Welcome 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. Rejected RS seat offer week before Maharashtra cabinet expansion: Bhujbal Nagpur: Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who is disappointed at not being included in the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, has claimed he was offered a Rajya Sabha berth eight days ago but he rejected it. Meghwal moves to introduce bills on simultaneous polls; opposition says attack on basic structure New Delhi: Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday moved in the Lok Sabha two bills which lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous polls in the country, with the opposition dubbing the draft laws as an attack on the basic structure. Markets dip in early trade, led by Reliance and HDFC Bank, amid caution ahead of US Fed decision Indian equity markets saw early losses as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the US Fed’s interest rate decision, with major stocks like Reliance and HDFC Bank witnessing selling pressure. Mrunal Thakur to star opposite Adivi Sesh in Dacoit, see first look Get Ready for a tale of Love, Betrayal and Revenge! Adivi Sesh's passion project, Dacoit, a mega pan-India action drama has been mounted to be an adrenaline pumping experience at the cinema. On his birthday today, the actor announced his leading lady welcoming her to be part of this high octane face off! The stunning actress Mrunal Thakur joins the film as the female lead, ready to dive into a story filled with action, emotion, and drama - between two former lovers. Gloves in the air, retirement in the air? Rohit Sharma's Gabba moment stirs speculation Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul began India's fightback on Day 4 of the third Test against Australia in Brisbane, aiming to close in on the hosts' daunting total of 445. While Rahul regained his form from Day 3 after surviving a first-ball reprieve, Rohit fell cheaply for just 10 runs.
17 December,2024 02:04 PM IST | MumbaiA fresh wave of bomb threats was reported across multiple schools in Delhi on Tuesday, marking the second such incident within the week and the fifth in just nine days, officials confirmed. This recurring pattern of threats has created alarm among students, parents, and school authorities in the national capital. According to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), a call regarding a bomb threat was received from Crescent Public School, located in Saraswati Vihar, northwest Delhi. DFS officials said personnel from the fire department, local police, bomb detection squads, and dog teams swiftly responded to the alert. After a thorough search of the premises, no suspicious items were found, officials reported. Several other schools across the city also received similar threat emails, as per PTI. Security teams were promptly dispatched, and search operations are ongoing to ensure the safety of students and staff. Authorities have yet to confirm the origin of the threats or any connections between the recent incidents. This development comes a day after approximately 20 schools, including the prominent Delhi Public School (DPS) in RK Puram, received bomb threat emails on Monday. Similar threats have repeatedly targeted educational institutions over the past week, triggering a multi-agency response and extensive safety inspections. On December 14, eight schools, including DPS RK Puram, received emails containing threats to detonate "bomb vests," according to officials. A day earlier, on December 13, at least 30 schools had reported receiving similar emails, prompting large-scale searches. Earlier this month, on December 9, as many as 44 schools in Delhi received threat emails, leading to widespread panic and disruptions in academic schedules. As per PTI, the Delhi Police Special Cell has taken cognisance of the recurring incidents and registered an FIR following the December 9 threats. Investigations have been launched to identify the source and motive behind the emails. Officials remain on high alert, working in coordination with various agencies to address the issue. In a separate development, schools in Delhi-NCR on Tuesday shifted to a hybrid mode of conducting classes due to anti-pollution measures imposed under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Under these measures, physical attendance for students in classes 6 to 9 and 11 has been made optional, while hybrid (physical and online) learning remains in place. However, students in grades 10 and 12 are required to attend classes in person. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2024 01:26 PM IST | New DelhiShiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday voiced strong opposition to the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, describing it as an unconstitutional move that seeks to centralise power while undermining the federal structure of the nation. Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi criticised the bill, stating, "The One Nation, One Election is being brought in the guise of centralising power again." She emphasised that the bill has been a matter of extensive deliberation in Parliament, with the Lok Sabha having already spent two days discussing the Constitution in detail. The debate, she noted, is expected to continue in the Rajya Sabha in the coming days. According to ANI, Chaturvedi expressed concern over the implications of the bill on India's federal system, labelling it a veiled attempt by the central government to consolidate power. She stated, "Attacking the Constitution in this manner is very unfortunate. Tampering with the process of elections and working against federalism is one such way of centralising power." The MP also raised doubts about the purported cost-effectiveness of simultaneous elections, remarking that the government has yet to provide clarity on the financial feasibility of the proposal. “I believe it is wrong and against the Constitution,” Chaturvedi asserted. She further predicted that the opposition would strongly resist the bill's introduction in the Lok Sabha, pushing for it to be referred to either the Select Committee or a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny. According to ANI reports, opposition leaders across party lines have also condemned the bill. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh categorically rejected the proposal, terming it "unconstitutional and a threat to democracy." Ramesh remarked, "The Congress party firmly, totally, and comprehensively rejects the One Nation, One Election Bill. We will oppose its introduction and demand that it be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee." Ramesh went on to allege that the bill is part of a broader agenda aimed at replacing India's Constitution. "Amending the Constitution is one thing, but bringing a new Constitution is the real objective of the RSS and PM Modi," he claimed, further accusing the RSS of historically rejecting the Constitution for not aligning with Manusmriti. ANI further reports that Congress MP Pramod Tiwari criticised the government's approach, arguing that no all-party consultation had been held before presenting the bill. "The government brought this issue to divert attention from other important matters," he claimed, adding that the ruling party lacks the necessary majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to enact constitutional changes. NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule also echoed the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee to deliberate the matter thoroughly, while Congress MP K Suresh accused the bill of undermining democracy and India's federal system. He said, "The Congress party is strongly opposing this bill as it goes against the interests of our democracy and federal structure." According to ANI, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav also criticised the proposal, declaring that his party would oppose it on constitutional grounds. Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari submitted a formal notice in the Lok Sabha, outlining his objections based on "serious concerns regarding constitutionalism and constitutionality." (With inputs from ANI)
17 December,2024 12:44 PM IST | New DelhiSenior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday expressed his disappointment at not being included in the new Mahayuti government and said he would decide his future course after talking to people from his constituency, reported news agency PTI. Thirty-nine legislators from Mahayuti allies, the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, were sworn in on Sunday in the first cabinet expansion of the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. Ten former ministers were dropped from the cabinet, and 16 new faces have been introduced. Former ministers Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil of NCP and Mungantiwar and Vijaykumar Gavit of BJP were some of the prominent leaders excluded from the new cabinet, reported PTI. Talking to reporters, Bhujbal said he was upset at not being included in the new cabinet. Asked about his future course, the legislator from the Yeola constituency in Nashik district said, "Let me see. Let me think it over. I will talk to my constituency and discuss with the Samata Parishad," reported PTI. After the cabinet expansion on Sunday, Fadnavis said Mahayuti allies have agreed to conduct a "performance audit" of ministers during their tenure. Bhujbal declined to comment on the performance audit of ministers. Former minister Deepak Kesarkar, who was also dropped, said he wasn't upset. "When we authorised our party leader to make a decision, we have to abide by it and share the happiness of the newly sworn-in ministers. There are political compulsions as the party leader has to give representation to all regions and communities," the Shiv Sena leader said, reported PTI. Congress leader Bhai Jagtap said the performance audit of ministers has no meaning. "If a minister doesn't perform, why wait for two and half years? The duration cannot be a parameter for the performance audit. In the next two and half years, a people's movement will come up against electronic voting machines," he said., reported PTI. Opposition stages protest on Vidhan Bhawan steps against EVMs Opposition members staged a demonstration on the steps of the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhawan on Monday and raised slogans against the use of EVMs in elections. The protest was held on the opening day of the winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur. Leader of opposition in the state legislative council Ambadas Danve led the demonstration of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, who called for "saving" the Constitution and democracy and opposed the use of EVMs. Danve was joined by Congress legislators Vijay Wadettiwar, Nitin Raut, Bhai Jagtap and Vikas Thakre, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Bhaskar Jadhav, Varun Desai and Sachin Ahir, and NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2024 10:11 AM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentAfter the Mahayuti leaders in Maharashtra took oath as ministers, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant on Monday assured that the allocation of cabinet portfolios will be distributed within two days. He asserted that there was no delay, reported news agency ANI. "There is no delay. You will get to know about the portfolios ministers have received within two days," Samant told reporters. Speaking on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal's resentment for being denied a ministerial berth, Shiv Sena leader Samant said, "We are all family and such things keep happening in a family. Our leaders including Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis will figure a way out." The Shiv Sena MLA said that the Maharashtra Assembly winter session was focused on the development of the Vidarbha region and the entire state, reported ANI. "Today is the first day (of Maharashtra assembly winter session). The newly appointed ministers will be introduced in the assembly and bills will be tabled. The session is in Vidarbha (region) and it is meant for the development of the region and (the entire) Maharashtra," Samant said, reported ANI. Earlier, as the cabinet expansion of the Maharashtra government concluded, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the government was planning to table 20 bills during the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly. The