Morning Digest: Million people to be moved out of Cyclone Dana’s path in Odisha; Turkiye strikes Kurdish militant targets after attack in Ankara, and more

The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on October 24, 2024

Turkiye’s air force struck Kurdish militant targets in Iraq and Syria on Wednesday in an apparent retaliation for an attack at a key state-run defence company that killed five people and wounded more than 20 others. The defence ministry said more than 30 targets were “destroyed” in the aerial offensive, without providing details on the locations that were hit. It said “all kinds of precautions” were taken to prevent harm to civilians.

Odisha government has sped up process of evacuating 10 lakh people to safer place as the severe cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall between Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts of Odisha during October 24-25. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi reviewed cyclone preparedness in the evening and directed senior officers to ensure safety of vulnerable people and no loss of life in the disaster.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Delhi after his two-day visit to Russia, during which he participated in the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan. He also met several world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

One of the two attackers, who opened fire at 12 civilians and left seven dead in Ganderbal’s Gagangeer area on October 20, has been captured on camera. Meanwhile, J&K Lieutenant-Governor directed the J&K Police to beef up security of infrastructure projects.

Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance on Wednesday released its first list of 65 candidates for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, while addressing media persons, spoke of consensus on 270 seats. “All three parties have agreed on an 85-85-85 formula (85 seats each), with a few seats reserved for smaller parties. We have consensus on 270 seats. The discussions on the remaining seats with our alliance partners will start tomorrow,” Mr. Raut said.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told Air Force crews on Wednesday that after striking in Iran, the world will understand Israel’s might and its enemies will learn a lesson, according to a video and an X post published by his office. Israel has been planning a response to a ballistic-missile barrage carried out by Iran on October 1, Tehran’s second direct attack on Israel in six months.

Days after YouTuber and food vlogger Irfan posted a video wherein he was seen cutting the umbilical cord of his newborn inside an operation theatre, the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) has withdrawn the Clinical Establishment Act registration of the Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Sholinganallur, for all patient care activities for 10 days except for pregnant women who are on continuous treatment at the hospital, with effect from October 24, 2024.