Pakistan To Expel Over A Million Illegal Migrants After Nov 1. Here's Why

Pakistan has asked all undocumented immigrants, including an estimated 1.7 million Afghans, to voluntarily leave the country by November 1 or face deportations. Pakistan is determined to remove all illegal immigrants from the country, said Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Tuesday amid claims by Islamabad that 14 of 24 suicide bombings in the country this year were carried out by Afghan nationals. According to the minister, there will be no deadline extension. He also stated that action would be taken against anyone involved in helping or hiding the immigrants. 

"All the illegal immigrants have been identified. The state has complete data," said Mr Bugti, as per DW. "I want to appeal one more time that all the illegal immigrants should leave voluntarily by the deadline," he added. 

Who Are These "Illegal Immigrants"?

Notably, according to Reuters, Pakistan is home to over 4 million Afghan migrants and refugees. Out of these, about 1.7 million are undocumented. Afghans make up the largest portion of migrants - many came after the Taliban retook Afghanistan in 2021, but a large number have been present since the 1979 Soviet invasion, the news agency reported. 

Now, as cash-strapped Pakistan is navigating record inflation and a tough International Monetary Fund bailout program, the officials in the country have accused the undocumented migrants of draining the resources for decades. Islamabad has also claimed that the many bombings in the country this year were carried out by Afghan nationals. 

"There are no two opinions that we are attacked from within Afghanistan and Afghan nationals are involved in attacks on us," Mr Bugti said in a news conference. "We have evidence," he added. "If they do not go, ... then all the law enforcement agencies in the provinces or federal government will be utilised to deport them," Mr Bugti said.

According to officials, illegal immigrants who are willing to voluntarily leave the country will be helped by the nation. But authorities also warned that anyone found in the country illegally after Wednesday would be arrested. 

Pakistan also stated that the 1.4 million Afghans who are registered refugees need not worry. It denied targeting Afghan nationals and said that the focus is only on people who are in the country illegally, regardless of their nationality. 

Deportation centres 

According to DW, three deportation centres have been set up in southwestern Baluchistan. Another three centres have also been set in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. More than 60,000 Afghans have returned home since the crackdown was announced, Azam Khan, the caretaker chief minister for the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said. 

Pakistan's crackdown condemned 

A number of diplomats and representatives have condemned Pakistan's crackdown on immigrants. Afghanistan has called Pakistan's move "harassment". The Afghan embassy in Islamabad in a statement on X, said more than 1,000 Afghans have been detained in the past two weeks - half of them despite having a legal right to be in Pakistan. "Despite the repeated promises of the Pakistan authorities, the arrest and harassment of Afghan refugees by the police in Pakistan continues," it said.

Separately, a group of former US diplomats and representatives of resettlement organisations also urged Pakistan not to deport Afghans awaiting US visas under a program that resettled vulnerable refugees fleeing Taliban rule. 

According to DW, the United Nations also made a similar appeal, saying that the crackdown could lead to human rights violations, including the separation of families. 

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Watch: Couple Recreates 'Bang Bang' Song, Hrithik Roshan Reacts

A couple decided to give their pre-wedding shoot a Bollywood twist. In a video now going viral on the internet, the couple, Karan and Sakshi Kashyap recreated the song 'Bang Bang', originally picturised on actors Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif. With choreographed moves that mirrored the song's infectious energy, the couple weaved their playful chemistry into each step and beat.

The clip shows a couple dressed like Mr Roshan and Ms Kaif, recreating the popular Bollywood song in a scene-by-scene manner.

"In her [Sakshi] own words, 'Karan, I know we aren't that great dancers but I wish we could do something like this instead of a PreWed video for our wedding'. That enthusiasm of Sakshi had left a thought in Karan's mind. He had made up his mind that one day he would surprise her with KARSHI's version of BANG BANG," the wedding planners wrote.

"Cut to 2 years later - Their wedding preps have already started. One day while bringing her back from shopping, he told her that he had spoken to their wedding planner about the video and they're bringing a guy @anubhavvsharmaa founder @stagelifeweddings who can actually make our version of your favourite song - BANG BANG a reality," they added.

Sakshi Kashyap reacted in the sweetest way, "Sakshi's excitement levels shot up and she after giving him a kiss, said I promise you to live each and every frame of this epic song with you. So we can watch it and fall in love again and again throughout our lives. Then we created a dream for them."

Watch the video here:

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A post shared by The Stagelife Weddings (@stagelifeweddings)

The video has collected over 23,000 views on Instagram. The video has caught the attention of actor Hrithik Roshan. 

He commented, "Beautiful, congratulations guys!"

The video was also loved by the netizen. A user wrote, "Next level direction & choreography. it looks amazing & it looks like the original one. Great work."

Another user wrote, "And this is really awesome recreation, amazing video."

"The frame, the detailings are wow... Can't deny their efforts for whatever reason whatsoever," the third user wrote.  

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"We Are Heartbroken": Matthew Perry's Family After Actor's Tragic Death

Actor Matthew Perry was found dead at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday. He was 54. First responders found Perry unconscious in a hot tub at his house and were unable to revive him. 

His family in an exclusive interview with People spoke about the star's death. "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother," the family says. "Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend."

They add, "You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love."

Mr Perry was best known for his portrayal of the wise-cracking Chandler Bing on the wildly popular "Friends," which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004. "Friends" followed the lives of six New Yorkers navigating adult life, dating and careers. It was a mainstay of NBC's much-vaunted 1990s and early 2000s television lineup and drew a massive global following. 

During the height of his success, Perry battled for years with addiction to painkillers and alcohol, and attended rehabilitation clinics on multiple occasions, AFP reported.

Perry experienced health problems including a burst colon in 2018 due to his drug usage, which required multiple surgeries and the use of a colostomy bag for months after.

In his memoir "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing," published last year, Perry described going through detox dozens of times and spending millions of dollars in repeated attempts to get sober.

In the book, which he dedicated to "all of the sufferers out there", the 'Friends' star talked about drug abuse and alcoholism and described going through detox dozens of times and spending millions of dollars in repeated attempts to get sober.

The prologue talks about his time living in a sober living house in Southern California.

 

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Woman, 2 Daughters Run Over By Vande Bharat In UP

A 40-year-old woman and her two daughters died on Sunday evening when they were run over by the Vande Bharat Express at a manned level crossing in this district while they were crossing it, police said.

Superintendent of Police (city) Piyush Kumar Singh said the accident took place when the gates of the Kasampur manned level crossing were closed.

