Will Continue With 'No-Detention Policy' Till Class 8: Tamil Nadu Minister

Tamil Nadu will continue to follow the 'no-detention policy' up to class 8, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said on Monday.

The Centre's move to allow schools to detain students in the same class (class 5 or 8) if they fail to clear exams has created a big stumbling block for children from poor families in getting educated without any hassles up to class 8 and this was "regrettable", he said.

The union government has scrapped the 'no-detention policy' for classes 5 and 8 in schools governed by it allowing them to fail students who do not clear the year-end exams, according to officials.

The Minister said that Tamil Nadu does not follow the National Education Policy and the Centre's decision will not affect schools in Tamil Nadu, other than those that fall under the union government's ambit.

There need not be any confusion and Tamil Nadu will continue to the present system, he underscored. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Wanted To Leave As...": Ashwin Ends Silence On Abrupt Retirement In Aus

Ravichandran Ashwin stunned the cricket world after the third India vs Australia Test in Brisbane as he announced his retirement from international cricket. Being the highest wicket-taker among active bowlers with 537 scalps, many expected Ashwin, 38, to continue for some more time. However, he retired with two Tests left in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy. The timing of his retirement was questioned by greats like Sunil Gavaskar. Ashwin was used in only one of the first three Tests in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. India captain Rohit Sharma later said: "It just happened so that if you know where he felt that, 'if I'm not needed right now in the series, I'm better off." 

Now, Ashwin has broken a long silence on the reason behind his retirement.

"I've never been a person who holds onto things, I've never felt insecure in life," he said on Sky Sports. "I don't believe what is mine today is going to be mine tomorrow. That has probably been one of my elevating factors all these years.

"I always wanted to leave things behind as nonchalantly as I can because I do not believe in people celebrating me, I don't believe in the attention we get sometimes in India. It is the game that always stood ahead of me, all the time.

"I did contemplate [retirement] a few times. For me, the day I woke up and felt the creative side of me didn't have a future or direction, that would be the day I would give it up. I suddenly felt that creative side didn't have a lot of upsides to explore."

Ashwin also revealed how his passion for the game gave meaning to his life. "I just gave it my all, despite knowing it's not the popular or accepted method," he said. "My journey is completely mine.

"I've seen a lot of cricketers over the years with exceptional skill and talent, but the ability to articulate or teach another person about it is something that is very unique and comes across to people only if they have explored it themselves.

"The amount of exploration I have had to do to be very successful has left me with a wide variety of knowledge to be able to say, with confidence, that this is a game I love and can explore and brutally talk about for the rest of my life.

"I've got no regrets because I've had to do it the hard way, but it has left me with the idea that the game has been my calling. People find their calling at different stages of their life but I'm so glad this game found me and it has given me meaning to life.

"I've played Test cricket for so long it's even taught me how to construct and live my life. It's the most beautiful thing that has happened for me."

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Delhi's Air Quality Turns 'Severe' Despite GRAP-4 Restrictions

Delhi's air quality deteriorated on Sunday with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching the 'severe' category at 409 at 4 pm, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.

On Saturday, the AQI was recorded at 370, placing it in the 'very poor' category.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

The capital on Sunday experienced dangerously high levels of PM2.5, the primary pollutant, with 37 out of 39 monitoring stations reporting air quality in the 'severe plus' category.

Some areas recorded AQI levels as high as 474.

PM2.5 particles, which are 2.5 micrometres or smaller in diameter, can penetrate deep into the lungs, posing significant health risks.

Delhi remains under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes stringent anti-pollution measures such as a complete ban on construction activities and restrictions on non-essential polluting trucks entering the city.

Meanwhile, the weather office has forecast cloudy sky with light rain on Monday, with temperatures expected to range from a high of 20 degrees Celcius to a low of 7 degrees Celcius.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Couple Caught Smuggling Luxury Watches Worth Rs 13 Crore In Gujarat

A couple from Rajasthan was detained at Ahmedabad airport for allegedly trying to smuggle two high-end watches worth approximately Rs 13 crore from Dubai on Friday, officials in the Customs Department said on Sunday.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Richard Mille watches, mostly spotted on the wrists of billionaires or celebrities, were seized from the man and the woman, who arrived separately at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport from Dubai. 

According to the officials, one of them spotted the woman with one of the watches on her arrival from Dubai. Upon interrogation, she said it was gifted by her husband. When she was asked about her husband's whereabouts, she said he was arriving on another flight.

The woman's husband, the officials said, was caught when he was trying to exit the airport on his arrival. He initially claimed that the watch belonged to him and that it cost around Rs 1,000. When he was asked to produce a bill, he said he did not have one. 

As authorities searched his belongings, they found the case for the watch. The man then admitted to smuggling the item, the officials said. 

The couple was subsequently detained and upon interrogation, said they belong to Pratapgarh in Rajasthan. They said they were made to travel to Dubai to bring the watches to Ahmedabad, the officials added. 

The officials said a detailed probe is underway.

(With inputs from Mahendra Prasad)

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गश्त पर थीं लेडी DSP, देर रात अचानक पहुंची क्लब में, नजारा देख रह गईं सन्न

Jaipur News : जयपुर की एडिशनल डीएसपी रानू शर्मा शुक्रवार की रात गश्त पर थीं. सांगनेर थाना इलाके में एक क्लब से देर रात अजीब शोर-शराबे की आवाज आ रही थी. एडिशनल डीएसपी ने क्लब में पूरी पुलिस टीम के साथ छापेमारी की. जैसे ही वह क्लब में घुसीं, अंदर का नजारा देखकर सन्न रह गई. उन्होंने आनन-फानन में 72 युवक-युवतियों को गिरफ्तार किया. आइये विस्तार से जानते हैं पूरा मामला...

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Delayed Exams, Holiday: Students Behind Threats To 3 Delhi Schools, Say Cops

At least three schools hit by bomb threat emails have turned out to be victims of their own students, the Delhi Police has discovered.

One of the several schools that received bomb threats was Venkateshwar Global School, which received a threatening email a day after a mysterious blast occurred at the Rohini Prashant Vihar PVR Multiplex on November 28.

A police officer said the email was sent by two siblings enrolled in the school because they wanted the exams to be postponed.

During counselling, both students revealed that they had got the idea from previous incidents of bomb threats being made to schools, the officer said.

They were allowed to go after their parents were given a warning.

After the email was reported, police conducted a thorough check of the school and declared the threat to be a hoax.

According to another police officer, two more schools located in Rohini and Paschim Vihar were sent threatening emails by their students.

The reason was the same – the students wanted schools to be shut.

In both matters, the students were allowed to go after they were counselled and their parents were warned.

Bomb threats have been sent to over 100 Delhi schools, sparking panic, over the past 11 days.

Police have found that the emails were sent through a VPN (Virtual Private Network), making it tough for them to locate the perpetrators.

Since May this year, more than 50 bomb threat emails have targeted not only schools but hospitals, airports and airline companies in Delhi.

Police are yet to make any breakthroughs in these cases. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Pakistan Script Massive Record, Become 1st Team In 21st Century To...

Pakistan veterans Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan laid the foundation for a convincing, series-clinching 81-run win over South Africa in the second one-day international at Newlands on Thursday. Pakistan's total of 329 all out was set up by Babar (73) and captain Rizwan (80), who put on 115 off 142 balls for the third wicket. Heinrich Klaasen made 97 for South Africa but the hosts were bowled out for 248. Fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi (four for 47) and Naseem Shah (three for 37) were the main destroyers.

The win gave Pakistan an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Pakistan's win on Thursday saw them become the first team in 21st century to win three ODI bilaterals in South Africa.

It was their fifth successive series win - and the third for the Champions Trophy hosts in the southern hemisphere season, following victories in Australia and Zimbabwe.

"It's a team game, from beginning to end all of the guys are involved and contributing," said Rizwan.  

Babar and Rizwan, whose combined 204 one-day caps exceeded the total of the rest of the team, batted soundly and sensibly before Babar was out with the total on 192 in the 33rd over.

Rizwan followed three overs later to a sensational diving catch off his own bowling by 18-year-old one-day debutant Kwena Maphaka.

But the stage had been set for some power hitting by the batsmen who followed, notably player of the match Kamran Ghulam, who hit five sixes in making 63 off 32 balls.

With a licence to go for their shots, Pakistan scored 161 runs in the last 17 overs while losing their remaining six wickets.

"Me and Babar started slowly. We were looking for 300 but we got 320-plus. I have never seen Kamran Ghulam play an innings like that," said Rizwan.

