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Showing posts from October, 2021

Designer junks mangalsutra ad after row

Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee on Sunday withdrew his controversial Mangalsutra ad campaign featuring models in “intimate apparel” following a BJP lawyer’s legal notice and a barrage of criticism, including MP home minister Narottam Mishra’s warning that the police would file an FIR and go after him if he didn’t scrap the “objectionable” content within 24 hours. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3Bryrpb

Govt in talks to woo top makers of semiconductors

India will roll out a mega multi-billion-dollar capital support and production-linked incentive plan to push manufacturing of semiconductors in the country, the move coming at a time when industries across sectors face massive production cuts due to global chip shortage, top sources have said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3GBn3e7

In a first, personal loans beat credit to industry

The share of personal loans in bank credit has for the first time overtaken overall loans to the industry sector during the second quarter of the current financial year. This has happened with loans to industry as of end-September 2021 shrinking by Rs 66,239 crore over March 2021 levels, while loans to individuals grew Rs 73,011 crore during the period. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3mxeTLI

Need membership of NSG to give up coal: India at G20

In a bold move, India on Sunday said that achieving its climate goals may be linked to issues like its membership to the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group — held up due to China's opposition — and availability of technology as it sought to push for the inclusion of differentiated responsibilities that seeks the developed West to fulfil its commitments. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3nMpZvS

Mere WA chats not proof of drug supply: Court

While granting bail to Aachit Kumar, a 22-year-old studying in London and an accused in the cruise liner drug bust case, a special NDPS court has held that merely on the basis of WhatsApp chats, it cannot be gathered that he used to supply contraband to Aryan Khan (23) and Arbaaz Merchant (26), especially when Khan, with with whom he chatted, has already been granted bail by the Bombay high court. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2Y1L24C

Arbaaz, Munmun unable to get out as formalities incomplete

Unlike Aryan Khan, the two other accused who got bail on the same day as him had to stay in jail for another night as they were unable to complete bail formalities despite a frantic effort by their lawyers, families and friends. Aryan’s friend Arbaaz Merchant (26) and model from Madhya Pradesh Munmun Dhamecha (28) had to spend their 27th night in Arthur Road jail and Byculla jail respectively. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3mrFidW

People must declare faith change: RSS

The RSS said on Saturday that forced religious conversion should stop and those who change their faith should announce it. The Sangh also said it would welcome the passing of any anti-conversion bill. “People who are converted have to announce that they have converted. There are people who get converted and do not disclose that they have converted. They take double benefits,” RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said at a press conference. from Times of India https://ift.tt/31lJfJb

'Make SCs, STs active stakeholder in court proceedings'

Observing that people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes continue to “face insurmountable hurdles in accessing justice from the stage of filing the complaint to the conclusion of the trial”, the Supreme Court on Friday said they must be made an active stakeholder in criminal proceedings and it is mandatory to keep victims of offences under the SC/ST Act informed about the court proceedings against accused and be allowed to be heard. from Times of India https://ift.tt/31iCO9B

First papal visit to India since 1999 likely after PM Modi’s invite

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, where Modi invited the head of the Roman Catholic Church to visit India and the two leaders discussed the future of a post-Covid world and climate change among other issues at a meeting that went on for an hour beyond the scheduled 20 minutes. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3jPBbGK

2 decades of drought emptying out Andhra’s ‘blessed’ district

Anantapur in Telugu means “blessed with many things”. It's an ironic name for a place that has come to be known for what it’s not blessed with — rainfall. This district in Andhra Pradesh has seen 18 droughts in the last 20 years (till 2020), making it a living example of creeping desertification and mass migration. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3jRqG5K

Doc’s detention under NSA: SC slams MP govt

Holding it mandatory for a government authority to expeditiously deal with and communicate its decision on a representation made by a person against preventive detention, the Supreme Court on Friday invalidated an order passed by Madhya Pradesh government against a doctor after noting that no decision was taken on his representation for two months. Rejection of his plea by the Centre was also not communicated to him in jail. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3Butcos

Live: Delhi allows multiplexes, theatres to open fully from Nov 1

India reported 14,348 Covid-19 new cases in the last 24 hours preceding Friday, the ministry of health and family welfare said. With this India's active caseload stood at 1,61,334. Active cases now account for less than 1% of total cases, at 0.47%, lowest since March 2020. The country also registered 13,198 new recoveries, taking the recovery rate to 98.19%. Stay with TOI for all updates: from Times of India https://ift.tt/315gv76

