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December 31, 2024 9:43 PM

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Evening News

 

THE HEADLINES: –

  • External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar says, Quad is a vital force for stability, progress and prosperity in Indo-Pacific region.

  • India’s core sectors’ output growth increases by 4.3 percent in November this year on annual basis.

  • In Maharashtra, Anti-Terrorism Squad arrests 43 Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in various parts of state this month.

  • People gear up to welcome New Year 2025 across the world; President Droupadi Murmu greets people on the eve of New Year.

  • IMD forecasts light to scattered rainfall and snowfall over Western Himalayan region during next two to three days.

  • In Hockey India League, match underway between Delhi SG Pipers and Hyderabad Toofans at Rourkela.

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said that Quad stands as a vital force for stability, progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.  In a social media post, Dr. Jaishankar reaffirmed the commitment of addressing the region’s needs together with Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and USA’s Secretary of state Antony Blinken.

 

 

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Quad, a joint statement from the Quad Foreign Ministers said what started as an emergency response to a catastrophe has grown into a full-fledged partnership. It also said that Quad countries now work together, and with partners across the Indo-Pacific. It addresses complex challenges, from fighting climate change, cancer and pandemics to bolstering quality infrastructure, counter-terrorism efforts and cyber security.

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India’s core sectors’ output growth increased by 4.3 percent in November this year on annual basis, showed the data released by Ministry of Commerce today. The production of Cement, Coal, Steel, Electricity, Refinery Products and Fertilizers recorded positive growth as per the data.

 

 

Coal production increased by 7.5 percent, Petroleum refinery products rose by 2.9 percent, fertilizers witnessed an uptick of 2 percent, Steel increased by 4.8 percent and Cement surged by 13 percent while electricity gained 3.8 percent in November, of current fiscal year. Meanwhile, Crude oil contracted by 2.1 percent and Natural Gas declined by 1.9 percent in comparison to same month last year.

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The Central Board of Direct Taxes has extended the last date to 15th January for furnishing belated and revised return of income for the Assessment Year 2024-25 in the case of resident individuals. Earlier, today was the last date for the taxpayers to file  belated and revised Income Tax Returns. The move will provide two additional weeks to the taxpayers to revise and complete their IT return filings.

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In Maharashtra, Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested 43 Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in various parts of the state during the month of December, with 19 FIRs filed. The agency has also seized fake documents, including Aadhar cards and other certificates, related to their credentials. In the past four days, the ATS has apprehended 9 Bangladeshi nationals living in Vikhroli, Nashik, Akola, Nanded, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

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In Madhya Pradesh, at least eight people were killed and over 14 others injured in two separate road accidents today.

 

 

In the first accident, five people were killed in a collision between two two-wheelers in Khargone.

 

 

In another accident, a pickup vehicle overturned in Ujjain, in which three people were killed, while 14 others injured. Five injured people are in critical condition.

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Government has said that the Space economy will grow nearly five times in the next decade from 8.4 billion dollars to around 44 billion dollars. Briefing the media in New Delhi today, Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi India will lead in the Space-sector. He said, the investments in the Space sector reached one thousand crore rupees in 2023 alone, placing India as a frontline player globally. The Minister highlighted that India’s space sector has emerged as a significant foreign exchange earner. He said, of the 220 million euro earned through launching foreign satellites, 85 per cent of the total was generated in the last eight years.

 

 

The Minister said that year 2024 has been an important year for Indian Space sector. 

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This year significant legislative reforms were introduced or enacted to modernize India’s legal framework and align it with global standards. These reforms aim to catalyze various sectors, including shipbuilding, banking, railways, aviation and others. The year 2024 witnessed passage of bills that replaced century old laws such as New Bharatiya Criminal Laws, Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill replacing the Aircraft Act of 1934, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill replacing century-old Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. A Report:

 

 

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaces the Indian Penal Code, which included outdated provisions such as the sedition law. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam replaces the Indian Evidence Act and modernizes evidence handling, including provisions for electronic evidence. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure and introduces changes in police custody durations and procedures for handling suspects. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, were introduced in the Lok Sabha with an aim to streamline the Waqf Board’s work and ensure the efficient management of Waqf properties. The Railway (Amendment) Bill 2024 brought to improve operational efficiency and grant greater autonomy to railway zone. The Banking Laws(Amendment) Bill brought to improve customer convenience and bolster investor protection. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth) Amendment Bill and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were introduced to give effect to the mechanism of simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always been on a mission to eliminate colonial-era laws and modernize India’s legal framework since his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister. After becoming Prime Minister in 2014, the Government led by Mr Modi has scrapped more than 1500 archaic laws easing people’s lives. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.

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Akashvani News brings you glimpses of 2024 in its special Year-Ender series. Today, we take a look at the key initiatives and achievements of the Ministry of Railways. The Railways continued its transformative journey in the year 2024, paving the way for a new era of modernization and progress in the quest for Viksit Bharat by 2047. Our correspondent reports modern stations, state-of-the-art trains, and innovative safety systems are reshaping the landscape of rail travel. 

