Vivek Ramaswamy Quits US Presidential Race, Endorses Trump

Vivek Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old Indian-American entrepreneur and political novice who quickly created a name for himself with aggressive policy proposals and an outsized sense of confidence, has withdrawn over of the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination after finishing fourth in the Iowa caucuses, news agency Reuters reported. He then backed former President Donald J. Trump for the presidency. Ramaswamy, who was virtually unknown in political circles when he entered the campaign in February 2023, managed to pique the interest and support of Republican voters with his strong views on immigration and an America-first attitude. In terms of tone and philosophy, his campaign plan closely paralleled that of former President Donald Trump. Ramaswamy attempted to draw into Trump's conservative base, which had pushed him to victory in prior elections.He said, “Tonight, I have to face the truth. It was hard for me to accept, but we have looked at the facts. And the fact is, we did not get the result we hoped for tonight.”Ramaswamy had recently taken a harder stance against Trump, claiming that the former president’s legal troubles and strong political enemies made him a weak candidate. Trump responded by attacking Ramaswamy on social media, calling his campaign “deceitful” and “very sly,” in the first sign of hostility between them.Ramaswamy had been one of Trump’s biggest supporters during the campaign. He had praised Trump as “the greatest president of the 21st century” and stood by him despite the numerous criminal charges and obstacles to his candidacy.On Tuesday, Trump said on social media that his accuser had gained fame and money through "fabricated lies and political shenanigans" in the case.Former US President Donald Trump left Trump Tower on Wednesday morning as he heads back to Manhattan court where rape accuser E. Jean Carroll was poised to testify against him for $10 million defamation case.    

Govt Pulls Up Indigo, Mumbai Airport After Viral Video Shows Fliers Eating On Tarmac

After a video of passengers eating on the tarmac at Mumbai Airport went viral on social media, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia held a meeting with all ministry officials at midnight yesterday. In the early hours on Tuesday, MoCA's Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued show cause notices to Indigo and Mumbai Airport.According to the notices, “both Indigo and MIAL were not proactive in anticipating the situation and making the appropriate facilitation arrangements for passengers at the airport”. For instance, “the aircraft was allotted a remote bay C-33 (instead of a Contact Stand - an aircraft parking stand that is suitable for walking passengers to and from an aircraft from an allocated boarding gate), which further added to passenger woes and deprived them the opportunity to avail basic facilities like rest rooms and refreshments at the terminal”.Delayed flights, dense fog and hassled passengers have been grabbing headlines for the past few days in India. And through all this chaos, budget airlines IndiGo has been thrown into the limelight. The domestic carrier is facing flak over several flight disruptions owing to intense fog in Delhi and other places in northern India and its handling of passengers.Now, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo Airlines and Mumbai Airport after a video of passengers eating food on the tarmac spread online on Monday (15 January). The passengers of a Goa-Delhi flight that was diverted to Mumbai owing to poor visibility in the National Capital on Sunday (14 January) were seen dining on the apron upon disembarking. In the video that went viral on social media, flyers can be seen seated on the tarmac and eating food next to the parked IndiGo aircraft. The incident sparked safety concerns as the apron is designated for aircraft activities. The ground staff connected the aircraft with the stepladder and the passengers were asked to deboard. As the angry flyers disembarked, they refused to enter the terminal building of the Mumbai airport, HT reported.Many disgruntled passengers demanded the flight be taken directly to Delhi. Videos showed some flyers with their food packets, eating on the apron.An airline official told HT that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel had to be called to remove them from the tarmac and take them to a safety zone.The flight finally took off for Delhi at 2.39 am on Monday. IndiGo said it was aware of the incident and apologised to the customers, saying it was “currently looking into the incident”.According to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the passengers were “irate” due to the flight delay in Goa and left the aircraft as soon as it landed in Mumbai.    

Ayodhya: Massive crowd throngs Ram temple as mandir opens its doors for devotees after ‘pran pratishtha’

