Bomb threat emails sent to three district collectorate offices in Rajasthan on Tuesday triggered panic and led to large-scale security operations, reported the IANS. The collectorates in Ajmer, Dholpur and Barmer received threatening emails at around 11.45 am, prompting authorities to immediately evacuate the premises as a precautionary measure. Police teams, bomb disposal squads and dog squads were deployed to carry out thorough search operations at all three locations. Officials later confirmed that no suspicious objects have been found so far. Email reportedly sent from Tamil Nadu In Barmer, the district collectorate received a bomb threat email reportedly sent from Tamil Nadu, as per the IANS. Superintendent of Police Narendra Singh Meena said the entire premises was sealed following the alert, and an extensive search was conducted. Security agencies are continuing efforts to trace the origin of the email. District Collector received email In Ajmer, Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Himanshu Jangid said District Collector Lokbandhu received the threatening email during the ongoing Urs festival, causing panic in the surrounding area. Police immediately reached the site and evacuated the collectorate building. This marks the third bomb threat received by the Ajmer District Collectorate this month. Earlier threats were reported on December 4 and December 10, targeting both the collectorate and the Ajmer Dargah. Police evacuated the building The Dholpur District Collectorate also received a similar threat via email. Police evacuated the building without delay, and the nearby office of the Superintendent of Police was also cleared as a safety measure. A dog squad was summoned from Bharatpur, while SP Vikas Sangwan personally supervised the search operation. Authorities said investigations are ongoing, with cyber teams working to identify and track the source of the threatening emails, the news agency reported. Bomb threat emails to Mumbai courts and banks Meanwhile, last week, bomb threat emails were sent to multiple courts and banks in Mumbai which had triggered heightened security on December 18, prompting an extensive security sweep across judicial premises in the city. The threats targeted at least five courts, including the Bombay High Court, as well as two to three banks, police sources said. After detailed searches, no suspicious or explosive material was found at any location. Officials said the emails were sent using Outlook-based email IDs, following which standard operating procedures were immediately activated. Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads, local police teams and senior officers conducted thorough checks at the high court and at least four to five magistrate courts across Mumbai. Banks that received similar emails were also searched as a precaution. Investigators believe the threats were sent by a repeat hoaxer who has been targeting sensitive institutions in Mumbai for over a year. Police said courts in the city have received similar bomb threat emails five to six times in the past year. All alerts eventually turned out to be hoaxes, but each is treated as a high-risk input. According to officers, the emails follow a consistent pattern. (with IANS inputs)
23 December,2025 05:26 PM IST | Jaipur | mid-day online correspondentNew Zealand has made a binding commitment under its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India to amend its laws within 18 months of the pact coming into force to enable the geographical indication (GI) registration of Indian goods other than wines and spirits, news agency PTI reported. At present, New Zealand’s GI framework permits registration only for India’s wines and spirits. Under the FTA, the island nation will extend this benefit to “other goods” as well, a concession it had earlier granted to the European Union. GI is a form of intellectual property right, applying to agricultural, natural or manufactured products—such as handicrafts and industrial goods—that originate from a specific geographical region. The tag assures quality and distinctiveness linked to the place of origin and provides legal protection against unauthorised use, while also helping promote exports. “Commitment is now in place to taking all steps necessary, including amendment of its law, to facilitate the registration of India’s wines, spirits and ‘other goods’… Timelines for this are 18 months from agreement entering into force,” the commerce ministry said, according to PTI. India and New Zealand on Monday announced the conclusion of FTA negotiations. The agreement is expected to be implemented after signing, a process that may take about seven to eight months. Indian products with GI tags include Basmati rice, Darjeeling tea, Chanderi fabric, Mysore silk, Kullu shawl, Kangra tea, Thanjavur paintings, Allahabad Surkha, Farrukhabad prints, Lucknow Zardozi, and Kashmir walnut wood carving. Ganesh Hingmire, founder and chairman of Great Mission Group Society (GMGS), said the move would help boost exports of GI products. “Getting a GI tag for non-agri goods will help increase the income of our people also,” he told PTI. India links duty concessions on NZ apples, kiwifruit, honey to agri action plans under FTA India has linked quota-based duty concessions granted to New Zealand for apples, kiwifruit, and Manuka honey to the delivery of agriculture productivity action plans committed by the island nation under the FTA. The implementation of these plans will be monitored by a Joint Agriculture Productivity Council (JAPC). According to the agreement, the approach aims to balance market access with protection of sensitive domestic agricultural sectors. New Zealand has agreed to focused action plans for kiwifruit, apples and honey to improve productivity, quality and sectoral capabilities in India. Cooperation will include setting up centres of excellence, improving planting material, capacity building for growers, technical support for orchard management, post-harvest practices, supply chains and food safety. Projects aimed at premium apple cultivation and sustainable beekeeping practices are expected to enhance production and quality standards in India. (With PTI inputs)
