Senior Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Shivraj Patil Chakurkar passed away on Friday morning at his residence in Deoghar, Latur, Maharashtra. He was 91 years old and had been undergoing treatment at home for several days, according to the reports. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar described his demise as the loss of a cultured and diligent personality. In his condolence message, Ajit Pawar lauded Chakurkar’s lifelong commitment to public service, describing him as a symbol of simplicity and moral values. During his extensive political career, Chakurkar held several key positions, including Union Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, and Governor of Punjab, consistently upholding ethics in politics. काँग्रेसचे ज्येष्ठ नेते, लोकसभेचे माजी अध्यक्ष, देशाचे माजी गृहमंत्री शिवराज पाटील चाकूरकर यांच्या निधनानं देशाच्या राजकारणातील एक सभ्य, सुसंस्कृत आणि अभ्यासू व्यक्तिमत्व आपण गमावलं आहे. मी त्यांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली अर्पण करतो.शिवराज पाटील चाकूरकर यांनी लोकसेवेचा नवा आदर्श… pic.twitter.com/GeVlK13Isp — Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) December 12, 2025 As Lok Sabha Speaker, he spearheaded the modernisation and computerisation of Parliament, introduced live telecasting of proceedings, and oversaw initiatives such as the new library building, as per the reports. The “Outstanding Parliamentarian Award” was also instituted during his tenure. Ajit Pawar noted that Chakurkar’s deep knowledge of the Indian Constitution and his efforts to strengthen democracy would be remembered for years to come. Chakurkar’s political journey spanned several decades. He began as Mayor of Latur and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Chakur in Latur district, winning the seat seven times. Although he lost the Lok Sabha seat in 2004, he was later appointed to the Rajya Sabha and became the Union Home Minister, according to the reports. During his tenure as Home Minister, India faced the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008, which claimed numerous lives, including senior police officers. Patil resigned from the post on 30 November 2008, accepting moral responsibility for the attack. In addition to the Home Ministry, Chakurkar held several central portfolios, including Defence, Commerce, Science and Technology, Civil Aviation, and Tourism. He also served as the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015. Congress leaders and party workers across the country expressed grief over his demise, remembering him as a principled politician and a devoted public servant. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed deep sorrow over the demise of former Union Minister. In a post on X, Amit Shah said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of former Union Minister Shivraj Patil Chakurkar Ji. Throughout his long and distinguished career, he was admired for his extensive knowledge of public affairs and unwavering dedication to service. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all who were close to him.” Saddened by the demise of former Union Minister Shivraj Patil Chakurkar Ji. With a career spanning several decades, Patil Ji was known for his vast knowledge of public affairs and his dedicated service. Heartfelt condolences to his family members and well-wishers. — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 12, 2025 Prime Minister Modi also paid tribute on X, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Shivraj Patil Ji. He was an experienced and respected leader. During his long public career, he served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member of Parliament, Union Minister, as well as Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha. He was driven by a strong commitment to the welfare of society. Over the past few years, I had several interactions with him, the most recent being a few months ago when he visited my residence. At this sorrowful time, my heartfelt condolences are with his family. Om Shanti.” श्री शिवराज पाटील जी यांच्या निधनाने दुःख झाले आहे. ते एक अनुभवी नेते होते. सार्वजनिक जीवनातील आपल्या प्रदीर्घ कारकिर्दीत त्यांनी आमदार, खासदार, केंद्रीय मंत्री, महाराष्ट्र विधानसभेचे तसेच लोकसभेचे अध्यक्ष म्हणून काम केले. समाजाच्या कल्याणासाठी योगदान देण्याच्या ध्येयाने ते… pic.twitter.com/aqQVerLnhn — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2025
12 December,2025 10:35 AM IST | | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended birthday greetings to Rajya Sabha member Sharad Pawar, wishing him a long and healthy life. PM Modi took to the social media platform X and wrote, “Birthday wishes to Rajya Sabha MP Shri Sharad Pawar Ji. Wishing him a long and healthy life." Birthday wishes to Rajya Sabha MP Shri Sharad Pawar Ji. Wishing him a long and healthy life.@PawarSpeaks — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2025 Sharad Pawar, a towering figure in Maharashtra politics, is the founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The 84-year-old leader has had a long, eventful career marked by major achievements as well as controversies. His public life, spanning over six decades, began in 1958 when he joined the Youth Congress. Pawar later went on to become the youngest Chief Minister of Maharashtra at the age of 37, a position he held four times over the course of his career. He also served as India’s Defence Minister from 1991 to 1993 under then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. Throughout his political journey, Pawar has played a significant role in shaping Maharashtra’s agricultural policies and cooperative sector, contributing immensely to the state’s rural and economic development. His influence in the cooperative movement, particularly in the sugar sector, has been widely acknowledged across party lines. In 