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[00:00:09] This is your daily dose of news from Onmanorama. I'm your host Deepa Soman and these are the major news stories of Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024.
[00:00:20] Shokingly low voter turnout of 45% by 3pm in Maharashtra prompted politicians to make public announcements asking people to come out in large numbers to vote. In contrast, Charkhan polled close to 62% by 3pm.
[00:00:37] After a slugging start, polling in the Palakar by Paul picked up pace by the evening. A total of 10 candidates are in the fray with key contenders including UDF's Rahul Maagutatil, LDF's P. Saran and NDAC Krishnakumar.
[00:00:53] US authorities clarified that they arrested gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol, for entering the country with illegal documents and not for murder.
[00:01:03] Anmol was wanted in India in connection with various high-profile murder cases.
[00:01:09] Amid alarmingly high air pollution in the national capital, Delhi government has asked half of the staff to work from home.
[00:01:16] It has also urged private organisations to follow suit.
[00:01:19] The air quality was recorded at 4.26 today, falling in the Sibir category.
[00:01:25] The Argentine football team, including their World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi, will visit Kerala in 2025.
[00:01:33] State Sports Minister V. Abdurrahman confirmed that the team would also play two matches during their tour.
[00:01:39] Let's get into the details.
[00:01:42] Water turnout in the ongoing single-phase assembly elections in Maharashtra remained sluggish on Wednesday at 45% by 3pm, according to the Election Commission of India.
[00:01:53] The low turnout prompted politicians to make public announcements, asking people to come out in large numbers to vote.
[00:02:01] Among Maharashtra's constituencies, Garchiroli district led with a turnout of 50.89%, while the district of Mumbai City reported the lowest participation at 27.73%.
[00:02:12] In contrast, Charkhan witnessed a comparatively higher voter turnout of 62% by 3pm.
[00:02:19] As for the other North Indian states where the polls were held, 47% was recorded in the Kedarnath Assembly Bipoll in Uttarakhand.
[00:02:27] Close to 50% voter turnout was recorded in the Bipolls to four assembly segments in Punjab.
[00:02:33] And nearly 42% voters turning up to exercise their franchise in nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh by 3pm.
[00:02:40] The results will be declared on November 23rd.
[00:02:44] After a slugging start, polling picked up pace at Kerala's Palakad Bipoll held on Wednesday.
[00:02:50] By 5pm, over 63% of polling was recorded.
[00:02:54] A total of 10 candidates are in the fray, with key contenders including UDF's Rahul Maghutathil, LDF's Peace Sarin and NDIS' C Krishnakumar.
[00:03:03] The constituency has around 1.9 lakh voters and 184 polling booths.
[00:03:09] Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was arrested in USS California last Thursday, as per latest reports.
[00:03:18] While Anmol is wanted in India in connection with many high-profile murder cases, he was arrested for entering the U.S. with illegal documents.
[00:03:26] He is accused in the murder cases of Punjabi singer Siddhu Musewala and ex-Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddiqui.
[00:03:35] Intelligent sources have indicated there is no possibility at this time of Anmol Bishnoi being sent to India in line with Delhi's request earlier this month for custody.
[00:03:46] Half of the staff in Delhi government offices will work from home while private organizations have been urged to follow suit amid alarmingly high air pollution in the national capital.
[00:03:57] However, essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, public transport, fire services, law enforcement, power supply, water treatment and emergency response operations will continue to work in full capacity to ensure public services remaining unaffected.
[00:04:12] On Wednesday, Delhi witnessed yet another dawn with a blanket of toxic air as it recorded an air quality index of 426 in the severe category.
[00:04:22] Football fans in Kerala have reason to rejoice as the Argentine football team, including Lionel Messi, is set to visit the state in 2025.
[00:04:31] Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurrahman announced the visit while addressing the media on Wednesday.
[00:04:36] The team will play two matches during their visit, with Kochi being considered as the primary venue.
[00:04:41] Asian teams such as Qatar and Japan are being evaluated as potential opponents with a final decision expected later.
[00:04:50] That brings us to the end of this episode.
[00:04:52] Thanks for listening to Daily News Toes hosted by me, Deepa Soman and produced by Vishnu Murulidaran.
[00:04:58] Follow on Manorama.com for detailed updates on the latest news and be sure to come back tomorrow.