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Senior IPS officer Viresh Kumar Bhawra has been appointed the director-general of police of Punjab, according to an order. The appointment — the third in around over three months of Chief Minister Charanjit Channi's brief tenure. This also comes shortly before the Election Commission is expected to announce the dates for next month's polls. The Charanjit Singh Channi-led government selected the 1987 batch IPS officer out of a panel of three officers shortlisted by the Union Public Service Commission.  The UPSC criteria of seniority, merit and six-month tenure meant three officials made the cut — Prabod Kumar (1988 batch), and 1987 batchmates VK Bhawara and Dinkar Gupta. IPS Viresh Kumar Bhawra has been appointed as the new DGP of Punjab on the consideration of the panel received from UPSC pic.twitter.com/mzdzEAPKdS — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2022 Bhawara takes over at a time when Punjab Police are facing stringent criticism for their handling of Prime Minister Narendra Mod

For the first time, researchers have spotted a clouded leopard in a community forest in Nagaland. The animal was photographed at an altitude of 3,700 metres along the Indo-Myanmar border. Clouded leopards are known for its spotted coat and inhabit in the primary evergreen rainforests. These images were captured and published in the Winter 2021 issue of the Cat News. It is a biannual newsletter printed by the IUCN/Species Survival Commission (SSC) Cat Specialist Group. Experts captured the images after laying a camera trap and the pictures confirmed the highest records in the country of a clouded leopard. “In total, we have evidence of at least two adults and two cubs. Two distinct individuals were photos captured at a camera placed above the tree line at 3,700 m close to the summit of Mt. Saramati,” researchers said in a report. The research was directed by a Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), which is a Delhi-based Non-Profit organisation. Who are these clouded leopards?

Amid an uproar over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach in Punjab, another incident of alleged security lapse has surfaced from Uttar Pradesh's Unnao. A video purportedly showing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Pankaj Gupta being slapped by a farmer leader during a public event has gone viral on the internet. According to news reports, the incident took place during the MLA's visit to Aira Bhadiar in Makhi on Wednesday. Gupta had gone there to attend a statue unveiling function which was organised on the occasion of Shaheed Gulab Singh Lodhi Jayanti. Watch the video here: Uttar Pradesh- Farmer leader slapped BJP MLA from Unnao Sadar Pankaj Gupta. This real securitybreach . Pura desh ka same mood hai. @PMOIndia @BJP4India @yogi @brinderdhillon @LambaAlka @CHARANJITCHANNI #70000Kursi700Bande pic.twitter.com/bZONyCdkpR — Manjot Singh (@ManjotPB) January 7, 2022 In the 21-second clip, the farmer could be seen coming close to Gupta and giving him what

Nearly two weeks after the Union government refused to renew the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of Nobel Laureate Mother Teresa-founded Missionaries of Charity (MoC), the MHA restored it on Thursday. The new FCRA certificate will be valid till the end of 2026. The Missionaries of Charity is a Catholic religious congregation established in 1950 by Nobel laureate Mother Teresa to help the poor and destitute. What is MoC? The Missionaries of Charity was founded in 1950 by the late Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who devoted most of her life to helping the poor in the eastern city of Kolkata. She won the Nobel Peace Prize and was later declared a saint. Her organisation runs shelter homes across India. According to the Hindu daily, it received around $750 million from abroad in the 2020-21 financial year. So what does this mean? With the renewed registration, the charity will be able to receive and use funds from foreign contributions. A home ministry officia

The Kerala State Lottery Department is set to announce Karunya KR-531 lottery results at 3 pm today, 8 January. People can fire check their lottery results on Kerala Lottery Department's official website at https://ift.tt/2OiqZHa. While the live results for Karunya KR-531 lottery will be released at 3 pm, the detailed results of the lottery can be accessed from 4 pm onwards. The Kerala lottery will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Karunya KR-531 lottery results will also be out in the Kerala Government Gazette. The first prize winner of Karunya KR-531 lottery draw will get Rs 80 lakh. The second winner will take home Rs 5 lakh and the third lucky winner of Karunya KR-531 will win Rs 1 lakh. Karunya KR-531 lottery's fourth prize winner will receive Rs 5,000 and the fifth winner will take home Rs 2,000. Whereas, the sixth, seventh and eighth lucky winners will get Rs 1,000, Rs 500 and Rs 100 respectively. A consolation prize of Rs 8,000

