News Highlights: PM Modi leaves for India after attending Brics summit in Russia

Latest news updates: Catch all the latest news developments from across the world here

3:47 PM

We should work for global regulations for cyber security, safe and secure AI: PM Modi

We have to work together on pending issue of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in UN: PM Modi 

3:44 PM

There is no place for double standards on such a serious issue, says PM Modi on challenge of terrorism

We should take active steps to prevent radicalisation among youth of our countries, says PM Modi at Brics summit. 

3:40 PM

We all have to cooperate strongly and unanimously to deal with terrorism and terror financing: PM Modi

Just as we together defeated Covid-19, we are fully capable of creating new opportunities for safe, strong & prosperous future, says PM Modi.

3:38 PM

We support dialogue and diplomacy, not war, says PM Modi at Brics summit

Containing inflation, ensuring security in food, energy, health and water sectors priority issues for all countries, says PM Modi at BRICS summit. 

3:27 PM

Water treatment plants affected due to untreated effluent in Yamuna from UP, Haryana: Delhi CM

Water treatment plants in Delhi have been affected due to high ammonia levels in Yamuna water, Chief Minister Atishi said on Wednesday while accusing BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttar Pradesh of discharging untreated industrial waste into the river. Atishi, while briefing mediapersons during a visit to the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, alleged that the BJP was using pollution as a "weapon against Delhi". She reiterated her charge that both the rising pollution levels in the Yamuna and the worsening air quality in the capital are the result of the BJP's "dirty politics".

3:24 PM

News update: We meet at a time when multilateralism is under threat, says South African President Ramaphosa

2:59 PM

Rain starts in Odisha as Cyclone Dana's outer band touches land mass: IMD

Parts of Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts in Odisha experienced rain and adverse weather conditions on Wednesday afternoon with the Indian Meterological Centre (IMD) saying that the outer bands of Cyclone ‘Dana' has begun to affect the eastern coastline. Senior IMD scientist Umashankar Das posted on X, "According to radar data from Paradip, the outer band of Cyclone ‘Dana' has touched the land mass in Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts." 

2:53 PM

Centre to launch initiative to provide localised weather forecasts to gram panchayats

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will on Thursday launch a weather forecast service for gram panchayats which will provide them with localised daily weather forecasts for five days and enhance disaster preparedness, an official statement said. Gram Panchayat Level Weather Forecasting, which will be launched in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), will also allow gram panchayats to check hourly weather forecasts and directly benefit farmers and villagers across the country, said the statement issued by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj on Wednesday.

2:35 PM

Questions remain, govt must take people into confidence on agreement with China on patrolling: Cong

Days after India and China firmed up an agreement on patrolling by their militaries along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, the Congress on Wednesday said it expects that the disengagement will restore the status quo ante as it existed in March 2020 and asked the government to take the people of India into confidence on the matter. "The Foreign Secretary has said that this is 'leading to disengagement and eventually a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020'. We hope that India's worst foreign policy setback in decades is being honourably resolved," Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said. "We expect that the disengagement will restore the status quo ante as it existed in March 2020," he said. Ramesh alleged that "this sorry saga is a complete indictment" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gullibility and naiveté regarding China.

2:19 PM

Mangrove forest likely to reduce cyclone Dana's impact in Odisha's Bhitarkanika area: Official

The mangrove forest spread over nearly 200 square km in Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district would reduce the impact of impending cyclone Dana, if it makes landfall in the area, a senior forest officer said here on Wednesday. Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district and Dhamra port in Bhadrak district.

2:15 PM

In retort to BJP, Priyanka says she has 35 yrs of experience in politics

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday marked her electoral debut by filing her nomination for the upcoming Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, saying that she has 35 years of experience in the political arena beginning from the age of 17 years when she campaigned for her late father Rajiv Gandhi in 1989. Her statement comes a day after BJP's Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Navya Haridas said she was more experienced in representing people than Priyanka.

1:54 PM

Here's what Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling had to say over preparation related to Cyclone Dana

On preparations related to Cyclone Dana, Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling says, "The Health Department is on alert. Directions have been given to all CDMOs and their leaves have been cancelled. Measures have been made against the issue of snake venom...The CM is also personally monitoring the situation..."

1:31 PM

Supreme Court defers hearing on pleas against immunity to husbands in marital rape cases

Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, who is demitting office on November 10, Wednesday deferred hearing by four weeks on pleas challenging the immunity granted to husbands in cases of marital rape. The CJI said he will not be able to conclude the hearing and render the verdict if the hearing does not conclude before the top court closes for Diwali vacation. Justice Chandrachud said all the lawyers concerned have to be given time sought for making the submissions in the matter.

1:19 PM

Prashant Kishore changes candidates for two seats in Bihar bypolls

With just a couple of days left for filing of nomination papers, Prashant Kishor's fledgling Jan Suraaj party on Wednesday announced it was changing its candidates for two of the four assembly seats in Bihar where by-polls are scheduled. Social activist Kiran Singh will be contesting from Tarari, in place of Lieutenant General Shri Krishna Singh (Retd) a former Army Vice Chief whose candidature was announced with much fanfare last week.

1:10 PM

22 FIRs filed, 16 Haryana farmers arrested for stubble burning

Officials in Haryana's Kaithal have filed 22 FIRs and arrested 16 farmers for stubble burning. The farmers have been booked for disobeying a public servant's order under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. However, the accused were released on bail.