LIVE! RT-PCR -ve test must for fliers from China from Jan 1

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Sat, 31 December 2022

RT-PCR -ve test must for fliers from China from Jan 1

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21:51 RT-PCR -ve test must for fliers from China from Jan 1

A pre-departure RT-PCR negative test report will be mandatory from January 1, 2023 for passengers coming in all international flights from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan.

From January 1, 2023, airlines are directed to modify their check-in functionalities to incorporate the changes and issue boarding passes only to those international passengers travelling from these five countries who have submitted self-declaration forms on the Air Suvidha portal.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on December 30, issued revised Covid guidelines for passengers arriving in international flights.

RT-PCR testing should have been done 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey.

The current practice of random testing of 2 per cent of arriving passengers in each international flight will also continue.

These decisions have been taken amid rising cases of coronavirus infections in various parts of the world and reports regarding the circulation of variants of SARS-CoV-2 in these five countries.

The ministry on Friday sent the communication regarding the revised guidelines to all scheduled commercial airlines, airport operators, and chief secretaries/ administrators of states/Union Territories, among others. -- PTI

20:55 Rhino chases tourist jeeps inside Kaziranga

Tourists in three jeeps had a miraculous escape when an adult rhino charged at the safari vehicles inside the Kaziranga National Park on Saturday, officials said.

The rhino came chasing the vehicles inside Bagori range of the Park and brushed against the tyres of the rear jeep.

There was no report of any injury among the tourists.

The mark of the rhino's teeth was later seen on the rear tyre of jeep and the authorities suspect that the animal must have received injuries in the mouth due to which it veered around and retreated into the nearby grasslands.

The family of Utpal Bordoloi from Duliajan was in the last vehicle and his daughter Sneha Bordoloi captured the entire chase in a video that has gone viral.

The tourists in the three jeeps were heard screaming in fright and urging the drivers to speed up.

The tourists later said that the drivers displayed immense patience and drove them to safety, thus averting a major mishap. -- PTI

Three days before he starts a new journey as India's full-time T20 captain, Hardik Pandya met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his official residence in Delhi on Saturday.

The 27-year-old flamboyant Baroda all-rounder, who was made captain for the upcoming three-match T20I Sri Lanka home series beginning January 3, was accompanied by his cricketer brother Krunal.

"Thank you for inviting us to spend invaluable time with you Honourable Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji. It was an honour and privilege to meet you," Hardik posted on twitter with photos of him and his brother talking to Shah.

The Pandya-led side features fresh faces with seniors in Virat Kohli and KL Rahul not part of the T20I format and it is likely that Rohit Sharma may not be picked again keeping the 2024 World Cup in mind.

Pandya is also named as Rohit's deputy in the three-match ODI series that will follow the T20Is. Rohit is currently recovering from a finger injury. -- PTI

Rishi Sunak struck a cautious note with his first New Year message as British Prime Minister on Saturday as he warned that the UK's problems won't go away in 2023, at the end of an "tough" 12 months.

The 42-year-old Indian-origin leader, who took charge as the UK's Prime Minister towards the end of October following turmoil within the ruling Conservative Party, recalled his inaugural address on the steps of 10 Downing Street to reiterate his promise to work relentlessly" on the things that matter.

"I'm not going to pretend that all our problems will go away in the New Year," said Sunak.

"But 2023 will give us the opportunity to showcase the very best of Britain on the world stagedefending freedom and democracy wherever we find it under threat," he said.

He highlighted the "barbaric" war in Ukraine as one of the dominating challenges ahead.

"Just as we recovered from an unprecedented global pandemic, Russia launched a barbaric and illegal invasion across Ukraine," he said in the video message.

"This has had a profound economic impact around the world, which the UK is not immune to. Now, I know many of you have felt that impact at home. That's why this government has taken difficult but fair decisions to get borrowing and debt under control. And it's because of those decisions that we've been able to help the most vulnerable with the rising cost of energy bills," he said.

In his New Year message, Sunak went on to promise that the "very best of Britain" will be on display in the coming months as he pledged continuing support for Ukraine and pitched King Charles III's coronation on May 6 as a unifying force for the country.

"Three months ago, I stood at the steps of Downing Street and promised I would work relentlessly on the things that matter most to you. Since then, this government has taken decisive action to back our NHS [National Health Service] with record resources to tackle the backlogs more funding, more doctors, and more nurses. We're also tackling illegal migration and stopping criminals from abusing our asylum system," he said.

Police and intelligence agencies are on alert after a Pakistani flag and two banners wrapped around light green coloured balloons were found in a forest in the district, officials said on Saturday.

