Natioanal

In a significant stride towards self-reliance, India has inducted the pollution control vessel ‘Samudra Pratap’ into the Indian Coast Guard fleet. The vessel, built with over 60% indigenous content, is designed to tackle maritime pollution while also being fully capable of search and rescue operations, coastal patrolling, and strengthening maritime security. Meeting Today’s Maritime ChallengesThe vessel integrates multiple operational capabilities on a single platform. According to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, this modern approach reflects the current demands of maritime operations, where flexibility and preparedness are equally critical. The Samudra Pratap has been constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited, measures 114.5 meters in length, weighs approximately 4,200 tonnes, and is equippe...

New Delhi: The United States has reportedly pressed India to reduce tariffs by 25% following a decline in India’s crude oil imports from Russia. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham claimed that Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Mohan Kwatra, made this appeal during a meeting last month. According to Senator Graham, Ambassador Kwatra highlighted that India is importing less oil from Russia and requested that President Donald Trump remove the 25% tariff. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Graham said he visited the ambassador’s residence a month ago, where the discussion focused exclusively on India’s reduced Russian oil imports. The timing of this appeal is significant, as President Trump had recently threatened higher tariffs on India for continuing to import Russian oil. Trump r...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the bail petitions of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). While the court granted bail to five other accused—Gulfisha Fatima, Miran Haider, Shifaur Rahman, Shadab Ahmed, and Mohammad Salim Khan—it emphasized that each bail petition must be examined on its own merits. The bench, comprising Justices Arvind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria, noted that Khalid and Imam’s cases are qualitatively different from the other accused. Supreme Court Allows Bail Plea After One YearThe court observed that prima facie evidence exists against Khalid and Imam. However, it allowed them to refile their bail applications after one year or after examination of protected witnesses. The ...

Senior Congress leader and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has sharply criticized the Indian judiciary following the Supreme Court’s rejection of bail petitions for Umar Khalid, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots. Kharge, son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, alleged that in “developed India,” individuals who raise their voices are imprisoned, while those accused of rape often secure bail. Kharge Questions Judicial Priorities In a social media post, Kharge stated: “Welcome to developed India, where raising your voice lands you in jail, but rapists are granted bail.” He further listed cases where alleged rapists received bail, including Kuldeep Singh Sengar, Asaram Bapu, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, contrasting them with Umar Khalid, Sonam Wa...

Senior BJP leader and advocate Mahesh Jethmalani has strongly objected to what he described as racial bias against Indians. His remarks came in response to a social media post by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which highlighted the percentage of immigrants from various countries receiving government assistance in the United States. Notably, India was absent from the list. Indians Are Contributors, Not Burdens Speaking on the issue, Jethmalani rejected the notion that Indians are “welfare-dependent” or a burden on host countries. “Indians contribute wherever they live. They pay taxes, support economies, and give back far more than they consume,” he said. Referring to the chart shared by Trump on X, Jethmalani pointed out that India was not among the roughly 120 countries and regi...

New Delhi: A statement by a U.S. senator has sparked political controversy in India. The senator claimed that India has reportedly reduced its oil purchases from Russia, prompting calls for tariff reductions. The statement has ignited a heated debate, with the opposition questioning the government’s stance toward a long-standing ally. Congress shared a video of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, in which he said: “I visited the Indian ambassador a month ago, and the discussion was focused solely on India’s reduced purchase of Russian oil. The ambassador requested that I convey this to President Trump and suggest that India should receive some tariff relief.” Targeting the Modi government, Congress accused it of prioritizing public relations and appeasing the former U.S. president at the ex...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the bail petition of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots, while granting conditional bail to five other accused with 12 stipulations. The court also ruled that Khalid and Imam cannot file another bail plea in this case for one year. Following the rejection, Umar Khalid expressed his resignation to life in jail. His close friend and activist, Banojotsna Lahidi, revealed that Khalid reacted emotionally, saying that while he was happy for the others who were granted bail, he also acknowledged, “Jail is now my life.” Lahidi shared Khalid’s reaction, stating, “I am very happy for those who received bail. It is a big relief.” When informed that she would visit him the next day, Khalid reportedly responded, “Alright,...

New Delhi: Most parts of the country will continue to experience a cold wave and dense fog over the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned. The weather department has issued rainfall alerts for three northern states, which may cause disruptions. Delhi and several cities in Uttar Pradesh are also expected to witness severe cold and fog. Rain Alert for Northern StatesAccording to the IMD, rain is likely on 6 January in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, with higher intensity expected in elevated areas. Specific warnings include: Jammu & Kashmir: Doda, Budgam, Shopian (mountainous regions) Himachal Pradesh: Chamba, Rohtang, Kinnaur, Manali (high-altitude areas) Uttarakhand: Some areas may experience frost In Tamil Nadu, ra...

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticized the decision by the BCCI directing IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to drop Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the team. He described the move as “regrettable and unwise,” expressing concern over the increasing influence of social media outrage on policy decisions. Rahman’s inclusion in the IPL squad had sparked strong reactions from various quarters amid rising tensions between India and Bangladesh, especially following violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. As a result, the franchise removed him from the team. Speaking to ANI, Tharoor emphasized that sports should remain separate from politics, and political failures should not be projected onto athletes. “The reality is that we are engaging with Banglades...

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots, while significantly expanding the interpretation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court held that acts threatening the economy or disrupting essential services can also fall within the ambit of “terrorist acts”, even if they do not involve direct physical violence. A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria dismissed the bail pleas of Khalid and Imam, observing that the prosecution material establishes a prima facie case against them. However, the bench granted bail to five other accused—Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, and Mohammad Salim Khan—stating that each...