Month: October 2023

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Economy and Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov has called for peace and stability in Afghanistan, saying it is important for the region, TOLO News reported.

TOLO News is an Afghan news channel broadcasting from Kabul.

Kuchkarov visited Afghanistan on Sunday and met with several Taliban officials including the Taliban’s appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and the acting Minister of Industry and Commerce.

“The ministers of agriculture and water resources of Uzbekistan are among the delegation and want to use their experiences in Afghanistan,” Kuchkarov told a gathering held at Afghanistan’s Presidential Palace.

The Taliban-appointed deputy PM’s office said that the two sides discussed trade, transit and economic relations as well as cooperation in railways, transport, the extraction of mines, water management and the facilitation of educational opportunities for Afghan youth.

“The visits of the senior delegation show that the contacts between the two sides are strengthening. We hope we have good improvements in this meeting, particularly in the field of trade and transit,” Mullah Baradar said, as per Tolo News.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, said that efforts are underway to increase trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to USD 3 billion and that the Hairatan port will be operating 24/7 from next month.

“The decision has been taken that our trade will be boosted from USD 600 million to USD 3 billion because the President has said to increase the trade rate to USD 2 billion but we are happy that we will increase it to USD 3 billion,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged the officials of the two countries to boost facilities for the traders on both sides.

“There was no security before in Afghanistan. There was only poppy cultivation… Afghanistan is now a good field for investment,” said Mohammad Younus Momand, first deputy of the ACCI.

An exhibition of Uzbekistani products was also inaugurated in the presence of the delegation in Chaman Hozori Park in Kabul. (ANI)

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has directed the Karnataka government to release 2,600 cusecs of water every day for the next 15 days, that is, November 15, 2023.

In the meeting of the Cauvery Water Control Committee held in the national capital, the Karnataka government made the submission before the CWRC requesting to report to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), that in light of “almost nil” inflows into the four reservoirs so as to reach Biligundlu (on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border) except that would be contributed from the uncontrolled catchment.

The Tamil Nadu government, on the other hand, demanded its Karnataka counterpart to ensure the release of 13,000 cusecs of water every day for the next 15 days.

Meanwhile, Karnataka had been releasing 3,000 of Cauvery water every day for the last 15 days.

Earlier this month, at the CWRC meeting, the Karnataka government was directed to ensure the release of 3,000 cusecs of water daily from the Cauvery between October 16 and October 31.

In September this year, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee ordered Karnataka to ensure the release of 3,000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu starting from September 28 till October 15, 2023.

Karnataka filed a review petition against the order both in the Supreme Court and in the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).

Karnataka government had cited a severe drought in parts of its state to refuse the supply of water to Tamil Nadu. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on October 5 said that cumulative inflows into the reservoirs in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin are decreasing.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday, October 9, 2023, adopted a resolution urging the Union government to direct Karnataka to release Cauvery water as per the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority. The resolution was passed unanimously.

The governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been locked in a protracted tussle over the sharing of Cauvery waters. The river is seen as a major source of sustenance for the people in either state.

The Centre formed the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on June 2, 1990, to adjudicate disputes between Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Puducherry with respect to their individual water-sharing capacities. (ANI)

Unbeaten in the tournament Team India will look to continue their red-hot form in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 when they face Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

The two-time winners India on Monday arrived in Mumbai after they registered a dominating 100-run victory against defending champions England.

Men in Blue arrived at the airport on Monday and after boarding the bus, opener Shubman Gill and batter Ishan Kishan were seen having a conversation.

India’s 100-run victory over England at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium on Sunday expanded its winning run to six successive matches, while Sri Lanka currently have two wins from five games at the 50-over tournament and sits in fifth place on the standings with four group matches remaining.

With six convincing wins to start the season, the hosts are in a strong position to clinch a vital top-four finish.

Speaking about the match Kuldeep Yadav said that the Indian were able to bring various aspects of their game together.

” I mean, it is good if we get the batting first. But if we got a good score, it would have been more fun. The score was good at 230 and the wicket was difficult. The way Rohit [Sharma] batted and gave a good respectable total of 230. I was hoping that if we get two wickets in powerplay, we will be in the game. The way Shami and Jasprit bowled, the first spell, they got two wickets in powerplay and we were back in the game. My job was simple, to bowl at a good length. It was spinning. I used the crease well. The result was good,” said Kuldeep.

