New Delhi: The Indian Army has released its first comprehensive technology roadmap for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and munitions towards providing long-term visibility of the force’s requirements in the area of ​​UAS. The nearly 50-page document ‘Indian Army’s Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems and Munitions’, which was released by Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustainment) in New Delhi on April 6, provides clear, actionable visibility to industry, academia and R&D institutions, enabling them to channel investment, time, energy and technical efforts towards priority areas identified by the Army. The Indian Army’s roadmap lists 30 types of UAS and loitering munitions across five categories: surveillance, ammunition dropping, air defense roles, special roles and logistics.Designed as a visionary strategic document, it aims to harness indigenous capabilities in line with the evolving requirements of modern warfare. It also integrates lessons from recent conflicts such as the Russia–Ukraine War and the West Asia conflict, where unmanned systems have had a significant impact. By clearly setting out technical and operational priorities, the document seeks to serve as a vital bridge between operational requirements and technological developments, ensuring that India’s drone ecosystem develops in a structured, demand-driven manner. The initiative is also expected to catalyze greater participation from startups, MSMEs and academia while encouraging long-term investment in this important and emerging technology.At the event, Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh cautioned about the sensitive nature of the document and urged stakeholders not to share it with unauthorized persons. He urged extreme caution, saying Pakistan and China may want to get their hands on this document.Citing the West Asia conflict, he pointed to the Iranian-made Shaheed-136 drone and the US’s deployment of “reverse-engineered” cheap drones, LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System), designed to counter Iranian attacks. “We all need to be aware of this and much more to ensure that in a conflict situation we operate like a well-functioning machine,” Lt Gen Singh said. He described the services, industry and education as a “troika” and said the engagement between the military and industry has increased manifold over the years.Major General CS Mann, ADG, Army Design Bureau, said this is the first time that the Army has shared such specifications related to the area of ​​UAS and munitions, which shows the importance attached to these capabilities.The document mentions details such as the equipment name, type, expected life cycle, estimated quantity and information on its variants.

इस बार पवन, हंस, केस्ट्रेल, ग्लोबल विक्ट्रा, आर्यन एविएशन हेली सेवा संचालन से बाहर हो गए हैं। अधिकारियों के मुताबिक इन कंपनियों को पहाड़ी इलाकों में उड़ान भरने का अच्छा अनुभव था लेकिन पिछले दिनों हुए हेलीकॉप्टर हादसों को देखते हुए यूसीएडीए ने नई कंपनियों को मौका दिया. अब इसी वजह से टेंडर प्रक्रिया पर सवाल उठ रहे हैं.

केदारनाथ: हेली सेवा की सुरक्षा के लिए अलर्ट मोड पर होगी हाईटेक मॉनिटरिंग, ऐसे होगी निगरानी

बताया जा रहा है कि पायलटों के लिए 1500 घंटे की उड़ान अनुभव की शर्त को घटाकर 750 घंटे कर दिया गया है। फरवरी 2026 में जिस ऑपरेटर को लाइसेंस दिया गया, उसका चयन केदारनाथ में हेली सेवा के लिए किया गया। जबकि संचालक के पास पांच साल का अनुभव होना चाहिए. टेंडर में दो साल तक दुर्घटना मुक्त रहने का शपथ पत्र मांगा गया था, लेकिन जिस संचालक को कुछ माह पहले ही लाइसेंस दिया गया हो, वह शपथ पत्र कैसे देगा?

डीजीसीए की गाइडलाइन के मुताबिक पायलट के लिए 750 घंटे का अनुभव रखा गया है, जबकि यूसीएडीए की ओर से 1500 घंटे के अनुभव की शर्त डीजीसीए को भेजी गई है. संचालकों का चयन पूरी पारदर्शिता के साथ टेंडर के माध्यम से किया गया है।