The Election Commission will announce the dates for assembly polls in five states at 3.30 pm Saturday. The poll body has convened a press conference in which it will declare the schedule for the polls in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur. "The press conference will be held in Vigyan Bhawan at 3:30 pm on 8 January," the poll body added. This comes at a time when India has been witnessing a third wave of COVID-19 as the country records over one lakh daily cases for the last two days. The model code of conduct will come into effect from today following the announcement of the dates. Also read: Elections in pandemic times: Why our political parties need to switch to digital canvassing Citing the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, the Congress has announced that it would not hold any rallies in Uttar Pradesh and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to refrain from holding large public events in the state. While the term of the c

India saw a single-day rise of 1,41,986 new coronavirus cases, raising the tally to 3,53,68,372, which includes 3,071 cases of Omicron variant reported across 27 states and union territories so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday. This was the second straight day that the country saw more than one lakh COVID-19 cases logged in 24 hours, according to the morning update by the Union healthy ministry. Saturday's figures are 21 percent higher than the day before, thus taking the overall COVID-19 tally of India to 3,53,68,372. Of the 3,071 cases of Omicron variant, 1,203 have recovered or migrated, according to the data updated by the ministry at 8 am. Maharashtra recorded the maximum number of 876 Omicron variant cases, followed by Delhi at 513, Karnataka 333, Rajasthan 291, Kerala 284 and Gujarat 204. Also read: Weekend lockdown, night curfew return: As COVID-19 cases rise, check list of states that have imposed curbs  This as three priority groups of healthcare worke

The rise in COVID-19 cases has prompted authorities across India to impose a weekend lockdown and night curfews, thereby restricting the movement of people at a time when mass gatherings are potential super spreaders. India recorded above one lakh positive cases after 214 days, taking the total reported caseload to 3,52,26,386. This includes 3,007 Omicron cases reported from 27 states and UTs, according to data from the union health ministry data. Delhi has already imposed a weekend lockdown. Mumbai, meanwhile, is mulling over whether to impose a weekend curfew, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be reviewing the Covid-19 situation in Maharashtra. Here is what you need to know about weekend and night curfews being imposed in various states: Delhi The rise in COVID-19 cases has prompted Delhi authorities to impose a weekend curfew from Friday 10 pm to Monday 5 am in the city. A look at some of the curbs: A weekend curfew in the city; no non-essential movement will be allo

Delhi and its adjoining areas witnessed heavy rainfall with thunderstorms in the early hours of Saturday.  Due to a western disturbance, Delhi-NCR is likely to receive light rain or drizzle, with a generally cloudy sky throughout the day on 7 January. After heavy rainfall, the minimum temperature in Delhi was almost 7 degrees Celcius above normal. "Thunderstorm with moderate to heavy intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and Delhi NCR (Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Ballabhgarh) Karnal, Panipat, Gannaur, Sonipat, Kharkhoda, Jhajjar, Sohana, Palwal, Nuh (Haryana) Baraut, Bagpat (UP) and Tizara (Rajasthan)," tweeted India Meteorological Department. 08/01/2022: 03:20 IST; Thunderstorm with moderate to heavy intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and Delhi ( ), NCR ( Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Ballabhgarh) Karnal, Panipat, Gannaur, Sonipat, Kharkhoda, Jhajjar, Sohana, Palwal, Nuh (Haryana) — India Meteorological De

Appointments for the ‘precautionary dose’ of the COVID-19 vaccine in India will begin today, 8 January, according to the announcement made by the central government. The Centre has also said that no new registrations in the CoWin platform would be required for those taking the shot. The health ministry will release the schedules for vaccination on Saturday. The three priority groups of healthcare workers, frontline workers and 60-plus population with comorbidities, who are eligible for their third “precautionary dose” 39 weeks after getting their second jab, can either book an online appointment or walk into any vaccination centre, sources in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday. “Those who have taken two doses of COVID-19 vaccine can directly take an appointment or walk into any vaccination centre,” the Union health ministry said. It added that online appointment facility would also start by Saturday evening. Vaccination with on-site appointment starts on 10 Ja

