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Fri, 15 November 2024
Liquor ban means big money for Bihar officials: HC
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23:25 Liquor ban means big money for Bihar officials: Patna HC
The Patna high court has lambasted Bihar government officials over the total liquor ban in the state, observing that they love the legislation since it means 'big money' for them.
The court also said that the police are working in tandem with liquor smugglers and the poor are bearing the brunt of the law.
The Bihar government enacted a law in April 2016 prohibiting the manufacture, trade, storage, transportation, sale, and consumption of liquor in the state.
However, despite stringent provisions of the Act, transport of liquor and hooch deaths have been reported a number of times since then.
"Not only the police officials, excise officials, but also officers of the State Tax department and the transport department love liquor ban, for them it means big money. The prohibition has, in fact, given rise to unauthorised trade of liquor and other contraband items," Justice Purnendu Singh said in an order.
"The draconian provisions have become handy for the police, who are in tandem with the smugglers," the Patna high court judge said while quashing a demotion order issued against a police inspector on the ground that he was negligent in implementing the prohibition law.
The order came in response to a writ petition filed by Mukesh Kumar Paswan, the station house officer (SHO) at Patna Bypass police station.
Paswan was suspended after excise department officials found foreign-made liquor in his possession during a raid. He was then demoted in 2020 following a general directive issued by the state government.
The court order said, "A few cases are registered against the kingpins or syndicate operators involved in liquor smuggling, compared to the vast number of cases against the poor who consume liquor or fall victim to hooch tragedies. Largely, it is the poor of the state who bear the brunt of this Act."
Article 47 of the Constitution mandated the duty of the State to raise standards of living and to improve the public health at large and the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, was enacted with this objective, 'but for several reasons, it finds itself on the wrong side of the history', the order said.
The lives of the majority of the poor section of the state who are facing the wrath of the Act are daily wagers who are only earning members of their family, it said.
The Investigating Officer in the case did not offer any documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations made by the prosecution against the accused SHO, the court said adding that the liquor mafia also go scot-free due to want of evidence.
The high court found this form of punishment to be predetermined, reducing the entire departmental proceedings to a formality.
The bench, in its October 29 order, quashed the punishment order and also annulled the entire departmental proceeding initiated against the petitioner. -- PTI
The court also said that the police are working in tandem with liquor smugglers and the poor are bearing the brunt of the law.
The Bihar government enacted a law in April 2016 prohibiting the manufacture, trade, storage, transportation, sale, and consumption of liquor in the state.
However, despite stringent provisions of the Act, transport of liquor and hooch deaths have been reported a number of times since then.
"Not only the police officials, excise officials, but also officers of the State Tax department and the transport department love liquor ban, for them it means big money. The prohibition has, in fact, given rise to unauthorised trade of liquor and other contraband items," Justice Purnendu Singh said in an order.
"The draconian provisions have become handy for the police, who are in tandem with the smugglers," the Patna high court judge said while quashing a demotion order issued against a police inspector on the ground that he was negligent in implementing the prohibition law.
The order came in response to a writ petition filed by Mukesh Kumar Paswan, the station house officer (SHO) at Patna Bypass police station.
Paswan was suspended after excise department officials found foreign-made liquor in his possession during a raid. He was then demoted in 2020 following a general directive issued by the state government.
The court order said, "A few cases are registered against the kingpins or syndicate operators involved in liquor smuggling, compared to the vast number of cases against the poor who consume liquor or fall victim to hooch tragedies. Largely, it is the poor of the state who bear the brunt of this Act."
Article 47 of the Constitution mandated the duty of the State to raise standards of living and to improve the public health at large and the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, was enacted with this objective, 'but for several reasons, it finds itself on the wrong side of the history', the order said.
The lives of the majority of the poor section of the state who are facing the wrath of the Act are daily wagers who are only earning members of their family, it said.
The Investigating Officer in the case did not offer any documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations made by the prosecution against the accused SHO, the court said adding that the liquor mafia also go scot-free due to want of evidence.
The high court found this form of punishment to be predetermined, reducing the entire departmental proceedings to a formality.
The bench, in its October 29 order, quashed the punishment order and also annulled the entire departmental proceeding initiated against the petitioner. -- PTI
23:01 Man suffers 'heart attack' on Delhi-Mumbai flight
A man who suffered suspected heart attack onboard a Delhi-Mumbai flight on Friday was saved due to the timely intervention of a doctor, sources said.
The incident took place when IndiGo flight 6E 6814 was in the air and about 45 minutes short of landing in Mumbai.
An IndiGo airline spokesperson said the passenger experienced breathlessness, and that the flight had a normal landing. Dr Prashant Bharadwaj, a doctor with Tata Motors, was travelling to Mumbai for some work when he heard a scream asking for help.
"A family member of the person who fell unconscious was calling for help. The crew asked for a doctor onboard and I immediately took my first aid box and rushed to the said passenger with some medications," Bharadwaj told PTI.
The crew also brought along necessary first aid and the patient, who developed unconsciousness and low blood pressure apart from profuse sweating, was stabilised, he said.
"I sat with the affected passenger for the rest of the flight. He was asked to take further medical care upon landing," the doctor said.
The airline spokesperson said the affected passenger was attended by the doctors at the airport. -- PTI
22:04 Italian tourist detained near border in J-K
A 41-year-old Italian tourist was detained for questioning after he was found moving on a bicycle near the International Border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, security officials said.
The foreigner, identified as Sciacca Marco from Torino in Italy, had arrived in India from Pakistan through Wagah border in Punjab on October 10, the officials said.
He was found cycling alone on Baniyari-Chakra road in Marheen border area of Rajbagh sector before he was detained by security forces on a border party duty, they said.
Marco had visited Pakistan, China and Afghanistan before entering India and reached Jammu, the officials said, adding that he was later released. -- PTI
21:55 3 dead as 3000-tonne silo storing corn collapses at Maha factory
At least three workers died and three sustained injuries after a silo storing corn collapsed in an ethanol manufacturing factory in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar's Shendre MIDC on Friday, officials said.
