A protest over Delhi’s toxic air at India Gate turned tense after some people displayed posters of Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, who was killed last week. Police said protesters tried to block traffic and used pepper spray when officers asked them to leave. Twenty-three people have been arrested, and two FIRs have been filed. Videos showed slogans praising Hidma during the sit-in. Delhi Police said protests cannot be held at India Gate as per Supreme Court rules. The protest group blamed the government for “cosmetic steps” on pollution. Delhi’s air quality remained severe, with many stations recording very high AQI levels.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has said the Tejas fighter jet crash at the Dubai Air Show was an “isolated occurrence”. The jet went down during an aerial display on Friday, killing Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Namansh Syal. HAL said the crash happened due to “exceptional circumstances” but shared no details. The company added that its projects and future deliveries will not be affected. HAL will fully support the investigation. The Indian Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry to find the cause. Videos showed the jet on fire as it crashed, with the pilot unable to eject in time. (PC: HT)

India’s new labour codes are now in force, replacing older laws with one clear system for workers and employers. The rules cover key areas like wages, leave, working hours and safety. Fixed-term employees can now get gratuity after one year instead of five. Staff need only 180 days of work to earn paid leave. Overtime rules are clearer and must be paid at double the normal rate. Appointment letters are now mandatory for all workers. Minimum wages will apply across all sectors. Commute accidents may count as workplace incidents. ESIC benefits will reach more workers, including those in media and digital jobs. (PC: India Today)

Delhi Police arrested 15 protesters after a demonstration against toxic air at India Gate turned violent. Officers said protesters used chilli powder and pepper spray, injuring several personnel. “Some of them suddenly sprayed chilli powder on our staff. It was unexpected,” a senior officer said. Police claimed the group blocked the route for ambulances and refused to move. Protesters said the government was trying to “silence citizens” instead of fixing pollution. Some were also heard shouting, “Hidma amar rahe,” praising slain Maoist Madvi Hidma. The clash began after protesters broke barricades. Injured officers were taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. (PC: PTI)

Justice Surya Kant took oath on Monday as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders were present. Justice Kant has worked on many major cases, including the Article 370 ruling and the Pegasus matter. Born in a Haryana village, he rose from a small-town lawyer to the top post. He said his main goal is to reduce the nearly 90,000 pending cases in the Supreme Court. He also plans to promote mediation, improve case management, and use technology to speed up work in the courts.

Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as India's 53rd Chief Justice on Monday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath. He succeeds Justice BR Gavai, who retired Sunday. Born February 10, 1962, in Haryana, Justice Kant began practicing law in Hisar in 1984 before moving to Punjab and Haryana High Court, handling constitutional, civil, and service matters. He became Haryana's youngest Advocate General in 2000, was designated senior advocate in 2001, and elevated as Punjab and Haryana High Court judge in 2004. After serving as Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice, he was elevated to Supreme Court in May 2019. He has chaired the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee since November 2024.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sparked controversy by suggesting Pakistan's Sindh province could "return to India," stating "borders can change." Speaking at an event, Singh referenced BJP leader LK Advani's writings about Sindhi Hindus never accepting Sindh's separation during the 1947 Partition. The Defence Minister emphasized that while Sindh may not be part of India territorially, it remains connected civilizationally, with both Hindus and Muslims considering the Indus River sacred. Singh also reiterated his September statement about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) potentially returning to India without aggressive action, citing freedom demands from PoK residents. The Sindh province near the Indus River was allocated to Pakistan during Partition, displacing Sindhi Hindus to India.

A Delhi pollution protest at India Gate turned violent on Sunday when demonstrators allegedly sprayed chilli powder on police personnel, injuring three to four officers who required treatment at RML Hospital. Over 15 arrests were made under charges including assault and obstructing public servants. The protest took a political turn with posters of slain Maoist commander Madvi Hidma appearing at the scene. The Delhi Coordination Committee for Clean Air organized the demonstration, criticizing the government's "cosmetic measures" like water sprinklers and cloud seeding instead of long-term solutions. Protesters claimed the current development model contributes to pollution and displacement, while authorities respond with suppression. DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla called the chilli spray use "very unusual."

Israel carried out an air strike in Beirut on Sunday, its first in the city in months. The attack targeted a senior Hezbollah commander, according to both Israel and the group. Lebanon’s health ministry said five people were killed and 28 injured. The strike hit an apartment building in the Haret Hreik area, a busy neighbourhood controlled by Hezbollah. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the strike, calling it part of Israel’s “maximum enforcement” policy. Hezbollah said the attack crossed a “new red line.” Lebanon urged the international community to act and stop Israeli strikes on its territory. (PC: NDTV)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that Sindh, now in Pakistan, may return to India in the future. Speaking at a Sindhi community event in New Delhi, he said that Sindh is not part of India today, but it will always remain part of India’s civilisational heritage. He added that borders can change, and no one knows what may happen tomorrow. His remarks come months after Operation Sindoor, which raised tensions between India and Pakistan. Singh also spoke about the Citizenship Amendment Act, saying it was needed to protect persecuted minorities in neighbouring countries, including Sindhi Hindus. (PC: Reuters)