One of the banners is in Urdu, while the other has "LBA" written on it in bold letters, followed by "Cabinet Lahore Bar Association", Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police (SP) Arpan Yaduvanshi said.

The flag and the banners tied to the balloons were found in the forests near Tulyada village on Friday, he said.

"We have informed the central investigation agencies. From where they originated is a matter of investigation," the SP said.

The matter was reported to the police on Friday by residents of Tulyada village, Dharasu police station SHO Kamal Kumar Lunthi said. -- PTI

A total of 14,676 persons have applied for 194 police posts in Gondia district in Maharashtra, an official said on Saturday.

These posts comprise 172 for constables, for which 13,635 applications have come in, and 22 for drivers, for which 1,041persons have applied, he added.

Hall tickets have been issued and the schedule for physical and ground tests has been prepared, with the entire recruitment process expected to be completed by February, Superintendent of Police Nikhil Pingale said. -- PTI

A prayer meet will be organised on Sunday in memory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben at PM's birthplace Vadnagar in Gujarat, according to her family members.

Hiraben passed away at 99 in Ahmedabad early Friday morning.

She is survived by five sons -- PM Modi and his brothers Somabhai, Amrutbhai, Prahladbhai and Pankajbhai -- and daughter Vasantiben.

The "besnu" or prayer meet for Hiraben Damodardas Modi will be held at Vadnagar in Mehsana district on January 1 between 9 am and noon, as per an advertisement issued by her family members in a Gujarati newspaper on Saturday.

Hiraben passed away during treatment at U N Mehta Heart Hospital. Her last rites were performed at a crematorium in Gandhinagar in the presence of PM Modi, his brothers and other family members.

After her death, the prime minister tweeted that a great journey of 100 years has come to an end.

"I have witnessed three qualities in mother, a journey like that of a tapasvi (saint), a selfless worker and a life dedicated to values.

"When I met her on her 100th birthday she told me one thing which I always remember. 'Kam karo buddhi thi, jivan jivo suddhi thi' (work using your brain and live life with purity)," he tweeted. -- PTI

IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday asked WhatsApp to fix an incorrect map of India shown in a video tweeted by the messaging platform.

The Minister also made it clear that "all platforms that do business in India and/or want to continue to do business in India, must use correct maps".

"Dear @WhatsApp - Request that you pls fix the India map error asap"," Chandrasekhar tweeted immediately after the Meta-owned messaging platform put out a New Year-related tweet showing a wrong map of India.

The video post by WhatsApp about a New Year eve livestream depicted the globe that showed an incorrect map of India with regard to Jammu and Kashmir. -- PTI

On New Year's eve, the Nationalist Congress Party on Saturday said the Narendra Modi government had failed to deliver on its promises in 2022.

A statement by NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase questioned if the Union government had a roadmap for the development and repayment of debt.

Should the nation expect new 'jumlas' (poll rhetoric) in 2023, Tapase asked.

"Now that we have only a few hours left of 2022, it is time the nation revisits the promises made by the BJP government. GDP stands at 6.5 per cent against 10 per cent as promised for 2022. Farmers' income has not doubled nor 100 per cent irrigation achieved," the NCP leader said.

Eradication of malnutrition, 24x7 electricity, 100 per cent broadband connectivity in all gram panchayats along with digital literacy for all as well as a USD 5 trillion economy were some of the promises made by Modi's government, he claimed.

"The government has written off Rs 10 lakh crore of bank loans and these were not majorly the credits taken by farmers and small traders. SMEs scheme for non-collateral credit is only on paper as banks refuse to entertain proposals," he alleged.

The Central government's borrowing in eight years of Bharatiya Janata Party rule has touched Rs 80 lakh crore, the rupee stood at 82 to the US dollar, while two lakh persons had renounced Indian citizenship and migrated in 2022, Tapase further said. -- PTI

Security was beefed up at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters at Nagpur in Maharashtra on Saturday after an unidentified caller threatened to blow it up with a bomb, police said.

"A phone call was received at the Police Control Room at 1 pm. A man threatened to blow up the RSS headquarters in Mahal area with a bomb," said DCP, Zone III, Gorakh Bhamre.

A Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and a dog squad were summoned and conducted a thorough checking of the premises but nothing suspicious was found, he said.

Patrolling has been intensified as a precautionary measure, the DCP said, adding that police are tracking the phone number to identify the caller. -- PTI

17:55 BJP will go alone in 2023 K'taka polls: Shah

Urging party workers to ensure that Bharatiya Janata Party forms a government with two-thirds majority in Karnataka, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that the party will go alone in the 2023 assembly polls, and said it will be a direct contest as voting for Janata Dal-Secular is like casting the ballot for Congress.

