Category: TOP STORIES

Indian Navy-ferry disaster: Hunt on for 2 more feared missing in Arabian Sea

Mumbai, Dec 19 (IANS) The search and rescue operations resumed on Thursday morning to trace out at least two tourists still ‘missing’ after an Indian Navy speedboat crashed into a passenger ferry off the Gateway of India in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday evening claiming 13 lives, including that of four naval personnel, officials said.

In one of the worst-ever maritime disasters around Mumbai, 13 people were killed while another 105 were rescued when the chockful ferry, ‘Neelkamal’ was going from Gateway of India to Elephanta Isles, the famed UNESCO World Heritage site and was hit by the Navy speedboat.

An official said that the Indian Navy, Marine Police and other agencies have deployed their vessels to search for the two persons who were thrown into the waters after the deadly collision in mid-sea, around 5 kms from the Gateway of India, in the water channel near the tiny Butcher Island oil terminal.

The Indian Navy officially said that one of its speedboats which was on engine trials developed a snag, the pilot lost control and rammed with full force into the tourist boat, as chilling videos of the incident surfaced late last night.

The passenger boat, a private catamaran named ‘Neelkamal’, was ferrying more than 100 tourists plus five crew members when the disaster struck like a bolt from the blue, around 4 P.M.

Official sources said that the Navy’s rigid inflatable boat undergoing engine trials crashed into the ‘Neelkamal’ at high speed, overturning it and throwing most of the tourists into the sea near Karanja on the Raigad coast, around 10 kms from the origin point, Gateway of India.

The owner of the vessel, Rajendra Padte, said that the ‘Neelkamal’ had departed on its regular voyage to Elephanta Islands around 3.15 P.M and barely a couple of minutes later the tragedy was reported, “but it was not our fault”.

Peasants & Workers Party of India (PWP) General Secretary and ex-legislator Jayant P. Patil, who was present at the spot slammed the concerned authorities for the massive tragedy with the ‘Neelkamal’ sinking soon afterwards.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis plus several Opposition leaders condoled the tragedy and the loss of innocent lives.

The PM announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh and the CM announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each deceased, plus financial assistance to all the injured.

A civic official said that the JNPA Hospital has admitted 57 people, 24 in the Naval Dockyard medical facility, one in INHS Ashvini Hospital, 13 in INHS Sanghani (Karanja), 10 in St. George Hospital, and 12 in a hospital on the mainland at Karanja, plus around 8 who recovered have been discharged from the concerned hospitals.

–IANS

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US Senate passes annual defence policy bill, sending it to Biden for signing

Washington, Dec 19 (IANS) The US Senate voted to pass the 895-billion-USD defence policy bill for fiscal year 2025, which, having previously cleared the House, now awaits to be signed into law by President Joe Biden.

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was passed in an 85-14 vote, well above the 60-vote threshold needed for passage in the 100-member upper chamber. Military spending approved in the bill represented a 1 per cent increase from the previous year’s top line price tag of $886 billion.

Bernie Sanders, the independent senator representing the state of Vermont, voted against the bill, railing against what he considered a needlessly high amount of military spending that failed to address what the country really urgently needed, Xinhua news agency reported.

“We do not need to spend almost a trillion dollars on the military, while half a million Americans are homeless, children go hungry and elderly people are unable to afford to heat their homes in the winter,” Sanders said in remarks on the Senate floor.

Sanders said during the Senate’s procedural vote on the bill on Monday that the US does not “need a defence system that is designed to make huge profits for a handful of giant defence contractors while providing less of what the country needs.”

This year’s NDAA also authorised greater-than-usual pay raise for service members, a 14.5 per cent increase for lowest-ranking troops and a 4.5 per cent increase for the rest of the armed forces.

One of the most controversial issues in the NDAA centered on the health insurance coverage for members of the military and their children who are recipients of gender-affirming medical treatment. The current bill, a compromise between Republican and Democratic members of Congress, would ban TRICARE, the Pentagon’s health care program, from covering transgender children of service members.

Republicans pushed for prohibiting TRICARE from covering adults in the military who receive gender-affirming care, as well as reversing the Pentagon’s existing policy of funding for the travel of service members who have to cross state borders for abortion procedures because the states where they are stationed ban abortion. These efforts failed in the face of Democratic opposition.

On the US military’s involvement overseas, the bill authorised more than what was requested by the Biden administration for investment in building military capabilities in the so-called “Indo-Pacific region,” totaling $15.6 billion.

It also authorized an expansion of US-Israel joint military drills amid the conflict in the Middle East, meanwhile prohibiting the Pentagon from citing casualty numbers from Hamas.

Short of directly providing fund to the Defence Department, the NDAA authorises the Pentagon’s programs in the upcoming fiscal year, including the purchase of weapons and equipment and the maintenance of the US military’s competitiveness.

