A 19-year-old girl was hacked to death in broad daylight by two brothers, including the man accused of raping her, in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district. Police said one of the killers had been out on bail when they murdered her on the main road with an axe, as helpless villagers watched. The woman had accused Pawan Nishad of rape when she was a minor three years back and he was harassing her and her family to drop the case. His brother Ashok, out on bail in a murder case, plotted with Pawan to force her family to close the rape case. But when she refused to back down, the brothers ambushed and slaughtered her. [Image Courtesy: UP Congress X handle]

In a significant development, the Uttarkashi tunnel rescue saw the deployment of an endoscopic camera through a 6-inch food pipeline, revealing the first visuals of the 41 workers trapped for 10 days. Workers, clad in yellow and white helmets, were seen receiving supplies and communicating with rescue teams, providing relief to their families. Earlier, khichdi in bottles reached the trapped workers, marking their first hot meal in 10 days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured support, emphasizing a coordinated effort between the Centre and Uttarakhand government for the safe evacuation of the workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara-Barkot tunnel on Yamunotri National Highway.

After nine days of being trapped, 41 labourers in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district finally received a hot meal as an alternative lifeline reached the site. Cook Hemant prepared Khichdi, filling cylindrical bottles to send nourishment to the stranded workers. The lifeline, a six-inch pipe, also facilitates sending essential items like mobiles and chargers inside. The breakthrough brings hope, with NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khulko expressing joy among the labourers. While robotic machines from DRDO arrived, challenges persist due to loose rubble inside the tunnel. Rescue efforts intensify with a renewed focus on evacuating the trapped workers.

As the rescue operation for 41 workers trapped in Silkyara Bend - Barkot tunnel in Uttarkashi enters its ninth day, concerns rise over the workers' well-being. Suffering from health issues and increasing anxiety, the workers receive essential supplies, including antidepressants, through a narrow pipe. Efforts to drill through debris were halted due to a machine breakdown, prompting authorities to plan a new vertical drilling approach. Families express frustration, with one stating, "I am losing my patience!" Authorities aim to resume drilling in hopes of a breakthrough within two and a half days. The cause of the collapse in the tunnel at Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, remains under investigation.

A massive fire destroyed atleast 30 fishing boats in Vishakhapatnam's harbour, with losses estimated at ₹4-5 crores. An Indian Navy vessel had to be brought in to control the raging blaze after multiple fire engines struggled. Police Commissioner Ravi Shankar said, "The boat was cut off and sent adrift but winds and water flow brought it back." Exploding diesel and gas cylinders fueled the inferno. Shocking visuals showed huge flames as firefighters battled the fire. Senior officer Ananda Reddy said, "Cylinders are causing blasts, so we are asking people to stay away." Each boat cost nearly ₹15 lakhs. A multi-agency probe will ascertain the cause though some suspect arson. The huge Vizag harbour fire saw the Navy called in to douse the flames that destroyed boats worth crores.

As the eighth day of rescue operations unfolds in Uttarkashi's Silkyara tunnel, the PMO orchestrates a multi-front rescue, assigning specific agencies to four distinct plans. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, on-site, expresses optimism for a 2-3 day rescue if the auger machine performs well. Urgency is emphasized, with the first priority being worker well-being. Protests from co-workers mount against construction companies, blaming them for the collapse. Expert teams, including international tunnelling specialist Prof. Arnold Dix, collaborate. Efforts involve vertical drilling, excavation, and the construction of an emergency evacuation route. Ministerial visits and ongoing machinery deployment mark intensified efforts.

The mission to rescue 40 stranded laborers in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel faces a setback as a US-made auger machine, drilling through the rubble, experiences a snag. The operation was halted when a loud cracking sound raised concerns during pipe positioning. An Indore-based high-performance drilling machine is en route to replace the faulty equipment. Panic ensued among the rescue team, prompting suspension of pipe-pushing activities. With the heavy-duty auger drilling 24 meters into the tunnel, fears of further collapse arise. PMO Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal is set for an on-site assessment as the situation unfolds.

At the concluding session of the Voice of Global South summit hosted by India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is proud to have put the voice of developing countries on the G20 agenda. Modi stated the message from the summit, which had over 130 country participants, is that the Global South wants autonomy and is ready for big responsibilities in global affairs. He expressed confidence the priorities of the Global South will be advanced under Brazil's upcoming G20 presidency. Modi affirmed India will keep working towards the cause of the Global South.

An IIM Rohtak survey done in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting found that PM Modi's monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio program has reached 100 crore listeners across India. 96% of the population is aware of the show and 23 crore tune in regularly, while 41 crore are occasional listeners. The study gauged the impact of the 99 editions so far and found increased awareness of government workings, optimism about progress, and trust in governance. IIM Rohtak also advises organizations like the Armed Forces, Agriculture Ministry and others. The institute fuses modern management with ancient knowledge.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be reciting the Bhagavad Gita with over 1.2 lakh people in Kolkata this Christmas Eve. Modi confirmed his attendance at the 'Lokho Konthe Geeta Path' event organized by Bengal BJP and Hindu groups. The plan is to have the crowd recite the scripture together in unison. BJP's Sukanta Majumdar boasted of Bengal's roots in 'sanatan dharma' but said music by Kazi Nazrul Islam will also be played to fit Bengal's traditions. Sources say the event aims to be apolitical.