11:29:32 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Musk's intervention in UK politics 'misinformed': minister A senior British government minister on Friday criticised Elon Musk's latest intervention in the country's politics as "misjudged and certainly misinformed". The tech billionaire accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer a day earlier of failing to bring "rape gangs" to justice when he was director of public prosecutions. In a string of posts on his X platform, Musk also suggested that Jess Phillips, minister for the prevention of violence against women and girls, "deserves to be in prison" for refusing a request for a national public inquiry into a child sexual exploitation scandal in the northern English city of Oldham. Health Secretary Wes Streeting told ITV News television that Musk's comments were wide of the mark and that the government took child sexual exploitation "incredibly seriously". 11:28:32 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Pakistan issues visas to 94 Indian pilgrims for Shadani Darbar visit Pakistan High Commission in India said on Friday that it has issued visas to 94 Indian pilgrims to participate in the 316th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Shiv Avtari Stguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, in Sindh. "@PakinIndia has issued 94 visas to Indian pilgrims for their visit to Pakistan to participate in the 316th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Shiv Avtari Stguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi, Sindh from 05-15 January 2025," the High Commission In a post on X. Earlier, in a statement on November 22, the Pakistan High Commission had informed, "Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 87 visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims for their visit to Pakistan to participate in the 316th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Shiv Avtari Stguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi, Sindh from 24 November to 04 December 2024." 10:40:48 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 White House urges Hamas to sign on to new deal to ensure release of hostages The Biden administration is urging Hamas to sign on to a new ceasefire deal that would ensure the release of hostages, White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Friday. Kirby said the White House welcomed Israel's decision to send another team to Doha to continue negotiations. The Biden administration is making a final push to help broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in its final weeks, to end the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of Hamas-held hostages there. 10:37:33 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 SpaceX says next Starship test flight will attempt the rocket's first payload development demonstration by releasing ten model satellites in Space. 10:27:06 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday attached the property of a key accused in a J&K case relating to an encounter involving a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist. The charge-sheeted accused, Mohammad Akbar Dar, was an associate of LeT terrorist Uzair Khan and had provided logistical support, shelter, food and intelligence to Khan. NIA has attached Dar’s immovable property, measuring 19 marlas, in Halpora, Kokernag area of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The attachment was carried out under Sub-section (1) of Section 25 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. 10:25:01 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted one more accused in a 2020 narco-terrorism case relating to the seizure of 17 kgs of heroin along with cash in Jammu & Kashmir. Syed Saleem Jahangir Andrabi has been charged under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, IPC and UA(P) Act in the third supplementary chargesheet filed by NIA before the agency’s Special Court in Jammu. The accused, a resident of district Kupwara, was arrested in July 2024 after evading arrest for the last four years in the case RC-03/2020/NIA/JMU. With this, a total of 16 accused have so far been charge-sheeted in the case, in which investigation is continuing. 10:22:13 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Goa CM Pramod Sawant launches Food and Cultural Festival. "The Tourism Department has organised a Food and Cultural Festival in Madgaon. Through this, we are promoting the food and culture of Goa. During this three-day festival, I believe locals as well as tourists will enjoy it. This festival has been launched on the theme of 'Vocal for Local," said Sawant. 09:55:34 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Biden block of steel deal a 'violation of due process': Nippon Steel 09:44:16 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 PM Modi tweets, "Glad to have met Koneru Humpy and her family. She is a sporting icon and a source of inspiration for aspiring players. Her sharp intellect and unwavering determination are visible. She has not only brought immense pride to India but has also redefined what excellence is."' 09:34:45 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Draft DPDP rules: Verifiable consent of parents to be obtained by data collecting entity before processing children's personal data. 09:06:37 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Mob attacks SP office over non-removal of central forces from village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district: Officials. 09:06:30 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Govt issues draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 08:46:00 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 US issues fresh cyber-security sanctions against entity based in China: Treasury Department website. 07:44:28 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Prez Murmu to confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, MEA announces names 07:40:08 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 US hits JetBlue with $2 million penalty over chronic flight delays The U.S. Transportation Department said Friday it was imposing a $2 million penalty against JetBlue Airways for operating multiple chronically delayed flights. The department said it was the first time it had fined an airline for chronic flight delays, a prohibited scheduling practice. USDOT said JetBlue will pay a $1 million fine and the remainder will go to compensate JetBlue customers affected by the airline’s chronic delays or any future disruptions caused by JetBlue within the next year. 07:29:06 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Odisha CM declares unseasonal rain as 'natural calamity' to extend relief from SDRF 07:22:30 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Dense smog blankets several parts of the National Capital. Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invokes Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. 07:20:22 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 PM Modi will inaugurate Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 on January 4 at Bharat Mandapam. The Mahotsav will be held from 4th to 9th January with the theme 'Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2047’ and motto “गांव बढ़े, तो देश बढ़े”: PMO 07:05:59 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 India's Kotak Mahindra Bank's Milind Nagnur steps down as COO, CTO 06:40:24 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Biden: Blocking deal fulfills responsibility to block foreign ownership of vital US company. 06:35:31 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Maldives Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel visits India, discusses bilateral progress with EAM Jaishankar Dr Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives is on an Official visit to India from 02-04 January 2025. The visit follows the recent State Visit of the President of the Republic of Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, to India in October 2024. On 03 January 2025, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Dr Khaleel held bilateral discussions and took stock of progress made on the understandings reached during the State Visit of President Dr Muizzu to India in October 2024 and followed up on issues that needed further focus from both sides. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar reaffirmed the importance India attaches to its bilateral ties with Maldives and assured continued support to Maldives, under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision SAGAR, i.e., Security and Growth for All in the Region: MEA 06:06:13 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Curbs under stage 3 of Graded Response Action Plan back in Delhi-NCR amid rise in air pollution levels: Order. 06:01:35 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Allu Arjun granted bail, must attend police station; High court hearing set for Jan 21 Hyderabad, Telangana: Actor Allu Arjun's lawyer Ashok Reddy says, "The conditions have been imposed that he (Allu Arjun) has to attend the police station. Bail has been granted (to Allu Arjun)...The court was convinced that this was not a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Therefore. the court granted bail...The quash petition is pending before the high court and we will take steps to pursue that quash petition in the high court...The next date of hearing in the high court is on 21st January..." 06:00:33 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 BPSC protest | Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor says, "...The ADM said that you should withdraw the protest and I said that it is not possible because a large number of people have expressed their trust in me... I will not withdraw the protest under any circumstances... Bihar CM should meet the students and listen to their grievances... After that whatever decision the protesting students take will be acceptable to me..." 05:46:23 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Israel military says two projectiles fired from northern Gaza 05:35:40 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 One Naxalite killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district: Police. 05:34:39 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Delhi: On Pakistan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's statement regarding ties with India 'it takes two to tango', MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, " The relevant 'T' word there is 'terrorism' and not 'tango'..." 05:30:30 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 India's forex reserves dropped by USD 4.112 billion to USD 640.279 billion in the week ended December 27, says RBI 05:29:33 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Allu Arjun has been granted regular bail in the Sandhya theatre stampede case Allu Arjun has secured regular bail in the Sandhya Theatre stampede case, which led to the death of Revathi and serious injuries to her child. The bail was granted on a ₹1 lakh bond. The incident occurred during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule on December 4, as a massive crowd gathered to see the star. Arjun, arrested on December 13. The Telangana High Court initially granted him interim bail for four weeks. The case has been registered against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following a complaint by Revathi’s family. Family Expresses Gratitude Amid Recovery Efforts On December 24, Bhaskar, the father of the injured child, shared that his son had shown signs of recovery after 20 days in critical care. He extended his gratitude to Allu Arjun and the Telangana government for their support. The next day, Allu Aravind, the actor’s father and a film producer, announced a financial aid package of ₹2 crores for the child’s family. NHRC Demands Inquiry and Action Taken Report The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the stampede. According to the complaint filed, the Chikkadpally police’s lathi charge during the promotional event allegedly contributed to the chaos that resulted in the woman’s death and her children’s injuries. The NHRC has directed the Hyderabad Police Commissioner to investigate these allegations through a senior officer and submit an action taken report within four weeks. Additionally, the NHRC noted that the Telangana State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) remains non-operational due to vacant positions, leaving the NHRC to handle the case directly. 05:10:07 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 US pizza chain Papa John's plans to open India outlets in 2025: Spokesperson U.S. pizza chain Papa John's International plans to make its return to the Indian market in 2025, a year later than planned, while many Western brands rethink their plans as inflation hits consumer spending. Papa John's exited India in 2017 saying its restaurants were not able to meet the expectations of the brand and the franchisee. In the meantime rivals Domino's Pizza and Pizza Hut have become popular as Indians increasingly opt for international cuisine. India "remains a priority" and the company will open its first restaurants this year, a spokesperson for Papa John's said by email. Under plans outlined in 2023, the company aimed to scale up to 650 outlets over a decade. "India is a complex market with unique consumer preferences. We are taking the necessary time to ensure our franchise partner opens with the right products and menu, technology, and restaurant footprint to ensure their long-term success," the company said. 04:39:52 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 We never accepted illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area: MEA on China establishing two new counties in Hotan prefecture. 