LIVE: Police busting auto lifter gang, arms supply cartels and theft racket

Catch all the live updates from across the globe here

11:02 PM

Delhi Police bust inter-state auto lifter gang

11:01 PM

Earthquake of magnitude 3.2 hits UP's Shamli

An earthquake of magnitude 3.2 on the Richter scale hit Shamli in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, the National Center for Seismology said. "Earthquake of Magnitude:3.2, Occurred on 03-02-2023, 21:31:16 IST, Lat: 29.41 & Long: 77.26, Depth:5 Km, Location: Shamli, Uttar Pradesh," NCS stated. The earthquake was 5 Km in-depth, as per the NCS. No casualties have been reported yet.

10:34 PM

There's a lot of scope for tourism in Bihar: Dy CM Tejashwi Yadav

"There's a lot of scope for tourism in Bihar. The state has a greater tourist footfall than Goa. Be it for 'Pind Daan' or those visiting the state from many South Asian Buddhist countries. Challenge is to make sure tourists spend more time in the state," said Dy CM Tejashwi Yadav.

10:32 PM

Paytm announces operating profitability of Rs 31 crore; Vijay Shekhar Sharma says cash flow generation is next

One97 Communications, which owns the payments and financial services platform Paytm, continue to witness strong revenue momentum across its business verticals.The fintech firm on Friday reported its revenue from operations increased to Rs 2,062 crore, a growth of 42 per cent on a yearly basis and 8 per cent on a quarterly basis.The company's EBITDA before ESOP cost stood at Rs 31 crore with EBITDA before ESOP margin at 2 per cent of revenues as compared to (27 per cent) a year ago, it said.

 

10:30 PM

Massive fire at Turbhe dumping yard in Navi Mumbai

10:09 PM

Antony Blinken postpones China visit after spy balloon found in US: Report

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will postpone his visit to China after a spy balloon was detected flying over the continental United States, according to media reports on Friday. Blinken did not want the balloon to dominate his meetings with Chinese officials, ABC News reported, citing an unnamed US official. Bloomberg News also reported the trip will be postponed.

8:32 PM

Delhi man run over by multiple cars: "Body parts scattered, wallet found"

A 35-year-old man crossing the Delhi-Jaipur highway was mowed down by an unknown vehicle and several other vehicles ran over the body, mutilating it beyond recognition, police said on Friday.
 

Police identified the victim as Ramesh Nayak, a resident of Mohan Garden in south west Delhi, with the help of his wallet. Ramesh, a school bus driver, leaves behind his wife and three children, aged three, eight and 10 years.

 

The incident took place around 4 am on the Delhi-Jaipur carriageway of National Highway 48 on Thursday when Ramesh was going to Jaipur to meet his sister. He had changed his plans midway after not feeling well, and decided to return to Delhi.

3:40 PM

After Joshimath, buildings at Jammu and Kashmir village develop cracks

"More than 20 houses and a mosque at a village in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir have developed cracks, triggering panic among residents." reports NDTV.

 

Govenernment officials are taking actions to ensure swift evacuation in the locality. The cracks caused in the buildings are due to the soil-shifting however, the reasons behind the soil-shift are not clear and are being ascertained.

3:03 PM

Low annual limit for H-1B petitions affecting US employers: Study

The low annual limit of 85,000 registrations for H-1B petitions is the main problem facing US employers trying to secure foreign talent, according to a new report about the skilled workers' visas, the most sought-after by Indian IT professionals.

 

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

 

2:50 PM

SC allows AAP's mayoral candidate to withdraw plea as election notified

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) mayoral candidate Shelly Oberoi to withdraw her plea, noting that mayoral election in the Delhi MCD is scheduled to be held on February 6.

A bench of Chief justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha told senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, that the major grievance of the petitioner was that mayoral election was not held but now the election has been notified.

Singhvi said that although prayer for mayoral election has become infructuous after the poll was notified for February 6 but other issues like voting by Aldermen remains.

2:47 PM

TotalEnergies says has limited exposure to Adani Group companies

French oil major TotalEnergies SE said on Friday its exposure to ventures with India's Adani Group is limited and is not re-evaluating its stakes in Adani Total Gas and Adani Green Energy.

 

Shares in Adani Group firms have plummeted in the past week since U.S. short seller Hindenburg's Jan. 24 report which questioned the company's debt levels and use of tax havens. The group has called the report baseless and affirmed its financials are strong.

2:34 PM

PM Modi has special concern for Northeast, says Nadda at a rally in Tripura

Today we can say with pride that it's new Tripura with new aspirations. PM Modi has a special concern for North East. Tripura is moving forward under BJP's rule: BJP national president JP Nadda during Vijay Sankalp Rally in Amarpur, Tripura

 

2:32 PM

PM Modi to inaugurate India Energy Week in Bengaluru on Feb 6: Report

PM Modi to inaugurate India Energy Week in Bengaluru on February 6. It will have more than 650 exhibitors, 34 ministers from across world. It is for the first time India is organising such event, a record number of CEOs from top energy companies participating, reports ANI quoting sources.

