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India News Live Updates: Countries around the world looking at greater engagement with India, says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal at FICCI AGM

Business NewsNewsNewsblogsRussia Ukraine War Live News Updates: Russia’s ICBM strike on Ukraine ‘would mark clear escalation’ by Putin, European Union says

21 Nov 2024 | 04:58:59 PM IST

Synopsis

Russia Ukraine War Live News Updates: Russia’s ICBM strike on Ukraine ‘would mark clear escalation’ by Putin, European Union says

Russia Ukraine War Live News Updates: Russia’s ICBM strike on Ukraine ‘would mark clear escalation’ by Putin, European Union says

Russia ICBM attack ‘would mark clear escalation’ by Putin, European Union says

Source: AFP

At least 32 killed in Pakistan’s latest sectarian attacks: Report

Source: AFP

Government of Assam issues an official notification renaming Karimganj district and Karimganj town as Sribhumi and Sribhumi Town, respectively.

Government of Assam issues an official notification renaming Karimganj district and Karimganj town as Sribhumi and Sribhumi Town, respectively.

Australia and India’s armed forces to conduct ‘air-to-air’ refuelling: Government of Australia

Australia and India have signed an arrangement to enable the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Indian Armed Forces to conduct air-to-air refuelling.

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Honourable Pat Conroy MP, and India’s Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh announced the arrangement during bilateral discussions on 21st November.

Under the arrangement, RAAF’s air-to-air refuelling aircraft, the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, will be able to refuel Indian Armed Forces aircraft.

Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Reynolds, AM, signed the arrangement on 19 November in New Delhi at Australia-India Air Staff Talks, the Government of Australia said on Thursday.

Azure Power says aware Of actions by U.S. Department of Justice, SEC against former directors, Officers of Azure

Tata Power signs MoU with Asian Development Bank for $4.25 bn to finance key clean energy power project

Bombay High Court grants bail to consultant Chetan Patil arrested in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse case.

Source: Press Trust of India

Karnataka: BJP workers protest against the alleged encroachments by the Waqf Board in Haveri | Watch

Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi conferred with honorary rank of the Nepal Army by Nepali President Ramchandra Paudel.

Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi conferred with honorary rank of the Nepal Army by Nepali President Ramchandra Paudel.

Alibaba to integrate e-commerce platforms into one business group

Source: Reuters

Karnataka: Seers, Farmers and BJP workers protest in Kalaburagi over alleged encroachments by the Waqf Board | Watch

Who director-general Tedros hospitalized in Rio de Janeiro

Source: Reuters

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Australian Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery in Laos | Watch

Russia’s military says it shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, doesn’t say where or when

Source: The Associated Press

Excise policy ‘scam’: Delhi HC refuses to stay for now trial court proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal in money laundering case

Source: Press Trust of India

Delhi Excise Policy ‘scam’: HC asks ED to respond to Arvind Kejriwal’s plea against trial court’s order of cognisance of ED chargesheet

Source: Press Trust of India

A Rajgarh-based gang has been busted who did baglifting from marriage functions. A group of 4-5 people committed the crime in which two people would go inside and lift the bag and hand it over to other members, who then took it to Rajgarh. They worked according to a modus operandi… We have arrested 4 people.

– Crime Branch DCP Vikram Singh on the bust of gang who committed robberies in weddings

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets New Zealand counterpart Judith Collins on the sidelines of the ADMM Plus in Laos

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins on the sidelines of the ADMM Plus during his second day in Lao PDR. The meeting focused on strengthening defence cooperation, tweets the Ministry of Defence.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets New Zealand counterpart Judith Collins on the sidelines of the ADMM Plus in Laos

Excise Policy ‘Scam’: Delhi High Court issues notice to ED on Kejriwal’s plea challenging trial court’s decision to take cognizance of ED complaints in the case

Delhi HC issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate on a plea moved by Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal challenging the trial court’s decision to take cognizance of the Enforcement Directorate’s prosecution complaints in the Excise Policy case, citing lack of sanction. The Court fixed 20, December 2024 for a detailed hearing.

Shots fired at school van in a village in Haryana’s Sirsa; More details awaited

Russia fires ballistic missile to hit Ukraine’s Dnipro city

Source: Reuters

Russian forces capture village of Dalne in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv says

Source: Reuters

Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) in Rajouri

Rajouri: J&K Bank’s Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) in Rajouri on Thursday provided free training to women in tailoring and other occupational courses.

The RSETI initiative is part of a broader effort to promote entrepreneurship and skill development among rural youth, with a special focus on women.

