News updates: Grap 4 curbs invoked in Delhi-NCR as air quality turns severe

Catch all the latest happenings from around the world here

10:54 PM

Grap stage 4 curbs invoked in Delhi-NCR as air quality turns severe: Official order

Grap stage 4 curbs invoked in Delhi-NCR as air quality turns severe. "Delhi’s average AQI rose to 399 at 9PM tonight and breached the 400 mark at 10PM. Considering the rise in the AQI of Delhi owing to highly unfavourable meteorological conditions and absolute calm wind conditions, the CAQM Sub-Committee on Grap called for an emergency meeting," read the official tweet by CAQM on X.

10:40 PM

Trump says will talk to Putin, Zelenskiy about stopping Ukraine war

President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that he would discuss ways to bring an end to the Ukraine war with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. At a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said he had seen horrific images of death and destruction from the war and that "it's got to stop."

10:29 PM

Govt lists bills related to 'One Nation, One Election' for introduction in Lok Sabha on Tuesday

10:22 PM

RG Kar case: Medics to move court as police deny them permission to hold protest

10:21 PM

School curriculum to include subjects related to constitutional values: CM Sukhu

Syllabus related to constitutional values would be included in school curriculum in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said while presiding over a review meeting of the education department on Monday.

 

The state government is giving special preference to impart quality education and apprise the students about their duties and responsibilities for their all-around development, Sukhu said in a statement issued here.

 

Six schools each in every Assembly constituency would be set up with all necessary facilities such as adequate staff and other infrastructural conveniences like lab, library, etc., he said.

 

The chief minister also directed the officials to complete all the formalities for setting up these schools in a time-bound manner, and prepare parameters for their administrative control.

9:55 PM

India raised gold holdings by 14.147 tonnes to 867.807 tonnes in October 2024: IMF data

9:42 PM

Suman Bery gets additional charge as chairman of PM's economic advisory panel

9:32 PM

North India reels under intense cold, mercury dips below 10 deg C in Odisha

Cold wave conditions gripped the northern states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi on Monday. While sub-zero temperatures were recorded in Jammu and Kashmir, mercury dipped below 10 degrees Celsius in parts of the eastern state of Odisha.

 

Kashmir reeled under intense cold wave as the minimum temperature stayed several degrees below freezing point. Konibal, a sleepy hamlet on the outskirts of Pampore town, was the coldest place in the valley recording a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius.

 

While Pahalgam, the base camp of annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded minus 5 degrees Celsius, Srinagar city registered a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg minus 4 degrees Celsius.

8:47 PM

PM Modi accepts President Dissanayake's invitation to visit Sri Lanka: MEA

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday said that during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended an invitation to him to visit Sri Lanka, which was accepted, with dates yet to be finalised through diplomatic channels.

 

Misri further said that both the leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions on regional issues, including reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka, constitution implementation, and provincial council elections, while emphasizing a humanitarian approach to resolving fishermen-related concerns.

 

While speaking at a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India, Misri said, "President Dissanayake while expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality that he had received here extended an invitation to PM Narendra Modi to visit Sri Lanka. The PM accepted the invitation. It is understood that the dates for such visit will be worked out through diplomatic channels."

 

He added, "The two leaders also had a detailed conversation on promoting reconciliation in Sri Lanka. PM urged President Dissanayake for a full and effective implementation of the Sri Lankan Constitution and for holding provincial council elections at the earliest."

8:43 PM

US issues fresh North Korea, Russia related sanctions

8:32 PM

GST council may consider lowering tax on food delivery charges by e-commerce operators to 5% from 18%

8:23 PM

Canada deputy PM quits over rift with Trudeau on Trump tariffs

8:21 PM

Himachal reels under intense cold, Lahaul-Spiti's Tabo coldest at minus 10.6 deg C

Cold wave conditions have gripped lower hill areas of Himachal Pradesh with the local MeT office warning of intense cold at isolated places in Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts for the next five days.

 

Tabo in the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti was coldest at night, recording a low of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius.

 

The state capital Shimla remained warmest for the second consecutive night recording a minimum temperature at 10.9 degree Celsius, 5.2 degrees Celsius above normal, the local Met office.

 

As cold wave conditions continued to grip the lower hills, the MeT office on Monday issued an orange warning of severe cold at isolated places in the lower hills and plain areas of Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur.

 

Kangra district will reel under intense cold till Friday besides dry weather in the state over the next seven days, the department said.

7:36 PM

IDF says sirens sound in central Israel after missile launch from Yemen

The Israeli military said sirens sounded across central Israel on Monday as it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.

 

"One missile launched from Yemen was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory," the military said in a statement.

 

An AFP journalist reported that sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, the main commercial hub.

7:36 PM

Arvind Kejriwal and AAP distributed sewing machines to Nirbhaya's rapists, claims BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari

On AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal's statment, BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari said, "...Arvind Kejriwal and AAP distributed sewing machines to Nirbhaya's rapists, got their own MP beaten in their 'Sheesh Mahal', made false promises of distributing money to the women of Delhi and Punjab...Aam Aadmi Party is about to go and BJP is about to come in Delhi (government)."