He added that the bodies have been sent for post-mortem.

Describing the sequence of events, police said Kankarkhera resident Naresh was pulling a 'rherha' (a type of hand-driven cart), while his wife Mona (40) and their daughters Manisha (14) and Charu (7) were seated at the back side of the 'rehra'.

At the Kasampur manned railway crossing, Naresh moved under the railway gate, and was crossing the railway track, when the semi-high speed train hit the rear of the cart, running over Mona, and her two daughters, who died on the spot.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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US Man Missing For 2 Weeks At Sea Found Alive, Ate Salmon To Survive

In an astonishing turn of events, a fisherman who was missing for two weeks has been found alive floating in a life raft about 110 km off the west coast of the US. 

The US Coast Guard said the search for the missing fishermen was suspended a day earlier, the Morning News reported. The rescuers said the man survived by eating salmon throughout these days. 

The man who was not identified, had left Grays Harbor in Washington state on October 12 on the ship.

King-TV in Seattle has identified the rescuers as Ryan Planes and his uncle John from Sooke, a town on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

"I saw what looked like a life raft in the distance and ran inside and put the binoculars on him and then he shot off a flare," Ryan told the network.

"We pulled him on board. He gave me a big hug and it was emotional," John continued.

The man told the rescuers that he had been alone on the raft for 13 days and he ate salmon to survive. 

"We made him breakfast. He drank three bottles of water," he continued. "He was pretty hungry, poor guy."

Officials said that he was transported back to shore by the Canadian Coast Guard and another Canadian rescue agency.

King-TV reported that the man was taken to a hospital in Tofino, British Columbia, for further treatment. 

The officials said that the man was meant to return on October 15. 

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Watch: Israel Embassy In Delhi Flies 229 Balloons, 1 For Each Hostage

Two hundred and twenty-mine balloons, one for every Israeli being held hostage by Hamas, were released into the skies in major cities across the world. The latest to join the "Balloons of Hope: Bring the Hostages Home" campaign was the Israeli embassy in New Delhi.

As many as 229 white and blue balloons -- the colours of the Israeli flag -- were released into the sky. “In New Delhi and across the globe, 229 balloons soared into the skies, each representing a man, woman, or child held hostage by Hamas terrorists. We stand united and will not rest until our loved ones are safely returned. Every balloon carries symbolises a cry for freedom,” read a post shared by the Israeli embassy on X, formerly Twitter.

In New Delhi and across the globe, 229 balloons soared into the skies, each representing a man, woman, or child held hostage by #HamasTerrorists.

We stand united and will not rest until our loved ones are safely returned.

Every balloon carries symbolises a cry for… pic.twitter.com/wT2wPSJIAf

— Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) October 28, 2023

The ‘Balloons of Hope' initiative has seen the involvement of over 15 countries, signifying international solidarity. This joint effort underscores the common human values connecting people across the world, highlighting that the issue was a violation of universal human rights and not bound by geographical boundaries.

On Saturday, India abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

As Israeli airstrikes intensified, internet and phone services in the Gaza Strip experienced a near-complete disruption, effectively isolating the 2.3 million residents from any communication with the world. This development coincided with Israel's military announcement of the "expansion" of its ground operations in the besieged territory, a significant step toward a potential full-scale invasion of Gaza.

Israel's stated objective is to dismantle the ruling Hamas group, following their recent incursion into southern Israel, which has heightened tensions in the region.

The latest episode of what's now a full-blown Israeli operation in Gaza started after Hamas launched an on-ground and air attack on Israel on October 7, killing at least 262 people at a music concert. Since then, Israel has retaliated, bombarding the 362 square kilometre Gaza Strip.

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In Fresh Death Threat To Mukesh Ambani, A Demand Of Rs 200 Crore

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani has received a fresh death email threatening to shoot him if he does not pay Rs 200 crore, the police said on Saturday.

The police said that this time the person who sent the email raised his demand from Rs 20 crore to Rs 200 crore due to no response to his previous email.

"Another email came from the same account which read: 'U have not responded to our email now the amount is 200 crore otherwise the death warrant is signed'," the police said.

On Friday, Mukesh Ambani received an email threatening to shoot him if he doesn't pay Rs 20 crore.

According to the Mumbai police, the threat mail said: "If you don't give us 20 crore rupees, we will kill you, we have the best shooters in India."

Based on a complaint by Mukesh Ambani's security in-charge, the Gamdevi Police in south Mumbai registered a case against an unknown person under Sections 387 and 506 (2) of the Indian Penal Code.

Further investigation is underway.

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NASA Shares Pic Of Galaxy Trio Located 500 Million Light-Years From Earth

US space agency NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) often delights space enthusiasts with updates on the latest discoveries related to galaxies, stars, and planets within our solar system. It also shares captivating images captured by its spacecraft. Now, in its most recent post, the space agency dropped a mesmerising photograph of an interacting galaxy pair known as Arp-Madore 2339-661. Located roughly 500 million light-years from Earth, the image was captured using NASA and the European Space Agency's Hubble Space Telescope. 

"A galactic tango! This striking #HubbleFriday image captures the gravitationally-interacting galaxy pair known as Arp-Madore 2339-661," NASA wrote in the caption. 

Take a look below: 

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A post shared by Hubble Space Telescope (@nasahubble)

The two galaxies are in the process of merging, according to a statement from the European Space Agency. One galaxy is known as NGC 7733 - the smaller galaxy seen in the lower right - and the other is NGC 7734 - the larger galaxy in the upper left. However, hidden in the star-studded spiral arm of the smaller galaxy is yet another galaxy, referred to as NGC 7733N. 

"The third galaxy is currently referred to as NGC 7733N, and can actually be spotted in this picture if you look carefully at the upper arm of NGC 7733, where there is a visually notable knot-like structure, glowing with a different colour to the arm and obscured by dark dust," the ESA wrote in its blog.

"This could easily pass as part of NGC 7733, but analysis of the velocities (speed, but also considering direction) involved in the galaxy shows that this knot has a considerable additional redshift, meaning that it is very likely its own entity and not part of NGC 7733," it added. 

Also Read | Mysterious Force Suppressing Growth of Cosmic Structures, Study Finds

Further, according to the European Space Agency, the three galaxies lie relatively close to each other in the constellation Tucana and are interacting gravitationally with one another. In fact, some science literature refers to them as a 'merging group,' which means they will ultimately become a single entity, ESA said. 

