Sports

Virat Kohli’s pub in Bengaluru ‘violates’ fire safety rules, gets notice

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The restaurant, located on the sixth floor of Ratnam’s Complex, has been reported to be functioning without a no objection certificate from the Fire Department

Published Date – 21 December 2024, 12:28 PM


Virat Kohli’s pub in Bengaluru ‘violates’ fire safety rules, gets notice


Bengaluru: Civic body Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued a notice to cricketer Virat Kohli‘s pub ‘One8 Commune’ over alleged fire safety violations.

The restaurant, located on the sixth floor of Ratnam’s Complex on upscale MG Road near the Chinnaswamy International Cricket Stadium, has been reported to be functioning without a no objection certificate from the Fire Department. Earlier, a notice was issued on November 29 on the complaint of social activists HM Venkatesh and Kunigal Narasimhamurthy.

However, no reply has been received to date. Now, the BBMP has been given a seven-day deadline, and if clarification is missed this time too, legal action will be initiated against the said pub, the notice issued by the Health Officer of Shanthinagar Division of the BBMP said.

Complainant Venkatesh stated, “Many restaurants, bars, and pubs in high-rise buildings across Bengaluru are operating without any fire safety measures in place. In the past, fire accidents in Bengaluru have led to significant loss of life and injuries. For instance, during the Carlton Towers fire caused by a short circuit, people jumped off the building in an attempt to save their lives.”

“To prevent such incidents, BBMP and the Fire Department have conducted audits. They identified several buildings without proper fire safety measures and issued rules stating that licenses should not be granted to such buildings, and operations should not be permitted on those premises,” Venkatesh demanded.

Earlier, in July, an FIR was registered against One8 Commune for operating past the 1 am deadline. The FIR stated that the establishment was open and serving customers at 1.20 am, which exceeded the permissible time limit.

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Is Safe Car Enough? Volvo Crash That Killed CEO, Family Sparks Big Question

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Chandram Yegapagol (48) and five family members were killed in the chilling crash

Bengaluru:

The chilling crash of a Volvo SUV near Bengaluru yesterday, which claimed six lives, has sparked a conversation on how safe cars may not make a difference unless our roads are made safer. The Volvo XC90, considered the gold standard in car safety, was crushed by a container truck that jumped the divider on the Nelmangala-Tumkuru highway.

The victims have been identified as Chandram Yegapagol (48), his wife Gourabai (42), his son Gyan (16), daughter Deeksha (12) sister-in-law Vijayalakshmi (36) and Vijayalakshmi’s daughter Arya (6). Chandram Yegapagol was the managing director and CEO of IAST Software Solutions, a Bengaluru-based automotive solutions firm, and had reportedly bought the SUV just two months back.

According to reports, the family was going to Sangli in neighbouring Maharashtra to meet Chandram’s father. Police have told The Times of India that he was driving safely and was “not at fault”.

Arif, the driver of the container truck, who suffered injuries in the accident, has told the media that the heavy vehicle jumped the divider while trying to save a car that stopped suddenly on the highway. “A car in front of me hit the brakes suddenly. When I hit the brakes, the truck kept going forward. To save the car, I swerved to the right and the truck jumped the divider,” he said. The truck then hit the milk truck before crushing the Volvo behind it.

The driver said he was not aware of the fact that six people were killed in the accident. He said the truck was transporting aluminum. It must be pointed out that it is always difficult for loaded heavy vehicles to stop instantly because of their weight. This makes panic braking risky. The driver, Arif, has been booked for rash driving and death by negligence.

The accident has sparked a conversation on social media, with users pointing out that the safest of cars cannot save lives unless others on the road are driving safely.

DriveSmart, a handle promoting safe driving, shared shocking pictures from the accident site. “This pic is a reminder that being safer on the road is not achieved by a safer car alone. Safe Roads + Safe Driver + Safe Car: All three are essential for safety. All the passengers in this Volvo lost lives in this car which supposedly went through all types of testing,” it said.

