Latest News: Pawan Khera Among 10 Congress’ New Spokespersons
Catch all the latest news updates of the day here.
Catch all the latest news updates of the day here.
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Petrol at Rs 68.84 per litre and Rs 74.47 per litre in Delhi, Mumbai
The Petrol and diesel prices are at Rs 68.84 per litre and Rs 62.86 per litre respectively in Delhi.
Whereas, in Mumbai, the petrol and diesel prices are at Rs 74.47 per litre and Rs 65.76 per litre respectively.
(Source: ANI)
Will Prefer to Contest Assembly By-Election From Sausar: Kamal Nath
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said Sunday that he would prefer to get elected to the state Legislative Assembly from Sausar in Chhindwara district.
Nath is currently the Lok Sabha member from Chhindwara. After being sworn in as chief minister following last month's Assembly elections, he needs to get elected to the Assembly within six months.
"I would prefer to contest election from Sausar after discussing with local people as I am the voter from that constituency," Nath told reporters.
(Source: PTI)
Trump Compares US-Mexico Border Wall With Protection at Obamas' Home
President Donald Trump compared the wall he wants to build along the US-Mexico border with the protection at the Washington DC home of his predecessor, Barack Obama.
"President and Mrs Obama built/has a ten foot Wall around their DC mansion/compound. I agree, totally necessary for their safety and security. The US needs the same thing, slightly larger version!" EFE news quoted Trump as saying on Sunday, 30 December.
(Source: IANS)
Indian Army Foils Major BAT Attack Along LoC in Naugam
The Indian Army on Sunday, 30 December, foiled a major BAT (Border Action Team) attempt to strike a forward post along LoC in Naugam Sector.
The intruders attempted to move by exploiting thick jungles close to the LoC and were assisted by heavy cover fire of high-caliber weapons from Pakistani posts.
“We will ask Pakistan to take back the mortal remains of deceased (likely) Pakistani soldiers, since Pakistan did provide full covering fire support to these intruders,” Indian Army said.
(Source: ANI)
Sajjan Kumar to Surrender Before Court Today
Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who was awarded a life sentence by the Delhi High Court in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, will surrender before the Karkardooma Court or Tihar jail authorities on Monday, 31 December, ANI reported.
Germany Urges Turkey to Act With Restraint in Syria
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has asked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to act with restraint and responsibility as the US decided to withdraw troops from Syria.
According to a statement by the German Chancellery, the focus of Sunday's telephonic conversation between the two leaders, was on Syria, Xinhua news agency reported.
(Source: IANS)
Ex-Nissan Boss Ghosn's Detention Extended to 11 January
Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn will be spending the beginning of 2019 behind bars after a Tokyo court on Monday, 31 December, extended his detention through to 11 January, local media reported.
The decision, reported by public broadcaster NHK and local news agency Jiji Press, comes after Japanese prosecutors re-arrested Ghosn for fresh allegations on 21 December, dashing his hopes of being home for Christmas.
(Source: PTI)
Fire Breaks Out in Cloth Factory in Bhiwandi
A fire broke out in a cloth factory in Maharashtra’ Bhiwandi on Monday, 31 December. Three fire tenders have been deployed to curb the fire, ANI reported.
Rupee Gains 20 Paise to 69.75 Against US Dollar
The rupee appreciated 20 paise to 69.75 against the US currency in opening trade on Monday, 31 December, amid weakening of the American unit and positive opening in the domestic equity market.
Forex traders said weakening of the US dollar against some currencies overseas aided the local unit.
(Source: PTI)
2 Dead, 1 Injured in Long Island House Fire
US authorities said on Monday, 31 December, that a 68-year-old woman and her four-year-old granddaughter have died following a house fire on Long Island.
WABC-TV reports that both victims succumbed to their injuries on Sunday after being found unconscious inside the burning home. They were carried out by firefighters.
(Source: AP)
Trump Slowing Down Troop Pullout From Syria: US Senator
President Donald Trump has ordered a slowdown to the withdrawal of US forces in Syria, Republican Sen Lindsey Graham has said.
