Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has conducted the second edition of Defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands 2019 (DANX-19), a large scale joint services exercise from 14 Oct to 18 Oct 19.  Spanning over a period of five days, components of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard carried out mobilisation and field manoeuvres to validate defensive plans of Headquarters ANC towards pursuance of the Command’s responsibility, namely ensuring territorial integrity of the A&N Islands.

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has urged civil servants to improve the delivery of people-centric programs like Swachh Bharat, Per drop more crop and Skill India so that the fruits of development reach the most deserving.

On the basis of the result of written part of CAPF (ACs) Examination, 2019 held by the UPSC on 18th August, 2019, the candidates with the under-mentioned Roll Numbers have qualified for Physical Standards Test (PST)/ Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) and Medical Standards Tests (MST).

On 16.10.2019, the Income Tax Department conducted search action under the Income-tax Act, 1961 in the case of a conglomerate of trusts and companies that run year-round “wellness courses” and training programmes in philosophy, spirituality, etc at various sprawling residential campuses in Varadaiahpalem in Andhra Pradesh (AP), and also in Chennai and Bengaluru.

The Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that we have been able to fulfil the vision of Homi Bhabha.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik said that NCC is the torchbearer of the Armed Forces while chairing the 51st Central Advisory Committee (CAC) of the National Cadet Corps (NCC, which met here today.

Election Commission of India has appointed Sh Vivek Dube (IPS AP 1981 Retd) as Special Observer for the ensuing Bye Elections to the State Legislative Assemblies of Sikkim 2019 in general and specifically for 10 Poklok -Kamrang Assembly Constituency in Sikkim.

The Minister of State for Home, Shri G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the 20th All India Conference of Directors of Fingerprint Bureaus, being organised by NCRB, here today. The conference was attended among others by Director, NCRB, Shri Ram Phal Pawar, Joint Secretary (Women Safety) MHA Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava and senior police officers from central police organisations/ States/UTs.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today hailed the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana  as a unique and successful health insurance scheme launched by  Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2018.

Campaigning for assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana has entered the last phase as only two days are left to woo the voters.

Pakistan continues to be on the Grey List of the international terror financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force.

Election Commission today removed the Police Observer in Nashik for not performing the task of observation satisfactorily.

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and the state government to transfer Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC) Coordinator Prateek Hajela to Madhya Pradesh for the maximum period.

In Jammu and Kashmir, a special mobilization drive shall be undertaken by the government for enrolment of eligible traders, shopkeepers and self-employed persons under Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-LVMY) in the state.

Turkey has agreed to a ceasefire in northern Syria to let Kurdish-led forces withdraw.

The Apex Court has asked the state government to issue a notification regarding the same within a week.

A special bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices S A Bobde and R F Nariman ordered inter-cadre transfer of Hajela on deputation, however, it has not mentioned the grounds for the order. 

Hajela had overseen the mammoth exercise of finalisation and publication of Assam NRC. The final list of the NRC was released on August 31.
 

He visited various stalls at the fourth edition of defence attaches' conclave at the constitution club.

The Army Chief also said that India wants peace and stability in the neighbourhood and the entire Indo-pacific region.

He added that we are one of the largest force in the world with respect to professionalism and apolitical nature.

Hailing Haryana, the Prime Minister said Sonipat means 'Kisan', 'Jawan' and 'Pehalwan'. The Prime Minister will also hold rallies in Hisar in Haryana and  Mumbai in Maharastra.

Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh today said that Bhartiya Janta Party is seeking votes on the basis of development done by the government in the last five years. He was addressing an election rally in Beri tehsil of the Jhajjar district in Haryana.

Senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar has said that the coalition of BJP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra is strong and expressed confidence that they would certainly win. He was addressing media in Nagpur.

A team of eight experts from Jaipur based Bhagwan Mahaveer Vikalang Sahayata Samiti is conducting the camp.

Around 500 amputees will be provided artificial limb in Dhaka through the camp. 

Indian High Commission in association with the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Along with Bangladesh Orthopedic Society is organizing a 42 day long Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment Camp in Dhaka. 

The camp which started on 28 September was formally inaugurated today jointly by india and bangladesh officials.
 

The injured students have been admitted to the district hospital. 

The incident occured between the Bandrabhan and Sangakheda area of Hoshangabad. 

While complaints were registered earlier, stating that the bus did not meet all the required safety measures. The school failed to pay any heed to the requests of changing the bus.
 

ED is questioning the NCP leader in connection with its money laundering probe linked to alleged illegal assets of Iqbal Mirchi, who was a close aide of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Iqbal Mirchi, a drug lord, died in 2013.

