Drones hit military bases housing US forces in Iraq, Syria

Two military facilities occupied by US forces in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region and Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah have come under separate attacks by explosive-laden drones, the latest in a series of strikes on American forces in the two neighboring countries.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, in a statement published on its Telegram channel claimed responsibility for the early Friday morning attack on US forces based near the Erbil International Airport.

It noted that the base was targeted by two drones, linking the assault to the US support for Israel’s bloody military campaign against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The brutal war that the Tel Aviv regime has been waging against the besieged Palestinian enclave since October 7 has so far claimed the lives of nearly 9,061 people, including 3,700 children and more than 2,300 women.

The regime launched the war after Gaza’s resistance groups conducted Operation al-Aqsa Storm, their biggest operation against the occupying entity in years.

Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder confirmed during a press briefing that American troops were targeted in Erbil. 

“We are aware of an attack today against US forces at Erbil air base in Iraq,” he said, adding that the strike was “unsuccessful.”

“No casualties [but] some minor damage to infrastructure,” Ryder noted.  

Later in the day, a military base, where occupying American forces and allied Takfiri militants are stationed, was targeted by an unmanned aerial vehicle in northeastern Syria.

Lebanon’s Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network, citing local sources, reported that the drone hit the facility in al-Shaddadi town, located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Hasakah.

According to the Pentagon spokesman, US military forces have been attacked at least 16 times with drones and rockets in Iraq and Syria between October 17 and 26.

“Between October 17 and 18, Eastern Time, 21 US personnel received minor injuries due to drone attacks at al-Asad air base in Iraq and al-Tanf garrison in Syria,” Ryder said.

“At Tanf garrison, during these two days, there were 17 US personnel who sustained minor injuries, 15 of whom were diagnosed with TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury. At al-Asad air base, four personnel were diagnosed with TBI but no other injured and again in all cases members returned to duty,” he noted. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani to pursue the attackers of US bases and troops in Iraq, according to the State Department.

Tirupati: Devotees to get caution deposit refunds within an hour of vacating room

Reddy added that some devotees are calling the call centers and sending emails to the authorities without verifying this information. He urged devotees to check their bank statements and contact the authorities only if the entire caution deposit amount is not refunded.

Updated On – 02:23 PM, Fri – 3 November 23


Tirupati: Devotees to get caution deposit refunds within an hour of vacating room


Tirupati:  Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy announced on Friday that devotees who booked rooms using UPI will receive their caution deposit refund within an hour of vacating the room. Those who made transactions through credit or debit cards will receive their refunds within 3 to 7 working days.

Reddy added that some devotees are calling the call centers and sending emails to the authorities without verifying this information. He urged devotees to check their bank statements and contact the authorities only if the entire caution deposit amount is not refunded.

Pakistan: Five killed, over 20 injured in Dera Ismail Khan blast Khyber

The KP bomb disposal unit as well as law enforcement officials immediately arrived on site after the explosion.

Published Date – 02:19 PM, Fri – 3 November 23


Pakistan: Five killed, over 20 injured in Dera Ismail Khan blast Khyber


Pakhtunkhwa: At least five people have been killed and over 20 are wounded in a blast that took place in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Pakistan on Friday, Samaa TV reported.

Following the explosion that occurred in Tank Adda in Ponda Bazar of DI Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emergency measures have been put in hospitals nearby.
Samaa TV is a Pakistani Urdu language news channel, the fourth largest in the country.

As per initial media reports, the explosive device was planted on a motorbike.

Sounds of gunfire were reported at the site of the incident, according to SAMAA TV who quoted authorities.

The KP bomb disposal unit as well as law enforcement officials immediately arrived on site after the explosion.

Further details are awaited.

‘Visual pollution’: Kerala HC orders removal of billboards

The committees constituted by the court were ordered to immediately remove all illegally installed board and impose a penalty of Rs 5,000 per board, apart from imposing expenses for such removal, prosecution should also be initiated.

Published Date – 02:15 PM, Fri – 3 November 23


‘Visual pollution’: Kerala HC orders removal of billboards


Kochi: Kerala High Court on Friday described the unauthorised bill boards in public space as visual pollution and ordered state authorities to ensure that maximum fine is imposed on those found installing it.

Justice Devan Ramachandran said that even though violators do not deserve any leniency, a seven-day may be granted so that such illegally installed boards may be removed to avoid a penalty of Rs 5,000 (as prescribed under the Kerala Municipality Rules) per board. “I am certain that the committees constituted by this court must start imposing maximum penalty under the rules against every board those who have created/erected it and every other individual involved, will have to be found out and identified, leading to FIRs being registered against them,” the court ordered.

The committees constituted by the court were ordered to immediately remove all illegally installed board and impose a penalty of Rs 5,000 per board, apart from imposing expenses for such removal, prosecution should also be initiated.

‘Visual Pollution’ … is something to be taken grave note of by the civilized world. It is the right of a citizen to have pleasing environment and any action by perpetrators to defy this for selfish and vested reasons, certainly is an offence which must attract sufficient penalties,” the court said.

