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10:24 PM

Uttarkashi tunnel rescue: New equipment shows some results, raises hopes

A heavy-duty drilling machine bored through 12 metres of rubble of the collapsed tunnel on the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand on Thursday, raising hopes for the rescue of 40 workers trapped inside for over four days.

 

Officials said in the evening that a six-metre section of a steel pipe had been inserted into the bored passage. Another section was being welded into it.

 

The plan is to insert 800 mm- and 900 mm diameter pipes – one after the other -- with the help of the giant drill till an escape passage is created for the workers stranded beyond the collapsed portion of the under-construction tunnel.

 

After a smaller drilling machine failed to do the job, IAF's C-130 Hercules planes brought the US-made auger machine, in parts, from Delhi to an airport 30 kilometres away on Wednesday. The 25-tonne piece of equipment was installed overnight.

10:23 PM

Israeli opposition leader says time has come to replace Netanyahu

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Thursday it was time to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and that there would be broad support to form a unity government led by Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party.

 

Centrist Lapid, who served briefly as prime minister last year, said he believed a large majority of the 120 lawmakers in the Knesset, or parliament, would sign on to such a coalition.

 

He made his comments as Israel pressed on with its military offensive in Gaza following Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 rampage through southern Israel.

10:23 PM

Russia jails artist for 7 years over Ukraine supermarket protest

A Russian court on Thursday sentenced artist Alexandra Skochilenko to seven years in prison for spreading "false information" about the army after she swapped supermarket price tags with slogans criticising Russia's offensive in Ukraine. The 33-year-old, known as Sasha, is the latest among thousands of Russians to be detained, jailed or fined for speaking out against Moscow's military intervention.

 

Supporters shouted "shame" and "we're with you Sasha" after the judge, Oksana Demiasheva, read out the verdict, an AFP journalist in court reported.

10:23 PM

Israel shelling Southern Lebanon in response to rocket fire

The Israeli military struck a terror cell in Lebanon that fired anti-tank missiles towards Israeli territory, the Israel Defence Forces announced.

 

The military said the terrorists fired towards the area of Misgav Am in northern Israel and at army posts in the areas of Metula and Kibbutz Yiftah.

 

No injuries were reported.

 

In response, IDF soldiers are striking with artillery fire towards the sources of the launches.

8:38 PM

MEA calls for 'secession of violence' in Myanmar after airstrikes at Indo-Myanmar border

India on Thursday called for the end of violence after an airstrike at the Indo-Myanmar border and emphasised the resolution of the situation through constructive dialogue.

7:30 PM

"We are extending consular assistance": MEA on Indian national sentenced to death in Yemen

India is extending whatever consular assistance possible to the Indian national who has been sentenced to death in Yemen and her mercy plea was rejected by the apex court in Sanaa, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

7:29 PM

We are not targeting hospitals: Isreal

7:28 PM

Hamas-Israel conflict: India once again calls for de-escalation

With Israel continuing its military offensive in Gaza in retaliation to last month's attacks by Hamas, India on Thursday once again called for de-escalating the situation and underlined the need for observing international humanitarian law in the face of increasing civilian casualties in the conflict.

 

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at his weekly media briefing that India is looking at sending more humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.

 

Israel has been carrying out a massive military operation in Gaza following the unprecedented and multi-pronged attacks on Israeli cities by Hamas militants on October 7.

7:10 PM

Amit Shah to meet MRPS leaders during Telangana visit on Nov 18

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit the poll-bound state of Telangana on November 18, a party release said on Thursday.

 

As per the release, the Union Minister will address public meetings in Gadwal, Nalgonda and Warangal East Assembly constituencies.

 

Shah is scheduled to hold a meeting with Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) leaders in Hyderabad, who have been demanding internal reservations within the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.

 

During his visit, Amit Shah will also release BJP's election manifesto in Hyderabad.

7:03 PM

JSW Steel withdraws application to surrender Jajang iron ore mine in Odisha

JSW Steel on Thursday said it has withdrawn the application to surrender one of its iron ore mines in Odisha's Keonjhar.

 

The company had in September submitted a notice to surrender the mining lease of the Jajang iron ore mine, which it had acquired through auction.

 

"The company upon considering demand and supply scenario of iron ore in India, has today withdrawn its application for the Final Mine Closure Plan submitted on 1st September 2023 before the Indian Bureau of Mines for the purpose of surrender of Jajang Iron Ore Block located in the district of Keonjhar, Odisha," the company said in a filing to the BSE.