Left-arm fast-bowler Maphaka took heavy punishment but picked up four wickets while conceding 72 runs.

South Africa scored more briskly than Pakistan for most of their innings but although all of their first six batsmen made starts, only Klaasen made a significant score.

Klaasen, who made 86 in a losing cause in the first match in Paarl on Tuesday, hit eight fours and four sixes off 74 balls. He was the last man out, caught on the deep midwicket boundary.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Remittances To India As Much As Pak, Bangladesh Budgets Combined: 5 Facts

1. At $129 billion, India's remittances alone is nearly as much as the annual budgets of Pakistan ($67 billion) and Bangladesh ($68 billion) combined. It is also nearly double that of Mexico, which took the second spot on the highest remittances list.
2. As per the latest figures compiled by World Bank economists, India, which topped the list of recipient countries for remittances in 2024, received an estimated inflow of $129 billion. Mexico came second with $68 billion, China came third at $48 billion, the Philippines came fourth at $40 billion, and Pakistan came fifth at $33 billion.
3. India has steadily been receiving remittances of more than $100 billion each year for the last five years, except 2020 - when COVID-19 had peaked. That year India saw an inflow of $83 billion. The growth rate of remittances this year is estimated to be 5.8 per cent, compared to 1.2 per cent registered in 2023, according to a World Bank.
4. India has received such high remittances that it has even surpassed the Foreign Direct Investment or FDI inflows significantly, which, till the September quarter stood at $62 billion. Remittances also surpassed India's overall defence budget for 2024 by more than $55 billion.
5. In the last 10 years, India's overall remittances grew by 57 per cent. In total, between 2014 and 2024, India has received nearly $1 trillion dollars ($982 billion) only in remittances. The year-wise break-up being - $70 billion in 2014, $69 billion in 2015, $63 billion in 2016, $69 billion in 2017, $79 billion in 2018, $79 billion in 2019 $83 billion in 2020, $105 billion in 2021, $111 billion in 2022, $125 billion in 2023, and $129 billion in 2024.

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'Mukadma, Ilzam' : Rajasthan To Change Urdu Words In Policing To Hindi

Mukadma (case), Mulzim (accused), Ilzam (allegation), Ittila (information), Chashmdeed (eyewitness) and many such terms may not be a part of policing vocabulary in Rajasthan for long, with the BJP government in the state issuing direction to replace them with appropriate Hindi words.

The state police headquarters started the exercise following a letter by Minister of State (Home) Jawahar Singh Bedham, seeking information about such words and their Hindi alternatives.

Following the letter, state police chief U R Sahoo wrote to Additional Director General of Police (Training) last month to collect details of Urdu words and find out their appropriate replacements.

In the letter, he also instructed the officer to omit Urdu terms from training material, apprise all trainees of the new Hindi words, and disseminate information about the new Hindi words in the ongoing training programmes.

The DGP's communication, dated November 11, also gives a reference of the letter from MoS Bedham.

ADG (Crime), meanwhile, also wrote to all police range inspector generals on December 10 in reference to the DGP's letter. And then, letters were sent to all SPs of the state.

"In the follow-up of the instructions from the PHQ (Police headquarters), the SPs have been asked to collect information about the Urdu words and their Hindi replacements," a police official said.

The Congress party criticised the government over the move, calling it uncalled for.

"Law and order situation is worsening in the state but the state government is not bothered about it. Rather than replacing words which have been there in practice for long, the government should take effective action to control crime and restore law and order," he said.

There are several terms which are commonly used in police, like Mukadma (case), Mulzim (accused), Mustagis (complainant), Ilzam (allegation), Ittila (information), Chashmadeed (eye-witness), Jeb Tarashi (pick pocketing), Ferd Baramadgi (recovery memo) among others.

They and many other Urdu terms may not be a part of the policing vocabulary in the state for long.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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राजस्‍थान के इस जिले में इन दवाइयों की बिक्री पर रोक, कलेक्‍टर ने लिया एक्शन

Hanumangarh News: प्रीगाबालीन, टेपेंटाडोल, जोपीक्लोन साल्ट आधारित दवाओं को टेबलेट या इंजेक्शन की खुली बिक्री पर रोक लगाते हुए हनुमानगढ़ कलेक्‍टर ने कार्रवाई करने की चेतावनी दे दी है. इस जिले में इन दवाओं को नशे के रूप में धड़ल्‍ले से इस्तेमाल किया जा रहा था. अब लोकहित और युवकों के भविष्‍य को ध्‍यान में रखकर कार्रवाई की बात कही गई है.

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Iran Holds Back Hijab Law After Widespread Condemnation

The "hijab and chastity law" in Iran proposes stricter penalties for girls and women who do not fully cover their hair, forearms, or lower legs, including fines, prison sentences of up to 15 years.

However, Iran's National Security Council has put the brakes on this antiquated and contentious law after it was supposed to come into effect last Friday.

This comes in after the law received worldwide and domestic backlash. President Masoud Pezeshkian said the legislation was "ambiguous and in need of reform", whereas Amnesty International, a human rights organisation said the Iranian authorities were "seeking to entrench the already suffocating system of repression."

Pezeshkian voiced his disapproval of the country's mistreatment of women regarding hijabs earlier this year during his presidential campaign.

"Just as they could not forcibly remove hijabs from women's heads in the past, they cannot now force it onto them. We have no right to impose our will on our women and daughters", he said.

His promise of personal freedom resonated with young girls and women who were already frustrated with restrictions imposed by the government.

The law was also criticised by Masoumeh Ebtekar, a former vice-president for women and family affairs, who called it, "an indictment of half the Iranian population".

The hijab discourse has always been in the picture but it was reinforced more so when a woman, Parastoo Ahmadi, was arrested after she posted a video of herself singing on YouTube without a hijab, in a sleeveless dress, with her hair down accompanied by four male musicians.

"I am Parastoo, a girl who wants to sing for the people I love. This is a right I could not ignore; singing for the land I love passionately", read the caption.

After the video went viral, she was arrested along with her band members but was released a day later after the arrest received widespread backlash.

The hijab controversy has been ongoing since 2022, triggered by the death of Mahsa "Zhina" Amini, who died in police custody after violating the dress code. In the wake of her death, women have challenged the government and defied hijab rules. Younger people in Iran appear fearless and defying such laws despite the restrictions and pressure from factions close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to the BBC, last week, more than 300 Iranian rights activists, writers and journalists publicly condemned the new hijab law, calling it "illegitimate and unenforceable" and urged Pezeshkian to honour his campaign promises.

Nevertheless, the decision to pause the implementation of the law shows that the government is apprehensive of the protests that might set off, similar to the ones seen two years ago.
 

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Lt Governor's Powers In Focus As Omar Abdullah, Amit Shah Meet Tomorrow

When Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday, restoration of statehood will not be the only item on the top of the agenda, sources have told NDTV, indicating that the amended Transaction of Business Rules - which have given additional powers to the Lieutenant Governor - will also be a key topic of discussion.

Introduced as part of changes in the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the amendments to the Transaction of Business Rules (TBR) were made in July, two months before the Assembly elections in the Union Territory. They widened some of the powers of the Lieutenant Governor and had attracted criticism from Mr Abdullah at the time as well. 

"Another indicator that elections are around the corner in Jammu and Kashmir. This is why a firm commitment laying out the timeline for restoration of full, undiluted statehood for Jammu and Kashmir is a prerequisite for these elections. The people of J&K deserved better than a powerless, rubber stamp Chief Minister, who will have to beg the Lieutenant Governor to get his/her peon appointed," Mr Abdullah had been quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Despite stating that he wants good relations with the Centre ahead of his oath ceremony in October, there has been friction between the National Conference leader and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on several occasions. The transfer of some state administrative officers is the latest flashpoint between the two. 

"The friction between the Chief Minister-led administration and the office of Lieutenant Governor is quite evident. Often, important files are delayed and transfers are made without even informing the chief minister. The recent transfer of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers and extensions given to some others are now the latest point of difference between Mr Abdullah and Mr Sinha," a source said. 

Some MLAs have also raised concerns with the Chief Minister that most basic public issues have remained unresolved and officers from the JKAS do not pay any heed to their requests.

"Due to business and conduct rules, we have another power centre (lieutenant governor) and this needs to change," CPM MLA Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami told NDTV. He said this is why he had stated in the Assembly that, "This is a House where the House also does not know what it can or cannot legislate."

