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1:55 PM

Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra will no impact: Karnataka CM

The Congress' 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', which is currently passing through the poll bound Karnataka, with the participation from the party's top leadership- Sonai, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, "will have no impact", state's Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday.

He rejected the claims that the ruling BJP was planning for rallies and state-wide tours of its leaders to counter the Congress' yatra, stating that they were planned much earlier.

"Naturally all party leaders will work for their own party, she (Sonia Gandhi) has walked for half-a-kilometer and gone, it's okay. As far as we are concerned, we have nothing to do with it and it doesn't make any impact," Bommai said in response to a question on the impact of Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi's marching in the state as part of the yatra.

1:42 PM

31 killed in mass shooting at a children's daycare in Thailand

At least 31 people killed in a mass shooting at a children's daycare center in northeastern Thailand, reports Reuters

1:39 PM

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman objects to increasing visas for Indians

Suella Braverman has again risked upsetting No. 10 after saying she has "reservations" about Britain's trade deal with India because it could increase immigration to the UK, The Guardian reported.

Liz Truss said she wants to sign a trade agreement with India by Diwali at the end of this month. The Indian government is demanding an increase in work and study visas for Indian nationals and earlier this year Boris Johnson said the agreement would lead to increased immigration.

In an interview with the Spectator, UK Home Secretary Braverman said Indian migrants make up the largest number of visa overstayers in the UK. The home secretary also criticised a deal with India, signed by her predecessor Priti Patel, to increase the number of illegal migrants and overstayers returned to the country, saying the agreement "has not necessarily worked very well".

Braverman told the Spectator: "I have concerns about having an open borders migration policy with India because I don't think that's what people voted for with Brexit."

 

1:18 PM

Mountaineering, trekking banned amid predicted bad weather in Uttarkashi

In the view of the safety of the trekking and mountaineering teams in Uttarkashi, district magistrate Abhishek Ruhela on Thursday instructed to keep the activities here closed for the next three days.

Ruhela has banned these activities in Uttarkashi from October 6 (today) to October 8 (Saturday)

The DM's decision came after the meterorological department issued an alert for the rain and snow fall here.

12:16 PM

US looking to ease sanctions on Venezuela to boost oil supply

The US government may soon reduce sanctions on Venezuela, allowing Chevron and other oil companies to resume oil drilling there. This comes just hours after OPEC+ countries announced a cut in oil supply by two million barrels per day (bpd). A report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said that lifting sanctions may allow oil exports from Venezuela to the US and Europe.

In return, the Venezuelan government led by Nicolas Maduro has agreed to resume talks with the Opposition and hold a free, fair presidential election in 2024, the WSJ report added. The deal also includes freeing up millions of dollars of Venezuelan funds that have been frozen in the US.

The funds, once released, will be used by Venezuela to recover from the economical slump, they are in currently. It recorded an inflation rate of 114.1 per cent year-on-year in September.

 

11:24 AM

India, US, UK, France condemn N Korea's ballistic missile launch

India, joining the US, UK and France, has strongly condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch which overflew Japan, with New Delhi underlining that these launches affect the peace and security of the region and beyond.

The missile fired on Tuesday was the first from North Korea to fly over Japan in five years. The launch mark the 24th time this year that North Korea has conducted missile tests.

We have noted with concern the reports of ballistic missile launches by the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said at a UN Security Council meeting on DPRK on Wednesday.

"These follow the launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile by the DPRK in March this year, which was discussed in this Council, as well as other successive launches, she said.

 

10:59 AM

Taj Mahal to open during 'Sharad Purnima' for four nights this month

The Taj Mahal will be open for night viewing during 'Sharad Purnima' for four nights this time.

Superintending archaeologist Rajkumar Patel said, "As the Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday, tourists will be allowed to view the monument at night for four days, from Saturday to Tuesday. Tickets can be purchased one day before the night viewing date from the counter at the ASI office."

Sharad Purnima will be observed on the intervening night of October 9/10.

The phenomenon, called 'chamki', makes the monument's marble glow as the moonlight strikes it at different angles during this period.

 

10:25 AM

UN peacekeeping chief Lacroix to visit India during 9-day foreign trip

The United Nations peacekeeping chief is undertaking a visit to India, among the largest troop contributing countries for its operations.

Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix will visit India, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Japan. The multi-nation trip starts Thursday and will continue until October 15.

Stphane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters Wednesday that in New Delhi, Lacroix will participate in a two-day meeting organised by the Challenges Forum, which brings together leading policymakers, practitioners and academics on key issues linked to peace operations.

The head of the UN peacekeeping will then travel to Abu Dhabi, Islamabad and Tokyo.

 

10:06 AM

Hurricane Ian death toll in US crosses 110; 300,000 still without power

The death toll from Hurricane Ian in the US has exceeded 110, while hundreds of thousands of people remain without power.

At least 110 people, including 105 in Florida and five in North Carolina, have died due to Hurracane Ian, according to a tally by CNN on Wednesday.

Florida's Lee County has reported 55 fatalities while Charlotte County has seen 24 deaths, Xinhua news agency reported.

US President Joe Biden travelled to Fort Myers, Florida, on Wednesday to survey storm-ravaged areas.

Nearly 300,000 customers in Florida remained without power as of Wednesday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us.

 

9:41 AM

Govt appoint Delhi HC Justice as UAPA officer for PFI case

Centre appoints Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma of Delhi High Court as the Presiding Officer of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal in the matter of Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associates or affiliates or fronts