Court in J&K sentences Hizbul commander to 15 years in prison
A local court on Wednesday sentenced a self-styled commander of Hizbul Mujahideen to 15 years in prison, police said.
Amir Nabi Wagay alias Abu Qasim, a district commander of the banned outfit, was convicted by a UAPA court on the basis of an investigation by the State Investigation Agency of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Srinagar UAPA Court convicts State Investigation Agency (SIA) investigated terrorist Amir Nabi Wagay alias Abu Qasim, self-styled district commander of banned outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. Sentences him 15 years imprisonment," the J&K Police said in a tweet. - PTI.
Mild earthquake hits Uttarkashi
A low-intensity earthquake shook Uttarkashi and its nearby areas in the early hours of Wednesday.
The earthquake struck with a magnitude of 3.1 at 2.19 am, Uttarkashi Disaster Management Officer Devendra Patwal said. It had its epicentre in a forest near Barkot in the district at a depth of five kilometres, he said.
Being mild in intensity and occurring at a time when people are usually asleep, the quake was not felt by many, he added.
There was no damage to life and property anywhere. - PTI.
Exxon sues EU in move to block new windfall tax on oil companies
Oil major Exxon Mobil Corp is suing the European Union in a bid to force it to scrap the bloc's new windfall tax on oil groups, arguing Brussels exceeded its legal authority by imposing the levy, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. - Reuters.
Delhi HC fines Home, Personnel Ministries on CISF inspectors' promotion plea
The Delhi High Court has imposed a Rs 10,000 fine on the Union Home and Personnel Ministries, among others, for failing to respond to a plea by more than 500 CISF inspectors who complained that they have not been promoted in many years, as stipulated.
Inspector-rank officers of the Central Industrial Security Force have moved the court, seeking direction to the Centre for giving them their due promotion to the rank of Assistant Commandant and the consequential benefits, along with a retrospective benefit from when they were supposed to be promoted, as per rules. - IANS.
At J&K security review meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah issues directions for following policy of zero tolerance against terrorism
Turkey, Syria, Russia defence ministers meet in Moscow, first talks since 2011: Ministry - AFP
CUET-PG to be conducted from June 1 to 10, 2023, National Testing Agency
Indian Railways data allegedly hacked, being sold on dark web
Data of around three crore travellers registered with the Indian Railways has been hacked and reportedly put on sale on the Dark Web, as per reports.
It has been claimed by the hackers that the Indian Railways data is one of the biggest data ever hacked by anyone.
The data of Indian Railway, put on sale on a forum being run by cybercriminals, has user data, and invoices of latest month.
"The hacked data has usernames, emails, mobile numbers, gender, full address, and their language preferences. The data is of users who book tickets from Indian Railway portal," a source said. - IANS.
1.53 lakh people died in 4.12 lakh road accidents in 2021: Report
A total of 4,12,432 road accidents occurred in 2021 calendar year which claimed 1,53,972 lives while 3,84,448 people injured, according to a new report released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The report titled 'Road accidents in India -- 2021', said major indicators related with accidents have performed better in 2021 when compared to 2019.
"Road accidents decreased by 8.1 per cent and injuries decreased by 14.8 per cent in 2021 compared to 2019. Fatalities, however, on account of road accidents increased by 1.9 per cent in 2021 corresponding to the same period in 2019," it said. - PTI.
Russia expels Lithuanian diplomat in tit-for-tat move
Greece rattled by strong earthquake, felt in Athens
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake shook the island of Evia on Wednesday and was felt in Athens, according to the Athens Geodynamic Institute.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The tremor, with a depth of about 10 kilometres, struck around 1224 GMT. - Reuters.
Air raid sirens sound across Ukraine, no reports of new attacks
Air raid sirens sounded across all Ukraine's regions on Wednesday but there were no immediate reports of any new Russian missile strikes.
The capital Kyiv and other regions sounded the all-clear almost two hours later.
Ukrainian social media reports said the nationwide alert may have been declared after Russian jets stationed in Belarus took off.
Reuters was unable to immediately verify that information.
PM Modi to inaugurate Joka-Taratala corridor of Kolkata Metro on Friday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Joka-Taratala metro corridor in southwestern Kolkata on Friday, an official said.
The prime minister will first flag off West Bengal's first Vande Bharat Express from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri, connecting the state's two most important cities - Kolkata in the south and Siliguri in the north.
