Latest news today (December 28): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.
British director, actor David Leland dies at 82
British director and actor David Leland, who rose to international fame with his directorial debut ‘Wish You Were Here’, has passed away at the age of 82, according to his long-time agency, news reports stated.
Pak commission accepts ex-PM Sharif’s nomination for Feb poll
Pakistan’s election commission on Thursday accepted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s nomination for the 2024 elections, weeks after a court overturned two graft convictions, ARY News reported. But Sharif still needs the removal of a life ban on holding any public office to qualify to stand, so it was not immediately clear how his nomination was accepted. A hearing on that ban will be held in January. (Reuters)
Maersk to send almost all ships via Suez
Denmark’s Maersk will sail almost all container vessels travelling between Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal from now on while diverting only a handful around Africa, a Reuters breakdown of the group’s schedule showed on Thursday. Major shipping companies, including container giants Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, stopped using Red Sea routes and the Suez Canal earlier this month after Yemen’s Houthi militant group began targeting vessels, disrupting global trade.
Big diplomatic win for Delhi, death sentences of 8 Indians in Qatar commuted
In a major diplomatic win for India, Qatar’s Court of Appeal commuted death sentences of eight former Indian Navy officers on Thursday. Latest reports say that apart from the family members of the former officials, the Indian Ambassador was present in the court while the verdict was being delivered. (Read More)
FirstCry’s parent to raise $218 mn in IPO
FirstCry parent on Thursday filed for an initial public offering to raise 18.16 billion rupees ($218 million), making it the first pure-play baby products and childcare retailer to go public in the country. FirstCry’s parent Brainbees Solutions will sell fresh shares in the IPO and so will other investors, including its biggest shareholder SoftBank, which held a 25.5% share in the company as of Dec. 27, draft IPO papers showed. (Reuters)
Xiaomi unveils first electric car, plans to become top automaker
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi took the wraps off its first electric vehicle on Thursday and promptly announced it was aiming to become one of world’s top five automakers. The sedan, dubbed the SU7, is a highly anticipated model that is expected to make the most of its shared operating system with the company’s popular phones. (Read More)
India records six Covid-19 deaths, 692 new cases in 24 hrs
India recorded 692 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. The total active caseload increased by four, reaching 4,097, according to Union Health Ministry data.
Four people killed in road accident in Ranchi
In a tragic accident four people were killed when a car hit an electric pole and overturned in Ranchi during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, police said.
DMDK’s ‘Captain’ Vijayakanth loses battle with Covid
DMDK founder-leader and actor Vijayakanth passed away in Chennai aged 71 after testing positive for Covid-19 on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the party informed through a post on its official X handle that Vijayakanth was admitted to a hospital and put on ventilator support after he complained of breathing problems.
Putin invites PM Modi to visit Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited PM Modi to visit Russia. He has also wished him luck for the 2024 Polls.
Death toll in the horrific Guna crash rises to 12
The death toll from the horrific road accident in Guna rose to 12 on Thursday while 14 injured persons were under treatment at the district hospital.
134 flights delayed, 22 trains running late as dense fog grips Delhi
A dense layer of fog engulfed the national capital as cold wave gripped the city, leading to train and flight delays in Delhi, causing inconvenience to passengers on Thursday.
One lakh tourists expected in Shimla for New Year: Police
Nearly 1.5 lakh tourists have visited Shimla on Christmas and around 80,000 to one lakh tourists are expected for New Year celebrations, a senior police officer said.
Complaint against Ranbir Kapoor for allegedly hurting religious sentiments over viral video
A complaint has been filed against Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor in the Ghatkopar Police Station for allegedly hurting religious sentiments over a viral video while celebrating Christmas. However, the police have not yet registered any FIR in the matter.
US announces final USD 250 million military aid package for Ukraine
The US State Department has announced a military aid package worth USD 250 million, the final such package that the United States will provide to Ukraine until Congress approves the Joe Biden administration’s funding requests, news reports said.