- An American Airlines regional jet reportedly collided midair with a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The plane, coming from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 64 people, according to a source familiar with the incident. The airport was closed on Wednesday night, January 29, following the collision.
- Hamas-led militants released eight hostages on Thursday as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the chaotic handover, where masked militants escorted the captives through a massive crowd, sparked strong protests from Israel.
- NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore conducted their first spacewalk together on Thursday, nearly eight months after arriving at the International Space Station. The duo performed maintenance work and wiped the station’s exterior to check for any microbes that may have survived the journey from Earth through vents.
- Dozens of Indonesians protested outside the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, hurling eggs in anger over the fatal shooting of an Indonesian migrant worker in neighbouring waters. The incident occurred on January 24 when Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) opened fire on a boat for alleged trespassing near Tanjung Rhu Beach in Selangor, killing a 50-year-old worker and injuring four others.
- The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Thursday that Italy violated the right to life of residents in a toxic waste-polluted area near Naples. The court ordered the government to implement a strategy to address and monitor the contamination and its health risks.
- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced on Friday that he is willing to remove a US missile system from the country if China ceases what he described as its “aggressive and coercive behaviour” in the disputed South China Sea.
Sports news for school assembly
- Former World Cup winner Narmada Nithin Raju triumphed in the women’s 10m air rifle event at the 38th National Games on Thursday. She defeated a strong field, including Asian Games medalist Ramita Jindal and Olympian Elavenil Valarivan, setting a new national record. Narmada came close to matching the world record, missing it by just a fraction of a point.
- Haryana’s Anish Bhanwala, the 2022 World Championships silver medalist, secured gold in the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol event.
- Maharashtra athletes showcased an outstanding performance at the 38th National Games, winning six medals in triathlon events, including two gold, two silver, and two bronze. The state’s medal tally received an additional boost in the recently concluded duathlon (individual) event, where Maharashtra secured one silver and one bronze.
- Chhattisgarh weightlifter Vijay Kumar claimed the gold medal in the men’s 55kg category at the 38th National Games in Dehradun on Thursday. He matched the national record in the clean-and-jerk event, securing a well-deserved share of the spotlight.
- Karnataka’s Naveen Thomus John and Maharashtra’s Pooja Baban Danole clinched gold in the men’s and women’s road cycling events, respectively, at the National Games on Thursday.
- World champion D Gukesh defeated Dutch Grandmaster Max Warmerdam to maintain his sole lead with 7.5 points at the end of the 10th round of the Tata Steel Chess tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands.
- Asian Games silver medallist Lakshay Sheoran of Haryana and local favourite Neeru clinched the men’s and women’s trap titles, respectively, at the 3rd Digvijay Singh Memorial Shooting Championship in Bhopal for shotgun events on Thursday.
- Former world No.1 Kidambi Srikanth and S Subramanian advanced to the men’s singles quarterfinals of the Thailand Masters BWF Super 300 tournament after winning their respective matches on Thursday.
Anchoring Script for School Assembly
Here’s a well-structured anchoring script for a school assembly that includes an introduction, thought of the day, news updates, interactive elements, and a strong conclusion.
(Anchor 1) “Good morning, respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends! A very warm welcome to today’s assembly. Let’s come together with positivity and enthusiasm as we begin a new day filled with learning and inspiration.”
(Anchor 2) “Each morning brings with it a new opportunity to grow, improve, and spread kindness. Let’s make the most of today by embracing knowledge and positivity.”
Prayer:
(Anchor 1) “To start our day with gratitude and devotion, let us join our hands and bow our heads in prayer.” (Lead the school prayer)
Thought of the Day:
(Anchor 2) “Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on today’s Thought of the Day, which will inspire us to move forward with confidence and wisdom.”
(Invite a student to share the Thought of the Day along with its meaning.)
News Updates:
(Anchor 1) “Staying informed about the world around us is essential. Let’s now listen to the latest news updates.”
(Invite a student to present national, international, sports, and school news.)
Special Segment (Optional – Story, Speech, or Performance):
(Anchor 2) “To make our assembly even more engaging, we have a special segment today. (Introduce a short speech, an inspiring story, or a creative performance by students.)”
Interactive Activity (Optional – Quiz, Thought Sharing, or Motivational Talk):
(Anchor 1) “To keep the energy high, let’s have a quick interactive session. Here’s a question for you all…”
(Ask a general knowledge question or an inspiring thought to encourage participation.)
Announcements and Recognitions:
(Anchor 2) “It’s time to celebrate achievements! Let’s appreciate the efforts of students who have made us proud.”
(Announce awards, competition results, or any special achievements.)
Closing and National Anthem:
(Anchor 1) “As we conclude today’s assembly, let’s remember that every day is a chance to learn, grow, and make a difference.”
(Anchor 2) “Let’s now stand in respect as we sing the National Anthem.”
Ending Note:
(Anchor 1) “Thank you, everyone, for your participation. Let’s step into today with positivity and determination. Have a wonderful day ahead!”
