Australia drops recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Australia has reversed a previous government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the foreign minister said Tuesday. The center-left Labor Party government Cabinet agreed to again recognize Tel Aviv as the capital and reaffirmed that Jerusalem’s status must be resolved in peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

Cabinet approves Rs 400 hike in mustard MSP to Rs 5,450/quintal for 2023-24 marketing season

Cabinet approves Rs 110 hike in wheat MSP to Rs 2,125/quintal for 2023-24 marketing season

2 Indian laborers killed in Kashmir grenade attack

Two Indian laborers were killed in a grenade attack in disputed Kashmir, police said Tuesday, blaming the attack on militants fighting Indian rule. Police said the man arrested in the attack was a “hybrid terrorist,” a term authorities use for suspects who they say are undercover militants who slip back into normal lives and lack known police records. Police said the grenade was lobbed at the two in their rented dwelling in southern Shopian district Monday night. The injured men were taken to a hospital where they died, police wrote on Twitter.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expresses condolences over the helicopter crash at Garuda Chatti near Kedarnath. “SDRF & district administration teams have reached the spot for relief and rescue work. A detailed inquiry has been ordered into this tragic incident,” he tweeted

Union cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all Rabi Crops for marketing season 2023-24; absolute highest increase in MSP approved for lentil (Masur) at Rs 500 per quintal: Union Minister Anurag Thakur

Shocked that Sourav Ganguly was deprived of second term as BCCI president

– Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Bilkis Bano case: SC to hear pleas against release of 11 convicts on Nov 29

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will hear on November 29 the pleas challenging the remission of sentence and release of 11 convicts in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang-rape case and murder of her seven family members during the Gujarat riots. A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and C T Ravikumar directed that the reply filed by the Gujarat government be made available to all parties. The petitioners have been given time to file their reply to the affidavit filed by the Gujarat government.

Delhi will get 100 electric vehicle charging stations in next two months, 11 inaugurated today

– CM Arvind Kejriwal

Mumbai airport to remain shut for 6 hours today

Mumbai Airport will remain shut for six hours from 11 am to 5 pm on Tuesday for maintenance work on both its runways, said a statement by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. “CSMIA has planned a runway closure on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, from 1100 hrs to 1700 hrs, for repair & maintenance work on both its runways – RWY 14/32 & 09/27. As part of its post-monsoon preventive maintenance of runway intersection, major work like runway edge lights for runway 14/32, and upgradation of AGL (Aeronautical ground lights ), among other significant tasks will be undertaken,” said the statement.

IRCTC scam: Delhi court refuses to cancel bail of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav

A Delhi court on Tuesday refused to cancel the bail of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on a plea moved by the CBI in connection with the IRCTC scam. Special Judge Geetanjali Goel, however, asked Yadav to be more careful and choose appropriate words. The CBI had claimed that at a recent press conference, Yadav had attempted to subvert the process of law and thwart the entire investigation as well as the consequent trial, and “blatantly abused the liberty granted to him.”

Six people died in the helicopter crash in Phata, Uttarakhand: Abhinav Kumar, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister

Modi to attend Deepotsav in Ayodhya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ayodhya to take part in the Deepotsav celebrations at ‘Ram Ki Paidi’ ghat on October 23 which is Diwali eve. According to official sources, the Prime Minister will offer prayers at the Ram Lalla temple at around 5 p.m. on Sunday and will also inspect of the construction work of the Ram Mandir being spearheaded by the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. This will be followed by an aarti at the new Saryu ghat at around 6.30 p.m.

