1. NIA to visit Upper Dhangri village in J-K’s Rajouri where 5 killed in terror attacks since Sun
2. Bomb found near Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s house in Chandigarh
3. Coronavirus live updates: XBB.1.5 tally up to 5, says Insacog; patients show mild symptoms
4. PM Modi to inaugurate 108th Indian Science Congress today
5. Supreme Court upholds legality of 2016 demonetization, by 4:1

What Else

6. ‘Terror epicentre located close to India’: Jaishankar’s veiled attack on Pak in Vienna
7. UP Madrasas to introduce NCERT syllabus from this year
8. BSF nabbed 22 Pakistani fishermen, seized 79 boats in Gujarat’s Bhuj sector in 2022
9. Serbian president thanks Russia for political support amid rising tensions in Kosovo
10. Vanlalhuma concurrently accredited as next ambassador to Ecuador
11. Pakistan won’t let anyone ‘facilitate, shelter terrorists’
12. Afghanistan’s soil is being used against Pakistan, says Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
13. Pakistan: Police constable killed in terror attack on Lakki Marwat checkpost
14. Gwadar protest leader booked on murder charge
15. People of Gilgit and Skardu are protesting on the streets
16. Nepal PM Prachanda set to face vote of confidence on January 10
17. ‘Xi Jinping quite clear, China preparing for war’: Retired US general
18. China’s factory activity shrank in Dec as Covid-19 ‘continued to take a toll on the economy’

NIA to visit Upper Dhangri village in J-K’s Rajouri where 5 killed in terror attacks since Sun

• The National Investigation Agency is likely to visit Dangri village in J&K’s Rajouri district where 6 people (a child), were killed and 30 were injured in 2 separate terrorist attacks since Sun evening and Mon Morning.
• Source- a team led by a senior NIA official may visit the spot any time Tue following a new modus operandi adopted by the NIA to visit the places
• The team will be sent from NIA’s Jammu branch, which will note down details of the incidents along with the sleuths of J&K police to keep a tab on the methods.
• The civilians in 2 terror attacks—1^st occurred on Sun evening and the 2^nd one on Mon– in the same village, Dhangri, of Rajouri district.
• ADGP Mukesh Singh cautioned people as another suspected IED was spotted in the area near Upper Dhangri village, which is about 8 km from Rajouri town. (here)

Bomb found near Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s house in Chandigarh

• A live bombshell was found near Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Chandigarh on Mon, an informed Disaster Management official.
• A bomb disposal squad was immediately dispatched to the spot from a helipad used by the Punjab Chief Minister.
• Further investigation is underway. (here)

Coronavirus live updates: XBB.1.5 tally up to 5, says Insacog; patients show mild symptoms

• India has recorded 173 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have declined to 2,670, according to Union health ministry data updated on Mon.
• The death toll stands at 5,30,707 with two fresh fatalities.
• The national recovery rate has increased to 98.80%.
• Meanwhile, US, UK, France, Australia, and Canada joined a growing list of countries requiring travelers from China to take a Covid-19 test before boarding their flight. (here)
• Chinese cities pass Covid peak, but rural surge still to come, researchers say.
• China can expect repeat Covid infections with new strains on the way, say experts

PM Modi to inaugurate 108th Indian Science Congress today

• PM Modi will inaugurate and witness the entire inaugural session of the 108^th Indian Science Congress through video conferencing on Tue at 9.30 am.
• The event is being hosted by Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) at its Amravati Road Campus, Maharashtra said a press release on Mon.
• Among the top dignitaries who will grace the inaugural session are the Governor, Nitin Gadkari, Min of Transport, Union Minister of State (I/C) for S&T, and CM.
• The theme of the event this year is “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women’s Empowerment.” (here)

Supreme Court upholds legality of 2016 demonetization, by 4:1

• India’s Supreme Court’s 5 judges constitutional bench on Mon upheld the legality of the 2016 govt decision to outlaw 86% of the country’s cash in circulation.
• In Nov 2016, PM Modi personally led the shock move to outlaw 86% of the cash in circulation to target undeclared “black money” and fight corruption.
• The petitioners included lawyers, a political party, cooperative banks, and individuals, all of whom challenged the decision in court. (here)
• MP and Gen Secy (Comm) Congress, Jairam Ramesh said that the SC’s verdict on demonetization has not specified whether the stated goals of this ‘disastrous’ decision were met or not. (here)

‘Terror epicentre located close to India’: Jaishankar’s veiled attack on Pak in Vienna

• In a veiled attack on Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Mon said the epicenter of terrorism is located close to India.
• Speaking at a joint press briefing with Austrian FM Alexander Schallenberg, Jaishankar said he spoke with Austrian leaders about threats of terrorism.
• On the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Jaishankar said India is “deeply concerned” about the situation in Ukraine.
• Jaishankar embarked on a 2-nation visit to Cyprus and Austria on Dec 29, which will conclude today.
• In the joint press briefing with Schallenberg, Jaishankar further said India considers Austria a “serious and consequential partner” when it comes to bilateral cooperation.
• On the agreements between India and Austria, Jaishankar said, “We have concluded several agreements.”
• The significant one is the initializing of the Comprehensive Migration & Mobility Partnership Agreement (here)
• Besides, Schallenberg, he also met Jan Lipavsky, the Czech Republic, and Rastislav Kacer, Slovak Republic on Mon in the Slavkov format and said that it was very useful.
• The Slavkov format, also known as “Slavkov Trilateral” is a loose cooperation between the Central European countries Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria.

