LIVE updates: 11 UN staff, 30 pupils at UN schools, killed in Gaza

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12:00 AM

11 UN staff, 30 pupils at UN schools, killed in Gaza

A spokesperson announced on Wednesday that a total of 11 individuals affiliated with the United Nations, including staff and personnel, have lost their lives in the Gaza Strip as a result of the recent assault by Hamas militants against Israel. Stephane Dujarric, speaking on behalf of the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, stated, "Since this past Saturday, we tragically lost 11 UNRWA staff and personnel. Moreover, 30 UNRWA students have met the same unfortunate fate, while an additional eight students have sustained injuries."

11:11 PM

Several coaches of North East Superfast train derailed in Buxar

Several coaches of 12506 Down North East Express derailed on the down line of Raghunathpur station in Bihar earlier today, PTI reports citing a railway official.

10:39 PM

India launches ‘Operation Ajay' for return of citizens from Israel

India has launched Operation Ajay to bring back its citizens from war-torn Israel, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed on social media platform X. The minister further noted that special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place.

10:10 PM

Death toll of US citizens in Israel-Hamas conflict rises to 22: US Official

The United States has confirmed the deaths of at least 22 US citizens following Hamas' attack on Israel, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.

9:45 PM

No breakthrough in 20th round of India, China military talks: MEA

India and China exchanged views in an open and constructive manner for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday, a day after the two sides concluded two days of military talks.

9:17 PM

EC shuffles top officers in poll-bound states over laxity

According to PTI sources, the Election Commission has taken significant action ahead of the upcoming elections in five states. Several top police and administrative officers have been reshuffled due to perceived laxity in their duties. Earlier the Election Commission of India revised Rajasthan Assembly election polling date to November 25 from November 23, 2023.

9:06 PM

TCS ends pandemic practice, asks all employees to work from offices

TCS on Wednesday announced that it has asked its 6.14 lakh-plus employees to work from offices. The company, the first major IT services firms to announce such a move, has asked its workforce to return to offices because of the need to deepen the value systems and a belief in productivity gains coming from co-working, TCS Chief Human Resources Officer Milind Lakkad told reporters.

8:39 PM

PM Modi to inaugurate Parliament-20 Summit on Oct 13

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on Friday the meeting of Presiding Officers of Parliaments of G20 member nations that will deliberate on critical global issues such as gender equality and transforming lives through public digital programmes. The President of the Pan African Parliament will be making their inaugural participation in the P-20 Summit.

8:01 PM

Himachal cabinet approves Rs 4,500 cr package for disaster affected families in Shimla

The state cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod to a Rs 4,500 crore special relief package for the rain and landslide-affected families. The package was announced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on September 30.

7:42 PM

Netanyahu, opposition agree to form wartime unity govt after Hamas attack

A top opposition Israeli politician says he has reached an agreement to enter a wartime unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benny Gantz, a former defence minister and military chief of staff, released what he said was a joint statement with Netanyahu.

6:58 PM

EAM Jaishankar meets Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe, holds extensive discussions

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo. During their meeting, they engaged in extensive discussions aimed at enhancing the relationship between India and Sri Lanka, the President's office said. Additionally, three new bilateral agreements were signed to foster greater cooperation between the two countries, it added.

 

 

5:17 PM

MEA sets up 24-hour control room in view of Israel-Palestine conflict

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a 24-hour control room in view of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. The control room will help monitor the situation and provide information and assistance.

 

The contact details of the control room in New Delhi are as follows: 1800118797 (Toll-free), +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, +919968291988, situationroom@mea.gov.in, according to a release issued by the MEA.

 

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel has set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed at, +972-35226748, +972-543278392, cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in.

5:09 PM

CBI registers FCRA violation case against NewsClick

Days after the Delhi Police's Special Cell arrested NewsClick founder-editor Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakraborty under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against the news website including its director on the allegations of violations of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) provisions. CBI teams conducted raids at the residence and office of Prabir Purkayastha, founder of NewsClick. The case has been registered against Prabir Purkayastha, founder of NewsClick; Jason Pfetcher, manager of Worldwide Media Holdings and Neville Roy Singham. It was alleged that the said private company had received unexplained export remittance of Rs. 28.46 Crore (approx.) through four foreign entities in violation of FCRA provisions.

4:58 PM

EC changes date of polling for Rajasthan assembly elections to November 25

The Election Commission on Wednesday changed the date of polling for the Rajasthan assembly elections from November 23 to November 25 citing "large-scale" weddings and social engagements.

4:56 PM

Delegation from Ghana visits India to boost bilateral trade ties

A delegation from Ghana met the members of the over-century-old industry body Madras Chamber of Commerce in Chennai and discussed strengthening trade ties between the two countries, an official said on Wednesday. Some of the focus areas include manufacturing, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and textiles.

4:38 PM

Gems, jewellery sector played important role in country's economic growth: Nitin Gadkari

Addressing an event organised by the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that the gems and jewellery sector pays Goods and Services Tax (GST) to the government and also creates job opportunities.

3:55 PM

Maruti Suzuki signs MoU with IDBI to provide dealer financing solutions

The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India has signed an initial pact with IDBI Bank to offer financing solutions for dealers.

