LIVE updates: PM Narendra Modi holds roadshow in Gujarat's Vapi

PM Modi is scheduled to hold rallies in Gujarat's Saurashtra for three consecutive days from Nov 20 to Nov 22. Stay tuned for LIVE updates

11:56 PM

Mysterious blast in auto in Mangaluru, police investigating

Tension prevailed in communally-sensitive Mangaluru city in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district on Saturday following the mysterious explosion in a moving auto. However, police are ascertaining whether it is a case of fire or blast.

 

The incident had taken place in Kankanady police station limits and the police has taken the development very seriously and is investigating it.

 

Mangaluru Police Commissioner Shashikumar, experts of Forensic Science Laboratory and bomb disposal and dog squads have rushed to the spot to gather inputs. The visuals of the blast were captured on CCTV and police are examining the footage. the Police Commissioner said that the fire was noticed after a passenger boarded the auto.

11:38 PM

Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Rinda is learnt to have died in Pakistan: Punjab Police sources

Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda, who was involved in various terror cases, including the RPG attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in May, is learnt to have died in Pakistan, sources in the state police said on Saturday.

 

Though the cause of his death was not immediately known, the sources said he was admitted to a hospital in Lahore.

 

Rinda, a member of the banned Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International, had been taking the help of local gangsters to carry out anti-national activities here and was believed to be in Pakistan.

11:07 PM

Tesla recalls 300K vehicles over taillight software glitch

Tesla is recalling more than 300,000 vehicles in the US because a software glitch can make taillights go off intermittently, increasing the risk of a collision.

 

Tesla said in documents posted Saturday by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the glitch may affect one or both taillights on certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.

 

Brake lamps, backup lamps and turn signal lamps are not affected by the software problem, the company said. The automaker said it is releasing an online software update that will fix the problem.

10:54 PM

PFC sanctions Rs 3,940 cr loan for Machilipatnam port in AP

Power Finance Corporation has sanctioned a loan of Rs 3,940 crore for the construction of the Machilipatnam greenfield seaport, Lok Sabha MP V Balashowri said on Saturday.

 

The loan sanction letter has been sent to Machilipatnam Port Development Corporation Ltd, the MP told reporters here.

 

The estimated cost of the Machilipatnam port is Rs 5,253.89 crore. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will lay the foundation of Machilipatnam port works on December 21, he added.

10:41 PM

Odisha government withdraws all Covid-19 restrictions

With a significant reduction in cases, the Odisha government on Saturday announced the withdrawal of all COVID-19 restrictions, including mandatory wearing of masks in public places and prohibition on large gatherings, officials said.

 

The Health and Family Welfare Department issued a notification to this effect.

 

"In view of the substantial decline of COVID-19 cases in the state over the past several months, the government after careful consideration is pleased to repeal 'The Odisha COVID-19 Regulations, 2020' as amended from time to time; with immediate effect," it said.

10:32 PM

Congress expels party leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy for six years for anti-party activities

Congress expels party leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy for six years for anti-party activities

10:14 PM

Bengal: Fire in Siliguri slum; several hundred houses feared gutted

A major fire erupted in a slum in Siliguri city in northern West Bengal on Saturday evening, fire officials said.

 

Several hundred houses and shops were feared to have been gutted in the blaze that erupted around 8 pm in Rana Bustee in ward number 18 in the city.

 

At least five fire tenders have been deployed to bring the blaze under control even as one firefighter was injured during the ongoing operations, Commissioner of Police Akhilesh Chaturvedi said.

10:14 PM

Bengal: Fire in Siliguri slum; several hundred houses feared gutted

A major fire erupted in a slum in Siliguri city in northern West Bengal on Saturday evening, fire officials said.

 

Several hundred houses and shops were feared to have been gutted in the blaze that erupted around 8 pm in Rana Bustee in ward number 18 in the city.

 

At least five fire tenders have been deployed to bring the blaze under control even as one firefighter was injured during the ongoing operations, Commissioner of Police Akhilesh Chaturvedi said.

10:07 PM

Defamers of Gujarat should not find place in state: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to people to be wary of those who defame Gujarat, who he said should not find a place in the state.

 

Addressing a rally in Valsad district in the run-up to the next month's Assembly elections, Modi said Gujarati people have never hurt anybody and embraced whoever comes to Gujarat.

 

Be aware of the people who want to defame Gujarat and are speaking against us. They are trying to defame Gujarat and Gujaratis. They are also trying to defame our state in foreign countries, the prime minister said.

9:50 PM

Mumbai reports eight new cases of measles infection

Mumbai on Saturday reported eight new confirmed cases of measles. It took the tally of such cases reported in the city since January 1, 2022 to 84, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

 

The death toll due to the measles since the start of the year remained unchanged at eight.

