LIVE news: Tata Steel posts Rs 513 crore profit in Q3, revenue drops 3%

LIVE news updates today: Catch all the latest updates from around the world here

8:33 PM

Tata Steel posts Rs 513 crore profit in Q3, revenue drops 3%, despite domestic production volumes growing 7%

The company posted a consolidated net profit of 5.13 billion rupees ($61.8 million) compared to a year-ago loss of 22.24 billion rupees.Despite domestic production volumes growing 7%, Tata Steel's revenue fell over 3% to 553.12 billion rupees on account of weak domestic steel prices.

However, expenses slipped nearly 7%, as costs of raw materials fell more than 22%. Analysts at Antique Broking said higher prices of coking coal prices, a key steel-making ingredient, is factoring in with a lag."During this quarter, China exported between 7 to 8 million tons of steel every month, which is the highest since 2015 and this has adversely impacted global steel prices as well as profitability," CEO T V Narendran said in a statement.

7:36 PM

Delhi air pollution: AQI crosses 400-mark, Centre holds off stricter curbs, as forecasts shows improvement

Amid worsening air quality, the Centre on Wednesday decided to hold off the implementation of stricter measures to curb pollution in Delhi-NCR as forecasts suggested that the situation may improve. Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday breached the 400 mark, a level requiring authorities to invoke stricter curbs under Stage 3 of the Centre's air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). "CAQM Sub-Committee for operationalisation of GRAP met today and took stock of the air quality situation, and meteorological forecast and the projected air quality index by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology," a statement said.

7:10 PM

Congress was making unreasonable demands, prioritising CPI(M): TMC on alliance collapse in Bengal

Leaders of the ruling TMC in West Bengal on Wednesday blamed the Congress for its decision to fight the Lok Sabha elections on its own, maintaining that it was making unreasonable demands in terms of seats and was giving priority to the CPI(M) in the state and at INDIA bloc meetings. TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee, also the chief minister of West Bengal, announced in the afternoon that her party has decided to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on its own.A senior TMC leader claimed that the Congress was lacking seriousness about the alliance.

6:26 PM

Earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on Richter scale struck Pakistan on Wednesday

An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on the Richter scale struck Pakistan on Wednesday, the National Centre for Seismology reported. "Earthquake of Magnitude:4.3, Occurred on 24-01-2024, 16:16:41 IST, Lat: 36.39 & Long: 71.78, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Pakistan," the NCS posted on X.The National Center for Seismology (NCS) is the nodal agency of the Government of India for monitoring of earthquake activity in the country.Further details about are awaited.

6:10 PM

Saudi Arabia prepares to open first alcohol store for diplomats

Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first alcohol store in the capital Riyadh which will serve exclusively non-Muslim diplomats, a source familiar with the plans and a document showed on Wednesday.Customers will have to register via a mobile app, get a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and respect monthly quotas with their purchases, the document said. The move is a milestone in the kingdom's efforts, led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to open the ultra-conservative Muslim country for tourism and business as drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam. It is also part of wider plans known as Vision 2030 to build a post-oil economy.

6:06 PM

Jharkhand govt plans to establish 5,000 high-quality government schools

“You know that we have been working in the field of education. We plan to open 5,000 schools in the future which will be at par with private schools. The present condition is such that students studying in government schools are not able to compete with students studying in private schools, but we will make government schools better than private schools so that poor kids can also prepare for competitive exams,” says Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren while speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of Azim Premji University in Ranchi.

5:49 PM

Republic Day: President Droupadi Murmu to address the nation on Thursday, a day before celebrations

President Droupadi Murmu will address the country on Thursday, a day before the 75th Republic Day, a Rashtrapati Bhawan statement said. The address will be broadcast from 7 pm on the entire national network of Akashvani and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version, it said. The statement added that the broadcast of the address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan will be followed by broadcast in regional languages by DD's regional channels.

4:54 PM

'Amrit Peedhi' will take India to greater heights: PM Modi

"Your generation is called GenZ in your language. But I will call you 'Amrit Peedhi'. India's 'Amrit Peedhi' will take the country to greater heights, " says PM Modi
during his interaction with  NCC and NSS cadets-volunteers,

4:52 PM

BJP deliberately creating problems for Rahul Gandhi's 'yatra': Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

 "It is not the question of security of Rahul Gandhi, BJP is deliberately creating problems for the Yatra which is against the constitution. Rahul Gandhi's yatra is to understand the problems of the people of the country and to find solutions. It is the duty of the Govt of India and Assam to give proper security to Rahul Gandhi. He (Assam CM) was in the Congress party before, looks like he's trying to please Amit Shah and his party. Assam govt has failed to provide adequate security," Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says.

4:46 PM

Live news update: Earthquake of magnitude 4.3 hits Pakistan

According to National Centre for Seismology, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3, on the Richter Scale hit Pakistan today at 4:04 pm

4:36 PM

Disagree with DGCA's order asking airline to pay penalty of Rs 1.1 crore: Air India

“We disagree with the order issued by the DGCA. The issues raised were thoroughly examined by Air India along with external experts concluding that there was no compromise on safety, whatsoever. We are studying the order in detail and will review the options available to us including our right to appeal as well as taking it up with the regulator,” says Air India spokesperson.

4:24 PM

Case registered against Rahul Gandhi for his tweet revealing identity of alleged rape victim: Delhi police

A  first information report (FIR) was lodged against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his tweet revealing identity of alleged rape victim, Delhi Police tells high court.

