Latest News LIVE: PM Modi inaugurates Statue of Unity website in Gujarat

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2:06 AM

Oil falls on demand concerns, posts second monthly decline

Oil prices fell on Friday and posted a second consecutive monthly drop as rising Covid-19 cases in Europe and the United States heightened concerns over the outlook for fuel consumption.

 

Brent crude dropped 19 cents to settle at $37.46 a barrel, after touching a five-month low of $36.64 in the previous session. The front-month Brent contract expired on Friday and the January contract settled down 32 cents.

 

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 38 cents to settle at $35.79 a barrel, after dipping to its lowest since June on Thursday at $34.92.

 

WTI fell 11 per cent for the month, while Brent dropped 10 per cent.

1:54 AM

Foreign Secretary discusses growing strategic partnership with French Minister in Paris

1:44 AM

Amit Shah to visit West Bengal on November 5-6 to take stock of party's organisational strength ahead of 2021 assembly polls

12:50 AM

BJD leaders insensitive to Odisha people's plight during Covid-19 pandemic: Pradhan

11:46 PM

On election night, Trump says he would probably stay at White House

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he would probably stay at the White House on Election Night, if there are restrictions on celebrations at his Trump International hotel here.

 

Trump is facing Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the November 3 presidential elections.

 

"We haven't made a determination. We have certain rules and regulations. You know Washington DC is shut down. The mayor has shut it down. So we have a hotel (Trump International Hotel).. I don't know if it's shut, if you're allowed to use it or not, but I know the mayor has shut down Washington DC,' Trump told reporters here, when asked where would he be staying on Election Night.

10:16 PM

Time for a change to America, on our clocks and watches

It's time for a change for most of the United States.

 

The clock is running out once more for daylight saving time. Standard time begins at 2 a.m. local time Sunday.

 

Until almost next spring, in states red and blue and in between, it'll be lighter earlier in the morning and darker earlier in the evening.

9:08 PM

Will fight politically, legally for restoration of articles 370, 35 A: Omar Abdullah in Ladakh

9:00 PM

Delhi cabinet approves over Rs 40 crore to give insurance to lawyers

The Delhi cabinet has approved over Rs 40 crore to provide medical insurance of Rs 5 lakh and term insurance of Rs 10 lakh to lawyers, who are residents of the national capital, Law minister Kailash Gahlot said Friday.

 

The lawyers will be insured under the Chief Minister Advocates Welfare Scheme, which was announced by the city government in December 2019. The AAP government had set aside a corpus of Rs 50 crore for the welfare of lawyers under the scheme.

 

"Honble CM @ArvindKejriwal had last year announced CM Adv Welfare Scheme with an allocated budget of Rs 50 Cr. As a final step towards implementation of Scheme, Delhi Cabinet on 29.10.20 has approved expenditure of more than 40.60 Cr for purchase of Life Ins & MediClaim Policies," Gahlot said in a tweet.

 

The chief minister had in November last year set up a 13 member committee, headed by the Supreme Court Bar Association president Rakesh Kumar Khanna, to recommend ways for utilisation of the fund for welfare of advocates. READ ON...

8:49 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Highest single-day spike of 5,891 Covid-19 cases in Delhi

8:43 PM

PM Narendra Modi visits Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Kevadia

8:38 PM

Uttar Pradesh sets record in sanitiser production, over 17 million litres made since March

Uttar Pradesh has set a record of sorts by producing over 1.7 crore litres of sanitizer since March when the lockdown was imposed following the Covid-19 pandemic. Additional Chief Secretary, Cane Development and Excise, Sanjay Bhoosreddy said that the sanitizer production capacity of the state was around six lakh litres per day.

 

"The demand was rather high in the beginning and sanitizer production escalated. The demand has now stabilized," he said.

