Latest news LIVE: Delhi-NCR shrouded by haze, air quality 'very poor'

Earlier in the day, Javadekar said that stubble burning is not a major factor for air pollution in Delhi-NCR. Stay tuned for thr latest news of the day:

2:06 AM

Space probe makes first Venus fly-by on way to smallest planet Mercury

1:48 AM

Twitter temporarily restricts Donald Trump's election campaign account

12:40 AM

Oil eases as new lockdowns raise concern about fuel demand

Oil prices eased on Thursday as new restrictions to stem a surge in Covid-19 infections dimmed the outlook for economic growth and fuel demand.

 

Traders said prices pared losses after the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported an increase in U.S. petroleum demand last week that helped reduce crude stockpiles, while distillate inventories dropped by the most since 2003 as Hurricane Delta cut oil production and shut Gulf Coast refineries. [EIA/S]

 

Brent futures fell 23 cents, or 0.5%, to $43.09 a barrel by 1:21 p.m. EDT (1721 GMT), while U.S. crude fell 18 cents, or 0.4%, to $40.86. Earlier, both benchmarks were down more than $1 a barrel.

 

"Obviously there was a major impact from the hurricane," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago, noting "there were some bullish overtones in the report ... like the big drop in distillates."

12:31 AM

Despite challenges from Covid-19, state govt trying to make Rajasthan an ideal state: Gehlot

11:25 PM

Devotees to be allowed at Sabarimala when shrine opens for monthly pujas from October 17

11:15 PM

US offers tariff truce if Airbus repays billions in aid: Report

The United States has offered to settle a long-running aircraft subsidy dispute with the European Union and remove tariffs on wine, whisky and other products if Airbus repays billions of dollars in aid to European governments, several sources close to the matter told Reuters.

 

The offer was made by US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer days before the World Trade Organization's (WTO) release on Tuesday of a report authorising Brussels to slap counter-tariffs on US goods over subsidies to planemaker Boeing.

 

Lighthizer's proposal, however, is unlikely to win support from the EU, which appears set to ask the WTO at an Oct. 26 meeting to endorse $4 billion in EU tariffs on US goods. The imposition of $7.5 billion of US tariffs over Airbus subsidies has already started to hit European goods.

11:07 PM

70 people detained for protesting new farm laws near Krishi Bhavan in Delhi

10:51 PM

BJP has no moral right to run Delhi municipal corporations: AAP

10:32 PM

MEA launches 'Sushma Swaraj Lectures' on 'introduction to India' for foreign diplomats

10:12 PM

Gadkari to inaugurate, lay foundation stones for projects worth Rs 15,592 cr in Andhra Pradesh

10:12 PM

Rise in operational expense 'necessary devil', but savings on other fronts to offset this cost: PVR

10:10 PM

Oscar-winning costume designer Bhanu Athaiya passes away, at the age of 91 in Mumbai

9:50 PM

For Classes 9 to 12, Punjab decides to reopen schools from October 19

9:25 PM

India's exports turn positive in September; up 6 per cent

After contracting for six straight months, India's exports rose 5.99 per cent to $27.58 billion in September on account of growth in shipments of drugs and pharmaceuticals and readymade garments, as per the government data released on Thursday.

 

Exports stood at $26.02 billion in September 2019.

 

The country's imports contracted 19.6 per cent to $30.31 billion in September. It was $37.69 billion in the same month last year.

 

The trade deficit narrowed to $2.72 billion, compared to a shortfall of $11.67 billion in the year ago-month.

 

Gold imports declined by nearly 53 per cent to $601.43 million in September.

9:12 PM

Bihar polls: Congress fields Shatrughan Sinha's son Love Sinha from Bankipur, Sharad Yadav's daughter Suhasini from Bihariganj

8:58 PM

Government plans to borrow Rs 1.1 trillion to give to states

The government said it plans to borrow Rs 1.1 trillion in tranches to compensate states for tax losses due to the spread of coronavirus, breaking an impasse between New Delhi and some of the states.

