LIVE: Next 40 days crucial, India may see Covid rise in Jan, say officials

Catch all the live news updates from around the world here

2:15 PM

PM Modi's mother admitted to hospital in Ahmedabad, condition stable

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben Modi (100) was on Wednesday admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad following health issues.

The UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre, where she has been hospitalised, said her condition is stable.

Security around the hospital has been beefed up amid reports that PM Modi will be reaching there to meet his ailing mother.

2:06 PM

Cong alleges security breach during Bharat Jodo Yatra, writes to HM Amit Shah

The Congress on Wednesday wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah, alleging security breaches in the Bharat Jodo Yatra which entered Delhi on December 24.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said in in the letter that the Delhi police behaved like "mute spectators" and completely failed to control the surging crowd and maintain a perimeter around Rahul Gandhi, who is assigned Z+ security.

"Moving forward. Bharat Jodo Yatra is slated to enter the sensitive state of Punjab and J&K in the next phase starting from January 3, 2022. In this regard, I request you to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of Rahul Gandhi, a Z+ protectee and of all the Bharat Yatris and leaders joining the Bharat Jodo Yatra," Venugopal wrote.

1:59 PM

EAM Jaishankar to visit Cyprus, Austria from December 29 to January 3

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit the Republic of Cyprus and Austria from December 29 to January 3.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that Jaishankar will be in Republic of Cyprus (RoC) from December 29 to December 31 to mark  60 years of the bilateral diplomatic relations.

In Austria, he will meet Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg. This will be the first EAM-level visit from India to Austria in 27 years, and it takes place against the backdrop of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2023.

 

1:50 PM

Court extends CBI custody of Chanda Kochhar, Deepak Kochhar, Venugopal Dhoot

A CBI court on Wednesday granted two days more of custody to the invegation agency of the accused Chanda Kochhar, Deepak Kochhar and Venugopal Dhoot in the alleged ICICI Bbank-Videocon money laundering case.

The CBI had sought extension of custody of Videocon chairman Dhoot, former managing director and CEO of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak. It had got three-day custody of the three accused on Monday.

The case is related to alleged irregularities and corrupt practices in the sanction of a Rs 1,875 crore loan disbursed by ICICI Bank to the Videocon group between 2009 and 2011.

 

1:46 PM

Maharashtra Assembly passes Lokayukta Bill; Fadnavis terms it historic legislation

Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday passed the Lokayukta Bill 2022, which brings the chief minister and council of ministers under the ambit of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

The bill was passed without discussion as the opposition staged a walkout over the alleged scam in the Teachers Entrance Test.

Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the bill a historic legislation, adding Maharashtra is the first state to have such a law.

 

1:12 PM

"Jab tak chal rahi hai...": Rahul Gandhi says on wearing T-shirt as Delhi shivers

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was once again spotted wearing a tee shirt at the party's 138th Foundation Day celebrations in the national capital even as a cold wave sweeps north India.

As he entered the venue, a reporter asked a question related to the T-shirt. Rahul Gandhi replied, "T-shirt hi chal rahi hai aur jab tak chal rahi hai chalayenge" (will wear it as long as I can)."

The former Congress chief was on Monday seen similarly dressed in a T-shirt as he visited the memorials of Mahatma Gandhi and several former prime ministers to pay his tributes.

1:03 PM

AAP councillors will ensure landfill sites are cleared of garbage: Delhi deputy CM Sisodia

Work at landfill sites in Delhi need to speed up and the Aam Aadmi Party will ensure that once the MCD councillors take oath next month, deputy CM Manish Sisodia said on Wednesday.

Sisodia visited the Okhla landfill site to inspect the progress of work.

"AAP councillors have started working even before taking oath. We visited the Okhla landfill site and inspected the progress here so far. Work needs to speed up and I am hopeful that after January 6, AAP councillors will ensure the same. We need to visit the landfill sites every week to ensure the height of the garbage mountains reduce," Sisodia said.

 

12:56 PM

Dense fog over the past 3 days delayed 100 flights at Delhi airport

As many as 100 flights have been disrupted in Delhi alone as the city continues to reel under severe cold conditions with a thick layer of fog.

