Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to visit her constituency Wayanad in Kerala on Saturday for the first time after taking oath as the member of the Parliament, ANI reported. Priyanka will be accompanied by her brother, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, during her first visit as an MP. Earlier in the day, both were seen leaving from their residences in New Delhi. Priyanka is also scheduled to join a public rally in Wayanad alongside other public engagements, ANI reported. "LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi ji are scheduled to attend a joint public meeting and other public engagements in Wayanad," Congress said in a post on X. LoP Shri @RahulGandhi and Congress General Secretary Smt. @priyankagandhi ji are scheduled to attend a joint public meeting and other public engagements in Wayanad. Stay tuned to our social media handles for live updates.📺 https://t.co/NGgQ2sGraH 📺 https://t.co/17P1scygNJ… pic.twitter.com/wSyRcLC7gT — Congress (@INCIndia) November 30, 2024 The public meeting is to be held later in the day at Mukkan in the Thiruvambadi Assembly constituency of Kozhikode district, ANI cited. Receptions will be organized for Priyanka at Karulai in Nilambur, Wandoor, and Edavanna in Eranad at 2.15 pm, 3.30 pm, and 4.30 pm, respectively, according to the schedule published by Congress earlier. On November 28, the Congress General Secretary took oath as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, holding a copy of the Constitution. Priyanka was seen wearing a Kerala Kasavu saree as she took her oath as the southern state's representative, ANI reported. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra won the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 4,10,931 votes over Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate Sathyan Mokeri. Wayanad, a Congress stronghold, saw a triangular struggle between Priyanka Gandhi, the BJP's Navya Haridas, and the CPI's Sathyan Mokeri. After being elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in this year's general elections, her brother Rahul Gandhi, who had previously represented Wayanad, moved to Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, leaving the Wayanad seat vacant, ANI reported. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka to lead agitation in Parliament against Centre's 'neglect' of Wayanad The Congress announced on Tuesday that it will hold protests inside and outside Parliament, led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, protesting the lack of central support for Wayanad landslide sufferers, PTI reported. T Siddique, the party's leader and Kalpetta MLA, said that the Centre's apparent unwillingness to provide financial relief to those impacted by landslides is a "inhuman" approach. He stated that, in addition to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, he, as the local MLA, had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of landslide survivors during his visit shortly after the tragedy, PTI reported. Although the prime minister promised complete support, not even one percent of justice was provided by Modi or "It is an inhuman approach towards the people who have suffered such a massive tragedy," he said, adding that the Congress party would intensify its protests both inside and outside Parliament against this, PTI reported. "Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi will lead the agitation," Siddique told PTI reporters in New Delhi. Both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-led UDF have urged the BJP-led union government to declare the landslide a national disaster and offer immediate aid and rehabilitation to survivors. (WITH INPUTS FROM AGENCIES)
30 November,2024 11:04 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe security deployment in Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh continues for the sixth consecutive day on Saturday amid tensions over the Shahi Jama Masjif Survey, ANI reported. As per ANI sources, a delegation of the Samajwadi Party (SP) is most likely visit Sambhal on Saturday. The stones-pelting incident that led to violence over the survey team on November 24 claimed the lives of 4 individuals and others injured, including officials and locals. A three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission, led by Justice Devendra Kumar Arora (Retired), of the Allahabad High Court, has been set up by UP Governor Anandiben Patel to look into the stone-pelting incident in Sambhal, ANI reported. Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court requested Uttar Pradesh to ensure "harmony and peace" in Sambhal and ordered the trial court in Sambhal not to proceed with the suit against the Jama Masjid till the Masjid Committee's petition against the survey is listed in the High Court. A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar ordered that the report of the advocate commissioner, who conducted the survey of the mosque, be maintained in a sealed cover and not opened in the meantime, ANI reported. "Peace and harmony have to be maintained. We don't want anything to happen... We have to be absolutely, totally neutral and ensure nothing wrong is done," said the bench at the outset. The apex court was hearing the Committee of Management of Jama Masjid in Sambhal's appeal against the lower court's November 19 order to inspect the mosque. According to ANI, as the matter came for hearing, the bench informed senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who was representing the mosque committee, that they had to approach the High Court challenging the trial court's order for the survey rather than the Supreme Court. On November 19, the civil judge, senior division, asked the court commissioner to conduct an inspection of the mosque and submit a report to the court. The Masjid Committee moved to the apex court directly, citing "extraordinary situation". The petition was submitted under Section 136 of the Constitution, which grants the Supreme Court the authority to directly adjudicate any subject. Tensions in Sambhal had been simmering since November 19, when the district court ordered a mosque survey. Opposing the court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid people clashed with police, leading to the deaths of four individuals, ANI reported. The survey was conducted in response to a petition filed in local court by some individuals alleging that the mosque's location was once a Harihar temple. (With ANI inputs)
