External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will visit Sri Lanka on Tuesday as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and meet with the island nation’s leadership, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

According to MEA, the visit highlights India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and comes amid ongoing relief efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched to assist Sri Lanka after the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

“The visit underscores India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah,” the MEA said in a statement on Monday.

The External Affairs Minister’s engagements are expected to strengthen ties between the two nations further, as India continues to coordinate humanitarian assistance and reinforce bilateral cooperation as the island nation recovers from the cyclone’s impact.

India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28, as the First Responder in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah, to provide urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support to Sri Lanka.

Last week, India delivered relief supplies to various regions of flood-hit Sri Lanka, reflecting its steadfast commitment in assisting the neighbouring nation in times of crisis during the Operation Sagar Bandhu.

India has extended strong support to the island nation by providing relief and assistance in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. As part of this humanitarian outreach, the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy, under Operation Sagar Bandhu, distributed dry ration packets to 86 families affected by the cyclone last week.

In a post on X, the AHC said, “As part of India’s continued assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, AHC Saranya VS, distributed dry ration packets to 86 Cyclone Ditwah affected families of Dickwella estate of Badulla District in the presence of Hon. Member of Parliament, Kitnan Selvaraj, Member of Parliament, Ambika Samuel, along with local officials and estate management. India continues to support Sri Lanka and its people as they rebuild and move forward.”

The disaster relief medical assistance provided by the Indian Army’s 60 Parachute Field Hospital in the wake of the devastating Ditwah Cyclone was formally commended on 14 December 2025 at the Army Cantonment, Panagoda, in recognition of its exceptional humanitarian impact and professional excellence, a statement by the Sri Lankan Army said.

An 85-member medical team from the Indian Army Medical Services (IAMS), led by Lieutenant Colonel Jagneet Gill, was deployed to the cyclone-affected Mahiyanganaya area in Sri Lanka’s Uva Province from 2 December to 12 December 2025.

During this period, the team provided comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care to over 7,000 civilians affected by the natural disaster, as per the statement.

On December 18, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, visited the Kolonnawa suburb of Colombo and the Bhaktivedanta Children’s Home ‘Gokulam’ in Wattala – areas that have been severely affected by floods in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah.

As part of India’s continued assistance to the island nation, High Commissioner Jha distributed assistance kits among families in Kolonnawa in coordination with All Ceylon Sufi Spiritual Association and among children of ‘Gokulam’ at the ISKCON Temple in Colombo, where they have been relocated.

Earlier, on December 14, an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka, delivering 10 tonnes of medicines and 15 tonnes of dry rations, while also facilitating the return of the Indian Army Field Hospital team, which had been set up in Mahiyanganaya, near Kandy, following the successful completion of its humanitarian mission.

“Efforts to restore critical road connectivity are progressing steadily. Preparatory activities are underway at bridge sites in Chilaw and Kilinochchi, with the damaged Kilinochchi Bridge fully cleared and ready for the installation of a Bailey Bridge, facilitating smoother movement and improved access in the region,” the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka said in a statement.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the high-profile codeine-based cough syrup trafficking case in Uttar Pradesh has submitted its final report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The report exposes a vast network involving drug trafficking, hawala transactions, and alleged political links.

According to the SIT, the kingpin of the racket is Vibhor Rana, who was granted a licence in 2016 during the tenure of the then Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav.

The investigation reveals that after strict action against madrasas near the Nepal border, traffickers panicked. Fearing arrest, Vibhor allegedly requested pharmaceutical company Abbott to take back nearly one crore bottles of cough syrup.

The report further states that the smuggled consignments were distributed through warehouses in Varanasi with the help of associates such as Shubham Jaiswal and Manoj Yadav. The SIT has also highlighted the involvement of the “Chhangur Baba” network, which was allegedly active in both religious conversion activities in border areas and cough syrup smuggling.

Investigators found that the smuggling routes extended across Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, while all financial transactions were conducted through illegal hawala channels. Following the submission of the report, political temperatures have risen in Uttar Pradesh, with serious questions being raised over licences issued during the previous government’s tenure and the alleged criminal nexus.

Meanwhile, in a major crackdown, police seized cough syrup worth approximately ₹50 lakh in Etah district. Acting on a tip-off around midnight on Sunday, the Agra Narcotics Team, led by Inspector Harvendra Mishra, along with local police under the supervision of CO Aliganj Nitish Garg, cordoned off a village and raided a tobacco warehouse.

During the raid, 47 cartons of cough syrup were recovered from the warehouse. Four people — Pramod Shakya, Jitendra Yadav, Jitendra Shakya, and Punjab Singh including a retired Army personnel, were arrested, while several others managed to flee.

Preliminary questioning revealed that the accused had been involved in cough syrup smuggling for a long time and supplied the contraband to drug dealers across nearby districts. The recovered bottles carried the name of the “Wing” company, but their batch numbers had been scratched off, raising suspicion that the syrup was meant for illegal narcotics use.

Police officials said the Etah connection emerged during an ongoing investigation into international drug syndicate kingpin Shubham Jaiswal, who is accused of supplying cough syrup and medicines illegally across borders. Further investigation is underway to identify and arrest other members of the extensive network.

