Over four lakh people evacuated to safety in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
Cyclone Hudhud struck the Indian coast on Sunday, leaving five people dead in Andhra Pradesh and three in Odisha. Over four lakh people from both states were evacuated to relief camps, as wind speeds rose to 200 km per hour at the time of landfall. The port city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh was the worst affected, recording three deaths and experiencing the complete collapse of power and communication infrastructure. The cyclonic storm lost momentum by nightfall, as wind speeds came down to 110 km per hour.
Pakistan accuses India of 'unprovoked' cross border firing in a letter to UN chief
In a letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, has accused India of, "deliberate and unprovoked violations of the ceasefire agreement and cross-border firing” in the past few weeks. Besides demanding a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, Aziz asked Ban to circulate his letter among other members of the United Nations Security Council. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Pakistani troops shelled 15 Indian border posts and hamlets, leaving three people injured in Jammu district.
Sharad Pawar praises Uddhav Thackeray
Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Sunday praised Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray for his leadership skills, days before assembly elections in Maharashtra on October 15. "After Balasaheb's [Thackeray's] death, you [the media] wasted a lot of ink on contemplating the future of Shiv Sena," said Pawar. "But, Uddhav has proved you wrong. He is doing well to strengthen the party which is more than expected. He is working hard." On the question of a post-poll alliance, however, Pawar said that his party would not team up with the Shiv Sena.
CBI begins inquiry against Reliance and insurance regulator
The Central Bureau of Investigation has started an inquiry into the alleged undervaluation of a fine slapped against Reliance General Insurance Company Limited by officials from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. According to the CBI officials, Reliance Insurance had sold 3.5 lakh policies in 2009 that were all in violation of the law, making the company liable for a penalty up to Rs 17,500 crore. The IRDA, however, imposed only a fine of Rs 20 lakh.
US troops to use bases in Turkey to launch attack on Islamic State militants
Turkey has allowed troops from the United States-led coalition to use their bases for launching attacks against a key Islamic State militant installation located within 150 km of the Syrian border, besides other targets. Announcing this decision on Sunday, US officials urged Ankara to play a more significant role in the fight against militants, who have seized large parts of Iraq and Syria and driven refugees into Turkey. The announcement arrived after three suicide bomb attacks killed 60 people in the Diyala province of northeast Baghdad on Sunday.
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Cyclone Hudhud struck the Indian coast on Sunday, leaving five people dead in Andhra Pradesh and three in Odisha. Over four lakh people from both states were evacuated to relief camps, as wind speeds rose to 200 km per hour at the time of landfall. The port city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh was the worst affected, recording three deaths and experiencing the complete collapse of power and communication infrastructure. The cyclonic storm lost momentum by nightfall, as wind speeds came down to 110 km per hour.
Pakistan accuses India of 'unprovoked' cross border firing in a letter to UN chief
In a letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, has accused India of, "deliberate and unprovoked violations of the ceasefire agreement and cross-border firing” in the past few weeks. Besides demanding a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, Aziz asked Ban to circulate his letter among other members of the United Nations Security Council. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Pakistani troops shelled 15 Indian border posts and hamlets, leaving three people injured in Jammu district.
Sharad Pawar praises Uddhav Thackeray
Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Sunday praised Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray for his leadership skills, days before assembly elections in Maharashtra on October 15. "After Balasaheb's [Thackeray's] death, you [the media] wasted a lot of ink on contemplating the future of Shiv Sena," said Pawar. "But, Uddhav has proved you wrong. He is doing well to strengthen the party which is more than expected. He is working hard." On the question of a post-poll alliance, however, Pawar said that his party would not team up with the Shiv Sena.
CBI begins inquiry against Reliance and insurance regulator
The Central Bureau of Investigation has started an inquiry into the alleged undervaluation of a fine slapped against Reliance General Insurance Company Limited by officials from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. According to the CBI officials, Reliance Insurance had sold 3.5 lakh policies in 2009 that were all in violation of the law, making the company liable for a penalty up to Rs 17,500 crore. The IRDA, however, imposed only a fine of Rs 20 lakh.
US troops to use bases in Turkey to launch attack on Islamic State militants
Turkey has allowed troops from the United States-led coalition to use their bases for launching attacks against a key Islamic State militant installation located within 150 km of the Syrian border, besides other targets. Announcing this decision on Sunday, US officials urged Ankara to play a more significant role in the fight against militants, who have seized large parts of Iraq and Syria and driven refugees into Turkey. The announcement arrived after three suicide bomb attacks killed 60 people in the Diyala province of northeast Baghdad on Sunday.