Ukraine says Russia launched intercontinental ballistic missile overnight at Dnipro city in central-east of the country, reports AP.

Madras High Court advocates staged a protest outside the High Court demanding justice for the junior advocate, Kannan, who was allegedly chased and attacked with a sickle yesterday outside the Hosur Court Complex in Krishnagiri district.

It is for the company to give clarification and defend itself. Law will take its own course: BJP on US charges against Adani Group

It is Rahul Gandhi’s usual tactic to attack India and structures that defend country, he similarly raked up Rafale issue: BJP

Rahul may try to tarnish PM Modi’s image but his credibility so high that he just received highest civilian award in a foreign country: BJP

None of the four states mentioned in US charges against Adani Group had a BJP CM; Congress, it ally were in power in Chhattisgarh, TN: BJP

Today, once again Rahul Gandhi held a press conference. Once again, he showed the same behaviour and has put things in the same way that he has been doing. There was nothing new in the PC. He has a few names, ways using which he does PC and tries to level allegations against BJP, PM Modi. I remember that Rahul Gandhi had appeared with the Rafale issue in 2019 in a similar fashion. He had claimed that a big revelation will be made. During the Covid pandemic, he used to do press conference in similar fashion over vaccine. However, he had to apologise before the Supreme Court later.

– BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra

BJP has kept its stance clear. The case is in the court and justice will take its course. As for the private firm (Adani Group) involved, the case is under investigation, says BJP’s Sambit Patra

Rahul Gandhi says India has been ‘hijacked’, he is using the wrong tense. India had been ‘hijacked’ by the Gandhi family. So, it’s in the past, says Sambit Patra

Adani US Indictment Political Showdown: If Adani is indeed right behind Modi, then you tell me (Rahul Gandhi), why is that? asks BJP’s Sambit Patra

Adani US Indictment Live News Updates: Gandhi family cannot tolerate the fact that India is set to become the 3rd largest economy in the world, says Sambit Patra

Adani US Indictment Live News Updates: Attempts to discredit Modi is not something new for Rahul Gandhi, says Sambit Patra

Adani US Indictment Live News Updates: States named in the US charges were not ruled by BJP, says BJP’s Sambit Patra

Adani US Indictment Political Row: The ugly face of crony-capitalism is affecting our image, says RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha

“This has now become so serious that despite country’s agencies and influential people trying to cover up the issue, it will be exposed. It is a matter of India’s prestige. When the opposition leaders raise this issue in the House, our BJP friends appear to come across as spokesperson of Adani. It is a matter of concern for them too. There is nothing against capitalism, however, the ugly face of crony-capitalism is affecting our image,” said RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha on industrialist Gautam Adani being charged in the US for alleged bribery and fraud.

Delhi Assembly Elections: Former BJP and Congress leaders make it in the first list of AAP candidates for upcoming polls

AAP on Thursday released the first list of 11 candidates for 2025 Delhi elections.

Former BJP leaders Brahm Singh Tanwar, Anil Jha and BB Tyagi as well as former Congress leaders Chaudhry Zubair Ahmad, Veer Dhingan and Sumesh Shokeen who joined AAP recently were also included in the list.

Delhi Assembly Elections: Former BJP and Congress leaders make it in the first list of AAP candidates for upcoming polls

The voting percentage has increased in Maharashtra, experience tells me we will form government in the state, says Deputy CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday, “The voting percentage has increased in Maharashtra. Our experience is that when the voting percentage increases, it benefits us. So we will get the benefit and our government will be formed in Maharashtra. The voting percentage may have increased due to pro-incumbency. It means feeling affection for the government. We have received information that the percentage of women voting for us has increased due to the Ladki Bahin scheme. There is no discussion about the CM post at the moment. After the results are out, we, will sit together and decide…”

AAP presents three demands on Adani US indictment case

AAP’s 3 demands on Adani case:

-SC should scrutinise the investigation against Adani
-All officials involved in the case should be arrested
-Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani should immediately be arrested in India and then they must be interrogated, Sanjay Singh says

For one Adani, Modi has sell off the entire country, says Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh

Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh demands Gautam Adani be arrested after Adani Group chairman indicted by the United States Department of Justice in an alleged bribery case

Six leaders, who recently switched from BJP and Cong, figure in list of 11 candidates announced by AAP for Delhi Assembly polls.

Source: Press Trust of India

Adani Group denies allegations made by US authorities, calls them ‘baseless’

The Adani Group has dismissed the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against the directors of Adani Green, calling them baseless.

