THE HEADLINES:
- Centre has decided to transform Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division into most developed tribal region in the country over next five years, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- Enforcement Directorate conducts searches at 40 locations across multiple districts and states in Saquib Nachan case, connected to ISIS-linked module.
- West Bengal Police arrests organiser of Messi’s event at Salt Lake Stadium after large-scale chaos and vandalism.
- Nation pays homage to martyrs of terrorist attack on Parliament on 13th December 2001.
- Fighting continues along border of Thailand and Cambodia, even after U.S. President Donald Trump’s mediation.
- In Squash World Cup, India storm into final beating defending champions Egypt in semifinals in Chennai.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah said today that Naxalism does not benefit anyone and that only peace can pave the way for development. Addressing the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, he reiterated the government’s resolve to end Naxalism by March 31, 2026. He said the Centre has decided to transform Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division into the most developed tribal region in the country over the next five years.
Mr Shah said, Naxalism had stalled development in the region, but a new chapter of progress would begin once the menace is eliminated.
The Home Minister appealed to those still associated with the outlawed Maoists to lay down their arms and join the mainstream of society.
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted searches at 40 locations across multiple districts and states as part of an ongoing probe in the Saquib Nachan case, connected to an ISIS-linked module. Saquib Nachan was earlier arrested by the National Investigative Agency for his alleged active involvement in promoting terrorist activities. The ED conducted searches at Padgha-Borivali Region near Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hazaribagh, Prayagraj, Daman, and Ratnagiri among other locations. During the course of search operations, movable assets worth over 9 crore 70 lakh rupees in the form of cash, gold jewellery and gold bullion were recovered and seized. 25 Bank accounts pertaining to the accused and suspects have been frozen. Various other incriminating material such as documents, literature promoting radicalization and digital devices were also seized.
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In West Bengal, Police arrested Satadru Dutta, organiser of footballer Lionel Messi’s event at Salt Lake’s Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, after questioning him for two hours, following large-scale chaos and vandalism today. More from our correspondent:
“ADG & IGP (law and order) Jawed Shamim informed preliminary investigation is on and the police is gathering all the facts leading to the chaotic incident at the stadium.He also said instructions have been given so that refund for the tickets booked for the event can be made . Earlier, today, the football icon Lionel Messi entered the Yuva Bharati Krirangan at around 11:30 am. Footballers Luis Suarez and Rodrigo D’paul were also with him. The fans of Messi alleged that they did not get a view of him from the gallery as some people gathered around him. After some time Messi went out of the stadium leaving hundreds of thousands of fans without a glimpse of him. Fans began to shout and started to throw water bottles and uprooted chairs from the gallery into the field. Fans in hundreds in numbers breached the fencing and entered into the ground and engaged in damaging makeshift tents and other assets. Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has constituted an enquiry committee under the chairmanship of retired Justice Ashim Kumar Ray to conduct enquiry. Governor of West Bengal Dr C V Ananda Bose expressed his anguish and shock in today’s chaotic incident. He termed the day as black day for the sports lovers of Kolkata. Union Minister of State Education and BJP leader Dr Sukanta Majumdar criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the mismanagement. kalyan laha akashvani news, kolkata.”
BJP today accused the TMC-led West Bengal Government of disappointing the people with its alleged mismanagement during Messi’s event in Kolkata. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, BJP MP and Spokesperson, Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi, labelled it as a shameful moment for the entire country.
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In Kerala, the Congress led opposition UDF made gains in the local body elections across the state. The BJP led NDA also registered significant progress, particularly in the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. A key highlight of the results is the NDA’s victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The UDF emerged with a majority in 367-gram panchayats, while the LDF secured control of 234. More from our correspondent:
“The NDA’s historic performance in the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, stands out as the most significant development in the Kerala’s local body elections. By securing 50 of the 101 seats in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP is set to get its first Mayor in Kerala. In other municipalities, the Congress led UDF delivered strong performances, with the notable exception of the Kozhikode Corporation. The UDF also established a clear lead across gram panchayats, block panchayats, and municipalities. Meanwhile, the NDA significantly improved its performance in panchayats and municipalities as well, marking a notable expansion of its footprint at the grassroots level. Smithy M Palluruthy,akashvani news, Thiruvananthapuram.”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude to the people across Kerala for voting for NDA candidates in the local body polls in the state. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that the mandate the party has got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Kerala’s politics. The Prime Minister added that the Party will work towards Thiruvananthapuram’s growth and boost the Ease of Living for the people. Mr Modi also thanked all the party workers for their hard work in the elections.
