Latest News: 3 Dead in a Level-3 Fire in Mumbai’s Chembur
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Indian-American Named FedEx President
Indian-American Rajesh Subramaniam has been named as the president and chief executive officer of US multinational courier delivery giant FedEx Express.
Subramaniam, currently the executive vice president, chief marketing and communications officer of FedEx Corporation, will assume his new role on 1 January, 2019.
(PTI)
Four Cow Smugglers Arrested
Police arrested four cow smugglers from Nirdhna area of Muzaffarnagar. Om Veer Singh, SP City said, "The accused had fired at the police party which went in search for the smugglers. Weapons, cow meat and cow skin have been recovered. Four others escaped from the site."
(Source: ANI)
Philanthropist Couple Killed in US Plane Crash
A couple who were well-known Sioux Falls philanthropists were killed when a small plane crashed in a residential neighborhood of South Dakota's largest city, police said Wednesday.
The Minnehaha County coroner positively identified the victims as Vaughn and JoAnn Meyer of Sioux Falls, police said. Both were 68 years old.
The plane crashed at around 5 p.m. Tuesday in the backyards of four homes in Sioux Falls, causing significant damage to two of the homes but not injuring anyone on the ground, authorities said.
(Source: AP)
American Adventurer Completes Solo Trek Across Antarctica
An American adventurer has become the first person to complete a solo trek across Antarctica without assistance of any kind.
Colin O'Brady, 33, took 54 days to complete the nearly 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) crossing of the frozen continent from north to south.
"I accomplished my goal: to become the first person in history to traverse the continent of Antarctica coast to coast solo, unsupported and unaided," O'Brady wrote in an Instagram post after covering the final 77.5 miles in 32 hours.
(Source: PTI)
Trump to Visit Mexico Border for Groundbreaking
US President Donald Trump has said that he plans to visit the country's southwestern border with Mexico early next year for groundbreaking.
Trump has made securing the southern border a focal point of his presidency, with plans to beef up border security and create a wall as key components.
In an interaction with reporters during his surprise visit to Iraq with First Lady Melania, Trump said he wants to visit the border wall before the State of the Union Address next year.
This is his first visit to Iraq as the US President.
(Source: PTI)
Delhi's Air Quality 'Poor'
Major pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 in 'Poor' category in Lodhi Road area, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data.
(Source: ANI)
Nitin Gadkari to Call Meeting Between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka CMs For Mekedatu Row
Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari will convene a meeting of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers on the implementation of the controversial Cauvery river project at Mekedatu for drinking water supply, said an official on Wednesday, 26 December.
"Gadkari conveyed the decision on the proposed meeting to Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy when they met in New Delhi," said an official of the Chief Minister's Office in Bengaluru in a statement.
(Source: IANS)
India Tightens E-Commerce Rules, Likely to Hit Amazon, Flipkart
India will ban e-commerce companies such as Amazon.com and Walmart-owned Flipkart Group from selling products from companies in which they have an equity interest.
In a statement, the government also said that the companies will be prevented from entering into exclusive agreements with sellers. The new rules will be applicable from February 1.
(Source: Reuters)
Man Arrested For Smoking Onboard IndiGo Flight
An IndiGo passenger onboard flight 6E-947 from Ahmedabad to Goa on December 25 was booked after he was found smoking in the lavatory of the aircraft during the journey.
On noticing the violation, the crew onboard alerted the Captain and told the passenger about the policy that prohibits smoking on-board, followed by a warning. Smoking onboard is an illegal offence under the law.
(Source: ANI)
No Chicken or Pork, Kumarikata Village in Assam Sells Rat Meat
A weekly rural market in Assam's Baksa district exclusively sells rat meat as the finished rat, cooked as a spicy gravy dish or nicely browned, is considered a Sunday delicacy.
A traditional food item among some ethnic communities in the northeastern region, rat meat is sold at the same price as broiler chicken at Rs 200 per kg, the sellers said.
(Source: PTI)
BJP MLA Claims 15 Cong-JD(S) MLAs in Touch with Him; Cong Dismisses It
Senior Karnataka BJP MLA Umesh Katti Wednesday, 26 December, claimed he was in touch with 15 disgruntled legislators of ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition and his party would welcome them if they chose to join it.
