Month: January 2022

India Meteorological Department on Sunday predicted severe cold day conditions in the isolated pockets over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan the next 2 days.

According to a statement issued by the IMD, dense to very dense fog at isolated places in night and morning hours over the national capital, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan during the next 24 hours.
“A fresh Western Disturbance likely to affect Western Himalayan Region from January 18. Another Western Disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from January 21,” the statement said.

“Dense to Very Dense Fog in isolated parts in night/morning hours very likely over Rajasthan and East Uttar Pradesh during next 2 days and Dense Fog in isolated parts in the night/morning hours over Jammu division and Himachal Pradesh on 16th /17th; over West Uttar Pradesh and north Madhya Pradesh during next 2 days,” the statement said.

Cold Day to Severe Cold Day Conditions in some/isolated pockets very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan during the next 2 days and over East Uttar Pradesh during the next 3 days, IMD stated.

Meanwhile, various regions of North India on Sunday witnessed foggy conditions that reduced visibility in parts of the city in the early hours of the day.

A thick layer of fog affected the visibility in Lucknow, while dense fog enveloped Bhopal as the cold wave hits Madhya Pradesh.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility dropped to 1000 metres at Delhi’s Palam area at 8:30 am.

The IMD has also predicted isolated thunderstorms with lightning very likely over Telangana and Coastal Andhra Pradesh on January 16, while isolated to scattered light or moderate rainfall over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on January 19 and 20. (ANI)

Novak Djokovic on Sunday lost his appeal against deportation, the Chief Justice James Allsop of the Federal Court of Australia announced.

Djokovic will now be required to leave Australia. The decision was unanimous, said Chief Justice Allsop. Other judges who were hearing Djokovic’s appeal were Anthony Besanko, and David O’Callaghan of the Federal Court of Australia.
The tennis player was also ordered to pay the legal costs to the government.

Djokovic’s visa was cancelled on Friday by Hawke, the Australian Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs.

“Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so,” minister in an official statement said.

“This decision followed orders by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on January 10, 2022, quashing a prior cancellation decision on procedural fairness grounds. In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Djokovic.”

“The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank the officers of the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force who work every day to serve Australia’s interests in increasingly challenging operational environments,” the statement added.

Djokovic’s visa was initially cancelled upon arrival after hours of interrogation by Border Force officials. Then on Monday, judge Anthony Kelly of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia quashed the cancellation of Djokovic’s visa after tennis player spent five days detained in an immigration hotel.

Notably, world number one men’s singles tennis player Djokovic on Wednesday admitted that he conducted an in-person media interview and photoshoot in December despite knowing the fact that he was COVID-19 positive. (ANI)

Celebrity couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas were recently spotted enjoying their romantic evening stroll at a beach, near San Diego.

As per the pictures obtained by TMZ, the star couple was chilling at Del Mar Dog Beach, near San Diego. They meandered on the sand for about 30 minutes as their dogs took in the sights, sounds and smells.
Visitors on the beach told the outlet that Nick and Priyanka were super happy, chatting most of the time as they held hands and walked with their two pet dogs.

The global actor was seen wearing a black casual jacket with a pair of blue jeans teamed up with sneakers and black shades. Nick was also seen wearing a white t-shirt beneath a black jacket. He also wore a pair of casual jeans and white sneakers.

This comes days after the ‘Fashion’ star addressed the scrutiny that followed after she dropped her husband, Nick Jonas’ last name from her social media handles last year.

She added that the experience served as a prime example of the microscope celebrities find themselves under in this age.

“It’s a very vulnerable feeling, actually, that if I post a picture, everything that’s behind me in that picture is going to be zoomed in on, and people are going to speculate,” the ‘Quantico’ star explained.

“It’s just a professional hazard… Because of the noise of our social media, because of the prevalence that it has in our lives, I think it seems a lot larger than it is. I think that we give it a lot more credence in real life, and I don’t think it needs that,” she added.

To put an end to all the rumours about their split in November, Priyanka had left a flirty comment on one of Jonas’ workout videos.

“Damn! I just died in your arms…” she wrote at the time, followed by a couple of heart emojis.

Priyanka and Nick got married in a Christian and a Hindu ceremony in Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace on December 1 and 2 in 2018. Later, the couple also hosted two receptions in Delhi and Mumbai. (ANI)

Actor Pankaj Tripathi on Saturday night marked the 17th wedding anniversary with his wife Mridula Tripathi.

Taking to his Instagram handle, the ‘Sacred Games’ actor shared a series of pictures featuring himself with Mridula. The post also included two throwback snaps from his wedding album.

“Satrah saal hue aaj parinay sootra mein.Is sukhad yaatra ki kuch yaadein. Dhanyavaad,” he captioned the post. (Translation: Seventeen years have passed today. Some memories of this pleasant journey. Thank you)

Several celebrities including Anurag Kashyap, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Jatin Sarna among other fellow stars from the showbiz poured in congratulatory messages for the couple, in the comments section.

