Delhi

Three workers die at Apple iPhone component facility in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi/Krishnagiri: Three workers died in an incident at a utility facility operated by Nalco Water at a Tata Electronics factory in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, which makes components for Apple iPhones. The deaths occurred when three contract workers suffocated while cleaning a wastewater treatment tank at the facility, police said on Tuesday. The deceased Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Rahul, joy to us all, but especially his grandmother: Sonia recalls sons chubby childhood in memoir

New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) Rahul Gandhi, who was born rather thin but grew up to be a chubby child with a double chin, was a joy to the entire family, especially his grandmother who would break into a smile after a long and tiring day, recalls Sonia Gandhi in her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love. The then prime minister would pick the infant Rahul up, play a game with him, and he would grab her or pull at her sari or at her hair, and she would laugh delightedly. Rahul was a source of joy to us all,

Yamuna Cruise signals a new wave of river tourism in Delhi: Sarbananda Sonowal

Delhi took a significant step towards expanding its river-based tourism offerings with the inauguration of its first recreational Yamuna River Cruise service on the Yamuna by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at Sonia Vihar on Tuesday. Developed along the Sonia Vihar-Jagatpur stretch, the initiative aims to unlock the tourism and recreational potential of the Yamuna while offering residents and visitors a new way to experience the national capital. The launch also marks another milestone in the Centre's efforts to develop India's rivers as vibrant avenues for tourism, passenger movement and economic activity. The inauguration was attended by Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur; Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra; Delhi Public Works Department and Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh; Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra; Forest...

Delhi Minister enjoys jet-ski ride in Yamuna; claims half of river cleaned in 18 months

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) With the first recreational cruise service getting operational on the Yamuna on Tuesday, Delhi minister Parvesh Sahib Singh enjoyed a jet-ski ride in the river, the videos of which circulated widely on social media. Singh, the cabinet minister in the Delhi government, was seen taking a jet-ski ride in the river, along with a guide. Sharing videos of his exhilarating ride, he said that this thrilling experience in Mother Yamunas lap will remain truly memorable. The minister asserted that Yamuna clean-up was the top priority of the Rekha Gupta government since inception, and there has been considerable progress over the past one and a half years. Speaking to reporters, Parvesh Verma said, In just 1819 months, the Delhi government has cleaned half of the 52-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna that flows through Delhi. As a first step, all the small drains discharging into the river between Palla and Wazirabad were tapped and treated. In the second phase, we will clean the stretch from Wazirabad to Kalindi Kunj, which is expected to take approximately 2 to 2.5 years. He further wrote in a post on X, On Tuesday, Delhi took a new step toward development and tourism on the sacred waters of the Yamuna. The launch of the capital's first cruise service is a significant milestone for Delhi. He further explained that with the commencement of the cruise service, Delhi residents can now enjoy an exciting 6-kilometre journey from Sonia Vihar to Jagatpur. To ensure passenger convenience, the terminal is equipped with facilities for parking, food and beverages, drinking water, and entertainment for children. Robust safety measures have also been put in place. Notably, the project is being developed to encourage and promote river-based tourism along the Yamuna River stretch of the Wazirabad barrage. The cruise service will operate along a 4-5 km stretch of the river, between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, with each ride lasting about 30-40 minutes. The ticket prices have been fixed at Rs 500. The cruise service came into existence following an agreement between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IAWI) and Delhi government agencies, in March 2025.

Sonia Gandhi memoir: The buildup that made story before its launch

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Sonia Gandhi's memoirs of her life and time in the Gandhi family has caught the imagination of the nation, largely because of the eventful run-up to the final release of the book on Saturday. Long before 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' officially reached bookstores, the buildup systematically evolved through a political narrative and separate media presentation. Significantly, a high-profile publishing controversy, a change of publisher, Sonia Gandhi's entry on social media, and a series of carefully calibrated social media posts that appeared designed to keep the memoir at the centre of public conversation together built what can be called a dream run for a debutant author. The first major development was the Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson's decision to join social media after decades of maintaining distance from most public forums. Her sociasl media posts mostly emphasised competing versions of history, disputed narratives, and her desire to set the record straight. Coming from a politician of her stature and the family she represents, such themes are naturally suited to generating debate, particularly in today's highly polarised political narratives. The timing was significant, as was her posts on social media platform X. The initial featured a well-made eel on October 24, accompanied by an emotional text that subtly blend with the announcement of the book launch. In a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge my journey of love began, she began, writing, Rajiv (Gandhi) and I created a world filled with love, laughter and memories. Then she added, On November 10, I share that world with you. Three days later, Sonia Gandhi's statement on X stirred much interest, with a post signalling a strong reaction for detractors. There's bound to be some tamasha when this book comes out. After all, others have spent decades telling my story, now it's my turn, it said. Almost all her social media posts were meant to raise curiosity on the contents, which is, by all means, a fair attempt by an author. Then, on November 8, Sonia Gandhi touched a chord with her post, This is not a political book, it's a personal one. The paragraph following the sentence was clear; she was pulling no punches in taking on her harshest critics, whether political or not. Much has been written about my family, but rarely with real insight into who they were, their motivations, their struggles, their very human flaws. I wanted to portray them honestly, as people I knew and loved, simple, yet straightforward, aiming a jab at political critics, again, political or not. For a person who has traditionally shown restraint and silence as virtues, the move was striking. The social media debut generated headlines on its own, and also provided the ideal promotion campaign. Another significant point of interest came with the publication dispute involving a well-known house. Reports suggested that disagreements had cropped up over proposed editorial changes to portions of the manuscript. The grapevine buzzed, rumour-lines crackled, and interest further escalated, as did political argument. The publishers suggested that it had abandoned the book because the author refused edits, saying that editorial review and fact-checking are standard publishing practices and that it had remained willing to publish the memoir. But controversy snowballed, and developed into a story about censorship, editorial independence, and political influence. With another renowned house stepping in as the domestic publisher, the announcement ended the uncertainty surrounding the Indian release, yet again generating a fresh round of publicity. The memoir was described as one of the most anticipated political books of its time and confirmed publication plans for November 10. Thus, anticipation around the memoir had come to rest on two parallel narratives. One concerned the contents of the book itself. The other revolved around the battle over how, and by whom, that story would be presented.

Delhi Declares Public Holiday on November 16 for Chhath Puja

Delhi government announces a public holiday on November 16 for Chhath Puja, closing schools, colleges, and government offices. Delhi Declares Public Holiday on November 16 for Chhath Puja

India Post, IndiGo hold 'Digital Detox 2.0' to promote handwritten Diwali greetings

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) The Department of Posts, in collaboration with IndiGo airlines, organised the second edition of its in-flight postcard writing activity, Digital Detox 2.0, offering air travellers an opportunity to send handwritten Diwali greetings and reconnect with the tradition, an official statement said on Tuesday. The statement from Ministry of Communications said the campaign was launched following the positive response to its inaugural edition as conducted across 15 IndiGo flights covering 11 destinations, including Chandigarh, Ranchi, Bagdogra, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Varanasi and Jaipur. Passengers were provided specially designed Digital Detox kits containing postcards, greeting cards and do-it-yourself (DIY) postcards through specially designed Diwali Stickers encouraging them to take a break from their screens and pen personalised festive messages. Passengers were provided with specially designed Digital Detox kits containing postcards, greeting cards and DIY postcards through specially designed Diwali Stickers encouraging them to take a break from their screens and pen personalised festive messages, the ministry stated. By bringing the experience of letter writing to air travellers, the campaign highlighted the enduring charm of personal correspondence in an increasingly digital world, the statement noted. One passenger remarked that writing a postcard at 30,000 feet was a wonderful experience and something he would remember for his lifetime. This was my first time writing a postcard. It made me realise how special handwritten messages can be in an age of instant digital communication, the statement cited another participant. Sending Diwali wishes through a handwritten postcard felt much more personal and meaningful than a digital message, another passenger said. India Post reaffirmed its commitment to innovative public outreach through Digital Detox 2.0, celebrating the timeless tradition of connecting people through letters while adding a personal touch to Diwali celebrations, the statement noted.

Gold falls Rs 500 per 10 gm as firm US dollar, weak global cues weigh on investor sentiment

New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) Gold prices eased by Rs 500 to Rs 1,46,400 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday, tracking weak global trends and a steady US dollar. The 99.9 per cent pure yellow metal closed at Rs 1,46,900 per 10 grams on Monday. Silver, however, remained steady for the second straight session at Rs 1,92,500 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes), according to local traders. Traders said gold prices retreated in the domestic market in line with weakness in international bullion rates, with a steady US dollar adding to the pressure. Subdued buying during the

Tripura court remands Delhi-based content creator Amir Shokeen to police custody in racial slur case

Digital Desk | Agartala, Nov 10 (IANS) A district court in Tripura on Tuesday remanded content creator Amir Shokeen to police custody after the Tripura Police brought him from Delhi in transit remand in connection with a case involving alleged racial slurs and harassment targeting a tribal youth from the state. Shokeen was produced before the Additional District and Sessions Judge of West Tripura district in Agartala in the afternoon seeking seven days of police remand. The court remanded him to police custody till November 12 for further interrogation and he will be again produced in the court on November 13. A senior police official said that the state police would now question Shokeen in connection with the case registered at the New Capital Complex (NCC) Police Station in Agartala. The case was registered on October 22 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Shokeen was initially arrested by the Delhi Police from the Karol Bagh area on October 22 and subsequently produced before the Tis Hazari Court on October 24, which remanded him to five days of police custody. A Tripura Police team led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) travelled to Delhi to bring the accused back to the state. Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Rao had earlier said that the state police registered the FIR following the circulation of a video allegedly showing a youth from Tripura being subjected to racial slurs and harassment. The video came to his notice on October 21, following which he contacted the Special Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Police Unit for the North Eastern Region of Delhi Police and the concerned Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rao had told the media. Preliminary information suggested that the video was recorded in Ahmedabad around one-and-a-half months ago. The identity of the person who uploaded the video on social media had also been established, the Tripura Police Chief had said. We will take action legally, whatever is required, against the people involved in this incident, Rao had said. The video, which allegedly contains racially derogatory remarks against a youth from Tripura, triggered widespread condemnation and demands for stringent action against those responsible. The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances in which the video was recorded and circulated, besides establishing the roles of all those involved. Earlier, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha had directed DGP Rao to coordinate with Delhi Police over the alleged derogatory remarks made by the content creator against a young tribal man from the state. Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, along with several political parties and leaders in Tripura, including the CPI-M, Congress and Tipra Motha Party (TMP), condemned the alleged incident and demanded action against the accused. Two CPI-M-affiliated youth organisations -- the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Tribal Youth Federation (TYF) -- and two youth and student organisations affiliated with the TMP -- the Youth Tipra Federation (YTF) and the TIPRA Indigenous Students' Federation (TISF) -- had also lodged police complaints in Agartala against Shokeen over the allegedly racist video targeting a youth from Tripura.