The spokesperson stated, “As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, ‘the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.’”

The Adani Group reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance and compliance, assuring stakeholders that it will pursue “all possible legal recourse.”

The statement said further, “We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws.”

Adani Group responds to allegations made by the US against company and group Chairman Gautam Adani, terms them as ‘baseless’

Price as on 01.20.22 PM, Click on company names for their live prices.

We have been raising this again and again… we have raising it with the Madhabi Buch issue, and it is a vindication of what we have been saying. The prime minister is protecting Mr Adani and the prime minister is involved in corruption with Mr Adani. This is being clearly indicated.

– Congress MP and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi

Probe agencies should do their work and arrest Adani, and investigate the allegations against him, says Rahul Gandhi

Foreign market, stock market and Adani’s ‘nexus’ is harmful for India’s retail investors, says Rahul Gandhi

India’s future is being damaged, says Rahul Gandhi

India’s retail investors will be hurt, my responsibility is to protect you. Adani won’t go down, India’s small investors will, says Rahul Gandhi

This case is just one aspect of the Adani story, he is in several businesses. There are cases against his businesses in Kenya, Sri Lanka, alleges Rahul Gandhi

Wherever Modi goes, Adani follows. We will dismantle this structure in the end, says Rahul Gandhi

We have demolished the credibility of the Prime Minister, says Rahul Gandhi

We have exposed SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri Buch and her connection with Adani, says Rahul Gandhi

Mr Adani and Mr Modi are the same, they are both corrupt individuals, alleges Rahul Gandhi

PM’s credibility has been destroyed, claims Rahul Gandhi

India’s Prime Minister not capable of arresting Adani, if he does so, he will have to go too, claims Rahul Gandhi

Adani has hijacked India, alleges Rahul Gandhi

Wherever there is corruption, an investigation must be initiated. This should start with Adani ji, says Rahul Gandhi

Adani US indictment row live updates: Action should be taken on whosoever is involved in the alleged scam, says Rahul Gandhi

Why is Adani running as a free man in India? Rahul Gandhi asks

Adani won’t be arrested because PM Modi is with him, says Rahul Gandhi after Gautam Adani’s indictment in the US in an alleged bribery case

Ek hai toh safe hai was a motto given by PM, in India nothing will happen to Adani. CMs go in for 10-15 crores. Adani does a scam of 200 crores and he is walking freely, says Rahul Gandhi

Madhabi Puri Buch is protecting Adani, she should also be investigated: Rahul Gandhi

EU climate chief says COP29 draft deal ‘clearly unacceptable’

Source: AFP

Kerala continues to face neglect from the Centre, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday, “It is crucial to effectively present Kerala’s needs in Parliament. Unfortunately, Kerala continues to face neglect from the Centre. The borrowing limits have been drastically cut, which is severely impacting the state’s financial planning. The Mundakkai and Chooralmala disasters were among the worst calamities the country has seen. Despite communicating our requirements clearly to the Centre, we have not received the special financial aid we requested. We sought assistance amounting to Rs 1,222 crore, considering both immediate and anticipated expenses. However, there has been no favourable response from the Centre. The SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) is not special aid—it is a routine allocation.”

I will not accept this and no one else will accept this. We will sit together and decide if Nana Patole has said this and if Nana Patole has the Congress command. The Congress high command has said that if you are becoming the chief minister, then Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi should announce it.

– Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on the statement of Nana Patole

The AAP is likely to announce the first list of candidates for the Delhi Assembly polls due in February next year, party sources said.

Source: Press Trust of India

Delhi BJP leaders and workers protest near the residence of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, over ‘Sheesh Mahal’ controversy | Watch

The BJP-led Mahayuti government has worked to serve justice to every section of the society. Today, be it farmers, labourers, tribals, those belonging to backward classes, women, youth or others, everyone is supporting Mahayuti. That’s why exit polls are showing that Mahayuti will secure a hat-trick in Maharashtra.

– BJP candidate from Saoner seat Ashish Deshmukh

Bihar: Several people reportedly injured after a fire broke out at a building under Shastri Nagar Police Station limits in Patna. More details awaited.

Source: Press Trust of India

Delhi court orders attachment of Bikaner House

A court here has directed the attachment of Bikaner House, which is owned by Nokha municipal council in Rajasthan, after it failed to pay arbitral award of Rs 50.31 lakh to a company. District Judge Vidya Prakash passed the order, noting that the 2020 arbitral award in favour of Enviro Infra Engineers Private Limited has attained finality after an appeal preferred by the Nagar Palika was dismissed earlier this year.
In an order passed on September 18, the judge had noted the non-compliance of the court’s directions.

