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Imran Khan Arrested in Protest Case Just Hours After Bail in Corruption Case

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Imran Khan Arrested in Protest Case Just Hours After Bail in Corruption Case

Islamabad, Nov 21: The prospects for the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan faded as he was arrested in a protest case just hours after securing bail in an alleged corruption case.

On Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted Khan bail in the second Toshakhana case, which involved the purchase of an expensive Bulgari jewelry set at a significantly discounted price. This decision sparked hopes of his imminent release.

However, late Wednesday night, Khan was re-arrested by Rawalpindi police in connection with a protest case filed at the New Town Police Station. The police accused Khan of instigating a protest in Rawalpindi on September 28, despite being incarcerated at Adiala Jail.

The charges against him include violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act, defying a government ban on public gatherings, obstructing police duty, damaging police vehicles, and endangering public safety. A police spokesperson confirmed the arrest and stated that a team had been assigned to investigate the case.

Even before the formal arrest, Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar dismissed the possibility of Khan’s release, highlighting that the former prime minister faced charges in eight other cases related to the May 9, 2023 violence. He stressed that Khan would need to secure bail in these cases before being released.

Khan faces a total of nearly two dozen cases across Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. According to Islamabad police, 62 cases have been registered against him in the capital, while his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claims that an additional 54 cases have been filed in Punjab province.

In another development, an accountability court held a hearing on the GBP 190 million case at Adiala Jail, where Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were informed that they had not yet submitted responses to the questionnaires issued to them. Bibi was granted an exemption from attending the court on medical grounds, and the hearing was adjourned until November 22.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court dismissed a petition filed by Khan’s sister, Noreen Niazi, seeking bail for her brother in all cases against him in Punjab and Islamabad. The court noted that bail petitions must be personally filed by the defendant.

Since Khan’s ousting in April 2022, dozens of cases have been registered against him, which his party claims are politically motivated

NIA Raids 8 Locations in J&K Over Terrorist Infiltration Case

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NIA Raids 8 Locations in J&K Over Terrorist Infiltration Case

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Nov 21 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out raids at eight locations in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday as part of an investigation into a terrorist infiltration case.

The raids took place across multiple districts, including Reasi, Doda, Udhampur, Ramban, and Kishtwar, targeting individuals and locations linked to the ongoing probe.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the NIA arrested Muneer Ahmad Banday, a key accused in a 2020 narco-terrorism case involving banned Pakistan-based terrorist organizations. Banday had been evading arrest for four years and was allegedly part of a conspiracy to generate funds for promoting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India.

The conspiracy, linked to operatives from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), came to light in June 2020 when Handwara (Kupwara) police intercepted a vehicle at Kairo Bridge. The search led to the seizure of 2 kilograms of heroin and ₹20 lakhs in cash.

According to the NIA, the funds raised through narcotic sales were meant to support terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir via a network of over-ground workers (OGWs).

The agency is intensifying efforts to dismantle the narco-terror network and eliminate terror financing, with a focus on disrupting such activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Investigations are ongoing.

Maharashtra Polls: 56.05% Turnout in Thane, 59.85% in CM Shinde’s Constituency

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Maharashtra Polls: 56.05% Turnout in Thane, 59.85% in CM Shinde’s Constituency

Thane/Palghar, Nov 21 : Thane district recorded a voter turnout of 56.05%, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency reporting a polling percentage of 59.85%, according to updated figures released by authorities on Thursday.

In the neighboring Palghar district, voter turnout was higher, at 65.95%. Voting for Maharashtra’s 288 assembly constituencies took place on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended polling in some areas.

Thane district includes 18 assembly constituencies, while Palghar comprises six. Among Thane’s constituencies, Bhiwandi Rural recorded the highest turnout at 69.01%, while Ambernath saw the lowest participation at 47.75%, as reported by Collector and District Election Officer Ashok Shingare.

In Palghar, polling continued until 9 p.m. in certain constituencies. Vikramgad reported the highest voter turnout in the district at 77.75%, while Vasai recorded the lowest, with 60.46% turnout, according to Collector and District Election Officer Govind Bodke.

