Highlights of the day: Delhi airport sees 13 flight diversions on Feb 1

From the delay in train, flight services to the updates about the interim budget 2024, catch all latest news here

UPDATES: More than 100 flights were delayed and 13 flights were diverted at the Delhi airport on Thursday early morning as bad weather impacted operations, an official said. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital is the country's largest airport and handles around 1,300 flight movements daily. As many as 13 flights were diverted to various cities. Six flights were diverted to Jaipur, two each to Mumbai, Amritsar and Ahmedabad, and one to Lucknow, according to the official. These flights were diverted between 12.30 am and 6 am. During this period, more than 100 flights were also delayed, the official added.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal is unlikely to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, sources in the party said. The ED on Wednesday issued a fresh and the fifth summons to Kejriwal after he skipped four earlier summonses issued by the federal agency over the last four months. Though the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) remained tight-lipped about whether the Delhi CM will appear before the probe agency, sources in the party said that he is likely to skip the summons this time too.

The Volkswagen Group is looking to introduce an entry-level electric vehicle (EV) in India by the second-half of this decade, the chief executive of its local unit said at an event on Thursday.

In a video message, Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren said that as Shibu Soren's son, I am not worried with my arrest. In the video, Soren says "No evidence has been found by them yet." He said, "They also tried to spoil my image by conducting raids at my Delhi residence."

As the national capital received rainfall, there was a delay in several railways and flight services. The delay impacted the travelling schedule of commuters. According to an ANI post on X, formerly Twitter, Delhi's Narela recorded the highest rainfall (25 mm) from 0830 (Jan 31) to 0530 hours (Feb 1). Passengers at the Old Delhi Railway Station faced difficulty as several trains were running late due to bad weather conditions.

After the Reserve Bank of India prohibited Paytm from accepting deposits, the company said that it expects a worst case impact of 300 crore rupees ($36.13 million) to 500 crore rupees to its annual earnings. RBI cited “persistent non-compliance” and “material supervisory concerns” behind its decision to prohibit Paytm from accepting deposits. The banking regulator has issued the directions under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act. The same Act was used while placing a moratorium on YES Bank, followed by a change in the promoter, Business Standard reported.

10:34 PM

Delhi airport sees 13 flight diversions on Thursday morning

More than 100 flights were delayed and 13 flights were diverted at the Delhi airport on Thursday early morning as bad weather impacted operations, an official said.

 

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital is the country's largest airport and handles around 1,300 flight movements daily.

 

As many as 13 flights were diverted to various cities. Six flights were diverted to Jaipur, two each to Mumbai, Amritsar and Ahmedabad, and one to Lucknow, according to the official.

 

These flights were diverted between 12.30 am and 6 am. During this period, more than 100 flights were also delayed, the official added.

10:34 PM

Avalanche warning issued for eight districts of J-K

Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority issued an avalanche warning for eight districts of the Union Territory on Thursday, officials said.

 

Avalanches with medium danger levels are likely to occur above 2400 metres above sea level over Bandipore, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, and Ramban districts in the next 24 hours, Disaster Management Authority officials said.

 

People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas until further orders, they said.

 

In a separate development, officials said that the National Highway 44 in Ramban district was blocked due to road damage, shooting stones, and mud slush.

 

As per the officials, a part of the stretch is damaged at Sherbibi, and restoration work is underway.

 

SSP Traffic, National Highway said earlier in the day, "NH 44 is closed for traffic movement in view of road damaged at Sherbibi, shooting stones, mud slush at few other places."

 

"Commuters are requested to not travel till restoration is completed," he added.

10:33 PM

Netflix unveils series and films slate for 2024

Streaming service Netflix on Thursday announced the list of old and new series as well as movies that will be released on its platform in 2024.

 

The streamer is bringing back "Squid Game" with its much-anticipated second season in 2024, along with popular shows like "Bridgerton", "Emily in Paris" and "The Diplomat", a press release stated.

 

The new shows from the streamer include "Avatar: The Last Airbender", set for February 22, Guy Ritchie's "The Gentlemen" in March, "3 Body Problem" on March 21 and "Ripley", starring Andrew Scott, on April 4.

 

The streamer's list of returning shows also include "Full Swing", "Cobra Kai", "Arcane", "Sweet Tooth", "The Empress" and "Outer Banks".