The court said that our state is going through stated financial constraints which is evident from various other cases that come to the notice of this court. One fails to understand how this source of revenue can be given up, particularly when thousands of boards have been removed on regular basis,the court said.

The High Court further added that a FIR should be registered against those who break the laws and posted the case for the 22nd of this month.

Iranian FM, Hamas chief discuss Gaza developments

In a post on X social media platform, Amir-Abdollahian said he discussed the latest developments in Palestine, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with Haniyeh on Thursday night.

On Tuesday, Amir-Abdollahian and Ismail Haniyeh met in Qatar for the second time in the past month.

The Israeli regime has been waging a barbaric war against Gaza since October 7, when Hamas-led Palestinian Resistance groups launched their biggest operation against the Zionist regime in years. The sneak attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, came in response to the regime’s intensified crimes against the Palestinian people.

The Israeli war has so far claimed the lives of over 9,000 innocent Palestinians and left upwards of 32,000 others wounded.

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution, calling for the implementation of an immediate “humanitarian truce” in Gaza. The Israeli regime has rejected all calls for a ceasefire, claiming it would benefit Hamas.

MNA/5928863

Telangana Assembly Polls: Liquor shops to remain closed for two days

The Election Commission of India has directed the authorities to take appropriate measures to implement a complete prohibition on the sale of liquor and other substances within polling areas for 48 hours.

Updated On – 02:01 PM, Fri – 3 November 23


Telangana Assembly Polls: Liquor shops to remain closed for two days


Hyderabad: In view of Assembly Polls in the state, all liquor outlets, including wine shops, bars, restaurants and pubs will be closed from 5 PM on November 28 to the end of polling on November 30. They will also remain closed on counting day, December 3, until the end of vote counting.

The Election Commission of India has directed the authorities to take appropriate measures to implement a complete prohibition on the sale of liquor and other substances within polling areas for 48 hours.

New York Judge "Unhinged, Dangerous", Says Trump In Social Media Post

'Leave My Children Alone': Trump Slams Judge Overseeing Son's Fraud Trial

Donald Trump is the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. (File)

New York, United States:

Donald Trump lashed out on Wednesday at the judge presiding over his civil fraud trial in New York and told him ahead of testimony by his eldest son, Don Jr, to “leave my children alone.”

Don Jr, 45, and his younger brother, Eric Trump, 39, are expected to take the witness stand this week in the trial for financial fraud that threatens to deal a heavy blow to the former president’s business empire.

Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, attacked Judge Arthur Engoron, who is hearing the case, in a series of scathing posts on his Truth Social platform, calling him a “political hack” who is “doing the dirty work for the Democrat Party.”

“Engoron is crazy, totally unhinged, and dangerous,” the 77-year-old former president said. “Leave my children alone, Engoron. You are a disgrace to the legal profession!”

If all goes according to the court schedule, Don Jr will testify on Wednesday followed on Thursday by Eric Trump.

Both are executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization, a sprawling network of companies managing residential and office skyscrapers, luxury hotels and golf courses around the world.

New York state attorney general Letitia James accuses the brothers — and their father — of fraudulently inflating the value of the group’s assets by billions of dollars to obtain more favourable bank loans and insurance terms.

Trump himself may be questioned on Monday, a day shy of one year before the November 5, 2024 presidential election that he hopes will sweep him back into the White House.

The former president’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, who left the Trump Organization in 2017 to join the White House as an advisor to her father, may follow two days later. She is not a defendant in the case but was previously involved in the family business.

‘There was no fraud’

Don Jr and Eric Trump took control of the Trump Organization when their father entered the White House and are unlikely to deviate from the line taken by the family’s defense attorneys since the trial began a month ago.

They assert that the subjective valuations of the group’s assets, such as Trump Tower and a building at 40 Wall Street, were sincere and banks did not lose any money lending to the Trump Organization.

“The Banks and Insurance Companies were paid in full, no defaults, they all made money, and there is no Victim (except me!)” Donald Trump said on Truth Social on Wednesday. “My Financial Statements are GREAT! There was no fraud.”

Donald Trump also said he would appeal a partial gag order imposed by Engoron on October 3 that bars him from attacking court staff — though not the judge himself.

Engoron has fined the former president twice already — $5,000 and $10,000 — for violating the order by attacking his law clerk.

The former president does not risk going to jail in the fraud trial, but faces up to $250 million in penalties and potential removal along with his sons from management of the family real estate empire.

Trump is not required to attend the trial, but he has shown up sporadically, using his appearances to portray himself as the victim of a supposed Democratic plot to derail his White House campaign.

The civil fraud trial is one of several legal battles facing Trump as he seeks to recapture the presidency.

He is to go on trial in Washington in March for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election and in Florida in May on charges of mishandling top secret government documents.

The twice-impeached former president also faces racketeering charges in Georgia for allegedly conspiring to upend the election results in the southern state after his 2020 defeat by Democrat Joe Biden.

