Sarkada, Gariaband, Dec 31 (IANS) The Lakhpati Didi Scheme, launched by the Central Government, is emerging as a powerful initiative. This scheme is empowering rural women by making them financially independent. Under this scheme, women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are provided skill development training, technical guidance and financial support. This is how they are enabled to earn an annual income of Rs 1 lakh or more.

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee brought his party’s protests against the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral roll from West Bengal to Delhi and joined Rahul Gandhi in alleging “vote chori” against the poll body. However, Rahul’s charges were framed as a broad, systemic assault on institutions tied to the 2024 general elections that included SIR, while Abhishek’s remarks after Wednesday’s meeting focused only on the voters’ list revision process in West Bengal, demanding specific technical disclosures from the Election Commission.

Bhubaneswar, Dec 31 (IANS) The holy coastal town of Puri in Odisha on Wednesday witnessed a huge rush of pilgrims from within the state and from outside on the last day of 2025. The local administration also expects a significant increase in the footfall of pilgrims seeking darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra at the famous Jagannath Temple on Thursday, the first day of the New Year 2026.

Quetta, Dec 31 (IANS) A Baloch political group held a protest in the United Kingdom's Manchester city against the enforced disappearances of women in Balochistan at the hands of the "occupying" Pakistani forces. The Free Balochistan Movement, which campaigns for the independence of Balochistan, organised the demonstration in Manchester, drawing attention to the growing pattern of repression against Baloch women by the Pakistani authorities.

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS): The country’s largest city gas retailer, Indraprastha Gas Ltd, on Wednesday reduced the price of piped cooking gas supplied to households by Rs 0.70 per standard cubic metre (scm) in Delhi and NCR. The reduction in rates will be effective from January 1, the company announced in a post on X. "IGL has announced a substantial reduction in its domestic piped natural gas (PNG) prices this coming New Year for its consumers in Delhi and NCR by Rs 0.70 per standard cubic metre (scm)," the company said.

Berlin, Dec 31 (IANS) Delivering his New Year's address on Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Europe must strongly assert its own interests in an increasingly volatile world. In the address, Merz characterised the current global situation as an "epochal shift," marked by geopolitical upheavals, a return to protectionism, and changing transatlantic dynamics, Xinhua News Agency reported. "Our partnership with the United States of America, which has long been the reliable guarantor of our security, is changing," he said.

Beijing, Dec 31 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said China is ready to work with all countries to advance world peace and development. In his 2026 New Year message, Xi said over the past year China continued to embrace the world with open arms. To better address climate change, China announced new Nationally Determined Contributions, Xi said, adding that after announcing the three global initiatives on development, security, and civilization, he put forward the Global Governance Initiative to promote a more just and equitable global governance system.

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Wednesday extended strong support to gig workers across the country who observed a nationwide symbolic strike, demanding fair wages, better working conditions and social security from major delivery and e-commerce platforms. Chadha spent New Year’s Eve interacting with protesting gig workers at Old Rajinder Nagar in Delhi, where delivery partners associated with various companies had gathered to make their voices heard.

Hyderabad, Dec 31 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, on Wednesday, exuded confidence that the state will march further ahead in 2026 towards achieving the Telangana Rising Vision 2047 goals. While extending New Year greetings to the people of the State, the Chief Minister reiterated that the government will give priority to fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of all sections of society, including farmers, women and workers.

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The Central government on Wednesday released Rs 224.5762 crore for Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Local Bodies in Chhattisgarh as the first instalment of Untied Grants of the financial year 2025-26 under the 15th Finance Commission. These funds are meant for 11,279 eligible Gram Panchayats, 138 eligible Block Panchayats and 26 eligible District Panchayats of the State, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj said.

Mumbai, Dec 31 (IANS) As the world bid goodbye to 2025, actor Abhinav Shukla, who recently counted the exact number of days he has spent on planet Earth, shared the key life lessons he has learned over the years. The actor shared all the life lessons in a post on his social media account on Wednesday. He wrote, “Life lessons from living 15801 days on this planet:

Kochi, Dec 31 (IANS) The ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR–CMFRI) observed "Swachhta Pakhwada" from December 16 to 31, undertaking a series of cleanliness drives, awareness programmes, and community engagement activities aimed at reinforcing the message that cleanliness is a shared social responsibility. As part of the fortnight-long campaign, CMFRI staff participated in organised cleanliness drives within and around institutional premises, alongside awareness sessions focusing on plastic pollution, environmental responsibility and scientific waste management practices.

