News updates: India's fruit, vegetable exports reach 17 new markets in 3 years

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9:18 PM

India's fruit, vegetable exports reach 17 new markets in 3 years

India has exported fresh produce such as baby corn and pomegranates to 17 new markets, such as Brazil, Georgia, Uganda, and Ghana in the last three years, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday. This has been achieved through a host of measures such as participation in international trade fairs, actively pursuing market access negotiations, and organizing buyer seller meets, it said. With this, India has exported fruits and vegetables to 123 countries in 2023-24.

8:21 PM

Negotiations for second phase of Gaza ceasefire begin, says Hamas

8:02 PM

Maldives sets target to woo 300,000 Indian tourists in 2025

The Maldives government has set a target of attracting 300,000 Indian tourists in 2025 after their number went from top place in 2023 to sixth in 2024 following the strained relations between Male and New Delhi.

 

Maldives' Ministry of Tourism's statistics shows that Maldives received 20,46,615 visitors in 2024 compared to 1,878,543 tourist arrivals in 2023. China occupied the top slot followed by Russia in 2024 as Indian tourists shunned away till about October last year with the number slowly rising after that.

 

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) chairman Abdulla Ghiyas told a local news portal Adhadhu on Monday that monthly events will be held in India to achieve the goal to attract 300,000 tourists.

 

We are conducting it as a very big campaign. For the first time, we are targeting to hire a brand ambassador to advertise in the Indian mass media. We are also trying to hold cricket summer camps in Maldives, he said.

 

The MMPRC is also working with airlines, both Indian and Maldivian, to bring tourists from more destinations in India, which Ghiyas said adding, they are targeting to fly from newer destination cities such as Kolkata, Pune, Chennai too.

8:02 PM

Bhutan King paying special visit to India at PM Modi's invitation: MEA

Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is paying a special visit to India to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela and it is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

 

The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will end on February 26 in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. The mega religious festival witnessed its third grand 'Amrit Snan' on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami on Monday.

 

"At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, paid a special visit to India to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

 

During the visit of the Bhutanese King, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting dignitary, it said.

 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called on King Wangchuck and also accompanied him to Prayagraj.

 

The King had arrived in Lucknow on Monday to visit the Maha Kumbh, an official statement earlier said.

 

He visited the Maha Kumbh on Tuesday and took a dip at the Triveni Sangam.

8:01 PM

PM Modi to visit Maha Kumbh Mela Wednesday; will take holy dip at Sangam at around 11 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday and at around 11 am, he will take a holy dip at the Sangam, his office said.

 

Maha Kumbh 2025, which commenced on Paush Purnima (January 13, 2025), is the world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering, attracting devotees from across the globe. The Maha Kumbh will continue until Mahashivratri on February 26, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.

 

Prime Minister Modi will visit Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj on February 5, it said.

 

At around 11 am, he will take a holy dip at the Sangam and offer prayers to Maa Ganga, the statement said.

 

In line with his commitment to promote and preserve India's spiritual and cultural heritage, Prime Minister Modi has consistently taken proactive steps to enhance infrastructure and facilities at pilgrimage sites, the statement said.

 

During his visit to Prayagraj earlier on December 13, 2024, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated 167 development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore, improving connectivity, amenities and services for the general public.

8:01 PM

NTPC to supply green power to Indian Army from Ladakh microgrid project

Power giant NTPC on Tuesday said it has signed an agreement with the Indian Army to supply 200 kilowatt of round-the-clock renewable energy from Ladakh microgrid.

 

The power purchase agreement (PPA) has been signed for a period of 25 years for sale of (200 kW RE-RTC (renewable energy-round the clock) from solar-hydrogen based microgrid at Chushul (Ladakh), NTPC said in a statement.

 

NTPC's solar-hydrogen based microgrid offers a solution to replace Army's existing diesel gensets thus avoiding fossil fuel logistics arrangement and helps avoid 1,500 tonnes of Co2 annually.

