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[00:00:09] Hello, this is your daily dose of news from Onmanorama. I am your host Deepa Soman and these are the major news stories of Monday, Feb 17, 2025. Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna criticized the flood of fresh petitions on the Places of Worship Act 1991. The law prevents lawsuits to reclaim or alter religious sites. During today's hearing, he stated, enough is enough, there has to be an end to this.
[00:00:37] The Supreme Court ruled out hearing any new petitions on the matter. However, it allowed intervention petitions with additional grounds. It refused to issue notices on recent filings. The court's tough stance comes as it reviews the Act's validity. The case is crucial amid legal efforts to reclaim demolished Hindu temples. A video showing the absence of the Indian flag at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the ICC's Champions Trophy has gone viral on social media.
[00:01:06] During an event on Sunday, fans noticed that while the flags of all seven other participating cricket teams were hoisted, India's tricolor was missing. The incident comes as Pakistan prepares to host the eight-team ICC tournament, which begins on Wednesday. Defending champions Pakistan won the last edition in 2017.
[00:01:27] A US military aircraft carrying 112 Indian deputies landed at Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar late Sunday night. This marks the third such flight under the Donald Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. The plane touched down at 10.03 p.m. Among the deputies, 44 are from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, 31 from Punjab, two from Uttar Pradesh and one each from Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
[00:01:57] The group includes 19 women and 14 minors with two infants, according to sources. This arrival comes within 24 hours of another US military aircraft bringing the second batch of deputies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that US President Donald Trump's plan for the Palestinians in Gaza is turning into a reality.
[00:02:20] Speaking in Jerusalem on Sunday after meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Netanyahu confirmed that Israel and US are working closely to implement Trump's vision for Gaza. However, he declined to share further details, saying, including when the gates of hell will open if Israeli captives in Gaza are not released. Netanyahu also said both nations agreed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
[00:02:46] He added that Israel will work to prevent any threat from Syria. The Kerala High Court has expressed its reluctance to grant anticipatory bail to former MLAPC George, who has been booked for allegedly making hate speech against a Muslim community during a television debate. Justice PV Kunyakrishnan observed that George has repeatedly violated the conditions set by both the Magistrate Court and the High Court.
[00:03:12] The High Court had earlier granted him bail on the condition that he refrained from making provocative statements. The judge questioned the credibility of granting bail again, given George's repeated defiance of previous orders. When the High Court is making orders, you are violating them and coming again. What is the guarantee that you will not repeat it tomorrow? Justice Kunyakrishnan remarked. Judge has been booked under Section 196.1A of the Bharati Nyaish Sanhida, or BNS, for promoting enmity between different religious groups.
[00:03:42] Section 299 of the BNS for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious sentiments. And Section 120.0 of the Kerala Police Act for causing nuisance and violating public order. That brings us to the end of this episode. Thanks for listening to Daily News Doze, hosted by me, Deepa Soman, and produced by Kannan V. Follow on Manorama.com for detailed updates on the latest news and be sure to come back tomorrow.