30 November,2024 10:12 AM IST | Sambhal | mid-day online correspondentThe national capital's air quality index (AQI) remained in the 'very poor' category for the third consecutive day, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording an AQI of 349 as of 7 am on Saturday, ANI reports. Specific areas in Delhi reflected alarming pollution levels: Alipur and Burari Crossing each reported an AQI of 351, DTU recorded 377, while ITO stood at 328, according to CPCB data. These figures underscore the severe air pollution affecting the city's residents, with many struggling to cope with the deteriorating conditions. Visuals from Connaught Place, India Gate, and Anand Vihar depicted the city shrouded in a dense blanket of smog, rendering the landmarks nearly invisible and posing health hazards for those outdoors. The poor air quality has sparked concerns among residents and environmentalists alike, who have called for immediate action from the authorities. Residents voice concerns Delhiites continue to grapple with the choking smog, sharing their distress over the hazardous air quality and urging the government to step up its efforts. Speaking to ANI, a cyclist near India Gate expressed frustration over the worsening conditions. “The pollution is unbearable; breathing has become a challenge. The government needs to take stronger measures to address this issue. Elderly people and labourers are the most affected, unable to go about their daily lives,” he said. Others stressed the need for technological and policy shifts. One pedestrian suggested transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) and adopting advanced methods to curb stubble burning. "The government should work on encouraging EVs and also explore modern technologies to address stubble burning, which significantly contributes to pollution," the pedestrian remarked. Amol, a school student, highlighted the lack of accountability among citizens as a contributing factor. "The government must take stronger steps to manage rising pollution levels. But the people also need to be more responsible. Dust, in addition to air pollution, is another major issue. The normalisation of these conditions is alarming, and citizens must start adhering to rules and showing accountability," he stated. Understanding the AQI The AQI scale categorises air quality levels as follows: 0-50: Good51-100: Satisfactory101-200: Moderate201-300: Poor301-400: Very Poor401-500: Severe Urgent action needed Delhi’s persistent ‘very poor’ air quality highlights the need for both immediate and long-term interventions. While local and central authorities have initiated measures like restricting vehicular emissions and tackling industrial pollutants, experts believe a collective effort from citizens and policymakers is essential to bring lasting change. As per ANI, residents have emphasised the necessity of government-led reforms, coupled with individual accountability, to mitigate the capital’s pollution crisis. With winter intensifying and conditions unlikely to improve without intervention, the capital faces a significant challenge in combating its pollution woes.
30 November,2024 09:19 AM IST | New DelhiBengaluru Police arrested 21-year-old Aarav Hanoy in connection with the murder of Assam vlogger Maya Gogoi, whose body was found in a service apartment, police said. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), Aarav was arrested outside Karnataka on Friday. This follows the registration of a murder case at the Indira Nagar Police Station in Bengaluru on Tuesday, against Aarav for allegedly stabbing Maya. The case has been registered under sections 103 and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), police said, adding that Aarav Hanoy is from Kerala. According to the police, Aarav works as a student counsellor for a private education firm in HSR Layout, Bengaluru. DCP Bengaluru D. Devaraja informed that the incident took place at the Royal Living service apartment in Indira Nagar, where the body of the deceased, Maya Gogoi, was found after two days. "The incident occurred at the Royal Living in Indira Nagar, where they were staying. We received information about a foul smell. Our officers and the forensic team visited the site and discovered the body of a woman. After examination, a murder case was registered at the Indira Nagar Police Station. We checked the CCTV footage and saw a man, Aarav Hanoy (21) from Kerala's Kannur, and a woman, Maya Gogoi (19) from Assam's Guwahati, checking in at 12:28 PM on November 23. The man left the room on November 26 at 8:30 AM," DCP Bengaluru D. Devaraja told reporters. The top official said the deceased woman had been stabbed in the chest and had multiple injuries. The 19-year-old was also working as a counsellor in the Koramangala area. "We found a nylon cable and a knife in the room as well. We will learn more details after arresting the accused," the DCP added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 November,2024 08:45 AM IST | Bengaluru (Karnataka) | ANIAn earthquake of magnitude 2.9 jolted Assam's Karbi Anglong on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said. According to the NCS, the tremor was recorded at around 2:40 am on Saturday and was centred in the Karbi Anglong region at a depth of 25 km. "EQ of M: 2.9, On: 30/11/2024 02:40:11 IST, Lat: 26.23 N, Long: 92.83 E, Depth: 25 km, Location: Karbi Anglong, Assam," the NCS posted on X. EQ of M: 2.9, On: 30/11/2024 02:40:11 IST, Lat: 26.23 N, Long: 92.83 E, Depth: 25 Km, Location: Karbi Anglong, Assam. For more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/5gCOtjdtw0 @DrJitendraSingh @OfficeOfDrJS @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/9CXT4gSioy — National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) November 29, 2024 Further details are awaiting. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 November,2024 08:44 AM IST | Karbi Anglong (Assam) | ANIPrime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on opposition parties during a public meeting here on Friday. The Prime Minister stated that the opposition parties are engaged in spreading propaganda and falsehood against the BJP government day in day out but the public cast their votes seeing the good works done by the BJP. PM Modi, who is in Bhubaneswar on a three-day Odisha visit to attend the all-India DG/IGP conference, addressed the party workers at a felicitation programme after his arrival at Biju Patnaik International Airport here on Friday. “Those who consider power is their birthright, they have been out of power at the centre for over the last decade. They are angry at the people for voting for someone else. The situation has filled so much anger in them that they have been conspiring against the country and started misleading people to take the country on a wrong path,” said PM Modi. He said that the opposition has been running their ‘jhoot aur afwah ki dukan’ (shop of lies and propaganda) for the last several years. “Their shop of lies and rumours have been operating since the last ten years. They have now intensified this campaign,” he said. He further noted that the activities of such people have emerged as a challenge before the alert citizens, BJP workers and those who respect the Constitution. He appealed to countrymen and BJP workers to remain alert and bring awareness among people to expose the lies being spread by the opposition parties. He also alleged that power-hungry people continue to tell lies. Targeting the opposition, the Prime Minister further said that the opposition is no longer using the ‘Chowkidar chor hai’ slogan. Their only aim is to capture power and loot the country by misleading people. PM Modi also lauded the Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP government in Odisha for fulfilling all its promises made to the people. He asserted that the BJP has been giving utmost priority to Odisha without considering which party is ruling the state. He said for the first time the DGP conference is being held in Odisha. The Indian Navy is going to show its strength in the ‘Operational Demonstration’ going to be held at the Blue Flag Beach of Odisha on December 4. PM Modi said that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event will be held in Bhubaneswar from January 8 to 10. Indian-origin people from across the globe will participate in the mega event. He said people of Odisha will get the opportunity to welcome people from across the globe. He stated the event will be a major boost to the tourism sector in Odisha. After attending the felicitation programme, PM Modi went to the Raj Bhawan. Thousands of common people and many cultural troupes who came from different parts of the state welcomed PM Modi by performing various traditional cultural programmes and musical instruments on both sides of the road. PM Modi later in the evening held an important two-hour-long meeting with party MLAs, MPs and other senior leaders at the BJP state office. PM Modi will attend the All-India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police 2024 from 30th November to 1st December 2024 at the State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhawan here. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 November,2024 08:43 AM IST | Bhubaneswar | IANSUnion Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, chaired a credit outreach programme in Darbhanga, Bihar, on Friday. During the programme, loans worth Rs1,388 crore were distributed to 49,137 beneficiaries by various banks, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Finance. Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, and Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, also participated in the event. M Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and MD of the Central Bank of India, highlighted the efforts made by banks under financial inclusion initiatives in the district. Sitharaman, along with other dignitaries, visited around 25 stalls showcasing various local products and handicrafts created by entrepreneurs financed by banks and NABARD. The Union Finance Minister distributed five copies of the Constitution each in Maithili and Sanskrit to distinguished citizens. She also flagged off an ambulance and provided tricycles to disabled individuals as part of CSR activities. Further, the release stated that NABARD announced the sanctioning of over Rs74 crore for various rural road projects. Banks and SIDBI also extended support under CSR activities to improve school infrastructure, particularly in schools for girls. Chirag Paswan thanked the Union Finance Minister for visiting Darbhanga, while Samrat Choudhary praised the efforts of the Prime Minister and Sitharaman in promoting the economic development of the region. During the event, Sitharaman inaugurated five branches of the State Bank of India and 25 BC Maxx Centres of the Central Bank of India. The programme was attended by several dignitaries, including MPs Gopal Jee Thakur, Dr. Dharmshila Gupta, Sanjay Kumar Jha, and Dr. Ashok Kumar Yadav; K. V. Shaiji, Chairman of NABARD; M. V. Rao, MD of the Central Bank of India; Manoj Mittal, CMD of SIDBI; M. P. Tangirala, Additional Secretary of DFS; and Surinder Rana, Deputy Managing Director of SBI. Earlier in the day, the Union Finance Minister chaired a review meeting of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) from the Eastern Belt in Patna. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 November,2024 08:43 AM IST | Darbhanga (Bihar) | ANIPolice have booked five people for entering a school here and allegedly misbehaving with the students and the staff, officials said on Friday. According to police, the accused disrupted the morning assembly and created a ruckus within the school premises in the Kanachak area. The accused also recorded a video without consent, shared it on social media and issued verbal threats, further aggravating the situation, they added. Police have lodged a suo moto FIR against the accused and further investigation is underway, officials said. This decisive action underscores the police's commitment to ensuring safety and upholding law and order, particularly in educational institutions, the officials noted. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 November,2024 08:42 AM IST | Jammu | PTIThe Congress Working Committee met here on Friday to deliberate on the party's performance in the recent elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana, as well as to review the preparations for the upcoming Delhi polls. In the meeting, issues, including ways to corner the government on the Adani issue are also likely to be discussed. The meeting was chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by former party chief Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K C Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh, among others. The party's top decision-making body is set to deliberate the preparations and possibility of alliances for the polls in Delhi as well as preparations for the Bihar Assembly polls next year. On Friday, the Congress raised with the Election Commission "serious and grave inconsistencies" which it said were being revealed in the data relating to the polling and counting processes for the recently-concluded Maharashtra polls and sought an in-person hearing to present relevant evidence. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 November,2024 07:42 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesCameras and drones planted in Corbett National Park for conservation activities, such as monitoring animals, are being deliberately misused by local government officials and men to surveil women without consent, a study has found. The study, published in the journal Environment and Planning F, revealed that forest rangers intentionally flew drones over women to scare them and prevent them from collecting natural resources, despite their legal entitlement to do so. A total of 270 residents around the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, including women, were interviewed over 14 months by researchers from the Cambridge University, UK. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 November,2024 07:40 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesA leopard was found loitering around a fort in Udgir town of Maharashtra's Latur district on Friday, prompting the forest authorities to initiate measures to capture it, reported the PTI. The feline was captured on a CCTV camera installed outside a local resident's house located close to the Udgir fort around 5.20 am, an official said. "After being informed about the leopard sighting, the forest department is taking steps to capture it. Forest personnel have been deployed in and around Udgir town. Local residents have been advised to stay alert, avoid staying overnight in fields and ensure that children do not step out alone," Assistant Conservator of Forests V B Tambe said, according to the PTI. If the leopard is seen, the residents must immediately inform the local authorities and refrain from chasing the animal, he said. The forest as well as police departments have formed teams for patrolling, he added. A leopard was spotted near Udgir Fort in Maharashtra's Latur district on Friday, captured on CCTV around 5:20 am. Forest authorities have deployed personnel, drones, and patrol teams to locate the animal. Residents have been advised to stay alert, avoid staying in fields… pic.twitter.com/hfpPXtr4KS — Mid Day (@mid_day) November 29, 2024 A Range Forest Officer (RFO), three rangers, six forest guards and 20 watchmen have been deployed in the area and a hunt for the animal is underway using drone cameras, the official said. Injured leopard rescued in Wagholi Meanwhile, in an another incident last month, an injured leopard was sighted near the Pune-Nagar highway in Wagholi, prompting swift action from the Pune Forest Department and RESQ Charitable Trust. The leopard initially observed limping on a CCTV footage captured near a sports branding store, Wagholi, was promptly identified as a large carnivore whose injury compromised its ability to hunt, thus increasing the risk of further human interaction and potential accidents in the area. The first video, received at 4:55 am and recorded by the Decathlon security guard, showed the leopard near a commercial area. Acting quickly, RESQ team members Vaishnavi Bhangare and Aijaz Shaikh, along with Forest Guard Balasaheb Jivade, deployed camera traps at 10:30 am to monitor the animal's movements. Meanwhile, at around 1 pm additional CCTV footage confirmed the leopard’s limp, corroborating concerns about its compromised health and potential danger in an urban environment. Recognising the need for immediate intervention a second team from RESQ joined the team on the field and two cage traps were set up by 5:30 p.m. After continued monitoring, the leopard was successfully captured in one of the trap cages and RESQ personnel carefully transported the leopard to the Transit Treatment Centre in Bavdhan for a thorough medical examination and appropriate care. (with PTI inputs)
29 November,2024 11:22 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
