The United States government has reportedly delayed the delivery of 31 MQ-9A Sea Guardian and Sky Guardian drones to India, linking it to the requirement for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged conspiracy to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a New York-based Khalistan activist with dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship.

A Newslaundry exclusive reveals that Harsh Chouhan, ex-chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), voiced serious concerns about recent changes to India’s forest laws. These amendments, made by the Union environment ministry in June 2022 and December 2023, have been slammed for leaning towards corporate interests at the expense of forest communities.

A human rights activist and retired professor has asserted that 97% of individuals accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) are ultimately found innocent following extended periods of incarceration without trial.

A working married woman in India, on average, spends over six hours daily to unpaid domestic chores and caregiving activities. In stark contrast, a married man gives merely 42 minutes per day to these tasks. As a result, women have significantly less time than men for self-care, leisure and socialising, as highlighted by a recent study.

The Manipur government appears to have yielded to the demands of an armed Meitei militia, Arambai Tenggol, marking a significant shift in the region’s power dynamics. It’s a glaring indication of the state government’s inability to maintain control and enforce the rule of law, which can have far-reaching implications, both for the state and for the broader national framework.

On this Republic Day, let’s take a moment for introspection about our role as citizens. As per the Constitution of India, we are entrusted with certain Fundamental Duties. Among these, three duties – promoting brotherhood or solidarity, preserving our composite culture and developing a scientific temper and humanism – stand out for their relevance in today’s context. Let’s ask ourselves if we actively abide by these values in what we endorse, disseminate or tolerate?

Akasa Air has announced it is purchasing 150 Boeing 737 Max jets, a model also operated by SpiceJet and Air India Express. The 737 Max has been under intense scrutiny and embroiled in controversy following two fatal crashes that precipitated its global grounding in 2019. Presently, renewed safety concerns regarding the aircraft have emerged.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public service delivery promises efficiency and transparency, but the absence of policy frameworks governing its use can lead to grave injustices, particularly for the most vulnerable sections of society. In Telangana, an algorithm recently denied thousands of poor people access to food subsidies.

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution, expressing deep concerns over “acts of violence, increasing nationalistic rhetoric, and divisive policies” in India, months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has released its 2023 prison census, showing an alarming rise in the incarceration rates of journalists. This trend signals a systematic campaign by governments to suppress dissent and monopolise information dissemination. This phenomenon not only reflects the status of press freedom and democratic principles in individual countries but also carries extensive implications for human rights, the rule of law, the management of information, international relations, and societal involvement, profoundly affecting every citizen within those nations.

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2024 identifies the rapid rise and spread of misinformation and disinformation as the most significant global risk over the next two years, shedding light on the nuances of this risk, its implications and the underlying factors that contribute to its proliferation.

The findings of a nationwide survey, focusing on the educational landscape of youths aged 14-18 in rural India, reveal several critical issues. These include a high dropout rate, a significant deficiency in foundational skills, a noticeable gender gap in educational attainment and a stark scarcity of vocational training opportunities. These revelations are consequential, as a substantial 65% of India’s population resides in rural areas.

India is in the spotlight at the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which began on Jan. 15, with an impressive growth rate of 7.3%, which places the country as the fastest-growing major economy in the world. But is this growth benefiting the majority of India’s workers? An analysis published in Bloomberg answers the question.

A new study published in the Lancet medical journal has brought to light a distressing reality: over 225,000 Indians died from cancer in one year due to preventable causes. This statistic places India second to China in such deaths, calling for immediate action at both individual and governmental levels.

A new book titled “Love Jihad and Other Fictions,” authored by three journalists, Sreenivasan Jain, Mariyam Alavi and Supriya Sharma, meticulously debunks widely circulated conspiracy theories in India, such as “love jihad,” “population jihad,” and “forced conversions.”

Retail inflation in India climbed to a four-month high in December 2023, accompanied by a decline in industrial production, as revealed by data from the National Statistical Office. We have analysed these figures to explain their impact on you.

A comprehensive report from the U.S.-based organisation Human Rights Watch underscores persistent human rights challenges in India. It asserts that the central government’s policies are discriminatory against religious minorities, Dalits and tribal groups, leading to a rise in communal violence and “state-sponsored” abuses.

New research has revealed that bottled water sold in stores may contain significantly higher levels of nanoplastics than previously known. These particles, 1,000 times smaller than the average width of a human hair, are so small they can migrate through tissues into the bloodstream, potentially distributing harmful synthetic chemicals throughout the body.