Police in Maharashtra's Nagpur have identified a 35-year-old man from Gondia in the state as the person behind a spate of hoax bomb threats that triggered panic, caused flight delays and led to increased security at airports and other establishments, an official said.
The Nagpur city police's special branch has identified the man as Jagdish Uikey, an author of a book on terrorism, who was arrested in 2021 in a case, he said. "Uikey is currently on the run after these emails were traced back to him," the senior police official said.
The investigation, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shweta Khedkar uncovered detailed information linking Uikey to the emails.
Uikey sent emails to various government bodies, including the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Railway Minister, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy, airline offices, the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), the official said. On Monday, the Nagpur police stepped up security outside Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis's residence in Nagpur after Uikey sent an email threatening to protest unless given a chance to present his information on the secret terror code he claimed to have deciphered.
He also requested a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss his knowledge of terror threats, he added. Uikey's email sent on October 21 to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and also forwarded to the DGP and RPF, led to security measures at railway stations, the official said.
"A special team has been formed to arrest Uikey," he said, adding that he will be apprehended him soon.
In 13 days till October 26, over 300 flights operated by the Indian carriers received hoax bomb threats. Most of the threats were issued through social media, the government agencies earlier said.
Beatroot News: Text-only
Aviation
Nagpur cops identify man behind series of hoax bomb threats to airlines
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Over 60 flights get bomb threats on Monday
More than 60 flights of Indian carriers received bomb threats on Monday, sources said.
In 15 days, over 410 domestic and international flights operated by the Indian carriers have received hoax bomb threats. Most of the threats were issued through social media.
The sources in the know said around 21 flights each of Air India and IndiGo, and about 20 flights of Vistara received the threats on Monday.
In 15 days, over 410 domestic and international flights operated by the Indian carriers have received hoax bomb threats. Most of the threats were issued through social media.
The sources in the know said around 21 flights each of Air India and IndiGo, and about 20 flights of Vistara received the threats on Monday.
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Business
Maruti Suzuki Q2 net profit dips 18%
Maruti Suzuki India on Tuesday reported an 18% year-on-year dip in consolidated net profit at Rs 3,102 crore for the second quarter ended September 2024.
The country's largest carmaker had posted a net profit of Rs 3,786 crore in the July-September quarter of last fiscal.
Total revenue from operations increased to Rs 37,449 crore for the second quarter as against Rs 37,339 crore in the year-ago period.
The country's largest carmaker had posted a net profit of Rs 3,786 crore in the July-September quarter of last fiscal.
Total revenue from operations increased to Rs 37,449 crore for the second quarter as against Rs 37,339 crore in the year-ago period.
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Dhanteras gems and jewellery sales may cross Rs 30,000 cr amid rising prices
Dhanteras and Diwali demand for gems and jewellery this year is anticipated to remain strong despite rising prices, with Diwali sales potentially crossing Rs 30,000 crore in the domestic market, according to industry experts.
Price hikes in precious metals are prompting consumers to view gold as a reliable asset, while silver is gaining popularity among people due to its relatively lower price and high industrial demand. Some experts estimate sales growth in value terms of 10-15% year-on-year this Diwali across the country, though there may be a dent in volume.
Silver has emerged as the top performer with returns exceeding 40%, followed by gold at 23%, significantly surpassing stock market benchmark returns.
Eastern Regional Chairman of the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said, “Gold continues to shine due to global uncertainties and geopolitical conditions, while silver is drawing substantial interest as an affordable option.” The Council also noted a shift from diamonds to gold this year, as the popularity of lab-grown diamonds has impacted the demand for natural diamonds.
Ashok Bengani, President of the Ankurhati Gems and Jewellery Manufacturers Welfare Association, highlighted industry efforts to reduce import duties to boost market sustainability.
“The geopolitical situation underscores the need for visionary leadership from the Finance Ministry to reduce import duties by 9%, from the current 15% on gold imports, making it easier for the market to thrive,” he said. “This Dhanteras and Diwali season, sales are expected to cross Rs 30,000 crore, despite some decline in volume,” Bengani added.
Suvankar Sen, MD & CEO of Senco Gold Ltd, noted that higher gold prices may slightly impact sales volume, estimating a 12-15% decline in volume. However, value-wise, he expects a 10-12 per cent increase.
“The addition of lower 9Kt purity and lightweight gold jewellery options has expanded demand opportunities, especially among working women,” he said.
Price hikes in precious metals are prompting consumers to view gold as a reliable asset, while silver is gaining popularity among people due to its relatively lower price and high industrial demand. Some experts estimate sales growth in value terms of 10-15% year-on-year this Diwali across the country, though there may be a dent in volume.
Silver has emerged as the top performer with returns exceeding 40%, followed by gold at 23%, significantly surpassing stock market benchmark returns.
Eastern Regional Chairman of the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said, “Gold continues to shine due to global uncertainties and geopolitical conditions, while silver is drawing substantial interest as an affordable option.” The Council also noted a shift from diamonds to gold this year, as the popularity of lab-grown diamonds has impacted the demand for natural diamonds.
Ashok Bengani, President of the Ankurhati Gems and Jewellery Manufacturers Welfare Association, highlighted industry efforts to reduce import duties to boost market sustainability.
“The geopolitical situation underscores the need for visionary leadership from the Finance Ministry to reduce import duties by 9%, from the current 15% on gold imports, making it easier for the market to thrive,” he said. “This Dhanteras and Diwali season, sales are expected to cross Rs 30,000 crore, despite some decline in volume,” Bengani added.
Suvankar Sen, MD & CEO of Senco Gold Ltd, noted that higher gold prices may slightly impact sales volume, estimating a 12-15% decline in volume. However, value-wise, he expects a 10-12 per cent increase.
“The addition of lower 9Kt purity and lightweight gold jewellery options has expanded demand opportunities, especially among working women,” he said.
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City
Mumbai police ban flying of drones, paragliders for 30 days
The Mumbai police have banned flying drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders and hot air balloons for a month, an official said on Tuesday.
Police on Monday issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and it will be in force from October 31 till November 29, an official said. As per the order, terrorists and anti-social elements might use drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft and paragliders in their attacks to target VVIPs, endanger people's lives and destroy public property in the Mumbai Police commissionerate area.
Certain restrictions are necessary to prevent probable sabotages through the flying objects, the order stated. Considering this, flying activities of drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft and paragliders will not be allowed in the jurisdiction of Mumbai Police except for the aerial surveillance of police or by specific permission of DCP (operations), it added.
Violators shall be punished under section 223 (disobedience of an order issued by a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the order said.
The city will witness campaigns and rallies of prominent leaders for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections and the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
Police on Monday issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and it will be in force from October 31 till November 29, an official said. As per the order, terrorists and anti-social elements might use drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft and paragliders in their attacks to target VVIPs, endanger people's lives and destroy public property in the Mumbai Police commissionerate area.
Certain restrictions are necessary to prevent probable sabotages through the flying objects, the order stated. Considering this, flying activities of drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft and paragliders will not be allowed in the jurisdiction of Mumbai Police except for the aerial surveillance of police or by specific permission of DCP (operations), it added.
Violators shall be punished under section 223 (disobedience of an order issued by a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the order said.
The city will witness campaigns and rallies of prominent leaders for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections and the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
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Chaos in Ghaziabad court, lawyers clash with police
Lawyers and baton-wielding police personnel come to blows in a courtroom in Ghaziabad on Tuesday.
It was not immediately clear what led to the altercation at the District and Sessions Court complex in the Raj Nagar area and there were no immediate reports of any serious injuries.
