Government sources have refuted Rahul Gandhi's claims that opposition leaders are barred from meeting foreign dignitaries. They stated that the Ministry of External Affairs facilitates official meetings, while engagements outside this framework are at the visitor's discretion. Several foreign leaders have met Gandhi since he became Leader of the Opposition, including Prime Ministers from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Mauritius, and New Zealand.

Swaraj Kaushal, former Mizoram Governor and husband of the late Sushma Swaraj, passed away at 73 after a brief illness. He was a senior advocate with a distinguished public and legal career. His daughter, MP Bansuri Swaraj, expressed profound grief, finding solace in his reunion with her mother. Leaders mourned his contributions.

Security agencies launched an extensive search operation in Ajmer, Rajasthan, following a bomb threat email claiming RDX-based explosives were planted at the Ajmer Sharif dargah, district collectorate, and Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The email warned of detonation coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin's arrival. Premises were evacuated and thoroughly checked, with no suspicious objects found so far.

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed the nation's steady defence partnership with Russia, despite global geopolitical uncertainty. The remarks were made during the 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission meeting, just before President Putin's arrival for the Annual Summit. Both ministers emphasized the strong, long-standing ties and ongoing cooperation across military and economic domains.

IndiGo faces a nationwide operational crisis with widespread flight cancellations and delays, leaving lakhs of passengers stranded and sparking anger. The DGCA has summoned the airline's management to explain the «unprecedented disruptions» and present a plan to stabilize operations during the peak travel season.

Parliament's Winter Session commenced with significant disruptions over Delhi's air quality and electoral roll revisions. Opposition demands for urgent debates led to walkouts. Key legislative proposals include raising FDI in insurance, new tobacco tax structures, and consolidating securities laws. A truce was reached for a debate on election reforms, including the Special Intensive Revision.

Hours before Russia President Putin's arrival, Rahul Gandhi criticized the Modi government for breaking the tradition of allowing the Leader of Opposition to meet foreign dignitaries. He stated this practice, observed under Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, is now ignored due to government insecurity. Putin's visit will focus on trade, technology, and regional issues, with several agreements expected.

Rajya Sabha members raised concerns over Delhi's severe air pollution, with one MP suggesting shifting Parliament's winter session and ministries out of the capital. The Environment Minister acknowledged the issue, stating the government is taking steps and has seen a reduction in stubble burning compared to previous years.

Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad defended SP MP Mohibbullah Nadvi's use of 'jihad' in Parliament, equating it to 'jaddojahad' or struggle against oppression. Azad asserted that Nadvi was advocating for Muslims to resist injustice constitutionally. He also supported Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Mahmood Madani, whose remarks were reportedly twisted.

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed state governments to provide additional staff to reduce the workload of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in EC's SIR exercise. This comes amid reports of excessive pressure and alleged suicides, with the court emphasising case-by-case consideration for exemption requests and ensuring adequate workforce. The direction was issued after TVK's plea flagging BLO plight.

President Vladimir Putin's much-anticipated visit to India begins with a private dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the start of discussions focused on enhancing economic collaboration and strategic partnerships. The leaders will also tackle significant global concerns, particularly India's call for resolving the Russia-Ukraine crisis through diplomatic channels.

The BJP has reacted strongly against remarks from two Congress Chief Ministers, which they regard as mockery of Hindu traditions. Spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi called into question whether Congress is employing tactics that demean Hindu deities, spotlighting comments by Telangana's CM Revanth Reddy and Himachal CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's exchanges with young audiences.

The Rajya Sabha has officially passed the extension of the Water Pollution Act to Manipur through a voice vote. This decision sparked sharp criticism from opposition MPs, who slammed the government's approach to the state's ongoing crisis, accusing it of fostering centralization and neglecting democratic values.

The government has withdrawn its directive mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on new smartphones following widespread criticism from the industry and opposition. While defending the app's utility for cyber security, officials admitted being surprised by the strong negative reaction from global manufacturers. The decision aims to de-escalate the controversy.

The Supreme Court has made a pivotal ruling that requires bridegrooms to return any financial gifts received from their father-in-law upon divorce, directing that these gifts should revert to the bride. This decision, rooted in addressing patriarchal biases, references the Muslim Women's Act of 1986, designed to safeguard women's dignity and economic stability post-divorce.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a probe into IndiGo's network disruptions, citing massive flight delays and cancellations. The airline reported 1,232 flight cancellations in November due to crew constraints and ATC failures. IndiGo attributed the issues to unexpected operational problems, including technical glitches and winter schedule adjustments.

Beyond Type 1, co-founded by Nick Jonas and supported by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, has launched #TheBeyondType campaign in India to combat type 1 diabetes stigma. The initiative highlights inspiring individuals living with T1D and partners with local organisations to improve awareness, medical support, and community networks for affected families across the nation.

AI assistants are evolving from tools to emotional anchors, with people forming deep, private bonds with chatbots as therapists and friends. This reliance, driven by immediacy and comfort, blurs lines between reality and imagination, leading to potential emotional dependency and even 'AI psychosis.' While AI offers a low-effort outlet for unfiltered conversations, experts warn it cannot replace genuine human connection and empathy, highlighting the profound impact on our emotional landscapes.

A Bhopal gas tragedy commemoration rally turned contentious as BJP supporters alleged protesters intended to burn an RSS effigy alongside one representing Dow Chemical. Police intervened, removing the effigy after a complaint, citing it was offensive and warning against targeting any organisation. Survivor groups denied the accusation, stating effigies represented those responsible for the disaster.

India and Russia are set to discuss advanced BrahMos missile development during President Putin's visit. Following its success in Operation Sindoor, India seeks lighter, versatile BrahMos-NG variants for its Air Force and extended-range systems. This collaboration underscores the strong Indo-Russian strategic partnership, with further talks on next-gen hypersonic and air-to-air missiles also anticipated.

Karnataka's chief ministerial post remains undecided despite meetings between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. The Congress high command faces a complex challenge involving loyalty, caste arithmetic, and the party's future in the state. Both leaders are awaiting a decision from Delhi, with potential solutions ranging from status quo to power rotation.