News updates: Grap 3 curbs back in Delhi-NCR amid rise in air pollution levels

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2:32 PM

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar stresses on importance of diaspora

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said the diaspora has become more important with each passing year as India strives to build a "global workforce". Addressing the Indian diaspora at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention here, Jaishankar said that in times of difficulty abroad, they can be confident that the Narendra Modi government "has got your back". "We are proud of the achievements of our Indian diaspora," he said.

2:14 PM

Cong MLA, 3 others booked for abetment of party worker's suicide: Police

Congress MLA I C Balakrishnan, Wayanad DCC president N D Appachan and two others have been booked for abetment to suicide of the party's Wayanad district office-bearer N M Vijayan, police said on Thursday. A senior police officer of the district confirmed that the section of abetment of suicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been added to the FIR in connection with the death of Vijayan, the Wayanad District Congress Committee (DCC) treasurer, and his son.

2:10 PM

Four Karnataka pilgrims killed in road accident in Tamil Nadu

At least four pilgrims from Karnataka were killed when the bus they were travelling in was involved in an accident with a vegetable-laden truck and another heavy vehicle here on Thursday, police sources said. The victims, mostly hailing from Kolar, were returning home in a KSRTC bus after visiting a temple near Chennai.

2:07 PM

SC orders status quo on construction under PM Awas Yojana on Abbas Ansari's land in Lucknow

The top court ordered status quo on the construction of housing units under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana at a disputed site in Lucknow's Jiamau whose ownership is claimed by the sons of late gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari. In 2020, the Lucknow Development Authority had bulldozed the bungalow that belonged to Ansari and his sons including Abbas Ansari. The government plans to build flats on the land under the PM Awas Yojana.

1:33 PM

All 4 Indians accused of Hardeep Nijjar's murder granted bail by Canada court

Hardeep Nijjar, a Khalistani  extremist, was murdered in June 2023 in Surrey, British Columbia. The case gained global attention after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in the murder.

12:44 PM

News update: Disband INDIA bloc if it's over, says Omar Abdullah on AAP-Congress feud in Delhi

12:39 PM

Encounter breaks out between security personnel and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh

An encounter broke out between security personnel and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Thursday, a senior police official said. The gunfight started in the morning in a forest along the border of Sukma and Bijapur districts when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, the official said.

11:58 AM

Winter chill continues in Rajasthan, Fatehpur coldest at 3 degrees Celsius

Cold conditions continued in parts of Rajasthan on Thursday with Fatehpur in Sikar district recording the lowest night temperature in the state at 3 degrees Celsius, up by couple of notches from the 1.1 degrees Celsius recorded the night before. Sikar recorded a low of 4 degrees Celsius, Karauli 4.2 degrees, Sangaria and Jalore 4.3 degrees each, Sirohi 4.4 degrees, Churu and Dausa 4.7 degrees each, and Baran 4.9 degrees, the weather office said.

11:55 AM

India is now known as 'Vishwa Bandhu', need to strengthen this further: PM Modi at Bhubaneswar convention

We consider it our responsibility to help our diaspora during crisis situations no matter where they are, says PM Modi.

11:32 AM

World today listens to India, which not only presents its own views but those of the global south: PM Modi

India is not only young country but also country of skilled youths, PM Modi said at the diaspora convention in Bhubaneswar. 

11:08 AM

We are not only mother of democracy, but democracy is part of our lives: PM Modi

Due to strength of its heritage, India is able to tell the world that future does not lie in war, but in Buddha, says PM Modi.

10:50 AM

PM Modi arrives at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reached the Janata Maidan here to inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 2025. He will also inaugurate four exhibitions and then take a tour of the exhibitions and promotional stalls of Union and state ministries and departments, officials said.

The 18th PBD is being jointly organised by the ministry of external affairs and the Odisha government from January 8 to January 10. 

 

10:36 AM

BRS leader Rama Rao says Formula E race was to enhance Hyderabad's brand image

Ahead of his appearance before the Anti-Corruption Bureau, BRS Working President K T Rama Rao on Thursday said his agenda when he was minister in the previous regime was to make Hyderabad a pivotal hub for sustainable mobility as the world transitions towards it and Formula-E race was a part of that ambitious vision. Rao, also known as KTR, was summoned by the ACB for questioning in a case related to "unauthorised" payments to conduct Formula E race, on Thursday at 10 am.

10:07 AM

Tirupati tragedy: Pilgrims rushed as police opened gate, says eyewitness

An eyewitness shared details about the incident, stating that the stampede occurred due to the overwhelming rush of pilgrims when the police opened the gates for token distribution.

9:54 AM

Trump's inaugural committee raises record $170 million in donations

President-elect Donald Trump has raised more than $170 million for his upcoming inauguration, a record amount as tech executives and big donors have eagerly written large checks to help bankroll the ceremony. Trump's inaugural committee is expected to raise more than $200 million by the end of the effort.