The Statesman Kolkata - December 23, 2024

In this issue

December 23, 2024

India, Kuwait elevate ties to Strategic Partnership

The two nations agree to boost cooperation in trade, energy, defence and technology; a Joint Commission on Cooperation is being set up

2 mins

Government to launch 3 apps to protect consumers from dark patterns

The Department of Consumer Affairs will launch \"Jago Grahak Jago App\", \"Jagriti App\", and \"Jagriti Dashboard\" for public use on National Consumers Day on 24 December.

1 min

'Bru rehabilitation a milestone in restoring dignity and livelihoods'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his profound happiness on Sunday while addressing members of the rehabilitated Bru tribal community in a remote village in Tripura.

1 min

Centre forms committee under Defence Secretary to look into Air Force's overall capability development

Amid the growing air power of China and Pakistan and the shortage of fighter aircraft faced by the Indian Air Force, the Defence Ministry has formed a high-level committee under Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh (photo) to look into the overall capability development of the service through indigenous design, development and acquisition projects.

1 min

Amendment in Conduct of Election Rules conspiracy to destroy integrity of ECI

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre over the amendment made in the Conduct of Election Rules, saying this was a \"systematic conspiracy\" by the ruling dispensation to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

1 min

NHRC seeks report on silicosis deaths in West Burdwan

Subol Roy, who was named in the complaint to the NHRC as suffering from silicosis, died on Thursday

2 mins

Loan agency seizes home of sitting TMC councillor

A private home loan provider has seized and sealed the house of a sitting Trinamul Congress councillor of ward number 63 of Asansol Municipal Corporation (AMC) allegedly for failing to repay a house loan.

1 min

Assaulted promoter expresses fear for safety of family

Real estate promoter Kishor Halder, who had allegedly been assaulted by a Trinamul Congress leader, on Saturday expressed fears for his family's safety and said he was ready to release more incriminating video and audio clips relating to the Trinamul councillor Samaresh Chakraborty and other party leaders in the Baguihati area.

1 min

Kamtapur State Demand Council intensifies agitation for separate state, seeks talks with Centre

The recently formed Kamtapur State Demand Council (KSDC) has vowed to escalate its agitation for a separate Kamtapur state and has demanded bilateral talks between the Centre and the self-proclaimed Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO).

1 min

Ajoy Edwards launches new political front

Founder of Darjeeling's Hamro Party and prominent hill leader Ajoy Edwards formally launched a new political outfit today, naming it the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF). The announcement was marked by the unveiling of the party's flag and a detailed 18-point agenda.

1 min

World Peace Yagna performed at Mahesh Jagannath Temple

Special prayers and a yagna were performed at the 628-year-old Mahesh Sri Jagannath Temple for communal harmony and world peace.

1 min

Bisnupur temples need to meet UNESCO guidelines to make it to heritage list

While the temples of Bishnupur, the capital of the medieval Malla dynasty, have been included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, they still need to meet the specific requirements outlined in the UNESCO guidelines, stated Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture & Tourism.

1 min

TMC to take out rallies across state against Shah's remarks

The rallies will be organised in all the wards under the KMC and the rest of the state at the block level

2 mins

Two dead after speeding bike crashes into road divider

Two motorcyclists died in an accident on the Maa Flyover this morning after they hit a road divider while moving at speed.

1 min

Member of banned Kashmir Outfit Caught in South 24-Parganas

Javed Munshi, a suspected member of the outlawed 'Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen' outfit in Kashmir, was arrested on Saturday by a joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police near the Indo-Bangladesh border in the Canning area of South 24-Parganas district.

1 min

BJP stages dharna demanding arrest of culprits in Natore Kalibari chief trustee murder case

The BJP's State Refugee Cell launched intense protests across the state today, demanding the immediate arrest of the killers of Tarun Chandra Das, the chief trustee of the Shmashan Kali Temple in Natore, Bangladesh.

2 mins

Treasure hunt in city

Indian Oil Wheels Treasure Hunt was held in the city recently.

1 min

Fugitive tigress Zeenat gives trackers the slip, turns up in Purulia's Banduan

Fugitive tigress Zeenat last night travelled 39 km along the dense jungle corridor overnight, with tracking experts completely in the dark, and turned up in the Banduan forests in Purulia this morning, as the search operations by forest officials aiming to tranquilise the big cat intensified.

2 mins

End of an era: Private buses stop plying on Route No. 3

Private buses on Route Number 3, which would have hit a century in 2027, have stopped plying, putting an end to an era.

1 min

As of now case is over, there is no judgment against Senthil Balaji: DMK spokesperson

DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said the Tamil Nadu government's plea seeking the recall of Senthil Balaji's order was going on; however, there is no judgment against him.

1 min

Police release video on Sandhya theatre stampede

The tragic stampede at Sandhya Theatre on 4 December, which claimed the life of a woman and left a young boy critically injured, continues to spark controversy.

1 min

'HM Shah's remark on Ambedkar an irredeemable shame'

DMK executive committee adopts resolution condemning Shah's remarks on Ambedkar

2 mins

Well-marked low-pressure area over west-central Bay of Bengal: IMD

Saturday's well-marked low-pressure area over the west-central Bay of Bengal persists over the same region at 0830 hours on Sunday.

1 min

Siddaramaiah claims evidence against CT Ravi

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday disclosed that his government has both audio and video evidence proving BJP MLC CT Ravi used derogatory language against Minister for Women and Child Development, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, on the floor of the Karnataka Legislative Council during the winter session in Belagavi on 19 December.

1 min

Bandi criticises Telangana CM for actions against Allu Arjun

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, has strongly criticised Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for his alleged treatment of National Award-winning and Pan-India star Allu Arjun.

1 min

Robin Uthappa denies role in provident fund case

Former cricketer and television commentator Robin Uthappa has clarified that his association with three companies, Strawberry Lenceria Private Limited, Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Private Limited, and Berryz Fashion House, ended years ago when he resigned from their directorships, amid allegations concerning a Provident Fund case.

1 min

Pralhad Joshi accuses Karnataka govt of 'misusing' power days after interim bail to BJP's CT Ravi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress government in Karnataka of \"misusing\" power days after interim bail was granted to the BJP MLC CT Ravi in an alleged derogatory remark case.

1 min

Amit Shah blames Left rule for Tripura's backwardness

Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Left parties for leaving Tripura \"backward\" during their 35-year rule and credited the BJP government with bringing progress to the state since assuming power in 2018.

1 min

NC govt has taken steps towards rationalising job reservation: Omar Abdullah

Put in an embarrassing spot by the ruling National Conference's MP Ruhullah Mehdi who has announced to stage a protest along with unemployed youth on Monday outside the Gupkar Road residence of the chief minister for rationalisation of reservation in government jobs, CM Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that his government has not ignored or swept the issue under the carpet.

1 min

Kuwait honours PM Modi With its highest national award

Presented in recognition of Modi's achievements and endeavour to strengthen the country's ties with India, the award, instituted in 1974, has been conferred on select global leaders

2 mins

Fed's Caution

The US Federal Reserve's decision to lower its benchmark interest rate to a range of 4.25-4.50 per cent marks a turning point in its monetary policy.

2 mins

Feel of print

SIR, The author of the write-up, \"Why every home must get a newspaper\" (Dec. 19) deserves praise for his excellent and thought-provoking piece.

1 min

Fair Lending

The government's proposal to clamp down on unauthorised private lending practices signals a decisive move to tackle unregulated financial activities that have long preyed on vulnerable segments of the population.

2 mins

Seoul searching~I

There were fast-paced developments in the prelude to the eventual impeachment.

6 mins

To keep what is worth keeping

Those who know Winston Churchill only from his dogged wartime leadership when Germany attacked his country and have read only a few excerpts from his wartime speeches are aghast when they decipher his ugly elitism, racism and sheer blimpish stodginess, when they take pains to read his memoirs, reports of his contemporaries and his exchanges with President Roosevelt.

3 mins

When Piketty came to India

Thomas Piketty, the French economist and author of the famous book Capital in the Twenty First Century, was recently in India. He delivered a lecture on the state of inequality globally as well as in India.

5 mins

Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 20 as Vatican envoy visits Christians in the territory

Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Sunday killed at least 20 people, including five children, Palestinian medical officials said.

1 min

China says US is 'playing with fire' after latest military aid for Taiwan

The Chinese government protested Sunday the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is \"playing with fire.\"

1 min

Gaza ceasefire agreement nearly finalised: Palestinian source

Although some contentious points are still being negotiated, they are not expected to be a major obstacle to reaching a final agreement, according to an official of the Islamic Jihad movement

1 min

Germans mourn the 5 killed and 200 injured in the apparent attack on a Christmas market

Germans on Saturday mourned the victims of an apparent attack in which authorities say a doctor drove into a busy outdoor Christmas market, killing five people, injuring 200 others and shaking the public's sense of security at what would otherwise be a time of joy.

1 min

Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, US military says

Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent \"friendly fire\" incident, the U.S. military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels.

1 min

Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' director Justin Baldoni of harassment and smear campaign

Blake Lively (photo right) has accused her \"It Ends With Us\" director and co-star Justin Baldoni (photo left) of sexual harassment on the set of the movie and a subsequent effort to \"destroy\" her reputation in a legal complaint.

1 min

FPIs turn out net sellers this week with net withdrawal of ₹976 crore

NEW DELHI, 22 DECEMBER

1 min

GST recommendations to create business-friendly environment, ensure fairness: Experts

The 55th GST Council meeting has unveiled a series of pivotal recommendations designed to deliver targeted relief, streamline compliance processes, resolve industry ambiguities and promote trade facilitation, experts said on Sunday.

1 min

Valuation of top-10 firms plunges ₹4,95,061 crore

The market valuation of all the top-10 most valued firms plunged Rs 4,95,061 crore last week.

1 min

Central PSUs record 47 per cent jump in net profit for 2023-24, market cap doubles

Overall Net Profit of operating Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) rose to Rs 3.22 lakh crore in FY24 as against Rs 2.18 lakh crore in FY23 showing an increase of over 47 per cent, according to an official report.

1 min

PVs export grow by 7.79 per cent, 2Ws by 22 per cent in CY24: Data

The exports of passenger vehicles (PV) during the first 11 months of calendar 2024 have grown by 7.79 per cent, while two-wheeler shipments to overseas countries have grown by almost 22 per cent, data from Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said.

1 min

Market outlook: US bond yields, dollar index, FII data key triggers for next week

The market outlook for next week will depend upon several global and domestic cues, including factors linked to the US market, and FII data, according to experts on Sunday.

1 min

SEBI takes strict action in front running case, bars 9 entities, seizes over ₹21 crore

Market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has taken strict action in a front-running case, banning PNB Met Life Insurance Company's equity dealer Sachin Bakul Dagli and eight other entities from the stock market.

1 min

From PLI scheme to FDI inflows, DPIIT highlights key achievements of 2024

In 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), achieved a range of milestones.

1 min

Volvo sets out on a new journey along path of biodiversity, teams up with Nature Conservancy for mangrove restoration in Indian Sunderbans

Swedish luxury car company-Volvo Cars has set out on a new journey, this time round, along the path of biodiversity.

2 mins

Manipur dissection

The good news is that the chief minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, has at long last realised that the Centre gives two hoots about him as far as administering the state is concerned.

6 mins

A taste of the Himalayas in Kolkata

This year's festival featured highlights such as agrotourism, crafts, culture, cuisine and heritage.

3 mins

BGT: Richardson 'excited' to return to Oz Test squad

Australia have added Richardson as an extra pace option after a calf injury ruled Josh Hazlewood out of the series

2 mins

ISL: NorthEast United aim to regain form against struggling Hyderabad

Hyderabad FC are hosting NorthEast United FC when the two sides face off in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Monday.

1 min

Sports Minister flags off 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' initiative in Delhi

Keeping continuity with the Fit India Cycling Drive launched earlier this week, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off the 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' initiative at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Sunday.

1 min

England announce squads for upcoming India tour and Champions Trophy 2025

The England Cricket Board on Sunday announced the squads for next month's white-ball tour of India, which includes three ODIs, five T20Is, and the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, as reported by the ICC.

1 min

G Trisha, spinners star as India win inaugural U19 Women's Asia Cup title

G Trisha stood tall to hit a fine 52 while spinners took seven wickets collectively as India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs to become first-ever winners of the inaugural U19 Women's Asia Cup at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval on Sunday.

1 min

BBL: McSweeney hits fiery 78 to guide Heat to thrilling win after Australia snub

Australia batter Nathan McSweeney, who was dropped from the Test side after playing three games in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, bounced back to form with a scintillating 78-run innings to help Brisbane Heat register a thrilling last-ball win against the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL) on Sunday.

1 min

Pro Kabaddi League: Puneri Paltan aim to finish season on high as tribute to fans

The defending champions of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Puneri Paltan have not had the best season by their lofty standards.

1 min

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The Statesman Kolkata is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by The Statesman Net Pvt Ltd in Kolkata, India. It was founded in 1875 and is one of the oldest and most respected newspapers in India. The newspaper is known for its in-depth reporting, investigative journalism, and editorial independence.

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