Kalimpong News

Partial Closure of NH-10 Likely as Authorities Coordinate Traffic Regulation at Vulnerable Locations

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 03:46:09 +0000

KalimNews, Kalimpong, November 14: Authorities in the Darjeeling hills and adjoining areas have been alerted to coordinate traffic regulation along National Highway 10 (NH-10), particularly at vulnerable locations, following a communication issued by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Project Monitoring Unit (PMU), Siliguri.

The communication, issued by the Deputy General Manager (P), NHIDCL, Siliguri, has been circulated to several senior officials, including the District Magistrates of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Namchi, Pakyong and Gangtok, as well as police and traffic authorities in the region.

The letter specifically requests the Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling/Kalimpong, to arrange the deployment of necessary police personnel to regulate traffic at vulnerable locations. It also seeks necessary action from the SP Traffic, Darjeeling/Kalimpong, the Deputy Commissioner of Traffic, Siliguri Police Commissionerate, and the Officer-in-Charge of NH-10 Highway, Darjeeling/Kalimpong.

Other agencies, including the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), IRCON, NHPC, the Public Works Department of West Bengal and the Army, have also been kept informed.

The communication highlights the need for coordinated intervention by the concerned departments to ensure proper traffic management along the highway.

The move comes amid concerns over traffic movement and safety at vulnerable stretches of NH-10. However, the communication available does not specify the exact stretch, duration or timing of the proposed partial closure or traffic restrictions.

Commuters and transport operators have been advised to remain attentive to further announcements from the district administration and traffic police regarding movement along NH-10.

Suvendu Adhikari Seeks Rs 400 Daily Wage for Rural Employment Scheme Workers

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 03:38:01 +0000

MP, Nov 14, 2026, Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari urged the Centre to raise the minimum daily wage for unskilled workers engaged under the rural employment programme to Rs 400.

Adhikari said he had pleaded with Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on the issue.

Speaking at Nabanna Sabhaghar on Friday, Adhikari said he had discussed the proposal with Chouhan during his recent visit to Bhopal. The state has also sent a letter to the Centre seeking the wage revision, he said.

The Chief Minister claimed that nearly 10 lakh man-days were being generated daily in Bengal under the Viksit Bharat G Ram G scheme, with around 1.6 crore man-days created within a few days.

He expressed confidence that the state would achieve the Centre's target of generating 22 crore man-days within the stipulated period.

Adhikari also assured a revision of allowances for supervisors engaged in the scheme.

He asked the state Finance Secretary to issue revised guidelines at the earliest, suggesting that the enhanced allowance could be implemented from this month without imposing a significant additional financial burden.

Emphasising the need to strengthen the rural development machinery, the CM said the government had approved recruitment to around 8,000 posts in the Panchayat and Rural Development Department.

Siliguri Hosts First-Ever MP Deusi Bhailo Mahotsav to Celebrate Gorkha Culture and Heritage

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 03:27:29 +0000

Sanchita Aich Bag, MP, Nov 14, 2026, Siliguri: A three-day ‘MP Deusi Bhailo Mahotsav’, celebrating Gorkha culture and heritage, began at Milan More Football Ground in Siliguri on Friday.

Organised by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista for the first time here, the festival will continue till November 15.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, along with several prominent leaders and MLAs from the hills. A large number of people gathered at the venue to witness the inauguration.

The festival aims to showcase the distinct cultural identity, traditions and heritage of the Gorkha community on a wider platform.

Through folk music, traditional dances, ethnic attire and indigenous cuisine, the event will highlight the community’s rich cultural diversity.

Another key objective is to connect the younger generation with their roots and traditions while encouraging them to take pride in their cultural identity.

“Cultures may be different, but the bonds of belongingness and togetherness among us remain the same. Strengthening this beautiful message of unity in diversity is the primary objective of the Deusi Bhailo Mahotsav. I request everyone to participate in the festival,” said Raju Bista.

Apart from musical performances by different bands, one of the major highlights of the festival is the traditional Deusi Bhailo competition, in which a total of 20 teams will participate.

The winning team will receive a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, while the second- and third-place winners will be awarded Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, respectively.

In addition, all participating teams will receive financial assistance and recognition for their participation.

Himalayan Disasters Raise Concerns Over Safety of North Bengal's River Basins

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 03:24:39 +0000

MP, Nov 14, 2026, Jalpaiguri: The growing threat of glacial lake outbursts, erratic rainfall and other climate-related disasters in the Himalayas has raised serious concerns over the safety of North Bengal's river basins. Experts warn that disasters originating in the mountains could put downstream settlements, tea gardens, agricultural land and critical infrastructure at risk.

The recent incident involving a sudden release of water from Lake Sintaphu in Bhutan has once again highlighted the region's vulnerability.

On October 29, a massive volume of water surged out of the lake in Bhutan's Gasa district, damaging roads and bridges. The water flowed through the Maphu River towards the Sankosh, prompting flood alerts in parts of West Bengal and Assam.

The Central Water Commission also issued a special alert, with authorities taking precautions in Alipurduar and Assam's Dhubri district.

The incident brought back memories of the October 4, 2023, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) from South Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim. The disaster devastated the Teesta basin, washing away bridges and damaging roads, settlements and hydropower projects. Its impact extended from Sikkim to the plains of North Bengal.

Fresh concerns emerged after the Sikkim High Court, on November 5, stressed the urgent need for early warning systems for 40 high-risk glacial lakes in the state.

The court also emphasised better disaster management and coordination between the Centre and state governments.

Researcher and academic Dr Debarshi Ghosh said Himalayan rivers must be monitored as interconnected basin systems.

"Simply monitoring water levels in the plains is not enough to provide a complete warning of impending danger. Regular scientific monitoring must begin at the source of these rivers in the mountains, and arrangements must be made to ensure that the information reaches the administration in the downstream areas without delay," he said.

North Bengal's major rivers, including the Teesta, Torsa, Jaldhaka, Raidak and Sankosh, have distinct basin characteristics.

Experts believe satellite monitoring of glacial lakes, automated water-level systems, integrated weather and river-flow data, and coordination among India, Bhutan and Sikkim are essential.

Experts stress that disaster preparedness must begin in the mountains, long before rising water levels threaten the plains.

WBHRC Seeks Report on Allegations of Custodial Torture and Encounter Threat Against Diamond Harbour Police

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 03:21:55 +0000

MP, Nov 14, 2026, Kolkata: The West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC) has sought a report from the Diamond Harbour Superintendent of Police and three police stations following allegations of custodial torture and threats of a staged encounter raised by Sumit Roy's wife, Susmita Ghosh.

Taking cognisance of her representations, the commission has directed the Diamond Harbour Deputy Superintendent of Police to maintain strict vigil over the investigation involving Roy. Notices have also been issued to the Diamond Harbour Police Station, Kalitala Ashuti Police Station and Ushti Police Station.

In her November 6 representation, Ghosh alleged that her husband was subjected to physical and mental torture during police remand, threatened at gunpoint and denied access to his CPAP machine. She also apprehended that police might stage an encounter to implicate him further.

WBHRC chairperson Justice I P Mukerji has sought a lawful and humane investigation, with a compliance report expected by November 30.