The bodies of three workers have been recovered, while one worker is missing, he added.
"At around 2:20pm, a 17.17 metre diameter silo tank with a height of 21,60 metres collapsed at Radico NV distilleries. The corn stored in the 3,000 tonne capacity fell out, killing three workers and injuring three others. One person is missing. Search and rescue operations are underway at the site," he said.
The official identified the deceased as Kisan Hirde (50), Vijay Gawali (40) and Dattatray Borde (40). -- PTI
21:07 UP: Dalit man killed in clashes between 2 groups
A Dalit man died of wounds sustained in stone pelting between two groups in Greater Noida's Bhikhampur village on Friday, police said.
According to Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shivhari Meena, the clash had broken out over the passage of a tractor through the village in the Rabupura Police Station jurisdiction.
Three of the accused, Nitin, Nikhil, and Ashu Tyagi, were arrested following an encounter with police which shot and wounded one of them, Meena said.
The argument 'escalated into stone-pelting, during which one person was injured and later declared dead by doctors at the hospital', the ACP said.
Other injured are undergoing treatment at a hospital, while police are hunting for the absconding culprits, he said.
The incident drew condemnation from Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, who demanded strict action against the culprits.
'The incident in which one person was killed and several others were seriously injured in violence perpetrated by goons against a Dalit family in Bhikhampur village, Rabupura police station, Gautam Buddha Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, is extremely sad and condemnable,' Mayawati posted on X in Hindi.
'The government must take stringent action against the culprits and provide assistance to the victim's family,' she added.
According to police, an FIR was lodged in the matter under several charges, including rioting, breach of peace, and attempt to murder.
Charges under the stringent Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, have also been invoked in the case, which has been filed at the Rabupura Police Station. -- PTI
Three Lions/Getty Images/Redidff archives
21:02 Howrah Bridge to shut on Saturday night for maintenance
The iconic Howrah Bridge will remain fully closed to vehicular movement from Saturday midnight until the early hours of Sunday for a comprehensive health check-up, its first such critical examination in 36 years.
The inspection is part of an ongoing study being undertaken by Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, also known as Kolkata Port Trust, in collaboration with RITES, the expert agency engaged for the task, an official statement said.
The bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu, will be completely closed to vehicles in both directions from 11:30 pm on November 16 to 4:30 am on November 17, it added.
The Kolkata Port Trust, which is responsible for the upkeep of the structure, stated that the temporary closure is essential for conducting the evaluation without disruptions.
Authorities have urged commuters to plan alternative routes during the closure period to avoid inconvenience.
The results of the study will guide future maintenance and preservation efforts for this engineering marvel, which continues to symbolise Kolkata's heritage and resilience.
This health check-up marks the first extensive examination of the bridge in nearly four decades, with the last such evaluation conducted between 1983 and 1988. At the time, the study was carried out after the bridge had served 40 years of uninterrupted service since its opening in February 1943.
Spanning 1,500 feet between its two iconic towers, the Rabindra Setu is a lifeline for Kolkata, accommodating a daily influx of vehicles and pedestrians.
The bridge's carriageway is 71 feet wide, complemented by two 18.5-feet-wide footpaths on either side for pedestrians.
The structure's load-bearing system relies on 78 hangers that transfer the superstructure's weight to concrete deck slabs beneath the bituminous surface.
Over the years, routine maintenance, including road surface repairs, has been carried out, but this comprehensive health study aims to ensure the bridge's long-term safety and functionality.
20:35 Railway Board asks zones to book reel creators if...
The Railway Board has asked all its zones to lodge first information report (FIR) against reel creators if they pose threat to safe rail operations or cause inconvenience to the passengers in the coaches or on the railway premises.
The Railway Board's instruction follows recent cases wherein people, mainly youngsters, compromised rail safety by filming stunt videos on railway tracks and in moving trains using their mobile phones.
"People have crossed all limits for making reels. They not only risk their own lives, but also jeopardise the safety of hundreds of rail passengers by placing objects or running vehicles on the railway tracks or by performing life-threatening stunts on moving trains," a senior Railway Board official said.
"Viral videos have shown people getting killed by approaching trains while taking selfies because they went too close to the track without realising how much area a train can cover at a short time. Many died on the spot after being hit by train," he added.
According to Railway Board officials, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) have been asked to adopt a 'zero tolerance' policy towards reel creators flouting norms.
Recently, the RPF registered a case against a man for attempting a stunt by unauthorisedly driving a Mahindra Thar SUV on the railway tracks between Kanakpura and Dhanakya railway stations in Jaipur division.
According to railway officials, a loco pilot of a goods train, which was coming on the same track, showed alertness and stopped the train at a safe distance after seeing the SUV stuck on the tracks.
It is suspected that the man attempted the stunt to get a reel filmed by his friends for a social media post.
In another recent incident, the railway police registered an FIR against 10 students of a city college for 'dangerously' travelling on footboard and causing a chaotic situation at the Vyasarpadi Jeeva railway station in Chennai.
After a video went viral showing the students raising slogans at the Vyasarpadi Jeeva railway station with one of them trying to climb atop the roof of the train, the police launched a probe after registering a case, railway officials said.
"Several such cases have come to light through viral videos, prompting the Railway Board to deal with them as sternly as possible," an official said. -- PTI
20:15 Chirag Paswan gets back bungalow that went to uncle
Union minister Chirag Paswan on Friday took possession of the government bungalow in Patna which had served as the office of his late father Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party till it split up within a few months of his death.
Paswan's entry into 1, Wheeler Road, situated a few hundred meters from vantage points like Raj Bhavan, the residence of the chief minister and the airport, marks the rise in his stock since his Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas won all the five seats it contested in the recent Lok Sabha polls.
"It is a great coincidence that we have been allotted, for my party, the very premises where I started my political journey," recounted the Union minister who had made his debut in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Paswan, however, maintained that he had 'never insisted on having back' the bungalow till recently occupied by the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party of his estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, whose revolt had led to the split in the party founded by his late father.