1999, Pawar founded the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after parting ways with the Congress. The split was triggered by his disagreement over Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin and her potential candidacy for the post of Prime Minister. Along with P.A. Sangma and Tariq Anwar, Pawar was expelled from Congress, a development that ultimately led to the formation of the NCP. Rather than deter him, the expulsion strengthened his resolve, and he went on to establish himself as a powerful national and regional political force. Pawar first broke away from the Congress much earlier, in 1978, when he was 38 years old. Along with 40 MLAs, he formed the Progressive Democratic Front in alliance with the Janata Party and the Peasants and Workers Party. Following the collapse of the Congress government, he once again became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, at the time the youngest to ever hold the office. However, his government was dismissed in February 1980, cutting short his tenure. Despite this setback, Pawar continued to remain a key figure in state politics. He returned as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister in 1993 and held the post for two years. In 1995, the state witnessed a shift in political dynamics as the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance came to power, with Manohar Joshi taking over as Chief Minister. Decades later, Pawar staged a strong political comeback during the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Through an energetic campaign, he repositioned the NCP as a formidable player and helped the party secure additional seats. He also leveraged the widening rift between the Shiv Sena and the BJP, persuading the Shiv Sena to join hands with the NCP and the Congress to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, with Uddhav Thackeray as Chief Minister. However, the political landscape took another dramatic turn when a faction of the NCP led by Pawar’s nephew, Ajit Pawar, rebelled. Ajit aligned with the BJP, resulting in a short-lived government with Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister. Sharad Pawar responded firmly, warning defecting MLAs of action under anti-defection laws. Many legislators subsequently returned to the NCP fold. The brief government collapsed soon after, and Uddhav Thackeray was reinstated as Chief Minister under the MVA arrangement. But Ajit Pawar parted ways with his uncle, and the ECI recognised his faction as the legitimate NCP, leading Sharad Pawar to form the NCP-SP In recent years, Pawar has continued to exert significant influence despite political turbulence. After the recent elections in Maharashtra, the MVA moved to the opposition benches. Even from the opposition, whether in the state or Centre, Sharad Pawar continues to be a commanding voice, actively questioning the policies and strategies of the ruling governments. His engagement with political, economic, and social issues remains undiminished, and he continues to be regarded as one of Maharashtra’s most seasoned and strategic leaders. (With inputs from IANS)
12 December,2025 10:23 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentDelhi woke up to a dense layer of toxic smog on Friday morning, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 329 at 7 am, placing it in the "very poor" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Despite slight improvements in recent weeks, large parts of the city remained shrouded in thick, hazardous haze. Areas such as Ghazipur and Anand Vihar reported severely reduced visibility, while several localities across Delhi continued to record "very poor" air quality, reported news agency ANI. The region around Anand Vihar and Ghazipur was particularly affected, with AQI levels soaring to 386, intensifying health concerns for residents. According to CPCB data, Sonia Vihar recorded an AQI of 338, while Wazirpur recorded 382. Bawana recorded the highest AQI of 365 at 7 am, placing it in the 'very poor' category. In contrast, NSIT Dwarka recorded an AQI of 269, which falls under the 'poor' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), reported ANI. The Dhaula Kuan area this morning was blanketed by a layer of toxic smog, with an air quality index of 337, categorised as 'Very Poor'. Additionally, a thick layer of dense fog blanketed several parts of Haryana this morning, reducing visibility and disrupting early travel. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Karnal recorded a minimum temperature of 7degC, marking a notably cold start to the day. According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. According to CPCB, the AQI, which ranges from 0 to 500, is divided into six categories, each reflecting the level of pollution and associated health risks. An AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as "Good", indicating minimal or no health impact. AQI levels from 51 to 100 fall into the "Satisfactory" category, where air quality remains acceptable, though sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues may experience slight discomfort. The "Moderate" category, ranging from 101 to 200, indicates rising pollution levels that can trigger breathing difficulties in people with asthma, lung conditions, or heart disease. Dangerous levels of AQI have become increasingly common in several parts of the capital during winter. "Very poor" air quality poses a risk of respiratory illnesses, even for healthy individuals, when exposure continues for prolonged periods. (With ANI inputs)
