Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu will speak in the Lok Sabha at 12 pm on Tuesday regarding the ongoing IndiGo flight cancellations issue, a day after addressing the issue in the Rajya Sabha. The discussion follows widespread flight delays and cancellations across IndiGo’s network, which have left passengers stranded at airports nationwide, reported news agency ANI. In his Rajya Sabha remarks, the Minister clarified that the problems faced by passengers were linked to the airline’s internal crew rostering and operational planning, rather than the Aircraft Maintenance and Scheduling System (AMSS). Emphasising passenger safety, Naidu stated that “there will be no compromise on safety”. He also highlighted that stringent Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) are in place to protect passengers affected by flight disruptions. "For all passengers who have faced difficulties due to delays and cancellations, strict Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) are in place. Airline operators have to follow these requirements. Regarding the software issue, an inquiry has been made. Continuous technology upgradation happens in this sector. Our vision from the government is to have top global standards for the aviation sector in the country," he said, reported ANI. The Minister Naidu explained that the problems at IndiGo were related to crew rostering and internal operational planning, which the airline is responsible for managing on a day-to-day basis. He added that thorough consultations have been held with all stakeholders concerning Flight Time Limitations (FTTL) guidelines, and emphasised that there will be no compromise on safety. Naidu underlined that the government is taking the situation seriously and warned, "If there is non-adherence by any operator, we will take very strict action." He also highlighted the government's intent to encourage more players in the aviation sector, reported ANI. Answering a question from Member of Rajya Sabha M Thambi Durai, who cited long hours spent stranded and exorbitant fares, the Union Minister expressed regret for the inconvenience caused. As per ANI, the Aviation Minister Naidu said, "Over five lakh PNR cancellations had been recorded, and Rs 569 crore had been provided to affected passengers. The government has capped fares and created four pricing slabs, taking strict action against non-compliance, and has previously acted to curb unreasonable fare hikes." Meanwhile, IndiGo announced a significant operational rebound on Monday, confirming it will operate more than 1,800 flights across its network, marking a decisive turnaround after days of widespread disruption. In a press release, the airline said it has restored connectivity to all stations in its network and significantly reduced cancellations through tighter planning and operational optimisation. (With ANI inputs)
09 December,2025 09:48 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe national capital continued to grapple with deteriorating air quality on Tuesday, as a thin layer of smog lingered over several parts of Delhi, reducing visibility during the early hours, reported news agency ANI. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an AQI of 292 at 8 am, placing overall air quality firmly in the ‘Poor’ category. Early-morning visuals from India Gate and Kartavya Path showed the landmarks partially shrouded in grey haze, with the AQI in the area measured at 265, also within the ‘Poor’ range. Other key monitoring stations reported similar levels: 294 at ITO, 282 at Alipur, 253 at Aya Nagar, and 291 at Burari, reported news agency ANI. However, pollution levels were significantly worse in Akshardham, where the AQI climbed to 319, pushing the locality into the ‘Very Poor’ category. Similar conditions were reported from Ghazipur and Anand Vihar, where the AQI also settled at 319. Several other key stations, including Ashok Vihar (305), Bawana (342), Anand Vihar (319), Chandani Chowk (333), and Dwarka (314), remained in the "very poor" category, highlighting the widespread nature of pollution across Delhi. According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. According to CPCB, the AQI, which ranges from 0 to 500, is divided into six categories, each reflecting the level of pollution and associated health risks. An AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as "Good", indicating minimal or no health impact. AQI levels from 51 to 100 fall into the "Satisfactory" category, where air quality remains acceptable, though sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues may experience slight discomfort. The "Moderate" category, ranging from 101 to 200, signals increasing pollution levels that can trigger breathing difficulties among people with asthma, lung conditions, or heart diseases. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered "Poor", a range in which prolonged exposure can cause breathing discomfort to most people, not just those with pre-existing health issues. This level has become increasingly common in several parts of the capital during winter. Levels between 301 and 400 are marked as "Very Poor", posing a risk of respiratory illnesses even to healthy individuals when exposure continues for long periods. The most hazardous category, "Severe," includes AQI values from 401 to 500. At this stage, air quality becomes dangerous for everyone. (With ANI inputs)