The development comes amid a separate legal battle initiated by Ghosh before the Calcutta High Court, where she sought protection for her husband, alleging that police were pressuring him to take responsibility for the seizure of Rs 1.02 crore from a premises in Diamond Harbour.

She had alleged that Roy was made to pose beside the seized currency during a police press conference and sought an independent Special Investigation Team under the supervision of a retired High Court judge to probe alleged custodial intimidation and fabrication of evidence.

However, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya deferred the hearing, directing that the matter be placed before the Regular Bench after the court reopens following the vacation.

West Bengal Working with Centre to Strengthen Policing and Improve Law and Order: Suvendu Adhikari

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 03:00:47 +0000

PTI, Nov 13, 2026, Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said his government was taking a series of measures in coordination with the Centre to strengthen policing and improve the law and order situation in the state.

He made the statement as the government signed an MoU with the Centre to modernise the state police force and launched a mobile application to improve police-public interaction.

Adhikari said the MoU had been signed with the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), a central government agency, to implement various police modernisation initiatives.

Announcing the launch of the 'Police Mitra' app, he said it would allow residents to identify police officers responsible for their respective localities and access details about beat officers and their assigned duties.

Adhikari said people should know who their beat officers were and what responsibilities they had, adding that the initiative would improve transparency and strengthen police-public engagement.

He also called for providing them with appropriate electronic equipment.

"Planning alone is not enough; proper implementation is equally important. Adequate manpower is essential for this. West Bengal is currently facing a shortage of police personnel," he said.

The Chief Minister also called for daily monitoring of police activities and an effective mechanism to ensure accountability, with clearly defined reporting structures within the force.

He said the police administration should gradually reduce its dependence on civic volunteers and rely more on regular police personnel.

The state government was taking steps to strengthen the internal organisational structure of the police force, with the Home Secretary and senior police officials monitoring the implementation, he added.

Adhikari said joint coordination meetings had also been held at the district level with central agencies on security and administrative matters.

Centre Extends Ban on Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for Five Years Under UAPA

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 02:56:48 +0000

PTI, Nov 13, 2026, New Delhi: The Centre on Friday extended the ban on fugitive preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years under the stringent UAPA, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah saying that the outfit was propagating a "venomous ideology" of terrorism and separatism.

In a gazette notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the IRF had been engaged in activities prejudicial to the security of the country, with the potential to disturb peace and communal harmony. The earlier five-year ban on the organisation was set to expire on November 14.

"Led by fugitive terror preacher Dr Zakir Naik, the organisation has been involved in sinister anti-India designs, including inciting communal hatred and promoting terrorism," Shah said in a post on X.

"In steadfast adherence to PM Shri @narendramodiJi's vision of zero tolerance towards terrorism and anti-national activities, MHA extends the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation as an unlawful association under the UAPA," he added.

The Home Minister further said that the group had been instigating violent unrest, encouraging the regrouping of absconding terrorists, and fomenting communal discord.

According to the MHA notification, the government invoked powers under Sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), to declare the IRF an unlawful association, a decision previously upheld by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal.

"The Central Government is of the opinion that the IRF and its members, particularly the founder and President of the IRF, Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik alias Dr Zakir Naik, have been encouraging and aiding its followers to promote or attempt to promote, on grounds of religion, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious communities and groups, which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country," the notification read.

The ministry said that Naik's speeches and statements were "objectionable and subversive", accusing him of inspiring youth in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts. It pointed out that Naik had broadcast radical content to millions worldwide via international satellite television networks, the internet, print and social media.

Warning of the consequences of inaction, the MHA said that if the IRF's unlawful activities were not curbed immediately, the outfit would reorganise its absconding activists, disrupt the country's secular fabric, propagate anti-national sentiments and escalate secessionism by supporting militancy.

"The Central Government, for the above-mentioned reasons, is of the opinion that, having regard to the activities of the IRF, it is necessary to declare the IRF as an unlawful association with immediate effect," the notification added.

Naik, a resident of Maharashtra, was on a trip abroad when his organisation was banned by the government in 2016. Since then, he has been staying in Malaysia.

In 2017, his passport was also revoked at the request of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had registered a case against him.

India has been pursuing legal and diplomatic measures against Naik since November 17, 2016, when the central government declared his organisation an unlawful association under the UAPA, citing allegations of promoting enmity and hatred between religious communities.

Microsoft Outage Disrupts Companies and Government Services Worldwide as Restoration Efforts Continue

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 02:51:08 +0000

PTI, Nov 13, 2026, Hong Kong: From Asia to the US, Microsoft's outage involving services like Outlook and Teams has dragged on for hours and impacted many users, companies and some government operations as the technology giant struggled with fixing the issue.

Microsoft said in an update on Friday that the outage was affecting a wide range of Microsoft 365 offerings that interact with its Exchange Online and email services. Services including Outlook, Teams and AI assistant Copilot were reported by users to be down.

The Redmond, Washington-based company said it was trying different ways to identify the cause of the problem and get its servers back online, using "a measured approach to identify and repair affected infrastructure".

The company said it did not have any indication that the outage was caused by malicious activity and would treat the incident "with urgency and priority until full resolution".

More than 130,000 users on outage tracker Downdetector reported problems accessing Outlook earlier on Thursday, although new reports have since fallen from that peak.

A series of posts by the company on X suggested its engineers were struggling to get the problem fully under control. Hours after saying it had managed to successfully restore service health and functionality, the company said it had updated its list of impacted services and was continuing to address the issue.

Its most recent post offered little hope for users expecting a quick resolution.

"We've monitored the status of the changes applied to improve serviceability and confirmed they're not taking as expected," the company wrote.

US-based industrial technology company Workhorse Group Inc. delayed a conference call for its quarterly earnings because of the outage.

In Australia, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Friday Microsoft had likened the widespread outage to the CrowdStrike outage in 2024.

Burke said he had spoken to Microsoft's top executive in Australia and the government's national cybersecurity coordinator about the global disruption.

"They (Microsoft) don't believe they are dealing with a cyberattack. They believe that they are dealing in some ways (with something) similar to what we saw with respect to CrowdStrike where there is an update that has gone awry," Burke told reporters in Sydney.

Texas-based cybersecurity company CrowdStrike blamed a bug in an update that allowed its systems to push bad data out to millions of customer computers, setting off a global technology outage in July 2024 that grounded flights, took TV broadcasts off air and disrupted banks, hospitals and retailers.

Air India said its flight operations were unaffected by the global Microsoft outage. However, it temporarily rerouted its email services to ensure customer queries continued to reach the airline without interruption, the company said in a statement.

IndiGo, another Indian airline company, said it also reported disruptions to its email support services, which affected its ability to receive customer queries.

The airline, in a statement on X, said its other support channels remained operational and its flight operations were unaffected.

Singapore's Government Technology Agency said that government emails were down and that the agency was working with Microsoft to resolve the issue.

India Seeks 'Positive, Constructive and Forward-Looking' Relationship with Bangladesh: MEA

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 02:48:49 +0000

PTI, Nov 13, 2026, New Delhi: India on Friday said it desires a "positive, constructive and forward-looking" relationship with Bangladesh, remarks that came amid ongoing diplomatic friction and postponement of the bilateral consular dialogue.

The relations between the two neighbours came under fresh strain following former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's virtual media interaction in New Delhi on August 5.