The overall figures reflect active voter participation in both districts, with notable variations across constituencies.

Signature Global Set to Surpass FY25 Sales Target of ₹10,000 Crore Amid Strong Demand: Chairman

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Signature Global Set to Surpass FY25 Sales Target of ₹10,000 Crore Amid Strong Demand: Chairman

New Delhi, Nov 21 : Realty firm Signature Global Ltd is on track to surpass its sales bookings target of ₹10,000 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year, driven by robust demand in Gurugram’s housing market, according to Chairman Pradeep Aggarwal.

In an interview with PTI, Aggarwal revealed that the company has already achieved sales bookings worth ₹5,900 crore in the first half of this fiscal year.

“We had set a bold pre-sales guidance of ₹10,000 crore for this fiscal year, making us one of the few listed real estate developers to aim so high. With our strong performance in the first six months, we are confident about exceeding this target,” he said.

Aggarwal highlighted a strong pipeline of launches for the second half of the fiscal year, coupled with inventories from ongoing and upcoming projects, which are expected to contribute significantly to sales.

Signature Global’s sales bookings more than tripled to ₹5,900 crore during April-September 2024-25, compared to ₹1,860 crore in the same period last year. The company recorded ₹7,270 crore in sales bookings for the entire 2023-24 fiscal year.

The company, which has a dominant presence in Gurugram, is also actively exploring new opportunities in Noida, Greater Noida, and along the Yamuna Expressway, Aggarwal added. It continues to evaluate land acquisition proposals to expand its footprint in the Gurugram market.

Earlier this month, Signature Global reported a consolidated net profit of ₹4.15 crore for the quarter ending September, reversing a net loss of ₹19.92 crore in the same period last year. Total income surged to ₹777.42 crore in Q2 of this fiscal year, up from ₹121.16 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

To date, Signature Global has delivered 11 million square feet of housing area and has a robust development pipeline, comprising 32.2 million square feet of saleable area in upcoming projects and 16.4 million square feet in ongoing projects.

Delhi’s Air Quality Improves but Stays ‘Very Poor’; Season’s Lowest Temperature Recorded

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Delhi’s Air Quality Improves but Stays ‘Very Poor’; Season’s Lowest Temperature Recorded

New Delhi, Nov 21 : After a week of severe pollution levels, Delhi’s air quality showed slight improvement on Thursday but remained in the “very poor” category, while the city recorded the season’s lowest temperature.

The minimum temperature in the national capital dropped to 10.2°C, 2.1°C below the season’s average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

At 9 a.m., Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 376, classified as “very poor” by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The IMD also forecasted shallow fog during the day.

On Sunday, the city’s AQI was recorded in the “severe” category, prompting authorities to implement the GRAP-IV measures. Pollution worsened further on Monday and Tuesday, with AQI levels surpassing 450, entering the “severe plus” category. Though there was a slight improvement by Wednesday, the AQI still remained in the severe range.

The AQI scale is as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe).

The IMD has predicted a maximum temperature of around 27°C for the day, while the humidity level at 8:30 a.m. was recorded at 80%.

Gautam Adani Faces US Charges Over $250 Million Bribery and Fraud Allegations

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Gautam Adani Faces US Charges Over $250 Million Bribery and Fraud Allegations

New York/New Delhi, Nov 21 : Billionaire Gautam Adani has been charged by US prosecutors in connection with an alleged years-long scheme to bribe Indian officials with $250 million in exchange for favorable terms on solar power contracts.

Adani, 62, along with his nephew Sagar Adani and other defendants, is accused of paying over $250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to secure lucrative solar energy contracts potentially worth over $2 billion in profits. The scheme was allegedly concealed from US banks and investors who funded the Adani Group’s solar projects.

US law allows the prosecution of foreign corruption cases that involve links to US investors or markets. The Adani Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, described the scheme as an “elaborate” effort to bribe Indian government officials for billions of dollars in contracts.

The charges include securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy against Adani, his nephew Sagar, and former Adani Green Energy CEO Vneet Jaain. Additionally, a civil case has been filed against the Adanis by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The indictment also accuses Sagar and Jaain of violating federal laws. Three former employees of Canadian pension fund CDPQ, a shareholder in Adani companies, are charged for obstructing the bribery investigation by deleting emails and providing false information to the US authorities.

