Nation

New Delhi: The Indian government is taking a major step toward self-reliance in fighter jet technology, emphasizing rapid development of indigenous engines for fifth- and sixth-generation combat aircraft. Under the National Aero Engine Mission (NAEM), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday announced that India aims to develop advanced fighter jet engines within the next five to seven years. Focus on Sixth-Generation Jet Engines India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been tasked with achieving this ambitious target, building on nearly two decades of experience in aero engine development. Minister Singh stressed that the strategic importance of these engines necessitates shortening timelines and accelerating research. During a visit to DRDO’s Gas Turbine ...

New Delhi: In a major development in global geopolitics, India has seized three Iranian oil tankers operating under U.S. sanctions. The move comes in the wake of a recent trade deal between India and the United States, and marks a significant step in safeguarding India’s maritime interests. The three vessels—Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star, and Al Jafjia—were reportedly attempting to evade coastal authorities by frequently changing their identities. The tankers are owned by entities based abroad. Indian officials had briefly posted details of the seizure on social media on 6 February, but later deleted it. Why India Took Action India aims to ensure that its maritime zones are not used for ship-to-ship transfers intended to obscure the true identity of oil cargoes. Such transfers are co...

New Delhi: In a major strategic move, India has established an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the northeast, converting a section of national highway into a fully functional runway. This initiative, aimed at strengthening border security, allows rapid deployment of fighter jets, transport aircraft, and other military assets near the China border. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally inspected the Assam-based facility in Moran, flying there aboard a C-130J aircraft. The new ELF, located approximately 300 km from the China border and 200 km from Myanmar, marks a historic development in India’s northeastern defense infrastructure. What is the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF)? The ELF in Moran, Assam, features a 4.2-kilometer stretch of ro...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has emphasized that the government must take proactive measures to educate vulnerable citizens and provide compensation to those who have lost their hard-earned money in cyber fraud cases. Special attention, the court noted, should be given to protecting elderly victims. The remarks came on Monday while granting bail to Paramjit Kharb, who faces allegations of creating bank accounts to deposit money extorted from online fraud victims and selling these accounts to alleged cybercriminals. Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan presided over the bench. Elderly Most at Risk Justice Nagarathna instructed Additional Solicitor General S.D. Sanjay: “You must educate people. Use TV and radio broadcasts to explain how cybercriminals operate. They mostly targe...

Tariq Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will be sworn in as the country’s Prime Minister today. The BNP secured a landslide victory last week, winning two-thirds of the seats in the general elections. From India, Speaker Om Birla is scheduled to attend the swearing-in ceremony. This marks a new chapter in Delhi-Dhaka relations. 2. BJP Targets Uddhav Thackeray Over Tipu Sultan Remarks; Congress Fires Back The controversy over Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal’s remarks on Tipu Sultan continues. BJP has now involved former CM Uddhav Thackeray, accusing Congress of disrespecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In response, Sapkal challenged the BJP, saying if any historical inaccuracy was made while comparing Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan’s valo...

New Delhi: Observing a sharp rise in complaints of sexual assault arising from false promises of marriage, the Supreme Court on Monday issued a caution to young individuals regarding pre-marital physical relationships. The court emphasized that couples should exercise extreme caution before engaging in intimate relations before marriage. However, it also acknowledged that such advice may seem old-fashioned to some. During a hearing on a bail petition of a man facing charges under alleged false promises of marriage, Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan questioned how the woman involved had agreed to travel to Dubai, where the two engaged in a physical relationship. The bench remarked, “It happens with consent. We may be old-fashioned, but a boy and a girl before marriage are comp...

New Delhi, February 16, 2026: We bring you today’s five major stories, covering global politics, technology, sports, and weather updates. 1. Former Ukrainian Minister Arrested While Attempting to Flee Ukraine’s former Energy Minister Galushchenko was taken into custody while trying to leave the country. He had resigned last year following allegations of corruption in the energy sector. Authorities apprehended him at the border as he attempted to evade legal action. 2. Delhi Police Takes a Fun Dig After India Beats Pakistan In a thrilling India vs Pakistan cricket match in Sri Lanka, the Indian team secured a resounding victory, sparking celebrations across India and social media memes mocking Pakistan’s defeat. Delhi Police joined in the fun with a humorous post, delighting cri...

New Delhi, February 16, 2026: India is charting an ambitious course in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), emphasizing inclusive and ethical AI that benefits all. The upcoming India AI Summit 2026 is expected to spotlight India’s vision for AI, garnering global attention, particularly from the Global South. AI for All: A Vision Rooted in Inclusion Last year, at the Paris AI Action Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated the mantra “AI for All”, setting the stage for India to host the next AI summit. Drawing parallels with the G20 Summit in Delhi in 2023, where nations reached consensus on the Delhi Declaration amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India aims to use the summit as a platform for AI diplomacy and inclusive development. Prime Minister Modi had emphasized t...

New Delhi, February 16, 2026: Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, praised the Indian Army for its decisive action during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan and highlighted the growing need for closer US-India defense cooperation amid rising Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Operation Sindoor: Lessons and Tactical Excellence During his visit to India on Sunday, Admiral Paparo expressed deep empathy for the tragic events preceding the operation and lauded the Indian Army’s tactical response. “India’s commitment to learning from past conflicts is evident in the way it executed Operation Sindoor,” he said. When asked about Pakistan’s use of Chinese-made weapons, Admiral Paparo noted that such long-range, complex systems include advanced sens...

Munich, February 16, 2026: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a landmark dinner meeting with his counterparts from the G4 nations—Japan, Germany, and Brazil—during the Munich Security Conference, 2026. This marked the first-ever dedicated meeting of G4 foreign ministers, underscoring the growing importance of their coordinated efforts on global governance. UNSC Reform Tops the Agenda The central focus of the meeting was the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a step seen as essential in the evolving geopolitical landscape. The ministers emphasized the need to strengthen international trust in the UN and reaffirmed its critical role in maintaining global stability amid rising uncertainty worldwide. A senior official familiar with the discussions s...