Download
Mobile App

android apple
signal

December 8, 2024 9:51 PM

printer

Evening News

THE HEADLINES

• External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar presents India’s comprehensive strategy for West Asia at Manama Dialogue, says region plays critical role for India’s economic and strategic interests.

• Border Security Force celebrates its 60th foundation day; Home Minister Amit Shah praises role of BSF as country’s first line of defence.

• President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule comes to an end in Syria; Opposition forces seize control of capital Damascus.

• D Gukesh beats Ding Liren of China in 11th game to take lead in World Chess Championship at Singapore.

• And in Cricket, Bangladesh win men’s under-19 Asia cup, defeating India by 59 runs in Dubai.

<><><>

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today presented India’s comprehensive strategy for West Asia at the Manama Dialogue, emphasizing the region’s critical importance to India’s economic and strategic interests. Speaking at the concluding plenary session of the Dialogue, Dr Jaishankar highlighted that India conducts annual trade worth 170 to 180 billion dollars with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Iran, and Iraq, while trade with Mediterranean nations amounts to 80-90 billion dollars.

 

Dr Jaishankar projected India’s growth trajectory, stating that as a nearly 4 trillion dollar economy expected to double this decade, India’s engagement with the region will only deepen.

 

<><><>

 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left for Moscow today on a three-day visit to Russia. The Defence Minister and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov will co-chair the 21st meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation in Moscow on Tuesday.

 

The two leaders will review the entire range of the multi-faceted relations between the two countries in the field of defence, including military-to-military and industrial cooperation. As part of the visit, Mr Singh will also commission the Indian Navy’s latest multi-role stealth guided missile frigate ‘INS Tushil’ at Yantra Shipyard, Kaliningrad tomorrow. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will accompany him for the commissioning ceremony.

 

<><><>

 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today lauded the role of the Border Security Force (BSF) in securing borders, preventing infiltration and counterfeit currency and dealing with Left-Wing Extremism. Mr Shah was speaking at the 60th Foundation Day celebrations of the BSF at Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

 

Mr Shah praised the BSF for its six decades of service as the country’s first line of defence. He highlighted the force’s courage, valor, and sacrifices. He acknowledged the BSF’s critical role in securing both the eastern and western borders since 1965. The Home Minister noted that the border security policy of the country had been unclear for years, but under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, significant changes have been made.

<><><>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Rajasthan and Haryana tomorrow. During his Rajasthan visit, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Rising Rajasthan Global Summit 2024 at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. More than five thousand business and trade representatives, Diplomats and Investors, Delegates and other participants will attend the grand Investment Summit. MoUs worth 30 lakh Crore rupees have been signed for investment proposals prior to the summit. Representatives from 32 countries are participating in the investment summit, with 17 of them being partner countries.

 

“Pink City Jaipur is all set to host this landmark Investment Summit. Guests from across the world are reaching Jaipur. Elaborate security and other arrangements have been made. Historical places and monuments, main buildings are illuminating with attractive lights. After inauguration, thematic sessions will be there on various sectors. Day two, will be devoted to Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave. MSME Conclave will be there on concluding Day. The State Government has left no stone unturned to make this event a grand success. Jitendra Dwivedi, Akashwani News, Jaipur.”

 

In the afternoon, the Prime Minister will launch the Bima Sakhi Yojana at Panipat in Haryana. This scheme is designed to empower women aged between 18 to 70 years who have passed matriculation.

 

“In Panipat, all is set in view of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch nationwide Bima Sakhi Yojana tomorrow. Strict security arrangements have been made and there will be a ban on flying drones and other flying objects. After reviewing the preparations today, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, earlier Prime Minister had launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme from the historical land of Panipat. Chief Minister said that scheme will empower women and create new employment opportunities for them. During the program, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University in Karnal. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Akashvani News, Chandigarh.”

 

<><><>

 

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Prayagraj on December 13, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav today reviewed the preparations for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The Railway Minister inspected five railway stations in Prayagraj. Addressing a press conference, Mr Vaishnav said that works worth about five thousand crore rupees have been done for the Maha Kumbh in the last two years. He said that three thousand special trains will run for the Maha Kumbh. A total of 13 thousand trains will run during the mahakumbh period. Special Colour coding has been used everywhere for the purpose of Mahakumbh.

<><><>

In Punjab, protesting farmers today suspended their foot march to Delhi for the day. It has been learnt that farm leaders will decide their next plan of action after having a meeting among themselves. Our Jalandhar Correspondent reports, earlier, a group of farmers resumed their protest march on foot towards Delhi this afternoon but were stopped by the Haryana police at the Shambhu border in the absence of any permission to move to Delhi.