12 December,2025 10:22 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra witnessed cool mornings across most regions on Friday, with minimum temperatures ranging from 7.3 degrees Celsius to 16.1 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Seasonal rainfall and relative humidity varied across the state, while most districts reported clear skies with little to no rainfall in the last 24 hours. In the northern and western parts of the state, Nashik recorded a minimum of 7.8 degrees Celsius with 64 per cent relative humidity and no rainfall over the past 24 hours. Pune experienced a low of 8.3 degrees Celsius with 77 per cent humidity, while Satara recorded a minimum of 9.4 degrees Celsius under clear sky and haze conditions. Kolhapur reported a minimum temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius and 55 per cent relative humidity, and Sangli saw 11.3 degrees Celsius with 68 per cent humidity, accompanied by haze. In the coastal belt, Dahanu recorded a minimum of 15.1 degrees Celsius with 72 per cent humidity, while Ratnagiri experienced a comparatively warmer low of 16.1 degrees Celsius with 43 per cent humidity, reported IMD. Other notable readings included Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar at 10.6 degrees Celsius with 47 per cent humidity, Ahilyanagar at 7.3 degrees Celsius with 90 per cent humidity, and Udgir at 11.0 degrees Celsius with 51 per cent humidity. Malegaon recorded a minimum of 8.4 degrees Celsius with 95 per cent relative humidity. Nanded reported a low of 9.1 degrees Celsius and a high of 28.9 degrees Celsius with 63 per cent humidity. Seasonal rainfall (SRF) continues to accumulate in several districts, including Ratnagiri with 405.7 millimetres, Dahanu with 184.6 millimetres, Sangli with 112.5 millimetres, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar 108.6 millimetres, and Kolhapur 96.3 millimetres. Most other regions reported negligible rainfall in the last 24 hours. Air quality index 115 in Mumbai; temperature may drop to 15 degrees Celsius, say IMD Mumbai is expected to experience mainly clear skies across the city and suburbs on Friday. According to the IMD, the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may drop to 15 degrees Celsius. In Colaba, the minimum temperature was recorded at 20.6 degrees Celsius, with relative humidity at 74 per cent. Santacruz reported a minimum of 14.9 degrees Celsius, relative humidity of 75 per cent. Air quality in Mumbai remains moderate, with the city registering an AQI of 115, according to the SAMEER App. Experts caution that such levels may cause breathing discomfort for individuals with lung disorders, asthma, or heart conditions. AQI readings across various city areas are as follows: Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) – 115, Borivali – 79, Byculla – 96, Chakala (Andheri East) – 93, Chembur – 124, Colaba – 101, Deonar – 126, and Kandivali West – 53.
12 December,2025 09:49 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday informed the introduction of a special train service between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to accommodate the surge in passenger traffic. According to the minister in his X post, Northern Railway will operate Special Train 04081/04082 for two days--December 12 and 13, 2025--to ensure smooth travel for devotees heading to the revered shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. Train No. 04081 will depart from New Delhi at 11:45 pm and is scheduled to arrive in Katra at 12:00 pm the following day. The service will halt at key stations including Panipat, Kurukshetra, Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Jalandhar Cantt, Pathankot Cantt, Jammu and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur before reaching its final destination. Following widespread demand, Indian Railways has begun supporting smooth travel amid flight cancellations and increased passenger volume during the winter season. In view of the winter rush, Indian Railways has planned 89 special train services (over 100 trips) across multiple zones between December 6 and December 9. The services, which commenced last week, were scheduled to run over three days to support smooth travel and ensure adequate connectivity amid rising demand for rail journeys. Central Railway operated 14 Special train services to cater to increased passenger demand. These include Train No. 01413/01414 Pune-Bengaluru-Pune; 01409/01410 Pune-Hazrat Nizamuddin-Pune; 01019/01020 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)-Madgaon-LTT; 01077/01078 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Hazrat Nizamuddin-CSMT; 01015/01016 LTT-Lucknow-LTT; 01012/01011 Nagpur-CSMT-Nagpur; 05587/05588 Gorakhpur-LTT-Gorakhpur; and 08245/08246 Bilaspur-LTT-Bilaspur. South Eastern Railway has planned special trains to handle the surge in demand following recent flight cancellations. These include Train No. 08073/08074 Santragachi-Yelahanka-Santragachi, Train No. 02870/02869 Howrah-CSMT-Howrah Special, and Train No. 07148/07149 Cherlapalli-Shalimar-Cherlapalli. To manage the extra rush of passengers, South Central Railway is operated three special trains -Train No. 07148 from Cherlapalli to Shalimar, Train No. 07146 from Secunderabad to Chennai Egmore, and Train No. 07150 from Hyderabad to Mumbai LTT. Eastern Railway operated special train services between Howrah, Sealdah and major destinations. Train No. 03009/03010 Howrah-New Delhi-Howrah Special, Train No. 03127/03128 Sealdah-LTT-Sealdah Special. Western Railway will operate seven special trains to meet the increased travel demand. These include Train No. 09001/09002 Mumbai Central-Bhiwani Superfast Special (bi-weekly), operating every Tuesday and Friday from Mumbai Central between 9 and 30 December and every Wednesday and Saturday from Bhiwani between 10 and 31 December, totalling 14 trips. 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