The India-Bangladesh consular dialogue was scheduled for next week, but it has been postponed.

"India desires a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his regular media briefing.

"Accordingly, initiatives have been taken and meetings held under our structured mechanisms in such areas as trade, railways, water resources and border management, among others," Jaiswal said.

According to him, the next round of the consular dialogue, which will also take up matters relating to the revised travel arrangement, will be held on a mutually convenient date.

"India remains ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through these existing mechanisms, including at the technical level," he said.

After Hasina's virtual media interaction on August 5, Dhaka reiterated its demand for her extradition. India sought to distance itself from the event, saying New Delhi neither played a role in it nor endorsed Hasina's comments.

Seventy-eight-year-old Hasina has been living in Delhi since she left Bangladesh following the collapse of her government in August 2024 in the face of a massive anti-government agitation.

Suvendu Adhikari Sets November 30 Deadline for Ineligible Housing Beneficiaries to Return Funds; Orders CID Probe

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 02:23:09 +0000

PTI, Nov 13, 2026, Kolkata: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday set November 30 as the deadline for ineligible beneficiaries of the state's rural housing scheme to return funds received in violation of eligibility norms, warning of stringent legal action against those who fail to comply.

Adhikari also ordered a CID probe, by constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT), into 57,000 suspected fictitious beneficiaries detected during a field verification exercise, alleging large-scale irregularities in the disbursement of public funds.

Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat Nabanna, the Chief Minister said government officials found to have facilitated the irregularities would also face strict action, including departmental proceedings.

"As stated by Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, 57,000 fake beneficiaries had applied illegally under the previous government's Banglar Bari project and were delisted. We have already identified 12,000 among them who received the money and have asked them to return the amount. While 1,000 have returned the money, I ask the rest to do the same by the end of this month," he said.

"You must return the money by November 30 and spare yourselves possible legal complications. We will not allow you to retain this money. You have to return it because you are not eligible beneficiaries," the CM added.

The more serious concern, however, was the detection of suspected fictitious beneficiaries, whose actual existence could not be established during the field verification, the Chief Minister said.

There were allegations that fraudulent bank accounts had been opened in the names of deceased or relocated individuals to siphon off government assistance.

"There will be legal action against these 57,000 cases. We have to find out how Rs 60,000 of public money reached each of their accounts," Adhikari said.

According to the Chief Minister, the CID will investigate who had recommended these names for inclusion in the beneficiary list and whether officials at different levels of the administration had facilitated the alleged fraud. An SIT would be constituted to oversee the investigation, Adhikari said.

"Officials who facilitated these beneficiaries in fraudulently obtaining monetary assistance will be identified and action will be taken against them," he said.

"Besides constituting a committee headed by retired judge Biswajit Basu to examine corruption and the misuse of public funds across different levels of the state administration, we have reactivated the state Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), which he said had remained largely inactive for a prolonged period," the CM added.

The announcements came as the state government disbursed the second instalment of financial assistance under its 'West Bengal Awas' scheme, transferring Rs 4,201.026 crore through RTGS to the bank accounts of 7,00,171 beneficiaries across the state.

At Least 26 Dead, 20 Injured in Bus-Truck Collision Near Kaziranga National Park

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 02:20:35 +0000

PTI, Nov 13, 2026, Kaziranga: At least 26 people died and 20 others were injured in a head-on collision between a minibus and a container truck near Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Friday, officials said.

Out of the deceased, two were women, and many were college students who were returning from their classes, a police officer said.

The accident occurred at Rangajan near Hathikuli Tea Estate in Kohora range on National Highway-715 when the passenger vehicle collided with the truck, a senior officer said.

"The death toll is rising very fast. As per the latest information, doctors have confirmed that 23 people have died in the accident. The identities of the dead are being ascertained now," an executive magistrate of Golaghat district told reporters here. The death toll could rise further, he added.

"Already nine ambulances have been operating to ferry the injured people. Doctors here have referred 20 people to Jorhat for advanced treatment," the official said.

The minibus was going from Golaghat to Nagaon, while the container truck was going towards Upper Assam, police said.

Earlier, Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka told news agency PTI that all senior civil and police officials had rushed to the spot to help rescue the people. He said that the exact number of people travelling in the bus was not immediately known.

Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora, who is also the local MLA, reached the site immediately and was supervising the relief and rescue operation.

The injured people were taken to the Kohora Model Hospital, and most of the critically injured were referred to civil hospitals in Bokakhat and Golaghat, and the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, another senior official said.

"The bus was running at very high speed, violating restrictions imposed near the park. We think that the accident took place when the driver of the minibus lost control, and the vehicle collided with the container truck," he added.

In a social media post, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was deeply distressed by the tragic accident in Kaziranga earlier during the day.

"The scale of this loss has shaken all of us, and my heart goes out to every family that has lost a loved one. No words can ease their pain, but I want them to know that they are not alone. All of Assam stands with them in this hour of grief," he added.

Sarma said the foremost priority now was ensuring the injured received the best possible medical care without delay.

"Hon'ble Minister Shri @ATULBORA2 is at the site and personally overseeing the relief arrangements. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured and for strength for the bereaved families," he added.

The Golaghat district administration official further said that a thorough enquiry would be instituted to find out how the accident took place and whether either of the vehicles violated traffic norms, such as ferrying more passengers than the seating capacity and exceeding the speed limit near Kaziranga National Park.

Additional District Commissioner Jintu Borah said the post-mortem examinations of the deceased would be carried out at Swahid Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital in Golaghat during the night by arranging special lights.

EC to Publish Draft Electoral Rolls for West Bengal on November 23; Final List on January 16

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 02:15:43 +0000

PTI, Nov 13, 2026, Kolkata: The Election Commission will publish the draft electoral rolls for West Bengal on November 23, with the final voters' list scheduled to be released on January 16, 2027, as part of a Special Summary Revision (SSR), a statement said on Friday.

The revision will be conducted with January 1, 2027, as the qualifying date, allowing those who turn 18 by then to enrol as voters, it said. According to the schedule announced by the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office, electors can submit claims and objections between November 23 and December 22. The disposal of applications will be completed by January 8.

Special campaign days will be held at designated polling stations across the state on November 28 and 29, and December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 to facilitate public participation, the statement said. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will be available at polling stations on these days to assist voters with fresh enrolment, correction of particulars and submission of claims and objections.

Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of recognised political parties have also been asked to participate in the exercise. The CEO's office has urged eligible citizens, particularly young voters turning 18 by January 1, 2027, and those whose names may have been inadvertently omitted, to check their details in the draft rolls and apply for enrolment or corrections within the stipulated period.

The revision will also focus on improving the accuracy and uniformity of electoral records through standardisation of residential addresses, the statement said. Voters' addresses will have to include details such as house number, ward, street, locality, village or town, district, state and PIN code.

Electors will be arranged according to house and floor numbers in the draft rolls to facilitate identification, it said. Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) have been directed to ensure that members of the same family living at a common address are not assigned to different polling stations, it said.

Wherever possible, residents of the same building, street or locality will also be grouped together in the same section of the electoral roll, the statement said.

The exercise will also involve verification and replacement of blurred, incorrect or poor-quality photographs, besides removal of duplicate entries and deletion of names of deceased and permanently shifted electors in accordance with prescribed procedures.

