World Top News

By ADAM LIPTAK

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, saying that the post of CDS is a momentous and comprehensive reform that will help our country face the ever-changing challenges of modern warfare. The PM's tweets came as General Bipin Rawat took over as the country's first CDS. from Times of India https://ift.tt/35ew5tJ

Isro chairman K Sivan on Wednesday said that 2020 will be a year of Chandrayaan-3 and Gaganyaan — India's planned human spaceflight mission. "Chandrayaan-3 will have a lander, rover and a propulsion module. The govt has approved the project and we have formed the project team. Work is going on smoothly," he said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2sFX2cr

from Times of India https://ift.tt/39tz1WC

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By JACEY FORTIN

By CHARLES V. BAGLI

By ELLEN BARRY

"We have been giving attention to our western front in the past. The northern front now also requires an equal amount of attention. The Army is capable of tackling any dangers to the country," General Naravane told reporters after receiving the first Guard of Honour as the Army chief. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2u6BB4x

Stay with TOI for all the latest news and updates from India and around the world: from Times of India https://ift.tt/37pR9ib

By DAVE PHILIPPS

A veteran on the domestic scene, Test opener Mayank Agarwal talks about his hard-earned first year as an international cricketer and how he will continue his international run in New Zealand where, he says, the focus and the goal will remain the same, to contribute to the team's success. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2MINIuY

Despite an internet clampdown, Jammu and Kashmir registered 83.5% attendance of candidates registered in the UGC-NET December 2019 exam, second only to 84% in Kerala, and also recorded a 10% qualification rate as against the national average of 8.2%. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2QEVcQU

At a time when dissent gets traction among intellectuals and social media, the Supreme Court in 2019 achieved the unexpected by rendering a unanimous verdict on the 70-year-old Ayodhya land dispute and putting stamp of approval on the deal to purchase 36 fully-loaded Rafale jets from France. from Times of India https://ift.tt/36gadz9

By NEIL VIGDOR

By JULIAN E. BARNES

Top government sources told TOI that as many as five potential sites close to highways passing by Ayodhya have been identified and sent to the Union home ministry for clearance. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2SEQ4yR

General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday took charge as the chief of Army staff, succeeding Gen Bipin Rawat. Gen Naravane served as vice chief of the Army before taking charge of the 1.3 million strong Army. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2QxayHg

By LAURA M. HOLSON

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray’s choice of 12 new Shiv Sena ministers has triggered resentment in a section of party MLAs who couldn’t make it to the final list. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2ZEn0c8

Though the one-day special session was convened to ratify the extension of the reservation for SC and ST in the Assembly and the Parliament for another decade, the resolution against CAA was also taken up in view of the the widespread concerns among public in this regard, official sources said. While presenting the resolution, Vijayan said the CAA was against the "secular" outlook and fabric of the country and would lead to religion- based discrimination in granting citizenship. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2SG192U

After a farewell guard of honour, General Rawat also hoped that the Army will rise to greater heights under the new chief Lt General M M Naravane. When asked wether the Army is better prepared now to face the security challenges facing the country he said: "Yes, we are better prepared." from Times of India https://ift.tt/2ZBIG97

By JEREMY W. PETERS and SYDNEY EMBER

By ERIC LIPTON and MAGGIE HABERMAN

By THOMAS KAPLAN

By ZOLAN KANNO-YOUNGS

By CHARLIE SAVAGE

By SANDRA E. GARCIA

Red Lobster debuts new drink perfect for National Hangover Day This drink is literally Red Lobster in a cup.

Kansas officer resigned after he 'fabricated' McDonald's coffee cup with 'F-----g pig' on it: police chief A Kansas police chief who called out a local McDonald's -- after one of his officers claimed he was served a cup of coffee with a vulgar and insulting message attached -- said Monday the officer has resigned after fabricating the incident.

Super-friendly Chick-fil-A employee in North Carolina charms Internet in viral vid: He's 'like this ALL the time' We bet you’ve never had service like this.

Kansas police say officer got McDonald's coffee cup with vulgar message: 'F-----g pig' A police officer received an insulting message along with a coffee from McDonald’s, police claimed.

Debutant MLA Aaditya Thackeray (29) was on Monday inducted as cabinet minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by his father Uddhav Thackeray, making the Thackerays the first father-son duo to be part of the cabinet together in Maharashtra. from Times of India https://ift.tt/35cEWMa

Since January 2018 - when Bumrah made his debut - India's pacers have taken 274 wickets in 22 Tests at 20.74, the best among all teams. They also have the most five-wicket hauls (14). In wins, Bumrah has the best strike rate (30.4), best average (13.19) and best economy rate (2.59) among all bowlers since his debut. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2SEHP5T

By DAVE MONTGOMERY, RICK ROJAS, MITCH SMITH and ANEMONA HARTOCOLLIS

from Times of India https://ift.tt/2tlZbpO

Boy, 10, allegedly ordered to change snake T-shirt before flight No snakes allowed on thisss plane.