SC calls govt denial 'vague', orders probe into alleged Pegasus snooping

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed a probe into the Pegasus snooping controversy by a three-member expert committee under the supervision of former SC judge R V Raveendran, holding that a "prima facie case" is made out for an investigation in the light of the Centre's "omnibus and vague denial" of the alleged surveillance and the need to uncover the truth of the accusations. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3ErGmol

Double jabs, negative report must to fly to US from Nov 8

Come November 8 and foreign travellers who are fully vaccinated with WHO-approved jabs and have a negative Covid report from a test taken within 72 hours of departure can enter the US. For travellers from India, it means the lifting of restrictions imposed on May 4 at the height of India's second Covid wave. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3pHVidM

Expedite coverage of 2nd dose, government to tell states

In a move to ramp up coverage of Covid vaccines, particularly the second dose among those who are overdue, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya has called a meeting with health ministers of states and Union territories on Wednesday to review the situation and expedite the coverage so that all of the adult population can be covered with at least one dose by December. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3pGb4pm

No consumption, recovery, test or conscious possession: Aryan

Arguing for actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan’s bail plea in the drug seizure case, former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi told the Bombay high court on Tuesday that Aryan was not in “conscious possession” of the contraband allegedly seized from a friend’s shoe. Questioning the finding by the judge of a special court handling drug cases that Aryan was in “conscious possession” of contraband found with a friend, Rohatgi said the surmise was “tenuous and farfetched”. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3jCTe2I

Navy commander among 5 held for leaking info

A serving naval officer and two retired ones, along with two "private persons", have been arrested by the CBI in connection with the alleged leaking of confidential information about the modernisation of the Russian-origin Kilo-class conventional submarines in exchange for bribes. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3Bj89W7

Can't impose Kannada: Karnataka HC

Students coming from outside Karnataka can't be compelled to learn Kannada language, be it classical or functional, the high court on Tuesday orally observed, granting time to the state government to reconsider the issue. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3GrOF5p

Air India to add US nonstops post Nov 8 Uncle Sam reopening for fully jabbed

This could be the last expansion of services by state-owned Air India before it transits to the Tata Group and the big bang expansion then. The Maharaja will be adding its highly popular US nonstops from next month as Uncle Sam reopens for fully vaccinated foreign travellers stating November 8. from Times of India https://ift.tt/30U6TvQ

Edible oil prices head north: Only UP has enforced limit on stocks

With hardly any success in bringing down the prices of edible oils despite the recent major cut in import duty and agricultural cess, the government is now pinning its hopes on states and Union territories to fix the stock limits quickly and enforce it strictly. So far, only Uttar Pradesh has imposed a stock limit while Haryana, Gujarat and Rajasthan are in the final stages of fixing the limit. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3jxU9kX

Rajinikanth honoured with Phalke award

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award on Tamil superstar Rajinikanth and honoured a galaxy of personalities related to cinema, including Dhanush, Priyadarshan, Resul Pookutty, Manoj Bajpayee and Kangana Ranaut, with National Film Awards. The 67th National Film awards for 2019 were announced in March this year, and were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3CgRcN5

India improves infant mortality rate but gains slowing down

India's infant mortality rate has dropped to 30, but the decline has slowed down in the last five years in most states, just released data from the sample registration system (SRS) shows. It also reveals the enormous differences between states with Kerala having an IMR equal to the US and Madhya Pradesh faring worse than even Yemen or Sudan. Worryingly, it is the worst-off states in which the slowdown in improvement is most marked, Bihar being an exception. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3BgdSM2

Witness’ PSO’s affidavit claims payoff, NCB denies charge

The seizure of contraband from a cruise liner on October 2 night leading to the arrest of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan has become murkier with the personal bodyguard of a witness filing an affidavit levelling serious allegations of a payoff to a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) official. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3Gl5X3R

Executive hirings up 30% over pre-Covid levels

Executive hiring is back with a bang. And this is coming not only on the back of pent-up demand but also new opportunities opening up across sectors like green & renewable energy, electric vehicles, education, foodtech, aerospace, defence, consumer space and startups. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3Eb3Gq7

Army, police no longer all-male bastions: Modi

Lauding the rise in the number of women in police and central armed forces, which has more than doubled in the past six years, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Army and police are no longer meant only for men, and expressed hope that this trend will lead to “new age policing”, with the women in uniform becoming role models for “lakhs of daughters” of the country. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3b7wh36

