Nation

New Delhi: In a landmark move, the Narendra Modi-led government has approved the SHANTI Bill—Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India—paving the way for private companies to enter the nuclear energy sector. This step is seen as crucial for India’s ambitious goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. The SHANTI Bill aims to provide critical safety assurances to nuclear plant operators, while also clarifying the responsibilities of equipment suppliers. Under the new provisions, operator insurance coverage will be increased to ₹1,500 crore per incident, managed under the Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool. Key Features of the SHANTI Bill: Private Sector Participation: For the first time, private companies can operate nuclear plants ...

New Delhi: Amid rising airfares during the festive season and the ongoing IndiGo crisis, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu clarified in the Lok Sabha on Friday that the government cannot regulate airfares throughout the year. He emphasized that final ticket prices are determined by demand and supply, which naturally fluctuate during peak travel periods. DGCA Takes Action Following the IndiGo disruption, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found negligence in monitoring the airline and removed four officials, including the Deputy Chief Flight Operations Inspector (CFOI), from the wing responsible for overseeing IndiGo operations. International Expert Review The IndiGo board has decided to conduct an independent investigation with external experts. Chief Aviati...

New Delhi: North India is set to experience intense cold and dense fog on 13 December 2025, with warnings issued for Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. Hill stations in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh may also witness snowfall. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi will see partly cloudy skies with light morning fog, with temperatures ranging from 11°C (min) to 25°C (max). Dense fog is expected in parts of Uttar Pradesh, potentially reducing visibility during morning travel. State-wise Highlights: Delhi: 11°C – 23°C, light fog in the morning. Mumbai: 16°C – 34°C, generally clear. Kolkata: 17°C – 26°C, partly cloudy. Chennai: 22°C – 28°C, warm and humid. Lucknow: 11°C – 24°C, foggy in the morning. Patna: 13°C – 24°C, dense mornin...

New Delhi: On the occasion of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s 115th birth anniversary, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stressed the importance of national unity and patriotism, emphasizing that India should focus on living and progressing rather than succumbing to divisive rhetoric. Speaking at the event, Bhagwat remarked, “It is time for India to live, not to die.” He condemned language that threatens national integrity, including slogans like “Tere Tukde Honge” (You will be broken into pieces), stating that such divisive expressions have no place in a strong nation. Focus on Unity Over Caste and Religion Bhagwat highlighted that division based on caste or religion is wrong and recalled Savarkar’s vision of a united nation. He emphasized placing the nation above individual or sectional intere...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has clarified that appointments made on a compassionate basis—to support the dependents of deceased employees—are purely humanitarian and do not entitle the beneficiary to claim promotion or higher posts. Key Observations A bench comprising Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Manmohan stated that while a dependent may be eligible for a job under compassionate grounds, this eligibility cannot be used as a ladder to demand a higher position or seniority. The court emphasized that the primary purpose of such appointments is to provide financial support and relief to the bereaved family, not to confer career advantages. Case Background The verdict arose from two petitions by the Tamil Nadu administration, challenging Madras High Court orders that had dire...

New Delhi, December 12, 2025: The Indian Embassy in Bangkok is actively coordinating with Thai authorities in connection with the Goa nightclub fire case. Restaurant owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra fled to Bangkok shortly after the tragic fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane restaurant in Margao, Goa. Both brothers were detained by Thai authorities in Phuket following intervention by the Indian Embassy. Thai Authorities Acting as per Local LawsSources at the Indian Embassy in Bangkok said on Friday that Thai officials are proceeding strictly according to local legal procedures, which include steps required for deporting the two accused back to India. The Goa Police had earlier revealed that their plea seeking cancellation of anticipatory bail for the Luthra brothers was dismiss...

New Delhi: Security forces have carried out a Mossad-style operation against Maoist insurgents, secretly planting trackers in their communication devices, leading to major breakthroughs in ongoing anti-Naxal operations. Recent interrogations of surrendered Naxal leaders, Takalapalli Vasudeva Rao alias Ashanna and Mallojula Venugopal alias Sonu, revealed details of how the insurgents’ secret networks were compromised. Trackers in Communication DevicesAccording to reports, electronic devices like walkie-talkies, laptops, mobiles, and other gadgets used by the Maoists were fitted with hidden trackers. Sonu claimed that the organization’s communication network had already been hacked, which led to the elimination of several senior leaders. Following repeated operational leaks, the Dandakara...

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has reignited the debate over marital rape in India, advocating for a dedicated law to address this issue. Speaking at an event in Kolkata, Tharoor emphasized that marital rape is not an act of love but a form of violence against women. He expressed concern over the lack of legal recognition for such cases in India, despite the country having stringent laws against rape. ‘Marital Rape is Violence, Not Marital Love’Tharoor highlighted India’s unusual stance, saying, “It is surprising that India remains one of the few democracies where non-consensual sexual acts by a husband against his wife are not treated with the seriousness they deserve.” He questioned why husbands are given immunity and stressed, “If a spouse disrespects their partner and engages...

For the first time in Delhi, residents and officials will be able to experience a houseboat on the Yamuna River. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is preparing a wooden houseboat convention center at Bansera Park, which will serve as a venue for meetings, conferences, and dining experiences. The DDA is expected to issue tenders for the project soon. The concept was envisioned by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena. Project Overview The houseboat project has officially commenced along the Yamuna waterfront at Bansera Park, part of ongoing efforts to develop the area as a public recreational space. The houseboat is expected to be open to the public by May–June 2026. Key features of the houseboat include: Eco-friendly construction: Entirely made of biodegradable wood, with no ste...