The Morning Standard - January 30, 2025

In this issue

January 30, 2025

No domicile quota for PG-NEET: SC

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday held that domicilebased reservations for post-graduate medical courses under state quotas are unconstitutional.

1 min

Pilgrims' Crush Kills At Least 30 In Maha Kumbh

Disaster Strikes During Rush For A Dip At Sangam's Nose, Probe Panel Formed

3 mins

Delhi ab AAP ki nahi, Delhi ab hum sabki hogi

\"WE trust in Modi's guarantee, none else, not even the BJP leadership's,\" school teacher Meenakshi asserted as she joined women in droves to hear PM Narendra Modi, who launched his Delhi poll campaign on Wednesday.

3 mins

Yamuna poison remark made in public interest': Kejriwal's reply to EC

FORMER CM Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday sought to substantiate his claims about the contamination of the Yamuna by citing DJB CEO's letter indicating that the river contains 7 ppm of ammonia, which is 700% above the permissible limit, and poses a severe public health risk.

1 min

Cash, AAP pamphlets found in Punjab ‘sarkar’ car

THE Delhi Police has intercepted a Punjab government-labeled vehicle carrying ₹10 lakh in cash, liquor bottles, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pamphlets.

1 min

Cong, BJP united in blocking progress of the capital: Kejriwal

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday targeted the BJP and Congress, accusing them of collaborating to obstruct Delhi's progress.

1 min

Parvesh Verma files complaint over CCTV installation

BJP's New Delhi seat candidate, Parvesh Verma, has filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), alleging large-scale corruption in the installation of CCTV cameras in the New Delhi Assembly constituency.

1 min

Can Haryana govt poison water PM drinks?

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in North East Delhi on Wednesday, attacking AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal for claiming that Haryana \"poisoned\" Yamuna to disrupt the city's water supply.

2 mins

Stop vilifying campaigns and ensure fair elections', HC tells poll body

THE Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Election Commission to take strict measures against the use of malicious or defamatory campaign material that could disrupt the election environment.

1 min

Tahir calls self 'victim of injustice' in Mustafabad

FORMER AAP councillor and 2020 Delhi riots accused Tahir Hussain, contesting on an AIMIM ticket, launched his election campaign in Mustafabad on Wednesday under strict police custody.

1 min

Kejriwal opposed to reservation, says Rahul

STEPPING up his attack on AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that the former Delhi chief minister is opposed to reservations and is against Dalits, backwards, minorities and the poor.

1 min

Family of four rescued 30 hrs after collapse

MORE than 30 hours after a four-storey residential building collapsed in Burari, a family of four was rescued alive from the debris in a late-night operation, officials said on Wednesday.

1 min

At 21, Ishan Represents India at SDG Lab in Davos

YOUNGEST World Economic Forum's Global shaper from New Delhi, Ishan Pratap Singh, has yet again become the youngest curator in the world to represent India at the SDG lab forum.

1 min

GRAP 3 curbs return as AQI dips to 'very poor', panel to check pollution

THE Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reimposed Stage III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday as pollution levels spiked.

1 min

Kejriwal will win gold medal for corruption

MAHARASHTRA CM Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday accused AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal of indulging in glib talk and making false promises of development to people of the national capital.

1 min

Yamuna row heats up campaign

As AAP, BJP war of words on ammonia levels in water escalates, Cong turns tables on Kejriwal

1 min

Saini sips Yamuna water, says AAP leaders' minds filled with poison

AMID the row over AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's remark, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday took a couple of sips of water from the Yamuna and said there is no poison in water coming from his state to Delhi.

1 min

Jobs, caste survey in Cong manifesto

The Congress on Wednesday released its manifesto for the Delhi Assembly elections, making a slew of promises aimed at job creation, social justice, and public welfare.

1 min

Customs seizes ganja from 3 of family at Chennai airport

TWO men and a woman, all belonging to the same family, were arrested for smuggling Ganja, here at the airport on their arrival from Bangkok, authorities said on Wednesday.

1 min

TN Govt. to Take Over Jayalalithaa's Seized Valuables

A special court in Bengaluru has fixed two days — February 14 and 15 — to hand over the confiscated valuables and properties seized from former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in connection with a disproportionate assets case against her to the government of Tamil Nadu.

1 min

Andhra to be first state to introduce WhatsApp governance, says Naidu

ANDHRA Pradesh is set to become the first state to launch WhatsApp governance, offering 161 public services.

1 min

Odisha gets 593 deals worth ₹17L cr

As many as 145 MoUs signed during two days; investments set to generate 8.94 lakh jobs

2 mins

Submit caste survey report by Feb 2, Revanth orders Telangana officials

CHIEF Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday directed officials to submit the final report of the recently conducted socio-economic, education, employment, political and caste survey to the Cabinet sub-committee by February 2.

