NASA’s Moon Mission Artemis 1 Pushed Back Again, Launch Attempt Now Expected on Sept 27

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September 13, 2022

NASA is now targeting September 27 as the earliest possible launch date for its uncrewed Artemis 1 mission to the Moon, the agency said in a blog post Monday.

The date would depend on engineering teams successfully carrying out a test to fuel up the Space Launch System rocket, and receive a waiver to avoid retesting batteries on an emergency flight system that is used to destroy the rocket if it strays from its designated range.

If it does not receive the waiver, the rocket will have to be wheeled back to its assembly building, pushing the timeline back several weeks.

For the September 27 date, a “70-minute launch window opens at 11:37 am EDT,” while the mission would end with an ocean splashdown of the Orion capsule on November 5.

A potential next date comes on October 2.

The Artemis 1 space mission hopes to test the SLS as well as the unmanned Orion capsule that sits atop it, in preparation for future Moon-bound journeys with humans aboard.

Once launched, it will take several days for the spacecraft to reach the Moon, flying around 60 miles (100 kilometers) at its closest approach.

One of the trip’s main objectives is to test the capsule’s heat shield — which at 16 feet (five meters) in diameter is the largest ever built — when the ship re-enters the atmosphere.

The next mission, Artemis 2, will take astronauts to the Moon without landing on its surface, while the third — set for the mid-2020s — would see the first woman and person of color on lunar soil.

NASA wants to build a lunar space station called Gateway and keep a sustained presence on the Moon to gain insight into how to survive very long space missions, ahead of a mission to Mars in the 2030s.

43 animals dead due to Lumpy Skin Disease in Maharashtra

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ANI

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September 13, 2022

As many as 43 cattle have died and 21 districts have been affected due to Lumpy virus in Maharashtra, the state’s animal husbandry department said on Tuesday.

The state government has started vaccination drives for cattle across the state. There has been no effect on milk production and consumption.

“Milk supply is not affected in Maharashtra due to this lumpy virus effect. Government has not put any restriction on abattoirs in the state”, said the department.

As per the department, “Illegal cattle transport is prohibited. However, there is no prohibition on the transportation of cattle meant for meat.”

“We have only asked for certificates of the cattle. The certificate is asked to ensure that their meat is fit for consumption by humans. We need to ensure the health of the people too”, said Animal Husbandry Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.

A total of 42 infected cattle has died due to Lumpy Skin Disease in different districts of Maharashtra including 17 in Jalgaon, 13 in Ahmednagar, 1 in Dhule, 1 in Akola, 3 in Pune, 3 in Buldhana, 3 in Amravati, and 1 in Washim till Sunday, according to the department.

The first case of Lumpy was reported on August 4 in Chinawal village of Raver taluka of Jalgaon district. The virus has been found only in cows and buffaloes. There is no danger to humans in using milk of animals that do not have the symptoms of the disease.

Animals can be cured of the disease; however, the milk of such animals may get affected due to the virus.

The infected cattle with Lumpy have been noticed in a total of 280 villages of Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Akola, Dhule, Pune, Latur, Aurangabad, Beed, Satara, Buldana, Amravati, Osmanabad, Kolhapur, Sangli, Yeotmal, Parbhani, Solapur, Washim, Nashik and Jalna till Sunday.

As per reports, lumpy skin disease is a viral disease that affects cattle. It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks. It causes fever and nodules on the skin and can lead to the death of the cattle.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit 2022 on Monday emphasized the need for universal vaccination of animals and the work India has been doing in this direction.

The Prime Minister observed that there has been a loss of livestock in many states of India due to Lumpy disease in the recent past and assured everyone that the central government, along with various state governments, is trying its level best to keep a check on it.

A vaccine has also been developed by the National Equine Research Center, Hisar (Haryana) in collaboration with the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar (Bareilly)

Telangana Police busts inter-state drug racket

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ANI

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September 13, 2022

Sleuths of the Special Operations Team of Malkajgiri Zone have busted a gang of inter-state drug peddlers.

On September 11, Telangana police along with Choutuppal Police conducted a joint operation and nabbed a gang of six inter-state drug peddlers, acting on a tipoff, near Choutuppal Toll Plaza.

