LIVE: Bihar's ex-CM Karpoori Thakur to be awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously

From flight delays due to fog to devotees reaching Ram temple in Ayodhya, catch all the latest updates from around the world here

Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur will be conferred Bharat Ratna posthumously. The announcement comes a day before the birth anniversary of the late socialist leader.

Karnataka Bank on January 23 reported a net profit of Rs 331 crore for the December quarter of the financial year 2023-24, up 10 per cent from Rs 300.68 crore in the year-ago period. The lender's net interest income (NII) contracted by 0.86 per cent on-year to Rs 827.60 crore from Rs 834.76 crore. The bank's asset quality deteriorated during the quarter, with gross non-performing asset (NPA) at 3.64 per cent, up from 3.28 percent last year. Net NPA stood at 1.55 per cent against 1.66 percent. Shares of the bank closed for trading nearly 5.41 per cent down at Rs 266.70 apiece on the BSE.

Axis Bank reported a 3.7 per cent rise in third-quarter profit on Tuesday, helped by higher loan growth. The Mumbai-based private bank reported a standalone net profit of Rs 6,071 crore ($730.19 million) in the three months ended Dec. 31, compared to Rs 5,853 crore a year ago. The standalone numbers do not include the business of the bank's subsidiaries.

Commuters were stuck in traffic jams near India Gate in central Delhi on Tuesday as vehicular movement was affected due to a full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade. Traffic was affected on C-Hexagon, Ashoka Road and Rafi Marg near Krishi Bhawan. Traffic police personnel were deployed on these routes to manage the movement of vehicles. The traffic was also affected on Outer Ring Road and near the Pragati Maidan tunnel, Sarai Kale Khan, ITO.

As the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra by the Congress party enters Assam, a clash has broken out between party workers and police in Guwahati. To stop the yatra, a large number of police personnel were present at the scene and they also barricaded the area and the route. According to reports, the yatra was not allowed from the center of Guwahati city, following which the Congress party workers were trying to trespass the police barricading and enter the city. 

A Burmese army plane crashed at the Lengpui airport in Mizoram on Tuesday morning, Mizroam DGP has informed. According to the latest updates, the plane was small, and 14 people were on board with the pilot. Of the 14 people, six sustained injuries, while eight are safe. The injured individuals have been admitted to Lengpui Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumed its journey on the 10th day on Tuesday from Assam. Assam Police deployed heavy security at Khanapara Area, the entry point of Guwahati for the Yatra. Earlier on Monday, Rahul Gandhi along with his supporters were prevented from entering a temple before 3 PM. Check the full story here.

A day after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla was completed in the holy city of Ayodhya on Monday, a large number of devotees reached the Ram Mandir on Tuesday morning. Devotees have gathered since 3 a.m. to offer prayers and have Darshan of Shri Ram Lalla on the first morning after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Yesterday, PM Modi conducted the Pran Pratishtha ceremony which was telecast live across the country.

 

10:06 PM

BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Karpoori Thakur being awarded the Bharat Ratna

On Karpoori Thakur being awarded the Bharat Ratna, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi says, " No one else could do this, only PM Modi has the strength to do this. He has declared to give Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award to the person who fought for poor people. Karpoori Thakur's entire life was dedicated to poor people, the way PM Modi is working for poor people. PM Modi is the only one who is fulfilling the dreams of Karpoori Thakur..."

9:35 PM

Our old demand fulfilled: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on 'Bharat Ratna' for Karpoori Thakur

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar today hailed the decision to give Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur. A translation of his tweet in Hindi reads, "It is a matter of great pleasure to give the country's highest honor 'Bharat Ratna' to former Chief Minister and great socialist leader Late Karpoori Thakur ji. This is a good decision of the Central Government. This highest honor given to Late Karpoori Thakur Ji on his 100th birth anniversary will create positive sentiments among the Dalits, deprived and neglected sections. We have always been demanding to give 'Bharat Ratna' to Late Karpoori Thakur ji. The years old demand has been fulfilled today."

9:09 PM

PM Narendra Modi on Karpoori Thakur being posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna

Thakur's visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to uplift downtrodden left indelible mark on India's socio-political fabric: PM Modi

Bharat Ratna is testament to Karpoori Thakur's enduring efforts as champion for marginalized, stalwart of equality: PM Modi

Delighted that govt has decided to confer Bharat Ratna on beacon of social justice Karpoori Thakur: PM Narendra Modi

8:20 PM

Chinese vessel permitted to dock, says Maldives

A Chinese ship, equipped to carry research and surveys, will be docking at a Maldivian port after being permitted by the Male government to make a port call for replenishment.

 

The permission to allow the Chinese ship comes amid strains in ties between India and Maldives after its new President Mohamed Muizzu came to power and made Beijing as his first port of call early this month after assuming office. Traditionally, New Delhi has been the first port of call for a Maldivian President.

