If there is one person who doesn't give up, it is the ousted Vishva Hindu Parishad leader, Pravin Togadia, once Prime Minister Narendra Modi's best friend. 

The sons of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi have appealed to Riyadh to return the body of their father so that the grieving family can bury him in a cemetery in the holy city of Medina with the rest of his clan. Khashoggi was brutally killed inside Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul by a hit squad sent from Riyadh on October 2. Authorities in Turkey are still searching for Khashoggi's remains.


Last week, the Turkish chief prosecutor's office said the 60-year-old's body was dismembered after he was strangled, while the Washington Post reported investigators were looking into the theory that the body was dissolved in acid.


Salah and Abdullah Khashoggi, who called their father "courageous, generous and very brave," said they have endured weeks of anguish and uncertainty following his disappearance and death.


"I really hope that whatever happened wasn't painful for him, or it was quick. Or he had a peaceful death," Abdullah Khashoggi, 33, told CNN in Washington with his brother, Salah, 35. Without their father's body, the brothers say their family is unable to grieve or find closure. "All what we want right now is to bury him in Al-Baqi (cemetery) in Medina (Saudi Arabia) with the rest of his family," Salah said. "I talked about that with the Saudi authorities and I just hope that it happens soon."  -- PTI

Devotees climb the sacred Pathinettam Padi -- the 18 steps -- to enter the Sabarimala temple to offer prayers. The temple, which opened this evening, will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening.

Sabarimala shrine reopens its doors amid unprecedented security. Not a single female devotees this time. Around 2,300 personnel, including a 20-member commando team and 100 women, have been deployed for the security of the devotees. At least 15 women police personnel, who are over 50 years of age, have been deployed at the 'Sannidhanam' (temple complex), police said. The unprecedented security arrangements have been made in the backdrop of protests by devotees and Hindu outfits from October 17-22 opposing the Left Democratic Front government's decision to implement the landmark Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine.

Expressing shock over senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge equating Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Adolf Hitler, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday said that it was former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who governed the country like the Nazi leader and not Prime Minister Modi."Shocking that senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge ji equalled Modi ji with Hitler. I want to tell him it was Indira ji who governed like Hitler," Prasad said.


He further said that Kharge cannot even move an inch without the permission of the family (Gandhis). "This is the same Khargeji who can't even move an inch without the permission of the family," the law minister said.


On Sunday, Kharge had said that Prime Minister Modi wants to do the same with India what Hitler did to Germany. "Efforts are being made to bring dictatorship in the country. What Adolf Hitler did to Germany, Prime Minister Modi wants to do the same in India," the Congress leader had said.


He had accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party of destroying the Constitution and asserted that the Congress party would not let it happen.


"The Constitution does not belong to the people of a particular caste, religion or community, it belongs to every Indian," Kharge said.Further targeting Prime Minister Modi, the Congress leader had said that the government is restricting the freedom of speech and curbing the Press.
-- ANI

The benchmark BSE Sensex dropped 61 points and settled below the 35,000 mark Monday, tracking weak Asian stocks amid uncertainty around the China-US trade war and fall in rupee.


The Sensex fell below the 35,000-level to touch a low of 34,811.60 due to heavy selling pressure in view of foreign capital outflows and weak global cues.


However, fag-end buying helped trimming losses and the index closed at 34,950.92 with a fall of 60.73 points, or 0.17 per cent. The gauge had rallied almost 580 points on Friday. The broader NSE Nifty, after slipping below the 10,500-mark to hit a low of 10,477, finally concluded 29 points, or 0.27 per cent, down at 10,524. -- PTI

Hundreds of police personnel, armed commandos, surveillance cameras and mobile jammers have turned Sabarimala, the abode of Lord Ayyappa, into a virtual fortress, as it is set to open at 5 pm for 24 hours today for a special puja.


The unprecedented security arrangements have been made in the backdrop of protests by devotees and Hindu outfits from October 17-22 opposing the Left Democratic Front government's decision to implement the landmark Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine.


However, the security arrangements have not gone down well with the devotees and right wing activists who protested at several places against the restrictions at Sabarimala, considered the sacred grove of Lord Ayyappa, a celibate.


