Latest news today (October 3): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.

NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha arrested by Delhi Police Special Cell

“Regarding the search, seizure and detentions carried out today in connection with a UAPA case registered with Special Cell, so far, two accused, Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty have been arrested. A total of 37 male suspects have been questioned at premises, 9 female suspects have been questioned at their respective places of stay and digital devices, documents etc. have been seized/collected for examination”: Delhi Police

Union Cabinet meeting likely on 4th October in Delhi

Union Cabinet meeting is likely to be held on October 4, 2023 in New Delhi, news agency ANI reported.

Explosion at firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu

Three people were injured in an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing factory in Virudhunagar district today. They have been admitted to Sivakasi Government Hospital for treatment.

Delhi LG nod to tenure extension of all home guards

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has approved the extension of tenure of all the 8,539 home guard volunteers till March 31 next year, Raj Niwas officials said on Tuesday.

Delhi HC vacates stay on termination of services of assembly fellows

The Delhi Court has vacated the interim stay on the termination of services of assembly fellows and associate fellows engaged with the Delhi Assembly Research Centre. The high court vacated the stay in view of an order passed by the Supreme Court, declining the stay on the letter issued by the assembly secretariat.

NewsClick’s office in Delhi sealed after police’s crackdown

After carrying out several raids at premises linked with NewsClick, the Delhi Police’s Special Cell on Tuesday afternoon sealed the office of the online news portal in the national capital. The Special Cell of Delhi Police launched a crackdown against NewsClick and its journalists earlier this morning in connection with an FIR, registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Yogi govt to develop 10 council schools of Lucknow and Barabanki as Demo Schools

As part of its large-scale campaign to develop council schools, the Yogi government is going to upgrade 10 schools situated on the main roads of the state capital, Lucknow, as well as in Barabanki as ‘Demo Schools’, an official statement said.

PM Modi reveals how BRS leader and Telangana CM KC Rao wanted to join NDA

” When BJP won 48 seats in the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation election, KCR needed support. Before this election, he used to welcome me at the airport, but later suddenly he stopped doing so. After the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections, KCR came to meet me in Delhi and said that he wanted to join NDA. He also asked me to extend support to him. I told him (KCR) that due to his deeds Modi cannot be associated with him…” (ANI)

AstraZeneca to pay $425 mn to end US lawsuits over heartburn drugs

Britain’s AstraZeneca said it will pay $425 million to settle lawsuits in the United States that claimed its heartburn drugs Nexium and Prilosec caused chronic kidney disease. AstraZeneca did not disclose specific terms of the agreement and said in a statement on Tuesday that it continues to believe the claims are without merit and admitted no wrongdoing. (Reuters)

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister to participate in Trans-Himalaya Forum in Tibet

Pakistan’s interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani will visit China to participate in the 3rd Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation to be held in Tibet on October 4-5, according to a media report. The Forum meeting is being held at Nyingchi in Tibet Autonomous Region, 400 km east of Lhasa and, north of and very near to Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district. (PTI)

SC defers hearing till Oct 9 on Chandrababu Naidu’s plea

The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred till October 9 hearing on a plea by TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu challenging an Andhra Pradesh High Court order dismissing his petition to quash an FIR against him in the Skill Development Corporation scam case. A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi asked senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Andhra Pradesh government, to place on record all materials which were produced before the high court in connection with the case. (PTI)

SC refuses to entertain plea seeking direction to declare ‘Ram Sethu’ as national monument

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to declare the ‘Ram Sethu’ as a national monument and construction of a wall at the site, saying these are administrative matters for the government. ‘Ram Sethu’, also known as Adam’s bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mannar Island off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. (PTI)

Indian economy to grow at 6.3 pc in FY24: World Bank

The Indian economy is projected to grow at 6.3 per cent in the current financial year aided by investment and domestic demand. According to a World Bank report released on Tuesday, India continues to show resilience against the backdrop of a challenging global environment. In India, which accounts for the bulk of South Asia region, growth is expected to remain robust at 6.3 per cent in 2023-24, India Development Update of the World Bank said. (PTI)

PM Modi launches key projects in Chhattisgarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in poll-bound Chhattisgarh today. Ahead of launching key infra schemes, PM Modi visited Danteshwari Mandir in Bastar and offered prayers. Later, he laid foundation stone of multiple projects worth Rs 26,000 cr in the poll-bound state.

Factory growth eased in September

India’s factory activity expanded at the slowest pace in five months in September but remained solid, with strong demand driving business confidence to its highest level this year, despite increased inflationary pressures, a private survey showed. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, compiled by S&P Global, fell to 57.5 last month from 58.6 in August, missing the Reuters poll forecast for 58.1. (READ MORE)

Maharashtra: 31 deaths in 48 hours at Nanded hospital

The Maharashtra government has ordered a probe after 31 patients, including 16 children, died at the state-run Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital in Nanded in the last 48 hours. (READ MORE)

Turkish police launches ops against Kurdish militants

Turkish police detained on Monday about 90 people in 18 provinces across the country over suspected links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group, state media reported. The operations, centered in Turkey’s southeastern Sanliurfa province, came after PKK claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on Sunday in Ankara. (Reuters)

Caste Census in Bihar

Caste Census in Bihar | Supreme Court says it will take up the matter on October 6. Petitioner mentions before Supreme Court that the Bihar Government has published caste survey data.

Delhi Police raids NewsClick journalists’ homes, other locations amid China funding row

The Delhi Police on Tuesday conducted raids in at least 30 locations, including the houses of seven journalists and places associated with NewsClick. This comes amid allegations that the news portal had received funding from China. (READ MORE)

China mocks Taiwan’s first indigenous submarin

China responded with mocking derision when Taiwan unveiled its first Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS), which displaces approximately 2,700 tons, at a ceremony in Kaohsiung on 28 September. Taiwan is planning to construct up to eight such submarines and, despite China’s rhetoric, they will present significant challenges to China’s military in any potential conflict. (ANI)

PM Modi to inaugurate NMDC’s steel plant, new rail lines in Chhattisgarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be laying the foundation stone of several projects including the NMDC steel plant at Jagdalpur and a new rail line between Antagarh and Tadoki, Chhattisgarh today. While the Congress party has called up ‘Bandh’ in the state during the visit.

Delhi Police raids NewsClick’s office, journalists

Delhi Police’s Special Cell has conducted raids on news portal NewsClick and its journalists on the basis of inputs provided by the central agency. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had raided the company even before for its source funding. (READ MORE)

‘Largest’ Ambedkar statue in North America to be unveiled on Oct 14

According to the organizers, the “largest” statue of B. R. Ambedkar outside of India will be unveiled in Maryland on October 14. The eponymous “Statue of Equality” is a 19-foot statue created by renowned artist and sculptor Ram Sutar, who also created the Sardar Patel statue that is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.