4:21 PM

LIVE news: Chandigarh mayoral polls to be held on January 30

Punjab and Haryana High Court sets aside Chandigarh administration order postponing mayoral polls, polls now to be held on Jan 30

4:20 PM

PM Modi interacts with NCC and NSS cadets-volunteers who will take part in Republic Day parade

"This year, the Republic Day parade will be even more special because of two reasons, firstly, this will be the 75th Republic Day and secondly, it is dedicated to the women's power of the nation," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

4:05 PM

Mamata Banerjee suffers minor head injury: Media reports

According to media reports,West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suffered a minor head injury after her car driver pressed emergency breaks to avoid collision with a vehicle. 

4:03 PM

Key update on Gyanvapi case

ASI survey report on Gyanvapi complex to be provided to both sides, rules Varanasi court.

3:57 PM

Bharat Nyay Yatra: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi unveils five pillars of justice

Rahul Gandhi unveiled the five pillars of justice during the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', which include justice for the youth, equal representation, justice for women, justice for farmers, and justice for labourers. The atrocities faced by people in the last 10 years can only be addressed with these five 'nyays'," says Congress leader @Jairam_Ramesh at a press conference in Bongaigaon, Assam.

3:32 PM

LIVE news: Supreme Court adjourns hearing in Umar Khalid's bail plea in UAPA case to January 31

The SC today adjourned till January 31 the hearing on the bail plea of former JNU student Umar Khalid in a case lodged under anti-terror law UAPA over his alleged involvement in the conspiracy behind the northeast Delhi riots of February 2020.

3:25 PM

Russia says IL-76 military transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war has crashe: AFP

Russia said today that an IL-76 military transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war crashed in the Belgorod region, surrounding Ukraine, news agency AFP reported.

 

"On board were 65 captured Ukrainian army servicemen being transported to the Belgorod region for exchange, six crew members and three escorts," the Russian defence ministry was quoted as saying by the RIA-Novosti news agency.

 

3:17 PM

LIVE news update: After Mamata, Banerjee, CM Bhagwant Mann says no Lok Sabha alliance with Cong in Punjab

2:48 PM

Sony Picture Network vows to strenghten its presense in India

"SPNI is committed to long-term growth in India," Sony Picture Network India's managing director and CEO, NP Singh said to his employees. Singh said that the company will actively explore new organic and inorganic possibilities to strengthen its presence in the country. In a letter, two-days after the calling off of the $10 billion merger deal with Zee Entertainment, he asked employees to focus on current projects, with an immediate goal to unleash the company's full potential, continuing to craft content that not only engages audiences but also boosts subscriber growth and revenues.

2:43 PM

'Seat sharing in Bengal complicated but will be resolved,' says AAP's Bharadwaj on Mamata's solo contest

After Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee announced that she will fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal without sharing any seat with the Congress party in Bengal, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that coming to a seat-sharing agreement with the TMC will be complicated in the state however, in the end, the issues between the parties will be resolved. "TMC is a big party in West Bengal, Congress and the Left have always been fighting against them. So seat sharing with TMC will be a little complicated. The issues between them will be resolved," Bharadwaj remarked.

2:03 PM

LIVE news update: TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan summoned by probe agency ED

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a notice to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan asking him to appear before the probe agency on January 29

1:46 PM

Four cubs born to Namibian cheetah at Kuno National Park, not 3: Union minister Bhupender Yadav

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said today that Namibian cheetah Jwala has given birth to four cubs at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh and not three, as reported previously. The births, first reported on Tuesday, came just weeks after three cubs were born to another Namibian cheetah, Aasha.

The births, first reported on Tuesday, came just weeks after three cubs were born to another Namibian cheetah, Aasha.

1:38 PM

Delhi HC issues notices against Centre on Hindon commercial operations

 

The Delhi High Court issued notice to the Central Government on a plea of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) challenging the continuation of commercial operations at Hindon Air Force station. The court also noted the submissions of the petitioner DIAL that permitting regular commercial operations at Hindon Air Force Station will affect the petitioner's operations.

 

1:23 PM

News update: SoftBank offloads another 2% in India's Paytm

 SoftBank Group has sold an additional 2 per cent  in  Paytm, the latest in a string of selldowns in the payments firm.

The Japanese conglomerate, which sold shares between December19 and January 20, now holds a 5.06 per cent stake in the company, according to an exchange filing today.

1:03 PM

LIVE news update: Sony to expand India presence, says CEO NP Singh

Two days after terminating its merger agreement with Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Sony Group Corporation-owned Culver Max Entertainment will chase organic and inorganic opportunities to expand its operations in the Indian market.

1:00 PM

Air regulator DGCA imposes Rs 1.1 cr penalty on Air India on allegations of safety violations

DGCA has initiated enforcement action and imposed a penalty of Rs 1.10 crore on Air India over allegations of safety violations of flights operated by Air India on certain long-range terrain critical routes: DGCA

12:45 PM

LIVE news update: Trinamool Congress to contest Lok Sabha polls alone, declares WB CM Mamata Banerjee

The Trinamool Congress will fight the  upcoming Lok sabha polls in West Bengal alone, Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday.

12:30 PM

LIVE news update: Assam Rifles Jawan fires near Myanmar border

Assam Rifles soldier in Manipur opens fire on colleagues before shooting self; 6 injured but stable