Alleging that his arrest in Dominica for illegal entry was "dictated" by representatives of the Indian government, absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi has filed a case in the high court of Roseau, seeking to quash the proceedings against him, local media there reported. The case was filed against the immigration minister of the Caribbean nation, its police chief and the investigating officer of the case.
India recorded 43,733 new cases of the novel coronavirus, along with 930 deaths due to the infection in the past 24 hours. According to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday, the country saw a total of 47,240 discharges in the last 24 hours, taking the total recovery to 2,97,99,534. The total cases of COVID-19 in India have now mounted to 3,06,63,665 with 4,59,920 active cases, the data showed. The total death toll in the country is now at 4,04,211. 
Dilip Kumar, India’s enduring film legend through the decades, died at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday after prolonged illness, his family and doctors treating him said. He was 98. The actor, known to generations of film-goers as ‘tragedy king’ for his portrayal of the brooding, intense romantic in classics such as “Mughal-e-Azam” and “Devdas”, had been admitted to the Hinduja Hospital, a non-COVID-19 facility in Khar, since last Tuesday. “He passed away due to prolonged illness at 7.30 am,” Dr Jalil Parkar, who had been treating Kumar said. 
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday said Articles 370 and 35A -- which were revoked by the Centre in August 2019 -- gave only separatism, terrorism, nepotism and large scale corruption to the erstwhile state.
Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said that activist Stan Swamy's bail pleas were rejected due to the nature of the charges against him. In response to media queries on the demise of the Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy, the official spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi said, "We have seen reports on the demise of Fr Stan Swamy. He was arrested and detained by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) following due process under the law. Because of the specific nature of charges against him, his bail applications were rejected by the courts. Authorities in India act against violations of law and not against legitimate exercise of rights. All such actions are strictly in accordance with the law".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to effect the first reshuffle in his Council of Ministers on Wednesday since he assumed the charge for a second term in May 2019. The latest exercise is tipped to be a 'major shake-up' of the government as the Prime Minister looks to make it more representative with an eye on political and governance challenges. The states which will go to the assembly polls early next year, including the all-important Uttar Pradesh, may figure high. West Bengal may also see its representation in the Union Council of Ministers go up, the sources said. It is believed that the BJP's allies like JD(U) and Apna Dal can also get representation. The Union Cabinet can have 81 members. At present, there are 53 ministers. There is a scope for adding 28 new faces. 
Kerala has decided to impose more regulations based on Test Positivity Rate (TPR) and at the same time allow relaxation where TPR is low from Wednesday. A Covid-19 review meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday decided to impose restrictions based on local bodies on the basis of TPR.Republic Day 2024 : As India's 75th Republic Day Parade kicked off in the national capital, a 30-member band contingent and a marching c...
