Times of India

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has lifted the economic blockade in Manipur, effective from Sunday 2am, which had halted traffic and essential supplies. They issued a 48-hour ultimatum for state government to withdraw CAPF personnel from Saibol, following violent clashes at year-end.

IT ministry has come out with draft rules on Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) law which seek parental consent for children to join social media. IT secretary S Krishnan does not feel the need to follow the Australian model where children should be banned completely. Excerpts from an interview with TOI‘s Pankaj Doval.

The Karnataka high court ordered the state forest department to refund Rs 4.3 lakh with 6% annual interest to a Kodagu landowner who deposited the money in 1982. This decision, made after the landowner's death in 2023, highlighted a misclassification error in his tree-felling application.

Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif's remarks about Mahmud of Ghazni being 'merely a plunderer' have sparked controversy. His comments have initiated a domestic debate and strained relations with Afghanistan. This also questions the suitability of naming Pakistani missiles after historical figures who invaded India.

A Kandivli man transferred Rs 32 lakh and a private company vice-president lost Rs 1.6 crore in digital detention scams, believing they faced legal trouble based on fake documents from 'Supreme Court' and 'CBI'. The fraudsters convinced them by creating fake arrest warrants and threatening severe consequences, including arrest of family members.

The Lucknow NIA court labeled the 2018 Kasganj violence a premeditated conspiracy, sentencing 28 accused to life imprisonment. The judge raised concerns over NGOs aiding individuals accused of anti-national activities and called for an investigation into their funding and objectives, sending a message against such crimes.

A controversy has erupted in Karnataka over the sale of an 8,000sq ft site in Jayanagar by the BDA for Rs 2 crore, far below its actual market value. BJP has demanded an investigation, alleging the land was sold to benefit private interests. The plot was controversially sold citing a 2020 order, despite it being occupied since 1973.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar reaffirmed his commitment to the BJP-led NDA, despite recent overtures from RJD and Lalu Prasad. Nitish emphasized his decision to stick with the NDA during his Pragati Yatra, while RJD leaders speculated about possible alliances. Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi supported Nitish’s decision, highlighting his reputation for governance.

Parents of only daughters in Harda district, Madhya Pradesh, receive various discounts under the 'Revashakti' scheme to address the declining sex ratio. Enrolled parents get 'Keerti' cards for benefits, including discounts at schools, hospitals, and grocery stores, with 638 parents having registered so far.

A Special Investigation Team has uncovered a land scam involving the alteration of property records to convert Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and No Development Zone (NDZ) lands into developable plots along the Mumbai coastline. Four individuals, including two ex-government employees, were arrested for manipulating 102 property maps, leading to ecological damage and government revenue loss.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assures the continuation of public welfare schemes if BJP is voted to power in Delhi elections. Modi criticizes AAP for alleged corruption in scheme implementation, emphasizes the need for honest administration, and promotes infrastructural developments like highways and metro expansions.

Jammu police executed extensive operations throughout 2024 to combat drug crimes, registering over 150 cases under the NDPS Act and arresting more than 240 individuals. They seized 83 vehicles and registered 153 FIRs related to heroin recovery. Additionally, 19 habitual offenders were booked under the PIT NDPS Act, reflecting a stringent, zero-tolerance approach.

In Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, a speeding Bolero fell into a deep gorge, causing the death of four passengers in their twenties and leaving two others, including the driver, missing. Authorities and politicians, including Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, have expressed their condolences to the bereaved families.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the newly constructed 4-lane, 2.35km-long bypass to Banihal town on the Ramban-Banihal section of the national highway will open for 4-lane traffic within 15 days. Initially, 2-lane traffic will be released. The bypass was built at a cost of Rs 224.44 crore, with netizens praising the achievement.

The Common Central Secretariat's new buildings in Delhi will have canteens with two sections: an economical section with affordable meals, and a premium section with prices comparable to local restaurants. The CPWD has invited bids for these canteens, with 15,000 employees set to use these facilities. Finance and home ministries will be among the first to shift to these buildings.

Actor Raghav Tiwari was injured after being assaulted by a motorcyclist, Mohammad Shaikh, in a road rage incident at Versova. The altercation began after a near collision, leading to a physical fight where Shaikh attacked Tiwari with an iron rod. Police registered an FIR against Shaikh after reviewing CCTV footage.

Farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's health deteriorated sharply after 41 days of fasting, leading to severe kidney and liver problems. Doctors have been monitoring his condition closely, as vomiting and low blood pressure persist. Despite medical concerns, Dallewal insisted on addressing a large mahapanchayat gathering, urging farmers to continue fighting for their legal rights.

Kylie Kelce, wife of Jason Kelce, is generating buzz with her hit podcast Not Gonna Lie with Kylie. She humorously discussed minivans on a recent episode. Kylie is also set to become an ESPN announcer. The Kelce family continues to excel, with Kylie’s podcast success and new broadcasting role. Fans are eager to see her next moves.

A buffalo cart race on National Highway 709B near the Shamli-Baghpat border caused a traffic disruption amid dense fog, raising safety concerns. Police registered a case against around 30 individuals, invoking the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. A similar race occurred in Meerut. These races, driven by village rivalry, often force buffaloes to run long distances painfully.

YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna shared his distressing ordeal with a 40-hour digital arrest scam on Instagram, where scammers falsely accused him of serious crimes and extracted personal information, causing financial loss and mental distress. Bahuguna shared his story to raise awareness about such sophisticated digital scams.