– आशीष चौहान, सीईओ, यूसीएडीए

Four Texas teenagers have been arrested for kidnapping and torturing a former high school classmate over a dispute involving the suspect’s girlfriend.Jose Rojas-Alvarado, Oscar Armando Santiago-Martinez, Angel Lemus-Perez and Carlos Roberto Oliva-Villeda, all 17, are charged with aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon, according to arrest affidavits from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office obtained by KEYE.The victim is a former student of Del Valle High School. She was allegedly lured into a car on February 19. He was driven to a nearby field, where a fourth suspect waited in a garage. Investigators allege the suspects held a gun to the victim’s head and bound his hands, feet and mouth with duct tape.The teenagers then allegedly forced the victim to drink alcohol and beat him with an aluminum bat, stick and belt. During the attack, the suspects threatened to kill her and harm her family if she went to the police.After being released, the victim immediately reported the attack to authorities. Police confirmed that his injuries matched his description, with extensive bruising on his back, chest and legs. Some of the suspects admitted to planning the attack for several days and one reportedly recorded the entire incident on his phone.Angel Lemus-Perez faces an additional charge of engaging in organized criminal activity. If convicted, the teens could face between five and 99 years in prison.This violent incident has deeply shaken the students and the local community. “I thought it was crazy, especially at our school. It’s just crazy how strong that person would have to be to report it and honestly survive,” Del Valle student J’Kedion Mitchell told KEYE. He added, “Everyone is so scared… everyone is saying, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening.'”Del Valle Independent School District said the suspects are no longer enrolled and confirmed it is aware of the off-campus incident.

Riding on confident performances from Vaishnavi Adkar and Sahaja Yamlapalli, India made a spectacular comeback with a massive 3-0 win over New Zealand in the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I match on Wednesday.

After losing 1-2 to Thailand in the rain-affected opening match, India showed sharp improvement in all three matches against the New Zealand team in the absence of their top player Lulu Sun.

Vaishnavi making her second appearance She looked much more composed and gave India the lead by defeating Aishi Das 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 30 minutes.

She took advantage of Das’s inconsistency early on and recovered from 15-40 to get the first break and lead 2-0. The Indian held firm in the deuce exchanges for long periods and extended her lead with another break in the fifth game.

Although Das managed to get a break back, Vaishnavi responded immediately and finished the opening set 6-2 with an ace.

The second set was a tight one, with Das leveling at 4-4 after trailing 0-40. However, Vaishnavi regained control at the right time and broke again in the ninth game before crashing out of the match.

Vaishnavi said, “It was my first match as a player in the Billie Jean King Cup, so I was definitely very nervous. I didn’t handle my nerves well. But it was a lesson for me.”

“Coming onto the court today, I had to focus on what I do best. And I just had to go out on the court and do my best.”

Sahaja then sealed the tie with an impressive 6-1, 6-3 win over Valentina Ivanova in the second singles.

In a baseline-heavy contest, Sahaja dictated the game with his forehand and movement. She broke early and won the first set 6-1, then maintained the same pace in the second set.

After leading 3-1, Sahaja briefly lost serve in the seventh game, but quickly recovered to lead 5-3. Then he finished the match comfortably.

“I’m happy with the win. It was a tough match (against Thailand). We expected a different result, we did what we could, we fought our hearts out,” Sahaja said.

“I wasn’t happy with the strategies I implemented (in the first match) so I told myself to do it better to finish the matches. We need to fight for every point, support each other and see where it takes us.”

In doubles, Rutuja Bhosale and Ankita Raina won 6-4, 6-2 over Erin Routliff and Monique Barry.

The result marks a strong turnaround for India after a disappointing start against Thailand, where Vaishnavi lost for the first time and Sahaja lost to Patcharine by a narrow margin in a three-set match.

India will look to carry this momentum forward as Group I ties continue.

– ends

Rex Heuerman, a 62-year-old Long Island architect, admitted in court Wednesday that he strangled eight women over nearly three decades, closing a chilling chapter in one of New York’s most notorious unsolved murder cases. Heuerman, who once led a quiet, professional life, is now facing the consequences of a series of murders that devastate families and shock the local community.Heuermann pleaded guilty to seven murders and confessed to killing an eighth woman, Karen Vergata, whose remains were found years apart. He has been in custody since his arrest in Manhattan in July 2023 and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17.

‘gilgo four‘And a pattern of crimes

Heuerman was first charged in connection with the deaths of four young women: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello, known collectively as the “Gilgo Four”. All were in their 20s, worked as escorts and disappeared between 2007 and 2010.Their bodies were found along Gilgo Beach in December 2010, wrapped in burlap and buried together, indicating a disturbing pattern.Subsequent investigations linked Heuerman to the murders of Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, Sandra Costilla, and Karen Vergata, incidents dating back to 1993.The investigation gained momentum in 2022 when a multiagency task force used advanced DNA testing, cell phone records and Internet activity to link Heuerman to the crimes.Key evidence includes DNA recovered from discarded pizza crusts and male hair found on the burlap that wrapped the victims. Cell tower data revealed burner phone calls to victims near Heuermann’s home and office. A witness also linked him to a distinctive green Chevrolet Avalanche seen with one of the victims.Authorities said Heuerman committed the murders while his family was away, indicating careful planning. In court, he admitted to strangling the victims and, in some cases, dismembering them.Prosecutors also revealed that he used the victim’s phone to harass his relatives after the death and found documents detailing plans for future murders, indicating premeditation.