1 min

ED raid on ex-MUDA commissioner illegal: HC

THE High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday declared that the Enforcement Directorate's raid on the residence of Natesha DB, former MUDA commissioner, in connection with the alleged irregularities in allotment of 14 sites to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife BM Parvathy, as illegal, unwarranted and abuse of law.

1 min

ISRO hits century of missions, pads up for next 100 in 5 years

THE Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has marked another significant chapter in its storied history with the successful launch of its 100th mission from Sriharikota on Wednesday morning and has set its sights on crossing the next 100 launches in half a decade.

1 min

REBUILD TRUST WITH CHINA, BUT VERIFY ACTIONS ON BORDER

IT'S encouraging that India and China are taking steps to rebuild trust and stabilise their relationship after four years of tensions.

1 min

CONSIDERACTIVITY-BASED LEARNING ACROSS INDIA

THE latest ASER, which shifted from being an annual status of education report to a biennial one in 2016, should gladden us.

1 min

How To Dance The M&A Tango In Perfect Rhythm

BUILDING BUSINESSES

3 mins

With the U.S. Out, Who Will Fill the Gap at W.H.O.?

The impact of Trump's order to withdraw from WHO will be felt all over the world while combating diseases. Critical links in global research & surveillance networks will be severed

4 mins

CCS approval to procure 10K cr ammunition for Pinaka regiments

THE Cabinet Committee on Security, in a meeting on Wednesday, cleared a proposal to procure ammunition for the Indian Army's Pinaka regiments.

1 min

India, UAE discuss ways to strengthen ties

IN his third official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since his re-appointment as External Affairs Minister in June 2024, S Jaishankar held meetings with the top leadership of the Gulf nation, reiterating India's commitment to keep ties on high priority and discussing regional developments.

1 min

India Turns Down Report on Interference in Canada Polls

INDIA dismissed a Canadian intelligence report alleging New Delhi's involvement in Canada's electoral process and countered that Canada has been persistently interfering in the country's internal affairs.

1 min

ICMR chief says samples collected to identify cause for surge in GBS cases

THE Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr Rajiv Bahl, said on Wednesday that they are still investigating the cause behind the increase in cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra.

1 min

SC seeks details of FIRs filed against Muslim men for misusing triple talaq

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to file an affidavit detailing the FIRs and chargesheets against Muslim men who invoked triple talaq for divorce, violating the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights in Marriage) Act, 2019.

1 min

Massive jump in WAVES challenge registration

WITHIN three months, the number of registrations for different challenges under the first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) has increased from 5,000 to 75,000, officials said.

2 mins

Waqf JPC Adopts Revised Report

To be presented to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday, tabled in Parliament on Friday

2 mins

After Sangam stampede, tight security in place at Varanasi and Ayodhya

FOLLOWING the stampede at Maha Kumbh, Varanasi and Ayodhya administrations stepped up measures for crowd and traffic regulations since both the cities are witnessing heavy rush of devotees at Kashi Vishwanath and Ram Temple.

1 min

'Frenzy to reach Sangam nose leads to stampede'

NARROW POINT BELIEVED TO HOLD SIGNIFICANCE FOR 2ND AMRIT SNAN ● LIMITED AREA RESERVED FOR SEERS OF THE AKHARAS

2 mins

Maha BJP minister demands ban on burqa in 10th and 12th board exams

MAHARASHTRA BJP minister Nitesh Rane on Wednesday urged education minister Dada Bhuse to prohibit burqa during the upcoming 10th and 12th grade state board examinations, citing security concerns and potential examination malpractices.

1 min

Alert school principal in Bihar steps in, stops tap water mixed with poison

The timely intervention of authorities in Bihar's East Champaran district averted a major incident on Wednesday after a poisonous substance was discovered in the water tank of a government middle school.

1 min

No action against docs for RG Kar stir: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed hospitals to regularise the unauthorised absence of doctors who protested against the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital, Kolkata demanding Justice for the victim and her family.

1 min

Long incarceration': 6 get bail in CPI leader Pansare murder case

THE Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted bail to six accused in the case of murder of CPI leader and rationalist Govind Pansare in 2015, on the ground of long incarceration.

1 min

Rajapaksa's son Namal indicted in hotel project

FORMER Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa's elder son has been indicted in the High Court here for alleged misappropriation from an Indian investment prior to 2015.

1 min

Syria asks Israel to leave buffer zone

SYRIA's new authorities on Wednesday urged Israel's withdrawal from Syrian territory it occupied in the Golan Heights after president Bashar al-Assad's ousting, during talks with UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix, state media reported.

