A 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 | ANIUttar Pradeh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring smooth transportation, better residential facilities and quick assistance for all the pilgrims and tourists coming from across the country and the world for the upcoming Maha Kumbh 2025, officials said. According to an official release, the Chief Minister, during his visit to Prayagraj on Monday to take stock of the preparations, toured the under-construction Tent City in the fair area. He emphasized the importance of making arrangements for food and other things on time considering the cold weather. The Chief Minister was informed that arrangements have been made to accommodate over 6,000 people in the fully equipped Tent City being set up in Arail, located on the banks of the Sangam. The entire camp is being decorated attractively. CM also stated that there is a lot of enthusiasm among the general public about staying in the Tent City during the Maha Kumbh, and assured that the experience would be pleasant. During his visit to inspect the arrangements at the VIP Circuit House, the Chief Minister was informed by officials about the extensive provisions being made for the upcoming Maha Kumbh. Under the protocol management, a total of 250 camps will be set up in the Mela Circuit House, including 175 for Judges. In addition, more than 2,200 camps are being arranged in the Tent City. A full team, including three ADM-level officers, is being deployed to oversee the arrangements. Additionally, two cruises, six floating jetties, four VIP boats, five motorboats, 50 golf carts, and 50 tourist guides are being arranged. On a one-day visit to Prayagraj, the Chief Minister performed the Ganga Aarti amid chanting of Vedic hymns at the newly constructed Dashashwamedh Ghat. He also visited the Dashashwamedh Mahadev temple, seeking blessings for the successful organization of Maha Kumbh 2025. While inspecting the Swaroop Rani Hospital and Burn Unit, which are important for medical facilities during the Mahakumbh, the Chief Minister said that continuous dialogue and coordination should be maintained with the Central Hospital of the Mela. He said that the entire medical system should operate 24x7, ensuring there is no shortage of doctors, paramedical staff, or medicines in both permanent and temporary hospitals. The Chief Minister also highlighted that separate wards for men and women are being set up and that shift duties for personnel should be strictly followed. Additionally, he instructed that ambulance response times be minimized during emergencies. He further directed that special care be provided to the elderly children, women, and disabled individuals attending the fair. It is worth noting that the 48-bed burn unit at Swaroop Rani Hospital is equipped with both an operation theatre and an ICU. The Chief Minister, during his visit to Prayagraj Railway Junction, emphasized the need for better coordination between the state government and railway officials. He said that the railway is the most accessible means of transportation for pilgrims. As per estimates, 10 crore people are expected to travel to the Maha Kumbh by train this time. To ensure smooth travel for people coming from various states, the Chief Minister suggested that railway announcements should be made in multiple regional languages. During a brief meeting with railway officials, he discussed the action plan and announced that roadway buses would be available to transport passengers from the railway station to the Maha Kumbh Mela area. The Chief Minister began his inspection by visiting the medical aid centre set up by the railways, where arrangements are being made for the preliminary examination of passengers in case of illness during the fair. He then reviewed the facilities at the railway shelter, which can accommodate up to 5,000 people. Railway officials told the Chief Minister that this time separate shelters have been built at Prayagraj Junction with a capacity to accommodate 22,000 people, while in the entire Prayagraj, the railway has made arrangements for shelter for 1 lakh people. In addition, he also inquired about the mobile ticketing service introduced at the Maha Kumbh through the special UTS and interacted with railway employees about fire safety measures. His visit also included an inspection of the railway control room at Prayagraj Railway Junction. The Chief Minister also visited Prayagraj Airport to review the ongoing preparations ahead of the Maha Kumbh. During his visit, he inspected the entire site, interacted with airport officials, and provided necessary instructions to ensure all work was completed by the first week of January. Expressing satisfaction with the progress, he emphasized the importance of enhancing passenger facilities as a large influx of devotees is expected to arrive through the airport during the Maha Kumbh, starting January 13. Prayagraj Airport Director Mukesh Upadhyay shared that the Chief Minister took time out from his schedule to assess the preparations, focusing on the expansion of the old building, parking facilities, and the new terminal under construction. The Chief Minister reviewed the complete layout plan at the project site and expressed confidence in the ongoing work. He instructed that all arrangements should be completed by the end of December to accommodate the expected surge in passenger traffic. Upadhyay assured that preparations are progressing rapidly and are being carried out on a war footing to ensure readiness for both day and night flight operations by the deadline. 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 | New Delhi | ANIPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said his government has provided nearly 10 lakh permanent government jobs to youths in the last one or one and a half years which, he asserted, is a record. Addressing recruits at a Rozgar Mela through a virtual event, where over 71,000 people were given appointment letters, he said never before in the tenure of any previous government were jobs provided in such a “mission mode”. The young population is at the centre of his government’s policies and programmes, he said, adding honesty and transparency have driven the recruitment process. The prime minister said ‘Rozgar Melas’ (recruitment drives) are empowering the youth and unlocking their potential. “The youth of India today is full of new confidence, succeeding in every sector.” Noting that a large number of recruits are women, Modi said it is the endeavour of his government that they become self-dependent in every field. 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 08:30 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Delhi High Court on Monday extended till January 20, the interim bail of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Sengar, who is serving a 10-year jail term in the custodial death case of the Unnao rape survivor’s father. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri, while hearing Sengar’s plea to extend the interim bail on medical grounds, noted that a division bench of the high court has also extended his interim suspension of sentence for further one month in the main Unnao rape case. “In view of the December 20 order of the division bench the appellant’s sentence shall remain suspended till January 20, 2025, on which date he would surrender. “The order be communicated to the jail superintendent concerned,” Justice Ohri 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 08:30 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesAhead of the assembly elections in Delhi, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Monday helped women register for the ‘Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana’ in the Kidwai Nagar area. The former chief minister had on Sunday said that women didn’t have to go anywhere, “our volunteers will come to your homes and complete the registration process”. In its budget for the 2024-25 fiscal, the Delhi government had announced a scheme to provide Rs 1,000 per month to all adult women. However, Kejriwal recently announced that the amount would be raised to Rs 2,100 if his party returned to power for a third consecutive term after the assembly elections, due in February. The AAP supremo helped the women generate one-time passwords (OTP) required for the registration and then handed over their registration cards. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accompanied Kejriwal during the exercise. BJP issues ‘charge sheet’ against Kejriwal Senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur issued a “chargesheet” against Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of turning Delhi into a corruption lab through a series of scams. No immediate reaction was available from the AAP over the allegations of the BJP leader. Ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, the state unit of the BJP has formed a “chargesheet committee” that has so far issued detailed reports listing the alleged failures of the ruling AAP MLAs. “What kind of a party is this which came to power promising to give corruption-free government but was involved in eight to nine scams related to the liquor policy, Delhi Jal Board, DTC, Waqf Board,” Thakur charged. 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 08:29 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesBangladesh’s interim government said on Monday that it has sent a diplomatic note to India to send back deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to Dhaka. Hasina, 77, has been living in exile in India since Aug 5 when she fled the country amid the student-led protests that toppled her 16-year regime. Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for “crimes against humanity and genocide”. “We have sent a note verbale (diplomatic message) to the Indian government saying that Bangladesh wants her back here for the judicial process,” Foreign Affairs Adviser or de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain told reporters at his office. Earlier in the morning, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam said his office has sent a letter to the foreign ministry to facilitate the ousted premier’s extradition from India. “We have sent a letter to the foreign ministry regarding her extradition. The process is currently underway,” he told reporters in response to a query. Alam said an extradition treaty between Dhaka and New Delhi already exists and Hasina could be brought back to Bangladesh under the treaty. 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 08:29 AM IST | Dhaka | AgenciesThe Centre has scrapped the 'no-detention policy' for classes 5 and 8 in government schools, allowing educational institutes to fail students who do not clear the year-end exams, officials said. According to PTI, following the amendment to the Right to Education Act (RTE) five years ago, at least 18 states and Union Territories have already abolished away with the 'no-detention policy' for the two classes. According to a gazette notification, if a child fails to fulfil the promotion criteria in the exam they shall be given additional instruction and opportunity for re-examination within a period of two months from the date of declaration of results. "If the child appearing in the re-examination fails to fulfil the promotion criteria again, he shall be held back in fifth class or eighth class, as the case may be. During the holding back of the child, the class teacher shall guide the child as well as the parents of the child, if necessary, and provide specialised inputs after identifying the learning gaps at various stages of assessment," the notification said. However, the government has clarified that no child shall be expelled from any school till the completion of elementary education, PTI reported. "The examination and re-examination shall be competency-based examinations to achieve the holistic development of the child and not be based on memorisation and procedural skills. The head of the school shall maintain a list of children who are held back and personally monitor the provisions provided for specialised inputs to such children and their progress with respect to the identified learning gaps," the notification further read. According to senior officials from the Ministry of Education, the notification will be applicable to more than 3,000 schools run by the Central Government, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navaodyala Vidyalayas and Sainik Schools. "Since school education is a state subject, states can make their decision in this regard. Already 16 states and 2 UTs including Delhi have done away with the no-detention policy for these two classes. Haryana and Puducherry have not made any decision yet while remaining states and UTs have decided to continue with the policy," a senior official said. States and UTs that have scrapped the no-detention policy include Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Jammu and Kashmir. When questioned about the delay in the notification since the amendment was approved in 2019, the official explained that the new National Education Policy (NEP) was announced within six months of the amendment, reported PTI. "By the time amendment was made, NEP was announced within few months. The department (school education and literacy) decided to wait till the recommendations of the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) were ready to be able to take a holistic view. NCF was ready in 2023 and subsequently the Ministry of Education took the decision and made some changes in rules of RTE implementation," the official added. (With PTI inputs)
