US's Colorado declares state of emergency due to fast-moving grass fires

The US State of Colorado declared a state of emergency due to fast-moving grass fires created by high winds in Boulder County

The US State of Colorado declared a state of emergency due to fast-moving grass fires created by high winds in Boulder County, local media reported on Thursday (local time) as thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate.

“Today, Governor Polis declared a state of emergency due to grass fires created by high winds across the Front Range,” Governor Jared Polis said in a statement. Two Colorado cities were ordered to evacuate due to quickly spreading wildfires fueled by high winds that burned down hundreds of homes in the Denver area, The Hill reported. The local emergency management office issued evacuation orders for both Louisville and Superior.

“Prayers for thousands of families evacuating from the fires in Superior and Boulder County. Fast winds are spreading flames quickly and all aircraft are grounded,” Polis tweeted. The declaration of emergency allows the state to access disaster emergency funds to support the emergency response efforts in Boulder and provide state resources including the use of the Colorado National Guard, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and activation of the State Emergency Operations Center….Read More

Maharashtra govt announces fresh curbs in wake of rising Covid cases

In view of rising Covid-19 cases, the Maharashtra government on Thursday announced fresh curbs on attendance at weddings, social, political, religious events and funerals.

In view of rising COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra government on Thursday announced fresh curbs on attendance at weddings, social, political, religious events and funerals. “In case of marriages or any other social, political or religious event, the maximum number of attendees shall be restricted to 50 persons. The maximum number of attendees is restricted to 20 in funerals,” the order read.

Further, the order states, “In any other part of the state which are tourist spots that attract a large crowd of people such as beaches, open grounds, etc, the competent authority may as deemed appropriate, impose section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973.” Meanwhile, Mumbai Police on Thursday has already imposed Section 144 in the city starting from December 30 till January 7.

As per the new COVID-19 restrictions, prohibition has been placed on New Year’s celebrations, parties in any closed or open space including restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, resorts, and clubs from December 30 to January 7.”The order shall come into the force, in the areas under the control of Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai from 00:00 Hrs of 30 December 2021 and will remain in force till 24 Hrs of 7 January 2022, unless withdrawn earlier,” the order reads.

IT department raids at Samajwadi Party MLC Pampi Jain's residence in UP

 Income Tax officials on Friday morning conducted searches at the Samajwadi Party (SP) MLC Pampi Jain’s residence in Uttar Pradesh, claimed SP.

Income Tax officials on Friday morning conducted searches at the Samajwadi Party (SP) MLC Pampi Jain’s residence in Uttar Pradesh, claimed SP. “As soon as respected National President Akhilesh Yadav announced the press conference in Kannauj, the BJP government started searches at the place of SP MLC Pampi Jain. BJP’s fear and anger is clear. People are ready to teach a lesson to BJP!,” the Samajwadi Party said in a tweet.

More details are awaited.

Earlier, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) conducted raidsa at businessman Peeyush Jain’s residence in Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj and Kanpur. The DGGI which had allegedly seized Rs 194.45 crores of cash, 23 kg gold and 600 kg sandalwood from businessman Peeyush Jain’s possession, on Monday informed that the accused has admitted that cash recovered was related to the sale of goods without payment of taxes…Read More

Omicron scare: Amid sudden Covid-19 surge, Centre flags eight states

 West Bengal bans flights from UK; nearly 50% fresh cases in Delhi of Omicron

India’s R naught value, which indicates the spread of Covid-19, is 1.22, the Union government said on Thursday, warning that cases are increasing, not shrinking. It asked Delhi, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Jharkhand to remain vigilant following a significant rise in weekly infections and positivity rate there.

In view of rising Omicron cases, the West Bengal government on Thursday announced that it would suspend all direct flights from the UK and those emanating from other high-risk countries (as notified by the Union government) from January 3. This, even as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee maintained that coronavirus-related restrictions cannot be imposed everywhere as they may impact the economy.

Eight districts in India are reporting over 10 per cent weekly positivity across the country. The country on Thursday reported a single-day rise of over 13,000 new Covid-19 cases after around 49 days….