However, purported video clips of the incident doing the rounds on social media showed a large number of police personnel and lawyers in a confrontation in the courtroom. Some police personnel brandished batons, while one even wielded a wooden chair, gesturing as if to strike the opposing side.
A lawyer was also purportedly seen with a wound on his head in a related photo shared on social media.
It was not immediately clear what led to the altercation at the District and Sessions Court complex in the Raj Nagar area and there were no immediate reports of any serious injuries.
However, purported video clips of the incident doing the rounds on social media showed a large number of police personnel and lawyers in a confrontation in the courtroom. Some police personnel brandished batons, while one even wielded a wooden chair, gesturing as if to strike the opposing side.
A lawyer was also purportedly seen with a wound on his head in a related photo shared on social media.
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Delhi records poor air quality with AQI 272 on Tuesday morning
The national capital's air quality on Tuesday morning was recorded in the 'poor' category with an AQI of 272, an improvement from that AQI of 304 recorded a day ago, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
The city gets blanketed in a layer of smog during the evening and early morning hours.
Out of a total of 40 monitoring stations, data from 37 has been shared by the department. Among these, 10 stations - Anand Vihar, Alipur, Aya Nagar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Wazirpur, Vivek Vihar, and Sonia Vihar - were in the "very poor" category, while the remaining in the "poor" category.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 20.3 degrees Celsius, four notch above the season's average while the relative humidity was 85%.
The city gets blanketed in a layer of smog during the evening and early morning hours.
Out of a total of 40 monitoring stations, data from 37 has been shared by the department. Among these, 10 stations - Anand Vihar, Alipur, Aya Nagar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Wazirpur, Vivek Vihar, and Sonia Vihar - were in the "very poor" category, while the remaining in the "poor" category.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 20.3 degrees Celsius, four notch above the season's average while the relative humidity was 85%.
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Crime
NCB busts meth lab tied to Mexican cartel near Delhi
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said on Tuesday that it has dismantled a secret methamphetamine lab operated by Indian nationals with ties to the Mexican drug cartel Cartel De Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).
According to NCB officials, the lab was located in an industrial area in Gautam Budh Nagar near Delhi.
NCB Deputy Director General Gyaneshwar Singh said that among those arrested are a Mumbai-based chemist and a Tihar jail warden. Authorities are also searching for a Mexican national linked to CJNG, who was reportedly residing in Delhi and brought in to test the drug's purity.
According to NCB officials, the lab was located in an industrial area in Gautam Budh Nagar near Delhi.
NCB Deputy Director General Gyaneshwar Singh said that among those arrested are a Mumbai-based chemist and a Tihar jail warden. Authorities are also searching for a Mexican national linked to CJNG, who was reportedly residing in Delhi and brought in to test the drug's purity.
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MLA Zeeshan Siddique, Salman Khan receive extortion threats
Mumbai MLA Zeeshan Siddique and actor Salman Khan received threats from a 20-year-old man in Noida, who has since been arrested, according to police. The suspect, Gurphan Khan, allegedly aimed to extort money from the two.
The threat was sent to Siddique's mobile number, which he uses for public complaints. On October 25, Siddique's staff notified him about the message, prompting him to contact the police. The Nirmal Nagar police in Bandra (East) registered an extortion case on Monday based on a complaint filed by Siddique's staff member, Ritesh More.
Authorities registered an FIR against the mobile number used to send the threats, which included death threats to both Siddique and Salman Khan.
The threat was sent to Siddique's mobile number, which he uses for public complaints. On October 25, Siddique's staff notified him about the message, prompting him to contact the police. The Nirmal Nagar police in Bandra (East) registered an extortion case on Monday based on a complaint filed by Siddique's staff member, Ritesh More.
Authorities registered an FIR against the mobile number used to send the threats, which included death threats to both Siddique and Salman Khan.
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Election
Ajit Pawar declares movable, immovable assets worth Rs 45.37 crore
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, contesting Assembly polls from Baramati, has movable assets worth more than Rs 8.22 crore, while his immovable assets were valued at Rs 37.15 crore, according to an affidavit submitted by him before the Election Commission.
The movable assets of Ajit Pawar, who heads the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), include two cars - Toyota Camry, Honda CRV - a tractor, silver articles, FDs, shares and bonds, among others, as per the affidavit submitted by him along with nomination papers from the seat in Pune district for the November 20 polls. Ajit Pawar (65), seeking an eighth term from his home turf, filed his nomination papers as the NCP candidate on Monday.
His spouse Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, owns movable assets worth Rs 14.57 crore, while the value of immovable assets in her name stood at Rs 58.39 crore, according to the document.
Ajit Pawar's main rival in the elections is his nephew Yugendra Pawar, the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidate who is making his electoral debut from the family seat. Yugendra Pawar, who also filed his nomination papers on Monday, has declared movable assets worth Rs 39.79 crore.
The NCP (SP) candidate owns immovable assets valued at Rs 10.79 crore, according to an affidavit submitted along the nomination papers.
His immovable assets include a flat measuring more than 2,000 sq ft in Mumbai and land parcels in Mulshi and Baramati in Pune district, according to the document.
The movable assets of Ajit Pawar, who heads the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), include two cars - Toyota Camry, Honda CRV - a tractor, silver articles, FDs, shares and bonds, among others, as per the affidavit submitted by him along with nomination papers from the seat in Pune district for the November 20 polls. Ajit Pawar (65), seeking an eighth term from his home turf, filed his nomination papers as the NCP candidate on Monday.
His spouse Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, owns movable assets worth Rs 14.57 crore, while the value of immovable assets in her name stood at Rs 58.39 crore, according to the document.
Ajit Pawar's main rival in the elections is his nephew Yugendra Pawar, the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidate who is making his electoral debut from the family seat. Yugendra Pawar, who also filed his nomination papers on Monday, has declared movable assets worth Rs 39.79 crore.
The NCP (SP) candidate owns immovable assets valued at Rs 10.79 crore, according to an affidavit submitted along the nomination papers.
His immovable assets include a flat measuring more than 2,000 sq ft in Mumbai and land parcels in Mulshi and Baramati in Pune district, according to the document.
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NCP (SP) declares five more candidates for Maharashtra polls
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Tuesday fielded five more candidates for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, upping its tally to 87.
The party on Monday released its fourth list with seven candidates for the November 20 polls.
It replaced sitting MLA Anil Deshmukh with his son Salil from the Katol Assembly constituency in Nagpur district. In the latest list, Pawar replaced Siddhi Ramesh Kadam with Raju Khare in the Mohol Assembly seat in Solapur district.
Kadam's nomination was opposed as she does not belong to the constituency.
The party has fielded Abhijit Patil from the Madha Assembly constituency and Anil Sawant from the Pandharpur segment, both in Solapur district. Girish Karale will battle it out in the Morshi Assembly constituency of Amravati district, while Sangeeta Waje will contest from the Mulund seat in Mumbai.
The NCP (SP) is contesting the elections as an MVA ally along with Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress.
The Congress has announced candidates for 102 seats so far, and the Shiv Sena (UBT) has declared more than 80 candidates.
The party on Monday released its fourth list with seven candidates for the November 20 polls.
It replaced sitting MLA Anil Deshmukh with his son Salil from the Katol Assembly constituency in Nagpur district. In the latest list, Pawar replaced Siddhi Ramesh Kadam with Raju Khare in the Mohol Assembly seat in Solapur district.
Kadam's nomination was opposed as she does not belong to the constituency.