09 December,2025 09:28 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentCongress Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "no longer the PM he once was", questioning his confidence and policies in recent years. Addressing the Lok Sabha, Priyanka Gandhi fired shots at the BJP over their negligence of people's problems. "The truth is that Modi is no longer the Prime Minister he once was. The truth is, it's beginning to show. His self-confidence is declining. His policies are weakening the country, and my colleagues in power are silent because, deep down, they too agree with this. Today, the people of the country are unhappy, distressed, and surrounded by problems, and you are not solving them," she said. Priyanka Gandhi targeted the BJP for calling the debate on the Vande Mataram in Lok Sabha, alleging that they "consider themselves superior" to Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders who laid down the foundation of the country. She further accused PM Modi of "insulting" the freedom fighters for arguing that the stanzas from Vande Mataram were "cut by a divisive mindset" "Our colleagues in the ruling party have become so arrogant that they have started considering themselves superior to Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Rajendra Prasad, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel and Subhash Chandra Bose. PM Modi saying in his speech that the national song was cut by a divisive mindset is an insult to all those great men who dedicated their entire lives to the fight for the freedom of this country," she said. Responding to PM Modi's attacks on the first PM of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, Priyanka Gandhi reminded of Nehru's contribution to the freedom struggle and nation-building after independence. "As far as Jawaharlal Nehru ji is concerned. Jawaharlal Nehru ji was in jail for almost 12 years. For the independence of this country, and after that, he was the Prime Minister for 17 years. You criticise him a lot, but if he had not made ISRO, then today you would not have Mangalyaan, if DRDO was not made, Tejas would not have been possible, if AIIMS was not made, then how would we have faced the big challenge of Covid... Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru lived for this country and died while serving the country," she said. A total of 10 hours has been earmarked for the entire discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, where the debate will take place on Tuesday, December 9. During his address, PM Modi accused the Congress of insulting the national song and surrendering before the Muslim League, stating, "Congress still insults Vande Mataram. Congress compromised on Vande Mataram and surrendered before the Muslim League. Nehru did a 'tukde-tukde' of Vande Mataram." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 December,2025 09:26 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly asserted India's unequivocal stance on Arunachal Pradesh amid renewed attention to the issue. In a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We have stated many times that Arunachal Pradesh is and will remain an integral part of India, and we do not want any interference in it." Linking the territorial issue to recent developments, the MEA also issued a cautionary advisory for Indian travellers visiting or transiting through China. This came after an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh was detained at Shanghai airport last month. Jaiswal said India expects China to abide by established global aviation norms and raised concern over the treatment of Indian citizens at Chinese airports. "We fully share your concern following the recent incident at Shanghai airport that you have cited. We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed and that regulations governing international air travel would be respected by the Chinese side. MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China," he said. The advisory followed an incident involving Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian passport holder based in the United Kingdom, who was stopped by immigration officials in Shanghai on November 21. Authorities allegedly questioned the validity of her travel documents because her place of birth is Arunachal Pradesh, which they claimed was Chinese territory. Thongdok was travelling from London to Japan and had a brief layover in Shanghai when the incident occurred. She later described her experience on social media after leaving China. On November 24, official sources confirmed that a "strong demarche was made with the Chinese side, in Beijing and in Delhi, on the same day the incident took place." Following this, India lodged a formal objection with officials, noting that "such actions by the Chinese side introduce unnecessary obstructions to the process" of improving bilateral ties. Relations between New Delhi and Beijing had been gradually improving over the past year, particularly after steps taken to resolve the four-year military confrontation in eastern Ladakh. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 December,2025 09:23 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIIndia has urged Myanmar to hold "free, fair and inclusive" elections, saying broad participation is essential for a credible transition to democracy as global scrutiny over transparency continues to grow. Myanmar's military leadership plans to conduct voting in three phases starting December 28, with balloting expected to stretch through January. Overseas voting has already begun at embassies in locations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Chiang Mai and Bangkok, even as questions persist about how representative the exercise will be. The polls are scheduled in just 274 of 330 townships, reflecting limited military control over regions held by resistance forces and underscoring the uneven nature of the election rollout. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that "India supports Myanmar's transition to democracy and it is of the view that participation of all political stakeholders is important for the credibility of the electoral exercise that is to happen there." He further emphasised that the process must be "free, fair and inclusive". Reiterating New Delhi's approach, Jaiswal added, "India will continue to support all efforts that advance peace, dialogue and a return to normalcy in Myanmar." He also highlighted India's humanitarian engagement, citing the government's response to the devastating earthquake in March that killed more than 5,000 people. "We sent in a large team to provide relief to the people. We also provided humanitarian assistance and medical support. We had set up a temporary hospital there," he said. "Subsequent to that, we continued to offer whatever help that we can so that the people's lives can come back to normal," he added, signalling ongoing support for Myanmar's population beyond the political situation. Concerns about the legitimacy of the upcoming vote have intensified, increasing pressure on the junta to show openness. The Union Election Commission, controlled by the military, recently scrapped polling in 1,585 village areas. Earlier announcements suggested voting would not take place in roughly one out of every seven national parliament constituencies. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on foreign governments to reject the election plan, saying it will not be "free, fair or inclusive". According to HRW, since the February 2021 coup, authorities have dismantled democratic structures, stepped up repression and violence, and enacted laws with penalties of up to ten years in prison for criticism or protest linked to the election. Myanmar remains locked in conflict, with the armed forces battling people's defence units and ethnic armed organisations. Thousands of activists and politicians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, are currently imprisoned. While the junta retains control over major cities, resistance groups dominate large areas and several key border points with Bangladesh, China and India. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 December,2025 09:20 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Goa government has intensified its crackdown on the controversial Romeo Lane club chain after a deadly fire at one of its outlets claimed 25 lives, officials said. Two other properties of the hospitality company in Goa have been sealed, they said. A state police team also left for Delhi on Sunday to search for the property promoters — Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra — against whom a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered, they said. Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub at Arpora in North Goa, caught fire late Saturday night, killing 25 persons, the majority of whom were their staffers. Club owner posts grief message as probe reveals lapses Saurabh Luthra, one of the owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora in North Goa, in which 25 persons were killed in a devastating fire, on Monday took to Instagram to express grief and asserted that the management will extend every possible form of assistance, support and cooperation to the bereaved and affected individuals. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 December,2025 08:29 AM IST | Panaji | AgenciesTen hardcore Maoists carrying a collective bounty of Rs 2.36 crore have surrendered in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district, prompting Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to declare Dindori and Mandla completely free from the Maoists’ influence. The Maoists, including four women, laid down their modern weapons, including AK-47 and INSAS rifles, in front of Yadav on Sunday. They were part of the ‘Bhorsadev area committee’ of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), officials said. “Dindori and Mandla are now completely free from Naxal influence. A complete Maoist eradication campaign will begin in Balaghat from January. Those who return to the mainstream will get a rehabilitation package for 15 years, while strict action will continue against those who do not,” Yadav said. At the ‘Punarvas Se Purnajeevan’ (rehabilitation) event held at the Balaghat police lines, Yadav urged Maoists to join the mainstream under the government’s surrender policy and said the administration would ensure their rehabilitation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 December,2025 08:25 AM IST | Balaghat | AgenciesA Kerala court on Monday acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 sexual assault case involving a south Indian actress, while finding six others, including prime accused Sunil NS alias Pulsar Suni, who directly committed the crime, guilty. Apart from Dileep, the court also acquitted three others in the case. The verdict was pronounced by Ernakulam Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese, who had concluded the hearing in the lengthy trial on November 25, in a tightly packed court room here. The CPI(M) said the government would file an appeal on the matter. Besides Sunil, the others convicted are Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh V P, Salim H, and Pradeep — the first six accused in the case. The court will consider the matter on December 12, when the quantum of punishment is expected to be announced. While the first six accused were convicted on all counts, Dileep and three others were fully discharged. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 December,2025 08:22 AM IST | Kochi | AgenciesA major tragedy was averted on Monday evening in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district when a training aircraft almost collided with a high-voltage power line during flight and crashed near Sukatra village in the Kurai police station area of Seoni district. The incident, according to police occurred at around 6:30 p.m. The incident triggered panic in the locality as villagers rushed to the spot and rescued both the trainer (pilot) and trainee safely. A video of the crash quickly went viral on social media. Speaking to IANS, C.S. Tekam, Investigation Officer at Kurai Police Station, said, "Both the trainer and trainee are out of danger. They have been taken to a private hospital. One has sustained a head injury and the other has injuries on the face. However, as company officials informed us, both managed to walk out of the plane to safety." The police officer added that the aircraft was a two-seater trainee plane, though the manufacturer's name is not yet known. The officer identified the trainer and trainee as Ajeet Anthony and Ashok Chhava, respectively. "We are waiting for instructions from higher authorities regarding the investigation,” he said, confirming that no human loss was reported despite one of the plane’s wheels getting stuck in a 33kV high-tension line, severing it from the tower before the aircraft landed on the ground. “The training company is operating in the area since 2023,” the police official said. According to eyewitnesses and preliminary investigation, the plane suddenly began to descend due to a technical glitch. “It might have lost power, and one of its wheels got entangled in the high-voltage line for a while." The heavy load severed the wire, causing a loud noise, spark and panic. "Fortunately, no major damage occurred,” the police officer explained. Locals reported sparks as the aircraft struck the wires, and within moments, villagers realised the plane’s occupants were in trouble. They rushed to the scene to help. Villagers also alleged this was not the first such incident, claiming training aircraft had overturned twice earlier while operating on the runway. They warned that had the plane remained stuck in the wires for a few more seconds, the consequences could have been devastating. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 December,2025 11:02 PM IST | Bhopal | IANSVeteran social activist Baba Adhav passed away in Pune on Monday night after a prolonged illness, his aide confirmed. He was 95 and is survived by his two sons, Asim and Amber. Adhav had been admitted to a private hospital 12 days ago after his health suddenly deteriorated. He was placed on life support during his treatment but died at 8.25 pm following cardiac arrest, his aide Nitin Pawar said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday expressed grief over the passing of Baba Adhav, calling his death “extremely saddening”. In a post on X, Fadnavis wrote, Baba Adhav had dedicated his entire life to fighting for the rights of marginalised and unorganised workers. He recalled that Adhav played a pivotal role as a pillar of support for labourers and helped establish strong organisations for head loaders, rickshaw drivers, and construction workers. CM Fadnavis also highlighted Adhav’s significant contributions through initiatives such as Hamals’ Panchayat and the Ek Gaon, Ek Panwatha -- a significant movement against caste discrimination aimed at promoting equal access to village water resources, as well as his powerful fight against social evils. ज्येष्ठ समाजसेवक बाबा आढाव यांच्या निधनाचे वृत्त अतिशय दु:खद आहे.वंचित आणि असंघटित घटकांच्या हक्कांसाठी त्यांनी सातत्याने संघर्ष केला. त्यांचे आधारस्तंभ म्हणून काम केले. हमाल, रिक्षाचालक, बांधकाम मजुरांना न्याय देण्यासाठी त्यांनी संघटन उभे केले. हमाल पंचायत, एक गाव-एक पाणवठा असे… pic.twitter.com/7hPH7WCtEx — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 8, 2025 “Maharashtra has always been blessed with a rich tradition of great social reformers, and today we have lost one of its most remarkable personalities,” CM Fadnavis wrote, adding that Adhav’s thoughts and work would continue to inspire future generations. The Chief Minister offered heartfelt tributes to the late social worker and extended condolences to his family members and followers. The health of veteran social activist Baba Adhav had last week worsened, and he was in the ICU of a Pune hospital, his family had earlier said on Saturday. Leaders from various political parties, including NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had visited the hospital to check on the 95-year-old activist’s condition. Babasaheb Pandurang Adhav is widely regarded as a pillar of Maharashtra’s social and labour movements. One of the major landmarks of his work was the establishment of the Hamal Panchayat, through which he organised porters across Pune and the rest of Maharashtra. He also led the groundbreaking ‘Ek Gaon, Ek Panwatha’ movement, which fought against caste discrimination and promoted social equality. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep sorrow over the death of Baba Adhav, calling it an “irreparable loss”. In a post on X, the Congress leader described Adhav as a “strong pillar of social justice” who dedicated his entire life to fighting for the rights of the marginalised, the exploited and the working class. He said the flame of struggle ignited by Adhav in Pune became a torch for social justice movements across the country. सामाजिक न्याय के मजबूत स्तंभ और महान श्रमिक नेता बाबा आढाव जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद और एक अपूरणीय क्षति है।वंचितों, शोषितों और मजदूरों के अधिकारों के लिए उन्होंने अपना संपूर्ण जीवन समर्पित कर दिया। पुणे से उठी उनकी संघर्ष की ज्योति ने देशभर में मशाल बन कर सामाजिक न्याय… pic.twitter.com/8c1pfPmQg5 — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 8, 2025
08 December,2025 10:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSaurabh Luthra, the co-owner of the nightclub where a fire broke out late on Decemeber 6 killing 25 people, expressed "profound grief" over the incident and vowed to provide assistance, support, and cooperation to the victims' families in "every possible form", news agency IANS reported. Luthra made the announcement in a post on social media on Monday. The post comes at a time when police teams have been sent from Goa to Delhi to arrest the management of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' club, located in North Goa's Arpora area, some 25 kilometres away from Panaji. The victims comprised 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi. The five injured were undergoing treatment at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), PTI reported. Saurabh Luthra has been named in the FIR in connection with the incident along with co-owner Gaurav Luthra. "The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch," Saurabh Luthra's Instagram post read. He further noted that the management had affirmed that it shall extend every possible "form of assistance, support and cooperation to the bereaved and affected individuals, as they navigate through this period of immense anguish and adversity", IANS reported. The police investigations have so far indicated multiple irregularities at the entertainment venue, including the absence of a 'no-objection certificate' from the fire department and the issuance of a licence without proper documentation. As per reports, the police may also issue a lookout circular against all the accused in the case as a precautionary measure. Fire officials, while briefing about the incident, had said that earlier the club, located on the backwaters of the Arpora River, had small exit doors connected only by a narrow bridge, which severely hampered the escape of people during the blaze. While the club's Chief General Manager Rajiv Modak, General Manager Vivek Singh, Bar Manager Rajiv Singhania, and Gate Manager Riyanshu Thakur were arrested, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that a police team had left for Delhi to nab the other accused. (With inputs from IANS)
08 December,2025 09:04 PM IST | Goa | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
