Author: Virgin News

As PM Modi gears up for a significant visit to Paris in February, India and France are finalizing two monumental defence deals and advancing their collaboration in artificial intelligence. The agreements, valued at over $10 billion, strengths ties between the two nations and their shared vision for progress and innovation. The defence contracts, pivotal for bolstering India’s naval capabilities, include the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets tailored for aircraft carriers and three additional Scorpene-class submarines. Both agreements are in the final stages of approval and are expected to be placed before India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) within weeks.…

Paracetamol, a widely trusted remedy for pain and fever, hides a darker side. Despite its reputation as a “safe” drug, paracetamol poisoning silently claims thousands of lives each year worldwide. A recent tragic death in a Liverpool hospital has reignited discussions about the dangers of paracetamol overdose, a topic often overshadowed by the drug’s everyday use. Globally, paracetamol poisoning accounts for tens of thousands of hospital visits annually. In the United States alone, it leads to over 60,000 emergency cases and more than 500 deaths each year. Despite its widespread impact, this issue rarely garners the same attention as aviation…

In a decisive move to address Manipur’s escalating law and order challenges, newly-appointed Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla convened a high-level security review meeting at Raj Bhavan on Saturday. The meeting, aimed at restoring stability and fostering long-term peace, emphasized stringent measures against miscreants and stressed creating employment opportunities for the state’s youth. Governor Bhalla proposed utilizing the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, to curb the activities of those inciting violence. This legislation allows for preventive detention of up to one year without trial, a strategy the Governor suggested to deter potential troublemakers. Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh and Director-General of…

 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its first list of 29 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February 2025. This strategic move sets the stage for high-stakes contests against key leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress. Prominent among BJP’s candidates is Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, who will face off against AAP convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency. Another crucial battle will unfold in Kalkaji, where BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri is set to challenge Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. Congress has also entered the fray in Kalkaji, fielding Alka…

In a dramatic turn of events, Pithampur town in Madhya Pradesh witnessed heightened tensions on Friday as protests erupted over the planned incineration of toxic waste from the infamous Bhopal gas tragedy. The unrest led to the imposition of prohibitory orders and the registration of five cases against demonstrators opposing the disposal, officials reported. The toxic waste, approximately 337 tonnes from the Union Carbide factory, was transported to Ramky Enviro’s Industrial Waste Management Facility in Pithampur, about 50 kilometers from the Dhar district headquarters. The waste had been awaiting disposal for over 40 years since the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy,…

A storm of speculation engulfed Indian cricket when senior batter Rohit Sharma decided to sit out the ongoing Sydney Test against Australia. The decision, widely debated, sparked rumors of his retirement, but Rohit has firmly clarified: “I have not retired. I just stood down because I am not in form.” Amid a modest run with the bat, Rohit’s choice to step back has handed the captaincy to Jasprit Bumrah, a move that reflects his commitment to the team’s best interests. This selfless act has fuelled conversations about leadership, form, and the future of Indian cricket. The 37-year-old Indian captain opened…

The Union Health Ministry of India has confirmed that it is keeping a watchful eye on the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China. While respiratory illnesses in China, particularly HMPV, have shown an uptick, Indian health officials have noted that no unusual spike in respiratory diseases has been recorded domestically. HMPV, a virus capable of causing upper and lower respiratory illnesses, poses a higher risk to young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath may escalate into complications like bronchitis or pneumonia. Dr. Atul Goel, Director-General of…

Ushering in a new era of urban transformation and inclusive growth, PM Modi inaugurates and lays the foundation stone for a series of ambitious development projects in the capital. This strategic initiative reflects his government’s commitment to fostering sustainable urban living and advancing India’s educational infrastructure. At the heart of these developments is the inauguration of 1,675 newly constructed flats for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) at Swabhiman Apartments, Ashok Vihar. This milestone project, part of the In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Initiative, provides modern, well-equipped homes to former dwellers of Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters. The Prime Minister handed over keys to…

In a harrowing series of lone-wolf terror attacks, New Year’s celebrations across the United States were marred by violence. From New Orleans to New York and Las Vegas, coordinated acts of terror left communities shaken, claiming lives, and raising alarm about evolving threats. The FBI has confirmed that at least one of the attackers was inspired by the Islamic State (IS), while the motives behind the other incidents remain under investigation. The New Orleans Massacre In New Orleans, 36-year-old U.S. Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 and injuring dozens.…

In a momentous recognition of their stellar achievements, four outstanding athletes—shooter Manu Bhaker, chess prodigy D Gukesh, men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar—have been named recipients of this year’s prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour. The awards ceremony will take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025, where the President of India will confer the honours in a grand function to be organized by the Sports Ministry. Manu Bhaker Makes HistoryManu Bhaker, 22, etched her name in history as the first Indian athlete to secure two medals in a single Olympic…