Latest News: Former Bengal Leader of Opposition Passes Away
Catch all the latest updates of the day here.
Catch all the latest news updates of the day here.
Former Leader of Opposition in Bengal Passes Away
Former Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and a founding member of the Trinamool Congress, Pankaj Banerjee, passed away late on Friday, 26 October.
Banerjee, 71, a three-time legislator, is survived by his wife and daughter.
A product of the student movement, Banerjee joined the Congress in the 1960s, and won his first election from the Tollygunge constituency in South Kolkata in 1972.
(IANS)
Modi's Rule Not Good for India, He Failed Electorate: Manmohan
In one of his sharpest attacks yet on Narendra Modi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh said his successor's rule has not been good for India as he "failed" the electorate and led a government that was "mostly silent" on incidents of communal violence, mob lynching and cow vigilantism.
Singh, while speaking at the launch of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's new book, alleged that under the present dispensation the environment in universities and national institutions like the CBI was being vitiated and dissent stifled.
(PTI)
Agents Arrest Suspect in Florida over Package Bombs
US agents on Friday, 26 October, arrested a suspect beleived to be behind the package bombs being recovered across the country.
Earlier on Friday, two law enforcement officials had said that a package closely resembling parcels sent to critics of President Donald Trump has been found at a postal facility in New York City.
(ANI)
Mahinda Rajapaksa Sworn-In as Sri Lankan PM
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was on Friday, 26 October, sworn-in as the Prime Minister before President Maithripala Sirisena. He replaces Ranil Wickremesinghe, reported Sri Lankan media.
(ANI)
Delhi Metro's Shiv Vihar-Trilokpuri Section to Open on 31 October
The 17.86 km-long Shiv Vihar-Trilokpuri Sanjay Lake section of the Delhi Metro's Pink Line will be opened for passengers on October 31.
The Commissioner For Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) had given the clearance after inspecting the elevated section in east Delhi on 20 October.
(PTI)
Halting Saudi Arms Sales over Khashoggi 'Pure Demagoguery': Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, 26 October, said that halting the arms sales with Saudi Arabia over the killing of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi would be 'pure demagoguery'.
(AFP)
Jagan Mohan Reddy Discharged from Hospital
YSR Congress president Jagan Mohan Reddy, who was injured in a knife attack at the Visakhapatnam airport, was discharged from a private hospital on Friday, 26 october.
Doctors attending him had said he received a lacerated injury on his shoulder and had to undergo a surgical procedure.
(PTI)
Suspicious Parcel Addressed to Ex-US Intel Director Seized
Two law enforcement officials said on Friday, 26 October that a package closely resembling parcels sent to critics of President Donald Trump has been found at a postal facility in New York City.
A police bomb squad was responding to a post office in Midtown Manhattan to check out the item, which was discovered by postal workers. One official said it was addressed to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
(AP)
Putin Invited to Washington DC in Early 2019
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to visit Washington DC in early 2019, the US National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Friday, 26 October.
(ANI)
BJP, JDU to Contest Equal Number of Seats for 2019 General Elections in Bihar: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah on Friday, 26 October, said that the party has decided to contest on equal number of seats with the JDU for the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 in Bihar.
(ANI)
Kondagattu Bus Tragedy: EC Gives Nod to Telangana Govt for Disbursing Compensation
The Telangana government on Thursday, 25 October, received permission from the Election Commission to disburse compensation to the victims of the tragic bus accident at Kondagattu, that killed 62 people.
The government had promised to distribute an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 2.5 lakh each to those injured in the accident.
8 Dead, 3 Injured After Explosion in UP Firecracker Factory
Eight people were killed and three were injured after an explosion in a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun district.
(ANI)
Will Follow SC Order in Letter and Spirit: CBI Spokesperson
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday, 26 October, said that the agency will follow Friday's Supreme Court order both in letter and in spirit.
“Wherever necessary, we will seek legal opinion,” CBI spokesperson said.
(ANI)
Amnesty Dubs ED 'Raid' Assault on Civil Society
Amnesty International India on Friday, 26 october, dubbed the ED 'raid' on its head office in Bengaluru on Thursday an assault on civil society in the country and said New Delhi was treating rights bodies like "criminal enterprises".
"Amnesty India is the latest target of the government's assault on civil society in the country," said Amnesty India Director Aakar Patel in a statement on its website.
