LIVE: ED chief gets one-year tenure extension till November 18, 2022

This, days after the Centre brought ordinances to allow ED and CBI directors to occupy the office up to five years

11:22 PM

Noida Police issues traffic advisory as Delhi bans entry of goods vehicles

The Noida Traffic Police on Wednesday issued an advisory, prohibiting entry of heavy and medium category of goods vehicles into Delhi, and suggesting alternative routes for those moving elsewhere via the Peripheral Expressway.

 

The advisory comes in the wake of high pollution levels in Delhi and the NCR, as schools and colleges were shut down till further orders and construction activities stopped except in some cases in the national capital.

 

The Noida Traffic Police said the general public is informed that in compliance with instructions of the Commission for Air Quality Management in the NCR and adjoining areas, heavy and medium goods vehicles (except those carrying essential items) issued till November 21 shall be strictly prohibited from entering Delhi.

10:40 PM

US designates Pakistan and China as countries of particular concern for religious freedom violation

The United States on Wednesday designated several nations, including Pakistan, China, Iran, North Korea and Myanmar, as countries of particular concern for violation of religious freedom.

 

"I am designating Burma (Myanmar), the People's Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

 

Blinken also announced to place Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.

9:54 PM

ED summons Mehbooba Mufti's brother for questioning in PMLA case

Brother of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has been asked to appear before the Enforcement Directorate in the national capital on Thursday for questioning in a money laundering case, officials said on Wednesday.

 

Tassaduq Hussain Mufti, who was a tourism minister in his sister's cabinet, has been asked to appear before the investigating officer of the case here on Thursday and get his statement recorded under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

 

The investigation, they said, pertains to some funds allegedly received by him in his accounts from some Kashmir-based businesses.

9:46 PM

CCEA approves continuation of PMGSY-I, PMGSY-II

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the proposals of the Ministry of Rural Development for continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-I and II up to September, 2022 for completion of balance road and bridge works.

 

The CCEA also approved continuation of Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCP-LWEA) up to March, 2023.

 

The government said that PMGSY-I will provide connectivity to unconnected habitations of population size 500 plus in plain areas and 250 plus in North-East and Himalayan states while in selected left wing extremism blocks, habitations of 100 plus population were also to be provided connectivity.

8:52 PM

India clubbed alongside Uganda, South Africa and Ireland for U19 World Cup

India were on Wednesday placed in Group B alongside debutants Uganda, South Africa and Ireland for the ICC Under-19 men's cricket World Cup, set to be held in the West Indies across four countries from January 14 February 5, next year, PTI reported.

 

A total of 16 teams will travel to the Caribbean to compete in 48 matches.

 

Defending champions Bangladesh, England, Canada and the United Arab Emirates form Group A while Group C comprises Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea.

8:36 PM

Novavax asks EU drug regulator to OK its COVID vaccine

The European Union's drug regulator said it received an application from Novavax to authorise the American biotechnology company's coronavirus vaccine, a request that could significantly boost the continent's vaccine supplies if it's granted, AP reported.

 

In a statement on Wednesday, the European Medicines Agency said it had begun evaluating data submitted by Novavax for its two-dose vaccine.

 

An expedited review process could produce a decision within weeks if the data submitted are sufficiently robust and complete to show the efficacy, safety and quality of the vaccine, the agency said.

8:11 PM

ED chief gets one-year tenure extension till November 18, 2022

7:46 PM

Schools in Haryana to resume classes with 100% capacity from Dec 1

7:23 PM

Kerala: RAF company deployed at Sabarimala to control crowd

A company of Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed in Sabarimala temple in Kerala to control the crowd in the temple premises, ANI reported.

 

A senior CRPF officer on anonymity told ANI, "A company of Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed in Sabarimala temple in Kerala for crowd control at the request of the state government."

 

The Sabarimala temple has been opened for the annual two-month-long pilgrimage season from Monday.

 

7:23 PM

Mumbai logs 275 new Covid cases, 2 deaths; active tally at 2,821

Mumbai on Wednesday reported 275 new coronavirus cases and two fresh fatalities, taking the infection tally to 7,60,270 and the death toll to 16,299, a civic official said, according to PTI.