The charges come at a time when the Adani Group is already recovering from the damage caused by Hindenburg Research’s allegations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud in January 2023. The group’s market value had dropped by $150 billion but has since regained most of the losses.

The charges focus on Adani Green’s efforts to raise over $175 million from US investors, with Azure Power’s stock also being traded on the New York Stock Exchange during the alleged bribery.

In the court documents, some conspirators reportedly referred to Gautam Adani as “Numero Uno” and “the big man,” while his nephew allegedly tracked the bribes on his cellphone.

US authorities revealed that FBI agents seized electronic devices from Sagar Adani in March 2023 as part of their investigation. Additional charges were brought against Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of Azure Power, for their involvement in the bribery scheme.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York unsealed the indictment, charging five others with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in relation to the bribery scheme linked to one of the world’s largest solar energy projects.

J&K Government Encourages Consumers to Adopt Rooftop Solar Panel Installation

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J&K Government Encourages Consumers to Adopt Rooftop Solar Panel Installation

JAMMU, Nov 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) is urging consumers to take advantage of subsidies under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, promoting the installation of rooftop solar panels to reduce soaring power bills.

JAKEDA is committed to advancing the adoption of renewable energy, including solar, hydropower, wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydrogen energy, to support sustainable development, energy access, and low-carbon emissions.

Officials stated that the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) is actively encouraging domestic consumers to install grid-connected rooftop solar (RTS) plants as part of the PM Surya Ghar scheme. This initiative aims to help households cut down on high electricity costs by becoming their own power producers.

“Significant subsidies are being offered by both central and state governments for setting up these systems. Consumers should seize this opportunity to benefit from free electricity,” said an official.

Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, the total cost of a solar project with a capacity of up to three kilowatts is approximately Rs 1.50 lakh. Of this, 60 percent—around Rs 94,800—is covered by subsidies, meaning consumers only need to pay Rs 64,200.

Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir government is offering further subsidies: Rs 3,000 for one kilowatt peak, Rs 6,000 for two kilowatts peak, and Rs 9,000 for three kilowatts peak.

Officials also called on consumers to settle outstanding electricity bills to avoid disconnections. Those with long-overdue dues are encouraged to take advantage of the ongoing amnesty scheme before the March 31, 2025 deadline.

The JPDCL, along with the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL), is advising consumers to install rooftop solar systems under the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar scheme. Launched in February 2024, the scheme aims to install rooftop solar systems in one crore households across India by March 2027.

ICRA Projects India’s GDP Growth to Slow to 6.5%, Maintains 7% Estimate for FY25

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ICRA Projects India’s GDP Growth to Slow to 6.5%, Maintains 7% Estimate for FY25

Mumbai, Nov 20 – Domestic rating agency ICRA on Wednesday revised India’s GDP growth forecast for the September quarter, projecting a decline to 6.5% due to heavy rainfall and weaker corporate performance. However, it maintained its full-year estimate for FY25 at 7%, anticipating a recovery in economic activity during the second half of the fiscal year.

ICRA’s updated outlook comes amidst growing concerns over a potential growth slowdown, with factors such as slowing urban demand and weaker corporate margins weighing on the economy. Despite these concerns, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has retained its 7.2% GDP growth projection for FY25, though most analysts expect growth to fall below 7%. Official Q2 data will be released on November 30; the economy had expanded by 6.7% in Q1.

ICRA attributed the anticipated dip in Q2 growth to factors like severe monsoon rains, weak corporate margins, and slower industrial output, particularly in the mining and electricity sectors. While government spending and a strong kharif sowing season showed positive trends, the industrial sector faced headwinds.

The services sector, however, is expected to see improvement, contributing to a back-ended recovery and a projected full-year GDP growth of 7%. ICRA’s chief economist, Aditi Nayar, noted that while several sectors faced challenges due to the rains, including mining and retail, the monsoon’s positive impact, such as a bumper kharif crop and replenished reservoirs, is expected to support rural sentiment in the coming months.

