Cabinet meeting updates: Centre to invest Rs 2,400 crore under National Mission on Natural Farming

Cabinet approves 3 rail projects

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved three projects of the Ministry of Railways on Monday with a total cost of Rs 7,927 crore.

The projects are the Jalgaon-Manmad fourth line (160 km), Bhusawal-Khandwa third and fourth lines (131 km) and Prayagraj (Iradatganj)-Manikpur third line (84 km).

"The proposed multi-tracking projects will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections between Mumbai and Prayagraj," according to a government statement.

"The projects are in line with Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji's vision of a New India, which will make people of the region 'Atmanirbhar' by way of comprehensive development in the area, which will enhance their employment/self-employment opportunities," the statement said.

EU says Bluesky is violating information disclosure rules

Bluesky, the rapidly growing social media platform, is violating EU regulations by failing to disclose important details, a European Commission spokesperson told reporters during a daily briefing on Monday.

“All platforms in the EU even the smallest ones which are below the threshold, which is the case for Bluesky,  have to have a dedicated page on their website where it says how many user numbers they have in the EU and where they are legally established. This is not the case for Bluesky as of today,” the spokesperson said.

Top NATO official calls on business leaders to prepare for 'wartime scenario'

A top NATO military official on Monday urged businesses to be prepared for a wartime scenario and adjust their production and distribution lines accordingly, in order to be less vulnerable to blackmail from countries such as Russia and China.

"If we can make sure that all crucial services and goods can be delivered no matter what, then that is a key part of our deterrence," the chair of NATO's military committee, Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, said in Brussels.

Speaking at an event of the European Policy Centre think tank, he described deterrence as going far beyond military capability alone, since all available instruments could and would be used in war.

Cabinet nod for Rs 2,481cr National Mission on Natural farming to cover 7.5 lakh ha

The government on Monday announced a national mission to promote natural farming among one crore farmers in 7.5 lakh hectare (ha) with an outlay of Rs 2,481 crore over the next two years.

The decision taken in the Cabinet meeting, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to initiate natural farming in 7.5 lakh hectare through 15,000 clusters to be set up in willing panchayats.

"There is a need to improve the quality of soil and maintain the health of the people with chemical-free food...National Mission on Natural Farming is a path-breaking decision," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said in a media briefing after the meeting.

Israeli cabinet to convene on November 26 to discuss ceasefire with Lebanon, officials say

The Israeli cabinet will convene on Tuesday to approve a Lebanon ceasefire deal, a senior Israeli official told Reuters on Monday. Another Israeli official told Reuters the cabinet would convene to discuss a deal that could be cemented in the coming days. US news website Axios reported earlier that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to the terms of a deal to end the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Will try to make PAN card a common business indentified, says Vaishnaw

Delhi | Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, "PAN card is part of our life which is important for the middle class and small business - it has been highly upgraded and PAN 2.0 has been approved today. The existing system will be upgraded and the digital backbone will be brought in a new way... It will be tried if it can become a common business identifier. There will be a unified portal, it will be completely paperless and online. The emphasis will be on the grievance redressal system."

Cabinet approves Rs 2,481 crore National Mission on Natural Farming

The government on Monday announced a national mission to promote natural farming among one crore farmers across the country with a budget outlay of Rs 2,481 crore.

The decision, taken in the Cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to create an ecosystem for sustainable farming.

"There is a need to improve the quality of soil and maintain the health of the people with chemical-free food...The National Mission on Natural Farming is a path-breaking decision," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said in a media briefing after the meeting.

The mission, with a budget outlay of Rs 2,481 crore, will cover 1 crore farmers across the country, he added.

Cabinet approves continuation of Atal Innovation Mission till March 2028

The Cabinet on Monday approved the continuation of Niti Aayog's flagship initiative Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), with an enhanced scope of work and allocated budget of Rs 2,750 crore, till March 31, 2028.

According to an official statement, AIM 2.0 is a step towards Viksit Bharat that aims to expand, strengthen, and deepen India's already vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The statement said while building on the accomplishments of AIM 1.0, such as Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and Atal Incubation Centers (AIC), AIM 2.0 marks a qualitative shift in the mission’s approach.

