India

Jaipur, Jan 16 (PTI) Markets in Rajasthan remained closed on Sunday due to the curfew imposed by the state government in view of containing the spread of COVID-19.

However, stores selling milk, vegetables, perishable food items, dairy products and emergency services were exempted.

In the wake of a surge in COVID-

NEW DELHI, Jan 15 (NNN-PTI) – India’s overall exports in Dec, 2021, stood at 57.87 billion U.S. dollars, up by 25.05 percent year on year, data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, yesterday, showed.

Overall imports in Dec, 2021, stood at 72.35 billion dollars, compared to 54.05 billion dollars in Dec, 2020, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

Jan 15 (Reuters) - Following are reactions to India's Virat Kohli stepping down as the captain of the test team after seven years on Saturday.

INDIAN CRICKET BOARD (BCCI)

"BCCI congratulates #TeamIndia captain @imVkohli for his admirable leadership qualities that took the test team to unprecedented heights. He led India in 68 matches and has been the most successful captain with 40 wins."

BCCI SECRETARY JAY SHAH

New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI) India registered 2,68,833 new Covid infections in a day taking the tally to 36,850,962, which includes 6,041 Omicron variant cases, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Saturday.

With 402 more deaths, the number of people who have succumbed to the viral disease has risen to 485,752. The case fatality rate was 1.32 per cent.

A total of 6,041 Omicron cases has been detected so far, an increase of 5.01 per cent since Friday, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Srinagar, Jan 14 (PTI) National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of targeting the Gujjar and Bakarwal tribals at the behest of its political masters.

The former chief minister's remarks came after the houses belonging to the community were demolished by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) as part of its anti-encroachment drive recently.

Mathura, Jan 14 (PTI) Apprehending unlawful activities in the district, prohibitory orders under Section 144 were promulgated here with immediate effect, top district authorities on Friday said.

Prohibitory orders will remain in force till March 12, Navneet Singh Chahal, District Magistrate Mathura said.

He said the orders have been imposed under apprehension of unlawful activities during festivals of different communities and few competitive examinations scheduled to take place.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 15 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday left for the United States of America for a two-week long medical treatment.

The CM is accompanied by his wife and personal assistant.

The Chief Minister did not hand over charge to anyone in the ministry. According to CMO sources, Vijayan will continue to discharge his official duties online.

He will return to the state on January 29.

In 2018, he had undergone treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, US.

New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI) The Indian Army's message is clear that it will not let any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo along the country's borders succeed, Army Chief Gen M M Naravane said on Saturday.

In an address at the Army Day Parade here, he said last year was extremely challenging for the Army and cited the developments on the northern borders with China.

Patna, Jan 13 (PTI) Bihar BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal on Thursday lodged an FIR against Sahitya Akademi Award winner Daya Prasad Sinha who is in the eye of a storm over controversial remarks about Emperor Asoka.

Jaiswal lodged the FIR at Kotwali police station here.

He was accompanied by a number of senior party functionaries.

New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) Three ships of the Russian Navy have arrived on a two-day goodwill visit to Kochi, the Indian Navy said on Thursday.

"During the visit, various professional interactions are planned between the Russian Navy and Indian Navy," the statement said.

The three Russian ships -- missile cruiser Varyag, destroyer Admiral Tribuz and tanker Boris Butoma -- will be departing Kochi on Friday, it mentioned.