Breaking news on October 31

Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel arrives in Delhi for the fifth India-Germany Inter Governmental Consultations (IGC). Jitendra Singh, MoS Prime Minister's Office, receives her.

The US House of Representatives formalizes President Donald Trump's impeachment process in landmark vote.

The Severe cyclonic storm Maha over east-central Arabian sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area, lay centered at 5:30 pm, today, near about 80 kms north-east of Cherbaniani Reef (Lakshadweep).

Ministry of Home Affairs said: "It has come to the notice of govt that lots of rumours&misinformation is being spread in media, including social media,that final Naga settlement has been arrived at&will be announced soon. It's creating anxiety&concern in some parts of the country.

"It's clarified that before any settlement is arrived at with Naga groups, all stakeholders including states of Assam, Manipur & Arunachal Pradesh will be consulted and their concerns will be taken into consideration. No credence needs to be given to such incorrect info," he added. 

Kullu police arrested three people in three separate cases and seized over 2 kg cannabis.

Aditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena leader, after meeting Maharashtra Governor said: "We requested Governor to provide assistance to farmers and fishermen who suffered damages due to recent rains. He has assured us that he himself will talk to the Centre."

Asha Devi, mother of December 16 Delhi gang-rape victim said: "This should have happened long ago, Supreme Court had given the verdict in 2017. I have been struggling for 7 years now, but they haven't been hanged yet. Jail authorities have taken the right step."

North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles towards the East.

CBI files charge sheet in a case registered in March 2018 on the basis of a written complaint from Bank of India (BoI). It mentions that accused during Sept 2016-Jan 2017 entered into a criminal conspiracy to cheat BoI which caused Rs 50 Crore loss to the bank and gain to the accused.

PM Modi, while addressing the IAS trainee at Statue of Liberty, said: "Civil services in not just a career option, rather it is a service to the nations."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed IAS trainees at Statue of Unity in Gujarat. The event is organized to commemorate the 144th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 

Extending its gains for the fifth straight session, market benchmark BSE Sensex ended 77 points higher at 40,129 on Thursday on the back of a rally in IT and banking stocks. After touching a fresh lifetime high of 40,392.22 (intra-day), the 30-share index settled 77.18 points, or 0.19 per cent, higher at 40,129.05. The broader NSE Nifty too advanced 33.35 points, or 0.28 per cent, to close at 11,877.45. Yes Bank was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, soaring 24.03 per cent, after the lender said it had received a binding offer for USD 1.2 billion (approximately Rs 8,500 crore) funding from an overseas investor.

SBI, Infosys, Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel, HCL Tech and HDFC too rallied up to 7.69 per cent. On the other hand, Tech Mahindra, Axis Bank, Tata Steel, M&M and ICICI Bank fell up to 2.09 per cent. According to Gaurav Dua, Senior VP, Head - Capital Market Strategy and Investments, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, Sensex hit its record intra-day high on the back of positive factors including decent Q2 results, boost to consumer demand in the festive season and policy push by the government to support the economy. A massive spike foreign fund inflows and hopes that the government will rejig taxes on equity investors too boosted investor sentiment, traders said.

Superintendent of Tihar Jail issued a notice to the four Nirbhaya case convicts which states: "It is informed that all legal remedies in your case have been exhausted, except the provision of filing 'Mercy Petition' against the Capital Sentence before the President of India, " the notice said. 

"If you wish to file the 'Mercy Petition' in your case against the capital sentence before the President, you can file it within 7 days of the receipt of this notice, through prison authorities. Failing which it will be presumed that you are not willing to file mercy petition in your case & the jail administration will initiate further necessary legal proceedings as per law," it said. 

After China's statement on Kashmir, MEA said that China continues to be in the occupation of a large area in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

"China should refrain from commenting on the internal affairs of India, "Raveesh Kumar said. 

MEA said: "We feel that such exchanges are part of people-to-people contacts. The important point was whether such an engagement serves larger national interests."

