Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 22:22 IST

The prime minister observed that polls have often led to an overwhelming cycle of continuous electioneering in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the ongoing debate on the “One Nation, One Election” proposal is critical for India’s democratic process and urged youngsters to actively engage in and promote the discussions.

Addressing a National Cadet Corps (NCC) rally here, Modi urged youngsters, including NCC cadets and National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, to actively engage in and promote the debate, which he said is directly linked to their future.

The prime minister observed that polls have often led to an overwhelming cycle of continuous electioneering in India.

“After independence, elections at the state and central levels were held together for a long time. But over time, this pattern broke down, causing significant challenges for the country,” he said.

Modi highlighted that the current situation, where elections take place frequently, disrupts governance and development.

“Today, there is an important debate about ’One Nation, One Election’. Holding the Lok Sabha and state elections simultaneously could alleviate disruptions and enable a more focused governance approach,” he said.

The prime minister urged youngsters to take part in the discussion, stressing its relevance for the country’s future.

“I appeal to the NCC cadets, volunteers and all youngsters across the country — wherever you are, take this debate forward. It is directly linked to your future,” he said, while emphasising that participating in the debate is essential for shaping India’s future political landscape.

Comparing India’s election frequency with that of other countries, Modi pointed out that even in the United States, the electoral cycle is structured to ensure a clear separation of governance periods.

“In countries like the US, elections are held every four years and the dates for forming a new government are fixed,” he noted.

The prime minister further emphasised the need for more young people to join politics with innovative ideas.

“I had said from the Red Fort that one lakh youngsters should join politics,” he said.

Reflecting on the significance of youngsters in global development, the prime minister said, “The future of the world cannot be imagined without India’s youngsters. That is why I call you a force for global good.” He also mentioned that India has witnessed a significant rise in the number of NCC cadets.

“In 2014, the number of NCC cadets in the country was around 14 lakh. Today, it is around 20 lakh and more than eight lakh of them are girl cadets,” Modi noted.

The prime minister lauded the achievements of India’s youngsters.

“India’s youngsters are not just for India’s development, they are a force for global good. The world is recognising this,” he said, further stressing that India’s youth power is indispensable in sectors across the globe.

On youth empowerment, the prime minister mentioned his government’s efforts to ease out challenges.

“Earlier, youngsters used to struggle to get bank loans. When I became the prime minister, I said I would give a guarantee for loans to youngsters. We launched the Mudra Yojana, which provides loans without a bank guarantee. Earlier, loans of up to Rs 10 lakh were given without a guarantee but in our third term, we have increased this limit to Rs 20 lakh,” he said.

Modi also mentioned the expansion of the NCC’s presence, particularly in border and coastal areas.

“The NCC has reached more than 170 border talukas and over 100 coastal talukas,” he said, further highlighting the significance of this expansion for national security.

Modi urged youngsters to be a driving force for India’s growth, saying, “No sector can progress without India’s youngsters and talent. The world cannot imagine its future without the contribution of India’s youngsters.”

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)

Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 22:12 IST

Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek on Monday said that they degraded their service for a brief period owing to a “large-scale malicious attack.”

Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek on Monday said that they degraded their service for a brief period owing to a “large-scale malicious attack.”

Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 21:33 IST

Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer will miss Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match starting January 30. They’ll attend the BCCI’s Naman Awards and prepare for the ODI series.

Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma, his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal and senior batter Shreyas Iyer will all reportedly miss Mumbai’s upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Meghalaya. The match will begin on January 30 at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex.

According to The Times of India, which cited an unnamed source, the trio will attend the BCCI’s annual Naman Awards in Mumbai on February 1 before reporting for India’s ODI series against England, which begins on February 6.

“Rohit, Jaiswal and Iyer are all likely to attend the BCCI’s Naman Annual awards in Mumbai on February 1. Next day (February 2), they are supposed to report for a short camp to Nagpur before the three-match ODI series against England,” the source said in the report.

