News Highlights: Ayodhya sees massive influx of devotees on Basant Panchami

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5:02 PM

UK's Starmer welcomes German chancellor to his country estate as he touts 'reset' with EU

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to his country estate Sunday on the eve of seeking to improve relations with the European Union. Starmer hosted Scholz at Chequers, the prime minister's country residence in Buckinghamshire 30 miles (50 kilometres) northwest of London, before the two go to Belgium to meet with EU chiefs Monday, where the UK leader is aiming for a relationship “reset".

4:51 PM

Vitol sees oil demand staying at current levels until at least 2040: Reports

Global oil demand is expected to remain steady until at least 2040, according to a forecast by energy and commodities trader Vitol, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Vitol expects global demand to peak at almost 110 million barrels per day at the end of this decade, and then retreat to current levels of about 105 million bpd in 2040, the report added, citing the company's long-term demand outlook seen by the paper. 

4:48 PM

Rahul dares Kejriwal to drink 'stinking' water supplied in Delhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday dared AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal to drink the "stinking water" provided to the people of Delhi and accused him of making false promises like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a public meeting at Hauz Qazi Chowk in old Delhi in support of the Congress' Ballimaran candidate Haroon Yusuf, he said only he and his party supported those facing violence during the 2020 Delhi riots and would continue to stand with anyone facing oppression.

4:41 PM

Over 10,000 participate in Navy's inaugural half-marathon in Delhi

The Indian Navy's inaugural half-marathon in the national capital on Sunday witnessed participation of over 10,000 people across three categories. The flagship races -- 21.1 km and 10 km -- were flagged off by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the presence of Chief of the Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh.

3:55 PM

Ayodhya sees massive influx of devotee on Basant Panchami; over 1.5 mn gather in city

The holy city of Ayodhya witnessed an overwhelming influx of devotees on Basant Panchami, with official estimates placing the gathering at over 15 lakh. The officials expect a similar influx to continue until the conclusion of the Kumbh Mela on February 28. Authorities reported that the festival celebrations would extend into Monday, with a continuous stream of devotees arriving to take a holy dip in the Saryu River and offer prayers at Hanumangarhi and the Ram Temple.

3:50 PM

Navy gets replacement for MQ-9B drone that crashed in September

Months after an MQ-9B Sea Guardian drone crashed into the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Navy has received a replacement for the high-altitude long-endurance surveillance platform from its US-based manufacturer General Atomics, authoritative military sources said on Sunday. One of the two MQ-9B drones that the Indian Navy had taken on lease was lost in a "controlled ditching" at sea following a technical snag in mid-September last year.

3:16 PM

'Operation Eleven' to manage crowd during Basant Panchami Amrit Snan at Maha Kumbh: UP govt

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday said it has put into place a special crowd management plan named 'Operation Eleven' for the 'Amrit Snan' on Basant Panchami at Maha Kumbh. The 'Amrit Snan' on Basant Panchami will take place on Monday.

3:08 PM

Duty cut in Budget on certain inputs to boost exports, manufacturing: Commerce Ministry

The reduction in customs duties in the Budget on certain inputs from sectors like marine, chemicals and critical minerals will help promote domestic manufacturing and enhance exports, according to the Commerce Ministry. It has also said that the announcement to revamp the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide better leverage during FTA (free trade agreement) negotiations.

2:51 PM

Amazon inks pact with UP govt's ARGA initiative to support women entrepreneurs in Gonda district

Amazon India on Sunday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ARGA, an initiative of the Uttar Pradesh government, to enable women entrepreneurs in the Gonda district to leverage e-commerce and build their businesses. As part of this partnership, Amazon will support women-led enterprises associated with Brand ARGA through its Saheli programme by offering training in digital marketing, performance marketing, product listing optimisation, and advertising strategies.

2:27 PM

Yamuna in bad shape in Delhi due to Kejriwal's 'sins': Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday slammed Arvind Kejriwal over his "Yamuna poisoning" allegation, saying no Hindu would poison anyone's water, and claimed the river was in a bad shape in the national capital because of the AAP supremo's "sins". Addressing a public meeting in support of the BJP candidate in Babarpur, the Assam chief minister said Kejriwal had promised to pay a monthly salary to priests because of the elections.

2:04 PM

Five injured at Mumbai airport as out of control Merc hits them; driver arrested

Five persons, including two foreigners, were injured at Mumbai international airport on Sunday morning after a Mercedes car hit them, a police official said. The driver of the luxury car, which was at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to drop off a passenger, lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the incident in the parking lot of Terminal 2, the Sahar police station official said.

1:51 PM

Kerala CM to inaugurate 30 new smart anganwadis on Feb 3

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate 30 new smart anganwadis equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for children here on Monday. The CM will inaugurate the facilites via video conference at an event to be held in an auditorium here. State Health Minister Veena George will preside over the function, an official statement said on Sunday.

12:59 PM

BJP workers vandalised our campaign van in New Delhi constituency: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday alleged one of its campaign vans in the New Delhi constituency, from where AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is contesting the polls, was vandalised by BJP workers. No immediate reaction was available from the BJP over the charge. New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Mahla said no complaint has been received in the matter so far.

12:35 PM

One killed in fire at biscuit factory in MP

One person was killed after a fire erupted at a biscuit factory in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind district in the early hours of Sunday, an official said. The blaze broke out around 5.30 am at the factory in the Malanpur industrial area, about 60 km from the district headquarters, the official said.

11:46 AM

CAG building infra & processes to harness AI&ML: Sanjay Murthy

India's apex auditor is building the necessary infrastructure and processes to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for auditing processes and to audit AI applications themselves as the country aims to become a $30-trillion economy by 2047, CAG K Sanjay Murthy said. Speaking at the World Forum of Accountants hosted by ICAI on Saturday, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Murthy said a $30-trillion economy will be necessarily digital, as organisations expand into emerging areas, and global champions are born. Accounting and auditing professionals will have to provide the required support.