"I think we're in a pause situation," the South Carolina Republican said on Sunday, 30 December, outside the White House after lunch with the president.
Trump announced earlier this month that he was ordering the withdrawal of all the roughly 2,000 troops from war-torn Syria, with aides expecting it to take place swiftly.
(Source: AP)
Kannada Actor CH Lokanath Passes Away
Veteran Kannada actor and stage artist CH Lokanath passed away late on Sunday, 30 December, in Bengaluru. He had acted in more than 1,000 stage plays and 650 films.
(Source: ANI)
3 Killed, 79 Missing After Gas Explosion in Russia
At least three people were killed and another 79 people were unaccounted for after a gas explosion rocked a residential building in Russia's Urals city of Magnitogorsk on Monday, 31 December, a senior official said.
"Three people have been pulled alive from the rubble and three are dead," Oleg Klimov, deputy governor of the Chelyabinsk region where the industrial city is located, was quoted as saying by state news agency RIA Novosti.
"The fate of 79 people is unclear," he said, adding police were working to locate their whereabouts.
(Source: PTI)
1984 anti-Sikh riots: Mahender Yadav, Kishan Khokhar Surrender Before Delhi Court
Two of the convicts in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar, surrendered before Delhi's Karkardooma Court on Monday, 31 December.
The court accepted their surrender application. One of the convicts, Yadav, was allowed a walking stick and spectacles by the court
(Source: ANI)
Lion Escapes US Zoo, Kills Worker
A 22-year-old graduate, who started a job at a wildlife conservatory in the US state of North Carolina two weeks ago, was mauled to death by a lion that escaped a locked enclosure at the facility.
The Conservators Centre in Burlington said in a statement that the worker was killed during a routine enclosure cleaning on Sunday, 30 December, CNN reported. The lion was shot and killed to allow efforts to retrieve the victim.
(Source: IANS)
5 Detained as NIA Conducts Fresh Searches in Delhi
Five people were detained after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out searches at several places in Delhi and questioned a few people in connection with its probe into the alleged Islamic State module of Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam, officials quote by News18 said.
Entire Nagaland Declared 'Disturbed' for 6 More Months Under AFSPA
The entire state of Nagaland has been declared a "disturbed area" for six more months, till June-end, under the controversial AFSPA, which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior notice.
In a notification, the home ministry said the central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civilian power is necessary.
(Source: PTI)
4 J&K Policemen Sacked After Their Weapons Go Missing
Four policemen deployed as guards with a Congress legislator in Jammu and Kashmir, from whose residence four weapons went missing on Sunday, were dismissed from service on Monday, 31 December.
A police spokesman said: "Four personal security guards (PSOs) deployed with (Congress legislator) Muhammad Muzaffar Parray have been dismissed from service for dereliction of duty and unauthorised absence."
(Source: IANS)
Thane Cops Arrest 2 From Maharashtra's Amravati, Seize 10 Pistols
Two persons were arrested with 10 pistols and 40 live cartridges from Amravati district, about 650 kilometres from Thane, by Thane Police's Crime Branch, a senior official said on Monday, 31 December.
The arrests were in connection with an Arms Act case registered in May this year in Shil Daigar police station, Thane police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar said.
(Source: PTI)
Sajjan Kumar Reaches Delhi's Karkardooma Court to Surrender
Convict in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case Sajjan Kumar reached Delhi's Karkardooma Court to surrender on Monday, 31 December, ANI reported
Russia Detains US citizen Suspected of Espionage
Russia on Monday, 31 December, detained a US citizen suspected of espionage in Moscow, the FSB security service said.
(Source: AFP)
Two Dead After Fire in Snack Factory in Bihar
Two dead and seven feared trapped after fire breaks out in a snacks factory in Chaknooran area in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur. Fire-fighting operation underway.