Apart from them, Shivam Dube will also miss the Meghalaya game as he has been called up to India’s T20I squad for the five-match series against England to replace the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Iyer had been playing the Ranji Trophy since the start. But for Rohit and Jaiswal, it was a comeback pushed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s diktat that all international players should feature in domestic cricket as much as possible. Rohit returned to the competition after November 2015.

But both openers failed to impress against Jammu and Kashmir. Rohit scored 3 (19) and 28 (35) in the two innings, whereas Jaiswal could contribute just 4 (8) and 26 (51). The batting collapsed in both innings and had to be saved by all-rounder Shardul Thakur each time. Still, Mumbai lost the match by five wickets.

Mumbai are third in the Elite Group A table with three wins from six matches. Only the top-two teams qualify for the knockouts and Mumbai’s hopes rely on beating Meghalaya, ideally by a bonus point, and hoping that Baroda would either lose to J&K or concede a first innings lead if the match ends in a draw.

Although these three Mumbai stars will miss their match, other Indian internationals are likely to play the round for their states on the same dates. This includes Virat Kohli and KL Rahul who are both likely to feature for Delhi and Karnataka against Railways and Haryana respectively, from January 30.

The duo is expected to join India’s ODI team straight after the matches.

Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 20:52 IST

Hegseth has promised to bring major changes to the Pentagon and he has made eliminating DEI from the military a top priority.

US President Donald Trump will soon sign executive orders removing diversity, equity and inclusion from the military and reinstating thousands of troops who were kicked out for refusing COVID vaccines during the pandemic, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Monday.

Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and decorated veteran, narrowly secured enough votes to become the next defense secretary, a major victory for Trump after fierce opposition from Democrats and even some Republicans to his controversial nominee.

“There are more executive orders coming,” Hegseth told reporters, as he arrived at the Pentagon for his first full day of work.

Hegseth has promised to bring major changes to the Pentagon and he has made eliminating DEI from the military a top priority.

The Air Force said on Sunday that it will resume instruction of trainees using a video about the first Black airmen in the U.S. military, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, which has passed review to ensure compliance with Trump’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Hegseth was warmly greeted on the steps of the Pentagon by the top U.S. military officer, Air Force General C.Q. Brown, whom Hegseth criticized in his latest book. Asked if he might fire Brown, Hegseth joked that he was standing right next to him.

“I’m standing with him right now. I look forward to working with him,” as he patted Brown on the back.

Reuters has previously reported about the possibility of mass firing among top brass, something Hegseth repeatedly refused to rule out during his confirmation process.

Hegseth’s nomination was divisive, as the military’s top job has historically gone to candidates with deep experience running large organizations and who enjoy broad bipartisan support.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Reuters)

Location :

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 20:36 IST

On his failure to fulfil some of the guarantees in the 2020 poll manifesto, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal gave coronavirus and the arrests of his cabinet ministers as reasons

The ruling AAP released its much-awaited manifesto for the Delhi assembly elections on Monday, issuing 15 ‘guarantees’ for the national capital. This, despite several poll guarantees from the 2020 polls remaining unfulfilled.

The AAP has refrained from using the term ‘promises’ since the 2020 elections. It has, instead, used the term guarantee, banking upon former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s image of an “honest” politician that keeps his word.

In 2015, the party’s manifesto had 70 ‘promises’. But, changing tack for the 2020 polls, the term ‘guarantee’ was used for 10 such offers. On his failure to fulfil some guarantees from 2020, Kejriwal gave coronavirus and the arrests of his cabinet ministers as reasons.

He said he could not deliver guarantees offering round-the-clock drinking water, clean Yamuna and making Delhi roads at par with European standards.

“I accept that we could not deliver these three guarantees in the last five years. We were elected in February 2020. In March, coronavirus started and continued for the next 2.5 years. My entire team was scattered. Now, we are free and we will work to deliver these three guarantees in the next five years,” he said, adding that the Delhi government has the required funds and plans.