12 December,2025 09:01 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Election Commission on Thursday extended the timeline for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in six states and Union territories following requests from the respective chief electoral officers. In a statement, the Election Commission (EC) issued the revised schedule for SIR in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Uttar Pradesh. The enumeration period for these six states and Union territories was to end on Thursday and the draft electoral rolls were to be published on December 16. The enumeration period for Tamil Nadu and Gujarat has been extended till December 14 and the draft electoral rolls will be published on December 19, the statement said. For Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the enumeration period has been extended till December 18 and the draft electoral rolls will be published on December 23. The enumeration period for Uttar Pradesh has been extended till December 26 and the draft electoral rolls will be published on December 31. According to the statement, the enumeration period for Goa, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan and West Bengal will end on Thursday and the draft electoral rolls will be published on December 16. TMC: What was hurry in deporting? The case of two women migrant workers from West Bengal, who were deported to Bangladesh, was raised in Rajya Sabha on Thursday by TMC MP Sagarika Ghose, who questioned the hurry in deporting the women without proper verification. “On June 21, Sunali Khatun, a 26-year-old pregnant migrant worker, was picked up with her family by the Delhi police and deported to Bangladesh with her family, including her son. Another Bangladeshi migrant worker in Delhi, 32-year-old Sweety and her family were also picked up by Delhi Police and sent to Bangladesh,” Ghose said. Mamata warns Amit Shah over voter list West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday called Union Home Minister Amit Shah “dangerous”, and warned that she would sit on a dharna if even a single eligible voter’s name was struck off from the list during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Launching a blistering attack on Shah, the chief minister said at a rally in Krishnanagar in Nadia district, “The country’s home minister is dangerous. You can see it in his eyes ' it’s terrifying. In one eye, you see ‘Duryodhan’, and in the other, ‘Dushasan’.” Alleging that the SIR was being used as a political weapon ahead of the 2026 assembly polls, Banerjee said, “If even a single eligible voter’s name is struck off, I will sit on a dharna. There will be no detention camps in West Bengal. They are so hungry for votes that they are conducting the SIR just two months before elections.” Banerjee said that she herself had not filled out her enumeration form so far. 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
12 December,2025 06:38 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesAt least 21 construction workers from Assam’s Tinsukia district are feared dead after a minitruck carrying them plunged into a deep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, officials said on Thursday, reported the ANI. Police said 22 people, including the driver, were travelling in the truck when it skidded off the steep Hayuliang-Chaglagam road on the night of December 8. The group was reportedly on its way to Hayuliang for construction-related work. Tinsukia Senior Superintendent of Police Mayank Kumar said that authorities in Arunachal Pradesh informed them that one person survived, while the remaining 21 are feared to have died, according to the ANI. The accident occurred in Chaglagam Circle, a remote region near the India–China border. Due to the terrain’s steepness and narrow roads, even local residents were initially unaware of the mishap. Survivor retrieved; large-scale rescue operations launched According to Nang Chingni Choupoo, the District Disaster Management Officer (in charge), one survivor has been rescued and handed over to Assam officials after medical treatment. She said the vehicle had overturned and fallen into a gorge, and the exact cause of the accident is still being investigated, as per the ANI. A massive search and rescue operation has been launched by the Indian Army, ITBP, local police, civil administration and NDRF, who are battling extremely difficult terrain with dense tree cover and poor visibility. The Army deployed multiple rescue teams after receiving information from the lone survivor, who managed to reach the Chipra GREF Camp. After four hours of intensive searching, the wreckage of the truck was located around 200 metres below the road near KM 40, the news agency reported. Bodies spotted; retrieval in progress The Army said that 18 bodies have been spotted and rescue teams are using ropes to bring them up. The difficult landscape is slowing down the process, but efforts continue to locate all missing workers, as per the ANI. PM Modi expresses grief over deaths Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. "Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," the PMO said in a post on X. "An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the statement said. President Murmu pays condolences to families of deceased President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday expressed grief to the families of the deceased. In an X post, President Murmu wished a speedy recovery to the injured. "Saddened to learn about the loss of lives in a road accident in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured," the X post read. Rahul Gandhi condoles loss of lives Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condoled the loss of lives in Arunachal road mishap. In an X post, Rahul Gandhi also prayed for the missing to be found and the swift recovery of the injured. "The news of the death of several Assamese labourers due to a truck overturning into a gorge in Arunachal Pradesh is extremely heartbreaking. I extend my deepest condolences to their bereaved families. With the hope that those who are missing are found at the earliest, I pray for the swift recovery of the injured," Gandhi wrote on X. (with ANI inputs)