Blatantly political: India on USCIRF

New Delhi: The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is a biased entity with a blatantly political agenda, New Delhi said on Tuesday, November 10, trashing remarks by two senior officials of the organisation claiming that Sikh gurdwaras have been targeted in India with vigilante attacks. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also wondered Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

'Green Crackers Rarely Meet Threshold': Experts On Firework Curbs In Delhi

This year, firecrackers became the centre of a polarised debate, especially over regulation and green alternatives.

India's economic transformation is more than a manufacturing story

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) An assessment of Narendra Modi's 25 years in public office, published by The Economist in October, raised a familiar criticism. India has grown rapidly but has failed to achieve the structural transformation necessary to become a major manufacturing economy. The Economists comparison with China's Fujian province, particularly the movement of workers out of agriculture, risks measuring India's economic transformation too narrowly, overlooking changes in productive capabilities, infrastructure, technology and the country's position in a fragmenting global economy. Comparing India, a genuine democracy, to Chinas authoritarianism and state-driven development is both misleading and disingenuous. Admittedly, India's manufacturing share of GDP remains around 16 per cent, and the movement of labour out of agriculture has been slower than in some East Asian economies. But the conclusion that industrial transformation has barely begun is difficult to reconcile with recent production data. The Annual Survey of Industries for 202425 recorded manufacturing gross value-added growth of 9.59 per cent, employment growth of 7.19 per cent and an increase of more than 14 lakh workers in manufacturing. Employment in the sector reached approximately 2.10 crore. For all the talk about Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF), Indias numbers compare favourably with South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Germany. Indias 10-year GFCF averages about 29 per cent, while South Korea average about 31 per cent, Japan 25 per cent, and Vietnam about 28 per cent. Electronics production increased from Rs 1.9 lakh crore in 201415 to Rs 11.3 lakh crore in 202425, while exports rose from Rs 38,000 crore to Rs 3.27 lakh crore. Mobile manufacturing has expanded considerably. The sector has created an estimated 25 lakh jobs over the decade. The challenge is now to deepen domestic component manufacturing, reduce import dependence and move towards higher-value activities rather than remain concentrated in assembly. These figures do not establish that India has achieved labour-intensive industrialisation, but they indicate an expanding production base. Employment requires a differentiated assessment. The Periodic Labour Force Survey shows that the worker-population ratio for those aged 15 and above increased from 46.8 per cent in 201718 to 58.2 per cent in 202324, while the unemployment rate declined from 6 per cent to 3.2 per cent. Female workforce participation has also increased. These indicators do not obscure the problem of youth unemployment, underemployment or the prevalence of informal and low-productivity work. But they complicate any assessment of India's growth as simply jobless. Infrastructure is another important aspect of the transformation. The expansion of national highways, airports, railway connectivity and digital payment systems has changed the economic geography of the country. UPI is a substantial part of India's digital public infrastructure, reducing transaction costs and widening access to formal financial services. These investments create the foundations for industrial productivity, market integration and private investment. Their economic returns extend beyond the immediate expenditure on construction. Foreign investment must be assessed against global conditions. UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2026 recorded a 6 per cent increase in global FDI to $1.6 trillion in 2025, but the recovery was uneven. Investment into developed economies increased by 11 per cent, compared with just 2 per cent for developing economies. Against this background, India's inflows rose 44 per cent to approximately $39 billion. This is meaningful growth, although India's share of global investment must grow substantially to boost manufacturing. Defence manufacturing adds another dimension. India's defence production reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY202526, almost four times its 201314 level. Defence exports rose to Rs 38,424 crore, an increase of 62.66 per cent over the previous year. The private sector accounted for approximately 45 per cent of exports. Missiles, naval systems, ammunition, radar, electronics and aerospace production are contributing to a wider industrial ecosystem. The expansion of domestic production is developing capabilities in precision engineering, materials, electronics and software with applications beyond defence. The growing relationship with Japan is important in this context, moving beyond infrastructure financing and conventional financial investment towards defence technology, economic security and industrial cooperation. Cooperation in semiconductors, rare-earth processing, telecommunications and naval engineering illustrates how economic partnerships are increasingly intertwined with security considerations. This is relevant as both countries seek more resilient supply chains amidst intensifying USChina rivalry. The comparison between Gujarat and Fujian is also misleading. It places an Indian state operating within a federal, democratic economy alongside a Chinese province that benefited from China's authoritarian, state-directed export-industrialisation model. More importantly, comparing per capita incomes expressed in US dollars without establishing a common basis of measurement, purchasingpower adjustments and comparable real growth rates tells us little about the respective development trajectories. RBI data show that Gujarat's real per capita income increased fourfold between 200304 and 202425, at constant prices. The appropriate question is not why Gujarat failed to become Fujian, but what structural constraints distinguish India's development model from China's. None of this means India has comprehensively resolved its structural weaknesses. But India's economic transformation cannot be judged exclusively by whether it has replicated China's manufacturing-led development model. Geopolitical competition, trade weaponisation and supply-chain vulnerabilities are influencing corporate investment decisions globally. India's opportunity lies in becoming vital production and technology partner as companies diversify their manufacturing networks. Its large domestic market, improving infrastructure and expanding trade relationships provide advantages, but regulatory predictability, and supplier ecosystem depth remain essential. The important question is whether India is building the productive, technological and institutional capabilities required to occupy a larger position in the global economy. Its progress in electronics, infrastructure, digital systems, defence manufacturing and strategic industrial partnerships suggests that this transformation is under way. Data suggest a democracy undergoing a more complex transformation than The Economists assessments indicate. India might not have achieved all the industrial depth required of a major manufacturing power, but neither is its economic structure standing still.

Delhi AQI At 223, Remains Most Polluted Among Six Cities; How Do Mumbai, Chennai Compare?

New Delhi recorded an AQI of 223, placing it in the 'Poor' category, while Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad reported moderate air quality.

Centre condemns coordinated anti-India campaign allegedly by Chinese vloggers presenting Dhaka locations as Delhi

Around 150 Chinese nationals have been reported to be documenting impoverished neighbourhoods in the Bangladeshi capital and broadcasting the footage as scenes from India

Important literary work: Congress leaders praise Sonia Gandhis memoir

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Congress leaders on Tuesday welcomed the memoir of Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Belonging: A Journey of Love, describing it as an important literary work and saying that it offers insights into her personal and political journey. Speaking to IANS, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid recalled the developments surrounding Sonia Gandhi's decision not to become Prime Minister after the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power in 2004. I have no idea what must have happened within the confines of the residence of Sonia ji, where the top leaders at the time went. Many Congress leaders at the time wanted Sonia Gandhi to be the Prime Minister, so they were waiting on the streets. Finally, when the announcement was made, I happened to be inside 10 Janpath, where a lot of people were seated. Therefore, when she did not become the Prime Minister, it was obviously very disappointing, Khurshid said. That was a call she took. That's the call the senior leaders of the party took. Therefore, we accepted it as the best thing that could have happened, he added. Commenting on the reference to the Babri Masjid issue in the book, Khurshid said the events of December 6, 1992, were unfortunate and noted that BJP leaders had also acknowledged this. Whatever happened on December 6 was unfortunate, and the BJP leaders also accepted that, he said. Former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar described reading Sonia Gandhi's autobiography as a responsibility for citizens, citing her political stature and the challenges she had faced during her public life. Reading the autobiography of Sonia Gandhi is the responsibility of every citizen of the country because she is a renowned female leader of this country. She had to overcome many false rumours in her lifetime. She has presented her life in front of the people, Kumar said. He said readers should appreciate the literary work and understand the values that, according to him, had shaped Sonia Gandhi's public life. People need to honour the literature and understand that Sonia Gandhi is a leader with a lot of patience and has given priority to self-esteem and one's dignity. Whatever she has done in her political career, she has kept her sense of dignity intact, he said. Kumar added that the book would be of interest to readers seeking to understand Sonia Gandhi's experiences in public life. The whole nation is looking forward to reading the book. She has maintained utmost dignity in all her political endeavours and fulfilled her duties as a mother and a wife. All Congress leaders wish her the best with her book. We are waiting to know more about her valuable experiences from the book, he said. The memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, brings together Sonia Gandhi's reflections on her personal life and political journey, prompting reactions from leaders across the political spectrum.

SSR schedule revised in UP, draft electoral roll to be published on Nov 17

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revised the schedule for the Special Summary Revision (SSR) 2027 of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh in view of preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, with the draft electoral roll for all 403 Assembly constituencies in the state now scheduled to be published on November 17. Voters will be able to submit claims and objections for inclusion of names, deletion of ineligible names, and correction of details in the electoral rolls until December 16. However, there has been no change in the date for the publication of the final electoral roll, which will be released as scheduled on January 4, 2027. Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said on Tuesday that the ECI has revised the schedule for the Special Summary Revision 2027 of electoral rolls for all 403 Assembly constituencies in the state, based on January 1, 2027 as the qualifying date. Under the Commission's new instructions, the publication of the draft electoral roll has been rescheduled to November 17. According to the revised programme, claims and objections regarding the inclusion of names, deletion of ineligible voters, or correction of any details in the electoral rolls will be accepted from November 17 to December 16, 2026. All such claims and objections will be disposed of by December 28. The final electoral roll will then be published on January 4, 2027. The Chief Electoral Officer has directed all District Election Officers to widely publicise the revised schedule through newspapers, electronic media, and other communication channels. He has also instructed that all recognised national and state-level political parties be informed of the revised timetable. The Electoral Registration Officers and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers have been directed to complete all revision-related processes effectively within the stipulated timeframe. Navdeep Rinwa appealed to all eligible citizens in the state to verify the entries related to themselves and their family members in the electoral rolls during the revision period. If the name of any eligible citizen is missing from the voter list, they should apply within the prescribed period to have it included. He emphasised that it is essential to ensure that no eligible citizen is deprived of getting their name entered in the electoral roll.

10 Arrested In Delhi E-Cigarette Bust

Delhi Police have dismantled a large-scale illegal network involved in the storage and distribution of banned e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes across the national capital. Ten individuals, including seven pan-shop owners, have been apprehended. The operation uncovered a three-tier supply chain, with products allegedly reaching students near schools and colleges, and revealed potential cross-border links.

