ABP Live News Shots: This week, the Gujarat government's move to lift the ban on liquor in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), exempting it from the statewide prohibition, was a major talking point even as the Congress opposed the decision. Meanwhile, in sports, the Punjab Kings issued a clarification after they appeared to have purchased the wrong player at the IPL auction. On the other hand, forensic scientists have located missing World War II pilot Gilbert Haldeen Myers after eight decades through DNA analysis, which would bring closure to the families of those missing or killed in action. Meanwhile, Sameer Wankhede, the ex-NCB officer who was investigating the drugs case involving the Aryan Khan case, responded to Shah Rukh Khan's dialogue, “Bete ko hath lagane se pehle baap se baat kar (Speak to the father before putting your hand on the son),” and described it as "rather roadside" in an interview.


Read the news that forces you to ponder, in case you missed it.


Gujarat Govt Lifts Liquor Ban In GIFT City, Permits Wine-And-Dine Services. Congress Slams Move


The Gujarat government lifted the ban on liquor in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) and exempted it from the statewide prohibition on Friday. Gujarat has maintained a ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages since its formation. The decision to exempt GIFT City from the prohibition is aimed at fostering a global business environment.


The decision, however, faced opposition from the Congress party. "In Gandhinagar's GIFT City, the alcohol ban is being lifted, and it's been decided to remove the prohibition. Now people will consume it, and it will impact Gujarat in a negative way. No idea what kind of profit the Gujarat government is seeing in this," Rajya Sabha MP and Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil said, as per PTI. 


Volcano Erupts In Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula After Weeks Of Earthquake Activity


A volcano erupted in southwest Iceland on Monday night after weeks of intense earthquake activity, posing a threat to a nearby town, as reported by Iceland's Meteorological Office. The fissure in the earth's surface, spanning approximately 3.5 km, expanded rapidly, a Reuters report said. The authorities evacuated Grindavik, a fishing town housing nearly 4,000 residents, and shut down the neighbouring Blue Lagoon geothermal spa last month in anticipation of a substantial eruption in the Reykjanes peninsula.


PBKS Issue Clarification After Reports Suggest They Bought 'Wrong Player' Shashank Singh At IPL Auction 2024


In a moment that caught the eye of several fans and media outlets, Punjab Kings co-owners seemed displeased with something moments after they won the bid for the uncapped India player Shashank Singh. While it did appear that they did not actually want to purchase the player and the hammer had come down before they could withdraw, a recent post on their official social media handle clarified the entire scenario. 


The post on the official handle of the franchise also welcomed Shashank to the team. "Punjab Kings would like to clarify that Shashank Singh was always on our target list. The confusion was due to 2 players of the same name being on the list. We are delighted to have him onboard and see him contribute to our success," their post read on X (formerly Twitter). Later, PBKS CEO Satish Menon also issued a statement.


Missing World War II Pilot Located After 8 Decades By Forensic Scientists


A missing World War II pilot Gilbert Haldeen Myers was located by forensic scientists after eight decades through DNA analysis. Myers, a 27-year-old US Army Air Forces (USAAF) 2nd Lieutenant, was a part of a crew of six on board a USA B-25 Mitchell bomber that left Tunisia in North Africa in the summer of July 1943, to attack the Sciacca Aerodrome in Sicily, Italy. Myers, who was from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a co-pilot on the bomber, according to Cranfield University. 


Sameer Wankhede On Shah Rukh Khan's Viral Dialogue 'Bete Ko Haath Lagane Se Pehle': 'Very Roadside'


Shah Rukh Khan's dialogue “Bete ko hath lagane se pehle baap se baat kar (Speak to the father before putting your hand on the son)” went viral when the ‘Jawan’ trailer came out. The audience assumed it was a subtle nod to the Aryan Khan case. The investigating officer in Aryan's case, Sameer Wankhede, has now responded to the dialogue. SRK’s dialogue was described by Sameer as "rather roadside" in his interview with MensXP. Aryan is acquitted of all charges after facing accusations of carrying drugs.


People thought that SRK was trying to subtly reply to all the stories and suspicions surrounding his son Aryan Khan's issue when the ‘Jawan’ exchange became viral.