“Keeping in view the fact that the Judgement Debtor (JD) had failed to comply with the direction for furnishing affidavit of their assets despite grant of repeated opportunities, the court, while agreeing with the submissions made on behalf of Decree Holder (DH), finds it a fit case for issuance of warrants of attachment against immovable property of JD namely Bikaner House, New Delhi,” the judge said.

Sri lanka President: Hope to conclude bondholder debt restructuring by December end

Source: Reuters

Where is the fault? Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on BPL cards revocation in Karnataka

Bengaluru, Karnataka: On BPL cards revocation in the state row, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy says, “…Where is the fault? Where is the genuineness to safeguard the interest of the common man, poor people? They have to properly bring into effect the implementation of food security.”

On a hike in charges at Bengaluru government hospitals, he says, “In all the issues, the State Govt is putting burden on the common man to implement the 5 guarantee programmes. For that, they are unnecessarily burdening the common man. This is not good.”

Yesterday, voters were not allowed to cast their votes in Karhal Assembly constituency (in UP). They (BJP) can win the elections only through manipulation and misuse of EVM…The people should teach them a lesson as they dissolved the government then bought MLAs and formed a new government in Maharashtra…They are giving everything to Gujarat. In Jharkhand also, they did wrong to the tribals. They have made up the issue of infiltrators…BJP would know the exit polls internally as they are the ones who manipulate the votes.

– Congress leader Udit Raj

We have just seen three countries conferred their highest civilian awards to PM Modi in the span of 3-4 days. One can very clearly see that the stature of India is significantly growing year upon year across the world.

– Union Minister Piyush Goyal

Hindi film ‘The Sabarmati Report’, based on Godhra train burning incident of 2002, made tax free in Gujarat: Officials

Source: Press Trust of India

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh walks along with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, at the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus), in Vientiane, Lao PDR | Watch

Hemant Soren looted Jharkhand, there is corruption from top to bottom, says BJP president Babulal Marandi

Ranchi: On Exit Polls, Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi said on Thursday, “Hemant Soren looted Jharkhand for the last 5 years, there is corruption from top to bottom. People were upset with that. Law & Order has collapsed, no development work is happening, Bangladeshi Rohingya Muslims are infiltrating, they are being made citizens here, their ration cards are being made, land and property are being registered in their name. So, people are angry.”

Bihar is gearing up for the Bihar Business Connect global meet on December 19-20 to boost industries and create jobs.

First it was the Hindenburg report… Now it’s the US government’s Justice Department and the ACC which has issued an indictment. This is very serious and we demand a Joint Parliamentary probe. The SEBI must also come out clean about its investigations because they’ve been stonewalling it… They can’t hide this under the carpet anymore. Very serious allegations have been made. The corporate house as well as the government of India must come out with a categorical statement and we demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe… The government agencies must probe these allegations because they have been made against government entities in India. They must immediately order a probe. The SEBI has also acted because a listed entity is being accused of indulging in corrupt practices… The SEBI must also auto-probe. The government agencies must auto-probe. The corporate entity must issue a categorical statement… Since the Hindenburg report, we’ve been asking for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe.

– Congress leader Karti Chidambaram on US prosecutors charging Gautam Adani and others in alleged Solar Energy contract bribery case

‘Swacchta’ was not a concern for us when it came to the environment but only inside our homes. That is, until we paid attention to its importance in making India important, says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal at FICCI AGM

Swachh Bharat played a significant part in taking India to the global forefront, says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal at FICCI AGM

India today is looked upon as a trusted partner by the Globe, becoming partners to international conglomerates. Countries around the world looking at greater engagement with India, says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal

The accusations have been proven and there has been a conviction. It would have been better that our investigative agencies would also have done a free and fair investigation when the reports came in earlier… They talk about corporate governance, responsibility and accountability. The industrialists should be asked to follow the rules and regulations but even the agencies were defending him. The SEBI has not yet been able to prove charges against him… It is being said that he (Adani) spent lakhs and crores of rupees on government officials to get the contracts… This raises a question on the credibility of our country… Losing our reputation due to an industrialist is unfortunate.

– Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on US prosecutors charging Gautam Adani and others in alleged Solar Energy contract bribery case

Billionaire Gautam Adani’s net worth plummets by $10.5 billion to $59.3 billion, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List

Billionaire Gautam Adani’s net worth plummeted by $10.5 billion to $59.3 billion, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List on Thursday.