Myanmar military reverts to strategy of massacres, burnings at Done Taw

 When the young farmhand returned to his village in Myanmar, he found the still smoldering corpses in a circle in a burned-out hut, some with their limbs tied

When the young farmhand returned to his village in Myanmar, he found the still smoldering corpses in a circle in a burned-out hut, some with their limbs tied. The Myanmar military had stormed Done Taw at 11 a.m. on December 7, he told the AP, with about 50 soldiers hunting people on foot, killing 10 people including five teenagers. A photo taken by his friend shows the charred remains of a victim lying face down, holding his head up, suggesting he was burned alive.

I am very upset, it is unacceptable, said the 19-year-old, who like others interviewed by the AP asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. The carnage at Done Taw is just one of the most recent signs that the Myanmar military is reverting to a strategy of massacres as a weapon of war, according to an AP investigation based on interviews with 40 witnesses, social media, satellite imagery and data on deaths….Read More

Journalists must resist being 'co-opted by ideology or state': CJI Ramana

 The freedom of the press was a valuable and sacred right enshrined in the Constitution and a fearless media was essential for an efficient working of democracy, CJI NV Ramana said

The freedom of the press was a valuable and sacred right enshrined in the Constitution and a fearless media was essential for an efficient working of democracy, Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana said on Wednesday and maintained journalists must resist being “co-opted by an ideology or the state”. He said a healthy democracy could thrive only with a fearless and independent press, but warned “news mixed with views is a dangerous cocktail”.

The CJI cautioned journalists against the trend of seeping of ideological biases into news stories and said factual reports must keep aside interpretations and opinions. “Another trend that I witness in reporting nowadays, is the seeping of ideological stances and biases into the news story. Interpretation and opinions are colouring what should be factual reports,” he said. Underscoring the need for unbiased, fact-based reportage, particularly during the current 247 news cycle, and the vast reach of social media, the CJI said that journalists must resist being “co-opted by an ideology or by the state”. ...Read More

Covid-19: Mumbai Police impose Section 144, New Year celebrations banned

 In view of the rising COVID-19 cases, the Mumbai Police on Thursday has imposed Section 144 in the city starting from today till January 7.

In view of the rising COVID-19 cases, the Mumbai Police on Thursday has imposed Section 144 in the city starting from today till January 7. As per the new COVID-19 restrictions, prohibition has been placed on New Year’s celebrations, parties in any closed or open space including restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, resorts and clubs from December 30 to January 7. “The order shall come into the force, in the areas under the control of Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai from 00:00 Hrs of 30th December 2021 and will remain in force till 24:00 Hrs of 7th January 2022, unless withdrawn earlier,” the order reads.

“Any person contravening this order shall be punishable under section 188 of Indian Penal Code 1860 in addition to the penal provision under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 and National Disaster Management Act 2005 and other legal provisions as applicable,” said Chaitanya S, Deputy Commissioner of Police. Meanwhile, Mumbai on Wednesday reported 2,510 fresh COVID-19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours, informed the state health bulletin….

Women force change at Indian Apple plant, sick from bad food, crowded dorms

 For women who assembled iPhones at a Foxconn plant in southern India, crowded dorms without flush toilets and food sometimes crawling with worms were problems to be endured for the paycheck

For women who assembled iPhones at a Foxconn plant in southern India, crowded dorms without flush toilets and food +sometimes crawling with worms were problems to be endured for the paycheck.

But when tainted food sickened over 250 of the workers their anger boiled over, culminating in a rare protest that shut down a plant where 17,000 had been working. A close look by Reuters at the events before and after the Dec. 17 protest casts a stark light on living and working conditions at Foxconn, a firm central to Apple’s supply chain.

The tumult comes at a time when Apple is ramping up production of its iPhone 13 and shareholders are pushing the company to provide greater transparency about labour conditions at suppliers. Reuters spoke to six women who worked at the Foxconn plant near Chennai. All of them requested they not to be named because of fear of retaliation on the job or from police. Workers slept on the floor in rooms, which housed between six to 30 women, five of these workers said. Two workers said the hostel they lived in had toilets without running water.

After Muslims, Christians target of Hindutva brigade: Chidambaram

 Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday claimed that after Muslims, Christians were the new target of the Hindutva brigade

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday claimed that after Muslims, Christians were the new target of the Hindutva brigade, citing the government’s refusal to renew the FCRA registration for the Missionaries of Charity.Chidambaram, who is senior election observer of the Congress for Goa, also claimed that the mainstream media had banished the story of Home Ministry’s action related to Missionaries of Charity (MoC) from its pages and termed it “sad and shameful”.

