Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said the country will never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by security personnel who gave their lives defending the “temple of democracy” during the 2001 Parliament terror attack, as leaders from across political parties paid homage on its anniversary.

Speaking to ANI, Rijiju said December 13 is a solemn day for the nation. He noted that every year tributes are paid at the Parliament premises to the martyrs, with the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Members of Parliament joining in remembrance. He emphasized that the fallen personnel laid down their lives to protect India’s democratic institutions and saved Parliament from terrorist assault.

President Droupadi Murmu also paid tribute to the martyrs, stating that the nation will always remain indebted to them and their families. In a post on X, she said the courage and dedication of the heroes who protected Parliament in 2001 continue to inspire the nation, reaffirming India’s resolve to fight terrorism in all forms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi likewise honored the security personnel who made the supreme sacrifice. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Kiren Rijiju, and several senior parliamentarians from both the ruling alliance and the opposition also paid their respects. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remembered the martyrs, calling the attack a cowardly assault on the nation’s sovereignty and democracy, and said the country would forever be grateful for their sacrifice.

The Central Reserve Police Force paid special tribute to Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the 88 Battalion, recalling her bravery during the attack. Despite sustaining serious injuries, she continued to pursue the terrorists and share crucial information, actions that led to all five attackers being neutralized. She was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra for her valor. On December 13, 2001, five heavily armed terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked the Parliament complex in New Delhi. The assault, which occurred shortly after Parliament was adjourned, claimed the lives of 14 people, including security personnel and a civilian.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu chaired an extensive review to evaluate airline preparedness for the upcoming winter-fog season. The Minister stated on X, “Today, I chaired a comprehensive review meeting with all key stakeholders—including DGCA, AAI, airport operators, airlines, and CISF—to assess readiness for the upcoming fog window in the winter schedule. All stakeholders have been directed to ensure full compliance, establish accountability, and strictly implement SOPs for fog operations. Focus must be on real-time data sharing, activating war rooms, and deploying CAT-II/III compliant aircraft with qualified crews. Clear instructions have been issued to ensure safe, seamless, and well-coordinated operations, along with timely updates to passengers to help them plan ahead. Every passenger is important, and any inconvenience will be addressed with accountability.”

Earlier on Friday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) dismissed four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) in connection with the recent IndiGo flight cancellation crisis. The officials relieved from DGCA duties are Rish Raj Chatterjee, Seema Jhamnani, Anil Kumar Pokhariyal, and Priyam Kaushik. The DGCA notice stated, “Following approval from the competent authority, the following FOIs, employed on a contract basis in various categories, are relieved from DGCA with immediate effect to return to their respective parent organizations: Rish Raj Chatterjee, Consultant [Dy. CFOI(A)]; Seema Jhamnani, SFOI(A); Anil Kumar Pokhariyal, Consultant [FOI(A)]; and Priyam Kaushik, Consultant [FOI(A)].”

Meanwhile, a special four-member DGCA committee will meet IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to question him about last week’s widespread flight cancellations that caused major disruption at multiple airports. The committee has been set up to investigate the flight disruptions and ensure the airline improves its operations. The DGCA had earlier issued a show-cause notice to Elbers after the cancellations, to which IndiGo responded, requesting additional time and stating that it is “realistically not possible to pinpoint the exact cause(s)” immediately due to the “complexity and vast scale of operations.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Goa Police presented Ajay Gupta, the sixth accused in the tragic Goa nightclub fire, in a local court on Thursday. Gupta, one of the four owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, was arrested in Delhi and brought to Goa following a 36-hour transit remand granted by Delhi's Saket Court. The devastating blaze, which broke out late on December 6 at ‘Birch by Romeo Lane,’ claimed 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 staff members.

In a related development, the Luthra brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, also linked to the nightclub, were apprehended in Thailand and are expected to be deported to India shortly. India and Thailand have had an Extradition Treaty since 2013, allowing for the extradition of fugitive offenders, including those accused of financial crimes. An agreement for the transfer of sentenced persons has also been in place since 2012.

