Monday, December 15, 2025 | Vol. 69 No. 60 | 27 Pages Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL INDIA EDITION | www.freepressjournal.in ● Leader in E-paper circulation GAMES NATION Pankaj Chaudhary, Union MoS & 7-time MP, elected unopposed as BJP’s UP chief Cinema Meet Mukesh Chhabra, the Dhurandhar casting director Indian pacers set up seven-wicket win against South Africa in the third T20I Edit Are we prepared to promote inclusion or risk the growth? SYDNEY MASSACRE | Shooting in Australia during celebration of Jewish festival lasts nearly 10 minutes; one attacker gunned down, other arrested Wave of terror strikes Bondi Beach, 11 killed Cops identify Naveed Akram as a gunman Agencies SYDNEY Briefs 3 MLAs in Raj under graft lens after sting op The Rajasthan government on Sunday ordered a high-level inquiry into allegations against three legislators of seeking commissions for the release of MLA funds, while BJP and Congress issued notices seeking an explanation from the accused leaders. The action followed a sting operation by a newspaper accusing BJP MLA from Khinvsar Revantram Danga, Congress MLA from Hindaun Anita Jatav, and Independent MLA from Bayana Ritu Banawat of taking commissions in exchange for sanctioning amounts from the MLA-LAD funds. A fourmember committee has been set up, which will submit its report within 15 days. ISRO lines up 7 launches by March ’26 ISRO has lined up seven launch missions by March next year, including one to demonstrate home-built electric propulsion systems for satellite and quantum key distribution technologies, and the first uncrewed mission of the Gaganyaan project. The first of the seven launches is expected to take place next week. Two gunmen shot dead at least 11 people on Sunday during a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Australian authorities said, declaring it a terrorist attack. One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second arrested. The suspect was in critical condition, authorities said. At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, the police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located. The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular and iconic beaches followed a wave of anti-semitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those episodes and Sunday’s shooting were connected. They said one of the gunmen was known to the security services, but that there had been no specific threat. PM Anthony Albanese declared it “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.” “This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” the state’s Premier Chris Minns said. The massacre was declared a terrorist attack due to the event targeted and weapons used, Lanyon said. Hundreds had gathered for the gathering at Bondi Beach called Chanukah by the Sea, which was celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival. 4Contd on | nation Tenfold Messical: When GOATs meet Tendulkar gifts Messi his iconic No. 10 India jersey Haridev Pushparaj MUMBAI The greatest of all time from the footballing world graced a jam-packed Wankhede Stadium with the who’s who of India’s sporting, entertainment and political elite in attendance for the ‘Messi GOAT India Tour 2025’ event. Lionel Messi, the 2022 Fifa World Cup winner from Argentina and the most loved footballer on the planet, just worked his charm the moment he stepped onto the hallowed Wankhede, waving and smiling at the huge crowd present for the unforgettable evening. Wearing a white T-shirt and his characteristic disarming smile, Messi made his way into the stadium at 5.53 pm, welcomed by a giant roar from the teeming spectators as he proceeded to one of the side foot- ball pitches that were erected for the celebrity match. With the likes of India football legend Sunil Chhetri featuring on the ground alongside Bollywood stars such as Dino Morea, Jim Sarbh and Ibrahim Ali Khan among others, it was a spectacle of sorts never seen before in Mumbai. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | city,nation,edit,games Agencies SYDNEY Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India 2 KILLED IN US VARSITY shooter dressed in black killed at least two people and wounded nine others at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, in the US during final exams, authorities said. Police said on Sunday a person had been detained. A SEE world One of the alleged shooters in Sydney was Naveed Akram, a man from the city's southwest, a senior law enforcement official told ABC, adding Akram's home in the suburb of Bonnyrigg was being raided by police on Sunday evening. It was still not clear which of the two attackers is Akram. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon suggested that one of the shooters was known to authorities but "the person that we know has very, very little knowledge to the police". BIHAR MINISTER NITIN NABIN AS NEW BJP CHIEF? Dheeraj Kumar PATNA BJP on Sunday appointed Bihar minister Nitin Nabin, 45, its national working president, indicating the importance the party attaches to the state that recently brought it back to power. It also signalled BJP's plan to promote the next generation of leaders. Nabin may succeed JP Nadda as the party's national president. BJP national general secretary Arun Singh issued a statement announcing the appointment was approved by the party’s Parliamentary Board. The appointment came into force with immediate effect. Congratulating Nabin, PM Narendra Modi wrote on X, “Shri Nitin Nabin Ji has distinguished himself as a hardworking Karyakarta. He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as minister in Bihar BIG ROLE ■ The five-term MLA named BJP's national working president. ■ “It all happened because of the hard work of party workers... I believe that when you work as a dedicated worker of the party, senior leaders always take note of that” for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfill people’s aspirations. He is known for his humble nature and grounded style of working.” 4Contd on | nation Satya vs satta: Cong Unarmed ‘hero’ tackles shooter, saves lives attacks Modi govt, EC Agencies SYDNEY A bystander captured on video tackling and disarming an armed man during the attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has been hailed as a hero whose actions potentially saved lives. The incredible footage shows the man, wearing a light blue shirt and black pants, crouching behind a parked vehicle near the gunman, who is facing away from him and firing his weapon. Just after the gunman fires, the blue-shirted man comes from behind, throws his arms around the shooter, grappling with him as he attempts to grab the firearm. There are a tense few seconds as the shooter holds onto the weapon, but the man then manages to force his knee into one of the shooter's legs, unbalancing him. The person recording the vision gasps, and exclaims "oh my god" as the man in the blue shirt pulls the weapon out of the shooter's hands and pushes the gunman to the floor. He then flips the weapon and points it at the shooter, who scrambles to his knees and turns to look at the blue-shirted man. The man holds a large weapon which points at the man as he lies on the ground, with his hand up. The man points the weapon at the now disarmed Bondi gunman. Gunshots can be heard throughout the video, seemingly coming from a second shooter who is positioned on a nearby bridge. 4Contd on | nation Agencies NEW DELHI Stepping up the campaign on the issue of alleged election irregularities, top Congress leaders on Sunday attacked BJP and the election commissioners at a rally in the national capital, alleging that "vote chori" is in the ruling party's DNA and its leaders were "gaddar" who were conspiring to take away voting rights of people and should be removed from power. Addressing a 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod' mega rally at the Ramlila grounds as the Con- gress sought to build public support on the issue after its Bihar defeat, Rahul Gandhi vowed to oust the "Narendra Modi-RSS government" by following the path of truth and non-violence as shown by Mahatma Gandhi. 4Contd on | nation