Page 17 - New Delhi

A nod to the old and the new at iconic Taj Mansingh hotel in Delhi

The hotel has spent close to Rs 250 crores in renovation. These changes - a homage to the past while future proofing the hotel - have been made to cater to the evolving needs of patrons

Thailand-based MQDC plans to develop luxury housing projects in Delhi-NCR

Thailand-based realty firm MQDC, which is present in co-working space in India, plans to develop luxury housing projects in Delhi-NCR and is in talks with local builders for joint development. MQDC India, Indian arm of Thailand-based Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC), has one operational co-working facility in South Delhi. It is launching second co-working facility 'Whizdom Club India, at Golf Course Road, Gurugram, on Friday. "We plan to develop luxury housing projects in Delhi and Gurugram. We are in talks with local developers. We are evaluating few sites," MQDC India Country Director Chulamas Jitpatima (Amy) told reporters here. She hoped that the company would be able to announce its partnership early next year with local developer. Amy expects to launch its first residential project by 2025. MQDC is also inviting Indian investors to buy flats in its various properties at Bangkok. It is showcasing its properties to HNIs (High Networth Individuals) here this ...

Afghan embassy in New Delhi will be functional in few days: Taliban govt

The Afghan embassy in New Delhi will resume operations in the next few days, Deputy Foreign Minister in the Taliban set up, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, has said. Stanikzai told Afghan broadcaster RTA that officials at the Afghan consulates in Hyderabad and Mumbai have visited the embassy following instruction from Kabul. The Taliban leader said Afghanistan wants good relations with the neighbouring countries. His comments about resuming operations at the Afghan embassy came days after the mission under the control of Ambassador Farid Mamundzay announced its permanent closure, citing "persistent challenges from the Indian government". Mamundzay, appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani government in Kabul, has been out of India for the last few months. On Friday, the embassy announced its permanent closure. The diplomats at the embassy appointed by the previous government had announced on September 30 too that the mission is ceasing its operations from October 1, alleging a "lack

Manish Sisodia approaches SC seeking review of order denying him bail

Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has moved the Supreme Court seeking a review of its order denying him bail in the corruption and money laundering cases related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The top court had on October 30 refused to grant him bail, saying the accusation against him of facilitating "windfall gains" of Rs 338 crore to wholesale liquor dealers was "tentatively supported" by evidence. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, which termed several charges levelled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Sisodia as debatable, had said, "However, there is one clear ground or charge in the complaint filed under the PML Act, which is free from perceptible legal challenge and the facts as alleged are tentatively supported by material and evidence." It had referred to the CBI's charge sheet, which said the excess amount of 7 per cent commission/fee earned by wholesale distributors of Rs 338 crore constitutes an offence as defined under

DDA identifies land to build cricket stadium, five-star hotel in Narela

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has identified 50 acres of land in Narela for developing an international cricket stadium along with a five-star hotel and a world-class medical facility, Raj Niwas officials said on Wednesday. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has asked the DDA to also identify land in the area for facilities for football, hockey and other Olympic sports, they said. In a major decision that will give a decisive push to infrastructure development here and change the landscape of Narela, DDA has identified 50 acres of land near the Urban Extension Road Project (UER-II) for the development of an international cricket stadium along with a five-star hotel and a world-class medical facility, the officials said. "Saxena, who has been steering the project, has also directed DDA to further identify land parcels in the vicinity to develop sporting infrastructure related to football, hockey and other Olympic sports, with the view to strengthen Delhi's claims for hosting the

Landlords can't be deprived of beneficial enjoyment of property: HC

Landlords cannot be deprived of beneficial enjoyment of their property and are vested with the right to decide how to utilise their possessions, the Delhi High Court said on Wednesday while upholding an order for vacation of tenanted premises. The high court said it is trite law that a tenant cannot dictate to the landlord as to how the property has to be utilised. Landlords cannot be deprived of the beneficial enjoyment of their property. Further, the court is not to sit on the armchair of landlords to dictate as to how the property should be utilised. It is the sole discretion of the landlords to get all the tenanted premises vacated and use as per their need, Justice Jasmeet Singh said. The high court passed the judgement while dismissing a revision petition filed by a tenant challenging a trial court's order of eviction of a shop at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg here. The landlord said he and his son are joint owners of the property, where several shops have been given on rent,

MICE leaders to hold meet to develop India as hub for hosting conferences

Senior leaders and CEOs from the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry will hold a roundtable here on November 30 to deliberate on strategies for developing India as a global hub for hosting large-scale international conferences and exhibitions. The industry roundtable by the Ministry of Tourism will be held at the Bharat Mandapam here. "During India's G20 Presidency, more than 200 meetings have been organised in 56 cities across the country. It has generated unprecedented interest at national and international level. It has showcased India's robust MICE infrastructure and cultural and natural heritage to the world. The Ministry of Tourism is actively working to take this momentum forward and firmly establish India as a global leader in MICE," the ministry of Tourism said in a statement. At the roundtable, the ministry will elaborate on its key initiatives aimed at promoting India as a premier MICE destination. Central to these efforts is the national .

