The Morning Standard - December 21, 2024

In this issue

December 21, 2024

Your cuppa is healthy, US food, drug regulator finally agrees

WITH the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognising tea from the Camellia sinensis plant is a healthy beverage, the North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) raised a toast to it.

1 min

SC asks Punjab govt to shift fasting farm leader to hosp

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Punjab government to shift farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to a nearby makeshift hospital at the Khanauri border where he is on a fast-unto-death protest.

1 min

HC steps in to protect personality rights of actor

THE Delhi High Court on Friday passed an interim order protecting the personality and publicity rights of Telugu actor Mohan Babu.

1 min

11 killed, 40 injured as LPG tanker hits truck and explodes

AT least 11 people were killed and over 40 others seriously injured when an LPG tanker exploded after colliding with a truck near Bhankrota on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway on Friday morning.

1 min

DND flyover to remain toll free: SC

IN a major relief to commuters on the Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) flyway, the Supreme Court on Friday rejected the appeal of Noida Toll Bridge Company Ltd (NTBCL) against an order of the Allahabad High Court, which scrapped user fee collection for it.

1 min

MEA TICKS OFF YUNUS GOVT FOR AIDE'S REMARKS

The government on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that 2,200 cases of violence against Hindus and other minorities were reported from Bangladesh this year up to December 8.

1 min

Session ends, discord doesn't

B R Ambedkar issue set to resonate in the forthcoming Delhi and Bihar assembly elections

2 mins

AAP changes list, drops convicted Naresh Yadav from Mehrauli seat

DAYS after announcing candidates for all 70 assembly constituencies for the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday announced one change.

1 min

'BJP calling Purvanchalis as Rohingyas'

Kejriwal cites Nadda's remarks, says efforts on to disenfranchise people from east UP, Bihar

2 mins

Poll dates likely by Jan second week, voting by mid-Feb

THE Election Commission (EC) is expected to announce the schedule for the Delhi Assembly elections by the second week of January, with January 10 being the likely date.

1 min

Poll manifesto to be released after collecting all feedbacks: BJP

THE Delhi BJP has said its manifesto for the upcoming Delhi Assembly election would not only be comprehensive but would also embody public aspirations.

1 min

Villages to take call on poll boycott after meet

FARMERS from 360 villages in Delhi are set to hold a Mahapanchayat on Sunday at Mangolpuri in North West Delhi, with an agenda to boycott the upcoming assembly polls.

1 min

5 more schools receive hoax bomb threat

IN the sixth such incident in the last 11 days, at least five schools, four in Delhi and one in Noida, received bomb threat emails on Thursday morning, officials said.

1 min

HC grants ED more time to respond

Petition challenges trial court's decision to take cognizance of chargesheets in excise case

1 min

Five-time Haryana CM Chautala dies at 89

OM Prakash Chautala, the five-time Chief Minister of Haryana and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief, died on Friday. He was 89.

2 mins

Air quality stays severe as AQI over 450 in some areas

THE national capital's air quality remained in severe category on Friday morning amid cold weather and a layer of smog, with some areas recording Air Quality Index (AQI) readings over 450, the 'severe-plus' level according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

1 min

NDMC set to organise 2-day winter rose show

THE New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced a two-day 'Winter Rose Show' to be held on Saturday and Sunday at the India-Africa Friendship Rose Garden in Chanakyapuri.

1 min

2020 riots: Hearing on bail pleas of Sharjeel Imam, Khalid on Jan 7

THE Delhi High Court will on January 7, 2025, hear the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others accused in a UAPA case connected to February 2020 riots.

1 min

TB campaign: MCD holds health camp

AS part of its 100-day campaign to eradicate tuberculosis (TB), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Friday organised a Nikshay Camp in Karawal Nagar, officials said.

1 min

Prove authority of probe officer, HC tells agency

THE Delhi HC has directed the ED to provide relevant documentation establishing that the investigating officer (IO) who filed a complaint against former CM Arvind Kejriwal had the requisite authority.

1 min

HC declines plea seeking Ram Janmabhoomi Trust a public authority

THE Delhi High Court on Friday declined to entertain a petition that sought to declare the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as a public authority under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

1 min

3 cyber fraudsters posing as CBI officers nabbed: Police

THREE cyber fraudsters who duped a family of ₹5 lakh by posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers have been arrested, police said on Friday.

1 min

DU to introduce one-year PG course in 2026

IN line with the National Education Policy, Delhi University will introduce a one-year postgraduate programme starting in 2026.

1 min

M T Vasudevan's condition remains critical, says hosp

JNANPITH laureate M T Vasudevan Nair, who was admitted to the Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode, remains to be in critical condition, hospital sources said late Friday night.

