Decade Of No Dialogue, Then A 20-Second Greeting, India, Pak De-Hyphenated

S Jaishankar, who is in Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO Summit being hosted by Islamabad, had a brief interaction with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today at an official dinner held for all the summit attendees.

The two leaders shook hands and exchanged a courtesy greeting as Mr Sharif welcomed Mr Jaishankar for the official dinner for SCO leaders. Few worlds were spoken during the interaction that lasted less than twenty seconds.

Ties between India and Pakistan have nearly been non-existent in the last decade since Pak-based terrorists targeted Indian military establishments in a series of terror attacks in 2015 and 2016. India, which has for long aimed for peace and stability in the region, has made it amply clear to Pakistan that "terror and talks cannot go hand-in-hand", and that "dialogue and diplomacy can only move forward in an environment free of terrorism."

NEARLY A DECADE OF NO DIALOGUE

Mr Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan is the first by an Indian minister in nearly ten years. The last visit by an Indian foreign minister was when Mr Jaishankar's predecessor, Sushma Swaraj, had visited Islamabad for a conference on Afghanistan. Mr Jaishankar, who was then the foreign secretary had accompanied the then minister on her official visit.

Sushma Swaraj's visit was followed in quick succession by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who pushed for peace in the region by taking the initiative and giving a surprise visit to then Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif at his ancestral home. But despite sincere efforts by India, talks were yet again derailed by a series of terror attacks on Indian soil by terrorists harboured and sheltered in Pakistan.

Before he reached Islamabad, Mr Jaishankar said at a press conference in New Delhi that his visit to the neighbouring country was only for the SCO summit and that no bilateral talks with Islamabad will be taking place.

| Watch: NDTV World Summit on October 21-22. Get All The Details Here.

Mr Jaishankar had said, "Like with any neighbour, India would certainly like to have good relations with Pakistan, but that cannot happen by overlooking cross-border terrorism and indulging in wishful thinking." The decision to send the senior minister to Pakistan, which is the host nation for the SCO Summit this time, is seen purely as a display of India's commitment to the forum.

Pakistan is hosting the two-day SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit on October 15 and 16. "The SCO CHG meeting is held annually and focuses on the trade and economic agenda of the Organisation," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said.
 

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Veteran Actor Atul Parchure Dies At 57

Veteran actor Atul Parchure has died at the age of 57. He breathed his last on Monday following a battle with cancer.

His death has sent shockwaves through the film fraternity, leading to an outpouring of tributes on social media.

He was a well-known Marathi actor who appeared in numerous Hindi television shows and films, including a memorable stint on Kapil Sharma's comedy show.

In a previous talk show appearance, he disclosed his cancer diagnosis, revealing that doctors had discovered a 5 cm tumour in his liver.

In an interview, he expressed the gravity of the situation, stating: "I was told I have a tumour about 5 centimeters long in my liver and that it is cancerous."

However, Atul Parachure's treatment took a significant toll on his health due to a misdiagnosis.

He recounted: "My first procedure after the diagnosis went wrong, affecting my pancreas and leading to various complications. The incorrect treatment actually aggravated my condition. I was unable to walk and struggled to speak clearly. In that state, the doctor advised me to wait for a month and a half.

"They warned that undergoing surgery could result in long-term jaundice or severe liver complications, potentially jeopardising my survival. Eventually, I sought a second opinion, switched doctors, and received the appropriate medication and chemotherapy."

Atul Parchure was known for his work in both films and television, particularly recognized for his comic performances.

He gained popularity through various projects, including notable works like "Vasu Chi Sasu", "Priyatama", and Tarun "Turk Mhatare Arka".

His filmography boasts appearances in movies such as "Navra Mazha Navsacha", "Salaam-E-Ishq", "Partner", "All the Best: Fun Begins", "Khatta Meetha" and "Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap" among others.

His versatility as an actor made him a beloved figure in the Marathi entertainment industry.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Criminal Pours Hot Oil On Chhattisgarh Cop, Slaughters Family Of Another

Chhattisgarh's Surajpur has been engulfed in chaos after a brutal double murder - the victims were the wife and daughter of a Head Constable, Talib Sheikh. The incident, which has sent shock waves through the region and led to violent protests that included arson on the property of the accused. The matter escalated and the town shut down after a strike was called. 

Reports in the local media claim that Kuldeep Sahu, a known criminal of the area, had entered the house of Talib Sheikh in his absence and killed his wife and daughter with a sharp weapon. Their partially clothed bodies were later discovered in a field about five kilometers away. 

The violence started during a Durga idol immersion ceremony on Monday night, when Kuldeep Sahu reportedly poured a pan of hot oil on a constable during a dispute in the city's Chowpatty area, severely burning the officer. 

Head Constable Talib Sheikh attempted to catch Kuldeep at the time, but he escaped, and later targeted the policeman's family. When the police attempted to arrest Kuldeep, he opened fire at them and managed to escape, abandoning his vehicle.

Angry residents, incensed by the murders and the escape of Sahu, hit the streets. They called for a city-wide bandh and torched vehicles parked outside Kuldeep Sahu's house and warehouse. 

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of the area, who had arrived with the police team to control the situation, faced the wrath of the mob. A video of the incident is being widely circulated. It shows the magistrate fleeing after being attacked by the crowd. The police had to intervene and rescue him. 

Four police teams have been deployed to catch Kuldeep Sahu. The cybercrime division is working to find his whereabouts. 

The brutal killings and subsequent unrest have drawn sharp political reactions. 

Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed his outrage, stating, "What is happening in our Chhattisgarh? It seems that the rule of law no longer exists in this state, which was once called an island of peace".

He added that the incident highlighted a deep loss of public faith in law enforcement and governance.

Deputy Chief Minister Arun Saw lashed out at the Congress, accusing them of contributing to the lawlessness in the state. 

"The Congress party need not worry about the law-and-order situation. The state government is taking strict action, and wherever negligence by officials is found, they are being held accountable," he said.

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Body Of Ex Professor GN Saibaba To Be Donated Like He Wanted: Family

The body of former Delhi University (DU) professor and rights activist GN Saibaba who passed away in Hyderabad, will be donated to a hospital as he wished, said a statement issued by his family on Sunday.

Saibaba, 58, was released from the Nagpur Central Jail after 10 years of incarceration after the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court set aside the life sentence given to him by a trial court, in an alleged Maoist links case in which the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was invoked.

