News updates: Cong releases first list of candidates for Delhi Assembly Election

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9:42 PM

Congress releases first list of candidates for Delhi Assembly Election

9:11 PM

Kejriwal calls 'One Nation One Election' Bill "BJP's misplaced priorities"

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, on Thursday took a dig at the centre over the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, stating that the nation needs "one healthcare system" and "one education system". He further added that the bill showcases "BJP's misplaced priorities."

 

"The country needs one nation, one education... one nation, one healthcare system...not... one nation, one election... BJP's misplaced priorities," Kejriwal posted on X (formerly Twitter).

 

Meanwhile, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has demanded that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), asserting that the bill undermines democracy.

9:09 PM

Concern over Syria's chemical weapons stockpile triggers emergency meeting of global monitor

9:04 PM

I am just living my dream: Gukesh

"I am just living my dream," said newly-crowned world chess champion D Gukesh on Thursday, his unassuming persona shining through even after a history-scripting performance that made him the youngest ever to achieve the triumph.

 

Gukesh dethroned China's Ding Liren on his way to the historic triumph, sealing it in the 14th and last game of a see-saw battle.

 

"I was dreaming this moment for last 10 years. Happy I realised this dream," Gukesh said after his incredible victory.

 

"I got a bit emotional because I was not expecting to win. But then I got a chance to press on," he added.

 

"I've been dreaming about this and living this moment since I was 6 or 7. Every chess player wants to live this moment. I'm living my dream. I'd like to thank God from candidates till the championship."

 

He also praised his opponent Liren.

9:03 PM

Delhi records coldest December day in 3 years, mercury drops to 4.5C

9:02 PM

Brazil's Lula undergoes second procedure to address bleeding inside head

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva underwent a procedure Thursday morning to stop persistent bleeding on the surface of his brain, following an unplanned head surgery earlier this week, his doctors told reporters in Sao Paulo.

 

The procedure was minimally invasive and successful, doctors at the Sirio-Libanes hospital said.

 

The president is awake and fine, they said, and expected to leave the hospital and return to Brasilia at the beginning of next week. He will then be able to resume his activities little by little, they said.

 

On Tuesday, the 79-year-old leftist leader underwent surgery for a brain bleed after suffering complications resulting from a fall at home in October.

 

After the first surgery, doctors had said that there would be no aftereffects. Lula has no brain damage and is neurologically perfect, they said Thursday.

 

Lula cancelled a trip to Russia for a BRICS summit after the accident, his office said at the time. It left him with a visible cut on the back of his head, slightly above his neck.

9:02 PM

Ayurveda has potential to strengthen global healthcare systems: PM Modi

The 10th World Ayurveda Congress and AROGYA Expo began here on Thursday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the ancient Indian system of medicine has the potential to strengthen the global healthcare systems.

 

In a message read out at the inaugural function of the event, Modi also reiterated the government's commitment to promote Ayurveda.

 

Ayurveda has the potential to strengthen the global healthcare systems as it focuses on providing comprehensive remedies to various health problems and lays equal emphasis on prevention, nutrition and mental health, the prime minister said.

 

Modi expressed confidence that the four-day meet will expedite the promotion of Ayurveda at the global level and asked the delegates to come out with a new blueprint for the purpose.

 

The event is being attended by over 5,500 delegates, including about 350 overseas delegates from 54 countries.

 

Addressing the event, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the state government is working towards implementing the country's "first" yoga policy.

8:45 PM

PM Narendra Modi congratulates Gukesh D on becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion

He tweets, "...This is the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination. His triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence..."

8:40 PM

President Droupadi Murmu congratulates Gukesh for becoming the youngest player to win World Chess Championship

She tweets, "...He has done India immensely proud. His victory stamps the authority of India as a chess powerhouse...".

6:41 PM

Trump invites China's Xi, other world leaders to inauguration, spokesperson says

US President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and other foreign leaders to his inauguration next month in Washington, a Trump transition spokesperson said on Thursday. Asked if Xi had responded, Karoline Leavitt told Fox News in an interview that was "to be determined".

6:41 PM

Gukesh becomes youngest world chess champion after beating Liren of China in last game of summit clash

18-year-old GM D Gukesh becomes youngest world chess champion after beating Ding Liren of China in 14th and last game of summit clash

5:44 PM

Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' March: Open letter to PM Modi

“We have written an open letter to PM Modi, mentioning what he said in 2013, and the letters we received in 2018 and 2021 by Agriculture Ministry. We have mentioned our demands…” says farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher

5:29 PM

Meta donates $1 million to president-elect Donald trump's inaugural fund

4:45 PM

Dhankhar repeatedly criticised Oppn leader, often echoing ruling party's arguments: Cong chief Kharge

Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankar routinely directs arbitrary and mala fide expunging of critical portions of speeches by Opposition members including LoP, Kharge said in a press conference.

