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Tue, 04 October 2022
Nitish asked me to lead JD-U, I refused: PK
Timeline Refresh
23:38 RSS chief to address swayamsevaks on Dussehra; tight security in Nagpur
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat will address the annual Vijayadashmi program at Reshimbaug in Nagpur on Wednesday morning which will be attended by mountaineer Santosh Yadav as the chief guest.
In view of the Reshimbaug event, the path sanchalan or march by swayamsevaks, and a huge turnout expected at the Deekshabhoomi monument on Wednesday, the police tightened up security across the city and deployed 4,000 personnel.
Lakhs of followers of B R Ambedkar are expected to attend the Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din programme at Deekshabhoomi to mark the embracing of Buddhism by the architect of the Constitution on October 14, 1956.
A top police officer said on Tuesday that the police made three-tier security arrangements.
At least 1,000 police personnel will be deployed on the routes of two Vijayadashmi marches to be taken out by RSS activists in the morning.
"Special security arrangements are also being made at Dragon Temple Palace where many VIPs are likely to attend the function. Three companies of SRPF, quick response teams, and riot control police will be deployed at Deekshabhoomi," said commissioner of police Amitesh Kumar.
The Dragon Palace Temple is a Buddhist temple situated in the Kamptee area of the city.
He said 100 CCTV cameras will be installed in the areas near Deekshabhoomi.
Similarly, special police teams will take charge at eight entry points.
Three DCPs and eight ACPs have also been called from other districts for bandobast duties. -- PTI
Prashant Kishor
22:51 Nitish asked me to lead JD-U, I refused: PK
Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and claimed that he spurned a recent request by the latter to 'lead' the Janata Dal-United.
"You all must have learnt through media reports that Nitish Kumar had called me to his residence about 10-15 days back. He asked me to lead his party. I said it is not possible. I cannot go back on the commitment I have made in return for any post," said Kishor, who has launched a public awareness campaign called Jan Suraaj'. -- PTI
Gloria Gangte/Embassy of India, Muscat/Facebook
22:40 Gloria Gangte appointed as Indian high commissioner to Malta
Senior IFS officer Gloria Gangte has been appointed as the Indian high commissioner to Malta, the MEA informed on Tuesday.
"Ms. Gloria Gangte (IFS: 2000), presently joint secretary in the ministry of external affairs, has been appointed as the next high commissioner of India to the Republic of Malta," the MEA said in a statement.
India and Malta have maintained cordial relations, cooperating both at the bilateral level and at United Nations and multilateral fora.
According to MEA annual report, the Indian expatriate community in Malta continues to grow in strength, with the majority group consisting of health workers garnering praise for their service to the Maltese health care system, especially during the COVID pandemic.
This fresh appointment of high commissioner to Malta comes a month after minister of state for external affairs and culture Meenakashi Lekhi visited the country.
During her visit to Malta (August 21-23), MoS called on the President of Malta Dr George Vella and met Dr Ian Borg foreign minister, Clayton Bartolo, minister of tourism and Dr Owen Bonnici, minister for national heritage, arts and local government. -- ANI
22:08 Bus carrying 50 falls into gorge in Uttarakhand
Heavy casualties were feared as a bus carrying around 45-50 members of a marriage party fell into a gorge in the Bironkhal area of Uttarakhand's Pauri district on Tuesday evening, the disaster control room in Pauri said.
The bus was on its way to a village in Bironkhal from Laldhang when it met with the accident near the Simri bend, it said.
The accident occurred at around 7.30 pm.
Rescue operations have been launched with the help of locals but the efforts of the rescuers are being hampered by darkness, it said.
There is no arrangement for lights at the spot of the accident and villagers are struggling to rescue those stuck inside the bus with the help of the flashlights on their mobile phones, eyewitnesses said, adding that the number of casualties could be high.
Officials have rushed to the spot and further details are awaited.
Harshad Ribadiya/ANI
21:39 Guj Cong MLA quits ahead of polls, may join BJP
Just ahead of Gujarat elections, Congress MLA and Patidar community leader Harshad Ribadiya resigned from the assembly membership on Tuesday.
The opposition legislator submitted his resignation to Speaker Nimaben Acharya, who has accepted it, an official release from the state assembly said.
Member of Legislative Assembly from Visavadar in Junagadh district Harshad Ribadiya submitted his resignation to the assembly speaker late on Tuesday, the release said.
The speaker accepted Ribadiya's resignation after she was convinced that he has resigned on his own and without any pressure, it further said.
Ribadiya, a Patidar community leader, was elected from the predominantly Patel community seat in 2017 on a Congress ticket.
The 2017 assembly elections were held in the backdrop of the Patidar quota agitation and members of the Patel community in the Saurashtra region had largely voted for the Congress to express their anger against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Ribadiya, in the last four-and-a-half years, had been a vocal critic of the BJP government. -- PTI
Accused Mikhail Shargin (middle)/ANI
21:31 Court sends Russian national to CBI custody in JEE-Mains forgery case
A Delhi court on Tuesday sent a Russian national, arrested for alleged manipulation of Joint Entrance Examination-Mains last year, to two days' CBI custody.
Duty magistrate Vaibhav Mehta sent the accused, Mikhail Shargin, to CBI custody till October 6 after he was produced before the court and the agency requested for his remand to unravel the conspiracy.
This court is of the view that for the purpose of carrying out investigation PC (police custody) remand of the accused is necessary and so this court partly allows the application moved by the IO and grants police custody remand of the accused for two days only, the judge said.
In its application seeking a five-day remand of the accused, the CBI told the court he was to be quizzed about the data present in his phone, laptop and external hard disk.
The central agency had issued a 'look out circular' against Shargin, suspected to be main hacker, for alleged manipulation of the prestigious examination, the CBI said.
The CBI said it was alerted by the Bureau of Immigration when Shargin arrived at the airport from Almaty, Kazakhstan, adding he was immediately detained by the agency on his arrival here on Monday.
"During investigation, it came to light that some foreign nationals were involved in compromising many online examinations, including JEE (Mains), colluding with other accused in the instant case," the CBI said.