Meanwhile, since being posted, the picture has collected nearly 7 lakh likes on Instagram. 

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On PM Modi's Jibe At Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule's Padma Vibhushan Rebuttal

Nationalist Congress Party leader Supriya Sule on Friday said it was the Narendra Modi government that had given Sharad Pawar the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian award, for his work in the agriculture sector, the statement coming a day after the prime minister questioned the NCP founder's contribution to farmers.

During his address in Shirdi in Ahmednagar district on Thursday, PM Modi, without naming Mr Pawar, had said, "Some people in Maharashtra only did politics in the name of farmers. A senior leader of Maharashtra served as the country's agriculture minister. I personally respect him, but what has he done for farmers?" Mr Pawar served as the agriculture minister when the Congress-led UPA government was in office at the Centre (2004-14). PM Modi had also said when Mr Pawar was the Union agriculture minister, farmers were at the mercy of middlemen.

Talking to reporters in Sindhdurg district, Ms Sule said whenever the prime minister came to Maharashtra, he dubbed the NCP as "Naturally Corrupt Party". On Thursday, PM Modi didn't link NCP to corruption like he used to before.

"Pawar saheb was given the Padman Vibhushan by the Modi government for his work in agriculture and politics," Baramati MP Sule pointed out.

Earlier in the day, former state minister Anil Deshmukh said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar should have left the dais in protest in Shirdi or corrected PM Modi when the PM questioned Sharad Pawar's contribution to the farming community.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Mr Deshmukh, who belongs to the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP, said, "Ajit Dada should have left the dais (in protest) or given proper information to PM Modi so that he could correct his statement (against Sharad Pawar)." Mr Deshmukh pointed out that PM Modi has in the past praised Sharad Pawar for his contribution to the farming community.

Mr Deshmukh alleged PM Modi has now changed his stand ahead of the elections and demanded that the PM correct his statement with regard to Sharad Pawar.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said, "When Manmohan Singh was prime minister and Sharad Pawar was agriculture minister (during UPA rule between 2004 and 2014), loans worth Rs 70,000 crore of farmers were waived." Mr Thackeray further said he expected PM Modi to speak on the Maratha quota issue, but he did not.

The NCP split on July 2 after Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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World Cup Points Table: What Loss Against SA Means For Under-Fire Pakistan

The Pakistan cricket team's disappointing show at the Cricket World Cup 2023 continued on Friday as they were defeated by South Africa in a thriller at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Babar Azam-led side came agonisingly close to victory but were ultimately defeated by just one wicket. As a result, Pakistan are sixth in the points table and with just four points from six matches, they will find it extremely difficult to book their berth in the knockout stages. On the other hand, South Africa claimed the top spot as they leapfrogged the unbeaten Indian cricket team. While both sides have 10 points in the competition, South Africa have the better Net Run Rate (NRR). New Zealand are third at the moment while Australia and Sri Lanka are fourth and fifth respectively.

Here is the updated Cricket World Cup 2023 points table:

South Africa defeated Pakistan by one wicket in a tense finish to push their Asian rivals to the brink of elimination from the Cricket World Cup 2023 on Friday.

South Africa bowled out Pakistan for 270 and then returned to overhaul the target, scoring 271 for 9 in 47.2 overs with Aiden Markram top-scoring with a 93-ball 91.

Earlier, opting to bat, skipper Babar Azam made a 65-ball 50, while Saud Shakeel scored a run-a-ball 52. Shadab Khan also chipped in with a 36-ball 43.

However, Pakistan couldn't build partnerships as South Africa managed to take wickets with Tabraiz Shamsi (4/60) emerging as the most successful bowler.

Marco Jansen (3/43), Gerald Coetzee (2/42) and Lungi Ngidi (1/45) shared six wickets among them.

(With PTI inputs)

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Ex Cricketer Azharuddin In Congress' 2nd List Of Candidates For Telangana

Former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin, late folk singer Gaddar's daughter GV Vennela and ex-MPs Madhu Yashki Goud, Ponnam Prabhakar and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy were among the prominent names in the second list of 45 candidates announced by the Congress on Friday for the November 30 Telangana assembly polls.

Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy, who quit the BJP on Wednesday and rejoined the Congress today has been fielded from Munugode which he had represented earlier.

Mr Reddy's resignation from Congress to join the BJP led to a bypoll in Munugode last year which he had lost.

Mr Azharuddin, who had represented Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh in Lok Sabha earlier, will contest from the posh Jubilee Hills constituency in Hyderabad.

Former MPs Madhu Yaskhi Goud and Ponnam Prabhakar would be contesting from LB Nagar in Hyderabad and Husnabad in Siddipet district respectively, while Gaddar's daughter Vennela would be making her electoral debut in Secunderabad Cantt-SC constituency.

Former minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, who had recently quit the ruling BRS and joined the Congress, will contest from Khammam.

Former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, who had also resigned from BRS and joined the Congress, has been fielded from Palair.

With this, the party has so far declared 100 candidates for the Telangana assembly polls.

The state has 119 assembly constituencies.

Earlier in the day, the Congress leadership deliberated upon the names of candidates for the Telangana assembly polls at a crucial meeting of the party's Central Election Committee in Delhi.

Chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the meeting was attended by former party chief Sonia Gandhi, besides members of the committee and Telangana leaders, including PCC chief A Revanth Reddy. The Congress had also held a meeting of the CEC for Telangana on Wednesday.

The Congress is seeking to replace the BRS government in the state.

In the earlier list, the party fielded Pradesh Congress chief Anumula Revanth Reddy from Kodangal assembly seat while CLP leader Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu from Madhira-SC seat.

Revanth Reddy is currently the sitting Lok Sabha MP from Malkajgiri parliamentary constituency.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Dies At 68

Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 68, state media reported Friday. A reform-minded bureaucrat, Li was once tipped as the country's future leader only to be eclipsed by President Xi Jinping, under whom he served as premier for 10 years.

Xinhua news agency said Li had a sudden heart attack on Thursday and passed away in the early hours of Friday in Shanghai, where he had been resting.  

During his time as premier, Li cultivated an image as a more modern apparatchik compared to his stiffer colleagues.

A career bureaucrat who spoke fluent English, he had voiced support for economic reforms during his time in office.

He showed liberal tendencies in his youth, but toed the party line for decades, and his reputation was damaged by his handling of an HIV/AIDS epidemic stemming from a tainted blood donation programme while he was party boss in Henan province.