 

The financial capital has witnessed a marginal rise in COVID-19 cases and fatalities from a day ago. On November 16, the city had reported 218 COVID-19 cases and only one fatality. The official said the city is left with 2,821 active COVID-19 cases after 256 recovered patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours.

7:00 PM

Karnataka will soon come out with R&D policy: CM Bommai

Karnataka would soon come out with a Research and Development policy that would make R&D an integral part of schools, colleges, universities and even private institutions, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Wednesday, PTI reported.

 

"Shortly we will come out with a R&D policy, wherein we want R&D in schools, colleges, universities and private sector institutions as well as we want to encourage garage oriented R&D centres. We want R&D to percolate to that level," he said.

 

Speaking to reporters here, he said it will be a spectrum of different fields, as innovation is limitless.

6:59 PM

Afghanistan's Taliban government urges US to unfreeze its assets

The Taliban-led Afghanistan government has asked the US to unfreeze the country's assets worth over USD 9 billion and lift the sanctions on its banks, citing the hardships faced by the people ahead of harsh winter, PTI reported.

 

The US froze over USD 9 billion of assets of the Afghan Central Bank after the Taliban insurgents seized power in the war-torn country in mid-August.

 

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in a letter to the US Congress wrote that freezing of Afghanistan's assets cannot resolve any problem.

6:29 PM

Kerala reports 6,849 fresh Covid cases

6:19 PM

MP CM announces series of relaxations

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#COVID19 संकट क चलते मध्यप्रदेश में लागू किए गए सभी प्रतिबंध आज से हटाने का फैसला हमने किया है। कोविड महामारी पर प्रदेश में अभी पूरी तरह से नियंत्रण की स्थिति है। अब समस्त सामाजिक, राजनीतिक, खेल, मनोरंजन, सांस्कृतिक और धार्मिक आयोजन पूरी क्षमता के साथ हो सकेंगे।

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- Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@chouhanshivraj) 17 Nov 2021

6:05 PM

WHO: Europe is only region with increasing COVID deaths

The World Health Organisation says coronavirus deaths in Europe rose by 5 per cent in the last week, making it the only region in the world where COVID-19 mortality increased, AP reported.

 

The UN health agency said confirmed cases jumped 6 per cent jump globally, driven by increases in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

 

In its weekly report on the pandemic issued late Tuesday, WHO said COVID-19 deaths in all regions other than Europe remained stable or declined, and totaled 50,000 worldwide last week. Of the 3.3 million new infections reported, 2.1 million came from Europe.

6:05 PM

Encounter between militants, security forces underway in 2 places of J-K's Kulgam district

Gunfight broke out between militants and security forces at Pombay and Goplapora in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, police said, according to PTI.

 

Security forces had launched cordon and search operations in the two areas of Kulgam after receiving information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

 

The search operations turned into encounters after militants fired upon the security forces and they who retaliated, he said.

5:32 PM

Sourav Ganguly appointed as chairman of ICC Cricket Committee

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Congratulations #SouravGanguly on being appointed as the Chairman of ICC Cricket Committee. Keep making us proud! ✨

5:22 PM

CIL efforts to curb environmental pollution result in significant reduction of CO2

State-owned CIL on Wednesday said its efforts to curb environmental pollution through the implementation of mechanised coal transportation and loading through coal-handling plants resulted in a significant reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and other air pollutants, PTI reported.

 

This was revealed in a first-of-its-kind pilot study sponsored by Coal India Ltd (CIL) in two of its opencast mines.

 

At a time when the country under COP 26 commitment has pledged the reduction of CO2 emissions towards net-zero march, CIL's efforts in this regard will help the national cause.

5:22 PM

Vir Das' 'two Indias' monologue sparks sharp debate, police complaints against him

Police complaints were filed against stand-up comic Vir Das in Mumbai and Delhi as the sharp debate on his video I come from two Indias on Wednesday mirrored the polarity of the monologue itself with celebs, politicians and a host of others speaking out, PTI reported.

 

The well-known satirist, who has issued a statement saying his comments weren't intended to insult the country, found backing from TMC member Mahua Moitra as well as Congress leaders Kapil Sibal and Shashi Tharoor. However, their fellow politician Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticised him for "vilifying the nation" and actor Kangana Ranaut stepped in too to demand strict action against the comedian.