The eight-time MLA further claimed BJP would form a new government in the state by next week, drawing a strong reaction from state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao, who hit out at him for making "illusionary statements" to 'confuse' people.
(Source: PTI)
Cold Wave Intensifies in Uttarakhand
Extreme cold wave conditions continued to prevail in most parts of Uttarakhand as the temperature plummeted to sub-zero level in more than six towns in the state, an official said on Thursday, 27 December.
The Regional Met Office said the weather would continue to be harsh for the next three days and gutsy chilly wind would continue to bring down the mercury.
(Source: IANS)
Pak to Launch Anti-Terrorism Campaign in March 2019: Minister
The Pakistani government on Wednesday, 26 December, announced to launch a wide-ranging comprehensive operation to counter-terrorism and target killing across the country in March 2019.
Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi told media that the government has decided to launch the National Action Plan, a comprehensive action plan to crack down on terrorism and to supplement the ongoing anti-terrorist offensive.
(Source: IANS)
Key Indian Equity Market Indices Open in Green
Taking a cue from global markets, the key Indian equity market indices on Thursday opened higher ahead of derivatives expiry.
The Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which had closed at 35,649.94 points on Wednesday, opened higher at 36,002.11 points.
Minutes into trading, it was quoting at 35,952.72 points, up by 302.78 points, or 0.85 per cent.
(Source: IANS)
Trains in Delhi Delayed Due to Fog
Fifteen trains to Delhi running late today due to fog conditions.
The Regional Met Office said the weather would continue to be harsh for the next three days and gutsy chilly wind would continue to bring down the mercury.
The cold wave is likely to intensify in Haridwar, Rishikesh and Udhamsingh Nagar.
(Source: ANI, IANS)
Aditya Thackeray Urges Maharashtra CM to Allow Non-Residential Markets to Open 24 hours For NY Celebrations
Shiv Sena Yuvasena Chief Aditya Thackeray writes to Maharashtra CM requesting him to clear the proposal of allowing the markets in non-residential areas to remain open 24 hours in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Navi Mumbai for New Year's celebrations.
(Source: ANI)
Japan Hangs Two for Murder, Bringing 2018 Executions to 15
Japan hanged two men convicted of murder on Thursday, the justice minister said, bringing the number of executions this year to 15 -- tied for the highest amount on record.
With more than 100 inmates on death row, Japan is one of the few developed nations to retain the death penalty, and public support for it remains high despite international criticism, including from rights groups.
(Source: PTI)
Karnataka MPs Protest Over Mekedatu Dam
Karnataka MPs hold protest in Parliament premises over the issue of Mekedatu dam project. Nitin Gadkari is likely to call the chief minister of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the row.
(Source: ANI)
Russia Needs to Improve the Competitiveness of Its Economy: Putin
Russia needs to improve the competitiveness of its economy on a global scale in response to Western sanctions, says Russian President Vladimir Putin.
(Source: IANS)
Kumbh 2019 Preparations Underway
Inland Waterways Authority of India has established four floating terminals at Quila Ghat, Old Naini Bridge, Saraswati Ghat & Sujawan Ghat in Prayagraj for the movement of pilgrims during upcoming Kumbh 2019. Vessel CL Kasturba & 20 motorised boats to be deployed to ferry pilgrims.
(Source: ANI)
Missing Man Found Dead in UP, Locals Block Highway in Protest
A 24-year-old man who was missing since Tuesday has been found dead at Khatoli town in this district, following which locals staged a protest by blocking a highway for around an hour, police said Thursday.
Arun Kumar's body was found on Wednesday and it is suspected that he was strangled to death, SP, City, Ombir Singh said.
(Source: PTI)
'Jana Gana Mana' United the Country for Years: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday, 27 December, said the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' has united the people of the country and inspired them over the years.
The song penned by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and sung for the first time on this day in 1911, was a tribute to Bengals role in the countrys struggle for independence, she said.
"Jana Gana Mana was first sung on this day in 1911.