Saibaba's body will be kept at his brother's house in Jawahar Nagar, Hyderabad, for his relatives, friends and well-wishers to pay homage, on Monday. Afterwards, his body will be donated to state-run Gandhi Medical College. His eyes have already been donated to LV Prasad Eye Hospital, the family said in a statement.

The former professor who taught English at Ram Lal Anand College of Delhi University (DU) passed away on Saturday due to post-operative complications, seven months after he was acquitted.

Saibaba was suffering from gall bladder infection and was operated on two weeks ago in Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), but developed complications subsequently.

His daughter Manjeera told PTI Videos that he had Covid twice, his health was in abysmal condition while he was in jail and he recovered every time. Hence, she said that family was hoping that he would come back this time too. Neither Saibaba nor family members expected his death, she said, adding that he expressed hope during the last conversation she had with him.

Ms Manjeera said, "His body had borne too much all these years."

"I miss him. I still cannot believe he is not with us. I still feel that I will go and open the door and he will be there sitting on his wheelchair telling me to do this and that. I still feel that way. I still feel that he is with us," she said.

Ms Manjeera said they were aware that his condition was severe since Saturday afternoon, but at around 8 pm, doctors told the family that his heart had stopped beating and they were trying to perform CPR on him. They pronounced him dead at 8.30 last night, she added.

Saibaba was terminated from service by the DU and his official accommodation was taken away after he was arrested in 2014.

Saibaba's death will continue to weigh heavily on public conscience, said Prof Saikat Ghosh, one of the few DU teachers who raised his voice against his imprisonment and the way he was treated in the jail.

"The sad thing is that nobody will be held accountable for pushing him and his family to such a catastrophic end," he said.

Saibaba was a popular colleague in the Literature fraternity of Delhi University. The popularity stemmed from his dedication as a teacher and his devotion to the issues of democratic rights and civil liberties, Mr Ghosh said.

It took Saibaba 10 years to prove that he was not guilty. He inspired many and his demise is a "big loss," said DU Professor Abha Dev.

"One can only try to imagine his hardships with 90 per cent disability. The country does not know how to celebrate these stories to inspire others but they fear the truth that he was speaking," said Ms Dev.

Another DU Professor, Monami, said Saibaba's friends and well-wishers were disheartened by the news of his demise.

"He just came out a few months ago and left so soon. But he was mentally a strong person," she said.

Saibaba was lodged in the Nagpur Central Jail since 2017 after his conviction by a trial court in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district. Before that, he was in prison from 2014 to 2016 and was subsequently granted bail.

Following his acquittal, the wheelchair-bound Saibaba walked out of the Nagpur Central Jail after 10 years.

Saibaba had alleged in August this year that he was not taken to a hospital for nine months by authorities despite the left side of his body getting paralysed and was just given painkillers in the Nagpur Central Jail.

A native of Andhra Pradesh, Saibaba had earlier claimed that he was warned by the authorities that if he did not stop "talking", he would be arrested in some false case. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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खाटूश्याम मंदिर के नाम फिर एक और उपलब्धि, 3 दिन में आए इतने लाख श्रद्धालु

KhatuShyam Ji News: विश्व प्रसिद्ध खाटू श्याम जी मंदिर में शनिवार, रविवार और एकादशी के अवसर पर भक्तों की भारी भीड़ रहती है. इस बार वीकेंड होने के कारण दिल्ली, मुंबई, नोएडा और कोलकाता सहित विदेशी भक्त भी बाबा श्याम के दरबार में आ रहे हैं.

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When Baba Siddique Helped End SRK-Salman Khan Feud

Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai's Bandra today. A political veteran in Maharashtra, Mr Siddique left Congress, after nearly five decades of association with the party, and joined the ruling BJP's ally Nationalist Congress Party in February this year.

He had served as a minister when the Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP coalition government was in power.

Mr Siddique was known not just for his political connections across party lines but also for hosting lavish parties. In one such party in 2013, Mr Siddique inadvertently played a role in uniting two of Bollywood's megastars, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

Despite occasional conflicts and publicised disagreements, the two actors have maintained a bond over the years. One significant moment in their relationship unfolded at Baba Siddique's Iftaar party in 2013, bringing an end to a five-year-long cold war.

The Iftaar party hosted by Mr Siddique became the backdrop for the much-anticipated reconciliation between the Khans. Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, who had previously avoided each other following a heated argument at Katrina Kaif's birthday party in 2008, finally came face to face. The tension that had overshadowed their relationship dissipated as they warmly greeted each other and shared a heartfelt hug. A photo capturing that moment went viral across social media and news channels alike.

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In Daring Assam Prisonbreak, 5 Men Scale 20-Foot Wall With Bedsheets, Lungis

Five undertrial prisoners, charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, escaped from a prison in Assam after breaking rods and scaling a 20-foot wall using bedsheets, blankets and 'lungis' (a piece of clothing worn around the waist). 

The prisoners escaped from the Morigaon District Jail between 1 and 2 am on Friday, prompting the district administration to order a magisterial probe. The jailer, Prashanta Saikia, has been suspended, and two assistant jailers from Guwahati have been temporarily assigned to manage the prison.

Inspector General (Prisons) Pubali Gohain will also conduct a separate departmental inquiry into the incident.

The escaped prisoners, identified as Saifuddin, Ziarul Islam, Nur Islam, Mafidul, and Abdul Rashid, managed to break the rods of their barracks and used blankets, lungis, and bedsheets to scale the 20-foot compound wall. 

Morigaon Superintendent of Police Hemanta Kumar Das confirmed that a manhunt has been launched to track down the five undertrials. "We will interrogate some of the jail inmates tomorrow. Everything will come out in the investigation," Mr Das said.

Morigaon District Commissioner Devashis Sarma said the prisoners are residents of Tezpur in Sonitpur district and Lahorighat and Moirabari in Morigaon district.

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बाड़मेर में मथुरा के सुलेमान बना रहे रावण, कुंभकर्ण और मेघनाद के पुतले

Barmer News : उत्तरप्रदेश की मथुरा की गलियों से निकल कर राजस्थान के कोटा, जयपुर, जोधपुर, बीकानेर, उदयपुर में रावण दहन के लिए पुतलों का निर्माण कर चुके है. वही सुलेमान गुजरात के अहमदाबाद, पालपुर, डीसा, मेहसाणा, वापी, नवसारी में भी भव्य रावण का निर्माण कर चुके हैं.

