Top News: Epstein Files Released; PM Modi at WHO Summit; Imran Khan Gets 17-Year Sentence; US Airstrike in Syria
Supreme Court’s Major Ruling: Farming Lease on Forest Land Declared Illegal
The Supreme Court has declared illegal the lease of 134 acres of forest land granted to the Gandhi Jeevan Cooperative Farming Society in Karnataka.
The state government had granted the lease for ten years in 1976, but it became unlawful due to the absence of prior approval from the Central Government under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The lease expired in 1986, but the society continued prolonged litigation. The Court allowed the state’s appeal and set aside the High Court’s order.
The Court clearly stated that non-forest use of forest land, such as farming, cannot be permitted without prior approval from the Central Government.
The Forest Department has been directed to restore the land by planting native trees and vegetation within 12 months and to submit a compliance report.
Epstein Files Released: US Justice Department Names Global Celebrities and Powerful Figures in Congress-Mandated Disclosure
The US Justice Department released thousands of pages of documents and photos linked to financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The files were made public on Friday under the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed by Congress
Public figures named or pictured in the files
Bill Clinton – Former US President; appears in several photographs; denied wrongdoing.
Michael Jackson – Singer; appears in photos with Epstein and others; no allegations linked.
Mick Jagger – Rolling Stones singer; appears in photographs with Bill Clinton.
Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) – Appears with Ghislaine Maxwell; denied wrongdoing.
Ghislaine Maxwell – Epstein’s associate; convicted of aiding sex trafficking.
Kevin Spacey – Actor; appears in photographs with Clinton and Maxwell.
Chris Tucker – Comedian; appears in photos with Maxwell.
Sarah Ferguson – Former Duchess of York; appears in one photograph.
Richard Branson – Virgin Group founder; pictured alongside Epstein.
Phil Collins – Singer; name appears in contact book-style documents.
Walter Cronkite – Named in contact records included in the files.
Minnie Driver – Actor; named in address book-style documents.
Announcement of the Indian Team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
The Indian team has been announced for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian team as captain in the tournament.
Axar Patel has been appointed as the vice-captain of the team.
Major Attack by Extremists on Press Freedom in Bangladesh
In Dhaka, a mob attacked the offices of the newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, carrying out vandalism, looting, and arson.
The rioters looted more than 150 computers and laptops, along with cash and journalists’ personal belongings. CCTV cameras were also destroyed.
To save their lives, journalists hid on the rooftop as thick smoke caused suffocation. Later, an army officer rescued them using a crane.
For the first time in their history, both newspapers were forced to completely shut down their operations.
Newspaper offices were also attacked in several cities of Bangladesh, including Kushtia, Khulna, and Sylhet.
The protests began on December 18 following the death of extremist leader Sharif Usman Hadi.
Deadly Knife Attack in Taipei Leaves 3 Dead
At least three people were killed in a knife attack in central Taipei.
Several others were injured during the incident.
Police confirmed that the suspect also died after the attack.
Emergency services secured the area immediately following the attack.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
PM Modi Participates in 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi yesterday.
Health ministers from several countries participated in the summit.
Afghan Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz Jalili was among the attendees.
The summit focused on promoting traditional medicine and global health collaboration.
Delhi IGI Airport Shock: Air India Express Pilot Assaults Passenger During Security Queue
An Air India Express pilot assaulted passenger Ankit Diwan at IGI Airport, Delhi.
The dispute occurred while waiting in a security queue.
The passenger was beaten in front of his young daughter, who is reported to be traumatised.
Air India Express has condemned the incident.
Authorities are reportedly investigating the matter.
The funeral prayer for Islamic extremist Sharif Osman Hadi will be held later today in Dhaka
Meanwhile, authorities have arrested seven people in connection with the killing of a Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh.
In another tragic incident, the house of a BNP leader was set on fire in Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila, resulting in the death of a 7-year-old child.
Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan Sentenced to 17 Years
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan’s wife, has also been sentenced to 17 years.
Action has been taken against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in a corruption case.
Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been convicted in the Toshakhana-2 case.
The information has been reported citing Pakistani media.
Street dogs will no longer be seen on university campuses; UGC issues an order.
Following a Supreme Court verdict, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued strict directions to ban the entry of stray dogs into the campuses of all higher education institutions across India.
Pakistanis Begging in Saudi Arabia; Over 24,000 Beggars Deported
Due to severe economic hardship, people from Pakistan are now going to Saudi Arabia and resorting to begging.
Pakistani nationals have been seen begging in areas around Makkah and Madinah.
Saudi Arabia has deported more than 24,000 Pakistanis on charges of begging and misuse of visas.
This information was shared by the Director General of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) before a parliamentary committee.
The UAE has deported 6,000 Pakistani citizens, while Azerbaijan has expelled 2,500 Pakistanis from its country.
Draft Voter List Released Under SIR, Over 1.70 Crore Names Deleted in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat
Under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), draft voter lists have been released in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, with more than 1.70 crore names removed in total.
Tamil Nadu saw the highest number of deletions, with 97 lakh names removed from the voter list.
Before the SIR, Tamil Nadu had 6.41 crore voters; this number has now reduced to 5.43 crore voters.
In Gujarat, more than 73.73 lakh names have been deleted from the voter list.
Gujarat earlier had 5.08 crore voters, which has now decreased to 4.34 crore voters.
Earlier, 58 lakh names were removed from the voter list in West Bengal.
The United States Carries Out Major Airstrike in Syria
The United States carried out airstrikes on more than 70 locations linked to the Islamic State (ISIS).
The action was conducted under Operation Hawkeye Strike.
President Donald Trump described the operation as a very serious retaliatory response.
The U.S. launched this military action in response to the attack in Palmyra on December 13.
In that attack, two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian were killed.
Uttarakhand: World’s Largest Vishwa Sanatan Mahapeeth Project Announced in Haridwar
The world’s largest Vishwa Sanatan Mahapeeth is being constructed in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
The project is being developed by Teerth Seva Nyas.
It will be built at an estimated cost of ₹1,000 crore.
The Mahapeeth will spread across 100 acres of land.
Key features include a Sanatan Parliament, Vedic Gurukul, multiple temples and training centers.
The construction will be completed in phases.
The final completion of the project is targeted by the year 2032.
Chhattisgarh: Government Clerk Arun Kumar Chauhan Among Three Accused in Attempted Religious Conversion Case in Kondagaon
Government clerk Arun Kumar Chauhan and three other persons have been accused of attempting religious conversion in Kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh.
According to the complaint, Arun Kumar Chauhan and the group visited the house of an Adivasi family.
The accused tried to influence the family by promising to cure illness through religious conversion.
Local tribal groups and Hindu organisations received information about the incident and reached the spot.
They protested against the actions of Arun Kumar Chauhan and the other accused.
Following the protest, police intervened and detained Arun Kumar Chauhan along with the three others.
Further investigation into the role of Arun Kumar Chauhan and the accused persons is underway.
UP: Sikandar Accused of Holding Sangita Hostage, Forcing Religious Conversion and Pressuring Circumcision of her Minor Son Sumit
Sikandar has been accused of holding Sangita hostage in Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
According to the complaint, Sikandar forced Sangita to convert her religion against her will.
He also pressured Sangita to get her minor son, Sumit, circumcised.
Sangita has been legally married to her husband Amit since the year 2021.
When Amit tried to bring his wife and child back, he reportedly received death threats.
Due to the seriousness of the matter, Amit approached the police for help.
An FIR has been registered by the police based on the complaint filed by husband Amit.
The police have started an investigation into the allegations against Sikandar.