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been named captain of Jharkhand for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite (VHT) 2025/26, while several senior Indian internationals, including Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, are set to feature in the premier domestic 50-over competition as part of the BCCI’s push to strengthen domestic participation.

The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) confirmed Kishan’s appointment ahead of the tournament, which begins on December 24. Jharkhand will open their campaign against Karnataka in Ahmedabad. The squad named for the season blends experience and youth, featuring the likes of Kumar Kushagra, Anukul Roy, Robin Minz, Abhinav Sharan and Virat Singh, as the side looks to build on its growing stature in white-ball cricket.

Kishan’s elevation to the captaincy follows a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 campaign, where he led Jharkhand to their maiden SMAT title. The left-handed batter was in outstanding form throughout the tournament, scoring 517 runs from 10 innings at an average of 57.44, including two centuries and two half-centuries. His standout performance came in the final against Haryana, where a commanding 101 guided Jharkhand to a historic triumph.

Those performances have also paved the way for Kishan’s return to the national setup. He has been recalled to India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as the second-choice wicketkeeper-batter behind Sanju Samson, marking his comeback on the back of sustained domestic excellence.

“He bats at the top in white-ball cricket. He’s been in good form. He’s played before for India. He has a double hundred in one-day cricket. He wasn’t in the Indian team because there’s a Rishabh Pant and a Dhruv Jurel ahead. They’re two pretty good players,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar said while announcing the T20 World Cup squad.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed that India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube have informed the board of their availability for two Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures scheduled for January 6 and 8. Mumbai’s campaign begins in Jaipur on December 24, with their opening league match against Sikkim, followed by a clash with Uttarakhand on December 26.

As per a report, Suryakumar and Dube are set to feature in Mumbai’s matches against Himachal Pradesh on January 6 and Punjab on January 8. Their names will be added to the squad closer to those fixtures.

“Surya and Dube have informed us that they will be playing two Vijay Hazare Trophy games on January 6th and 8th. Their names will be added in the Mumbai squad. As far as Rohit Sharma is concerned, he will be playing two league games at the moment,” an MCA official said.

All players who were part of India’s recent 3-1 T20I series win over South Africa have been directed by the BCCI to play at least two matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The directive continues the board’s emphasis on ensuring international players remain engaged with the domestic structure.

Earlier this year, Agarkar reiterated the importance of internationals turning out in domestic competitions whenever possible. “I think we made it clear a year or a couple of years back that whenever players are available, they should be playing domestic cricket. I mean, that’s the only way you’ll keep yourself sharp and playing cricket, if you’ve got a long enough break. Whether that’s possible with the international cricket you’re playing or not, that only time will tell, but if the guys are free, they should be playing domestic cricket,” he said.

The Indian T20I squad is set to enjoy a short break before regrouping in Nagpur for the first of five T20Is against New Zealand on January 21, which will serve as their final assignment ahead of the T20 World Cup. India will begin their title defence against the USA at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on February 7.

The counting of votes for the Goa Zilla Panchayat Election 2025 is underway across 14 centres — six in North Goa and eight in South Goa. The ruling BJP is poised for a sweeping victory, even as the Congress registers unexpected gains in some traditional BJP strongholds.

So far, the BJP has won 11 seats, while the Congress has secured four. Regional parties — RGP, GFP, and MGP — have won one seat each. Two independents have also registered victories as counting continues.

BJP’s Maheswar Govekar has won the Siolim ZP seat. The party has also bagged seats in Xeldem, Sanvordem, Latambarcem, Calangute, Rivona, Dharbandora, Barcem, Reis Magos, Nagargao, and Honda.

The Congress has so far won the Davorlim, Guirdolim, Nuvem, Curtorim, and Cola seats.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is yet to open its account, with its candidates trailing in nearly all the seats it contested.

The early trends are being seen as a major setback for the AAP, which had invested heavily in its campaign. AAP chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also actively campaigned for the party.

The Goa Zilla Panchayat Elections 2025 were held on Saturday and recorded a voter turnout of 70.81 per cent — the highest since 2005, when the elections were held for the first time.

Goa has two Zilla Parishads — North Goa and South Goa — with a total of 50 district panchayat seats.

The elections are being viewed as a crucial test for Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is looking to consolidate his position following the nightclub fire incident and allegations of job scams.

“Dethroning the ‘anti-people’ DMK from power in Tamil Nadu is the sole purpose of the AIADMK-led front and parties having the same objective were welcome to team up with us,” party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said on Monday, renewing his call for a grand alliance.

“The DMK government is in its last lap of its tenure. It will not get returned to power. All like-minded parties opposed the anti-people ruling DMK are welcome to be part of our alliance,” he told reporters at Edappadi, his assembly constituency near Salem city, when asked about BJP state president Nainar Nagegenthran extending an invite to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) of Vijay to be part of the NDA, headed by the AIADMK. “However, the invitation to the TVK is that of Nainar’s,” he added.

