NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit out at the previous Congress government in Assam and said that the “development of the state and the Northeast region was never in its priority list.”“Modi government is correcting Congress’s mistakes,” PM Modi said in Guwahati.“My attachment to the soil of Assam, the love and affection of the people here, and especially the love of the mothers and sisters of Assam and the Northeast, continuously inspire me, strengthening our resolve for the development of the Northeast. Today, a new chapter is being added to Assam’s development,” PM Modi said after inaugurating a new terminal of the Guwahati airport.“Development under BJP’s double-engine government flows unabated in Assam just as flow of mighty Brahmaputra river,” PM Modi said at Guwahati rally. He added, “the inauguration of the new terminal of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport is the proof of our vow for the region’s development. I congratulate the whole nation for this new building. ”The PM termed the modern airport facility and connectivity infrastructure as the “gateways of new possibilities and opportunity.” He went on to say, “when people see that state of art highways and airports are being built in Assam they feel now Assam is getting justice.”He then slammed previous Congress governments saying, “ development of Assam and Northeastern region was never on the agenda list of their governments. People in the government used to say who goes to the region, what is the need for better infrastructure, modern railways, highways and airports.”“Because of this mentality Congress for decades ignored Assam and the North East. Modi is rectifying the mistakes made by Congress in the last six-seven decades one by one. I don’t care whether Congress people go to the North East or not, but as soon as I come here I feel I am among my people,” PM added.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi (Photo: Screengrab)

NEW DELHI: Congress Rajya Sabha member Sonia Gandhi, reacting to the VB-G RAM G Bill, criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the central government of attacking the interests of the poor by “running a bulldozer over MGNREGA“.Sonia Gandhi alleged that the Modi government, over the past 11 years, has “consistently tried to weaken MGNREGA by neglecting the interests of the rural unemployed, the poor and the marginalised, even though the scheme proved to be a lifeline for these sections during the Covid crisis”.

“While the Congress played a major role in bringing MGNREGA into existence and implementing it, the scheme was never about a political party. It was about national interest and public welfare. By weakening this law, the Modi government has attacked the interests of crores of farmers, workers and landless rural poor,” the former Congress chief claimed.The Rajya Sabha MP further said: “The Congress had a major contribution in bringing and implementing MGNREGA. It was a scheme connected to the interest of the country and the people. The Modi government has attacked the interests of the poor through this.”‘VB-G Ram G’ bill, which awaits the President’s nod, was passed amid fierce protest by the opposition, particularly the INDIA bloc during the Winter Session of the Parliament.On Thursday, rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, speaking in favour of the bill, claimed that the legislation improves substantially on MGNREGA, which was “riddled” by corruption and inefficiency.The opposition was demanding that the bill be sent to a parliamentary committee for scrutiny and assailed the government for removing Mahatma Gandhi‘s name from the rural employment guarantee scheme.As Chouhan began his reply after Congress MP KC Venugopal’s demand for sending Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB-G RAM G) Bill to the committee went unheeded, opposition members trooped into the well, tore its copies and continued their protest till the House passed the bill.The government has repealed the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with another legislation, titled the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Bill, 2025.The bill seeks to replace the MGNREGA with a revamped framework aimed at aligning rural employment and development with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.What is VB–G RAM G?The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 represents a major overhaul of MNREGA. Under the proposed law, the government “establishes a modern statutory framework aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047, guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment per rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work,” as per a statement released.ALSO READ | MGNREGA to be replaced with VB–G Ram G: What it is and how it’s different — key FAQs answered

With no signs of slowing down, ‘Dhurandhar’ starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Rakesh Bedi, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and more, continues to dominate at the box office. The Aditya Dhar film entered its third week on Friday and has already minted over Rs. 480 crore. At this pace, the movie is expected to make more than Rs 500 crore on Saturday. According to the trade reports, currently, on its third Saturday, the movie has already made over Rs 8 crore. For a detailed box office report of the spy thriller, read below.

