Natioanal

New Delhi: While northern cities like Delhi continue to grapple with poor air quality during the winter months, popular hill stations are offering travelers a much-needed breath of fresh air. According to the latest data from AQI.in, tourists are flocking to destinations such as Shimla, Manali, and Kullu for cleaner, healthier air this weekend. Real-time readings from 9 December show Shimla recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 33, falling within the ‘Good’ category. PM2.5 levels stood at 20 µg/m³, indicating low pollution. The combination of clear skies, low humidity, and moderate winds helped disperse pollutants, keeping air quality well below health risk levels. Further north, Manali and Kullu registered an AQI of 18, with PM2.5 concentrations between 11–12 µg/m³, among the clea...

New Delhi: Former IAS officer Raj Kumar Goyal has been sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) by President Droupadi Murmu. The ceremony was attended by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh, and several other dignitaries. Goyal, a 1990-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre (Arunachal Pradesh–Goa–Mizoram–Union Territories), recently retired on 31 August as Secretary, Department of Justice, under the Ministry of Law and Justice. He has also held the position of Secretary (Border Management) in the Ministry of Home Affairs and served in key administrative roles in both the central government and the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir. The appointment comes on the recommendation of a three-member panel headed by Prime Min...

New Delhi: The Indian Army has placed orders worth ₹5,000 crore for indigenous drones, capable of countering enemy spoofing and jamming tactics. Before finalizing the purchase, the Army conducted rigorous testing, recreating conditions similar to Operation Sindoor, ensuring that these drones meet operational requirements in challenging environments. Three-Pronged Capability According to reports, the drones ordered will handle enemy threats in three distinct ways: Short-range kamikaze drones designed to destroy targets by self-destruction. Long-range precision mission drones capable of identifying and neutralizing targets before returning safely. Surveillance UAVs for intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance operations. Strict Selection and Indigenous Focus The Army’...

New Delhi: A groundbreaking study by AIIMS’ Department of Biotechnology offers fresh hope for women suffering from postmenopausal osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones rapidly after menopause. For the first time, researchers have shown that a common probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, can slow down bone loss by modulating the immune system. Published in the Journal of Cellular Physiology and supported by ANRF, the study highlights that osteoporosis is not just caused by calcium deficiency but is significantly influenced by immune system imbalances. Postmenopausal estrogen decline disrupts immune cell balance, particularly regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in the gut, leading to an increase in Th17 inflammatory cells that accelerate bone breakdown. How the Probiotic Works ...

New Delhi: A major development has emerged regarding employee salaries in the Supreme Court. For years, some Chief Justices of India (CJI) were reportedly granting arbitrary additional increments to select staff members just before retirement. This practice has now been halted, and past increments have been withdrawn. Unlike typical government or private jobs, where salary increases are annual, in the Supreme Court, certain staff were receiving two to three extra increments per year, with some close to the CJI getting up to six extra increments. This effectively raised salaries by up to 150% for a few employees over the past four years. Full Court Intervention Former CJI B.R. Gavai convened a full court meeting to address this irregularity. Judges collectively emphasized that the ...

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to file a chargesheet today in connection with the Pahalgam terrorist attack that shook Kashmir in April. The attack, carried out by Pakistani terrorists on April 22, targeted tourists and claimed 26 lives. Investigations have revealed the direct involvement of three terrorists in the attack. According to officials, the NIA will submit the chargesheet in the special NIA court in Jammu. Arrests and Key Revelations In June, NIA arrested Parvez Ahmed Jothar (Batkot) and Basheer Ahmed Jothar (Pahalgam) for harboring the three terrorists. These militants, identified as Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, were killed by the Indian Army on July 28 in a counter-terror operation named ...

New Delhi: Questions are emerging over India’s aviation safety as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) relies heavily on airline-contracted captains rather than its own regular officers to conduct safety audits. Currently, safety inspections of major airlines—including IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, and SpiceJet—are mostly carried out by senior pilots hired on contract from these very airlines. DGCA’s permanent officers primarily focus on auditing airport operations, leaving airline and aircraft audits to these contracted experts. Who Conducts the Audits? Sources indicate that over 120 captains, experienced in flight operations, are currently on contract with DGCA. Their role is to ensure that airlines comply with safety norms and international standards. Howeve...

New Delhi: In recent years, Russia has gradually expanded its ties with Pakistan, yet these relations have never matched the depth, trust, and strategic breadth of its long-standing partnership with India. Historical alignments, strategic interests, and economic realities have cemented this distinction. A telling example occurred on September 23, 2016, when around 250 Indian soldiers of the Kumaon Regiment arrived in Vladivostok for the INDRA-2016, an 11-day joint military exercise with Russian forces. Coincidentally, on the same day, 70 Russian soldiers arrived in Pakistan for the first Pakistan-Russia joint exercise, Druzhba-2016, sparking international attention. While India viewed the timing with concern, Russia’s long-term commitment to India remained unwavering. Recently, durin...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flight for his three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman was briefly delayed on Monday morning due to dense fog in Delhi. The aircraft took off safely once the fog eased. The heavy fog significantly disrupted air traffic in Delhi, preventing the Prime Minister’s journey from commencing as scheduled. PM Modi was originally scheduled to depart at 8:30 AM from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. However, poor visibility forced a short delay before the flight could take off. Delhi’s visibility dropped below 50 meters, causing considerable difficulties for motorists as well. This morning marked the city’s first episode of dense fog this season, impacting flight operations and compelling airlines to revise schedules to ensure passenger...

New Delhi: The Indian Armed Forces are set to significantly enhance their aerial and naval capabilities. The Indian Army will soon receive three additional AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the U.S., while the Indian Navy is set to commission its second MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine helicopter squadron this week. Apache Helicopters for the Army As part of a ₹5,691 crore deal signed in February 2020 with the U.S., India ordered six heavy-duty Apache helicopters for the Army. The first three were delivered in July 2025 after delays due to Boeing’s supply chain issues. The incoming helicopters are armed with Stinger air-to-air missiles, Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, guns, and rockets, and will join the existing fleet of 22 Apaches acquired in a 2015 deal worth ₹13,952 crore. Th...