A senior bureaucrat, however, said no one has the right to complain about the TBR unless amendments are made. 

"The Lieutenant Governor was given powers to take decisions as per law and he is doing so," the bureaucrat said. 

Amendments Soon?

Sources said a draft of an amended TBR, giving more clarity on the distribution of powers, has already been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

"Once cleared, the business rules will help streamline the governance process in J&K, ensuring greater efficiency and accountability in the administration. The rules will also play a key role in providing a clear legal and operational structure to the governance model, which is expected to be in line with the constitutional changes made in 2019," the source said, referring to the scrapping of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. 

The power tussle between the Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor has given more ammunition to the National Conference, Congress, PDP and other parties, which have been pushing for the restoration of statehood for J&K. Wednesday's meeting will be the second  between Mr Abdullah and Amit Shah since the National Conference leader took oath as Chief Minister. 

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अब मवेशियों का करवाना है इलाज तो हो जाए टेंशन फ्री, राज्य सरकार की नई पहल

Animal Hospital: मवेशियों के इलाज करवाने को लेकर राहत की खबर है, राज्य की सरकार पूरे प्रदेश में नए स्वास्थ्य केंद्रों के साथ-साथ पशु चिकित्सक की बहाली करने जा रही है. इससे पूरे राज्य के पशु असपटल और उपकेन्द्रों में आधुनिक यंत्रों और बेहतर स्वास्थ्य सुविधा उपलब्ध होगी.

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Ding, Accused Of Deliberately Losing To Gukesh, Opens Up On Loss At Worlds

Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren has opened up on his loss to India's D Gukesh at the World Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore last week. Ding, who was the defending champion, made a costly error in the decisive Game 14, allowing Gukesh to become the youngest ever world champion. Following his defeat to Gukesh, Ding was accused of deliberately losing the match by Russian Chess Federation chief Andrei Filatov. Russian news agency TASS quoted Filatov asking the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to open a probe and investigate the result.

Former world champions Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik had also questioned the quality of chess on display during the whole course of the 14-game tie Ding and Gukesh.

Amid criticism, Ding has defended himself and Gukesh, insisting that the quality of the games was not so low.

"Yes, I tried my best in the match and you could see my usage of time. I used a large amount of time in the opening phase when I was not familiar with the position. I tried to figure out what is going on. Or what's the idea behind the novelty. Or how to play my pieces. And sometimes i did a good job and sometimes I didn't find a clear way to develop," Ding told ChessBase India.

"But in every game, his (Gukesh) time would eventually catch up my time after some long thought by him. So I can say that I played some high quality moves when I spent a lot of time. The quality of the game were not so low. Even when I was low on time, I also played some good moves with less time," he added.

Meanwhile, Gukesh secured the requisite 7.5 points as against 6.5 of his Chinese rival after winning the 14th and last classical time control game of the match that seemed headed for a draw for most part. As winner, he will walk away with a whopping USD 1.3 million (approx Rs 11.03 crore) from the 2.5 million prize purse.

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"More Tourists Will Go To Bastar Than Kashmir If...": Amit Shah

Once famous for Maoist violence, Bastar is now becoming a tourist destination for many. Appreciating the efforts of the state government and security forces in this transformation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that if Maoists give up arms in Bastar it will attract more tourists than Kashmir.

"Maa Danteshwari has given immense natural beauty to Bastar. If Maoists end here, I can assure you all that more tourists would be coming here compared to Kashmir," Mr Shah said at the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics 2024.

He said the Centre is making many schemes to promote tourism in this region.

"Everyone can see the region's remarkable transformation from Maoist-affected zone to a symbol of peace and development," Mr Shah said.

He said it is the collective responsibility to establish peace in Bastar, foster its development while preserving its natural beauty, and attract tourists from around the world.

"This can only be achieved through the construction of roads, the introduction of railways, the provision of electricity and water, and, most importantly, the establishment of peace," he said.

Mr Shah also highlighted how in the last 10 years of the Modi government a two-pronged strategy is being used to eradicate Maoists.

"On one hand, the security measures against Maoists involved in violence have been strengthened, effectively curbing their activities. On the other hand, efforts have been made to rehabilitate surrendered Maoists," he said.

"यदि नक्सलवाद समाप्त होता है तो #कश्मीर से ज्यादा पर्यटक #बस्तर में आए इस प्रकार का कुदरती सौंदर्य मां दंतेश्वरी ने बस्तर को दिया है। इसके लिए भारत सरकार योजनाएं बना रही है।* यहां पर पर्यटन को आगे बढ़ाएंगे।- केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री अमित शाह pic.twitter.com/9MNBIXrKyy

— Neeta Sharma (@NEETAS11) December 15, 2024

Mr Shahs said the Modi government has focused on developing Maoist-affected areas, which had fallen behind in the development race.

"Because of the efforts of the Modi government, there has been a 73 per cent reduction in the deaths of security forces and a 70 per cent reduction in civilian casualties in areas plagued by Maoists since 1983," he said.

Mr Shah said when the Congress was in power in Chhattisgarh before the BJP assumed charge a year ago, the action against the Maoists became slow. "But after our government came to power in Chhattisgarh, action against the extremists speeded up resulting in killings of 287 Maoists in the last one year, the arrest of 992 Maoists and surrender of 836 others," Mr Shah said.

Mr Shah said after the Modi government assumed charge, there has been a 73 per cent reduction in casualties in security forces and a 70 per cent decline in civilian deaths.

The Home Minister reaffirmed the Modi government's commitment to completely eradicating Maoists from the country by March 31, 2026.

Even as security operations continue, the state government is working on a road map to revitalise the region and transform Bastar, he said, adding the Bastar region is endowed with waterfalls, caves, and national parks like the enchanting Chitrakote waterfalls, also known as the Niagara Fall of India.

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D Fadnavis Says "Performance Review" Of New Ministers Soon, Adds A Warning

A total of 39 legislators from Mahayuti allies were sworn in on Sunday in the first cabinet expansion of the 10-day-old Devendra Fadnavis-led ministry including 16 new faces, while 10 former ministers were excluded.

Portfolios will be allocated in the next two to three days, the Chief Minister said.

While 33 legislators were sworn in as cabinet ministers, six took oath as ministers of state.

The new inductees will, however, have to perform with Mahayuti allies deciding to conduct a "performance audit" of ministers during their tenure, Fadnavis said.

Prominent leaders who couldn't find a place in the new council of ministers include BJP's Sudhir Mungantiwar, senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, and Shiv Sena's Abdul Sattar.

The council of ministers is a mix of old and new faces which reflects Fadnavis' efforts in balancing caste equations including sections of Marathas, OBCs, SCs, and STs and striking a regional balance.

With the new inductees, the strength of the Fadnavis-led ministry has gone up to 42, including the CM and his deputies Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) and Ajit Pawar (NCP). One berth was kept vacant.

While the BJP secured 19 ministerial berths by virtue of being the largest among allies, Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party were allotted 11 and 9 berths, respectively.

Governor C P Radhakrishnan administered the oath to the new ministers at a ceremony held on the eve of the state legislature's winter session in Nagpur.

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet was expanded on the eve of the winter session of the Maharashtra legislature, Fadnavis said Mahayuti allies have agreed to conduct a "performance audit" of ministers during their tenure.

While Fadnavis didn't mention any timeline, Deputy CM and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said the ministers of his party will get two-and-a-half years and those who perform will progress.

Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar said "non-performers" can be replaced in two-and-a-half months also.

Hours before the cabinet expansion ceremony, Pawar said that some of those who took oath would have a tenure of two-and-a-half-years, underlining constraints in accommodating aspirations of hopefuls.

Fadnavis said the Mahayuti government will start working towards developing Maharashtra.

"We have decided on the portfolio allocation and it will be announced in two to three days. Our administration will focus on swift development," he said.

Fadnavis said he and his deputies- Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar- have told new ministers that they would be subjected to a performance audit.

"Performance audit of ministers will be done and all three of us have agreed to this," he said.

The CM said those leaders of the BJP who couldn't find a place in the Cabinet may be assigned an organisational role.

Shinde said he had decided at the Shiv Sena party level to give two-and-a-half years to new ministers.

"Those who work good will progress," he added.

The BJP, which won the maximum 132 seats in the assembly elections, got the largest chunk of 16 ministers of Cabinet rank and three MoS. Shiv Sena was allotted nine positions as Cabinet ministers and two MoS, while the NCP will have eight ministers of Cabinet rank and a minister of state.

