Nation

New Delhi:The severe winter chill continues to grip Delhi-NCR and much of northern India. On Friday, 16 January, residents of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan will continue to experience harsh cold waves, while hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir are likely to see snowfall. Cold Wave Persists in Punjab and Haryana On Thursday, temperatures in parts of Punjab and Haryana dropped near freezing, intensifying the cold wave. According to the Meteorological Department, Hisar recorded the lowest temperature at 0.2°C, around six degrees below the seasonal average. Other areas also faced dense morning fog, significantly reducing visibility. Narnaul recorded a minimum of 1.5°C and Nuh 4.6°C. Kashmir Records Slight Temperature Rise Kashmir ...

New Delhi:India is on the verge of a major leap in air defence capability with the development of an indigenous Anti‑Stealth Radar Grid, a system designed to detect even the world’s most advanced fifth‑generation stealth fighter jets. Defence experts believe this technology could significantly reduce the operational advantage of aircraft such as the US F‑35, Russia’s Su‑57, and China’s J‑35. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of Mission Sudarshan Chakra from the Red Fort on August 15 last year, aimed at strengthening India’s air defence architecture in response to evolving threats witnessed during recent military operations. While India’s air defence systems have already demonstrated effectiveness, the new radar grid represents a forward‑looking effor...

India is set to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, with a landmark condition that 80% of the aircraft will be manufactured in India. This deal, likely to be finalized during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, aims to boost India’s air power while promoting domestic defense production. India’s Navy has already signed a contract for 24 Rafale jets. Self-Reliance in Defense ManufacturingThe centerpiece of the $39 billion deal is local production. Indian authorities are negotiating with French officials to ensure that maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities are established in India. This would allow India to service, upgrade, and repair the aircraft domestically, eliminating dependence on France during critical times. Sources indicate that once compon...

During the Cold War, the threat of nuclear conflict between superpowers loomed large. One such moment in history saw the British government preparing a special speech for Queen Elizabeth II, to be delivered in the unlikely event of a nuclear war. Fortunately, the speech was never needed. A Historical Precedent The fear of atomic devastation had haunted the world since the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. Over the decades, periods of extreme tension between nuclear-armed nations rekindled this fear. By 1983, global apprehension had escalated to a point where Britain readied a public address for its monarch, anticipating a potential nuclear confrontation. The speech, now preserved in the UK National Archives and dated March 4, 1983, was carefully drafted for Queen ...

New Delhi, January 15, 2026 – India’s ties with Pakistan have long been marked by tension, primarily due to cross-border terrorism. Yet, there was a time when India invited the Governor-General of Pakistan as the Chief Guest at its Republic Day celebrations—a historical episode that is largely forgotten today. Malik Ghulam Muhammad: A Brief Profile The year was 1955, and the guest in question was Malik Ghulam Muhammad, then Pakistan’s Governor-General. This was a formative period for India, as it sought to establish its democratic institutions and ceremonial traditions. Malik Ghulam Muhammad had strong administrative links with India. An alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University, he served under the British administration as a chartered accountant and worked in the Indian Railway Accou...

New Delhi, January 15, 2026 – India’s concern over the ongoing protests and political unrest in Iran has intensified, given the country’s strategic importance as a gateway to Central Asia and the vital connectivity offered by the Chabahar port. Experts warn that any sudden political upheaval in Iran could directly affect India’s trade routes, diplomatic leverage, and security, while providing opportunities for Pakistan and China to gain a strategic edge. Iran’s Strategic Significance for India Historically, India’s relationship with Tehran has been pragmatic rather than ideological, rooted in geography, trade, and regional balance. With Pakistan blocking India’s overland access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, Iran has served as India’s primary western corridor. The development of th...

New Delhi, January 15, 2026 – Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has emphasized the urgent need to establish a dedicated Rocket-Missile Force in India, drawing inspiration from Iran’s powerful missile capabilities, which are known to make even the United States and Israel cautious. Modern Warfare Demands Specialized Forces Speaking ahead of Army Day, General Dwivedi highlighted that conventional warfare is increasingly obsolete. Modern conflicts focus on non-contact and high-tech operations, a reality India has already experienced during Operation Sindhur, where Pakistani forces, equipped with American and Chinese weapons, were overpowered. “The security environment requires a specialized military unit capable of deploying long-range rockets and missiles under a single comm...

New Delhi, January 15, 2026 – With tensions between Iran and the United States escalating to dangerous levels, the Indian government has issued an advisory urging its citizens in Iran to leave the country immediately. The advisory comes as protests against the Iranian government have intensified nationwide, resulting in widespread violence and thousands of casualties. Analysts warn that the situation could spiral into full-scale conflict at any time. Thousands of Indians in Iran According to official estimates, over 10,000 Indians, including NRIs and PIOs, reside in Iran. Of these, at least 3,000 are students, with nearly 2,300 from Jammu & Kashmir pursuing medical studies or Shia religious education in cities like Tehran, Shiraz, Mashhad, and Qom. Additionally, Indian workers an...

New Delhi, January 15, 2026 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 28th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers’ Conference (CSPOC) at the Constitution Hall, welcoming delegates from 42 countries, including 61 speakers and parliamentary officers. The conference, held in India for the fourth time, focused on the theme “Effective Delivery of Parliamentary Democracy.” Addressing the gathering, PM Modi emphasized India’s democratic strength, saying, “Diversity is the strength of our democracy. While the world once doubted whether democracy could survive in India, we have proved it to be resilient and inclusive. Public welfare remains our highest priority.” India’s Global Achievements Highlighted PM Modi outlined India’s rapid growth and global standing: India is the f...

New Delhi: Out of 40.7 crore vehicles in India, around 70% are not in full compliance with regulatory requirements, with the majority being two-wheelers. The Union Government has proposed a system for state governments to gradually de-register vehicles whose documentation is incomplete. Under this plan, approximately 17 crore vehicles face the risk of having their registrations canceled. The Ministry of Road Transport recently shared these figures with state governments and Union Territories, highlighting that many vehicles lack essential documents such as Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, fitness certificates, or insurance. The ministry’s proposed system will allow vehicle owners a specific period to complete all required documentation. Vehicles failing to comply within the s...