Breaking News on January 15 | Highlights

A soldier hailing from Maharashtra's Latur district died after developing respiratory problems while posted in Siachen, his family members said on Wednesday.
Suresh Gorakh Chitte (33), resident of Alamalla villegae in Latur tehsil, was posted in Siachen in Jammu and Kashmir. He died on January 13 after suffering respiratory problems, the Army told the family.

Russian President Putin proposes tax chief Mishustin for prime minister as per agencies: AFP news agency

Alok Kansal has been appointed as the General Manager of the Western Railway (WR). The post was earlier held by Anil Kumar Gupta, who
retired in November, 2019.

Prior to his appointment as the GM, Kansal was working as the principal executive director, civil engineering (Planning) at Railway Board, the WR said in a release issued Wednesday.

Central Railway (CR) General Manager Sanjeev Mittal was holding the additional charge as WR GM. Kansal is a 1983-batch officer of the Indian Railway
Service of Engineers (IRSE).

A 74 year old man died after being hit by an escort vehicle of state minister Taneti Vanitha near Bhimadole, West Godavari District Andhra Pradesh. Police say, "Case being filed, legal formalities underway".

China has demanded discussion on Kashmir during a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Wednesday, but the request is likely to be rejected as other member countries of the global organisation are set to oppose it.

The current move by China is third such attempt since August when the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution was scrapped by the government, and the state was bifurcated into two union territories.

There have been instances when PLA ships entered our exclusive economic zones; we told them that it impinges on our interests: Navy chief

A youth died on Wednesday after allegedly falling from a mall in posh area of the city with police suspecting it to be a suicide. The incident happened at Crystal Palm Mall located near 22 Godam area where the body of a youth (in 20's) was found lying in a pool of blood.

It is yet to be ascertained whether the deceased fell down or committed suicide. Apparently, it is a case of suicide, said SHO Ashok Nagar police station Mohan Meena.

The Station House Officer said the body is yet to be identified and has been kept at SMS Hospital mortuary. No suicide note has been recovered. He said the footage of CCTV cameras are being analysed to establish facts.

There has been increasing Chinese involvement in Indian Ocean; Indian Navy is watching carefully: Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Sing

"He is an educated man with knowledge of foreign affairs. So, he went there (Lahore) with proper planning, to create unrest in India, with help from Pakistan. Congress is creating situation like 1947 by dividing Hindus & Muslims," said BJP leader Uma Bharti slamming Mani Shankar Aiyar

IMD to change monsoon onset, withdrawal dates from this year: MoES Secy M Rajeevan

India's exports dip 1.8 pc to USD 27.36 bn in December 2019: Govt data. 

A 42-year-old man drowned at Barua dam here when he was allegedly trying to dispose of the body of his wife, whom he had killed, officials said on Wednesday.

Bharat Diwakar, a local Samajwadi Party leader, had killed his wife on Tuesday night and was taking the body in a boat which capsized in the dam's reservoir, Superintendent of Police Ankit Mittal.

A boatman, Ram Sevak, informed police about the incident. Police is trying to recover the bodies.

An associate of terrorists was arrested on Wednesday from Awantipora area of Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. "Police in Awantipora arrested a terrorist associate of proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, " a police spokesman said.

The arrested person has been identified as Jahangir Ahmad Parray of Gulsahanpora in Tral area of the district.

"As per police records, he has been assisting the active terrorists of proscribed outfit Hizbul Mujahideen operating in the areas of Gulsahanpora, Seer, Pasoona, Wagad, Larow, Lurgam, Mongahama and other areas of Tral," the spokesman said.

France's consistent position has been that Kashmir issue must be settled bilaterally between India and Pakistan: French diplomatic sources

Rupee settles 5 paise higher at 70.82 against US dollar.

