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Fri, 06 September 2024
Drones sighted in Manipur, people turn off lights
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23:54 Drones sighted in Manipur, people turn off lights
People in peripheral areas of Bishnupur and Imphal East district of Manipur turned off their lights on Friday night following sightings of multiple drones, officials said.
Drones were employed to drop bombs on people at two nearby places in Imphal West district earlier this week.
On Friday night, multiple drones were sighted at Narainsena, Nambol Kamong in Bishnupur district and Pukhao, Dolaithabi, Shantipur in Imphal East district creating panic in the areas, the officials said.
Panicked villagers turned off lights at home. Security forces are on high alert in peripheral areas to monitor movement of large groups, an official said.
Several "Ill rounds" have been fired in the sky illuminating night sky in Bishnupur district creating panic and confusion among the public.
It is not clear if security forces or others have fired up the sophisticated weapons. -- PTI
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23:48 Mumbai all set to welcome Lord Ganesh, more than 2,500 mandals get nod
More than 2,500 Ganesh mandals and lakhs of households in the financial capital of the country will be celebrating the ten-day Ganesh festival from Saturday.
Authorities had received 3,358 applications from Ganesh mandals -- groups that celebrate the festival in public places -- and permission to put up pandals was granted to 2,635 mandals as of Friday, said a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official.
Another 300-odd applications were pending approval, he said. Many mandals brought in their Ganpati idols with grand processions in the last two-three days.
The idols will be installed at homes and in pandals with rituals on Saturday. Crawford Market, Lohar Chawl and Dadar vegetable markets were chock-a-block during the day with people thronging to buy flowers, sweets, puja materials and items for decoration.
Bright, coloured lights have already lit up streets and bylanes in Lalbaug, Parel, Girgaon, Andheri, Chembur, Fort and other areas which house famous Ganapati mandals. -- PTI
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23:37 Malaysia Airlines plans to connect more non-metro Indian cities
Malaysia Airlines plans to fly to more non-metro cities in India as well as increase the frequency of flights to Ahmedabad and Trivandrum, a senior airline official said on Friday.
The carrier, part of the Malaysia Aviation Group, currently connects nine Indian cities with Kuala Lumpur and operates 71 weekly flights to India.
Dersenish Aresandiran, chief commercial officer of Airline Business at MAG, said Malaysia Airlines plans to increase frequencies to Ahmedabad and Trivandrum.
The airline also plans to operate to more non-metro cities in India where there are no restrictions due to bilateral flying rights, he told PTI on the sidelines of a briefing in Kuala Lumpur.
The bilateral flying rights between India and Malaysia, based on the number of seats airlines from either side can operate, is mostly utilised for metro routes in India.
So, Malaysia Airlines can have more services to non-metro cities in the country as there are no restrictions of the bilateral flying rights.
Currently, Malaysia's national carrier operates daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Amritsar, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi.
Besides, it has four weekly services from Ahmedabad and Trivandrum. -- PTI
22:53 11-yr-old Delhi school girl sexually assaulted by self defence trainer, held
An 11-year-old student of a government school was allegedly sexually assaulted in her classroom by a self-defence trainer on Friday in Sultanpuri area of outer Delhi, triggering protests, the police said.
The police arrested the accused, Satish (45), who was conducting self defence classes for free of cost through an NGO, they said.
He was not a regular teacher at the school.
Education minister Atishi has ordered an "immediate comprehensive and detailed inquiry" into the matter, said a statement from the Delhi government.
"The most stringent and decisive actions will be be taken based on the findings. The government remains firmly committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students," it said.
A senior police officer said the family members and their neighbours gathered outside the police station and demanded action against the accused. -- PTI
Vinesh Phogat (R) and Bajrang Punia meet with LoP in LS Rahul Gandhi, in New Delhi/ANI Photo
22:48 Cong fields Vinesh from Julana seat in Harayna polls
Congress has fielded former wrestler Vinesh Phogat from Julana assembly seat in Haryana.
The party released its first list of 31 candidates for Haryana polls which also contained Vinesh Phogat's name.
AICC incharge of Haryana Deepak Babaria earlier gave indications that Phogat will be fielded from Julana.
"I think it has been decided that she will contest from Julana," he said.
Answering queries, he said no MP has been permitted to contest the assembly elections.
Asked about alliance talks with AAP for Hayana polls, Babaria said that there is no development as of now.
"I got calls from them but I was not able to attend those calls because of our own meetings. I will speak to them now. Every political party express their opinion, tries to create pressure. I can't say anything about the alliance right now. It is still under consideration," he said. -- ANI
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22:10 Bodies of inter-faith couple found hanging in UP
The bodies of a middle-aged, inter-faith couple were found hanging from a tree in Sitapur on Friday, the police said.
The couple allegedly committed suicide, they said.
Bijehra village resident Salimun (45) was having an affair with Nakachhed, whose wife died 15 years ago. He had two daughters, both of whom are married.
Salimun was married to one Mushtaq and had two sons and a daughter with him.
The bodies were found hanging from a tree in Nakachhed's field outside their village in Reusa, the police said. The police were alerted about the bodies around 9.30 am, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Prakash Kumar said.
"Both belonged to different faiths. The man was a Hindu and the woman a Muslim," Kumar said. Investigations revealed that they were in a relationship for 12-14 years, he said.
Villagers said the relationship between Salimun and Nakachhed caused tensions within their families. They claimed that three days ago, Mushtaq had an altercation with Nakachhed, leading to Salimun filing a police complaint against her husband.
The police visited the village following her complaint and a panchayat was held. After the meeting, both Salimun and Mushtaq left the village, they added.
Nakachhed's son-in-law Ramu, a resident of the nearby Basantapur village, said Nakachhed had called him around 8 pm the previous evening and sought his help, saying he had been surrounded by 10-12 people.
Ramu said he was unable to help him because it was night and the bodies were found the following morning.
The police have launched a probe into the case and are speaking with locals, ASP Kumar said and added that they are yet to receive any written complaint to link the deaths with a criminal offence.
"The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and further legal proceedings are being carried out," he said.
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21:52 India successfully test-fires Agni-4 missile
India on Friday successfully test-fired an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-4, from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur off the Odisha coast, defence sources said.
The launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters.
It was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, the sources said. -- PTI
21:43 15 killed, 16 hurt as bus hits van on Agra-Aligarh NH
At least 15 people, including four women and an equal number of children, travelling in a van were killed on Friday after a roadways bus hit the vehicle from behind on National Highway 93 in Hathras, officials said.
Thirteen others were injured in the accident and they have been admitted to a government hospital.
