LIVE: INDIA bloc to meet on Dec 19, to work on 'Main Nahin, Hum' motto

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11:00 PM

Black flags waved at Kerala Governor: 20 SFI activists arrested by police

Kerala Police on Sunday arrested 20 SFI activists in connection with two separate instances of waving black flags at Governor Arif Mohammed Khan during the day.

The black flags were waved at the Governor near Vazhuthacaud in the state capital when Khan was on his way to an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, police said.

Eighteen activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) were arrested in connection with that incident, police said.

10:52 PM

Kota suicides: Help desk gets over 350 complaints, counselling offered

A help desk dedicated to coaching students received 373 complaints in two months since its launch here in September and those suffering from depression were provided professional counselling and medical help, officials said.

Several steps were taken by the Kota administration in September following a spurt in alleged suicides by Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and NEET aspirants studying at the coaching centres here.

10:31 PM

Jharkhand: Four held for cybercrime with links to Pakistan

The police arrested four youths in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district, who were part of a cybercrime syndicate with links to Pakistan, an officer said on Sunday.

The quartet allegedly cheated a person in Punjab of Rs 1.63 lakh and a phone number used in the crime led the investigators to reach Hazaribagh.

The police recovered 10 mobile phones, 36 SIM cards, 37 debit and credit cards, 12 passbooks and chequebooks, a two-wheeler, a four-wheeler and other articles from them, the police said.

9:44 PM

Eastern Zonal Council meet: Bihar Caste survey has issues that need to be resolved, says Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said there are some issues regarding the caste survey conducted by the Bihar government, which he hoped that the state will resolve.

Addressing the Eastern Zonal Council meeting here, Shah said the central government never had any intention of creating hurdles in the caste-based survey.

9:17 PM

TN top official inspects area affected by oil spill

Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena on Sunday inspected north Chennai, where an oil spill over the Kosasthalaiyar river was noticed.

The top official interacted with residents of Sadayankuppam over the oil spill and ascertained information related to the matter.

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal, constituted a high-level committee on December 9 and directed it to take necessary measures to prevent further spread of oil spill and 'recover the oil floating on the water surface.'

9:08 PM

Gujarat CM takes part in Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra event, hails initiative

Government schemes have brought about social change in the lives of beneficiaries, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said at a 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra' programme on Sunday.

Patel reached Saduthala village in Mehsana district on a surprise visit to participate in the programme, which aims to take Central and state government schemes to beneficiaries.

8:30 PM

7 wagons of goods train derail near Kasara; mail express traffic hit

Seven wagons of a goods train derailed between Kasara, on the outskirts of Mumbai, and TGR-3 station on the Down line on Sunday evening, railway officials said.

The derailment took place at 6.31 pm, they said.

While mail express traffic on Kasara to Igatpuri section on the Down line and middle line is affected, the incident did not disturb suburban services, they said.

7:35 PM

As number of devotees to Sabarimala increases, TDB raises darshan time by an hour

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Sunday decided to increase the 'darshan' timings at the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala here by an hour following an increase in the number of devotees arriving for pilgrimage there.

The Board decided to modify the darshan timings in the second half of the day from 3 pm to 11 pm instead of from 4 pm to 11 pm, an official from the district administration said.

The official also said that water and biscuits were being provided to devotees waiting in the queues for darshan.

7:33 PM

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to visit India this week

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will pay a state visit to India on December 16 in his first trip to the country to explore avenues for future collaborations for regional stability and prosperity.

It will also be the first visit of a top leader from the Gulf region following the Israel-Hamas conflict that has triggered widespread global concerns.

"This first state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between India and the Sultanate of Oman," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday, announcing the trip.

7:30 PM

I-T raids: Jharkhand BJP stages protests demanding arrest of Congress MP

Activists of the BJP on Sunday staged protests at district headquarters across Jharkhand demanding the arrest of Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu over the seizure of a huge amount of cash allegedly linked to the lawmaker.

More than Rs 300 crore in cash has been seized during ongoing raids conducted by the Income Tax Department on premises linked with Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Private Limited.

At the BJP protest near Raj Bhavan in Ranchi, local MLA CP Singh alleged that it has been the "tradition of the Congress" to engage in loot, scam and corruption.