Some users pointed out that while Volvo makes very safe vehicles, it is impossible for a car to withstand the weight of a container loaded with aluminum. Others have tagged Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to bring stricter rules to ensure road safety.

Senior police officer CK Baba has told Deccan Herald that six cranes had to be brought in to remove the heavily loaded truck from over the car. Then the bodies of the family members were brought out one by one from the crushed vehicle.

During a discussion on India’s accident deaths in Lok Sabha in the ongoing Winter Session, Mr Gadkari said he has to hide his face at international conferences on road accidents. Referring to his target to reduce accidents by half when he took charge of the ministry, he said, “Forget about reducing the number of accidents, I have no hesitation to admit that it has been increased. When I go to attend international conferences where there is a discussion on road accidents, I try to hide my face.”

The minister said that society has to change and the rule of law has to be respected if accidents have to be prevented. According to government data, over 1.7 lakh people died in road accidents last year. This is about 470 deaths every day and a majority of victims are in the 18-34 years age group.

World

‘Fridays of Rage’: Iranians rally against Israeli atrocities, silence of supporters

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Iranians in the southwestern city of Yasuj hold protests against the Israeli regime and its supporters on December 20, 2024. (By Shabestan news agency)

Iranians have rallied across several provinces, raging against the Israeli regime’s atrocities and the silence of its supporters.

The people of the provinces of Qom, Semnan, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad demonstrated in their provincial capitals following Friday prayers under the banner of “Fridays of Rage.”

They strongly condemned the regime’s crimes in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Syria, shouting their anger towards Tel Aviv’s supporters over their silence in the face of its acts of bloodletting and sedition across the region.

The rallies came amid the regime’s 15-month-long war of genocide against Gaza that has so far claimed the lives of more than 45,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

Last month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ousted war minister Yoav Gallant after charging them with committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza during the war that has featured using starvation as a method of warfare.

In its verdict, the court said there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that both Gallant and Netanyahu “intentionally and knowingly” deprived Palestinians in Gaza of basic needs like food and water, adding that their actions geared towards destroying the conditions of life in the coastal sliver constituted crimes against humanity.

The demonstrations also followed 14 months of escalated deadly aggression by the regime against Lebanon that killed more than 4,000 people.

Tel Aviv is, meanwhile, constantly violating a ceasefire that came about last month to deadly effects on the Lebanese people.

The regime has additionally intensified its brutal attacks against Syria’s economic and defensive infrastructures since the country’s takeover by Western and Tel Aviv-backed anti-Damascus militants.

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Business

RBI hikes interest rates on NRI foreign currency deposits-Telangana Today

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The move is aimed at attracting more foreign capital at a time when the Indian rupee has come under pressure as foreign investors have been pulling money out of the Indian stock markets resulting in hot money outflows

Published Date – 6 December 2024, 02:47 PM


RBI hikes interest rates on NRI foreign currency deposits

Reserve Bank of India

Mumbai: The RBI on Friday increased the interest rate ceilings on Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank deposits or FCNR (B) deposits which will enable NRIs to earn more on their savings.

The move is aimed at attracting more foreign capital at a time when the Indian rupee has come under pressure as foreign investors have been pulling money out of the Indian stock markets resulting in hot money outflows.

FCNR(B) deposits are accounts where Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can hold their earnings in foreign currencies like USD or GBP, protecting them from exchange rate fluctuations. “In order to attract more capital inflows, RBI has decided to increase the interest rate ceilings on FCNR (B) deposits.

Accordingly, with effect from today (December 6, 2024), banks are permitted to raise fresh FCNR(B) deposits of 1 year to less than 3 years maturity at rates not exceeding ARR plus 400 bps and deposits with maturity between 3 to 5 years at rates not exceeding ARR plus 500 bps.

This relaxation will be available till March 31, 2025,” an RBI statement said. Until now, interest rates on Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank (FCNR(B)) deposits were subject to ceilings of Overnight Alternative Reference Rate (ARR) for the respective currency/swap, plus 250 basis points for deposits of 1 year to less than 3 years maturity and overnight ARR plus 350 basis points for deposits of 3 years and above and up to 5 years maturity, according to an RBI statement.

