Highlights of the day: Pleased to welcome our cabin crew colleagues back at work, says A-I Express

Latest news updates: Catch all the news updates from around the world here

10:17 PM

Weapons still going to Israel: US

US today said that it is still sending weapons going to Israel. "They are getting vast majority of what they need," Kirby said in a statement. "US thinks Kerem Shalom crossing in Gaza technically open but aid not getting in." Meanwhile, Israel said it will press ahead with its operation in Rafah and elsewhere in the Gaza strip as planned.

10:17 PM

Air India Express to offer full refund for cancelled flights

Air India Express Spokesperson says, "We are pleased with the progress we made at the conciliation meeting and welcome our cabin crew colleagues back at work. This will help us swiftly restore our flight schedule and fulfil our commitments to our guests. We sincerely apologise to those inconvenienced by these unintended disruptions. It is not in keeping with our usual service standards, and we will review it internally to ensure accountability. As we gradually bring our operations back to normalcy, we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check their flight status before heading to the airport. If their flight is cancelled, or delayed beyond 3 hours, they may opt for a full refund or reschedule to a later date without any fees on Tia on WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) or on http://airindiaexpress.com."

9:11 PM

We are pleased with the progress we made at the conciliation meeting: Air India Express Spokesperson

"We are pleased with the progress we made at the conciliation meeting and welcome our cabin crew colleagues back at work," says Air India Express Spokesperson.

8:19 PM

Delhi's maximum temperature settles at 38.8 degrees C

The maximum temperature in Delhi on Thursday settled at 38.8 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

 

The relative humidity oscillated between 44 and 59 per cent during the day, it said.

 

The weather office has forecast a partly cloudy sky on Friday with the possibility of drizzle toward night, along with strong surface winds during the day.

 

The maximum and minimum temperatures likely to settle at 40 and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively.

 

The Air Quality Index (AQI) has improved as it shifted from "very poor" to "poor" and "poor" to "moderate" categories in the last two days, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

8:15 PM

Tamil Nadu bans 23 dog breeds

Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Department has announced a ban on 23 'ferocious' dog breeds including Pitbull terrier and Tosa Inu in the state. Following a recent incident in Chennai where a Rottweiler dog bit and injured a child, TN Government has announced bans on the import, breeding and sale of 23 dog breeds that are considered 'ferocious'.

7:39 PM

President Droupadi Murmu confers Padma Awards to Vyjayanthimala Bali, Konidela Chiranjeevi and others

Govt earlier in January this year announced the names of 132 Indians for the Padma Award. India's first female elephant mahout Parbati Baruah, tribal environmentalist Chami Murmu, social worker from Mizoram Sangthankima are among some of the winners of the Padma Shri.

6:29 PM

President conveys condolences to TN explosion victims

"Saddened to learn about the loss of many lives due to an explosion at a firecracker factory near Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured," President Droupadi Murmu said in a post on X.

6:29 PM

Eight died in explosion at firecracker manufacturing unit near Tamil Nadu's Sivakasi

An explosion has been reported at a firecracker manufacturing unit near Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu. As per initial reports, eight persons have lost their lives in the incident.

6:19 PM

BPCL Q4 Results: Net profit drops 35% to Rs 4,224 crore; co approves 1:1 bonus issue

State-run BPCL on Thursday posted a 35 per cent drop in its standalone net profit at Rs 4,224 crore in the quarter ended March 2024, compared with Rs 6,478 crore in the last-year period. The Street had estimated profit at Rs 5325 crore

 

The company's board has also approved a bonus issue in the proportion of 1:1, where investors get one extra share for every one share held in the company.

 

5:47 PM

Chirag Paswan's helicopter narrowly avoids crash in Bihar's Ujiarpur

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) National President Chirag Paswan's helicopter narrowly avoided a crash near the helipad in Mohaddi Nagar of Ujiarpur Lok Sabha constituency.

5:00 PM

Passengers, crew evacuated after Boeing 737 plane's tire burst during landing in Turkiye

184 passengers and six crew members were evacuated from a plane in Turkiye on Thursday after one of its tires exploded during landing at a southern airport, Turkiye's transportation ministry said. No one was hurt. This was the second incident at a Turkish airport in as many days.

4:56 PM

Haryana Assembly crisis: LoP Bhupinder Singh Hooda says, 'minority' govt should resign

The Congress today sought time to meet the Haryana governor in the wake of the situation arising out of three Independent lawmakers withdrawing support to the BJP government, with Bhupinder Singh Hooda saying the "minority" dispensation should resign on moral grounds.

 

4:48 PM

8 dead in blast at fireworks factory near Sivakasi

Eight people were killed in a blast while twelve others suffered burns at a fireworks factory near Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. The factory was a licenced unit, the police said.

