LIVE updates: Minor blast outside Israel embassy in Delhi; few cars damaged

A low-intensity explosion happened near the Israel Embassy in Delhi. Further investigation underway. Stay tuned for Latest LIVE news

A blast took place outside the Israeli Embassy in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi on Friday evening, a fire service official said. There were no immediate reports of any injuries. Some cars were damaged in the blast.

"The mirrors of two to three cars are broken. Three fire tenders were rushed to the spot," the official said.

The fire department received the call at 5.11 pm, as the Beating Retreat ceremony was going on at Rajpath 1.4 km away.

The Supreme Court Thursday asked NDTV promoters Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy to give a statement on shares indicating the current market value which they would like to deposit as security with market regulator Sebi under the order of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT).

Stay tuned for the latest news of the day.

5:14 AM

Police recover envelope addressed to Israeli Embassy from blast site: Sources

An envelop addressed to the Israeli Embassy and containing a note was found at the site of a minor IED blast near the mission in Delhi on Friday, sources said.

They said the envelope was addressed to embassy officials, but did not divulge any further details including content of the note.
 

"The envelope has been recovered from the blast site," a source said.
 

Investigators scanned footage of CCTV cameras installed nearby and spotted a vehicle moving suspiciously near the embassy just before the explosion, sources said.
 

A minor IED blast took place near the Israeli Embassy in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi on Friday evening, police said. No one was injured.
 

Some cars were damaged in the blast in the very high-security zone. Delhi Police Additional PRO Anil Mittal said initial impressions suggest that it could be a mischievous attempt to create a sensation.
 

Delhi Police chief S N Shrivastava said that the force has registered a case and its Special Cell has started investigating the matter.
 

The blast took place when President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were present a few kilometres away at the Beating Retreat ceremony at the culmination of the Republic Day celebrations.
 

5:13 AM

Jaishankar speaks to Israeli FM, says no effort will be spared to find culprits

Hours after a low intensity explosion took place outside the Israeli embassy in the heart of the national capital on Friday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi and assured him of "fullest protection" to his country's diplomats and the mission.
 

In a tweet, Jaishankar said India has taken the incident "very seriously" and that no effort will be spared to find the culprits.
 

Friday also marked the 29th anniversary of the establishment of India-Israel full diplomatic ties.
 

The Delhi Police said that the low-intensity improvised device went off at 5.05pm and that no one was injured in the explosion and there was no damage to any property.
 

"Spoke just now to Israeli FM Gabi Ashkenazi about the explosion outside the Israeli Embassy. We take this very seriously. Assured him of the fullest protection for the Embassy and Israeli diplomats," Jaishankar tweeted.
 

"Matter is under investigation and no effort will be spared to find the culprits," he said.
 

Later in a video message, Israeli Ambassador Ron Malka said all the diplomats and their families are safe.
 

2:37 AM

United Airlines warns 14,000 jobs at risk when payroll aid expires

United Airlines said on Friday it has sent warnings of potential furloughs to some 14,000 employees whose jobs are at risk once a second round of payroll support for airlines expires on April 1, as demand for air travel has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
 

Chicago-based United had recalled 13,000 employees from furlough when the fresh payroll package was passed in December.
 

"Despite ongoing efforts to distribute vaccines, customer demand has not changed much since we recalled those employees.
 

today," United told employees, while saying it was monitoring demand and advocating for continued government support.
 

Congress approved $15 billion in new payroll assistance in December to help keep more than 32,000 airline workers on payrolls through March 31, after awarding $25 billion in March for passenger airlines in payroll assistance and $25 billion in low-cost government loans.
 

American Airlines, which had furloughed 19,000 workers in October, did not immediately comment on Friday on whether it would issue new notices of potential layoffs.
 

On Thursday, Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), representing workers at 17 airlines, urged Congress to extend a passenger airline payroll assistance program for a third time.
 

9:00 PM

WhatsApp users reconsidering its use; Telegram is top alternative: Study

Most users of WhatsApp are reconsidering usage of the instant mobile messaging app and are looking for its alternative following policy changes proposed by the Facebook group firm, according to a study.

