Breaking news on November 30

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar chaired a meeting of State Forests Ministers on the effective and efficient utilization of CAMPA funds today. Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi was also present in the meeting.

77,641 youth applied for 5,199 posts of Special Police Officers (SPOs) during a recruitment drive conducted by J&K Police. 26,594 youth in Kashmir zone & 51,047 youth in Jammu zone applied for SPO recruitment.

HD Kumaraswamy, JD(S) in Athani on Karnataka by-polls said: "They (BJP) have already purchased many MLAs and treating them like animals. If anything goes wrong in by-election, for safer side, they are searching for new animals. Let's see what will happen after Dec 9."

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in a letter to Principal Secretary to Govt, Home Dept, Andhra Pradesh said: "State police at behest of ruling YSRCP party is trying to disturb TDP programs. Also, the security of N Chandrababu Naidu is being diluted which may result in any untoward incident."

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore today announced that it would indict on December 7 Hafiz Saeed, the chief of the proscribed Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), and other JuD leaders who were booked in July for offences pertaining to terror financing. 

Fire broke out in a three-storeyed building of a hosiery factory in Wait Ganj area, earlier today. 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and fire has been doused.

Rekha Sharma, NCW Chairperson said: "Family told that role of police was negative. Police didn't listen to them, they were saying that she must have eloped. They were fighting over jurisdiction, under whose jurisdiction it comes in. This caused delay. They could have saved a life."

"We have a judicial system which will be followed. But it should not be delayed & nothing less than 'hang till death'. They should be hanged and case should go in fast track court," she added. 

National Commission for Women team reaches the residence of the veterinarian who was allegedly raped and murdered in Hyderabad. 

Congress MLA Govardhan Dangi said: "We'll welcome her if she wants to come to Rajgarh. But, it hurts when someone uses cuss words for Mahatma Gandhi. We Congressis are peace-loving, we condemn Pragya's remarks peacefully."

An Army patrol operating at an altitude of approximately 18,000 feet in Southern Siachen Glacier was hit by an avalanche. An Avalanche Rescue Team (ART) following the patrol immediately rushed and managed to locate and pull out all members of the patrol. Simultaneously, Army helicopters were pressed into service to evacuate the avalanche victims. However, despite best efforts by the medical teams, two Army personnel succumbed to the avalanche.

Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Minister of Defence Taro Kono, who are paying a visit to India to attend inaugural meeting of India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2), called on PM Narendra Modi today.

Prime Minister Modi mentioned that both he and PM of Japan Shinzō Abe attach great importance to strengthening bilateral partnership between the two countries. He conveyed that he looked forward to welcoming Prime Minister Abe to India for India-Japan Annual Summit next month.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that India’s relationship with Japan was a key component of our vision for Indo-Pacific for peace, stability and prosperity of the region, as well as a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy.

Minster of Defence of Japan, Taro Kono onboard a Su-30 MKI aircraft during his visit to Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad.

Delhi's Special Session Court has discharged Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders in a case related to a protest by them at Rail Bhawan in Delhi on 20 Jan,2014 in violation of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC (prohibits an assembly of more than 4 people in an area)

The accused in the rape and murder case of the woman veterinary doctor, have been sent to 14 days judicial remand.

Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal in letter to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police said: "DCW has taken cognisance of complaint from Anu Dubey who alleged gross misbehaviour, harassment and violence by Delhi Police personnel from Parliament Street Police Station." 

 Bharatiya Janata Party's Working President Jagat Prakash Nadda holds a state core committee meeting of BJP in Tiruvallur.

Till 3 pm, 62.87 percent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections. BJP is contesting against the alliance of Congress, JMM, and RJD.  

A first year engineering student has allegedly committed suicide at IIIT campus in Idupulapaya. A complaint has been filed with the police. 

Lieutenant Governor of J&K GC Murmu at the conference on Jal Shakti & Disaster Management: We will be running short of portable water very soon unless we understand the importance of 'Jal.' We have lots of water resources but we need to concentrate on management.

Protesters, including students of government schools, block Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway in protest against the rape and murder of a woman veterinary doctor in Hyderabad.

After winning the floor test in Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray asks Is it a crime to take name of Shivaji in the swearing-in ceremony? 

He said that we are the sons of Shivaji Maharaj.

Four MLAs in the Maharashtra assembly stayed neutral in the floor test. This includes one MNS MLA, 2 MIM MLAs and 1 CPIM MLA.

After the opposition MLAs stage walkout from Vidhan Bhawan, the doors of the assembly to be opened now.

NCP leader Jayant Patil said that the opposition is trying to create ruckus in assembly.

169 MLAs voted in support of Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress' coalition government -- Maha Vikas Agadi.

Devendra Fadnavis said that he would approach governor and would request him to suspense house proceeding.

He said, "We are going to submit a letter to the Governor asking him to suspend the proceedings of the House, and that the House should follow the Constitution,"

Uddhav Thackeray proves the majority in Maharashtra assembly with 169 votes.

