The Times of India News

Mid air scare: Air India flight returns to Delhi after 'one engine shutdown'

At least 15 people died when an inter-province passenger bus veered off a toll road on Java, Indonesia, early Monday. The bus, en route from Jakarta to Yogyakarta with 34 passengers, struck a barrier and overturned. The cause of the crash and the condition of the injured are still being investigated.

Assam Police and BSF deported 19 illegal immigrants to Bangladesh following their apprehension in Nagaon and Karbi Anglong. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared it a full Doomsday moment for infiltrators, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy. This operation is part of a larger campaign to safeguard Assam's demographic balance and security, sending a clear warning to those attempting illegal settlement.

Renowned sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan fled Bangladesh to Kolkata after his concert venue was vandalized. Hours before his performance, the cultural hub was attacked amid unrest. Khan, whose family has roots in Bangladesh, concealed his Indian identity to safely depart, while his tabla player remains stranded. He vows not to return until artists and cultural spaces are protected.

A basement wall collapse in Agra's Bah sub-division tragically claimed two lives and left five others critically injured. Villagers were gathered around a bonfire near the newly built wall when it gave way, burying them under debris. The injured were rushed to a community health center, with two succumbing to their injuries.

BJP secured the Kamptee municipal council president post for the first time in 40 years, with Ajay Agrawal winning by a narrow margin of 103 votes. The close contest saw allegations of malpractice from the runner-up, Congress' Shakur Nagani, who claimed a suspicious late shift in results.

BJP's Pramila Panchal secured the presidency of Mudkhed Municipal Council by a razor-thin margin of one vote against the AIMIM candidate. Despite a recount demand, the result stood, prompting Panchal to reflect on the profound significance of individual votes, echoing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's philosophy.

Union minister G Kishan Reddy has written to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, demanding clarification on the party's unfulfilled promises to farmers and others in Telangana. Reddy questioned Gandhi about the status of the Abhayahastam manifesto, released during the 2023 assembly polls, and highlighted the state government's focus on a new vision document instead of addressing earlier guarantees.

Congress staged nationwide protests at district headquarters against the alleged rollback of MGNREGA, accusing the Modi government of dismantling the scheme. Party leaders asserted that the lack law seeking to repeal it will be defied, with future actions to be decided on December 27. Left parties have also called for joint protests.

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, replacing the UPA-era MGNREGA. The new law guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, enhancing livelihood security and income stability for the poor.

Kerala's Education Minister V Sivankutty has warned private schools against blocking Christmas celebrations, citing reports of such incidents. He emphasized that the state government will not tolerate divisive religious models and will take strict action against institutions promoting narrow communal interests.

India suspended visa operations in Chittagong following protests sparked by the lynching of a Hindu man for alleged blasphemy. New Delhi slammed attempts to equate protests targeting its facilities with a demonstration outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi, calling them misleading propaganda.

The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition has secured a decisive victory in Maharashtra's civic elections, winning nearly 207 out of 288 council and nagar panchayat president posts. This performance mirrors their assembly election success, with the BJP emerging as the biggest gainer. The results consolidate Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's position and are seen as a significant win for the ruling alliance.

A three-year-old tigress was flown from Pench Tiger Reserve to Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve. This marks a significant step in an inter-state tiger translocation program. The operation involved extensive planning and use of technology. Air transport was chosen to minimize stress and travel time for the animal. This initiative is a template for future tiger movements between states.

A survivor of a brutal 2016 gang rape on NH-91, now a law student aiming to be a judge, shared her family's harrowing journey of constant relocation and vilification. Despite enduring savage and inhuman treatment and nightmares, they remained united. A recent court conviction offers hope, though healing remains a distant prospect.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized that viewing the Sangh through the BJP's lens is a ig mistake, clarifying the organization's goal is the organization of Hindu society without opposing others. He defined Hindus as those respecting their motherland, irrespective of language or rituals, and urged Muslims to recognize their shared national and cultural identity.

A Reasi court dismissed a plea seeking an FIR against Vaishno Devi shrine board officials for the deaths of 35 pilgrims in a landslide, ruling a natural disaster was responsible. The judge stated no criminal negligence was made out, though this doesn't affect the LG's inquiry.

Scrapping electoral bonds has surprisingly boosted BJP's donations, with electoral trusts disbursing over Rs 3,577 crore in 2024-25. This marks a significant increase, with the party securing 83.6% of all trust contributions. While corporate donors sought anonymity, the BJP remains the primary beneficiary of this funding route.