The CEO's office said it had held a meeting with representatives of all recognised political parties on November 3 to brief them on the revision schedule and the latest instructions issued by the EC.

The SSR comes amid continuing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has triggered protests, with demonstrators demanding its withdrawal and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged wrongful exclusion of voters.

The SIR exercise has drawn criticism over the deletion of a large number of names from electoral rolls, with opponents alleging that it could disenfranchise eligible voters.

The EC, however, has defended the exercise, saying it is aimed at removing the names of deceased, duplicate and ineligible voters. West Bengal, which went to Assembly polls in April, witnessed one of the largest electoral roll revisions, with nearly 91 lakh names deleted from its pre-revision electorate of 7.66 crore, accounting for around 12 per cent of the total.

Darjeeling to Host First Arts and Literature Festival; Over 60 Authors to Participate

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 03:58:56 +0000

Amitava Banerjee, MP, Nov 13, 2026, Darjeeling: Darjeeling is set to host its first major arts and literature festival, with over 60 authors, filmmakers, actors, publishers and creative professionals gathering at Chowrasta for the inaugural Darjeeling Arts and Literature Festival (DALF) 2026 from November 14 to 18.

The five-day festival, to be held daily from 10 am to 6 pm, will feature more than eight panel discussions each day, besides book launches, author interactions, signing sessions and film screenings followed by question-and-answer sessions.

A major highlight will be an initiative connecting over 40 aspiring and established authors with leading publishing houses. The initiative aims to provide writers from the region with an opportunity to interact directly with the publishing industry and explore avenues for getting their works published.

With students at the centre of its vision, the festival has invited schools and colleges across the hills to encourage young people to participate in the event.

A medical camp, career guidance and initiatives related to child rights and the rescue and rehabilitation of women and children will also be showcased by NGOs.

Speaking about the initiative, Festival Director Sujit Kumar Singh said the festival was his way of giving back to the town where he grew up.

"Darjeeling is where I grew up, went to school and made many of my earliest memories. DALF is my way of giving back to the town and its people. I believe that receiving something from a place also brings the responsibility to give something back," he said.

"This festival belongs to Darjeeling, and I want its young people to be at the heart of it," Singh added.

An initiative of Sujit K Singh Films, the festival will be open to visitors at Chowrasta from November 14 to 18.

Courtesy and Source: Millennium Post

Hailstorm Damages Crops Across North Bengal; Nearly 6,000 Hectares of Aman Paddy Affected

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 03:51:33 +0000

MP, Nov 13, 2026, Malda: A sudden hailstorm wreaked havoc in the districts of North Bengal on Wednesday. The hailstorm battered Habibpur block in Malda, leaving roads covered in ice and causing extensive damage to standing paddy crops.

The historic Manikora Kali fair was also hit, with four large decorative lighting gates collapsing and blocking roads.

The worst-affected areas include Baidyapur, Jajoil and Akhtoil gram panchayats, where agricultural land and several houses suffered damage. Hailstones damaged the tin roofs of many homes, residents said.

According to the block agriculture department, nearly 6,000 hectares of aman paddy have been affected. Habibpur has around 26,600 hectares under paddy cultivation.

The damage has triggered concern among farmers, many of whom had borrowed money to cultivate their fields.

"We took loans hoping for a good harvest. With so much of the crop damaged, how will we repay the money?" asked a farmer, Manik Roy.

On Thursday afternoon, Minister of State for Irrigation and Tribal Development Jewel Murmu visited the affected areas. The team inspected damaged fields and houses and spoke to farmers.

"I will place the damage report before the government and inform Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari about the plight of the farmers," assured Murmu.

Although a complete assessment is yet to be carried out, the preliminary estimate has heightened fears of substantial agricultural losses. Farmers have urged the administration to conduct a prompt survey and announce compensation.

The storm also brought down temperatures across the area. Residents are now waiting for an official assessment and relief measures, as the damage threatens the coming harvest and farming families' livelihoods in the region.

An intense storm along with hail left large parts of Jalpaiguri and Rajganj battered on Wednesday, damaging several houses and causing extensive losses to agricultural crops.

Rajganj was among the worst-affected areas. Strong winds accompanied by intense hailstorms swept across the region on Wednesday evening. Several areas under Jalpaiguri Sadar, Rajganj and Maynaguri blocks were affected.

In several locations, strong winds uprooted or snapped smaller trees.

The impact on agriculture has been particularly severe, with extensive damage reported to potato, cucumber, tomato, cauliflower, brinjal and green chilli crops.

Farmers cultivating land along the Teesta River have been among the worst affected. After months of hard work and investment, many watched helplessly as their standing crops were destroyed within minutes.

The losses have raised concerns over their agricultural income and livelihoods.

The administration has initiated an assessment to determine the actual extent of damage caused by the sudden spell of extreme weather.

West Bengal Government Plans to Introduce Corn-Based Bags as Alternative to Plastic

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 03:49:43 +0000

MP, Nov 13, 2026, Kolkata: People who regularly use plastic bags while shopping may soon have a new alternative as the state government may introduce special bags made from corn kernels.

State Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul said that these bags will dissolve when immersed in water after use. As a result, they will not remain accumulated as waste for long periods, unlike conventional plastic bags.

The government is considering introducing this new system not only to reduce environmental damage but also to meet shoppers' immediate needs, the minister added.

Efforts have been underway for a long time to promote alternatives to plastic in order to curb plastic pollution, Paul added.

The government has planned to install vending machines at various locations to make bags easily accessible. According to the minister, shoppers will be able to collect the bags they need from these machines by paying Rs 2, Rs 5 or Rs 10.

"We have installed machines in markets to discourage the use of plastic. People can get cloth bags from these machines by paying Rs 5 or Rs 10. There is also a type of bag made from corn kernels that looks like plastic. You can use it once and then simply put it in water, and it will dissolve," Paul said.

Under the proposed system, people will be able to deposit empty plastic bottles into designated machines and receive a bag in exchange. No additional payment will be required for this facility, the minister stated.

Delhi High Court Stays JNU Professor Akoijam's Dismissal, Says Notice and Hearing Were Necessary

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 03:00:06 +0000

PTI, Nov 12, 2026, New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has said the JNU administration could not have imposed a "drastic" and "major" penalty of dismissal from service on professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam over allegations of sexual harassment without a show-cause notice and a hearing.

The court's observation came in the order staying Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration's decision to terminate the services of the professor at the School of Social Sciences.

Even as the JNU counsel argued that Akoijam's dismissal was not governed by the procedure laid down in the JNU Act, but by UGC regulations on the prevention and redressal of sexual harassment in higher educational institutions, the court granted interim relief to the professor, also a Congress MP from the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat.

"This court is of the prima facie view that regardless of what other ancillary regulations may provide, it is difficult to accept, at least at this stage, that the drastic and severe 'major' penalty of dismissal from service could have been imposed upon the petitioner without issuing to him a show-cause notice and without granting to him a personal hearing in relation to the penalty proposed to be imposed," said Justice Anup J Bhambhani.

The court gave the interim relief to Akoijam on November 2. The order was subsequently uploaded on the court's website.

"The effect and operation of order dated 09.10.2026 and all actions taken by respondent No. 1 university pursuant to that order, shall remain stayed till the next date of hearing before this court," the court ordered, while listing the matter on January 25.

