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2:19 PM

20-year-old govt job aspirant hangs self in Kota    

A 20-year-old government job aspirant allegedly hanged himself in his house in the Kunhari area here, police said on Thursday. 

The body of Tanveer Khan was on Wednesday afternoon found hanging in his rented house at Krishna Vihar Colony where he lived with his father and younger sister, DSP Khiv Singh Rathore said.

No suicide note was recovered from the deceased's room and the actual reason behind the suspected suicide is yet to be ascertained, Sub-Inspector at Kunhari police station Naval Kishore said.

2:00 PM

AFSPA is no solution to Manipur crisis: Irom Sharmila

A day after AFSPA was extended in most parts of Manipur, rights activist Irom Sharmila said the "oppressive law" was not a solution to the conflict in the state.

Sharmila, hailed as the 'Iron Lady of Manipur', told PTI in a telephonic interview on Thursday that the BJP-led government at the Centre should respect diversity instead of working for uniformity through proposals like the Uniform Civil Code.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA was extended by another six months in Manipur on Wednesday, barring 19 police station areas in the Imphal valley and an area that shares its boundary with neighbouring Assam.

2:00 PM

AFSPA is no solution to Manipur crisis: Irom Sharmila

A day after AFSPA was extended in most parts of Manipur, rights activist Irom Sharmila said the "oppressive law" was not a solution to the conflict in the state.

Sharmila, hailed as the 'Iron Lady of Manipur', told PTI in a telephonic interview on Thursday that the BJP-led government at the Centre should respect diversity instead of working for uniformity through proposals like the Uniform Civil Code.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA was extended by another six months in Manipur on Wednesday, barring 19 police station areas in the Imphal valley and an area that shares its boundary with neighbouring Assam.

1:39 PM

Swaminathan's groundbreaking work transformed lives of millions, ensured India's food security: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief at the death of eminent scientist MS Swaminathan and said his groundbreaking work in agriculture transformed lives of millions and ensured India's food security.

Swaminathan (98), also known as the father of Green Revolution in India, died on Thursday due to age-related illness. He is survived by three daughters.

"Deeply saddened by the demise of Dr MS Swaminathan Ji. At a very critical period in our nation's history, his groundbreaking work in agriculture transformed the lives of millions and ensured food security for our nation," Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

1:09 PM

Govt can ask land owner to handover some portion free of cost for public utility: SC

The Supreme Court has held that a condition imposed by the Government that the land owner should handover a part of land free of cost for public utility purposes in return of the permission granted for converting the nature of the use of the land cannot be held illegal.

The top court remark came while setting aside a Bombay High Court judgement.

"It can be noticed that this Court in the case of Narayanrao Jagobaji Gowande Public Trust vs State of Maharashtra and others7 has held that if a Government gives the benefit of development of land concerned with permission to sub-divide the same and uses it for commercial purpose and it, in turn, requires the landowner to handover part of land free of cost for public utility purpose, such a clause cannot be held to be illegal. As such, we find that the High Court has grossly erred in allowing the writ petitions," the top court said citing its earlier judgement.

12:51 PM

Cooperating with authorities, promise all support: Lenovo on I-T searches

Chinese PC maker Lenovo on Thursday said it is cooperating with authorities and promised all support in the matter of searches carried out by Income Tax Department at its premises.

The department conducted searches at Lenovo's Gurugram and Bengaluru premises on Wednesday as part of a tax evasion probe against the company and some of its affiliates.

As responsible corporate citizens, we adhere strictly to all applicable laws, regulations, and reporting requirements in every jurisdiction in which we do business. We are cooperating with the authorities and will provide all possible support required," a Lenovo spokesperson said.

12:24 PM

TN BJP core committee to discuss AIADMK ties break up

The BJP, which was initially dazed over the AIADMK's decision to break up ties with it in Tamil Nadu, will discuss the issue and the other political developments at the party's core committee and executive committee meeting soon, a senior leader said on Thursday.

Terming the Dravidian major's announcement to part ways with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance as "unfortunate", BJP national co-incharge of Tamil Nadu Dr Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy said the matter will be discussed at the party's state core committee and executive committee meeting soon.

"I can't officially comment on the alliance. The Central leadership is watching the development in Tamil Nadu and they will take a call," Reddy told PTI.

12:19 PM

US Embassy in India surpasses goal of processing 1 mn non-immigrant visas    

The US Mission to India on Thursday surpassed its goal to process one million non-immigrant visa applications this year with Ambassador Eric Garcetti personally handing over the one millionth visa to a couple, who will be heading to the United States to attend their son's graduation at MIT.

