Tamil Nadu: 6 employees killed in explosion at Virudhunagar fireworks unit Tamil Nadu fireworks unit blast: The explosion is suspected to have taken the region by blending chemical substances. Six employees have been killed following an explosion at a firecracker production unit close to right here on Saturday, information corporation PTI said, quoting a reliable. The blast is suspected to have taken place for the duration of the manner of blending chemical substances, and it flattened a minimum of one room and led to the deaths. According to the officials, the fire and rescue department has reached the spot.   (This is a developing tale. More details awaited)

Live   Manmohan Singh funeral live updates: PM Modi, Amit Shah pay tributes to ex-PM at Nigambodh Ghat ahead of last rites Dec 28, 2024 12:41 PM IST Manmohan Singh funeral live updates: The last rites of former prime minister are being performed at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat crematorium. Manmohan Singh funeral live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays his last respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh during the latter’s state funeral at the Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. Manmohan Singh funeral stay updates: The last rites of former prime minister Manmohan Singh are being accomplished at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat crematorium. On Thursday night, Manmohan Singh died at 92 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Singh, who became India’s thirteenth high minister and the first Sikh to preserve the coveted publish, headed the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government on the Centre from May 2004 to May 2014. “It has been determined with the aid of the Government that a State funeral may be accorded to Dr. Manmohan Singh. The funeral will take region at 11:45 am on 28h December 2024 at Nigam Bodh Ghat, New Delhi,” the Ministry of Domestic Affairs (MHA) said in a declaration. On Thursday, he was introduced to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi, at 8:06 pm. Despite all efforts, he couldn’t be revived and was declared lifeless at nine:51pm, the medical institution stated in an assertion, confirming the Congress veteran’s death. Dr. Manmohan Singh, who retired from public life after the Congress’ defeat at the hands of the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, made his last public appearance in the Rajya Sabha, of which he became a member, in August 2023.

Bodycam footage shows the distressing aftermath of the Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft crash in Kazakhstan. An Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft, visiting from Baku to Grozny in Russia, crashed close to Aktau in Kazakhstan after reportedly being rerouted because of fog. Bodycam pictures of Kazakh rescuers confirmed the distressing scenes at the site of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Kazakhstan’s Aktau on Wednesday, an incident in which 38 humans died. Bodycam photos of Kazakh rescuers confirmed the distressing scenes on the website online of the Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft crash close to Kazakhstan’s Aktau on Wednesday, an incident wherein 38 humans died. The Embraer 190 jet, journeying from Azerbaijan’s Baku to Grozny in Russia, crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan after reportedly being rerouted due to fog. The plane, carrying 62 passengers and five group members, became pressured to make an emergency touchdown, with 29 survivors rescued by the authorities. The plane was alleged to fly northwest from Baku to Grozny but flew throughout the Caspian Sea and down near Aktau in Kazakhstan. Photos from a bodycam installed on one of the rescuers, shared by Russian media outlet RT, captured the aftermath of the aircraft crash, showing firefighters rushing in the direction of the flight to extinguish the fire at the accident spot. The video showed stays of the aircraft and assets, seemingly pieces of clothing on board the ill-fated plane scattered on the floor. The Kazakh shipping ministry stated the plane carried 37 nationals from Azerbaijan, six from Kazakhstan, three from Kyrgyzstan, and 16 from Russia. The aircraft’s course at the Flight Radar internet site confirmed it was flying far from its ordinary course, crossing the Caspian Sea and then circling over the region where it soon crashed close to Aktau. The footage was taken by using passengers. Among the purported motion pictures of the crash surfacing on social media is one taken by a passenger aboard the Azerbaijan Airlines flight, taking photos of the terrifying moments before and after the mishap, revealing the chaotic scenes inside the aircraft. Another video circulating on social media captured a man praying moments before the crash as sounds of panic and the roar of the plane’s engine filled the background. This video, over a minute long, has not been independently confirmed via HT.Com. kazakhstan plane Crash Bodycam footage of the firefighters responding to the plane crash in Kazakhstan. pic.twitter.com/57vGQJSwKc — RT (@RT_com) December 25, 2024