Funding for the Pentagon in fiscal year 2025 will have to be passed by Congress in a separate spending bill no later than the fiscal year’s end on September 30, 2025.

–IANS

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Vanuatu asks for international assistance after massive quake: UN

United Nations, Dec 19 (IANS) The situation in Vanuatu remains concerning after a massive earthquake struck the country, and the government has requested international assistance to help respond, a UN spokesperson said.

The government of Vanuatu has declared a state of emergency for seven days following Tuesday’s 7.3-magnitude earthquake. At least 14 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 200 injured. Authorities anticipated the toll will rise, Xinhua news agency reported.

To complement the national response, the government has requested international assistance, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, told reporters.

According to local authorities, damage inflicted by the quake is extensive, including hospitals, residential and public buildings, roads, water reservoirs and gas pipes.

Villages near Efate have also experienced landslides. Communications in many areas have been cut off.

Operations at Port Vila International Airport in the capital city are experiencing delays due to damage to its terminal building and road network while the runway is functioning, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported. The airport remains closed to all commercial services.

Access to the seaport is also disrupted by a landslide, limiting the transport of essential supplies and personnel.

The United Nations and partners are mobilising resources to respond, OCHA said. It is deploying response teams, including a UN disaster assessment and coordination team, in the quake-hit region.

UN humanitarians said that immediate needs include medical supplies and repair to medical structures, mobile medical teams, search and rescue teams with heavy machinery for clearing, as well as safe drinking water.

–IANS

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MP gears up for PM Modi’s visit to lay foundation for Ken-Betwa link project on Dec 25

Bhopal, Dec 19 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh government is gearing up for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chhatapur to lay the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa link project on December 25.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will visit the Bundelkhand region on Thursday to review the state government’s preparations and participate in several programmes organised in different districts ahead of PM Modi’s visit.

The Chief Minister will participate in the ‘Kisan Sammelan’ (farmers gathering) at a stadium in Chhatarpur district. The farmers from districts Panna, Chhatarpur, Sagar of Bundelkhand region will attend the event.

Chief Minister Yadav will address the gathering of farmers to inform them about the benefits of the much-talked Ken-Betwa river linking project between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Later, he will participate in a ‘Jal Kalash Yatra’ being organised in Panna district. A group of women will take out a vibrant procession through the streets. Further, the Chief Minister will attend a ‘Sant Sammelan’ (gathering of saints) in Panna.

All these events are being organised under the ‘Jan-Kalyan Parv’, a campaign launched on the completion of one year of the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh.

The Ken-Betwa River interlinking project will transport excess water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh to irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.

PM Modi will visit Chhatarpur to lay the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa river linking project on the occasion of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary on December 25.

Earlier, CM Yadav said that the project will provide water for irrigation for over 8.1 lakh hectares in MP’s Bundelkhand region and another 2.5 lakh hectares in Uttar Pradesh. Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Sheopur, Damoh, Datia, Raisen, Vidisha and Sagar districts will benefit from the project.

Notably, a similar river interlining project was initiated between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. A tripartite agreement was signed between MP, Rajasthan, and the Central government in the presence of PM Modi in Jaipur on Tuesday.

The project will provide water for 6.1 lakh hectares of farmland under irrigation in 11 districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Guna, Rajgarh, Shivpuri, Dewas, Ujjain, Agar, Mandsaur and Morena.

–IANS

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Fake passport racket: Database of arrested POPSK staff gives Kolkata cops clues on recipients

Kolkata, Dec 19 (IANS) The database recovered from the gadgets of Dipankar Das, the contractual Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) staff arrested by Kolkata Police on Wednesday in connection with a fake passport racket has given investigating officials crucial information on recipients of the forged Indian identity documents.

Sources aware of the developments said that from the database recovered from the gadgets of Das, the investigating officials have procured the names of around 30,000 individuals for whom Das prepared fake Indian identity documents, mainly forged passports.

The investigating officials have already circulated the details of these individuals to their counterparts at the police station level so that their whereabouts can be tracked.

Sources said that recipients of many of these fake Indian identity documents, including forged passports were illegal infiltrators from neighbouring Bangladesh.

The investigating officials suspect that many of them are still residing in different parts of the country including West Bengal by virtue of the possession of those fake documents.

Das, who was involved in the racket by another arrested in the case, S Biswas, was mainly responsible for preparing such fake identity documents, which he used to do from a small office that he was operating from his residence at Behala on the southern outskirts of Kolkata.

Besides fake Indian identity documents, the investigating officials also seized forged documents of two leading public sector banks and visas from a particular European nation.

Since last Sunday a total of five people have been arrested from different pockets of West Bengal in connection with the fake passport rackets.