False Narratives: India Urges Action Over Chinese Vloggers' Videos Showing Dhaka As Delhi

India has reacted to reports of Chinese vloggers livestreaming from slum neighbourhoods in Dhaka while allegedly passing them off as New Delhi. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called such attempts to present a distorted picture of a country unfortunate and urged the authorities concerned to take action. A report by Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo claims that over 150 Chinese nationals have filmed in areas including Uttara and Tekpara, portraying them as dirty and underdeveloped parts of India's capital. The report also raises concerns over privacy, with residents alleging that vloggers entered homes to record footage.

The then-chief chose not to use nearby units, says Sonia on late army deployment in 1984 riots

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) The Congress has faced, and continues to face, flak over the involvement of its leaders in instigating the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi in the wake of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards, and the delay in acting to stop the violence, but former party President Sonia Gandhi says the delay in the deployment of the army was due to certain concerns by the then-army chief. In her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, Sonia Gandhi also contends that she is convinced that her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, who is blamed for turning a blind eye to the violence in the national capital and allegedly condoning it with his infamous comment that When a big tree falls, the earth shakes, could not in any way have authorised those heinous acts on innocent men, women, and children. However, she does acknowledge that it is also evident that some in charge must have looked the other way, and, in some instances even stoked passions, adding fuel to the fire. Noting that many contradictory reports have appeared about that harrowing period, some concerning the delay in the deployment of the army, she said it was not deliberate, and the army had been requisitioned on the night of October 31, 1984 itself, but took time to appear on the scene due to the composition of the nearest units. The Army Chief then was General Arun Sridhar Vaidya, who had also planned and overseen Operation Blue Star, the army action against Sikh radicals ensconced in the Golden Temple, in June 1984, and would tragically be fatally targeted by Khalistani terrorists in Pune after his retirement in 1986. Although the Chief of the Army Staff General A.S. Vaidya had received his orders the same night as the assassination, we heard later that he had decided not to mobilise the nearest units because they were manned by Sikh soldiers, a factor that might have exacerbated the situation, she wrote, citing the sporadic mutinies by Sikh soldiers, and some officers too, in Gurdaspur, Bihar's Ramgarh, Pune, and Jammu. Whatever the reason, General Vaidya ordered units further away, in Dehradun, to move to Delhi. This took some time, but by the night of November 1, army units had started moving into place and by noon of November 2 had been positioned in the parts of the city affected by rioting; a curfew was in force and shoot-at-sight orders had been issued. On the role of Rajiv Gandhi, who had taken over the helm, Sonia Gandhi noted hat very night, Rajiv appeared on national television to appeal for peace - virtually his first public act after being sworn in as Prime Minister, and said that othing would hurt the soul of our beloved Indira Gandhi more than the occurrence of violence in any part of our country. Rajiv Gandhi did not restrict himself to appeals only, she wrote, noting that he visited various tension-racked areas of Delhi and sent members of his staff to look out for the safety and welfare of their Sikh colleagues. She said that he had gone out again on November 1 and the following day, issued another nationwide appeal on TV, citing his mother's words Do not shed blood, shed hatred. Sonia Gandhi says her husband, just and compassionate to his core, could not have been behind the violence as his instinctive, immediate response at a moment of extreme personal affliction bears that out, but admits hat he was thrust into a moment of the country's history when effective governance had foundered and barbaric acts followed. Recalling that she came to know about the horror of these events from friends who had given shelter to Sikhs and he many Sikhs who had found refuge in our home, she confesses that in her state of disorientation then, she had ecome empty of tears, benumbed by the experience of violence that had uprooted me. It was only years later, that she could process the enormity and horror of those events, she admits. (Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)

ICSE board exams for Class 12, Class 10 to begin on Feb 9 &15

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) The Class 12 board exams conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) will be held between February 9 and April 8, 2027. The Class 10 board exams will be conducted from February 15 to March 31. Over 1.10 lakh candidates from 1,651 affiliated schools will appear across 1,477 examination centres in India and overseas. The Council is set to conduct the ISC Class 12 board exams for 60 subjects. The ICSE Class 10 exams, starting February 15, will be conducted across 2,835 examination centres in India and overseas. Class 10 students must note that the reading time will now commence at 10 am, followed by the writing time at 10.15 am. Candidates appearing for the ICSE examination must ensure that they are seated in their respective examination halls or rooms by 9:45 am, said the council's Chief Executive and Secretary Joseph Emmanuel. The Council also noted that the largest ICSE candidate concentrations are from Uttar Pradesh (51,168), West Bengal (46,521), Karnataka (33,417), Maharashtra (31,035), Punjab (19,308) and Jharkhand (17,201). Earlier, the CBSE the countrys other major school board - said the Class 10 and Class 12 exams for the current academic year will begin on February 16, 2027 Earlier, the government announced that ICSE and ISC students can access results and mark sheets in real time via DigiLocker. Students of the ICSE Class 10 and ISC Class 12 can now access their results, mark sheets, as well as certificates in real time from DigiLocker, the Ministry of Electronics and IT said. The students can access their authentic digital documents anytime, anywhere from the platform in digital format. DigiLocker, the flagship platform under the Digital India initiative, has enabled this revolutionary step by providing a secure, trusted, and eco-friendly solution for issuing and accessing academic credentials in digital format by boards, universities, and other bodies, the ministry said.

Key Jamtara Cyber Fraudsters Held In Delhi

Delhi Police have arrested two alleged kingpins of a Jamtara-based cyber fraud network, Md Mehruddin Ansari and Md Arsad Ansari, who were absconding for over five years. They are accused of siphoning off Rs 27.10 lakh from a complainant through a fake Canara Bank website. The duo allegedly designed fraudulent banking websites and operated fake customer care services, leading to the victim sharing banking credentials and losing a significant sum. Eight other accused were previously arrested in connection with the case.

Dr Jitendra Singh Chairs ESSC Meeting: India

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, chaired the Second General Body Meeting of the Earth System Sciences Council (ESSC) in New Delhi, putting a strong emphasis on citizen-centric science communication and translating complex scientific breakthroughs into accessible narratives for the public. The high-level meeting brought [] The post Dr Jitendra Singh Chairs ESSC Meeting: Indias Scientific Achievements appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

No F1 manufacturer to get extra upgrade tokens as FIA shares final ADUO review of 2026

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) The FIA on Tuesday confirmed its third and final Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) review of the 2026 season, as no manufacturer will be getting extra upgrade tokens. The FIA completed its third ADUO review, which covered the races 12 to 18 and the findings were shared with all the power unit manufacturers. The body confirmed that although the performance gaps between the manufacturers changed, they will not get additional homologated upgrades. For the third period, the relative performance gaps to the leading ICE evolved, but these changes did not result in any additional homologations being granted to the Power Unit Manufacturers, FIA said in a statement. This means that Red Bull-Ford will not be able to have additional power unit development allowances when they enter the next season. Red Bull was kept the benchmark for the internal combustion engine (ICE) performance earlier this year, despite Mercedes looking like the strongest team, especially in the first half of the 2026 season. In its first assessment after the Canadian Grand Prix, the FIA had identified differences between the manufacturers, giving them additional homologations. Mercedes were determined to be within the 2-4% window, and were given an additional homologation in 2026 and an additional one next season too, together with corresponding cost cap and dyno testing increases. Moreover, the likes of Audi, Ferrari and Honda were determined to be above 4% and were allowed two additional homologations this season and two in 2027, together with corresponding cost cap and dyno testing increases. No additional homologations were granted during the second period, and it stays the same in its final assessment too, which means the results from the first review will remain the same. ADUO is a mechanism within the 2026 Formula 1 Technical Regulations (Article C4) allowing Power Unit manufacturers whose Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) performance falls at least 2% below the best-performing ICE across defined review periods to introduce additional homologated upgrades to their Power Unit during the current and following season, but also to benefit from additional Cost Cap and dyno testing allowances, FIA said in a release. The level of ADUO is calculated over three periods in each season, with the level of allowance determined by the size of the performance gap to the leading ICE. The first review period was concluded after the Canadian Grand Prix, the second review period concluded after the Hungarian Grand Prix and the third review period concluded after the United States Grand Prix, it added. FIA Director of Single Seater, Nikolas Tombazis, also spoke on the assessments. The FIA has undertaken extensive analysis as part of the review of ADUO this year. Based on the quality of the data and the robustness of the assessment process, we are confident in our findings and the conclusions reached. The first year of implementation has also reinforced our belief that the ADUO concept is the right one for Formula 1. However, it is important that the system continues to evolve to ensure it remains efficient, relevant and fit for purpose. To that end, we have been working closely with the Power Unit Manufacturers and teams to explore refinements to the methodology that will support the continued effectiveness of ADUO in future seasons, he said.

Four Arrested In Delhi Murder Over Old Enmity

Four individuals have been arrested and a juvenile apprehended in connection with the murder of a 45-year-old man in northwest Delhi's Mahendra Park. The victim, Vijay Prakash alias Sonu, was found injured on Tuesday and later declared dead. Police investigations, including CCTV footage analysis and technical surveillance, led to the arrests. The motive is believed to be old enmity.

Delegates from 70 countries to attend second Bharat Summit in Hyderabad

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Nov 10 (IANS) About 1,000 delegates from 70 countries, including policymakers and prominent leaders from progressive movements, will attend the second Bharat Summit scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on November 13-14. Being organised by the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, the event coincides with the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehrus 137th birth anniversary and Indias 80th independence year. The event will serve as a global platform for policymakers, intellectuals, activists and changemakers to exchange ideas and engage in meaningful conversations towards building a better future for all. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka Garu will address the valedictory session. Chairman of the Congress Partys Foreign Affairs Department Salman Khurshid told a press conference in Delhi on Tuesday that the intention is to reflect the vision of Rahul Gandhi for India and the world of tomorrow, and the emergence of a new global order. There will be 12 international sessions and eight important sessions focused on Telangana. Sessions will tackle geopolitics, urban development, social justice, and more, reflecting the Congress partys foreign policy outlook. Salman Khurshid highlighted the Bharat Summits role in attracting investors to Telangana ahead of the investment summit scheduled next month. The preparations have not been easy, particularly given the rapidly changing global situation. However, the summit is taking place at an important time, coinciding with the 137th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who continues to be an inspiration for foreign policy formulation and thinking in our party and the 80th year of our independence, he said. Telanganas minister for industry and information technology D. Sridhar Babu said the state was proud to host the second edition of the international event. The basic idea of Rahul Ji is to provide a platform for people who think progressively, whether on policymaking, economic matters, national development or the development taking place across states, he told IANS. Sridhar Babu stated that the summit will address geopolitical matters, the new world order, societal challenges, climate change, the role of the media, international journalism and information integrity. Looking forward to welcoming distinguished delegates from across the world to Hyderabad and being part of conversations that will help shape a more inclusive, equitable and progressive world. Hyderabad is ready to lead the conversation, he said. The minister said that with hundreds of delegates from different countries gathering in Hyderabad, their deliberations will give a great boost to Telanganas governance and its people. The programme features 12 international sessions and nine panels across four tracks. We will also host eight sessions on Telangana Rising. These sessions will cover topics such as Future City & urbanisation, economic justice, social justice, welfare policies, cooperative federalism, culture and society, youth & sports, and electoral integrity in Telangana and across India, he said. Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Gurdeep Singh Sappal said that when Rahul Gandhi was on a visit to Berlin, an idea was discussed there to set up a think tank that would include people from progressive parties around the world. So that, through this, we can find a response to this changing form of politics in the world. This will begin at the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad, where 70 think tanks will participate, he said. Today, the bigwigs of the IT sector are busy directing world politics. In other words, politics is now falling into the hands of corporations. In such a situation, it is extremely important for political parties to engage in intellectual exercise, where people who understand society and politics can find practical solutions, said Gurdeep Singh. Over the past 15 years, there has been a wave of hateful, divisive politics in India and around the world. This kind of politics has done a great deal of harm to the public. Progressive and liberal parties around the world recognise this. The Congress Party has taken an initiative on this and is trying to bring all parties around the world together against hateful politics, he added. TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud said that Telangana is proud to host the prestigious event for the second consecutive year.

