News highlights: Delhi schools to reopen for all classes from November 29

Track DH's latest updates of news in India and across the world!

High-flying India thrash Poland 8-2 to set up quarterfinal against Belgium in Junior Hockey WC

Hundreds of environmental demonstrators block the main highway in Belgrade, and several cities inSerbia, to protest against a project by Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto which wants to exploit lithium in this Balkan country, on November 27. Significant deposits of lithium, essential for the manufacture of batteries for electric cars, are in easternSerbia, around the town of Loznica, where the company has started buying land but is still waiting for the green light from the State to open the mines. (AFP Photo)

Rally against inflation: Rajasthan Cong workers to take part in large numbers, says Dotasra

The Congress will be holding a rally against price rise in New Delhi on December 12, in which a large number of workers from Rajasthan will take part, said state party chief Govind Singh Dotasra here on Saturday.

Dotasra said the call for the protest at Delhi’s Ramlila Ground has been given by the All-India Congress Committee (AICC).

“It will be a huge rally against inflation and thousands of party workers from Rajasthan will be attending it,” he said.

Dotasra held a meeting of office-bearers in this regard at the state party office on Saturday.

He said to make the rally a success, office-bearers and public representatives will work in coordination and ensure the presence of the maximum number of workers there. (PTI)

Vying with vultures: Widespread poverty has some Hondurans living off rubbish

Ravaged by drug trafficking, violent gangs, corruption, political instability and hurricanes, Honduras sees more than half its 10 million people -- 59 per cent -- scraping by in poverty. Read more

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu calls a meeting of Leaders of various political parties tomorrow, November 28, ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, ANI reported.

BJP Parliamentary executive meeting and NDA floor leaders meeting to be held tomorrow at the Parliament

"I accept Punjab's Edu Minister Pargat Singh's challenge of comparing 250 schools each of Delhi andPunjab. Delhi's Education Minister Manish Sisodia will issue a list of 250 schools tomorrow at 10 am. He (Pargat) should also issue the list, then we're ready for debate," saidDelhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. (ANI)

Assam civil service aspirants can write both prelims and main papers in Assamese

410 grams of gold seized from passenger at international airport

Customs officials on Saturday seized 410 grams of gold, valued at Rs 20.30 lakh, from a male passenger at the international airport here. The gold was concealed inside a talcum powder container at the inner supporting metal frame of a suitcase, the Customs department said in a release. A case was booked against the passenger for smuggling of gold, it said.

Check out the latest videos fromDH:

Police, along with security forces, have arrested two terrorist associates linked with proscribed terror outfit HM in Awantipora and recovered incriminating material, ammunition including 383 rounds of AK-47 from their possession. (ANI)

Sister Eliana, a French Catholic nun of the Little Sisters of Jesus, shapes clay figurines for sale during the Nativity season at a workshop in the biblical West Bank city of Bethlehem on November 27. (AFP Photo)

Newcastle United's Brazilian striker Joelinton (L) vies with Arsenal's English defender Ben White during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London. (AFP Photo)

Hungary to tighten controls on air travel from seven African countries

Scenic Nagaland has no tourist office in districts; house panel pulls up department

The Nagaland Tourism Department, famous for hosting the annual Hornbill Festival which attracts a large number of domestic and international visitors, does not have full-fledged functional offices in any of the 12 districts of the picturesque North-eastern state, except Kohima. This was revealed by a report of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Committee on Estimates, which was tabled in the House during the winter session which was concluded on Friday. (PTI)

BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit publicity secretary Arun K Chibber announced his resignation from the basic membership of the party on Saturday over alleged neglect and humiliation.

Indian Railways is constructing the world's tallest bridge pier in Manipur which is a part of the 111 km long Jiribam-Imphal railway project.

Sandeep Sharma, Chief Engineer of the project said, "With the completion of the project the 111 km of distance will be covered in two to 2.5 hours."

"Presently the distance between Jiribam-Imphal (NH-37) is 220 km, which took about 10 to 12 hours of travelling. After the construction, the bridge crossing Noney valley will become the world's highest pier bridge," Sandeep Sharma, Chief Engineer of the project added. (ANI)

"We need to clear the prevailing misconceptions. For example, many people in this country believe that it is the courts that make the laws. Another set of misunderstanding related to the belief that the courts are responsible for liberal acquittals andadjournments," Chief Justice of IndiaNV Ramana said in Delhi.

"However, the truth is that the public prosecutors, advocates and parties all have to cooperate with the judicial process. Non-cooperation, procedural lapse and faulty investigations cannot be blamed on courts,"he added. (ANI)

Kerala reports 4741 new Covid-19 cases, 5144 recoveries and 28 deaths in the last 24 hours. 526 deaths were added to the Coviddeath list as per Central Govt guidelines. (ANI)

2 South African nationals test Covid positive in Bengaluru

Two South African nationals have tested Covid-19 positive at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, creating panic among the health authorities over the new Omicron variant of the virus.

