Breaking News, January 3 | LIVE Updates

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla releases set of manuals and newsletter of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) as part of campaign to check cyber crimes

Mumbai Police Cyber Cell has detained a 21-year-old man from Bengaluru in connection with 'BulliBai' app, say police.

To push digital transactions in rural and semi-urban areas, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday issued a framework allowing offline payments up to Rs 200 per transaction, subject to an overall limit of Rs 2,000. An offline digital payment means a transaction that does not require internet or telecom connectivity.

Under the offline mode, payments can be carried out face-to-face (proximity mode) using any channel or instrument like cards, wallets, and mobile devices.

These transactions will not require an additional factor of authentication (AFA), the Reserve Bank of India said, adding that since the transactions are offline, alerts (by way of SMS and/or e-mail) will be received by the customer after a time lag.

At least 21 schoolchildren in Nigeria have been rescued hours after they were abducted by armed groups in the West African country's troubled northwestern region, police said.

The schoolchildren were abducted on Friday while they were travelling with their teacher from the Bakura area to an Islamic school in neighboring Katsina state, police spokesman Mohammed Shehu said in a statement over the weekend.

Security forces responded and rescued the 21 students and are “currently working to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” Shehu said.

He did not say how many hostages are still being held but said the assailants seized travellers from as many as five vehicles, suggesting there are many more still in captivity.

As part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Heartfulness Institute here on Monday announced the global launch of 75 crore Suryanamaskar Initiative, a tribute to 75 years of India’s independence.

Union Minister for Ayush and Ports Sarbananda Sonowal, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Telangana Minister for Excise Srinivas Goud and yoga guru Ramdev and president of Shri Ram Chandra Mission and Guide of Heartfulness Meditation Daaji Kamlesh D Patel participated in the event, a press release said.

“The 75-crore Suryanamaskar project is also a tribute to 75 years of India’s independence. For those who can participate in the project, the yogic practice of Suryanamaskar which literally means ‘sun salutation’ is slated for 21 days for 13 times a day. The project would last till 20 February from 1 January 2022,” it said.

Educational institutions will also remain shut till further orders, however official work will be allowed with 50% capacity: Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta

The manuals are part of a focussed awareness campaign for prevention of cyber crimes and to inculcate cyber hygiene in rural areas, industrial bodies, and the general public: Ministry of Home Affairs

No roadshows,bike rallies allowed during campaigning of municipal polls.Only 5 people allowed for door-to-door campaigning. Political meetings at indoor locations allowed with 50% capacity. 500 ppl allowed for political rallies in open space.

India has achieved the highest ever exports of $37 billion in December 2021, a 37% jump over December 2020: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal

We are on track to achieve an export target of $400 billion. The top 10 major commodity groups constituting 80% of exports have grown by 41% over last December: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal

He was arrested by Chhattisgarh Police from Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) for his alleged derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi

Exports in Dec up 37 pc to USD 37.29 billion: Govt data. 

Exports during April-Dec 2021 crossed USD 300 billion: Govt data. 

Local train services in Kolkata now to be extended up to 10pm in place of 7 pm from today, says West Bengal government

Turkey's yearly inflation climbed by the fastest pace in 19 years, jumping to 36.08 per cent in December, official data showed on Monday.

The Turkish Statistical Institute said the consumer price index increased by 13.58 per cent in December from the previous month, further eroding peoples' purchasing power. The yearly increase in food prices was 43.8 per cent, the data showed. The yearly inflation rate was the highest since September 2002.

Inflation has been rising in the country while the Turkish lira has been slumping to record lows after the country's central bank — under pressure from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — cut a key interest rate by 5 percentage points in September.

 J&K | An encounter breaks out between security forces and terrorists at Gasu near the Shalimar area of Srinagar. Details are awaited, says Police

In a month, this committee will lay the report on the table of the House

Media reports alleging that expired vaccines are being administered in India under its national COVID-19 vaccination programme are false and misleading and based on incomplete information. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization has approved the extension of shelf life of Covaxin from 9 months to 12 months. Similarly, the shelf life of Covishield has been extended by the National Regulator from 6 months to 9 months on 22nd February 2021: Government of India

An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 occurred 124 km south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan at around 1516 hours today: National Center for Seismology

Maharashtra | BJP MLA Nitesh Rane has filed an anticipatory bail application in Bombay High Court after the Sindhudurg district court refused to allow him anticipatory bail in an attempt to murder case.

The matter is likely to be heard tomorrow in Bombay HC.

Most places in Kashmir experienced warmer than usual nights as minimum temperature at several places stayed above the freezing point on Monday. Srinagar recorded the minimum temperature of 3.0 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night's 0.3 degrees Celsius, the officials said.

Gulmarg, the famous skiing resort in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius -- slightly up from previous night's minus 6.2 degrees Celsius.

The officials said Pahalgam, which serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, recorded a low of minus 3.0 degrees Celsius – down from minus 1.7 degrees Celsius the previous night.

The Taliban on Monday announced the closure of all general baths of women in northern Balkh-bordering Uzbekistan- province.

Based on the new decision, women can only take showers in private baths while observing Islamic hijab, not in general baths.

The Delhi Assembly on Monday revoked the suspension of BJP MLA Jitendra Mahajan who was suspended from the House last month.

Mahajan's suspension was revoked following a voice vote in favour of a motion, requesting the revocation, moved by Leader of Opposition Ramvir Bidhuri.

He requested Speaker Ram Niwas Goel to terminate the suspension.

The Delhi Assembly had suspended Mahajan from its one-day special session in December last year for allegedly disrupting the proceedings of the House. 