Devotees gathered in large numbers since 3am to have darshan of the new Ram Lalla idol on the first morning after the consecration ceremony. A massive crowd thronged the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as the grand temple opened its doors for devotees to offer prayers on Tuesday morning, a day after the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla. Devotees gathered in large numbers since 3am to have darshan (viewing) of the new Ram Lalla idol on the first morning after the consecration ceremony, news agency ANI reported. A large number of devotees, both locals and visitors from other states, gathered near the main gateway along the Ram Path leading to the temple complex late on Monday, seeking entry to the mandir premises. As a large crowd built up near the ceremonial gateway – decked up for the consecration ceremony – police told the devotees that the temple would open to the public from Tuesday.For devotees seeking darshan of Lord Ram Lalla, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra website has provided specific time slots – morning slot from 7am to 11:30am and afternoon slot from 2 pm to 7pm.‘Aarti’ timings include jagran/shringar at 6:30am and sandhya aarti at 7:30pm. One can obtain passes for the 'aarti' both offline and online. The offline passes are available at the camp office at Shri Ram Janmbhoomi, requiring a valid government identity proof. The 'pran pratishtha' of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya was held amid unbridled celebrations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing the main rituals officiated by a select complement of priests. The 'pran pratishtha' ceremony of Lord Ram was held at 12.29pm on Monday. The ceremonial journey leading up to the mega event included a seven-day ritual that commenced on January 16.The ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life, including representatives of various tribal communities. Major spiritual and religious sect leader were also invited to the consecration ceremony. Built-in the traditional Nagara style, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir has a length (east-west) of 380 feet and a width of 250 feet. It stands 161 feet above the ground and is supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. The pillars and walls of the temple showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, Gods, and Goddesses. We are very pleased. Ayodhya has decked up like a bride. We are touched even more to come to terms with the fact that we are going to have 'darshan' of the Ram Lalla," ANI quoted Tejender Singh, a devotee from Chandigarh, as saying.Another devotee said he came all the way from Odisha for the darshan of Lord Ram in Ayodhya."I have come from Odisha's Puri to Ayodhya on bike to have darshan of Lord Ram Lalla. It was a journey of 1224 kilometres. I was very eager to have 'darshan' of Lord Ram Lalla. When I was asked on my way where I was going, I said that that I was going to have darshan of Lord Ram at the temple which was not built for over 500 years," he told ANIIn the sanctum sanctorum of Ram Mandir, the child-like Lord Ram is enthroned.  

‘January 22 will be etched in our memories’: PM Modi after inaugurating Ram Mandir in Ayodhya

Speaking on the Ram Temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that it will be etched in our memories for years to come. In a post on X, Modi wrote, “What we saw in Ayodhya yesterday, 22nd January, will be etched in our memories for years to come."Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the ceremony, unveiling the Ram Lalla idol during the hour-long rituals.  During his address to the dignitaries at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the unveiling of the Ram Lalla idol signifies not only a moment of victory following a protracted struggle but also one of humility. This is not just a moment of celebration for us all but also one to reflect the coming of age of the Indian society. This occasion is as much about triumph as it is about humility. The world is replete with instances of countries that faced a lot of difficulties resolving historic wrongs and injustices. However, the way we untied the knots and resolved all outstanding issues gives us hope that our future is going to be more beautiful and fulfilling than our past," PM Modi said. The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, boasts dimensions of 380 feet in length (east-west), 250 feet in width, and 161 feet in height. It is supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. The pillars and walls of the temple are adorned with intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, Gods, and Goddesses. Within the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor, the idol of Shri Ramlalla, representing the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram, has been reverently placed. As the whole nation is celebrating the Pran Pratishtha ceremony held at Ram temple in Ayodhya, several politicians, leaders, and celebrities extended their wishes to the people. Referring to the consecration ceremony, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “500 years of slavery have ended today. India has shown that anything is possible in this country. I have full faith that Ram Rajya has begun now." He also showered praises for PM Modi. However, on being asked about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks in the Nagaon attacks, Himanta Biswa Sarma sidelined the question by referring to the Wayanad MP as ‘Ravan’.  

Top things to do in the UAE this weekend

Embark on a weekend adventure in the UAE with our curated list of top things to do. Get ready to explore, indulge, and create unforgettable moments across the Emirates. Every Saturday, from 1 pm to 4 pm, the acclaimed B.I.G Brunch at Garage, W Abu Dhabi, sets the stage for a lively weekend kick-off. With 5 Culinary Hubs, 11 Beverage Taps, and an upbeat party vibe, January's edition boasts an enticing selection, featuring treats like oysters, edamame, cumin beef bao buns, and more. With prices starting at Dh320 for the Soft Package, Dh420 for the House Package, and Dh589 for the Sparkling Package, guests can relish a delightful mix of tasty food, energetic tunes, and live entertainment, making B.I.G Brunch the perfect Saturday spot. For reservations and additional details, reach out at 02 656 0000. Experience serenity and rejuvenation with a complimentary yoga session hosted by wagamama at its Motor City Dubai branch on January 20, from 10 am to 11 am. Guided by the renowned instructor Chandnee Kaurani, participants can embark on a journey of mindfulness while enjoying revitalizing beverages. As a bonus, attendees will receive a discount voucher for the crystal shop 'Heal Quartz.' This session is designed to seamlessly blend tranquility with vitality, providing a holistic wagamama experience that transcends the culinary realm. To secure a spot, participants are encouraged to fill out the form at least one day before their chosen session date. Costa Coffee proudly presents its new flagship store in Al Seef, Dubai, seamlessly blending modernity with the city's historical allure. The sandstone structure, adorned with vintage wooden accents, serves as a tribute to the UAE's rich history, creating a space that embraces the tradition of sharing coffee. Within the Al Seef store, an AI art installation unfolds the area's captivating history. Introducing exclusive limited-edition drinks like the Iced Spanish Flat White and Hazelnut Vanilla Latte, Costa Coffee invites both residents and tourists to savor a premium coffee experience in a venue that pays homage to the city's cultural heritage. Operating daily from 8 am to 12 am, the store provides seating for up to 41 guests. This weekend, treat yourself to a rejuvenating winter getaway at The SPA, Abu Dhabi, featuring the enticing 'Treat Yourself' offer. Pamper yourself with a 60-minute personalized massage, tailored to your preferences, and receive a complimentary 30-minute full-body scrub for an added touch of opulence. Alternatively, indulge in facial treatments, meticulously designed to address your unique skincare needs. As a special perk, guests enjoy an exclusive 40% discount on any Skin Regimen Facial Products to maintain their radiant glow. Available daily from 11 am to 10.30 pm, The SPA's offer assures a revitalizing experience, leaving you refreshed and renewed with a radiant winter glow. To secure your reservation, dial 02 656 0000.  