India on Friday witnessed an exponential surge in COVID-19 cases after 1,17,100 fresh infections were recorded - a 28 percent jump from yesterday's 90,928 cases - as the virus continued to spread at an unprecedented pace, mostly driven by the Omicron variant . With this, the total caseload climed to 3.52 crore. This is the first time in seven months since the nation's daily COVID-19 tally crossed the one-lakh mark. India had reported 1,14,460 cases on 6 June, 2021. India has confirmed 3,007 cases of the highly-transmissible Omicron variant from 27 states and Union territories so far. While Maharashtra tops the chart with 876 cases, Delhi has detected 465 cases. Meanwhile, Karnataka has 333 cases, Rajasthan 291, Kerala 284 and Gujarat 204. Let's take a look at the COVID-19 figures in the major metro cities today: Delhi: Delhi on Friday recorded 17,335 fresh cases, the highest single-day rise since 8 May 2021, and nine deaths, while the positivity rate mounted to 17.73

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) announced that it has postponed the IGNOU TEE December 2021amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The exam was scheduled to be held from 20 January to 23 February 2022. As per the official notification, the University has postponed the IGNOU TEE December 2021 until further notification. It took the decision in view of the alarming increase of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron and weekend curfews in several states. "The students are advised to keep checking the varsity's website for examination related information and updates at frequent intervals," reads the official notification. The University has also extended the deadline for submission of assignments, internships, project reports, fieldwork journals, and dissertations till 15 January. Check the official notification here: Postponement Notification Exam 2021 Dec. , 2022 pic.twitter.com/FbeEU1PnKK — IGNOU (@OfficialIGNOU) January 6, 2022 IGNOU will issue the next s

In light of the ‘major security lapse’ that left Prime Minister Narendra Modi stuck on a highway in Ferozepur in Punjab for 20 minutes on Wednesday, the Supreme Court has directed the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to secure and preserve all records of the prime minister's travel from the state government, its police and central agencies. According to Bar&Bench , the judges also directed officers of the Punjab Police and the Special Protection (SPG) as well as other central and state agencies to cooperate and provide necessary assistance to the Registrar General of the Punjab & Haryana High Court. The direction from the apex court came as it was hearing the plea of an organisation Lawyer's Voice' seeking a thorough investigation into the breach in Prime Minister Modi's security in Punjab and ensuring there is no such event in the future. During the course of the hearing, the bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana also asked the coun

Following the ‘major security lapse’ that occurred during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab’s Ferozepur on Wednesday, BJP leaders across the country organised pujas for his well-being. In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan prayed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's long life at the Gufa temple in Bhopal. He performed rituals at the temple for the recital of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra - a verse from the Rig Veda believed to bestow longevity - during his prayers. Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted images of him and BJP leaders reciting hymns with priests. He added in his tweets, "There is anger in the whole country including Madhya Pradesh, people are shocked and also worried that yesterday the life of Honorable Prime Minister of India was played with. Their safety was deliberately put at risk." यशस्वी प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी कोटि-कोटि जनता के हृदय में बसते हैं, देश के मुकुटमणि हैं। पूरी दुनिया में भारत का मान, सम्मान, स्वाभिमान उन

Reliance Industries has raised $4 billion in the largest ever foreign currency bond issuance from India. The bond issue was subscribed over three times. Srikanth Venkatachari, Joint CFO of RIL, said in a statement that the mega issue was the largest debt capital market transaction for the company, and had “the tightest credit spreads across each of the long-dated tenors for any corporate in India.” “The support received from the marquee international capital market investors is reflective of the strength of our underlying businesses with established growth platforms across energy, consumer and technology as well as robustness of our balance sheet. This issue continues the tradition of Reliance being a sophisticated and innovative issuer across the capital structure,” he added. The conglomerate’s jumbo note issuance of US dollar bonds was done in three tranches – $1.5 billion for 10 years at 2.875 percent, $1.75 billion for 30 years at 3.625 percent and $750 million for 40-year term

As a citizen, you read a news item: “Prime Minister of India got stuck on a flyover of national highway about 20 km from the India-Pakistan border for 20 minutes because the adjoining lane of the flyover is occupied by some agitators and after the flyover the highway is blocked.” And your heart sinks. You worry about drones that are regularly sent by Pakistan to India to drop arms and drugs in the same area. You wonder what was the state police — supposed to screen the entire route — were doing for nearly two hours from the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the Bhatinda airport by road as inclement weather did not allow him to take a helicopter flight. Then you see those policemen sipping tea with the agitators and gossiping. Later, you would see the same state police beating up BJP members who wished to travel and join the public meeting. If you are on social media, you read a tweet by the president of the Indian Youth Congress, “How is the josh?” tagging the Prime Minister “Mr

