Highlights of the day: Pleased to welcome our cabin crew colleagues back at work, says A-I Express

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11:26 AM

Sandeshkhali woman revokes rape complaints against TMC members

One of the three Sandeshkhali women whose rape complaints against Trinamool party members led to an uproar in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district  revoked her allegations on Wednesday, saying she faced no such assault and that local BJP members forced her to sign a blank sheet of paper and approach police, The Times of India reported.

11:11 AM

Four dead in Uttar Pradesh's New Mahal area after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning septic tank

Four people, including three labourers, were dead after inhalingtoxic gas while cleaning a 15-year-old septic tank in New Mahal area. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

10:46 AM

Navi Mumbai police register FIR against 3 persons over video on Hemant Karkare

The Navi Mumbai police have registered an FIR against three persons on charges of promoting enmity between different groups through a video on former Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, an official said on Thursday. The complainant, Suresh Rama Gaikwad (49) from Turbhe in Navi Mumbai, told the police that the accused made the video, 'Salute to Hemant Karkare (Based on true Event)', and posted it on YouTube which he saw on April 22.

10:26 AM

5,457 'illegal immigrants' detected in Manipur's Kamjong district: CM Imphal

The Manipur government has detected 5,457 “illegal immigrants” in the Kamjong district and measures are being taken for their deportation, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said. The biometric data of 5,173 people have been collected, he said on X. "The biometrics of those staying at Phaikoh, Huimi Thana/Sangkalok refugee camps are being obtained,” an official said.

9:59 AM

Air India Express fires cabin crew members over 'premeditated' sick leave

Air India Express reportedly issued termination letters on Wednesday to several  crew members who called in sick, after around 91 flights were cancelled since Tuesday. In the termination letter, sent to one of the employees, the airline stated that the cabin crew members reporting sick at "around the same time... clearly points to a premeditated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason." Read here for more details.

9:53 AM

AI Express fires 25 crew members; asks others to join work

Air India Express has fired 25 cabin crew members who reported sick that led to the cancellation of more than 90 flights, news agency PTI reported today citing sources. The carrier has also given an ultimatum to the remaining cabin crew members reporting sick to join back duty by 4 pm today or risk termination, they added.

9:43 AM

News update: AI Express issues ultimatum to striking cabin crew to join work by 4 pm

9:31 AM

Maldives foreign minister arrives in India on official visit amid troubled relations

Amid strained ties, Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer on Wednesday arrived in New Delhi on an official visit to India to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also shared details of his arrival on X saying. "Warm welcome to FM @MoosaZameer of Maldives on his official visit to India. Discussions on bilateral and regional issues and seeking ways to provide impetus to our multifaceted relationship lie ahead."

9:24 AM

Hamas says, will not compromise further with Israel to win Gaza ceasefire

Although talks were still under way in Cairo aimed at pausing Israel's seven-month-old offensive in Palestine, militant group Hamas said on Wednesday it was unwilling to make more concessions to Israel in discussions over a ceasefire for Gaza. 

9:21 AM

Muslims can't claim rights in live-in relationship when having spouse, says Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday stated that Muslims cannot claim rights in a live-in relationship when they have a living spouse, as such a relationship is not permitted under the tenets of Islam. The Lucknow bench made the observations while hearing a writ petition by Sneha Devi and Mohd Shadab Khan, who were seeking protection from police action after the woman's parents filed a kidnapping case against Khan, and directed that Sneha Devi be sent to her parents under security.

9:18 AM

US won't supply weapons to Israel if it invades Rafah: Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned Israel that the US would stop supplying them with weapons if Israeli forces conduct a major invasion of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. “I made it clear that if they go into Rafah ..., I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities – that deal with that problem,” Biden told CNN. 

9:16 AM

If LoP Hooda does not move to topple Haryana govt, it will only be due to ED, CBI: JJP's Dushyant Chautala

Senior Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leader and ex-Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala Wednesday said that if the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Bhupinder Hooda does not move to topple the BJP government in Haryana, it will only be due to the fear of raids by central agencies, the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation. 

8:31 AM

Salman house firing accused did recce of houses of two more actors, says police

The fifth accused arrested by the Mumbai Police in connection with the firing incident at actor Salman Khan’s house, Mohammad Chaudhary, revealed to the police that apart from sending a video recording of Khan’s Bandra bungalow, he had sent videos of two more actors to gangster Anmol Bishnoi, brother of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.