Local authorities responded with a clampdown on activists and the media rather than assigning responsibility to the officials involved, and at the national level a stream of health scandals also happened on his watch.

Li, the son of a minor party official in eastern China's poor Anhui province, was sent to the countryside to work as a manual labourer during China's tumultuous Cultural Revolution.

He went on to gain a law degree from Peking University, where classmates say he embraced Western and liberal political theory, translating a book on the law by a British judge.

But he became more orthodox after joining the ranks of officialdom in the mid-80s, working as a bureaucrat while his former classmates protested in Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Li rose to become the party's top official in Henan, and in Liaoning province in the northeast -- both of which saw economic growth -- before being promoted to become a deputy to then-premier Wen Jiabao.

But his attempts at tackling China's deep economic challenges were curtailed by the overwhelming authority of Xi Jinping, with whom he was once seen as a rival for the country's leadership.

Li was praised for helping to steer the country through the global financial crisis relatively unscathed.

But his time in office saw a dramatic shift in power in China from the more consensus-based rule associated with former leader Hu Jintao and his predecessors, to the more concentrated power of Xi. 

It also saw China's economy begin to slow from the dizzying heights experienced in the 1990s and 2000s.

When Li left office, the Chinese economy was experiencing some of its lowest growth in decades, battered by a Covid-induced slowdown and a crisis in the housing market.

The appointment of Xi ally Li Qiang -- a former Shanghai party boss -- as his successor this year was seen as a sign that his reformist agenda had fallen by the wayside as Beijing tightens its grip over its slowing economy.

But in his final speech as outgoing premier, Li struck a bullish tone, saying China's economy was "staging a steady recovery and demonstrating vast potential and momentum for further growth".

"Overcoming great difficulties and challenges, we succeeded in maintaining overall stable economic performance."

"There was always a feeling that Li was the last bastion of reason and heart in an otherwise ideological age," historian Jeremiah Jenne said in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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12 Students Branded With Hot Spoon As Punishment In Gujarat School: Cops

The administrator of an unregistered residential school in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district was booked on Thursday for allegedly branding at least 12 minor students with a hot steel spoon as punishment for not waking up early in the morning, police said.

The case of assault and other offences under the Indian Penal Code and Juvenile Justice Act against Nachiketa Vidya Sansthan administrator Ranjit Solanki at Kheroj police station was filed based on the complaint of the father of a 10-year-old student, an official said.

"It is alleged that Solanki had branded the complainant's son and 11 other students with a hot steel spoon nearly two months ago. He is yet to be arrested," Deputy Superintendent of Police Smit Gohil said.

Mr Solanki, a resident of Poshina taluka of the district, is the administrator of 'Nachiketa Vidhya Sansthan' in Kheroj village in Khedbrahma taluka.

A parallel investigation by the office of the district primary education officer revealed it is not a school but an unregistered 'gurukul' with a hostel facility being run by a trust to teach Upanishads, Ramayana and Vedas to students, officials said.

As per the complaint of Ramabhai Taral, Solanki had branded his minor son and 11 other students for not waking up early in the morning.

The complainant has claimed the trust convinced local tribals that 'Nachiketa Vidya Sansthan' is a regular school with hostel facility and students will be able to study and stay at the facility till Class X.

"A week ago, I learnt from someone that students are being tortured at the school. To cross check that claim, I went to the school a few days ago. Though there were burn marks on my son's legs but he did not reveal anything out of some unknown fear. Later, he informed me that Solanki branded him two months ago for not waking up early," Mr Taral said in his complaint.

"We learnt from students that Solanki had branded 12 students one by one using a hot spoon as a punishment for not waking up early. Out of fear, students did not say anything to their parents all these days," Taral further said in his complaint.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Israel Finds Itself Increasingly Alone As Anger Grows Over Gaza

Jordan's Queen Rania Al Abdullah was offered a chance to express horror at the Oct. 7 Hamas killing and abduction of Israelis.

How did she feel, she was asked in a CNN interview, "as an Arab, as a Palestinian, a human being, a mother?"

The monarch launched into an impassioned denunciation of Israel's subsequent bombing of Gaza and the West's "double standard," juxtaposing what happened in southern Israel with what is occurring in Gaza. "Are we being told it is wrong to kill an entire family at gunpoint but it's OK to shell them to death?"

The interview, greeted with fury in Israel, is part of a growing disconnect between how the Jewish state views the conflict, and how it is seen by the rest of the Middle East and many further afield.

Inside Israel, a powerful sense of foreboding was evidenced by a new poll showing 64% of Israelis now fear for their physical safety. Hamas continues to fire rockets and missiles into the country every day while militants try to sneak in via land or sea. Security officials believe some of those who entered on Oct. 7 may be in hiding in preparation for a second attack. 

Outside of Israel, many see things differently. On Tuesday, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said of the Hamas killings that they "did not happen in a vacuum," adding, "The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation."

Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, was so outraged at the notion that Hamas' violence needed this context that he called on Guterres to resign. The sentiment wasn't limited to those on the right of Israeli politics. "Dark are the days when the United Nations Secretary General condones terror," opposition leader Benny Gantz posted to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Germany, which has been quick to show its support to Israel in the days since the Oct. 7 attacks, made a point of rejecting its ally's demand. "The UN secretary general has of course the trust of the German government," said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit in Berlin.

Israelis don't deny that the events of Oct. 7 - when 1,400 were killed and another 200 people abducted - require context. But for them, that context is not the mistreatment of Palestinians. They see the attack by Hamas as an extension of anti-Semitic assaults through the centuries.

The Holocaust memorial centre in Jerusalem, known as Yad Vashem, issued a statement in response to Guterres, saying Oct. 7 was different from the Holocaust only "because Jews have today a state and an army. We are not defenseless and at the mercy of others. However, it puts to test the sincerity of world leaders, intellectuals and influencers who come to Yad Vashem and pledge 'Never Again.'" 

There has been a parade of Western leaders through Tel Aviv offering solidarity and support. This follows a visit by President Joe Biden who came offering billions in military aid and referred to painful Jewish history. 

After that visit, Israelis felt understood. They believed that their plan to destroy Hamas would gain world sympathy as they publicized gruesome videos the killers themselves took of slaughter and abuse.

As Israeli fighter jets took to the skies over Gaza and bombarded it, killing thousands, that sympathy has come with qualifications they did not expect. 