A helicopter carrying Kedarnath pilgrims from Phata crashes, casualties feared; the administration team has left for the spot for relief and rescue work. Details awaited

Bharat Jodo Yatra bigger than Lord Rama’s padyatra: Rajasthan minister

Calling the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra a “unique and historic” movement, Rajasthan Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena said Rahul Gandhi’s march is much bigger than Lord Rama’s padyatra from Ayodhya to Sri Lanka. Taking a jibe at Meena’s statement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the Congress leaders had resorted to “flattery” to save their existence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Gujarat on 19-20 Oct. He will dedicate and lay foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 15,670 crore in the state. In a significant step towards showcasing India’s defence manufacturing prowess, he’ll inaugurate DefExpo22 on 19th Oct: PMO

Arumugasamy Inquiry Committee’s report was tabled in the Tamil Nadu assembly. The Committee was probing the death of former Tamil Nadu CM and AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa.

Tamil Nadu government tables a Commission of Inquiry’s report in Assembly on 2018 Thoothukudi police firing

NHAI to hold officials liable for any fatal accidents

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will hold officials liable for any fatal or serious accidents that occur as a result of poor road engineering works. NHAI in a circular said the authority has taken a serious view towards the dereliction of duty by the representative of NHAI/IE/AE involved in the process of issuance of the provisional certificate, thereby jeopardising the safety of users in utter disregard of the policy guidelines and provisions of the contract agreement.

Kerala Lokayukta has issued notice to the state’s former health minister KK Shailaja and a few others in connection with alleged corruption in the purchase of PPE kits and other medical equipment during the initial period of COVID19

Kerala govt gives written assurance to meet demands of activist Daya Bai

The Kerala government has given a written assurance of meeting the demands of social activist Daya Bai, who is on a hunger strike seeking justice for Endosulfan victims of Kasaragod district. This comes a day after State ministers R Bindhu and Veena George visited Daya Bai at the general hospital here and requested her to end the fast, while promising to meet 90 percent of the demands put forth. However, the 81-year-old activist has decided to continue her strike here, saying some of her demands were not fulfilled

Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company : Russia has kidnapped two senior officials at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, their whereabouts are unknown

Meth tablets worth Rs 30 crore seized in Mizoram

The Assam Rifles on Tuesday said that a large number of Methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs 30 crore were seized in Mizoram capital Aizawl. Methamphetamine, also called Meth, is a stimulant used as a recreational drug. Acting on specific inputs, personnel of Assam Rifles and officials of the state excise and narcotics department set up a mobile vehicle check post at Falkland in the northeastern part of Aizawl on Monday.

NIA carries out raids in 3 states to probe nexus between terrorists, gangsters, drug smugglers

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday carried out raids in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in connection with a case registered to probe the “emerging nexus” between terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers. The raids were carried out at 50 places which covered residences of noted gangsters, officials said. The NIA had registered the case on August 26 after it identified some of the “most desperate gang leaders and their associates based in India and abroad” who were spearheading and carrying out terror and criminal activities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the target of achieving USD 5 billion in defence exports by 2025. We are hoping to get more orders from the Philippines and we are talking to Vietnam, Malayasia and many other countries for exports

– BrahMos Aerospace Chairman Atul D Rane

Bharat Jodo Yatra to enter Telangana on Oct 23

Covid-19: India detects first Omicron subvariant BQ.1 in Pune

Days after reporting Omicron’s BF.7 subvariant, India detected the first case of BQ.1 variant in a sample from Pune, reported The Times of India. Another Omicron subvariant BF.7 was detected in Gujarat, it was first reported in China. Scientists confirmed the BQ.1 detection in the Pune sample during the latest genome sequencing run in October. A senior scientist involved in the country’s genome surveillance network said, “this is the first reported case of BQ.1 in India”.

26 new Covid cases in Gurugram, positivity rate at 1%

The city on Modnay recorded 26 new Covid cases, while the positivity rate was recorded at 1%. The city currently has 105 Covid active cases, out of which two patients are hospitalised. The health department collected 1,982 samples on Monday. Meanwhile, 215 people got vaccinated for the infection in the city on Monday.

Centre disbands MDMA formed to probe Rajiv Gandhi assassination case

The government has wound up the 24-year-old Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA) constituted to probe the wider conspiracy into the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, officials have said. MDMA was working under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and comprised officers from multiple central security agencies. The order to disband the agency was issued in May and the pending investigation has been handed over to a different unit of the CBI, the officials said.

