Thursday, October 9, 2025

News from October 7, 2025

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Court intervention leads to Centre allotting official residence to Kejriwal
Technology

Court intervention leads to Centre allotting official residence to Kejriwal

New Delhi: After the Centre allotted Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal a Type-VII bungalow in the capital, the party confirmed that the former Delhi chief minister will stay at the 95, Lodhi Estate accommodation, which was allocated to him after the Delhi High Court rapped the Centre on the issue. Kejriwal has been allotted an official bungalow by the Centre after it was scolded by the Delhi High Court. He was entitled to a bungalow since he is the convener of a national party, AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda told PTI Videos. Last month, the Delhi High Court pulled up the Centre for delaying its decision in allotting a residential accommodation to Kejriwal in the national capital. Kejriwal lived in an accommodation on 6, Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines while he was the chief minister. The BJP had made it a big election issue in Delhi, calling the house Sheesh Mahal, and vowing that its chief minister will not stay there. After resigning as chief minister, Kejriwal shifted to a government bungalow allotted to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal. In 2022, the Delhi government’s vigilance department initiated an inquiry, on the direction of Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, into allegations of “irregularities and cost escalation in the renovation of the Civil Lines bungalow by the PWD. Currently, the CBI is probing the matter on the complaint of the then Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, which was filed with Saxena in December 2024.

Key Discussions Between Israel and Hamas Launch in Egypt on Gaza War Anniversary Eve
Technology

Key Discussions Between Israel and Hamas Launch in Egypt on Gaza War Anniversary Eve

CAIRO — Israeli and Hamas representatives initiated indirect discussions on Monday at an Egyptian resort concerning a U.S.-proposed peace plan aimed at ending the devastating conflict in Gaza as it approaches its second anniversary. There are still numerous uncertainties surrounding the proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump last week, such as the disarmament of the militant group – a crucial demand from Israel – and the future administration of Gaza. Trump has suggested that reaching an agreement on Gaza could lay the groundwork for a Middle East peace process that might transform the region. Despite Trump’s directive for Israel to halt the bombing, Israeli forces continued their airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in at least 19 casualties over the past 24 hours, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. An official from Egypt mentioned that negotiations commenced Monday afternoon at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to publicly discuss the talks. Leading the Israelis is chief negotiator Ron Dermer, whereas Khalil al-Hayyah spearheads the Hamas delegation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that foreign policy adviser Ophir Falk would be present for Israel, but it was uncertain whether Dermer had arrived yet. Egypt’s state-owned Al-Qahera News television channel reported that the discussions commenced with a meeting between Arab mediators and the Hamas delegation. The mediators will subsequently meet with the Israeli delegation, the channel reported. Egyptian and Qatari mediators will discuss the outcome of their meetings with both parties, before U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff joins the talks, it said. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is also expected to join the talks, Egypt’s state-run al-Ahram reported. Hamas said negotiations will focus on the first stage of a ceasefire, including the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces as well as the release of hostages held by the militants in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention. This latest push for peace comes after Hamas accepted some elements of the U.S. plan that Israel also said it supported. Under the plan, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages – about 20 of whom are believed to be alive – within three days. It would give up power and disarm. The talks in Egypt are expected to move quickly. Netanyahu said they would be “confined to a few days maximum,” though some Hamas officials have warned that more time may be needed to locate bodies of hostages buried under rubble. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi hailed Trump’s efforts, underscoring the importance of preserving the U.S.-crafted “peace system” in the Middle East since the 1970s, which he said “served as a strategic framework for regional stability.” El-Sisi spoke in a televised address commemorating the anniversary of the start of the 1973 war with Israel that led to Egypt reclaiming the Sinai Peninsula, where Sharm el-Sheikh is located. US wants Israeli bombing to stop The U.S. has said Israel’s heavy bombardment of Gaza would need to stop for the hostages to be released. Israel says it’s largely heeding Trump’s call. The Israeli military said it is mostly carrying out defensive strikes to protect troops, though dozens of Palestinians have been killed since the military’s statement Saturday night. Gaza’s Health Ministry said Monday that the bodies of 19 people, including two aid-seekers killed by Israeli strikes and gunfire, had been brought to hospitals over the past 24 hours. Another 96 were wounded. The deaths brought the Palestinian toll to 67,160 since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, triggered the war, with nearly 170,000 wounded, the ministry said. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but says more than half of the deaths were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack. Most of the largely Israeli hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages petitioned the Nobel Prize Committee to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump for what they called his unprecedented contributions to global peace. “At this very moment, President Trump’s comprehensive plan to release all remaining hostages and finally end this terrible war is on the table,” the families wrote. “For the first time in months, we are hopeful that our nightmare will finally be over.” In a commemoration ceremony for Israelis killed at the Nir Oz Kibbutz on Oct. 7, Daniel Lifshitz said the primary focus of talks should be the swift release of all remaining hostages. “Israel will pay painful concessions by releasing mass murderers and terrorists that killed many among our friends and families here in Israel, but we cherish life and in Trump we trust to make it happen,” said Lifshitz, grandson of slain hostage Oded and released hostage Yocheved Lifshitz. ‘Living in fear, war and displacement’ In Gaza, families of Palestinian babies born on the day the war began hoped to celebrate their second birthday with the sound of laughter and cheers instead of the cacophony of bombs and bullets. The babies’ mothers have been repeatedly displaced and live in constant fear for their safety. They also lack access to health care. Amal al-Taweel and her husband, Mostafa, had their son, Ali, after three years of trying for a child. They now live in a tent without proper sanitation, food, vaccinations or toys. “I was envisioning a different life for him … He couldn’t experience what a safe family life feels like,” al-Taweel said. The Vatican marked the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks by condemning the “inhuman massacre” of innocent people in Israel and calling for the return of hostages. But it also said Israel’s razing of Gaza is itself a disproportionate massacre, and called on countries to stop supplying Israel weapons to wage the war. “Those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves, but even legitimate defense must respect the principle of proportionality,” Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said on the eve of the anniversary. “The perverse chain of hatred can only generate a spiral that leads nowhere good.” Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Shurafa from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press Writer Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report.

