Nation

New Delhi: During the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed his displeasure on Wednesday after noticing MPs taking photos inside the House. He specifically addressed RJD MP Abhay Sinha, warning: “You’ve taken a photo today. Next time, if photos are clicked, I will have to take action. Maintain the dignity of the House.” Strict Rules on Photography and Video RecordingThe Parliament has stringent regulations regarding photography and video recording. No MP, journalist, or visitor is allowed to click photos, record videos, or live stream proceedings using mobile phones or cameras inside either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. Only cameras authorized by Lok Sabha TV, Rajya Sabha TV, or the Parliament Secretariat are permitted to record the proceedings....

New Delhi: Veteran Bollywood actress and Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan has once again grabbed headlines with her candid remarks. Speaking in a recent interview, Bachchan revealed that the constant noise in Parliament has started affecting her hearing. She humorously remarked: “I’ve become a bit hard of hearing because of all the shouting in Parliament every day. Thank God I haven’t lost my mind; it’s just that I hear a little less.” On Media and PaparazziDuring the conversation, Jaya Bachchan also addressed her views on the media, especially paparazzi. She clarified: “I owe my career to the media, but I have no connection with these paparazzi. Who are they? Have they been trained to represent the people of the country? You call them media? I come from real media—my father was a ...

New Delhi: On the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament 2025, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury made headlines for bringing a dog into the Parliament premises in her car. Chowdhury explained that she found the dog injured in a road accident and brought it along to ensure its safety. When questioned about the controversy, she famously remarked, “Those who bite are sitting inside.” Parliamentary Privilege Motion in ConsiderationThe incident, along with her statement, drew sharp criticism from opposition parties. The ruling party described it as a mockery of Parliament and a violation of parliamentary decorum, and it has now emerged that the Rajya Sabha is considering a privilege motion against her for the breach. Chowdhury’s Response: ‘Woof-Woof’When asked about the possible privile...

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin, known worldwide for his secretive persona, is set to visit India. While much about his life remains shrouded in mystery, reports and investigations reveal a lavish lifestyle and extraordinary security measures surrounding him. Estimated Net Worth and Luxurious ResidencesAccording to The Week, 73-year-old Putin’s net worth could exceed $200 billion. In 2015, Forbes did not list him among billionaires due to difficulties in verifying his assets. In 2017, financier Bill Browder told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that Putin may be the world’s richest man. Officially, Putin receives a modest annual salary of $140,000. Yet, he reportedly owns multiple properties, including an 800-square-foot apartment, a trailer, and three cars. Rumors abo...

New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of taking a “death warrant”-like step for the Aravalli Hills. In an article written for The Hindu, she highlighted that the government has granted mining exemptions for areas of the Aravalli range below 100 meters in height. Aravalli Hills Already Severely DegradedGandhi pointed out that the Aravalli mountain range, stretching across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana, has historically played a significant role in India’s geography and heritage. She said, “The Modi government has effectively signed a near ‘death warrant’ for these hills, which were already severely degraded due to illegal mining. Any hill below 100 meters in height is now exempt from strict mining rest...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday raised critical questions about the role of speeches delivered by Sharjeel Imam in the alleged 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The bench sought clarity on whether his speeches could be categorized as incitement or terrorist acts under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court is currently hearing bail petitions of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Miran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Salim Khan, and Shadab Ahmed, which were previously rejected by the Delhi High Court on 2 September. Bench Questions the SpeechesDuring the proceedings, the bench comprising Justices Arvind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria focused on Imam’s speeches, asking whether they could be separated from the definitions of incitement or terrorist acts u...

New Delhi: Despite the Supreme Court’s February 2024 decision to end electoral bonds, corporate political donations continue to heavily favor the BJP, according to the latest electoral trust reports. The Progressive Electoral Trust (PET), controlled by the Tata Group, contributed a staggering ₹915 crore in political funding during 2024-25, with nearly 83% (₹757.6 crore) going to the BJP. The Congress, by comparison, received only 8.4% (₹77.3 crore) from PET. Other donations to BJP came from the New Democratic Trust (₹150 crore), Harmony Trust (₹30.1 crore), Troyemph Trust (₹21 crore), Jan Kalyan Trust (₹9.5 lakh), and Ingeniarting Trust (₹7.75 lakh). BJP Dominates Corporate FundingThis is not new. During the 2018-19 Lok Sabha elections, PET had already given BJP the largest share of ...

New Delhi: Amid nationwide controversy over the SIR initiative, the Supreme Court witnessed a tense moment on Tuesday when senior advocate Prashant Bhushan referred to the Election Commission (EC) as ‘dictatorial’ during proceedings. The court sharply rebuked him, advising that all arguments be confined strictly within legal boundaries and not mimic political rhetoric. During the hearing, Bhushan criticized the EC for allegedly rushing the revision of voter lists, calling it unprecedented under the Representation of the People Act. He claimed the accelerated process caused severe mental and physical stress for Booth Level Officers (BLOs), reportedly leading to 30 suicides. “The EC is often seen as a dictator because it allegedly disregards rules and regulations, acting solely on its ...

New Delhi: With the onset of December, northwest India is experiencing a sharp drop in temperatures, while parts of southern India are likely to receive heavy rainfall in the next 24–48 hours, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Delhi is expected to witness falling temperatures and chilly winds over the coming days, while Uttar Pradesh currently experiences moderate cold with morning fog continuing in many areas. Weather Forecast for Delhi The IMD has predicted that Delhi’s maximum temperatures over the next few days will range between 22–24°C, with minimum temperatures dropping to 6–9°C. A cold wave alert has also been issued, indicating that residents will experience colder-than-normal winds. December 3: Morning fog and haze expected; afternoon will see brie...

New Delhi: In the past three years, six major hospitals in Delhi have recorded over 2,04,758 cases of acute respiratory illnesses in their emergency departments, with more than 30,000 patients requiring hospitalization, according to data presented in the Rajya Sabha. The central government has highlighted air pollution as a significant contributing factor to this alarming rise in respiratory ailments. Government Data on Respiratory Cases The figures were provided in response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjeet Singh Sahni. The data reveals that from 2022 to 2025, a total of 2,04,758 patients visited emergency units across six central hospitals with acute respiratory infections, such as shortness of breath, persistent cough, and chest tightness. Of these, 30,425 patients...