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11:40 PM

US Fed slashes interest rates by 50 bps for the first time since 2020

10:34 PM

Delhi reports unexpected surge in swine flu and other viral cases

The swine flu cases are at peak in Delhi, NCR; OPD's are flooded with swine flu; viral infections, cholera and dengue cases are also rising, according to Dr S Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine at Apollo Hospital.

 

"There are lots of infections that are happening at this moment. So it's obviously a challenge to diagnose them, and at the right time, we are having simple viral infections like the viral respiratory tract infections. We are having a lot of swine flu, which was unexpected, but we are having a lot of swine flu, a few Covid cases. We are also having dengue, typhoid, a very few cases of cholera as well, and routine gastroenteritis," Chatterjee said.

 

"So it is a spectrum of cases that we are seeing, and so it is important for us and for the public to report to the treating doctors early, so that we can diagnose them on time and we can save them of complications," he said.

 

Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen so many that we have started suspecting quite frequently, and whenever somebody is coming with an upper respiratory tract or a lower respiratory tract symptom, we are definitely doing tests to establish that we are not missing swine flu or Covid," he added.

9:38 PM

RG Kar impasse: Meeting of agitating medics with Bengal chief secretary underway

The second round of talks between agitating junior doctors and officials of the West Bengal government to resolve the impasse due to the RG Kar issue is presently underway for nearly one-and-a-half hours, officials said.

 

Escorted by a pilot police vehicle, the delegation of around 30 medics reached the secretariat around 7.15 pm.

 

The meeting with the Chief Secretary Manoj Pant started around 7.30 pm.

 

Just like Monday when they held talks with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the protesting medics were accompanied by stenographers to record the minutes of the meeting.

 

"We want the issue of safety and security in hospitals to be addressed. The chief minister had announced the formation of a task force, but there is no proper clarity on it. We want the state government to accept our legitimate demands," an agitating doctor said before leaving for the meeting venue.

6:52 PM

Govt plans to transform India Post into logistics firm, eyes 60 pc revenue increase in 3-4 years: Scindia

"Govt plans to transform India Post into logistics firm, eyes 60 pc revenue increase in 3-4 years," says Jyotiraditya Scindia.

6:10 PM

38-yr-old undergoing treatment in Kerala's Malappuram confirmed with Mpox infection: State health department

4:53 PM

Cabinet gives nod to Rs 24,475 crore subsidy on P&K fertilisers for rabi season

The central government today gave nod to Rs 24,474.53 crore subsidy on phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the rabi season of 2024-25 to ensure supply of crop nutrients to farmers at affordable rates.

4:40 PM

TMC MP Saket Gokhale alleges scam in cost of Vande Bharat sleeper trains; railways deny charge

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale alleged a scam in the cost of Vande Bharat sleeper trains on Wednesday, after the railways rejected as "misinformation" his claim that the cost of one train has gone up by 50 per cent. In a post on X two days back, Gokhale alleged that the cost of one Vande Bharat sleeper train has gone up from Rs 290 crore to Rs 436 crore. The railway ministry rejected the charge as "misinformation" and "fake news", and said it has increased the number of coaches in the sleeper trains from 16 to 24 while keeping the total number of coaches in the contract constant. The ministry attributed the decision to a "high demand for train travel".

4:35 PM

News update: Three dead in house collapse incident in Delhi's Karol Bagh, says police

3:51 PM

Central govt lines up Venus mission

The total fund approved for the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), is Rs1,236 crore out of which Rs 824 crore will be spent on the spacecraft. The cost includes development and realization of the spacecraft including its specific payloads and technology elements, global ground station support cost for navigation and network as well as the cost of launch vehicle.

3:41 PM

Centre will seek to create consensus over simultaneous polls in next few months, says Vaishnaw

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that an implementation group will be set up to take forward the recommendations of Kovind panel on simultaneous polls.

3:37 PM

News update: Proposal to set up Indian Institute of Immersive Creators on lines of IITs, IIMs, says govt

3:33 PM

Implementation of ‘One Nation, One Election' is not practical, says Cong chief Kharge

"It is not practical; they raise such issues to divert attention when elections come," Congress chief Kharge said today.

3:21 PM

Cabinet gives nod to Chandrayaan-4 mission: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Cabinet approved Venus Orbiter Mission, expansion of Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4 missions, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said today. 

3:17 PM

Delhi LG proposes Sep 21 for swearing-in of Atishi

Delhi LG moves outgoing CM Kejriwal's resignation letter to Prez Murmu, proposes Sep 21 for swearing-in of his successor Atishi, news agency PTI reported.

2:59 PM

Union Cabinet gives nod to 'One Nation, One Election' proposal

Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday had stated the BJP-led NDA government will implement the 'One Nation, One Election' within its current tenure. Addressing a press conference to mark the 100 days of the third consecutive term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said, "We plan to implement one nation one poll within the tenure of this government."

2:37 PM

Exploding pagers used in apparent Israeli attack on Hezbollah made in Hungary, accused firm says

Taiwanese company Gold Apollo said on Wednesday that it authorised its brand on the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria in an apparent Israeli operation targeting Hezbollah's communications network but that another company based in Budapest manufactured them.

Pagers used by the militant group Hezbollah exploded near-simultaneously on Tuesday in Lebanon and Syria, killing at least nine people, including an 8-year-old girl, and wounding nearly 3,000.