The six accused have been identified as Kanumareddy Pavan Kumar, Manda Sudheer Babu, Kotipalli Lova Raj, Milkula Teja, Pawan Manohar Tambole, and Santosh Ghante. They were involved in procuring contraband Ganja and transporting it from Vizag to Maharashtra via Hyderabad.

The police have apprehended three-four vehicles loaded with 360 Kg of contraband Ganja and eight mobile phones worth Rs 1.2 crore from their possession.

The accused along with seized drugs were handed over for further investigation.

Kejriwal promises corruption-free govt in Gujarat AAP comes to power

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PTI

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September 13, 2022

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday promised to provide the people of Gujarat a “corruption-free” government if the Aam Aadmi Party comes to power in the state currently governed by the BJP.

The AAP’s national convener announced that if his party voted to power in Gujarat, where the Assembly elections are due later this year, it will ensure its chief minister, ministers as well as lawmakers from other parties and government officers do not indulge in corruption and are jailed if caught doing so.

“Whosoever I met in Gujarat said there is corruption everywhere. One has to pay bribe to get a government work done. There is corruption at the lower level and at the top also there are scams. If one speaks against it, he is threatened…there is corruption and hooliganism everywhere in Gujarat,” Kejriwal claimed while talking to reporters at a gathering in Ahmedabad.

The AAP government will make sure every penny collected from the public as tax goes to the service of the people of Gujarat, he said.

“Today, I give a guarantee that when the AAP forms government in Gujarat, it will provide a corruption-free and fear-free government,” he said.

Kejriwal also promised to stop “illegal businesses” of present ministers and government officers in Gujarat, investigate “scams” of the present government and recover money collected through corrupt means so that it can be spent on the public.

“We will also open cases of paper leaks of the last 10 years and their masterminds will be arrested and jailed,” the AAP leader said.

“Whenever I visit Gujarat, people talk of different scams. All the large scams during their tenure (of BJP government) will be investigated and the money recovered will be used to provide good schools, electricity — for the service of the public,” he said.

Kejriwal said if voted to power, his party government will ensure the public is not required to pay bribes in government offices. The AAP government will also make arrangements for doorstep delivery of various welfare services, like it has done in Delhi, he said.

During his multiple visits to Gujarat in the recent past, Kejriwal had announced a slew of “guarantees”, including free electricity up to 300 units per month, allowances for women and unemployed youth, free and quality healthcare and education and creation of jobs.

Karnataka govt takes steps to prevent animal cruelty, to enforce Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act

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ANI

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September 13, 2022

Cow, Karnataka, Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act — Image for representative purpose

The Karnataka government is chalking out an idea of training police sub-inspector level officers to prevent animal cruelty and to enforce the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act.

Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu B. Chavan said, “the government is thinking of training police sub-inspector level officers to prevent animal cruelty and to enforce the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act”.

He conducted a meeting with the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board at Pasupalana Bhavan in Hebbal, Bengaluru on Monday. Cases are being registered across the state under the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act.

But Minister Prabhu Chavan expressed displeasure that illegal cattle traffickers and owners of illegal slaughterhouses are escaping punishment due to non-compliance with the Cattle Slaughter Prevention and Protection Act 2020 while registering cases. Prabhu Chavan opined, “it is possible to effectively implement the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act by training police sub-inspector level officers in each district to enforce the Cattle Slaughter Prevention and Protection Act 2020 while registering FIR”.

The members brought to the attention of the minister that the names entered in the charge sheet were being omitted, he said, “the police officers need to be convinced about the implementation of this act”. Unauthorized cow slaughter, transportation, and storage of beef in the state are not being prevented.

Chavan said, “will hold a meeting with the Home Minister in light of the opinion received from the members that the police department is cooperating in some areas, but in some areas, they are not cooperating without registering an FIR despite complaints”.

Animal Husbandry Minister further added that the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board has been established to prevent cruelty and violence against animals by effectively implementing the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act in the state.

All officers and veterinarians of the department are working hard to prevent cow slaughter.

At the same time, he commented that it is possible to close down illegal slaughterhouses and prevent cow slaughter only when the public cooperates.

He said that in order to provide convenience to the farmers and cattle breeders, the health care of the dumb animals is being done through well-equipped surgical vehicles for the preservation, care, and health care of the cattle.

