The Times of India News

In a significant move, the DGCA has formed an eight-member team to daily monitor IndiGo's operations, including flights and crew availability, following widespread cancellations. Two officials will track cancellations, refunds, and compensation, while two pilots will be stationed at the airline's Gurgaon office. This comes as IndiGo scrapped 25% of its domestic flights from December 1-9, causing airport chaos.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized Home Minister Amit Shah's response on electoral reforms as defensive, asserting that key opposition questions went unanswered. Gandhi highlighted concerns regarding transparent voter lists, EVM architecture, and alleged dual voting by BJP functionaries, noting Shah's silence on these points and the removal of the Chief Justice from the EC selection collegium.

BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Kangana Ranaut strongly defended Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Lok Sabha, dismissing calls to return to ballot papers as a move backward to booth capturing. They highlighted court validations for EVMs and the Election Commission's challenge for parties to hack them. Ranaut criticized the opposition's defeatist attitude and disruptive parliamentary behavior.

Opposition leaders slammed the Election Commission, calling it compromised and accusing the BJP of vote chori. Congress MP K C Venugopal highlighted the freezing of party bank accounts and the EC's inaction on PM Modi's alleged poll code violations.

Home Minister Amit Shah strongly refuted opposition claims of vote chori, attributing Congress's defeats to leadership failures. He defended electoral roll revisions and challenged allegations of institutional capture by the RSS. Shah highlighted past instances of alleged vote manipulation by Congress leaders and accused the opposition of opposing national interests.

President Murmu emphasized ensuring human rights for everyone, highlighting India's shift from entitlement to empowerment and charity to rights over the past decade. She noted government efforts to provide essential services like clean water, electricity, and healthcare, securing dignity for all households.

US trade representative Jamieson Greer highlighted India's est-ever offers in ongoing trade talks, calling the nation a ough nut to crack due to resistance on certain agricultural imports. Senior US officials are in New Delhi to advance negotiations for a mutually beneficial trade agreement, with India now seen as a viable alternative market for US commodities.

Speeding remains the primary killer on Indian roads, responsible for nearly 70% of the 1.2 lakh road deaths in 2024. Non-usage of helmets and seatbelts also contributed significantly to fatalities. Despite some dips, these dangerous behaviors continue to pose a major challenge to road safety across the nation.

Specialised tribunals, designed for swift justice, are overwhelmed by over 5.24 lakh pending cases, primarily due to significant member vacancies. Debt Recovery Tribunals lead with 2.5 lakh cases. Seven tribunals lack chairpersons, and 18% of member posts are unfilled, hindering efficient case resolution despite government efforts and technological adoption.

India's ISRO is set to launch its heaviest American commercial satellite, the 6.5-tonne BlueBird-6, on December 15 from Sriharikota. This marks a significant boost to Indo-US space cooperation. The LVM3 rocket will carry the satellite, designed to provide direct-to-device mobile broadband in areas with poor network coverage, aiming to bridge the digital divide.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a significant $17.5 billion investment in India over four years, focusing on AI and cloud. He acknowledged India's need for sovereign control and local resilience in technology deployment. Nadella lauded India's unique virtuous cycle of policies, digital infrastructure, and market, highlighting the launch of Sovereign Public Cloud for enhanced governance and control.

The Supreme Court has overturned a Bombay High Court order sentencing a woman to jail for contempt. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta emphasized that mercy and forgiveness are crucial judicial principles. They stated that sincere remorse and an apology, even if qualified, should be accepted, particularly when a contemnor acknowledges their mistake and seeks atonement.

A Chinese national, apprehended for visiting Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh without proper authorization, has been sent back to New Delhi. The 29-year-old tourist allegedly violated visa norms by traveling to restricted areas after arriving on a visa permitting only specific Buddhist pilgrimage sites. He was questioned for several days before his return.

