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Delhi pollution in severe category for third straight day November 15, 2024 12:29

The city of New Delhi experienced severe air pollution for the third consecutive day on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a high of 409, as reported by the government's pollution control agency. The city was enveloped in dense smog, which reduced visibility and disrupted both traffic and flight operations. Out of the 39 monitoring stations in Delhi, 21 registered severe AQI levels, with four classified as 'severe plus'. The areas of Jahangirpuri, Bawana, Wazirpur, and Rohini experienced the worst pollution, with AQI levels exceeding 450. However, the overall 24-hour air quality showed a slight improvement compared to the previous day's AQI of 432. In response to the worsening air pollution, the government implemented strict anti-pollution measures under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), following an order from the Commission for Air Quality Management. Additionally, the Delhi government announced that classes for students up to Grade V would shift to online mode from Friday until further notice due to the poor air quality. Under Stage 3 of GRAP, all interstate buses from the NCR states, except electric, CNG, and BS-VI diesel vehicles, are prohibited from entering Delhi. The government will take measures such as spraying water on major roads daily and considering online classes for young students. Additionally, restrictions will be imposed on the movement of older petrol and diesel vehicles in Delhi and surrounding districts, as the city's air quality has deteriorated to the severe level due to vehicle emissions, crop burning, and unfavourable weather conditions, including low wind speeds.

Chhota Rajan Gets Bail In a Murder Case October 23, 2024 13:32

The Bombay High Court has granted bail to notorious underworld criminal Chhota Rajan, who was previously convicted for the 2001 murder of a hotel owner in Mumbai. The court has suspended his life sentence. The court has ordered Rajan to provide a bond of ₹ 1 lakh for the bail. Despite the bail, Rajan will remain in jail as he is also serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey, and other criminal cases. Earlier this year, a special court had found Rajan guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment for the murder of Jaya Shetty, the owner of the Golden Crown Hotel in Mumbai. The investigation had revealed that Shetty was killed because he failed to pay the extortion money demanded by Rajan's associates. Rajan, 64, is considered one of the most feared mafia leaders in Mumbai. The criminal was first apprehended in 1979 for attacking law enforcement officers. After serving his sentence, he associated with the Bada Rajan gang and then sought protection under Dawood Ibrahim. In 1989, Rajan secretly fled to Dubai and Indonesia, where he evaded authorities for nearly 27 years as a fugitive. He was later extradited to India in November 2015. The notorious underworld figure is accused of various criminal offenses, such as homicide, extortion, smuggling, and drug trade.

YEIDA Offer For Group Housing Near Noida August 01, 2024 17:53

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has launched a new scheme offering group housing plots located in the residential sectors of 17,18 and 22D with sizes ranging from 16, 188 sqm (2.8 Acres) to 48,564 Sqm (12 acres). There is a huge demand for housing in the mentioned area as there is an upcoming Noida International Airport and Industrial development area. The plots will be allotted in e-auction starting from the price range between Rs 32,375 and Rs 35,612 per square meter. This scheme is going to have an affordable segment to luxury housing segments, with an expected to generate 25000 flats in various segments. The CEO of YEIDA, Dr Arunvir Singh has shared the details of the YEIDA residential plot distribution. The plots were initially part of the 2009 scheme in Sector 18 but were reassigned due to a land dispute. Additionally, YEIDA also has 700 plots available in Mohammadabad Kheda. In sector 22D there are eight plots available in four different sizes, with 20,235 qm, 47,754 sqm 45,173 sqm, and 48,564 sqm. In Sector 17, there are different plots with sizes 11,513 sqm, 12,141 sqm, 20, 235 sqm, and the largest is 24,282 sqm, with the price range from Rs 37 cr to Rs 78 Cr. The president of CREDAI NCR, Manoj Gaur said that in Noida there is a huge gap between the demand and supply due to the scarcity of the land in Noida and Greater Noida. So the real demand started aYEIDA announcement. There will be parallel development in the area like infrastructural development, corporate offices, and industries. With the developments of the residential spaces, the infrastructural development will naturally increase, said General Secretary CREDAI NCR, Gaurav Gupta The director of County Group, Amit Modi felt that more than the airport, the industrial corridor created by the authority will be the game changer. As they are attracting both the affordable and the luxury segments, this is going to have a broader demographic. YEIDA residential plots are available in sizes starting from 90 sqm to 4000 sqm, including 120 sqm plots for the budgeted, this is the affordable segment. This is only to attract different home buyers with the estimation of Rs 350 Cr.