However, Paswan asserted, "I am not someone who would hold a grouse against anybody. In fact, my memories of this house would always include the cherished moments I had spent with 'chacha' (uncle). It is because of circumstances of his own making that we are now apart."
Notably, after splitting the LJP, Paras also got a berth in the Union cabinet and the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, which was then gunning for Paswan, quickly allotted the bungalow to his party.
However, by the time the 2024 elections approached, Paras had obviously run out of luck, with the BJP-led NDA throwing its lot behind his nephew, who was also given his Hajipur seat, a pocket borough of the late Paswan.
The LJP-RV chief, who has mended his fences with Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal-United, which had blamed him for the crash in its tally in the 2020 assembly polls, also thanked the state government.
"For the past three years, my party had been functioning out of my Patna residence, without a proper office. The state government had, earlier, told us that as per rules no party can be allotted a building unless it had a certain number of MPs or members in the state legislature," said Paswan.
"We made a fresh demand for a building as party office after we performed well in Lok Sabha polls. Thankfully, this time our request has been approved. It will help my party in strategizing for next year's assembly polls in which we shall work to ensure the NDA's victory," he added. -- PTI
19:05 Their dog barked at him, man molests 2 women
Angry over his neighbour's pet dog barking at him, a man allegedly molested a woman by tearing her dress and also thrashed her along with her elderly mother in Thane city of Maharashtra, police said.
The incident took place on Wednesday around 4.30 pm at Takarda in Kasarvadavli locality of Thane, they said.
As per the complaint lodged by the 39-year-old victim, her pet dog barked at her neighbour, Gautam, when he was passing by her house. Angry over it, the man, 25, picked up a stone to attack the animal, an official said.
"The victim woman's 64-year-old mother reprimanded him over his act. On seeing this, Gautam's mother and another woman started arguing with the victims. The three accused beat up the mother-daughter duo and molested them by tearing the complainant's dress," he said.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered against Gautam, his mother Maya (50) and one Nayana Thapar (40) under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), he said. -- PTI
18:09 Raj Thackeray cancels rally plan at Mumbai's Shivaji Park
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray said on Friday that he won't hold his November 17 rally at Mumbai's Shivaji Park as the Election Commission (EC) is yet to grant his party permission for the event.
Instead, Thackeray said, he would visit assembly segments in Mumbai and Thane to canvass for MNS candidates.
I still have not got the permission and I have 1.5 days for the meeting. In these 1.5 days, holding rallies is becoming difficult. Instead, I will visit assembly seats in Mumbai and Thane, Thackeray said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS had sought permission to hold rallies on November 17 at the iconic Shivaji Park. Both parties have not yet received the EC nod for the proposed events.
Campaigning for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls ends at 5 pm on November 18.
Besides being known as the cradle of Indian cricket, Shivaji Park in central Mumbai was the venue for Bal Thackeray's first Dussehra rally after he founded Shiv Sena in 1966. A Dussehra rally at the ground then became a Sena tradition.
Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray's politically estranged cousin said last week that his party had sought permission for a rally at Shivaji Park on November 17, which is also the death anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
That day, he said, lakhs of Bal Thackeray's followers would congregate at the ground. After he died in 2012, Bal Thackeray was cremated at Shivaji Park.
So we are telling the Election Commission and police not to complicate the matter. Shiv Sainiks will anyway flock there and you cannot stop them. No Model Code of Conduct is applicable here. So to avoid any tussle and allow us to hold a rally on November 17, he had said.
18:01 Delhi pollution: 'Respiratory disease cases doubled'
The Air Quality Index (AQI) remains severe to hazardous in Delhi NCR which is a leading cause of the rise in respiratory and chest infection cases in hospitals.
According to Dr Sudhir Gupta, senior consultant, Chest physician and Bronchoscopist medicine, Kailash Hospital, Noida, "Patients suffering from respiratory diseases are definitely increased, since few days patient's are doubled in numbers and burden has also increased in OPD's, some are coming up with infected cough which isn't curable after taking normal medication. The situation has become difficult for those patients who are already suffering from respiratory diseases."
Some experts are saying that people who are non-allergic and have no history are also getting affected by air pollution.
Dr Avi Kumar, Senior Consultant, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts said, "We are seeing in our OPD patients with symptoms of breathlessness, wheezing, cuff and throat irritation, itching of the throat, nose block, running nose, ear block, eyes itching. So these symptoms are on the rise in many of our perpetuity patients, and in patients generally, those who are coming to us in an emergency. We are seeing a lot of pneumonia patients coming to us. They have no history of any smoking, or they have no past any immunocompromised status, but they are coming with pneumonia. So it's quite surprising that immuno-competent patients who have no history of smoking, are coming to us with presentations of pneumonia."
"I will advise most of our patients who are on respiratory medicines, who are on cardiac medications, liver or kidney medications, to stay at home, don't go for the morning walk. Whenever there is sun then only go for a walk, don't go unnecessarily to the markets. Secondly, those who are on the medications should take their regular medications. They should not leave their medications."
Dr Avi recommended measures for people who come under comorbidities. -- ANI
17:56 Modi stranded for 2 hours at Deoghar airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was stranded in Jharkhand's Deoghar airport for nearly two hours on Friday after his special Indian Air Force aircraft developed a snag, flew back to Delhi in another plane, officials said.
Modi was supposed to return to New Delhi on the IAF plane after addressing a rally in Bihar's Jamui, around 80 km from Deoghar, they said.
The PM visited Jamui to attend a function marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda, celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
"PM Modi left for Delhi from Deoghar in another special aircraft after his IAF plane developed a technical snag. The aircraft could not be rectified on time. PM had to wait for more than two hours," Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Vishal Sagar told PTI.
While Modi waited for the issue to be resolved, the region's airspace was declared a 'no-flying zone'.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also caught in a similar situation in Godda, Jharkhand.
