10 hurt in NY mass shooting
New York, Jan 2: A group of men fired at least 30 gunshots into a crowd gathered outside a nightclub in New York’s Queens on New Year’s Day, injuring 10 people, mainly teenagers. The shooting happened on the same a terror attack was carried out in New Orleans that killed 15 people. Police officers received multiple 911 calls around 11:18 pm on Wednesday for “several people” shot outside the Amazura nightclub in Jamaica, Queens. Police said three to four males were walking toward the venue and opened fire over 30 times in the direction of a group standing in line outside the event, striking multiple vehicles. Six females and four males, ranging in age from 16 to 20, were struck by bullets, NYPD officials said at a press conference on Thursday. Police are searching for a light coloured sedan in connection with the shooting. None of the victims are in critical condition and all are expected to survive, according to the NYPD. (PTI)
4.8-magnitude quake hits Nepal
Kathmandu, Jan 2: An earthquake measuring 4.8 magnitude was recorded in northern Nepal on Thursday with tremors felt by people in the capital city Kathmandu and neighbouring districts. The quake was recorded at 1.02 pm with its epicentre located at Sindhupalchowk district, 70 km north of Kathmandu, according to the National Seismological Research Centre (NSRC). People in Kathmandu and neighbouring districts felt the tremors, however, there were no immediate reports of any damage caused by the quake. This was the ninth tremor above magnitude 3 recorded in Nepal, eight of which occurred in Western Nepal within the past 20 days, the NSRC records show. Western Nepal has witnessed an increasing risk of greater earthquakes these days, experts said. (PTI)
Australia reports second-hottest yr on record in 2024
Sydney, Jan 2: Australia experienced its second-hottest year on record in 2024, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has reported. According to data released by the BoM on Thursday, the national mean temperature in 2024 was 1.46 above the 1961-1990 baseline average. It makes 2024 the second-hottest year in Australia since records began in 1910 behind only 2019, when the national mean temperature was 1.51 degrees Celsius above the baseline average. The national mean temperature is calculated by the BoM by averaging all minimum and maximum temperatures recorded across Australia. (IANS)
Indian grant to develop Lanka’s north boatyard
Colombo, Jan 2: India will provide Sri Lankan Rupees 290 million to develop the Karainagar Boatyard in the Northern Province of the island nation, the Indian High Commission said here on Thursday. The project envisages rehabilitation of Karainagar Boatyard of the Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd, incorporated under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and operating under the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources. (PTI)