'Dimagi Naxals' next on govt target, Kiren Rijiju tells Rahul Gandhi

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Taking aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for eliminating Naxalism and warned the opposition leaders that days of Dimagi Naxals are also numbered. Criticising Rahul Gandhi for trivialising the Union government's success in ending Left-wing extremism, Rijiju on social media platform X said, Rahul ji, thank Modi ji for eliminating the Armed Maoists. Former PM Manmohan Singh ji had famously described Left-Wing Extremism and Naxalism as 'The single biggest internal security threat' to India. Next target is to finish Dimagi Naxals. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have recently been exchanging verbal blows over the fight against Naxalism and foreign intervention in Indian politics. Interacting with CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh, PM Modi had said that the elimination of Naxalism is not the final destination and that the country still faces the challenge of countering 'Dimagi Naxals' who have taken control of several organisations. In a veiled attack on Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc parties questioning the integrity of institutions like the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Prime Minister said, Even today, they are inciting people against the country's Constitution and democracy. These 'Dimagi Naxals' have also infiltrated several political parties and different organisations. We must identify them, defeat them and ensure the security of the nation. Later, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi challenged PM Modi for a public debate regarding allegations of being 'Dimagi Naxals' and anti-nationals controlled by foreign entities. Responding to Rahul Gandhi's claims, four-time BJP MP from Jharkhand Nishikant Dubey on Monday questioned the Congress leader's meeting with two Chinese Ministers during a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage in 2018. In a post on X, Dubey asked Rahul Gandhi to answer his two key questions. Question 1. Mr Rahul Gandhi, when you went on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage in 2018, which two Chinese Ministers did you meet? 2. After the 2008 agreement between @INCIndia and the Communist Party of China, which 200 people have you sent to China under the exchange program by 2018? What are their names and addresses? the BJP MP asked.

MP: 6.6 kg amphetamine seized; passenger arrested

Digital Desk | Bhopal, Nov 10 (IANS) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 6.642 kg of amphetamine and arrested a passenger travelling by bus from Delhi to Bhopal after intercepting him based on specific intelligence, the agency said on Tuesday. The passenger was intercepted by DRI officers on November 5. During the examination of his luggage, officials recovered three silver-coloured plastic packets containing a crystalline white substance concealed inside his bag. Field testing of the seized substance using an NDPS field test kit confirmed the presence of amphetamine, a psychotropic substance covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The contraband, weighing 6.642 kg, was subsequently seized under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, and the passenger was arrested under the law, according to a statement issued by the DRI. Further investigation revealed that the accused was already out on bail in another NDPS case registered by Bengaluru Police, indicating his alleged involvement in repeated drug trafficking activities, the agency said. The DRI said the recovery was made following intelligence inputs and described the operation as part of its efforts to curb the illegal narcotics trade. DRI remains committed to dismantling drug trafficking networks through intelligence-led enforcement and sustained action against those involved in the illicit narcotics trade, the statement said. The agency is continuing its investigation to establish the source of the seized amphetamine, its intended destination and possible links of the arrested passenger to a wider drug trafficking network. Notably, amphetamine is a psychotropic substance regulated under the NDPS Act, which provides for stringent action against offences involving the production, possession, transportation and trafficking of prohibited narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

This Is New Delhi: Around 150 Chinese Vloggers Allegedly Pass Off Dhaka Slums As Indias Capital

Around 150 Chinese vloggers allegedly livestream Dhaka's poor neighbourhoods while misleading viewers into believing they are watching New Delhi.

Delhi Government Distributes Free LPG Assistance to Over 1.5 Million Families

Over 1.5 million families in New Delhi receive financial assistance for LPG cylinders from the government, expressing gratitude to CM Rekha Gupta. Delhi Government Distributes Free LPG Assistance to Over 1.5 Million Families

India steps up diplomatic efforts, engages with Russia and Ukraine to end prolonged war

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Reiterating its position that the Russia-Ukraine conflict must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday highlighted New Delhis continued engagement with both Moscow and Kyiv to explore ways to restore peace in the region. Addressing a bi-weekly press briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India had shared several proposals with the two sides, including ensuring the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, addressing the immediate concerns of energy and grain exports, and discussing possibilities of a non-attack arrangement. He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also emphasised the need to end prolonged wars and called for an end to the ongoing conflict. So, on the issue of the Ukraine conflict, as you know, India has been emphasising that the way forward is to take the path of dialogue and diplomacy. And in recent months, our Prime Minister has expressed and articulated that endless wars must now give way to an end to war. In keeping with this idea of bringing peace to the region, India has been engaging with both Russia and Ukraine, and we have conveyed certain ideas to them. These ideas include the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea region. It also includes addressing the immediate concerns of both countries in regard to energy and grain exports, as well as non-attack possibilities, the MEA spokesperson stated. Jaiswal further said that Prime Minister Modi spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, with the two leaders discussing the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian impact and diplomatic efforts to bring about peace. He added that External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar also spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov later in the day to discuss diplomatic initiatives related to the conflict. Yesterday, as you are aware, our Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine. Both leaders shared perspectives on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspects, as well as various efforts to restore peace that are underway. Prime Minister reiterated India's firm commitment to contribute towards peace in every possible way. Following this, in the evening yesterday, the External Affairs Minister had a conversation with Foreign Minister Lavrov of Russia, where both leaders discussed the ongoing diplomatic initiatives focused on the conflict, the MEA spokesperson stated. On the issue of the food corridor, we have exchanged ideas with both sides, and India remains in touch with both sides, as well as with interested parties to contribute towards the return of peace to the region, he added. Prime Minister Modi had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Zelensky on Monday, during which he once again conveyed India's readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict in the region. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Zelensky shared his perspective on recent developments related to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Prime Minister reaffirmed Indias human-centric approach and reiterated Indias consistent position that the conflict must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He conveyed Indias readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict, read a statement issued by the PMO. The two leaders also discussed measures to further strengthen India-Ukraine bilateral cooperation in various sectors for the mutual benefit of the two peoples, it added. After the phone call, Zelensky said that India is ready to mediate in establishing food corridors, and Ukraine looks forward to continued efforts in this direction.

BJP slams Punjab govt on crop residue management

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Nov 10 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party Punjab President Kewal Singh Dhillon on Tuesday mounted a counter-offensive against the Bhagwant Mann government over its failure to manage crop residue, asserting that the Aam Aadmi Party cannot escape its four-and-a-half-year record in the state by staging press conferences to blame Delhi. Dhillon stated that on November 4, 2022, party national convener Arvind Kejriwal publicly accepted responsibility for farm fires alongside Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, seeking one year to resolve the crisis. Over four years into its tenure, the Mann administration has failed to provide accessible alternatives, leaving farmers stranded. Posing five direct questions to the AAP dispensation, Dhillon asked: Where is the bio-decomposer? What happened to the Pusa bio-decomposer heavily promoted by AAP? How many acres were sprayed, what was the state-level expenditure, and what measurable results were achieved? The Central government released Rs 2,056.50 crore to Punjab under the Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme up to 2025-26. Where has every single rupee been spent, and how much has actually reached farmers? The state BJP chief asked. Where are the 94,456 CRM machines? The Agriculture Department claims 94,456 CRM machines were deployed. How many are operational, how many Custom Hiring Centres are functional, and how many marginal farmers can actually access them during the sowing window? Why no direct cash incentive? While Haryana provides Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per acre to its farmers, why did the Punjab government fail to independently fund its promised Rs 2,500 per acre cash assistance? Why slap first information reports (FIRs) and red entries on farmers? Why is the Mann government booking small farmers under police sections and making punitive red entries in revenue records to conceal its own administrative paralysis? Dhillon demanded an immediate, independent audit of CRM machinery funds, an immediate rollback of punitive red entries against farmers, and practical per-acre financial support.

Emerging market bonds becoming more resilient to global shocks, less dependent on US dollar: Goldman Sachs

New Delhi [India], November 10 (ANI): bEmerging marketonds are becoming more resilient to global economic shocks, less dependent on the US dollar and potentially more attractive to investors, as per a report by Goldman Sachs (GS). The report highlighted that emerging market debt demonstrated greater stability despite the surge in oil prices triggered by the Iran war earlier this year, defying expectations of a widespread selloff in developing economies. ...emerging market sovereign and corporate bonds weathered the shock with a newfound stability and solid performance for investors, it said. According to Goldman Sachs, the development reflects the growing maturity of emerging market credit as an asset class, with investors increasingly reassessing opportunities across government and corporate debt markets. Anupam Damani, co-head and senior portfolio manager of emerging market debt at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, highlighted the structural transformation of these markets over the p...

'Unfortunate': MEA breaks silence on videos by Chinese vloggers portraying Dhaka as Delhi

Delhi Chokes on Toxic Air as Parliamentary Panel Skips Pollution Hearing

The panel circulated the agenda for the meeting, which included the air pollution issue, among its members on November 5, but dropped the topic from its revised agenda.

