Sunday, December 22
Hardeep Singh Puri and Shashi Tharoor clashed over a 2009 New York dinner with George Soros. Puri said Tharoor, then a minister, gave him the guest list including Soros. Tharoor had previously tweeted about meeting Soros. The BJP questioned Soros's intentions toward India. Tharoor denied any ongoing relationship or funding from Soros. The BJP accused Congress of working with Soros.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-day visit to Kuwait, marking the first such visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years. During his visit, Modi met with 101-year-old former IFS officer Mangal Sain Handa and individuals who translated the Ramayana and Mahabharata into Arabic, further strengthening cultural ties between India and Kuwait.
An Indian-American businessman, facing a hefty Rs 500 crore alimony payment to his first wife, has been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay Rs 12 crore to his second wife after a brief marriage. The court criticized the second wife's demand for alimony equal to the first wife's, emphasizing that alimony aims to prevent destitution, not equalize wealth.
India’s forest and tree cover has increased by 1,445 sq km since 2021, according to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023. Forest cover alone rose by 156 sq km, reaching 21.76% of the country’s total geographical area. Tree cover also expanded by 1,289 sq km. The overall green cover now stands at 25.17% of India’s land.
India's Parliament was informed that 2,200 cases of violence against minorities were reported in Bangladesh this year until December 8, while Pakistan saw 112 cases until October. India has expressed concerns to both nations, urging them to ensure the safety and well-being of minorities. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh.
Income Tax authorities unearthed 52kg of gold and Rs 10 crore cash from an abandoned vehicle near Bhopal, linked to raids on real estate firms. The operation, targeting 52 locations across three districts, focuses on Trishul Construction and its owner, Rajesh Sharma, along with associated individuals and companies.
