Breaking news on December 29

The Taliban said Sunday they have agreed to a temporary cease-fire nationwide. It provides a window during which a peace agreement with the United States could be signed. A peace deal would allow Washington to bring home its troops from Afghanistan and end its 18-year military engagement there, America's longest.

The decision to recommend Stephen Marandi's name as the pro-tem speaker of the state assembly was taken in today's cabinet meeting.

Municipal Corporation demolished an illegal four-storey building at Sant Nagar, earlier today.

 Police rescued 138 child labourers in Surat, today. Police says,"On the basis of a survey by a Rajasthan based NGO, Rajasthan & Gujarat Police rescued 138 children. Most of these children are from Rajasthan. After counselling they will be handed over to their relatives."

Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar today visited his ancestral village in Malvan, Sindhudurg.

Delhi Police on a viral video where a person wearing Police's uniform was threatening to shoot Anti-CAA protesters stated that the accused identified as Rakesh Tyagi has been arrested 2 days back. He took voluntary retirement in the year 2014 from Delhi Police and is a private citizen now.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and State Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today participated in a peace rally in Sualkuchi, in support of Citizenship Amendment Act.

Indian Army defused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Keri sector of Rajouri district at 1600 hours, today. More details awaited. 

Northern Army Commander Lt General Ranbir Singh arrived in Kashmir Valley today to review prevailing security situation. He visited forward areas in Baramulla district where he was briefed by commanders on ground about current situation.

Government has amended service rules of three armed forces where retirement age for services chiefs can be extended to 65 years if they are appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff.

As per the charter of duties for the Chief of Defence Staff, he will also be the member of the Nuclear Command Authority headed by the Prime Minister.

Maharashtra State Transport bus services from Maharashtra's Kolhapur district to Karnataka suspended due to dispute between the two states over Belgaum, the authority has taken this decision on instructions of the police.

Congress leader who gave a ride to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on his scooty on Saturday in Lucknow has been fined with Rs. 6100. 

Two persons, shot dead allegedly by Naxals in two separate incidents in Lakhisarai district, earlier today. Further investigation underway.

Union Min RS Prasad said: "In a debate held in Lok Sabha on 7 May 2010, the then Home Minister Chidambaram Sahab said they were preparing National Population Register (NPR) and NRC would be created from it. Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Yadav, and Sharad Yadav were part of the debate, nobody opposed it."

Maharashtra Minister and Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said: "List has been finalized for the oath taking ceremony to be held tomorrow. The list will be out today. There will be 12 Ministers from Congress out of which 10 are of cabinet rank."

President Ram Nath Kovind honours megastar Amitabh Bachchan with Dadasaheb Phalke Award

A special Cabinet meeting today decided to recommend Governor to convene a special session of Kerala Legislative Assembly on Dec 31. Resolution to extend reservation of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly by 10 more yrs to be discussed in the session

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) posters featuring PM Narendra Modi, on regularisation of unauthorised colonies seen in Delhi.

Due to intense cold wave in the state, Govt has declared holiday on December 30 and 31 in all the schools in the state. All schools will reopen on January 16 after regular winter break from 1st to 15th January.

Maharashtra Cabinet expansion to take place tomorrow.

Mortal remains of Pejavara Mutt Seer Vishwesha Teertha Swami being taken from Udupi to Bengaluru for last rites. He passed away earlier today at Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt. State honours given to Pejavara Mutt Seer Vishwesha Teertha Swami, earlier today in Udupi. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa was present. 

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) activists hold protest in Kerala's Malappuram against Jamia Millia Islamia student Aysha Renna, demanding her apology for using the name of Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala.

Samajwadi Party founder and former Uttar Pradesh chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has been admitted to a hospital here for some abdominal health issues, sources said on Sunday.

The 80-year-old leader, who is also former Defence minister, came to a private hospital here three days back on the advice of doctors, they said.

"He has been admitted to a private hospital here for abdominal complaints," a close aide of the leader said.

Yadav was advised to shift to Mumbai and he came here three days back, he said.

"He is likely to be discharged today, but it depends on the doctors' examination and their satisfaction with his response to medication," he added.

AASU said, "If PM Modi comes to inaugurate 'Khelo India' on Jan 10 in Guwahati, we will organise massive protest."

