CATEGORIES

SC TO RAJ: GRANT LEGAL COVER TO SACRED GROVES

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Rajasthan government to grant legal protection to sacred groves, or Orans, in the state as \"forests\" by undertaking a district-wise mapping of such lands not based on their size but on their ecological and cultural significance, while observing these groves are pivotal to biodiversity preservation.

ICSSR PAY ISSUE IS NOT UNDER OUR PURVIEW: EDU MIN

The government is \"committed to strengthening central universities\" instead of funding \"independent research organisations\", Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said, citing it as to why faculty members and staff of ICSSR-affiliated institutions were not being paid in accordance with the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) revised pay scales.

Biden govt relaxes rules for firms to hire foreign workers with H-1B visas

The outgoing Biden administration has relaxed rules for H-1B visas that will make it easier for American companies to hire foreign workers with special skills and facilitate a smoother transition from F-1 student visas to H-1B visas, a move that is likely to benefit thousands of Indian tech professionals.

SC WARNS PUNJAB OVER STRIKING FARMER'S HEALTH

The Supreme Court on Wednesday cautioned the Punjab government that the entire state machinery would bear the blame if anything untoward were to happen to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death for 23 days.

Rape accused out on bail kills victim, held

UNNAO: A 27-year-old man accused of raping his sister-in-law has been arrested after a brief encounter for allegedly killing her and trying to burn her body in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, police said on Wednesday.

Govt set to move motion over JPC for simultaneous poll bills

The Union government will formally move a motion in the Lok Sabha on Thursday to constitute a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on two bills that aim to usher in simultaneous national and state elections, and propose the names of 21 lawmakers of the Lower House as members.

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SC ASKS PUNJAB TO REASSESS ITS STANCE ON PAY PARITY BETWEEN HOME GUARDS, POLICE PERSONNEL

KERALA PROMOTES CONTROVERSIAL COP AJITHKUMAR TO RANK OF DGP

The Kerala cabinet on Wednesday approved the promotion of senior IPS officer MR Ajithkumar, who was recently embroiled in a political row over his \"controversial meetings\" with RSS leaders, to the rank of director general of police (DGP).

Oppn leaders mount attack over Shah's remarks in Parl

Members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) on Wednesday set aside differences to come together and attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Union home minister Amit Shah's comment referring to Dr BR Ambedkar, jamming Parliament and holding protests.

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Congress distorting statements made by Shah, says Rijiju

Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday slammed the Congress, saying the Opposition party was distorting Union home minister Amit Shah's remarks on BR Ambedkar.

Why didn't you file an FIR? HC slams sharing controversial remarks

The Allahabad high court on Wednesday, while hearing journalist Mohammed Zubair's plea against an FIR filed against him for sharing a video of a speech made by controversial seer Yati Narsinghanand, asked why the fact-checker made a post about the matter on social media instead of approaching police and registering a case, news agency LiveLaw reported.

HAL to start delivery of new Sukhoi-30s to IAF in April 2027

THE STATE-RUN HAL INKED A DEAL WORTH ₹13,500 CR WITH THE DEFENCE MINISTRY LAST WEEK TO DELIVER 12 FIGHTER JETS TO THE IAF

'We saw a boat circling us... then it struck ours'

Frantic survivors recounted a distressing account, detailing their struggle for survival after a ferry carrying over 100 passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island capsized at Butcher island on Wednesday afternoon.

SP MP MOVES HC AGAINST ARREST IN SAMBHAL CASE

Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal Ziaur Rahman Barq has filed a writ petition in the Allahabad high court seeking a stay on his arrest in connection with an FIR lodged against him by police in connection with the violence in Sambhal.

13 dead, 110 rescued as navy boat rams into ferry off Mumbai coast

Thirteen people, including an officer from the Indian Navy and two contractual naval employees, were killed when a ferry carrying over 100 passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island capsized on Wednesday afternoon, at Butcher Island, after a navy speedboat, which was carrying out engine trials, went out of control and dashed into it.

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U'khand to implement UCC from January: CM

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on Wednesday that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in the state from January 2025.

DEATHS FROM DIARRHOEAL DISEASES DROP GLOBALLY: STUDY

There has been nearly a 60% drop in global deaths due to diarrhoeal diseases, but children and the elderly remain vulnerable and accounted for the highest mortality rates, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, according to a study published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases on Wednesday.

LG Saxena inaugurates golf course at Dwarka's Sector 24

Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena on Wednesday inaugurated a sprawling new golf course in Dwarka.

NDMC nod for smart parking at 150+ sites

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday cleared several proposals, including implementation of a smart parking system, and formation of committees for promoting public art and culture and improving urban design, officials said.

HC DECLINES TO STAY TRIAL COURT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST AAP MLA

The Delhi high court on Wednesday declined to stay trial court proceedings against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Amanatullah Khan over alleged non-compliance with summons in a money laundering case linked to irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board.

Umar Khalid granted interim bail to attend wedding, release set for Dec 28

A Delhi court on Wednesday granted former JNU student leader Umar Khalid interim bail for a week to attend his cousin's wedding.

Elderly couple killed in Safdarjung Enclave fire

An elderly couple died after a fire broke out at their flat in Safdarjung Enclave, south Delhi in the early hours of Wednesday, police officers and fire officials said.

BJP alleges fake caste certificate scam, calls for CBI investigation

The Delhi BJP on Wednesday alleged a scam involving fake caste certificates in the Delhi government, accusing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs of complicity and demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

AAP LEADERS PROTEST AT BJP OFFICE OVER AMBEDKAR ROW

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, protested outside the BJP headquarters on Wednesday, demanding Union home minister Amit Shah's removal over his Parliament remarks on BR Ambedkar on Tuesday.

ECI HOLDS MEETS TO REVIEW PREPAREDNESS FOR DELHI POLLS

It is only after the judicial notice that you chose to place these reports before me... on the eve of hearing. VK SAXENA, Delhi LG

Kejriwal announces free health scheme for elderly

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal announced a new healthcare initiative on Wednesday, promising free treatment for all citizens aged above 60, regardless of income.

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ECI HOLDS MEETS TO REVIEW PREPAREDNESS FOR DELHI POLLS

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners (ECs) Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu reviewed the poll preparedness for the upcoming Delhi legislative assembly elections on Wednesday, Election Commission of India (ECI) officials said.

Fog shrouds city; air still 'severe'

Slow winds and an abrupt rise in moisture triggered a thick grey fog across Delhi on Wednesday morning, compounding the city's already severe air pollution.

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Playschool director held for placing camera in toilet

A case of privacy invasion has come to the fore from a Noida playschool in Sector 70, where a teacher discovered a hidden camera in the staff washroom earlier this month, police said on Wednesday.