Main Accused In Salman Khan's Farmhouse Attack Arrested From Haryana

The Navi Mumbai's Panvel City police on Thursday arrested a shooter named Sukkha from Panipat in Haryana.

An FIR has been registered against him. He is among those accused who had conducted a recce of Salman Khan's farmhouse in Panvel, Navi Mumbai and was the main accused in the conspiracy to attack Salman Khan's at his farmhouse. Sukkha is being brought to Navi Mumbai.

The police uncovered the plan to attack Salman Khan's farmhouse near Panvel in Navi Mumbai while they were investigating the incident of firing outside the actor's house in Bandra.

On June 1, Navi Mumbai Police had arrested four people from Lawrence Bishnoi's gang as they had planned to attack actor Salman Khan's car in Panvel. According to the police, there was a plan to order weapons from a Pakistani arms supplier for this attack.

An FIR was registered against more than 17 people including Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol Bishnoi, Sampat Nehra, Goldy Brar. Further investigation is underway. Navi Mumbai Police said the arrested accused were identified as Dhananjay alias Ajay Kashyap, Gaurav Bhatia alias Nahvi, Waspi Khan alias Wasim Chikna and Rizwan Khan alias Javed Khan: Navi Mumbai Police

Meanwhile, security has been increased outside the apartment of Bollywood actor Salman Khan following the killing of former minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique.

Mr Siddique, a former MLA from Bandra and leader in Ajit Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was shot near Nirmal Nagar in Bandra.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Opinion: Nijjar Row: How US Backing Has Emboldened A Beleaguered Trudeau

Coincidents are rare in diplomacy. It may be significant to keep a note of that as the issue of the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar blows up between India and Canada. The timing of the allegations, each time, from Canada and the escalation of the row despite Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's domestic political troubles indicate that the actions may have been carefully thought through rather than being just a diversionary tactic, which it initially appeared to be. Here's why.

America Has Canada's Back

In the latest round of allegations, Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly said about the Nijjar killing investigation that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) “gathered information that established linkages between the investigation and agents of the Government of India". It was this message that the Deputy Commissioner of Federal Policing, Mark Flynn, wanted to communicate to his Indian counterpart last week. When the attempts were unsuccessful, he met with officials of the Indian government, along with National Security and Intelligence Advisor (NSIA) Nathalie Drouin and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison over the weekend.

The Canadian government's decision to expel the diplomats has been based on the RCMP's findings and was taken within a day of the stated meeting, where the NSIA was present along with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, as reported by a US publication. What explains the hurry to present the evidence to India and then immediately act on it with expulsion? Could this have been prompted because the Indian enquiry committee looking into similar allegations by the US was visiting Washington DC just a day after Canada's action?

Now, turn the clock back to September last year when Justin Trudeau told the Canadian Parliament that Indian government agents possibly had a hand in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia. Many were taken aback by the public announcement by Trudeau on a sensitive issue.

That Trudeau may have wanted to create a distraction from domestic issues only partly explained his action. What seemed more probable was the fact that he was possibly aware of the parallel investigations underway in the US. That Canada was sounded out by the US on the issue is now quite evident, even though what we know now is only that a Five Eyes country alerted Ottawa. Within 10 days of Trudeau's Parliament statement, the US released details of their investigations against Indian national Nikhil Gupta and an Indian government employee referred to as 'CC1' by the US Department of Justice, who plotted the foiled assassination bid on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, another Khalistani extremist who lives in New York.

The unfolding of the events in September 2023 and today should give a clear sense that there is much greater coordination on this matter between the US and Canada than what meets the eye. Having America's backing on the issue can explain the steps that Canada has taken and the ones it has indicated when Joly did not rule out sanctions by saying that “everything is on the table”.

Foreign Interference

India has repeatedly raised the issue of Khalistan with Canada as a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. With the killing of Nijjar, Canada is using the argument of sovereignty. The issue is also being conflated with the overarching concern over foreign interference.  As a result, the matter has gained traction not just with the public but also politically from an otherwise adversarial opposition, the Conservatives. Pierre Poilievre said, “Any foreign interference from any country, including India, is unacceptable and must be stopped.”

A Parliamentary Committee report identified India as the second most significant foreign threat to Canada following China. The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians report said, “In addition to interference against Canadian democratic processes and institutions by the PRC, India and to a limited extent Pakistan, other countries, notably Iran engaged in episodic foreign interference directed towards suppressing dissidents and critics in Canada. Known as 'transnational repression,' these activities represent one of the most egregious forms of foreign interference.”

The issue of foreign interference could be a prickly matter for any sovereign nation but more so for Canada and the US in the recent past with their concerns about China and Russia. Hence, this issue is one that generates fear or worry, and thus has the power to mobilise both public and political opinion around India.

Another Five Eyes country, Australia, had earlier reported about a "nest of spies" that was discovered by the Australian Security Intelligence Organization in 2020. Australian news channel ABC reported that “National security and government figures have now confirmed to the ABC that India's foreign intelligence service was responsible for the 'nest of spies', and 'a number' of Indian officials were later removed from Australia by the Morrison government.”