The investigation indicated Shargin tampered with the iLeon software, the platform on which the JEE-Main-2021 examination was conducted, and also helped other accused in hacking the computer systems of suspect candidates during the examination, it said. -- PTI
Representational image
20:45 Delhi goes back to 21 'dry days'
Delhi government has gone back to increasing the number of dry days' to 21 with closing of liquor vends on such upcoming festivals as Dussehra, Diwali, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, and Valmiki Jayanti among others, officials said on Tuesday.
Under the previous excise policy (2021-22), the number of dry days were cut to just three January 26, August 25, and October 2.
The Excise department in an order on Monday said that all liquor vends will be closed on Dussehra on October 5, Eid-Milad-un-Nabi, Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti on October 9, Diwali on October 24, Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 8, and Guru Teg Bahadur's martyrdom day on November 24.
The licensees will not be paid any compensation for the dry days.
They will exhibit the dry day order at some conspicuous place at their business premises, the order said, "In the old Excise regime, the number of dry days was 21. It is the government's discretion to fix the dry days numbers. Traditionally, the list of dry days is issued every three months," the officer said.
However, the hotels, clubs, and restaurants serving liquor will remain open, he said.
The hotels, clubs, and restaurants are not allowed to serve liquor on three national holidays -- Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. -- PTI
20:18 Mulayam Singh Yadav remains critical, no improvement shown, say doctors
The former UP Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav is still critical and currently admitted to the ICU and is being treated by a comprehensive team of specialists, said Medanta Hospital in a statement.
Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav has been under treatment since August 22 for his regular medical checkups and examinations.
Still, on Sunday suddenly his health deteriorated after which he was shifted to ICU in Medanta Hospital.
The UP CM is 82 years old.
As per reports, his son Akhilesh Yadav, daughter-in-law Dimple Yadav and brother Shivpal Yadav visited the hospital on Sunday.
Earlier, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao inquired about the health condition of Mulayam Singh Yadav who was shifted to the critical care unit.
The southern state's chief had called Singh's son Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav.
The Telangana CM also told the SP chief that he would meet Mulayam Singh after Dussehra. -- ANI
19:55 Modi talks to Ukraine prez, stresses on N-safety
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday and asserted that there can be no military solution to the Ukraine conflict, while also underlining that endangerment of nuclear facilities could have catastrophic consequences.
During their telephonic conversation, Modi and Zelenskyy discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the prime minister reiterated his call for an early cessation of hostilities and the need to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in New Delhi.
Modi expressed his firm conviction that there can be no military solution to the conflict and conveyed India's readiness to contribute to any peace efforts, the statement said.
He also reiterated the importance of respecting the UN Charter, international law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States.
During his conversation with the Ukrainian president, Modi emphasised the importance India attaches to the safety and security of nuclear installations, including in Ukraine.
The prime minister underlined that endangerment of nuclear facilities could have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences for public health and the environment, the statement said.
The two leaders also touched upon important areas of bilateral cooperation, following up on their last meeting in Glasgow in November 2021, it said.
Rahul Mukerjea
19:38 Sheena case: Submitted forged marriage certificate for rent agreement, says Mukerjea
Rahul Mukerjea, son of former media baron Peter Mukerjea, on Tuesday admitted that he had submitted a forged marriage certificate with Sheena Bora for registration of a leave and license agreement to rent a place in suburban Andheri in 2010.
Rahul, Peter Mukerjea's son from an earlier marriage, is being cross examined by Indrani Mukerjea's lawyer Ranjeet Sangle before special CBI judge S P Naik-Nimbalkar in connection with the 2012 Sheena Bora murder case.
Indrani, the prime accused in the case, is now out on bail.
The murder came to light in 2015, three years after Sheena (24) was allegedly killed by her mother with the help of co-accused Sanjeev Khanna and Shyamvar Rai.
On Tuesday, while responding to a question about a document submitted for the rent agreement, which mentioned that he was an employee of 9x Media, owned by his father, Rahul said it is true that the content of the document was incorrect and it was forged and fabricated.
The document was solely prepared for the purpose of registration of the leave and license agreement, he said, adding that it was his father's company and he never felt that there would be any issue about it.
Replying to another question, Rahul said it is true that he had told Dominic and Nalini Machado (the owners of the flat) that Sheena was his wife. -- PTI
JNU campus
19:13 JNU hostel roof collapses; 2nd time in 6 months
In yet another incident, the ceiling of a hostel room at Jawaharlal Nehru University partially collapsed, exposing the crumbling condition of the varsity infrastructure.
The incident took place in Godavari Hostel when parts of the ceiling fell directly on a study table.
Residents of the room did not suffer any injury but a laptop was damaged, said Swati Singh, who lives in the same hostel.
"A part of the ceiling fell off in a room in the Godavari Hostel in JNU. Although there were no serious injuries to any resident, the residents of the room were sleeping nearby and the ceiling fell directly on their study table thereby damaging the laptop," said Swati Singh, president of the Democratic Students Federation.
This is not the first time that such an incident has happened in JNU.
In April, a student in Sabarmati Hostel was seriously injured when the bathroom roof collapsed on him.
Despite several complaints to the authorities, no action has been taken as of now, Swati lamented.
The dilapidated condition of JNU hostels has been highlighted by students time and again. Student groups have held a series of protests in the past few months over the issue.
JNU students have demanded that the overall renovation of the Godavari hostel including waterproofing treatment must be done on an immediate basis.
"We, the residents of Godavari Hostel clearly want to state that if any unfortunate incident happens to any resident, the wardens and the administration should be held accountable for the same as they are not taking the issue of crumbling hostel infrastructure seriously," the residents said in a statement. -- PTI
18:59 Ear of Rajasthan priest bitten off in MP, 3 arrested
In a bizarre incident, a priest from Rajasthan's Kota was attacked and his ear was chewed off, following an altercation with members of a family in Indore who had invited him to their house to perform a Puja.
Three persons have been arrested in this connection, the police said.
A case has been registered against one Lakshminarayan Sharma and his two sons Vipul Sharma and Arun Sharma in the area of Chandan Nagar police station based on a complaint filed by the priest, Kunj Bihari Sharma.
