Floods kill 39 people in Nepal

Floods caused by incessant rain killed at least 39 people in Nepal, according to a media report on Saturday.

Parts of Nepal have been inundated with rainfall since Friday, prompting disaster authorities to warn of flash floods.

Nine persons were killed in Kathmandu, 16 in Lalitpur, five in Bhaktapur, three in Kavrepalanchowk, two each in Panchthar and Dhankuta, and one each from Jhapa and Dhading, myrepublica.com reported. 

A total of 11 people are missing in the floods.

Police reported that 226 houses have been submerged in Kathmandu and a rescue team of around 3,000 security personnel has been deployed from the Nepal Police in the affected areas.   -- PTI

'Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama', the 1999 Japanese-Indian anime film, will be updated with new dubs in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu alongside its original English version for its first-ever theatrical release in India, the distributors said on Saturday.

Directed by Yugo Sako, Ram Mohan and Koichi Sasaki, the animated film will hit the cinema halls on October 18 in the 4K format.

Geek Pictures India, AA Films and Excel Entertainment will distribute Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Ram across India cinema halls.

"Driven by our unwavering commitment to making this timeless film accessible to all, we have taken the responsibility of reviving this cherished epic. In our dedication to honouring the vision of the original creators, we meticulously produced new language versions in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, under the guidance of esteemed industry veteran Shri V Vijayendra Prasad. 

"While preserving the original English dialogue and maintaining the iconic, powerful visuals as they were originally conceived, we aim to offer a renewed cinematic experience that resonates with children and families across India," Geek Pictures India said in a statement.

The distributor company also said the film will comply with the latest guidelines set by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) of India, incorporating enhanced accessibility features for the hearing impaired, ensuring a more inclusive viewing experience for all.

In the Hindi version of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Ram, Ramayan star Arun Govil voiced the character of Ram, Namrata Sawhney voice starred as Sita, and the late Amrish Puri lent his voice to Ravan, with veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha serving as narrator.

Composed by Vanraj Bhatia and penned by P K Mishra, 'Shri Raghuvar Ki Vaanar Sena', 'Janani Main Ramdoot Hanuman' and 'Jai Lankeshwar' were some of the popular songs from the film's Hindi dubbed version.

Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama was screened in India at the 24th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) but wasn't released in cinema halls. It became popular with Indian audiences upon its re-runs on TV channels in the early 2000s.   -- PTI

The Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray clean sweep in the Mumbai University senate polls is just the beginning and such a victory has to be replicated in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls, Aaditya Thackeray said on Saturday.

The Yuva Sena, which is headed by Thackeray and is the youth wing of the Shiv Sena-UBT, swept the senate polls and won all 10 graduate seats, convincingly defeating the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-led Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

Addressing jubilant party workers outside Matoshree, the residence of Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, he said voting for senate polls was not only held in Mumbai, but also neighbouring districts of Thane, Palghar, Raigad as well south Konkan districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, which shows the influence of his party.

"We have shown what victory is. This is the start. We have to register a similar victory in Vidhan Sabha," Thackeray said.

The victory reflects the trust reposed by graduates in former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, the Worli MLA asserted.

He also announced that a helpline will be established for students and graduates. The senate is the highest elected decision-making body and watchdog of Mumbai University with representatives of teachers, principals and college managements as well as registered graduates.

It is empowered to pass the university's budget. The results, which came ahead of the state assembly polls that are likely to be held in November, were not surprising as Shiv Sena-UBT leader Anil Parab had registered victory from the Mumbai Graduates constituency in the Maharashtra legislative council (MLC) polls held in July.

Huge celebrations were witnessed at Matoshree with Yuva Sena leaders like Varun Sardesai, who is also a cousin of Aaditya, breaking into a dance with party supporters.

Aaditya Thackeray too joined in for a brief while as he smeared 'gulal' on the faces of his brother Tejas and mother Rashmi Thackeray who took part in the victory celebrations.   -- PTI

Suspected militants fired at a village in Manipur's Jiribam district on Saturday, police said.

Armed men fired indiscriminately at Mongbung Meitei village from nearby hilltops and surrounding thick forests prompting retaliation from village volunteers in the area, they said.

Quoting villagers, a police officer said several women, children and elderly are being evacuated to safer places.

Security forces have been rushed to control the situation, he said, adding that no casualties have been reported so far.

