THE HEADLINES:
• Supreme Court orders that no fresh suits will be registered under Places of Worship Act in the country.
• Lok Sabha passes Disaster Management Amendment Bill, 2024; Aims to strengthen efficient working of National Disaster Management Authority and State Disaster Management Authorities.
• Centre unveils Green Steel Taxonomy to decarbonise steel sector.
• Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh creates history becoming youngest World Chess champion; President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi laud his achievement.
• And India votes in favour of United Nations General Assembly resolution demanding immediate and unconditional ceasefire in war-torn Gaza Strip.
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The Supreme Court today ordered that no fresh suits would be registered under the Places of Worship Act in the country. It also ordered that in the pending cases, no final or effective orders would be passed till further orders of the Apex Court. A Special Bench headed by CJI Sanjiv Khanna asked the Union government to file within four weeks its reply to the clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the 1991 Act, which prohibits the filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on 15th August 1947.
The Bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K. V. Viswanathan, appointed advocates Kanu Agarwal, Vishnu Shankar Jain and Ejaz Maqbool as nodal counsel to make compilations of pleadings on behalf of the Union, the petitioners and the parties supporting the Act.
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The Lok Sabha today passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill amends the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and intended to strengthen the efficient working of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA). The bill empowers the NDMA and SDMA to prepare the disaster plan at national level and state level instead of the National Executive Committee and the State Executive Committee. The Bill also empowers the state government to constitute a separate Urban Disaster Management Authority for state capitals and cities with a municipal corporation. The Bill will provide for creation of disaster database at national and state level.
Replying to a debate on the Bill, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said, the Bill will ensure that effective mitigation and preparedness measures are undertaken.
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Allegations and counter-allegations made by Opposition and Treasury bench MPs on various issues today marred the proceedings of Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha also witnessed disruption during the pre-lunch session, but it conducted a smooth business post lunch. The Treasury bench raised the issue of alleged links between the Congress leaders and US based George Soros Foundation in both the Houses. Meanwhile, the opposition parties protested over the bribery charges against the Adani Group demanding Joint Parliamentary Committee probe.
“This is the fourth day of this week of Winter Session of Parliament, when Rajya Sabha failed to transact any substantial business. Alleged bribery charges against Adani Group, and nexus between Congress leaders and US based George Soros Foundation and other issues rocked the Upper House leading to adjournment of the House for the day. Due to disruptions, no legislative business was taken up in the House for discussion. In the Lok Sabha, Opposition and Treasury bench MPs locked horns over the George Soros and Adani issues in the pre-lunch session, forcing the House to adjourn the House twice. But, after the post lunch, the House transacted smooth business. With Anand Kumar, Bhupendra Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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India and the UAE have emphasized on strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership including in the areas of technology, energy and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today received Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi.
Mr Modi laid special emphasis on the implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor IMEEC as a historic initiative to foster regional connectivity and prosperity. Mr Al Nahyan shared perspective on the prevailing situation in West Asia. The Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to support long term peace, stability and security of the region. Mr Modi thanked the leadership of the UAE for ensuring the welfare of the large and vibrant Indian community in the UAE.
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Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy today unveiled the Taxonomy of Green Steel for India in New Delhi, in the presence of Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma. On the ocassion, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that India is committed to decarbonise the steel sector in alignment with net-zero emission intensity target by 2070. He added, this is will be a historic milestone in India’s journey towards low-emission steel.
The release of the Taxonomy of Green Steel marks a crucial step in advancing the National Mission on Green Steel.
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The 22nd Divya Kala Mela began at India Gate in New Delhi from today. Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is hosting the 11-day event to showcase the talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Divyang artists from across India. Over 100 Divyang entrepreneurs and artisans will showcase their products and skills. The event will run till the 22nd of this month from 11 AM to 9 PM.
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Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh today became the youngest chess champion in the world. Gukesh made history as he clinched 18th World Chess Championship defeating Ding Liren of China in the 14th and the final match of the FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore. With the endgame dragging out into the fifth hour, Ding made a blunder in the 55th move which cost him the match and the crown.
India’s 18-year-old prodigy capped his meteoric rise scoring 7.5 points while defending champion Ding got 6.5 points in the championship. In total 14 matches, Gukesh won three while Ding succeeded in two, rest nine matches were drawn. The Indian Grandmaster was visibly emotional after he shaked hands with his opponent Ding. Gukesh was seen crying. He said, it was the best moment of his life.
No man in history, achieve this feet even Carlsen, Kramnik and Kasparov was 18 when he became the world chess champion. Gukesh beat the record previously held by Garry Kasparov who got the crown at age of 22. Gukesh is the second world champion from India after Viswanathan Anand, who won the title four times. SANJEEV AKASHVANI NEWS DELH.
Viswanathan Anand congratulated Gukesh for his achievement. On social media platform X, he said, it is a proud moment for chess and a proud moment for India.Talking to Akashvani News, Grandmaster Pravin Thispay expressed happiness over the historic achievement of Gukesh:
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have congratulated Dommaraju Gukesh for becoming the youngest player to win the World Chess Championship today. In a social media post, the President said that his victory shows the authority of India as a chess powerhouse. She said that Gukesh has made the whole country proud and wished him more glory in the future.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said, this extraordinary achievement marks a milestone in the world of chess and is a moment of immense pride for India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, this historic achievement is a result of D Gukesh’s unparalleled talent, hard work, and determination. The Prime Minister said that the triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence.
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Prasar Bharati today signed an MoU with Hockey India in New Delhi, to provide live broadcast of the upcoming Hockey India League. With this MoU, Doordarshan has become the official broadcast partner for Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25. This League will commence from 28th of this month in Rourkela, Odisha and Ranchi, Jharkhand.
On the occasion, HIL governing committee member Bhola Nath Singh expressed confidence that this partnership will strengthen the people’s bond with hockey.
In his remarks, Prasar Bharati Chairman, Navneet Sehgal has termed this MoU as a big milestone in the history of Hockey.
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India’s retail inflation eased to 5.48 percent in November, down from 6.2 percent in the previous month of current fiscal year. According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), inflation in rural areas stood at 5.95 percent compared to 4.83 percent in urban regions.
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India has joined 157 other nations in supporting a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the war-torn Gaza Strip. The UNGA overwhelmingly approved two resolutions yesterday. First resolution called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the other backing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which Israel has sought to ban.
The resolutions follow two days of debate at the 193-member General Assembly, where speeches overwhelmingly highlighted the need to end the 14-month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas.
India has consistently condemned the 7th October attacks, calling them acts of terror, and has emphasised the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.At the same time, India has repeatedly stressed the need for a ceasefire, continued humanitarian aid, adherence to international humanitarian law, and a commitment to restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy.New Delhi has also voiced concerns about the escalating violence in West Asia, repeatedly urging all parties to exercise restraint and pursue peaceful resolution through dialogue.Although General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant weight as a reflection of global opinion. This vote came after the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on 20th November that had also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. SHAGUN CHOPRA, DESK REPORT.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• Supreme Court orders that no fresh suits will be registered under Places of Worship Act in the country.
• Lok Sabha passes Disaster Management Amendment Bill, 2024; Aims to strengthen efficient working of National Disaster Management Authority and State Disaster Management Authorities.
• Centre unveils Green Steel Taxonomy to decarbonise steel sector.
• Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh creates history becoming youngest World Chess champion; President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi laud his achievement.
• And India votes in favour of United Nations General Assembly resolution demanding immediate and unconditional ceasefire in war-torn Gaza Strip.
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