Pankaj married Mridula Tripathi on January 15, 2004, and they have a daughter, Aashi. (ANI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Sunday congratulated Virat Kohli on an outstanding career as Team India’s Test Captain.

Kohli on Saturday stepped down as India’s Test captain after leading the side for seven years.
“The BCCI and the selection committee respects his decision to move on from the captaincy role and has full confidence that he will continue to contribute as a player and help Indian cricket attain greater heights,” BCCI in a statement said.

Virat has been the most successful Test captain India has ever produced. After taking over the reins from MS Dhoni, he has led India in 68 Test matches and secured 40 wins at a win percentage of 58.82. As Test captain, he registered his first series win against Sri Lanka in 2015, a victory that India registered in the Emerald Island after 22 years.

Under his leadership, Team India also scripted history as they registered their first Test series win in Australia in 2018, clinched series in the West Indies, attained the No.1 spot in Test rankings and later in the subsequent years marched into the maiden ICC World Test Championship Final in 2021. Kohli also holds the impeccable record of winning 24 out of the 31 Tests played at home as captain, having lost only two Tests.

Sourav Ganguly, President, BCCI, said: “I personally thank Virat for his immense contributions as captain of the Indian cricket team. Under his leadership, the Indian cricket team has made rapid strides in all formats of the game. His decision is a personal one and the BCCI respects it immensely. He will continue to be a very important member of this team and take this team to newer heights with his contributions with the bat under a new Captain. Every good thing comes to an end and this has been a very good one.”

Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI said: “Virat Kohli has been one of the finest captains to have ever led the Indian cricket team. His record and contribution towards the team as a leader has been second to none. To lead India in 40 Test wins is proof that he led the side with aplomb. He led the team to some of its finest Test match wins in India and overseas – including Australia, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa – and his efforts will inspire the fellow and upcoming cricketers who aspire to represent the country. We wish Virat the best for the future and hope that he will continue to make memorable contributions on the field for the Indian team”

Rajeev Shukla, Vice-President, BCCI: “A cricketer like Virat comes once in a generation and Indian cricket is fortunate to have him serve the team as a leader. He captained the side with passion and aggression and played a pivotal part in many of India’s memorable wins at home and abroad. We wish him the best for his career ahead.”

Arun Singh Dhumal, Honorary Treasurer, BCCI: “With his never-say-die attitude, Virat gave his all to the side as leader and his fabulous record as a captain speaks for that. From the moment he became India’s Test captain, he made sure that India always strives for excellence and dominates world cricket. While Virat – the batsman – remained a powerhouse, Virat – the captain – did not leave any stone unturned, powering the team to some of its finest performances across the globe. I wish him all the very best for the future.”

Jayesh George, Joint Secretary, BCCI, said: “Virat will go down in the history of cricket as one of the finest cricketers and captains to have ever graced the game. He captained the side with grit, determination and played a massive part in shaping India’s future as a cricket team. We are sure that Virat will continue to play a massive role as a player and as one of the most experienced members of the side.” (ANI)

Ahead of the Goa Assembly polls, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party National Convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday listed a 13-point agenda for the State.

In the 13-point agenda, the party will bring reforms in the areas of education, health, trade and industry, livelihood, Mining and infrastructure.
“Goa public is looking forward to the upcoming elections on February 14. AAP is fresh hope. They didn’t have any choice except BJP or Congress earlier, they want a change and are frustrated,” he said in a press conference.

Under the 13 point agenda, the AAP has proposed employment to the people or an ‘unemployment allowance’ of Rs 3000 per month. The party has also promised to provide land rights to the families who are deprived of it.

“Employment will be provided to youth; those who do not get, they will get the aid of Rs 3000 per month. Mining has huge vested interest, we will start mining within six months of coming into power,” he added while stating that, “we will provide a corruption-free government in Goa”.

Talking about the health infrastructure model of Delhi, the AAP leader said, “Just like Delhi, mohalla clinics and hospitals will be opened in every village and district of Goa, for better and free healthcare. Farming issues will be solved after discussing with the farmer community”.

Besides, livelihood, the party has promised to provide free electricity and water for 24 hours to the people of Goa if it wins the upcoming assembly elections.

The AAP leader also promised to provide Rs 1000 to every woman above 18 years of age, improved condition of roads and free education in all government schools. The AAP leader also promised to solve the issues pertaining to agriculture by having a dialogue with the farmers.

“Every family in Goa will get a benefit of Rs 10 lakh at the end 5 years if AAP comes to power,” he added.

“We will give free electricity that would be saving Rs 6,000 per year. Women will get a Rs 1000 allowance. If there are two women in a family then they would get an allowance of Rs 24,000 per year. We will give livelihood to people and the people who will not have livelihood then we will give Rs 3000 per month allowance to them,” he said.