"The views of MEPs reflected their understanding of ground realities and the threat of terrorism in Kashmir. Such delegations do not necessarily have to come through official channels," he added. 

NIA is carrying out searches at 6 locations in Tamil Nadu in connection with the 2018 ISIS Coimbatore case. It pertains to a criminal conspiracy by 6 charge-sheeted accused and their associates, to further the objectives of ISIS by targeting certain Hindu activists in Coimbatore.

Searches conducted at houses of the associates of the charge-sheeted accused, at 2 locations in Coimbatore City, one location each in Sivaganga, Tiruchirapalli, Nagapattinam and Toothukudi districts. 2 laptops, 8 mobile phones, 5 SIM cards, 1 SD card, and 14 documents seized.

Seized articles would be subjected to forensic examination. The persons searched are being questioned to verify their association with the charge-sheeted accused persons besides any role in this crime.

Uttarakhand High Court has asked the state government to submit an affidavit in connection with the death of 7 people after the consumption of illicit liquor in Dehradun. The Court has also issued a notice to the SSP and investigating officer.

Shiv Sena leaders including Aditya Thackeray, Eknath Shinde, Diwakar Raote and Subhash Desai to meet Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari today at 3.30 pm.

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde elected as the legislature party leader on Thursday.

After taking oath as the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, RK Mathur said, "Development is composite, efforts will be made to carry out development work in all areas. A development package will be made, and education and health will play an important role in it."

Meeting of Shiv Sena leaders underway in Mumbai. The meeting is being chaired by party chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Keeping Shiv Sena's stand on 50-50 formula for government formation in Maharashtra leader Sanjay Raut said, "We will not step back from our stand. If anyone has gone back on their promise, it is our ally. We will continue to move forward with our demand."

G C Murmu was on Thursday sworn in as the first lieutenant governor of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir following the bifurcation of the state into two union territories.

The oath of office to Murmu, who will turn 60 next month, was administered by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice Gita Mittal at a simple function held at Raj Bhawan at the foothills of the Zaberwan range.

The warrant of appointment of Murmu, a 1985 batch IAS officer from Gujarat, was read out by Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam.

BJP leader Jugal Kishore and Rajya Sabha MP and PDP member Nazir Laway were among the over 250 guests present the function.

Twitter has decided to stop all political advertising on its platform globally, the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jack Dorsey said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the inauguration of new headquarters of Delhi Police said that Internal security is Narendra Modi government's topmost priority.

Scuffle broke out between former Congress MLA Mohiuddin Bava and former Mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation Gulzar Banu and their supporters outside a hotel in Mangaluru, Karnataka.

After court's approval, Mumbai police has agreed to release the attached properties of Housing Development and Infrastructure in connection with Punjab& Maharashtra Cooperative Bank scam. The Economic Offences Wing will soon approach the concerned court for its approval for the same.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today met and assured all support to the families of two minor girls who were allegedly sexually raped in Walayar in 2017. They committed suicide after the accused were acquitted in 2019. 

Clash broke out between Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers in Delhi over Chhath Puja.

The International Court of Justice has found Pakistan guilty of violating Vienna Convention norms under Article 36 in Kulbhushan Jadhav case.

"Appropriate remedies are due in Kulbhushan Jadhav case," ICJ has said.

Pakistan violated its obligations under the Vienna Convention in the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, International Court of Justice (ICJ) President Judge Abduylqawi Yusuf told the UN General Assembly.

Presenting the report of the International Court of Justice to the 193-member General Assembly on Wednesday, Yusuf said in its judgement of July 17 the principal judicial organ of the United Nations “found that Pakistan had violated its obligations under Article 36 of the Vienna Convention and that appropriate remedies were due in this case.”