Banks have now been allowed to offer higher interest across the tenors. The RBI has also decided to move ahead with the introduction of the Secured Overnight Rupee Rate (SORR), a benchmark based on the secured money markets.

Financial Benchmarks India Ltd (FBIL) is being requested to take the proposal forward. The proposal is being taken up in line with the recommendation of the RBI’s Committee on the MIBOR Benchmark.

The Reserve Bank had set up the Committee on the MIBOR Benchmark headed by Ramanathan Subramanian to review the rupee interest rate benchmarks in the country, especially the usage of Mumbai Interbank Outright Rate (MIBOR), and to examine the need for transition to new benchmarks.

The Committee recommended several important measures to further develop the interest rate derivative market and improve the credibility of interest rate benchmarks.

The Report of the Committee was published on the RBI’s website inviting comments from members of the public. The Reserve Bank has examined the recommendations of the Committee as well as the feedback received. “The other recommendations of the Committee are under consideration,” the RBI statement said.

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Benefits for farmers at stake, says KTR in open letter to ryots

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In an open letter to Telangana farmers, Rama Rao criticized the Congress government’s approach to farmer insurance, accusing it of implementing policies that would restrict full coverage and leave many farmers unsupported for crop investments. He urged farmers to remain alert and actively protest these measures, warning that inaction could result in losing critical insurance benefits and facing severe financial challenges.

Updated On – 22 December 2024, 06:32 PM

Hyderabad: Pointing out that the Congress government was making deceptive moves to dilute the Rythu Bharosa scheme, BRS Working President K T Rama Rao on Sunday made a passionate appeal to the farming community, urging them to fight back what he described as fraudulent attempts to evade farmers of their due. In a strongly worded open letter, he called upon the farmers in Telangana to unite and beat back the deceptive moves to dilute the Rythu Bharosa scheme. Pointing out that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had avoided critical questions on the scheme during the recent assembly session, Rama Rao said instead of addressing the concerns of farmers, Revanth Reddy had diverted the discussion to irrelevant issues to evade accountability. He expressed concern over the Congress government’s plans to align Rythu Bharosa with the central PM-Kisan guidelines, which, he said, would exclude over half of Telangana’s farmers from receiving benefits.

“This is a deliberate attempt to cut benefits and betray the farming community,” he said, sounding a caution to farmers to be vigilant and protest the new guidelines being laid down for restricting the investment support. He stressed that the if they did not act now, they would be left without insurance and face serious hardships.

Highlighting the achievements of the previous BRS government under K. Chandrashekhar Rao, he said Rythu Bandhu had revolutionized Telangana’s agriculture sector, turning farming into the most remunerative activity. Over Rs.73,000 crore was credited directly to farmers’ accounts across 11 seasons, ensuring transparency and eliminating corruption. He also pointed out that Rs.28,000 crore was allocated for loan waivers, resulting in nearly Rs 1 lakh crore being pumped into the hands of farmers to rejuvenate agriculture in the State.
Criticising the Congress for failing to fulfill its pre-election promise of Rs.15,000 per acre annually under Rythu Bharosa, he said it was a year since the promise, but instead of delivering, the Congress government had slashed the amount and imposed unnecessary conditions, betraying the farmers once again. Dismissing Congress’ allegations that funds from Rythu Bandhu were diverted to real estate as baseless propaganda aimed at discrediting farmers and the previous government’s initiatives, Rama Rao urged farmers across Telangana to rise against what he called Congress’ duplicity.

“Question their broken promises, challenge their leaders in your villages, and demand accountability. Farmers must unite to protect their rights and ensure that no injustice is done to them,” he stated, concluding the open letter with a call to farmers to reject the attempts of the Congress to dismantle the support systems provided by the BRS government.
“Let’s protect the shields of support under KCR’s leadership and resist Congress’ betrayal,” he asserted, stressing that the Congress government strategy would leave many farmers without necessary support for crop investment.