With these two broad factors – US backing and foreign interference – closely associated with the Nijjar killing, the Justin Trudeau government is making drastic and dramatic moves, but perhaps with the knowledge that any backfire will be cushioned.

(Maha Siddiqui is a journalist who has extensively reported on public policy and global affairs.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

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Heavy Rain In Chennai, Nearby Areas, Schools And Colleges Shut

Overnight rains lashed Chennai and nearby areas and the India Meteorological Department on Tuesday said the low-pressure area is likely to turn well marked soon. While civic authorities said there has been no water stagnation in subways in view of preventive maintenance, water logging was seen in several places inconveniencing road users.

Since Monday night, Chennai and its suburbs, including those falling under nearby Tiruvallur district has been experiencing intermittent rains.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Rain lashes parts of Chennai city.

(Visuals from Koyambedu area in Chennai) pic.twitter.com/kf2mfGz6fr

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2024

The IMD in a post on X said: "The low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal persisted over the same region at 23.30 hours IST of yesterday, the 14th October 2024. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and become a well marked low pressure area over central parts of south Bay of Bengal by morning of today, the 15th October.

"Thereafter, it is likely to intensify into a depression and continue to move west-northwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during subsequent 2 days".

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday took stock of the preparations and steps taken by authorities to tackle the situation that may arise in view of the heavy rain predicted by the met office.

The chief minister directed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force be deployed in advance in the areas prone to be affected.

He has directed the authorities to declare a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts on October 15, and also asked them to issue an advisory to IT firms to allow their employees to work from home from October 15 to 18.

During the review meeting, the Greater Chennai Corporation officials informed that the civic body has readied 990 pumps, 57 tractors equipped with pump sets, and 36 mechanised boats to be used in case of any emergency. In addition, 46 MT bleaching powder and phenyl were available for sanitation purposes. About 169 fully equipped relief centers would become operational based on the situation.

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Royal Enfield Interceptor Bear 650 Design Leaked; India Launch In November 2024

It is no secret that the one of the next launches from Royal Enfield will be the Interceptor Bear 650, a scrambler based on the Interceptor 650 roadster. And barely weeks before its official reveal at EICMA 2024, the motorcycle has been fully revealed with all the details, in what seems to be a company presentation. The motorcycle does look good and stays true to the scrambler design. Now, it will have the same 648 cc parallel-twin engine which is oil/air-cooled and is likely to have the same power and torque output which is 47 bhp and 52.3 Nm.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 650 Spotted; India Launch Soon

The engine will be paired to a 6-speed gearbox and instead of the twin exhausts on the Interceptor 650, the Bear 650 will have a two-in-one exhaust. Expect RE to tweak the ratios of the gearbox to offer more torque at the bottom end and mid-range.

In terms of distinguishing features, the images reveal that the Bear 650 will have a different seat and grab-rail along with a number badge on the side, which is a trademark scrambler design element and has Interceptor Bear 650 written on it. From the photos, the handlebar seems to be the same as that of the Interceptor and what we suspect, increased suspension travel with USD fork up front, which will distinguish it as a scrambler, from the roadster that the Interceptor 650 is. What we also see is the motorcycle gets dual-sport tyres with spoked rims - an 18-inch unit up front and a 17-inch unit at the rear.

The image also shows that the motorcycle gets a circular instrument console, which may or may not be a TFT, depending on the variant and we expect it to get switchable ABS, similar to what the Himalayan 450 offers. Royal Enfield is likely to position it above the Interceptor and Continental GT 650, which means an asking price of about Rs. 3.4 to 3.5 lakh (ex-showroom). The motorcycle will make its official debut at EICMA 2024 and will

Source: Grippedia YouTube

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"No One Like Him": N Chandrasekaran Shares Untold Stories Of Ratan Tata

On October 9, India mourned the loss of Ratan Tata, the iconic business leader and philanthropist who left an indelible mark on the country's industrial landscape. Across India, tributes are still pouring in for the man whose remarkable life and achievements embody the values of integrity, innovation, and compassion. On Monday, N Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of Tata Sons, in a heartfelt post on LinkedIn paid a beautiful tribute to his mentor, reminiscing about the time he spent with him. Mr Chandrasekaran reflected on the legendary industrialist's profound impact, noting that everyone who met him came away with a story about his kindness, warmth, and vision for India. He also remarked how Mr Tata's remarkable ability to connect with people and notice details made him truly special.

''Our relationship grew over the years, first focusing on business and eventually evolving into a more personal connection. We discussed interests ranging from cars to hotels, but when our conversations turned to other matters—those of daily life—he would show how much he noticed and felt. He was someone to be discovered, over time and through experience,'' he wrote in a LinkedIn post. 

Mr Chandrasekaran fondly recalled a pivotal moment in 2017 when he and Ratan Tata collaborated to resolve a longstanding wage dispute between Tata Motors and its employees' union. In a meeting with union leaders, Mr Tata expressed regret over the delay, candidly discussed the company's challenges, and assured a prompt resolution.

''Mr. Tata's direction squarely focused on making sure employees were well taken care of—not just to resolve the dispute, but to ensure their and their families' well-being. Across other Group companies, his perspective on employees was uniform. It is something that has shaped a number of our leaders across the Group,'' the Chairman noted. 

