Nation

New Delhi: In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has upheld a father’s will, ruling that his daughter Shaila Joseph is not entitled to any share of his property. The court emphasized that when a will is clear, the testator’s wishes are supreme and cannot be overridden. Background of the Case The father, N.S. Shridharan, had excluded Shaila from his estate among his nine children because she had married outside their community. Earlier, both the trial court and the High Court had ordered the property to be equally divided among all nine children, questioning the validity of the will. The Supreme Court has now reversed those rulings. Supreme Court Verdict A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddeen Amanullah and K. Vinod Chandran stated, “No interference is permissible with a wil...

New Delhi: Pakistan is now shifting its focus toward Europe, targeting nations with strong ties to India. In recent months, Islamabad has been actively strengthening political and economic relations with Poland, one of India’s long-standing friends in the region. High-Level Engagement According to Pakistani media reports, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski visited Pakistan in October to explore enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, energy, defense, education, and counter-terrorism. During the visit, both countries formalized a significant bilateral deal, particularly emphasizing collaboration in mining and energy, building on the success of Polish oil and gas projects in Pakistan. Expanding Bilateral Trade A report in Pakistan’s leading E...

New Delhi: After allegedly defrauding Indian Overseas Bank, Pune, of ₹17 crore in 2013, Ashutosh Pandit disappeared without a trace. Known as the director of the private company “House of Laptops,” Pandit had evaded authorities for over a decade. By April 2018, a court had formally declared him a fugitive. Disappearing Act Like a Magician Pandit vanished as if performing a magician’s trick. Taking refuge in the sun-kissed coastal state of Goa, he assumed a new identity. Neighbors in the quiet Bambolim area knew him as Yatin Sharma, a law-abiding citizen, unaware of his past. Fake Identity and Documents Under his assumed name, Pandit had secured PAN and Aadhaar cards, creating an impenetrable web of false documentation. He even obtained a passport from Delhi, which he renewed wi...

New Delhi: India faces its most severe diplomatic and strategic challenge since the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The escalating crisis in Bangladesh, marked by political instability and rising violence, threatens India’s security, regional influence, and the well-being of minorities in the neighboring country. A parliamentary committee led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has identified five critical crises India must contend with. 1. Threats to Minority Communities The committee report highlights that the decline of the Awami League, rise of youth-led nationalism, increasing Islamic influence, and growing Chinese and Pakistani presence have created a turning point in Bangladesh. Minority communities, particularly Hindus, are bearing the brunt of violence. Recent attacks include the ...

New Delhi: With air pollution in Delhi-NCR reaching hazardous levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued strict new directives to curb the open burning of waste across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The commission has also instructed authorities to submit monthly compliance reports to monitor progress. Key Directives for Delhi Legacy Waste Clearance: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) must eliminate 1.4309 million metric tons of legacy waste by December 2027. Monthly Processing Targets: Approximately 350,000 metric tons of waste must be processed every month, with monthly reports submitted to CAQM. Expansion of Facilities: All waste processing facilities must be upgraded without delay to ensure timely waste management. Enhanced Monitoring:...

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested the ninth suspect in the November 10 terrorist attack near Red Fort, Delhi. The arrested individual, Yasir Ahmad Dar (19) from Shopian, Jammu & Kashmir, was brought to Delhi for questioning before being formally taken into custody. Investigations revealed that Dar, like the other perpetrators, had sworn allegiance to commit suicide attacks. NIA sources confirmed that he had pledged loyalty to his group and was in close contact with other accused, suggesting the possibility of more individuals planning fidayeen-style attacks. Authorities are meticulously tracking all movements and activities of Dar since November 10, while also analyzing connections with other suspects. Previously arrested suspects have undergone DNA ...

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, notorious for his unpaid debts in India, celebrated his 70th birthday in grand style in London, with former IPL chairman Lalit Modi hosting the event. Despite being declared bankrupt in the UK and facing multiple legal cases in both India and Britain, Mallya continues to enjoy a lavish lifestyle. The birthday party, held on December 16 at Modi’s six-bedroom residence in the upscale Belgravia Square, drew several high-profile guests from India and abroad. Attendees included fashion designer Manish Malhotra, British actor Idris Elba, and entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. The event featured an array of Indian and Lebanese cuisine, reflecting the heritage of Modi’s partner Reema Bawri, who is Lebanese. A DJ played hits from the 70s and 80s, while desser...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has delivered a strict observation on matters concerning stray dogs, emphasizing the importance of humanity in dealing with them. During Thursday’s hearing, the Court noted that certain rules of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have resulted in inhumane treatment of stray dogs. The bench announced that in the next hearing, a video will be shown, and the court will ask the fundamental question: What is humanity? The hearing was conducted by a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal informed the Court that the three-judge special bench constituted for the case did not sit for Thursday’s proceedings. Justice Vikram Nath scheduled the next hearing for January 7, 2026. Concerns Over MCD RulesKapil Sibal high...