Taking cognisance of the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed district officials to reach the spot and take care of relief measures.
The CM has also asked officials to ensure proper treatment of the injured.
Superintendent of police Nipun Agarwal said, "The accident occurred when the bus hit the van while trying to overtake it on the Agra-Aligarh National Highway."
The accident occurred near the Kanwarpur village, about 10 kilometers away from the district headquarters.
The passengers were on their way to Agra from Hathras. -- PTI
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21:24 Maoist couple surrenders in Chhattisgarh; 3 held with explosives
A Maoist carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head surrendered along with his wife in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur, while three ultras were held with explosives in Bijapur, police officials said on Friday.
An official said Dosel Salaam alias Sonva, carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh, and his wife Arati laid down arms on Thursday.
"Salaam was supply team commander of the CPI-Maoist Kutul area committee, while Arati was part of the Kodiliyar jantana sarkar school wing. He was part of the outlawed movement for 13 years, while his wife was involved in incidents of violence for the last nine years," the official said.
In Bijapur, ultras Kudami Somlu, Lingu Semla alias Linga and Somlu Kadti were arrested from the forests of Sarkeguda and Pegdapalli under Basaguda police station limits allegedly with explosives on Friday, another official said.
"Somlu was a militia member, Linga was militia section commander and Kadti was revolutionary party committee president. The District Reserve Guard, 168th battalion of Central Reserve Police Force and CRPF's 210th CoBRA battalion, which was on an anti-Maoist operation, seized detonating cord, gun powder, detonator and other Maoist materials from them," he said. -- PTI
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20:58 Vistara's Frankfurt flight diverted to Turkey over bomb threat
Vistara flight UK 27, operating from Mumbai to Frankfurt, on Friday has been diverted to Turkey due to security concerns, the airline has said.
The security alert (bomb threat) was noted by the Vistara crew onboard, the airline said in a statement.
The aircraft has safely landed at the Erzurum Airport, and as per the protocol, the relevant authorities were immediately alerted, and Vistara is fully cooperating with the security agencies to complete the mandatory security checks, it added.
However, other details like the number of passengers and crew on board were not immediately known. -- PTI
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20:34 Ruckus in Odisha assembly over Ravenshaw University row
The Odisha Assembly was adjourned twice on Friday amid a ruckus over the proposed name change of Ravenshaw University with opposition BJD and Congress members demanding the withdrawal of a police case against a sitting MLA.
The issue was raised during Zero Hour, a day after police booked three opposition BJD leaders including sitting MLA Byomkesh Roy following a complaint by a student at Malgodown police station.
The student alleged that Roy and others had threatened him with weapons during a torch rally protesting the proposed name change of Ravenshaw University, suggested by BJP leader and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during his visit to Cuttack on August 31.
During the session, members from both parties stormed the well of the House, chanting slogans against the BJP government besides accusing it of attempting to suppress opposition voices and labeled the police action against Roy as "politically motivated" and a case of vendetta politics.
In his defence, Roy said he had visited Ravenshaw University at the invitation of some students and joined the torch rally, but never entered the campus.
The rally was held from Clock Chowk to College Square and Roy claimed that he was outside the varsity gate.
"As the BJP often used CBI and ED against political opponents, here also the state government framed charges against me to take political revenge," Roy said.
Roy was supported by senior member Ganeswar Behera of BJD who strongly condemned police action and said this was beginning of the vendetta politics of BJP in Odisha. -- PTI
20:04 Shah Rukh Khan-Priety Zinta's 'Veer Zaara' to re-release in cinemas
Yash Chopra's classic film Veer-Zaara, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Priety Zinta, will once again play out on the big screen as the movie is set to re-release in theatres across the country on September 13.
Bollywood studio Yash Raj Films, the banner started by the late cinema icon, shared the news in a post on Instagram.
"The era of romance is back! Watch Veer-Zaara in theatres from Friday, 13th Sept, at a PVR INOX screen near you!"
Shah Rukh and Preity played star-crossed lovers in the movie set against the backdrop of India-Pakistan relationship.
The movie was a major success when it released in 2004.
Also starring Rani Mukerji, the film featured popular songs such as Tere Liye, Main Yahaan Hoon, Do Pal, Kyon Hawa, most of them sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam and Gurdas Maan served as male playback singers.
The songs were based on old compositions by Madan Mohan. -- PTI
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19:39 UP nursery kid suspended for bringing non-veg food
A nursery student of a private school in Amroha in Uttar Pradesh was suspended because he allegedly brought non-vegetarian food in his tiffin box.
The police said the incident took place on Thursday in Hilton Convent School.
Though no formal police complaint has been lodged, district inspector of schools Vishnu Pratap Singh has formed a three-member committee to look into the matter.
Principal of the school Avnish Kumar Sharma claimed that the boy, who hails from the Muslim community, used to make religious comments in school and brought non-veg food every day.
A purported video of a heated argument between the principal and the boy's mother is doing the rounds on social media platforms.
In the video, filmed by the mother, the principal claimed her son tells his friends that he will "convert them to Islam" and offers them non-vegetarian food.
The principal also said that the boy's name was struck off the rolls as parents of some of his classmates complained about him.
Though the woman denies sending non-veg in the lunch box, the principal is heard telling her that her son has confirmed he brought non-vegetarian food to school. -- PTI
Former BJD MP Sujeet Kumar (L) joins BJP in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and party general secretary Arun Singh, in New Delhi/ANI Photo
19:22 Former BJD MP Sujeet Kumar joins BJP, says impressed by Modi's vision
Former Biju Janata Dal Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of senior party leaders on Friday.
The move came after the BJD expelled Kumar for anti-party activities earlier in the day.
He subsequently resigned his Rajya Sabha membership.
Kumar joined the BJP in the presence of Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, the party's Odisha in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar, MP Bhartruhari Mahtab and other leaders.
The BJP's chief spokesperson Anil Baluni, a Rajya Sabha member, was also present.
Addressing a joint press conference at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, Kumar said he joined the saffron party as he was impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work and his vision for making India a developed country by 2047 and Odisha a developed state by 2036.
"For me, country is first and foremost. Nation first has always been my philosophy. I lived abroad for many years and worked for organisations such as the UN (United Nations) and the World Economic Forum. I returned to India in 2011 to contribute to the development of my country," he said.
Kumar said he felt Odisha's Kalahandi district did not develop as it could have due to the "kind of corruption and bad policy" prevalent there. -- PTI
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shakes hands with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, in Bengaluru, July 18, 2023/ANI Photo
18:51 AAP may go solo in Haryana as talks with Cong fail
The alliance talks over seat sharing between the Congress and the AAP for the Haryana assembly polls have hit a roadblock, and the Arvind Kejriwal-led party is planning to contest 50 seats in the state, sources claimed on Friday.
