Afghanistan conflict LIVE: Blasts rock Kabul
Over 103 people were killed in the blasts near the Kabul airport on Thursday, days after Taliban overran Afghanistan and seized its capital on Aug 15. As many as 1,338 people have been injured and more people are likely to succumb to their injuries, a source in the Afghan Ministry of Health told Sputnik Friday. At least two blasts targeted Kabul airport and its outskirts. The Islamic State-Khorasan terrorist group reportedly claimed responsibility for the bombings. Thousands of people have been gathering outside the Kabul airport in recent days with western troops racing to evacuate foreigners and Afghans from the war-torn country by the Aug 31 deadline set by US President Joe Biden.
Afghanistan Updates: As Kabul falls and Taliban rule begins, people rush to flee the country
As the Taliban entered Kabul and took over control of Afghanistan, an unprecedented situation is unfolding in the war-torn nation. We bring you the developments in Afghanistan where there is a mad scramble in the airports to flee the nation amid fear, despair and panic.
Calcutta HC hearing on Narada case: LIVE Updates
A five-judge larger bench of the Calcutta High Court is hearing the bail plea of three Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmakers including two West Bengal Ministers and a former Kolkata Mayor in the Narada case. The CBI had arrested the four accused on May 17. Earlier, the Division Bench of the high court had ordered the house arrest of the four veteran politicians. Though the CBI had filed a petition against the house arrests in the Supreme Court, the top court had passed a scathing remark on the probe agency forcing it to withdraw the plea.
The landfall process of Cyclone Yaas has started north of Dhamra and south of Balasore in Odisha, the India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday. The cyclone is also set to affect West Bengal. Since Wednesday morning, the coastal areas of Digha, Mandarmani in West Bengal were flooded by the high tides ahead of the cyclone landfall in the state.
LIVE: Calcutta HC hearing on Narada case
The Calcutta High Court is on Wednesday hearing four arrested West Bengal politicians' plea seeking a review of the stay order put on their bail granted by a lower court. West Bengal Ministers Firhad Hakim, Subrata Mukherjee, MLA Madan Mitra, all belonging to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), and former Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Narada sting operation on Monday morning. Though a special CBI court granted bail to all four, in a dramatic turnaround, the high court put a stay on the bail on Monday night.
LIVE: Results of Bengal Assembly Elections 2021
West Bengal, the eastern state of India, witnessed high-octane, high-pitched, often violent elections over the last one month. The elections to 292 of 294 seats were held in eight phases between Mar 27 and Apr 29. Elections have been postponed in two seats- Samergunj and Jangipur- due to the death of two candidates. Primarily, the ruling TMC and its Opposition BJP have locked horns while the Left-Congress-ISF have stitched an alliance, named Sanjukta Morcha- to capture power in the state. For all updates, follow our LIVE Blog
LIVE: Results of Assembly Elections 2021
The results for assembly elections in four states- Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu- and union territory Puducherry are coming out on Sunday. Over the last one month, elections were held in the five regions of the country between Mar 27 and Apr 29. While in Assam, the BJP is aiming to retain power, Mamata Banerjee's regional satrap TMC is fighting to return to power for the third consecutive term in West Bengal. In the southern state of Kerala, the Left has locked horns with its arch-rival Congress while the DMK is aiming to oust AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. Puducherry is witnessing a fight between the BJP and Congress. For all updates, follow our LIVE Blog
LIVE Blog: Final phase of Bengal polls underway
The eighth and final phase of prolonged West Bengal assembly elections is underway on Thursday. The final phase covers 35 assembly constituencies spread across four districts, Malda (06), Murshidabad (11), Birbhum (11) and Kolkata (07). 753 coys of Central paramilitary forces have been deployed out of which 641 coys of CAPF will be involved in protecting polling stations. Remaining forces will be used as QRT & some will be kept in reserve. State armed and unarmed police forces will also be used. Presently, 753 coys of CAPF are in WB as 318 companies have already been released from election duties. For Birbhum, ECI has appointed six additional police observers. Meanwhile, a repoll is conducted at polling booth no. 126 in Cooch Behar's Sitalkuchi. While the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its prime challenger Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are fighting to capture power in the state, the Left-Congress-ISF-led alliance Sanjukta Morcha are striving to stay relevant in the Bengal politics.
ASSEMBLY POLL LIVE BLOG: Seventh phase of voting begins in West Bengal
Amidst unprecedented security arrangements, voting for the seventh phase of the eight-phase assembly election in West Bengal began on Monday morning in 34 of the state’s 294 constituencies. Polling for the seventh phase is held across five districts and 34 assembly seats on Monday. The districts include Malda Part I, Kolkata South, Murshidabad Part I, West Bardhaman Part and Dakshin Dinajpur.
LIVE: West Bengal votes in sixth phase
The sixth phase of West Bengal assembly polls is covering 43 Assembly constituencies and 4 districts, including North Dinajpur (09), North 24 Parganas (17), Nadia (09) and East Burdwan (08). 779 coys of Central paramilitary forces have been deployed. State armed and unarmed police forces will also be used. Presently, 1071 coys of CAPF personnel are in West Bengal. 306 candidates, including 27 women, are contesting. 1 cr 3 lakh electorates will cast their votes. The number of polling booths are 14,480.
LIVE: West Bengal voting in fifth phase
Voting in the fifth phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls is underway on Saturday. Voting is taking place in 45 seats. The districts include North 24 Parganas Part I, Darjeeling, Nadia Part I, Kalimpong, East Bardhaman Part I and Jalpaiguri on Saturday.Catch live updates all day
LIVE Blog: West Bengal voting in fourth phase of Assembly polls
West Bengal is voting in the fourth phase of the high-voltage Assembly elections on Saturday. The fourth phase of Bengal assembly polls will cover 44 Assembly constituencies and 5 districts which include South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. Around 1crore 16 lakh voters are expected to cast their votes in this phase. 373 candidates, including 50 females, are contesting in this phase.
LIVE: West Bengal voting in third phase of Assembly polls
Voting in the third-phase of the high-octane West Bengal Assembly polls is currently underway. In this phase, the fates of 205 candidates, who are contesting across 31 seats, will be decided.Voting is taking place in Hooghly, South 24 Parganas and Howrah districts. In the third phase, 78,52,425 voters, including 39,93,280 males, 38,58,902 females and 243 third gender, will exercise their franchise in 10,871 polling booths spread across the 31 constituencies.
Bengal Polls 2021: Second phase of polling in 30 seats including Nandigram underway
Voting in 30 seats including the high-voltage Nandigram is underway in the second phase of West Bengal assembly election 2021. The prestigious fight between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her former lieutenant Suvendu Adhikari is taking place in the seat. Mamata, who heads the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), is contesting as her party candidate in Nandigram, taking on the challenge of defeating turncoat Suvendu, who is now a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate.
Live Blog: West Bengal voting in second phase of Assembly polls
People in West Bengal are voting in the second phase to elect a new Assembly in the state. The epicentre of the election is Nandigram which is witnessing a contest between Suvendu Adhikari of BJP and state CM Mamata Banerjee.Voting is also taking place in South 24 Parganas, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur and Purba Medinipur.