1 min

HC saves KTR from arrest till Dec 30

Case pertains to allegations of procedural violations in conduct of the Formula-E race

1 min

HC orders CT Ravi's release, says police notice not served

THE Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the state police to release BJP MLC CT Ravi, noting that he had, prima facie, made out a case that his arrest is illegal.

1 min

Naidu: Govt committed to fair paddy procurement, payment within 2 hours

THE government is committed to fair paddy procurement practices and ensuring that payments are made to farmers efficiently through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) within two hours, said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during a press meet at Dhanekula Engineering College on Friday after a field visit to a Rythu Seva Kendram (RSK) and a rice mill in Ganguru village.

1 min

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN RULE BOOKS GO OUT THE WINDOW

OR the first time in decades, the principles on which the modern world was built are open to question. The healthy instinct of nations to hang together, first in security blocs and UN bodies, and then in free trade zones and multilateral mechanisms like the World Trade Organization, is being replaced by a disregard for the treaty-based and rules-based order that holds the world together.

3 mins

WE MUST EXTEND HEALTH SPAN, NOT JUST LIFE SPAN

Even a 'cured' disease often leaves behind disabilities impairing the quality of life. If we can't ensure wholesome health, the expected demographic dividend will continue to elude us

4 mins

Crime Branch to take over probe into FIR against Rahul in Parliament scuffle

THE Crime Branch of Delhi Police is set to take over the probe into the FIR filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly pushing and injuring BJP MPs during the scuffle on the Parliament premises, sources said on Friday.

1 min

'Meaningful debate vs destructive disruption'

THE Winter Session of the Rajya Sabha concluded on December 20, barely recording a productivity of 40 per cent, much of the time spent on the Opposition's attempts to remove Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar from office, accusing him of bias.

1 min

Cabinet hikes MSP for copra by up to 121% for 2025 season

AS part of its pro-farmer stance since it assumed power in its third term, the NDA government on Friday gave its nod for the increased Minimum Support Price (MSP) for copra for 2025 season.

1 min

BJP's PP Chaudhary to head Parliament panel on 'One Nation One Poll'

DAYS after the government introduced the 'One Nation One Election' Bill in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP PP Chaudhary was appointed chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to scrutinise the bills.

1 min

10-acre 'Kalagram' along Ganga for Mahakumbh

ADDING SHEEN TO CONGREGATION

2 mins

Speaker warns of action against MPs for protests inside House premises

A DAY after a scuffle in the Parliament premises, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday warned members of action if they hold demonstrations and protests at any of the gates of Parliament.

1 min

Man linked to 24 crashes unravels insurance fraud

Officials yet to find if driver was a willing participant or implicated

2 mins

Bitten by a cop, says Assam Cong neta after scuffle

SENIOR spokesperson of Assam Congress Ashwin Kumar Mahanta alleged he was bitten by a police officer during a scuffle in Guwahati on Friday.

1 min

40-day harsh winter in Valley begins today

KASHMIR is bracing up for ‘Chilai Kalan’, the harshest winter period of 40 days which starts from December 21.

1 min

52 kg gold, ₹10 cr cash seized from car in biggest MP haul

AN MUV stuffed with bags containing more than 52 kg gold bullions (bricks) worth over ₹40 crore and around ₹10 crore cash was found parked at a desolate place on the outskirts of Bhopal on Thursday-Friday intervening night.

1 min

Char Dham Yatra all set to become seamless as Dhami okays forming of authority

THE Uttarakhand government has announced the formation of a Char Dham Yatra Authority to make the pilgrimage to the four shrines - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri - more accessible and convenient for devotees.

1 min

Fadnavis orders probe into Beed, Parbhani clashes

MAHARASHTRA Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced judicial probes into the Parbhani violence over the alleged desecration of a replica of the Constitution and the murder of a sarpanch in Beed district.

1 min

Amid protest from locals, Arunachal CM bats for hydro project citing China

ARUNACHAL Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has strongly advocated for the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, citing concerns over China's plans on the river Siang.

1 min

GST hike on shawl proposed, J&K artisans worried

The proposed GST hike from 12 to 28 percent on Kashmir shawls valued over ₹10,000 has caused anxiety among J&K artisans and dealers.

1 min

No '7 pheres' or 'band-baja', couple takes vow in the name of Constitution

AS members of Parliament clashed in both Houses on who respected the Constitution more, the issue was settled by a Scheduled Caste couple in a remote Chhattisgarh village.

1 min

US sees Pak missile programme as threat

ASSERTING that Pakistan developing sophisticated missile technology will give it the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the US, a top White House official said on Thursday that the Asian country's actions are an emerging threat to the US.

