LIVE: Hiranandani confesses helping LS MP Moitra in attacking Adani group

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Businessman Darshan Hiranandani on Thursday confessed helping Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra in attacking Adani group during Parliamentary sessions. The move was in line with Moitra's ambitions to gain popularity and to tarnish Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reputation, Hiranandani revealed.

Inflation has moderated from its July peak, bolstering macroeconomic fundamentals, according to RBI Bulletin.

"Spoke to the President of the Palestinian Authority H.E. Mahmoud Abbas. Conveyed my condolences at the loss of civilian lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. Shared our deep concern at the terrorism, violence and deteriorating security situation in the region. Reiterated India's long-standing principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue," posted PM Modi on X (formerly Twitter).

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today landed in Tel Aviv and said that he "grieves" with Israel and stands with them against the "evil that is terrorism". "I am in Israel, a nation in grief. I grieve with you and stand with you against the evil that is terrorism. Today, and always," he said in a tweet. Earlier, US President Joe Biden said that Egypt has agreed to open the Rafah crossing into Gaza to allow a first batch of around 20 humanitarian aid trucks through. The shipment, however, would likely not cross until Friday as the road at the crossing needed repairs. Israel has bombarded Gaza, where authorities say nearly 3,500 people have been killed, after the Hamas group attacked Israeli cities on October 7 and killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took nearly 200 hostages.

The Supreme Court has extended the interim bail granted earlier to former Delhi minister Satyendar Kumar Jain in a money laundering case till November 6 when his plea for regular bail will be taken up for hearing. A bench of justices A S Bopanna and Bela M Trivedi had taken note of the mentioning of the plea by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Jain.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Thursday address two rallies in Chhattisgarh's Bastar division, where polling will be held in the first phase on November 7, a BJP leader said. This will be Shah's second visit to the Congress-ruled state after the announcement of election schedule for the 90-member assembly. The former BJP president, a key poll strategist of the party, earlier addressed an election rally in Rajnandgaon on October 16. Voting in the state will be held in two phases on November 7 and 17.

The air quality in the National capital on Thursday morning was recorded in the 'moderate' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 117. Notably, the AQI has increased from 83 on Wednesday to 117 on Thursday.According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, SAFAR-India, Delhi's overall air quality was recorded in the 'moderate' category today and the government's air quality recording service also predicts 'moderate' quality air tomorrow as well in the city.

10:26 PM

Indian cricket team in great form during World Cup: PM

rime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the Indian cricket team is in great form in the World Cup as it comprehensively defeated Bangladesh to maintain its winning run.

"Yet another exceptional game! Proud of our cricket team on the impressive win against Bangladesh. Our team is in great form during the World Cup. Best wishes for the next match," he said on X.

India defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets to secure its fourth successive victory.

Virat Kohli anchored India's 257-run chase with an unbeaten 103 (97b; 6x4, 4x2) as the hosts completed the task in 41.3 overs. This was Kohli's 48th ODI hundred. 

10:22 PM

Israel bombards Gaza with airstrikes and readies troops for a ground assault

The Israeli military is keeping up its airstrikes on Gaza and Israel's defense minister has told troops to be ready for a ground assault on the Palestinian territory, although he has not said when that will begin.

More than 1 million Palestinians, roughly half of Gaza's population, have fled homes in the north and Gaza City after Israel told them to evacuate. The airstrikes early Thursday continued across the entire territory, including in areas in the south that Israel had declared as safe zones.

9:25 PM

Darshan Hiranandani confesses helping LS MP Moitra in attacking Adani group

Businessman Darshan Hiranandani on Thursday confessed helping Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra in attacking Adani group during Parliamentary sessions. The move was in line with Moitra's ambitions to gain popularity and to tarnish Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reputation, Hiranandani revealed.

8:12 PM

Inflation has moderated from its July peak: RBI Bulletin

Inflation has moderated from its July peak, bolstering macroeconomic fundamentals, according to RBI Bulletin.