 

 

With a strong focus on meeting world class travel experience, and adopting advanced technologies, the Railways has solidified its role as a catalyst for national growth. The year witnessed the launch of 136 Vande Bharat trains, providing faster travel experience to the passengers. Besides, the introduction of four Amrit Bharat trains showcased seemless travel with modern amenities at affordable rates for the passengers. Following the success of these trains, the Railways also launched Namo Bharat Rapid Rail to improve short distance  intercity connectivity. Further, the country’s historic bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad has witnessed the construction of over 243 km along with bridges across 13 rivers. To ensure safety of passengers and preventing train collisions the KAVACH system has been introduced and finalized to equip ten thousand locomotives. CCTV Cameras have also been installed at more than one thousand stations across the country. Additionally, 6450 km of tracks have been renewed and speed of the trains has been increased upto 130 km per hour in over its two thousand kms of network. With Dipendra Kumar, Bhanu Pratap Singh For Akashvani News Delhi.

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People across the globe are bidding farewell to 2024 and welcoming 2025, as cities around the world prepare for New Year celebrations that highlight local cultures and traditions. The Pacific island nation of Kiribati was the first country to ring in 2025. The Micronesian nation was soon followed into 2025 by the Chatham Islands in New Zealand. Auckland in New Zealand, was also among the first major cities in the world to usher in the New Year, as thousands enjoyed a dazzling fireworks display at the iconic Sky Tower. Following Auckland, Sydney, Australia has also welcomed 2025 with a spectacular fireworks display, cheers erupted as the clock struck midnight and the skies lit up over the harbour.

 

 

Meanwhile, the People of Delhi-NCR are all set to welcome the New Year 2025. On the eve of New Year, the streets have been lit up.

 

 

President Droupadi Murmu has greeted people on the eve of New Year 2025. In her message, the President said, the New Year marks the beginning of new hopes, dreams and aspirations in everyone’s lives. She urged people to welcome the New Year with joy and enthusiasm and take the society and nation further on the path of unity and excellence.

 

 

In Assam, Music and community feasts are some of the highlights of the New Year celebration tonight across the state.  More from our Correspondent…

 

 

All the major cities of Assam including Guwahati are celebrating the New Year with music and food. Hotels and clubs are organizing dance and music for the youths.   Large number of domestic and international tourists reached the Kaziranga and Manas national park to welcome the New Year in serenity. Assam Police meanwhile urged the citizens to celebrate the New Year with responsibility to avoid any untoward incidents. Special drives are being undertaken particularly in Guwahati to prevent drink and drive cases. Manas Pratim Sarma/for Akashwani News/ Guwahati.

 

 

In Maharashtra, the city of Mumbai and its suburbs are gearing up to witness grand celebrations at various locations. Our Mumbai correspondent has filed this report:

 

 

Large crowds are gathering at iconic locations in Mumbai, including the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaon Chowpatty, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu, and Versova beaches, among others, to ring in the new year. In anticipation of increased footfall, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) is running an additional 25 buses today. Additionally, BEST is offering Heritage Tours in air-conditioned double-decker electric buses, showcasing Mumbai’s iconic locations. To ensure safety and prevent any untoward incidents on New Year’s Eve, the Mumbai Police is implementing extensive security measures, deploying over 14,000 personnel.  Various iconic locations in Mumbai have been adorned with lights and decorations adding bling and sparkle to the celebrations. ANKITA APTE/AKASHVANI NEWS/MUMBAI

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Several parts of the country are expected to grapple with cold wave conditions on the New Year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to scattered rainfall and snowfall over Western Himalayan region during the next two to three days. According to IMD, cold day conditions are expected at isolated places over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh tomorrow.

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In the Hockey India League, a match is underway between the Delhi SG Pipers and the Hyderabad Toofans in their second encounter at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela. Hyderabad Toofans were leading 2-0, when reports last came in.

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In Chhattisgarh, the 24th National Vanvasi Sports Competition held in Raipur concluded today. In the final match of football, Santhal Pargana won the title by defeating Kerala by four goals to one in a tie-breaker.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN: –

  • External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar says, Quad is a vital force for stability, progress and prosperity in Indo-Pacific region.

  • India’s core sectors’ output growth increases by 4.3 percent in November this year on annual basis.

  • In Maharashtra, Anti-Terrorism Squad arrests 43 Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in various parts of state this month.

  • People gear up to welcome New Year 2025 across the world; President Droupadi Murmu greets people on the eve of New Year.

  • IMD forecasts light to scattered rainfall and snowfall over Western Himalayan region during next two to three days.

  • In Hockey India League, match underway between Delhi SG Pipers and Hyderabad Toofans at Rourkela.

For details of these stories and more, log on to our website

www.newsonair.gov.in and News On Air App.

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