Nation

New Delhi: Taking serious note of the worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court on Wednesday described the crisis as an annual phenomenon and issued important directions aimed at mitigating the situation. In a significant relief and clarification, the Court modified its earlier order regarding action against old vehicles operating in the region. Action Limited to Pre-BS-IV Vehicles The apex court amended its August 12, 2025 order, granting the Delhi government permission to take action only against vehicles below BS-IV emission standards. This means enforcement agencies can now act against: 10-year-old diesel vehicles 15-year-old petrol vehiclesprovided they fall below the BS-IV category. The modification brings clarity after an earlier blanket restriction on...

New Delhi: Severe cold conditions have tightened their grip over Delhi and large parts of North India, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an alert for dense to very dense fog and cold wave conditions from December 18 to 22. The weather system is expected to significantly impact road, rail, and air traffic due to poor visibility, especially during early morning and late-night hours. According to the IMD, states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttarakhand are likely to witness extremely low visibility during dawn and early morning hours. Authorities have advised commuters to exercise caution as transport disruptions are likely. Cold Wave Warning and Mountain Weather The IMD has forecast a strong possibility of cold wave conditions on December ...

New Delhi: Amid worsening air quality across Delhi-NCR and several parts of the country, the issue of rising pollution will be taken up for discussion in Parliament today. Following sustained demands from the Opposition in both Houses, the government has agreed to a detailed debate. Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav is scheduled to respond to questions, objections, and suggestions in the Lok Sabha at 5 pm. The pollution crisis has dominated proceedings since the beginning of the Winter Session, with Members of Parliament repeatedly flagging the severe health risks posed by hazardous air quality. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has been particularly vocal, urging the government to present a comprehensive and consensus-based action plan to tackle air ...

New Delhi: In a major step towards understanding the true state of mental health in the country, the Central Government has launched a nationwide National Mental Health Survey (NMHS-2) after a gap of nine years. The survey aims to assess the prevalence, patterns, and impact of mental health conditions across India, many of which often go undiagnosed and untreated until they become severe. Mental health experts note that a large number of individuals remain unaware that they are suffering from mental health disorders. As a result, timely treatment is missed, leading to a gradual worsening of their condition. Keeping this in mind, the government has initiated this comprehensive survey to generate reliable and updated data for effective policy planning. First Pan-India Coverage Since CO...

New Delhi: Amid the intense debates in the Winter Session of Parliament on issues such as Vande Mataram, MGNREGA, education bills, and Special Investment Regions (SIRs), a lighter moment caught attention when members from opposing parties interacted cordially. On Wednesday, a video surfaced showing Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee engaging in a friendly exchange with Union Minister and BJP MP Nitin Gadkari. While the exact conversation could not be clearly heard, the clip shows Banerjee pulling Gadkari slightly aside and saying, “Suniye na…” (Listen…), speaking softly into his ear. Following this, other MPs approached Gadkari to greet him and engage briefly in conversation. Banerjee returned shortly thereafter, discussing topics such as national highways and hydrogen-power...

New Delhi: Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu has claimed that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are involved in a serious disagreement. According to Bittu, Rahul Gandhi’s recent trip to Germany during the Winter Session of Parliament is a result of this familial and political discord. Bittu Alleges “Heavy Fight” Between the Gandhis In an interview shared by NDTV on X (formerly Twitter), Bittu stated, “There is a fight going on between the two Gandhis. A very serious fight. From what I have learned, Rahul Gandhi is upset over Priyanka Gandhi’s speeches in the House and has left due to problems within the family and the party.” Publicly, They Defend Each Other Despite Bittu’s claims, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi are usually seen defen...

During his visit to Germany, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over the declining manufacturing sector in India, emphasizing the need to boost production to strengthen the country’s economy. In a video shared by Congress leader Alok Sharma, Rahul Gandhi recounted his visit to a BMW factory, saying, “We visited the BMW factory, and it was an excellent experience. I was particularly pleased to see the 450cc TVS bikes being manufactured here. I believe they will perform very well. It was also heartening to see the Indian flag flying proudly here.” He added, “India needs to focus on production. Manufacturing is the key to any country’s success. Our manufacturing sector is shrinking when it should be growing.” Warm Reception at Berlin Airport Prior to the factory visit,...

After months of speculation over the next national president of the BJP, the party surprised many by appointing 45-year-old Nitin Naveen as its new Executive President, sidelining several prominent leaders who were widely expected to be contenders. Sign of Generational Change Nitin Naveen’s appointment has drawn attention across the country. While not entirely unknown, Naveen’s reputation was largely confined to Bihar, though he also served as BJP’s in-charge for Chhattisgarh during the 2023 Assembly elections, overseeing booth-level operations. His rise reflects BJP’s continued emphasis on merit and organizational capability over seniority or public profile. This move aligns with a pattern the party has followed since 2014: leadership selections at the state and national level—wh...

New Delhi: India is set to bring major reforms in its nuclear energy sector with the introduction of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha. The bill aims to liberalize the civilian nuclear sector, ending government monopoly and overhauling existing regulations. Once passed, the SHANTI Bill will repeal both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. Key Significance of SHANTI Bill The SHANTI Bill is seen as a game-changer for India’s nuclear power landscape, potentially allowing foreign investment and partnerships in the civilian nuclear sector. Currently, India is seeking international collaboration to expand its nuclear capacity, especially to provide baseload pow...

New Delhi: During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully intercepted and destroyed a Pakistani AWACS aircraft from a distance of 314 kilometers using the S-400 ‘Triumph’ missile system. The action, hailed as a world-record for a long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) kill, was confirmed by Moscow-based security strategist Alexey Mikhailov Petrenko, who described the operation as technically precise and fully consistent with the capabilities of the S-400 system. Operation Details IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh stated that the 40N6E missile was fired from an S-400 unit stationed in Punjab, targeting the Sab 2000 ‘Eri’ AWACS aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force flying over Dinga in Punjab province. Petrenko noted that the strike aligned with proven S-400...