Interestingly, only the other day, AIADMK deputy general secretary KP Munusamy, a former minister, had launched a broadside against the TVK, debunking Vijay’s claim of the TVK as a party of purity. “How can it be a party of purity when turncoats and rank opportunists are admitted in its ranks?” It is seen as an outburst after the party’s hopes of getting the fledgling TVK on board had vanished and expelled AIADMK leader KA Sengottaiyan joining hands with Vijay. And it was in this context, Nainar had invited the TVK to join the NDA.

After the re-entry of the AIADMK into the NDA, two former partners, O Panneerselvam (OPS) and TTV Dhinakaran (TTV) of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), have deserted the saffron alliance. The OBC Vanniayar dominant Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which had split, with the father Ramadoss senior heading one faction and his son and former Union Minister Anbumani leading another, is yet to decide on the issue of alliance. Another fence sitter is the DMDK of Premalatha Vijayakanth, which was earlier part of the AIADMK alliance for the 2024 LS poll. On the contrary, the DMK-led INDIA Bloc remains united and coherent.

According to him, the DMK government of MK Stalin had pushed the state into a debt trap due to inefficiency and corruption. The state’s total debt had reached Rs 9.50 lakh crore, the highest in the country, with the DMK government borrowing nearly Rs 5 lakh crore since coming to power, he alleged. However, he demanded that the government give Rs 5000 for every ration card holder as a Pongal gift. “The festival is just 20 days away and the government is yet to make an announcement regarding this. When the AIADMK was in power, we gave Rs 2500 but then the DMK had demanded that it should be Rs 5000. Now, we are demanding the same.”

On the rechristening of MGNREGA scheme as VG-B RAM G and the Union government making states to bear 40 per cent of the financial burden, EPS said, “We are for the retention of the original name. The 39 MPs of the DMK had not exerted the requisite pressure in Parliament on the issue of 40 percent cost to be borne by the States. Mere statements would not do. The AIADMK MPs had stalled Parliament for 22 days over the Cauvery issue.”

The Pro Wrestling League (PWL), sanctioned by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), unveiled its new official logo ahead of the fifth season, signalling the league’s revival after a seven-year hiatus.

The Pro Wrestling League is scheduled to return in January 2026, featuring top Indian and international wrestlers, promising high-intensity competition and a commercially viable framework designed to support the sport’s growth.

The newly launched logo is a modern, dynamic emblem inspired by the traditional red-and-blue wrestling mat, symbolising strength, balance and competitive spirit. The logo represents a complete reset for the Pro Wrestling League, which has undergone a significant structural and operational overhaul under its new ownership and management.

PWL’s renewed mission is to create a world-class professional platform for wrestlers by bridging the gap between grassroots akhadas and the global competitive stage. The league aims to provide structured opportunities, international exposure and a professionally managed environment for athletes, while contributing to the long-term growth and credibility of wrestling in India.

The revitalised vision is being implemented in close collaboration with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), ensuring the league operates in line with national regulations and governance standards. The collaboration is expected to strengthen the pathway for emerging wrestlers to progress from traditional training systems to the national and international spotlight.

The league is now being operated under the ownership and management of ONO Media, led by partners Akhil Gupta and Dayaan Farooqui. The new management has moved away from previous frameworks to build a transparent, athlete-first ecosystem focused on professionalism, integrity and long-term sustainability within Indian wrestling.

Speaking on the occasion, Akhil Gupta, CEO, Pro Wrestling League, said, “The new logo reflects our vision for the future of the Pro Wrestling League — modern, aggressive and world-class. More importantly, it represents a clean slate. We are building a league that honours the sport and its athletes through transparency, professionalism and long-term commitment. The past is behind us, and the focus is firmly on creating a sustainable ecosystem for Indian wrestling.”

“This logo launch marks the beginning of a new era for the Pro Wrestling League. The identity represents trust, opportunity, and ambition. As we prepare for our return after seven years, our priority is firmly on placing athletes at the center of the ecosystem and delivering a league that wrestlers, fans, and stakeholders can truly believe in,” added Dayaan Farooqui, Chairman, Pro Wrestling League.

With its new identity and reimagined structure, PWL aims to usher in a new era for professional wrestling in India.

The Odisha government aims to establish world-class diagnostic and interventional facilities in every district of the state by 2026, Deputy Chief Minister Ms. Pravati Parida said.

The government’s objective is to integrate digital technologies such as tele-medicine and tele-radiology, promote medical education, research and encourage strong public-private partnerships, Ms. Parida said while addressing the inaugural program of the two-day SUM Ultimate Medicare Meet on Imaging and Interventional Therapy, ‘Summit-2025’, at the SUM Ultimate Medicare here.

“The government seeks to ensure that advanced healthcare reaches beyond urban centres to the last mile,” she said, adding the emphasis was not only on infrastructure expansion but focused on building a future-ready, compassionate and accessible healthcare system.

Outlining a bold, outcome-driven healthcare roadmap aligned with Vision Odisha 2036 placing equity, innovation, digital access and mental well-being at the core of the state’s public health strategy, the minister said the vision was in alignment with the Prime Minister’s national initiatives.

The recommendations emerging from the summit would be examined for policy adoption, she said.