The Aam Aadmi Party is likely to issue its first list of candidates on Sunday, sources in the AAP claimed just before a meeting of the Congress' central election committee.
"The alliance talks are on the verge of collapse in Haryana and the AAP is planning to contest 50 of the 90 assembly seats in the state on its own," sources in the AAP claimed.
Earlier, the party insiders had said that the AAP was demanding 10 assembly seats in Haryana whereas the Congress was offering five to seven seats.
Sources said no consensus was in sight over seat sharing.
The AAP and the Congress, partners in the Indian Developmental Inclusive Alliance, contested the recent Lok Sabha polls in Haryana, Gujarat and Delhi together.
In Haryana, the AAP was given the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat.
Haryana state president Sushil Gupta contested from Kurukshetra and lost to BJP's Navin Jindal. -- PTI
18:47 Congress appoints Mahesh Kumar Goud as Telangana unit president
The Congress on Friday appointed B Mahesh Kumar Goud as president of its Telangana unit, replacing A Revanth Reddy.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge appointed Goud as president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect, a statement issued by AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said.
The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing PCC president A Revanth Reddy.
The appointment comes days after Congress president Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi held a meeting with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu and discussed organisational changes in the state.
Though there had been no official word on the meeting's agenda, it was understood that deliberations were held about the selection of a new Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president.
Reddy had remained president of the Congress in Telangana even after becoming chief minister at the end of last year. -- PTI
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18:35 Low flash flood risk alert in 5 Himachal 5 districts, 40 roads closed
As rains forced closure of 40 roads in Himachal Pradesh, the local Met office on Friday warned of low flash flood risk in five districts of the state.
The local meteorological office has warned of low flash flood risk in parts of Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi and Bilaspur districts till Saturday.
It has issued yellow alert of heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning in 10 out of 12 districts of the state, barring tribal districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti on Friday.
A total of 40 roads including 16 in Mandi, 10 in Kangra, nine in Shimla, two in Kullu and one each in Sirmaur, Una and Lahaul and Spiti districts are closed for vehicular traffic as per the state emergency operation centre.
As many as 32 power schemes have also been affected in the state, the centre said.
Meanwhile, moderate rains lashed parts of the state.
Dehra Gopipur recorded 64 mm of rain and was the wettest, followed by Dharamshala 55.2 mm, Palampur 32.4 mm, Sarahan 22 mm, Kasauli 19 mm and Kangra 17.2 mm.
Himachal Pradesh's rainfall deficit since the onset of monsoon in the state on June 27 stands at 21 percent, with the state receiving 509.3 mm rainfall against an average of 648.1 mm. -- PTI
18:07 Uzbekistan Airways to start direct Tashkent-Goa flights from Oct 27
Uzbekistan Airways on Friday announced the commencement of direct flights from Tashkent to Goa from October 27.
The twice-a-week flight will be operated between Uzbekistan's capital city Tashkent and Manohar International Airport in North Goa with an Airbus A320 aircraft, it said.
The route will open up new avenues for tourism and cultural exchange between Uzbekistan and Goa, it stated.
The introduction of these flights comes after consistent follow-ups with the Uzbekistan Embassy and tour operators and with crucial support from the Indian embassy in Tashkent, it said, adding that concerted efforts of the Goa department of tourism have played a critical role in making this connection a reality.
The new route aligns with the state's broader strategy to diversify the tourist base and promote Goa as a year-round destination, it added. -- PTI
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17:51 Why is Anil Kapoor on Time's 100 AI Persons' List?
Union Information Technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and actor Anil Kapoor are among Indians who have been honoured in Time magazine's prestigious list of the 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024.
The list, released on Thursday, features 15 Indian or Indian-origin people.
Among them are Sundar Pichai of Google, and Satya Nadella of Microsoft.
Writing about 54-year-old Vaishnaw, the magazine said under his leadership, India hopes to become one of the top five countries for semiconductor manufacturing-a key component for modern AI systems within the next five years.
"Yet, Vaishnaw faces significant challenges in realising these ambitions. India's tech sector struggles with low private R&D investment and a lack of advanced manufacturing ecosystems. Its educational system is also catching up to produce the specialised workforce needed for cutting-edge AI and semiconductor development," it said.
India -- the world's fifth largest economy -- is trying to become a major player in the world of AI, it said.
Kapoor, 67, has been included in Time's AI list after a landmark victory in September 2023 over unauthorised AI use of his likeness.
The actor took up the case after a large number of distorted videos, gifs, and emojis bearing his likeness began circulating online. -- PTI
17:30 Onam bonanza: Kerala announces two-month pension for 62L beneficiaries
The CPI-Marxist-led Left government in Kerala on Friday announced disbursement of a two-month pension for over 60 lakh beneficiaries, marking an Onam gift.
Announcing the decision, state finance minister KN Balagopal said that Rs 1,700 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
"Around 62 lakh people will receive Rs 3,200 each for Onam. This is in addition to the one month's pension that is currently being given," he said in a statement in Thiruvananthapuram.
The decision to disburse the Social Security and Welfare Fund pension to beneficiaries starting next week is seen as an attempt by the Left government to regain its mass base, lost during the Lok Sabha polls.
Earlier, the CPI-M and its allies had attributed their humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha polls to delayed settlement of dues and recommended a course correction.
In the polls, the LDF won just one seat, while the Congress-led UDF secured 18 seats, and the BJP opened its account for the first time in the state's political history.
Balagopal said that the pension amount will reach beneficiaries from next week onwards. -- PTI
Union Home Minster Amit Shah speaking at rally in Jammu/ANI on X
17:00 Article 370 is history, won't return, says Amit Shah in Jammu
Union Home Minster Amit Shah has on Friday said that Article 370 is history now and it will not return.
Speaking at an election rally in Jammu, Shah said, "I have seen the NC's (National Conference) agenda. I have also seen Congress silently supporting NC's agenda. But, I want to say to the country that Article 370 is history, it will never return, and we won't let it happen. Article 370 was the thing that gave weapons and stones in the hands of the youth..."
He further said, "We have decided that we will bring 'Ma Samman Yojana' to give Rs 18,000 to the eldest lady of every family, each year... We will give two free cylinders under the Ujjwala scheme, per year. Under Pragati Shiksha Yojana, we will provide Rs 3,000 to college students per year, as a travelling allowance..." -- ANI
16:42 572 tribals in Odisha were raped over 5 years
As many 572 tribal girl students and women have become victims of rape during the last five years in Odisha, the SC-ST Development Minister Nityananda Gond told state Assembly on Friday.
