LIVE! Brazil prez claims DiCaprio paid for Amazon fire

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Sat, 30 November 2019

Brazil prez claims DiCaprio paid for Amazon fire

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21:19 Brazil prez claims DiCaprio paid for Amazon fire

Brazils president has falsely accused the actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio of bankrolling the deliberate incineration of the Amazon rainforest.

Jair Bolsonaro -- a populist nationalist who has vowed to drive environmental NGOs from Brazil -- made the claim, reportedly telling supporters: This Leonardo DiCaprios a cool guy, isnt he? Giving money for the Amazon to be torched.

The spurious accusation -- for which Brazils president offered no proof -- came 24 hours after Bolsonaro made a similarly unsubstantiated claim in a Facebook live broadcast.

Leonardo DiCaprio, dammit, youre collaborating with the burning of the Amazon, Bolsonaro declared, accusing the actor of being part of an international campaign against Brazil.

On Thursday Bolsonaros politician son Eduardo claimed on Twitter that DiCaprio had donated $300,000 (230,000) to the NGO that set fire to the Amazon and accused the conservation group WWF of paying the NGO about 13,000 for photographs of the burning forest.

The AAP on Saturday blamed an "unholy nexus" between BJP and black marketeers and hoarders for the sharp increase in onion prices and asked the Centre why it was not taking steps to reduce the inflation.

AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also asked the Centre the reason behind selling onion to Delhi government at a higher rate when NAFED, the apex organisation of marketing cooperatives for agricultural produce, has proposed a subsidised price.

He said the Union minister in charge of food and public distribution department, Ram Vilas Paswan, must tell the public what kind of nexus they have with black marketeers and hoarders.

Struggling to cool prices amid a soaring demand, the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi has sought Centre's help to make onions available at subsidised rates. The Delhi government has claimed that NAFED has proposed to sell onions at Rs. 60 per kg in the city.

Singh blamed the Centre for the "annual furore" over onion prices in the country and claimed it is directly responsible for this "onion chaos" and "disorganized state of affairs."

There is an alleged nexus between BJP and black marketeers and hoarders, he said.

"This unholy nexus has led to the increase of onion prices across the country. Delhi government was selling onion at Rs. 23.90 per kg. But to stop this, the central government increased the rate of onion from Rs. 15 per kg to Rs. 60 per kg, while 32,000 tonnes of onion rotted away in government godowns," he said.

"The Centre is responsible for paucity of onions that happens every year," Singh said.

He asked why is the Delhi government being sold onion at a high rate of Rs 60 per kg.

"When a farmer goes to sell his onion in the market, he gets Rs 2-3 per kg for his produce. The hoarders and black marketeers buy onion at this price. Hoard the stock and later sell it at a premium of Rs 100 per kg when the stock goes down. This is possible only because the black marketeers get support from the Centre," he said.

He added that when there's a need to stock up, the central government prefers to export.

"And when this leads to shortage of onion in the domestic market. It directly benefits the black marketeers and hoarders. This system is conveniently being run together by the central government and the black marketeers," he said.

-- PTI

20:08 Let Beti Bachao not be just a campaign: Salman

As the entire country is outraged over the brutal killing of a veterinary doctor in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district, 53-year-old actor Salman Khan took to Twitter to express his anguish -- "This is the worst evil of the society in the form of humans."

Salman referred to the agony and torture that lead to the death of women victims of major criminal incidents in the country. He added that these incidents should get the people of the country united in putting an end to such evildoers, who exist among us before any other innocent woman gets caught.

The actor while condemning the act of violence continued that "their family goes through this extreme agony and loss and this has to be stopped. Let 'Beti Bachao' not be just a campaign. This is the time to let these demons know that we all stand together. May her soul rest in peace."

Scores of celebrities also raised their concern over the incident on social media.

Veteran actor Anil Kapoor questioned the existence of laws in the county and tweeted: "How many more innocent lives do we have to lose before the laws change?!! When will the daughters of India get justice? When will they be safe?!! #RIPHumanity #HyderabadHorror #JusticeForWomen."

Varun Dhawan also expressed concern over the situation, as he tweeted, "We as Indians discuss and are passionate about so many things. The entire country needs to come together and stop rapes from happening. Why is it that girls can be harmed to easily, why. Why aren't these evil bastards not scared of the law?"

