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December 20, 2024 9:08 AM

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Morning News

THE HEADLINES:

 

  • Delhi Police lodges FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for injuring two BJP MPs.

 

  • Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla bars protests at any of the gates in Parliament House.

 

  • Registration begins for 8th edition of Pariksha pe Charcha to be held next month.

 

  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to hold pre-budget consultations with Finance Ministers of various states in Jaisalmer today.

 

  • New Delhi to host 2025 Para Athletics World Championships and World Para Athletics Grand Prix.

 

  • In Cricket, India Women crush West Indies by 60 runs in third and final T20 International to clinch the series 2-1.

 

 

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The Delhi Police has filed an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on BJP’s complaint. Delhi police in a statement said it has only removed section 109 of Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita and all other sections are the same as given in the complaint.
BJP MPs Anurag Singh Thakur, along with fellow MPs Bansuri Swaraj and Hemang Joshi had lodged a complaint against  Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at Parliament Street Police Station yesterday under Sections 109 (attempt to murder), 115 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 117, 125, 131 and 351 for injuring BJP MPs by pushing them.

 

 

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BJP has filed a complaint with Delhi Police against senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for assault and incitement after two party MPs got injured during a peaceful protest by NDA MPs in Parliament House Complex yesterday. Talking to media, senior BJP leader Anurag Singh Thakur said, in their complaint at Parliament Street Police Station the party has mentioned in detail the incident.

 

Addressing a Press Conference at Party Headquarters, Senior Party Leader and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused Mr. Gandhi of misbehaving with NDA MPs in the Parliament House Complex.

 

The Minister said, BJP MP Pratap Sarangi was seriosuly injured and admitted in the hospital and another MP Mukesh Rajput was also injured.  He said, Tribal MP Phangnon Konyak was treated inappropriately by Rahul Gandhi and she has complained about it to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Congress MPs also reached the Police station and filed a counter-complaint in the matter.

 

 

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Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has issued strict instructions that no Political Party, Member of Parliament or groups of MPs will hold any dharna and demonstration at any building gates of the Parliament House.

The instruction has come in the wake of the incident in the Parliament precincts yesterday as Congress and BJP MPs shoved each other at the gate during protests which led to injury and hospitalization of two MPs.

 

 

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will hold pre-budget consultations with finance ministers of various states in Jaisalmer today, ahead of the presentation of Union Budget. The Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 is expected to be presented in Parliament on February 1, 2025. This will mark Finance Minister Sitharaman’s eighth consecutive Budget presentation.

 

According to a government official, states will have a key role in the discussions, advocating for policies that promote innovation, investment, and job creation. The meeting will be a platform to discuss necessary measures to improve economic stability and encourage sustainable growth. The official also highlighted the significance of this year’s Budget consultations, especially in light of recent state election results.

Tomorrow, Ms Sitharaman will chair the 55th meeting of GST Council in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

 

We spoke to Jaisalmer SP, Sudhir Choudhary about security arrangements for the two high profile meetings in the city:

 

 

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Christmas celebrations at the residence of Union Minister George Kurian in New Delhi yesterday. Mr Modi interacted with eminent members of the Christian community on the occasion.

 

 

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The 8th edition of Pariksha pe Charcha will be held next month. Registration for this Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unique interactive program has already started and will remain open until 14th January on MyGov Portal. This program has conceptualized to reduce examination stress and encourage students, teachers, and parents to celebrate life as an Utsav. Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Pariksha Pe Charcha gives him an opportunity to interact with student teachers and parents together.

 

In a statement, Ministry of Education said, a quiz competition in MCQ format has been developed for the students of classes 6 to 12, teachers, and parents. During the registration process, students can submit questions of their choice that they would like to ask the Prime Minister. The questions may be related to dealing with examination stress, career, future aspirations or about life in general.

 

 

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Delhi University will introduce a one-year postgraduate course from 2026 in line with the National Education Policy. The draft proposal will be discussed at the Academic Council meeting scheduled for December 27. Delhi University has already implemented a four-year undergraduate programme, with the third semester currently underway. Under this framework, students exiting after the first year receive a certificate, those leaving after the second year are awarded a diploma, and those completing three years obtain a degree.

 

 

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Delhi government has announced a complete ban on all types of firecrackers in the national capital throughout the year, starting from January 1, 2025. According to a government order issued in this regard, the sale, storage, and use of firecrackers will be completely banned. During a hearing in Supreme Court yesterday, Delhi government informed the apex court about the complete ban on firecrackers amid the increasing air pollution in the city.