Two of the five arrested are contractual POPSK staff, one being Das and the other being Deepak Mondal.

Investigating officials suspect that besides contractual staff some permanent employees of the Indian Postal Department might also have connections with such rackets operating mainly from villages adjacent to the state’s international borders with Bangladesh, both land and coastal.

–IANS

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UP power dept raids SP MP’s residence, evidence of meter tampering found

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Power Department on Thursday, accompanied by heavy security, raided the residence of Samajwadi Party (SP) MP, Zia Ur Rahman Burk in Sambhal. The raid was conducted on suspicion of electricity meter tampering, and evidence of irregularities was found in two electricity meters at the MP’s house.

An FIR is likely to be filed against him. Officials discovered that the electricity bill for the past year recorded zero consumption, raising serious concerns.

Speaking to the media after the raid, Power Department official Santosh Kumar Tripathi stated, “We found air conditioners installed in the house, which has been noted. However, I cannot comment further until more analysis is conducted.”

Advocate Kasim Jamal, representing Burk, clarified, “The inspection revealed two air conditioners, 6-7 ceiling fans, lights, and one refrigerator at the residence. We are paying the minimum electricity charges as per the department’s assessment. The house is equipped with solar panels, and the family comprises only four members as the MP’s sisters are married and no longer reside here.”

Sambhal ASP Shri Chandra explained, “The Power Department requested security for their inspection, and we ensured the process was conducted smoothly.”

Earlier, the department had replaced old meters at Burk’s residence, sealing them and sending them to the lab for examination. The MP’s residence, spanning 200 square yards, was previously equipped with a 4-kilowatt meter, which was deemed insufficient.

For the meter replacement, a team of 5-6 Power Department employees, accompanied by armed security personnel and tear gas, was deployed to handle any potential untoward incidents during the operation.

–IANS

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Telangana’s popular folk artiste Mogilaiah passes away

Hyderabad, Dec 19 (IANS) Popular folk artiste Pastham Mogilaiah passed away on Thursday morning after battling kidney and heart-related ailments in Telangana.

The 67-year-old Kinnera artiste shot to fame with the Telugu blockbuster ‘Balagam’.

Mogilaiah breathed his last while his family members were trying to shift him to a private hospital in Warangal.

He is survived by his wife Komuramma, also a folk artiste, a son and a daughter.

A native of Duggondi village in Warangal district, Mogilaiah became famous by rendering an elegy with his wife Komuramma in the 2023 movie ‘Balagam’.

The couple was born into a traditional community of folk artistes known as ‘Sharadakandru’ of the ‘Beda Budaga Jangala’ community. They learnt the art from their parents and had been performing since their childhood. They were popular in Warangal and surrounding districts.

Mogialaiah won many hearts with the elegy rendered by Mogilaiah in the climax of ‘Balagam’. He, however, was facing serious financial problems after both of his kidneys were damaged.

‘Balagam’ producer Dil Raju and director Yeldandi Venu helped them financially. Megastar K. Chiranjeevi and some other actors had also come forward to help him.

The state government has also taken steps to provide the best medical treatment to the folk artiste.

Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar had given Rs 1 lakh for Mogialaiah’s treatment. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar promised the couple a house site.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao has condoled Mogilaiah’s death. In his condolence message, he recalled how Mogilaiah’s songs demonstrated the strength of Telangana.

Rama Rao said Mogilaiah has left for the heavenly abode but he will live on in the form of his songs.

Balagam’s producer, director and actors have also condoled Mogilaiah’s death.

The last rites of the folk artiste will be performed in his native village Duggondi.

–IANS

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Turkey, Lebanon agree to act together on Syrian issues

Ankara, Dec 19 (IANS) Turkey and Lebanon have agreed to work together on Syrian issues following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“A new era has begun in Syria. As two key neighbors of Syria, we agree that we must act together,” Erdogan said during a joint press conference on Wednesday with visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

“The stability of Syria is crucial for the stability of the region,” he added, emphasising that rebuilding war-torn Syria would be a top priority for both nations.

Erdogan noted that the Israeli attacks against Lebanon are not new, and the country has been exposed to similar attacks in the past years, Xinhua news agency reported.

Erdogan added that Turkey will stand by Lebanon’s side against Israel’s attacks, emphasising the need for Israel to commit to the ceasefire agreement.

Mikati, for his part, thanked Erdogan for his country’s support for Lebanon during its war with Israel in recent months.

He condemned Israel for exploiting Syria’s political upheaval and expanding its occupation of Syrian lands, emphasising that pressure should be exerted on Israel to stop this.

Mikati, heading a Lebanese delegation, arrived in Turkey on Wednesday to discuss with Erdogan and Turkish officials the latest developments in the region and bilateral ties.

