Xpress Times Team

The Noida International Airport, set to open for commercial operations in April 2025, achieved a significant milestone on Monday with its first flight validation test. The test, conducted under the supervision of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), involved an IndiGo flight that took off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) and landed at the new airport site in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.

Jaipur (Rajasthan) – Karan Adani, the Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, revealed an ambitious ₹7.5 lakh crore investment plan for the state of Rajasthan at the Rising Rajasthan Global Summit held at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) on Monday. The investment aims to bolster various sectors of the state's economy, with more than 50% of the total funds earmarked for projects to be completed within the next five years.

Kashmir's mountainous regions experienced fresh snowfall on Sunday, leading to the closure of key roads connecting districts in the region. Mughal Road, which connects Shopian with Rajouri-Poonch districts, and Sinthan Road, linking Anantnag with Kishtwar, were both closed due to the snowfall over the Pir Panjal Mountains.

A teenager from Haryana is facing widespread criticism after a video of him sitting on the roof of a moving car, claiming that his policeman father would "protect him," went viral on social media. The video, which showcases reckless behavior, has ignited intense debates about road safety and the responsibilities of both individuals and parents in setting a good example.

Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjiv Bhatt has been acquitted in a 27-year-old custodial torture case after a Gujarat court found the prosecution's evidence insufficient to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The court in Porbandar, led by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Mukesh Pandya, concluded that Bhatt, who was serving as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Porbandar at the time, could not be convicted for causing grievous hurt to extract a confession from the complainant, Naran Jadav, in 1997.

In a unique celebration of Northeast India's rich cultural heritage, Union Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sukanta Majumdar surprised attendees by walking the ramp during the fashion show at the ongoing Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in New Delhi. The three-day event aims to showcase the vibrant culture, artistry, and economic potential of the northeastern states.

Delhi woke up to its coldest morning of the season on Saturday, as the minimum temperature plunged to 7.1 degrees Celsius, three notches below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Amid ongoing protests by civil service aspirants against the "normalisation" process in the Bihar Public Service Commission's (BPSC) preliminary test, Patna Police confirmed that renowned educator and YouTuber Faizal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, was neither arrested nor detained.

After pausing their march on Friday due to resistance and tear gas from security forces, a group of 101 farmers from Punjab is set to resume their procession toward Delhi on Sunday, December 8, under heavy security arrangements at the Shambhu border.

Emulating the timeless lines of poet Sohan Lal Dwivedi, "Lahron se dar kar nauka paar nahi hoti, aur koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti" (One cannot cross the sea fearing waves, and those who try never fail), renowned international open-water swimmer Meenakshi Pahuja achieved a historic feat by swimming 17 kilometers across the Arabian Sea. She completed the journey from Rewas Jetty to the Gateway of India in Mumbai in 6 hours and 24 minutes, conquering the challenges posed by ocean currents, jellyfish, sea snakes, and fluctuating temperatures.

Three people have died, and 23 others have been hospitalized in Pallavaram, near Chennai, after reportedly consuming drinking water that was allegedly contaminated with sewage. The affected residents, from areas such as Malaimedu, Mariamman Kovil Street, and Muthalamman Kovil Street, began falling ill after consuming the water. Many were rushed to Chromepet Government General Hospital and a private hospital for medical treatment.

Gujarat Police have arrested 14 individuals posing as doctors after they purchased fake medical degrees from a gang operating in Surat. The primary suspect, Dr. Ramesh Gujarati, is also among those arrested for his involvement in orchestrating the illegal operation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed strong support for India’s development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, announcing that Russia is ready to set up manufacturing plants across India as part of its commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has lifted the restrictions under Stage-4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This decision follows an improvement in the city’s air quality, which has remained "moderate" for two consecutive days. The bench, headed by Justice Abhay S. Oka, has also urged the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reduce the thresholds for the two most stringent stages of the anti-pollution plan by 50 AQI points.