He also urged people to decide whether they are standing with a party of patriots, referring to the BJP, or with "tukde tukde gang" under the leadership of Congress.

"There are clearly two sides and it is a straight fight this time. Journalists say there is a triangular fight. I said no, it is a straight fight, because voting for JD(S) means voting for Congress. So, is it a straight fight or not?" Shah asked.

Accusing the JD-S of spreading rumours claiming that BJP will tie up with them, while addressing party workers here, he said: "I have come to tell the workers and the people of Karnataka that we will not go with any party. We will fight alone and form the government on our own."

"There are clearly two sides. On one side, there is an organisation of patriots in the form of BJP and on the other side, tukde-tukde gang have come together under the leadership of the Congress. It is for the people of Karnataka to decide now whether they are with the patriots or those who support people who want to divide this country," he added.

Shah was speaking at the BJP's booth presidents and booth-level agents convention at the Palace Ground in Bengaluru.

Highlighting the saffron party's massive victory in Gujarat, Shah told party workers assembled from across Karnataka: "If you want to form a government, don't form an incomplete one, form a government with a full two-thirds majority."

"I have seen the mood of the people of Karnataka. People are ready (to support us), we need to go to them," he added.

Karnataka will go to the polls by April-May, 2023. -- PTI

17:17 No problem with Rahul as PM candidate: Nitish

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday made it clear that he had "no problems" with the Congress, his ally in the state, pushing for Rahul Gandhi as Prime Ministerial candidate for the next general elections.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, the Janaat Dal-United leader also reiterated that he was "not a claimant" for the top post though he reaffirmed his commitment to galvanising parties opposed to the BJP with which he had snapped ties nearly five months ago.

Kumar was responding to queries from journalists about the recent averment of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath that Gandhi will be the "opposition's PM face" in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. -- PTI

17:08 Assam merges 4 districts with 4 others

The Assam government on Saturday decided to merge four districts with four others and changed the administrative jurisdiction of a few villages, a day before the Election Commission's freeze on redrawing administrative units comes into effect.

Announcing this at a press conference here after a meeting of the state cabinet, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the decisions have been taken with a heavy heart keeping in mind the interests of Assam, its society and administrative exigencies. He added it was only "temporary" and did not disclose the reason behind the decision.

While Biswanath district will be merged with Sonitpur, Hojai will be merged with Nagaon, Bajali will be merged with Barpeta and Tamulpur will be merged with Baksa, he said.

The decisions had to be taken at the cabinet meeting on Saturday as the Election Commission has imposed a ban on creating new administrative units in Assam from January 1, 2023 as the poll panel will undertake the delimitation exercise in the state.

The administrative jurisdiction of some villages and a few towns have also been changed at the state cabinet meeting.

The merged districts were mostly created in the recent past and Sarma said he wanted to apologise to the people of these districts but hoped that they would understand the importance of the decisions.

The chief minister said a team of state ministers will visit these districts and interact with leading organisations and citizens to explain the reasons behind the decisions which can't be disclosed publicly.

He, however, said the police and judicial districts of the four merged districts will continue as they are along with other offices and officers.

A total of 186 terrorists, including 56 Pakistani nationals, were killed and 159 arrested in 2022 which proved to be the most successful in recent years, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbagh Singh said on Saturday.

He also said the police and other security agencies are moving in the right direction to achieve "zero terror" activities in the Union territory.

At the year-end press conference here, the police chief said 146 Pakistan-created terror modules, comprising four to five members each who were tasked to carry out selective and targeted killings and grenade and IED attacks, were also busted in 2022.

He said 100 youths joined terrorism in J-K this year, which is also the lowest in many years. A majority of them were eliminated, while security forces are working to bring down the number of active terrorists to a two-digit figure which is presently a little more than 100. -- PTI

15:56 Former Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95

Former Pope Benedict passed away at his Vatican residence on Saturday aged 95.

"With sorrow, I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible," Vatican News tweeted.

Pope Benedict passed away two days after Pontiff Francis asked to pray for the "very sick" former Pope, CNN said in a report.

"I want to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict who sustains the Church in his silence. He is very sick," Pope Francis said during his general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.

"We ask the Lord to console and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church to the very end," added Pope Francis.

15:27 Never worry about LAC as ITBP guards it: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday lauded the Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP), calling them 'Himaveer' (snow bravehearts) and said no one can encroach even an inch of our land when they are there at the borders.

Hailing the ITBP personnel, he said they guard our borders in harsh conditions and that the title of 'Himaveer' for them is bigger than Padma Sri and Padma Vibhushan.

