DELHI (national capital territory)

New Delhi: The iconic Red Fort in Delhi will remain closed to the public from 5th to 14th December, as authorities prepare to host the 20th session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The decision was announced by the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India on Tuesday evening. This marks the first time that India will host a session dedicated to the protection of intangible cultural heritage. Over 1,000 delegates from more than 24 countries are expected to participate in the high-level international event, which will focus on safeguarding cultural heritage worldwide and strengthening global cooperation. Closure DetailsThe UNESCO session will take place inside the Red Fort from 8th to 13th December, requiring...

New Delhi: The air quality in Delhi remained in the “Very Poor” category for the 12th consecutive day, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 353 on Tuesday. Experts have warned that ash clouds from a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia could further aggravate pollution levels in the region. Vehicle emissions continue to be the largest contributor to Delhi’s air pollution. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, Delhi’s air quality is expected to remain very poor from 26 to 28 November, with levels fluctuating between “Severe” and “Very Poor” over the next six days. On Tuesday, the 24-hour average AQI stood at 352, compared to 382 on Monday, yet the city continues to struggle with deteriorating air conditions. Ethiopian Volcano Adds to Pollution Woes The Dhala v...

New Delhi: In a shocking incident in Dwarka’s Bindapur area, Delhi Police have arrested four individuals for allegedly looting gold jewelry from an 86-year-old woman. The accused reportedly entered the elderly woman’s home under the pretext of renting a room. Among those arrested were two women, one young man, and his friend. All Stolen Jewelry RecoveredPolice successfully recovered all the stolen items, including a pair of gold bangles, a pair of gold earrings, and a gold ring. The incident took place on the afternoon of 14 November, when a PCR call reported that two women and two men had forcibly entered the house and snatched the jewelry from the elderly woman. Investigation LaunchedGiven the severity of the crime, a special police team was formed, comprising SI Sandeep, HC Neeraj...

New Delhi: Air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has escalated to alarming levels, severely affecting daily life and public health. For the past 24 consecutive days, the region has been enveloped in hazardous air quality, with several areas reporting an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 400, placing the pollution levels in the ‘Severe’ category. Critical AQI Levels Across Delhi and NCRMonitoring data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicate dangerously high pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 400, Ashok Vihar 385, Bawana 389, Delhi Technological University 396, and Wazirpur also displayed similar critical levels. Other severely affected areas include P...

New Delhi: In a historic move to bolster India’s cybersecurity ecosystem, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the Cyber Security Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 under the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) project. The launch event featured the unveiling of a concept video, the CSIC website, a registration portal, and the official rulebook, presented by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan. Enhancing Technological CapabilitiesDuring the launch, S. Krishnan emphasized the need for a two-pronged national cybersecurity strategy, highlighting awareness about emerging threats and strengthening technological capabilities. He noted that CSIC 1.0 addresses both objectives by exposing students to real-world cybersecurity challenges. The initiative ...

New Delhi: The national capital continues to grapple with severe air pollution, and the situation is further complicated by multiple vacancies in the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The lack of staff is hampering the effective implementation of pollution control policies, experts say. Staff Shortages Affect Policy ImplementationResidents and environmental activists have raised concerns that the DPCC is unable to fully enforce its policies due to the shortage of technical personnel. Several key positions, including Environmental Engineers and Scientists, remain vacant, reducing the agency’s operational capacity. DPCC Issues Recruitment NotificationIn response, the DPCC has issued a notification to fill vacant positions on a deputation and short-term contract basis. The posts...

New Delhi: The Delhi government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday, 25th November, to mark the 350th Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrdom Day) of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru. The day is being observed with reverence across the city to honor the Guru’s unparalleled sacrifice for humanity and the protection of religious freedom. What Will Remain Closed? All government and private schools in Delhi will remain closed. All Delhi government offices will remain shut in observance of the holiday. What Will Remain Open? Private and public sector banks will remain open, as per the regional holiday calendar of the Reserve Bank of India. Emergency services and government hospitals will continue to operate as usual. Delhi Metro, buses, and taxis will run according to their...

New Delhi: A recent study conducted with the support of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that while women generally live longer than men, their memory and cognitive abilities tend to decline faster as they age. Key FindingsResearchers at AIIMS Gorakhpur found that elderly women, especially those with poor nutrition or excess abdominal fat, showed a significant reduction in memory, attention, and problem-solving skills compared to men of the same age. Lead researcher Dr. Venkatesh noted, “Elderly individuals with malnutrition or higher abdominal fat exhibited weaker memory and reduced cognitive capacity.” Impact of Social and Emotional SupportThe study also highlighted the positive effect of companionship. Elderly individuals living with partners or family me...

New Delhi: Delhi is fast becoming a critical transit point for illegal drugs, posing a growing challenge for law enforcement. In a major operation, authorities recently seized 562 kg of cocaine and 40 kg of marijuana from Mahipalpur, highlighting the city’s role in the international drug trade. High-Profile SeizuresThe Mahipalpur haul, sourced from a warehouse, is reportedly valued at around ₹5,640 crore in the international market. Previously, a record seizure of 360 kg of cocaine had been reported in the city. Additionally, on 20 November, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Special Cell recovered 328 kg of methamphetamine from a flat in Chhatarpur, valued at ₹262 crore internationally. Delhi Police Action and CampaignsUnder the ‘Drug-Free India’ initiative, Delhi Police has tak...