National and Global Headlines: Tragedy, Policy Changes, and Emergencies

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I am Ichha SHarma
It is the 23rd of April and here are today’s headlines.

Expressing anguish over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed at least 26 people, Union Minister Amit Shah on X said, quote “Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared. With a heavy heart, pay last respects to the deceased.” unquote. Shah also met the survivors and assured them that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be brought to justice. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir government announced Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for each deceased’s family; Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh for injured victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold a key meeting with the Cabinet Committee on Security in the first half of the day, wherein India will formulate its response and defence strategy.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif claimed today that they have nothing to do with the incident in which at least 25 tourists were killed and several others were injured. Indian officials, however, are not convinced by Pakistan’s denial since the initial probe has suggested the presence of foreigners as part of the group of militants who opened fire at the civilians. At least 25 tourists and a Valley resident were shot dead Tuesday at a meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in the deadliest terror attack on civilians in the country since the Mumbai 26/11 shootings. Asif told a Pakistan TV channel about the Pahalgam attack. “We have absolutely nothing to do with it. We reject terrorism in all its forms and everywhere.” 

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation last week demolished most of the Digambar Jain temple in Vile Parle in the city’s western suburbs, triggering outrage and protests among members of the community, as well as politicians across parties. Under pressure, the civic administration transferred the assistant municipal commissioner in charge of the BMC’s K/East ward office, which had carried out the demolition. Civic and court records accessed and evaluated by The Indian Express show that the first notice for demolishing the allegedly illegal structure was issued to the temple trust back in 2005. Since then, the BMC made nine attempts to raze the alleged illegal structure – and finally carried out the action on April 16.

Amid its ongoing crusade against drugs, Punjab has become the first state in the country to ban energy drinks in and around schools to keep the children away from caffeine addiction. A notification to this effect was issued by the government on Tuesday, banning the sale of energy drinks in school canteens and outside school premises. The notification, issued by Dilraj Singh Sandhawalia, Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Punjab, states that it is “just and necessary” to prohibit the consumption of caffeinated energy drinks by children. The notification says that energy drinks are heavily marketed to children and young adults and others and manufacturers compare the effects of the drinks to the use of drugs like cocaine.

A wildfire in New Jersey has forced residents to evacuate the area and shut down a stretch of a major highway on Tuesday as the wildfire grew to more than 3,200 acres, officials said. One of the busiest highways in New Jersey, the Garden State Parkway, saw closures due to the spread of wildfire and the stretch between Barnegat and Lacey townships was closed and the traffic was diverted, Associated Press reported. According to New Jersey Forest Fire Service, over 3,000 residents have been evacuated from the area of the Jones Road Fire in Ocean County and about 1,320 structures remain threatened. The fire service added that 5% of the wildfire has been contained till now.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The dian Express