 

Netflix's list of movies for 2024 is filled with titles starring Adam Sandler ("Spaceman"), Jennifer Lopez ("Atlas"), Nicole Kidman ("A Family Affair"), Samuel L Jackson ("The Piano Lesson"), Millie Bobby Brown ("Damsel") and Taron Egerton ("Carry On").

 

Filmmakers Richard Linklater's "Hit Man", starring Glen Powell, and "Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver", Zack Snyder's second part to 2023's "Rebel Moon", will be releasing this year on Netflix.

 

The streamer has also announced that "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F", starring Eddie Murphy, will release on July 3, while Jerry Seinfeld's directorial debut "Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story" has been set for May 3.

 

Mark Walhberg's "The Union" will be coming out on the streamer's platform on August 16.

10:33 PM

PVR INOX to re-release Subhash Ghai's Karma

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai's 1986 blockbuster Karma is set to re-release in select PVR INOX cinemas across the country from Friday.

 

The action thriller featured an ensemble cast including Dilip Kumar, Nutan, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Sridevi, Poonam Dhillon, Satyanarayana Kaikala and Anupam Kher, among others.

 

In the movie, Kumar essayed the role of a former police officer who offers a life of honour to three men on death row (Shah, Shroff, and Kapoor) in exchange for settling a personal score with the head of a major terrorist organisation, played by Kher.

 

Ghai expressed gratitude to PVR INOX for re-releasing one of his iconic films, Karma, and added that he is hoping the newer generation will connect with the movie.

 

"I would love to invite our new audiences to connect and watch this movie on the big screens for a larger-than-life cinematic experience, showcasing the beautiful depiction of characters in this action-drama genre, along with the use of the iconic song 'Aye Watan Tere Liye', which touched millions of hearts.

 

"It was specially designed for big screens in the 80s when audiences turned their faces away from small video screens. We have received a lot of unconditional love and support in a big way from north to south in bringing back the larger-than-life movie experience, the filmmaker said in a statement.

10:19 PM

TMC's Derek O'Brien claims 'Adhir-BJP-CPI(M)' alliance in Behrampur, other LS seats in West Bengal

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Thursday accused Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of working in "alliance" with the BJP and the CPI(M) in Baharampur and other seats.

 

Baharampur is the Lok Sabha constituency of Chowdhury, who is the West Bengal Congress chief and the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha.

 

"There is an 'ABC' alliance in Baharampur and some other seats. Alliance for Baharampur seat has been done among Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the BJP and CPI(M)," O'Brien told reporters here.

 

The TMC leader was asked about the status of the opposition INDIA alliance in West Bengal.

9:05 PM

PM Modi to address Bharat Mobility Global Expo on Friday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address India's largest and first-of-its kind mobility exhibition -- Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 -- on Friday at Bharat Mandapam here.

 

It will showcase the country's capabilities across the entire mobility and automotive value chains and feature exhibitions, conferences, buyer-seller meets, state sessions, road safety pavilion and also public-centric attractions like go-karting, an official statement said.

 

With over 800 exhibitors from 50-plus countries, the expo will highlight cutting-edge technologies, sustainable solutions and breakthroughs in mobility, it said.

 

The expo will feature participation from over 28 vehicle manufacturers, in addition to the presence of more than 600 auto component manufacturers. Over 1,000 brands from over 13 global markets will showcase their complete range of products, technologies, and services at the event, the statement said.

 

Along with the exhibition and conferences, the event will also feature state sessions for states to showcase regional contributions and initiatives to enable collaboration at both national and regional levels, promoting a holistic approach to mobility solutions, it added.

9:05 PM

Ladakh all set for Khelo India Winter Games

The Union Territory of Ladakh, hosting the Khelo India Winter Games for the first time, is all set for a traditional opening ceremony at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium here on Friday.

 

The first part of KIWG 2024 will be held here till February 6. The second part of the Games will be held in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir from February 21-25.

 

"We are really excited and want to prove that we can host ice games at the national level. Leh is known for ice hockey and ice skating and since this is our debut, we want to justify the faith that the Union sports ministry has reposed on us," said Ravinder Kumar, sports secretary, UT of Ladakh.

8:20 PM

Shimla receives season's first snowfall, over 566 roads blocked in Himachal due to rain, snow

Moderate to heavy snowfall continued in high hills and tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday while the state capital received the first snowfall of the season bringing cheers to residents, tourists and farmers.

