Natioanal

The Supreme Court of India has rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. While the court granted bail to five other accused, it made it clear that Khalid and Imam cannot be released at this stage. The apex court emphasized that each accused must be considered individually, and their bail applications examined on their own merits. “The cases of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam cannot be equated with those of the other accused,” the court stated. “An attempt has been made to avoid a collective approach, and we are satisfied that prima facie, allegations against them are substantial. Legal conditions for appellants apply, and granting bail at this stage is not justified.” Bail was granted to other accused in the case — Gulfisha F...

By Dinesh Mishra, New Delhi: January 2026 marks the 1,000th anniversary of Mahmud of Ghazni’s infamous attack on the historic Somnath Temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recent op-ed, described Somnath as a symbol of India’s civilizational faith. Despite being subjected to one of the most tragic events in human history, the temple stands today in all its glory. Behind this iconic temple lies a fascinating story of the goddess Manat and her secret transfer from Arabia to Somnath. Who Was Manat? Manat, also pronounced as Manah, was a pre-Islamic Arabian goddess worshipped in the 6th–7th centuries, before the advent of Prophet Muhammad. She was one of the three principal goddesses of Mecca, alongside Al-Lat and Al-Uzza, and is considered the eldest and most ancient among them. Th...

New Delhi: The past year has been remarkable for the BJP, with consecutive wins across multiple states and a decisive victory in Bihar boosting the party’s momentum. In contrast, the Congress has faced setbacks, raising questions about Rahul Gandhi’s leadership within his party. Five-State Election in FocusThis year, assembly elections are scheduled in Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. Each state presents unique political dynamics and challenges for major parties. While these elections may not directly impact national politics, the outcomes will be closely watched for the trends they reveal. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have historically resisted BJP influence. In West Bengal, the BJP is making a strong push, and any victory here would carry significant w...

New Delhi: A statement by a Congress leader comparing Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram has ignited a political firestorm. The BJP has strongly condemned the remark, calling it an “unforgivable insult to faith” and accusing Congress of excessive flattery. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, in a recent interview, likened Rahul Gandhi’s actions to those of Lord Ram, claiming that the opposition leader is performing the same duties that the deity undertook. BJP Slams the StatementBJP national spokesperson C.R. Kesavan sharply criticized Patole’s comments, saying, “Nana Patole’s comparison of Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram is a grave insult to the sentiments and faith of millions of Hindu devotees. Earlier, he had also shown disrespect by demanding ‘purification’ of the revered President Droupadi ...

In 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump surprised his critics with his approach to tariffs and the global economic order. Despite fears of a recession, both India and the U.S. recorded robust growth, driven largely by the AI boom and Trump’s deal-making style. Yet, rising unemployment and heavy reliance on AI could pose challenges to “Trumpism” in 2026. Trump’s Bold MovesAt the start of 2025, Trump delivered a landmark speech to the U.S. Congress, signaling three key points: massive tariff hikes, a breakdown of the rules-based global economic order, and America stepping back from its role as global policeman. Ironically, it was this rules-based order and global policing that fueled the fastest economic growth the world had seen since World War II. Fear of RecessionBy April, Trump announ...

New Delhi: From Pranjal Dahiya to Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Nidhi Agarwal, the year 2026 has begun with disturbing incidents of harassment against female celebrities. These episodes highlight the urgent need to confront and curb such behavior. Haryana’s Pranjal Dahiya recently made headlines after facing an uncomfortable situation during a live stage performance in Gurugram. Frustrated by an overzealous fan, she reportedly said, “I’m your daughter’s age, uncle—please maintain some control.” The incident quickly ignited a heated debate on social media. Similar cases have surfaced recently. On 17 December 2025, at a song launch outside Lulu Mall, Hyderabad, actress Nidhi Agarwal was surrounded by an uncontrollable crowd of fans immediately after the event. A few days later, actress Sama...

New Delhi: Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor is set to assume the prestigious post of Vice Chief of Air Staff on 1 January 2026. Currently, he serves as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command (SWAC), headquartered in Gandhinagar. Earlier this year, he was honored with the Vishisht Seva Medal for his exemplary role in Operation Sindur. Air Marshal Kapoor took command of SWAC at a critical time when the Indian Air Force carried out operations between 6–10 May, targeting key Pakistani air bases, resulting in significant strategic gains. Distinguished Career and TrainingCommissioned into the Indian Air Force’s fighter stream on 6 December 1986, Air Marshal Kapoor is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), and the Nati...

New Delhi: AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticized China’s claim of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Speaking on the matter, Owaisi emphasized that India cannot remain silent on such claims and urged the Modi government to officially reject them, asserting that no third-party mediation is acceptable to India. ‘Sovereignty Cannot Be Compromised for Improved Relations’Owaisi took to social media late Wednesday night to question the government’s stance, stating: “Following claims by the US President regarding a ceasefire and trade sanctions to ensure peace, China’s Foreign Minister has now made similar assertions. This is an insult to India, and the government must respond firmly. Any improvement in relations with Chin...

New Delhi: Despite having a limited number of judges, India’s Supreme Court resolved over 75,000 cases in 2025, setting a benchmark for judiciaries worldwide. Comparatively, the United States and the United Kingdom handle far fewer cases at their highest courts, making India’s achievement even more remarkable. A Massive Undertaking Despite Few JudgesWhile India’s population is vast, the ratio of judges to citizens is among the lowest globally. For every 10 lakh people, India has only 21 judges, compared with 150 judges per 10 lakh people in the U.S. The Supreme Court currently has 34 sanctioned judges, meaning roughly one judge per 4.5 crore people, highlighting the immense workload shouldered by India’s judiciary. Mediation Suggested as a SolutionAt the national conference “Explorin...

New Delhi: The last day of 2025 brought an intense cold wave to the national capital, breaking a four-year temperature record and disrupting daily life. Dense fog and chilling winds blanketed the city, making it one of the coldest days since 2022. Record-Breaking ColdOn Wednesday, the maximum temperature in Delhi plummeted to 14.2°C, marking the lowest day temperature in the past four years. The persistent cloud cover prevented sunlight from warming the city, intensifying the cold. For comparison, on 26 January 2022, the maximum temperature had dropped to 12.1°C, while December 31, 2019, recorded an even lower 9.4°C. This makes the end-of-December 2025 cold one of the chilliest days in the last six years. Impact on Transportation and Daily LifeThe extreme cold and thick fog led to ‘C...