France to oppose fresh request by member country for discussion on Kashmir in UNSC: French diplomatic sources

Expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar has approached Delhi High Court challenging his conviction by the trial court in Unnao rape case. He has also challenged the Court's judgement which awarded him life imprisonment

Asha Devi, mother of 2012 Delhi gang-rape victim: Either lawyers of the convicts are trying to delay execution or our system is blind & is supporting criminals. I'm struggling since 7 years. Instead of asking me, you should ask the govt if convicts will be hanged on Jan 22 or not 

2012 Delhi gangrape case: Delhi High Court refuses to set aside the trial court order which issued death warrant. Delhi HC asks convict Mukesh's counsel to approach trial court and apprise the court about the pending mercy plea.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met in Delhi today. 

District Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Harun Hafaz has been gunned down by security forces in an encounter in Doda

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif said: "Killing of Qasem Soleimani shows ignorance and arrogance, 430 Indian cities saw protests against his killing."

Mumbai court convicts man for molesting former actor onboard a flight in 2017.

More to follow...

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) on Wednesday said its construction arm has bagged "large" contracts for its various businesses.

In a regulatory filing the company said its construction arm of L&T has secured orders from clients across various Indian states for its varied businesses.
The engineering and construction company, however, did not provide the exact value of the contract; but as per its project classification, the value of the contracts were in "large" category which is in the range of Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 crore.

PTI

Army chief Gen M M Naravane on Wednesday hailed the abrogation of provisions of Article 370 as a "historic step" and said the move has disrupted the proxy war by the "western neighbour". The armed forces have a "zero tolerance against terrorism", he said in his address at the 72nd Army Day function in the Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi.

"We have many options to counter those who promote terrorism and we will not hesitate to use them," he said.

PTI

Prayagraj: Hindu devotees perform rituals after taking a holy dip in Sangam, the confluence of River Ganga, Yamuna and mythological Saraswati, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti festival during Magh Mela 2020 in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Wednesday morning, Jan.
15, 2020.

Senior IPS officer Sujit Pandey today took charge as Lucknow Police Commissioner. Pandey is the first police commissioner after Yogi Adityanath government announced Lucknow as a commssionerate. Pandey was additional director general (ADG) of police in Prayagraj and has an impeccable record.

"My first duty will be to instil a sense of confidence among people of Lucknow," he said after taking charge. "People will also be made aware of the facts about CAA," he said in his initial comments. 

Senior IPS officer Alok Singh has been appointed Noida police commissioner.

Sitting AAP MLA from Badarpur, ND Sharma said: "Manish Sisodia had called me to his residence saying that Ram Singh (who has been given ticket from Badarpur) wants a ticket from your constituency by paying Rs 20-21 Crore. He demanded Rs 10 cr from me. I left from there after refusing."

"I have resigned from the party. I will contest election as an independent candidate," he added. 

Supreme Court has refused to entertain a plea challenging the Madras High Court order, which ordered to conduct Jallikattu in various districts of Tamil Nadu, under the supervision of monitoring committees headed by a retired district judge.

Bezos said: "India-US alliance will be most important in the 21st century."

Jeff Bezos said: "India-US alliance will be most important in the 21st century."

Suo motu case registered against unidentified people after Left students 'gheraoed' CM Mamata Banerjee at anti-CAA rally on January 11

Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today.

Asha Devi, mother of 2012 Delhi gang-rape victim on convict Mukesh approached Delhi HC seeking to set aside trial court's order issuing death warrant said: "He can do whatever he wants. But everything is crystal clear. SC and HC know everything. I hope his request will be dismissed."

Delhi court grants bail to 12 people arrested in connection with violent anti-CAA protests at Seelampur. 

Army Chief General MM Naravane said: "Our forces are ready to tackle any situation." 

In the Jawaharlal Nehru University violence case, the Delhi Police Crime branch's Special Operations Team on Wednesday called Chunchun Kumar and Dolan Samanta to join the investigations, said a senior Crime Branch officer.

Chunchun Kumar and Dolan Samanta were named as suspects by the Delhi Police in the violence that broke out in the campus on January 5.