AAI to spend ₹5,000 crore on capex annually 

Airport Authority of India (AAI) plans to spend ₹5,000 crore annually on capital expenditure in the coming years with a strong pipeline of projects, AAI chairman Sanjeev Kumar told businessline. While new terminals are being built and airside capacity is being expanded at various airports to handle extra flights, AAI is also working on a roadmap for expansion of Agatti airport in Lakshadweep.   “As against the capex target of ₹ 4,000 Crores in FY 2023-24, AAI till December, 2023 has achieved Capex of ₹ 3,416 crores. We will be surpassing the target of ₹ 4,000 Crores and touching capex of ₹ 5,000 Crores or more,” he said. The authority is building new terminals at airports in Patna, Leh, Vijayawada, Tuticorin and has started construction of new terminal buildings in Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jammu and Rajahmundry.   “We are also adding new terminal building in Hubli, Belagavi and Kadapa Airport. Investment proposals for expanding the capacity of terminals and airside is also in pipeline for Keshod in Gujarat, Agra, Ayodhya Phase-II & Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Bagdogra in West Bengal and Darbhanga in Bihar,” he said.  Expansion of Agatti Airport is under discussion with union territory administration of Lakshadweep, ministry of home affairs and other stakeholders.  “We soon expect a roadmap for expansion of Agatti airport,” he added. AAI is also working with partners and stakeholders to finalize research areas at its R&D centre in Begumpet airport in Hyderabad.  Developed at a cost of ₹350 crore, the Civil Aviation Research Organisation (CARO) will serve as a collaborative research platform in air navigation services.    “We have also engaged with our employees and encouraging them to write “problem statements” for the situations faced by them with suggestions for improvement and increasing efficiency. These problem statements would become core of the development of solution by our stakeholders including start-ups either in their own premises or in CARO. We have almost finalized our architecture of processes to populate CARO with an objective to make it vibrant research & Development facility,” Kumar said.  

Trump allies warn of coup if Haley selected as VP

Former President Donald Trump is being warned by allies about potentially choosing former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley as his running mate in 2024. Close Trump allies warned that selecting Haley as his vice president would result in an “intra-party coup,” Politico reported, with Republican senators moving to use every tool at their disposal to remove Trump to install Haley instead. They also believe that she would actively subvert the administration.“Nikki Haley as VP would be an establishment neocon fantasy and a MAGA nightmare,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) told the outlet. “On Day One she would convert the Naval Observatory into an anti-Trump, resistance headquarters, undermining him at every step.” Most of Trump’s closest allies have pledged to do everything in their power to prevent her from taking the VP spot, including his son, Donald Trump Jr.“I wouldn’t have her, and I would go to great lengths to make sure that that doesn’t happen,” he told Newsmax’s Eric Bolling about the possibility of a Haley VP selection in a December interview.“Nikki Haley wants never-ending wars. She’s a puppet of the establishment in Washington, D.C. She’s the new favorite candidate of the billionaire class because they want control,” he continued. “No different than academia and Harvard and using their billions to exercise influence. They want someone they control.” Trump and Haley are viewed as ideologically different, with much of the old guard of the pre-Trump GOP supporting her. Therein lies a significant argument for selecting her as VP — were Trump to win, her selection could be an opportunity to unite the party. But most in Trump’s circle have suggested they would view the move as a betrayal of the America First movement, seeing her as an enemy on par with their Democratic rivals. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who dropped out of the 2024 race and endorsed Trump after coming in fourth in Iowa, has made himself known throughout the race for his blistering critiques of Haley, critiques he leaned into in his first speech in New Hampshire after endorsing the former president.“And you know what, we do have some enemies that we need to defeat on the other side, but we have challenges to address in our own party right here at home. So you know what, if you want somebody who’s going to foist onto you, to use your social media account, you want to use a driver’s license to do it, to have the right to use the internet? This man is not your man,” he said, referring to Trump. “There’s another candidate in this race who will do that for you. It’s Nikki Haley.” You want to cut Social Security? You want to cut Medicare, you want to cut veterans benefits, so we can fork over more money to Ukraine, so some kleptocrat can buy a bigger house? Vote for Nikki Haley, not this man right here,” he continued.   