He further said: "Right now the only focus has to be on making sure that this girl and her family get justice."

The gruesome episode has rocked the nation, with all demanding strict action against the guilty. Hyderabad Police have arrested the four accused involved in the rape and murder of the girl.

-- ANI

19:43 RS productivity 89% during winter session

Despite protests on several issues by opposition members in Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament has reported 89 per cent productivity in the first half of the ongoing winter session.

Of the total available time of more than 55 hours, the House availed more than 49 hours, the Rajya Sabha secretariat said in a statement on Saturday.

While a little more than 8 hours were lost on account of disruptions, members made up for the lost time by sitting for two and a half hours extra resulting in a net total loss of 5 hours and 51 minutes during the first half of this session, it said.

Three Bills including the Jalianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill were passed during the first half of the winter session.

During the second week of the winter session, Rajya Sabha passed two Bills, The Transgender (Protection of Rights) Bill and The Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill. Discussion on the Bill seeking to replace the Ordinance banning e-cigarettes remained inconclusive, the secretariat said.

"At the end of the first half of the ongoing winter session, Rajya Sabha has reported productivity of 89 per cent for the first two weeks combined," it said.

The upper house is likely to take up next week the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Merger Bill and the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies Bill. All these bills have been passed by the Lok Sabha.

Members of Rajya Sabha also made a record 51 zero hour submissions and 30 special mentions on various issues of public importance.

All the admitted Zero Hour and Special Mentions were made on the last working day of the week with the members complimenting Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu for the same.

During the second week of the ongoing winter session, the Rajya Sabha recorded productivity of 84 per cent.

During the second week, members of the upper house availed a total of 22 hours and 15 minutes transacting business of different kinds, the RS secretariat said.

-- PTI

The AAP on Saturday called "shameful" the alleged misbehaviour by Delhi police personnel with a young woman, who had sat on a pavement near Parliament holding a placard in protest against increasing incidents of crime against women.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh asked Delhi police the reason for "scratching" the woman, saying all she was demanding was justice for a 27-year-old doctor in Hyderabad who was raped and killed.

"The behaviour (of police) with her depicts the deterioration of law and order situation in Delhi and inactivity of the Centre. The incident and the attitude of the police towards her is shameful," he told reporters, in response to a question.

The woman identified as Anu Dubey was holding a placard with the slogan 'Why I can't feel safe in my own Bharat' while sitting on the pavement near Parliament gate number 2-3.

She was asked to go to Jantar Mantar to continue her protest, but when she refused, she was taken to Parliament Street police station in a police vehicle and was sobbing.

Swati Maliwal, the chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women, alleged that the woman was beaten by police. However, police denied the allegation.

Dubey's protest came a day after the charred body of a 27-year-old veterinary doctor was found on the outskirts of Hyderabad which sparked national outrage. She was raped and killed allegedly by four men who had deflated the tyres of her two-wheeler.

In Ranchi, a 25-year-old law student was allegedly raped by a group of armed men, following which all the 12 accused were arrested.

-- PTI

Two Army personnel were killed on Saturday after an avalanche hit their patrol at an altitude of about 18,000 feet in southern Siachen glacier in the Union Territory of Ladakh , a defence spokesperson said.

An army patrol operating at an altitude of approximately 18,000 feet in Southern Siachen Glacier was hit by an avalanche during the early hours of Saturday, Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said in a statement.

He said an Avalanche Rescue Team following the patrol immediately rushed and managed to locate and pull out all members of the patrol.

Army helicopters too were simultaneously pressed into service to evacuate the avalanche victims, he said.

Despite the best efforts by the medical teams, two army personnel, however, perished in the avalanche, the officer said.

It was for the second time that an avalanche occurred in Siachen in the past two weeks.

Earlier on November 18, four Indian Army personnel and two civilian porters were killed in an avalanche in the northern part of the Siachen Glacier.

The Siachen Glacier at the height of around 20,000 ft in the Karakoram range is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds.

Avalanches and landslides are common at the glacier during winters with temperatures often dropping to as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius.

17:57 We passed first exam: Ajit Pawar on floor test

After the Maha Vikas Aghadi comfortably won the floor test in the Maharashtra assembly on Saturday, NCP leader Ajit Pawar said that the tri-party alliance has passed the first test and was confident of clearing the second test regarding the election of the Speaker.