No mention of Bofors scandal: BJP's swipe over Sonia's memoir

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Amid the escalating political storm over a gamut of revelations in former Congress President Sonia Gandhi's memoir, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a swipe at the party brass questioning its corruption and vote-bank driven politics and also silence over the Bofors scandal that kept haunting the grand old party, even decades later, after it unfolded way back in the late 1980s. Gandhi-Vadra family's habit of vote-bank politics has been exposed in Sonia Gandhi's book, it doesn't answer on the blatant corruption in the Bofors case, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said. He also added that the Congress party never distanced itself from these issues in its political approach and it is precisely the mindset that led to its drubbing in 2014, 2019, and 2024 general elections. This will result in electoral setback to the party in 2029 general elections as well, he said. Speaking to the press, Bhandari remarked that despite Bofors case being a matter of public discourse for long, Sonia Gandhi has remained silent on this subject. Instead of apologising for corruption or addressing issue of vote-bank politics, she has chosen to perpetuate the same mindset in her book, he also said. Bhandari also reacted sharply to remarks made by Congress MP Imran Masood regarding Diwali. He said that those whose mindset is driven by 'vote-bank politics' can never truly respect Sanatan Dharma. Referring to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial statement on Diwali, equating it with Khushiyon ki Eid, he attributed it to Congress' 'anti-Sanatan' mindset and reminded that it was the same party that labelled the Hindu community as 'violent'. Linking Imran Masood's comments to the same political strategy, the BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said that the Congress supports the practice of offering namaz on public streets, while compares the festival of Diwali to a 'disease'. He asserted that this particular mindset of the Congress will work against the party in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and will result in its rout.

Delhi Crime Branch Uncovers Interstate Drug Supply Network, Arrests Four Suspects

The Delhi Crime Branch has arrested four individuals involved in an interstate drug supply network, seizing over 14 kg of banned substances. Delhi Crime Branch Uncovers Interstate Drug Supply Network, Arrests Four Suspects

Delhi Government Provides LPG Financial Aid to Over 1.5 Million Families

The Delhi government has transferred 141.88 crore to support over 1.5 million families with LPG expenses ahead of the festivals. Delhi Government Provides LPG Financial Aid to Over 1.5 Million Families

Sonia Gandhi reveals moral dilemma over alliance with DMK in memoir

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) In her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, Sonia Gandhi has opened up about the intense moral and emotional conflict she faced when the Congress party considered an alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the years following Rajiv Gandhis assassination. Recalling the political landscape of the early 2000s, Gandhi notes that the moment appeared right for opposition forces to unite against the BJP-led government. Yet the idea of partnering with the DMK filled her with deep unease. She writes that the DMK cadre had been vocal supporters of the LTTE, the terrorist group that killed Rajiv Gandhi, during the 1991 elections, and that some in the party had openly threatened him. The Jain Commissions report in 1997, which held a DMK leader responsible for tacitly supporting the Tamil assassins, had even prompted the Congress to withdraw support from the IK Gujral government. With those painful memories returning to torment me, Id ask myself, What should I do? If I join hands with them, wont it amount to a betrayal of Rajiv? Gandhi recounts. She then considered another possibility: Perhaps Rajiv himself would have gone ahead with this alliance, if he knew it was necessary to strengthen our front against the BJP. A decision had to be taken urgently for a larger cause. Her heart in her mouth and hands trembling, she made the first telephone call to M. Karunanidhi. Though they did not share a common language, the conversation was cordial. Over subsequent meetings, they found common ground in the arts, literature and Tamil heritage, and the relationship grew cordial. Colleagues worked out seat arrangements and campaign coordination, culminating in the formal United Progressive Alliance (UPA) on 4 May 2004. Responding to the memoir, DMK leader TKS Elangovan said Sonia Gandhi had allied with the DMK because it was the only viable way to take on the BJP in Tamil Nadu. He reiterated that the DMK had supported the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils and had never endorsed Rajiv Gandhis assassination. The passages offer a rare personal insight into the difficult choices that shaped Indias coalition politics in the post-Rajiv era.

EPFO CBT meeting on Nov 19 may discuss hike in minimum EPS pension to Rs 3,000

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to convene its 240th Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting on November 19 in the national capital, with pensioners and salaried employees closely watching developments amid reports that the government may consider raising the minimum monthly pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000. The meeting, which was initially planned to be held in Gir, Gujarat, has been shifted to EPFO's headquarters in the national capital. According to a communication sent to CBT members, the meeting will commence at 10:15 a.m. on November 19. Speculation around a possible pension hike has gained momentum following reports that the Labour Ministry, after consultations with the Finance Ministry, has arrived at a decision to increase the minimum EPS pension to Rs 3,000 per month. However, neither the Ministry of Labour and Employment nor the Finance Ministry has officially confirmed the proposal. As a result, pensioners will have to wait for a formal announcement before any increase can be considered final. The minimum monthly pension under EPS has remained unchanged at Rs 1,000 since September 2014. The revision was approved by the CBT in February 2014, announced in the Union Budget for 2014-15, and formally notified by the government in August that year. Over the years, employee unions and pensioners' organisations have repeatedly sought a substantial increase in the minimum pension amount, arguing that the current payout is inadequate to meet the rising cost of living. Several groups have demanded that the minimum monthly pension be raised to Rs 7,500, citing inflation, healthcare expenses, and the financial needs of retired workers. The Employees' Pension Scheme is a social security programme administered by EPFO for workers in the organised sector. It is financed through a portion of the employer's contribution to the Employees' Provident Fund. Under the existing framework, 8.33 per cent of the employer's contribution is allocated to the pension scheme, subject to applicable wage ceilings. Pension benefits under EPS are determined based on an employee's pensionable salary and length of eligible service. While the scheme prescribes a minimum pension, there is no fixed upper limit on the amount payable, with the final pension varying according to an individual's contribution history and service tenure.

Launch of Namo Yamuna River Safari Marks a New Era for Delhis Tourism

The Namo Yamuna River Safari has launched in Delhi, enhancing tourism and showcasing the rivers revitalization efforts. Launch of Namo Yamuna River Safari Marks a New Era for Delhis Tourism

Biased, ill-informed: India says 'prejudiced entities' like USCIRF can hardly be taken seriously

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) India on Tuesday slammed the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) as a biased and ill-informed organisation with a latantly political agenda, saying it has consistently kept silent on attacks on religious places and hate crimes targeting the Indian community in the US. The USCIRF (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom) is a biased and ill-informed organisation with a blatantly political agenda, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi. He pointed to the commissions silence on attacks targeting the Indian community in the United States. It is particularly telling, and you must note that the USCIRF and its commissioners have consistently kept silent on attacks on religious places in the United States, as well as on hate crimes and racial abuse that are targeted at the Indian community in the United States. Prejudiced entities like the USCIRF can hardly be taken seriously, Jaiswal said. Last month, an alleged plot to attack a Hindu temple in the US state of Illinois was foiled. Prosecutors allege that Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, a self-identified neo-Nazi, tried to shoot a man outside the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora on October 11, the first day of Navaratri, but his rifle jammed, and that he wrote an eight-page white supremacist manifesto describing violence against people of Indian descent at a Hindu house of worship. There was an attempted attack on our residents, members of our community, who were at a Hindu temple in Aurora, by somebody who was full of hate and all sorts of ideas that our community just does not tolerate, Scott Wehrli, Mayor of neighbouring Naperville, had said. As many as 105 US lawmakers had urged the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate the alleged attempt to carry out a mass shooting at the temple as a possible federal hate crime, warning of growing threats against Indian-Americans and other South Asian communities. No one should fear being targeted because of their ancestry, appearance, or faith, and no congregation should have to wonder whether gathering for worship will make its members targets of mass violence, the lawmakers had written. Citing a September 2026 study by the Centre for the Study of Organised Hate, the lawmakers said more than 542,000 anti-South Asian hateful posts appeared on X between January 2025 and June 2026.

BJP's Pradeep Bhandari revives Bofors row over Sonia Gandhi's memoir, questions Rajiv Gandhi-Quattrocchi links

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Tuesday questioned Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi over the Bofors scandal following the release of her memoir 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', alleging that Congress leadership had remained silent on the controversy and accusing her of pursuing appeasement politics over the Babri Masjid issue. Speaking to ANI in Delhi, Bhandari said the release of the memoir had brought renewed attention to the Bofors scandal and questioned the alleged links between former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi. After the release of Sonia Gandhi's book, questions have resurfaced about the Bofors scandal, which both Congress party and Sonia Gandhi have remained silent about. People want to know what the relationship was between Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Ottavio Quattrocchi that led to the scandal, Bhandari said. He further accused Sonia Gandhi of focusing o...

Firecrackers are being unfairly blamed for Delhi's pollution: CTI seeks year-round action on stubble burning

Firecracker sales in Delhi were estimated at around Rs 300 crore this Diwali, Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) Chairman Brijesh Goyal said on Tuesday, arguing that firecrackers were being unfairly blamed for the national capital's pollution and urging political parties to work together to address stubble burning and other sources of pollution. Speaking about the business during Diwali, Goyal said Delhi remained a major market for firecrackers, most of which are sourced from Sivakasi and other places. He said businesses would have been better placed to manage sales had permissions been granted earlier. Firecracker sales were good this Diwali, with business estimated at around Rs 300 crore. Delhi is a major market, although most firecrackers come from Sivakasi and other places. Earlier permission would have helped businesses manage sales better, he said. Goyal maintained that while firecrackers cause some smoke, their impact is temporary and other sources of pollution must also be a...

Piyush Goyal's Egypt visit to boost trade, investment ties: Industry chamber

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal's upcoming visit to Egypt, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, is expected to boost bilateral trade and investment ties while creating wider regional opportunities for Indian businesses, an industry chamber said on Tuesday. The statement from FIEO said the visit offers an opportunity to translate the longstanding India-Egypt strategic partnership into stronger commercial ties. Egypt brings together a significant domestic market, a strategic location and extensive regional trade connectivity. The ministers visit can help Indian businesses build on these advantages to expand exports, forge manufacturing partnerships and participate more actively in regional value chains, said FIEO President S C Ralhan. India-Egypt merchandise trade stood at $6.5 billion in FY26, comprising Indian exports of $3.9 billion and imports of $2.6 billion. Key exports from India include petroleum products, engineering goods, chemicals, cotton yarn, buffalo meat and pharmaceuticals form a substantial part of Indias export basket. The visit provides an opportunity to diversify this basket, deepen market access and strengthen Indias position as a preferred sourcing partner as the country already is Egypts fifth-largest source of imports, the statement noted. Growing Egyptian interest in Indian expertise creates opportunities that extend from technology and innovation to manufacturing and infrastructure. Indian companies can contribute to Egypts development priorities while building commercially sustainable partnerships that generate value for both countries, Ralhan said. Egypts network of free trade agreements covering markets across Africa, the Arab region and parts of Europe, together with its Mediterranean connectivity, makes it an attractive location for regional production and distribution hubs. Combining Indian manufacturing strengths with Egypts location and trade linkages can support export diversification and closer integration into international supply chains, Ralhan said. Over 700 Indian companies are registered in Egypt, with around 70 actively operating across various sectors and combined investments exceeding $5.5 billion. This presence can help encourage fresh investment, deepen industrial collaboration and create opportunities for Indian MSMEs to enter regional supply chains. Ralhan emphasised that sustained institutional engagement, focused business-to-business interactions and effective investment facilitation would be essential to convert the visits momentum into concrete outcomes. High-level exchanges, supported by consistent commercial follow-through, would also reinforce investor confidence and encourage long-term partnerships, he added.