5:03 PM

Six-laning of National Highway-66 to be expedited in Kerala: CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the six-laning work of National Highway-66 is gathering pace in the state as the National Highway Authority confirmed agreement in 16 out of 20 reaches, PTI reported.

 

Around 600 kms of road, from Talapady in Kasaragod district to Karode in Thiruvananthapuram, would be six-laned as part of the project, he said in a Facebook post. "The National Highway Authority has confirmed agreement in 16 out of 20 reaches to speed up the work of the six-laning of the Panavel- Kanyakumari National Highway-66 in Kerala," Vijayan said. Noting that the state government would bear 25 per cent of the land acquisition expense, he said the land owners are given the best compensation as per the Land Acquisition Act 2013.

4:45 PM

With Covid on the wane, MP CM announces series of relaxations

4:28 PM

India to pitch for permanent solution for food security in WTO meet: Official

India will pitch for finding a permanent solution to the issue of public stock holding for food security purposes in the forthcoming meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at Geneva, starting from November 30, an official said, PTI reported.

 

The official expressed hope that "something may come" up on public stockholding and domestic support, which are part of negotiations on the agriculture sector, in the 12th ministerial conference, which is the highest decision making body of the 164-member WTO.

 

The four-day ministerial conference will begin from November 30.

4:27 PM

PM to hand over indigenously built defence equipment to armed forces on Nov 19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally hand over indigenously designed and developed defence equipment to the three chiefs of armed forces in Jhansi on November 19 in a major push to "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" programme in the defence sector, PTI reported.

 

At the ceremony, the prime minister will formally give light combat aircraft designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to the Air Force chief, drones and UAVs built by Indian startups to the Army chief, and the DRDO-designed and Bharat Electronics Limited-manufactured advanced electronic warfare suite for naval ships to the Navy chief.

 

The LCH incorporates advanced technologies and stealth features for effective combat roles, the statement said, adding the deployment of Indian UAVs by armed forces is also a proof of the growing maturity of the Indian drone industry ecosystem.

4:04 PM

Chandrayaan performs evasive manoeuvre to avoid collision with NASA's orbiter

India's Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft performed an evasive manoeuvre to avoid collision with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), according to ISRO, PTI reported.

 

A very close conjunction between Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter (CH2O) and LRO of NASA was expected to occur on October 20 this year at 05:45 UTC (11:15 am IST) near the Lunar North pole, the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency said in a statement. Over a span of one week prior to the conjunction, analyses by both ISRO and JPL/NASA consistently showed that the radial separation between the two spacecraft would be less than 100 metres and the closest approach distance would be only about three km at the time of closest approach.

 

Both the agencies deemed that the situation warranted a collision avoidance manoeuvre (CAM) to mitigate the close approach risk, and it was mutually agreed that CH2O would undergo the CAM.

3:47 PM

Chennai expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall on Thursday

3:25 PM

Rahul drops to 6th, Kohli static at 8th in latest ICC T20I rankings

India's KL Rahul dropped a spot to sixth but Virat Kohli retained his eighth place in the latest ICC men's T20I rankings issued on Wednesday, PTI reported.

 

Rahul, who scored three consecutive half-centuries in India's last three matches at the recently-concluded T20 World Cup, has 727 points.

 

The 29-year-old, who has been appointed India's new T20 vice captain, scored 69, 50 and 54 not out against Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia but the knocks came too late for India as they exited the tournament in the Super 12 stage.

3:15 PM

Cabinet approves Rs 6,466 cr for 4G mobile services in 44 districts

3:02 PM

Financial bids for half a dozen CPSEs to be invited in Dec-Jan: DIPAM

The government will invite financial bids for privatising as many as many as six CPSEs, including BPCL, BEML and Shipping Corp, by January, a top government official said on Wednesday, PTI reported.

 

Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Secretary in the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), also invited private players to bid for the CPSEs, which are up for privatisation, along with transfer of management control.

 

After 19 years, we will see 5-6 privatisation this year. BPCL is in the due diligence stage. BEML, Shipping Corp, Pawan Hans, Central Electronics, NINL financial bids can take place in December-January so that we can close it by this year itself, Pandey said.

2:53 PM

Uttar Pradesh: PM launch development projects worth over Rs 6250 cr on 19th Nov

2:10 PM

ICC appoints working group to review cricketing activity in Afghanistan