‘Dhurandhar’ box office collection day 16 (LIVE)

According to Sacnilk, the movie made Rs. 22.5 crore on Friday, and on Saturday, day 16, until now the film has added Rs. 8.61 crore to the tally. Currently, the movie’s net total collection in India stands at Rs 491.61 crore.

As aforementioned, the movie is expected to make more than Rs 500 crore during its second weekend. These numbers came amid the competition from the new international release, James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’ The sci-fi drama opened with Rs. 20.05 crore on Friday, and so far on Saturday, it has collected Rs. 4.89 crore. The net collection of the movie in India is Rs.24.94 crore.

‘Dhurandhar’ – day wise break down of the box office

Based on true incidents, ‘Dhurandhar’ had a massive opening, making it the second-highest opener of 2025. In its first week, the movie showed impressive growth, and the second week was no different either. Here are the day-wise numbers of the movie.Day 1 [1st Friday] Rs 28 CrDay 2 [1st Saturday] Rs 32 CrDay 3 [1st Sunday] Rs 43 CrDay 4 [1st Monday] Rs 23.25 CrDay 5 [1st Tuesday] Rs 27 CrDay 6 [1st Wednesday] Rs 27 CrDay 7 [1st Thursday] Rs 27 CrWeek 1 Collection Rs 207.25 CrDay 8 [2nd Friday] Rs 32.5 CrDay 9 [2nd Saturday] Rs 53 CrDay 10 [2nd Sunday] Rs 58 CrDay 11 [2nd Monday] Rs 30.5 CrDay 12 [2nd Tuesday] Rs 30.5 CrDay 13 [2nd Wednesday] Rs 25.5 CrDay 14 [2nd Thursday] Rs 23.25 CrWeek 2 Collection Rs 253.25 CrDay 15 [3rd Friday] Rs 22.50 CrDay 16 [3rd Saturday] Rs 8.61 CrTotal Rs 491.61 CrDISCLAIMER: The box office numbers in this article are compiled from our proprietary sources and diverse public data. We strive for accuracy and all figures are approximate unless explicitly mentioned. We offer a fair representation of the project’s box office performance. We are open to feedback and suggestions on toientertainment@timesinternet.in

Bangladesh interim government chief Mohammad Yunus on Saturday said that the authorities have arrested seven people after a Hindu youth was beaten to death by a mob and his body set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district on Thursday night following allegations of blasphemy.In a social media post on X, Yunus said that the Rapid Action Battalion conducted operations at various locations after the incident.