 

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Gaza genocidal war

Israel’s genocidal war continues across the Gaza Strip, killing and injuring more civilians in the besieged territory. At least 6 Palestinians were killed and many more injured in a missile attack on a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza City. In the south, 3 Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombardment, targeting the city of Rafah. The regime’s warplanes also bombed Beit Lahiya, in northern Gaza, killing at least 12 people and injuring around two dozen others. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 36 Palestinians were killed and 96 injured in Israeli attacks across the besieged strip in the past day. The death toll since October last year stands at 44,502. nearly 105,500 people have also been injured.

Yemen reprisal attacks

Israeli forces have killed two more Palestinians and detained several others after conducting a series of raids across the occupied West Bank. Local Palestinian sources say, an Israeli drone hit a vehicle in the northwest of the city of Tubas. Two people were killed and another injured in the attack. Regime forces also abducted three people in the city of al-Khalil where they set up checkpoints to block the movement of Palestinians. Two men were severely beaten and abducted north of Bethlehem. Also abductions took place in the cities of Nablus and Ramallah. Israel has intensified its violent raids across the occupied territories since launching its genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip more than a year ago. At least 800 Palestinians have been killed and some 12,000 others detained since October 2023 in the West Bank alone.

Lebanon ‘fragile’ truce

The ceasefire in Lebanon is getting shakier as Israel continues to violate the deal with the Arab country by launching strikes. France, a member of the international committee in charge of surveying the implementation of the ceasefire, says Israel has breached the truce more than 50 times. Israel’s latest wave of air strikes has killed a dozen people in Southern Lebanon. The regime has defended its actions and threatened to conduct more operations if the deal collapses. In response to numerous Israeli violations, Hezbollah launched a volley of rockets as warning last night. The ceasefire is still largely holding but sporadic Israeli attacks in breach of the truce were reported soon after the deal came into effect last week. In spite of the continued Israeli aggression, the displaced Lebanese continue to return to their homes.

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India Thrash West Indies By 211 Runs In Opening Women’s ODI

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Stylish opener Smriti Mandhana extended her purple patch with a classy knock before pacer Renuka Thakur excelled with the new ball as India outplayed a self-destructing West Indies by a record 211 runs in the first Women’s ODI in Vadodara on Sunday. India posted 314 for nine after Mandhana made a fine 91 off 102 balls. The launch pad was provided by the left-handed opener for the middle-order to go big and that is what the likes of Harmanpreet Kaur (34 off 23), Harleen Deol (44 off 50), Richa Ghosh (26 off 12) and Jemimah Rodrigues (31 off 19) did to take India past 300.

The West Indies were ordinary to say the least in their response as some of their batters gifted wickets to the dominating hosts.

They were eventually all out for 103 in 26.2 overs with Renuka picking her maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs. It was India’s biggest win over the West Indies in terms of runs.

The second ODI of the three-match series will be played here on Tuesday.

Qiana Joseph was run out on the first ball of the run chase as she inexplicably struggled to complete a regulation single from the non-striker’s end, leaving skipper Hayley Mathews in disbelief.

Mathews too departed 12 balls later, nicking a wide delivery from Renuka who got the in-swing going in her first spell. When young pacer Titas Sadhu castled Rashad Williams, the West Indies slipped to 11 for four and the game was as good as over.

Renuka’s fourth wicket reduced the visitors to 34 for six as Shabika Gajnabi could not connect a full in-swinging ball.

Earlier, Mandhana, who recorded a 50-plus score for the fifth time in as many innings, got the bulk of the runs in her 110-run stand alongside debutant Pratika Rawal (40 off 69).

After dropping hard-hitting Shafali Verma, India have tried multiple batters to open alongside Mandhana and on Sunday it was the turn of Delhi cricketer Pratika, who batted at a strike rate of 57.97.