The temple would open at 5 pm and close at 10 pm Monday for the "Sree Chitira Atta Thirunal" puja slated for Tuesday, marking the birthday of the last king of the princely state of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.


The government and police machinery is on high alert to avoid any untoward incidents in and around the shrine, where ban orders under CrPC 144 are in force till Tuesday night.


Pathnamthitta Superintendent of Police T Narayanan had Sunday told PTI that all arrangements have been made for devotees to ensure smooth 'darshan'.


Around 2,300 personnel, including a 20-member commando team and 100 women, have been deployed for the security of the devotees. At least 15 women police personnel, who are over 50 years of age, have been deployed at the 'Sannidhanam' (temple complex), police said.


TV footage showed devotees locked in a war of words with police at several places along the route from Nilackal to Pamba, the key base camps on way to the shrine.


Besides being unsettled by the intense checking by the police, the pilgrims also complained about the lack of amenities at the base camps, which had witnessed widespread damage during the August deluge.


A group of devotees, who arrived at Erumeli since Sunday evening, protested this morning when they were not allowed to leave for Pamba. They blocked road traffic chanting 'Ayyappa Saranam' mantra.


Another batch of devotees complained that women police personnel asked their names and identity cards while travelling to Pamba in a state-run bus. "They stopped the bus and asked our names and demanded that we show the identity cards. I said my name is Ayyappa... everyone in our group said the same (as the Ayyappa devotees are called).


"In Sabarimala, everyone is Ayyappa... devotees call each other as swamy," a devotee, carrying the sacred 'irumudikettu' (offerings to Lord Ayyappa) on his head, told a TV channel.


Another young devotee said he was not allowed to chant 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa' by the security officials.

Former Censor Board Chief Pahlaj Nihalani files a plea in Bombay High Court against Censor Board after it reportedly suggested around 20 cuts in his upcoming movie 'Rangeela Raja'.

Dhanteras got more special, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while felicitating the crew of Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine INS Arihant after the submarine returned from its first deterrence patrol, completing the establishment of the country's survivable nuclear triad.


"Dhanteras gets even more special! India's pride, nuclear submarine INS Arihant successfully completed its first deterrence patrol! I congratulate all those involved, especially the crew of INS Arihant for this accomplishment, which will always be remembered in our history," Prime Minister tweeted.


The Prime Minister outlined that this is a major achievement, adding that a credible nuclear deterrence is the need of the hour.


"The success of INS Arihant enhances India's security needs. It is a major achievement for our entire nation. True to its name, INS Arihant will protect the 130 crore Indians from external threats and contribute to the atmosphere of peace in the region. In an era such as this, a credible nuclear deterrence is the need of the hour. The success of INS Arihant gives a fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail", he tweeted.


Reiterating India's commitment to the doctrine of Credible Minimum Deterrence and No First Use, the statement read, "As a responsible nation, India has put in place a robust nuclear command and control structure, effective safety assurance architecture and strict political control, under its Nuclear Command Authority. It remains committed to the doctrine of Credible Minimum Deterrence and No First Use, as enshrined in the decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security in its meeting chaired by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on January 04, 2003."
-- ANI

Asian Games gold medallist Swapna Barman will receive seven pairs of customized shoes, one each for the different events of Heptathlon, sports giants Adidas announced Monday.


Swapna, who became the first Indian to secure a gold medal in heptathlon at the Asian Games held earlier this year, was born with six toes in both her feet.


Her plight was highlighted after she clinched the gold medal at the Jakarta Games. Over the past two months, Adidas has worked extensively with authorities in India and their own Athlete Services lab at the headquarters in Germany to seek a solution for Swapna, a media release said.


After a detailed foot analysis, the brand has decided to support Swapna by designing customized high-performance footwear and shall be providing her with seven unique pairs, one each for the seven different events of Heptathlon.


"It's an honour for any sportsperson to be associated with the Adidas family. I realized my dream of winning a gold medal for India, now I am preparing to fulfil my next dream of winning an Olympic Gold for India,"Swapna said. "I am looking forward to train and compete in my new footwear and with the continued support from Adidas, I am sure I shall continue improving as an athlete," she added. PTI

'What sort of India do we want?'

'The sort where things that some find unpalatable should not be said or an India where things that some find unpalatable cannot be said?'

'The sad truth is that we have become the latter,' says Aakar Patel.

