THE HEADLINES:
- National Investigation Agency makes first major arrest in Red Fort car bomb blast case; Nabs close aide of suicide bomber Umar Nabi from Delhi.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi asks team of India's first bullet train project to document their experiences in a ‘Blue Book’ to guide future work.
- NDA's five allies engage in hectic parleys on formation of new government in Bihar.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar meets Qatar's top leadership in Doha; Reiterates commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
- Indian shooter Dhanush Srikanth sets world record at Deaflympics in Tokyo, clinching gold medal in Men's Air Rifle event.
- In first ever Women’s T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind, India beat Pakistan by eight wickets at Colombo in Sri Lanka.
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced the first major breakthrough in the Red Fort area car bomb blast case which claimed 10 innocent lives and left 25 others injured in the National Capital. The agency has arrested a Kashmiri resident named Amir Rashid Ali from Delhi in the case who reportedly conspired with the suicide bomber Umar Nabi to carry out the terror attack. According to the agency, the car involved in the attack was registered under the name of the accused, Amir Rashid Ali. The anti-terror agency has also seized another vehicle, which belongs to Nabi. The vehicle is being examined for evidence in the case. The NIA has examined 73 witnesses so far, including those injured in the blast. NIA is working in close coordination with Delhi Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Haryana Police, UP Police and various sister agencies. The Agency said that it is pursuing multiple leads to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the bombing and identify others involved in the case.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked team of India's first bullet train project to document their experiences in a ‘Blue Book’ to guide future work. Mr Modi said, maintaining such records will be useful for students and contribute to nation-building. The Prime Minister made the remarks while interacting with the team of engineers and other workers involved in the project during his visit to the under-construction Bullet Train Station at Surat in Gujarat yesterday. During the visit, Mr Modi also reviewed the progress of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. The Prime Minister asked the team about adherence to speed and timetable targets. Workers informed him that the project was moving ahead smoothly and without difficulties.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was also present during the Prime Minister's visit.
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In Bihar, hectic deliberations are underway among the five constituent parties of the NDA on the formation of the new government following the completion of the Legislative Assembly elections.The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a thumping majority in the Bihar Assembly Polls, winning 202 seats in the 243-member House.
Since yesterday, continuous discussions have been taking place among the BJP, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha on the structure of the new government, cabinet representation quotas, and other key issues.
Earlier in the day, senior BJP leaders including Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha - along with Rashtriya Lok Morcha President Upendra Kushwaha, met JD(U) president and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his residence in Patna. BJP state president Dr. Dilip Jaiswal also met the Chief Minister later in the evening.
Meanwhile, Mr Kushwaha has reached New Delhi to hold discussions with the top BJP leadership regarding issues related to government formation. More from our correspondent:
"Separate meetings of the newly elected MLAs of the BJP and JD(U) are likely to be held tomorrow in Patna to elect their respective legislative party leaders. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to be elected as the leader of the JD(U) legislature party, as senior party leaders have already endorsed his name. After the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) has also elected its legislative party leader. Prafulla Manjhi has been elected as the leader of the HAM legislative group. Once all the constituents of ruling alliance elect their respective legislative party leaders, a joint meeting of the 202 newly elected MLAs of NDA will be convened to elect the leader of the NDA legislative group. Subsequently, the newly elected NDA leader will submit a letter of support from the MLAs to the Governor and stake the claim to form the new government. Dharmendra Kumar Rai, Akashvani News Patna."
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External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar called on Amir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha today. Dr. Jaishankar conveyed the warm greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reiterated the commitment to stronger India-Qatar relations. The Foreign Minister valued Amir of Qatar's guidance on expanding collaboration and exploring new opportunities.
Dr Jaishankar also met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha. In a social media post, the External Affairs Minister said, the two leader exchanged views on developments in the West Asia, as well as broader regional and global issues. Dr Jaishankar expressed happiness over his meetings and said that the discussions covered key aspects of the Strategic Partnership, including energy, trade, investment, and people-to-people connections.
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Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today urged the plastics industry to take a decisive leap towards ensuring 100 per cent reuse and recycling of plastics, in line with India’s national sustainability goals and growing global demand for circular and environmentally responsible products. The Minister was addressing the Export Excellence Awards Ceremony and Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Plastics Export Promotion Council (PLEXCONCIL) in Mumbai today.
