News updates: Delhi govt plans to procure mist-spraying drones to check pollution

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10:46 PM

Delhi govt plans to procure mist-spraying drones to check pollution

The AAP government in Delhi is planning to procure mist-spraying drones this winter to target the pollution hotspots in the city, officials said on Monday. In a bid to combat air pollution, these drones will have sensors to record air quality data, including measurements of PM2.5 and PM10, and help reduce dust levels. Officials familiar with the initiative confirmed that a tender has been floated by the environment department for the acquisition of three drones designed to operate from above the city's most polluted areas.

9:55 PM

India has decided to expel six Canadian diplomats: MEA

The Government of India has decided to expel the following 6 Canadian Diplomats: Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner, Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner, Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary, lan Ross David Trites, First Secretary, Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary, Paula Orjuela, First Secretary. They have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024

9:50 PM

Canada expels six Indian diplomats: Reports

Canada expels six Indian diplomats after police collect evidence they were part of an Indian government 'campaign of violence', reports Reuters

9:12 PM

Delhi sees 55 pc spike in malaria cases this year so far, no deaths recorded

The national capital has reported a huge jump in malaria cases this year so far, with infections jumping nearly 55 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year.

 

The city has, however, not recorded any malaria-related deaths so far, according to official data.

 

According to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) data for the period from January 1 to October 5, this year marks the highest number of malaria cases in the corresponding period in last five years with 511 confirmed infections.

 

A total of 329 cases were reported during the same period in 2023, 153 in 2022, 127 in 2021, and 189 in 2020.

 

While there have been no deaths attributed to malaria in Delhi this year, this contrasts with previous years when one fatality was reported each in 2020, 2022, and 2023.

 

The data also highlights that the highest caseload was recorded in September every year since 2020; this year, there were 193 cases in September, compared to 106 reported in August.

9:11 PM

Delhi govt to prepare 1000 'model ghats' for Chhath Puja: CM Atishi

The Delhi government will set up 1000 "model ghats" for the Purvanchali festival Chhath across the city, Chief Minister Atishi said on Monday.

 

The ghats will be constructed in each of the 70 assembly constituencies to facilitate Chhath Puja performed by lakhs of devotees in Delhi, she said.

 

In a high-level meeting, the chief minister instructed officials to coordinate with Chhath Puja committees and incorporate their suggestions while making preparations for the festival including lighting, clean water, toilets, tents, security at the ghats, said a Delhi government statement.

 

She assured that the Delhi government is committed to ensuring that the festival is celebrated without any inconvenience, it said.

 

The ghats will have clean water, tents, electricity, toilets, security, medical facilities, power backup, CCTV cameras, and other necessary arrangements, the statement said.

 

Atishi also instructed officials to pay special attention to cleanliness at the 'ghats'.

8:58 PM

Canada asks 6 Indian Diplomats to leave the country says Washington Post

8:40 PM

BJP leaders meet in Panchkula to assess preparations for swearing-in of new govt

BJP leaders Tarun Chugh and Satish Poonia on Monday held a meeting in Panchkula with some of the leaders from Haryana to take stock of preparations for the swearing-in ceremony of the new party-led government in the state slated for October 17. The meeting was held in the BJP office at Panchkula.
 

Apart from BJP general secretary Chugh and party's Haryana affairs in-charge Poonia, the meeting was attended by former state assembly speaker Gian Chand Gupta and former Karnal MP Sanjay Bhatia.
 

The BJP leaders also went to Dussehra ground in Panchkula, the venue of the event, to assess the preparations and arrangements being made for the event.

8:39 PM

Seasoned actor Atul Parchure passes away at 57

8:29 PM

First stage of anti-pollution plan activated in Delhi-NCR

The Centre's air pollution control panel for Delhi-NCR on Monday directed state governments in the region to implement the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as the capital's air quality was in the 'poor' category for the second consecutive day.

The Stage I of GRAP, a set of winter-specific anti-pollution measures, focuses on controlling pollution through dust mitigation at construction sites, proper waste management, and regular road cleaning.

It mandates strict checks on polluting vehicles, better traffic management, and emission controls in industries, power plants, and brick kilns. The first stage also bans open burning of waste, limits the use of diesel generators, and prohibits the use of coal or firewood in eateries.

7:38 PM

Govt has decided to withdraw the Canadian High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials

The MEA statement reads, "It was underlined that in an atmosphere of extremism and violence, the Trudeau Government's actions endangered their safety. We have no faith in the current Canadian Government's commitment to ensure their security. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials."

7:32 PM

Jio Platforms Q2 FY25 consolidated net profit jumps 23.4 per cent year-on-year to Rs 6,539 crore

7:32 PM

Reliance Industries' first of new energy giga-factories to commence production of solar PV modules by year-end

7:32 PM

Reliance Industries, Disney India media assets merger expected to close in 3Q FY25

7:31 PM

J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha invites chief minister-designate Omar Abdullah to take oath on October 16

7:31 PM

Reliance Industries Q2 results:

The total income was marginally higher at Rs 2.4 trillion from Rs 2.38 trillion in July-September 2023.

