January 1: Top headlines at 1 pm

Developing news

Istanbul nightclub attack kills 39, including 16 foreigners, says Turkey’s interior minister.

Akhilesh Yadav is SP’s National President

Though Mulayam Singh has declared the emergency session of Samajwadi Party’s National convention called by Ramgopal Yadav unconstitutional, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav was unanimously elected SP national president at the convention. The convention also removed Shivpal Singh Yadav from the post of Uttar Pradesh state unit president and expelled Amar Singh from the party. Neither Mulayam Singh Yadav nor his brother Shivpal Yadav attended the convention.

The convention proposed that Mulayam Singh Yadav be considered as supreme leader of the party and ‘marg darshak’, from whom the top brass would take guidance. Akhilesh Yadav said “If Netaji had asked me to step down from the post of state president then I would have done so. If there is a conspiracy against Netaji or the party then it will be my responsibility as son to stand against conspirators.”

Jan Dhan account holders withdrew ₹3,285 crores in last fortnight

Jan Dhan accounts witnessed net withdrawal of ₹3,285 crore in the last fortnight, after a huge surge in deposits post demonetisation in November. Total deposits increased to a record high of ₹74,610 crore for the week ended December 7 and thereafter, it started gradual decline to close at ₹71,037 crore on December 28, two days ahead of the close of demonetisation exercise, according to Finance Ministry data. This was despite the fact that the monthly upper withdrawal limit was fixed at ₹10,000 per month from November 30 to check misuse of Jan Dhan accounts. The upper limit for deposits in Jan Dhan account is ₹50,000. As of November 9, the balance in about 25.5 crore such accounts was ₹45,636.61 crore. Interestingly, the percentage of zero balance account still remains flat at about 24.13% despite surge in deposits.

Bundi villagers barter wheat with groceries to beat currency blues

Cash-starved farmers in villages of Bundi, Rajasthan—where ATM and bank branches are hard to find—have resorted to the barter system, exchanging wheat and pulses with other commodities. Wheat is currently being sold for Rs 21 to 24 per kg but the locals in villages are forced to purchase commodities weighing equal to wheat, thus running into losses. Even as the Prime minister has been stressing on digital and cashless transactions, the villagers, most of whom don't k now the meaning of these words feel 'Acche Din to nahi lwkin purane din laut aaye hai' (Not the good days but the old days have returned).

2016: 122 journalists killed globally, 5 in India

As many as 122 journalists and media professionals were killed in 2016 globally, 93 of them in targeted killings and others in natural disasters and accidents, while India witnessed death of five scribes and was eighth on a list topped by Iraq, according to a new report. The targeted killings, including murders, bomb attacks and crossfire incidents, span 23 countries in Africa, Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East and Arab World regions, said International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in its annual report released Friday. Although the 2016 figures for targeted killings of media professionals are down from the previous year's, the IFJ has cautioned against complacency citing reports of rising threats, intimidation and self-censorship as evidence that attacks on freedom of expression remain at critical levels.

In India, Tarun Mishra, Bureau Chief of Jan Sandesh Times, died on 14 February; Indradev Yadav, Journalist with Taaza TV, on 16 May; Rajdeo Ranjan, Bureau Chief of Dainik Hindustan on 13 May; Kishore Dave, Bureau Chief of Jai Hind on 22 August and Dharmendra Singh, Correspondent of Dainik Bhaskar on 12 November, the report noted.

Three arrested with fake notes in Bharatpur

Three men have been arrested with fake currency notes worth ₹5,300 in denominations of ₹50 and new notes of ₹500 in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, police said today. The accused were trying to purchase items in shops in Pahadi area with fake notes of ₹500. One of the shopkeepers informed the police, following which the accused were held, they said. 10 fake notes of ₹500 and six notes of ₹50 were recovered from the accused, identified as Mohammad Naushad, Noor Mohammad and Iqbal. "They brought the fake notes from Delhi," assistant sub-inspector of Pahadi police station Dharmpal said, adding, that they have been arrested under relevant sections of IPC.