Karnataka: CM directs immediate measures after child dies, 30 take ill due to contaminated water

Former minister and ex-MLC C M Ibrahim claimed that he still heads the original JD(S) and asked former prime minister and party supremo H D Deve Gowda to cut ties with the BJP, so that the party can be strengthened again. He also said options are being explored to either strengthen the JD(S) or to float a new regional party.

He was speaking to media persons, in Mysuru, on Monday, after meeting JD(S) MLA and former minister G T Deve Gowda, who has expressed his displeasure that he has been sidelined in the party and the party leaders have indicated his retirement from politics.

He stated, “If Deve Gowda had joined the Congress, during the last Assembly election, he would have been a minister now. We retained him in the JD(S), to strengthen the party. Now, efforts are being made to strangulate Deve Gowda’s political career. I have discussed all matters with Deve Gowda. In two days, I will start a Karnataka state tour and meet some leaders. After that, I will meet Deve Gowda again, and then decide on the further course of action.”

Ibrahim said, “The original JD(S) is ours. I am still its state president. All documents and accounts are in our name. Even now, if Deve Gowda leaves BJP’s company and returns, we will build the JD(S) again”.

“Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy should mend his ways and stop making JD(S) into a family-owned company. The JD(S)’s situation has become hopeless. Its love for the BJP is over. He should understand this,” he said.

“When I was with Kumaraswamy, he spent just Rs 4 crore in Channapatna and won by 20,000 votes. Now, without me, he spent Rs 150 crore and still lost by 25,000 votes. Without Muslims’ support, the JD(S) cannot win a single seat. Now, it is proved that 19 MLAs of the JD(S) won in 2023, because of Muslims,” he added.

Speaking on other options available, Ibrahim said, “We have not yet decided to go with the Congress. We are only considering to establish a third front. Whether it is founding a new regional party, forming a third front, or strengthening the JD(S), will be decided shortly.”

Earlier during the day, before meeting Deve Gowda, Ibrahim had said, that 12 to 13 JD(S) MLAs were dissatisfied with the party, but like Deve Gowda, were enduring pain.

“Now, I have started the task of uniting them. I as the JD(S) state president, it is my responsibility to address our MLAs’ grievances. At present, the JD(S) is on fire and all JD(S) MLAs want to protect their respective constituency. Hence, they have started speaking one by one,” he said.

Mangaluru is set to witness its largest oncology conference as Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Mangaluru, celebrating its 70th year Platinum Jubilee, hosts the 44th Annual Conference of the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROICON 2024). Scheduled from Thursday to December 1, the grand event will take place at the Dr. TMA Pai International Convention Centre.

Dr. B. Unnikrishnan, Dean of KMC Mangaluru, highlighted the conference's scale, stating, “With over 1,800 registrations from India and international delegates, AROICON 2024 marks the largest congregation in the event's history.” The Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROI), which boasts more than 5,000 members, brings together top experts, professionals, and researchers in the field of radiation oncology for this prestigious annual conference.

The inaugural ceremony on Friday will feature Dinesh Kumar Shukla, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), as the chief guest, with Dr. H.S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, presiding over the event.

Participants can look forward to an impressive lineup of over 600 research presentations and 150 scientific sessions. The program includes engaging debates, panel discussions, postgraduate quizzes, and other educational activities, aiming to elevate expertise in radiation oncology.

Dr. Dilson Lobo, Joint Organising Secretary, shared that Thursday’s agenda features the Indian College of Radiation Oncology (ICRO) workshop titled IMPACT - Interactive Modules for Problem-based Assessment and Case-based Teaching. “This workshop alone is expected to engage over 400 participants,” he said.

A special highlight of the conference will be the distribution of over 100 awards recognizing exceptional contributions to scientific research, clinical innovation, and education. Additionally, more than 40 trade exhibitors will showcase cutting-edge treatment solutions, providing a platform for innovation and collaboration.

AROICON 2024 promises to be a landmark event, uniting the global oncology community in Mangaluru and underscoring the city's growing importance as a hub for advanced medical education and research.

An Israeli airstrike on the office of Syria’s Baath party in Lebanon’s capital Beirut has killed the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah's Media Relations Officer, Mohammad Afif, reports say.

Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported that the Israeli raid struck the Ba'ath party’s building in central Beirut district of Ras Al-Naba'a on Sunday, adding that the strike was an attempt to assassinate the leader of the resistance media front.

According to Baath Secretary-General Ali Hijazi, Afif was having a meeting in the Baath Party headquarters when Israel carried out the attack.

"Afif did not fight with weapons and did not lead a military unit in Hezbollah. Rather, he led a media unit," he said.

Reuters, Sky News, Al Jazeera and a number of Henrew-language media reported that Afif was killed in the Israeli strike.

However, Hezbollah has not yet confirmed Afif’s death or whether he was present at the site or not.

Earlier, the Lebanese Health Ministry said at least one person was killed and three others injured after an Israeli strike targeted a central district in Beirut.

Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television network reported that five people were killed in the attack.

The latest development came after Afif said Hezbollah was behind the Caesarea operation and targeting Netanyahu’s home during a speech at the Ghobeiry area in the southern suburbs of Beirut on October 22.

This was the second assassination attempt on Afif in the last two months, after he survived an attack on the Hezbollah media relations office several weeks ago.

Israel launched a ground assault and massive air campaign against Lebanon in late September after a year of exchanging fire across the Lebanese border in parallel with the Gaza war.

At least 3,287 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon over the past year, with the vast majority in the past seven weeks. Another 14,222 have been wounded, mostly women and children.

In response to the ongoing aggression, the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has been staging hundreds of retaliatory strikes against the occupied Palestinian territories and the Israeli forces trying to advance on southern Lebanese areas.

The movement has vowed to sustain its strikes until the regime ends the escalation.