"We cannot even imagine how they guard our borders in minus 42 degree Celsius temperature. This can happen only with a strong willpower and supreme degree of patriotism. The ITBP works in the odd geographical conditions in Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh or Jammu and Kashmir," Shah said after inaugurating the Central Detective Training Institute of the ITBP here.

"People of India call the ITBP soldiers as 'Himaveer.' This title is bigger than the Padma Sri and Padma Vibhushan civilian awards. While the civilian awards are the government title, 'Himaveer' is the title given by the people of India," Shah told the gathering.

Among all the central armed police forces, the ITPB works in the most odd weather conditions, he pointed out.

"I am always assured and never worry at all about the Indo-China border when our ITBP soldiers are patrolling or camping because no one there can encroach even an inch of our land," the Home Minister said.

He also said the Government of India is planning to provide 100 days for the Central Armed Police Force personnel to spend time with their family at their headquarters.

"This is necessary from a human point of view," Shah added.

The Home Minister also told the gathering that ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government came to power at the Centre it improved the housing and health facilities of the CAPF.

Speaking about the importance of research, he said police becomes irrelevant when it stops thinking about the changes happening in the society and reforms itself accordingly.

"The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) is an institution which gives a big strength to the police but unfortunately, it did not get the attention it deserved. Also, it did not receive the recognition it should have got," Shah said.

"Our society has the tendency of continuous change. In 25 to 50 years, the thinking, the shape, the goals and the path of the society change. When the police stop thinking of this change, then it becomes irrelevant. If you want to understand and feel this change, and modify with the change then research is very essential," the Home Minister said.

15:27 Chhattisgarh CM Baghel meets Modi

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

The Congress leader called on Modi a day after Chhattisgarh decided to introduce the Old Pension Scheme for government employees by giving them the option to choose between it and the new pension scheme after the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority repeatedly rejected the state's demand for return of funds deposited as part of the National Pension System.

The Prime Minister's Office tweeted, "Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel met Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Retirement fund body Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has asked its field offices to provide an option for higher pension to eligible subscribers in accordance with the Supreme Court order on November 4, 2022.

According to the EPFO circular on December 29, 2022 the central government has directed to implement the directions in the Supreme Court order.

The field offices have been directed to implement "the directions contained in para 44 (ix) of the Supreme Court judgement on November 4, 2022" within stipulated timeline and to ensure adequate publicity of the decision taken by the EPFO to implement the said directions, the circular said.

Earlier in November 2022, the Supreme Court had upheld Employees Pension (Amendment) Scheme 2014.

The EPS amendment of August 22, 2014 had raised the pensionable salary cap to Rs 15,000 a month from Rs 6,500 a month, and allowed members along with their employers to contribute 8.33 per cent on their actual salaries (if it exceeded the cap) towards the EPS.

It gave all EPS members, as on September 1, 2014, six months to opt for the amended scheme.

The apex court in its order gave four more months to eligible subscribers to opt for higher pension under EPS-95.

The court had also struck down the requirement in the 2014 amendments mandating employee contribution of 1.16 per cent of the salary exceeding Rs 15,000 per month. This will facilitate the subscribers to contribute higher to the scheme and get enhanced benefits accordingly.

The EPFO circular also provides for the higher pension option for those eligible subscribers who either contributed on actual wages higher than Rs 5,000 or Rs 6,500 per month prevalent threshold pensionable salary or exercised their option for higher pension or their request for higher pension was declined by EPFO authorities before the amendment to EPS-95 in 2014.

The eligible subscribers would have to apply jointly with their employer for the enhanced benefit in the application form prescribed by the Commissioner and all other required documents like joint declaration etc. -- PTI

Two Chinese nationals roaming around the Indo-Nepal border in Sonauli area in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj have been detained by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the Uttar Pradesh police said on Saturday.

According to police, Sashastra Seema Bal jawans were doing routine checking along the border when they came across the foreign nationals late Friday.

The foreigners were asked the reason for their visiting the area and on not getting a satisfactory answer, the jawans took them into custody.

Inspector in-charge of Sonauli police station, Abhishek Singh said intelligence agencies are questioning the duo.

"Both have passports of the Republic of China in the names of Zheng Yingjun (50) and Song Hui (52). Their visas to enter India have also expired. They have visited India several times in the past," he said.

Singh said other agencies, including immigration, are also probing the matter. -- PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that China and Pakistan are planning big, adding that "Doklam, Tawang preparation is for something big".

Addressing a press conference, the Wayanad MP said that there was a huge undercurrent against the BJP across the country and urged the opposition to unite to present an alternative vision to the people.

Gandhi also sought mutual respect between opposition leaders and the Congress in taking on the BJP, which has been completely dominating the country's political space.

