Highlights: Prez confers 'bal puraskars', urges kids to play sports

From flight delays at IGI airport Delhi to the preparations for Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, catch all the latest updates from around the world here

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' is scheduled to enter Bihar on January 29 and cover four districts in three days. During this time, top leaders from the INDIA bloc may join him for public meetings, as announced by the party. Rahul Gandhi is expected to reach Kishanganj district from Siliguri in West Bengal, engage with the public, and later proceed to Purnea after a night halt, according to senior leader and MLC Prem Chandra Mishra.

In the upcoming interim Budget, the government is expected to announce a significant increase in the agricultural credit target to Rs 22-25 trillion for the next fiscal year. The aim is to ensure that every eligible farmer has access to institutional credit. The current agri-credit target set by the government for the ongoing fiscal year is Rs 20 trillion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet tableau artists and NCC cadets at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi on January 24, as announced by Defence PRO Manoj Roorkiwal during a press conference. The interaction aims to involve both tableau artists, who work behind the scenes, and NCC cadets participating in the Republic Day Parade.

11:50 PM

Ram temple dazzles Ayodhya night sky, people flock to temples to light diyas

The evening sky in Ayodhya was illuminated by the lights of the Ram Temple, along with several other temples in the city, as a multitude of visitors gathered for the eagerly anticipated consecration on Monday. The temple town's night sky sparkled with the flashes of firecrackers, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Diwali.

11:33 PM

Youth Congress burns Assam CM Sarma's effigy in Arunachal Pradesh

Members of the Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of inciting BJP and RSS workers to attack the convoy of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam. In protest, they burned the effigy of the BJP leader. APYC president Tarh Johny denounced the incident as a "barbaric act" and condemned the actions of BJP and RSS workers.

11:22 PM

Places linked with Lord Ram to be developed as tourist spots: MP CM Yadav

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared on Monday night that the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol at the newly constructed temple in Ayodhya was a historic occasion. He announced plans to develop places associated with the Hindu deity in the state as popular tourist destinations. Speaking to reporters, Yadav emphasized that the mega idol consecration ceremony in Uttar Pradesh symbolizes the advent of 'Ram Rajya,' an ancient concept representing a harmonious society without discrimination. He described the Ram temple idol consecration ceremony as a historic event.

11:01 PM

Money laundering case: ED summons CM Soren

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren summoned by Enforcement Directorate for round 2 of questioning in money laundering case

10:42 PM

Security patrol intensified in J&K ahead of R-Day: ADGP

In anticipation of the Republic Day function, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have intensified patrolling, and plans are underway to establish several new camps, according to a senior police officer. The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for Law and Order, Vijay Kumar, mentioned that steps have been taken, and meetings have been conducted to enhance security measures. Additionally, the relocation of some camps and the establishment of new ones are in progress, as stated by Kumar during a press briefing on Monday.

9:53 PM

US targets Iraqi airline, its CEO, Hamas cryptocurrency financiers for sanctions

The US imposed sanctions on Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad and its CEO, alleging assistance to Iran's military wing. Additionally, the US imposed a fifth round of sanctions on the militant group Hamas for the abuse of cryptocurrency since the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. The sanctions coincide with ongoing Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip and regular strikes by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq against bases housing US forces in Iraq and Syria.

9:38 PM

Delhi PWD directs transferred officials to immediately join CPWD without waiting for substitutes

Officials who have been transferred from Delhi's Public Works Department (PWD) to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) have been instructed to join their new posts without waiting for their substitutes, as per an official memorandum. The assistant administrative officer at the Public Works Department issued a directive on January 19, instructing 17 officials to promptly join their new postings in the CPWD.

9:27 PM

Haryana Dy CM Dushyant Chautala blessed with baby girl

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala welcomed a baby girl on Monday. The Jannayak Janta Party leader shared this joyous news on X.

9:07 PM

Prez confers 'bal puraskars', urges kids to play sports for wellbeing

President Droupadi Murmu cautioned young individuals about the potential health issues arising from excessive use of electronic devices. She urged them to engage in at least one sport to maintain a healthy lifestyle. President Murmu made these remarks while addressing a gathering at the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar function, where 19 children, nine boys and ten girls from 18 states and Union Territories, were honored for their exceptional bravery, artistic talents, innovative thinking, and selfless service.

8:56 PM

India, EFTA bloc trade deal talks at an advanced stage: Official

India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc, consisting of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, are in advanced stages of negotiations for a free trade agreement. Both parties have reached a shared understanding on key issues, according to a senior official.

8:49 PM

Elon Musk visits Auschwitz after uproar over antisemitic messages on X

Elon Musk visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp on Monday. This visit occurred amidst accusations that Musk allowed antisemitic messages on his social media platform, X. Musk's visit to the Holocaust site preceded his scheduled appearance at a conference on antisemitism organized by the European Jewish Association in Krakow, Poland, later on Monday.

8:39 PM

Two criminals die in shootout with Police in Delhi

Two criminals died in a shootout with the Crime Branch team. The Delhi Police Crime Branch reported the recovery of two sophisticated automatic pistols and six live cartridges at the scene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8:34 PM

Indian Coast Guard Ship C-450 rescues two sea turtles

Indian Coast Guard Ship C-450, during its patrol off Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep, successfully rescued two sea turtles that were entangled in a fishing net.

 

8:32 PM

Parallel electronic product testing regime faster, cuts time for market launch to half: ICEA

The implementation of an efficient parallel testing process for electronics products has significantly reduced the time required for testing and registering such items, according to the industry body ICEA. The testing and registration duration has been cut by almost half, from up to 20 weeks to a range of 8-12 weeks. This streamlined process is anticipated to expedite the market launch of electronic items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8:20 PM

ZEEL spent Rs 366 cr on compliances for merger with Sony

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) incurred expenditures amounting to Rs 366.59 crore on compliances related to its unsuccessful merger with Sony until September 2023. The deal, which was eventually called off on Monday, led to these expenses. In the financial year ending in March 2023, the company spent Rs 176.20 crore, and an additional Rs 190.39 crore was incurred in the first six months of the current fiscal year. This information was disclosed in a regulatory filing by the media entity, which is promoted by the Subhash Chandra family.