Violence spiked once again in parts of Manipur valley, including state capital Imphal, as protesters clashed with police in multiple areas. Batons and tear gas shells were used and many people were injured, reported NDTV. The situation has been escalating since the arrest of five men, who were caught in the uniform of security forces and carrying with sophisticated arms on September 16. It led to widespread protests and demonstrations in the valley areas. Demanding the unconditional release of the detained men, a 48-hour lockdown was enforced in the Valley from Tuesday by the locals. Monday was the unofficial strike.
Rupert Murdoch announced Thursday that he will step down as chairman of Fox Corporation and Fox News. “For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change,” Murdoch wrote in a memo to employees. “But the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled leader in Lachlan who will become sole Chairman of both companies.”
In light of heightened tensions, High Commission of Canada has decided to take action to ensure the safety of its diplomats. "With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India," the Commission has said. In the context of respect for obligations under the Vienna conventions, we expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here," it further stated.
New Delhi suspends visa services for Canadians amid heightened tensions between both nations, reports Hindustan Times. No formal announcement of the suspension of visa services has been made though BLS International, which runs the visa application centres in Canada, posted a message on its Canadian website informing that due to operational reasons it will be suspending Indian visa services w.e.f from 21 September 2023 till further notice. The notification says, “Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21st September 2023 [Thursday], Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice.”
Aviation watchdog DGCA on Thursday said it has suspended the approval of Air India's flight safety chief for one month for certain lapses. On July 25 and 26, the regulator's team carried out the surveillance of Air India in the areas of internal audit, accident prevention work and availability of required technical manpower.
Onion traders have said that they suspended auctions in all agriculture produce market committees in Nashik district of Maharashtra and their protest will continue indefinitely, a development raising the fear of shortage of the kitchen staple in retail markets and hike in prices. An office-bearer of the Nashik District Onion Traders Association (NDOTA) said on Wednesday they were protesting against the Union government's recent move to increase export duty on onions up to 40 per cent, which will remain in force till December 31.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Varanasi on Saturday to lay the foundation stone of an international cricket stadium. The cricket stadium in Varanasi, which is also Modi's Lok Sabha constituency, will be a step towards realising his vision to develop modern, world-class sports infrastructure, according to a statement issued by the PMO. The international cricket stadium, to be built in Ganjari, Rajatalab, will be developed in more than 30 acres of area at a cost of about Rs 450 crore.
 "LIVE updates: Curfew reimposed in Manipur's Imphal valley, say officials")
