News updates: Rohit Bal, one of India's biggest fashion designers, dies as 63

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9:37 PM

Rohit Bal, one of India's biggest fashion designers, dies as 63

Rohit Bal, one of India's most popular fashion designers has died. “We mourn the passing of Legendary designer Rohit Bal. He was a founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). Known for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities, Bal’s work redefined Indian fashion, and inspired generations. His legacy of artistry, and innovation along with forward thinking will live on in the fashion world. Rest in peace GUDDA. You are a legend,” Fashion Design Council wrote in an IG post.

9:04 PM

Delhi mayor orders post-Diwali cleanliness in city

After Diwali celebrations in the national capital left the streets littered with firecracker waste, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi directed officials to undertake an immediate clean-up of specific parts of the city.

 

Oberoi held a high-level meeting on Friday with additional commissioner, deputy commissioners and sanitation superintendents of all 12 zones of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to review the city's cleanliness following Diwali fireworks.

 

She directed officials to ensure clearance of garbage from parts of the city that had more firecracker remnants, besides regular lifting of waste, the civic body said in a statement.

 

The mayor also expressed concern over the inadequate number of sanitation workers on the ground, particularly during the festival season.

8:21 PM

2 migrant workers from UP shot at in terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam

7:28 PM

Delhi govt announces public holiday on Nov 7 for Chhath Pooja

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has declared a public holiday on November 7 for Chhath Puja, calling it an "important festival" for the residents of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. In an official announcement, Chief Minister Atishi stated that the Delhi government has decided to observe a holiday on 7 November for Chhath Puja, enabling the Purvanchal community to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm.

7:27 PM

China eases rules for foreign investment in listed companies

China issued revised regulations on Friday for foreign investors in its listed companies, expanding eligibility criteria and easing financial requirements in a bid to attract more foreign investment. Under the new regulations, China will allow foreign individuals to invest strategically in listed companies, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. The asset threshold for non-controlling foreign investors has been lowered, now requiring $50 million instead of $100 million. The country will also add tender offer as an approved investment method, along with private placement and negotiated transfer, the statement said.

7:27 PM

UAE dispatches twelve additional trucks carrying aid to Gaza

The United Arab Emirates announced the successful entry of twelve trucks carrying aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, via Erez Crossing (northern Gaza) and Karam Abu Salem crossing (southern Gaza), in cooperation with the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera). The new shipment, one of the first to enter the Gaza Strip since October, comprises twelve trucks carrying 150 tonnes of urgent relief and humanitarian aid to meet the needs of 30,000 people.

7:27 PM

CM Saini greets people on Haryana's formation day

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini greeted the people of Haryana on the state's formation day on Friday and wished them a bright future.

Haryana was carved out of Punjab as a separate state on this day in 1966.

"Today we are celebrating the 59th foundation day of our state. On this historic day, I extend my hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the people of the state. I wish you all a bright future," Saini said in a video message on X.

6:00 PM

Fire breaks out in banquet hall in Delhi's Shahdara

A two-floor banquet hall was gutted in a fire that broke out in Delhi's Shahdara, police said on Friday. No casualties were reported.

 

The police suspects that the fire broke out when a misfired cracker struck the banquet hall. However, the exact cause is yet to be ascertained. they said.

 

On the night of Diwali, the police was patrolling in the Krishna Nagar area when they saw a banquet hall, in flames, prompting them to call the fire department, they said. The hall was locked from the outside.

 

Ten fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot and doused the flames. The ground, first and second floors of the hall were damaged.

 

"The crime team inspected the spot and recorded the incident. The forensic science team will also visit the spot for further investigation. The owner of the building, Rakesh Nagpal, was contacted. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam said.

5:05 PM

Andhra CM launches free cooking gas cylinder scheme 'Deepam - 2'

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday launched 'Deepam - 2', a free cooking gas cylinder distribution scheme, at Eedupuram village in Srikakulam district. 'Deepam - 2' offers three cylinders per annum to eligible beneficiaries at the rate of one cylinder every four months. It is one of the "Super Six" poll promises given by Naidu in the run-up to the 2024 elections.

