News

Allahabad High Court has halted the demolition of 27 homes in Bareilly's Shahabad area, emphasizing due process. Residents, who had been paying taxes for years, received notices declaring their homes illegal. The court directed the civic body to issue a reasoned order after a personal hearing, preventing any coercive action until then.

A political spat has erupted over age relaxation for Jammu and Kashmir's civil services exam. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah accused Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of delaying a crucial file, while the LG's office countered that misleading claims are circulating. Aspirants face uncertainty as the December 7 exam approaches, with student protests demanding an age limit increase.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced comprehensive reforms for Customs, aiming for greater transparency and simplified compliance. Following successful Income Tax Act overhauls, the government plans to introduce technology for faster goods clearance and reduce discretionary powers. Customs duties will also be reviewed and lowered where necessary, marking this as the next significant reform initiative.

A landmark Supreme Court ruling grants divorced Muslim women the right to reclaim wedding gifts from their parents. Rousanara Begum's two-decade legal battle culminated in this victory, affirming women's dignity and property rights. This precedent-setting judgment clarifies that gifts given to a bride belong to her, offering hope to many across India.

A political spat erupted over the Karthigai Deepam lighting in Tirupparankundram, with DMK accusing BJP of inciting communal unrest. BJP state chief Nainar Nagenthran defended the move, stating there was no harm in the area resembling Ayodhya and dismissing fears of riots.

Tezpur University students blocked Union higher education secretary Vineet Joshi's convoy after a meeting on allegations against the absconding vice chancellor ended without action. Protests, now in their 79th day, demand the VC's resignation amid concerns over financial irregularities and questionable appointments. The ministry is examining the allegations and will report to the President.

Biocon has announced a bold step in the biopharmaceutical landscape by merging its biosimilars division, Biocon Biologics, into the parent organization for $5.5 billion. This ambitious strategy is designed to streamline operations and amplify its influence across global markets, especially in diabetes care, cancer treatment, and immune therapies.

Quad nations have strongly condemned terrorism, including cross-border acts, and offered condolences for the Red Fort incident. Despite Quad summit delays, the group remains active, recently holding counterterrorism workshops and a tabletop exercise. Members emphasized information sharing and cooperation to keep the Indo-Pacific free from terror threats, with India and the US pushing for UN sanctions on terror groups.

Air India is offering relief to travelers affected by IndiGo flight cancellations. The airline announced a special waiver on change and cancellation fees for eligible domestic bookings. This applies to tickets booked on Air India or Air India Express by December 4 for travel up to December 15.

IndiGo is recovering from massive flight cancellations, operating over 1500 flights today after a Friday with 1600 disruptions. New pilot duty rules caused the chaos, impacting over 1,000 flights. The airline has received temporary relief from DGCA. Passengers can track flight and refund status online, with refunds mandated by Sunday evening.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has received a show cause notice from aviation watchdog DGCA for mass flight disruptions since December 2. The notice cites alleged operational lapses and inadequate passenger support, demanding a response within 24 hours. A four-member committee has been formed to investigate the issue and recommend preventive measures.

A survey reveals that 87% of IndiGo passengers desire their service issues to be addressed under the Consumer Protection Act's Class Action provisions. This demand follows widespread flight cancellations and delays, with passengers also reporting concerns about refund integrity and inadequate compensation.

A new study reveals nearly 90% of Indian couples undergoing IVF face catastrophic expenditure, even in public hospitals, with costs averaging Rs 1.1 lakh. Over half borrow money, and only 5% have limited insurance, highlighting a significant financial crisis driven by infertility treatments.

India's Russian crude imports may hit a four-year low in January 2026 due to US sanctions, forcing refiners to seek alternatives. Despite pressure, Russia is exploring new channels, with potential for non-sanctioned oil flows to resume. India's strategic need for cost-effective energy and Russia's efforts to maintain trade suggest this dip might be temporary.

India has achieved a record 31.25 GW of non-fossil power capacity addition this financial year, with solar power leading the surge. The nation's solar capacity has grown over 4,500% in a decade, positioning India as a significant global driver of renewable energy and a key player in the energy transition.

IndiGo's nationwide operational crisis continues into its fifth day with over 800 flights cancelled. The government has imposed fare caps, ordered immediate refunds, and mandated baggage return within 48 hours. While IndiGo claims 95% network connectivity restored, disruptions persist for thousands of passengers.

Meenakshi Singh's new coffee table book, 'Expressions of Divinity Maha Kumbh 2025,' published by Bloomsbury India, was launched at India Habitat Centre. The book explores sacred sites and the spiritual experience of millions at the Sangam, portraying divinity through human courage, humility, and strength. Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath praised it as a significant cultural document.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor attended a banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He described the atmosphere as warm and friendly. Tharoor's presence caused friction within the Congress party. Other leaders criticised the government for not inviting key opposition figures to similar events. They stated this move goes against democratic traditions.

Volkswagen Group is scaling back its investment plans to 160 billion through 2030, citing pressure in China and the US. CEO Oliver Blume emphasized a focus on Germany and Europe for products, technology, and infrastructure. Porsche's EV strategy is being rolled back, with no expected growth in China, while Audi's US plant decision hinges on financial support.