6:46 PM

Name of new MP CM likely to be announced by 7 pm tomorrow

The BJP's newly-elected MLAs in Madhya Pradesh will meet on Monday to elect the leader of the legislative party. The meeting is expected to begin at 4pm on Monday and the name of CM may be announced by 7pm, an MLA said, as reported by news agency PTI. 

6:40 PM

Cash seizure in Odisha I-T raids goes past Rs 300 crore mark

The cash seizure in the income-tax department's searches against an Odisha-based distillery company has become the "highest-ever" such haul in a single action conducted by any probe agency in the country and gone past Rs 300 crore. The marathon raids against Boudh Distillery Private Limited, its promoters and others entered the fifth day on Sunday. The raids were launched on December 6 by the taxman on charges of tax evasion and "off-the-book" transactions.

 

6:32 PM

Son Dushyant, several MLAs reach Vasundhara Raje's residence as suspense over new Rajasthan CM continues

Amidst the ongoing uncertainty, Dushyant Singh, Jhalawar MP and son of former CM Vasundhara Raje, has reached her bungalow in Civil Lines, Jaipur. Notably, Vasundhara Raje is one of the top contenders to be the CM in the state. Apart from that, several other party MLAs and leaders, including Devi Singh Bhati with his grandson and MLA Anshuman Singh Bhati, have reached Raje's residence.

 

The list of MLAs who registered their presence at Raje's bungalow includes Ajay Singh Kilak, Babu Singh Rathore, Arjun Lal Garg, Sanjeev Beniwal, Kailash Verma, Bahadur Singh Koli, Jagat Singh, former MLA and state president Ashok Parnami, former MLA Rajpal Singh Shekhawat, Prahlad Gunjal.

6:25 PM

Outgoing Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel congratulates Vishnu Deo Sai

Outgoing Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday congratulated Vishnu Deo Sai on being elected as the leader of the BJP's legislative party in the state.

 

Baghel wrote on X in Hindi, "Congratulations and best wishes to Kunkuri MLA and senior BJP leader Shri Vishnu Deo Sai ji on being elected as the leader of the BJP Legislative Party. I wish that you take forward the journey of justice and progress of Chhattisgarh as the Chief Minister. @vishnudsai."

6:19 PM

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister-designate Vishnu Deo Sai reaches Raj Bhavan in Raipur to meet Governor

A delegation of BJP MLAs led by its Chief Minister-designate Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday evening reached the Raj Bhavan in Raipur to stake claim to form the next government in Chhattisgarh.

5:46 PM

Anurag Thakur to inaugurate Khelo India Para Games 2023 in Delhi on Dec 10

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur will formally inaugurate the Khelo India Para Games 2023. More than 1,400 players from 32 states and Union Territories and Services Sports Board are participating in these games between December 10 and 17 at three venues in Delhi. A glitzy event awaits the participants at the opening ceremony to be held at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall located at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex on Monday. 

5:39 PM

At COP28, sticking points remain on fossil fuels and adapting to climate as talks near crunch time

Negotiators have been urged to narrow down their options so they can agree on how to save Earth from disastrous levels of warming and help vulnerable societies adapt to weather extremes as the clock runs down on United Nations climate talks.

COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber told journalists Sunday afternoon that negotiators were making good progress, just not fast enough.

5:30 PM

Gupkar parties hope of favourable verdict, BJP says everyone should respect SC's decision

With the Supreme Court to pronounce its verdict on Monday on the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision to abrogate controversial Article 370, several parties in Jammu and Kashmir expressed hope that the provision will be restored, while on the ground authorities have made "adequate" security arrangements.

The BJP said that there should not be any politics on the Supreme Court ruling and everyone should respect it.

3:54 PM

Clarification has been sought from MP Dheeraj Sahu: Jharkhand Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey

Jharkhand Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey on Sunday said that a clarification has been sought from party MP Dheeraj Sahu in connection with the recovery of huge cash from premises linked to him.

 

Pandey, however, clarified that is it a private matter of Dheeraj Sahu and the party has nothing to do with it.

 

A huge pile of cash has been recovered so far in the searches conducted by the Income Tax department against Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Private Limited and entities linked to it. Premises linked to Sahu were also covered as part of the searches. The seizure amount is expected to reach Rs 290 crore, making it the "highest-ever" cash haul by any agency in a single operation.

3:34 PM

Scindia lays foundation for a Rs 350 crore new terminal building at Rajamundry Airport

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday laid the foundation for a Rs 350 crore new terminal building at Rajamundry Airport in Andhra Pradesh.