Speaking to the official news agency of Bangladesh BSS, the Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said on Thursday that govt has approved the recommendation of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory

Commission (BTRC) to appoint administrators for Grammenphone  (GP) and Robi for recovery of Tk 13,446 crore owed by these companies to the government.

The BTRC conducted two audits in 2016 to calculate the outstanding revenues of the operators. 

Based on the audit report  BTRC claims that GP owes it Taka 12,579 crore while Robi owes Taka 867.24 crore.  

The dues include amounts accruing on account of dodging of revenue share, taxes and late fees accumulated until December 2014.

Earlier in September BTRC had issued a show-cause notice to the two companies for recovery of the dues giving 30 day deadline failing which their licenses were to be cancelled.

According to the BTRC, GP has 7.48 crore active connections while Robi has 4.77 crore connections accounting for close to 75 percent of all the mobile connections in Bangladesh.

In the meanwhile, on Thursday High Court in  Dhaka issued an interim stay on the realisation of Tk 12,579.95 crore from GP by BTRC for two months.

Rajouri District administration is organizing women empowerment campaigns in far-flung hilly areas of the District under the "BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO" scheme. The campaign aims at encouraging women to accquire skills and become independent.

Women of Rajouri are rejoicing as 25 Handicraft centers have been set up by the central government. These centers are functioning in different areas of the District. The centers have been opened up in areas like Manjakote, Dharhal, Thanna, Mandi, Noushera, Sunderbani, Kotranka, Budhal for training women.

These centers have been established not just at the district or tehsil headquarters but in far flung villages. For example, this particular center is functioning in the remote Gudian village. More than 25 students are under training at this Center.  Training is provided free of cost here. Infact, each student under training here gets a stipend of Rs. 700 per month.

The campaign is widening the horizons of women of the area would open up new opportunities for them.

Special judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar allowed the ED to quiz Chidambaram and also granted him permission to have home cooked food, western toilet, medicines in the ED custody.

The probe agency has sought 14-day custodial interrogation of the 74-year old senior Congress leader.

The court also extended the judicial custody of Chidambaram till October 24 in INX Media corruption case lodged by the CBI.
 

The MEA Official Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said:"The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is an important people to people initiative taken by India to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji.

After several rounds of discussion with Pakistan, we have reached an agreement on all other issues, except the matter of Service Fee. Pakistan insists on levying a fee of USD 20 (approx. Rs. 1420) on all pilgrims. We have urged Pakistan not to do so in the interests of devotees, and also because this is a P2P initiative. We hope that the Agreement can be concluded and signed in time for the great event."

Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is an important people to people initiative taken by India to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji.

After several rounds of discussion with Pakistan, we have reached an agreement on all other issues, except the matter of Service Fee.

Pakistan insists on levying a fee of USD 20 (approx. Rs. 1420) on all pilgrims.

We have urged Pakistan not to do so in the interests of devotees, and also because this is a P2P initiative.

We hope that the Agreement can be concluded and signed in time for the great event.

During his five-day visit to Philippines, President Kovind will also hold delegation level talks with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte during which both sides will discuss "issues of mutual concern."

The two leaders are also set to witness the signing of bilateral agreements.

On Saturday,President Kovind will have meetings with liver transplant patients, as well as with the beneficiaries of the Mahaveer Philippines Foundation.

After this, the Indian leader will proceed to the Philippines-India Business Conclave and Fourth ASEAN-India Business Summit.

On Sunday, he will attend the installation of the Mahatma Gandhi Bust in Quezon City before meeting with the Indian community.
 

He was speaking at an election rally in Satara today, where the only Lok Sabha By-Poll in Maharashtra is also being conducted along with State Assembly elections.
 
In Satara, the Prime Minister spoke on Article 370, Maratha Reservation, beneficial schemes for farmers, steps taken for the betterment of sugarcane producers and various development projects undertaken by the BJP-Shivsena combine in the state during the last term.

Lok Sabha by-elections were necessitated in Satara because of the resignation of seating Member Udayanraje Bhosale. Bhosale left NCP and joined BJP. Now, he is contesting as the BJP candidate. His brother Shivendraraje is BJP candidate for Assembly election.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, restrictions will not be applicable on two-wheelers, vehicles being used for medical emergencies, for women and vehicles carrying school children. He said the scheme will be applicable from 8 AM to 8 PM, except on Sundays. 

Violating the rule will incur a fine of four thousand rupees. Under the scheme, odd and even numbered vehicles ply on alternate days. Delhi has earlier also experimented with Odd-Even plan. The scheme will also include vehicles coming from other states, and only be implemented on non-transport 4-wheeled vehicles.

