The Times of India News

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was met with chants of 'AQI, AQI' as she welcomed Lionel Messi, with the city's Air Quality Index reaching severe levels. The Aam Aadmi Party criticized the BJP governments for inaction as toxic air affected the region, with the prime minister remaining silent on the issue.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Amman, marking a significant bilateral visit to strengthen ties and discuss regional stability, particularly concerning Gaza. The leaders celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations and explored enhanced cooperation across various sectors, including counter-terrorism efforts and economic partnerships.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor explained his absence from the party's Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod rally, citing a prior international commitment made six months ago. He assured that there were no issues from his side, despite recently skipping other party meetings and praising Prime Minister Modi.

Dense fog crippled Delhi's airport on Monday, leading to 228 flight cancellations and five diversions. Visibility plummeted, impacting operations under CAT III conditions. Authorities urged passengers to check flight status, prioritizing safety amidst the severe air quality and persistent smog. Airlines also issued advisories, warning of schedule disruptions.

The Supreme Court urged the Centre and Tamil Nadu to avoid making the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) school establishment a language issue. Justices emphasized focusing on rural students' education and suggested the state present its two-language policy for consideration, viewing it as an opportunity, not an imposition.

Amid a barrage of AI deepfakes, U Sudhakar Reddy of STOI looks at how celebrities and courts are taking recourse to existing laws to counter the menace and protect their rights

Thane Regional Mental Hospital is undergoing redevelopment. This plan involves cutting down over half of its trees. This action will impact the environment and the therapeutic benefits nature provides to patients. Experts suggest decentralizing the hospital to preserve green spaces. The loss of these trees affects local biodiversity and urban well-being.

Security forces have established contact with terrorists in the Majalta area of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir. The encounter began after a cordon-and-search operation, with intermittent firing reported. Reinforcements have been deployed, and escape routes are blocked.

The NIA has filed a chargesheet naming seven accused, including LeT and TRF, in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The chargesheet identifies Pakistani handler Sajid Jatt and three slain Pakistani terrorists, along with two locals who harbored them. The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.

The Indian Army displayed a Turkish-made Yiha kamikaze drone, shot down on May 10 during a conflict with Pakistan. Launched from Lahore with a 10-kg explosive payload, the drone was intended for Jalandhar but was intercepted by Army Air Defence. Pakistan deployed numerous such drones during the clashes.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removed the hijab of a woman AYUSH doctor during an appointment letter distribution event in Patna. The incident, captured on video, has sparked political criticism, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal accusing the CM of a Sanghi mindset. The doctor appeared visibly upset after the headscarf was removed.

Opposition leaders have strongly criticized the Centre's move to repeal and replace the MGNREGA, questioning the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name. Critics allege a conspiracy to dismantle a rights-based law, calling the renaming hypocritical and an insult to the Father of the Nation. The proposed bill aims to revamp rural employment with a new framework.

Maharashtra's long-pending civic body elections are finally scheduled for January 15, with results on January 16. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls are seen as a key political mood test, pitting the ruling Mahayuti alliance against a fractured opposition. Control of the BMC, Asia's wealthiest civic corporation, holds immense political and economic significance.

The Centre is set to replace MGNREGA with the VBG RAM G Bill, 2025, offering 125 days of work with a focus on rural, climate, and digital issues. Meanwhile, PM Modi commenced a three-nation tour in Jordan, with subsequent visits to Ethiopia and Oman to strengthen bilateral ties and economic partnerships.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a three-nation tour in Jordan, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties. He will then visit Ethiopia, a key African Union hub, to bolster bilateral relations and address Parliament. The tour concludes in Oman, aiming to deepen their strategic partnership and economic ties, with engagements including diaspora meetings.

A new survey reveals 82% of Delhi-NCR residents know someone suffering serious health issues attributed to long-term air pollution exposure. This comes as Delhi's AQI reached 498, in the 'severe' category, exacerbating a public health crisis and raising concerns about affording medical treatment.

Ram Janmabhoomi movement leader and former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti passed away at the age of 67 in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, due to a heart attack. He was admitted to the hospital with severe blood poisoning and kidney failure. Efforts to transfer him to AIIMS Bhopal by air ambulance were unsuccessful due to poor visibility.

In a recent statement, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that his party does not align with the Congress-led 'vote chori' initiative, asserting that the INDIA coalition remains uninvolved. He underscored the importance of each political faction crafting its own narrative while urging the Election Commission to maintain its autonomy and impartiality, highlighting concerns raised in Bihar.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reposted a thread comparing his political approach to Rahul Gandhi's, calling the analysis fair and eflective of a certain perception of the current reality. The thread criticized Gandhi's rural-centric policies as devastating and highlighted Tharoor's alignment with his background and audience.

The government is set to repeal the MGNREGA, enacted in 2005, and introduce the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025. This new legislation aims to provide 125 days of wage employment annually to rural households, shifting from an entitlement-based safety net to a future-oriented development mission aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.

Former Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim was expelled from the party for anti-party activities after he wrote to Sonia Gandhi expressing dissatisfaction with the leadership and recent electoral losses. Moquim defended his actions, stating he offered suggestions for reform as a true Congress worker.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a significant three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman, countries with deep historical and contemporary ties to India. The visits, spanning December 15-18, aim to bolster bilateral relations, commemorate diplomatic milestones, and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation across various sectors, including trade and defense.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has demanded an apology from Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi following the surfacing of videos showing party workers chanting slogans to eliminate Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rijiju stated that the BJP-NDA has never threatened anyone's life and questioned the Congress's mentality.

Congress expelled former MLA Mohammed Moquim for anti-party activities after he urged Sonia Gandhi to replace party president Mallikarjun Kharge, citing age and a need for young leaders. Moquim's letter highlighted recent electoral defeats and questioned leadership choices, drawing criticism from party officials who suggested he join the BJP.