Ms. Parida, who was formally received with floral honours by Prof. (Dr.) Manojranjan Nayak, Founder President of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, praised SUM Ultimate Medicare saying it had played a significant role in positioning Odisha as a regional hub for advanced healthcare and medical tourism attracting patients from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhatisgarh and other nearby states.

In her welcome address, Dr. Swetapadma Dash, CEO of SUM Ultimate Medicare, said while change in medicine was inevitable, progress was always a deliberate choice. Summit 2025, she said, was a platform for responsible innovation where evidence-based practice and patient-centric values guided clinical advancement.

The Summit, which had the theme ‘Advanced Patient Care with Interventional Radiology and Cardiac Imaging: When Imaging Leads, Interventions Heal’, brought together leading clinicians and researchers from across the country.

The inaugural session featured eminent speakers who included Dr. Sudeep Acharya, Organising Chairman of the event, Dr. Amar Mukund, President-Elect, Indian Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Dr. Prafulla Kumar Dash, President, Odisha Radiological and Imaging Association (ORIA), Prof. Satya Sundar Gajendra Mohpatra, Secretary, ORIA and Dr. Golaknath Pasa, Organising Vice-Chairman of the Summit. Brig. (Dr.) Biraj Mohan Mishra, Chief of Medical Services, SUM Ultimate Medicare, other senior officials and doctors were also present. Dr. Sambit Kumar Pattanayak, Organising Secretary of Summit 2025, proposed the vote of thanks.

The Supreme Court stayed the conviction of Ajit Pawar-led NCP MLA and former Maharashtra cabinet minister Manikrao Kokate on Monday, in a 1995 cheating and forgery case, giving him an interim relief.

The relief from the apex court came days after the Bombay High Court refused to stay Kokate’s conviction, but suspended his two-year jail sentence and granted him protection from arrest even as it heard his petition against a verdict given by the Nashik district sessions court. This would mean that at least for the present, Kokate will not lose his status as a MLA and cannot be arrested until the hearing of the case is over.

On Monday, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, stayed Kokate’s conviction in the 1995 cheating and forgery case, and also issued notice to the Maharashtra government seeking its response.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Kokate and Advocate Aaditya Pande appeared for the State of Maharashtra while Senior Advocate Maninder Singh appeared for the complainant.

One of the petitioners in the case, Ashutosh Rathod said, “The Supreme Court has decided that Manikrao Kokate’s MLA status is still valid. But the Supreme Court has also given written instructions that he will not be able to hold any post like minister or corporation chairman. The court said that Manikrao Kokate will not be able to accept any constitutional post until the hearing of the case is over”.

The case is related to Manikrao Kokate and his brother Vijay Kokate obtaining government flats meant for the low-income group from the government in Canada Corner, a posh area in Nashik city, between 1995 and 1997.

Allegedly, they had informed the government that their income was “low” and that they did not have any other residence. However, it came to light later that they had cheated the government by submitting forged documents, after which officials had filed a complaint against them at the Sarkarwada police station in 1997 and the Nashik district court took cognisance of the matter.

Kokate’s conviction and two-year sentence by a magistrate in February 2025 were upheld by the Nashik sessions court last Tuesday, holding that he and his brother Vijay Kokate had cheated the Maharashtra government to allot them flats meant for the economically weaker sections of society under the Chief Minister’s quota.

Earlier, Kokate had moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the Bombay High Court suspending his sentence but refusing to stay his conviction in the cheating case, after the court observed that the office Kokate occupies (as a cabinet minister) is not merely titular but “is a solemn obligation to uphold the rule of law and safeguard the collective interest of citizens”.

Kokate had moved the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on his conviction, requesting the court to consider his request for stay on his conviction as “an exceptional circumstance” since he could be disqualified as an MLA if not granted the relief, which would cause an irreparable loss to him. However, the high court refused to consider it as “an exceptional circumstance” and Kokate was forced to resign as Sports Minister.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the AYUSH ministry held a key technical meeting in the national capital to integrate Ayush Systems into Global Health Intervention Standards.

In a major step toward the global integration of traditional healthcare, the WHO organised the two-day Technical Project Meeting on Traditional Medicine (TM) intervention code set development here on December 20–21.

This initiative was fundamentally driven by the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Donor Agreement signed between the Ministry of Ayush and WHO on May 24, the ministry said on Monday.

This agreement serves as the cornerstone for developing a dedicated Traditional Medicine module within the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI), the international global standard for classifying healthcare interventions, with India facilitating both the financial and technical frameworks necessary to bring Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) systems into the global healthcare mainstream.

The facilitation of this meeting aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has emphasized that such initiatives help Ayush systems reach a maximum number of people globally in a scientific manner.

During his Mann Ki Baat address, the Prime Minister noted that this standardised framework would enable Ayush systems to achieve global recognition and scientific credibility.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, had previously observed that a dedicated ICHI module would facilitate global recognition of Ayush systems and support WHO’s efforts for inclusive, safe, and evidence-based healthcare.

The technical sessions were chaired by Kavita Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, who led the Indian team in the development of National Health Intervention Codes for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in Nagpur on Monday that the wipeout of the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is a “trailer” of what would be the outcome of the forthcoming elections to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as well as 28 other municipal corporations to be held on January 15, 2026.