Among the new inductees, four are women, including Pankaja Munde, Madhuri Misal, and Meghna Bordikar of BJP and Aditi Tatkare of NCP.

Munde and Tatkare took oath as Cabinet ministers, and Bordikar and Misal as MoS.

Prominent leaders excluded in the new Cabinet are Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil of NCP, and Mungantiwar and Vijaykumar Gavit of BJP.

From Shiv Sena, former ministers Tanaji Sawant, Deepak Kesarkar, and Abdul Sattar were not re-inducted. Anil Patil, Sanjay Bandsode, and Dharmarao Baba Atram of NCP also missed the second chance.

The swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur was conducted 33 years after the expansion of the Sudhakarrao Naik cabinet in 1991.

The Cabinet expansion saw the re-entry of state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Jaykumar Raval, Pankaja Munde, and Ashok Uike who had served as ministers during Fadnavis' first term from 2014 to 19.

Region-wise, a maximum of nine ministers are from the western Maharashtra region, followed by eight ministers from north Maharashtra, seven from Vidarbha, six from Marathwada, four from the Mumbai/Thane region, and five from the coastal Konkan region.

At the presser, Fadnavis slammed the opposition MVA for terming the Mahayuti government a "government of EVM".

"Our government came to power because every vote has gone for Maharashtra. My government works by the Constitution and respecting the dignity of the Constitution is our priority," the chief minister said.

Fadnavis announced an SIT probe into the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed district.

"The case has been given to CID and an SIT will be set up. Culprits will be punished," the CM said.

He said the violence in Parbhani was orchestrated and pointed out that the stone replica of the Constitution was desecrated by a mentally unstable person who has been arrested.

The CM said those leaders of the BJP who couldn't find a place in the Cabinet may be assigned an organisational role.

Fadnavis said the Mahayuti government was ready to respond to all issues raised by the Opposition provided they do so in the legislature instead of speaking to the media.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"His Tabla Spoke Universal Language": Leaders, Fans Mourn Zakir Hussain

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain - the eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha - died in the US today of a heart disease. He was 73. Leaders and fans across India and the world posted condolences on social media.

"The news of the death of renowned tabla player Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain is extremely sad. My heartfelt tribute to him. The death of Zakir Hussain is an irreparable loss to the country's art and music sector," Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said. "His contribution in the field of art is unprecedented. His dedication towards his art and his contribution will always be remembered. May God grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family and fans. Om Shanti."

"The lyrics of Zakir Hussain ji's tabla spoke a universal language, transcending borders, cultures and generations. This clip defines how we will remember him, and celebrate his legacy. The sound and vibrations of his rhythm will echo in our hearts forever. Will always echo, Wow Taj! My deepest condolences to his family, fans and loved ones. Om Shanti," Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said.

The बोल of Zakir Hussain Ji's tabla spoke a universal language, transcending borders, cultures and generations.

This clip defines how we will remember him, and celebrate his legacy. The sound & vibrations of his rhythm will echo in our hearts forever. सदैव गूंजेगा, वाह ताज!

My... pic.twitter.com/duGIHgnTYY

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) December 15, 2024

संगीत नाटक अकादमी, ग्रैमी, पद्म श्री, पद्म भूषण व पद्म विभूषण जैसे अनेक पुरस्कारों से सम्मानित, सुप्रसिद्ध तबला वादक उस्ताद श्री जाकिर हुसैन जी का निधन कला एवं संगीत जगत के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है।

ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्मा को अपने श्रीचरणों में स्थान तथा शोकाकुल परिजनों व प्रशंसकों को... pic.twitter.com/mGQBh74K8Q

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) December 15, 2024

"The world falls silent as the tabla loses its maestro. Ustad Zakir Hussain, a rhythmic genius who brought the soul of India to global stages, has left us. I was privileged to know him because of his connection with HMV and hear him perform at our home. His beats will echo eternally," RPG Enterprises chairman Harsh Goenka said.

The world falls silent as the tabla loses its maestro. Ustad Zakir Hussain, a rhythmic genius who brought the soul of India to global stages, has left us. I was privileged to know him because of his connection with HMV and hear him perform at our home. His beats will echo... pic.twitter.com/TJ5aaLbsqZ

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) December 15, 2024

Anand Mahindra said the rhythm of India paused today.

The rhythm of India paused today...

In tribute.

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽#ZakirHussain
pic.twitter.com/eknPqw4uKM

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) December 15, 2024

The world has lost a rhythm it can never replace. Ustad Zakir Hussain, our maestro whose tabla beats will forever echo in the soul of India, leaves behind his inimitable form of timeless art. His legacy is an eternal taal, resonating through generations to come. RIP🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/AcnoJmwUNG

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) December 15, 2024

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Centre To Amend J&K Act To Align It With 'One Nation, One Poll' Initiative

The Centre will introduce a bill to amend 'The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019' in Lok Sabha next week, to integrate the Union Territory with its 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, a senior government official told NDTV.

"The existing Union Territory Assembly will complete its full term and in case of premature dissolution of the assembly, mid-term election to be held for only the remaining period of 5 years. Centre is introducing a bill to this effect," a senior government official said.

The official said this will allow the Centre to amend the law to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with the initiative.

As per business scheduled in Lok Sabha on Monday, Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal would introduce 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill-2024' to make changes in the 'Government of Union Territories Act, 1963', the 'Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act', 1991 and the 'Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019'.

"While the amendments in the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 have been proposed for respectively for synchronisation of assembly polls of Puducherry and Delhi with Lok Sabha polls, the amendments in J&K Reorganisation Act- 2019 will align Jamm and Kashmir's electoral cycle with Lok Sabha polls," he further explains.

As per amendments proposed in the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019, the term of the Legislative Assembly shall come to an end on the expiry of the full term of Lok Sabha.

The bill states that simultaneous elections would come into effect on an "appointed date" to be notified by the President on the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after a general election.

"As the first sitting of the Lok Sabha elected in 2024 has already taken place, the earliest appointed date for simultaneous elections that can only be notified is the first sitting of the House elected in the 2029 elections. This means that simultaneous polls could be held by 2034 when the full term of that House ends," an official told NDTV, explaining the bill.

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3rd Test Day 1: Focus On Rohit's Batting Spot And Ind's Playing XI vs Aus

India vs Australia Live Updates, 3rd Test Day 1: India take on Australia in the third Test of the five-match series, starting Saturday at The Gabba, Brisbane. It could be a series-deciding game as both the teams are level at 1-1 with Australia making a remarkable comeback through the pink-ball Test that took place in Adelaide. India started the series with a dominating 295-run victory, but the hosts bounced back with a stunning 10-wicket win. A lot of focus will be on India's batting order and also the team selection during the third Test, as the visitors need to keep their World Test Championship hopes strong. (Live Scorecard)

Here are the Live Updates and Scores of India vs Australia 3rd Test Day 1 -

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"Arrest Of Allu Arjun Proves...": Union Minister Slams Congress In Telangana

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today launched an attack on the Congress government in Telangana over the arrest of superstar Allu Arjun in the stampede case during the screening of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule'. A woman had died in the stampede.

Allu Arjun was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court today.

"Congress has no respect for the creative industry and the arrest of Allu Arjun proves it yet again," the Union Minister wrote on X.

He said the unfortunate incident at Sandhya Theatre, where the woman was killed and her child was critically injured in the stampede due to fan frenzy, was a clear case of poor arrangement by the state and local administration.

"Now, to deflect that blame, they are indulging in such publicity stunts," Mr Vaishnaw said.

He said the Telangana government should instead help those affected by the stampede and punish those who made the arrangements that day, instead of continuously attacking film personalities.

"It is also sad to see this becoming a norm in the one year Congress has been in power there," Mr Vaishnaw said.

Congress has no respect for the creative industry and the arrest of Allu Arjun proves it yet again.

The mishap at Sandhya Theatre was a clear case of poor arrangements by the state and local administration. Now, to deflect that blame, they are indulging in such publicity...

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 13, 2024

The Hyderabad Police arrested Allu Arjun in a case filed against him by the woman's family in connection with the stampede.

He was arrested from his house in Jubilee Hills, hours after he returned from Delhi after attending the success meet of 'Pushpa 2'. He was granted interim bail for four weeks by the high court after a city court sent him to 14-day judicial custody.

For regular bail, Allu Arjun was told to approach the Nampally court.

Many celebrities and politicians came out in support of the superstar; they said celebrities are becoming soft targets.

