Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Andhra Pradesh on high alert; IMD cautions heavy rains

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1:58 AM

Biden announces his national security team, includes special envoy for climate

US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced his national security team that includes three women and an envoy for climate that for the first time would sit on the National Security Council. Biden intends to nominate Anthony Blinken as his Secretary of State; Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security; Linda Thomas-Greenfield as US Ambassador to the United Nations, and Avril Haines, as Director of National Intelligence, who would be the first woman to be named for this top intelligence position.

The President-elect also announced the nomination of former Secretary of State John Kerry as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, the first such official to sit on the national security council. Jake Sullivan has been appointed National Security Advisor and will be one of the youngest people to serve in that role in decades. Their accomplishments in diplomacy are unmatched, but they also reflect the idea that we cannot meet the profound challenges of this new moment with old thinking and unchanged habits -- or without diversity of background and perspective. It's why I've selected them, he said.

1:06 AM

EU invites Biden to patch up trans-Atlantic ties

European Union chief Charles Michel is inviting Joe Biden once he is US president to come visit and patch up trans-Atlantic relations that have suffered over the past four years under President Donald Trump. Now is the time to join forces. In a changing world, our partnership will be more important than ever to protect our citizens, relaunch our economies, stop global warming and create a safer world," Michel said in a statement Monday after a call with the American president-elect. The EU and the US will always have more impact when taking steps together, Michel said.

The 27-nation bloc has often complained about a worsening relationship under Trump, and hope that with Biden, trans-Atlantic ties can be rekindled like they were under President Barack Obama. Over the past years, both sides disagreed over key topics from trade and security to the fight against climate change. Now, Michel said Biden should come over next year for a meeting with EU leaders. During his tenure, Trump variously stunned and disappointed the Europeans most of them members of the NATO military alliance that Washington leads by slapping tariffs on EU exports and pulling out of the Paris climate agreement and the Iran nuclear deal.

12:36 AM

Congress alleges new labour rules will create unemployment and promote new forms of 'slavery', demands rollback of 'Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2020'

11:36 PM

DU announces special cut-off list for admission to remaining UG seats

The Delhi University on Monday announced a special cut-off list for admission to remaining undergraduate seats, officials said. "The admission process through the special cut-off will commence from 9 am on November 24 and will continue till 1 pm on November 25. Candidates will, however, be allowed to pay the fee till 11:59 pm on November 27," a senior official said.

"The DU admissions 2020 under the special cut-off are meant only for those students who have not taken admission till the end of the fifth round of counselling," he added. Over 68,000 out of 70,000 undergraduate seats have been filled in five cut-off lists announced by the university so far. This year, the admission process is completely online in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

10:48 PM

Yogi Adityanath expresses grief over Gogoi's demise

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday expressed grief over the passing away of former chief minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi. Adityanath prayed for the peace of the departed soul, a statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh government said here. Gogoi died on Monday while undergoing treatment for post-COVID-19 complications in Guwahati, Assam's Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

He was 84 and survived by wife Dolly, daughter Chandrima and son Gaurav. Gogoi, a three-time chief minister, breathed his last at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital at 5.34 pm, Sarma said. He was first admitted to the hospital on August 26 after testing positive for COVID-19 and was released for a brief period before being admitted again on November 2. Gogoi was a six-time parliamentarian and a Union minister twice.

10:11 PM

Amrapali chairman yet to deposit Rs 250 cr: Homebuyers to SC

Amrapali homebuyers told Supreme Court today that Anil Sharma, Chairman & Promoter of the embattled real estate group, was required to deposit Rs 250 crore as per its earlier judgment of July 23, 2019, but the same has still not been done. Supreme Court will now hear the matter on December 1.

10:08 PM

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Jameel Shaikh shot dead by unidentified persons in Thane, say police.

