Latest LIVE: Modi blames previous govts for 'neglecting' religious places

From PM Modi's Kedarnath, Badrinath visit to coronavirus cases, catch all the latest developments from across the globe here

10:38 PM

Noida airport: Authorities get consent of 70% of farmers - minimum required - for land acquisition

Officials on Friday said they have received consent letters of more than 70 per cent of farmers -- the minimum required by law for government to proceed for land acquisition for the second phase of Noida International Airport.

Around 1,365 hectare of land is to be acquired for the second phase of the greenfield project from six villages -- Ranhera, Kureb, Dayanatpur, Karauli Bangar, Mundrah and Birampur -- the officials said.

The first phase of the greenfield airport, billed to be India's largest upon completion and costing an estimated Rs 29,560 crore, is under development in the Jewar area of Gautam Buddh Nagar in western Uttar Pradesh, some 75 km off Delhi.

10:02 PM

Pfizer says Covid-19 vaccine will cost $110-$130 per dose

Pfizer will charge $110 to $130 for a dose of its Covid-19 vaccine once the U.S. government stops buying the shots, but the drugmaker says it expects many people will continue receiving it for free.

Pfizer executives said the commercial pricing for adult doses could start early next year, depending on when the government phases out its program of buying and distributing the shots.

9:03 PM

Reliance Industries to demerge and list financial services business into Jio Financial Services

8:56 PM

Pakistan taken off FATF's grey list after four years: FATF president T Raja Kumar

Pakistan is no longer subject to FATF's increased monitoring process; to continue to work with APG (Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering) to further improve its AML/CFT (anti-money laundering & counter-terrorist financing) system.

"They've (Pakistan) been removed from the grey list, however, there's still work to be done on their part. I'm encouraging Pakistan to continue to work with the Asia-Pacific group to continue taking steps to combat terrorism financing," said FATF president T Raja Kumar on Friday.

8:49 PM

Modi blames previous govts, slave mentality for 'neglect' of centres of faith

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused previous governments of leaving centres of faith across the country in a state of neglect and said these places are now being restored to their lost glory.

Citing examples of the Kashi Vishwanath temple, Ujjain and Ayodhya, where major reconstruction works have been carried out in recent years, Modi attributed the "years of neglect" to a "slave mentality".

"Slave mentality grips the minds of some people so strongly that they react even to development as if it is a crime," he said, addressing a gathering in Uttarakhand's Mana village on the India-China border after laying foundation stones of two ropeway projects to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib.

8:28 PM

Vodafone Idea Board okays Rs 1,600-cr debentures to ATC Telecom Infra

Vodafone Idea has received board of directors approval for issuing Indian rupee-denominated debentures to ATC Telecom Infrastructure aggregating to Rs 1,600 crore.

7:49 PM

Reliance Q2 results: Consolidated net profit at Rs 13,656 crore, revenue rises 34%

7:17 PM

UP CM Adityanath announces monthly motorcycle allowance of Rs 500 for police

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday announced a monthly motorcycle allowance of Rs 500 for police personnel in the state.

The motorcycle allowance is given to all non-gazetted police personnel.

"The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to increase the cycle allowance of Rs 200 given to policemen to Rs 500 (per month) as motorcycle allowance," Adityanath said during his address at the Police Memorial Day Parade at Reserve Police Lines here.

7:02 PM

Chinese loan apps: ED freezes fresh deposits worth Rs 78 cr after raids at premises of Razorpay, others

The ED on Friday said it has frozen fresh deposits worth Rs 78 crore following raids at the premises of payment gateway Razorpay and some banks as part of an ongoing money laundering probe against the alleged illegal operations of loan apps "controlled" by Chinese nationals.

The searches were carried out at five premises in Bengaluru on October 19, the Enforcement Directorate said.

7:00 PM

MCD allocates Rs 40,000 per ward to augment street lighting at Chhath ghats

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has allocated Rs 40,000 per ward to augment street lighting at Chhath ghats, it said in a statement on Friday.

The funds will be allocated to two ghats per ward.

6:46 PM

International cooperation should be joint and reciprocal: CBI director

International cooperation to combat global threats should be a two way street -- joint and reciprocal, CBI Director Subodh Jaiswal said at the concluding session of the Interpol's 90th General Assembly on Friday.

He also said that the world continues to be vulnerable on account of threats to the common people for which international cooperation is needed.

5:57 PM

Oil production cut: Saudi minister says OPEC+ doing right job to ensure stable market

OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia on Friday defended the oil cartel and its partners' decision to cut crude oil production, saying they were doing the right job to ensure a stable and sustainable market.

OPEC+ earlier this month decided to cut crude oil production quota by 2 million barrels per day, starting in November, to prop up sagging oil prices.

5:24 PM

ED attaches 7 properties of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari in PMLA case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has attached seven immovable assets of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari as part of a money laundering investigation against him and his family.

The properties, provisionally attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), are worth Rs 1.48 crore (registry value) while their circle rate at the time of registration was Rs 3.42 crore, the federal agency said in a statement.

4:03 PM

CIL starts 17 more first-mile connectivity projects worth Rs 11k cr

State-owned Coal India Limited (CIL) on Friday said it has started 17 more first-mile connectivity projects worth Rs 11,000 crore under the third phase.

First-mile connectivity (FMC) refers to the transportation of coal from pitheads to dispatch points.

3:22 PM

Delhi govt to launch 'Red Light on Gaadi off' campaign to curb vehicular pollution from Oct 28

The Delhi government will launch the "Red Light on Gaadi off" campaign again to curb vehicular pollution from October 28, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Friday.