“Mymensingh, 20 December 2025: In the incident of beating to death Sanatan Dharma adherent youth Dipu Chandra Das (27) in Valuka, Mymensingh, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested seven individuals as suspects. The arrested individuals are— 1. Md. Limon Sarkar (19) 2. Md. Tarek Hossain (19) 3. Md. Manik Mia (20) 4. Ershad Ali (39) 5. Nijum Uddin (20) 6. Alomgir Hossain (38) 7. Md. Miraj Hossain Akon (46)” Yunus said.“RAB-14 conducted operations at various locations and arrested the aforementioned suspects,” he added. The incident took place in the Dubalia Para area of Square Master Bari in Bhaluka upazila. Police identified the victim as Dipu Chandra Das, who worked at a local garment factory and lived in the area as a tenant.Citing local and eyewitness sources, Bangladeshi Bengali media outlet Barta Bazar reported that Dipu was accused of making derogatory comments about Islam and Prophet Muhammad during an event at the factory marking World Arabic Language Day. The allegations rapidly spread within the factory and surrounding areas, sparking tension. He was later beaten by an angry mob and reportedly died on the spot.Reports suggest that the situation took a gruesome turn after his death, with the crowd taking the body to the Square Masterbari bus stand area, tying it to a tree with a rope, beating it while shouting various slogans and later setting it ablaze. The crowd then moved the body to the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and set it on fire again, disrupting traffic and spreading panic among local residents.Confirming the incident, Bhaluka Upazila Executive Officer, Md. Firoz Hossain said a person was killed over allegations of insulting the Prophet, adding that the body of the deceased is in police custody.Meanwhile, former Bangladesh minister and Awami League leader Mohammad Ali Arafat strongly condemned the incident, asserting that Bangladesh is steadily heading toward full-scale radicalism under the leadership of the interim government’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.A fresh wave of unrest has been ignited following the death of the 32-year-old student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi was shot in the head by masked gunmen in central Dhaka while launching his election campaign and died six days later in a Singapore hospital. His death has reignited political instability at a time when Bangladesh is preparing for a crucial national election and recalibrating its relationship with New Delhi.merging from the July Uprising, Hadi had become the convenor and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, a platform opposed to all forms of political domination. Educated at the University of Dhaka, he was a fierce critic not only of the Awami League but of mainstream politics as a whole. He rejected established Bangladeshi political elites and positioned himself as a voice of generational rupture.Authorities said Hadi was attacked while riding in a rickshaw near Box Culvert Road in the Motijheel area. He was shot near his left ear, lost significant blood and remained in critical condition before being airlifted abroad.Police initially said it was unclear who carried out the attack or why. His death, confirmed by interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, immediately sparked protests across Dhaka and other cities, with demonstrators vandalising buildings, torching newspaper offices and targeting symbols linked to the political establishment.

Google has asked some of its employees in the US to not travel abroad amid the H-1B visa row. According to a report by Business Insider, the company’s outside counsel, BAL Immigration Law has sent an internal memo which says that workers who require a new visa stamp to re-enter the US risk being stuck overseas for months because many embassies and consulates are experiencing severe appointment backlogs. The memo said that U.S. embassies and consulates are reporting visa stamping delays of up to 12 months, and recommend that affected employees avoid international travel unless absolutely necessary. The advisory affects workers on H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M visas.“Please be aware that some US Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months,” the memo read. I

US Visa delays linked to new social media vetting rules

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of State enforced the new social media screening rules. The department confirmed to Business Insider that it is now conducting “online presence reviews for applicants,” adding that embassies may reschedule appointments as resources shift, and applicants can request expedited processing in limited situations.The publication quotes a a spokesperson for the Department of State who said that consulates worldwide, including in India, are placing greater emphasis on detailed vetting over speed, resulting in longer wait times. Immigration firms have also reported postponed visa appointments in countries such as Ireland and Vietnam.“While in the past the emphasis may have been on processing cases quickly and reducing wait times, our embassies and consulates around the world, including in India, are now prioritizing thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else,” the State Department spokesperson told the publication.

What is new social media screening rules

The department has started social media screening of H-1B applicants and family members on dependent visas. Social media reviews is the latest attempt by the Trump administration to investigate violations connected to employment of foreign workers on the visas. In September this year, the US introduced a $1,00,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications.“The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission,” the State Department then said in its announcement.

Guwahati airport gets new terminal!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati today. On Friday, he shared striking images of the facility ahead of the event. Calling it a major boost to Assam’s infrastructure, the Prime Minister said the upgraded airport will improve ease of living while giving a push to commerce and tourism.

What PM Modi said ahead of the inauguration

In a post on X, PM Modi said he would reach Guwahati today and inaugurate the new terminal in the afternoon. “This is a major boost to Assam’s infrastructure. Increased capacity means better ‘Ease of Living’ and a boost for commerce as well as tourism,” he said. He also shared additional glimpses of the terminal, offering a preview of the new facility.

Why the new terminal matters

As per PTI, the integrated new terminal building spans nearly 1.4 lakh square metres and is designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually.

The project is being seen as a transformative step for Assam’s connectivity, economic growth and global engagement.

