Nation

New Delhi: Delhi-NCR is experiencing a severe cold wave as dense fog disrupted daily life on Saturday. Low visibility affected road, rail, and air traffic, prompting authorities to issue alerts and advisories for commuters. Dense Fog and Cold WaveFrom early Saturday morning, dense fog blanketed the region, forcing residents to stay indoors. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings for thick to very dense fog and declared an Orange Alert. Visibility on roads and railways was significantly reduced, while air traffic faced delays. The forecast indicates that fog may persist on Sunday and Monday, leading the IMD to issue a Yellow Alert for continued caution. Impact on Air TravelDelhi Airport issued an advisory, warning passengers about low visibility affecting flight ope...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has described child trafficking and sexual exploitation as serious and deeply concerning crimes, and has issued crucial guidelines for lower courts to ensure sensitive handling of such cases. The apex court emphasized that minor inconsistencies in the testimony of minor victims should not be grounds for dismissal, and investigations must be conducted with utmost sensitivity. Guidelines for CourtsA bench led by Justice Manoj Mishra highlighted that child trafficking is not an isolated phenomenon but a deeply entrenched and organized crime, continuing despite strict laws. The Supreme Court directed lower courts to protect the rights and dignity of minor victims and ensure justice without delay. The guidelines were issued while upholding the convict...

New Delhi: India’s oldest mountain range, the Aravalli Hills, is once again at the heart of a national debate. The Supreme Court recently approved a new legal definition for the Aravallis, triggering questions and concerns across environmental circles. Here’s what you need to know. 1. What is the new legal definition of the Aravalli Hills?In November–December 2025, the Supreme Court accepted the central committee’s proposed definition: only hills rising at least 100 meters above ground will now be officially considered part of the Aravalli range. Previously, different states had varying regulations regarding the Aravallis, creating legal ambiguities. The new definition aims to standardize protection across five states where the range spans. 2. Why are environmentalists concerned?Acco...

New Delhi: Air India Express has temporarily grounded a senior pilot following allegations of assaulting a passenger at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1. The incident occurred when the passenger reportedly questioned the pilot’s use of a security lane reserved for airline staff. What happened?Passenger Ankit Diwan claims that the pilot, Captain Virendra Sejwal, was traveling on an IndiGo flight to Bengaluru when a verbal altercation escalated into physical confrontation. Diwan alleged that when he asked the pilot about skipping the queue, Sejwal responded by questioning his literacy and eventually resorted to physical aggression. A photo shared by the passenger on social media shows him bleeding from the face after the altercation. The incident reportedly occurred in front of Diwan’s seven...

In a significant boost to India’s naval capabilities, Russia has proposed supplying three fully refurbished diesel-electric Kilo-class submarines to India. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured India of one submarine during his visit to New Delhi, but the new offer now includes three submarines, marking a major enhancement in India’s underwater defence strength. Strategic Significance and Timing The proposal follows Putin’s December 2025 visit to New Delhi, where he had pledged to lease a nuclear-powered Akula-class attack submarine by 2028. The new offer provides a ready-to-deploy conventional alternative from Russia’s surplus naval reserve. The deal, estimated at under $1 billion, aims to address the Indian Navy’s immediate operational needs and fleet gaps. Moder...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit West Bengal on Saturday, 20th December. During his visit, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation for two major national highway projects worth approximately ₹3,200 crore. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 66.7 km long 4-lane stretch of NH-34 between Barajaguli and Krishnanagar in Nadia district. He will also lay the foundation for the 17.6 km 4-lane stretch of NH-34 from Barasat to Barajaguli in North 24 Parganas district. These projects are expected to significantly improve connectivity between Kolkata and Siliguri, reducing travel time by nearly two hours and ensuring smoother traffic flow. PM Modi Shares Details on Social Media The Prime Minister took to X (formerly Twitter) to share details of his West Bengal visit. He...

Amid rising anti-India sentiment within Bangladesh, fresh tensions have emerged between the two neighbours—this time in the Bay of Bengal, raising serious concerns over maritime security and the safety of Indian fishermen. While anti-India protests continue on land in Bangladesh, recent incidents at sea suggest a troubling pattern. Over the past two months, Indian authorities have observed an increase in Bangladeshi fishing vessels operating close to, and allegedly within, Indian maritime boundaries. The situation escalated sharply on December 15, when a Bangladeshi Navy patrol vessel allegedly rammed an Indian fishing trawler carrying 16 fishermen, causing it to capsize. The incident has sparked outrage and heightened fears among fishing communities operating near the international ...

Congress Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has strongly condemned a provocative statement made by a Bangladeshi student leader regarding India’s northeastern states, popularly known as the “Seven Sisters.” Tharoor described such remarks as irresponsible, foolish, and capable of worsening an already volatile situation in Bangladesh. Reacting to the statement, Tharoor said that certain non-serious elements in Bangladesh are making reckless comments that could inflame tensions and harm bilateral relations. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Bangladeshi government to control such voices and ensure that India’s core national interests are not threatened. “You may have seen a recent statement by a so...

A deepfake video falsely featuring Sudha Murty, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, has been circulating widely on social media, misleading people with fake investment claims and promises of massive financial returns. Cyber fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to exploit the credibility of well-known personalities. In the latest case, an edited video allegedly shows Sudha Murty promoting a fraudulent investment scheme, claiming that several investors are earning up to ₹10 lakh per month. The video, shared from a handle named “Triade Wine”, urges viewers to click on a link and register quickly, creating a false sense of urgency by stating that registrations are being closed due to high demand. Clickin...

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has strongly condemned the brutal mob killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh, describing the incident as a crime against humanity. She has urged the Government of India to take serious cognizance of the growing violence against religious minorities in the neighbouring country and to raise the issue firmly at the diplomatic level. Reacting to the killing of 25-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, Priyanka Gandhi said that violence and murder based on religion, caste, or identity have no place in any civilized society. Expressing deep concern, she highlighted the alarming rise in attacks against Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist minorities in Bangladesh. In a social media post on Friday evening, she stated,"The brutal mob killing of Hindu youth Dipu ...