Highlights of the day: Ladakh shuts down as thousands march for statehood

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11:46 PM

Ladakh shuts down as thousands march for statehood in freezing cold

A complete shutdown was observed across Ladakh as thousands marched demanding statehood and constitutional protections under the sixth schedule for the Union Territory. Protests were jointly organised by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance. Thousands of men and women marched across the main city of Leh in freezing temperatures, shouting slogans demanding statehood for Ladakh, the implementation of the sixth schedule of the Constitution, and also separate parliament seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

11:07 PM

Jaideep Mazumdar appointed MEA Secretary

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Jaideep Mazumdar, Ambassador/Permanent Representative, Embassy of India, Vienna as Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs vice Shri Saurabh Kumar

9:59 PM

Sports Ministry suspends Paralympic Committee of India: Report

9:11 PM

Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma expecting "second child"

Former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers on Saturday revealed that star India batter Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma are expecting their second child. Speaking on his official YouTube channel, ABD said that Kohli has been spending "family time". He added that one cannot judge the former India skipper for prioritizing family.

8:49 PM

FY 2023-24: 1,700 fake ITC cases, 98 arrested

In the current Financial Year 2023-24 (up to December 2023), 1,700 fake ITC cases involving Rs 18,000 crores have been detected and 98 fraudsters/masterminds have been apprehended: Ministry of Finance

8:49 PM

Fiji's Deputy PM to visit Ayodhya

Biman Prasad, Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji will visit Ayodhya on 8 February

8:17 PM

Khap is our culture, you cannot assess it on isolated incidents: VP Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday said khap is our culture and a symbol of the depth of our civilisation, and it cannot be evaluated on the basis of some isolated incidents.

 

He said, "Look at our culture, khap (clan-based outfits). Go into the background of khap. You will find that khap is positive. You cannot assess it on isolated incidents," said Dhankhar.

 

Dhankhar also praised 'akharas' in Haryana, saying they have a glorious history.

 

Addressing a gathering in Faridabad after releasing a book '9 Incredible Years of Haryana Government: Emergence of a New and Vibrant Haryana' at Surajkund, he said India has changed in the past 10 years, from being in the news for scams, to now poised to becoming the third largest economy in the world in the next two and three years.

8:05 PM

CM Mann asks Punjab's NRIs to become active partners in state's social, economic growth

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday sought support of Punjab's NRIs to transform the state's economy.

 

Addressing a gathering of NRIs converging here during 'NRI Milni' (meeting NRIs), the chief minister said that during the previous regimes, the NRIs faced a lot of humiliation at the hands of officials.

 

However, a paradigm shift is being witnessed in the state ever since he assumed the charge of office as a number of initiatives have been taken for the welfare of the NRIs, Mann claimed.

 

It is just the beginning as several path-breaking initiatives are being taken to restore the pride of NRIs, said an official release quoting Mann. Mann said he is well-connected at the ground level so he is aware of the problems being faced by various sections of the society.

7:49 PM

ED approaches court after Arvind Kejriwal skips 5th summon

A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal skipped the fifth summons in the alleged liquor policy scam, the Enforcement Directorate has approached a court and complained that he has not appeared for questioning. The Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi will hear the case on Wednesday. Kejriwal had refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Friday and has repeatedly claimed that the summonses issued were illegal and the agency's only aim is to arrest him. Speculation about the AAP chief's arrest has been rife ever since the first summons was issued by the agency on November 2. Two other AAP leaders - former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh - were taken into custody in connection with the case last year. 

 

6:41 PM

Hemant Soren's arrest: Jharkhand HC hearing

Jharkhand High Court has scheduled the hearing for the petition filed by former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, challenging his arrest by the ED on February 5

6:26 PM

AICWA urges FIR: Poonam Pandey & Manager

6:25 PM

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami held a cabinet meeting

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says "Many issues were discussed, in this session we will bring UCC, whatever formalities are being completed. After this, there will be another cabinet meeting after which the draft will be brought."

6:05 PM

US reprisals against Iran-linked groups anger Iraq, Syria

The United States launched overnight air strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria, drawing condemnation from both governments Saturday, and promised more to come in retaliation for a deadly attack on US troops. The United States blamed Sunday's drone attack on a US base in Jordan on forces backed by Iran, but did not strike inside Iranian territory, with both Washington and Tehran seemingly keen to avoid all-out war.

5:56 PM

BSE changes daily limit on Paytm shares to 10% from 20% after stock plunges on RBI crackdown

BSE changes daily limit on Paytm shares to 10 per cent from 20 per cent after stock plunges on RBI crackdown, reports Livemint.

5:54 PM

Pakistan: Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to seven years in 'un-Islamic nikah' case

A trial court has handed seven-year sentences each to former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the "un-Islamic nikah" case at the Adiala jail on Saturday, Pakistan-based Geo News reported.

 

The court has also asked Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to pay a fine of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 500,000 each. The couple were present in the courtroom when the verdict was announced, according to Geo News report.

 

Senior civil judge Qudratullah announced the verdict today. The decision was announced a day after the hearing of the case was conducted inside the jail premises for 14 hours. The court had reserved its decision after the arguments were completed on Friday.

 

The judge pronounced the court's verdict in a case related to the plea registered by Bushra Bibi's former husband, Khawar Maneka against what he refers to as an un-Islamic and illegal nikah with Imran Khan.