A forensic science laboratory (FSL) team will also come to the JNU Campus on Wednesday to examine the chain of events, the officer said.

Meanwhile, efforts were being made to trace Akshat Awasthi, Rohit Shah and Komal Sharma, the senior officer of the SIT team added.

Centre tells SC that it has accepted Justice Dhingra committee report in role of Delhi Police in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and will take action accordingly. SC allows petitioner SGS Kahlon, of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Mgmt Committee, to file suggestions on the report submitted by the SIT. The plea has sought inquiry into role of 62 policemen named in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

PM Modi tweets, "Our Army is known for its valour and professionalism. It is also respected for its humanitarian spirit. Whenever people have needed help, our Army has risen to the occasion&done everything possible. Proud of our Army. I pray for good health of Shamima and her child." 

Komal Sharma, a student of Delhi University,  approached National Commission for Women (NCW), complaining that her name has been maligned. NCW has written to the media houses as well as to Delhi Police to look into the matter.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Delhi said: "We are convinced that the overriding trend of the global development is the objective process of the formation of new centres of economic might, financial power and political influence, India is obviously one them."

"We believe India should be permanent member of UN Security Council," he added. 

National Highway-5 blocked near Bhawanagar in Kinnaur district, due to landslide.

Sensex drops 122.09 pts to 41,830.54 in opening session; Nifty slips 40.14 pts to 12,322.15

On the occasion of Army day, Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat along with Chiefs of all the three armed forces pay tribute to the martyr jawans at National War Memorial. 

BSP Chief Mayawati addresses a press conference on her 64th birthday. Highlight:

- BSP has worked for poor and needy 

- We are following the guidelines of Kashiram 

- The economic situation of the country is deteriorating 

- The people are facing problem every day 

- Government's wrong policies are responsible for unemployment

- Law and order situation is not good 

- Central government is misusing its power 

High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh Sandhu will take charge as India's Ambassador to the US. He will succeed Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who will take charge as the Foreign Secretary.

Jallikattu event begins at Avaniyapuram in Madurai. 730 bulls in Avaniyapuram, 700 bulls in Alanganallur and 650 bulls in Palamedu are participating in Jallikattu competitions this year.

IndiGo has released a statement: "We're aware of complaint raised by a passenger on Chennai-Bangalore flight last night. Matter is under internal review and necessary action will be taken. Our team is in touch with the customer to ensure her concern is understood well and to help avoid such experiences in future." 

An IndiGo pilot has been accused of allegedly verbally abusing and threatening a passenger and her elderly, wheelchair-bound mother on a Chennai-Bengaluru flight yesterday.

Major pollutants PM 2.5 at 205 and PM 10 at 185, in 'Poor and 'Moderate' categories respectively, in Lodhi Road area, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data.

Three BJP MLAs met Governor Kiran Bedi yesterday. V. Saminathan,BJP MLA says,"Congress' MLA Danavelou has levelled corruption charges against CM and his Cabinet. We've asked Guv to convene a special session of Assembly to take up the matter. We demanded resignation of CM"

As part of Swachh Survekshan 2020, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) has installed mirrors in five locations across the city to deter people from urinating in public and eliminate public urination spot.

BH Anil Kumar, Commissioner BBMP says,"despite repeatedly cleaning those black spots, people kept using those places for urinating. So we came up with this idea. We have also given a QR Code which will help people locate the nearest public toilet."

Devotees offer prayers and take holy dip in river Ganga on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Jeppe Kofod, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark arrives in India. He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 15 and participate in Raisina Dialogue 2020 on January 16.

At least one rocket hits near Iraq base hosting US forces.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar filed an affidavit in the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court seeking dismissal of petitions filed against him in the irrigation scam, describing them as,"without merits and filed with mala fide motives".

United States says China trade deal has no agreement to reduce to tariffs.

18 trains are running late due to low visibility in the Northern Railway region.