One of the suspects in the recent mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia has been identified as a native of Hyderabad, the Telangana Police said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. In a statement, the office of the Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) said the that one of the suspect, Sajid Akram, migrated to Australia around 27 years ago and had only limited contact with his family in Hyderabad. The police clarified that the factors which may have led to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, do not appear to have any connection with India or any local influence in Telangana, according to the PTI. According to the statement, Sajid Akram completed his Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree in Hyderabad before moving to Australia in November 1998 in search of employment. The Telangana Police said they are in touch with central agencies and are monitoring developments related to the investigation being carried out by Australian authorities. 15 people killed A mass shooting in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was “a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State,” Australia’s federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett said on Tuesday, AP reported. The suspects, a father and son aged 50 and 24, were identified by authorities. The older man was shot dead, while his son was being treated in hospital on Tuesday. Tuesday’s news conference by political and law enforcement leaders was the first time officials publicly confirmed their assessment of the suspects’ ideologies. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the remarks were based on evidence collected, including “the presence of Islamic State flags in the vehicle that has been seized”. There are 25 people still receiving treatment in hospitals following Sunday’s massacre, including 10 in critical condition. Three of them are admitted to a children’s hospital. Among the injured is a man who was captured on video tackling and disarming one assailant, before pointing the man’s weapon at him and then setting it on the ground, news agency AP reported. Suspects had visited Philippines last month, say cops The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years and were attending a Hanukkah event at Australia’s most famous beach when gunshots rang out. Albanese, along with state leaders, has pledged to tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws, which would mark the most sweeping reforms since a shooter killed 35 people in Port Arthur, Tasmania, in 1996. Mass shootings in Australia have been rare since then. Officials released more details as public questions and anger grew on the third day after the attack, focusing on how the suspects planned and executed the attack, and whether Australian Jews had been adequately protected amid rising antisemitism. Albanese announced plans to further restrict access to firearms, noting that the older suspect had legally amassed a cache of six weapons. “The suspected murderers, callous in how they allegedly coordinated their attack, appeared to have no regard for the age or ableness of their victims,” Barrett said, adding, “It appears the alleged killers were interested only in a quest for a death tally.” The suspects travelled to the Philippines last month, said Mal Lanyon, Police Commissioner for New South Wales. Their reasons for the trip and the locations visited in the Philippines will be investigated. Lanyon also confirmed that a vehicle removed from the scene, registered to the younger suspect, contained improvised explosive devices. “I also confirm that it contained two homemade ISIS flags,” Lanyon added. (With PTI and AP inputs)
16 December,2025 05:27 PM IST | Hyderabad | mid-day online correspondentAfter Kolkata’s air pollution level surged past that of Delhi for the past seven days in a row, environmentalists and experts have called for a wider network of automatic air quality monitoring stations, news agency IANS reported. Experts and environmentalists suggested monitoring stations should be functional in the densely populated and traffic-heavy areas to capture a more accurate picture of the city’s air quality. Green technologist and environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh said that Kolkata needed at least 20 automatic air quality monitoring stations across the metropolitan area to obtain reliable, real-time data. “The seven automatic air quality monitoring stations that we have here were not set up in proper places. We need such stations in densely populated areas and highly congested places such as Moulali and Shyambazar,” Ghosh emphasised. “In the absence of automatic stations, manual machines are used to get data from these areas. But we need automatic stations so that real-time data is received. This will give us the real picture of the city’s air quality,” he added. Kolkata's AQI in 'hazardous' category Kolkata recorded higher pollution levels than Delhi between December 6 and 11. On December 11, at 6.04 p.m., the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) touched a hazardous 439, while Delhi’s highest AQI that day was 345 at midnight, reported IANS. During the 24-hour period from midnight on December 10 to midnight on December 11, Kolkata’s lowest AQI was recorded at 3.04 p.m. at 207, while Delhi logged its lowest AQI of the day at 4.04 p.m. at 