Latest news today (January 12): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.

Number of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 cases crosses 1,000 mark in India

The number of cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 has crossed the 1,000 mark with Uttar Pradesh becoming the latest entrant to the list of states and Union territories that have detected its presence so far, according to INSACOG.
Data compiled by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) showed that Karnataka has reported the highest number of 214 cases among the 16 states and UTs, followed by Andhra Pradesh (189), Maharashtra (170), Kerala (154), Goa (90), Tamil Nadu (88) and Gujarat (76). (PTI)

Clothes worth Rs 2.38 crore looted from truck in Udaipur, 2 arrested

Two men were arrested for allegedly robbing clothing destined for export, valued at Rs 2.38 crore, from a truck near Khandi Oberi Toll Plaza in Udaipur. The Rajasthan Police apprehended the accused, Ashok Meena and Vikesh Meena, who had fled after the incident. Udaipur Superintendent of Police Bhuvan Bhushan Yadav confirmed the recovery of the stolen goods and the motorcycle used in the robbery.

Israel calls on World Court to reject demands for end of Gaza offensive

Israel on Friday called on the International Court of Justice to reject the demands of South Africa for an immediate end to its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. “The application and request should be rejected for what they are – a libel,” Israel’s foreign ministry legal adviser, Tal Becker, told the ICJ on the second day of hearings on a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of “genocidal acts” in its offensive against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza. (REUTERS)

India successfully conducts flight-test of new-generation AKASH missile

India on Friday conducted a successful flight test of the new generation AKASH missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha, officials said. The flight test was conducted by DRDO against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude. During the flight test, the target was successfully intercepted by the weapon system and destroyed, they said.

At 3.9 degree Celsius, Delhi records lowest temperature this season

Delhi recorded its lowest temperature of the season on Friday with Safdarjung, the city’s official weather observatory posting a minimum temperature of 3.9 degrees Celsius. A dense surface level fog was also seen enveloping the city this morning, which plunged visibility to zero. According to Meteorological Department data, the mercury dipped three degrees below normal.A cold wave is when the minimum dips to around 2 degree Celsius.

PM Modi to inaugurate youth festival in Nashik

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik and unveil development projects exceeding Rs 30,500 crore in Maharashtra. Emphasizing urban transport enhancement, he will launch the Mumbai Trans-harbour link, now named ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu’, constructed at a cost of Rs 17,840 crore.

PM Modi to observe fast for 11 days ahead of pran-pratishtha of Ayodhya Ram

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he will commence a special 11 day ‘anushthan’ (ritual) from today till January 22, the day of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the new idol of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. In an audio message, PM Modi said he was fortunate to be a witness to what he described as a “historic” and “auspicious” occasion. (ANI)