LIVE: Taking new initiatives to shield India from global problems, says PM

From Reliance Jio's 5G services launch in Rajasthan to coronavirus cases, catch all the latest developments from across the globe here

10:40 PM

FIFA slams unacceptable TV deal offers for Women's World Cup

Broadcasters were criticized by FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Saturday for what he called unacceptably low offers for rights to screen the Women's World Cup next year.

Offers of just 1% of the value of men's World Cup rights deals have been rejected, Infantino said, for the tournament that starts in July in Australia and New Zealand.

9:41 PM

Congress releases its list of campaigners for upcoming Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls

8:07 PM

S Jaishankar holds talk with the Foreign Minister of Germany

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar received a call from the Foreign Minister of Germany, Annalena Baerbock. 

 

"Discussed our bilateral relationship, sustainable development and the Ukraine conflict. Agreed to continue our conversations," tweeted EAM.

 

8:06 PM

DU admission: 72,865 candidates accept allotted college, course in first merit list

Over 72,800 candidates out of 80,164 have accepted the college and course allotted to them in Delhi University's first round of allocations, Registrar Vikas Gupta said on Saturday.

Today was the last date for acceptance of allocated seats for undergraduate courses in the first merit list. It was extended by a day on Friday.

6:40 PM

Ola ramping up e-scooter production, capacity: CEO Bhavish Aggarwal

Ola Electric is ramping up production of its e-scooters and is parallelly expanding capacity at its factory in Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu to meet future demand, company Founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal said on Saturday.

The company, which launched its new S1 Air electric scooter at an introductory price of Rs 79,999, said it will also make a foray into electric motorcycles by next year.

5:55 PM

Ayodhya Deepotsav: Around 1.8 mn diyas to be lit; laser show, Ramlilas part of celebrations

Around 1.8 million earthen lamps will be lit on Sunday here as part of Deepotsav, the Diwali celebrations that will include fireworks, a laser show and the staging of Ramlilas.

The sixth edition of the Deepotsav will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

4:53 PM

Total expenditure for constructing housing societies by govt has crossed a figure of Rs 22,000 cr: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday participated in the ‘Griha Pravesh’ of more than 450,000 beneficiaries of PMAY-G in Madhya Pradesh, via video conferencing and inaugurates houses built under PM Awas Yojana (Gramin), ANI report said.

 

Under the PMAY-G, in the last 8 years, more than 30.5 million poor families have got new houses. Our govt is committed to the poor and marginalised. Be it toilet, electricity, water or gas, we have included every facility to cater their needs in PM Awas Yojana, said PM Modi.

 

The total expenditure for the construction of housing societies by the government has crossed a figure of Rs 22,000 cr. We are dedicated to construct homes for all our countrymen, the PM added.

4:29 PM

Low-pressure area over sea intensifies into depression, cyclone likely to be formed by Oct 24

A low-pressure area over the north Andaman sea that on Saturday intensified into a depression, around 1,460 km south-southeast of Sagar Island in West Bengal, is expected to take the shape of a cyclonic storm by October 24, the IMD said in its bulletin.

The weather system moved west-northwestward and concentrated into a depression on Saturday at 8.30am, close to west of Andaman Islands, the bulletin said.

4:19 PM

Don't go on strikes, tie black ribbon instead: Gehlot appeals to doctors

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday appealed to the doctors to not go on strikes every time they have a demand and instead tie a black ribbon to express displeasure to avoid any inconvenience to the patients.

He said there will be no shortage of funds for the medical sector as it is a top priority of the state government.

3:51 PM

DCW chief urges Adityanath to set up high-level committee to probe Ghaziabad gangrape complaint

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal on Saturday wrote to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and urged him to set up a high-level committee to probe the alleged gangrape of a 36-year-old woman in Ghaziabad.

She also said that strong action should be taken against the woman if her allegations are found to be false.

3:21 PM

RSS raising issues related to religious conversion to divert attention from BJP's failures: Mayawati

BSP president Mayawati alleged on Saturday that the RSS is raising issues related to religious conversion and the population policy to divert people's attention from the failures of the BJP government at the Centre.

She also said the "silence" of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the present situation in the country is harmful.

3:15 PM

Sunak has hit 100 MPs mark for UK PM race, supporters say

Rishi Sunak's supporters claimed on Saturday that the Indian-origin former chancellor has hit the threshold of 100 members of Parliament required to make it to the shortlist for the race to replace Liz Truss as Conservative Party leader and British Prime Minister.

The 42-year-old frontrunner's tally continues to grow as former prime minister Boris Johnson flies back from his Caribbean holiday to reportedly also join the contest.

Neither Sunak nor Johnson have officially declared their intention to contest the leadership election, with Leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt the only candidate to formally announce her candidacy so far.

2:53 PM

Global IT, business revenues to weather looming recession: IDC

Despite a looming recession, the global IT and business services revenue is expected to grow 5.7 per cent this year and 5.2 per cent in 2023, according to an IDC report.