(Source: PTI)
China Successfully Tests Russia's S-400 Missile Air Defence System
China has successfully tested the advanced S-400 air defence system imported from Russia for which India also signed-up recently despite concerns over threat of sanctions from the US.
It was the first time the People's Liberation Army (PLA) tested the system since it received the last shipments of the weaponry from Russia in July under a USD 3 billion contract signed in 2015.
(Source: PTI)
Indian-Origin Police Officer Shot and Killed in California
A 33-year-old Indian-origin police officer in the US state of California has been killed after being shot by an "armed" unidentified gunman while he was conducting a traffic stop.
Corporal Ronil singh of the Newman Police Department was shot and killed during a traffic stop when he was "working overtime on Christmas night to provide the best for his family."
(Source: PTI)
Police Constable Booked for 'Raping' Woman Colleague in UP
A police constable has been booked on the charge of raping his woman colleague in Budhana town of the district after promising to marry her, a police official said on Thursday.
SSP Sudhir Kumar said Kesho Sharma, the accused constable posted at Budhana Police Station, was booked on Wednesday and suspended.
According to the police complaint, Sharma established relation with the woman constable by promising to marry her.
(Source: PTI)
Union Minister Responds to Apna Dal Chief's Statement
Anupriya Patel, Union Minister and Apna Dal leader responded to her party president Ashish Patel's statement saying the party president has already expressed the party's view “and I stand by it.” He had said BJP should learn from recent losses SP-BSP alliance is a challenge for them.
(Source: ANI)
People Want SP, Congress to Fight Elections Together: Babbar
Displeasure can be seen in Samajwadi Party national chief's comments. Inconvenience is never from strangers. Congress and SP's representatives will talk and solve the issues. People want us to fight the elections together, said Raj Babbar.
(Source: ANI)
Srinagar Experiences Coldest Dec Night in 3 Decades
Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital experienced the coldest December night in nearly three decades with a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, while the mercury in most parts of Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region stayed way below the freezing point resulting in frozen water bodies and water supply lines.
On December 7, 1990, Srinagar had recorded a low of minus 8.8 degrees Celsius.
(Source: PTI)
IIT Roorkee's Warning System to Alert People Before Earthquake Strikes
Scientists at IIT Roorkee claim to have developed an earthquake early warning system that can alert people up to a minute before the quake strikes.
The system, already deployed in some areas of Uttarakhand, consists of a network of sensors that detect different types of seismic waves travelling through the layers of the Earth after a quake.
"Current techniques of earthquake prediction do not really work.
(Source: PTI)
2 Arrested in UP on Charge of Cow Slaughter
Two absconders have been arrested on the charge of cow slaughter from Gharipukhta village in Shamli district, police said Thursday.
Maherban and his son Tabish were arrested on Wednesday evening after absconding for months, they said.
A police official said the accused have also been booked under the Gangster Act.
(Source: PTI)
35 Students Injured in School Bus Accident in Himachal
35 students have been injured in school bus accident near Lunj in Kangra of Himachal Pradesh. The injured students admitted to a hospital.
(Source: ANI)
Afghan Election Organisers Mull Delaying Presidential Vote
Afghanistan's election organisers are again considering postponing April's presidential ballot for two months, an official said Thursday, in an attempt to avoid a repeat of October's shambolic legislative vote.
The remarks come at a sensitive time for Afghanistan as the Taliban step up their bloody offensive and President Donald Trump's plan to slash American troop numbers threatens to derail US-led peace efforts.
(Source: PTI)
Non-Adherence to Timelines Under IBC a Major Concern, Says Govt Official
Insolvency law is a game-changer but non-adherence to timelines and inordinate delay in admission of cases are major concerns, Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas said.
Describing the implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) as a "mixed story", he said the law has already impacted the behaviour of borrowers and lenders.
(Source: PTI)
Police Officer Injured in Blast Outside Athens Church
A homemade explosive device went off early Thursday in front of a church in central Athens injuring a police officer but there were no immediate claims of responsibility.
The explosion happened at 7:10 am (0510 GMT) in the upmarket Kolonaki area, police said, adding that an arterial road had been sealed off.
