LIVE
Wed, 18 October 2023
8 French airports evacuated after bomb threat
Timeline Refresh
Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar
23:59 Rival factions of NCP open separate central offices in Delhi
The two Nationalist Congress Party factions have opened separate offices in the national capital as the party was ousted from its Ravi Shankar Shukla Lane headquarters after losing the national party status.
The Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP inaugurated its new central office at 79, North Avenue with working president Praful Patel performing a 'havan' coinciding with the ongoing Navratri festival.
Patel said Ajit Pawar would soon visit to the national capital to chair a key meeting of the party.
Recently, the Sharad Pawar-led faction opened its central office at 81, Lodhi Estate.
The NCP lost its national party tag in April after it lost elections in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya. -- PTI
File image/Reuters
23:54 8 French airports evacuated after bomb threat
Eight airports in France were forced to evacuate on Wednesday owing to security reasons, reported CNN.
Beauvais airport near Paris said that it was evacuated "following an anonymous threat received by several French hubs."
However, it later said that it was in the process of reopening, CNN reported.
According to CNN, Strasbourg airport in eastern France said it was evacuated due to a bomb threat.
Moreover, Nantes airport in Western France was also evacuated noting the same reason, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported, citing a police source.
The airports of Biarritz and Toulouse in the southwest, Lille in the north and Lyon-Bron in the southeast said that operations were resuming following a police operation.
All these four airports were evacuated earlier on Wednesday because of a bomb scare, reported CNN.
Meanwhile, operations at Nice airport in Southern France have already resumed after evacuation due to an unattended item earlier in the day. -- ANI
23:31 Two arrested for killing dog at training centre in Bhopal
Two persons were arrested here on Wednesday for allegedly killing a dog at a canine training centre, the police said.
A video, showing the dog being hanged, also surfaced on social media, said Misrod police station in-charge Ratan Singh.
The incident took place on October 9, he said, adding that the motive of the accused was not known yet.
Neha Tiwari and Tarun Das were arrested while co-accused Ravi Malik, the owner of the dog training centre, is in jail in another case, the police official said.
As per complainant Nikhil Jaiswal, who is a liquor contractor, he handed over his dog to the centre for training about four months ago.
Whenever he enquired thereafter, he would be assured that training was underway, until he found that the dog was dead.
The video which went viral on social media showed a man and a woman pulling the dog by the chain around its neck from one side of an entry gate so as to hang the animal. -- PTI
23:29 FIR against ex-cop for trespassing into sister's property, attacking worker
An FIR has been registered against a retired senior inspector of Mumbai police and his two brothers for allegedly trespassing into the flour mill of their sister and trying to demolish its wall over a property dispute, an official said on Wednesday.
The alleged incident occurred at Kalina in suburban Santacruz on Monday, as per the FIR.
The official said the complainant and the accused are involved in a property dispute and the matter has reached court.
"On Monday, the retired police inspector and his two brothers arrived at the flour mill and started beating the worker there. Local people informed the sister of the retired cop who approached the police and lodged an FIR against her three brothers," he added.
A case has been registered under section 452 (house trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code. No arrest has been made so far and the investigation is underway, the official added. -- PTI
22:58 Man held for attacking Jewish synagogue in Berlin
A Berlin synagogue was attacked with Molotov cocktails early on Wednesday.
The incident is now being investigated by German security agencies, CNN reported.
The Berlin police said on 'X' that the incident took place at around 3:45 am local time at the synagogue on Brunnenstrabe Street in Berlin's central district of Mitte.
The police said that the flaming bottles smashed on the pavement before dying out, the police said.
The police arrested a 30-year-old man who rode an e-scooter along the street and threw it away before running towards the synagogue.
The man resisted arrest and shouted anti-Israel slogans as officers tried to apprehend him, the police added.
As per the police, Germany's state level security agency, the state office for the protection of the constitution, is investigating the incident.
The incident was condemned by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who took to X, wrote: "Attacks against Jewish institutions, violent riots on our streets - this is inhumane, disgusting and cannot be tolerated."
"Antisemitism has no place in Germany. My thanks go to the security forces, especially in this situation," he further wrote. -- ANI
22:34 4 held for defacing Israeli flag in Mumbai; cops monitor social media for Israel war posts
The police arrested four persons for allegedly defacing the flag of Israel in South Mumbai, an official said on Wednesday.
A video of the incident, which took place at a junction in the Bhendi Bazaar area on Tuesday night, has surfaced on social media platforms.
In the video, a group of people can be seen defacing the Israeli flag.
Taking serious cognisance of the incident, the J J Marg Police registered an FIR (first information report) under relevant sections of the IPC and arrested four persons, he said.
Meanwhile, another official said the Mumbai police were monitoring social media sites for any inflammatory or objectionable content related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in West Asia after the devastating October 7 terror attacks on the Jewish state.
If anyone tries to disturb peace and harmony with offensive social media posts, appropriate action will be taken against him, the officer warned. -- PTI
Raghubar Das
22:29 Jharkhand ex-CM Raghubar Das is Odisha governor
Former Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das and BJP leader Indra Sena Reddy Nallu have been appointed as the governors of Odisha and Tripura, respectively, according to a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique on Wednesday.
The communique added that President Droupadi Murmu is pleased to make the appointments that will take effect from the dates they assume charge of their respective offices.
Das, currently a national vice president of the BJP, was the chief minister of Jharkhand from 2014 to 2019. Indra Sena Reddy Nallu is a BJP leader from Telangana.