Rescuers search the site of collapsed buildings following an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday canceled a visit to Israel that was meant to take place later this year and added, "Hamas isn't a terror organization but is instead a group of liberators and mujahideen defending their land and people. We will never allow for the killing of children." Turkey also paused plans for energy cooperation with Israel.

Elsewhere in the Muslim world, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that no Muslim leader expects the events in Gaza to be resolved easily. Why? "Israel has become too arrogant with the support of the US and Europe," he said. "It is the level of insanity to allow people to be butchered, babies to be killed, hospitals to be bombed, and schools to be destroyed. It is the height of barbarism in this world."

Israel refers to Hamas as the new ISIS, and has vowed to destroy the militant group, which is designated a terrorist organization by the US and European Union. 

"Saying that Hamas is the new ISIS is not only analytically inaccurate but also carries the risk of making all residents of Gaza vulnerable targets," said Lina Khatib, the Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute in London. "Arabs and Muslims are widely rejecting this simplistic and dangerous characterization."

Many world leaders are calling for a ceasefire that would allow for more aid to get into Gaza, although some describe it as a "humanitarian pause." On Tuesday, eight trucks got in, followed by another 17 on Wednesday, according to Israeli officials, who said every truck was checked by their officers to make sure nothing was going in to help Hamas. 

The aid that's arrived so far is "a drop in the ocean," said Tommaso Della Longa, spokesperson for The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, earlier this week.

In Israel, as concerns grow that Hezbollah may enter the war from Lebanon to its north, some speak of leaving for the US or Europe, at least for a period. But others say the anti-Israeli demonstrations across Western cities make them feel even less safe abroad than at home. 

This is a fight, many say, for the Jewish homeland, a second war of independence. But what that will create internally remains unclear. Gun license applications, officials report, are poised to triple. 

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh was taken captive by Hamas at a music festival, spoke at the UN and asked why there wasn't more agitation over the abducted. "Where is the world?" she said in anguish. "Where are you?"

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"In What World Do You Live?" Israel Minister To UN Chief On Gaza Criticism

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Tuesday denounced UN chief Antonio Guterres over his criticism of Israel's Gaza campaign, as Cohen recounted graphic details of Hamas attacks on civilians.

"Mr. Secretary-General, in what world do you live?" Cohen told Guterres at a Security Council session on the crisis.

Cohen later told reporters that he had cancelled a meeting with Guterres.

The United Nations leader earlier had alleged "clear violations" of international law as Israel pounded Gaza in response to the October 7 assault by Hamas and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Guterres also said that the Hamas attacks did not occur "in a vacuum," pointing to "56 years of suffocating occupation" endured by the Palestinians.

"How you can agree to a ceasefire with someone who swore to kill and destroy your own existence?" Cohen said in English.

Rejecting tying the violence to the occupation, Cohen said Israel gave Gaza to the Palestinians "to the last millimetre" with its withdrawal in 2005.

Israel shortly afterwards imposed a blockade of the impoverished territory, in place ever since, after Hamas took power, and it still occupies the West Bank.

Israel's outspoken ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, called on Guterres to resign -- writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the UN chief has "expressed an understanding for terrorism and murder."

A spokesman for Guterres said the secretary-general would go ahead with a meeting Tuesday with representatives of families held captive by Hamas in Gaza.

He will attend in the presence of an Israeli mission representative but not Cohen, the UN spokesman said.

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Watch: Kohli-Rohit Bromance In Spotlight As India Ends 20-Year-old WC Jinx

Till Sunday, two teams were unbeaten at the Cricket World Cup 2023 - the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team and the New Zealand cricket team. So, their clash at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala was sort of a decider as to which team was the best after the first few round of matches at the Cricket World Cup 2023. To add intrigue to the contest, the Indian cricket team had not been able to win against New Zealand in a Cricket World Cup match since 2003.  However, that record changed as India beat New Zealand by four wickets. 

Virat Kohli (95) led India's chase against a good New Zealand bowling attack as the host side kept its all-win record intact at the Cricket World Cup. After India's win, the bromance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took the spotlight, the video of which was shared by the ICC on its instagram handle. 

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A post shared by ICC (@icc)

In another video that has gone viral in social media, the duo can be seen leaving a place in teh same car. It is not clear, however, when the video was taken. 

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma travelling in the same car. pic.twitter.com/RaXrGMJByG

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 23, 2023

New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell feels Indian star Virat Kohli's sublime knock of 95 was the difference between the two teams in their World Cup match here.
Mitchell smashed 130 off 127 balls and shared a century stand for the third wicket with Rachin Ravindra to help New Zealand reach 273 on Sunday.

But Mitchell's knock did not prove to be enough as Kohli anchored the chase to take India home in 48 overs. "He's a world class player and he'll go down as one of the greats of the game for a reason.

"A very good knock under pressure I thought and although he didn't get 100, he got his team across the line," Mitchell said after the four-wicket loss on Sunday.

Mitchell praised New Zealand's bowling effort and said the conditions got better for batting under lights.

"...us as Kiwis, we'll just keep throwing punches, we'll keep trying different things and we'll keep trying to take wickets.

"I'm just really proud of our bowling unit tonight and how they tried to do that for periods of time and in conditions which probably got better with the dew with the wicket." The right-handed batter said the Kiwis were 20-30 runs short of what could have been a winning total.

"You obviously always want more runs, but at the same time I thought the platform that we set and the way we wanted to go about it was in true Black Caps style.

"So, for us, we'll just keep chipping in and we'll work on a few things, and we'll be good to go next time," Mitchell said.

Mitchell was aggressive against Kuldeep Yadav early on in his innings and the Kiwi said his plan was to put pressure on the in-form Indian wrist spinner.

"I've known Kuldeep for a while now, he's a great man and we get on well off the field and yeah for me it's just keep trying to find ways to put pressure on their bowlers, it's not just him it's the same with every bowler that we come up against," he said.

"It's about trying to find ways to put pressure on them. He's done really well over the last few years for India and it's awesome to see him have some success.

With PTI inputs 

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"I Don't Mind Being Nelson Mandela Because...": Trump

Voicing against the multiple criminal charges against him, former US President Donald Trump made his comparison to former South African President Nelson Mandela stating that he is "doing it for a reason", CNN reported on Tuesday.

Addressing a crowd of supporters at a Derry, New Hampshire, rally, Trump said, "I don't mind being Nelson Mandela, because I'm doing it for a reason."

The remark from Trump -- who has been indicted four times and faces 91 criminal charges across the cases -- came after he filed to appear on the presidential ballot in New Hampshire.

