Natioanal

New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has strongly reiterated that pre-conviction bail is a fundamental right of every citizen, in the context of the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant bail to Umar Khalid, accused in the Delhi riots case. Speaking at an event in Jaipur, Chandrachud warned that prolonged imprisonment without trial undermines constitutional justice and highlighted the urgent need for safeguards ensuring timely hearings. Bail Should Be the Rule, Not the Exception Chandrachud said, “Umar Khalid has been in jail for five years. I am not criticizing the court… Bail conditions can be imposed to prevent misuse, but it is essential that the accused has the right to a speedy hearing. If immediate hearings are not possible due to current circumstances, bail must...

New Delhi: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making remarkable strides in the healthcare sector, and a new study from AIIMS Raebareli has shown that AI can sometimes detect eye diseases even before doctors. While ophthalmologists remain the most reliable diagnosticians, AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini are rapidly proving their capabilities. Early detection of retinal diseases is critical, as delayed diagnosis can lead to permanent vision loss. The study, conducted by the Department of Ophthalmology at AIIMS Raebareli, analyzed 30 patients. Each patient’s fundus photograph (image of the retina) along with relevant medical information was provided for assessment. Doctors vs AI: Accuracy and Speed The cases were evaluated in three ways—by an experienced ophthalmologist, by ChatGPT,...

New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has reiterated that obtaining bail before conviction is a fundamental right of every citizen, while emphasizing that cases involving national security require careful scrutiny before granting such relief. His remarks come amid ongoing debates over the denial of bail to student leader Umar Khalid, raising concerns about the state of liberal democratic values in the country. A Personal Anecdote: Congress Leader Pawan Khera Speaking candidly as a private citizen, Chandrachud recounted a notable incident involving Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera. According to the former CJI, Khera was on a flight to Guwahati and was on the verge of being arrested. Paramilitary forces had reportedly surrounded the aircraft, preparing to detain him....

New Delhi: The Congress Party has decided to ramp up its grassroots outreach at the panchayat level as part of its ongoing campaign, ‘Save MGNREGA Movement’, aimed at protecting the integrity of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Party leaders are demanding that the law be restored to its original form. The campaign, launched on 10 January, is a 45-day nationwide initiative protesting the alleged dilution of MGNREGA by the ruling alliance government. The opposition party has called for the repeal of the amendments and full reinstatement of the act in its original form. Panchayat-Level Outreach and Ward-Level Protests Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said that the party conducted an online review meeting and collectively resolved to stren...

New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump has formally invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to become a member of the Gaza Peace Board, signaling a new opportunity for strengthening India-US ties. The invitation comes after last year’s planned visit of PM Modi to the United States was cancelled, during which External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India. A letter from the White House addressed to PM Modi stated:"As Prime Minister of the Republic of India, it is my distinct honor to invite you to join this historic and ambitious effort to advance peace in the Middle East and adopt a bold new approach to resolving global conflicts." The letter highlighted the roadmap announced on 29 September 2025, a comprehensive 20-point plan to end the...

New Delhi: The Central Government has opened a new avenue for underprivileged artisans with the inauguration of PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026, a unique platform designed to showcase the skills and craftsmanship of rural and marginalized artisans. The exhibition, inaugurated by Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, will run from 18 to 31 January, offering participants a range of benefits including skill training, toolkits, loans, and marketing support. Speaking at the event, Minister Manjhi described the Haat as an opportunity for artisans to display their talents and promote their handicraft products to a wider audience. The inauguration saw the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of MSME, representatives from various states and Union Territories, as well as ambassadors from Iraq ...

Large parts of North India continue to reel under severe cold conditions, with dense fog, icy winds and cold wave conditions disrupting daily life. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the harsh winter spell is set to persist on Sunday, January 18, particularly across Delhi-NCR and adjoining regions. Delhi-NCR: Bitter Cold and Dense Fog to Continue Delhi and the National Capital Region are expected to witness intense cold accompanied by fog during the morning and late evening hours. While daytime temperatures may rise slightly, chilling winds will maintain a biting cold feel. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for fog, warning of reduced visibility, especially during early hours. Cold Wave Alert Across Northern States Due to the impact of an active western dis...

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticized the move by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to personally hand over her Nobel Peace Prize to former US President Donald Trump, calling it “a collision of Venezuela’s desperation and American ego.” Tharoor described the act as a display of shameless politics, while using strong language to highlight Trump’s handling of the episode. ‘Machado’s Shameless Political Act’ Writing for NDTV, Tharoor remarked that Machado’s decision to present her Nobel medal at the White House was “a political performance so shameless it resembled performance art.” He emphasized that the gesture was aimed at winning attention in Washington, adding that it reflected Venezuela’s desperation and an attempt to curry favor with the global stage ...

India did not take part in the recent BRICS naval exercise, prompting questions in diplomatic and defense circles. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that the exercise was an initiative by South Africa, rather than a regular or institutional BRICS activity. India has historically not participated in such exercises, and its regular engagement is with the IBSAMAR naval exercise involving India, Brazil, and South Africa. MEA Clarifies India’s Stand Official spokesperson Randeep Jaswal explained that the exercise under discussion was completely initiated by South Africa, with participation from selected BRICS member countries. He emphasized that not all BRICS countries took part and that it was not a regular BRICS institutional activity. India’s standard naval collabora...