 

The study, conducted by CyberMedia Research (CMR) covering 1,500 WhatsApp users, found that 79 per cent of the instant messaging app users (respondents) are reconsidering using it, with 28 per cent of those even planning to leave WhatsApp after the implementation of its new policy in May 2021.

 

"For consumers, WhatsApp was their own, free and intimate messaging platform. As WhatsApp eventually moves into a much closer integration with the Facebook ecosystem from hereon, it risks an erosion in brand trust and brand loyalty both key determinants for enduring competitive market advantage," CMR Industry Intelligence Group Head Prabhu Ram said in a statement. READ ON...

8:36 PM

IRCTC to restart two Tejas Express trains from Feb 14

The two Tejas Express trains -- New Delhi-Lucknow and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad -- operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will again run from February 14, almost 10 months after suspending the service in the wake of the Covid pandemic. The IRCTC, in a statement, said that it is all set to restart the operation of its fleet of the first corporate Train, Tejas Express, to cater to the growing passenger demand.

 

"Both the trains are to restart operations from February 14," it said.

 

The IRCTC said that the operations of the trains are being resumed after it got the approval from Ministry of Railways with a new schedule. It said that it has made all round preparations to ensure that the trains once started match the expectation of the people in terms of levels of services and safety and health protocols amidst the ongoing pandemic.

7:42 PM

Markets see worst weekly setback since May, Sensex off 7.8% from peak

Benchmark indices fell for the sixth day in a row amid sustained selling by overseas investors. Weakness in the global markets amid delay in US stimulus, disappointing covid-19 trends and uncertainty around the Union Budget has taken the wind off the sails for domestic equites after the Sensex topped the historic 50,000-mark in intra-day trade on January 20. Since then, the index has given up 7.8 per cent as foreign portfolio investors (FPIs)—a key driver for domestic equities—have hit the exit door.

 

On Friday, the Sensex dropped another 588 points, or 1.26 per cent-- its fifth straight one-per-cent-plus fall—to finish the week at 46,285. The Nifty fell 183 points or 1.3 per cent to end the session at 13,634. Both the indices lost more than 5 per cent during the week—their worst weekly showing since May when they had dropped more than 6 per cent. READ ON...

7:22 PM

Pakistan violated ceasefire along LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistan violated ceasefire along Line of Control in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District at about 6:00 pm.

6:58 PM

Alert at all airports, important installations and government buildings in view of blast reported in Delhi

An alert has been issued at all airports, important installations and government buildings in view of blast reported in Delhi. Enhanced security measures have been put in place: Central Industrial Security Force

6:49 PM

Minor blast outside Israeli Embassy, no injuries reported

A minor IED blast took place outside the Israeli Embassy in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi on Friday evening, police said on Friday. No one was injured. Some cars were damaged in the blast, an official said, adding that three fire tenders were rushed to the embassy on APJ Abdul Kalam Road, PTI reported.

 

"A very low intensity improvised device went off... No injury to any person was reported and nor was there any damage to property except the glass panes of three vehicles parked nearby," Delhi Police Additional PRO Anil Mittal said.

 

He said initial impressions suggest it could be a mischievous attempt to create a sensation. The fire department received the call at 5.11 pm, as the Beating Retreat ceremony was going on at Rajpath a few kilometres away.

6:36 PM

Blast at Israeli embassy: Nature of explosion being ascertained

6:27 PM

Three fire tenders were rushed to the spot where blast took place near Israeli embassy

Three fire tenders were rushed to the spot where blast took place near Israeli embassy. 

6:26 PM

Blast outside Israeli embassy as the Beating Retreat ceremony was going on at Rajpath

Fire department received the call at 5.11 pm, as the Beating Retreat ceremony was going on at Rajpath 1.4 km away.

6:21 PM

Minor blast in Delhi: No casualty reported, says Delhi police

No casualty reported, says Delhi police.

6:19 PM

LIVE updates: Minor blast outside Israel embassy in Delhi; few cars damaged

Minor blast outside Israel embassy in Delhi; few cars damaged