 

NTPC said, "This is world's most unique hydrogen based off-grid microgrid project at an altitude of 4,400 m and temperatures dipping to -30 deg C in winter. Once operational, it would usher in a new era of decarbonisation and modernisation of the defence sector in the border locations of the Himalayas.

7:58 PM

RG Kar corruption case: Hearing for framing of charges likely to start on Wednesday

Hearing for framing of charges against the accused persons in a corruption case related to alleged financial irregularities at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital during the tenure of its former principal Sandip Ghosh is likely to commence on Wednesday before a special court at Alipore here.

 

The CBI, which was handed over the investigation in the case by the Calcutta High Court, last week produced all documents related to it before the special court.

 

During the proceedings on Tuesday, the special court judge said that hearing for framing of charges against the accused persons in the case will commence on Wednesday.

 

Framing of charges in criminal proceedings is a stage where a court formally accuses a person of committing a particular offence based on prima facie evidence and allegations presented by the prosecution.

 

Ghosh was the principal of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital when a medic was raped and murdered inside its seminar room on August 9 last year, triggering outrage across the country.

 

The high court had on January 28 directed the special court, before which the matter is being heard, to make all endeavour for framing of charges within one week from the next date of hearing before it.

 

The high court directed the special court to take into account the list of the witnesses and accordingly fix the schedule so that the trial of the case can be expedited and taken to its logical conclusion at the earliest.

5:46 PM

Delhi CM Atishi and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal arrive at the office of Election Commission of India

4:57 PM

Two Israeli soldiers killed in northern West Bank, army says

Two Israeli soldiers were killed on Tuesday in the Menashe Brigade area in the northern West Bank, the Israeli army said in a statement.

The army added that earlier, it had killed a person who opened fire on soldiers stationed at a military post in the region.

4:16 PM

Tata Power Q3 results: Net profit at Rs 1,031 crore, revenue at Rs 15,793 crore

Tata Power, on Tuesday, declared a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,031 crore for the third quarter of FY24-25. The consolidated revenue of the company is at Rs 15,793 crore compared to Rs 15,391 crore during the same period last year. 

2:50 PM

PM Modi to reply to discussion on Prez address in Lok Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply in Lok Sabha at around 5 pm on Tuesday to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address. Modi's office said, "PM Narendra Modi will be speaking in the Lok Sabha at around 5 PM this evening."

2:11 PM

Govt claims digital Kumbh, but hiding digits of dead: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the government was hiding the number of deaths in the stampede at the Kumbh congregation in Prayagraj, and demanded strict action against those trying to cover up the "mis-management" in organising the fair.

2:01 PM

Fire erupts in gynaecology ward of Una hospital, patients safe

Fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Una Regional Hospital, causing panic among the family members and staff. Hospital officials said all patients, their family and the staff were safe. Over three dozen pregnant women, newborns and their family members were present the entire ward was filled with smoke due to a short circuit in the electrical control panel installed between two rooms of the ward.

1:16 PM

Gujarat govt forms panel to assess need for UCC, draft bill

The Gujarat government formed a committee under a retired Supreme Court judge to assess the need for the Uniform Civil Code in the state and prepare a draft bill for the same. The five-member committee, to be headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai, will submit its report within 45 days, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said.

1:12 PM

Govt trying to communalize education: Cong's Manickam Tagore over UGC draft rules

Congress Whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, alleged that the central government is 'encroaching' on the state's power and the education system through new UGC draft. Speaking to ANI, he said that the BJP wanted to communalize education, while adding that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is trying to capture educational institutions.

1:04 PM

SHO injured as armed miscreants attack police team in Delhi's Bhalswa

A day prior to Assembly elections in the national capital, a police encounter took place in Outer Delhi's Bhalswa area, armed miscreants attacked a police team during a raid, leaving the Station House Officer of Rani Bagh police station injured. Upon receiving input about some robbers hiding in a building in Bhalswa, a team led by the Rani Bagh police station SHO raided the location and surrounded the miscreants, asking them to surrender.

