Tashi Namgyal, the Ladakhi shepherd who played a pivotal role in alerting the Indian Army about Pakistan's intrusion during the 1999 Kargil War, has passed away at the age of 58 in Aryan Valley, Ladakh. Known for his vigilance, Namgyal spotted Pakistani soldiers digging bunkers on the Batalik mountain range and swiftly informed the Indian Army, a timely warning that shaped the military response during the conflict. His actions were instrumental in India’s victory, earning him recognition as a national hero. The Fire and Fury Corps and the Army have paid tribute to his invaluable contribution, with his legacy etched in history.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the Narendra Modi government over the complexity of the GST system, particularly the "absurdity" of having three different tax slabs for popcorn. He called for a complete overhaul of the system, highlighting how its growing intricacies were facilitating tax evasion, input tax credit fraud, and the establishment of bogus companies. Ramesh also pointed to the recent revelation by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence, which reported a staggering ₹2.01 lakh crore in GST evasion for FY24. As the Union Budget approaches, Ramesh urged the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to launch a GST 2.0 to address these issues.
Thieves targeted the Indian Overseas Bank branch in Lucknow's Chinhat area over the weekend, breaking into the bank by cutting through two walls from an adjacent plot. A total of 42 lockers were opened, and valuable items, including jewellery, were stolen. While the exact value of the theft is yet to be determined, it is believed to be worth several crores. The crime was discovered on Sunday afternoon, and police, along with forensic experts, are investigating the incident. CCTV footage shows the thieves using electric cutters to break into the lockers.
The Union Government’s recent amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, has sparked strong opposition from various political parties. The amendment, which restricts public access to election-related materials like CCTV footage and Form 17C, unless specifically listed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), has been criticized by Congress and other opposition groups. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called it “another assault” on the ECI's integrity, while other parties, including CPI and CPI(M), warned that it could undermine electoral transparency. The government, however, defended the move, emphasizing that it aims to enhance the role of the Election Commission in overseeing election materials
Tensions soared on Sunday evening when protesters vandalized Allu Arjun’s Hyderabad home, demanding compensation for the family of a woman who died in a stampede during the promotion of Pushpa 2: The Rule. The protesters, claiming to be from the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU JAC), hurled stones and tomatoes at the actor's residence in Jubilee Hills and called for Arjun to pay ₹1 crore to the victim's family. This comes after the tragic incident on December 4, which led to the woman’s death and her son's critical injury, following a visit by Arjun to the Sandhya Theatre.
"Independence should never be confused with neutrality. Bharat can never permit others to have a veto on its choices. We will do whatever is right in our national interest and for the global good without being intimidated to conform," said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He emphasized that India’s progress must not come at the cost of its heritage and traditions, and that the country must balance modernity with its rich cultural roots. Jaishankar also highlighted India’s unique position as a civilisation state, asserting that the nation's true influence lies in leveraging its cultural strengths on the global stage.
The State Bank of India (SBI) has issued an advisory warning the public about common cybercrime scams, urging caution amidst the rising number of frauds. The advisory highlights 10 popular scams, including fake TRAI calls, parcel customs fees, and digital arrest threats. It also warns about scams involving easy money offers, lottery wins, and KYC updates. SBI stresses the importance of verifying any suspicious communication, especially when financial or personal details are requested. The advisory aims to help individuals recognize fraud attempts and protect themselves from falling victim to cybercriminals.
Rohini Arju, a spiritual content creator and veterinarian, has garnered attention on social media after posting multiple videos expressing her deep love and devotion for YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, known as BeerBiceps. In one of her recent posts, Rohini dressed as a bride and performed rituals with a photo of Allahbadia, declaring, “I love you beyond time, space, and eternity, Ranveer Allahbadia. You are my everything, my Swami.” Despite facing criticism for her actions, Rohini continues to profess her love, even getting a tattoo of his name and sharing intimate moments with his portrait. Many on social media have labeled her behavior as “creepy” and “problematic,” sparking debate about fan culture and obsession.
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a new initiative during Maha Kumbh 2025, deploying 'Digital Warriors' to fight fake news, raise awareness about cyber crime, and highlight the police’s efforts on social media. Led by social media influencers and college students, the campaign leverages the younger generation's digital savvy to promote positive messaging. The initiative builds on a previous effort started in 2018, expanding to over 10 lakh digital volunteers and 2 lakh police personnel. Digital Warriors will undergo training to combat misinformation, report cybercrime, and spread awareness within their communities.
A major fire broke out in a slum near New Alipore Bridge in Kolkata on Saturday evening, destroying 40-50 shanties. The fire, which began around 7 PM, spread quickly, with explosions heard from gas cylinders in the area. Despite locals’ efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire grew uncontrollable. Fire tenders and army personnel assisted in firefighting operations, and the blaze was eventually contained. No casualties were reported, and authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. West Bengal Minister Aroop Biswas and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim visited the site following the incident.
After weeks of suspense, the Maharashtra government has finally announced the allocation of portfolios for its newly formed cabinet. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has retained the Home Ministry, while Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has been assigned Urban Development. Other key appointments include Ajit Pawar as the Finance Minister, Dadaji Bhuse as the School Education Minister, and Ashish Shelar handling IT and Culture. The delay in portfolio allocation had sparked speculation about discord within the ruling alliance, and opposition leaders criticized the winter session of the legislature, calling it a mere formality as ministers attended without their portfolios.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has granted approval to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy scam. The ED had requested permission for prosecution on December 5, 2024, concerning irregularities in the 2021-22 excise policy. In response, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the ED of political targeting, calling the investigation a "harassment" campaign. The party emphasized that despite extensive raids and document filings, no evidence has been recovered, and claimed the BJP is attempting to undermine the AAP government.
Amid the controversy over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Delhi's former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced the 'Dr. Ambedkar Samman Scholarship' scheme, aimed at providing free education abroad for Dalit students. Kejriwal criticized the BJP for insulting Ambedkar and emphasized that the scholarship would also benefit Dalit government employees' children. The announcement, made in the lead-up to Delhi's assembly elections, comes after a heated exchange in Parliament, where Shah dismissed the frequent invocation of Ambedkar's name as a "fashion," triggering outrage from the Opposition.
The body of seven-year-old Zohan Pathan, who had been missing since the tragic ferry-Navy boat collision off the Mumbai coast on December 18, was found on Saturday. With his recovery, the death toll in the incident has risen to 15. The collision occurred when a Navy boat undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with the overloaded tourist ferry, 'Neel Kamal,' which was carrying more than 100 passengers. The Indian Navy has launched an investigation into the crash, which has prompted a search-and-rescue operation involving Navy and Coast Guard assets.