In a major victory for India, the ICJ had ruled that Pakistan must review the death sentence awarded to Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer who was sentenced to death by the Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" after a closed trial in April 2017. India had argued that consular access was being denied to its national in violation of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

-PTI-

Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik to take oath as Goa Governor on November 3. 

Chidambaram tells High Court that he be granted interim bail on medical grounds in INX media money laundering case.

Delhi HC directs AIIMS director to form a medical board to give an opinion on the health of P Chidambaram, who is suffering from Crohn's disease.

Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal was taken to a private hospital here on Thursday after he complained of high blood pressure and chest pain, a close aide of his said.

He also had mild bleeding from the nose, said a doctor at the hospital.

"He complained of chest pain and high BP. He has been shifted to Jaslok Hospital for further treatment," Bhujbal's aide said.

The 72-year-old NCP leader, a former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, recently won Assembly election from Yeola.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participates in a walkathon, on the occasion of 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Chennai.

Radio Stations in Jammu, Srinagar and Leh have been renamed as All India Radio, Jammu; All India Radio, Srinagar; and All India Radio Leh, respectively.

The identity announcements from these stations have been changed to "All India Radio"/"Akashvani" from "Radio Kashmir" with effect from today.

Sikh pilgrims leave for Nankana Sahib, situated in Pakistan, from Punjab's Attari, for 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Sensex on Friday reaches all-time high with 40,322.18 points.

A fire early Thursday burned down structures at Shuri Castle on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa, nearly destroying the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Firefighters were still battling the blaze a few hours after the fire started early Thursday and nearby residents were evacuated to safer areas, Okinawa police spokesman Ryo Kochi said.

The fire in Naha, the prefectural capital of Okinawa, started from the castle’s main structure. The main Seiden temple and a Hokuden structure, or north temple, have burned down. A third main structure Nanden, or south temple, was also burned down later.

Nobody has been injured. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

PM Narendra Modi is visiting Police Technology Exhibition in Kevadia.

After paying tribute to Sardar Patel on his birth anniversary, PM Modi now heads towards Police Technology Exhibition in Kevadia. 

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the west-central Arabian Sea till 3rd November and into adjoining north & east-central Arabian Sea during next 24 hours.

Squally weather with lightning and thunderstorm, wind speed 80-90 kmph to 100 kmph likely to prevail today over Southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep. Squally weather with lightning ands thunderstorm, wind speed 40-50 kmph to 60 kmph is likely to prevail over Karnataka and Kerala Coast today.

Bodies of 5 labours, who were killed by terrorists in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir on October 29, handed over to their families in Murshidabad today. State government has announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs. 5 lakhs for the kin of the deceased.

Market benchmark BSE Sensex rose over 200 points in early trade on Thursday tracking massive foreign fund inflow amid positive domestic and global cues.

Inching closer to its all-time intraday high, the 30-share index was trading 220.26 points, or 0.55 per cent, higher at 40,272.13, and the broader NSE Nifty advanced 64.80 points, or 0.55 per cent, to 11,908.90.

Top gainers in the Sensex pack included SBI, Infosys, ITC, Sun Pharma, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, rising up to 2.64 per cent.

On 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, PM Modi addresses the nation from Kevadia, Gujarat. He paid tribute to the Ironman of India.

Pointers from PM's speech:

• Statue of Unity is a symbol of peace.
• This statue is a symbol of our unity in diversity.
• I feel the same peace and calm coming here at the 'Statue of Unity' like some place of worship.
• India is full of diversity but we are known through our unity in diversity.
• The 'Rashtriya Ekta Parade' was also conducted on the occasion.
• The 'Run for Unity' saw the participation of people in large numbers from India and the world.
• When India wins a medal overseas, the whole nation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari celebrates it.
• Centuries after Chanakya, Sardar Patel was the one who took the initiative of uniting the country.
• When Sardar Patel embarked on integration of princely states, feeling of unity inspired many rulers to join the Indian union.
• Over 40,000 people died in Jammu and Kashmir due to Article 370 over the past three decades.
• When we respect the traditions and beliefs of different sects and religions, love and attachment increase.
• Unity in diversity is our pride, identity.
• I dedicate the decision of abrogation of A 370 to Sardar Patel.
• Those who cannot win wars against us are trying to destroy our unity.
• Even after trying for centuries, nobody could annihilate us or defeat us. 
• Sardar Sahib always spoke about the unity of purpose, unity of aim and unity of endeavour.
• Last week Jammu and Kashmir first time polled for BDC elections since independence. 98 per cent Panch and Sarpanch cast their votes. 