“Every family will save Rs 40,000-50,000 on health services. The families would be able to save approximately 22,000 on the education of two students. If you add all this then roughly it comes around Rs two lakh per year. That means every family will save Rs 10,00,000 lakhs in five years,” he announced. (ANI)

In light of surge in COVID-19 cases, Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday ordered that all schools and colleges will remain closed till January 23, 2022.

On January 5, the Uttar Pradesh government had ordered to close all government and private schools for students up to class 10 till January 16.
Several other states are also extending the closure of schools due to rising COVID-19 cases.

Telangana on Sunday ordered to educational institutions to remain closed till January 30, 2022. Similarly, schools and colleges in Madhya Pradesh will remain closed till January 31. Schools in Bengaluru will remain closed till January 31 while schools in Kerala for students up to class 9 will remain closed for physical classes till January 21.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also chaired a meeting to review COVID situation. He also inspected arrangements related to COVID-19 management in King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow.

Speaking to reporters, Yogi informed that the state has around 1.03 lakh active cases.

“Lucknow has reported 2,300 positive cases today, active cases stand at 16,300. Less than 1 per cent patients are admitted to hospital,” he added.

“Vaccination drive has been so well that third wave hasn’t impacted us as much. UP vaccinated around over 22.87 crore people, of which 21.37 lakh are children aged between 15-18 tears and 3.87 lakh are people above 60 years of age or those with comorbidities with booster doses,” Yogi said. (ANI)

India recorded 2,71,202 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Saturday. The daily positivity rate is at 16.28 per cent.

The fresh infections are 2,369 more than yesterday. On Saturday, India logged 2,68,833 fresh COVID-19 cases.
The total cases of COVID-19 infection in the country has gone upto 3,71,22,164, while the active cases stand at 15,50,377.

Active cases account for 4.18 per cent of the total cases.

Meanwhile, 314 people have succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours. The death toll now stands at 4,86,066.

According to the health ministry, 1,38,331 people recovered from the COVID-19 infection in the last 24 hours taking the recovery tally to 3,50,85,721. The recovery rate is currently at 94.51 per cent.

7,743 cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been detected so far in the country.

A total of 70,24,48,838 samples were tested so far of which 16,65,404 samples were tested on yesterday.

156.76 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive. (ANI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a director of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and conducted searches at his residence in connection with an alleged bribery case. The CBI has also arrested five more people in the matter.

According to the CBI, atleast 1.29 crores cash, gold jewellery worth Rs 1.30 crores and other valuables have been recovered during searches from the premises of the accused.
The CBI had conducted searches in Delhi and Noida in connection with a bribery case filed against the Director (Marketing) at GAIL on Saturday.

A senior CBI officer informed that CBI has registered a case against the Director (Marketing) GAIL, and others including Private persons, private companies and unknown others on the allegations/ information that they are indulged in corrupt and illegal activities by obtaining bribes from the private companies buying petrochemical products marketed by the GAIL.

It was further alleged that at the direction of representatives of the private company, a private person had requested the Public Servant of GAIL for allowing some discount to the buyers on petrochemical products being marketed by GAIL in lieu of illegal gratification. It was also alleged that another private person has also collected Rs 40 lakh from the accused earlier in this matter.

The CBI laid a trap and apprehended a private person and a Director of a Private Company based in Delhi when the alleged bribe of Rs 10 lakh was received by the private person from the said Director of Private Company allegedly on behalf of the Director (Marketing) GAIL. (ANI)

The brainstorming for the finalisation of candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls in Uttarakhand will take place tomorrow in New Delhi at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters. As many as 20 sitting MLAs are expected to be denied fresh run in the polls, according to sources.

The meeting will be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party’s national president JP Nadda will virtually join the meeting. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, state election in-charge Pralhad Joshi and other top leaders.
According to the sources, the brainstorming for the candidates will take place only for a single day after which the party will decide the candidates to be fielded in the upcoming polls. The ticket will be rewarded on the basis of the winnability of a candidate.

The sources said that Uttarakhand could follow the lead of Uttar Pradesh in deciding the candidates and offer ticket to 20 new candidates. The party is deciding the candidature in a constituency on the basis of feedback from the people on the ground.

Meanwhile, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said that he will contest the upcoming Assembly polls in the state from the Khatima constituency and said that the list of candidates will be announced soon.

Speaking to ANI after the BJP Core Committee meeting, Dhami said, “I will contest the election from the Khatima constituency. We all are together and ready to contest polls. The candidates’ list will be announced soon.”

The Chief Minister added that they have set a target of winning more than 60 seats out of the 70 seats in the Assembly through a slogan ”Abki Baar 60 Paar’.

“This time, we have given a slogan ‘Abki Baar 60 Paar’,” he said.

The sources in the party said that they are confident of a win in the polls. They further said that they would benefit from digital campaigning and door-to-door campaigning.

“Our workers on the ground are strong and capable of interacting with the people,” the source within the party said.

Polls to elect the 70-member state legislative assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The counting will take place on March 10. (ANI)