“The rejection of renewal to MoC is a direct attack on NGOs who are doing yeoman service for the ‘poor and wretched’ of India,” he said on Twitter.”In the case of MoC, it reveals bias and prejudice against Christian charity work. After Muslims, Christians are the new target of the Hindutva brigade,” Chidambaram said.

Ola Electric to have 4,000 EV charging points in 2022: CEO Bhavish Aggarwal

 As part of its ambitious charging infrastructure goal, Ola Electric will install more than 4,000 charging points for its electric scooters across cities in next year

As part of its ambitious charging infrastructure goal, Ola Electric will install more than 4,000 charging points for its electric scooters across cities in next year. In a tweet, Bhavish Aggarwal, Founder and CEO, Ola, said that Hypercharger roll out has begun across cities. “At key BPCL pumps as well as residential complexes. 4000+ points up through next year. We’re installing across India and will make them operational in 6-8 weeks. Will be free for use till end June 22 for all customers,” he said in a tweet late Tuesday.

Ola has expanded into advanced two-wheeler electric vehicles manufacturing at its Futurefactory. It has already begun deliveries of its e-scooters — Ola S1 and S1 Pro — albeit delayed a bit. Ola in April unveiled the ‘Hypercharger Network’, a charging network for its upcoming two-wheeler products starting with the Ola Scooter to be launched in India in the coming months…Read More

Uttar Pradesh excise department created 60,000 jobs over 4.5 years

 The Excise Department in Uttar Pradesh has issued licences for establishment of 12 distilleries, three breweries, 12 microbreweries and 97 sanitizer units in the state

The Excise Department in Uttar Pradesh has issued licences for establishment of 12 distilleries, three breweries, 12 microbreweries and 97 sanitizer units in the state and gave approval of other licences which allowed investments of about Rs 6,545 crore and created 60,000 new jobs in the last four-and-a-half years.

Additional Chief Secretary (Excise), Sanjay Bhoosreddy said ease of doing business and simplification of existing rules have seen establishment of new industries and generation of new opportunities of investment.

“Establishment of new distilleries has helped in improving the financial condition of the sugar mills, making it easier for them to pay the cane price to the farmers and also in generating additional employment. Ten new distilleries have been established in the private sector which has increased the total installed capacity by 3,737 lakh litres and an investment of Rs 1,133 crore has been made in the state so far,” he said. The ACS said that three new breweries are going to be established in Sambhal, Sonbhadra and Barabanki…Read More

Winter break for Delhi govt school students up to Class 5 from Jan 1

 The Delhi government schools for primary students up to Class 5 will remain closed from January 1 to January 15, the Directorate of Education (DoE) said on Monday.

The Delhi government schools for primary students up to Class 5 will remain closed from January 1 to January 15, the Directorate of Education (DoE) said on Monday. No online or offline teaching learning activity can be conducted during this period, a circular by DoE stated. However, the DoE said that in order to help the students to consolidate their learning, the syllabus of the academic session 2021-22 covered so far, is to be revised during this break through assignments.

The circular stated: “All the heads of Sarvodaya Vidyalayas are, hereby, informed that the winter break for pre-primary and primary classes shall be observed from January 1-15, 2022 and the online and offline teaching learning activities through worksheets, shall not be conducted during this period.”

“However, in order to help the students to consolidate their learning, the syllabus of the academic session 2021-22 covered so far, is to be revised during this break through assignments,” it added. The DoE said that the assessment record of winter break assignments or activities must be maintained “scrupulously and shall count towards internal assessment.” The DoE also directed class teachers to make a note of the strengths and weaknesses of the students of their respective classes, so that individual attention may be given to each student after the winter vacation….Read More

'Extremist elements in Afghanistan pose threat to Pakistan': Pak minister

 Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Monday said that ‘extremism in Afghanistan is a threat to Pakistan”.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Monday said that ‘extremism in Afghanistan is a threat to Pakistan”. “Women are not allowed to travel alone in Afghanistan, and they cannot go to school as well,” Chaudhry said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a photo exhibition on the life of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the Pak-China centre, reported Geo News.

