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1:11 PM

Days after its reopening, two damaged idols found inside Sambhal temple well

Two damaged idols were found inside the well of the Bhasma Shankar temple in Sambhal that was reopened last week after being shut for 46 years, officials said on Monday. The Shri Kartik Mahadev Temple (Bhasma Shankar temple) was reopened on December 13 after the authorities said they stumbled upon the covered structure during an anti-encroachment drive.

1:06 PM

In solidarity with Palestinians, Priyanka carries bag emblazoned with 'Palestine' to Parliament

In a show of support for the people of Palestine, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday carried a bag to Parliament that had "Palestine" emblazoned on it. The Congress general secretary has been raising her voice against Israel's actions in Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Gandhi was seen carrying a handbag emblazoned with the word "Palestine" and Palestinian emblems, including a watermelon -- seen as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

11:58 AM

Opposition stages protest on Vidhan Bhawan steps against EVMs

Opposition members staged a demonstration on the steps of the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhawan here on Monday and raised slogans against the use of EVMs in elections. The protest was held on the opening day of the winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur. Leader of opposition in the state legislative council Ambadas Danve led the demonstration of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, who called for "saving" the Constitution and democracy and opposed the use of EVMs.

11:44 AM

Vijay Diwas celebrations start in Dhaka

Vijay Diwas celebrations in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka have started with a 31 gun salute at sunrise. Six guns of an artillery regiment of the Bangladesh Army saluted the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives in the Bangladesh Liberation War by firing 31 rounds of cannon.

11:36 AM

Plea against proposed 'Dharam Sansad' in UP's Ghaziabad mentioned in SC

A plea seeking to restrain the organisation of a 'Dharam Sansad' in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad was mentioned for urgent hearing before the Supreme Court on Monday, alleging that a call was issued for the "genocide of Muslims". A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar told lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, to file an e-mail seeking urgent listing of the plea.

11:15 AM

SC notice to UP govt on bail plea by Azam Khan, son in machine theft case

Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea filed by former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam Khan challenging an order of the Allahabad High Court denying them bail in a machine theft case. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Aravind Kumar issued notice to the state government and sought its reply. Khan and his son have moved the top court against the September 21 order of the high court.

11:02 AM

US Embassy in India pays tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain following his passing

The world of music has lost one of its most transcendent figures with the passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso, at the age of 73. The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the Hussain family. Zakir Hussain, who had been battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, passed away in San Francisco, leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly influenced music across the globe.

10:30 AM

Manipur CM condemns killing of Bihar migrant labourers, announces ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has strongly condemned the killing of two migrant labourers from Bihar in Kakching district and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of the two deceased. He said every possible effort is underway to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for killing the two migrant labourers.

10:09 AM

Two held with 5.5 kg heroin near LoC in J-K's Rajouri

Two suspected narcotics smugglers were arrested and 5.50 kilograms of heroin seized from them near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, officials said. The seizure of the huge quantity of heroin, worth crores of rupees in the international market, from the Nowshera sector thwarted an attempt by the drug peddlers to smuggle the contraband from across the border.

9:59 AM

6 persons killed, 7 injured in SUV-truck collision in Chhattisgarh's Balod

Six persons were killed and seven others injured when a sports utility vehicle (SUV) they were travelling in collided with a truck in Chhattisgarh's Balod district, police said. The accident took place under Daundi police station area late Sunday night when the victims, natives of Gunderdehi area in the district were returning from a family function.

9:47 AM

Security forces seize arms, ammunition in Manipur's Kangpokpi

Security forces seized a cache of arms and ammunition during search operations in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, a police statement said. A combined team of central and state security forces seized the arms and ammunition at L Jangnomphai and Freedom Hill on Sunday. One 7.62 mm self-loading rifle, one 9mm pistol, one single barrel gun, one double barrel gun, one pompi gun, four hand grenades, four stardyne explosives, four electric detonators, were seized during the search operation by security forces.

9:41 AM

Three-storey Gorakhpur building gutted in fire, shops suffer damage worth lakhs

A massive blaze erupted in a three-storey building in the Campierganj area of this Uttar Pradesh district late on Sunday, destroying multiple shops and causing damage worth at least Rs 25 lakh, officials said. Panic gripped the locality as the flames initially engulfed the structure. Locals tried to extinguish the blaze but their efforts proved futile. They then alerted the authorities, with police and firefighters reaching the spot and rescuing those trapped inside.

9:23 AM

Vijay Diwas: President Murmu pays homage to bravehearts for securing victory over Pakistan in 1971 war

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday paid homage to the bravehearts for securing victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war and said the country remembered their ultimate sacrifice, whose stories inspired every Indian. "On Vijay Diwas, I pay homage to our valiant soldiers who displayed indomitable courage during the 1971 war, securing victory for India. A grateful nation remembers the ultimate sacrifice of our bravehearts whose stories inspire every Indian and shall remain a source of national pride," Murmu said in a post on X.

9:18 AM

Squally weather: IMD issues warning to fishermen in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

The IMD has forecast squally weather off South Tamil Nadu coast among other areas for the coming days, and warned fishermen against venturing into the sea, the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) said. According to an update issued at 5.30 am, the regional weather office said: "Squally weather with wind speed 35 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely to prevail along and off South Tamil Nadu coast, adjoining Comorin area and Gulf of Mannar," on Monday. TNSDMA shared the update on its official 'X' page.

9:10 AM

Devotees paint 'Om Namah Shivaya', 'Har Har Mahadeva' slogans on walls of newly discovered Sambhal temple

Devotees on Monday painted 'Om Namah Shivaya' and 'Har Har Mahadeva' slogans on the walls of the newly discovered Shiv-Hanuman temple, just two days after it was uncovered in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district. The temple was reopened, reportedly after 1978, during an anti-encroachment drive carried out by district police and administration on December 14.