According to reports, at least 11 female students filed sexual harassment complaints against the professor in May. The complainants alleged that Akoijam invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them.

Some students have also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks during classes. On October 9, the JNU dismissed Akoijam over the sexual harassment complaints.

Challenging the termination order, Akoijam's counsel argued that an inquiry was conducted against him by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) on purported complaints of sexual harassment, not by any aggrieved party but by certain other students.

The ICC's October 9 report shows that the student representative even refused to sign it, it was alleged.

The counsel contended that the drastic action of dismissal from service was an evident violation of the JNU Act, as the petitioner was neither placed under suspension nor was he granted any opportunity to show cause against the penalty.

The JNU administration's conduct suffers from serious mala fides, and action against the petitioner was taken purely as a measure of vindictiveness, he added.

The counsel for JNU disputed the claim that the complaints against the petitioner were not made by the aggrieved parties themselves.

JNU submitted that as per the University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015, a notice before termination of services was not required.

Issuing notice on Akoijam's petition, the court asked the varsity to file its response within six weeks.

Days after his dismissal, Delhi Police registered an FIR against Akoijam on charges of sexual harassment and insulting a woman's modesty.

The FIR was registered on a complaint lodged by the university's chief security officer on October 11.

The FIR was registered at the Vasant Kunj North police station on Sunday under sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with sexual harassment and acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman, among other offences. An investigation has been taken up, police said.

Biomass Burning, Organic Aerosols Account for 50.8% of Delhi's Pollution Load

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:57:06 +0000

PTI, Nov 12, 2026, New Delhi: Biomass burning and secondary organic aerosols emerged as the primary contributors to Delhi's air pollution on Thursday, accounting for 25.4 per cent each of the city's pollution load, according to source-apportionment estimates by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).

Vehicular emissions were the third-largest source, contributing 17 per cent, while secondary inorganic aerosols accounted for 11.8 per cent of the pollution load.

Within secondary inorganic aerosols, nitrate contributed 4.9 per cent, ammonia 4.1 per cent and sulphate 2.9 per cent.

Mixed combustion accounted for 10.7 per cent of the pollution, followed by firecrackers at 7.1 per cent. Waste burning, including municipal and plastic-rubber-containing waste, contributed 1.5 per cent, while mineral dust and ash accounted for 0.9 per cent and industrial emissions 0.2 per cent.

Experts said secondary organic aerosols are formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere and can originate from emissions linked to certain industries, diesel and petrol vehicles, and biomass burning.

A thick, sepia-coloured haze shrouded the National Capital on Thursday, blurring its skyline and leaving residents coughing, with burning eyes and gasping for breath, as the city's air quality deteriorated further, underscoring the growing public health crisis.

As protests demanding the basic right to clean air continued across the city, Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 350, firmly in the 'very poor' category, from 313 recorded on Wednesday.

Of the 57 air quality monitoring stations that recorded data on Thursday, 10 were in the 'severe' category, 42 in the 'very poor' category, four in the 'poor' category and only one in the 'moderate' category.

An AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as 'poor', while readings between 301 and 400 fall in the 'very poor' category.

The contribution of firecrackers, which had emerged as the biggest source on Monday and Tuesday following Diwali, dropped sharply to 7.1 per cent on Thursday.

Firecrackers accounted for 71.1 per cent of Delhi's pollution load on Monday and 29.8 per cent on Tuesday, before falling to 7.4 per cent on Wednesday.

According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi, the transport sector's contribution is projected to rise to 18.5 per cent on Friday, which is also expected to become the primary contributor to Friday's pollution.

Nepal and Bhutan's Himalayan Climate Agenda Not Included in Formal COP31 Agenda

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:44:15 +0000

PTI, Nov 12, 2026, Antalya: An agenda item on the Himalayas proposed by Nepal, Bhutan and Kyrgyzstan has not been included in the formal list of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) after failing to secure the backing of several major blocs.

Nepal called for a dedicated work programme on "mountain and climate change" under the COP31 process, highlighting the growing impact of climate-triggered disasters on mountain communities, livelihoods and fragile ecosystems.

Addressing the opening plenary of the 31st COP31 to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Antalya, Türkiye, on November 9, Nepal's Foreign Minister Khanal stressed the urgency of strengthening global cooperation to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C.

He called for mountain-specific indicators to be incorporated into the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) frameworks.

He also emphasised the need to protect fragile mountain ecosystems and address the cascading impacts of climate change from the Himalayas to downstream regions.

Khanal had urged the international community to support Nepal in rebuilding climate-affected areas in a faster, more equitable and resilient manner.

He said frontline countries such as Nepal faced disproportionate climate risks despite contributing relatively little to global emissions. He reiterated Nepal's demand for climate justice, accessible loss and damage funding and stronger international partnerships to build resilience across the Himalayas and protect downstream regions.

Speaking to PTI at COP31, Khanal said the three countries would continue to face challenges in getting the issue formally recognised without the support of major countries.

"This is part of a big negotiation. Different major blocs did not support it, and that made it difficult for the agenda to go through. From our side, we pushed as hard as we could. There were different voices in the room. Some explicitly supported our agenda, while others were quite reluctant," he said.

Norwegian Journalist Claims Indian Visa Was Cancelled Shortly Before Scheduled Visit to Congress's Bharat Summit

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:41:19 +0000

ANI, Nov 12, 2026, Oslo: Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng has claimed that her Indian visa was cancelled at the last minute, moments before she was scheduled to leave for the airport in Norway to attend the Congress-organised Bharat Summit in Hyderabad, where she was invited to speak on media, press freedom and democracy.

In a post on X, Lyng alleged that despite having received an Indian visa and political clearance for her visit, she was informed by the Indian Embassy in Norway that she would not be allowed to travel to India. She attributed the alleged decision to "orders from above" in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

"I got a visa to India and was supposed to leave this morning to attend the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad. I had been invited as a panellist and speaker on the future of media and press freedom. But 'orders from above' in the Ministry of Home Affairs have cancelled my visa," Lyng claimed in her post.

A response from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to these allegations is awaited.

In a video message accompanying the post, the journalist described how she was preparing for her first visit to India and alleged that the communication about her travel being stopped came barely 10 minutes before she was due to leave for the airport.

"Today, I was supposed to go to India, the world's largest democracy, for the first time in my life. I was very excited. I had already packed my bags. I have a visa in my passport. I was ready to go. But as I was leaving for the airport, literally 10 minutes before I was supposed to leave, the Indian Embassy of Norway calls me, and they said, 'You can't go to India today'," she claimed in the video.

Lyng said she was confused by the alleged decision as she had already secured the necessary clearances and had been invited to participate in the Hyderabad event.

"And I'm a little confused, because I have political clearance, I have a visa, and I have a conference in Hyderabad, Telangana, waiting for me to arrive. I'm supposed to be a speaker there about media, about press freedom, about democracy, and how they're all intertwined," she added.

The journalist further claimed that the communication from the Indian Embassy indicated that although her visa had been issued, she would not be permitted to enter the country.

In her video, she directly addressed Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that the decision had come from his ministry.

"So they tell me that although my visa is issued, I will not be allowed to enter India. And that's where you come in, Amit Shah. Apparently, it's your department, the Ministry of Home Affairs, that has said that I can't enter the country," she alleged.

