Category: India

US President Trump has paused planned strikes on Iran for five days following “productive” talks, a move Iran claims as a “backing down.” This de-escalation saw Brent crude fall sharply. Meanwhile, PM Modi highlighted the Middle East conflict’s “unprecedented challenges” for India, as markets crashed, wiping out Rs 14 lakh…

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday marked four years of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, emphasising its guiding mantra of development as well as heritage while fulfilling the dreams of the statehood agitators and the aspirations of the state’s 1.25 crore residents. …

Trans rights activists protested in Hyderabad against the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) amendment bill. They demanded its withdrawal and explicit recognition of transmen in all laws. Protesters also called for the removal of medical boards for transgender certificates. They warned of nationwide protests if their rights are not…

Tension flared in Churachandpur as a mob attempted to storm the residence of Kuki Zo Council chairman H Thanglet. Protesters, alleging militants were present, first pelted stones and tried to force entry, prompting tear gas deployment. Later, armed individuals fired blank shots to deter a renewed attempt to breach the…

TVK has announced its candidates for all 30 Puducherry Assembly constituencies, contesting independently. The party has fielded two women candidates and included experienced leaders from other political parties, including former AIADMK and BJP members, to contest the upcoming elections. …

EPFO is developing an auto-settlement facility to disburse unclaimed money from inoperative accounts directly to subscribers. This initiative will initially target Aadhaar-verified accounts with balances of Rs 1,000 or less, aiming to clear idle funds and simplify the withdrawal process for members. …

Government seeks clarity on recovering hefty penalties from carmakers for missing fuel efficiency targets. With stricter norms ahead, the PMO is pushing ministries to define who evaluates, approves, and recovers the dues. Over Rs 8,800 crore in penalties have been levied for past non-compliance, yet no recovery has occurred. …

The March 31 deadline for eliminating Left-wing extremism may pass without fanfare, having successfully created a psychological impetus for stakeholders. This pressure led to the neutralization or surrender of most CPI(Maoist) leadership, fracturing the group and pushing remaining members towards surrender. …

Indian Railways has boosted Kilometrage Allowance and Allowance in lieu of Kilometrage by 25% for over two lakh running staff, effective January 2024. This decision aligns compensation with the 50% Dearness Allowance hike, addressing long-standing demands for better financial benefits for essential operational personnel. …

Supreme Court’s Justice Vikram Nath asserted AI can aid judicial processes but won’t replace judges’ core judgment-writing role. He highlighted AI’s limitations in complex cases like matrimonial disputes and constitutional matters. Other judges echoed concerns about AI’s potential for bias and the need for human conscience in justice delivery, emphasizing…

Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted a stark gender disparity in higher judicial appointments, noting women excel in lower judicial services but are underrepresented in High Courts and the Supreme Court due to subjective collegium criteria. He stressed the need for greater gender parity for India to achieve developed nation…

SC judge Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized that a developed India by 2047 requires greater tolerance for debate and dissent, without criminalizing them. He highlighted that thousands arrested under the UAPA with minuscule convictions indicate overuse or misuse of the law, hindering justice delivery and the ideal of a developed nation. …