LIVE: Liz Truss resigns as UK PM after 45 days in office

A growing number of lawmakers have been calling for Truss to resign after weeks of turmoil sparked by her economic plan, announced last month

No penalty will be levied on people not wearing face masks in the national capital, the Delhi government announced on Thursday. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has decided to withdraw the order that made wearing face masks in public places compulsory and those found violating the mandate were fined Rs 500, according to Delhi's health and family welfare department. The government, however, advised the public to continue wearing masks in crowded public places.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) at the Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat. The event was also attended by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Mission LiFE aims at following a three-pronged strategy for changing people's collective approach towards sustainability. 

Experts have cautioned against letting the guard down now as the new mutations on the block – BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 – are leading to a surge in cases across the world. What worries the scientific and medical community is that an immune-escape Covid-19 strain coupled with the natural spike in influenza and pneumonia cases during winters may lead to a rise in hospitalisations.

According to data from Xpheno, a specialist staffing firm, IT Services cohort has registered a 41 per cent drop in hiring action since April 2022. Tech startups have slowed down their hiring by 63 per cent and the Software products cohort has dropped hiring action by 58 per cent. This overall drop in hiring action has softened the talent war. Xpheno’s data suggests an overall drop of 60-70 per cent in the number of offers chasing talent. This fall in hiring corresponds with decline in salary hikes and bonuses. 

6:10 PM

UK PM Liz Truss resigns

4:39 PM

Rally organised outside Punjab CM's residence by Bharti Kisan Union

Bharti Kisan Union organised a rally outside the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Sangrur, demanding compensation to farmers for damaged crops and the death of cows due to lumpy skin disease.

4:08 PM

Prime Minister Modi to launch Rozgar Mela on Saturday

In a bid to provide employment to skilled Indians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the mega recruitment drive, also known as Rozgar Mela, virtually on Saturday. With this recruitment drive, the selection process for particular job posts will be simplified and tech enabled to expedite recruitment process, stated Prime Minister's Office.

4:06 PM

'Spend money on sweets', SC refuses urgent hearing on plea against Delhi's firecracker ban

The Supreme Court on Thursday turned down a plea by BJP leader Manoj Tiwari seeking an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the blanket ban on firecrackers in Delhi. A bench headed by Justice M.R. Shah said let people breathe clean air, adding that there were other ways to celebrate. “Spend your money on sweets,” said the bench.

Photo: Shutterstock

4:02 PM

Mallikarjun Kharge to take charge as the president of INC on October 26

Senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge will take charge as the new Congress president on October 26, being the first non-Gandhi to head the 137-year-old party in 24 years and succeed long-time chief Sonia Gandhi.

Mallikarjun Kharge

1:56 PM

Covid: Delhi government withdraws Rs 500 fine for not wearing masks in public places

The Delhi government on Thursday issued an order withdrawing the Rs 500 fine for not wearing masks in public places in the national capital. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had in a meeting last month decided to stop levying the penalty after September 30 amid a decline in COVID-19 cases in the national capital. However, no official notification had been issued.

Photo: Reuters

1:47 PM

At the launch of 'Mission LiFE', PM Modi urged people to adopt lifestyle changes to help the environment

"Unity" is most significant factor in fight against climate change: PM Modi at global launch of 'Mission LiFE' 

PM Modi at global launch of 'Mission LiFE'

1:12 PM

Delhi's air quality worsens

1:09 PM

Over six feared trapped in rubble after explosion in firecracker warehouse in MP

In Morena, Madhya Pradesh, a fireworks warehouse exploded, possibly trapping more than six persons under the debris. The incident happened on Jaitpur Road in Banmore town, Morena district, where an explosion caused the entire building to fall. There are reportedly more than six persons buried beneath the house’s debris. The building also housed Nirmal Jain, the owner of the warehouse, and his tenants. Rescue efforts have started as police authorities arrived at the scene.

Explosion in firecracker factory, MP (Photo: ANI)

 

12:58 PM

Khelo India Youth Games 2022 announced

12:45 PM

Firecracker ban: Delhi HC rejects plea against absolute firecracker ban

Firecracker ban: Delhi HC has said that as the matter is pending before Supreme Court it wouldn't be appropriate for the bench to hear it now. The court said while refusing to entertain a plea challenging the order for a total complete ban firecrackers in Delhi till Jan 1, 2023.

Photo: PTI

 

12:34 PM

NCW constitutes fact finding team to probe Ghaziabad gang-rape case

The National Commission for Women will send a two-member fact finding team to look into the alleged gang-rape of a woman in Ghaziabad. According to media reports, a 38-year-old woman waiting for an auto-rickshaw to return home in Delhi was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint on Ashram Road in Ghaziabad's Raj Nagar Extension, taken to a house where she was held captive for two days and raped by five men recently. 
 

12:26 PM

"Expect disciplinary action": UK PM Liz Truss warns rebel lawmakers

British Prime Minister Liz Truss has promised to take disciplinary action against lawmakers who abstained or failed to vote with her Conservative party in a vote about fracking amid a total breakdown of unity and discipline. Lawmakers openly rowed and jostled in parliament on Wednesday amid confusion over whether a vote on fracking was a confidence vote in her administration. There were reports - later contradicted - that the government's chief whip, who is in charge of parliamentary enforcer, had resigned. 

British Prime Minister Liz Truss (Photo: REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool)

12:18 PM

Alyssa Healy appointed vice-captain, likely to lead Australia in tour of India

Alyssa Healy is likely to lead Australia in the tour of India in December after the star wicketkeeper-batter was named the vice-captain of the women's team on Thursday. Healy takes over from Rachael Haynes, who retired from international cricket last month. With World Cup-winning captain Meg Lanning still on her indefinite break, Healy could be donning the skipper's cap for the team's upcoming assignments that include five T20s in India before the home series against Pakistan and the T20 World Cup in South Africa next year.

Alyssa Healy. Photo: Twitter

12:09 PM

UN Secy General António Guterres in Gujarat

"G20 countries account for 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions but it also represents 80 per cent of global GDP. G20 combined as resources, they have the power to end the war against nature and set us on course towards sustainable living," said UN Secy General António Guterres during the launch of Mission LiFE in Gujarat.

UN Secy General António Guterres in Gujarat