The party has fielded Abhijit Patil from the Madha Assembly constituency and Anil Sawant from the Pandharpur segment, both in Solapur district. Girish Karale will battle it out in the Morshi Assembly constituency of Amravati district, while Sangeeta Waje will contest from the Mulund seat in Mumbai.
The NCP (SP) is contesting the elections as an MVA ally along with Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress.
The Congress has announced candidates for 102 seats so far, and the Shiv Sena (UBT) has declared more than 80 candidates.
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Maharashtra polls: Rs 1.05 crore cash seized from car in Nanded district
Police on Tuesday seized Rs 1.05 crore cash from a car in Maharashtra's Nanded district amid the model code of conduct in place for the Assembly polls next month, an official said.
A police team intercepted the four-wheeler at a check post in the Bhagyanagar area of Nanded and found cash in the vehicle, the official said.
"We are verifying the source of the money and where it was being taken. We have also coordinated with the bank," Nanded Superintendent of Police Abinash Kumar.
A police team intercepted the four-wheeler at a check post in the Bhagyanagar area of Nanded and found cash in the vehicle, the official said.
"We are verifying the source of the money and where it was being taken. We have also coordinated with the bank," Nanded Superintendent of Police Abinash Kumar.
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BJP names two more candidates for Maharashtra polls
On the last day of filing of nomination papers, the BJP on Tuesday released the names of two more candidates for the next month's Assembly elections, which took the total count of its nominees to 148.
As per the latest list, former MLA Narendra Mehta will contest from the Mira Bhayandar Assembly segment in Thane district, while Sudhir Parwe will be fielded from Umred (SC) Assembly segment in Nagpur district. In a statement, the party said it has decided to allocate four Assembly seats to its allies.
These include the Badnera seat in Amravati district to the Yuva Swabhiman Party, the Gangakhed seat in Parbhani district to the Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP), the Kalina seat in Mumbai to the Republican Party of India (Athawale), and the Shahuwadi seat in Kolhapur to the Jan Surajya Shakti Party.
As per the latest list, former MLA Narendra Mehta will contest from the Mira Bhayandar Assembly segment in Thane district, while Sudhir Parwe will be fielded from Umred (SC) Assembly segment in Nagpur district. In a statement, the party said it has decided to allocate four Assembly seats to its allies.
These include the Badnera seat in Amravati district to the Yuva Swabhiman Party, the Gangakhed seat in Parbhani district to the Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP), the Kalina seat in Mumbai to the Republican Party of India (Athawale), and the Shahuwadi seat in Kolhapur to the Jan Surajya Shakti Party.
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Milind Deora files nomination against Aaditya Thackeray
Stage is set for a high-stakes battle in Mumbai's Worli Assembly constituency as Rajya Sabha member Milind Deora belonging to the ruling Shiv Sena on Tuesday filed his nomination and will take on sitting MLA Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT).
Deora, a former Congress leader and Union minister of state, joined the Sena before the Lok Sabha polls this year and was subsequently elected to the Rajya Sabha.
Tuesday is the last day of filing of nomination forms Despite having a six-year term on hand in the Rajya Sabha, Deora has been fielded against Aaditya Thackeray, the son of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. His entry has made Worli a high-voltage contest.
BJP spokesperson Shaina N C, who has joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, also filed her nomination for the Mumbadevi Assembly seat in Mumbai against sitting Congress MLA Amin Patel.
Deora, a former Congress leader and Union minister of state, joined the Sena before the Lok Sabha polls this year and was subsequently elected to the Rajya Sabha.
Tuesday is the last day of filing of nomination forms Despite having a six-year term on hand in the Rajya Sabha, Deora has been fielded against Aaditya Thackeray, the son of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. His entry has made Worli a high-voltage contest.
BJP spokesperson Shaina N C, who has joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, also filed her nomination for the Mumbadevi Assembly seat in Mumbai against sitting Congress MLA Amin Patel.
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Committed grave mistake of siding with CM Shinde: Sena's Palghar MLA
Upset over being denied ticket by his party, sitting Shiv Sena MLA from Maharashtra's Palghar, Shrinivas Vanga, has said he committed a "grave mistake" of siding with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and joining his party.
Srinivas, the son of late BJP MP Chintaman Vanga, became an MLA after winning the 2019 Assembly elections as a candidate of undivided Shiv Sena from the Palghar (Scheduled Tribes) seat. After a split in the Shiv Sena, Vanga supported Shinde. He was hoping to get renominated from the seat by the party.
However, the party gave candidature to former MP Rajendra Gavit, who had also sided with Shinde when he rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership in June 2022.
After learning that he has been denied re-nomination by the party, a visibly upset Vanga told reporters, "I made a grave mistake by joining the Shinde-led faction." He also described Shinde's rival and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray as a "dev manus" (Godlike man).
Talking to news channels, his family members expressed concern over his present state of mind, and said he has not only stopped interacting with them and having food, but is also crying and threatening to harm his own life. After learning about the situation, CM Shinde reportedly contacted Vanga's wife, assuring that her husband would be considered for a role as a member of the Maharashtra legislative council.
Videos of Vanga's emotional responses have since surfaced on social media and news channels.
Srinivas, the son of late BJP MP Chintaman Vanga, became an MLA after winning the 2019 Assembly elections as a candidate of undivided Shiv Sena from the Palghar (Scheduled Tribes) seat. After a split in the Shiv Sena, Vanga supported Shinde. He was hoping to get renominated from the seat by the party.
However, the party gave candidature to former MP Rajendra Gavit, who had also sided with Shinde when he rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership in June 2022.
After learning that he has been denied re-nomination by the party, a visibly upset Vanga told reporters, "I made a grave mistake by joining the Shinde-led faction." He also described Shinde's rival and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray as a "dev manus" (Godlike man).
Talking to news channels, his family members expressed concern over his present state of mind, and said he has not only stopped interacting with them and having food, but is also crying and threatening to harm his own life. After learning about the situation, CM Shinde reportedly contacted Vanga's wife, assuring that her husband would be considered for a role as a member of the Maharashtra legislative council.
Videos of Vanga's emotional responses have since surfaced on social media and news channels.
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International
Hezbollah appoints Naim Qassem as new leader following Nasrallah's death
Hezbollah has appointed Naim Qassem as its new leader, following the death of former secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut in late September.
Qassem, previously the deputy leader, was chosen for his "adherence to the principles and goals of Hezbollah," the group stated on Tuesday. The appointment comes amid increased Israeli focus on Hezbollah, which has led to the targeting of several senior officials.
Qassem, previously the deputy leader, was chosen for his "adherence to the principles and goals of Hezbollah," the group stated on Tuesday. The appointment comes amid increased Israeli focus on Hezbollah, which has led to the targeting of several senior officials.
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Brazil becomes second BRICS country after India not to join China’s BRI
In a major setback to China’s BRI, Brazil has decided against joining Beijing’s multi-billion-dollar initiative becoming the second country after India in the BRICS bloc not to endorse the mega project.
Brazil, headed by President Lula da Silva, will not join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and instead seek alternative ways to collaborate with Chinese investors, Celso Amorim, special presidential adviser for international affairs, said. Brazil wants to “take the relationship with China to a new level, without having to sign an accession contract”, he told Brazilian newspaper 'O Globo'.
“We are not entering into a treaty,” Amorim said, explaining that Brazil does not want to take Chinese infrastructure and trade projects as “an insurance policy”.
The decision contradicts China’s plans to make Brazil’s joining of the initiative a centrepiece of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Brasilia on November 20, the Hong Kong-based 'South China Morning Post' reported.
