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11:18 PM

PM Modi asks states to provide environment for start-ups to flourish

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked states to work towards providing an environment where start-ups can flourish, simplify the compliances that often lead to harassment of citizens and take obesity as a big challenge. Addressing the fourth national conference of chief secretaries here, he said states should reform governance model in such a way that encourages citizen participation, according to an official statement.

11:17 PM

Senior Congress leader EVKS Elangovan cremated with full state honours

Senior Congress leader EVKS Elangovan, who died following illness, was cremated in Chennai on Sunday with full government honours, marked by a 21-gun salute by the police. Leaders led by Chief Minister M K Stalin and people, paid homage to the departed leader here and later, the body was cremated at the Mugalivakkam electric crematorium. A former union minister, ex-chief of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and an MLA representing Erode East Assembly constituency, he was the grandnephew of 'Periyar' EV Ramasamy.

 

11:11 PM

Official in French territory of Mayotte says death toll from Cyclone Chido is 'several hundred'

The death toll in the French territory of Mayotte from Cyclone Chido is “several hundred” and may be close to 1,000, the island's top government official told the local broadcaster Sunday. Mayotte Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville told TV station Mayotte la 1ere, “I think there are some several hundred dead, maybe we'll get close to a thousand.” He said it was “extremely difficult” to get an exact number right now after the Indian Ocean islands were pummelled by the intense tropical cyclone on Saturday, causing widespread destruction. 

 

10:58 PM

Man beaten to death on suspicion of stealing tractor in Bihar

A man was allegedly beaten to death on suspicion of stealing a tractor in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, police said on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Shambhu Sahni. He was rescued by police and taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Two people, including the owner of the tractor, have been arrested in connection with the case.

10:50 PM

Hindi played important role in development of India: Om Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday said that Hindi was India's soul and identity and along with other languages has played a significant role in the development of society and the nation. Addressing the 30th Annual Convention of the Etawah Hindi Seva Nidhi, Hindi was India's soul and identity and along with other languages has played a significant role in the development of society and the nation. Birla said that Hindi has woven the country's cultural diversity into a single thread and empowered it.

 

10:42 PM

1st Women's T20I: India beat West Indies by 49 runs

India defeated West Indies by 49 runs in the opening T20 International in Mumbai on Sunday. Asked to take first strike, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues hit fifties to guide India to a commanding 195 for four.Mandhana hit two sixes and seven fours during her 33-ball 54, her 28th fifty in the T20I format to give India a brisk start.

10:40 PM

Israel to close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions

Israel said on Sunday it will close its embassy in Ireland as relations deteriorated over the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical officials said new Israeli airstrikes killed over 30 people including several children. The decision to close the embassy came in response to what Israel's foreign minister has described as Ireland's “extreme anti-Israel policies”. In May, Israel recalled its ambassador to Dublin after Ireland announced, along with Norway, Spain and Slovenia, it would recognise a Palestinian state. The Irish cabinet last week decided to formally intervene in South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel denies it.

10:37 PM

Delhi BJP leaders stay overnight in slums to address residents' concerns

Delhi BJP leaders stayed overnight in 1,194 slum clusters across the city as part of an outreach program to connect with the slum dwellers and address their concerns ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. Led by Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, the party leaders stayed overnight in 1,194 slum clusters across the city to interact directly with the residents and understand their challenges. The initiative, part of the BJP's ongoing Slum Expansion Campaign, aimed to build connections with the slum dwellers and address their concerns ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, according to a statement.

10:31 PM

Naidu's Swarna Andhra 2047 vision a 'gimmick', lacking substance: Jagan

YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday criticised Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's 'Swarna Andhra 2047' vision as a 'gimmick' lacking substance. The former chief minister asserted that the vision was a 'superficial attempt' to mislead people. "Chandrababu Naidu got into another publicity stunt in the name of Vision 2047. This is another ploy to cheat people. There is no place for the state's needs, people's needs, and above all reality in Chandrababu's document (vision)," said Reddy in a post on X.

 

10:23 PM

Deeply concerned about boy injured in theatre stampede, says actor Allu Arjun

Telugu star Allu Arjun on Sunday said he is "deeply concerned" about the young boy who was injured in a stampede at a cinema hall in Hyderabad during the premiere of his film "Pushpa 2: The Rule" and is undergoing treatment at a hospital. The actor's statement came a day after he was released from jail following his arrest in connection with the death of the boy's mother in the December 4 stampede at the Sandhya Theatre. While the 35-year-old woman died, her eight-year-old son was seriously injured as fans thronged the theatre to catch a glimpse of Arjun.