The tournament front-runners, headed by captain Rohit and chase maestro Virat Kohli, won all five of their first games batting second. However, they faltered at moments when England requested them to bat first in Lucknow. But India’s bowling attack proved its mettle when it mattered most, winning six out of six games. (ANI)

After the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the bail plea of Manish Sisodia in connection with cases related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy case, Aam Adami Party (AAP) minister Atishi said that her party does not ‘agree’ with the order of the apex court.

Atishi while addressing a press conference here said that the AAP will study the order and explore legal options.

“We respect SC but do not agree with order dismissing Manish Sisodia bail plea. We will study it and explore legal options,” she said.

Further, the Delhi minister said that her party was and will remain honest.

“Not even a single leader of AAP is corrupt. The AAP was honest, is honest and will remain an honest party,” Atishi said.

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the bail plea of Manish Sisodia in connection with cases related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy case.

Meanwhile the BJP has claimed that the SC order proves corruption is steeped in the AAP and soon the Delhi Chief Minister will get arrested

“After this decision, it has been proved that Manish Sisodia and AAP are full of corruption… Now the arrest of top leaders of AAP is near… Arvind Kejriwal too will get arrested” said BJP leader an Lok Sabha MP Manoj Tiwary.

In February 2023, Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI for alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of now-scrapped Delhi’s new excise policy.

The policy was withdrawn amid allegations of foul play by the opposition. Sisodia is currently in judicial custody.

According to the CBI, Sisodia had played the most important and vital role in the criminal conspiracy, and he had been deeply involved in the formulation as well as the implementation of the said policy to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the said conspiracy.

“We have dismissed the bail plea of Manish Sisodia,” the court said on Monday.

The order was delivered by a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti.

However, the court directed to complete the trial in the case in six to eight months. The court also remarked that if the trial in the case proceeds at a slow pace, Sisodia can apply for bail again after three months.

The court, while refusing bail, also took note of the aspects regarding the transfer of a money trail of 338 crore, which is tentatively established.

Manish Sisodia had moved the Supreme Court for bail in CBI and ED cases related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy case. He had challenged the Delhi HC order rejecting his bail plea. The Delhi High Court had denied him bail in both matters.

Recently, the Supreme Court reserved judgement on the bail pleas of Manish Sisodia in the liquor policy irregularities cases

In its order passed on July 3, 2023, in the ED case, the Delhi HC had stated that this court, inter alia, was of the view that, in view of the high political positions held by the accused and his position in the party in power in Delhi, the possibility of influencing the witnesses cannot be ruled out. (ANI)

The United States has emphasised that the fact that Hamas is using Palestinian civilians as human shields in Gaza, does not lessen Israel’s responsibility of protecting the civilians, The Hill reported.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS, that the US is “very focused” on how terrorist group Hamas is using civilians as human shields in Gaza as Israel continues to bombard the territory.

Sullivan said Hamas terrorists are “hiding behind civilians” as Israel vows to eliminate the group, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the US.

“They’re putting rockets and other terrorist infrastructure in civilian areas. That creates an added burden for the Israeli Defence Forces,” he said.

“But it does not lessen their responsibility to distinguish between terrorists and innocent civilians and to protect the lives of innocent civilians as they conduct this military operation,” The Hill quoted him as saying.

“That’s true of striking from the air. It is true of going in on the ground, and this is something that we talk about with the Israelis on a daily basis,” Sullivan added.

Sullivan reiterated that the US has maintained that all innocent lives in Israel and Gaza should be protected.

When asked if the US is requesting the Israeli military “to be more limited in its tactics or more strategic” since the US provides weapons and aid every year to Israel, Sullivan said that they will hold Israel accountable if it violates the law of armed conflict, The Hill reported.

“The United States of America, when we transfer weapons to another country, whether it’s Israel or anyone else, requests, requires an assurance that those weapons will be used in accordance with the law of armed conflict, and we seek accountability to ensure that that is the case, we will continue to do that,” Sullivan said.

He added, “And we do not stand for the killing of innocent people, whether it be Palestinian, Israeli or otherwise. And we weep and grieve for every last life and will continue to do so”.

