Indian Embassy In Beirut Advises Citizens To Avoid Travelling To Lebanon Amid Escalating Tension

In view of a heavy rains alert, the Pune district administration has issued orders to keep schools and colleges in Pune city as well as Pimpri Chinchwad area closed on Thursday. District collector Suhas Divase issued the directive after the India Meteorological Department issued an alert that there would be rains coupled with lightning and thunderstorms. On Wednesday, Pune city witnessed heavy rains in the evening and there was water-logging in several areas.

BJP MP Ravi Kishan on Wednesday accused the Jharkhand government of trying to change the demography of the state for political mileage. Speaking to reporters in the Panki area in Palamu district, the actor-turned-politician said that the BJP will not tolerate "appeasement politics".

Amidst ongoing tension between Israel and Lebanon, the Embassy of India in Beirut tweeted, "As a reiteration of the Advisory issued on 1 August 2024 and in view of the recent developments and escalations in the region, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Lebanon till further notice. All Indian nationals already in Lebanon are also strongly advised to leave Lebanon. Those who remain for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with the Embassy of India in Beirut."

The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has asked the Centre whether it has taken any decision on a representation filed under the Citizenship Act, 1955 asking it to inquire into allegations that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has British citizenship. A division bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Om Prakash Shukla was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) moved by BJP worker from Karnataka, S Vignesh Shishir. The bench has fixed September 30 as the next date of hearing in the case.

Amidst heavy rains, Mumbai Police tweeted, "IMD has issued a warning of heavy rain with thunder and lightning in Mumbai and suburbs till 26th September morning.  Requesting all Mumbaikars to stay indoors, until essential. Please stay safe. Dial 100 in case of any emergencies."

President Droupadi Murmu will attend the 21st annual convocation of NALSAR University of Law here on September 28. The President will deliver the convocation address. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Verma, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, and Supreme Court judge Justice P S Narasimha would attend the event, an official release said.

In a development that could land former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot in trouble, his ex-OSD Lokesh Sharma has held him responsible for phone tapping during the political crisis in the state in 2020. He said, Gehlot should be interrogated in this regard. Delhi Police questioned Sharma on Wednesday in connection with the phone-tapping case lodged on a complaint by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

On his Parivartan Yatra in Jharkhand, former state chief minister and BJP leader Arjun Munda said, "Our Parivartan Rath has reached Saraikela. There is a huge outpouring of public support in Saraikela because there is a lot of resentment among the people. The government has disappointed the people of Jharkhand for the purpose with which they gave a chance to the Hemant Soren government. The work of suppressing those rights of the people has been done from which the people had expected to benefit. Through this Parivartan Yatra, we are giving the message that the youth have been cheated, women have been cheated and the citizens here have been cheated."

A man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district on Wednesday afternoon. The officials confirmed the incident saying that victim Shiv Prasad Rathiya, a labourer, was attacked by the elephant near Sisiringa village when he was returning after work. 

In remembrance of playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, Kamdar Nagar, the first street in Chennai Nungambakkam was named 'SP Balasubrahmanyam Street' by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, where SP Balasubrahmanyam's residence is located in Chennai.

The Defence Ministry on Wednesday said that the DRDO along with IIT-Delhi has developed lightweight bulletproof jackets which meet the "highest threat levels" and whose front and rear armours provide 360-degree protection. Based on the selection-criteria matrix, some Indian industries were shortlisted for Transfer of Technology and handholding, it said.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with researchers of the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, has developed these lightweight bulletproof jackets named 'ABHED' (Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat).

On the 10th anniversary of his government's 'Make in India' drive, Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that the flagship initiative to boost manufacturing has transformed a dream into a powerful movement and its impact shows that "Bharat is unstoppable".

In a blog on LinkedIn, he lauded everyone who played a role in making the initiative a "roaring success", saying each of them is a pioneer, visionary and innovator, whose tireless efforts have fuelled the programme's success, making India the focus of global attention as well as curiosity.

