Maldives' speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, leading a delegation, visited India's Parliament, where Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar welcomed them. Abdulla praised India's use of AI and digitization and sought technological support for Maldives' Parliament archives. Birla assured assistance and highlighted India's strong cultural and economic ties with Maldives. The visit reinforces India's "Neighbourhood First" policy, with ongoing cooperation through a parliamentary MoU and training at the PRIDE Institute. The visit symbolizes growing bilateral relations and cooperation between the two nations.
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External affairs minister S Jaishankar met Congressman Michael Waltz during his US visit, discussing bilateral partnerships. Waltz is set to become National Security Advisor on January 20, under President-elect Donald Trump. Jaishankar also engaged with the Indian Embassy and Consuls General in Washington, DC.
The Congress criticized the BJP over the popcorn tax and highlighted concerning economic issues. Jairam Ramesh emphasized the need for government focus on comprehensive economic solutions, suggested income support for the poor and tax relief for the middle class in the upcoming budget, and advocated for increased government expenditure to stimulate economic growth.
Union minister Jitendra Singh condemned the brutal killing of three youths in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, calling it a deeply conspiratorial act by terrorists. The incident has triggered protests and demands for a high-level investigation. The Union home secretary is assessing the security situation on the ground.
Soma Das, a cancer survivor, remains distressed despite retaining her teaching job due to humanitarian grounds. She sympathizes with other teachers who lost their positions in the job scam, expressing that their fight was also hers. Das relies on her salary to fund her medical treatment.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the BJP and RSS for allegedly interfering in India's higher education and claimed the UGC's budget was reduced by 61%. He questioned the suspension of the NTSE scholarship and raised concerns about the new UGC draft regulations and changes in university funding, arguing that they could negatively impact students from marginalized backgrounds.
In J&K’s Rajouri district, three siblings from Badhaal village succumbed within 24 hours to a mystery illness after consuming sweet rice at a family event. This adds to a total of 12 deaths in the village since December. Samples are being analyzed to determine the cause, while local authorities are providing medical assistance and urging the public to stay calm.
Multiple Hindu temples in the United States have been defaced with anti-India graffiti, prompting significant concern from both temple authorities and the Indian government. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned these acts, calling for increased security measures and thorough investigations into these hate crimes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Namo Bharat corridor between Sahibabad and New Ashok Nagar, part of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS. This 13-km corridor will shorten commute times to under 40 minutes. Operational from 5 pm, fares for rides vary between Rs 130 to Rs 255 depending on the coach type.
Rahul Gandhi criticizes Kejriwal's governance by highlighting poor infrastructure in Delhi, with videos showing open drains and collapsed roads. He also challenges Kejriwal on social justice issues, questioning his stance on reservation policies. This intensifies the rivalry between Congress and AAP ahead of the assembly polls.
Renowned Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla has been honored with the 59th Jnanpith Award. At 88, he becomes the first author from Chhattisgarh to receive this prestigious accolade. Shukla's notable works include 'Naukar Ki Kameez' and 'Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi'. The Jnanpith Award includes a Rs 11 lakh cash prize and a Saraswati bronze statue.