The police officer was hospitalised with minor injuries.
(Source: PTI)
Two Sailors Dead in Mishap in Kochi's Naval Base
According Defence spokesperson, two sailors have been killed in Kochi's Naval Base in a mishap on Thursday, 27 December.
(Source: PTI)
UN Chief Calls on Stakeholders to Ensure Peaceful General Elections in Bangladesh
UN chief Antonio Guterres has asked all stakeholders in Bangladesh to ensure that the upcoming general elections are held in an environment free of violence and intimidation, amid reports of arrests and targeted attacks carried out by the ruling party activists.
General elections will be held in Bangladesh on December 30. It will be the 11th election held in the country.
(Source: PTI)
Govt Has Prepared Revival Plan for Air India: Sinha
The government has prepared a revival plan for Air India that provides for a comprehensive financial package, differentiated strategies for each of the airline's core businesses and robust organisational reforms, Union Minister Jayant Sinha said Thursday.
Various initiatives to turnaround the national carrier, which is staying afloat on a bailout package extended by the previous government, including monetisation of real estate assets are progressing.
(Source: PTI)
PM Modi In Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering in Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamshala.
Congress Submits 'Charge Sheet' Against BJP Govt in HP
Congress submitted 'charge sheet' against one year of BJP Government in Himachal Pradesh, to the office of Governor.
(Source: ANI)
CAIT Demands Cancellation of Walmart-Flipkart Deal
The Confederation of All India Traders: We demand that Walmart-Flipkart deal should be cancelled. We had filed a case against the deal in National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
As 2018 Nears Its End, CAG Report yet to Be Made Public in J&K
The Jammu and Kashmir Accountant General (AG) is yet to make the CAG's report for the year 2017-18 public, even as the year is nearing its end, a senior official said on Thursday, 27 December.
The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) was submitted to Governor Satya Pal Malik long ago and it was supposed to be tabled in the budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly during January-March, the official said.
(Source: PTI)
Delhi Court Sends 10 Persons of ISIS-Linked Group to 12-day NIA Custody
NIA on Thursday produced before a Delhi court, 10 people arrested on the suspicion of being members of an ISIS-inspired group, who were planning suicide attacks and serial blasts, targeting politicians and government installations, in Delhi and other parts of north India.
NIA sought 15-day custodial interrogation of the 10 accused who were arrested from various parts of the national capital and Uttar Pradesh.
Delhi's Patiala House Court has allowed family members and parents of the accused to meet them inside the court.
(Source: PTI)
Centre Gives Six-Month Extension to Complete NRC Update
The Centre has given an extension of six months to complete the ongoing exercise for updating the NRC in Assam by 30 June.
(Source: PTI)
PM Modi to Begin 2019 Campaign in Kerala on 6 January From Pathanamthitta
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at Pathanamthitta in Kerala, the district where the Sabarimala temple is located, on 6 January to begin the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.
(Source: IANS)
India’s April-November Fiscal Deficit Reaches 114% of FY19 Target
The April-November fiscal deficit at Rs 7.17 lakh crore is 114% of the FY19 estimates.
(Source: CNBC-TV18)
Won't Tolerate Attempts to Create Rift Between Communities: Amarinder Singh
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said his government will not tolerate anybody trying to create a rift between communities and disturb the state's secular fabric.
His reaction comes in the background of a statue of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi being vandalised in Ludhiana on Tuesday.
(Source: PTI)
1984 Riots Case: Sajjan Kumar Likely to Surrender Before Court on 31 Dec
Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar is likely to surrender before a court on 31 December to undergo life imprisonment awarded to him in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Delhi High Court rejected his plea to extend the deadline for surrender.
(Source: ANI)
ED Files Prosecution Complaint Against Diamond Power Infrastructure
Enforcement Directorate files prosecution complaint against Diamond Power Infrastructure Ltd (DPIL), its directors & 11 others before Special Court (PMLA) in Ahmedabad in the Rs 2,654 crore bank fraud case.