Juhu beach. Pic: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com
21:57 Hot October! Mumbai sizzles at 36.4 degrees Celsius
Mumbai on Wednesday recorded a maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius, the highest mercury level in the month of October so far this year, the India meteorological department (IMD) said.
The Santacruz observatory of the IMD, which tracks temperature and other weather parameters for Mumbai's suburbs, recorded 36.4 degrees Celsius temperature, it said.
This is the highest temperature recorded this season for the month of October, IMD scientist Sushma Nair said.
On the other hand, the Colaba observatory, which tracks temperature and other meteorological parameters for the island city, registered a maximum temperature of 33.2 degrees Celsius, said the IMD.
High level of humidity added to people's woes in the metropolis, making the heat more oppressive, especially during the day time.
The hottest day on record for the month was October 17, 2015, when the mercury had reached 38.6 degrees Celsius, Nair said.
21:40 Nuh violence: Cong MLA Mamman Khan gets bail
A court in Nuh, Haryana, on Wednesday granted regular bail to Congress MLA Mamman Khan in two cases linked to the July 31 Nuh violence.
Khan, who was arrested on September 15, was released on interim bail on October 3.
The court had granted Khan interim bail till October 18 in two cases registered at Nagina police station, and on Wednesday he got regular bail in both the cases, the police said, adding he was accused of provoking people and inciting violence.
Four FIRs were registered against the Ferozepur Jhirka MLA.
He had earlier been granted bail in two other cases by another court here, his counsel Tahir Hussain Devla said. Devla said that the hearing on Wednesday was held in the court of additional district and sessions judge Ajay Sharma.
"After hearing on regular bail plea (of the legislator), the court granted regular bail to him in the two cases," said Devla. -- PTI
Representational image
21:25 Pune policeman who won Rs 1.5 cr on online gaming platform suspended
A police sub-inspector posted in Pune district who recently shot to fame after winning Rs 1.5 crore on a fantasy sports platform was suspended for alleged misconduct on Wednesday, an official said.
Somnath Zende, attached to Pimpri Chinchwad police, breached the code of conduct by participating in online gaming and then speaking to the media, the police official said.
The Pimpri Chinchwad police chief had asked a deputy commissioner of police-rank official to conduct an inquiry and submit a report, he said.
"Zende won lottery through an online gaming platform and after winning a windfall prize, he gave an interview to the media. Subsequently there were some negative reactions about the police department....he took part in such an activity and gave an interview in police uniform. On these two counts, he has been suspended," said the official. -- PTI
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20:59 Standard Chartered Bank unveils policy to support employees facing menopause-related issues
British lender Standard Chartered Bank has unveiled an initiative to support employees facing menopause-related issues.
Under the policy, all its employees and their partners will have access to medical cover for treatment of menopause-related symptoms, the bank, which has the largest retail banking presence in the country among foreign banks, said in a statement.
The global initiative offering medical coverage for the treatment of menopause-related symptoms is available to all employees and their partners as part of medical benefits.
Employees experiencing menopause are also supported by flexible working policies and workplace adjustments, the lender said.
About 7 per cent of the bank's employees are in the menopause age (45-55 years), Tanuj Kapilashrami, group HR head of the bank, said.
More than two-thirds of employees will be covered under the policy by November and the roll-out is expected to be completed by April next year, as per the statement issued from London and Singapore.
Further, the bank said, as part of the policy, all employees will get a minimum of 20 weeks of paid parental leave, irrespective of the gender, relationship status or how a child comes to permanently join their family. -- PTI
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20:43 US vetoes Brazil's Israel-Hamas aid resolution
The UN Security Council on Wednesday failed to adopt a Brazil-led resolution calling for humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Hamas conflict to ensure delivery of aid after the US vetoed the text.
The 15-nation Council met and voted on the draft resolution that called for the rescission of the order for civilians and UN staff to evacuate all areas in Gaza north of the Wadi Gaza and relocate to southern Gaza.
The resolution received 12 votes in favour while Russia and Britain abstained.
The US, one of the five permanent members, voted against the resolution, leading to the failure of the Council to adopt the resolution.
For a resolution to be adopted in the Council, it must receive at least 9 votes in favour and not a single veto from any of the five permanent members.
Since the unprecedented attack by Hamas in southern Israel areas bordering Gaza on October 7, there have been more than 1,400 killed, most of them civilians, and about 200 people taken captive in Gaza. -- PTI
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20:25 Blanket of mist envelops Mumbai; PM10 level in city air higher than in Delhi
A blanket of mist enveloped Mumbai on Wednesday, pushing the city's air to the 'moderate' category on the Air Quality Index.
The phenomenon has been there for the last three to four days, said officials.
According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology-managed System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, at 6 pm on Wednesday, the PM10 level in Mumbai's air was 143 as against 122 in Delhi.
"There is availability of moisture, anti-cyclonic wind circulation which does not allow the wind to ascend. The anti-cyclone is right over Mumbai,' said India meteorological department scientist Sushma Nair, adding that moisture gets stuck in the air due to it.
However, with deteriorating air levels come respiratory illnesses, said medical professionals.
Dr Rajesh Sharma, mentor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, said that commonly when the quality of air is very poor, it has a lot of particulate matter, gases, and chemicals used in buildings '" for furniture being made or polish and painting works.
