SS Eng_26-01-2023_28

The Kerala government on Wednesday revised the guidelines for management of bodies of COVID-19 victims in view of decline in related cases in the state.

Mandatory COVID test, which used to be done before postmortem, is exempted as per the revised guidelines, Health Minister Veena George said. A rapid antigen test is sufficient if there is a strong clinical suspicion of the viral infection in any case of death, she said in a statement.

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A total of 17 bidders will compete in the BCCI’s January 25 auction to purchase the five women’s IPL franchisees ahead of the league’s debut seson in March 2023. This list of bidders include seven team owners from men’s IPL. The winners of the auction will be chosen through a closed-bid procedure on Wednesday afternoon in Mumbai.

As part of clearing the technical-bid process, the BCCI listed a number of eligibility requirements for bidding, one of which is that the bidders must have an audited net worth of at least Rs 1000 crore as of March 31, 2022. According to sources, the organisations that own the IPL franchises Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals have submitted

President Murmu hails ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, talks about women’s empowerment & G20 presidency in R-Day eve speech

Agency News: New Delhi

Main shooter behind grenade attack on Punjab Police intelligence HQ arrested: NIA

Agency News: New Delhi

technical bids by Monday’s deadline. The other three men’s IPL team owners, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, chose not to participate in the bidding process despite having purchased the tender paperwork. Adani Group, Capri Global, Haldiram’s Group, Torrent Pharma, Apollo Pipes, Amrit Leela Enterprises, Shriram Group, and Slingshot 369 Ventures

Agency News: New Delhi

Shares of Adani Group companies dropped drastically, after well-known US investment research firm, Hindenburg Research LLC revealed that it was shorting the empire’s stocks and accused companies held by Asia’s richest man of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud. The firm has released a statement calling the claims malicious and stale, while expressing confidence that investors stand with the Adani Group. Adani Enterprises Ltd. and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. dropped as much as 2.5% and 5% respectively on Tuesday after Hindenburg firm that specializes in activist short-selling, made broad accusations of corporate

Private Limited are just a few of the companies that will be included in the financial offers. In the tender document, the BCCI has identified ten Indian cities and the venues.

”Taking forward its commitment in supporting sports for women and expanding the MI #OneFamily, Mumbai Indians announce the addition of a very special franchise - a women’s cricket team.

NEP to lay foundation of India’s G20 ambitions in first meeting

malpractice in light of a two-year investigation into the tycoon’s companies. Cement producers ACC Ltd. and Ambuja Cements Ltd., both recently acquired by Adani, also fell. Gautam Adani, the founder and chairman of the Adani Group, has gained a net worth of about $120 billion, which he has increased by over $100 billion in the last three years primarily as a result of stock price growth in the group’s seven prime listed companies.

Agency News: New Delhi

India’s education sector and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will play a key role in the country’s first G20 meeting between the education working group.

Through the first meeting, India aims to showcase the strengths of its education sector, which will include innovation, human resources, NEP recommendations, and much more.

The G20 Education Working Group will hold its first meeting in Chennai on February 1 and 2, 2023, with a seminar prior to it at IIT Madras on January 31. The seminar in IIT Madras will address tech enabled learning with a presentation made by the Director of the institute, Professor V Kamakoti. The event will be attended by all G20 nations and an exhibition on the achievements in the sector, including NIPUN Bharat, SWAYAM, DIKSHA, NEP 2020. UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Netherlands.

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of the India’s 74th Republic Day on Wednesday. President Murmu spoke about topics ranging from the G20 presidency to the Gaganyaan program and also hailed the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative for making India one of the fastest-growing major economies. ”India has been among fastest-growing major economies. This has been made possible by timely& proactive interventions from Govt. ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, has evoked great response among people at large. There’ve also been sector-specific incentive schemes,” President Murmu said. She also expressed confidence in India’s G20 presidency which began from December 1 last year. “G20 presidency

is an opportunity to promote democracy and multilateralism and the right forum for shaping a better world and a better future.

“Under India’s leadership, I’m sure, G20 will be able to further enhance its efforts to build a more equitable and sustainable world order,” the President said.

“Women’s empowerment and gender equality are no longer mere slogans, as we have made great progress towards these ideals in recent years. I have no doubt in my mind that women are the ones who will do the most to shape tomorrow’s India.” “On the occasion of Republic Day.

Despite Chinese aggression, India’s trade with Beijing rose by 50 per cent: Arvind Kejriwal

Agency News: New Delhi

Despite Chinese aggression, India’s trade with Beijing has increased and that is not right, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in an apparent swipe at the BJP-led Centre. “We are purchasing items like slippers, figurines and mattresses from China. Why can not we manufacture these in India?” he posed while addressing a Republic Day celebration event at Chhatrasal Stadium here. Stressing that all these items can be manufactured in the country,

A terror operative who was the main shooter in the grenade attack on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali last year has been arrested from Uttar Pradesh, an official of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Wednesday. Deepak Ranga, a resident of Surakpur in Jhajjar district of Haryana, was arrested from Gorakhpur Wednesday morning, a spokesperson of the federal anti-terror agency said. The official said Deepak Ranga had been on the run since the rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on the intelligence headquarters in Mohali in May last year. “Ranga is a close

The official said the accused has been actively receiving terror funds and logistical support from Rinda and Landa

associate of Canada-based gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias ‘Landa’ and Pakistan-based gangster-turnedterrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias ‘Rinda’. Apart from his involvement in the May RPG attack, he has been involved in a number of other violent terrorist and criminal offences.

