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11:28 PM

Silkyara Tunnel collapse: 15-men NDRF team roped in rescue 41 trapped workers

A 15-man strong NDRF team led by a commandant has been tasked to take out one by one the 41 labourers stuck for the last 10 days in the collapsed Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi.

The evacuation method which involves a series of 800 mm diameter steel pipes has proven to be a big challenge for the rescuers so far.

The NDRF jawans have conducted a mock drill on how they will go through the pipe to the other side of the rubble where the labourers are stuck, NDRF second-in-command (2 ic) Ravi Shankar Badhani told PTI.

11:28 PM

Silkyara Tunnel collapse: 15-men NDRF team roped in rescue 41 trapped workers

A 15-man strong NDRF team led by a commandant has been tasked to take out one by one the 41 labourers stuck for the last 10 days in the collapsed Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi.

The evacuation method which involves a series of 800 mm diameter steel pipes has proven to be a big challenge for the rescuers so far.

The NDRF jawans have conducted a mock drill on how they will go through the pipe to the other side of the rubble where the labourers are stuck, NDRF second-in-command (2 ic) Ravi Shankar Badhani told PTI.

10:45 PM

Mumbai: Terror threat call turns out to be hoax

A call received by city police which warned of a possible terror strike turned out to be a hoax, an official said on Wednesday.

The south region control room of Mumbai Police received the call on Tuesday evening, he said.

The caller, who identified herself as 'Sana', claimed that she was in touch with a person from Kashmir, and there was a possibility of a terror strike in the city, the official said.

But probe revealed that it was a hoax call, and officials of the Colaba police station are conducting an inquiry, he added.

10:10 PM

Raahgiri Day: Police to close CP's inner circle for traffic on Nov 26

The Delhi Police has issued an advisory warning the public of traffic restrictions at the inner circle of Connaught Place because of 'Raahgiri Day' on November 26, officials said on Wednesday.

The city police and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, in partnership with Raahgiri Foundation, will be organising Raahgiri Day from 7 am to 10 am coming Sunday, the advisory stated.

The objective behind organising Raahgiri is to "redefine streets and to make them safe, sustainable, and accessible to all," it said.

10:09 PM

Two drones, over 6 kg heroin recovered near IB in Punjab's Amritsar, Tarn Taran

Two drones and more than six kilogram of heroin were recovered near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab's Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts on Wednesday, a BSF official said.

Acting on specific information, the Border Security Force troops along with the Punjab Police conducted a joint search operation on the outskirts of Attari village in Amritsar.

During the search, they recovered from the field a bag containing five packets of heroin weighing a total of 5.290 kg, said the official.

9:22 PM

Automated multi-level parking in Lajpat Nagar by January: MCD

A multi-level parking will be ready in Lajpat Nagar's Amar Colony market by the first week of January next year, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi said in an official statement on Wednesday.

Mayor Shelly Oberoi inspected the construction progress of the automated parking facility being developed by the MCD near the Community Centre.

"The MCD is committed to complete the project within the stipulated time. It will provide relief to people organising events in the community hall as well as those to visit the market," the statement said.

8:50 PM

Promise of pre-poll freebies is corrupt practice under Representation of People Act, SC told

Promise of pre-election freebies by political parties is a corrupt practice and "bribe" under the Representation of the People Act which is a ground for declaring an election to be void, the Supreme Court was told on Wednesday.

A three-judge bench was deliberating on pleas including the one filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay opposing promises of such handouts by the parties during polls.

The petitions have sought direction to the Election Commission to invoke its powers to freeze the election symbols of these parties and cancel their registration.

8:28 PM

SC asks Centre to consider reconstitution of delimitation commission for Limbu and Tamang tribals

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the Centre must take a "considered view" on the reconstitution of the delimitation commission to ensure proportional representation of Limbu and Tamang tribal communities in Sikkim and West Bengal.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said the demand of Limbu and Tamang communities for the grant of proportional representation has a constitutional foundation which can be found in Articles 330 and 332 of the constitution.

