LIVE: PM Modi speaks to Biden, reaffirms Indo-US strategic partnership

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2:06 AM

Sibal concerned about Cong, but didn't see him in recent polls: Adhir Chowdhury

Kapil Sibal spoke about this even earlier. He seems to be very concerned about the Congress party & the need for introspection. But we didn't see his face in elections in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, or Gujarat: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

1:54 AM

India has no trace of anti-semitism, Jews integral to pluralistic fabric: India at World Jewsish Congress

India has no trace of anti-semitism and has had thriving Jewish community for over 2,000 years. Jewish community is an integral part of pluralistic fabric of India & enriches it as much as any other community: TS Tirumurti, Permanent Rep. of India to UN at World Jewish Congress event

1:51 AM

1:23 AM

Pentagon to cut troop levels to 2,500 in Iraq, Afghanistan

Acting Defence Secretary Christopher Miller on Tuesday announced plans to reduce US troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying the decision fulfils President Donald Trump's pledge to bring forces home when conditions were met that kept the US and its allies safe. The new plan will accelerate troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan in Trump's final days in office, despite arguments from senior military officials in favour of a slower, more methodical pullout.

Trump has refused to concede his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, who takes office on January 20, just five days after the troop withdrawals are slated to finish. Miller said commanders and advisers agreed with the withdrawal plan, which will cut the number of troops in Afghanistan from more than 4,500 to 2,500, and in Iraq from about 3,000 to 2,500. He refused to take questions from reporters.

12:51 AM

Trump ally Netanyahu calls Biden president-elect

Israel's president and prime minister spoke with Joe Biden on Tuesday for the first time since his victory in the US election, joining other world leaders in referring to him as the president-elect despite President Donald Trump's refusal to concede. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close ally of Trump, congratulated Biden after the election was called earlier this month but did not refer to him as president-elect then and has avoided commenting on the election results.

Israelis have welcomed Trump's maximum pressure campaign against Iran and his unprecedented support for Israel in the conflict with the Palestinians. Biden's plans to return to the Iran nuclear agreement and press for the revival of the Mideast peace process could set him on a collision course with Netanyahu, who had icy relations with the Obama administration. In a warm conversation, the president-elect reiterated his deep commitment to the state of Israel and its security, Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

12:03 AM

PM Modi speaks to Biden, reaffirms commitment to Indo-US strategic partnership

Spoke to US President-elect Joe Biden; we reiterated our firm commitment to Indo-US strategic partnership, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on call with President-elect Biden. He further said that they discussed shared priorities, concerns like Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, cooperation in Indo-Pacific region

11:27 PM

Bengaluru riots accused Sampath Raj sent to police custody

Former Congress mayor R. Sampath Raj was remanded to two-day police custody after he was produced before the court on Tuesday.He was produced in a local court after being grilled for more than five hours by Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths in their headquarters.

Confirming the police custody, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Patil said, "The court has granted us two days custody of the accused Sampath Raj." He added that Raj, an accused who was absconding since October 14 was arrested yesterday night. "We need time for a detailed interrogation," he said.

10:24 PM

Not part of Gupkar alliance; contesting J&K district development council polls to 'expose' BJP through democratic means: Congress

9:31 PM

Jharkhand allows Chhath Puja at river banks, ponds with Covid norms

It has been decided that Chhath Puja can be celebrated at river banks & ponds while following all Covid-19 protocols like wearing masks & maintaining social distancing: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren.

 

Jharkhand Govt yesterday issued an order to not permit #ChhathPuja in water bodies.

8:49 PM

No Chhath Puja allowed at beaches, riverbanks, ponds in Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

8:49 PM

Haryana govt to develop residential colonies for poor in rural areas

The Haryana government will develop residential colonies for the poor and middle class in rural areas of the state, an official statement said on Tuesday. The Haryana Rural Development Authority will initially develop a model colony at village Israna in Panipat district, the statement said.

 

A meeting of the authority was held here on Tuesday under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala.

 

After the meeting, Chautala, who also holds the portfolio of Development and Panchayat Department, said the state government is planning to develop colonies on Panchayati land to prevent migration of people from rural areas to the cities.

8:36 PM

PM Modi to hold virtual summit with his Luxembourg counterpart on Thursday

PM Narendra Modi and his counterpart from Luxembourg Xavier Bettel will hold a virtual summit on Thursday, covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relationship, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.

 

It will be the first stand-alone summit meeting between India and Luxembourg in the past two decades, the MEA said.

 

"The leaders will discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relationship, including strengthening of India-Luxembourg cooperation in the post-COVID world. They will also exchange views on international and global issues of mutual interest," it said. India and Luxembourg have continued to maintain high-level exchanges in the recent past. The two prime ministers have met previously on three occasions.

8:27 PM

India successfully test-fires Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile for second time in four days

India on Tuesday successfully test-fired its Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system from a base in Odisha for the second time in four days. The missile accurately hit an airborne target and neutralised it, they said.

 

The test was conducted around 3.42 pm from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.

 

It was carried out against high-performance jet unmanned aerial target 'Banshee', which simulates an aircraft, they said. The radars acquired the target from a long range and tracked it till the mission computer automatically launched the missile. Continuous guidance was provided through a radar data link, an ITR statement said.

7:49 PM

PM Modi seeks funding to build smarter Indian cities post pandemic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen to attract foreign investment to modernize India’s urban centers as the world’s second-most-populous nation rebuilds its economy after the coronavirus pandemic halted activity.

Covid-19 has given governments the chance to accelerate the “process of making cities more livable for people,” Modi said in his speech at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum on Tuesday. “We are looking at a future where a major chunk of education, healthcare, shopping, may happen online. Our cities need to be ready for the convergence of the physical and digital worlds.”

 

India plans to continue raising funds in areas including urban technology and transport, he added. The country will have to develop up to 800 million square meters each year till 2030 with more than 40% of population expected to live in cities, according to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. READ ON...

 

7:31 PM

RBI places Lakshmi Vilas Bank under moratorium; restricts withdrawals at Rs 25,000