Chavan further added, “after I became the Minister of Animal Husbandry Department, I have always been involved in the protection of cattle by raising and nurturing them and protecting them from illegal slaughterhouses”.

Prabhu Chavan said, “the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, Establishment of Animal Welfare Board, Establishment of Animal Helpline Center, One Government Goshala in the district, Recruitment of 400 Veterinary Doctors and 250 Junior Veterinary Inspectors, Gomata Cooperative Society, Punyakoti Adoption Project, Work of converting Goshalas into self-sufficient Goshalas is in progress”.

On the same occasion, Minister Prabhu Chavan congratulated the new members. On this occasion, Kittur MLA animal welfare committee member Mahantesh Doddanagowda Patil, department secretary Salma K. Faheem, director Dr. Manjunath Palegar and many others were present in the meeting.

India to hold over 200 G20 meetings across the country during its Presidency

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ANI

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September 13, 2022

India will assume the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023, and during its Presidency, it is expected to host over 200 G20 meetings across the country.

The G20 Leaders’ Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10, 2023 in New Delhi, read the Ministry of External Affairs press release.

The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies. It comprises 19 countries – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, USA – and the European Union (EU).

Collectively, the G20 accounts for 85 per cent of global GDP, 75 per cent of international trade and two-thirds of the world population, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation.

India is currently part of the G20 Troika (current, previous and incoming G20 Presidencies) comprising Indonesia, Italy and India. During its Presidency, India, Indonesia and Brazil would form the troika.

This would be the first time when the troika would consist of three developing countries and emerging economies, providing them with a greater voice, added the release.

The G20 currently comprises – Finance Track, with 8 workstreams (Global Macroeconomic Policies, Infrastructure Financing, International Financial Architecture, Sustainable Finance, Financial Inclusion, Health Finance, International Taxation, Financial Sector Reforms); Sherpa Track, with 12 workstreams (Anti-corruption, Agriculture, Culture, Development, Digital Economy, Employment, Environment and Climate, Education, Energy Transition, Health, Trade and Investment, Tourism); 10 Engagement Groups of private sector/civil society/independent bodies (Business 20, Civil 20, Labour 20, Parliament 20, Science 20, Supreme Audit Institutions 20, Think 20, Urban 20, Women 20 and Youth 20).

In addition to G20 Members, there has been a tradition of the G20 Presidency inviting some Guest countries and International Organizations (IOs) to its G20 meetings and summits.

Accordingly, in addition to regular International Organizations (UN, IMF, World Bank, WHO, WTO, ILO, FSB and OECD) and Chairs of Regional Organizations (AU, AUDA-NEPAD and ASEAN), India, as G20 President, will be inviting Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and UAE as Guest countries, as well as ISA (International Solar Alliance), CDRI (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure) and ADB (Asian Development Bank) as Guest IOs, read the release.

Whilst India’s G20 priorities are in the process of being firmed up, ongoing conversations inter alia revolve around inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth; LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment); women’s empowerment; digital public infrastructure and tech-enabled development in areas ranging from health, agriculture and education to commerce, skill-mapping, culture and tourism; climate financing; circular economy; global food security; energy security; green hydrogen; disaster risk reduction and resilience; developmental cooperation; fight against economic crime; and multilateral reforms.

Vigilance conducts searches at the premises of two former AIADMK ministers in TN

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PTI

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September 13, 2022

Officials of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) held multi-city searches at the premises of two AIADMK former ministers in connection with two different cases.

Searches were held at 26 premises belonging to AIADMK leader S P Velumani, a party strongman from Coimbatore, over a case of replacing existing street light with LED lights in rural areas during 2015-28.

DVAC registered a criminal case against him over the allegation that he abused his official position in awarding tenders injudiciously to his close associated companies in replacing the lights with LED lights.

This has caused loss to the government exchequer approximately to the tune of Rs 500 crore, DVAC sources said.

Based on the FIR, searches were held at 26 locations, including in Coimbatore, Chennai and Tiruchirappally, they said.

Hearing the news of searches, a large number of AIADMK workers and leaders gathered in front of Velumani’s house on Palakkad Main Road in the city, leading to tense moments, even as more police personnel were deployed.

Similarly, DVAC held searches against AIADMK’s C Vijayabaskar, a former health minister, in connection with alleged irregularities in issuing essentiality certificate to a private medical college, against National Medical Commission regulations.