 

He further said that the total production of sanitizer in the state was highest when compared with other states. He said that cane mills and distilleries had been roped in by the state government in the production of sanitizer which was not only supplied to the government departments and hospitals in the state, but also exported to other states, including Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

 

8:37 PM

Reliance Jio Q2 net profit up nearly 3 times to Rs 2,844 crore; revenue zooms 33% to Rs 17,481 crore

8:21 PM

Air quality 'very poor' in Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Faridabad

The air quality largely remained "very poor" in Noida Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Faridabad in the National Capital Region on Thursday, according to a government agency. Concentration of major air pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 also remained high in the five immediate neighbours of Delhi, according to the air quality index (AQI) maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

 

According to the index, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

 

The average 24-hour AQI was 394 in Greater Noida, 382 in Ghaziabad, 379 in Noida, 367 in Gurgaon, 337 in Faridabad, according to the CPCB's Sameer app at 4 pm on Friday.

8:05 PM

Latest News LIVE updates: 120 injured, four dead after earthquake in Turkey

A strong earthquake struck Friday between the Turkish coast and the Greek island of Samos, collapsing several buildings in Turkey's western Izmir province and leaving at least four people dead.

 

Dozens more were injured, while some damage to buildings and the road network, and four light injuries were also reported on Samos.

 

Turkey's Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted that four people were killed in Izmir and 120 were injured. He said 38 ambulances, two ambulance helicopters and 35 medical rescue teams were working in Izmir.

 

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 with an epicenter 13 kilometers (8 miles) north northeast of the Greek island of Samos. The United States Geological Survey put the magnitude at 7.0. It is common for preliminary magnitudes to differ in the early hours and days after a quake. Multiple aftershocks struck the region.

8:00 PM

120 injured, four dead in earthquake: Turkish Health Minister

7:55 PM

Khadi sales pick up on PM Modi's appeal, 1.9 million masks sold in 5 months

Mahatma Gandhi emphasised on the use of Khadi and later Khadi Village industry was started on his name. However, gradually people started loosing interest in Khadi but in the last few years people have started showing interest in Khadi products again. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also talked about Khadi in his 'Mann ki Baat' program. Surprisingly, masks are the best-selling Khadi products followed by fabric, honey and groceries and then handkerchiefs.

 

Despite coronavirus spread, people are visiting Khadi India outlets every day to buy Khadi products. Handmade indigenous 'Khadi' cloth is preferred among Indians as a legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.

 

People have started to like Khadi products after repeated appeal of Prime Minister. The number of people who like Khadi and shop for Khadi products is increasing every day. READ ON...

 

 

 

7:47 PM

PM Modi inaugurates dynamic dam lighting for Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat's Kevadia

7:42 PM

PM Modi inaugurates Statue of Unity website and Kevadia mobile application in Gujarat's Kevadia

7:16 PM

OBC reservation to be introduced in Sainik schools from 2021-22: Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar on Friday said 27 per cent seats in Sainik schools will be reserved for other backward classes (OBCs) from the academic session of 2021-22. The Sainik Schools Society, which works under the Ministry of Defence, manages 33 such residential schools in the country, according to a PTI report.

 

"OBC reservation to be introduced in Sainik Schools from the year 2021-22," Kumar said on Twitter and posted images of an October 13 circular that was sent to principals of all Sainik schools across the country.

 

The circular said 67 per cent of the seats in a Sainik school are reserved for candidates from the state or the Union Territory in which the school is located and the remaining 33 per cent is reserved for those who come from outside that state or UT. These two lists will be termed List A and List B.

 

The circular said within each list, 15 per cent seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, 7.5 per cent seats are for Scheduled Tribes and 27 per cent seats are for non-creamy layer OBCs. It stated this reservation policy will come into effect from the academic session of 2021-22.

6:59 PM

Need to strengthen synergy among law enforcement agencies in India: CBI Chief

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Rishi Kumar Shukla has stressed on the need to strengthen the synergy between law enforcement agencies within India and for continuous capacity building through training. Shukla made the remarks during the culmination of a three-day virtual national conference on vigilance and anti-corruption on Thursday.

