Afternoon Briefing: Tragedy and Turmoil Kallakuruchi Tragedy Death Toll Rises The death toll in the Kallakuruchi school girl’s suicide case has risen to two, as another student succumbed to her injuries on Thursday. The tragedy has sparked outrage and protests, with locals demanding justice for the deceased. ‘NEET’ Boos in Lok Sabha The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) once again sparked controversy in the Lok Sabha. Members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) raised slogans against NEET, demanding its abolition. The issue has reignited debates about the accessibility and fairness of the exam. Delhi Liquor Scam: CBI Arrests Man The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a man named Amit Arora in connection with the Delhi liquor scam. Arora is alleged to be a close associate of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has been accused of corruption in the case. Supreme Court on Black Money Abroad The Supreme Court has directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to submit a status report on its investigation into black money stashed abroad. The court has asked the ED to inform it about the progress of pending probes and the amount of money recovered so far. Lakshadweep Administrator Removed The Centre has removed Praful Khoda Patel as the Administrator of Lakshadweep. Patel’s tenure had been marked by controversial reforms that faced opposition from locals. The sudden removal has raised questions about the reasons behind the decision. Other News * India reports 14,506 new COVID-19 cases and 31 deaths in the last 24 hours. * Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Indian hockey team on their historic bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics. * India announces $1 million aid to flood-affected Afghanistan.Condemnation of Protester Kidnappings by Kanu Leader Gideon MoiCondemnation of Protester Kidnappings by Kanu Leader Gideon Moi Kanu leader Gideon Moi has strongly condemned the alleged kidnapping of individuals involved in protests against the proposed Finance Bill. He has emphasized that Kenya is a nation governed by the rule of law, and such actions are unacceptable. Moi asserted that individuals suspected of crimes should be apprehended in accordance with legal procedures and presented before a court. He expressed concern about the recent pattern of violent abductions targeting young people organizing protests against the Finance Bill. The former Baringo senator believes that silencing Kenyans who speak out against excessive taxes and poor economic policies is unacceptable. He stated that young people should not be portrayed as adversaries but rather as victims of the government’s harsh economic measures. Moi further emphasized that the attempt to suppress the voices of those negatively impacted by taxes, economic policies, and lack of accountability through illegal means is unacceptable. He urged the government to prioritize industrialization over taxation and to refrain from viewing aggrieved youth as enemies, but rather as victims of economic hardship. His comments come in the wake of numerous kidnappings of anti-Finance Bill activists. One notable incident involved the abduction of Shad Khalif, an outspoken critic of the proposed taxes, who was allegedly taken from South B, Nairobi. Dr. Austin Omondi, another protest participant, was also kidnapped but subsequently released. Social media influencer Billy Simani, known as Crazy Nairobian, was also detained but released following online protests. Apesar de las liberaciones, las protestas continuarán esta semana y culminarán el jueves con el bloqueo de importantes carreteras que conducen a Nairobi y una marcha hacia la Cámara de Representantes bajo el lema #OccupyStateHouse.Death Toll Rises in Kallakuruchi Tragedy The death toll in the Kallakuruchi school fire tragedy has risen to nine. Six girls and three boys succumbed to their injuries at a hospital in Chennai, bringing the total number of deceased to nine. The fire erupted in the dormitory of a private school in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakuruchi district on Sunday, leaving several students injured. ‘NEET’ Boos in Lok Sabha The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions faced criticism in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. MPs from various opposition parties, including the Congress, the DMK, and the Trinamool Congress, raised concerns about the exam’s impact on students, particularly from rural areas. They urged the government to reconsider the NEET system and explore alternative methods of admission for medical colleges. India’s COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise With over 20,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in the past 24 hours, India’s daily tally continues to climb. Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state, followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. The total number of cases in the country has now exceeded 113 million, with over 166,000 fatalities. Telangana BJP Chief Elected to Rajya Sabha Bandi Sanjay Kumar, the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Telangana, has been elected to the Rajya Sabha from the state. Kumar received the support of 49 MLAs, including 23 from the BJP and 26 from its ally, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Farmers Continue Protest against Farm Laws Farmers protesting against the three farm laws enacted by the central government continued their demonstrations on Tuesday. Farmers from various parts of the country gathered at the Singhu border near Delhi, demanding the repeal of the laws and a guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. Air India Inaugurates Direct Flight to London National carrier Air India has inaugurated a direct flight from Hyderabad to London’s Heathrow Airport. The thrice-weekly flight will connect Hyderabad to one of the world’s busiest airports, providing greater connectivity for passengers traveling between India and the United Kingdom.