Cong ‘convinced’ Amarinder trying to wean away Hindu voters

With Amarinder Singh finally announcing that he will launch a party and ally with BJP, Congress is convinced that he is angling to wean away Hindu voters in urban constituencies to dent the party in the Punjab assembly elections in early 2022. The idea behind the Congress renegade’s plan, as articulated by him, is what the party always suspected when it alleged that ‘Captain’ as Punjab chief minister was in league with BJP and Akali Dal. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3CnnaHq

Rising cases in Bengal, Assam, hint at post-festive Covid spike

At least three states in the country, led by Bengal, have started showing signs of a spike in Covid-19 infections after Durga Puja/Dussehra celebrations last week, although in absolute terms the numbers are not big so far. ​​​Bengal reported 974 fresh cases of the virus on Saturday, the highest single-day count in the state in over three months since July 10 this year. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3CdNgwD

Need to standardise pandemic best practices: PM to vaccine cos

Two days after India crossed the landmark of 100-crore Covid jabs, PM Narendra Modi on Saturday met local vaccine manufacturers and exhorted the need to institutionalise the best practises learnt during the past one and a half years and also asked them to take ‘Brand India’ to the next level globally. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2Zote4f

Indo-Bangla ties deeper than any strategic alliance: Shringla

Foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Saturday said the ties between India and Bangladesh were deeper than any other strategic partnership, and that it was a role model for nations that share borders. “India-Bangladesh relations have matured over the years and the two pillars of Indian diplomacy — ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ — find expression in our vibrant ties with Bangladesh,” he said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3B84ydo

Fresh rain alert sparks fear in Uttarakhand

Fresh rainfall and snow alert in Uttarakhand over the next 24 hours issued on Saturday has sparked concerns in the state which is still grappling with the damage caused by rain-triggered disasters this week. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast of light rainfall and snowfall in the higher reaches of Uttarakhand in the next 24 hours. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3C8CjfK

NCB official’s charge of spying untrue: Mumbai cops

A probe conducted by Mumbai police has revealed there is no truth in the complaint lodged by NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede that he was being spied upon by sleuths from the Oshiwara police station. Wankhede, who is probing the cruise liner drugs seizure case, had on October 11 called on director general of police Sanjay Pandey, saying his movements were being monitored by Oshiwara police during his daily visits to a cemetery where his mother has been buried. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3E0ZDwC

Join fight against terror, Amit Shah urges J&K youth

Home minister Amit Shah asked officials during a security review in Srinagar on Saturday about the targeted killings of minority community members and migrant labourers despite the heavy security arrangements in the Kashmir valley, official sources said. The killings have spread fear among them and have led to an exodus of migrant labour back to Bihar. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2ZkZqFC

Good judicial infrastructure has always been an afterthought, says CJI

Holding that financial autonomy and adequate infrastructure for the judiciary are essential to make the system more effective, Chief Justice N V Ramana on Saturday urged the Centre to clear his proposal to set up a National Judicial Infrastructure Authority, a statutory body that will take care of the needs of the judiciary. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3m7iDU0

Don’t let guard down in festive season, warns PM Modi

India's success in administering 100 crore doses of anti-Covid vaccines has generated a strong sense of optimism in all sections with experts upbeat about India's economy even as it was necessary to remember that having a strong "kavach (armour)" did not mean that people should let down their guard, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3m5v9mT

‘Foreign entity' WhatsApp cannot challenge Indian laws: Govt

The Centre has opposed petitions by WhatsApp and its parent firm Facebook challenging the new IT Rules for social media by terming the global messaging platform as an “out and out foreign commercial entity”. In an affidavit filed before the Delhi high court, the Centre said being a foreign commercial entity, WhatsApp cannot challenge the constitutionality of an Indian law. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3m8A2Md

Investing in coal unwise, says UN chief

“To invest in coal for the future is building white elephants, building stranded assets. And I don’t think developing countries have enough resources to waste,” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said on Friday, responding to a question raised by TOI on India’s continued investment in coal-fired power plants. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3vDYec9

India won’t commit to ‘net zero’ goal at COP26

India will not commit to the 2050 ‘net zero’ goal and the country will, along with China — despite intense friction over border issues — and other developing countries, tell the affluent nations to go for carbon neutrality much before mid-century keeping in view their own cumulative historical emissions. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3vCkK5d

