Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on friday met with political party leaders and Members of Parliament in his chamber at Parliament House following the conclusion of the Winter Session of Parliament 2025. Amid opposition protests over the passage of the VB-G RAM G Bill, the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die after the playing of “Vande Mataram,” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned from a three-nation visit yesterday, in attendance.

In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan adjourned the Upper House shortly after it resumed at 11 am. Before the adjournment, several statements and reports were laid on the table. While adjourning the House sine die, Radhakrishnan criticized members’ conduct during the Minister’s reply the previous day, noting that protesting and tearing papers was “unbecoming of the House.” The opposition continued to voice strong objections to the VB-G RAM G Bill. On Friday, they held a joint protest outside Parliament, while Trinamool Congress members staged a demonstration at the entrance steps of the Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, currently in Germany, also criticized the Bill, calling it “anti-state” and “anti-village” in nature. He stated that the Modi government had effectively dismantled two decades of MGNREGA in a single day. According to Gandhi, VB-G RAM G does not merely revamp MGNREGA but transforms the rights-based, demand-driven scheme into a rationed program controlled from Delhi.

Gandhi emphasized that MGNREGA had empowered rural workers, improved wages, reduced exploitation and distress migration, and strengthened rural livelihoods and infrastructure. He added that the VB-G RAM G Bill weakens this crucial support system. Highlighting MGNREGA’s impact during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gandhi noted that it prevented millions from falling into hunger and debt, particularly benefiting women, who have consistently contributed more than half of the workdays under the program.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa carried out inspections at several petrol pumps to ensure adherence to the “no fuel without Pollution Certificate” order. Speaking to ANI, he emphasized the urgent need for the entire Delhi-NCR region to unite against rising air pollution. Highlighting the severity of the situation, Sirsa pointed out that the primary goal is to reduce the Air Quality Index (AQI) in both Delhi and the surrounding NCR, particularly as the region faces adverse weather conditions over the next seven days.

Sirsa explained, “I started reviewing petrol pumps from the Delhi-Haryana border. The entire NCR region together will have to fight this pollution. Even the Haryana Traffic Police have set up a check post in their area. The next seven days are expected to see bad weather, but we aim to lower the AQI. This awareness campaign will continue. I have come to know that many private organisations are not following the 50% work from home norm; action will be taken against them.”

As per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall AQI in the National Capital was recorded at 361 around 1 pm, categorizing it as ‘very poor.’ In response, Transport Enforcement teams have intensified vehicle checks across Delhi as part of measures to curb escalating pollution levels in the NCR.

These actions follow a Supreme Court decision permitting the Delhi government to take strict measures against vehicles operating below the BS IV emission standard within the region. Under the new directives, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will be denied fuel at petrol stations, while trucks transporting construction materials into Delhi have been banned to help reduce pollution levels.

The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, through its Department of Environment and Forests, issued formal directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These directives stipulate that fuel can only be dispensed to vehicles with a valid PUC certificate. Additionally, vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI standards are restricted, and trucks carrying construction materials are prohibited during GRAP Stage IV (Severe+) conditions. Sirsa stressed that this combined effort across government departments, enforcement agencies, and the public is crucial to mitigating Delhi-NCR’s air pollution crisis.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a sapling at the Ethiopian Parliament as part of India’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative. He also addressed a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, extending India’s greetings of friendship and goodwill. Invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of trusteeship, Modi emphasized that humanity holds the planet in trust for future generations. He noted that India’s tree-planting initiative aligns with Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, reflecting a shared commitment to environmental protection. Highlighting the historic ties between the two countries, he described India and Ethiopia as “one family” and natural partners, with Ethiopia at Africa’s crossroads and India at the heart of the Indian Ocean.

In a social media post, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: “PM Modi planted a sapling at the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives, as part of Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative. Two nations, two traditions, one shared promise to honour our Mother Earth and build a greener future.”

Modi also highlighted India and Ethiopia’s shared vision for the Global South, emphasizing fair development, accessible technology, sovereignty, shared prosperity, and peace. He drew parallels between the constitutions of the two nations, noting that both place the people at the centre of national destiny.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the contributions of Indian teachers in Ethiopia, who have played a key role in the country’s development. Earlier, he visited the Adwa Victory Monument and the Adwa Museum, honoring Ethiopia’s historic struggle for freedom and sovereignty. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described Modi’s visit to Adwa as a tribute to Ethiopia’s heroes and Africa’s enduring legacy of dignity and resilience.

After addressing Parliament, Modi interacted with its members and expressed that Ethiopia’s rich history and culture inspire admiration. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties based on shared values, mutual trust, and a common vision for peace, development, and cooperation.

In a social media post, Modi wrote: “It was a great honour and privilege to address the Ethiopian Parliament this morning. Ethiopia’s rich history, culture and spirit inspire deep respect and admiration. I conveyed India’s commitment to further strengthening our partnership, guided by shared values, mutual trust and a common vision for peace, development and cooperation.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@MEAIndia.

The Lok Sabha saw the introduction of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025—commonly called the VB-G RAM-G Bill—which is intended to replace the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly criticized the bill, claiming it would weaken MGNREGA and undermine its guarantee of 100 days of employment. During the Lok Sabha debate, the Wayanad MP argued that no legislation should be rushed through Parliament without proper consultation or discussion and accused the government of pushing the bill due to "personal obsession" or "bias."

Addressing the House, she said, "The bill should not be rushed through without proper consultation or discussion. It ought to be withdrawn, and a new bill should be introduced. Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy is an emotion shared by the nation, and this bill should be referred to the Standing Committee for detailed examination. No legislation should be pushed through merely due to personal obsession or bias." She also highlighted delays in MNREGA wage payments, stating, "This new bill will weaken the right to income for at least 100 days. Wherever you go, MNREGA employees will tell you they have not received their wages."

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sought the Lok Sabha’s approval to introduce the bill. The legislation proposes to increase wage employment to 125 days per rural household, up from 100, for adults willing to perform unskilled manual work. It also aims to ensure income security while creating durable, productivity-enhancing rural assets through a coordinated national development strategy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Karate standout Marissa Hafezan clinched Singapore's first gold in the sport at the SEA Games in 32 years. She defeated Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly 5-3 in the women's kumite under-55kg final to secure the historic victory. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman sit down with Marissa to learn more about her remarkable achievement. They also get an update on Team Singapore’s overall performance at the midpoint of the Games, featuring insights from Marissa Hafezan, SEA Games gold medallist and Singapore karate exponent, and Phil Goh, independent sports journalist.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

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.