Natioanal

New Delhi: In a landmark move to ensure quicker access to justice, the Supreme Court of India has introduced a new system granting priority hearings for certain vulnerable groups. Petitions filed by senior citizens aged 80 and above, persons with disabilities, below-poverty-line (BPL) cardholders, and those availing free legal aid will now receive expedited consideration. Four Priority Categories EstablishedChief Justice Suryakant has formalized the system by creating four priority categories to streamline the hearing of urgent and sensitive cases. The new arrangement aims to prevent such matters from being overlooked amid the large volume of cases, particularly on Mondays and Fridays, when the court handles nearly 800 petitions across 16 benches. According to a registry circular, la...

New Delhi: China’s President Xi Jinping has sent a strong message to the world as the New Year begins, emphasizing that the reunification of the motherland “cannot be stopped.” While Xi did not explicitly mention India, analysts suggest that his words and the choice of terminology—“Motherland” and “Reunification”—carry subtle signals of intimidation, with potential implications for India’s Arunachal Pradesh. This statement comes immediately after China conducted military drills near Taiwan, drawing international attention and criticism from countries including Japan and Australia. Despite global protests, Beijing dismissed concerns, framing them as “irresponsible.” China’s Hidden AmbitionsWhile China publicly asserts claims over Taiwan, it also maintains its longstanding claim on Aru...

New Delhi: The year 2026 opens on a historic note for India, marking two major economic milestones. India has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan, and has assumed the BRICS chairmanship from 1 January 2026. With Russia and China as BRICS partners, India is now positioned at the center of a powerful geopolitical and economic bloc, even as last year’s trade tensions with the United States left some questions about Washington-New Delhi relations. BRICS Chairmanship: India’s New Strategic RoleIndia’s new leadership role in BRICS comes at a time of increasing global influence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited countries including Ethiopia, Oman, and Jordan, strengthening regional partnerships and positioning India as a major power in global affairs. Ac...

New Delhi / Mumbai: The first day of 2026 brought a welcome change in the weather for residents of Delhi and Mumbai, as light rainfall was recorded in both cities, offering a temporary respite from pollution. Delhi Sees First Rain of the SeasonIn Delhi, light showers were reported in several areas, including Dwarka and Uttam Nagar in West Delhi. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall, accompanied by occasional thunder and lightning, is likely to provide relief from the biting cold and pollution levels. Minimum temperatures in the capital dropped to 6.4°C, slightly below normal by 0.4°C. Morning fog and cold persisted throughout the day, with temperatures expected to remain low into the night. Rainfall Alerts Across North IndiaThe IMD has issued rainfall ...

New Delhi: The year 2025 proved to be monumental for India’s defense sector, marked by strategic military operations, technological advancements, and a resolute stance against terrorism. The highlight of the year was Operation Sindoor, along with a series of decisive strikes that set a “new normal” in counter-terrorism. Operation Sindoor: A Demonstration of Strategic MightFollowing the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India delivered a strong and measured response, compelling Pakistan to seek a ceasefire. On 7 May 2025, under Operation Sindoor, India launched targeted strikes against terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Subsequent retaliatory attempts by Islamabad were effectively neutralized, including precise bombing on Pakistani airbases. Experts sa...

New Delhi: As the nation rings in the New Year, a sharp cold wave and scattered rain are expected across several states in North India, including Delhi-NCR. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for rainfall over the next 48 hours, signaling a chilly start to 2026. Rain Alert for Delhi and Surrounding RegionsDelhi is expected to experience the first rains of the season on New Year’s Day. Minimum temperatures are likely to rise by 3–4°C over the next two days before dropping by 2–3°C, keeping nighttime temperatures higher than usual. Maximum temperatures, however, are forecasted to remain 3–5°C below normal over the next four days. Morning fog and cold conditions will persist throughout the day. A cyclonic circulation over Punjab and Haryana may cause light, scat...

New Delhi: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. While representing the Government of India and the Indian people, Jaishankar’s visit was marked by key diplomatic engagements, though notably, he did not meet Mohammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government. At the airport, Jaishankar was welcomed by India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma. During the funeral proceedings, he met with Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and son of the late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. However, there was no interaction with Mohammad Yunus, sparking widespread speculation about the reasons behind the absence of a meeting. Speculations A...

New Delhi: The U.S. Embassy in India has highlighted a year of strengthened bilateral ties, reflecting on key moments that shaped India-U.S. relations in 2025. Through a video released at the year’s end, the Embassy showcased major diplomatic engagements and agreements, emphasizing the shared commitment of both nations to a more robust partnership. The video features Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington D.C. earlier this year, including meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. These interactions underscore the priority both countries placed on high-level dialogue, despite a challenging global environment. Strengthening Defense TiesA significant highlight of the year was the signing of the 10-year update to the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership fr...

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a four-point action agenda to 12 states and Union Territories to streamline the document verification process under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The move aims to make it easier for voters whose names were omitted from the draft voter lists to complete the verification process. Four-Point Verification Agenda Document Submission via BLO App: Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will allow voters to submit additional documents required to prove eligibility, including those from previous SIR lists, through the BLO app for verification. Five-Day Verification Timeline: District Election Officers (DEOs) must verify all received documents on ECINET within five days of receipt. Cross-District Verification: ...