He will then virtually inaugurate the much-awaited Joka-Taratala stretch of the Joka-Esplanade metro project (purple line) from the Howrah station, the metro official said. - PTI.
As uncertainties mount over China, India promises edge in global business environment: EIU report
India now has a business environment that can compete with that of China and the rest of Southeast Asia, and could attract more foreign investments, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) said in its report.
Ex-pope Benedict's health worsening: Vatican
The Vatican on Wednesday confirmed that the health of ex-pontiff Benedict XVI, 95, has worsened in the last few hours and he had been visited by Pope Francis.
"I can confirm that in the last few hours there has been a deterioration due to advancing age. The situation at the moment remains under control, monitored continually by doctors," spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement. - AFP.
PM Narendra Modi lands in Ahmedabad to meet his mother
Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary issue created by 'triple engine' BJP government, says D K Shivakumar
MP Chirag Paswan meets Home Minister Amit Shah, says rule of law has ended in Bihar and seeks dismissal of Nitish Kumar government
Court sends Tunisha Sharma death case accused Sheezan Khan to 2-day police custody
Ship insurers to cancel war cover for Russia, Ukraine from January 1
Ship insurers said they are cancelling war risk cover across Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, following an exit from the region by reinsurers in the face of steep losses.
P&I (protection and indemnity) clubs American, North, UK and West are no longer able to offer war risk cover for liabilities in the region from Jan. 1, they said in recent notices on their websites. The clubs are among the biggest P&I insurers who cover around 90% of the world’s ocean going ships.
UK P&I Club said on December 23 that the issue had arisen because of a lack of availability of reinsurance for reinsurers, also known as retrocession. - Reuters.
Actor Tunisha Sharma death case accused Sheezan Khan taken to Vasai Court
Rahul opposes politics of communal hatred; these qualities make him ideal 'antidote' to BJP’s 'parochial' politics: Stalin
Kerala govt to enhance authorised capital of backward classes development body
The Kerala government on Wednesday decided to increase the authorised share capital of a state-run corporation, working for the welfare of backward communities, to Rs 200 crore.
At present, the authorised capital of the Kerala State Backward Classes Development Corporation (KSBCDC) Limited is Rs 150 crore, a CMO statement said here.(PTI)
Congress is on the path of resurgence, not lost its relevance at national level: Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin
He added, "Efforts made by Sonia Gandhi to strengthen organisational structure of Congress have started to yield benefits."(PTI)
Ukraine aims to develop air-to-air combat drones: minister
Ukraine has bought some 1,400 drones, mostly for reconnaissance, and plans to develop combat models that can attack the exploding drones Russia has used during its invasion of the country, according to the Ukrainian government minister in charge of technology.(AP)
Pope Francis asks for prayers for ex Pope Benedict, who he says is 'very sick'
Malaysia keeps January crude palm oil export duty at 8%
Malaysia has maintained its January export tax for crude palm oil at 8 per centand raised its reference price, a circular on the Malaysian Palm Oil Board website showed on Wednesday.
Top Putin aide visits Ukraine's Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
One of President Vladimir Putin's most powerful Kremlin aides has visited the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in a part of southern Ukraine Russia says it has annexed, a Moscow-installed official in the region said.(Reuters)
'No other option' but to implement IMF deal: Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that his government has “no other option” but to implement the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme to revive the cash-starved economy.
He regretted that if the government wanted to give any subsidy in any sector, it had to go to the IMF "which is a factor and a painful reality", the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Sharif as saying during a meeting on Tuesday.(PTI)
Air India not govt controlled; no longer amenable to writ jurisdiction: Delhi HC
The Delhi High Court has refused to entertain a plea against Air India by the Indian Airlines Officers Association seeking pay and allowance arrears, saying the airline has ceased to be a government-controlled company and is no longer amenable to its writ jurisdiction.(PTI)
Nine children rescued from factory during anti-child labour raid in Noida
Nine children, who were illegally employed at a garment's factory in Noida, have been rescued by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Gautam Buddh Nagar police, officials said on Wednesday.