 

Three confirmed cases each were reported from M-East ward (which covers Govandi and Deonar) and H-East ward (Bandra East, Khar), while G-South (Worli) and S (Bhandup/Nahur) wards reported single cases.

9:44 PM

G20: India to host science ministries meet in Coimbatore next year

India will host a meeting of science ministers from G-20 member nations at Coimbatore in July next year during its presidency of the grouping of the world's 20 major developed and emerging economies.

 

Besides the Science-20 Summit with the theme Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Growth', the science administrators will also host the Research Innovation Initiated Gathering (RIIG) on the theme Research and Innovation for Equitable Society. 

9:34 PM

Online used car retailer Carvana lays off 8% of its workforce

Carvana, a US-based online used car retailer, has laid off about 1,500 employees, or 8 per cent of its workforce, as it attempts to cut costs amid weakening demand for used cars on the back of rising interest rates.

 

According to CNBC, company CEO Ernie Garcia stated in an internal memo that higher financing costs were causing economic headwinds.

 

"Today is a difficult day. The world around us has continued to get tougher and to do what is best for the business, we have to make some painful choices to adapt," Garcia was quoted as saying.

9:29 PM

India climbs six places to 61st rank in network readiness index

India has climbed up six places to 61st rank in the Network Readiness Index 2022 report prepared by US-based non-profit body Portulans Institute, the telecom ministry said on Saturday.

 

The country's overall score has improved to 51.19 in 2022 from 49.74 in 2021, the statement said.

 

"India has improved its position by six slots and is now placed at 61st rank as per the Network Readiness Index 2022 (NRI 2022) report released recently," the statement said.

9:24 PM

PM Modi holds roadshow in Gujarat's Vapi, receives grand welcome

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday conducted roadshows in Vapi city in the Valsad district of Gujarat as the BJP ramps up its election campaign to be in power in the state. He received a warm welcome from the local people of Vapi. Scores of people gathered to welcome and cheer for the Prime Minister.

 

PM Modi waved at the excited gathering during the roadshow.

 

Meanwhile, ahead of the Assembly elections, the Prime Minister is expected to participate in at least eight programmes crisscrossing the state from Saurashtra to Surat. The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold rallies in Gujarat's Saurashtra for three consecutive days from November 20 to November 22.

8:53 PM

PM Modi addresses public meeting in Gujarat's Valsad

8:41 PM

UN climate talks poised for deal creating disaster fund

Negotiators say they have struck a potential breakthrough deal on the thorniest issue of United Nations climate talks, the creation of a fund for compensating poor nations that are victims of extreme weather worsened by rich nations' carbon pollution.

 

There is an agreement on loss and damage, which is what negotiators call the concept, Maldives Environment Minister Aminath Shauna told The Associated Press on Saturday.

 

It still needs to be approved unanimously in a vote later today. That means for countries like ours we will have the mosaic of solutions that we have been advocating for.

8:36 PM

Rishi Sunak makes first visit to war-torn Ukraine as UK PM

Rishi Sunak described as deeply humbling his first visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Saturday since taking charge as British Prime Minister and pledged to bolster the UK's support in the country's ongoing conflict with Russia.

 

Meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sunak confirmed that Britain will provide a major new package of air defence to help protect Ukrainian civilians and critical national infrastructure from an intense barrage of Russian strikes.

 

The GBP 50 million package of defence aid comprises 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter deadly Iranian-supplied drones, including dozens of radars and anti-drone electronic warfare capability.

 

It follows more than 1,000 new anti-air missiles announced by the UK's Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, earlier this month.

8:04 PM

India may have secretariat for global 'No Money for Terror' initiative

India is likely to set up a secretariat to deal with anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism issues under the global 'No Money for Terror' initiative.

 

The country indicated this at the third 'No Money for Terror' conference which concluded on Saturday, a senior government functionary said.

 

The two-day conference here was attended by 450 delegates from over 75 nations and international organisations.

 

"India is keen to establish a secretariat to deal with anti-money laundering/ combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) issues. Discussions are going on with international partners in this direction," the functionary said.

8:04 PM

PM Narendra Modi holds roadshow in Gujarat's Vapi

7:47 PM

Explosion in Russia's Sakhalin Island claims nine lives

Explosion in Russia's Sakhalin Island claims nine lives

7:31 PM

Rahul Gandhi to campaign in Gujarat on Nov 21, to address rallies in Rajkot, Surat

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi will campaign for the party in the Gujarat assembly elections on November 21 when he is scheduled to address a rally each in Rajkot and Surat, the party said on Saturday.

