LIVE: Cyclone Nivar likely to intensify into severe storm in next 12 hours

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2:03 AM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: 49 flights that were scheduled for tomorrow cancelled, says IndiGo

Due to Cyclone Nivar, IndiGo flights to or from in the southern region, mainly Chennai, have been disrupted. 49 flights that were scheduled for tomorrow have been cancelled. We will monitor the situation and decide on the further course of action for Nov 26: IndiGo Statement

1:38 AM

Nevada Supreme Court approves Biden win over Trump in state

The Nevada Supreme Court made Joe Biden's win in the state official on Tuesday, approving the final canvass of the November 3 election. The unanimous action by the seven nonpartisan justices sends to Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak results that will deliver six electoral votes from the Western US battleground state to Biden over Republican President Donald Trump.

The court action drew extra scrutiny amid legal efforts by the state GOP and Trump campaign to prevent sending vote-by-mail ballots to all 1.82 million active registered voters and then to stop the counting of the 1.4 million votes that were cast.

12:44 AM

Prominent Shia cleric and All India Muslim Personal Law Board vice president Maulana Kalbe Sadiq has died at the age of 83 in Lucknow, says his son

11:40 PM

India successfully test-fires land-attack version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

India on Tuesday "successfully" test fired the surface-to-surface supersonic cruise missile BrahMos as part of a series of planned trials of the weapon, known for its precision strike capabilities, official sources said. The range of the new land-attack version of the missile has been extended to 400 km from the original 290 km but its speed has been maintained at 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound, they said. "The land-attack version of the missile was test-fired in the Andaman and Nicobar at around 10 am and it was a successful trial", an official source said.

According to official sources, in the next few days, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy are scheduled to carry out separate test-firing of the new version of the air-launched and naval versions of the supersonic cruise missile respectively. BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint venture, produces the lethal weapon that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or from land platforms. India has already deployed a sizeable number of the original BrahMos missiles and other key assets in several strategic locations along the Line of Actual Control with China in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

11:13 PM

Pennsylvania certifies election results; declares Biden the winner

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris have been certified as the winner of the presidential election in Pennsylvania, the governor said on Tuesday. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said that he has signed the certificate of ascertainment for the slate of electors for Biden and Harris. "Today @PAStateDept certified the results of the November 3 election in Pennsylvania for president and vice president of the United States. As required by federal law, I've signed the Certificate of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, Wolf tweeted.

"Again, I want to thank the election officials who have administered a fair and free election during an incredibly challenging time in our commonwealth and country's history. Our election workers have been under constant attack and they have performed admirably and honorably," Wolf said. The certification of Pennsylvania election results comes a day after the General Service Administration wrote a letter to President-elect Biden on providing all the access including financial resources required for transition. Trump in a tweet said that he has instructed his officials to do the needful. At the same time he refrained from formally conceding the election.

10:30 PM

Violence against girls, women in UP rose from 23.5% in 2015-16 to 51% in 2018-19: Study

Violence against girls and women in the country's most populous state Uttar Pradesh rose from 23.5 per cent in 2015-16 to 51 per cent in 2018-19 while the sexual violence increased from 30 per cent to 48 per cent in the same period, according to a new study based on a survey of 10,100 adolescents. The results of the findings were released on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

When asked why UP was chosen for the study, the Population Council said it is because it is the most populous state in the country. The UDAYA (Understanding the lives of adolescents and young adults) study by NGO Population Council was carried out on 10,100 adolescents in Uttar Pradesh in 2015-16. The same set of adolescents were re-interviewed in 2018-19. According to the study, the number of married girls who reported ever experiencing emotional, physical or sexual violence almost doubled over the two survey waves.

10:28 PM

Atmanirbhar 3.0: Cabinet may consider equity infusion of Rs 6,000 cr into NIIF

The Union Cabinet is likely to consider on Wednesday a proposal to infuse Rs 6,000 crore into the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), a move which will help the entity raise Rs 1.10 trillion by 2025 for financing infrastructure projects. According to sources, the fund infusion would be made into the infra debt fund and infra finance company floated by the quasi-sovereign wealth fund. NIIF Strategic Opportunities Fund has set up a debt platform comprising an NBFC Infra Debt Fund and an NBFC Infra Finance Company.

The platform has a loan book of Rs 8,000 crore and deal pipeline of Rs 10,000 crore. The Strategic Opportunities Fund, one of the three funds -- which has a more diversified investment strategy, including green-field projects and debt platforms -- has a funding commitment of $1 billion from the government. The proposal to invest Rs 6,000 crore as equity into NIIF is part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package announced earlier this month.