1 min

Macron met with anger over cyclone response during visit to Mayotte

FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron faced widespread frustration and anger from residents of Mayotte during his visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago, which is still reeling from the damage of the strongest cyclone to hit the region in nearly a century.

1 min

Thousands of Jews left Israel after Oct 7 attacks

LEAVING Israel is easier, Shira Z Carmel thinks, by saying it's just for now. But she knows better.

2 mins

US govt heads to a shutdown

House rejects plan backed by Trump to fund operations and suspend debt ceiling

1 min

US diplomats meet head of HTS group that overthrew Assad

US diplomats met with Syria's new ruler on Friday, an official told AFP, as outside powers seek assurances the country's Islamist-led authorities will be moderate and inclusive.

1 min

Ukrainian attack kills 6 in Russian town

A Ukrainian attack on Friday on a town in Russia's Kursk border region using US-supplied missiles killed six people, including a child, a senior local official said.

1 min

Hungary's govt gives asylum to Polish politico accused of graft

HUNGARY has given political asylum to a Polish opposition politician who is wanted on suspicions of corruption, triggering a diplomatic spat that worsened on Friday.

1 min

Forex reserves decline for second month

THE foreign exchange reserves continued the downward trajectory for the second month.

1 min

Mkts see worst week in 30 months

Sell-off triggered by Fed's cautious stance on rate cuts, investors lose over ₹18L cr this week

2 mins

Drafting of DPDP Act rules nearly complete

DRAFTING of the rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act), 2023, is in its final stage, said Minister of state Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada on Friday.

1 min

Aligning inflation to RBI's 4% target key to ensuring growth: MPC minutes

THE members of the Reserve Bank rate-setting panel in the minutes of its December meeting released on Friday said high prices are the cause for demand slowdown, and aligning inflation to the central bank's 4% target is the key to ensuring sustained economic growth.

1 min

Bajaj Auto plans to extend EV range to some bikes

BAJAJ AUTO, which has claimed that its Chetak brand of electric scooters has become market leader with 27% of the pie, is planning to extend its EV range to some of its bikes, a senior company official has said.

1 min

6,700 employees leave unicorns between August 2023-24, attrition rate 4.5%

OVER 6,700 employees left unicorn start-ups between August 2023 to August 2024, and on average, unicorns had an attrition rate of 4.5% during the period, an analysis by market intelligence platform Private Circle Research found.

1 min

States ask for higher borrowing ceiling, interest-free loans

The GST Council is likely to announce changes in tax rates on several goods and services in its 55th meeting on Saturday.

2 mins

Shriram Fin launches green finance vertical

WITH increasing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy products, Shriram Finance, the flagship company of the Shriram Group, on Friday announced the launch of a separate vertical Shriram Green Finance, which will finance a range of sustainable solutions.

1 min

Konstas in, McSweeney dropped

TEENAGE sensation Sam Konstas was handed a maiden call-up as Australia on Friday dropped rookie opener Nathan McSweeney for the final two Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

1 min

Barty's former hotspot now a different world

227 ARCHERFIELD Road, Richlands, Brisbane, Queensland. It is an address that holds significance not just in Australian tennis, but the country's sporting history.

2 mins

SPURS SURVIVE MAN UTD COMEBACK TO ADVANCE

TOTTENHAM survived two calamitous errors from stand-in goalkeeper Fraser Forster on Thursday to beat Manchester United 4-3 and set up a League Cup semifinal against Liverpool.

1 min

Brison double helps Goa sink toppers Bagan

FC GOA extended their unbeaten streak to seven games with a 2-1 win over league leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Friday.

1 min

Colombo an option for CT due to UAE's visa rule?

FOR the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains priority for being a neutral venue for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

1 min

'HIL revival a big boost for youth'

THERE is something about PR Sreejesh. He is always ebullient, seems at peace with himself and more than anything, he is shrouded in an aura of positivity. Always cheerful and articulate, Sreejesh speaks his mind. During a short conversation, he felt that his stint as coach of the junior team had been fantastic.

2 mins

Odisha's tribal lifter Jyoshna shatters youth Asian record

JYOSHNA Sabar created a youth Asian record for total lift at the ongoing Asian Youth Weightlifting Championships in Doha on Friday.

2 mins

Gill's Away Output A Cause For Concern

India's number three was expected to play the role of his formidable predecessor, Pujara. He has not been up to the mark in BGT so far

3 mins

SUGAR RUSH, COMING RIGHT UP!

Bringing you the perfect holiday gift to whip up decadent delicacies for your family this Christmas, Shivesh Bhatia's book is a deep dive into everything chocolate-y and irresistible

3 mins

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