“BJP’s victory in municipal council and municipal panchayats is merely a trailer. It shows how things will unfold in the BMC polls,” he said.

“We will do good work and bring about change in all the cities we have won and even in the cities we have not won. I am sure the good start that has been made will also be reflected in the results of the forthcoming municipal corporation elections. Our resolve should be such that we will neither be defeated by defeat nor victory. Victory in elections is an acknowledgement of our work,” Fadnavis said.

“The mandate was for a good governance and development model of the Mahayuti government. What makes this election so special is the public trust in our development agenda. Since 2014, the BJP has transcended beyond urban belt. Even in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when the party performed poorly, our vote base remained intact in both rural and urban areas. I urge every party worker to work even harder towards greater victories in the future,” Fadnavis said.

The BJP has emerged as the single largest winning party after the results of the town council (Nagar Panchayat) and municipal council (Nagar Parishad) elections in Maharashtra were announced on Sunday. About 129 mayors have been elected from the BJP, while 75 per cent of the total mayors are from the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. In the election for the post of mayor in the Nagpur district, elections were held for 27 municipal councils (Nagar Parishads). Out of these, BJP won the election in 22 municipal councils.

“In this election, we have eliminated the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The BJP has emerged as the largest party. In 2017, it had 1500 corporators. This time, more than 3,000 of our corporators got elected and 48 per cent of the total number of corporators who got elected are from our party. Citizens of municipal areas have placed their trust in us. Modi has pursued the politics of trust and development at the national level,” Fadnavis said.

“The BJP and our Mahayuti have received a huge public mandate. We have also achieved an unprecedented victory in Nagpur. We are seeing that many strongholds of the opposition have been destroyed. We have achieved great success in all the big places. The strongholds of the Opposition have been destroyed. I am grateful to the corporators, mayors and workers,” he said.

“The real winners are you sitting in front of me. I may have a share in it, but the real winners of this success are the party workers. The Ramtek district has become Congress-free. You (the BJP) have created so many records that if I sit and tell you all about it, I will not be able to visit the Gondia district. This remarkable success belongs to our dedicated workers (karyakartas). It is their hard work, commitment, and perseverance that has made this victory possible,” Fadnavis said.

Tata Electronics officially announced on Monday that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Japanese semiconductor company ROHM to manufacture semiconductors in India for both the Indian and global markets.

The partnership aims to leverage the expertise and ecosystem of both companies to expand business opportunities for ROHM and Tata Electronics, thereby further strengthening the relationship between Japan’s and India’s semiconductor industries, according to an official statement.

As an initial focus, Tata Electronics and ROHM will establish a manufacturing framework for power semiconductors in India by combining ROHM’s leading device technologies with Tata Electronics’ advanced backend technologies.

In addition, by integrating the sales channels and networks, the partnership will create new business opportunities in the Indian market and deliver higher-value solutions to a wide range of customers, according to the statement.

Talking about the development, Tata Electronics CEO & MD Dr Randhir Thakur said, “Tata Electronics is deeply committed to pioneering a thriving semiconductor industry in India. We are excited to partner with ROHM, a global leader in semiconductor solutions. With a strong legacy of quality and reliability across products for a broad range of markets, ROHM brings deep domain expertise to this partnership. Through our semiconductor assembly and test facilities, Tata Electronics will deliver advanced chip packaging services to support ROHM in creating products tailored for Indian and global markets. This partnership will go a long way in bringing in trust and resilience in the global semiconductor supply chain while also expanding our respective business opportunities.”

As the first step in this collaboration, Tata Electronics will assemble and test ROHM’s India-designed automotive-grade Nch 100V, 300A Si MOSFET in a TOLL package, targeting mass production shipments by next year. The companies will also explore co-development of high-value packaging technologies in the future. Both companies will combine efforts to market the products manufactured through this collaboration, the statement mentioned.

ROHM’s Member of the Board and Managing Executive Officer, Dr Kazuhide Ino said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Tata Electronics, a leading Indian corporate group with advanced packaging capabilities. Through this partnership, we aim to expand our lineup of packaged products manufactured in India and help build a sustainable, region-based supply chain network. We are confident that this collaboration will enable us to meet the growing demand from Indian customers seeking domestically produced semiconductors. We also envision supplying jointly manufactured products to the global market.”

The partnership embodies the Government of India’s “Make in India” vision, as well as the philosophy of “Designed in India, Manufactured in India.” The ROHM–TATA partnership marks an important step toward delivering value to customers in the Indian market by building an ecosystem that includes design, development, and manufacturing – all within India. The partnership enhances domestic value addition and enables a stable supply of products optimised for the Indian market, according to the statement.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, on Monday said India’s Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) has helped prevent cyber fraud losses worth approximately Rs 660 crore within just six months of its rollout, underscoring the growing impact of coordinated inter-agency action and citizen participation in combating digital financial crimes.

The FRI, launched on May 22, 2025, is being implemented through DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP). Its success, the department said, has been driven by active support from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which enabled large-scale onboarding across the financial ecosystem.