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India "Concerned" As Israel Hits UN Facility In Lebanon, IDF Puts Out Map

India has expressed grave "concern" over the abysmal conflict situation in West Asia as Israel intensifies its resolve targeting Hezbollah hideouts. New Delhi issued a statement today after UN peacekeepers stationed in south Lebanon came under fire from Israeli forces.

Among the UN peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon, there are approximately 900 Indian soldiers. It is important to note that they were not at the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon or UNIFIL headquarters at the time it was attacked by Israeli forces. Besides the soldiers, there are around 25 staff officers, including medical experts deployed there.

"We are concerned at the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, adding that "We continue to monitor the situation very closely."

New Delhi underscored the importance it attaches to United Nations' peacekeeping initiatives saying UN premises cannot be allowed to be targeted, and respecting its sanctity is a mandate.

"Inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate," the foreign ministry said.

Israel however, has defended its actions, with the Israeli Defense Forces or IDF claiming that "Since the beginning of the war, Hezbollah has fired more than 130 rockets in close proximity" to 26 United Nations facilities."

The IDF also put out a map in which it has identified these places as being "less than 300 meters" from the UN facilities.

WHAT THE UNITED NATIONS SAID - UNIFIL STATEMENT

The UN has said, "Recent escalation along the Blue Line is causing widespread destruction of towns and villages in south Lebanon, while rockets continue to be launched towards Israel, including civilian areas. In the past days we have seen incursions from Israel into Lebanon in Naqoura and other areas. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers have clashed with Hizbullah elements on the ground in Lebanon."

It further said that "UNIFIL's Naqoura headquarters and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit," adding that on Thursday "two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL's headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are fortunately, this time, not serious, but they remain in hospital."

Speaking about the Israeli offensive, the UN statement asserted that "IDF soldiers also fired on UN position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system. An IDF drone was observed flying inside the UN position up to the bunker entrance."

It further highlighted that on Wednesday "IDF (Israeli) soldiers deliberately fired at and disabled the position's perimeter-monitoring cameras. They also deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura, where regular Tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began, damaging lighting and a relay station."

Reminding Israeli forces that its attacks on UN facilities is a grave violation of international humanitarian law as well as UN Security Council resolution 1701, the UN said, "We remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times. UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701."

WHAT IS UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1701

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 is a resolution that was adopted with an intention to resolve the 2006 Lebanon War.

The resolution has been the linchpin of peace between Israel and Lebanon for almost two decades and the 10,000 UN peacekeepers who are tasked with implementing it on the ground.

Adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council in 2006, the purpose of resolution 1701 continues to be about ending hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, with the Council calling for a permanent ceasefire to be based on the creation of a buffer zone.

WHAT IS 'THE BLUE LINE'

The 'Blue Line' is a United Nations-recognised demarcation line to indicate that Israel had withdrawn its military from southern Lebanon. It separates Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights, but it is not an official international border.

Stretching for 120km along Lebanon's southern frontier and Israel's northern border, the so-called "Blue Line" is "a key to peace in the region" and one of the central elements of resolution 1701 since the war in 2006, with UNIFIL peacekeepers being its temporary custodian, according to UN Peacekeeping.

Based on various historical maps, some dating back almost a century, the Blue Line is not a border, but a temporary "line of withdrawal" set by the UN in 2000 for the practical purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.

Whenever Israeli or Lebanese authorities wish to undertake any activities close to the Blue Line, UNIFIL requests that they provide advance notice, allowing the UN mission to keep authorities on all sides informed, to minimise any misunderstandings that could lead to increased tensions.

ISRAEL'S LETTER TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs has written a letter to the United Nations clarifying its stance amid the ongoing and escalating crisis in the Middle East (West Asia), especially with regard to its operations in Lebanon.

In its letter, the minister wrote that "On Ictiber 8, 2023, Hezbollah, a terrorist, Iranian-backed organisation, launched an unprovoked attack on Israel, joining the war initiated by Hazas on October 7, 2023. Since then they have fired over 13,000 projectiles, 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive drones at Israeli communities, forcing more than 63,000 people to evacuate their homes."

The minister further said that "This war which was imposed on Israel has so far resulted in 51 casualties and over 372 injuries, besides causing severe damage ot Israeli towns and villages."

The minister said that as a result of Hezbollah's unilateral and unprovoked actions, "One year later, on October 1, 2024 the IDF initiated a targeted, limited raid operations in southern Lebanon aimed at Hezbollah military assets and infrastructure along the Blue Line, with a goal of dismantling them and neutralising the ongoing threat."
 

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Rajasthan News : Transfer की मांग, Third grade teachers CMO तक करेंगे पैदल यात्रा | Top News

Rajasthan News : Transfer की मांग, Third grade teachers CMO तक करेंगे पैदल यात्रा | Top NewsRajasthan में तेज हुई थर्ड ग्रेड टीचर्स के Transfer की मांग, Third grade teachers झालावाड़ से CMO तक करेंगे पैदल यात्रा.

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Infighting, Alliances, EVMs In Focus As Congress Reviews Shock Haryana Loss

Still reeling from its shock defeat in Haryana, the Congress held a high-level review meeting on Thursday to assess the possible reasons for the loss with a focus on learning lessons, given the impending elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Sources said infighting, the impact of not allying with the AAP and complaints of "discrepancies" in electronic voting machines (EVMs) were all discussed. 

The meeting was attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal and senior observers for the polls Ashok Gehlot and Ajay Maken, among others. The Congress' Haryana in-charge Deepak Babaria joined the meeting via video link.

"All of us discussed the Assembly elections in detail. There was a lot of difference between exit polls and actual results. Not just us, even you will agree that the results were unexpected and nobody thought they would turn out this way. This, and the possible reasons for it, were also discussed," Mr Maken said after the meeting.

To a question on infighting within the Congress and whether that could have been a reason for the party failing to dislodge the BJP in Haryana, Mr Maken said, "There are various reasons, from the Election Commission to internal differences, we have discussed all that. Such a big upset...we cannot discuss everything in an hour and a half," he added.

The Congress has also set up a technical team to look into the EVM discrepancies.

'Plain Speaking'

Party sources told NDTV there was plain speaking on the part of Mr Kharge, Mr Gandhi and others who attended the meeting. Some of the key talking points were the role of Independents, the impact of the AAP - with which alliance talks fell through at the last moment - and other coalitions, as well as the infighting within the Congress.