 

 

2:17 PM

Lok Sabha adjourned till February 6, reports ANI

Lok Sabha adjourned till February 6 after it was adjourned till 2pm amid ruckus over Adani issue, reports ANI

2:05 PM

Old tax regime untouched, new regime modified, says CBDT chairman

Old tax regime is untouched; we've a modified new regime. The new tax scheme proposed in the budget is beneficial for everyone including those earning Rs 5-7 lakh as they will get tax exemption. Govt to bear Rs 25,000 tax on Rs 3-7 lakh income: Nitin Gupta, CBDT Chairman

 

1:55 PM

Brain tumour could now be detected using urine test

Scientists have used a new device to identify a key membrane protein in urine that indicates whether the patient has a brain tumour.

 

According to their study, the protein used to detect brain cancer could avoid the need for invasive tests, and increase the likelihood of tumours being detected early enough for surgery.

1:43 PM

Delhi L-G approves Sisodia's visit to attend TESOL event in Portland

Delhi Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena has approved a foreign tour by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, his secretary and secretary (education) to attend an event TESOL Education Convention in Portland, the US.

Underlining a contradictory proposal on file to this effect by the Education Department that said that the cost of the visit will be borne by the organizers and there will be no financial liability upon the government and at the same time stating that the expenses for Sisodia's visit shall be borne by the GNCTD, the L-G agreed 'in principle for the proposed visit, subject to requisite clearances and completion of other codal formalities'.

1:40 PM

AI Express plane returns to Abu Dhabi airport after engine failure; DGCA to probe incident

A Calicut-bound Air India Express plane returned to Abu Dhabi airport early morning on Friday due to engine failure while taking off, and aviation regulator DGCA will probe the incident, according to officials.

 

As per initial report, fire was noticed in one of the engines, a senior official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.

1:36 PM

SEBI has increased the margin money on Adani derivatives to 100%: Manish Tewari

SEBI has increased the margin money on Adani derivatives to 100%. Normal market rule is 10%- 15%. This collusion b/w regulator & a particular industrial group raises questions about institutional integrity of the regulator& that's why a JPC is important: Congress MP Manish Tewari

 

1:33 PM

China says it is looking into report of spy balloon over US

China said Friday it was looking into reports that a Chinese spy satellite has been flying in US airspace and urged calm.

 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also said she had no information about whether a planned trip to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken would proceed next week as scheduled.

1:32 PM

No immediate impact on Adani entities' ratings following 'short-seller' report: Fitch Ratings

Fitch Ratings on Friday said there is no immediate impact on the ratings of Adani entities and their securities following a short-seller report alleging malpractices at Adani group.

 

In a statement, the rating agency said it expects no material changes to its forecast cash flow.

1:12 PM

FAA paper leak case: CBI raids 37 locations in Jammu

The Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) on Friday conducted raids at 37 locations in J&K's Jammu region in connection with the probe of Financial Accounts Assistants (FAA) paper leak.

 

The exam was conducted on March 6, 2022 in which irregularities were found.

12:36 PM

SC begins hearing of plea to restrain govt from censoring BBC documentary

Supreme Court begins hearing plea seeking direction to restrain the Central government from censoring the BBC documentary relating to the 2002 Gujarat Riots.

 

12:23 PM

Planting trees could cut deaths from higher temperatures by third: Study

Planting more trees could decrease deaths from higher summer temperatures in cities by a third, according to a modelling study published in The Lancet journal.

 

The study of 93 European cities found that increasing tree cover up to 30 per cent can help lower the temperature of urban environments by an average of 0.4 degrees Celsius and prevent heat-related deaths.

12:11 PM

'Government has nothing to do with Adani issue,' says Pralhad Joshi

Amid continued disruptions in both houses of Parliament over US-based research firm Hindenburg's allegations against Adani group, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said that the government has nothing to do with the matter and the opposition is raising it as it is bereft of issues.

 

Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Joshi, when asked about the government's stand on the Adani group issue, said that the government has got nothing to do with the matter.

11:38 AM

J&K's State Investigation Agency raids multiple locations in Srinagar in militant funding case

Jammu and Kashmir | State Investigation Agency (SIA) raids underway at multiple locations in Srinagar in connection with a militant funding case, reports ANI

 

11:28 AM

Senior Advocate & Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Jethmalani comments on BBC documentary

This is showing that BBC is completely financially interlocked with China, through Chinese state-owned companies. The documentary basically is nothing more than a Chinese-inspired initiative: Senior Advocate & Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Jethmalani, reports ANI

11:10 AM

Customs duty changes in Budget will promote Make in India initiative: GTRI

Customs duty changes for several products such as precious metals, small cars, bicycles, toys and telecommunication components in the Budget will help promote the Make in India initiative of the government, economic think tank GTRI said on Friday.

 

The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) also said the import duty changes in Union Budget 2023-24 affect products that count for less than USD 14 billion or 2 per cent of the value in India's current import basket.

11:09 AM

Low H-1B visa limit affecting employers, shows study

The H-1B visa denial rates have returned to low levels following the administration's losses in federal court during former President Donald Trump's last year in office, the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) said in a new study released on Thursday.

 

 

 

10:33 AM

Govt reviews supply of Atta at Rs 29.50 through Open Market Sale Scheme

Central government reviews supply of Atta at Rs 29.50 through Open Market sale Scheme, reports ANI