Read the column here.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis reacts to union minister Maneka Gandhi's criticism of the killing of tigress Avni. "It's sad for us too that a decision was taken to kill tigress Avni. We'll still probing the issue to see if there were any lapses and if the procedure was followed. Maneka-ji's words were harsh but we should understand her feelings as she is an animal lover." Fadnavis said.


Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar Monday also took strong objection to Maneka Gandhi's criticism of the state government over the killing of tigress Avni, saying she "lacks information" on the issue and can order a high-level probe if she wants to.


Mungantiwar's statement comes a day after the Union Women and Child Development minister lashed out at the Maharashtra government over the "ghastly murder" of the tigress, T1, as she was known officially, calling it a "straight case of crime".


The tigress, survived by her two 10 months old cubs, was believed to be responsible for the deaths of 13 people in the past two years. She was shot dead by sharp-shooter Asgar Ali in the Borati forest in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district Friday as part of an operation.


In a series of tweets, Gandhi had stated, "It is nothing but a straight case of crime. Despite several requests from many stakeholders, (Sudhir) Mungantiwar, Minister for Forests, Maharashtra, gave orders for the killing."


The Union minister had said she is going to take up the matter "very strongly" with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Talking to PTI, Mungantiwar said Gandhi's criticism "stems from her lack of information" on the issue and asserted neither he, as a minister, nor any of the secretaries in his department have the right to order such killings. Such decisions are taken as per the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), he said.


"She (Gandhi) loves animals. She is, however, Minister for Women and Child Development. I have to consider the women who have been killed by the tigress," Mungantiwar said. If she deems fit, she can suggest changes in the NTCA guidelines, the senior state minister said.  -- PTI

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said Monday that the state administration will try to create an atmosphere for holding talks with stakeholders in the next four to six months. He claimed that stone-pelting and militancy-related incidents have come down in the state.


"I carry a mandate of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi to reach out to the people, make yourself available to them, do their work, ensure development of the state and create an atmosphere in which talks can be held," Malik told reporters.


"Stone-pelting and militancy-related incidents have stopped. The civic polls were also held peacefully. Our policy is bringing us good results," he said.


Asked whether he had failed to bring two regional political parties -- the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party -- on board for holding the civic polls in the state, the said they have realised their mistake and will be taking part in the panchayat polls. -- PTI

Gold and jewellery sales in the morning trade remained subdued this Dhanteras Monday owing to sluggish demand from consumers amid high prices, according to industry players.


However, organised players like P C Jewellers are expecting better sales later during the day as quality and better designs at competitive prices are likely to attract more footfalls.


Unorganised jewellery players in India -- the world's second biggest buyer of the precious metal -- make up for roughly 70 per cent of the country's gold sales.


Dhanteras is considered to be an auspicious day for buying gold, silver and other valuables and is largely celebrated in northern and western parts of India.


"Footfalls are good but sales are moderate so far. Till few days back, we were thinking gold demand on the day of Dhanteras would be down 10-15 per cent, but looking at the pre-booking and footfalls, there should be least 5-7 per cent jump in sales today," All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation Chairman Nitin Khandelwal told PTI.


Both gold and silver are being purchased. Most buyers are restricting their purchase to tokens as gold prices are ruling high over Rs 32,000 per ten grams, he said.


Gold prices are ruling at Rs 32,690 per 10 grams today in the national capital as against Rs 30,710 per 10 grams on the Dhanteras day in 2017. -- PTI

Mizoram Speaker Hiphei said on Monday that he had resigned from his post, the House as well as the Congress and would join the BJP later in the day, just a little over three weeks ahead of the assembly elections.


The seven-time Congress legislator said he submitted his resignation letter to Deputy Speaker R. Lalrinawma who accepted it. From there, he went to Congress Bhavan to resign from primary membership of the party.


He is the fifth Congress MLA to resign from the 40-member House since September. Mizoram, the only state in the north-east under Congress rule, will go to the polls on November 28.


In Guwahati, convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said Hiphei, 81, will join the saffron party in his presence in the Mizoram capital Aizawl.


"He is a very senior leader. His joining the saffron party will greatly strengthen the organisation," Sarma, who is also Assam finance minister, said.