"When the air quality is really bad, and people are constantly inhaling this (poor air), they tend to develop bronchitis. There is a definite correlation between poor air quality and worsening symptoms ranging from cough, breathlessness, and wheezing, over a period of time," Sharma said. -- PTI
20:06 Will do everything to make Israel safe for Jews: Biden
"Scores of innocents from infants to elderly grandparents, Israelis and Americans, taken hostage. Children slaughtered, babies slaughtered, entire families massacred, raped, beheaded, bodies burned alive. Mass committed atrocities, that recall the worst ravages of ISIS unleashing pure unadulterated evil upon the world. There's no rationalizing it. No excusing it..." US President Joe Biden says in Tel Aviv, where he landed earlier in the day in solidarity with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Based on the information we have seen today, it appears as a result of a rocket fired by a terrorist group in Gaza,' President Biden said.
"The State of Israel was born to be a safe place for Jewish people of the world. That's why it was born. Long said, if Israel didn't exist we would have to invent it. While it may not feel that way today, Israel must again be a safe place for the Jewish people. I promise you, we will do everything in our power to make sure that it will be," Biden said.
"Terrorists believe they could bring you down, bend your will, break your resolve but they never did and they never will. Instead, we saw incredible stories of heroism, courage, Israelis taking care of one another.." the US president said.
"A majority of Palestinians are not Hamas. Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people. Hamas uses innocent, innocent families in Gaza as human shields...
"Palestinian people are suffering greatly as well. I was outraged and saddened by the enormous loss of life yesterday at the hospital in Gaza. The United States unequivocally stands for the protection of civilian life during the conflict..." he said.
Among other points Biden made in his speech-statement was that Israel has agreed to let humanitarian aid flow into Gaza at his request.
The US has promised $100 million for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Biden also spoke about the need for a two-State solution.
And to those who are thinking of attacking Israel, his advice: "Don't. Don't. Don't."
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19:53 Despite start of tourism season, beach shacks yet to come up in Goa
Beach shacks, which are popular among tourists visiting Goa, are yet to be set up this year despite the start of the tourism season as the state environment department has so far not allotted locations to them, officials and stakeholders said on Wednesday.
Beach shacks, which are typically built from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, wooden poles and thatched palm leaves, have become a popular attraction for domestic and international tourists visiting the coastal state.
This is for the first time that the environment department is allotting sites for the shacks.
This task used to be carried out by the tourism department earlier.
The tourism department has already allotted licences for 359 beach shacks, but their installation is yet to begin, a senior tourism department official said.
"The tourism department is ready with the allotment procedure as per the beach shack policy. But there is confusion due to the involvement of the state environment department, which will decide the location of the shacks depending on the beach carrying capacity," he said.
In the past, state tourism department was mandated with the role of allotting the beach shack location, he said.
"The environment department should have been responsible for the beach carrying capacity only and the allotment of shacks should have been done by the tourism department," the official added.
He also said that shack owners are not accepting the locations demarcated by the environment department. -- PTI
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19:37 NDA cadet who suffered head injury in boxing competition dies at Pune hospital
A National Defence Academy cadet died on Wednesday, two days after he sustained a head injury during the inter squadron boxing competition, a defence release said.
The squadron cadet captain Pratham Mahale, a native of Maharashtra, had joined the academy in 2021 as a part of the 145th course.
"While taking part in the inter-squadron boxing competition on October 16, the cadet sustained a head injury. He underwent surgery for internal bleeding in the head at the Command Hospital, Pune. However, despite the best efforts, the cadet could not be revived. He succumbed to the injury at 5 am on October 18," as per the release.
The mortal remains of the cadet were provided with full military honours at the NDA, Khadakwasla, wherein a wreath was laid by Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, commandant, National Defence Academy, it said. -- PTI
Aaditya Thackeray
19:18 Aaditya Thackeray moves HC in Rajput death case
Just in: Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction leader Aaditya Thackeray moved the Bombay high court seeking intervention in the public interest litigation seeking Central Bureau of Investigation probe against him in the cases related to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha Salian, reports Bar and Bench news portal.
In the plea, Thackeray requested the court hear him before passing any order in the plea.
19:10 Rupee falls 2 paise to close at 83.27 against US dollar
The rupee settled 2 paise lower at 83.27 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday, tracking negative cues from domestic equity markets amid surging crude oil prices overseas.
However, fresh foreign capital inflows and a weak greenback against major rivals overseas favoured the rupee and restricted the loss, forex traders said.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened at 83.24 against the dollar and traded in a narrow range of 83.23 to 83.27.
It finally settled at 83.27 (provisional) against the greenback, registering a loss of 2 paise over its previous close.
On Tuesday, the rupee settled at 83.25 against the US dollar. -- PTI
19:10 Expect the unexpected, plan: Rajnath to Army
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday commended the Army for its high standard of operational readiness and said "war preparedness" should be a continuous phenomenon and that the military should always be ready for the uncertainties.
In an address to the top commanders of the Army, Singh, referring to the situation in eastern Ladakh, expressed full confidence in the force to effectively confront any contingency even as he noted that the ongoing talks between the two sides for peaceful resolution of the row will continue at all levels.
The defence minister complimented the Border Roads Organisation for carrying out an "incomparable improvement" of road networks in areas along the Western and Northern frontiers while working under difficult conditions.
Singh said the present "complex and ambiguous" global situation affects everyone and called on the Army top brass to "expect the unexpected" and plan, strategise and prepare accordingly.
The defence minister said that unconventional warfare will be part of the future conventional wars as it is evident in the recent conflicts happening in various parts of the world.
The five-day Army commanders' conference that began on Monday in Delhi has been focusing on bolstering the force's overall combat capabilities considering the possible national security challenges, including along the frontier with China. -- PTI
18:26 Court allows Naresh Goyal to avail home-cooked food in prison at 'own risk'
A special PMLA court in Mumbai has allowed Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, an accused in an alleged fraud of Rs 538 crore at the Canara Bank, to have home-cooked food inside prison.