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The National Press Day is being observed in the country today. The day marks the establishment of the Press Council of India, which began its work on this day in 1966 as an independent moral watchdog of the media. The day reaffirms the vital role of a free, responsible, and ethical press in strengthening the Nation’s democracy.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took part in the National Press Day celebrations in New Delhi today.
Talking to media, Mr Vaishnaw said Press plays a very important role in country's democracy. He congratulated all the workers in the press and media fraternity on the occasion.
The event was also attended by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju and Chairperson of Press Council of India Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
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Vice President C P Radhakrishnan today underscored the media’s vital role in highlighting the nation’s positive developments to inspire optimism among the youth. The Vice President was speaking at the Manorama Newsmaker Awards ceremony in New Delhi. On the occasion, Mr Radhakrishnan presented the Manorama Newsmaker Award to Union Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi.
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In Kerala, the Sabarimala hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa opened this evening for the auspicious Mandala-Makaravilakku annual pilgrimage. The temple witnessed a heavy rush of devotees who had gathered to offer prayers. We have a report:
"In the presence of Thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru, the outgoing Melsanthi, Arunkumar Namboothiri, opened the Sreekovil of Sabarimala temple at 5 p.m today. The installation ceremony of the newly selected Melsanthis, E.D. Prasad and Manu Namboothiri, for the Ayyappa Temple and the Malikappuram Temple was also performed. The two-month-long annual pilgrimage season begins tomorrow with the start of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam. Mandalapooja will be held on December 27, and the Makaravilakku festival is on January 14. Lakhs of pilgrims from across the country are expected to visit the temple during the annual pilgrimage. Anila Balakrishnan, Akashvani News, Thiruvananthapuram."
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Faridabad, Haryana tomorrow. The meeting will bring together member States and Union Territories of the Northern Zone to discuss issues of regional and national relevance. Senior officials of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Chandigarh will participate. The forum provides a structured platform for cooperative dialogue between the Centre and States.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Mahe till tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be in the very poor category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 373 recorded at 7 PM today.
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Indian shooters made a strong start at the 2025 Deaflympics with Dhanush Srikanth winning the gold medal in Men's air rifle event in Tokyo, and setting a World Record today. Besides securing top podium position, Srikanth successfully defended his title from the last edition and set a remarkable new World Record with an impressive score of 252.2 points in the final to edge past his compatriot Mohammed Vania who settled for a silver medal with score of 250.1. In the women's air rifle event, Mahit Sandhu won silver and Komal Waghmare clinched bronze, giving another double podium finish for India.
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In Boxing, India made a winning start at the World Cup finals in Greater Noida on day one, with all four boxers advancing to the semifinals after a commanding victory in their quarter final bouts. In the women's 48 kg category, Minakshi defeated Kazakhstan’s Bolat Akbota while in 58kg category, Preeti beat Uzbekistan’s Uktamova Nigina. Indian men also started off with victories. In Men's 80kg category, Ankush reached the semi-final with win against Japan’s Wakaya Go and and Narender progressed to last four of 90 (Plus) category, overpowering Ukraine's Mamasoliev Khalimjon.
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In first ever Women’s T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind, India defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in a high-voltage clash at Colombo in Sri Lanka today. India achieved the target of 136 runs in just 10 overs with the loss of two wickets. sealing their fifth straight win of the tournament. For India, Skipper Deepika TC made valuable contribution of 45 runs while an unbeaten 64 by Anekha Devi, earned her Player of the Match. Earlier, put in to bat, Pakistan, were bowled out for 135.
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In Men's Cricket, South Africa defeated hosts India by 30 runs in the first Test of two-match series at Eden Gardens in Kolkata today. Chasing the target of 124 runs set by South Africa, India were all out for 93 runs in their second innings. Earlier, the visitors were bowled out for 153 after resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 93 for 7.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- National Investigation Agency makes first major arrest in Red Fort car bomb blast case; Nabs close aide of suicide bomber Umar Nabi from Delhi.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi asks team of India's first bullet train project to document their experiences in a ‘Blue Book’ to guide future work.
- NDA's five allies engage in hectic parleys on formation of new government in Bihar.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar meets Qatar's top leadership in Doha; Reiterates commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
- Indian shooter Dhanush Srikanth sets world record at Deaflympics in Tokyo, clinching gold medal in Men's Air Rifle event.
- In first ever Women’s T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind, India beat Pakistan by eight wickets at Colombo in Sri Lanka.