The senior BJP leader, however, did not comment on whether the party will field Hiphei from any constituency in the forthcoming Assembly polls in the hill state.


The Congress had earlier named Hiphhei as its candidate for the Palak constituency, but replaced him with party general secretary K T Rokhaw last week following reports that he might move to the BJP. Hiphei was elected to the Mizoram Assembly from Palak constituency in 2013. He won the state elections six times between 1972 and 1989 from Tuipang. -- PTI

What really led to MJ Akbar's resignation? 

The Trump administration has said it is confident that "the toughest ever" sanctions against Iran which came into force on Monday will have the intended effect of altering the Iranian regime's behaviour, even as it dodged a question on whether the US has firm commitments from India and China to stop all oil purchases from Tehran within six months.


The sanctions cover Iran's banking and energy sectors and reinstate penalties for countries and companies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere that do not halt Iranian oil imports.


India and China -- the two biggest buyers of Iranian crude, have so far appear to have skipped the punitive American sanctions targeting the Iranian oil and financial sectors.


The two Asian giants are believed to be among the eight countries that have been given the rare exemptions from the Iranian sanctions that kicked off on Monday.


The Trump administration said it has asked these countries including Turkey, Iraq, Italy, Japan and South Korea to bring down their oil purchase to zero as soon as possible.


US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, during a a talk show on Fox News, repeatedly parried questions when asked about the commitment from India and China on zero-oil purchase from Iran.


"Watch what we do. Watch as we've already taken more crude oil off the market than any time in previous history. Watch the efforts that President Trump's policies have achieved. We've done all of this, too, while making sure that American consumers don't suffer,' he said, as he avoided giving a direct answer on India and China.


"I am very confident that the sanctions that will be re-imposed this Monday, not only the crude oil sanctions, that the financial sanctions that are being put in place by the Treasury Department and over 600 designations of individuals and companies in Iran will have the intended effect to alter the Iranian regime's behaviour. That's our expectation. It's the reason for President Trump's policy,' he asserted.


India, which is the second biggest purchaser of Iranian oil after China, is willing to restrict its monthly purchase to 1.25 million tonnes or 15 million tonnes in a year (300,000 barrels per day), down from 22.6 million tonnes (452,000 barrels per day) bought in 2017-18 financial year, sources in New Delhi had said last week. The reimposition of US sanctions on Iran, Pompeo asserted are the toughest ever on this country.


The State Department did not respond to a PTI question as to what will happen if India does not bring down its oil purchase from Iran to zero, as being demanded by it, in next six months. It also did not respond to a question on the fate of the the strategically crucial Iranian port of Chabahar, which India sees as critical for reaching landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia.  -- PTI


Image: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif, left, and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale at the United Nations, in September 2018. Photograph: Mohammed Jaffer/SnapsIndia

Sachin Tendulkar @sachin_rt Wishing you a lot of success and happiness in the year ahead. Happy Birthday, @imvkohli!

Author William Dalrymple @DalrympleWillWriter on the catastrophic air pollution in Delhi: Hey but who needs to breathe when you have a giant Sardar Patel to gaze at?

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has announced that the country's Parliament will be reconvened on November 14, amid rising demands by legislators of the state to end the mounting political crisis in the island nation.


Al-Jazeera reported, while quoting sources, that the decision drew strong criticism from the supporters of the country's ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party, who even termed the order to be "too late".


UNP supporters also condemned Sirisena's decision to recall parliament two days prior to the initial suspension order against Wickremesinghe, describing the move to be "eyewash to appease the ever-increasing international and local pressure."


Sri Lanka has been witnessing political turmoil over the past three weeks, after Sirisena, on October 27, suspended the country's parliamentary proceedings until November 16.


He also announced his decision to sack Wickremesinghe and replace him with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa following the collapse of the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party coalition.


The Tamil National Alliance, a coalition of parties representing the Tamils, vowed on Sunday that its 15 members would back the no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa. -- ANI

And the other lovely picture Anushka tweeted with Virat.

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli turns 30 today and will be spending his birthday with wife Anushka Sharma in Haridwar and Rishikesh.

In fact, the couple landed in Haridwar on Saturday night and according to a report in India Today, are staying at the Ananda in the Himalayas, a spa resort, till November 7.