The incident took place on Saturday when the priest Kunj Bihari Sharma, a resident of Kota who was invited to perform 'Satyanarayan Katha' at his house of Sharma was attacked by Vipul Sharma who chewed his ear off.
According to ASI Vinod Kumar, "Kunj Bihari Sharma resident of Kota, Rajasthan had performed Satyanarayan Katha at Laxminarayan Sharma's house for his son Arun Sharma -- who is said to be mentally unstable -- a few days ago. After this, his son Arun's condition started deteriorating, and Lakshmi Narayan Sharma again called Pandit Kunj Bihari to his house on September 30. There was an argument between the priest and him and during which, Vipul Sharma, chewed off the ear of Kunj Bihari Sharma."
"Following this incident, the priest reached the police station and lodged a complaint against the three", ASI Vinod Kumar said.
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18:44 Jio to start beta trial of 5G services in 4 cities from Oct 5
Telecom major Jio will start a beta trial of 5G services in four cities -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Varanasi -- from October 5 with a select set of customers, the company said on Tuesday.
The company will send an invite to customers under Jio true 5G welcome offer to try its 5G services, and the subscribers will get unlimited 5G data with up to 1 gigabit per second speed.
"Post the successful demonstration of its True-5G services at the India Mobile Congress 2022, Jio is announcing the Beta trial of its True-5G services on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra for Jio users in 4 cities -- Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Varanasi," Jio said in the statement.
Invited users will be automatically upgraded to the Jio true 5G service without needing to change their existing Jio SIM or 5G handset.
Customers will only pay for their existing 4G plan and will not be charged an additional amount for 5G data during the trial.
Reliance Jio Infocomm chairman Akash M Ambani said that by embracing 5G, Jio will create nation-first platforms and solutions that will transform skill development, education, healthcare, agriculture, and many such sectors, with the promise of enabling a better life for every Indian. -- PTI
Sachin Pilot
18:25 Pilot meets Gehlot loyalist Khachariyawas
Days after a crisis erupted in Rajasthan Congress, former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot met food and civil supplies minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas at the latter's residence in Jaipur on Monday night.
The meeting, which lasted for one-and-a-half hours, assumes significance in the wake of the recent political developments in the state.
However, Khachariyawas, who earlier was in Pilot camp and switched to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot camp during the political crisis in 2020, said on Tuesday that talks with Pilot was nothing new.
He refused to divulge details of the meeting. Khachariyawas also met Chief Minister Gehlot on Tuesday.
Pilot, who was considered the front runner for the CM post in case Gehlot contested election for party's national president post, went to the residence of Khachariyawas on Monday night.
There was no statement from Pilot about the meeting.
But Khachariyawas told reporters in secretariat that having talks with Pilot was nothing new because he and Pilot sit on the same bench in the state assembly.
However, he said that it was after a long time that the meeting took place.
"It's nothing new if we talked. We have been talking in the assembly. If Pilot sahib comes to my house, then obviously we will not do bhajan keertan will do all talks. We talked about everything and what we talked about is not worth sharing here," he said.
"I met the chief minister. I am a minister, and meeting with him also keeps happening," he said.
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17:37 IAF to unveil new combat uniform for personnel on Air Force Day
The chief of air staff will unveil the new pattern of combat uniform for Indian Air Force personnel on Air Force Day in Chandigarh on Saturday, officials said.
Air Force Day marks the official induction of the Indian Air Force in 1932.
Every year, the day is celebrated in the presence of the Indian Air Force chief and senior officers.
"There will be a parade in the morning at the Air Force station in Chandigarh. On the occasion, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari will unveil the new combat uniform for air force personnel," an IAF officer told reporters in Chandigarh.
"We already have a combat uniform, but the pattern will be changed into something called digital camouflage," he added.
The officer said nearly 80 helicopters and transport aircraft will take part in the flypast and demonstrations over Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh on Saturday afternoon.
However, the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters and transport aircraft Avro and Dornier will not be part of the flypast. -- PTI
17:27 Govt declares Hizbul's Showkat Sheikh a terrorist
The Centre on Tuesday declared chief launching commander of terror outfit Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen Showkat Ahmed Sheikh a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 on charges of spreading terror violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
Born in 1970 in Ganie Hamam area in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla, Showkat alias Showkat Mochi, son of Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, is presently based in Pakistan.
Showkat is also accused of his involvement in "coordinating infiltration and recruitment of terrorists and execution of terror attacks owing to his deep network of associates in North Kashmir".
In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, a ministry of home affairs notification issued on Tuesday said, the Central government declared Showkat Ahmed Sheik as a terrorist.
"The central government believes that Showkat Ahmad Sheikh alias Showkat Mochi is involved in terrorism and he is to be notified as a terrorist under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," said the notification.
The order mentioned that the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967) has been enacted to provide for more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations and for dealing with terrorist activities. -- ANI
16:49 Garba event attacked by mob in Gujarat, seven injured
Seven persons were injured after revellers at a Garba event were attacked by a mob from the Muslim community in Gujarat's Kheda district, the police said on Tuesday.
A mob of around 150 people pelted stones at the group performing Garba on the premises of a temple at Undhela village on Monday night, said an official.
The police detained 13 persons after a First Information Report was registered at Matar police station, said deputy superintendent of police V R Bajpai.
The police was deployed in large number at the village following the incident, he added. -- PTI
16:41 'I hate my life': Accused who killed JK top cop
From "I hate my life" and "Dear death I am waiting for you" to Bollywood songs about sadness and the final farewell, the recent diary entries of a man who allegedly killed Jammu and Kashmir Director General (Prisons) Hemant K Lohia reveal he was "under depression".
Yasir Lohar, the 23-year-old domestic help, was arrested following a major manhunt through the night. It seemed, according to police, the school dropout was fed up with life.
In Hindi and broken English, he has also written in his diary one-line sentences like: "I want Restart My life", "Zindagi to bas taklif deti hai, sukoon to maut hi deti hai (life only hurts, death brigs peace), and "everyday starts with expectation but ends with bad experience".
Lohar, a school dropout, has also scribbled in his diary a popular Bollywood song from movie Ashiqui 2 -- Bhula dena mujhe, hai alvida tujhe -- in which the lyrics talks about separation and goodbyes.