Goyal's plea for home-cooked food was allowed by special judge for cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act MG Deshpande on Tuesday.
"Naresh Goyal is permitted to avail home cooked food on a daily basis, as prayed, at his own risk and the risk of his family/relatives, until further order," the court said.
Goyal is currently in judicial custody and lodged at Arthur Road jail in south Mumbai in a money laundering case linked to an alleged fraud at the Canara Bank.
Earlier, his lawyers had moved an application for home-cooked food along with a chart on Goyal's health issues that they claimed had cropped up during his judicial custody.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Goyal on September 1 under the PMLA following a long session of questioning at the central agency's office in Mumbai. -- PTI
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18:03 Sikkim govt starts issuing permits to tourists to visit Tsomgo, Nathula
The Sikkim government on Wednesday started issuing permits to tourists to visit Tsomgo Lake and Nathula, an official said.
The Tourism department official said that even though the lower belt of the Teesta river has been affected by the flash flood the higher reaches are open for tourists.
He said the government on Wednesday started issuing permits to tourists to visit Tsomgo Lake and Nathula while Namchi, Ravangla, Pelling, Dara, West and South Sikkim are open for tourists.
The official said tourists can use the Lava, Kalimpong route to enter Sikkim as the NH10 which connects Siliguri in West Bengal with Gangtok is still blocked on the West Bengal side.
The NH 10 may be opened within a week, state PWD officials said, adding that NH 10 from Singtam to Rangpo Border is open. -- PTI
Palestinians in a bombed out building in Gaza. Mohammed Salem/Reuters
17:28 Gaza civilians can be relocated in Israel: Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi suggested today that displaced Palestinian civilians in Gaza could be relocated to a desert area within Israel while the current conflict continues.
El-Sisi was speaking alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a news conference in Cairo.
Hamas says that the US -- and all Western countries that support Israel -- "hold full responsibility for the war against civilians in Gaza".
The statement comes after the blast at the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza. Hamas -- which runs the Gaza Strip -- blamed the explosion on Israel.
The IDF has since claimed it was caused by a failed rocket from launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, and that failed rocket launches from Gaza are increasing.Israel has been carrying out air strikes on Gaza since Hamas militants launched waves of deadly attacks on Israel on 7 October.
KBK Infographics
17:19 Sensex sinks 550 points
Equity benchmark index Sensex tumbled 551 points to close below the 66,000 level on Wednesday due to profit-taking in banking, financial and energy stocks amid a sharp jump in global crude oil prices.
A sluggish trend in global equity markets following lingering geopolitical worries also sapped the risk appetite of investors, traders said.
After a day's breather, the 30-share BSE Sensex plunged 551.07 points or 0.83 per cent to settle at 65,877.02. During the day, it fell 585.99 points or 0.88 per cent to 65,842.10. The Nifty declined 140.40 points or 0.71 per cent to 19,671.10.
People mourn an Israeli family. Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters
16:42 Will ensure Israel has what it needs: Biden
United States President Joe Biden who arrived on Wednesday on an official visit to Tel Aviv backed Israel's claim that the strike on a hospital in Gaza hospital seemed to have been carried out by the "other team" in reference to Palestine terror group Hamas.
He also asserted that the US will make sure that Israel would get what it requires to defend itself from Hamas attacks. "Americans are worried because we know there's this is not an easy field to navigate what you have to do, but the fact is that Israel as they respond to these attacks, it seems to me that have to continue to ensure that you have what you need to defend yourselves. And we're going to make sure that occurs as you know," Biden said.
Addressing a joint media briefing with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden said, "We have to also bear in mind that Hamas does not represent all the Palestinian people and it has brought them only suffering." On Tuesday's attack on the Al-Ahli hospital, Biden said he was "deeply saddened" and "outraged" and emphasised that the preliminary data says that the explosion was done by Hamas. -- ANI
16:31 Justice Muralidhar designated senior advocate
The Supreme Court of India has designated the former Chief Justice Of Orissa High Court Justice S Muralidhar as a senior advocate.
Ghassan Abu Sitta tweeted this image of a OT writing,
16:08 A Gaza doc from the bombed hospital says...
Ghassan Abu Sitta, a maxillofacial surgeon of Palestinian origin working in London, returned to Gaza to help. He was at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital:
He writes of the bombing: "This morning I went to Al-Ahli Hospital, also know as the Baptist Hospital as it was full of patients and needed a Plastic Surgeon to help out. As with all hospitals it was full of internally displaced families seeking refuge.
"At around 5:30pm upon discussion with my colleagues I decided to sleep there over-night so that we can keep operating. While in between cases I heard the screech of 2 missiles and then a loud explosion.
"The false celing in the OR fell. As I walked towards the side entrance of the OR department I saw that the hospital itself was on fire and that it was directly hit. The wounded started stumbling towards us. I then ran to the Emergency Room where there were hundreds of very severely wounded and dead.
"I put a tourniquet on the thigh of a man who had his leg blown off and then went to tend to a man with a penetrating neck injury . When the ambulance came I took him with the paramedics to Shifa Hospital.
"I am unharmed but this was a masscre against a hospital.
"This was a massacre by appointment. The Israelis said they were going to commit such a crime and they did. I am in awe and admiration of the health professionals in Gaza. Nurses and doctors joining any hospital they have access to. Only leaving work to ensure their families have what they need and then coming back to work. They sleep, eat and work sometimes in the same building for days."