Alleging that consumers' electricity bills have increased four to five times in smart prepaid electric meters, the opposition RJD on Wednesday announced that the party would stage protests across Bihar on October 1 against installing such devices. RJD workers will hold protests outside block offices across the state on that day, the party’s state president Jagdanand Singh told reporters.

“The government has been forcibly installing smart prepaid electric meters to benefit private power companies. Electricity bills have surged four to five folds, causing heavy financial strain on consumers. We will not allow this to happen,” Singh said.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a meeting with AASU leadership to discuss the recommendations of Justice (Retd) Biplab Sarma Committee on implementing Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Arjun Munda claimed that the people of Jharkhand were feeling "betrayed" by the Hemant Soren-led government and have made up their minds to oust the "inefficient" dispensation. The former chief minister was addressing a press conference at Adityapur in Seraikela-Kharswan district.

"The ongoing Parivartan Yatra of the BJP is aimed at highlighting the present dispensation's failure to deliver on all fronts. The state government talks about the interests of the tribals, who are, however, not feeling safe under the JMM-led regime. The damage caused to the tribals would be visible in the days to come," he alleged, without elaborating.

A team of CID officials arrived at Thane’s Jupiter Hospital. CID team will question the officers involved in the encounter of Akshay Shinde 

The body of missing Kerala lorry driver Arjun was recovered along with his vehicle on Wednesday from a river, more than two months after a landslide at Shirur village in Uttara Kannada district, police said.

The July 16 landslide on National Highway 66 claimed the lives of eight people. With the recovery of Arjun's body, the death toll has gone up to nine, they said.

The search operations started soon after the landslide were halted on July 28 due to adverse weather conditions, high river current and other factors.

However, they were resumed later. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had written to his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah requesting him to resume operations to trace the lorry driver from Kozhikode.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the Congress saying if it comes to power in Haryana even by mistake, stability and development will be at stake because of its "infighting" and this will ruin the state.

Addressing a poll rally in Gohana in this district for the October 5 assembly polls, he also lashed out at the Congress over the issue of reservation, alleging opposing reservation and and hatred towards it are in its DNA.

Slamming the main opposition party, he said Congress governments are known for "instability." "In the past few years wherever it formed governments, chief ministers and ministers were involved in infighting. They have nothing to do with the pain and problems of the people," Modi said as he cited the example of Congress-ruled Karnataka.

"In Karnataka, its chief minister and deputy chief minister are busy in internal fighting. In Telangana and Himachal Pradesh, it is the same story," he said in his second rally in the state, the first being over a week ago in Kurukshetra.

While addressing Rahul Gandhi stated, “The promise that Manmohan made to the refugees that came from PoK, we will fulfill that promise.” 

Recognizing his mistake, Gandhi swiftly corrected himself, adding, “Sorry, the promise made to Kashmiri Pandits will be fulfilled.” 

TMC MP from Basirhat, Haji Sk. Nurul Islam passes away, party chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condoles his demise.

JDS leaders and party workers stage a protest demanding the resignation of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah over the alleged MUDA scam.

Haryana: Addressing a public rally in Sonipat, PM Modi said, "Yesterday night I arrived from the USA and I met CEOs of big companies...The world's trust in India has increased in the last ten years. When I went to New York, many people from Haryana who grew up in America performed the Harayanavi traditional dance to welcome me...India is progressing after getting free from corruption and dynasty politics...Big companies from across the world are eager to invest in India. When these companies will invest in India it will benefit the farmers, youth of Haryana...BJP has announced that many industrial cities will be established in Haryana to provide job opportunities to the youth.."

Polling going on peacefully in J-K; I congratulate people for taking part in festival of democracy with great enthusiasm: PM Modi

PM Modi is addressing rally in Sonipat

 Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says, "People are coming out to vote in large numbers...This is a history in the making...We are very happy that the voting is taking place in the entire valley and Jammu with enthusiasm...Be it the valley of Srinagar, be it the high mountain peaks from where the calls for disruption used to come, everywhere people are coming out to vote. Even in areas where there used to be calls for boycotts, there is enthusiasm among voters...It is for the world to see that how the elections can take place in J&K in a peaceful, fair manner...A large number of diplomats are also around in the area to see the assembly elections..."