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सर्दियाें में इस सब्जी का करें सेवन, कई बीमारियों से लड़ने में है सहायक

Health Benefit Suran Vegetable: सर्दियों में मिलने वाली सूरन की सब्जी बेहर खास है. इसमें पाए जाने वाले पोषक तत्व सर्दियों में शरीर को गर्म रखने में मदद करती है. सूरन में कब्ज, पेट दर्द, प्लीहा और यकृत से जुड़ी बीमारियों को दूर करने के गुण होते हैं. इसका सेवन कमजोरी दूर होती है. इसमें प्रचूर मात्रा में विटामिन सी, बी, फोलिक एसिड, कैल्शियम, पोटैशियम, मैग्नीशियम और फाइबर पाया जाता है.

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'India's Future Is Bright': Kasparov On Gukesh Breaking His World Record

Russian Grandmaster Garry Kasparov congratulated India's D Gukesh, who broke his record to become the youngest world chess champion on Thursday. Before Gukesh's feat on Thursday, Kasparov of Russia was the youngest world champion when he won the title at the age of 22, dethroning Anatoly Karpov in 1985. Gukesh, 18, defeated defending champion Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 by winning the 14th and last classical game of their World Championship tie in Singapore. Taking to social media platform X, Kasparov said Gukesh conquered the summit of world chess.

"My congratulations to @DGukesh on his victory today. He has summitted the highest peak of all: making his mother happy!" Kasparov wrote on X.

"Gukesh impressively surmounted every obstacle and opponent in his path, especially considering his age, and nothing more can be asked. My thoughts on the historical world championship lineage with Magnus outside are known, but that is not the story today," he added in another post.

Gukesh impressively surmounted every obstacle and opponent in his path, especially considering his age, and nothing more can be asked. My thoughts on the historical world championship lineage with Magnus outside are known, but that is not the story today.

— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 12, 2024

Kasparov also labelled Gukesh's win as a stepping stone to success for Indian chess and sports in general. 

"India is a nation with an unlimited pool of human talent, combined with the freedom to explore and develop it. The future is bright not only in chess. The summit has been reached and now the goal must be to raise it even higher for the next ascent. Congratulations again. Upward!" the 61-year-old explained.

India is a nation with an unlimited pool of human talent, combined with the freedom to explore and develop it. The future is bright not only in chess. The summit has been reached and now the goal must be to raise it even higher for the next ascent. Congratulations again. Upward!

— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 12, 2024

By beating Ding, Gukesh became the 18th World Champion in the over century-long history of chess and the youngest after beating Garry Kasparov's record of winning the title at the age of 22 and heralding the arrival of a new king on the chess horizon.

Gukesh is the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship title, claiming the title in just over a decade after five-time Champion Viswanathan Anand had lost the title to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in Chennai in 2013. Carlsen has abdicated the crown in 2023, paving the way for Ding to beat Ian Nepomniachtchi.

In a winner-takes-all 14th and final game of the World Chess Championship match Ding had steered towards a draw after starting with Reversed Grunfeld variation of Zukertort Opening, the 32-year-old from China made a sensational blunder.

(With IANS Inputs)

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Fire breaks Out At Hospital In Tamil Nadu's Dindigul, Casualties Feared

Fire breaks out at hospital in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul, casualties feared

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Bangladeshi Girl, 17, Runs To India After Threats For Being ISKCON Devotee

A seventeen-year-old Hindu girl from Bangladesh ran through the night and crossed over to the Indian side where she was detained by border security officials and handed over to the West Bengal police. The reason she had to run away was because she was an ISKCON devotee.

She said her family has been facing threats for being from the minority community for the past several weeks, but the situation got out of hand when fundamentalists in Bangladesh threatened to kidnap her and kill the rest of her family. That is when she decided to run away from her country.

With no certainty of how long it might take her legally to flee to India, she decided to run to the border and cross it by foot. That is exactly what she did, but was caught by the Border Security Force or BSF and sent to police custody, where she narrated her escape.

According to the police, the teenage girl crossed over illegally from the border in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur district. She claimed to have some relatives living in India and was apparently heading for their residence.

Though she has given her statement narrating her ordeal, the police want to be certain and not just take things on face value. They are now investigating the matter and also want to find out if she was accompanied or helped by someone in finding a way to cross the border.

"The girl has some relatives in Jalpaiguri district. We have gotten in touch with them," the investigating officer said, adding that "We are trying to find out who helped her in crossing the border."

"The girl is a resident of Panchagarh district in Bangladesh. She crossed the border on foot but was spotted by the BSF soldiers near the Fatehpur Border outpost in Uttar Dinajpur's Chopra block," the police officer said.

Speaking to news agency Press Trust of India, one of the Indian relatives of the teenage girl said "She and her family are devotees of ISKCON. Fundamentalists threatened to kidnap her and murder the rest of the family. They were planning to send her here (for her safety). She was planning to come to India, but we had no confirmation about the date."

The relative also said that the girl's father is a medical representative in Bangladesh and has been unwell for quite some time now.

Incidents of communal violence are on the rise across Bangladesh and people from the Hindu minority are being targeted with little-to-no action being taken by the administration. ISKCON devotees are the latest target since the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Dhaka on November 25. There have been incidents of mob violence and vandalism of property targeting the minority community. Temples have been defaced too.

Protesters from the minority community have even faced police crackdowns and lathi-charges. They were protesting the arrest of the Hindu priest, who is still in custody and is undergoing trial in a Bangladesh court.

Coming to the aid of the teenage girl who fled to India, ISKCON Kolkata Vice-President Radaramn Das has requested Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene in the matter.

"It is heartbreaking and deeply distressing to learn about a minor girl from Bangladesh who, in sheer desperation, tried to cross into India alone, only to be arrested by the BSF and thrown into juvenile custody," Mr Das said in a post on X.

It is heartbreaking and deeply distressing to learn about a minor girl from Bangladesh who, in sheer desperation, tried to cross into India alone, only to be arrested by the BSF and thrown into juvenile custody.

Her parents, both gravely ill, urged her to cross over to India… pic.twitter.com/3ZKnoA7yub

— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) December 11, 2024

"Her parents, both gravely ill, urged her to cross over to India because of the conditions in Bangladesh and their fear for her safety. They had no choice but to entrust their daughter's life to the hope of finding refuge with their relatives in India," he added.

"How can we, as a nation, ignore such a plea for help? How can we turn away a vulnerable child seeking safety and love? I humbly and urgently request @HMOIndia to intervene with compassion and humanity, and allow this innocent girl to live with her relatives," Mr Das wrote.

(Inputs from PTI)
 

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"You Didn't Bring...": PM To Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan On Taimur, Jeh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently interacted with the Kapoor family in Delhi ahead of Raj Kapoor's birth centenary. Even though many of the members of the Kapoor family, including Raj Kapoor's daughter Rima Jain, daughter-in-law Neetu Kapoor and his grandchildren were there at the meeting, the absence of Taimur and Jeh - the sons of Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan - was noticed by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister said that he was looking forward to "meet the third generation".

Saif Ali Khan told PM Modi he is the first Prime Minister he has ever met.

"You are the first Prime Minister that I have met. Your energy is so good and you work so hard. I want to congratulate you on whatever you do. Thank you for opening your doors and for being accessible to us," he said.

PM Modi then said that he had met his father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and was hoping to meet the next generation.

"I had met your father and I thought today I will get to meet the third generation as well. But you didn't bring them (par aap laye nahi)," the Prime Minister quipped.

Kareena Kapoor Khan, during the interaction, sought an autograph for Taimur and Jeh from PM Modi.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

"We are deeply humbled and honoured to have been invited by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy of our grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor. Thank you Shri Modi ji for such a special afternoon. Your warmth, attention, and support in celebrating this milestone meant the world to us," Kareena Kapoor expressed her gratitude for the special meeting.

The Prime Minister wrote a message for "Tim and Jeh" on a piece of paper.

The Kapoor family invited PM Modi for the Raj Kapoor Fim Festival which will showcase his 10 iconic films across 40 cities and 135 cinemas.

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Newlywed Bride Cheats Man Of Lakhs In Bihar, Has Another Husband In Bengal

A newlywed bride allegedly robbed her husband and fled with lakhs in Bihar's Kishanganj. The woman was also married to another man in West Bengal, the victim claimed.

The woman, Ishika, married Rakesh Gupta, the former General Secretary of BJP Yuva Morcha, a resident of Dharamganj, in a court and later in a temple in Bihar, and the couple then held a grand reception. The man alleged that his "in-laws were not allowing their daughter to stay with him at their house at night."