"Whereas AIM 1.0 involved implementing programmes that built new innovation infrastructure to strengthen India's then-nascent ecosystem, AIM 2.0 involves piloting new initiatives designed to fill gaps in the ecosystem and scaling successes through central and state governments, industry, academia and community," it added.

Cabinet approves 'One Nation One Subscription' scheme for access to research articles, journals

The Union Cabinet on Monday approved 'One Nation One Subscription', a new scheme for providing country-wide access to scholarly research articles and journal publication.

A total of about Rs 6,000 crore has been allocated for One Nation One Subscription for three calendar years, 2025, 2026 and 2027 as a new Central Sector Scheme.

"One Nation One Subscription will build on and further enhance the scope and reach of the range of initiatives undertaken by the Government of India over the past decade in the domains of education, for maximizing access to quality higher education for the youth of India. This will supplement the ANRF initiative to promote research and development and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout government universities, colleges, research institutions, and research and development laboratories," an official statement said.

Centre approves 2 hydro projects worth Rs 3,689 cr in Arunachal Pradesh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Monday approved two hydropower projects entailing an investment of Rs 3,689 crore in Arunachal Pradesh.

After the Cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters that the CCEA approved an investment of Rs 1,750 crore for the construction of 186 MW Tato-I Hydro Electric Project and Rs 1,939 crore for 240 MW Heo Hydro Electric Project in Shi Yomi District of Arunachal Pradesh.

Power generated from the two projects will help improve the power supply position in Arunachal Pradesh and will also help in balancing the national grid, the minister said.

Cabinet approves the PAN 2.0 Project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the PAN 2.0 Project of the Income Tax Department.

The financial implications for the PAN 2.0 Project will Rs.1435 crore.

The PAN 2.0 Project enables technology driven transformation of Taxpayer registration services and has significant benefits including:

i.             Ease of access and speedy service delivery with improved quality;

ii.            Single Source of Truth and data consistency

iii.           Eco-friendly processes and cost optimization; and

iv.           Security and optimization of infrastructure for greater agility.

Cabinet approves continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of its flagship initiative, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under the aegis of NITI Aayog, with an enhanced scope of work and an allocated budget of Rs.2,750 crore for the period till March 31, 2028.

AIM 2.0 is a step towards Viksit Bharat that aims to expand, strengthen, and deepen India’s already vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Cabinet approves construction of 240 MW Heo Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh with outlay of Rs 1,939 crore

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved investment of Rs.1939 crore for construction of Heo Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Shi Yomi District of Arunachal Pradesh. The estimated completion period for the project is 50 months.

The project with an installed capacity of 240 MW (3 x 80 MW) would produce 1000 Million Units (MU) of energy. The Power generated from the Project will help improve the power supply position in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and will also help in balancing of the national Grid.

Cabinet approves construction of 186 MW Tato-I Hydro Electric Project in Shi Yomi District of Arunachal Pradesh with an outlay of Rs1,750 crore

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved investment of Rs.1750 crore for construction of Tato-I Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Shi Yomi District of Arunachal Pradesh. The estimated completion period for the project is 50 months.

The project with an installed capacity of 186 MW (3 x 62 MW) would produce 802 Million Units (MU) of energy. The Power generated from the Project will help improve the power supply position in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and will also help in balancing of the national Grid.

Cabinet approved three multitracking projects across Indian Railways

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved Three projects of Ministry of Railways with total cost of Rs. 7,927 crore (approx.).

The projects are:

i.             Jalgaon – Manmad 4th line (160 km)

ii.            Bhusawal – Khandwa 3rd & 4th line (131 km)

iii.           Prayagraj (Iradatganj) – Manikpur 3rd Line (84 km)

The proposed multi-tracking projects will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections between Mumbai and Prayagraj.

Ashwini Vaishnaw: Cabinet approves Rs 2,481 cr towards National Mission on natural farming

Ashwini Vaishnaw: Cabinet has approved Rs 2,481 cr towards National Mission on natural farming and it will cover over 1 crore farmers.

