Updates: India, China agree to work to rebuild mutual trust in defence ministers meet

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10:41 PM

Affordable, accessible education necessary to empower students, says ABVP president

Stressing the need for affordable and accessible education to empower students, ABVP national president Rajsharan Shahi on Wednesday said efforts should be taken to make education inclusive and accessible to all. Shahi was speaking during the ABVP's central executive meeting held at Deendayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University during which discussions centered on education and societal concerns

10:16 PM

Karnataka to reissue BPL cards for eligible families, says deputy CM Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday assured families living Below the Poverty Line that the government will reissue BPL cards to eligible households if their cards were mistakenly cancelled. The assurance follows controversy over reports that over 22.6 lakh BPL cardholders were deemed ineligible, prompting criticism from the opposition BJP. The party accused the ruling Congress of mishandling the issue.

10:02 PM

NCLT stays Aakash's EGM resolution to amend Articles of Association

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Wednesday stayed a resolution related to amendment in the Articles of Association (AoA) of Aakash Educational Services which allegedly seeks to dilute the rights of petitioners including Singapore VII Topco I. An Extra Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) of Aakash Educational Services was scheduled to be held on Wednesday to consider and approve alteration in the AoA, which was objected to by the petitioners.

9:40 PM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan announces incentive for soyabean and cotton cultivators

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday addressed the media and spoke on additional Rs 5,000 hectares in the bank accounts of soyabean and cotton cultivators. "Soyabean and cotton cultivators are being given an additional Rs 5,000 hectare in their accounts. The import duty on edible oils from Malaysia and Indonesia has also been effectively increased to 27.5 percent," he said.

9:19 PM

Donald Trump picks Matthew Whitaker as nominee for Nato ambassador

President-elect Donald Trump said on Wednesday he has chosen former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to be the US ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato).

9:18 PM

US vetoes UN resolution demanding cease-fire in Gaza as there's no link to hostage release

The United States vetoed a UN resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the war in Gaza on Wednesday because it is not linked to an immediate release of hostages taken captive by Hamas in Israel in October 2023. The UN Security Council voted 14-1 in favour of the resolution sponsored by the 10 elected members on the 15-member council, but it was not adopted because of the US veto. The resolution that was put to a vote demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties, and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

9:14 PM

MP bypolls: Vijaypur records 17.86% turnout, Budhni 16.9% till 9 am

A voter turnout of 17.86 per cent was recorded in Vijaypur and 16.90 per cent in Budhni till 9 am as polling was underway on Wednesday for byelections to the two assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, a poll official said.

9:08 PM

J&K CM Omar Abdullah expresses concern over neglect of agriculture

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday expressed concern over the neglect of agriculture and said the contributions of farmers and the agriculture and allied sectors often go unnoticed. Abdullah emphasized the critical role of agriculture in addressing climate change and improving the economy of Jammu and Kashmir.

7:39 PM

India, China agree to work to rebuild mutual trust

India and China on Wednesday agreed to work towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calling for drawing lessons from the "unfortunate border clashes" of 2020 during talks with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun. The two defence ministers met in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, weeks after Indian and Chinese militaries completed disengagement of troops from two last face-off points in eastern Ladakh.

7:22 PM

Karnataka pitches for 50% of national market share in its draft space tech policy

To boost Karnataka's contribution to 50 per cent of the national market share and transform the state into a global destination for space technologies, the government on Wednesday unveiled a draft space technology policy. The Draft Karnataka Space Technology Policy, 2024-29 was released at the 27th Bengaluru Tech Summit during the session on space tech and defence.

7:10 PM

Rajasthan govt to soon come out with Clean Energy Policy 2024

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday said the state government will soon come out with the Clean Energy Policy 2024, which will focus on non-renewable sources.

6:53 PM

Stung by inflation, beer makers' body demands price increase by 35-40% in Telangana

The Brewers Association of India (BAI), a federation representing some of India's largest beer makers such as United Breweries, AB InBev, and Carlsberg, on Wednesday, urged the Telangana government to immediately allow price increases for alcoholic beverages to compensate for inflation.

6:31 PM

Army chief arrives in Nepal; to receive Honorary General rank from President Paudel

Indian Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi arrived here on Wednesday on an official visit to Nepal during which he will be conferred the honorary rank of "General of the Nepal Army" in continuation of an age-old tradition that first started in 1950, reflecting the strong ties between the two militaries.

6:05 PM

Investments worth Rs 85,000 cr cleared to create 34,000 jobs in state, says Andhra CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) has cleared investments worth Rs 85,000 to create 34,000 jobs. Addressing the assembly, the chief minister noted that these investments were cleared in the first SIPB meeting held on November 19.

