The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday its awareness of the death sentence handed to Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse accused of killing a Yemeni national. “We understand that the family of Priya is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help in the matter,” MEA added.

Priya has been convicted of murdering one Talal Abdo Mahdi, who died in July 2017, after she injected him with sedatives in order to get back her passport from his possession.

A look at Nimisha Priya's case:

-         Nimisha Priya is a nurse from Kerala’s Palakkad district, who moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her daily-wage labourer parents.

-         She worked in private hospitals in Yemen for a few years before deciding to set up her own clinic.

-         In 2014, she came in contact with Talal Abdo Mahdi, who promised to help her in starting her own clinic. Under Yemen’s law, only nationals are allowed to set up clinics and business firms. She set up a clinic in 2015, with the help of Mahdi.

-         Tensions arose between her and Mahdi, with Priya alleging abuse, torture, and the confiscation of her passport, effectively stranding her in Yemen.

-         Reports indicate that Mahdi falsely presented himself as her husband to Yemeni authorities, hindering her ability to seek assistance from them.

-         With an aim to get her passport which was confiscated by Talal Abdo Mahdi back, she allegedly injected him with sedatives. However, sedation did not affect Mahdi, who was a substance abuser.

-         She tried sedating him again, using a stronger sedative in order to retrieve her passport but he died within a few minutes due to a drug overdose.

-         According to The New Indian Express, Nimisha’s 57-year-old mother, Prema Kumari, had reached Yemen’s capital Sana’a earlier this year, and has been staying there to secure a waiver of the death penalty and negotiate the blood money with victim’s family.

-         Her mother even reached out to the Yemeni Supreme Court against the death sentence, however, it was rejected in 2023.

-         Reports said Priya was handed capital punishment by a trial court in 2020 and Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council upheld the verdict in November 2023. The situation has taken a critical turn with President Rashad al-Alimi's recent approval of the death sentence.

In response to media queries regarding the case of Nimisha Priya, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are aware of the sentencing of Nimisha Priya in Yemen. We understand that the family of Priya is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help in the matter.”

Karti Chidambaram, Congress MP from Sivaganga, has called for an end to the "tyranny of KYC" after a tragic incident in Uttar Pradesh highlighted the ordeal faced by customers during Know Your Customer (KYC) verification processes. In a tweet on Tuesday, he said: "I flagged this harassment faced by all during my intervention in the Banking Amendment Bill debate. When nothing has changed, why should customers constantly 'update' their KYC? This KYC updation is a vicious business where certain firms profiteer from the outsourced contracts."

Chidambaram's statement came in response to independent journalist Kunal Purohit's report of a 59-year-old man in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, who collapsed and died after standing in line for four days outside an Indian Bank branch to complete his KYC verification.  

Purohit shared the details in a tweet: "The cost of mindless exercises like KYC verification: A 59-year-old stood in the queue for 3 days outside his Indian Bank branch in UP's Sonbhadra. 4th day, he collapses and dies outside the bank, waiting for his KYC verification. Bank had said no fund transfer without KYC. Worse, when he collapsed, the bank rushed his family out of the branch rather than helping him."  

Reacting to the post, a social media user called KYC a 'mindless exercise;, which is wasting large amount of time, money and effort. "KYC is now an industry in itself. While other countries are scaling their tech operations, we are generating KYC employment by putting regular folks in trouble."

According to the report, Ramman (59) was troubled with withdrawing money and completing KYC formalities at an Indian Bank branch in Kacharnava, Sonbhadra. After several days of running around, he was standing in line at the branch on Friday, waiting for his turn, when he suddenly collapsed to the ground and lost consciousness. 

The report, citing people, said that the branch manager had clearly stated that no transactions would be allowed until the KYC was completed. The deceased had been visiting the bank and standing in line for the past four days, but the bank staff often cited issues like a non-functional server or other problems, asking him to come back the next day. Three days passed in this manner, but the KYC process remained incomplete. 

On Friday, Ramman suddenly collapsed in the bank premises. Upon seeing this, a bank employee remarked, "Take him away immediately, or you'll get us into trouble."

Deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, actor Pawan Kalyan has finally spoken about the Pushpa 2 stampede case, for which Allu Arjun was arrested earlier this month on December 13. The Telangana High Court granted him interim bail for four weeks and he was released from the jail on December 14. Now, as per a report on NDTV, Pawan Kalyan was speaking to press at Mangalagiri, where he shared his thoughts on the matter. (Also read: Pawan Kalyan visibly irritated when asked about Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 stampede case: ‘Go beyond cinema’)

What Pawan said

Pawan said, “The law is equal for all, and I do not blame the police in such incidents, they act with public safety in mind. That said, the theater staff should have informed Allu Arjun earlier about any issues. Once he sat in the seat, they should have instructed him to vacate it if necessary. It would have been better if someone had visited the victim's family earlier on behalf of Allu Arjun. Revathi's death in this incident has deeply shocked me. They turned what was already lost into an even greater tragedy.”

