Nation

New Delhi: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has made a striking statement regarding the severe pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. Speaking at the launch of a book by former Central Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar, Gadkari revealed that staying in Delhi for just three days triggers allergies for him due to the hazardous air quality. Highlighting the transport sector’s role in pollution, the 68-year-old minister stated that nearly 40% of Delhi-NCR’s air pollution is caused by vehicles. “I am the Transport Minister, and yet 40% of the pollution is directly due to transport,” he said. Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependency is Key Gadkari stressed the urgent need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, pointing out their limited availability and the rising pollution levels. He urged the ...

New Delhi: The United States Embassy and Consulates in India will remain closed from 24th to 26th December 2025, temporarily suspending routine services related to visas and passports. The closure comes in accordance with a special executive order issued by the U.S. President. According to the Embassy, as per the executive order, federal government departments and agencies will observe these dates as holidays. During this period, regular consular services will not be available. Such closures are consistent with previous practices: former President Donald Trump had declared similar holidays for federal employees in 2018, 2019, and 2020 during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. President Joe Biden continued this practice in 2024. The Embassy and Consulates confirmed the closure via offic...

New Delhi: India is set to receive Jaguar fighter jets from the Gulf nation of Oman. According to a report by The War Zone, under a recent agreement between India and Oman, a number of retired Jaguars from the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) will be transferred to India. Interestingly, these jets will not be inducted directly into the Indian Air Force (IAF). Instead, they will be dismantled for parts to support India’s existing fleet of Jaguar aircraft, some of which are nearly 45 years old. The move is part of the IAF’s ongoing modernization program, known as the Display Attack Ranging and Inertial Navigation (DARIN) upgrade, which started in the 1980s and has gone through three major phases. Why Spare Parts are CriticalThe oldest Jaguars, originally purchased from France, are now di...

Sriharikota: Once again, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has showcased its technological prowess. At approximately 8:54 AM on Wednesday, the LVM3-M6 rocket soared into the skies from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, carrying the next-generation communication satellite, BlueBird Block-2, developed by the U.S. company AST SpaceMobile. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO scientists for this historic achievement. In a post on social media platform X, he said, “India has taken a giant leap in space. With the success of the LVM3-M6 mission, India has launched its heaviest satellite to date—the American BlueBird Block-2—into its precise orbit. This is a proud moment for the nation.” He added, “This success strengthens India’s capability to launch heavy satellites an...

Visakhapatnam: Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has marked a significant achievement in its collaboration with the Visakhapatnam Port Authority by reaching two major milestones under the 60 Ton Bollard Pull (60T BP) Tug program. On 22 December 2025, the keel-laying ceremony for the first 60T BP tug was successfully conducted. Built entirely with indigenous design and technology, this vessel is being developed by HSL. Simultaneously, formal contracts were signed for the construction of the second 60T BP tug, further cementing the long-standing, trusted partnership between HSL and the Port Authority. The project aligns with India’s “Maritime India Vision 2030” and the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, aimed at modernizing the nation’s key ports. Measuring 32.5 meters in length, the 60T BP ...

In yet another historic achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its LVM3-M6 mission, carrying the Bluebird Block-2 communication satellite. The rocket lifted off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 8:54 AM on Wednesday. About the MissionThe Bluebird Block-2 satellite, weighing 6,100 kilograms, is the heaviest payload ever deployed by an LVM3 rocket into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Previously, the heaviest payload was the LVM3-M5 Communication Satellite-03 at approximately 4,400 kilograms, launched successfully on 2 November 2025. This commercial mission is a joint venture between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and the U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile. The satellite is inte...

India once again made history as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its heaviest satellite to date. Leading the mission is ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, whose vision and expertise have been instrumental in this landmark achievement. ‘Baahubali’ Mission Sees Successful LaunchFrom the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, ISRO successfully deployed the Bluebird Block-2, a next-generation communication satellite for the United States, aboard the powerful LVM3-M6 rocket—popularly nicknamed ‘Baahubali’ for its immense strength. Prior to the launch, Dr. Narayanan visited the Shri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala to offer prayers for the mission’s success. According to Dr. Narayanan, the LVM3-M6 rocket has efficiently carried out ...

A deep chill has set in across India, from the mountainous regions to the plains, as a severe cold wave grips the country. The biting winter has made life difficult for people, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of rain, snowfall, and dense fog in several states. North India Faces Severe Cold and FogNorthern India, including Delhi-NCR, is experiencing intense cold. Four states—Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh—have been issued warnings for moderate to heavy rainfall and snowfall. In addition, scattered showers are expected in these regions on 28 December, with intermittent rain likely in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 27–28 December. The IMD has also issued dense fog warnings for 22 cities in North and East India. Bihar’...

In a daring move, fugitive Indian businessman Lalit Modi has shared a video mocking India, featuring fellow absconding businessman Vijay Mallya at his birthday party. In the clip, Modi refers to himself and Mallya as “the two biggest fugitives of India.” Lalit Modi, one of the founders of the Indian Premier League (IPL), recorded the video from London. In it, he says, “We are two fugitives, India’s biggest fugitives.” Accompanying the post on his Instagram, Modi wrote: “Let me do something again to break the internet. Here’s something for you. Burn your hearts.” The video has sparked strong reactions on social media. One user commented that Modi and Mallya are mocking the Indian government, while another dismissed Modi’s claim of “breaking the internet.” Several users criticized Indi...