Category: News

A 16-year study on Olive Ridley turtles found that the turtles in the Indian Ocean are among the oldest in the world. The research, titled “Monitoring Sea Turtles in India 2008-2024,” was done by the Wildlife Institute of India and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology. It was published by the Indian Institute of Science and DakShin Foundation in Bengaluru.

Olive Ridley turtles are the smallest sea turtles, and they lay their eggs on the beaches of Rushikulya and Gahirmatha in Odisha. Last month, over 1.3 million Olive Ridley turtles came to the Rushikulya beach to lay eggs, breaking the previous record of 1.15 million.

The scientists involved in the research looked at the genetics of sea turtles along India’s coast and its nearby islands. They discovered that the turtles in the Indian Ocean, especially along the eastern coast of India, are the most ancient Olive Ridley populations. In contrast, populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans likely moved there only hundreds of thousands of years ago.

Before this study, many believed that when the Isthmus of Panama formed 3 million years ago, it divided Olive Ridley turtles into two groups: one in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific. But this new research shows that the oldest turtles are actually in the Indian Ocean. It implies that these turtles survived a global climate change event 3-4 million years ago before populations eventually moved back to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The study also mentioned that as the Earth’s temperature rises, sea turtle populations could become more female-dominated. Researchers have been monitoring the temperatures of nests and the sex of hatchlings at Rushikulya, which is the largest nesting ground in India. They found that about 71% of the hatchlings are female.

However, researchers are still trying to understand why mass nesting (called arribada) doesn’t happen every year. They need more data over 15-20 years to see if there is a pattern. The reasons behind the triggering of these mass nesting events are still a mystery.

The Telangana High Court has decided that the harshest punishment is needed for serious acts of terror. This was clear when they upheld the death penalty for five men connected to the 2013 Dilsukhnagar bombings in Hyderabad. These bomb blasts tragically killed 18 people and injured 131 more at a busy shopping area.

The court described the attackers’ actions as “calculated savagery” and said they did it to create fear in society. In a lengthy 357-page ruling, the judges stated that such terrible acts deserve the toughest punishment under the law. This is because terror attacks threat the safety of everyone.

The court’s judges, K Lakshman and P Sree Sudha, emphasized the need for strong justice when innocent people are harmed. They labeled the bombings as “acts of war” against the country. The judges noted that the crime was not just about harming people, but it was also a serious challenge to the nation’s safety.

The five men—Asadullah, Tabrez, Zia, Mohd Tahseen, and Ajaz—were found guilty of planning these terrible attacks, which involved advanced explosives and were done in a very organized way. The court said these crimes, committed on February 21, 2013, were shocking and showed extreme bad intentions.

Although the court looked at reasons like mental health reports and chances for rehabilitation, they decided that this case met all the criteria to impose the death penalty according to Supreme Court guidelines. The judges stressed that when a crime is so shocking, society demands the strongest punishment. This isn’t just about getting back at the criminals, but about showing that justice is important.

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chosen two senior police officers from Jharkhand, Ashish Batra and Jaya Roy, to help bring back Tahawwur Hussain Rana. Rana is a key suspect in the Mumbai attacks of 2008 and is currently in the United States.

Ashish Batra is a senior officer who has been with the NIA since 2019. He is very experienced, having held important positions in Jharkhand, including leading an anti-insurgency unit called Jharkhand Jaguar. He’s known for his hard work and determination. For example, if he captures 4 out of 10 criminals, he won’t celebrate. Instead, he’ll focus on catching the remaining 6.

Jaya Roy, who joined the police force in 2011, is currently a deputy inspector general in the NIA. Before joining the police, she worked as a doctor at AIIMS. She’s recognized for her skills in handling cybercrime, especially in Jamtara, where she made a big difference despite challenging circumstances.

Both officers are committed to catching criminals and improving safety in India.

Wrestler and politician Vinesh Phogat has accepted a cash prize of ₹4 crore from the Haryana government. This is the same amount given to Olympic silver medalists. Vinesh, who is 30 years old, was disqualified from the 2024 Paris Olympics for being overweight right before a big match. After this disappointment, she announced her retirement from wrestling.

Vinesh is a three-time Olympian and has been a strong voice against the former leader of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Singh. Last year, after leaving wrestling, she won a seat in the Haryana assembly elections as a member of the Congress party.

Recently, Haryana’s chief minister, Nayab Singh Saini, said that Vinesh would receive benefits like those of Olympic medalists. Vinesh chose the cash prize of ₹4 crore instead of other options, such as a job and a plot of land. She informed the state sports department about her choice.

In March, Vinesh reminded the chief minister about his promise to honor her after her Olympic disqualification. She mentioned that it wasn’t just about the money, but about receiving respect for her achievements in sports. The chief minister called her “Haryana’s pride” and promised to ensure she gets the respect she deserves.