‘ASHA’ workers’ indefinite strike enters 3rd day in Jharkhand

Agency News: Ranchi

The indefinite strike by ‘Asha’ workers in Jharkhand entered the third day on Wednesday as they stuck to their charter of demands, including a hike in their remuneration. Health services, such as immunisation, antenatal and post-natal check-ups in rural areas, have been adversely impacted as more than 42,000 Accredited Social Health Activists (Ashas) joined the agitation, an official said. Sahiyas, who help mobilise the community

Kejriwal said it will create jobs for youths and give a strong message to China. He claimed that according to reports China has “occupied” some of India’s territory which is a cause of worry for every citizen. “Despite Chinese aggression.

Delhi excise policy ‘scam’: ED attaches Rs 76.54 crore worth assets under PMLA

Agency News: New Delhi

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said it has attached houses located in upscale localities of Delhi and Mumbai, restaurants, 50 vehicles and bank deposits worth Rs 76.54 crore in a money laundering case probe linked to the Delhi excise policy ‘scam’. The properties belong to arrested Aam Aadmi Party

(AAP) communications in-charge Vijay Nair, liquor businessman Sameer Mahandru, his wife and company Indospirit Group, businessman Dinesh Arora, Arun Pillai, Amit Arora, director of liquor company Buddy Retail Pvt Limited, and others, the agency said in a statement. An order for the provisional attachment of the assets has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

and facilitate access to health and health-related services in rural areas, warned of intensifying the stir if their demands are not met. The ‘Asha’ workers have been staging demonstrations at primary and community health centres of the state and participated in rallies.

AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap resigns as Punjab Assembly committee chairmana

Agency News: Chandigarh

AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh has resigned as the chairman of the committee on government assurances of the Punjab Assembly, official sources said on Wednesday. The Amritsar North MLA sent his resignation to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha secretary on Tuesday through email, they said, adding it is yet to be accepted. Singh is learnt to have called a meeting of senior government officials on January 20 to review the investigation into the 2015 sacrilege cases.

However, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan had called another meeting on the same day. Pratap Singh, a former IPS officer, had earlier expressed

his displeasure over the handling of the 2015 sacrilege cases. During the Assembly session in September last year, he had raised questions over the probe being carried out by a Punjab Police special investigation team (SIT) led by Additional Director General of Police L K Yadav into the 2015 Kotkapura police firing incident.

SFI small group with no following, wont allow it to screen BBC documentary: Jamia VC

Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Najma Akhtar on Wednesday called SFI “a small student group with no following” and accused it of disturbing peace on the campus as the group announced screening of a recent BBC documentary on 2002 Godhra riots on campus. “We do not want any disturbance on the campus. We desire to keep the peace and harmony in the university where students are studying and giving exams,” Akhtar told. ”A small group like Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which has no following, is holding protests.

Anushka Sharma seen at an event.

Agency News: New Delhi

Agency News: New Delhi

Kerala govt revises norms on management of bodies of Covid-19 patients

SUNVILLA SAMACHAR

Rahul Gandhi left guessing about ‘proxy’ PM but it was no slip of tongue by Partap Bajwa

BJP-Shinde Combine Will Win More Than 150 Seats in BMC Polls: Shelar

Agency News: Mumbai

Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao Trains Guns on BJP Over Price Rise, Communal Issues

Agency News: Hyderabad

Addressing a public gathering at a rally in Pathankot, Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa implored Rahul Gandhi to announce that he will accept the post of prime minister, if the party comes to power in 2024. He asked him not to install a ‘farzi’ (proxy) PM. There was complete silence after Bajwa’s speech. Rahul asked party general secretary KC Venugopal, who was sitting next to him, about what was really said. Since the speech was in Punjabi, Venugopal couldn’t explain. When another Punjabi leader was summoned, he explained its meaning in detail. Rahul was left in a dilemma. By the way, Bajwa has been quite successful in the Congress party till now. It is hard to dismiss it as merely a ‘slip of tongue’.During the BJP national executive meeting in New Delhi last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence for the entire time was a subject of discussion among the delegates. The BJP’s top leadership was engaged in political thought processing for two consecutive days. Apart from this, the arrangements made for the meet were also discussed a lot. Organisational secretary BL Santosh kept a close watch on each and every detail. The culinary arrangements also had a distinctive touch. Besides Delhi’s traditional dal makhani and shahi paneer, there were local indigenous dishes from across the country. An entire lunch was dedicated to millets. Delegates from around the country found their region’s cereals at the meet. The Prime Minister personally enjoyed all this. After all, it was on India’s initiative that the UN declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai, who came to the national executive meeting in Delhi expecting some freebies, was tasked with a challenge instead. He had apprised PM Modi that the Congress party is promising free electricity and Rs 2,000 cash in the state, so the BJP should also do something on these lines. However, the PM advised him to remain focused and keep faith in his administration.

