Nation

The long-simmering controversy surrounding the redefinition of the Aravalli hills is set to come under judicial scrutiny once again, as the Supreme Court takes up the matter for an important hearing on Monday. The apex court has taken suo motu cognisance of concerns raised over the new classification of the Aravalli hill system, amid fears that it could weaken environmental safeguards and open the door to increased mining activity. A vacation bench headed by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, and comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Augustine George Masih, will hear the case. On November 20, the Supreme Court had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and mountain ranges and imposed an interim ban on the grant of new mining leases across Aravalli region...

The weather pattern across North India is set to change significantly ahead of the New Year, with dense to very dense fog, cold wave conditions, and rainfall predicted in several regions, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). A fresh western disturbance is expected to impact the western Himalayan region from December 30, bringing rain and snowfall and influencing weather conditions in the plains as well. The IMD has issued alerts for dense to very dense fog during night and early morning hours over Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana–Chandigarh and western Uttar Pradesh till December 31, while eastern Uttar Pradesh may continue to witness foggy conditions till January 1. Cold day conditions are also likely in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, while Bihar is expecte...

The health of the Unnao rape survivor and her mother deteriorated on Sunday amid intense sloganeering and mounting emotional pressure during a protest at Jantar Mantar against the grant of bail to convicted former BJP legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar. Both were rushed to a hospital after they reportedly felt unwell at the protest site. The demonstration, organised under the banner of AISA, saw participation from students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University (DU), along with women’s rights activists. Protesters demanded the cancellation of Sengar’s bail and called for the harshest punishment, raising slogans such as “Justice for the Unnao survivor” and “Hang the rapist.” Drumbeats and continuous chanting reflected the anger and anguish of those gathered. According ...

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has expressed strong confidence that a permanent solution to the persistent air pollution in Delhi-NCR will be found. Speaking on Friday, he emphasized his faith in scientific expertise and coordinated policymaking to tackle the escalating environmental and health crisis. Faith in Experts and ScienceAccording to reports, CJI Surya Kant highlighted that any solution to Delhi’s air pollution must be long-term and science-based, rather than temporary fixes. “I am confident that experts will find a solution to Delhi’s air pollution problem,” he stated, placing his trust in both technical expertise and policy coordination to address the recurring environmental and public health challenges. Push for Long-Term MeasuresOn 17 December, the Su...

New Delhi, India: Christmas celebrations across the country witnessed incidents of disruption, prompting the Congress party to raise serious questions about the government’s inability to maintain law and order. Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited churches in Kerala for Christmas due to the upcoming assembly elections, failed to stop the miscreants causing disturbances. Allegations of Disruptions During Festivities Sharing a video on social media, Khera claimed that during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti, certain groups played provocative music outside mosques, while during Christmas, these same elements reportedly chanted Hanuman Chalisa outside churches, pulled off Santa Claus hats, and engaged in acts of vandalism. He called these peopl...

New Delhi, India: On the occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a prayer service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption, one of Delhi’s oldest and most historic Christian churches. The service included prayers, Christmas carols, and hymns, with a special prayer offered for the Prime Minister by Bishop Wright, Reverend Dr. Paul Swaroop. Devout Christians from Delhi and across Northern India attended the gathering in large numbers. A Church Steeped in British History The Cathedral Church of the Redemption, also known as the Viceroy’s Church, was built during the British colonial era and is located in Lutyens’ Delhi, near the President’s House and the Parliament. It serves as the main cathedral of the Delhi Diocese for Northern India. The church’s cons...

New Delhi, India: The Congress party has rolled out a new strategy to protest the VB G Ram G Act (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Employment & Livelihood Mission – Rural), which replaces the long-standing MGNREGA scheme. Party workers will begin grassroots-level campaigns starting Friday, holding village meetings to raise awareness and mobilize opposition against the new law. Congress has expressed strong objections to the government’s move to replace MGNREGA, which has been a lifeline for the rural poor for over two decades. Party leader Rahul Gandhi has claimed that the Congress will push the government to repeal the law. Party Strategy: Village Meetings According to reports, Congress workers have been instructed to attend government-organized Gram Sabha meetings and highlight...

New Delhi, India: India is rapidly upgrading its military infrastructure in the Himalayas in response to potential future conflicts with China. Tens of millions of dollars are being invested in constructing new roads, tunnels, and airstrips to ensure rapid troop movement and logistical support along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC). The 2020 deadly clash with China exposed critical shortcomings in India’s ability to supply its troops along the 2,200-mile-long border. While China had long established a strong network of roads and railways in its border regions, India lagged in connecting its high-altitude posts. During the 2020 clash, Indian and Chinese soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat at altitudes of 14,000 feet, with Chinese troops able to reach the area within hours...

New Delhi, 26 Dec 2025: In a strategic move to bolster military preparedness against potential future clashes with China, India is rapidly enhancing its infrastructure in the Himalayas. The government is investing millions of dollars in constructing roads, tunnels, and airstrips across the high-altitude region to ensure faster mobilization of troops and supplies. The initiative comes in the aftermath of the deadly 2020 clash with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which exposed significant logistical shortcomings along the 2,200-mile disputed border. During the 2020 confrontation, Indian and Chinese soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat at altitudes of over 14,000 feet, with India struggling to quickly send reinforcements due to poor road connectivity. Bridging the Gap i...

India and the United States may soon overcome hurdles in finalizing a bilateral trade deal, with both sides actively working to reach a resolution. To facilitate this, India has assigned Ambassador Vinay Quatra to engage with key American officials. Diplomatic Meet at Trump’s Private Residence In a significant development, Indian Ambassador Vinay Quatra met Sergio Gore, the incoming US Ambassador to India, at Mar-a-Lago, the private Florida residence of former President Donald Trump. The meeting, reported by The Economic Times, focused primarily on the proposed trade agreement and the reduction of a 50% tariff imposed on certain Indian exports. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal had earlier stated that India is actively engaged in trade discussions with the US, aiming to restore br...