11 December,2025 10:53 PM IST | Tinsukia | mid-day online correspondentThe United States (US) should sign the free trade agreement (FTA) with India on the “dotted lines” if Washington is satisfied with New Delhi’s offer, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday, news agency PTI reported. Reacting to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s remarks in Washington that the US had received the “best ever” offer from India, Goyal said, “His happiness is very much welcome. And, I do believe that if they are very happy, they should be signing on the dotted lines.” He, however, declined to disclose the details of India’s proposal. The minister refrained from specifying a timeline for the long-awaited trade agreement. “A deal is only done when both sides stand to benefit. And I don’t think we should ever negotiate with deadlines or hard stops because you tend to make mistakes then,” he said, noting that negotiations with the US are progressing well. Goyal said there have been five rounds of negotiations with the US so far. He added that the ongoing visit of US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer is not focused on negotiations but on strengthening engagement between the two sides. “I had substantial discussions with him,” Goyal said. The two-day talks led by Switzer and India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal concluded on Thursday, PTI reported. PM Modi and Donald Trump hold phone conversation The discussions covered India-US trade and economic ties, including ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Officials said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with US President Donald Trump on Thursday, focusing on enhancing economic ties, trade, critical technologies, energy, defence, and security. When asked about Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran’s remark that the pact could be signed in March next year, Goyal said he was unaware of the comment and declined to set any timeline. Greer, speaking at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington earlier this week, noted challenges on certain US row crops and other products. “They have been very difficult nuts to crack… but they have been quite forward-leaning. The type of offers they have been talking to us about… have been the best we have ever received as a country,” he said. The talks come amid steep US tariffs on Indian goods—25 per cent initially, with an additional 25 per cent on Indian imports related to Russian crude purchases. The tariffs have affected Indian exporters, as the US accounts for around 18 per cent of India’s exports. Resolution of these tariffs is seen as critical for finalising the first phase of the trade deal. As part of the agreement, the US is seeking duty concessions on agricultural products such as almonds, corn, and apples, along with industrial goods. India has maintained it will not compromise the interests of farmers and MSMEs, strongly opposing concessions on agri and dairy sectors. (With PTI inputs)
11 December,2025 09:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Thursday held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, with both the leaders reviewing the progress in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and exploring ways to deepen cooperation across key sectors. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity." Had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the U.S. will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity.… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2025 According to an official statement, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the steady strengthening of India-US ties and stressed the need to maintain momentum in efforts to expand bilateral trade as negotiations continue. "PM and President Trump underlined the importance of sustaining momentum in shared efforts to enhance bilateral trade," the release noted. They also exchanged views on advancing cooperation in critical technologies, energy, defence and security, as well as other priority areas linked to the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) framework. The two leaders discussed regional and global developments and agreed to work closely to address shared challenges and support common strategic goals. Both sides agreed to remain in touch as high-level engagements move forward. If US happy with India’s offer, Trump administration should sign trade deal: Goyal The US should sign the free trade agreement with India if Washington is satisfied with New Delhi’s proposal, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. Goyal welcomed the positive sentiments from the Trump administration but declined to commit to a timeline for finalising the long-awaited FTA. His remarks came after US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in Washington that the US had received the “best ever” offer from India. "His happiness is very much welcome. And, I do believe that if they are very happy, they should be signing on the dotted lines," Goyal told reporters. He did not disclose details of India’s offer. The minister said five rounds of trade negotiations have taken place so far. He added that the ongoing visit of US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer is not focused on negotiations but is meant to strengthen familiarity and engagement. Switzer, on his first visit to India since assuming office three months ago, held “substantial discussions” with Goyal. The minister has recently been advancing free trade agreements with several countries, including Chile, Israel and New Zealand. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