The Big F Awards 2025 Celebrates the Best of Delhi NCR's Dining Scene
Technology

The Big F Awards 2025 Celebrates the Best of Delhi NCR's Dining Scene

NewsVoirNew Delhi [India], October 7: The 12th edition of The Big F Awards, hosted by food critic Pawan Soni and presented by Indian Food Freak, lit up Le Meridien New Delhi last evening as the city’s most celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, and food personalities came together to honour excellence in the dining industry.From stalwarts like Rohit Khattar, AD Singh, Rocky Mohan, Zorawar Kalra, RJ Khurafati Nitin, Rocky Singh and Mayur Sharma, to culinary leaders such as Chef Manisha Bhasin, Chef Manish Mehrotra, Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Ajay Chopra, Chef Saby Gorai amongst others, the gathering reflected the depth and diversity of Delhi NCR’s food culture.A Fair and Transparent ProcessWhat sets The Big F Awards apart is its uncompromising commitment to fairness. The honours are not influenced by sponsorships or lobbying. Each year, an independent jury visits nominated restaurants, experiences their food, and casts a single, non-revisable vote. Winners are revealed only on the night of the awards, ensuring transparency and keeping the suspense intact till the very end.The 2025 jury featured some of the most respected names in the culinary and hospitality world: Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Sameer Bawa, RJ Khurafati Nitin, Chef Nita Mehta, Rocky Singh, Chef Ashish Bhasin, Diwan Gautam Anand, and host Pawan Soni himself.Celebrating Food Stories that Matter“The Big F Awards have always stood for honest recognition,” said Pawan Soni during his address. “This gathering reflects the incredible depth of talent, passion, and creativity that defines Delhi NCR’s dining culture. We celebrated chefs who preserve heritage with pride, visionaries who are redefining how we experience food, and restaurants that have earned trust through years of consistency. Awards matter only when they are deserved, not when they are bought, and last night was about applauding the people who bring joy, comfort, and inspiration to our lives through food.”Highlights of the WinnersThe evening recognised some of the most inspiring names in the industry. Rohit Khattar was honoured with the Culinary Icon Award. Varun Tuli was named Best Restaurateur and Sahil Sambhi received the award for Best Nightlife Entrepreneur. The legendary Bukhara at ITC Maurya joined the Hall of Fame, where it will be recognised each year but will no longer compete in the awards.Other notable winners included:– Comorin as Best Modern Indian– Lair as Best Cocktail Bar– Fort City as Best Microbrewery– Varun Sharma as Best Mixologist– Megu at Leela Palace as Best Japanese Restaurant– Orient Express at Taj Palace as Best European Restaurant For the complete list of winners, visit the official Instagram page @thebigfawards.An Evening of Camaraderie and InspirationThe ceremony wasn’t only about competition. It was also a night of meaningful conversations, reunions, and collaborations. Guests enjoyed a specially curated menu by the Le Meridien team that added to the flavour of the celebration. The winners represented every facet of the dining landscape, from boutique spaces to landmark establishments, showing how Delhi NCR continues to evolve as a culinary powerhouse.Since its inception in 2014, The Big F Awards has grown into one of the capital’s most authentic platforms for recognition, dialogue, and exchange. The 2025 edition carried this legacy forward, with conversations spilling beyond the stage and sparking collaborations that promise to shape the future of dining in the region.For the many who gathered, the night was more than an awards ceremony. It was a celebration of food, community, and the people who make dining in Delhi NCR unforgettable.(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

