Natioanal

Even in the era of e-books, printed books continue to hold their appeal. Publishers are now focusing on new authors and topics to attract fresh readers. Genres such as history, sociology, and biographies are gaining popularity, while Gen-Z readers are showing a keen interest in books related to career development and mental well-being. Print Holds Its GroundRam Tripathi notes that the rise of e-books has raised concerns about the future of printed literature, with fears that traditional readers are dwindling. In response, publishing houses are experimenting with content tailored to contemporary readers, especially Gen-Z. However, Ashok Maheshwari, Managing Director of Rajkamal Prakashan, disagrees. He believes that printed books still enjoy immense respect and that the print medium w...

New Delhi: A sinister collaboration between Chinese crime syndicates and Pakistani operators is reportedly creating cyber sleeper cells in India, aimed at targeting the country through sophisticated cyberterrorism. Delhi Police have filed an FIR and launched an investigation into the matter. Cyber Sleeper Cells Linked to PakistanThe investigation revealed that a network operating as a cyber sleeper cell in India was directly receiving instructions from Pakistan. These cells are reportedly being trained to carry out digital attacks, including cyber fraud, ransomware, and espionage. During a raid in Samaypur Badli, police arrested Ufe Bamb, a key operative of the Meogi gang. Forensic examination of his mobile revealed communication with Pakistani contacts, indicating coordinated cyberc...

New Delhi: Ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh elections, BNP leader Tariq Rahman has raised eyebrows by signaling a tilt toward Pakistan-aligned forces, casting doubts on his stance toward India. While he initially projected a willingness to maintain good relations with India, his recent actions suggest a strategic alignment with Pakistan-friendly elements. Meeting With Aman AzmiTariq Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returned to Bangladesh specifically for the elections. Reports indicate that he met retired Brigadier General Aman Azmi in Dhaka on Wednesday evening—a move that has sparked speculation about BNP’s future ties with Pakistan and its intelligence agency, ISI. Azmi hails from a family historically opp...

New Delhi: In a major move affecting 75 countries, the United States has announced a suspension on issuing immigrant visas, including permanent residency, to citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and several other nations. Notably, India has been excluded from this list, reflecting the strong India-US ties and the country’s prominent position in H-1B and other skilled visa categories. Background of the RestrictionThe US Department of State cited potential misuse of public welfare programs as a key reason for the visa suspension. The policy, part of a broader review mandated by President Donald Trump, was last updated on January 14, 2026, and will come into effect from January 21, 2026. India Remains ExemptAccording to the US Embassy, India is not among the 75 countries affected by...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday raised critical questions to the Election Commission (EC) regarding the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The top court sought to know how many voters were removed from the electoral rolls on the grounds of “suspected citizenship.” The matter is being heard by a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. Supreme Court Seeks Clarity on Citizenship-Based RemovalsThe bench pointed out that the Election Commission has so far categorized voter deletions under three main reasons—death, duplication, and migration. Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing the EC, was asked whether there exists a separate category for removing names based on “suspected citizenship.” The court emphasized its intent to under...

New Delhi: A frightening incident unfolded at Delhi’s IGI Airport on Thursday morning when Air India Flight AI-101, en route from Delhi to New York, had to return due to the closure of Iranian airspace. During taxiing, a small cargo container was sucked into one of the powerful engines of the Airbus A-350 wide-body aircraft. Miraculously, no fire broke out, and all 300 passengers and crew members escaped unharmed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a detailed investigation. The IncidentThe flight, carrying around 300 passengers and crew, had taken off early on January 15. Due to the unexpected closure of Iranian airspace, it was recalled to Delhi. While taxiing on the runway (Runway-28) and moving towards taxiway N/N4IR INDIA, the aircraft’s Engine No.2 drew in...

New Delhi: Northern India continues to shiver under a biting cold wave and dense fog, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing warnings of severe cold over the next 2–3 days. Between January 16 and 21, light to moderate rain and snowfall is expected in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, while Delhi and six other northern states remain under a cold wave alert. Cold and Fog Across North IndiaDelhi-NCR and many other parts of northern India are experiencing harsh winter conditions, compounded by fog and smog. The IMD has issued alerts for Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Odisha, forecasting sustained cold over the next few days, with temperatures gradually expected to rise thereafter. Dense fog is likely to persist ov...

New Delhi: January 16 marks a remarkable chapter in India’s history, celebrating the achievements of a daughter who fulfilled her dream of becoming an astronaut in the United States. Kalpana Chawla, selected twice by NASA for space missions, embarked on her second journey to space on this day in 2003. She flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-107), conducting over 80 scientific experiments during the 16-day mission. Tragically, her return to Earth ended in disaster when the shuttle disintegrated on February 1, claiming the lives of Chawla and six other crew members. A Childhood Inspired by the SkiesBorn on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, Haryana, Kalpana Chawla displayed a fascination with the skies and aircraft from an early age. She pursued Aeronautical Engineering at Punjab Engineer...

New Delhi: In a move aimed at preventing cases of “digital arrest,” the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has informed the Supreme Court that banks and telecom companies should be held accountable if their negligence causes financial or other losses to citizens. The statement came during a report filed before the top court by an internal high-level committee set up by the MHA under the Supreme Court’s direction. The committee, headed by the Special Secretary (Internal Security) of the MHA, recommended tightening rules for obtaining SIM cards and suggested that cases above a certain threshold should be investigated by the CBI. The committee also considered the implementation of compensatory mechanisms for victims, ensuring that individuals are not penalized due to system failures or other l...