Nation

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....

New Delhi: The Supreme Court’s stay on the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new regulations has not quelled the debate, as questions linger over the government’s next steps. The UGC Regulations 2026, which address equality and justice in academic institutions, have sparked protests, particularly among the upper-caste community, seeking clarity from the Modi government. Focus on the ‘False Complaint’ Clause Sources indicate that the Ministry of Education has begun considering reintroducing safeguards against “false complaints” in the final rules. This clause, included in the 2025 draft, was removed from the 2026 final regulations. Critics argue that without penalties for false complaints, the provision could be misused to harass individuals. Protests and Concerns Upper-caste...

New Delhi: The tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others has drawn critical attention from the pilot community. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has stated that landing a plane on the Baramati airstrip in Pune at a visibility of 3,000 meters would have been unsafe. According to the union, a minimum visibility of 5,000 meters is required for a safe landing on such an uncontrolled airstrip. Landing Risks at Uncontrolled Airstrips FIP President Captain C.S. Randhawa explained that uncontrolled or unlicensed airstrips often lack essential safety systems, including the Instrument Landing System (ILS), which is considered a minimum standard for commercial operations. In the case of the Baramati crash, low visibility combi...

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is set to receive the country’s first “Made-in-India” unmanned interceptor craft (UIC), marking a significant boost to its maritime capabilities. Developed by Pune-based defence firm Sagar Defence Engineering, these automated, weaponized fast interceptor craft are designed to secure India’s coastal waters and support specialized naval missions. Enhancing Naval Strength The introduction of these unmanned fast interceptor craft (FICs) will considerably enhance the Navy’s ability to safeguard maritime borders. With these weaponized vessels, India will join an exclusive group of nations equipped with “vessel swarm” technology capable of deploying multiple armed crafts in coordinated operations. Designed, Developed, and Manufactured in India Sources confir...

Mumbai: The historic trade deal between India and the European Union promises to be a game-changer for both sides, extending far beyond conventional commerce. The agreement demonstrates that successful trade requires not just numbers, but alignment in rules, standards, and mutual respect for domestic priorities. A Landmark Agreement European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this week that India and the EU have signed their largest and most comprehensive bilateral trade deal to date. While the negotiations took years, the timing of its conclusion is significant. The deal sets a benchmark for modern free trade agreements, emphasizing collaboration, standards alignment, and respect for each other’s domestic policies. Economic Scale and Job Creation Once implemen...

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts indicating major weather changes across northern India in the coming days. According to forecasts, several states can expect rain and snowfall until 3 February. Western Disturbance Brings Snow and Rain On the last day of January, the Western Disturbance is expected to significantly impact the weather in North India. The IMD has issued warnings of rain and snowfall in multiple states. Two weather systems forming over the western Himalayas are likely to bring light to moderate rainfall and occasional snow from 31 January to 3 February. The western Himalayas have already seen increased cloud cover due to the approaching system. Heavy snowfall is expected in Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, w...

New Delhi: In a unique cricket match held in 1953 to raise funds for flood relief, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and then Vice President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan faced each other on the field. In this historic encounter, Nehru’s team batted first, and the match ended in a draw, raising nearly one lakh rupees for flood victims. A Rare Glimpse of Parliamentary Cricket The match saw Nehru leading a team of Members of Parliament, while Dr. Radhakrishnan captained the opposing side. Rare video footage of the game, shared on social media platform X by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and credited to cricket archive expert Jai Galgali, shows Nehru, Radhakrishnan, and several MPs playing on the field as a large audience watched. The match took place just two months before Nehru’s ...

NEW DELHI | Jan 30, 2026 Palestine has signalled cautious openness to US President Donald Trump’s proposal to transform the Gaza Strip into a Mediterranean-style “Riviera”, but only if the plan directly benefits Gazans, Palestinian Foreign Minister of State Varsen Aghabekian Shahin said on Friday. In an interview with PTI Videos, Shahin stressed that any development must prioritise the local population. “Well, a Riviera for its people. I mean, why not? If it's a Riviera for Gazans, the Palestinians, to enjoy, yes. But if it's a Riviera for others to enjoy without the Palestinians, no,” she said. Shahin also highlighted that India’s involvement in Trump’s proposed ‘Board of Peace’ could contribute positively to the initiative.

DIBRUGARH | Jan 30, 2026 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of showing disrespect to the North East by declining to wear the traditional ‘gamosa’ presented by President Droupadi Murmu during the ‘At Home’ reception on Republic Day. Addressing a public rally at Khanikar Parade Ground, Shah said that all dignitaries, including foreign guests, had worn the scarf as a mark of respect, but Gandhi was the “only person to refuse” to do so. “Rahul Gandhi can do whatever he wants, but as long as the BJP is in power, it will not allow any disrespect of the North East's culture,” Shah asserted.