The Morning Standard - January 10, 2025

In this issue

January 10, 2025

Tiny TN village celebrates meteoric rise of son to ISRO top job

As the small Mela Kattuvilai village of around 100 families near Nagercoil in Kanniyakumari district celebrates its moment in history as its illustrious son V Narayanan took over as the new chairman of ISRO, his family members reminisced his perseverance, faith in education and personal sacrifices.

1 min

DBT at play? 3.4L women among 5.1L applied for new voter cards in just 20 days

BETWEEN December 16, 2024, and January 6, 2025, the Chief Electoral Office (CEO), Delhi, received an \"unprecedented\" 5.1 lakh applications for new voter registration, of which nearly two-thirds or 3.4 lakh were filed by women, poll officials told this newspaper.

1 min

PT Usha at loggerheads with ministry on sports governance

WHEN Mansukh Mandaviya took office, he was one of the few sports ministers to visit the Indian Olympic Association Bhawan in Delhi last year.

1 min

Women Among 6 Dead in Tirupati Stampede

SIX devotees, including five women, died in a stampede during distribution of tokens for Vaikuntha Dwara darshan at Ramanaidu Municipal School in Bairagipatada area of Tirupati on Wednesday.

1 min

Race against time to save trapped miners

THE body of one of the nine miners trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao was retrieved on Wednesday even as hopes of rescuing the others began fading.

1 min

AAP, BJP spar over tour of 'sheesh mahal'

A high-voltage drama unfolded outside the 6, Flag Staff Marg bungalow, the controversial residence once occupied by former CM Arvind Kejriwal, on Wednesday as senior AAP leaders tried to enter the premises but were stopped by police personnel deployed outside.

1 min

Prominent jeweller held over obscene remarks against Kerala actress

THE Kerala Police on Wednesday arrested businessman Boby Chemmanur for making obscene remarks against actress Honey Rose.

1 min

JPC begins with robust exchange of ONOE views

Oppn members say it's an attack on basic structure of Constitution

1 min

DU Professor Accused of Sexual Harassment Resigns

IN a significant turn of events at Ramjas College, Delhi University, a professor stepped down amid sexual harassment allegations, sparking campus-wide protests.

1 min

NIA Chargesheets ISIS Operative from Daryaganj in Terror Conspiracy Case

THE NIA has filed a charge sheet against ISIS operative Rizwan Ali, a resident of Delhi's Daryaganj area, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a terror conspiracy case, officials said on Wednesday.

1 min

Capital continues to shiver under cold wave and foggy conditions; 200 flights delayed

A thick layer of fog blanketed the national capital and neighboring areas on Wednesday morning as North India continued to reel under a cold wave.

1 min

2023 Flood Forecast Not Accurate, Centre Tells Green Panel

The central government has acknowledged inaccuracies in the 2023 flood forecast issued by the Central Water Commission (CWC), attributing the errors to congestion in the Yamuna River between Wazirabad and Okhla barrages.

1 min

'20 riots: HC questions UAPA charges

Asks police if setting up protest sites sufficient for invoking charges under anti-terror law

1 min

Police bust juvenile ring stealing expensive smartphones, hunt launched for key suspect

DELHI Police has uncovered a well-organised theft racket operated by a gang from Jharkhand that recruits juveniles to steal high-end mobile phones in the capital's bustling marketplaces.

1 min

Kejriwal may not contest from New Delhi

TWO-TIME MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma is all geared to take on former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency (formerly Gole Market seat), which the BJP has won only once in 1993.

3 mins

HOW AAP EATS INTO CONG VOTES

IN Indian elections, much of the postpoll conversation tends to focus on the number of seats won or lost. However, examining the vote share of political parties often offers a deeper insight into their performance and reflects the broader mood of the electorate.

1 min

CEC meet on Jan 10 to pick 'clean' names

THE BJP is likely to convene a meeting of its Central Election Committee (CEC) on January 10. This will be the first such meeting following the recent controversy triggered by remarks made by the BJP candidate from Kalkaji.

1 min

Cong promises ₹25L health insurance if voted to power

A day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the Delhi Assembly elections, Congress introduced a bold promise aimed at revitalising its presence in the city's politics.

1 min

United colours of election: AI-morphed movie clips & catchy campaign songs

WITH the Delhi Assembly elections merely 26 days away, the political battle between the two major contenders, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP, is intensifying.

1 min

CEO Meets Political Parties to Keep Check on Spending Rules

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Wednesday held a meeting with political party representatives to discuss the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and Election Expenditure Monitoring guidelines.

1 min

HC allows lawyer to see, not hear, KTR questioning in Formula-E case

IN partial relief to former Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao in Formula E-case, the Telangana High Court on Wednesday permitted an advocate to accompany the BRS MLA during his appearance at the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) office on January 9, provided the lawyer remained out of earshot.

1 min

ISRO's space docking postponed for second time

THE Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed the much awaited docking of two satellites under the Space Docking Experiment mission citing the drift of one satellite towards the other was \"more than expected\".

