Top news of the day: Suspected mpox case under probe, Centre says no cause for alarm; TMC’s Jawhar Sircar resigns over Kolkata doctor rape and murder protest, and more

Suspected mpox case under probe, Centre says no cause for alarm; TMC’s Jawhar Sircar resigns over Kolkata doctor rape and murder protest, and more in The Hindu’s top news of September 08, 2024.

A man who recently travelled from a country experiencing mpox transmission has been identified as a suspected case of the disease, the Union Health Ministry said on September 8. The patient has been isolated at a designated hospital and is currently stable, it said, adding that there is no cause for concern. Samples have been collected from the man and are being tested to confirm the presence of mpox.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar on September 8 wrote to Trinamool Congress chairperson and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announcing his decision to resign as MP from the Upper House over the rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital and related corruption at the hospital. The development marks the first major resignation from the Trinamool Congress which has been facing the heat of protest for almost a month after the horrific crime at the State-run hospital.

Two Mauritius-based foreign portfolio investors, who were mentioned in the 2023 report on the Adani Group by short-seller Hindenburg Research, have petitioned the Securities Appellate Tribunal, seeking urgent relief from complying with SEBI’s new foreign investor norms before the upcoming September 9 deadline. The Congress on September 8 said the SEBI investigation into “the Adani Group’s brazen attempt” to bypass regulations is still languishing and the capital markets regulator has a lot to explain.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is travelling to Russia this week against the backdrop of calls for India’s possible role in finding a solution to the Ukraine conflict following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to Moscow and Kyiv. Mr. Doval is visiting Russia primarily to attend a conclave of National Security Advisors of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) grouping that is taking place amid a renewed push for peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on September 8 arrived in the U.S. on a three-day visit during which he will hold “meaningful discussions and insightful conversations” to further strengthen the bond between India and America. The Congress MP was welcomed at the airport by Sam Pitroda, chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, and members of the Indian diaspora. “I am truly delighted by the warm welcome I’ve received in Dallas, Texas, USA, from the Indian Diaspora and members of the Indian Overseas Congress,” Mr. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said in a Facebook post.

The December 13, 2023, Parliament security breach accused wanted to discredit India’s democracy, gain instant global fame, usurp power and achieve “richness and glory” by targeting the “very symbol of democracy”, according to the chargesheet filed in the court by Delhi Police. The accused first met on social media and planned their move for nearly two years before executing it in 2023 on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack. According to the chargesheet, a source said, their first in-person meeting was held in February, 2022 at Mysuru.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 8 said the restoration of Article 370 “won’t be allowed by the BJP” and pledged to work towards “re-integrating residents of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) into India”. Speaking at an election rally in the Jammu region’s Ramban area, Mr. Singh dared the regional parties to restore Article 370. “Our government decisively revoked Article 370. Many warned that it will set Jammu & Kashmir on fire. We went ahead and removed it. Not a single bullet was fired. No one has the courage to restore it. No power on earth can bring back Article 370 till the BJP is there,” Mr. Singh said.