Cabinet approves launching of National Mission on Natural Farming

Indian Army chief Dwivedi calls on Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Oli

ndia's Chief of Army Staff Gen. Upendra Dwivedi on Friday paid a courtesy call to Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli at the Prime Minister’s Office, Singhdurbar.

Similarly, Gen. Dwivedi also had a courtesy call with Defence Minister Manvir Rai at the Ministry of Defence on Friday, according to a Nepal Army statement.

Oli, on the occasion, expressed happiness about the continuation of the tradition of conferring the Honorary Rank of General of the Army to each other’s army chiefs between Nepal and India, according to the Prime Minister’s secretariat.

Israeli ambassador to US says Hezbollah ceasefire deal could come 'within days'

The Israeli ambassador to Washington says that a ceasefire deal to end fighting between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah could be reached “within days.”

Ambassador Mike Herzog told Israeli Army Radio on Monday that there remained “points to finalize” and that any deal required agreement from the government. But he said “we are close to a deal” and that “it can happen within days.”

Among the issues that remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon.

Consumer commission pulls up Flipkart over complaint about quality of product

A consumer disputes redressal commission here found Flipkart guilty of unfair trade practice for not accepting the return of an "inferior quality" food product, citing that it is under "obligation to see the product sold on its platform is of good quality".

The commission ruled that the seller of the food product was also guilty of deficiency in service for not accepting the return.

In an order passed earlier this month, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Mumbai Suburban) directed the seller and the e-commerce company to refund the customer the price she paid for the product with interest.

Register on Udyam Portal to enhance creditworthiness: RBI Dy Guv Swaminathan to MSMEs

MSMEs operating informally can enhance their credibility by registering on the Udyam Portal, RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan J has said.

While regulatory policies and government schemes have played a crucial role in creating an enabling environment for MSMEs, it is equally important for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to take proactive steps to build trust and enhance their visibility with lenders, he said.

The Deputy Governor was speaking at the CEO Forum of the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on November 16.

Sambhal tense day after clashes; SP MP, MLA's son booked, 25 arrested

Police have booked Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood's son Sohail Iqbal and arrested 25 people following clashes between locals opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque here and security personnel that claimed four lives.

Opposition parties attacked the ruling BJP at the Centre and Uttar Pradesh a day after Sunday's violence, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accusing the state government of orchestrating a "riot" and senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleging that the ruling party was creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims.

Bengal assembly adjourned after obituary references

The West Bengal Assembly was adjourned till Tuesday following obituary references to several prominent personalities, who died during the past three months.

The winter session of the House commenced on Monday and will continue till December 10, barring December 6 when the ruling Trinamool Congress will observe the 'Babri Masjid Demolition Day’.

Speaker Biman Banerjee said the assembly will be adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday.

S&P Global Ratings cut growth projections for China over Trump's tariffs threat

S&P Global Ratings, one of the top credit rating agencies, has cut the forecast for China's GDP for the next two years, saying that US President-elect Donald Trump's threats to impose high tariffs on Chinese exports could hit the world's second-largest economy.

S&P Global Ratings on Sunday said that it expected China’s gross domestic product to expand by 4.1 per cent in 2025 and 3.8 per cent in 2026, down by 0.2 and 0.7 percentage points, respectively, from its September projections.

"We expect China's economy to be hit by the US tariff increases on its exports. Exports will obviously grow much less, and investment too," said economists at S&P in their first-quarter 2025 Asia-Pacific outlook.

HC seeks Centre's response on girl's plea to expedite rare disease treatment

The Delhi High Court sought the Centre's response on Monday on a plea moved by a girl suffering from a rare disease, seeking directions to authorities to expedite the process of financial assistance and procurement of medicines for her treatment.

In the petition filed through her mother, the girl has said she is suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1, a rare genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and is the most severe form of SMA that requires a life-saving gene therapy called Zolgensma.

Justice Sanjeev Narula issued a notice to the Centre and asked its counsel to get instructions from the authorities concerned.

NGT castigates DJB official, says tried to mislead the tribunal

The National Green Tribunal has castigated a Delhi Jal Board official for wasting the tribunal's time by repeatedly changing his replies regarding the functionality of a sewage treatment plant.

