Nation

New Delhi:The Pacific Ocean is emerging as a new arena of strategic competition between the United States and China, raising concerns for countries with stakes in the region, including India. A recent Pentagon report highlights growing Chinese influence and the challenges faced by the U.S. in maintaining its operational reach across the vast ocean. America Struggling to Keep Pace According to defense analysts, the U.S. has faced logistical and operational gaps in the Pacific, particularly in deploying amphibious aircraft for rapid response, search-and-rescue, and combat operations. The Pentagon had earlier piloted the MC-130J amphibious program, but after years of development and postponed flight tests, the program was discontinued in 2024. Other initiatives using seaplanes to fill o...

New Delhi:A fresh debate has erupted over the 100-meter definition of the Aravalli Hills, raising concerns about its potential impact on environmental protection. Environmentalists warn that the new rule could open up many ecologically sensitive hill areas to mining, which were previously considered protected. The controversy stems from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which recently proposed limiting the definition of Aravalli hills to only those areas that rise 100 meters or more from the lowest surrounding level. According to this definition, hills within a 500-meter radius are considered part of a continuous range. The Ministry has instructed the Survey of India to create maps based on this definition, marking and demarcating areas for administrative and plann...

New Delhi:India’s Special Forces are set to enhance their operational capabilities with the acquisition of water-based drones and advanced underwater diving equipment, with approval for emergency procurement expected shortly. The initiative aims to strengthen the forces’ underwater operational capacity and overall tactical effectiveness. The new drones are modeled on Ukraine’s “Sea Baby” drone, which was deployed in the Black Sea. These high-speed, remote-controlled UAVs carry explosives and function like a miniature suicide drone, detonating near their targets. The Indian Special Forces aim to use similar technology to significantly boost their operational reach and precision. Upgrading Weapons and Equipment from Operation Sindoor The Special Forces are also procuring upgraded lo...

New Delhi:India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has further strengthened its position as a major global player in the space sector, successfully launching satellites for 34 countries since 2014. With more than 390 foreign satellites placed into orbit— including 232 from the United States alone—ISRO has emerged as a trusted, cost-effective and technologically advanced launch service provider on the world stage. The latest milestone was achieved with the successful launch of an American satellite belonging to AST SpaceMobile. ISRO’s LVM3-M6 rocket precisely deployed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), underlining India’s growing capabilities in handling complex commercial and international missions. According to information shared b...

New Delhi:Severe cold conditions coupled with dense fog continue to affect large parts of the country, disrupting daily life and transportation. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather warnings for several states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Assam and Meghalaya, cautioning residents about persistent fog and cold wave conditions over the next few days. According to the IMD, Bihar is likely to experience dense to very dense fog during night and morning hours till December 26. Assam and Meghalaya may witness similar conditions till December 27, while Uttar Pradesh is expected to remain under dense fog cover till December 29. In Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, foggy conditions may persist till December 30. The weather department has a...

“Better than a thousand answers is my silence; it preserves the dignity of countless questions.”These words by Dr. Manmohan Singh perfectly captured the essence of a man who held one of India’s most powerful offices yet chose restraint over rhetoric. On the death anniversary of India’s former Prime Minister, the nation remembers a leader whose silence often spoke louder than words. Born on September 26, 1932, in undivided Punjab, Manmohan Singh’s journey to the highest political office was shaped more by circumstance and service than ambition. Before entering politics, he was a distinguished economist and academic, with no mass political base and no victory in a Lok Sabha election. He reached Parliament through the Rajya Sabha — and from there, went on to lead the country for a decade. ...

New Delhi:Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has raised serious questions over the government’s handling of border management and immigration control, stating that the presence of illegal immigrants in the country reflects systemic failures. At the same time, he asserted that the government has every legal right to take firm action, including deportation, against those residing in India unlawfully. Tharoor emphasized that effective border management is a fundamental responsibility of the state. “If people are entering the country illegally or overstaying after their visas have expired, it clearly points to weaknesses in border control and immigration systems,” he said. According to him, such lapses must be addressed strictly and through lawful means. Quest...