Tirupati Laddu Row: Supreme Court orders probe by SIT under CBI supervision
The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the allegations that ‘the ghee used in making famous Tirupati Laddus contained animal fats during the previous YSRCP regime in Andhra Pradesh’.
Historian Shailaja Paik becomes first Dalit to receive a US Genius Grant, says “It is fantastic reminder of…”
Maharashtra-born Shailaja Paik received the coveted MacArthur Fellowship of $800,000 for her pioneering work on Dalit, gender and sexuality studies in Cincinnati, USA.
Udaipur leopard scare: 7 killed in Rajasthan, people cower, schools shut
An over 100-member team from the forest department, police, and the army has surrounded a 20km area spanning two villages – Kelvon Ka Kheda and Rathod Ka Guda – near Udaipur City, where the last two attacks happened.
Kamala Harris teams up with Liz Cheney in birthplace of Republican Party
RIPON, Wis. — As she turns up the volume on her efforts to court disgruntled Republicans in her battle with former President Trump for the White House, Vice President Harris on Thursday teamed up with the most visible anti-Trump Republican in the town that claims to be the birthplace of the GOP. Harris campaigned in battleground Wisconsin with former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, a one-time rising conservative star in the GOP who, in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the U.S. Capitol, has vowed to do everything she can to prevent Trump from returning to power. “I have never voted for a Democrat, but this year I am proudly casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris,” Cheney told the audience as she formally endorsed the Democrat presidential nominee. “As a conservative, as a patriot, as a mother, as someone who reveres our Constitution, I am honored to join her in this urgent cause.” Harris praised Cheney as a leader who “puts country above party and above self, a true patriot.” WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS WHO ADVISED REAGAN AND BUSH BACK HARRIS OVER TRUMP The campaign event took place in Ripon, Wisconsin, where a one-room schoolhouse was designated a national historic landmark due to its role in holding a series of meetings in 1854 that led to the formation of the Republican Party. Cheney, the daughter of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney, once rose within the ranks of House Republican leadership. But she was the most high-profile of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Trump in early 2021 on a charge of inciting the deadly January 6th riot at the Capitol, which was waged by right-wing extremists and other Trump supporters who aimed to disrupt congressional certification of President Biden’s Electoral College victory in the 2020 election. TRUMP UPS HIS ANTE IN THE 2024 FUNDRAISING FIGHT WITH HARRIS The conservative lawmaker and defense hawk immediately came under verbal attack from Trump and his allies and was eventually ousted from her No. 3 House GOP leadership position. Cheney, who has been vocal in emphasizing the importance of defending the nation’s democratic process and of putting country before party, was one of only two Republicans who served on a special select committee organized by House Democrats that investigated the riot at the Capitol. In 2022, she lost the GOP congressional primary in Wyoming to Harriet Hageman, a candidate backed by Trump. At a speaking event in early September at Duke University in swing state North Carolina, Cheney announced that she would vote for Harris in the presidential election. Cheney’s father also endorsed Harris. Cheney on Thursday warned that “our republic faces a threat unlike any we have faced before: a former president who attempted to stay in power by unraveling the foundations of our republic.” She argued that Trump “can never be trusted with power again” and emphasized that “in this election, putting patriotism ahead of partisanship is not an aspiration, it is our duty.” “What January 6 shows us is there is not an ounce, not an ounce, of compassion in Donald Trump. He is petty. He is vindictive. He is cruel. And Donald Trump is not fit to lead this good and great nation,” Cheney said. WHAT THE LATEST POLL IN BATTLEGROUND WISCONSIN SHOWS Harris, speaking after Cheney, highlighted that “anyone who recklessly tramples on our democratic values as Donald Trump has, anyone who has actively and violently obstructed the will of the people and the peaceful transfer of power as Donald Trump has … must never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States.” And Harris also said that “I take seriously my pledge to be a president for all Americans. Cheney