Nation

Security agencies have raised alarms over a potential major terrorist attack in India, as approximately 150 Pakistan-based militants are reportedly hiding in the dense forests of Jammu and Kashmir, waiting for orders. Analysts believe this shift in tactics indicates a move away from small-scale incidents toward orchestrating a large-scale assault, potentially targeting Hindu communities again. Changing Terror TacticsIndia faced two major terrorist attacks in 2025. In April, in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, Pakistani militants targeted Hindu tourists, killing 26 people. In November, a Kashmiri doctor carried out a car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, claiming at least 15 lives and injuring many others. Security officials now fear that Pakistan may be planning even larger attacks using militant...

A major investigation is underway into whether the cars we travel in may contain chemicals that could increase the risk of cancer. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed a study on the health impacts of flame retardant chemicals commonly used in vehicles, raising concerns over potential long-term exposure. ICMR to Conduct StudyThe research has been entrusted to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The case was registered suo motu by the NGT on 8 May 2024. Earlier, the NGT had given ICMR an 18-month timeline to conduct a detailed study on the effects of flame retardant chemicals on drivers’ health. The study aims to determine definitively whether such hazardous chemicals are present inside vehicles and what risks they pose. Study Already UnderwayICMR filed an affidav...

A shocking incident in Kerala’s Palakkad district has once again highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers in India. On December 17, 31-year-old Ram Narayan Baghel, a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh, was brutally beaten to death by a mob while seeking employment. The victim, who did not speak the local language, was mistakenly accused of theft, and despite his desperate pleas of innocence, he was mercilessly attacked in front of bystanders. Baghel’s cousin, Shashikant Baghel, stated that a misunderstanding due to the language barrier led to the attack. Instead of handing him over to the police, the locals resorted to violence. Seven individuals have since been arrested in connection with the case. This tragic incident sheds light on the harsh realities migrant workers...

In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, has stayed the bail granted to former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. The court also issued strong warnings against attempts to intimidate the judicial system. The case came to the Supreme Court after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenged the Delhi High Court’s order that had temporarily suspended Sengar’s life imprisonment sentence. CJI Surya Kant’s bench, comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and George Masih, stayed the High Court’s order and directed Sengar to remain in jail. The next hearing is scheduled four weeks from now. CJI Surya Kant’s Stern WarningDuring the proceedings, the Chief Justice expressed concern over public allegations made against Delhi Hig...

A shocking incident unfolded at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Delhi, where a passenger was allegedly assaulted by a plane pilot. The accused, Captain Virendra Sejwal, has now been arrested by airport police. According to reports, the assault occurred in front of the passenger’s 7-year-old daughter. The victim, Ankit Diwan, filed a written complaint with the airport police, stating that the Air India Express off-duty pilot physically attacked him, resulting in a fractured nose. The case has been registered under Sections 115, 126, and 351 of the BNS at the Airport Police Station. Although Captain Sejwal was arrested, he was released on bail due to the nature of the offenses being bailable. Airline RespondsFollowing the incident, Air India Express took immediate action ...

New Delhi:Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Monday launched a sharp attack on the government over the deaths of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, questioning whether such losses could be justified in the name of identifying alleged infiltrators. Sibal’s remarks came a day after a BLO was found dead in West Bengal’s Bankura district, triggering allegations that excessive work pressure linked to the SIR process may have led to his death. Taking to social media platform X, Sibal said that another BLO in Bengal had allegedly died by suicide, taking the total number of such deaths across the country to 33. “If even one alleged infiltrator is considered unacceptable, then is the death of 33 Booth Level Officers a...

New Delhi:Orchids The International School, one of India’s leading K–12 school chains, has partnered with Times of India Parenting to launch ‘Parentology’, a new initiative designed to support and empower today’s parents. The programme aims to provide practical, insightful, and inspiring guidance to help parents nurture their children’s academic, emotional, and creative growth. Parentology has been envisioned as a dedicated platform where parents can learn effective ways to stay meaningfully involved in their children’s education and overall development. The initiative will follow a multi-channel storytelling approach, blending practical parenting advice with cultural conversations to make guidance more relatable and actionable for families. The collaboration reflects Orchids The Int...

New Delhi:After senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh openly flagged internal shortcomings, former MP and Congress leader Udit Raj has also acknowledged serious organisational weaknesses within the party, admitting that internal factionalism has repeatedly hurt its electoral prospects. Reacting to Digvijaya Singh’s remarks, Udit Raj said that had the party been organisationally strong, it would not have faced repeated defeats in elections. “There is organisational weakness in the party, and there is no doubt about it,” he stated. He further pointed out that excessive factionalism has paralysed decision-making at the grassroots level. Highlighting the severity of the problem, Udit Raj said that in many districts, district presidents could not be appointed for as long as 10 years beca...

New Delhi:The story of Islam’s arrival in Kashmir is neither the result of a single invasion nor a sudden religious upheaval. Instead, it unfolded through a complex interplay of political collapse, social rigidity, and the personal journey of an unlikely figure—a Buddhist prince named Rinchana, whose transformation altered the course of Kashmiri history forever. Kashmir’s historical narrative stretches from ancient myths to hard political realities of the 14th century. According to legend, the Kashmir Valley was once a vast lake called Satisar, drained through divine intervention by sage Kashyap. Over centuries, the region evolved into a flourishing centre of learning, spirituality, and culture. From a Hindu-Buddhist Stronghold to a Fragile Kingdom By the 3rd century BCE, Emperor ...