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"This great gathering of faith and modernity (Mahakumbh 2025) will bring prosperity in the life of every individual... A growth of Rs 2 lakh crore is going to happen from Mahakumbh alone. It is going to become a new example of how faith provides prosperity to the economy... I believe that your reporting will help establish Mahakumbh and Prayagraj as a tourist destination in the world," UP CM Yogi Adityanath said after inagurating Media Centre for Mahakumbh 2025.

The National Conference government headed by Omar Abdullah would not "fight" the Centre but work with it to resolve the problems faced by Jammu and Kashmir, party president Farooq Abdullah asserted here on Thursday.

"We don't want to fight New Delhi. We want to work together with Delhi to resolve the state's problems. We don't want to engage in battles. Those who want to fight can do so," the former chief minister told reporters.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the administration, alleging that Jammu and Kashmir's electricity has been diverted to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, leaving the people of the Union Territory to suffer.

Union Minister and HAM founder Jitan Ram Manjhi said that NDA will win Bihar elections by two-third majority. 

"The INDIA alliance has no purpose... If there is no purpose, then it is natural for it to break... Nitish Kumar will remain in NDA... We believe that the NDA government will be formed with a two-third majority and Nitish Kumar will become the Chief Minister of Bihar again ..." Manjhi said. 

Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) 'Tarini' carrying two women officers on Thursday crossed the International Date Line (IDL), achieving a significant milestone during the crew's global circumnavigation expedition, officials said."As the vessel sailed eastwards, the crew adjusted their clocks to account for the date change, symbolising the blending of two consecutive calendar days," a Navy spokesperson said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to chair an ambassadors' round-table here on Friday when the participants would be briefed on major events of Aero India 2025 to be held in February, officials said.The 15th edition of 'Aero India'  -- Asia's biggest aero show -- is scheduled to be held at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru, Karnataka from February 10 to 14.

Veteran Assamese filmstar Jnanada Kakati, one of the first Indian actresses to get global recognition, died at a hospital due to age-related ailments. She was 94.Kakati was admitted to a private hospital in Shillong, where she breathed her last on Wednesday night, doctors said. She is survived by daughter Juri Kakati.

The enforcement directorate on Thursday said there was enough evidence to put former AAP minister Satyendar Jain on trial and sought a Delhi court to frame charges against him in a money laundering case. Special judge Jitendra Singh heard ED's submissions on framing of charge in the case.

Judgement in the rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in August last year will be delivered on January 18 by the designated judge of Sealdah court here.      

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which was handed over the probe into the case from the Kolkata Police by the Calcutta High Court, prayed for awarding of death sentence to Sanjay Roy, who was charged with the gruesome crime.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said he would order a judicial inquiry into the stampede incident that left six people dead and dozens injured, besides transferring three senior officials including the district Superintendent of Police.  

Addressing a press conference, Naidu said he has ordered suspension of two officials, including a DSP, for their dereliction.

Gold price climbed Rs 300 for a third consecutive session to Rs 80,300 per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday amid strong global cues, according to the All India Sarafa Association. 

Traders said the precious metal surged, following news that People's Bank of China (PBoC) increased its reserves for the second consecutive month.

With the AAP facing "anti-incumbency" in Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal is "panicking" and is trying to pressure the Congress through its partners but "we are not going to make any kind of alliance" with his party, city Congress chief Devender Yadav said on Thursday. 

He also said there is no official statement from INDIA bloc parties about supporting the Aam Aadmi Party in upcoming Delhi assembly polls, and any alliance leader making statement to this effect is doing so in his or her own individual capacity.

“People of UP and Bihar will tell Kejriwal on February 5 who the real fraud is. How can he insult them?" BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said. 

“Kejriwal insulted people of UP and Bihar. He called them fake and fraud. Kejriwal you are a fraud not them. Don't forget there are 42% voters from UP and Bihar in Delhi,” BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said. 

Two officials who failed to ensure smooth operations are being suspended, said Andhra CM Naidu on Tirupati stampede incident. 

Sub Committee on GRAP invoked all actions under Stage-III ('Severe' Air Quality of Delhi) of the revised Schedule of GRAP, with immediate effect in Delhi-NCR, in addition to the Stage-I and II actions already in force.

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu says he was 'pained' by Tirupati stampede incident. Announced Rs 25 lakh to kin of victims.

33 people injured in Tirupati stampede incident. They will be given Rs 2 lakh financial aid, said Andhra Chief Minister Naidu. 

