THE HEADLINES :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Amman on a two-day visit to Jordan; Expresses confidence, visit will boost bilateral ties with the Arab Nation.
- Government says, Special Intensive Revision will remove fake voters from electoral rolls.
- Lok Sabha sends bill empowering higher educational institutions to Joint Parliamentary Committee.
- Ukraine agrees to drop NATO membership ambition in exchange for Western security guarantees; Rejects US push to cede territory to Russia.
- In Sports, Manu Bhaker and Simranpreet Kaur Brar clinch gold medals in women’s 25m sports pistol events at National Shooting Championship in New Delhi.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jordan’s capital Amman this afternoon on the first leg of his three-nation visit which includes Ethiopia and Oman. In a special gesture, Prime Minister Modi was received by his Jordan counterpart Dr. Jafar Hassan on his arrival at the airport. In a post on social media platform ‘X’, Prime Minister Modi said he is thankful to Mr. Jafar Hassan, for the warm welcome. Mr. Modi expressed confidence that his two-day visit to Jordan will boost bilateral ties with the Arab nation. He also said India and Jordan will keep working closely to further global good. In a series of posts, the Prime Minister said he is deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by the Indian community in Amman. The Prime Minister will be holding detailed discussions with King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein at Presidential Palace in a short while from now. More from our correspondent covering the Prime Minister’s Jordan visit:
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received at the airport by Jordan’s Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, along with the Minister of Industry, the Mayor of Amman, the Governor of Amman and the Director of Public Security. A Guard of Honour was accorded to the Indian Prime Minister on his arrival. This visit marks the first full-fledged bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Jordan in thirty-seven years and comes at a significant time, as India and Jordan commemorate seventy-five years of diplomatic relations. He was also accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival at his hotel in the Jordanian capital. The Indian diaspora in Jordan, extended a warm and enthusiastic welcome to the Prime Minister. India’s rich cultural diversity was showcased in Amman through special cultural performances, with members of the Indian community presenting classical Indian dance forms in his honour. Vinod Kumar for Akashvani News, Amman.“
After concluding his Jordan visit, Mr Modi will also travel to Ethiopia and Oman. The Prime Minister will reach Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia tomorrow, where he will hold detailed discussions with the Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali.
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The Rajya Sabha today resumed discussion on Election Reforms. Intervening in the debate, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said, the ongoing exercise of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral roll is being conducted to remove fake voters from the voters’ list. He said, those opposing SIR have forgotten that the exercise is based on the idea put forward by the Founder of the Indian Constitution Baba Saheb Ambedkar and that the Universal adult franchise is based on the principle of ‘One person, one vote, one value’.
Several other members participated in the discussion including Sulata Deo of BJP, H D Devegowda of JD(S), Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party, Digvijaya Singh and Randeep Surjewala of Congress. However, the discussion remained inconclusive and the Chair adjourned the House to meet again at 11 AM tomorrow.
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The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 which was introduced in the Lok Sabha has been referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny. When the Lok Sabha assembled after the second adjournment at 2 PM today, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan introduced the Bill. Mr Pradhan said, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan bill aims to empower the Universities and other higher educational institutions to achieve excellence in teaching, learning, research and innovation.
However, the opposition members opposed the introduction of the bill. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, during the Business Advisory Committee meeting, several MPs had emphasized wider consultations on the Bill. He said, considering their request, the government has proposed to send the Bill to the JPC for wider consultation.
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The Lok Sabha has given its nod to the Supplementary Demands for Grants – First Batch for 2025-26, seeking the Parliament’s approval for a gross additional expenditure of one lakh 32 thousand crore rupees. Replying to the discussion in the House, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Supplementary Demands are necessary for a responsive government. The Lower House also approved the Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2025. After concluding today’s business, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House for the day. Our correspondent reports on today’s proceedings in both Houses of Parliament.
“Both Houses of Parliament faced adjournments today with NDA MPs demanding apology from Congress leadership for making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally. Over the issue, Lok Sabha faced two adjournments and Rajya Sabha faced one adjournment. When the Lok Sabha assembled at 2 PM, three Bills were introduced in the House. These are Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, and Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025. However, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill was sent to Joint Parliamentary Committee for wider consultation. After that, the Lok Sabha devoted its time to discuss Supplementary Demands for Grants. When the Rajya Sabha met at noon, it took up Question Hour. Later, the Upper House resumed discussions on Election Reforms. With Anand and Suparna, Anupam Mishra, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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In West Bengal, the draft electoral roll prepared under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise will be published in the state tomorrow. Ahead of the release, special roll observers appointed by the Election Commission are reviewing and scrutinising the revision process across several Assembly constituencies in the state.
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Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, today chaired a high-level meeting to undertake a detailed review of the Action Plans aimed at tackling air pollution Ghaziabad and Noida. During the meeting, the Minister called for strict on-ground implementation of Air Quality Control Action Plans and directed a stringent action against non-compliant units. Mr Yadav stressed on the involvement of public representatives and citizens, to fight against Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR.
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Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be in the Severe category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the average Air Quality Index, AQI, of the national capital was recorded at 413 as of 7 PM today. On the other hand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast dense fog conditions over Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh tomorrow. North-Eastern region will also experience dense fog conditions.
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Newly appointed National Working President of the BJP, Nitin Nabin, today assumed charge at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, and Home Minister Amit Shah extended wishes to Mr Nabin on taking charge as the National Working President. Mr Nabin is the youngest working President in the party’s history and the first BJP leader from Bihar to be appointed to the post. He currently represents the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Patna district and holds the Road Construction portfolio in the Nitish Kumar led Bihar government.
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today highlighted that solar power in the country has increased by 46 percent in the last 11 years. Briefing media on developments in energy sector in New Delhi today, he said India is now the fourth largest refining hub of coal, highlighting more than one billion tonnes of coal production last year and reduction in imports by eight percent. The Minister asserted that country has transitioned from power scarcity to power security, and now towards power sustainability.
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India’s merchandise trade deficit narrowed to 24.53 billion US dollars in November this year, driven by a fall in gold, oil and coal imports. According to provisional data released by the Commerce Ministry, merchandise exports increased significantly to 38.13 billion dollars in November. Goods imports fell slightly by 1.9 per cent at 62.66 billion dollars.
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The nation will observe Vijay Diwas tomorrow to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, leading to Bangladesh’s liberation. On this day, the country remembers the ultimate sacrifice of the bravehearts whose stories inspire every Indian, and remain a source of national pride.
On the eve of Vijay Diwas, the Indian Army today organized Vijay Diwas At Home at Army House in New Delhi. The event was attended by President Droupadi Murmu and showcased indigenously developed technologies and niche capabilities, reflecting the Indian Army’s steady transformation into a modern, innovative and self-reliant force.
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In Bangladesh, students of Dhaka University held symbolic protests to mark the Martyred Intellectuals Day, condemning collaborators of Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War. A signature board titled “Silent Hatred” was placed in the Cafeteria of the University, allowing participants to leave messages denouncing those responsible for the killing of Bangladesh’s intellectuals. Organiser Arafat Chowdhury, a law student at the university, said, protests are aimed at ensuring future generations do not forget the brutal killings of intellectuals in the final days of the war.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to drop his country’s bid to join NATO in exchange for Western security guarantees, but rejected the US push for ceding territory to Russia as he held talks with U.S. envoys on ending the war. Responding to journalists’ before the talks, President Zelenskyy said, since the US and some European nations had rejected Ukraine’s push to join NATO, Kyiv expects the West to offer a set of guarantees similar to those offered to the alliance members.
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In Shooting, Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and ISSF World Cup Champion Simranpreet Kaur Brar bagged gold medals in the 68th National Shooting Championship Competitions at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, today. Manu Bhaker won the gold in the final of senior Women’s 25 meter sports Pistol event. Divya T.S. of Karnataka bagged silver while Anjali Choudhary claimed the bronze medal in the competition. Simranpreet Kaur Brar secured the yellow metal in junior women’s 25 meter sports pistol event.
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In Cricket, India opener Shafali Verma has been named ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November, following her decisive performance in the ODI World Cup final against South Africa. Shafali will next be seen in action when India faces Sri Lanka in the five-match T20 series starting on 21st December in Visakhapatnam.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Amman on a two-day visit to Jordan; Expresses confidence, visit will boost bilateral ties with the Arab Nation.
- Government says, Special Intensive Revision will remove fake voters from electoral rolls.
- Lok Sabha sends bill empowering higher educational institutions to Joint Parliamentary Committee.
- Ukraine agrees to drop NATO membership ambition in exchange for Western security guarantees; Rejects US push to cede territory to Russia.
- In Sports, Manu Bhaker and Simranpreet Kaur Brar clinch gold medals in women’s 25m sports pistol events at National Shooting Championship in New Delhi.
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