Pakistan is blamed globally for supporting terrorism and helping the Taliban. The federal minister’s crocodile tears came a day after the Afghan Taliban said that women seeking to travel long distances should not be offered transport unless they are accompanied by a close male relative. The guidance, issued by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, also called on all vehicle owners to offer rides only to those women wearing hijabs, reported Geo News.

Omicron spread: Third Covid shot after nine months of second jab

 Student ID card will be considered as a proof to register on CoWIN

The gap between the second and the third doses of Covid vaccines given to co-morbid elderly, and health care and frontline workers has been set at least nine months, guidelines for Covid vaccinations for children and precaution dose issued on Monday said. Covaxin is the only option for children between 15 years and 18 years, the government said.

The Ministry of Health guidelines noted that in view of the recent global surge in Covid-19 cases, detection of Omicron variant, scientific evidence, and inputs and suggestions of ‘Covid-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advi­sory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI)’, as well as of ‘Standing Technical Scientific Committee (STSC)’ of NTAGI, India has decided to modify its Covid vaccination policy. Vaccinations for the age group of 15-18 years open on January 3.

“For such beneficiaries, vaccination option would be ‘Covaxin’ only,” the guidelines noted. A senior government official said this was done according to advice from the NTAGI, which has not recommended the Zydus Cadila vaccine for use on those under 18 years.

241 civilians killed in Syria by explosive war leftovers this year

 As many as 241 civilians have been killed in 2021 by landmines and other explosive materials left in previous war zones across Syria, a war monitor said Sunday.

As many as 241 civilians have been killed in 2021 by landmines and other explosive materials left in previous war zones across Syria, a war monitor said Sunday. The number includes 114 children and 19 women as a result of the explosions, most of which occurred in the first quarter, Xinhua news agency quoted the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying.

The watchdog called on the concerned international organisations to help remove the war leftovers from Syria and to raise the awareness of the Syrians about the danger of such materials. State news agency SANA has reported many incidents in which civilians were killed by landmines, saying terror groups had planted them in areas they used to control during the 10-year-long Syrian war…

Pakistan set to unveil its first-ever National Security Policy today

 Pakistan is set to announce its first-ever National Security Policy on Monday, which would cover all internal and external security aspects, including the situation in Afghanistan

Pakistan is set to announce its first-ever National Security Policy on Monday, which would cover all internal and external security aspects, including the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the neighbourhood. This announcement will be made at a meeting of top civilian and military leadership of the country, Dawn newspaper reported.

On Sunday, Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had announced that Imran Khan had summoned a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) to review the country’s first-ever national security policy on December 27. “Prime Minister Imran Khan has convened a meeting of the National Security Council tomorrow, in which the first national security policy in the history of the country will be presented for approval,” the Pak minister had said in a tweet.

Muzaffarpur boiler blast incident due to misoperation, says Bihar Minister

 Bihar Minister Jivesh Mishra has termed the Muzaffarpur boiler blast an “incident due to misoperation”

Bihar Minister Jivesh Mishra has termed the Muzaffarpur boiler blast in a noodle factory that took place on Sunday morning and claimed the lives of at least seven labourers and left seven injured, an “incident due to misoperation”.

Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Mishra said, “The factory was established in 2020 after it met all the required parameters for establishing a factory. The certification of the boiler that blasted was done in May 2021 by the department. Prima facie, it seems that the incident took place due to misoperation. A probe has been ordered. We can’t say anything substantive until it’s done. The state government has announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased.”

The minister further informed that he has directed the officials to provide the compensation to the labourers’ families based on the Compensation Act of the labour resource department. “Based on the Compensation Act of the labour resource department, I have directed the officials to provide the compensation of the labourers’ families after holding a meeting with the factory director. The government will provide treatment to all the injured labourers,” he said.

FIR against Hindu religious leader for justifying Mahatma Gandhi's killing

 The Chhattisgarh Police have registered an FIR against Hindu religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj and others for allegedly making derogatory comments on Mahatma Gandhi and praising Nathuram Godse

The Chhattisgarh Police have registered an FIR against Hindu religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj and others for allegedly making derogatory comments on Mahatma Gandhi and praising Nathuram Godse.

On the complaint of former Raipur Mayor and Congress leader Pramod Dubey, the police registered the FIR under section 505(2), 294 IPC in the Tikrapara Police station. The event ‘Dharam Sansad’ was organised on Sunday (December 26) in Raipur.