UP Madrasas to introduce NCERT syllabus from this year

• Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasas has started preparations to provide modern education along with religious instruction, said Madrasa Education Council Chairman on Mon.
• He said, “Modern education will be given along with religious education.”
• “Now Madrasa children will be able to study Computers, Maths, and Science.”
• The new syllabus for Madrasas will be released in March. (here)

BSF nabbed 22 Pakistani fishermen, seized 79 boats in Gujarat’s Bhuj sector in 2022

• The Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended 22 Pakistani fishermen and seized 79 fishing boats in the most inhospitable, marshy, and tough terrain in 2022.
• Pointing the achievements of Gujarat BSF, a statement issued by the force, mentioned: “BSF Gujarat is further strengthening its hold along Sir Creek and Harami Nalla”.
• The BSF, which guards the 7,419 km India-Pakistan border, also informed that 50 kg of Heroin (Rs 250 cr) and 61 kg of Charas (Rs 2.49 cr) were also recovered.
• The statement also credited BSF Gujarat, for being responsible for securing the 826 km long Indo-Pak IB from Barmer in Rajasthan to Rann of Kutch and Creek area.
• Besides, 22 Indians, 4 Pakistanis, 2 Bangladeshi, 2 Canadians, and 1 Rohingya were also arrested for their alleged involvement in various illegal transborder activities. (here)
• India constructing ‘permanent vertical bunkers’ for BSF troops at Gujarat creek: The govt of India is building “permanent vertical bunkers” at the strategic location of Sir Creek and ‘Harami Nalla’ marshy. 
• A Rs 50-crore fund has been approved by the Union Home Ministry for building the 8 multi-storeyed bunkers cum observation posts (here)

Serbian president thanks Russia for political support amid rising tensions in Kosovo

• Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic thanked Russia, China, and India for their political support on the Kosovo and Metohija issue amid rising tensions in the region.
• “I will say thank you to Russia countless times for the support it provides to us,” he said in an interview ahead of a meeting with the residents of Kosovo and Metohija.
• “I thank China and I thank India. I am grateful to them all,” he added. (here)

Vanlalhuma concurrently accredited as next ambassador to Ecuador

Vanlalhuma has been named as the next Indian ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador, on a concurrent basis, the Ministry of External Affairs informed on Mon, adding that the new envoy will be based in Bogota as the ambassador to Colombia. (here)

Phuket-bound IndiGo flight returns to Delhi due to technical glitch

An IndiGo flight returned to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, soon after taking off for Phuket in Thailand due to a technical glitch on Tue, according to an official. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan won’t let anyone ‘facilitate, shelter terrorists’

• The National Security Committee, led by PM Sharif, decided that no country will be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation to terrorists, and it reserves all rights to safeguard its people.
• The resolves come during the 40^th meeting of the NSC held in Islamabad, according to an official statement issued by the PMO on Mon.
• On Fri, the NSC vowed to respond firmly to resurgent terrorism in the country and declared militants as “enemies of Pakistan”.
• The law and order situation in the country has worsened over the past few months.
• Terrorist groups, including the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, executed terror attacks across the country.
• The committee was also apprised of the security situation of the country with a particular focus on recent terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
• PM emphasized that the war against terrorism will be led by federal and provincial govts as per National Action Plan by National Internal Security Policy (NISP) (here)

Afghanistan’s soil is being used against Pakistan despite an agreement with the Afghan govt, said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

• The Afghan govt promised Islamabad that their territory wouldn’t be used against Pakistan, the minister said on Mon.
• “The Pakistani govt is in constant touch with Afghanistan in connection with border violations.”
• Asif said that Gen (R) Bajwa and Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed briefed the National Assembly about the background of the Pak-Afghan negotiations and their subsequent advances.
• However, it did not produce any positive results, he said. (here)
• Afghan Taliban leader and first dy PM Ahmad Yasir mocks Pakistan with a picture of East Pakistan’s surrender to India and issues a warning to Pak to stay away from Afghanistan to avoid disgrace.
• The tweet added, “This is Afghanistan, graveyard of proud empire”.