An injured Palestinian is carried to a hospital. Reuters TV
15:54 Gaza war: 3,300 Palestinians, 1,300 Israelis killed
Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila says the number killed in Gaza since Israel began its airstrikes 11 days ago has risen to 3,300. A further 13,000 have been injured.
At least 1,300 Israelis were killed in the Hamas attacks that started the latest cycle of violence, with at least 199 people thought to have been taken hostage.
15:36 Azam Khan, wife, son get 7-year jail term
A court in Rampur on Wednesday convicted Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, his wife Tazeen Fatima and son Abdullah Azam in a 2019 fake birth certificate case, and awarded them a seven-year jail term.
"After the court verdict, the trio was taken into judicial custody and will be sent to he jail from the court itself," said Arun Parkash Saxena, a former District Government Counsel, who was representing the prosecution. MP-MLA court magistrate Shobit Bansal awarded the three convicts the maximum seven-year sentence.
The FIR in the case was lodged by BJP MLA Akash Saxena at the Ganj police station in Rampur on January 3, 2019. It was alleged that Azam Khan and his wife helped their son obtain two fake date of birth certificates: one from Lucknow and another from Rampur.
According to the charge sheet, in the certificate issued by the Rampur municipality, Abdullah Azam's date of birth was mentioned as January 1, 1993. The other certificate said he was born in Lucknow on September 30, 1990. PTI
US President Joe Biden in Tel Aviv
15:01 Biden: Hamas slaughtered 1300 people
US President Joe Biden says he visited Israel to show where the US stands in the conflict. Biden is in Tel Aviv holding a joint presser with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
Biden says it is not an exaggeration when he uses the word 'slaughtered' to describe what the Hamas did to 1,300 people, including 31 Americans.
Speaking about the Israeli hostages, including children, Biden says, "Imagine what those children hiding from Hamas were thinking? It's beyond my comprehension."
He adds that the "courage, commitment and bravery" of Israeli people is "stunning", and that he was proud to be here.
14:44 Four convicted in Soumya Vishwanathan's murder
Soumya Vishwanathan murder case: Court convicts four accused Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla, Ajay Kumar and Baljeet Malik.
Vishwanathan was shot dead on September 30, 2008, while she was returning home from work in her car. She was shot in the forehead and the case was registered at police station Vasant Vihar.
This case was disclosed during the investigation of the murder of call centre executive Jigisha Ghosh who was killed on March 19, 2009.
Delhi Police had invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCOA) on the basis of the involvement of accused persons in other cases. Five accused persons namely Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla, Baljeet Malik, Ajay Sethi and Ajay Kumar are facing trial in the MCOCA case. Except Ajay Sethi all other accused persons were charged with offence of murder.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
14:39 US stands by Israel
An earlier picture of US President Joe Biden with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
14:36 Biden: Blast at hospital 'caused by other side'
US President Joe Biden is holding a joint news conference in Israel alongside PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
Biden says based on 'what he has seen' the blast at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza was 'caused by the other side'.
"...I was deeply sad by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. Based on what I have seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you. But there are a lot of people out there..."
Meanwhile, IDF releases a recording of an intercepted phone call between two fighters discussing failure of Islamic Jihad rocket that landed on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.
14:20 'No crater at Gaza hospital site proves not Israel'
Hours after a deadly blast at a civilian hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip killed hundreds of people, Israel on Wednesday claimed that a lack of a crater at the blast site proves that it was not an air strike by its forces as claimed by Hamas-run Health Ministry.
A massive explosion at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital late on Tuesday night killed at least 500 people, Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Apart from the large number of in-house patients at the hospital, there were hundreds of Palestinians who had taken refuge at the hospital over the last two to three days after Israel had asked civilians from the northern Gaza Strip areas to move south.
The Palestinians taking refuge at the hospital had hoped that they would be spared Israel's bombardment. Asserting that Israel wasn't behind the strike, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) published drone footage that it said proves that the deadly blast at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital's parking lot was not caused by its ordnance, which it said, would have left a crater and not a burning parking lot and shrapnel-pocked roofs.
The drone video shows the hospital's parking lot where a large fire was caused in the area as a result of the blast, but there is no crater. Israeli strikes generally leave large holes in the ground, the IDF said.
The drone footage also points to shrapnel that landed on the roof of the nearby buildings, which remain largely intact. IDF also released a soundtrack, which it claimed, was a communication between terrorists talking about rocket misfiring and said, the terrorists realised that the rocket had misfired and made specific reference to the Al-Ahli Madani Hospital. Israel, instead, blamed it on what it called a failed rocket launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group. -- PTI
Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes. Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa/Reuters
14:11 Gaza horror: Surgeries without anaesthesia
Surgeries on hospital floors, operations without anaesthesia, a desperate shortage of medicines -- is how doctors at Gaza are struggling to cope with hundreds upon hundreds of patients.
The Hamas blamed the blast on the al-Ahli hospital on Israelis, while the Israeli military blamed a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants.
At least 500 people were killed, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said.
Rage at the hospital carnage spread through the Middle East as US President Joe Biden headed to the region in hopes of stopping a spread of the war, which started after Hamas militants attacked towns and cities across southern Israel last week.
Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties to Gaza City's main hospital, al-Shifa, which was already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes.
13:39 Joe Biden lands in Tel Aviv
United States President Joe Biden has arrived in Tel Aviv, amid Israel-Hamas conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog receive him at Ben Gurion Airport. -- ANI
A screen grab from the video released by IDF
13:02 IDF releases video of blast at Gaza hospital
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday produced a 30-second video it says shows the deadly hospital blast in Gaza City could not have been the result of an Israeli airstrike.
A failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization hit the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza City, the IDF said. IAF footage from the area around the hospital before and after the failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization was released on X.
Palestinian officials have blamed Israel for the bombing that is believed to have killed hundreds of people while Israeli officials say a rocket fired by Islamic Jihad caused the blast.
An injured person is assisted at Shifa Hospital. Mohammed Al-Masri/Reuters
12:58 Did hospital receive warning of strike from Israel?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that intelligence from several sources revealed that Islamic Jihad was responsible for the unsuccessful rocket launch that had caused the explosion at Al Ahli hospital.
The Palestinian ambassador in Japan says Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital received a warning from the Israeli military one hour before the strike.
"An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit," he posted on social media platform X.
"Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza," he added.
12:43 Hospital bombing: 'Hamas knew it was Islamic Jihad'
Hamas understood the blast was caused by a misfired Islamic Jihad rocket, but launched a "global media campaign" to blame Israel. "They went as far as inflating the numbers of casualties," Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tells the BBC. "They understood with absolute certainty that it was a rocket misfired by Islamic Jihad that damaged the hospital."
In a video message posted on social media platform X earlier today, Hagari said, 'I can confirm that an analysis by the IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, at the time it was hit."
Mahua Moitra, the complainant
12:16 LS ethics panel summons BJP's Dubey, Dehadrai
The Lok Sabha's Ethics Committee on Wednesday asked BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai to appear before it for "oral evidence" on October 26 in connection with his allegations against TMC MP Mahua Moitra.
"Oral evidence of Dr. Nishikant Dubey, MP, in respect of complaint dated 15 October, 2023 given by him against Smt. Mahua Moitra, MP...," the subject of the Lok Sabha secretariat communication to him read.
The letter sent by a secretariat official said, "I am directed to state that the Committee on Ethics has decided to hear you in the above matter, in person, on Thursday, 26 October, 2023..."
Moitra has also approached the Delhi high court seeking to restrain Dubey, Dehadrai and several social media platforms and media houses from posting, circulating or publishing any alleged fake and defamatory content against her.
In his complaint against Moitra to Lok Sabha Speaker On Birla, Dubey had cited "irrefutable evidence" he had received from advocate Dehadrai to attack her.
11:29 They tried to hit our children, but...: Israeli envoy to New Delhi
Israeli Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon on Wednesday said that the Hamas terror group is afraid of the Israel Defence Forces and is putting pressure on them to prevent any further action on Hamas.
"After cowardly murdering, abducting and abusing defenceless Israeli citizens, they are afraid to confront the IDF, they are trying to create international pressure to prevent us from taking action. But nothing will prevent us from making sure that these murderers will not be able to repeat their atrocities...Come out of the tunnels and fight us," he said.
He went on to mention the recent explosion at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza and said that Hamas hit their own area while they were trying to target Israel.
"Al Ahli Hospital was hit by a rocket of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad...They tried to hit our children, but on the way hit their own children...It's really a pity that many around the world are cooperating with them. In our technological world, everything is documented. We have clear-cut evidence that it was a Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket. The Palestinian terrorists and their allies immediately take out their victim cards" the Ambassador to India said.
Earlier, the Israeli Envoy to India taking to X, said, 'THE HOSPITAL IN GAZA WAS HIT BY AN ISLAMIC JIHAD ROCKET!! This ability of the Palestinians to invade 30 Jewish communities, slaughter 1400+ Israelis, kidnap more than 200, shoot 7000+ rockets at Israeli civilians and still play the victim is amazing. The 'eagerness' of some in the world to accept these lies by #HamasISIS is disappointing but not necessarily surprising.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that intelligence from several sources revealed that Islamic Jihad was responsible for the unsuccessful rocket launch that had caused the explosion at Al Ahli hospital. -- ANI
11:22 Rahul, Priyanka to launch Telangana campaign with bus yatra
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will on Wednesday kickstart the party's campaign for the November 30 assembly polls in Telangana with a bus yatra.
Both the All India Congress Committee leaders will arrive at Begumpet airport at 3.30 pm by a special flight and leave for Ramappa temple by helicopter.
After offering prayers at the shrine, they will launch the bus yatra, and later address a rally and also interact with women, party sources said.
While Priyanka is set to return to New Delhi after the rally, Rahul would continue to attend events in the state, they said.
Danasari Anasuya, popularly known as Seethakka, Congress MLA from Mulugu told PTI that Rahul Gandhi will stay in Bhupalpally tonight. They will reach Ramappa temple at 4.30 pm and around 5 pm they will address a public meeting.
"Afterwards there will be a bus yatra up to Bhupalpally (about 30 km)," she said.
According to Congress sources, the 3-day yatra from October 18 will cover eight constituencies.
Rahul Gandhi will meet with workers of the state-run mining firm Singareni Collieries and attend public meetings at Peddapalli and Karimnagar (night halt ) on October 19.
On October 20, he will take part in a meeting of farmers at Jagtial and attend programmes at other places, including Armoor and Nizamabad.
During his tour of Telangana, Rahul Gandhi is also expected to visit Nizam Sugar Factory in Bodhan and interact with turmeric and sugarcane farmers at Armoor. -- PTI
10:40 Biden leaves for Israel, scraps Jordan visit
United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday left the White House for a quick trip to Israel to show solidarity with the people of the country in the aftermath of the terrorist attack by Hamas.
However, Biden had to abruptly scrap his trip to Jordan for a meeting with leaders of Jordan, Egypt and Palestine after the Palestinian Authority cancelled the summit following a huge explosion at a hospital in Gaza.