The top court said the communities which have been designated as STs since 2012 have had no political representation, which is nothing but "injustice."

8:19 PM

Delhi HC asks excise dept to look into unauthorised pubs in Safdarjung Enclave

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the excise authorities here to look into allegations of unauthorised pubs and bars operating in a residential area in Safdarjung Enclave.

A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan said the excise department's status report finding "nothing incriminatory" at these premises during inspection "did not inspire confidence" and expressed concerns over alleged non-compliance with fire safety norms in the outlets which were stated to be functioning in basements in Humayunpur village.

8:16 PM

Punjab reports 512 more farm fires

Punjab Wednesday reported 512 farm fires, taking the total number of such cases recorded since September 15 to 36,118.

Of the fresh farm fires, Moga saw maximum such cases at 110, followed by 95 in Fazilka, 41 in Muktsar, 40 in Bathinda and 39 in Faridkot, according to the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre data.

On the same day in 2021 and 2022, the state had seen 66 and 78 farm fires, respectively.

8:15 PM

PM Modi to address public meeting in Karimnagar ahead of Telangana polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Karimnagar on November 27 to address a public meeting, BJP National general secretary Bandi Sanjay Kumar said on Wednesday.

He said that as part of the campaign for the November 30 Assembly elections, Modi will address the public at SRR Government Degree College grounds here on Monday.

"Modi's campaign will help me to win the election with a huge majority," Bandi Sanjay Kumar claimed.

7:57 PM

Wrestlers' sexual harassment case: Delhi court to hear arguments on framing of charges on Nov 28

A court here will hear on November 28 the arguments on framing of charges against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a matter relating to sexual harassment allegations by six wrestlers.

In the last hearing on October 30, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal granted three weeks to the counsel for the parties to file their written arguments so they could be concluded in a "systematic manner."

7:30 PM

Important to ensure Israel-Hamas war does not take shape of regional conflict: PM Modi at G20 virtual summit

Expressing concern over the prevailing insecurity and instability in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told G20 leaders that it is important to ensure that the Israel-Hamas war does not take the shape of a regional conflict and welcomed the announcement of the release of hostages.

In his opening remarks at the virtual G20 Leaders' Summit, Modi said terrorism is "unacceptable" to everyone and asserted that the death of civilians wherever it may be is condemnable.

7:24 PM

NHAI to undertake safety audits of under-construction tunnels across India

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will undertake a safety audit of all 29 under-construction tunnels across the country to ensure safety and adherence to highest quality standards, an official statement said on Wednesday.

The statement by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) comes in the backdrop of collapse of under-construction Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi on November 12.

"NHAI officials, along with a team of experts from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as well as other tunnel experts, will inspect the ongoing tunnel projects and will submit a report within seven days," the statement said.

7:21 PM

Pharma firm asked to stop production after death of 11 workers in fire at its Raigad plant

Pharmaceutical firm Blue Jet Healthcare has been ordered to stop production and remove inflammable chemical goods from its premises after a fire in its factory in Maharashtra's Raigad district killed 11 labourers early this month, said the local administration on Wednesday.

The action has been taken by the district administration on recommendation of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)'s Raigad unit. Eleven workers were killed and seven others injured when a fire broke out at the company's plant in the Mahad MIDC area on November 3.

7:21 PM

Pharma firm asked to stop production after death of 11 workers in fire at its Raigad plant

Pharmaceutical firm Blue Jet Healthcare has been ordered to stop production and remove inflammable chemical goods from its premises after a fire in its factory in Maharashtra's Raigad district killed 11 labourers early this month, said the local administration on Wednesday.

The action has been taken by the district administration on recommendation of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)'s Raigad unit. Eleven workers were killed and seven others injured when a fire broke out at the company's plant in the Mahad MIDC area on November 3.