Persistent challenges: Afghan Embassy announces permanent closure in Delhi

Afghanistan Embassy on Friday announced its permanent closure, citing "persistent challenges from the Indian government", even as heads of its Mumbai and Hyderabad missions claimed to have assumed the leadership of the embassy here. The developments come after the Afghanistan Embassy had announced on September 30 that it is ceasing its operations from October 1. The mission had then cited a lack of support from the host government, failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan's interests and reduction in personnel and resources. In a statement issued on Friday, the embassy said it regrets announcing the permanent closure of its diplomatic mission in New Delhi, effective from November 23, "owing to persistent challenges from the Indian government". "This decision follows the embassy's earlier cessation of operations on 30th September 2023, a move made in the hope that the Indian government's stance would evolve favourably for the normal continuation of the Embassy of the Islam

Afghanistan embassy announces closure in New Delhi, issues statement

Despite "limitations in resources and power", the Afghan embassy said it has worked "tirelessly for their betterment and in the absence of a legitimate government in Kabul"

Who is in charge of my 'air'?

Controlling air pollution calls for negotiations that cover airsheds, as air is mobile and beyond artificial legal jurisdictions

Delhi may face severe water shortage over Jal Board fund crisis: Atishi

Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Tuesday said there could be a severe water crisis in the national capital since funds have not been released to the DJB. She requested LG V K Saxena to intervene in the matter. The minister alleged that despite written directions from her, who also holds the finance portfolio, funds were not released to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). "There could be a severe water crisis in the national capital. There are no funds to carry out routine work and paying salaries. The contractors have refused to carry out work. This could lead to a severe water crisis in Delhi, overflowing sewers and dirty water," she said. She also claimed that funds were not released by the Finance Department on the directions of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. There was no immediate reaction from the chief secretary's office or the Finance Department.

Delhi notifies premium bus aggregator scheme to encourage public transport

Electric premium buses will be exempt from licence fees

Our cities are choking

Revitalising urban air is crucial to ensure a healthier future for city dwellers

G20 virtual summit on November 22 will remain a stocktaking exercise

This will be the first time leaders from the G20 nations will gather twice during the year to assess the progress made since the main meeting

Major fire in East Delhi's building, woman dead, 25 people rescued

A 40-year-old woman died in a major fire at a building in East Delhi's Shakarpur on Tuesday while 26 people were rescued, officials said here. They said the fire started in its parking area in the early hours of the day and engulfed the entire structure. A woman died in the fire while 26 people, along with two pets, were rescued by the Delhi Fire Service, the officials said, adding that some people jumped off the windows to save themselves. All of them were rushed to a hospital, they said. "We got a fire call at about 1.05 am... We immediately pressed three fire engines to service. Later, five more fire engines were rushed to the spot. The matter was informed to the police immediately," an official of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said.

Heavy traffic on Delhi's roads ahead of Diwali, long queues at ISBT

Earlier, in anticipation of the traffic congestion during the Diwali and Dhanteras celebrations, the Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory for several parts of the national capital

LIVE: Palestinians flee north Gaza as Israel opens window for safe passage

Catch all the latest updates LIVE from across the globe here

Uneven solution

Car rationing only partially addresses the pollution crisis

BAN vs SL Highlights, World Cup 2023: Win keeps Bangladesh in hunt for CT

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Highlights, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Shakib (82) and Najmul Shanto (90) helped Bangladesh chase down 280 and win the match to keep Champions Trophy qualification hopes alive

India most important country for US, says Ambassador Eric Garcetti

India is the most important country for the US and their relationship is the most defining relationship of the century, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Thursday. Garcetti made the remarks at The Energy Transition Dialogues hosted by Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet ( GEAPP) in New Delhi. "I used to say it in private but now I can say it in public, when the (US) President asked me consider this post (of Ambassador to India) he said India is the most important country in the world for me. I don't know if any American president has ever said that... President Joe Biden he actually did mean it..." the Ambassador said. Garcetti further said he believes the US India-relationship is the most defining relationship of this century. On the G20 summit organised under India's presidency in September, he said it was the best ever in the history. "The relationship is not just US plus India. It is an exponential relationship. Look at how we attended our best ever G20 in