Trump, who is the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is facing two federal indictments brought by special counsel Jack Smith, as well as state criminal prosecutions in New York and Georgia. Some of the most severe charges against him are in connection with his alleged mishandling of classified information and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, CNN reported.

Recently, Trump has also been appearing in person at his civil fraud case in New York, where a judge has found him and his eldest sons liable for fraud.

His comparison to Nobel Peace Prize-winning anti-apartheid activist is in line with his recent comment, where he stated that he is "willing to go to jail, if that's what it takes for our country to win and become a democracy again."

As he eyes a potential general election rematch with President Joe Biden, Trump focused a large portion of his campaign speech Monday on Israel's war with Hamas, using it to criticize Biden's recent address to the nation and arguing that Americans are less safe under his administration, CNN reported.

He called for the US to build a missile defense system like Israel's Iron Dome, and said he wanted to "build a shield around our country."

Trump, further claimed that a vote for Biden in 2024 would be "a vote to turn the United States into a hotbed of jihadists and make our cities into dumping grounds very much resembling the Gaza Strip."

The former president has used Hamas' deadly October 7 attack on Israel and the resulting war in arguing for his hard-line immigration policies, including implementing a travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries if he were to win reelection, CNN reported.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Russia Sends Fighter Jets As 2 US Bombers, Drone Approach Its Border

Russia scrambled fighter jets to intercept two US bombers and a drone which approached Russia's northern and southern borders on Tuesday, the Russian Defence Ministry reported.

According to the ministry, two US B-1B strategic bombers approached the border over the Baltic Sea and a Global Hawk drone approached the border over the Black Sea.

As with the fighter jets, a single Su-37 approached in both cases and the US bombers and the drone pivoted away from the Russian border, the ministry said.

Similar encounters have been regularly reported in recent weeks by Russia.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Off-Duty US Pilot Tried To Shut Down Plane's Engines Mid-Flight

An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who was sitting in a cockpit jump seat on a US commercial flight has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to shut down the plane's engines in flight.

The Horizon Air Embraer E-175 was on a flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco when the incident occurred on Sunday, Alaska Airlines, the parent company of Horizon, said in a statement.

The plane, which was carrying 80 passengers, was diverted to Portland, Oregon, where it landed safely.

Alaska Airlines said the Horizon Air pilots reported a "credible security threat related to an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who was traveling in the flight deck jump seat."

"The jump seat occupant unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines," it said. "The Horizon Captain and First Officer quickly responded, engine power was not lost and the crew secured the aircraft without incident."

The airline did not identify the off-duty pilot but a Joseph Emerson, 44, was charged on Monday by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office in Portland with 83 counts of attempted murder, reckless endangerment and endangering an aircraft.

Live ATC, a website which archives conversations between pilots and air traffic controllers, published an audio recording of the Horizon Air pilot relating the incident to air traffic control.

"We've got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit," the Horizon Air pilot said. "And he doesn't sound like he's causing any issue in the back right now.

"I think he's subdued. Other than that, yeah, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked," the pilot said.

A Germanwings plane on a flight from Barcelona to Dusseldorf was intentionally crashed by a pilot in March 2015, killing all 144 passengers and six crew members on board.

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"Cheap Politics": Shashi Tharoor On Cropped Pic With Mahua Moitra

Congress Working Committee member Shashi Tharoor on Monday criticised the circulation of cropped images showing him with Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, calling it an act of "cheap politics". The Thiruvananthapuram MP clarified that he was present at Ms Moitra's birthday party, attended by around 15 people, including his sister.

He said he was being trolled by displaying the cropped version of the image taken during the function.

"This is just cheap politics. It was the birthday party of that child. Well, she is not a child, but for me, she is like one. That MP is around 20 years younger to me.

"It was her birthday party, in which around 15 people, including my sister, participated. Instead of showing the full image, they are spreading the cropped one," Mr Tharoor said.

He said he doesn't give importance to such trolls and is busy working for the people.

"They are spreading it as a private meeting, but then who clicked the picture," Mr Tharoor asked.

Ms Moitra had earlier said that she was "most amused" to see some personal photos of her being circulated on social media by "the BJP's troll sena".

"I like green dress better on me than white blouse. And why bother cropping -- show rest of the folks at dinner as well. Bengal's women live a life. Not a lie," she had posted on social media platform X. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Respect Most Important": Madhya Pradesh BJP Leader Quits Party

Former minister and senior BJP leader Rustam Singh has resigned from all the responsibilities of the party after his son got a ticket from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to contest elections in the forthcoming assembly polls.

The BSP has fielded the former minister's son Rakesh Singh from the Morena assembly constituency. He will be contesting against BJP's candidate Raghuraj Kansana and the Congress's candidate Dinesh Gurjar.

Rustam Singh is a retired IPS (Indian Police Service) officer and has been a cabinet minister twice in the BJP government in the state. He was a strong contender for a ticket from the Morena assembly seat from the BJP but the party did not entrust him this time. Now, he will campaign for his son in the upcoming assembly poll.

Mr Singh wrote his resignation letter to state party chief VD Sharma on Sunday (October 22) which read, "I resign from the primary membership of Bharatiya Janata Party. I also resign from all responsibilities of the party."

Meanwhile, Mr Singh told news agency ANI, "I left the job of Inspector General of Police (IG) with respect and the Bharatiya Janata Party brought me with respect. I worked, did development work and tried to make Morena better. This time also the people of Morena in the survey wanted me to again serve the public but they (BJP) ignored it. I want to say that respect is the most important thing. People wanted us to do something for them, so there should be some place to do it and therefore my son joined the BSP."

The former minister further said that he wanted to say that they came to serve the public and would do the same. The work was left in the district and they would try to provide every facility without any discrimination to the people of Morena.

Madhya Pradesh will undergo assembly polls on November 17. Through the polls, the state will elect legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies. The election would be conducted in only one phase in the state and the counting would be done on December 3.

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"Fighting For Myself And My Child's Future": Actor Explains Why She Quit BJP

Prominent actor-turned-politician Gautami Tadimalla today quit the Bhartiya Janta Party  (BJP) saying that she is in an unimaginable crisis situation and has no support of her party and its leaders in these times and they are instead, supporting the man who brought her into this situation.

Ms Tadimalla, ending her 25 years of association with the party, said that despite the party "rescinding" in the last minute, its assurance to give her a ticket in the 2021 Assembly polls in the state, she remained committed to the BJP.

