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12:37 PM

Russia targets Ukraine's Kyiv in early morning drone attack

Ukraine's capital was targeted by multiple drones in a new attack early Monday, local authorities reported, three days after what they described as one of Russia's biggest attacks on Kyiv since the beginning of the war.

The Kyiv city administration said on its Telegram account that more than 20 Iranian-made drones were detected over the capital's air space of Kyiv, and at least 15 of them were shot down.

It added that a critical infrastructure point was hit, without giving more details. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Russia has been targeting energy infrastructure, including in Kyiv, as part of a strategy to try to freeze Ukrainians.

 

12:14 PM

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu tests positive for Covid-19

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was tested Covid-19 positive in New Delhi on Monday.

A spokesman for the state government said the Chief Minister was scheduled to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital. The meeting has been postponed after the development.

He said the Chief Minister is asymptomatic and as a precautionary measure has quarantined himself and all his engagements have been postponed.

The Chief Minister had joined Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan on December 16.

11:55 AM

Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes from Dausa; Rahul, Kharge to address rally in Alwar

The Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from here on Monday with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and senior leader Sachin Pilot walking alongside the former Congress chief.

Gandhi and the Congress leaders and workers began their march from Bandikui in Dausa.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Gandhi will address a rally in Alwar this afternoon. The yatra will not have an evening session on Monday.

The yatra, which was launched on September 7 in Kanyakumari has traversed Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and now, Rajasthan. It completed 100 days on Friday last.

The yatra will enter Delhi on December 24, and after a break of about eight days, move on to Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and finally, Jammu and Kashmir.

11:43 AM

Google Search hit highest ever traffic in 25 years during Fifa WC final

On Sunday, as Lionel Messi was inching towards his lifelong goal of winning the World Cup for his team, Argentina, Google Search logged its highest-ever traffic in 25 years.

"Search recorded its highest ever traffic in 25 years during the final of #FIFAWorldCup , it was like the entire world was searching about one thing!," Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai tweeted.

"One of the greatest games ever. Well played Argentina and France. Jogo Bonito. Nobody deserves it more than #messi, imho the greatest ever to play the game. What a swansong. #FIFAWorldCup," Pichai said in another tweet.

Lionel Messi's dream of winning the FIFA World Cup finally materialised on Sunday, with Argentina surviving a few anxious moments to register a fighting 4-2 penalty shootout win over defending champions France.

11:03 AM

India to build 1,700 km 'frontier highway' near the China border by 2027

In the next five years, the Centre will build a 1,748 km long "frontier highway" close to the India-Tibet-China-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh. It will be as close as 20 km from the international border, a report by the Times of India (TOI) said.

The two-lane highway, NH-913, will aim to stop infiltration in the border areas and will be built by the transport ministry.

The highway will start from Bomdila and pass through Nafra, Huri and Monigong. It will pass through Jido and Chenquenty, close to the China border and end at Vijaynagar, near the India-Myanmar border. Read more

 

10:55 AM

Delhi Congress meets at party office to oversee preparations of Bharat Jodo Yatra

Delhi Congress meeting being held at the party office today over the preparations for Bharat Jodo Yatra. Jagdish Tytler also present at the meeting.

 

10:48 AM

Centre to impose import duties non-essential items as exports fall

The Centre may hike the duties on imports of "non-essential items" ahead of growing concerns around a slowdown in exports and a widening trade deficit. Several ministries are in the process of shortlisting the commodities for duty hikes, as reported by the Indian Express (IE). The list will reportedly be restricted to only the commodities that have "enough manufacturing capacity" in the country.

"We are looking at non-essential imports for which there is enough manufacturing capacity. It is to identify non-essential items, where there is sufficient production capacity and allow for higher import substitution," an official told IE.

The government is also looking for ways to separate commodities that come under the same Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) code for imposing duties. An HSN code subsumes a broad sweep of items. All the items under one HSN code are, however, taxed at the same rate. But under the current deliberations, the Centre is likely to impose duty only on a few items under a code and not all. Read more

 

10:06 AM

Congress to bring no-confidence motion against Shivraj govt in Assembly

Opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh to bring no-confidence motion against Shivraj Singh Chouhan govt during winter session of Assembly beginning on Monday, says the party in a statement.

10:00 AM

In India, reality means corruption, dirty roads, pollution: Infosys founder Murthy

"In India, reality means corruption, dirty roads, pollution, and many times no power. The reality in Singapore means clean roads, no pollution, and lots of power. Your responsibility is to create that new reality," says Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy at GMRIT.

9:54 AM

RSS farmer body's protest: Traffic likely to be affected in parts of Delhi

Traffic movement is likely to be affected in parts of central Delhi on Monday due to the 'Kisan Garjana' rally at the Ramleela Ground here, police said.

The rally is being organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), an affiliate of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), from 11 am to 6 pm to seek various relief measures to improve the condition of farmers.

According to an advisory by the Delhi Police, around 50,000 to 55,000 people are likely to arrive at the ground in 700 to 800 buses, and 3,500 to 4,000 private vehicles.

The diversion points are Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Marg, Mirdard Chowk, Minto Road, Ajmeri Gate, Chaman Lal Marg, Delhi Gate, JLN Marg, roundabout Kamala Market to Hamdard Chowk, Bhavbhuti Marg and Paharganj Chowk, it said.

9:46 AM

India logs 135 new Covid cases; death toll stands at 530,674

India logged 135 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased marginally to 3,559 from 3,552, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Monday.

The Covid case tally was recorded at 44,676,087. The death toll stands at 530,674 with two fatalities reconciled by Kerala.

The active cases comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.80 per cent, the ministry said.

9:35 AM

India bringing world together against terrorism, neighbours backing terrorism: Anurag Thakur

"While India is bringing the world together against terrorism, some of our neighbouring countries are backing terrorism and loudly speaking in favour of it. Their true face has been revealed on n international level," says Union Minister Anurag Thakur
He adds, "If you look at the conviction rate in terror financing it is 94 per cent. It is just because of the policies adopted and the new laws made and other international conferences held in India."

 

8:47 AM

Congress MP Tewari gives adjournment notice in Lok Sabha over China border row

Congress MP Manish Tewari gives Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha to discuss border situation with China.

 

8:25 AM

CM will have to give compensation to families of Saran hooch tragedy victims: Sushil Modi

"In 2018, as per media reports, CM Nitish Kumar said compensation will be given if liquor proved to be cause of death. He promised Rs 4 Lakhs to kin of hooch victims. In Khajurbani hooch tragedy, compensation was given to victims’ kin. Why not in Saran tragedy?" says BJP MP Sushil Modi.

"As per the Excise & Provision Act, Nitish Kumar will have to give compensation to families of Saran hooch tragedy victims and BJP will go to any extent for these people," he adds.

7:53 AM

Govt to introduce proper law on online gaming: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said the Centre would come out with a proper policy or a new law on online gaming given the impact it has on society. During an interaction with reporters here, Vaishnaw, who holds the Railways, Communication and Information Technology portfolio, recalled that recently he had a meeting with the Information Technology Ministers of all the States, who were concerned over the effect of online gaming.