Foot-tapping music
Amid soulful classical renditions and foot-tapping numbers rending the air, the Beating Retreat ceremony was held in New Delhi on Monday, which marks the culmination of Republic Day celebrations. The ceremony this year at Vijay Chowk saw several military bands, pipes and drums bands from regimental centres and battalions enthralling the crowd, with a clear sky and relatively warm weather adding to the cheerful atmosphere.
Egypt’s Sisi set for new term
A supporter holds a poster showing President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in front of the National Elections Authority in Cairo, Egypt on Monday.
Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi looks set to romp to victory in a March presidential election fast becoming a referendum on his first four-year term, despite a last-minute candidate entering the fray on Monday. The former Army chief who toppled his Islamist predecessor in 2013 won 96.9% of the vote in an election the following year, and is setting the stage for a similar performance.
Indonesia's president in Kabul
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, right, shakes hands with Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, left, during a press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani welcomed his counterpart from Indonesia, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who arrived in Kabul on Monday for an official visit to Afghanistan. Ghani thanked the Indonesian leader for his visit and the condolences that Mr. Widodo expressed for the victims of the attack in Kabul earlier in the day when Islamic State militants attacked Afghan soldiers guarding a military academy, killing at least 11 troops and wounding 16.
DMK protests bus fare hike in Tamil Nadu
DMK working president MK Stalin leads a rally along with Congress leader Peter Alphonse and alliance partners to demand a full rollback of the recent bus fare hike, at Agaram in Chennai on January 29, 2018
The DMK-led opposition in Tamil on Monday held protests across the State to demand a full rollback of the recent bus fare hike, with police detaining DMK’s MK Stalin and MDMK’s Vaiko for blocking roads in Chennai. Those that participated in the protests included the Congress, the Left parties, DMDK and VCK.
Arvind Subramanian on Economic Survey 2018
CEA Arvind Subramaniam addressing the press conference.
The annual Economic Survey has been tabled in both Houses of the Parliament. The Economic Survey has relied upon analysis of the new data to highlight 10 new economic facts:
- Large increase in registered indirect and direct taxes
- Formal non-agricultural payroll much greater than believed
- States' prosperity is positively correlated with their international and inter-State trade
- India's firm export structure is egalitarian
- Clothing incentive package boosted exports of readymade garments
- Indian parents' preference for sons
- Substantial avoidable litigation in tax arena which government action could reduce
- To re-ignite growth, raising investment is more important than raising saving
- Direct tax collections by States and local governments are significantly lower than those of their counterparts in other federal countries
- Extreme weather adversely impacts agricultural yields.
Australia in Under-19 World Cup final
Afghanistan's captain Naveen-ul-Haq (L) reacts to a dropped catch as Australia's Jack Edwards looks on during the U-19 semi-final cricket World Cup match between Australia and Afghanistan at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on January 29, 2018
Afghanistan's dream of entering their first Under-19 World Cup final crashed after they were comprehensively beaten by Australia in the semi-final at Christchurch. Afghanistan were bowled out for 181 but the Australians chased it down easily to win by six wickets. Australia will meet either India or Pakistan in the final.
AAP Protest
AAP MPs staging a protest against the Central government's decision to open up FDI in single brand retail and sealing of commercial establishments.
The Gandhi statute in the Parliament premises is synonymous with protests. Parliamentarians choose this place at the entrance to register their protests on various issues. Today, this place was occupied by the AAP MPs who expressed their displeasure over government's FDI policy.
Cities wake up amid fog
Heavy fog engulfed in Delhi-NCR region.
Temperatures dipped in many cities including the National Capital. A thick layer of fog engulfed Delhi affected road and rail services.
Foggy morning at Nagole in Hyderabad.
Night temperatures remained below normal in several parts of northern India.
Nilgiris Mountain train services hit
A tree fall has damaged the railway track at Lovedale.
The tree fell off near the police station, due to which traffic was closed between Ooty and Manjoor for the past five hours.
The famed Nilgiris Mountain train services too suffered as the branches of the fallen tree covered the railway tracks as well. Efforts are on to restore normalcy.
White rose at Grammys
Miley Cyrus holds a white rose as she arrives at the 60th annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden.
Even the most outrageous outfits of feathers, sequins or lace included a simple white rose at the Grammy Awards show's red carpet on Sunday as the glitterati of the music world showed support for women's equality and freedom from sexual harassment.
The roses - worn or held by both sexes on the red carpet outside New York's Madison Square Garden - were a sign of solidarity with the Time's Up movement, spreading from Hollywood to the music industry.
Federer’s selfie with trophy
Australian Open men's single's champion Roger Federer of Switzerland takes a selfie with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.
At the age of 36 years, 173 days, Federer became the second-oldest man to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open era after Ken Rosewall, who won the 1972 Australian Open at 37. He is the only person to win 20 Grand Slam titles. If this doesn’t deserve a selfie, what else would?
“Getting number six here and number 20 overall, it's just a very special moment,” said a tearful Federer at the presentation ceremony.
Another term for Niinisto
The independent presidential candidate Sauli Niinisto at his election reception in Helsinki.
Finns have re-elected their popular and pragmatic president Sauli Niinisto, who is credited for maintaining a balanced relationship with the nation’s powerful neighbour Russia at a time of simmering relations between Moscow the West.
The politician who campaigned as an independent, has skilfully shifted the EU member state closer to NATO without antagonising Russia, with whom the Nordic nation shares the longest border in the bloc.