"We have passed the first exam of floor test and the second test is for the speaker's post and we are confident of clearing it too," he said while speaking to reporters.

NCP's Nawab Malik slammed the BJP for walking out of the state Assembly ahead of the floor test saying that the party was only trying to save face.

"Oath taking ceremony was conducted, Vidhan Sabha session held and Pro tem speaker appointed with the consent of the Governor and floor test was held as per the orders of the Supreme Court. BJP is only trying to save face," he said.

Following weeks of political twists and turns, Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi, on Saturday comfortably won the floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly with 169 votes in its favour.

Before the floor test proceeding started, opposition MLAs staged a walkout from the Assembly alleging that the special session was not convened as per rules.

-- ANI

The Telangana woman doctor, who was raped and murdered on Wednesday night in Shamshabad, was forced to consume cold drink laced with liquor before the crime took place, top police sources have said.

The sources have revealed that the accused bought a bottle of whiskey, mixed it in a cold drink and forced the Hyderabad-based veterinary surgeon to consume it before committing the crime.

The Telangana veterinary surgeon's charred body was found on Thursday morning under a culvert in Chatanpally on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru national highway. All the four accused were nabbed from their houses on Friday by the Cyberabad Police. They have been sent to judicial custody.

Top police sources revealed that all the four accused purchased one-and-a-half bottle of whiskey, some snacks and a cold drink from Tondupally village, close to the Shamshabad toll plaza. All the accused were drunk at the time of the crime, the police sources said.

"The four accused purchased one and a half bottle of whiskey some snacks and a cold drink from Tondupally village close to the toll plaza and were drunk at the time of the offence," top police sources said.

"They [the accused] raped the girl. She died because of accused had covered her mouth and nose during the crime," the Cyberabad police commissioner said. The accused then purchased petrol and burnt the victim's body.

17:13 How the markets were in November

Here's a snapshot of how the Sensex fared in November.

The NCP on Saturday accused the BJP of running away from the House after the opposition party staged a walkout before the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government faced a floor test.

The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance government passed the floor test with 169 votes in favour. The BJP's 105 MLAs walked out before head count began in the 288-member House.

BJP MLAs objected to convening of the session and also NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil's appointment as pro-tem Speaker in place of BJP's Kalidas Kolambkar before walking out.

The NCP's chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said Walse Patil was appointed as pro-tem Speaker with Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's consent. The session too was convened after Koshyari's approval, he said.

"They wanted some excuse to run away, that's why all this (ruckus). Devendra ji (BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis) should take lessons from (senior BJP leader Eknath) Khadse on how an opposition leader should work," Malik said.

NCP MP Supriya Sule too said that the BJP ran away from floor test.

"We are absolutely democratic. We will not stifle their (opposition's) voice. For us, the battle is not personal. We will win their hearts with love," she said.

-- PTI

Terrorism in Kashmir has been at a minimum level after the repeal of Article 370, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said on Saturday, describing the first six months of the Modi government's second term as dedicated to development and security of the country.

Javadekar said India has had a little impact of the global economic slowdown and efforts to recover from it too have been hastened by the government.

The information and broadcasting minister said the Modi government completes six months of its second term today, with the country moving fast on the path of progress.

Citing various landmark decisions and work done in the first six months of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second stint, Javadekar said the repeal of Articles 370 and 35A has paved the path of peace in Kashmir.

"In the four months since repeal of Article 370 and 35A, terrorism is at a minimum level. Earlier, terrorism was dominant but now it has taken a backseat. This is a tremendous change and the public life is now systematic," Javadekar said at a press briefing.

New avenues have also been opened for development of Jammu and Kashmir, he asserted.

"Decisions are being made in the country's interest. Efforts have been made to strengthen security of the country in these six months, by bringing in the Rafale fighter jet and making decisions on procurement of equipment," he said.

Javadekar said the Modi government has taken major decisions like merger of banks, scheme for waiver of loans to the industries and disinvestments in public sector and India has emerged as a country with the lowest corporate tax rate, igniting hope among global investors.

"A little impact of the economic slowdown in the world has also been in our country. But Modi government has been taking significant decisions and efforts to come out of it has been hastened," he said.

The government has also extended justice to Muslim women through legislation against triple talaq, he said. The recent Ayodhya verdict was received very peacefully by all communities, he said.