3:24 PM

Jamia Millia Islamia University to offer FYUP from 2024-25 session

Jamia Millia Islamia University will offer four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUP) with multiple exit and entry options from the academic session 2024-2025, officials said on Sunday.

The undergraduate degree would be of either a three- or four-year duration, with multiple entry and exit options within this period. This was part of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.

As of now, current undergraduate programmes in the University are of three-year duration.

2:50 PM

S'pore committed to foster world where dialogue a path to resolve conflicts

Singapore is deeply committed to fostering a world where the rule of law is upheld and where dialogue and negotiation are the chosen pathways to resolving conflicts and disputes, the country's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has said.

 

The prosperous city-state also supports stronger international cooperation to prevent crises from occurring, and to be prepared in advance for any shocks to the system when they do occur, the president on Saturday told 460 newly minted officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)

2:41 PM

Why Rahul silent on Cong MP Dhiraj Sahu's I-T seizure? asks Kishan Reddy

Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy on Sunday sought to know why Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was silent on the seizure of crores of rupees from premises allegedly linked to his party MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu during a recent Income Tax raid.

Addressing a press conference here, Reddy, also Telangana BJP president, expressed doubt that the unaccounted cash which was recovered during the searches might have been meant for use in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

 

2:09 PM

Sibal slams BJP for boycotting Telangana MLAs' oath-taking presided over by pro-tem speaker

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal slammed the BJP on Sunday after its MLAs boycotted the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected legislators in Telangana over AIMIM's Akbaruddin Owaisi being made pro-tem speaker, saying such "public expression of hate" makes him wonder where the country is heading.

The first session of the third Telangana Legislative Assembly began on Saturday with the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected MLAs.

The BJP MLAs, however, stayed away from the House, alleging that AIMIM MLA Owaisi was appointed as pro-tem speaker in violation of rules.

1:54 PM

Hope SC delivers verdict in favour of people of J&K: Ghulam Nabi Azad on Article 370 petitions

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed hope on Sunday that the Supreme Court will deliver a verdict in favour of the people here on a bunch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019.

"I have said it earlier ... there are only two (institutions) that can return articles 370 and 35A to the people of Jammu and Kashmir -- Parliament and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court bench is non-partisan and we hope that it will give a decision in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Azad told reporters here.

1:33 PM

BSP Chief Mayawati announces nephew Akash Anand as political successor

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Supremo Mayawati on Sunday named her nephew, Akash Anand as her political successor, except for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. She will continue to monitor the operations in these two states, a party leader told news agency ANI.
 

The announcement comes as BSP Chief Mayawati chaired a meeting of the party workers on Sunday at the party's state office in Lucknow. According to the official statement on Saturday, the party would analyse its performance in the recently concluded assembly polls in three states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.

1:26 PM

Adityanath directs UP officials to promptly resolve issues of public

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday instructed the officials to address issues of the public with utmost seriousness and sensitivity as well as ensure satisfactory solutions.

The chief minister met about 300 people in the Janata Darshan organised at Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur this morning. He said that any kind of negligence in this work will not be tolerated.

1:15 PM

Optimistic about wrapping up EFTA deal with India before 2024 polls: Swiss envoy

Switzerland's Ambassador to India, Ralf Heckner, has expressed optimism that the crucial European Free Trade Association (EFTA) deal with the country would be wrapped up before the 2024 general elections.

 

Heckner stressed on the importance of the proposed trade deal for unlocking innovation and investment opportunities. "Both sides have been negotiating very closely and seriously over the last more than 12 months. I remain positive that the deal would be wrapped up before the (2024) elections," he told PTI.

12:56 PM

Rajnath Singh comments on Mahatma Gandhi statue being unveiled in Delhi

12:42 PM

Journey of mutual respect, shared values, growing partnership: PM Modi on India-South Korea ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the ties between India and South Korea as a journey of mutual respect, shared values and growing partnerships as diplomatic ties between the two countries marked the 50-year milestone.

 

"We are celebrating 50 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and the Republic of Korea today. It has been a journey of mutual respect, shared values and growing partnerships," Modi said in a post on X.

 

Extending warm wishes to Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, the prime minister said he is looking forward to working closely with him to deepen and expand the special strategic partnership between the two countries.