10:20 PM

17 dead, at least 50 injured in blasts in Bamiyan city of Afghanistan, reports TOLO News quoting sources

9:59 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Likely to intensify into severe cyclonic storm in next 6 hours, says IMD

9:48 PM

IMA demands withdrawal of Centre order to allow Ayurveda doctors perform surgeries

Indian Medical Association demands withdrawal of notification authorising post-graduate Ayurveda practitioners to be trained to perform general surgical procedures, says move is a "khichadification", or a confused mix, of medical education and practice

9:46 PM

Delhi Police cheking vehicles in view of proposed farmers' protest on Nov 26

9:44 PM

5 trains cancelled, 7 trains short terminated/originated and 9 trains diverted, due to farmers protest in Punjab: Northern Railway

9:13 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Chennai records heavy rainfall, says IMD

8:56 PM

Centre, states can't have indefinite right over acquired properties of citizens: SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the Centre and state governments cannot have an indefinite or overriding right to continue occupying citizens' properties after acquiring them on any pretext and permitting such an act would be no less than condoning lawlessness. The verdict was delivered in the matter in which the apex court court directed the Centre to return within three months over four acres land in Byppanahalli, Bangalore, to the legal heirs of one B M Krishnamurthy nearly 57 years of their acquisition.

 

A bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and S Ravindra Bhat said that though the right to properties was not a fundamental right under the Constitution, but the states and the Centre cannot be allowed to have indefinite right over the acquired properties of the citizens.

 

It is, therefore, no longer open to the state: in any of its forms (executive, state agencies, or legislature) to claim that the law - or the constitution can be ignored, or complied at its convenience. The decisions of this court, and the history of the right to property show that though its pre-eminence as a fundamental right has been undermined, nevertheless, the essence of the rule of law protects it, the bench said.

8:36 PM

Cyclone Nivar to intensify into severe storm in 12 hours: Home Ministry

Cyclone Nivar is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours and is centred about 380 km east by southeast of Puducherry and 430 km southeast of Chennai, the Union Home Ministry said on Tuesday.

 

Sharing the information based on inputs received from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Ministry said the cyclone is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during late Wednesday evening as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

 

"A close watch is being kept over the system," it said.

 

The Ministry said that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) headquarters and commandants of battalions located at Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are in coordination with the respective state authorities.

8:15 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Metro train services will run with Holiday Train services timetable tomorrow

7:56 PM

Yogi Adityanath cabinet approves draft ordinance on religious conversions

The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday approved the draft ordinance dealing with forced religious conversions, also known as 'love jihad'.

 

Interestingly, the ordinance does not mention the term 'love jihad' and the draft has been named 'Vidhi Virudh Dharmantaran 2020'. The cabinet meeting held on Tuesday gave its nod to the proposed draft. The Bill is considered to be an anti-conversion law and it will stop individuals from converting people to other faiths by enticing or threatening.

 

Justice Aditya Mittal, the Chairman of the Law Commission, said, "The term 'love jihad' has not been used in the Bill, and conversions related to all religions will be covered under the new law. To be precise, it will not just be focused on Hindu-Muslim conversions or conversions for the specific purpose of marriage."

7:48 PM

Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Waterlogging in many areas of Chennai following rainfall

7:36 PM

BSF-Pak Rangers hold flag meeting along International Border

The BSF troops on Tuesday held a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district and handed over the body of a Pakistani intruder to the Rangers. The Border Security Force (BSF) troops had on Monday shot dead the Pakistani intruder along the International Border (IB) in Samba district.

 

The incident took place in Check Faqeera border outpost area when the BSF personnel noticed suspicious movement of a person who was trying to sneak into the Indian side.

 

"A flag meeting was conducted with Pakistan Rangers near BP No-64 in connection with handing over of body of Pakistani intruder killed on Monday near the border fence, a BSF spokesman said.

7:19 PM

Cyclone Nivar likely to intensify into very severe cyclonic storm: IMD DG

Cyclone Nivar is expected to intensify into a 'very severe cyclonic storm' and cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on the late evening of November 25, IMD Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said on Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had initially predicted that Cyclone Nivar was likely to intensify into a 'severe cyclonic storm' but has now estimated that it will intensify further. Nivar is the second cyclone in the Bay of Bengal this year. In May, Cyclone Amphan had developed into a 'super cyclonic storm'.

 

"Our forecast is it will intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by (Tuesday) tonight

 

"It is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during 25th November late evening as a very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kilometres per hour gusting to 145 kmph," Mohapatra said.

 

Besides strong winds, the cyclone is also expected to bring heavy rains. The IMD has issued red alert for coastal and north interior Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, for November 25, the top meteorologist said.

7:16 PM

UP Cabinet decides to introduce an ordinance against unlawful religious conversions: State Cabinet Minister

7:03 PM

Cyclone Nivar: 1200 rescue troopers deployed, 800 on standby, says NDRF

Nearly 1,200 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescue personnel have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry and 800 others are on standby in view of cyclone Nivar, the "very severe cyclonic storm" which is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening. NDRF chief S N Pradhan also said they are prepared for a "high level of intensity and the worst form" of the cyclonic storm as it surges from the Bay of Bengal towards the southern coastline.

 

"We are keeping a close watch on the development and we are coordinating with the affected states," he told a press conference. "It is a rapidly developing situation and it could take the shape of a very severe cyclonic storm that has a speed of about 120-130 km per hour."