ISI along with Khalistani Terror Group To Disrupt Amarnath Yatra July 27, 2024 15:22

Recent findings by intelligence agencies reveal a scheme by Pakistan's ISI, collaborating with Babbar Khalsa International, aimed at disrupting the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. The plan involves exploiting Punjab's criminal networks and extremist organizations to execute a significant attack targeting pilgrims. Additionally, reports suggest ISI is utilizing Babbar Khalsa International to target Hindu leaders in Punjab and Delhi. A recent alert raised concerns about suspected terrorists with advanced weapons near Pathankot in June. This prompted a search operation after spotting seven suspicious individuals. Another troubling incident involved a threat letter received by a Hindu preacher in Punjab from a Khalistan-affiliated group, prompting an FIR and a search by the Punjab Police. Notably, over 400,000 devotees have participated in the Amarnath Yatra during the past 28 days. Many followers believe this site represents Lord Shiva's mystical abilities. Located in Kashmir at 3,888 meters above sea level, the cave can be reached via two routes: the traditional south Kashmir (Pahalgam) path or the north Kashmir (Baltal) path. The Pahalgam route, spanning 48 km, typically takes Yatris four to five days to reach the shrine. Alternatively, the Baltal route covers a distance of 14 km, allowing pilgrims to visit the shrine and return to the base camp in one day.

Heavy rains hit Mumbai: Waterlogging and Flights Delayed July 25, 2024 14:25

Numerous flights have faced delays and cancellations in Mumbai due to intense rainfall. Sion, Chembur, and Andheri are experiencing severe flooding because two lakes supplying water to the city are overflowing. The weather office has issued a red alert for Mumbai until 8.30 am tomorrow, forecasting heavy rainfall in some areas. IndiGo has advised passengers to check flight statuses as the rain is causing delays. Air India is cancelling and diverting flights due to the downpour, offering refunds or rescheduling for today's bookings. SpiceJet has also cautioned passengers about potentially affected flight schedules. Traffic at the Andheri subway has been halted due to flooding. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has reported that two lakes, Modak-Sagar and Vihar, are overflowing, exceeding their capacities of 12,892 crore and 2,769 crore litres. #WATCH | Maharashtra: Severe waterlogging in several parts of Navi Mumbai following heavy rainfall in the city; visuals from APMC market pic.twitter.com/HGo5MH1lUn — ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024 #WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Waterlogging in Andheri following heavy rainfall; Andheri Subway closed for vehicular movement. pic.twitter.com/9iCTm03w1S — ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024 The two lakes are overflowing, causing issues in areas around Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra. Mumbra in Thane and residential complexes in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, are facing floods. Three deaths occurred in Pune due to electrocution in flooded waters. Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, mentioned the preparedness of authorities like NDRF and SDRF for rescuing affected residents. The government is also in touch with the Army for additional assistance if needed. The Chief Minister urged Mumbaikars to stay home unless essential. #WATCH | Mumbai | Vehicular movement affected near Bandra Kurla Complex as Mumbai continues to reel under heavy and continuous rainfall pic.twitter.com/BBjqDQI469 — ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024

CID Probe on YS Jagan's Liquor Scam in Andhra Pradesh July 24, 2024 17:36

The Andhra Pradesh government is all set to order a CID probe into the liquor scam during the tenure of former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced this in the Assembly on Wednesday. On the same day he presented a White Paper on the liquor trade in the Assembly house. Chandrababu Naidu said that when criminals join politics, politicians also become criminals. He said we have seen what happens to the country when a criminal becomes prime minister. He said: If you read the seven white papers published by the current government, you will understand how much damage has been done to the country in the last five years. He said that Jagan Mohan Reddy had promised a complete ban on liquor and reduction in the number of outlets. But he did a lot to rob the state's liquor store, he said. He said Jagan Mohan Reddy had said that if the price of alcohol increased, people would stop drinking alcohol. He said prices have increased alarmingly compared to neighboring countries. However, alcohol sales have not declined. Chandrababu Naidu said that sales of liquor have increased in the last five years. But the government's revenue has declined, he said. He said the increase in revenue went into the pockets of YSR Congress leaders. He said that the common liquor available in the country was not available in the state for the last five years. There are different brands of alcohol available in this state. The Prime Minister also said that the government has not given money to distilleries and some distilleries have not received new orders. He said: Five major brands and national brands were sent abroad. Local brands are sold in liquor stores, he said. He said the government forced them to buy every branded product in the stores. He further said that the government has allocated Rs 250 million from various departments to the tax department. He stressed the need for a review of the tax department. He said: The government will revise the alcoholic beverages policy and introduce a new alcoholic beverages policy. He promised to make popular brands available in the state. He sought the cooperation of the MLAs in formulating a new liquor policy. He also asked for suggestions for further investigation into this crime. He said: People who have committed crimes in the last five years will be severely punished. He also suggested that ministers should investigate corruption in their respective ministries.

Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Economic Survey of India July 22, 2024 17:10

Unveiling the Economic Survey 2023-24 on Monday, a day before the seventh Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India's economy is on a "strong base and on a stable foundation", a challenge she described as flexible to geopolitical to meet challenges. The Indian economy is on a strong and stable footing and fiscal and monetary policy makers should ensure its economic and financial stability,” the report said. Sitharaman pointed out that the growth rate in FY24 is estimated at 8.2 percent and the economy has crossed the 8 per cent mark in three out of four quarters, adding that the momentum achieved between FY23 and Fiscal 24 arose, and will continue in fiscal 25 from 2023 to 2024. 6.5% and 7%. “The prospects for continued strong growth beyond FY25 look good... subject to geopolitical, financial market and weather risks,” the finance minister told MPs. This compares favorably with global economic growth of 3.2 percent in 2023 (April data from the World Economic Forum). “The apparent differences in growth performance between countries are due to domestic structural problems (and) their uneven impact on geopolitical conflicts,” the report said. Core inflation is “under control”, with the central bank forecasting 4.5 per cent in FY25 and 4.1 per cent next year. This is for a normal monsoon without any external or political shocks. However, the report states that the inflation rate of some food products is increasing. According to this report, food inflation has reached 7.5% in FY2023 from 6.6%. The increase was due to adverse weather conditions that limited production. The report said farmers are facing challenges due to the severe weather and the draining of reservoirs. Retail inflation, which averaged 6.7% in FY23, declined to 5.4% in FY24 due to "timely government policy interventions and RBI's price stability measures". According to the economic survey, this is the lowest level since the pandemic. The economic survey also highlighted that capital formation growth increased by 9 percent in real terms in fiscal 2024, reflecting "movement in government capital investment and continued movement in private investment." Regarding the budget balance, the study said that "procedural reforms, cost containment and gains in taxation brought about by increased digitalisation" helped offset "expansive public investment". The current account deficit was 0.7 percent of GDP in FY24, a significant improvement over the 2 percent deficit in FY23. "The external balance was pressured by lower global demand for goods, but this was largely offset by strong services exports..." it said. But "for a country with high growth ambitions, change is the only sustainable thing," the report said, pointing out that "a long lift on the domestic front" will be needed for the strong recovery phase to continue. This is because the complex global environment makes it difficult to reach agreements on key issues such as trade, investment and climate change, the government said. According to the Economic Survey, the short-term outlook is positive (but a clearer vision is needed in the longer term).

Close to 1000 Indian Students return from Bangladesh July 20, 2024 17:26

Amid the ongoing civil unrest in Bangladesh, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is working diligently to facilitate the safe return of Indian students to India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is collaborating with various government agencies, including civil aviation, immigration, land ports, and the Border Security Force (BSF), to ensure a smooth and seamless passage for Indian nationals. So far, 778 Indian students have successfully crossed the India-Bangladesh International Border and returned to India through various land ports. Additionally, around 200 students have been able to return home by regular flight services from Dhaka and Chittagong airports, as confirmed by the MEA's statement. The High Commission remains in constant communication with over 4,000 students who are still studying in various universities across Bangladesh. The Indian High Commission has also extended assistance to students from Nepal and Bhutan, helping them cross into India upon their request. Many Indian students had already booked air tickets, but due to the curfew in place, they were unable to make it to the airports. Several flights were also cancelled, leaving a significant number of students still residing in university hostels where the situation remains relatively peaceful. Update on return of Indian Nationals in Bangladesh:https://t.co/uR41LSSc7O pic.twitter.com/GRWIWJAAiu — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 20, 2024 The current political climate in Bangladesh has been marked by turmoil and unrest, as student protesters, security officials, and pro-government activists clash over a contentious quota system for government jobs. The protests, which began late last month, have now reached a critical point, with universities across the country closing indefinitely in response to the escalating violence. At the heart of the issue is a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for the family members of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence. Protesters argue that this system is discriminatory and disproportionately benefits supporters of the ruling Awami League party, advocating instead for a merit-based system. The situation has become increasingly volatile, with soldiers patrolling the streets and riot police firing on protesters who defy the government-imposed curfew. Amidst the chaos, the Indian government has stepped in, opening consulates in Dhaka and Chittagong to facilitate the return of Indian nationals to their home country.