Among other guarantees that the AAP government could not fulfil included the delivery of 11,000 buses in Delhi. At present, 7,500 buses are operational in the national capital.

It was in July 1998, even before Sheila Dikshit became the CM that the Supreme Court had directed the Delhi government to augment its fleet of buses to 10,000 by April 2001. It has been more than 26 years and the city has had six governments, and will now be electing its seventh. In 2019, the city had only 5,576 buses.

The party has also guaranteed to increase the Metro length to 500 km, but this has not even touched 400 km. Free bus rides were not only proposed for women, but for students as well. This, too, remains unfulfilled and can be seen in the 2025 manifesto again.

The AAP had also promised to make the city free of pollution and garbage. These promises remain unfulfilled. Asked why several of the key guarantees from 2020 could not be delivered, a party leader said only those, where the coordination of the Centre was required, had been impacted.

“Whatever was there in our hands, we delivered. But, Delhi is not a full state and we need support from the Centre in a lot of areas. The BJP is not supporting us in any form even when it is for the people of Delhi. This included making the city pollution-free or increasing the DTC fleet and Metro buses,” the AAP leader said on condition of anonymity.

WHAT ARE THE 15 ‘GUARANTEES’ FOR 2025?

Kejriwal has issued 15 ‘guarantees’ for the 2025 elections, including jobs for the youth, Mahila Samman Yojana, Sanjeevani Yojana, Pujari-Granthi Samman Rashi scheme, waiving incorrect water bills, commitment to cleaning the Yamuna and building high-quality European-style roads. The party has also included Ambedkar scholarship and 50 per cent bus fare concession for students.

Under Mahila Samman Yojana (Rs 2,100 per month) and Pujari-Granthi Samman Rashi scheme (Rs 18,000 per month), women and priests will get monthly financial aid.

Kejriwal has also guaranteed to extend free water and electricity schemes to tenants in Delhi. He said his government will provide a modern sewerage system for the city, free ration, marriage assistance for daughters of auto-rickshaw drivers as well as life insurance for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers and their families.

In its manifesto, the AAP said it will also pay the resident welfare associations (RWA) for hiring private security guards. And it has been assured that all the existing schemes will be continued, including those for free education, electricity, water, and bus travel for women.

The AAP government is aiming for a fourth consecutive term. Elections will be held on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8.

Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 19:46 IST

Four schools in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada received bomb threat emails, but no explosives were found after thorough investigations by the police.

Four schools in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts received threatening emails on Monday, claiming that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were placed on their premises, news agency PTI quoted police as saying.

The schools that received the threats are Manipal School in Attavar, Presidency School and PU College, Cambridge School near Neermarga in Mangaluru City, and Sharada Residential School in Kunjibettu, Udupi, they added.

Police teams were sent to these schools, and bomb disposal squads conducted thorough searches. No suspicious items were found during the investigations. To ensure safety, police officers have been deployed at the schools.

Authorities have asked school staff to stay alert and immediately report any unusual activity or messages to the police.

“Separate cases have been registered concerning the threat emails, and a detailed investigation is underway to identify the source of the threats,” a senior police officer said.

Mumbai School Receives Hoax Bomb Threat Over Email

Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 19:34 IST

Earlier it was reported that diplomats of 73 countries including Russia and Ukraine would visit Prayagraj to take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam during ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.

Amid the reports of foreign diplomats participating in the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, Ukraine has refused to attend the event saying that participating in celebrations along with representatives of Russia would betray the principles of justice and truth.

In a series of posts on X, Ukraine said, “Recent media reports suggesting Ukraine’s participation in celebrations along with representatives of the aggressor during the Maha Kumbh Mela on February 1, 2025 are wishful thinking only.”

Drawing parallels with Lord Hanuman, Kyiv said, “As Lord Hanuman, the protector of dharma, stood unwavering in the face of evil, Ukraine too stands firm as a guardian of justice and truth. Participating alongside representatives of the aggressor at the Maha Kumbh would betray these very principles. Thus, the Ambassador of Ukraine to India will avoid participation on this occasion.”