6:52 PM

Key terror launch commander killed in Uri infiltration bid

In a major blow to terror infrastructure and terror sympathisers in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, security forces have eliminated key launch commander Bashir Ahmad Malik in an anti-infiltration operation in the Uri sector, the army said on Thursday.

 

Malik and another terrorist were killed Wednesday in a joint operation, codenamed Op Kali, by the army and Jammu and Kashmir Police along the Line of Control.

 

"The salient aspect of this operation is the neutralization of Bashir Ahmed Malik, one of the two terrorists killed. He was an important cog in the Pakistan-enabled crossborder terrorism Jammu and Kashmir. He was an important terrorist launch commander for terror tanzeems (organisations) from Leepa in the North to the areas in PoJ&K, opposite Rajouri in the South," an army official said.

6:52 PM

Spain's Pedro Sánchez reelected prime minister despite controversy over amnesty for separatists

Spain’s acting Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, was chosen by a majority of legislators to form a new government in a parliamentary vote Thursday.

 

Sánchez was backed by 179 lawmakers in the 350-seat lower house of parliament. Only right-wing opposition deputies voted against him.

 

The vote came after nearly two days of debate among party leaders that centered almost entirely on a highly controversial amnesty deal for Catalonia’s separatists that Sánchez agreed to in return for vital support to get elected prime minister again.

 

Sánchez won the vote after clinching the support of six smaller parties, allowing him to achieve the majority lawmakers needed to be reelected and form another minority coalition government with the left-wing Sumar (Joining Forces) party.

6:52 PM

Five dead in tanker-car collision in Dharapuram in TN

At least five persons, including three women, were killed in a collision between a petroleum tanker and a car at Manakadavu in Dharapuram in the district, police said on Thursday.

 

The deceased were occupants of the car which collided head-on with the petroleum tanker at Manakadavu, police said.

 

The tanker was approaching Dharapuram from Coimbatore while the car was proceeding to Dharapuram from Palani when the accident took place.

6:52 PM

Australia passes laws to handle migrant convicts who can't be held indefinitely or deported

Migrants with criminal records face up to five years in prison for breaching their visa conditions under emergency legislation passed by the Australian Parliament on Thursday.

 

The new legislation was in response to a High Court ruling that foreigners can’t be detained indefinitely as an alternative to deportation.

 

The government said it has released 84 people — most of whom have convictions for crimes including murder and rape — since the court ruled last week that indefinite detention of migrants is unconstitutional.

 

The decision reversed a High Court ruling from 2004 that had allowed stateless people to be held in migrant centers for any length of time in cases where there were no prospects of deporting them from Australia.

6:35 PM

Mayor ticks off pvt firm over not picking garbage in MCD's West Zone

Mayor Shelly Oberoi has reprimanded a private firm engaged by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for allegedly not picking garbage in area under its West Zone, officials said on Thursday.

 

The mayor held a meeting with the representatives of the firm on Thursday and instructed it to deal with the issue on an urgent basis, they said.

 

The mayor has warned that it will be blacklisted if garbage is not picked timely in the West Zone, the officials said.

 

There was no immediate reaction from the firm.

6:35 PM

Vijayashanti quits BJP, likely to join Congress

Ahead of the Telangana assembly polls, Former MP and veteran actress Vijayashanthi resigned from the BJP and is likely to join the Congress party on November 17 in the presence of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, sources said on Thursday.

 

She was not actively participating in BJP's programmes in recent times.

 

The actor-turned-politician began her political career in 2009 and was elected from Medak Lok Sabha seat on BRS (then TRS) ticket.

 

Later, due to differences with Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, she joined the Congress and unsuccessfully contested from the same constituency.

 

She joined BJP in 2020.

5:47 PM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah to launch party's manifesto for #TelanganaElection2023, on November 18

5:47 PM

Japan and India to lead Asia, emerging market equities

Morgan Stanley expects GDP and EPS growth to again beat expectations in Japan and India and miss in China and emerging markets (EM) in 2024.

 

“We trim our MSCI EM target again to 1,000 (4 per cent upside), with our previously below-consensus earnings forecasts lowered by another 5 per cent across 2023-25. Key headwinds include the slowing global growth backdrop, higher interest expense burdens and further weakness in key EM exchange rates against the USD-denominated index," said a Morgan Stanley report.

4:36 PM

RBI releases bulletin, here are the major points:

Going forward, tightening financial conditions is a significant risk to the global outlook.

In India, the momentum of the change in GDP is sequentially expected to be higher in Q3:2023-24, with festival demand remaining ebullient.

Investment demand appears to be resilient with the government’s infrastructure spending, an uptick in private capex, automation, digitalisation, and indigenisation providing a boost.