- Kapilkumar M. Hirpara Editor

Tamil Nadu: DMK Minister Lands in Row Over ‘Stone’ Hurling Incident

A video of the minister picking up something from the ground angrily and hurling it at someone has gone viral

The BJP and the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will win more than 150 seats in the upcoming BMC elections, the party’s city president Ashish Shelar said on Wednesday, reiterating his senior leader and Union minister Amit Shah’s ‘Mission 150 seats’. The BJP will also have its mayor in Mumbai, said Shelar at an event organised by the regional. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has 227 seats in the House. It is currently under an administrator as the five-year term of its elected representatives ended early last year and fresh polls are due. “The BJP along with our alliance partner CM Eknath Shinde will win more than 150 seats. The mayor of the new civic body will be from the BJP,” said Shelar. The Shiv Sena has controlled the BMC, Asia’s richest civic body with an annual budget of nearly Rs 45,000 crore, since 1997. But the last election in 2017 was a close contest as it won 84 seats, just two more than the BJP. After returning to power

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has 227 seats in the House

Aday after he tweeted to condemn a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a ‘dangerous precedent’, Congress veteran AK Antony’s son Anil K Antony quit the party on Wednesday, slamming “intolerant calls” to retract his statement.

Telangana Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao launched a broadside against the BJP-led central government over the allegedly mounting debt, rise in prices of fuel in the country, communal issues and others.

in Maharashtra with an alliance with Shinde, whose revolt split the Shiv Sena and led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government last year, the BJP is keen to wrest the control of the BMC from the Sena. Last week, the saffron party got Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lay the foundation stones and inaugurate a string of projects worth Rs 38,000 crore aimed at developing infrastructure, easing urban travel, and strengthening healthcare in the country’s financial capital. Shelar said, “There is a difference between the Shiv Sena led by late Balasaheb Thackeray and the current one under Uddhav Thackeray.

Kerala HC Suspends Conviction of Ex-Lakshadweep MP Faizal in Attempt to Murder Case

Agency News: Kochi

In a relief to former Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal, Kerala High Court on Wednesday suspended his conviction and 10-year sentence in an attempt to murder case. The court extended the same relief to the other three convicts, including Faizal’s brother, in the case. The detailed order of the high court is

not yet available. Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) Manu S, who represented the island administration, confirmed the high court order which came on the joint plea moved by the convicts against their conviction and 10 year jail term by a Sessions Court in Lakshadweep. The Union Territory (UT) of Lakshadweep had opposed suspension of sentence of the convicts, saying that granting them.

Sharing his resignation letter on Twitter, Anil Antony — who was part of the Congress’s social media cell in Kerala — also took a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ as he cited “abuses by ones supporting a trek to promote love”.

“By now, I have been made well aware that you, your colleagues, and the coterie around the leadership are only keen to work with a bunch of sycophants and chamchas, who would unquestionably be at your beck and call. This has become the lone criterion of merit,” Anil

Antony said as he called out the top brass of the party. On Tuesday, Anil Antony had called the BBC a state-sponsored channel with a “long history of prejudices against India”, while slamming a two-part series focusing on PM Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots. However, his view did not go down well with the Kerala Congress which announced that the documentary would be screened in different parts of the state. As Anil Antony quit the Congress, support poured in from several quarters, including the BJP.

Agency News: Srinagar

Security forces are on alert and have put in place all measures along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for the safety of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, officials said on Wednesday, a day before it is scheduled to reach Kashmir. CRPF Deputy Inspector General (Operations), South Kashmir, Alok Avasthi said the force is anyway always on alert. “We are more alert as far as the Bharat Jodo Yatra is concerned. Otherwise also, we are alert always. Whoever travels on the highway should feel safe, we have taken all security measures,” he told in Pulwama. Asked about

the security measures for Republic Day, Avasthi said any intelligence about attempts to vitiate the peace here will be acted upon strongly.

“We are fully alert. If there are intelligence inputs of any element trying to disrupt peace, we will destroy those elements,” the CRPF officer said. Earlier, the CRPF distributed sewing machines among beneficiaries who had approached the CRPF helpline ‘Madadgaar’.

Addressing a public meeting at Narayanpet town after attending various development programmes on Tuesday, he alleged that the present NDA government took huge debt in eight and half years compared to all the Prime Ministers put together before PM Modi.

Referring to an article written by Bibek Debroy, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the PM in a newspaper, allegedly favouring taxing farmers’ income in India, Rama Rao said it is a horrible idea to tax the farmers.

