Highlights of the day: Delhi airport sees 13 flight diversions on Feb 1

From the delay in train, flight services to the updates about the interim budget 2024, catch all latest news here

10:34 PM

Delhi airport sees 13 flight diversions on Thursday morning

More than 100 flights were delayed and 13 flights were diverted at the Delhi airport on Thursday early morning as bad weather impacted operations, an official said.

 

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital is the country's largest airport and handles around 1,300 flight movements daily.

 

As many as 13 flights were diverted to various cities. Six flights were diverted to Jaipur, two each to Mumbai, Amritsar and Ahmedabad, and one to Lucknow, according to the official.

 

These flights were diverted between 12.30 am and 6 am. During this period, more than 100 flights were also delayed, the official added.

10:34 PM

Avalanche warning issued for eight districts of J-K

Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority issued an avalanche warning for eight districts of the Union Territory on Thursday, officials said.

 

Avalanches with medium danger levels are likely to occur above 2400 metres above sea level over Bandipore, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, and Ramban districts in the next 24 hours, Disaster Management Authority officials said.

 

People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas until further orders, they said.

 

In a separate development, officials said that the National Highway 44 in Ramban district was blocked due to road damage, shooting stones, and mud slush.

 

As per the officials, a part of the stretch is damaged at Sherbibi, and restoration work is underway.

 

SSP Traffic, National Highway said earlier in the day, "NH 44 is closed for traffic movement in view of road damaged at Sherbibi, shooting stones, mud slush at few other places."

 

"Commuters are requested to not travel till restoration is completed," he added.

10:33 PM

Netflix unveils series and films slate for 2024

Streaming service Netflix on Thursday announced the list of old and new series as well as movies that will be released on its platform in 2024.

 

The streamer is bringing back "Squid Game" with its much-anticipated second season in 2024, along with popular shows like "Bridgerton", "Emily in Paris" and "The Diplomat", a press release stated.

 

The new shows from the streamer include "Avatar: The Last Airbender", set for February 22, Guy Ritchie's "The Gentlemen" in March, "3 Body Problem" on March 21 and "Ripley", starring Andrew Scott, on April 4.

 

The streamer's list of returning shows also include "Full Swing", "Cobra Kai", "Arcane", "Sweet Tooth", "The Empress" and "Outer Banks".

 

Netflix's list of movies for 2024 is filled with titles starring Adam Sandler ("Spaceman"), Jennifer Lopez ("Atlas"), Nicole Kidman ("A Family Affair"), Samuel L Jackson ("The Piano Lesson"), Millie Bobby Brown ("Damsel") and Taron Egerton ("Carry On").

 

Filmmakers Richard Linklater's "Hit Man", starring Glen Powell, and "Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver", Zack Snyder's second part to 2023's "Rebel Moon", will be releasing this year on Netflix.

 

The streamer has also announced that "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F", starring Eddie Murphy, will release on July 3, while Jerry Seinfeld's directorial debut "Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story" has been set for May 3.

 

Mark Walhberg's "The Union" will be coming out on the streamer's platform on August 16.

10:33 PM

PVR INOX to re-release Subhash Ghai's Karma

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai's 1986 blockbuster Karma is set to re-release in select PVR INOX cinemas across the country from Friday.

 

The action thriller featured an ensemble cast including Dilip Kumar, Nutan, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Sridevi, Poonam Dhillon, Satyanarayana Kaikala and Anupam Kher, among others.

 

In the movie, Kumar essayed the role of a former police officer who offers a life of honour to three men on death row (Shah, Shroff, and Kapoor) in exchange for settling a personal score with the head of a major terrorist organisation, played by Kher.

 

Ghai expressed gratitude to PVR INOX for re-releasing one of his iconic films, Karma, and added that he is hoping the newer generation will connect with the movie.

 

"I would love to invite our new audiences to connect and watch this movie on the big screens for a larger-than-life cinematic experience, showcasing the beautiful depiction of characters in this action-drama genre, along with the use of the iconic song 'Aye Watan Tere Liye', which touched millions of hearts.

 

"It was specially designed for big screens in the 80s when audiences turned their faces away from small video screens. We have received a lot of unconditional love and support in a big way from north to south in bringing back the larger-than-life movie experience, the filmmaker said in a statement.

10:19 PM

TMC's Derek O'Brien claims 'Adhir-BJP-CPI(M)' alliance in Behrampur, other LS seats in West Bengal

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Thursday accused Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of working in "alliance" with the BJP and the CPI(M) in Baharampur and other seats.

 

Baharampur is the Lok Sabha constituency of Chowdhury, who is the West Bengal Congress chief and the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha.

 

"There is an 'ABC' alliance in Baharampur and some other seats. Alliance for Baharampur seat has been done among Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the BJP and CPI(M)," O'Brien told reporters here.

 

The TMC leader was asked about the status of the opposition INDIA alliance in West Bengal.

9:05 PM

PM Modi to address Bharat Mobility Global Expo on Friday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address India's largest and first-of-its kind mobility exhibition -- Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 -- on Friday at Bharat Mandapam here.