Gandhi's helicopter, which was supposed to take him back after addressing an election rally, was grounded for about two hours, prompting allegations from the Congress that the delay was politically motivated.
"Our leader Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was not allowed to take off for about two hours, posing a grave threat to his life. This was a security lapse at the behest of the Centre," state minister Deepika Pandey Singh alleged. -- PTI
16:36 Praise Savarkar, Bal Thackeray: Shah dares Rahul
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, challenging him to praise Veer Savarkar and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
"Aghadi is an army of liars. Rahul Baba, please praise your friend Uddhav Thackeray's father, the great Balasaheb Thackeray, for two minutes. Uddhav ji, if you have the courage, get Rahul Baba to speak two good words about Veer Savarkar and Balasaheb," Shah said while addressing a rally in Hingoli.
The Union Home Minister said the assembly polls in Maharashtra would determine whether the state follows the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj or the path of Aurangzeb for the next five years.
"The upcoming election will decide whether Maharashtra follows the path of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar or the path of Aurangzeb. Our Mahayuti alliance has chosen the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar without any hesitation, while the Aghadi alliance seems to be an Aurangzeb fan club. Modi ji built the Ram temple and also reconstructed the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, which had been demolished by Aurangzeb," Shah said.
Amit Shah also mocked Rahul Gandhi, likening him to a plane that has repeatedly crashed."Sonia ji has tried to land the plane named Rahul Baba 20 times, and 20 times it has crashed. Now, another attempt is being made to land it for the 21st time in Maharashtra. Sonia ji, please note that your Rahul aircraft will crash once again in the Maharashtra assembly elections," he quipped. -- ANI
Video grab of the check of Amit Shah's bags and chopper
16:24 Amit Shah: EC inspected my chopper
The bag check controversy refuses to die down. Union HM Amit Shah tweets, "Today, during my election campaign in Hingoli Assembly constituency of Maharashtra, my helicopter was inspected by Election Commission officials. BJP believes in fair elections and a healthy election system and follows all the rules made by the Honourable Election Commission. We all must contribute to a healthy election system and perform our duties in keeping India as the strongest democracy in the world."
What bag controversy, you ask?
15:59 PM plane hit by snag, J'khand-Delhi return delayed
PM Modi's aircraft hit by technical snag in Jharkhand, unable to take off. The aircraft has to remain at Deoghar airport causing some delay in his return to Delhi.
15:35 Sharad Pawar: Why give Yogi importance, he's...
Senior opposition leader Sharad Pawar on Friday accused Narendra Modi of "dividing" the society as he slammed the prime minister's campaign speeches and stressed that he will have no association with those allied with the BJP, when asked about the possibility of a post-poll reunion with his estranged nephew Ajit Pawar.
In an interview with PTI, Pawar, considered the architect of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra, said the ruling Mahayuti has been using a "tremendous amount of monitory strength", including through cash transfer schemes, to influence the polls following its poor show in the state in the Lok Sabha polls. But people will reject them, he said.
The four-term former Maharashtra chief minister and ex-Union minister was blistering in his criticism of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, whose "batengain to katengain" slogan has drawn criticism from even some BJP leaders and allies like Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president said, "He (Adityanath) is known for these communal expressions. Why give him importance? I don't want to utter even one sentence about him. These are the people who wear saffron clothes and perpetrate communalism. They are doing a disservice to the nation."
Asked about Modi's extensive campaign in which he accused the opposition of dividing the society on caste lines and sought people's unity in favour of the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party alliance, Sharad Pawar hit back.
"He is the prime minister. He is saying certain things. What he says about our associates (allies) is very unfair. He himself is dividing the society. You can see his speeches over the past few days and the issues that he is raising for his political interests," he said. Pawar said he has witnessed a great amount of "unrest" among people during his extensive campaign. The prime minister has accused the Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP (SP) alliance of seeking to divide society and pursuing appeasement politics, and has called for unity with his call for "ek hain to safe hain".
The Congress and former BJP ally the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) have been particularly at the receiving end of his withering criticism. Spearheading the MVA campaign and also making determined efforts to reclaim his party's standing in its strongholds, especially in western Maharashtra following the split in 2023, the 83-year-old Pawar expressed confidence in getting popular support in the election.
"People are very unhappy (with state government), particularly the farmers and the younger generation. Whenever they get an opportunity to cast their votes, they will favour people like us and our associates," he said while declining to make any assessment about the number of seats the MVA may win in the 288-member assembly. -- PTI
15:09 Moody's says economy in sweet spot, growth is...
Indian economy is in a sweet spot, with a mix of solid growth and moderating inflation, Moody's Ratings said, forecasting a 7.2 per cent GDP growth in the 2024 calendar year and 6.6 per cent in the next.
In its Global Macro Outlook 2025-26, the rating agency said the global economy has shown remarkable resilience in bouncing back from supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, an energy and food crisis after the Russia-Ukraine war began, high inflation and consequent monetary policy tightening.
"Most G-20 economies will experience steady growth and continue to benefit from policy easing and supportive commodity prices," it said. However, post-election changes in US domestic and international policies could potentially accelerate global economic fragmentation, complicating ongoing stabilisation.
The aggregate and net effects of trade, fiscal, immigration and regulatory policy changes will expand the range of outcomes for countries and sectors. On India, Moody's said the real GDP expanded 6.7 per cent year-over-year in the second quarter (April-June) of 2024, driven by a revival in household consumption, robust investment and strong manufacturing activity. -- PTI
14:37 No EC nod yet, MNS cancels its Shivaji Park rally
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray said on Friday that he won't hold his November 17 rally at Mumbai's Shivaji Park as the Election Commission (EC) is yet to grant his party permission for the event.
Instead, Thackeray said, he would visit assembly segments in Mumbai and Thane to canvass for MNS candidates. "I still have not got the permission and I have 1.5 days for the meeting. In these 1.5 days, holding rallies is becoming difficult. Instead, I will visit assembly seats in Mumbai and Thane," Thackeray said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS had sought permission to hold rallies on November 17 at the iconic Shivaji Park. Both parties have not yet received the EC nod for the proposed events. Campaigning for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls ends at 5 pm on November 18.