Here is Gautami Tadimalla's full statement:

It is with a very heavy heart and deep disillusionment that I have taken the decision to resign my membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party. I had joined the Party 25 years ago to contribute my efforts towards Nation building. Even through all the challenges I have faced in my life, I have honoured that commitment. Yet today I stand at an unimaginable crisis point in my life and find that not only do I not have any support from the Party and leaders, but it has also come to my knowledge that several amongst them have been actively helping and supporting the very person who has betrayed my trust and cheated me of my life earnings.

I have been working since I was 17 years old, and my career has spanned 37 years across cinema, television, radio and digital media. I have worked my entire life so that I can be financially secure at this age as well as provide for my daughter's future. I am at the point where my daughter and I should have been settled, safe and secure, and yet I found to my horror that Mr. C Alagappan has swindled me of my money, property and documents.

Mr. Alagappan had approached me around 20 years ago seeing my vulnerability and isolation, as I was not only an orphan who had just lost both my parents, but also a single mother with an infant child. He insinuated himself and his family into my life under the guise of a caring elder person. It was in this situation around 20 years ago that I entrusted him with the sale and documents of several of my lands, and it was just recently that I discovered he had defrauded me of the same; all while pretending to welcome me and my daughter as a part of his family.

In order to recover my hard earned money, properties and documents, I have followed the laws, rules and processes of our country just as every Indian citizen must, with full respect and faith that I will receive justice . I have filed a series of complaints with complete trust in my Chief Minister, my police department and my judicial system, but I find that the process has been inexplicably dragging on.

During the 2021 TN Assembly Elections, I had been entrusted with the development of the Rajapalayam constituency for the BJP and assured the seat to contest, as well. I dedicated myself to the people of Rajapalayam and the strengthening of the BJP at the grassroots level. However, this assurance to contest was rescinded at the last minute. Regardless, I maintained my commitment to the Party. However even after 25 years of steadfast loyalty to the Party, it is shattering to realise that there is a complete lack of support and moreover that several senior members of the BJP have been enabling Mr. Alagappan in dodging justice and absconding since the last 40 days even after the FIRs have been filed. However, I still have hope that my Chief Minister, my police department and my jud icial system will prevail and give me the justice that I seek.

I write this letter of resignation today in great pain and sorrow, but with very firm resolve.

I am fighting for justice for myself and my child's future as a lone woman and a single parent.

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Veteran Actor Gautami Tadimalla Quits BJP: 5 Facts About Her

Actor Gautami Tadimalla, a longstanding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), made headlines by announcing that she has resigned from the party. 

In a letter dated October 23, Ms Tadimalla cited her disappointment with what she perceived as a lack of support from the party's leadership during a challenging personal crisis as the reason for her decision. “I am at the point where my daughter and I should have been settled, safe and secure, and yet I found to my horror that Mr. C Alagappan has swindled me of my money, property and documents,” Ms Tadimalla said.

A journey of 25 yrs comes to a conclusion today. My resignation letter. @JPNadda @annamalai_k @BJP4India @BJP4TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/NzHCkIzEfD

— Gautami Tadimalla (@gautamitads) October 23, 2023

Here are some facts about the former BJP leader:

– Gautami Tadimalla, born on July 2, 1969, is known for her work in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada films. Her father, Dr T R Seshagiri Raom was a radiation oncologist and her mother  Dr Vasundhara was a pathologist.

–  Gautami Tadimalla attended Bishop Cotton Girls' School. Some of her favourite subjects were — Physics and English.

– Ms Tadimalla was in a relationship with Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan. After dating for 13 years, the two decided to part ways. In a blog, shared in November 2016, she said, “It is heartbreaking for me to have to say today that I and Mr. Haasan are no longer together. After almost 13 years together, it has been one of the most devastating decisions that I have ever had to make in my life. It is never easy for anyone in a committed relationship to realise that their paths have irreversibly diverged and that the only choices in front of them are to either compromise with their dreams for life or to accept the truth of their solitude and move ahead. “

– Gautami Tadimalla also has an honorary doctorate from Malaysia's Asia Metropolitan University. She received it for her outstanding work in the fields of Wellness and Community Service. 

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A post shared by Gautami Tadimalla (@gautamitads)

- Ms Tadimalla was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 35 years old. Gautami Tadimalla also founded the Life Again Foundation (LAF) to help cancer patients. LAF has organised over 360 motivational camps, cancer awareness campaigns, and food drives. They also offer yoga and alternative therapy programs, conduct health check-up camps, operate two mobile hospitals, and sponsor underprivileged students for higher education.

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Web Summit CEO "Apologises", Resigns After Comments On Israel-Hamas War

Web Summit Chief Executive and founder Paddy Cosgrave resigned on Saturday after comments he made on the Israel-Hamas war prompted some technology companies and investors to withdraw plans to attend its conference in Portugal next month.

"Unfortunately, my personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our startups and the people who attend," Paddy Cosgrave said in a statement.

"I sincerely apologise again for any hurt I have caused."

Web Summit, which organises one of the world's largest tech conferences every year, will appoint a new CEO as soon as possible, a spokesperson for the company said in an emailed statement, adding that Web Summit 2023 in Lisbon will go ahead as planned.

According to a Bloomberg report on Friday, Google and Meta Platforms Inc, as well as several other tech companies including Intel Corp and Siemens AG have decided not to participate in the event.

The summit is scheduled to take place from November 13-16.

Paddy Cosgrave drew criticism after a post on social media platform X on October 13, referring to Israel's response in Gaza following the Hamas attacks on October 7.

"War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are," the post read. Days later on Tuesday, he apologised for his comments.

Paddy Cosgrave remains the majority shareholder in Web Summit.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Is Congress' Opposition To Adani A Form Of Extortion, Asks BJP MP

Alleging that Congress MLAs in his constituency are taking money from, and promoting, Adani Group companies, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Saturday wondered whether the party's opposition to the group was a form of extortion or a pressure tactic. 

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Dubey posted photos of plaques in Hindi from various projects which state that they had been carried out courtesy Adani Power and on the recommendation of Deepika Pandey Singh, the Congress MLA from Mahagama in Jharkhand. Mr Dubey is the Lok Sabha MP from Jharkhand's Godda. 

Mr Dubey also took the name of Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav from the Poraiyahat constituency stating that he does the same thing. Both the Mahagama and Poraiyahat assembly constituencies come under the Godda Lok Sabha seat.