The conflict in Gaza escalated after the October 7 attack by Hamas, where about 2,500 terrorists breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to casualties and the seizure of hostages. At least 1400 Israelis were killed in this attack.

Israel has characterised its Gaza offensive as targeting Hamas’ infrastructure with the goal of eliminating the entire terror group while making efforts to minimise civilian casualties, The Times of Israel reported.

Over 8000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. (ANI)

The death toll in the train collision in Andhra Pradesh has risen to 14 in Vizianagaram district, police said.

The police had earlier said that out of the casualties, seven were identified and the process to identify other bodies was underway.

Biswajit Sahu, Chief Public Relations Officer of East Coast Railway said that the rescue operation is over and the focus has now shifted to track restoration work.

“The rescue operation is over now. We have arranged buses and trains for the stranded passengers. A total of 18 trains have been cancelled and 22 trains have been diverted. We are trying to clear the track by 4 pm today,” Biswajit Sahu said.

Biswajit Sahu further said that victims with minor injuries have been admitted to the nearby Alamanda hospital.

“Passengers with minor injuries are getting first aid treatment in Alamanda Hospital, and those with serious injuries have been shifted to Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam Hospital. We arranged trains and buses for the stranded passengers. Many trains have been cancelled and diverted. We are informing the passengers through SMS, and we have set up a help desk,” he said.

Sahu further added that 18 trains had been cancelled and 22 trains were diverted. “Our two ART (Accident Relief Train) teams are working there and all the staff from Sambalpur headquarters division are working there and we are trying to clear the track by 4 p.m. in the evening,” he further said.

A few coaches derailed after the Visakhapatnam-Ragada passenger train hit Visakhapatnam-Ragada train travelling on the same route in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district on Sunday evening, officials said. The Divisional Railway Manager said that three coaches were involved in the accident.

“There was a rear collision between the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train and the Visakhapatnam-Ragada passenger train. Three coaches were involved in the accident. Rescue operations are underway, local administration and NDRF were informed for assistance and ambulances. Accident relief trains reached the site,” the Divisional Railway Manager said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Reddy ordered to take immediate relief measures and to send as many ambulances as possible from Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli.

“CM Reddy ordered to take immediate relief measures and to send as many ambulances as possible from Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli, the nearest districts of Vizianagaram, and to make all kinds of arrangements in nearby hospitals to provide good medical care,” the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office posted on X. (ANI)

After the Maratha reservation meeting held today, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the government has formed an advisory board under the leadership of various retired Judges to look into the matter.

Addressing the press conference after the meeting, CM Shinde said “We have formed an advisory board on the subject of Maratha reservation under the leadership of retired Justice Bhosle, retired Justice Gaikwad and retired Justice Shinde. This advisory board will give suggestions to the government in the matter related to keeping Marathas in the Supreme Court as to what can be done regarding Maratha reservation. Along with this, we will also collect empirical data with the help of the Backward Classes Commission in the entire state. So that we can tell the Supreme Court in the curative petition that is pending that how backward the Maratha community is.”

In the crucial meeting, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP ministers Chandrakant Dada Patil, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Minister Shambhuraj Desai, Dada Bhuse from Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction, Minister Dilip Walse Patil from Nationalist Congress (Ajit Pawar faction) were present today.

Manoj Jarange Patil, who works as a coordinator for the Maratha Morcha, is on a hunger strike unto death demanding reservation for the Maratha community.

Speaking on this, CM Shinde said “Tomorrow representatives from Manoj Jarange Patil will meet members of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for Maratha Reservation for further discussions. We will give a message through the Divisional Commissioner to Manoj Jarange Patil. I request Manoj Jarange Patil to call off his indefinite hunger strike as we are working on what his demands are.”

“In the first report submitted by the Justice Shinde committee, over One Lakh Marathas have been identified with valid proof which can be considered for giving them reservation. We will give reservations to the Maratha community in 2 phases, one through the Kunbi Caste Certificate and the other in general to the Maratha community on the basis of economic backwardness which will stand legal scrutiny,” he added.

Further, CM Shinde also mentioned the shortcomings in the efforts made by previous governments to get Maratha reservation passed.