-- PTI

Responding to Devendra Fadnavis' criticism of taking his chief minister's oath in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Uddhav Thackeray responded in a fiery manner.

He said, "You (the BJP) feel stung when we took names of Chhatrapati Shivaji (while taking oath). I will take the name again and again. Those who don't take names of their parents, have no right to live," he said. "It is not Maharashtra's culture when you think taking name of Chhatrapati Shivaji and parents is a crime," he said.

Earlier, Fadnavis claimed that the oath-taking ceremony of Thackeray and six other ministers was not in line with the rules. "Someone took Balasaheb Thackeray's name, someone took names of (Congress chief) Sonia (Gandhi) ji and (NCP president Sharad) Pawar Saheb. The oath was not taken as per the given format," Fadnavis added.

The special CBI court is likely to pass an order on the bail plea of Indrani Mukerjea, a prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, on December 10.

Indrani had applied for bail on health grounds around six months ago before special Judge J C Jagdale, and this is her fourth attempt at seeking bail.

Making his submission on Saturday, Indrani's lawyer Tanveer Ahmed reiterated that she is suffering from a "terminal illness" and her condition is "deteriorating".

He argued that there was a change in circumstance since her last bail plea was rejected about a year ago.

At least 36 witnesses have been examined during this period, and Indrani has been suffering from frequent blackouts, he said.

Countering the prosecution's claim that Indrani may influence witnesses if released on bail, Ahmed said the court can give her an interim bail for certain period and check her conduct.

Indrani is accused of killing her daughter Sheena Bora, with the help of two other accused, in April 2012.

The matter came to light in August 2015, after her driver Shyamvar Rai confessed to the crime following his arrest in an arms case.

It led to the arrest of Indrani and her former husband Sanjeev Khanna.

Peter Mukerjea, Indrani's husband at that time, was later arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder conspiracy.

-- PTI

15:23 4 MLAs abstained from Maha trust vote

Two All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MLAs, 1 CPI-M MLA and the 1 MNS MLA stood neutral (did not vote for or against the motion).

The Uddhav Thackeray government easily cleared a floor test in Maharashtra after the Bharatiya Janata Party walked out of the house protesting against the manner in which proceedings were held in the state's assembly.

Former CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, speaking to media outside the assembly after leading the walk-out, said constitutional norms and rules were violated Saturday morning while conducting the floor test in the Maharashtra assembly.

In the end, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray easily won the floor test, getting the support of 169 MLAs (the halfway mark in the assembly is 145).

Meanwhile, the election for the speaker's post will be held on Sunday.

Time for fireworks and celebrations for the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress.

Uddhav Thackeray passes required number to prove majority. At the final headcount, it was 169 for Uddhav Thackeray.

This victory took place as the BJP staged a walk out alleging that the assembly session was unconstitutional. Devendra Fadnavis argued on four points:

>> Why was protem speaker changed?

>> Why national song was not played before the Assembly began?

>> BJP was informed at 1 am about the trust vote, hence not all BJP MLAs could be present.

>> Oath taken by ministers unconstitutional.

The 169 number is past the 145 mark that Uddhav needed to win the floor test.

14:53 Smooth sailing for Uddhav

As the headcount continues inside the Maharashtra assembly, Uddhav Thackeray crosses 145 votes.

For those who don't remember, here's how the Aghadi stand as of now:

Shiv Sena 56

Independents 08

NCP 54

Congress 44

SP 02

Swabhimani Shetkari 01

BVA 03

MNS 01

PWP 01

CPI - M - 01

Total 171

14:51 Updates from inside the Maharashtra Assembly

The head count has begun inside the House even as the BJP staged a walk out alleging that the assembly session was unconstitutional.

However, the BJP MLAs, who had staged a walkout, is now re-entering the House.

14:41 Maha trust vote underway, BJP walks out

The trust vote has begun in the assembly as the protem speaker announces head count.

Meanwhile, the BJP has walked out of the House alleging that the alliance flouted norms in government formation.

After walking out, former CM Devendra Fadnavis attacked the Uddhav Thackeray-led government over the appointment of the Speaker and also the oath taking wherein many of them took names of other leaders while taking their oath on November 28 at Shivaji Park.

14:33 Pro-tem Speaker orders to begin floor test

Uproar in Maharashtra Assembly after BJP alleges that the special session was not convened as per rules.

