The Times of India News

The first meeting of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament will be held on Tuesday and will be chaired by BJP President JP Nadda, along with National Working President Nitin Nabin. The meeting will be held on Tuesday at 9 pm through video conferencing.

A political rift has emerged within the INDIA bloc as CPI(M) MP John Brittas criticised Rahul Gandhi's absence from Parliament during the Winter Session. Brittas also expressed disapproval of Priyanka Gandhi's participation in a tea meeting with Prime Minister Modi, deeming it a wrong message after the passage of key legislation.

India has pledged a comprehensive USD 450 million assistance package to Sri Lanka for reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. This aid, comprising concessional credit and grants, builds on India's initial humanitarian response and aims to support critical infrastructure and recovery needs, reinforcing New Delhi's commitment to its neighbor's stability.

Congress MP Imran Masood stated that Priyanka Gandhi would deliver a decisive treatment to Bangladesh if she becomes Prime Minister, drawing a parallel to Indira Gandhi's actions. Masood's remarks came amid protests in Dhaka over violence against minorities, specifically the mob lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das over alleged blasphemy charges.

The petitioners informed the Court that they had complied with the November 19 order by depositing a total sum of Rs 51,11,43,36,390.40, which also included an additional amount deposited as a measure of abundant caution.

A Delhi court has framed charges of criminal conspiracy against Congress MP Karti Chidambaram and others in the Chinese visa scam case. The allegations involve a Rs 50 lakh bribe for facilitating visa approvals for Chinese personnel. The next hearing is scheduled for January 16.

India must prepare for both swift, high-intensity conflicts to counter terrorism and prolonged wars stemming from territorial disputes, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan stated. He emphasized the need for multi-domain operations, citing Operation Sindoor as an example of simultaneous warfare across all domains.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring alleged the ruling AAP manipulated the recent zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections through abuse of power. He claimed AAP's actual electoral wins were significantly lower than reported, with many seats won unopposed or through rejected nominations, despite the AAP claiming an emphatic victory.

All India Imam Association president Maulana Sajid Rashidi criticized RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's 'Hindu Rashtra' comments, deeming them unconstitutional and a threat to India's democratic fabric. Rashidi argued that such a concept would lead to the demise of the constitution and the implementation of Manusmriti, impacting Dalits and other religions.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath blamed Congress and Muhammad Ali Jinnah for India's cultural division and Partition. He stated that the compromise over Vande Mataram was the first dangerous outcome of Congress' appeasement politics, leading to separatism. Adityanath argued the opposition to the song was political, not religious.

Kochi police have dropped drug charges against actor Shine Tom Chacko and a co-accused after forensic reports confirmed no narcotic substances were found. The case, which gained attention in April following a hotel raid where the actor allegedly jumped into a pool to evade police, has now concluded with clean chits for both individuals.

India is nearing deals to export BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam and Indonesia. Russia has given its nod for these sales. These agreements, worth over Rs 4,000 crore, will make Vietnam and Indonesia the latest ASEAN nations to acquire the missiles. India is also looking to export other defence systems to friendly countries.

A chilling wolf attack claimed the life of a three-year-old boy in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, amplifying widespread fear in rural areas. This incident marks the latest in a series of fatal attacks, with 13 people, mostly children, succumbing to wolves in the district over the past three months.

The Chinese embassy in Delhi has launched an online visa application system for Indian passport holders, simplifying the process by allowing applicants to fill forms and upload documents digitally. This new system, announced on WeChat, aims to provide greater convenience for those applying for tourist, business, student, and work visas.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on his first Delhi visit post-oath, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Accompanied by Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and Union Minister Lalan Singh, Kumar's visit was termed a courtesy call with discussions on developed Bihar. Shah affirmed the NDA government's commitment to welfare and good governance.

New Zealand's coalition government faces internal opposition to the India FTA, with Foreign Minister Winston Peters vowing to vote against it. He argues the deal is unfair, giving too much on immigration without sufficient returns, particularly for dairy exports. Despite this, the opposition Labour Party reportedly supports the legislation.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that criminal courts must not automatically demand passport deposits as a bail condition. Such orders require specific evidence of a genuine flight risk, as passports are crucial identity documents.

Activists Anjali Damania and Vijay Kumbhar have demanded an FIR against Parth Pawar and the resignation of Dy CM Ajit Pawar over an alleged Pune land scam. They presented text messages and power of attorney documents as evidence, claiming authorities have failed to act. The NCP has refuted the allegations, calling them unproven.

In Giridih, Jharkhand, a woman was severely injured after two men allegedly poured hot oil on her when she resisted their molestation attempt at her shop. One accused, Uday Choudhary, has been arrested, while efforts are underway to apprehend the second suspect, Manish Choudhary. An FIR has been lodged regarding the incident.

A 20-year-old pregnant woman was allegedly murdered by her family in Karnataka for marrying a Dalit man. Manya Patil, seven months pregnant, was reportedly assaulted by her father and relatives. Her family also attacked the Dalit youth's relatives, leading to protests and arrests.

The Supreme Court will deliver a crucial verdict on January 21. This decision will determine the fate of 57 local bodies in Maharashtra. These bodies saw their election results declared. The issue concerns reservation quotas exceeding the 50% limit. Both Mahayuti and MVA alliances have victories impacted by this legal challenge.

BJP dismissed Sonia Gandhi's criticism of MGNREGA's rollback as political fancy, asserting the new law is a epair job for renewal and expansion of social protection. BJP stated the legal right to employment remains, with guaranteed days strengthened, and the funding model rationalized to make states equal partners.

Amidst escalating tensions, Bangladesh has suspended consular and visa services in Delhi, citing 'unavoidable circumstances.' This move follows claims of threats to its high commissioner. Meanwhile, India has reopened its visa centers in Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet, prioritizing humanitarian needs, particularly for medical visa applicants, despite security concerns.

Following the tragic lynching of Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, a wave of support has emerged. After minority community members highlighted the impoverished family's plight on social media, donations from India, the US, and Singapore began pouring in.

Kerala government pledged at least Rs 10 lakh compensation to the family of Ramnarayan Baghel, a Chhattisgarh labourer lynched in Palakkad after being mistaken for a thief or Bangladeshi. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the unacceptable killing, ordering a swift investigation. Five suspects have been arrested, and the body will be flown home at state expense.

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina refuses to return to the country, calling her conviction politically motivated and a political assassination in judicial robes. She insists on returning only when Bangladesh has a legitimate government and an independent judiciary, criticizing the interim administration's democratic legitimacy and its impact on stability.

A five-year-old boy, the youngest to recover, has returned home after a 114-day battle with renal failure and coma, triggered by suspected cough syrup toxicity. He survived severe kidney and brain damage, a feat doctors describe as extraordinary, with AIIMS Nagpur waiving treatment costs.

The Supreme Court has stayed the conviction of NCP leader Manikrao Kokate in a 1995 cheating and forgery case. This relief prevents his disqualification from the Maharashtra assembly. While the conviction is stayed regarding his assembly membership, Kokate is barred from holding any office of profit. The court will examine the conviction's merits.

A murder investigation in Chhattisgarh took a strange turn when the victim, believed dead and buried for 61 days, reappeared after working in Jharkhand. His family had reported him missing, and four acquaintances were arrested for his alleged murder based on a charred body and confessions.

The Supreme Court expressed shock over private individuals grabbing thousands of acres of forest land in Uttarakhand, with the state government acting as a silent spectator. The court has expanded the case to examine the alleged illegal leasing and allotment of 2,866 acres of forest land, ordering a probe and directing all parties to maintain status quo.

India's new SHANTI Act ushers in a significant overhaul of its civil nuclear framework, welcoming private participation and establishing a streamlined regulatory and liability regime. The United States has lauded the move, viewing it as a crucial step towards strengthening energy security and fostering peaceful civil nuclear cooperation between the two nations.

Speaking on the Supreme Court's acceptance of the ew definition of Aravalli, the minister said: The ruling recognises and endorses the Government of Indias sustained efforts to protect the Aravalli range through scientific assessment, strict safeguards and initiatives such as the Aravalli Green Wall Project. Yadav explained that the Aravali range comprises all landforms located within 500 metres of two adjoining hills with a height of 100 metres or more.

Humayun Kabir, a West Bengal MLA, has launched his new political party, the Janata Unnayan Party. This move follows his suspension from the Trinamool Congress. Kabir plans to contest the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. He aims to challenge Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and has declared his intention to contest from two seats in Murshidabad

The Delhi High Court has issued notices to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, among others, in the National Herald money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate is challenging a trial court's refusal to take cognisance of its complaint, alleging assets worth 2,000 crore were acquired for just 50 lakh. The matter is scheduled for further hearing in March 2026.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured strict action and justice for Ram Narayan Bakel, a Dalit migrant labourer from Chhattisgarh, who was beaten to death by a mob in Walayar, Palakkad. A special investigation team has been formed to probe the incident, which the CM termed unacceptable in a progressive society.

India's supersonic prowess is taking flight from Lucknow with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility. This 200-acre complex is set to become the epicentre for producing the formidable BrahMos cruise missile, catering to surging domestic and international demand, including significant export orders.