Hundreds of civilians are feared dead after a deadly blast at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza. Israel has denied its involvement in the bombing, while the Palestinians have held it responsible.
'I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted. Immediately upon hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and have directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened,' Biden said in a statement minutes before he boarded Air Force One for Israel.
The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy, Biden said.
In a statement, the White House said after consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning announced by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Biden will postpone his travel to Jordan and the planned meeting with these two leaders and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt.
The President (Biden) sent his deepest condolences for the innocent lives lost in the hospital explosion in Gaza, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.
He looks forward to consulting in person with these leaders soon, and agreed to remain regularly and directly engaged with each of them over the coming days, said a White House official.
Following reports of the huge toll due to the Gaza hospital blast, Biden was briefed by his national security team, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer.
"The President spoke by phone with Secretary of State Tony Blinken, who is still in the region. The President also spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan and with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The President continues to receive regular updates," said the official.
Biden has been backing Israeli calls for eliminating Hamas following the attacks carried out by it on Israel on October 7 in which more than 1,300 people were killed and between 200 and 250 Israelis are said to have been taken to Gaza as hostages. -- PTI
IMAGE: US President Joe Biden boards Air Force One for travel to Tel Aviv, Israel, from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 17, 2023. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters
10:26 Sikkim flash flood toll rises to 40
The toll in the flash flood in Sikkim mounted to 40 with the recovery of two more bodies, while 76 people are still missing about two weeks after the disaster, officials said.
The flash flood in the Teesta river, triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of October 4, devastated the state, affecting about 88,000 people.
Sikkim has a population of about 6.10 lakh people, the lowest for any state in India, according to the 2011 census. Most of the bodies were found in Pakyong.
Among the 26 bodies found in the district, 15 were of civilians while 11 were of armymen, according to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA).
Four bodies were found in Mangan, eight bodies in Gangtok and two in Namchi, it said in a bulletin.
Several bodies have been found in neighbouring West Bengal as well, carried by the Teesta to the downstream areas, the officials said.
Of the 76 people missing, 28 were from Pakyong, 23 from Gangtok, 20 from Mangan and five from Namchi.
At present, 20 relief camps are operational in the state where 2,080 people are taking shelter, the SSDMA said.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), a combination of excess rainfall and a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) event at South Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim could have triggered the flash floods. -- PTI
Photo: @UN on X
09:39 UN condemns civilian killings in Gaza
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the Gaza hospital explosion incident and said that he is 'horrified' by the killings of Palestinian civilians.
In a strong condemnation, Guterres said, 'I am horrified by the killing of hundreds of Palestinian civilians in a strike on a hospital in Gaza today, which I strongly condemn.'
'Hospitals and medical personnel are protected under international humanitarian law,' the UN posted on X on Wednesday.
'@antonioguterres after hundreds of civilians are killed in strike on hospital in Gaza on Tuesday,' it added.
In another post on X, the UN said, 'Schools are #NotATarget. Hospitals are #NotATarget. Children are #NotATarget. Civilians are #NotATarget. Humanitarians are #NotATarget.'
After an explosion that struck Gaza hospital on Tuesday and killed hundreds of people, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel Defense Forces operational systems have indicated that rockets were fired by terrorists in Gaza.
08:53 Biden will ask tough questions from Netanyahu: WH official
United States National Security Council (NSC) coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, said on Wednesday that President Joe Biden, on his visit to Israel, will call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure there is no further escalation in the ongoing war with terror group Hamas.
"When he talks to PM Netanyahu, he'll be asking some tough questions, as a true friend of Israel. He's also going to make it clear that we continue to want to see this conflict not expand, not deepen...He will address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, making it clear, that we want to see humanitarian assistance flow in," Kirby said.
Sharing further details of the President's visit to Israel, he said that Biden and PM Netanyahu will have a 'very small, restricted', bilateral meeting, adding that the former will also engage with some families that lost their loved ones in the Hamas terror attacks.
"Tomorrow, President Biden's trip will be confined to Tel Aviv. The first thing he'll do is meet with Israeli PM Netanyahu in a very small, restricted, bilateral meeting. After that, he will have a chance to meet with some of the Israeli first responders and some of the families who have lost their loved ones. He also will have a chance to have a chance to speak directly with President Herzog, too," Kirby added.
Kirby, who was on board Air Force One en route to Israel, also brought the air strike at a hospital in Gaza, allegedly claiming the lives of hundreds of people saying that its Middle East ally has already denied any involvement in the attack.
However, he said that President Biden has ordered the National Security team to investigate the attack and find out who was responsible. -- ANI
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01:56 Honour killing: Man, son held for murder of Mumbai couple
A 50- year-old man, his son and another person have been arrested by the Mumbai police and three minors detained for allegedly murdering the man's daughter and son-in-law in a case of so-called honour killing, a police official said in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Gora Raeesuddin Khan (50) allegedly killed the couple with the help of his son and the son's friend as he was not happy with his daughter's marriage to Karan Ramesh Chandra, the official said.
Chandra's body was found in suburban Govandi last Saturday.
As his wife Gulnaz too was missing, suspicion fell on her father Gora Khan, he said.
Khan allegedly confessed to have killed the couple with the help of others as they had married against his wishes.
Gulnaz's body was soon recovered from Navi Mumbai.