Anushka tweeted a cheeky post with Virat, saying, "Thank God for his birth" with a heart and smiley emoji.

Kohli and Anushka's itinerary includes a day of river-rafting and camping in Rishikesh. They are also likely to visit the Anant Dham Atmabodh Ashram, whose head Maharaj Anant Baba, is Anushka's family's spiritual guru.

Have a great year and a very happy happy birthday, Virat!

US sanctions on Iran come into force. The Trump administration reinstated all sanctions removed under the 2015 nuclear deal, targeting both Iran and states that trade with it, the BBC reports. They will hit oil exports, shipping and banks - all core parts of the economy. Thousands of Iranians chanting "Death to America" rallied on Sunday, rejecting calls for talks. Iran's military was also quoted as saying it would hold air defence drills on Monday and Tuesday to prove the country's capabilities. 

The Sabarimala shrine will open at 5 pm this evening for the "Sree Chitira Atta Thirunal" special puja slated for Tuesday, marking the birthday of last king of Travancore Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, and close at 10 pm on that day. Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru and chief priest Unnikrishnan Namboodiri would jointly open the temple doors and light the lamp at the 'Sreekovil' (sanctum sanctorum).


Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran said the state government would ensure complete protection to believers.


So far, no women in the 'barred' age group had approached police for protection to offer prayers at the hill shrine, he said.


The Pandalam royal family, closely associated with the Ayyappa shrine, said it was "pained" at the heavy security in and around Sabarimala. "Saddened that devotees will have to offer prayers at the shrine amid thick police cover," it said.


Protesting the apex court verdict, a 'prayer yagna' will be held in Pathnamthitta, the family said. So far, 3,731 people have been arrested and 545 cases registered in connection with the last month's violence.


The BJP and various Hindu outfits are on a warpath against the Left-front government over its decision not to seek a review of the top court verdict. -- PTI

In Kerala, devotees begin the trek from the Nilakkal base camp to the Sabarimala temple. The temple will open this evening and will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening.


A thick security cover is in place in and around Sabarimala, which had witnessed protests last month after the Supreme Court permitted women of menstrual age group to offer prayers at the shrine.


Devotees, who arrived at Erumeli since Sunday evening, protested this morning for not being allowed to leave for Pamba and Sannidhanam. They blocked traffic chanting 'Ayyappa Sarnam'.


"We have been waiting since last evening. We were told that we would be allowed to leave at 6 am. Now, they are telling us that KSRTC buses will be allowed to leave only by 12 pm. We have come to offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa. Please allow us to go," an angry devotee said.


If private vehicles are not being allowed, they should be taken in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses to Pamba, the devotee said.


Media personnel have also not been allowed to leave Nilackal for Pamba and 'Sannidhanam' (temple complex) from the base camp here till 9 am this morning. -- PTI

Adm. Arun Prakash' @arunp2810 pays tribute to Vice Admiral (retd) Manohar Pralhad Awati who passed away on Sunday: "The passing of Adm. Awati is a huge loss to the navy and the nation. He strode like a colossus on India's maritime stage and was an exemplar of everything that an officer, a gentleman and good human being should be. He is with Varuna. May his noble soul rest in peace."

Adm. Arun Prakash' @arunp2810 pays tribute to Vice Admiral (retd) Manohar Pralhad Awati who passed away on Sunday: "The passing of Adm. Awati is a huge loss to the navy and the nation. He strode like a colossus on India's maritime stage and was an exemplar of everything that an officer, a gentleman and good human being should be. He is with Varuna. May his noble soul rest in peace."

Mathematician and Super 30 founder Anand Kumar will be awarded in Dubai this week for his "pioneering" contributions to the field of education and illuminating the lives of many talented students.


Kumar, 45, will be honoured with the 'Global Education Award' on November 8 by 'Malabar Gold & Diamonds', flagship company of Malabar Group, a leading Indian business conglomerate.


"We take pride in honouring Mr Anand Kumar who has made a positive difference in the lives of many with his meaningful innovations. Anand Kumar's life has involved a lot of struggle and his contributions to the field of education is indeed pioneering," P A Ibrahim Haji, co-chairman Malabar Group, told PTI.


He said a 12-member jury shortlisted Kumar from a list of 100 names working in the field of education across the globe after a three-month research and consequent deliberations.