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Chennai, Nov 8 (IANS) The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds in seven districts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, as an atmospheric circulation over the southeastern Arabian Sea and adjoining Kerala coast continues to influence weather conditions across the state.According to the weather department, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, and Thoothukudi districts are likely to experience heavy rainfall during the day.The prevailing atmospheric system is expected to bring widespread rainfall across several parts of Tamil Nadu, particularly the Cauvery delta and southern coastal districts.Moderate rainfall has also been forecast for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram...

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday extended heartfelt birthday wishes to senior BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, praising his lifelong contribution to public service, dedication to the nation and role in the party’s growth.Taking to social media platform X, CM Yogi wished the veteran BJP leader good health and a long life, describing him as a senior member of the BJP family who had dedicated his entire life to public service and the national interest.“Heartfelt birthday wishes to the respected Shri Lal Krishna Advani ji, a senior member of the BJP family who has dedicated his entire life to public service and the national interest, former Deputy Prim...

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will organise a special programme at its Central Office on Sunday to mark the 100th birthday of veteran party leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna Lal Krishna Advani.The programme, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Diwali, will be attended by BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Advani's daughter Pratibha Advani, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal, along with several other senior party leaders.“Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Shri Lal Krishna Advani Ji's 100th birth anniversary and the occasion of Diwali Pavan Diwas. Venue: BJP Central Office, New Delhi,” BJP announced on its official X handle.The event will commemorate Advani's inspirational life, his dedication to...

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended warm Diwali greetings to people across the country, wishing everyone happiness, well-being, and prosperity on the occasion of the festival of lights.Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister shared his wishes with citizens and conveyed his greetings to people celebrating the festival across the country.“Diwali wishes to everyone! Boundless Diwali wishes to my family members across the country,” PM Modi posted on X (in Hindi).His message came as people across India celebrate Diwali with traditional fervour and enthusiasm, illuminating their homes, streets and public spaces with diyas, decorative lights and colourful decorations.In a social media video titled “Have a Great Diwali”, the Prime Minister had also...

Raipur, Nov 8 (IANS) Raipur, Bilaspur and Bilha in Chhattisgarh have been selected for national awards under the Swachh Survekshan 2025-26, officials said.President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards on these three cities at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on November 11, officials added on Saturday.Special recognition will also be given to 'Safai Mitras' (sanitation workers) during the ceremony.The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has formally informed the state government about the selection.Officials said the achievement is the result of sustained cleanliness drives, the dedication of sanitation workers and active participation by citizens.Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed happiness over the recognition.He congratulated the citizens, public representatives, officials a...

Mumbai, November 7 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday secured the conviction of Adnanali Sarkar in the Maharashtra ISIS terror module case, officials said.The Special Court (NIA) in Mumbai held him guilty under Sections 13, 18, 20, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Sections 201 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.The court sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for a maximum period of six years and imposed a total fine of Rs 65,000.Sarkar was the fifth accused in the case registered by NIA Mumbai.The central agency had taken up the investigation suo motu on June 28, 2023, after receiving information from the Ministry of Home Affairs about a conspiracy by ISIS members aimed at threatening the unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of Ind...

Guwahati, Nov 7 (IANS) In a significant boost to the conservation and recovery of the critically endangered Black Softshell Turtle (BST), locally known as Bormuria Kaso (Nilssonia nigricans), 240 hatchlings were released on Saturday into a protected waterbody under the Biswanath Wildlife Division in Assam.A senior forest official said that the release was jointly organised by the Wildlife Survival Alliance Foundation India (WSAFI) and the Biswanath Wildlife Division, in collaboration with Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and the Assam Forest Department, as part of the ongoing project titled 'Conservation and Recovery of Black Softshell Turtle in Assam'.The conservation initiative has been underway for nearly a decade.The Black Softshell Turtle, which was once declared 'Extinct in the Wild' in th...