 

Gandhi, who is leading the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, has so far not campaigned in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh has already voted in the first phase (November 12), while Gujarat is scheduled to vote on December 1 and 5 in two phases.

 

"Rahul Gandhi will address two poll rallies in Surat and Rajkot on November 21, when the Bharat Jodo Yatra will have a rest day," AICC general secretary K C Venugopal told PTI.

7:24 PM

Retired IAS Arun Goel appointed as Election Commissioner in Election Commission

IAS Arun Goel (Retd.) appointed as the Election Commissioner in the Election Commission: Ministry of Law and Justice

7:23 PM

Rs 22,842 cr loan fraud: CBI files charge sheet against ex-ABG Shipyard chairman, 24 others

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday filed first charge sheet against 25 accused in connection with the 22,842 crore fraud, allegedly committed by ABG Shipyard company.

 

The CBI in its probe has established the transactions of Rs 5,000 crore made through various channel.

 

The charge sheet has been filed against ABG Shipyard Ltd; its former chairman Rishi Kamlesh Agarwal; Dhananjay Datar, then CFO of ABG Shipyard Ltd; Praveen Bhandari, then Vice President (Accounts); Santhanam Muthuswamy, then Assistant Vice President (Accounts); Balaji Gopal, M.N. Ahmed of Nisar & Kumar firm, ABG International Pvt. Ltd. through its authorised representative, and 18 other entities.

7:17 PM

UK PM Rishi Sunak meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

7:08 PM

Activist Gautam Navlakha walks out of prison, to stay under house arrest for one month

Gautam Navlakha, an accused in Elgar Parishad-Maoists links case, was released from prison on Saturday evening and taken to a building in Navi Mumbai where he will be living under house arrest for a month.

 

His release from Taloja prison in Navi Mumbai after more than two years came nine days after the Supreme Court earlier this month granted his plea seeking house arrest on medical grounds. Navlakha, 70, walked out prison around 6 pm. A police team took him to a building in Belapur-Agroli area of Navi Mumbai where he would be staying.

7:00 PM

BCCI announces adoption of upgraded digitalisation for digital payment interface

In a major boost towards ensuring the seamless transfer and dissemination of funds to players and state associations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), under the stewardship of Secretary Jay Shah, on Saturday announced the adoption and upgradation of a new digital interface.

 

Through this upgradation, BCCI said that the players and state associations will now be guaranteed of minimal paperwork and a reduced timeline to process invoices. Under the benefits of the BCCI Database Management System (ODMS), state associations will be able to approve and recommend to the BCCI to release fees to players digitally, IANS reported.

6:53 PM

Veteran actor Tabassum dies due to cardiac arrest

Veteran actor Tabassum, known for her work as a child artiste and also as host of popular Doordarshan talk show "Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan", has died after suffering a cardiac arrest, her son Hoshang Govil said on Saturday.

 

"Few days ago, she was admitted to a hospital. She had gastro problem and we went there for check-up. She suffered two cardiac attacks at 8.40 pm and 8.42 pm. She passed away peacefully on Friday night, Hoshang told PTI.

 

As a child artist, Tabassum was known as Baby Tabassum and starred in movies such as "Nargis", "Mera Suhaag", "Manjhdhar" and "Bari Behen" in the late 1940s. She hosted the celebrity talk show "Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan" from 1972 to 1993 on Doordarshan.

6:39 PM

Some countries and their agencies made terrorism a state policy: Amit Shah

6:30 PM

Need undifferentiated, undiluted approach to deal with terror: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday made a strong pitch for an "undifferentiated and undiluted" approach to dealing with terrorism and urged nations to rise above political divides to address the peril.

 

Addressing the 'No Money For Terror' conference here, Jaishankar said the scale and intensity of terrorist threat has increased in recent years due to continued tendency of some to use terrorism as a tool of state-craft and willingness of others to justify and obfuscate that.

 

"Terror is terror and no political spin can ever justify it. World needs to rise above political divides to address this peril. The battle against terrorism must be fought resolutely on all fronts, in all situations and at all places," Jaishankar said on Twitter, sharing a glimpse of his address to the two-day ministerial conference.

6:24 PM

Zomato to lay off 4% of its total workforce to reduce costs: Report

The country’s oldest online food aggregation and delivery platform Zomato on Saturday said that it is going to lay off at least 4 per cent of its workforce across the organisation on account of the cost-cutting efforts and to turn profitable, news portal Moneycontrol reported.

 

Zomato, which currently has nearly 3,800 employees, stated that layoffs will be based on regular performance.

"There has been a regular performance based churn of under 3 per cent of our workforce, there's nothing more to it," said a Zomato spokesperson. READ MORE...