Brazil, headed by President Lula da Silva, will not join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and instead seek alternative ways to collaborate with Chinese investors, Celso Amorim, special presidential adviser for international affairs, said. Brazil wants to “take the relationship with China to a new level, without having to sign an accession contract”, he told Brazilian newspaper 'O Globo'.
“We are not entering into a treaty,” Amorim said, explaining that Brazil does not want to take Chinese infrastructure and trade projects as “an insurance policy”.
The decision contradicts China’s plans to make Brazil’s joining of the initiative a centrepiece of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Brasilia on November 20, the Hong Kong-based 'South China Morning Post' reported.
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Polio vaccinators attacked, held hostage in two separate incidents in Pakistan
Three terrorists were killed in a gunbattle when they attacked a polio vaccinators' team in Pakistan's restive northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday.
In another incident, unknown militants took hostage the entire team of polio vaccinators at a dispensary in the same province, sources said.
The attack on polio vaccinators came a day after Pakistan on Monday started its third nationwide polio campaign to vaccinate 45 million children. In the first incident in the Aurakzai tribal district, bordering Afghanistan, a policeman was also killed in the shootout while frustrating the attack on the polio vaccinators.
At least three terrorists were killed by the police in the fierce gunbattle and a fresh team has been rushed to the site, sources added.
No group claimed responsibility for the brutal attack. In the second incident in North Waziristan's tehsil Shewa, unidentified militants took hostage the entire team of polio vaccinators at the Mamet Kot dispensary in the restive northwest province.
The assailants also seized weapons from the police officers, according to sources.
In another incident, unknown militants took hostage the entire team of polio vaccinators at a dispensary in the same province, sources said.
The attack on polio vaccinators came a day after Pakistan on Monday started its third nationwide polio campaign to vaccinate 45 million children. In the first incident in the Aurakzai tribal district, bordering Afghanistan, a policeman was also killed in the shootout while frustrating the attack on the polio vaccinators.
At least three terrorists were killed by the police in the fierce gunbattle and a fresh team has been rushed to the site, sources added.
No group claimed responsibility for the brutal attack. In the second incident in North Waziristan's tehsil Shewa, unidentified militants took hostage the entire team of polio vaccinators at the Mamet Kot dispensary in the restive northwest province.
The assailants also seized weapons from the police officers, according to sources.
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Israel bans UNRWA operations amid escalating tensions in Gaza
Israel's parliament has passed a new law to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within the country, a move that has raised concerns among Western allies about worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Israeli officials cited evidence of involvement by some UNRWA staff members in the October 7 attack on southern Israel, alleging links with Hamas and other militant groups. "UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable," stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In response, UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini condemned the law, stating it violates international law and the UN charter.
"This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role in providing human-development assistance to #Palestine Refugees," he wrote on social media.
Israeli officials cited evidence of involvement by some UNRWA staff members in the October 7 attack on southern Israel, alleging links with Hamas and other militant groups. "UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable," stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In response, UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini condemned the law, stating it violates international law and the UN charter.
"This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role in providing human-development assistance to #Palestine Refugees," he wrote on social media.
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Markets
Sensex, Nifty rise on buying in bank stocks, positive global cues
Rising for the second straight session, equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher on Tuesday, helped by fag-end buying in banking counters and a firm trend in global markets.
The BSE Sensex climbed 363.99 points or 0.45% to settle at 80,369.03. Intra-day, it fell by 583.69 points to 79,421.35.
The NSE Nifty rose 127.70 points or 0.52% to 24,466.85. Unabated buying by domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also helped in the rebound, traders said.
From the 30 Sensex pack, State Bank of India jumped 5 per cent, followed by ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finserv, NTPC, Adani Ports, Bajaj Finance and Larsen & Toubro.
In contrast, Maruti, Tata Motors, Sun Pharma, Bharti Airtel, IndusInd Bank and Mahindra & Mahindra were among the laggards.
The BSE Sensex climbed 363.99 points or 0.45% to settle at 80,369.03. Intra-day, it fell by 583.69 points to 79,421.35.
The NSE Nifty rose 127.70 points or 0.52% to 24,466.85. Unabated buying by domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also helped in the rebound, traders said.
From the 30 Sensex pack, State Bank of India jumped 5 per cent, followed by ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finserv, NTPC, Adani Ports, Bajaj Finance and Larsen & Toubro.
In contrast, Maruti, Tata Motors, Sun Pharma, Bharti Airtel, IndusInd Bank and Mahindra & Mahindra were among the laggards.
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Markets fall in early trade on relentless foreign fund outflows
Equity benchmark indices fell in early trade on Tuesday amid continuous foreign fund outflows from the capital markets and largely muted earnings from corporates so far.
The BSE Sensex declined 322.24 points to 79,682.80 during the initial trade. The NSE Nifty went lower by 86.55 points to 24,252.60. From the 30 Sensex pack, Bharti Airtel fell by nearly 3% even as the company reported a 168 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,593 crore for the September quarter.
Mahindra & Mahindra, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors, JSW Steel, Infosys and IndusInd Bank were also among the laggards. NTPC, ICICI Bank, Larsen & Toubro and Nestle were the gainers.
The BSE Sensex declined 322.24 points to 79,682.80 during the initial trade. The NSE Nifty went lower by 86.55 points to 24,252.60. From the 30 Sensex pack, Bharti Airtel fell by nearly 3% even as the company reported a 168 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,593 crore for the September quarter.
Mahindra & Mahindra, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors, JSW Steel, Infosys and IndusInd Bank were also among the laggards. NTPC, ICICI Bank, Larsen & Toubro and Nestle were the gainers.
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National
Ayodhya Ram Temple not to use Chinese Diwali decorative items: Trust
The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust, which manages the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, has decided not to use Chinese decorative items during Diwali to promote local craftsmanship, according to officials.
The city of Ayodhya is preparing for a grand Deepotsav this year - it will be the eighth edition of the event and the first since the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in January.
The temple premises will also be decorated with diyas and other items. When asked about the Ram Temple's decision not to use Chinese decorative items, Ayodhya Commissioner Gaurav Dayal said, "Basically, we want to just use items which are indigenous and local. They are saying they will not use Chinese items but the whole idea is they want to promote local artisans, local artists and local material which is more eco-friendly."
Asked if there is any such appeal or directive to people to not use Chinese material, he said it's up to them. "We cannot force people." Deeptosav will be organised on Wednesday, a day before Diwali, with the government aiming to set a Guinness World Records again this year with most number of diyas lit simultaneously.
Special Ram Leela and other performances have been planned for the day.
"Renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra has been tasked with designing special outfits for Ram Lalla and his brothers, showcasing the blend of high fashion and spirituality for the festive occasion," according to the media release.
The city of Ayodhya is preparing for a grand Deepotsav this year - it will be the eighth edition of the event and the first since the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in January.
The temple premises will also be decorated with diyas and other items. When asked about the Ram Temple's decision not to use Chinese decorative items, Ayodhya Commissioner Gaurav Dayal said, "Basically, we want to just use items which are indigenous and local. They are saying they will not use Chinese items but the whole idea is they want to promote local artisans, local artists and local material which is more eco-friendly."
Asked if there is any such appeal or directive to people to not use Chinese material, he said it's up to them. "We cannot force people." Deeptosav will be organised on Wednesday, a day before Diwali, with the government aiming to set a Guinness World Records again this year with most number of diyas lit simultaneously.
Special Ram Leela and other performances have been planned for the day.
"Renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra has been tasked with designing special outfits for Ram Lalla and his brothers, showcasing the blend of high fashion and spirituality for the festive occasion," according to the media release.
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Never intended to throw broken bottle at Joint Committee Chair: Kalyan Banerjee
TMC member Kalyan Banerjee, who was suspended for a day from the joint committee of Parliament on the Waqf Bill for unruly conduct, on Tuesday accused BJP's Abhijit Gangopadhyay of provoking him at the panel meeting last week.
"The other day only I told the meeting that I had no intention to throw it at the chairperson and said I was sorry," Banerjee told reporters in the national capital. BJP MPs had slammed Banerjee's conduct after he broke a glass water bottle and allegedly hurled it towards the chairman, Jagdambika Pal of BJP, during a heated exchange among members.
They had written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, demanding the TMC MP's suspension from the House and lodging of an FIR against him.
Sharing his version of events, Banerjee said that he was "compelled" to answer Gangopadhyay on his allegations and personal attacks at the meeting of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on October 22. "When Gangopadhyay was raising his voice, I questioned him. He then used abusive language against me and my kin. I reacted but he continued to use foul language ...," the TMC leader alleged.
Banerjee alleged that the Chair was harsh on him but soft on Gangopadhyay. "This created frustration .. (the one) who started it was not pulled up but I was ... Then I became frustrated, not annoyed," the TMC leader, who is a senior advocate, said. He said at that point, he smashed the bottle he was holding and in the process injured his fingers.
"When I got injured, I had to let go of the bottle and it rolled towards the Chair ... The other day only I told the meeting that I had no intention to throw it at the chairperson and said I was sorry," Banerjee said.
"The other day only I told the meeting that I had no intention to throw it at the chairperson and said I was sorry," Banerjee told reporters in the national capital. BJP MPs had slammed Banerjee's conduct after he broke a glass water bottle and allegedly hurled it towards the chairman, Jagdambika Pal of BJP, during a heated exchange among members.
They had written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, demanding the TMC MP's suspension from the House and lodging of an FIR against him.
Sharing his version of events, Banerjee said that he was "compelled" to answer Gangopadhyay on his allegations and personal attacks at the meeting of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on October 22. "When Gangopadhyay was raising his voice, I questioned him. He then used abusive language against me and my kin. I reacted but he continued to use foul language ...," the TMC leader alleged.
Banerjee alleged that the Chair was harsh on him but soft on Gangopadhyay. "This created frustration .. (the one) who started it was not pulled up but I was ... Then I became frustrated, not annoyed," the TMC leader, who is a senior advocate, said. He said at that point, he smashed the bottle he was holding and in the process injured his fingers.
"When I got injured, I had to let go of the bottle and it rolled towards the Chair ... The other day only I told the meeting that I had no intention to throw it at the chairperson and said I was sorry," Banerjee said.
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ED chargesheets AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in Delhi Waqf case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday filed a chargesheet against AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan over money laundering charges in a case of alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board.
The 110-page supplementary chargesheet also named one Mariam Siddiqui, who was not arrested by the ED as an accused in the case. The court is likely to take it up for consideration on November 4. Khan was arrested by the ED on September 2 from his Okhla residence and is currently in judicial custody.
Special judge Vishal Gogne posted his bail application for hearing on November 7 on Tuesday.
The 110-page supplementary chargesheet also named one Mariam Siddiqui, who was not arrested by the ED as an accused in the case. The court is likely to take it up for consideration on November 4. Khan was arrested by the ED on September 2 from his Okhla residence and is currently in judicial custody.
Special judge Vishal Gogne posted his bail application for hearing on November 7 on Tuesday.
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Ayodhya gears up for grand 'Deepotsav' with new world record attempt
Preparations for the eighth edition of Deepotsav in Ayodhya are in their final stages with plans afoot to illuminate the city with 28 lakh earthen lamps on October 30, officials said Tuesday.
The police and civic administration have implemented robust security measures monitored by Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar for the celebrations. The event this year holds special significance since this is the first Deepotsav since the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol at the temple.
The Deepotsav aims to showcase the spiritual, traditional, and cultural essence of the holy city, with performances by artists from six countries - Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia - along with a Ram Leela presentation from Uttarakhand.
The police and civic administration have implemented robust security measures monitored by Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar for the celebrations. The event this year holds special significance since this is the first Deepotsav since the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol at the temple.
The Deepotsav aims to showcase the spiritual, traditional, and cultural essence of the holy city, with performances by artists from six countries - Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia - along with a Ram Leela presentation from Uttarakhand.
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Man arrested from Noida for threatening Salman Khan by posing as gangster Bishnoi's brother
A man was arrested by Noida and Mumbai police in a joint operation for allegedly threatening actor Salman Khan and demanding Rs 10 crore extortion money by posing as gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, police said on Tuesday.
They said the accused, Taib Ansari, told the police that he made the threatening call on a phone number picked from the internet. Ansari, who hails from Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested on Monday night from an under-construction house in Sector 92 in Noida where he was working as a carpenter, Jitendra Kumar Singh, inspector in-charge of Sector 39 police station, said.
He said Mumbai's Bandra Police contacted Noida Police late Monday night and informed that Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol Bishnoi had threatened Salman Khan. They said the location of the phone was traced to Noida. Also, Assistant Sub Inspector of Police Bandra Police Rauf Shaikh came to Noida with his team.
Singh said that a joint team of Noida and Mumbai Police raided an under-construction house in Sector 92 and Ansari was arrested from there on charges of threatening and demanding Rs 10 crore extortion money.
He said that the mobile phone used in the incident was recovered from the accused.
Singh said that during the interrogation, the police came to know that Ansari had obtained the number on which he made the threatening call through the internet. The number on which the accused called and threatened is a 'helpline' number issued by the Mumbai Police, he said, adding the police was interrogating him.
Mumbai police will take Ansari to Maharashtra on 'transit remand' after producing him in Gautam Buddha Nagar district court, the officials said.
They said the accused, Taib Ansari, told the police that he made the threatening call on a phone number picked from the internet. Ansari, who hails from Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested on Monday night from an under-construction house in Sector 92 in Noida where he was working as a carpenter, Jitendra Kumar Singh, inspector in-charge of Sector 39 police station, said.
He said Mumbai's Bandra Police contacted Noida Police late Monday night and informed that Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol Bishnoi had threatened Salman Khan. They said the location of the phone was traced to Noida. Also, Assistant Sub Inspector of Police Bandra Police Rauf Shaikh came to Noida with his team.
Singh said that a joint team of Noida and Mumbai Police raided an under-construction house in Sector 92 and Ansari was arrested from there on charges of threatening and demanding Rs 10 crore extortion money.
He said that the mobile phone used in the incident was recovered from the accused.
Singh said that during the interrogation, the police came to know that Ansari had obtained the number on which he made the threatening call through the internet. The number on which the accused called and threatened is a 'helpline' number issued by the Mumbai Police, he said, adding the police was interrogating him.
Mumbai police will take Ansari to Maharashtra on 'transit remand' after producing him in Gautam Buddha Nagar district court, the officials said.
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Athletes fume as JLN Stadium in mess after Diljit Dosanjh's concert
Long read
Widespread littering at the end of popular singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh's two-day concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the national capital drew sharp criticism from athletes who train regularly at the iconic venue.
The stadium hosted the 'Dil-Luminati' concert on Saturday and Sunday and drew nearly 40,000 fans each night. It wasn't the first time that such an event was held at the venue, which has hosted concerts by top international stars such as Bryan Adams (2004) and Ricky Martin (1998) in the past. But the after-effects of Dosanjh's gig were heavily criticised by the athletes.
