THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches National Highway projects worth around 3,200 crore rupees in West Bengal.
- Prime Minister to also inaugurate various development projects in Assam this evening.
- ED moves Delhi High Court, challenging trial court order declining cognisance of complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in National Herald case.
- Seven elephants killed after Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express hit a herd of jumbos in Hojai district of Assam.
- Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years in prison in Toshakhana 2 corruption case.
- Ladakh celebrates its new year festival Losar.
- And in BWF World Tour Finals, Men’s Doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty to take on Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China in semifinals in Hangzhou this evening.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone and inaugurated two National Highway projects worth around 3,200 crores rupees in Nadia district of West Bengal. Mr Modi also addressed the gathering on the occasion virtually, as his helicopter failed to land at Taherpur in Ranaghat in Nadia district due to bad weather and low visibility. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said his government is constantly striving to improve connectivity in the regions of West Bengal which has been ignored for long.
The Prime Minister inaugurated 66.7 km-long four-Laning of Barajaguli-Krishnanagar Section of National Highway-34 in the Nadia District of West Bengal. He also laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of the 17.6 km long Barasat-Barajaguli Section of National Highway-34 in North 24 Parganas district of the state. The projects will serve as a vital connecting link between Kolkata and Siliguri.
In the afternoon, the Prime Minister will travel to Assam on a two-day visit. Mr. Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects worth around 15,600 crore rupees in the state. A report;
“The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 4000 Crore rupees New Bamboo Orchids Terminal Building at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati on his arrival from West Bengal. Mr. Modi will also unveil an 80 foot tall statue of former Chief Minister Gopinath Bordoloi at the Airport and will address a public meeting outside the terminal building. The Prime Minister will then lead a massive road show towards the BJP Headquarter in the city and will interact with the party workers. Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will interact with students of schools in his programme Pariksha Pe Charcha while sailing on the Brahmaputra river abroad a cruise ship. After that Mr. Modi will visit the newly constructed Swahid Smarak Kshetra, in memory of 860 martyrs of Assam Movement in the city. The Prime Minister will then leave for Namrup where he will do Bhumi Pujana of the 12000 crore rupees Ammonia-Urea fertiliser project. He will also address a public meeting at Namrup before leaving for New Delhi. Aminul Haque Jwadder, Akashvani News, Guwahati.“
<><><>
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved the Delhi High Court, challenging the trial court order that declined to take cognisance of money laundering complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald case. In its petition, the ED has questioned the findings of the trial court and sought appellate review of the decision refusing to proceed with the agency’s complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). A Delhi Court on Tuesday refused to take cognisance of the ED’s money laundering case against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and five others in the National Herald case.
<><><>
In Assam, seven elephants were killed, and one injured after a herd of jumbos was hit by the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Hojai district early this morning. Officials said, five coaches and the train’s engine were also derailed. No passengers were injured in the accident, which occurred at 2.17 am. Nagaon divisional forest officer Suhash Kadam said the accident in Changjurai village is suspected to have occurred due to heavy fog in the area. NFR chief spokesperson Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the accident took place in the Jamunamukh- Kampur section under the Lumding division. The area is about 126 km from Guwahati. Mr Sharma said accident relief trains, along with top officials from the divisional headquarters, have already reached the site.
<><><>
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has said that the global economic and political order has undergone a major transformation, with the emergence of multiple centres of power and influence. Addressing a convocation in Pune, he noted that this shift has led to natural competition among nations, creating new balances in the international system. Dr. Jaishankar said that the concept of power today has multiple dimensions, including trade, energy, military strength, resources, technology and talent, making the global landscape increasingly complex.
<><><>
The Government has invited suggestions and ideas from the citizens for the upcoming Budget 2026-27 in February. The move aims to reflect the aspirations and needs of the people while fostering inclusive growth and national development. The recommendations can be sent to the mygov portal at www.mygov.in.