 

"Due to bad weather (fog) for three days, over 100 flights are reported delayed from and to Delhi airport, some have also been diverted to the nearest airport," a Delhi airport official told ANI.

 

Air travellers faced problems due to the delays amid a busy year-end holiday season.

The Delhi airport official said some airlines have not deployed their CAT-III-compliant pilots yet so they are facing delays.

 

12:42 PM

Update: 4 terrorists hiding inside a truck killed after gunfight in Jammu

A senior police official says four heavily armed terrorists have been killed after a gunfight in Jammu ear;y Wednesday. He says the terrorists were travelling in a a truck to Kashmir after infiltrating from Pakistan, terming it a "major success" ahead of Republic Day.

Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh said the gunfight took place around 7.30 am amid intense fog near Tawi Bridge in the Sidhra bypass area on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

"Seven AK assault rifles, one M4 rifle, three pistols and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists," Singh said.

The driver of the truck managed to escape. 

12:35 PM

Helicopter joyrides over Sam sand dunes started in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer

Tourists visiting Jaisalmer in Rajasthan will now be able to enjoy helicopter joyrides over the popular Sam sand dunes in the desert town.

A private company has started the service, in association with the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), on an experimental basis.

RTDC chairman Dharmendra Rathore said the helicopter joyride has been started from Samdhani, Jaisalmer, and the service will be expanded at a later stage by connecting other tourist destinations with the service.

"There is an ambitious plan to make a tourism circuit by connecting other tourist places of the state through the service. Religious, wildlife and heritage places will be added to this circuit, which will facilitate domestic and foreign tourists to visit more tourist places in less time," he said.

12:26 PM

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to skip Namami Gange event chaired by PM Modi

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar will skip the National Ganga Council meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolkata on December 30. In place of Kumar, his deputy Tejashwi Yadav will attend the event.

The chief ministers of all northern and eastern Indian states have been invited to the Namami Gange meeting.

"Last time when it happened in Uttar Pradesh, Sushil Modi attended it as he was seeing the concerned department. This time Tejashwi Yadav is handling this department, so we requested him to go," said Kumar.

 

11:21 AM

Three Indian Americans die after falling in frozen lake in Arizona: Officials

In a tragic incident, three Indian-Americans, including a woman, have drowned after they fell through the ice while walking on a frozen lake in the US state of Arizona. The incident occurred on December 26 at Woods Canyon Lake in Coconino County, Arizona.

"The missing men are located deceased and identified as Narayana Muddana, 49 and Gokul Mediseti, 47. The female victim has been identified as Haritha Muddana (age unknown). The three victims resided in Chandler, Arizona, and are originally from India," Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Woods Canyon Lake is located east of Payson in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. It is an area popular among hikers, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

 

11:10 AM

Some relief from cold expected from Wednesday till January 1: IMD

Days after witnessing cold wave and dense fog, Delhiites may get some relief from the chilly period from Wednesday till January 1 following western disturbance, said an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official.

The city residents on Wednesday woke up to a thin layer of fog and a cold day with Palam weather station in Delhi recording a minimum temperature of 7.8 degree Celsius while Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 8.4 degree Celsius.

 

11:08 AM

Congress Foundation Day: Kharge attacks govt, says society being divided by hate

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday attacked the government, saying the fundamentals of India are being constantly attacked and the society is being "divided by hate".

Addressing party leaders and workers at the 138th foundation day of the Congress at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, he said the people of the country are being hit by price rise and unemployment but the government is not bothered.

He also said that India progressed due to Congress' approach of inclusion and taking everyone along.

10:37 AM

Fire erupts in 20 shops in Mumbai's Kurla area; no injuries reported

A fire broke out in around 20 shops where scrap material and vehicle spare parts were kept in Kurla area of Mumbai on Wednesday, a civic official said.

The fire brigade received a call at around 2.30 am about the blaze and managed to douse the fire by 8.30 am, he said.

There was no report of injury to anyone.

The fire was confined to the electric wiring and installations, scrap material and vehicle spare parts in an area of 400 to 500 square feet in 20 to 25 shops, the official said.