Maharashtra Assembly winter session started on December 16 and is scheduled to end on December 21 in Nagpur. Speaking at a press conference in Nagpur's Ramgiri on Sunday, CM Fadnavis emphasised that "dynamic governance" has begun in Maharashtra. According to a statement by the CM's office, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde outlined the government's commitment to "Mission Prosperous Maharashtra," while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar assured balanced development across the state, reported ANI. Fadnavis on Sunday also announced that 39 leaders have taken the oath as cabinet ministers, including six as state ministers, and that portfolio allocation is expected to be finalised within two days. The cabinet expansion comes after a delay of over two weeks following the swearing-in of CM Fadnavis and his deputies on December 5. The Mahayuti alliance had faced criticism from the opposition for delaying the announcement of its cabinet despite having a significant majority. In the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a landslide victory, securing 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. (With inputs from ANI)
17 December,2024 10:08 AM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentThe Allahabad High Court on Monday granted anticipatory bail to Sushil Singhania, one of the accused in the high-profile Atul Subhash suicide case. Sushil Singhania is the uncle of Nikita Singhania, the wife of the deceased. The case, which has drawn significant public attention, involves allegations of harassment leading to the tragic suicide of Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old deputy general manager working at a private firm in Bengaluru. According to ANI reports, three other accused in the case—Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha Singhania, and her brother Anurag Singhania—were arrested on December 15. The arrests followed an extensive search operation conducted across multiple states. Shiv Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Karnataka's Whitefield division, confirmed that the accused were taken into custody from different locations. “Nikita Singhania was apprehended near the Blossom Stayz PG in Gurugram, Haryana, while Nisha Singhania and Anurag Singhania were arrested near Hotel Rameshwaram in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh,” said DCP Kumar, as per ANI. The arrested individuals were subsequently brought to Bengaluru and presented before a local court, which remanded them to judicial custody. “Multiple teams were dispatched to various locations as part of the investigation,” added the DCP. The case emerged after Atul Subhash was found dead in his Bengaluru apartment on December 11. A 24-page suicide note left behind by Subhash accused his wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family members of continuous harassment, which he alleged drove him to take the extreme step. The note also contained shocking allegations against a judge, claiming that Rs 5 lakh had been demanded to “settle” the matter. Meanwhile, the deceased’s father, Pawan Kumar Modi, has publicly appealed for custody of his grandson. Modi has requested intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to ensure the safety and custody of the child. Bikas Kumar Modi, the brother of Atul Subhash, has also voiced concerns regarding the child’s wellbeing and whereabouts. He further emphasised that two additional arrests remain pending in connection with the case. (With inputs from ANI)
17 December,2024 09:31 AM IST | Uttar PradeshThe Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has imposed Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect following a steep rise in air pollution levels. According to ANI, the emergency measure was reintroduced on Monday night after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi breached the critical 400 mark. As per ANI reports, Delhi recorded an AQI of 399 at 9 PM, which worsened to 401 by 10 PM, triggering the stringent Stage IV measures under GRAP. The deteriorating air quality is attributed to a combination of unfavourable meteorological conditions and still wind patterns, which have trapped pollutants in the region. The CAQM Sub-Committee convened an urgent meeting on Monday to address the escalating pollution crisis. In an order dated December 16, RK Agrawal, Director of the Sub-Committee, stated, “In pursuance of the Supreme Court’s directives, the Sub-Committee hereby invokes Stage-IV of the Schedule under GRAP, as comprehensively revised and issued on December 13, 2024, with immediate effect. The actions under Stage-IV shall be over and above the actions under Stages III, II and I, already in force.” The order also referenced earlier Supreme Court directives, emphasising that if the AQI surpasses the 350 threshold, Stage III measures must be implemented, while Stage IV measures must be activated once the AQI crosses 400. Earlier, Stage III restrictions were reimposed across NCR when the AQI exceeded the 350 mark due to “highly unfavourable meteorological conditions” and poor pollutant dispersion. However, ANI reports that air quality deteriorated further due to a significant drop in the mixing layer height, compounded by the absolute calm wind conditions persisting in the region. The CAQM, which is tasked with monitoring and improving air quality in Delhi-NCR and its neighbouring areas, introduced a revised action plan to tackle severe winter pollution on December 13. According to ANI, the GRAP is a graded mechanism that implements emergency measures based on the severity of air quality to mitigate pollution levels. Currently, the capital continues to battle severe pollution, with air quality consistently hovering in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ categories. ANI reports that these levels pose significant health risks to residents, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues. Experts have indicated that air quality is unlikely to improve in the coming days, given the prevailing meteorological conditions. The imposition of Stage IV measures is expected to include restrictions on non-essential construction activities, industrial operations, and the entry of certain vehicles into the NCR. These actions are aimed at reducing emissions and limiting further deterioration of air quality. Delhi remains at the epicentre of the pollution crisis, grappling with hazardous air conditions that continue to threaten public health and well-being. As per ANI, the authorities have urged residents to take necessary precautions while efforts to tackle the crisis are ongoing. (With inputs from ANI)