He wrote he was "99 per cent sad" in his life but wore a "fake smile 100 per cent".
"I am 10 per cent happy, having zero percent love in life and 90 per cent tension in life. I hate my life which only gives pain and waiting for death to restart my life," he wrote.
DG (Prisons) Lohia was found dead at his residence on the outskirts of Jammu on Monday night. His throat was slit and there were burn injuries on the body.
16:11 10 mountaineers killed in Uttarakhand avalanche
Ten trainee mountaineers were killed after an avalanche hit them on a mountain in Uttarakhand today.
Eight have been rescued and rescuers are searching for 11 more.
All the trainees are from Nehru Mountaineering Institute in Uttarkashi.
15:53 Scientist trio win Nobel Prize in Physics
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on Tuesday awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics to Alain Aspect, John F Clauser and Anton Zeilinger for groundbreaking experiments using entangled quantum states that cleared the way for new technology based upon quantum information.
"The 2022 #NobelPrize laureates in physics have conducted groundbreaking experiments using entangled quantum states, where two particles behave like a single unit even when they are separated. The results have cleared the way for new technology based upon quantum information," the official Twitter account of the Nobel Prize said in a tweet.
Intense research and development are underway to utilise the special properties of individual particle systems to construct quantum computers, improve measurements, build quantum networks and establish secure quantum encrypted communication.
Last year, Syukuro Manabe, Klaus Hasselmann and Giorgio Parisi won the Nobel Prize for Physics, "for groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of complex physical systems."
Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann won it "for the physical modelling of Earth's climate, quantifying variability and reliably predicting global warming".
Giorgio Parisi was awarded the Nobel "for the discovery of the interplay of disorder and fluctuations in physical systems from atomic to planetary scales."
15:25 Maha govt to open 700 health clinics named after Sena founder Bal Thackeray
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said the government will set up 700 Aapla Davakhana (health clinics) in the state named after Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
The chief minister in a statement said strengthening the health infrastructure remains a top priority of his government and the health budget will be doubled.
The purpose behind the Aapla Davakhana initiative is to provide medical facilities to people close to their homes. Around 700 such clinics will be opened in the state, and Mumbai alone will have 227 such facilities, of which 50 were started on October 2, the statement said.
The development assumes significance in light of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. The announcement has also come a day before the two rival factions of the Shiv Sena hold their annual Dussehra rallies.
The state government has decided to open a medical college in every district so that people in rural areas get best quality treatment, Shinde said.
Medical colleges at the district level will ensure that the rural areas get adequate number of doctors and paramedical staff, he said.
Moreover, to strengthen the health infrastructure in the state, primary health care centres, sub-hospitals and rural hospitals will be graded, the chief minister said, adding that the government will also open catherisation laboratories in the state. -- PTI
15:15 Ex-Maha minister Anil Deshmukh gets bail
The Bombay high court on Tuesday granted bail to former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in an alleged money laundering case.
Justice N J Jamadar pronounced the order.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the HC to hear and decide the NCP leader's plea expeditiously as it was pending for six months.
His lawyers Vikram Chaudhari and Aniket Nikam argued that considering his age (72), health and the fact that he had no criminal antecedents he should be granted bail.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), opposed the application arguing that Deshmukh did not suffer from any ailments that cannot be treated at jail hospital.
Arrested by the ED in November 2021, Deshmukh is now in judicial custody.
The ED booked him after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a corruption case against him following allegations made by former Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh.
The ED claimed that Deshmukh misused his official position and collected Rs 4.7 crore from various bars and restaurants in Mumbai.
The ill-gotten money was channelled to Nagpur-based Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan, an educational trust controlled by his family, it alleged. -- PTI
14:58 Mulayam Singh continues to be critical, shifted to ICU, says hospital
The condition of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav continues to be critical and on Tuesday he was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit of Medanta hospital in Gurugram, the hospital said.
Yadav, 82, was in the critical care unit of the hospital till Monday.
"Mulayam Singh ji is still critical and admitted in the ICU of Medanta hospital and is being treated by a comprehensive team of specialists," said the health bulletin issued by the hospital, and tweeted by the Samajwadi Party on its official handle.
"We all wish for his speedy recovery and long life," the party said.
Yadav has been under treatment at the Medanta Hospital since August 22. He was admitted to the hospital on Sunday.
The SP patriarch was also admitted to the facility in July, according to sources. -- PTI
14:51 U'khand avalanche traps 28 trainee mountaineers
A group of 28 trainee mountaineers from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering were trapped in an avalanche at Draupadi Ka Danda peak in Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, prompting Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to seek the Army's help to expedite rescue operations.
The National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and a team of mountaineers from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering have already launched rescue operations, Dhami said in a tweet.
The chief minister also spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over phone and sought the Army's help in speeding up the rescue operations. -- PTI
14:27 Will take 4-5 yrs to properly resolve stubble burning issue: Punjab pollution control body
Crop diversification is not a long-term solution to the problem of stubble burning and it will take four to five years to properly resolve the issue, a senior official of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has said.
Crop diversification and using short duration varieties of paddy are among several initiatives proposed by the Centre and experts to resolve the stubble burning issue in Punjab and Haryana.
At a workshop organised by the Delhi-based Climate Trends in Chandigarh on Monday, PPCB Member Secretary Krunesh Garg said counting the number of farm fires is an inaccurate measure of ascertaining the scale of stubble burning and that the acreage of land being put on fire is the parameter to be measured.
"It is not that the problem is not being addressed, we are mapping it down to the block and village level, but it will take four-five years for proper resolution," Garg said. The area under paddy cultivation in Punjab has increased from 29.61 lakh hectares in last year to 31.13 lakh hectares this year.
This would result in the generation of 19.76 million ton of paddy straw this year as compared to 18.74 MT last year.
Crop diversification is not a long-term solution because it does not mean that biomass will not be produced by other crops. It will just be another kind of biomass waste, like cotton sticks, mustard straw waste etc.
"Issues with respect to (stubble) burning will always remain. So, we need to find solutions, both in situ and ex-situ. A combination of these can only be effective, Garg said.
Dr Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board said, "It is a social and a psychological problem where behaviour and attitude of farmers also needs to be addressed."