The Business of India's Humiliation: Why Are Chinese Vloggers Passing Dhaka Off as Delhi?

Chinese vloggers are filming in Bangladesh and passing Dhaka off as Delhi selling a degrading image of India to a Chinese-speaking audience. Why is India's humiliation finding an audience in China? And who profits from it? An investigation by Bangladesh's leading newspaper, Prothom Alo, exposed Chinese streamers filming in Dhaka's neighbourhoods and presenting them as New Delhi. Its reporting revealed local facilitators, misleading livestreams and the deliberate misrepresentation of locations. We go beyond the viral videos to examine who is behind this content, who benefits and what narrative it feeds. We also examine Xiaokang Xi Jinping's vision of a prosperous China and why India's progress under democracy could challenge Beijing's narrative of its own development model. JNU professor Srikanth Kondapalli explains the larger ideological dimension. When thousands of false videos circulate, they can shape how the world sees India. This is a narrative war. India must hit back with facts. The footage is real. The location is a lie. The humiliation is India's. The truth must travel further.

Delhi gets its first Yamuna cruise safari: Check route, ride duration

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday launched the Namo Yamuna Cruise Safari, a new recreational attraction along the Yamuna riverfront

'Went straight from meeting to his home': Sonia Gandhi sought Sitaram Kesri's blessings after becoming Cong Prez in 1998

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Congress Parliamentary Chairperson (CPP) Sonia Gandhi recalled visiting former party Chief Sitaram Kesri's residence to seek his blessings, after being elected the party President in 1998, which left the latter surprised, Gandhi said in her memoir 'Belonging: A Journey of Love'. The book, released on Tuesday, traces the events of 1998, surrounding Kesri's reported ouster as the Congress chief and the subsequent election of Sonia Gandhi to lead the grand old party. Sonia Gandhi's account of Sitaram Kesri is different from the famous controversy surrounding his removal as the Congress President. She said that after being elected as the Congress President at a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in 1998, she went directly to Kesri's residence and sought his blessings by touching his feet, according to a report by NDTV. Recalling the emotional meeting in her book, Sonia Gandhi said that Kesri was surprised by her unexpected visit. However, with tears in his (Kesri's) eyes, he placed his hand on her head and blessed her, she added. She noted that after the Congress party's defeat under the then Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao in 1996, two governments came and went before the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) eventually came to power with the support of a coalition of 20 parties. The new government was led by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who, over five decades in Parliament, had earned a reputation as a skilled politician and an influential orator. Sonia Gandhi recalled that following the election results, the party once again began a process of change. The Congress Working Committee (CWC) unanimously concluded that a leadership change was necessary. The then-Congress President Sitaram Kesri was asked to step down, and on March 14, 1998, Sonia Gandhi was elected party President in his place. Kesri ji, as I always addressed him, had been an active member of the Congress for more than six decades. Suddenly, the thought came to my mind, and I went straight from the meeting to his home. I greeted him and, following the traditional custom of showing respect to elders, touched his feet, Sonia Gandhi was quoted as saying in her memoir by NDTV. She added that Kesri was taken aback by her sudden arrival but nevertheless blessed her. His eyes filled with tears, and he placed his hand on my head. Notably, in March 1998, amid dramatic developments at the Congress headquarters on 24 Akbar Road in New Delhi, the CWC removed Sitaram Kesri from the post of party president. This cleared the way for Sonia Gandhi to take over the leadership of the party. Sitaram Kesri, who hailed from Bihar, served as the Congress President from 1996 to 1998. He passed away in 2000.

Supreme Court goes beyond Deepavali AQI, flags vehicular emissions polluting Delhi air

The court says Delhi and the NCR bear the cumulative burden of vehicular traffic and seeks to know what has been done to regulate in the capital the entry and plying of vehicles from neighbouring States

India condemns misleading content created by Chinese vloggers, deliberate distortion of geographical locations

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) India on Tuesday severely condemned attempts being made by the Chinese vloggers to portray impoverished neighbourhoods in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka as New Delhi through misleading content, saying such efforts to peddle false narratives undermine the credibility of those undertaking and backing them. Addressing a bi-weekly press briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged the authorities concerned to take action against those involved. We have seen media reports in this regard. Such efforts to present a distorted picture of any country are unfortunate. Insofar as efforts to buy foreign elements to portray Dhaka as Delhi are concerned, the peddling of false narratives only undermines the credibility of those who are undertaking such actions and those who are behind them. And we would urge the authorities concerned to take action against such people, he said. The remarks came amid reports that over 150 Chinese nationals have been filming and livestreaming from economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Dhaka, falsely depicting them as parts of New Delhi. While recording footage from these locations, they made disparaging comments about India's living standards, sanitation, food habits, and poverty. The misleading portrayal has sparked concerns over the deliberate distortion of geographical locations and the possible use of deceptive online content to create negative perceptions about India among international audiences. The incident underscored the growing threat posed by misinformation and manipulated content on social media, where sensationalised posts can spread widely before their authenticity is established. The activities have reportedly been taking place in Dhakas Tekpara and Uttara areas for several months, with streamers remaining active from early morning until late at night. One Chinese woman identified as 'Mianmian', who claimed to be from China's Sichuan province, livestreamed from beside a canal in Uttara Sector 12 of Dhaka on November 1. She reportedly presented the area to her online audience as New Delhi and described the residential buildings and surrounding areas as dirty, underdeveloped, and unhygienic. This is New Delhi. Their homes are extremely dirty. There isn't even a fan inside the tin-roofed houses. This place is quite underdeveloped, dirty and unhygienic, and the law-and-order situation is poor, leading Bangladeshi daily 'Prothom Alo' quoted her as saying. In another instance, a Chinese national was seen live streaming from tea stalls in the Tekpara locality of Dhaka, making the offensive remarks that the tea consumed by locals was made using cow urine. Look, they are drinking tea. Do you know what kind of tea this is? This is cow urine tea. They drink cow urine tea, Prothom Alo quoted him as saying. The footage also contained derogatory comments on the residents lifestyles, with repeated references to poor hygiene, lack of sanitation, and substandard living conditions. These are not isolated incidents, as reports of Chinese content creators recording videos in Dhakas underprivileged neighbourhoods have been emerging since May 2026. The recurring pattern of Chinese content creators repeatedly filming in the same low-income neighbourhoods, along with allegations of geographical misrepresentation and intrusive filming, raises concerns about attempts to undermine India's image internationally. These recent developments point to a coordinated anti-India campaign. The issue is not merely the recording of impoverished neighbourhoods, but the calculated misrepresentation of locations in another country as parts of India, coupled with disparaging remarks intended to influence how international audiences perceive Indian society.

Meta Rolls Out AI Age Detection Globally To Protect Instagram Teens

New Delhi: Instagram is introducing a major change to improve the safety of young users. On Monday, Meta announced the global rollout of its AI-powered age-guessing technology. The tool will identify teenagers who misrepresent their age and automatically move them into more restricted profiles known as Teen Accounts. Many young users enter false adult birth []

As Delhi gasps for clean air, parliamentary panel skips hearing on air pollution

A Parliamentary committee in Delhi removed the air pollution issue from its upcoming meeting agenda on November 17. Congress member Ajay Maken objected to this change and wrote to the committee chairperson for reconsideration. Maken emphasized that air pollution poses severe health risks and must be treated as a public health emergency. The initial agenda had included discussions involving the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding air pollution enforcement measures.

Delhi Police bust illegal tobacco network, 10 held with 551 vapes and over 1 lakh cigarettes

Delhi Police have apprehended 10 people, including a wholesaler, two distributors and seven pan-shop retailers, in a crackdown on the alleged illegal sale and supply of tobacco products across the national capital. The operation led to the recovery of 551 prohibited e-cigarettes and vapes, along with 1,02,800 conventional cigarettes.

Delhi gets its own cruise safari; recreational 'Namo Yamuna' launched today

The 30-minute electric-powered cruise will operate between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, with facilities including food and gaming zones, a musical fountain show and plans for water sports activities

Delhi pollution data shows massive spikes, gaps

Data Blindspots, Weak Rules: Inside Delhi's Annual Battle For Clean Air

Diwali this year was the fourth most polluted day of the entire year, recording a staggering daily average PM2.5 concentration of 257 g/m.

Man-made crisis: Naveen Patnaik slams Odisha govt over Ganjam flood response

Digital Desk | Bhubaneswar, Nov 10 (IANS) Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday severely criticised the state government's preparedness to deal with Cyclone Arnab and called for impartial rehabilitation and reconstruction work in flood-ravaged Ganjam district. In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik has also described the devastating flood in Ganjam as a manmade crisis, calling upon the state government to fix accountability for the lapses and ensure stringent punishment. The BJD supremo also referred to his recent visit to flood-affected areas of Hinjili, Sheragada, Aska and Sorada of Ganjam district and interactions with affected persons on November 7. Patnaik expressed pain after seeing the sufferings of the people in distress, massive damage to infrastructure, extensive crop losses, loss of lives and destruction of livelihoods during his visit. He alleged that government negligence has set Ganjam back by several years. He alleged that the state government ignored IMD warnings issued since October 23. The BJD chief said Ganjam remained vulnerable to heavy rainfall, which typically occurs to the right of a cyclone's landfall, and stressed that cyclone and flood management SOPs require advance water release from dams and round-the-clock monitoring of reservoir levels. However, in the case of Ganjam, water from dams was released by the Water Resources Department after the onset of heavy cyclonic rains. This compounded the floods and caused huge loss of life and property. People have complained that adequate warning was not given to them before the gates were opened, alleged Patnaik. This gross negligence and manmade crisis raises serious issues of accountability. People are demanding strict action against those responsible for such a serious lapse, he further added. The LoP alleged that the government has also admitted its lack of preparedness for Ganjam, adding that timely action on warnings could have prevented much of the suffering. He alleged that the delay in the post-flood relief work led to people being marooned for days without food and water. Patnaik said he has forwarded the representations he received during his visit to the Special Relief Commissioner for immediate action. He urged the government to adopt a whole of government approach to ensure timely compensation, adding that lip service will not work. He warned that BJD will not tolerate negligence in relief work by the government and will hold protests from 'Palli to Delhi'. The BJD chief also contended that the previous BJD government had built a community-based, globally acclaimed disaster management system in which sarpanches, PRI members and Mission Shakti groups played a major role. He alleged that neglect of sarpanches and the near closure of Mission Shakti by the BJP government have weakened the community-based disaster response system. Citing what he termed repeated mishandling of calamities in Ganjam, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Baleshwar, Patnaik asked the government to take responsibility and fix accountability. He said the progress made in 24 years of BJD rule should not be undone in 24 months by the double engine sarkar.

