FirstUp: Cyclone Michaung landfall, Malaysia's 1st T20... What to expect today

The most sensible day of the week is here. Given the stressful weekend and Monday, it is probably going to be a “normal” day. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar will be delivering keynote at India’s largest online gaming convention, there is first-ever Malaysia T20 beginning, and a few court hearings – will be taking place today. Certain regions of India are preparing for the severe effects of Cyclone Michaung. Here’s a look at what is expected today. Cyclone Michaung expected to make landfall The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal on Sunday intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ and is likely to cross the South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam during the forenoon of 5 December. It is expected to cross with a maximum sustained wind speed of 80-90 kilometre per hour gusting to 100 kmph, the IMD said in a bulletin. The system could result in heavy rains in most parts of southern Odisha and coastal regions of the state, it said. The name Michaung (pronounced as migjaum) was suggested by Myanmar and it means strength or resilience. [caption id=“attachment_13464892” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Police personnel attempt to remove an uprooted tree from a road after heavy rainfall owing to Cyclone Michaung, in Chennai. PTI[/caption] Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Delhi The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF) is all set to organise the first edition of the nation’s largest gaming conference, the Indian Gaming Convention (IGC) today at the Taj Palace in New Delhi. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Electronics and Information Technology will deliver the keynote address at the valedictory session. First-ever Malaysia T20 league The first-ever Malaysia T20 league featuring five teams will begin today in Kuala Lumpur and continue till 23 December. The homegrown talent of Malaysia is drafted into the five teams alongside some of the biggest names from the world of cricket. The Malaysian Cricket Association hopes that their inaugural T20 league will turn out to be a ‘’turning point’ for the sport in the associated country that is languishing at 25th spot in ICC rankings. PISA survey 2022 results to be out The results of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) will be published today. Since 2000, PISA has measured 15-year-old students’ scholastic performance on mathematics, science, and reading.  This time, Around 690,000 students in 81 countries took the most recent test, representing about 29 million 15-year-old students. Key court hearings… The Supreme Court will be hearing pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act inserted by way of an amendment in 1985 in furtherance of the Assam Accord. [caption id=“attachment_13346122” align=“alignnone” width=“646”] The apex court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday two petitions, including one alleging a delay on the Centre’s part in clearing the names recommended by the collegium for appointment and transfer of judges. PTI[/caption] The top court will also hear a plea pertaining to rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR. For those unversed, two weeks ago, the court had suggested that the farmers who engage in stubble burning be deprived of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) benefits as a part of the economic repercussions of their actions. The apex court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday two petitions, including one alleging a delay on the Centre’s part in clearing the names recommended by the collegium for appointment and transfer of judges. The Bombay High Court will hear Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s plea seeking to quash a defamation complaint over his remarks allegedly linked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with the 2017 murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh. The Gujarat High Court will be hearing the state government’s plea to withdraw amended provisions of the Disturbed Areas Act, which restricts sale or transfer of property in areas notified under it. Notably, the Act, amended in 2019, bans sale of property by members of one religious community to those from another community without the prior approval of the district collector in areas declared as “disturbed areas.” A day to remember… World Soil Day: In June 2013, the FAO Conference endorsed the Day and later approached the 68th UN General Assembly, requesting for its official adoption. Towards the end of 2013, the UN General Assembly designated December 5, 2014, as the first official World Soil Day. Walt Disney’s birthday: 5 December also marks 122nd birthday of Walt Disney, a man who proved any dream can become a reality. Indian gold-medallist shooter Anjali Bhagwat will also be celebrating her 54th birthday. December marks 10 years since the passing of Nelson Mandela, an icon of 20th- century struggles for justice and peace. He fought tireless against apartheid, risking his freedom to bring about a free and equal South Africa. James Christie, the enigmatic founder of Christie’s, held his first sale in 1776.