Voting begins for trust vote in Vidhan Bhawan.

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis addresses the media after Opposition MLAs walk out of state Assembly ahead of the floor test. Norms being flouted to conduct the floor test. This session is unconstitutional & illegal. Appointment of Pro-tem Speaker was also unconstitutional

Congress's Ashok Chavan proposes trust vote, NCP's Nawab Malik and Shiv Sena's Sunil Prabhu second it. Opposition continues to raise slogans. Protem Speaker requests all MLAs to remain seated for head count vote.

Fadnavis addresses media after staging walkout from Vidhan Bhawan

Fadnavis along with other BJP MLAs stage walkout in Vidhan Bhawan.

Jayant Patil and Sunil Prabhu second the proposal

Pro tem speaker Patil dismisses BJP's charges of not appointing speaker properly. He insured that the floor test will take place.

Fadnavis says that in India, a pro tem speaker was never replaced in assembly, why was BJP's Kolambkar replaced from post. 

Devendra Fadnavis says that the introduction of the cabinet by Uddhav Thackeray is invalid as he didn't take oath properly.

Ex-Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis claims that the Pro tem Speaker appointment is illegal. 

BJP insists on the election of Speaker before the floor test.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray introduces his cabinet in Vidhan Bhawan.

Slogans of "Aghadi won't work" in assembly, in reference to the alliance of the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress, also called Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Protem Speaker Dilip Patil: Governor has given permission for this session. This session is as per rules. So your point stand rejected 

BJP's Devendra Fadnavis in the state assembly: This assembly session is not as per rules. This session started without Vande Mataram, it is a violation of the rule

Floor test proceedings have begun in Maharashtra Assembly

Polling percentage at 48.83% in the first phase of Jharkhand Assembly Polls till 1 pm

Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress issue whip to MLAs to remain present in Assembly ahead of Maha floor test. ahead of Uddhav-led govt floor test, Maha BJP chief said swearing-in of Uddhav Thackeray ministry illegal as it went beyond prescribed format.

A 40-year-old farmer has committed suicide in neighbouring Mahoba district, police said on Saturday. Rakesh Sahu was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his house in Subhash Nagar locality under Panvadi township on Friday, police said.

The deceased's wife Budhia said her husband who owned two bighas of land had taken Rs 1.40 lakh loan under the Kisan Credit card in 2013 which had risen to Rs 2.11 lakhs because of non-payment of installments.

Amid polling for the first phase in Jharkhand, clashes between BJP and Congress supporters have been reported from Kosiyara village of Chainpur. Congress candidate K.N. Tripathi accused BJP candidate Alok Chaurasia and his supporters of looting the booths.

As per the reports, Congress candidate K.N. Tripathi from Daltonganj is seen with a revolver. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has taken cognizance of the incident and sought a report in this regard from the district administration.

According to sources, the BJP supporters stopped Tripathi from going to the booth after which supporters of both the parties clashed. However, the security personnel over there tried to handle the situation.

Bharatiya Janata Party's Working President Jagat Prakash Nadda holds a roadshow in Chennai. 

Ahead of Uddhav Thackeray's floor test, Congress and MCP issue whips to their MLAs directing them to remain present in the Maharashtra Assembly. 

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray paid tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the state Assembly premises ahead of the floor test of Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government today.

Governor of Telangana Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan meet the family of the woman veterinarian who was allegedly raped and murdered in Hyderabad.

 Congress' Nana Patole who is the MahaVikasAghadi candidate for the state Assembly Speaker post, files his nomination.

"Deputy CM's post is with the NCP and we will fill up the post after Nagpur Assembly session which will end around 22nd December," Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel said.

Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Japanese Defence Minister Taro Kono meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi

An estimated 27.41 per cent polling was recorded till 11 am on Saturday in the first phase of Jharkhand assembly elections in 13 constituencies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged people of Jharkhand to turn out in large numbers and cast their vote in assembly polls to "enrich" democracy."Phase 1 of the Jharkhand elections is in progress. I urge those whose constituencies go to the polls today to vote in large numbers and enrich the festival of democracy," Modi tweeted.

A blanket of fog enveloped the national capital on Saturday morning with the minimum temperature settling at 12 degrees Celsius. A MeT department official that relative humidity was 100 per cent at 8.30 am.

The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 24 degrees Celsius, he said. Weather solutions body Skymet vice president Mahesh Palawat tweeted that there was a dense fog over Palam and visibility was zero in the morning.

 Tamil film and television actor Radha Ravi joins BJP in presence of party working president Jagat Prakash Nadda

 Kerala nun rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal offers prayers at Antony's Church in Kottayam ahead of appearance in Court today

Nana Patole will be the Congress candidate for Speaker elections, says  Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat

"They Maha Vikas Aghadi changed Pro-tem speaker from Kalidas Kolambkar to Dilip Walse Patil, this is legally wrong, the oath was also not taken as per rules, the new Govt is violating all rules. We are filing a petition with Governor, and might also approach SC," Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil.

