Nation

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...

In a decisive move to curb the rising menace of cyber fraud—particularly cases of so-called “digital arrest”—the Central Government has stepped up efforts to safeguard citizens. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted a high-level committee to design strong preventive mechanisms, including an emergency feature that could allow users to instantly freeze their online financial transactions. According to official sources, the committee comprises senior officials from key agencies and ministries, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Delhi Police, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), and the Ministries of IT and Telecommunications. The panel is chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security), MHA. Instant Freeze on ...

New Delhi: While U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to behave unpredictably during his second term—treating friends and foes alike with equal volatility—Prime Minister Narendra Modi anticipated the situation well in advance. Thanks to Modi’s strategic foresight, India’s relationship with the United States remains stronger than ever, even as many nations, from Greenland to Venezuela, have found themselves entangled in Trump’s political maneuvers. Trump’s Global Maneuvers Raise EyebrowsTrump’s approach has alarmed European leaders. His aggressive interest in Greenland and assertive dealings over Venezuela, including acquiring a Nobel Peace Prize-winning medal from an opposition leader there, demonstrate his high-risk, transactional style. European countries, which remained passive ...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over the drying of Chandigarh’s famous Sukhna Lake, warning the Haryana government against repeating past mistakes. A bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, observed that collusion between officials and the builder mafia has caused severe damage to the lake. The remarks were made during hearings on issues related to the Aravalli hills. Falling Water Levels Threaten the LakeDuring the proceedings, the bench highlighted how political and administrative collusion has enabled illegal activities, asking pointedly, “How much more will you dry Sukhna Lake? You have already ruined it.” Once a prime tourist destination dependent on rainfall, the lake’s declining water levels in recen...

After days of intense cold, weather conditions across several parts of India are set to change, bringing partial relief to residents of Delhi-NCR, while rainfall and snowfall are expected in many regions, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Delhi-NCR: Cold Wave Eases, Rain and Winds Expected The biting cold in Delhi-NCR is gradually subsiding, offering relief to residents. However, the IMD has forecast a fresh change in weather from January 23–24, which may again lead to a dip in temperatures. On January 24, the maximum temperature is expected to remain around 20°C, while the minimum may drop to nearly 7°C. Moderate fog is likely during the morning hours. Weather experts believe that rainfall accompanied by strong winds will help reduce pollution levels signifi...