Reports of Smoke in Jet Airways ATR Plane From Bengaluru to Mangaluru
There were reports of smoke in Jet Airways ATR plane from Bengaluru to Mangaluru before take off. Passengers were moved to a different aircraft and the aircraft was grounded at the airport for repair work.
(Source: ANI)
Nepal to Rebuild Kathmandu's Historic Dharahara Tower
Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the historic Dharahara tower situated in the heart of Kathmandu, which was destroyed during the devastating earthquake of 2015.
A joint venture of Chinese company GIETC and a local firm has won the contract to rebuild the new 22-storeyed structure at a cost of NRs 3.48 billion.
No Need of a Regulatory Authority For E-Commerce Companies: Govt Sources
Sources in the government say that there is no need of any regulatory authority to regulate E-commerce companies. Enforcement Directorate & Reserve Bank of India are the enforcement agencies.
Both ED & RBI will look after the violations from 1 February, if any. Draft policy of E-commerce will come in January, according to government sources.
(Source: ANI)
BJP's Rath Yatras Aimed at Stirring up Communal Passion in West Bengal: TMC
The TMC Thursday charged that BJP's proposed Rath Yatras in West Bengal were aimed at inciting communal passion in the state and accused the party of trying to divide the people along religious lines ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee said his party believes in constructive politics unlike the BJP which "only believes in destruction and dividing people." He also referred to TMC's fight to oust the 34-year-old Left regime in the state.
(Source: PTI)
Unnao Rape Case: Victim Booked for Forging Certificate to Prove She Was Minor
In a fresh twist in a rape case allegedly involving BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, an FIR has been lodged on court orders against the victim, her mother and an uncle for producing a forged age certificate to prove she was a minor.
The court ordered registration of a case against the three on a complaint by the father of another rape accused Shubham, who is in jail, said SP Harish Kumar on Thursday.
(Source: PTI)
8-Year-Old Girl Raped by Classmate in Bhopal
An eight-year-old girl, who is a student of a private school in Bhopal, was allegedly raped by her classmate, police said Thursday.
According to the complaint filed by her parents, another unidentified boy was also involved in the crime.
While the police were yet to receive the girl's medical report, a special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe the shocking incident.
(Source: PTI)
Incident of Fire Detected in Kolkata's Maidan Metro Station
Sudden smoke triggers panic among commuters in Kolkata's Maidan metro station. The fire has been put off by the staff through water from fire hydrants and the West Bengal Fire Service and Kolkata Police Disaster Management group are attending the mishap. Passengers are being evacuated.
(Source: ANI)
Khalistan Liberation Front Declared 'Terrorist' Outfit Under UAPA: Report
The Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) has been declared as a 'terrorist' outfit under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a Home Ministry notification said, reported The Times of India.
Fire Breaks out in Godown in Mumbai
Level-2 fire broke out in a godown on Dongri Jail Road in Bhendi Bazaar in Mumbai today. Four fire tenders are present at the spot. No casualties reported.
1,962 Incidents of Unprovoked Ceasefire Violations by Pakistan in 2018: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs has issued a statement regarding the ceasefire violations of Pakistan. It said, this year, despite repeated calls for restraint & adherence to ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace, Pakistan forces have carried out over 1,962 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations in which 50 Indians lost their lives.
(Source: ANI)
3 Dead in a Level-3 Fire in Mumbai's Chembur
3 dead after a level-3 fire breaks out on the 14th floor of Sargam Society in Mumbai’s Chembur. Several people are feared trapped. Fire tenders are present at the spot.
(Source: ANI)
Bhutan Prime Minister Arrives in India on a 3-Day Visit
Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering has arrived in India on Thursday on a three-day visit. He will hold talks with his counterpart Narendra Modi on a host of issues, including the Himalayan nation's five-year development plan.
On his maiden visit to the country since taking charge last month, Tshering was received by Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla.
He will be given a ceremonial reception on Friday and will hold talks with Prime Minister Modi the same day.
(Source: PTI)
BJP Leaders Huddle at Union Agriculture Minister's House
BJP President Amit Shah & Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad arrive at Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh's residence in Delhi for a meeting.
(Source: ANI)