LIVE: Forex jumps $4.47 bn to $620.44 bn during week ending Dec 22

Catch all the latest news updates from across the world

1:04 PM

Over 50 million Ayushman Bharat accounts created at health campaign: Govt

Over 44 million Ayushman cards have been generated. These cards facilitate free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per annum per family at empanelled hospitals, as part of the ongoing Ayushman Bhava campaign. Additionally, the campaign has resulted in the creation of more than five crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA), as reported by the Union Health Ministry on Friday.

12:44 PM

Key meeting of Janata Dal (United) national executive in New Delhi

The Janata Dal (United) national executive commenced a crucial meeting on Friday, with speculation circulating that party president Lalan Singh might resign, potentially paving the way for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Lalan Singh, and other senior party leaders are participating in the meeting.

12:19 PM

Gujarat receives FDI worth Rs 2.39 trn from October 2019 to March 2023

Gujarat has garnered foreign direct investment (FDI) amounting to Rs 2.39 lakh crore or $31 billion between October 2019 and March 2023, positioning itself as one of the leading Indian states in attracting FDI, as per an official release. The state's consistent growth in FDI is attributed to the proactive measures taken by the government of Gujarat, with the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) playing a pivotal role in this achievement, the release highlighted.

11:56 AM

India logs 797 new Covid cases, highest in 225 days; active cases at 4,091

India reported 797 new cases of Covid, marking the highest daily count in 225 days, as stated by the health ministry on Friday. The number of active cases stands at 4,091, according to the latest update. In the last 24 hours, five new fatalities due to Covid were reported, with two from Kerala and one each from Maharashtra, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu, according to the data released by the health ministry at 8 am.

11:52 AM

PM's Ayodhya visit: Workers making floral patterns inspired by Lord Ram

In preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Ayodhya on December 30, the streets of the temple town in Uttar Pradesh are undergoing embellishment with flowers to create a "divine ambiance." On Thursday, the streets saw the adornment of strings of orange and yellow marigolds being wrapped around ornamental lamp posts situated on the median of a revamped road stretch, now named Ram Path. These lamp posts feature design elements at the top depicting religious symbols.

11:36 AM

Amazed as someone who's name has Sita and Ram: Scindia on Yechury's Ram Temple invitation rejection

11:22 AM

Tax collection to grow 3 times to over Rs 19 trn in 10 years of Modi govt

Personal income and corporate tax collections likely to rise to more than Rs 19 trillion during 10 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. The rise in individual income has been a key driver, with net direct tax collections, adjusted for refunds, escalating from Rs 6.38 lakh crore in FY 2013-14 to Rs 16.61 lakh crore in FY 2022-23.

11:09 AM

IAF Chief Chaudhari visits two frontline operational bases in western sector

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, from the Indian Air Force, conducted a visit to two frontline operational bases in the western sector, as announced in a statement by the IAF on Friday. During the visit, the IAF chief received briefings on the operational readiness of the bases.

10:49 AM

397 Maoists arrested, 9 killed, 26 surrendered in Jharkhand this year, says Police

The Jharkhand police reported on Friday that a total of 397 Maoists were apprehended, nine were killed, and 26 surrendered to security forces across the state this year. The arrests included significant figures such as a special area committee member, a regional committee member, five zonal commanders, and 11 sub-zonal commanders. Notably, these individuals collectively carried a bounty of Rs 1.01 crore on their heads, as stated by the authorities.

10:37 AM

Pentagon on 2023: Modernising scope of military engagements with India

The Pentagon has affirmed the enhancement of its military collaborations with India and the reinforcement of its defense modernization initiatives. In its overview of the achievements and cooperative efforts with allies in 2023 for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon underscored the modernization of its military engagements with India. Against the backdrop of China's assertive actions in the South China Sea, the Pentagon revealed ongoing deployment of state-of-the-art military capabilities and the ongoing development of necessary capabilities to uphold deterrence in the Indo-Pacific in the coming years.

10:20 AM

Bomb threat: Security check carried out at Mangaluru International Airport

Authorities at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) conducted a security check in response to an email received, stating that explosives had been planted on an aircraft at the airport, as per police reports. ''Mangaluru was one among the multiple airports in the country that received similar emails on Tuesday night by the sender who claimed to be a terrorist group named Funing,'' they said.

10:09 AM

CM Adityanath to visit Ayodhya to review preparations ahead of PM's visit

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is slated to visit Ayodhya today, following the postponement of his visit yesterday due to adverse weather conditions. CM Yogi Adityanath is expected to arrive in Ayodhya at 2 pm. During his visit, he will assess the arrangements in place for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Ayodhya on December 30.

9:54 AM

PM Modi to inaugurate projects worth Rs 15K cr in Ayodhya tomorrow

In anticipation of the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on December 30. During this visit, he will inaugurate a multitude of projects amounting to Rs 15 thousand crore for Ayodhya. The inauguration will encompass various initiatives, including the airport, railway station, highway, and the doubling of railway lines. Additionally, four significant roads are slated to be inaugurated during the Prime Minister's visit.

 

9:39 AM

Indian equity markets add Rs 80.62 trillion to investors' wealth

Indian equity markets had an impressive run in 2023 and added Rs 80.62 trillion to the wealth of investors, thanks to as a raft of positive factors powered a stellar rally in stocks.

 

Experts credited India's strong macroeconomic fundamentals, political stability as significant factors that helped Indian share market churn healthy return for investors. Combined with an optimistic corporate earnings outlook, the market has positive signals from the US fed which is expected to cut bond yeilds next year.

9:25 AM

Two schoolgirls run over by train in Indore, railway minister orders probe

Two girls in Class X lost their lives after being struck by a train undergoing tests on a recently laid track in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has initiated an inquiry into the incident. The victims, 17-year-olds Babli Masare and Radhika Bhaskar, tragically passed away in the Kailod Hala area on Thursday evening during the testing of the newly constructed track.