Breaking News Highlights: CISF unveils new transfer policy prioritizing work-life balance for retiring staff, women, and working couples

A fire erupted at the Mankhurd Mandla scrap market. Firefighters are currently on the scene, and further details are awaited.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that there has been "some progress" in the ongoing hostage negotiations.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla criticized Arvind Kejriwal for breaking his promises, including his vow never to ally with Congress, only to later form an alliance with them. Poonawalla pointed out that this led to the loss of all seven Lok Sabha seats. He also accused Kejriwal of failing to stand by his anti-corruption stance, claiming he aligned with corrupt leaders and engaged in corrupt practices himself.

India News Live: Gujarat's Vavkuli-2 clinches top honor at National Panchayat Awards

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from TMC leader Saket Gokhale on a contempt plea filed by Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, wife of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, for allegedly failing to apologize and pay Rs 50 lakh in damages as directed in a defamation case. A separate bench also directed Gokhale to disclose all his assets within four weeks in connection with the execution of the July 1 judgment. Justice Manoj Jain issued a notice on the contempt plea, requiring Gokhale’s reply.

The CISF has introduced a new transfer and posting policy to improve the work-life balance of its personnel. Effective from December 31, the policy will benefit over 98% of the force's 1.70 lakh workforce, prioritizing preference postings for personnel retiring within two years, women staff, and working couples. It focuses on non-gazetted officials (constables to inspectors), as grievances are more prevalent in these ranks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a Christmas event, highlighted India’s efforts during the Covid pandemic, stating that the country extended aid beyond its capabilities by providing medicines to over 150 nations. He criticized nations that advocate for human rights but failed to support poorer countries during the crisis.

Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli hospitalised in Thane for health issues, say doctors.

Mohammed Shami ruled out of remaining two Tests in Australia as he is yet to regain full fitness: BCCI

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah meets reps from Open Merit Students Association

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit the United States from December 24 to 29, 2024, the MEA announced.

A 39-year-old software engineer lost Rs 11.8 crore in a "digital arrest" scam after fraudsters impersonating police officials claimed his Aadhaar card was being misused for money laundering, police reported. The scam, which occurred between November 25 and December 12, began with a call on November 11 from someone posing as a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) officer. The fraudster alleged that the victim’s SIM card, linked to his Aadhaar, was involved in illegal advertisements and harassment messages.

A Pakistan court has postponed its verdict in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, until January 6. The judgment, initially reserved for Monday by Judge Nasir Javed Rana, was deferred without an announcement.

The Delhi High Court has denied anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of "misrepresenting and falsifying facts" in her UPSC application. The court also revoked her interim protection from arrest, with Justice Chandra Dhari Singh stating that a strong prima facie case exists against her.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was welcomed by party leaders including Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole at the Nanded airport.

Gandhi will visit Maharashtra's violence-hit Parbhani and meet the affected people.

On BJP releasing charge sheet (Aarop Patra) against the Arvind Kejriwal government, AAP's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal says, "BJP has no agenda to contest elections. They should tell the people of Delhi what they have done for Delhi in 5 years...AAP has done a lot of work for Delhiites in terms of electricity, water, women's travel, roads and many other things. What work have these people done...the law and order situation in Delhi has collapsed...they have not done any work. Now that they have come for elections, they are issuing chargesheet against me...they do not have a CM face .."

• Shimla got covered in a blanket of snow as the area received heavy snowfall on Monday.
• Himachal Pradesh has been reeling under severe cold wave for the past few days.

On the pollution level of Yamuna, BJP MP Anurag Thakur said, "AAP govt polluted Yamuna River so badly, it has become so smelly, foamy and poisonous...I remember, during a press conference in 2022, Kejriwal had said that before the next election, he, along with people would take a dip in the Yamuna River, that is before the 2025 election. Kejriwal ji, 10 years have gone by and only 10 days are left to go for 2025, did the cleaning of Yamuna happen? Has Yamuna become clean?..."

US President-elect Donald Trump's has chosen Sriram Krishnan as senior policy advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Krishnan, 41, acknowledged the offer and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. He said, "I'm honoured to be able to serve our country and ensure continued American leaderhship in AI working closely with David Sacks."

"Two people inhaled poisonous gas after Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas leaked at Rakshitha Drugs Private Limited at Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City in Parawada Mandal, Anakapalli. The two injured were shifted to the hospital and are undergoing treatment. Further details are awaited," Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan told ANI.

The six accused who vandalised Actor Allu Arjun’s residence in Jubilee Hills on Sunday have been granted bail. They were produced at a Hyderabad court on Monday morning which granted them bail, advocate Ramdas told ANI.

On Sunday evening, some people holding placards in their hands suddenly rushed to the residence of Allu Arjun in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, and started sloganeering and one of them mounted the compound and started throwing tomatoes. 6 persons were taken into custody, who claimed to be part of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU-JAC).

The surface of the Dal Lake in Srinagar on Monday froze as an intense cold wave gripped parts of the Kashmir Valley. The minimum temperature was recorded at minus 7 degrees Celsius in Srinagar.

A joint operation of UP Police and Punjab Police has led to an encounter in Pilibhit with three module members involved in grenade attacks at police establishments in Punjab's Gurdaspur. "The injured persons have been taken to CHC Puranpur for medical treatment. Two AK rifles and two Glock pistols recovered," Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said, ANI reported.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav took to X and stated, "In a major breakthrough against a Pak-sponsored Khalistan Zindabad Force(KZF) terror module, a joint operation of UP Police and Punjab Police has led to an encounter with three module members who fired at the police party."

Light rain in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning brought the temperature slightly down in the national capital. A thick layer of fog also engulfed the city. The minimum recorded in the city was 8 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the Air Quality index (AQI) remained in the 'severe' category and was measured at 403 this morning, ANI reported.

Three people, including two toddlers, lost their lives, and six others sustained injuries when a dumper truck ran over them while they were sleeping on a footpath near Wagholi Chowk in Pune around 1 am today.

Pune City Police reported that the driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, has been arrested. "The driver is being charged under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act and the Indian Penal Code," said DCP Zone 4 Himmat Jadhav, adding that further investigations are underway.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit Sirsa today to pay his respects to former Haryana Chief Minister and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala, who passed away on December 20 at his residence in Gurugram.

Singh will visit Chautala’s ancestral village to offer condolences to the bereaved family and pay homage to the departed leader.

A case has been registered at Civil Lines Police Station against BJP MLA Harish Shakya, his brothers, and 16 others on serious charges, including gang rape, fraud involving crores of rupees, and falsely implicating the complainant in legal cases.

The registration of the case follows an order from a special MP/MLA court.

TMC Supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will hold a state-wide protest today over the recent remarks made by Home Minister Amit Shah about Dr. BR Ambedkar.

Banerjee has accused Shah of making "derogatory remarks" against the architect of the Indian Constitution and the Drafting Committee members. She labeled the BJP as "anti-Dalit" and "anti-constitutional," accusing the party of systematically attacking democracy and disrespecting Ambedkar’s legacy.

The protest marches will be held between 2 PM and 3 PM today in every block and municipality, as well as in all wards of Kolkata.

She urged citizens to join the movement to "save democracy" and resist the BJP's "hateful and authoritarian" agenda.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute more than 71,000 appointment letters to newly recruited personnel in various central government departments today via videoconferencing.

The event, part of the Rozgar Mela initiative, will begin at 10:30 am and include a virtual address by the Prime Minister.

The Rozgar Mela will take place at 45 locations nationwide, with recruits joining ministries and departments including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Posts, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Department of Financial Services.