Pakistan: Police constable killed in terror attack on Lakki Marwat checkpost

• A police checkpost in Shahbazkhel town, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was attacked by terrorists, resulting in the death of a police constable and a terrorist on Mon.
• In the ensuing gunfight with the police personnel on Sun, one police personnel was killed while a civilian was also killed.
• The terrorists attempted to destroy the police checkpoint by striking it with hand grenades and rocket launchers.
• It is added that the police personnel engaged the terrorists and killed 1 of the insurgents during the gunfight.
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan remained under the grip of criminal activities as Pakistan suffered close to 376 terror attacks the last year, report CRSS, on Sun. (here)

Gwadar protest leader booked on murder charge

• Police in the port city of Gwadar registered an FIR against Haq Do Tehreek leader Maulana Hidayatur Rehman on charges of murder, murder attempt, etc on Mon.
• However, the police officer said, the Maulana has not been arrested so far as he had disappeared from Gwadar.
• The police constable was killed in the firing of a mob during violent protests in Gwadar.
• In a related development, the local administration on Mon released a local journalist who was arrested along with 15 other people, under section 3 of 16 MPO.
• The journalist who worked for a Karachi-based Urdu daily was eventually released after the Balochistan Union of Journalists and local journalists protested against his arrest.
• However, the 15 others have yet to be freed. (here)
• Rahman has said in his video message that on Mon, our people of Gwadar and Kech are going through hard times.
• The tyrant and oppressive system has used the worst kind of cruelty on our mothers, sisters, brothers, and fishermen.
• Hundreds of our workers and office bearers are put into jails. Our cars were burnt and our motorcycles were confiscated. They entered our houses and stole the jewelry.
• People know who had tried to crush this peaceful campaign by force. We were peaceful in the past and we will remain peaceful. (Intekhab Daily)

People of Gilgit and Skardu are protesting on the streets

• People in huge numbers against load shedding, wheat crisis, and land grab by the Army.
• There would be a complete shutter down strike in Skardu from 2 pm onwards daily.
• The Awami Action Committee is convening the protest against the Revenue Act, Khalsa Sarkar Lands, Electricity, and Wheat Crises.
• AAC is getting support from all sides and sections. (Baad-e-Shimal, Daily K2)

[This is not reported anywhere in the English media of Pakistan.]

Nepal PM Prachanda set to face vote of confidence on January 10

• 15 days after the formation of the government, Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) is set to face a vote of confidence on Jan 10.
• He was appointed as PM for the 3^rd time on Dec 26, 2022, Dahal on Mon requested the parliament secretariat to include in the agenda a floor test on the 2^nd Tue of this month.
• A constitutional requirement states that the PM must submit a vote of confidence within one month after taking the oath of office.
• Dahal, also known by his nom de guerre Prachanda, was appointed PM after he secured the support of 169 members of the Parliament to form the new govt.
• He served as Prime Minister of Nepal from 2008 to 2009 and again from 2016 to 2017.
• Prachanda and Oli have struck an agreement to govern the country on a rotational basis, with Oli agreeing to make Prachanda PM first as per the latter’s demand.
• Ironically, in 2021, it was after the Prachanda and Oli split that Sher Bahadur Deuba came to power in Kathmandu, with support from Prachanda. (here)

‘Xi Jinping quite clear, China preparing for war’: Retired US general

• China is preparing its military for war over Taiwan, retired US army Lt Gen and NSA, asserted as relations between China and Taiwan continue to become increasingly tense.
• While Taiwan considers itself independent of China, Beijing has claimed it as its own and views control of the island as essential.
• He said that he believes that China might be preparing for military action to take control of Taiwan during a talk on CBS News’s Face the Nation.
• The retired Lt Gen said that China’s president Xi Jinping has made plans to control Taiwan many times.
• “Xi Jinping has made it quite clear, in his statements, that he is going to make, from his perspective, China whole again by subsuming Taiwan,” HR McMaster said.
• “And preparations are underway,” he added.
• He said, “China has become increasingly aggressive, not only from an economic and financial perspective and a wolf warrior diplomacy perspective but with its military”,
• Adding, “And what’s really disturbing is, I think, Xi Jinping is preparing the Chinese people for war.” (here)

China’s factory activity shrank in Dec as Covid-19 ‘continued to take a toll on the economy’

• China’s factory activity shrank at a sharper pace in Dec as surging Covid infections disrupted production and weighed on demand after Beijing largely removed antivirus curbs, a private sector survey showed on Tue.
• The Caixin/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 49 in Dec from 49.4 in Nov.
• The index has stayed below the 50-point that separates growth from contraction for 5 straight months.
• The reading was the lowest since Sept but beat analysts’ forecast of 48.8 in a Reuters poll.
• China’s larger official PMI survey on Sat showed a much sharper decline, with the activity index falling to a near 3-year low.
• The Caixin survey is believed to focus on smaller, export-oriented firms. (here)