News

IndiGo is experiencing significant flight delays and cancellations, impacting nearly two out of three domestic passengers. This disruption stems from a critical crew shortage following the implementation of new flight duty time limitations. The airline, known for its punctuality, has seen its on-time performance plummet, causing widespread inconvenience during the peak travel season.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra labelled Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's Nehru-Babri Masjid remark a 'distraction' from pressing public issues. Singh alleged Nehru wanted government funds for the mosque, contrasting it with Sardar Patel's opposition and secularism. Rahul Gandhi declined comment. Singh's statement precedes the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary.

The Supreme Court allowed a pregnant woman and her child to enter India on humanitarian grounds after their deportation to Bangladesh. The court directed the West Bengal government to provide care and medical support, including delivery, for the woman. This decision follows the Centre's challenge to a Calcutta High Court order that deemed the deportation illegal.

Bengaluru's C-CAMP has launched a dedicated Centre of Excellence for climate action, a significant step into climate biotechnology. Partnering with Ashraya Hastha Trust, the initiative will champion biological solutions for reducing emissions and sequestering carbon. Karnataka's health minister inaugurated the centre, emphasizing the critical links between climate, health, and livelihoods, and pledging state support for practical, science-led climate responses.

Raipur is gearing up for a grand Sahitya Utsav from January 23-25, coinciding with Chhattisgarh's silver jubilee. Over a hundred literary figures will converge for this event, designed to boost the state's literary profile and encourage reading.

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury responded to a potential privilege motion for bringing a dog to Parliament with a bark, questioning the outrage over the animal while other pressing issues are ignored. She asserted there's no rule against bringing pets and vowed to continue caring for animals, suggesting the eal dogs are in Parliament.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar showcased unity after a second breakfast meeting, declaring they would govern together. This display follows a directive from the Congress high command to project solidarity ahead of the Belagavi legislature session, aiming to quell internal power tussle.

Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak shared an AI-generated video portraying PM Narendra Modi as a chaiwala at an international summit, referencing his past. The BJP reacted furiously, accusing the Congress of mocking a kaamdar prime minister from a backward community and his humble origins.

Jamiat president Mehmood Madani stated it's unrealistic to expect mainstream parties to exclusively champion Muslim causes, criticizing the Congress for struggling to address its own issues. He also clarified his remarks on 'jihad', asserting it's a pious word being deliberately misused to malign Islam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Dr. Rajendra Prasad on his 141st birth anniversary, highlighting his pivotal role in India's freedom struggle and as the nation's first President. Modi emphasized Prasad's dignity, dedication, and clarity of purpose, noting his legacy continues to inspire generations.

Ahead of President Putin's visit, Russia assured India that any sanctions on its oil trade would cause only minor, temporary disruptions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that both nations are committed to maintaining trade volumes and making bilateral ties immune to third-country pressure. Russia aims for $100 billion trade with India by 2030, addressing New Delhi's trade deficit concerns.

Between 2022 and 2024, hospitals in Delhi reported more than 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illnesses, resulting in a wave of hospital admissions. The Health Ministry attributes this alarming rise to increased air pollution, designating it a significant 'triggering factor.

The Supreme Court has issued a warning to the Association for Democratic Reforms for making unsupported allegations regarding the Election Commission's methods in validating voter lists. During the proceedings against the legality of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the court encouraged a focus on legal frameworks rather than political posturing or speculative assertions about BLO suicides.

Political donations via electoral trusts reveal the BJP received a substantial Rs 959 crore in 2024-25, with the Tata group's Progressive Electoral Trust contributing Rs 757.6 crore. While Congress secured over Rs 313 crore through trusts, its overall contributions are significantly lower than bond receipts in previous years. Other parties also received smaller allocations.

Government clarifies users can uninstall the Sanchar Saathi app, despite mandatory pre-installation for manufacturers. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia assured the app protects against cyber fraud, refuting snooping concerns. Critics, including Congress, view it as an invasion of privacy, while global tech giants express alarm over potential security risks.