Russian military jet crash leaves 13 dead as search ends

At least 13 people, including three children, were killed after a Russian military plane crashed into a residential area of Yeysk, a town in southwest Russia near the border with Ukraine, Moscow authorities said Tuesday as search operations ended. The ministry of emergency situations said in a statement that rescuers had completed the search of the rubble, and discovered “10 more bodies”, after earlier announcing three deaths.

Meta starts anti-iMessage ad campaign to promote Whatsapp

Meta has launched a new advertisement campaign to target Apple’s iMessage platform.Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta, revealed the campaign in which Apple is criticised for only providing end-to-end encryption for iMessage and not for regular SMS communication. Zuckerberg published a photo of the new advertisement playing at Penn Station in New York in an Instagram post.

NIA (National Investigation Agency) conducts a raid at the residence of Jagga Jandia, a Kabbadi promoter, in Jandia village of Bathinda. The agency is conducting raid at a total of three locations in Bathinda.

Government winds up 24-year-old Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency constituted to probe the wider conspiracy into assassination of former PM Rajiv Gandhi: Officials

The Bank of England is likely to delay the sale of billions of pounds of government bonds in a bid to encourage greater stability in gilt markets following Britain’s failed “mini” budget, as per the Financial Times

Kerala HC to hear plea seeking law against black magic

The Kerala High Court will hear an appeal filed by the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham seeking a directive to the State Government to take a decision on the recommendation of the State Law Reforms Commission for the enactment of the Kerala eradication of inhuman evil practices, sorcery, and black magic bill, today. Kerala HC’s division bench comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar will be considering the plea.

Former India cricketer Roger Binny, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, Former IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla and others arrive at Taj Hotel in Mumbai for the Annual General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

Maha govt warns of COVID-19 spike citing new virus variants

The Maharashtra health department has cautioned that the COVID-19 cases could rise especially during winters and the festive season, citing new variants like BA.2.3.20 and BQ.1 reported from the state. These variants have been detected for the first time in the country, it said. It also said that the new XBB variant of coronavirus has a growth advantage over BA.2.75 and has immune evasive property.

Single day rise of 1,542 infections pushes India’s COVID-19 tally to 4,46,32,430; death toll climbs to 5,28,913

– Health Ministry

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra enters Andhra Pradesh

Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday as he reached Halaharvi under Aluru constituency from neighbouring Karnataka. Rahul continued his foot march from the Hanuman temple in Chatragudi. State Congress president Sake Sailajanath and other senior leaders received Rahul as he crossed into AP. Rahul will cover Aluru, Hatti Belagal and Munikurthi in his yatra today.

6 people killed after bus rams into trailer near Vadodara in Gujarat: Police

Six people were killed and nearly 15 others injured after a bus rammed into a trailer on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai national highway on the outskirts of Vadodara city in Gujarat in the wee hours of Tuesday, police said. The accident took place around 4 am when the luxury bus was going towards Surat from Rajasthan, they said.

Rupee rises 17 paise to 82.13 against US dollar in early trade

Production of AK-203 rifles to begin in India by year end: Russian official

An Indo-Russian joint venture will begin manufacturing AK-203 assault rifles at a facility in Uttar Pradesh by the end of this year, a senior Russian official has said. The Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited was set up in 2019 to produce the Russian-origin Kalashnikov assault rifles in Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi district.

12th edition of DefExpo to begin in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar today

Jammu & Kashmir: Raids underway by SIU (Special Investigative Unit) team of J&K Police in the entire Pulwama

“U.S. plans to release another 10-15 mln barrels of oil to balance markets”

The United States plans to release another 10 million to 15 million barrels of oil from the country’s emergency stockpile in a bid to balance markets and keep gasoline prices from climbing, a Bloomberg reporter tweeted late on Monday. The White House also plans to replenish the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve, the tweet said.