23 December,2025 05:15 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAs Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi reiterated his allegations of "vote chori" during his Germany visit, the BJP and the Shiv Sena, slamming the Leader of Opposition, said that the statements made by him were part of a larger conspiracy, news agency IANS reported. The BJP also alleged that Gandhi's statements reflect a pattern he repeatedly follows during his foreign visits. During his visit to Germany, the Congress Member of Parliament (MP) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India was fundamentally flawed and destined to fail, IANS reported. The senior Congress leader also launched a fierce attack on the ruling party, repeating his charge of "vote chori" and claiming that the country is witnessing a "full-scale assault on the institutional framework". Reacting to his statements, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "The country starts laughing sarcastically the moment it hears Rahul Gandhi's name. Many of his statements cause great distress to the people of the country." “In my view, Rahul Gandhi's situation is like making holes in the very plate from which one eats. When someone goes abroad and speaks ill of India, serious questions arise about their commitment to the country. Either he is doing this under some conspiracy, or he is doing it out of ignorance and foolishness." Tiwari added. BJP National Spokesperson Shazia Ilmi also came down heavily on the Congress leader. While speaking to the media on Tuesday, she said, "How shameful it is that our LoP Rahul Gandhi is praising China and admiring it when he is the same person who once called the Indian economy a 'dead economy'. What could be more shameful than this? This is not a coincidence; it is a pattern." Ilmi further alleged a larger international link behind Gandhi's foreign engagements, IANS reported. "Since 2014, Rahul Gandhi has gone on 247 foreign trips. Some are described as personal, but there is an entire George Soros ecosystem involved. George Soros has openly stated that Prime Minister Modi should be removed from power, which amounts to an attack on the country's democratic process. Rahul Gandhi meets people connected to this ecosystem and supports such individuals," she said. Another BJP National Spokesperson, Syed Zafar Islam, said Gandhi resorts to such tactics after electoral setbacks. "Whenever he faces a crushing defeat, like in Bihar, the country knows the reason behind it. The BJP works dedicatedly for the people, staying among them. In contrast, Congress workers are loyal only to the Gandhi family, not the public. To hide defeats and malign India, he goes abroad spreading lies," he said. Shiv Sena slams Rahul Gandhi BJP's ally Shiv Sena also criticised Gandhi's remarks, saying that raising domestic issues on foreign soil was inappropriate. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, while addressing the media, highlighted, "You are free to raise your voice as loudly as you want on India's internal matters within the country; that is your democratic right. But you should not go on foreign soil and make anti-India statements." The Congress, however, strongly defended Gandhi and rejected the BJP's criticism, asserting that the issues raised by him are evident to the world. (With inputs from IANS)
23 December,2025 04:37 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA sambar deer was rescued by the forest department on Monday morning after it was spotted running erratically in a busy part of Nashik City, raising concerns of a possible road accident. According to the Maharashtra Forest Department, an alert was received around 10 am on Tuesday about a sambar deer moving dangerously near Pathardi Phata. A team led by the assistant conservator of forests (territorial), Nashik, along with forest range officers, guards, and the Rescue Nashik Division, rushed to the spot. The deer, believed to have strayed from the forest behind Gaulane Village, was found sitting under a tree on the service road near Ashwin Nagar, close to the Mumbai–Agra Highway. Forest officials said the animal appeared disoriented and had suffered a serious injury to its left eye, reportedly after being chased by stray dogs and getting entangled in fencing wire. With support from Ambad Police, Nashik Traffic Police, and local staff, vehicular movement on the service road was temporarily halted to ensure public safety. A wildlife veterinarian from the Rescue Nashik Division then tranquilised the deer using a dart gun. After approximately 15 minutes, once fully sedated, it was safely transferred in a rescue van to the wildlife treatment centre at Mhasrul for medical care. Officials said the rescue was crucial, as the deer’s presence on the highway posed a high risk of accident or fatal injury. The rescued sambar is female, estimated to be five to six years old, and is currently stable. Treatment for its injured left eye is underway. The operation was conducted under the guidance of Siddhesh Sawardekar, Deputy Conservator of Forests (West), Nashik, and supervised by Prashant Khairnar, Assistant Conservator of Forests (Territorial), and Sumit Nirmal, Range Forest Officer. The rescue team included members of the Nashik wildlife rescue unit, honorary wildlife wardens, and volunteers. Senior officials from Ambad police, traffic personnel, and local citizens also supported the operation, ensuring the rescue was completed safely and without incident.