Johns Hopkins University weaponized DEI against ‘white, heterosexual, Christian males’

There has been ample evidence of this over the years, of course, from discrimination in employment opportunities to college admissions to the inflammatory rhetoric used by many on the Left. The latest example of anti-white prejudice and bigotry comes from Johns Hopkins University, and it involves the malignant toxicity known as diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI.Early last week, the X, formerly Twitter, account “End Wokeness” posted the January 2024 newsletter from Johns Hopkins University’s Monthly Diversity Digest. The message was from Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Sherita H. Golden, who discussed the (fictional and made-up left-wing ideological) concept of privilege. In her despicable list, Golden targeted “whites, Christians, males, and heterosexuals,” among other people, as those who benefit from “privilege” even if they were unaware of it. The message read like a public decree identifying enemies of the state rather than a monthly communication letter at a university. “Privilege is a set of unearned benefits given to people who are in a specific social group,” the newsletter read. “Privilege operates on personal, interpersonal, cultural and institutional levels, and it provides advantages and favors to members of dominant groups at the expense of members of other groups.”Golden then claimed that essentially anything people in these groups earned was not legitimately attained. They just benefited because they were “white, heterosexual, Christian, or cisgender.” It was the kind of discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice that has become all too common with left-wing academic aristocrats and DEI acolytes. They embrace and encourage racial bigotry so long as it is the kind that aligns with their ideological beliefs. “Privilege is characteristically invisible to people who have it. People in dominant groups often believe they have earned the privileges they enjoy or that everyone could have access to these privileges if only they worked to earn them,” the newsletter claimed. “In fact, privileges are unearned and are granted to people in the dominant groups whether they want those privileges or not, and regardless of their stated intent. ”I spent considerable time trying to contact Johns Hopkins University and seek their comment regarding Golden’s racial bigotry and prejudice. Among other questions, I asked the school’s media relations department if the 20 million white people in the country who are living below the poverty line should feel fortunate for the privilege of their economic adversity. Additionally, I asked the college if the white student applicants who were denied admission to Johns Hopkins University should feel fortunate for being rejected by the school because the teenage students were not the school’s admission officers’ choice of preferred skin color. Unsurprisingly, no one answered.Johns Hopkins issued a retraction last week. The university claimed Golden’s newsletters did not portray the school’s values. However, if the letter didn’t represent the school’s values or those of the people working there, it would have never been sent out. It is not sorry about the newsletter — Johns Hopkins regrets the newsletter was exposed to the public.    

Davos elites go green and make green

Global elites of all sorts are traveling to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting this week. The theme this year is “Rebuilding Trust.” Perhaps a good place to start is distinguishing capitalism from environmentalism. They could also stop trying to make business serve the environment rather than people.Consider the irony of Sultan Al Jaber, a major oil baron and the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, presiding over the global climate conference, COP28, in 2023. Yet the subversive strategy of enlisting a “capitalist” in the climate agenda paid dividends. The United Nations agreement reached at COP28 explicitly mentions phasing out fossil fuels.While the chief executive of a major oil company supporting the phaseout of oil is ridiculous on its face, it is only the most recent example of many high-profile “capitalists” advancing environmental agendas. In a video earlier this year, for example, Apple CEO Tim Cook and his team appeased an angry mother nature by planting forests, reducing water usage, using higher amounts of renewable energy, and creating “net zero” products.Cook’s fiduciary duties to the board and shareholders of his publicly traded company still require him to continue serving consumers. But if those duties are weakened or abolished, it will not take long for one of the world’s most valuable and profitable companies to go the way of the world’s largest universities and foundations, and now Abu Dhabi National Oil Company — pursuing policies antithetical to their original purpose. After all, there are a lot of folks who stand to gain from the green agenda — those who collect paychecks or fees by providing guidance, oversight, verification, and other environmental, social, and corporate governance-related services when companies pursue environmental goals.The CEOs of Persefoni & Position Green eagerly work toward the day when Apple and every other Fortune 500 company purchase their services to track, report, and reduce their carbon footprint. The leaders of Ceres, Principles for Responsible Investing, the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board, McKinsey & Company, and dozens of other environmental consulting firms are eager to have Cook and other CEOs come knocking on their doors for advice — with checks in hand. The owners of green firms — those that plant trees, recycle water, create solar panels, wind farms, and batteries, bury biomass, or sequester carbon out of limestone — cheer the widespread adoption of their products. This includes Sultan Jaber, who runs the United Arab Emirates’s renewable energy company Masdar. They are good capitalists — I mean environmentalists — after all. Their industries will experience billions of dollars of growth as government officials around the world push aggressive ESG criteria such as removing the legal shackles of fiduciary obligation, requiring companies to report their climate impact and commit to net zero goals, exempting green bonds and social bonds from ordinary taxation, and requiring investors to hold some fraction of their investment assets in ESG-related funds.But ordinary citizens are rightly suspicious of claims by the Davos elite that all they need is a little more legal firepower to transition the world to a prosperous, green, low-carbon, net zero economic future. Europe has already implemented some variations of these ideas, from the European Green Deal in 2020 to the European Climate Law in 2021 to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Requirement to the German Due Diligence in Supply Chains Act that went into effect in 2023. These rules range from what kinds of vehicles Europeans can drive to mandating that all investors report sustainability analysis on their investments broken down by vague ESG criteria.In Europe, companies also have legal stakeholder responsibilities that give management broad leeway to orient policy and direct resources to any groups they choose. They have created an ESG nexus involving tens of thousands of people and hundreds of billions of dollars that, remarkably, does not add a single thing to the ordinary citizen’s standard of living. In fact, most of what they do makes it more expensive and difficult for companies to create and provide goods and services.    