11 December,2025 09:25 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentNDA MPs begun arriving at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg to attend a special dinner hosted by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. The special dinner is being organised as part of efforts to strengthen coordination between the alliance, news agency ANI reported. The dinner organised by the PM will also focus on enhancing engagement and streamlining floor strategy during the ongoing Winter Session of the Parliament. The dinner meeting is intended to provide a platform for an open, constructive exchange of ideas among alliance partners. It is expected to provide the PM with an opportunity to discuss legislative priorities, review the government's broader agenda for the session and reinforce the NDA's collective political roadmap, reported ANI. Senior ministers, floor leaders and MPs from all constituent parties of the alliance are expected to participate in the interaction organised at the PM's residence. Preparatory strategies for the upcoming West Bengal Elections The discussions at the residence may also include preparatory strategies for the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam, with coalition partners likely to fine-tune their approaches ahead of crucial state polls, reported ANI. BJP MP Anurag Thakur expressed gratitude to PM Modi for inviting the MPs for the special dinner and said that the next dinner will be held after victory in the 2026 West Bengal Elections. Exuding confidence, Thakur emphasised, "PM Modi has invited us after the bumper historic victory in Bihar. Ab Bihar ke baad agla bhoj Bengal ki jeet ke baad phir hoga." "We, the NDA MPs, express gratitude to PM Narendra Modi, who has invited all of us to his residence for a dinner. We will get an opportunity to meet him. We know each other formally, but when PM Modi invites us to his residence, you can see all MPs happy. They are all excited, not just for the dinner but also for the opportunity to meet the PM; if the PM hosts dinner, there can be no bigger opportunity than this," Thakur added. Expressing joy, BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said, "What can be better than this, that the PM has invited us and we are heading to his residence? It is a matter of joy for us. We would like to express our gratitude to him." (With inputs from ANI)
11 December,2025 09:09 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra Government has prioritised providing essential civic amenities to urban residents amid rapidly increasing urbanisation. Pune City is expanding at a significant pace, and 220 development projects have been undertaken in the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR) with a total approved fund of Rs 32,523 crore, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. He also directed that city development plans be prepared only after completing road development planning. The fifth meeting of the Pune Metropolitan Planning Committee was held at the Council Hall of the Legislature under CM Fadnavis’s chairmanship. Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, and MLAs including Tanaji Sawant, Sunil Shelke, Siddharth Shirole, and Shankar Mandekar were present. Structure plan to consider future population growth Fadnavis said that while preparing the “Structure Plan” for Pune within the stipulated timeframe, future population growth and urbanisation should be factored in. He stressed that the overall development of a region should be handled by a single authority, rather than dividing responsibilities among multiple agencies. The Chief Minister also instructed that development planning of the 23 villages merged into Pune Municipal Corporation on June 30, 2021, should be carried out by PMC. He asked that the proposal to prepare the Development Plan for Pune Growth Hub through MITRA, a government institute, be verified. Work on the Mann–Mhalunge Township Planning Scheme should be completed quickly, he added. Fifteen Integrated Town Planning (ITP) projects are already underway, and deadlines must be adhered to for timely completion. Flyover near Pune University to open immediately Fadnavis directed that the newly constructed flyover near Pune University be opened for public use immediately, without waiting for a formal inauguration. He also called for a meeting with all Pune Metropolitan Committee members to prepare a “Comprehensive Mobility Plan” for the city’s future The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) OP Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Asim Kumar Gupta, and other members of the Pune Metropolitan Planning Committee. Divisional Commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, and District Collector Jitendra Dudi joined via video-conferencing. Pune Metropolitan Commissioner Yogesh Mhase presented the session’s report. Ongoing development works in Pune Metropolitan Region 127 road projects covering 589 km currently underway 83 km Ring Road project within Pune city Road works for connectivity to growth centres, industrial areas, and the airpor Three bridge and flyover projects Three housing projects Four water supply projects, including completion of Wagholi Water Supply Project Upcoming development works Three major river rejuvenation projects for Pavana, Indrayani, Mula, and Mutha rivers 17 projects to resolve traffic congestion at major junctions 10 tourism development centres One skywalk project Five Multi-Modal Hub projects to commence soon Yerawada–Katraj tunnel road A 20 km underground tunnel road has been proposed between Yerawada and Katraj. Feasibility studies are underway, with an estimated project cost of Rs 7,500 crore.
11 December,2025 07:31 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
