New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 9 PM: NATION DEL56 INDIA-NZ-LD PM

'Historic milestone': PM Modi on conclusion of negotiations with NZ on free trade deal New Delhi: The conclusion of talks in just nine months between India and New Zealand for a free trade agreement (FTA) is a "historic milestone" reflecting a strong political will and shared ambition to deepen bilateral economic ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

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India-New Zealand FTA to open new gateways to prosperity: Shah New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement that brings in USD 20 billion investment is a "textbook example" of people-centric foreign policy fulfilling citizens' aspirations under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Demolition of MGNREGA to have catastrophic consequences: Sonia Gandhi New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday warned that the "demolition" of the MGNREGA will have catastrophic consequences for crores of people in rural India, and called upon all to unite and safeguard the rights that protect everyone.

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Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, his deputy Samrat Choudhary call on PM, Shah New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his first visit to the national capital after retaining charge of the eastern state a month ago following the NDA's landslide victory in the assembly election.

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Nadda targets Congress over 2013 Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack, says insiders played role Janjgir (Chhattisgarh): In a sharp attack on Congress, BJP president JP Nadda on Monday alleged that some insiders in the party were involved in facilitating the 2013 Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack, which led to the killing of state Congress leaders.

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Mamata blames EC for ‘gross errors’ in Bengal draft rolls, dubs SIR ‘blunder riddled' Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday lashed out at the Election Commission, alleging that there were “gross errors” in the draft rolls published following the enumeration phase of the SIR in the state.

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MLA Humayun Kabir, suspended by TMC over Babri-style mosque plan, floats new party Beldanga (WB): West Bengal MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday floated a new outfit, Janata Unnayan Party, days after he was suspended by the TMC for laying the foundation stone for a Babri-style mosque in Murshidabad district.

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UDF announces three new associates; leader of one party denies tie-up Kochi: Ahead of the Assembly polls, the Congress-led UDF in Kerala on Monday decided to expand its base by adding three more political parties, including the Trinamool Congress, to its fold.

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Air India's Mumbai-bound B777 plane suffers engine shutdown; returns to Delhi New Delhi: A Mumbai-bound Air India's Boeing 777 aircraft made an emergency landing in the national capital in less than one hour after taking off due to right engine shutdown on Monday morning, according to sources.

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Punjab: Duped of Rs 8 crore in cyber fraud, ex-IPS officer Amar Chahal shoots self in Patiala Patiala: Former IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal allegedly shot himself with the rifle of his security guard here on Monday and in a purported note, he claimed that he had been duped of Rs 8.10 crore by cyber thugs who posed as wealth management advisors.

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India seals free-trade pact with New Zealand, third agreement this year New Delhi: India and New Zealand on Monday said they have concluded talks on a free trade deal that will give India tariff-free access to the island nation's markets, bring in USD 20 billion of investment over the next 15 years and help double bilateral trade in the next five years.

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National Herald case: Delhi HC seeks Gandhis' reply on ED plea against trial court order New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday asked Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others to respond to a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging the order of the trial court that refused to take cognisance of its chargesheet against them in the National Herald case.

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SC stays conviction of ex-Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate in cheating case New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the conviction of former Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate in a cheating and forgery case and clarified that he shall not face any disqualification as an MLA.

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Jaishankar begins visit to Sri Lanka as PM Modi's special envoy Colombo/New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar landed in Colombo on Monday to hold talks with Sri Lanka's top leadership as the island nation begins reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.

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After Hadi, another Bangladesh student leader shot in head Dhaka: Unidentified gunmen on Monday shot in the head Motaleb Shikder, a second leader of Bangladesh’s violent student-led 2024 uprising.

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India-New Zealand free trade agreement announced, promising tariff-free access and USD 20 billion investment. India and New Zealand concluded a free trade agreement granting tariff-free access to New Zealand markets and a USD 20 billion investment commitment; concurrently, the Delhi High Court sought responses to an ED challenge to a trial court's refusal to take cognisance in the National Herald matter, and the Supreme Court stayed a former minister's conviction while addressing disqualification implications.