The Times of India News

The Congress is holding a major rally at Ramlila Maidan to protest alleged vote chori and issues with electoral rolls. Top leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, will address the gathering. The party claims to have collected over five crore signatures nationwide, criticizing the Election Commission's neutrality and demanding electoral reforms.

VIPs Surround Stars, Block View From Stands

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday participated in the 47th All India Public Relations Conference-2025 held at Hotel Emerald Grand on Sahastradhara Road in Dehradun.

West Bengal governor C V Ananda Bose was denied entry to Salt Lake stadium after chaos erupted during a Lionel Messi event. He deemed the incident an affront to his constitutional office and sought an explanation, vowing to inspect the site to finalize his report. The Governor also demanded accountability for the mismanagement and police failures.

The much-talked-about spy thriller Dhurandhar is set in the Lyari, the Karachi neighbourhood known for gang wars. Sociologist Nida Kirmani, who has studied marginalisation on both sides of the border and made a documentary on Lyari, speaks to Sneha Bhura about the reality of the area often dubbed as Karachis Wild West

Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday congratulated Beena Kurian, Sini Antony and Smitha Luke on their victory in the Kerala local body elections, calling it a reflection of the growing trust of the people in the party's politics of honesty and public service.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has provided government jobs to 39 next of kin of terror victims, offering long-awaited rehabilitation and dignity. This initiative aims to support families who suffered immense hardship and emotional trauma after their loved ones were killed by terrorists, restoring their faith in the system.

The CBI opposed Rabri Devi's plea to transfer criminal cases, arguing it constitutes forum-shopping and aims to demean the judge. The agency stated that Special Judge Vishal Gogne acted within judicial procedures and that the application seeks to stall the trial. The court will hear the matter further on December 15, 2025.

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat has urged President Murmu to intervene against the Uttar Pradesh government's move to withdraw charges in the 2015 Dadri mob lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq. Karat termed the governor's approval of the withdrawal a politically motivated attempt to subvert justice, questioning the governor's constitutional duty to uphold the rule of law.

Delhi-NCR faces emergency curbs as air quality plummets to 'Severe+' levels, triggering Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan. Authorities have enforced strict restrictions across the region due to pollution crossing critical thresholds. This comes after the city's Air Quality Index surged overnight, leading to dense smog and reduced visibility, impacting public health.

Congress MLA H A Iqbal Hussain claimed D K Shivakumar will become Chief Minister on January 6, urging CM Siddaramaiah to step down. This follows a dinner meeting hosted by Shivakumar with over 30 legislators and ministers, fueling speculation about a leadership transition pact made after the 2023 election victory.

Indias long-hour work culture now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with hard-grind economies like Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Iran, underscoring why the demand for boundaries between work and personal time is growing louder.

The BJP-led NDA achieved significant gains in Kerala's local body elections, securing a majority in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation after 45 years of Left rule. The NDA also retained Palakkad municipality and wrested Thrippunithura Municipality from the Congress-led UDF, signaling a potential shift in the state's political landscape ahead of the assembly elections.

Modern offices are a melting pot of Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z, each with distinct communication styles and work philosophies. While generational differences create unique workplace dynamics, from email etiquette to work-life balance, collaboration and innovation thrive. HR professionals now navigate these diverse expectations, fostering an environment where all generations contribute effectively.

Chaos erupted at Salt Lake stadium during Lionel Messi's visit, sparking a sharp BJP attack on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari accused the state government of gross mismanagement and demanded Banerjee's resignation, citing fan disappointment and alleged exploitation. Banerjee has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.

Chaos erupted at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium during Lionel Messi's brief visit, with angry fans throwing projectiles after being unable to see the football icon due to mismanagement. The BJP criticized the Trinamool Congress for the otal embarrassment on an international stage, highlighting wasted fan efforts and zero planning for the highly anticipated event.

The Supreme Court expressed dismay over the Madhya Pradesh High Court condoning a four-year delay in an appeal by the state government. Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Prasanna B. Varale questioned the High Court's awareness of apex court rulings on delay condonation, setting aside the order and remanding the case for reconsideration.

