India News

Big Stories Today: Petrol, diesel prices to be cut by Rs 5, 10 from tomorrow, WHO okays Covaxin, Pakistan refuses airspace for Srinagar-Sharjah flights

Published

4 years ago

November 3, 2021

Central government on Wednesday announced the reduction of excise duty on petrol and diesel. from tomorrow onwards the prices of petrol and diesel will be reduced by Rs 5 and 10, respevtively.

Afghanistan win toss, opt to field first against India in Abu Dhabi

In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 between India and Afghanistan, Afghanistan win toss and opt to field first.

The India vs Afghanistan T20 WC 2021 match is taking place at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi from 7.30 pm IST. Its a must-win game for team India, who are yet to win their first match in the tournament. Afghanistan has registered two wins so far. India, to keep their hopes alive of reaching the semi-finals, will have to register a win against Afghanistan tonight.

PM Modi to spend Diwali with Army jawans in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri

Sticking to the tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the border outposts area of Nowshera sector in Jammu & Kashmir’s Rajouri.

WHO approves Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for emergency use

Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin has got WHO approval on Wednesday as the technical advisory team has recommended the India-made vaccine for emergency use listing for 18 years and above. This marks a major victory for India’s journey in vaccination against Covid-19.

Centre releases Rs 17,000 crores GST compensation to states

The Central Government has released GST Compensation of Rs. 17,000 crore to States today.

The total amount of compensation released to the States/UTs so far including the aforesaid amount during the year 2021-22 is Rs. 60,000 crore.

Delhi’s air quality turns very poor day ahead of Diwali

The air quality in Delhi deteriorated as it entered the very poor category for the first time this season. The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city was reported 316 on Wednesday afternoon.

Delhi’s neighbouring cities — Faridabad (310), Ghaziabad (334) and Noida (316) — also recorded very poor air quality. Before this, the highest AQI of the season recorded in Delhi was 298 in the poor category on October 17.

Sensex ends Samvat 2077 on weak note, slips 257 points to settle below 60,000

The benchmark indices on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange (NSE) ended the last day of Samvat 2077 year on a negative note, slipping over a quarter per cent on Wednesday weighed by weakness in banking and automobile stocks amid a negative trend in global markets ahead of the policy outcome of the US Federal Reserve.

Pakistan’s Babar Azam becomes No. 1 batsman in ICC T20 rankings

Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s two successive half-centuries in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 have helped him overtake England’s Dawid Malan and grab the top position for batters in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings.

Delhi High Court restrains heads of nine institutes of Jawaharlal Nehru University from taking major decisions

The Delhi High Court has restrained the heads of nine JNU centres from taking any major decisions and said that their appointment by the university’s Vice-Chancellor was prima facie without any authority.

High court stated that the Vice-Chancellor is not vested with the power to appoint Chairpersons of Centres or Special Centres as the JNU statute confers the power of appointment on the Executive Council.

Delhi’s air quality a day before Diwali best in 5 years, says Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai

Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday that the air quality in the national capital a day before Diwali is the best in 5 years.
Earlier he said, Delhi Police and sub-divisional magistrates have been asked by the Delhi Government to keep a round-the-clock vigil to prevent the sale, purchase, and bursting of firecrackers on Diwali, with a special focus on border areas.

Pakistan refuses use of its airspace for Srinagar-Sharjah flights

Pakistan has once again declined the use of its airspace for flights from Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar to Sharjah.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the move very unfortunate and tweeted: “Pakistan did the same thing with the Air India Express flight from Srinagar to Dubai in 2009-2010. I had hoped that Go First being permitted to overfly Pak airspace was indicative of a thaw in relations, but alas, that wasn’t to be.”

Tamil Nadu government declares holiday for schools in 15 districts

Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for schools in 20 districts on Wednesday to avoid accidents caused by water stagnation amid the prediction of heavy rainfall by the Indian Meteorological Department.

Schools in Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Ranipet, Trichy, Ariyalur, Namakkal Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Vellore, and Karur will be closed today.

PM Modi holds meeting with districts having low Covid vaccination coverage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a review meeting with district magistrates of over 40 districts having low Covid-19 vaccination coverage.
The meeting, being held via video conferencing, includes districts with less than 50 per cent coverage of the first dose and low coverage of the second dose of vaccine.

Delhi CM Kejriwal urges people to follow Covid-19 protocols ahead of Diwali

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal extended his greetings for Diwali to all the citizens of Delhi, and on this occasion announced a new web portal to take local business globally.

Kejriwal said that last year, the Covid-19 virus spread rapidly during the festival season, and asked people to be extra cautious this year.

Delhi Police arrest 2 with heroin worth Rs 18 crore

Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested two drug smugglers with 6 kg of heroin worth Rs 18 crores from Delhi.
Delhi Police had launched a special anti-drug enforcement drive under Operation Spider. The two accused–Asim and Varun–were arrested in this operation after the officials received information related to a drug mafia.

The police said that the accused had found a new way to produce drugs. Drug plants were set up in the house itself. These drugs were then supplied all over India, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab.

Tripura police file five criminal cases against 71 persons for alleged fake and provocative posts on vandalism of a mosque

The Tripura Police on Wednesday morning registered five criminal cases against 71 people for allegedly posting provocative and fake posts on social media.

Tripura Police in a Facebook post Appealed to people to stay away from spreading fake news and rumours, the police have also warned that strict action would be taken against those trying to create hatred in the society.

