UPDATES: Sitharaman meets Swiss economic affairs secretary, discusses ways to deepen ties
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 "Nirmala Sitharaman, Nirmala")
File Photo: PTI
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday met Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda and discussed ways to deepen collaboration between the countries. "They explored opportunities for deeper collaboration in #investment, #innovation and economic growth," the Finance Ministry said in a post on X.
An army soldier was critically injured by gunfire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said. The soldier was manning a forward post in the Kalal area of Nowshera sector when he was hit by a bullet and was immediately rushed to a military hospital, the officials said. They said preliminary information revealed that the fire came from across the LoC around 2.40 pm.
Citing global uncertainties, he said that as a big country, India has always been an advocate of peace and stability.
Speaking after inaugurating the 15th edition of Aero India here, he also highlighted that the time has come for the private sector to become an equal partner in the defence industry.
Severe traffic jams have affected Prayagraj, with pilgrims not being able to reach the Triveni Sangam on time to take the holy dip. The Prayagraj Sangam railway station has also been closed till Friday due to excessive crowds. Four men, who head three dairies in three states, have been taken in custody by a CBI-led special investigation team in connection with the Tirupati laddoo adulteration case. Those arrested include Bipin Jain and Pomil Jain, former directors of Bhole Baba Dairy (Roorkee, Uttarakhand), Vaishnavi Dairy (Poonambakkam, Tamil Nadu) CEO Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, and AR Dairy (Dundigal, Telangana) MD Raju Rajasekharan.
President Donald Trump says he has directed the Treasury Department to stop minting new pennies, citing the cost of producing the one-cent coin. “For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents. This is so wasteful!” Trump wrote in a post Sunday night on his Truth Social site. “I have instructed my Secretary of the US Treasury to stop producing new pennies.”
BJP's winning candidate from Malviya Nagar, Satish Upadhyay, expressed confidence in the party's future plans for the city, stating that the development work currently underway across India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership will now also extend to Delhi. "AAP-da has finished in Delhi...The development work that is going on across the country under the leadership of PM Modi will now start in Delhi also...The glory of the national capital will return," he said. On February 8, Upadhyay defeated three-time AAP MLA Somnath Bharti in Malviya Nagar; his wife, Aarti Upadhyay, thanked the people and assured them of speedy development in the constituency, which she said had "deteriorated" under AAP rule.
11:06 PM
Telangana CM directs free sand supply for Indiramma housing scheme
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday directed officials to ensure free sand supply for houses being built under the 'Indiramma' housing scheme. During a review meeting on mines and mineral development, Reddy instructed officials to make sand available at lower prices for the general public. He also ordered strict measures to curb black marketing and take strong action against the "sand mafia," according to an official release.
10:19 PM
Ladli Behna Yojana aid to gradually rise to Rs 3000, says MP CM; Cong hits back at 'empty talk'
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday said the monthly aid under the Ladli Behna Yojana will be gradually increased to Rs 3,000 from the current Rs 1,250. During a function held in Dewas, Yadav transferred Rs 1553 crore into the accounts of 1.27 crore women beneficiaries of Ladli Behna Yojana. "I want to tell sisters that we are transferring Rs 1250 now. Don't worry, we will increase this amount to Rs 3,000 gradually," Yadav said.
9:58 PM
Hamas accuses Israel of ceasefire violations, says it will delay next hostage release
A Hamas spokesperson said Monday it will delay the next hostage release after accusing Israel of violating ceasefire agreement. Israel and Hamas are in the midst of a six-week ceasefire during which Hamas is releasing dozens of the hostages captured in its October 7, 2023, attack in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The sides have carried out five swaps since the ceasefire went into effect last month, freeing 21 hostages and over 730 prisoners. The next exchange was scheduled for Saturday
9:47 PM
At least 40 dead after a bus plunged off a bridge in Guatemala
At least 40 people are dead after their bus plunged off a bridge Monday on the outskirts of Guatemala's capital. Firefighting spokesman Edwin Villagran said a multi-vehicle crash sent the bus off the bridge before dawn. Another 15 people were seriously injured. The bus had come from Progreso, northeast of the capital. Volunteer firefighting spokesman scar Snchez said children were among the victims.