23 December,2024 07:05 PM IST | Delhi | PTIThe Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has reached a significant engineering breakthrough with the installation of 2,06,000 noise barriers along its 103 km viaduct corridor, NHSRCL said in an official statement on Monday. The project has strategically placed 2,000 noise barriers on each side of every kilometer of track, demonstrating remarkable precision in acoustic engineering, stated National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL). These sophisticated noise barriers are meticulously designed to mitigate sound generated during train operations. Measuring two metres in height and one metre in width, each barrier weighs approximately 830-840 kg and is engineered to reflect and distribute aerodynamic noise produced by train movement. Over 200,000 noise barriers installed along 100+ km of Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train viaduct, to mitigate noise during operations without obstructing scenic view from the train. pic.twitter.com/QRWQYUDBB4 — NHSRCL (@nhsrcl) December 23, 2024 "Over 200,000 noise barriers installed along 100+ km of Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train viaduct, to mitigate noise during operations without obstructing scenic view from the train," NHSRCL said in a post on X. In residential and urban areas, the project has implemented enhanced three-metre tall barriers featuring an additional 1-metre translucent polycarbonate panel, ensuring passengers maintain unobstructed scenic views while minimizing environmental noise. To support this massive production requirement, six dedicated manufacturing facilities have been established across Gujarat, with three located in Ahmedabad and one each in Surat, Vadodara, and Anand. This strategic infrastructure development has not only facilitated barrier production but also created significant local employment opportunities, NHSRCL said. The project's construction progress extends beyond noise barriers. NHSRCL stated that over 243 km of viaduct construction has been completed, accompanied by 352 km of pier work and 362 km of pier foundation work. The project has already constructed bridges across 13 rivers and successfully crossed multiple railway lines and highways using five steel bridges and two PSC bridges. Track construction in Gujarat is advancing rapidly, with Reinforced Concrete (RC) Track Bed construction underway in multiple districts including Anand, Vadodara, Surat, and Navsari. Seventy-one track kilometers of RC track bed have been completed, with rail welding already commenced on the viaduct. In Maharashtra, significant milestones have been achieved, including casting the first concrete base-slab for the Mumbai bullet train station at an impressive depth of 32 metres. The 21 km tunnel between Bandra-Kurla Complex and Shilphata is progressing, with a 394-metre Intermediate Tunnel (ADIT) already completed to facilitate main tunnel construction. The project is simultaneously constructing seven mountain tunnels in Palghar district using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), with the mountain tunnel in Gujarat already successfully completed. Twelve stations along the corridor are being developed with innovative thematic elements and energy-efficient features, promising a world-class passenger experience. “The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project continues to set new benchmarks in high-speed rail infrastructure by combining cutting-edge technology with environmental considerations. The project is not only transforming connectivity but also creating significant social and economic benefits, including the generation of thousands of jobs, the development of local industries, and improvements in regional infrastructure. It will also help in reducing travel time, enhancing mobility, and fostering regional development. The project is set to drive economic growth and elevate the quality of life across Gujarat and Maharashtra,” said Vivek Kumar Gupta, Managing Director, NHSRCL.
23 December,2024 06:18 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentCongress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday criticised the BJP over levying GST on examination forms, saying the government had turned the dreams of parents who saved every penny to prepare their children for exams into a source of income, reported news agency PTI. The Congress general secretary shared an examination form of the Kalyan Singh Super Speciality Cancer Institute, Sultanpur Road, Lucknow, that showed 18 per cent GST was being charged, reported PTI. भाजपा युवाओं को नौकरी तो दे नहीं सकती, लेकिन परीक्षा फॉर्म पर 18% जीएसटी वसूल कर युवाओं के जख्मों पर नमक जरूर छिड़क रही है। अग्निवीर समेत हर सरकारी नौकरी के फॉर्म पर जीएसटी वसूली जा रही है। फॉर्म भरने के बाद सरकार की विफलता से पेपर लीक हुआ, भ्रष्टाचार हुआ तो युवाओं के ये पैसे डूब… pic.twitter.com/FGnCydZDgb — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) December 23, 2024 "The BJP cannot provide jobs to youngsters but it is definitely rubbing salt on the wounds by charging 18 per cent GST on examination forms. GST is being charged on every government job form, including Agniveer," Priyanka Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X (formerly Twitter). "After filling the form, if the paper is leaked due to the failure of the government or if there is corruption, then this money of the youngsters is wasted," she said. Parents sacrifice their lives and save every penny to educate their children and prepare them for the exams but the BJP government has turned their dreams into a source of income, she added. BJP lawmaker gifts '1984' bag to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Parliament corridors Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Aparajita Sarangi on Friday gifted a bag with "1984" written on it in red to Congress lawmaker Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, news agency PTI reported. This comes days after Vadra carried bags with messages on Palestine and Bangladesh written on it to the Parliament. Sarangi, the BJP MP from Bhubaneswar, gave the bag to Vadra in the corridor of Parliament. She handed the bag to the Congress MP while Vadra was walking in the Parliament corridor. Vadra took the bag from Sarangi and walked on, reported PTI. The BJP leader said that this is also an issue that the Wayanad MP should raise through her tote bags. The bag had “1984 riots” written on it, as per PTI. In a show of support for the people of Palestine, the Congress leader had carried a bag to Parliament on Monday that had "Palestine" emblazoned on it. The Congress MP was later on Tuesday seen carrying a cream-coloured handbag to Parliament on which it was written "Bangladesh Ke Hindu Aur Isaiyon Ke Saath Khade Ho" (stand with the Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh), reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
23 December,2024 05:59 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