However, the pro-tem Speaker Dilip Walse Patil rejects all the objections made by former CM Devendra Fadnavis about the norms being followed to hold the session.

He also orders the beginning of the floor test.

Ashok Chavan proposes confidence motion while Nawab Malik seconds motion.

14:23 Fadnavis attacks Uddhav's swearing-in ceremony

Fadnavis cries foul of the swearing-in of ministers. He says during the Maharashtra assembly, "Swearing-in of Maharashtra ministers not as per Constitutional norms."

14:14 Fadnavis questions legality of Maha session

As the floor test proceedings begin, Former CM Devendra Fadnavis says this session is against the rules. "On 26th there was national anthem. Which means session ended that day," he said.

He adds, "If you have to bring in a new session you have to summon the Governor. A new session was been called without summoning the Governor. We were informed about the session at 1 am last night and they wanted that our MLAs should not reach the Assembly."

BJP MLAs raise slogans of 'Dadagiri Nahi Chalegi' in assembly.

14:05 Maharashtra trust vote begins

Floor test proceedings have begun in Maharashtra Assembly.

The Maharashtra government of the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance led by CM Uddhav Thackeray will face floor test in the state Assembly. The floor test will be conducted by NCP MLA Dilip Walse Patil, who was appointed as pro tem speaker of the Assembly.

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said the Maharashtra floor test is important. The Fadnavis government collapsed for it was in no position to prove majority, he said. So the government can collapse and it can be formed after this, he said. He added, 'We have the number. We have 165 plus and it can be more because independents want to be with the government.'

Uddhav Thackeray has reached Vidhan Bhawan. He garlanded the Shivaji statue before entering the Assembly.

The coalition government has to prove majority in the floor of the house at 2 pm today.

The Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress have issued a whip to MLAs to remain present in Assembly ahead of Maharashtra floor test at 2 pm.

Earlier in the day, Uddhav Thackeray thanked former prime minister and senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh after he congratulated him on being elected the chief minister of Maharashtra.

BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur on Saturday expressed shock over the rape and murder of a veterinary doctor in Hyderabad and demanded "harshest punishment" to the guilty.

The charred body of a 27-year-old veterinarian was found under a culvert on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Thursday. Four people have been arrested for the crime that has sparked national outrage.

"I am saddened by the death of doctor and pay my tribute to her. I am with the family in grief. The rapists and murderers should get the harshest punishments. May her soul rest in peace," Thakur tweeted.

Earlier this week, the Bhopal MP courted controversy over her remarks on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse, causing a ruckus in the Lok Sabha.

-- PTI

Nationalist Congress Party leader Praful Patel said that Deputy Chief Minister post in the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena government led by Uddhav Thackeray is NCP's share and it will be filled after Nagpur Assembly session concludes next month.

"Deputy Chief Ministers post is with the NCP and we will fill up the post after Nagpur Assembly session which will end around December 22," said Patel.

Ahead of the floor-test of the alliance government today in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, he exuded confidence that "Maha Vikas Aghadi" will prove its majority as it has the support of over 170 MLAs.

"Very Confident that Maha Vikas Aghadi has 170 plus number and we will prove its majority on the floor of the house," he said.

Thackeray's government of a newly formed alliance - "Maha Vikas Aghadi" enjoys the support of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress legislators. It is slated to face the trust vote in Maharashtra Assembly today.

The floor test proceedings will be conducted by pro-tem Speaker Dilip Walse Patil, who replaced BJP's Kalidas Kolambkar yesterday for a two-day special assembly session.

-- ANI

BJP leader Chandrakant Patil said on Saturday that the oath taken by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was "illegal" as he "referred to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray" in it and demanded Governor to revoke it.

"During his oath, he referred to Bal Thackeray. Balasaheb Thackeray is in our hearts but oath has to be taken in a prescribed way. An MLA, who is not from our side, went to Governor asking him to cancel the oath taken by Uddhav Thackeray. I believe in the justice, and if Governor cancels the oath all decisions taken by Uddhav in these two days will automatically become null and void," said Chandrakant Patil. "He will approach Supreme Court if Governor doesn't entertain the plea favourably," said Patil.

On the other hand "Maha Vikas Aghadi" government (NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena) will prove its majority on the floor of Legislative Assembly today.

Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray was on Thursday sworn-in as the chief minister of Maharashtra by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at a grand ceremony held at the Shivaji Park.

