stating it was a "major foreign policy setback" and a disgrace to India's sovereignty. Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, was extradited to India after a prolonged legal battle in the US. Upon arrival, he was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and placed in 18-day custody. Rana is accused of assisting David Coleman Headley in conducting surveillance for the attacks, using his immigration consultancy as a cover. The extradition has been hailed as a significant step in India's pursuit of justice for the 2008 attacks that claimed 166 lives. (PC: INVC & Times Now)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 06:55am on 11 Apr 2025,Friday India Global
Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-born Canadian businessman, has been extradited from the U.S. to India for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people. Rana, a childhood friend of David Headley, reportedly facilitated Headley's surveillance of targets under the guise of his immigration firm. Headley testified that Rana suggested awarding the attackers Pakistan's highest military honor, Nishan-e-Haider. Rana was previously convicted in the U.S. for plotting an attack on a Danish newspaper but acquitted of charges related to the Mumbai attacks. His extradition follows years of legal proceedings and diplomatic efforts between India and the U.S., marking a significant step in bringing the perpetrators to justice. (PC: News18 & India Today)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 06:53am on 11 Apr 2025,Friday Weather & Environment
During his recent visit to India, tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, known for his anti-aging endeavors, expressed deep concern over the country's severe air pollution. Despite using air purifiers and wearing an N95 mask, he experienced burning sensations in his eyes and throat, likening the experience to being "in the middle of a fire." Johnson highlighted that 83 of the world's 100 most polluted cities are in India and emphasized that improving air quality could benefit public health more than curing all cancers. He also noted the normalization of poor air quality among locals and the lack of widespread use of masks or air filters. (PC: AQLI & Business Today)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 06:51am on 11 Apr 2025,Friday India
Upon arriving in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed on the alleged gangrape of a 19-year-old student. He directed officials to take the strictest possible action against the culprits and implement measures to prevent such incidents. The victim was reportedly lured, intoxicated, and raped over several days by 23 individuals; nine have been arrested and sent to judicial custody, while others remain at large. The victim's father expressed his anguish and called for severe punishment to deter future crimes. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, prompting demands for swift justice and stricter laws to protect women. (PC: SNS)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 06:01am on 11 Apr 2025,Friday International
On April 10, 2025, a sightseeing helicopter operated by New York Helicopters crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, killing all six people aboard. The victims included the pilot and a Spanish tourist family: Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children. Eyewitnesses and video footage reported that the helicopter broke apart in midair, with the tail and main rotor detaching before it plunged upside-down into the river. The flight lasted under 18 minutes and was en route past Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty before the incident. The helicopter, a Bell 206, experienced what experts believe was a catastrophic mechanical failure, possibly involving the main rotors striking the tail boom. (PC: NDTV, Hindustan Times & India Today)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 05:59am on 11 Apr 2025,Friday Entertainment
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the iconic Bollywood film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), a bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol will be unveiled at London's Leicester Square. This marks the first long-term Bollywood statue in the UK, celebrating the film's enduring global appeal. The statue will depict the scene where Raj and Simran first cross paths in Leicester Square, featuring the Vue and Odeon cinemas. This tribute coincides with Yash Raj Films' 50th anniversary, highlighting DDLJ's significant impact on Indian cinema. Organizers hope Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol will attend the unveiling, honoring a film that has become a cultural landmark. (PC: Vogue India & Urban Asian)
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 05:37am on 11 Apr 2025,Friday Business
Global financial markets faced significant turmoil on Friday due to escalating trade tensions, especially between the U.S. and China. The U.S. dollar declined, and a sharp selloff in U.S. Treasuries led to the 10-year note yield rising to 4.45%, marking the largest weekly increase since 2001. Investors sought safe-haven assets: the Swiss franc reached a decade high against the dollar, gold surged above $3,200 per ounce, and the Japanese yen strengthened. Asian markets were mixed; Japan's Nikkei dropped 4.3%, while Taiwan’s index gained nearly 2%. The heightened U.S.-China trade war has intensified fears of a deep recession and eroded confidence in U.S. assets. (PC: IG & Financial Times)