–IANS

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Congress spreading false propaganda against Amit Shah due to frustration, desperation: TN BJP

Chennai, Dec 19 (IANS) Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson and senior leader ANS Prasad on Thursday slammed the Congress and its allies for indulging in propaganda against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his Parliament speech on B. R. Ambedkar.

Prasad attributed this to the frustration and desperation of the INDIA bloc.

In a statement, Prasad said Union Minister Shah’s recent speech in Parliament underscored Dr Ambedkar’s legacy, emphasising that invoking his name has become a hollow trend.

The Union Minister noted that merely repeating Ambedkar’s name, akin to invoking God’s name, would not guarantee salvation.

Genuine efforts to uphold the Constitution and ensure social justice are necessary, he added.

Prasad highlighted the repeal of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, as a monumental achievement that fulfilled Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of a unified India.

He claimed this move had left the opposition reeling and disrupted their plans to divide the country.

Prasad lauded Home Minister Shah for introducing key legislative bills in Parliament aimed at promoting social justice, equality, and good governance. These include Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill.

He said these bills reflect the government’s commitment to promoting social justice and equality while dismantling the Congress’ “anti-Dalit policies.”

Prasad emphasised that the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken significant steps to empower marginalised communities.

Initiatives like Swachh Bharat, PM Awas Yojana, and the strengthening of the SC/ST Act demonstrate this commitment.

Other notable measures include the Jal Jeevan Mission and Ujjwala Yojana, which have improved the lives of marginalised communities, Development of the Panchteerth, resolution of Chaitya Bhoomi land issues, and restoration of Ambedkar’s residences in Delhi and London to honour his legacy.

Prasad also noted that in 2019, while celebrating the 70th anniversary of India’s Constitution, PM Modi hailed the Constitution drafted by Ambedkar as India’s “sacred book”.

The BJP leader accused the Congress party of distorting history and engaging in manipulative strategies.

“Their actions are a testament to their desperation and lack of genuine commitment to the welfare of the people,” he said.

He warned that such “deceitful” tactics would lead to the Congress party’s downfall, as the Indian public demands honesty, integrity, and transparency from its leaders.

Prasad criticised the opposition for disrupting Parliament during the special session commemorating 75 years of India’s Constitution.

He described their actions as a “blatant disrespect” to the Constitution and Parliament, driven by electoral gains.

He also condemned the Trinamool Congress for issuing a breach of privilege notice against Union Minister Shah, calling it an example of “low-grade politics.”

Prasad asserted that the Congress party and its allies, including the DMK, are engaged in a conspiracy to discredit Home Minister Shah and undermine the Modi government.

Despite their attempts, the BJP remains committed to its vision of a strong and unified India.

He expressed confidence in Union Minister Shah’s leadership, guided by his belief in Indian culture and ethos, to continue driving the nation towards a brighter future.

–IANS

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Ajit Pawar skips visit to Reshimbaug as most MahaYuti legislators pay homage to RSS founder

Nagpur, Dec 19 (IANS) NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, and most of the party legislators except for the legislator from Gondiya district Raju Karemore from the state Assembly and Council on Thursday skipped visiting the Hedgewar Smriti Mandir (HSM).

The HSM which is a memorial of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder KB Hedgewar in Reshimbaug is situated here in the orange city.

However, most of the MahaYuti legislators belonging to the BJP and Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief leader Eknath Shinde, were present and attended the ‘Baudhik’.

This was a part of a customary annual ritual to visit the HSM since the BJP-led government came to power in 2014.

This visit coincided with the ongoing Winter Session of the state legislature.

The MahaYuti legislators paid homage to the RSS founder and also to former RSS chief MS Golwalkar who was Hedgewar’s immediate successor.

Ajit Pawar had also skipped visiting HSM last year. He has been consistent that although the NCP has joined the BJP-led MahaYuti it is not in line with its Hindutva agenda.

However, he has reiterated that the NCP follows and implements the ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Mahatma Phule, Chhatrapati Shahu and BR Ambedkar.

Ajit Pawar during the recently held state Assembly elections had objected to the BJP’s ‘Batenge toh Katenge’ call.

Interestingly, NCP legislator Karemore was the lone NCP legislator who reached HSM.

“I have not been told by the party that no one should go to the Smriti Mandir. I have come to pay homage. I will discuss this with Ajit Pawar and he will also come here. Visiting this place gives energy,” he said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde along with Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, ministers Chandrakant Patil, Dada Bhuse, Sanjay Rathod, Nitesh Rane, Jayakumar Rawal, Shambhuraj Desai, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Uday Samant and BJP legislators Praveen Darekar, Ram Shinde, Chitra Wagh among others were present.

–IANS

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