The tribunal, which was hearing the issue of protection of Smriti Van -- a part of the ridge area in south Delhi -- and also a pond inside it, said it appeared that the official was attempting to "mislead the tribunal." In an order passed on November 20, a bench of NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the reply of the DJB dated November 13, according to which, a 1,100 kilolitres per day (KLD) Decentralised Sewage Treatment Plant (DSTP) had been commissioned to treat the stormwater or wastewater in the area.

"Anil Bharti, superintendent engineer (SE) of DJB, is present. We had put a query to him as to what is treated in this DSTP. Initially, he said no sewage is treated in the DSTP, (and) it is the rainwater that is treated," the tribunal said.

Ganguly to Australia: Play well or get ready for a long series against India

Someone who never doubted India's "enormous talent", former captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday warned Australia to start playing well or "get ready for a long series ahead" after Jasprit Bumrah-led team thrashed the hosts by 295 runs in the Perth.

Coming off an embarrassing 0-3 loss to New Zealand on home soil , India roared back to hand Australia their first-ever Test loss at the Optus Stadium inside four days.

Ganguly said Indian team’s performance was contrary to what the media in both the countries reported, but said India will have to keep applying pressure on Australia given there are four more Tests left.

EQT-backed Indira IVF is said to weigh $400 million Mumbai IPO

EQT AB is considering an initial public offering for Indira IVF that could raise about $400 million, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Stockholm-based investment firm is working with arrangers to help prepare for an IPO in Mumbai as soon as next year, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. A share sale could value the IVF clinic operator at about $2.5 billion, they said.

Considerations are preliminary and no final decisions have been made, the people said. Details such as size, value and timing may change, they said.

A representative for EQT declined to comment, while Indira IVF didn’t immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

UK would follow 'due process' if Netanyahu were to visit, says foreign minister

Britain would follow due process if Benjamin Netanyahu visited the UK, foreign minister David Lammy said on Monday, when asked if London would fulfil the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister.

"We are signatories to the Rome Statute, we have always been committed to our obligations under international law and international humanitarian law," Lammy told reporters at a G7 meeting in Italy.

"Of course, if there were to be such a visit to the UK, there would be a court process and due process would be followed in relation to those issues."

U.S. lawmakers say Hong Kong is becoming hub for financial crime, WSJ reports

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives have asked Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to rethink ties with Hong Kong's banking sector, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Hong Kong has turned into a hub for many violations of U.S. trade controls, including export of controlled western technology to Russia and the creation of front companies to buy Iranian oil, the bipartisan leaders of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party said in a letter to Yellen, reviewed by the Journal.

'Bribe notes' with per megawatt rates: filings detail Sagar Adani's role in Indian scandal

A U.S. indictment of top executives of India's Adani Group has put a spotlight on Sagar Adani, a millennial scion of the company who kept track of hundreds of millions of dollars of alleged bribes to Indian officials on his mobile phone, court filings show.

U.S. prosecutors called the notes on Adani’s phone “bribe notes."

In those notes, Sagar Adani, nephew of the Indian conglomerate's billionaire founder Gautam Adani, noted the amount of the bribe he offered, which government official had been offered the money and how much solar power the official's region would buy in return. He even identified a per megawatt bribe rate to secure the power contracts, the court filings show.

In discussing how the bribery scheme was moving along in 2020, Sagar Adani remarked in a WhatsApp message: “Yup…but the optics are very difficult to cover.”

Slackening demand likely weighed on India's GDP growth in September quarter, says Reuters poll

India's economy likely grew at its slowest pace in one-and-a-half years in the three months to end-September as weak consumption offset a strong recovery in government spending, which for years has helped drive growth, a Reuters poll found.

Asia's third-largest economy grew more than 8.0% in the fiscal year to end-March but has since slowed sharply as skyrocketing food inflation drives up the cost of living and forces households to cut spending.

Private consumption accounts for about 60% of India's gross domestic product (GDP) but sales of items from cars to biscuits have plummeted.

NSUI makes comeback at helm of DUSU after 7 years

The Congress-backed National Students' Union of India (NSUI) staged a comeback in the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections after seven years, clinching the president and joint secretary positions.