6:36 PM

Delhi HC grants time to opposition parties to reply to plea against use of INDIA acronym

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted time to several opposition parties to respond to a petition to restrain them from using the acronym INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance).

A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan also granted time to the Centre to file its reply to the public interest litigation which alleged that by using INDIA acronym, the parties were taking "undue advantage in the name of our country".

"We need a week-ten days more time to put in our reply," Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma submitted on behalf of the central government.

5:52 PM

AI must be safe for society": PM Modi at G20 virtual summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a proper look into the lightning fast growth of artificial intelligence (AI) amid safety concerns and asked Group of 20 (G20) nations to work jointly on addressing this issue.

Addressing the virtual G20 Summit, PM Modi said today AI should be developed keeping people's needs in mind.

"AI should reach people, and it must be safe for the society," PM Modi said.

5:48 PM

It is time to bring another revolution in the country: Rahul Gandhi

"Whenever you (people of India) needed us, Congress stood with you. We stood with you during the Independence movement, Green Revolution, White Revolution, Liberalisation and Computer Revolution. Now, it is time to bring another revolution in the country," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

5:29 PM

Horizontal drilling to evacuate trapped workers in Silkyara tunnel reaches 42 metres: Govt

Horizontal drilling to evacuate trapped workers in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi has reached 42 metres or 67 per cent of the blockade, rekindling hopes of the stranded 41 persons coming out soon.

 

In a statement, the government said the second lifeline for food distribution is functioning efficiently, ensuring an ample food supply like roti, sabzi, khichdi, daliya, oranges, and bananas, in addition to the supply of medicines and other essentials like clothes such as T-Shirt, undergarments, toothpaste, soap etc.

 

It further said a modified communication system with wire connectivity has been developed by NDRF/SDRF, through which clear communication is being made and added that "people inside reported in the morning that they are safe".

 

"NHIDCL has resumed horizontal boring from the Silkyara end to rescue workers using an Augur boring machine. As of date, 42 metres of pipes have been inserted," the statement said.

 

Fabrication of a protective canopy for the drilling machine is also underway, it added.

 

Boring through the debris of the collapsed stretch from the Silkyara end was put on hold on Friday afternoon when the American-made heavy-duty auger machine encountered a hard obstacle after about 22 metres.

 

Stalled horizontal drilling operation resumed on Tuesday.

5:20 PM

Israel-Hamas cease-fire to start Thursday morning

Egypt's state-run Qahera TV says the Israel-Hamas truce will take effect at 10 am local time(0800 GMT) on Thursday, reported AP.
 

Egypt helped mediate the four-day cease-fire, which will facilitate the release of dozens of hostages captured by Hamas during its October 7 attack into southern Israel.
 

The deal will also see the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and the entry of more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israeli media also reported that the truce would begin Thursday at 10 am.

5:18 PM

Zomato, Swiggy get notice for $90 mln in unpaid taxes

India's top organization for indirect taxes has issued notices on unpaid taxes worth about 7.5 billion rupees ($90 million) to food delivery companies Zomato and Swiggy, CNBC-TV18 reported on Wednesday, citing sources. The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has sent a tax demand of more than 4 billion rupees to Zomato and of around 3.5 billion rupees to Swiggy, the report said. The DGGI considers delivery a service on which the two companies are liable to pay goods and services tax (GST) between July 2017 and March 2023, CNBC-TV18 reported. Zomato declined to comment, while Swiggy and the DGGI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

 

4:45 PM

Tamil Nadu: Heavy rain lashes parts of Tiruvannamalai city

4:30 PM

Rahul Gandhi is 'panauti' for Congress: Anil Vij

Haryana's Home Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday hit out at Rahul Gandhi for his "panauti Modi" barb against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Congress leader is a "panauti" for his party.

