Nation

Northern India is experiencing severe cold as the first snowfall of the season blankets the hilly regions. Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and high-altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh are expected to witness heavy rainfall and snowfall over the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, dense fog is likely to persist over the plains, potentially disrupting road, rail, and air traffic. IMD Issues Weather WarningThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a caution for the next few days, predicting heavy rainfall and snowfall in high-altitude regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and northeastern Himachal Pradesh. Strong winds reaching 50–60 km/h may reduce visibility significantly. In the plains, dense to very dense fog is forecasted over eastern Uttar Pradesh until 23 December, and across Punj...

A Mother’s Love and Taste to Reach India and the World: Shila Thakur New Delhi/Indore | Special Correspondent A mother’s love, blessings, and homemade taste will no longer remain confined within the four walls of the kitchen—it is now set to travel across India and overseas. This was stated by Ms. Shila Thakur, Founder and Director of Maa Ka Masala Food Private Limited, while addressing the media. She announced that through the “Maa Ka Pyaar Cloud Kitchen – Mother Innovation Program,” homemakers across the country are being provided with a dignified platform for economic independence, self-respect, and social empowerment. Ms. Thakur emphasized that ‘Maa Ka Masala’ is not merely a food brand, but a social innovation dedicated to a mother’s love, values, dignity, and blessings. T...

Solapur, Maharashtra: Archaeologists have uncovered India’s largest circular stone labyrinth in the Boramani grasslands of Solapur district, Maharashtra. This ancient labyrinth, consisting of 15 concentric rings, sheds new light on trade connections between Ter (Dharashiv) in India and Rome nearly 2,000 years ago. The discovery was made by archaeologist Sachin Patil from Pune’s Deccan College and has garnered international recognition. It will be featured in the 2026 issue of the UK-based journal “Caerdroia,” which specializes in studies of labyrinths. Previously, India’s largest circular labyrinth had only 11 rings, making this find unprecedented. While Tamil Nadu’s Gedimedu site features the largest square labyrinth (56 feet), Solapur’s labyrinth is the largest circular labyrinth by a...

New Delhi: India and Russia have joined hands to tackle one of the world’s most pressing strategic challenges — critical minerals and rare earth elements (REEs). This joint initiative marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation and reducing global dependence on China’s monopoly over these essential resources. A Landmark India-Russia PartnershipDuring the annual India-Russia summit held in early December in Delhi, both countries discussed critical minerals and rare earths extensively. Following the summit, India and Russia have accelerated efforts to establish joint projects in this sector. The collaboration covers exploration, processing, and refining technologies for these vital natural resources, which are essential for green energy initiatives and modern technolog...

New Delhi: Amid rising pollution in Delhi-NCR, the government informed Parliament that there is no conclusive evidence directly linking higher AQI levels to lung diseases. However, officials acknowledged that air pollution can exacerbate respiratory illnesses and related health issues. The statement was made during the Winter Session of Parliament, in response to a question by BJP MP Laxmikant Vajpayee, who asked whether poor air quality is reducing lung capacity and causing serious conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis, as reported in various studies. He also inquired about measures being taken to protect the population from such diseases. Government ResponseThe Environment Ministry clarified that no definitive data exists to prove that deaths are solely due to air pollution. Health...

New Delhi: In a major boost for Indian exports, Oman has officially recognized India’s Halal meat certification, a step that could open doors to over 55 other Muslim-majority countries. Halal certification ensures that meat is prepared according to Islamic guidelines, making it safe and permissible for consumption. Government InitiativeCommerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the Indian government has been engaging with Gulf countries, which are among the largest buyers of Halal products, to ensure formal recognition of Indian Halal-certified products rather than relying on informal approvals. “This recognition by Oman will eliminate repetitive testing and certification, reduce costs, and simplify market access for Indian exporters,” Goyal said. “We are emphasizing tha...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has clarified that a husband asking his wife to maintain an account of household expenses does not amount to cruelty. The apex court’s verdict came while hearing a petition filed by a husband whose wife had lodged an FIR against him, alleging mental harassment and cruelty over financial control. Bench ObservationsA two-judge bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan emphasized that courts must exercise caution in marital disputes and consider the reality of domestic situations. Many such cases arise from everyday disagreements, which cannot automatically be labeled as cruelty. Case BackgroundThe wife alleged that the husband sent money to his parents, insisted she record daily household expenses in an Excel sheet, and made remarks ...

New Delhi: Amidst the choking pollution in Delhi-NCR, Sunita Narayan, Padma Shri awardee and Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), has emphasized that individual lifestyle changes are critical to tackling the city’s air crisis. Speaking to NBT’s Poonam Gaur, she highlighted that temporary measures and technological fixes alone cannot solve the problem. Learning from Other CountriesNarayan pointed to China’s example in combating smog, stressing that India can adopt similar strategies. “China used large-scale natural gas, shut down non-compliant industries, and replaced older vehicles with electric ones. India can do this too, but it requires year-round, planned action rather than waiting for winter or Diwali to act,” she said. Public Protests Signal Frustra...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday delivered a landmark observation on freedom of speech, stating that while the right to speak is fundamental, it carries responsibilities and “cannot be misused.” The apex court refused pre-arrest bail to a 24-year-old Chartered Accountancy student from Bengaluru who had made objectionable posts about the Prime Minister and his mother on a parody social media account named “Jawaharlal Nehru Satire.” The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, advised the student to approach the Gujarat High Court for relief instead. The Supreme Court emphasized that individuals who misuse the right to free speech should not be granted discretionary relief by courts. Background of the Case The controve...

Over the past two decades, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has witnessed the retirement of several fighter aircraft while struggling to induct new ones in sufficient numbers. Since the induction of the Sukhoi-30MKI, there has been no major addition to India’s frontline fighter fleet—until now. On September 25, 2025, the IAF placed an order for 97 additional Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-1A, estimated at ₹62,370 crore. This marks the fourth order for the Tejas, reflecting India’s growing reliance on indigenously developed defense platforms. Once inducted, these aircraft are expected to form the backbone of India’s airpower, with a total of 220 Tejas jets joining the fleet—making it the second-largest combat aircraft formation after the Sukhoi-30MKI. Tejas: The Backbone of IAF A...