Karnataka

Agency News: Bengaluru

The Congress in Karnataka on Wednesday lodged a complaint with the police against BJP national President J P Nadda, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi

levelling allegations of offering bribes to woo voters in the ensuing assembly polls in the state. State Congress President D K Shivakumar, legislature party leader Siddaramaiah who are signatories of the complaint have requested the police to register a case and conduct an inquiry.

The complaint comes following an alleged announcement of Rs 6,000 per vote in the assembly

Rama Rao, son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, also flayed the comments of BJP leaders over the NDA government building highways and airports. Toll tax is imposed on the highways, while airports are built by private companies, the ruling BRS leader said. He also charged that the BJP rakes up communal issues instead of talking about bread and butter issues. Meanwhile, state BJP president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar came down heavily on the BRS government on various issues.

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elections due in May, by Gokak BJP MLA Jarkiholi. Jarkiholi, who was forced to resign as Minister in 2021 following his alleged involvement in a sex scandal, allegedly said in a recent rally in Belagavi if an incumbent Congress MLA there gives gifts and cash upto Rs 3,000, he shall give the voters the same worth Rs 6,000. The state unit of BJP, however, has distanced itself from the MLA’s statement.

Agency News: Chennai

Acontroversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu over a DMK minister angrily hurling something, apparently at a party worker, with the BJP state unit alleging he threw “stones at people in frustration.” There was no immediate response from the minister concerned, SM Nasar who holds the Milk and Dairy Development portfolio, or the ruling DMK over the issue. A video of the minister picking up something from the ground angrily and hurling it at someone has gone viral. Nasar had reportedly gone to a venue here to oversee arrangements for a party event and was apparently miffed at something. It was not

clear whether he threw a stone or a lump of earth. However, BJP TN unit president K Annamalai alleged the minister threw stones at people. “In India’s history, has anybody seen a govt minister throwing stones at people?” he asked in a tweet. Annamalai uploaded the viral video on his micro-blogging page.“Throwing stones at people in frustration. No decency, No decorum & treating people like slaves! That’s DMK for you,” he added. AIADMK leader and former minister D Jayakumar also criticised the minister, saying “that is Dravida model,” alluding to Chief Minister M K Stalin’s oftrepeated statement on his model of governance.

Helicopter carrying Sri Sri Ravi Shankar makes emergency landing due to bad weather in Tamil Nadu

Agency News: Sathyamangalam

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s helicopter made an emergency landing at Sathyamangalam in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district due to bad weather conditions on Wednesday. According to the report, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and

Uttar Pradesh: Leaving behind life as beggars, 45 children to march in R-Day contingent in Lucknow

PFI students detained in Jamia University ahead of BBC documentary screening; security beefed up

Major relief for Rana Ayyub, SC asks Ghaziabad court to adjourn hearing till January 31

Life will take a turn for around 45 young children on Thursday when they march on the Vidhan Sabha Marg as part of a Republic Day contingent, leaving behind their life as beggars.

four other people were taking a private helicopter from Bengaluru to Tirupur. The helicopter had to make an emergency landing this morning at 10:40 due to heavy fog and poor weather. After waiting for 50 minutes, the helicopter took off again at around 11:30 a.m. when the sky was sufficiently clear.

Fire breaks out in high-rise in Andheri’s Lokhandwala ; 4 people suffer from suffocation

The blaze erupted at around 1.45 am in a common passage on the 24th floor of Shivshakti building in Lokhandwala complex in suburban Andheri and caused thick smoke, they said.

Agency News: Mumbai

A fire broke out in a 29-floor residential building in Mumbai on Wednesday, following which four people suffered from suffocation

and were hospitalised, officials said. The blaze erupted at around 1.45 am in a common passage on the 24th floor of Shivshakti building in Lokhandwala complex in suburban Andheri and caused thick smoke, they said. At least four fire engines along with five jumbo tankers and other fire brigade vehicles were sent to the spot and the blaze was doused by 5.15 am, a fire brigade official said. The fire confined to electric cables in a common passage on the 24th floor, a civic official said, adding that heavy smoke also spread to the building’s 23rd floor. Four people, including two senior citizens, suffered from suffocation and were rushed to the nearby Kokilaben Hospital where they were undergoing treatment, the official said.

”These children who would be participating in the parade have come out from begging,” said an official of a local NGO that played a key role in pulling them out of their underprivileged lives.

Nine-year-old Mahi, a resident of Chinhat area of Lucknow, is among them. She now aspires to become a doctor. “I will be giving a dance performance along with my didis,” she told,

referring to her seniors. Balbir Singh, founder and secretary of NGO Ummeed, said the children who would be participating in the parade have come out from begging. “We were engaged with them for the past eight to 12 months. Basically, we worked to infuse a feeling of self-respect and self-prestige. These children were given exposure. They were taken to the Raj Bhavan, and they also interacted with the District Magistrate, Divisional Commissioner and Municipal Commissioner of Lucknow,” he told. ”When they went to these places...their self-esteem got awakened, and even the parents of these children supported them to get rid of beggary,” Singh said.