NSUI's Rounak Khatri emerged victorious in the presidential race, defeating RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad's candidate Rishabh Chaudhary by over 1,300 votes.

Khatri got 20,207 votes while Chaudhary trailed with 18,864 votes.

Celebrations erupted as the results were announced, with the Congress's student wing members gathering in large numbers, raising slogans, and cheering for their leaders.

The win marked a revival of the party's presence in the influential student body after a near-decade-long of domination by the ABVP.

While NSUI swept two key posts, the ABVP managed to secure the vice president and retained the secretary position, securing a foothold inside the union.

NSUI's Rounak Khatri wins Delhi University Student Union president's post

NSUI's Rounak Khatri wins Delhi University Student Union president's post, defeats ABVP's Rishabh Chaudhary by over 1300 votes.  RSS-backed students union bags Vice President, retains secretary's post; NSUI wins Joint Secretary.

SC junks pleas challenging words 'socialist', 'secular' in Preamble to Constitution

In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed pleas challenging the 1976 amendment to the Constitution adding terms "socialist", "secular" and "integrity" to the Preamble.

The words "socialist", "secular" and "integrity" were inserted into the Preamble to the Constitution under the 42nd constitutional amendment moved by the Indira Gandhi government in 1976.

A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar had on November 22 reserved its verdict on the pleas filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy and advocate Ashwini Updhayay challenging the inclusion of the words "socialist" and "secular" in the Preamble to the Constitution.

One of the first petitions was filed by one Balram Singh through advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain in 2020.

Satellite images suggest North Korea expanding missile plant, researchers say

North Korea is expanding a key weapons manufacturing complex that assembles a type of short-range missile used by Russia in Ukraine, researchers at a U.S.-based think tank have concluded, based on satellite images.

The facility, known as the February 11 plant, is part of the Ryongsong Machine Complex in Hamhung, North Korea's second-largest city, on the country's east coast.

Sam Lair, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), located at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, said the plant was the only one known to produce the Hwasong-11 class of solid-fuel ballistic missiles.

Ukrainian officials say these munitions - known as the KN-23 in the West - have been used by Russian forces in their assault on Ukraine.

Don't have any doubts about robustness of efficacy of EVMs, says Karti Chidambaram

On EVMs, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram says, "...I have been participating in elections using EVMs since 2004. I have personally had no bad experience. Nor do I have any evidence to prove that there has been any kind of manipulation or tampering. If others have any kind of doubt about the efficacy of EVMs, it is really for them to say. But I personally have no doubt about the robustness of the efficacy of EVMs. Because we win elections in EVMs, we lose elections in EVMs. Unless someone actually proves with scientific data that there has been manipulation, I am not willing to change my view. I know that many in my party have a different point of view, it's really for them to explain it."

Telangana has rejected Adani group's donation to Young India Skill University, says CM

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy says, "...Many companies have given funds to the Young India Skill University. In the same way, the Adani group also gave Rs 100 crores. Yesterday, we wrote a letter to Adani on behalf of govt stating that the state govt is not ready to accept the Rs 100 crores given by Adani group.. I like to reiterate the decision by the state govt to not accept the Rs 100 crores from Adani group."

Air pollution matter: SC refuses to relax GRAP-IV measures to curb air pollution in Delhi

Supreme Court refuses to relax Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV measures to curb air pollution in Delhi. SC directs the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider relaxing norms observing a large number of students cannot avail mid-day meals, online classes and can't access air purifiers.

Air quality improved in 97 of 130 cities under NCAP since 2017-18: Environment minister

Ninety-seven of the 130 cities targeted under the National Clean Air Programme have shown improvement in air quality as compared to 2017-18, with 55 recording more than 20 per cent reduction, the Environment Ministry said on Monday.

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to reduce particulate matter (PM10) pollution by up to 40 per cent or achieving national air quality standards by 2025-26.

As of 2023-24, 97 of the 130 cities targeted have shown improvement in air quality as compared to 2017-18, with 55 recording reduction exceeding 20 per cent, the minister said.