In a written reply to a query by Congress legislator Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Gond said the 572 tribal girls had become victims of rape under Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, during the past five years. Out of the 572 rape cases, trials have been completed in 32 cases, while chargesheets have been filed in 509 cases, he said. Gond said that another 31 cases are under investigation. PTI
16:19 Vinesh became Cong ki beti from desh ki beti: BJP
Senior Haryana BJP leader Anil Vij on Friday took a dig at wrestler Vinesh Phogat over joining the Congress, saying what objection could they have if she wanted to become "Congress ki beti" from "desh ki beti".
He was asked about Phogat and another wrestler Bajrang Punia, both from Haryana, hours before the two joined the Congress on Friday ahead of the Assembly polls in the state.
"... Agar woh desh ki beti sey Congress ki beti banna chaahti hai, to hamein kya etraaz hai (if Vinesh wants to become Congress' daughter from being the country's daughter, what objection can we have)," the former Haryana home minister said.
Vij said the Congress was trying to bring these players with them from the very first day and it was due to their instigation that the wrestlers started the movement in Delhi. It was because of their (Congress') instigation that the (Delhi) protest was going on, otherwise the matter would have settled long before, he said.
Phogat and Punia, both 30 years of age, met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital and other senior leaders at his 10, Rajaji Marg and officially joined the party at a press conference at the AICC headquarters.
Also, Phogat on Friday resigned from the Indian Railways citing personal reasons. Punia is a Tokyo Games bronze medallist, while Phogat became the first woman wrestler to reach the Olympics final, the stage where she was disqualified after being found over weight by about 100 gm in her 50-kg category weigh-in. She subsequently announced her retirement from the sport.
Punia and Phogat were part of the protest over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023.
Congress MP Deepender Hooda had led a rousing welcome for Phogat at the Delhi airport on her arrival from the Paris Olympics last month.
Hooda had vociferously supported the agitation by Phogat and other wrestlers, mostly from Haryana, against Singh over allegations of sexual harassment. Phogat faced a heartbreaking exit at the Paris Olympics where she was disqualified for being overweight on the day of her 50kg final match. PTI
15:53 Was dragged on road, but Cong was with us: Vinesh
Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat join the Congress party in the presence of party general secretary KC Venugopal, party leader Pawan Khera, Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan and AICC in-charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria.
After joining the Congress party, Vinesh Phogat says, "The fight is continuing, it hasn't ended yet. It's in court. We will win that fight as well. With the new platform that we are getting today, we will work for the service of the nation. The way we played our game with heart, we will give our best to work for our people. I want to tell my sisters, that I am with them. If there will be no one for you, I will be there, Congress party will be there. I have felt this, and I can assure you that we will be there for sure.
"I thank the Congress party... Kehte hain na ki bure time mein pata lagta hai ki apna kaun hai...When we were being dragged on the road, all parties except BJP were with us. I feel proud that I have joined a party which stands with women and is ready to fight from 'sadak to sansad'."
Bajrang Punia adds, "What BJP IT Cell is saying today that we just wanted to do politics. We had written to all women BJP MPs to stand with us but they still didn't come. We are paying to raise the voices of women but now we know that BJP stands with atrocities against women, and all other parties stand with us. We will work hard to strengthen the Congress party and the nation...The day Vinesh qualified for finals the country was happy but the next day everyone was sad. At that time, one IT Cell was celebrating."
15:40 Pakistan reports 1st case of polio in 16 years
Authorities in Pakistan on Friday reported its first polio case in the capital Islamabad in the last 16 years, a setback to the national efforts aimed at eradicating the crippling virus from the country.
According to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio at the National Institute of Health, wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) was detected in a child at Union Council Rural 4 of Islamabad.
This is the first human case reported from Islamabad in the last 16 years, an official statement said, adding that the newest case marked the 17th polio case this year in Pakistan. "It is incredibly heartbreaking that another Pakistani child has been affected by a disease that has no cure but is entirely preventable with the help of an easily accessible vaccine," said Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication.
Farooq said that given the intense situation in the country, the Polio Programme has held in-depth consultative sessions with the provinces and districts to implement plans to improve eradication activities through a polio campaign beginning next week.
From September 9 onwards, polio teams will go house-to-house in 115 districts to vaccinate more than 33 million children under five, she said. This virus does not discriminate. Wherever it finds a child with weak immunity, it will attack. Parents must understand the urgency of ensuring that their children receive polio drops and are up to date on their routine immunisation.
Muhammad Anwarul Haq, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, said the Polio Programme was launching this targeted vaccination campaign from September 9, particularly in districts where the virus has been detected and the risk of continued transmission and spread is high.
"We're ramping up efforts to reach every child, including in Islamabad, with polio vaccines. We have a collective responsibility to protect the health and well-being of our children from crippling diseases such as polio," Haq said.
Haq reiterated that parents, unfortunately, have not always welcomed and opened their doors to the vaccinators when they visit their homes. "I encourage all parents and caregivers to make sure your children are not missed when the vaccinators visit your house next week," Haq stressed.
The case in Islamabad is a setback in efforts to end the polio virus in Pakistan. The country came close to achieving zero poliovirus cases in 2021 when only one infection was reported. So far this year, 12 cases have been reported from Balochistan, three from Sindh, and one from Punjab and Islamabad each. PTI
15:28 A gold crown for the Raja
Anant Ambani has reportedly donated a 20-kg gold crown worth Rs 15 crore to Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja, which was unveiled ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities which begin tomorrow.
Anant has also been reportedly granted honorary membership of Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati Mandal.
14:40 Made a mistake... Nitish tells Nadda
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday termed his past alliances with arch rival Lalu Prasad's RJD as a "mistake" that he committed twice but was determined not to repeat again.
The JD(U) chief's remark came at a function where he shared the stage with Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, who is also the BJP's national president.
"Our relationship goes back to the 1990s... all the good work in Bihar has been done under our stewardship", said the JD(U) supremo, whose outfit was earlier called the Samata Party.
Referring to the RJD, without mentioning it by name, the CM said, "Those who were in power before me did nothing. It was a mistake on my part to have gone with them on two occasions. But I do not wish to repeat that mistake. I shall stay here (with the NDA)".
The Bihar Chief Minister, who had returned to the NDA in January, kept asserting during Lok Sabha polls, especially at rallies where he shared the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that he would now be with the BJP "forever".