1 min

Last of Kerala Maoists surrender

SIX hardcore CPI-Maoist activists, including Jisha from Wayanad, surrendered before Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

1 min

India has moved from 'chalta hai' to 'hoga kaise nahin': Jaishankar

Minister says younger generation has a key role to play in the endeavour for Viksit Bharat

2 mins

Freshwater fauna in Western Ghats at brink of extinction

A new report suggests that a quarter of Western Ghat's freshwater fauna are at high risk of extinction due to pollution from agriculture, forest depletion due to mining and river engineering projects and introduction of invasive species.

1 min

Modi Emphasises Andhra's Role in Nation's Progress

Naidu praises PM as a global icon, visionary

1 min

GROWING PLANTS IN SPACE KEY FOR FUTURE MISSIONS

THE Indian Space Research Organisation opened the new year by successfully germinating seeds in space.

1 min

H-1B ANGST IS A TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT

American visas for skilled workers are determined by market forces and legislated by the US Congress. Despite political posturing at times, the numbers never shrank

4 mins

DATA SAFETY MUST BE BALANCED WITH FREE FLOW OF INFO

THE mechanism for digital data protection-a matter of deep concern for both individuals and organisations— seems to be finally falling in place.

1 min

UGC'S RULES FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION DON'T SUIT ALL

“Education must not simply teach work; it must teach life.”

3 mins

Rajnath assures India's assistance to Maldives in strengthening defence

DEFENCE minister Rajnath Singh has assured his Maldivian counterpart, Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon, that India is prepared to assist the island nation in strengthening its defence capabilities.

1 min

Court's opinion vs legislative power: SC to hear pleas on selection of CEC

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would hear on February 4 a batch of pleas challenging the appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners (ECs) under the 2023 law, which dropped the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel.

1 min

WHO says no unusual outbreak pattern of HMPV cases in China

AMID HMPV scare in India, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday said the Chinese authorities have confirmed that there are no \"unusual outbreak patterns\", and that the healthcare system is not overwhelmed due to the virus in the Asian country.

1 min

India Steps Up Talks With Taliban Govt, Foreign Secy Meets Minister In Dubai

STEPPING up dialogue with the Taliban-led government in Kabul since they returned to power in 2021, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement said.

1 min

Airlines may have to share weather data with IMD

The government is considering making it mandatory for domestic airlines to share real-time weather data collected during take-off and landing with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to enhance high weather forecast efficiency capabilities.

1 min

Govt to announce safety ratings for e-rickshaws

The humble electric rickshaw (e-rick) may be a boon for last-mile connectivity in Delhi, but not really trusted as a safe mode of public transport.

1 min

200KM ROAD BUILT FOR 100KM RLY LINE

Alternate sources of water made available to people of over 20 villages dependent on Himalayan fountains

2 mins

Maiyan Samman Yojana sparks Jharkhand protests

Soren faces heat as women say ₹1K transferred, not promised 2.5K

1 min

84 Pillars of Faith to Greet Devotees at Maha Kumbh

WITH Maha Kumbh just a few days away, 84 red sandstone pillars are engraved on the road to Prayagraj airport.

2 mins

Pawar rules out merger with nephew's party

SENIOR Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar on Wednesday scotched all rumours that he and his nephew, Ajit Pawar, were ready to set aside their differences and come together.

1 min

AAP, Cong & SAD united, oppose post of chief secy in Chandigarh

AFTER 41 years, the post of Adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator was abolished by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and re-designated as Chief Secretary, causing a political uproar in Punjab.

1 min

Elgar case: Bail to Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale

THE Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted bail to researcher Rona Wilson and activist Sudhir Dhawale, arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case in 2018, saying that the trial in the case is yet to start.

1 min

Prep for '26 polls, Didi moots plans for students to woo 1st-time voters

KEEPING in mind West Bengal Assembly elections in 2026, the Trinamool Congress has decided to announce more student-friendly schemes to woo first-time voters, party leaders said.

1 min

With new tiger pair, Dehradun zoo raking in moolah as visitors throng

THE recent arrival of a pair of tigers has turned the Dehradun Zoo into a treasure trove. Typically, the months of May and June see the highest number of visitors, but this winter, the allure of the tigers has drawn record crowds even in the biting cold.

1 min

Assam Cops Cross Border, Detained by Naga Villagers

THE members of an Assam police team were detained for several hours by Nagaland villagers after they had inadvertently crossed the inter-state border during an operation carried out on Tuesday night.

1 min

Generative AI Used in Blast Outside LA Hotel

The highly decorated soldier who exploded a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI, including ChatGPT, to help plan the attack, Las Vegas police said Tuesday.

1 min

Japan blames Chinese hackers for cyber attacks on tech data

JAPAN on Wednesday linked more than 200 cyber attacks over the past five years targeting the country's national security and high technology data to a Chinese hacking group, MirrorFace, detailing their tactics and calling on government agencies and businesses to reinforce preventive measures.