Gora Khan, his son Salman and Salman's friend Kaif Khan were arrested for murder and remanded in police custody till October 27 while further investigation is underway, the official added. -- PTI
01:30 'Dead' for 20 years, ex-navy employee held in Delhi for triple murder
A 60-year-old ex-Navy employee who faked his death for 20 years was arrested by the Delhi police crime branch for allegedly killing a relative and burning to death two labourers, the police said on Tuesday.
Balesh Kumar was arrested from a house in Najafgarh where he was staying with his family having changed his name to Aman Singh, the police said.
Balesh was 40 when he allegedly killed his brother-in-law, Rajesh alias Khushiram, over money in Delhi's Bawana area in 2004.
He also allegedly had an illicit relationship with Rajesh's wife.
The police in 2004 arrested Balesh's brother Sundar Lal, who was also involved in Rajesh's murder, however, Balesh managed to give them a slip.
According to special commissioner of police (crime) Ravindra Yadav, Balesh, who was in a transport business then, escaped in a truck to Rajasthan.
There he set his truck on fire and burned two of his workers to death.
"The Rajasthan police during the course of investigation identified one of the persons as Balesh, while the other body remained unclaimed. The family members of Balesh also identified one of the bodies as his," Yadav said.
The Rajasthan police closed the case assuming the prime suspect dead.
After faking his death, Balesh fled to Punjab and managed to procure forged identity proof with the help of his family members and changed his name to Aman Singh. -- PTI
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01:23 Fire in residential building in Mumbai; no casualties
A fire broke out in a flat in a seven-storey residential building located in suburban Dahisar on Tuesday evening, a civic official said.
Nobody was injured in the incident.
A civic official said the blaze erupted in a flat located on the fourth floor of Sadguru Building in Babali Pada locality at around 7.45 pm.
He said the blaze remained confined to the flat.
Four fire engines were rushed to the spot and the blaze was extinguished after 45 minutes at around 8.30 pm, a Fire Brigade official said.
The cause of the blaze is not known, he added.
Notably, a fire had swept through a seven-storey residential building in suburban Goregaon in the early hours of Friday, leaving seven dead and injuring more than 60. -- PTI
01:14 Same-sex marriage: SC takes around 2 hours to read out operative part of judgements
It took the Supreme Court almost two hours on Tuesday to pronounce the four separate judgements in the same-sex marriage case.
A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud assembled at around 10:52 am and the pronouncement over verdicts commenced after a couple of minutes.
The operative parts of the four judgements penned by the CJI, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice PS Narasimha were read out till 12.42 pm. -- PTI
00:52 Odisha resident arrested on charges of kidnapping girl
The Kerala police arrested a 35-year-old man hailing from Odisha for allegedly attempting to kidnap a two-and-a-half-year-old girl of a migrant couple in Perumbavoor near Kochi.
The police arrested Simsha on Monday night following a complaint lodged by the child's family.
The locals apprehended him after he was allegedly found carrying the girl who was playing with other children.
During interrogation, the accused said that his intention was to steal a mobile phone and not to kidnap, police said.
However, based on the family's complaint, the police have registered a case for kidnapping. -- PTI
00:35 Priority section of RRTS Corridor to be opened for public on Oct 21: Sources
The 17-km priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor is slated to be opened for passengers on October 21, a day after its inauguration, official sources said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate this section on October 20.
The priority section, between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot, has five stations -- Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot.
"A day after the inauguration of the priority section, passengers services are slated to begin from October 21 morning.
'RAPIDX' trains will be operational between 6 am and 11 pm. Initially, trains will be available every 15 minutes, though the frequency can be increased on a requirement basis in future," an official source said.
Every RAPIDX train will have six coaches, including a premium coach.
One coach in every 'RAPIDX' train is reserved for women, it is the coach next to the premium coach. Also, there are reserved seats for women, specially-abled and senior citizens in other coaches, the sources said. -- PTI
00:29 Two Odisha cops arrested for raping minors
Two police personnel of Jamda in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district were arrested by officers of the same police station in connection with two rape cases.
The arrested are an assistant sub-inspector of police and a home guard, said Minati Naik, the officer in-charge, Jamda police station.
The ASI was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl who worked as a domestic help in his house.
The home guard was arrested on Monday for allegedly raping a minor girl from Jharkhand, she said.
Both of them were arrested under POCSO and forwarded the two men to the court dealing with cases related to the act.
Naik said the ASI engaged the minor girl to take care of his three children after the death of his wife.
The minor girl's aunt recently filed a complaint at the Jamda police station alleging that he had developed sexual relations with the girl promising to marry her. -- PTI
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00:12 Two BSF personnel receive bullet injuries along IB in Jammu
Two Border Security Force personnel suffered gunshot injuries in a firing incident along the International Border in Jammu on Tuesday evening, officials said.
The injured BSF personnel were admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital and their condition was stated to be "stable".
Though the BSF remained tight-lipped about the incident, official sources said a preliminary investigation suggested that the gunfire came from across the border.
They said the border guards were injured when their post in the Arnia area of RS Pura sector came under gunfire Tuesday evening.
Further details of the incident are awaited, the sources said. -- PTI
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00:04 Hundreds killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza hospital: Palestine
About 200 to 300 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday, said a CNN report quoting Palestinian health ministry officials.
The officials said that several people still feared to have been trapped in the rubble.
"A new war crime committed by the occupation in the bombing of Al-Ahli Arabi Hospital in the center of Gaza City, resulting in the arrival of dozens of martyrs and injured at Al-Shifa Medical Complex due to the bombing. It should be noted that the hospital housed hundreds of patients, wounded, and displaced people from their homes forcibly due to the airstrikes," the statement issued by the Palestinian government said.
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