Death toll mounts to 75 in Brazil floods, over 100 missing

by Utkalika Mohanty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

The death toll has risen to 75 in Brazil floods, as the calamity continues to wreak havoc in the country's southern Rio Grande do Sul state, Al Jazeera reported.

Brasilia, May 6: The death toll has risen to 75 in Brazil floods, as the calamity continues to wreak havoc in the country's southern Rio Grande do Sul state, Al Jazeera reported.

Another 103 people are reportedly missing, the local authorities have said.

More than 88,000 people were displaced from their homes as a result of the rains, according to state civil defence authorities on Sunday. Approximately 16,000 people sought refuge in schools, gyms, and other temporary shelters.

Meanwhile, state Governor Eduardo Leite said on Sunday morning, "I repeat and insist: the devastation to which we are being subjected is unprecedented."

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also visited Rio Grande do Sul for a second time on Sunday, accompanied by Defence Minister Jose Mucio, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad and Environment Minister Marina Silva, among others, according to Al Jazeera.

The leader and his team surveyed the flooded streets of the state capital, Porto Alegre, from a helicopter.

Rescue operations are underway as emergency responders race against time to locate survivors trapped amidst the debris of collapsed homes, bridges, and roads.

The surge in water levels in the state of Rio Grande do Sul is straining dams and threatening the metropolis of Porto Alegre, the country's civil defence agency said, according to Al Jazeera.

Governor Eduardo Leite declared a state of emergency as the region grapples with the aftermath of the catastrophic weather event.

"We are dealing with the worst disaster in [our] history," Governor Leite lamented, acknowledging the grim reality that the death toll is expected to rise further as rescue efforts continue.

Forecasters have issued warnings of further peril, as the state's main Guaiba river is anticipated to reach alarming levels, exacerbating the existing crisis. Entire communities have been cut off, with infrastructure severely compromised by the relentless downpour.

The dire situation has prompted authorities to urge residents to evacuate from high-risk areas near rivers and hillsides susceptible to mudslides. Access to basic amenities such as drinking water has been disrupted, leaving hundreds of thousands without essential services.

(ANI)

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Market Outlook: PMI Data, Q4 Results Key Triggers For Next Week

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, May 19: Indian equity benchmarks logged positive returns last week. Sensex and Nifty closed the week with gains of 1.85 per cent and 2.03 per cent respectively.

In the last week, broader markets were in an uptrend. Nifty Midcap hit an all-time high at 11,347 and posted the biggest weekly gain in 8 months and Nifty's small-cap closed the week at 17,009 level. Nifty Realty and Nifty Metal hit a record high this week gaining 7 per cent each.

The outlook for the market will be guided by the major domestic and global economic data such as India PMI manufacturing data, India Service Data, UK CPI Inflation Data, US Initial Jobless Claims, S&P Global Services data, and S&P Global Manufacturing PMI and Q4 corporate results.

Also, US Fed Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to deliver a speech on Monday (May 20), which is expected to further influence market sentiments.

As per market experts, "The release of PMI data for May from both the US and India next week will be closely monitored for further market insights. Amidst ongoing uncertainties surrounding election results and quarterly earnings, we anticipate continued volatility in the near term."

Pravesh Gour, Senior Technical Analyst at Swastika Investmart Ltd, said, "Nifty closed above its crucial 20-day moving average (DMA) at 22,300, hinting at a potential bullish trend. This positive momentum could push the index towards 22,525 and even 22,750 levels."

"On the downside, 22,300 will act as the immediate support level, followed by a 100-DMA of 22050. It's important to note that the market may experience volatility in both directions" he added.(IANS)

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SC To Hear PIL Against Three New Criminal Laws Tomorrow

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, May 19: The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday a public interest litigation (PIL) against the three criminal laws replacing the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act.

As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a vacation bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal will hear the matter on May 20.

The plea said that Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita suffer from “many defects and discrepancies”.

“All three criminal laws were passed and enacted without any parliamentary debate as unfortunately most of the members were under suspension during the period,” said the plea filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari.

Further, the petitioner-in-person claimed that the title of the three laws is not accurate as per the Interpretation of Statutes and does not speak about the statute and its motive but is ambiguous in nature.

In a recent judgment, the top court urged the legislature to consider making necessary changes in the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 providing punishment to the husband and his family for inflicting any cruelty on a married woman.

It said that Sections 85 and 86 of the new penal code, which is to come into force with effect from July 1, are nothing but verbatim reproduction of Section 498A of the IPC, 1860 and the issue requires a relook by the legislature taking into consideration the pragmatic realities.(IANS)

Death toll mounts to 75 in Brazil floods, over 100 missing

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