He said urbanisation and the exploding population in cities are causing a problem. Due to such factors, big cities like Delhi are already sitting on a tipping point and stubble becomes the last straw every season.
A prolonged spell of rains in September end delayed paddy harvesting and subsequent farm fires in some regions of Punjab and Haryana.
Another weather system is predicted to bring rain in parts of north India between October 4 and October 8, which could further delay harvesting in some areas, forecasters said.
14:11 Never expected big leaders' support: Tharoor
With campaigning for the Congress presidential poll kicking off, party leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said he never expected big leaders to support him and does not expect it even now, but at the same time he needs everyone's backing.
The statement by Tharoor, who arrived in Kerala as part of the poll campaigning, comes in the wake of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K Sudhakaran publicly declaring his support for veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge for the party chief's post.
Tharoor, also the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, told reporters that he was not going to betray those who supported him till now in this endeavour of his by backing off from the election.
"I was not expecting any support from the big leaders of the party and I am not expecting that now either. In fact, I met party workers at Nagpur, Wardha and then Hyderabad. They are the ones asking me to contest and not back away from it.
"I assured them I will not back away. I will not betray those who have supported me till now. Their confidence in me is what gives me the strength to move forward," he said.
He also said that while the "majority of his supporters are young party leaders and party workers", he needs support from everyone and was not going to discount anyone.
On being asked whether Sudhakaran's public support for Kharge was meant to discourage others from supporting him, Tharoor said, "Maybe. But I am not saying that. I do not need to decipher what is going on in people's minds. I will say one thing, whatever one says secretly or publicly, the ballot is secret.
"No one is going to know who voted for whom. People can vote according to their wishes and beliefs. They can decide whom they want to strengthen the party and prepare it to counter the challenges it would face in the future."
Regarding Sudhakaran's statement, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said the KPCC chief probably expressed his personal decision and preference and "there is nothing wrong with that."
"He cannot give a direction which is clear from the circular issued by the party debarring party office-bearers from campaigning for candidates. But please don't ask me about it. If the election authority wants to do something about it, it is up to them," he said.
The election circular issued by the party on Monday said that AICC general secretaries/ in-charges, secretaries, joint secretaries, Pradesh Congress Committee presidents, Congress Legislature Party leaders, heads of frontal organisations, chiefs of departments, cells and all official spokespersons "shall not campaign for or against contesting candidates."
"If they wish to support any candidate, they must first resign from their organisational post, after that they participate in the campaign process," it said.
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari
13:31 IAF chief on LAC: Prepared for worst-case scenario
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said the Indian Air Force has taken appropriate "non-escalatory" measures to deal with Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
Addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8, he also said that recent developments at the global stage show the need for a strong military to ward off any challenge. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF has been preparing for all kinds of security challenges including "worst-case scenario" and asserted that it is fully ready to face any situation.
"We continue to be operationally deployed and ever vigilant," he said, adding the IAF continues to monitor all Chinese activities along the LAC.
When asked about recent incidents of Chinese fighter jets flying close to the LAC, he said appropriate non-escalatory measures have been taken and a message was sent to the neighbouring country.
"Our overall preparation is a continuous process irrespective of Chinese belligerence," he said.
To a question, he said the benchmark for the situation to return to normal in eastern Ladakh would be to return to status quo ante and completion of disengagement in all friction points. -- PTI
Hanuman, Ram and Lakshman in Adipurush
13:17 Hanuman can't wear leather: MP HM on Adipurush
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Tuesday warned the makers of upcoming Bollywood film "Adipurush" of legal action if scenes showing Hindu religious figures in the `wrong' way were not removed.
The first teaser-trailer of Om Raut-directed film, starring Prabhas as Lord Ram, Saif Ali Khan as Ravan and Kriti Sanon as Sita, was released recently.
The film is based on the epic Ramayana.
"I have seen the trailer of Adipurush. There are objectionable scenes in it," Mishra, who is also the spokesperson of the state government, said.
The dresses and look of Hindu deities as seen in the trailer were not acceptable, he said.
"Hanumanji is shown wearing leather, whereas the description (in the scriptures) of the deity's costume is different. These are scenes that hurt religious sentiments. I am writing a letter to Om Raut to remove all such scenes from the film. If not removed, we will consider legal action," Mishra said.
He also cited a religious text in support of his contention.
This is not the first time the MP Home Minister has warned of legal action against filmmakers. In July this year, he had directed the state police to register a First Information Report over the controversial poster of Leena Manimekalai's documentary 'Kaali'. PTI
J-K Director General (Prisons) Hemant K Lohia
12:48 DG Jammu murder: Domestic help arrested
Breaking: Domestic help accused of killing J-K Director General (Prisons) Hemant K Lohia arrested, says Police.
Lohia was found murdered at his residence in Jammu, police said, asserting that his domestic help had emerged as the main suspect in the case.
Yasir Lohar's arrest followed a major all-night manhunt, police said in a statement, adding that his interrogation had begun. He was arrested from a field in Kanhachak area. Lohar is a resident of Halla-Dhandrath village in Ramban district
A preliminary examination of the crime scene indicated that Lohia must have been applying some oil on his foot which showed swelling. The killer suffocated Lohia to death and also used a broken ketchup bottle to slit his throat and later tried to set the body afire.
The guards present at the residence of the officer saw the fire inside his room. They had to break open the door as it was locked from inside, and found Lohia dead.
12:47 80 years on, the original Mahalaya still unites Bengalis in communion
It is the rarest of the rare; a radio programme on an operatic scale to usher in the staging of the world's largest installation art show on streets, in parks, in community halls and in homes that began in 1932 and after 83 years remains the defining sound scape to declare the start of Devi Paksha and the Durga Puja for all Bengalis everywhere.
The Akashvani (All India Radio) version of the Devi Mahatmya or Chandi Path, verses to the Glory of the Goddess, that wafts out of homes across West Bengal before day break every year is a serendipitous combination of the ancient and the modern, of orchestra, chorus and Sanskrit chants, declamation in easy to follow Bengali and of course Rabindrasangeet is probably the longest running such programme for radio anywhere in the world.