N. Chandrasekaran shared another fascinating story about the renovation of Bombay House, Tata Group's iconic headquarters. The heritage building, constructed in 1924, had remained untouched for decades, earning it the reputation as a "temple" that shouldn't be altered. When  N. Chandrasekaran discussed renovating Bombay House with Ratan Tata, his initial concern was about the well-being of dogs. ''May I ask you something? When you say ‘renovate', do you mean ‘vacate'?” I explained that we planned to move everyone to a nearby office. He gently clarified: “Where will the dogs go?'', the post read.

Mr Chandrasekaran reassured Mr Tata that a kennel would be built to care for the dogs, bringing a smile to his face. Upon completion of the renovation, Mr Tata's first request was to see the kennel, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to compassion and detail. ''Seeing his happiness with the kennel and his priorities was a reminder that while big projects are important, it's the details that reveal how we think, what we prioritise, and how we are perceived. His joy was confirmation that we had done the right thing,'' Mr Chandrasekaran wrote.

He further highlighted Ratan Tata's exceptional memory and meticulous attention to detail, showcasing his remarkable leadership qualities.

"If Mr. Tata ever visited a place, he could recall everything—from the placement of smallest piece of furniture, the lighting, colours, and so on. His memory was photographic. He remembered the covers and content of books and magazines and referred to them even years later. He was always observing and processing, from large ideas to minute detail," Mr Chandrasekaran recalled.

He concluded his tribute post, saying, ''There is so much else to say about who he was, but for now, as I process his absence, this will have to do: His eye received everything clearly, as his mind perceived everything clearly.''

Ratan Tata died on October 9 at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital, where he was admitted for a routine health check due to his age.

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Iran Rejects Claims Linking Tehran To Hamas' October 7 Attack On Israel

Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York rejected claims linking Tehran to Hamas' October 7 surprise attack on Israel, the state media reported.

In a statement, the Iranian mission responded to questions from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal regarding Israel's claim of having access to minutes from Hamas' secret meetings, which allegedly indicated Tehran was informed of the group's plan for the October 7 attack, the IRNA reported.

"While Hamas officials based in (the Qatari capital) Doha have announced that they had no information about the operation and solely Hamas' military wing based in Gaza had been responsible for the planning, deciding about and directing the operation, any claim aiming to partially or entirely link the operation to Iran or Hezbollah is invalid and comes from fabricated documents," said the mission, Xinhua news agency reported, quoting IRNA.

The New York Times reported on Saturday that minutes of Hamas' secret meetings, seized by the Israeli military and obtained by the American newspaper, provided a detailed record of the planning for the October 7 attack, as well as the determination of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' incumbent political bureau chief, to persuade the Palestinian group's allies, Iran and Hezbollah, to join the operation or at least commit to a broader fight with Israel if Hamas staged a surprise cross-border raid.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages. In response, the Israeli military has been conducting a large-scale offensive on Gaza.

Iranian officials have consistently stated that while Iran supports Palestinian resistance groups, including Hamas, it had no prior knowledge of the attack on Israel and was not involved in its execution.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Babar Azam Dropped From Pakistan's 2nd Test Squad Against England: Report

After Pakistan's humiliating defeat to England in the first Test at Multan, former skipper Babar Azam has been dropped from the report, a report has confirmed. Babar has been in woeful form over the last few months, across formats. He only scored 30 and 5 across the two innings against England in the first Test, despite the pitch being an absolute belter for batters. Hours after Pakistan's defeat in the Multan Test, the Pakistan Cricket Board constituted a new selection committee, which has reportedly decided to exclude Babar from the second Test squad. 

According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the selection committee, consisting of Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali have decided to leave out Babar, Pakistan's former captain, from the squad, owing to his barren run with the bat. 

The selection committee reportedly met PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, as well as the five mentors appointed by the PCB on three-year deals, on Saturday, and finalised the squad. 

The development comes despite the fact that Pakistan captain Shan Massood had labelled Babar the team's best batter. 

"We want to build a squad mentality. We don't play a lot of Test cricket. Especially as a batter, it is not easy. You have to give a lot of opportunities, and there is no doubt that Babar Azam is Pakistan's best batter. You always have to keep in mind that your best batter is just one game away. We will reflect and see the conditions that will be on offer. We will try to put the best team on the side," Masood had said in the post-match press conference after the first Test.

The selectors traveled to Multan on Saturday to meet with the captain Masood and coach Jason Gillespie. They also held a meeting with the PCB curator Tony Hemming after Multan wicket came in the line of fire over its extremely batting-friendly conditions.

The report claimed that some of the mentors in the PCB-appointed committee were in favour of keeping Babar in the squad, but the majority verdict was against his continuity.

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In Pics: Auroras Seen In Unlikely Locations Globally 2nd Time This Year

People across time zones, in several parts of the world ranging from London to Ladakh, were mesmerized to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial phenomenon, Aurora Borealis on Thursday. 

For the second time this year, vibrant auroras, which are normally reserved for polar regions, illuminated the skies at latitudes beyond the polar extremes. 

Photo Credit: AFP

Northern lights were spotted over the Baltic Sea close to Kiel, northern Germany, on Thursday night. 

