Nation

New Delhi: During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Malaysia, Congress highlighted the historic friendship between former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The visit, aimed at strengthening India’s strategic partnership with Southeast Asia, has sparked political commentary back home. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh reminded that Modi’s planned Kuala Lumpur trip in October 2025 had been canceled at the last minute. He explained that Modi opted for a virtual summit with ASEAN leaders instead, reportedly to avoid overlapping with then-US President Donald Trump’s visit. Ramesh further recalled Anwar Ibrahim’s tribute to Dr. Manmohan Singh following his demise. On 27 December 2024, Ibrahim had said, “During those dark days when I was impriso...

New Delhi: A heated controversy has erupted in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly over the existence and recognition of the Pir Panjal region, triggering a political storm between the BJP and opposition parties National Conference and Congress. The dispute centers on Rajouri-Poonch districts being referred to as the Pir Panjal region and Ramban-Doda-Kishtwar districts as the Chenab region. BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma triggered the uproar when he questioned the legitimacy of the Pir Panjal region, remarking, “I do not know which area is being referred to as Pir Panjal.” His statement drew immediate protests in the Assembly. BJP legislators claimed that there is no separate Pir Panjal area and accused regional parties of attempting to divide the region politica...

New Delhi: Air pollution remained a serious concern across India in January, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region. According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), nearly half of the monitored cities recorded PM2.5 levels above national safety standards. Ghaziabad emerged as the most polluted city, with PM2.5 levels reaching 184 µg/m³—three times the national limit. The report highlighted that the city exceeded daily pollution standards every day throughout January. Following Ghaziabad, Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Greater Noida were also among the most polluted cities, with Delhi experiencing 27 days of “very poor” or “severe” air quality during the month. Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in January Ghaziabad Delhi Noida Gurugram Greater Noida Dharuh...

New Delhi: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has permitted the termination of a 30-week pregnancy of a minor girl, emphasizing the importance of reproductive autonomy and the right of a young woman not to be forced into motherhood. A bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna stated, “No court can compel any woman, especially a minor, to become a mother against her will.” The apex court highlighted that the pregnancy is inherently illegitimate because the girl is a minor and the result of unfortunate circumstances. The ruling makes clear that the unborn child in such a case cannot be considered legitimate, and the minor’s expressed wish not to continue the pregnancy must be respected. The bench directed J.J. Hospital in Mumbai to carry out the medical termination while following all ...

New Delhi: It is a matter of pride for India that despite numerous challenges, its democracy and Constitution have remained resilient. Yet, emerging threats from religious and caste-based politics are cause for concern. India became a republic just two and a half years after gaining independence, whereas Pakistan took nearly nine years to achieve the same, experiencing repeated setbacks to its democracy. Studies suggest the average lifespan of constitutions worldwide is merely nine years, making India’s constitutional stability a remarkable achievement. Tested and Proven Granville Austin, an authority on constitutional studies, described the Indian Constitution as one of the greatest political undertakings since the U.S. Constitution of 1787. Its strength lies in its ability to wi...

New Delhi: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has set aside the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court’s decision that granted custody of two minor children to their mother. The apex court has directed the High Court to reconsider the case within four months, emphasizing the children’s welfare and their own wishes. The bench, comprising Justices Pankaj Mittal and S.V.N. Bhatti, observed that the High Court had failed to account for crucial circumstances while applying the principle of child welfare. Citing counseling and mediation reports, the Supreme Court noted that both children had expressed a desire to live with their father, with whom they felt comfortable, despite being born in Qatar. The Unique Case The two minor boys, both born in Qatar to Indian parents, became t...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the interim trade agreement reached between India and the United States, calling it a significant milestone in the growing trust and deepening partnership between the two countries. Under the deal, the U.S. will reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent, while India has agreed to cut or eliminate duties on a wide range of U.S. industrial and agricultural products, including dried grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruits, soybean oil, as well as alcoholic beverages and spirits. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, noting the personal interest he has shown in strengthening India-US ties. “Make in India” and Job Creation Modi emphasized th...

New Delhi: The weather across India is showing signs of change again today. Delhi-NCR will experience warm sunshine, but cold winds will still be felt, giving a crisp wintery touch. Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and the higher reaches of Uttarakhand are under alert for heavy snowfall and rain due to the influence of two Western Disturbances. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that between 9 and 11 February, western Himalayan regions including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand may witness significant rainfall and snow. On 10 February, some areas could experience strong winds of 30–40 km/h along with thunderstorms. Northern India is expected to see a gradual rise in temperatures over the coming days, providing some relie...

New Delhi: India and the United States have officially ended their long-standing tariff dispute, marking a major milestone in bilateral trade relations. The White House announced on Saturday that both countries have agreed on a framework for an interim trade deal, signaling a new strategic era in economic cooperation. The deal’s most significant development is President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive order that immediately removes the 25% punitive tariff imposed on India due to Russian oil imports. Key Points of the Interim Trade Agreement Tariff Reductions by India: India has agreed to remove or significantly reduce tariffs on a wide range of U.S. industrial goods, food, and agricultural products. Items covered include dried distillers grains (DDGs), red sorghum for anim...