7:09 PM

Reliance Industries' Q2 profit drops on weakness at its energy arm

Reliance Industries reported a drop in second-quarter profit on Monday, hurt by weakness at its mainstay oil-to-chemicals business. The Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate posted a consolidated profit of Rs 16,563 crore ($1.97 billion) in the quarter ended Sep 30, compared with Rs 17,394 crore a year earlier. Analysts were, on average, expecting a profit of Rs 16,561 crore as per LSEG data.

6:01 PM

HCLTech Q2FY25 results: HCLTech added 780 employees during the quarter, bringing the tally to 218,621

The Noida-headquartered firm has given a revenue growth guidance of 3.5-5.0 per cent year-on-year in constant currency.

6:00 PM

Revenue growth has come with an improved profitability: HCLTech CFO Shiv Walia

"Revenue growth has come with an improved profitability. Our EBIT margins in Q2 rose to 18.6 per cent, up 149 bps sequentially. LTM Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) stands at solid 35.7 per cent at company level and 43.5 per cent at services, an expansion of 353 bps YoY and 403 bps YoY respectively," said HCLTech CFO Shiv Walia.

5:42 PM

LIVE: Retail inflation rises to 5.49% in September from 3.65% in August

Annual retail inflation accelerated to 5.49% in September from 3.65 per cent a month ago, government data showed on Monday. A Reuters poll of 48 economists had forecast retail inflation at 5.04 per cent.

5:29 PM

HCLTech Q2FY25 net profit rises 10.5% to Rs 4,235 cr, revenue up 8.2%

IT services company HCL Technologies on Monday reported a 10.51 per cent rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,235 crore in the July-September quarter of the current financial year. It had reported a net profit of Rs 3,832 crore in the year-ago period. Revenue came in at Rs 28,862 crore during the reporting quarter, 8.21 per cent higher than Rs 26,672 crore in the year-ago period. HCLTech CEO & Managing Director C Vijayakumar said that the company's pipeline is very strong, including data & AI, digital engineering, SAP migration and efficiency-led programmes.

5:16 PM

Heavy rainfall expected in Chennai and coastal districts

On heavy rainfall warning, Scientist 'G & Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, Dr. S. Balachandran said, "...In 24 hours, heavy rainfall is expected in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts. Heavy rainfall is expected in north coastal districts from Delta till Tiruvallur tomorrow. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the seas. Red alert issued includes both quantity of rainfall and impact..."

5:16 PM

RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder case

Dr Abhik Ghosh, member of IMA Action Committee said, " 6 Doctors' Organisations had a meeting with Chief Secretary, from day one these senior doctors are standing by the side the of junior doctors in this fight...the main reason of this meeting is that, our doctors are on an indefinite strike since last 10 days, this situation must end. 4 of our doctors have been admitted to ICU and rest of those who are protesting are also in very bad shape..."

4:40 PM

Hunt against drugs and narco trade will continue with no laxity: Home Minister Amit Shah

A day after seizure of cocaine worth Rs 5,000 crore in Gujarat, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that the hunt against drugs and narco trade will continue with no laxity. Shah said the Modi government is committed to building a drug-free Bharat by protecting the youth from the scourge of drugs.

4:36 PM

Delhi CM Atishi meets PM Modi

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, first time after she took the oath of office last month, and hoped for "full cooperation" between the Centre and her government. "Called on Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi ji today. I look forward to full cooperation between the Centre and the Delhi government for the welfare and progress of our capital," Atishi said in a post on X.

4:24 PM

News update: Kerala Assembly passes resolution against Centre's delayed assistance to landslide-hit Wayanad

The motion was presented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M B Rajesh at the outset of an adjournment discussion in the House on the matter. No immediate assistance has been received so far in this regard and the delay in getting the Central aid would adversely impact the rehabilitation of landslide survivors, the minister pointed out.

4:16 PM

Ahead of assembly polls, MSRTC withdraws passenger fare hike move for Diwali season

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Monday cancelled the proposed 10 per cent fare hike scheduled to be implemented during the Diwali season, officials said. The fare hike cancellation, announced ahead of the assembly elections, is a huge relief for passengers opting to travel in state transport buses during the festive season. The MSRTC decision coincides with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announcing an exemption from paying the toll to light motor vehicles entering Mumbai.

4:01 PM

Kolkata case LIVE news: Junior medics bring out rally to Raj Bhavan

Demanding a quick and transparent probe into the alleged rape and murder of a medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, agitating junior doctors on Monday took out a rally in the city. The procession, which started from Dorina Crossing near Dharmatala where the junior doctors had set up a stage where a group of medics were observing fast since October 5, was joined by several people from different walks of the society.

3:42 PM

China sends 125 military aircraft in exercises aimed at Taiwan in single-day record, Taiwan says

China has employed 125 military aircraft in exercises aimed at Taiwan on Monday, a record for a single day, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said. It said 90 of the aircraft, including warplanes, helicopters and drones, were spotted within Taiwan's air defence identification zone.

3:37 PM

News update: Maharashtra core group meeting begins at the BJP Headquarters in Delhi

3:26 PM

News update: Acemoglu, Johnson and Robinson win 2024 Nobel economics prize

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel has been awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A Robinson for their research on how institutions are formed and their impact on prosperity.