Covid has cut life expectancy by 2 years in India: Study

Life expectancy in India has dropped by roughly two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a statistical analysis by scientists from the International Institute for Population Studies in the city. The IIPS study was conducted to look at the burden repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic on mortality patterns in the country. Across the world, Covid-19 has resulted in excess deaths in comparison to the previous years. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3vA6DgO

Covid live: 10cr second doses overdue, says Dr VK Paul

India on Thursday achieved a major feat in its battle against Covid-19 as cumulative vaccinations in the country crossed the 100 crore mark. Meanwhile, India’s Covid-19 taskforce chief Dr VK Paul said that the second dose is overdue in case of 10 crore people. Stay with TOI for all the latest updates: from Times of India https://ift.tt/3B5WxW2

SC reverses HC order, Gauri ‘killers’ to face stringent law

The Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a Karnataka HC decision and ruled that those accused in the murder case of journalist Gauri Lankesh will face charges under the provisions of the stringent Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) apart from IPC Section 302 and arms and explosives laws. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3m31UBm

Will have enough doses for booster shots: Poonawalla

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), exuded confidence in meeting the Centre’s goal of immunising all adults by yearend, while announcing that Covid-19 vaccine for children, Covavax, is readying for a February-March launch. The Pune-based company hopes to resume exports of its vaccine, Covishield to WHObacked global platform, Covax by November. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3vAv7GE

Farmers have right to protest but can’t block roads indefinitely: SC

The Supreme Court on Thursday said farmers have a right to protest against the three new farm laws even when their validity is under challenge before the apex court but was firm in its view that no one could be permitted to block roads indefinitely, impeding the right of citizens to commute without hindrance. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3vAmko8

Trade with China up 49%, Shringla red-flags deficit

In the first nine months of this year, India’s trade with China touched $90 billion, an increase of 49% over last year, foreign secretary Harsh Shringla said on Thursday. However, there is a large trade balance in favour of China, and India will continue to raise the issue of widening deficit with China, he added. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3nim49D

Army ‘well-poised to hold the line’ against China in Arunachal Pradesh

The big guns are ready to boom if required in this high-altitude region. Ahead of the artillery and air defence gun positions, companies of acclimatised and well-armed soldiers guard the forbidding terrain along the frontier, where temperatures have already dipped to minus 3 to 5 degree Celsius. from Times of India https://ift.tt/30Mpjib

Himalayan tragedy: U'khand toll tops 50

The murderous rain hammering the lower Himalayas in Uttarakhand and north Bengal claimed more lives on Wednesday, taking the number of deaths caused by landslides and rising river levels in Uttarakhand to 52. Five people remain missing, according to officials. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3pj3gdd

EPFO adds 14.8 lakh members in August

The provisional payroll data of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) released on Wednesday showed that the retirement fund body added around 14.81 lakh net subscribers in August, reflecting a growing trend in net payroll for the first five months of this financial year. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3m1umDK

‘WA chats show drugs nexus’: Aryan, 2 others denied bail

A special NDPS court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan, noting there is material in the form of incriminating WhatsApp chats that shows his nexus with suppliers and peddlers. The court also rejected the bail application of two others —Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha—who were arrested with Khan in the case of seizure of drugs from a cruise liner. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3AZYd3w

Kheri probe can’t be unending story, SC tells UP

Not satisfied with the pace of the special investigation team’s (SIT) probe into the Lakhimpur Kheri killings, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to take proactive steps, including recording statements of witnesses before a magistrate and giving protection to them, to dispel the impression that they are dragging their feet in the case. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3lZ5NHt

Norms for arrivals from non-risk nations eased

India will follow new entry norms for international arrivals starting October 25, thanks to growing vaccination globally and changing nature of the pandemic. While everyone flying into the country will still require to undergo a Covid RT-PCR test, the quarantine requirements have been significantly relaxed. from Times of India https://ift.tt/30B3l1o

India offered humanitarian aid: Taliban at Moscow meet

In a rare public mention of engagement with India, the Taliban on Wednesday said India had offered humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan at the Moscow Format talks. The talks saw participation by the Taliban and 10 countries, including India, and emphasised the need for Afghanistan to have an inclusive government that reflected, as Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said, the interests of all ethnicities and political forces for sustainable peace and national reconciliation. from Times of India https://ift.tt/30AMA6u