The protesters at the flyover where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stuck for nearly 20 minutes on Wednesday due to the blockade said the Punjab police had asked them to vacate the road, but they “did not believe them and thought that the officers were lying” about the prime minister’s route. “We were at least 10 km away from PM Modi’s convoy. We didn’t know that he was coming by road. The villagers told us later that it was the prime minister’s convoy on the flyover," Surjeet Singh Phool of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Krantikari) told CNN News18 . He further said that the change in PM’s programme from by air to road is questionable that too few hours before. “There was no plan to stop the prime minister’s convoy. We were told around 12:30-1:00 pm that we have to vacate the road. We couldn’t believe. We thought they are lying to us," Phool added. “Usually the route for the prime minister is cleared at least two to three hours before the convoy has to pass. The PM does not chan

Results of the Karunya Plus KN-402 lottery will be declared at 3 pm today, 6 January, by the Kerala State Lottery Department. The Kerala Lottery-result will be available on the official website of Kerala Lottery Department www.keralalotteryresult.net . The Karunya Plus KN-402 detailed results can be viewed at the official website from 3 pm onwards. The first prize for Karunya Plus KN-402 lottery is Rs 80 lakh. The second prize winner will take home Rs 10 lakh and the third prize of Karunya Plus KN-402 is of Rs 1 lakh. The Karunya Plus KN-402 lottery also has a consolation prize of Rs 8,000. The lottery draw for Karunya Plus KN-402 will be carried out at the Gorky Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. For the convenience of ticket holders, results of the Karunya Plus KN-402 lottery will also be published in the Kerala Government Gazette. Karunya Plus KN-402: Here’s how to check the result Visit the official website of Kerala Lottery - keralalotteryresult.net Search for the link

VIP security has never been simple or easy. It is on record that elaborate instructions were issued in the form of printed booklets during the visits and tours of governors, before Independence. Over the years this was fine-tuned and made specific and functional. After the tragic assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, it was realised that the security of VVIP had to be taken to a different level. After considerable brainstorming study of international best practices, it was in 1988 that the SPG Act was introduced and an amendment introduced in 2019. This was the beginning and the evolution of the Special Protection Group and the security protocol drills as we find them today. Over the years VIP security has become even more complex and challenging because of the presence of criminal and vested interests, as also anti-national elements. Under these circumstances, VIP security assumes greater significance and that is why the elaborate standing operating procedures have been prescribed

Petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged in the country on Thursday, 6 January. In Delhi, fuel is relatively cheaper than the rest of the metros because the state government had earlier decided to reduce the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on petrol, bringing down the price of the fuel in the city by about Rs 8 per litre. At a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, it was decided that the VAT on petrol will be reduced from the present 30 percent to 19.4 percent, leading to a cut of around Rs 8 per litre, officials said. The price of petrol after the VAT cut will go down from the current Rs 103 per litre to Rs 95 per litre, sources told PTI . Earlier, the petrol price in Delhi was higher as compared to the NCR cities in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where the state governments had announced a VAT cut following the Centre reducing the excise duty on fuel prices. The Centre had on the eve of Diwali, announced excise duty cut on fuels resulting in a sharp decrease in petrol

As   India has been reporting a spike in daily COVID-19 cases, several states are setting new rules to curb the virus. The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has decided to shut all schools upto Class 10 till 14 January and extend the night curfew timings. In a late-night discussion on Tuesday, Adityanath with a group of top officials decided to extend the night curfew timings in the state by two hours. Previously, the night curfew was from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am, now, it is from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. The decision was taken after the number of daily coronavirus infections crossed the 3,000-mark yesterday. As per the state's COVID guidelines, the night curfew imposed on 25 December will remain effective till 14 January. “Public places like gyms, spas, cinema halls, banquet halls, restaurants, etc should be operated with 50 percent capacity in districts where the minimum number of active cases exceeds 1,000,” informed Adityanath at the review meeting. An additional set of res