The growth outlook for Asia/Pacific was adjusted downward by roughly 10 basis points each year for the next four years.

The region is forecast to grow at around 5.5 per cent each year.

Within the region, the growth rates for both China and India have been lowered.

2:52 PM

Huge cache of arms, ammunition seized in Assam's Karbi Anglong

Huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, police said on Saturday.

The arms and ammunition were buried inside the elephant camp of a forest near Diphu-Dhansiri Road, Superintendent of Police Sanjiv Saikia said.

Acting on a tip-off, the recovery was made. The seized items include two grenades, 69 live ammunition and a magazine of AK-47 rifle, 12 SLRs and two pistol magazines, he said.

2:27 PM

Railway projects worth Rs 57,000 cr sanctioned for Rajasthan

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said railway projects worth over Rs 57,000 crore have been sanctioned for Rajasthan.

Speaking to ANI, the Minister "New railway projects have been taken up for Rajasthan in the Railway sector. Projects worth over Rs 57,000 crore have been sanctioned. There was a record allocation of Rs 7,565 crore for this year. Work is in progress and is in fast pace. We will lay down 12 km of railway tracks per day."

He further said that 1 million youth will be appointed in different departments of the central government in the coming months through the recruitment drive.

2:18 PM

Low-pressure area over sea intensifies into depression, cyclone likely to be formed by Oct 24

A low-pressure area over the north Andaman sea that on Saturday intensified into a depression, around 1,460 km south-southeast of Sagar Island in West Bengal, is expected to take the shape of a cyclonic storm by October 24, the IMD said in its bulletin.

The weather system moved west-northwestward and concentrated into a depression on Saturday at 8.30am, close to west of Andaman Islands, the bulletin said.

"It is expected to move northwestward and intensify further into a deep depression over east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal by October 23 morning.

2:17 PM

Dhanteras begins on positive note; jewellers expect footfalls to increase

Dhanteras, spread over two days of the weekend, got off to an auspicious start on Saturday as consumers began trickling in to markets, with jewellers expecting the momentum to increase towards the evening.

Dhanteras, which marks the first day of Diwali in India, is considered an auspicious occasion to buy gold and silver as part of Hindu festivities.

"Since the day has just begun, the footfalls are just trickling in. As this year Dhanteras is spread over the weekend, we expect the momentum to increase towards the afternoon and evening and tomorrow.

1:41 PM

Travelling to Delhi soon, wait and watch whether cabinet expansion or rejig: K'taka CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said he will soon be travelling to New Delhi to meet BJP central leadership to discuss the cabinet exercise, but maintained suspense on whether it will be expansion or reshuffle of the Ministry.

He said the BJP high command will finally decide on who has to be inducted into the cabinet.

"I will soon be going to Delhi (to discuss cabinet expansion)," Bommai told reporters in response to a question.

To a question whether opportunity will be given to seniors from the district, which has been subjected to "step motherly" treatment, he said, "it is not step motherly treatment, due to political situation, representation could not be given (to Chitradurga), will try to give representation."

1:28 PM

Cease broadcast activities, use Prasar Bharati route: Centre to states

The Centre has issued an advisory asking Union ministries, state governments and union territory administrations not to enter into any broadcasting or distribution of broadcasting activities directly.

In the advisory, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting asked those broadcasting their content to route it through Prasar Bharati. It also asked entities distributing the broadcasting content to "extract themselves" from it by December 31, 2023.

The advisory is likely to impact Kalvi TV, an educational channel launched by the Tamil Nadu government which is available on some DTH platforms, and IPTV, launched by the Andhra Pradesh government.

1:15 PM

Taking new initiatives, risks to shield India from global problems: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the government is working towards softening the blow of the economic problems faced by several countries across the world in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the "Rozgar Mela" after distributing 75,000 appointment letters among government job aspirants, Modi said the Centre is also working on multiple fronts to create maximum job opportunities for youngsters.

"It is a fact that the global situation is not very good. Several large economies are struggling. In several countries, problems such as high inflation and unemployment are at their peak," Modi said.

1:13 PM

World's 2nd most polluted city: Automobile pollution fuels Kolkata's dubious record

Kolkata is the second most polluted city in the world, according to a recent report of HEI SoGA, second after the national capital Delhi. In the report, based on the quantity of PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide in the air, it has been said that population congestion in these two cities has been the major contributing factor behind Indias two top cities figuring in this negative-quality list.

The only other Indian city to figure in the list is the country's commercial capital of Mumbai, which ranks 14th among the 20 most polluted cities in the world.

However, environmental experts and activists are of the opinion that besides population there are other factors contributing to this high air pollution rate in Kolkata, the foremost of which is the automobile fuel emission, which contributes 60 per cent to the pollution.

1:13 PM

100 yr-old unemployment prob can't be solved in 100 days: PM

The 100-year-old problem of unemployment cannot be solved in 100 days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

While launching a mega recruitment drive via video-conference, he said that the country is forging ahead on the path of self-reliance. "The Rozgar Mela is an important milestone in the government's efforts for employment, self-employment in the last eight years," he added.