Read more

Delhi schools to reopen for all classes from November 29

Prime Minister NarendraModiwas on Saturday briefed about the new 'Omicron' variant of the coronavirus, and he asked officials to review the plans to ease international travel restrictions in light of the "emerging new evidence".

"Channi sahab said electricity has been made free in Punjab. I ask you if you have access to free electricity. Who all are such beneficiaries? Did he lie? I've brought bills of Delhi's oneLakh consumers. 35 Lakh consumers received zero electricity bill last month,"Delhi CM in Mohali.

Centre agrees to farmers demand of decriminalising stubble burning: Tomar

Appealing to protesting farmers to end their agitation, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Saturday said the Centre has agreed to their demand of decriminalising stubble burning. Tomar, in an official statement, said the other demand of farmers was to have a discussion on the minimum support price (MSP) and crop diversification. This demand will also be fulfilled with the setting up of a panel as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19 on the day of Gurupurab. (PTI)

Qatar Airways bans travellers from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique over Omicron variant

Qatar Airways said on Saturday it has banned entry to travellers from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique due to the spread of a new variant of Covid-19 first detected in South Africa. (Reuters)

The ongoing ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 in Zimbabwe has been abandoned with immediate effect due to Covid-19 risk: ICC

The Cumbre Vieja volcano continues to expel lava as seen from the Tajuya viewpoint on the Canary Island of La Palma, Spain. (Reuters Photo)

Earthquake of magnitude 4.2 hits Champhai in Mizoram: National Center for Seismology. (ANI)

Leh deputy commissioner issues order for ex-gratia assistance to next kin of deceased person by Covid-19; recommends Rs 50,000 per deceased, including those involved in Covid-19 relief operations/ preparedness, subject to the cause of death is certified as Covid-19. (ANI)

Ethiopian former long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie (2nd L) receives an Ethiopian flag from authorities during a rally organised by Addis Ababa officials, bringing together artists and athletes headed to visit troops on the front line with rebels of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.An internationalalarm is mounting about the escalating conflict in Africa's second-most populous country, with fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) rebel group advancing towards the capital as foreign governments urgetheir citizens to leave. (AFP Photo)

After a meeting, Samyukt Kisan Morcha has decided to postpone the proposed tractor rally to Parliament on November 29, farmer leader Darshan Pal Singh said in Delhi.

One dead as powerful storm batters UK

One man was killed, thousands of homes cut off from power and drivers stuck on freezing roads overnight as a powerful storm hit the northern UK, authorities said Saturday.

The man was killed when his car was struck by a falling tree in Northern Ireland late Friday, police said, as "Storm Arwen" triggered a rare "red weather" warning from the UK's Met Office.

"People should stay away from the coast as waves and debris are a danger to life," the meteorological service said. (AFP)

Delhi court has issuedsummons to former Union Minister P Chidambaram, his son Karti Chidambaram and others in ED and CBI cases. The court has takencognisance of the chargesheets filed by probe agencies in the matter. (ANI)

Don't have to answer to every barking dog: Moitra on Nadda's criticism

Trinamool Congress MP and the party's Goa in-charge Mahua Moitra on Saturday said that she does not have to answer to every barking dog, while responding to questions from the media, about BJP national president J PNadda's attack on West Bengal's ruling party.

"How do I care? Do I have to answer every dog who barks on the road sir. Do I need to answer. We have a saying in Hindi 'Jab haathi chala bazaar to kutte bhonke hazaar'. Why should we answer to comments made by some other party's national president, who lost in Bengal? We have other work too," Moitra told reporters at a press conference in Panaji.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will chair a meeting at 4 pm today to take stock of the Covid-19 clusters in Bengaluru and Dharwad. He will also discuss with officials and experts on precautionary measures to be taken in the wake of the threat posed by the virus’ new variant. (DHNS)

Bengaluru-Patna GoAir flight with 139 passengers andcrew members on board made an emergency landing at Nagpur airport due to a technicalglitch, as per Abhid Ruhi, a Nagpur airport official.

"All passengers have been deplaned andserved refreshments. Alternate aircraft has been arranged to accommodate the passengers which will depart for Patna at 4:45 pm. The aircraft is being inspected by the engineering team," GoFirst spokesperson has said.

Bihar teacher held in inebriated state, hours after pledging no to liquor

A headmaster of a primary school in West Champaran district was arrested in a drunken state, hours after he took a pledge not to consume booze in dry state Bihar.

District police of West Champaran arrested headmaster Kundan Kumar Gaur on Friday night from Piparasi border.

On Nasha Mukti Diwas, 3.5 lakh government and private sector employees had taken oath not to consume alcohol.

Gaur, headmaster of Sri Patnagar primary school, went to Uttar Pradesh to consume liquor.

After the announcement of the repeal of the three farm laws, there is no point in continuing farmers' agitation. I urge farmers to end their agitation and go home: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar

Farmer organisations had demanded to decriminalise stubble burning by farmers. The government has accepted this demand as well,Tomar told ANI.

PM Narendra Modi has announced to constitute a committee to deliberate on the issues of crop diversification, zero-budget farming andmaking MSP system more transparent andeffective. This committee will have representatives from farmers' organisations,Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told ANI. "With the constitution of this committee, farmers' demand on MSP stands fulfilled."

