National News

Union minister Kiren Rijiju presented an embroidered chaddar on behalf of PM Narendra Modi at the Ajmer Dargah, continuing a 11-year tradition. This symbolic gesture occurs amid a lawsuit from Hindu Sena claiming a pre-existing Shiva temple on the site, dismissed by the dargah committee. PM Modi's message emphasized love, unity, and harmony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautions against divisive efforts based on caste during his speech at the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav in New Delhi, emphasizing the need to maintain harmony and unity in villages, and reflects on his ongoing narrative of social cohesion amid the potential decision on conducting the decennial census.

Bastar police arrested three suspects, including a distant relative, for the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar. The incident, provoked by a corruption dispute, occurred on January 1st. They killed Mukesh, disposed of the body in a septic tank, and fled. The discovery of Mukesh's body sparked city-wide protests and demands for justice in Bijapur.

Severe cold and heavy fog hit Punjab and Haryana, dropping visibility to zero in places like Amritsar and Hisar. Several areas recorded temperatures lower than Shimla. The dense fog reduced visibility significantly, while a slight rise in temperatures is expected over the next three days, with chances of rain in the region.

The additional sessions court in Thalassery convicted nine BJP-RSS workers for the murder of DYFI activist Rijith in 2005. Rijith was attacked during a clash over an RSS branch opening, suffering fatal wounds. The verdict, based on substantial evidence and testimonies, concluded a 19-year-long trial.

Chhattisgarh government forms an 11-member SIT to investigate journalist Mukesh Chandrakar's murder. His body was found in a septic tank at contractor Suresh Chandrakar's premises. Police have arrested three individuals, with Suresh still at large. A report on corruption in road construction is suspected to be the motive.

He seeks ENC’s support in realising some of the goals such as making Andhra Pradesh a drone technology hub

Three tigers and a young leopard died from highly pathogenic avian flu H5N1 at Gorewada Rescue Centre, Nagpur. This marks the first significant wildlife loss to the virus in captivity in India. Containment measures are in place; other animals tested negative. The virus cross-infected mammals possibly through infected prey or raw meat.

The Reserve Bank of India is working with fintech institutions to fight mule account cybercrimes. They have developed advanced algorithms to detect frauds and recently launched MuleHunter.AI, an AI tool to identify mule accounts. A pilot test with public sector banks showed promising results. This initiative aims to protect customers and curb fraudulent transactions.

India has increased its vigilance following reports of rising respiratory illnesses in China. The health ministry held a high-level meeting to assess the situation, emphasizing preparedness. Experts indicated that the surge is due to common flu viruses, including HMPV. The Indian government is monitoring the situation closely, ensuring hospitals are ready to handle any increase in cases.

The Union government is working on guidelines for investigating agencies to handle and seize documents while excluding personal, unrelated data to protect privacy. The guidelines came into focus following cases involving lottery king Santiago Martin and Amazon, where claims of unrelated personal data being at risk were raised.

Police in Mirzapur arrested five of six accused for beating a 14-year-old boy in Bardeehakala village over alleged theft charges. The boy’s uncle and cousins were involved in the attack, captured on video. Family disputes may have been a factor. The boy's mother reported severe injuries and the police are investigating.

Eight blackbucks in Kevadiya safari were killed by a leopard despite safety measures. The leopard attacked one blackbuck, causing panic that led to the death of seven others due to shock. Guards responded quickly, causing the leopard to flee. The incident is under investigation, and the fencing around the safari is being scrutinized for security.

In the newly designated Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve, two rare caracals were photographed, marking the first sighting in over two decades in this region. Caracals, now critically endangered in India, face severe habitat loss, with their range shrinking significantly since 1948. Rajasthan has reported the highest sightings of caracals since 2001.

Tamil Nadu’s drive to combat plastic waste, launched in 2019, almost two years before the Union government announced its ban on single-use plastics, is commendable. However, has the ban been truly effective? Despite the legal framework, challenges in enforcement, raising awareness, and providing alternatives continue to test the State’s resolve in its fight, says Geetha Srimathi

Northern Railways completed another successful trial run on the Katra-Banihal section of the USBRL project, which includes India's first cable-stayed rail bridge and the world's highest railway bridge. Statutory inspections and further trials are scheduled for early January, guiding the commencement of train services to Kashmir Valley.

Jammu Police arrested Ravinder Singh, a power department employee, for shooting and injuring BJYM leader Kanav Sharma over a parking dispute in Roop Nagar's New Plot area. Singh fired at Sharma in a fit of rage after an argument and fled the scene. Sharma is under treatment, and an attempted murder case is registered at Bakshi Nagar PS.

Rajagopala Chidambaram, India's leading nuclear weapons designer and key figure in the Pokhran nuclear tests, passed away at 88. He contributed significantly to India's nuclear programme and scientific advancements. Tributes poured in from top scientists and political leaders, acknowledging his groundbreaking work and immense impact on India's strategic capabilities and scientific community.

The project involves amalgamating the services of various government departments, people’s representatives, and the public to achieve the best results

A confrontation between IT minister Babul Supriyo and BJP MP Abhijit Ganguly on Vidyasagar Setu led to a 20-minute traffic snarl. The dispute was over the MP's driver honking. Both parties accused each other of verbal abuse. Police intervened to resolve the situation, and a complaint was later filed by a social activist against both politicians.