Latest news today (November 16): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.

Pollution crisis: Delhi govt sets up 6-member STF to implement GRAP

The Delhi government on Thursday set up a six-member special task force to ensure strict implementation of the Centre’s air pollution control plan GRAP in the national capital, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said. Delhi’s special secretary (environment) will head the STF whose members include senior officials from the departments of transport, traffic, revenue, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Public Works Department (PWD).

US giant Mars to buy Britain’s Hotel Chocolat for $662 million

Britain’s Hotel Chocolat agreed to a 534 million pound ($662 million) takeover offer from Mars Inc, as the specialist chocolatier succumbs to the U.S. food giant to help it grow internationally, netting its founders a tidy profit. Shares in Hotel Chocolat soared in early deals after the two companies announced the deal on Thursday. They were trading at 364 pence, close to the 375 pence per share cash offer price that was recommended by the UK company’s board and which was a 170% premium to Hotel Chocolat’s closing price on Wednesday. (Reuters)

Car rams barricade near Israel embassy in Tokyo, man detained

A man crashed a car into a barricade near the entrance of the Israeli embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, injuring a police officer. Police arrested the 53-year-old at the scene, local media reported. An official at the Israeli embassy said the matter was under police investigation and declined further comment. The incident happened at an area near the embassy which has been the site of a handful of pro-Palestinian demonstrations against Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip in recent weeks. (Reuters)

Xi tells US firms China ready to be partner and friend

China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States, and there is plenty of room for bilateral cooperation, President Xi Jinping told American executives in San Francisco on Wednesday, as Beijing looks to reassure global business and counter his country’s struggles to entice foreign investment. The U.S. executives dined with Xi on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum following a day of talks between Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden, aimed at steadying relations between the world’s two largest economies. (Reuters)

Fire in Chinese coal firm’s office kills 19 – state media

The death toll has risen to 19 from a fire at a coal company’s office building in China’s northern Shanxi province, Chinese state media said on Thursday. The fire broke out at 6:50 a.m. at the four-story Yongju Coal Industry Joint Building in China’s top coal-producing hub of Shanxi. State broadcaster China Central Television initially reported the fire killed 11 and injured at least 51. The cause of the fire was still under investigation. Calls to Yongju Coal Industry were not answered. (Reuters)

Thick veil of smog over Delhi; air quality continues in ‘severe’ category

A thick layer of smog veiled the national capital Delhi on Thursday morning with air quality being recorded in the ‘severe’ category in several parts of the city As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality at 7 am in Bawana was recorded at 442, RK Puram was 418 in in Jahangirpuri it was 441 in Dwarka it was 416 in Alipur 415, in Anand Vihar at 412, in ITO it was 412 and near the Delhi airport the AQI was recorded at 401.

Mumbai: Man arrested for raping doctor, extorting money from her

A 38-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping a doctor and subsequently blackmailing her in Mumbai, police said. According to the Mumbai police, the woman approached the Gamdevi police station in south Mumbai with a complaint stating that the accused had befriended her during badminton sessions at a club in the Tardeo area.

Fire breaks out in Vaishali Superfast Express in UP’s Etawah

A fire broke out in the sleeper coach of Vaishali Superfast Express when it was in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah early Thursday morning, said police. The police officials said that there was no injury in the incident and after stopping for half an hour the train continued its journey.

Madhya Pradesh election: 400 square feet of rangoli made in Bhopal to encourage voting

To encourage the general public to exercise their franchise in the upcoming Assembly election, a huge 400-square-foot rangoli was made at the Boat Club in Bhopal on Wednesday. It was the initiative of the District Election Officer with the participation of local artists.

Six people injured in fire incident in New Delhi-Darbhanga train

At least six people were injured in the fire incident in the New Delhi-Darbhanga superfast express train, said officials. The train was near Sarai Bhopat Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah when the fire erupted.