04:39:33 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Chinese side urged to ensure interests of downstream states of Brahmaputra are not harmed: MEA on China's plan to build dam on Brahmaputra. 04:39:06 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 India says conveyed concerns to China over hydropower dam in Tibet India's foreign ministry said on Friday that New Delhi has conveyed its concerns to Beijing about China's plan to build a hydropower dam in Tibet on the Yarlung Zangbo river which flows into India. Chinese officials say that hydropower projects in Tibet will not have a major impact on the environment or on downstream water supplies but India and Bangladesh have nevertheless raised concerns about the dam. The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra river as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India's Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states and finally into Bangladesh. 04:34:03 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 We will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests: MEA on China's plan to build mega dam on Brahmaputra. 04:18:32 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Arvind Kejriwal slams PM Modi's speech, defends AAP's 10-year record in Delhi "Today, PM Modi gave a speech of 43 minutes, in which he abused people of Delhi and the govt chosen by them for around 39 minutes. In 2015, people of Delhi chose two governments for Delhi - BJP-led central govt and AAP-led Delhi govt. It has been 10 years now. If you ask me to tell what all works the AAP govt in Delhi has done in these 10 years, maybe even 2-3 hours will not be sufficient," he said addressing a press conference on the allegations made by PM Modi earlier on Friday. 04:17:41 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 BJP enemy of poor; rendered over 2 lakh people homeless by demolishing slums in Delhi: AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal 04:16:44 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 A person who lives the best of lives has no right to talk about castles made of mirrors: Arvind Kejriwal He was countering claims made by PM Modi earlier on Friday at an event in Delhi. 04:16:02 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Arvind Kejriwal accuses BJP of internal crisis, lawlessness in Delhi "PM Modi said today that AAP is surrounded with an 'aapda'. The real aapda is within BJP. First, they don't have a CM face for Delhi, second, they don't have an agenda for the upcoming election and another 'aapda' is within Delhi-where lawlessness is risking lives of women, citizens," he said while addressing a press conference on Friday. 04:14:07 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 'Aapda' didn't come in Delhi, but in NDA govt: Arvind Kejriwal 04:13:39 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Purvanchali samaj betrayed by BJP: Arvind Kejriwal "Purvanchali samajh has been betrayed by the BJP. People from states like Bihar who came to Delhi for a better life, were reduced to a life being spent in 'kaccha homes'. Life for them was worst than hell, we helped them live an upgraded life. We provided them with a restpectful life," he said. 04:12:46 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 I have made 5 new hospitals in Delhi in the past five years, PM Modi, you (BJP) could have made 50: Arvind Kejriwal 04:12:01 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Arvind Kejriwal hits back at PM Modi; says AAP made 2,000 colleges 03:49:15 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 It's unfortunate that all the prices... after giving so called guarantee all the prices have been increased. For example, registration of land, prices of liquor have been increased, milk prices have increased, relief to the farmers, which was being given during BJP government, that has stopped. VAT on petrol, diesel has also increased. Congress in famous for giving bogus promises. - Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Karnataka government's decision to increase bus fare by 15 per cent. 03:42:03 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Sensex tanks 720.60 points to settle at 79,223.11; Nifty plunges 183.90 points to 24,004.75 03:41:55 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Rupee falls 3 paise to close at record low of 85.78 against US dollar 03:35:59 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Delhi: EAM S Jaishankar meets Maldives Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Khaleel at Hyderabad House | Watch 03:20:54 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Piyush Goyal celebrates 10 years of Start-up India; Highlights India’s rise as 3rd largest Start-up ecosystem "It was on August 15, 2015, when PM Modi announced the Start-up India Programme from the Red Fort. The programme was launched in 2016 and in 10 days, we will enter in the 10th year since this programme was initiated. There was a time when we used to glorify 1 or 2 start-up ideas and making it a global success story. Today, India is now the world's third largest start-up eco-system boosting over 110 unicorns. So, garage stories becoming unicorns fill our hearts with joy and makes us proud in terms of the success stories in such a short span of time," said Union Minister Piyush Goyal 03:03:01 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Union Carbide waste disposal: Two attempt self-immolation in Pithampur, taken to Indore hospital 02:48:13 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Three Naxalists killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh Three naxalists have been gunned down in an encounter with security forces in naxal-hit Gariaband district. The encounter is underway and further details are awaited: Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jitendra Chandrakar 02:42:47 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Rajeev Chandrashekhar attacks Congress for narrow history; suggests renaming universities to honour PV Narasimha Rao, Vallabhbhai Patel "Congress should change their history books. They only have four chapters that include Nehru, Indira, Rajeev, Rahul/Sonia/Priyanka...There have been several colleges and universities in the name of the Gandhis. They should give us a suggestion and we'd like to change the names of some of these universities. We'll talk about renaming these universities to honour PV Narasimha Rao, Vallabhbhai Patel," he said at a press conference at the party HQ on Friday. 