5 stories you must read today, November 26: From Hong Kong building fire to Cyclone Senyar crossing Indonesia and more

At least four people have been killed after a massive fire broke out in a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday. According to reports, the fire swept through the bamboo scaffoldings of one of the buildings, trapping residents inside. Fire Services officials said efforts to rescue the trapped residents and contain the blaze were underway. An investigation into the cause of the blaze is also underway. Read more

Cyclone Senyar developed near the Strait of Malacca and adjoining northeast Indonesia, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday. According to the IMD, Cyclone Senyar is expected to maintain its intensity for the next 24 hours. It is very likely to continue to move west-southwestwards and maintain the intensity of a cyclonic storm till 27th early morning. Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve eastwards with gradual weakening during the subsequent 24 hours. Read more

Chaotic scenes unfolded at the VIT Bhopal University on Tuesday night after thousands of students protested over a widespread jaundice outbreak on campus, alleging poor hygiene and contaminated water as the cause. According to the police, around two dozen students fell ill with jaundice symptoms in recent weeks. On Tuesday night, the anger over the apathy took a violent turn as students allegedly set multiple vehicles ablaze and caused significant damage to university property, including the chancellor’s bungalow. Police have stated they are investigating the cause of illness, assaults, and property damage, with further action pending the inquiry. Read more

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has sought an action-taken report from the Kolkata Police over “serious security breach” during a protest by booth-level officers (BLOs) on Monday at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office. In a letter to Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma, the ECI expressed serious concern regarding the incident and instructed the police to implement all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the officers and staff assigned to the office of CEO Manoj Agarwal, including their safety at home and during their commutes. The ECI letter followed the demonstration led by the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee outside the CEO’s office citing excessive work pressure during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Read more

A US diplomat who was previously posted in India has alleged that “industrialised fraud” is taking place in the H-1B visa programme and that most of the working visas issued to Indians were allegedly obtained through “fraudulent” means. Mahvash Siddiqui, an Indian-origing American foreign service officer who served at the Chennai consulate from 2005 to 2007 as a consular officer, made the allegations in a podcast. According to Siddiqui, 80-90% of H-1B visas issued to Indian nationals are obtained through forgery, using fake degrees and other forged documents. Read more