LIVE: Oppn should work in a coordinated manner for 2024, says Rahul Gandhi
Live news updates: "My main focus right now is for a united India, we should fight against hatred. My focus is only to unite India," he said.
 "Congress leader Rahul Gandhi")
He further said that there were many like-minded parties who want India to be in harmony. "I know Akhikeshji and Mayawatiji want India to be free of hatred and want harmony in the country."
PM Modi condoles loss of lives in Navsari road accident, announces ex-gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief at the loss of lives due to a road accident in Gujarat's Navsari and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of each deceased.
According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the injured would be given Rs 50,000.
"Pained by the loss of lives due to a road accident in Navsari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Those injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the PMO said in a tweet.
As many as nine people were killed and several others were injured in a collision between a bus and a car in Navsari on Saturday early morning.
New Twitter navigation tools arriving in Jan: Musk
Elon Musk on Saturday announced that new navigation features will arrive on Twitter in the New Year, as he aims to rejig the whole experience to make the platform faster.
"Twitter navigation coming in January that allows swiping to the side to switch between recommended & followed tweets, trends, topics, etc," he said in a tweet.
"Until then, tap the star icon on the upper right of the home screen to switch," he added.
Musk said that it is good to switch back and forth.
PM Modi brother's car accident case: Driver booked in K'taka
Karnataka police have booked a car driver in connection with the accident in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brother and his family members sustained injuries, officials said on Saturday.
The FIR has been lodged in Mysuru Rural police station against N. Satyanarayana. The convoy staff S. Mahadeva had lodged a complaint in this regard. He had stated in the complaint that an over speeding and negligent driving by the accused driver resulted in the accident.
Prime Minister Modi's brother Prahlad Damodar Das Modi and his family members were injured after the car in which they travelled met with an accident near Kadakola village in Mysuru district on December 27.
Meta acquires 3D smart glass maker Luxexcel
Meta (formerly Facebook) has acquired the Netherlands-based 3D smart glass maker Luxexcel, as it doubles down on its metaverse dream in 2023.
Luxexcel can integrate the elements needed to create an augmented reality (AR) experience within a prescription lens, such as holographic film and projectors, reports The Verge.
Meta, however, did not disclose the sum it spent on acquiring the company.
"We're excited that the Luxexcel team has joined Meta, deepening the existing partnership between the two companies," Meta said in a statement.
Luxexcel's 3D printed prescription lenses can be used inside AR glasses.
More European nations tighten COVID rules for China flights
France, Spain and England will implement tougher COVID-19 measures for passengers arriving from China, authorities said Friday.
France's government is requiring negative tests, and is urging French citizens to avoid nonessential travel to China. France is also reintroducing mask requirements on flights from China to France.
French health authorities will carry out random PCR tests at airports on passengers arriving from China to identify potential new coronavirus variants. The new rules take effect on Sunday, but officials said it would be a few days before they are fully in place.
India logs 226 fresh Covid cases; active cases rise to 3,653
India reported 226 new coronavirus infections, raising the tally to 44.6 million, while the active cases increased to 3,653, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.
The death toll stands at 530,702 with three fatalities reconciled by Kerala, data updated at 8 am by the ministry stated.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.12 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 0.15 per cent, the ministry said.
It said 187,983 tests for detection of Covid were conducted in the last 24 hours
The active cases comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.80 per cent, according to the health ministry website.
An increase of 44 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 case count in a span of 24 hours.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 44,144,029, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent, the ministry said.
So far, a total of 44,678,384 cases have been recorded in the country.
IIT Madras researchers devise method to detect petroleum
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras researchers have developed a statistical approach that can characterize subsurface rock structure and detect petroleum and hydrocarbon reserves.
The method proposed was successful in providing critical information on the rock type distribution and hydrocarbon saturation zones in 'Tipam formation' located in the Upper Assam basin.
According to the official release, the researchers used this approach to analyse data obtained from seismic surveys and well logs from the North Assam region known for its petroleum reserves.
Heavy security deployment in Delhi for New Year celebrations; focus area drunk driving
Delhi Police has deployed over 18,000 personnel from district and traffic units across the national capital to keep a strict vigil on any kind of violations and ensure security during New Year celebrations, officials said on Saturday.