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Fishermen head to Supreme Court to cast Chevron overboard

Attorneys representing Northeastern fishermen will make their case at the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the 40-year-old precedent most commonly cited to support federal agency regulatory power should be cast into an oceanic abyss.A group of fishermen from New Jersey will see the justices consider their lawsuit against a Commerce Department regulation through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which required their boats to pay roughly $700 per day to fund the salary of human “at-sea” monitors for each fishing venture. The heart of the case asks the court to overturn the 1984 precedent from a case called Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council.The core of the Chevron doctrine states that if a federal rule is challenged in court, the court should defer to the agency and its “reasonable” interpretation of the congressional statute it says grants them permission to create the rule.“You can’t even promise to pay the crew $780 per day,” Jerry Leman, founder of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association, told the Washington Examiner, referring to the financial setbacks on his business by the required at-sea monitors. Leman’s group filed an amicus brief to the high court asking it to curb the Biden administration’s power over the fishing industry. The 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Act is the primary law that allows at-sea observers to board private fishing boats in U.S. federal waters. While its objective was to prevent overfishing, Leman contends fishermen should never be the ones to front the bill to pay for the government’s monitoring work.The challenge against the at-sea monitors eventually reached the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which held that the statute was ambiguous on the question of monitor salary. But under the Chevron deference, that meant the government won.Lawyers for the New Jersey fishermen will tell the nine justices the payment mandate violates Article 1 of the Constitution and that the court should overturn Chevron, an outcome that court watchers say could be a stretch too far even for the Roberts Court, positing that the justices might go as far as to find a replacement for Chevron. Representing the New Jersey fishermen will be veteran attorney Paul Clement, a former solicitor general under the Bush administration. Another lawsuit brought by fishermen based in Rhode Island will be argued by attorneys for the New Civil Liberties Alliance. The high court’s two argument hearings on Wednesday will focus on the question of Chevron’s fate, meaning the justices will be toiling over the matter for several hours. “Overruling Chevron is overdue,” said Mark Chenoweth, president of NCLA. “Many administrative state pathologies can be traced to the malign influence that Chevron has in encouraging unlawful administrative power grabs. By putting this genie back in the bottle, the Supreme Court can restore federal court oversight to ensure that agencies execute the law as Congress wrote it.”The Justice Department’s position will be headed by Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar in the pair of back-to-back oral arguments. Prelogar has said overruling Chevron would be a “convulsive shock” to the legal system.“All three branches of government, regulated parties, and the public have arranged their affairs for decades with Chevron as the backdrop against which Congress legislates, agencies issue rules and orders, and courts resolve disputes about those agency actions,” she wrote in a brief in the Loper Bright case.Chevron doctrine critics see the challenge as a way to rein in meddling federal bureaucrats, symptoms of a creeping administrative state in which regulatory overreach is rampant, while defenders of the doctrine worry the 6-3 conservative high court majority is poised effectively to let business interests kill off environmental and other expertly crafted regulations created for the public interest. Groups that favor the government’s position in the dispute, such as the Center For American Progress, say that the real goal of the cases is to give “unelected judges free rein to implement their own partisan policy agendas and disregard scientific analysis, the opinions of policy experts, and the will of Congress. ”If the justices rule the way the fishermen are calling on them to, then the upheaval of Chevron could lead to a “geometric increase in court challenges to federal rules,” Steve O’Day, a partner at Smith, Gambrell & Russell and head of the firm’s Environmental Law, Energy, and Sustainability practice, told the Washington Examiner. “Ending the so-called Chevron deference could have dramatic effects on judicial treatment of expansive federal regulatory programs, but those effects could be favorable or unfavorable to regulated businesses, depending on the rules being challenged,” O’Day said.Leman said his hopes are for the court to deliver a ruling in favor of the fishing groups, adding the current Chevron framework isn’t cutting it for businesses across the nation.Business groups ranging from farm, timber, and home-building sectors are backing the efforts by the fishermen. Meanwhile, conservative interests that have recently scored victories limiting regulation of air and water pollution are hoping to see another domino fall against the administrative state.“Chevron deference is a pernicious doctrine that has enabled federal agencies to take over the courts’ power to interpret the law and Congress’ power to legislate,” Carrie Severino, president of the conservative legal advocacy group JCN, told the Washington Examiner. “To its credit, the Supreme Court has not applied Chevron in recent years, but lower courts nonetheless continue to rely on it, creating confusion and inconsistency in the law.”  

