Severe heatwaves forecasted in Andhra Pradesh by IMD
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a heatwave in 56 mandals and heatwave-like conditions in 174 mandals in Andhra Pradesh on April 26 (Friday).
Severe heatwaves forecasted in Andhra Pradesh by IMD
Temperatures have been above 40 degrees Celsius across the state, with 547 places reporting such temperatures, including 78 places above 43 degrees Celsius.
The APSDMA’s daily bulletin noted 72 mandals experiencing severe heatwaves, with the highest numbers in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts. East Godavari and Kakinada districts reported milder heatwave conditions.
YS Sowbhagya, the widow of former MP Vivekananda Reddy, criticized Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for absolving YS Avinash Reddy, Vivekananda’s nephew, in Vivekananda’s murder case. Vivekananda Reddy, brother of former CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy, was killed in 2019 during the Lok Sabha polls’ run-up.
In an open letter to Jagan Mohan Reddy, YS Sowbhagya accused him of ignoring her quest for justice and shielding the murder’s culprits. She questioned Jagan Mohan Reddy’s actions, especially regarding his sisters, who advocate for justice.
YS Sowbhagya urged the Chief Minister to uphold justice and righteousness, highlighting that Avinash Reddy’s nomination fuels her concerns for justice. She reminded Jagan Mohan Reddy of his responsibility as CM to govern impartially.
Jagan Mohan Reddy, during a public meeting, defended Avinash Reddy and dismissed suspicions around him, stating that Avinash had done no wrong. He accused political opponents of conspiring against Avinash and involving his sisters, YS Sharmila and Suneetha Narreddy, in a malicious agenda.
The Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh are slated for May 13, with results expected on June 4. The state has 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 assembly constituencies.
In Andhra Pradesh, which has 25 parliamentary constituencies, local political parties hold more sway compared to national parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. The state is gearing up for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections on May 13, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Andhra Pradesh
BJP, aiming for a significant win, has joined forces with N Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP). This alliance, part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is set against the Congress-led India bloc, including the Left Front, and the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
In the 2019 elections, YSRCP secured 22 seats with a 49.89% vote share, while TDP won three seats with 40.19% votes. Both the BJP and Congress couldn’t win any seats.
Under the NDA seat-sharing agreement, the TDP is contesting 17 seats, the BJP six, and the JSP two.
Polling in Andhra Pradesh will happen on May 13 in a single phase. The state has 25 parliamentary seats, with four reserved for SC candidates and one for ST candidates.
The NDA allies are strategizing for a strong comeback, with candidates announced for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Acharya Nagarjuna University has extended the registration deadline for the Andhra Pradesh Law Common Entrance Test (AP LAWCET) 2024. Candidates can now apply without a late fee until May 4, while the final registration deadline with a late fee is May 29.
The correction facility for AP LAWCET 2024 application forms will be open from May 30 to June 1. The admit card for AP LAWCET 2024 will be released on June 3. The exam is scheduled for June 9 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m..
Applicants can apply with a late fee of Rs. 500 by May 11, Rs. 1,000 by May 18, Rs. 2,000 by May 25, and Rs. 3,000 by May 29.
For further updates, candidates should check the official website regularly.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
The nomination phase for the Lok Sabha elections in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh ended with a last-minute rush of candidates filing their papers before the returning officers on April 25 (Thursday).
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
The Election Commission officials reported a total of 731 nominations filed for the 25 parliamentary seats in Andhra Pradesh and 547 nominations for the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana. Meanwhile, a significant number of 4,210 candidates submitted their nominations for the 175 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh.
The scrutiny of these nominations is scheduled for Friday, with the deadline for withdrawal set for April 29. Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will see elections for their respective Lok Sabha seats on May 13, alongside simultaneous elections for 175 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh.
Notable candidates who filed their nominations in Andhra Pradesh include YSR Congress party president and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, former Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy from the BJP, Paritala Sunitha from the TDP, and VV Laxminarayana, a former joint director of the CBI.
