New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 1 PM NATION DEL44 BIZ-RBI REPORT-GOVERNOR (04:03 PM)

Indian economy to record high growth despite volatile external environment: RBI Governor New Delhi: Indian economy is projected to register high growth, driven by strong domestic consumption and investment despite a volatile and unfavourable external environment, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Wednesday.

DEL16 BIZ-STRIKE-GIG WORKERS (01:19 PM)

Zomato, Swiggy offer increased payout to gig workers amid strike call by unions on New Year's Eve New Delhi: Food delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy are offering more incentives to their delivery partners, a standard practice they follow on festive periods, to ensure minimal disruptions in services on New Year's Eve amid strike call by gig workers' unions.

DEL23 PM-AYODHYA (02:15 PM)

Modi greets people on 2nd year of Ram Temple consecration New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted the people on the second anniversary of the idol consecration at the Ram Temple at Ayodhya, terming the day "a divine festival of our faith and traditions."

DEL51 UP-AYODHYA-RAJNATH SPEECH (05:01 PM)

India acted in accordance with Lord Ram's ideals in Operation Sindoor: Rajnath at Ayodhya Ram temple Ayodhya: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday described the Ram temple movement as a "grand narrative" that laid the foundation for the future, and said India acted in accordance with Lord Ram's ideals in Operation Sindoor.

DEL12 CONG-CHINA (12.11 PM)

China's war mediation claim concerning, PM must respond: Congress New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday termed Chinese claims of mediation between India and Pakistan concerning and said the people of India need clarity on the issue.

DEL46 DEF-MISSILES (04:16 PM)

India successfully test-fires Pralay missiles off Odisha coast New Delhi: India on Wednesday successfully test-fired two Pralay missiles in quick succession off the coast of Odisha.

DEL17 CULTURE-BUDDHA-RELICS (01:43 PM)

Modi to inaugurate exposition of sacred Piprahwa Relics on Jan 3 New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 3 will inaugurate an exposition of the sacred Piprahwa Relics, which will be hosted at a heritage site in Delhi, officials said.

DEL2 PM-ERIGAISI (9:28 AM)

PM congratulates Arjun Erigaisi for bronze at FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Arjun Erigaisi on winning the bronze medal at the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship and said his success will inspire the youth of the country.

CAL13 WB-SHAH-LD MEETING (02:53 PM)

Shah meets BJP public representatives in Kolkata, invites 'backbencher' Dilip Ghosh for talks Kolkata: Continuing on his agenda to take stock of the BJP West Bengal unit's preparedness for the assembly polls scheduled early next year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday laid down an action blueprint before the party's public representatives, past and present, while showcasing a unified face of the saffron camp, projecting former state president Dilip Ghosh as one of the main faces for the elections.

CAL10 BH-NABIN-LD FATHER (01:21 PM)

Trying to follow my father's footsteps of being low-profile, accessible to all: Nabin Patna: BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday said he was trying to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was "accessible to all" and "made familial bonds with party karyakartas".

DEL9 NIA-TERROR-SENTENCING (10.40 AM)

Man gets life term for raising module of Pak-based terror outfit in Assam New Delhi: A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raising a module of Pakistan-based terror outfit in Assam to carry out terrorist activities, the National Investigation Agency said on Wednesday.

CAL3 AS-WITCH HUNTING (09:17 PM) Assam couple burnt alive on suspicion of witchcraft Diphu: A group of people burnt alive a couple in a village in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, suspecting them to be involved in witchcraft, police said on Wednesday. CAL2 AS-COLD-SCHOOLS (8:56 AM)

All schools closed for week due to extreme winter weather in Guwahati Guwahati: With mercury dipping 6.4 degrees Celsius below normal in daytime in the state capital, all schools in Kamrup Metropolitan district of Assam have been closed for a week due to harsh winter, according to an official order.

BOM9 MP-CONTAMINATED WATER-LD TOLL (03:42 PM)

Consumption of contaminated water claimed 7 lives so far in Indore, confirms mayor Indore: Seven persons have died so far due to diarrhoea and vomiting after allegedly consuming contaminated water in Indore city of Madhya Pradesh, its Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed on Wednesday amid conflicting claims over the number of fatalities.

BOM12 MH-CIVIC POLLS-ALLIANCES (03:59 PM)

Friends-foes-friends: Alliances blur ahead of municipal polls in Maharashtra Mumbai: Political equations in Maharashtra are in flux ahead of the January 15 elections to 29 municipal corporations, as the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition MVA have abandoned any attempt at a uniform seat-sharing formula, triggering fragmentation and multi-cornered contests.

BOM3 MH-HC-STAFF-POLL DUTY (10:38 PM)

HC stays BMC chief’s letters asking court staff to report for civic polls duty, questions his power Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has stayed letters issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner asking the staff of subordinate courts to report for civic polls duty, questioning his power and jurisdiction.

BOM13 GA-NIGHTCLUB FIRE-SUSPENSION (04:17 PM) Goa nightclub tragedy: Two state government officers suspended Panaji: Two officers of the Goa State Pollution Control Board have been suspended in connection with the nightclub fire tragedy, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday.

MDS3 ISRO-SSLV-STATIC TEST (9:03 AM)

ISRO conducts ground test of SSLV third stage at Sriharikota Bengaluru: ISRO has carried out a successful static test of an improved version of the third stage of SSLV at the Solid Motor Static Test Facility of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

DEL6 AVI-DELHI AIRPORT (9:59 AM)

Delhi airport sees 148 flight cancellations due to low visibility conditions New Delhi: At least 148 flights were cancelled and over 150 flights were delayed at the Delhi airport on Wednesday due to dense fog and low visibility conditions.

LEGAL LGD4 JK-NIA-ACQUITTAL (12.33 PM)

J&K court acquits 3 accused tried for 'terror' activities Srinagar: A sessions court in Jammu and Kashmir has acquitted three people accused of involvement in terror activities for lack of evidence.

FOREIGN FGN17 CHINA-QUAD-ENVOYS (12.09 PM)

Envoys of Quad countries hold rare publicised meeting in Beijing Beijing: Ambassadors of the Quad nations, consisting of the US, India, Australia and Japan, held a rare publicised meeting in Beijing. By K J M Varma

FGN25 BANGLA-ZIA-LD FUNERAL (02:34 PM)

Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayer held in Bangladesh amid tight security Dhaka: Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia's funeral prayers were held on Wednesday amid tight security.

FGN23 BANGLA-ZIA-FUNERAL-LD JAISHANKAR (02:34 PM)

EAM Jaishankar hands over PM Modi's letter to BNP's Tarique Rahman Dhaka: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday handed over to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi as thousands of people bid farewell to former prime minister Khaleda Zia at her funeral.

FGN27 PAK-CHINA-DAR (04:06 PM)

Pak Dy PM Dar to visit China to attend strategic dialogue Islamabad: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit China later this week to co-chair the 7th round of a bilateral strategic dialogue.

PTI ARB ARB

Indian economy projected to post high growth driven by domestic consumption and investment despite external volatility. The Reserve Bank Governor reported that the Indian economy is projected to register high growth driven by strong domestic consumption and investment despite a volatile external environment, indicating continued macroeconomic resilience and the relevance of central bank monitoring of growth and stability metrics.