But due to a sharp fall in tax collection the government was also unable to pay for the states' revenue loss and so asked them to raise the funds from the market.

While 21 states, mainly ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party and its allies had agreed to borrow from the market, around 10 which are run by opposition parties had insisted that the federal government should borrow and compensate them.

"This will avoid differential rates of interest that individual states may be charged," the government said in a statement.

8:35 PM

Two days after heavy rains, Hyderabad limps back to normalcy; relief operations underway

After being battered by torrential rains that triggered one of the worst floods in recent times and claimed 50 lives, the city and other parts of Telangana were returning to normalcy on Thursday with relief measures being stepped up by the government.

In a relief, there was no rains on Thursday and water started receding in most parts of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits though some localities still remained inundated.

8:21 PM

Wildfire smoke in US exposes millions to hazardous pollution

Wildfires churning out dense plumes of smoke as they scorch huge swaths of the U.S. West Coast have exposed millions of people to hazardous pollution levels, causing emergency room visits to spike and potentially thousands of deaths among the elderly and infirm, according to an Associated Press analysis of pollution data and interviews with physicians, health authorities and researchers.

Smoke at concentrations that topped the government's charts for health risks and lasted at least a day enshrouded counties inhabited by more than 8 million people across five states in recent weeks, AP's analysis shows.

Major cities in Oregon, which has been especially hard hit, last month suffered the highest pollution levels they've ever recorded when powerful winds supercharged fires that had been burning in remote areas and sent them hurtling to the edge of densely populated Portland.

8:19 PM

Multiplexes, partners roll out offers to get back box office buzz

Multiplexes and their partners are rolling out a number of offers to woo film goers and rev up their business that fell silent for seven months on coronavirus pandemic woes.

Movie halls have reopened or are reopening in several places, including the national capital and parts of Madhya Pradesh, this week, with stringent dos and don'ts in keeping with COVID-19-triggered new normal ways.

However, authorities in states like Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have decided not to open theatres and multiplexes for now amid rising number of coronavirus infections.

7:46 PM

Centre to borrow to make up for states' GST shortfall: Finance Ministry

Finance Ministry on Thursday said the central government will borrow Rs 1.1 lakh crore to make up for the shortfall in GST of states.

"The amount so borrowed will be passed on to the states as a back-to-back loan in lieu of GST compensation cess releases," the ministry said in a statement.

7:42 PM

About 6.24 million tonne of kharif paddy worth Rs 11,785 crore was purchased at the minimum support price (MSP) from 533,000 farmers in the last 19 days, the food ministry said on Thursday.

Paddy procurement commenced in Punjab and Haryana from September 26 due to early arrival of the crop, while in other states it began from October 1.

More than 80 per cent of the country's paddy crop is grown in the kharif season. The government through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies undertakes procurement of paddy at MSP.

7:07 PM

India's exports rise 6% to $27.58 bn in September

India's exports increased 5.99 per cent year-on-year to USD 27.58 billion in September, according to the government data released on Thursday.

Exports stood at $26.02 billion in September 2019.

The country's imports declined 19.6 per cent to USD 30.31 billion in September. It was $37.69 billion in the same month last year.

6:51 PM

Delhi-NCR shrouded by haze; air quality enters 'very poor' zone

The national capital's air quality hit an eight-month low on Thursday with stubble burning accounting for only six per cent of the city's PM2.5 concentration, according to government agencies.

NASA's satellite imagery showed a large cluster of farm fires near Amritsar, Patiala, Tarn Taran, and Firozpur in Punjab, and Ambala and Rajpura in Haryana. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has urged the Punjab government to curb stubble burning.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR, said the wind direction was partly favourable for the transport of smoke from farm fires and "hence, an increase in contribution in Delhi's PM 2.5 (concentration) is expected".

Delhi recorded a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of 312. The last time the air quality hit such a poor level was in February with an AQI 320. The 24-hour average AQI was 276 on Wednesday, which falls in the 'poor' category. It was 300 on Tuesday, 261 on Monday, 216 on Sunday and 221 on Saturday.