A minor fire broke out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Monday. A fire was reported at an electrical unit after which nine fire tenders were pressed into action. The fire was, however, doused by the security staffers. A precautionary check is being conducted. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2ZDU9Vn

Uddhav Thackeray expanded his over a month-old ministry by inducting 36 ministers, including his 29-year-old son Aaditya, while NCP leader Ajit Pawar was sworn in as deputy chief minister. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered oath to 14 ministers from NCP, 10 from Congress and 12 from Shiv Sena at Vidhan Bhavan (state legislature) premises in south Mumbai. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2tZBlUR

Restaurant finds receipt dating back to before World War 1 during renovations A receipt dating back to before World War One was found during restaurant renovations.

Biggest wedding fails of 2019: The hilarious moments these couples would rather forget Weddings are great when they go off without a hitch. But for some, that special day is packed with potholes.

Single mom drops over 150 pounds after dealing with brutal insults After suffering through cruel comments about her weight, a young mom decided to take action.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/2MVUr5d

Struggling Air India might be forced to shut down by June next year unless it finds a buyer as "piecemeal" arrangements cannot be sustained for long, according to a senior airline official. Amid continuing uncertainty over the fate of the national carrier, the official said there is also need for funds to restart operations of 12 grounded narrow-body planes. from Times of India https://ift.tt/36kxhx3

from Times of India https://ift.tt/359g4VV

The J&K administration on Monday released five political leaders who were under detention since August 5, when the Centre announced the abrogation of Article 370 provisions and bifurcation of the state. The leaders include Ishfaq Jabbar and Ghulam Nabi Bhat (NC), Bashir Mir (Congress) and Zahoor Mir and Yasir Reshi (PDP). Two leaders were earlier released in Nov. from Times of India https://ift.tt/36ccWK3

Stay here for real-time updates on breaking news from India and across the world that you can't miss from Times of India https://ift.tt/2tgdrnE

The govt has decided to give 5G spectrum for trials to all players, including Huawei. "We have taken a decision to give 5G spectrum for trials to all players," telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. An in-principle decision has been taken in this regard, he said at an event. "5G is future, it is speed. We will encourage new innovation in 5G," he added. from Times of India https://ift.tt/37fYkJI

In a jibe at the Uttar Pradesh chief minister days after he had said that those who had damaged public assets would be made to pay, Priyanka Gandhi said saffron denotes Hinduism, a religion that does not advocate violence or "revenge". from Times of India https://ift.tt/35aOnM8

NCP's Ajit Pawar took oath as a minister in Maharashtra government on Monday during the expansion of the cabinet. He will be the deputy chief minister. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray was formed on November 28. The state Cabinet currently has six ministers, besides the chief minister. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2ZCNlax

from Times of India https://ift.tt/2SAKa1F

After more than a month since taking charge as CM, Uddhav Thackeray will finally expand his cabinet today. Thackeray, who was sworn in on November 28, will induct 36 cabinet members, 13 each from Shiv Sena and NCP and 10 from Congress. from Times of India https://ift.tt/37lQVsi

The force, which provides her armed commandos under the 'Z+' category of security cover to her, said the Congress leader undertook "unscheduled" movement without intimation. Therefore, an advanced security liaison (ASL) could not be conducted, it said in a statement. "During travelling the protectee used non-bullet resistant civil vehicle without a personal security officer," the statement said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/359BQZB

PM Narendra Modi said that the CAA is meant to give refuge to the persecuted refugees and launched a social media campaign in support of it. Earlier, BJP had also launched a campaign to "bust myths" surrounding CAA. "#IndiaSupportsCAA because CAA is about giving citizenship to persecuted refugees & not about taking anyone’s citizenship away," the PM tweeted. from Times of India https://ift.tt/37hDrOr

PM Narendra Modi launches social media campaign in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act. Stay tuned to TOI for all latest updates from Times of India https://ift.tt/36awQVI

By EMILY COCHRANE

By MITCH SMITH

from Times of India https://ift.tt/39qdjCI?