BSP chief Mayawati condemns murder of Dalit family in UP's Prayagraj

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President Mayawati on Saturday termed the recent murder of four members of a Dalit family in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj as shameful and blamed the poor law and order situation under the BJP government for the incident.

In a series of tweets in Hindi, the BSP chief said, "Very sad and shameful murder of four people of a Dalit family in Prayagraj, UP recently. This incident also shows the poor law and order of the government. It seems that the BJP is also following in the footsteps of the SP government in this matter."

"Eight people have died in rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu, out of which 3 people lost their lives yesterday. Two teams of NDRF have been deployed in Chinglepet and one in Kanchipuram,"State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran told ANI.

Public hearing held for JSW project in Odisha

A public hearing was held for Jindal Steel Works’ proposed integrated steel plant in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district, officials said.

The JSW has proposed a “world-class” 12-million-tonne-per-annum (MTPA) facility, 900 MW power plant and a captive port in 3,000 acres of land at an estimated cost of Rs 50,000 crore.

The POSCO site near the port town of Paradip was chosen by the administration for setting up of the JSW project as the South Korean steel company has withdrawn its proposed plan to set up a mega steel project.

The JSW had earlier held tripartite meetings this month at the district level, and Gadakujang, Nuagaon and Dhinkia gram panchayat.

Delhi's Department of Environment and Forests has issued an order banning entry of trucks in the national capital except those carrying essential commodities from today until November 30. CNG abd electric trucks carrying non-essential commodities will be allowed to enter Delhi.

India in quarters of women's doubles, mixed doubles at World Championships

Manika Batra has reached the quarterfinals in the mixed and women's doubles events at the World Table Tennis Championships, putting India just one win away from a historic medal.

Manika and Archana Kamath defeated Hungary's Dora Madarasz and Georgina Pota 11-4 11-9 6-11 11-7 in the women's doubles round of 16 on Friday.

They face Luxembourg's Sarah de Nutte and Xia Lian Ni for a place in the semifinals. Bronze medals will be awarded to all the losing semifinalists in the competition.

Bills to repeal farm laws to come in Lok Sabha on Day 1 of Parliament's Winter Session

The government will bring a Bill to repeal the three contentious farm laws in Lok Sabha on Monday, the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament.

The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 will be tabled by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

It aims to repeal the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 and to amend the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Read more

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar administers anti-liquor oath

ICICI-Videocon Scam: TheSupreme Court will hear in January ED's plea against Bombay HC's order granting bail to Deepak Kochhar

JUST IN | PM Narendra Modi to chair a meeting with top government officials on the Covid-19 situation and vaccination at 10:30 am today

Just in | Earthquake of 4.3 magnitude hitHindu Kush region of Afghanistan

Rains hampered supply chains, led to rising tomatoes, onions prices: Govt

Excessive rains in October in north India and later in southern states led to supply chain breaks, which in turn, has led to price rises for onions and tomatoes, the government said on Friday.

The all-India average retail price of tomato has been on the rise from the end of September 2021 due to unseasonal rains in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, which led to crop damage and delay in arrival from these states.

Delayed arrivals from the north Indian states were followed by heavy rains in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, which disrupted the supply and also resulted in crop damage.

As on November 25, the all-India average price of tomato was Rs 67/kg which is 63 per cent higher than that of last year, a release from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said.

US imposes travel ban from eight African countries over Omicron variant

The United States will bar entry to most travelers from eight southern African countries starting on Monday, after a potentially more-contagious new coronavirus variant was identified in South Africa, President Joe Biden said on Friday.

The new variant, dubbed Omicron, poses a new challenge for Biden, who has had a mixed success getting Americans vaccinated after a politically motivated pushback by 10 states. Biden also faces criticism from international health experts and foreign leaders for failing to send vaccines to poorer countries.

The travel restrictions do not ban flights or apply to UScitizens and lawful USpermanent residents.

Delhi's air quality continues to be in 'very poor' category

Ask people not to buy, read it: Delhi HC junks plea to stop publication, sale of Khurshid's book

Freedom of expressing ideas and opinions cannot be allowed to be overshadowed by the ominous cloud of being non-conformist, the Delhi High Court has said while dismissing a plea to stop the publication, circulation and sale of Congress leader Salman Khurshid's new book.

Former Union Minister Khurshid has sparked a controversy by reportedly comparing a "robust version" of Hindutva to the jihadist Islam of terror groups such as ISIS and Boko Haram in his book 'Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times'.

While refusing to interfere with the sale and publication of the book, the high court posed what can the court do if people were "feeling so sensitive". Ask people "not to buy or read the book" instead, the High Court commented.

Law on MSP 'unlikely', says Haryana CM

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal has said that "it is not possible" to make a law on MSP (Minimum Support Prices).

Talking to the media after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, the Haryana Chief Minister, citing the opinion of experts, said that it is "not possible to make a law on MSP as doing so will put pressure on the government to buy all the crops, which is not possible".