News updates: 'In touch with US to clarify issues', says MEA on US sanctions on Indian entities

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MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a press conference, "Regarding the sanction of 19 Indian companies - we have seen these reports of US sanctions. India has a robust legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade and non-proliferation controls. We are also a member of three key multilateral non-proliferation export control regimes - the Vasinar Arrangement, the Australia Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime, and have been effectively implementing relevant UNSC sanctions and UNSC Resolution 1540 on non-proliferation. Our understanding is that the sanction, transactions and companies are not in violation of Indian laws. Nevertheless, in keeping with India's established non-proliferation credentials, we are working with all the relevant Indian departments and agencies to sensitize Indian companies on applicable export control provisions and also inform them of new measures being implemented that could impact Indian companies in certain circumstances..."

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district, officials said on Saturday. In a post on X, the Indian Army on Saturday said that terrorists opened fire on security personnel and escaped into the jungle. "On 01 November 2024 late evening, suspicious movement was spotted, in gen area Panar of Bandipora, by alert troops. On being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire and escaped into the jungle. Search Operation underway," Chinar Corps, Indian Army posted on X.

Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, CM Eknath Shinde said, "Work, development of the state, lifestyle change, our government has done all of this... In the Lok Sabha elections, the vote share moved towards the Shiv Sena. The same will be repeated in these elections also... I am the team leader as of now. Our team is working... Everyone in our team is equal... Our goal is to bring the Mahayuti government and develop the state..."

 

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) in several areas of Delhi continued to be in the 'very poor' category on Saturday morning. A thin layer of smog engulfed the national capital as the air quality continues to deteriorate.

 

Lebanese authorities on Friday raised the death toll from Israeli bombardment of the country's northeast to at least 45, with airstrikes pounding rural villages that had previously been spared the worst of Israel's intense air campaign against Hezbollah. The governor of Baalbek, Bachir Khodr, reported airstrikes on nine villages across the northeast killing 41 people on Friday, 17 more deaths than was previously reported by Lebanon's National News Agency.

8:15 PM

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inspects ghats, reviews Chhath Puja preparations in Patna

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday inspected the Ganga ghats in the state capital to review preparations for the coming Chhath festival.

The festival will be celebrated on November 7 and 8.

During the inspection, Kumar directed officials to make proper arrangements for cleanliness, security, safety, light and public address systems for the devotees and visitors in Patna, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office said here.

"The CM also asked officials to ensure that devotees and visitors do not face difficulties during the festival. He directed them to make sure that arrangements for temporary changing rooms, toilets and other facilities,are available at the ghats," the statement said.

7:44 PM

Canada names India in cyberthreat list, accuses it of 'likely' spying

Canada has for the first time named India in a list of cyberthreat adversaries, suggesting that state-sponsored actors could be spying against it.

 

Amid an ongoing diplomatic row, India is named fifth after China, Russia, Iran and North Korea in the National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026 (NCTA 2025-2026) report.

 

We assess that Indian state-sponsored cyber threat actors likely conduct cyber threat activity against Government of Canada networks for the purpose of espionage, the report said.

 

The development comes as the bilateral relationship has gone south since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said a year ago that Canada had credible evidence that agents of the Indian government were involved in the murder of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023, a charge dismissed as absurd by India.

6:36 PM

Bomb threat received by Indian airline flying from Nepal

"We have received a bomb threat on an Indian Airlines flight that was bound for New Delhi from Kathmandu. Search operation is underway with the help of Nepal Police and Army," Dambar Bahadur BK, Chief of Police at the airport confirmed to ANI.

6:00 PM

Air monitor records pollution level in Lahore 40 times above WHO limit

5:10 PM

Four sanitary workers killed after being hit by Kerala Express near Palakkad: Railway police

3:55 PM

We are in touch with US authorities to clarify issues, said MEA on US sanctions on Indian entities

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "Regarding the sanction of 19 Indian companies - we have seen these reports of US sanctions. India has a robust legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade and non-proliferation controls. We are also a member of three key multilateral non-proliferation export control regimes - the Vasinar Arrangement, the Australia Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime, and have been effectively implementing relevant UNSC sanctions and UNSC Resolution 1540 on non-proliferation. Our understanding is that the sanction, transactions and companies are not in violation of Indian laws. Nevertheless, in keeping with India's established non-proliferation credentials, we are working with all the relevant Indian departments and agencies to sensitize Indian companies on applicable export control provisions and also inform them of new measures being implemented that could impact Indian companies in certain circumstances..."

3:53 PM

Verification patrolling has begun on mutually agreed terms in Demchok and Depsang: MEA

Following disengagement agreement with China, verification patrolling has begun on mutually agreed terms in Demchok and Depsang, says MEA.

3:08 PM

This election is for driving out infiltrators from Jharkhand, saving Hindus: Assam CM Sarma at BJP rally

3:07 PM

Ukraine downs 39 Russian drones in overnight strike, air force says

Ukrainian air defences destroyed 39 of 71 Russian drones launched during Moscow's latest overnight air strike on Ukraine, Kyiv's air force said on Saturday.

It added that 21 drones were "locationally lost" and that five had turned back to Russia.

3:00 PM

Being targeted : Arvind Sawant apologises for 'imported maal' remark

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant apologized for his "imported maal" comment directed at Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC, claiming he was being "deliberately targeted." Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Saturday, Sawant stated he would never insult a woman and noted that his remarks were "interpreted differently."

2:51 PM

Jaishankar to visit Australia, Singapore from Nov 3-8; to attend ASEAN event

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Australia and Singapore from November 3 to 8, meeting leaders of both nations and addressing the 8th ASEAN Roundtable, according to an official statement on Saturday. In Canberra, Jaishankar will co-chair the 15th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue (FMFD) alongside Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, as noted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

2:34 PM

Patrolling started in Depsang, to begin soon in Demchok: Rajnath Singh

After India-China disengagement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Saturday that India seeks cordial relations with all neighbouring countries. He added that joint patrolling by India and China has resumed in Depsang and will soon begin in Demchok.

2:23 PM

Kerala airport to suspend flights for 5 hours on Nov 9 for Alpassi Arattu

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TIAL) announced that flight services will be suspended for five hours, from 4 pm to 9 pm on November 9, to allow the annual Alpassi Arattu procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to cross the runway, a traditional part of its route.

1:36 PM

Jaishankar, Thai counterpart Sangiampongsa discuss bilateral ties, multilateral cooperation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa in Delhi to discuss bilateral ties, multilateral cooperation, and regional developments.    

12:50 PM

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu launches Rs 861 crore pothole-free roads mission

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched a mission on Saturday to make the state's roads pothole-free, with a budget of Rs 861 crore. He initiated the statewide drive from Chintalagorlivanipalem village in Anakapalli district, where he personally filled a pothole with mortar, joined by Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and other officials.