Uddhav is the first member from the Thackeray family to become the Chief Minister and the third Shiv Sena leader to hold the top post after Manohar Joshi and Narayan Rane.

He is leading a government of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, an alliance of the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party, and the Congress.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Kapil Sibbal, KTS Tulsi, MK Stalin, SK Shinde, Sanjay Raut, and Prithviraj Chavan, MNS leader and Uddhav's cousin Raj Thackeray were among several leaders who attended the ceremony.

-- ANI

12:10 'Enrich democracy': PM to Jharkhand voters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged people of Jharkhand to turn out in large numbers and cast their vote in assembly polls to "enrich" democracy.

Polling is underway in the first of the five-phase assembly elections in Jharkhand.

A total of 37,83,055 voters will decide the fate of 189 candidates in 13 constituencies spread over six districts.

"Phase 1 of the Jharkhand elections is in progress. I urge those whose constituencies go to the polls today to vote in large numbers and enrich the festival of democracy," Modi tweeted.

It is usual for the prime minister to take to social media on voting days to urge people to exercise their democratic right.

-- PTI

A Delhi-based girl was on Saturday morning found sitting alone for hours on a silent protest in the Lutyens area in order to stage a demonstration against Hyderabad Police for "failing to act" on time during the alleged rape and murder of a woman veterinary doctor in state's Ranga Reddy district.

The young girl identified as Anu was seen venting anger on the Delhi Police officials when they asked her not to sit in the area. She was also seen holding a placard with a slogan written in a bold red colour, " WHY? I CAN'T FEEL SAFE AT MY OWN BHARAT"

The girl was also seen weeping while sitting on the protest.

The Delhi Police officials reached the protest site and requested the girl to end her protest or else move to Jantar Mantar.

Yesterday, Hyderabad Police have arrested four accused in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a female veterinary doctor in Shadnagar area of Ranga Reddy district.

The accused have been identified as Mohammad Areef, Jollu Shiva, Jollu Naveen and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu by the police.

The burnt body of the doctor was found at Shadnagar outskirts in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district. As per the preliminary probe, the police suspect that the veterinary doctor was sexually assaulted.

Yesterday, another charred body of an unidentified woman was found in the outskirts of Shamshabad near Siddula Gutta temple.

-- ANI

11:18 Nana Patole Cong's candidate for Maha Speaker

Congress MLA Nana Patole will be the party's candidate for the Maharashtra assembly Speaker's election, sources said on Saturday.

Patole represents the Sakoli Assembly segment in Vidarbha.

"Patole will be our candidate for the Speaker's election," a senior Congress leader said.

Election for the post of Speaker will be held on Sunday.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led government will face floor test on Saturday later in the day.

-- PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said Pakistan was indulging in a "proxy" war as it had realised that it cannot win a "conventional" one.

The path of "proxy" war chosen by Pakistan would only lead to its defeat, he added.

Singh was speaking at the passing out parade of the 137th course at National Defence Academy in Pune.

Pakistan had realised right from 1948 through the wars in 1965, 1971 and 1999 that it could not win against India in any conventional or limited war, the minister said.

"It has chosen a path of proxy war through terrorism and I can tell you with full responsibility that Pakistan will not get anything but defeat," he said.

India always had cordial and friendly relations with other countries, Singh said, adding that the country never had any extra-territorial ambitions but if provoked, it would not spare anyone.

"We are committed to the sovereignty and security of the people of the country. But if someone runs terror camps in our soil or are involved in an attack, we know how to give a befitting reply," he asserted. -- PTI

Around 11.02 per cent polling was recorded till 9 am on Saturday in the first of the five-phase elections that began in 13 Jharkhand assembly constituencies.

The voting commenced at 7 am and will end at 3 pm, Election Commission officials said.

Brisk voting is underway at several polling stations, they said.

A total of 37,83,055 electorate, including 18,01,356 women and five third-gender voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase across six districts.

The fate of 189 candidates, including 15 women nominees, will be decided in the first phase of the polling in Chatra, Gumla, Bishunpur, Lohardaga, Manika, Latehar, Panki, Daltonganj, Bishrampur, Chhatarpur, Hussainabad, Garhwa and Bhawanathpur. -- PTI

Seven people were killed and 15 injured after a van fell off a bridge in north Maharashtra's Dhule tehsil, police said on Saturday.