As of now, more than 1,000 entities, including banks, Third-Party Application Providers (TPAPs) and Payment System Operators (PSOs), have onboarded the DIP and are actively using the FRI to assess and mitigate fraud risks.

According to DoT, financial institutions have leveraged the indicator to flag suspicious transactions, either declining them or issuing timely alerts, thereby averting potential losses across the banking system.

DoT is also conducting regular knowledge-sharing sessions to ensure effective adoption of the FRI. Sixteen such sessions have been held so far with stakeholders from banks, payment companies and other financial institutions.

Highlighting the evolving nature of cybercrime, the department noted that fraudsters are increasingly operating like organized digital cartels, employing tactics ranging from digital arrest scams to sophisticated SIM-box networks that bypass legal telecom routes.

In this challenging environment, citizen participation, Jan Bhagidari, has emerged as a critical pillar of India’s cybercrime response.

Sanchar Saathi, DoT’s citizen-facing platform, has played a central role by functioning as a crowdsourced cyber-intelligence tool. Inputs from citizens reporting suspected fraud communications, fraudulent connections taken in their names, and lost or stolen mobile handsets are continuously feeding into the FRI framework.

DoT acknowledged the contribution of vigilant citizens and “Cyber Warriors” using the Sanchar Saathi web portal and mobile application. Recent trends in app downloads and usage, the department said, reflect growing public trust and proactive engagement in preventing cyber fraud.

While many informed users ignore or disconnect fraud calls, such actions do little to stop fraudsters from targeting others. Sanchar Saathi simplifies reporting by enabling users to flag suspected fraud communications directly from call logs in just a few taps.

This helps authorities and telecom operators identify patterns, block offending numbers, disable fake connections and deter repeat offenders.

Reiterating its commitment to a secure digital payments ecosystem, DoT urged citizens to actively use Sanchar Saathi’s services. The department stressed that continued cooperation among RBI, NPCI, SEBI, PFRDA, banks, financial institutions, payment operators and citizens remains essential to safeguarding India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

The BJP on Monday came out in support of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks describing India as a “Hindu Rashtra” and his comments flagging what he termed “Islamic extremism” in West Bengal, triggering sharp political reactions across parties.

Addressing a gathering on Sunday, Bhagwat had asserted that India is a “Hindu nation” and said no constitutional sanction is required for it, as it is a “truth”.

He also raised questions over suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir’s announcement to construct a Babri Masjid-like mosque in West Bengal, alleging that the move was “being done for votes”. The RSS chief further stated that government funds should not be used for the construction of religious places.

Backing Bhagwat’s remarks on Bengal, BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo cited recent developments in Murshidabad, where an announcement regarding the construction of a Babri Masjid had been made.

Speaking to IANS, Deo said, “The entire West Bengal government called Maulanas there and afterwards, a large gathering was held where it was stated that we will build the Babri Masjid here. This is being done solely by the Trinamool Congress to appease the Muslim community, which is an insult to the Sanatanis. For show, they did suspend the MLA, but his arrest has not yet been made, indicating collusion between the government and this suspended MLA.”

He further alleged that the issue was deliberately raised with elections approaching.

“This is not an issue that needed to be raised at this time, but with elections in sight, the Trinamool Congress has deliberately raised this issue through one of its MLAs. So, the RSS chief is right,” Deo added.

BJP MLA Ram Kadam also supported Bhagwat’s remarks and stressed the need for Hindu unity.

Speaking to IANS, Kadam said, “Our Sarsanghchalak’s statement is true and attempts to shed light on the reality. On the sacred land of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee and her supporters have caused suffering, harassment and oppression to our Hindus. They have forced their way into homes, committed misconduct against women and the people of Bengal are witnessing all of this.”

Kadam further alleged political motives behind references to Babri Masjid.

“Those who claim to speak in the name of Babri are doing so only for political gains. They do not care for anyone and are merely using excuses to gain control over a particular religion. However, if Hindus unite, no one would dare to engage in such Pakistan-pleasing, deceitful actions,” he said.

Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande emphasised that Hindus should unite in the face of emerging challenges.

“Considering the kind of activities taking place in our country and the nature of threats we face, Hindus should not divide themselves on the basis of caste and must unite. Our party firmly believes in this stance,” she told IANS.

The Opposition, however, strongly criticised the RSS chief’s remarks, asserting that India is governed by the Constitution and not by ideological declarations.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad questioned the premise of the “Hindu Rashtra” statement.

Speaking to IANS, he said, “I would like to ask Mohan Bhagwat, very respectfully, what kind of Hindu nation he wants. Today, the highest constitutional and administrative positions in our country are held by Hindus. The President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are all Hindus.”

Prasad pointed out that political leadership across parties is predominantly Hindu.

“Leaders of the ruling party are Hindus, and even leaders of the Opposition, including the Samajwadi Party, are Hindus. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is also a Hindu. So what is the scale or definition by which they measure who is Hindu and Hindu Rashtra?” he asked.

He further said Bhagwat must clarify whether such a vision aligns with constitutional values.

“Our country functions through the Constitution, through which Baba Saheb Ambedkar gave equal rights to all communities. Bhagwat should clarify whether he intends to follow the Constitution framed by Baba Saheb Ambedkar in his so-called Hindu Rashtra,” Prasad added.

Janata Unnayan Party founder Humayun Kabir also reacted to Bhagwat’s comments, dismissing fears of unrest.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “We respect Mohan Bhagwat, but his assessment that there might be riots here is incorrect. We will not allow any such situation. When a Trinamool leader announced the construction of a temple, there were no riots. So why would it happen now?”

Kabir further alleged links between the RSS and the Bengal government.

“Mohan Bhagwat needs the state government’s permission to visit here. Since Mamata Banerjee has been helping the RSS in the state, the number of their shakhas has increased from 558 to 12,000. On the other hand, madrasas receive nothing, and the Muslim community does not get any benefits,” he claimed.

To boost industrial development and global connectivity, the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated ₹1,246 crore in the supplementary budget for the construction of an access-controlled greenfield expressway from Jewar Airport to the Ganga Expressway.

This funding will expedite the land acquisition process. This project is considered a decisive step towards further strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s position on the global map for international investment, logistics, and industrial expansion.

This greenfield expressway will directly connect Noida International Airport (Jewar) to the Ganga Expressway, providing seamless transportation, exports, industrial supply chains, and passenger traffic.

The government believes that this corridor will provide an unprecedented boost to investment attraction, employment generation, and the development of industrial clusters in the state.

Providing comprehensive support for industrial and infrastructure development, the supplementary budget has allocated ₹1,835 crore under the BGF for the Ganga Expressway project and ₹100 crore for the Gorakhpur Link Expressway project. This proposed funding will address obstacles to the development of expressways.

A token demand of ₹5 lakh has been placed for the construction of new public convenience complexes and vehicle parking spaces on the left side of the 292-km stretch of the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, which will be borne from savings in grants.

To boost industrial investment, the government has also proposed significant funding under various investment promotion policies. Funds have been proposed to meet additional requirements of ₹75 crore for the implementation of the Accelerated Investment Promotion Policy 2020, ₹371.69 crore under the Foreign Direct Investment and Fortune-500 Companies Investment Promotion Policy 2023, ₹23.03 crore under the Uttar Pradesh Oxygen Production Promotion Policy 2021, and ₹823.43 crore under the Industrial Investment and Employment Promotion Policy 2022.

Additionally, a provision of ₹100 crore has been made for the Infrastructure and Industrial Development Policy 2012 and ₹300 crore for the Industrial Investment and Employment Promotion Policy 2017.

To strengthen small scale industries and export promotion, ₹1.5 crore has been allocated for the establishment expenses of the District Industries Center and ₹1.5 crore for the establishment expenses of the Directorate of Industries. A provision of ₹85 crore has been made for the payment of tree felling and compensatory tree plantation fees for the operation of the PM Mitra Park in the handloom sector.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday presented evidence in the Legislative Assembly linking the accused in the codeine cough syrup case to the Samajwadi Party.

Speaking in the assembly, he said that the kingpin in the case, Alok Sipahi (policeman), is a staunch Samajwadi Party member.

Showing a photo, he said that another accused, Amit Yadav, is seen in the picture with Akhilesh Yadav. Amit Yadav was associated with the Samajwadi Party’s youth wing.

The chief minister stated that Vibhor Rana’s license was issued during the Samajwadi Party regime, and Alok Sipahi, who is associated with the Samajwadi Party, was dismissed by his government. “An SIT has been formed under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police to take action in the codeine cough syrup case. The truth will be revealed. So far, raids have been conducted on 332 firms in this case, cases have been registered against 136 firms under the NDPS Act, and more than 77 people have been arrested. The entire case is being investigated under the NDPS Act, which the court has upheld.

He said, “we are following a zero-tolerance policy in the codeine cough syrup case.”

The chief minister retorted the Samajwadi Party, saying our government would not spare the accused in the cough syrup case at any cost. He did not stop there, but exposed the Samajwadi Party’s connections. He said everyone knows who has connections with the mafia. The UP Police investigation revealed that Shubham Jaiswal, the kingpin of the codeine cough syrup case, had connections with the Samajwadi Party. Shubham Jaiswal and Amit Yadav are business partners. They also have connections to the Samajwadi Youth Assembly. Milind Yadav, a close associate of Shubham Jaiswal, is also involved in this nexus. Milind Yadav’s phone numbers are included in the GST registration of Shaili Traders.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said there have also been fraudulent transactions from Amit and Milind Yadav’s accounts to Shaili Traders’ account. Samajwadi Party members are involved in the diversion of cough syrup. ” We have evidence that Manoj Yadav, Rajiv Yadav, and Mukesh Yadav are involved in the illegal diversion of codeine cough syrup. Amit Yadav also traveled to Dubai in 2024. Responding to the Opposition’s uproar, he said when action is taken against the accused associated with the Samajwadi Party, SP members will be the first to offer condolences. The Samajwadi Party knows how strictly we act against the accused,” he said.