17 December,2024 08:57 AM IST | New DelhiA 21-year-old man was beaten to death after he was caught with the wife of another person at a house in Delhi's Shastri Park area, police said on Monday. The incident took place on Monday morning when the victim Ritik Verma was caught in a compromising situation with the accused's wife. "On Monday at about 11 am, when he was caught with the woman at her home, her husband got angry and beat his wife and Ritik Verma black and blue," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Rakesh Paweriya. According to the victim's uncle, Bunty, the accused had beaten up Ritik brutally. "They also tore out Ritik's nails and tortured him badly. He had injuries on every part of his body," Bunty said. A neighbour said that the accused had assaulted both Ritik and the woman. Ritik was beaten up badly by more than one person, he added. Ritik used to drive a tempo and was the only son of his parents, the neighbour said. Earlier in the day, the police reached the spot and found that the injured was taken to the hospital by his relatives. The victim succumbed to his injuries during treatment at around 9 pm, the officer said, adding further investigations are on into the matter. 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
17 December,2024 08:35 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIA scuffle broke out between students and police at Delhi University's Campus Law Centre on Monday during a protest by law students against the examination schedule. Students alleged that police used lathi charge and tear gas to disperse them, leaving several injured. Delhi police rejected the claims. Hundreds of students had gathered on the campus since morning, demanding an extension of the exam dates. They cited incomplete syllabus coverage, mid-course faculty changes, delays in allotments, and a sudden syllabus update as the reasons for their agitation. According to the protesters, tensions escalated when they attempted to meet the Dean of the Faculty of Law. "We were protesting peacefully for over eight hours, but instead of addressing our concerns, the administration resorted to police action," a student said. Visuals from the site revealed heavy police deployment, with some personnel carrying batons amid a large crowd of students. Arguments were seen breaking out between the two sides. There was no immediate response from Anju Vali Tikoo, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, on the allegations. A police officer told PTI the local police personnel had been called as some of the students had surrounded the dean's office and were not allowing her to go home. "The senior officers including DCP (North) Raja Bantiha himself arrived and tried to pacify the students. Some of the students held a meeting with the dean and the situation is completely under control," the officer said. "No lathicharge or tear gas was used by any of the police personnel on students," he added. 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
17 December,2024 08:35 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Centre’s air quality panel for Delhi-NCR Monday invoked restrictive measures under stage three of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid a sharp dip in air quality due to unfavourable meteorological conditions. GRAP III is enforced when AQI is between 401 and 450. Stage III also entails a ban on non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV ) or older standards within Delhi. BS IV is a set of emission norms for vehicles in India that came into effect in 2017. Non-essential diesel light commercial vehicles of BS-IV or older standards, registered outside Delhi, are also not allowed to enter the city. Delhi’s AQI stood at 367 at 2 pm on Monday. Poor air quality, caused by unfavourable weather conditions, often persists from November to January. Considering the highly unfavourable meteorological conditions including calm winds and very low mixing height leading the AQI of Delhi into the higher end of the very poor category, the panel’s sub-committee on GRAP decided to reimpose Stage III measures in the entire NCR, with immediate effect, an official order said. According to the revised plan, schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar are mandatorily required to shift classes up to Class V to hybrid mode under GRAP Stage III. 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
17 December,2024 07:55 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesIndia and Sri Lanka Monday adopted a futuristic vision to expand their partnership, resolved to soon conclude a defence cooperation pact and decided to ramp up energy ties by establishing electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines. The decisions were taken during wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. PM Modi said both sides decided to emphasise investment-led growth and connectivity for the India-Sri Lanka economic partnership, and it was decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity will be key pillars of the cooperation. Work will be done to establish electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines, Modi said, adding India will supply liquefied natural gas to the island nation’s power plants. The prime minister also announced that a ferry service will be started between Rameswaram and Talaimanar to boost connectivity between the two nations. “We both agree that our security interests are interconnected. We have decided to soon finalise the defence cooperation agreement. There has also been an agreement for cooperation on hydrography,” Modi said. The vexed fishermen issue also figured in the talks. “We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we must proceed with a humanitarian approach to this matter,” Modi 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
17 December,2024 07:55 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