Singh said the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Lucknow Municipal Corporation and Ummeed are making efforts to pull out children from begging and integrate them into society’s mainstream.

Western Railway initiates construction of Metal Beam fencing across 622 km stretch of Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail line

Agency News: Mumbai

The western railway has initiated work of construction of Metal Beam fencing, covering length of about 622 km on Mumbai-Ahmedabad section to prevent incidents of cattle run over and to ensure smooth train movement. All the tenders awarded and the work is progressing at a rapid pace. Work will be likely to complete in next 4 to 5 months.

“Cattle run over incidents adversely affect rail operations, increasing the possibility of rail accidents leading to disruption of rail traffic and loss to rail property, etc. This also endangers the lives of the cattle and

cause loss to the cattle owners. To curb such incidents of cattle run over in the busy Mumbai – Ahmedabad section, Western Railway has initiated the work of construction of cattle barrier fencing” said an official of WR. “The metal barrier fencing will cover a length of about 622 km, between Mumbai to Ahmedabad and will be undertaken at an approx cost of Rs 245.26 crore.

All the 8 tenders have been awarded and work is progressing in full swing. The work is expected to be completed in the next 4 - 5 months.

The fencing will be of guard rails made of metal instead of a concrete wall. The fencing is very robust as it consists of two W-beams “ he said. “A W-beam type stands for wide flanges, which are thicker, that aid in resisting bend stress. Such fencing are used in highways and expressways, especially at accident prone areas to provide protection to vehicles as well as pedestrians”.

PFI members were detained in Jamia University ahead of BBC documentary screening on Wednesday. The students were detained on the grounds that they manhandled the police officials. Four students have been detained for allegedly creating a ruckus outside Jamia Milia Islamia University over the screening of the BBC documentary today,” Delhi Police The students of Jamia University have announced a protest at 4 pm today. The security there has been beefed up as a precautionary measure to avoid chaos. Amid the high voltage drama over the BBC Modi Documentary screening controversy at JNU, the documentary is all set to be screened in the Jamia University. The screening was scheduled to be conducted today at 6 pm. The

The Ghaziabad court had summoned Ayub and asked her to appear before it on January 27

power connection to the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus was abruptly cut down minutes before the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Modi, said several students taking to Twitter Tuesday night. The students also claimed that the stones were hurled at them on the campus, and a complaint to the police has been made in this regard. As per reports, the internet connection to the offices of student union leaders was also disrupted. The JNU students protested outside a police station in Vasant Kunj after they marched there, claiming stones were pelted during the screening of a banned BBC documentary on PM Modi.

30 CBI Officers Get Police Medals on Republic Day Eve

Agency News: New Delhi

Thirty CBI officers, including those who supervised cases related to Child Sexual Abuse Material, the death of Mahant Narendra Giri and against Lalu Prasad, were awarded police medals on the eve of Republic Day on Wednesday. Six officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPMDS) while 24 were awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PMMS), a government statement said. Joint Director Viplav Kumar Choudhary, a 1997-batch IPS officer, who is overseeing recent cases related to online peddling of Child Sexual Abuse Material and the death of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri in Prayagraj, among other special crime cases, was awarded the coveted PPMDS, it said. His batchmate and another joint director in the central probe agency Sharad

Joint Director Viplav Kumar Choudhary who is overseeing recent cases related to online peddling of Child Sexual Abuse Material and the death of ABVP president Mahant Narendra Giri in Prayagraj

Agarwal, who supervised cases including the murder of a Class 2 student of a private school in Gurugram, alleged murder of a Jharkhand judge Uttam Anand and cases related to alleged corruption by RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was also awarded the PPMDS, the statement said. Deputy Inspector General Gagandeep Gambhir.

In a relief to journalist Rana Ayyub, the Supreme Court of India asked the Ghaziabad Special Court to adjourn till January 31 the hearing of the case where summons were issued to her in relation to a PMLA case registered by the ED. The Ghaziabad court had summoned Ayub and asked her to appear before it on January 27. In October 2022, the ED filed a complaint against her before the Ghaziabad court over alleged violations in publicly raising funds. ED had

registered the case on the basis of a complaint registered in September 2021 in Ghaziabad under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Amendment Act and Black Money Act against Ayyub. It was alleged in the FIR that she illegally acquired funds from the general public in the name of charity by launching fundraiser campaigns.It was alleged that Ayyub received foreign contributions without registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

ED Arrests Trinamool Congress Spokesperson Saket Gokhale in Money Laundering Case

Gokhale was taken into custody under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Ahemdabad where he is lodged in judicial custody in a Gujarat Police case

Agency News: New Delhi

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Saket Gokhale in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in a crowd funding initiative, official sources said Wednesday. Gokhale was taken into custody under criminal sections of the Prevention

of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Ahemdabad where he is lodged in judicial custody in a Gujarat Police case. He will be produced by the federal agency before a local court there seeking his remand, they said.