Hindu idols in 3 temples vandalised In Bangladesh, two were arrested amid violence closer to minorities.   Five idols had been vandalised in Dinajpur, while three idols in two temples were vandalised in Mymensingh earlier this week. Eight idols stored in three Hindu temples were vandalized using miscreants in Bangladesh in advance this week, information agency PTI said, citing community media. Five idols were vandalized in Dinajpur, while three idols in temples were vandalised in Mymensingh. Two men and women had been arrested in connection to the case. The vandalism of idols in Hindu temples is the present day in a sequence of incidents in the direction of the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh. In Mymensingh’s Haluaghat sub-district, three idols of temples have been vandalized on early Thursday and Friday. Abul Khayer, officer-in-fee (OC) of Haluaghat Police Station, stated that miscreants ransacked idols of Bonderpara Temple inside the Shakuai union of Haluaghat, consistent with PTI. Khayer informed ANI that one person, identified as Azharul, had been arrested for the vandalism within the Shakuair location. “The arrested character’s call is Azharul (37). We will produce him to the courtroom in recent times,” he informed ANI. Another idol was vandalized at the Polashkanda Kali Temple in the Beeldora union of the identical district. The police on Friday a 27-three hundred and sixty-five days-vintage guy of the Polashkanda village over his alleged involvement. During interrogation, the man, Alal Uddin, confessed to the crime, stated PTI. He changed into produced earlier than a Mymensingh courtroom this afternoon, which despatched him to prison. Five idols were vandalised on Tuesday at Jharbari Shashan Kali Temple in Dinajpur’s Birganj sub-district. The incident got here to mild days later, consistent with a report in The Daily Star. “We’ve never seen such an act right here,” stated Janardan Roy, president of the temple committee, consistent with PTI. Last week, regulation enforcement agencies arrested four human beings for vandalizing and damaging a Hindu temple and homes and stores of the network in Sunamganj district in north Bangladesh. MoS external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to a query in Lok Sabha, had informed that the 2,2 hundred times of violence towards Hindus and different minorities in Bangladesh until October of this three hundred and sixty-five days. “2 two hundred cases of violence in opposition to Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh had been said till eighth December 2024, and 112 instances in Pakistan were said until October 2024,” he stated. He also said that the Narendra Modi-led central authorities have taken “vital” measures to be aware of these incidents. “The government has taken severe action regarding those incidents and shared its concerns with the government of Bangladesh. India expects that the Government of Bangladesh will take all critical measures to ensure the protection and welfare of Hindus and other minorities,” he stated.

Congress denies link to vandalism at Pushpa 2 actor Allu Arjun’s residence in Hyderabad: Report. Congress celebration’s reaction followed unverified social media posts allegedly linking the principal accused in Sunday evening’s attack to Telangana CM Revanth Reddy. The Congress on Monday denied allegations of involvement in the attack on actor Allu Arjun’s Hyderabad residence, which took place over the Sandhya Theatre stampede incident on December 4, that claimed a female’s existence at some stage in the surest of the currently released movie Pushpa 2. The party’s response observed unverified social media posts allegedly linking the principal accused in Sunday night’s assault to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, NDTV pronounced. Congress spokesperson Sama Ram Mohan Reddy instructed NDTV, “None belong to Congress. If they find any Congress hyperlink, those workers will stand disqualified.” Telangana leader minister Revanth Reddy condemned the incident on X, announcing, “I condemn the assault at the houses of film celebrities. I am directing the State DGP and City Police Commissioner to take strict action concerning law and order. No laxity could be tolerated in this regard. Senior officers ought to take precautions to prevent police employees who aren’t worried in the Sandhya Theater incident from responding.”     On Monday morning, six suspects accused of vandalising Allu Arjun’s house had been granted bail after being produced before a Hyderabad court docket. Attack on Allu Arjun’s house A big protest took place outside Allu Arjun’s house on Sunday. Protesters claiming to be students from Osmania University entered the premises and threw tomatoes and broken flower pots. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) West Zone, Hyderabad, on Sunday night, individuals holding placards all at once amassed at the actor’s Jubilee Hills house and began sloganeering. A police official stated that one protester climbed the compound wall and threw tomatoes, leading to the detention of six people who identified themselves as members of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU-JAC). Advocate Ramdas, representing the accused, stated that the students protested peacefully until police intervened, prompting them to behave in self-defence. The protesters reportedly manhandled protection personnel and damaged flower pots alongside the ramp. Visuals from the site confirmed broken pots, shattered glass, and damaged flora, allegedly from stones pelting out of the actor’s home.

