The mission to rescue 40 stranded laborers in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel faces a setback as a US-made auger machine, drilling through the rubble, experiences a snag. The operation was halted when a loud cracking sound raised concerns during pipe positioning. An Indore-based high-performance drilling machine is en route to replace the faulty equipment. Panic ensued among the rescue team, prompting suspension of pipe-pushing activities. With the heavy-duty auger drilling 24 meters into the tunnel, fears of further collapse arise. PMO Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal is set for an on-site assessment as the situation unfolds.

At the concluding session of the Voice of Global South summit hosted by India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is proud to have put the voice of developing countries on the G20 agenda. Modi stated the message from the summit, which had over 130 country participants, is that the Global South wants autonomy and is ready for big responsibilities in global affairs. He expressed confidence the priorities of the Global South will be advanced under Brazil's upcoming G20 presidency. Modi affirmed India will keep working towards the cause of the Global South.

An IIM Rohtak survey done in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting found that PM Modi's monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio program has reached 100 crore listeners across India. 96% of the population is aware of the show and 23 crore tune in regularly, while 41 crore are occasional listeners. The study gauged the impact of the 99 editions so far and found increased awareness of government workings, optimism about progress, and trust in governance. IIM Rohtak also advises organizations like the Armed Forces, Agriculture Ministry and others. The institute fuses modern management with ancient knowledge.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be reciting the Bhagavad Gita with over 1.2 lakh people in Kolkata this Christmas Eve. Modi confirmed his attendance at the 'Lokho Konthe Geeta Path' event organized by Bengal BJP and Hindu groups. The plan is to have the crowd recite the scripture together in unison. BJP's Sukanta Majumdar boasted of Bengal's roots in 'sanatan dharma' but said music by Kazi Nazrul Islam will also be played to fit Bengal's traditions. Sources say the event aims to be apolitical.

The Delhi government has declared November 19th (Sunday) as a dry day on account of Chhath Puja celebrations. In an order, the Excise Commissioner stated that all liquor shops and opium vends in Delhi will remain closed as per the Delhi Excise Rules. The 4-day Chhath Puja festival is being celebrated from November 17th to 20th this year. The order said business premises of all liquor license holders will remain shut. Notably, the final match of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup between India and Australia will also take place in Ahmedabad on the same dry day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said deepfakes are one of the biggest threats to India's system and can cause chaos in society. Speaking at the BJP's Diwali Milan event, he urged citizens and media to be vigilant about deepfakes' misuse. He cited a viral deepfake video of him dancing Garba, which was debunked by India Today. The video actually featured his lookalike, actor Vikas Mahante. Modi said he hasn't played Garba since he was young. His remarks follow an India Today deep dive into deepfakes' threats to electoral democracy through doctored images, videos and voiceovers targeting politicians.

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir successfully eliminated five terrorists in the ongoing operation in Kulgam district. The joint effort by Kulgam Police, Army, and CRPF is in its final stage, with incriminating materials recovered. The encounter, which began in the Samno pocket of DH Pora, is a major anti-insurgency operation in South Kashmir. The forces, including the Army's elite units, surrounded the area, leading to a night-long standoff. The operation resumed with gunfire on Friday morning, resulting in the militants coming out as the house they were hiding in caught fire.

Militants in Manipur ambushed an Assam Rifles troop conducting a patrol on Thursday morning by detonating an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and then opening a "heavy burst of firing" at the soldiers. An official said, "Our soldiers fired back at the militants after which they fled from the spot." None of the troops were injured as they were in a mine-protected vehicle. Earlier, 200 personnel from Assam Rifles were deployed to Manipur to target infiltrators from Myanmar involved in recent attacks. Militants planted an IED and unleashed "heavy firing" on the routine patrol before fleeing as soldiers returned fire, escaping unhurt due to their protected vehicle. Search operation for the militants is on.

Rescue efforts are underway for the fifth consecutive day to save 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel in Silkyara, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. A state-of-the-art auger drilling machine, weighing 24 tonnes, has been deployed to expedite debris removal. The machine, flown in by the Indian Air Force from Delhi, is expected to cut through the rubble at a speed of 5 mm per hour. International experts from Norway and Thailand are assisting due to the fragile mountainous terrain. Union Minister VK Singh expressed hope for a successful rescue within two to three days, emphasizing the safety of the workers.

An intense encounter between security forces and terrorists unfolded in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam, specifically in the Samnoo Nehama area. Two terrorists are reportedly trapped as the firefight commenced at the Damhal Hanji Pora region, according to the Kashmir Zone Police. This incident follows an October encounter in Kulgam where two terrorists, affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen, were killed. The region has witnessed heightened security challenges, evidenced by a recent gunfight in Rajouri district, where two Army personnel were injured. The ongoing cordon and search operations underscore the persistent efforts to address the complex security landscape in the area. [ Photo courtesy: DailyexExcelsior1/X ]