Miss America 2024, Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha & Israel-Hamas War

16 January 2024 News Headlines in English for School Assembly: You can check the list of detailed news headlines for the morning assembly from all major sectors like politics, entertainment, politics, sports, world affairs, technology and more here.The format of the assembly isn’t set and can differ from school to school. However, the key activities remain the same. The principal says a few words, and students read the news headlines. Talent shows, debates, speeches and role plays are often included in the school assembly.The format of the assembly isn’t set and can differ from school to school. However, the key activities remain the same. The principal says a few words, and students read the news headlines. Talent shows, debates, speeches and role plays are often included in the school assembly.Prayers, yoga and physical exercise can also be a part of the morning school assembly. However, today we bring you the top news headlines, which increase awareness among the students about global and domestic affairs.You can check out the news headlines for 16 January to be read during the morning school assembly below.9-year-old Indian-American schoolgirl Preesha Chakraborty was named in the “world’s brightest” students list by the Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth, based on the results of above-grade-level tests of over 16,000 students across 90 countries.  

FULFILMENT OF LONG CHERISHED DEMAND: AGARTALA – ANAND VIHAR TEJAS RAJDHANI EXPRESS NOW STOPS AT MALDA TOWN

The much-awaited stoppage of the 20501 Agartala – Anand Vihar Tejas Rajdhani Express at Malda Town station marks a significant stride in the development of railways in West Bengal, addressing the long-standing demand of the inhabitants of Malda.The 20501/20502 Agartala – Anand Vihar (T) Tejas Rajdhani weekly Express now to run via route through Malda Town – Bhagalpur – Jamalpur with commercial stoppages at Malda Town, Bhagalpur & Jamalpur  for the train leaving Agartala w.e.f. 15.1.2024 and leaving Anand Vihar (T) w.e.f. 17.1.2024.On the first day of the run of Agartala – Anand Vihar Tejas Rajdhani Express via Malda Town, the train was flagged off from Malda Town station this afternoon by Shri Khagen Murmu, Member of Parliament, Smt. Srirupa Mitra Chowdhury, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Shri Gopal Chandra Saha, MLA.The Rajdhani Express, now traversing a new route via Malda Town-Bhagalpur, promises not only enhanced connectivity but also commercial stoppages at crucial stations such as Malda Town, Bhagalpur, Jamalpur, and Patna in both directions. The train has commenced its journey on January 15, 2024, from Agartala at 15:10 hrs. and will reach Malda Town station today 16.01.2024 at 15:00 hrs. The train will run weekly, reaching Anand Vihar at 10:50 hrs on Wednesdays. The return journey of 20502 Anand Vihar – Agartala Tejas Rajdhani Express will depart from Anand Vihar Terminal at 19:50 hrs on Wednesdays, reaching Agartala at 15:40 hrs on Fridays. This train will stop at Ambassa, Dharmanagar, New Karimganj, Badarpur, Hojai, Guwahati, Rangia, Barpeta Road, New Jalpaiguri, Malda Town, Bhagalpur, Jamalpur, Patna, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Jn & Kanpur Central stations enroute in both the directions.   

Assam govt threatening people not to join Cong yatra, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that Assam's BJP-led government has been threatening people against joining the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, and refusing permissions for programmes along its route.People, however, are not afraid of the BJP, Gandhi asserted at a public gathering in Biswanath Chariali, the headquarters of Biswanath district.He also said the Congress will win by a huge margin against the BJP in the upcoming elections."We don't make long speeches as part of the yatra. We travel every day for 7-8 hours, talk to delegations, meet people and listen to their issues. And then, we fight for your issues; that is the aim of this yatra."When elections come, Congress will defeat BJP by massive margins," Gandhi asserted, urging party workers to march forward despite being threatened, and beaten up, as the fight is for the people.The yatra is in its fourth day in the state, having re-entered after a night halt in Arunachal Pradesh. It is scheduled to travel through Assam till January 25, covering a total of 833 km across 17 districts.Gandhi also alleged that flags and banners of the Congress are being damaged in the state."They (government) think they can threaten the people and suppress them. But, they are not realising this is not Rahul Gandhi's yatra. It is a yatra for the voice of the people," he said."Neither Rahul Gandhi nor people of the state are afraid of them," the former Congress chief said.He continued to target Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, terming him as the most corrupt CM in the country."Everyone knows that the CM and his entire family are the most corrupt. The Assam government is run for the benefit of one family... the Congress MP alleged.He said that injustice was being done to farmers, who don't get the price for their produce, youths who don't find jobs after finishing studies and traders who bore the brunt of demonetisation and GST.  