The mangled remains of the car
14:22 Car-truck collision leaves 6 partying friends dead
Six youngsters died a horrific death in a car accident in Uttarakhand's Dehradun earlier this week while returning from a party.
According to reports the incident took place around 1.30 am at the ONGC Chowk on November 12. The car, which was speeding, smashed into a truck, leaving the vehicle mangled and its occupants dead.
The impact of the collision was so severe that it ripped out the Toyota Innova's roof and twisted it. Two passengers were left decapitated in the incident. Several other body parts of the victims are also seen scattered around the road.
According to media reports, a group of seven friends were returning from a party that night and were drunk.
The victims were identified as Kunal Kukreja (23), Atul Agrawal (24), Rishabh Jain (24), Navya Goel (23), Kamakshi (20), and Guneet (19).
The seventh person, Siddhesh Agrawal (25), who had reportedly hosted the party in Dehradun, is the sole survivor but remains in a critical condition.
File pic
14:11 Fire at BKC station on Mumbai Metro 3
Passenger services at BKC station on Mumbai Metro 3 are temporarily closed due to a fire outside Entry/Exit A4, which caused smoke to enter the station, say officials. "For passenger safety, we have paused services. Please proceed to Bandra Colony station for alternative boarding."
13:42 China very cautious about Trump 2.0
As world leaders gather for two major summits -- G20 and APEC -- in South America in the coming days, the uncertainty surrounding US President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House is creating apprehension, with many focused on what Trump's "America First" agenda could mean for the global economy and ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
Meanwhile, China, under President Xi Jinping, is positioning itself to seize opportunities in the wake of Trump's expected second term as the Chinese government looks to use these upcoming gatherings as a platform to advance its interests, particularly by creating divisions between the US and its allies and presenting China as a stable alternative leader on the world stage, CNN reported on Thursday.
The two key events, the APEC summit in Peru and the G20 summit in Brazil, will be crucial for China as it seeks to navigate the potential fallout from a Trump presidency. Xi's strategy is to emphasize China's role as a reliable partner and counterbalance to a more unpredictable US under Trump.
In his first term, Trump initiated a trade and tech war with China, framing the country as a rival. This stance has largely continued under outgoing President Joe Biden, who has deepened US-China tensions by involving allies in a coordinated approach to counter Beijing's rise.
As Trump's second term looms, Xi's government is preparing for the possibility of escalating trade restrictions, including Trump's proposals for high tariffs on Chinese goods and continued pressure on Chinese access to advanced technology.
At the APEC summit in Peru, Xi will also showcase China's growing influence in the Global South, including the launch of a USD 3.5 billion Chinese-funded megaport in Peru. The project, seen as a vital trade gateway between Latin America and Asia, underscores China's commitment to fostering economic ties in the region. Xi's diplomatic team will be carefully navigating discussions at both summits, aiming to reinforce China's commitment to global stability and its economic future.
They will also seek to portray China as an alternative to a potentially more isolationist US under Trump. However, Xi's recent messages to Trump have suggested an awareness of the risks: a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement highlighted that both countries could benefit from cooperation but suffer from confrontation, according to CNN. The Chinese leader warned that the two countries "will both benefit from cooperation and lose from confrontation." -- ANI
12:45 Because Ajit Pawar was in anti-Hindu camp: Fadnavis
UP CM Yogi Adityanath's clarion call for unity among Hindus with the slogan 'Katenge toh Batenge' has sparked a divide with the Mahayuti Alliance in Maharashtra. NCP Chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has publicly spoken against this slogan while his compatriot Devendra Fadnavis has defended it.
In an interview with ANI, Fadnavis said that it will take time for Ajit Pawar to understand the public's mood as had stayed with anti-Hindu idealogies for a long time.
"For decades, Ajit Pawar has stayed with such ideologies which are secular and anti-Hindu. There is no real secularism amongst those who call themselves as secularists. He has stayed with people for whom opposing Hindutva is secularism. There is no real secularism among those who call themselves secular," Fadnavis said speaking to ANI.
"It will take some time for him to understand the mood of the public. These people either did not understand the sentiments of the public or did not understand the statement or they probably wanted to say something else," he added. Fadnavis said that there was nothing wrong with the slogan given by Yogi Adityanath and stated that it had been the history of the country.
"I don't see anything wrong in Yogi ji's slogans. Look at the history of this country. Jab Jab bate hai tab gulam bane hai. Whenever this country was divided into castes, states, divided into communities society we became slaves. The country was also divided, and so were the people. That's why if we divide, we will be cut. This is the history of this country," Fadnavis said in an interview with ANI.
"And I don't understand that if someone says don't divide, then what is the point of objecting to this?" he added. The slogan has also been widely condemned by the opposition leaders, claiming communal overtones in it. The slogan was given by CM Yogi while speaking at a campaign rally in Maharashtra. After which, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the slogan 'ek hai toh safe hai'. -- ANI
Pic: Sahil Salvi
12:23 Voting from home takes off in Maharashtra
Padma Shri awardee, 82-year-old Kalyan Sundaram from Matunga cast his vote at his residence for the upcoming Maharashtra polls.
A total of 746 persons above the age of 85 as well as those with disabilities have already cast their vote from their homes in Maharashtra's Thane district. In all, 933 persons from 18 assembly constituencies of the district had registered for the home voting facility for the November 20 state polls.
12:22 Don't agree with 'batenge toh katenge': Ajit Pawar
As the 'Batenge toh Katenge' slogan has taken centre stage in the Maharashtra assembly polls, Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar said that he does not endorse the slogan and backed PM Modi's 'Ek hai toh Safe hai" slogan.
The slogan has been widely condemned by the opposition leaders, claiming communal overtones in it.