was not always a fan of Harris. The Trump campaign on Thursday repeatedly pointed to a social media post by Cheney during the 2000 election in which she said, “@KamalaHarris has a more liberal voting record than Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Her radical leftist views-raising taxes, banning gun sales, taxpayer $ for abortion & illegal immigrant health care, eliminating private health insurance-would be devastating for America.” Trump, speaking with Fox News’ Bill Melugin during a rally in Michigan on Thursday, said Cheney was “terrible” and “a stupid war hawk. All she wants to do is shoot missiles at people.” On Cheney’s backing of Harris, Trump said, “I think they hurt each other. I think they’re so bad, both of them.” The Cheneys are part of a growing list of prominent Republicans who are supporting Harris. Two other high-profile anti-Trump Republicans, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, had speaking roles at the Democratic National Convention, which was held six weeks ago in Chicago. And Harris is backed by more than 200 alumni who served in both Bush administrations or worked for the late Sen. John McCain and Sen. Mitt Romney, the 2008 and 2012 GOP presidential nominees, respectively. She’s also supported by more than 100 Republican former national security officials and other prominent Republicans. Ripon is not the only town that claims to be the birthplace of the GOP. Exeter, New Hampshire, also has some bragging rites as it was the site of meetings in 1853 – a year ahead of the Ripon gatherings – by disenchanted political leaders who discussed the formation of a new party of Republicans. But officials in Ripon said the group in Exeter never actually formed a political organization, or chose officials, as they did in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is one of seven crucial battleground states with razor-thin margins that decided Biden’s 2020 White House victory and are likely to determine if Harris or Trump wins the 2024 presidential election. With less than five weeks until Election Day in November, Harris and Trump are locked in a margin-of-error race in the key swing states. While Trump retains vast sway over the GOP, even a small sliver of Republicans supporting Harris could make an important impact in
Tirupati laddus row: SC to hear today pleas seeking court-monitored probe
The top court had earlier said the laboratory test report was ‘not clear at all’ and it prima facie indicated that ‘rejected ghee’ was subjected to test.
Massachusetts governor implements new gun law weeks ahead of schedule
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey immediately implemented new gun legislation on Wednesday that not only cracks down on unserialized “ghost guns,” and attachments like bump stocks and trigger cranks, but also requires applicants to demonstrate basic safety principles and complete live-fire training before being granted a gun license. State lawmakers approved the gun reform law in July, which was expected to go into effect later this month, and comes as the deep-blue state already has some of the toughest gun laws in the nation. The Associated Press reported that gun rights advocates were working to gather enough signatures to suspend the law before it took effect. But rather than wait for the law to go into effect on Oct. 23, or 90 days after the governor signed it into law, Healey decided to put the law into effect immediately, blocking any temporary suspension of the law being sought by gun rights advocates. SCOTUS TO TAKE UP CHALLENGE TO BIDEN ADMIN’S GHOST GUN RULE THAT GROUP DEEMS ‘ABUSIVE’ “This gun safety law bans ghost guns, strengthens the Extreme Risk Protection Order statute to keep guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves or others, and invests in violence prevention programs,” Healey said in a statement. “It is important that these measures go into effect without delay.” The new law expands the state’s “red flag” law that allows police, health care and school officials to alert the courts if they believe someone with access to guns poses a threat and should have their firearms confiscated temporarily. Gun rights advocates have called the law a “historic attack on our civil rights,” adding it imposes unnecessary barriers on those who are law-abiding citizens and want to own a gun. SUPREME COURT ALLOWS CONTINUED REGULATION OF SO-CALLED ‘GHOST GUNS’ Gun rights advocates have also sought to suspend the law and place a referendum on a ballot in 2026, to give voters the chance to repeal the measure. In order to suspend the law from going into effect, gun rights advocates needed to collect at least 49,716 signatures