"If the opposition stands effectively with a vision, it will become very difficult for the BJP to win elections. But the opposition has to coordinate effectively and the opposition has to go to the people with an alternative vision," Gandhi said.

A court in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Saturday remanded actor Sheezan Khan, arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide of his co-actor Tunisha Sharma, in 14-day judicial custody.

Khan was produced before a magistrate's court in Vasai after his police custody ended on Saturday.

The police custody had been extended by a day on Friday.

The magistrate remanded Khan to judicial custody for 14 days.

The 27-year-old actor was arrested by Valiv Police in Palghar district on December 26 for allegedly abetting Sharma's suicide.

A case under section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against him.

Sharma, 21, who was acting in the TV serial Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-Kabul, was found hanging in the washroom on the set of the show near Vasai on December 25.

Sharma's mother has alleged that Khan had cheated and "used" her daughter. She also claimed that Khan had slapped her daughter on the set of a TV show they were part of, and was teaching Sharma Urdu and wanted her to wear a hijab. -- PTI

Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan on Saturday offered their deepest condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the demise of his mother Hiraben.

Hiraben passed away at a hospital in Ahmedabad in the early hours of Friday. She was 99. Her mortal remains were consigned to flames by PM Modi and his brothers at a crematorium in Gandhinagar.

Shah Rukh took to Twitter to condole Hiraben's demise.

"Heartfelt condolences to @narendramodi on the loss of his mother Heeraben ji. My family's prayers are with you sir. May God bless her soul," the 57-year-old actor tweeted.

Salman also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the prime minister.

"Dear Hon. PM Shri Narendrabhai Modi, I can feel your pain as there is no greater loss than losing one's mother. May God give u strength at this hour of need.. @narendramodi" the actor said.

On Friday, a host of film personalities, including Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Kamal Haasan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Dharmendra paid tributes to Hiraben. -- PTI

12:55 I consider BJP as my guru: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that he considers the Bharatiya Janata Party as his guru as the saffron party shows him the way on what is not to be done.

"I want them (BJP) to attack us aggressively, this will help the Congress party understand its ideology. I consider them (BJP) as my guru. They are showing me the way and training me on what is not to be done," Gandhi said.

The Waynad MP further added, "When I started this (yatra) I just took it as an ordinary yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Slowly we understood that this yatra has a voice and feelings. I want to thank people from the BJP and the RSS, because the more they target us, it helps us in some way or the other."

Gandhi said there is a connection with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati in the journey against hatred.

"The doors of Bharat Jodo Yatra are open for everyone, we are not going to stop anyone from joining us. Akhilesh ji, Mayawati ji and others want "mohabbat ka Hindustan" and there is some relation of ideology between us," Gandhi said.

12:12 Massive traffic jam in Manali

Massive traffic jam in Manali as people throng to hilly areas to celebrate the new year.

12:08 Quick commerce: Delhi ordered the most condoms

Its been a year of ups and downs for quick commerce.

A slight slowdown in the sector's growth, brought about by a lull in funding has, however, not stopped consumers from placing quirky orders.

The quick commerce platform Blinkit, in its annual report for year 2022, has revealed some bizarre orders placed by customers this year.

From ordering lighters every day for 6 months to spending almost Rs 1.4 lakh on a single order, Blinkit saw some unusual orders placed this year.

Bizarre buys

Rahul, a resident of Jaipur, generously tipped his delivery partner Rs 9,500, the highest of the year
The biggest order of the year came in at Rs 139,900, an iPhone 14 Pro Max
A manager from Delhi bought 72 silver coins for his branch on Dhanteras
Delhi ordered the most condoms totalling 557,369 packs.
Pradeep, a customer from Kolkata, saved Rs 265,716 this year on orders using discounts, promo codes and offers
Another customer asked Blinkits chat support if a delivery partner can deliver them to the airport
Someone had 2 different addresses saved as baes home
A Pune resident ordered a lighter every single day for three months straight.

Aryaman Gupta/Business Standard reports

Air India will get a fresh brand identity with a revamped website and mobile app, Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said in a year-end note to employees.

'We are at the business end of Q4 now and it has been quite a year. Notably, we launched Vihaan.AI -- our transformation roadmap in September and weve been firing on all cylinders ever since. We are currently taxiing as planned with 22 initiatives of our agenda in various stages of progress. Thanks to our collective efforts, we are well on schedule,' Wilson said about the Tata group airline.

'It will take us a few years before we attain the world-class heights to which we aspire. But we have made a fantastic start, and you can all be proud of what has been achieved so far,' Wilson said.

He listed brand refresh as an upcoming milestone for the airline. He also mentioned that the airline has onboarded world-class brand and product design agencies but did not divulge further details.