10:07 PM

BSF troops shoot dead Pakistani intruder along International Border in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir: Officials

9:57 PM

Congress chief condoles demise of ex-Assam CM Tarun Gogoi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi condoles demise of former Assam chief minister TarunGogoi, describes him as one of the tallest leaders of the party who was admired and respected for his extraordinary wisdom, vision and ability

9:56 PM

IFWJ appeals to LDF in Kerala to withdraw controversial Police Act amendment ordinance

Indian Federation of Working Journalists appeals to Left Democratic Front govt in Kerala to withdraw its ordinance amending Police Act there and allegedly curbing freedom of speech and expression

8:58 PM

NCW seeks immediate intervention in missing case of 21 women from Maharashtra

The National Commission for Women has written to the Maharashtra DGP and Chief Secretary seeking immediate intervention in the alleged missing of 21 women, including eight minors, from Govandi suburb in the state. The Commission said in a statement that it is seriously concerned about the reported incident and has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter.

 

"Our chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Maharashtra seeking immediate intervention in the matter," the statement said.

 

According to media reports, 21 women, including eight minors, went missing from Govandi. The NCW has also sought a detailed action taken report in the matter. It has also asked the authorities to see if there is any element of human trafficking involved in these cases.

8:35 PM

Cyclone Nivar: Andhra Pradesh on full alert as heavy rains are forecast

Frontline departments in Andhra Pradesh are getting into a high alert mode as widespread rains are forecast in many districts in coastal and Rayalaseema regions of the state in the next three days under the influence of cyclonic storm Nivar. Quoting IMD data, the State Disaster Management Authority said the deep depression in Bay of Bengal was turning into a cyclone and may cross the coast between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra on November 25.

 

Cyclone Nivar may cause heavy to extremely heavy rains at isolated places in Rayalaseema and south coastal AP districts on November 25 and 26.

 

Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts are expected to receive light to moderate rains on these days. State Disaster Management Commissioner K Kanna Babu said the sea would be turbulent and fishermen should not venture in for three days. Winds with speed ranging from 45 to 65 kmph were expected along the Bay of Bengal coast.

8:25 PM

Puducherry gearing up for cyclone, action-plan drawn up: CM V Narayanasamy

The Puducherry administration has drawn up a multi-pronged plan to face the cyclone that is likely to bring heavy rain, territorial Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said on Monday. Puducherry and Karaikal regions may get rain from Tuesday as was predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), he told reporters after chairing a joint meeting of officials of various departments.

 

The IMD had said the cyclone was likely to make a landfall between Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu, nearly 100 kms from here, and Karaikal on Wednesday.

 

The Chief Minister said the meeting, attended by Revenue Minister M O H F Shah Jahan and officials of various departments, evolved the plan to ensure precautionary steps were taken in view of the weather. Narayanasamy said the government was working on setting up 80 relief centres in Puducherry and separate centres in Karaikal, control rooms in all the departments and rehabilitation of people in low-lying areas.

8:11 PM

Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal pays last respects to former CM Tarun Gogoi

8:02 PM

Delhi riots: Court defers hearing on cognisance of supplementary charge sheet in UAPA case

A court here on Monday deferred the hearing on the issue of taking cognisance of the supplementary charge sheet filed against former JNU student Umar Khalid and JNU student Sharjeel Imam in a case of the north east Delhi riots in wake of a recent order of the Delhi High Court staying trial in the matter.

 

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat reserved the order for Tuesday, saying the court's order has to be correct in terms of the High Court's directions.

 

At the outset, the judge asked the counsels for the accused if the court can take cognisance of the supplementary charge sheet and pass orders for providing its copies to them since the trial has been stayed in the matter.

 

In the supplementary charge sheet filed on Sunday, Imam and Khalid were booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other sections of the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Properties Act in the matter.

7:45 PM

Reliance Retail's 'vocal for local' mission expands to 30,000 artisans

Reliance Retail on Monday said it showcased more than 40,000 artisan-crafted products from over 50 GI clusters to its customers this festive season in a strong push to locally-made artisanal products.