India records increase in employment during July-Sep quarter

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) India registered an increase in both the overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in the July-September quarter of the current financial year, compared to the same period of previous fiscal, reflecting the rise in employment during the quarter, according to figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Tuesday. Overall LFPR for persons of age 15 years and above increased to 55.5 per cent during July-September, 2026 from 54.6 per cent in the previous quarter. The improvement was driven by an increase in LFPR for both the rural and urban areas. In rural areas, LFPR for persons of age 15 years and above rose to 58.1 per cent in the current quarter from 56.9 per cent in the previous quarter. Similarly, urban LFPR increased marginally to 50.4 per cent from 50.2 per cent during the same period, the data showed. The gender-wise figures show that the overall female LFPR increased to 34.7 per cent during the current quarter from 33.2 per cent in the previous quarter. Among males, the urban LFPR registered a marginal increase, reaching 77.3 per cent during the quarter, from 77.0 per cent in the April-June 2026 period. Overall Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for persons of age 15 years and above, which is another indicator of employment, increased to 52.7 per cent during the quarter of July-September 2026, from 51.7 per cent in the previous quarter. In comparison with the corresponding quarter of the previous year, the overall WPR increased by 0.5 percentage points during July-September 2026. Rural WPR also recorded an increase of 0.9 percentage points over the same period. Urban WPR maintained stability in the current quarter compared with the previous year. Overall Unemployment Rate (UR) declined for persons of age 15 years and above declined to 5.1 per cent during the current quarter, compared with 5.4 per cent in the previous quarter. During the same period, the rural UR fell to 4.3 per cent from 4.8 per cent, while urban UR remained broadly stable at 6.8 per cent in the quarter. The share of regular wage employment in urban areas reported an increase of 0.3 percentage points to 49.6 per cent compared to the previous quarter. During July-September 2026, the share of self-employed people in rural areas increased by 1.3 percentage points to 62.7 per cent compared with last quarter. Rural agricultural employment increased by 3.8 percentage points over the quarter to 56.7% during July-September 2026.

AAPs Saurabh Bhardwaj Challenges Claims Linking Punjab Stubble Burning to Delhi Pollution

AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj disputes claims that Punjabs stubble burning significantly contributes to Delhis pollution levels. AAPs Saurabh Bhardwaj Challenges Claims Linking Punjab Stubble Burning to Delhi Pollution

Victor Lindelof extends Aston Villa contract until 2028

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Aston Villa have extended Victor Lindelof's contract until 2028 after exercising an option to add another year to the Swedish defender's existing deal, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. Victor Lindelof, who joined Aston Villa in 2025, is approaching the milestone of 50 appearances for the club and has established himself as an important member of the defensive unit. The extension ensures that Victor Lindelof will continue his association with the Birmingham-based side for at least another season. Victor Lindelof made an immediate impact following his arrival, playing a significant role in Aston Villa's UEFA Europa League triumph during his debut campaign. The defender was part of the side that defeated SC Freiburg 3-0 in the final in Istanbul, helping the club secure the continental title. His performances at club level have also complemented his responsibilities on the international stage, where Victor Lindelof continues to captain the Sweden national team. Aston Villa's decision to activate the extension comes after Victor Lindelof continued to feature prominently in Unai Emery's plans. The defender has been a regular presence at the heart of the backline as the club looks to maintain its competitiveness across domestic and European competitions. The contract announcement comes after Aston Villa's dramatic 4-4 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Victor Lindelof's side surrendered a two-goal advantage in stoppage time after taking a 4-2 lead through goals from Alysson, Nicolas Jackson, John McGinn and Leon Goretzka. Late strikes from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu denied Aston Villa all three points, although the result extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six matches heading into the November international break. Manager Unai Emery described the late goals as painful but acknowledged the positives in his team's performance. With Victor Lindelof now secured until 2028, Aston Villa will look to benefit from the Swedish international's experience and defensive consistency as they continue their campaign under Emery.

Delhi Police Crime Branch registers FIR over fake notices seeking blocking of IFF, SFLC X accounts; probes imposter

X had told the Delhi High Court that the takedown requests purportedly issued in the name of the Delhi Police were fraudulent; the forces IFSO unit will assist in the investigation

Parole Jumper In 1997 Murder Case Caught After 16 Years

A 61-year-old man, Udaibir Singh, who was serving a life sentence for a 1997 murder-cum-dacoity case, has been arrested by Delhi Police after being on the run for nearly 16 years. He had absconded in 2010 after being released on one-month parole following his son's death. Singh was apprehended from Uttar Pradesh on October 23, and a Rs 50,000 bounty was on his head.

'Peddling false narratives': India hits out at Chinese vloggers' attempts to misrepresent Dhaka as Delhi

India on Tuesday described Chinese vloggers presenting slums in Bangladesh's Dhaka as locations in New Delhi as unfortunate, expressing concerns over the incident and calling for appropriate action against those responsible for those responsible. We have...

Shaken and worried: Sonia Gandhi speaks up about fighting cancer twice

New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) The second UPA term brought with it personal challenges for Sonia Gandhi. Her medical needs went beyond the occasional bouts of asthma, allergies and stomach troubles as she was diagnosed with cancer twice. Gandhi, who has never spoken earlier about her medical conditions, shared in her just released memoir that a year after surgery for breast cancer in 2010, another growth was detected in her pancreas during a follow-up test. Our second UPA term brought me some personal challenges. Apart from occasional bouts of asthma and allergies, Id had no serious health troubles until

Delhi's Vanishing 'Pink Lung': The Most Shocking Image Of Pollution Yet

What does Delhi's polluted air do to the human body? Dr Arvind Kumar shows NDTV a chilling comparison between healthy lungs and pollution-damaged lungs, delivering a stark message: you don't need to smoke to suffer lung damage, breathing toxic air may be enough.

Bajaj Finance issues 5.74 cr warrants to promoter for 5,799 cr

Bajaj Finance approves issuing 5.74 crore warrants to promoter Bajaj Finserv for 5,799 crore in New Delhi, convertible into shares

List measures to check digital arrest: SC tells WhatsApp

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has asked WhatsApp and other intermediaries to apprise it of their proposed measures to prevent digital arrest scams and related cybercrimes in the country. In an order uploaded on the website with regard to the hearing conducted on October 29 in a suo motu case titled In Re: Victims of Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

DRI foils smuggling bid at Kolkata airport, seizes foreign currency equivalent to Rs 3.5 crore, seven held

New Delhi, Nov 10: In a major strike against the cross-border smuggling of foreign currency, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), intercepted several passengers going abroad at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport, Kolkata, who were attempting to carry foreign currency out of the country. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted 7 passengers in the early hours of 06.11.2026 on their journey to Bangkok. A thorough personal search of the passengers, including their hand baggage and checked-in baggage, led to the recovery and seizure of assorted foreign currency in USD, GBP collectively valued at valued at Rs. 3.12 crore. The syndicate carriers used a sophisticated modus operandi and the currency was ingeniously concealed inside notebooks, in two-layered hidden compartments in trolley bags and in shoes. Some of it was hidden in the pockets of clothes packed in checked-in baggage, and in other cases deep inside both checked-in and hand baggage. On enquiry, the passengers could not produce any documents to establish ownership or lawful possession of the currency. In total 7 members of the syndicate were arrested and charged with smuggling out the foreign currency in contravention of Customs Act read with FEMA Regulations. In addition, few other passengers were also intercepted and search of their baggage led to recovery of foreign currency equivalent to Rs. 0.39 crore. The passengers were handed to Customs formation for further proceedings. DRI remains determined to dismantle organised networks that facilitate the illicit outflow of foreign currency and undermine the countrys economic and fiscal stability. Through sustained, intelligence-led enforcement, DRI continues to safeguard Indias economic frontiers.

Delhi needs Yamuna Safari or Safai? Rekha Gupta, Saurabh Bharadwaj trade barbs amid rising AQI

Union Minister Sonowal inaugurates Yamuna cruise service in Delhi to boost river tourism

The project is being developed to promote river-based tourism along the Yamuna stretch upstream of the Wazirabad barrage

Trainee Indian Police Officers Meet President Murmu in New Delhi

Trainee officers from the Indian Police Service met President Murmu, who emphasized the importance of public trust and modern policing strategies. Trainee Indian Police Officers Meet President Murmu in New Delhi

Sonia was frantic when Rahul

New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) A frantic Sonia Gandhi started calling everyone she could when her son Rahul Gandhis security disappeared for reasons best known to themselves during the Bharat Jodo Yatra as a massive crowd closed around him during the sensitive Kashmir leg of the movement, the former Congress president recounts in her memoir. Gandhi writes about moments of panic when her son Rahul Gandhis security mysteriously disappeared amidst a surging crowd during the Kashmir leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in January 2023, forcing a days halt to the foot march. In her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of

Is November 16 a Holiday in Delhi? Check Chhath Puja 2026 Announcement

The Delhi government has declared November 16, 2026, a public holiday across the national capital on the occasion of Pratihar Shashthi, also known as Surya Shashthi or Chhath Puja. The holiday will apply to all Delhi government offices, autonomous bodies and

Vishwaguru in air pollution: Kharge takes a swipe at PM Modi

Delhi has been witnessing rising pollution levels after Diwali, with stubble burning in neighbouring states contributing to the deterioration in air quality. Kharge accused the Modi government of relying on piecemeal measures to address the problem

'Why are we becoming Vishwaguru in air pollution?' Congress questions PM Modi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized that clean air is a fundamental right and not a privilege. He highlighted rising air pollution in Delhi and criticized the government's piecemeal measures over the years. Kharge cited alarming statistics related to pollution-linked deaths and unspent environmental funds in the city. He also mentioned the Supreme Court's directive to states to address pollution concerns within two weeks.