<><><>
Today is a historic day for the people of Bhopal. After nearly eight years of waiting, the capital city is set to receive the gift of Metro rail services. Union Minister Manohar Lal and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the Bhopal Metro this evening. The dream of a modern, fast, and convenient mode of travel is now becoming a reality. A report:
“The inauguration programme will be held at 4 PM today at the Kushabhau International Convention Centre, Minto Hall. After that, at 5 PM, Union Minister Manohar Lal and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will flag off the Metro train from Subhash Nagar Metro Station. Both leaders will then travel by Metro on the 6.22-kilometre route up to AIIMS Metro Station, where they will address a welcome programme. The Subhash Nagar–AIIMS corridor has 8 stations, with 17 trips running every day, and trains will arrive about every 3 minutes. The minimum Metro fare is 20 rupees. From 9 AM on 21 December, the general public will also be able to use the Metro. Bipin Mishra, Akashvani News, Bhopal.”
<><><>
A Pakistani court today sentenced the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years imprisonment each in the Toshakhana 2 corruption case. The case is about alleged fraud in state gifts, which the former first couple received from the Saudi government in 2021. Special court judge Shahrukh Arjumand announced the judgment in the case in Rawalpindi’s high-security Adiala Jail. Imran Khan and his wife were awarded 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and seven years under different Sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court also imposed a fine of 1 crore and 64 lakh Pakistani Rupee on each of them.
<><><>
India stands proudly as the world’s third-largest domestic civil aviation market, reflecting the rapid growth of the sector. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said the country’s aircraft fleet has more than doubled from 395 in 2014 to 844 by 2025. He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. He said that over the past decade, passenger traffic within the country has grown at an impressive average rate of 9 per cent annually, while cargo volumes have risen by 2.9 per cent.
<><><>
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed all airlines to strictly comply with passenger facilitation norms in view of the prevailing fog and low-visibility conditions affecting flight operations. The Ministry said that airlines have been instructed to ensure timely and accurate flight information, provide meals and refreshments during extended delays, and facilitate rebooking or refunds in case of cancellations.The Ministry also directed the airlines to ensure no denial of boarding after timely check-in and provide special support for persons with disabilities.
<><><>
Ladakh is celebrating the Losar Festival today to mark the Ladakhi New Year. Lieutenant Governor Ravinder Gupta extended greetings to the people of Ladakh on the auspicious occasion of Losar, the traditional New Year celebrated with devotion & joy across Ladakh. Mr Gupta wishes Losar usher in peace, prosperity, and harmony for all. Our correspondent has filed this report:
“Losar is the main social, religious and Cultural festival of Ladakh celebrated across Ladakh with traditions and rituals. God and Goddess are invoked for prosperity, good crops and wealth in the new year. The Losar Celebration starts with lighting of prayer lamps, illuminating of religious monuments places like monasteries, stupas, residential houses and almost every inhabited buildings on the eve of Losar yesterday night and followed by exchange of Losar Greeting on the first day of New Year today. The Losar festivities continue for nine more days from the first day of the new year with offerings of prayers in the name of God and Goddess, performed dances and songs in honour of Ibex and pilgrimage of Mount Kailash. Yangchan Dolma, Akashvani News, Leh Ladakh.”
<><><>
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast snowfall over Western Himalayan region for the next 4 days. IMD said that heavy snowfall is expected at isolated places over Jammu – Kashmir and Ladakh tomorrow. The Met Department also said that dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to prevail over Delhi, Uttarakhand, Haryana and West Uttar Pradesh, north Madhya Pradesh and Bihar till tomorrow morning. The weather agency also predicted cold wave conditions in Telangana and Interior Karnataka today.
<><><>
In Badminton, star Men’s Doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will take on Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China in the semifinals of season-ending BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China today. Seeded third, Satwik and Chirag last evening became the first Indian Men’s Doubles pair to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, topping Group B.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches National Highway projects worth around 3,200 crore rupees in West Bengal.
- Prime Minister to also inaugurate various development projects in Assam this evening.
- ED moves Delhi High Court, challenging trial court order declining cognisance of complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in National Herald case.
- Seven elephants killed after Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express hit a herd of jumbos in Hojai district of Assam.
- Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years in prison in Toshakhana 2 corruption case.
- Ladakh celebrates its new year festival Losar.
- And in BWF World Tour Finals, Men’s Doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty to take on Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China in semifinals in Hangzhou this evening.
<><><>