 

"A direct result of its three-year-old flagship initiatives - 'Indie by AJIO' and 'Swadesh' - started to provide avenues for sales and employment to local craftsmen, the programmes now engage with more than 30,000 craftsmen, representing over 600 art forms across a wide spectrum of clothing, textiles, handicrafts and handmade natural goods," the company said in a statement.

 

Indie by AJIO is an online marketplace for local artisans and handcrafted products. It features this distinctive idiom beautifully in the wide lifestyle products ranging from apparel to home furnishing and accessories such as jewellery and footwear, it said. The craft repertoire includes Ikat, Shibori, Banarasi, Bagh, Ajrakh to Jamdani, Tangail, Chanderi and many more.

7:37 PM

BSF shot down one intruder near International Border in Samba sector of J&K: ANI

6:48 PM

Former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi passes away

Veteran Congress leader and three-time Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi (86) passed away on Monday evening after a protracted illness, Assam Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

 

The former Union Minister and sitting member of Assam assembly is survived by his wife Dolly Gogoi, son Gaurav Gogoi, a Lok Sabha member, and daughter Chandrima Gogoi who lives in the US.

 

Announcing Gogoi's death, Sarma told the media that the former Chief Minister's body would be kept at the famous Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on Monday night. The cremation will take place on Tuesday or Wednesday with full state honours after consultation with his family. The longest serving Assam Chief Minister, Gogoi's health condition deteriorated since Friday due to post-Covid-19 complications. He also suffered a multi-organ failure.

6:37 PM

Tarun Gogoi a popular leader, veteran administrator, tweets PM Narendra Modi

Expressing his anguish at the death of former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday described him as a popular leader and veteran administrator who had years of political experience in Assam as well as at the Centre. Gogoi died in Guwahati on Monday while undergoing treatment for post-COVID-19 complications, state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

 

He was 84 and is survived by wife Dolly, daughter Chandrima and son Gaurav, a Lok Sabha MP from Congress.

 

Modi tweeted, "Sri Tarun Gogoi Ji was a popular leader and a veteran administrator, who had years of political experience in Assam as well as the Centre. Anguished by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti.

6:37 PM

Movie halls in Telangana set to reopen with 50% seats

After a gap of eight months, movie halls in Telangana are set to reopen as the state government on Monday issued orders in this regard to immediate effect. All the cinemas remain closed from March 22 as part of national lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus. According to the G.O., the cinemas and multiplexes are permitted to operate with 50 per cent seating capacity.

 

"Temperature setting of all air-conditioning appliances should be in the range of 24-30 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70 per cent. Re-circulation of air should be avoided and intake of fresh air should be as much as possible," the order said.

 

The management of cinemas/theatres/ multiplexes shall ensure that all persons, audience, staff and vendors use masks at all times, hand sanitisers should be available at entry and exit points and common areas while distancing and crowd management measures are to be followed, it said.

6:21 PM

Maharashtra not to allow entry to those with Covid-19 symptoms

Maharashtra government on Monday announced that people with COVID-19 symptoms seeking to enter the states from Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa would be turned back.

 

"The passengers without symptoms will be allowed entry. Passengers with symptoms shall have the option of turning back and going to their home to recuperate," a state government order said.

 

The order also stipulated that all domestic passengers travelling from airports in NCR Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa shall carry RT-PCR negative test reports with them before boarding and show them to the teams at the arrival airport in the state. The RT-PCR sample collection should have been done within 72 hours of scheduled time of landing at airports in Maharashtra, the order said.

6:09 PM

Former Assam CM and Congress leader Tarun Gogoi passes away in Guwahati

6:04 PM

Latest LIVE: Drug peddlers attack NCB team in Mumbai, two injured

In a shocking development, a mob of drug peddlers and their supporters blocked and attacked a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) team, injuring two, when they raided a location in Mumbai's suburban Goregaon, officials said on Monday.