Read more here.
12:30 Strong military needed to ward off threats: IAF chief
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari ahead of IAF Day on October 8.
"As the battlefield of tomorrow transforms and becomes more technology-driven, we too are innovating to stay ahead of the curve.
"I want to assure citizens of the country that IAF is ready to take on the future and we will continue to touch the sky with glory.
"Recent events in the global landscape have clearly indicated that presence of strong military is imperative to ward off threats via deterrents and if deterrents fail, to neutralize them.
"Armed forces, IAF will continue to remain a linchpin for it.
"We continue to be actively deployed while at the same time expediting the operationalization of recently inducted systems like Rafale, LCA and S-400 among others.
"We're looking forward to inducting LCA Mk 1A, HTT-40 trainers, indigenous weapons & different radars. The LCH has been inducted into the Air Force yesterday and I'm confident that the helicopter will add teeth to the IAF's strike capability.
"Disengagement has taken place in areas along the LAC. We're keeping an eye on Chinese Air Force activities. We have increased the presence of radars and air defence networks. Appropriate non-escalators measures have been taken in time."
12:11 Gutted I won't be part of T20 World Cup: Bumrah
Star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah is gutted about missing the T20 World Cup due to a back injury but will be cheering his team as he goes through his recovery.
"I am gutted that I won't be a part of the T20 World Cup this time, but thankful for the wishes, care and support I've received from my loved ones. As I recover, I'll be cheering on the team through their campaign in Australia," Bumrah tweeted on Tuesday.
The BCCI on Monday ruled Bumrah out of the ICC event, dealing a massive setback to the Indian team.
Bumrah's absence will certainly affect India's chances in the marquee event in Australia as death bowling still remains a grey area.
The BCCI was awaiting medical reports while the pacer did his rehab at the National Cricket Academy but it was a foregone conclusion that he would be out for months.
He was initially ruled out of the ongoing three-match T20I series against South Africa due to a back injury.
Bumrah has a history of back problems due to his slinging unorthodox front-on action which puts a lot of load on his back. PTI
12:06 India logs 1,968 new Covid cases in a day
India recorded 1,968 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs on Tuesday. India's active caseload currently stands at 34,598 which accounts for 0.08 per cent of the total cases.
The national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.74 per cent, the health ministry said. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.94 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was 1.29 per cent.
11:45 No bail for Sanjay Raut
Patra Chawl land scam case: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's judicial custody extended till October 10. Hearing in his bail plea too, to be held on October 10.
11:41 Kerala CM leaves for Europe to woo investors
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for a tour of Europe in the early hours of Tuesday.
A delegation, led by the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues- Industries Minister P Rajeeve and Fisheries Minister V Abdurahiman left for Norway from the International Airport, official sources said.
The trip, which would also cover England and Wales, is envisaged to woo more investments to the state, to visit IT companies, meet stakeholders in Ayurveda and tourism sectors and also to understand the education models in those countries, they said. The trip is scheduled to be wrapped up by October 12.
&K DGP Dilbag Singh
11:37 'Helper locked door, killed DG in friend's house'
Update on DG Prison HK Lohia's murder: "He (HK Lohia) had been staying at his friend's house for the past few days. After having dinner, he went back to his room. The domestic helper was inside his room on the pretext of helping him with some ailment.
"The helper then latched the door from inside and attacked him several times with a sharp weapon and also tried to suffocate him.
"The accused as per history is an aggressive, unstable person. His pictures have been issued in the media and a hunt for him is on," J&K DGP Dilbag Singh said.
Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh, who visited the house of Lohia at Udaiwala on the outskirts of Jammu, said the 1992-batch IPS officer was found dead on Monday night, with burn injuries on his body and his throat slit.
A preliminary examination of the crime scene indicated that Lohia must have been applying some oil on his foot which showed swelling. The killer suffocated Lohia to death and also used a broken ketchup bottle to slit his throat and later tried to set the body afire, he said.
The guards present at the residence of the officer saw the fire inside his room. They had to break open the door as it was locked from inside, the ADGP said.
Kia Carens
11:11 Kia recalls 44,174 units of Carens
Kia India on Tuesday said it is recalling 44,174 units of its latest model 'Carens' to inspect and fix any potential error in air bag control module software.
As a responsible corporate, the company has decided to voluntarily recall the vehicles for inspection and if required, a software update will be provided free of cost, the automaker said in a statement.
The voluntary recall campaign is being undertaken to inspect any potential error in air bag control module software in the Carens, it added.
The company said it will directly reach out to the owners of the concerned vehicles to update them about this voluntary recall campaign.
Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh arrives at crime scene
11:09 DG Jammu murder: Mobile services suspended
Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh arrives at the residence where DGP Prisons HK Lohia was found dead last night.
According to Jammu ADGP, his domestic helper Yasir Ahmed is the main suspect in the case.
A temporary suspension of mobile data services has been ordered in Jammu's Rajouri district for fear that the "services will be misused by anti-national elements and may cause a deterioration in public order."
Police on Tuesday said initial investigations into the murder of Jammu and Kashmir's Director General (Prisons) Hemant Kumar Lohia here did not point towards the terror angle as efforts are on to arrest his domestic help who has emerged as the main suspect in the case.
10:57 The idea of India is this...
@sajni_sajni tweets, "Strong message from a pandal in a largely Muslim area where I live: no. 24 bus stand, Topsia (West Bengal). Inclusive, pluralist, secular all the words we have grown up loving!"
10:50 Russian rapper dies of suicide, was called to war
A 27-year-old Russian rapper has died by suicide in order to avoid being conscripted into the war that his country is fighting against Ukraine, media reported.
His name was among those drafted to fight against Ukraine and according to New York Post, he committed suicide after declaring that he was "not ready to kill for any ideals."
New York Post translated the news published in a Russian news portal that reported that the rapper, identified as Ivan Vitalievich Petunin, was found dead on Friday after he jumped from a high-rise building in Krasnodar.
Ivan used to perform under the stage name 'Walkie'.
The rapper's death was later confirmed by his girlfriend and mother, according to The Post.
He committed suicide by jumping off from the 10th floor of the building. New York Post then quoted a local media report that suggested that the rapper recorded a heart-wrenching video message on Telegram before taking his life.