Mongbung Meitei village, located 7 km from district headquarters town, has seen multiple attacks from armed men since violence broke out in the district in June this year.   -- PTI

Seventeen Bangladeshis, including eight children, were sent back on Saturday after they were apprehended in Assam for allegedly entering India illegally, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

'Taking firm stance against infiltration, @assampolice pushed back 9 Bangladeshis and 8 children across the border in the wee hours today,' he said in a post on X, sharing a photo of the illegal immigrants.

Around 100 people have so far been apprehended in the state for illegally entering the country following turmoil in Bangladesh, and sent back, officials said.  -- PTI

The Israeli military said on Saturday that it killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a strike in Beirut on Friday.

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said in a post on X, 'Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world.'

Earlier, Israeli Air Force (IAF) has launched targeted strikes against Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut, following precise intelligence by the IDF.

In another post on X, the IDF wrote, 'Following precise IDF intelligence, the IAF is currently conducting strikes on strategic terrorist targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organisation in the area of Beirut.'

The IDF provided further details on the strategic targets struck in Beirut and said, "Among the targets struck are weapons production facilities, buildings used to store advanced weapons and key command centers of the terrorist organisation."

Israel also issued a warning to residents of Dahieh neighbourhoods in Beirut, urging them to distance themselves from Hezbollah assets and facilities, asserting that their war is with Hezbollah and not Lebanese people.  -- ANI, Agencies

IMAGE: Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Sin El Fil, Lebanon, on September 28, 2024. Photograph: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters

The Odisha government on Saturday suspended internet services in Bhadrak district for two days after a group of people pelted stones at police during a protest over an 'objectionable' social media post.

According to a notification issued by the Home department, the internet service will remain suspended in the district for 48 hours till 2 am on September 30 across the district under the provisions of Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

The government order also mentioned that the use and access of social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and other medium of data services, mobile internet and broadband services will be prohibited to prevent the spread of inflammatory messages to restore peace and amity.

A group of people had lodged a complaint against a youth who allegedly posted some objectionable material on social media hurting the religious sentiments of a community.

The members of a particular community took out a protest rally on Friday alleging delay in police action against the accused youth. When police stopped the rally as it was held without prior permission of the administration, the protestors pelted stones at police in which two policemen including a DSP were injured and the vehicle of Bhadrak Tehsildear was damaged, they said.

A clash broke out between two communities in Santhia area of the district over social media posts on Friday afternoon.

The violence later spread to Dhamnagar area in the district, police said.

"Any congregation, gathering, meeting, agitation are strictly prohibited in the proceeding area and violation of the same shall be viewed seriously by the district administration," the order issued by the district administration said. 

Meanwhile, the district administration on Friday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS in Puruna Bazaar and Dhamnagar police station area to maintain law and order.

At least 14 platoons (1 platoon comprise 30 personnel) of police force have been deployed in violence-hit Puruuna Bazaar and Dhamnagar, police said. 

The police took nine persons into custody, held flag marches and intensified patrolling to restore peace in the district. Meanwhile, senior officials, including DIG, Bhadrak SP, and the District Collector, are monitoring the situation and holding discussions with members of the peace committee.  --  PTI

Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party leaders and cadres across Andhra Pradesh conducted 'forgiveness' rituals on Saturday to 'atone' for the alleged 'sin' committed by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu by casting alleged aspersions on the sanctity of Tirupati laddus (consecrated sweet).

Naidu alleged during a recent National Democratic Allaince legislative party meeting that the erstwhile YSRCP government did not even spare Sri Venkateswara temple and used substandard ingredients and animal fats for making laddus.

The allegations sparked a massive controversy across the country, hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindus.

Following the nationwide uproar, YSRCP chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that Naidu was blatantly lying about laddus and said that the alleged sacrilege did not occur at all while the ghee samples sent for testing were drawn under the NDA regime.

Consequently, Reddy called on his party cadres to undertake atonement rituals for undoing the alleged 'sin' committed by Naidu through his allegations.

Senior YSRCP leader and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman B Karunakar Reddy participated in prayers at Gangamma temple at Tatayya Gunta in Tirupati.

Likewise, former irrigation minister Ambati Rambabu offered prayers at Venkateswara Swamy temple in Guntur, among others.

Speaking to a vernacular news channel, YSRCP leader M Sharmila Reddy, said, "Naidu dragged God also into politics and created a big ruckus out of an incident that never happened. I am asking one thing. Who was the chief minister when those ghee consignments (alleged adulterated ghee tankers) came?"

