Nation

New Delhi: India has successfully conducted a secret test of its powerful K‑4 intermediate-range ballistic missile from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighat in the Bay of Bengal, significantly strengthening the sea-based leg of its nuclear deterrence. The solid-fuel, two-stage K‑4 ballistic missile, capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 3,500 kilometres, was launched from the 6,000‑tonne INS Arighat, India’s second indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). No official statement has been issued by the Ministry of Defence so far. According to defence sources, the K‑4 missile can carry a two‑tonne nuclear payload and is a crucial component of India’s nuclear triad, which consists of land-based missiles, air-delivered nuclear weapons, and se...

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to refrain from using advanced digital devices such as smart glasses, pen cameras, and smart watches within the Parliament premises. The advisory, issued through an official bulletin, highlighted that the use of such devices could compromise the confidentiality of members and potentially violate parliamentary privileges. The bulletin reminded MPs that these advanced devices are now widely available across the country. It cautioned that certain devices could be misused in ways that breach members’ privacy or infringe upon parliamentary privileges. It stated, “Members are requested to avoid using any devices that may compromise the security, privileges, or confidentiality of members within any part of the Parlia...

In a major boost to urban transport, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Delhi Metro’s Phase-V(A) project, adding 16.076 km of new lines and 13 stations to the network. This expansion is expected to directly benefit over 2.6 lakh daily commuters. Project DetailsThe approval was granted during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The total estimated cost of the project is ₹12,014.91 crore, to be funded by the Central Government, Delhi Government, and international funding agencies. The Phase-V(A) expansion includes three new corridors: R.K. Ashram Marg – Indraprastha: 9.913 km Aerocity – IGI Airport Terminal-1: 2.263 km Tughlakabad – Kalindi Kunj: 3.9 km Key Benefits The R.K. Ashram – Indraprastha corridor will extend the Botanical Garden–R.K. ...

IndiGo is set to launch direct flights between Delhi and London Heathrow starting 2nd February 2026, offering passengers a seamless travel experience with two seating options: IndiGoStretch and Economy Class. Flight Details and ScheduleThe airline will operate this route five times a week — on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday — using a Boeing 787 aircraft leased from North Atlantic Airways in a dual-class configuration. Delhi to London: Departure at 09:40 AM, arrival at 02:55 PM (local time). London to Delhi: Departure at 05:15 PM, arrival next day at 08:15 AM (local time). These schedules are subject to regulatory approvals. With this addition, IndiGo will operate a total of 12 weekly flights to London, complementing its existing daily flights from Mumbai. The...

India has achieved a significant milestone in its defence capabilities with the successful testing of the Akash Next Generation (NG) Missile System, a development likely to raise concerns in neighboring China and Pakistan. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) confirmed that the user evaluation trials of the Akash-NG system have been successfully completed, paving the way for its induction into the Indian Armed Forces. Outstanding Performance Against Aerial Threats During the trials, the Akash-NG demonstrated high precision against a wide range of aerial targets, including fast-moving objects, low-altitude intruders, and targets located at long distances and high altitudes. Defence experts have hailed this achievement as a significant boost to India’s air defence c...

India’s left-wing parties have long championed the cause of social justice, equality, and the eradication of poverty, ignorance, and disease—a vision famously articulated by Jawaharlal Nehru. While India as a whole has struggled to fully realize these goals, the state of Kerala stands out as a notable exception, largely owing to the policies and governance of communist parties. Yet, ironically, the Left has often failed to acknowledge or take credit for these tangible achievements. Learning from History The Indian Left, much like Columbus in history, set out with ambitious objectives—Columbus sought India but reached the Americas; similarly, Indian communists aimed to usher in a revolution and establish socialism. Both fell short of their original goals. However, while Columbus is re...

The Supreme Court has delivered a strong message on how courts must assess the testimony of minor victims of sexual exploitation, ruling that minor inconsistencies in a child’s statement cannot be grounds to disbelieve her. The Court emphasized that forcing a child to repeatedly recall traumatic experiences only deepens her suffering. A Bench comprising Justice Manoj Mishra and Justice Joymalya Bagchi upheld the conviction of members of a human trafficking racket involved in the forced sexual exploitation of a minor girl in Bengaluru, dismissing the appeal filed by the accused under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA). Defence Arguments Rejected The defence had challenged the prosecution case on multiple grounds, including alleged contradictions in the victim’s testimony. ...