Evening news wrap
- PM Modi spoke with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, exchanging New Year greetings and discussing ways to strengthen the India-Israel strategic partnership, regional issues, and joint counterterrorism efforts.
- A Hindu youth, Mithun Sarkar, drowned after being chased by a mob accusing him of theft in Naogaon, amid rising communal violence ahead of Bangladesh’s national elections.
- Congress suspended all municipal councillors in Ambernath after they allied with BJP-led Ambernath Vikas Aghadi, sidelining Shiv Sena in a controversial local-level power arrangement.
- Rahul Gandhi criticised PM Modi for “surrendering” under pressure from US President Donald Trump regarding trade tariffs and oil imports, contrasting him with Indira Gandhi’s firm stance in 1971.
- India’s economy is projected to grow 7.4% in FY 2025-26, driven by services, manufacturing and construction, with moderate agricultural growth; RBI forecasts real GDP growth at 7.3% for the year.
Here are your top stories of the day:
PM Modi, Netanyahu discuss strengthening India–Israel strategic ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with both leaders discussing ways to further strengthen the India–Israel strategic partnership in the coming year. In a post on X, PM Modi said they exchanged New Year greetings, reviewed regional developments and reaffirmed their shared resolve to fight terrorism. Read full story
Bangladesh: Hindu youth dies after fleeing mob in Naogaon
A Hindu youth, identified as Mithun Sarkar, died in Bangladesh’s Naogaon district after being chased by a group accusing him of theft, police said. Sarkar reportedly jumped into a nearby water body while fleeing and drowned. Police recovered the body with the help of fire services and said a post-mortem is being conducted as part of the investigation. The incident comes amid reports of rising communal violence ahead of Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections. Read full story
Congress suspends Ambernath councillors over alliance with BJP
The Congress has suspended all its municipal councillors in Ambernath and the local block president after they aligned with the BJP-led Ambernath Vikas Aghadi to form the civic body, defying party ideology. The state leadership said the alliance was formed without approval and termed it unacceptable. The move comes amid political churn after the Shiv Sena emerged as the single-largest party in the municipal polls but was kept out of power. Read full story
Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi of ‘surrendering’ under US pressure
Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of yielding to pressure from US President Donald Trump. Citing Trump’s remarks that PM Modi sought a meeting amid trade tensions, Gandhi contrasted the Prime Minister’s approach with Indira Gandhi’s stance during the 1971 war. He said India once resisted US pressure, while alleging PM Modi “surrendered” over tariffs and oil issues. Read full story
India’s GDP likely to grow 7.4% in FY26, services lead momentum
India’s economy is projected to grow 7.4% in FY 2025-26, according to the NSO’s first advance estimates, higher than the previous year’s 6.5%. Growth is expected to be driven by strong performance in services, manufacturing and construction, while agriculture is seen growing moderately. Nominal GDP is forecast to rise 8%. The RBI has projected similar growth at 7.3%, citing resilient domestic demand and steady investment activity. Read full story Go to Source