23 December,2025 04:08 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavThe Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite on Wednesday at 8.54 am aboard the LVM3-M6 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This marks the sixth operational flight of the LVM3 rocket and is a dedicated commercial mission. The BlueBird Block-2 will be the largest commercial communication satellite ever placed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and will also be the heaviest payload launched by LVM3. The satellite is part of AST SpaceMobile's next-generation system, aiming to revolutionise cellular broadband connectivity. The satellite will enable 4G/5G communication directly to standard smartphones, without the need for additional hardware. Once operational, the BlueBird Block-2 will provide global connectivity, offering calls, web access, and video services directly from space, significantly enhancing mobile communication worldwide. The LVM3, a three-stage launch vehicle developed by ISRO, has a history of successfully launching missions such as Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and OneWeb. India has to triple its satellites in orbit in the next three years: ISRO chief Earlier in July, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said that the country has to nearly triple its number of satellites in space, from the current 55, within the next three years. He made the statement during 'The GP Birla Memorial Lecture on Indian Space Programme - Accomplishments, Challenges and Future Perspectives' in Hyderabad. Narayanan, who is also the secretary of the department of space, received the prestigious GP Birla Memorial Award. During his address, he said in the next 15 years, India would be on par with any other country in terms of space technology, application area, and infrastructure. The ISRO Chairman further stated that 12 launch vehicle missions have been planned by the space agency this year. "Now we are working on building our own space station. We are going to have our own Chandrayaan landing. Right now, 55 satellites are in orbit serving the common man in this country. And in another three years, this number will have to become almost three times. The requirement is huge. The demand is so much that we have to build satellites. We are working towards that," he said. Later, talking to reporters, he said that in 2035 India will build a full space station, and the first module will be placed in orbit in the next three years.
23 December,2025 02:33 PM IST | | mid-day online correspondentDelhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at a 'hazardous' level on Tuesday morning, with visibility severely affected and residents facing health risks. At around 8 AM, the AQI soared to 413, indicating an alarming level of pollution. According to news agency ANI, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that air quality reached 'severe' levels in various areas across the National Capital Region (NCR), causing widespread concern. Several parts of the city continued to experience dangerously high pollution levels. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR to tackle the worsening air quality. Several pollution hotspots included Anand Vihar (466), Chandni Chowk (425), and Ashok Vihar (444), also falling under the 'severe' category across large swathes of the national capital, reported ANI. India Gate, Kartavya Path and Rashtrapati Bhavan were blanketed by toxic smog, with an AQI of 384 in the area, categorised as 'Very Poor'. In response to deteriorating air quality, GRAP 4 was invoked in the national capital to curb extreme air pollution, and truck-mounted water sprinklers were deployed. According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. Meanwhile, the Delhi Government has taken a series of decisive steps to curb rising pollution levels in the national capital and ensure a cleaner environment. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reiterated that the government will enforce a zero-tolerance policy against all sources of pollution. A high-level review meeting was held on Monday at the Delhi Secretariat to assess pollution control measures and take effective decisions. Key decisions include strict enforcement of Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms without any waiver of challans, exploring pooled and shared electric bus services in Delhi-NCR, issuing new guidelines for e-rickshaws and rationalising Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus routes, reported news agency ANI. Senior officials from the Environment and Transport Departments, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Public Works Department (PWD) and Delhi Traffic Police, along with Environment Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, were present at the meeting. (With ANI inputs)