02:40:23 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Kerala CM has been in power for eight years, let him talk about the state and its current situation first: Rajeev Chandrashekhar 02:38:10 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 PM Modi was right about AAP, it is the biggest liability for Delhi today: Rajeev Chandrashekhar "People of Delhi know the truth about the Aam Aadmi Party," he further said at a press conference. 02:37:34 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Aam Aadmi Party is proving to be like Congress: Rajeev Chandrashekhar 02:37:00 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Kejriwal's promise of running an ethical and honest govt has proven to be false: Rajeev Chandrashekhar 02:36:39 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Congress' ideology of fake promises, the cost and the suffering of this is taken by the common man: Rajeev Chandrashekhar 02:35:36 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Congress' freebie policies have led states into bankruptcy: BJP "Himachal CM is now talking about the subisidy given by BJP govt. Their (Congress) promises have not been kept," said BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar at a press conference at the party HQ on Friday. 02:18:04 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Unfortunate that 'Aapda govt' in Delhi not implementing Centre's Ayushman Bharat Yojana: PM Modi 02:12:14 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Aapda (disaster) ko nahi sahenge, badal kar rahenge: PM Modi's slogan against AAP govt in Delhi 02:10:29 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Delhi voters ready to free Ccty from 'AAPda': PM Modi "Ye AAP, ye 'aapda', Delhi par aayi hai', and hence the people of Delhi has waged a war against 'aapda'. Voters of Delhi have made up their minds to free Delhi from this 'aapda'. Every voter of Delhi is saying, 'aapda ko nahi sahenge, badal ke rahenge'," he said while addressing an event in Delhi's Ashok Vihar on Friday. 02:08:52 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 'Aapada' sarkar handed Delhi to tanker mafia: PM Modi He further said that the AAP government in Delhi pushed it to turmoil. 02:04:36 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 AAP has brought 'aapada' to Delhi: PM Modi "In the last 10 years, Delhi is surrounded by an 'aapada'. By keeping Anna Hazare at the front, a few 'kattar beimaan' people have pushed Delhi towards 'aapada'. 'AAP aapada bankar Delhi par toot padi hai'," the prime minister said at an event in Delhi on Friday. 02:00:53 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 PM Modi attacks AAP govt over Delhi education "A new college in the name of Veer Savarkar is going to be built in Najafgarh... Those who have been in power in Delhi for the last 10 years - have damaged school education. The money that the central govt has given to Delhi - the current govt of Delhi hasn't even spend half of that money in education," he said. 01:52:00 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 Pucca houses, instead of slums, symbolise self-respect, new hope: PM Modi He was addressing an event after inaugurating flats under Delhi slum rehabilitation project. 01:51:08 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 PM Modi addresses public meeting in Ashok Vihar 01:50:16 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 I could have built a palace, but built 4 crore homes for poor: PM Modi "The country knows it well that Modi never built a home for himself but has built more than 4 crore houses for the poor... 'mai bhi koi sheeshmahal bana sakta tha'," he said. 01:47:50 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 The central government has started a campaign to build permanent houses in place of slums: PM Modi He was addressing a housing welfare event in Delhi's Ashok Vihar on Friday. 01:46:20 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 PM Modi recalls Ashok Vihar as refuge during 'Anti-Indira Movement' ""When I am here today, it's obvious to remember many old memories. When the country was fighting against Indira Gandhi's dictatorship, for many people like me who were part of the underground movement, Ashok Vihar used to be a place for me to live," he said at an event in Delhi's Ashok Vihar on Friday. 01:44:00 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 2025 brings numerous opportunities for India: PM Modi at event in Delhi "New year will further strengthen India's global image," he added. 01:41:41 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 India to strengthen global position in 2025, aims to become major manufacturing hub "Today, India has become a symbol of political and economic stability. This role of India will strengthen even more in 2025. This year will be the year to strengthen India's position in the world. It will be the year of making India one of the biggest manufacturing centres in the world," PM Modi said addressing a public meeting in Ashok Vihar's Ramlila Ground. 01:33:06 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 PM Modi virtually lays foundation stone for Veer Savarkar College in Najafgarh Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Veer Savarkar College in Roshanpura, Najafgarh, on Friday. The project, part of Delhi University’s expansion plans, comes ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, sparking political discussions regarding its timing and the choice of name. The college, estimated to cost Rs 140 crore and cover a built-up area of 18,816.56 square meters, is situated near the Urban Extension Road (UER) highway and just a five-minute walk from the proposed West Campus. It will offer state-of-the-art facilities, including 24 classrooms, eight tutorial rooms, 40 faculty offices, departmental libraries, conference rooms, and a canteen. The ceremony was part of a broader event where PM Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several projects across Delhi, including residential and commercial redevelopment initiatives, as well as eco-friendly infrastructure, highlighting the government’s focus on sustainable urban development. 01:30:09 PM IST, 03 Jan 2025 French FM in Damascus calls for 'sovereign, stable and peaceful' Syria Reported AFP.