Kumar's latest proclamation of loyalty towards the BJP, which has now lost majority in the Lok Sabha and become heavily dependent on allies like JD(U) to survive in power at the Centre, comes in the backdrop of his recent meeting with Lalu Prasad's son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, who served as his deputy whenever he shared power with the RJD.
Although Yadav has clarified that he had gone to attend a meeting where his presence was required in his capacity as the leader of the opposition in the state assembly, a section of the media has been furiously speculating yet another volte face (palti) by Kumar, who has the dubious distinction of resigning and returning as Chief Minister six times in the past one decade. PTI
14:36 Cops identify persons who shot video of woman scrap collector's rape
Police in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain have identified three to four suspects, who allegedly shot a video of a woman scrap collector's rape, and efforts were on to nab them, an official said on Friday.
The scrap collector was raped by a man after he forced her to consume liquor in Agar Naka area of Ujjain. The incident came to light after a video of the rape went viral on social media, following which the prime accused in the case was arrested, the police said.
"We have identified three to four suspects who shot a video of the incident and made it viral. As per our information, all of them are at different locations and police teams are trying to nab them," Kotwali area's City Superintendent of Police (CSP), Om Prakash Mishra, said. The victim's health condition is stable and she is at her residence, he said.
The prime accused in the case, Lokesh, had promised to marry the woman. On Wednesday, he forced her to drink liquor and raped her. Some people, who were passing by, shot videos of the incident instead of stopping the crime, Mishra said. Lokesh later fled from the spot. After the woman filed a complaint, he was arrested, he added. PTI
14:18 Vinesh resigns from her post in Indian Railways
Former India wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Friday resigned from the Indian Railways citing personal reasons amid speculations that she would be joining the Congress party.
'Serving Indian Railways has been a memorable and proud time of my life,' she posted on X with a picture of her resignation letter.
She was employed as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with Northern Railways.
'At this point in my life, I have decided to separate myself from the railway service and have submitted my resignation to the competent authorities of the Indian Railways. I will always be grateful to the Indian Railway family for this opportunity given to me by the Railways in the service of the nation,' she added.
The 30-year-old wrestler had quit wrestling following her disqualification from the 50kg gold medal match in the Paris Olympics.
She had appealed against the decision which was rejected by Court of Arbitration for Sport. -- PTI
13:24 My daughter wanted degrees: Murdered doc's mom
"Because she got good teachers like you, she was able to become a doctor... However, her dreams were brutally strangled," the mother of the trainee doctor who was raped and killed at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata wrote in a heartfelt letter on Teachers' Day.
In an open letter, accessed by India Today, the mother of the victim thanked all the teachers for helping her daughter achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.
"I salute all her teachers on behalf of my daughter. She had a dream of becoming a doctor since childhood. You were the driving force behind that dream," she said.
The body of the 31-year-old doctor was found at the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, sparking nationwide protests. Doctors across the country also went on strike demanding safety at workplaces.
A civic volunteer attached to the Kolkata Police, named Sanjay Roy, was arrested a day later. The case has been handed over to the CBI even though protests have refused to die down.
13:12 Will try to meet PM Modi: Bangladesh's Yunus
There should be a revival of the spirit of SAARC, Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government has said, underlining that the eight-member bloc can solve many of the region's problems.
In an interview with PTI at his official residence in Dhaka, Chief Adviser Yunus said that although the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was formed with a great cause, it now exists only on paper and is not functioning.
The regional grouping comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Yunus mentioned that he would try to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session scheduled to be held later this month.
He also mentioned that he will try to get the heads of state of SAARC nations together for a photo op. "Obviously, we will try to meet (Prime Minister Narendra Modi). I will try if all the heads of state of SAARC nations come together and take a photo. SAARC was formed for a great cause; it now exists only on paper and is not functioning. We have forgotten the name of SAARC; I am trying to revive the spirit of SAARC," he said.
Prime Minister Modi is likely to address the high-level UN General Assembly session on September 26, according to a provisional list of speakers issued by the UN. The high-level General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly will take place from September 24-30.
"The SAARC summit has not taken place for quite a long time. If we come together, a lot of problems will be resolved," Yunus said.
Nepal has been making efforts to activate the regional grouping, which has not been very effective since 2016. The 2016 SAARC Summit was to be held in Islamabad. But after the terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to prevailing circumstances.
The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet. The Nobel laureate noted that although the European Union, which was formed along similar lines as SAARC, has achieved a lot through mutual cooperation, SAARC has yet to achieve the same.
"The European countries have achieved a lot through the European Union. We have to ensure that SAARC works. Look at the European Union, and how brilliantly it works. If there is a problem regarding Pakistan, other ways can be worked out. But the functioning of SAARC must not stop," he said.
The SAARC has not been very effective since 2016, as its biennial summits have not taken place since the last one in Kathmandu in 2014.
Speaking on the issue of the Rohingya influx in Bangladesh, Yunus said he would seek help from India to convince Myanmar to take back its population. Yunus also said Dhaka needs the help of both India and China to manage the crisis.
"We need the help of India and China to resolve the issue. Nearly one million people have come to Bangladesh, and now this population is growing. It is putting tremendous pressure on Bangladesh's economy. Some countries are taking them but in small numbers. As India shares good relations with Myanmar, we need India's help in convincing Myanmar to take them back," he said.
13:07 How the quiet war against press freedom could come to America
Some foreign leaders have ruthlessly curtailed journalism. U.S. politicians could draw from their playbook. Read the column here.
12:53 PIL to ban Netflix's IC 814 withdrawn from HC
The PIL seeking direction to ban Netflix's series "IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack" has been withdrawn from the Delhi High Court. The petitioner, through counsel, stated that Netflix's addition of a disclaimer clarifies the real names of the terrorists involved in the hijacking and addresses the concerns raised in the PIL.
Recently, the PIL was moved by Surjit Singh Yadav, Chief of Hindu Sena, to seek a ban on Netflix's series, namely "IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack."
The PIL alleged that the series distorts the actual identities of the terrorists involved in the hijacking.The petitioner through Advocate Shashi Ranjan has approched the court against the television miniseries "IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack," directed by Anubhav Sinha, citing inaccuracies in its portrayal of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Flight 814.
The petition claimed that the miniseries erroneously assigns Hindu names such as "Bhola" and "Shankar"--names associated with Lord Shiva--to the real hijackers Ibrahim Akhtar, Shahid Akhtar Sayeed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir.
This, according to the petitioner, distorts the identities of the hijackers, misrepresents historical events, perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and offends the sentiments of the Hindu community. The petitioner seeks the court's intervention to prevent further public misunderstanding and potential harm.