Inoperative EPF accounts' total amount up 5 fold to Rs 8,505 cr in 6 years

The total amount in inoperative employees' provident fund (EPF) has jumped over five fold to Rs 8,505.23 crore in financial year 2023-24 from Rs 1,638.37 crore in fiscal year 2018-19, Parliament was informed on Monday.

In a written reply to Lok Sabha, the Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje stated that there are no unclaimed accounts in EPF scheme run by retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

However, she stated that as per Para 72(6) of the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 1952, certain accounts are classified as 'Inoperative accounts'.

She informed the House that as many as 21,55,387 inoperative EPFO accounts had Rs 8,505.23 crore in 2023-24. In 2018-19, there were 6,91,774 inoperative accounts which had Rs 1,638.37 crore.

Food inflation to ease in next few months on bumper kharif harvest: Govt report

Food inflation is expected to calm down in the next few months on the likelihood of a bumper kharif harvest, the finance ministry said in a monthly economic review for October. India’s retail inflation jumped in October 6.21 percent, a 14-month high, driven by elevated food inflation in a “few vegetables”, the review said. Read more

Middle East conflict a major complication for IMEC, says Jaishankar

Conflict under way currently in the Middle East has undoubtedly been a major complication, but IMEC is proceeding ahead on the eastern side, especially between India and the UAE and Saudi Arabia, said external affairs minister S Jaishankar.

India's GenAI ecosystem soars with 6 times growth in Q2FY25 amid global slump, says nasscom report

India's Generative AI ecosystem has grown remarkably amid a global downturn, recording an impressive 6 times growth in quarterly investments driven by B2B and productivity solutions, according to a report by IT industry body nasscom.

nasscom on Monday released the "Generative AI Tracker: Tech Industry Activity in Q2FY2025" report that revealed a robust rebound in funding and innovation within India's Generative AI landscape.

"Indian GenAI startup funding, at about USD 51 million in Q2FY2025, saw over 6 times rise quarter-on-quarter, led by B2B and agentic AI startups. Funding rounds continued to rise, with Q2FY2025 registering a record 20 rounds, after a tepid Q1.

Iran's Khamenei calls for death sentence for Israeli leaders

The supreme leader of Iran, which backs the Hamas and Hezbollah militants fighting Israel in Gaza and Lebanon, said on Monday that death sentences should be issued for Israeli leaders, not arrest warrants.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was commenting on a decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence chief and a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri.

"They issued an arrest warrant, that's not enough... Death sentence must be issued for these criminal leaders", Khamenei said, referring to the Israeli leaders.

Imran Khan news live: Thousands of Imran Khan supporters defy tear gas, lockdown and arrest to head to the capital

Thousands of supporters of Pakistan's imprisoned former premier Imran Khan have defied a lockdown and widespread arrests to head to the capital Monday to demand his release, AP reported.

The “long march” comes ahead of a visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Islamabad.

Manipur violence live updates: Women take out rally against AFSPA in Imphal East district

Defying curfew orders, thousands of women held a rally in Manipur's Imphal East district on Monday demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 from the state.

The rally organised by local clubs and Meira Paibis in the district raised slogans and held placards calling for "removal of AFSPA from the state" and to "stop imposition of the draconian law" and "stop killing of women and children" in the northeastern state.

World news live: Russia attacks energy infrastructure in Ukraine's Mykolaiv region, says governor

Russian forces attacked energy infrastructure in Ukraine's southern region of Mykolaiv and industrial facilities in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region overnight, Ukrainian authorities said, as per Reuters

DUSU election results live: NSUI ahead in three seats, ABVP leading in V-P race

NSUI's presidential candidate Rounak Khatri was leading after five rounds of counting with a total of 5,531 votes. Joint Secretary candidate Lokesh Choudhary was leading by 6,065 votes and secretary candidate Namrata Jeph Meena by 4,425 votes.

ABVP's Bhanu Pratap Singh was leading on the vice-president post by 6,101 votes.

India news live: MP Engineer Rashid moves application seeking interim bail to attend winter session

MP Engineer Rashid has moved an application seeking interim bail to attend the ongoing parliament session. He is an independent MP from Baramulla, Kashmir.

The Patiala House Court has issued notice and sought response from the NIA. The matter has been listed on November 27.