Jammu and Kashmir Police's State Investigation Agency (SIA) attached the property of Zahid Hussain, a Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen commander, in Doda district. Hussain, who illegally crossed to Pakistan in 2000, was involved in radicalizing and recruiting youth via social media. This action is part of a broader crackdown to dismantle the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory.

In response to the recent flight disruptions, IndiGo's chairman, Vikram Singh Mehta, extended his sincerest apologies, emphasizing that these disruptions were not intentional. He confirmed that the airline will engage external experts to delve into the root causes and implement measures for improvement. Mehta reassured that compliance with new pilot rest regulations was strictly upheld, prioritizing passenger safety.

Goa nightclub proprietors Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra whisked themselves away to Phuket mere hours after a catastrophic fire claimed 25 lives. This abrupt exodus has raised eyebrows among law enforcement, who view it as an attempt to dodge accountability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephonic conversation, emphasizing the robust India-Israel strategic partnership. Both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and pledged to bolster bilateral relations. They also exchanged views on the West Asia situation, with PM Modi reiterating India's support for a just and lasting peace, including the Gaza Peace Plan.

Home minister Amit Shah accused the Congress of vote chori in Lok Sabha, citing alleged instances involving Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and a pending case against Sonia Gandhi regarding voter registration. Congress MPs protested, with KC Venugopal asserting the case against Sonia Gandhi was dismissed. Shah maintained he stated a fact about a court case.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has refuted Rahul Gandhi's allegations of vote theft in Haryana. Shah clarified that a house listed with a single number housed multiple families and that duplicate voter entries are a result of systemic issues, not manipulation by the BJP or Election Commission.

Rahul Gandhi met PM Modi and Amit Shah to finalise key appointments for the Central Information Commission and Central Vigilance Commission, submitting a dissent note. This meeting occurred as Gandhi's upcoming Berlin visit for an Indian Overseas Congress event drew criticism from the BJP, accusing him of prioritizing foreign trips over parliamentary duties.

Two schools in Delhi's Sadiq Nagar and Laxmi Nagar received a bomb threat on Wednesday, said Delhi Police.

In response to recent flight disruptions that have left many passengers stranded, the Civil Aviation Ministry has established a specialized oversight team to oversee IndiGo's operations. This proactive step aims to mitigate the inconvenience caused by extensive delays and cancellations.

Forty-four former judges have condemned a campaign against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant over his Rohingya migrant case comments. They stated critics twisted a routine judicial query about legal status into accusations of bias, distorting the court's affirmation of human dignity and rejection of torture.

Nearly 24 lakh households now have rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The scheme aims for one crore installations by FY 2026-27, with over 19 lakh systems already commissioned. Strict quality checks, including vendor maintenance and third-party assessments, are in place to ensure reliability.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor declined the Veer Savarkar Award, calling organizers irresponsible for announcing his name without consent. He learned of the award through media reports and stated he neither knew about nor accepted it. HRDS India, however, claims they notified Tharoor and visited him to extend the invitation.

In a bid to streamline the rollout of solar initiatives, a parliamentary committee has recommended the establishment of a 'single-window clearance' system aimed at reducing land acquisition bottlenecks. To tackle regional disparities, the committee suggests tailored awareness drives in each state, along with support from central authorities for those trailing behind.

The Delhi high court questioned the Centre's failure to prevent IndiGo's flight cancellations and soaring airfares, demanding to know immediate measures taken for stranded passengers. The court also sought explanations on arrangements made to manage travellers and prevent harassment, as hundreds of flights were scrapped, leaving lakhs stranded nationwide.

Singapore's former Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean spoke in Delhi about the deep historical ties between Singapore and India. He mentioned Singapore's name originates from Sanskrit, reflecting India's early influence. The Indian diaspora has significantly shaped Singapore's economy and culture. He also praised India's sustainable development vision. Diplomatic relations were established in 1965.

Deepavali has been inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, marking the 16th Indian tradition to receive this honor. This recognition occurred during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, hosted by India in New Delhi. The committee is reviewing 67 nominations from 79 countries.

