Nation

Delhi Police has gone on high alert ahead of the 77th Republic Day, following intelligence inputs about potential terrorist threats. As part of the security measures, the capital’s law enforcement agencies have released the photo of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) operative, Mohammed Rehan. Officials say Rehan is a Delhi resident and has been on the radar of the police and intelligence agencies for an extended period. This marks the first time his image has been publicly shared on an alert poster. Multi-Layered Security and Surveillance Additional Commissioner of Police, Devesh Kumar Mahla, stated that nearly 10,000 police personnel, along with paramilitary forces, will be deployed across key areas, including Rajpath, to ensure the security of the Republic Day celebrations...

The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the irreversible damage caused by illegal mining in the Aravali Hills. During Wednesday’s hearing, the Court ordered the formation of an expert committee to conduct a comprehensive review of mining activities in the region. The panel will submit names of environmentalists and scientists with expertise in mining within four weeks. Expert Committee to Work Under Court Supervision The Supreme Court directed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati and Court Advisor K. Parameshwar to propose suitable experts within four weeks. The panel will operate under the guidance and monitoring of the Court. It will examine key questions, including whether controlled mining can be allowed in areas with a 500-meter gap between hills, and if so,...

India and the United States are yet to finalize a bilateral trade deal, even as U.S. President Donald Trump once again referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “good friend” and a respected global leader. Despite the warm words, India is advancing with extreme caution, carefully weighing each step in ongoing negotiations over tariffs and trade barriers. Trump Expresses Optimism for Trade Deal Speaking at the 56th Annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump expressed confidence that both countries would reach a beneficial agreement on the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The deal, first discussed during PM Modi’s visit to Washington in February 2025, aims to increase bilateral trade from approximately $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030 — more than double...

The Supreme Court of India has taken a decisive step in the ongoing battle against illegal mining in the Aravali Hills. During Wednesday’s hearing, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant directed the formation of an expert committee to assess the situation and provide detailed recommendations. The Court has also instructed state governments to ensure that all illegal mining activities in the Aravalis are stopped immediately. Key Directions from the Supreme Court The Court has ordered the establishment of a committee comprising experts from relevant fields, including environmental science, mining, and ecology. This panel will function under the supervision and guidance of the Supreme Court and submit periodic reports on the state of the Aravali Hills. Chief Justice Sury...

A major weather change is expected across northern India today, as a Western Disturbance begins to impact the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for heavy rainfall and snowfall across Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh. Light cloud cover is expected between Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Northern Plains to Experience Cold Spell The Western Disturbance, as it moves over the Western Himalayas, will draw moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, intensifying precipitation. Fog is likely in parts of Punjab and nearby areas during the first half of the day. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh may experience thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds at 40–50 km/h. While hilly regions may see localized activity today, plains are expec...

On January 22, 1999, a violent mob in Khandamal district of Odisha set Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons, Philip (10) and Timothy (6), on fire while they were asleep in their jeep. The brutal attack, carried out under the leadership of Dara Singh, sparked nationwide and international outrage. Then-President K.R. Narayanan condemned the killings, calling them among the “dark deeds of the world.” Who Was Graham Staines? Graham Staines arrived in India in the 1960s with the Evangelical Missionary Society of Mayurbhanj. He dedicated over 34 years to providing care and support for leprosy patients in Odisha. In 1983, he married fellow Australian missionary Gladys Staines, and the couple had three children. They established their home in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, as a...

The Arunachal Pradesh government is promoting the 1,200 MW Lohit-II hydropower project on the Lohit River as environmentally friendly due to its run-of-river design. The project promises thousands of jobs and holds strategic importance given the state’s proximity to China. However, environmentalists and local communities warn that the development comes with severe ecological and social risks that could threaten the region’s delicate biodiversity and local livelihoods. Development vs. Environment A panel of experts under the Ministry of Environment has recommended environmental clearance for the project, located in Anjaw district and managed by THDC India Limited at a cost of ₹14,176 crore. It is expected to generate 485.3 crore units of electricity annually, contributing to India’s e...

The Madras High Court has dismissed a 2023 FIR filed by Tiruchi City Police against BJP leader Amit Malviya, who had responded to Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s controversial remarks on “Sanatan Dharma.” Following the verdict, the BJP has stepped up its campaign against the ruling DMK, demanding Udhayanidhi’s resignation and legal action against him. Court Observations Justice S. Shrimati of the Madurai Bench noted that Udhayanidhi Stalin’s comments had been “misrepresented” and fall under the scope of hate speech. The court expressed concern over the perceived injustice in legal proceedings, stating, “It is regrettable that a person who delivers a speech spreading hatred is left unpunished, while a person responding to such speech faces legal action.” BJP’s...

The Supreme Court has emphasized the critical importance of accurate voter lists, warning that exclusion from these lists during revision exercises can have serious civic consequences for affected individuals. The remarks came during the final hearing of a batch of petitions challenging the Election Commission’s decision to conduct Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in several states, including Bihar. A bench comprising Chief Justice Suryakant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi underscored that no authority can exercise power arbitrarily. They examined whether the SIR process could deviate from procedures prescribed under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and related rules. Concerns Over Arbitrary Exclusion During proceedings, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, repres...