9:29 PM
Complaints filed in Mumbai against influencer Allahbadia, others over 'vulgar' content
Social media influencer Ranveer Allahbadia and others associated with a YouTube reality show appeared headed for legal trouble after two complaints were filed on Monday in Mumbai over his crass comments that triggered an outrage and forced him to apologise. The complaints, one with the police and another with a city court, were filed separately by Congress and BJP members.
9:27 PM
CDS Chauhan discusses bilateral military cooperation with UK military brass
The Chief Of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Monday discussed furthering bilateral military cooperation and capacity building with senior military brass of United Kingdom on the sidelines of Aero India 2025. "General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff interacted with a delegation from the United Kingdom headed by Lord Vernon Coaker, Minister for the House of Lords along with Air Vice Marshal Suraya Marshall, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Royal Air Force on the sidelines of Aero India 2025," the office of the Integrated Defence Staff said in a post on 'X'.
8:29 PM
UK Energy Security Minister in India for 4th UK-India Energy Dialogue
Britain's Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, arrived in New Delhi on Monday for the fourth UK-India Energy Dialogue and to promote UK business interests at the India Energy Week global exhibition. The UK's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said the aim of the visit is to unlock economic growth from clean energy transition, support new jobs, create export opportunities and tackle the climate crisis in partnership with India.
8:11 PM
Third federal judge blocks Trump's order ending birthright citizenship
Third federal judge has blocked President Trump's order ending birthright citizenship for the children of people in the US illegally.
7:59 PM
Seizure of narcotics jumped by 55% in 2024: Govt
Narcotics worth over Rs 25,330 crore were seized by various agencies during 2024, an increase of 55 per cent as compared to the seizures made in 2023, an official statement said on Monday. The action in line with the zero-tolerance policy against drugs of the Centre was undertaken by all law enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau.
7:33 PM
Has 'Uncle Soros' advised Cong leadership against taking dip in Sangam, asks Anurag Thakur
BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Monday questioned Congress leaders for not taking a holy dip during the Maha Kumbh and wondered if they have been directed not to do so by "Uncle Soros and Uncle Sam". Participating in a debate on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, the Hamirpur MP said even former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru took a dip in the Sangam but today's generation of the Congress is avoiding it.
7:12 PM
Govt bans export of raw human hair below $65 per kg
The government on Monday imposed export ban on raw human hair if the prices are below USD 65 per kg, according to a notification. In January 2022, the government imposed restrictions on these exports.
6:37 PM
LS Speaker Birla flags concerns over fewer sittings of legislative bodies
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday expressed concern over the declining participation of lawmakers in legislative proceedings and fewer sittings of legislative bodies and low productivity in legislatures. Addressing the Orientation Programme for newly elected Members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, Birla urged the legislators to actively participate in the House proceedings during sessions and listen to all the emanating view points.
6:18 PM
Consent irrelevant for prosecution in POCSO cases, rules Delhi HC
The Delhi High Court has held in a POCSO case, the plea of consensual relationship was legally immaterial as the age of the survivor was the decisive factor. Justice Sanjeev Narula observed a plea of consensual relationship raised by a person, facing prosecution for sexually assaulting a minor, was legally immaterial as the age of a survivor was the decisive factor under the POCSO Act.
6:07 PM
India's aluminium exports to the US likely to drop due to tariffs
India's aluminium shipments to the US, its top export market for the metal, will likely drop due to tariffs proposed by Washington, prompting producers to look at other markets such as Europe, industry executives and a government source said on Monday. US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would introduce new 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the United States in another major escalation of his trade policy overhaul. He also said he would announce reciprocal tariffs on Tuesday or Wednesday.
5:31 PM
Eicher Motors misses profit estimates
Eicher Motors, which makes the Royal Enfield brand of motorcycles, missed third-quarter profit estimates on Monday, hurt by a mix of high marketing expenses and sales of lower-margin motorcycles outpacing higher-margin models. The company reported a net profit of Rs 1,171 crore (about $134 million) in the quarter, compared to analysts' expectation of Rs 1,212 crore, as per data compiled by LSEG.
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First Published: Feb 10 2025 | 9:07 AM IST