THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu hold telephonic conversation; Reiterate zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism.
- Constitution grants Election Commission sole authority to hold Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, asserts Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha debate on ‘electoral reforms’.
- Rajya Sabha discusses significance of Vande Mataram on second day to mark 150th anniversary of National Song.
- In Goa nightclub fire case, Delhi Court rejects transit anticipatory bail to owners Luthra brothers.
- Government says, it has strengthened last mile delivery of disaster alerts and welfare schemes through Akashvani and Doordarshan.
- Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia force mass evacuation from border areas.
- In Men’s Cricket, India to lock horns with South Africa in second T20 encounter in New Chandigarh tomorrow.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over phone. During the telephonic conversation both the leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued momentum in India-Israel Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these ties for mutual benefits. The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The Prime Minister’s Office said, the two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in West Asia. Mr Modi reaffirmed India’s support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region, including early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today supported the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, asserting that the Constitution guarantees the Election Commission the sole authority to prepare the electoral rolls. He emphasized that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is the sole responsibility of the Election Commission and it is intended to purify the electoral rolls. Mr. Shah made these remarks while responding to the discussion on electoral reforms in the Lok Sabha.
Refuting allegations of opposition regarding the SIR process, Mr. Shah accused the opposition, particularly the Congress, of spreading falsehood and tarnishing the image of the country, the government, and the Election Commission. Mr. Shah clarified that the poll panel operates independently and is not influenced by the government. The Home Minister said, the NDA’s policy is to detect, delete, and deport intruders, while the opposition’s policy is to normalize these intruders by adding them to the voters’ list. After the opposition staged a walkout, Mr. Shah remarked that their boycott would make no difference, asserting that not a single infiltrator will be allowed to vote in the elections. He also accused opposition-ruled states of not cooperating with the Election Commission in carrying out the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
Defending the ongoing SIR exercise, the Home Minister pointed out that the first SIR exercise was conducted in 1952 under the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He further noted that after 2004, the SIR exercise has now been carried out in several states and Union Territories. Mr. Shah said, no political party ever opposed an in-depth investigation of SIR until 2004.
Participating in the debate, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said that whenever the Opposition loses an election, it raises questions about the electoral process.
Earlier, Congress leader K. C. Venugopal alleged that the Election Commission is becoming partisan.
Later, the House was adjourned for the day.
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Rajya Sabha held the discussion marking the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram for the second day today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had initiated the discussion on Vande Mataram yesterday.
Participating in the discussion, Ramilaben Becharbhai Bara of the BJP described Vande Mataram as a powerful inspiration for all Indians in their fight for independence from the British rule. BJP leader Ram Chander Jangra also praised the song, calling it a symbol of national unity and inspiration.
Jairam Ramesh of Congress said that the national song was sung at every session of the Congress.
Later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed that the special discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram will conclude tomorrow with an address by Union Minister and Leader of the House, JP Nadda. He added that following this discussion, the Rajya Sabha will take up the debate on electoral reforms. Later, the House was adjourned for the day.
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Union Minister for State of Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan has said that the government has strengthened last mile delivery for disaster alerts and welfare schemes through its public broadcaster Akashvani and Doordarshan of Prasar Bharati. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Dr Murugan said, to ensure last mile outreach, Prasar Bharati uses its social media to disseminate information and over 260 Akashvani stations are also available on the ‘NewsOnAir’ app on Android and iOS.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today highlighted that India-Italy partnership is built on democratic values and a shared commitment to a stable, secure, and prosperous world. In his opening remarks during a meeting with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in New Delhi today, Dr Jaishankar underlined that both countries are moving forward with the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-29.
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani and his delegation are on a three-day visit to India. They also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. In an article written on his visit, Mr Tajani said, Italy wants to increase industrial collaborations, joint ventures, co-development and co-production projects with India. He said, said his visit to New Delhi is to further reinvigorate the economic partnership between the two countries.
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Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that the nation is poised to become a hydrogen energy exporter within the next decade. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, he highlighted that hydrogen can play a major role in shipping, aviation, industry, and smart transport.
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A Delhi court today rejected transit anticipatory bail plea of the Luthra brothers, the owners of Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Goa which caught fire, claiming lives of 25 people on the weekend. The court sought a response from the Goa government on the transit anticipatory bail filed by the Luthra brothers accused in the nightclub fire. The matter was listed for hearing for tomorrow.
The brothers sought four weeks of transit anticipatory bail so that they are not immediately arrested after they return to Delhi from Thailand. They have also sought interim protection from arrest. Luthra brothers fled to Phuket in Thailand following the tragedy. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against them.
Meanwhile, a Delhi court has allowed the Goa Police a 36-hour transit remand of Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of the nightclub.
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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised its growth forecast for India to 7.2 per cent from 6.5 per cent for the current financial year in its Asia and Pacific’s Growth Outlook report. This marks a rise of 0.7 percentage points after the country registered robust July to September quarter growth and prospects of a stronger fiscal.
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Ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have forced evacuation of over four lakh Thai residents across seven provinces, Thailand’s Defence Ministry in a social media post said, the exchange of fire occurred in multiple areas this morning in the border regions of Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. The conflict which reignited on Sunday afternoon has also led to the temporary closure of more than 800 schools and several hospitals in Thailand’s border areas. Both sides have accused each other of initiating the violence, which continues for the fourth day. Meanwhile, Cambodian Defence Ministry said that over one lakh Cambodian villagers have fled their homes. So far, seven Cambodian civilians have been killed and 20 others wounded in the conflict.
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The Indian hockey team clinched bronze medal at the 2025 FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup in Chennai today. The hosts recorded a sensational 4-2 comeback win against Argentina, scoring four goals in eleven minutes to secure third place in the tournament.
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In Men’s Cricket, India will lock horns with South Africa in the second T20 International of the five-match series in New Chandigarh tomorrow. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 pm Indian time. India defeated South Africa by 101 runs in the first game of the series in Cuttack yesterday.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold wave conditions in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana for tomorrow. Similar conditions are expected over North Interior Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR has been registered in the Poor category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of the region was recorded at 260 as of 7 PM today.
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All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has successfully performed metabolic surgery on more than 30 cases of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi today Additional Professor in the Department of Surgery at AIIMS Dr. Manjunath said, this is a significant achievement in the field of medicine.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu hold telephonic conversation; Reiterate zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism.
- Constitution grants Election Commission sole authority to hold Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, asserts Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha debate on ‘electoral reforms’.
- Rajya Sabha discusses significance of Vande Mataram on second day to mark 150th anniversary of National Song.
- In Goa nightclub fire case, Delhi Court rejects transit anticipatory bail to owners Luthra brothers.
- Government says, it has strengthened last mile delivery of disaster alerts and welfare schemes through Akashvani and Doordarshan.
- Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia force mass evacuation from border areas.
- In Men’s Cricket, India to lock horns with South Africa in second T20 encounter in New Chandigarh tomorrow.
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