Breaking News October 26 | Highlights

Punjab reported 13 fresh cases of novel coronavirus on Tuesday, taking the infection tally to 6,02,251, according to a medical bulletin. With no Covid-related fatality reported in the state, the toll stood at 16,554.  

The Tamil Nadu Health Department would conduct the next mega Covid vaccination camp on October 30 at 50,000 centres across the state, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Tuesday.

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah will be in Lucknow on October 29 and hold meetings over the upcoming UP Assembly elections, a statement issued by the party said on Tuesday.

After reaching Lucknow, he will address conveners and incharges of shakti kendras of the party's Awadh unit and also kick-start a membership drive.

UP BJP spokesperson Avneesh Tyagi said on an average, shakti kendras can be defined as a combination of around 10 polling booths.

The RBI on Tuesday said it has imposed a Rs 90 lakh penalty on Vasai Vikas Sahakari Bank, Maharashtra, for non-compliance with certain directions, including on classification of loans as NPAs, and other directions.

In a statement, the Reserve Bank said the bank had not complied with its directions on ensuring end-use of funds in borrowal accounts and classification of loans/ advances as non-performing assets, specific direction of RBI for ensuring that the bank's balance sheet and profit and loss account are signed by at least three of its directors.

Private sector Axis Bank on Tuesday reported an over 86 per cent jump in its standalone net profit at Rs 3,133.32 crore in the second quarter ended September 2021. The bank had posted a net profit of Rs 1,682.67 crore during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Total standalone income during July-September 2021-22 rose to Rs 20,134.39 crore, from Rs 19,550 crore in the same period of 2020-21, Axis Bank said in a regulatory filing.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is likely to visit Mathura on November 1 after the party’s Pratigya Yatra ends here, a former CLP leader said Tuesday.

Winter Session of Parliament to be held from 29th November to 23rd December: Sources

Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind accepted credentials from Ambassadors of Luxembourg - Peggy Frantzen, Slovenia - Mateja Vodeb Ghosh, Israel - Naor Gilon and Egypt - Wael Mohamed Awad Hamed at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

Full vaccination mandatory for travel in Mumbai local trains for essential workers and government employees

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to meet Health Ministers of States tomorrow over ramping up of vaccine administration: Govt Sources

A magistrate court in Surat has directed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on October 29 to record his statement in connection with a criminal defamation case against him over his remark on the "Modi surname". On Monday, Chief Judicial Magistrate AN Dave asked Gandhi to appear on October 29 to record his statement further, after the testimony of two new witnesses were taken since the Congress leader last appeared before the court on June 24 this year.

Prior to it, Gandhi had appeared before the court in October 2019 and pleaded not guilty for his comment.

"The court on Monday orally directed Rahul Gandhi to appear on October 29 to record his further statement over the testimonies of two new witnesses. He is likely to remain present before the court between 3 pm and 6 pm on that day," Gandhi's lawyer Kirit Panwala said.

BJP legislator from Surat, Purnesh Modi, had filed a complaint against Gandhi in April 2019 under Indian Penal Code Sections 499 and 500, that deal with defamation.

In his complaint, the MLA had alleged that Gandhi while addressing a poll rally in 2019 defamed the entire Modi community by saying "how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?"

Such letters have no merit...My husband is not wrong, we will not tolerate this: Kranti Redkar Wankhede, actor and wife of NCB officer Sameer Wankhede on Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik sharing a letter claiming fraud within Narcotics Control Bureau

Why should we go to court? Those levelling allegations against us should go to court. We are not 'crorepatis', we are simple people. Sameer is an honest officer. Many people wish that he should be removed: Kranti Redkar Wankhede, wife of NCB officer Sameer Wankhede

Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA)  issues a new SOPs relaxing COVID19 curfew timings in the state; Night curfew between 11pm and 5am, shops and dine-in restaurants to remain open till 10 pm

China locks down Lanzhou, a city of 4 million, over spike in Covid-19 cases, reports AFP

Congress General Incharge of UP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to address a 'Pratigya Rally' in Gorakhpur on 31st October

Noting that a steller role played by generations of BJP workers is a key reason behind the party earning people's support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged people to contribute to a section, Kamal Pushp, in his app that features some "inspiring" party members.

"With the blessings of the people, BJP has got the opportunity to serve across several states and at the Centre. A key reason behind this trust of people is the stellar role played by generations of Karyakartas who have devoted their lives to the Party and nation building," Modi tweeted. 