12:48 PM

"Maa Narmada is lifeline for us": MP CM Yadav on Narmada Jayanti

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday emphasised the significance of Maa Narmada, calling it the "lifeline" of the state on the occasion of Narmada Jayanti. The river originates from Amarkantak and flows through several districts, providing drinking water and irrigation facilities to farmers of Madhya Pradesh.

12:43 PM

Three dead afte two trucks collide on UP highway,

Three persons were burnt alive and as many sustained serious injuries after two trucks collided head-on and caught fire on the Kanpur-Sagar highway here, police said. The accident occurred late Monday night near Chirka village. Circle Officer Vinita Pahal said the collision triggered a massive fire, leading to the deaths of three people. Three others sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the Maudaha Community Health Centre.

12:29 PM

Two injured as goods trains collide near Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur

Two Indian railway officials sustained minor injuries after a goods train collided with another stationary goods train near Pambhipur in Fatehpur district in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday morning, leading to the derailment of the guard coach and the engine. The accident disrupted train movement on the upline. Rescue and restoration operations are currently underway to clear the affected section and resume normal traffic.

12:16 PM

BMC presents over Rs 74,000 crore budget for 2025-26

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), considered the richest civic body in the country, presented its budget of Rs 74,427 crore for the year 2025-26. The additional municipal commissioners presented the budget to BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, who is the state-appointed administrator of the civic body, at the BMC headquarters here.

12:08 PM

Odisha signs MoU to provide world-class educational resources to schools

Odisha government has signed an MoU with a not-for-profit education technology organisation to provide world-class educational resources to students, teachers, and schools of the state. The School and Mass Education department of Odisha signed the pact in the presence of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Monday, the official said.

11:59 AM

Rajouri district sets up solid waste management unit for cleaner environment

The District Administration of Rajouri has established a solid waste management unit in Sunderbani Tehsil to enhance waste collection and processing in the region. The initiative, led by the Municipal Council Rajouri, involves door-to-door waste collection using five vehicles and staff from MC Sunderbani.

11:53 AM

500-bed trauma care center to be set up at SCB Medical College, Cuttack

A 500-bed trauma care centre will be set up at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, an official statement said. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved the proposal in this regard on Monday evening.

11:34 AM

King of Bhutan arrives in Prayagraj, set to attend Mahakumbh

King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck arrives in Prayagraj with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. He is set to attend Mahakumbh today.

 

11:08 AM

Naxalites kill two men in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

 

Naxalites have hacked to death two men at a village in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police said. The incident took place in Bugdicheru village under Tarrem police station area on Monday night, they said.

10:50 AM

EAM Jaishankar extends Independence Day greetings to Sri Lanka

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has on the Independence Day of Sri Lanka extended his felicitations to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening its "multi-faceted partnership" with the neighbouring country.

10:39 AM

4 cops suspended over incidents of cow slaughter in Meerut

Four police personnel, including an outpost in-charge, have been suspended over incidents of cow slaughter in the district in the past few days, officials said. The action was taken after carcasses of the animal were found in the Phoolbagh police outpost area on Monday.

10:28 AM

Will order to shoot cow smugglers: Karnataka Minister Mankal S Vaidya

Amid cow theft cases in Uttara Kannada district, District in-charge Minister Mankal S Vaidya has warned that those indulging in such activities would be shot at on the road or at the circle in the open. Asserting that he will not let such activities to continue in the district, he assured that the administration is taking all necessary measures to protect cows and the interest of those rearing it.

9:59 AM

Bomb threat to international flight turns out to be hoax

Authorities at the airport here went into a tizzy over a bomb threat to a city-bound international carrier, but the call turned out to be a hoax, officials said. The flight with about 237 passengers was thoroughly checked upon making a safe landing but no explosive substances were found onboard.

9:35 AM

Heavy fog disrupts flight movement in Chennai

Heavy fog early on Tuesday disrupted flight arrivals and departure at the airport here, prompting diversion of some international carriers to nearby cities. Delays were caused between 6-7 am and incoming international services from destinations, including Muscat and Dubai were diverted to nearby Tirupati and Hyderabad airports, they added.