In a Hindi post, addressed to former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Mr Dubey said, "Rahul Gandhi ji, could it be that the Congress' opposition to Adani is a form of extortion or a pressure tactic? Congress MLAs Deepika Pandey Singh and Pradeep Yadav from my constituency have, in several places, taken money from Adani and are promoting it. This is like speaking with a forked tongue. Have some shame, Congress!"

राहुल गांधी @RahulGandhi जी@INCIndia का अडानी विरोध कहीं Extortion या दबाव डालना तो नहीं है,मेरे लोकसभा में कॉंग्रेस के विधायक दीपिका जी,प्रदीप यादव जी जगह जगह अडानी से पैसे लेकर उनका प्रचार कर रहे हैं ।मुँह में राम बग़ल में छुरी,कॉंग्रेस शर्म करो pic.twitter.com/38oCw0n1je

— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) October 21, 2023

The three photos with the post show projects related to a pool and two temples and all three have plaques with the names of Adani Power and MLA Singh.

This is not the first time that the BJP has brought up Adani Group projects in Congress-ruled areas. Earlier this week, after Rahul Gandhi cited a Financial Times report and blamed the Adani Group for the rise in electricity prices, the BJP's National Information Department In-Charge Amit Malviya had dared him to walk the talk on the conglomerate's projects in Congress-ruled states.

"Adani has power projects in Congress-ruled Karnataka, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh among others. Now that Rahul Gandhi has figured out the reason why they have to give 'subsidies' in these states, he should ensure that Congress governments act against Adani and not protect him. Let him walk the talk," he had posted on X, formerly Twitter.

"After doing an entire press conference, Rahul Gandhi still thinks it is just an 'interesting' idea to initiate probe into what he claimed was over-invoicing, leading to rise in power tariff. You need to be either daft or delusional to think that people are fools and can't see through such gimmicks," he had added.

In June, Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil had said that the state was open to investments by the Adani Group and would "give time" to the conglomerate to "come up with proposals".

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

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Watch: Meet Bros Perform 'Maadi' Garba Song Written By PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the 125th Founders' Day celebrations at The Scindia School in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior. During the event, as a special gesture, the musical duo Meet Bros presented a special song for the Prime Minister. The Indian musical, comprising of brothers Manmeet Singh and Harmeet Singh - who also happened to be Scindia School alumnus, sang the recently released Garba song penned by PM Modi himself. The song is titled 'Maadi'. 

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister shared the video of their performance. In the clip, he is seen smiling and enjoying the song while tapping his hand on his knee. "At @ScindiaSchool, @Meetbros sung the Garba penned by me. Incidentally, they are proud alumnus of Scindia School," he wrote in the caption the post. 

Watch the video below: 

At @ScindiaSchool, @Meetbros sung the Garba penned by me. Incidentally, they are proud alumnus of Scindia School. pic.twitter.com/brIjHVlslC

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 21, 2023

The video quickly garnered the attention of several users. In just a few hours, it accumulated over 145,000 views. In the comment section, while some praised Meet Bros for their performance, others lauded PM Modi for the lyrics of the song. 

"Meet Bros are fantastic duo. Mesmerized to hear their live performance," wrote one user. "Fantastic to see @Meetbros showcasing their talents and celebrating their Scindia School connection through Garba," said another. 

"This is heartwarming!" commented a third user. "Wow! Modi Ji, you are no less than a poet," added another. 

Also Read | Seats At Wankhede Stadium Where Dhoni's 2011 World Cup-Winning Six Landed Gets New Look

Notably, PM Modi shared the song - sung by Divya Kumar and composed by the Meet Bros - on YouTube and X earlier this month. The song is four minutes and 40 seconds long and is sung in Gujarati. "As the auspicious Navratri dawns upon us, I am delighted to share a Garba penned by me during the past week. Let the festive rhythms embrace everyone!" PM Modi wrote while releasing the video of the same. 

'Maadi' is the second song penned by PM Modi. Before this, the Prime Minister also shared another Garba song, which he authored several years ago. The song, titled 'Garbo', is sung by Dhvani Bhanushali and composed by Tanishk Bagchi. 

"Inspired by the poetic notes penned by none other than the one and only PM Narendra Modi. GARBO transports us to witness the dynamic culture of Gujarat during Navratri," the description of the song on YouTube reads. 

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Video: Waterfalls Form At Madrid Metro Station As Storm Aline Hits Spain

Storm Aline brought strong winds and heavy rains to much of Spain on Thursday, causing flooding, fallen trees, and traffic disruptions in multiple cities. The downpours also swept through Spain's capital city Madrid, flooding streets and numerous Metro stations. The heavy rainfall caused the closure of several metro lines for hours while regional trains and high-velocity lines suffered delays, news agency Reuters reported. 

Banco de Espana metro station in Madrid was also hit by flooding on Thursday that caused waterfalls to form, with water seen cascading down staircases. Roads across the central region were also seen in other clips totally submerged in muddy water.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), a user shared the video which showed the stairs leading down to Metro stations gushing with rainwater making it impossible for commuters to enter. 

Watch the videos below: 

@metro_madrid @ComunidadMadrid @SocialDrive_es ahora mismo en el centro de Madrid (Cibeles). Boca de metro Banco de España L2 pic.twitter.com/K9ZqMy6hdi

— Liliangel™️ (@Petete_13) October 19, 2023

According to Reuters, Madrid metro lines 1, 5, and 7 remained closed for hours while regional trains and high-velocity lines suffered delays. Retiro Park was also closed due to strong winds, and record rain levels were recorded in 24 hours in the area. 

The news agency reported that the north of Spain on Friday was still on Orange alert, the second highest, due to strong gusts of wind. 

Separately, according to Spanish media outlet The Olive Press, Madrid and Galicia are among the worst-affected areas so far. Additionally, several residents in other regions were warned of potential flash flooding on Thursday. 

Also Read | Greta Thunberg's "Stand With Gaza" Post Draws Social Media Backlash

According to Euro Weekly News, the effects of Strom Aline even resulted in significant disruption at Malaga Airport. The majority of flights scheduled to land were postponed, and nearly 40 were rerouted. Some pilots even had to abort their landings while others didn't even attempt the procedure.

"You have to be very patient," air traffic controllers posted via their official X account, highlighting the challenging conditions at Malaga Airport. Diversions included airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Granada, Almeria, Alicante, Valencia, and Jerez de la Frontera, the outlet reported.
 

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