10:20 PM

Foundation of India's culture lies in Vedas: Defence Minister Singh

The foundation of India's culture lies in the Vedas and they contain a wealth of knowledge that can be helpful to find solutions to the problems of the modern age, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday. In an address at an event held to commemorate Swami Dayanand Saraswati's 200th birth anniversary, Singh also said that the Vedas have numerous mathematical concepts, indicating that mathematics existed during the Vedic era.

9:43 PM

AIADMK says naming laws in Hindi is 'thrusting Hindi'

Tamil Nadu's main opposition AIADMK on Sunday alleged that the Centre naming laws in Hindi and Sanskrit amounted to indirect Hindi imposition and urged the union government to name laws in English. At its executive committee and general council meeting here, the party in a resolution said that Hindi was one of the 22 languages listed in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. In Tamil Nadu, a two language formula of Tamil and English continues to be in vogue.

 

9:41 PM

'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme successfully fulfilling its objective: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Sharing the story of a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law who dug a borewell and made a living using the money received through the 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Sunday expressed happiness as the scheme was successfully fulfilling its objective. Gruha Lakshmi is one among the five guarantee schemes implemented by Siddaramaiah's government after coming to power. It provides Rs 2,000 per month to women head of families.

9:37 PM

J-K: Hundreds take part in rally against Vaishno Devi ropeway project

Hundreds of people on Sunday took out a rally through the main market in Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, chanting slogans against the shrine board for setting up a ropeway along the trek. Last month, shopkeepers, labourers, and pony and palanquin owners working on the trek staged massive protests for four days after the shrine board decided to go ahead with Rs 250-crore passenger ropeway project between Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along the 12-km route, fearing loss of their livelihood.

9:27 PM

Changes in foreign policy needed amid changing landscape: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said there must be "a foreign policy for Viksit Bharat" as he underlined that changes in foreign policy are needed amid a changing landscape.

9:25 PM

Temperatures drop in Delhi, Punjab; slight respite from cold for Kashmir

Cold weather conditions persisted in parts of north and west India on Sunday with the mercury dropping several notches in Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan. Kashmir and the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh received some respite from the intense cold as minimum temperatures rose. The respite for Kashmir is likely to be short-lived as the meteorological department has predicted a cold wave in parts of the valley over the next three days.

9:15 PM

Kerala CM accuses centre of vindictive attitude on landslide-hit Wayanad

Launching a sharp criticism against the Union government for denying assistance to the landslide-hit Wayanad, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday accused it of adopting a vindictive stance towards Kerala. The chief minister called for a strong protest against the Centre. "This is something cruel that should not be done to any state. Kerala is also a part of the country," he added. "Our rights and justice should not be denied. The positive aspect is that all our MPs, except those from the BJP, are united in demanding what is rightfully ours," the CM said.

9:12 PM

Sri Lankan President Disanayaka begins 3-day India visit

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka arrived in India on Sunday on a three-day visit in his first foreign trip after assuming the top office in September. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with the Sri Lankan leader on Monday that is expected to focus on trade, investment, energy and maritime security. The Indian side is also likely to convey to the Sri Lankan leader New Delhi's expectations from Colombo to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil community in the island nation.

 

8:32 PM

Portfolio allocation to Maha ministers in next two days: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters that portfolio allocation to the newly elected Maharashtra ministers will be done in the next two days. This comes in after the swearing-in of 39 ministers at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur on Sunday. In the expansion, the BJP got 19 ministerial berths, followed by 11 to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and 9 for Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party. While 33 legislators were sworn in as cabinet ministers, six took oath as ministers of state. 

8:07 PM

Delhi Polls: AAP's 4th candidates list symbol of 'corruption and misgovernance', says BJP

The BJP on Sunday hit back at the AAP and called its fourth list of candidates for the Delhi Assembly polls a symbol of "corruption and misgovernance". The BJP's outburst came as AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal took a swipe at the saffron outfit for lacking a "CM face" and vision. Earlier in the day, the AAP released its final and fourth list of 38 candidates for the polls due in February next year. The BJP is yet to declare its candidates for the elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly.

8:01 PM

Vice President Dhankhar raises concerns over commercialisation of education

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday expressed concerns over the commercialisation of education and called for brainstorming efforts to address it, stressing that it should be imparted in the spirit of service. Calling education an important tool, he said it can bring equality, boost democracy and ensure prosperity in the world. Dhankhar was addressing students after unveiling a statue of Jiwajirao Scindia of the Scindia dynasty at the Jiwaji University in Gwalior.