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis flag off 'Run for Unity' to mark 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Red Alert has been issued for Lakshadweep, as extremely heavy rainfall is expected in the region. Orange Alert issued in 4 districts of Kerala- Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode. Yellow Alert issued for all other districts of Kerala.

Due to heavy rains in Rameswaram, District Collector Veeraragavarav has ordered holiday for today in all the schools across the district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi administers 'Pledge of Unity' at Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Kevadia on Ekta Diwas.

The people have arrived to mark 144th birth anniversary, along with PM. 

The meeting of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders with Maharashtra Governor on farmers' issue today has been cancelled.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting search operation at two locations in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. 

10 people killed, 13 injured in a fire in Karachi-Rawalpindi Tezgam express train in Liaqatpur near Rahim Yar Khan. 

CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta passes away at the age of 83 in Kolkata. He was suffering from heart and kidney related ailments.

Hindi continues to be the most popular Indian languages in the US, followed by Gujarati and Telugu. 

Bangladesh opposition leader awarded 3-year jail term for allegedly giving death threats to PM Sheikh Hasina.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 144th birth anniversary, celebrated as Ekta Diwas.

Air India is set to connect Amritsar in Punjab with London Stansted with a thrice-a-week service from October 31 to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Kevadiya to pay tribute to the statue of unity on 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Gangster Mandeep Singh who is serving life imprisonment in Nabha Central Jail got married in a Gurudwara inside the jail premises yesterday. The jail officials were ordered to arrange for the marriage rituals by  Punjab and Haryana High Court. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Article 370 and Article 35A were the gateway of terrorism into Jammu and Kashmir which was closed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by abrogating them.

Shah also said Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's unfullfilled dream of integrating Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country was accomplished on August 5 when Article 370 and 35A were repealed.

"Article 370 and 35A were the gateway of terrorism in India. Prime Minister Modi has closed this gate by repealing them," he said while flagging off a run to commemorate the 144th birth anniversary of Patel here.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah flags off ‘Run For Unity’ at National Stadium, on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.

The President's rule imposed in undivided Jammu and Kashmir was on Thursday revoked following bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories.
The two UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh come into existence on Thursday after the central government on August 5 decided to abrogate the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and create them on October 31.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 356 of the Constitution, I, Ram Nath Kovind, President of India, hereby revoke the proclamation issued by me under the said article on the 19th December 2018 in relation to the State of Jammu and Kashmir," the official notification said.

Earlier, the central rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in June 2017 after the resignation of the then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti when the BJP withdrew support to the PDP led government.

Radha Krishna Mathur was on Thursday sworn-in as the first Lt Governor of Union Territory of Ladakh, which came into existence after bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir.

The oath of office was administered by chief justice of Jammu and Kashmir high court Geeta Mittal at a simple function held at Leh.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh pay tribute to former PM Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal on her death anniversary.

As Ladakh becomes Union Territory, the appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Radha Krishna Mathur to take oath today. Preparations underway for the swearing-in ceremony in Leh.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan participates in 'Run For Unity' in Bhubaneswar, organised on the occasion of 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

PM Narendra Modi to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya, on his 144th birth anniversary. He will also participate in Ekta Diwas Parade, visit the technology demonstration site and later interact with Civil Service Probationers at Kevadiya.

Union Minister Amit Shah addresses a public meeting on 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.