The global economy shows signs of slowing down in the final quarter of 2023 as manufacturing languishes while services sector activity appears to have reached the end of its post-pandemic expansion.

4:35 PM

Delhi govt forms panel on GRAP-4 monitoring

Considering the current AQI, we have formed a special task force. This task force will collaborate with 28 departments to ensure the enforcement of regulations, compile reports, and assist in monitoring pollution," says AAP leader Gopal Rai.

 

4:35 PM

The OBC population in this country is at least 50 per cent, says Rahul Gandhi

"What is the population of OBCs in this country? No one can tell, because there is a reason. There's a conspiracy, they do not want to tell you about your real population. The OBC population in this country is at least 50 per cent," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

 

2:45 PM

Inland fish production jumps over 2-fold in 9yrs to 131 lakh tonnes: Minister

Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Parshottam Rupala on Thursday said the country's inland fish production has more than doubled in the last nine years to 131 lakh tonnes on the back of government's initiatives to boost this sector. The minister also highlighted that the Modi government has announced an investment of around Rs 38,000 crore under various programmes in the last nine years. Addressing a press conference here, Rupala announced that a 'Global Fisheries Conference India 2023' is being organised in Ahmedabad from November 21-22 to discuss immense potential as well as challenges in the sector.

2:34 PM

Secularism does not mean non-religious, but respect to all faiths: EAM

Secularism for India does not mean being non-religious but an equal respect to all faiths, but the appeasement government policies of the past made the biggest religion of the country feel like it had to be self-deprecatory in the name of equality, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said. During an interaction entitled How a Billion People See the World' at the Royal Over-Seas League in London on Wednesday evening, Jaishankar was asked if India had changed since the Nehruvian era to become less liberal and more Hindu majoritarian under the BJP-led government. While asserting that India had certainly changed, Jaishankar was categorical that the change did not mean India being less liberal but rather more authentic about expressing its beliefs.

2:17 PM

Contribute towards making India developed nation by 2047: President asks CAG

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday called upon Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and other important organisations to contribute towards making India a developed nation by 2047. Addressing a gathering at the 'Audit Diwas' organised by CAG, the President also lauded the apex government auditor for taking many steps, including the establishment of the Centre for Data Management and Analytics, in which digital technology and other modern methods are being used in line with the future. This awareness towards the future will prove useful, she said.

2:10 PM

No infighting, we are united: Rahul Gandhi ahead of Rajasthan polls 2023

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed confidence that the party would win the November 25 assembly elections in Rajasthan, emphasising unity among party leaders. The statement comes amid speculation about infighting within the Congress in Rajasthan. Gandhi addressed these concerns while speaking with reporters in Jaipur on Thursday. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Govind Singh Dotasra.

1:26 PM

BJP releases manifesto for Rajasthan polls

The BJP on Thursday released its manifesto for the Rajasthan assembly polls, promising a subsidy of Rs 450 per LPG cylinder for Ujjwala scheme beneficiaries and 2.5 lakh government jobs. Releasing the 'sankalp patra' here, party chief J P Nadda also said that if the BJP forms the government in the state, a Special Investigation Team will be formed to probe paper leaks and other alleged scams in the Congress government. Pledging a slew of schemes for girls and women, he said a 'mahila thana' will be set up in every district and 'mahila desk' in every police station besides an anti-romeo squad in every city.

1:11 PM

We are sending food and water, priority is to rescue sooner: VK Singh on Uttarkashi Tunnel Accident

12:59 PM

Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Drilling operation to create passage for trapped workers underway

12:38 PM

Govt cuts windfall tax on diesel, crude oil

Govt has cut the windfall tax on diesel and crude oil on Thursday, according to a government notification. The government cut windfall tax on crude oil to 6,300 Indian rupees ($75.70) a tonne from 9,800 rupees a tonne while cutting the diesel windfall tax to 1 rupee per litre from 2 rupee per litre, the notification said. The windfall tax on gasoline and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) remained unchanged at zero, it added. India imposed a windfall tax on crude oil producers in July 2022 and extended the levy on exports of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel as private refiners wanted to sell fuel overseas to make gains from robust refining margins instead of selling locally.

12:21 PM

Israeli military strikes house of Hamas leader Haniyeh in Gaza

Israeli fighter jets have struck the house of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza, the Israeli military said on Thursday. Haniyeh's house was "used as terrorist infrastructure and often served as a meeting point for Hamas' senior leaders to direct terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF (Israel Defence Forces) soldiers," the military said.