Delhi's middle-distance runner Beant Singh posted images and a video of the stadium's track and field area which was littered with garbage, alcohol containers and damaged athletics equipment.
"This is where athletes train, but here people had alcohol, danced and partied. Because of these kind of things, the stadium will remain close for 10-10 days. The athletics equipment like the hurdles have been broken and thrown here and there," he wrote on the Instagram. "This is the situation of sport, sportspersons and stadium in India. .... medals do not come in the Olympics because there is no respect and support for sportspersons in this country."
The 25-year-old Singh had won a silver and a bronze in the 2014 and 2018 National Open Championships respectively. The Sports Authority of India (SAI), on its part, said that its contract with the concert organisers was very clear - the stadium would be returned to the body in the "same condition that it was handed over to them."
"More than 70,000 people attended the concert over two days and the cleaning will take 24 hours. The stadium is expected to be cleaned up by the 29th," a top SAI source said when reached for a comment.
But for athletes like Singh, it was heartbreaking to watch the place that is their training base in the condition it was in on Monday. In the caption of the video, he wrote: "Jo nuksan hua hai bacho ka vo to do bache khud paise ikatthe krke samaan leke aate hain prctc k liye …." (At least pay for the loss incurred by these children, who collected money themselves and brought equipment for practice).
A Delhi coach told PTI that some athletes have written to the SAI, requesting for compensation as their hurdles and boxes containing starting blocks and other equipment such as shot put, discus and medicine balls have been damaged. "Each hurdle costs Rs 3,000-4,000 and you need 10 hurdles for 400m hurdles, or 100m hurdles or 110m hurdles race. These young athletes have arranged money to buy these equipment and it is not easy for them.
"The locks of the boxes containing starting blocks and other equipment such as shot put, discus and medicine balls have been damaged and broken. So, some equipment have been damaged," the coach said on condition of anonymity. "They will not been able to train inside the stadium tracks for 10 days till October 31. We are doing training at the outside track but the condition is not good there.
"It has disturbed the training schedule of the athletes. We have the National Junior Championships and national school competition coming up."
The stadium is also hosting Indian Super League football matches as Punjab FC uses it as its home venue. They have a match against Chennaiyin FC on Thursday.
Widespread littering at the end of popular singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh's two-day concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the national capital drew sharp criticism from athletes who train regularly at the iconic venue.
The stadium hosted the 'Dil-Luminati' concert on Saturday and Sunday and drew nearly 40,000 fans each night. It wasn't the first time that such an event was held at the venue, which has hosted concerts by top international stars such as Bryan Adams (2004) and Ricky Martin (1998) in the past. But the after-effects of Dosanjh's gig were heavily criticised by the athletes.
Delhi's middle-distance runner Beant Singh posted images and a video of the stadium's track and field area which was littered with garbage, alcohol containers and damaged athletics equipment.
"This is where athletes train, but here people had alcohol, danced and partied. Because of these kind of things, the stadium will remain close for 10-10 days. The athletics equipment like the hurdles have been broken and thrown here and there," he wrote on the Instagram. "This is the situation of sport, sportspersons and stadium in India. .... medals do not come in the Olympics because there is no respect and support for sportspersons in this country."
The 25-year-old Singh had won a silver and a bronze in the 2014 and 2018 National Open Championships respectively. The Sports Authority of India (SAI), on its part, said that its contract with the concert organisers was very clear - the stadium would be returned to the body in the "same condition that it was handed over to them."
"More than 70,000 people attended the concert over two days and the cleaning will take 24 hours. The stadium is expected to be cleaned up by the 29th," a top SAI source said when reached for a comment.
But for athletes like Singh, it was heartbreaking to watch the place that is their training base in the condition it was in on Monday. In the caption of the video, he wrote: "Jo nuksan hua hai bacho ka vo to do bache khud paise ikatthe krke samaan leke aate hain prctc k liye …." (At least pay for the loss incurred by these children, who collected money themselves and brought equipment for practice).
A Delhi coach told PTI that some athletes have written to the SAI, requesting for compensation as their hurdles and boxes containing starting blocks and other equipment such as shot put, discus and medicine balls have been damaged. "Each hurdle costs Rs 3,000-4,000 and you need 10 hurdles for 400m hurdles, or 100m hurdles or 110m hurdles race. These young athletes have arranged money to buy these equipment and it is not easy for them.
"The locks of the boxes containing starting blocks and other equipment such as shot put, discus and medicine balls have been damaged and broken. So, some equipment have been damaged," the coach said on condition of anonymity. "They will not been able to train inside the stadium tracks for 10 days till October 31. We are doing training at the outside track but the condition is not good there.
"It has disturbed the training schedule of the athletes. We have the National Junior Championships and national school competition coming up."
The stadium is also hosting Indian Super League football matches as Punjab FC uses it as its home venue. They have a match against Chennaiyin FC on Thursday.
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Sardar Patel deprived of Bharat Ratna for long: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that efforts were made to erase and undermine Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's legacy.
Flagging off a 'Run for Unity', ahead of the birth anniversary of Patel, he said it was due to the foresightedness and acumen of the country's first home minister that over 550 princely states were merged with the Union of India and the country became united. He said it was because of Sardar Patel that the Lakshadweep Islands, Junagarh, Hyderabad and all other princely states were merged with India.
"But there were efforts to erase and undermine the legacy of Sardar Patel. He was also deprived of Bharat Ratna for a long time," Shah said while addressing the participants at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the national capital. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi (when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat) had installed the tallest statue of Patel in Kevadia and honoured him in a befitting manner, he said.
Sardar Patel was bestowed with Bharat Ratna - the country's highest civilian award - posthumously in 1991, 41 years after his death in 1950.
Flagging off a 'Run for Unity', ahead of the birth anniversary of Patel, he said it was due to the foresightedness and acumen of the country's first home minister that over 550 princely states were merged with the Union of India and the country became united. He said it was because of Sardar Patel that the Lakshadweep Islands, Junagarh, Hyderabad and all other princely states were merged with India.
"But there were efforts to erase and undermine the legacy of Sardar Patel. He was also deprived of Bharat Ratna for a long time," Shah said while addressing the participants at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the national capital. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi (when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat) had installed the tallest statue of Patel in Kevadia and honoured him in a befitting manner, he said.
Sardar Patel was bestowed with Bharat Ratna - the country's highest civilian award - posthumously in 1991, 41 years after his death in 1950.
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Sports
Brooke Halliday lifts New Zealand women to 232 against India in third ODI
Middle-order batter Brooke Halliday struck a 96-ball 86 and lifted New Zealand from a precarious 88/5 to 232 all out against India in the series-deciding third women's ODI in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
To start with, the Indian bowlers fired in unison and had the visitors in all sorts to trouble with their disciplined line and length. Looking to win the series and regain some lost ground after their early exit in the recent T20 World Cup, India began the match in earnest and struck twice to leave the Kiwis at 25 for two in 7.1 overs.
Jemimah Rodrigues and wicket-keeper Yastika Bhatia combined to run out Suzie Bates while Lauren Down was jettisoned by Saima Thakor at the start of eighth over. Introduced in the 11th over, young leg-spinner Priya Mishra (2/41 in 10 overs) gave India a major breakthrough when she bowled New Zealand captain Sophie Devine (9 off 11 balls), leaving the visitors in a spot of bother 36 for three.
