News Headlines Today: 23 December 2024
Welcome to Prime News Express, where we bring you a diverse range of events and updates from around the world. From significant political developments and international recognitions to remarkable achievements in sports and unexpected incidents, these stories offer a glimpse into the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of our global community. Stay informed and engaged as we explore the impactful moments that have recently made headlines.
Please Also Read: News Headlines 22 December 2024
Allu Arjun's House Attacked
Incident Overview
Several members of Osmania University stormed into actor Allu Arjun’s Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad on Sunday. The attack followed a stampede at the premiere of “Pushpa 2,” which resulted in the death of a woman and the hospitalization of her 8-year-old child. Visuals showed men climbing the house’s wall and throwing stones.
Police Action
The police reportedly arrested eight people after the incident.
Ashwin's Unique Cricket Record
Historic Achievement
Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket, has become the first cricketer in history to play over 100 Test matches without ever playing a Test against Pakistan.
Context
India and Pakistan have not played a single Test match against each other since December 2007. A total of 78 players, including 14 Indians, have played at least 100 Tests.
PM Modi Receives Kuwait's Highest Honour
Award Ceremony
PM Narendra Modi was awarded Kuwait’s highest honour, ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer,’ on Sunday. This knighthood order is given to heads of state, foreign sovereigns, and members of foreign royal families as a sign of friendship.
Significance
This is the 20th international honour given to PM Modi by a country.
Potential Political Crisis in Canada
No-Confidence Motion
Justin Trudeau’s key ally, Jagmeet Singh, has stated that he would vote in favour of a motion of no-confidence against the Canadian PM.
Succession Plan
If Trudeau resigns, members of his Liberal Party will name an interim leader to take over as PM. The party will then set up a special leadership convention to select a new leader.
Farewell Gesture by Kuwait PM
Departure Ceremony
Kuwait PM Ahmed Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah personally came to the airport to bid farewell to PM Narendra Modi as he departed for India after his visit to the country. The government called it “a heartfelt gesture” and shared pictures of the two leaders.
Honour
PM Modi was also honoured with ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer.’
GST Council Meeting Outcomes
Tax Exemptions and Changes
The GST Council recommended exempting gene therapy from GST. Additionally, agriculturists selling black pepper and raisins won’t face the tax. The council suggested an 18% GST on the resale of second-hand EVs by registered car sellers and exempted transactions between individuals from GST. It also proposed reducing GST to 5% for fortified rice kernels.
Smriti Mandhana Breaks World Record
Record Achievement
India opener Smriti Mandhana broke the world record for scoring the most international runs in a calendar year in women’s cricket. She took her tally of runs in 2024 to 1,602 after scoring 91 (102) in the first ODI in Vadodara.
Previous Record
She overtook South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who held the previous record with 1,593 runs in 2024.
Police Disputes Allu Arjun's Claim
Released Footage
Hyderabad Police released footage of the stampede to dispute Allu Arjun’s claim that he left Hyderabad’s Sandhya theatre as soon as he came to know “about the problem outside.”
Police Allegation
The police alleged that he ignored their requests to leave, with timestamped footage showing that the actor remained in the theatre until nearly midnight before being escorted out by police officials.
PM Modi's Interaction with Indian Workers in Kuwait
Interaction Details
PM Narendra Modi interacted with Indian workers at Gulf Spic Workers Camp in Kuwait. One of the workers asked PM Modi, “Sir, do you ever take medical leave?”
PM Modi’s Response
“I’ll tell you how I get [medical leave]. It is like how I came here. The smell of workers’ sweat is my medicine,” PM Modi said.
Foreign Honours Conferred on PM Modi
Honours List
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was conferred with Kuwait’s highest honour, ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer,’ has been awarded 20 international honours in total.
Notable Honours
He has received the Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia), State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan (Afghanistan), Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award, and Order of Zayed Award (UAE), among other honours.
Record IPOs in India
Record-Breaking Year
Indian IPOs raised a record $1.6 trillion (₹1.6 lakh crore) in 2024, surpassing the previous year’s figure of ₹49,436 crore.