12:48 Will Nitish dump BJP again?
Is Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also president of the Janata Dal-United, a major ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, set to change sides again?
Speculation is abuzz in Patna that Nitish Kumar is not comfortable in the NDA and could rejoin hands with Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal to contest next year's assembly polls.
The provocation for such political gossip is Nitish Kumar's meeting with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the Opposition in the Bihar assembly, twice in recent days.
Read the report here.
12:45 In flood-ravaged Andhra, the CM out among his people
From wading through floodwaters and riding on boats and bulldozers, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is putting in all efforts to work for the relief of flood ravaged people in the state, which also included surveying a swollen rivulet from a railway bridge when a train whizzed by.
Following the unprecedented torrential downpours and floods in Vijayawada, Naidu made multiple visits to the flood-hit places to personally supervise the relief work.
According to PTI Videos, the CM was assessing the flood situation firsthand from atop a small railway bridge in Vijayawada over a gushing rivulet-like water body on Thursday, accompanied by several officials and NSG commandos.
During that time, a train whizzed by and the 74-year-old Naidu, standing by the bridge's railing on a narrow platform very close to the moving train, was unperturbed. Passengers from the speeding train cheered the CM's fieldwork. PTI
12:44 What is Anil Kapoor's contribution in AI?
Actor Anil Kapoor posts this image on X, writing, "With immense gratitude and a humble heart, I find myself among the visionaries shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence. This recognition by TIME is not just an honor, but a moment of reflection on the journey of innovation and creativity."
11:58 Investors just became poorer by Rs 4.12 lakh crore
Investors' wealth plummeted by Rs 4.12 lakh crore during the morning trade on Friday as markets faced a massive correction tracking a weak trend in global peers and fresh foreign fund outflows.
Falling for the third day running, the 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 896.7 points or 1.09 per cent to 81,304.46 during the morning trade. The BSE benchmark had hit its all-time high of 82,725.28 on Monday.
Following the weak trend in equities, the market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms slumped Rs 4,12,152.83 crore to Rs 4,61,56,748.42 crore (USD 5.50 trillion) during the morning trade.
Among the 30 Sensex firms, State Bank of India, HCL Technologies, Reliance Industries, Adani Ports, Larsen & Toubro and Mahindra & Mahindra were the biggest laggards. Bajaj Finance, Asian Paints and Hindustan Unilever were the gainers.
Candlelight protests against the horrific incident at RG Kar
11:50 SC dismisses RG Kar ex-principal's plea
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea filed by former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh challenging the Calcutta High Court order dismissing his plea to be added as a party to a petition alleging financial irregularities at the institute during his tenure.
On August 23, the high court ordered the transfer of the probe into the alleged financial irregularities from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said as an accused Ghosh has no locus to impleaded in the plea.
"As an accused you have no locus to intervene in the PIL, where the Calcutta high court is monitoring the investigation," the bench said.
The murder and alleged rape of a junior doctor at the state-run hospital has sparked nationwide protests. The medic's body with severe injury marks was found in the seminar hall of the hospital's chest department on August 9.
A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day. The high court's August 23 order had come on a petition by former deputy superintendent of the facility, Akhtar Ali, who had requested a probe by the Enforcement Directorate into alleged financial misconduct at the hospital during the tenure of Ghosh.
The high court had also dismissed Ghosh's plea to be added as a party in the petition, holding that he was not a "necessary party" in the matter. PTI
11:49 Why is Kiren Rijiju up a tree?
Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs and an MP from Arunachal Pradesh, shares this image on X, writing, "Apple trees can be this big & bigger! From the very scenic Apple farms of #ArunachalPradesh, where nature's finest fruit grows! #IncredibleBharat #IncredibleIndia."
11:17 RG Kar case: Where's the chargesheet, asks TMC
Senior TMC leader Derek O'Brien on Friday questioned the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the status of the charge-sheet in the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case.
"When is CBI filing a charge-sheet in the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case and putting the accused on trial? When?" he posted on X.
For the past few days, the TMC has been demanding that the CBI file the charge-sheet at the earliest. The Calcutta High Court had transferred the probe to the CBI from Kolkata Police in August. Police had arrested the main accused, a civic volunteer, a day after the incident on August 9. PTI
10:47 3rd fire in Kamala Mills in 5 yrs: No fire audit?
A fire broke out at the Times Tower building in Mumbai's Lower Parel West on Friday morning.
According to officials, no casualties have been reported yet in the blaze that began at 6.47 am. Fire tenders rushed to the spot after getting information about the incident.
According to officials, fire fighters used a chisel and hammer to break the locks of the doors of the second floor offices up to the 14th floor.
A fire officer on the spot said: "The fire is completely under control now. We are checking injuries in the incident. We faced problems due to the smoke and ventilation but our officers went inside wearing breathing apparatus. We are investigating the fire audit."
Speaking to the media persons on the incident, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Sandeep Deshpande said, "Fire broke out in the Kamala Mills Compound for the 3rd time in five years. There is no fire audit of the building."
He accused that the public representatives of the area of being involved in supporting the illegal constructions.
"Illegal construction in the Kamala Mills Compound is increasing day by day. The local MLAs are supporting the illegal construction. Action should be taken against those responsible. Why are the public representatives supporting illegal construction?" he said.
Ambulances and police are also engaged in the firefighting operation.
Pic: Sahil Salvi
10:41 One day to go for Lord Ganesh's arrival
The GSB Seva Mandal's Ganpati idol adorned with gold and silver.
Representational image
10:38 Man booked for shooting at 2 people at Badlapur
The railway police in Maharashtra's Thane district have registered an attempt-to-murder case against a 25-year-old man after he allegedly opened fire at two persons at Badlapur station and injured one of them, an official said on Friday.
The incident, which police said was the fallout of business rivalry, took place at platform number 1 at around 6 pm on Thursday when the suburban station on the Central Railway route was chock-a-block with commuters. Senior Inspector Pandhari Kande of the Kalyan GRP (Government Railway Police) said an FIR has been registered against the arrested accused Vikas Nana Pagare for attempt to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and under the Arms Act.
Police are also trying to find out if more people were involved in the shooting besides Pagare. The incident was captured on cameras and a video of it went viral on social media within minutes.
After opening fire, Pagare ran towards railway tracks in his attempt to flee, but he was chased and pinned down by policemen on duty with the help of some commuters.