(Source: ANI)
Siddaramaiah Hits out at Modi on Loan Waiver Scheme, Calls Him 'Anti-Farmer'
Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah Monday, 31 December, hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for criticising the state government's farm loan waiver scheme and called him "anti-farmer".
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, he questioned Modi's moral right to criticise the state government on the issue.
"I had twice led delegations (to Modi) as a chief minister, he did not agree to waive a single rupee. What moral right does he have?" said Siddaramaiah who is also head of the ruling Congress-JD(S) coordination committee in Karnataka.
(Source: PTI)
Indian Man Commits Suicide in UAE
A 35-year-old Indian man in the UAE has allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his house in the northern Ras Al Khaimah city, a media report said Monday.
Rinoj Raveendran, a Keralite who was working as an accountant in the Al Ghail industrial area, was found dead by his roommate on Saturday evening.
Prasad Sreedharan, a social worker affiliated with a medical committee recently constituted by the Consulate General of India in Dubai, told the Khaleej Times that the suicide note found on Raveendran's phone states that he committed suicide due to "health issues".
(Source: PTI)
HRD Ministry Didn't Receive Any Complaint for Exorbitant Fees by Deemed to Be Univs: Govt
The HRD Ministry has not received any complaints regarding charging of exorbitant fees by the deemed to be universities, Parliament was informed Monday, 31 December.
The information was shared by Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development (HRD) Satya Pal Singh in response to a written question in the Lok Sabha.
"No specific complaints are received by this ministry regarding charging of exorbitant fee by the deemed to be universities. As per the University Grants Commission norms, deemed to be universities are not allowed to accept payment towards certain heads on the pretext of admission fees and other fees," Singh said.
(Source: PTI)
CCTV Footage Shows Men Transporting 'Khashoggi Body Parts'
A Turkish television station has broadcast CCTV footage showing men carrying cases and bags which it says contained slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's body parts.
The images shown on A-Haber television late Sunday feature three men carrying five suitcases and two large black bags into the home of the Saudi consul general in Istanbul.
The residence lies a short distance from the Saudi consulate where Khashoggi was murdered in October in a killing that has tested Riyadh's relations with the West.
Citing unnamed Turkish sources, A-Haber said Khashoggi's dismembered body was inside the cases and bags.
(Source: AFP)
Two Dead In Assam After Truck Overturned on Car
Two dead and three injured after a truck overturned on a car near Vashisht Police Station Police Station in Guwahati, Assam.
(Source: ANI)
Cold Wave Conditions Grip Parts of Telangana
Normal life was thrown out of gear in parts of Telangana as cold wave conditions prevailed at various places in the state, officials said Monday, 31 December.
Severe cold wave conditions prevailed at isolated places in Medak and Warangal districts while a few places in the districts of Adilabad, Hyderabad and Peddapalle experinced cold wave conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its Daily Weather Report of Telangana.
(Source: PTI)
Tribal Man Brutally Killed for Suspected Witchcraft in Tripura
Suspected of practising black magic and witchcraft, an elderly tribal man was hacked to death in the northeastern state of Tripura, police said here on Monday.
Police arrested four people in connection with the incident.
Some tribal villagers on Saturday tortured Nakuljoy Reang, 80, to death in a village court for allegedly practicing witchcraft and black magic at Mahadev Tilla in northern Tripura.
(Source: IANS)
Kolkata Youth Stabbed to Death
A youth was allegedly stabbed to death by a group of miscreants in East Kolkata's Tangra area on Monday morning, police said.
Tarak Mondal, a resident of Tangra's Pagladanga Road area, was attacked by six or seven miscreants who repeatedly stabbed him with sharp weapons and later fled from the spot, leaving behind the dead man, a police officer said.
The reason behind the murder is not known.
(Source: IANS)
HCL Approved Additional Assistance From NDRF to Tamil Nadu
The High Level Committee (HLC) chaired by the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the additional assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) of Rs. 1,146.12 crore to Tamil Nadu, which was affected by cyclone ‘Gaja’.