Opposing Naidu's allegations, several YSRCP supporters and activists conducted special poojas (rituals) in Eluru district.  -- PTI

At least four security forces personnel and a traffic police officer were injured in an encounter with terrorists in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said.

The gunbattle broke out in Adigam village in the Devsar area of the district after security forces launched a cordon and search operation.

Additional SP (traffic) Mumtaz Ali suffered minor injuries after being struck by a stray bullet near the encounter site, officials said.

They said four security personnel involved in the anti-terrorist operation sustained injuries.  -- PTI

Those arrested have been identified as Ashu (19), Polus Maseeh (43), Paster Rasi (52) and Chutoo Kumar Shah, they said.

During interrogation, Ashu told the police that after the death of his father, he started living in Salarpur village of Gautam Buddha Nagar district, where he adopted Christianity, said DCP (rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari, added that his uncle and aunt are living in their parental house in Govindpuri area of Modinagar.

Ashu confessed that he along with his associates used to mount pressure on his uncle Ajit and aunt Sangeeta to adopt Christianity, but they objected.

A case was registered in this regard at the Modinagar police station on September 22 in which they (Ajit and Sangeeta) alleged that their nephew along with his associates had threatened to kill them in case they do not embrace Christianity. -- PTI

Paying tribute to him on X, he said Bhagat Singh sacrificed his life to protect the self-respect of the motherland. 

Born in 1907, Singh was hanged by the British at an age of 23 for his involvement in revolutionary activities and is a iconic symbol of India's resistance to the colonial rule. -- PTI

The Mumbai police beefed up security at crowded areas and market places besides other sensitive areas of the city. 

The police also stepped up security in and around the various religious places in Mumbai following the alert, said the repot. 

The police have also been directed to conduct 'mock drills' at religious and crowded places, said the report quoting sources.

It is learnt from informed sources that for several reasons external buyers are attracted towards Vande Bharat.  

Sources said cost effectiveness is the key factor, trains with similar features manufactured in other countries cost in the range of Rs 160-180 crores, whereas India manufactures the Vande Bharat at much less, at a cost ranging from Rs 120 to 130 crores.  

Vande Bharat also beats competitors when it comes to pick up speed. Sources say, Vande Bharat takes just 52 seconds to reach from 0 to 100 kmph; this exceeds Japan's bullet train, that takes 54 second to get from 0-100 Kmph.  

Informed sources also say that Vande Bharat is better designed than foreign competition. It has one hundred times less noise experience than an aircraft and its energy consumption is very less.  

Indian railways are also looking to rapidly expand its track network and increase substantial number of trains. -- ANI

Advocate Vasant Kumar, representing petitioner activist Snehamayi Krishna on Friday said that they have filed a writ petition and are seeking high court directions to handover the case to the CBI to carry out a fair investigation in the writ petition.  

"Today (Saturday) we have filed a writ petition making appeal to direct to hand over the MUDA investigation to the CBI, it will come hearing on Monday. we have also referred in the yesterday's special court order in the petition, prima facie is that MUDA is a big scam, that's why we have requested the high court for the CBI inquiry in the case for the free and fair inquiry into the case," Kumar told ANI.  

Earlier, a special court in Bengaluru on Wednesday passed an order directing Karnataka Lokyukta to conduct an investigation against Karnataka Siddaramaiah on the allegation of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to his wife Parvathi by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. -- ANI

The police received specific input that a Pakistan-based Kashmiri terrorist of Jaish-e-Mohammad was in the process of identifying youths who could be motivated to join terror ranks, the police spokesperson said.

Before formally inducting them, such youths were given arms, ammunition and explosives for committing terror acts, according to the police.

"During investigation, the youths who were part of this module were identified. It came to fore that the Pakistan-based terrorist with the assistance of an OGW in jail identified many youths who were motivated to join terror ranks in the Tral area of Awantipora and Kulgam district," the spokesperson said.

These youths were provided pistols, grenades, IEDs and other explosives. -- PTI

Sharing a post on X, Kwatra said, "Honoured to present my credentials to US President Joe Biden as ambassador of India to the United States on September 18."  

He added, "Look forward to further strengthening the India-US Strategic Partnership."  

Notably, Kwatra assumed charge as the ambassador of India to the United States on August 13.  

Kwatra succeeds India's former envoy to the United States and BJP leader, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.  

