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Catch all the latest news updates from across the world

5:18 PM

India's eight core sectors grow 7.8% in November

As per latest government data, India's eight core sectors grow 7.8 per cent in November. The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 7.8 per cent (provisional) in November 2023 as compared to the Index of November 2022. The production of Coal, Electricity, Fertilizers, Natural Gas, Refinery Products and Steel recorded positive growth in November 2023.

5:07 PM

Xi Jinping expects China's economic output to exceed $17.72 trillion this year

China's President Xi Jinping said on Friday the country's economic output was expected to exceed 126 trillion yuan ($17.72 trillion) this year, Reuters reported citing state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV).

4:51 PM

Next steps after examining ruling, discussion with legal team: MEA on Qatar row

India on Friday said its next steps in the case relating to eight former Indian Navy personnel will be decided after examining the ruling of a Qatari court and discussions with the legal team handling the matter, news agency PTI reported.
 

Qatar's Court of Appeals has commuted the death sentences handed out to the Navy veterans by another court earlier.

4:38 PM

Security forces launch search operation in J&K's Rajouri Jammu

Security forces on Friday launched a search operation in a forest area in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district following information about the movement of suspicious elements, officials said.

4:23 PM

India's Apr-Nov fiscal deficit at 50.7% of FY24 target

India's fiscal deficit for the first eight months of this fiscal year through November stood at Rs 9.07 trillion, or 50.7 per cent of annual estimates, government data showed today. The fiscal deficit narrowed from 58.9 per cent reported in the comparable year-earlier period.

4:15 PM

China appoints Dong Jun as new defence minister, says state media

China on Friday appointed Dong Jun as new defence minister, its state media reported. The development comes amid increased South China Tensions and China's aggressive stance towards "integrating" Taiwan as its part despite strong protest from the latter.

4:01 PM

Russia launches 122 missiles, 36 drones in 'most massive aerial attack' since invasion, says Ukraine

Russia launched 122 missiles and 36 drones against Ukrainian targets, officials said Friday, killing at least 13 civilians in what an air force official said was the biggest aerial barrage of the 22-month war.

 

The Ukrainian air force intercepted 87 of the missiles and 27 of the Shahed-type drones overnight, Ukraine's military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said. Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on his official Telegram channel: “The most massive aerial attack” since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. According to the Ukrainian air force, the previous biggest assault was in November 2022 when Russia launched 96 missiles against Ukraine. This year, the biggest was 81 missiles on March 9, air force records show. 

3:43 PM

Ram temple inauguration by PM, a 'gross misuse of religious sentiments', says Yechury

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday said the inauguration of Ram temple in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of other Constitutional functionaries was a "gross misuse of religious sentiments" for BJP's political gain, mews agency PTI reported.

Addressing the media, Yechury said that the Constitution clearly defines secularism as the separation of religion from politics and the state.

He said that the inauguration of the temple represents an overt politicisation of religion, which contradicts the principles of the Constitution.

3:32 PM

Jharkhand reduces qualifying age for old-age pension from 60 to 50

In Jharkhand, qualifying age for old-age pension to be reduced from 60 to 50, says Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

3:01 PM

EAM Jaishankar visits school named after Rabindranath Tagore in Russia's St Petersburg

S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister expressed his pleasure at visiting the school named after Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in St. Petersburg. He highlighted the heart-touching love that Rabindranath Tagore had for India, and he found the passion for India at the school truly moving.

2:47 PM

Fuel retailers hike ethanol procurement prices by Rs 6.87: Oil ministry

India's state fuel retailers have increased the purchase prices for ethanol produced from C-heavy molasses by 6.87 rupees per litre, as announced by the oil ministry on Friday through the social media platform X.

 

This new purchase price, set at 56.28 rupees per litre, is intended to incentivize and enhance the production of ethanol, a key component used for blending with petrol. Currently, more than 10% of petrol sold in India consists of ethanol, and the government has set a target to increase blending to 20% by the year 2025.

2:15 PM

No decision yet on Kharge, Sonia Gandhi attending Ram temple consecration ceremony

No decision yet on Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi attending consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya, said party sources.

2:13 PM

CM Patnaik launches 3rd phase of Odisha's flagship health scheme

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the third phase of the state's flagship health scheme, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY). Patnaik highlighted that with the expansion in this third phase, it is projected that over 11 million families, encompassing nearly 90 per cent of the state's population, will receive health assurance under BSKY.

1:57 PM

Govt expanding meeting requirement of medical professionals: Mandaviya

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated on Friday that the government is adopting a comprehensive approach to healthcare, focusing not only on upgrading and expanding infrastructure but also on establishing more institutions to address the demand for medical professionals. Speaking at an event after laying the foundation stones for two critical care blocks and a BSL-3 laboratory in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, he emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the central government and states to fulfill the healthcare needs of the people. The Health Minister assured the states of the central government's support in their healthcare initiatives.

1:36 PM

Manipur reports 1st case of JN.1 Covid, patient travelled from Delhi

Manipur has recorded a new case of COVID-19 after a significant period without fresh infections. The affected individual, a resident of Paomata in Senapati district, traveled from Delhi to Dimapur by air and then proceeded from Dimapur to Senapati by road. The specific variant of the virus is yet to be determined, as samples have been sent for genome sequencing to gather more details.