“At one time, the government of Devendra Fadnavis gave reservation to the Maratha community and all the people together proved that the reservation was legally correct in the High Court and later when the matter went to the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court found shortcomings in it and was rejected. Today I do not want to do politics on this matter, but it is true that when this matter went before the Supreme Court, it found negligence on the part of the government of that time (Uddhav govt) in many matters, which was necessary after the repeated demands of the Supreme Court,” CM Shinde said.

He emphasized that his government is now following up on the curative petition pending in the Supreme Court and trying to make the Apex Court understand as to how Maratha reservation is completely right from the point of view of the law.

He also targeted the people inciting violence in the name of the Maratha reservation and said that due to some people creating arson, fingers are being raised on the entire movement. “Those who are involved in violence should also keep in mind that it also harms the Maratha society and their families will also suffer due to it,” he added. (ANI)

Amid deteriorating air quality in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday stated that all diesel buses running in Delhi-NCR which are coming from other states will be banned from entry from November 1.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, “The Delhi government is working on all the parameters under the winter action plan. Last year, the AQI on October 29 was 397, and yesterday it was 325. So there has been an improvement. We are trying to improve it further. The next 15 days are very important, and we are preparing for them. All the industrial units in Delhi have been shifted from polluted fuel to natural gas. We have formed teams to monitor if anyone is using polluted fuel. The ‘Red Light on, Gaadi off’ campaign is voluntary. I appeal to the people of Delhi to turn off their vehicle’s engine when there is a red signal.”

He further said that from November 1, all the diesel buses running in Delhi-NCR coming from outside are being directed to run on alternative fuel.

Earlier, Rai urged the Centre to impose a stringent ban on buses running on subpar diesel and put a ban on BS III and BS IV buses operating in NCR areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The Minister conducted a surprise inspection of Kashmiri Gate ISBT for diesel buses coming from NCR states as per the Delhi Government’s efforts to tackle vehicular pollution.

“The Environment Minister stated that the central government should implement a complete ban on BS III and BS IV buses operating in NCR areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Minister Gopal Rai further informed that from November 1st, checking will be conducted by the Transport Department at all entry points,” read the release from the office of the minister.

Gopal Rai said, “At present, pollution generated from vehicles is increasing. All buses in Delhi are running on CNG. More than 800 electric buses are also running in Delhi. However due to BS III and BS IV diesel buses running in UP, Haryana, Rajasthan NCR area, pollution is increasing in Delhi. During the inspection at ISBT, it was found that all the buses that have come here from UP and Haryana are BS III and BS IV buses. None of the buses have come from there with electric and CNG. That is why we demand that the Centre implement a complete ban on BS III and BS IV buses operating in NCR areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.”

The Environment Minister mentioned that the drivers of diesel buses coming from NCR states were also made aware today that only electric, CNG and BS-VI buses can come to Delhi from November 1st.

From November 1, a checking campaign will be conducted by the Transport Department at all entry points. Action will be taken against any buses that do not follow the rules. (ANI)

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar said on Monday that the government is making every effort to ensure relief for the eight Indian personnel detained in Qatar. The eight Indians who now face the death penalty in Qatar for alleged spying are all former Naval personnel.

Speaking at an event in Goa, Kumar said, “The court hearing was supposed to be transcribed and provided to us on Sunday…but we heard the MEA statement on this.

“Every effort is being made by the government to ensure we take this up through the legal course and we get relief for our personnel,” he added.

This comes after the Court of First Instance of Qatar passed a verdict of the death penalty for the eight former naval officers who were detained in Doha.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the families of eight Indians detained in Qatar and assured them that the government will make all efforts to secure their release.

The EAM said that the government attaches the “highest importance” to the case and will coordinate closely with the families in that regard.

“Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar. Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families. Underlined that the Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release. Will coordinate closely with the families in that regard,” Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it was “deeply shocked” by the verdict and now awaits the detailed judgement.

“We have initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar has today passed a judgement in the case involving 8 Indian employees of Al Dahra company,” the MEA said in a statement.

“We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” it added.

The MEA further stated that the matter is very important to us, the MEA said adding that and they have been keeping a close eye on it.

“We attach high importance to this case, and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities,” the MEA release said.

“Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture,” it added.

The eight Indian nationals have been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022 and were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme.

New Delhi had been granted consular access to the eight Indians and had been working to secure their release. The Indian nationals had their first trial in late March. (ANI)