Kisan Kathore will be BJP candidate for assembly speaker, says Chandrakant Patil

A 55-year-old woman found dead at her residence in Gulabi Bagh area of New Delhi. Police has begun the investigation.

Twelve alleged drug traffickers have been arrested from different areas in the district in a month, police said on Saturday.

According to SSP Abhishek Yadav, 25 kg of doda post, 110 packets of smack and 3,452 tablets of an intoxicating compound were seized during a month-long drive against drug traffickers.

The raids were conducted in Chapar, Kotwali, Budhana, Shahpur and Bhorakala police station areas in the district, he said. 

The Shiv Sena, in its mouthpiece 'Saamna' editorial, raised concerns over the withdrawal of the SPG security cover of the Gandhi family. Sena in its editorial said that whether it is Delhi or Maharashtra, politicians should feel safe in their environment.

'But the prime minister, home minister and other ministers are not ready to leave their security and importance of bullet proof cars is intact. Which means concerns of removing security of the Gandhis is valid. Sending used cars in their convoy raises concern,' it added.

'...But one should not play with a person's life. We would have taken the same position if it would be someone else other than the Gandhis,' it added.

 'We have the number. We have 165 plus and it can be more because independents want to be with the government,' NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal ahead of Maharashtra floor test.

Maoist threats appear to have failed to make any impact in the first phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections underway on 13 seats on Saturday, as 13.23 per cent voting was registered in the first two hours in Latehar assembly seat where the Left insurgents had killed four policemen just a few days ago.

Overall, there was around 11.02 per cent polling till 9 a.m., an Election Commission official said after polling began at 7 a.m. in Chatra, Gumla, Bishunpur, Lohardaga, Manika, Latehar, Panki, Daltonganj, Bishrampur, Chhatarpour, Hussainabad, Garhwa and Bhawanathpur

Ajit Pawa, Jayant patil reached Silver Oak to meet NCP chief Sharad Pawar

"Pakistan through terrorism is indulging in a proxy war, but today I say this with full responsibility that it cannot even win in this proxy war," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Naxals blow up a bridge in Bishnupur in Gumla district. No injuries reported. Deputy Commissioner Shashi Ranjan says voting not affected. 

At least 7 killed and 5 people were injured after a pickup van fell into a 50 feet deep river in Maharashtra's Dhule. More to follow

Leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi to meet at Vidhan Bhavan at 9.30 am today over confidence vote and Speaker election.

Confidence vote of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray led Maha Vikas Aghadi Government to be held later today in Maharashtra assembly. 

Air Quality Index (AQI) at 114 (moderate) around the airport and at 125 (moderate) around India Gate

"Today is the first phase of Jharkhand Assembly Polls. I appeal to all to vote in large numbers. Your one vote is important for the development of the state," says Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das

The first phase of polling in 13 constituencies begins fir Jharkhand Assembly election

Outside visuals from polling booths in Lohardaga, ahead of the voting for Assembly elections. Voting on 13 constituencies in the state for the first phase of elections will be held today.

Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi arrives in Delhi for a day-long visit to India

Three minors were wounded in a stabbing in the main shopping street in The Hague as people hunted bargains on Black Friday.

First phase of polling in 13 constituencies to begin at 7 am, today

Two people were killed and several others injured in a terrorist attack at London Bridge on Friday as Scotland Yard confirmed that a male suspect wearing a hoax bomb vest was shot dead at the scene.

Scotland Yard’s Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, said in a statement at New Scotland Yard headquarters in London that a "number" of people had been injured, some of whom are said to be critical.

A highly-decomposed body of an unidentified man was found from the Yamuna river in north Delhi's Kotwali area on Friday, police said. According to the police, the man possibly died a couple of days ago and some animals had eaten parts of the body. The body was shifted to a mortuary, the police said.

Four suspected members of the Gaurav Jharera gang were arrested for allegedly robbing a lawyer at gunpoint, police said on Friday. The accused were identified as Vishal (32), Vijay (27), Ajit (24) and Narender (24), they added.

At around 10.15 pm on Thursday, some persons entered an office at Mahavir Enclave and robbed the lawyer at gunpoint, the police said. On August 17, four persons had allegedly assaulted two men mercilessly in the cantonment area, they added.

During the investigation, the police got a tip-off, following which a trap was laid and the four men were arrested from the Kakrola area, a senior police officer said. A car and a bike were seized from their possession, he added. 

The first phase of polling will take place today in 13 seats of the Jharkhand Assembly. The phase will witness several constituencies including Naxal-affected areas, like Latehar, Lohardaga, Chatra, Gumla, Manika, Panki and Daltonganj.

Out of 4,892 polling booths in Jharkhand, 1,202 have been identified as ‘sensitive’ and 1,790 booths have termed as ‘highly sensitive’ ones with reference to left-wing extremism (LWE).