Nayar also highlighted that the government’s capital expenditure is expected to rise in the second half of FY25, with a 52% year-on-year increase required to meet the full-year budget estimate.

While investment activity showed signs of improvement in Q2, the execution of infrastructure projects remained sluggish due to the monsoon. However, new project announcements surged to Rs 6.7 lakh crore in Q2, signaling a potential rebound.

ICRA remains cautious about the impact of slower personal loan growth on private consumption and the potential effects of geopolitical developments on commodity prices and external demand.

PM Modi Receives Unprecedented Welcome in Guyana, Presented with Key to Georgetown

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PM Modi Receives Unprecedented Welcome in Guyana, Presented with Key to Georgetown

GEORGETOWN (GUYANA), Nov 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Guyana on Wednesday, marking the first visit by an Indian head of state in over 50 years. During the historic visit, Modi expressed that his trip “will deepen the friendship between our nations.”

In a remarkable gesture, Modi was greeted at the airport by Guyana’s President Irfan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Anthony Phillips, and over a dozen cabinet ministers. At his hotel, the reception continued with the presence of Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

As a symbol of the strong bilateral ties between India and Guyana, Modi was handed the ‘Key to the City of Georgetown’ by the Mayor of Georgetown. This gesture is a testament to the deepening relationship between the two nations, officials said.

Modi is in Guyana on the final leg of his three-nation tour, which included attending the G20 Summit in Brazil and a visit to Nigeria. He will stay in Guyana until Thursday at the invitation of President Ali.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Modi expressed gratitude for the warm reception: “Landed in Guyana a short while ago. Gratitude to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, PM Mark Anthony Phillips, senior ministers, and other dignitaries for coming to receive me at the airport. I am confident this visit will deepen the friendship between our nations.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the significance of the visit, noting that it is the first time in 56 years that an Indian PM has visited Guyana. “PM Modi received a special welcome by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, PM Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, PM Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, and several Cabinet Ministers of Guyana,” the MEA posted on X, alongside photos of the arrival.

In his visit, Modi is expected to meet with President Ali to discuss enhancing the strategic direction of their countries’ unique relationship. He will also pay homage to one of the oldest Indian diaspora communities, which has been in Guyana for over 185 years. Additionally, he is set to address the Guyanese parliament.

Around 320,000 people of Indian origin live in Guyana, according to the MEA. Modi’s visit will also include participation in the second India-CARICOM Summit with leaders from Caribbean countries.

The Prime Minister’s three-nation visit began with a productive trip to Nigeria, where he held bilateral talks with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and engaged with the Indian community. His visit to Nigeria marked the first by an Indian PM in 17 years.

Following Nigeria, Modi attended the G20 Summit in Brazil, where he engaged with global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Speaking at the summit, Modi emphasized the relevance of India’s G20 theme, “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” and called for greater focus on addressing the crises faced by the Global South, especially regarding food, fuel, and fertilizer shortages.

On the sidelines of the summit, Modi held several bilateral meetings with leaders from countries such as Brazil, Italy, Indonesia, Portugal, Norway, Chile, Argentina, Egypt, and South Korea to strengthen cooperation in defense, trade, technology, and other sectors.

Rajasthan’s Khairthal-Tijara Schools Shift Online for Classes 1 to 5 Due to Pollution

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Rajasthan’s Khairthal-Tijara Schools Shift Online for Classes 1 to 5 Due to Pollution

Jaipur, Nov 20 : In response to the severe pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region, the Khairthal-Tijara district administration in Rajasthan has decided to shift all schools to online classes for students in grades 1 to 5. The move will be in effect for four days, starting Wednesday, November 20.

The decision was made by District Collector Kishore Kumar on Tuesday, following the Supreme Court’s directive to states within the Delhi-NCR region to assess whether to hold physical classes for students up to grade 12 amidst the ongoing air quality crisis.

Khairthal-Tijara, which became a separate district from Alwar in August 2023, is part of the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to the order, all government and private schools in the district will suspend physical classes for students in classes 1 to 5 from November 20 to November 23, or until further notice. Teachers will conduct online classes during this period.

The order applies only to students, with teachers required to report to school to facilitate the online sessions.

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