As reported by AFP, the northern lights were triggered by a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun earlier in the week. This event marked a significant geomagnetic storm.

Photo Credit: AFP

The stunning display of colours was also seen in the southern hemisphere. The above picture shows how it looked from over a dairy farm in Lincoln, on the outskirts of the city of Christchurch in New Zealand. 

Photo Credit: AFP

Haraldsted Lake near Ringsted, Denmark was also there among the regions where the northern lights were seen.  

Photo Credit: Indian Institute of Astrophysics and Bhabha Atomic Research Center

In Ladakh's Hanle and Leh, the aurora-lit skies were captured on camera by scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru and the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai stationed there.

A statement issued by the Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), said "For an extraordinary fourth time during the current solar cycle, intense red-coloured Auroral activity was seen from Ladakh, India, and was photographed by astronomers of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) from Hanle, Leh, and Merak on the night of 10-11 October  2024." 

Photo Credit: AFP

The CME that caused this spectacle was particularly potent, having erupted from a section of the Sun aimed directly at Earth. Juha-Pekka Luntama, head of the European Space Agency's Space Weather Office, described it as a "perfect hit."  

Skies across Fish Creek, south of Melbourne,  in Australia, were also lit up in this vibrant display of colours which is typically referred to as Aurora Australis, or the Southern Lights, in the southern hemisphere. 

Photo Credit: AFP

The geomagnetic storm that produced these lights also had their influence seen in Washington DC. The US Space Weather Prediction Center warned that ongoing severe weather conditions linked to hurricanes Helene and Milton could exacerbate disruptions to emergency services. 

As solar activity approaches its peak in an 11-year cycle, these storms pose risks to satellites, GPS systems, and power grids. Looking ahead, there may be additional opportunities to witness auroras in the coming years as solar activity continues to rise.

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Pant Breaks Silence On Rohit's 'Fake Injury' Claim from T20 WC 2024 Final

Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma recently revealed that wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant came up with a brilliant ploy that disrupted South Africa's rhythm during the T20 World Cup 2024 final. The match was headed towards a close finish with South Africa needing 30 runs off 30 balls and it looked like India will need something to turn the momentum in their favour. Pant stopped the game as he had a knee injury and the physio came inside the ground to tap up his knee. Rohit claimed that the whole incident helped slow down the game and India went on to clinch the title with a brilliant win. Pant broke silence on Rohit's claim and said that he asked the physio to take his time on the field.

"I was thinking about this. Because suddenly the momentum shifted. There were a lot of runs in 2-3 overs. So, I was thinking, when will this moment come again when you are playing in a World Cup final. So, I was telling the physio, that you take your time, keep wasting the time."

RISHABH PANT - THE MOMENTUM BREAKER...!!!

Pant narrated the story behind his injury during the T20 World Cup final when SA needed 26 from 24. [Star Sports] pic.twitter.com/7AeyHAnzdF

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 12, 2024

"He was asking me if I was okay. I told him I'm just acting. Sometimes in such a match situation, I am not saying that it works every time, But sometimes it works. And if it works in such a moment, you want nothing else," Rishabh Pant said in the viral video.

Earlier, Rohit recalled the entire incident during an episode of 'The Kapil Sharma Show'.

"When South Africa needed 30 runs off 30 balls, just before that, there was a small break. Pant used his intelligence to pause the game - he had a knee injury, so he had his knee taped, which helped slow down the game - because the game was fast-paced, and at that moment, all a batter wants is the ball to be bowled quickly. But we had to break the rhythm. As I was setting the field and talking to bowlers, suddenly I saw Pant fall on the ground. The physiotherapist had arrived and was taping his knee. Klassen was waiting for the match to start again. I am not saying it's the only reason, but it could be one of them - Pant Sahab used his smarts and things worked out in our favour," he said.

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Navi Mumbai Airport Conducts Trial. To Be Operational From Next Year.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport successfully conducted the trial landing of an aircraft with the touchdown of an Airbus C295 plane on Friday.

The Indian Air Force transport carrier C295 landed at the Southern runway 26 of the airport at 12.14 pm, according to the airport operator.

Water canon salute was accorded to the aircraft.

The airport, being developed by the Adani Group, is expected to start commercial operations early next year.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Pak Captain Throws Bowlers Under The Bus After Multan Test Embarrassment

Pakistan cricket team went into the dark corners of cricketing history as they suffered a humiliating defeat to England in the Multan Test. Despite scoring 556 runs in the first innings, Pakistan suffered a defeat by an innings and 47 runs, becoming the first Test-playing nation in the world to do so. The unwanted piece of history is bound to haunt the Pakistan team for years but skipper Shan Masood isn't keen to see the batters sharing the bulk of the blame. For Masood, if his batting unit managed to put over 500 runs in the first innings, the bowlers had to deliver with 10 wickets but they didn't.

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Masood asserted that his team's 220-run total in the second innings could've been a good one had the bowling unit stepped up and delivered in the first innings.

"We've spoken about the third innings or fourth innings, but at the end of the day it's a team game. Everything has its advantages or repercussions as a team. When you put up 550 on the board, it's important to back it up with 10 wickets. 220 runs in the third innings, depending on what kind of lead you have can also be a good score. England found a way to get those 20 wickets. We also have to find a way to do that. That's the challenge a side has to go forward," Masood said after the match.