In a 2-minutes-16 seconds long video shared by TMZ, the rapper is heard speaking in Russian "If you are watching this video, then I am no longer alive." The sentences were translated by TMZ. -- ANI
10:29 PM Modi must protect protocol while promoting heritage
Act first and think later appears to be the mantra of the top Central bureaucracy which second guesses the political leadership by first identifying a candidate and then framing the rules. Read the column by Prabhu Chawla here.
10:28 Biden's behind the wheel, get in
US President Joe Biden shares this rather cute picture of himself in a Chevrolet Corvette and writes, "Get in, folks. We're building a better America: http://JoeBiden.com."
In other news: The US will soon impose further costs on the perpetrators of violence against peaceful demonstrators who protested against the death of a 22-year-old woman in the custody of the morality police in Iran, President Joe Biden has said, as he expressed grave concern over the crackdown on them.
10:18 Sensex jumps over 1000 points in early trade
Benchmark indices bounced back in early trade on Tuesday after falling in the previous trade amid positive trends in global equity markets.
The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 1,028.28 points to 57,817.09 in early trade. The broader NSE Nifty rallied 320.3 points to 17,207.65.
Among the 30-share Sensex pack, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, State Bank of India, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Steel and Bajaj Finserv were the major winners in early trade. Power Grid traded lower.
Elsewhere in Asia, markets in Seoul and Tokyo were trading higher.
The US markets ended significantly higher on Monday. The BSE benchmark had tumbled 638.11 points or 1.11 per cent to settle at 56,788.81 on Monday.
The Nifty fell by 207 points or 1.21 per cent to end at 16,887.35. Meanwhile, the international oil benchmark Brent crude futures climbed 0.53 per cent to 89.33 per barrel. -- PTI
09:53 DG Jammu murder: Domestic help was depressed
Update on the murder of J&K DG Prisons HK Lohia:
"It has come to the fore that one domestic helper Yasir Ahmed is the main accused. Initial investigation reveals that he was quite aggressive in his behaviour and was also under depression.
"It has come to the fore that one domestic helper Yasir Ahmed is the main accused. Initial investigation reveals that he was quite aggressive in his behaviour and was also under depression.
"So far no terror act is apparent as per initial investigation but a thorough probe is on to rule out any possibility.
"The weapon has been seized besides some documentary evidence reflecting his (the domestic help's) mental state," ADGP Jammu Mukesh Singh, said.
Director General of Prisons HK Lohia was found dead in a house in the Udaywala area of Jammu on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, said the police.
A search has been initiated for the absconding domestic help of the officer.
09:43 Ex-HM Maha Anil Deshmukh's bail hearing today
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday would pronounce order on a bail application filed by former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in an alleged money laundering case.
Justice N J Jamadar had reserved the order last week after the conclusion of arguments.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the HC to hear and decide the NCP leader's plea expeditiously as it was pending for six months.
His lawyers Vikram Chaudhari and Aniket Nikam argued that considering his age (72), health and the fact that he had no criminal antecedents he should be granted bail.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), opposed the application arguing that Deshmukh did not suffer from any ailments that cannot be treated at jail hospital. Arrested by the ED in November 2021, Deshmukh is now in judicial custody.
The ED booked him after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a corruption case against him following allegations made by former Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh.
The ED claimed that Deshmukh misused his official position and collected Rs 4.7 crore from various bars and restaurants in Mumbai. The ill-gotten money was channelled to Nagpur-based Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan, an educational trust controlled by his family, it alleged. -- PTI
09:40 A festival of culture, not just religion
The gorgeous Tarakasi or filigree work at Durga puja pandals in Odisha. Pic: @susantananda3
Representational image
09:11 Four Indian-origin people abducted in California
An 8-month-old girl and her parents were among four people abducted from Merced County in California on Monday (local time), authorities said.
Merced County Sheriff's Office in a statement on Monday said that 36-year-old Jasdeep Singh, 27-year-old Jasleen Kaur, their eight-month-old child Aroohi Dheri along with 39-year-old Amandeep Singh were taken, reported ABC 10.
Police have described the suspect as being armed and dangerous.
Not much detail about the incident has been released as the investigation is still in its early stages but authorities have said that the four were taken against their will from a business in the 800 Block of South Highway 59, reported ABC 30.The site of the alleged abduction is a roadway lined with retailers and restaurants.
NBC News reported that officials have not named a suspect or a possible motive.
"We're asking the public not to approach the suspect or victim," the sheriff's office said in its statement on Monday.
Authorities asked that people not approach the suspect or victims and call 911 if they are seen.
In 2019, an Indian-origin techie, Tushar Atre was found dead in his girlfriend's car hours after the owner of a digital marketing company in the US was allegedly kidnapped from his California home. -- ANI
Jammu and Kashmir's director general (prisons) Hemant K Lohia
09:01 DG Prisons Jammu murdered, domestic help prime suspect
Jammu and Kashmir's Director General (Prisons) Hemant K Lohia was found murdered at his residence in Jammu, police said, asserting that his domestic help has emerged as the main suspect in the case.
Director General of Police Dilbag Singh described the incident as "extremely unfortunate" and said a manhunt had been launched to nab the domestic help identified as Jasir, who is absconding.
Giving details, Singh told PTI that the suspect had even attempted to set ablaze the body of 57-year-old Lohia, who was promoted and appointed as Director General of Prisons in the Union Territory in August.
Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh, who visited the house of Lohia at Udaiwala on the outskirts of Jammu, said the 1992-batch IPS officer was found dead on Monday night, with burn injuries on his body and his throat slit.
A preliminary examination of the crime scene indicated that Lohia must have been applying some oil on his foot which showed swelling.
The killer suffocated Lohia to death and also used a broken ketchup bottle to slit his throat and later tried to set the body afire, he said.
The guards present at the residence of the officer saw the fire inside his room. They had to break open the door as it was locked from inside, the ADGP said.
He said the preliminary examination of the scene of crime points towards murder. "The domestic help is absconding. A search for him has started," the police officer said, adding forensic and crime teams inspected the spot.
