LIVE news: Tata Steel posts Rs 513 crore profit in Q3, revenue drops 3%

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8:33 PM

Tata Steel posts Rs 513 crore profit in Q3, revenue drops 3%, despite domestic production volumes growing 7%

The company posted a consolidated net profit of 5.13 billion rupees ($61.8 million) compared to a year-ago loss of 22.24 billion rupees.Despite domestic production volumes growing 7%, Tata Steel's revenue fell over 3% to 553.12 billion rupees on account of weak domestic steel prices.

However, expenses slipped nearly 7%, as costs of raw materials fell more than 22%. Analysts at Antique Broking said higher prices of coking coal prices, a key steel-making ingredient, is factoring in with a lag."During this quarter, China exported between 7 to 8 million tons of steel every month, which is the highest since 2015 and this has adversely impacted global steel prices as well as profitability," CEO T V Narendran said in a statement.

7:36 PM

Delhi air pollution: AQI crosses 400-mark, Centre holds off stricter curbs, as forecasts shows improvement

Amid worsening air quality, the Centre on Wednesday decided to hold off the implementation of stricter measures to curb pollution in Delhi-NCR as forecasts suggested that the situation may improve. Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday breached the 400 mark, a level requiring authorities to invoke stricter curbs under Stage 3 of the Centre's air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). "CAQM Sub-Committee for operationalisation of GRAP met today and took stock of the air quality situation, and meteorological forecast and the projected air quality index by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology," a statement said.

7:10 PM

Congress was making unreasonable demands, prioritising CPI(M): TMC on alliance collapse in Bengal

Leaders of the ruling TMC in West Bengal on Wednesday blamed the Congress for its decision to fight the Lok Sabha elections on its own, maintaining that it was making unreasonable demands in terms of seats and was giving priority to the CPI(M) in the state and at INDIA bloc meetings. TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee, also the chief minister of West Bengal, announced in the afternoon that her party has decided to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on its own.A senior TMC leader claimed that the Congress was lacking seriousness about the alliance.

6:26 PM

Earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on Richter scale struck Pakistan on Wednesday

An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on the Richter scale struck Pakistan on Wednesday, the National Centre for Seismology reported. "Earthquake of Magnitude:4.3, Occurred on 24-01-2024, 16:16:41 IST, Lat: 36.39 & Long: 71.78, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Pakistan," the NCS posted on X.The National Center for Seismology (NCS) is the nodal agency of the Government of India for monitoring of earthquake activity in the country.Further details about are awaited.

6:10 PM

Saudi Arabia prepares to open first alcohol store for diplomats

Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first alcohol store in the capital Riyadh which will serve exclusively non-Muslim diplomats, a source familiar with the plans and a document showed on Wednesday.Customers will have to register via a mobile app, get a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and respect monthly quotas with their purchases, the document said. The move is a milestone in the kingdom's efforts, led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to open the ultra-conservative Muslim country for tourism and business as drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam. It is also part of wider plans known as Vision 2030 to build a post-oil economy.

6:06 PM

Jharkhand govt plans to establish 5,000 high-quality government schools

“You know that we have been working in the field of education. We plan to open 5,000 schools in the future which will be at par with private schools. The present condition is such that students studying in government schools are not able to compete with students studying in private schools, but we will make government schools better than private schools so that poor kids can also prepare for competitive exams,” says Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren while speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of Azim Premji University in Ranchi.

5:49 PM

Republic Day: President Droupadi Murmu to address the nation on Thursday, a day before celebrations

President Droupadi Murmu will address the country on Thursday, a day before the 75th Republic Day, a Rashtrapati Bhawan statement said. The address will be broadcast from 7 pm on the entire national network of Akashvani and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version, it said. The statement added that the broadcast of the address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan will be followed by broadcast in regional languages by DD's regional channels.

4:54 PM

'Amrit Peedhi' will take India to greater heights: PM Modi

"Your generation is called GenZ in your language. But I will call you 'Amrit Peedhi'. India's 'Amrit Peedhi' will take the country to greater heights, " says PM Modi
during his interaction with  NCC and NSS cadets-volunteers,

4:52 PM

BJP deliberately creating problems for Rahul Gandhi's 'yatra': Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

 "It is not the question of security of Rahul Gandhi, BJP is deliberately creating problems for the Yatra which is against the constitution. Rahul Gandhi's yatra is to understand the problems of the people of the country and to find solutions. It is the duty of the Govt of India and Assam to give proper security to Rahul Gandhi. He (Assam CM) was in the Congress party before, looks like he's trying to please Amit Shah and his party. Assam govt has failed to provide adequate security," Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says.

4:46 PM

Live news update: Earthquake of magnitude 4.3 hits Pakistan

According to National Centre for Seismology, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3, on the Richter Scale hit Pakistan today at 4:04 pm

4:36 PM

Disagree with DGCA's order asking airline to pay penalty of Rs 1.1 crore: Air India

“We disagree with the order issued by the DGCA. The issues raised were thoroughly examined by Air India along with external experts concluding that there was no compromise on safety, whatsoever. We are studying the order in detail and will review the options available to us including our right to appeal as well as taking it up with the regulator,” says Air India spokesperson.

4:24 PM

Case registered against Rahul Gandhi for his tweet revealing identity of alleged rape victim: Delhi police

A  first information report (FIR) was lodged against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his tweet revealing identity of alleged rape victim, Delhi Police tells high court.

4:21 PM

LIVE news: Chandigarh mayoral polls to be held on January 30

Punjab and Haryana High Court sets aside Chandigarh administration order postponing mayoral polls, polls now to be held on Jan 30

4:20 PM

PM Modi interacts with NCC and NSS cadets-volunteers who will take part in Republic Day parade

"This year, the Republic Day parade will be even more special because of two reasons, firstly, this will be the 75th Republic Day and secondly, it is dedicated to the women's power of the nation," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

4:05 PM

Mamata Banerjee suffers minor head injury: Media reports

According to media reports,West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suffered a minor head injury after her car driver pressed emergency breaks to avoid collision with a vehicle.