LIVE: Indian spinner Ashwin says racial slurs must be dealt with iron fist

Indonesia's Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has confirmed the crash of a Boeing 737-500 plane of Indonesian airlines with 62 people on board that lost contact with the air traffic controller

9:19 PM

Bird flue scare: Delhi bans import of live birds; Ghazipur poultry market, Sanjay Lake shut

The Delhi government on Saturday announced a ban on import of live birds and closure of the city's biggest poultry market at Ghazipur after more avian deaths were reported in the national capital where three recreational parks and the famous Sanjay Lake were shut.

Addressing an online media briefing, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said while no confirmed case has so far been registered in Delhi, his government is taking all possible measures to prevent the spread of the avian flu.

He said a 24-hour helpline -- 23890318 -- has been set up for the assistance of the people, adding that 104 samples have been sent to a laboratory in Jalandhar.

"As a precautionary measure, Delhi is taking several steps to control the spread of bird flu. The import of live birds is being completely banned from today onwards. The Ghazipur poultry market will remain closed for the next 10 days," the chief minister said.

An official said the ban on import of live birds will be in place till further orders in the national capital.

8:58 PM

4.2 magnitude earthquake jolts Himachal Pradesh

8:13 PM

Nadda assures successful implementation of Ayushman Bharat in Bengal

I assure you that Ayushman Bharat will be implemented here in letter and spirit as soon as we come to the power here: BJP chief JP Nadda, in Bardhaman, West Bengal

8:12 PM

TMC working with criminal instinct, attack on me testament to law & order of state: Nadda in Bengal

7:52 PM

Amid brid flu scare, DDA shuts Hauz Khas park, Dwarka sector 9 and Sanjay Lake

As a precautionary measure, Hauz Khas park, Dwarka sector 9 park and Sanjay Lake closed. Hastsal park also closed: Delhi Development Authority 

7:26 PM

Import of live birds banned in Delhi, Ghazipur poultry market to be closed for 10 days: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced a ban on import of live birds in the national capital and closure of Ghazipur poultry market for the next 10 days in view of bird flu scare. Noting that there is no confirmed case of avian influenza in Delhi so far, the chief minister said samples have been sent to Jalandhar laboratory. He also said that a 24-hour helpline has been set up for assistance of people. "In the last few days, there have been several cases of bird flu across various parts of the country, which is a cause of worry. Cases of bird flu have been registered in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

"No confirmed case of bird flu has been registered in Delhi until now. We have collected around 104 samples until now, which have been sent to Jalandhar for testing and examination in a laboratory," Kejriwal said at a press conference," the chief minister said. He said Delhi is taking several steps to control the spread of bird flu as a precautionary measure. "Upon receiving the results day after tomorrow, the Delhi government will take all decisions and measures based on the results. The import of live birds is being completely banned from today onwards. Second, the Ghazipur poultry market in Delhi will remain shut for the next 10 days," Kejriwal added. He said the Delhi government is following all guidelines and directions issued by the central government with regards to bird flu.

6:22 PM

Avian influenza detected in 7 states so far: Ministry of Animal Husbandry

So far, Avian Influenza has been confirmed from Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. An advisory has been issued to the affected States so as to avoid further spread of disease: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying

5:56 PM

Sriwijaya Air plane crashes in waters off Jakarta, debris found: Report

The passenger plane of Indonesia's Sriwijaya Air, that lost contact soon after the takeoff, has crashed in water not far from Jakarta on Saturday, Xinhua reported citing local TV. Human body parts and debris of the plane were found, Captain EKo Surya Hadi, commander of Trisula coast guard ship. The flight was carrying 59 passengers, including six children, reported Indonesian newspaper Republika.

Earlier it was reported, Indonesia's Sriwijaya Air lost contact with a Boeing 737-500. The plane took off from Soekarno-Hatta Airport. It was heading to Pontianak, the provincial capital of West Kalimantan.

5:19 PM

Madhya Pradesh brings anti-conversion law into effect

5:05 PM

Indonesian airliner loses contact on domestic flight

A Sriwijaya Air passenger jet carrying 62 people lost contact with air traffic controllers after taking off from Indonesia's capital on Saturday on a domestic flight. Indonesian Transportation Ministry said the Boeing 737-500 took off from Jakarta at about 1:56 pm and lost contact with the control tower at 2:40 pm. There were 56 passengers and six crew members onboard.

4:55 PM

Plane 'disappears'

4:54 PM

Plane 'disappears'

4:53 PM

Indonesia plane loses contact

A Sriwijaya Air plane lost contact shortly after takeoff from the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Saturday, according to media reports.

4:16 PM

Chinese soldier held for crossing Line of Actual Control

A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldier was apprehended after he crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and entered the Indian territory, the Indian Army has stated. "During early hours of January 8, a Chinese soldier was apprehended on the Indian Side of the LAC in Ladakh in area South of Pangong lake," the Army said.

3:50 PM

Republicans condemn Trump Twitter suspension

Several Republican leaders, including popular Indian- American politician Nikki Haley, have condemned Twitter for permanently deactivating outgoing President Donald Trump's account, saying that the "US is not China". Twitter on Friday permanently suspended Trump's account due to the "risk of further incitement of violence", days after his supporters stormed the US Capitol and caused the deaths of four civilians and a police officer.