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3:59 PM

Israel declares 'complete siege' of Gaza, defence min says 'no food, electricity or fuel'

Israel’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant, declared that Israel is imposing a “complete siege” on Gaza, adding that there is “no electricity, no food, no water, and no fuel”, reported The Guardian. The Israel-Palestine fighting has continued for more than 48 hours, after the initial surprise Hamas attack on Saturday, with rocket sirens being activated in central and southern Israel Monday afternoon. The conflict has killed over 1,100 people on both sides, and Israeli media said that around 130 Israelis, including civilians and soldiers, have been taken as hostages.

3:58 PM

Germany ‘temporarily suspends’ aid to Palestine

Germany has said that it has temporarily halted the development aid to the Palestinian territories as it carries out a thorough review amid the attack on Israel by Hamas militants.

 

The aid included help for desalination projects, food security, and job creation, and amounted to $131 million, according to AFP.

3:57 PM

This is not about caste or religion, it is about poverty: Rahul Gandhi

"This is not about caste or religion, it is about poverty. Caste census is for the poor. Today, we have two Indias. We will not stop at caste census. There will be an economic survey after that," said Rahul Gandhi at a press conference after the CWC meeting.

3:45 PM

PM doesn't work for the OBS community at all: Rahul Gandhi

"For the PM it is unacceptable that in India the people who have 50% population, don't have any right to run the government. He doesn't work for the OBC community at all," he said. 

3:42 PM

States are also considering caste census and actioning this step: Rahul Gandhi

'Our CMs are also here and they also believe it is important. States are also considering this and actioning this step,' said Rahul. 

3:42 PM

We will force the BJP to carry out the caste census or get out of the way for us to carry out the census: RaGa

'We will force the BJP to carry out the caste census or get out of the way for us to carry out the census. Most parties in the INDIA alliance are unanimous to have a caste census. But if somebody has a slightly different opinion then it's no problem. A vast majority of the INDIA alliance is going to push the idea of a caste census,' said Rahul Gandhi. 

3:41 PM

CWC unanimously supports idea of having a caste census in the country, says Rahul Gandhi

3:39 PM

PM is incapable of doing the caste census, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress Working Committee in a unanimous decision has supported the idea of a caste census in the country. It is a progressive step. Our CMs (Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan) are also considering this and actioning this, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the press meet on Monday. He further said, "The PM is incapable of doing the caste census. Our 3 out of 4 CMs are from the OBC category. Out of 10 BJP CMs, only one CM is from the OBC category. How many BJP CMs are from the OBC category? The PM doesn't work for the OBCs but to distract them from main issues."

2:45 PM

Sikkim flash flood: Death toll at 34, IAF begins rescuing stranded tourists

Thirty-four bodies, including those of 10 army jawans, have been recovered so far from the slush and debris of the flash flood in Teesta river that devastated Sikkim, while the search continued for the over 105 people who are still missing, officials said on Monday.

The Indian Air Force has started rescue and relief operations in the Himalayan state, airlifting the first batch of stranded tourists from Lachen to Mangan in North Sikkim.

2:21 PM

Will shortly issue notification for appointment of Manipur HC CJ: Centre to SC

The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that it will shortly issue a notification for appointment of the chief justice of the Manipur High Court.

The apex court was hearing two pleas, including the one alleging delay by the Centre in clearing the names recommended by the collegium for appointment and transfer of judges.

1:53 PM

India had world's highest number of preterm births in 2020: Lancet study

India recorded 3.02 million preterm births in 2020 -- the highest worldwide -- accounting for over 20 per cent of all preterm births globally, according to a study published in the The Lancet journal.

The research by authors from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK, showed that over 50 per cent of all preterm births in 2020 occurred in just eight countries.

1:39 PM

Farewell of BJP, allies announced: Kharge on poll schedule for five states

With the Election Commission announcing the schedule for assembly polls in five states, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said the party will go to the people with strength and outlined public welfare, social justice and progressive development as its guarantees.

"With the announcement of elections in 5 states, the farewell of BJP and its allies has also been announced. In Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram, the Congress party will go to the people with strength," he said on X.

1:34 PM

FIR against Hero MotoCorp Chairman Pawan Munjal for alleged forgery

Delhi Police has registered a first information report (FIR) against Hero MotoCorp's Chairman Pawan Munjal for allegedly falsifying accounts and availing tax credits on fake bills, according to an Economic Times report

1:17 PM

MP polls: Rival parties locked in fierce freebie-filled fight to win heart' of India

A fierce competition among parties to offer freebies and guarantees, a scramble for tribal, OBC, women votes and a touch of Hindutva all have combined to make the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls a high-stakes battle with main rivals BJP and the Congress pulling out all the stops to gain power.

After a close contest in 2018, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress are marshalling all resources at their disposal to notch a clear majority in the 230-member House to avoid post-result complications.

12:53 PM

Bombay HC takes dig at Centre's 'ease of doing business", says it is mindful of pendency of cases

The Bombay High Court recently took a dig at the Central government's "ease of doing business", and said while it was mindful of the pendency of cases in courts, it was the government that was by far the largest litigant and the one that most often sought adjournments.

A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Kamal Khata, which was on October 5 hearing a petition filed by one Ramkali Gupta in 2016 over property-related issues, said it was no stranger to repeated assertions from the Union government regarding the pendency of cases and impediments allegedly caused by the courts.