Nation

In a decisive move to curb the rising menace of cyber fraud—particularly cases of so-called “digital arrest”—the Central Government has stepped up efforts to safeguard citizens. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted a high-level committee to design strong preventive mechanisms, including an emergency feature that could allow users to instantly freeze their online financial transactions. According to official sources, the committee comprises senior officials from key agencies and ministries, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Delhi Police, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), and the Ministries of IT and Telecommunications. The panel is chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security), MHA. Instant Freeze on ...

New Delhi: While U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to behave unpredictably during his second term—treating friends and foes alike with equal volatility—Prime Minister Narendra Modi anticipated the situation well in advance. Thanks to Modi’s strategic foresight, India’s relationship with the United States remains stronger than ever, even as many nations, from Greenland to Venezuela, have found themselves entangled in Trump’s political maneuvers. Trump’s Global Maneuvers Raise EyebrowsTrump’s approach has alarmed European leaders. His aggressive interest in Greenland and assertive dealings over Venezuela, including acquiring a Nobel Peace Prize-winning medal from an opposition leader there, demonstrate his high-risk, transactional style. European countries, which remained passive ...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over the drying of Chandigarh’s famous Sukhna Lake, warning the Haryana government against repeating past mistakes. A bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, observed that collusion between officials and the builder mafia has caused severe damage to the lake. The remarks were made during hearings on issues related to the Aravalli hills. Falling Water Levels Threaten the LakeDuring the proceedings, the bench highlighted how political and administrative collusion has enabled illegal activities, asking pointedly, “How much more will you dry Sukhna Lake? You have already ruined it.” Once a prime tourist destination dependent on rainfall, the lake’s declining water levels in recen...

After days of intense cold, weather conditions across several parts of India are set to change, bringing partial relief to residents of Delhi-NCR, while rainfall and snowfall are expected in many regions, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Delhi-NCR: Cold Wave Eases, Rain and Winds Expected The biting cold in Delhi-NCR is gradually subsiding, offering relief to residents. However, the IMD has forecast a fresh change in weather from January 23–24, which may again lead to a dip in temperatures. On January 24, the maximum temperature is expected to remain around 20°C, while the minimum may drop to nearly 7°C. Moderate fog is likely during the morning hours. Weather experts believe that rainfall accompanied by strong winds will help reduce pollution levels signifi...

The Indian Navy’s sail training vessel INS Sudarshini has embarked on an ambitious 10-month-long global maritime voyage, covering nearly 22,000 nautical miles and visiting 18 ports across 13 countries. The expedition, named ‘Lokayan 26’, underscores India’s growing maritime outreach and naval diplomacy on the global stage. The vessel was formally flagged off from the naval base in Kochi by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command (SNC), marking the commencement of the long-distance sailing mission. Symbol of India’s Maritime Aspirations Describing the voyage as historic, a Navy spokesperson said the deployment represents a powerful symbol of India’s maritime endeavour and reflects the country’s increasing prominence in global marit...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considering a visit to Malaysia in early February, a move that could significantly strengthen India’s outreach to Southeast Asia under its Act East Policy. The proposed visit assumes added importance at a time when Malaysia maintains deep economic ties with China, which has been its largest trading partner for the past 17 years. According to media reports, the visit has been under consideration since October last year, when Prime Minister Modi was unable to attend the ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia due to domestic commitments, including the Bihar Assembly elections. A bilateral visit now is being seen as a strategic effort to reinforce India–Malaysia relations. Malaysia’s China Factor China continues to dominate Malaysia’s trade landscape. As per d...

New Delhi: Residents of Delhi-NCR battling severe air pollution may soon get much-needed relief as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain and thunderstorm alert for the region. According to the forecast, weather conditions are expected to change after January 23, with rainfall and strong winds likely across several areas. The IMD has predicted widespread rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph. This weather system is expected to help wash away pollutants, leading to a noticeable improvement in air quality across the national capital and adjoining regions. Weather to Turn Colder After Rain While the recent sunshine has provided daytime relief from the biting cold, the IMD warned that rainfall may bring back in...

India is set to showcase a major leap in its indigenous defence capabilities as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) prepares to unveil its long-range anti-ship hypersonic glide missile for the first time during the 77th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path. Developed specifically for the Indian Navy, the Long-Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Glide Missile (LRAShM) represents a significant milestone in India’s journey toward defence self-reliance and advanced military technology. With a striking range of approximately 1,500 kilometres, the missile is designed to dramatically enhance India’s maritime strike capability across the Indian Ocean Region. According to DRDO officials, the hypersonic glide missile can reach speeds well beyond Mach 5, enabling it to evade enemy r...

New Delhi, January 21, 2026: Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albarez, currently on a two-day visit to India, held delegation-level talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. During the meeting, Albarez highlighted India’s growing significance as a reliable international partner and emphasized the need to deepen bilateral cooperation. Albarez stressed that finalizing the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be a positive step forward. “For Spain, it is crucial to strengthen ties with a trusted country like India, a nation that respects international law, adheres to the principles of the UN Charter, and believes in multilateralism,” he said during the meeting in New Delhi. The Spanish Foreign Minister also cited the collaboration between Airbus Sp...