(Source: ANI)
Oppn Spreading Fake News Against Party's Senior Leaders: BJP IT Cell Head
The BJP Monday, 31 December, alleged that opposition parties are running a fake news campaign to create a rift and resentment in some specific caste groups against senior BJP leaders as they are afraid of losing the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Citing a newspaper clipping of BJP chief Amit Shah attacking and demeaning a specific community, party's national IT cell convener Amit Malviya said it is fake news, and alleged that it was tweeted by the Twitter handle of a senior Congress leader from Madhya Pradesh, who later deleted it.
(Source: PTI)
Mumbai Police Seizes 20 Kg Ephedrine in Amboli
Police has seized 20 kg Ephedrine worth Rs 3 crore approximately from Amboli in Mumbai and two people have been arrested.
(Source: ANI)
HC Refuses to Direct Pune Police to Allow Bhim Army's Rallies
The Bombay High Court Monday, 31 December, refused to pass any orders to the Pune Police to permit the Bhim Army to conduct public meetings in the city.
A vacation bench of Justice C V Bhadang directed the Pune Police to file its affidavit in response to a petition filed by activist Datta Pol, chief of the Bhim Army's Pune unit.
(Source: (PTI)
Write Off Farm Loans Up to Rs 2 Lakh, Congress Tells Kerala Government
The Congress party in Kerala on Monday, 31 December, asked the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government to ensure that all farmers' loans up to Rs 2 lakh are written off, or face massive protests.
Addressing the media here, state Congress President Mulappally Ramachandran said that the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) is "duty bound to do so".
(Source: IANS)
3 Dead, 7 Missing In Muzaffarpur Factory Fire
Three bodies recovered and seven missing after a fire broke out in a snacks factory in Chaknooran area in Muzaffarpur, said District Magistrate.
(Source: ANI)
Sensex, Nifty End Nearly Flat; Post Third Consecutive Annual Gain
Indian shares ended nearly flat on the last trading day of 2018 amid positive global cues and a stronger rupee, but posted their third consecutive annual gain.
The Sensex closed down 0.02 percent at 36,068.33, but rose 5.9 percent for the year. The index shed 0.4 percent in December.
The Nifty ended 0.02 percent higher at 10,862.55. It rose 3.2 percent for the year, but fell 0.13 percent for the month.
(Source: Reuters)
New Zealand's Auckland Welcomes the New Year with Fireworks
Auckland in New Zealand has welcomed the New Year 2019 with fireworks, reports ANI.
West Bengal Govt Announces 2 Programmes For Farmers
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the government has announced 2 programmes. First is for crop insurance where premium will be paid by state govt.
“In second, we’ll give Rs 5000 per acre annually to farmers, also in case of death of a farmer between the age of 18-60, compensation up to Rs 2 lakh will be given to the family,” she added.
(Source: ANI)
Vatican Spokesperson, His Deputy Resign: Official
Vatican spokesman Gregory Joseph "Greg" Burke Paloma Garcia Ovejero and his deputy resign, said official.
Burke tweeted, “Paloma and I have resigned, effective Jan. 1. At this time of transition in Vatican communications, we think it’s best the Holy Father is completely free to assemble a new team. ”
(Source: AFP, Twitter)
BJP Not Trying to Dislodge JD(S)-Cong Govt: Yeddyurappa
Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa Monday said the party was not attempting to "dislodge" the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state and was not in touch with leaders of the two parties.
Dismissing an allegation by former chief minister and JDS-Congress coordination committee chief Siddaramaiah, he said there was no need for the BJP to pull down the government as the coalition partners were themselves "restive".
(Source: PTI)
BSP Demands Cases Filed During 'Bharat Band' Be Withdrawn
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) said in a press release, “We demand that cases filed during the ‘Bharat band’ held on 2 April 2018 for SC/ST Act 1989 in Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh be withdrawn. If these demands are not met, we'll reconsider our decision to give outside support to Congress.”
(Source: ANI)
Senior IAS Officer Mohanty Appointed MP Chief Secretary
Senior Indian Administrative Service official Sudhi Ranjan Mohanty was Monday appointed Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary.
