Highlights: Massive fire breaks out at chemical factory in Maharashtra's Palghar

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10:48 PM

Chhagan Bhujbal's exclusion from Maharashtra cabinet internal issue of NCP: Bharat Gogawale

Maharashtra EGS Minister and Shiv Sena leader Bharat Gogawale said on Sunday that Chhagan Bhujbal's exclusion from the cabinet is an internal issue of NCP and not of Mahayuti. He said it's the discretion of the Nationalist Congress Party to pick ministers like Shiv Sena and BJP. "Others can't comment on this issue. The exclusion of Bhujbal from the council of ministers is the issue of the NCP and not of the Mahayuti coalition," he told reporters. Bhujbal blamed NCP president and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for not inducting him in the expanded cabinet of the BJP-led Government of which NCP and Shiv Sena are constituents.

10:30 PM

AB-PMJAY has reduced cancer patients' financial burden significantly: PM Modi

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has reduced the cancer patients' financial burden significantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. Modi highlighted the achievements made in the fight against malaria and cancer in the 117th episode of his 'Mann Ki Baat'. He said the success on this front has attracted the attention of the world today. On the fight against cancer, the prime minister talked about a study by Medical Journal Lancet according to which the chances of starting cancer treatment in time in India have increased significantly. Modi also emphasised the role of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in ensuring timely treatment of cancer patients, within 30 days.

10:11 PM

Israeli airstrike near Syrian capital kills 11, says war monitor

An Israeli airstrike in the outskirts of Damascus on Sunday killed 11 people, according to a war monitor, as Israel continues to target Syrian weapons and military infrastructure even after the ouster of former President Bashar Assad. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrike targeted a weapons depot that belonged to Assad's forces near the industrial town of Adra, northeast of the capital. The observatory said at least 11 people, mostly civilians, were killed.

9:59 PM

PAC jawan among 2 killed as car falls into gorge in Uttarakhand's Pauri

Two people, including a PAC jawan, were killed and another person was seriously injured on Sunday when the car they were travelling in fell into a gorge in Rikhnikhal block of this district. The car fell into a 150-metre-deep gorge near Bayela Malla village on the Rikhnikhal-Sidhkhal road, the district disaster management centre here said. Two persons, including the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) jawan, died on the spot, it said. The car which was being used as a government vehicle was going towards Rikhnikhal when the accident occurred.

9:44 PM

Bengal DGP writes to MEA on fake passport issue, requests Centre to strengthen verification process

West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar on Sunday said that he had written to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urging a total overhauling of the verification and distribution of new passports to combat misuse. Kolkata Police recently unearthed a fake passport racket and arrested at least eight persons for their alleged involvement in it. Talking to reporters, the IPS officer said in the letter to the MEA, they also pointed out software issues and proposed the idea of superintendents of police personally conducting the verification process.

9:21 PM

Avalanche warning issued for Uttarakhand's Chamoli

The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on Sunday issued an orange alert for an avalanche at an altitude of over 3,000 metres in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district over the next 24 hours. The alert is for a period of 24 hours from 5 pm on Sunday to 5 pm on Monday. Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority Joint Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Obaidullah Ansari wrote to the district magistrate of Chamoli and drew his attention to the DGRE's orange alert (level 3) for the area.

9:04 PM

Around 2.5 crore devotees likely to visit Ayodhya between Jan 13-Feb 12 after attending Maha Kumbh

Authorities in Ayodhya are preparing for an influx of devotees during January and February, as many people visiting the Maha Kumbh-2025 in Prayagraj are also likely to come to the temple town to seek blessings of Ram Lalla. According to the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation, around 2.5 crore devotees are likely to visit the town from January 13 to February 12. Authorities of the civic body are also expecting a footfall of about three to five lakh devotees in the temple town on the New Year's Day.

8:25 PM

Karnataka contractor death: Case registered against 6, including minister Priyank Kharge's close aide

A case has been registered against the close aide of Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, Raju Kapanur and five others in connection with hatching a conspiracy to kill BJP MLA Basavaraj Mattimadu and other leaders, police said on Sunday. The case was registered based on a suicide note by a civil contractor, Sachin Panchal, who had mentioned that the Congress leaders had connived to kill Mattimadu, Siddalinga Swami of Andola Math, BJP leaders Manikanth Rathod and Chandu Patil.

8:15 PM

There is no development but destruction under BJP govt in UP, says Akhilesh Yadav

Launching a scathing attack on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said there is no development but destruction under the present regime. The former chief minister said the BJP government is making Uttar Pradesh number one in borrowing and debt. Escalating his attack, Yadav said the treasury has been emptied. Speaking to reporters at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia auditorium at the party office, the Samajwadi Party chief accused the government of cheating the farmers.

7:48 PM

Protests held against abolition of nine Rajasthan districts

Protests broke out on Sunday in the nine Rajasthan districts abolished by the BJP government.. The state government on Saturday decided to dissolve nine of the 17 districts created by the previous Congress dispensation, saying they were neither practical nor in public interest. Three new divisions were also dissolved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. The state will now only have seven divisions and 41 districts. The nine districts abolished are Anupgarh, Dudu, Gangapur City, Jaipur Rural, Jodhpur Rural, Kekri, Neem Ka Thana, Sanchore and Shahpura.

