Union Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya announced significant employment growth in India under Modi's regime from 2014, with the employment ratio reaching 64.33% in 2023-24. Job creation increased notably across agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors, while the unemployment rate dropped to 3.2%.

Union minister Giriraj Singh accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of turning the state into a hub for Bangladeshi infiltrators, while Banerjee blamed the Border Security Force for facilitating the entry of militants. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the state government obstructed BSF operations.

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would continue the tradition of sending a 'chadar' to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah despite any pressure. He pointed out the cultural significance of the Dargah for multiple communities and welcomed the Supreme Court's intervention in communal disputes.

The second-highest civilian medal will also go to Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, who led the investigation with Cheney into the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Firms are set to be battered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves' plans to hike National Insurance contributions and implement an inflation-busting increase in the minimum wage from April.

Sheila Fox mysteriously disappeared from Coventry city centre when she was just 16 amid suspicions she may have been in a relationship with an older man.

Greater Manchester Police has declared a major incident in a number of areas, including Bolton, Stockport and Wigan, following severe and persistent rainfall.

Follow live coverage from New Orleans where a SUV has ploughed into pedestrians in Bourbon Street in a 'mass casualty incident'.

Seniors in Singapore spend an average of $2,278 annually on lottery tickets, one study has found, with about half of those surveyed reporting net winnings in the past year. These findings were based on a paper titled «Consumption Responses to Income Shocks through Lottery Winning: Evidence from Older Adults in Singapore» published in 2024 by Koh Kanghyock and Kim Seonghoon, reported Lianhe Zaobao. The latter is an Associate Professor of Economics at Singapore Management University, as well as the Deputy Director at the Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA), according to the university's website, while Kang is an Associate Professor at the Department of Economics at Korea University. Based on data from 58.9 per cent of those surveyed, the average lottery expenditure in the last 12 months was $2,278. About 51 per cent of them reported that they had won a net positive amount in the last 12 months, with the average prize money at $1,090. This survey involved 6,212 individuals aged between 50 and 70.

[Radio Dalsan] After 54 years, Somalia has today officially joined the United Nations Security Council, having previously been elected for a non-permanent seat for the 2025-2026 term, which begins today.

[RFI] Ghana will allow visa-free entry to citizens of all African countries starting in early 2025. The move, approved by President Nana Akufo-Addo in December, makes Ghana the fifth African country to open its borders to all holders of African passports.

Mexico’s tequila industry faces overproduction as demand declines, resulting in storage issues and economic challenges Read Full Article at RT.com

The Supreme Court criticizes officials and farmer leaders for making statements complicating the farmers' protest situation. The court demands compliance from Punjab in providing medical aid to Jagjit Singh Dallewal, without breaking his fast. The court denies involving the Centre in MSP negotiations, focusing on Dallewal's health and the state's responsibilities.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu on 17 December 2024, causing significant damage and loss of life. India expressed condolences and extended a relief assistance of USD 500,000 to support recovery efforts, emphasizing the strong relationship under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). India's commitment to humanitarian aid and disaster response is reaffirmed in this gesture.

Congress leader V D Satheesan criticizes Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's statement on Sanatana Dharma, arguing it’s part of cultural heritage and not exclusive to the Sangh Parivar. Vijayan had linked Sanatana Dharma to casteism, which Satheesan and KPCC chief K Sudhakaran counter by defending its broader, non-communal essence.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Kenya has taken delivery of six Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), signalling a major advancement in its counterterrorism strategy. The acquisition is part of Kenya’s broader efforts to modernize its military and address the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab militants operating along its borders.

Ethiopia's expanding economic ambitions have intensified its pursuit of seaport access, transitioning its focus from Eritrean and Djiboutian ports to Somali ones. This shift has heightened Somalia's sovereignty concerns, particularly given Ethiopia’s actions, such as its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Somaliland, and its broader geopolitical aspirations.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia has officially ended the deployment of Burundian troops in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), effective January 1, 2025.

SINGAPORE — In the heat of an argument over parenting styles, a woman threatened her husband that she would tell the police he had raped her, and told their teenage son she was going to kill his father in his sleep. Jessinta Tan Suat Lin, 50, also hit a female neighbour with a mop until its aluminium handle broke into three because the latter did not stop skipping rope in a common area after Tan asked her to. On Jan 2, Tan pleaded guilty to three charges — one each for committing a rash act, voluntarily causing hurt and harassment. Two other charges — for harassment and another rash act — will be taken into consideration for sentencing. The housewife is a former journalist who previously worked with news platforms including Today. On the evening of Feb 16, 2024, Tan was at home at Westmont condominium in West Coast Road when her neighbour began exercising with a skipping rope at the common area near the swimming pool. Frustrated because her son wanted to rest, Tan approached her neighbour and asked her to stop exercising, but she refused.

Some Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) officers were in for a treat yesterday (Jan 1) when they received a cake from their Malaysian counterpart at the ICA Woodlands checkpoint. In a Facebook post on the same day, the Malaysian immigration authorities wrote: «In conjunction with this new year's celebration, the Sultan Iskandar Building Immigration Office is pleased to hand over [our] gift in the form of a cake to our colleagues at ICA Woodlands.» «We thank you and may this practice continue every year as a symbol of the goodwill relationship between the authorities of the two countries. Happy New Year 2025.» Photos uploaded together with the post show Sultan Iskandar Building's Deputy Chief of Immigration Vimala Ramalinggam smiling as she handed the confectionery to Senior Assistant Commander Superintendent Lee Lai Yen. The rainbow cake received by ICA was adorned with red and white cream roses with well-wishes «Happy New Year 2025. Peace, prosperity, safety!» written on it. 

According to Al Mayadeen, fighters from Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the radical Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad, attacked Israeli military vehicles

[UNFPA] Upper Egypt, Egypt -- «People tell me we inherited this practice - that they're doing it because their neighbours are doing it,» Georgi Wahba told UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.

[Capital FM] Kakamega -- President William Ruto announced that sugar farmers will get a bonus for the first time in January 2025.

[New Zimbabwe] Former opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Fadzai Mahere has taken to X to caution exiled ex-Cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo against giving political advice as he is not just making comical noise but also failing to come back home.

In 2023, Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe stood at about 28.15 bln cubic meters

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi criticized Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for being among the richest chief ministers in India while Assam ranks low on the Human Development Index. Gogoi highlighted the wealth disparity as Sarma's assets are valued at Rs 17 crore. The report by the Association for Democratic Reforms shows significant contrasts between leaders' wealth and state development.

Police have released a series of photographs from inside the Cybertruck which blew up outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, revealing an arsenal of explosives.

At least five mass strikes were also delivered from the beginning of the last year.

Funds were intended for implementation of the development program of the EU region by 2027

The Israeli special troops assaulted an Old City district in Nablus

According to Luis Arce, it will make possible for the country to expand and diversify trade relations with growing markets

Meanwhile, heavy rains and flooding are making life for displaced Palestinians living in makeshift tents even more dire

Generation Beta, born from 2025 to 2039, is expected to be highly influenced by unpredictable technological advancements and climate crises. This generation will have significant impacts from AI technology, social media, and tighter tech regulations. With a focus on sustainability and resilience, Gen Beta will witness demographic shifts, emphasizing population sustainability rather than overpopulation.

The political conflict between BJP and AAP intensifies with both parties accusing each other of voter fraud ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls. BJP alleges AAP leader Kejriwal of electoral manipulation, while AAP counters by accusing BJP of undermining democracy and tampering with voter lists.