The Gujarat Police arrested Gokhale from Delhi December 29 in its case of alleged misuse of money he had collected through crowdfunding. Earlier in December, the Gujarat Police arrested him twice for allegedly spreading fake news regarding the cost incurred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Morbi town following a bridge collapse tragedy.

Agency News: Lucknow

Agency News: New Delhi

Agency News: New Delhi

‘Planned Negativity’, ‘Intolerant’ & ‘Hate Factory’: AK Antony’s Son Gets Support on Quitting Congress

All Security Measures in Place for Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar-Jammu Highway: CRPF

Congress

Complaint Against Nadda, Bommai, after MLA’s ‘Rs 6,000 Per Vote’ Remark

Three years sounds a lot, have only played few ODIs: Rohit miffed with broadcasters

An annoyed Rohit Sharma slammed the broadcaster for showing his century in the third ODI against New Zealand was the first in “three years” as the skipper pointed out he hardly played any 50-over matches during the period due to various reasons. As Rohit pulled away to deep square to get to his 30th ODI century in the third game against New Zealand on Tuesday, the broadcaster flashed the statistic that it was the Indian skipper’s first ton since January 2020. While the statistic is true, Rohit felt it did not convey the correct picture. “Regarding the first hundred in three years, I’ve

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played only 12 (17) ODIs in three years. Three years sounds a lot,” Rohit told after the match.

“You guys should know what’s happening. I know that it was shown on broadcast but kabhi kabhi woh cheez bhi dhyan dena chahiye, broadcaster ko bhi sahi cheez dikhana chahiye,” he added.

When a journalist further asked if it was the return of the ‘Hitman’, a moniker used for him, Rohit, who slammed nine fours and six sixes in India’s 90-run win, said, “As I said, there were no matches in 2020.” “Everyone was sitting at home because of COVID-19.

We hardly played ODIs, I was injured so I played two Tests during that time, so you have to put all of that in perspective.

Australian Open: Sania Mirza-Rohan Bopanna pair enter mixed-doubles final

Agency News : New Delhi

Playing the last Grand Slam tournament of her career, Sania Mirza earned the chance to win her seventh major title by reaching the Australian Open mixed doubles final with compatriot Rohan Bopanna here on Wednesday. The unseeded Indian pair knocked out third seeds Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 10-6 in the semifinal that lasted one hour and 52 minutes. After splitting a set each, the Indians raced to a commanding lead in the Super Tie-breaker. Sania found a stunning backhand winner to earn three match point and sealed the contest with a drive volley that Krawczyk could not return. “It

was an amazing match, there was a lot of nerves. It’s my last slam and it’s so special to play with Rohan. He was my first mixed doubles partner when I was 14 and today I’m 36 and he is 42 and we are still playing, we have a solid relationship,” Sania said after the match. Sania has announced that the WTA event in Dubai in February will be her swansong. “We are excited to come back here and give ourselves another chance.

Agency News : Mumbai

Brown, that stars Karisma Kapoor as a world-weary cop and was shot extensively in Calcutta, has become the first Indian web series to be invited to the Berlin Market Selects section at the Berlin International Film Festival, to be held in February. The chatted with the show’s director Abhinay Deo — the man behind clutter-breaking cinema like Delhi Belly and seminal TV like 24 — to know more. It is a separate section. At Berlin, there is the awards section, for which the basic criterion is that the series has to be ready. Brown is being edited as we speak, and we could not really qualify for that category.

Agency News : Mumbai

Actor and former Bigg Boss contestant Ashmit Patel is all set to make his comeback with the film Sector Balakot. The movie is inspired by the Balakot attack.

Actor-producer Sohail Khan recently launched the film’s poster, teaser, trailer and its song ‘Vande Mataram’ in Mumbai. The film also stars Femina Miss India Jinal Pandya, Vipul Gupta, Jitendra Trehan and Puneet Issar. Sohail Khan said, “I saw the trailer, teaser and song of the film Sector Balakot.

I found it a good effort. I think all the actors and technicians have given 200 per cent. The subject of the

Rishabh

Pant in ICC Men’s Test team

Agency News : New Delhi

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who is recovering from the injuries he sustained in a car accident on December 30, is the only Indian to be picked in the ICC Men’s Test team of 2022. The 25-year-old had a glorious year with the bat, amassing 680 runs from 12 innings at an average of 61.81 and a strike rate of 90.90. He had two centuries and four fifties in the year. He smashed 21 sixes in Tests and was decent with the gloves, taking 23 catches, besides six stumpings. England skipper Ben Stokes, who transformed the side with his aggressive brand of

Freeze import duties for next five years, cut customs levy slabs to 5: GTRI to Govt

Agency News : New Delhi

cricket, has been named captain of the Test XI that also has his teammates Jonny Bairstow and James Anderson. Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Siraj are the only two Indians to find a place in the ICC ODI Team of 2022 captained by Pakistan’s Babar Azam. In a fruitful 2022, Iyer played 17 games and scored 724 runs. Siraj took 24 wickets in 15 ODIs.