Virat Kohli not playing in second Test against South Africa, KL Rahul to captain India

The Delhi High Court on Monday granted more time to Whatsapp and Facebook to file their response over notices issued to them by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

The Division Bench was hearing the petitions of Whatsapp and Facebook challenging the single bench, which had dismissed their pleas challenging a CCI order for an investigation into the messaging app's new privacy policy.

The Bench of Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh on Monday noted that the Data Protection Bill yet to be finalised by the respondents adjourned the matter for March 30, 2022.

Union Mishra Ajay Mishra's son Ashish has been named in SIT's 5,000-page charge sheet, in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence

Full Report Here

BSF recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition and heroin from Jammu sector during Zero Line patrolling today morning. 

A sack bag filled with arms, ammunition & the contraband drug was kept hidden in bushes at IB near Border Post 35

BJP always had a link with alcohol mafia. Illegal alcohol was sold at many places by BJP. With CM Kejriwal's schemes stopped Rs 3500 crores of money from being stolen, so BJP is in pain: Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia, on BJP's "chakka jam" against Delhi Govt's new excise policy

Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who captained his national team in every format of the game, is reportedly set to retire from international cricket. The 41-year-old top-order batter has signed up with Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League and will continue to be available for franchise cricket around the world, a report on 'Geo News' stated even though there is no word from the player as yet.

Hafeez, who had announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2018, and would be ending a career spanning nearly two decades.

Video shows massive fire at a godout a godown in Ghatkopar area of Mumbai

Fire breaks out a godown in Ghatkopar area of Mumbai; 8 fire engines have rushed to the spot

Full Report Here

The Centre requested the Supreme Court on Monday to schedule a hearing in a matter related to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota in connection with the NEET-PG admissions on Tuesday, citing "some urgency".

A bench of justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who mentioned the matter before the court on behalf of the Centre, that the EWS quota matter is being heard by a three-judge bench of the top court.

"The moment today's work gets over, I would make a request to CJI NV Ramana for the listing of the case," Justice Chandrachud said.

Mehta said if it is not possible to list the matter on Tuesday, then it could be listed on Wednesday.

Delhi BJP workers staged a "chakka jam" protest against the city government's new excise policy on Monday and blocked roads at different locations in the national capital, including near the Akshardham temple.

The protest near the Akshardham temple was led by Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta.

Full Report Here

Music maestro AR Rahman's daughter Khatija has announced her engagement with aspiring entrepreneur and audio engineer Riyasdeen Shaik Mohamed. Taking to her Instagram handle, Khatija, who is herself a musician, shared that her engagement took place on December 29 and was attended by close family and loved ones.

"With the blessings of the Almighty, I'm happy to announce to you all my engagement with Riyasdeen Shaik Mohamed @riyasdeenriyan, an aspiring entrepreneur and a wizkid audio engineer. The engagement happened on 29th December, my birthday in the presence of close family and loved ones," she wrote.

Sensex up by 289 points at 58,543 and Nifty jumping 89 points to reach 17,443

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested one more farmer in connection with the alleged lynching of three BJP workers during the violence that took place in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3 last year. Lakhimpur Kheri police and senior prosecution officer (SPO) SP Yadav said that Gurpreet Singh, 22, had been absconding since the SIT released pictures of the suspects nearly two months ago.

Seven farmers have been arrested so far in connection with the lynching case.

Full Coverage Here

A bus crashed into a railway bridge abutment in Russia's Ryazan region on Sunday, killing five of those on board. The interior ministry said in a statement that 21 others were injured, with two children seriously wounded. According to TASS news agency, the driver lost control of the bus carrying 49 passengers before the accident happened.

President Joe Biden conferred on Sunday with Ukraine's leader over the Russian troop buildup near its border with Ukraine, promising that the US and allies will act “decisively” if Russia further invades Ukraine.

Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call came as the US and Western allies prepared for a series of diplomatic meetings to try to de-escalate a crisis that Moscow said could rupture ties with Washington.

“President Biden made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement following the call.

BSF troops have shot down an intruder near the international border in Arnia sector of Jammu, says BSF

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation on Sunday, in an address broadcast by state television.

"I announce my resignation from the post of prime minister. I leave this position to other sons and daughters of my homeland so that they can continue to govern the dear homeland and live out with it what remains of the transitional period toward a civil, democratic state," the prime minister said.

World-renowned paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey, who unearthed evidence that helped prove humankind evolved in Africa, died on Sunday at the age of 77, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed in a statement.

"I have this afternoon, Sunday 2nd January 2022, received with deep sorrow the sad news of the passing away of Dr Richard Erskine Frere Leakey, Kenya's former Head of Public Service," CNN reported citing Kenyatta's statement.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection of Odisha has touched a collection of Rs 4080.14 crore during December 2021 as against Rs 2860.20 crore collected during December 2020 registering a growth of 43 per cent.

As per the Commissionerate of Commercial Tax and Goods and Services Tax, Odisha, "The growth of collection during December 2021 is also the highest amongst major states for the 4th consecutive month. This is also the second-highest ever gross collection of GST by the state since launch of GST."

The progressive GST collection till December 2021 is Rs 32,113 crore against Rs 20,089 crore till December 2020 with growth of 60 per cent. The corresponding collection till December 2019 was Rs 21,750 crore.

Twenty-two people have been injured in a 5.5-magnitude earthquake that struck the county of Ninglang in Southwest China's Yunnan province on Sunday, local media reported citing authorities.

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted Lijiang city of southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The tremor was felt at 3:02 pm on Sunday (Beijing Time), Xinhua reported.

Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi airport. All flight operations are presently normal: Delhi airport

Delhi: Air Quality Index (AQI) is presently at 381 (overall) in the 'very poor' category, as per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)-India

Delhi: People take refuge at a night shelter in Tilak Nagar as the cold wave hits the National Capital