Microsoft tech glitch impacts systems in Indian Airports July 19, 2024 13:33

A major cloud outage at Microsoft caused widespread air travel disruptions around the world, including in India. Several airlines were affected, with flights grounded and operations disrupted at the Delhi and Mumbai airports. Akasa Airlines announced that some of its online services, like booking, check-in, and flight management, would be temporarily unavailable at these airports due to "infrastructure issues" with their service provider. The airline advised passengers with immediate travel plans to arrive early at the airports to check in manually at their counters, apologizing for the inconvenience and assuring that their teams were working to resolve the problem as soon as possible. Similarly, Spicejet acknowledged a technical issue that prevented them from providing updates on flight disruptions, but stated that their team was actively working to fix the problem. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and promised to update passengers once the issue was resolved, asking for their patience and cooperation. Due to problems with Microsoft's services, the airline was forced to ground flights for over two hours. Frontier eventually resumed operations, lifting the nationwide pause on departures. The disruption also affected reservations and bookings. Allegiant Air, another US airline, also experienced similar issues with reservations and bookings, and is working to resolve them. Sun Country Airlines Holdings Inc also reported a "global outage". Microsoft stated that the outage started around 6 pm ET, affecting a subset of its customers who were experiencing problems with multiple Azure services in the Central US region. Globally, Windows 10 users are facing a major outage due to a new Crowdstrike update, leading to PCs getting stuck on the recovery screen. Many users on social media have shared images of their screens displaying the message "It looks like Windows didn't load correctly. If you'd like to restart and try again, choose Restart my PC below." Furthermore, the Blue Screen of Death error messages have been reported across various industries, including banking institutions, supermarkets, and media companies in the United States. This has resulted in disruptions to TV studios, and some radio studios are offline, as reported by the Guardian. Cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike has reported that numerous major corporations in India are experiencing a technical issue resulting in their Windows-based computers displaying blue screens. The cause of this problem is currently being looked into, according to the company. One senior executive at a prominent firm has informed the Hindustan Times that their employees across different locations are encountering this same concerning computer malfunction. The situation remains unverified at this time, but the investigation into the source of the problem is ongoing.

BRS MLC Kavitha rushed to hospital July 16, 2024 20:55

BRS MLC K Kavitha was arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor scam and shifted to Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital in New Delhi after experiencing health issues in Tihar Jail. After Kavita collapsed in Tihar Jail, prison authorities took her to a hospital in Delhi for proper medical attention. He was arrested on March 15, 2024 in connection with liquor scam and lodged in Tihar Jail where he has been remanded ever since. It was the CBI that first registered the Delhi liquor scam case and initiated the investigation. Subsequently, the ED initiated a detailed investigation based on the First Information Report (FIR) issued by the CBI. ED arrested Kavita from her residence in Banjara Hills on March 15, 2024 and lodged her in Tihar Jail. The CBI arrested him on April 11, 2024. A few days ago, Kavitha's brother KT Rama Rao and brother-in-law T Harish Rao, both MLAs, visited her in jail. After taking permission from the prison authorities, they met Ms. Kavitha during a 'Muraka' session. A few weeks ago, two former BRS ministers, P Savita Indra Reddy and Satyavathi Rathod, also met Kavitha in jail. The court adjourned the bail hearing of Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leader K. Kavitha in the Delhi Excise Policy case. Kavita was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for her alleged involvement in the incident. The court is expected to hear the matter later. K Kavitha was arrested on March 15 this year. Six days later, the law enforcement agency arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as part of a money laundering investigation related to the tax policy case. Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail in one of the cases, but he was not deported.

