Natioanal

Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo paid a visit to the famous Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday. Officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) welcomed him warmly and escorted him for the darshan. New Delhi: Joko Widodo, the former President of Indonesia, visited the renowned Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on Thursday. The TTD officials received him and guided him through the temple for the darshan. After the visit, he was honored with silk garments, prasadam (holy offerings), and a framed picture of Lord Venkateswara. This visit is noteworthy as Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has a rich Hindu and Buddhist heritage. It was once ruled by Hindu and Buddhist kings, and even today, several prominent H...

The government has blocked the Wingo App following allegations of cyber fraud under the pretext of online gaming. Users were reportedly targeted through fake SMS messages to extort money. New Delhi: The Wingo App, an online gaming platform, has been blocked after reports emerged that it was being used to commit cyber fraud. Through the app, users’ phones were allegedly exploited to send fake SMS messages to others to collect money. Once the issue reached the Ministry of Home Affairs, authorities acted promptly to block the app. Why the Home Ministry Took Action:Officials stated on Friday that the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), took action against the Android app following multiple complaints. Users of the app were unknowingly be...

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has stepped up preparations for the first uncrewed mission of its ambitious Gaganyaan programme, India’s maiden human spaceflight initiative. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has confirmed that the agency is firmly on track to begin the Gaganyaan programme in 2027, with multiple uncrewed missions planned before astronauts are sent into space. Speaking to journalists on Friday night, Narayanan said ISRO is currently focusing on the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, which will serve as a crucial milestone ahead of the human spaceflight. “The Gaganyaan programme is planned to begin in 2027. Before that, we have planned three uncrewed missions. At present, we are working towards the first uncrewed mission,” he said. Extensive Testing Underway Hi...

The landmark free trade agreement between India and the European Union has not only reshaped global trade equations but has also found an enthusiastic supporter in one of India’s closest partners in the Islamic world—the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Welcoming the India–EU deal, the UAE has expressed hope that it too will soon reach a similar milestone with the European bloc. UAE Applauds the “Mother of All Deals” Reacting positively to the agreement, the UAE described the India–EU trade pact as a strong model of economic partnership that promotes sustainable growth and shared prosperity. Abu Dhabi said the deal reflects how modern trade agreements can go beyond tariffs and become frameworks for long-term cooperation. The UAE added that negotiations between the UAE and the European ...

Rising tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a critical point, raising serious concerns across the world. Iran has asserted complete control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, while the United States has warned of strong retaliation against any provocation. If this standoff escalates into a full-scale conflict, its repercussions will extend far beyond West Asia—India would be among the countries most affected. Threat to India’s Energy Security One of the biggest risks for India lies in energy supplies. Iran contributes around 4–5% of global oil production, and nearly half of India’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption in this narrow maritime route could sharply reduce supplies, driving up g...

New Delhi: Infamous conman Sukesh Chandra Shekhar, currently in jail, has reportedly offered to buy the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a staggering one billion US dollars. In a letter addressed to RCB’s parent company Diageo, Sukesh, through his firm LS Holdings, claimed that the deal could be finalized within 48 hours. He also stated that the purchase would be a gift for his partner, Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandes. A Billion-Dollar Offer In his letter to Diageo, Sukesh Chandra Shekhar expressed LS Holdings’ interest in acquiring full ownership and operational control of RCB. The proposed deal, valued at approximately ₹8,300 crore, would be entirely in cash. According to Sukesh, the acquisition would include all franchise rights, t...

New Delhi: Recent incidents across India have highlighted the need for technology that can monitor people living alone around the clock and alert others in case of emergencies. A case in point is 69-year-old Deepak Kumar from Ghaziabad, who lived alone and passed away—likely due to a heart attack—without anyone noticing for 12 days. Neighbors last saw him on New Year’s Eve, and though his phone rang repeatedly until 4 January, no one checked. His body was found only on 11 January. Deepak Kumar’s story is not unique. Many people relocate for work, gradually drift away from family, or face health challenges that isolate them. In such circumstances, even a short lapse in daily routine can leave someone entirely alone and vulnerable. China’s Solution: ‘Are You Dead?’ In China, an a...

New Delhi: Padma Bhushan awardee Uma Sharma, a senior Kathak dancer and disciple of the legendary Pandit Shambhu Maharaj, has long been a torchbearer of Hindustani classical dance. At 83, she continues to orchestrate the Swami Haridas-Tansen Music & Dance Festival in Delhi, ensuring that the legacy of classical music and dance remains alive for generations. In an exclusive interview with Alok Paradkar, she shares her candid views on the evolving landscape of Kathak and classical music. Preserving the Purity of Classical Music On the changes in Hindustani classical music, Sharma remarked: “I don’t believe classical music needs radical transformation. It is a heritage that must be carefully preserved. Its ragas and compositions should be safeguarded with utmost respect. While I enc...

New Delhi: The night skies over Hanle in Ladakh on 19–20 January turned an eerie blood-red, leaving locals and observers both awestruck and alarmed. What appeared to be a northern lights-like spectacle was, in reality, a warning from the Sun—a powerful solar storm that poses risks to satellites, power grids, GPS systems, and other digital infrastructure in India. A Rare and Intense Solar Event This phenomenon was caused by the most intense solar radiation storm in the last 20 years, triggered by a massive X-class solar flare that erupted from the Sun on 18 January. The flare ejected a dense cloud of superheated plasma—a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)—which traveled at a staggering speed of approximately 1,700 km per second and struck Earth’s magnetic field within 25 hours. The impact...

New Delhi: India is set to introduce a landmark rule in its aviation sector that could change the way small aircraft operate. The government is considering regulations that would allow passenger planes with up to 19 seats to take off and land from unlicensed, uncontrolled runways. This provision would work similarly to the Baramati airstrip incident on the morning of 28 January, when a plane carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar attempted to land on an uncontrolled airstrip, resulting in a tragic crash that killed all five people on board. Global Precedent and Domestic Concerns Aviation sources note that several countries, including in Africa, already permit small passenger aircraft to operate from uncontrolled airstrips. However, India’s situation is more complex....