Amid chaos over the stampede incident at Tirupati Balaji Temple, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday reached the location, where the unfortunate incident that happened last night claimed six lives and nearly 40 people sustained injuries.

His visit comes after Andhra Pradesh Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad said that the state government will ensure support to the families of the victims who have died in the stampede incident with financial aid worth Rs 25 lakh.

Sambhal District Magistrate (DM) Rajender Pensiya on Thursday said efforts are underway to restore the five religious sites that were rediscovered and excavated following the recent anti-encroachment drive.

Addressing the media, the DM explained that while these pilgrimage sites and their associated wells were recorded in sacred texts, many had been encroached upon for various reasons.

The DM inspected the five rediscovered and excavated religious sites -- Chaturmukh Koop, Ashok Koop, Chatur Sagar, Ekant Tirtha, and Shankh Madhav.

"These places were traditionally ponds where religious activities such as bathing and worship took place," the DM said.

Two labourers were injured and many others feared trapped after a silo at a smelting plant collapsed in Chhattisgarh’s Mungeli district on Thursday, police said.

The incident occurred in the afternoon at the plant located in the Saragaon area of the district, Mungeli Superintendent of Police Bhojram Patel said.

ISRO chairman S Somanath on Thursday said space science is not just about the excitement of becoming astronomers, but it also involves complex and time-consuming science, an expertise that can only be built persistently over the years.

Somanath, who is also Secretary, Department of Space, was delivering a keynote speech at the virtual launch of the third edition of ISRO's Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START 2025) programme.

EAM Dr S Jaishankar interacts with members of the Indian diaspora from the US, at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, in Bhubaneswar.

PM says, In the past 10 years india has taken huge steps towards overall health concerns and issues. We helped people to get medicines at 80% less rates, have made one of the best medical facilities.

PM Modi says, "Today India has taken a historic step in the world of research. Five years ago the Genome India Project was approved. Inspite of the challenges posed by the covid, our scientists have completed the project. I am very happy that more than 20 research organisations have played a very important role in the research. Now the data of the project is available in the Indian Biological Data Center. This project will prove to be a big milestone in the Department of Biotechnology Research"

The Genome India Project marks a defining moment in the country's biotechnology landscape. My best wishes to those associated with the project.

Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Thursday took charge as Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on Wednesday appointed Pandey, who was holding the charge of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) and Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), as the Revenue Secretary. The order also stated that Pandey will continue to be designated as the Finance Secretary.

 Security forces on Thursday recovered two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, an official said.

The IEDs were unearthed from Murdanda dirt track in Awapalli police station limits when a joint team of 229th battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and local police was out on a Road Opening Party (ROP) and demining duty, the official informed.

Once desperately dry, the people of Bundelkhand region are now getting tap water in each home, the Uttar Pradesh government said on Thursday.

The transformation of the region will be displayed through an exhibition at the upcoming Maha Kumbh, it said.

Set across 40,000 square feet, the exhibition will highlight initiatives such as PM Awas, CM Awas, gram panchayat development, and solar energy adoption.

An expert rescue team of Nagpur-headquartered Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has gone to Assam to take part in the operations to rescue labourers trapped inside a quarry in Umrangso, some 250 kilometres from Guwahati in the north-eastern state, an official said here on Thursday.

The labourers were trapped inside the 3-Kilo Coal Quarry on Monday after a sudden gush of water flooded the site. According to employees of the quarry, there were around 15 workers inside the illegal mine when water breached one of the walls and flooded the entire shaft and tunnels.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday urged the Union Education Ministry to immediately withdraw the University Grants Commission's new regulation 2025 on appointing vice-chancellors of universities, a move which was against the fundamental principle of the Constitution and federalism, it said.

It can harm the higher education system of Tamil Nadu, the resolution passed with the support of all political parties, including the PMK, an ally of the BJP, said. The Opposition AIADMK, too, backed the DMK and its allies on the resolution.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday visited the accident site where a stampede claimed six lives and injured many.

Six devotees died and nearly 40 more were injured in the stampede at Bairagi Patteda near MGM School in Tirupati on Wednesday night as hundreds of them jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated four exhibitions at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 convention, showcasing India’s cultural heritage, traditions and the contributions of its diaspora.

The first exhibition, titled ‘Vishwaroop Ram,’ highlighted the universal legacy of the Ramayana. It presented the timeless epic through a blend of traditional and contemporary art forms, emphasising its relevance across cultures.