He claimed that the woman used to ask for money for her parents and he gave lakhs to support them, adding that one day he was called to Siliguri by his in-laws to take the daughter to the doctor and upon her return she "disappeared". 

Meanwhile, the woman's mother denied all the allegations and claimed that they were not married but got engaged and on December 6

The man said he gave a plot of land and over Rs 30 lakh to his in-laws and alleged that they helped their daughter flee with the money. He alleged that the woman cheated another man nine months ago in West Bengal's Kanki.

The police have filed a case based on Mr Gupta's complaint. The woman's photo with another man wearing garlands has gone viral and Mr Gupta and his family the other man's house, which led to a ruckus and the police were called at Ganga Babu Chowk in the city.

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Syria Rebels Name Mohammed Al-Bashir Head Of Transitional Government: Report

The Syrian rebels now in power in Damascus appointed Mohammad al-Bashir as head of a transitional government that will be in place until March 1, state media said Tuesday.

On Sunday, the rebels led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized the capital Damascus in a lightning offensive, toppling president Bashar al-Assad who fled the country.

"The general command has tasked us with running the transitional government until March 1," said a statement attributed to Bashir on state television's Telegram account, referring to him as "the new Syrian prime minister".

Before being tapped for the role, he had been head of the rebels' so-called Salvation Government in northwest Syria and previously held the role of its development minister.

Also Tuesday, a source within the political affairs department of the Salvation Government told AFP Bashir would head the transitional government.

The Salvation Government, with its own ministries, departments, judicial and security authorities, was set up in the Idlib bastion in 2017 to assist people in the rebel-held area people cut off from government services.

It has since begun rolling out assistance in Aleppo, the first major city to fall from government hands after the rebels began their offensive.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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दुबारा नहीं मिलेगा ऐसा बेहतरीन ऑफर, प्रीमियम क्वालिटी के कपड़ों पर 50 % की छूट

KHADI MELA: जयपुर में खादी मेले की शुरुआत से लोगों ने अब तक लगभग 4 करोड़ की खरीदारी की है. इसमें लोगों ने सबसे ज्यादा खादी के कपड़ों की खरीदारी की है, इसके लिए 100 से भी अधिक स्टॉल लगाई गई है. मेले में कपड़े के साथ अन्य सभी जरूरी समान के लिए भी स्टॉल लगाया गया है.

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IIT Researchers Make Bacteria Eat Carbon Dioxide, Methane For Cleaner Fuel

Waste to wealth and combating climate change, a win-win laboratory scale solution has been developed by scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. They have deployed a bacteria to help them achieve this.

Professor Debasish Das and Dr Krishna Kalyani Sahoo of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, have developed an advanced biological method to convert methane and carbon dioxide into cleaner biofuels using a special type of bacteria called methanotrophic (methane-eating)  bacteria.

"A nifty biological sequestration route is the discovery but is still at five litre laboratory scale," said Mr Das. "This innovative approach represents a significant leap toward sustainable energy solutions and climate change mitigation."

The study addresses two pressing global challenges - the harmful environmental impact of greenhouse gases, and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves.

Methane, a greenhouse gas that is 27-30 times more potent than carbon dioxide, is a significant contributor to global warming. While turning methane and carbon dioxide into liquid fuels can reduce emissions and provide renewable energy, existing chemical methods are energy-intensive, expensive, and produce toxic byproducts, limiting their scalability.

"This research is a breakthrough as it demonstrates that biomethanol derived from bacteria feeding on methane and carbon dioxide can be a viable alternative to fossil fuels," professor Das said.

"Unlike conventional biofuels that rely on crops and create competition with food production, our method uses greenhouse gases, avoiding the food versus fuel issue. It is an environmentally and economically viable solution, using inexpensive resources while contributing to emissions reduction," he said.

The laboratory of professor Debasish Das, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati)

The IIT Guwahati team has developed a fully biological process that uses a soil-borne friendly microbe named 'Methylosinus Trichosporium', a type of methane-eating bacteria, to convert methane and carbon dioxide into biomethanol under special conditions.

Unlike traditional chemical methods, this process eliminates the need for expensive catalysts, avoids toxic byproducts, and operates in a more energy-efficient manner.

The innovative two-stage process involves capturing methane to generate bacteria-based biomass and using the biomass to convert carbon dioxide into methanol.

Professor Das and his team subsequently took it forward and the biomethanol produced in their laboratory was blended with normal diesel and tested in a four-stroke diesel engine.

It showed up to 87 per cent reduction in carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide, and smoke emissions, and improved efficiency since the diesel-methanol blends outperformed pure diesel in fuel consumption, energy efficiency, and engine performance while maintaining similar mechanical efficiency.

The biological conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into biomethanol not only provides a cleaner fuel alternative, but also has industrial applications as a precursor for producing chemicals like formaldehyde and acetic acid.

Professor Das said this process offers immense potential to decarbonise critical industries, including oil and gas, refineries, and chemical manufacturing, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

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विधानसभा अध्यक्ष के कार्यक्रम में पहुंचा हिस्ट्रीशीटर, पुलिस के फूले हाथ पांव

Ajmer News : अजमेर पुलिस के रविवार को उस समय हाथ पांव फूल गए जब विधानसभा अध्यक्ष वासुदेव देवनानी के एक कार्यक्रम में गंज थाने का हिस्ट्रीशीटर आकाश सोनी पहुंच गया. कार्यक्रम में हिस्ट्रीशीटर की मौजूदगी पर वहां खुसर-फुसर होने लगी. जानें क्या है पूरा मामला.

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Pakistan PM Jumps Into Champions Trophy Row With BCCI, Assures PCB Of...

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi of "complete support" on the issue of the hosting of the Champions Trophy next year and said the country should keep its self-respect while dealing with the matter, according to sources. Sharif, who is also the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), also told Naqvi that it was not just about money and that the sentiments of the public should also be taken into consideration.

India has refused to play its Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan and instead demanded the tournament be played in a 'hybrid model', which would allow it to play its matches at a neutral venue.

According to a top International Cricket Council (ICC) source, the global governing body for the sport has reached a consensus to conduct the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model, allowing India to play its share of matches in Dubai while agreeing "in principle" to a similar arrangement in multi-lateral events till 2027.

Naqvi, on Sunday, briefed Sharif on the behind-the-scenes developments but the PCB didn't reveal details of the meeting.

"The Prime Minister assured his complete support to the PCB on the issue and appreciated the stance taken by the (PCB) chairman on India refusing to play in Pakistan in the mega-event," the source said.

He said that Naqvi was told by Sharif that everything was not about money and Pakistan should deal with the matter keeping its self-respect and pride.

"The stance adopted by the PCB reflects the feelings of all Pakistanis when it comes to the Champions Trophy after the refusal of India to play in Pakistan," Geo TV quoted the premier as telling Naqvi during the meeting.

Naqvi has said that any decision on the Champions Trophy would be taken after seeking advice from the government.

Another source close to the government said that Naqvi had apparently met the PM on a short notice to inform him about Pakistan's next step, as the Indian cricket board was not willing to accept the "fusion formula" proposed by the PCB to the ICC.

"Basically, Naqvi wanted to keep the PM updated and get his approval if the PCB decides to break the deadlock with any tough decision on the tournament," the source said.

The ICC headquarters in Dubai has been the hub of discussion around the "fusion formula" proposed by the PCB on the hosting of ICC events for the next few years.

PCB wants the BCCI to accept a formula under which if India does not play any ICC event in Pakistan, the neighbouring team will also not visit India for any event.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Mystery Surrounds Whereabouts Of Assad, Who Boarded Flight From Syria

Mystery surrounded the whereabouts of Bashar al-Assad, who was no longer in Damascus when rebels captured the Syrian capital on Sunday, ending more than five decades of his family's rule.

Two senior army officers said Assad had boarded a plane early on Sunday in Damascus for an unknown destination.

Russia, one of Assad's closest allies, confirmed that Assad had left Syria but did not say where he was, including whether Moscow had given him refuge.

"As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Assad has not spoken in public since the sudden rebel advance a week ago, when insurgents seized northern Aleppo in a surprise attack before marching into a succession of cities as frontlines crumbled.

There was also no official announcement on Sunday of the whereabouts of Assad's wife Asma or their children, the eldest of whom has long studied in Russia and received a degree from a university in Moscow last year.

A Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels, according to data from the Flightradar website.