T20 WC: Sri Lanka thrash Ireland to reach Super 12s

Wanindu Hasaranga's rearguard fifty was beautifully complemented by a clinical bowling display as Sri Lanka sealed their place in Super 12s with a massive 70-run win over Ireland in a group A first round match of the ICC T20 World Cup. Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka recovered from 8 for 3 to make 171 for 7 in 20 overs and then returned to dismiss Ireland for 101 in 18.3 overs to grab the top position in Group A with four points from two matches. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3jkIdTT

NIA to investigate 4 cases of civilian killings in J&K

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe four cases relating to recent civilian killings by terrorists in J&K, the victims being Srinagar pharmacist M L Bindroo, Sikh school principal Supinder Kaur and teacher Deepak Chand, Bihari vendor Virendra Paswan, and two Bihari labourers — Raja Reshi Dev and Joginder Reshi Dev — killed in Kulgam. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3jkBtoR

SIT releases photos of suspects who ‘lynched’ BJP men in Kheri

The special investigation team (SIT) probing the Lakhimpur Kheri violence released six photographs of suspects who had allegedly “lynched” three BJP workers after the convoy of junior home minister Ajay Mishra’s son’s allegedly mowed down farmers at a protest site there on October 3. It has also announced cash rewards — without mentioning the amount — for information about the suspects. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3ph1k4K

Covid live: India to reach 100cr vax doses soon, says minister

India will soon create history by achieving the target of vaccinating over 100 crore people against Covid-19, Union minister of state for health Bharati Pawar said here on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference, Pawar said vaccination is going on on a war footing in the country. She attributed the fast pace of inoculation to teamwork. Stay with TOI for all updates on coronavirus from India and around the world from Times of India https://ift.tt/3vr6hJr

Bangladesh stay alive in T20 WC with win over Oman

Bangladesh kept their hopes of advancing to Super 12s stage alive with a nervy 26-run win over co-hosts Oman in their Group B match of the T20 World Cup. Opener Mohammad Naim struck a fine half-century to help Bangladesh set a 154-run target before bowlers led by star pacer Mustafizur Rahman (4/36) restricted Oman to 127 for 9. While Oman will take on Scotland, Bangladesh next play Papua New Guinea. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3phRboH

J&K government signs MoU with Dubai government

Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday signed an MoU with the government of Dubai for development projects including real estate, industrial parks, IT towers, multipurpose towers, logistics, medical college and super specialty hospital, said J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3aRauMW

Onion & tomato prices rise in festive season, oil rates stable

The average prices of pulses and major edible oils have remained almost same as a month back, the prices of onion and tomatoes have gone up due to increased fuel prices and damage to summer crops. The government data, which compiles the prices reported from over 100 centres, show that the average price of onions as on Sunday increased to Rs 39 a kg compared to Rs 28 a month back. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3BTSZYh

SC collegium bats for 12 despite govt objection

espite the Centre repeatedly expressing its reservations, the Supreme Court collegium has reiterated at least 12 names for appointment as high court judges — nine advocates for judgeship of the J&K, Calcutta and Karnataka HCs, and three district judges for the Allahabad HC. Some of the collegium’s recommendations have been repeated twice since 2018 and have been pending with the government because of “adverse” reports — some reportedly lack eligibility criteria — against them. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3FWaauz

India, US, Israel & UAE coming together to form a 2nd Quad?

Israel wants India, with its transformed relationship with the Arab world, to play a greater role in the Middle East’s emerging strategic landscape.Jaishankar’s visit will be India’s first high-level engagement with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s government, therefore closely watched in Israel.India, particularly Narendra Modi, enjoyed an unprecedented relationship with former PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3pdzSoC

Priyanka to be party’s face in Uttar Pradesh polls: Cong

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be the Congress face in Uttar Pradesh elections next year, the party said on Sunday in a statement of intent ahead of the crucial polls. It also said that Priyanka was the most popular face in UP and that Congress was in a direct contest with BJP, while Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have fallen behind in the race. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3FOslT0

Scotland stun Bangladesh in T20 World Cup first round

Scotland stunned Bangladesh by six runs in their Group B opener of the T20 World Cup first round here on Sunday. Chris Greaves led a fine lower-order fightback with a 28-ball 45 as Scotland recovered from a hopeless situation to post 140 for nine. In reply, Bangladesh were stopped at 134 for seven in their allotted quota of 20 overs as the tournament witnessed an upset on the very first day of the mega-event. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3BUI3cX