5:53 PM

Kuki organiation KOHUR condemns killing of Meitei women, children

The Kuki Organisation For Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has condemned the killing of six Meitei women and children by militants in Jiribam district and urged the administration to arrest those involved in the heinous act that sparked large-scale protests in the state. The KOHUR also demanded that the government also bring to book the people who killed a number Kuki-Zo women and children since May last year

5:27 PM

India to have 350 mn children by 2050, faces urgent challenges to secure their future: Unicef

India, projected to house 350 million children by 2050, must navigate critical challenges like extreme climate and environmental hazards to ensure their well-being and rights, according to a new UNICEF report. It underlined that although India will see a decline of 106 million children compared to today, it will still account for 15 per cent of the global child population, sharing this responsibility with China, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

5:02 PM

L-G Saxena approves promotion of 295 CMOs in Delhi government hospitals

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Wednesday approved the long-pending promotion of 295 Chief Medical Officers working in Delhi government hospitals, according to Raj Niwas officials. They said these promotions have been implemented under the Delhi Health Service (Allopathy) Rules, 2009.

4:47 PM

Vedanta Aluminium signs agreement with GAIL for supply of natural gas

Vedanta Aluminium on Wednesday said it has entered into a pact with state-owned gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd for supply of natural gas to its smelter at Jharsuguda in Odisha. This transition to natural gas, likely to be operational by the end of next year, will lower the carbon footprint, reduce emissions by an estimated 47,292 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually.

4:31 PM

Manipur govt extends mobile internet suspension for three more days

The Manipur government on Wednesday extended suspension of mobile internet services for three more days in seven districts, according to an order. Amid escalating violence, the administration suspended the services on November 16 for two days to prevent anti-social elements from spreading content that might create law and order problems.

4:23 PM

Delhi has become 'gangster capital', criminals have no fear of law: CM Atishi

Alleging "deteriorating" law and order situation in the national capital, Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah and said Delhi has become the "gangster capital". The allegations come after the chief minister met parents of a 28-year-old man, who was killed in northeast Delhi's Sunder Nagari last week.

 

4:09 PM

Water supply to be provided through 1,249 km-long network of pipes in Maha Kumbh 2025

Preparations to set up a temporary tent city for Mahakumbh to be held here in the Sangam area have begun, with a network of 1,249 kilometers of pipes planned for it, officials said. The project is being executed by the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Urban), Prayagraj at a cost of 40 crores, and it is expected to be completed by November 30

3:57 PM

US Embassy in Kyiv shuts on Russian air attack threat after Biden policy shift

The US Embassy in Kyiv said it would stay closed on Wednesday after receiving a warning of a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital. The precautionary step came after Russian officials promised a response to President Joe Biden's decision to let Ukraine strike targets on Russian soil with US-made missiles a move that angered the Kremlin.

3:48 PM

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives in Laos to attend Asean defence ministers meet

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Vientiane on Wednesday to attend the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus). He was received by Maj. Gen. Pasith Thiengtham, Deputy Minister of National Defence, Lao PDR at Wattay International Airport.

3:34 PM

Delhi govt implements 50% work-from-home policy, urges private sector to follow suit

Half of the staff in Delhi government offices will work from home while private organisations have been urged to follow suit amid alarmingly high air pollution in the national capital. However, essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, public transport, fire services, law enforcement, power supply, water treatment, and emergency response operations will continue to work in full capacity

3:09 PM

Prez Murmu condoles demise of former bureaucrat S M Khan, says his amiability won countless friends

President Droupadi Murmu has condoled the passing away of former Indian Information Service (IIS) officer S M Khan and said he upheld high standards of public communication with utmost dedication during his distinguished career.

2:54 PM

Eight-year old girl raped at brick kiln in Odisha's Cuttack, critical

An eight-year-old girl was allegedly raped in a temporary shelter at a brick kiln in Odisha's Cuttack district, police said. The minor has been admitted to the ICU of SCB Medical College & Hospital in Cuttack and her condition is critical. The incident took place at Trisulia area in the district on Tuesday night.

2:41 PM

Chhattisgarh CM to meet Union Home Minister to discuss Naxal-affected areas in the state

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will be meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the North Block in the national capital. Both leaders will be meeting to discuss several issues, mainly focusing on the development progress in Chhattisgarh's Naxal-affected areas and efforts to promote peace and stability in these regions.

2:07 PM

Karnataka CM seeks appointment with FM Sitharaman to discuss NABARD loan 'reduction'

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said he has sought an appointment with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss the "reduction" in loan amount to the state this year, from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

 

1:55 PM

PM Modi lauds engineer-turned-Vedanta teacher Masetti for popularising Indian philosophy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Jonas Masetti, who is based in Brazil and popularises Vedanta and Gita among the people, and also witnessed glimpses of the Ramayan in Sanskrit here. Modi met Masetti, also known as Vishwanath, before his departure from Brazil after he attended the G20 Summit.

1:43 PM

Delhi AQI improved slightly: Gopal Rai; will chair meeting on work-from-home measure today

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Wednesday that the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) has shown slight improvement over the past two days, and reassured that the government is taking active steps to further reduce pollution levels in the national capital. Gopal Rai said that he is scheduled to chair a meeting here at the secretariat in view of the implementation of the measure wherein 50 per cent government employees will switch to work-from-home mode to tackle pollution in Delhi.