Earlier today, while responding to questions from Opposition MLAs in the assembly, the chief minister said he would like to clarify that the codeine-containing syrup being discussed is neither produced in Uttar Pradesh nor have there been any deaths in the state due to its use. This entire matter concerns the illegal diversion, trading, and storage of the medicine. The Uttar Pradesh Police, STF, and FSDA department are taking strict action in this matter.

He informed that although the Central Narcotics Bureau has clarified that the cough syrup whose use has caused deaths in other states of the country is produced in Tamil Nadu, the FSDA department in Uttar Pradesh has still tested more than 1000 samples of cough syrup. The chief minister, in his response, also placed the names of the main accused on the floor of the House. He stated that the main kingpins in this case are Shubham Jaiswal, Bhola Jaiswal, and Akash Pathak of Sally Trader Pharma in Varanasi; Vibhor Rana of Abart Health Care in Saharanpur; Saurabh Tyagi, Abhishek Sharma, Vishal Upadhyay, Tapan Yadav, and Shadab in Ghaziabad; and Manohar Jaiswal and Imran of Bio Hub in Lucknow. He also revealed the involvement of Samajwadi Party members in the cough syrup case and said that the state knows very well who the mafia is connected to.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered a ceremonial Chadar to the tomb of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti during the 814th annual urs at the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer on Monday.

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju laid the velvet Chadar at the memorial tomb of Gharib Nawaz on behalf of the prime minister.

Rijiju, accompanied by Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Chaudhary and Rajasthan Minister for Water Resources Suresh Rawat, took the chadar to the Dargah Sharif in a procession and laid it on the sacred tomb.

He also performed ziyarat and attended traditional rituals on the occasion. Khadims at the dargah have felicitated him in the Mehfil Khana.

“On the auspicious occasion of the 814th Urs of Khwaja Garib Nawaz, I had the privilege of visiting the revered Dargah Sharif, Ajmer and offering the sacred chadar at the holy shrine,” Rijiju wrote on his Twitter ‘X’ handle.

“I prayed for the peace, harmony and well-being of all. Khwaja Sahib’s timeless message of love, compassion and selfless service to humanity continues to illuminate our shared values and strengthen the spirit of unity”, he added.

It is easy to thrash criticism from rival parties as “politically motivated”, but not public anger or movements that sharpen perceptions, as seen in several past controversies.

Facing mounting political attacks, activist protests and environmental outrage, the Centre on Sunday issued a detailed clarification on the Aravalli hills, dismissing allegations that it had diluted mining protections following the Supreme Court’s November 20 acceptance of a new definition of the ecologically-sensitive range proposed by the Environment Ministry. Whether the Centre’s response will put to rest decades-long debate and environmental concerns on already-scarred Aravallis remains to be seen.

The latest row intensified after years of inconsistent state-level definitions prompted the apex court to seek a uniform standard. Under the new definition, an “Aravalli Hill” is any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local elevation. This raised concerns about exploitation of hills less than that.

Along with the ministry issuing background notes and supporting material, Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav asserted that more than 90% of the Aravalli landscape remains under strict protection and that it was “completely wrong” to claim that mining had been opened up across the region. There is an explicit bar on mining on the hills, their supporting slopes and within a 500-metre buffer zone, he said, stressing that “there is no relaxation”.

In any case, according to the minister, only about 0.19 to 2% of the total 1.47 lakh sq km Aravalli region could even theoretically qualify for mining, and any such activity would still require Supreme Court-approved sustainable mining plans and multiple statutory clearances. Rejecting claims of policy dilution, Yadav said no new mining leases would be issued in mapped hill areas and that Green Aravalli initiatives remain in force, describing the allegations as “lies” and blaming misinformation for unnecessary panic.

“By defining Aravalli Hills as any landform rising 100 metres or more above local relief, along with their supporting slopes, the entire ecological unit is protected. This prevents piecemeal exploitation of slopes or foothills that are vital for soil stability, water recharge, and vegetation cover. Cluster-based definition of ranges: Hills within 500 metres proximity are grouped into Aravalli Ranges. This ensures that valleys, intervening slopes, and smaller hillocks between major peaks are also safeguarded. Ecologically, this protects connectivity of habitats, wildlife corridors, and the integrity of the ridge system,” the ministry said.

Driven by decades of illegal and excessive mining, rapid urbanisation and deforestation, Aravalli Range is a long-standing environmental concern with persistent demands for stronger protection, along with prolonged legal battles in the SC and the NGT.

After the new definition, protests erupted from Gurugram in Haryana to Udaipur in Rajasthan, with environment activists warning of grave danger to biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and air quality in the Delhi-NCR region. Opposition parties, including the Congress, accused the BJP-led Centre of crafting a “narrow” definition to favour mining and real estate interests. Some reports also suggested that only 1,048 of Rajasthan’s 12,081 Aravalli hill formations meet the 100-metre criteria.

Adding to the mistrust is the said presence of critical minerals such as graphite, lithium, and rare earth elements, heightening suspicions of mining interests in the region. Meanwhile, environmental groups are demanding that the Aravallis across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi be declared a Critical Ecological Zone, along with a complete halt to mining and stone crushing near sensitive areas, and alternatives to conventional building materials to reduce pressure on the ancient hill range.