PM Modi reacts to row over Amit Shah’s Ambedkar remarks, hits out at Congress’ ‘rotten surroundings.’ PM Modi said that Amit Shah uncovered the Congress birthday celebration’s dark records of insulting Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday replied to the opposition’s protest over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on BR Ambedkar in Rajya Sabha. In a submission on X, Modi said that Amit Shah uncovered Congress’ dark records of insulting Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha.“If the Congress and its rotten atmosphere think their malicious lies can disguise their misdeeds of several years, particularly their insult toward Dr. Ambedkar, they may be gravely improper!” he wrote on X. “The humans of India have seen over and over how one party, led via one dynasty, has indulged in every viable dirty trick to obliterate the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar and humiliate the SC/ST groups.”   If the Congress and its rotten ecosystem think their malicious lies can hide their misdeeds of several years, especially their insult towards Dr. Ambedkar, they are gravely mistaken! The people of India have seen time and again how one Party, led by one dynasty, has indulged in… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2024

What is ‘One Nation One Election’ inspiration: Explained in points The authorities are stated to be keen on holding wider consultations on bills, which a parliamentary committee can, in all likelihood, note. The Central Government is bringing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill to Parliament on Tuesday. The cabinet approved the proposed plan last week, and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce the much-anticipated draft inside the Lok Sabha. The authorities are said to be eager to hold broader consultations on bills that a parliamentary committee might note. Sources said the government is also keen to consult the Speakers of numerous state legislative assemblies via the committee. But what precisely is the ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan? Here is the proposal explained in a few factors. ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill explained in factors 1. The committee chaired with the aid of former President Ram Nath Kovind, who proposed that plan, argued that preserving ordinary elections every 12 months negatively influences the financial system, polity, and society. It endorsed reinstating the conduction of simultaneous elections to address it. 2. The first segment of the plan will align the election dates for the Lok Sabha and kingdom assemblies. Subsequently, municipal and panchayat elections will be synchronized with those, taking place within one hundred days inside the subsequent section of the plan. Three. Following a fashionable poll, the President might also notify the date the Lok Sabha convenes as the ‘appointed date’, ensuring synchronization. Four. Newly shaped kingdom assemblies may have a shortened term to coincide with the following popular elections.5. The established order of an implementation organization to supervise and ensure the successful execution of these reforms is also encouraged using the Kovind committee. 6. Article 324A has been proposed to be inserted into the charter to facilitate simultaneous elections for Panchayats and Municipalities. The committee additionally proposed modifying Article 325 to create a unified voter roll and picture ID card for all elections. However, this change will require ratification from states. 7. In the event of a hung house or no-self-assurance movement, new elections will be called; however, the term of the newly elected house will best extend until the subsequent widespread election. 8. The committee has endorsed brand new elections in the case of a hung residence or no assurance movement. The newly elected Lok Sabha will serve the last period of the previous one, while state assemblies will hold until the Lok Sabha’s term expires unless dissolved earlier. 9. The Election Commission is suggested to proactively plan for the procurement of critical systems, along with EVMs and VVPATs, to ensure green election management.

Priyanka Gandhi Palestine bag Pakistani Politician Fawad Chaudhry Lauds Priyanka Gandhi for Palestinian Support, Slams Local MPs ‘Stood tall amidst…’: Pak flesh presser lauds’ Nehru’s granddaughter’ Priyanka Gandhi over Palestine bag The ex-PTI member also slammed fellow Pakistani politicians for “no longer showing such braveness.” Pakistani flesh presser Fawad Chaudhry changed into effusive in his praise for Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra after she carried a bag with “Palestine” emblazoned on it to Parliament on Monday. The former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief slammed his fellow Pakistani politicians for “no longer demonstrating such courage.” Chaudhry published on X (previously Twitter), “What else could we expect from a granddaughter of a towering freedom fighter like Jawaharlal Nehru? Priyanka Gandhi has stood tall amidst pigmies, such disgrace that thus far, no Pakistani member of Parliament has tested such braveness.” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a vocal supporter of the Palestinian motive, became visible with the “Palestine” bag in Parliament, where the Winter Session is underway. While the gesture caused the ruling BJP to accuse individuals of the Nehru-Gandhi circle of relatives of “roaming round with the bag of appeasement,” the Congress MP hit them lower back and became known for what she described as “traditional patriarchy.” She informed a reporter, “No one will determine what I could put on. Who is going to decide what clothes I am going to put on? This is typical patriarchy, identifying what a woman has to wear.” Also Read: Priyanka Gandhi claims image of Pak surrender earlier than India eliminated from Army HQ. According to a news agency PTI report, Abed Elazig Abu Jazer, Charge d’affaires of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi, had last week referred to as on Vadra to congratulate the Congress leader on her recent election victory from Kerala’s Wayanad, a seat formerly represented by way of her brother Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition within the Lok Sabha. In June, Vadra slammed Israeli high minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s “genocidal” moves in Palestine’s Gaza, which has been underneath an Israeli military offensive since October 2023. The offensive was launched following October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel via Hamas, the Islamist group that runs Gaza.  

