News Highlights: Ayodhya sees massive influx of devotees on Basant Panchami

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10:32 PM

UK's Starmer welcomes German chancellor to his country estate as he touts 'reset' with EU

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to his country estate Sunday on the eve of seeking to improve relations with the European Union. Starmer hosted Scholz at Chequers, the prime minister's country residence in Buckinghamshire 30 miles (50 kilometres) northwest of London, before the two go to Belgium to meet with EU chiefs Monday, where the UK leader is aiming for a relationship “reset".

10:21 PM

Vitol sees oil demand staying at current levels until at least 2040: Reports

Global oil demand is expected to remain steady until at least 2040, according to a forecast by energy and commodities trader Vitol, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Vitol expects global demand to peak at almost 110 million barrels per day at the end of this decade, and then retreat to current levels of about 105 million bpd in 2040, the report added, citing the company's long-term demand outlook seen by the paper. 

10:18 PM

Rahul dares Kejriwal to drink 'stinking' water supplied in Delhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday dared AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal to drink the "stinking water" provided to the people of Delhi and accused him of making false promises like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a public meeting at Hauz Qazi Chowk in old Delhi in support of the Congress' Ballimaran candidate Haroon Yusuf, he said only he and his party supported those facing violence during the 2020 Delhi riots and would continue to stand with anyone facing oppression.

10:11 PM

Over 10,000 participate in Navy's inaugural half-marathon in Delhi

The Indian Navy's inaugural half-marathon in the national capital on Sunday witnessed participation of over 10,000 people across three categories. The flagship races -- 21.1 km and 10 km -- were flagged off by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the presence of Chief of the Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh.

9:25 PM

Ayodhya sees massive influx of devotee on Basant Panchami; over 1.5 mn gather in city

The holy city of Ayodhya witnessed an overwhelming influx of devotees on Basant Panchami, with official estimates placing the gathering at over 15 lakh. The officials expect a similar influx to continue until the conclusion of the Kumbh Mela on February 28. Authorities reported that the festival celebrations would extend into Monday, with a continuous stream of devotees arriving to take a holy dip in the Saryu River and offer prayers at Hanumangarhi and the Ram Temple.

9:20 PM

Navy gets replacement for MQ-9B drone that crashed in September

Months after an MQ-9B Sea Guardian drone crashed into the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Navy has received a replacement for the high-altitude long-endurance surveillance platform from its US-based manufacturer General Atomics, authoritative military sources said on Sunday. One of the two MQ-9B drones that the Indian Navy had taken on lease was lost in a "controlled ditching" at sea following a technical snag in mid-September last year.

8:46 PM

'Operation Eleven' to manage crowd during Basant Panchami Amrit Snan at Maha Kumbh: UP govt

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday said it has put into place a special crowd management plan named 'Operation Eleven' for the 'Amrit Snan' on Basant Panchami at Maha Kumbh. The 'Amrit Snan' on Basant Panchami will take place on Monday.

8:38 PM

Duty cut in Budget on certain inputs to boost exports, manufacturing: Commerce Ministry

The reduction in customs duties in the Budget on certain inputs from sectors like marine, chemicals and critical minerals will help promote domestic manufacturing and enhance exports, according to the Commerce Ministry. It has also said that the announcement to revamp the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide better leverage during FTA (free trade agreement) negotiations.

8:21 PM

Amazon inks pact with UP govt's ARGA initiative to support women entrepreneurs in Gonda district

Amazon India on Sunday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ARGA, an initiative of the Uttar Pradesh government, to enable women entrepreneurs in the Gonda district to leverage e-commerce and build their businesses. As part of this partnership, Amazon will support women-led enterprises associated with Brand ARGA through its Saheli programme by offering training in digital marketing, performance marketing, product listing optimisation, and advertising strategies.

7:57 PM

Yamuna in bad shape in Delhi due to Kejriwal's 'sins': Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday slammed Arvind Kejriwal over his "Yamuna poisoning" allegation, saying no Hindu would poison anyone's water, and claimed the river was in a bad shape in the national capital because of the AAP supremo's "sins". Addressing a public meeting in support of the BJP candidate in Babarpur, the Assam chief minister said Kejriwal had promised to pay a monthly salary to priests because of the elections.