India's burgeoning data center and AI sectors, coupled with surplus electricity capacity and power distribution reforms, are positioning the nation as a potential global leader in power trade. Experts believe electricity is becoming a strategic, tradable commodity, with AI and machine learning crucial for optimizing smart metering and improving discom efficiency.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman plans a major customs reform. This initiative aims to simplify compliance and increase transparency. These changes will follow earlier tax reforms. The government will also review customs duty rates. Announcements are expected in the upcoming Union Budget. The rupee's depreciation is also addressed. Economic growth is projected to remain strong.

Aviation Ministry has imposed emergency fare caps on domestic flights to combat soaring ticket prices following widespread cancellations by a major airline. New maximum fares range from Rs 7,500 to Rs 18,000 based on distance, excluding taxes. These temporary restrictions aim to protect passengers from exploitation and ensure travel affordability until the situation stabilizes.

A booming tax haul fuels government spending, but the fiscal gap persists as sanitation, administration and education absorb the biggest slices of the pie.

In his letter, Gogoi drew attention to a statement made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the state Assembly on 24 November, where he claimed that findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam Police suggested that Garg's death was a murder. The Chief Minister further stated that multiple individuals have been booked and that the alleged crime was planned and executed by a group.

India's merchandise exports show remarkable resilience amidst global economic headwinds, with total exports for April-October 2025 reaching $491.80 billion, a 4.84% rise. While October saw a dip in exports, overall growth indicates strength and diversification. Key import surges were noted from Switzerland, Hong Kong, and China.

Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule has proposed 'The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025' to promote work-life balance. The bill aims to curb employee burnout from constant digital communication by granting workers the right to ignore work-related calls and emails outside office hours. Companies could face penalties for non-compliance, encouraging negotiation of out-of-hour service conditions.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed the Centre for excluding Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi from President Murmu's state dinner for Vladimir Putin. She termed the move petty, arguing the President's office should be bipartisan. Congress leaders echoed this sentiment, questioning the guest list and alleging government insecurity.

India and the US are set to hold crucial trade talks in New Delhi from December 10-12 to finalize the initial phase of a pact. This follows recent US tariffs on Indian goods. Both nations aim to resolve tariff issues and boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, addressing concerns over falling Indian exports to the US.

A Delhi court is considering a new chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate against Robert Vadra. This case involves alleged money laundering connected to arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. Vadra has been questioned previously in this matter. The ED is investigating financial transactions and property investments linked to Bhandari. This is the second money-laundering charge against Vadra.

The Reserve Bank of India cut the repo rate to 5.25% amid strong economic growth and exceptionally low inflation, a move hailed as exceptional by SBI Research. This decision, supported by a unanimous Monetary Policy Committee vote, aims to sustain India's economic momentum. The central bank anticipates continued growth and low inflation, though external factors pose potential risks.

The UK has sanctioned British Sikh businessman Gurpreet Singh Rehal and associated entities under its new Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime. This action aims to cut off funding for the pro-Khalistan militant outfit Babbar Khalsa, freezing assets and disqualifying Rehal from directorships due to suspected involvement in terrorism financing.

Meta is reportedly planning to significantly cut its Metaverse budget by up to 30% for 2026, signaling a potential shift away from its virtual reality ambitions. This move follows substantial losses and a lack of consumer interest in its VR products. The company is now prioritizing its artificial intelligence initiatives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with specially curated gifts showcasing Indian culture during his two-day visit for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. The gifts included a Russian edition of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, GI-tagged Assam tea, Kashmiri saffron, and a silver tea set, highlighting India's heritage and craftsmanship.

SpaceX is reportedly seeking an $800 billion valuation in a new secondary share sale, potentially surpassing OpenAI as the US's most valuable private company. This move comes as the company weighs a potential IPO next year, fueled by the success of its Starlink service and its crucial role in government missions.

Elon Musk denounced the EU's $140 million fine on X as crazy and insane, criticizing the penalty for violating transparency rules under the Digital Services Act. Regulators cited deceptive design practices with the blue checkmark system and shortcomings in X's ad database. The ruling has drawn criticism from US officials who view it as an attack on American tech platforms.

Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded his two-day state visit to India, marked by a warm reception from PM Modi and discussions on strengthening bilateral ties. Key outcomes included a new economic cooperation program aiming for $100 billion trade by 2030 and a focus on peace efforts in Ukraine.

Twelve labourers from Pilibhit are reportedly stranded and facing severe harassment in Kyrgyzstan. Families allege they were sent by local agents on misleading contracts, paid hefty sums, and are now subjected to brutal treatment and denied return. The district administration has submitted a detailed report to the UP Home Department, initiating steps for their safe repatriation.

A recent study reveals that a consistent bedtime significantly benefits heart health, particularly blood pressure. Researchers found that even minor adjustments to sleep timing, not just duration, can stabilize the body's internal clock. This simple, low-effort change offers a practical way for millions to support cardiovascular well-being, building on evidence of regular sleep's impact on crucial hormones.

The Red Fort in New Delhi will host the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, welcoming over 1,000 delegates. The event aims to showcase India's diverse culture and formally propose Diwali for inclusion in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, following previous successful nominations.