This development comes after Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani were indicted by the US on charges of alleged bribery linked to Adani’s solar energy biz.

Sanjay Raut is right in saying that ‘exit polls are not exact polls’ … So I would like to advise him that, your boat has sunk, Mahayuti government is going to be formed… Mahayuti government is going to be formed one hundred per cent. There has been a track record of two and a half years of Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. I believe people will vote for progress. It is the politics of performance which works with the younger generation not the politics of destruction.

– Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC

India stands for freedom of navigation, overflight and adherence to international law to promote peace in Indo-Pacific: Rajnath Singh

India would like to see a Code that should not prejudice interests of nations: Rajnath debates on Code of Conduct for South China Sea

Code should be fully consistent with international law: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on proposed Code of Conduct for South China Sea

Kerala HC orders further probe into Minister Saji Cherian’s alleged remarks insulting Constitution

Source: Press Trust of India

Security tightened at Arvind Kejriwal’s residence ahead of BJP protest

Security has been significantly increased at the residence of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi, as the BJP plans to stage a protest over alleged discrepancies regarding the source of funding for lavish items at the former Delhi Chief Minister’s official bungalow.

The BJP criticized Kejriwal for his silence on the matter and vowed to hold a demonstration at his current residence on Ferozshah Road.

The protest comes amid allegations that the expenditures were extravagant, raising questions about financial transparency during Kejriwal’s tenure as CM.

We are very well prepared because we came here early, we got some time to spend at WACA, a lot of youngsters are coming here for the first time. But when we came here the first time as well we got less time than this and we ended up winning the series. Yes, we always believe and have confidence in our side whenever we play, whatever the situation might be. In terms of preparation, we are in a very good place. Now, it’s all about being mentally switched on and we are looking to do that. And then hopefully things will fall in place.

– Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah

India believes long-term solutions to global problems can only be achieved when nations respect each other’s views: Rajnath Singh

With world increasingly getting polarised, it is time Buddhist doctrines of peaceful co-existence is embraced more closely: Rajnath Singh

An open dialogue promotes trust, laying foundation for sustainable partnerships: Rajnath Singh at regional meet in Laos

India’s commitment to peaceful negotiation is evident in its approach to global challenges like border disputes, trade deals: Rajnath

Crime Branch Ahmedabad busts criminal racket, arrests person with possession of MD drugs, weapons and cartridges

Gujarat | Crime Branch, Ahmedabad City has arrested one person named Zishan Datta Pawale with 1.23 kg of MD drugs worth Rs 1.3 crores. 2 weapons, 40 live rounds/cartridges and Rs 18 lakhs from the Danilimda area.

The accused is a history-sheeter. The legal process is currently underway.

At regional security meet in Laos; Rajnath Singh invokes Buddhism; says India always advocated dialogue to resolve complex global issues.

I am grateful to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Government and the people of Guyana for conferring ‘The Order of Excellence.’ This honour belongs to the people of India. May the India-Guyana friendship grow even stronger in the times to come.

– PM Modi

One Maoist was killed in the Malakangiri district of Odisha in an exchange of fire between security forces and the Maoists under Odisha-Chhattisgarh border limits: Odisha Police

Source: ANI

PM Narendra Modi congratulates Indian Hockey Team on winning the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy.

On December 6 we will be marching towards Delhi from the Shambhu Morcha, says farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher

At the Shambhu border, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said on Thursday, “Tomorrow we will hold a meeting at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi…We will keep a blueprint also. On December 6 we will be marching towards Delhi from the Shambhu Morcha…”

A volcano on the Rekjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland is erupting for the seventh time since December

Source: The Associated Press

US prosecutors charge Gautam Adani, Adani Green responds

US prosecutors charge Gautam Adani and others in alleged Solar Energy contract bribery case

Adani Green said on Thursday, “The United States Department of Justice and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission have issued a criminal indictment and brought a civil complaint, respectively, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, against our Board members, Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani. The United States Department of Justice have also included our Board member, Vneet Jaain, in such criminal indictment. In light of these developments, our subsidiaries have presently decided not to proceed with the proposed USD-denominated bond offerings.”

J&K: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting raids at multiple locations in Reasi, Doda, Udhampur, Ramban & Kishtwar in connection with a case involving terrorist infiltration. Raids are being conducted at 8 locations.