Ahead of the elections, there were signs of factionalism between the camps of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who reportedly got a say in picking most of the candidates, and senior leader Kumari Selja, whose absence from a chunk of the campaign raised eyebrows. There was also talk of Ms Selja jumping ship and joining the BJP.

The factionalism is seen as having played a key role in the Congress remaining restricted to 37 seats in the 90-member Assembly despite the contest proving to be largely bipolar. The BJP, which had been in power in Haryana for 10 years, won a record third term and put in its best-ever performance in the state despite battling anti-incumbency and perceived anger from certain sections, including farmers, sportspersons and armed forces aspirants. It won 48 seats, crossing the majority mark on its own. 

Looking Ahead

Sources said the party realises that the upcoming elections in Jharkhand and, especially,  Maharashtra are critical. This, they said, was reflected in Mr Kharge and Mr Gandhi meeting Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to discuss election strategy. The Congress is in an alliance with Mr Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha at the state as well as national levels as part of the INDIA grouping. 

Some of the important lessons from the Haryana defeat, according to sources, were that the party cannot afford to be overconfident and that secular forces have to remain united. They added that given its much-improved showing in the Lok Sabha elections, the party is confident that it can learn the right lessons and approach the Maharashtra and Jharkhand polls with the right strategy and mindset.

EVM Issue

After the election results were declared on Tuesday, the Congress had said that the outcome in Haryana was a victory for "manipulation and subverting the will of the people" and the party cannot accept it. 

"We have received very serious complaints about the process of counting and the functioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in at least three districts in Haryana... There are serious questions on the integrity of the instruments of this system, namely EVMs, and the extraordinary pressure that has been brought to bear on local administration officials," senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had said.

A delegation of senior Congress leaders, including Mr Venugopal, Mr Ramesh, Mr Hooda and Ashok Gehlot met Election Commission officials on Wednesday and handed over a memorandum with specific complaints received from Haryana. 

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Ratan Tata Dies At 86: Tata Sons' Full Statement

Ratan Tata, one of India's most loved industrialists, died today aged 86. He was reportedly admitted to a Mumbai hospital in critical condition. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, has confirmed the sad news. 

In a statement, Mr Chandrasekaran said, "It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation. "

Here is the full statement: 

"It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation.

For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass.

Mr. Tata's dedication to philanthropy and the development of society has touched the lives of millions. From education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come. Reinforcing all of this work was Mr. Tata's genuine humility in every individual interaction.

On behalf of the entire Tata family, I extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.

N Chandrasekaran
Chairman
Tata Sons"

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राजस्थान के CM तलने लगे जलेबी, वायरल हुई फोटो, यूजर्स बोले स्वाद अच्छा है

Haryana Election Results: हरियाणा के चुनाव नतीजों में बीजेपी की जीत का जश्न मनाने के लिए राजस्थान के सीएम भजनलाल शर्मा ने जलेबी तली. उन्होंने पार्टी ऑफिस में कार्यकर्ताओं को जलेबी भी खिलाई.

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On Harmanpreet's Injury Update Ahead Of T20 WC vs SL, Mandhana Says This

India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana on Tuesday said skipper Harmanpreet Kaur will be leading the side against Sri Lanka in the Women's T20 World Cup, having got retired hurt in the previous game due to discomfort in her neck. Harmanpreet had walked off the field when she was batting on 29 against Pakistan on Sunday. India won that game by six wickets but still face early elimination from the tournament following the loss to New Zealand in their opener. "She (Harman) is doing fine and she will be fine for tomorrow," Mandhana told reporters.

However, there is no clarity over the fitness status of all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar who missed the Pakistan game. "Pooja, I think the medical team is still working on her. So, the update will come only tomorrow during the match. But yeah, I don't think I can say anything at the moment," said Mandhana.

Conditions different from our expectations

Mandhana, the best batter in the side, has failed to get going thus far on the slow wickets of the UAE where stroke making has proved to be extremely tough.

India face Sri Lanka on Wednesday, a team that stunned them in the Asia Cup final not so long ago. They are yet to play Australia and their hopes of making the semifinals hang by a thread.

India chased down 106 in 18.5 overs against Pakistan, mindful of the run rate factor in the business end of the tournament.

"It (run rate) definitely was last match, but as I said, the conditions are a lot different to what you expect as a batter so you are probably thinking to get that run rate high and also you firstly you have to win the match first that's the first priority for us," said Mandhana.

"So, it's a balance between trying to find out what's the best for the team. Of course, you know in the last match I couldn't like I started off fine but then later on I consumed a few dot balls which was a little irritating for me...

"...but yeah having said that as batters we have to be really smart we can't we can't just go out there thinking that oh we are going to take on this bowling lineup and we are just going to cruise because of course the conditions and the outfield is a lot different," she said.

Mandhana said conditions in the tournament have been different from their expectations when asked about Harmanpreet going back to number four against Pakistan after batting at three against New Zealand.

"Definitely the wicket condition, the ground conditions are a lot different to what we thought when we came here. That also is a big consideration (in deciding batter order)," she said.

"The conditions, I don't see any except the New Zealand match, we haven't seen any team go over 140 in the whole tournament, 135-140, be it a day game or a night game, says a lot about the conditions," she added. 

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जानिए Maa Jwala Ji की अखण्ड Jyoti का रहस्य? 46 सालों से जल रही है ये अद्भुत ज्योति! #local18shorts

Maa Jwala Ji की अखण्ड ज्योति का रहस्य? 46 सालों से जल रही है ये अद्भुत ज्योति!

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PM Modi's State Visit To Maldives Next Year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's invitation to travel to Male on a state visit next year, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on Monday.

The Foreign Secretary said that the dates for PM Modi's visit will be worked out through diplomatic channels.

"President Muizzu expressed his gratitude for the very warm welcome that he and his delegation have received here. He extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit Maldives on a State visit next year. The Prime Minister accepted the invitation and the dates for the visit will worked out through diplomatic channels," Mr Misri said at a special briefing on Monday.

He said that the engagements and outcomes during Muizzu's visit will enable the ties between the two nations to scale new heights in the coming years.

"Overall, I would say that the engagements and outcomes during this visit will enable the India-Maldives relationship to scale new heights in the coming years and make it more fit for purpose to handle the challenges that we see emerging in this region in the coming years," Misri said in the briefing.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi and President Muizzu held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House on Monday. Following the bilateral meeting, the two leaders also held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were among other delegates who were present on the occasion.