Largest IPO
Hyundai Motor India’s IPO, which raised ₹27,870 crore, was the largest in the country’s history. IPOs by Swiggy, NTPC Green Energy, Bajaj Housing Finance, and Ola Electric were also among the largest issues this year.
Impact of Inflation on Property and Car Prices
Inflation Explanation
Inflation is the decrease in the purchasing power of money. At an inflation rate of 6%, a property or luxury car worth ₹50 lakh will be priced at ₹56.18 lakh in two years and around ₹66.91 lakh in five years.
Long-Term Impact
The same item will be worth around ₹89.54 lakh in ten years at 6% inflation, close to double the original price.
Sambhal MP Fined for Power Theft
Fine and Warning
Uttar Pradesh Power Department has warned Samajwadi Party leader and Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq that his property can be attached if he doesn’t pay a ₹1.91-crore fine for alleged power theft within 15 days.
Power Disconnection
The power supply to his home has also been disconnected. A meter installed at his residence allegedly showed zero power consumption for six months.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's World Meditation Day Event
Record-Breaking Event
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s ‘World Meditates with Gurudev’ event, organized on the first-ever World Meditation Day on Saturday in New York, has broken six world records.
Achievements
The event earned Guinness World Records’ most viewers of a guided meditation live stream on YouTube, two places in the Asia Book of Records, and three in the World Records Union.
Registration for Mahila Samman Yojana
Announcement
Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced that registration for the Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana will start on December 23.
Scheme Details
Under the Mahila Samman Yojana, eligible women in the city will receive ₹2,100 per month, while the Sanjeevani Yojana will offer free treatment for those above 60. Teams will conduct door-to-door registrations.
'Girlfriend Swapping' Racket Busted in Bengaluru
Arrests Made
Central Crime Branch arrested two individuals, Harish and Hemant, for allegedly running an illicit “girlfriend swapping” racket under the guise of private parties in Bengaluru.
Operation Details
Their operation, named “swingers,” reportedly lured couples and exploited women through coercion and blackmail. A woman filed a complaint, saying she was forced to engage in intimacy with the accused and their acquaintances.
Discovery of Ancient Stepwell in Sambhal
New Discovery
Following the discovery of an ancient Shiv-Hanuman temple in UP’s Sambhal, authorities have now discovered a stepwell, which could be over 150 years old.
Details
The stepwell is spread over 400 square meters, has around four chambers, and floors made of marble, according to Sambhal DM Rajender Pensiya. Ruins of an ancient Banke Bihari temple were found in the area recently.
Intense Cold Wave in Srinagar
Temperature Drop
Jammu and Kashmir witnessed an intense cold wave on Sunday as temperatures plummeted across the region. Srinagar recorded sub-zero temperatures, with the minimum temperature dipping to minus 3.2°C.
Record Cold
Srinagar recorded its coldest December night in 50 years at -8.5°C.
Kargil War Informer - Shepherd Tashi Namgyal Passes Away
Tribute
Tashi Namgyal, the shepherd who alerted Indian Army troops about Pakistani infiltration ahead of the Kargil War in 1999, has passed away at the age of 58.
Contribution
Namgyal had spotted Pakistani soldiers digging bunkers on the Batalik mountain range in May 1999 and promptly informed the Army, playing a crucial role in thwarting Pakistan’s plans.
Tragic Accident in Bengaluru
Accident Details
Six people, including the CEO of a software company, died as a container truck fell on the SUV they were traveling in, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
Victims
Chandram Yegapagol (46), his wife Gaurabai (42), their two children Gyaan (16) and Deeksha (10), were killed in the accident. The family was traveling to Chandram’s native village to visit his ailing father.
CPI(M) Opposes Election Rules Amendments
Party’s Stand
The CPI(M) has opposed the Centre’s proposed amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, calling for their immediate withdrawal.
Criticism
The party criticized the move to restrict political parties’ access to electronic and digital election records, stating that it
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