News updates: India proud of its contributions to UN peacekeeping, says EAM Jaishankar

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9:00 PM

Delhi records maximum temp of 27.5 degrees Celsius

The national capital on Monday recorded a maximum temperature of 27.5 degrees Celsius, two notches above the season's average.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature of the day was 10.7 degrees Celsius and the humidity level oscillated between 96 per cent and 46 per cent.

The IMD has predicted mist on Tuesday with the minimum and maximum temperature to be 12 and 28 degrees Celsius respectively.

The residents of Delhi experienced "moderate" air quality on Monday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 186 at 4 pm.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

8:02 PM

CM calls officials to make Kerala ''Zero Corruption State'', warns against malpractices

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday urged officials to work towards making Kerala a "zero corruption state" and warned all bureaucrats against corrupt practices.

The Chief Minister said Kerala should not be satisfied with being the least corrupt state in India but should instead continue striving to completely eliminate corruption and achieve the status of a "zero corruption state." He made these remarks while inaugurating Revenue Day, ahead of presenting the Revenue Awards 2025.

Vijayan issued a stern warning to a small minority of officials within the Revenue department, cautioning them against indulging in corrupt activities. He also urged colleagues to intervene and speak out against any wrongdoing they witnessed.

7:57 PM

Who will understand smell and quality of tea better than a chaiwallah: PM Modi in Guwahati

7:26 PM

RBI allows depositors of New India Co-operative Bank to withdraw up to ₹25,000

7:14 PM

India proud of its contributions to UN peacekeeping: EAM Jaishankar

India will continue to contribute meaningfully to the cause of UN peacekeeping and it is committed to supporting Global South nations in building peacekeeping capacities, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday.

 

Jaishankar also said that the participation of women in peace operations in various parts of the globe has made the missions more diverse and inclusive. The external affairs minister was speaking at the inaugural session of an India-hosted conference on 'Women Peacekeepers from the Global South'.

 

The conference has brought together women peacekeepers from 35 nations to explore the evolving role of women in peacekeeping operations and discuss strategies to enhance their participation.

 

It aims to strengthen the role of women in UN peacekeeping by fostering dialogue, sharing experiences, and improving collaboration among the nations of the Global South.

 

Jaishankar said India is proud of its contributions and association with UN peacekeeping, a commitment that spans decades.

 

"Since the 1950s, India has contributed over 2,90,000 peacekeepers across more than 50 missions. In fact, India remains the largest Troop Contributing Country to this day," he said.

7:05 PM

Want a Jammu and Kashmir where no life is lost due to terrorism: Amit Shah

There is peace in Jammu and Kashmir and this peace has to be permanent, and the Narendra Modi government's aim is to make a Jammu and Kashmir where no life is lost due to terrorism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said here on Monday.

 

Interacting with youngsters from Jammu and Kashmir who have come to the national capital under the Watan Ko Jano youth exchange programme, Shah also said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had equal rights over the entire country, like the people of any other state, and the entirety of India looked at the people of the Union Territory with love and respect.

 

When terrorism comes to an end, there is no need for the deployment of police and that day is not far, he added.

 

"When there is peace, no police will be required. This message has to be carried by you to your friends, family and villages... When you go home, tell your friends, neighbours that the entire country is living in peace and the people of Jammu and Kashmir should also live in peace," Shah said.

 

There is peace in Jammu and Kashmir and this peace has to be permanent and "our aim is to make a Jammu and Kashmir where no life is lost due to terrorism", he added.

6:10 PM

Delhi court to decide on AAP Amanatullah Khan's pre-arrest bail plea on Feb 25

6:05 PM

Bank of England's Dhingra reappointed to Monetary Policy Committee

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee member Swati Dhingra was reappointed to her role as an external member of the rate-setting body, the government said on Monday.

 

Dhingra will now hold the post until August 8, 2028.

5:54 PM

Parliament panel examining I-T Bill holds first meeting

The Finance Ministry on Monday briefed the members of a Select Committee of Lok Sabha on various aspects of the Income Tax Bill as the panel headed by BJP MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda held its first meeting.

 

Sources said the finance secretary told the parliamentarians that the Bill will simplify the existing Act, enacted over six decades back, and make it more user-friendly.

 

Lok Sabha sent the Bill to the committee on the request of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after she introduced it in the House in the first half of Parliament's Budget Session.

 

Sitharaman had said the new I-T Bill will carry forward the spirit of "Nyaya" (justice) based on the concept of "trust first, scrutinise later".

 

The Bill seeks to replace terminologies such as assessment year and previous year with the easier-to-understand tax year as part of a move to simplify language while removing provisos and explanations.

5:27 PM

Grap 2 curbs revoked amid dip in pollution levels in Delhi

The Centre's panel on Delhi-NCR's air quality on Monday revoked the Stage 2 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) following a dip in pollution levels due to favourable meteorological conditions.
 

Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index stood at 186 at 4 pm, significantly below the 300-mark that triggers Stage 2 restrictions.
 

The India Meteorological Department and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology predict that the AQI will likely remain in the moderate to poor category.
 

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas attributes the improved air quality to better mixing height, ventilation coefficient, and "much favourable conditions for dispersion of pollutants".

5:09 PM

Retail inflation eases slightly to 4.61% for farm workers, 4.73% for rural labourers

4:51 PM

MP has potential for 18-fold growth to be $2.1 trillion economy by 2047-48: CII report

Madhya Pradesh can potentially increase the size of its economy by 18 times to $2.1 trillion (Rs 248.6 trillion) by 2047-48, according to a report by industry body CII. In order to realise its potential, the state needs to focus on boosting the manufacturing industry and industrial expansion must take center stage, CII said.

4:14 PM

Ex-Secret Service agent, conservative media personality Dan Bongino picked as FBI deputy director

Dan Bongino, a former US Secret Service agent who has penned best-selling books, ran unsuccessfully for office and gained fame as a conservative pundit with TV shows and a popular podcast, has been chosen to serve as FBI deputy director.

4:11 PM

Credifin to hire over 300 people in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Credifin, a non-banking financial company, on Monday said it will expand operations in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, and hire over 300 employees in the next two months.

4:10 PM

Honoured to be nominated: R Madhavan on PM Modi's campaign against obesity

Actor R Madhavan on Monday said he was honoured to be nominated in the campaign against obesity launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM on Monday nominated 10 persons from different walks of life, including Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, businessman Anand Mahindra, actors Mohanlal and Madhavan and singer Shreya Ghoshal to help fight obesity.