NDA vs INDI After Rahul Gandhi Assaults 2 BJP MPs, Protests Planned | LIVE

The World Bank has approved a USD 800 million loan for the development of ambitious Amaravati city in Andhra Pradesh.

Situated in a well-connected region along India's east coast, Amaravati will be part of a broader metropolitan region that includes two cities, Vijayawada and Guntur.

As per a statement from the international financial institution, Amaravati Integrated Urban Development Program is aimed at establishing the city as a well-managed, climate-resilient growth center in Andhra Pradesh.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived in Ayodhya on Friday to attend the Panchnarayan Mahayagna and 108 Shrimad Bhagwat Parayan, taking place at Asarfi Bhawan Peeth. The ritual, which began on December 17, will conclude on December 23, with participation from prominent scholars across North and South India.

CM Adityanath landed at the Ram Katha Park helipad and proceeded to Hanumangarhi for prayers and worship.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Arun Govil on Friday condemned the scuffle in the parliament saying that it is harmful to our image and is tarnishing the reputation of Parliament.

Speaking to ANI, Arun Govil said, "This is very unfortunate. What is happening is not good for our image. This is tarnishing the image of Parliament. It seems we need a lot of discipline and the opposition needs a lot of restraint. The way Rahul Gandhi was not looking calm when he came yesterday. this does not befit MPs in Parliament."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's behaviour during the winter session of Parliament, saying the BJP MP was upset by the scuffle in which two of his colleagues were injured.

Advocate MB Jiragi, representing BJP leader CT Ravi, claimed on Friday that despite the BJP leader being arrested under sections 75 and 79 of the BNS, the police have not officially recorded his arrest or presented him before a magistrate, which is a legal requirement.

"CT Ravi has been arrested under sections 75 and 79 of BNS. He has been arrested physically. But so far, we have not been confirmed on record that he has been arrested. De facto, the Karnataka police have already taken him into custody. They took him to various places last night... So far, they have not produced him before the court of law," Jiragi said.

As the world grapples with the devastating effects of climate change, the urgency for sustainable development has never been more evident. Countries worldwide are recognising the need to transition to greener economies, lower carbon emissions, and embrace sustainable practices to protect the planet for future generations.

In this regard, India and Sweden have emerged as key partners to leverage their respective strengths to address pressing environmental challenges. Sweden, known for its advanced technologies and sustainability expertise, has been a pivotal partner in India's journey towards a greener economy. The collaboration extends beyond governmental dialogues to include the active participation of around 280 Swedish companies operating in India.

The world's largest single Para sport event will take place from 26 September to 5 October 2025 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will also host a World Para Athletics Grand Prix for the first time next March.

Next year's Para Athletics World Championships will take place in New Delhi, marking the first time the event will be hosted in India, World Para Athletics (WPA) announced on Thursday (December 19).

The Para Athletics World Championships, the world's largest single Para sport event, will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from 26 September to 5 October 2025. New Delhi 2025 will mark the 12th edition of the championships and the fourth time it is hosted in Asia, following Doha 2015, Dubai 2019 and Kobe 2024.

In light of the upcoming Municipal Corporation, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Panchayat elections, the Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner's office has declared a half-day holiday for all government and non-government schools and colleges in Jalandhar district on December 20.

The elections for municipal corporations, councils, and Nagar Panchayats (urban civic bodies) in Punjab were announced by the state's Election Commission on December 9 Polling will be held on December 21 from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the vote counting taking place at the respective polling stations immediately after polling concludes, Chaudhary added.

The nomination filing process began on December 9 and ended on December 12. Scrutiny of nominations was carried out on December 13, and candidates could withdraw their nominations until December 14.

BJP leader CT Ravi was brought to the district court by Belagavi police on Friday, where he will be produced soon. Before being taken to court, CT Ravi underwent a medical checkup at the Mutag Health Center in Belagavi.

An FIR was filed against him following a complaint made by Karnataka Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar over alleged derogatory remarks made by Ravi about the Congress leader.

In response, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar slammed the BJP leader, saying, "There was a discussion over disrespect to Babasaheb Ambedkar. There was a protest over it as he called Rahul Gandhi a drug addict. 

There is proof that he has used abuse for the lady MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar, you have all the videos and documents. Why did he call Rahul Gandhi a drug addict? Is it Chikkamagaluru's culture, BJP culture, and Indian culture? Show everything, I'll give you proof."

Parliament winter session: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12pm 

Parliament winter session: Lok Sabha adjourned for indefinite time 

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma reached SMS Hospital to meet the injured in the Jaipur fire and take stock of the situation.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lauded the customs officials of Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport for their vigilance and successful seizure of over 2 kg of smuggled gold worth Rs 1.48 crore.

In a social media post, the minister wrote, "Appreciate @mumbaicus3 for showing diligence. Well done," acknowledging the team's efforts.

The Customs Department at the Mumbai airport intercepted two cases of gold smuggling during December 18-19, 2024. The officials confiscated a total of 2.073 kg of 24-karat gold, which had been smuggled in innovative ways.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) safely rescued an injured fisherman from a boat about 110 km from the Pipavav coast in Gujarat.

According to the Coast Guard, the fisherman sustained severe injury to his lower abdomen while fishing.

He was given initial treatment by the ICG medical team and was safely transported back to Pipavav Harbour. There, he was handed over to the boat owner in stable condition for further medical management.

Responding to the corruption allegations levelled against him in connection with the Formula E racing event, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President and former Minister K T Rama Rao (KTR) issued a strong statement. He accused the Congress-led state government of filing baseless and politically motivated cases to divert public attention from its administrative failures, KTR said in a press release.

"We are not just leaders but sons of a movement," said KTR.

A truck collided with other trucks and caught fire on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway on Friday morning, police said.

Some people sustained burn injuries in the incident, they added.

According to preliminary information, the truck that hit the other vehicles was loaded with a chemical.

"The fire has engulfed several trucks. The number of trucks involved in the incident is not clear. Some people with burn injuries have been rushed to hospitals in ambulances," Station House Officer (SHO), Bhankrota, Manish Gupta told PTI.

He said the incident occurred in front of a petrol pump.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday asked Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to apologise to BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland S Phangnon Konyak following his alleged misconduct towards the Nagaland woman MP.

"For his behaviour towards the Nagaland MP, the people of North East are hurt and angry with Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi must apologise to her...," the Assam Chief Minister said.

"Rahul Gandhi's actions in Parliament today - hurting two senior MPs and shouting at one of our sisters from Nagaland, an Hon'ble MP - are very disturbing. He must issue an apology," CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Delhi Crime branch team arrested a 25-year-old man involved in a rape case in Badli, Delhi after an extensive 1500 km chase to Surat in Gujarat. The accused had been absconding since the registration of the case, Delhi police said on Thursday.

A process of proclamation was also initiated against the accused in the present case. The accused was apprehended by the NR-I Crime Branch from Surat, Gujarat, after an extensive 1500 km chase.

"The complainant, an employee in Bagwan Pura, had been befriended by the accused while working together. Under the pretext of trust, he administered an intoxicating substance and committed sexual assault while capturing explicit photos and videos. He used these recordings to blackmail the victim, coercing her into further physical relations. The victim courageously reported the matter, leading to the registration of the case at PS SP Badli," Delhi police said.

Republic Day parade rehearsals underway at Kartavya Path

In a counterattack on the Congress for raising objections to Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks about B R Ambedkar, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on Thursday evening staged protests against the party and burned an effigy of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Congress of insulting Ambedkar.

Death toll in Mumbai boat accident rises to 14: BMC