 

It will showcase the country's capabilities across the entire mobility and automotive value chains and feature exhibitions, conferences, buyer-seller meets, state sessions, road safety pavilion and also public-centric attractions like go-karting, an official statement said.

 

With over 800 exhibitors from 50-plus countries, the expo will highlight cutting-edge technologies, sustainable solutions and breakthroughs in mobility, it said.

 

The expo will feature participation from over 28 vehicle manufacturers, in addition to the presence of more than 600 auto component manufacturers. Over 1,000 brands from over 13 global markets will showcase their complete range of products, technologies, and services at the event, the statement said.

 

Along with the exhibition and conferences, the event will also feature state sessions for states to showcase regional contributions and initiatives to enable collaboration at both national and regional levels, promoting a holistic approach to mobility solutions, it added.

9:05 PM

Ladakh all set for Khelo India Winter Games

The Union Territory of Ladakh, hosting the Khelo India Winter Games for the first time, is all set for a traditional opening ceremony at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium here on Friday.

 

The first part of KIWG 2024 will be held here till February 6. The second part of the Games will be held in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir from February 21-25.

 

"We are really excited and want to prove that we can host ice games at the national level. Leh is known for ice hockey and ice skating and since this is our debut, we want to justify the faith that the Union sports ministry has reposed on us," said Ravinder Kumar, sports secretary, UT of Ladakh.

8:20 PM

Shimla receives season's first snowfall, over 566 roads blocked in Himachal due to rain, snow

Moderate to heavy snowfall continued in high hills and tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday while the state capital received the first snowfall of the season bringing cheers to residents, tourists and farmers.

 

Shimla was wrapped in a thin blanket of snow on Thursday while the 5-km stretch between Kufri and Fagu was entirely covered in snow. Braving the cold, tourists and residents thronged the Mall Road and Ridge in the heart of the city to enjoy the snow.

 

Shimla was lashed by a severe hailstorm on Wednesday night followed by intermittent rains.

 

Over 566 roads, including six national highways, in the state have been closed for vehicular traffic following heavy snowfall and rain, said Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh, adding that 138 roads are expected to be opened by tonight.

 

Machinery in low areas have been shifted to snow-bound areas in a proactive move and calcium chloride is being sprinkled to clear roads, Singh said.

 

He added that the public works department has so far suffered a loss of Rs 4.5 crore due to snowfall.

8:13 PM

Hemant Soren refused to receive arrest order; has 'illegal possession' of a dozen Ranchi plots: ED

JMM leader Hemant Soren was informed about his arrest at about 5 pm last evening but he was "reluctant" to receive the order as he first wanted to submit his resignation from the chief minister's post, the Enforcement Directorate claimed on Thursday.

 

It also alleged that a dozen land parcels in Ranchi measuring about 8.5 acres in total are in "illegal possession, occupation and use" of the JMM leader and are proceeds of crime under the anti-money laundering law.

 

"He (Soren) was informed about his arrest at around 5 pm. However, he was reluctant to receive the orders before he tendered his resignation from the post of chief minister to the Hon'ble Governor, Jharkhand," the central agency informed a special PMLA court while seeking his custody.

7:43 PM

Delhi CM Kejriwal likely to skip ED summons again: Sources

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal is unlikely to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, sources in the party said. The ED on Wednesday issued a fresh and the fifth summons to Kejriwal after he skipped four earlier summonses issued by the federal agency over the last four months. Though the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) remained tight-lipped about whether the Delhi CM will appear before the probe agency, sources in the party said that he is likely to skip the summons this time too.

7:39 PM

BFI to host elite multinational training camp ahead of Olympic qualification tournaments

In a major initiative ahead of 2024 Olympics, Boxing Federation of India, in collaboration with Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC), has begun an elite multinational training camp at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala.
 

The 13-day camp, which began on January 29 and will go on till February 10, is expected to give the boxers much-needed international exposure ahead of the crucial Olympics qualifiers.

7:30 PM

Tripura to unveil home stay policy to promote tourism: Minister

The Tripura government will soon unveil a comprehensive homestay policy to boost tourism as a livelihood, said a minister on Thursday.

 

The north-eastern state has recorded a steep increase in tourist footfall and revenue generation since October 2023 after former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly became the state's tourism brand ambassador.

 

A total of 1,55,183 tourists visited the northeastern state in three months in 2023 against 84,217 in the same period in 2022. Revenue generation has also jumped to Rs 1.23 crore in 2023-24 from Rs 1.02 crore in 2022-23, he said.

 

"There has been a steep increase in tourist footfall and revenue during the past three months. It has been possible because of Sourav Ganguly's support as brand ambassador," Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said during a press conference.

 

Ganguly, who was appointed as the state's tourism brand ambassador, visited the northeastern state on December 11 and 12 and shot a few short films on tourism.

7:29 PM

NDMC to beautify RML roundabout with elephant sculptures

The NDMC will redevelop and beautify the RML Hospital roundabout with sculptures of elephants, officials said on Thursday.

