Pioneer in short
‘infrastructure boosted all regions’
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Saturday said sustained investment in infrastructure and tourism has led to balanced development in previously less-connected regions. Addressing the closing ceremony of Bharat Parv 2026 at the Red Fort, he said infrastructure expansion, digital empowerment, financial inclusion, social security, women-led development and youth innovation are reshaping the foundations of the nation. He said the remarkable growth of domestic tourism, with over 400 crore domestic tourist visits in 2025, reflects renewed national confidence and enthusiasm to explore India. Radhakrishnan noted that sustained investments in connectivity and tourism infrastructure — through improved road networks, expanded rail connectivity, new airports and enhanced facilities at heritage and pilgrimage sites.
Israeli strikes kill 30 Palestinians
Hospitals in Gaza said Israeli strikes killed at least 30 Palestinians, including several children, on Saturday, one of the highest tolls since the October ceasefire, a day after Israel accused Hamas of new truce violations. The strikes hit locations throughout Gaza, including an apartment building in Gaza City and a tent camp in Khan Younis, said officials at hospitals that received the bodies. The casualties included two women and six children from two different families.
Mira Nair mentioned in Epstein files
Indian filmmaker Mira Nair had attended an “after party” for a film at the townhouse of convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, according to the latest Epstein files released by the US Justice Department. Nair, the mother of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is mentioned in one of the emails as part of additional files of investigation related to millionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein put out in the public domain by the Department of Justice on Friday. The Department of Justice published over 3 million additional pages of the Epstein Files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 19, 2025.
Devika Sihag enters Super 300 final
Young Indian shuttler Devika Sihag stormed into her maiden BWF Super 300 final with a straight-game win over world number 35 Huang Yu-Hsun at the $250,000 Thailand Masters on Saturday. The 20-year-old unseeded Indian, who claimed her maiden BWF International Challenge title at the Malaysia International last year, registered a 22-20, 21-13 win over the fifth-seeded Huang in the women’s singles semifinal. Seemingly down and out at 15-20 in the opening game, Devika rose like a phoenix, saving five game points to seal the opener and continued the momentum in the second to prevail over Huang, who drowned in a cesspool of unforced errors.The world number 63 will face Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei in the summit clash. The two shuttlers fought early, moving to 7-7 at one stage.