6:42 PM

PM Modi talks to Palestinian Authority HE Mahmoud Abbas

6:26 PM

Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail will be known as 'Namo Bharat'

Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail will be known as 'Namo Bharat'. PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the service tomorrow, 20th October, reports ANI citing sources.

5:22 PM

Over 3,700 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes; Netanyahu says Gaza war will be long

At least 3,785 Palestinians were killed in Gaza in Israeli strikes since Oct.7, the health ministry in Gaza said on Thursday.

 

A potential ground offensive in the besieged Gaza Strip was on the horizon as Israeli forces deployed hundreds of tanks near the southern border of Israel on Thursday. They were awaiting clearance from the Israeli government and military leadership.

 

Israeli tanks and troops, positioned on armored vehicles, were visibly present in the area, indicating the possibility of an imminent ground assault on Hamas in Gaza.

5:21 PM

PM Modi launches 511 Pramod Mahajan Grameen Kaushalya Vikas Kendras in Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modion Thursday launched 511 Pramod Mahajan Grameen Kaushalya Vikas Kendras in Maharashtra shortly, via video conferencing.

 

These centres will act as catalysts for unlocking skill development opportunities for the youth, said the PM during the launch.

 

These skill development centres, named after late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, are being established across 34 rural districts of Maharashtra.

As per a release from the Prime Minister's Office, these centres will conduct skill development training programs across various sectors to provide employment opportunities to rural youth.

 

"Each Kendra will train about 100 youngsters in at least two vocational courses. The training is being provided by empanelled industry partners and agencies under the National Skill Development Council," the PMO said.

 

5:19 PM

Nitin Gadkari inaugurates the highest national flag - 418 ft tall - at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar

5:19 PM

To continue its fight against Cyber Crime Networks, the CBI launched Operation Chakra-II

5:10 PM

Rishi Sunak lands in Israel, says 'I grieve with you'

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today landed in Tel Aviv and said that he "grieves" with Israel and stands with them against the "evil that is terrorism". "I am in Israel, a nation in grief. I grieve with you and stand with you against the evil that is terrorism. Today, and always," he said in a tweet. Earlier, US President Joe Biden said that Egypt has agreed to open the Rafah crossing into Gaza to allow a first batch of around 20 humanitarian aid trucks through. The shipment, however, would likely not cross until Friday as the road at the crossing needed repairs. Israel has bombarded Gaza, where authorities say nearly 3,500 people have been killed, after the Hamas group attacked Israeli cities on October 7 and killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took nearly 200 hostages.

2:54 PM

Coal dispatch may exceed one billion tonnes this fiscal: Coal ministry

The coal ministry on Thursday said the dispatch of coal is likely to exceed one billion tonnes in the current financial year. The coal ministry has set a target to produce and dispatch 1,012 million tonnes (MT) of coal to consumers during the ongoing fiscal. "During the second half of the year, the rate of production and dispatch is normally higher than the first half of the year. It is, therefore, expected that this year's dispatch of coal would exceed the one billion tonne mark," the coal ministry said in a statement.

1:30 PM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacks Chhattisgarh govt, accuses of Rs 1300 cr scam

1:22 PM

Pak HC grants Nawaz Sharif protective bail in 2 graft cases till Oct 24

In a temporary relief to Nawaz Sharif ahead of his return to Pakistan on Saturday, the Islamabad High Court on Thursday granted the former prime minister a protective bail in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia corruption cases until October 24.

 

Also, an anti-corruption court in Pakistan suspended his arrest warrant in the Toshakhana vehicles case. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo through a counsel Qazi Mushahid approached the Islamabad-base accountability court No. 1 on Wednesday for suspension of the permanent arrest warrant issued two years ago for failing to appear in a case about getting a vehicle from Toshakhana on concessional price.

1:14 PM

YouTube to recommend videos available from credible sources

Google-owned YouTube will list credible news sources on a "Watch Page" which it will roll out in the coming months in India, a senior company official said on Thursday. "Today, I am thrilled to introduce 'Watch Page' for news... the Watch Page will recommend videos available from credible sources," YouTube India, head of government affairs and Public Policy, Mira Chatt said at the Google for India event here.