As many as 125 spots of drunk driving have been identified in the city for taking strict action against those driving under the influence alcohol, they said.
Last year, a total of 657 challans were issued on New Year's eve, in which 36 were related to drunk driving, according to police.
Traffic will be restricted at Connaught Place from 8 pm Saturday, they said, adding alcometers will be used to check drunk driving.
Huge rush witnessed at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine ahead of New Year
The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu witnessed a huge rush of devotees on Saturday as serpentine queues were seen on the Trikota hills of Katra despite the severe cold conditions ahead of New Year.
Devotees hailing from different regions of the country, including children, were seen chanting "Jai Mata Di" as they made their way up and down the hill, wishing each other the best ahead of the new year.
"I am getting a good feeling. I come here on the eve of every new year. I have been coming here for 5-6 years to pray to Mata Devi. I am feeling good," said Manish Kumar, a devotee from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, who was seen chanting "Jai Mata Di".
New Omicron subvariant accounts for over 40% of new Covid-19 cases in US
New Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is estimated to account for 40.5 per cent of Covid-19 cases in the US in the week ending December 31, nearly doubling from the previous week, according to data updated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
XBB.1.5 made up 21.7 per cent of the total cases in the previous week ending December 24, Xinhua news agency reported.
Recombinants of the BA.2 variant, XBB and XBB.1.5 together accounted for 44.1 per cent of the total cases in the country in the week ending December 31, CDC data showed.
130 mn Arab population in poverty: UN survey
A survey released by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) has said that poverty affects one-third of the Arab region's population, excluding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Libya.
Dubbed "Survey of Economic and Social Developments in the Arab Region," it added that "poverty, measured against national poverty lines, increased to affect 130 million people in Arab countries".
The survey expects a further rise in poverty levels in the next two years, reaching 36 per cent of the population in 2024, Xinhua news agency reported.
US concerned about China's alignment with Russia, says State Department
The United States is concerned about China's alignment with Russia amid the war in Ukraine and closely monitoring Beijing's activity to see if the country provides any military or sanctions evasion assistance to Moscow, a State Department spokesperson has said.
"Beijing claims to be neutral, but its behaviour makes clear it is still investing in close ties to Russia," the US spokesperson said on Friday in a statement to American broadcaster CNN.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed bilateral relations and regional problems via video link. During the call, Putin invited Xi to come to Moscow next year.
Over 30 British-Indians in King's New Year Honours List
Cambridge professor Partha Sarathi Dasgupta and COP26 President Alok Sharma are among the more than 30 people of Indian-origin who have been honoured by King Charles III in his first New Year Honours List released in London.
Former Minister Alok Sharma, 55, has been honoured with the Order of St Michael and St George for his contribution to combating climate change through his role as the President of 26th UN Climate Change Conference.
Agra-born Sharma, who moved to the UK when he just five years old, has been recognised for "driving the UK to agree a historic agreement from individual countries that will have a major impact in addressing climate change in the future".
North Korea fired 3 short-range ballistic missiles: Seoul military
North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Saturday, a day after South Korea conducted a test flight of a homegrown solid-propellant space rocket, Seoul's military said.
The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches from Chunghwa county, some 60 km south of Pyongyang, from 8 a.m. and that the missiles travelled some 350 km before splashing into the sea, reports Yonhap News Agency.
It did not provide other details, saying the intelligence authorities of the South and the US are conducting a detailed analysis on the missiles' specifics.
Ronaldo signs two-year deal with Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr, becomes highest-paid footballer in history
Star striker Cristiano Ronaldo has joined the Saudi Arabian football club Al-Nassr on a two-year deal.
The club announced the signing on Friday, as per ESPN. The 37-year-old will receive $75 million per year, making him the highest-paid footballer in history.
"I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country," Ronaldo said in Al-Nassr's statement announcing the deal as quoted by ESPN.
"The vision of what Al Nassr are doing and developing in Saudi Arabia both in terms of men's and women's football is very inspiring. We can see from Saudi Arabia's recent performance at the World Cup that this is a country with big football ambitions and a lot of potentials."
"I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football and feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia. I am looking forward to joining my new teammates and together with them help the Club to achieve success."
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First Published: Dec 31 2022 | 7:08 AM IST