The airlines owner, Tata Sons, has roped in UK-based brand and design consultancy firm Futurebrands to devise a new brand strategy for its airline, a media report said earlier this month. Futurebrands has worked on the rebranding of carriers, such as American Airlines, and this initiative is being planned alongside the integration of group airlines.

Wilson, a New Zealander, took charge of Air India in July and he leads the airline's five-year plan called Vihaan.

The plan includes fleet and network growth and improvements in customer service to increase market share and put the airline on a path to sustained growth, profitability, and market leadership.

The airline has announced it will lease 36 planes and add three new routes, with 10 more in the pipeline. It has hired more than 1,200 employees across functions for its expansion. It is negotiating with both Airbus and Boeing for planes.

The Tata group is integrating its four airlines into two: Air India and Air India Express.

Wilson said upcoming milestones for the airline include a future-ready organisation structure and team co-location in new offices. It has already initiated the process of rolling out digital HR solutions for employees.

An employee survey is being carried out to get feedback on Vistaras integration with Air India. Vistara is a full-service carrier co-owned by Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.

Earlier in the year, it was announced that Air India, Air India Express, and AirAsia India offices will shift to a new facility in Gurugram by March 2023.

The move to consolidate workplaces is an integral part of the transformation agenda by improving collaboration among staff and more easily adopting technology, the airline said.

Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard reports

A 14-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and thrown in a tube well in a village under Ghosi police station area of the district, police said on Saturday.

Two people have been arrested and a hunt is on to trace the third culprit, they said.

According to a complaint filed by the victim's father, she went out to throw garbage Friday morning when she was taken away by the accused and was gang-raped.

The minor was rescued after some labourers raised an alarm and informed the police.

"The victim was found from a tube well in an agriculture field, about 200 metres away from her house, with her hands and legs tied and cloth stuffed inside her mouth," Additional SP Tribhuvan Nath said.

He said an FIR was registered under the POCSO Act and the girl was sent for medical examination.

"Two of the accused have been arrested and the third one will be held soon," the officer added.

Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor and Anupam Kher on Saturday met cricketer Rishabh Pant who is recuperating at Max Hospital in Dehradun after suffering injuries in a car crash.

India's star cricketer had a miraculous escape when his luxury car crashed into a road divider and caught fire after he dozed off at the wheel on the Delhi-Dehradun highway in the early hours of Friday.

"He (Pant) is doing fine. We met him as fans. Let us pray that he recovers soon and we see him playing again," Kapoor told reporters after coming out of the hospital.

Kher, who accompanied Kapoor, said they made the cricketer laugh a lot.

"Everything is fine. We met Pant, his mother and relatives, they are all fine. We made him laugh a lot," he said.

The 25-year-old, who was on his way to his hometown Roorkee to surprise his mother, suffered injuries on his head, back and feet in the accident, according to police.

Hospital authorities have said that his condition is stable. -- PTI

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

11:20 Govt Small Saving Deposits Now On Par With FDs

Nikesh Singh/Business Standard reports:

Small savings deposit rates for one year, two years and three years were raised by 110 basis points (bps) to 6.6 per cent, 6.8 per cent and 6.9 per cent, respectively.

Earlier, the rates were 5.5 per cent, 5.7 per cent and 5.8 per cent, respectively, for the three tenors.

The five-year deposit saw interest rate raised by 30 bps to 7 per cent from 6.7 per cent.

Among other key government-backed savings instruments, interest rate on the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme was raised to 8 per cent.

The Monthly Income Account Scheme saw interest rate rise to 7.1 per cent while for the National Savings Certificate it is 7 per cent and for the Kisan Vikas Patra the figure is 7.2 per cent.

For the Kisan Vikas Patra, the government reduced the maturity period to 120 months from 123 months.

However, the interest rates were kept unchanged on the Public Provident Fund Scheme, Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme and the five-year recurring deposit scheme at 7.1 per cent, 7.6 per cent and 5.8 per cent, respectively.

This is the second consecutive hike after the rates were kept unchanged since January 2019. On September 29, the government had increased interest rates in five of the 12 schemes.

After the Reserve Bank of India raised concerns about limited transmission of its policy rate cuts, the finance ministry started quarterly reviews of small savings rates, beginning April 1, 2016. It made the process more dynamic and market-linked.

Deepesh Raghaw, a Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi)-registered investment advisor, said the steep increase in small savings rates will bring the rates at par with bank fixed deposits (FDs).

Every investor compares the return on small savings against the FDs of banks. Over the past six months, FD rates have risen sharply, offering returns of 6.75-7 per cent. And so, the government had to catch up, he added.

The RBI has increased its policy rate by 225 bps to 6.25 per cent in just seven months. This has been done to bring inflation within its tolerance band and curb capital outflow, amid global tightening of monetary policy.