 

According to a CBI statement, Shukla spoke about strengthening synergy among law enforcement agencies and for continuous capacity building through training.

 

The CBI Director also stressed on sustained deterring action against corruption through speedy investigation and expeditious prosecution of cases. He appreciated the overwhelming response from States/UTs/Central Agencies and their contributions to the deliberations and thanked them for their whole-hearted participation.

6:51 PM

Strong Aegean Sea earthquake topples buildings in Turkey

A strong earthquake in the Aegean Sea has shaken Turkey and Greece. Turkey's interior minister reports that six buildings in western Izmir province were destroyed. Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said Friday's earthquake was centered in the Aegean at a depth of 16,5 kilometers and registered at a 6.6 magnitude.

 

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.9, with an epicenter 13 kilometers north northeast of the Greek island of Samos. The United States Geological Survey put the magnitude at 7.0.

 

Turkish media showed wreckage of a multiple-story building in central Izmir, with people climbing it to reach rescuers. Smoke was filmed in several spots in central Izmir. The governor said there was no immediate information on casualties.

6:49 PM

Jammu and Kashmir administration says 15,000 pilgrims will be allowed per day to pay obeisance at Vaishnodevi Temple from Nov 1

6:47 PM

Over 20 buildings have collapsed in Turkey's Izmir after a powerful earthquake

6:47 PM

Earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 shakes Greek island of Samos and Turkey's Aegean coast

6:26 PM

Covid-19 LIVE: 2,886 coronavirus cases reported in Andhra Pradesh

6:19 PM

MP assembly bypolls: EC revokes star campaigner status of Kamal Nath

The Election Commission on Friday revoked the "star campaigner" status of Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath for repeated violations of the model code while campaigning for the bypolls in 28 assembly constituencies in the state.

 

In an order issued on Friday, the Commission said, "...for repeated violation of Model Code of Conduct and for completely disregarding the advisory issued to him, the Commission hereby revokes the status of leader of political party (Star Campaigner) of Kamal Nath, Ex-Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, with immediate effect for the current Bye-elections of Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh."

 

It said no permission will be granted by authorities to Kamal Nath as a star campaigner.

 

"However, if any campaign is done by Kamal Nath from now onwards, the entire expenditure related to travel, stay and visit will be completely borne by the candidate in whose constituency he carries out campaigning," he said.

6:16 PM

15th Finance Commission finalises report, to submit it to president on Nov 9

The 15th Finance Commission will submit its report for fiscal years 2021-22 to 2025-26 to President Ram Nath Kovind on November 9, an official statement said on Friday. The commission under Chairman N K Singh on Friday concluded its deliberations on the report.

 

The report was signed by Singh and members of the commission -- Ajay Narayan Jha, Anoop Singh, Ashok Lahiri and Ramesh Chand.

 

"The commission had sought time to present its report to the Honourable President of India. It has now been communicated by the office of the president that the report submission will be on November 9, 2020," the statement said. The commission will also present a copy of the report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi later next month.

5:57 PM

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh orders 100% waiver of Motor Vehicle Tax till December 31

5:49 PM

Second round of coal mine auctioning starts Nov 2, 19 blocks on offer

The auctioning of coal mines for commercial mining and sale of coal will commence on November 2, with 19 coal blocks going under the hammer. This will be the second and final round of the auction process wherein interested bidders will submit their financial bids in real-time on an online platform. This is the first time India is offering coal mines to private companies for commercial sale.

 

Adani Enterprises (AEL) through its various companies, Hindalco, Jindal Power, JSW Steel, Vedanta, and Welspun Steel, are in the fray for these mines. There are various non-coal companies, medium-sized enterprises, and state government mining companies participating in the auction.

 

Senior officials said the technically qualified bidders will be announced two hours prior to the bidding on Monday. The e-auction is being conducted on the e-commerce portal of state-owned MSTC. READ ON...

5:33 PM

MP polls LIVE: EC bars Kamal Nath as star campaigner for violations