Over 5,900 Indians were brought home from the Middle East in three years due to safety concerns, including Operation Ajay in Israel. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed 1,474 evacuees hailed from Uttar Pradesh. The government also repatriated mortal remains of 45 Indians from Kuwait. No fresh evacuations are currently anticipated.

'Real-Term Rise In Air Ticket Prices Negative'

Air India Express pilots are protesting the recruitment of new A320 captains, fearing reduced flying hours and pay. Around 100 pilots have written to management, questioning external hiring when internal utilization is low. They worry this will further impact their ability to meet contracted flying hours and affect their overall compensation.

Month-Long Bastar Olympics Conclude Today

The Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of the Madras High Court's handling of the Karur stampede case, stating something is going wrong in the HC. The apex court rejected the Tamil Nadu government's plea to let its own commission investigate the incident, emphasizing the need for a fair and impartial inquiry. The SC will examine the HC registrar general's report.

Rahul Gandhi has demanded a Lok Sabha debate on the severe air pollution plaguing Indian cities, urging the government to present a concrete plan. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor' and is predicted to turn 'severe' by Sunday, with light winds failing to disperse pollutants. Moderate fog is also expected.

The Supreme Court has ruled that individual liberty, while crucial, cannot override national security concerns in UAPA cases. Upholding this, the court denied bail to accused in the Jnaneshwari Express derailment case, emphasizing that barbaric acts endangering national integrity are not excusable, even after prolonged incarceration. The apex court stressed the need for expeditious trials in such grave matters.

Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to Oman is poised to forge a robust economic and strategic alliance, potentially including a free trade agreement and a joint defense partnership. India anticipates receiving spare parts for its retired Jaguar fleet from Oman.

India gears up for Census 2027 with a Rs 11,718 crore budget, marking the first digital enumeration and inclusion of a caste count. The two-phase exercise, starting April 2026, will utilize mobile apps for data collection. Reference date is March 1, 2027, with special provisions for snow-bound regions. This census aims to provide accurate population data for future development planning.

The Union Cabinet has approved the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill, aiming to consolidate higher education regulation under a single authority, excluding medical and legal fields. This move seeks to simplify governance and enhance academic quality. Meanwhile, a parliamentary committee will question IndiGo, DGCA, and ministry officials regarding recent flight cancellations and pilot rest rule implementation.

India has launched CoalSETU, a new policy for long-term coal linkage auctions aimed at industrial use and exports. This dedicated window allows any domestic industrial buyer to bid, simplifying procedures and boosting the utilization of coal reserves. Fuel supply agreements can extend up to 15 years, with flexible use within group companies, potentially reducing imports and creating export opportunities.

The Union Cabinet has greenlit a bill to open India's nuclear power sector to private players, a move crucial for achieving 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047. The SHANTI Bill proposes changes to civil liability laws, caps supplier liability, and allows up to 49% foreign direct investment. This aims to boost domestic energy production and meet net-zero targets.

The government has approved a bill to replace MGNREGA with the Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Bill, promising 125 workdays per household. This move aims to counter opposition criticism on funding and boost employment claims, particularly in rural areas. Projects will align with Viksit Bharat National Infra Stack, prioritizing water security.

Alert BSF troops apprehended a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist near the Indo-Pak border in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir. The operative, identified as Abdul Khalik from Rajouri, was found with an M-5 rifle and magazines. He had illegally migrated to Pakistan in 2021 and was handed over to local police for further investigation.

Jammu & Kashmir's education department has mandated teachers to report and manage stray dog populations, sparking outrage from political parties and teachers' unions. Critics deem the directives shocking and atrocious, arguing they undermine educators' dignity and professional roles. The orders, however, are reportedly based on Supreme Court guidelines amidst a surge in dog-bite incidents.

The road transport ministry has issued new guidelines emphasizing that authorities must take full responsibility for road tunnel projects, from inception to completion. These guidelines mandate weekly risk management meetings and a live risk register, ensuring accountability for mitigation measures.

A tragic bus accident in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitharama Raju district claimed nine lives and injured twenty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the affected families. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh was announced for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

West Bengal's Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, felicitated three men arrested for assaulting chicken patty vendors at a religious event, shortly after their bail. Adhikari stated his primary duty is to protect his dharma and Hindu brothers and sisters, asserting his legal team facilitated their release.