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New Delhi: In a historic move to bolster India’s cybersecurity ecosystem, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the Cyber Security Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 under the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) project. The launch event featured the unveiling of a concept video, the CSIC website, a registration portal, and the official rulebook, presented by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan. Enhancing Technological CapabilitiesDuring the launch, S. Krishnan emphasized the need for a two-pronged national cybersecurity strategy, highlighting awareness about emerging threats and strengthening technological capabilities. He noted that CSIC 1.0 addresses both objectives by exposing students to real-world cybersecurity challenges. The initiative ...

New Delhi: The national capital continues to grapple with severe air pollution, and the situation is further complicated by multiple vacancies in the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The lack of staff is hampering the effective implementation of pollution control policies, experts say. Staff Shortages Affect Policy ImplementationResidents and environmental activists have raised concerns that the DPCC is unable to fully enforce its policies due to the shortage of technical personnel. Several key positions, including Environmental Engineers and Scientists, remain vacant, reducing the agency’s operational capacity. DPCC Issues Recruitment NotificationIn response, the DPCC has issued a notification to fill vacant positions on a deputation and short-term contract basis. The posts...

New Delhi: The Delhi government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday, 25th November, to mark the 350th Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrdom Day) of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru. The day is being observed with reverence across the city to honor the Guru’s unparalleled sacrifice for humanity and the protection of religious freedom. What Will Remain Closed? All government and private schools in Delhi will remain closed. All Delhi government offices will remain shut in observance of the holiday. What Will Remain Open? Private and public sector banks will remain open, as per the regional holiday calendar of the Reserve Bank of India. Emergency services and government hospitals will continue to operate as usual. Delhi Metro, buses, and taxis will run according to their...

New Delhi: A recent study conducted with the support of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that while women generally live longer than men, their memory and cognitive abilities tend to decline faster as they age. Key FindingsResearchers at AIIMS Gorakhpur found that elderly women, especially those with poor nutrition or excess abdominal fat, showed a significant reduction in memory, attention, and problem-solving skills compared to men of the same age. Lead researcher Dr. Venkatesh noted, “Elderly individuals with malnutrition or higher abdominal fat exhibited weaker memory and reduced cognitive capacity.” Impact of Social and Emotional SupportThe study also highlighted the positive effect of companionship. Elderly individuals living with partners or family me...

New Delhi: Delhi is fast becoming a critical transit point for illegal drugs, posing a growing challenge for law enforcement. In a major operation, authorities recently seized 562 kg of cocaine and 40 kg of marijuana from Mahipalpur, highlighting the city’s role in the international drug trade. High-Profile SeizuresThe Mahipalpur haul, sourced from a warehouse, is reportedly valued at around ₹5,640 crore in the international market. Previously, a record seizure of 360 kg of cocaine had been reported in the city. Additionally, on 20 November, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Special Cell recovered 328 kg of methamphetamine from a flat in Chhatarpur, valued at ₹262 crore internationally. Delhi Police Action and CampaignsUnder the ‘Drug-Free India’ initiative, Delhi Police has tak...

New Delhi: The volcanic eruption of the Heli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia, which erupted after nearly 12,000 years, has sent ash clouds traveling thousands of kilometers, affecting multiple countries worldwide. India is not spared, as the ash plume has already reached the skies over Delhi-NCR. States including Gujarat, Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Haryana, and Punjab are also under its potential influence. Impact on IndiaThe capital, already struggling with poor air quality, now faces an added challenge from the ash cloud arriving from nearly 4,500 km away. The eruption released a massive plume of ash and sulfur dioxide reaching up to 15 kilometers into the atmosphere. Traveling across the Red Sea, the plume passed over Yemen and Oman before reaching Delhi by Monday night around 11 PM...

New Delhi: The recent escape of jackals from their enclosure at Delhi Zoo continues to pose a significant challenge for zoo authorities. Officials admit that the exact number of missing jackals remains uncertain, raising concerns about growing lapses in wildlife management and safety protocols. Partial Return but Uncertainty PersistsOn Monday, one more jackal returned to its enclosure, bringing the total number of jackals back to two. However, the total count of jackals that ventured into the zoo’s forested areas is still unknown. Despite CCTV monitoring, authorities have been unable to determine precisely when the jackals escaped or how many were involved. No Signs in Visitor AreasEarlier statements from the zoo estimated that three to four jackals had escaped. With two returning, t...

New Delhi: The grief and anger of a bereaved family have echoed outside St. Columbus School, as the parents and elder brother of a Class 10 student who died by suicide continue their protest, demanding justice for their child. The demonstration, which started on 18 November, has now entered its fourth day, highlighting concerns over alleged harassment by school staff. Showcasing the Child’s AchievementsHolding their child’s medals, trophies, and certificates, the father described the deceased as talented, cheerful, and ambitious. “Look at his achievements. It is unbelievable that one child could accomplish so much. He wanted to make a mark in the world,” the father said, emphasizing that the student’s potential was cut short due to repeated harassment. Allegations Against TeachersPol...

New Delhi: Investigative agencies have uncovered critical details about Dr. Umar, the alleged mastermind behind the suicide blast near the Red Fort in Delhi. Following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July 2016, Umar’s extremist ideology intensified, and the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 further fueled his radicalization. Radicalization and MotiveInterrogations of captured members of the terror module and review of Dr. Umar’s past activities revealed that he actively participated in the protests in South Kashmir after Wani’s encounter. Umar frequently spoke about avenging Wani’s death and consistently attended Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed gatherings where anti-India rhetoric was prominent. Ideological Divide Within Terror ModuleSources indicate ...