The recent introduction of a one-time password (OTP) feature for the RTI portal is meant to protect user privacy, the Centre said on Thursday.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has examined the concerns raised about the functioning of the Right to Information (RTI) portal -- www.rtionline.gov.in -- and clarified that the system is operational and effective after the introduction of a new OTP feature, an official statement said.

The portal allows an user to file RTI applications, appeals and to know their status.

India's rice and wheat output is projected to dip by 6-10 per cent due to climate change, impacting access to affordable food for millions, senior officials have said.

Another effect of climate change is that sea water is becoming warmer along the coast forcing fish to move away to cooler water in deep sea, which has also hit the fishing community, the officials said.

India's wheat production had touched 113.29 million tonnes in the 2023-24 crop year, which was about 14 per cent of the global output, while rice harvests topped 137 million tonnes. Rice and wheat form staple diet for the country's 1.4 billion population, 80 per cent of which relies on subsidised food grains supplied through various government schemes.

Three Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Thursday, state Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said.

The security forces have achieved success in the anti-Naxal operation in Sukma, he said.

So far, bodies of three Naxalites have been recovered and the search operation is still underway, Sharma, who holds the Home portfolio, told reporters in Raipur.

Referring to the IED blast triggered by Naxalites on January 6 wherein eight security personnel and a civilian driver of their vehicle were killed in Bijapur district, the deputy CM said, "There is huge anger among security forces after what Naxalites have done." "I have met them (security forces). I reiterate that with the strength and courage of our jawans, the (Naxal) menace will be eliminated within the stipulated time," he said.

Asserting that the world today listens to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that due to the country's heritage, it is able to tell the international community that the future does not lie in 'yudh' (war) but in 'Budh' (Buddha).

Addressing the diaspora at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar, Modi said India is not only the mother of democracy, but democracy is a part of people's lives here.

He said the world today listens to India, which not only presents its own views strongly but also those of the Global South.

The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh each to the kin of the deceased devotees who died in a stampede here.

Six devotees died and nearly 40 more were injured in the stampede at Bairagi Patteda near MGM School in Tirupati on Wednesday night as hundreds of them jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills.

Hundreds of devotees turned up from across the country for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam commencing from January 10.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk's offers free Starlink terminals to affected areas in LA tomorrow morning.

Preparations are in full swing to celebrate the first anniversary of the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya this weekend.

Scheduled from January 11 to 13, the celebrations aim to include commoners, who were unable to attend the historic ceremony last year, alongside around 110 invited VIPs, according to the temple trust.

A German hangar tent has been installed at the Angad Teela site, capable of hosting up to 5,000 people. Common people will have the opportunity to witness the grand event, which include classical cultural performances, rituals, and daily Ram Katha discourses at the pavilion and Yagnashala.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu will visit the incident spot followed by a visit to the hospital to meet the victims. 

A 55-year-old farmer protesting at the Shambhu border allegedly committed suicide on Thursday by consuming a poisonous substance, farmer leaders said, the second such incident at the agitation site within three weeks.

Resham Singh, who was from Pahuwind in Tarn Taran district, took the extreme step at the Shambhu border point between Punjab and Haryana where farmers have been protesting for almost a year now, pressing the Centre guarantees Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

The Tirupati East Police have registered two separate FIRs following the deaths of multiple devotees during the Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations in the temple town.

 The incidents occurred on January 8 at different locations in the city, highlighting the challenges posed by overcrowding during the annual religious festival.
 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to meet with leaders of slum clusters in Delhi on January 11 as part of an initiative to engage with slum voters ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.

 This will be Shah's first interaction with the heads of nearly 3,000 slum colonies across the city. The meeting will take place at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.
 

Passengers onboard a civic transport service bus had a narrow escape when it caught fire in Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai township on Thursday morning, police said.

All the 22 passengers were evacuated safely and no one was injured, they said.

The incident led to a traffic jam in the area for some time.

A China-made drone has been found lying inside the high-security Bhopal Central Jail, prompting authorities to launch a probe into it, an official said on Thursday.

A guard near B-block building inside the prison spotted the black drone, which was charged and weighed 30 to 40 gm, between 3.30 pm and 4 pm on Wednesday, jail superintendent Rakesh Kumar Bangre told PTI.

No one saw the drone landing in the jail premises, he said, adding that prima facie it appears the unmanned aerial device might be of children who were playing with it near the prison.

At least four pilgrims were killed when the bus they were travelling in was involved in an accident with a vegetable-laden truck here on Thursday, police sources said.

The victims, reportedly hailing from Karnataka were returning home in a KSRTC bus after visiting a temple near Chennai, the sources said.