Police identified the injured person as Shankar Sansare, while the second man targeted by Pagare escaped unhurt, but his identity was not revealed. Sansare was rushed to a local hospital, where he was treated for gunshot wounds, said the GRP. The assailant and also the duo he targeted have criminal records and the firing was linked to professional rivalry over TV cable business between them in the area, said the police, citing preliminary probe.
Initially, there was a fight between Pagare and the duo outside the railway station. As Sansare ran inside the station, the gunman followed him and fired at him and the other person accompanying him from his revolver, they said. The GRP have sent the revolver and pellets for forensic analysis.
10:31 Tanaav 2 Review: Thrilling!
Tanaav Season 2 is like any other espionage thriller with twists and a lot of tense and thrilling moments. What makes it interesting is that unlike season 1, this time, the plot unravels quickly without getting boring, observes Namrata Thakker. Read the review here.
10:28 Shah to launch BJP's manifesto for J-K today
As Jammu and Kashmir gears up for the upcoming assembly polls, Union Minister Amit Shah is set to launch the Bharatiya Janata Party's manifesto on Friday as he leaves for a two-day visit to the territory.
Elections in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled in three phases, which will be conducted on September 18, 25, and October 1.
As per his scheduled visit, Amit Shah will launch the Bharatiya Janata Party's Sankalp Patra today and tomorrow he will meet and interact with party workers at the 'Karyakarta Sammelan.'
Saying that Jammu and Kashmir has transformed from a terrorist hotspot into a tourist hotspot, Shah further praised the Modi government for bringing a whole new era of peace and development to the territory.
Taking it to a social media post on X, Amit Shah wrote, "J&K is witnessing a new era of peace and development under the Modi government. The region has transformed from a terrorist hotspot into a tourist hotspot, with an increase in educational and economic activities. Leaving for Jammu on my two-day visit, where I will launch the BJP's Sankalp Patra today and interact with our karyakartas tomorrow in the Karyakarta Sammelan."
On September 5, BJP Jammu and Kashmir chief Ravinder Raina filed his nomination paper for the assembly polls from the Nowshera Assembly constituency. Raina said that there is a strong wave of BJP in the entire Union Territory.
Jammu and Kashmir has 90 assembly constituencies, with 7 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (STs).In the previous Assembly elections, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) won 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 25, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) won 15, and the Congress won 12.
10:09 Food diplomacy, the Chinese way
The Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, shares this image alongside on X and writes: "A dosa breakfast made my day!"
Xu Feihong, on Thursday remembered Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Gujarat's Ahmedabad and praised the relationship between India and China. Sharing a post on X, Feihong wrote, "Ten years ago, President Xi Jinping and PM Modi walked along the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, beautiful park and pleasant China-India relationship."
09:55 A bridge over troubled waters
Safia Abdullah Khan shares this picture of an unusual place in Kashmir. "A visit to Kaman Post, Uri. Two thirds of the bridge is with India and a third with Pakistan."
Safia is NC president Farooq Abdullah's daughter.
09:44 Sensex shaky as US to announce payroll today
Sensex declines 233.98 points to 81,967.18 in early trade; Nifty drops 60 points to 25,085.10.
Experts highlighted that the stock markets are facing pressure as major economic data, including the US monthly payroll data, is due this week. If this report also comes weak, the markets may slide further.
"US Monthly Payrolls data day is here. Another poor report will raise chances for a 50 bps cut on Sep 18th. A strong report will limit expectations to a 25 bps cut. US markets have been seeing outflows in the last two weeks and we expect this trend to continue as investors take a risk off stance going into Sep 18th. Indian markets will take their cues from these global developments. Expect volatility and weak markets. Positions will be kept light given the event risk this evening from the US Payrolls data" said Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert.
In the broad market on the National Stock Exchange, Nifty Next 50, Nifty 100, Nifty 200, and other major indices faced pressure during the opening session. In the sectoral indices, Nifty Bank, Nifty Auto, and Nifty FMCG faced selling pressure, while Nifty IT, Nifty Media, and Nifty Pharma gained.
09:29 Fire breaks out at Times building in Mumbai
A fire broke out at Times Tower building in Mumbai's Lower Parel West on Friday morning.
According to the officials, no casualties have been reported yet in the blaze that began at 6.47 am.
Fire tenders rushed to the spot and firefighting operations are underway. Ambulances and police are also engaged in the firefighting operation. Further investigations are underway. More details awaited.
09:09 ED raids RG Kar ex-principal's residence
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) carried out raids at the residence of former principal of RG Kar medical college and hospital, Sandip Ghosh, among other places in Kolkata in a case pertaining to the financial irregularities in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
ED had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe money laundering charges against Sandip Ghosh in the financial irregularities case.
Ghosh is presently in the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).On Wednesday, Sandip Ghosh filed a petition in the Supreme Court against a Calcutta High Court decision that ordered the CBI to probe into the graft case against him.
His plea has been listed on September 6 before a bench led by Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud.
The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Dr Sandip Ghosh on September 2.
Dr Ghosh was under investigation for alleged corruption and financial irregularities at the college and hospital, following a directive from a single bench of the Calcutta High Court, which ordered the CBI to probe the matter. -- ANI
08:52 Biden's son pleads guilty to tax fraud charges
United States President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden pleaded guilty
to all nine charges in his federal tax case on Thursday, and District
Judge Mark Scarsi in Los Angeles has accepted his plea, CNN reported.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 16, notably after November's presidential election.
The
President's son has now officially pleaded guilty to one count of
felony tax evasion, two counts of felony filing fraudulent tax returns,
four misdemeanor counts of failing to pay taxes, and two misdemeanor
counts of failing to file tax returns, as per CNN.
The
guilty plea came in a convoluted all-day hearing on the same day that
his trial was supposed to begin with jury selection in Los Angeles.
About
120 prospective jurors waited in a sequestered assembly room throughout
the day, while prosecutors and Hunter Biden's lawyers haggled in court
over how to move forward.
According to CNN,
the plea also came hours after Hunter Biden offered an 'Alford plea',
where he would've maintained his innocence, skipped a trial, and
accepted any punishment at sentencing.
But
Biden's team backed away from that plan after prosecutors raised
forceful objections, and the judge said he'd want to study the matter
and reconvene Friday morning.
The guilty plea
was a unilateral move by Hunter Biden, called an 'open plea' because it
was done without a pre-arranged plea bargain with prosecutors.
It's rare for a high-profile defendant to plead guilty to crimes without a leniency deal with prosecutors.
"We were as shocked as everyone else in the courtroom this morning," prosecutor Leo Wise said.
But
in a surprising turn Thursday afternoon, Biden's team changed course
and instead said he is prepared to enter an 'open plea' and admit that
his conduct satisfied the elements of the tax offences with which he had
been charged.