Government unhappy with wrestlers’ behaviour, unlikely to reconstitute oversight committee

Agency News : New Delhi

The government is unhappy with the wrestlers’ behaviour and will not reconstitute the oversight committee formed to probe the sexual harassment charges against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Sports Ministry sources said on Wednesday. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had on Monday announced that a five-member oversight committee, headed by legendary boxer M C Mary Kom, will investigate the charges against the Wrestling Federation of India boss and also manage the day-to-day affairs of the sports body. Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sarita Mor and Sakshi Malik, who staged a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar for three days demanding the sacking of the WFI president, expressed disappointment that they were not consulted before the formation of

the committee. “The ministry has no plans to reconstitute the oversight committee to probe the allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh,” a ministry source told on Wednesday. ”We have formed a fair committee under Mary Kom which will go into the details of the matter,” said the source, adding that the government is unhappy with the wrestlers’ behaviour as they went public with their reservations on the formation of the committee. According to sources, the protesting wrestlers consider the London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar close.

The government should not make any changes in the customs duties for at least five years with a view to promoting domestic manufacturing, economic think tank GTRI said on Wednesday in its pre-Budget recommendations. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) also suggested retaining import duty on components; removal of inverted duty issues; and reduction of customs duty slabs to 5 from 25 at present to avoid confusion and minimise litigation. These suggestions will prepare India adequately to meet the challenging global economic environment, it said. The think tank noted that countries worldwide have turned inwards to brace for the tough global conditions and against this background India should announce a five-

Every one in four Indians surveyed concerned about threat of job layoff: Survey

Agency News : New Delhi

year duty freeze. “Any change may upset...production linked incentive scheme (PLI); phased manufacturing programme and other manufacturing initiatives. The government must reduce import duties only when a clear economic case is present,” it said. The duty freeze should be co-terminus with the five years of the PLI scheme and it would also convey the message of policy stability. The GTRI also said all electronic and complex engineering devices consist of thousands of components and India will become true manufacture only when components are made here.

Every one in four Indians is concerned about the threat of job layoff while three out of four are worried about rising inflation yet half of them believe that the country’s economy will grow in 2023, according to a survey by marketing data and analytics firm Kantar. In its second edition of India Union Budget survey, Kantar found that consumers expect an announcement in policy changes with respect to income tax, with increasing basic income tax exemption limit from current Rs 2.5 lakh being the most common expectation. ”At a macroeconomic level, most have a positive outlook -- 50 per cent believe that the Indian economy will grow in 2023 as against 31 per cent, who feel there will be a slowdown. Non-metros

at 54 per cent are more optimistic as compared to metros,” Kantar said. However, it said the global economic slowdown and a potential resurgence of COVID-19 are key areas of worry for Indians. “Three out of four people are worried about the rising inflation and want the government to introduce decisive measures to tackle the same,” it added. Further, Kantar said, Every one in four Indians is also concerned about the threat of job layoff. This is relatively higher in the affluent , older 36–55 year-olds and salaried classes (30 per cent).” In terms.

3M Cutting About 2,500 Manufacturing Jobs Globally Sensex Tanks 774 pts, Nifty Ends Near 17,900; SBI Down 4%

Agency News : New Delhi

3M, the maker of Post-it notes, industrial coatings and ceramics, is cutting about 2,500 manufacturing jobs worldwide as it looks to align itself with adjusted production volumes. The company announced last month that it will exit per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance manufacturing by the end of 2025. The so-called forever chemicals are used in nonstick frying pans, water-repellent sports gear, stain-resistant rugs, cosmetics and countless other consumer products. 3M Co. also reported fourth-quarter earnings of $541

million, or 98 cents per share. Its adjusted profit was $2.28 per share. That’s below the $2.34 per share that analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research predicted. Revenue for the St Paul, Minnesota-based company totaled $8.08 billion in the period, beating Wall Street’s estimate of $8.04 billion.

BOLLYWOOD-HOLLYWOOD

Agency News : New Delhi

Benchmark indices ended lower on January 25. Equity markets succumbed to severe selling pressure on Wednesday led by losses in financial stocks and the monthly F&O expiry that weakened investor sentiment.

The BSE Sensex slumped 774 points to close at 60,205 after it recovered from its intra day low of 60,081. The NSE Nifty lost 226 points to close at 17,892.

Across the two indices, IndusInd Bank, HDFC twins, SBI, Adani Ports, Tech M, Axis Bank and Ultratech Cement were the top drags, slipping 1-4 per cent.