This has resulted in higher interest rates by banks on home loans and personal loans.

With credit growth remaining in double digits amid tight liquidity, banks have also increased deposit rates to get more customers.

Major public sector banks such as Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, State Bank of India, and Bank of India are offering peak interest rates of 7.25 per cent, 7 per cent, 6.75 per cent and 6.75 per cent, respectively.

Private banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank also raised interest rates on deposits earlier this month.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

10:53 S Ramamurthy New BSE CEO

Business Standard

BSE Ltd announced on Friday that Sundararaman Ramamurthy will be taking charge as the next managing director and chief executive officer of the exchange on January 4, 2023.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India had approved his appointment on November 28.Ramamurthy, 59, has spent nearly two decades at rival NSE.

He was among the early architects of NSE, handling various positions from 1995 to 2014.

Till recently, he was the chief operating officer-India at Bank of America, where he worked on implementing complex technological solutions, maintaining compliance standards and stakeholder management.

Before moving to NSE in 1995, Ramamurthy also worked at the Industrial Development Bank of India.

"His appointment is subject to ratification by the shareholders. The company has initiated the process for seeking shareholders ratification through postal ballot mechanism and the e-voting for the same will be ending on Monday, January 16, 2023 (05:00 pm IST)," said BSE in an exchange notification.

The top position of the country's oldest bourse has been vacant for the last five months since the previous MD & CEO, Ashishkumar Chauhan resigned on July 25 and moved to the National Stock Exchange.

10:31 Broker's Tech Glitch: SEBI's Action Plan

Khushboo Tiwari/Business Standard reports

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has asked stock exchanges to set up an Investor Risk Reduction Access platform to enable investors to square-off or close their open positions and cancel pending orders in case of a technical glitch at the stockbroker.

The capital markets regulator, in a circular issued on December 30, said the IRRA service will support multiple segments across exchanges.

The service will be enabled upon the request of stockbrokers facing technical glitches that disrupt trading.

Stock exchanges will also be able to initiate the service by monitoring parameters like connectivity, order flow and social media posts.

While investors will be able to close or cancel pending positions, IRRA will not permit any action that increases their risk.

In any situation of technical glitch and disruption from the end of a stockbroker, investors with open positions are at risk of non-availability of avenues to close their positions, particularly if markets are volatile.

Investors of an affected trading member will be informed about the IRRA service availability through email, SMS, and a public notice on exchanges' Web sites.

On availability, investors will log in using their unique client code or PAN number which will be authorized through a one-time password on their registered mobile numbers and email.

"As the respective business continuity plans, if any, of the trading members, may not be able to prevent disruption in some cases like TM being unable to move to Disaster Recovery Site within stipulated time, cyber-attacks etc, it has been decided that a contingency service shall be provided by the stock exchanges in the event of such disruption," said Sebi.

Stock exchanges and clearing corporations have been directed to put in place the appropriate systems by October 1, 2023.

Stock exchanges will be required to issue details like cut-off times, scenarios of open positions, framework for reverse migration, make amendments to relevant bye-laws and will need to update the markets regulator on the status of implementation in their monthly reports.

Sebi approved the formation of IRRA at its board meeting on December 20.

A stock broker or the trading member will continue to be responsible for all the activities on the IRRA with respect to all obligations including settlement and margin requirements, said Sebi.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has demolished property of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist commander Amir Khan, in Anantnag's Pahalgam.

More details soon. -- ANI

Representational image

10:14 Delhi's air quality remains very poor

Smog engulfed the national capital on Saturday morning pushing the overall air quality to remain in 'very poor' category with an overall Air Quality Index of 369.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, the AQI at Lodhi Road recorded major pollutant PM 2.5 at 369.

The AQI in the Delhi University area was 365 while it was 381 at IIT Delhi.

In the National Capital Region of Gurugram and Noida, the Air Quality Index was 374 and 388, respectively.

Earlier this month, the air quality in Delhi was in the 'moderate' category.

The ministry of earth sciences, have issued health advisory through SAFAR saying that everyone should reduce heavy exertion. -- ANI

09:24 Gym owner shot dead in Delhi's Preet Vihar

A gym owner was allegedly shot dead in east Delhi's Preet Vihar on Friday evening.

According to the Delhi police, the incident occurred around 7:30 in the evening.

The deceased was identified as Mahinder.

The attackers are yet to be identified.

"According to the initial information, around 7:30 pm a gym owner named Mahinder was shot dead by an unknown person inside his office in Preet Vihar. The probe into the case is underway," said Amrutha Guguloth, deputy commissioner of police, East Delhi.

