New updates: 98.12% of Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation on May 19, 2023 has been returned, says RBI

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As much as 98.12 per cent notes of Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation on May 19, 2023 has been returned, says Reserve Bank of India.  10 dead, 30 injured as vehicle hits crowd in New Orleans, reported AP citing city authorities. New Orleans police say they are dealing with a mass casualty incident after a car reportedly plowed into people.

  The year 2024 was the warmest on record in India since 1901, with the average minimum temperature settling 0.90 degrees Celsius above the long-period average. The annual mean land surface air temperature across India in 2024 was 0.65 degrees Celsius above the long-term average (1991-2020 period), Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said at a virtual press briefing.

  GST collection rises 7.3 per cent to Rs 1.77 trillion in December, according to government data.  The New Year in Delhi began with fiery political exchanges as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of voter deletions and cash distribution in a letter to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.  The United States has imposed sanctions on two groups linked to Iranian and Russian efforts to target American voters with disinformation ahead of this year's election. Treasury officials announced the sanctions Tuesday, alleging that the two organisations sought to stoke divisions among Americans before November's vote. US intelligence has accused both governments of spreading disinformation, including fake videos, news stories and social media posts, designed to manipulate voters and undermine trust in US elections.

 

Extending his greetings to the nation on the New Year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hoped it brings "new opportunities, success and endless joy". "Happy 2025! May this year bring everyone new opportunities, success and endless joy. May everybody be blessed with wonderful health and prosperity," he said on X.

 

As the year of 2024 comes to a close, large crowds of devotees gathered at temples and ghats, marked by the blowing of conch shells and the clanging of puja bells, to welcome 2025 with great fervor and joy. Visuals showed people gathered at the ghats, participating in the grand aarti. Some foreigners were also seen enthusiastically grooving as the priests performed the rituals and the crowd joined in the aarti with fervor. The final Saryu aarti of 2024 was performed in Ayodhya. In Vrindavan, devotees turned out in huge numbers at the Banke Bihari Temple on New Year's Eve to offer prayers and seek blessings for the year ahead. The atmosphere was filled with devotion as people participated in religious rituals and celebrated the spiritual significance of the occasion.

8:48 PM

3-year-old girl pulled out of borewell after 10-day rescue operation, dies

A three-year-old girl, who fell into a 150-foot-deep borewell in Rajasthan's Kotputli-Behror district, was brought out in an unconscious state on Wednesday after a 10-day rescue operation and rushed to hospital, officials said. However, the girl, Chetna, was declared dead by doctors at the hospital, they said. NDRF team in-charge Yogesh Meena said that when the girl was taken out there was no movement in her body.

7:36 PM

Suspect in New Orleans pickup-ramming attack is dead, reports AFP citing US media.

7:15 PM

Gadkari seeks Mamata's intervention to facilitate land acquisition for 20 NH projects in Bengal

7:09 PM

India's GDP emission intensity reduced by 36% between 2005 and 2020: Report submitted to UNFCCC

6:58 PM

BR Ambedkar's statue vandalised in UP's Ballia, probe on

A statue of BR Ambedkar was defaced by throwing motor oil on it in Chaube Chhapra village, prompting the local police to register a case against against unidentified people, officials said on Wednesday.

 

According to the police, the incident occurred last night when some unidentified person poured motor oil over the statue. The act of vandalism was discovered by villagers who went out for a morning walk on Wednesday and informed the police.

 

Revati SHO Rohan Rakesh Singh said a case has been registered against unidentified individuals under relevant sections of the BNS, based on a complaint filed by a villager, Vikas Kumar.

 

Singh further assured that the police are actively investigating the matter.

 

The police have also ensured that the statue is being cleaned and additional officers have been stationed at the site to maintain law and order.

 

Authorities have emphasised that they are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and preserving peace in the village.

6:57 PM

Haryana, Punjab continue to reel under intense cold; Chandigarh records 11.3 deg C

Haryana and Punjab continued to be in the grip of severe cold, with maximum temperatures hovering well below normal limits in the two states.

 

Fog also reduced visibility early in the morning at some places in the two states.

 

Piercing cold prevailed in Chandigarh during the day, with the city recording a maximum temperature of 11.3 degrees Celsius, seven notches below normal, according to the local Met office.

6:57 PM

Govt allows 1 million tn non-basmati rice exports to Indonesia

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the export of 1 million tonnes of non-basmati rice to Indonesia through National Cooperative Export Ltd (NCEL).

 

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Agriculture Minister Shivaraj Singh Chouhan told reporters.

 

The export will be conducted under a memorandum of understanding between NCEL, India's Cooperation Ministry and the Indonesian government, Chouhan said.

6:56 PM

India's GDP emission intensity reduced by 36% between 2005 and 2020: Report submitted to UNFCCC

6:28 PM

New Orleans mayor says New Year's Day mass casualty incident was a 'terrorist attack,' reports AP.

6:27 PM

Two police shot and wounded in New Orleans driving attack: Reports

6:13 PM

98.12% notes of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation on May 19, 2023 has been returned, says RBI

6:13 PM

1 dead, 15 school students injured after the bus carrying them lost control and overturned in Valakkai, Kannur

A student of Class 5 lost her life in the school bus accident in Valakkai, Kannur. The incident occurred near the Valakkai Bridge when the bus lost control on a slope and flipped over. The bus belonged to Kurumathur Chinmaya School and was transporting students home after school hours.

6:13 PM

Businessman Gautam Adani meets World Chess Champion D Gukesh

Adani tweeted,"It was an absolute privilege to meet and hear the victory story of reigning World Chess Champion D Gukesh. Equally inspiring was meeting his incredible parents, Dr Rajinikanth and Dr Padmavathi, whose quiet sacrifices laid the foundation for his success. At just 18, Gukesh’s poise and brilliance are a testament to India's unstoppable youth. Prodigies like him are inspiring a new generation, building an army of champions ready to dominate global chess for decades. This is the confident, resurgent and rising India. Jai Hind!

5:48 PM

Cong to launch 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' campaign on Jan 3

The Congress will launch its 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Abhiyan' in all blocks, districts and states on January 3. The campaign will culminate in a public rally at Mhow on January 26.

5:20 PM

10 people killed, 30 injured after vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orlean's Canal and Bourbon Street: AP

10 people were killed and 30 injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orlean's Canal and Bourbon Street, reports AP.