 

6:47 PM

Crops on 67,864 hectares of land damaged due to rains in Andhra

The recent downpour due to a deep depression has damaged crops over 67,864 hectares in Andhra Pradesh.

Eight districts have suffered the damage. Visakhapatnam 5,435 hectares, East Godavari (29,362), West Godavari (15,926), Krishna (12,466), Guntur (381), YSR Kadapa (2,053), Kurnool (249) and Srikakulam (1,992).

The damaged crops include paddy, pulses, sugarcane, maize, raagi, cotton, ramza and tobacco.

Horticultural crops spread over 6,229 hectares have also been damaged, affecting vegetables, bananas, papaya, betel vine, yam, turmeric, black gram and sugarcane.

6:45 PM

Heavy rains: Over 8,000 evacuated in Maharashtra's Solapur district

Over 8,000 people from Pandharpur tehsil in western Maharashtra's Solapur district have been shifted to safer places following heavy rains, an official said on Thursday.

The district is witnessing heavy showers for the last two days.

"Excess water is being released from Ujani Dam into the Nira and Bhima rivers, so as a precaution, around 8,400 people living along river banks in the Pandharpur tehsil have been shifted to safer places," said Sachin Dhole, Sub Divisional Officer.

6:43 PM

Cong 'restless' as farmers got freedom to sell crop anywhere in country: Smriti Irani

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday hit out at the Congress for opposing farm laws, saying it has got restless as farmers have been given the freedom to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

She accused the Congress of doing nothing for decades to ensure that farmers get the payment of their crop directly into their bank accounts.

Interacting with the media of Bathinda through a virtual conference, she claimed the Modi government was committed to the progress of farmers and has assured a record MSP payment to wheat growers in the past five years.

6:35 PM

Health insurance providers need to look at disease-specific products: Irdai

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) Chairman Subhash Khuntia on Thursday urged health insurance providers to develop disease-specific products and also focus on providing preventive care to policyholders.

He emphasised that health insurers should come out with innovative products based on the need of the public.

I would urge insurers to develop more disease-specific products like for diabetics, heart or kidney related issues, Khuntia said at a health insurance summit organised by CII.

6:16 PM

Remittances growth turning muted; reasons structural, not transient: Report

Remittances growth is muted due to "structural" reasons which will hamper consumption demand locally, a report said on Thursday.

"...the muted external remittances growth is more of a structural issue than transitory," India Ratings and Research said in its note.

India has been the largest recipient of remittances from its diaspora spread all across the world and received over USD 70 billion inflows last year.

The agency argued that flows had started to moderate even before the

Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, pointing out that as a percentage of gross disposable income, the share of remittances fell to 2.5 per cent in FY19 as against 3.5 per cent in FY10.

5:38 PM

Europe tumbles 2% on Covid curbs and Brexit impasse

European shares hit two-week lows on Thursday, knocked by tougher curbs in London and Paris to fight a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with no breakthrough in Brexit trade talks also a dampener.

Wall Street was also set to add to losses from previous sessions as policymakers in the United States fail to agree on an economic stimulus package ahead of presidential elections next month.

Analysts said the biggest pullback in markets in three weeks was more of a pause than a fundamental shift, however.

5:35 PM

Apparel exporters' turnover to dip 25% in FY21, domestic retailers to see 40% revenue fall: Icra

Indian apparel exporters are likely to see a decline of 20-25% in their turnover in 2020-21, while those focused on domestic market are expected to witness a 30-40 per cent decline in revenue due to the covid-19 pandemic, rating agency Icra said.

Indian apparel players are banking on the upcoming festive season to recover meaningfully from their all-time low sales, Icra said in a report.

Icra projects the Indian apparel exporters to report a turnover decline of 20-25 per cent in FY21, compared to a steeper 30-40 per cent decline in revenues of companies focused on the domestic market, the report said.