Goa police are pursuing nightclub owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who fled to Thailand after a fire killed 25. Interpol has issued a Blue Corner Notice, and India's extradition treaty with Thailand is now central to bringing the brothers to justice. The treaty obligates both nations to surrender individuals wanted for serious offenses.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly tore up new MGNREGA norms, accusing the Centre of imposing 'valueless' conditions and withholding funds. She highlighted her state's Karmashree scheme as an alternative, vowing to increase workdays and asserting Bengal's fight for dignity and federal rights amidst upcoming elections.

Miami has a new mayor, Eileen Higgins. She is the city's first female leader and the first Democrat in nearly thirty years. Higgins, a former county commissioner, defeated Republican Emilio Gonzalez. Her victory marks a significant shift in Miami's political landscape. She pledged ethical leadership and delivering results for residents.

The data reveals a shifting landscape where private banks and digital channels draw the most customer ire, while territories like Chandigarh and Delhi report disproportionately high complaint loads per lakh accounts.

BJP criticizes Rahul Gandhi's upcoming Germany visit, calling him 'Videsh Nayak' and 'leader of paryatan' as it coincides with Parliament's Winter Session. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, is scheduled to meet German lawmakers and the Indian community in Berlin. This trip follows his previous overseas visits where he raised concerns about India's democracy.

The government is launching a pilot project to link subsidized fertilizer allocation to farmers' land size, aiming to curb diversion and pilferage. This initiative comes as India faces high chemical nutrient use impacting soil health. Meanwhile, fertilizer imports are projected to rise significantly due to increased domestic demand.

Over 100 opposition MPs have submitted a notice to the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking the removal of Madras High Court Justice GR Swaminathan. They accuse him of misconduct and bias in a recent order concerning a lamp lighting at a temple near a dargah in Tamil Nadu.

The Supreme Court clarified that while the Election Commission cannot definitively determine citizenship, it can inquire about it if doubts arise regarding voters. The apex court emphasized that Indian citizenship is a constitutional prerequisite for voting, not merely a matter of residence and age. This ruling supports the EC's stance on verifying voter eligibility.

A nationwide school survey reveals alarming drug experimentation among Indian children, with initiation as early as 11 and an average age of 12.9. One in seven students has tried psychoactive substances, with opioids and cannabis prevalent. Experts warn of easy access and emotional distress driving this trend, urging early intervention and parental vigilance.

The government has doubled IndiGo's flight cuts to 10% following operational failures and crew norm non-compliance. This punitive action aims to stabilize the airline's services and reduce passenger disruptions. IndiGo's CEO was summoned to explain the mismanagement, with further reviews planned. Other airlines saw minor adjustments to their winter schedules.

Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu has apologized for the IndiGo passenger disruptions and vowed strict action, potentially including the CEO's removal. The probe will scrutinize the airline's operations and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) oversight. The minister acknowledged passenger distress, including exorbitant surge pricing, and assured accountability.

Holiday travel plans for countless domestic flyers face disruption as IndiGo slashes 200-400 flights daily. This significant capacity cut by India's largest airline is creating a sharp demand-supply gap, making new bookings difficult and potentially leading to cancellations for existing Yuletide travel. Other airlines are operating at maximum capacity, unable to fill the void quickly.

CBI has registered an FIR against Jai Anmol Ambani in a Rs 228 crore bank fraud case linked to Reliance Housing Finance. Searches were conducted at his residence. The agency is investigating allegations of cheating and criminal conspiracy causing wrongful loss to Union Bank of India. A second FIR targets RCFL and its officials for a Rs 57.

The Congress-led coalition of opposition parties is making strong demands for the reinstatement of ballot papers alongside a transformed collegium responsible for appointing election commissioners. Their criticisms target the Election Commission, claiming it has lost credibility, especially regarding electoral roll updates and those pesky model code infringements.