Mohanty, a 1982 batch IAS officer, was Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education before being appointed state CS.
Incumbent Chief Secretary Basant Pratap Singh's six-month extension ended Monday.
(Source: PTI)
Haryana's Jind, Tamil Nadu's Thiruvarur By-Elections to Be Held on 28 Jan, 2019
By-elections to the assembly constituencies of Jind in Haryana and Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu to be held on 28th January 2019. The counting of votes to be on 31st January 2019.
(Source: ANI)
Banking Sector on 'Course to Recovery': RBI Guv Shaktikanta Das
Banking sector on "course to recovery" as high levels of non-performing assets (NPAs) recede: Governor Shaktikanta Das in RBI's Financial Stability Report.
Despite high costs, NPA recognition has improved operational risk assessment by state-run lenders, he said. State-run lenders need governance and oversight reforms; the weaker ones in the lot need recapitalisation, Das added.
Non-bank lenders need to be more prudent in risk-taking; need to rebalance excessive credit growth, he said. “ Gross NPAs of banks improved to 10.8 per cent; net NPAs to 5.3 per cent in September 2018.”
(Source: PTI)
Govt Spent Rs 1,857 Crore on Print Media Ads in Last 3 Years, Parliament Told
The government has spent Rs 1,856.82 crore on advertisements in newspapers and magazines in the last three years, Parliament was informed Monday.
The Bureau of Outreach and Communication or BOC has spent the amount for communication campaigns in print media on behalf of various ministries and departments, Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore said in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
(Source: PTI)
15 Cops Injured After Their Vehicle Overturns in Maha's Nashik
Fifteen policemen were Monday injured after their vehicle overturned in Maharashtra's Nashik district, an official said.
The vehicle was navigating a narrow road in Gobapur area of tribal-dominated Kalwan taluka in the district when the incident happened, he said.
"The brake of the police van seems to have failed, following which the driver tried to halt the vehicle. However, it turned turtle injuring 15 police personnel including the driver," he said.
(Source: PTI)
Govt Not Seeking RBI Reserves to Meet Fiscal Deficit: Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Monday said the government was not seeking Reserve Bank surplus to meet fiscal deficit but to utilise them for accelerating poverty alleviation programmes and recapitalising the state-owned banks.
Replying to a debate on the second batch of supplementary demands for grants in the Lok Sabha, the Minister said that the Modi government has the best track record of keeping fiscal deficit under check.
The House later passed supplementary demand for grants for the current fiscal to provide additional expenditure of Rs 85,948.86 crore, about half of which is for capital infusion in public sector banks.
(Source: PTI)
Stringent Action Will Be Taken on Former MP Atique Ahmed's Gang: DIG
Praveen Kumar, DIG Law & Order said on stringent action will be taken on former MP Atique Ahmed's gang. “He'll be shifted from Deoria jail to Bareilly jail. 2 people arrested & 4 people have been suspended in relation with the case. Further investigation is underway,” he added.
(Source: ANI)
UAE Activist Ahmed Mansoor Loses Appeal Against Jail Term: Amnesty
UAE activist Ahmed Mansoor loses final appeal against 10-year sentence, says Amnesty, as reported by AFP.
Sudhir Bhargava to Take Oath as Chief Information Commissioner
Sudhir Bhargava to take oath as Chief Information Commissioner on 1 January, 2019, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
(Source: ANI)
103 Children of Remand Home Ill After Suspected Food Poisoning
As many as 103 inmates of aboys remand home here took ill Monday in a suspected case offood poisoning, an official said.
They were taken to the Indira Gandhi Institute ofChild Health and were now out ofdanger, the official saidquoting doctors. The health officer of Bengaluru urbandistrict K SPrakash told PTI that the children started complaining ofvomiting and stomach pain soon after having breakfast. "We are waiting for the lab report on the food samplesent for tests," the officer said.