18 killed in a Tragic Accident on Lucknow-Agra Expressway July 10, 2024 15:36

At least 18 lives were tragically lost, and 19 individuals sustained injuries, when the bus they were travelling in collided with another vehicle in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao region today. The tragic accident claimed the lives of three women and one child, according to the authorities. The double-decker bus, journeying from Bihar's Sitamarhi to Delhi, crashed into the back of a milk tanker on the Lucknow-Agra expressway this morning, with the impact hurling passengers out of the vehicle. Heartbreaking visuals from the scene depicted bodies on the ground, twisted metal, shattered glass, and destroyed belongings. "Around 5:15 am, a private bus from Motihari, Bihar, collided with a milk tanker, resulting in the death of 18 people and injuring 19 others," stated Gaurang Rathi, the District Magistrate of Unnao. The injured have been promptly hospitalized and are receiving medical care, officials confirmed. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep sorrow over the devastating incident and directed authorities to ensure proper treatment for the victims. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Visuals from the Lucknow-Agra Expressway in Unnao where a bus collided with a milk container in which 18 people lost their lives and 19 others were injured. pic.twitter.com/cf06cM6ehf — ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2024 The tragic incident on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, has deeply saddened the nation. President Droupadi Murmu has expressed her heartfelt condolences to the grieving families who have lost loved ones in this devastating road accident. She has also conveyed her wishes for a swift recovery to those who were injured. This devastating event has left a deep impact on the community, and the nation mourns the loss of life.

Massive rains disturbs normal life in Mumbai July 08, 2024 12:43

Downpours have struck Mumbai and its surrounding regions in the past day, leading to widespread waterlogging and disruption of suburban train services. Some parts of the city have experienced over 300 millimeters of rainfall in just six hours, from 1 am to 7 am on Monday. As a result, the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and the Konkan belt. The areas of Vikhroli's Veer Savarkar Marg Municipal School and MCMCR Powai recorded the highest rainfall, exceeding 315 millimeters in the last 24 hours. The heavy rains have also led to the cancellation of over 50 flights, prompting airlines to use social media to warn passengers and advise them to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Visuals from across the city show people navigating through waist-deep waters and traffic jams on Mumbai's roads. In response, all government, private, and municipal schools and colleges in the city have been closed for the day. At Dombivli station, people were seen waiting for trains on submerged tracks, while waterlogging was reported in various areas, including Worli, Buntara Bhavan, Kurla East, King's Circle, Dadar, and Vidyavihar Railway Station. #WATCH | Severely waterlogged streets and railway track in Chunabhatti area of Mumbai, as the city is marred by heavy rains pic.twitter.com/qdxk6yi8Hb — ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2024 Heavy rainfall has disrupted train services in the Thane district, causing a suspension of operations between Kasara and Titwala stations. The tracks between Atgaon and Thansit stations were covered in soil, deemed unsafe for rail traffic on the busy Kalyan-Kasara route. Officials have stated that the waterlogging will subside if the rain stops for over two hours, but the weather forecast predicts heavy rain throughout the day. The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai. High tide is expected to bring waves up to 4.4 meters around 2 pm, leading to the diversion, rescheduling, or termination of several trains between Kalyan and Kasara stations due to waterlogging. The track embankment on the Vasind-Khardi section was damaged due to heavy rainfall and flash floods between 3 am and 6 am. In response, the National Disaster Response Force has deployed teams in various affected areas, including Thane, Vasai, Mahad, Chiplun, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Ghatkopar, Kurla, and Sindhudurg, and has already rescued 49 people from a water-logged resort in Thane and 16 villagers in Palghar. #WATCH | Commuters wade through waterlogged streets at King's Circle in rain-hit Mumbai pic.twitter.com/BKdj5BFvwJ — ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2024 Excessive rainfall can swiftly cause water levels to rise, leading to widespread inundation of homes, businesses, and infrastructure. This influx of water can pose significant risks, potentially causing severe damage and disrupting the normal functioning of a community. Residents may be forced to evacuate, while essential services and transportation routes can become inaccessible. The cleanup and recovery process can be both lengthy and expensive, as the floodwaters recede and the task of repairing or rebuilding affected structures begins. Proactive measures, such as investing in effective flood mitigation strategies and emergency preparedness, can help communities become more resilient in the face of these unpredictable and potentially devastating natural events.