According to Goa Police, the brothers were booked on December 7 for fleeing the country while authorities were managing the fire and rescuing trapped guests. Interpol had issued a Blue Corner Notice against them, which led to their arrest in Thailand. The Luthras, who also own the restaurant associated with the nightclub, had previously been subject to Non-Bailable Warrants issued by a Goa court. Delhi Police informed the Rohini Court that the brothers left India soon after the tragedy.

While opposing their plea for protection, the State argued that the brothers were deliberately evading investigation. The accused claimed, through their lawyers, that they traveled to Thailand for work purposes and now wish to return but feared custodial action. Their lawyers requested temporary transit protection to approach the competent court in Goa. The Rohini Court questioned the maintainability of the anticipatory bail application, as the applicants were not within its territorial jurisdiction.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that the inquiry report will be ready within eight days. Meanwhile, the state has begun compensating victims’ families and intensified safety audits and enforcement at entertainment venues. Authorities have also demolished part of the Romeo Lane restaurant in Vagator, Goa.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), launched a month-long Delhi Metro campaign at Sultanpur Metro Station on Wednesday, focusing on the health and well-being of women and girls. Running from December 10, 2025, to January 10, 2026, the campaign aims to reach millions of commuters through messages displayed on trains and selected metro stations. It highlights key issues such as women’s safety, health, mental well-being, bridging the digital divide, awareness of the PC&PNDT Act, and TB prevention.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava told ANI that the campaign builds on the successful “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan,” which saw participation from over 11 crore people. She said the initiative, in collaboration with WHO, focuses on promoting messages like “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar” and “Sashakt Bharat,” emphasizing the importance of women’s health, safety, and awareness about PCPNDT and TB. She added that a family or nation cannot progress without healthy women and that the Delhi Metro provides a powerful platform to reach the public directly.

Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia, said the “Healthy Women, Healthy Nation” campaign is vital, as many women in India and globally still face stigma and lack access to timely healthcare, including for tuberculosis. She encouraged public ownership of the campaign on behalf of WHO and the Indian government.

The flag-off included a performance by WeBhor, an all-women band, celebrating women’s empowerment and resilience, followed by an inaugural metro ride to reinforce shared responsibility for promoting safety, dignity, and well-being for women and girls. Officials present included Meera Srivastava, Geetu Joshi, and other senior members of the Union Health Ministry.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@MoHFW_INDIA.

Australia is introducing a first-of-its-kind law that blocks minors from using social media without a parent’s approval. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the debate with Professor Tama Leaver from Curtin University’s Internet Studies program: is this a vital measure to safeguard young people’s mental health, or an impractical policy that limits digital freedom?

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

In December 2019, a fishing boat set out from an Alaskan port with an experienced crew, unaware that an icy storm was gathering. The events that followed underscore why deep-sea fishing is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world. This account is by Rose George, read by Rosalie Craig, and is adapted from Every Last Fish: What Fish Do for Us, and What We Do to Them, published by Granta.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Just over 50% of voters acknowledge that climate change is real and driven by human activity, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. Interestingly, a similar proportion held the same view more than 15 years ago. Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, and political reporter Josh Butler examine the disconnect between climate science and the politics of climate action in Australia. They also discuss why self-aware AI, rather than climate change, is seen as the biggest existential threat, and how strong public backing for gambling reform highlights the gap between Prime Minister Albanese’s current policies and the public’s appetite for change.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Frances Wong, who led a global anti-scam team at an international bank, discovered that her own mother had fallen prey to a scam. Motivated by this, she left her position and founded White Byte, a company dedicated to educating vulnerable individuals and businesses about scam prevention. Frances discusses how she connects with the elderly, migrant workers, and other at-risk groups, the advice she gives to victims, and the guidance she would offer her younger self.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.