(IANS)
Congress Hails SC Order on CVC Inquiry
The Supreme Court's decision to intervene in the Central Bureau of Investigation row is a "commentary on a failed government" led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress said on Friday.
"Today, Modiji was again reminded that 'Modi Rule' fails miserably before the 'Rule of Law'," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted.
(IANS)
Bombay HC Grants Interim Relief to Gautam Navlakha
The Bombay High Court on Friday, 26 October, granted interim protection to human rights activist Gautam Navlakha till 1 November.
The Court adjourned till 1 November and will hear Navlakha’s and Anand Teltumbde's plea seeking quashing of an FIR against them in the Bhima Koregaon case after it resumes.
(ANI)
CBI Registers Rape Case Against Daati Maharaj, Three Others
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday, 26 October, registered a case of rape and of unnatural sex against self-styled godman Daati Maharaj and three others, ANI reported.
A 25-year-old woman had filed a complaint against Maharaj, accusing him and his disciples of raping her on several occasions.
(ANI)
NATO, Russia Envoys to Meet Next Week Amid Missile Tensions
NATO said on Friday, 26 October, that its ambassadors will meet with Russia's envoy next week amid rising tensions over the future of a landmark missile agreement and as the alliance conducts large-scale military exercises near Russia's western border.
NATO headquarters said that they would meet in a NATO-Russia Council — their main forum for dialogue — at the military alliance's Brussels headquarters on 31 October.
(PTI)
Police Action Against Ayyappa Devotees 'Unethical': NSS Kottayam
Nair Service Society, an outfit of Kerala's influential Nair community, on Friday, 26 October, termed as "unethical and anti-democratic" the police action against devotees who protested the entry of women of all age groups into the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala.
NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair also accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and some of his ministers of "hurting sentiments of crores of Ayyappa devotees" by "humiliating" Panthalam palace.
(PTI)
Floods Kill Six in Southern Russia
Six people died in floods in southern Russia which also damaged regional infrastructure including an oil pipeline, authorities said on Friday, 26 October, as emergency workers were struggling to provide food and water to the victims.
Flash floods affected parts of the Krasnodar region, including the area around the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, where Moscow hosted the Winter Olympics in 2014.
(PTI)
ED Files Supplementary Chargesheet Against Upendra Rai
The Enforcement Directorate on Friday, 26 October, filed a supplementary charge sheet before a Delhi court against journalist Upendra Rai, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in dubious financial transactions.
The court had rapped the CBI on 22 October for seeking adjournment to procure sanctions to prosecute an accused in the case against Rai.
(PTI)
6.8 Magnitude Quake Causes Greek Island Damage, No Injuries
A powerful 6.8-magnitude undersea earthquake struck early on Friday, 26 october, off the Ionian Sea island of Zante, causing structural damage but no injuries, officials said.
"We have no reports of injuries, or of someone being trapped under rubble... We advise people to remain calm," Zante mayor Pavlos Kolokotsas told Real FM radio.
(PTI)
Over 2,000 Sabarimala Protesters Arrested
The crackdown on protesters who prevented women from the hitherto banned age group from entering the Sabarimala temple in Kerala has crossed 2,000 arrests in just two days, police said on Friday.
In the last 12 hours, over 700 people have been arrested, Director General of Police Loknath Behra told the media in Kochi.
(IANS)
Three Killed in Bus Accident in Patna
Three persons were killed and 25 others injured when a private bus overturned and fell into a roadside ditch in Patna on Friday, 26 October, the police said.
The incident occurred when the private bus lost its balance and fell into a roadside ditch, Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said.
(PTI)
Bombay HC to Hear Lt Col Purohit's Appeal on Monday
The Bombay High Court on Friday, 26 October, agreed to hear Lt Col Prasad Purohit's appeal on Monday.
Purohit had moved the Court against the order of the special NIA court that had rejected his challenge to Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) sanctions. No stay has been put on the trial for the meanwhile.
(ANI)
Eight Terrorists Killed in Three Encounters in Jammu & Kashmir
Security forces in Jammu and kashmir conducted three encounters since Thursday, 25 October, killing eight terrorists.
SP Pani, IGP Kashmir, said that two terrorists were killed in an encounter in Baramulla (identified as Akeel Sofi and Minhajul Mohiudin) while four were killed in one in Anantnag's Arwani.