Ram temple tourism: Hospitality, travel industries create up to 20,000 jobs in Ayodhya

A surge in tourist inflows has already increased demand for accommodation and travel, “leading to a significant upswing in Ayodhya’s hospitality sector, with a particular focus on the establishment of adequate infrastructure to host travellers”, he said. “At least 10,000 jobs and up to about 20,000 positions were created in various roles related to hospitality, travel and tourism – including hotel staff, cooks, servers, drivers, etc. in the last six months,” said Balasubramanian A, vice president and head - consumer & ecommerce at TeamLease. According to several officials in the hospitality sector, thousands of jobs in areas such as hospitality managers, restaurant and hotel staff, logistics managers, drivers, etc are likely to open up towards the end of this year or the first half of 2025 – not just in Ayodhya but in neighbouring cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, etc - with hotel companies and restaurant owners keeping a close eye on how the demand-supply situation pans out.“In the next three-four months, we should get a clearer picture of the everyday traffic at the temple and the demand for manpower to cater to the devotees,” an industry executive said on condition of anonymity. According to estimates, Tirupati Balaji Temple, which is among the world’s richest temples and remains crowded all year round, attracts an average 50,000 daily devotees in a steady state and the number goes up to 100,000 on festival days or holidays.According to various estimates, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is likely to see traffic of between 300,000 to 700,000 people in the first week post inauguration.However, most of these jobs are temporary in nature and the count may go up or down, depending on how the demand pans out and the number of devotees that visit the temple, industry experts said. Typically, a hotel from construction stage to getting operational takes about 3-4 years, said Nandivardhan Jain, chief executive of Noesis Capital Advisors. Typically, a hotel from construction stage to getting operational takes about 3-4 years, said Nandivardhan Jain, chief executive of Noesis Capital Advisors. However, in the case of Ayodhya, various permissions could be fast-tracked and, so, the demand for manpower is expected to pour in within the next 18 to 24 months, he added.Hotel companies are watching how the demand-supply situation pans out. Currently Ayodhya is short in supply with only two big, branded hotels – Park Inn by Radisson and Cygnet.  

Cyprus faces backlash over use of British bases to bomb Houthis

The Cyprus government is facing growing criticism over British military bases on the island being used by UK and US forces to stage airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.President Nicos Christodoulides has been accused by activists of turning a blind eye to the risks the EU’s most easterly state might confront if the strategic facilities on the island continue to be deployed in military operations.The Guardian has learned that both the US ambassador and British high commissioner briefed the Cypriot president of imminent military action in Yemen before the first round of airstrikes last week.“There are ever more war planes taking off every day,” Tassos Costeas, a prominent Greek Cypriot peace activist, told the Guardian. “The dangers of Cyprus becoming a target are evident. The two installations, retained by the British after the country won independence in 1960 to end decades of colonial rule, operate as sovereign overseas territories beyond the reach of the republic. Both extend across 3% of Cyprus’s land mass, or 98 sq miles.Although never confirmed, EU diplomats in Nicosia, the island’s war-split capital, say US forces are present on the military installation. “If you look over the fence at Akrotiri you’ll see US military surveillance and other aircraft,” one said.On Tuesday, the Cyprus government’s spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, emphasised the eastern Mediterranean island was not involved in any military operations, intimating that under the bases’ treaty of establishment, the UK was not obliged to inform Cypriot authorities about activity in the facilities. “The government is in constant communication with the UK within the framework established in relation to the bases’ use,” he said.Protests mounted last week after RAF Akrotiri was used as a launch pad for Typhoon fighter jets conducting targeted airstrikes on Houthi strongholds in Yemen in retaliation for attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The pro-Palestinian militia has justified its assaults – with one of its missiles recently hitting a Greek-owned cargo ship – by saying it was acting in response to Israel’s ongoing offensive. In an apparent attempt to calm nerves in Cyprus, the British defence minister, Grant Shapps, was on the island on Friday meeting the president. “We want to do everything possible to ensure the security of Cyprus, which is in everyone’s best interests. We appreciate that you are in a difficult neighbourhood and want to do everything possible to make it easier,” he said. The Houthis, he claimed, “do not pose an immediate threat to Cyprus”.The US and UK strikes have exacerbated concerns of the Israel-Gaza war becoming a wider regional conflagration. Washington and London have vowed to continue the airstrikes if necessary. Cypriot activists say they are deeply concerned the British bases may also be used by the US and UK to send military aid to Israel, a claim neither country has confirmed.At Sunday’s protest, demonstrators chanted “out with the bases of death” outside the entrance of RAF Akrotiri, close to the coastal city of Limassol in the island’s south.Within weeks of the Hamas attack, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported that “more than 40 US transport aircraft, 20 British transport aircraft and seven heavy transport helicopters [had] arrived at the British Akrotiri base on the island. They carried equipment, arms and forces.”    