1 min

Trump Jr in Greenland for podcast shoot

PRESIDENT-elect Donald Trump told residents of Greenland that 'we're going to treat you well' as his oldest son visited the mineral-rich Danish territory that's home to a large US military base, heightening speculation that the incoming US administration could seek to acquire it.

1 min

US govt asks court to block 9/11 plea deal

The Biden administration asked a federal appeals court on Tuesday to block a plea agreement for accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed that would spare him the risk of the death penalty in one of the deadliest attacks ever on the United States.

1 min

Stern warning to free all hostages before Don 2.0

Reiterates threat to Hamas that all hell will else break loose in Gulf

2 mins

Ukraine Strikes Fuel Storage Depot in Russia

The Ukrainian military said on Wednesday that it struck a fuel storage depot deep inside Russia, causing a huge blaze at the facility that supplies an important Russian air base.

1 min

Thousands flee raging Los Angeles fire

MULTIPLE massive wildfires tore across the Los Angeles area with devastating force early on Wednesday as residents made a desperate escape from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.

1 min

Sebi Warns Ola Electric Over Lapses in Disclosure Norms

MARKETS regulator Sebi on Wednesday issued an administrative warning to electric two-wheeler maker Ola Electric Mobility for violating disclosure norms.

1 min

SC Agrees To Hear Online Gaming Cos' Plea

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear petitions by online gaming companies seeking a stay on GST demands and related proceedings.

1 min

Bearish sentiments strong, crucial for Nifty to break resistance at 23,800

DOMESTIC equity market is having a tough start to 2025.

1 min

India must prioritize frontier AI research to drive innovation: Nadella

INDIA must prioritise frontier research in artificial intelligence (AI) and develop foundational models to drive innovation, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said on Wednesday.

1 min

Swiggy, Zomato launch 15-min delivery service

THE quick food delivery space continues to heat up as major players like Zomato and Swiggy have rolled out new services.

1 min

Cybersecurity firm Rubrik to open new office in B'luru

INDIA is a critical growth market for us. It is in the midst of a massive digital transformation, and we believe there's a huge opportunity for Rubrik to help secure its digital future, said Bipul Sinha, CEO, chairman, and co-founder of US-based cybersecurity company Rubrik.

1 min

Govt revises Nov gold import figs

Downward revision by $5 billion may result in lower trade deficit for the reported month

1 min

FinMin shifts newly-appointed revenue secretary ahead of budget

In a surprise move ahead of the Union Budget, the government has shifted recently-appointed revenue secretary Arunish Chawla to the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), and has appointed the DIPAM Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey as the revenue secretary.

1 min

'Selective application undermines credibility of sports governance'

PT Usha and sports ministry are at loggerheads over the Indian Golf Union recognition.

2 mins

AFI's big push: De-centralisation of camps

New-look athletics body's one-of-a-kind policy set to encourage inclusivity & have wider pool of players to pick from

3 mins

Newcastle FC put one foot in League Cup final

NEWCASTLE took a giant stride towards the League Cup final as goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon earned a 2-0 semifinal, first leg lead at Arsenal on Tuesday.

1 min

BFI Adopts New Weight Classes

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is conducting the men's national championships here in 10 weight categories, in line with the classification introduced by the breakaway World Boxing.

1 min

SA20: Skipper Markram aims a threepeat with Sunrisers Eastern Cape

FRESH from playing a key role in helping South Africa qualify for the third edition of the World Test Championship, Aiden Markram has set his sights on a threepeat with Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20.

1 min

Malaysia Open: Prannoy, Sat-Chi Enter Round of 16

HS Prannoy's match, his first since the Paris Olympics, was halted by rain on Tuesday.

1 min

Janssen-sational: TN Dragons pip Team Gonasika

JIP JANSSEN slammed a hat-trick to steer Tamil Nadu Dragons to a tight 6-5 win over Team Gonasika in a high-scoring Hockey India League (HIL) clash here on Wednesday.

1 min

Game on, ladies!

With Women's Hockey India League 2025, a first of its kind, starting soon, players and coaches share their hopes for the upcoming tournament

2 mins

A MUGHAL IMPERIAL REPAST

A new cookbook based on the Persian transcript of recipes from the 17th century royal kitchen of Emperor Jahangir and Empress Nur Jahan is a sensory smorgasbord of Mughal culinary delights

3 mins

Work In Style

As Anita Dongre's AND marks 25 years, a conversation with the designer on catering to the modern working woman's wardrobe

2 mins

Read all stories from The Morning Standard

The Morning Standard Newspaper Description:

The Morning Standard is an English-language newspaper published by Express Network Private Limited in India. The newspaper is published in six Indian cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

The Morning Standard covers a wide range of news and topics, including:

* National and international news: The newspaper covers the latest news from India and around the world, including politics, business, sports, and entertainment.
* Opinion and analysis: The newspaper features opinion pieces and analysis from leading experts on a variety of topics.
* Features: The newspaper also features features on a variety of topics, such as lifestyle, culture, and travel.

The Morning Standard is known for its in-depth reporting and insightful analysis. It is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest news and events from India and around the world.