from registered voters. The law was enacted, in part, as a response to the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which declared citizens have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. Gun rights advocates also filed a federal lawsuit arguing the Massachusetts law is unconstitutional, characterizing it as “onerous firearms legislation that imposes sweeping arms bans, magazine restrictions, registration requirements, and licensing preconditions that are as burdensome as they are ahistorical.” GUN GROUPS SLAM BIDEN ADMIN OVER NEW ATF RULE: ‘WEAPONIZING EVERY TOOL’ The lawsuit asks the courts to issue a preliminary injunction to prevent the state from enforcing the “burdensome licensing regimes on the possession and carry of firearms for self-defense.” Fox News Digital has reached out to the Gun Owners’ Action League in Massachusetts regarding Healey’s implementation of the gun reform law. Healey’s action on Wednesday makes it unlawful for those who are not part of law enforcement to carry guns at schools, polling locations and government buildings. The law also requires anyone applying for a license to carry firearms to demonstrate a basic understanding of safety principles and provides local licensing authorities with relevant mental health information. District attorneys are also able to prosecute people who shoot at or near homes and ensure people subject to restraining orders no longer have access to guns. Additionally, the new law expands on the definition of “assault weapons” to include known assault weapons and other weapons that function like them. It also bans the possession, transfer or sale of assault-style firearms or large-capacity feeding devices. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Firefighters union will not endorse Harris or Trump for president
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) on Thursday said it would remain neutral in this year’s presidential race, electing not to endorse a candidate, becoming the second major union to do so in recent weeks. The union’s executive board backed President Biden’s 2020 White House bid. In a statement, IAFF President Edward Kelly said the union membership voted by a margin of 1.2 percentage points not to endorse either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Trump. “Over the past year, the IAFF took unprecedented steps to hear our members’ views on the candidates and the policy issues that matter most to them,” Kelly said of the decision. “As we have over our 106-year history, the IAFF will continue its work to improve the lives of firefighters and their families,” he added. “The IAFF Executive Board determined that we are better able to advocate for our members and make progress on the issues that matter to them if we, as a union, are standing shoulder-to-shoulder. This decision, which we took very seriously, is the best way to preserve and strengthen our unity.” 2024 SHOCKER: WHY THE TEAMSTERS STAYED NEUTRAL IN THE HARRIS-TRUMP SHOWDOWN Fox News Digital has reached out to the Harris and Trump campaigns. The decision by the IAFF came weeks after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced it would not endorse a candidate either. WHY HARRIS CHARGED TRUMP’S ‘ONE OF THE BIGGEST LOSERS’ The Teamsters posted the results of internal polling on the 2024 candidates, showing that the union’s members favored Trump by 59.6% over Harris, who received 34% in an online survey. In a phone survey, Teamsters favored Trump over Harris, 58% to 31%. “The union’s extensive member polling showed no majority support for Vice President Harris and no universal support among the membership for President Trump,” the union said at the time.
Is Hezbollah still able to fight Israel after its leadership has weakened?
Armed group says fighters have inflicted damage to Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah is dead, along with several other senior leaders. But the Lebanese armed group says it will continue the fight. And despite the setbacks, the Iran-aligned group has demonstrated its capabilities to Israeli troops. The Israeli military has confirmed the killing of several soldiers since a ground operation in Lebanon began on Tuesday. So, is Hezbollah prepared for a long battle with Israel? And how will it face discontent among Lebanese civilians at the prospect of another war? Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra Guests: Sami Atallah – Founding director of The Policy Initiative, an independent Lebanese think tank Yezid Sayigh – Senior fellow at the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center Joseph Daher – Visiting professor at Lausanne University Adblock test (Why?)