Kyiv further accused Moscow of mass killings, brutal torture of war prisoners, and destroying of Ukraine’s national identity and culture. It said that the blood of thousands of innocents would forever stain the hands of Russia and these sins could never be washed away even by the sacred Triveni Sangam.

“Ongoing aggression against Ukraine results in mass killings, forcible child deportations, brutal torture of prisoners of war, sexual violence against women and girls, and the destruction of Ukraine’s national identity and culture. This blood, the blood of thousands innocently killed by the aggressor people still knocks in our hearts. This blood will forever stain the hands of the aggressor and can never be washed away, not even by the sacred waters of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati at the Holy Triveni Sangam,” it added.

Earlier it was reported that diplomats of 73 countries including Russia and Ukraine would visit Prayagraj to take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam during ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.

Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand had confirmed to the news agency PTI that the diplomats would participate in the mega religious congregation on February 1.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had also wrote to the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary regading the diplomats’ visit, saying that envoys from countries including Japan, USA, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Netherlands, Cameroon, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland and Bolivia would participate in the Maha Kumbh, Anand added.

As per the letter, all these foreign diplomats would reach Triveni Sangam Nose via boat and take a dip in the holy Sangam. After this, they would pay their obeisance at Akshayvat and Bade Hanuman Temple, following which they would “understand” Maha Kumbh at the Digital Maha Kumbh Experience Centre.

Location :

Prayagraj, India

Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 19:28 IST

On Tuesday, the draft report will be shared with all members. Another meeting has been scheduled on January 29, during which the committee will adopt the report

Chaotic scenes were witnessed in Parliament as the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) wrapped up its process of amendments to the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in just an hour or two of its meeting on Monday. More than 450 amendments to the various clauses of the bill were submitted by members of the opposition and the ruling side.

Throughout the duration of the meeting, one could hear Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament (MP) Kalyan Banerjee shout in loud voices against the chairman, Jagdambika Pal.

Around 12.45 pm, members from the opposition camp were seen coming out of the meeting and many, including Kalyan Banerjee, A Raja and Nasser Hussain, spoke in an animated tone.

Banerjee accused the chair of “shameless bias”. “All amendments were put to vote, and we were not given an opportunity to speak. The chairman was acting like a dictator, and we had no say. This committee should be called Jagdambika Pal committee and not the JPC,” Banerjee told CNN-News18.

Another opposition member, DMK MP A Raja, also accused the chairman of being deaf to the opposition’s requests. He went on to say that they will have to look for a legal route. “The chairman was sitting and moving the amendments and also passing the amendments. Everything was being done by him, and we were not even allowed to make our points. This is not how it will happen, and if required, we will take the legal route. My party, the DMK, and I will go to court against such legislation,” Raja told News18.

Defending the chairman and the merits of the bill, Dr Sanjay Jaiswal from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said, “The opposition has become so used to negative politics that they continue to oppose even a legislation which can benefit the poor and the deprived of the Muslim community.”

In Monday’s meeting, 14 amendments were approved by the JPC. Incidentally, all of these amendments were moved by members from the ruling side. AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi had moved 43 amendments, but each one of them was an amendment to scrap what the bill had proposed. It seemed like, along with Owaisi, other opposition MPs wanted to oppose the bill in its totality.

One of the provisions that the bill has now approved is that only a practising Muslim of at least five years can give his property for Waqf.

The constitution of the tribunal has also been changed and now, instead of two, the tribunal will have three members, of which one will have to be a Muslim scholar or somebody with knowledge of Muslim jurisprudence.

Opposition MPs had often expressed their reservations about the proposal of the collector being given overarching power. In some cases, many opposition MPs had said the collector cannot be a complainant and judge in the same matter. The amendment, which has now been revised, provides for an ex-officio person who can be appointed by the state government to oversee the Waqf matters.

