Nation

The Supreme Court of India has refused the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) request for permission to cut 473 trees in the South Ridge area. The top court made it clear that DDA will not be allowed to fell any more trees until it plants 1.6 lakh trees across 185 acres in the national capital. DDA had sought approval from the Supreme Court to widen the road leading to the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences, which involved cutting 473 trees and diverting 2.97 hectares of forest land. The plan also included transplanting 2,519 plants to other locations. These plants had been hurriedly relocated in order to avoid contempt proceedings for felling trees without prior SC permission. Court Emphasizes Environmental Compliance The Supreme Court had earlier agreed i...

American singer Mary Millben, known for her admiration of India, has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi while reacting to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding India. Millben emphasized that unnecessary tension with a friendly nation like India should be avoided and encouraged Modi to continue serving the country’s best interests. Millben, who had previously attracted attention for criticizing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, addressed PM Modi directly, stating that it is not necessary to respond to every threat or comment made by Trump. Support for PM Modi, Advice for Trump On Tuesday, Millben shared her thoughts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), writing, “I know that President Donald Trump respects Prime Minister Narendra Modi sincerely, but unfo...

Amid ongoing violent protests in Iran demanding a change in leadership, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is reportedly planning a visit to India next week. Considering the rapidly shifting dynamics in geopolitics, this trip has gained significant strategic importance. Sources indicate that Araghchi may visit Delhi on January 15–16. This would be his second visit to India, his first being in May 2025 during Operation Sindur. However, given the current volatile political and diplomatic situation in West Asia, the timing of his visit amid government-opposition clashes adds a new dimension to the trip. Agenda of the Visit Details of the visit are yet to be finalized. However, sources familiar with the discussions—speaking on condition of anonymity—say that the key agenda ...

The Supreme Court of India’s refusal to grant bail to student activist Umar Khalid has drawn a strong reaction from his family. Expressing disappointment, Khalid’s father, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, said that his son was not in Delhi at the time of the 2020 riots. The Supreme Court on Monday denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Delhi riots case, while granting bail to five other accused. The top court clarified that the cases of Khalid and Imam are qualitatively different from those of the other five, citing the nature of the allegations against them. Family Reacts Khalid’s father described the verdict as deeply unjust, pointing out that no evidence exists to support the allegations against his son. “It is a very unfortunate decision. There is no proof that my son mad...

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has received temporary relief from a Delhi court in a voter list controversy. The matter pertains to allegations that her name was allegedly included in the electoral rolls through fraudulent means, prompting calls for an FIR. The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Tuesday granted Sonia Gandhi time to respond to the petition seeking directions for the registration of an FIR in connection with the purported irregularity. The petition challenges a magistrate’s earlier order that had declined to investigate the claims. According to the allegations, Sonia Gandhi’s name appeared on the voter list three years prior to acquiring Indian citizenship in 1983. Special Judge Vishal Gogne accepted the request made by Sonia Gandhi’s counsel and adjourned the hearing...

The U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on India’s purchase of crude oil from Russia have sparked a political stir in India. The Congress party has taken aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that India will not bow to external pressures. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, using a famous line from a Hindi film, quipped that Trump seems to be implying, “Mogambo is happy,” in reference to Modi’s dealings. Speaking on Monday, Kharge said, “There is a famous dialogue in the film Mr. India: ‘Mogambo khush hua.’ Similarly, Trump seems to suggest the same. Those who think in such a manner may try to intimidate, but India will not yield. However, I don’t understand why Modi ji keeps currying favor in front of them.” Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh also criticized the ...

New Delhi: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will be arriving in India for his first official visit on January 12th and 13th, but unlike other world leaders, he will skip Delhi and head directly to Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat. This is a significant move, as it marks the first time a German Chancellor will visit India in such a manner, bypassing the national capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally receive Chancellor Merz upon his arrival. After Ahmedabad, Merz will head to Bengaluru for the remainder of his trip. With this visit, Merz will join the ranks of five global leaders who have visited Ahmedabad during Modi’s tenure, highlighting the growing importance of the city on the international diplomatic map. A Timely Visit Amid EU’s Trade Talks This visit comes j...

New Delhi: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has emphasized that a fearless judge forms the foundation of an independent judiciary. The apex court ruled that judicial officers cannot be subjected to disciplinary action merely for an error in judgment, cautioning against frivolous complaints that can undermine judicial independence. Background of the Case The case arose after the Madhya Pradesh High Court terminated the services of a trial judge for allegedly granting bail in error to an accused. The Supreme Court, in a bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan, overturned the High Court’s decision. The bench clarified that a judge’s conduct, rather than the correctness of a decision, must be the focus of scrutiny. The Supreme Court noted that w...

New Delhi: A video capturing controversial slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has gone viral following the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the high-profile Delhi riots conspiracy case. The footage shows protestors raising inflammatory and objectionable slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, drawing widespread attention on social media. Protests Erupt Post-Supreme Court Verdict The Supreme Court, in its verdict on Monday, declined to grant bail to Khalid and Imam under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), stating that prima facie evidence suggested their involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy. Following the decision, left-leaning student organizations at JNU organized protests ac...

New Delhi: Even India’s cleanest city, Indore, is facing a severe drinking water crisis, exposing vulnerabilities in urban water management and public health infrastructure. Contaminated tap water in parts of the city has caused hundreds of illnesses and several deaths, raising serious questions about the efficiency of local authorities and the robustness of citizen safety mechanisms. Water Quality Challenges Across India The water crisis is not limited to Indore. Several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana, and Punjab, are grappling with the challenge of providing safe drinking water. In Delhi, for instance, summer water shortages are compounded by poor water quality due to pollution in the Yamuna River and old, deteriorating pipelines, w...