Xpress Times Team

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, were recently spotted enjoying a coffee date at Third Wave Coffee in Bengaluru, captivating locals and igniting excitement across social media platforms. In casual attire, Sunak sported a crisp white shirt and black trousers, while Murty opted for a pastel-colored kurta, as they ordered at the counter before settling into their table. Their outing marks a rare public appearance for the couple, known for their packed schedules.

In a significant judgment, the Delhi High Court sentenced a lawyer to four months’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of criminal contempt for "scandalising and lowering the dignity" of the court through derogatory remarks against judges. The court, represented by a bench of Justices Pratibha M. Singh and Amit Sharma, concluded that the lawyer's comments amounted to contempt, citing his use of "deplorable and derogatory language" directed at judicial officers, high court judges, and the court as a whole.

Tourism in Goa is witnessing a significant decline, with many Indian tourists now opting for Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand and Sri Lanka over the coastal state. A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) shared by Ramanuj Mukherjee has highlighted the drop in foreign visitors to Goa, with statistics from CEIC showing that only 1.5 million foreign tourists visited the state in 2023, compared to 8.5 million in 2019. Despite a steady rise in domestic tourism post-Covid, the negative experiences faced by tourists in Goa are threatening to drive even local visitors away.

Delhi’s air quality remained in the “very poor” category for the fifth straight day on Thursday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) continuing to stay over 350. Calm winds have continued to hinder the dispersion of pollutants, keeping the capital’s air quality at dangerous levels. The city has recorded a rise in the AQI since November 3, when it peaked at 382, marking the highest level of the season so far.

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) security forces successfully concluded a two-day operation in Kupwara district’s Lolab area, leading to the death of one terrorist and the recovery of a cache of weapons, officials confirmed on Thursday.

Delhi's air quality remained at hazardous levels on Wednesday, as the city continued to face a "very poor" air quality index (AQI) for the fourth consecutive day. Calm winds and a layer of shallow fog contributed to the ongoing air pollution, with visibility dipping to around 800 meters early in the morning. The shallow fog, which was recorded for a second day, has exacerbated the situation, making it difficult for pollutants to disperse.

In a significant decision on Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled that holders of a Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) license can now legally drive transport vehicles weighing less than 7,500 kg without needing a separate license. The judgment, delivered by a five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, dismissed challenges by insurance companies that had opposed a similar 2017 ruling by a three-judge bench.

Bhubaneswar, Odisha – In an era where words shape realities and verse carves out new worlds, Kasturi Sinha stands tall as a beacon of literary brilliance. Hailing from Bhubaneswar, the city of temples, she has made an indelible mark on the world of poetry and prose. Currently pursuing her PhD in English Literature from Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Kasturi’s journey as a poet and writer has been one of passion, persistence, and profound creativity.

In a tragic incident on Diwali night, a man in Bengaluru lost his life after a dangerous bet involving a firecracker went wrong. The deceased, identified as Sabarish, 32, reportedly took up a dare from friends, agreeing to sit on a cardboard box under which a powerful firecracker was placed, with the promise of a new autorickshaw as a reward.

A MiG-29 fighter jet belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Agra on Monday during a routine training sortie. The aircraft, which had taken off from Adampur in Punjab, encountered a system malfunction while en route to Agra for an exercise. Fortunately, the pilot managed to eject safely before the crash.

The air quality in Delhi continued its downward spiral on Monday, with pollution levels reaching hazardous peaks in various areas. Notably, the AQI (Air Quality Index) in Anand Vihar climbed above 600, marking the worst air quality in the city this season, while the overall AQI for the national capital settled at 317 at 8 a.m., according to data from AQIcn. These levels far exceed the World Health Organization's (WHO) safe limits, with PM2.5 levels reported at 59 times higher than the WHO-prescribed danger threshold, posing severe health risks.

In a tragic incident, a 65-year-old man was killed in an attack by wild elephants on Saturday outside the buffer zone of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Madhya Pradesh. The victim, identified as Ramratan Yadav, was reportedly trampled to death while he was answering nature's call in Devra village, as confirmed by Umaria Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Vivek Singh.

In a startling development, Mumbai Police have arrested a 24-year-old woman, Fatima Khan, in connection with a threatening message directed at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The message, which allegedly threatened Adityanath with death unless he resigns within ten days, has raised serious security concerns amid a rising trend of similar threats in the region.

In a dramatic incident of reckless driving in Delhi, two traffic police officers were left clinging to the bonnet of a car after it jumped a red signal and collided with them. The event unfolded around 7:30 PM in Ber Sarai, a bustling area in South Delhi, as the officers were conducting routine vehicle checks near the market.