The aircraft initially flew towards Syria's coastal region, a stronghold of Assad's Alawite sect, but then made an abrupt U-turn and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map. Reuters could not ascertain who was on board.

Two Syrian sources said the sudden change in course and disappearance of the plane from tracking could indicate it had been shot down, or that it had switched off its transponder.

The plane departed Damascus soon after rebels had taken the central city of Homs, cutting the capital off from the coast where Assad's Russian ally has air and naval bases.

The only trackable flight departing Syria visible after midnight on Flightradar24, a flight tracking site, left Homs for the UAE, hours after rebels had captured the city.

As the rebel advance gathered steam over the past week, there was speculation that Assad might seek refuge in Moscow or with his other main ally Iran. Syrian state media had said on Saturday he was still in Damascus.

He had visited Moscow just before the rebel offensive. Iranian news agencies published a photograph of him on Saturday that they said showed him meeting a top Iranian official in Damascus.

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Notre Dame Reopens Five Years After Fire

The archbishop of Paris re-opened Notre Dame cathedral on Saturday by symbolically knocking on the doors and entering the 12th-century landmark which has been restored after a devastating fire in 2019.

Wearing new designer vestments and carrying a staff cut from one of the roof beams that survived the inferno, Laurent Ulrich joined hundreds of VIPs inside the Gothic masterpiece for a two-hour ceremony.

Ulrich commanded the cathedral to "open your doors" and he entered the magnificently-restored edifice.

US President-elect Donald Trump sat on the front row as guest of honour next to French President Emmanuel Macron, with invitees marvelling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and state-of-the-art lightening installed as part of the cathedral's overhaul.

Outside, small crowds of Parisians and tourists braved wet weather and high winds to witness the renaissance of a beloved monument which came close to being totally destroyed by the inferno that toppled its roof and spire.

"I find it really beautiful, even more so now that the spire has been restored," Marie Jean, a 27-year-old dentist from southwest France, told AFP outside.

The reconstruction effort has cost around 700 million euros ($750 million), financed from donations, with the re-opening achieved within a five-year deadline set by Macron despite predictions it could take decades.

Workers had to overcome problems with lead pollution, the Covid-19 epidemic, and the army general overseeing the project falling to his death while hiking in the Pyrenees last year.

It is "a cathedral like we have never seen before," Philippe Jost, who took over as project manager last year, told Franceinfo radio, adding that he was proud to "show the whole world" a "great collective success and a source of pride for all of France".

Saturday's service will feature prayer, organ music and hymns from the cathedral's choir.

A public concert planned in front of the cathedral featuring Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams had to be pre-recorded on Friday night because of the stormy weather.

- 'Do the impossible' -

Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by Macron, Notre Dame's renaissance so soon after the fire comes at a difficult time for the country.

The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government since last week when prime minister Michel Barnier lost a confidence vote.

Macron is hoping the re-opening might provide a fleeting sense of national pride and unity -- as the Paris Olympics did in July and August.

The scale of the immense security operation also recalls the Olympics -- with some 6,000 police officers and gendarmes mobilised.

The re-opening "is the proof that we know how to do grand things, we know how to do the impossible" Macron said Thursday in a televised address to the country.

He is set to address the congregation during Saturday's ceremony.

Trump show?

Macron has scored a major coup by attracting incoming US president Donald Trump for his first foreign trip since his re-election.

Another 40 heads of state and government are also present, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who was given a round of applause as he entered Notre Dame, as well as British heir to the throne, Prince William.

Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the presidential palace shortly before the ceremony, with future US military support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia's invasion expected to have been discussed.

Trump has vowed to force an end to the nearly three-year Ukraine war when he takes office, sparking fears in Kyiv that he will force Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia which Zelensky is resisting.

"It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for talks with Macron.

One surprising absentee on Saturday was Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church.

He sent a message addressed to the French people which is set to be read out.

The exact cause of the 2019 blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors, who believe an accident such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason.

On Sunday, the first mass with 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests will take place at 10:30 am (0930 GMT), followed by a second service in the evening at 6:30 pm which will be open to the public.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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"World Is Going A Little Crazy," Says Trump As He Meets Macron In Paris

US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday said that the world was "a little crazy" as he met President Emmanuel Macron in Paris ahead of the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral on his first international trip since his re-election.

The two men embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honour.

"It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for talks with Macron which started around 45 minutes later than scheduled.

Despite tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his ties with the centrist French leader, saying: "We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot."

Macron told Trump it was "a great honour for French people to welcome you" for the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 during Trump's first term.

"You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction," Macron added, speaking in English.

When he first took office in 2017, Trump's ties with Macron -- then also a fresh face on the world stage -- began warmly despite their obvious political differences.

Their long and muscular handshakes -- which saw each man seek to assert his superiority -- became a light-hearted focus of attention before ties cooled, then soured, following disputes about climate change, trade and defence.

They are expected to discuss the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as trade.

Trump's return to power has rung alarms in Paris and many European capitals after his promises on the campaign trail to force an end to fighting in Ukraine which could see US military assistance to Kyiv withheld.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected at the French presidential palace shortly after Trump and he is set to hold three-way discussions with Macron, an aide to Macron told AFP on condition of anonymity.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Happy If She...": Supriya Sule On Mamata Banerjee's INDIA Leadership Remark

Reacting to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's reported statement about being "willing to lead the INDIA alliance," Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) MP Supriya Sule said that they will be happy if the TMC chief took on more responsibility within the opposition alliance.

Speaking to ANI, Supriya Sule stated that the West Bengal Chief Minister is an integral part of the INDIA alliance.

"Mamata Banerjee is absolutely an integral part of the INDIA alliance. In a vibrant democracy, the opposition has a big role and responsibility, so if she wants to take more responsibility, we will be very happy," Supriya Sule told ANI.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also said that she has shown a successful model in West Bengal where she has kept BJP away from power.

"She has put forward her statement. Because she has shown a successful model in West Bengal where she has kept the BJP away from power and implemented good welfare schemes...her election experience and fighting spirit, accordingly she has shared her interest. Whenever the INDIA bloc meeting takes place, our senior leaders will together take a decision," Priyanka Chaturvedi said.

Earlier, on December 3, in response to a query regarding TMC leaders suggesting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should be made the INDIA bloc leader days after Congress faced a crushing defeat in Maharashtra assembly polls, party MP Kirti Azad said that the ruling TMC supremo takes everyone along.

"Mamata Banerjee has a 100 percent record. Whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a humiliating defeat, it was only in West Bengal... Whenever he comes to insult Bengal and its honour, her vote share increases," the TMC leader said.

He further said that Mamata Banerjee is known for her articulate views. "She is a very senior leader. She speaks clearly."

He also said that Mamata Banerjee is a household name across the country.

"She (Mamata Banerjee) resides in every household in West Bengal, in every household in the country... Mamata Banerjee is someone who takes everyone together. She calls people only after making preparations and taking her time," he said.

On November 26, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee suggested that one strong leader is needed to lead the INDIA bloc following the defeat of Congress in the Haryana and Maharashtra assembly elections. He had further said that the opposition alliance should be stronger to take on the BJP.

"The Congress has failed to achieve the desired result either in Haryana or in Maharashtra. We had tremendous hope from the Congress that they would do better. The INDIA alliance is there, but the expected result could not be achieved. And there is a great failure on the part of the Congress to achieve the result... Today it is necessary; if you want to fight against the BJP, the INDIA alliance should be stronger. And to make it stronger, one leader is required. Now who can be the leader? That's the core question. Congress has done it. All experiments have been done, but they have failed..." Mamata Banerjee had said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Survivors Of Jiribam Massacre Seek Death Penalty For "Kuki Militants"

Family members of six people from the Meitei community including three children who were kidnapped and killed in Manipur's Jiribam narrated what they called the "horror" of November 11.

Telem Uttam Singh, who lost his two children and wife; Telem Mongyai Meetei, who lost his elder sister and mother, and Yurembam Sandhiya Begum, who lost her two sisters, told reporters in Delhi they want the government to ensure death penalty is given to the "Kuki militants" who kidnapped and murdered their family members.

The Manipur government in a cabinet resolution has called the perpetrators of the Jiribam massacre "Kuki militants".

"There must be 30 of them, all of them carrying guns. They surrounded our village. I managed to run, and from a distance saw my mother being dragged away by the Kuki militants in an autorickshaw," Sandhiya told reporters in Meiteilon, translated into English by a rights activist.