The 24-year-old was also dropped at mid-off when she was batting on three in the 10th over. Her four boundaries came on the leg-side as she employed the sweep multiple times.

Mandhana, at the other end, entertained the crowd with her trademark shots including a cover drive and pull.

India changed gears after the arrival of fit-again skipper Harmanpreet who struck at close to 150 to give the innings a timely move on.

The momentum was carried by Richa and Rodrigues who has been in top form of late.

For the West Indies, the pick of the bowlers was left-arm spinner Zaida James who took five wickets for 45 runs in eight overs.

India could have got a lot more in the death overs but the last three overs only yielded 20 runs with James picking three wickets in the final over.

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

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Hyderabad

Watch: Allu Arjun faces student protest outside his home over Pushpa 2 stampede incident

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The incident happened around afternoon when the group carrying placards rushed into the house of the actor and broke the pots placed at the entrance of the actor’s house

Updated On – 22 December 2024, 10:47 PM


Watch: Allu Arjun faces student protest outside his home over Pushpa 2 stampede incident

Miscreants barging into Allu Arjun’s house to protest against the Sandhya Theatre stampede

Hyderabad: A group of people claiming to be students of Osmania University on Sunday barged into the house of actor Allu Arjun at Jubilee Hills and damaged flowerpots, holding him responsible for the death of a woman in the stampede at Sandhya theatre during the premier show of Pushpa 2.

According to reports, the attackers were Congress workers and close to the party’s top leaders.

The incident happened around afternoon when a group of people carrying placards rushed into the actor’s house and broke flowerpots.

They raised slogans against the actor and shouted that Allu Arjun was responsible for the death of the woman, Revathi, and the health condition of her son Sri Tej, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

Police reached the spot and beefed up security outside the actor’s house.

SM Vijay Kumar, DCP (west) zone, said six persons were taken in custody. “They all claim to be part of OU JAC and, on inquiry, they have claimed that they were trying to protest against the actor to ask him to help the family,” said the official.

Sports

Arrest warrant issued against former cricketer Robin Uthappa

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The company has failed to remit the damages under Section 7A, 14B and 7 Q of the EPF and MP Act, 1952 to the tune of Rs 23.36 lakh

Published Date – 21 December 2024, 12:40 PM


Arrest warrant issued against former cricketer Robin Uthappa

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa

Bengaluru: The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) functioning under the Ministry of Labour and Employment of the Government of India has written a letter to the Bengaluru Police seeking assistance in issuing an arrest warrant against former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, sources confirmed on Saturday.

Regional PF Commissioner-II and Recovery Officer, RO KR Puram Shadakshara Gopala Reddy has made the written request to the Inspector of Pulikeshi Nagar police station in Bengaluru in this regard. The PF Commissioner Reddy has stated that Robin Uthappa is the Director of the M/s Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd company located in Indiranagar of Bengaluru.

The company has failed to remit the damages under Section 7A, 14B and 7 Q of the EPF and MP Act, 1952 to the tune of Rs 23.36 lakh. Addressing the police Reddy further requested, “You are therefore, kindly requested to execute the enclosed arrest warrant of arrest of Robin Uthappa. In this regard, it is to inform that the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 is a social welfare legislation established especially for the poor section of society who are working for meagre salaries and will have nothing to fall back upon, except the provident fund contributions on their retirement and on other occasions,” the PF Commissioner stated.

“Due to non-remittances of dues this office is unable to settle the Provident Fund accounts of the poor workers. In view of the above, you are kindly requested to execute the enclosed warrant of arrest through the inspector under whose jurisdiction Robin Uthappa resides,” he requested.

“In this connection it is kindly requested to arrest the employer under Rule 73 of II Schedule to Income Tax Act 1961 and Income Tax (CP) Rule 1962 and 8B of Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Act, 1952 and produce him before the undersigned on or before December 27 for further proceedings through your official,” the notice stated.

The police sources stated that Robin Uthappa was not found at his residence when they went to execute the warrant of arrest against him.