7:12 PM

12 Indians found dead at restaurant in Georgia's mountain resort of Gudauri: Indian mission

Twelve Indian nationals were found dead at a restaurant in Georgia's mountain resort of Gudauri, according to the Indian mission here.

 

Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement that no signs of injuries or signs of violence were detected in an initial inspection. All victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning, local media reported, citing police.

 

The Indian mission in Tbilisi said that all 12 victims were Indian nationals. However, Georgia's internal affairs ministry statement said 11 were foreigners while one victim was its citizen.

 

It added that the bodies of all victims, employees in the same Indian restaurant, were found in bedrooms on the second floor of the facility.

 

"Mission has just learned about the death of 12 Indian nationals in Gudauri, Georgia. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Mission is in touch with the local authorities to get details of the Indian nationals who lost their lives. All possible assistance will be given," the Indian mission here said in a statement.

7:12 PM

Fire breaks out at factory in Delhi's Okhla

A fire broke out at a factory in southeast Delhi on Monday, an official of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said.

 

No casualties have been reported so far, he said.

 

DFS Chief Atul Garg said that they received a call regarding fire at a factory in Okhla at 1.34 pm. A total of 19 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames.

 

No one has received any injury so far, Garg said.

7:00 PM

EU takes Britain to court over breach of free movement rules post-Brexit

The EU on Monday said it was taking Britain to the EU Court of Justice for infringing rules on the free movement of the bloc's citizens and their family members following Brexit.

 

"The European Commission decided to refer the United Kingdom to the Court of Justice of the European Union... for failure to comply with EU law on free movement of EU citizens and their family members at the end of 2020," the commission said in a statement.

6:59 PM

Assad says Moscow requested his evacuation from Syria base

Ousted Syrian leader Assad says he had planned to keep fighting but the Russians evacuated him: Report

6:35 PM

BJP has no agenda for elections this time: Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal continued his criticism of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the law and order situation in the National Capital.

 

The former Delhi Chief Minister also asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has no agenda for the Delhi Assembly elections, likely to be held in 2025.

 

"Amit Shah, if you cannot manage Delhi, then say so openly. Our 1.25 crore sisters in Delhi will set everything right... Today, there are two governments in Delhi: one of Kejriwal and one of the Centre. They have made milk, vegetables, pulses, and rice expensive, contributing to inflation. We, on the other hand, are making everything free," Kejriwal said during his padayatra in the Badarpur Assembly constituency.

 

He also alleged that BJP leaders continually abuse him.

6:12 PM

Senior JMM leader Vijay Kumar Singh dies at 78

4:57 PM

Vedanta’s board approves fourth interim dividend for FY25 at Rs 8.5 per share

4:56 PM

BJP's only responsibility was law and order, and they have failed in it, says AAP Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar

"It is very unfortunate that for BJP leaders, the deteriorating law and order in Delhi is not even an issue. BJP's only responsibility was law and order, and they have failed in it," said AAP Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar attacking BJP over 'Mahila Adalat', a campaign launched by AAP.

4:46 PM

Death toll in Kurla BEST bus accident rises to 8; Ghatkopar resident dies at Sion Hospital

4:36 PM

Schools in Delhi NCR to shift classes till Class 5 to hybrid mode under Grap III

The Centre's air quality panel implemented Grap stage three for the Delhi-NCR region, effective immediately. This decision follows a sharp increase in pollution levels. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 367 at 2 pm today. Schools in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar to shift classes up to Class V to hybrid mode under Grap III.

4:02 PM

Congress president Kharge questions PM Modi's silence on Manipur violence

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday raised the issue of continued violence in Manipur and asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not had the time to visit the state. Participating in a discussion on the "Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India", the Congress chief said the prime minister had not had the time to assess the situation in Manipur for the past year and a half, since violence started in the eastern border state.

3:49 PM

Govt's air quality panel for Delhi-NCR invokes anti-pollution measures under GRAP III

The Centre's air quality panel for Delhi-NCR Monday invoked restrictive measures under stage three of the air pollution control plan amid a sharp dip in air quality due to unfavourable meteorological conditions. Delhi's AQI stood at 367 at 2 pm. Poor air quality, caused by unfavourable weather conditions, often persists from November to January.

2:47 PM

Govt will curb manufacturing, sale of counterfeit medicines in UP, says CM Adityanath

The Uttar Pradesh government is committed to putting a stop on the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit medicines in the state, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday. Responding to a starred question raised by Samajwadi Party MLA Sachin Yadav during the Question Hour, the chief minister, in a written reply, said the government is taking stringent measures to curb this illicit trade.

2:30 PM

Congress should understand blaming EVMs won't help, says Pralhad Joshi

The Congress should understand that blaming Electronic Voting Machines will not help as its allies are now speaking about it, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Monday, seizing on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's rejection of doubts on EVMs.

2:09 PM

UP govt ready to engage in discussions on all issues in assembly: Adityanath to parties

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today urged all parties to ensure smooth proceedings of the state assembly and expressed the government's readiness to engage in discussions on all issues concerning the youth, women, farmers and security of the state. Ahead of the Winter session of the assembly, he said the government is ready for meaningful discussions on public and developmental issues.