LIVE: Logical to prepare for more China presence in Indian Ocean, says EAM

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11:18 PM

'Very reasonable' for India to 'prepare' for far greater Chinese presence in Indian Ocean, says S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said it is "very reasonable" for India to “actually prepare” for a far greater Chinese presence than seen before in the Indian Ocean, asserting that the concerns in the strategically important region will be better addressed if the Quad countries work together.
 

“Pearls look benign unless you ask the oysters. They may have a slightly different perspective," Jaishankar said at the Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday.

10:13 PM

We respect India very deeply, says Cuba envoy

On India- Canada row, Alejandro Simancas Marin, Ambassador, Republic of Cuba to India says, "We respect India very deeply and we respect the Indian history, the culture and the historical context in which India has developed and the will of the Indian people and the Indian government in order to continue finding the best way for the economic, political and social development of the country..."

9:52 PM

We can bring transformation in the lives of a vast population in our country: PM Modi

9:50 PM

At UN Human Rights Council, India flags atrocities against minorities in Pakistan

At the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council, India came down hard on Pakistan for using the forum for their baseless allegations against New Delhi and also highlighted the prevailing atrocities against the minorities in the neighbouring country.

9:30 PM

Several detained, weapons, ammo seized in anti-terror raids at 51 places

The NIA on Wednesday detained several people after a multi-state crackdown on the nexus between criminal syndicates in India and Khalistani separatists and terrorists based in countries like Pakistan and Canada, who use these networks for terror-related activities, reported NDTV.
 

The NIA raids - and the focus on links with Canada-based syndicates and criminals - come as Delhi is locked in a major diplomatic row with Ottawa. Last week Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed "credible" information connecting "agents of Delhi" to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. Nijjar was a Canadian citizen.

7:59 PM

CBI probes alleged violations in Delhi Chief Minister's new home, AAP reacts

The CBI has initiated a preliminary inquiry to investigate alleged irregularities, including violation of tender rules, in the construction of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal official residence. The inquiry has been filed against "unknown public servant(s) of the Government of Delhi". If the inquiry reveals sufficient details the agency will register a RC or 'regular case'.

7:56 PM

Delhi implementing comprehensive strategy to tackle pollution: Centre's air quality panel

Delhi is implementing a comprehensive strategy to tackle air pollution with a focus on reducing dust pollution and emissions from transport and firecrackers, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said on Wednesday, reported PTI. Delhi currently boasts a fleet of 7,041 buses, including 4,088 Delhi Transport Corporation buses and 2,953 cluster buses. These include 456 e-buses and 94 mini electric buses.

7:48 PM

Income Tax department conducting searches on Lenevo

Indian income tax officials on Wednesday visited a factory of Chinese PC maker Lenovo in the union territory of Puducherry and one of its offices in Bengaluru city as part of an inquiry, two sources told Reuters. The officials inspected laptops of Lenovo employees during the visit, one of the sources said. They also tried to contact Lenovo's senior management during and after the visit as part of the inquiry, the person added.

4:59 PM

CBI officials to visit Manipur to investigate murder of two students

 A Central Bureau of Investigation team, led by the agency's Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar, reached Imphal in a special flight earlier today to investigate the alleged "kidnapping and killing" of two students, Sources said.

4:57 PM

Chief of Staff of the Korean Army General Park Jeong-hwan receives Guard of Honour at South Block Lawns

3:08 PM

New NEP, which was in limbo for three decades, was finally introduced by our govt: PM Modi

New National Education Policy, which was in limbo for three decades, was finally introduced by our government, says PM Modi.

2:22 PM

India not planning tax changes to aid bond inclusion on global indexes: Govt sources

India is not planning any changes to its tax regime to help Indian government bonds be included on other global indices, a government source said on Wednesday.

 

JPMorgan's decision last week to include India in its emerging market bond index from June 2024 is likely to bring in around $25 billion, as per analysts' estimates. Fellow index provider FTSE Russell, which has India on the watchlist for inclusion, has a review scheduled later this week. The Bloomberg indexes do not include India either.

2:15 PM

Several students injured in Imphal during protest rally: Officials

Several students injured in Manipur's Imphal during protest rally against killing of 2 youths: Officials

1:59 PM

Lawmakers from CM Shinde-led Shiv Sena won't win next election: Sanjay Raut

MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday claimed that lawmakers from the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will not win the next election. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut also claimed that CM Shinde was keen on a foreign tour, while farmers in parts of the state were staring at crop losses due to erratic rainfall.

1:46 PM

INDIA bloc talks about destroying 'Sanatan Dharma', won't be able to sustain in states, says Manoj Tiwari

The opposition grouping ‘INDIA' which talks about “destroying” ‘Sanatan Dharma' will no longer be able to sustain even in states, BJP parliamentary Manoj Tiwari said on Wednesday and defended his party's move to field MPs in upcoming assembly polls. Tiwari, the MP from the North-East Delhi constituency, was in Congress-governed Chhattisgarh to attend BJP's ‘Parivartan Yatra' in Bilaspur and Mungeli districts.

1:36 PM

Rahul Gandhi shares video of interaction with porters, flags 'record unemployment', 'back-breaking' inflation

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday flagged issues of "record unemployment" and "back-breaking inflation" as he shared a video of his recent interaction with porters at the Anand Vihar railway station here during which they apprised him about their problems. Gandhi had interacted with porters at the Anand Vihar railway station on September 21 and sought to know their problems.