“This was our last meeting ahead of the meeting to adopt the report. We cleared all amendments that were brought before us. It is completely incorrect that the opposition MPs call me names. I have given each one of them appropriate time and opportunity to raise the matter that they wanted to in a democratic manner,” Pal said.

After Monday’s meeting, the committee will send the recommendations and the amendments that have been passed to the Ministry of Law and Justice for its consideration. On Tuesday, the draft report will be shared with all members. Another meeting has been scheduled on January 29, during which the committee will adopt the report. It is during this meeting that MPs who want to submit their dissent notes to the report can do so and it will be attached with the approved report.

Sources say on January 30, the committee will submit its report to the Lok Sabha speaker for his final approval. After the approval by the speaker, the committee will lay the report in Parliament during the upcoming budget session.

Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 19:18 IST

One of the photos showcases Sohum Shah in a fierce and bold look with injury marks on his face.

Sohum Shah is currently filming his upcoming action-drama, Craxzy. Written and directed by Girish Kohli, the mind behind Mom and HIT: The First Case, the film is set to release on March 7. On Monday, the 41-year-old actor shared intense behind-the-scenes moments from the project on social media, sparking excitement among his fans.

The first image showcases Sohum Shah in a fierce, bold look, with injury marks on his face. In the next shot, he is seen suspended in mid-air with a rope tied around him. The scene appears to be a VFX shot, with blue screens in the background, typical of chroma key effects. Another picture from the sets of Crazxy showcases a monitor screen, and the last one depicts a card with a cross cut-out. Sharing the post on Instagram, he wrote in the caption, “Shot something crazy for CRAZXY.”

The pictures have left the fans beaming with excitement, prompting many to share their reactions. An Instagram user wrote, “It seems that you shoot something unique.” Another one wrote, “Eagerly awaiting the release.” One of them wrote, “Can’t wait, Sir.”

Crazxy has been backed by Sohum himself, along with Mukesh Shah, Amita Shah and Adesh Prasad. The music of the film has been given by Vishal Bhardwaj and the lyrics are by Gulzar.

Earlier the makers unveiled a motion poster of the film which depicted an abstract image in which many roadways intersect to form an obscure face, most likely that of Sohum. It also highlights his eyes, which firmly gazing to a point.

Sharing the post on Instagram, Sohum wrote, “Doston, aaj Tumbbad ko release hue 6 saal hogaye hai… aapne itna pyaar diya ki film re-release bhi hogayi aur humaara #Tumbbad ka circle complete hua 🙂 And, after 6 years, we are presenting to you the motion poster of our new film, #CRAZXY. In cinemas 7 March, 2025. GET READY FOR A #CRAZXY RIDE!”

Meanwhile, Sohum is known for his performance in films like Tumbbad, Talvaar, and web shows like Maharani, Bard of Blood and Dahaad.

He will be next seen in Tumbbad 2.

Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 19:11 IST

Juventus confirmed the agreement to terminate Danilo’s contract bringing an end to a five and a half year stint with the Italian club. The 33-year-old center back is expected move home to join Flamengo.

Brazil defender Danilo left Juventus by mutual agreement on Monday ahead of an expected move home to join Flamengo.

Juventus confirmed the agreement to terminate Danilo’s contract after the 33-year-old center-back posted a video on his Instagram account to say his 5-and-a-half-year stint with the club was ending.

Also Monday, Juventus posted images of Chelsea defender Renato Veiga arriving at the club for a medical. The 21-year-old Portugal international is expected to sign on loan.

Danilo spent 13 years in Europe and won league titles in four countries with Porto, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus.

He leaves one club that qualified for the Club World Cup to head for another playing at the inaugural 32-team tournament that starts June 14 in the United States. Flamengo has been drawn in a group with Chelsea, Leon and Esperance.

Juventus is in a Club World Cup group with Man City, Wydad and Al Ain.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)