Chennai Police releases the seven persons who were detained earlier today in Besant Nagar over charges of unlawful assembly and for making rangoli against Citizenship Amendment Act, without prior permission. 

Amid the ragging protests and arguments on National Register of Citizens (NRC), DG of Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) Md Shafeenul Islam said, "This issue is completely an internal matter of Indian government. Like any other border guarding force, BGB works to prevent illegal crossing and will continue to do so."

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati announced in her tweets that the party has suspended MLA Ramabai Parihar from Patharia, Madhya Pradesh, for supporting Citizenship Amendment Act. Also, she has been banned from participating in any party program.

Karnataka government announces 3-day mourning from 29 Dec -31 December, following the demise of Pejavara Mutt Seer Vishwesha Teertha Swami.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called an all-party meeting in Trivandrum over Citizenship Amendment Act. BJP staged walk out.

Speaking about Saturday's incident where UP Police restricted Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Lucknow, Robert Vadra said, "I am extremely disturbed at the way Priyanka was manhandled by women cops. While one held her by throat, the other woman cop pushed her and she fell down. But she was determined and she travelled on a two-wheeler to meet family members of Former IPS officer SR Darapuri."

He further said, "I am proud of you Priyanka for being compassionate and for reaching out to people who need you. What you did was correct and there is no crime to be with people in need or in grief."

Veteran actor Govinda met UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, today in Gorakhpur. He also offered prayers at Gorakhnath Temple.

Vivek Kumar Johri, Director General (DG) Border Security Force (BSF) said, "The attack by smugglers on border guarding forces from both the sides were 350 plus in 2015-16 but since last 3 years, it has gone down to 70-80."

PM Modi on Sunday addresses the nation through his radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'. Here are the highlights from his speech:

- He conveys greetings for the new year and new decade. 

- We remember the vision of Swami Vivekananda for our youth.

- Youth is synonymous with energy and dynamism. 

- Talking about Swami Vivekananda, we are marking 50 years since the setting up of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari.

- In the coming decade, young India will play a key role.

- Today's youth believes in the system and also has an opinion on a wide range of issues. I consider this to be a great thing. 

- What today's youth dislikes is instability, chaos, nepotism.

- Our Honourable President visited the Rock Memorial a few days ago.

- I urge youngsters to visit the Rock Memorial this year.

- Alumni meets take one back in time. One remembers the good days of student life.

- Many alumni batches also contribute towards the welfare of their schools and colleges.

- PM talks about Sankalp 95, a unique alumni initiative in Bihar.

- Let us light the lamp of prosperity in the lives of fellow Indians, as per the wishes of beloved Bapu.

- A tribute to those who worked hard for India's freedom and had some dreams for the nation. Can we think about buying as many local products as possible?

- HIMAYAT is a unique initiative in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh that is changing the lives of many youths.

- India has made remarkable strides in astronomy.

- Both sessions of Parliament were very productive and both the houses showed record-breaking work.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale's RPI(A) will hold a rally in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on Sunday, said a party functionary.

The rally will be held in Babasaheb Ambedkar Garden in Bandra East and will be led by party chief Athawale, he said.

Pejavara Mutt Seer Vishwesha Teertha Swami passes away at Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt. Udupi MLA K Raghupati Bhat on Sunday announced the demise of Teertha Swami.

Pejavara Mutt Seer Vishwesha Teertha Swami's health is critical. His treatment will continue in Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt. All arrangements of ventilator and ICU units kept ready in Mutt.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation through his #MannKiBaat programme, today.

According to Jasbir Singh Roy, SP Batala (Punjab), an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), posted at Sadar police station, was arrested for making a rape bid on a minor girl. A case has been registered and the strictest action will be taken. 

A woman journalist along with camera-person was allegedly attacked by employees of a shopping mall while doing a story on illegal collection of parking fees, in Bomikhal, Bhubaneswar. Journalist Swati Jena says,"They attacked me and my camera-person, broke our equipment.."

He further said, "They even threatened to kill us and even locked us into a room. They abused us, I want action against the mall employees. I have filed a complaint with the police."

A bus with 16 Indian tourists onboard met with an accident near Ain Sokhna in Egypt, the Indian Embassy in Cairo said on Saturday.

In its Twitter post, the mission said that embassy officials are present at hospitals in Suez city and Cairo and attached two helpline numbers.