The accident took place near Vinchur village on the Dhule-Solapur Road shortly after midnight, an official said.

Two days after being sworn-in as the chief minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray-led government will face a trust vote in Maharashtra assembly today.

Thackeray is heading the government of the newly formed alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi, which comprises the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress.

The floor test proceeding will be conducted by pro tem Speaker Dilip Walse Patil, who had replaced BJP's Kalidas Kolambkar on Friday for the two-day special assembly session.

Ahead of the trust vote, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut expressed confidence of the alliance winning the floor test.

Taking to Twitter, he claimed that the Maha Vikash Agadhi has the support of over 170 MLAs.

"Today is the day to prove majority... 170 +++++...," he tweeted.

Leaders of the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP will meet at the assembly to discuss floor test and speaker's election. -- ANI

09:17 London attacker was ex-terror convict: Police

The British Police on Friday said that the attacker who stabbed and killed two persons and injured three others in a terror attack at London Bridge was a former prisoner convicted for terrorism offences and released last year.

The police identified the attacker, who was shot dead by officers after Friday's attack, as 28-year-old Usman Khan, was convicted in 2012 of terrorism offences and released in December 2018 "on the license," which means he had to meet certain conditions or face recall to prison, The Times of Israel reported.

Khan had been living in the Staffordshire area of central England, the police said, where searches are still being carried out in connection to the attack.

London police counter-terrorism head, Neil Basu, was further quoted as saying that Khan was attending a London event hosted by Learning Together -- a Cambridge-based organisation that works to educate prisoners -- when he launched the attack.

Meanwhile, the British media citing security sources reported the attacker had links to Islamic terror groups and was known to the UK's MI5 intelligence agency.

Health officials said one of the injured was in critical but stable condition, one was stable and the third had less serious injuries.

Shortly after the police confirmed the incident was a terror attack, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had "long argued" that it was a "mistake to allow serious and violent criminals to come out of prison early."

"It is very important that we get out of that habit and that we enforce the appropriate sentences for dangerous criminals, especially for terrorists, that I think the public will want to see," the prime minister added.

08:38 Polling for first phase begins in Jharkhand

The first of the five-phase polling began in 13 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand on Saturday.

The voting commenced at 7 am and will end at 3 pm, Election Commission officials said.

A total of 37,83,055 electorate, including 18,01,356 women and five third-gender voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase across six districts.

Key candidates in the fray are Bharatiya Janata Party nominee and state health minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi from Bishrampur and state Congress president Rameshwar Oraon from Lohardaga seat.

Oraon is taking on the former state Congress chief Sukhdeo Bhagat after the latter joined the BJP recently.

Former BJP chief whip Radhakrishna Kishore, who was denied ticket from Chhatarpur, is contesting on an All Jharkhand Students Union party ticket from the same seat.

The BJP, which is seeking a second straight win under the leadership of chief minister Raghubar Das, is contesting in 12 seats in the first phase while it is supporting Independent candidate Vinod Singh from Hussainabad.

The AJSU party is contesting on its own.

Challenging the BJP is the opposition alliance of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal. -- PTI

00:23 NRC India's internal matter: Bangladeshi envoy

India has conveyed to Bangladesh that the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam is an internal matter, which will be resolved internally, Bangladeshi envoy here Syed Muazzem Ali said on Friday.

"We have been told that this is our internal issue and it will be resolved internally, so Bangladesh need not concern itself. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has said it is our internal matter and we will resolve it internally," he said in response to a question.

Speaking at an event at the Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC) in New Delhi, Ali said nobody was sent back to Bangladesh after the NRC implementation in Assam and no one would be sent back as it was India's internal matter.

Bangladesh will not interfere in any of India's internal matters, he added.

"As of now, they (India) have never raised it bilaterally. I have seen this kind of statements before elections. We talk to the Indian government and not with a political propaganda," he said, responding to a question on Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah's comments made in April, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, that his party will throw illegal migrants from Bangladesh out after coming to power.

Shah is currently the Union home minister.

The NRC was prepared to identify the genuine Indian citizens living in Assam since March 24, 1971 or before as well as to identify illegal Bangladeshi migrants in the north-eastern state.

Of the 3.3 crore applicants, over 19 lakh people were excluded from the final NRC published on August 30. -- PTI

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