Nation

Astronaut Sunita Williams, visiting India to participate in the Kerala Literature Festival, met the late Kalpana Chawla’s 90-year-old mother, Sanjyoti Chawla, and her sister, Deepa. The meeting was filled with warmth and nostalgic reminiscences. Kalpana Chawla, born in India, was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. She tragically lost her life in the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster in 2003, along with six other crew members, when the shuttle disintegrated during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. Her death was mourned deeply across India. A Heartfelt ReunionDuring the meeting on Tuesday, Williams and Chawla’s family shared warm hugs and recalled memories of their friendship and professional camaraderie as astronauts. Williams, 60, is currently on a visit to India to parti...

New Delhi: After prolonged exposure to rising pollution and poor air quality, residents of Delhi-NCR can expect some relief soon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast indicating a change in weather patterns from 23 January, with rain and strong winds expected in several areas. These conditions are likely to significantly improve air quality in the region. Weather OutlookThe current cold spell has been eased slightly by daytime sunshine, providing temporary comfort. However, the IMD has warned that intense rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds is likely over the next few days, bringing the cold back. While the cold may return, the rain will help clear airborne pollutants, offering respite to residents struggling with smog. Rain and Temperatu...

New Delhi: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have strengthened their strategic partnership with a landmark defence agreement, signaling a significant geopolitical shift in the Gulf region. The move comes at a time of heightened tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, underscoring the importance of reliable alliances. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India for a brief three-hour stopover on Monday, receiving a warm welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, both nations committed to doubling bilateral trade to $200 billion, while agreeing to a framework for strategic defence cooperation—the first of its kind between the two countries. Timing Amid Gulf TensionsSheikh Mohammed’s visit occurred amid a tense “cold war” with Saudi Arabia...

New Delhi: During a bilateral meeting in New Delhi with Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of deepening India-Spain relations amid shifting global dynamics. Jaishankar noted that Spain is a key trade partner for India within the European Union, with bilateral merchandise trade exceeding $8 billion in recent years. He highlighted Spain’s significant presence in India across infrastructure, renewable energy, urban mobility, engineering, water management, and smart city projects, while Indian companies are active in Spain in IT, pharmaceuticals, and the automotive sector. The minister underlined the need for nations to cooperate on shared global challenges, particularly terrorism, where both India and S...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court expressed strong displeasure over former Union Minister Menka Gandhi’s comments criticizing the Court’s orders on stray dogs, observing that her remarks amounted to contempt of court. However, showing leniency, the Court decided not to initiate formal contempt proceedings against her. Judges Highlight Improper CommentsA bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria noted that Gandhi made “unconsidered comments against everyone.” The Court questioned her senior counsel, Raju Ramchandran, asking whether he had carefully assessed the nature and tone of her statements, including her podcasts and body language, which conveyed contempt. The bench remarked, “Ajmal Kasab never committed contempt of court, but your client has. We are refraini...

New Delhi: In a unique case, the Supreme Court of India reprimanded a couple who stayed together for just 65 days but filed 40 cases against each other over 13 years. The court granted them a divorce and imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on each, warning against turning courts into battlegrounds. Supreme Court InterventionDuring the hearing, a bench comprising Justices Rajesh Bindal and Manmohan invoked Article 142 to finalize the divorce while prohibiting the couple from filing future cases against each other. The bench noted, “Given that the parties were together for only 65 days and have spent over a decade in relentless litigation, it is appropriate to penalize them with fines of ₹10,000 each. The amount shall be deposited with the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association.” Court’s ...

New Delhi: The security at the Parliament House is set to be significantly strengthened with the installation of full-body scanners at all nine entry gates. While Members of Parliament (MPs) will be exempted, all other visitors will be required to undergo mandatory scanning before entering the premises. Full-Body Scanners to Be Installed SoonSources indicate that the installation of these scanners is expected to begin within a few months, as all formal approvals have been completed. The scanners will ensure that no individual can enter the Parliament complex or attend proceedings in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha without proper screening. Enhanced Perimeter SecurityIn addition to the scanners, the Parliament’s perimeter walls are being fortified with a Perimeter Intrusion Detection Sy...

New Delhi: Implementing the right cycling policies in developing countries can significantly reduce emissions and air pollution, a recent study suggests. Researchers from the University of Chicago and IIT Delhi conducted surveys with cyclists in four cities across India, Bangladesh, and Ghana to examine effective cycling strategies. Need for Context-Specific PoliciesThe study highlights that cycling infrastructure modeled on European and developed-country standards does not suit cities like Delhi. Policymakers are urged to design plans that consider local conditions and the needs of residents. According to Rahul Goyal, Assistant Professor at IIT Delhi, “The lack of cyclists is not the problem; the issue is insufficient institutional support.” Cycling Trends in Wealthy NationsIn many ...