Nation

New Delhi: January 9, 2007, marked a turning point in technology when American entrepreneur Steve Jobs launched the iPhone, revolutionizing the world of smartphones with the multi-touch display and transforming how people interact with technology. Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, believed in trusting one’s own inner voice over the clamor of external opinions—a principle that guided the creation of one of the world’s most influential innovations. “Don’t let the noise of other opinions drown your own inner voice,” he famously said, inspiring generations of professionals and young innovators to think independently and take bold decisions. The iPhone: A Testament to Vision and ConfidenceJobs’ confidence and foresight turned the iPhone into more than just a mobile device; it became a symb...

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again made a statement likely to stir debate within his party while giving the BJP an opportunity to critique Congress. Tharoor emphasized that while India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, deserves recognition as the founder of Indian democracy, it is also necessary to acknowledge his mistakes. However, he cautioned against blaming Nehru for all of India’s problems. “I am a supporter of Jawaharlal Nehru, but not a blind one,” Tharoor said. “I have great respect for his ideas and vision, though I cannot agree with all his beliefs and policies. Much of what he accomplished was highly commendable. Most importantly, Nehru firmly established democracy in India. I would not say that the current government is anti-democracy, but they are ...

New Delhi: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a sharp critique of the Modi government and the BJP on Friday, accusing the party’s “corrupt double engine” governments of destroying citizens’ lives across India. Speaking on multiple issues, Rahul Gandhi said, “Corruption, abuse of power, and arrogance have spread like poison in BJP’s politics, from the top echelons down to the grassroots. The people’s lives are reduced to mere statistics, and under the guise of development, a system of exploitation is thriving.” Questioning Political ProtectionHighlighting the brutal murder of Ankita Bhandari in Uttarakhand, Rahul Gandhi said, “The nation was shaken by this heinous crime, yet the pressing question remains: which BJP VIP is being shielded b...

New Delhi: In a significant boost to its surveillance and intelligence‑gathering capabilities, the Indian Army is set to induct indigenous solar‑powered drones, marking another major step towards modern warfare readiness and self‑reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. According to media reports, the Army has placed orders worth ₹168 crore with Bengaluru‑based startup NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT) for advanced solar drones. These drones, officially classified as Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance Systems (MAPSS), are designed to remain airborne for extended durations, providing uninterrupted real‑time intelligence across critical frontiers. Game‑Changer for Persistent Surveillance Unlike conventional drones that require frequent refuelling or battery repl...

New Delhi: Amid a political storm over the recent demolition activity near Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque at Delhi’s historic Turkman Gate, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly hit back at opposition parties, rejecting allegations that the mosque was damaged during the bulldozer drive. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla expressed regret that even the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs made similar claims and labeled the opposition coalition, “INDIA”, as the “Rawalpindi Bloc.” Poonawalla described the allegations as fabricated propaganda and clarified that no part of the mosque structure was harmed. The demolition, he said, was carried out under the directive of the Delhi High Court and targeted illegal commercial structures—including a diagnostic center and a wedding hall—built adja...

New Delhi/Kolkata: Political tensions escalated on Friday following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on multiple locations in Kolkata, including the offices of IPAC, the political consultancy firm managing Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s election campaigns. The move sparked widespread protests, reaching the national capital. Eight TMC MPs staged a demonstration outside the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to protest the raids. During the protest, Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra were taken into police custody while raising their objections against the ED action. Addressing the media, Moitra said: “We will defeat the BJP. The country is witnessing how the Delhi Police are treating elected MPs.” TMC MP Pratima Mandal alleged: “Amit Shah used ED officials to seize our politic...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday emphasized that if a pet dog attacks a neighbor, even unintentionally, it amounts to a criminal offense. The Court expressed concern over the poor implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program and stressed the critical roles of Gram Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Corporations in managing stray and domestic animal populations. During the hearing on stray dog issues, the bench listened to arguments from senior advocates C.U. Singh, Krishnan Venugopal, Dhruv Mehta, Gopal Sankarnarayanan, Shyam Dikhan, Siddharth Luthra, and Karuna Nandi. The proceedings will continue on Friday. Concerns Raised by Amicus CuriaeSenior Advocate Gaurav Agrawal, appearing as amicus curiae, informed the bench that four states had submitted comp...

New Delhi: Amid escalating U.S. tariff threats, India is set to accelerate its self-reliance and indigenous manufacturing efforts. Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V. Anant Nageswaran has identified ten critical areas requiring domestic development, highlighting five strategic clusters that will serve as pillars for India’s self-sufficient economy. The remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to wield tariffs as leverage, with India-U.S. trade talks yet to yield a resolution. Strategic Gaps in Semiconductors and Defence ManufacturingAccording to a report in The Economic Times, the five clusters include semiconductors and defence manufacturing, where India currently faces significant strategic gaps. These areas demand urgent focus to strengthen domestic capabilities. Nageswaran ...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by Justice Yashwant Verma of Allahabad High Court, challenging the validity of a parliamentary panel investigating corruption allegations against him. A bench led by Justice Deepankar Datta raised a significant question regarding parliamentary procedure: “If the Vice President can perform the duties of the President in their absence, why cannot the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha perform the duties of the Chairperson in their absence?” Contention Over Powers of the Deputy ChairpersonThe Supreme Court declined to accept Justice Verma’s argument that the Deputy Chairperson lacks the authority to reject a proposal. Representing Justice Verma, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi contended that under the Jud...