In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Taking forward India-Maldives special ties! PM Narendra Modi warmly received President Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives as the latter arrived at Hyderabad House. Extensive discussions on India-Maldives bilateral relations lie ahead."

Following his meeting with the Maldives President, PM Modi said that India would cooperate in training the Maldivian Defence Forces to bring about peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

"We also held a detailed discussion on different aspects of security cooperation. Work is being done rapidly in Ekatha Harbour project. We will continue our cooperation towards training and capacity building of Maldives National Defence Forces. For stability and prosperity in Indian Ocean Region, we will work together," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi said that climate change is a huge challenge for both nations and he would share India's experiences with Maldives regarding solar and energy efficiency.

"Climate change is a huge challenge for both of our countries. In this regard, India is ready to share its experiences with Maldives regarding solar and energy efficiency," he said.

Mr Muizzu, who arrived in India on Sunday on a five-day visit was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan earlier today.

President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi received the Maldivian President and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed as they arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Mr Muizzu and Maldives First Lady paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. After paying tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, Muizzu also signed the visitors' book at Rajghat.

It is President Muizzu's first bilateral visit to India after assuming office. He visited India in June 2024 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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On Harmanpreet Kaur's Neck Injury, Smriti Mandhana Issues Update

During India's six-wicket win over Pakistan in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, captain Harmanpreet Kaur retired hurt on 29 after losing her balance and injuring her neck just before the game ended leaving many worried. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who stood in for Harmanpreet in the post-match presentation ceremony, said the medical team is looking into the Indian skipper's neck injury. “Too soon to say anything, the medics are looking at it. Hopefully she is alright,” said Smriti.

After restricting Pakistan to 105/8, thanks to Arundhati Reddy's career-best spell of 3-19, India were expected to complete the chase in a jiffy, with an eye to boost their net run rate, which took a severe hit due to the 58-run defeat to New Zealand.

But with Pakistan being disciplined with their bowling, India could amass only 25/1 in power-play and never showed urgency to take risks for finishing the chase quickly. Shafali Verma (32), Jemimah Rodrigues (23) and Harmanpreet Kaur (29) ensured India's chase, which saw only four boundaries being hit, was completed with seven balls to spare.

Smriti admitted India could have been better in the way they approached the chase, with their net run rate now at -1.217. “We have been very disciplined, followed the plans. In the field we were very good. Better start with the bat would have been good, but we will take this win.”

“We did think about it (boosting the net run rate), but me and Shafali could not time the ball. So we didn't want to get to a place where we were chasing the game, but NRR is surely in our heads. This game will give us some momentum and hopefully we can keep going in this tournament.”

Arundhati, who got the Player of the Match award, said her aim was to bowl at the stumps consistently. “I've been bowling with the new ball, and had to be prepared for the powerplay. We had a good powerplay, Renuka too bowled very well. I have worked a lot on my T20 bowling, in all stages of the game.”

“I'll be working even harder now. It was a day game and it was pretty hot, but we are used to this weather. I just wanted to hit the stumps more, use my variations and slower ones. That has been working for me.”

Fatima Sana, Pakistan's captain, conceded the side weren't at their best with the bat. “Weren't up to the mark with batting. We were at least 10-15 runs short. Hopefully, next match we can do well. I enjoyed playing against the Indians, enjoyed my time here.”

nr/

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राजस्थान में मौसम हुआ बेईमान, मानसून विदा होने के बाद भी बन रहे बारिश के आसार

Rajasthan Weather Today: राजस्थान में मौसम बेईमान हो गया है. मानसून विदा होने के बाद भी बारिश फिर से बरसने को बेताब हो रही है. मौसम विभाग ने 8 और 9 अक्टूबर को प्रदेश के कुछ हिस्सों में बारिश का अनुमान जताया है. जानें मौसम का ताजा हाल.

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"Wouldn't Have Given Birth...": Gaza Mothers Struggle To Care For Newborns

Gazan mother Rana Salah cradles her one-month-old daughter Milana in her arms in a sweltering tent for the displaced, and speaks of the guilt she feels for bringing her child into a world of war and suffering.

"If it were up to me, I wouldn't have gotten pregnant or given birth during the war because life is completely different; we've never lived this life before," she said, speaking at a camp in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

"I gave birth twice before, and life was better and easier for me and the child. Now, I feel like I've wronged both myself and the child because we deserve to live better than this."

Milana was born in a hospital tent by caesarean owing to complications with Salah's pregnancy. The family have not been able to return home due to the conflict, moving instead from one tent to another.

Milana is one of around 20,000 babies to have been born in Gaza in the last year, according to UNICEF statistics.

The current war, a particularly deadly episode in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israeli air and artillery strikes in response have reduced much of the Palestinian enclave to rubble and more than 41,500 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli assault, according to the Gaza health ministry. Most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced.

INFECTION RISK

Salah fans Milana with cardboard and says the heat is bad for the baby's skin.

"Instead of returning to our house, we keep moving from one tent to another... where diseases are widespread and the water is contaminated."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said postnatal services have decreased significantly in Gaza, so women who have complications have less access to the care they need, as do their babies.

Rick Brennan, the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional emergency director, said malnutrition was a threat to newborns, particularly if their mothers were unable to breastfeed, as there was no access to breast milk substitutes.

Displacement and being constantly on the move are disruptive for a newborn and expose them to risks of infection, he said.

Manar Abu Jarad is staying in a school shelter run by the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA). Her youngest daughter Sahar was born on Sept. 4th, also by caesarean section. Her husband was killed in the war.

On hearing she would need a caesarean for the birth, she worried about how she would care for her other children.

"I already have three girls. I started shouting... How can I carry (water) buckets? How can I bathe my daughters? How can I help them and my husband is not with me, he was martyred."

Children rock baby Sahar, who is swaddled in a crib, next to Jarad.

"I've reached the point where I cannot carry the responsibility for this girl ... Thank God I found some help here," she said. She has borrowed what she can from family and uses one diaper a day for the baby as she can't afford more.

"I don't have the money to provide diapers or milk for her."

Jarad longs for an end to the war and a return to her home, even if it is just a tent next to her former home.