Delhi-NCR Schools to Go Hybrid as GRAP-III Enforced Amid Rising Pollution The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) following a sharp upward thrust in pollutants degrees. The flow comes as the place studies a cold wave, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi recorded at 367 on Monday, firmly within the “very negative” class. Hybrid Classes for Primary Students As part of the GRAP-III measures, schools in Delhi and pick NCR districts, which include Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar, will shift to a hybrid mode of schooling for children as much as Class V. This technique permits each bodily and online classes in which possible. The CAQM has clarified that students and their guardians will be free to choose online learning. Authorities in other NCR regions have also been recommended to adopt comparable measures for primary training. Stricter Traffic and Office Timings Regulations GRAP-III regulations increase beyond faculties. Non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles (BS-IV or older) are banned inside Delhi. Additionally, non-essential diesel light commercial motors of BS-IV or older requirements registered outside Delhi are prohibited from entering the capital. Previously, such restrictions applied only to BS-III cars. The Delhi and NCR governments have been directed to stagger office hours for public zone and municipal personnel. The central authorities may additionally implement staggered schedules for their offices inside the area. GRAP-III Enforcement and Pollution Trends The CAQM mentioned that calm winds and low blending heights have exacerbated pollution ranges, resulting in negative meteorological situations. Between November and January, these elements and seasonal styles usually cause prolonged evil air satisfaction in Delhi-NCR. Authorities are holding back from revealing the situation and cannot recall additional measures if pollutant pollution levels continue to be high.

Stricter anti-pollutant measures are bolstered in Delhi as AQI drops amid the cold wave. Delhi-NCR has carried out GRAP-three because of a spike in pollution tiers. Restrictions include a ban on non-critical construction and strict vehicle policies. The Centre’s air excellent panel has invoked the third section of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP 3) in Delhi-NCR because the country wide capital grapples with a sharp rise in pollutants levels. The decision was made after Monday’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed into a ‘terrible’ class. Consequently, the city has imposed stringent measures to lessen air pollution, along with a ban on non-crucial creation and demolition activities. The circulation comes as Delhi studies a chilly wave, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recording a minimal temperature of four. 5°C on Monday morning. The temperatures dipped further in favorable areas, achieving 3.5°C in Pusa and four. 4.1 °C in Ayanagar. The mixture of low temperatures and harmful air pollution has worsened the already tricky pollutants degrees inside the town. What is GRAP 3? Under the GRAP-3 suggestions, numerous key regulations will come into impact. Petrol cars that do not meet the BS-III emission norms and diesel cars failing to comply with BS-IV standards are prohibited from getting into Delhi, and elements of the National Capital Region (NCR), consisting of Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. These measures aim to lessen vehicular emissions, which are a chief source of pollutants at some point during the ice months. Additionally, the ban on production work extends to all non-important projects, even though exceptions are made for countrywide security, healthcare, and particular public infrastructure projects. To further fight the pollutants, the authorities have ramped up efforts to suppress dirt by deploying mechanized street-sweeping and water-sprinkling machines across the town. Diesel generator units and some other good-sized contributors to air pollution may be restricted to emergency use only at some point in this phase. The aim is to minimize the release of particulate matter and different pollutants into the air, which can have intense health effects, specifically for vulnerable organizations such as children, the aged, and those with breathing situations. The government has also forecast a slight development in the weather conditions, with the maximum temperature anticipated to rise to around 23°C. However, the cold wave is expected to persist, making it harder for pollution to disperse and leading to an endured deterioration of air quality.