New Zealand's hopes of putting up a competitive score rested on the shoulders of Georgia Plimmer, who dropped anchor considering the situation her team found itself in. However, having ambled to 39, Plimmer was dismissed by Mishra, and her innings lasted 67 balls. Maddy Green was run out for a 15-ball 19 as New Zealand slipped to 88 for five in the 24th over.
In search of a partnership, the Kiwis finally found it as the duo of Halliday and wicketkeeper batter Isabella Gaze (25 off 49 balls) added 64 runs for the sixth wicket to steady the innings.
To start with, the Indian bowlers fired in unison and had the visitors in all sorts to trouble with their disciplined line and length. Looking to win the series and regain some lost ground after their early exit in the recent T20 World Cup, India began the match in earnest and struck twice to leave the Kiwis at 25 for two in 7.1 overs.
Jemimah Rodrigues and wicket-keeper Yastika Bhatia combined to run out Suzie Bates while Lauren Down was jettisoned by Saima Thakor at the start of eighth over. Introduced in the 11th over, young leg-spinner Priya Mishra (2/41 in 10 overs) gave India a major breakthrough when she bowled New Zealand captain Sophie Devine (9 off 11 balls), leaving the visitors in a spot of bother 36 for three.
New Zealand's hopes of putting up a competitive score rested on the shoulders of Georgia Plimmer, who dropped anchor considering the situation her team found itself in. However, having ambled to 39, Plimmer was dismissed by Mishra, and her innings lasted 67 balls. Maddy Green was run out for a 15-ball 19 as New Zealand slipped to 88 for five in the 24th over.
In search of a partnership, the Kiwis finally found it as the duo of Halliday and wicketkeeper batter Isabella Gaze (25 off 49 balls) added 64 runs for the sixth wicket to steady the innings.
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Harshit Rana to join Indian squad in Mumbai ahead of third Test
Rookie pacer Harshit Rana will join the Indian squad ahead of the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai after starring in Delhi's first outright win of the ongoing Ranji Trophy season.
Rana, who was already among the reserves, was released for Delhi's match against Assam before the second Test in Pune that India lost by 113 runs to concede an unassailable 0-2 lead in the series. This was the team's first loss in a Test rubber at home in 12 years. Rana will join the Indian squad in Mumbai on Wednesday, two days before the match gets underway at the Wankhede Stadium. But it remains unclear if his presence in the dressing room will be as a reserve or as a member.
The 22-year-old has been picked in the main squad for the five Tests in Australia beginning November 22 in Perth.
Rana, who was already among the reserves, was released for Delhi's match against Assam before the second Test in Pune that India lost by 113 runs to concede an unassailable 0-2 lead in the series. This was the team's first loss in a Test rubber at home in 12 years. Rana will join the Indian squad in Mumbai on Wednesday, two days before the match gets underway at the Wankhede Stadium. But it remains unclear if his presence in the dressing room will be as a reserve or as a member.
The 22-year-old has been picked in the main squad for the five Tests in Australia beginning November 22 in Perth.
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New Zealand win toss, elect to bat in third women's ODI against India
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first against India in the series-deciding third and final women's ODI in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
New Zealand made one change, bringing in Hannah Rowe in place of Jess Kerr
India too made one change with Renuka Singh coming in for Arundhati Reddy. Off-spinner Shreyanka Patil was unavailable for selection due to shin splints. The BCCI said its medical team is closely monitoring her progress.
The series is poised at 1-1. India won the first ODI by 59 runs before New Zealand drew parity winning the second match by 76 runs.
New Zealand made one change, bringing in Hannah Rowe in place of Jess Kerr
India too made one change with Renuka Singh coming in for Arundhati Reddy. Off-spinner Shreyanka Patil was unavailable for selection due to shin splints. The BCCI said its medical team is closely monitoring her progress.
The series is poised at 1-1. India won the first ODI by 59 runs before New Zealand drew parity winning the second match by 76 runs.
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New Zealand batter Kane Williamson to miss third Test against India
Senior batter Kane Williamson will miss the third Test against India at Mumbai to ensure full recovery from a groin injury ahead of the home series versus England, starting from November 28.
Williamson did not play in the first two Tests against India, which the Kiwis won to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
It also ended India's 18-series winning streak at home dating back to 2012. The final Test of the rubber will be played at the Wankhede Stadium from November 1.
"Kane continues to show good signs, but isn't quite ready to jump on a plane and join us," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said in a media release.
Williamson did not play in the first two Tests against India, which the Kiwis won to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
It also ended India's 18-series winning streak at home dating back to 2012. The final Test of the rubber will be played at the Wankhede Stadium from November 1.
"Kane continues to show good signs, but isn't quite ready to jump on a plane and join us," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said in a media release.
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Australia’s Matthew Wade retires from international cricket
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday, confirming a shift to a coaching career.
Wade, who represented Australia across all three formats over 13 years and 225 matches, made his final appearance during the T20 World Cup in the West Indies in June. “I was fully aware my international days were most likely over at the end of the last T20 World Cup,” Wade shared in a Cricket Australia release. “Coaching has been on my radar over the last few years, and thankfully some great opportunities have come my way, for which I am very grateful and excited.”
One of Wade’s most memorable performances came during Australia’s maiden T20 World Cup win in 2021, where his unbeaten 41 helped secure a tense semi-final victory over Pakistan in Dubai.
Wade, who represented Australia across all three formats over 13 years and 225 matches, made his final appearance during the T20 World Cup in the West Indies in June. “I was fully aware my international days were most likely over at the end of the last T20 World Cup,” Wade shared in a Cricket Australia release. “Coaching has been on my radar over the last few years, and thankfully some great opportunities have come my way, for which I am very grateful and excited.”
One of Wade’s most memorable performances came during Australia’s maiden T20 World Cup win in 2021, where his unbeaten 41 helped secure a tense semi-final victory over Pakistan in Dubai.
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State
Two killed in Patna Metro construction site accident
Two persons were killed and six others injured in an accident at a construction site of the Patna Metro Rail, police said on Tuesday.
The incident took place inside a tunnel dug close to the Patna University campus late on Monday, Senior Superintendent of Police Rajeev Mishra said.
"A pick-up van was coursing through the tunnel where its brakes failed, causing it to plough into a group of construction workers,” Mishra told reporters. "Two persons died on the spot, while six were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries,” he said.
A statement issued by the district administration said the deceased included the driver of the pick-up van and a construction worker, both of them hailing from Odisha. A three-member team of officials has also been set up to investigate and identify the cause of the accident, and come up with suggestions to enforce safety measures.
The authorities, however, were tight-lipped on the charge, made by some eyewitnesses, that "no engineer or supervisor" was inside the tunnel when work was underway.
The incident took place inside a tunnel dug close to the Patna University campus late on Monday, Senior Superintendent of Police Rajeev Mishra said.
"A pick-up van was coursing through the tunnel where its brakes failed, causing it to plough into a group of construction workers,” Mishra told reporters. "Two persons died on the spot, while six were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries,” he said.
A statement issued by the district administration said the deceased included the driver of the pick-up van and a construction worker, both of them hailing from Odisha. A three-member team of officials has also been set up to investigate and identify the cause of the accident, and come up with suggestions to enforce safety measures.
The authorities, however, were tight-lipped on the charge, made by some eyewitnesses, that "no engineer or supervisor" was inside the tunnel when work was underway.
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Senior citizen placed under 'digital arrest', duped of Rs 40.7 lakh in Indore
A 70-year-old man in Madhya Pradesh's Indore was allegedly placed under "digital arrest" by cyber fraudsters who duped him of Rs 40.7 lakh, police said on Tuesday.