"Privileged to assume charge as the Ambassador of India to the United States of America. Team @IndianEmbassyUS will continue to work intensely to strengthen this crucial partnership," Kwatra had said in a post on X. -- ANI

"The district administration has expressed concern of misuse of internet for spreading communal violence," read the order by the Odisha government.  

Deputy inspector general, Eastern Range, Satyajit Naik on Friday said that following incidents of stone pelting, Section 163 of BNSS has been promulgated, prohibiting assembly of more than five people in an area.  

"We have promulgated Section 163 of BNSS in the Purna Bazar area to control the situation and maintain peace in the area," he said.  

Several police personnel have been injured in the incident.  

DIG Eastern Range, Satyajit Naik said the situation is under control and the people allegedly involved in the incident have been identified, "FIR has been registered and culprits have been identified. Strong legal action will be taken against the culprits."  

Ten platoons of security forces are were deployed on Friday night to patrol the areas and conduct area dominance. -- ANI 

Households' gross financial assets have grown at a fast pace since the pandemic while household debt has remained consistent with the pre-pandemic period. 

According to the report, household gross financial assets reached a peak of 157.9 percent of GDP in Q1FY25, surpassing the previous high of 152.9 percent recorded in Q4FY21. 

Prior to the pandemic, household financial assets were 123 percent of GDP. 

Meanwhile, household financial liabilities remained stable at 42 percent of GDP in Q1FY25. 

The research report shows household debt stood at Rs 127 trillion in Q1FY25 from Rs 106 trillion in Q4FY23. Debt was 35 percent of GDP in the pre-pandemic quarters. -- Subrata Panda/Business Standard 

The middle-aged woman, who had acute breathing problems, was in a critical stage, a junior doctor said. 

Following her death, a mob of 20 people went on a rampage at the hospital and beat up nurses and junior doctors who were on duty, he alleged. 

"We have been repeatedly demanding proper security at the outpatient department and hospital wards. But today's incident proves the state administration is yet to wake up to our demand for safety. Till our demands for adequate safety are met, the cease work will continue," he said. 

He claimed six persons, which included female nurses, were beaten up by the mob. 

The police could not be reached for a comment on the incident. -- PTI

The encounter started in the Adigam Devsar area of the Kulgam district.  

"Encounter has started at Adigam Devsar area of #Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice," said the Kashmir zone police in a social media post on X on Saturday.  

Further details are awaited.  -- ANI

"Muhammad Ali Ismail, the commander of Hezbollah's missile unit in southern Lebanon, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail, have been eliminated in a precise IAF strike by Israel,' said the IDF in an X post.

More details soon. --ANI

The Sharad Pawar-founded NCP split in July last year after Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government. 

The ECI later gave the party name and 'clock' symbol to the faction led by the deputy chief minister, while Sharad Pawar's faction was christened NCP-SP with 'man blowing tutari' as its symbol. 

Addressing a Maha Vikas Aghadi rally in Anushakti Nagar in north east Mumbai, Sule said, "My fight will not end until I give Pawar saheb the party he created and his symbol." 

She also took a swipe at the ruling alliance by saying "what happened to those who had an allergy to Nawab Malik". 

Malik is the sitting MLA from Anushakti Nagar and has thrown his weight with the faction led by Ajit Pawar. Malik was arrested in February 2022 by the Enforcement Directorate for allegedly usurping a property in Kurla here with the help of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim's sister. 

Malik was released on bail last year. -- PTI

The probe has been initiated on the complaint of an advocate accusing the ticketing platform, the official said. 

"Accordingly, the CEO and co-founder of BookMyShow Ashish Hemrajani along with the company's technical head have been summoned. Their statements will be recorded on Saturday. A preliminary enquiry has begun," the official said. 

Incidentally, Coldplay added a third show to the Mumbai leg of the "Music of the Spheres World Tour 2025" due to the phenomenal response here. 

The band will have three shows at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on January 18, 19 and 21 next year. -- PTI

The action was taken following a complaint lodged through the Integrated Grievance Redressal System, assistant food commissioner Manik Chand Singh said. 

Singh said the samples were procured from Haiderganj, where the cardamom seed offerings are prepared and sent to the Jhansi State Laboratory for comprehensive testing and evaluation. 

Prakash Gupta, the officer in charge of the Ram Temple trust, revealed that on average, around 80,000 packets of cardamom seeds are distributed daily as a sacred offering. -- PTI