The President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister, State Governors, the Chief Justice of India, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, vehicles of Union Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, vehicles of Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories will also be exempted from the scheme

The Finance Minister said that India is one of the fastest growing economies and has the best skilled manpower. She assured international investors that the government is continuously working to bring reforms. 

Ms Sitharaman asserted that the government is engaging with everyone on a weekly basis and there is no trust deficit with the corporate sector and investors. She said the government is taking steps to address problems in the stressed sectors. 

She added that in order to boost overall consumption, the Finance Ministry has requested all the building sector banks, together with their partners, non-banking financial companies to reach out to small towns and villages and extend every kind of credit that they would want. 

The weather forecast agency further predicted that Coastal & South Interior Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Telangana, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and Rayalaseema are also likely to witness heavy downpour throughout the day. 

According to IMD, the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from the entire country and simultaneously Northeast monsoon rains have commenced over Tamil Nadu and adjoining areas of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. 

A cyclonic circulation lies over the east-central Arabian sea off south Karnataka coast and extends upto 0.9 kilometers above mean sea level. 

Under the influence of the above systems, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls likely over south peninsular India during the next 3-4 days, stated IMD in its All India Weather Warning Bulletin.

35 foreigners were killed and four others injured when a bus crashed with another heavy vehicle in the Muslim holy city of Medina. The accident involved a collision between a private chartered bus with a heavy vehicle loader in the western Saudi Arabian city. Those involved were Arab and Asian pilgrims, who carried pictures of the bus engulfed in flames and with its windows blown out. The injured have been transferred to Al-Hamna Hospital and authorities have launched an investigation. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed anguish over Mecca bus crash. He extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. PM also prayed for a quick recovery of the injured.
 

The U.K. and the European Union have settled on draft text for all but one significant issue. 

That last hurdle—whether Northern Ireland should be part of the EU's tax regime for goods and services—prevented U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson from giving final approval to the text.

The draft text however comes just in time to be submitted to a key two-day European summit beginning today in Brussels.

Meanwhile, British Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay said that the government would comply with assurances given to a Scottish court that Prime Minister Boris Johnson would write a letter to the EU requesting a Brexit delay if a divorce deal is not reached by October 19.

The British parliament passed a law - the so-called Benn Act - last month which would require Johnson to request a three-month delay if parliament has not approved an exit agreement by the end of Saturday. Johnson has said both that he will obey the law and that he will not request a delay.

The first rail line between India and Dhaka was opened in 2008 when Maitree express between Dhaka and Kolkata was started. In 2017 Bandhan express was also started between Kolkata and Khulna.

On 21st of last month, Railway Minister of Bangladesh and India's High Commissioner Riva Ganguly Das jointly laid the foundation stone for up-gradation and laying of missing tracks from Chilhati in Bangladesh to the border. This 7.5 kilometre long track will connect West Bengal to Assam via Bangladesh.

The Haldibari- Chilahati railway track was part of the broad gauge main route from Kolkata to Siliguri during the British undivided India.

Trains from Bangladesh to Darjeeling via Siliguri operated till 1965. Indian Railways has already restored the tracks up to international border till Haldibari station.

At present, there are 4 operational rail links between India and Bangladesh. Two more rail links namely Karimganj/Mahisasan in India to Shahbazpur in Bangladesh and Haldibari in India to Chilhati in Bangladesh are being revived to connect West Bengal and Assam with Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in Parli, and will later address in Satara and Pune.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi visited the Shree Vaijnath Jyotirlinga Devasthanam at Parli in Maharashtra and paid his obeisance at the temple.

Raksha Mantri and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh addressed an election rally at Bawani Kheda in Haryana. Addressing the rally, Rajnath Singh said that in the last five years, Chief Minister Manohar Lal has given a strong leadership to the state. He added that the state chief minister has run the government as a sewak, not as a ruler.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the NCP-Congress combine in his poll blitz in Maharashtra. Addressing 3 rallies in Marathwada region, he accused Congress leaders involved in corruption cases of leveling false allegations against investigative agencies as a diversionary tactic. 

Hailing the Fadnavis government for rapid development of the state PM said the twin engine of the Fadnavis and Modi government has worked tirelessly for the empowerment of poor over the last 5 years. 

In Haryana, BJP President Amit Shah addressed four rallies and Former Congress CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda also wooed voters in Jind.
 

Former Director of scam-hit Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Surjit Singh Arora has been sent to police custody till 22nd October, while Former Managing Director Joy Thomas sent to judicial custody for 14 days by Mumbai's Esplanade court.

