Lajar Masih, a BKI terrorist arrested for planning blasts at Mahakumbh, revealed his involvement with Pakistan's ISI and drug trade operations. Radicalized via social media, Masih smuggled arms into India using drones and attacked police outposts in Punjab. His connections include terrorists in Germany, the US, and Qatar, as well as a local drug mafia.
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The United States' ATA report identifies China and India as key suppliers of precursor chemicals for illicit fentanyl. China remains the primary source, with India following. Diplomatic tensions rise as the U.S. imposes tariffs on Chinese imports, citing Beijing's failure to regulate shipments contributing to the fentanyl crisis.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that his presidential plane will be used to repatriate Colombian migrants deported from the US. This decision followed US President Donald Trump's imposition of a 25% tariff on Colombian goods and strict sanctions, which compelled Petro to comply. In retaliation, Petro introduced tariffs on US imports, escalating tension between the two nations.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami outlines measures against illegal madrassas, traffic management for the Doon-Delhi expressway, and job creation to curb migration. He highlights the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code and successful hosting of the National Games as key achievements. Disaster response and Char Dham yatra planning are also detailed.
The Parliamentary Budget session will begin on January 31 and run until April 4, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting the Union Budget 2025. President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of both houses on January 31. This marks Sitharaman's eighth budget, surpassing Morarji Desai's record.
Socialite Shalini Passi has been summoned by the Meerut unit of Directorate General of GST Intelligence in a case of alleged GST evasion linked to Pasco Motors LLP. Allegations involve split invoicing to apply different GST rates. Her lawyer denies the accusations, which have been challenged in court. Further investigation and compliance are awaited.
The Supreme Court will hear Asaduddin Owaisi's plea on February 17, which calls for the enforcement of the 1991 Places of Worship Act. This act maintains religious site status as of August 15, 1947. Owaisi's petition followed a Supreme Court directive pausing any new or ongoing litigation aimed at reclaiming religious places until a final decision.
A study by IIT-Kharagpur highlights the financial challenges faced by Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) in 100 smart cities due to inadequate funding from states and municipalities. The report recommends revenue sharing, monetisation of infrastructure, and capacity building to support ICCCs' sustainable operation and maintenance.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta allocated portfolios to her ministers after her first cabinet meeting, retaining finance, revenue, and women and child development. Key ministers include Parvesh Verma handling public works and water resources, and Ashish Sood responsible for home, education, and urban development.
Following President Bashar al-Assad's ouster and the rebel takeover of Damascus, Syria's constitution and parliament will be suspended for three months. A new "Salvation Government" has appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as interim prime minister. A committee will review and amend the constitution during this transition, with a focus on upholding the rule of law and existing freedoms.
Brown-Forman CEO Lawson Whiting criticises Canadian provinces for removing US alcohol from store shelves in response to Trump's tariffs, calling the retaliation disproportionate and worse than a tariff. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario's decision to halt US alcohol sales nearly impacts a billion dollars annually.