'Everyone should have gone to Revathi's house…'

He added, “We should have conveyed earlier that we are all here to support the family. There should have been a sense of regret for the mistake, even if it happened without their direct involvement. There is a clear lack of humanity in this matter. Everyone should have gone to Revathi's house to offer reassurance and condolences. The people's anger stems from the absence of such a gesture. Arjun, too, feels the pain of knowing that someone lost their life because of this incident. It is not fair to make Allu Arjun solely responsible for the incident. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, in his capacity as Chief Minister, responded appropriately to the developments following the stampede. Sometimes, decisions are dictated by circumstances. In the past, even Chiranjeevi used to watch movies with his fans. Otherwise, he would wear a mask and go to the theater alone.”

But, this did not last long. His latest break has once again raised questions over his ability to be a committed neta. And the comparison to the prime minister is inevitable.

Everyone is entitled to a holiday, even Rahul Gandhi. But, the timing of these breaks is what is questioned the most when he does take them.
The latest being another foreign trip while the country and the Congress are mourning the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. And, this in the face of the fact that the Grand Old Party is making a massive hue and cry over his memorial and last rites.

This is not the first time, however, that Gandhi has raised eyebrows with his oddly-timed foreign trips.

In 2019, which was an eventful year, he was missing in action during the anti-CAA protests. When elections were held in Maharashtra and Haryana that year, he was mostly away with Priyanka Gandhi filling in. Or even during the winter session, when the farm laws were being discussed.

But, the break that raised the most eyebrows, was when he disappeared for about 15 days when the Congress lost the election in 2014. Later, it was learnt that he was on a vipassana trip to Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. The party said he had gone to work out a strategy, but nothing changed after that.
When the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019, was being discussed in Parliament, and the Congress opposed it saying taking it away will be a security threat, the Union home minister said Gandhi had gone abroad 247 times between 2014 and 2019; and that, too, without informing anyone as he was under the special protection group (SPG) and had not taken it along.

The BJP said even when he went on official overseas trips for seminars, he would stay back a couple of days and these were an excuse for a holiday. Like this time, when he went to the United States – his first trip as Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha – he stayed back and only few in the party knew about it.

Not just this, many questions are raised about his planned tours as well. For example, him attending a wedding on the last day of the winter session when the Congress was protesting over the Ambedkar issue.

For the BJP, it has been easy to carve out an image of Gandhi as a “non-serious neta” who prefers to holiday. The ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ sought to change this, and it did for a while when he was seen as a politician who travelled across the country on foot without a break.

But, this did not last long. His latest break has once again raised questions over his ability to be a committed neta. And the comparison to the prime minister is inevitable.

Receiving ‘President's Colour’ is a matter of great pride for an armed force; Chhattisgarh Police has earned this honor within 25 years of its establishment

Chhattisgarh Police receiving ‘President's Colour’ Award is a symbol of their hard work, bravery and dedication

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Chhattisgarh will be completely free of Naxalism by March 31, 2026

In the fight against Naxalites, during the past year, security forces have neutralized 287 and arrested 1,000 Naxalites, whereas 837 Naxalites have surrendered

In order to realize the dream of a Naxal-free and drug-free India, Chhattisgarh Police has taken its role to new heights with passion, faith and dedication

Chhattisgarh's huge contribution in Prime Minister Modi's dream of building a developed India by 2047 will be etched in golden letters

Due to the strict policy of the Modi government against Naxalism, for the first time in 4 decades, the death toll of civilians and security forces has come down below 100

Union Home Minister appeals to the Naxalites to leave the path of violence and join the mainstream of society and contribute to the development of Chhattisgarh

Union Home Minister pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary; Sardar sahab's indomitable courage and determination unified this country

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi completed Sardar sahab's unfinished work, and by abrogating Article 370, he unified Kashmir with India forever

Raipur 30 December/Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah presented the prestigious 'President's Colour' to the Chhattisgarh Police in Raipur today, marking the first day of his visit to the state. The ceremony was graced by several prominent dignitaries, including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma.