India news live: SC junks pleas challenging words ‘socialist’, ‘secular’ in Preamble to Constitution

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the pleas challenging the 1976 amendment to the Constitution adding terms "socialist", "secular" and "integrity" to the Preamble.

A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar had on November 22 reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain and others, challenging the inclusion of the words "socialist" and "secular" in the Preamble to the Constitution.

RG Kar case live updates: SC asks Calcutta HC chief justice to form bench before which SIT will submit report

SC asks Calcutta HC chief justice to form bench before which SIT will submit report and seek further directions.

SC modifies Calcutta HC order, orders probe into torture of women in policy custody by SIT.

SC news live: SC junks pleas challenging words "socialist" and "secular" in Preamble to the Constitution

Supreme Court junks pleas challenging words "socialist" and "secular" in Preamble to the Constitution

India news live: CNG price hiked by Rs 2 in Mumbai, other cities; election bond-Delhi spared

CNG price in Mumbai as well as several other cities in the country has been hiked by Rs 2 per kg but users in poll-bound Delhi have been spared for the time being, according to city gas firms.

Indraprastha Gas Ltd, the firm that retails CNG to automobiles and pipes natural gas to household kitchens for cooking in the national capital and adjoining cities, over the weekend raised CNG price by Rs 2 per kg.

With elections out of the way, Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) - the city gas retailer in Mumbai, hiked CNG prices in Mumbai and adjoining areas by Rs 2 per kg, according to MGL website.

Sambhal violence live updates: Injured police inspector files case against 800 people

Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said, "...Our sub-inspector Deepak Rathi who got injured yesterday has filed a complaint against 800 people. Zia Ur Rehman Barq and Sohail Iqbal have been made accused. He said they instigated the mob. Barq was given notice earlier too. He had given provocative speeches earlier too and he was told not to do so... 15 policemen have been injured in the incident... 25 people have been arrested so far. All the accused will be arrested and legal action will be taken."

Indonesia floods live: Landslide and flash floods hit Indonesia's Sumatra island, leaving 16 dead and 6 missing

Rescuers in Indonesia recovered 16 bodies under tons of mud and rocks or that were swept away in flash floods that hit mountainside villages on Sumatra Island, officials said.

World news live: DHL cargo plane crashes into house in Lithuania, killing at least 1

A DHL cargo plane crashed into a house Monday morning near the Lithuanian capital, killing at least one person, AP reported.

India news live: Karnataka HC rejects plea to quash FIR in Rs 69 lakh Amazon scam case

The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a petition seeking quashing of an FIR against two individuals accused of defrauding e-commerce giant Amazon of over Rs 69 lakh.

Justice M Nagaprasanna described the case as an example of “modern age crime.” The petitioners, Sourish Bose and Deepanvita Ghosh, had sought to have the FIR and a magistrate court’s order taking cognisance of the case set aside.

India news live: Coast Guard seizes vessel carrying 6,000 kg methamphetamine

In a major anti-narcotics operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized a vessel with six Myanmarese crew carrying 6,000 kg of contraband Methamphetamine near Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an official said, as per PTI.

The drugs were found packed in around 3,000 packets of 2 kg each, which are worth several crores of rupees in the international market.

India news live: Former president of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal killed in road accident in Rishikesh

Three people, including the former president of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, were killed after they were hit by a speeding truck here, police said.

The victims were coming out of a resort after attending a wedding reception and were about to get into a car when they were hit by the truck near Natraj Chawk, Rishikesh Kotwali sub-inspector Vinod Kumar said. The truck also hit several other vehicles parked outside the resort.

Sambhal violence live updates: Toll rises to four

The toll in the clashes between police and protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque rose to four following the death of one more injured person, officials said.

BMW hit-and-run case update: Bombay HC refuses to release accused on ground of illegal arrest

Bombay HC refuses to release accused Mihir Shah, son of former Sena leader, on ground of illegal arrest

India news live: Two members of banned UNLF held in Manipur

Two active members of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (Pambei Group) were arrested from Manipur's Imphal East district for allegedly being involved in extortion, police said.