On the other hand, Bajaj Auto,

Maruti, HUL, Britannia, Tata Steel, and Hindalco firmly defied the weak trend and ended with gains of up to 1 per cent. Within sectors, the Nifty PSB index tanked 3.6 per cent followed by bank, financial indices. Auto, metals and FMCG pockets closed nearly flat with fractional cuts. In the broader market, the BSE midcap index cracked 1.5 per cent while smallcap index lost around 1 per cent. ACC, Adani Power, Motilal Oswal, Vodafone Idea, Concor and Aurobindo Pharma led midcap losses, sinking up to 7 per cent. Dr. V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

But we had sent them two episodes, and they loved it so much that they included it in the Berlinale Series Market Selects section. This section is something that they do only by invitation. That’s a huge honour because there are only 16 from all across the world that they have selected, and Brown happens to be India’s first web series in Berlin Market Selects. Zee Studios is producing it and they got it

to me almost two years ago. It’s based on a book. We took the book as the base and then we wrote our screenplay around it, and it evolved into something much more. There is, of course, a lot of difference between a book and a series. We started writing two years ago and then last year, we shot the show. I was in Calcutta for almost a month, shooting the entire series.Brown is a murder mystery on the surface, but it’s essentially a story about people. I selected Calcutta as a city because I personally feel that it’s a rare city in this country which is very different from the rest of the metros.

Oscars 2023: Guneet Monga’s The Elephant Whisperers nominated in Best Documentary Short Film category

Agency News : Mumbai

Kartiki Gonsalves’ directorial

‘The Elephant Whisperers’ has been nominated for Oscars 2023 in the Best Documentary Short Film category. Other films nominated in the category are ‘The Flagmakers’, ‘Nuisance Bear’, ‘Shut Up and Paint’, ‘Angola Do You Hear Us?

Voices from a Plantation Prison’, ‘Anastasia’, and other documentary shorts in the section. The producer and director of ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ penned a long note on Instagram, soon after their short film

was nominated for Oscars 2023.

“The Elephant Whisperers is an ode to devotion and love..an ode to unconditional selfless love for the beautiful baby

so pure and surreal,” she

wrote. Guneet and Kartiki added, “Goes without saying, *thank you* the incredible team @netflix - you not just empower dreams, you make them come true.” “Today’s nomination strengthens my faith in stories with heart and people who tirelessly submit themselves to a larger vision. It is truly for them! It is the innocence and honesty that transcended these boundaries and made The Elephant Whisperers travel from a small quaint town of Ooty to the biggest stage of Cinema,” they added. The Elephant Whisperer is available on Netflix.

Bombay HC extends relief to Rakhi Sawant till February 1 in case filed by Sherlyn Chopra Sherlyn Chopra had filed FIR against Rakhi Sawant in November 2022 Justice MS Karnik extended order of no coercive action Ms Sawant till February 1

Agency News : Mumbai

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday extended relief to Rakhi Sawant till February 1 in a case registered against her by another model. Justice MS Karnik extended order of no coercive action Ms Sawant till February 1 as the complaint sought to file

an intervention application. A model and actor had filed an FIR against Ms Sawant alleging that the latter circulated her obscene videos to the media and made derogatory statements against her. Amboli police had booked Ms Sawant and her lawyer Falguni Brahmbhatt on November 8, 2022, under sections 354A (sexual harassment), 500 (defamation), 504 (intentional insult) and 509 (insulting modesty of woman by act, word or gesture) of the Indian Penal Code and section 67 (transmission of obscene content in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act.

and making us all proud! It was an honour to be associated with this beautiful film ‘Tell it like a woman’ alongside such esteemed artists! Thank you @leenaclicks @chiaratilesi @lucasakoskin @andreaiervolinoproducer @ wditogether @aseematographer @arrahman Also big congratulations to Team RRR for Naatu Naatu nomination!!! My best wishes and love to the entire team and all the nominees,” she wrote. Tell It Like a Woman is an anthology directed by Leena Yadav, Maria Sole Tognazzi, Lucia Puenzo, Silvia Carobbio, Taraji P Henson, Mipo Oh, and Catherine Hardwicke. It is an Italian-American production. Other songs nominated in the category are Hold My Hand from Top Gun: Maverick, Lift Me Up from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and This Is a Life from Everything Everywhere All at Once. This is the third major international recognition for Naatu Naatu, composed by MM Keeravani and penned by Chandrabose. The hit track, sung by Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj, earned recognition after Keeravani won a Golden Globe as well as a Critics Choice award for it. RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli, also won the Critics Choice Award for best foreign language film. Besides Naatu Naatu, India had two more shining moments at the Academy Awards nominations announcement on Tuesday night. Shaunak Sen’s critically-acclaimed “All That Breathes” made it to the final nominations list in the best documentary feature category, while Tamil documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” bagged a nomination in the documentary short subject section of the 95th Academy Awards.

ellie Raghu who felt all the emotions like us humans but only two could hear his whispersBomman and Bellie. who discovered this sacred bond and trusted us with the story

film is good.” “The reason I came to this event is Ashmit Patel, who has been my friend for years. They always say that our family is friend of friends but in fact Ashmit himself is friend of friends. Today, due to the

advent of OTT, it is a difficult task to bring the audience to the theatres. In such a situation, I congratulate the director of this film, Hitesh Khristy, for releasing a film like Sector Balakot in theatres.

Agency News : New Delhi