"I have expressed my disagreement on this (Batenge toh Katenge) in a public rally and media interviews. Some BJP leaders have also expressed the same. 'Sabka saath, Sabka vikas' means together with all, development for all...Now, 'Ek hain toh safe hain...I see it from this angle," Ajit Pawar said in an interview with ANI.
Expressing his displeasure with the slogan he said, "We immediately said that this is not Uttar Pradesh, it must be going on in the North, not in our Maharashtra."
Earlier, in an interview with ANI, BJP leader Fadnavis, who is in alliance with Ajit Pawar's NCP under Mahayuti banner said that there is nothing wrong with the slogan.
"I don't see anything wrong in Yogi ji's slogans. Look at the history of this country. Jab Jab bate hai tab gulam bane hai. Whenever this country was divided into castes, into states, divided into communities society we became slaves. The country was also divided, and so were the people. That's why if we divide, we will be cut. This is the history of this country," Fadnavis said in an interview with ANI.
12:13 EXCLUSIVE! The Aaditya Thackeray Interview
Two-and-a-half years after the Shiv Sena split into two, with one faction joining hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party to form the government in Maharashtra, the other group led by Uddhav Thackeray faces its biggest challenge to reclaim its legacy and status as the party of founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
And leading the charge is the latter's grandson, Aaditya Thackeray, who is the party nominee seeking re-election from Worli in south central Mumbai.
Ranged against Thackeray Jr is Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Sandeep Deshpande.
During a brisk round of campaigning in Worli, Rediff.com's Hemant Waje caught up with the Thackeray scion.
Read/watch the interview here.
Pt Ajoy Chakrabarty with Amit Shah. File pic
11:54 Pt Ajoy Chakrabarty's brother held for molestation
Kolkata Police arrested a renowned musician from Mumbai for allegedly molesting a student at his institute here, an officer said on Friday. Renowned singer and composer Sanjay Chakrabarty, brother of Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, was arrested by a Charu Market police team from a location in Mumbai after a cat-and-mouse game lasting nearly two months, the officer said.
Chakraborty has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and sent to police custody till November 18 following his production at a city court here after being brought from Mumbai on transit remand, the officer added.
The incident took place in June when the singer allegedly molested a 15-year-old girl student at the yoga institute where he conducts singing classes. "As per the complaint, Chakrabarty remained there after the class was over, and when all other students had left, he allegedly molested the victim," the officer said.
The incident came to light after the victim was taken to Bengaluru by her parents for psychological treatment, the officer added. "It was during treatment that the victim divulged the entire incident to her doctor for the first time, and her parents learned about it," he added.
The parents mailed their complaint to Belgharia police station in North 24 Parganas district in September, prompting the police to lodge a zero FIR. "The case was shifted to Charu Market police station for investigation as the incident occurred within their jurisdiction," the officer told PTI. Police are planning to examine CCTV camera footage from the institute where the alleged crime took place and to speak with students and others present there, he said. PTI
11:33 Congress' troll army attacked my wife: Fadnavis
Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' wife Amruta, the BJP leader said that his opponents had started personal attacks against him and his wife as they realised they would not be able to defeat him.
"The Prime Minister is not wrong when he says that there should be a focus on women's development and women-led social reforms. In the last five years, when Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar could not do anything against me in any of the investigations he carried out, he started personal attacks against me and his troll army started accusing my wife on the Instagram reels she made," Fadnavis said in an interview with ANI.
Further, he said he believed that truth will eventually triumph. "If a civilized person saw the trolls made against my wife, they would be highly embarrassed. I told my wife that considering that we are in politics, we have to be patient and that truth can be troubled, but not defeated," Fadnavis added.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the trollers should be ashamed and drown in water considering the way they criticized his wife and wrote derogatory things about her.
"The way they behaved and made memes about my wife and wrote bad things about her, they should drown in water. If you want to fight, come and fight in the front. What is this kind of war that you are fighting? I am very patient in this matter. I understand their fight and I will defeat them," he stated.
Recently Kanhaiya, while addressing a campaign rally in Nagpur took aim at Fadnavis' recent comments referring to the upcoming elections as a "Dharamyudh."
The Congress leader said that the job of "saving religion" should not be reduced to political rhetoric while the Deputy Chief Minister's wife engages in "making Instagram reels." -- ANI
11:29 Sri Lanka President's NPP secures parliamentary majority
Sri Lanka's National People's Power of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday secured a majority in parliament, according to official results announced by the elections commission.
The NPP contesting under the Malimawa (compass) symbol secured 113 seats in the 225 member assembly, data released by the elections commissions website showed. The NPP has received 6.8 million or 61 per cent of the votes counted, taking a commanding lead over its rivals. The party is on track to get a two thirds majority. PTI
11:07 There will be no Mahayuti after Nov 23: Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said that there will be no Mahayuti after November 23 and added that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will form the government in Maharashtra.
Raut also asserted that the MVA alliance is strong and united in the state. Speaking to reporters, Raut said, "The people of Maharashtra do not trust the Prime Minister's statement. This is Maha Vikas Aghadi. We three are together. We are one and we are safer in Maharashtra than you. And the second thing is that the people will decide whose remote control is in whose hands. You may have the remote control of the Shiv Sena you have made after dividing the party, but we refrained from giving our (Shiv Sena UBT) remote control to you and that's why you are irked with us. We are 'swabhimani' and hence won't fall for your tricks. I have said earlier also that after November 23, there will be no Mahayuti because there will be no CM. They will not make Eknath Shinde the CM or LoP. They will not get the majority. We are forming the government..." -- ANI
11:02 The Lady With 11 Driving Licenses!
Radhamani Amma, 74, widely known as Mani Amma, can be described as a trendsetter, legend and an inspirational figure for many young women in Kerala.
She is perhaps the only woman in India with 11 driver's licenses including a license to drive a JCB and crane, and also a certification to drive vehicles carrying hazardous goods!
"I feel so happy and content that I can be an inspiration to many women," Radhamani Amma tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier.