 

 

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Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will be on a three day official visit to Mauritius beginning today. The visit marks the first high-level bilateral engagement between India and Mauritius after the formation of the new government in Mauritius led by Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam. The visit is a continuation of the regular high level exchanges between the two countries and reflects the priority India attaches to its relation with Mauritius under its Vision SAGAR, Africa Forward policy and commitment to Global South.

 

 

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that he is ready to compromise over Ukraine in possible talks with US President-elect Donald Trump to end the war. Talking to mediapersons, President Putin stated he has no conditions for talks with Ukrainian authorities and is ready to negotiate with anyone, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, Russian President emphasized that any deal must be signed by Ukraine’s legitimate authorities, which the Kremlin currently recognizes as the Ukrainian parliament.

 

 

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In Sports, New Delhi will host World Para Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Grand Prix for the first time in 2025.

 

This will be the first time the World Para Athletics Championships are held in India, and New Delhi 2025 will mark the 12th edition of the event. The competition will take place from September 26 to October 5.  In addition, the Indian capital will also host a World Para Athletics Grand Prix for the first time next year. It is scheduled to take place from March 11 to 13, also at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. In other sports news, in Women’s T20I Cricket, Hosts India defeated the West Indies by 60 runs in the third and final match to clinch the series 2-1 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai last night.  Put in to bat first, India posted their highest-ever total in T20Is, scoring 217 for four in 20 overs. Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 77 runs off 47 balls, while Richa Ghosh provided a quickfire 54 runs off just 21 balls. Ghosh also equalled the world record for the fastest fifty in women’s T20Is, reaching 50 in just 18 balls. In reply, the Visitors could only manage 157 for 9 in 20 overs.  Ghosh was adjudged Player of the Match for her brilliant fifty, while Mandhana was named Player of the Series for her three half-centuries and an aggregate of 193 runs.  India will next face the West Indies in a three-match ODI series, scheduled for the 22nd, 24th, and 27th of this month. In more cricket news, veteran Indian pacer Mohammad Shami will be rested for Bengal’s Vijay Hazare Trophy opener against Delhi in Hyderabad tomorrow. The Cricket Association of Bengal announced the decision yesterday.  MANIK SHARMA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.

 

 

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India Meteorological Department has forecast cold wave to severe cold wave conditions over Himachal Pradesh, west Rajasthan, Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh today. Cold wave conditions in these regions will continue for the next two days. East Rajasthan and Jharkhand are likely to experience dense fog conditions during the night and morning hours today.

 

 

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The movement of several trains has been affected as fog has engulfed the northern region of the country, causing low visibility. According to Indian Railways, as many as 14 Delhi-bound trains are running late. These include the Kaifiyat Express, Sampark Kranti Express, Gondwana Express, Telangana Express, Shiv Ganga Express, and Padmavat Express. Passengers have been advised to check the latest status of the trains before arriving at the station to board them.

 

 

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The air quality in the national capital, Delhi continues to be in the severe category, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 434 as of 7 this morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI at Delhi’s Bawana was recorded at 465, Anand Vihar at 456, R K Puram at 453, Punjabi Bagh at 449, Shadipur at 436, Alipur at 423 and Sri Aurobindo Marg recorded an AQI of 418.

 

 

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,

 

  • Hindustan Times in its front page report says, “Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh dismisses opposition’s No confidence motion against Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar”.
  • In another front page report the paper says, “Top militant among five terrorists killed in J&K”. The Times of India reports that longest serving Hizbul terrorist killed in J&K.
  • Lead story in Hindu Business Line says, “New Bill proposes Jail-term and stiff fine for unregulated lending”. Paper also informs, harassment of any person by unregulated lenders, including those giving loans through digital means, will also be similarly punishable.
  • Financial Express writes “Unregulated lenders could face upto 10 years in prison”.
  • The Asian Age report on the complete ban of firecrackers throughout the year by Delhi Government. Supreme court asks Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments to follow suit.
  • Indian Express writes “Popular drugs for weight loss endorsed by WHO scientists”.
  • And finally, Tesla will roll out its driverless cars in Texas on the roads early next year, informs The Tribune.

 

 

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-

 

  • Delhi Police lodges FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for injuring two BJP MPs.

 

  • Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla bars protests at any of the gates in Parliament House.

 

  • Registration begins for 8th edition of Pariksha pe Charcha to be held next month.

 

  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to hold pre-budget consultations with Finance Ministers of various states in Jaisalmer today.

 

  • New Delhi to host 2025 Para Athletics World Championships and World Para Athletics Grand Prix.

 

  • In Cricket, India Women crush West Indies by 60 runs in third and final T20 International to clinch the series 2-1.

 

 

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