India’s ambassador to Austria, Renu Pall, has been transferred back to Delhi amid allegations of financial irregularities against her. A 1988 batch IFS officer, Pall had not yet completed her tenure as ambassador in Vienna. Official sources here ruled out suggestions that she had been recalled abruptly, describing it as a case of transfer. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2Qu3HOT

By AIMEE ORTIZ and MIHIR ZAVERI

Taking on the Adityanath govt over handling of protests against the CAA, Cong leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said it has "crossed all limits of inhumanity" and claimed party worker Sadaf Zafar was arrested on "baseless" charges. Hitting back, UP deputy CM Maurya said that such 'nautanki' (theatrics) will not fetch votes for the Congress and what's left of the party will also be finished. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2F6DLDm

By EMILY S. RUEB and NIRAJ CHOKSHI

from Times of India https://ift.tt/2u1Htw2

Days after he hogged the limelight for being ill treated by few players during his playing days due to his Hindu religion, former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has now alleged that the national team welcomed those players in the side who "sold" their country. "There are people who have sold their country and who are still welcomed in the team. I never sold my country for money," Kaneria said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/39kJe7C

Amitabh Bachchan has been conferred with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke today and the actor received the honour from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The 77-year-old actor was conferred with the highest honour of the film industry for his outstanding contribution to cinema. The award comprises of a Golden Lotus and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh. Amitabh Bachchan had skipped this year's National Film Awards ceremony due to health issues. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2u3WPQN

Stay here for real-time updates on breaking news from India and across the world that you can't miss from Times of India https://ift.tt/2swm0L5

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) working president Hemant Soren was on Sunday sworn in as the 11th chief minister of Jharkhand. Governor Draupadi Murmu administered the oath of office and secrecy to Soren, in the presence of senior political leaders and chief ministers from across states. This will be the 44-year-old JMM leader's second stint as Jharkhand chief minister. from Times of India https://ift.tt/37ifAht

from Times of India https://ift.tt/3563kis

There’s a pall of gloom along Goa’s world-famous beach belt. Usually chock-a-block with tourists, vehicles, and its commercial stretches throbbing with life, a sharp decrease in tourism this year has seen stakeholders subdued. A “flop season” is how shack operators have already labelled it. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2QqAUdS

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren will take oath as the 11th CM of Jharkhand today at Morabadi Ground at 2 pm. Governor Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office to Soren while opposition leaders from across the political spectrum will grace the occasion. The event has been termed as "Sankalp diwas" of an era of new Jharkhand. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2SyIfdZ

Vishwesha Teertha Swami of the Pejawar Mutt passed away in Udupi on Sunday. He was 88. He was admitted to the Kasturba Hospital in Manipal for the treatment of pneumonia on December 20 and was shifted to the Pejawar Mutt in Udupi early on Sunday on ventilator after his health condition worsened on Saturday. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2skPsnz

The process of creation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is completely an "internal affair" of the Indian government and the cooperation between the border guarding forces of the two countries is very good, the chief of Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) said on Sunday. The BGB will continue to work to prevent illegal crossings into India, its director general Major General Shafeenul Islam said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2Q5bCmt

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) working president Hemant Soren is set to take oath as the 11th chief minister of Jharkhand on Sunday. Governor Draupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Soren at around 2pm in Ranchi, amid a galaxy of politicians and dignitaries, some of whom would be sharing the dais. This will be his second stint as Jharkhand chief minister. from Times of India https://ift.tt/37ggJ9i

Addressing his last 'Mann ki Baat' of 2019, the Prime Minister said the youth hate anarchy and disorder and dislike casteism and nepotism. "Our youth believe in the system and have an opinion, and question when system does not respond properly. I consider this to be a good thing. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2F4721A

PM Narendra Modi will address this year's final monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' today. The 60th edition of the programme will be broadcast on the entire network of AIR and Doordarshan and Narendra Modi App at 11 am. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2rDgd6f

By ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON

By THOMAS KAPLAN

By AIMEE ORTIZ

By CAROL ROSENBERG and WENDY MACNAUGHTON

Indian grapplers, boxers and shooters led from the front in the year 2019, achieving several firsts during the year. Ace shuttler PV Sindhu also had her date with history at the World Championships in Basel. TOI takes a look at the talking points of 2019. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2F3aKsk

A day after Delhi recorded season's lowest temperature at 1.4 degrees Celsius, temperatures have risen by 2-3 °C in the national capital on Sunday. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2QmuQ60

MC Mary Kom on Saturday sealed her spot for next year's Olympic qualifiers with a 9-1 verdict against flyweight (51kg) Nikhat Zareen, who had publicly demanded a trial for the race to Tokyo. Refusing to shake hands with Nikhat after the bout, she said, "Why should I? If she wants others to respect her, she should first respect others..." Nikhat reacted saying, "I expect seniors to respect us too. I felt hurt but that's okay..." from Times of India https://ift.tt/2Q5x3nB

By NICHOLAS BOGEL-BURROUGHS and NEIL VIGDOR

from Times of India https://ift.tt/2Qvpjub

from Times of India https://ift.tt/366CoAy

The frigid air barrelling through parts of north India plummeted temperatures to the season's lowest in several places Saturday, including Delhi where the mercury hit a low of 2.4 degrees Celsius, as dense fog reduced visibility and delayed air, rail and road traffic. The cold wave was not expected to relent until the New Year. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2MDwVtg

In the much hyped trial bout between MC Mary Kom and former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen for a spot in the next year's Olympic qualifiers, the 36-year-old and six-time world champion emerged on the top. Mary Kom convincingly won the bout 9-1 but remained combative after the match as well, refusing the customary handshake and also rebuffing an attempted hug from her younger rival. from Times of India https://ift.tt/366ypnx

from Times of India https://ift.tt/366f6uP

Why the holidays can be a perfect storm for the blues A double whammy of darkness and the availability of high-sugar food can make Christmas depressing for many, according to scientists.