Kheri violence: SIT recovers 2 weapons from house of accused

The special investigation team (SIT), probing the October 3 incidents in Lakhimpur Kheri in which four farmers were mowed down by a jeep belonging to the son of Union minister of state for home Ajay Mishra, on Sunday recovered a pistol and a gun from the Lucknow apartment of one the arrested accused Ankit Das. While the pistol is registered in the name of Ankit himself, the gun’s licence is in the name of his bodyguard, Latif. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3p7kry7

New song to highlight India’s 100-crore jabs landmark

n the run-up to its efforts to reach the milestone of administering 100 crore Covid vaccine doses and to counter hestiancy, the central government on Saturday launched an audio-visual song produced and sung by renowned singer Kailash Kher. The song emphasises how vaccination has saved the country and its people from Covid-19 and that it’s the only way to defeat the virus. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3pdYi1d

BJP mocks Cong with ‘Parivar bachao working committee’ jibe

BJP on Saturday dubbed the Congress Working Committee meeting as “parivar bachao working committee”, alleging that it offered no answers to the issues of the party’s internal rift and its leadership’s failures, and instead indulged in spreading lies. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also criticised the CWC for not reacting to the brutal murder of a Dalit man at the Singhu border, one of the sites for the farmers’ protests, and questioned if the opposition party stood with the “Talibani mindset” behind the killing. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3DKHxig

Pak NSA invited for India's Afghanistan conference

Russia and Pakistan are among the countries India has invited for a meeting of the NSAs on the Afghanistan situation that India has proposed to host next month. China, Iran, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are also said to have been invited for the regional conference that will look to address the humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged country, along with the security situation and the need for the Taliban to uphold human rights. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3lNKMzj

India & US kick off military drill ‘Yudh Abhyas’ in Alaska

India and the US have kicked off their ‘Yudh Abhyas’ military exercise in the snow-clad mountains of Alaska, with over 300 soldiers from each side taking part in combat manoeuvres. The joint exercise will facilitate both armies to know each other better, share their wide-ranging tactical experiences and enhance their situational awareness through information exchange. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3jaSB09

2nd Nihang Sikh held in Singhu murder case

A Nihang Sikh surrendered to Punjab Police on Saturday in the case related to the killing of a farm labourer near the farmers’ protest site at the Singhu border on Friday, becoming the second to be arrested for the grisly murder. Narayan Singh of Rakh Devidaspura village in Amritsar district confessed to the cops that he had chopped off the leg of Lakhbir Singh and that he wasn’t remorseful about what he had done. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3DMXBjE

Rahul may take over Congress reins from Sonia next year

Rahul Gandhi appears to be getting ready to retake the reins of Congress, though only around August-September 2022, ruling out dissident G-23 call for early internal polls. The assumption of the party chief’s position is expected to potentially place Rahul Gandhi in a position to lead the party into the 2024 parliamentary elections. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2YTzQr0

Intel gets info on new ISI-backed terrorist front

The Indian intelligence establishment has been alerted about Pakistan-based groups floating a new tanzeem (terror organisation) that would claim responsibility for future attacks on security forces, their sources, mediapersons seen close to the government, non-locals in the Valley, Kashmiri Pandits, ruling party politicians, and industrialists, intelligence sources said. A hit list of 200 entities and their vehicle details has been prepared by ISI-backed groups, the intelligence suggests. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3p7ZSlm

Bhagwat: RSS concern at ‘rising Muslim share’ in popn

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday called for a reformulation of the national population policy to ensure demographic balance while reiterating the Sangh’s concerns about the rising share of Muslims in the country’s population. Speaking at the annual Vijayadashami event here to mark Sangh’s foundation day, Bhagwat also raised the issue of targeted killings of the minorities in Kashmir at the event. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3DHzDWX

Singhu horror: Mob chops off man’s hand, lynches him; 1 held

In a gruesome incident that has cast a shadow over the farmers’ protest at Singhu border, a 35-year-old man was beaten up by a mob, allegedly led by Nihangs, his left hand chopped off and both legs broken with a blunt object early on Friday morning. After he died of his injuries, his body was tied to an overturned police barricade in a version of medieval justice even as the mob exulted over their action. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3aFAqv5