23 December,2025 02:29 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe BJP in Bihar will hold a roadshow as part of its plan to accord a grand welcome to the party's newly appointed national working president Nitin Nabin, who is scheduled to arrive in Patna on Tuesday. This will be Nabin's first visit to the state after he assumed the charge on December 15. As part of the roadshow, posters and hoardings have been put up, and several stages erected for cultural programmes along the route from the airport to the Miller High School ground, a party leader said. Security has already been tightened across Patna in view of the BJP's programme. "The roadshow will begin from the airport here at 12.30 pm. It will pass through Sheikhpura More, the Hanuman temple in Rajbanshi Nagar, and the income tax roundabout and culminate at Miller High School ground. A large number of party workers will greet our leader along the route," Bihar BJP spokesperson Niraj Kumar told PTI. Nabin, the fifth-term MLA from Bankipur assembly seat, was the state unit chief of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and the party's in-charge for Chhattisgarh. He was appointed as the BJP's national working president on December 14. "Several stages along the roadshow route have been set up, and cultural programmes will be held to welcome our leader," he said. Nabin is expected to address party workers at the Miller High School ground, the state BJP spokesperson said. According to party insiders, Nabin is likely to meet Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan at Raj Bhavan in the evening. After that, he will interact with party MPs, MLAs, members of the legislative council, and other leaders at the BJP's state headquarters, they said. Nabin, the son of Navin Kishore Sinha, a veteran BJP leader who had represented the now-abolished Patna West assembly constituency, began his political career in 2006 with a victory in a by-election. The bypoll was necessitated by the demise of his father. Known to be popular among voters of Bankipur, an urban assembly segment in the state capital, Nabin had retained the seat in the recently held state assembly polls by a margin of about 52,000 votes. 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.
23 December,2025 01:29 PM IST | Patna | PTIThe condition in Delhi does not seem to improve, as the national capital on Tuesday woke up to choking air with thick fog and haze engulfed. The AQI levels crossed 400 (severe category) at 27 monitoring stations, and several others slipped into the 'severe plus' range, exposing residents to extremely hazardous pollution. As reported by news agency PTI, Delhi on Tuesday recorded an AQI of 415, slipping from the 'very poor' category a day earlier, as pollution levels continued their upward climb, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Out of 40 monitoring stations, 27 recorded severe air quality with AQI readings above 400, a level known to have serious health impacts. Moreover, five stations were in the 'severe plus' category with AQI readings above 450, with Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 470, Nehru Nagar (463), Okhla (459), Mundka (459) and Sirifort (450), as per data from the CPCB's SAMEER app, as reported by news agency PTI. According to the CPCB standards, an AQI from 0 to 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'. Another point of concern is that the dense fog in Delhi has led to a sharp drop in visibility, with Palam recording 50 metres visibility under dense fog conditions with west-southwesterly winds at 5 kmph at 8 am, while Safdarjung reported 100 metres visibility with calm winds at the same time. Furthermore, the visibility improved slightly by 8.30 am, with Palam recording 100 metres visibility under dense fog with west-southwesterly winds at 5 kmph and Safdarjung reporting 150 metres visibility with calm winds. Delhi weather On the other hand, Delhi's minimum temperature on Tuesday dropped to 8.8 degrees Celsius, which is 1.3 degrees above normal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, reported PTI. On the other hand, the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 23 degrees Celsius, with the forecast indicating dense fog conditions during the day. Dense smog affects visibility at IGIA The dense smog also affected visibility across the national capital, prompting Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to issue a passenger advisory last week. In a post on the social media platform X at 7 am, airport authorities stated that low-visibility procedures were in place, although flight operations were continuing normally. Passengers were advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates, as delays could occur due to weather conditions. (With inputs from PTI)
23 December,2025 01:06 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Punjab, in coordination with the BSF, has recovered nearly 12 kg of suspected heroin in a village in the Amritsar district. "In a major breakthrough, @ANTFPunjab (Border Range), in coordination with BSF, recovers a quantity of suspected heroin weighing approximately 12.050 Kg near Village Dalleke, PS Lopoke, following inputs about drone movement," Punjab Police DGP, Gaurav Yadav said in a post on X on Tuesday. A case is being registered, and a preliminary investigation is underway to trace the backward and forward linkages using technical evidence and human intelligence, the director general of police said. "@PunjabPoliceInd remains firm in its resolve to counter drone-based narco-smuggling and dismantle drug networks across the border belt," he said in the post. 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.