In Telangana, candidates such as R Raghurami Reddy from Congress, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Bandi Sanjay from the BJP, M Raghunandan Rao, and P Bharat Prasad also submitted their nominations for various constituencies.
Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections 2024: Congress Campaigners in the State
Congress Party informed the Election Commission about 40 star campaigners for the Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections on May 13.
Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections 2024: Congress Campaigners in the State
The list includes Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other prominent leaders.
Congress General Secretary Mukul Wasnik submitted the names, which also feature AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy, and others.
The party is striving to regain influence in Andhra Pradesh after the combined state’s division in 2014.
Rare Venomous Jellyfish found on Visakhapatnam Coast
A rare occurrence took place recently when marine researchers discovered a bloom of venomous jellyfish along the Visakhapatnam coast. These jellyfish, known as Pelagia noctiluca or mauve stingers, are rarely seen on the east coast of India. They were found in large numbers at RK Beach and other areas popular with tourists.
Rare Venomous Jellyfish found on Visakhapatnam Coast
The Pelagia noctiluca species has a bell diameter of three to five centimeters and is known for its painful sting, which can cause various illnesses and even be life-threatening. Marine researchers Sri Chakra Pranav, Deepu Visweswar, and Aditya Madhav were surprised to encounter these purple-colored jellyfish during a routine data collection exercise.
These jellyfish are both beautiful and dangerous, with venom that can lead to symptoms like extreme pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in severe cases, anaphylactic shock. The scars from their stings can last for years.
Unlike other jellyfish, Pelagia noctiluca has stingers not only on its tentacles but also on its bell, and they can produce light in the dark.
The appearance of these jellyfish has concerned marine biologists, who are urging the district administration to cordon off affected beach areas and issue advisories to avoid entering the water until the jellyfish disappear.
Jellyfish blooms are caused by rapid population growth, often due to rising ocean temperatures, and have previously caused damage to fishing industries and affected tourism in various places.
Congress announced candidates for elections in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Congress Party announced candidates for Telangana’s Lok Sabha seats, including the Hyderabad constituency. Mohd. Sameer Waliullah will contest against AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi in Hyderabad, with BJP’s Madhavi Latha also in the race.
Congress announced candidates for elections in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy and Velichala Rajender Rao were named for Khammam and Karimnagar seats, respectively.
In Andhra Pradesh, KBR Naidu, SK Basheed, and M Jagapathi will run for Lok Sabha seats. G Tirupathi, G Anji Babu, C Chandra Paul, Shaik Jelani Basha, M Khasim Vali, and PS Murli Krishnaraju are assembly seat candidates. Congress made changes in candidates for several assembly constituencies.
The party, in alliance with CPI and CPI(M), is contesting both Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.
WhatsApp recently informed the Delhi High Court that it would cease operations in India if compelled to compromise its end-to-end encryption. The platform, owned by Meta, argued that breaking encryption violates users’ privacy rights under India’s Constitution.
Tejas Karia, representing WhatsApp, highlighted WhatsApp’s commitment to user security, with around 400 million active users in India. The app’s popularity hinges on its secure features, including end-to-end encryption for chats, calls, and videos, as well as the UPI payment feature.
The Indian government, citing the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, has requested access to encrypted messages for tracing purposes. However, WhatsApp contends that breaking encryption undermines user privacy and has resisted similar demands in other countries.
Meta’s platform is challenging the IT rules, asserting that maintaining encryption is crucial for user trust and security. The company hopes to avoid compromising its encryption policies, which have been fundamental to WhatsApp’s popularity and success.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to the Congress President’s statement, saying that if Mallikarjun Kharge wants to join the BJP, he is always welcome to do so.
Himanta Biswa Sarma questioned the need for PM Modi to read Congress’s manifesto before discussing it, given his proficiency in English. He further stated that if Kharge intends to join the BJP, he should do it directly without the need for a meeting with the PM.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared Kharge’s letter criticizing PM Modi’s recent speeches attacking Congress.
Kharge defended Congress’s manifesto, highlighting its focus on the welfare of all sections of society, particularly the poor and marginalized.