 

The new alliance will empower over 4,000 Maruti Suzuki sales outlets across the country with comprehensive inventory funding options for their working capital needs, the automaker said in a statement on Tuesday.

3:24 PM

1,055 Palestinians killed, 5,184 wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza: Reports

A total of 1,055 people have been killed and 5,184 wounded in the Gaza Strip since Saturday, the heath ministry there said on Wednesday.

2:57 PM

Bank of Baroda to raise Rs 10,000 cr to fund infra, housing projects

Bank of Baroda (BoB) on Wednesday said its board has approved a proposal to raise up to Rs 10,000 crore to fund infrastructure and affordable housing projects.

The approval is for raising Long Term Bonds for Financing of Infrastructure and Affordable Housing aggregating to a total size of up to Rs 10,000 crore, in single or multiple tranches during 2023-24 and beyond, if found expedient, BoB said in a regulatory filing.

2:47 PM

Delay in roll-out of e-commerce policy damaging domestic retail trade: CAIT

Traders' body CAIT on Wednesday flagged the "inordinate delay" in the roll-out of a national e-commerce policy and consumer protection rules, saying the delay in their implementation has provided an opportunity to certain foreign e-commerce players to damage domestic retail trade.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) sent a written communication in this regard to Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal on Tuesday.

2:30 PM

Ukraine Prez Zelenskyy seeks more support to fight Russia at Nato meeting

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at Nato for Wednesday's meetings with alliance defence ministers to further drum up support for Ukraine's fight against Russia.

The US is hosting a meeting of the Ukraine contact group to seek more weapons and ammunition for the war-ravaged country. Nato allies and partner countries will be waiting to hear precisely what kinds of military equipment Kyiv needs.

1:56 PM

Ruckus in TN assembly after AIADMK raises OPS issue in House

The TN Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a ruckus after the main opposition AIADMK raised the matter of seat allocation for expelled party leader O Panneerselvam.

Raising the issue and addressing Speaker M Appavu, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Edappadi K Palaniswami, quoting court rulings said his party has been requesting him to effect change of seat in the House for the position of Deputy floor of leader the AIADMK.

1:35 PM

Central team leaves for Delhi after assessing situation in flood hit Sikkim

The Inter-Ministerial Central Team led by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Anant Kishore Saran on Wednesday left for the national capital after completing the assessment of the extent of damage caused by flash floods in Sikkim, an official said.

The central team members were seen off at the airport by the Relief Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Anil Raj Rai, and senior officers of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA).

1:15 PM

Respect for sovereignty remains foundation for reviving Indian Ocean: EAM

India on Wednesday said a multilateral rules-based international order, along with sincere respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity remains the foundation for reviving the Indian Ocean as a strong community, in a veiled attack on China which is flexing its muscles in the region.

Speaking at the 23rd Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) here, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said that it is important to maintain the Indian Ocean as a free, open and inclusive space based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), as the Constitution of the Seas.

1:02 PM

Cong attacks govt over transfer of CAG officers involved in audit of Dwarka Expressway

The Congress on Wednesday accused the government of intimidating officers of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), who had exposed "corruption" in various schemes, and demanded that their transfer orders be revoked.

Citing a media report on the transfer of the officers, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh charged that it is the modus operandi of the Modi government to threaten and remove anyone who "exposes" them.

12:41 PM

President Murmu arrives in Srinagar, pays tribute at martyrs' memorial

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday paid tribute to the fallen soldiers at the Army headquarters after arriving on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The president landed at the airport in Srinagar where she was received by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. She was also accorded a guard of honour on her first visit to the Union Territory, the officials said.

12:26 PM

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to visit Mathura and Agra Today

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be visiting Mathura and Agra on Wednesday. He will attend a number of programs in both districts before leaving for Gorakhpur in the evening.

In Agra, CM Yogi will participate in a floral tribute program at the Janmabhoomi Memorial Building in memory of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. He will also visit the Village Industries Center in Mathura and participate in the memorial birth anniversary fair and inauguration ceremony and seminar.

11:59 AM

Country's oldest learner Karthyayani Amma passes away, Kerala CM offers condolences

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday expressed grief and offered his condolences on the demise of Karthyayani Amma, the oldest learner under the Literacy Mission in Kerala.

Karthyayani Amma (born 1922) passed away yesterday evening at Haripad in the Alappuzha district of Kerala at the age of 101.

11:45 AM

AP CID commences second round of questioning of Nara Lokesh in Inner Ring Road scam

The Andhra Pradesh CID began questioning TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh in connection with the Amaravati Inner Ring Road scam case for the second successive day on Wednesday.

Lokesh reported to the CID's Economic Offences Wing-II (EOW II) office at Tadepalli in Guntur district at 9:55 am.

11:38 AM

Two-day Indian Military Heritage Festival to begin in Delhi on October 21

A two-day festival showcasing the heritage and culture of India's armed forces will be held on October 21-22 in Delhi.

The Indian Military Heritage Festival will be hosted by the United Service Institution (USI) of India, a think tank set up in the 19th century. The first-of-its-kind festival is being organised in association with a news organisation at Manekshaw Centre, the USI said in a statement.