IPL: Ruturaj wins Orange Cap, Harshal takes Purple

Chennai Super Kings batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad held the Orange Cap, while Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler Harshal Patel took the Purple Cap in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League. The 24-year-old Gaikwad registered a total of 635 runs in 16 matches. On the other hand, the 30-year-old Harshal scalped 32 wickets in 15 matches of this IPL season. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3BNmsmM

On hunger index, India trails Pak, Bangladesh & Nepal

India has slipped to the 101st position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021 of 116 countries and is behind its neighbours Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Eighteen countries, including China, Brazil and Kuwait, shared the top rank with a GHI score of less than five, the website of the Global Hunger Index. which tracks hunger and malnutrition, said on Thursday. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3j3yD7u

Mantri’s son taken to Kheri to recreate crime scene

The SIT took Union minister Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish, Ankit and two members of the convoy — Shekhar Bharti and Lateef — to Kheri on Thursday to recreate the crime scene, with forensic experts from Lucknow examining the site. Vehicles like the ones in the minister’s convoy that day were brought in and dummies placed to represent protesting farmers. Media was not allowed entry. Ashish stayed on in the police jeep while the three others were asked to step out. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3p2V9RP

Top Maoist carrying 1 cr bounty said to be dead in Bastar

Top CPI (Maoist) central committee leader Akkiraju Haragopal alias Ramakrishna is believed to have died in the forests of Chhattisgarh, according to sources. He carried a combined reward of Rs 1 crore on his head. RK led the Naxal team from the Nallamala forest for peace talks with the AP government in September 2004. The 66-year-old hailed from Tumrupeta in Guntur district and became a target for security forces in AP and Odisha. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3vffqon

100 cr vaccination mark: Govt plans big outreach

Announcements will be made at airports, seaports, railway, bus and metro stations when India reaches the 100 crore vaccinations, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday as he shared plans of marking the moment with an impactful outreach to encourage more people to come forward and take the anti-Covid shot at the earliest. The 100 crore dose target is expected to be achieved by October 18 or 19, he said while launching a coffee table book on Covid warriors. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3DE7NuH

India now SUV market, sales outstrip hatches plus sedans

India is no longer a small car market, and the country is in love with SUVs. More than half the passenger vehicles sold in September, as well as the July-September quarter, were SUVs that commanded more volumes than the cumulative might of hatchbacks and sedans. With sales of 87,720 units in September 2021, SUVs outnumbered the passenger cars category –– comprising hatchbacks and sedans — by a large distance as the latter could only sell 64,235 units in the same month. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3DIrqSh

‘Rail roko’ on Oct 18 if minister isn’t sacked: Farmers

For six hours on October 18, farmers in “every district” will be out on railway tracks, staging a blockade in protest against “no action” being taken against Union minister Ajay Mishra in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, farmer leaders under the aegis of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) said on Thursday. The minister has been accused of criminal conspiracy by farmers and his son has been arrested after being booked for killing four farmers and a journalist. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2YUe6LG

Shah warns enemies against ‘flirting’ with India’s borders

Recalling the surgical strikes India carried out inside Pakistan-controlled territory to retaliate against a terror attack on an Army camp in Uri, Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday sounded a stern warning to India’s enemies against “flirting” with the country’s borders and said every such act will be responded with befitting retaliatory moves by India. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3AJ8EYU

Snow in high Himalayas, Delhi temperature falls to 19°C

Delhiites have started getting the pre-winter feel with a nip appearing in the late-night and early-morning air. The night temperature on Thursday dropped below 20 degrees Celsius for the first time this season, with the mercury falling to 19 degrees at Safdarjung. The upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh received snow on Wednesday, in the wake of which cool northwesterly winds led to a drop in temperatures in the northern plains from Times of India https://ift.tt/3FRbpvo

China, Bhutan sign MoU for border talks; India takes note

Bhutan and China signed an MoU Thursday for what they called a "Three-step roadmap" for expediting the Bhutan-China boundary negotiations and which according to Thimphu will provide fresh impetus to talks and can bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion acceptable to both sides. The MoU comes at a time India's own talks with China to resolve the military standoff in eastern Ladakh remain inconclusive. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3BIDToD

JCO, soldier hurt in fresh Jammu gunfight with ultras

A junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the Army and a soldier were critically injured in a gunfight between security forces and a group of terrorists late on Thursday at Mendhar in J&K's frontier district of Poonch. The incident comes four days after a JCO and four soldiers were killed in action while pursuing terrorists hiding in a forested area of Surankote in the same district. from Times of India https://ift.tt/30tAEna