LIVE: Merck's Covid pill secures green light from UK regulator

Live news updates: Bharat Biotech's home-grown Covid-19 vaccine now many be used for Covid-19 inoculation in poor countries.

9:51 AM

Fuel prices across metropolitan cities effective from today after cut in excise duty

Petrol and diesel prices per litre - Rs 103.97 and Rs 86.67 in Delhi; Rs 109.98 and Rs 94.14 in Mumbai; Rs 104.67 and Rs 89.79 in Kolkata; Rs 101.40 and Rs 91.43 in Chennai.

9:49 AM

Delhi's Diwali day starts with 'very poor' air quality, likely to turn worse

Delhi's Diwali started with "very poor" air quality which is predicted to take a turn for the worse irrespective of cracker bursting, according to authorities.

 

At 8 am, the capital's air quality index (AQI) stood at 341, up from 314 at 4 pm on Wednesday. The 24-hour average AQI was 303 on Tuesday and 281 on Monday.

 

AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

 

While SAFAR said the air quality may become 'severe' on November 5 and 6 if firecrackers are burnt, an official from the India Meteorological Department said model predictions do not indicate the AQI reaching the 'severe' category "even with higher emissions".

9:16 AM

Amit Shah extends greetings to people on Diwali

8:39 AM

Gandhi to be commemorated on special UK collector's coin

The life and legacy of India's independence movement leader Mahatma Gandhi will be commemorated on a British special collectors' coin for the first time, UK Treasury Chief Rishi Sunak announced Thursday. The round coin, which features India's national flower, the lotus, and a famous quote from Gandhi stating “My life is my message," is part of the Royal Mint's collection to mark Diwali, the AP reported.

8:25 AM

US to allow from Nov 8 travellers fully vaccinated with Covaxin

Travellers fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with Covaxin have been approved to enter the US from November 8. "...travel guidance applies to FDA-approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines and encompasses any new vaccines that may be added to either of those lists over time," Talking to ANI over updating the approved travel list for Covaxin, CDC press officer, Scott Pauley said, 

7:56 AM

US blacklists NSO Group for selling spyware: Report

US authorities on Wednesday put the Israeli maker of the Pegasus spyware on a list of restricted companies, taking aim at software central to a scandal over surveillance of journalists and officials. In India, the Supreme Court last month ordered an independent probe after allegations that the government had used the spyware to surveil its rivals.

 

7:36 AM

Cairn Energy Cairn gives undertakings to drop cases against India

Cairn Energy Plc announced on Wednesday  that it has given undertakings to the Indian government that it is withdrawing all cases as part of the settlement of the dispute arising from the levy of retrospective taxes. More here

 

7:34 AM

Paytm allots shares worth Rs 8,235 crore to anchor investors

Paytm allotted Rs 8,235 crore worth of shares to anchor investors as part of its Rs 18,300-crore initial public offering (IPO) that opens Monday. This is the largest-ever allotment made in the anchor category. More here