 

Pradhan said a total of 50 NDRF teams has been earmarked for combating any situation emerging out of the cyclone that is expected to make landfall late Wednesday evening. An NDRF team typically comprises about 40 rescue troopers.

6:49 PM

Madras Atomic Power Station braces for Cyclone Nivar; protection machinery activated

Unit II at the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) in neighbouring Kalpakkam was operating at full capacity of 220MW and all the systems were expected to 'successfully' withstand the impact of Cyclone 'Nivar' when it crosses the eastern coast, PTI reported on Tuesday. The Atomic Power Station situation is located about 70 km from Chennai on the East Coast Road.

 

"All the plant systems are operating normal and expected to successfully withstand the impact of cyclone Nivar, when it crosses the coast," IGCAR Station Director M Srinivas said.

 

The cyclone protection machinery at the site has been 'activated' and all measures including placing sandbags on the coastal sides, clearing of storm drains and inspection of plant buildings and structures have been done. The authorities are on high alert, he said, adding they were closely monitoring the weather to take necessary actions when required.

6:45 PM

State borders with Punjab will remain sealed on Nov 26, 27: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar

6:42 PM

Six special trains of Thiruvananthapuram division cancelled in view of Cyclone Nivar

Six special trains of the Thiruvananthapuram division of the Southern Railways, have been cancelled on November 25 in view of the IMD forecast of cyclonic storm Nivar making landfall over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. Trains which have been cancelled are: Train No.02634 KanyakumariChennai Egmore Daily Superfast Express Special;

 

Train No 02633 Chennai EgmoreKanyakumari Daily Superfast Express Special;Train No06724 KollamChennai Egmore Daily (Ananthapuri) Express Special;Train No 06723 Chennai EgmoreKollam Daily (Ananthapuri) Express Special;Train No.06102 KollamChennai Egmore Express Special via Sengottai, Madurai Jn andTrain No 06101 Chennai Egmore Kollam Express Special via Madurai Jn, Sengottai.

 

The railways has said full refund would be granted to passengers of the cancelled trains. For e-ticket holders, automatic refund would be granted.

6:13 PM

Cylone Nivar LIVE: NDRF teams deployed in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

5:59 PM

Sedition case: Kangana Ranaut, sister Rangoli Chandel get interim relief from arrest

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted interim protection from arrest to actor Kangana Ranaut and her sister Rangoli Chandel in connection with an FIR registered against them under sedition and other charges, and directed them to appear before Mumbai Police on January 8. A division bench of Justices S S Shinde and M S Karnik also questioned the police for invoking the sedition charge in the case, and said it was of the prima facie opinion that the Indian Penal Code Section 124A (sedition) was wrongly invoked.

 

"If someone does not fall in line with the government, then can sedition charges be invoked?" the court asked.

 

The HC also said three summonses were issued by the police to the sisters and the same needed to be honoured. The FIR was lodged pursuant to orders passed by the Bandra magistrate's court directing the police to carry out an inquiry against Ranaut and her sister following a complaint lodged against them for allegedly "trying to create hatred and communal tension" through their posts on social media.

5:47 PM

Govt blocks 43 more mobile apps, including AliExpress, Alipay Cashier, CamCard

The government on Tuesday blocked access to 43 more Chinese mobile apps, including Alibaba Workbench, AliExpress, Alipay Cashier, CamCard and WeDate, for being prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and defence of the nation. The Ministry of Electronics and IT has issued the order for blocking the access of these apps by users in India based on the comprehensive reports received from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, Ministry of Home Affairs, PTI report said.

 

Sources, meanwhile, said these apps have Chinese links. Earlier on June 29, the government had blocked access to 59 mobile apps and on September 2, 2020 another 118 apps were banned under section 69A of the Information Technology Act.

 

"Government of India today issued an order under section 69A of the Information Technology Act blocking access to 43 mobile apps. This action was taken based on the inputs regarding these apps for engaging in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order," the release said.

 

The blocked apps include Alibaba Workbench, AliExpress, Alipay Cashier, CamCard and WeDate.

5:37 PM

Govt blocks 43 more apps, including Alibaba Workbench, CamCard; terms them prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity of nation

5:37 PM

#MeToo case: Akbar, Ramani refuse settlement in defamation complaint case

Former minister M J Akbar and journalist Priya Ramani on Tuesday refused any settlement between them in a criminal defamation complaint filed by him against her. Senior advocate Geeta Luthra, appearing for Akbar, said that if Ramani was apologetic for her allegations, she would ask him to consider closing the complaint.

 

Ramani's counsel, Bhavook Chauhan, said however that she stood by her statement and if Akbar wanted to withdraw the complaint, he may do so.

 

Did the counsel (for both the parties) have a chance to talk or are the doors shut, the court sought to know on Tuesday. Ramani's advocate replied in negative. No, our stand is clear. Ramani stands by her statement. If the complainant wants to withdraw, then he may bring it on record.