Nation

New Delhi: In response to China’s growing ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, India has officially commenced construction of a second airport on the strategically crucial Great Nicobar Island. Situated near the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime routes for China and the Far East, the new airport aims to strengthen India’s defense and strategic preparedness. Strategic Location:The new airport will be located at Chingen, near Galathea Bay, in the southernmost region of India, part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It lies approximately 150 kilometers northwest of Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, and close to the shipping lanes of the Malacca Strait. Great Nicobar already hosts a naval airbase, INS Baaz, at Campbell Bay, which monitors the “Six Degree Shipping Channe...

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against seven individuals and a registered society in connection with ISIS-inspired radicalization in Tamil Nadu. The case dates back to October 2022, following the Coimbatore car-bomb explosion, which prompted the central agency to intensify its investigation. The Case Overview:The investigation revealed that a network was using free online Arabic classes as a cover to radicalize youth for terrorist activities. The supplementary chargesheet names seven accused—Mohammed Hussain, Irshath, Ahmed Ali, Abu Hanifa, Jawahar Sadiq, Sheikh Dawood, and Raja Mohammed—who are students of Jameel Basha, principal of Madras Arabic College, and also targets the Kovai Arabic Educational Association (KAEA). The a...

New Delhi: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is facing one of its toughest challenges yet. Thousands of passengers were stranded at airports for hours following delays linked to the new FDTL regulations. To understand the crisis, the Times News Network spoke with J.S. Rawat, retired Joint Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Operations or Monopoly?Addressing speculation, Rawat clarified that the issue was not operational, as there were no strikes or technical failures reported. “Sudden disruptions like these are usually predictable if they are operational. This was not one of them,” he noted. On accusations of monopoly, he explained, “IndiGo’s growth was based on market opportunities and strong policies. The presence of other airlines before and after Ind...

New Delhi: In today’s fast-evolving world, companies value skills over degrees. The digital revolution and rise of artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the way we work, demanding creativity, continuous learning, and adaptability. The pressing question remains: Is India’s education system ready to keep pace with these changes? Lessons from the 1990s: The current transformation echoes the 1990s computer revolution. Back then, computer education in colleges was almost nonexistent. Institutions like NIIT and Aptech filled this skill gap, training millions in programming and IT fundamentals, creating India’s first digital workforce. The message was clear: skills can outshine degrees—but only if paired with a solid educational foundation. Skills Alone Are Not Enough: While skills ope...

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...