Maharashtra's local body elections saw a significant win for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, securing a majority of councillor seats and municipal council presidencies. The ruling coalition attributed its success to development initiatives and strong organizational efforts. Opposition parties, however, alleged irregularities and unfair practices during the polls.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the disruption of a peaceful Sikh Nagar Kirtan in New Zealand, calling it a threat to religious freedom and universal brotherhood. He praised the Sikh community for maintaining restraint despite provocation and urged external affairs minister S Jaishankar to raise the issue with the New Zealand government, as police intervened to ensure the procession could continue safely.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram strongly criticized the Centre's move to replace MGNREGA, calling it the second killing of Mahatma Gandhi. He stated the party will oppose the new VB-G RAM G bill until the original employment guarantee framework is restored, vowing to expose the alleged fraud.

BJP Minority Morcha National President Jamal Siddiqui condemned the lynching of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh, blaming rising radicalisation and alleging growing attacks on minorities. He criticised the Bangladeshi governments response, and said India was closely monitoring the situation. Siddiqui also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of encouraging radicalisation for political gain, claiming the state risked following a similar path.

Following BJP's 2025 victories in Delhi and Bihar, 2026 presents a crucial comeback opportunity for the opposition. Key contests in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry will test incumbent governments and emerging political forces, with updated electoral rolls adding another layer of intrigue to these significant state elections.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, speaking in Kolkata, voiced concerns about live-in relationships, deeming them an unwillingness to accept responsibility. He suggested renunciation for those avoiding marriage. Bhagwat also shared insights from experts, recommending early marriage (19-25) and three children for health and ego management, while acknowledging his personal lack of experience in these matters.

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan criticized the Union government's recent railway fare hike, stating it will burden the middle and lower middle class before the Union budget. She slammed the increase of Rs 10 per 500 km, impacting long-distance travel costs significantly.

Congress criticizes Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for allegedly violating a young woman's bodily autonomy during an appointment letter distribution event. A video showed Kumar questioning a doctor's naqab, which the Congress leader described as an attempt to normalize unwanted touch from influential men. The doctor has since not reported for duty.

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Viksit BharatGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, replacing the MGNREGA. The new law guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually to rural households volunteering for unskilled manual work, aligning with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Opposition parties have criticized the move, citing concerns over undermining Mahatma Gandhi's legacy.

India's ancient Aravalli Range faces a new definition crisis after a Supreme Court ruling. The court accepted a 100-meter elevation threshold for identifying the hills, sparking concerns among environmentalists. Critics argue this narrow view ignores the range's vital ecological functions, potentially opening it to unchecked mining and real estate development, threatening water security and climate stability.

Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall in higher reaches and rain in plains as Chillai-Kalan, the harshest winter period, commenced after a dry spell. Authorities have finalized preparations for potential heavy snowfall, anticipating improved air quality and a boost to winter tourism despite possible hardships.

Security forces are conducting a major search operation in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, after two terrorists allegedly took food from a villager's home before disappearing into a nearby forest. This joint operation follows a recent encounter in the same region where a policeman lost his life. The combing effort aims to track down the militants.

India's food regulator has strongly refuted claims linking eggs to cancer, assuring the public that eggs sold domestically are safe. The FSSAI clarified that nitrofuran use is banned, and trace detections below regulatory thresholds pose no health risk. Global standards are met, and no health authority connects normal egg consumption to increased cancer.

A Katra court has refused to initiate criminal proceedings against Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board officials following a deadly landslide, ruling the incident a natural calamity. The court stated that while administrative lapses may have occurred, they did not meet the threshold for criminal negligence or culpable homicide.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid stated that alliance membership doesn't negate a constituent's political ideology, responding to J&K CM Omar Abdullah's distancing from the vote chori issue. Khurshid also highlighted the fight for Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and questioned the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from MGNREGA.

Maharashtra government formed a special investigation team to probe a Chandrapur kidney racket. Farmers were allegedly coerced by illegal moneylenders to sell kidneys for debt repayment, with one farmer forced into an illegal transplant in Cambodia. The probe also revealed another case of severe financial exploitation in Brahmapuri.

Nine years after a brutal gang rape and assault on NH-91, a special Pocso court convicted five men. The horrific 2016 incident, where a family was targeted by robbers, shocked the nation and prompted road safety reforms. Forensic evidence proved crucial in securing the convictions. Sentencing is scheduled for Monday.

A ward boy at LLRM Medical College in Meerut was fired after nearly administering spirit instead of water to a child's nebuliser. The inebriated employee's dangerous mistake was caught by colleagues, averting disaster. This follows another recent termination of outsourced staff for assaulting a patient.

The government is firm on its SIM-binding rule for messaging apps to combat cyber fraud and foreign intelligence misuse, despite industry pushback. While the continuous SIM-binding mandate remains, authorities may increase the auto-logout time for web sessions from six hours to 12-18 hours, but not exceeding 24 hours, to address user concerns about workflow disruption.