An encounter broke out between security personnel and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Thursday, a senior police official said.

The gunfight started in the morning in a forest along the border of Sukma and Bijapur districts when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, the official said.

Personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action- an elite unit of CRPF) were involved in the operation, he said.

Inspector Roshan Kumar Singh, team Commander of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), confirmed that despite searching the vertical area and using heavy pumps to remove water, the water level has not decreased at the mining accident site.

The operation, supported by Sonar equipment, is ongoing as water continues to flow into the mine, hindering progress.

Flight operations at Birsa Munda airport here were affected due to dense fog on Thursday, an official said.

No arrival or departure of flights took place till 10.30 am at the airport, while four flights were diverted due to poor visibility, the official said.

"Since morning no arrival or departure of flights has taken place at Ranchi Airport due to poor visibility. All flights are likely to be delayed. Four flights were also diverted," Birsa Munda airport director RR Maurya said.

Six people died and 40 others have been injured in the stampede at the Tirupati Temple.

The scale of the incident has seen the opposition leaders target the Chandrababu Naid government, former TTD Chairman Bhuma Karunakar Reddy slammed the coalition government over the tragic stampede incident at Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati, attributing it to administrative failure.
 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered the opening remarks of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Thursday in Odisha where he highlighted the importance of diaspora in nation-building, noted government's achievements for providing a safety net for them and how the diaspora can become an anchor to bring in developmental opportunities for India.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday remotely flagged off the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the diaspora.

The train started its three-week journey from the Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi.

This train will travel to multiple destinations of tourism and religious importance across the country.

The White House says the declaration allows for federal funding to be made available to impacted individuals in Los Angeles County for temporary housing and home repairs as well as low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs aimed at helping individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reached the Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar to inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 2025.

He will also inaugurate four exhibitions and then take a tour of the exhibitions and promotional stalls of Union and state ministries and departments, officials said.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Additional Executive Officer Venkayya Chowdary on early Thursday morning visited the Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government General Hospital in Tirupati to meet those injured in a tragic stampede in Andra Pradesh a day earlier. Six people were also killed.

New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has called a review meeting on Thursday after six people were killed in the Tirupati stampede incident a day earlier, a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson said. 

CM Chandrababu Naidu is also due to meet the families of the deceased later in the day. TDP National Spokesperson Prem kumar Jain stressed that the state government is taking steps to prevent Tirupati stampede-like incidents.

Following a stampede at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday evening, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed his condolences and prayers for the affected families and the injured. 

Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Saddened by the unfortunate stampede at Tirupati Temple. Heartfelt condolences to the families who lost dear ones. Pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."
 

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said she was distressed to know the loss of lives of devotees due to a stampede in Tirupati, and offered her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

"Distressed to know that a stampede in Tirupati led to loss of life of many devotees. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of the injured," Murmu said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas today. A large crowd is expected to attend, and tight security arrangements have been made. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the inaugural session on Thursday, while President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the valedictory session on Friday.

A car plunged into a canal here in which two occupants are feared to have been swept away by strong current, police said on Thursday.

The vehicle which fell into the canal late on Wednesday has been fished out, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been called in to assist with the search, police said.

The incident occurred when a Swift car went out of control and fell into the Walipura Canal. Upon receiving information, police and administrative teams reached the scene and used cranes and other machines to pull the car out of the canal.

As many as six people lost their lives and several others have been injured after a stampede broke out near the Tirupati temple on Wednesday evening, according to officials from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).  The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens.
 

Delhi experienced a significant drop in temperature on Thursday, as cold wave conditions and inclement weather enveloped the city.
As per the data of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded 6.4 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am on Thursday.
The MeT Department has predicted the minimum temperature for the day is 5 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 21 degrees Celsius.

A suspected case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection has been reported in Himatnagar city of Gujarat's Sabarkantha district, officials said Wednesday.

The blood sample of the patient - an eight-year-old boy, who is currently on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital - has been sent to a government hospital for confirmation, they said.

"The case is under screening. A sample has been sent to a government lab for confirmation, and the result is awaited," Sabarkantha district collector Ratankanvar Gadhavicharan said.

There is a strong belief in India’s democratic values and growth story here, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said in London during his ongoing visit to the UK.

Addressing a community gathering at the High Commission of India in London on Wednesday evening, Birla shared insights from his dialogues with his UK counterpart – House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and other members of Parliament.

“I had a good dialogue with leading UK parliamentarians and they displayed a strong belief in India’s democratic values and growth story,” Birla said.