Maritime security central pillar of India-Oman ties: Indian envoy

IANS | December 17, 2025 7:22 PM

Muscat, Dec 17 (IANS) India's Ambassador to Oman, Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas, underscored the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Oman on Wednesday, asserting that defence remains the strongest pillar of bilateral partnership between the two nations with maritime security at its core.

RS passes Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Bill through voice vote

IANS | December 17, 2025 7:19 PM

New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed intense debate on the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, which proposes raising foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector to 100 pe cent from 74 per cent, among other reforms to modernise the industry and achieve 'Insurance for All by 2047'.

Carlos Alcaraz splits with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero

IANS | December 17, 2025 7:11 PM

New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Tennis World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has parted ways with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, on Wednesday. Alcaraz's seven-year association with fellow Spaniard Ferrero, a former No. 1 player who assisted Alcaraz in winning his first six Grand Slam titles, comes to an end.

PM Modi arrives in Oman on final leg of his three-nation visit

IANS | December 17, 2025 7:05 PM

Muscat, Dec 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Oman's Muscat on Wednesday for the third and final leg of his three-nation visit. Upon his arrival, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said warmly received PM Modi at the airport.

Draft electoral roll in West Bengal invalidates political narratives over SIR

IANS | December 17, 2025 7:03 PM

New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress has reportedly accused the state’s principal Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misleading voters, claiming the existence of over a crore of illegal electors. This followed the publication of data from the Election Commission’s draft electoral roll in its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

My visit has given fresh momentum to India-Ethiopia ties: PM Modi

IANS | December 17, 2025 7:01 PM

Addis Ababa, Dec 17 (IANS) Thanking people of Ethiopia for the warm welcome, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed confidence that his visit has given fresh momentum to bilateral ties and strengthened a relationship rooted in shared values and a common vision for the future.

4th T20I: Toss in Lucknow delayed due to excessive fog, inspection scheduled for 6:50 pm

IANS | December 17, 2025 6:56 PM

Lucknow, Dec 17 (IANS) The toss for the fourth T20I between India and South Africa has been delayed due to excessive fog at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The next inspection by the match officials will take place at 6:50 pm. “Toss in Lucknow has been delayed due to excessive fog. Next inspection at 6:50 PM,” said an update from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on their ‘X’ account.

J&K: Doda workshop trains local artisans and craftsmen in packaging and branding techniques

IANS | December 17, 2025 6:56 PM

Doda, Dec 17 (IANS) Under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme, the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom (Jammu & Kashmir) conducted a one-day capacity building workshop on packaging and branding in Doda district, to equip and train the residents in latest evolving techniques of product processing and packaging and also making it globally appealing as well as competitive.

National Shooting C’ship Competitions: Anantjeet, Darshna clinch mixed team skeet gold

IANS | December 17, 2025 6:38 PM

New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Rajasthan’s team of Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Darshna Rathore delivered a steady performance to secure a gold medal in the Senior Skeet Mixed Team event at the 68th National Shooting Championship here at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range on Tuesday. They narrowly defeated Uttar Pradesh 45–43 in a tense gold medal showdown.