7:34 PM

Five injured at Mumbai airport as out of control Merc hits them; driver arrested

Five persons, including two foreigners, were injured at Mumbai international airport on Sunday morning after a Mercedes car hit them, a police official said. The driver of the luxury car, which was at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to drop off a passenger, lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the incident in the parking lot of Terminal 2, the Sahar police station official said.

7:21 PM

Kerala CM to inaugurate 30 new smart anganwadis on Feb 3

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate 30 new smart anganwadis equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for children here on Monday. The CM will inaugurate the facilites via video conference at an event to be held in an auditorium here. State Health Minister Veena George will preside over the function, an official statement said on Sunday.

6:29 PM

BJP workers vandalised our campaign van in New Delhi constituency: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday alleged one of its campaign vans in the New Delhi constituency, from where AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is contesting the polls, was vandalised by BJP workers. No immediate reaction was available from the BJP over the charge. New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Mahla said no complaint has been received in the matter so far.

6:05 PM

One killed in fire at biscuit factory in MP

One person was killed after a fire erupted at a biscuit factory in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind district in the early hours of Sunday, an official said. The blaze broke out around 5.30 am at the factory in the Malanpur industrial area, about 60 km from the district headquarters, the official said.

5:16 PM

CAG building infra & processes to harness AI&ML: Sanjay Murthy

India's apex auditor is building the necessary infrastructure and processes to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for auditing processes and to audit AI applications themselves as the country aims to become a $30-trillion economy by 2047, CAG K Sanjay Murthy said. Speaking at the World Forum of Accountants hosted by ICAI on Saturday, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Murthy said a $30-trillion economy will be necessarily digital, as organisations expand into emerging areas, and global champions are born. Accounting and auditing professionals will have to provide the required support.

4:55 PM

Girders fall on tracks, hit rail traffic on UP's Lucknow-Varanasi section

Girders fall on tracks, hit rail traffic on UP's Lucknow-Varanasi section Sultanpur (UP), Feb 2 (PTI) Rail traffic on the Lucknow-Varanasi section was disrupted on Sunday after eight girders of a railway bridge fell on the track from a truck near the Hanumanganj crossing here, officials said. The truck was moving towards Varanasi when the chain binding the girders gave away as it reached the railway crossing, they said. According to railway officials, a goods train en route Varanasi was stopped for around 30 minutes following the mishap.

4:26 PM

J-K Dy CM assures investigation into felling of over 250 trees in Kathua

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has assured a detailed investigation into the recent felling of over 250 trees in Barwal area of Kathua district and said we cannot afford to compromise on environmental concerns in the name of industrialisation. The residents of Barwal are protesting over the large-scale felling of trees as part of the land acquisition process for State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO).

4:19 PM

HMPL plans 500 MW solar project in Andhra Pradesh at Rs 2,500 cr investment

Infra-to-energy player Hazoor Multi Projects Limited (HMPL) has plans to set up a 500 megawatt solar project in Andhra Pradesh at an investment of Rs 2,500 crore.

It has already submitted a proposal with the state government to set up the project in Prakasam district over an area of 2,000 acres, as per information shared by the company.

2:50 PM

BR Patil resigns as Karnataka CM's political advisor for 'several' reasons

Congress MLA BR Patil has resigned from his position as Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's political advisor. "I resigned the day before yesterday. I have written a detailed letter to the Chief Minister. I will speak with him if he calls me," Patil said. "There are several reasons, but I cannot reveal them publically. I have not spoken with the CM so far. I won't withdraw my resignation," he added.

2:38 PM

Delhi Police arrests member of 'makora' gang near Ghazipur Mandi

Delhi Police has arrested a member of Sunder Bhati gang, also known as the 'makora' gang, from east Delhi, officials said on Sunday. Police seized two automatic pistols and 125 ammunition, including magazines used for AK-47 weapon. The accused, Amrish Bhati was apprehended on January 28 near a five star hotel in Ghazipur Mandi, based on intelligence

2:23 PM

National Institute of Ayurveda launches plant-based skincare products

The National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), a Deemed to be University under the Ministry of Ayush, has launched a line of plant-based cosmetic products aimed at providing safe, chemical-free alternatives for skincare. The range includes foot care cream, Aloe Vera gel, lip balm and a variety of herbal soaps, among others, using plant-based extracts to offer effective skincare solutions.