The two, identified as Thoudam Ibungobi Meitei and Chanam Rashini Chanu, were apprehended in Khurai Ahongei Labuk Leirak area on November 23, a police statement said.

India news live: Indian coast guard apprehends biggest drug haul ever in Andaman, more details awaited

Indian Coast Guard has apprehended a huge consignment of around five tonnes of drugs from a fishing boat in the Andaman waters.

This is likely to be the biggest ever drug haul by the Indian Coast Guard ever. More details awaited, ANI reported quoting Defence Officials

Sambhal violence live updates: Prohibitory orders issued, outsiders' entry barred till Nov 30

The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and barred the entry of outsiders till November 30 after three men were killed and scores of others, including security and administration personnel, injured in a violence by protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque.

"No outsiders, other social organisations or public representatives will enter the district border without the permission of the competent officer," the order stated.

Winter Parliament session live updates: CPI (M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas gives zero hour notice

CPI (M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has given Zero-hour Notice and demanded Special Financial assistance from the Union Government for Wayanad landslide Victims in Kerala.

Hyderabad MP and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi has given an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the issue of "killing of three youths in police firing in Sambal, Uttar Pradesh yesterday".

DUSU election results live: Vote counting begins for long-delayed DUSU elections

The counting of votes for the long-delayed Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections began at North Campus here on Monday, almost two months after polling.

The DUSU results, originally scheduled to be announced on September 28, a day after the elections, were delayed due to a Delhi High Court order.

Manipur violence live updates: Don't cross line, says Manipur MP to Mizoram lawmaker who advocated separate admins to end strife

Rajya Sabha member from Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba hit out at Mizoram MP K Vanlalvena for advocating "separate administrative units" for Meiteis and Kuki-Zo community to end the ethnic conflict and said he should not "cross the line".

Sanajaoba also urged Vanlalvena to stop interference in Manipur's internal matters.

World news live: Taiwan reports Chinese balloon, first time in six months

Taiwan's defence ministry on Monday reported that a Chinese balloon had been detected over the sea to Taiwan's north, the first time since April it has reported such an incident in what Taipei views as part of a pattern of harassment by Beijing.

World news live: Greece's Syriza party elects new leader

Syriza, the left-wing party which once governed Greece, on Sunday elected a new leader after a year of internal turmoil and diminishing popularity.,

Sokratis Famellos 58, defeated fellow lawmaker Pavlos Polakis and two other candidates in a vote open to all party members and people aligned to the group. Results showed Famellos was just shy of the 50 percent plus one vote threshold required to avoid a runoff when Polakis conceded with about 43 percent, AP reported.

Manipur violence live updates: Govt scraps decision to reopen schools, colleges in Imphal, Jirbam

The Manipur government scrapped its decision to reopen schools and colleges in Imphal Valley and Jiribam district on Monday, officials said.

Schools and colleges were shut in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Jiribam for about a week due to prohibitory orders issued in view of fresh violence in the state, they said.

Delhi AQI live updates: Toxic foam seen on Yamuna, AQI deteriorates

A layer of haze shrouds the national capital as the air quality remains in 'Poor' category, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Toxic foam seen floating on the Yamuna River in Kalindi Kunj, as pollution level in the river continues to remain high.

World news live: Uruguay's conservative candidate concedes presidential runoff to left-wing challenger

The presidential candidate of the conservative coalition that has governed Uruguay for the past five years has conceded defeat after a close runoff election even as the vote count continued.

Álvaro Delgado, the centre-right government's candidate, told his supporters at his campaign headquarters on Sunday that "with sadness, but without guilt, we can congratulate the winner," referring to left-wing challenger Yamandú Orsi, AP reported.

Delhi AQI live updates: AQI deteriorates

A layer of haze shrouds the national capital as the air quality continues to deteriorate

Israel-Lebanon conflict live updates: Israel reportedly moving towards ceasefire deal in Lebanon

Israel is moving towards a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon with the Hezbollah militant group, Axios reporter Barak Ravid posted on X on Sunday, citing a senior Israeli official.

A separate report from Israel's public broadcaster Kan, citing an Israeli official, said there was no green light given on an agreement in Lebanon, with issues still yet to be resolved.