Shan Masood said "You cannot win matches if you cannot take 20 wickets in a Test match" #PAKvENG #tapmad #DontStopStreaming pic.twitter.com/uju9K2u7Yi

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 11, 2024

Pakistan also lost the home Test assignment to Bangladesh 0-2 before the start of the England series, raising questions over the team's ability to deliver. After losing the opening match of the series, Masood is keen to help his team find a way to bounce back and there's no other way for the skipper to do that than being consistent.

"We're in the middle of the series, we've talked about squad mentality and consistency. No matter how the pitch is, we have to find a way out. England showed that. Sometimes you get conditions in your favour, sometimes you don't. It's a non-negotiable of Test cricket to perform on a consistent basis. We love playing the game," he said.

The biggest disappointment from the result, for Masood, remains the fact that the team isn't able to deliver the results Pakistan deserves.

"We're obviously hurt by the results, hurt as a nation. I never try and shy away from responsibility. What hurts is that we're not getting the results that Pakistan cricket deserves. We are trying to turn it around," he concluded.

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Gautam Adani On How Ratan Tata Shaped His Business Decisions, Philosophy

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has called Ratan Tata "the perfect Renaissance man" in an obituary remembering one of the most brilliant entrepreneurs of his generation.

"To describe him merely as one of the greatest industrialists of our time is a gross understatement. Ratan Tata was a remarkable individual, possessing extraordinary capabilities that transcended traditional business boundaries. There is hardly any field where he has not left his mark," Mr Adani wrote in The Economic Times.

"It is no surprise that his journey and body of work have inspired legions of generational entrepreneurs, both in India and abroad. I am just one of the countless individuals who have benefited immensely from his influence. While an anatomy of his legacy will occupy thousands of pages, I am briefly sharing three major areas where he shaped my business decisions and philosophy," Mr Adani wrote of the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons and a philanthropist.

Ratan Tata died at 86, a day after he posted on X that he would undergo routine medical investigations due to his age.

Mr Adani wrote that the international ventures of his Group were deeply influenced by Ratan Tata - one of the first to truly believe in India and the potential of Indians.

"... Among his many legacies, one that stands out for me is how he took Tata and corporate India global. He was among the first to let the world know that India stands tall and can compete on the global stage. He carried the Indian flag across shores, not only to build a bigger company but to establish an Indian imprint, rooted in our heritage, culture and pride. His international forays through Tetley, Corus and Jaguar Land Rover were inspirations for me, when we decided to go beyond the comforts of our own country into Australia, Sri Lanka, Israel and now Africa," Mr Adani wrote.

@ratantata on Instagram

"Secondly, the development of our greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport had multiple challenges and was a Sisyphean project. While I was evaluating it, in that crucial moment, it was Ratan Tata's words of encouragement which moved the needle for me. Now as this airport is soon going to become reality, he will be greatly missed.

"Lastly, for him, success was never just about profit, but about purpose. His deep commitment to nation building and his belief that businesses must serve the greater good have left an indelible mark on us. For us, as one of the leading infrastructure developers in India, there is no purpose bigger than serving India. The idea behind our endeavours is that every Indian should stand to benefit from what we do.

On this very philosophy, we formulated a vision and took the most challenging responsibility of transforming Dharavi into a modern oasis of dignity. Ratan Tata's humane vision provided a framework that continues to resonate with our 'growth with goodness' approach to development.

"Ratan Tata was the perfect Renaissance man. In his passing, not only have I lost a mentor and my north star, but the nation too has lost one of its most brilliant and humanistic sons..." Mr Adani wrote.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

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"Will Fight Hard" To Keep Emily In Paris, Vows French President Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has weighed in on the surprise twist in Netflix's hit show Emily in Paris, saying the country “will fight hard” to keep the show from relocating to Rome.

“We will ask them to remain in Paris, Emily in Paris in Rome doesn't make sense,” Macron told Variety Magazine.

The show, which follows the adventures of American marketing executive Emily Cooper (played by Lily Collins), has become one of Netflix's most-watched programmes. It is set in the backdrop of the romantic city of Paris and has also boosted tourism to the city. A study by France's national film centre in January found that nearly 10 per cent of tourists decided to visit the country after watching a movie or series, with Emily in Paris playing a key role in inspiring these trips.

The show's creator, Darren Star, confirmed Emily's move to Rome. Roberto Gualtieri, the city mayor, had a lighthearted response to the French President's comments. He wrote on X, “Dear Emmanuel Macron, don't worry: Emily is doing great in Rome. And one can't control the heart: let's let her choose.” 

Caro @EmmanuelMacron stai tranquillo: Emily a Roma sta benissimo. E poi al cuor non si comanda: facciamo scegliere lei ????https://t.co/n0EgAfMhrl

— Roberto Gualtieri (@gualtierieurope) October 9, 2024

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Gualtieri added, “I would like to hope that Macron was joking, because he ought to know that a production company like Netflix does not take orders from heads of state.”

Interestingly, the French President has a personal connection to the show – his wife, Brigitte Macron, made a brief cameo in season four. Reflecting on this, Macron shared that he was “super proud” of his wife's involvement. “It's just a few minutes, but I think it was a very good moment for her.”