Form, teams, head-to-head: India vs New Zealand – Women’s T20 World Cup
Who: India vs New ZealandWhat: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Group A matchWhen: Friday, October 4 at 6pm (14:00 GMT)Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesHow to follow: Al Jazeera’s live text coverage begins at 11:30 GMT India will begin their search for a maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title when they face New Zealand in a crucial Group A match on Friday. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team are placed third, just above their opponents, in the ICC women’s T20 international rankings but will be wary of the threat posed by an experienced side led by Sophie Devine. India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar believes his team head into the tournament with plenty of self-belief and experience. “We have had a fantastic season leading up to the World Cup,” he told reporters on Thursday. Muzumdar said the team management and captain have been working on finding the right mix for the playing 11 ahead of the first match. “We have figured out the right combination that we are going to play tomorrow,” he said. New Zealand captain Devine will hope that her team will be able to shake off the recent back-to-back series losses against Australia and England. Devine will hold the key to New Zealand’s chances with the bat, but Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr are also capable of taking on the best bowling attacks in the world. Placed in the tougher of the two groups – along with holders Australia, Asian champions Sri Lanka, and the unpredictable Pakistan – both teams will look to get points in the bag in the first game. Form guide: India India’s last T20 international outing resulted in a loss – and a costly one – when they were beaten by Sri Lanka in the final of the Women’s Asia Cup in July. Prior to the final, they had won all their games in the tournament in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Last five T20 results: L W W W W Form guide: New Zealand New Zealand, too, enter the tournament on the back of a string of losses in the T20 format. They were beaten 3-0 by the current champions Australia. Their tour of England ended in a series loss as well. Last five T20 results: L L L L L India vs New Zealand: Head-to-head The head-to-head record in T20 matches favours New Zealand, who have won four of their five meetings, including the last one in February 2022. India’s only win came at the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia, where the women in blue were the losing finalists. India team news India are a settled team and one that brims with experience with the likes of Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Verma, Singh and Yadav. Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Yastika Bhatia (wicketkeeper), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajeevan Sajana New Zealand team news New Zealand will be confident that their experienced top-order batting lineup will cope with the threat posed by India’s strong bowling attack. Squad: Sophie Devine (captain), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze (wicketkeeper), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu Are tickets for the Women’s T20 World Cup still available? Yes. Tickets for the tournament went on sale on September 25 on the tournament’s website. They will also be available at kiosks at both venues. The ICC has announced free entry for fans under the age of 18. The price for tickets ranges between 5 UAE dirhams ($1.36) and 550 dirhams ($150). How to watch the Women’s T20 World Cup? The ICC has allotted rights to various broadcasting and online streaming outlets across the world. Adblock test (Why?)
At least 78 people killed after boat capsizes in DRC
At least 58 rescued, as official warns death toll could rise after boat carrying 278 people sinks. At least 78 people have died after a boat capsized in Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a provincial governor said. Governor of South Kivu province Jean Jacques Purisi told the Reuters news agency on Thursday that 278 people had been on board the boat before it overturned. “It’ll take at least three days to get the exact numbers, because not all the bodies have been found yet,” Purisi told Reuters. The governor of the neighbouring North Kivu province said at least 58 people had been rescued. The boat, which had come from the town of Minova in South Kivu province, sank on Thursday morning, only 100 metres (328 feet) from its destination at the shore of Goma. An increasing number of people have opted to cross the northern tip of Lake Kivu by boat to reach Goma in often overcrowded vessels to avoid land travel in an area prone to fighting between Congolese government forces and M23 rebels. Reporting from Goma, Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani said there was frustration among residents over the road closures. “Many people here are already complaining about the fact that this is the only possibility to travel between the province of North Kivu to the neighbouring province of South Kivu, even different villages along the lake here because many roads are closed due to the fighting,” he said. Uaykani said those rescued were receiving treatment. ‘I saw people sinking’ One survivor told Reuters that as he struggled to stay afloat in the lake, others around him were drowning. “I saw people sinking, many went under. I saw women and children sinking in the water, and I myself was on the verge of drowning, but God helped me,” said 51-year-old Alfani Buroko Byamungu from his hospital bed. Mushagulua Bienfait, a Goma resident who lost three family members in the incident, blamed the war for his loss. “All of this is part of the consequences of the war … They no longer make an effort to clear the enemies off the road so that it can become operational again,” he shouted. Since M23 launched an offensive in late 2021, the group has seized large parts of territory in the eastern DRC, increasing its military presence and the number of armed groups in the area. Adblock test (Why?)