 

In a statement on Tuesday, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said a diplomatic request was made by the Chinese government for the necessary clearances to make a port call, for rotation of personnel and replenishment.

 

The statement, however, said the Chinese Research Vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3, will "not be conducting any research while in the Maldivian waters".

8:09 PM

Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur to be awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously

Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur will be conferred Bharat Ratna posthumously. The announcement comes a day before the birth anniversary of the late socialist leader.

8:07 PM

There is no Ram 'Leher': Rahul Gandhi

Replying to a question about "Ram Leher", Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "There is no 'Leher'. There is nothing as such. It is BJP's political program...But we have our clarity- five pillars of justice to strengthen the country..."

7:40 PM

CBDT releases impressive direct tax statistics:

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has been releasing key statistics relating to Direct Tax collections and administration in public domain from time to time. It has further released Consolidated Time-Series data as updated upto F.Y. 2022-23:

Net Direct Tax Collections have increased by 160.52% from Rs. 6,38,596 crore in F.Y. 2013-14 to Rs. 16,63,686 crore in F.Y. 2022-23.

Gross Direct Tax Collections of Rs. 19,72,248 crore in F.Y. 2022-23 have registered an increase of over 173.31% compared to Gross Direct Tax Collections of Rs. 7,21,604 crore in F.Y. 2013-14.

The total number of ITRs filed in FY 2022-23 stands at 7.78 crore showing an increase of 104.91% as compared to total number of ITRs of 3.80 crore filed in FY 2013-14.

7:17 PM

We will win all 26 seats in Gujarat in the Lok Sabha elections: BJP

BJP leader & MoS Railways & Textiles, Darshana Jardosh says, "Today, BJP offices for Lok Sabha elections were opened in 26 parliamentary constituencies including Surat in Gujarat. We will take the developments works done by our government to the public. We will win all 26 seats in Gujarat in the Lok Sabha elections."

7:17 PM

Netflix buys rights to WWE's 'Raw' ; its first live event

Netflix said on Tuesday it will bring WWE's flagship weekly program, Raw, to the streaming platform in January 2025.

7:16 PM

Britain to announce new sanctions against Houthis in coming days, says PM Sunak

We will give UK parliament chance for full debate on government's approach on Red Sea on Wednesday, says UK PM Sunak.

7:09 PM

Bulldozer action in Mumbai where clashes took place after Ram temple rally

Bulldozers - escorted by a large force of police and security personnel - have torn down "illegal" constructions in Mumbai's Mira Road suburb, which saw violence before and after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led 'pran pratishtha' of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Monday.
 

Police said 15 "illegal" properties in the area are being bulldozed - an experiment initiated by the Uttar Pradesh government and then followed by several other BJP-led states against criminals even as various detractors question the authority and legality of such action.

7:06 PM

EAM Jaishankar highlights strong bilateral ties with Nigeria at NIBC address

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar addressed Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC) in Abuja. He said, " ...It is a relationship (between India and Nigeria) today of about $13-15 billion worth of trade annually, where India has committed somewhere between $27-30 billion of investment, where Nigeria is our premier economic partner in Africa..."

7:04 PM

3 arrested for removing replacing mosque flag with saffron in UP's Shahjahanpur

Three men were arrested here on Tuesday for allegedly removing a flag from a mosque and replacing it with a saffron flag, a police officer said.

 

Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Meena said, "Some miscreants climbed up a mosque in the Lalbagh area under Ramchandra Mission Police Station Monday night. The accused removed a green coloured flag from the mosque and replaced it with a saffron flag."

 

Meena said the three men, identified as Ankit Katheria, Rohit Joshi and Rohit Saxena, were arrested at the complaint of local residents.

 

"The accused were arrested on Tuesday and the matter is being investigated," said the officer.

7:02 PM

Two labourers die in mishap at quarry in Karnataka

Two labourers died while another was severely injured on Tuesday after a huge rock fell on them at a quarry-cum-stone crusher unit in Kyathasandra area here, police said. The deceased - Abbu hailed from Chhattisgarh and Manu from Bihar- and both were in their 20s, they said.

 

"The labourers were working when a huge rock fell on them leading to the death of two and severely injuring another," a senior police officer said.

 

The injured person is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital here while bodies of the deceased workers have been sent for post-mortem, he said.

 

"We have registered a case and will take action as per law as investigation proceeds," he added.

6:51 PM

Maha initiates demolition drive in Naya Nagar after stone pelting incident during Ram Mandir Pranpratishtha

"Illegal structures and encroachments razed by bulldozers in the Naya Nagar area of Mira Road where Ram Mandir Pranpratishtha celebrations were stone pelted. After instructions from the Maharashtra government action is being taken by Municipal Corporation with the help of the police," Maharashtra government.