Mercedes-Benz India Clocks Record Navratri Sales, 1 Car Sold Every 6 Minutes
Technology

Mercedes-Benz India Clocks Record Navratri Sales, 1 Car Sold Every 6 Minutes

Mercedes-Benz, India’s largest luxury carmaker, reported a record-breaking September, selling one new car every six minutes during the recently concluded Navratri period. With an average price tag of Rs 1 crore per vehicle, the surge marked the best-ever performance for the three-pointed star brand in India. The July–September quarter was the strongest yet for Mercedes-Benz India, with total sales of 5,119 units — slightly higher than the 5,117 units sold in the same quarter last year. Notably, over 2,500 cars, nearly half of the quarterly sales, were delivered in the final nine days of the quarter. Navratri Surge Boosts Sales Santosh Iyer, MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, told Financial Express that demand picked up significantly between September 22 and September 30, when the company sold about 270 cars a day — roughly 10 to 12 cars every hour — at an average price of Rs 1 crore each. He added that the GST rate cut for luxury cars, which came into effect on September 22, coinciding with the first day of Navratri, helped revive customer sentiment at just the right time. This, combined with special offers rolled out during the quarter, supported the sales surge. Luxury Lineup Highlights Mercedes-Benz’s flagship all-electric G580 Edition One, priced at Rs 3.1 crore, has already sold out for the year, and bookings for the next batch are now open. To address subdued consumer sentiment earlier in the year, the company launched the ‘Dream Days’ campaign, offering flexible financial solutions. Iyer told Financial Express that one of the financing options allowed customers to pay low EMIs for 11 months and a higher EMI for just one month of the year, making it easier to own a Mercedes-Benz. Under the ‘Key-to-Key’ programme, Mercedes-Benz targeted its top-end customers. Those waiting for the upcoming S-Class, due next year, were encouraged to buy the current model with the assurance of an easy exchange for the new version upon launch. Outlook for Festive Season In the first six months of 2025, Mercedes-Benz India sold 9,357 units, reflecting a 4% year-on-year increase. The company expects strong Diwali season sales, backed by an order bank of nearly 2,000 units. Iyer said this healthy order pipeline gave the company confidence heading into Dhanteras and Diwali. In 2024, Mercedes-Benz registered 12% volume growth over the previous year, selling 19,565 units. For 2025, the company expects calendar-year growth to remain flat despite the festive boost.