Lyng also questioned the reasons behind the alleged action and suggested that it could be linked to her previous criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Oslo earlier this year and her work criticising the Indian government in Norway.

"And I don't understand why, but it does feel politically motivated. I'm thinking maybe it has something to do with the fact that I used my freedom of the press back in May 2026 to question the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, here in Oslo, Norway," she claimed.

She also referred to opinion pieces published in her Norwegian newspaper and her online criticism of the Prime Minister's governance, suggesting that these could have contributed to the alleged decision.

"I'm thinking it might also be because I've used my freedom of expression to criticise Narendra Modi and his governance, both in public opinion pieces for my Norwegian newspaper but also online for the Indian people to see," she added.

Despite the alleged last-minute communication, Lyng said there was still an opportunity for her to reach Hyderabad before her scheduled appearance at the summit and appealed to the Home Minister to reconsider the matter and allow her to travel.

"Luckily, we still have time, Mr Shah, because I'm not set to go on stage before in 48 hours, which means that I could get on any of the next planes to Asia that would hopefully take me to Hyderabad on time," she said.

"So the ball is now in your court. What will the world's largest democracy do? Will I be able to enter the country, or will I not, when I have political clearance, a visa in my passport, a place to be, and most importantly, people both from the international environment, but most important to me, people of India, waiting for me and expecting me to be there? Can we make it work? I think we should make it work," she further claimed.

The Bharat Summit, organised by the Congress in Hyderabad, is scheduled to be held on November 13 and 14 at HITEX. The event is being organised for the second consecutive year under the leadership of Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and the Congress' Foreign Cell head Salman Khurshid.

More than 1,000 participants, including elected representatives, policymakers and intellectuals from over 70 countries, have confirmed their participation in the summit.

UAE: 14 Killed, 30 Injured as Truck Crashes into Vehicles in Fujairah; Indians Among Injured

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:28:41 +0000

ANI, Nov 13, 2026, Fujairah: At least 14 people were killed and 30 others injured, including Indian nationals, after a truck lost control and rammed into several vehicles on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street in the United Arab Emirates' Fujairah emirate, triggering a fire that engulfed multiple vehicles, the UAE Ministry of Interior said.

In a statement issued on X on Thursday, the Ministry said the accident occurred before midnight near the entrance to Fujairah when the truck driver lost control of the vehicle, colliding with another vehicle before overturning and striking several vehicles that had stopped due to slow-moving traffic.

"The General Command of Fujairah Police has revealed details of the serious traffic accident that occurred before midnight on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, at the entrance to the Emirate of Fujairah, leaving 14 people dead and 30 others injured to varying degrees," the Ministry said.

The collision caused the truck to catch fire, with the blaze spreading to several other vehicles and resulting in heavy casualties, according to Fujairah Police.

Following the incident, specialised police teams, ambulance and rescue crews, and Civil Defence personnel rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency report. The teams worked to extinguish the fire, provide medical assistance to the injured and transport them to hospitals for treatment.

Providing an update on the injured, Fujairah Police said 15 of the 30 injured people had been discharged from hospitals after receiving medical care, while the remaining 15 continued to receive treatment according to their health conditions.

The police further stated that the deceased included Emirati nationals, while the identities of several other victims were still being established through DNA testing.

The injured included nationals of the UAE, Oman, India, Brazil, Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt, the statement said, confirming that Indian nationals were among those affected by the accident.

Expressing grief over the loss of life, Fujairah Police said they extended their "sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy" to the families and loved ones of the deceased, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The police also emphasised the importance of following traffic regulations, adhering to prescribed speed limits and maintaining adequate safety distances, particularly when approaching congested roads.

"Preserving lives is a shared responsibility," Fujairah Police said, reiterating their commitment to enhancing road safety and reducing serious traffic accidents.

The General Command of Fujairah Police also confirmed that the competent authorities were continuing the legal and technical procedures related to the accident.

Urging the public and social media users to exercise caution while sharing information, the police said, "The General Command of Fujairah Police confirmed that the competent authorities continue to complete the legal and technical procedures related to the accident."

It further urged people "not to spread rumours or unreliable information" and to rely on official sources for updates and confirmed details.

Russia and Ukraine Agree to Major Prisoner Exchange as Talks End Without Breakthrough

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:16:01 +0000

AP, Nov 12, 2026, Abu Dhabi: Russia and Ukraine agreed to a large exchange of prisoners of war, both sides said on Wednesday as two days of US-mediated talks concluded, but they announced no major breakthrough on ending the conflict that began after Moscow's full-scale invasion nearly five years ago.

Hopes had been low for any significant development in the first meeting in nine months between the delegations. Russia and Ukraine have from time to time swapped POWs but have remained far apart in their demands for accepting a peace settlement. US officials say they are determined to revive Washington's peace efforts, which so far have failed to deliver significant results.

As well as post-war security guarantees for both countries, other key hurdles for negotiators are the fate of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory and what role European countries will play in an eventual settlement.

The session was the first such meeting since February on Russia's invasion, which analysts and humanitarian organisations say has killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and thousands of civilians.

The talks lasted just under two hours on Wednesday, after a four-hour session the previous day.

"One of the positives is we agreed that we're going to have the biggest humanitarian release of prisoners, which we're going to finalise the numbers tomorrow," said Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, after the talks in Abu Dhabi ended.

Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, and Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv's contingent, confirmed the planned POW exchange, although Medinsky noted that the agreement was in principle.

Alexander Zorin, a deputy chief of the General Staff's information department who attended the talks, told Russian state TV that it would be one of the biggest such swaps following the 1,000 soldiers returned home last year.

The latest exchange could take place in the next two or three weeks, he said.

Kushner said he and US envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet with President Vladimir Putin, then fly to Dublin, Ireland, to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Umerov said Kyiv's delegation was expected to meet later on Wednesday with representatives of European governments, the European Union and NATO who were in the capital of the United Arab Emirates but did not attend the three-way talks.

Moscow doesn't want European countries, which are concerned about Russia's conduct and broader intentions on the continent, involved in the direct negotiations.

Kushner said one of the goals of the Moscow meeting is to try to get Europeans added to the talks.

Ukraine's priority is to end the war as soon as possible with a dignified peace, Zelenskyy said on X.

"We believe that Europe must be represented at every stage of real diplomacy. It is essential that the United States have a strong position and exert influence on the source of this war - that is Russia."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said European representatives could eventually join peace talks, but he said their current statements "don't indicate any desire on their part to contribute to movement along the path towards peace".

Moscow complains that Europe is financing and supplying weaponry to Ukraine.

Kushner said both Ukraine and Russia needed clarity on post-war security arrangements. He said European countries, the EU and NATO have to be involved in those discussions to build consensus on next steps.

Ukraine wants to make sure Moscow doesn't invade again, and EU officials have declared that any discussions on Europe's security arrangements could only start after a ceasefire.

Many in Europe see the inclusion of Russia in those plans as a concession to Putin, who has described NATO's eastward expansion as a top threat to its security. Russia has demanded that the alliance pull back its troops from its borders.

Russia's security concerns were discussed at the talks, Kushner said, adding that Moscow was told it needs to provide different de-escalation proposals for them to be acceptable to Europe.

