Indian Sub-continent

MALE, Oct 26 (NNN-IPS) – Over 100,000 tourists have visited the Maldives in Oct, the state-owned PSM News, citing data from the Ministry of Tourism, reported here today.

Tourism ministry data showed that, 102,434 tourists visited the Maldives from Oct 1 to 24, a 599 percent increase from the same period in 2020, but a two percent decrease compared to 2019.

The Maldives recorded a total of 973,269 tourist arrivals so far this year, or a daily average of 4,454.

ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan signed off on a new head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency, the military said on Tuesday, after weeks of delay as regional players try to stabilise the security and economy of neighbouring Afghanistan.

Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum was approved as ISI head after a final consultation between army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Khan.

The announcement followed weeks of speculation that the delay signified a rift between civil and military powers, speculation that officials denied.

Siliguri, Oct 25 (PTI) Two senior Congress leaders of Uttar Pradesh on Monday joined the Trinamool Congress in presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Siliguri in north Bengal.

The two leaders, Rajeshpati Tripathi and Lalitpati Tripathi, said they would carry on the fight to oust the BJP from power in UP and the Centre under the leadership of Banerjee, the TMC supremo.

New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday extended support to Mohammad Shami, who was subjected to a fierce online attack following the Indian cricket team's first ever loss to Pakistan in World Cup history, and urged him to forgive those trolling him as they "are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love".

India lost their T20 World Cup opener by 10 wickets on Sunday with Shami emerging the most expensive bowler on the night, leaking 43 runs in 3.5 overs.

Srinagar, Oct 25 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said Sufism was a part of India's rich cultural heritage.

Shah, who is on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, had a meeting with Sufis and saints here.

"Kashmir has been since beginning the focal point of India's rich heritage. Sufi culture is also part of that richness which is embodiment of peace and liberalism," he tweeted in Hindi.

New Delhi, Oct 26 (PTI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday chaired a meeting of top party leaders to evolve a strategy for assembly elections in five states early next year.

Former party chief Rahul Gandhi is attending the meeting at the AICC headquarters here besides party general secretaries and in-charges of various states and PCC chiefs.

The leaders will also chalk out a strategy for the party's new membership drive and finalise the modalities for it. The drive is starting from November 1 and will continue till March 31 next year.

New Delhi, Oct 26 (PTI) Sameer Wankhede, the Narcotics Control Bureau's Mumbai zonal director who is leading the probe in the cruise drugs case in which actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan is arrested, visited the agency's headquarters here on Tuesday and spent over two hours.

The officer entered the NCB office in the R K Puram area through a back entry gate and is understood to have met his senior officers.

It was not confirmed if Wankhede met NCB director general (DG) S N Pradhan.

New Delhi, Oct 26 (PTI) The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to grant protection to the witnesses of Lakhimpur Kheri violence in which eight people including four farmers were killed during a farmers' protest.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana asked the UP government, represented by senior advocates Harish Salve and Garima Prasad, to record the statements of other relevant witnesses before judicial magistrates under Section 164 of the CrPC.

Surat, Oct 26 (PTI) A magistrate court in Surat has directed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on October 29 to record his statement in connection with a criminal defamation case against him over his remark on the "Modi surname".

On Monday, Chief Judicial Magistrate A N Dave asked Gandhi to appear on October 29 to record his statement further, after the testimony of two new witnesses were taken since the Congress leader last appeared before the court on June 24 this year.

Kanpur: If there is anything I’m just fascinated by in particular it is the old mosque without domes. Its varied architecture is worth viewing for all of those who are either living within or outside the area of Jajmau situated on the banks of the holy Ganges which is not holy as it used to be during the yester years.

This mosque was built by an illustrious  name in tanning industry here. He is no more but his religious deed remains a matter of enthusiastic conversation among those who pay a visit to the mosque.