Source: ANI

Delhi has become a gas chamber, Kejriwal has brought such a state in 10 years, says BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla

Delhi: BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said on Thursday, “Today Delhi has become a gas chamber. AQI has crossed 350-400, GRAP-4 is in force and breathing here has become the most dangerous thing. 1 person in every family of Delhi NCR is suffering from air pollution, is sick or has respiratory problems. Kejriwal has brought Delhi to such a state in 10 years… Earlier he used to say that it was Punjab’s stubble, today there is a government in Punjab, more than 10 thousand incidents of stubble burning have occurred. Not a single word on this… Sometimes they blame UP and Haryana, sometimes they blame Diwali. Diwali has gone, if there is still pollution then why is it?… The question is that in 10 years the Aam Aadmi Party government did not do any work on the internal causes of pollution here, only corruption… Yamuna Ji is also in the same situation… Delhi High Court also said that 8000 crores were wasted and Arvind Kejriwal used to say that I will make Yamuna suitable for taking a dip by 25, not a single word on that… In this too, people of UP are blamed. So, overall, due to the poisonous blame politics of Aam Aadmi Party, our health has come under threat…”

American and Australian tourists die in Laos alcohol poisoning incident, raising death toll to 4: Report

Source: The Associated Press

As Central bankers, it is our responsiblity to have a good outlook to time our decisions correctly as they impact economies, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

Not only the decisions have to be right but they should also be well timed where economic policies are concerned, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

The size of the balance sheet of the Reserve Bank was back on track once the pandemic was over, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu administers the oath of office to CAG K Sanjay Murthy at Rashtrapati Bhavan

We were not ultra accomodative during covid-19 on our policy, instead we kept the repo rate just above 4 per cent, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

Monetary policy easing in advanced economies helped increase the exposure for the Global South, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

The role of communication has increased with the transition towards establishing more independent Central banks around the world, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

Starbucks considers selling stake in Chinese business, Bloomberg News reports

Starbucks is exploring options for its Chinese operations, including the possibility of selling a stake in the business, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

This conference allows us to learn from each other’s experience and reflect upon our respective journeys over the past few years. In my address today, I propose to focus on three specific areas of policymaking and implementation which I feel contain useful lessons, especially for the Global South. These three areas which I am going to focus on, include balancing inflation and growth, monetary policy communication and crisis management.

– RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

Price stability supports sustained growth in the long term, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

Price stability just as crucial as economic growth, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

Global South countries’ growth important, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

Resilient growth has given us the time to focus on inflation, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

We have to take lessons from New Zealand series but can’t carry baggage, conditions were different, and here you had different results: Bumrah

Source: Press Trust of India

I don’t need to give Kohli any inputs, made my debut under him. One series can go up and down, but he remains confident: Bumrah

Source: Press Trust of India

Modi meets Antigua & Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne, discusses bilateral ties

Prime Minister Modi on Thursday met with Antigua & Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne and discussed bulateral trade with his Carribean counterpart.

“Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua & Barbuda. There is immense potential to further boost bilateral relations, notably in sectors such as trade, Fintech, renewable energy and climate change. Also thanked him for Antigua & Barbuda’s support to International Solar Alliance and CDRI,” Modi wrote on X.

Modi meets Antigua & Barbuda's Prime Minister Gaston Browne, discusses bilateral ties

Tamil Nadu: A massive fire broke out at in a timber mill destroying goods worth lakhs in Salem late last night

When I came here, coach and management gave me clarity that I will be leading the side: Jasprit Bumrah ahead of opening Test against Australia

Seven killed, many injured after bus with passengers on board overturned in Jharkhand: Police

Adani Enterprises dives 10% at open after founder’s US charges

Shares in India’s Adani Enterprises slumped 10 percent at Thursday’s open after US prosecutors charged billionaire industrialist founder Gautam Adani with paying hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes and hiding the payments from investors. The steep losses in the Adani group’s key firm was matched by heavy selling in its other key businesses, with Adani Power losing 11 percent and Adani Energy Solutions tanking 20 percent.

Pollution is affecting everyone, from children to senior citizens. It is affecting the lungs, heart and eyes. People are experiencing watery eyes, irritation, burning sensation, itching, infection, asthma and even heart attack.

– Gurugram’s Noble Eye Care director Dr Digvijay Singh

Rupee turns flat at 84.42 against US dollar in early trade

The rupee turned flat at 84.42 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday amid volatile crude oil prices and lackluster sentiment in the domestic equity markets. A weaker American currency supported the local unit, but it was weighed down by the relentless outflow of foreign funds, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 84.41 and slipped further to 84.42 against the greenback, trading at its previous closing level in early deals.