Dr Ranju Singh, senior consultant, Lady Hardinge College was elated at receiving an email from the US Embassy about hers being the one millionth visa this year. Her husband Puneet Dargan, was granted the next visa. The couple will be travelling to the US in May, 2024.

Greeting the couple as "Mr and Mrs One million", Ambassador Garcetti enquired about their travel plans to the US and made suggestions about what not to miss in the country as a tourist.

11:54 AM

Last date to apply for posts of Lokpal chairperson, members extended to October 13

A high-level search committee has extended the date for receiving applications for the posts of chairperson and members of the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal, which has been working without a regular chief for over a year.

The last date for sending applications was September 28. It has now been now been extended to October 13.

Apart from a chairperson, Lokpal can have eight members -- four judicial and the rest non-judicial. At present, the anti-corruption ombudsman has five members with the vacancy for two judicial members and a non-judicial member.

11:44 AM

Congress leader booked for remarks against Smriti Irani

A case has been registered against local Congress leader Deepak Singh here for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Union Minister Smriti Irani.

On the complaint of BJP leader Keshav Singh, the case was registered against Singh in Gauriganj police station area for his remarks against the local MP, Superintendent of Police, Ilamaran said on Thursday.

Singh held a two-day dharna against the suspension of licence of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital here which ended on Wednesday evening with a candle march.

11:22 AM

India's Adani group appoints new auditor for UK subsidiaries: Report

 India's Adani group has switched the auditor of its main UK subsidiaries to the smaller London-based firm Ferguson Maidment & Co after previous auditor Crowe UK resigned in March, FT reported.

Ferguson Maidment & Co audited the annual accounts that Adani Energy Holdings and its subsidiaries filed with British government agency Companies House last month, FT reported.

11:07 AM

Housing sales up 36% in top 7 cities to record 120,280 units: Anarock

Housing sales rose 36 per cent year-on-year to a record 120,280 units across seven major cities during the July-September period on robust demand amid stable mortgage rate, according to Anarock.

Housing sales stood at 88,230 units in the year-ago period across the seven major cities. Releasing the data, real estate consultant Anarock said average housing prices across the seven cities grew 11 per cent annually in the July-September period this year. Hyderabad saw the highest rise of 18 per cent.

10:52 AM

Singapore's policies present blueprint to address 'population ageing' issue

Singapore's population is ageing at an unprecedented rate. While it has not solved the whole puzzle associated with that issue, it has taken concrete steps that might offer a blueprint for other countries. Singapore's early policy action and holistic approach towards population ageing are key lessons. Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in April that in 2020 one out of every six Singaporeans were aged above 65 a jump from one out of every ten in 2010.

By 2030, it is projected that one in every four residents in Singapore will be over 65. According to estimates from the United Nations, Singapore is poised to transition from being an "aged country" one with at least 14 percent of the population aged 65 or older to a "super-aged country", with at least 21 percent 65 or older, from 2021 to 2028. The swift pace of ageing in Singapore can be attributed to two primary factors: a dramatic decline in the total fertility rate and a rapid increase in life expectancy. Despite being dubbed a "blue zone" where people are claimed to live longer, in a recent Netflix documentary, Singapore faces challenges in addressing its ageing population.

10:26 AM

Fire at Mukherjee Nagar: Police books paying guest facility owner

The Delhi Police has booked the owner of a women's paying guest facility in northwest Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar area that caught fire on Wednesday evening and 35 people, including a four-year-old girl were rescued.

The deputy commissioner of police (northeast) said the five persons who were admitted to a hospital after inhaling fumes were out of danger and they would be discharged soon.

"We have registered an FIR against the PG owner under IPC sections 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (causes hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 34 (common intentions)," the police officer said.

10:25 AM

Police register case after pro-Khalistan graffiti painted on wall at Delhi's Kashmiri Gate flyover

After the Pro-Khalistan graffiti was found written on the walls at Delhi's Kashmiri Gate flyover, Delhi Police on Thursday registered a case in the matter.

Pro-Khalistan graffiti was found written on the wall at Delhi's Kashmiri Gate flyover on September 27 which has since been removed.

A video came into notice on September 27, wherein certain visuals of defacement through graffiti were seen. As per the signage boards visible in the video, an extensive search was launched in the area of North District, and graffiti was found on the Yudhister Setu flyover coming from Seelampur towards Kashmere Gate, police said.