Nation

A new study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has highlighted a serious health concern in India: delayed hospital admission for stroke patients. According to the study, approximately 38% of stroke patients reach a hospital more than 24 hours after the onset of symptoms, significantly affecting treatment outcomes and survival rates. Key Findings from the ICMR Study High Mortality and Disability: The study found that 28% of patients die within three months of a stroke, while around 30% suffer severe disability. Study Scope: Data was collected from 34,792 stroke patients across 30 major hospitals in India. The research was published on January 7, 2026, in the International Journal of Stroke. Lead author Dr. Prashant Mathur is from ICMR’s National Centre for Disease In...

India suffered a significant setback in its space programme on Sunday as the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission failed to achieve its objective, despite a successful lift-off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This was the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) first mission of 2026, and it was considered strategically crucial for national security and advanced Earth observation. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that while the launch vehicle performed normally during the initial phases, problems emerged toward the end of the third stage, ultimately leading to deviation from the intended flight path. What ISRO Chief Said Addressing the media, ISRO Chief V. Narayanan said:“Today, we attempted the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission. PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle with two so...

India’s engagement with Europe is entering a decisive phase, signalling a major shift in global geopolitics and trade diplomacy. As uncertainty continues to cloud India–US trade negotiations under former US President Donald Trump’s unpredictable “Make America Great Again” approach, New Delhi is steadily strengthening its strategic and economic ties with Europe—emerging as a credible alternative to Washington. This month, India and the European Union (EU) are set to hold a high-level summit, where a long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to gain fresh momentum. In the run-up to this summit, India has moved swiftly to deepen bilateral engagement with three of Europe’s most influential powers—Germany, France and Poland—effectively shaping what analysts are calling a n...

Alcohol consumption in India has risen sharply over the past two decades, bringing with it serious public health consequences. Between 2000 and 2018, per capita alcohol consumption in the country more than doubled—from 2.3 litres to 5.5 litres. Today, India is the world’s third-largest market for alcoholic beverages, valued at nearly $35 billion. But behind these numbers lies a disturbing reality. According to government data, alcohol-related causes claimed 3.4 lakh lives in India in 2019 alone. This growing crisis raises a critical question: Why does alcohol become addictive, and why is it so hard to quit once dependence sets in? Renowned physician and author Dr. Charles Knowles explores these questions in his book “Why We Drink Too Much: The Impact of Alcohol on Our Bodies and Cult...

India narrowly missed creating a new chapter in its space and strategic history on January 12, when the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) failed to complete the PSLV-C62 mission as planned. Although the launch vehicle lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota—marking ISRO’s first orbital launch attempt of 2026—the rocket deviated from its intended trajectory, preventing the successful deployment of the highly strategic EOS-N1 satellite, code-named “Anvesha.” The aborted mission triggered ripples far beyond India’s borders. According to strategic analysts, the very prospect of Anvesha entering orbit had set off “alarm bells” across the China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh frontiers, given the satellite’s advanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. What ...

New Delhi: Sergio Gor, the newly appointed United States Ambassador to India, has arrived in Delhi and expressed his excitement about returning to the country. Speaking shortly after his arrival, Gor highlighted the opportunities for strengthening the ties between India and the United States. He posted on social media, “Feels great to be back in India! Exciting opportunities lie ahead for both our countries.” Background and Experience The 38-year-old diplomat previously served as Personal Director at the White House and is considered a close associate of former US President Donald Trump. In August, he was appointed as the next US Ambassador to India, and his confirmation was approved by the US Senate in October, with his swearing-in taking place in mid-November. Gor has now formal...