"The NaMo App has a very interesting section known as 'Kamal Pushp' that gives you the opportunity to share and know about inspiring Party Karyakartas from the Jana Sangh days to the present, who toiled to popularise our ideology. Do contribute and enrich this section," he added.

Inflation in Pakistan has reached its highest levels in 70 years during the three-year tenure of the Imran Khan-led government, with food prices doubling, while the prices of ghee, oil, sugar, flour and poultry have reached historic levels. According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS), from October 2018 to October 2021, electricity rates increased by 57 per cent from 4.06 PKR per unit to at least 6.38 PKR per unit.

By the first quarter of October, the price of an 11.67 kg cylinder of LPG had gone up by 51 per cent from 1,536 PKR to 2,322 PKR.

Similarly, the price of petrol had gone up by 49 per cent in three years from 93.80 PKR per litre to 138.73 PKR per litre.

The highest increase in prices of food items was in the prices of edible ghee and oil. The price of ghee increased by 108 per cent to 356 PKR per kg.

The price of sugar increased by 83 per cent in three years and the price of sugar sold at 54 PKR per kg exceeded 100 PKR.

Prices of pulses increased by 60 to 76 per cent, mash pulses by 243 PKR, peanuts by 162 PKR, lentils by 180 PKR per kg and gram pulses by 23 per cent to 145 PKR per kg.

The price of 20 kg bag of flour has gone up by 52 per cent to 1,196 PKR in the said time period.

The price of flour has gone up by 20 PKR per kg.

China is re-imposing fresh lockdowns amid rising COVID-19 infections, the country recorded more than 100 cases across 11 provinces over the last week.

"Since October 17, there have been multiple scattered local outbreaks in China, and they're expanding rapidly," Mi Feng, a spokesman at the National Health Commission (NHC), said at a news conference Sunday. "There is an increasing risk that the outbreak will spread even further," reported CNN.

The rapid spread comes despite about 75 per cent of China's population -- of more than a billion people -- being fully vaccinated, according to Mi.

The spread of coronavirus infections worried the Chinese government, which insists on a strict zero-COVID policy to stamp out infections.

Supreme Court asks Uttar Pradesh govt to file replies on the investigation on the killing of a journalist Raman Kashyap and one Shyam Sundar in Lakhimpur Kheri violence

SC also asks forensic labs to expedite the process of submitting reports relating to videos of the incident

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Mehbooba Mufti's DNA is defective, she has to prove how much of an Indian she is, says Haryana Minister Anil Vij on PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti's tweet. To read what Mehbooba Mufti had said in her tweet click here 

The letter sent to me by an unnamed NCB official claims that a number of people have been framed in false cases. Panchnamas were drafted at the NCB office. We demand an investigation into this, says Nawab Malik

Several people have been reported injured after terrorists lobbed a grenade in Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir

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I have received a letter from an unnamed NCB official. I am sending this letter to DG Narcotics requesting him to include this letter in the investigation being conducted on NCB's Sameer Wankhede. We demand there should be a probe, says Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik

NCB officer Sameer Wankhede through two private people in Mumbai and Thane is illegally intercepting the mobile phones of some people, says Nawab Malik

Minimum temperatures continued to drop in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Tuesday with Drass town of Kargil district recording minus 10.4 as the night's lowest temperature.

"Weather is likely to remain dry during the next 7 days across J&K and Ladakh", an official of the MeT department said.

Srinagar recorded 7.4, Pahalgam minus 1.7 and Gulmarg minus 1.4 as the minimum temperature.

Leh town of Ladakh recorded minus 4.7 and Kargil minus 1.6 as the night's lowest temperature.

Jammu city recorded 13.0, Katra 11.8, Banihal 7.0, Batote 5.9 and Bhaderwah 4.8 as the minimum.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered FIRs against students of two medical colleges in Srinagar city for raising pro-Pakistan slogans on World Cup T20 victory of Pakistan over India. Police said two FIRs have been registered under the prevention of unlawful activities act (UAPA) against the students of SKIMS medical college and government medical college Srinagar.

"Students of these two colleges raised Pro-Pakistan slogans after Pakistan won the T20 World cup match against India on Sunday," police said.