Under the campaign, first launched on October 16, 2020, to cut down vehicular pollution in the national capital, drivers are encouraged to switch off their vehicles while waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

2:58 PM

India rice export curbs to end a decade of price stability

India's recent curbs on rice exports could trigger a rally in global prices after more than a decade of stability, traders said, as New Delhi's protectionist move coincides with falling output in other major producers and rising global demand.

Uneven monsoon rains hit rice planting in India, prompting the export restrictions in September, and floods have cut output in Pakistan even as consumption has grown in top importers such as Bangladesh and the Philippines. That's why forecasters are saying global demand will outstrip production in 2022/23.

This is bad for Asian and African countries that use rice as a staple, some of which import as much as 60% of their supply.

2:24 PM

Agni Prime New Generation Ballistic Missile testfires successfully

Agni Prime New Generation Ballistic Missile was today successfully testfired by India off the coast of Odisha at around 0945 hrs: Defence officials

2:02 PM

Urge all tourists to spend at least 5% of travel budget on buying local products: PM

"I appeal to all tourists in the country to spend at least 5% of their travel budget on buying local products," says PM Modi at Mana village in Uttarakhand

1:48 PM

Every village located in border areas to be considered first village of India: PM

"Mana village is considered the last village in India. But from now onwards, every village located in the border areas will be considered as the first village of India," says PM Modi at Mana village, Uttarakhand

1:44 PM

2 Army ALH, IAF's Mi-17 deployed for search op after military chopper crash in Arunachal

The Indian Army that crashed in the Upper Siang district today had taken off from Likabali. Search and rescue team rushed to the spot. Two Army ALH & one IAF Mi-17 being deployed for search and rescue operation, says Defence PRO, Guwahati

1:24 PM

Appreciate efforts taken by Interpol across world to maintain law and security: Shah

India is one of the oldest members of Interpol. Such an organisation is important for international cooperation. I appreciate efforts taken by Interpol across world to maintain law and security, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah at valedictory event of 90th Annual General Assembly of Interpol
He adds, "Government of India has formed the Indian Cyber Forensic Centre to keep a check on rising cyber crimes. Crime has now become borderless, have to think above conventional geographical crimes," quotes ANI

1:12 PM

Air India appoints Henry Donohoe as head of safety, security & quality

Air India has appointed Henry Donohoe as the Head of Safety, Security and Quality from November 7.

An Irish national, Donohoe started his career at Aer Lingus in 1978 and became its Chief Pilot before going on to head key departments including Safety, Quality, Flight Operations and Engineering.

 

12:52 PM

Covishield production stopped in Dec 2021, says Serum Institute's CEO

Adar Poonawalla, the chief executive officer of Serum Institute of India (SII), said on Thursday that the company stopped manufacturing Covishield vaccines starting December 2021, according to a report in The Economic Times. He added that of the total stock available at that time approximately 100 million doses had already expired.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) annual general meeting, he said that there is little demand for booster vaccines due to both- the overall lack of energy among people and their fatigue from the pandemic.

While talking about Covishield and Covovax vaccines, Poonawala said, "Now, Covovax should be allowed in two weeks. So I think they will and should probably have the policy to mix boosters. If WHO allowed it, then maybe the Indian regulator will and should allow it. But again, boosters have no demand at the moment. There is lethargy generally. People are fed up of COVID, vaccines. To be honest, I am also fed up with it. We all are."

 

12:26 PM

HPV vaccine production delayed due to Covid, to start supply in early 2023: SII

Serum Institute of India (SII) had to defer HPV vaccine production by two years due to the focus on COVID, and will start supplying small quantities of the dose to the Indian government in early 2023, a top official has said.

Exports will have to wait till 2024, its chief executive Adar Poonawalla told reporters here on Thursday evening, adding that the company has to build a scale of manufacturing to over 150 million for that.

 

12:06 PM

Odisha braces for heavy rainfall early next week due to possible cyclone in Bay of Bengal

Odisha bracing for heavy rainfall early next week due to impact of possible cyclone in Bay of Bengal, which is likely to skirt state and move towards West Bengal and Bangladesh, says IMD

 

12:02 PM

Military chopper crashes near Arunachal Pradesh's Migging

A military chopper crashed near singging village, 25 kms away from the Tuting headquarters in the Upper Siang district today. Site of accident not connected by road, rescue team sent. Further details awaited: Defence PRO, Guwahati

11:39 AM

SpiceJet to suspend services in Sikkim due to operational constraints

SpiceJet, the only carrier that runs daily flights to and from the greenfield airport in Sikkim's Pakyong, will suspend services in the hill state from October 30 due to "operational constraints".

According to a spokesperson of the budget airline, bad weather and low visibility were bottlenecks that led to the decision.

"SpiceJet flights to and from Pakyong airport have been temporarily suspended with effect from October 30, 2022, due to operational constraints owing to the bad weather condition and low visibility at Pakyong.

 

11:16 AM

PM Modi arrives at Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand's Chamoli

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district

11:02 AM

Dengue patient in UP transfused fruit juice instead of platelets, dies; hospital sealed

A private hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj has been sealed for allegedly transfusing fruit juice instead of blood platelets to a dengue patient who later died, police said.

After a video of the alleged incident went viral on social media, the district administration swung into action and the hospital was sealed on Thursday on the direction of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.

The patient, Pradeep Pandey, was shifted to another hospital, where he died after his condition deteriorated, officials said. However, no FIR has been registered at the local police station.

 

10:39 AM

PM Modi to visit Ayodhya on eve of Deepavali

On the eve of Deepavali, PM Modi will visit Ayodhya, UP on October 23. PM will offer prayers to Lord Ramlala Virajman, followed by inspection of Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra site. He'll perform the Rajyabhishek of symbolic Bhagwan Shree Ram, says PMO.

PM Modi will witness aarti at New Ghat, Saryu river, which will be followed by the kickstart of the grand Deepotsav celebrations by the Prime Minister: PMO