"The reality is, is there's no trust right now between the sides. And that's to be expected after a conflict like this," he said.

The context of the negotiations has changed since the last meeting in February in Geneva. The Trump administration now has to reckon with Democrats taking over the US Congress in January following the US midterm elections, and they could demand more support for Ukraine.

Also, Russia's wartime economy is under heavy strain, and Ukraine is reeling from devastating aerial attacks on its power grid.

The talks came against the backdrop of continued fighting on the front line, where little territory has changed hands this year. Both countries are battering each other with long-range missiles and drones.

Three people died and 11 were injured after Russia launched a daytime attack on a market in the southern Odesa region, local authorities said.

Residential buildings were damaged and emergency crews responded, said Oleh Kiper, head of the regional military administration.

Overnight, Russia struck the southern Zaporizhzhia region and the eastern city of Kharkiv, wounding seven civilians and damaging property, Ukrainian officials said.

Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences downed 627 Ukrainian drones overnight, 150 of them over the region around St Petersburg, according to regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko.

The drones started a fire at the port of Ust-Luga, one of the main facilities for Russian oil exports, injuring three workers, he added.

Meanwhile, a 49-year-old Indonesian man reportedly was captured on the battlefield in southern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region after he claimed he was unknowingly recruited to fight for the Russian military.

The Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv was seeking access to the man, who was in Ukrainian custody, according to Yvonne Mewengkang, a spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to Ukraine's "I Want to Leave" project, which offers Russian troops the opportunity to surrender, the man was taken to occupied Donetsk with no military training and then to the Zaporizhzhia region, where his unit was attacked and he was captured, according to the group's post on Telegram.

The man said he signed what he believed to be a contract to work in construction for one year in Moscow, the group said.

Ukrainian and Russian officials made no immediate comment.

Earthshot Prize Ceremony to Be Held in Mumbai on November 17; Prince William to Attend

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:12:50 +0000

PTI, Nov 12, 2026, Mumbai: The sixth Earthshot Prize, founded by British royal Prince William to promote innovative climate change solutions, will be presented here on November 17.

Fifteen climate solutions across five categories, involving 20 individuals, have been shortlisted for this edition of the Earthshot Prize, its CEO Jason Knauf said at a press conference here.

Prince William will attend the event during his visit to Mumbai next week, he added.

Under the 'Protect and Restore Nature' category, Bhutan's Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuk and Karma Tenzin, senior forestry officer, have been shortlisted for their work in protecting the Himalayan forests, which help the water systems that sustain 1.6 billion people downstream across South Asia.

Sam Murray, CEO of 'The Indigenous Alliance', has been shortlisted for supporting rangers caring for 270 million hectares of Australian desert. Dr Jodi Hilty, president and chief scientist, and Chief Harlan Schilling of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative have been shortlisted for reconnecting 3,400 km of wilderness across Canada and the United States.

The awards ceremony will also celebrate India's leadership, stewardship and culture, Knauf said.

Five Earthshot finalists will win 1 million pounds each.

Under the 'Clean Our Air' category, Suman Mishra, managing director and CEO of Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, has been shortlisted for building affordable electric rickshaws.

Franco Rodríguez Viau, CEO and co-founder of Satellites on Fire (Argentina), has been shortlisted for using weather forecasts, cameras and satellite technology to protect 92 million hectares across 21 countries from wildfires.

Prof Engineer Bainomugisha, founder and lead of AirQo (Uganda), has been shortlisted for building affordable air-pollution monitors for African countries.

Under the 'Build a Waste Free World' category, Sonia Mendoza of the Mother Earth Foundation, the Philippines, has been shortlisted for working with informal workers to remove single-use plastic in the vast archipelago before the waste reaches dumps, rivers or beaches.

Nicolas Thierry, Member of Parliament and lead spokesperson for PFAS-Free France, and Maria Pelletier, president of Generation Futures, have been shortlisted for building a national, cross-party movement to ban toxic forever chemicals in consumer products and to make polluters pay for the clean-up.

Kim Mi-Hwa, chairperson of South Korea Zero Waste Network, has been shortlisted for driving an environmental and economic revolution due to which South Korea now recycles 95 per cent of its food waste, up from just 2 per cent in the mid-90s.

In the 'Revive Our Oceans' category, Coral Pasisi, vice-chair of Niue Ocean Wide Trust and co-architect of Ocean Conservation Commitments, has been nominated for her work in protecting the oceans, especially the vast Pacific region.

Ingrid Irigoyen, founder and managing director of ZEMBA, has been nominated for cleaning up the shipping industry.

Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona, and Maria Buhigas, chief architect of the city of Barcelona, have been shortlisted for successfully preserving its beaches, restoring marine habitats and enhancing natural coastal protection.

In the 'Fix Our Climate' category, Bihal Brahmbhatt, executive director of Mahila Housing Trust, has been nominated for helping some of India's most vulnerable communities tackle extreme heat.

Thomas Njeru, CEO and co-founder of Pula, has also been shortlisted for using satellite and field data to provide affordable insurance to 24 million farmers across Africa.

Ingrid Reumert and Amanda Dasch of Orsted have been nominated for redefining their business from coal-intensive utilities to renewable energy.

14 Killed, Six Injured as Microbus Plunges Off Hilly Road in Central Nepal

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:09:21 +0000

PTI, Nov 12, 2026, Kathmandu: At least 14 people were killed and six others injured on Thursday when a microbus they were travelling in plunged down a hilly road in Nepal while they were returning home for the Chhath festival, police said.

The accident occurred around 5:45 am in Makwanpur district of Bagmati province, according to an information officer at the District Police Office.

The vehicle, travelling from Kathmandu to Sarlahi district, plunged around 300 metres down a hilly section of the Bhimfedi-Kulekhani-Kathmandu road in Bhimfedi Rural Municipality.

Fourteen people, including the driver, were killed in the accident, according to Basanta Adhikari, chief district officer. Six injured passengers were admitted to a local hospital in Hetauda Municipality for treatment. The cause of the accident is yet to be established.

The vehicle was carrying residents of Sarlahi district returning to their homes from Kathmandu to celebrate the Hindu festival Chhath, which falls on Sunday this year.

Chhath is observed by the Hindu community mainly in the Terai, the southern plains of Nepal.

ANI, Nov 12, 2026, Kathmandu: At least 14 passengers are confirmed dead in an electric vehicle (EV) accident in Makwanpur District of central Nepal, police confirmed on Thursday.

As per the District Police Office, Makwanpur, searchers found three additional bodies at the accident site on Thursday afternoon.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhav Kafle, spokesperson for the District Police Office, said the deceased included five women and children and nine men.

"Of the deceased, 13 are from Sundarpur Tol in Chakraghatta Rural Municipality-4, Sarlahi, while the remaining victim was the vehicle's driver, 30-year-old Ravi Shankar Kumar Mandal, from Kabilasi Rural Municipality-8, Sarlahi," Kafle told ANI over the phone.

As per the official, those identified include Bikesh Yadav (26), Poonam Yadav (35), Diksha Yadav (7), Deepika Yadav (5), Anu Kumari Yadav (10), Guddu Yadav (35/36), Gayatri Devi (30/32), Ramdular Yadav (25/26), Subodh Yadav (24/25) and Rohan Yadav (15).