Delhi Holiday November 16, 2026: Public Holiday Declared for Chhath Puja

The Delhi Government has announced a public holiday for Monday, November 16, 2026, to mark Pratihar Shashthi, commonly celebrated as Chhath Puja. The holiday will be observed by government departments, autonomous organisations and public sector undertakings (PSUs) operating under

'Shaken and worried': Sonia Gandhi speaks up about fighting cancer twice

The second UPA term brought with it personal challenges for Sonia Gandhi. Her medical needs went beyond the occasional bouts of asthma, allergies and stomach troubles as she was diagnosed with cancer -- twice. Gandhi, who has never spoken earlier about her medical conditions, shared in her just released memoir that a year after surgery for breast cancer in 2010, another growth was detected in her pancreas during a follow-up test. Our second UPA term brought me some personal challenges. Apart from occasional bouts of asthma and allergies, I'd had no serious health troubles until then. As my doctors pointed out, stress is one of the main causes of stomach disorders, and, sure enough, these became frequent, and worsened as I grew older and got drawn into politics myself, she writes in Belonging: A Journey of Love that released on Tuesday. In 2010, she says she was advised an operation for suspected breast cancer and had full confidence in her doctors at Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram ...

SoftBank reports $7.1 billion quarterly loss as AI investment concerns weigh

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Japanese investment giant SoftBank Group has reported its first quarterly net loss in nearly two years as falling valuations of key technology holdings and growing concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) investments weighed on its financial performance. The company posted a net loss of 1.12 trillion yen ($7.1 billion) in the second quarter of its financial year, reversing a profit recorded in the corresponding period a year earlier. The performance was significantly below market expectations with analysts polled by the company estimating an average profit of 129 billion yen. Declines in the share prices of semiconductor companies Arm Holdings and Intel, along with South Korean e-commerce major Coupang, contributed to the deterioration in SoftBank's financial performance. Its Vision Fund division -- which manages investments in hundreds of technology startups -- also reported a loss of 81.6 billion yen. SoftBank has increasingly emerged as an indicator of investor sentiment towards OpenAI and the broader AI industry, given its substantial exposure to the sector. Moreover, the company's shares have fallen more than 50 per cent from their record high in June amid concerns over the debt burden associated with its aggressive AI investments and uncertainty surrounding the future returns from these commitments. The changing valuation expectations have heightened concerns about the sustainability of investments in the AI sector and the potential risks associated with assets that are not publicly traded. The market is pricing the chance that the next mark -- or the next headline about OpenAI's revenue -- changes the value of an asset that cannot be sold at a screen price, independent researcher Nico Rosti wrote in a note ahead of SoftBank's earnings. SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son's growing reliance on debt markets to finance the company's expanding AI investment commitments has also raised concerns among investors. The company's bonds have come under increased scrutiny, while the cost of insuring its debt against default, reflected in credit default swaps, has risen to its highest levels in years. In addition, SoftBank held an approximately 13 per cent stake in OpenAI at the beginning of October.

Pollution in Delhi-NCR: Sharp increase in vehicular emissions warrant urgent intervention, says SC

NEW DELHI: ) The sharp increase in vehicular emissions warrant urgent intervention, the Supreme Court has said while directing the governments of Delhi and three neighbouring states to apprise it about the steps taken to prevent the entry and operation of over-age vehicles within the National Capital Region. The apex court directed the governments of []

The boy before Rahul: Sonia Gandhi on her day-old child

New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) One fine morning in September 1968, the news of Sonia Gandhis pregnancy sent waves of happiness around the Gandhi household. The otherwise stern expressions of Indira Gandhi melted to kiss and hug the to-be mother and exclaim, One big baby having another baby! But it was not to be. Gandhi gave birth to a boy on January 18, 1969, through normal delivery, two months too soon from her due date. The family was overjoyed but their happiness lasted barely a day. The famously reserved Gandhi expresses for the first time her grief in her memoir

EAM Jaishankar Meets UAE Envoy, Discusses Bilateral Cooperation

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to India Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi in New Delhi, where they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and the strategic partnership between the two countries. Sharing details of the meeting in a post on X, Jaishankar reiterated the importance of []

Safe hands: Sonia Gandhi reveals reason for choosing Dr Singh for India

Safe hands: Sonia Gandhi reveals reason for choosing Dr Singh for Indias top job New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson, Sonia Gandhis memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, hit bookstores on Tuesday, shedding light on her decision to decline the partys offer to become Prime Minister in 2004 and instead nominate Dr Manmohan Singh [] The post Safe hands: Sonia Gandhi reveals reason for choosing Dr Singh for Indias top job appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

AIIMS New Delhi Project Research Scientist II Recruitment 2026

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi (AIIMS New Delhi) has released the official notification for the post of Project Research Scientist-II (Non-Medical). The last date to send the application by email is 25 November 2026. Further details are available at aiims.edu.

AIIMS Project Research Scientist II (Centre for Community Medicine) Recruitment 2026

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has released the notification for the post of Project Research Scientist II (Non-Medical). Eligible candidates can apply online at aiims.edu till 21 November 2026.

'She shed crocodile tears to attract Muslim vote bank': VHP on Sonia Gandhi's response to Babri Masjid demolition

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain, on Tuesday, accused veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of shedding crocodile tears over the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, to attract Muslim vote bank. This comes amid a row over Sonia Gandhi's memoir 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', released earlier in the day. In a self-made video, Surendra Jain said: The entire world felt a sense of pride when the Babri structure, which symbolised the alleged brutality of the foreign invader Babur, was demolished. But Sonia Gandhi was shedding tears. She herself wrote this in her book. Sonia Gandhi also wept when brave Delhi Police officers killed terrorists responsible for bomb blasts in Delhi during an encounter. She repeatedly shed 'crocodile tears' to attract the Muslim vote bank, he remarked. Did Sonia Gandhi shed tears when Inspector Mohan Sharma was killed by terrorists during the Batla House encounter? he asked. The VHP leader further questioned whether the Congress leader reacted when more than 300 Hindu temples were allegedly destroyed in the Kashmir Valley, or when hundreds of Hindus were massacred there. Referring to the atrocities against Hindus in the valley, Jain claimed: She didn't even react to these issues, forget getting emotional. Further, Jain alleged that thousands of Sikhs were massacred in 1984 under orders from Sonia Gandhi's husband, former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi. Did she shed tears then or oppose her husband? he asked. He added: When saints were peacefully protesting for 'protection of cows' in Delhi, your (Sonia Gandhi's) mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, opened fire on them, scores of saints were killed. You were silent on that, too. Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack, he said: Hindu tourists were identified by their religion and then shot dead. Why did you (Sonia Gandhi) not express similar grief over that incident? Surendra Jain claimed that the Hindu society is hurt not only by Sonia Gandhi's remarks but also by statements made by members of her party -- what he described as the secular camp. He alleged that these groups repeatedly hurt Hindu sentiments and have a history of supporting anti-national terrorists. Referring to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's recent remark, he said: Your party leader has made a comparison between Eid and Diwali, describing Eid as a pure festival that does not contribute to pollution, unlike Diwali. Till when will you keep hurting Hindu sentiments? Moreover, Jain urged Sonia Gandhi to apologise for her statements and for those made by her associates, warning that otherwise the people of the country would not forgive her.

Woman Murdered In North Delhi

A woman, approximately 40 years old, was discovered murdered at a vacant plot in north Delhi's Burari area on Tuesday morning. She sustained severe head and face injuries, possibly from a stone attack. Police are working to identify the victim and suspects, examining CCTV footage, and conducting a postmortem.

Red Fort blast exposed wider terror threat, triggered multi-front counter-terror offensive

Red Fort blast exposed wider terror threat, triggered multi-front counter-terror offensive New Delhi: The November 2025 Red Fort blast proved to be a watershed moment in Indias counter-terrorism strategy, exposing the evolving nature of terror networks and prompting a comprehensive security response that extended far beyond the immediate investigation. The module comprising doctors had managed [] The post Red Fort blast exposed wider terror threat, triggered multi-front counter-terror offensive appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

373 or 1,747? What was Delhi's actual AQI on Diwali and why did readings differ

Govt to e-auction 11 residential flats across 3 prime locations in Prayagraj

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) The National Land Monetisation Corporation (NLMC) on Tuesday announced it has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the e-auction of 11 government-owned residential flats situated across three established housing schemes in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The wholly owned government company under the administrative control of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) said that the RFP invites prospective homebuyers, individual investors and other eligible bidders to participate in a structured, transparent and competitive online auction process for acquiring residential properties in some of Prayagraj's well-established localities. The proposed e-auction comprises 11 ready-built residential flats distributed across three housing schemes in Prayagraj, offering prospective buyers a choice of two-bedroom and three-bedroom residential units. The properties are located in established residential neighbourhoods with access to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, commercial establishments and other essential civic amenities, according to the Finance Ministry. The five flats at Juhi Housing Scheme have built-up areas ranging from approximately 107 to 108 square metres. The four flats at Parivartan Housing Scheme range from approximately 106 to 139 square metres, while the two flats at Agnipath Housing Scheme have built-up areas of approximately 96 and 112 square metres. A pre-bid meeting will be held on November 20 to provide prospective bidders an opportunity to seek clarifications regarding the auction process, eligibility conditions, documentation requirements, payment procedures and other relevant provisions of the RFP. Interested bidders are encouraged to participate in the pre-bid process and complete the necessary registration and EMD submission formalities within the prescribed timelines, an official statement said. The e-auction on December 11 will be conducted through a digital auction platform, enabling eligible participants to submit competitive bids in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the RFP. Prospective bidders, homebuyers, and investors are invited to explore the residential properties and participate in the forthcoming e-auction. These properties present an opportunity for prospective homebuyers seeking residential accommodation in established neighbourhoods of Prayagraj, as well as investors exploring long-term residential property ownership, the statement said.

I Understood Modis Discomfort With Ruling Elite: Sonia Gandhi Reveals Her Common Ground With PM

In her memoir Belonging, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi reflects on her relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledging that despite their sharply contrasting ideologies, they share some common ground. Sonia says she understood Modis discomfort with the ruling elite, recalling how she too often felt disconnected from privileged political circles in Delhi. She writes that Modi had worked his way to power within the RSS from an underprivileged background, while emphasising that their visions of India remain vastly different. Sonia describes their political rivalry as ideological rather than personal, rooted in contrasting ideas of inclusiveness, secularism and social justice. She also reveals that she has had practically no real contact with Modi, describing their interactions as formal and limited to official gatherings.

Why are we becoming 'vishwaguru' in air pollution: Kharge targets Modi govt

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the BJP government of failing to tackle Delhi's worsening air pollution, questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi over unspent environmental funds and missing PM2.5 readings at monitoring stations. He demanded accountability, citing pollution-linked deaths, poor utilisation of clean-air funds and recurring government assurances.