4:43 PM

No fundamental right to campaign, says Enforcement Directorate as it opposes bail for Delhi CM Kejriwal

The ED has filed an affidavit opposing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's petition to allow him to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, and said that laws are equal for all and that campaigning is not a fundamental, constitutional or even a legal right.

4:02 PM

IMD updates: Heatwave is about to end from the entire country, says weather prediction body

 "Heatwave is about to end from the entire country. Only in West Rajasthan & Kerala heatwave alert has been issued. Tomorrow, the heatwave will only be present in West Rajasthan. We have issued it with a yellow alert because we don't have a lot of hope for the impact," IMD scientist Soma Sen said.

3:42 PM

Noida officials label illegal buildings in bold red text to warn buyers

In a bid to deter buyers from investing in unauthorised construction, Noida officials are sticking labels marking them  them as ‘illegal’. Read here for more details.

3:29 PM

Talks between Air India Express Union and Management going on in National Capital

The meeting of Air India Express Union and Management is taking place at the office of Chief Labour Commissioner, Dwarka, Delhi. The Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) of Air India Managament is attending the meeting today. 

3:13 PM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar holds talks on bilateral issues with UK NSA Tim Barrow

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday discussed various bilateral, regional and global issues with visiting British National Security Advisor Tim Barrow. "Good to meet UK NSA Tim Barrow today in Delhi. Discussed a range of regional and global issues of importance. Also reviewed the progress in our bilateral ties," Jaishankar said.

3:03 PM

Excise policy case: Enforcement Directorate to file chargesheet against CM Kejriwal on May 10

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is expected to submit its first chargesheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the money laundering case related  now-scrapped liquor policy tomorrow, according to a report by India Today. Read here for more details.

2:40 PM

Hailstorms hit adjoining districts in Kolkata, Met forecasts more till May 12

A thundersquall accompanied by hailstorms affected Kolkata and nearby districts of South and North 24 Parganas today afternoon. The presence of a cyclonic circulation over Bangladesh and its neighbourhood besides strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal will lead to thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind over West Bengal till May 12, the Met department said.

2:34 PM

Karnataka sexual abuse case: Four more detained in connection with kidnap of woman in Karnataka

The Special Investigation Team formed to probe the alleged sexual abuse cases against  JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna has detained four more people in connection with kidnapping a woman. The SIT has already arrested Prajwal's father and MLA HD Revanna who is under judicial custody. The 66-year-old Revanna is the son of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

2:31 PM

External Affairs minister S Jaishankar held bilateral talks with Maldives foreign minister

Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer is on his very first bilateral official visit, the maiden high-level visit from Male since bilateral relations came under severe strain after President Mohamed Muizzu, a pro-China leader, assumed office six months ago.

2:28 PM

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan refuses to tender apology over May 9 riots

Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has refused to apologise for the May 9 riots, a day after the military ruled out dialogue with his party unless they tendered a public apology over the unprecedented violence. Khan, who spoke to the media after the court proceedings in the 190 million pounds Al Qadir corruption case at Adiala jail on Wednesday, also said that he was ready to face an inquiry into the sit-in that his Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf party staged in 2014, Dawn newspaper reported.

 

1:49 PM

Air India Express says, passengers to get full refund if their flight is cancelled, or delayed beyond 3 hours

 “Air India Express is making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests by this unexpected situation. We will be operating 283 flights today. We have mobilised all resources and Air India will support us by operating on 20 of our routes. However, 85 of our flights stand cancelled and we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check if their flight is affected by the disruption before heading to the airport," a spokesperson for the budget carrier said today.

1:31 PM

BJP Haryana crisis news update: Congress seeks time from Haryana governor for floor test

1:17 PM

Supreme Court adjourns hearing on Prashant Bhushan's plea challenging provision in passport law

The Supreme Court today adjourned till after summer vacations a petition challenging the constitutional validity of a provision of passport law and a notification providing for issuance of passport for only a year to an accused on receipt of a 'no objection certificate' from a court. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhyan deferred the matter after it was informed that senior advocate Jayant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, was not available.

12:43 PM

News update: Ex-Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala writes to Haryana governor, seeks floor test

12:36 PM

Molestation case: West Bengal governor shows CCTV footage of Raj Bhavan premises

The governor on Thursday showed CCTV footage of Raj Bhavan premises of May 2 to around 100 common people.

12:13 PM

Flight delay row: Air India Express cancels 74 flights on Thursday due to cabin crew shortage

Air India Express on Thursday said it will operate 292 flights today,  while 74 remain cancelled, according to news agency PTI.

11:52 AM

Indian student missing in Chicago since May 2

A 26-year-old Indian student has been reported missing in Chicago since May 2, India's mission in the US city said on Thursday. Rupesh Chandra Chintakindi has been missing from the 4300 block of N. Sheridan Rd, the Chicago Police said in a statement. The Consulate General of India in Chicago said it was in touch with the police and Indian diaspora to locate/reestablish contact with Rupesh.