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6:07 AM

Israel is letting people return to northern Gaza for the first time in over a year as truce holds

Israel has begun allowing Palestinians to return to the heavily destroyed north of the Gaza Strip for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas, in accordance with a fragile ceasefire. Thousands of Palestinians headed north on Monday after waiting for days to cross. Associated Press reporters saw people crossing the so-called Netzarim corridor shortly after 7 am.

5:28 AM

4 firearms, ammunition seized in Manipur's Kangpokpi

Security forces have recovered four arms and ammunition during a search operation in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, police said on Monday. They conducted the search operation near the Nepali Basti area in the district on Sunday and seized three rifles, one pistol, two improvised mortars, five bullets, two hand grenades and a mobile phone, police said.

5:23 AM

Uzbek GM Yakubboev declines hand-shake with Vaishali due to religious reasons; apologises later

Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev's refusal to shake hands with Indian GM R Vaishali stirred up a controversy at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament before the Uzbek apologised, saying that he meant no disrespect and didn't respond to the gesture because of "religious reasons"." I respect Vaishali and her brother as the strongest chess players in India. If I have offended her with my behavior, I apologise. I have some additional explanations: 1. Chess is not haram," Yakubboev wrote. "I do what I need to do. I do not insist others not to shake hands with the opposite gender or for women to wear hijab or burqa. It is their business what to do," he explained.

5:00 AM

One injured as boat catches fire during fireworks at ''Bharat Mata Maha Arti'' event

A man was injured after a boat caught fire in the Hussain Sagar lake here during fireworks as part of a 'Bharat Mata Maha Arti' programme Sunday night, a short while after Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and Governor Jishnu Dev Varma had left the venue.

4:23 AM

Delhi's air quality drops into 'poor' category despite clear sky after rain

Delhi's air quality index (AQI) dropped back to 'poor' category after remaining 'moderate' for the last two days. The AQI was recorded at 247 on Monday (January 27) at 8 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Read here for more details.

4:15 AM

Bengal professors' body terms UGC draft on VC appointment 'infringement' of academic autonomy

The All Bengal University Teachers Association (ABUTA), a representative body of professors, on Sunday described the UGC draft recommendations on appointment of vice-chancellors in varsities as infringement of the academic autonomy of universities. "The UGC is acting at the behest of BJP government at the Centre and vested the power and authority to appoint members of the search committee on the Chancellor/Visitor, taking away the autonomy of other stakeholders like the state and the university representatives... We are against it,” Maity said, adding, the ABUTA has sent a letter to the UGC articulating its stand.

3:41 AM

Finance ministry seeks applications for new SEBI chief

India's finance ministry has invited applications for the new chief of the country's markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

3:25 AM

Uttarakhand to implement Uniform Civil Code today

Uttarakhand is set to become the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will unveil the Uniform Civil Code portal at the state secretariat  at around 12:30 pm, just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state.