In the Sopore encounter, two terrorists were killed and one soldier lost his life, Pani said.
(ANI)
Khashoggi's Son Leaves Saudi Arabia, US Praises Decision
The son of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi has left Saudi Arabia after the kingdom revoked a travel ban and allowed him to come to the United States.
State Department spokesman Robert Palladino says Washington welcomes the decision.
It's the latest turn in the saga of the killed Saudi writer and dissident after the kingdom on Thursday cited evidence showing that his killing was premeditated.
(PTI)
SC Orders Nageshwar Rao to Continue as Interim Chief, Barred From Taking Policy Decisions
Supreme Court has ordered Nageshwar Rao to continue as interim chief, but stated that he will not take any policy decision, only basic administrative functions.
All orders passed by Rao will be given in sealed papers, all of which are to be submitted to the SC on 12 November in a sealed cover.
PM Can Run, He Can Hide But in the End, Truth Will be Revealed: Rahul Gandhi
PM can run, he can hide but in the end, truth will be revealed. Removing CBI Director will not help. PM acted against CBI Director; it was an act out of panic: Congress President Rahul Gandhi after leaving Lodhi Colony police station in Delhi.
(ANI)
Rahul Gandhi, Other Cong Leaders Protesting Outside CBI HQ Detained
Congress President Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the Congress Party were detained by the police on Friday during the party’s protests at the CBI Headquarters in Delhi, ANI reported.
“Eight leaders and 150 workers were detained for 20 minutes and then released,” DCP South Vijay Kumar said.
Sensex Tanks 297 Points as November F&O Series Opens Weak
The benchmark Sensex plunged over 297 points and the broader NSE Nifty slipped below the 10,100 mark in early trade Friday, 26 October, as the November derivatives series took off on a weak note amid negative Asian cues.
The 30-share Sensex, which lost 344 points Thursday, 25 October, fell further by 297.40 points, or 0.88 percent, to 33,392.69.
All sectoral indices of BSE, led by metal, power, realty and bankex were trading in the negative territory, falling by up to 1.63 percent.
The NSE Nifty too declined by 101.45 points, or 1 percent, to 10,023.45.
(PTI)
Floods Sweep Away Students, Teachers Near Dead Sea, 18 Dead
Flash floods unleashed by heavy rains swept away middle school students and teachers visiting hot springs near the Dead Sea on Thursday, 25 October, killing 18 and injuring 35 as the torrent carried some for several kilometers, a civil defence official said.
Thirteen people escaped without injuries, said Brig Gen Farid al-Sharaa, speaking after nightfall as large spotlights illuminated the flooded area.
A dramatic rescue operation involving helicopters and divers continued into the night. Israel's military said it dispatched a search and rescue team at the request of Jordan's government.
(PTI)
China Police Report 14 Injured in Kindergarten Knife Attack
Chinese police report 14 children have been injured in an attack by a knife-wielding assailant at a kindergarten in the western city of Chongqing.
The report posted on the police force’s microblog said the early Friday morning assault at the Xinshiji Kindergarten was carried out by a 39-year-old woman identified only by her surname, Liu.
China has suffered a number of such incidents in recent years, blamed largely on the mentally ill or people bearing grudges.
(AP)
Earthquake Measuring 5.6 Hits Japan's Hokkaido
An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale has hit Japan's Hokkaido. More details are awaited.
(ANI)
Fuel and Petrol Prices Witness Downward Trend, Provide Relief
Fuel prices on Friday, 26 October, witnessed a downward trend. Petrol and diesel prices in Delhi on Friday stood at Rs 80.85 per litre, down by Rs 0.25 and Rs 74.73 per litre, down by Rs 0.07, respectively. Petrol and diesel prices in Mumbai are Rs 86.33 per litre, showing a decrease by Rs 0.25 and Rs 78.33 per litre, decreased by Rs 0.08, respectively.
(ANI)
Air Quality Index Shows Punjabi Bagh in 'Hazardous' Category
Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh shows 429 under 'Hazardous' category, while RK Puram is at 290, according to data released on Friday, 26 October. Pusa is at 283 under 'Unhealthy' category in the Air Quality Index.
(ANI)
Encounter Underway Between Terrorists and Security Forces in North Kashmir
An encounter between terrorists and security forces has started in north Kashmir's Sopore. More details are awaited.
(ANI)
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