(Source: PTI)
Kabir Kala Manch Seeks Permission to Visit Bhima Koregaon on 1 Jan
Members of Kabir Kala Manch who had sought permission from the government authorities to visit Bhima Koregaon on Tuesday, 1 January, have been issued CRPC 144(2) notice by Pune Rural Police and have been asked not to visit Bhima Koregaon and surrounding villages till 2 Jan.
(Source: ANI)
Putin Arrives in Magnitogorsk After Deadly High-Rise Blast
Russian President Putin arrives in Magnitogorsk after deadly high-rise blast, says reports.
(Source: AFP)
Congress Appoints 10 New National Spokespersons
The Congress has appointed 10 new national spokespersons, including Pawan Khera, Ragini Nayak, Rajiv Tyagi, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, Gaurav Vallabh, Jaiveer Shergill Syed Naseer Hussain, Heena Kavare, Sravan Dasoju and Sunil Ahire.
(Source: ANI)
Farmer Kills Self over Outstanding Loan in Madhya Pradesh
A farmer in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district allegedly committed suicide by consuming insecticide as he had an outstanding loan, police confirmed today.
Nagji Bheel of Mandikheda village had taken a loan of Rs 40,000 and the creditor was now demanding that he repay Rs 70,000 to get his mortgaged land back, police said quoting the deceased's family.
He consumed insecticide on Friday due to the resultant stress, his family told police.
District Collector Bhaskar Lakshkar had ordered a probe and the administration had provided a sum of Rs 15,000 as relief to Bheel's kin, officials said.
(Source: PTI)
Banks' Bilateral Exposure to Financial System at 46.5%: RBI
Banks lending to and borrowing from all other entities in the financial system stood at 46.5 percent of total lending and borrowings in the financial system, as on September 2018, RBI report showed.
Financial institutions establish links with other financial institutions for efficiency gains and risk diversification, but these same links lead to risk transmission in case of a crisis, RBI said in its Financial Stability Report released today.
The total outstanding bilateral exposures among the entities in the financial system increased to Rs 32.4 trillion as on September-end 2018, a year-on-year increase of 13.1 percent, from Rs 28.7 trillion as on September-end 2017.
(Source: PTI)
NCW Seeks Report from TN over Alleged Transfusion of HIV Infected Blood to Women
The National Commission for Women sought a report from Tamil Nadu authorities over the case of two women allegedly contracting HIV from blood transfusion today.
Calling it a matter of "serious concern", NCW Chief Rekha Sharma wrote to Tamil Nadu Principal Secretary at the Department of Health and Family Welfare J Radhakrishnan and asked him to probe the matter. The official has been directed to send a report to the women’s rights body at the earliest.
A 24-year-old pregnant woman in Virudhunagar contracted HIV allegedly after being transfused contaminated blood.
Vatican Spokesman and His Deputy Resign
The Vatican today announced the resignations of its spokesman and his deputy, without giving any explanation.
Pope Francis "has accepted the resignation of the director and deputy director of the press office of the Vatican, Greg Burke and Paloma Garcia Ovejero, and named Alessandro Gisotti as acting director," it said in a statement.
American Burke, a member of the ultra-conservative and influential Opus Dei movement, was appointed in July 2016 after having been deputy spokesman.
In a series of tweets, Burke confirmed that he and Garcia Ovejero would step down on 1 January.
(Source: PTI)
V K Yadav, General Manager of South Central Railway, Appointed as Chairman Railway Board
According to officials, V K Yadav, General Manager of South Central Railway, has been appointed as the Railway Board Chairman.
(Source: PTI)
8 Held in Raid on Hookah Bar Running Without License in Noida
Eight people were arrested on New Year's eve for illegally running hookah and liquor bars at a restaurant in Noida, police said.
The manager and seven other employees of the Sector 50-based Lama and Co were held during a joint action by the district administration and police Monday, a senior official said, adding that the establishment has been sealed.
Around 15 customers, who were present at the restaurant during the raid, were let off with a warning, Circle Officer, Noida City 3rd, Shwetabh Pandey said.