In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah highlighted the immense pride associated with receiving the ‘President's Colour’, a recognition of great distinction for any armed force. He commended the Chhattisgarh Police for earning this honour within just 25 years of its establishment, reflecting the trust it has garnered from the President. Shri Shah lauded the Chhattisgarh Police as one of the finest forces in the country, renowned for its passion, courage, valour, and dedication. He emphasized that receiving the ‘President's Colour’ during its silver jubilee year is a testament to the force's relentless hard work, commitment, bravery, and deep connection with the public. He further praised the Chhattisgarh Police for its exemplary service in maintaining law and order, combating Naxalism, advancing the campaign for a drug-free India, ensuring public safety, and improving the quality of life for the state's citizens. Shri Shah acknowledged the force's unwavering dedication and its pivotal role in fostering peace and security in Chhattisgarh.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah stated that today marks the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He remarked that it was Sardar Patel’s unparalleled courage and determination that unified the nation. Shri Shah further noted that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi fulfilled Sardar Patel’s unfinished mission by abrogating Article 370, thereby permanently integrating Kashmir with India. He added that the entire nation is paying tribute to Sardar Patel today with deep gratitude.

Shri Amit Shah said that the longstanding demand for the creation of Chhattisgarh was fulfilled by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Home Minister expressed confidence that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Chhattisgarh will be completely free of Naxalism by March 31, 2026. He emphasized that the Modi government is committed to eradicating Naxalism not only from Chhattisgarh but also from other states across the country. He acknowledged the bravery of the Chhattisgarh Police in advancing towards this goal and highlighted the significant achievements made in the fight against Naxalism over the past year.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, significant progress has been made in the fight against Naxalism over the past year. Security forces have neutralized 287 Naxalites, arrested 1,000, and facilitated the surrender of 837 Naxalites. He noted that among those neutralized, 14 were top-ranking Naxal leaders. Shri Shah highlighted that for the first time in four decades, the death toll of civilians and security personnel due to Naxal violence has fallen below 100, attributing this to the Modi government’s stringent policies against Naxalism. He further stated that over the last decade under PM Modi’s leadership, Naxalism has been effectively curbed, resulting in a 73% reduction in security personnel casualties and a 70% decline in civilian deaths compared to the previous decade. The Home Minister also commended the Chhattisgarh Police for joining forces with other security agencies to deliver a decisive blow to Naxalism in the past year. Additionally, he pointed out that several developmental projects have been carried out in Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

Shri Amit Shah stated that the first ‘President’s Colour’ was awarded to the Indian Navy in 1951, and today, any armed force must complete 25 years of service to be eligible for this prestigious honour. He expressed gratitude to the President of India for recognizing and honoring the 25 years of service, dedication, sacrifice, and commitment of the Chhattisgarh Police.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government and the State Government are committed to completely eliminating Naxalism from Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026. He urged Naxalites to abandon the path of violence, join the mainstream of society, and contribute to the development of Chhattisgarh by moving forward on the path of progress. He also highlighted that the Chhattisgarh Government has implemented an excellent surrender policy, which provides for the rehabilitation of every Naxalite who surrenders.

Shri Amit Shah stated that the Chhattisgarh Police has achieved significant success in combating organized crime and narcotics with determination. He highlighted that between January 1, 2024, and September 30, 2024, around 1,100 narcotics cases were registered, leading to the seizure of 21,000 kilograms of cannabis, 6,000 kilograms of opium, and approximately 195,000 tablets of illicit drugs. Additionally, 1,400 individuals were arrested in connection with these cases. He further noted that Chhattisgarh has been at the forefront in the effective implementation of the PITNDPS (Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act.

Union Home Minister expressed confidence that every officer and personnel of the Chhattisgarh Police will play a pivotal role in realizing the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh and a prosperous Bastar. He further stated that Chhattisgarh’s significant contribution will be etched in golden letters in the journey towards building a developed India by 2047 under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

Union Home Minister told the personnel of the Chhattisgarh Police that the ‘President's Colour’ is not merely a decoration but a symbol of service, sacrifice, and dedication. He stated that this insignia serves as a reminder of the countless challenges that must be faced with resilience. Shri Amit Shah emphasized that the ‘President's Colour’ is not only an honor but also a responsibility, and every officer of the Chhattisgarh Police will uphold this responsibility and will not take a step back in fulfilling their duty.

New Delhi: The seating arrangement at Manmohan Singh's state funeral at Nigambodh Ghat saw government leaders and those from the Congress camp seated in two separate parts of the row. While the division could be due to state protocol, it reflects the bitterness between the Congress and the BJP, which intensified on the eve of the funeral over the Congress' demand that Singh be cremated at a place that could be made his memorial. The official side had ministers including defence and home ministers, bureaucrats, army chiefs, etc, led by PM Modi, while the Congress camp had party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, besides members of the Singh family. Interestingly, President Draupadi Murmu, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla were seated between the two sides.

