Nation

New Delhi: The Congress party has appointed senior observers for the upcoming assembly elections in five states and union territories: West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. The appointments were made under the direction of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. According to a statement issued by the party’s Organisation General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have been assigned to oversee Assam, while Party General Secretary Sachin Pilot has been entrusted with responsibility for Kerala. State-wise Appointment of Observers Assam: Bhupesh Baghel, D.K. Shivakumar, and Bandhu Tirkey Kerala: Sachin Pilot, K.J. George, Imran Pratapgarhi, and Kanhaiya Kumar Tamil Nadu...

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a sharp critique of both the BJP and Congress over recent local body elections in Maharashtra. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the BJP collaborated with Congress to defeat its own ally, the Shinde faction. According to AAP, the elections in Maharashtra reveal a striking political reality: parties that publicly present themselves as arch-rivals at the national level are willing to join hands at the local level for power. The case in point is the Ambernath Municipal Council in Thane district, where post-poll maneuvers saw BJP and Congress together oust the BJP’s alliance partner, the Shinde faction, from power. Kejriwal Questions BJP-Congress Alliance Kejriwal directly questioned the developments in Ambernath, twee...

New Delhi, January 7, 2026: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched a pointed critique of Western nations’ approach toward India and South Asia during a meeting with the Indian community in Luxembourg. Speaking on the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar accused Western countries of double standards and hypocrisy. The minister highlighted that when violence occurs within Western countries, India does not intervene or comment, yet during India’s retaliatory measures against Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, several Western nations were quick to offer unsolicited advice and express concern. “Often Driven by Self-Interest”Addressing the gathering, Jaishankar said, “Countries far removed from South Asia often comment on sensitive issues without fully understanding the groun...

New Delhi, January 7, 2026: The Supreme Court of India held a crucial hearing on the issue of stray dogs and their growing presence in public spaces. During the hearing, the court raised concerns over the unpredictable behavior of stray dogs, with Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria stating that it is difficult to predict when a dog might become aggressive or bite someone. The court questioned the need for stray dogs to be present in sensitive areas like schools, hospitals, and courts, and asked whether there could be any objection to removing them from such places. The bench emphasized that it is challenging to understand a dog’s mood and warned that prevention is always better than cure when it comes to handling stray animals. Kapil Sibal’s ArgumentSe...

New Delhi, January 7, 2026: Northern and central India continue to shiver under the grip of a cold wave, with no relief in sight for the next 5 to 7 days. Many regions are also experiencing dense fog, disrupting daily life and traffic. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the morning hours over northwestern, central, and eastern India are expected to remain foggy and extremely cold. Several areas in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh are witnessing severe cold conditions. Temperature Highlights In Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, the minimum temperature dropped to 3.3°C. Srinagar recorded –1.6°C, while Sonamarg in central Kashmir experienced the coldest night at –10.1°C. Gulmarg recorded –7.6°C, Pahalgam at –...

New Delhi: U.S. President Donald Trump recently made a statement regarding Apache helicopters, claiming that India had ordered 68 helicopters from the United States. However, official records show that India has only procured 28 Apache attack helicopters, raising questions about the accuracy of Trump’s statement. The Truth Behind the Apache Claim During a public address, Trump mentioned India-U.S. defense ties and said that India had been waiting five years for the delivery of Apache helicopters. “India has ordered 68 Apache helicopters. We are changing that,” Trump said. However, government contracts, delivery records, and military sources confirm that India has purchased only 28 Apache helicopters, all of which have already been delivered by December 2025. This discrepancy refle...

New Delhi: Preparations are underway for India’s 77th Republic Day. This year, the grand parade will take place on 26 January 2026 at Rajpath, New Delhi, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage and military prowess. All three wings of the armed forces are currently rehearsing for the parade. Tickets for the event are available both online and offline for those who wish to witness it in person. Ticket Sale Dates Official ticket sales began on 5 January 2026. Sales will continue until 14 January 2026 or until the daily quota is exhausted. Online ticket sales start at 9 AM daily. Ticket Prices Republic Day Parade (26 January): ₹20 and ₹100 (depending on seating arrangement) Full Dress Rehearsal (25 January): ₹20 Beating Retreat Ceremony (29 January): ₹100 ...

New Delhi: In response to increasing strategic activity by China and rising instability in Bangladesh, India is bolstering its military presence along the Siliguri Corridor and the upper Bengal Bay region. The move involves significant preparations by the Navy, Army, and Air Force to secure India’s eastern frontiers. New Naval Base at HaldiaWhile the Eastern Naval Command is headquartered in Visakhapatnam, India is now establishing a new naval base at Haldia in West Bengal. The location, close to Bangladesh and Myanmar, will enhance India’s maritime security in the upper Bay of Bengal. Once operational, the base will allow the Indian Navy to maintain advanced warships ready for rapid deployment. The Coast Guard already maintains a presence in Haldia, but the new base will significantly ...