169. Furthermore, after 11 pm on December 11, Kolkata’s AQI shot up sharply, reaching 558. The PM10 levels stood at 239 units against a permissible limit of 100 units, while PM2.5 levels were recorded at 188 units, well above the permissible limit of 60 units, IANS reported. In response to the worsening situation, Paschimbanga Vigyan Mancha, also known as the West Bengal Science Forum, expressed concern and appealed to the State Pollution Control Board and the departments of Health, Labour, and Child Welfare to take immediate steps to curb pollution. The forum, while releasing a statement, highlighted, “We have observed that the level of air pollution in Kolkata has reached an alarming state, which is extremely harmful to health. In this situation, the West Bengal Science Forum demands that the State Pollution Control Board immediately issue necessary guidelines for the public." “The Pollution Control Board and Health Department should develop necessary joint measures regarding public health. The Labour Department should take necessary steps concerning working people who work outdoors. The government should give utmost importance to the health of children, adolescents, women, and the elderly,” the forum added. (With inputs from IANS)
16 December,2025 05:25 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while speaking in the Parliament Winter Session, highlighted that the global growth is 3.2 per cent and India is growing at 8.2 per cent. She Sitharaman further indicated that India is becoming the fastest-growing major economy, and every global institution is raising their growth outlook for the country in the current fiscal year (FY26), news agency IANS reported. Sitharaman also stressed that “no dead economy gets a credit rating upgrade”. She further stated that “India got rating upgrades from three major global agencies." "IMF's Chief Kristalina Georgieva said recently, 'I'm very big on India because of the boldness of their reforms… India has proven the naysayers wrong’,” the Union Finance Minister told the House. Despite Covid-19, a once-in-a-century pandemic, India has remained the fastest-growing major economy continuously for three to four years. The Union Finance Minister also said, “Is it not something that the people of India should be recognised for? India had to deal with high twin deficits – both the fiscal deficit, which was 4.9 per cent in FY13, and the current account deficit (CAD), which was 4.8 per cent in FY13. WPI inflation in food articles averaged 12.2 per cent annually in the five years ending 2013-14." India emerges as major exporter for electronics Sitharaman further stated that India has emerged as a net exporter in sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods and defence. While putting up the numbers, she also emphasised, “In 2014-15, the production of electronics goods was Rs 1.9 lakh crore. In 2024-25, it is Rs 11.3 lakh crore. In 2014-15, exports of electronics goods were Rs 38,000 crore. In 2024-25, it is Rs 3.27 lakh crore. In 2014-15, there were 2 mobile manufacturing units. In 2024-25, it has increased to 300." The Finance Minister also added, “Actual household consumption shows that the bottom 40 per cent (B40) of the population is acquiring wealth and assets at a significantly faster rate than the Top 20 per cent (T20).” Sitharaman, while asserting that growth over the last decade has been broad-based, also added, “Inequality in asset ownership has massively declined, particularly in urban areas where the disparity for key assets like motor vehicles and refrigerators has shrunk dramatically. The rural poor have experienced a significant growth in purchasing power." (With inputs from IANS)
16 December,2025 05:25 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA sub-inspector at Simbhavali police station in Hapur district is among the accused in an extortion case in Amroha, officials said on Tuesday. The sub-inspector, identified as Nitin Kumar Verma, and another accused, Naveen Verma, are absconding. Four other members of the gang have been arrested, the officials said. The arrested include Khalid (42) and Deepak (34), both history-sheeters, Lakhan (45), and a woman, Kaushar (30). Police seized Rs 20,000 in cash and a mobile phone used in the crime during the arrests. According to police, the gang extorted Rs 1.25 lakh from the complainant, Naim, from Sambhal district, by threatening to frame him in a false rape case. The victim was called on the pretext of buying a plot and intimidated before the money was taken from his family. A case has been registered at Gajraula police station under sections 308(5) and 308(7) (extortion), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 317(2) (stolen property) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police said, adding that raids are underway to arrest the absconding accused. Meanwhile, Circle Officer of Garh Mukteswar, Stuti Singh, said sub-inspector Nitin Kumar Verma has been suspended. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 December,2025 04:49 PM IST | Amroha (UP) | PTIPresident Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said the loss of lives in a road accident in Uttar Pradesh is extremely heartbreaking and prayed for the swift recovery of all those who have been injured. Thirteen people died of burns, and 35 sustained injuries when a vehicle pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura early Tuesday sparked a big fire, a police officer said. At least seven buses and three smaller vehicles collided with each other in the dense fog at around 4.30 am, the officer said. "The news of the death of several people in a road accident in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and pray for the swift recovery of all those who have been injured," Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 December,2025 04:45 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIPresident Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday inaugurated a gallery -- Param Vir Dirgha -- at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, displaying national heroes who laid down their lives in the service of the motherland. The gallery has the portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees on display. The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration, awarded for displaying the most exceptional acts of valour, courage, and self-sacrifice during war. "The gallery aims to educate visitors about our national heroes who displayed dauntless resolve and unconquerable spirit in defending our nation. It is also an initiative to honour the memory of our bravehearts who have laid down their lives in the service of the motherland," a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said. The corridors where the Param Vir Dirgha has now been created, earlier displayed portraits of British Aides-de-camp (ADCs). The initiative to display portraits of Indian national heroes marks a meaningful step toward shedding the colonial mindset and embracing, with pride, the richness of India's culture, heritage, and timeless traditions, the statement said. The gallery was inaugurated by the President on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, which is celebrated on December 16 every year to honour the soldiers who fought in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which culminated in the surrender of Pakistan's Army. The historic victory of the country's armed forces led to the liberation of Bangladesh. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 December,2025 04:44 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIA bill seeking to raise FDI in the insurance sector to 100 per cent was on Tuesday introduced in the Lok Sabha amid strong protest from the Opposition. The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025, seeks to amend Insurance Act, 1938, Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956, and Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999, as per the bill circulated to members of Parliament. Introducing the bill, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the common people's insurance has always been the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government has provided insurance to the marginal sections of the society even during the Covid pandemic. Sitharaman said objections of some of the Opposition members could be part of the debate and she was ready to answer all their questions during the debate on the proposed legislation. Opposing the introduction of the bill, RSP member N K Premachandran said the nomenclature of the bill has nothing to do with its contents. He also opposed the proposal to allow 100 per cent FDI in the insurance sector. DMK member T Sumathy too strongly opposed 100 per cent FDI in the sector. TMC member Saugata Roy said the name of the bill looks like the slogans of the ruling coalition and such names should not be part of any bill. He said allowing 100 per cent FDI will be a backward step in the insurance sector. According to the draft bill, the amendment will raise Foreign Direct Investment limit in the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent. Though the bill proposes to hike FDI in the sector, one of the top officials Chairman, Managing Director, or CEO must be an Indian citizen. It also paves the way for the merger of a non-insurance company with an insurance company. The bill received the Union Cabinet's nod on Friday, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. The bill further aims to accelerate the growth and development of the insurance sector and to ensure better protection of policyholders, as per the statement of objects and reasons. It provides for the establishment of the Policyholders' Education and Protection Fund to protect policyholders' interests. It would also improve the ease of doing business for insurance companies, intermediaries, and other stakeholders, bring transparency to regulation-making, and enhance regulatory oversight over the sector. With regard to the term of office of the Chairperson and other whole-time members, the bill provides for a five-year term or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. At present, the upper age limit for whole-time members is 62 years, while for the Chairman it is 65 years. Sitharaman, in this year's Budget speech, proposed to raise FDI limit to 100 per cent from the existing 74 per cent in the insurance sector as part of new-generation financial sector reforms. So far, the insurance sector has attracted Rs 82,000 crore through FDI. The amendments to the LIC Act propose empowering its board to take operational decisions, such as branch expansion and recruitment. The proposed amendment primarily focuses on promoting policyholders' interests, enhancing their financial security, and facilitating the entry of additional players into the insurance market, thereby driving economic growth and employment generation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 December,2025 04:29 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted the substantive outcomes of his visit to Jordan, noting a "meaningful expansion" of cooperation between the two countries across sectors, including clean energy, water management, culture, and digital innovation. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Jordan's capital, Amman, on Monday on a two-day visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II, as reported by news agency PTI. Modi on Tuesday during his visit to Jordan also invited Jordanian companies to invest in India, saying they can look forward to good returns on their investments as the country is growing at over 8 per cent. Speaking at the India-Jordan Business Forum meet, the Prime Minister said that India is soon going to become the third-largest economy in the world; therefore, the nation presents opportunities for Jordanian companies to become part of the growth story. The Indian Prime Minister further highlighted that numbers are important in the universe of business, but he has come to Jordan to build a long-term relationship between the two nations. India-Jordan relationship "The relationship between India and Jordan is one where historical trust and future economic opportunities come together," PM Modi emphasised. "You (Jordan) can become a partner in India's high growth and earn good returns on your investments," he added. He also asserted that Indian companies in Jordan can manufacture medicines and medical devices. This will benefit the people of Jordan, and the country can also become a reliable hub for West Asia and Africa. Jordan was the first leg of the Prime Minister's four-day, three-nation tour, which will also take him to Ethiopia and Oman. India and Jordan on Monday also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangements between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship, reported PTI. While hailing the cooperation between India and Jordan in new and renewable energy, PM Modi said, "This reflects a shared commitment to clean growth, energy security and climate responsibility,” as cited by PTI. The Prime Minister also said collaboration in water resources management and development would enable the two countries to share best practices in conservation, efficiency, and technology, aimed at ensuring long-term water security. (With inputs from PTI)
16 December,2025 02:43 PM IST | Amman | mid-day online correspondentGaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, brothers and co-owners of the Goa nightclub where a fire killed 25 people, landed in Delhi on Tuesday after they were deported from Thailand, reported news agency PTI. They were handed over to Indian authorities immediately on arriving at the airport and taken into custody for further legal proceedings. The duo is expected to be produced before a Delhi court, sources told PTI. The December 6 fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora in North Goa raised serious questions over alleged fire safety violations and lapses by the management. A case of culpable homicide and negligence was registered against the brothers -- Gaurav (44) and Saurav (40). Investigators allege that the nightclub was operating in violation of mandatory safety norms, contributing to the scale of the tragedy. Deportation follows their detention in Phuket on December 11 The deportation follows their detention in Phuket on December 11. The Indian mission intervened and coordinated closely with Thai authorities. The Indian government cancelled the passports of the two brothers and submitted a dossier to Thai authorities alleging their involvement in the deaths and formally seeking their deportation. The Luthra brothers, co-owners of 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Arpora in North Goa, had left for Thailand shortly after the December 6 fire. They were reportedly attending a wedding in Delhi at the time of the incident. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued against the brothers after they left the country shortly after the incident. Goa Police has arrested five managers and staff members of the nightclub in connection with the case. Officials said further arrests could follow as the investigation progresses. The Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against Birch by Romeo Lane into a public interest litigation. "Someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy, the court observed. India and Thailand signed an Extradition Treaty in 2013, which came into force in June 2015. Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub into a Public Interest Litigation, observing that "someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy. (With inputs from PTI)