Wild styles: The silliest fashion choices, retail items and clothing trends of 2019 A look back at the (very bizarre) year in style.

By JACK HEALY

Deviating from her scheduled plan, Congress general secretary Priyanak Gandhi Vadra dodged the Lucknow Police to meet the kin of SR Darapuri, former IPS and social activist, who has been arrested in connection with the violence that followed CAA-NRC protest in the state capital on December 19. Speaking to reporters after meeting the family, Priyanka said that she was "manhandled and strangulated" by UP cops while she was on her way to visit Darapuri's family. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2MwneNp

By JILL COWAN

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said Assam might return to the path of violence due to policies of the BJP governments at the Centre and the state. "The Assam Accord was the foundation of peace in Assam. Today I am sad, I fear that the state might return to its old path of violence due to BJP,” Gandhi said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/37kiX7Q

Amid all the reports of anti-CAA violence in UP and other parts of the country, there was a brief moment of sanity and humanity. Last Friday, during protests across UP, a Muslim cleric Haji Qadir after performing his prayers at a local mosque in Firozabad district, braved the angry stone-pelters and saved an injured police constable’s life. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2Q4pbCX

from Times of India https://ift.tt/356zQkG

By THOMAS KAPLAN

Attacking the government over the issue of the National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said these exercises will be more disastrous than the note ban in November 2016. "These will have twice the impact of demonetisation on people," he said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2QtOrkK

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By EDWARD WONG and CATIE EDMONDSON

By SHANE GOLDMACHER

By DAVE PHILIPPS

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By JULIAN E. BARNES and DAVID E. SANGER

The national capital on Saturday witnessed season's lowest temperature of 2.4 degree Celsius, reported news agency ANI quoting IMD. The temperature was recorded at 6.10 am. The city has been witnessing the longest December cold spell since 1997. A thick layer of fog has also engulfed the national capital. from Times of India https://ift.tt/369ZJla

Be it Russia getting banned from participating at the Olympics and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, to US women's soccer captain Megan Rapinoe having a go at President Donald Trump, there were several occasions when things kept coming to a boil in the year 2019. Racist chants reared their heads from time to time, not sparing the best of international athletes, mostly footballers. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2EYmhcD

Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday questioned the Centre over identification and deportation of illegal immigrants even as his party, Congress, strongly opposed the National Register of Citizens (NRC). from Times of India https://ift.tt/2Ss7Hlv

Woman has meltdown at theme park after getting tricked into riding Ferris wheel They don’t call it a thrill ride for nothin’.

Mumbai on Friday saw rallies for and against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Students and social activists held a protest against the Act and NRC at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, while a large number of people gathered for a pro-CAA rally at the historic August Kranti Maidan, where a massive protest against the Citizenship Act was held last week. from Times of India https://ift.tt/375QQJk

Danish Kaneria said there were a "few players" who targeted him for being a Hindu during his time with the national team but he never felt the pressure to change his religion. Kaneria, who is serving a life ban for spot-fixing, is in news after Shoaib Akhtar alleged that some Pakistani players refused to even share food with him due to his faith. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2MNGoi3

The news of actor Kushal Punjabi’s suicide has left his friends in the industry shocked from Times of India https://ift.tt/39jaAuM

from Times of India https://ift.tt/2QmiMC4

The services were restored in view of complete normalcy returning to Kargil, with no untoward incident taking place over the past four months, the officials said. They said local religious leaders have appealed to people not to misuse the facility. Broadband services were already functional in Kargil. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2My1MHG

Looking to consolidate its presence in the western Indian Ocean, where China continues to expand its presence, India this week appointed a defence attache for its mission in Madagascar, the island nation off the coast of East Africa. This followed MEA's decision earlier this month to bring the countries in the region under the Indian Ocean Region Division. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2QkxysN

Banned Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria on Thursday sought help from Prime Minister Imran Khan and cricket administrators, saying that his life is not in "good shape". from Times of India https://ift.tt/2Zu8qnv

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in recent days to voice their concern over the amended citizenship act even as the government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has tried to allay fears about the new law. Stay with TOI for latest updates from Times of India https://ift.tt/2taalBy

from Times of India https://ift.tt/39gBaoz