The injured have been identified as Mukesh Yadav (33), Saksham Kumar Yadav (5), Sujan Yadav (3), Devendra Rai alias Bechu (31), Devendra Rai (26) and Sudip Yadav (14 months).

Among the injured, Mukesh Yadav, Saksham Kumar Yadav and Devendra Rai have been discharged after receiving treatment, the police said.

Three-year-old Sujan Yadav and 14-month-old Sudip Yadav have been referred to Mediciti Hospital in Kathmandu for further treatment, while 31-year-old Devendra Rai has been referred to Manakamana Hospital in Bharatpur.

The EV Hiace bearing registration number Madhes Province 03-001 Ja 0880 was travelling from Kathmandu to Sarlahi when it plunged approximately 500 metres off the road at around 5:45 am on Thursday. The accident occurred at Chisapani Gadhi along the Bhimphedi-Kulekhani-Kathmandu road section.

Following the accident, the District Administration Office, Makwanpur, has formed a five-member committee to investigate the cause of the fatal electric vehicle accident in Bhimphedi that claimed 14 lives and left six others injured.

According to Chief District Officer (CDO) Basanta Adhikari, the committee, coordinated by the Assistant Chief District Officer, will begin its investigation on Thursday.

The committee comprises the Assistant Chief District Officer, the in-charge of the Traffic Police, an engineer from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and a legal officer from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law.

CDO Adhikari said the committee has been instructed to submit its investigation report within seven days.

Sharing preliminary details of the accident, Adhikari said the vehicle had left Kathmandu at around 2:00 am on Thursday, reached Deurali at approximately 5:15 am and met with the accident at Chisapani Gadhi at around 5:45 am.

He also noted that three major accidents, along with several minor ones, had occurred along the same road section over the past 13 months. Adhikari stressed the need for a comprehensive review of factors contributing to road accidents in the area to strengthen road safety measures.

He identified several issues requiring attention, including the practice of carrying passengers beyond vehicle capacity, the status of route permits, driver negligence, mobile phone use while driving, road infrastructure, traffic signage and passenger awareness. He said addressing these concerns was essential to reducing accident risks and improving road safety along the route.

Calcutta High Court Questions Abhishek Banerjee's Remarks on Judiciary

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:00:38 +0000

PTI, Nov 12, 2026, Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday took exception to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee's remarks allegedly casting aspersions on a section of the judiciary, observing that an elected representative and an educated person could not be treated like an ordinary layperson.

A bench of Justice Krishna Rao, however, made it clear that the remarks would not influence its decision on Banerjee's plea challenging the downgrading of his security cover from Z+ to X category.

The observations came during the hearing of the Trinamool leader's writ petition, when the West Bengal government alleged that the remarks he made in a "televised interview" amounted to criminal contempt of court, urging the bench to initiate suo motu proceedings.

Additional Advocate General Billwadal Bhattacharya, appearing for the state, submitted a transcript of the interview and a pen drive containing its video recording. He alleged that Banerjee had cast aspersions on the judiciary by naming a judge, arguing that the remarks amounted to an attack on a constitutional institution by a sitting MP.

"This case is covered under the Contempt of Courts Act. This cannot be allowed to continue," the AAG submitted.

Opposing the state's contention, senior advocate Shoeb Alam, appearing for Banerjee, argued that the remarks had no bearing on the relief sought in the writ petition.

He submitted that the remarks were made in the context of alleged attacks on Banerjee's residence when his wife and children were present, and his repeated attempts to seek protection from the authorities.

Describing the comments as an "expression of exasperation", Alam argued that Banerjee was seeking protection of his fundamental right to life under Article 21 and should not be denied relief on account of the interview.

The counsel also submitted that Banerjee had faced six attacks and that the state's failure to provide adequate security reflected a breakdown of law and order.

Justice Rao, however, questioned the MP's remarks on the judiciary.

"You ask your client, who are the judges with the BJP and who aren't... since he is so intelligent, let him give a list. I will see," Justice Rao remarked.

The bench observed that Banerjee, being an educated person and a sitting MP, could not be treated as an ordinary layperson.

"Your client is writing the ACR (Annual Confidential Report) of the judges," Justice Rao said.

The court observed that if Banerjee was aggrieved by an earlier order, he could have approached another bench, noting that vacation benches were available to hear such grievances.

At the same time, the court said the controversy over the remarks would not be allowed to derail the adjudication of his security-related plea.

"Because of one publication, the writ petition should not be affected. I will take into consideration everything and pass orders," Justice Rao observed.

Banerjee's counsel argued that the threat perception assessed by the state government did not reflect the situation on the ground.

"There is no denial of the fact that my client is under threat. I am only seeking an emergency review of his security and that his security cover be increased in the meanwhile," he said.

"I am grateful for the dispassionate hearing regardless of what has happened. I will counsel my client," he added.

The hearing concluded with the court reserving its order on the plea.

Following an alleged attack on his residence in Kalighat in south Kolkata on November 7, a visibly agitated Banerjee had accused a section of the judiciary, among others, of turning a blind eye to threats to his security.

"This is not the first attack orchestrated on me. It began on June 19 when I visited Sonarpur and continued till the day I returned from Delhi. A man who was visible in photographs with Suvendu Adhikari tried to kill me at the airport with a gun. I filed a police complaint, but no action was taken against the accused," Banerjee had alleged.

PM Highlights Media's Role in Keeping India's Democracy Vibrant

noreply@blogger.com (AK Rai) — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 01:56:38 +0000

PTI, Nov 12, 2026, New Delhi: "Gala hi pakad liya unhone", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday while recalling how a "women's brigade" of journalists in 2001 got wind of him becoming Gujarat Chief Minister and caught hold of him to demand sweets.

Addressing journalists at a Diwali Milan programme organised by the BJP, the Prime Minister lauded the role of the media in keeping Indian democracy vibrant.

He said he has seen the media evolve from the days of press releases to Instagram reels and still remembers when he would arrange chairs at such party gatherings for the media.

Going down memory lane, Modi said there were fewer cameras back then but the warmth of relationships was just the same. He said he had learnt a lot and many of his experiences from that time still prove very useful.

Referring to his completing 25 years as head of a government last month, Modi said only a few top leaders in the party knew he was becoming Gujarat's Chief Minister in 2001.

"One day, a group of journalists stormed into my room. Normally, journalists never treat me like that. But that day, they just barged in. And at that time, there used to be a women's brigade. They possessed immense influence," he said.

"Gala hi pakad liya unhone. Bola mithai khilao (They caught me by my neck and asked me to treat them with sweets)," Modi said.

Greeting journalists at the event held at the BJP headquarters, the Prime Minister remarked that "few old faces" seem to be left in the media and lauded the commitment of journalists in getting "breaking news" even during festival times when everyone tries to spend time at home with their family and loved ones.

"There are many colleagues from the new generation here. However, those who are senior know that I have had a natural and longstanding relationship with your world for a long time," he said.

"From press releases to Insta reel releases, I have witnessed a long evolution of media and media interactions," he said.

In the early 1990s, he recalled, he was entrusted with the responsibility of managing media arrangements across the country for two major yatras.

"And that was a time when one had to search for a fax machine just to send out a press release. When I came to Delhi, I still held this responsibility. At that time, the party operated from the Ashoka Road office," he said.