16 December,2025 02:22 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn an extremely shocking incident at Mathura, thirteen people died of burns, and 35 sustained injuries when a vehicle pile-up on the Yamuna Motorway occurred during the early hours of Tuesday. The collision at the Yamuna Expressway also sparked a big fire that created chaos. As reported by news agency PTI, at least seven buses and three smaller vehicles collided with each other in the dense fog around 4.30 am, the officer said. It has been reported that the incident occurred under the Baldev Police Station jurisdiction. Mathura Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar, while briefing about the unfortunate incident at Yamuna Motorway, asserted, "The vehicles collided due to low visibility on the Agra-to-Noida side of the Yamuna Motorway. Some vehicles also caught fire. All injured have been sent to the hospital," as cited by news agency PTI. “Two of the deceased were identified as 44-year-old Akhilendra Pratap Yadav, a resident of Prayagraj, and 75-year-old Rampal, from Maharajganj district,” Baldev Police Station SHO Ranjana Sachan said. “13 people died of burns,” SHO Ranjana Sachan added. She further added, “Of the injured, fifteen were admitted to the district hospital, nine each to a community health centre and a private hospital in Baldev, and two to SN Medical College, Agra,” as cited by news agency PTI. Expressing more about the incident, the Mathura Police further posted on X that the pile-up at Milestone 127 involved seven buses and three smaller vehicles. None of the injured are in critical condition. “The passengers were sent to their destinations in government vehicles,” the SSP said. “Since the road is blocked, diversions have been made,” he added. जनपद मथुरा में यमुना एक्सप्रेस-वे पर सड़क दुर्घटना में हुई जनहानि अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदय विदारक है।मेरी संवेदनाएं शोक संतप्त परिजनों के साथ हैं। जिला प्रशासन के अधिकारियों को घायलों के समुचित उपचार के निर्देश दिए हैं।प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत आत्माओं को अपने… — Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) December 16, 2025 UP Chief Minister expresses condolences Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also posted on X, expressing his condolences to the kin of the deceased. "The loss of life in the road accident on the Yamuna Motorway in Mathura district is extremely tragic and heartbreaking. My deepest condolences are with the bereaved families," he added. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also wrote, "I have instructed the district administration officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured. I pray to Lord Ram to grant peace to the departed souls and a speedy recovery to the injured," as reported by news agency PTI. According to a post from his office, Adityanath announced Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured. On Monday, fog led to the deaths of three people, two of them police officers, in two separate road accidents involving multiple vehicles in Haryana's Sonipat and Nuh districts. (With inputs from PTI)
16 December,2025 02:15 PM IST | Mathura | mid-day online correspondentAir India Express on Tuesday announced that they will be starting direct flights between Varanasi and Bangkok. Air India Express believes that this route will further strengthen air connectivity between Uttar Pradesh and Thailand. The new weekly non-stop service will commence on February 1, 2026, making Varanasi the fifth Indian city connected to Bangkok by Air India Express after Bengaluru, Lucknow, Pune and Surat. Air India Express further asserted that the new route will offer travellers seamless access to one of Asia’s most popular leisure destinations, while also making it easier for tourists from Thailand to visit Varanasi, Sarnath and other key destinations on the Buddhist circuit. The bookings for the services, which are supposed to start from February 2026, are now open across all major booking platforms, including the airline’s website and mobile application. Schedule As per the schedule, the Varanasi–Bangkok flight will depart from Varanasi at 12:35 pm and arrive at 6:05 pm every Sunday. On the other hand, the return flight from Bangkok will depart at 7:05 pm and land in Varanasi at 9:35 pm on Sundays. Managing Director of Air India Express Aloke Singh, while expressing his views on the Varanasi-Bangkok flight, said, “The introduction of this non-stop service to Bangkok provides seamless access to one of India’s most sought-after international destinations. It aligns with our strategic focus on enhancing direct international connectivity from the nation’s rapidly growing non-metro and Tier-II cities.” “For inbound travellers, the service strengthens access to Varanasi – one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities and widely regarded as India’s spiritual capital – while further developing the Buddhist travel circuit for visitors from Thailand,” the Air India Express MD added. From Varanasi, Air India Express currently operates over 70 weekly flights to domestic destinations, including Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai, and international destinations such as Sharjah. The airline was the first to launch international operations from Varanasi in 2015 with direct flights to Sharjah. Within Uttar Pradesh, it also operates services from Ayodhya, Hindon and Lucknow. A refreshed cabin experience Air India Express recently introduced a refreshed cabin experience on its Boeing 737-8 aircraft as part of its ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’ brand campaign. The upgraded cabins feature improved seating, enhanced legroom, in-seat USB charging, hot meal service and Boeing Sky Interior lighting, aimed at offering passengers a more comfortable and modern flying experience.
16 December,2025 01:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