A car was damaged during the stone pelting
08:57 Stones pelted during Navratri celebrations in Guj
Stones were pelted during Navratri celebrations in Kheda, Gujarat, injuring six people.
"During Navratri celebrations in Undhela village last night, a group led by two people named Arif and Zahir started creating a disturbance. Later they pelted stones in which six people were injured," said Rajesh Gadhiya, DSP Kheda.
"All the accused are being identified and strict action will be taken. Police deployed in the village and necessary arrangements have been made," the DSP added.
08:36 Didn't call Kharge ignorant agent of change: Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP and candidate for the party's presidential elections, is livid.
Tharoor who is pitted against Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted this morning saying, "A supposedly verbatim transcript of an interview with the @NewIndianXpress attributes to me a phrase I've never used, allegedly calling @kharge ji "an ignorant agent of change'. I have never said that& don't even know what it means. I demand an immediate correction! @PrabhuChawla."
Tharoor on Monday said that with two consecutive losses in the Lok Sabha elections, there is a need for a "renewed and reinvigorated" party to take on the challenge of the ruling BJP at the Centre.
Tharoor is currently in Hyderabad campaigning for the upcoming presidential polls of the party in which he is up against the veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
"This election is about how Congress should be best equipped to take on the ruling govt today, which is BJP. We have lost two elections... We need a renewed, reinvigorated Congress party where it is mobilized effectively to take on this challenge," Tharoor said while speaking to the media.
"Let me make clear that I agree with @kharge ji that all of us in @incIndia wish to take on the BJP rather than each other. There is no ideological difference between us. The choice for our voting colleagues Oct 17 is only on how to do it most effectively," Tharoor had said in a tweet yesterday.
His remarks came a day after Kharge said he told Tharoor that it would be better to have a consensus candidate but the Lok Sabha MP insisted on a contest for the "sake of democracy".
The polling for the Congress presidential election will be held on October 17.
The counting of votes will be taken up on October 19 and the results will be declared the same day.
08:22 We are both daughters of India, in a way: Priyanka to Kamala
United States Vice President Kamala Harris and Indian actress Priyanka Chopra shared a stage past week, reflecting on their Indian connections, marriage equality and climate change.
Chopra, who is now settled in Los Angeles, was invited by the Democratic National Committee's Women's Leadership Forum to interview the Vice President for a fireside chat.
The Indian actress kicked off the fireside chat with their Indian connection.
"I think we're both daughters of India, in a way," Priyanka told the room full of prominent Democrats invited for the conference from across the country.
"You're a proud American-born daughter of an Indian mom and a Jamaican father. I am an Indian born of two physicians as parents and a recent immigrant to this country who totally still believes in the wholehearted, you know, American Dream," she said.
The United States, she said, is regarded as a beacon of hope, freedom, and choice for the whole world. "And these tenets are being endlessly assaulted right now," she said.
Chopra said after working for over 20 years, it was only this year that she got pay equal to male actors.
The actress also touched upon the issue of marriage equality.
Harris acknowledged that right now they are living in an unsettled world.
"I've been travelling around the world as Vice President. I've directly talked with 100 world leaders in person or by phone," she said, adding "things that we long took for granted are now up for debate and question".
"You look, for example, at Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine. We thought it was pretty well settled--the issue of territorial integrity and sovereignty -- and now that is up for some debate, given what's happening there," she noted.
Harris quickly turned to the United States.
"We look in our own country. We thought, surely with the Voting Rights Act and all that it stood for, we assumed and thought the issue of voting rights in America was settled," she said.
"Then we had the Shelby v. Holder decision. And then after the 2020 election, when more people voted and more young people voted than ever before, states around our country started systematically and intentionally making it more difficult for people to vote," Harris said.
"We thought a woman's right -- a constitutional right -- to make decisions about her own body was settled. No longer," said Harris.
Agreeing with her, Chopra said, "Absolutely. You're so right. There's so much to navigate right now."
Chopra also touched upon the climate change issue as she acknowledged the relief efforts in hurricane-hit Florida.
"Extreme weather conditions like this are becoming more frequent and more severe. And I wanted to acknowledge the administration for passing the biggest climate legislation in history earlier this year because it is a fact that America's leadership sets an example to other major economies around the world, which are truly dragging their feet when it comes to doing their bit," Chopra said.
"The crisis is real, and the clock is ticking. And the urgency with which we must act is without any question," Harris responded stressing on adapting to extreme weather conditions.
Representational image
01:14 Govt teacher's murder: J-K police's SIU raids 2 locations in Kulgam
The Special Investigation Unit of the Jammu and Kashmir police conducted raids at two locations in Kulgam district on Monday in connection with the killing of a government teacher by militants in May this year, officials said.
Continuing its crackdown on terror elements, the SIU, Kulgam, conducted raids at two locations/residential houses of two accused at Bumrath village, a police spokesperson said.
The official said the accused are involved in case registered at DH Pora police station pertaining to the killing of a teacher named Rajni Bala on May 31.
During search, the SIU recovered incriminating material and important information including bank accounts, digital devices etc, the official said.
Proper standard operating procedures were followed during the search operation, the spokesperson added.
These searches were conducted to collect more evidences of their involvement in other terror crimes, the official said.
The searches were aimed at dismantling the terror ecosystem by identifying terrorist associates and their supporters, the official said.
Both the accused persons are presently detained in Central jail at Kotbalwal, the official added. -- PTI
Representational image
00:40 U'khand banker escapes terrorist attack in J-K
A non-local bank manager escaped unhurt after terrorists fired at him in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, the police said.
The incident took place at Goushbugh in the Pattan area of north Kashmir district, they said.
"Today morning, police received information that terrorists tried to attack outsider bank manager in Pattan area of Baramulla. Senior police officers reached the spot to ascertain facts," a police spokesperson said.
Preliminary probe revealed that terrorists tried to attack Vivek Kumar, a Dehradun-resident.
He is presently residing at Dhobiwan in Kunzer and working as a manager of Grameen Bank at Goshbugh in Pattan, the spokesperson said.
The terrorists could not succeed and the bank manager was unhurt, the official said.
A case has been registered and further investigation has been initiated, the spokesperson said. -- PTI
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