Biden said under oath in federal
court in Los Angeles Thursday that nobody made him any promises, to
convince him to plead guilty in his tax case. The President's son also
testified that nobody pressured him to plead guilty in any way.
After
prosecutors read the full 56-page indictment during the plea
proceeding, which took nearly 90 minutes, Scarsi asked Hunter Biden
standard questions that are part of every pea deal.
"Do you agree that you committed every element of every crime?" Scarsi asked.
"Yes," Hunter Biden responded.
The
resolution of the tax case came on the brink of a trial in downtown Los
Angeles. This would have been Biden's second criminal trial this year,
after he was convicted in June on three federal gun charges in
Wilmington, Delaware.
According to CNN,
prosecutors alleged that Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in federal
taxes and evaded taxes by filing tax returns with fraudulent business
deductions.
The president's son eventually paid
roughly $2 million in back taxes and penalties after learning of the
investigation and getting sober, following a years-long struggle with
drug addiction and alcoholism. -- ANI
02:48 3 workers killed in slab collapse at Mumbai under-construction building
Three labourers were killed and as many injured after a portion of a slab at an under-construction building collapsed in Mumbai on Thursday, civic officials said.
The incident occurred around 12.10 pm at Govind Nagar of Malad (East) in the western suburbs of Mumbai.
A portion of the 20th-floor slab of the 23-storey Navjeevan building collapsed, said an official.
The high-rise is being constructed on Haji Bapu Road as a saleable wing of an SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) project by Right Channel Private Limited, a senior civic official said.
Two purported videos of the incident surfaced on social media.
In one of the clips, a labourer can be seen plunging on construction material on the ground and a few people trying to lift him.
The second video shows some people visibly shaken apparently after a narrow escape.
The green safety net at the site also tore under the weight of the slab rubble. The senior civic official said they immediately informed SRA authorities after the incident.
Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said six people were injured due to the slab collapse and they were rushed to the nearby civic-run MW Desai Hospital.
However, doctors at the hospital declared three of them dead.
The deceased workers have been identified as Gopal Banika Modi (32), Sohan Jachil Rotha (26) and Vinod Keshav Sadar (26). -- PTI
01:37 3 workers killed in slab collapse at Mumbai under-construction building
Three labourers were killed and as many injured after a portion of a slab at an under-construction building collapsed in Mumbai on Thursday, civic officials said.
The incident occurred around 12.10 pm at Govind Nagar of Malad (East) in the western suburbs of Mumbai.
A portion of the 20th-floor slab of the 23-storey Navjeevan building collapsed, said an official.
The high-rise is being constructed on Haji Bapu Road as a saleable wing of an SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) project by Right Channel Private Limited, a senior civic official said.
Two purported videos of the incident surfaced on social media.
In one of the clips, a labourer can be seen plunging on construction material on the ground and a few people trying to lift him.
The second video shows some people visibly shaken apparently after a narrow escape.
The green safety net at the site also tore under the weight of the slab rubble. The senior civic official said they immediately informed SRA authorities after the incident.
Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said six people were injured due to the slab collapse and they were rushed to the nearby civic-run MW Desai Hospital.
However, doctors at the hospital declared three of them dead.
The deceased workers have been identified as Gopal Banika Modi (32), Sohan Jachil Rotha (26) and Vinod Keshav Sadar (26). -- PTI
Left MLA PV Anvar/File image
01:25 Kerala IPS officer suspended over controversial conversation with Left MLA
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday ordered the suspension of Sujith Das, IPS, days after his purported conversation with Left MLA P V Anvar surfaced, allegedly revealing internal issues in the police.
Das had the conversation with Anvar while serving as superintendent of police in Pathanamthitta district.
He was removed from the post early this week, following the leak of their conversation, which allegedly portrayed the state police in a poor light and was telecast by the media.
A one-line statement issued by the CMO announced that Chief Minister Vijayan has ordered the suspension of Sujith Das, who was the district police chief of Pathanamthitta.
According to a CMO official, DIG Ajeetha Begum was entrusted with primarily investigating the serious allegations against Das.
Her report found serious lapses, following which the Chief Minister ordered his suspension, the official said.
The Chief Minister's move came amid mounting criticism from Anvar over the police department's inaction against Das regarding his alleged involvement in illegal activities during his tenure as superintendent of police in Malappuram district. -- PTI
PM Narendra Modi arrives in New Delhi after Singapore, Brunei visits/ANI Photo
01:06 Modi arrives in Delhi after his visit to Singapore, Brunei
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Delhi on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to Singapore and Brunei.
Modi shared a video of his Singapore visit on X and stated, "My visit to Singapore has been a very fruitful one. It will certainly add vigour to bilateral ties and benefit the people of our nations. I thank the government and people of Singapore for their warmth."
Earlier on Thursday, Modi and Singapore PM Lawrence Wong met at the Parliament House in Singapore.
The two leaders, along with their delegations, held the bilateral meeting.
At their talks, both leaders reviewed the progress of India-Singapore bilateral relations.
Following this, the two sides exchanged four MoUs in the areas of digital technology, semiconductors, skill development, and healthcare.
The PM invited Lawrence Wong to visit India, which he accepted. -- ANI
Kanhaiya Lal (L) was attacked in his shop in Udaipur, on June 28, 2022/ANI Photo
00:43 Tailor Kanhaiya Lal murder accused granted bail
Mohammad Javed, one of the accused in the tailor Kanhaiya Lal murder case in Rajasthan's Udaipur in 2022, was on Thursday granted bail by the Rajasthan high court.
Javed had pleaded for bail in the Jaipur bench of the high court after the NIA court denied him relief in the case.
Reacting to the development, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that the BJP used the case to gain electoral advantage, whereas BJP leader Rajendra Rathore said his party's government was committed to punishing the culprits behind the murder.
Through his counsel Syed Saadat Ali, Javed argued that he was arrested in the case based on phone call details whereas his location was not traced with the other accused involved in hatching the conspiracy.
Ali said the main accused are said to have gathered at a tea stall before the incident but the petitioner's location was not there.
No recovery has been made from him and that his guilt is yet to be established in a trial, and charges have already been framed, he said.
Considering the arguments of the defence counsel, the bench headed by Justice Pankaj Bhandari granted bail to Javed as his arrest was based upon his disclosure statement and other main accused in the matter.
Kanhaiya Lal was hacked to death at his shop in the busy Hathipole area of Udaipur in June 2022 by two cleaver-wielding men Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Gause for allegedly supporting a social media post against Islam, an incident that sent shockwaves across the country. -- PTI
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