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In a strategic move aimed at sustaining India's position as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a record-breaking capital expenditure (capex) of 11.11 trillion rupees (approximately $134 billion) for infrastructure creation in the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2024.

The proposed capex is 11.1 per cent higher than the current fiscal year's allocation of little over 10 lakh core rupees (approximately $120 billion).

Sitharaman highlighted that the federal government's capital expenditure as a percentage of GDP is anticipated to rise from 3.3 per cent in 2023-'24 to 3.4 per cent in the upcoming financial year.

Dense fog enveloped the National Capital and its surrounding areas following the rainfall in Delhi-NCR. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts the persistence of dense fog during morning hours in various northern regions of the country.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts persistent dense fog in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad for the upcoming 3-4 days. Additionally, the IMD has predicted a light spell of rain in the Delhi-NCR region over the next 2 days.

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms hit Delhi-NCR on Thursday amidst cold day conditions. Several other cities in northern India also received heavy rainfall on the intervening nights of Wednesday and Thursday.

The national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 7.3 degrees Celsius today morning, a degree below the normal range. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was 18.6 degrees Celsius, four degrees below the normal range.

In the semi-arid region of Gujarat, the historic site of Vadnagar has unveiled a resilient agricultural economy that thrived despite the fluctuation of monsoon rains over centuries. 

A new study focusing on this area has provided insights into how ancient civilisations adapted to climate variations, offering valuable lessons for contemporary climate change adaptation strategies.

Researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences have meticulously analysed archaeological, botanical, and isotopic data to construct a 2500-year timeline of human occupation at Vadnagar. 

The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department to install boards in all Hindu temples stating non-Hindus were not permitted beyond the 'Kodimaram' (flagpole) area in the respective shrines and said Hindus also have fundamental right to profess and practice their religion.

Justice S Srimathy of the HC's Madurai Bench gave the judgement while hearing a plea from D Senthilkumar, who sought directions to the respondents to permit Hindus alone to the Arulmigu Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple and its sub temples. He also wanted that display boards to that effect in all entrances be set up.