Surjit was arrested on Wednesday by the Economic Offences Wing of Mumbai Police. Till now five persons have been arrested after alleged Rs 4,355 crore scam came to light.

The Syrian town of Tel Abyad was calm on Wednesday several days after the Turkish army and its Syrian rebel allies advanced into the centre of the town.

Turkish backed soldiers entered Tel Abyad on October 13 and conducted search operations through the town.

Tel Abyad is a town on the Syrian border and one of the main focal points of the Turkish offensive that began on October 9 against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

In a latest bid to resolve dispute, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will hold emergency talks with Ankara today to try to persuade it to halt an assault on northern Syria.

President Donald Trump's hasty decision to pull out American forces ahead of a Turkish offensive into northern Syria has created a land rush between Turkey and Russia.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that if discussions with Ankara do not go well, "devastating" sanctions would be imposed on Turkey.

Trump spoke to reporters at the White House ahead on Pence and Pompeo's Ankara visit.

Earlier, Trump also warned Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a letter about Turkey's incursion into Syria, "Don't be a tough guy" and "Don't be a fool!"

The Oct. 9 letter, which was released by the White House yesterday, tried to persuade Erdogan to reverse a decision to invade Syria that Erdogan told Trump about in an Oct 6 phone call.

President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. forces from northeastern Syria has witnessed condemnation from all fronts.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to condemn force withdrawal which led to Turkey's offensive against the Kurds.

The vote was 354 to 60 for the resolution, as dozens of Trump's fellow Republicans joined the majority Democrats in favor.

The Minister also called for a detailed study to find out ways to skill people in tribal, agriculture and rural sectors, pointing out that skilled manpower was the biggest requirement in the country. 

Gadkari, who handled portfolios of MSME, Roads, Highways and Transport, was speaking at an SIDBI Award event in New Delhi.

At 17 years and 292 days, Yashasvi scored 203 runs during the Vijay Hazare trophy Elite Group A match between Mumbai and Jharkhand. 

His 154-ball inning, which was studded with 17 fours and 12 sixes, helped Mumbai post 358/3 at the KSCA Cricket Ground. This was his third century in the ongoing tournament. He has so far amassed 585 runs from five matches and is also the leading run scorer of Vijay Hazare Trophy, taking over from Tamil Nadu's Baba Aparajith. 

With this feat, Yashasvi has also become the seventh Indian cricketer to score a double century in List A cricket. Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma (thrice), Shikhar Dhawan, KV Kaushal and Sanju Samson are the other Indian cricketers who have scored double hundreds in List A cricket.

Saina has now lost in the first round for the third straight tournament after she was ousted in the Round of 32 at the China Open and Korea Open as well. This is the second straight time that Saina has lost to the Japanese. Takahashi and Saina had last met in the Thailand Open, where the Japanese had prevailed in three games.

Earlier in the day, in the men's singles event – Sameer Verma defeated Kanta Tsuneyama 21-11, 21-11 to advance to the quarterfinals. Sameer will play former world number one Chen Long in the last eight clash.

While Pranaav-Sikki registered a 21-16, 21-11 win over German pair of Marvin Seidel and Linda Efler, Sameer thrashed Japanese Kanta Tsuneyama 21-11, 21-11 in just 29 minutes.

Ashwini Ponappa and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy did not take the court as their Chinese opponents Wang Yi Lyu and Huang Dong Ping received a walkover.

Meanwhile, Kidambi Srikanth was knocked out of Denmark Open after losing 14-21, 18-21 to his Danish opponent Anders Antonsen in the first round on Wednesday.

Kidambi's wobbly form continued to produce disappointing results. Srikanth did not play the Korea Open and China Open due to a knee injury and Denmark Open was his return to the court but it did not turn out be pleasant as he lost in 43 minutes.

Apart from two quarter-final appearances in Singapore Open and Malaysia Open and a final appearance in India Open, Srikanth has not enjoyed much success on the tour this year.

Speaking at the inaugural function of Indian expo in Male today, Maldives Minister for economic development Fayyaz Ismail said that there is huge potential between the economies of both countries especially in the quest to diversify it. 

He said medical tourism and processing food are possibilities which they would like to look beyond the horizon. 

The minister said that the close cooperation between Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led to a very good development between both countries within the past 11 or so months. 

He  said that both leaders have a special bond that has been instrumental in creating this atmosphere, besides the cultural and traditional relationship shared between India and Maldives. 

The minister added the people of both countries must explore the possibilities and learn the each other’s mindset. 

The expo mainly focused on exploring business opportunities between Maldives and Kerala. It is being attended by several Indian companies in collaboration with FICCI.