Drugs on cruise ship case: Former Attorney General of India, Mukul Rohatgi to appear for Aryan Khan in his bail matter today in Bombay High Court

Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurates direct flight on Shillong–Dibrugarh sector

Searches being conducted at one Sanjay Prasad's house in Bihar's Muzaffarpur and Bettiah, in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

India reports 12,428 new cases, 356 deaths and 15,951 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Active caseload stands at 1,63,816. Out of 12,428 new cases and 356 deaths reported nationally; 6,664 cases and 53 deaths were reported in Kerala, yesterday.

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A fire broke out in the fifth-floor flat of a 12 storey residential building in Thane on Tuesday early morning, informed Thane Municipal Corporation.

According to the Thane Municipal Corporation, the fire broke out at 4:45 am and around 15 to 16 residents of the Ascona building in Raheja Gardens were evacuated while the blaze was being contained by the fire brigade.

Sudha Dwivedi, a lawyer, has filed a police complaint to register FIR against NCB Mumbai's Sameer Wankhede and four others alleging "extortion by threat of accusation of an offence"

"I was unwell and was in detention because of which I missed two elections, but now bye elections are happening and I have managed to come back because of people's love. On 27th (October), I will address the public in bypoll seats Kusheshwar Asthan & Tarapur," says RJD chief Lalu Yadav

"Nitish Kumar has been eulogised ...PM Modi, BJP would know... Everyone was sloganeering "A PM should be like Nitish"... He was being touted as PM material...such arrogance and greed, says Lalu Yadav

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Two minor boys, 11-year-old and 9-year-old, died after drowning when they fell into a pit dug up for repair of water supply line in Antop Hill area of Mumbai on Monday evening, said Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Parents of both the deceased are now demanding justice and are blaming authorities for negligence.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday met with Taliban's deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani in the Qatari capital of Doha, during which he urged the Taliban to adopt a friendly policy towards its neighbouring countries.

Wang expressed his hope that the Afghan Taliban will further demonstrate openness and tolerance, unite all ethnic groups and factions in Afghanistan to work together for peaceful reconstruction, and effectively protect the rights and interests of women and children.

The Chinese official also urged the Taliban to adopt a friendly policy toward its neighbouring countries, and build a modern country that conforms to the wishes of the people as well as the trend of the times.

An earthquake on magnitude 4.3 on the Richter scale was felt in Manali in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday morning.

The National Center for Seismology (NCS) informed that the earthquake took place at a depth of 10 kilometres and 108 kilometres North-North-West of Manali.

The Punjab government on Monday, transferred four Indian Police Service (IPS) and four Punjab Police Service (PPS) officers. According to the orders, BL Meena has now been posted as DIG-cum-joint director, MRS PPA Phillaur, relieving Gurpreet Singh Toor. Toor will now be DIG Admin Central Police Office (CPO) Punjab and in additional DIG IRB at Patiala relieving S Bhoopathi.

Inderbir Singh is now the Deputy Inspector General of Police, General of Police, Technical Support Services, Punjab.

Deepak Hilori has been posted as AIG, Punjab Armed Police-1 at Jalandhar.

Harkamalpreet Singh (PPS) is now the Senior Superintendent of police of Jalandhar.

Opinderjit Singh Ghuman (PPS) will now be Additional Inspector General, counter-intelligence, at Jalandhar relieving SSP Kapurthala Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh from this additional charge.

Gurmeet Singh (PPS) will now be the AIG/Punjab Armed Police (PAP)-II, Jalandhar.

Ranbir Singh (PPS) to continue as Comdt. 75th Bn, Punjab Armed Police, Jalandhar.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi will be presiding over a meeting with core party leaders to discuss the upcoming Assembly elections to Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa, among other issues. The meeting will be held at party headquarters.

During Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on October 16, it was decided that organisation polls will be held next year and for that, a membership drive will be launched from November 1.

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As many as four people were found dead after a fire broke out on the top floor of the three-storey building in the Old Seemapuri area of the national capital on Tuesday morning. The deceased have been identified as Hauri Lal, Reena, Ashu and Radhika.

Fire department personnel managed to bring the blaze under control and four fire tenders were pressed into service.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh will address a press conference in Chandigarh tomorrow - October 27 at 11 am

Jammu and Kashmir: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha lays a wreath at the memorial, paying tribute to the martyrs of the 2019 Pulwama terror attack

In Jammu and Kashmir, Amit Shah pays tribute to 40 CRPF jawans who were killed in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack

Foreign national air travelers to the US will be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding a plane to the US. New vaccination policy will go into effect for international travelers on November 8

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