South Korea crowd crush: Seoul police chief charged over Halloween disaster in which 158 died

Seoul’s chief of police has been charged with professional negligence over the deadly Halloween crush in 2022 that killed nearly 160 people, prosecutors in the South Korean capital have said.Kim Kwang-ho, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA), was charged with professional negligence resulting in injury or death, Seoul’s western district prosecutors’ office said in a statement released on Friday.As the chief of the SMPA, it is alleged he “did not take necessary measures, such as deploying sufficient police forces and ensuring proper command and supervision” on the day of the crush, the statement claimed, although he was able to “foresee potential dangers arising” from overcrowding in the nightlife area.Kim, the highest-ranking police official to face trial over the tragedy, was charged without detention.On 29 October 2022, tens of thousands of people – mostly in their 20s and 30s – had been out to enjoy post-pandemic holiday celebrations in Seoul’s Itaewon nightlife district. But the night turned deadly when people poured into a narrow, sloping alleyway between bars and clubs, leading to a crowd crush.In January last year, Kim and 22 other officials from the police, rescue and district offices were referred to prosecutors by a special police investigation team for their alleged involvement in the government’s mishandling of the crush. Prosecutors subsequently charged the heads of the police station in Seoul’s Yongsan district, which includes Itaewon, and the Yongsan Ward office, but had been undecided about charging Kim for more than a year.Friday’s statement alleged Kim, “along with the chief of the Yongsan police station and the head of the Yongsan Ward office who are currently on trial, collectively caused the deaths of 158 individuals and injuries to 312 individuals as a result of professional negligence”.Families of the victims said they regretted the prosecution’s lengthy decision-making process before charging Kim.“Chief Kim must immediately step down from his position and face trial,” the families said in a statement. “President Yoon Suk-yeol must dismiss Kim immediately.”Here in the UK, the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, had promised us a government of stability and competence – not forgetting professionalism, integrity and accountability – after the rollercoaster ride of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Remember Liz? These days she seems like a long forgotten comedy act. Instead, Sunak took us even further through the looking-glass into the Conservative psychodrama. Elsewhere, the picture has been no better. In the US, Donald Trump is now many people’s favourite to become president again. In Ukraine, the war has dragged on with no end in sight. The danger of the rest of the world getting battle fatigue and losing interest all too apparent. Then there is the war in the Middle East and not forgetting the climate crisis …But a new year brings new hope. There are elections in many countries, including the UK and the US. We have to believe in change. That something better is possible. The Guardian will continue to cover events from all over the world and our reporting now feels especially important. But running a news gathering organisation doesn’t come cheap.  

Three AAP Leaders Submit Nominations for the Rajya Sabha Elections on January 19

Delhi, New: Officials said that former Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, Aam Aadmi Party candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections on January 19 and N D Gupta and Sanjay Singh filed their nominations here on Monday. On January 27, Sanjay Singh, Sushil Kumar Gupta, and N D Gupta's six-year terms come to an end. The party has put forward Ms. Maliwal's name to succeed Sushil Gupta. The AAP has put ND Gupta and party leader Sanjay Singh in jail up for second terms.On January 19, if an election is required to fill the three positions, it will take place. Nominations must be submitted by January 9 in order to be considered; nominations will be reviewed on January 10. January 12 is the deadline for withdrawing a candidacy. On Friday, Ms. Maliwal tendered her resignation as the DCW chairperson following her nomination by the AAP for the Rajya Sabha.  

Media companies rise sharply as election advertisement spending soars.

Expectations of increasing ad sales during the next election season, together with other stock-specific factors like lowering newsprint prices, have propelled media companies to an incredible five-day run.The Bennett, Coleman and Co. subsidiary Entertainment Network India Ltd (ENIL), which runs Radio Mirchi, has increased by 17% during the last five trading days. Rival print media company HT Media Ltd, which publishes Mint and Hindustan Times, saw a 2.65% increase over that time.DB Corp., the publisher of Dainik Bhaskar, and Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. and Sun TV, the television network operators, spearheaded the first boom. However, investors are now banking on print and radio companies as well. Over the last half-year, Network 18 and TV18 Broadcast Ltd have had gains of 87% and 53%, respectively, while DB Corp has experienced a 63% increase and Sun TV has seen a 35% increase.Moneycontrol spoke with analysts who linked the recent jump to anticipation of increasing ad revenues in the run-up to the elections, but stock-specific factors also played a part.Among the largest gainers from political party expenditure in the run-up to elections have been media corporations. Television, print, and radio media companies are expected to benefit from the upcoming advertising frenzy by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its competing political parties over the next six months.According to Karan Taurani, Senior Vice President at Elara Capital, "there is an expectation that advertisement spending will see a strong momentum over the next six to eight months due to the elections." He also added that the rally in media stocks is a result of the general elections' positive impact on radio, television, and print advertising.According to Ashish Goel, Managing Partner and CEO of InvestSavy PMS, political parties are expected to provide media firms with significant revenue growth.Indeed, the rise in advertising revenue in the last quarters of the fiscal years 2014 and 2019 (which happened to be years when there were parliamentary elections) was essentially the same as in years when there were no elections. According to a Moneycontrol research, in the fourth quarter of 2013–14, advertising sales climbed for Jagran Prakashan, HT Media, and DB Corp, respectively, by 12.7 percent, 14%, and 14.3 percent over the same period the previous year. These increases were consistent with the growth observed in non-election years.