Thursday, December 25

Nation

NIA Arrests 9th Suspect in Red Fort Blast; DNA and Voice Samples Reveal Lies in Psychological Tests
Nation

NIA Arrests 9th Suspect in Red Fort Blast; DNA and Voice Samples Reveal Lies in Psychological Tests

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested the ninth suspect in the November 10 terrorist attack near Red Fort, Delhi. The arrested individual, Yasir Ahmad Dar (19) from Shopian, Jammu & Kashmir, was brought to Delhi for questioning before being formally taken into custody. Investigations revealed that Dar, like the other perpetrators, had sworn allegiance to commit suicide attacks. NIA sources confirmed that he had pledged loyalty to his group and was in close contact with other accused, suggesting the possibility of more individuals planning fidayeen-style attacks. Authorities are meticulously tracking all movements and activities of Dar since November 10, while also analyzing connections with other suspects. Previously arrested suspects have undergone DNA ...
Fugitive Vijay Mallya Celebrates 70th Birthday in London; Lalit Modi Hosts Lavish Party
Nation

Fugitive Vijay Mallya Celebrates 70th Birthday in London; Lalit Modi Hosts Lavish Party

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, notorious for his unpaid debts in India, celebrated his 70th birthday in grand style in London, with former IPL chairman Lalit Modi hosting the event. Despite being declared bankrupt in the UK and facing multiple legal cases in both India and Britain, Mallya continues to enjoy a lavish lifestyle. The birthday party, held on December 16 at Modi’s six-bedroom residence in the upscale Belgravia Square, drew several high-profile guests from India and abroad. Attendees included fashion designer Manish Malhotra, British actor Idris Elba, and entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. The event featured an array of Indian and Lebanese cuisine, reflecting the heritage of Modi’s partner Reema Bawri, who is Lebanese. A DJ played hits from the 70s and 80s, while desser...
Parliament Passes ‘Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Bill’, Opposition Protests Late into the Night
Nation, Politics

Parliament Passes ‘Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Bill’, Opposition Protests Late into the Night

New Delhi: Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have passed the Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Bill, 2025, granting it formal parliamentary approval, though opposition members staged protests inside and outside the Parliament. Rajya Sabha Approves the BillThe Rajya Sabha passed the bill late Thursday night after over six hours of discussion. Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan responded to the opposition’s concerns, and the House rejected several amendment proposals moved by opposition members. The Lok Sabha had approved the bill earlier in the day. Addressing the House, Chouhan said the bill aims to carry forward Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and realize the vision of a developed India by creating developed villages as its foundation. He rejected allegations that the bill seeks ...
Supreme Court Issues Stern Warning on Stray Dogs, Next Hearing to Question ‘Humanity’
Nation

Supreme Court Issues Stern Warning on Stray Dogs, Next Hearing to Question ‘Humanity’

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has delivered a strict observation on matters concerning stray dogs, emphasizing the importance of humanity in dealing with them. During Thursday’s hearing, the Court noted that certain rules of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have resulted in inhumane treatment of stray dogs. The bench announced that in the next hearing, a video will be shown, and the court will ask the fundamental question: What is humanity? The hearing was conducted by a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal informed the Court that the three-judge special bench constituted for the case did not sit for Thursday’s proceedings. Justice Vikram Nath scheduled the next hearing for January 7, 2026. Concerns Over MCD RulesKapil Sibal high...
Severe Cold Wave and Dense Fog Alert in North India: Weather Update for December 19, 2025
Nation

Severe Cold Wave and Dense Fog Alert in North India: Weather Update for December 19, 2025

New Delhi: North India continues to reel under intense cold and dense fog. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of severe cold and extremely low visibility in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Bihar from December 19 to 21. Light rainfall and snowfall are also expected in hilly areas due to the influence of a western disturbance. Widespread Cold and FogAcross the country, temperatures remain low from the mountains to the plains. States including UP, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Delhi are experiencing thick fog during mornings and evenings. According to the IMD, visibility is expected to remain severely restricted in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana during early hours. Dense fog may also blanket Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Bihar on December 19–20. The western d...
Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR: SP MP Blames Cremations and Holika Dahan, Giriraj Singh Fires Back
Nation, Politics

Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR: SP MP Blames Cremations and Holika Dahan, Giriraj Singh Fires Back

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MP R.K. Chaudhary has attributed the hazardous air quality in Delhi-NCR to cremations and Holika Dahan celebrations, sparking a sharp response from BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh. MP Chaudhary Raises Environmental ConcernsSpeaking on Thursday, MP Chaudhary from Mohanlalganj, Uttar Pradesh, said that burning corpses releases carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, which deplete oxygen in the atmosphere. He added that fires during Holika Dahan also emit significant amounts of these gases. “Our country is not serious about tackling air pollution,” Chaudhary remarked. Addressing ANI, the SP leader, who has previously served as Environment Minister, said, “The way environmental work is being carried out is flawed. Most NGOs and government departments fo...
Historic Step for India’s Nuclear Sector: Parliament Passes SHANTI Bill Allowing Private Participation
Nation, Politics

Historic Step for India’s Nuclear Sector: Parliament Passes SHANTI Bill Allowing Private Participation

New Delhi: On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the passage of the SHANTI Bill by both houses of Parliament as a “historic and transformative step” for India’s technological landscape. He expressed gratitude to all Members of Parliament who voted in favor of the legislation, which allows private sector participation in the country’s nuclear energy sector. The Prime Minister shared his remarks on social media platform X following the bill’s approval. PM Modi Highlights the Bill’s ImpactPrime Minister Modi stated that the new law will promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) safely, strengthen green manufacturing, and provide a significant push toward a clean energy-based future for India and the world. He added that the SHANTI Bill will open new avenues for private players and yo...
A Strategic Challenge Bigger Than 1971: Shashi Tharoor-Led Panel Raises Alert Over Bangladesh
Nation, Politics

A Strategic Challenge Bigger Than 1971: Shashi Tharoor-Led Panel Raises Alert Over Bangladesh

New Delhi: The current situation in Bangladesh is increasingly becoming a source of concern for India. A parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, has issued a significant warning regarding the developments in the neighboring country. According to the panel, the evolving political and security landscape in Bangladesh presents India with its most serious strategic challenge since the 1971 war. The report highlights the resurgence of Islamic forces, the weakening of domestic political structures, and the growing influence of China and Pakistan in Dhaka. Key Findings of the ReportThe committee presented its 9th report to the Lok Sabha on Thursday, titled “The Future of India-Bangladesh Relations.” While the panel clarified that the situat...
Two European Leaders to Be Chief Guests at India’s Republic Day Parade: Why the Decision Is Strategically Significant
Nation

Two European Leaders to Be Chief Guests at India’s Republic Day Parade: Why the Decision Is Strategically Significant

India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2026 are set to carry major diplomatic significance, as the top leadership of the European Union will attend the January 26 parade as Chief Guests. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will represent the 27-member EU bloc at the event, marking a rare and symbolic gesture in India’s foreign policy outreach. The visit will be followed by the India–European Union Summit on January 27, during which key discussions are expected on trade, strategic cooperation, and the long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Why This Invitation Matters Inviting the EU’s highest leadership—rather than a single head of state—underscores New Delhi’s intention to treat the European Union as a unified...
 ‘We Will Show a Video and Ask You What Humanity Means’: Supreme Court’s Strong Remarks in Stray Dogs Case
Nation

 ‘We Will Show a Video and Ask You What Humanity Means’: Supreme Court’s Strong Remarks in Stray Dogs Case

The Supreme Court on Thursday made sharp observations during the hearing of a case related to the management of stray dogs, stating that at the next hearing it would screen a video and ask the parties concerned to reflect on the meaning of humanity. A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta was hearing the matter when senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing in the case, informed the Court that the special three-judge Bench scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday had been cancelled. The Bench said the next hearing would now take place on January 7. Court Responds to ‘Inhuman Treatment’ Claim During the proceedings, Kapil Sibal raised serious concerns over what he described as “inhuman treatment” of stray dogs by civic authorities. He submitted that the Munici...