7:37 PM

4 die after inhaling toxic gas at chemical unit in Gujarat; firm to pay Rs 30 lakh ex gratia

Four workers died after inhaling toxic fumes following a gas leak at a chemical plant at Dahej in Gujarat's Bharuch district, police said on Sunday. The company said all four were given immediate medical care but could not be saved. It has announced Rs 30 lakh ex gratia to the kin of each victim. A company employee and three contractual workers fell unconscious after poisonous fumes leaked from a pipe at a production unit of the Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited (GFL) on Saturday night, Dahej police station inspector BM Patidar said. They were rushed to a private hospital where all four of them died, he said.

7:27 PM

Former PM Manmohan Singh was India's man of destiny: G P Hinduja

Late Manmohan Singh was India's man of destiny and the country owes much to the former prime minister, who played an integral role in bringing India from nuclear isolation to the mainstream of global nuclear nations, Hinduja Group Chairman G P Hinduja said on Sunday. In a tribute to Singh, who passed away on Thursday, Hinduja said he was a colossus among economists. "He was India's man of destiny when the country on the brink of bankruptcy needed someone to take charge. His clear vision to revive the nation demonstrated through an epoch-making budget in 1991, marked a turning point unlike any other on the road to liberalisation," Hinduja said in a statement.

7:21 PM

BJP accuses AAP of trying to register 'illegal voters' in Delhi

The BJP on Sunday accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP of trying to register "illegal voters", fearing defeat in the Delhi Assembly polls.The BJP's city unit chief Virendra Sachdeva said in a press conference that his party would not allow "fake votes" to be cast in Delhi. "We have provided multiple pieces of evidence but Kejriwal is merely attempting to cover up his 'wrongdoings' by creating confusion among the people," he charged.

7:06 PM

PM Modi highlights ayurveda's growing global resonance in 'Mann ki Baat'

In the 117th episode of his monthly radio broadcast "Mann ki Baat", Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the growing global resonance of ayurveda, citing the inspiring work being done in Paraguay. "There is a country in South America called Paraguay. The number of Indians living there would not be more than 1,000. A wonderful effort is being made in Paraguay. At the Indian embassy in Paraguay, Erica Huber offers ayurveda consultation. A large number of local people are reaching out to her to get ayurveda-based advice," the prime minister said.

6:56 PM

Sabarimala temple to reopen for makaravilakku festival on Dec 30

The Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple will reopen on Monday for this year's makaravilakku festival, the temple authorities said. The temple will be opened at 4 pm by Melshanthi S Arun Kumar Namboothiri, in the presence of the head priest, Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru. Pilgrims can ascend the sacred 18 steps for darshan after the Melshanthi performs the ceremonial lighting of the fire at the fireplace (aazhi) in the sanctum.

6:43 PM

Delhi polls: Kejriwal accuses BJP of manipulating electoral roll

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday accused the BJP of trying to manipulate voter list in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections. Speaking at a press conference alongside Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, Kejriwal claimed the BJP was trying to win elections through "unfair means" after failing to present strong candidates or issues. "BJP has already lost the elections. They don't have a chief ministerial face or even proper candidates. They only aim to win through manipulation, but we won't let them succeed," he said. The former Delhi chief minister alleged that the BJP had filed 11,000 voter deletion applications in one constituency alone, but the move was halted at the Chief Election Commissioner's intervention.

6:32 PM

J-K CM Abdullah reviews restoration works in Kashmir after heavy snowfall

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday reviewed the restoration works in Kashmir in the aftermath of heavy snowfall that hit the valley over the past two days. "In the aftermath of the recent heavy snowfall, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a comprehensive meeting with members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) and the deputy commissioners (DCs) of the Kashmir Division via video conferencing," said an official spokesman. During the meeting, the MLAs across the party lines appreciated the efforts of Abdullah-led administration in swift response to snowfall, acknowledging the government's commitment in times of adverse weather conditions.

6:20 PM

Navjot Sidhu writes to President Murmu for Manmohan Singh memorial

Senior Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to direct the Centre to raise a memorial for former prime minister Manmohan Singh at the Raj Ghat complex. Sidhu's letter comes a day after the Congress accused the Centre of insulting Manmohan Singh, the country's first Sikh prime minister, by carrying out his last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated spot that could have become his memorial. The opposition party had written to the Centre for identifying a designated place for Singh's last rites. The Centre responded by saying a decision to set up a memorial has already been taken and a trust would be formed to identify the location soon.

6:06 PM

Up to Centre to decide if it wants to forcibly evict Dallewal from protest site: Farmer leaders

With Jagjit Singh Dallewal's indefinite hunger strike entering its 34th day on Sunday, farmer leaders at Khanauri said they have been following the Gandhian way to continue their protest and it is up to the government to decide whether it wants to use force to evict their senior leader. Their statement comes amid the Supreme Court's strong criticism of the Punjab government for not shifting Dallewal to a hospital. Speaking to reporters at the Khanauri border protest site, farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said, "We want to make it clear that the Centre, right from day one, has been trying to defame and suppress our agitation."

