News updates: Facebook, Instagram down for thousands of users
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Meta's Facebook was down for more than 50,000 users on Wednesday, while Instagram was down for more than 23,000 users, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com. US consumer prices continued to rise in November at a pace that is fueling concerns the progress toward taming inflation is stalling. The so-called core consumer price index — which excludes food and energy costs — increased 0.3 per cent for a fourth straight month, Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showed Wednesday. From a year ago, it rose 3.3 per cent.
Economists see the core gauge as a better indicator of the underlying inflation trend than the overall CPI that includes often-volatile food and energy costs. The headline measure rose 0.3 per cent from the prior month and 2.7 per cent from a year before. Shelter costs accounted for nearly 40 per cent of the overall advance.
There is no proposal to criminalise sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, she not being under 18 years of age, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. In response to a question, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said sections 74, 75, 76 and 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 provide for a sufficiently adequate remedy, which includes penal consequences, thereby protecting the right and dignity of a woman within the institution of marriage.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the Centre must give protection to minorities in violence-hit Bangladesh, and bring back those willing to return. Banerjee also claimed that fake videos were being purposefully circulated, as certain sections were trying to foment communal tension. Sanjay Malhotra, the former secretary in the Department of Revenue, has taken over as the next governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Malhotra replaced Shaktikanta Das at the helm of the central bank At a daily news conference, the United States asserted that it wants India and Bangladesh to resolve their differences peacefully. "We want to see all parties resolve their disagreements peacefully," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miler said, responding to a question on the recent visit of India's foreign secretary to Bangladesh. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveyed New Delhi's "concerns" over the security of minorities in Bangladesh during his visit early this week. "I have underlined India's desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh. At the same time, we also had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues, and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities," Misri told reporters in Dhaka.
The convoy of Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has met with an accident in Lucknow and several staff members sustained minor injuries, police said. However, the Himachal Pradesh Governor reached his destination safely and the situation was normal, the police said on Tuesday. The accident happened around 9:30 AM on Tuesday near Lulu Mall on Shaheed Path, where the convoy was suddenly stopped due to the accident and some vehicles from his convoy collided with each other.
11:55 PM
Facebook, Instagram down for thousands of users
Meta's Facebook was down for more than 50,000 users on Wednesday, while Instagram was down for more than 23,000 users, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com.
11:41 PM
WhatsApp down for several users across India
7:41 PM
US core inflation stays firm with fourth-straight 0.3% increase
US consumer prices continued to rise in November at a pace that is fueling concerns the progress toward taming inflation is stalling. The so-called core consumer price index — which excludes food and energy costs — increased 0.3 per cent for a fourth straight month, Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showed Wednesday. From a year ago, it rose 3.3 per cent.
Economists see the core gauge as a better indicator of the underlying inflation trend than the overall CPI that includes often-volatile food and energy costs. The headline measure rose 0.3 per cent from the prior month and 2.7 per cent from a year before. Shelter costs accounted for nearly 40 per cent of the overall advance.
7:21 PM
Delhi LG directs strict implementation of tobacco-free guidelines in schools, colleges
Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena on Wednesday directed the chief secretary to ensure the strict implementation of tobacco-free guidelines in Delhi's schools and colleges.
He also instructed that nodal officers be appointed in each educational institution to oversee compliance.
This directive follows the 9th review meeting of the State-Level Committee Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), which was held recently.
During the meeting, Saxena emphasised the need for strict adherence to tobacco-free guidelines for educational institutions under the Directorate of Education and the Higher Education Department.
7:20 PM
Thailand to implement e-Visa system for Indian Nationals from January 2025
The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi has officially announced the rollout of Thailand's Electronic Visa (e-Visa) system in India, effective January 1, 2025.
The system, aimed at streamlining the visa application process, will also include an offline payment option, offering added convenience to applicants.
In its announcement, the Embassy highlighted that the e-Visa system would cater to non-Thai nationals applying for all types of visas. Applicants are required to submit their visa applications exclusively via the official website, thaievisa.go.th.
"Each application can be applied by the applicants themselves, or by other representatives," the Embassy clarified. However, it warned that it "shall not bear responsibility if any application submitted by a representative is incomplete." Applicants can find a detailed guide on the application process on the same website.
7:08 PM
Railways developing new app for passenger services: Vaishnaw
The railway ministry is developing a mobile application that will let users book unreserved train tickets, lodge complaints, and track trains, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
Telugu Desam Party MPs B K Parthasarathi and Bastipati Nagaraju raised the issue of the government's plan to launch a 'super app' for rail services.
They also wanted to know "the timeline by which the app will be launched for commercial usage along with the cost of developing the app".
Responding to these queries, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "Indian Railways is developing a passenger service focussed app. Passengers will be able to avail unreserved ticketing, lodge complaints, check train availability and many more functions in a single app.
6:48 PM
Future of the world will be driven by innovation and knowledge, says PM Modi
"Hackathons are giving our youth a chance to enhance their skills and opportunities," said PM Modi to students at 'Smart India Hackathon' finale.
5:25 PM
No proposal to criminalise marital rape: Govt
There is no proposal to criminalise sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, she not being under 18 years of age, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
In response to a question, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said sections 74, 75, 76 and 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 provide for a sufficiently adequate remedy, which includes penal consequences, thereby protecting the right and dignity of a woman within the institution of marriage.
5:13 PM
Techie suicide: Victim's family demands justice, strict action against harassers
The family of the 34-year-old techie who allegedly died by suicide, has demanded justice for him and strict action against his harassers.
Atul Subhash, who worked for a private firm in the city, had left behind a 24-page purported death note, giving extensive details of what he alleged was years-long emotional distress of marital issues; multiple cases filed against him and harassment by his wife, her relatives, and a judge based in Uttar Pradesh, police said.
Speaking to PTI videos here, Subhash's brother Bikas said, "I want my brother to get justice. I want this country to have a legal process through which even men can get justice. I want strict action against those who are sitting on a legal chair and doing corruption because if this continues then how will people expect justice."
4:44 PM
PM Modi joins Smart India Hackathon 2024 finale
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2024, via video conferencing
4:27 PM
Union govt should bring back those who want to return to India from Bangladesh: Mamata Banerjee
"We want protection for minorities in Bangladesh. The Union government must act. It should also bring back those who want to return to India," Mamata Banerjee said. Bangladesh's minority Hindus, who constitute about 8 per cent of the 170 million population, have faced attacks in 50-odd districts since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5.
4:09 PM
News update: RBI has done commendable job in monetary policy management, says Governor Malhotra
4:07 PM
We have to be alert and agile to take on these challenges: RBI Governor Malhotra
RBI has done some very commendable work over the years, says Governor Malhotra
3:51 PM
It is a huge responsibility, says new RBI Governor
We do not have monopoly of all knowledge, says RBI Guv Malhotra as he stresses on consultations with other stakeholders.
3:48 PM
I will uphold Reserve Bank's legacy and take it forward, says new Governor Sanjay Malhotra
New RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra says all decisions will be taken with public interest in mind.
Topics : Narendra Modi Rahul Gandhi BJP Congress Syria Bashar al-Assad UGC Maharashtra Israel-Palestine
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First Published: Dec 11 2024 | 8:55 AM IST