2:10 PM

Mysterious deaths in J-K's Rajouri: Aiims Delhi team meets patients, records clinical history

A five-member team of experts from Aiims Delhi, including specialists in toxicology, has spoken to 11 patients who are undergoing treatment for a mysterious illness that has claimed 17 lives in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, and recorded their clinical history. The team would visit Badhaal village on Sunday where three families suffered casualties due to the illness, and collect samples from their sealed homes and surrounding areas.

1:57 PM

PIL in Delhi HC seeks probe into alleged financial irregularities in schools

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court, seeking directions for a judicial inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities in the expenditures made by the Delhi Government in Delhi schools, under its various education policies. The plea filed by Swatantra Jan Awaaz Foundation, an NGO represented by Verum Legal, contends that there has been a significant failure in meeting the commitments made, as evidenced by high dropout rates, gender disparities in sanitation facilities, unequal resource distribution between marginalized and elite areas, and the manipulation of performance statistics to conceal underlying systemic problems.

1:26 PM

Bengaluru airport revises airspace closure timings on account of Aero Show 2025

The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) here has issued an advisory on Sunday on the revised airspace closure timings from February 5 to 14, to facilitate Aero India Show 2025. According to a press release issued by KIA, on February 5, 6 and 8, airspace closure timings are 9 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 4.30 pm. On February 7 and 9, it will be closed between 9am and 11am. On February 7, it will also be closed post noon between 3pm to 4.30pm.

12:47 PM

Delhi HC to hear BJP leader's plea against CM Atishi in defamation case on Monday

The Delhi High Court will hear a BJP leader's plea challenging an order dismissing his defamation case against Chief Minister Atishi on February 3. Justice Vikas Mahajan is scheduled to hear the matter. In his plea, Praveen Shankar Kapoor said while rejecting the defamation complaint and quashing the summons issued by a magisterial court, the special judge went "beyond" the scope of his power in law.

12:29 PM

Odisha Police arrest 8 accused for Rs 3.51 crore robbery in Kalahandi

Odisha Police have apprehended eight individuals of an inter-state gang involved in a high-profile robbery at a distillation centre in Kalahandi district's Dharamgarh Police Station area on the night of January 30 and 31. Director General of Police Yogesh Khurania confirmed that the accused, with their faces covered by masks, executed the heist, stealing a staggering Rs 3.51 crore.

12:11 PM

Maoists kill man in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli on suspicion of being police informer

Maoists on Sunday killed a 45-year-old man in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district while claiming he was a police informer, officials said. The incident took place at Kiyer village under Bhamragad tehsil in south Gadchiroli in the early hours of Sunday, they said. As per preliminary information, Maoists strangulated to death an "innocent civilian", identified as Sukhram Madavi, resident of Kiyer village, a senior police official said.

12:03 PM

Five pilgrims killed, several injured as bus falls into gorge in Gujarat

Five persons were killed and 17 others suffered grievous injuries after a private bus carrying pilgrims fell into a deep gorge in Gujarat's Dang district early Sunday morning, police said. The accident occurred at around 4.15 am when the driver of the bus lost control over the wheels near the Saputara hill station, in-charge Superintendent of Police SG Patil said. The bus, carrying 48 pilgrims, broke the crash barrier and fell at a depth of about 35 feet into the gorge, he said.

11:23 AM

Air India Express launches daily direct flight service between Mangaluru and Delhi

In a move set to enhance air connectivity for travellers in Karnataka, Air India Express has launched a daily direct flight service between Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) and Delhi International Airport. The service aims to provide passengers with greater travel convenience and flexibility. According to a press release from the spokesperson of MIA, the inaugural flight, IX 1552, departed from Mangaluru at 6.40 am and landed in Delhi at 9.35am on February 1.

10:54 AM

PM Modi extends greetings on Basant Panchami, Saraswati Puja

On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders extended their wishes to the people, praying for wisdom, prosperity, and well-being. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and wrote, "Best wishes on the auspicious occasions of Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja."