Latest news today (October 19): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.
New RRTS trains to be known as ‘Namo Bharat
Trains of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, will be known as ‘Namo Bharat’, official sources said.The 17-km priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor is slated to be opened for passengers on October 21, a day after its inauguration. (PTI)
PM Modi talks with Prez Abbas, assures to aid Palestine
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to express his condolences over the deaths of civilians in an attack on the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza and to reassure him that India would continue to provide aid to the Palestinian people.
Vande Bharat trains in Kashmir soon: Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Vande Bharat services are expected to be introduced in Srinagar within this financial year after the Jammu-Srinagar line becomes functional, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said here on Thursday. He said the semi-high speed train will also serve the people of Tripura once the railway line to the northeastern state gets electrified. The government plans to roll out 75 Vande Bharat trains by March next year and is also keen to run sleeper versions of the trains on long-distance routes as an alternative to Rajdhani Express trains. (PTI)
Pope Francis may attend global climate talks in Dubai
Pope Francis may attend the COP28 climate conference starting next month in Dubai, Vatican sources say, to drive home his recent appeal for action to curb global warming. It would be the first time a pope has attended a U.N. climate change conference since they began in 1995. (Reuters)
Pak court forbids arrest of Nawaz Sharif on his return
A Pakistan court on Thursday barred authorities from arresting a former three-time prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, upon his expected return home on Saturday from four years in self-imposed exile, his lawyer said. Lawyer Azam Nazeer Tarar told reporters that Sharif had been granted protective bail, under which authorities could not arrest him until he himself appears before a court on Oct. 24, adding that Sharif would address a rally in the city of Lahore upon his return. (Reuters)
Egypt repairing roads at Gaza crossing ahead of aid delivery
Machinery to repair roads has been sent through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt into the Gaza Strip in preparation for the delivery of some of the aid stockpiled in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, two security sources said on Thursday. Rafah is the only crossing not controlled by Israel but has been out of operation since the first days of the conflict in Gaza following Israeli bombardments on the Palestinian side of the border. (Reuters)
Fire breaks out in Mumbai high-rise; no injuries
A fire broke out in a multi-storey building in south Mumbai on Thursday morning, an official said. No one was injured in the fire, he said. The fire started around 11.15 am at Soham Apartment at Walkeshwar in the Malabar Hill area. (PTI)
China seeking quick end to Israel-Hamas conflict, says Xi Jinping
China wants the Israel-Hamas war to be stopped as soon as possible, President Xi Jingping was quoted by Chinese state media as saying on Thursday, adding Beijing was willing to work with Arab governments for a lasting solution to the conflict. Xi also said a ceasefire was “imperative” as soon as possible to prevent the conflict from expanding, or spiralling out of control, the state media said. (Reuters)
Madras HC rejects bail plea of TN Minister Senthil Balaji
The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed the bail petition of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case. Justice G Jayachandran dismissed the bail petition of Senthil Balaji. (PTI)
Fire in building in Delhi’s Gandhi Nagar market
A minor fire broke out in a building in Gandhi Nagar market in east Delhi on Thursday morning, fire officials said. No one was injured in the blaze that was reported at 9 am. The fire broke out in the the basement of the building where some machines were kept, a Delhi Fire Service official said. Four fire tenders were pressed into service and it took 30 minutes to control the blaze, the official added. (PTI)
UK Prime Minister Sunak to visit Israel today
A day after US President Joe Biden paid a solidarity visit to Isarel, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to touch down in Tel Aviv today. He will also meet his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day. (Read More)