India’s ONGC eyes stake in Russian entity managing Sakhalin 1 -sources

India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corp plans to take a stake in the new Russian entity that will manage the Sakhalin 1 project in the far east as it seeks to retain a 20% share in the asset, reported Reuters quoting three sources familiar with the matter. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month issued a decree to establish a new operator for the ExxonMobil -led project and authorised the Kremlin to decide whether foreign shareholders could retain stakes in Sakhalin 1.

Two labourers from UP killed in grenade attack in J-K, LeT ‘hybrid terrorist’ arrested

Two migrant labourers were killed after terrorists hurled a grenade at them in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of Tuesday, police said. A local “hybrid terrorist” of proscribed outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was arrested for the attack during a search and cordon operation, they said.

India presides over 5th assembly of International Solar Alliance

India presided over the 5th assembly of the International Solar Alliance that began in New Delhi on October 17 and will continue till October 20, 2022. Participants from 109 countries will be sharing their experiences towards a low-carbon economy through the promotion of solar energy at the 4-day event under India’s presidency.

PM Modi to address the 90th Interpol General Assembly today in Pragati Maidan, Delhi

The meeting will be attended by delegations from 195 INTERPOL member countries comprising Ministers, Police Chiefs of countries, Heads of National Central Bureaus& sr police officers

China reports 951 new COVID cases

China reported 951 new COVID-19 infections for Oct. 17, of which 250 were symptomatic and 701 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Tuesday. That compares with 921 new cases a day earlier – 245 symptomatic and 676 asymptomatic infections, which China counts separately.

Hyundai Motor is considering sale of its Russia plant – media report

South Korea’s Hyundai Motor is considering a decision on its Russia operations that could include selling its manufacturing plant there, a local media reported on Tuesday. Hyundai Motor recently submitted to management a report analysing the situation and future prospects in Russia, Dong-a Ilbo newspaper said, citing an unidentified auto industry source.

US to continue imposing sanctions on Russian, Iranian arms trade: White House

The United States will continue to vigorously enforce sanctions on Russian and Iranian arms trade, the White House said, asserting that it will stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes. This will make it harder for Iran to sell these weapons to Russia, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference on Monday.

RBI imposes monetary penalty on Cooperative Bank of Rajkot

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday said it has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 2 lakh on Gujarat-based The Co-operative Bank of Rajkot for non-compliance with regulations related to awareness schemes.

Australia reverses recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital, reports AFP quoting govt

Confident of Pakistan’s commitment, ability to secure its nuclear assets: US

The US is confident of Pakistan’s commitment and ability to secure its nuclear assets, the State Department has said, days after President Joe Biden dubbed the country “one of the most dangerous in the world” as it has “nuclear weapons without any cohesion”. The US has always viewed a secure and prosperous Pakistan as critical to US interests, State Department’s Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Monday.

Indian-American appointed to Homeland Security’s Faith-Based Security Advisory Council

Indian-American Chandru Acharya from Michigan has been appointed to the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council of Homeland Security. Acharya is the lone Hindu voice in this committee of 25 distinguished faith leaders from the United States, a media release said on Monday.

Man convicted in death of Texas agency’s 1st Sikh deputy

A man was convicted of capital murder in the 2019 shooting death of a law enforcement officer who was the first Sikh deputy in his Texas agency. A jury took less than 30 minutes before finding Robert Solis, 50, guilty in the killing of Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal during a September 2019 traffic stop in a residential cul-de-sac 18 miles (29 kilometres) northwest of Houston.

Novel by Sri Lanka’s Shehan Karunatilaka wins Booker Prize

Writer Shehan Karunatilaka won the prestigious Booker Prize for fiction for “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida,” a satirical “afterlife noir” set during Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war. Karunatilaka, one of Sri Lanka’s leading authors, won the 50,000 pound (USD 57,000) award on Monday for his second novel. The 47-year-old, who has also written journalism, children’s books, screenplays and rock songs, is the second Sri Lanka-born Booker Prize winner, after Michael Ondaatje, who took the trophy in 1992 for “The English Patient.”