10,000 EV charging stations in the next three years, says OIL chairperson SM Vaidya

Oil India Limited chairperson SM Vaidya said that 10,000 electric vehicles charging stations will be set up in next three years.
2000 electric vehicle charging stations will be established in the next 12 months and another 8000 in the next two years to achieve target of 10,000 EV charging stations in the next three years, h3e said.

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Shashi Tharoor warns US tariffs on Iran could make Indian exports unviable

Shashi Tharoor has warned that cumulative US tariffs linked to Iran trade could rise to 75%, making most Indian exports to America commercially unviable.

Published

7 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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Congress MP and chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Shashi Tharoor has expressed serious concern over the United States’ latest tariff announcement targeting countries that continue to trade with Iran, warning that such measures could severely impact Indian exporters.

Reacting to the decision by US President Donald Trump to impose a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, Tharoor said Indian companies would struggle to remain competitive if cumulative tariffs rise to 75%. He noted that India was already at a disadvantage compared to several regional competitors.

Tharoor said he had been troubled by the US tariff regime from the outset, pointing out that India was initially subjected to a 25% tariff while rival exporting nations in Southeast Asia were charged significantly lower rates. According to him, countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh faced tariffs ranging between 15% and 19% on labour-intensive goods exported to the US.

He explained that the situation had worsened with additional sanctions-linked duties. With the existing 25% tariff, another 25% related to Russia-linked sanctions, and a further 25% tied to Iran-related measures, the total burden could rise to 75%. At that level, Tharoor said, most Indian exports would no longer be commercially viable in the American market.

While noting that certain sectors such as pharmaceuticals may continue to export as they are not heavily impacted by sanctions, he warned that other key export categories would be hit hard. Tharoor described the situation as very serious and said it required urgent attention.

The Congress MP also expressed hope that the newly appointed US Ambassador could help facilitate progress on a bilateral trade agreement. He stressed that India could not afford to wait through the entire year for a deal and said an agreement should ideally be concluded in the first quarter of 2026.

Commenting on recent diplomatic engagements between India and the US, Tharoor underlined the need for faster consensus on trade issues. He said that at tariff levels as high as 75%, the idea of a meaningful trade deal loses relevance. According to him, a rate closer to what the UK enjoys with the US, around 15%, would reflect the respect due to a strategic partner.

Tharoor’s remarks come after President Trump announced that any country continuing business with Iran would face a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States, a move that has raised concerns among several trading partners.

India News

Indian Army symbolizes selfless service and duty, says PM Modi on Army Day

PM Narendra Modi on Army Day praised the Indian Army as a symbol of selfless service and unwavering duty, saluting the courage and sacrifice of its soldiers.

Published

7 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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On the occasion of Army Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tribute to the Indian Army, describing its soldiers as a symbol of selfless service who protect the nation with unwavering resolve, even in the most challenging circumstances.

In a message shared on social media platform X, the prime minister said the country salutes the courage and steadfast commitment of Indian Army personnel. He noted that their dedication to duty inspires confidence and gratitude among citizens across the country.

“Our soldiers stand as a symbol of selfless service, safeguarding the nation with steadfast resolve, at times under the most challenging conditions,” PM Modi said. He added that the nation remembers with deep respect those who have laid down their lives while serving the country.

Army Day is observed every year on January 15 to commemorate a historic moment in India’s military history. The day marks the appointment of Field Marshal K M Cariappa as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949, when he took over from British officer General Sir F R R Bucher.

The occasion serves as a reminder of the Indian Army’s role in defending the country’s sovereignty and honour, as well as the sacrifices made by its personnel in the line of duty.

India News

Air India, IndiGo flights disrupted after Iran shuts airspace amid US tensions

International flights operated by Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet were disrupted after Iran shut its airspace, forcing rerouting and cancellations.

Published

7 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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International flights operated by Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet were disrupted on Thursday after Iran abruptly shut its airspace to commercial aircraft, triggering delays and cancellations on several long-haul routes.

Iran ordered the closure of its airspace without providing an official explanation, as tensions remain elevated between Tehran and Washington and protests continue across the country against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Indian airlines issue travel advisories

Air India said its flights overflying the region are now operating through alternative routes, resulting in longer flight times and possible delays. The airline also confirmed that some services have been cancelled where rerouting is not feasible.

“Due to the emerging situation in Iran and the subsequent closure of its airspace, Air India flights overflying the region are using alternate routing, which may lead to delays. Some flights are being cancelled where rerouting is currently not possible,” the airline said in a statement on social media.

Passengers were advised to check flight status before travelling to the airport, with the airline reiterating that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.

IndiGo also acknowledged disruptions to its international network, describing the situation as a “sudden airspace closure” beyond the airline’s control. The carrier said it is working to assist affected passengers by offering alternative travel options.

Customers have been advised to use flexible rebooking options or claim refunds, depending on their preference.

SpiceJet issued a similar advisory, confirming that some of its flights have been impacted due to the closure of Iranian airspace.

Airspace shutdown linked to regional security concerns

According to official notices issued to pilots, Iran’s airspace closure is expected to remain in place until 7:30 am local time. The move comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows earlier shutdowns during military confrontations involving Israel earlier this year.

Aviation risk monitoring platforms have noted that several international airlines are already avoiding Iranian airspace, citing concerns over possible military activity, air defence operations and the risk of misidentification of civilian aircraft.

The situation continues to be monitored closely, with further disruptions possible if the airspace restrictions are extended.