 

The work will be carried out under a comprehensive redevelopment and beautification project of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) for the roundabout near Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.

 

The project encompasses a meticulous redesign and landscaping work, featuring the installation of captivating sculptures, fountains, and various artistic elements, an official statement said.

 

The NDMC has formally invited bids for the project with an estimated expenditure of Rs 91 lakh, it added.

 

As a part of the plan, NDMC plans to adorn the roundabout with five sculptures, specifically an elephant family, it said.

 

2:35 PM

Budget 2024: Rs 928 cr allocated to CBI, down by Rs 40.4 cr from last yr

The Centre has allocated Rs 928.46 crore to the CBI in the Union Budget 2024-25 announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, which is Rs 40.4 crore less when compared with FY 2024.

 

2:21 PM

Volkswagen working on entry-level EV for India, says Company official

The Volkswagen Group is looking to introduce an entry-level electric vehicle (EV) in India by the second-half of this decade, the chief executive of its local unit said at an event on Thursday.

 

1:24 PM

Adani Ports Q3 result: Profits surge 68%, net profit reaches Rs 2,208 cr

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, India's largest private port operator, reported a nearly 68% surge in third-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by a jump in cargo volumes and higher tariffs.

 

1:03 PM

Govt to add more medical colleges by utilising existing infra: Sitharaman

Union government is looking to create more medical colleges to expand medical sciences education in the country. The government will do so by way of utilising the existing infrastructure, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her Budget speech.

12:43 PM

Deutsche Bank posts 30% drop in Q4 profit; announces buybacks, dividends

Deutsche Bank posted a 30 per cent drop in fourth-quarter profits as restructuring costs and other one-off expenses outweighed revenue gains, but the fall was not as bad industry analysts had expected.

 

12:13 PM

ED issues summons to NCP leader Rohit Pawar in MSC Bank scam case

MLA from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Rohit Pawar who is the grandnephew of party supremo Sharad Pawar, has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), for questioning on Thursday as part of an alleged money laundering probe.

12:03 PM

Global affairs becoming more complex, challenging with wars: FM Sitharaman

During her budget speech, Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman said the global situation is becoming more complex and challenging due to wars and conflicts in different parts of the world.

11:47 AM

M&M January sales: Total vehicle sales rise 15%, reach 73,944 units

Automobile major Mahindra & Mahindra has posted a 15 per cent year-on-year rise in its total vehicle sales. The company registered 73,944 units sales in the month of January. 

11:36 AM

ED conducted searches at India Cements Ltd offices in Fema probe

The Enforcement Directorate has conducted searches at the offices of leading Chennai-based cement manufacturer-- India Cements Ltd.-- as part of a foreign exchange violation investigation, PTI has reported.

11:27 AM

Expect our govt will be blessed again by people with resounding mandate: FM

During her Budget speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that she hopes the people of India will bless the BJP government again in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

11:14 AM

Tesla to take shareholder vote on shifting incorporation to Texas: Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that the company will move to vote on transfering the electric vehicle maker's state of incorporation from Delaware to Texas. Earlier, a Delaware court had rejected Musk's record-breaking $56 billion Tesla pay package.

10:56 AM

Union Cabinet clears pre-election interim Budget 2024-25

The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi on Thursday approved the pre-election interim budget 2024-25, PTI reported citing sources. Following this, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her sixth budget in the Lok Sabha. 

10:46 AM

Budget 2024: FM Sitharaman meets President Murmu ahead of Budget speech

Before presenting the pre-election Budget before the parliament, Finance Minister met President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday. The visit is in line with the tradition of finance ministers visiting the Rashtrapati Bhawan before heading to the parliament.

 

10:30 AM

Rupee appreciates 9 paise to 82.95 against US dollar ahead of Budget

The rupee rose 9 paise and reached 82.95 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday as market participants remained cautious ahead of the interim Budget. Forex traders said the rupee was trading in a narrow range as the strength of the American currency in the overseas market and a muted trend in domestic equities weighed on investor sentiments.

10:13 AM

Reliance, Bodhi Tree discuss 60% stake in Disney India merger talks: Rpts

Bodhi Tree, which is a joint venture between James Murdoch and a former Star India executive, Uday Shankar, is also conducting discussions to take an additional stake of 7-9 per cent in merged entity, the sources said on condition of anonymity, according to a Reuters report.

10:02 AM

As Shibu Soren's son, not worried about my arrest: Jharkhand former CM Soren

In a video message, Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren said that as Shibu Soren's son, I am not worried with my arrest. In the video, Soren says "No evidence has been found by them yet." He said, "They also tried to spoil my image by conducting raids at my Delhi residence."

9:50 AM

16K sheep, cattle stuck on board export ship after Red Sea turn-back

A ship carrying 14,000 sheep and 2,000 cattle docked in Australia on Thursday after it could not take its journey through the Red Sea. However, the livestock remained stuck on board as the government decides whether to let them disembark or send them back to sea. Authorities have said that the animals are in good condition but animal rights activists have expressed their concern regarding the situation.