 

Shimla was wrapped in a thin blanket of snow on Thursday while the 5-km stretch between Kufri and Fagu was entirely covered in snow. Braving the cold, tourists and residents thronged the Mall Road and Ridge in the heart of the city to enjoy the snow.

 

Shimla was lashed by a severe hailstorm on Wednesday night followed by intermittent rains.

 

Over 566 roads, including six national highways, in the state have been closed for vehicular traffic following heavy snowfall and rain, said Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh, adding that 138 roads are expected to be opened by tonight.

 

Machinery in low areas have been shifted to snow-bound areas in a proactive move and calcium chloride is being sprinkled to clear roads, Singh said.

 

He added that the public works department has so far suffered a loss of Rs 4.5 crore due to snowfall.

8:13 PM

Hemant Soren refused to receive arrest order; has 'illegal possession' of a dozen Ranchi plots: ED

JMM leader Hemant Soren was informed about his arrest at about 5 pm last evening but he was "reluctant" to receive the order as he first wanted to submit his resignation from the chief minister's post, the Enforcement Directorate claimed on Thursday.

 

It also alleged that a dozen land parcels in Ranchi measuring about 8.5 acres in total are in "illegal possession, occupation and use" of the JMM leader and are proceeds of crime under the anti-money laundering law.

 

"He (Soren) was informed about his arrest at around 5 pm. However, he was reluctant to receive the orders before he tendered his resignation from the post of chief minister to the Hon'ble Governor, Jharkhand," the central agency informed a special PMLA court while seeking his custody.

7:43 PM

Delhi CM Kejriwal likely to skip ED summons again: Sources

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal is unlikely to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, sources in the party said. The ED on Wednesday issued a fresh and the fifth summons to Kejriwal after he skipped four earlier summonses issued by the federal agency over the last four months. Though the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) remained tight-lipped about whether the Delhi CM will appear before the probe agency, sources in the party said that he is likely to skip the summons this time too.

7:39 PM

BFI to host elite multinational training camp ahead of Olympic qualification tournaments

In a major initiative ahead of 2024 Olympics, Boxing Federation of India, in collaboration with Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC), has begun an elite multinational training camp at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala.
 

The 13-day camp, which began on January 29 and will go on till February 10, is expected to give the boxers much-needed international exposure ahead of the crucial Olympics qualifiers.

7:30 PM

Tripura to unveil home stay policy to promote tourism: Minister

The Tripura government will soon unveil a comprehensive homestay policy to boost tourism as a livelihood, said a minister on Thursday.

 

The north-eastern state has recorded a steep increase in tourist footfall and revenue generation since October 2023 after former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly became the state's tourism brand ambassador.

 

A total of 1,55,183 tourists visited the northeastern state in three months in 2023 against 84,217 in the same period in 2022. Revenue generation has also jumped to Rs 1.23 crore in 2023-24 from Rs 1.02 crore in 2022-23, he said.

 

"There has been a steep increase in tourist footfall and revenue during the past three months. It has been possible because of Sourav Ganguly's support as brand ambassador," Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said during a press conference.

 

Ganguly, who was appointed as the state's tourism brand ambassador, visited the northeastern state on December 11 and 12 and shot a few short films on tourism.

7:29 PM

NDMC to beautify RML roundabout with elephant sculptures

The NDMC will redevelop and beautify the RML Hospital roundabout with sculptures of elephants, officials said on Thursday.

 

The work will be carried out under a comprehensive redevelopment and beautification project of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) for the roundabout near Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.

 

The project encompasses a meticulous redesign and landscaping work, featuring the installation of captivating sculptures, fountains, and various artistic elements, an official statement said.

 

The NDMC has formally invited bids for the project with an estimated expenditure of Rs 91 lakh, it added.

 

As a part of the plan, NDMC plans to adorn the roundabout with five sculptures, specifically an elephant family, it said.

 

2:35 PM

Budget 2024: Rs 928 cr allocated to CBI, down by Rs 40.4 cr from last yr

The Centre has allocated Rs 928.46 crore to the CBI in the Union Budget 2024-25 announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, which is Rs 40.4 crore less when compared with FY 2024.

 

2:21 PM

Volkswagen working on entry-level EV for India, says Company official

The Volkswagen Group is looking to introduce an entry-level electric vehicle (EV) in India by the second-half of this decade, the chief executive of its local unit said at an event on Thursday.