4:45 PM

Debroy a kind soul who genuinely cared for the betterment of society: Amitabh Kant

Bibek Debroy's insights into economics shaped policy and inspired many, said India's G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant in his condolence message on Friday. Kant further said he fondly remember working with Debroy and being struck by his patience, and ability to articulate complex issues with unmatched clarity.  "I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Bibek Debroy. His insights into economics shaped policy and inspired many. He was a brilliant mind, and an incredibly kind soul who genuinely cared for the betterment of society," Kant said in a post on X.

4:38 PM

Power consumption in India up by 140.4 bn units

India's power consumption rose marginally by about one per cent to 140.47 billion units (BU) in October compared to a year ago, mainly due to heavier base effect. The highest supply in a day (peak power demand met) dipped to 219.22 GW in October 2024 from 221.53 GW in the year-ago month.

4:22 PM

Indian Army starts patrolling in Demchok: Report

The Indian Army began patrolling at Demchok on Friday, days after Indian and Chinese troops completed disengagement at the two friction points in eastern Ladakh, Army sources said. Indian and Chinese troops have completed disengagement at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh and patrolling is set to commence soon at these points, Army sources had said on Wednesday.

4:19 PM

Hydroponic Marijuana worth Rs 7 cr seized at Hyderabad Airport

The Department of Revenue Intelligence officials on Friday said they seized 7.096 kg of hydroponic weed (Marijuana) worth Rs 7 crore (illicit market value) from two Indian passengers coming from Bangkok. A press release from the DRI said the passengers were intercepted on Thursday and upon searching their check-in luggage, 13 vacuum-packed transparent packets were found inside chocolate covers.

 

4:08 PM

If goal is to strip itself of last vestiges of neutrality, it is doing remarkable job: Congress hits out at EC

The Congress lashed at the Election Commission after it rejected allegations over irregularities in the Haryana assembly polls, saying the EC's reply was written in a tone that is condescending and warned that if the poll panel persists with such language then it would have no choice but to seek legal recourse to expunge such remarks. The Congress's response came days after the EC rejected allegations levelled by it over irregularities in the just-held assembly polls.

4:00 PM

India, US to take part in exercise Vajra Prahar 2024 to boost military ties

"The aim of Exercise Vajra Prahar is to promote military cooperation, strengthen interoperability, jointness, and mutual exchange of special operations tactics between the Indian Army and the US Army," the Indian Army said via a post on X. The 15th edition of the execise will take place at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA, from November 2 to November 22.

3:50 PM

BJP focusses trivial issues to divert common man's issues, says Congress

The Congress on Friday accused the BJP of diverting common man's issues by lodging a complaint with the Election Commission, claiming that Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren provided wrong information about his age in the poll affidavit. BJP's Barhait nominee Gamliyel Hembrom filed the complaint with the EC on October 30, alleging that Soren provided wrong information about his age in the affidavit. Hembrom had claimed that Soren mentioned 42 years as his age in the affidavit filed in the 2019 Jharkhand assembly elections.

 

3:43 PM

Gross GST revenue rises 9% to over Rs 1.87 trillion in October, shows govt data

The total gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue grew 8.9 per cent to over Rs 1.87 trillion last month. In October 2023, the mop-up was at Rs 1.72 trillion.

3:18 PM

Govt can't implement UCC unless Muslims taken into confidence: Prashant Kishor

Jan Suraj chief Prashant Kishor asserted that that in a democracy, before introducing a law, the government must gain the confidence of the people who will be affected by it. "Whether the Uniform Civil Code should be implemented or not remains to be a big debate. Unless the Muslim population, which is 20% of the country's population, is taken into confidence, you cannot implement this kind of radical law," Kishor said.

3:05 PM

AIADMK district secretaries meeting scheduled to be held on November 6

A meeting of district secretaries chaired by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami will be held in Tamil Nadu's Chennai district on Wednesday. The party may discuss the election strategies for the local body and state assembly elections likely to be held in 2026. All the district secretaries of the party will attend the meeting.

2:56 PM

Isro launches analogue mission in Ladakh to simulate extraterrestrial life

 India has embarked on its first analogue space mission in Leh, to replicate conditions of living in an interplanetary habitat. Read here for more details.

