Breaking News December 27 | Highlights

Goa Ports Minister Michael Lobo on Sunday appealed to the people not to fall prey to fake messages circulating on Whatsapp, which claim that tourism businesses in the state would be impacted due to an impending lockdown.

Lobo said that Goa could not afford another lockdown and urged people to continue practicing Covid-related precautionary measures in order to keep sustain businesses and livelihoods linked to tourism-related businesses.

Our farmers are forced to sleep on streets in open amid cold since last 32 days. Why? It pains me that over 40 people have lost their lives here. I appeal to the Centre to listen to them and repeal the Farm Laws: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Our CM has been working 24 hours to make efforts to reduce the troubles faced by the farmers. Despite all the pressure, the stadiums weren't converted into prisons. It would have been a black spot in history if we had done that: Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia, at the Singhu border.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ‘New Bhaupur-New Khurja section’ of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) on 29th December at 11 am via video conferencing: Prime Minister's Office

The union transport ministry on Sunday extended the validity of motor vehicle documents like driving licence (DL), registration certificate (RC) and permits till March 31, 2021, in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses people of Himachal Pradesh via video-conference on completion of 3 yrs of Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP govt in the state. "CM Jai Ram Thakur has successfully run the govt for 3 yrs. I  congratulate people of Himachal," he said.

When UPA was in power at Center, Himachal Pradesh received only Rs 22,000 crores. When Modi govt came to power, we gave 3 times more, considering the economy of Himachal Pradesh, not its size.

1,46,812 income tax returns have been filed today till 12 noon, with 55,823 returns being filed in just one hour. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today attended Gurbani Kirtan at 5, Kalidas Marg on Sahibzada Day. UP CM observed Sahibzada Day at his official residence to remember the martyrdom of 4 sons of Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, and Mata Gujri.

A 30-year-old man was beaten to death by locals after he was caught stealing mobile phone in Santacruze area of Mumbai, Maharashtra on December 25. Six people have been booked in this matter. 

Landmark peak in India's COVID-19 trajectory as daily new cases drop to 18,732 after 6 months. India’s total active caseload has fallen to 2.78 lakh (2,78,690) today. This is the lowest after 170 days. 72.37% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states/UTs. 76.52% of the new cases are concentrated in 10 states and UTs. Kerala reported highest daily new cases at 3,527. It is followed by Maharashtra with 2,854 new cases. 

A total of 472 new COVID-19 cases, 509 discharges and 2 deaths were reported in Telangana yesterday, says State Health Department.

• Total positive cases: 2,84,863
• Total recoveries: 2,76,753
• Active cases: 6,579
• Death toll: 1531

On 26 December, we had 2,27,821 domestic passengers flying on 2,129 flights. There were a total of 4,253 flight movements and 4,55,809 footfalls on the day. It is a steady journey towards Pre-COVID numbers, said Union Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Imphal, Manipur. He was welcomed by Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

Nine people injured after four cars collided with each other at the airport road in Bengaluru. The injured rushed to hospital, said Bengaluru Traffic Police.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. This is the 72nd edition of Prime Minister's monthly radio programme & the last Mann Ki Baat of the year 2020. Here are the highlights from his address:

• Due to Corona, the supply chains got disrupted the world over but we learnt new lessons from each crisis. The nation also developed new capabilities. We can call this capability 'Aatmanirbharata' or self-reliance. 
• Customers too are demanding 'Made In India' toys. This is a big change in the thought process. This is a living example of a major transformation in people's attitude and that too within a period of one year. It's not easy to gauge this transformation.
• I call upon our manufacturers and industry leaders that when people have taken determined step forward and when the mantra of 'Vocal for Local' is resonating in every house, it is time to ensure that our products are world-class.
• The Global best must be manufactured in India. For this, our entrepreneurs and startups must come forward.
• India has seen a 60% rise in the leopard population between 2014-2018. In 2014, the leopard population in India was around 7,900. This rose to 12,852 in 2019. Their population has increased in most parts of the country, especially in Central India. 
• I appeal to you to make a list of goods of daily use and analyse which imported articles have unconsciously become part of our lives and made us their captive. Let us find out their Indian alternatives and resolve to use products produced by the hard work of Indians. 
• India has seen a rise in population of lions, tigers as well as a significant increase in forest cover. Main reason is that not only govt but several other people, civil societies and other organisations are contributing towards forest and wildlife conversation.
• On this day, Guru Govind Singh Ji's mother Mata Gujri Ji embraced martyrdom. About a week back was the day of martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. I had the privilege to pay my obeisance to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi.
• When I look at India's youth, I feel elated and reassured. I feel so because my country's youth has 'Can Do' approach and the spirit of 'Will Do'. No challenge is too big for them. Nothing is beyond their reach.
• People reverently remember the supreme sacrifice of the family of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This martyrdom gave a new lesson to the entire humanity and the entire country. This martyrdom did a great work of protecting our civilization. We are indebted to this martyrdom.
• In May this year, the Kashmiri saffron was given the Geographical Indication Tag or GI tag. Through this, we want to make Kashmiri saffron a globally popular brand.
• 92 years old T Srinivasacharya Swami Ji from Tamil Nadu is writing his book on computer, that too, by typing himself. His inquisitiveness, self-confidence is still the same as his younger days. A Sanskrit and Tamil Scholar, he has written 16 spiritual books.
• Realising that the process of writing and printing books has changed, he learned computer and necessary software at age of 86 years. His life is a clear example of fact that life remains full of energy till the time inquisitiveness and urge to learn does not fade away.
• We should take a vow that we will not litter, this is first resolve of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. I want to remind you of one more thing which couldn't be discussed that much because of Corona. We have to definitely rid the nation of single-use plastic. 
• After untiring hard work of 12 years, Hiraman Ji of Korwa tribe from Jharkhand has prepared a dictionary of Korwa language, nearing extinction. He has included numerous words used in daily life. What he has accomplished for Korwa tribe, is an example for the country

AIADMK leaders begin Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign in Chennai with a public meeting at YMCA ground in Royapettah.

Earthquake of magnitude 3.5 on the Richter scale hit Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh at 3:18 am today. 

Voting for the second phase of Karnataka gram panchayat elections begins in the state.

Delhi's air quality improves to 'very poor' category, with overall AQI standing at 334, as per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting & Research (SAFAR).