As for his own future in front of the camera, Macron made it clear he won't be following in his wife's footsteps with a cameo of his own. “I'm less attractive than Brigitte,” he joked.

While the show's depiction of Paris has drawn some criticism for relying on cliches and omitting certain urban issues like homelessness, Emmanuel Macron sees it as a net positive. “For my own business, it's a very good initiative,” he said, adding that the show is “super positive in terms of attractiveness for the country.”

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Remembering Ratan Tata: His Automotive Legacy Will Remain Unparalleled In India

To say that Ratan Naval Tata was a stalwart of the Indian automotive and manufacturing industry will be an understatement. An industrialist of immense magnitude, a towering personality and a keen business acumen coupled with an undying love for philanthropy and social responsibility, Mr. Tata wore many hats with aplomb. It was during his near two-decade tenure as the chairman of Tata Group, not only Mr. Tata reshaped and led the group through a resurgence, but also paved the way for the Indian automotive industry by executing extraordinary ideas and concepts, displaying sharp foresight and the will to go beyond the normal.

1998: Introduction of Tata Indica

Photo Credit: unknown

It was at the 1998 Auto Expo that the Tata Indica made its debut. It was the first indigenously developed car (four-wheeler), which was an idea that Mr. Tata held close to him. A car that was made for Indians, made by Indians and made in India. The Tata Indica was a car that revived the Tata Motors brand and moved away from big cars (407, Sierra, Sumo, Estate, Safari) to small, affordable cars. Despite a few niggles, the Tata Indica did well for the company, with its unique design, practicality, space and aggressive pricing.

2008: Acquiring Jaguar Land Rover from Ford Motor Company

On June 2, 2008, Tata Motors made a 100 per cent acquisition of the iconic British automotive marque from Ford Motor Company for $2.3 billion (Rs. 9,200 crore) in an all-cash transaction. It was viewed as one of the boldest moves in the Indian automotive industry and was met with scepticism with Tata Motors going into debt and the global economic recession hitting all businesses hard. But eventually it did cement Tata Motors' status as not only a global automaker, who managed to turn JLR into a profitable business but also incorporate learnings from the British brand into its own cars.

2008: Tata Nano - The 'one lakh' car

Mr. Tata envisioned that all Indians should have access to a car that they can own without a massive financial burden and graduate to, from a scooter or a motorcycle. And that led to the creation of Tata Nano, India's first car with a price tag of Rs. 1 lakh. The Tata Nano was a small petrol car, with 2-cylinder 624 cc engine, making 37 hp and 51 Nm. While the price tag remained Rs. 1 lakh only for a brief period of time and the Tata Nano did not fire the way Tata Motors imagined, it definitely made for solid learnings for the brand, going forward.

These are just some of the achievements in the illustrious career of Mr. Ratan Tata. Others being the acquisition of Tetley Tea in 2000 and Corus Group in 2007, with the latter being one of the biggest acquisitions by an Indian company. The Corus Group was acquired by Tata Steel for a massive sum of $12 billion.

Mr. Ratan Tata's legacy will remain unparalleled in the Indian automotive and manufacturing industry.

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"Goodbye, My Dear Lighthouse": Ratan Tata's Trusted Aide Shantanu Naidu

Shantanu Naidu, the general manager at former Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata's office, penned an emotional post to bid goodbye to his "dear lighthouse". His post came after the 86-year-old industrialist died on Wednesday, leaving an over two-decade-long legacy of helming a wide variety of verticals within the Tata Group.

Mr Naidu, an MBA from Cornell University and founder of the Goodfellows startup, wrote in a post on LinkedIn, "The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love."

The 28-year-old is the fifth generation of his family to work in the Tata Group.

Meanwhile, Mr Tata's remains were taken to the National Centre of Performing Arts in Mumbai, from where they will be taken to a crematorium in Worli where he will be accorded a state funeral.

Born in Bombay, now Mumbai, in 1937, the Cornell University-educated Mr Tata was known for his willingness to take risks.

He took over the family empire in 1991, riding the wave of the radical free-market reforms that the Indian government unleashed that year. His years in charge saw the salt-to-steel conglomerate expand its global footprint to include British luxury brands such as Jaguar and Land Rover.

The industrialist later devoted his time to running the group's charitable arm and funding some of India's hottest start-ups.

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In Heartfelt Tribute, Cornell University Remembers Alumnus Ratan Tata

Hours after business icon Ratan Tata died at a Mumbai hospital, tributes poured in for the industrialist. Remembering their alumnus, Cornell University also posted a message honouring the man who continues to inspire businessmen and entrepreneurs across generations.

Mr Tata attended Cornell University, an Ivy League school, for a degree in architecture and structural engineering in 1962. In a post on its X handle, Cornell University wrote, “Ratan Tata '59, B.Arch. '62, the university's most generous international donor and one of India's most respected business leaders and philanthropists, passed Oct. 9. We will remember his legacy of transformative giving to Cornell.”

