Delhi is facing a pollution crisis as dense fog and an air quality index (AQI) dangerously close to the ‘severe’ category prompt the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reintroduce stricter pollution measures under GRAP-3 and GRAP-4. These measures were only revoked recently, with the AQI at 396 at 6 pm and expected to exceed the 400 mark. In response to the deteriorating air quality and in compliance with Supreme Court orders, the CAQM has immediately enforc

The sightscreen at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, damaged by Rinku Singh's powerful six during a T20I against South Africa in December 2023, is still awaiting repairs after 394 days. The incident, which saw Rinku hit a gigantic six off Aiden Markram, left the press box’s sightscreen shattered, but the repair has been delayed due to budget issues and the high-altitude location of the press box. The official responsible for the stadium’s maintenance, Terrance, explained tha

Dense fog enveloped parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) this morning, significantly reducing visibility and resulting in disruptions to travel. More than 150 flights were delayed, with an average delay of 41 minutes, as reported by aviation website FlightRadar24. Additionally, around 26 trains were delayed or cancelled due to the thick fog. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed that departures were impacted but assured travelers that CAT III-compliant fligh

On Thursday, Lebanon’s parliament elected General Joseph Aoun, the country’s army chief, as president, filling the vacant office that had remained unoccupied since October 2022. His election marks a shift in Lebanon’s political landscape and reflects a diminished influence of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group following the impact of the recent war with Israel. Aoun, who enjoys U.S. approval, received crucial backing from Hezbollah’s Shi'ite ally, the Amal Movement, a

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has raised serious concerns about the ongoing delays in the delivery of the Tejas fighter aircraft, calling for an urgent boost in private sector partnerships for defence product development. Speaking at the 21st Subroto Mukherjee Seminar, Singh emphasized that R&D in defence becomes irrelevant if it doesn't meet its timelines, pointing out how the Tejas project, conceived in 1984, still faces delays. Despite its induction into the Indian Air Force in 2016,

Bahadur Singh Sagoo, a former shot put champion and Asian Games gold medallist, is set to be elected unopposed as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) during the organization's Annual General Meeting (AGM). He will replace Adille Sumariwalla, who has served as AFI president since 2012. Sagoo, a member of the outgoing AFI executive council and senior selection committee, is the lone candidate for the presidency after Anju Bobby George, the current senior vice presid

On Monday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna recused himself from hearing two significant pleas regarding the finalisation of the constitutions for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). These constitutions were drafted by former Supreme Court judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao. CJI Khanna informed the bench, which included Justice Sanjay Kumar, that he would not participate in the proceedings because of his prior involvement with the case in t

The polar vortex, a powerful atmospheric phenomenon, is expected to cause a dramatic shift in weather patterns across the eastern United States. As the vortex weakens and shifts southward, frigid Arctic air will move down into the country, bringing temperatures that could plunge as much as 30 degrees below normal. This extreme cold event will be one of the harshest in recent years, especially compared to the record warmth seen during last year's winter. The cold air will first a

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu clarified that no action would be taken against Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) concerning allegations of bribery until concrete proof is provided. Speaking at the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) headquarters in Mangalagiri, Naidu emphasized the need for more evidence, especially as the case is still under investigation in the United States. He noted that the state government cannot act based on mere allegations and will await the outcome of the le

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed regret for the ethnic violence that has plagued the northeastern state since May 2023. In a heartfelt apology, Singh acknowledged the lives lost and the displacement of many people due to the ongoing clashes. He emphasized the need for reconciliation and healing among the state's diverse communities, particularly between the Meitei and Kuki tribes. Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism for the future, stating that peace and normalcy c

Andhra Pradesh is set to welcome its new Chief Secretary, K Vijayanand, who will assume the role on December 31. Vijayanand, an IAS officer from the 1992 batch, will replace Neerabh Kumar Prasad, who is retiring after reaching the age of superannuation. Neerabh Kumar Prasad had been serving as Chief Secretary since shortly after the Andhra Pradesh elections in June 2024. His retirement has led to the swift appointment of K Vijayanand, a highly respected and experienced IAS officer.

In South Korea's deadliest air disaster, a Jeju Air passenger jet, Flight 7C2216, crashed during its landing attempt at Muan International Airport on Sunday, resulting in 179 fatalities. The crash occurred after a series of events, starting with a bird strike reported by the pilot as the flight was approaching the airport. According to the final timeline of the flight, the aircraft was cleared by air traffic control at 8:54 am to land on runway 01. However, just minutes later, a

On May 22, 2004, Dr. Manmohan Singh, clad in his signature white kurta-pyjama and blue turban, was sworn in as India's 14th Prime Minister at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This moment was a political surprise, as Sonia Gandhi, despite leading the Congress-led UPA coalition to victory, chose not to assume the role due to political resistance and personal reasons. Instead, she stepped aside in favor of Dr. Singh, a respected economist with no mass political base. Dr. Singh’s rise

Nepal's tourism industry, which saw a post-pandemic resurgence with over a million foreign visitors this year, continues to grow, attracting tourists with unique experiences like the recently held hot-air balloon festival. The event, organized by Sabin Maharjan and his team, featured more than 10 countries participating in the thrilling balloon flights. The stunning views of the snow-capped Annapurna range, mountains, lakes, and rolling hills provided an unforgettable experience for the p

The year 2024 has been a remarkable one for Indian sports, with several athletes bringing laurels to the country, including India's T20 World Cup win and Manu Bhaker's double medal victory at the Paris Olympics. The Indian government has revealed the nominees for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor. Among the nominees are Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian men's hockey team, who led the team to a bronze medal at th

In a recent lecture on ‘India – The Vishwaguru' in Pune, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed concern over the resurgence of temple-mosque disputes, stating that certain individuals seem to believe they can become "leaders of Hindus" by stirring such controversies. Bhagwat emphasized the importance of fostering an inclusive society and stressed that India should set an example for the world in living together harmoniously. He pointed out the country's long-standing

At Chennai Airport, an Air India cabin crew member was arrested for helping a passenger smuggle 1.7 kg of gold. The incident occurred when the flight from Dubai landed on Sunday. Customs officials intercepted the passenger and the crew member after the passenger admitted to handing over the gold during the flight. Upon searching the crew member, officials found the gold concealed in the undergarments, l

Nikita Singhania, the estranged wife of techie Atul Subhash, was arrested by Bengaluru police in Gurugram after being accused of abetting his suicide. Atul Subhash, aged 34, was found dead at his Bengaluru home, leaving behind a suicide note and a video accusing Nikita and her family of cruelty and dowry harassment. Nikita, along with her mother and brother, initially evaded arrest by constantly changing locations and using WhatsApp for communication. However, a single phone call by

During Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's ongoing visit to Russia, talks are progressing on a major defence agreement worth $4 billion that could significantly enhance India’s air defence infrastructure. The deal revolves around the acquisition of the Voronezh radar system, manufactured by Russia's Almaz-Antey Corporation, which specializes in anti-aircraft missile systems and radars. The Voronezh radar, with a range of over 8,000 km, is designed to detect threats such as ballisti

In response to improved air quality in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has eased pollution curbs. The CAQM announced the revocation of Stage-4 and Stage-3 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire NCR, effective immediately. This decision comes after the Supreme Court allowed the relaxation, following consistent improvement in the air quality index (AQI) since November 29, with AQI levels falling below 300. Howev