Read the story here.
10:34 Pollution chokes Delhi, new rules in place now
Delhi woke up to GRAP Stage III restrictions on Friday, as the city's air quality remained in the severe category for the third consecutive day, prompting strict measures to curb pollution levels.
According to the Sameer app , the Air Quality Index at 9 am was recorded in the severe' category (400 to 500), with a reading of 411. The CAQM imposed GRAP Stage III as the national capital recorded the worst pollution levels in the country, with the air quality remaining in the severe category for two consecutive days.
Prior to entering the severe category, Delhi's air quality had been in the very poor range for 14 consecutive days. It directed the authorities in Delhi-NCR to invoke curbs under stage III of the anti-pollution plan with immediate effect. The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality Stage 1 for poor Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 201 and 300, Stage 2 for very poor AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for severe AQI of 401-450 and Stage 4 for severe plus AQI more than 450.
Curbs under Stage III include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition, closure of stone crushers and mining activities in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). Under the Stage-IV restrictions of GRAP, all inter-state buses from NCR states except electric vehicles, CNG vehicles and BS-VI diesel buses will be prohibited from entering Delhi, alongside a stringent ban on construction and demolition activities, suspension of mining-related activities, consideration of shifting to online classes for students up to Class V and daily water sprinkling on major roads. -- PTI
10:24 Freedom at Midnight Review
Freedom At Midnight is a bold attempt to revisit the whole discourse about Partition, its causes, and the predicament under which the Congress leaders accepted it.It perfectly captures the extremely confused and complicated situation to which it seemed the only viable solution, observes Utkarsh Mishra.
Read the review here.
10:20 Gladiator 2 Review: Worthy Follow-Up
Gladiator 2 delivers an epic experience that may not replace the original in viewers' hearts but certainly earns its place beside it, notes Sonil Dedhia.
Read the review here.
10:17 A book on the 'feared 11'
Journalist and Rediff.com contributor, Neeta Kolhatkar, will soon be out with her new book. Called 'The Feared', it's a compilation of interviews with 11 political prisoners and sometimes, their loved ones. Will keep you posted on more dates soon.
10:10 Nothing wrong with 'batenge toh katenge': Fadnavis
As the Maharashtra election inches closer there has been a huge debate on UP CM Yogi Adityanath's slogan of 'Batenge to Katenge' calling for Hindu unity.
While some members of the BJP led Mahayuti alliance have voiced their reservations, state Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he does not see anything wrong in the slogan, stating that this has been the history of our country.
The slogan has also been widely condemned by the opposition leaders, claiming communal overtones in it.
However in an interview with ANI, Fadnavis says there is nothing wrong with it. "I don't see anything wrong in Yogi ji's slogans. Look at the history of this country. Jab Jab bate hai tab gulam bane hai. Whenever this country divided into castes, into states, divided into communities society we became slaves. The country was also divided, and so were the people. That's why if we divide, we will cut. This is the history of this country," Fadnavis said in an interview with ANI.
"And I don't understand that if someone says don't divide, then what is the point of objecting to this?" he added.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegation that the opposition was dividing the OBC community, Fadnavis said that Rahul Gandhi's statement during the latter's visit to the United States has revealed their intentions.
"Rahul ji has already given an indication of this in America. I feel that Rahul ji has made a mistake. They didn't know that the media followed them everywhere. So, when they went to America and made statements on the Constitution and reservation, their mentality was revealed. Secondly, you can see the manner in which they are trying to divide into different castes. The Prime Minister is right. There are 350 castes in OBC in Maharashtra," Fadnavis said. -- ANI
09:47 Musk begins work, meets Iran's UN envoy
Tech billionaire Elon Musk met with Iran's UN ambassador and discussed ways to defuse tensions between Iran and the United States, the New York Times reported on Friday.
The meeting between Musk and Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani held in a secret location in New York and lasted over an hour was described by two Iranian officials as "positive" and focused on reducing tensions between the two countries, the publication noted.
Trump who appointed Musk, the owner of Tesla and X as the co-director of a new government efficiency agency during a call last week with Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, handed the phone to the tech billionaire, said New York Times.
Musk has played a key role in providing communications capability to Ukraine in the war with Russia. During his first term, Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers, calling it "a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made," and imposed tough economic sanctions on Iranian oil revenues and international banking transactions.
He also ordered the assassination of a top Iranian general, Qassim Suleimani, in Iraq in 2020. In response, Iran's supreme leader banned any negotiations with the Trump administration and Iranian officials vowed to avenge. Suleimani's killing. Federal prosecutors said in a court filing last week that Iran had plotted to assassinate Trump before the election. -- ANI
09:21 Trump vows to end Russia-Ukraine war
US President-elect Donald Trump has said his administration will focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, as he lamented the killing of people in the conflict. He also said his administration will also work on bringing peace to West Asia.
"We're going to work on the Middle East, and we're going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. It's got to stop," Trump said during a gala for the America First Policy Institute held at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thursday. This was his first major speech and public appearance after his stunning electoral victory in the November 5 presidential elections. Russia and Ukraine's got to stop. "I saw a report today. Thousands of people over the last three days were killed. Thousands and thousands of people were killed. They happened to be soldiers, but whether they're soldiers or they're people sitting in towns, we're going to work it," he said.
The President-elect has consistently said his priority is to end the war and stem what he characterises as a drain on US resources, in the form of military aid to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Lisa Curtis, who served as deputy assistant to Trump in his previous term and National Security Council senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021, said the war in Ukraine needs to end in a way that does not encourage other nations to invade their neighbours illegally.
President (elect) Trump has in the past talked more favourably about (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin than most US presidents. He has also talked about trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. "We haven't seen yet how he's going to do that," Curtis said. "I would just simply say that it needs to be done in a way that Russia faces some consequences for its actions," Curtis told PTI in an interview. "It needs to be done in a way that Russia doesn't try to do the same thing two or three years down the line," she said. "It needs to be done in a way that doesn't encourage other US adversaries to try to illegally invade their neighbour's territory," said Curtis, who is currently a Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Programme at Center for a New American Security think-tank.