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The nation today paid tributes to the security personnel and victims who lost their lives while defending the Parliament during a terrorist attack 24 years ago on the 13th of December 2001. A condolence meeting was organised at the Parliament House premises to pay floral tributes to the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives during this terrorist attack. A report:
“A solemn tribute ceremony was held outside the old Parliament building, Samvidhan Sadan, where Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan led parliamentarians in offering floral tributes. During the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his respects along with leaders from both the ruling NDA and the opposition. President Droupadi Murmu also paid tribute to the brave security personnel and said the nation salutes the courage, valour and sacrifice of the heroes whose devotion to duty continues to guide India’s national spirit. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi said that the nation will forever remain grateful to the martyrs’ for their supreme sacrifice. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla noted that the valor with which these immortal heroes confronted the terrorists is a symbol not only of the fulfillment of their duty but also of India’s indomitable will in upholding democratic values and national defense. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, along with Union Ministers Amit Shah, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Piyush Goyal, and Arjun Ram Meghwal, Congress President and Leader of Opposition at Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi also paid their tributes to the Martyrs. With Ishani Yadav, Priya Mondal, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a bilateral visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on December 15 and 16 at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein. Secretary South, Ministry of External Affairs Dr Neena Malhotra said, this visit is Prime Minister Modi’s first full-fledged bilateral engagement with Jordan.
Our West Asia correspondent has filed this report:
“India and Jordan have consistently aligned their positions against extremism, terrorism and radicalisation in all forms and manifestations. Both countries have been victims of terrorism and have underlined the need for collective action and zero tolerance towards violent extremism. King Abdullah II’s Amman Message, which rejects Takfiri ideology and misuse of religion to justify violence, resonates with India’s long-standing policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. During King Abdullah II’s visit to India in 2018, when Jordan was at the forefront of the fight against ISIS, Prime Minister Modi and the Jordanian King jointly addressed a major conference on “Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation” at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The initiative was widely seen as a significant step in reinforcing the shared commitment of India and Jordan to counter extremist narratives. Vinod Kumar, for Akashvani News from Amman.”
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Fighting continued along the border of Thailand and Cambodia, even after U.S. President Donald Trump, acting as a mediator, declared that both countries had agreed to a ceasefire. Earlier, Trump said that Thai and Cambodian leaders had once again agreed to immediately renew their ceasefire agreement following a week of deadly border clashes. He also noted that both leaders had agreed to return to the original peace accord signed in October this year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Thai officials said that no ceasefire agreement has been reached, and Cambodia has yet to comment on Trump’s claim. Instead, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry reported that Thai fighter jets carried out airstrikes earlier today.
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Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw discussed with officials today on providing local cuisines of the region in Vande Bharat trains. Interacting with officials in Rail Bhawan today, the Minister said the initiative will enhance passenger experience, reflecting the culture and tastes of the regions being traversed.
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Amid deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management has invoked stage three of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect. The decision was taken after the Air Quality Index in the city crossed the severe category mark this morning. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I and II of extant GRAP already in-force in the region.
The restrictions include a complete ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities including earthwork, piling, trenching, and Road construction activities and major repairs.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold wave conditions at isolated places over Interior Karnataka and Telangana tomorrow. Dense fog conditions are also expected to prevail tomorrow over Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
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In Squash world cup 2025, India stormed into the finals after defeating defending champions Egypt in the semifinals in Chennai this evening. The hosts registered a 3-0 win over Egypt to register their best-ever performance in the Squash World Cup, having already won a bronze in the 2023 edition. National champion Velavan Senthilkumar stepped in for the hosts with a commanding 3-0 win against World No. 96 Ibrahim Elkabbani.
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In Badminton, India assured a gold medal at the Odisha Masters 2025 after Top seed Unnati Hooda and Isharani Baruah stormed into the women’s singles final registering semifinal victories today.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Centre has decided to transform Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division into most developed tribal region in the country over next five years, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- Enforcement Directorate conducts searches at 40 locations across multiple districts and states in Saquib Nachan case, connected to ISIS-linked module.
- West Bengal Police arrests organiser of Messi’s event at Salt Lake Stadium after large-scale chaos and vandalism.
- Nation pays homage to martyrs of terrorist attack on Parliament on 13th December 2001.
- Fighting continues along border of Thailand and Cambodia, even after U.S. President Donald Trump’s mediation.
- In Squash World Cup, India storm into final beating defending champions Egypt in semifinals in Chennai.
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