2:26 PM

Size of Indian economy can easily double by 2030: NITI CEO

India could easily double the size of its economy by 2030, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said on Wednesday. At an event organised by the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), Subrahmanyam added that climate change is an opportunity for India to become a leader in climate technology. "Our economy should easily double by 2030...India's ambition to become the third-largest economy by 2026-2027 necessitates a cohesive grand strategy," he said. Currently, in US dollar terms, India is the fifth largest economy with a size of about  $3.7 trillion in nominal terms.

1:59 PM

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin urges Centre to ensure protection for Rahul Gandhi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday expressed shock over media reports of 'threat' to Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi and demanded that the Centre act swiftly to ensure his protection.

In a post on X, Stalin said: "Deeply shocked by media reports of a BJP leader's threat that @RahulGandhi 'will meet the same fate as his grandmother,' and a Shinde Sena MLA's bounty for cutting his tongue, along with other intimidating threats."

1:17 PM

2 dead in road crash while returning after Ganesh idol immersion in UP's Baghpat

Two young men died and one more was injured in a road accident involving a pickup truck and a tractor-trolley ferrying people after a Ganesh idol immersion, police said on Wednesday. Circle Officer (Crime and Traffic) Vijay Chaudhary said the accident occurred around 10:30 pm on Tuesday near the electricity house at Sarai Mor in the Badaut police station area.

 

12:55 PM

Chandigarh court issues notice to Kangana Ranaut over movie 'Emergency'

A court here has issued notices to BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut and others on a complaint accusing them of maligning the image of Sikhs in her upcoming movie 'Emergency'. The notices were issued by the Chandigarh district court on Tuesday on a plea filed by advocate Ravinder Singh Bassi, who is also the president of the NGO Lawyers for Humanity. The respondents have been asked to file their replies by December 5.

 

12:53 PM

Sad commentary on institutional decay: Congress on Ranade's removal as VC

Days after noted economist Ajit Ranade was removed as vice chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, the Congress on Wednesday said it was a sad commentary on how institutional decay is taking place in an increasingly illiberal atmosphere. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said in February 2022, Ranade was appointed as Vice Chancellor of the prestigious Pune-based institute and this selection was widely acclaimed.

"In September 2024, he gets sacked on the grounds that he does not have 10 years teaching experience as per UGC rules. Isn't this strange? Surely, this information was available to the appointing authorities two years back," Ramesh said in a post on X. Ranade is a highly educated and accomplished personality with degrees in engineering from IIT-Mumbai, in management from IIM-Ahmedabad, and a doctorate in economics from Brown University.

12:20 PM

'Bulldozer' not symbol of rule of law; SC fulfilled Centre's responsibility: BSP chief Mayawati

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday expressed serious concerns over the "rising" trend of using bulldozers for demolitions, saying it does not symbolise a just rule of law. "Despite bulldozer demolition not being a symbol of the rule of law, the increasing trend of its use is a matter of concern. However, when the general public does not agree with the bulldozer or any other matter, then the Centre should come forward and make uniform guidelines for the whole country, which is not being done," Mayawati posted on X in Hindi.

12:18 PM

Kolkata rape-murder case: Medicos declare 'partial victory' amid strikes, demand more action

On Wednesday, the state government appointed a new police commissioner for Kolkata and removed two senior health department officials. However, the doctors, who have been on a cease-work strike, stated they would not resume their duties until all demands are met.

12:16 PM

Two-storey building collapses in Delhi's Karol Bagh, several feared trapped

Five fire tenders rushed to a Karol Bagh after a house collapsed in the locality.  Some portion of the building collapsed and some persons are suspected to be trapped under the debris. 

11:39 AM

News update: Kejriwal will move out of official residence in a week, give up all facilities, says AAP

11:33 AM

Power tariff hike: INDIA bloc bandh hits normal life in Puducherry

The day-long bandh called by the INDIA bloc to protest the hike over power tariff and to condemn the territorial government's move to privatise the power sector hit normal life in Puducherry on Wednesday. All privately owned transport services were off the roads, while government buses operated with police protection. Police were deployed in strength at all vantage points.

 

10:58 AM

News update: Delhi court summons ex-Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav in land for job scam

The Rouse Avenue court has asked them to appear before it on October 7.

10:53 AM

Cong files police complaint over statements of NDA leaders targeting Rahul

The Congress registered a police complaint over the recent statements of leaders belonging to the ruling NDA targeting Rahul Gandhi. The party alleged that the statements were aimed at jeopardising the safety and security of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and to disturb peace throughout the country, especially in view of the polls in Jammu and Kashmir, and Haryana. In the complaint submitted to the SHO of the Tughlaq Road police station by AICC treasurer and general secretary Ajay Maken, the Congress cited the recent remarks by BJP leaders Tarvinder Singh Marwah, Ravneet Singh Bittu and Raghuraj Singh, as well as that of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad.

10:47 AM

Delhi weather: National capital registers minimum temp of 25.1 deg C; rainfall likely

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 25.1 degrees Celsius on Wednesday morning, the weather department said. The sky will remain cloudy and the city is likely to receive "moderate" rainfall during the day, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast. The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 32 degrees Celsius, it said.

10:27 AM

With amended norms, CCI can appoint agencies to monitor implementation of its orders

Competition Commission can now appoint agencies to monitor the implementation of its orders, with the notification of amended regulations.

The move also comes amid instances of some entities flagging concerns about non-compliance with certain orders of the regulator, which works to ensure fair competition in the market place. The Competition Commission of India (General) Regulations, 2024 were notified on Tuesday.