2:49 PM

Growing monopolisation linked to India's shaky economic growth, unemployment crisis: Congress

The Congress on Friday claimed growing monopolisation by five big conglomerates, including the Adani Group, was linked to India's shaky economic growth, unemployment crisis and high inflation, and asserted that companies must expand but the government had a responsibility to ensure oligopolies or monopolies did not emerge. The opposition party's remarks came days after the Adani Group said it had agreed to acquire CK Birla Group firm Orient Cement Limited in a deal valued at Rs 8,100 crore.

2:23 PM

Massive fire breaks out at shop in Anakapalli's Gandhi Agricultural Market

A massive fire broke out at a shop in Anakapalli's Gandhi Agricultural Market due to a short circuit, causing extensive damage to electrical appliances. Reportedly, after the short circuit the smoke engulfed and was noticed coming out from the shop by the farmers heading towards the market. The farmers promptly informed the Anakapalli Fire Station.

2:13 PM

'My statement was twisted': Shivkumar after Kharge pulls up K'taka govt

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday reconsidered his statement a day after Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge pulled up D K Shivakumar over his statement that the state government would review the 'Shakti' guarantee scheme. The scheme offers free bus travel to women in the state.

2:01 PM

AIADMK district secretaries meeting scheduled to be held on November 6

A meeting of district secretaries chaired by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami will be held in Tamil Nadu's Chennai district on Wednesday. The meeting is scheduled to start at around 10 am at the house of Chief Club Revolution President MGR on Wednesday.

1:55 PM

Fishing ban along Odisha coast begins for Olive Ridley turtle protection

The Odisha government on Friday enforced a seven-month-long prohibition on sea fishing activity within 20 km of the coast at the river mouths of Dhamara, Devi and Rusikulya as part of the annual Olive Ridley turtle conservation programme, officials said. The fishing ban would remain effective from November 1May 31 to ensure the safety of marine animals during their breeding and mating season, they said.

1:40 PM

AAP's failure to repair damaged roads worsened Delhi pollution: BJP

Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta, who visited the Shastri Park area on Friday, claimed hundreds of roads in the city were lying in disrepair despite promises by former chief minister Kejriwal and his successor Atishi to repair them before Diwali. "AAP should stop indulging in politics and blame game and focus on local sources of pollution such as dust that are more responsible for the hazardous air quality in Delhi," Gupta said.

1:22 PM

"Deeply pained by the demise of Bibek Debroy": Home Minister Amit Shah

"Deeply pained by the demise of Bibek Debroy Ji, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM. Debroy Ji was a scholar with unparalleled versatility who made prolific contributions to the fields of economics, history, and philosophy. He will always be remembered for his distinguished contributions to Bharat's development journey. My sincerest condolences to the bereaved family, his friends, and admirers in this hour of grief," read Shah's post. Debroy passed away on Friday morning. He was 69. 

1:09 PM

Jairam Ramesh says call to pause emission-reducing gear 'ridiculous'

Congress leader and former Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday said sulphur dioxide emissions from power plants contributed significantly to air pollution and any argument suggesting that such emissions were of no concern to public health in India was ridiculous.His remarks came over a media report, which claimed the NITI Aayog had proposed halting the fitting of equipment to cut sulphur emissions at coal-fired power plants. However, there was no official word from the NITI Aayog.

12:48 PM

Sebi mulls steps to facilitate ease of doing biz for ESG Rating Providers

The market regulator has amended the framework for ESG Rating Providers (ERPs), particularly for those using a subscriber-pays model, including an exemption from the requirement to disclose ESG ratings to stock exchanges. Additionally, the regulator has suggested that ERPs using a subscriber-pays model should share ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) rating reports with both subscribers and the rated issuer simultaneously. This policy should be publicly disclosed.

12:37 PM

'Karnataka has to deal with injustice in tax devolution': CM Siddaramaiah on state formation day

Asserting that Karnataka contributes a lot in taxes but does not receive its fair share in return, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remarked that the state is "met with an injustice" on tax devolution. "Today Karnataka is met with an injustice in the tax devolution. We are second after Maharashtra. We are contributing 4 lakh crores in the form of taxes but we are getting less in return," he said during Rajyotsava Day being celebrated in Bengaluru.Calling for MPs to raise this issue in the parliament.