4:43 PM

Dhankhar's conduct raises serious concerns about impartiality: Kharge

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge stated that Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar took unilateral decisions on matters like relocating statues and altering security apparatus.

4:28 PM

We should not be overly concerned about imports as long as exports' share grows: Commerce Secretary

Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal  called for avoiding the 'mercantilist approach' and not bother too much about trade balance and imports. "Because if the Indian economy is growing at 7 per cent and if the world is growing at 3-3.5 per cent...then obviously India will be requiring more of consumption, more of imports and let me tell you that the role of imports in exports is also very very important," he said at CII's Global Economic Policy Forum.

4:11 PM

News update: Retail inflation eases to 5.48% in November compared to 6.21% in October

4:03 PM

News update: IIP records growth of 3.5% in October

The factory output, measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), saw a growth of 11.9 per cent in October 2023. India's Index of Industrial Production increased by 3.5 per cent in October.

4:00 PM

Places of Worship Act hearing: SC asks Centre to file replies to pleas in four weeks

The Supreme Court allows pleas of various parties including Muslim bodies seeking to intervene in proceedings. 

3:45 PM

SC says no to fresh suits on religious places

The Supreme Court asked the Centre to reply to cross-pleas against or seeking implementation of statute.

3:36 PM

SC commences hearing on pleas related to 1991 law on places of worship.

The law prohibits conversion of place of worship, provides for maintenance of religious character as existed on Aug 15, 1947. 

3:12 PM

'One Nation, One Election' bill: Total number of amendments and new insertions stands at 18

The Kovind panel had proposed amendments to three Articles, insertion of 12 new sub-clauses in the existing articles and tweaking three laws related to Union Territories having legislative assemblies. The proposed bill will be an ordinary legislation not requiring a change in the Constitution.

3:07 PM

Not allowing mother to meet child amounts to cruelty and harassment, says Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has held that not letting a child meet her mother amounts to `cruelty' under the Indian Penal Code, and refused to quash a First Information Report registered against the in-laws of a Jalna-based woman. A bench of Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Rohit Joshi at Aurangabad noted in its order of December 11 that the woman's daughter, only four years old, is being kept away from her despite a lower court's order.

2:49 PM

'One Nation, One Election' bill: Centre keen on holding wider consultations

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government is keen on holding wider consultations on bills which are likely to be referred to a parliamentary committee, news agencies reported citing sources. The government was also keen to consult the Speakers of various state legislative assemblies through the committee.

2:11 PM

Odisha CM Majhi launches ERSS service in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday flagged off 30 ERSS vehicles for faster and immediate response during emergencies. Majhi said the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) vehicles will operate in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack and will reach the needy before the arrival of personnel from police stations, ambulances, or fire services.

1:46 PM

Kejriwal announces monthly assistance of Rs 2,100 for women over 18 yrs if AAP wins

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has stated that Delhi government's monthly financial aid for women will be enhanced to Rs 2,100 from Rs 1,000 if the party makes a comeback in the Assembly polls.

1:35 PM

Sebi issues letter to HDFC Bank alleging non-compliances with certain provisions

Administrative warnings signal regulatory concerns that the entity must address to maintain compliance with Sebi's framework. These do not usually involve monetary penalties.

1:09 PM

CM Devendra Fadnavis meets PM Modi amid impasse over Maharashtra cabinet

Amid the deadlock over allocation of cabinet portfolios in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis  met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday.  The Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra is yet to divide the cabinet portfolios among the  partners - BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP.

12:52 PM

South Korean parliament impeaches police chief, justice minister over enforcement of martial law

South Korea's National Assembly voted Thursday to impeach the national police chief and the justice minister over their enforcement of martial law last week. The opposition-controlled assembly plans to submit a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol later in the day after the first motion last Saturday failed under a governing party boycott.

12:35 PM

Senior YSRCP leader M Srinivasa Rao quits citing personal reasons, flags 'lack of respect' in party

Senior YSRCP leader and former Andhra Pradesh minister M Srinivasa Rao (Avanti) on Thursday resigned from the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party, citing 'personal reasons', even as he alleged there was no respect for functionaries and cadres in the organisation. Besides resigning from the party, the former Tourism minister also withdrew from his responsibilities of overseeing YSRCP's affairs in Bheemili Assembly constituency.