1:07 PM

65% houses in Joshimath impacted by land subsidence: Report

Land subsidence has affected around 65 per cent of the houses in the pilgrimage town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand, according to a report by government agencies. Starting January 2, a number of houses and civil structures in an area located near Joshimath-Auli road began to display major cracks due to land subsidence, prompting the relocation of 355 families. According to local residents, land subsidence had been noticed over several years but became increasingly severe from January 2 to January 8.

12:55 PM

'2018-Everyone is a Hero' is India's official entry to Oscars '24: Film Federation of India

Multi-starrer survival drama "2018-Everyone is a Hero," based on the Kerala floods that year is India's official entry to the Academy Awards 2024, the Film Federation of India announced here on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, Girish Kasaravalli, noted film maker and chairman of the selection committee announced that the Malayalam movie has been picked for its very relevant theme on climate change and the travails of people vis-a-vis what has been understood as development in the society.

12:29 PM

Pakistan: Imran Khan transferred to Adiala Jail, despite his requests

Pakistan Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been transferred to Adiala Jail on Tuesday, despite his recent requests to not shift him from the Attock District Jail, reported The Express Tribune.

Islamabad police reached the Attock jail to execute the Islamabad High Court (IHC) order to shift Imran Khan to the Adiala Jail. However, Khan requested the special court to not transfer him.

12:15 PM

When Vibrant Gujarat started, there were no big hotels in Gujarat: PM Modi

Ahmedabad, Gujarat: PM Modi says, "When Vibrant Gujarat was started, there were no big hotels in Gujarat where foreign guests could stay. Even govt guesthouses used to get full and we used even University guesthouses..."

11:56 AM

PM Modi visits robot exhibition in Gujarat, inaugurates Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the robot exhibition at Science City in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Wednesday. During the visit, he also inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel were also present. The event will witness the participation of industry associations, prominent personalities from the sphere of trade & commerce, young entrepreneurs, and students of higher and technical education colleges, among others.

 

11:46 AM

The Hollywood writers strike is over after guild leaders approve contract

Hollywood's writers strike was declared over after nearly five months Tuesday night when board members from their union approved a contract agreement with studios, bringing the industry at least partly back from a historic halt in production.

The governing boards of the eastern and western branches of the Writers Guild of America and their joint negotiating committee all voted to accept the deal, two days after the tentative agreement was reached with a coalition of Hollywood's biggest studios, streaming services and production companies. After the vote they declared that the strike would be over and writers would be free to start on scripts at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

11:30 AM

India will continue to raise its voice in support of Afghan people: Ruchira Kamboj tells UNSC

India's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj has reiterated the country's steadfast dedication to peace, stability and humanitarian support for Afghanistan.

In a UN Security Council briefing on Afghanistan on Wednesday, Kamboj highlighted three key observations regarding the situation in Afghanistan while drawing upon India's historical and civilisational ties with the Afghan people.

11:28 AM

Kharge slams PM Modi on Manipur issue, demands sacking of 'incompetent' CM

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in Manipur and demanded that he sack BJP's "incompetent" chief minister as a first step to control the turmoil.

He also alleged that the violence against women and children has been weaponised and accused the BJP of turning Manipur into a battlefield.

11:07 AM

India-Russia relations "very, very steady": Jaishankar

India-Russia relations have held very, very steady and we take great care to make sure that the relationship is working, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said.

During a conversation at the Council on Foreign Relations here on Tuesday, Jaishankar said that Russia's relationship with Europe and the West has been so severely disrupted in the wake of the February 2022 Ukraine war that Moscow is actually turning to Asia and other parts of the world.

10:41 AM

Kerala govt withdraws Nipah related restrictions in Kozhikode

The Kerala government has withdrawn containment in all zones and allied restrictions imposed in northern Kozhikode district as no new cases of Nipah virus have been reported here since September 16.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, District Collector A Geetha said all schools located in the areas that fell within containment zones would be opened and regular classes would commence on Wednesday.

10:26 AM

Akhilesh Yadav to kickstart Samajwadi Party campaign in Madhya Pradesh today

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will begin his party's election campaign in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday.

Akhilesh Yadav will reach Khajuraho today by private plane from where he will go to Rewa and will hold a meeting with workers and address a public meeting in Rewa's Sirmaur constituency. It is a two-day visit and during his visit, Akhilesh Yadav will also hold a meeting with all the party officials and district presidents of the state in Rewa's Sirmaur.

10:03 AM

Train climbs onto platform at Mathura station in UP, 1 injured: Official

A woman sustained minor injuries when a local train climbed onto a platform at the Mathura Junction Railway Station, an official said on Wednesday.

The Railways has ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter, he said. According to the official from Agra division, the electric multiple unit (EMU) train arrived on platform 2A from Shakurbasti at 10.50 pm on Tuesday.

9:51 AM

PM Modi to launch various projects, attend Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Wednesday attend an event in Ahmedabad marking the completion of 20 years of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Gujarat from Tuesday, will also launch projects worth Rs 4,500 crore related to the education sector and address a public gathering in Bodeli town of the tribal-dominated Chhotaudepur district, officials said.

9:50 AM

As many as a dozen bodies found scattered around northern Mexico industrial hub of Monterrey

As many as a dozen bodies were found on Tuesday scattered around the northern Mexico industrial hub of Monterrey and its suburbs, including some of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the country.

Prosecutors in the state of Nuevo Leon did not provide a final tally of the number of dead because some of the bodies had been found in pieces or were dumped in plastic bags.