On Tuesday, the rupee settled flat at 84.42 against the US dollar. The foreign exchange market was closed on Wednesday due to assembly elections in Maharashtra.

Karnataka Lokayukta conducts raids in connection with complaints against four officers across four Departments in the state. Raids are underway at 25 places inChikkaballapur and other locations.

Delhi Air quality improves from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’

After the air quality in the national capital reeled into ‘severe’ and ‘severe plus’ category for the past few days, the level of air pollution slightly improved on Thursday as the air quality fell into to ‘very poor’ category with a thin layer of smog reducing visibility in several parts of Delhi.

According to the data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in Delhi was 379, categorised as ‘very poor, as of 8 am on Thursday.

As of 8 am, according to the data of the CPCB, the AQI measured at Chandani Chowk is 338, IGI Airport (T3) is 370, ITO is 355, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is 354, RK Puram is 387, Okhla Phase 2 is 370, Patparganj is 381, Sonia Vihar is 394 and Aya Nagar is 359, categorized as ‘very poor’.

However, various places in Delhi are still in the cap of ‘severe’ category air pollution, as the AQI in Anand Vihar is 405, Ashok Vihar is 414, Bawana is 418, Dwarka Sector-8 is 401, Mundka is 413 and Wazirpur is 436.

US regulators want to force Google to sell its Chrome browser as part of the penalty for monopolizing search

US regulators want to force Google to sell its Chrome browser as part of the penalty for monopolizing search.

President Ali calls for technology to bridge global gaps, celebrates India-CARICOM partnership

Georgetown: Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali says, “Technology, innovation and digitization must not be used to widen the gap between the countries. These advancements must be made to reduce the gap and poverty and bring the world closer together… India has been championing new technology innovation and PM Modi reminded us in CARICOM that you are a member of this CARICOM family. We want you to know we hold you as a member of this CARICOM family… It was a bilateral meeting that was different. It was a meeting of minds, an exchange of ideas and a commitment to helping each other to overcome challenges…”

US plans to propose breakup of Google to fix search monopoly: NYT

PM Modi praises Guyana-India ties, highlights shared cultural and democratic values

Georgetown, Guyana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “… President Irfaan Ali contributed immensely to taking these relations to unprecedented heights… In today’s discussions, I felt his affection and respect for the people of India. India is also ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with Guyana. Our cooperation as two democracies is important for bilateral relations and also for the entire Global South. Guyana, blessed with numerous waterfalls and lakes is called ‘The Land of Many Waters’… Just as the rivers of Guyana are a part of the cultural identity of the people here, rivers of India like the Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaputra have been the birthplace of our ancient civilisation. There are many such examples of similarities between India and Guyana…”

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal tweets, “Another feather in the cap for India! President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana conferred PM Narendra Modi with the highest national award of Guyana ‘The Order of Excellence’, for his exceptional service to the global community, statesmanship and contribution in deepening India-Guyana ties.”

Uttar Pradesh: Five people died, 15 injured in a collision between a truck and a double-decker bus in Tappal PS area of Aligarh late last night. The bus was heading from Delhi towards Azamgarh: CO Khair, Varun Kumar

Rosenworcel to step down as US Federal Communications Commission chair on Jan. 20

Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said on Wednesday she will step down from the agency that oversees U.S. telecommunications companies on Jan. 20 when Donald Trump assumes the presidency.

Rosenworcel, who joined the FCC in 2012 and is the first female permanent chair, oversaw a dramatic expansion of commission work on space policy including the establishment of a Space Bureau.

She was also behind efforts to help more students get internet access, oversaw a government subsidy program to help 23 million households get broadband access and led an agency crackdown on the proliferation of Chinese telecoms equipment and other national security issues.

Rosenworcel said the job had been the honor of a lifetime, guiding “the FCC during a time when communications technology is a part of every aspect of civic and commercial life.”

Trump picks former congressman Hoekstra to be ambassador to Canada

President-elect Donald Trump said on Wednesday he was picking former congressman Pete Hoekstra to be the U.S. ambassador to Canada.

Adani Companies’ dollar bond prices down sharply: LSEC data

US SEC charges Adani in alleged bribery scheme

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has charged billionaire Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of the Adani Group, with allegedly defrauding American investors and bribing officials. Adani, 62, his nephew Sagar Adani, 30, executives of Adani Green Energy Ltd, and Cyril Cabanes, an executive of Azure Power Global Ltd were charged on Wednesday with conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, as well as substantive securities fraud, for their roles in a multi-billion-dollar scheme to obtain funds from US investors and global financial institutions through false and misleading statements.