23 December,2025 12:46 PM IST | Chandigarh | PTITwo people were killed and 16 others injured after six vehicles collided in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi district amid dense fog on Tuesday morning, police said. The incident took place near an under-bridge in the Musafirkhana police station area. Station House Officer Vivek Singh said the accident occurred near the Amethi-Sultanpur turn when a truck hit the roadside railing due to poor visibility caused by fog. He said three other trucks, a car and a bus coming from behind subsequently rammed into each other, leading to a pile-up of multiple vehicles. Singh said two people died on the spot while 16 passengers were injured in the accident. Relief and rescue operations were underway, and efforts were being made to ascertain the identities of the victims, he added. 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.
23 December,2025 12:19 PM IST | Amethi (UP) | PTIA doctor at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, has been suspended indefinitely after a video showing him assaulting a patient inside a hospital ward went viral on social media. Acting swiftly, the state government and hospital administration also constituted a high-level inquiry committee and directed the doctor to report to the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Shimla headquarters, until further orders. Speaking to ANI, Naresh Dashta, a relative of the patient, alleged that the incident involved their relative Arjun Pawar, a resident of Cheta village in the Kupi area of Chaupal. Dashta said Arjun Pawar had come to IGMC for an endoscopy procedure and was an IPD patient. "The doctor gave him a date for an endoscopy. After the procedure, he was told that he was facing chest-related issues and was advised to rest for two hours in the Pulmonary Department. When he went there and lay down on a vacant bed, hospital staff were fitting an oxygen mask," Dashta said. He alleged that a senior resident doctor named Raghav and another doctor in the Pulmonary Department behaved rudely with the patient. "They spoke badly to Arjun Pawar. He is a teacher and has never misbehaved with anyone. When he told the doctor that he had been referred there for rest, the doctor continued misbehaving. When Arjun Pawar requested him to speak politely, the doctor responded offensively," Dashta said. Referring to the viral video, Dashta added, "You have seen in the video how a patient on oxygen, who was bedridden, was beaten. Another doctor held his legs, and the patient started bleeding. This is nothing short of an attempt to murder. We demand that the police register an attempt-to-murder case against the doctor." He further claimed that complaints against the same doctor had earlier been made on the Chief Minister's Helpline. "Because of one such doctor, the entire IGMC is being defamed. There are many good doctors in IGMC who behave well, but such incidents bring shame to the institution and the state," Dashta said. Dashta also warned of protests if strict action was not taken. "We demanded his suspension within an hour. If the police do not arrest him today, we will stage a protest outside the SP office. We want a fair inquiry committee with public representatives included. The patient is currently stable and undergoing treatment, but investigations are still going on," he added. Meanwhile, Dr. Rahul Rao, Medical Superintendent, IGMC Shimla, told ANI that the incident occurred in the Pulmonary Medicine Department when a patient came for a bronchoscopy. "The patient had come for a bronchoscopy and was advised to rest for two hours after the procedure. He went to the ward. As per hospital protocol, only indoor admitted patients are allowed in the ward. During this time, there was an argument and some pushing between the senior resident doctor and the patient," Dr Rao said. He added that the matter was immediately brought to the notice of the Head of the Pulmonary Department, the Deputy Medical Superintendent, and other senior officials. "The government took cognisance of the issue and directed us to take immediate action. As per the orders of the Chief Minister and Health Minister, we submitted our report to the government," Dr Rao said. "Following government instructions, the doctor has been suspended, and his headquarters have been fixed at the Directorate of Medical Education, where he has been asked to report. A high-power committee has also been constituted to investigate the matter. We are conducting the inquiry in a fair and transparent manner, and no one will be protected," he added. Dr Rao further stated that the decision was taken within hours. "We came to know about the incident between 1:00 and 1:30 pm. A committee was formed, and by around 6:00 pm, the government issued directions. Within four hours, a decision was taken. We do not cover up any complaints and always act promptly on written complaints," he said. He also clarified that resident doctors had gathered briefly outside the A-Block but dispersed after appeals from hospital authorities. "This is a large hospital, and we need cooperation from everyone. We are making every effort to ensure better patient care and transparency," Dr Rao added. The high-level committee will now investigate the incident in detail, and further action will be taken based on its findings. 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
23 December,2025 09:17 AM IST | Shimla | ANIADVERTISEMENT