Ratan Tata '59, B.Arch. '62, the university's most generous international donor and one of India's most respected business leaders and philanthropists, passed Oct. 9. We will remember his legacy of transformative giving to Cornell.https://t.co/0v0zYb6aGl

— Cornell University (@Cornell) October 9, 2024

Michael I. Kotlikoff, the interim president of Cornell University, said that Ratan Tata left an extraordinary legacy in India, across the world and at Cornell, which he cared about deeply. "Ratan's quiet demeanour and humility belied his international profile. His generosity and concern for others enabled research and scholarship that improved the education and health of millions of people in India and beyond, and extended Cornell's global impact," he said.

Mr Tata's association with Cornell University remained strong throughout his life. The University hailed Mr Tata as its largest international donor, recognising his significant contributions to the institution's global impact.

“In 2008, a $50 million gift from the Tata Trusts created the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition, a long-term research initiative, and endowed the Tata Scholarship for Students from India. In 2017, a $50 million investment from Tata Consultancy Services helped build the Tata Innovation Center on Cornell Tech's Roosevelt Island campus in New York City,” read the tribute from the University.

The Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition opened doors for many Indian students to study at Cornell. As of this year, 305 scholarships have been awarded to 89 Indian students, many of whom came from “non-feeder” schools.

Meejin Yoon, Dean of Cornell's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, remarked on Mr Tata's far-reaching impact, saying, “When Ratan Tata graduated from Cornell with a degree in architecture, it would have been impossible to imagine the global impact his visionary leadership, philanthropy and commitment to humanity would go on to have – advancing education and research across many sectors. Looking back over Ratan's life and career, I am not only filled with gratitude for all he has given and accomplished, but also with a deep respect for his kindness, generosity and eternal optimism that has improved lives in India and around the world.”

Mr Tata initially pursued mechanical engineering at Cornell before switching to architecture. Although he did not follow a career in architecture — having returned to the family business to work as an apprentice on the shop floor at Tata Steel — he served on the jury panel for the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize from 2014 to 2019. He attributed part of his business acumen to his architectural education at Cornell, particularly in developing creative problem-solving skills and considering various viewpoints.

Reflecting on his time at the university, Mr Tata said in a documentary produced by classmates for his 50th reunion in 2009, “The miles of tracing paper that all of us wasted on one concept after another did one thing: It taught us that we didn't stick with one thing. We tried and we tried, and we improved, and we reconceived what we had to do. It's no different in business.”

In the documentary, Mr Tata also shared that he disliked the harsh winters of Ithaca, his fondness for his fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi, and his passion for flying, which he enjoyed during his student years. He recounted a memorable experience where accompanied by several classmates, he managed to perform an emergency landing at what is now Ithaca Tompkins International Airport after a strut malfunctioned in the single-engine Tri-Pacer he was piloting.

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Nepal Teen Becomes Youngest To Climb All 14 Of World's 8,000 m Mountains

An 18-year-old Nepali mountaineer on Wednesday broke the record for the youngest person to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-metre peaks, his team said.

Nima Rinji Sherpa reached the summit of Tibet's 8,027-metre-high (26,335 feet) Shisha Pangma on Wednesday morning, completing his mission to stand on the world's highest peaks.

"He reached the summit this morning. He had trained well and I was confident he would do it," his father Tashi Sherpa told AFP.

Summiting all 14 "eight-thousanders" is considered the peak of mountaineering aspirations. Climbers cross "death zones" where there is not enough oxygen in the air to sustain human life for long periods.

"This summit is not just the culmination of my personal journey, but a tribute to every Sherpa who has ever dared to dream beyond the traditional boundaries set for us," Sherpa said in a statement. 

"Mountaineering is more than labour, it is a testament to our strength, resilience and passion."

Sherpa is no stranger to the mountains, hailing from a family of record-holding mountaineers, who also now run Nepal's largest mountaineering expedition company.

The record was previously held by another Nepali climber, Mingma Gyabu 'David' Sherpa. He achieved it in 2019, at the age of 30.

'Proud moment'

Nima Rinji Sherpa, who already holds multiple records from his ascents of dozens of peaks, started high-altitude climbing at the age of 16, by climbing Mount Manaslu in August 2022. 

By June this year, he had climbed his 13th mountain, Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest.  

"This is a proud moment for our country," Nima Nuru Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, told AFP.  

"Nima broke all the stereotypes, and his success has given a message that nothing is impossible if you have a strong determination."

Nepali climbers -- usually ethnic Sherpas from the valleys around Everest -- are considered the backbone of the climbing industry in the Himalayas.

They carry the majority of equipment and food, fixing ropes and repairing ladders.

Long in the shadows as supporters of foreign climbers, they are slowly being recognised in their own right. 

In 2021, a team of Nepali climbers made the first winter ascent of K2, the world's second-highest peak -- the notoriously challenging 8,611-metre (28,251-feet) "savage mountain" of Pakistan.

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Instagram Is Down For Several Users Across India

Instagram is currently down for many users across India, with the Meta-owned platform experiencing widespread issues. According to Downdetector, a crowd-sourced outage tracking service, numerous users began reporting difficulties accessing the app around 11:15 a.m.

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Teen "Stabbed 50 Times" Then Burned Alive In France

The southern French city of Marseille was this week shaken by two apparently drug-related killings, including the murder of a 15-year-old boy who was "stabbed 50 times" and burned alive, prosecutors said on Sunday.