The SEC alleged that the bribery scheme was orchestrated to enable renewable energy companies Adani Green and Azure Power to capitalise on a multi-billion-dollar solar energy project awarded by the Indian government.

Read more here

US Senate blocks bid to halt some Israel military sales

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday blocked legislation that would have halted the sale of some U.S. weapons to Israel, which had been introduced out of concern about the human rights catastrophe faced by Palestinians in Gaza.

Seventy-nine of the 100 senators opposed a resolution that would have blocked sales of tank rounds to Israel, while 18 approved it and one voted present.

The Senate was due to vote later on Wednesday on two other resolutions that would stop shipments of two other types of offensive military equipment.

All of the votes in favor of the measure came from Democrats, while “no” votes came from both Democrats and Republicans. Approval would have been a marked departure from decades of U.S. congressional support for Israel, which for years was the biggest recipient of U.S. military assistance.

US gathers allies to talk AI safety as Trump’s vow to undo Biden’s AI policy overshadows their work

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal President Joe Biden’s signature artificial intelligence policy when he returns to the White House for a second term.

What that actually means for the future of AI technology remains to be seen. Among those who could use some clarity are the government scientists and AI experts from multiple countries gathering in San Francisco this week to deliberate on AI safety measures.

Hosted by the Biden administration, officials from a number of U.S. allies — among them Australia, Canada, Japan, Kenya, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the 27-nation European Union — began meeting Wednesday in the California city that’s a commercial hub for AI development.

Anmol Bishnoi, brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, arrested in US

As per an update by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of the infamous gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been arrested by US law enforcement and is currently under detention at the Pottawattamie County Jail in the city of Iowa, United States.

In an official statement to ANI, ICE stated that Bishnoi was detained at the faciility and that they could not share any further information at this time.

The arrest of Anmol Bishnoi comes amid ongoing investigations into his involvement in various criminal activities.

Dominica awards PM Modi its highest honour

The Commonwealth of Dominica has conferred its highest national honour, the Dominica Award of Honour, upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Sylvanie Burton presented the award to PM Modi in recognition of his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening the relationship between India and Dominica.

Upon receiving the prestigious award, PM Modi expressed his gratitude, saying, “This honour is not only mine but of 140 crore people of India, their efforts, their values and their tradition. We are two democracies, and we together are role models of women’s empowerment for the world. It is a matter of deep satisfaction that we were able to help the people of Dominica during a pandemic like Covid-19.”

Republicans on House Ethics reject for now releasing report on Matt Gaetz

House Ethics Committee Republicans voted Wednesday against releasing the panel’s long-running investigation into President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, the top Democrat on the panel said.

The outcome, however, is only a temporary reprieve for Gaetz, who faces allegations of sexual misconduct, as he works to personally secure his embattled nomination to be the nation’s top law enforcement official.

The House panel expects to meet again Dec. 5 to reconsider releasing its findings.

“There was no consensus on this issue,” said Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, the panel’s ranking Democrat, who said the vote fell along party lines on the evenly split committee.

Russia, North Korea agree to boost charter flights after trade meeting, TASS and KCNA say

North Korea and Russia have signed a protocol on cooperation after meetings covering trade, the economy, science and technology in Pyongyang, North Korean state media KCNA said on Thursday.

There were few details in the KCNA report, but Russia’s TASS news agency said on Tuesday that the countries agreed to increase charter flights following the meeting, citing Russia’s ministry of natural resources.

Between January and September, the number of tourists travelling between Russia and North Korea amounted to over 5,000 people, with more than 70% travelling by air, it said.

The increased charter flights are expected to take off not only from Russia’s eastern region close to North Korea, but also from major Russian cities in other areas, TASS said, citing the ministry.

PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Dominica PM Roosevelt Skerrit in Georgetown

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, for a bilateral discussion in Georgetown, Guyana.

The meeting, held during PM Modi’s visit to Guyana, is part of India’s ongoing engagement with Caribbean nations to strengthen ties and foster cooperation.

India and the Commonwealth of Dominica have enjoyed traditionally cordial bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1981. While Dominica does not maintain a diplomatic mission in India, it is concurrently accredited to India’s mission in Port of Spain.

The relationship has been marked by numerous high-level exchanges, including interactions between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Skerrit during the India-CARICOM Leaders’ Meeting in New York in September 2019, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).