The incident occurred late on Sunday when the NCB team, led by Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, was heckled and stymied by a menacing mob of around five dozen persons, including a few drug peddlers, when the sleuths went to conduct a search and seizure operation in the Jawahar Nagar area of the north-west Mumbai suburb.

 

As the NCB team seized a commercial quantity of 20 LSD blots from peddler Kerry Kelvin Mendes, several of his accomplices who gathered there started abusing, pushing and assaulting the officials, in a bid to set free Mendes. "They also surrounded and damaged the (NCB) official vehicle and a pair of handcuffs. Their efforts were directed towards freeing the accused," said the NCB.

 

The mob had surrounded the NCB team, but the anti-drug agency personnel retaliated and thwarted the attempts of the attackers to free Mendes, while trying to calm them down.

5:52 PM

People travelling from Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa to carry RT-PCR negative test report: Maharashtra Govt

5:45 PM

48.08% voter turnout till 3 pm in Rajasthan panchayat polls

Around 48 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 3 pm in the elections for panchayat samiti and respective zila parishad in 21 districts of Rajasthan on Monday. The polling began in the morning amid tight security arrangements at 10,131 polling booths. 48.08 per cent of 72.38 lakh voters voted till 3 pm in the elections for 65 panchayat samiti and respective zila parishad, a spokesperson of the state election commission said.

 

The elections in the first phase are being held in Ajmer, Banswara, Barmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Churu, Dungarpur, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Pali, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Sikar, Tonk and Udaipur. Nearly 25,000 EVMs are being used in the first phase, while more than 50,000 employees have been deployed in the election. The polling for second, third and fourth phases will be held on November 27, December 1 and December 5, respectively. The counting for all four phases of elections will be held on December 8.

5:44 PM

Maharashtra makes it a must for people from NCR, Rajasthan and Gujarat to bring Covid-negative report: NDTV

5:23 PM

Depression over Bay of Bengal likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours: IMD

5:11 PM

Momentum of economic reforms will continue, FM Sitharaman assures industry

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday assured the industry that momentum of economic reforms will continue to make India a hotspot of global investment.

 

India has turned the crisis created by COVID-19 pandemic into an opportunity to push the economic reforms, which remained pending for decades, she said while addressing the National MNC's Conference 2020 organised by the industry chamber CII.

 

"Even at the time (of) COVID pandemic, the Prime Minister has not lost an opportunity to take deep reforms, to undertake those kinds of reforms which have not seen the light of the day over the decades. "The momentum for reform shall continue. Several more active reform-related steps are being taken up," Sitharaman said.

 

The financial sector is being professionalised and the government will continue with disinvestment agenda, she added.

4:55 PM

CPI objects to LVB merger with DBS Bank, asks what's the tearing hurry

Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja today voiced his opinion against proposed Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) merger with DBS Bank India.

 

“Why (there is) such a hurry is not clear to anyone. The government should thoroughly enquire into the matter and stop the handing over of LVB to DBS Bank,” Raja asserted.

 

Lakshmi Vilas Bank, the 94-year-old Tamil Nadu-based private lender, has been making losses for the past few years due to mismanagement and bad loans given to known defaulters such as Jet Airways, Religare, Cox and Kings, Coffee Day, Nirav Modi and Reliance Housing Finance. Instead of taking action on the erring top officials, the Reserve Bank has announced that the bank will be handed over to DBS Bank of Singapore, Raja said. READ ON...

4:45 PM

NIA grills ex-Congress mayor Sampath Raj in Bengaluru violence case

The National Investigation Agency sleuths on Monday interrogated former Congress Mayor R Sampath Raj in the central prison here in connection with violence that rocked parts of the city in August.

 

NIA sources said a three-member team of the investigation agency questioned Raj in the Parappana Agrahara central prison where he has been lodged after his recent arrest by the Central Crime Branch Police, which is simultaneously probing the violence case.

 

They said the agency obtained court permission to question the Congress corporator for two days to ascertain his role in the attack on two police stations. The CCB police arrested Raj on charges of hatching the conspiracy for the violence on August 11 night.