"Digital arrest" is a new method of cyber fraud in which fraudsters pose as law enforcement officers and threaten people on audio or video calls and hold them hostage digitally on the false pretext of arrest. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Rajesh Dandotia said two accused called the septuagenarian working for a private company by posing as officers of the Mumbai police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
"The fraudsters informed the victim that a fraudulent transaction of Rs 2.60 crore was done in his name through an account of Canara Bank in Mumbai," he said.
Dandotia said the fraudsters did a video call with the man and threatened to place him under "digital arrest" and kept giving him instructions during the fake interrogation. Fearing arrest, the complainant transferred Rs 40.7 lakh from his savings to different bank accounts of the accused.
"The fraudsters told the man that if he is cleared in the investigation of law enforcement agencies, the amount will be returned to his account within one or two hours," the official said.
Dandotia said on realising that he had been cheated, the man lodged a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the police.
"Digital arrest" is a new method of cyber fraud in which fraudsters pose as law enforcement officers and threaten people on audio or video calls and hold them hostage digitally on the false pretext of arrest. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Rajesh Dandotia said two accused called the septuagenarian working for a private company by posing as officers of the Mumbai police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
"The fraudsters informed the victim that a fraudulent transaction of Rs 2.60 crore was done in his name through an account of Canara Bank in Mumbai," he said.
Dandotia said the fraudsters did a video call with the man and threatened to place him under "digital arrest" and kept giving him instructions during the fake interrogation. Fearing arrest, the complainant transferred Rs 40.7 lakh from his savings to different bank accounts of the accused.
"The fraudsters told the man that if he is cleared in the investigation of law enforcement agencies, the amount will be returned to his account within one or two hours," the official said.
Dandotia said on realising that he had been cheated, the man lodged a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the police.
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Kerala CPI(M) leader Divya taken into custody over Additional District Magistrate suicide case
CPI(M) leader P P Divya, accused in the Kannur Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu suicide case, was taken into custody on Tuesday by the Kerala police, hours after a court rejected her anticipatory bail plea.
"She has been taken into custody," Kannur city police commissioner told reporters.
Divya has been charged with abetment to suicide in the case. Earlier in the day, the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Thalassery, K T Nissar Ahammed rejected Divya's anticipatory bail plea.
Attending his send-off function allegedly uninvited on 14 October, Divya had criticised Babu for delaying the approval of a petrol pump in Chengalai for several months and remarked that he granted approval only two days after being transferred, hinting that she knew the reasons behind the sudden approval.
The following day, Babu was found dead at his quarters in Kannur.
"She has been taken into custody," Kannur city police commissioner told reporters.
Divya has been charged with abetment to suicide in the case. Earlier in the day, the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Thalassery, K T Nissar Ahammed rejected Divya's anticipatory bail plea.
Attending his send-off function allegedly uninvited on 14 October, Divya had criticised Babu for delaying the approval of a petrol pump in Chengalai for several months and remarked that he granted approval only two days after being transferred, hinting that she knew the reasons behind the sudden approval.
The following day, Babu was found dead at his quarters in Kannur.
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Two more terrorists killed in Jammu encounter following attack on army convoy
Security forces on Tuesday morning gunned down two terrorists holed up in a forest area near a village in the Akhnoor sector in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the number of militants killed in the 27-hour-long gunfight near the Line of Control (LoC) to three, officials said.
One of the three terrorists who fired at an ambulance that was part of an army convoy moving near the LoC on Monday morning was killed by evening in the operation that also witnessed action by special forces and NSG commandos and the use of BMP-II infantry combat vehicles. The other two terrorists were killed on Tuesday in a span of two hours after the joint teams of the army and the police launched the final assault near the Assan temple in Jogwan village in the Battal-Khour area, the officials said.
They said the encounter has ended but the operation is on to retrieve the bodies of the slain terrorists who are believed to have infiltrated from across the border on Sunday night before appearing outside a temple and targeting the army convoy. "After a night-long lull, the security forces pushed for a final assault against the holed-up terrorists at around 7 am, leading to a fresh gunfight," an official said.
A couple of deafening explosions followed by intense firing continued for over an hour before the second terrorist was killed, the officials said, adding intermittent exchange of fire continued for another hour before the third trapped ultra was eliminated.
A four-year-old valiant Army dog, Phantom, died after being hit by a bullet during the operation. In a first, the Army has also pressed its four BMP-II infantry combat vehicles for surveillance and strengthening the cordon around the attack site, while helicopters and drones were also deployed to locate the hiding terrorists.
The latest encounter in the Jammu region comes amid a surge in terrorist activities in Kashmir where seven attacks have occurred in the past two weeks, resulting in 13 fatalities, including two soldiers.
One of the three terrorists who fired at an ambulance that was part of an army convoy moving near the LoC on Monday morning was killed by evening in the operation that also witnessed action by special forces and NSG commandos and the use of BMP-II infantry combat vehicles. The other two terrorists were killed on Tuesday in a span of two hours after the joint teams of the army and the police launched the final assault near the Assan temple in Jogwan village in the Battal-Khour area, the officials said.
They said the encounter has ended but the operation is on to retrieve the bodies of the slain terrorists who are believed to have infiltrated from across the border on Sunday night before appearing outside a temple and targeting the army convoy. "After a night-long lull, the security forces pushed for a final assault against the holed-up terrorists at around 7 am, leading to a fresh gunfight," an official said.
A couple of deafening explosions followed by intense firing continued for over an hour before the second terrorist was killed, the officials said, adding intermittent exchange of fire continued for another hour before the third trapped ultra was eliminated.
A four-year-old valiant Army dog, Phantom, died after being hit by a bullet during the operation. In a first, the Army has also pressed its four BMP-II infantry combat vehicles for surveillance and strengthening the cordon around the attack site, while helicopters and drones were also deployed to locate the hiding terrorists.
The latest encounter in the Jammu region comes amid a surge in terrorist activities in Kashmir where seven attacks have occurred in the past two weeks, resulting in 13 fatalities, including two soldiers.
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Over 150 injured in fireworks accident at Kerala temple festival
Over 150 people were injured, including eight seriously, in a fireworks accident during a temple festival near Neeleswaram in Kasaragod (Kerala) on late Monday, police said.
The injured have been taken to various hospitals in Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru, they said.
The accident occurred at Veerarkavu Temple near Neeleswaram. The District Collector, on Tuesday, said that those who were seriously injured had 80% burns.
"The cause of the accident is being ascertained. Samples have been collected from the site. A case was lodged," he said.
He further said that according to a preliminary probe, the fireworks storage facility and the place where the crackers were being burst were close by. "The safety precautions were not taken. The requirement of maintaining a minimum distance of 100 meters between the two was not followed. No permission was taken either for storage of fireworks," he added.
According to the police, it is suspected that the accident occurred when the fireworks storage facility near Veerarkavu Temple caught fire.
The injured have been taken to various hospitals in Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru, they said.
The accident occurred at Veerarkavu Temple near Neeleswaram. The District Collector, on Tuesday, said that those who were seriously injured had 80% burns.
"The cause of the accident is being ascertained. Samples have been collected from the site. A case was lodged," he said.
He further said that according to a preliminary probe, the fireworks storage facility and the place where the crackers were being burst were close by. "The safety precautions were not taken. The requirement of maintaining a minimum distance of 100 meters between the two was not followed. No permission was taken either for storage of fireworks," he added.
According to the police, it is suspected that the accident occurred when the fireworks storage facility near Veerarkavu Temple caught fire.
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❖ - Syndicated news, primarily from PTI
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