Dhaka, Dec 31 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar briefly met Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka on Wednesday, just ahead of funeral of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The social media account of Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus shared the picture of Sadiq and EAM Jaishankar meeting. "Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, exchanges greetings with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Dhaka on Wednesday ahead of the funeral programme of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia," it wrote on X.

Jaipur, Dec 31 (IANS) Indian Railways has completed the final high-speed trial of the indigenously designed and manufactured Vande Bharat Sleeper Train under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). The trial was conducted on the Kota–Nagda section, where the train achieved a maximum speed of 180 kmph, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey towards advanced, self-reliant rail technology.

Bengaluru, Dec 31 (IANS) Delhi suffered a crushing 79-run defeat at the hands of Odisha in their 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group D game at the Alur Cricket Ground on Wednesday, while Saurashtra, Railways, and Haryana also registered huge wins in their matches in the same group. Delhi skipper and India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant's indifferent form continued as he managed just 24 off 28 balls, as the side’s vaunted batting lineup crumbled to 193 all out in 43.3 overs while chasing a modest 273.

Jaipur, Dec 31 (IANS) Out-of-favour India batter Sarfaraz Khan smashed a blistering 157 off 75 balls as Mumbai defeated Goa by 87 runs in an Elite Group C clash of the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya ground on Wednesday. Sarfaraz, 27, reached his third List A century in just 56 deliveries, as his explosive knock, featuring nine fours and 14 sixes, dismantled Goa's bowling attack.

Jaipur, Dec 31 (IANS) Rajasthan Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar Sharma on Wednesday outlined the key priorities of the state police force for the year 2026, emphasising that the police system will be made more effective, sensitive, and technologically advanced, with public safety, crime control, and public trust at the core of its strategy. DGP Sharma said that strict and decisive action against organised crime will be a major focus area.

Jaipur, Dec 31 (IANS) Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar said that 3,624 government schools in the state are functioning in old and dilapidated buildings, posing safety risks to students. He said that all children studying in these schools will be shifted to safer schools at the earliest. An order in this regard was issued from the Education Minister’s office, which said that preparations should begin immediately to relocate students from unsafe school buildings to nearby schools.

Indore, Dec 31 (IANS) In an effort to ensure better co-ordination between administration and hospitals for treatment of people affected by suspected contaminated water in Indore's Bhagirathpura, the Madhya Pradesh government appointed over two dozen administrative and revenue officials on Wednesday. A notification issued on Wednesday, stated that total 14 Tehsildars appointed have been tasked to ensure better coordination between the hospitals and the health department.

Jaipur, Dec 31 (IANS) Jaipur Lok Sabha MP Manju Sharma has urged Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to expedite the implementation of the Jaipur Ring Rail Project, stating that the initiative will give a new direction to the city’s long-term development. MP Sharma submitted a memorandum to the Railway Minister, emphasising that coordinated efforts by the Centre and the state government can transform Jaipur’s urban and transport landscape.

Chennai, Dec 31 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government has issued detailed instructions to ensure the smooth and orderly distribution of Pongal 2026 gift hampers, directing all fair price shops across the state to print and distribute tokens to beneficiaries by January 2. The move is aimed at streamlining the process well ahead of the festive season and avoiding overcrowding at ration outlets.

Hyderabad, Dec 31 (IANS) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Telangana registered a total of 199 cases in 2025, leading to the arrest of 273 accused persons, officials said on Wednesday. ACB Director General Charu Sinha said that of the total cases registered, 157 were trap cases, resulting in the arrest of 224 accused, including 176 government employees. There were also 15 cases related to disproportionate assets against government officials and 26 other cases involving criminal misconduct by public servants, in which 34 accused were arrested.

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The Department of Posts has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Small Industries Development Bank of India to verify informal micro enterprises registered on the Udyam Assist Platform, Ministry of Communications said on Wednesday. The agreement aims to carry out Contact Point Verification of informal micro enterprises to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their business details.

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The government on Wednesday said that under the Production Linked Incentive – Auto Scheme (PLI Auto), cumulative investment of Rs 35,657 crore and cumulative determined sales of Rs 32,879 crore has been achieved (till September 30). Further, 48,974 jobs have been generated and a cumulative incentive of Rs 2,321.94 crore has been disbursed (as on December 31).

Srinagar, Dec 31 (IANS) Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), the largest conglomerate of Islamic organisations in J&K, on Wednesday raised objection to the circulation and promotion of publicity material related to a singing competition themed on “Vande Mataram” by certain government departments and its reproduction in local newspapers. The conglomerate said that the MMU wishes to clarify that expressions and anthems carrying devotional and theological meanings rooted in non-Islamic belief systems raise serious ‘Shari’ concerns for people who adhere to the Islamic monotheistic faith.