Seven men were killed and one was grievously injured when a speeding car rammed into a trailer truck on a highway near Himatnagar in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district early Wednesday morning, police said.

 BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday withdrew her remarks calling for bringing back the three farm laws that were repealed in 2021, and said those were her personal opinion and not the party's.

She said she might have disappointed many with her statement on the contentious laws which she regretted.

The Himachal Pradesh BJP has also distanced itself from the Mandi MP's statement.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday closed suo motu proceedings initiated over alleged objectionable comments made by a Karnataka High Court judge during court proceedings.

A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud noted that Karnataka High Court judge Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda, who had made those observations, had on September 21 tendered an apology for his comments in the open court there.

At SDA polling booth in Srinagar's Bemina, Alice Cheng from the Singapore High Commission said, "The organisation is very similar to Singapore where you use government buildings to make it accessible for people. So, we are very grateful to MEA for organising this trip for us to come and witness the polling in progress.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath pays tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya by garlanding his statue on his birth anniversary at KKC College in Lucknow.

Justice M S Ramachandra Rao sworn in as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court

A delegation of diplomats from various countries arrives at a polling station in Bemina area of Srinagar to witness the polling process.    26 constituencies across six districts of the UT are voting today.

A high-level delegation of senior diplomats from several countries visited Budgam in Kashmir to observe the ongoing Assembly elections during the second phase of voting in the Union Territory, on Wednesday. 

The delegation included diplomats from the USA, Mexico, Guyana, South Korea, Somalia, Panama, Singapore, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa, Norway, Tanzania, Rwanda, Algeria, and the Philippines.

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UN Security Council that “we have to prepare” the second peace summit to end the Russia-Ukraine war “altogether” and he has invited India and other countries to join the peace process.

“We all know what needs to be done if we honestly look at the situation and truly want to stop Russia's war. Most importantly, act together, of course in unity, without creating new and unnecessary divisions of the world into blocks or regional groups,” Zelenskyy here on Tuesday told a Security Council meeting on the Ukraine conflict.

Bombs hidden in the group's pagers and walkie-talkies killed dozens of people and wounded thousands — many of them Hezbollah members. An Israeli strike in Beirut killed one of its top commanders. And Israel has bombed what it said were 1,600 militant sites across large parts of Lebanon, killing hundreds of people and displacing thousands.

 The Odisha government has provided security to the army officer and his fiancée, the victim of the alleged sexual assault in custody at the Bharatpur Police Station here.

Personal security officers (PSO) were engaged for the two following a decision of the state government, a senior officer of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionrate of Police said on Tuesday.

 The India-US relationship is “strong and getting stronger”, the White House said, adding that President Joe Biden when looks back at his term will be most proud of deepening the partnership with India, making it more inclusive and broadening.

Voting began on Wednesday for the second phase of the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir in which over 2.5 million voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates in the fray for 26 seats, including that of former chief minister of the erstwhile state Omar Abdullah, officials said.

Seven persons were killed and one was grievously injured when a speeding car rammed into a trailer truck near Himatnagar in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district early Wednesday morning, police said.

The car was carrying several persons from Shamlaji to Ahmedabad when it hit the trailer from behind while it was going ahead on a national highway, a Himatnagar police official said.

 Hezbollah on Tuesday confirmed the death of one of its top commanders, Ibrahim Kobeisi, who was killed in an Israeli strike in a southern Beirut suburb.

 BJP MP C P Joshi has written to the Lok Sabha speaker requesting the cancellation of the passport of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks during his recent visit to the US, saying that they "constitute anti-national activities".

 The Delhi Assembly membership of Chhatarpur MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar was terminated by Speaker Ram Niwas Goel under the anti-defection law, officials said on Tuesday.