5:53 PM

Manmohan Singh memorial: Congress accuses Centre of having 'hidden agenda'

The Congress on Sunday alleged that union government could not identify a designated space for performing the last rites of former PM Manmohan Singh, where a memorial could be built later, as it intervened in the matter with a "hidden agenda". It has long been the practice to set up a memorial at the same place where the last rites are performed. However, the BJP-led Union government mishandled the issue and worsened the situation, the party alleged.

5:41 PM

Delhi Transport Commissioner refutes Kejriwal's claims of inquiry against CM Atishi

Delhi Transport Commissioner Prashant Goyal has issued a letter to Chief Minister Atishi, categorically denying allegations made by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal that an inquiry is being planned against her in connection with the free bus ride scheme for women.

"My attention is drawn to news reports on television and social media wherein former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is seen alleging that an inquiry is being contemplated in the Transport Department implicating your good self. I would like to place on record that no such inquiry has even been contemplated by the Transport Department," he said in the letter dated December 26.

5:29 PM

Akhilesh pitches for ballot voting, says EVMs not trustworthy

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has called for elections to be conducted using ballot papers, citing a lack of trust in electronic voting machines (EVMs). The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said this at a press conference at the SP headquarters here on Sunday, alongside Rahul Kumar Kamboj, an Indian-origin member of Parliament in Germany. Emphasising the need for elections that inspire confidence, he said, "No one trusts EVMs. Even the faces of those who win elections seem dejected as they too do not have faith in the system."

3:54 PM

Plane catches fire after skidding off runway in S Korea; at least 176 dead

A passenger plane burst into flames Sunday after it skidded off a runway at a South Korean airport and slammed into a concrete fence when its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy, killing most of the 181 people on board, in one of the country's worst aviation disasters. The National Fire Agency said rescuers raced to pull people from the Jeju Air passenger plane at the airport in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometres south of Seoul. The Transport Ministry said the plane was a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet that was returning from Bangkok and that the crash happened at 9:03 am. At least 176 people 83 women, 82 men and 11 others whose genders weren't immediately identifiable died in the fire, the fire agency said. Emergency workers pulled two people, both crew members, to safety. Health officials said they are conscious and not in life-threatening condition.

2:21 PM

Woman held for using fake admit card in police recruitment test in UP

A woman was arrested for allegedly using a forged admit card to appear for the physical standard test during the Uttar Pradesh police recruitment process despite failing the written examination, officials said. Shravasti Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Praveen Kumar Yadav told PTI, "A woman candidate named Richa Singh was arrested on Saturday for attempting to appear for the physical standard test using a fake admit card."

1:52 PM

Ravindra Telang appointed new chief secretary of Sikkim

IAS officer Ravindra Telang was named the new chief secretary of Sikkim. He will replace VB Pathak who will retire from service on December 31, officials said. Telang, an officer of the 1995 batch, was the additional chief secretary in charge of the Education Department in his last assignment. He was appointed to the post in 2022.

1:03 PM

8 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants deported: Delhi Police

The Delhi Police has deported eight Bangladeshi nationals who were residing in the Rangpuri area of the national capital, an official said. Those deported are Jahangir, his wife and their six children, hailing from Kekerhat village in Madaripur district of Bangladesh, he said.

12:07 PM

BJP organizational election review meeting begins

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organizational election review meeting is underway at the party's headquarters extension office in national capital.Organization General Secretary BL Santosh, National General Secretaries, all the state presidents, state organization general secretaries and organization election in-charge co-in-charge are present in the meeting. Party President JP Nadda will address the session of the meeting at noon.

11:48 AM

Drugs worth Rs 15 crore seized; two held in Assam

In a major drug haul, Yaba tablets worth around Rs 15 crore were seized in Cachar district of Assam and two persons have been arrested, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. "Narcotics worth Rs 15 cr seized... Based on credible inputs, @cacharpolice conducted a special operation at Ghoongur Bypass and intercepted a vehicle coming from a neighbouring state," he said in a post on X.

11:34 AM

3.2 magnitude tremor hits Kutch in Gujarat; no casualty

A tremor of 3.2 magnitude jolted Gujarat's Kutch district on Sunday morning, the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) said. There was no report of any casualty or damage to property, the district administration said. The tremor was recorded at 10.06 am with its epicentre located 18 kilometres north-north east of Bhachau, the Gandhinagar-based ISR said. It is the third seismic activity of more than 3 magnitude in the district this month.

11:16 AM

Two wanted criminals nabbed after shootout in Delhi

Delhi Police arrested two wanted criminals involved in about 80 cases, including that of armed robbery, after a shootout in west Delhi, officials said. Acting on a tip-off about the duo's location in Madipur, multiple teams were formed to cover all possible exit routes in the area, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), Vichitra Veer, said.