"The important thing is to go home. Enough of all the exhaustion we are experiencing here, enough carrying buckets, enough of the dirt in the bathrooms. It's really, really hard and really tiring for us. Diseases are everywhere."
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Navratri 2024: नवरात्रि पर फलों के दाम हुए महंगे, भक्तों की बढ़ीं मुश्किलें! | #local18

With the beginning of Navratri, an increase in the prices of fruits is being seen in many states. In Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, banana prices have increased from Rs 20-30 to Rs 40-50 per dozen. At the same time, the price of Kashmir apple has decreased from Rs 150 to Rs 100.Traders say that people fasting and performing Tula Daan during Navratri are consuming more fruits, due to which there is a possibility of increase in prices. Apart from this, the price of dry coconut has also increased from Rs 18-20 to Rs 25-30 per piece.

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Big Solar Storm To Hit Earth, Warns NASA. Will It Affect India?

American scientists have issued a warning that a big solar storm is going to hit the Earth, and it may affect electronic communications. What will be its impact on India?

NDTV's Science Editor Pallava Bagla travelled to high in the Ladakh where India observes the Sun, and spoke to Dr Annapurni Subramanian, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, to get a grasp on the situation.

A solar storm is a sudden explosion of particles, energy, magnetic fields, and material blasted into the solar system by the Sun.

The incoming solar storm could disrupt telecommunications and satellites. Indian scientists are monitoring it, and experts at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said they have informed Indian satellite operators to take all precautions. The next few days are crucial for the Earth since the storm is heading towards the Blue Planet.

"The (solar) flare which occurred a few days ago is similar in terms of strength to the one which occurred in May," Dr Subramanian said.

"So we would expect some kind of interference in the magnetosphere. But we would like to wait and see because it takes a few days to hit the Earth. We expect to do something tonight or tomorrow night to see if anything is happening," she added.

"The predictions are that it can happen or it may not happen, we will have to wait and see," Dr Subramanian said.

The strong solar storm in May produced aurora displays across the Northern Hemisphere.

When directed towards the Earth, a solar storm can create a major disturbance in Earth's magnetic field, called a geomagnetic storm, that can produce effects such as radio blackouts, power outages, and beautiful auroras.

They do not cause direct harm to anyone on Earth, however, as the planet's magnetic field and atmosphere protect us from the worst of these storms.

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Agniveer Killed In Fire Extinguisher Blast During Mock Drill In Rajasthan

A 24-year-old Agniveer died due to an explosion in a fire extinguisher during a mock drill in Rajasthan's Bharatpur, police said Saturday.

During a mock drill in a training camp of Golpura Army Area on Friday, a fire extinguisher exploded and Agniveer Saurabh Pal got injured, DSP Anil Jasoria said.

Pal, a resident of Bhakhara village in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj, succumbed during treatment at a hospital, he said.

His father Rakesh Pal was informed about the incident and the body was handed over to the family today, the officer said.

Pal had joined the Indian Army under the Agniveer scheme in 2023.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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More Israeli Strikes Pound Beirut After Fresh Warning From Iran: 10 Points

1. The Israeli army issued fresh evacuation orders in Beirut's southern suburbs last evening, after which a series of loud blasts were heard in the area near the airport.
2. Hezbollah is also engaged in ongoing clashes with Israeli troops in the Lebanon border area during ground raids. It said in a statement that Israeli soldiers tried to approach the village of Adaysseh when their operatives confronted them.
3. Three hospitals in Lebanon were forced to suspend work after damages due to Israeli strikes as the Lebanese Prime Minister urged the global community to pressure Israel to allow rescuers to reach bombed sites.
4. Israel is now fighting both Palestine and Lebanon, which are part of the Iran-backed 'Axis of Resistance' group, in a war that started with the October 7 attack by Hamas and has now widened to a regional conflict.
5. The Palestinian Hamas group's October 7, 2023 attack, called the 'Al-Aqsa Flood', had targeted Israeli border towns, sparking a fierce West Asia showdown that continues till date. The Lebanese Hezbollah group - also backed by Iran-later entered the war in support of Hamas.
6. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei yesterday said its allies won't back down and defended his country's missile strikes on Israel. In a rare public sermon, he asserted after leading the Friday prayers that Israel would "not last long".
7. The Israeli Defence Forces, which has been conducting ground raids inside Lebanon, claimed in their latest update they have eliminated over 2,000 military targets and 250 Hezbollah operatives, including over a dozen commanders.
8. The Israeli Air Force has also been pounding Beirut and its suburbs with airstrikes over the past few weeks. Former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was killed in one such strike a week, dealing a major blow to the Lebanese group.
9. Iran's missile salvo on Israel on Tuesday marked a massive escalation in the West Asia war as Israel vowed to hit back stronger. It is feared that Israel may target oil and nuclear infrastructure in the country. Fears of oil supply disruptions have already sparked a rise in oil prices.
10. US President Joe Biden has advised Israel against striking oil facilities in Iran. But his predecessor Donald Trump, who is contesting November polls to return to the White House, has said that he believes Israel should strike Iran's nuclear facilities in response to the missile barrage.

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"Hit The Nuclear First": Donald Trump's Big Warning To Iran

Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump said Friday he believes Israel should strike Iran's nuclear facilities in response to the Islamic republic's recent missile barrage.

The former president, speaking at a campaign event in North Carolina, referred to a question posed to Democratic President Joe Biden this week about the possibility of Israel targeting Iran's nuclear program.

"They asked him, what do you think about Iran, would you hit Iran? And he goes, 'As long as they don't hit the nuclear stuff.' That's the thing you want to hit, right?" Trump told a town hall style event in Fayetteville, near a major US military base.

Biden was asked on Wednesday whether he would support strikes against Iranian nuclear sites and the US president told reporters: "The answer is no."

"I think he's got that one wrong," Trump said Friday, in response to a participant's question about the issue. "Isn't that what you're supposed to hit? I mean, it's the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons," he said.

"When they asked him that question, the answer should have been, hit the nuclear first, and worry about the rest later," Trump added.

"If they're going to do it, they're going to do it. But we'll find out whatever their plans are."

Biden on Wednesday expressed his opposition to such strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, in response to the firing of nearly 200 Iranian missiles towards Israel.

"We'll be discussing with the Israelis what they're going to do," he said, adding that all G7 members agree Israel has "a right to respond, but they should respond in proportion."

Trump, locked in a tooth-and-nail presidential election battle with US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, has spoken little about the recent escalation in tensions in the Middle East.

He issued a scathing statement this week, holding Biden and Harris responsible for the crisis.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"UN Security Council Not Fixable In Current Format": US Ex Envoy To NDTV

Former US ambassador to the UN John Bolton today told NDTV that the United Nations is a huge organisation and that many bodies of the global body are irrelevant. He said the UN's massive size is a part of its problems.