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

Bipasha Basu posts adorable video of daughter Devi playing with teddy

In the video, the little one can be seen wearing a pink and white coloured frock trying to soothe her teething discomfort by biting the soft toy.

Published Date – 01:39 PM, Fri – 3 November 23


Bipasha Basu posts adorable video of daughter Devi playing with teddy


Mumbai: Bipasha Basu keeps charming her fans by sharing glimpses of her daughter Devi’s antics. Her latest post is a video of Devi biting a teddy bear in a playful manner.

She captioned the video with, “Teething..Bite Bite Bite”.

In the video, the little one can be seen wearing a pink and white coloured frock trying to soothe her teething discomfort by biting the soft toy.

After her post, Bipasha received an outpouring of comments from her fans. One of them commented, “Woow soooooooooo Cute baby” Another mentioned, “Awwwww!!! She is so cute!!!” While the other wrote, “This is very nice. The suffering will begin now”

 

Previously, Bipasha introduced her fans to Devi’s new bed.She took to Instagram Story and shared a clip where Devi is sleeping on his dad Karan Singh Grover’s lap.

“Papa is Devi’s Day bed”, she captioned the video. Bipasha and Karan Singh Grover welcomed their first child, on November 12, last year, six years after their marriage.

Earlier, Bipasha opened up about how Devi was born with two holes in her heart during a chat with actor Neha Dhupia on Instagram Live.

She revealed that Devi had to undergo surgery when she was three months old. She said, “Our journey has been very different from any normal mother and father, it has been a lot tougher than the smile that I have on my face right now. I would not wish this to happen to any mother. For a new mother, when you get to know that…I got to know on the third day of me having a baby that our baby is born with two holes in her heart.

I thought I will not share this, but I’m sharing this because I feel that there are a lot of mothers, who helped me in this journey, and it was very difficult to find those mothers. When you give birth you don’t want anything to go wrong with your child.

Bipasha shared how they came to know about VSD (ventricular septal defect). The actor added, “We didn’t even understand what a VSD is. It is a ventricular septal defect. We have heard about it, when kids grow it shuts on its own. We went through a crazy period.

We didn’t discuss this with our family, we both were in a little bit of a blur when we came out of the hospital. We wanted to celebrate but we were a little numb, me and Karan.”The actor revealed how she and Karan made themselves ready to get their daughter operated.

She continued, “Last three months we are fine but the first five months have been very difficult for us. But Devi has been fabulous from day one. She is a fighter. We were told that every month, we have to do a scan to know if it’s healing on its own.

But with the kind of large hole that she had, we were told that it was doubtful, you will have to go through surgery. And the surgery is best done, when the child is three months old.” Bipasha also revealed that after surgery, Devi is now fine.

First nomination by Independent in Patancheru Constituency

Goud, a resident of Ameenpur village, is the first man to file the nomination in erstwhile Medak district. He has submitted his nomination papers to Returning Officer of Patancheru Constituency

Updated On – 01:25 PM, Fri – 3 November 23


First nomination by Independent in Patancheru Constituency


Sangareddy: Independent candidate Thodedi Srikanth Goud has filed his nomination for Patancheru Assembly Constituency on Friday morning, the first day for filing the nominations.

Goud, a resident of Ameenpur village, is the first man to file the nomination in erstwhile Medak district. He has submitted his nomination papers to Returning Officer of Patancheru Constituency and District Minority Welfare Officer D Devuja at Patancheru MPDO office.

Palestine TV correspondent killed in Israel’s strikes on Gaza

A correspondent working for the Palestinian Authority’s television channel, Palestine TV, has been killed along with a number of his family members in an Israeli strike in the south of the Gaza Strip.

“Our colleague Mohammed Abu Hatab fell as a martyr along with members of his family in an Israeli bombardment against his home in Khan Yunis” on Thursday, broadcaster Palestine TV station said.

Palestinian media reports said the airstrike killed 11 of Abu Hatab’s family members, including his wife, son, and brother.

The Palestinian Official Media described the attack as “a deliberate assassination” of Abu Hatab, noting that his house was targeted shortly after he arrived home after covering Israel’s atrocities in Gaza.

“It’s a message in blood to terrorize Palestinian journalists to prevent them from reporting on our people’s suffering and exposing Israel’s crimes.” the Palestinian Official Media said in a statement.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) States Broadcasting Union also mourned the death of Abu Hatab and his family members.

Amr Al-Laithi, the OSBU President, also denounced the “heinous crime” committed against Abu Hatab.

The union also urged civil society organizations and human rights groups to immediately intervene to stop Israel’s “barbaric, criminal and systematic attacks” against media workers.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime’s decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians.

Tel Aviv has also blocked water, food, and electricity to Gaza, plunging the coastal strip into a humanitarian crisis.

The regime has further ordered 1.1 million people in the north of Gaza to evacuate and move south of the coastal sliver. However, it has continued to rain down bombs on the south.

Israel’s aggression on Gaza has so far killed more than 9,061 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured about 32,000 others.