The three family members told reporters they want the government to ensure the death penalty is given to all the Kuki militants involved in the Jiribam massacre. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the case. All the six were internally displaced people who were living in a relief camp in Jiribam's Borobekra, after their houses in the district bordering Assam were set on fire by Kuki militants earlier this year.

"How much pain do we have to endure? We lost our homes first. Then they came to kill us in the relief camp. Who kills a 10-month-old baby? They are worse than animals," Telem Uttam Singh told reporters, and broke down and cried.

The six from the same family were Yurembam Rani Devi, 60; Telam Thoibi Devi, 31; Laishram Heitonbi Devi, 25; Laishram Chingkheinganba, 3; Telam Thajamanbi, 8, and Laishram Langamba, 10 months old.

Nine civil society organisations of the Meitei community in a statement on Saturday said the "premeditated, planned cold-blooded murders after taking the six civilian hostages were an act of terror."

"Jiri massacre was not a fight between two communities or a riot where mob violence affects both sides in the heat of the moment. The Kuki militants travelled 200 km to Manipur's Jiribam with the sole intention of attacking a relief camp of the Meitei community. Shockingly, instead of condemning the heinous act, Kuki civil society groups played the victim card in front of the national media, and did not even give the basic dignity to the dead by claiming the Kuki militants were 'village volunteers'," they said in the statement.

"Who would kill a 10-month-old infant in cold blood, after kidnapping her family? What objective has the Kuki militants achieved by kidnapping and murdering an infant? What is the agenda behind releasing the picture of them in captivity before murdering and dumping the bodies in a river? Is it to cause maximum trauma to the family and incite hatred?" they said.

The civil society groups are Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee, Meitei Alliance, Meitei Heritage Society, No. 7, Team Meitei Personalities, Manipur Students' Association Delhi, Manipur Innovative Youth Organisation Delhi, United Kakching Students Delhi, and Ningols United Progressive Initiative.

Ten "Kuki militants" were also shot dead by the security forces in Jiribam district on November 11.

Cycle Of Violence Began With Attack By Suspected Meitei Militants?

On November 7, a Hmar woman was killed and several houses were set on fire in Zairawn village by suspected Meitei militants. Her husband in a police case alleged she was raped before she was killed and their house was set on fire by the suspected Meitei militants.

Kuki civil society organisations have said the recent flare-up in Jiribam began after the "Meitei militants" attacked Zairawn village and killed the woman. They have also accused the Manipur government of keeping silent on that attack.

The Manipur cabinet in a statement on November 16, however, had said "Kuki miscreants" burnt several houses and attacked Borobekra police station in Jiribam district on October 19. This attack, and not the November 7 attack, led to a fresh cycle of violence, government sources have said.

There are many villages of the Kuki tribes in the hills surrounding the Meitei-dominated valley. The clashes between the Meitei community and the nearly two dozen tribes known as Kukis - a term given by the British in colonial times - who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, has killed over 220 people and internally displaced nearly 50,000.

The general category Meiteis want to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the Kukis who share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar's Chin State and Mizoram want a separate administration carved out of Manipur, citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.

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Who Is Your Successor, Mamata Banerjee Was Asked. Her Reply

Amidst the ongoing internal struggle within the TMC between veteran leaders and the younger faction, West Bengal Chief Minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday said any decision regarding her successor would be made collectively by the party leadership rather than by her personally.

In an exclusive interview with a Bengali news channel News 18 Bangla, Ms Banerjee dismissed notions of individual dominance, asserting, "I am not the party; we are the party. It is a collective family, and decisions will be made collectively."

Asked about her potential successor, Ms Banerjee deflected the question with a counter-query, "Who is your successor?" She went on to clarify that TMC is a disciplined party where no individual will dictate terms. "The party will decide what is best for the people. We have MLAs, MPs, booth workers, this is a joint effort," she said.

On the ongoing debate about prioritising the younger generation or experienced leaders, Ms Banerjee maintained a balanced approach, stating, "Everyone is important. Today's newcomer will be tomorrow's veteran."

While TMC has not officially declared any succession plans, Ms Banerjee's remark comes amidst an ongoing debate over the old guards, considered loyal to Mamata Banerjee, versus the next-generation leaders, considered close to Abhishek Banerjee.

Abhishek Banerjee is TMC's national general secretary and nephew of Mamata Banerjee.

Ms Banerjee did not mince words when addressing the role of political consultants, taking an indirect jibe at I-PAC, which has been working as TMC's political consultant since 2019.

"Some strategists make surveys sitting at home and change them later. They can arrange things but not bring voters. It's the booth workers who know the villages and people who actually win elections," she remarked, adding, "They are like artisans who do their work in exchange for money. But elections aren't won by them."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Muhammad Now The Most Popular Name For A Baby In Great Britain, Data Shows

427 years after William Shakespeare wrote it for the first time in the great "tragedy" Romeo & Juliet, England is asking the quintessential question - "What's in a name?" - And this time wondering what significance that question might hold in another 42.7 years.

The Department of Statistics in the United Kingdom has revealed in its latest dataset that Muhammad is officially the most popular name for a newborn boy in England and Wales. More than 4,600 babies were registered with that name in 2023 - the highest for a boy. Muhammad was the second-most popular name in 2022 as well.

Noah, once the most popular name in UK, came a distant second this year, according to the Office for National Statistics or ONS.

But the staff at Great Britain's statistical office has in-fact been observing the trend for a while now. Jotting down the most popular names in the UK, besides other important statistics, it revealed that Muhammad has been among the top 10 names for baby boys since 2016.

Adding to the cheer, the Department of Statistics said that other spellings of the name Muhammad - namely Mohammed and Mohammad - also made the top 100 list for England and Wales. This, the ONS explained, is because it considers each spelling as a separate name.

George, Harry, and Charlotte are no longer popular names for children in the UK, the data showed, adding that Elizabeth and Charles are also not a favourite among young parents.

The nine other top names for newborn boys in Britain are - Noah, Oliver, George, Leo, Arthur, Luca, Theodore, Oscar, and Henry.

For newborn girls, the ten most popular names in Britain in 2023 were - Olivia, Amelia, Isla, Lily, Freya, Ava, Ivy, Florence, Willow, and Isabella. The top three names for girls have remained unchanged for a third consecutive year.

The statistical office also said that new entries to the list of top 100 baby names include Hazel, Lilah, Autumn, Nevaeh and Raya for girls, and Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi for boys.

It further noted that the time of year also played an important part in parents choosing a name. In the month of December, Holly, Robyn and Joseph were more popular, whereas names like Summer and Autumn were popular in their respective seasons.

Data revealed that pop culture also played a big part in how baby names were chosen. The most popular celebrity names for babies include music artists Billie Eilish and Lana Del Rey, baby names from the Kardashian-Jenner family such as Reign and Saint, and movie stars such as Margot Robbie and Cillian Murphy.

The statistical office said that the top names for boys had much higher counts than those for girls. This is because, there are many more unique names for baby girls as compared to baby boys. The pool of unique names for girls are over 35,000 in count, while for boys the pool, including variations of the same name, stands at 29,560.
 

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Prohibitory Orders In Ambala, Delhi Braces For Snarls As Farmers Plan March

1. The foot march to the Parliament building Delhi is expected to begin at 1 pm tomorrow from the Shambhu border protest site.
2. This would be the second footmarch planned this week. On Monday, farmers from Uttar Pradesh attempted a march to Parliament. They were stopped in Noida, but the march caused massive traffic snarls on both sides of the border.
3.  The farmers have gathered under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), seeking legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price of crops, among other things.
4. Besides MSP, they are demanding farm debt waiver, pension for them and their labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
5. They have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.
6. The prohibitory orders, which ban the gathering of four and more people, automatically bars any procession on foot, vehicles, or other modes.
7. Central paramilitary forces have been deployed on the Haryana side of the border along with multi-layer barricading. Senior police officers have reached the border to assess the security situation.
8. In a hearing earlier this week, the Supreme Court said while peaceful protest is a democratic right, farmers should not obstruct highways and cause inconvenience to the people.
9. "In a democratic setup, you can engage in peaceful protests but do not cause inconvenience to people. You all know that the Khanauri border is a lifeline for Punjab. We are not commenting on whether the protest is right or wrong," said a benh of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan.
10. On February 21, Shubhkaran Singh, a farmer from Punjab, died during a clash at Khanauri border when protesters tried to march towards Delhi. Teargas shells were also lobbed by the security forces.

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