"Some of the specialised and technical agencies do good work when they stay out of politics. But the Security Council and the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council are paralysed and therefore largely irrelevant," Mr Bolton told NDTV.

"I am not sure if there is any way to bring meaningful reform. Many people have tried over the years, many suggestions have been given. It's very hard to see if any of them can be brought to bear," he added.

Mr Bolton's comments come at a time when the world is beset by wars, humanitarian crises and other problems, bringing the focus back to whether the UN is becoming incapable of ensuring multilateral responses to solve serious global problems.

On how the UN can address some of the problems - if it can - the former diplomat said it is important to look at some of the particular pieces of the UN because some pieces are clearly much much better than others when they do the work they are supposed to do.

"Some of them are obscure, such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation which deals with a hugely important subject matter and so far we should keep our fingers crossed it has done good work," Mr Bolton said.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Security Council, for example, is not fixable at its current state, he said.

"The Security Council I don't think is fixable in its current format where you have Russia and China in this increasingly close axis with China as the dominant partner determined to pursue their own interests. It is not the Cold War, but not also dissimilar to the gridlock that was the cold war," he said.

Mr Bolton shared some suggestions as to what kinds of reforms may work.

"The reforms that I have suggested are based on my very long experience in the UN system, and that is we need to change the funding system. I would eliminate the system of cess contribution where every nation pays a percentage of the budget of different UN bodies, and replace it with entirely voluntary contributions," Mr Bolton said.

"This is a radical theory that if something doesn't work, then you shouldn't have to pay for it. You should put your money in an institution that does work and I think that reform has very little chance of being adopted by the members," he said. "But that I think is something that might actually wake the UN up," he added.

India has also been aspiring to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It recently received a huge boost after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed India's bid for the permanent membership, days after US President Joe Biden and France's Emmanuel Macron made a similar pitch.

At present, the UNSC comprises five permanent members and 10 non-permanent member countries which are elected for a two-year term by the General Assembly. The five permanent members are Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States, which have the power to veto any substantive resolution.

"We want to see permanent African representation on the Council, Brazil, India, Japan, and Germany as permanent members, and more seats for elected members as well," Mr Starmer had said.

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Teacher Gets Scam Call About Daughter In Sex Racket, Dies Of Heart Attack

Scams over the telephone have led to several people suffering financial losses, but this may be the first instance in which one such attempted fraud allegedly cost a woman her life. 

On Monday, Malti Verma, 58, a teacher in a government school in Agra, received a WhatsApp call from a man whose display photo was that of a police official. The man told the teacher that her college-going daughter had been caught in a sex racket. 

Ms Verma's son, Dipanshu, said the call came around noon and the man asked her to deposit Rs 1 lakh in a particular account to ensure that her daughter came back home safe and no case was filed.

The man also allegedly told Ms Verma that he was calling her to ensure that the family did not have to go through the trauma of having their daughter implicated in a sex racket-related case.

"My mother taught in a government girls junior high school in Agra's Achnera. After she got the call from the man, she panicked and called me, and I asked her for the number from which she had received the call. When I checked the number, I found that it had a +92 prefix and I told her it was a scam. She was still very anxious and started feeling unwell," said Dipanshu.

"I reassured her and also told her that I had spoken to my sister, who was in college and was fine. My mother's health kept deteriorating, however, and when she came back from school, she said she was feeling some pain. We gave her something to drink but things got worse and she died," he added.

Additional Commissioner of Police Mayank Tiwari said the family filed a complaint on Thursday. 

"The family has complained that Ms Verma died of a heart attack. The cause for this, her husband has said, was that she had received a call stating that her daughter had been caught in a sex racket and the caller had demanded Rs 1 lakh from her. She got very worried because of this and died 15 minutes after she reached home. She was cremated on Tuesday and we have received the complaint today. We are investigating the number from which the call came and will take action," Mr Tiwari said.

(With inputs from Naseem Ahmad)

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Rajasthan News : Delhi दौरे पर CM Bhajanlal Sharma, JP Nadda से की मुलाकात | BJP | Prahlad Joshi

Rajasthan News : Delhi दौरे पर CM Bhajanlal Sharma, JP Nadda से की मुलाकात | BJP | Prahlad Joshi आज CM Bhajanlal Sharma, Delhi दौरे पर हैं. Delhi में CM Bhajanlal Sharma ने JP Nadda and Prahlad Joshi से मुलाकात की है...

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Explainer: What Middle East Conflict Means For Global Economy

Rising tensions in the Middle East add new uncertainties for the global economy even as policymakers start to congratulate themselves on having steered it out of a bout of high inflation without triggering a recession.

Israel, which has been fighting with Hamas in Gaza for almost a year, has sent its troops into southern Lebanon after two weeks of intense airstrikes, escalating tensions in a conflict that risks drawing in the United States and Iran.

The following sketches what we know about how this could play out on the world economy in the weeks ahead.

WHAT IMPACT, IF ANY, HAS BEEN FELT SO FAR?

Very little beyond the immediate region, with the main effects limited to financial markets as investors hedge their portfolios with safe-haven assets. The US dollar has been a beneficiary since Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel: the dollar index, which measures the US currency against the euro, yen and four other top currencies, is trading around three-week peaks.

Oil prices rose around 2% on Thursday on concerns a wider conflict could disrupt crude oil flows from the region - for example if Israel chose to target Iranian oil infrastructure which in turn could trigger retaliation from Iran.

But it is not clear that this will translate into the kind of sustained, sharper rises that motorists start to notice at the fuel pump. Analysts point out that the United States has high levels of crude oil inventories while OPEC-producing nations have enough spare capacity to smooth out the impact of disruptions, at least in the short term.

HOW ARE ECONOMIC POLICYMAKERS REACTING?

As always, central bankers stress that their job is to look beyond unpredictable, one-off shocks to the economy and instead focus on the deeper, underlying trends. But they cannot afford to totally ignore geopolitical events either.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey told The Guardian newspaper that the bank could move more aggressively to cut interest rates if inflation pressures continue to weaken - suggesting central bankers for now did not see the Middle East conflict as a major threat to their attempts to temper inflation. Bailey said there seemed to be a commitment to keep oil markets stable but he also said the conflict could yet push up oil prices if things keep escalating.

Sweden's Riksbank Deputy Governor Per Jansson delivered a similar message, saying the effects of the Middle East conflict were not yet enough to warrant scratching economic forecasts.

The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East could have significant economic ramifications for the region and the global economy, but commodity prices remain below the highs of the past year. It was too early to predict specific impacts on the global economy, IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said.

WHEN WILL ANY IMPACT BECOME MORE EVIDENT?

For context, Brent crude futures are currently around $75 a barrel, well below their $84 level at the time of Hamas' Oct. 7 strike on Israel nearly a year ago and far off the $130 highs reached after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2023.

Europe would be exposed to rising oil prices because, unlike the United States, it has no major domestic oil production. But even there, policymakers estimate a durable 10% rise in prices would be needed to push up inflation by just 0.1 percentage point.

The economic impacts of an all-out war that led to wider attacks on energy infrastructure throughout the Middle East and Gulf regions plus further disruptions to trade routes through the Red Sea, would be more tangible.

Oxford Economics estimated such a scenario would spike oil prices up to $130 and knock 0.4 percentage points off global output growth next year, which the International Monetary Fund currently sees at around 3.3%.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Sarfaraz Achieves Historic 1st. Not Even Sachin Or Gavaskar Attained It

The legend of Sarfaraz Khan as a domestic doyen is growing from strength to strength as his authoritative double hundred for Mumbai not only put Rest of India under immediate pressure in the ongoing Irani Cup but will also keep the seasoned KL Rahul on toes when the Indian team embarks on the Test tour of Australia next month. Sarfaraz (221 batting, 276 balls) became the first ever cricketer to score an Irani Cup double hundred for Mumbai, with the 42-time champions reaching 536 for 9 at the end of the second day.

Wasim Jaffer (Vidarbha), Ravi Shastri, Praveen Amre and Yashasvi Jaiswal (all for Rest of India) are double centurions in the Irani Cup.

It has been a tough week for Sarfaraz as his younger brother Musheer, who was also supposed to play the game, was ruled out of competitive cricket for 16 weeks after a road accident.

If his brother and father Naushad's car accident had perturbed him, it didn't seem so in his batting as he went hammer and tongs at the Rest of India bowling attack.

He played 160 dot balls but still maintained a 80 percent strike-rate, largely due to his 25 boundaries and four sixes.

Skipper Ajinkya Rahane (97 off 234 balls) missed out on a 40th first-class hundred but the second day belonged to Sarfaraz, who was in a mood to punish pacers and spinners alike.

His 15th first-class century will certainly dispel all doubts about his slot as reserve middle-order batter for the remainder of the Test season (8 games).

Rahul, who got back his middle-order slot from Sarfaraz, did well in Kanpur but the team management and even the Karnataka batter knows that the stockily built Mumbaikar is breathing down his neck.

The Ekana Stadium track had underlying moisture on the second day and the dampness contributed to ball seaming around initially and the extra bounce made it challenging for batters.

His driving on the off-side was regal while there is nothing more to add to his footwork against spinners. He was brutal, especially against left-arm spinner Manav Suthar (0/137 in 37 overs), who looked clueless.

After a certain point, he employed the negative leg-stump line and Sarfaraz would either slightly go inside out or bent down on one knee to slog sweep it for maximums.

Along with Tanush Kotian (64), he added 183 for the seventh wicket, which demoralised the Rest of India bowling unit to a large extent.

Once he completed his double hundred, he let out a roar and kissed the Lion's crest on his shirt before hitting his best shot of the day. A hooked six over deep fine leg off Prasidh Krishna and a ramp shot earlier in the day using the extra pace and bounce were fitting answers to his critics who have raised doubts about his game on these kind of tracks.

Brief Scores: Mumbai 1st Innings 536/9 decl (Sarfaraz Khan 221 batting, Ajinkya Rahane 97, Mukesh Kumar 4/109, Yash Dayal 2/89, Prasidh Krishna 2/102) vs Rest of India.

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2 Chain-Snatchers Attack Paramilitary Constable, She Grabs Hold Of 1

Two chain snatchers allegedly attacked a 30-year-old woman CISF constable who was out for a morning walk near the Akshardham Metro station in the national capital on Wednesday, an official said.

Constable Supriya Nayak suffered injuries during the physical altercation with the bike-borne assailants but she managed to grab one of them, who was later handed over to the local police, a senior Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer said.

The incident took place around 7:45 am when Supriya Nayak was walking near her residence in the Pandav Nagar area of east Delhi, he said.

The assailants attacked the woman from behind and as they tried to snatch her chain, she demonstrated "exceptional composure under pressure" and apprehended one of them, while the other escaped, the officer said.

The alleged assailant was handed over to police and the woman was sent to a nearby hospital as she suffered minor injuries during the physical altercation, he said.

The constable joined the paramilitary force in 2017 and is posted with the CISF unit that guards the Delhi Metro. Her courageous act has been praised by her officers and also got her a commendation from the CISF director general (DG), a force spokesperson said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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As Iran Fires Over 100 Rockets At Israel, Indian Embassy Issues Advisory

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia (Middle East), the Indian Embassy in Israel has cautioned all Indians to stay vigilant and follow safety protocols advised by local authorities. The advisory was issued within hours of Iran threatening an attack on Israel in the aftermath of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah being killed in an Israeli missile attack.

Iran followed up on the threat by launching over a hundred rockets at Israel, Iran's state media confirmed. Israel's defence forces said that its nationals were already in bunkers, taking shelter from the attack.

The nearly year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza strip has intensified with Tel Aviv going after Hezbollah - an Iran-backed militant organisation which supports Hamas. Iran had vowed to avenge the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, killed last week, and had warned Israel of an imminent ballistic missile attack against it.

"In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to safety protocols as advised by the local authorities," The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv said in its advisory.

"Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters," it added.

The Embassy also shared round-the-clock helpline numbers where Indian nationals can call in case of emergency. "The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and remains in regular touch with Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals," it said, adding, "In case of any emergency, please contact the 24x7 helpline of the Embassy - +972-547520711 and +972-543278392."

📢*IMPORTANT ADVISORY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS IN ISRAEL*

Link : https://t.co/OEsz3oUtBJ pic.twitter.com/llt83IwIZ0

— India in Israel (@indemtel) October 1, 2024

The Embassy also shared an e-mail ID - cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in - for Indian nationals to reach out, urging those "who are yet to register with the Embassy" to please do so immediately. It attached the form along with the message.
 

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