Nation

The Supreme Court of India has raised serious concerns over reports that several schools in Delhi and the National Capital Region are ignoring court-mandated restrictions on outdoor sports and recreational activities during periods of high air pollution. The Court has scheduled a hearing on December 17 to review compliance with its orders. Schools Defying Court Orders During the hearing, it was reported to the Court that schools are finding ways to continue outdoor sports activities, despite explicit instructions to suspend such events in November and December when pollution levels peak. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has also issued notifications emphasizing the ban, yet schools have circumvented these guidelines. Supreme Court Observations The bench, headed ...

The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concern over the rising levels of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, attributing a significant part of the problem to the unsustainable lifestyle choices of the affluent. The bench, led by Chief Justice Suryakant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, emphasized that wealthy citizens’ preference for large, fuel-intensive vehicles and other pollution-causing equipment exacerbates the already critical air quality in the region. Key Observations by the Supreme Court: Lifestyle and Compliance Issues: The Court noted that despite multiple orders and regulations to curb pollution, implementation has remained ineffective because affluent citizens are unwilling to adjust their lifestyle habits. Impact on Public Health: The ben...

North India is experiencing intense winter chill as a severe cold wave and dense fog affect multiple states, including Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for dense fog in several cities, creating difficult travel conditions and lowering visibility significantly. Key Weather Updates: Delhi-NCR: Maximum temperature is expected at 24°C and minimum at 9°C. Moderate to dense fog in the morning may disrupt road travel. Winds are likely to blow at 10–15 km/h. Air pollution levels could reach hazardous levels. Uttar Pradesh: Cities including Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Agra, and Varanasi are covered with thick fog, reducing visibility and causing travel difficulties. Districts like Meerut, Saharanpur, Gautam Buddh Nagar, S...

The recent move by opposition leaders to initiate impeachment proceedings against Madras High Court Judge Justice G.R. Swaminathan has raised unprecedented concerns about political interference in the judiciary. This follows Justice Swaminathan’s rulings related to the Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple on Tirupparankundram Hill, where an ancient tradition of lighting lamps on stone pillars (Deepthoon) during the Kartigai Deepam festival was restricted by local authorities. Background of the Temple Dispute The Tirupparankundram hill, located 10 km from Madurai, houses one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan. The controversy stems from the presence of a 17th-century Sikandar Wadhusah Dargah atop the hill. Temple devotees consider the hill as a sacred Shivalinga, with the temple at ...

New Delhi: Newly appointed BJP Executive National President and Bihar Cabinet Minister Nitin Nabin arrived in Delhi on Monday, receiving a grand welcome from party workers with drums, cheers, and slogans. Ahead of his arrival, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached the BJP headquarters, creating a buzz at the party office. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, and several other leaders were present to receive Nitin Nabin. Hundreds of party workers and office bearers were already gathered at the headquarters in anticipation of his arrival. A Responsibility and a Blessing Speaking earlier in Patna, Nitin Nabin described his new role as a blessing from the party. He expressed gratitude to the BJP leadership and reaffirmed his commitment to continue t...

New Delhi: The famous coffee served at India’s Parliament, loved by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, and many current ministers and MPs, may soon see a price hike. Known for its unique taste that cannot easily be found in the market—even at ₹50–60 per cup—this coffee has long been a favourite among lawmakers. Current Pricing At present, a cup of this legendary coffee costs just ₹5, with cold coffee priced at ₹12. Popular snacks like tomato sandwiches cost ₹10, egg sandwiches ₹15, cheese sandwiches ₹23, and butter toast ₹6. These rates have largely remained unchanged since 2016. For perspective, 40 years ago, the same coffee cost just 35 paise, and before 2016, it was priced at ₹1.50 per cup. Price Hike on the Horizon I...

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is set to significantly enhance its maritime combat capabilities with the induction of its second MH‑60R multi‑role helicopter squadron. The new squadron, INAS 335, christened “Ospreys,” will be commissioned on December 17 at INS Hansa, Goa. Manufactured by US defence major Lockheed Martin, the MH‑60R helicopters are among the world’s most advanced naval aviation platforms. Designed primarily for anti‑submarine warfare (ASW), these helicopters are capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising enemy submarines in a single swift operation. They will be deployed onboard frontline Indian Navy warships, dramatically strengthening fleet defence and strike capabilities. Equipped with state‑of‑the‑art sensors, weapons systems, and advanced avionics, the MH‑60R i...

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor recently shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) that critically examines the political strategies of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, praising it as a thoughtful and insightful analysis. The post highlights the ideological differences between Tharoor and Gandhi within the party. The post, originally by X user Sivitas Sameer, outlines the contrasting approaches of Tharoor and Gandhi. It states, “The problem is not with either ideology itself. The issue lies in Congress’s inability to choose, integrate, or implement either effectively.” Tharoor, representing the viewpoint aligned with 1990s Congress ideals—reform-oriented, urban-influenced, and institutionally focused—acknowledged the analysis as accurate and shared it widely. Rahul Gandhi’s Strategy C...

New Delhi: In a major boost to its maritime combat capability, the Indian Navy is set to commission the second squadron of MH‑60R multi‑role helicopters, popularly known as ‘Romeo’, on December 17 at INS Hansa, Goa. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi is expected to attend the commissioning ceremony of INAS 335. The induction of the second Romeo squadron significantly strengthens India’s naval warfare readiness, especially at a time when Chinese naval activity has increased sharply in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). These state‑of‑the‑art helicopters are designed to meet the demands of future maritime warfare, combining advanced weapons, sensors, and surveillance systems. Built for Conventional and Modern Warfare The US‑made MH‑60R Seahawk, also called Romeo, is equipped with a m...

New Delhi: The troubles for former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma are far from over. Following the discovery of bundles of burnt currency notes at his residence, Justice Varma has now been given just six weeks to respond to the allegations. The directive comes from a three-member investigation panel headed by Supreme Court Justice Arvind Kumar, which also includes Chief Justice M.M. Srivastava of Madras High Court and senior advocate B.V. Acharya. The panel was constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after a motion signed by 146 MPs was submitted calling for action against Justice Varma. Earlier, during proceedings on 5 December, Justice Varma had requested eight weeks to submit his response. However, the panel has now made it clear that six weeks is the final timefr...