 

7:55 PM

Simran Shaikh costliest player in WPL mini auction, Sneh Rana goes unsold

Mumbai cricketer Simran Shaikh became the costliest player of the Women's Premier League mini-auction 2025, being bought by Gujarat Giants for Rs 1.90 crore even as veteran India player Sneh Rana went unsold here on Sunday. The other top money earners were West Indies stalwart Deandra Dottin (Rs 1.70 crore - Gujarat Giants), 16-year-old U19 wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini (Mumbai Indians - Rs 1.60 crore), Prema Rawat (Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rs 1.20 crore) and N Charani (Delhi Capitals - Rs 55 lakh). Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants were involved in a bidding war for Simran before the latter raised the bar to net her.

7:42 PM

Panic grips Imphal's Heingang after hand grenade, threat letter found outside contractor's house

A threat letter along with a hand grenade was found at a contractor's house in Manipur's Imphal East district on Sunday, triggering panic, police said. The grenade was kept at the entrance of the house of Thokchom Shankar (52) in Kairang Makha Leikai Lane 3 in the Heingang police station area, they said. The note accompanying it asked if Thokchom can save the lives of his family members, they added. Police seized the grenade and started an investigation into the incident.

7:39 PM

Over 2 million devotees visited Sabarimala in 29 days: Top official

Over 2.2 million Ayyappa devotees visited Sabarimala in 29 days till December 14, Travancore Devaswom Board president P S Prashanth said on Sunday. A total of 22,67,956 Ayyappa devotees visited Sabarimala in 29 days till December 14, he said. The total revenue received in the period amounted to Rs 163.89 crore. 

 

7:30 PM

Punjab DGP, MHA director meet ailing farmer leader Dallewal

The Punjab Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, and Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mayank Mishra, met farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewall - who has been staging an indefinite hunger strike since last month - and enquired about his health. The duo met Dallewal at the Khanauri border point and heard his demands. Their visit came two days after the Supreme Court directed the Centre and Punjab government representatives to meet Dallewal immediately.

7:26 PM

Comments on ISKCON in Bangladesh 'pack of lies', says Kolkata vice-president

ISKCON Kolkata vice-president Radharaman Das on Sunday termed as "a pack of lies" and "alarming" comments by some leaders of political parties in Bangladesh, which has branded the global religious body of Vaishnavites as "fundamentalist". Asserting that ISKCON stands for peace, amity, fraternity, and brotherhood among all communities and helps people in distress everywhere in the world, Das said such comments by student leaders, BNP politicians and "religious fanatics" in Bangladesh will not desist the organisation from performing its role there.

7:24 PM

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain unwell, admitted to ICU in San Francisco

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has been admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital after experiencing heart related problems, his friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia said on Sunday. The 73-year-old US-based musician had been having blood pressure issues, added a source close to Hussain. "He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart related problem for the last week. He is unwell and admitted in the ICU right now. We all are worried about the situation," Chaurasia told PTI.

 

7:16 PM

Those left out in cabinet expansion will get chance later: Maha Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said the ruling Mahayuti will also give a chance to other legislators, who have not found a place in the current ministry, during this government's tenure. "We will give an opportunity to others also for two-and-a-half years," NCP leader Pawar said addressing a gathering of his party workers in Nagpur before the cabinet expansion.

6:52 PM

Maha ministers sworn in at Nagpur's Raj Bhavan for first time since 1991

The swearing-in of 39 ministers at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur on Sunday was the first held in Maharashtra's second capital in 33 years, the last such event being the cabinet expansion of the Sudhakarrao Naik dispensation in 1991. Naik had expanded his council of ministers by inducting Shiv Sena rebels Chhagan Bhujbal and Rajendra Gole, who had switched over to the ruling Congress. The Congress' Beed legislator Jaidutt Kshirsagar was also inducted into the Naik government at the time.

6:38 PM

Maharashtra ministry expanded, 39 take oath as ministers

The 10-day-old BJP-led Mahayuti alliance ministry in Maharashtra was expanded at Nagpur on Sunday, with 39 ministers being sworn in, taking its strength to 42. In the expansion, BJP got 19 ministerial berths, followed by 11 to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and 9 for Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party. While 33 legislators were sworn in as cabinet ministers, six took oath as ministers of state. Maharashtra Governor P C Radhakrishnan administered the oath to the new ministers at the ceremony held on the eve of the state legislature's winter session being held in Nagpur from December 16 to 21.