At an election rally in Rajasthan on Tuesday, Gandhi said, "PM means Panauti Modi", insinuating the prime minister's presence at the Ahmedabad stadium during the India-Australia Cricket World Cup final brought bad luck to the home side, which lost the decider.

Slamming the Congress leader for his remarks against the PM, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader alleged that Gandhi had reached the height of frustration.

Attacking the Congress leader, Vij, who was interacting with reporters in Ambala, said, "Rahul Gandhi is a 'panauti' for the Congress. From the day he emerged as Congress' face the party has been sinking".

4:16 PM

China's 5G base stations increase to 3.22 mn by Oct end: IT ministry

China built nearly 3.22 million 5G base stations by the end of October, accounting for 28.1 per cent of all its mobile base stations as part of its efforts to speed up the digital transformation of the economy, the government said on Wednesday.

China is making steady progress in the construction of its 5G network in an effort to propel the digital and intelligent transformation of its real economy, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said.

China's state-run three telecom giants -- China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom -- collectively had a total of 754 million 5G mobile phone users by the end of October, the ministry said, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

4:12 PM

Bamnoli land acquisition: Atishi submits fresh report to Delhi CM, alleges chief secy tried to save official

Delhi Vigilance Minister Atishi on Wednesday submitted a supplementary report to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on corruption allegations against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, claiming the bureaucrat tried to save an official in the Bamnoli land acquisition matter, government sources said.

In the fresh report, Atishi reiterated her recommendation for suspension of the chief secretary, they said.

There was no immediate response from the chief secretary on the supplementary report.

4:10 PM

NIA raids 14 places in Punjab, Haryana in connection with attacks on Indian Consulate in San Francisco

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out raids at 14 locations in Punjab and Haryana in connection with its probe into attacks on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco in the US earlier this year, an official spokesperson said.

 

The spokesperson said these places located in north India were raided to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the attacks on March 19 and July 2, involving criminal trespass, vandalism, damage to public property and attempts to cause hurt to the consulate officials and set the building on fire through acts of arson.

 

The locations raided by the NIA were spread across the districts of Moga, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Mohali and Patiala in Punjab and Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar in Haryana.

3:59 PM

Shah Rukh Khan tops IMDb's list of most popular Indian stars of 2023

Riding high on the back-to-back success of "Pathaan" and "Jawan", superstar Shah Rukh Khan has emerged as numero uno on IMDb's top 10 list of most popular Indian stars of 2023, which is otherwise dominated by female stars like Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone and Wamiqa Gabbi.

The year is not over yet for Shah Rukh, who is now awaiting the release of his third and final film of 2023 with the Rajkumar Hirani-directed "Dunki" on December 21.

Bhatt, who claimed the second spot on the list for the second year in a row, had a major success in "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani" and made her Hollywood debut opposite Gal Gadot in Netflix movie "Heart of Stone".

3:47 PM

3 linked to Pak-based terror module arrested in Punjab, police claim targeted killing plan averted

Punjab Police on Wednesday claimed to have averted planned targeted killings in the state with the arrest of three members linked to an ISI-controlled Pakistan-based terror module.

Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said three .30 bore pistols and five .32 bore pistols were recovered along with nine magazines and 30 live cartridges from their possession.

Those arrested have been identified as Rajbhupinder Singh alias Bhinda of village Dikh in Bathinda, Raman Kumar of village Guru Harsahai in Fazilka and Jagjit Singh of Dhilwa Kalan in Kotkapura.

3:33 PM

NIA files second supplementary chargesheet against 6 CPI (Maoist) cadres in 2021 Chhattisgarh attack

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a second supplementary chargesheet against six more CPI (Maoist) cadres in a case related to a deadly attack that left 22 security personnel dead in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh in 2021, an official said on Wednesday.

This takes the total number of accused chargesheeted in the case so far to 46.

The anti-terror federal agency had registered the case on June 5, 2021 and had filed its original chargesheet against 23 accused in December last year, followed by a supplementary chargesheet against 17 more in July.