Based on the FIR, searches were being held in his native Pudukottai, Theni and Chennai among others, the sources added.

Both leaders are sitting MLAs and are already under the DVAC scanner in disproportionate assets cases against them.

Student arrested for hoax bomb threat at Amritsar school

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ANI

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September 13, 2022

arrest, Jammu and Kashmir — Image for representative purpose

One student has been arrested for a hoax bomb threat at a school in Amritsar on Monday. Two students from Spring Dale school were found to have sent the bomb threat to the school on Monday. The police on further investigation found that it was a hoax by the students, due to upcoming exams.

As per the police, an FIR has been registered under sections 262, 506, and 507. The police have arrested one accused and are in search of the other. M.S. Bhullar, DCP, urged the parents to keep an eye on their wards and to also check their phones and activities. Further probe into the matter is awaited.

A previous incident of a hoax bomb threat happened in Amritsar’s DAV Public school on September 8 after which the security was tightened outside the school in Amritsar.

A hoax message was sent to the school principal, of a bomb and firing at the school. The police said that it was sent from a fake Instagram ID using Google Translate to write the text in English and Urdu.

The police also said that it was done by three students from the school itself. “The message turned out to be a hoax. It seems it was done from a fake Instagram ID made by 3 students of the school.

They used Google Translate to write the text in English & Urdu. The parents were called and informed of the same. We will take action as per the principal’s request,” DCP Bhullar said

BJP all set to take out protest march against TMC government

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PTI

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September 13, 2022

BJP protest — Image for representative purpose

BJP supporters from across West Bengal started arriving in Kolkata and neighbouring Howrah on Tuesday morning to take part in the saffron party’s ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ (march to secretariat) to protest against alleged corrupt practices of the TMC government.

The BJP has hired several trains – three from north Bengal and four from south Bengal – to bring its party members and supporters from different parts of the state to the metropolis and Howrah for the march.

Traffic restrictions have been put in place along several key stretches of the city in view of the BJP’s ‘Nabanna Abhijan’, police said. Barricades have also been placed on the Second Hooghly Bridge, which connects the metropolis with Nabanna, a police officer said.

BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh is expected to lead the procession from north Kolkata, while leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari will be part of the rally from Santragachi area. Party state president Sukanta Majumdar is likely to join the procession in north Kolkata.

“The TMC government is scared of public uprising. Even if they try stop our protest march, we will resist peacefully. The state administration will be responsible for any untoward development,” Ghosh asserted. BJP leader Rahul Sinha, meanwhile, accused the Mamata Banerjee government of trying to forcibly stop the “democratic protest”.

“Our supporters were prevented from boarding a special train from Alipurduar to Sealdah on Monday evening and even lathicharged by the state police. The train left later with our activists and supporters,” Sinha said.

Trinamool Congress spokesperson Joy Prakash Majumdar, however, said the BJP is attempting to create disturbance in the city for its “narrow, partisan politics”.

“We urge everyone not to fall in their trap,” he said. The saffron camp has been taking out rallies across the state for the past couple of days, asking party workers to make the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ a grand success.

Assam Police seizes 927 kg ganja from Karimganj

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ANI

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September 13, 2022

Assam Police on Monday seized 927 kg of ganja in two separate incidents at the Churaibari area in Assam’s Karimganj district along the Assam-Tripura border, said the police.

The ganja was seized by a team of Churaibari police watch post.

Earlier on Saturday, Assam Police and Central Reserve Police Force, in a joint operation, seized 860 kg of ganja and 40.70 grams of suspected heroin from a truck in Karbi Anglong district.

Police arrested three persons regarding this seizure. John Das, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Bokajan told agencies that, acting on secret information, a Naka checking was set up at Laharijan near the Assam-Nagaland border under Khatkhati police station jurisdiction.

“At about 2 am, a truck was intercepted which was coming from Manipur and on a thorough search of the vehicle total 80 packets of ganja weighing total 860 kg and 3 soap boxes containing 40.70 grams suspected to be heroin have been recovered which were hidden inside a secret chamber of the body of the truck.

In this regard we have arrested three persons,” Das said. The arrested persons were identified as Filter Kalita (32), Dipak Mahato (26) and Rahul Tamang (19).