Some of Trump's top advisors were present at the Mar-a-Lago event. He praised Tesla owner Elon Musk and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who are tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in his second term. Trump also praised Hindu-American Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for Director of National Intelligence. PTI
09:11 Kim Jong-un is mass producing suicide attack drones
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the performance test of suicide attack drones, stressing the need for prompt full-scale "mass production," Yonhap News Agency reported citing North's state media reported on Friday.
As per the reports, these drones, with varying ranges, are designed to precisely strike ground and sea targets Kim provided on-site guidance for the tests of various types of suicide attack drones, produced by an affiliated institute of the Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex and related companies, the previous day, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated.
"The suicide attack drones to be used within different striking ranges are to perform a mission to precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and at sea," the Yonhap News Agency reported citing KCNA. The tests involved the drones precisely hitting the targets after flying along various preset tactical routes, it said.
As per the agency reports, Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction with the new drones, emphasising their critical role in modern warfare saying drones emerged as "an essential requirement in military aspect nowadays."
"The competition for using drones as the main means of military capabilities ... is being accelerated in the world," he said, highlighting their expanding range of military applications, low production cost and simple production lines.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim affirmed that his country has "full possibility and potentiality to produce and introduce various types of drones" and would seek the possibility of combining and applying "new and promising tactical methods" as required by modern warfare.
"The Workers' Party of Korea has recently attached importance to the line of perfectly combining unmanned military hardware systems with operational plans," Kim said, underscoring the need for a serial production system as early as possible and go into "full-scale mass production."
North Korea first disclosed a performance test of suicide attack drones in August, which was also overseen by Kim on-site. -- PTI
08:55 'Trump will pick up where he left off with India'
US president-elect Donald Trump, who enjoys very good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to build on the progress made during his first term and continue strengthening ties with India, his South Asia point-person at the White House during his first term has said.
Speaking to PTI in an interview, Lisa Curtis, who served as deputy assistant to president Trump and as National Security Council senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021, also said she expected the same bumps for India and the US, as in Trump's first term, including tariff, dependence on Russia over arms supply and oil purchase from Iran.
"I think that President (elect) Trump will pick up where he left off with India. He clearly has good feelings, goodwill toward India, and I really see this as an opportunity to just continue building the relationship and really solidifying that partnership," Curtis said.
During Trump's first term (2017-2021), there was an "elevation of the US-India relationship" because of the importance of India and its role in dealing with challenges from China, she said.
Curtis pointed out that there was also a notable mutual respect and personal connection between Trump and Prime Minister Modi.
"We could see that during the event when Prime Minister Modi addressed 50,000 Americans at the Astrodome in Houston. We saw that when President Trump addressed 100,000 Indians in a stadium in Ahmedabad. That relationship really helped cement a lot of the progress that was made," said Curtis, who is currently a Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at Center for a New American Security, a think-tank.
"Technology controls were lifted on India. India gained access to armed drone technology. Now it's buying 31 Sea Guardian predators. We saw the building up of not only the defence and security relationship, but also confidence and trust," she said, adding that the Quad was started during that period.
At the same time, there were a couple of bumps on this road during Trump's first term, she said. "There were a couple of bumps in the road, and this was mainly when President Trump would tweet about the Indian tariffs. He really wanted American companies to have more access to the Indian market. He would often, before a meeting, tweet out something. It was almost a negotiating tactic, I think, that he was doing. He did this with many countries. That did cause some irritation in the relationship. But I don't think these tweeting incidents about Indian tariffs overwhelmed the broader relationship, she said. -- PTI
08:39 Trump picks anti-vaccine activist as health secy
United States President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday announced his decision to nominate former Democratic presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr. as his Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The nomination for this top Cabinet position is subject to confirmation by the US Senate.
Kennedy is one of the most prominent anti-vaccine activists in the world and has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism and other health issues.
Trump also announced his intent to nominate former Congressman Doug Collins of Georgia as Secretary for Veterans Affairs (VA).
"I am thrilled to announce Robert F Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)," he said.
For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it came to public health, the president-elect said, indicating the health policies of his second term beginning January 20, 2025.
Trump said the safety and health of all Americans is the most important role of any administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everyone is protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming health crisis in this country.
"Kennedy will restore these agencies to the traditions of gold standard scientific research, and beacons of transparency, to end the chronic disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again! he said.
Declaring his pick for Veteran Affairs secretary, Trump said, "Doug is a veteran himself, who currently serves our nation as a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command, and fought for our country in the Iraq war," he said.
"We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our active duty service members, veterans, and military families to ensure they have the support they need. Thank you, Doug, for your willingness to serve our country in this very important role! he added.
The president-elect also announced the nomination of Jay Clayton as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, saying, Jay is a highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant."
According to Trump, Clayton received engineering and law degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, and an economics degree from the University of Cambridge. Before chairing the SEC, he was a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell, and served on the Management Committee.
Todd Blanche will serve as Deputy Attorney General, Trump announced.
"Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken system of justice for far too long," Trump said.
"Todd prosecuted gangs and other federal crimes as a Chief in the Southern District of New York United States Attorney's Office, clerked for two Federal Judges, and graduated with honours from law school, while working full time at the SDNY. Todd is going to do a great job as we, Make America Great Again," he added.
00:09 Israel confirms airstrike on Damascus
Israeli Air Force jets struck Damascus, targeting Palestinian Islamic Jihad's headquarters and military buildings on Thursday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed.
This coincided with a visit by Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Larijani is scheduled to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad and is expected to visit Beirut on Friday.
"In the current fighting in southern Lebanon, the organisation is assisting Hezbollah, with the aim of harming the State of Israel. All of this with a clear Iranian intention, as the organisation is another branch of Iran in the Middle East, and sits in Syria under the auspices of the Syrian regime," the IDF said. -- ANI/TPS
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