<><><>

In Syria, opposition forces swept into Damascus today, marking a historic turning point in the country’s long-running civil war as Bashar Assad’s government collapsed, triggering celebrations in the capital and raising regional security concerns. In a dramatic development, Syrian rebels stormed Iran’s embassy in Damascus, while Hezbollah withdrew all its forces from Syria as opposition factions approached the capital, according to two Lebanese security sources.

 

“Crowds filled Damascus streets, their celebrations punctuated by celebratory gunfire and prayers. The impact of Assad’s fall rippled through the region, with Israel swiftly deploying additional troops to the Golan Heights border area. The rapidly unfolding events also prompted diplomatic movements across the region. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held urgent talks with UN envoy for Syria to discuss stabilization measures. The United States, maintaining its presence in eastern Syria, pledged to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State, at the Manama Dialogue security conference. At Lebanon’s Masnaa border crossing, the mood turned festive as local Lebanese residents distributed sweets to Syrians waiting to return to their homeland. This is Vinod kumar for Akashvani News from Dubai.”

 

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy continues to remain operational in Damascus. External Affairs Ministry sources said the Embassy is in touch with all Indian nationals, and they are safe. Sources said the Embassy remains available to assist Indian nationals in Syria.

 

<><><>

 

In Ghana, opposition candidate John Mahama claimed victory in presidential elections after the ruling New Patriotic Party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat even before the announcement of official results. Vice President Bawumia said, he respects the decision of the people of Ghana who have voted for change. 65 year old Mahama was the president of Ghana between July 2012 and January 2017.

 

<><><>

 

In the FIDE World Chess Championship, India’s D Gukesh has taken a 6-5 lead after defeating defending champion Ding Liren in the 11th round in Singapore today. With this win, Gukesh has succeeded in breaking the spate of draws and stepped closer towards becoming the youngest-ever world champion. In today’s game, the 28th move by Ding was a turning point when Ding resigned after making a blunder. Following this Gukesh played the best move chopping his knight and taking a lead for the first time in the match. Only 3 games are remaining in the Championship.

 

<><><>

In Men’s Asia Cup Under-19 Cricket, Bangladesh defeated India in the final today to lift the cup. The defending champions beat India by 59 runs at the Dubai International Stadium. Chasing a target of 199 runs, India were all out for 139 in 35.2 overs. Indian captain Mohammad Amaan scored the highest 26 runs while all rounder Hardik Raj chipped in 24 in 21 balls.

 

Earlier, put into bat, Bangladesh were all out for 198 in 49.1 overs. Mohammad Rizan Hossan scored the highest 47 runs while for India Yudhjit Guha, Chetan Sharma and Hardik Raj claimed 2 wickets each.

 

<><><>

 

In Women’s Cricket, hosts Australia defeated India by 122 runs in the second One Day International at the Allen Border Field in Brisbane, Queensland. Chasing the target of 372 runs, Indian women were all out for 249 in 44.5 overs. With this win, Australian women take an unassailable lead of 2-NIL in the three match ODI series.

 

<><><>

 

In Cricket, Australia defeated India by ten wickets in the second test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Adelaide Oval. With this win, the Hosts have leveled the five-match series 1-1

 

Chasing only 19 runs on Day 3 of the pink ball test, Australia overhauled the meagre target for no loss in just 3.2 overs after dismissing India for 175 in their second innings.

 

<><><>

 

The activation of a western disturbance has altered weather patterns in Himachal Pradesh, bringing fresh snowfall to the state’s high-altitude and hilly regions. Snowfall has been reported in the upper areas of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Kullu, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Chamba districts.

 

“After a prolonged dry spell, the weather has taken a turn, with light snowfall observed in elevated regions of Himachal Pradesh. Sporadic snowfall continues in the upper areas of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Kullu, Sirmaur, Shimla, and Chamba, intensifying the cold wave across the state. In Lahaul Valley, including the north portal of the Atal Tunnel at Rohtang, continuous snowfall has prompted police teams to conduct regular patrols to assist residents and travelers. In Shimla district, popular tourist spots like Kufri, Narkanda, and Chopal area also experiencing light snowfall. While this snowfall is considered significant for tourism, it has also brought relief and joy to farmers. Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News, Shimla.”

 

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms with lightning at isolated places over Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, and West Uttar Pradesh tomorrow.

 

<><><>

 

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

• External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar presents India’s comprehensive strategy for West Asia at Manama Dialogue, says region plays critical role for India’s economic and strategic interests.

• Border Security Force celebrates its 60th foundation day; Home Minister Amit Shah praises role of BSF as country’s first line of defence.

• President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule comes to an end in Syria; Opposition forces seize control of capital Damascus.

• D Gukesh beats Ding Liren of China in 11th game to take lead in World Chess Championship at Singapore.

• And in Cricket, Bangladesh win men’s under-19 Asia cup, defeating India by 59 runs in Dubai.

<><><>