The children, including six girls and three boys, hail from different parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and were rescued on Tuesday following a tip-off received by the police.(PTI)
EAM Jaishankar to visit Cyprus, Austria from December 29 to January 3
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit the Republic of Cyprus and Austria from December 29 to January 3, an official statement said on Wednesday.(PTI)
PM Modi's mother admitted to hospital; PM on his way to Ahmedabad
Rahul Gandhi shares light moment with mother, Sonia, during Congress Foundation day
Special court extends CBI custody of ex-ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon group founder Venugopal Dhoot till December 29
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passes Maharashtra Lokayukta Bill 2022
Maharashtra assembly passes Lokayukta Bill, which brings chief minister under ambit of anti-corruption ombudsman.(PTI)
Congress writes to Amit Shah over security breach in Bharat Jodo Yatra
Congress leader KC Venugopal on Wednesday wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah on security breaches during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. In his letter, he accused the Delhi Police of failing to ensure security.
He said that when the Yatra entered Delhi, the police failed to secure a perimeter around Rahul Gandhi and Congress workers had to do the needful.
Waliv police to record Sheezan's mother's statement in connection with Tunisha Sharma's death case
Canadian police officer fatally shot in line of duty
A Canadian police officer was killed on Tuesday after being shot while investigating a traffic accident about 100 kilometers south of Toronto, authorities said.
Situation peaceful in J-K, does Rahul want to create disturbance, asks Anurag Thakur
Does Rahul Gandhi want to vitiate the atmosphere in Kashmir, Union minister Anurag Thakur asked on Wednesday about the Congress' plans to unfurl the tricolour in the Valley and stressed that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved significantly under the Modi government.(PTI)
UP govt to hold roadshows next month to woo domestic investors
After raising investments of Rs 7.12 lakh crore from 16 nations, a group of ministers from Uttar Pradesh will now hold roadshows in seven major cities of the country to attract domestic investors.
The roadshows, to be held from January 5-23, are a prelude to UP Global Investors Summit (GIS) in February.(PTI)
Rajasthan government receives award for effective government communication
Rajasthan government's Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) has been honoured with the "Effective Government Communication Award" for taking public welfare schemes through digital media to the general public and the beneficiaries.
The award was given by the Public Relations Society of India (PSRI) at Bhopal on Tuesday.(PTI)
Total four terrorists killed in Jammu encounter; huge quantity of arms seized, says ADGP Mukesh Singh
Basic principles of India are under constant attack: Mallikarjun Kharge
Russia's mobilised troops entitled to free sperm freezing
Russian troops who have been part of a mobilisation drive for military operations in Ukraine will have the right to get their sperm frozen for free in cryobanks, the state TASS agency reported on Wednesday.
Bengal leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra flagged off from Ganga Sagar island
The Bengal leg of the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' was flagged off by state party chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Ganga Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district on Wednesday morning.
The yatra which has been renamed as 'Sagar Se Pahar Tak' in the state is scheduled to move through around 800 km in different districts of the state and end at Kurseong in North Bengal on January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.(PTI)
J&K: Encounter over, 2-3 terrorists were there, but they have been neutralised, says ADGP
Three Indian Americans die after falling in frozen lake in Arizona: Officials
In a tragic incident, three Indian nationals, including a woman, have drowned after they fell through the ice while walking on a frozen lake in the US state of Arizona.
The incident occurred on December 26 at 3:35 p.m. at Woods Canyon Lake in Coconino County, Arizona.(PTI)
Bihar: Polling underway for urban local bodies polls in 23 districts
Polling is underway for urban local bodies (ULBs) elections in Bihar on Wednesday amid tight security.
The voting which began at 7 am will conclude at 5 pm. EVMs are being for the municipal elections.(PTI)
MCD receives three nominations for post of Delhi mayor
Three nominations -- two from the AAP and one from the BJP -- have been received for the post of Delhi mayor ahead of the mayoral election to be held on January 6, MCD officials said.
However, one candidate of the AAP is a back-up candidate, party sources said.(PTI)
Encounter starts in Sidhra area in Jammu, firing going on, two terrorists likely on the spot: Police
Kim Jong Un lays out key goals to further bolster his military power next year
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presented unspecified goals to further bolster his military power next year at a meeting of top political officials, state media reported Wednesday, in an indication he'll continue his provocative run of weapons displays.
Kim's statement came as animosities with rival South Korea rose sharply this week as the South accused the North of flying drones across the rivals' border for the first time in five years.(AP)
Palam in Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7.8°C while Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 8.4°C
5 members of family die after fire breaks out in house in UP
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