The state government’s action comes in backdrop of the Haridwar event in which hate speeches were made. The event in Raipur was orgainsed at Rawanbhata in which Sant Kalicharan Maharaj is alleged to have used derogatory words for Mahatma Gandhi and justified Nathuram Godse, who killed Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi too tweeted #Gandhiforever and quoted Gandhi that “you cannot imprison my thoughts”.

'Strong step': Nancy Pelosi on Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

 After Biden signed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act into law, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that it is a strong step to combat the exploitation of forced labor in Xinjiang

After US President Joe Biden signed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) into law today, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday (local time) said that it is a strong step to combat the exploitation of forced labor in China’s Xinjiang province. The bill received unanimous bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. “President Biden and the Congress, on a bipartisan and bicameral basis, have taken a strong step to combat the exploitation of forced labor in Xinjiang with the enactment of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act,” Pelosi said in a statement.

US President Joe Biden on Thursday signed the “Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act” that bans importing of goods into the US made with forced labor in China’s Xinjiang province. “The ongoing genocide perpetrated by the Chinese government against the Uyghur people and other Muslim minorities is a challenge to the conscience of the entire world, which is why the House twice passed legislation to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for its exploitation of forced labor and put an end to this horrific practice,” the statement said.

Over 6,400 Afghan journalists lost jobs since Taliban takeover: Survey

 More than 6,400 journalists in Afghanistan have lost their jobs since the Taliban takeover of the country, according to a recent survey.

More than 6,400 journalists in Afghanistan have lost their jobs since the Taliban takeover of the country, according to a recent survey.The survey conducted by non-profit organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) shows a radical change in the Afghan media landscape since the Taliban took power. As many as 231 media outlets have had to close.

The Taliban takeover’s impact on Afghanistan’s media has been dramatic, according to the survey by RSF and its local partner, the AIJA.More than four out of every ten media outlets have disappeared and 60 percent of journalists and media employees are no longer able to work.The hardest hit among all are women journalists as 80 percent of them have lost their jobs since Taliban took control of Kabul…

One killed, five hurt in Ludhiana court blast, high alert in Punjab

 The blast comes days after the alleged sacrilege bids – at the Golden Temple in Amritsar and a gurdwara in Kapurthala – followed by the lynching of two men

A bomb went off in the district court complex on Thursday, killing one person and injuring five others, prompting the Punjab government to declare a high alert in the state. Police suspect that the man killed in the blast in the second-floor bathroom was trying to set off the explosive device, or may even have been a suicide bomber.

As forensic teams and specialised agencies were being summoned to the blast site, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi expressed apprehension that the explosion might have been an attempt to create “anarchy” in the poll-bound state.

The Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the state government as early as possible. It also wanted to be informed about the findings of the initial investigations. The blast wrecked a wall of the bathroom, shattered window panes in adjoining rooms and broke windscreens of some cars parked below, triggering panic in the busy court complex…Read More

Third Covid-19 wave in India to peak in February: IIT-K researchers

 The research report used the data of the first and second waves in India, and the current rise in cases triggered by Omicron in various countries, to predict a possible third wave in the country

Researchers at IIT Kanpur (IIT-K) have predicted that a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which may be triggered by the new Omicron variant, may peak in India by February 3, 2022. A report, published in the online preprint health server MedRxiv, said: “Following the trends around the world, this project report forecasts India’s third wave may start around mid-December and peak in the beginning of February.”

The team used a statistical tool called the Gaussian Mixture model to predict the third wave. The research report used the data of the first and second waves in India, and the current rise in cases triggered by Omicron in various countries, to predict a possible third wave in the country.

The researchers said the study “suggests the cases reach peak value after 735 days from our initial observation date, which is January 30, 2020, when India reported its first official case of Covid-19. So, the cases start rising around December 15, 2021, and the peak of the third wave will occur on Thursday, February 3, 2022″….Read More

Omicron may not be the final variant, but it may be the last of concern

 The disease might very likely be mild as some past exposure creates immunity that reduces the likelihood of hospitalisation and death

It is controversial whether viruses are alive, but – like all living things – they do evolve. This fact has become abundantly clear during the pandemic, as new variants of concern have emerged every few months. Some of these variants have been better at spreading from person to person, eventually becoming dominant as they out-compete slower versions of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This improved spreading ability has been ascribed to mutations in the spike protein – the mushroom-shaped projections on the surface of the virus – that allow it to bind more strongly to ACE2 receptors. ACE2 are receptors on the surface of our cells, such as those that line our airways, that the virus attaches to in order to gain entry and start replicating.