Marseille, France's second-largest city but also one of its poorest, is plagued by drug-related violence.

The historic port city on the Mediterranean coast has in recent years witnessed a turf war for control of the highly profitable drug market between various clans including DZ Mafia and Yoda.

The problem was once again thrust into public eye this week, with Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone telling a news conference on Sunday that victims and perpetrators of such violence were getting increasingly younger.

The 15-year-old teenager was murdered on Wednesday in a case Bessone described as one of "unprecedented savagery".

On Friday, a 36-year-old football player, Nessim Ramdane, was shot and killed "in cold blood" by a 14-year-old in a case linked to Wednesday's murder.

The two latest cases mean that the number of drug-related killings in Marseille has risen to 17 since the start of the year.

Marseille's drug lords have been recruiting foot soldiers with ads on social media, "outsourcing" street dealing to youngsters known as "jobbeurs".

Bessone said on Sunday that now young boys were responding to ads not only to sell cannabis resin but also to kill "without any remorse or reflection".

The teenager had been hired via social networks by a 23-year-old prisoner to intimidate a competitor by setting fire to his door, the prosecutor said, adding the youth had been promised 2,000 euros.

The detainee of the Luynes prison south of Aix-en-Provence had described himself as a member of DZ Mafia.

Shot in the head

During his mission, the teenager was spotted by members of a rival gang who searched him and discovered that he was carrying a gun. To punish the minor, they repeatedly stabbed him then set him on fire.

"He was stabbed 50 times and taken to the Fonscolombes housing estate, where, according to the results of the autopsy, he was burned alive," said Bessone. His friend, also aged 15, was able to escape, Bessone added.

The same prisoner then again turned to social media, recruiting a 14-year-old minor to carry out a revenge attack and kill a member of the Blacks gang, promising to pay him 50,000 euros.

The 14-year-old for his part hired Ramdane, a football player who also worked as a chauffeur to support his family, the prosecutor said.

The minor, accompanied by a friend, asked the driver "to drop them off and wait for them, but he apparently "didn't comply", Bessone said.

The teenager then "shot him in the back of the head", he added.

The minor was taken into custody and admitted shooting the driver, but insisted that the shot had "gone off accidentally".

In September, Franck Rastoul, public prosecutor at the Aix-en-Provence court of appeal, warned of the scourge of drug-related violence.

"It is imperative that we fully understand the ravages of drug trafficking, which undermines the very foundations of our society," he said.

Rastoul said young people were "intoxicated by easy drug money" to the point of "total disregard for human life."

Drug-related violence caused a record number of 49 deaths in Marseille last year.
 

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Hardik Smashes Virat's All Time Record, Becomes First Indian To...

Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya overtook legendary batter Virat Kohli to achieve a unique feat of finishing most T20I matches with a six. Hardik accomplished this feat during the first T20I against Bangladesh at Gwalior. During the game, Hardik delivered a superb all-round performance. First while bowling, he took a wicket for 26 runs in his four overs, with an economy rate of 6.50. Later, during a run-chase of 128 runs, Hardik delivered perfect finishing touches with a quickfire 39* in 16 balls, with five fours and two sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 243.75.

During his knock, Pandya unleashed some fine strokes. This also included a no-look ramp shot over wicketkeeper's head. The all-rounder oozed his signature confidence and swagger while playing the shot, trusting his power and bat enough to know it was headed to a boundary anyways.

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The shot. The reaction. The result EPIC ????

WATCH ???????? #TeamIndia | #INDvBAN | @hardikpandya7 | @IDFCFIRSTBank https://t.co/mvJvIuqm2B

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2024

Now, Hardik has finished a T20I match for India with a six a total of five times, overtaking Virat's previous record of doing so four times.

Also, with his one wicket, Pandya (87 wickets) overtook pacer Arshdeep Singh (86 wickets) to become India's fourth-highest wicket-taker in the shortest format. The leading wicket-taker for India is spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, with 96 scalps.

Coming to the match, India won the toss and opted to bowl first. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (27 runs from 25 balls, 1 four and 1 six) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (35* runs from 32 balls, 3 fours) were the top scorers for the visitors, injecting a small bit of life in an otherwise struggling innings. Bangladesh was bundled out for 127 runs in 19.5 overs.

Arshdeep (3/14) was the pick of the bowlers for India. Varun Chakravarthy bagged three wickets for 31 runs on his return to the side after 2021. Pace sensation Mayank Yadav, Washington Sundar and Hardik got a scalp each.

During the chase of 128 runs, Abhishek Sharma (16 in seven balls) was run out due to a miscommunication. However, Sanju Samson (29 in 19 balls with six fours) and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (29 in 14 balls, with two fours and three sixes) stitched a 40-wicket stand for the second wicket.

Then, it was Hardik who sealed the win for India, putting up a 52-run stand for the fourth wicket with debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (16* in 15 balls, with a six).

Bangladesh failed to rise with the ball in the second inning and could only pick up two wickets. Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy were the only wicket-takers for the visitors.

Arshdeep was named the 'Player of the Match' for his fine spell which also included key wicket of Litton Das. India is up 1-0 in the three-match series.

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