News Highlights: SC to hear plea seeking probe into PM's security breach in Punjab tomorrow

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Iran offers to assist India in transportation of wheat, medicines and coronavirus vaccines to Afghanistan which has been reeling under serious humanitarian crisis. (PTI)

SC to hear plea seeking probe into PM's security breach in Punjab tomorrow

Supreme Court to hear tomorrow a plea seeking a court-monitored probe into the breach of PM Narendra Modi’s security during his visit to Ferozepur, Punjab

Winter tourism activities in Ladakh, including Chadar trek and snow leopard sighting expedition, suspended in wake of surge in Covid-19 cases in union territory: Officials. (PTI)

A Zomato delivery executive died after a police constable, who was driving a car allegedly under alcohol influence hit his bike in Budh Vihar, Rohini on Saturday. Victim was lone bread earner of his family. His father died of Covid. The constable has been arrested: Delhi Police. (ANI)

Encounter breaks out between militants and security forces in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI)

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati expresses concern over "increasing" use of religion in politics during elections, says Election Commission must curb this “worrying” trend. (PTI)

Bihar BJP MLA from Narkatiya, Rashmi Verma announces resignation citing "personal reasons". (ANI)

Gos independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar submits his resignation to Legislative Assembly Secretary Namrata Ulman. (ANI)

AAP releases 9th list of 5 candidates for Punjab Assembly elections

Congress workers during the inauguration of the 10 day 'padaytra' from Mekedatu to Bengaluru to demand the implemention of Mekedatu project, in Mekedatu. (PTI Photo)

Political party hoardings, posters in UP being removed as code of conduct comes into effect

Authorities have begun removing hoardings and posters put up by political parties across Uttar Pradesh as the model code of conduct has come into effect with the Election Commission announcing polls dates for the state.

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Exhibition at Pune art gallery stopped over 'nudity' in photographs

A photographer has said an exhibition of his picture collection was stopped at an art gallery in Pune, with its management citing the 'nudity' element in the photographs. Sunil Mate, the in-charge of the Balgandharv Rang Mandir, which houses the art gallery, said the photographer, Akshay Mali, should have told the management about the exhibition theme in advance.

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Some offbeat tech & gadgets that made heads turn at CES 2022

Despite a last-minute surge in the number of Omicron cases, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022 in Las Vegas last week managed to deliver a stellar line-up of next-generation technology and gadgets in-person.

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NEET-PG counselling to begin from January 12

NEET-PG 2021 counselling will begin on January 12, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Sunday.

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Karnataka Congress launches 11-day padayatra

England hold out for draw in fourth Ashes Test

England batted out the final day of the fourth Ashes Test to frustrate Australia and secure a thrilling draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. Australia lead the series 3-0 after big wins in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.

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In view of the rising Covid- 19 cases, Rajya Sabha Secretariat restricts staff attendance

Amazon challenges CCI's antitrust suspension of Future deal

Amazon.com Inc has filed a legal challenge at an Indian tribunal against the national antitrust agency's suspension of a 2019 deal it had with retailer Future Group, two sources with direct knowledge told Reuters on Sunday.

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26th December to be marked as Veer Baal Diwas: Modi

UP govt bans hike in school fees this year

The Uttar Pradesh government has banned any increase in school fees across all the boards for the upcoming academic session (2022-23) because of the prevailing pandemic situation.
The schools will continue to charge fees as per the 2019-20 session.
Additional chief secretary, secondary education, Aradhana Shukla has issued directives to all private schools across the state in this regard. This is for the second successive year that the state government has prohibited schools from increasing fees.
"All schools in the state affiliated to CBSE, ICSE or UP Board will not be allowed to increase fees for the academic session 2022-23. The schools will only be allowed to charge fees which were applicable in the year 2019-20," Shukla said.

World War II era Agartala airport to be northeast's 3rd international airport

The Agartala airport, which was first built in 1942 after the land was donated by the then Tripura king Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur and was used as a technical base for the Royal Air Force during World War II, would likely be declared an international airport soon to boost air connectivity with the neighbouring countries.

Trinamool is not able to find Goans to distribute its pamphlets: BJP

The BJP claims that Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress is 'not able to find Goans to distribute party pamphlets' in the state. West Bengal's ruling party is making its electoral debut in the coastal state through the February 14 Assembly polls.

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'Sulli deals' app mastermind arrested from Indore

The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO), Delhi Police Special Cell, arrested one person from Indore on Sunday in the infamous 'Sulli Deals' app case.

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Two held, later released for 'Only Hindus' posters on Varanasi ghats

Two Bajrang Dal leaders were arrested by the Varanasi police for displaying posters with a message that "Only Hindus should visit ghats along the river Ganga".

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Djokovic begins 4th day in Australian detention as legal hearing looms

Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic on Sunday began his fourth day in immigration detention as Australian authorities finalised a legal defence explaining their decision to cancel his visa over questions about his Covid-19 vaccine exemption.

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SulliDeals app creator and mastermind arrested from Indore

James Webb telescope to study cosmic history fully deployed in space, says NASA

The James Webb Space Telescope completed its two-week-long deployment phase on Saturday, unfolding the final mirror panel as it readies to study every phase of cosmic history.

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Polls in the time of Covid-19 pandemic

A year has not yet turned its circle. Even as the memories of the macabre dance of death have not yet faded, the Holy River is now set to witness the celebration of democracy on its banks. Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will go to the polls in February and March. So will Punjab, Goa and Manipur.

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5.9-magnitude quake hits Papua New Guinea's New Britain region: USGS

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake hit Papua New Guinea's New Britain region on Sunday, the United States Geological Survey said.
The quake struck at a depth of 19 kilometres (12 miles) off the eastern coast of the country at 0205 GMT, USGS said.

How technology is facilitating upcoming Assembly elections

From an App to file complaints on election law violations to filling in nominations and depositing security money, the Election Commission will be using Information Technology in the upcoming elections to five states.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra told a press conference that they were enhancing the usage of IT tools to usher in greater citizen participation and transparency.

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Reliance Industries acquires majority stake in New York's luxury hotel Mandarin Oriental for $98.15 million

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Rain lashes parts of the national capital

Delhi's air quality improves to 'Satisfactory' category with Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 90, as per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)-India

At least seven people have died and nine were seriously injured when a wall of rock collapsed on top of motorboats below a waterfall in southeastern Brazil on Saturday, reports Reuters

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