Indian Sub-continent

New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI) The CPI(M) on Thursday said the "gruesome attack" on protesters in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh marked a "new level of violence" against the farmers' movement that has been going on for the last 10 months.

The latest editorial in the party's mouthpiece, "People's Democracy", said the "brazen attack" on the farmers came in the backdrop of the Centre "hardening" its position on the farmers' agitation against three new farm laws.

New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI) Seventy-one per cent of the country's adult population have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 27 per cent have got both doses, the government said on Thursday as the cumulative vaccine shots administered in the country crossed 93 crore.

Addressing a press conference here, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul said there was no issue with vaccine availability in the country now as he urged people whose second dose were due to get fully vaccinated.

New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI) Putting an end to the vaccine certification row, the UK on Thursday announced that Indians, fully vaccinated with Covishield vaccine, will no longer require to undergo quarantine on their arrival in Britain from October 11.

The announcement was made by British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis.

New Delhi, Oct 8 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Friday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, and said just "one word of sympathy" was needed from him.

In a tweet, Sibal said, "Lakhimpur Kheri Horror. Modi ji, Why are you silent? We need just one word of sympathy from you. That should not be difficult!"

"Had you been in opposition how would you have reacted? Please tell us," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

Mumbai, Oct 8 (PTI) The rupee opened on a weak note and fell below the 75 per US dollar level in early trade on Friday as rising crude prices and strength of the American currency in the overseas market weighed on investor sentiments.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened on a weak note at 75, then fell further to 75.15, registering a decline of 36 paise from its last close.

Guwahati, Oct 8 (PTI) The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati was handed over to the Adani Group for operations, management and development responsibilities on Friday.

Beginning the process of developing and modernising the Northeast's foremost airport, the symbolic key of the airport was handed over by Ramesh Kumar, Airport Director of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). to Utpal Baruah, Chief Airport Officer of the new airport operator at an event held midnight, a press statement said.

Muzaffarnagar (UP), Oct 8 (PTI) A man was arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl here in a village under Budhana area here, police said on Friday.

Station House Officer Rajiv Kumar said a case was registered against Gulab Singh on Thursday and he has been arrested.

A medical examination confirmed rape.

The girl was produced before a magistrate and gave her statement under Section 164 of CrPC.

New Delhi, Oct 8 (PTI) Petrol price on Friday was hiked by 30 paise a litre and diesel by 35 paise per litre as domestic fuel prices witnessed possibly the largest rally in rates.

The price of petrol in Delhi rose to its highest-ever level of Rs 103.54 a litre and to Rs 109.54 per litre in Mumbai, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers.

Diesel rates too touched a record high of Rs 92.12 in Delhi and inched closer to the Rs 100-a-litre mark in Mumbai. It currently costs Rs 99.92 a litre in Mumbai.

Kanpur: The saddlery traders have partnered up with the Police Commissionerate to promote their goods in the global market.

The Police Department horses are to come to be the brand ambassadors of the city's saddlery trade in the wide world.

City accounts for 75% of the total export of saddlery from India and the export goods are evaluated to be worth ₹1000 crores every year.

Europe, America, Australia and others have been importing saddlery goods from the city for a long time.

Kanpur: Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt has invested in a start-up supported by IIT-K. It converts floral waste into charcoal-free luxury incense products.

Using its 'flower cycling' technology, the start-up has also launched 'Fleather' -- an alternative to animal leather made with flowers.