Prime Minister Modi launched the employment fair on Saturday with 75,000 candidates receiving their appointment letters in the first phase of the recruitment scheme.

11:44 AM

Arunachal helicopter crash: Search on for fifth Army personnel, probe ordered

A search was underway on Saturday for the missing Army personnel who was on board the chopper that crashed in Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, a defence spokesperson said.

The advanced light helicopter (ALH), carrying five Army personnel including two pilots, was on regular sorties when it crashed at 10.43 am on Friday near Migging, around 25 km south of Tuting.

The Army and the Air Force were searching to locate the mortal remains of the fifth personnel, defence spokesperson Lt Col A S Walia said.

The crash site is extremely challenging in terms of hills with steep gradients and thick jungle, he said.

 

11:22 AM

SpiceJet to operate more than 50 pc flights from Oct 30 as DGCA lifts curbs

SpiceJet will be able to operate more than 50 per cent of its flights from October 30 as the three-month long restrictions imposed on the embattled airline will be lifted in the winter schedule.

In the wake of multiple incidents involving the aircraft of SpiceJet, aviation watchdog DGCA had on July 27 capped the number of flights the no-frills carrier could operate at 50 per cent. Later, the restrictions were extended till October 29, also the last day of the summer schedule.

Now, in the winter schedule starting from October 30, the airline will be operating 3,193 flights every week. This is also 6.6 per cent more than the number of weekly flights operated by the airline in the previous winter schedule.

11:15 AM

Expect record deliveries of cars, two-wheelers on Dhanteras: FADA

Rebounding after two pandemic-hit years, automobile dealers expect a bumper sale of two- and four-wheelers during the auspicious Dhanteras this year.

Dealers expect a rush for automobiles across categories. Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) President Manish Raj Singhania said dealers are sitting on a record number of bookings this festive season and most customers are insisting on deliveries on Dhanteras.

Dhanteras, also known as Dhanatrayodashi, is celebrated each year as the first day to mark the beginning of Diwali. On this day, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs buy brass, silver and gold objects as it is regarded as one of the most auspicious and ideal days to purchase expensive items. This year, Dhanteras is being celebrated on October 22 and 23.

Auto dealers are expecting bumper sales in all segments, including passenger and commercial vehicles and two-wheelers.

10:59 AM

India reports 2,112 fresh Coronavirus cases, 4 deaths in last 24 hrs

India reported 2,112 fresh Covid infection on Saturday in the last 24 hours, against 2,119 Covid cases reported previous day, said the Union Health Ministry.

In the same period, the country recorded 4 more Covid-related deaths, taking the national fatalities tally to 528,957, as per the report.

Meanwhile, the active caseload of the country stands at 24,043 cases, accounting for 0.05 per cent of the country's total positive cases.

The recovery of 3,102 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 44,087,748. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 98.76 per cent.

Meanwhile, India's Daily Positivity rate has been reported to be 1.01 per cent, while the Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently also stands at 0.97 per cent.

10:57 AM

Kirloskar Industries' Board seeks forensic audit on Kirloskar Brothers

Odisha governmnet will return unutilized land of around 206 acres acquired by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) to farmers in Kalipalli village of Ganjam district.

The decision was taken in the state Cabinet Committee meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday.

Earlier, the state government had acquired the land from farmers to build an industrial park in Ganjam district of the state.

However, there was no construction on the land and it remained unutilized for almost two decades.

10:17 AM

Delhi's AQI remains in 'poor' category days ahead of Diwali

Days ahead of Diwali, the air quality in the national capital remained in the 'poor' category on Saturday with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 262, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

On Friday, Delhi's AQI was in the poor category.

The levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were recorded at 109 in the 'very poor' and 228 in the 'moderate' category respectively.

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 air quality in Noida was recorded as 'very poor' with AQI 306 while in Gurugram it is in the 'moderate' category with AQI at 156.

10:00 AM

China may ramp up nuclear arsenal after Xi's assertion to establish strong strategic deterrence: Experts

China is expected to boost its nuclear arsenal after President Xi Jinping's remarks at the key Congress of the ruling Communist Party here for the first time that Beijing will establish strong strategic deterrence, experts have said.

We will establish a strong system of strategic deterrence, Xi, who is widely expected to be endorsed for a record third five-year term by the Congress of the CPC, told its opening session on October 16.

In the 63-page report, Xi, who also heads the Central Military Commission (CMC) - the overall high command of the two million-strong People's Liberation Army (PLA) - devoted a special section to the military titled Achieving the Central Goal of the PLA and Further Modernising National Defence and Military.

9:44 AM

Govt plans to open medical college, hospital in each district in Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said that his government is planning to open at least one medical college and hospital in each district.

The Chief Minister made this remark during the distribution of appointment letters to 9,469 selected health employees at the Bapu Sabhagar convention hall in Patna.

The new employees, appointed by the state health society, include auxiliary nursing midwives (ANMs), health counsellors, senior treatment supervisors, health managers, district community promoters and others.