Texas mass shooting: 27 dead after firing at church, gunman identified

Gunman responsible for the tragedy shot down; heavy police personnel reported at crime scene

At least 27 people were killed and nearly two dozen wounded in a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday when an unidentified gunman opened fire, the local media reported.

Local police told Channel KSAT12 that the shooter was dead but did not specify the cause of death or the exact number of victims inside the First Baptist Church, Efe news reported.

The shooter was later identified as Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, according to two law enforcement officers briefed on the situation, CNN reported.

Sutherland Springs is located 45 km southeast of San Antonio. A heavy police presence, including Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel, was reported at the crime scene after the incident.

Although local police have not released figures on the number of dead, County Commissioner Wilson Albert Gamez Jr told MSNBC that 27 people were dead and at least 24 wounded, the report said.
The church was celebrating Mass at the time of the shootings.

“Our prayers are with all who were harmed by this evil act. Our thanks to law enforcement for their response. More details from DPS soon,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Twitter shortly after the incident.

United States President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as an “act of evil” and called it “horrific” in his first public remarks after the incident took place.

“This act of evil occurred as the victims and their families were in their place of sacred worship. We cannot put into words the pain and grief we all feel and we cannot begin to imagine the suffering of those who lost the ones they love,” Trump said. |READ MORE

Taj Mahal cannot be a part of our history: Sangeet Som

Som said the creator of Taj Mahal wanted to wipe out Hindus

 

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) UP MLA Sangeet Som has an old relationship with controversies. On Monday, Som said the Taj Mahal should not be a part of our history as its creators were the ones who "wanted to wipe out Hindus". The MLA's comments come in the aftermath of the criticisms faced by Uttar Pradesh government for leaving out the 17th-century monument from the state’s official tourism booklet.

ALSO READ: Taj Mahal: A monument of gratitude

"Many people were pained when the Taj Mahal was removed from the state's tourism booklet. What history are we talking about? The history that the person who built the Taj Mahal (Shah Jahan) locked up his father," Som said at an event in Meerut.

Sangeet Som added: "Taj Mahal was built by rulers who wanted to wipe out Hindus from India and Uttar Pradesh. I guarantee you that the history will be changed now. Taj Mahal cannot be a part of our history."

Interestingly, the BJP leader incorrectly noted that the creator of Taj Mahal had imprisoned his father. Shah Jahan built the Unesco World Heritage site, who was imprisoned by his son Aurangazeb.

Recently, the UP tourism department released a booklet detailing future plans, including a tour of famous monuments and locations central to Ramayana. The booklet had mentioned tourist destinations like the Gorakhpur temple, where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is the chief priest, and excluded the Taj.

BJP's Sangeet Som says,'Many were sad when Taj Mahal was removed from historical places.What history? Its creator wanted to wipe out Hindus' pic.twitter.com/5OcpJwC4d7
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2017

Diwali bonanza: Petrol, diesel to cost less in Gujarat, Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government reduced petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2 and Rs 1 respectively

economy today : A week after Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged the state governments to cut the value added tax or VAT on petrol and diesel, two BJP-ruled states Gujarat and Maharashtra have today slashed the VAT on fuel.

The Gujarat government on Tuesday announced a 4 per cent cut in VAT on petrol and diesel, effective from midnight, to bring down fuel prices in the state.The Maharashtra government reduced petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2 and Rs 1 respectively.

Loss to Gujarat, Maharashtra

 

Slashing VAT would put a burden of Rs 2,316 crore a year on Gujarat’s exchequer. Gujarat annually earns Rs 12,000 crore by way of VAT on petrol and diesel.

 

Maharashtra, on the other hand, will lose an annual revenue loss of Rs 2,000 crore to the state exchequer.

 

Petrol, diesel price cut

 

Last week the finance ministry decided to cut excise duty Rs 2 per litre on both branded and unbranded petrol and diesel.

Terming it a ‘risk for the benefit of the people’, Dharmendra Pradhan told state to take up the responsibility and cut VAT on petrol and diesel by at least 5 per cent.

 

States’ VAT

States levy VAT in the range of 25-40 per cent on petrol and between 15-25 per cent on diesel. While Kerala had increased VAT on petrol to 34 per cent from 26 per cent, Mahrashtra had increased to 47 per cent from 27 per cent and Delhi to 27 per cent from 20 per cent with in a year. | Readmore…

No firecrackers in Delhi-NCR this Diwali as SC bans sale until Nov 1

The bench said they wanted to see the impact of a cracker-free festivity at least in one Diwali

The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that there will be no sale of firecrackers during Diwali, as it restored a November 2016 order banning the sale of firecrackers and stocking of firecrackers in Delhi and National Capital Region.

A bench headed by Justice A K Sikri, while restoring the order, said: “We should see at least in one Diwali the impact of a cracker-free festivity.”

However, the court said that the September 12, 2017 order lifting the ban on the sale and stocking of firecrackers in Delhi NCR will be back into effect from November 1.

Forbes India rich list is out: Ambani richest with $38 bn net worth, Premji 2nd

Mukesh Ambani remains India’s wealthiest with a net worth of $38 bn, Azim Premji distant second

economy news : Indeed, even as the nation is confronting financial hiccups and the administration confronting reactions from different quarters over its treatment of the economy, the wealthiest individuals in India don’t appear to be influenced. Despite organizations confronting troubles in the consequence of the administration’s demonetisation of high-esteem cash last November and its rollout of the products and enterprises assess (GST) administration in July this year, India’s 100 wealthiest big shots have seen their joined total assets zooming to an incredible $479 billion, up 26 for each penny from $374 billion out of 2016.

As per the Forbes‘ yearly rundown of India’s 100 wealthiest big shots, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani remains the nation’s wealthiest, with a total assets of $38 billion, Wipro Chairman Azim Premji is a far off second on the rundown with precisely a large portion of the riches. His total assets remains at $19 billion.

Here are the top 10 richest Indians by net worth on Forbes annual list of India’s 100 richest tycoons: