President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday greeted citizens on the eve of Christmas and hoped that the "forces of trust and forgiveness" will be strengthened around the world, bringing people closer to each other. "As we celebrate this sacred day, let us imbibe Jesus Christ's message of love and harmony in our lives. His teachings of brotherhood and welfare of all continue to light the path to a better world. This festival inspires us to foster unity and peace," she said. In this season of peace, "I hope the forces of trust and forgiveness will be strengthened around the world, bringing people closer to each other," Murmu said. The President extended her heartiest greetings and best wishes to all Indians, especially Christians, according to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 11:00 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIParts of Delhi witnessed rain on Tuesday evening even as the day temperature remained slightly higher than normal for this time of the season. The city's air quality showed marginal improvement with the AQI at 7 pm recorded at 358, down from 398 in the morning. It remained under the "very poor" category, nevertheless. Several areas in central, south, and east Delhi, witnessed rainfall towards the evening. The maximum temperature was recorded at 20.8 degrees Celsius, which was warmer than usual for the time of the season. Cloudy skies prevailed during the day. Out of the 37 monitoring stations that recorded data, two -- Mundka, Nehru Nagar ¿ recorded air quality in the "severe" category, 32 in the "very poor" category and the remaining in the "poor" category. VIDEO | Rainfall lashes parts of Delhi. Visuals from Connaught Place.#DelhiRain #DelhiWeather(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/zEBylqssYS — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 24, 2024 An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good,' 51-100 'satisfactory,' 101-200 'moderate,' 201-300 'poor,' 301-400 'very poor,' and 401-500 'severe.' The day began with a foggy morning with minimum temperature recorded at 9.9 degrees Celsius, two notches above the season's average. Humidity remained between 100 per cent and 73 per cent during the day. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 09:46 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Dadar-Porbandar Saurashtra Express Train on Tuesday derailed at Kim station in Gujarat, the officials said. They said that the relief operations were underway. In an official statement, the Western Railway said, "Train No. 19015 Dadar - Porbandar Saurashtra Express derailed at 15:32 hrs while departing from Kim Station. Four wheels of a non passenger coach (VPU) attached next to engine got derailed. Restoration work is on and senior officers are at site monitoring the work." "There is no injury or harm to any onboard passengers or railway staff. The normal movement of trains is not affected," Western Railway said. Further details will be updated.
24 December,2024 05:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarIn a feat for an electric bus, NueGo, India’s largest intercity electric bus service from GreenCell Mobility, has been recognised by the ‘Asia Book of Records’ and the ‘India Book of Records’ for setting the record for the Maximum Distance Covered by an electric bus in a single expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. NueGo commenced the Kashmir to Kanyakumari (E-K2K) Electric Bus expedition on 4th October from Jammu and ended in Kanyakumari on 18th October. Covering 4,039 emission-free kilometers across 200+ cities and towns, from 3,500 ft to sea level, NueGo’s electric bus spread the message of eco-friendly travel across the country. Along the route, the E-K2K bus conducted various community outreach programs, including student workshops, tree plantations, street plays, etc. Beyond completing a technological milestone, the journey represented India's progress toward environmentally friendly mass mobility alternatives. Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records adjudicator Kashmira Shah presented the record citations and medals to Devndra Chawla, MD & CEO, GreenCell Mobility. "NueGo’s E-K2K (Kashmir to Kanyakumari) journey marks a significant milestone in showcasing the transformative potential of electric buses for mass mobility and a sustainable future. Spanning over 200 cities and towns, this record-breaking journey raised awareness about cleaner, greener modes of travel through impactful community engagement initiatives, truly embodying the spirit of the 'E-bus that does good’. We are deeply honored to have our efforts recognised with felicitations from the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records,” Chawla said.
24 December,2024 04:47 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarAmid concerns flagged by the Congress, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday said there were no arbitrary additions or deletions of voters in Maharashtra where assembly election 2024 were held recently, reported the PTI. In its response to the Congress, the poll authority said it would not be correct to compare 5 PM voter turnout data with final polling data. It also explained how increase in voter turnout from 5 PM to 11:45 PM was normal, being part of the process of aggregation of voter turnout and how there can be bona fide but inconsequential differences in votes polled and votes counted. According to the ANI, the ECI in a reply to Congress stating that the fact is that only 6 ACs had total additions of over 50,000 electors during the period. Hence the question of winning in 47 ACs on this basis does not arise. While detailing the well laid out mechanism with sufficient checks and balances and disclosures, ECI emphasized that the watertight statutory scheme ensures that deletion and addition of voters is done strictly according to rules with the fullest involvement of political parties at every stage. No arbitrary additions or deletions in Maharashtra. ECI replies to INC with hard facts that its complaint of an average addition of 50000 electors between July to Nov 2024 in 50 AC out of which 47 have been won by Mahayuti, is factually incorrect and misleading. The fact is that… — ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2024 The EC asserted that it is impossible to change actual voter turnout as statutory Form 17C giving details of voter turnout is available with authorised agents of candidates at the time of close of poll at the polling station itself. It said rule-based process was followed with transparency in Maharashtra electoral roll preparation and there were no irregular pattern in voter deletions in the state. It told the Congress that due process was followed, including participation of Congress representatives in preparation of electoral rolls. No arbitrary additions or deletions in Maharashtra. The Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP had secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra elections 2024 with the BJP emerging as the largest party with 132 seats in the 280-member Assembly, while its allies--the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, and the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar--won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. However, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback as Congress won only 16 seats, while its alliance partners, Shiv Sena (UBT) won 20 seats and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) secured just 10 seats. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
24 December,2024 04:00 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentWelcome to Mid-Day's Top News at this hour! We bring you a curated selection of the most significant and compelling news from around the globe. Stay informed with the latest developments in the nation, Mumbai, entertainment, sports, and more. Let's dive into the headlines shaping our world today. Nifty and Sensex open flat as market faces pressure from strong dollar The Indian stock markets opened marginally higher on Tuesday as traders prepared for the Christmas holiday, but the outlook for a year-end rally continues to diminish due to ongoing market pressure. The Nifty 50 index opened at 23,769.10 points, with a slight gain of 15.65 points or 0.07 per cent. Similarly, the BSE Sensex opened at 78,707.37 points, marking a gain of 167.20 points or 0.21 per cent. However, the markets are grappling with consistent external pressures, making a sustained rally unlikely in the near term. Read More. People struggling with rising prices, govt sleeping like 'Kumbhkaran': Rahul Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that the people are struggling with rising prices and are forced to compromise on small things of daily needs while the government is sleeping like 'Kumbhakaran. ED takes possession of flat in case against Dawood's brother Iqbal Kaskar The Enforcement Directorate has taken possession of a flat worth Rs 55 lakh in Maharashtra's Thane, held in the name of an alleged associate of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar, as part of a money laundering probe. Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh-starrer 'Paatal Lok' season 2 to release in less than a month The second season of the much-awaited crime drama 'Paatal Lok', starring Jaideep Ahlawat and Gul Panag, has revealed its release date. Prime Video, on Monday, shared the announcement on its official Instagram account, unveiling a poster featuring Ahlawat. Along with the poster, Prime Video announced that the crime drama is set to return on January 17 next year. Read more. "Indian bowling is looking a little weak": Cheteshwar Pujara lashes out on Team India The Indian team in Australia lack a bowling attack that is good enough to take 20 wickets in a Test, Cheteshwar Pujara said on Monday. The visitors have been relying heavily on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to get them wickets. Read more.
24 December,2024 01:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt was a foggy morning in the national capital on Tuesday with the minimum temperature settling at 9.9 degrees Celsius, two notches above the season's average, reported news agency PTI. According to the India Meteorological Department, a light drizzle is likely during the day and the maximum temperature is expected to settle around 19 degrees Celsius in Delhi. Residents of the national capital were seen gathering bonfires to combat the chill, while others took refuge in night shelter homes as temperatures continued to drop in Delhi, stated ANI. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was classified in the 'severe' category on Tuesday, with visibility limited by the fog. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI was recorded at 401 at 8 am, ANI stated. On the previous day, the AQI also fell into the 'severe' category, measuring 403 at 7 am. Specific AQI readings included 417 in Alipur, 423 in Anand Vihar, 425 in RK Puram, and 402 at ITO, reported ANI. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good,' 51-100 'satisfactory,' 101-200 'moderate,' 201-300 'poor,' 301-400 'very poor,' and 401-500 'severe.' The humidity levels stood at 100 per cent at 8.30 am, the IMD said. North India shivers as mercury drops The northern region of India is reeling under cold weather with temperatures plummeting across several states, reported news agency ANI. In Rajasthan, the cold weather remains, significantly impacting daily life due to the falling temperatures. In Bikaner, the temperature was recorded at 9 degrees Celsius, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). In Jammu and Kashmir, cold wave continues to affect the daily life of the people with temperature dropping below zero in many areas. Srinagar recorded a temperature of -5.2 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am on Tuesday. Other recorded temperatures included -0.6 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg, - 6.8 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam, - 0.8 degrees Celsius in Banihal and - 4.6 degrees Celsius in Kupwara, reported ANI. As per the IMD, a cold wave is considered when the minimum temperature of a station is10 degrees Celsius or less for plains and 0 degrees Celsius or less for Hilly regions, stated ANI. The IMD forecasts a severe cold wave in Jammu and Kashmir starting from December 24. Additionally, dense fog conditions and a cold wave are expected to prevail from Monday to Wednesday in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other states, reported ANI. (With inputs from PTI, ANI)
24 December,2024 01:27 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentLeader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has criticised the government for failing to address the issue of rising prices, likening its inaction to the prolonged slumber of the mythological 'Kumbhkaran'. Speaking about his recent visit to a vegetable market in Giri Nagar, Gandhi said people are struggling with soaring costs and are forced to compromise on their basic daily needs. Sharing a video of his interaction with housewives and vegetable vendors, Gandhi highlighted how inflation has wreaked havoc on household budgets. "A few days ago, I visited a local vegetable market and, while shopping with customers, spoke to the vendors to understand how the budgets of ordinary people are deteriorating and how inflation has become an overwhelming burden," he said in a social media post accompanying the video. According to PTI, Gandhi shared how he discussed the prices of essential vegetables, including garlic, peas, and mushrooms, which have witnessed significant price surges. "Garlic at ₹400 per kilogram and peas at ₹120 per kilogram have disrupted everyone's budgets," he observed, questioning, "What will people eat and what will they save?" The former Congress president also detailed conversations he had over tea with housewives, who narrated the harsh realities of stagnant incomes amidst surging inflation. "We closely understood the struggles of housewives – how savings have become impossible, how they have to prioritise daily expenses over even small things, and how arranging a rickshaw fare of ₹10 has become a challenge due to food costs," he remarked. Urging the public to share their stories, Gandhi said, "If you too are experiencing the brunt of inflation, tell us how it is affecting you. Share your personal experiences with us." The over five-minute video shows Gandhi accompanying housewives as they bargain with vendors. The women express how they have had to curtail their eating habits and forego certain vegetables due to the steep prices. Many noted that while their wages remained unchanged, prices for essentials continued to rise unabated. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi wrote, "'Garlic was once ₹40; today it is ₹400!' Rising inflation has spoiled the budget of the common person's kitchen – the government is sleeping like Kumbhkaran!" Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, accused the Modi government of rhetoric while ignoring people's real concerns. Sharing a media report on X about the rising prices of essential goods such as flour, oil, and spices, Ramesh remarked, "The bullet train announced by the Modi government has not arrived, but inflation, faster than the speed of a bullet train, has broken the back of the common person."
24 December,2024 01:19 PM IST | New DelhiA 21-year-old youth died and another man was critically injured in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area on Monday after being stabbed by three juveniles, who were later apprehended, police said. The deceased was identified as Aman (21), a resident of Jahangirpuri, and the injured person as Pawan (45). According to the police, multiple teams formed after the incident, and within 2 hours all three juveniles were caught. The investigation revealed that the motive behind the crime was previous enmity and abuse. Further details are awaited. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 09:07 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIAs negotiations between the treasury and the opposition began to address political disputes, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, a member of the government's committee, said on Monday that they have agreed to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) demand to consult Imran Khan - the incarcerated founder of the party, as reported by Geo News. The PTI and the government started the negotiation process at the Parliament House in Islamabad with "hopes of a positive outcome" with an aim to ease the country's political tensions. Siddiqui, speaking on a Geo News programme, said, "People want peace and democratic norms rather than anarchy and economic instability in the country." Speaking about the deferment of the verdict in the 190 million GBP Al-Qadir Trust case against Imran Khan and his wife, Siddiqui clarified that the government was not involved in judicial matters. "The government has nothing to do with the judicial matters, ruling out any connection with the ongoing negotiation process," he claimed. He added that the next round of talks is scheduled for January 2 with the mutual consultation of both committees. Siddiqui mentioned that both committees would meet again to continue the dialogue process. He also confirmed that both sides had agreed to keep their discussions behind closed doors and avoid public statements that could disrupt the negotiations. "We want a logical conclusion of the talks. We told them [PTI] to present their demand in the shape of charter of demand," he said. However, Siddiqui was careful to avoid making any promises about the outcome of the talks at this early stage. He explained that the government could not give assurances at the moment but would consider PTI's demands once they were presented in writing, reported Geo News. "The government committee, comprising senior members who know the constitutional and legal matters, will mull over options after receiving the former ruling party's demands," he added. Senator Raja Nasir Abbas, the chief of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), also shared his thoughts on the negotiations. Speaking on the same programme, Abbas expressed optimism about the ongoing talks, stating, "I have witnessed many positive things during the meeting summoned by the incumbent government." He praised the formation of the PTI negotiation committee and criticised the government for delaying the formation of its own dialogue committee. According to Abbas, it was important to arrange a meeting between Imran Khan and the PTI negotiating team to ensure a positive direction in the talks. "It is necessary to arrange a meeting between the PTI committee and Imran which would exhibit a positive approach by the government," he emphasised. Abbas also urged the government to take full advantage of the opportunity provided by these talks to address Pakistan's political disputes. The meeting was attended by key figures, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PM's Adviser Rana Sanaullah, and Senator Irfan Siddiqui. The opposition's side was represented by former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and MWM's Raja Nasir Abbas. PTI's committee was composed of other high-ranking members, though some were unable to attend the meeting, Geo News reported. Following the first round of discussions, PTI has committed to submitting its demands in writing to the government committee. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 09:06 AM IST | Islamabad | ANIA fresh spell of heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh's Manali on Monday left several vehicles stuck and tourists stranded in their vehicles for hours between Solang and Atal Tunnel, Rohtang. According to officials, around 1,000 vehicles were stuck in a long traffic jam, prompting police to launch a rescue operation and shift around 700 tourists to safe places. Visuals from the area showed police personnel assisting travellers and drivers in navigating their vehicles as snowfall continued. Local authorities also coordinated the rescue operations. The influx of tourists arriving to celebrate Christmas and New Year in the snow-covered mountains seems to have added to the situation. Earlier, Shimla was blanketed in a pristine sheet of snow, bringing renewed hope and joy to the city. The mesmerizing snowfall, which began after a two-week gap since the first snowfall on December 8, has not only delighted visitors but also rejuvenated the spirits of the local tourism industry, which has been struggling to recover from the losses inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourists, captivated by the beauty of the snow-clad hills, are extending their stay, making this a season of cheer and celebration for all. This unexpected snowfall has infused excitement among those dreaming of a "White Christmas." Many tourists, initially planning to leave, have decided to stay back, soaking in the wintry charm of Shimla. Meanwhile, local businesses, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors, are optimistic about an extended tourist season, hoping to make the most of this enchanting winter spell. Tourists from across the country are overjoyed with snowfall, calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime experience." Hemant, a visitor from Rewari, Haryana, described his emotions upon witnessing the snowfall. "The snowfall is such a beautiful sight. The weather is amazing. We didn't expect this at all, but when we woke up this morning, there was snow. We were planning to leave, but now we've decided to stay longer. This is the first snowfall I've ever seen, and it's a lifetime experience for me." Said Hemant. Pramod Yogi, a tourist from Faridabad, Haryana, said the feeling was indescribable. "The joy this snowfall has brought is beyond words. Experiencing the stunning beauty of nature for the first time in my life has been amazing. I urge everyone to visit this place and enjoy it. Watching the snowfall has been a thrilling experience, and I would recommend everyone to come here to witness and enjoy it," he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 09:06 AM IST | Manali | ANIADVERTISEMENT