Bharat Taxi is making waves across India as it gears up to launch its innovative driver-owned ride-hailing app nationwide. With an impressive roster of over 51,000 drivers in its pilot phase, this groundbreaking cooperative model stands as the first of its kind globally, ensuring that every fare goes directly to the drivers.

The Bombay high court has halted the announcement of first-phase municipal poll results, scheduled for December 3rd. Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas ruled that releasing these outcomes prematurely could unfairly influence the second phase of voting on December 20th. The court mandated that all results be declared together on December 21st, ensuring electoral fairness and transparency.

Panic gripped Srinagar as a Himalayan black bear was sighted at the University of Kashmir and later at SKIMS hospital, nearly 10km apart. Wildlife officials are deploying traps and drones to capture the elusive animal. Increased sightings are attributed to climate change and readily available food sources like garbage, disrupting hibernation patterns.

The sole survivor of a Saudi bus accident, Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, recounted how a tanker struck their vehicle, causing it to erupt in flames and kill 45 passengers, including his family. He escaped through a window as the bus caught fire, but his clothes ignited. Shoaib, now without support, has appealed to the Telangana government for a job.

Delhi is grappling with alarming air quality, as the AQI spikes to 372, perilously close to the 'severe' classification. More than 15 areas have hit this alarming benchmark. Experts warn that this 'very poor' air pollution is likely to linger for several days, compounded by nightly patterns of mist and haze.

Air India has issued a travel advisory urging passengers to confirm flight status before airport arrival due to a third-party system outage impacting check-in operations and causing widespread delays. The airline's teams are working to restore services and minimize passenger inconvenience. Travelers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys.

Defense minister Rajnath Singh highlighted Operation Sindoor as a firm response to those ignoring peace, drawing parallels with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's decisive leadership. He praised the armed forces and emphasized the government's commitment to Patel's vision of a united India, citing Article 370's abrogation and strengthened indigenous defence capabilities.

Karnataka's chief ministerial post remains undecided as Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar's reakfast diplomacy yields no timeline from the party high command. Both leaders project unity, calling for a peaceful settlement amidst ongoing speculation. Siddaramaiah's cryptic politics is not permanent comment further fuels discussions about a potential leadership change.

India has achieved a significant milestone in indigenous defence capabilities with a successful high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system. This dynamic trial, conducted by DRDO, validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and aircrew recovery, placing India among nations with advanced in-house testing. The test simulated real-life conditions, marking a step towards self-reliance in defence.

The new Prime Minister's Office complex, formerly 'Executive Enclave', will now be called 'Seva Teerth' to reflect a spirit of service over power. This renaming aligns with a broader shift in public institutions, moving from 'satta' (power) to 'seva' (service) and emphasizing duty and transparency in governance.

Russia's State Duma has ratified a major military logistics pact with India, the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS). This agreement allows both nations' military forces to utilize each other's facilities for joint exercises, humanitarian operations, and disaster relief, strengthening their strategic partnership ahead of President Putin's visit.

Bharatiya Janata Party has responded to Congress accusations regarding the Sanchar Saathi app. BJP leaders stated the app aims to protect users from fraud and crime, not to monitor them. They emphasised that the application can be removed by users. Congress had alleged the directive was dictatorial and called the app a snooping tool.

Parliament gears up for crucial debates on electoral reforms and Vande Mataram's 150th anniversary following a breakthrough. Meanwhile, Imran Khan met his sister in jail after weeks of restricted access. The Navy chief announced a new indigenous nuclear submarine and highlighted Operation Sindoor's impact on Pakistan's naval forces.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla reflects on his ISS mission, highlighting its success as a model of international cooperation and scientific advancement. His insights offer valuable lessons for India's own long-term human spaceflight strategy, emphasizing modularity, flexibility, and clear objectives for the upcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station.

Pakistan accused India of delaying its humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, claiming airspace permission was withheld. India refuted these allegations, stating the request was processed within four hours. Meanwhile, Pakistan's High Commission in Sri Lanka faced online criticism over relief packages with apparent near-expiry dates.