Author: Virgin News

Nagpur, December 21, 2024:New Maharashtra Cabinet: Maharashtra’s political landscape witnessed a significant reshuffle as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, allocated portfolios among the 39-member cabinet. The announcement came on the final day of the Winter Session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, signalling a united front among the Mahayuti alliance partners. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis retained key portfolios, including Home, Law and Judiciary, and Energy (excluding renewable energy). His deputies, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, were entrusted with Urban Development and Finance and Planning, respectively, solidifying their control over pivotal sectors. Maharashtra…

Kuwait City: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the Indian diaspora at the “Hala Modi” event in Kuwait resonated with a message of unity, pride, and shared achievements. Speaking to a packed audience of Indian expatriates, the Prime Minister highlighted the indelible connection between India and Kuwait, celebrating the vibrant contributions of the Indian community in fostering ties between the two nations. “Mini Hindustan in Kuwait”: A Cultural Tapestry Addressing the audience shortly after his arrival, PM Modi expressed his admiration for the cultural diversity of the Indian diaspora. “It feels like a mini Hindustan has sprung up here,” he…

Kazan, Russia — December 21, 2024 — A wave of drone attacks in Kazan targeted the city in Russia’s Tatarstan region, leaving significant destruction in its wake and raising tensions in the area. The attack, which occurred early this morning, struck key infrastructure, causing widespread disruption and sparking concerns about the escalating use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in modern conflict. Chronology of Drone Attacks in Kazan on Residential Buildings, Russia Residents of Kazan were jolted awake by the sound of explosions as drones hit industrial facilities and communication hubs in the city. Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple blasts around 4:00…

December 21, 2024 The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is set to meet on Saturday, December 21, 2024, to deliberate on significant tax changes, including reductions on life and health insurance premiums. This 55th Council meeting, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will also address tax hikes on luxury items such as high-end wristwatches, shoes, and apparel. Additionally, a new 35% tax slab for sin goods is on the agenda, alongside the possibility of bringing Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) under the GST framework. GST Council: Proposed Tax Revisions on Insurance and Delivery Platforms Among the critical discussions, the…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that it will convene a Special General Meeting (SGM) on January 12, 2025, in Mumbai to fill the vacant posts of secretary and treasurer. This decision follows the resignation of Jay Shah and Ashish Shelar from their respective positions earlier this month. The BCCI constitution mandates that any vacant post must be filled within 45 days by organizing a Special General Meeting. The upcoming SGM, scheduled 43 days before the stipulated deadline, reflects the board’s commitment to adhering to these guidelines. BCCI Notification Issued After Apex Council Meeting: A…

Berlin, December 21, 2024: Tragic Incident at Magdeburg Christmas Market. A festive evening turned into a nightmare in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday when a car rammed into a bustling Christmas market, leaving at least two people dead and over 60 injured in what officials suspect was a deliberate attack. The incident has sent shockwaves across the nation as investigators work to determine the motive behind this tragedy. The vehicle drove into the crowded market around 7 p.m., a time when the area was teeming with holiday shoppers. Emergency services swiftly arrived at the scene, treating the…

Contract marks a significant step in modernizing the Indian Army’s firepower. In a landmark move to bolster India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Ministry has signed a ₹7,629 crore contract with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the procurement of 100 advanced 155 mm/52 calibre K9 Vajra-T self-propelled tracked artillery guns. The agreement was formalized on December 20, 2024, at South Block, New Delhi, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and senior representatives from L&T. The K9 Vajra-T, a state-of-the-art artillery system, is designed to deliver long-range, high-precision firepower. Its ability to operate efficiently in sub-zero temperatures and high-altitude…

Richa Ghosh etched her name in the record books on Thursday, joining Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield and New Zealand’s Sophie Devine as the fastest scorers of a fifty in women’s T20 International cricket. Ghosh’s breathtaking knock came off just 18 balls, captivating a raucous crowd of over 47,000 at the DY Patil Stadium. India’s dominant performance in the third T20I against West Indies resulted in a resounding 60-run victory, clinching the series 2-1. Batting at No. 5, Richa demonstrated her knack for delivering under pressure, smashing an unbeaten 54 off 21 balls, including three boundaries and five towering sixes. Her exploits…

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2024 (AP):The U.S. House of Representatives decisively voted against Trump-Backed Shutdown Proposal funding bill on Thursday night, designed to avert an imminent government shutdown. Federal agencies are set to run out of funding by Friday midnight, potentially leading to a closure over the weekend. This development underscores the political turbulence gripping Washington as the end-of-year deadline looms. In an emotionally charged session marked by fiery debates, lawmakers failed to secure the two-thirds majority needed to pass the hastily drafted proposal. The bill, backed by President-elect Donald Trump, aimed to fund federal operations and suspend the debt ceiling…

BJP Accuses Congress of Undermining Democratic Norms; Files Complaints Against Rahul GandhiPublished: December 19, 2024, 10:34 PM IST | New Delhi The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, alleging that his conduct in Parliament was “unruly and shameful.” The ruling party declared Mr. Gandhi unfit to serve as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accusing him of injuring two BJP MPs during a commotion. The incident reportedly occurred when Mr. Gandhi attempted to make his way into Parliament, allegedly causing injuries to BJP MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and…