Hurriyat office vandalised in Srinagar over targeted killing of Kashmiri Pandits

The All Parties Hurriyat's office was vandalised in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, on Monday during protests against killing of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley. A mass agitation has erupted in the valley ever since the killing of Puran Krishan Bhat in Shopian district last week. A fruit cultivator, Bhat, was attacked near his home in the Chowdhary Gund area of Shopian district on Saturday morning. A massive candlelight vigil was held in Shopian.

'Asked for my death': Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife says day before his release

Navjot Kaur Sidhu, former MLA and wife of Navjot Singh Sidhu, has posted a heartfelt message a day before her husband's possible release from jail. Sidhu was sentenced to one-year rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty in the 1988 road rage case. He may be released early based on his good conduct. Kaur Sidhu has been battling cancer and posted a message saying she asked for death from God out of anger, but God left her in between.

Afternoon brief: 8 people arrested in Gujarat for putting posters against PM Modi, and all the latest news

Eight people have been arrested over "Modi Hatao, Desh Bachao" posters in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This comes after Delhi Police filed 185 cases and apprehended six people for delivering similar material to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) offices. Meanwhile, a 29-year-old Dutch woman was allegedly molested and stabbed by a resort staffer in Goa, and a road in Delhi caved in due to heavy rain. In entertainment news, "Bholaa," starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu, opened in theaters with a collection of ?11.2 crore, and celebrities attended the Dior Fall 2023 show in Mumbai.

PM Modi wishes Pope Francis speedy recovery from bronchitis infection

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his wishes for Pope Francis' speedy recovery from bronchitis on Friday. The Pope was admitted to a hospital in Rome on Wednesday after experiencing breathing difficulties, and is now receiving antibiotic therapy. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni has said that the Pope could be released from the hospital in the coming days. Pope Francis has a history of health issues, having suffered from severe pneumonia as a young man and experiencing knee pain in recent years.

New US envoy may get love from Jaishankar but should beware of Amit Shah

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has dismissed past remarks made by the US's newly appointed ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, on human rights and India's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying he will make Garcetti understand the issues with "100% love." Jaishankar's comments come after Garcetti had previously said he would directly reach out to Indian civil society on human rights, prioritizing it as the "core piece" of his engagement with India. However, it is unlikely that other key members of the Narendra Modi government, such as Home Minister Amit Shah, will respond to Garcetti's concerns on human rights or the CAA in the same way.

Dutch tourist molested, stabbed at Goa resort; Staff arrested

A Dutch tourist was stabbed and molested by a resort employee in Goa only hours after she arrived in the area for a yoga retreat. The 29-year-old woman was staying in a rented tent in Pernem town when the 27-year-old accused, Abhishek Verma, allegedly trespassed and attacked her. Another local resident who attempted to help was also stabbed. The victim was able to disarm the attacker and was later taken to hospital with multiple injuries. Two staff members of a hotel were also arrested in north Goa last week for allegedly assaulting a Russian woman.

Rahul Gandhi's namesake disqualified, days after his parliament expulsion

The Indian Election Commission has disqualified a man named Rahul Gandhi from contesting elections for three years due to his failure to submit an account of election expenses. However, this is not the same Rahul Gandhi who is the leader of the opposition Indian National Congress party. The disqualified Rahul Gandhi was an independent candidate who contested against the Congress leader in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, receiving only 2,196 votes. The Congress leader was also disqualified recently due to his conviction in a criminal defamation case.

Mann's daughter gets threat calls from pro-Khalistan elements: ‘act of extreme…'

Swati Maliwal, chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, has appealed to the Indian embassy in the US to ensure the safety of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's daughter Seerat Kaur, following reports that she received death threats from pro-Khalistan elements. The alleged calls came amid protests by pro-Khalistan protestors against the crackdown on radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates in Punjab. The Indian consulate in San Francisco was recently attacked by a group of pro-Khalistan protesters.

Indore temple stepwell roof collapse: Toll rises to 35, rescue operation on

At least 30 people have died and nine are missing after a roof collapsed at the Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal temple in Indore, India, during celebrations for Ram Navami. The roof, which was covered with stone slabs, fell in on Thursday, killing several people who were drowned or suffocated. Up to 70 army soldiers have joined the rescue operation. A magisterial inquiry has been opened and the temple trust has faced calls for action from the families of the deceased.

Covid-19: India logs 3,095 new Covid cases, active caseload crosses 15,000-mark

India recorded 3,095 new COVID-19 cases on 1 October, the highest daily increase in almost six months. The country?s active caseload has now surpassed 15,000, while the recovery rate is almost 99%. Five new fatalities were also reported, bringing the total death toll to 530,867. In response to the surge, the Indian health ministry has issued revised guidelines, including physical distancing, indoor mask use, hand hygiene, temperature and oxygen monitoring, and immediate medical attention if experiencing difficulty breathing or high-grade fever.

Kapil Sibal says 'don't need abroad endorsement' on Rahul Gandhi, democracy

Former Congress leader Kapil Sibal has said his party does not need foreign support in its fight against the Indian government, following comments by a German foreign affairs ministry spokesperson on the case of suspended MP Rahul Gandhi. Sibal's comments came after Union ministers including Nirmala Sitharaman criticised Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for thanking the German official for taking note of Gandhi's treatment. The Congress later distanced itself from Singh's remarks.

Morning brief: After Indian experts get fake calls, Singapore think tank reacts; and all the latest news

Singapore's Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) has issued a warning to be vigilant about "suspicious communications" after it was mentioned by an individual who approached Indian journalists and researchers in a suspected China-linked operation. The SIIA said it took the "issue of fraud very seriously". The operation involved people posing as senior officials and journalists to obtain sensitive data about India's economy and security, according to Indian police. China's embassy in New Delhi has denied any involvement in the matter.

Lalit Modi posts photos of grandparents, Congress says, ‘Will Nirav Modi too…’

The Indian National Congress has questioned whether fugitives Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi will also be pressured to file a case against Rahul Gandhi after ex-IPL chairman Lalit Modi threatened to sue the MP over a comment he made in 2019. Congress leader KC Venugopal called Lalit Modi a "global scamster" and criticised the BJP for allowing him to lead a "plush life abroad". Lalit Modi, who fled India in 2010, has said he will file the suit against Gandhi next week. Gandhi was convicted by a Surat court for his comment, and the Congress is appealing.

BJP's Nitin Gadkari quitting politics? Here's what Modi's minister said

Indian Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has denied speculation that he is planning to retire from politics. Gadkari, who is Minister of Road Transport and Highways, commented that he was ?not in the mood for buttering up? voters and that he was keen to spend more time on issues such as water conservation, climate change and waste land. His comments were taken by some as an indication of his dissatisfaction with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) top brass.

History of freedom struggle was confined to one family till Modi became PM: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in "immortalising" Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and reviving symbols of Hinduism, including the Kashi-Vishwanath and Somnath temples. Speaking at the 2nd Sanyas Diksha Mahotsav at Patanjali Yogpeeth, Shah also lauded Ramdev's individual contribution to yoga, Ayurveda, and swadeshi. He performed a havan at the yogpeeth and addressed programmes at the Gurukula Kangri and Rishikul. Shah also hailed the New Education Policy's emphasis on universal education based on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Dayanand Saraswati.

Indore temple well collapse: Death toll rises to 35, search op still underway

The death toll in the temple stepwell collapse incident in Madhya Pradesh's Indore has increased to 35, according to officials. A rescue operation led by the Madhya Pradesh police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Emergency and Response Force (SDERF) and district administration is still underway. Questions are now being raised as to how did the administration allow construction of a slab atop an ancient well.