These mutations allowed the alpha variant, and then the delta variant, to become globally dominant. And scientists expect the same thing to happen with omicron. The virus cannot, however, improve indefinitely. The laws of biochemistry mean that the virus will eventually evolve a spike protein that binds to ACE2 as strongly as possible. By that point, the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to spread between people will not be limited by how well the virus can stick to the outside of cells. Other factors will limit virus spread, such as how fast the genome can replicate, how quickly the virus can enter the cell via the protein TMPRSS2, and how much virus an infected human can shed. In principle, all of these should eventually evolve to peak performance.

Hindus follow path of truth, Hindutva loots under guise of religion: Rahul

 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday drew a comparison between Hinduism and Hindutva saying Hindus follow the path of truth whereas Hindutva loots under the guise of religion.

Refering to a news report claiming a rush to buy land around Ram Janmbhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday drew a comparison between Hinduism and Hindutva saying Hindus follow the path of truth whereas Hindutva loots under the guise of religion.

Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, “Hindus follow the path of truth. Hindutva loots under the guise of religion.” The Congress leader also shared the news report that claimed many BJP leaders and some officials of the Uttar Pradesh government have bought land around the under-construction Ram Janmbhoomi Temple in Ayodhya at throwaway prices.

Following the report, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered an inquiry after names of relatives of several state ministers and officials appear in Ayodhya land deals. Special Secretary Revenue will investigate the matter and present a report to the government in a week.

Man held in Bengaluru for threatening Maha minister Aaditya Thackeray

 Mumbai Police have arrested a man from Bengaluru for allegedly threatening Maharashtra cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray, an official said on Thursday.

Mumbai Police have arrested a man from Bengaluru for allegedly threatening Maharashtra cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray, an official said on Thursday. The accused, identified as Jaisingh Rajput, was apprehended by the Mumbai crime branch’s cyber team on Saturday and brought to Mumbai, he said.

Aaditya Thackeray is the son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Rajput allegedly called the minister on December 8, but the latter did not receive the call. The accused then sent threatening text messages to the minister, the official said.

During the investigation, the cyber police traced the caller’s mobile number to Bengaluru in neighbouring Karnataka. Accordingly, a team was sent to Bengaluru where the accused person was arrested, the official said. He was later produced before a court which sent him in police custody. The accused was a fan of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the official said.

Foxconn's India subsidiary Bharat FIH files for Rs 5,000-crore IPO

 Foxconn’s Bharat FIH is India’s largest EMS provider to the mobile phone industry, with a 23 per cent market share in FY 2021

Bharat FIH, a subsidiary of Foxconn group, has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) for its initial public offering (IPO). The Rs 5,004-crore IPO comprises a fresh issue of Rs 2,502 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of Rs 2,502 crore. The offer for sale is by its promoter, Wonderful Stars.

Wonderful Stars and FIH Mobile are its promoters, its prospectus stated. Wonderful Stars, together with its nominees, holds 99.97 per cent of the company’s shares. FIH Mobile does not directly hold any shares in Bharat FIH. But it owns Wonderful Stars through its subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2021 Foxconn held 63.43 per cent of the share capital of FIH Mobile. Kotak Investment Banking, Citigroup Global Markets India, BNP Paribas and HSBC Securities and Capital Markets India are the bankers to the issu

Pak PM Imran Khan blames US for deteriorating situation in Afghanistan

 Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has blamed the United States for creating a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan that is affecting millions of people and allowing it to worsen.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has blamed the United States for creating a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan that is affecting millions of people and allowing it to worsen. “A man-made crisis is being created despite knowing that it can be averted if (Afghanistan’s) accounts (in the US) are unfrozen and liquidity is put into their banking system,” the Prime Minister said, Dawn newspaper reported.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at a ceremony held at Foreign Office to celebrate the successful holding of the extraordinary session of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers on Tuesday. On the other hand, amid the deteriorating economic situation in Afghanistan, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday (local time) said that Washington is looking intensely at ways to put more liquidity into the Afghan economy so as to provide money to the people of the cash-strapped nation….