India’s first nature-themed airport terminal

The Guwahati airport terminal is India’s first nature-themed airport facility, designed around the concept of “Bamboo Orchids.” The architecture draws from Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage, using about 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced Northeast bamboo.

Visual elements include Kaziranga-inspired green landscapes, traditional japi motifs, the rhino symbol and 57 orchid-inspired columns inspired by the kopou flower.

What is the ‘Sky Forest’ feature?

One of the most eye-catching elements of the newsly built facility is the “Sky Forest,” which houses nearly one lakh indigenous plants.

This feature is intended to give passengers an immersive, forest-like experience as they arrive at the terminal.

How passenger experience is being upgraded

The terminal introduces several modern and digital features aimed at smoother travel.

These include full-body scanners for faster security screening, DigiYatra-enabled contactless travel, automated baggage handling systems, fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations to ensure secure and efficient passenger movement.

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event on prescription drug prices in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington (Picture credit: AP)

US President Donald Trump on Friday announced agreements with nine major pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug prices in the United States, marking a significant push to align domestic costs with those paid in other rich countries. The companies include Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GSK, Merck, Novartis and Sanofi.Under the deals, the drugmakers will rein in prices for medicines sold through Medicaid, charging rates comparable to what they levy in other wealthy nations. New drugs launched by these companies will also follow “most-favored-nation” pricing across all markets, including commercial insurance, cash-pay customers, Medicare and Medicaid, according to news agency AP.Trump said the agreements would end a system in which US patients paid far more than the rest of the world. “We were subsidising the entire world. We’re not doing it anymore,” he said at a White House press conference, according to Reuters. US prescription drug prices are often nearly three times higher than those in other developed countries.The companies also agreed to list pharmacy-ready medicines on a new direct-to-consumer platform, TrumpRx, set to launch in January, allowing patients to buy drugs directly from manufacturers. As per Reuters, some firms will offer discounts of up to 70% on select medicines, although analysts noted that Medicaid already receives steep rebates.Bristol Myers Squibb said it would provide its blockbuster blood thinner Eliquis free to Medicaid, a move described by health economist William Padula as “a thoughtful health equity move,” as per AP. Several companies also pledged to donate active pharmaceutical ingredients to a national reserve for use during emergencies.Markets reacted positively, with shares of most participating drugmakers rising, Reuters said, as the agreements also grant a three-year exemption from threatened pharmaceutical tariffs in return for commitments to invest in US manufacturing. Trump said he had warned companies of possible tariffs to push them to “do the right thing,” AP reported.According to CNBC, the administration has now secured pricing agreements with 14 of the 17 drugmakers it approached earlier this year, with negotiations continuing with the remaining firms.

BENGALURU: Parents in Thyagarajanagar claimed that 35-year-old former gym trainer Ranjan M, also known as Ranjith, had recently targeted several children in the locality. According to them, he tried to hit a girl with his bike, pulled the hair of a boy riding a bicycle, and even followed another girl the next day, striking her with his elbow. “We have collected footage and handed it over to the police,” said one parent.The most serious incident occurred on December 14, when a five-year-old boy visiting his maternal uncle’s house in Doddamavalli near Lalbagh was kicked by Ranjan while playing badminton with other children on Old Post Office Road. The boy sustained an injury above his eyebrow along with scratches on his hands and feet and was taken to a hospital for treatment.The child’s mother filed a police complaint the same day, alleging that the assault was intentional. CCTV footage, she said, corroborated the incident.A senior police officer confirmed that Ranjan appears to be mentally unstable and is undergoing psychiatric treatment. “During interrogation, he confessed to having assaulted several children, claiming that he felt distracted and agitated by the children shouting and playing on the road,” the officer said. Ranjan, who is unmarried and resides locally, has no previous criminal record. He was arrested but later released on station bail. His parents have reportedly taken him to Madurai for further treatment. Police said they are continuing to collect his medical records and assessing the situation to prevent further incidents, urging parents to remain vigilant.