News updates: Modi govt committed to building terror-free India, says Amit Shah

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3:29 PM

Cabinet approves infusion of equity of Rs.10,700 crore in FCI

Cabinet approves infusion of equity of Rs.10,700 crore in Food Corporation of India by way of conversion of Ways and Means Advance to equity in 2024-25

2:29 PM

Caste census will happen, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said caste census will happen in the country, and asserted that the exercise will show the injustice meted out to Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis. Caste census will make everything clear. Everyone will come to know how much power they wield and what our role is, Gandhi said, addressing the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Nagpur. Caste census is a paradigm of development, Gandhi said.

2:12 PM

Modi congratulates 'friend' Trump on 'historic election victory', calls for boosting Indo-US ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated "friend" Donald Trump on his "historic" presidential polls victory, and said he looks forward to renewing their collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership.

1:01 PM

Two persons killed after speeding car hits tree in Odisha

Two persons were killed and another seriously injured after the car in which they were travelling crashed into a roadside tree near Gop in Odisha's Puri district on Tuesday night, police said. Konark police on Wednesday said the car rammed into a mango tree after the driver fell asleep or lost control over the vehicle. The car was on the way to Bhubaneswar from Konark.

12:58 PM

Two journalists held for posting video on Kali Puja vandalism in Bengal

West Bengal Police arrested two journalists of a vernacular news portal after a video, allegedly shot by the two showing vandalism at a Kali Puja pandal in North 24 Parganas district, was posted on their channel, an officer said on Wednesday. Police lodged a suo moto case in this connection and arrested the duo following a search operation at the portal's office in Kaikhali area on Tuesday afternoon, he said.

12:18 PM

Delhi Chhath Puja row: PIL filed in Delhi HC against govt’s decision to ban celebrations on banks of Yamuna

The court, however, declined to issue any directions and stated that there are other ghats and designated areas where people can perform the puja safely. The court observed that the ban was likely imposed due to the high pollution levels in the Yamuna River, warning that people could fall ill from bathing in such toxic water.

12:16 PM

Fire breaks out at private TV channel studio near Bhubaneswar

A fire broke out at the studio of a private television channel on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Wednesday morning, police said. There were no casualties or injuries, although the fire caused significant property damage, police said. Local residents noticed the blaze at the channel's office at Sarua in Odisha's Khurda district and informed the fire services department, which deployed four fire tenders to extinguish the flames.

11:39 AM

J-K Assembly proceedings disrupted amid uproar over resolution on special status

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly proceedings were adjourned for an hour on Wednesday amidst uproar after the House passed a resolution seeking a dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives for restoration of special status of the erstwhile state. After the resolution was passed, the assembly witnessed noisy scenes as the BJP members stormed the well of the House to protest the resolution, following which Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes.

11:34 AM

AAP seeks CBI probe into cash-for-jobs fraud in Goa

Aam Aadmi Party has demanded a probe by the CBI or a retired high court judge into various cases of cheating on the promise of government jobs in Goa. Talking to reporters on Tuesday in South Goa, state AAP president Amit Palekar also sought an immediate halt of the process of recruitment in government departments.

11:11 AM

MUDA case: BJP protests demanding K'taka CM's resignation after he appears before Lokayukta police

The opposition BJP in Karnataka on Wednesday staged a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who appeared before the Lokayukta police here in response to the summons issued to him for questioning in the MUDA site allotment case. Protesters led by BJP MLA T S Srivatsa slammed Siddaramaiah, and asked him to step down from the CM post and face the probe.

10:45 AM

Residents in Haryana's Ambala report breathing issues due to fog, pollution

A thick layer of fog blanketed the Ambala city early Wednesday morning, reducing visibility. It marked the season's first fog that arrived after a delay of over a week. City residents expressed concerns as the fog, combined with reduced visibility, made breathing difficult and released an odor after mixing with atmospheric pollution.

10:21 AM

Security forces recover arms, ammunition from Manipur's Tengnoupal district

Security forces recovered arms and ammunition in Manipur's Tengnoupal district during search operations, police said. The recovered items, which were seized from Samukom area, include two pistols, three locally made cannons (pompis), eight 7.62 mm live rounds, two pistol rounds, nine IEDs, eight grenades, 36 hand grenades and two walkie-talkie sets, a statement said.

10:09 AM

Opposition MNF sweeps Mizoram's Sinlung Hills Council polls

Ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) and Hmar People's Convention (HPC) combine suffered a defeat against the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) and Hmar People's Convention (Reformed) in the 12-member Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) elections. According to the results announced by the State Election Commission on Tuesday night, the MNF-HPC(R) combine secured a majority with seven seats, while the ZPM won three out of the eight seats it contested.

9:59 AM

Original East India Company wound up but new breed of monopolists is in its place: Rahul Gandhi

The original East India Company wound up over 150 years ago but the raw fear it then generated is back with a new breed of monopolists having taken its place, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said today. He, however, asserted that a "new deal for progressive Indian business is an idea whose time has come".

9:29 AM

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to appear before Lokayukta in MUDA case today

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will appear before the Lokayukta police in Mysuru today for an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. The Mysuru Lokayukta officially initiated an inquiry into the case following a September 27 court order to file an FIR. The Lokayukta was directed to investigate allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi