The Statesman Kolkata - December 19, 2024

In this issue

December 19, 2024

13 dead as Navy boat slams into ferry off Mumbai

At least 13 persons drowned, including three Indian Navy sailors, while another 99 were rescued from the Arabian Sea when a naval speedboat conducting engine trials abruptly rammed into a crowded passenger ferry near the Raigad Coast off the Gateway of India here on Wednesday evening.

1 min

India, China discuss resumption of Kailash Yatra, border peace

India and China on Wednesday decided to give \"positive directions\" for cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers and border trade, during the visit of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval to Beijing.

1 min

Anti-Dalit mindset: CM Mamata attacks HM Shah over Ambedkar remarks

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday, launched a scathing attack against BJP over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on B.R. Ambedkar, claiming that this is a \"display of BJP's casteist and anti-Dalit mindset\".

1 min

'This will be my last day': Ashwin drops retirement bombshell after Gabba draw

Moments after the rain-marred Brisbane Test ended in a draw, India's star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday shocked the cricketing world by announcing his immediate retirement from international cricket, midway through the Border-Gavaskar series.

1 min

Cong can't hide their insults of Ambedkar: PM

Opposition demands Shah's resignation; HM accuses Cong of distorting his statement

2 mins

Pakistani mortar shell recovered near India-Bangladesh border in Dinhata

A Pakistani mortar shell was recovered near the India-Bangladesh border, creating a sensation in the area.

1 min

SSB Director General parade held at Siliguri ahead of 61st Foundation Day

The Frontier Headquarters in Siliguri witnessed a grand Director General Parade on Tuesday as part of the preparations for the Sashastra Seema Bal's (SSB) 61st Foundation Day celebrations.

1 min

Post Office Passport Seva Kendras in Bengal under security agencies' scanner

Some employees of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) in bordering districts of West Bengal were under the scanner of security and intelligence agencies in connection with arranging fake Indian documents, including passports, for Bangladeshi infiltrators.

1 min

TIPA appreciates Union Minister Piyush Goyal's commitment to address tea industry's concerns

TIPA praised the ministry's focus on eliminating non-compliant teas that fail to meet FSSAI standards, which pose significant environmental and health risks

1 min

Congress workers in Kolkata detained for protesting against Amit Shah's remarks

Kolkata Police on Wednesday detained Congress workers as they held a protest against Union Minister Amit Shah's statement on Bharat Ratna BR Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha.

2 mins

Reports of attack on Hindu families in Bangladesh spark outrage

Reports that two Hindu families in Bangladesh, said to be supporters of the Awami League, were subjected to brutal and barbaric attacks allegedly by radical extremists have caused widespread outrage in Bengal.

2 mins

Bengal school job case: CBI takes custody of prime accused Bhadra

The officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) brought Sujay Krishna Bhadra, a prime accused in the cash-for-school job case in West Bengal, to the agency's Nizam Palace office in central Kolkata early on Wednesday morning.

1 min

CM inaugurates Infosys's Kolkata Development Centre

No dearth of talent for IT industry in Bengal, says Mamata Banerjee; assures the IT industry of all cooperation from the state government

2 mins

IIT Kharagpur ranks 2nd in India in QS Sustainability Rankings 2025

The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT KGP) has achieved a significant milestone by ranking 2nd in India in the prestigious QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025.

1 min

Moloy urges DM to take stern action against land mafia after targeted attack footage went viral

Law, judiciary and labour minister Moloy Ghatak, who is also the local MLA, had to intervene and write to the District Magistrate of West Burdwan urging him to take actions against land mafia who have unleashed a reign of terror in Hill View area of Asansol town.

1 min

Singur Andolan martyr Tapashi Mallick remembered on her 18th death anniversary

Singur Andolan martyr Tapashi Mallick was remembered today on her 18th death anniversary.

1 min

UGC approves guidelines for the introduction of skill-based courses and micro-credentials in higher education institutes

According to the draft of the guidelines, all universities and other higher education institutions, with the necessary infrastructure and training capacity, will be eligible to offer short-term skill development courses after obtaining due approval from their statutory bodies or boards of management

2 mins

Youth arrested after cheating businessman of ₹36.5 lakh

Promising to assist in securing a Rs 5 crore loan, a youth duped a small businessman of Rs 36.5 lakh in Durgapur town.

1 min

Death audit of road accident fatalities Compulsory in Bengal

Death Audits in case of fatalities in road transport accidents (RTAs) will be compulsory in West Bengal, as per the latest order from the state Health Department.

1 min

No mobile phones allowed inside Tarapith Temple, opening and closing timings fixed

The Sebayit Committee has banned the usage of mobile phones and photography inside the sanctum of the Tarapith Temple in Birbhum district.

1 min

Maha Deputy CM Shinde welcomes Thackeray's 'Return to Hindutva'

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has welcomed his former leader Uddhav Thackeray's \"radical change\" in the form of his supposed 'return to Hindutva', on Wednesday.

1 min

Maha Ministry portfolio allocation announcement likely by weekend

The official announcement about allocation of portfolios to Maharashtra's newly sworn in ministers could take more time and might happen by Friday or even Saturday, which would be the concluding day of the six-day Maharashtra assembly winter session, which began in Nagpur on Monday, December 16, sources said here on Wednesday.

1 min

Cops stop Cong from gheraoing UP Assembly

Congress workers fought a pitched battle with police in the state capital in order to reach Vidhan Bhawan on the call by the Uttar Pradesh Congress for Vidhan Sabha gherao on Wednesday to protest against the \"misrule of the BJP government\".

2 mins

Apologise for Amit Shah's remarks on Ambedkar, or quit: Uddhav to PM

Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to either apologise for Union Minister Amit Shah's comments on Dr B R Ambedkar, or quit his post.

1 min

Govt, Oppn trade barbs over Ambedkar in Parliament

Storm over Amit Shah's remarks forced adjournment of both Houses of Parliament

3 mins

KTR Challenges Revanth to debate on Formula E

The state Cabinet has formally decided to proceed against KTR in this case

1 min

DMK and allies slam Shah for remark on Ambedkar

\"Only those who have committed more sins and are burdened by them, have to worry about virtue,\" Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said on Wednesday, castigating Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remark on the architect of the constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar.

1 min

Experts stress preserving Ladakh's high-altitude animal genetic resources

Experts have stressed the importance of preserving Ladakh's high-altitude animal genetic resources, its unique livestock and the indigenous cows and yaks.

1 min

Fake 'caste certificates' made in Delhi exploiting Dalit reservation benefits, CBI probe must: Sachdeva

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Wednesday alleged that fake caste certificates are being created within the Delhi government to loot reservation benefits meant for Dalits.

1 min

LG asks Delhi CM to convene special session to table CAG reports

A few MLAs were compelled to approach Delhi High Court for enforcement of their own Constitutional rights, so flagrantly 'violated' by the elected government, V K Saxena said

2 mins

SC gives Yasin Malik more time to respond to CBI's plea for transfer of cases

The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave separatist leader Yasin Malik and five others two more weeks’ time to respond to the CBI plea for the transfer of trial in two terror-related cases from Jammu to New Delhi.

1 min

Priyanka, Manish Tewari among Cong MPs for JPC on 'ONOE' Bill

Congress MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Manish Tewari, Sukhdev Bhagat and Randeep Singh Surjewala will be in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for deliberations on the 'One Nation One Election' Bill, party sources said on Wednesday.

1 min

Chenab Railway Bridge in J-K receives safety nod

The Chenab Rail Bridge, the highest railway bridge built on the Chenab river to connect Kashmir till Kanyakumari, has finally received the safety nod and is awaiting an inaugural date from the authorities.

1 min

91 pc of Smart Cities projects completed, ₹ 1.47 lakh crore invested: Centre

With 100 cities leading the initiative, the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) has completed 7,380 out of 8,075 projects, with an investment of Rs 1,47,704 crore, the government said on Wednesday.

1 min

Wake-up Call

The global democratic landscape in 2024 reveals an unsettling yet fascinating trend.

2 mins

Protection needed

SIR, It is distressing that over 2,500 women have been killed in India on charges of witchcraft since 2000, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.

1 min

Reviving Momentum

India's economy stands at a critical juncture, shaped by evolving trends in consumer behaviour, investment patterns, and structural wage growth.

2 mins

Cross-Strait blood ties cannot be denied

Blood is thicker than water. Except that which flows through the veins of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party it seems.

2 mins

WAH, USTAD!

SIR, With the passing away of the legendary percussionist, composer and occasional actor Zakir Hussain, for millions of his fans the sound of the tabla itself falls silent.

1 min

Renewal of democracy

Democracy is not a monument but an ongoing process requiring engagement, compromise, and resistance to authoritarian impulses. The challenges Snyder highlights - inequality, disinformation, and the concentration of power — are real and demand attention. However, framing of the 'struggle for freedom' should inspire hope rather than despair, encouraging Americans to see themselves as agents of democratic renewal rather than passive observers of decline. America is not declining

4 mins

Will Xi play ball with Trump on Ukraine?

U S president-elect Donald Trump has invited China’s president Xi Jinping to his inauguration on January 20 in a surprise move which appears to be part of a plan to involve Beijing in ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine.

3 mins

"Why every home must get a newspaper"

Print journalism is in a state of crisis. The circulation of newspapers in India seems to have stagnated in relation to population growth, meaning the proportion of people reading printed news has dropped.

3 mins

Netanyahu says Israeli troops will occupy a buffer zone inside Syria for the foreseeable future

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo left) said Tuesday that Israeli forces will stay in a buffer zone on the Syrian border, seized after the ouster of Syria's President Bashar Assad, until another arrangement is in place \"that ensures Israel's security.\"

1 min

Russia says suspect detained in the killing of a senior general in Moscow

The suspect was described as an Uzbek citizen recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services

2 mins

A 'couple hundred' North Korean troops killed, wounded in battles with Ukrainian forces

A couple hundred North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine have been killed or wounded during battle in the Kursk border region, a senior military official said Tuesday.

1 min

Suspect charged with killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO as an act of terrorism

The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism, prosecutors said Tuesday as they worked to bring him to a New York court from a Pennsylvania jail.

1 min

After Assad's fall, the task of unearthing the dead from Syria's mass graves is just beginning

Bones are visible here and there among the mounds of earth in a field south of Damascus, one of the mass graves around Syria believed to hold the bodies of tens of thousands of people killed under Bashar Assad's rule.

1 min

South Korean President fails to appear before CIO for questioning over martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (Photo) failed to appear before the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) for High-ranking Officials on Wednesday, defying a summons for questioning over his short-lived imposition of martial law.

1 min

Pirates demand $10 million in ransom after hijacking Chinese-owned fishing vessel with 18 captives

The pirates who hijacked a Chinese-owned fishing vessel with 18 crew off the northeastern coast of Somalia last month are demanding $10 million in ransom, according to a Somali official.

1 min

Andrew Tate can have over $3 million seized from him in tax dispute, British court says

A British court ruled Wednesday that police can seize more than 2.6 million pounds to cover years of unpaid taxes from influencer Andrew Tate (in photo, left) and his brother Tristan (in photo, right).

1 min

Xi visits casino hub Macao to mark 25 years of its return to Chinese rule

Chinese President Xi Jinping (Photo) on Wednesday began a three-day visit to Macao to mark the 25th anniversary of the casino city's return to Chinese rule.

1 min

Rescuers dig for survivors of Vanuatu earthquake with unclear death toll

A near-total telecommunications collapse meant people struggled to confirm their relatives' safety

2 mins

EPFO extends date till 31 January for uploading details for pension on higher wages

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Wednesday gave final opportunity till January 31, 2025 to Employers to upload wage details etc. regarding over 3.1 Lakh pending applications for Pension on Higher Wages.

1 min

Disha eyes larger slice of ₹30,000 cr optical retail pie, joins hands with ZEISS

Disha Eye Hospitals, the leading eye care hospital chain of Eastern India, has now teamed up with ZEISS, a global leader in optics and optoelectronics, to tap the fast-growing optical retail market in India, which is valued at Rs 30,000 crore and growing at 8 per cent annually.

2 mins

CCPA issues 325 notices for consumer right violations, imposes penalties worth ₹1.19 cr

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued 325 notices for violation of consumer rights, misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices, imposing penalties amounting to Rs 1.19 crore to date, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

1 min

India's growth momentum has picked up after Q2 slowdown: Jefferies

The improvement in India's economic growth after the slowdown in the July-September quarter is visible as movement indicators like fuel consumption, vehicles tolled and air traffic have strengthened, Jefferies said in a note on Wednesday.

1 min

Indian economy to grow at 6.6 pc in FY26: Ind-Ra

Indian economy is to grow at 6.6% in 2025-26, up from 6.4% in the current fiscal year, India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) projected on Wednesday.

1 min

Market extends losing streak for third consecutive session

At close, Sensex was down 502.25 points at 80,182.20, and the Nifty was down 137.15 points at 24,198.85

1 min

17.80 lakh new employees added under ESI Scheme

17.80 lakh new employees have been added in the month of October, the provisional payroll data of (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) ESIC revealed.

1 min

Net direct tax collections spike by 16.45 per cent to over ₹15.82 trillion

The net direct tax collections for this fiscal year so far have recorded robust growth, rising by 16.45 per cent year-on-year to over Rs 15.82 lakh crore, according to the latest government data.

1 min

UP ranks 3rd nationally in solar rooftop panel installations

The 'PM Surya Ghar Yojana' is transforming Uttar Pradesh into a solar energy powerhouse.

1 min

'A synopsis cannot run into 128 pages!': SC flags lengthy pleadings

After a petitioner-in-person filed a synopsis running into 128 pages, the Supreme Court said that the registry should have advised the litigant to trim down the lengthy synopsis, which was \"loaded with details much of which was not relevant\".

1 min

Government steps up for women's safety and dignity with sanitation and hygiene initiatives

Recognizing the fundamental role of sanitation in ensuring women's dignity and safety, the Government of India has implemented several transformative measures addressing gender-specific challenges, the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, said during a Rajya Sabha session today.

1 min

Kanpur emerges as leading investment hub in UP

Several companies have expressed interest in the Kanpur node of the UPDIC

2 mins

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma urges ministers to prioritize development over political rhetoric

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued a directive advising ministers to avoid political commentary and refrain from participating in political interviews.

1 min

B'desh HC commutes ULFA chief Paresh Baruah's death sentence, acquits former minister Babar in 2004 arms haul case

In a significant judicial development, the Bangladesh High Court has commuted the death sentence of Paresh Baruah, the chief of the banned terror outfit ULFA, to life imprisonment, as reported by Prothom Alo.

1 min

From exile to anthem

The feeling a reader is left with while reading a Marinaj poem is best described by the word 'whisper' from the title of the book itself - \"Teach me how to whisper\".

8 mins

Voices against patriarchy

This anthology offers rare insights to challenge the impunity for violence against women in South Asia. VRINDA GROVER

4 mins

Luka Majcen revives football journey with India stint

Luka Majcen's journey in Indian football is a story of perseverance, resilience, and an unwavering passion for the game.

2 mins

Ronaldo hails Brazil star Vinicius Junior for Best FIFA Player award

Portuguese legend praises Real Madrid staras“symbolofresistanceand resilience’ after awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar

2 mins

Fluminense interested in Tottenham's Richarlison

Brazilian side Fluminense is pushing ahead with plans to sign forward Richarlison from Tottenham Hotspur, the Brazilian club's president said on Monday.

1 min

ISL will be among top leagues in Asia, says Chhangte

Mumbai City FC captain Lallianzuala Chhangte has expressed confidence in his team's ability to strike back into contention to realise their ambitions in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25.

2 mins

Hyderabad FC part ways with coach Thangboi Singto

Indian Super League (ISL) side Hyderabad FC have confirmed the departure of Thangboi Singto from the role of head coach at the club.

1 min

High time somebody from NCA talks about Shami, says Rohit Sharma

Reiterating his stance on the prospects of Mohammed Shami joining the squad for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar series, India skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday left it on the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, formerly known as the National Cricket Academy (NCA), for clarity on the star quick's fitness.

1 min

All eyes on MCG as India, Oz share honours in Gabba Test

Series remains locked at 1-1 after persistent rain forces third clash at Brisbane to end in a draw

2 mins

Ashwin might have made difference at SCG: Gavaskar slams mid-series retirement

Ravichandran Ashwin's shocking retirement call in the middle of the five-Test Border-Gavaskar series has drawn sharp criticism from batting maestro Sunil Gavaskar, who felt that the decision not only left India short of a player but also potentially robbed India's chances of featuring two experienced spinners in the final Test in Sydney, where conditions are expected to favour spinners.

2 mins

Bumrah rewrites history, eclipses legendary Kapil Dev

Jasprit Bumrah established himself as India's most successful pacer in Australia in Test format after surpassing the legendary Kapil Dev on Day 5 of the Brisbane Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Wednesday.

2 mins

Stalemate in Brisbane leaves World Test Championship race in the balance

The drawn Test in Brisbane has left the race to next year's World Test Championship final wide open.

2 mins

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The Statesman Kolkata Newspaper Description:

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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The Statesman Kolkata is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest news and developments in India, and especially in West Bengal. It is also a great way to get in-depth analysis and commentary on current affairs.