1 min

Don rolls out VRS scheme for 2 million US federal staff

Gives them time till Feb 6 to accept package for govt downsizing that includes 8-mth pay

1 min

UK report flags Khalistan, Hindu nationalism as threat

TWO types of extremism with their origins in the Indian subcontinent - pro-Khalistan extremism and Hindu nationalist extremism - have been flagged as threats to 'understand' in a leaked report into the UK government's 'Extremism Review'.

1 min

Ukrainian drone barrage sets afire oil refinery 800 km inside Russia

A Ukrainian drone attack killed a mother and her toddler in western Russia on Wednesday, local officials said, in a major overnight barrage that set an oil refinery ablaze and targeted a nuclear facility.

1 min

1985 Air India bomber suspect's killer sentenced

A Canadian court has sentenced a 24-year-old man to life after he pleaded guilty to the killing of a Sikh businessman, a suspect in the 1985 Air India bombing who was later acquitted, according to local media reports.

1 min

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels control much of east Congo city, says UN

RWANDA-backed rebels captured large parts of eastern Congo's largest city including its airport, the United Nations said, as Rwanda's president on Wednesday joined calls for a ceasefire in the decadeslong conflict.

1 min

Indian Bank net up 35% to ₹2,852 crore on lower NPAs, higher yields

Chennai-based public sector lender Indian Bank has reported a healthy 35% growth in net income at ₹2,852 crore in the three months period ending December, as the bank earned more from its advances at a reduced cost of funds along with higher interest income.

1 min

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank net profit rises to ₹300 crore

Private sector bank Tamilnad Mercantile Bank on Wednesday reported a net profit of ₹300 crore for the December quarter, up by 6%, compared to ₹284 crore in the year-ago period.

1 min

Mkt hoping for capital gains tax cut

Investors expect upcoming budget to reverse last year's capital gains tax shocks

1 min

ITC Hotels shares list at 30% discount to discovered price, crack another 5%

ITC Hotels (ITCHL) shares were listed at ₹188 apiece on the BSE, and at ₹180 apiece on the NSE on Wednesday.

1 min

Govt kicks in critical mineral mission with ₹34k cr outlay

IN a bid to secure the supply of critical minerals essential for industries such as electronics, telecommunications, transportation, agriculture, defense, healthcare, and clean energy, the government on Wednesday approved the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with a budget of ₹34,300 crore.

1 min

Chinese-made AI model DeepSeek safe for use in India, says govt source

DEEPSEEK, a Chinese-made artificial intelligence (AI) model, is safe to use in India, according to a source from the government.

1 min

Maruti Suzuki shines, Tata Motors' PAT declines 22% to ₹5,451 crore

TWO of India's largest automakers - Maruti Suzuki (MSIL) and Tata Motors - reported their December quarterly earnings on Wednesday.

1 min

Capital Show Keeps Pretoria In Contention

A rejuvenated Pretoria Capitals claimed the honours in the Jukskei Derby with a six-wicket bonus point victory over Joburg Super Kings at Centurion on Tuesday evening.

1 min

New coach for women's 400m

JAMAICAN athletics coach Jerry Lee Holness, who has mentored serial medallists like Elaine Thompson and Nesta Carter, has taken charge of the Indian women's 400m team ahead of some high-profile events coming up this year.

1 min

Srikanth sails into Rd of 16 in Thailand

FORMER World No 1 shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has been in the shadows for some time now.

1 min

India Bolstering Research Power for Olympics: Usha

INDIA is focusing not just on strengthening infrastructure capabilities, but also intellectual preparedness as it eyes hosting rights for the 2036 Olympic Games, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha said on Wednesday.

1 min

Shami's long-awaited return sight for sore eyes

Having made his India comeback, focus will be on pacer ahead of CT

3 mins

Rahul, Siraj and Kohli return for last Ranji league games

LOCKED in a three-way tussle for a quarterfinal berth, Karnataka will have KL Rahul's experience to bank on in the quest for a bonus point win over table-toppers Haryana in their final league match of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C in Bengaluru on Thursday.

2 mins

Karnataka swimmers dominate pool

KARNATAKA, as expected, dominated the swimming pool, clinching five gold medals and setting a new meet record at the Syama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex in Haldwani on Wednesday.

1 min

NorthEast United Crush Hyderabad 4-1

NORTHEAST United FC put up a dominant performance to record a 4-1 victory over Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League in Guwahati on Thursday.

1 min

Dine, Décor and Drama!

As I write my column this week, I'm filled with a sense of anticipation. In a few hours, I'm hosting a dinner soiree for a party of 15 at home.

2 mins

A HEART FOR ANIMALS

Delhiite Vipul Jain, an animal crusader, has started a 'Vote For Compassion' campaign in the hope that politicians will make animal welfare part of their poll agenda

3 mins

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