The investigation is underway. Further details awaited. -- ANI

Nine persons were killed and nearly 15 others injured after a sports utility vehicle rammed into a luxury bus in Navsari district of Gujarat in the wee hours of Saturday, the police said.

The accident occurred on a national highway near Vesma village when the bus was going towards Valsad, while the SUV was coming from the opposite direction, Navsari superintendent of police Rushikesh Upadhyay said.

Of the nine persons travelling in the SUV, eight died on the spot along with the driver of the luxury bus, he said.

Those travelling in the SUV were residents of Ankleshwar (in Gujarat) and they were on their way back to their hometown from Valsad, Upadhyay said, adding that the passengers of the bus hailed from Valsad. -- PTI

Representational image

08:31 North Korea fires unspecified ballistic missile: South Korea

North Korea fired an "unspecified ballistic missile," just hours after South Korea conducted a test flight of a solid-fuel space launch vehicle, according to Yonhap News Agency.

After the firing from North Korea, South Korea's joint chiefs of staff announced the launch.

It did not provide other details immediately.

On Friday, South Korea successfully conducted a test flight of a solid-fuel space launch vehicle, the defence ministry said, nine months after its first test of the homegrown rocket, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The state-run Agency for Defense Development carried out the test as part of efforts to strengthen "independent" space-based reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, according to the ministry.

It did not disclose the venue of the test.

"This flight test is a follow-up to the test on March 30 and we will achieve progress through the development process over the next several years," the ministry said in a text message sent to reporters.

"Our military will double down on efforts to reinforce defence capabilities, including for the space domain," it added, as per Yonhap News Agency. -- ANI

08:27 Biden condoles death of Modi's mother

US President Joe Biden has sent his deepest condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the loss of his mother Hiraben who passed away in Gujarat at the age of 99.

Hiraben passed away at a hospital in Ahmedabad in the early hours of Friday.

Her mortal remains were consigned to flames by Prime Minister Modi and his brothers at a crematorium in Gandhinagar.

Taking to Twitter, President Biden wrote, "(First Lady Dr) Jill (Biden) and I send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) @narendramodi on the loss of his mother Heeraben Modi, Biden said in a tweet on Friday night."

"Our prayers are with the Prime Minister and his family at this difficult time," he said.

Messages of condolence for Modi, who is highly popular in the United States, poured in from across the country.

"Our sincere condolences at the demise of Smt. Heeraben Modi, mother of Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi," tweeted US India Strategic and Partnership Forum.

"Heartfelt condolences and prayers on loss of your beloved mother @narendramodi May her soul RIP," tweeted USISPF president Mukesh Aghi. -- PTI

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00:25 Uyghur Muslim preacher Huseyin dies in China jail

A former Uyghur Muslim preacher, Omar Huseyin, who was arrested in 2017 for making a pilgrimage to Mecca, was confirmed dead in China's Xinjiang prison, reported Radio Free Asia.

He was serving a five-year sentence in China's far-western Xinjiang region.

He died of liver cancer in prison in February, according to a police officer who works in the district where the preacher resided.

Huseyin, 55, was the former hatip, or preacher, at the Qarayulghun Mosque in Korla, known as Ku'erle in Chinese and the second-largest city in Xinjiang.

Authorities apprehended him in September 2017 amid a widespread crackdown on Islamic clergy and other prominent Uyghurs, for travelling to the holy city of Mecca in 2015.

Authorities also detained Huseyin's three brothers in 2017, one of whom was serving a 12-year sentence for participating in religious activities, and died in prison, reported RFA.

Huseyin was healthy before authorities took him away for 're-education' in one of the hundreds of facilities across Xinjiang where authorities detained an estimated 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslims purportedly to prevent religious extremism and terrorism.

Mahmut Moydun, an Uyghur inmate who escaped from another prison in Korla and was in hiding, told RFA that conditions at detention centres had been deteriorating because more inmates, including the preacher, had died in the last two years.

A Korla resident, who declined to be named for safety reasons, told RFA that the health of inmates incarcerated in city prisons had deteriorated due to low-quality food, the intensity of prison labour, long political study sessions, and endless interrogations.

Huseyin was taken away for 're-education' in 2017 at a time when authorities were transforming internment camp centres in Korla into prisons, he said.

The RFA contacted the Qarayulghun police station in Korla for a list of inmates who died in 2021 and 2022, but the political commissar refused to provide it. When asked for information about Huseyin, he said the police station in the district where the preacher used to reside could provide it.

"I cannot send you that information," he said, adding, "There is no such thing."

A district policeman later confirmed that Huseyin was serving a sentence in the district prison and that he died on February 2, reported RFA. -- ANI

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