Raipur – Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the closing ceremony of the CM Trophy India International Challenge Badminton Competition 2024 on Sunday held at the iSports Badminton Arena in Mowa, Raipur. During his address, the Chief Minister highlighted the Chhattisgarh government’s strong commitment to nurture sports talent in the state, emphasizing improved facilities and infrastructure for athletes.

As part of the state’s initiative to motivate athletes, Shri Sai announced that Chhattisgarh players who win medals at the Olympics will receive substantial cash incentives: Rs 3 crore for a gold medal, Rs 2 crore for a silver, and Rs 1 crore for a bronze.

The Chief Minister further spoke about the importance of sports, not only as a medium of competition but as a symbol of unity, discipline, and dedication. He praised the positive impact sports have on youth, saying, “Sports make the youth emotionally strong, positive, and energetic. They inspire discipline and foster unity.” He reiterated the state's focus on promoting sports, noting that Chhattisgarh has many talented players, and the government is actively supporting them through schemes like Khelo India, which is being implemented across all districts in the state.

Shri Sai shared personal stories to highlight the resilience of Chhattisgarh’s youth. He mentioned his recent conversation with Ritika Dhruv, a promising badminton player from Dhamtari, who has overcome financial hardships—her father works as a laborer and her mother is an Anganwadi assistant—to excel in sports. “Despite the struggles, Ritika has shown tremendous potential. I assured her that we will fully support her as she continues to bring pride to her family and Chhattisgarh,” said the Chief Minister. 

The Chief Minister also spoke about Nisha, a mountaineer from Chhattisgarh, whose dream is to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Everest. Due to financial constraints, Nisha had been unable to pursue her goals. “I assured Nisha that the government will support her, and have approved an amount of Rs 4.75 lakh for her mountaineering expeditions,” Shri Sai said.

Shri Sai concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to fostering sports talent in the state and ensuring that players have the resources they need to succeed. He congratulated the men’s doubles champions, Shri Hariharan and Shri Ruban Kumar, and also thanked all the participants, organizers, and international players for making the CM Trophy India International Challenge a success.

The event was attended by Chhattisgarh Badminton Association President Mr. Vikram Sisodia, General Secretary Mr. Sanjay Mishra, and other officials, along with a large gathering of sports enthusiasts.

Jashpur: Jashpur MLA Mrs. Raimuni Bhagat has inaugurated the craft trade fair organized in Gaushala. In this fair, items made by different types of craftsmen have been put up for sale and exhibition.

The craft trade fair was inaugurated by Jashpur MLA by formally cutting the ribbon. After which, Jashpur MLA inspected the items made by the craftsmen and praised their work and wished them a bright future.

On this occasion, Municipal President Radheshyam Ram, Vice President Raju Gupta, BJP Mandal President Santosh Singh, Faizan Sarwar Khan, Sharad Chaurasia and residents of the city were present.

Raipur - Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today offered prayers to Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health, at his residence office here and wished for a healthy and happy life of the people of the state.He congratulated and congratulated the people of the state on the occasion of Dhanteras.

On this occasion, Shri Sai said that for prosperity and wealth, Lord Kuber is worshiped and for health, Lord Dhanvantari is worshipped. He said that the festival of Diwali should bring happiness and prosperity to everyone and may Lord Dhanvantari provide health to everyone.

Raipur - Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has urged residents of Chhattisgarh to remain vigilant against increasing incidents of cyber fraud. During his address, he highlighted the alarming rise in such scams, which was also noted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in today’s 'Mann Ki Baat' program, emphasizing the need for public awareness.

The Chief Minister warned that fraudsters are now employing sophisticated tactics, often impersonating family members in phone conversations to deceive individuals. He stressed that even educated citizens are falling victim to these scams, sometimes leading to devastating consequences, including financial loss and in severe consequences and suicide.

Shri Sai reassured the public that the government is actively implementing measures to enhance cyber security and conducting awareness campaigns to protect citizens from fraud. He urged everyone to exercise caution when receiving suspicious calls or messages and to refrain from sharing personal information.

Bollywood News : The makers of Bollywood film Love and War have made an exciting announcement. The makers' much-awaited film will release on March 20, 2025. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the release date of the film coincides with major Indian festivals such as Ramzan, Ram Navami, and Gudi Padwa, making it all the more special.

 Abhishek Bachchan was spotted arriving at the Mumbai airport with his mother, Jaya Bachchan,