Families react as justice approaches

The guilty plea brought relief and grief to the victims’ families, many of whom had waited years for answers. Emotional scenes unfolded in the courtroom as Heuerman confessed to his crimes.His estranged wife and daughter were present and afterward, his wife expressed condolences to the victims’ families, requesting privacy during this difficult time.The Gilgo Beach murders first gained major attention in 2010 when several sets of human remains were found along Ocean Parkway following the disappearance of Shannon Gilbert. While Gilbert’s death was later deemed unrelated, the case brought to light a long history of targeted killings of women involved in sex work.

उत्तर प्रदेश में रक्षा क्षेत्र को मजबूत करने की दिशा में एक बड़ा कदम उठाया गया है। लखनऊ में आयोजित कार्यक्रम में मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ की मौजूदगी में डिफेंस कॉरिडोर परियोजना को नई गति मिली। इस अवधि के दौरान, भारत इलेक्ट्रॉनिक्स लिमिटेड (बीईएल) को चित्रकूट नोड में 75 हेक्टेयर भूमि आवंटित की गई थी। इस पहल से राज्य में निवेश, रोजगार और तकनीकी विकास को बढ़ावा मिलने की उम्मीद है। कार्यक्रम में कई वरिष्ठ अधिकारी और मंत्री भी मौजूद थे.

बीईएल को चित्रकूट में भूमि आवंटन
कार्यक्रम के दौरान भारत इलेक्ट्रॉनिक्स लिमिटेड को चित्रकूट नोड में 75 हेक्टेयर भूमि का आवंटन पत्र सौंपा गया। यह पत्र औपचारिक रूप से बीईएल सीएमडी मनोज जैन को प्रस्तुत किया गया। इस भूमि पर रक्षा उपकरण और प्रौद्योगिकी से संबंधित परियोजनाएं विकसित की जाएंगी, जिससे राज्य की औद्योगिक स्थिति मजबूत होगी।

रक्षा क्षेत्र में निवेश एवं नवप्रवर्तन को बढ़ावा देना
डिफेंस कॉरिडोर के तहत यह निवेश रक्षा क्षेत्र में नई प्रौद्योगिकियों और नवाचार को बढ़ावा देगा। सरकार का लक्ष्य उत्तर प्रदेश को रक्षा उत्पादन का बड़ा केंद्र बनाना है. बीईएल जैसी बड़ी कंपनी के आने से अन्य कंपनियां भी निवेश के लिए प्रोत्साहित होंगी।

रोजगार के नये अवसर पैदा होंगे
इस प्रोजेक्ट का एक बड़ा फायदा रोजगार के रूप में मिलेगा. स्थानीय युवाओं को रोजगार के नए अवसर मिलेंगे और क्षेत्र के आर्थिक विकास में तेजी आएगी। इससे छोटे और मझोले उद्योगों को भी फायदा होने की संभावना है.

कार्यक्रम में कई मंत्री और अधिकारी मौजूद रहे
इस मौके पर अवस्थापना आयुक्त दीपक कुमार और सचिव अमित सिंह भी मौजूद रहे. इसके अलावा कृषि मंत्री सूर्य प्रताप शाही और मंत्री बलदेव सिंह औलख भी कार्यक्रम में शामिल हुए. सभी ने इस पहल को राज्य के विकास के लिए महत्वपूर्ण बताया.

राज्य के विकास की दिशा में बड़ा कदम
सरकार का मानना ​​है कि डिफेंस कॉरिडोर परियोजना उत्तर प्रदेश को एक नई पहचान देगी. इससे राज्य में औद्योगिक निवेश बढ़ेगा और भारत की रक्षा उत्पादन क्षमता भी मजबूत होगी।

(रिपोर्ट: संदीप शुक्ला, लखनऊ)

जिलाधिकारी ने कहा कि कॉमर्शियल एलपीजी के लिए मानक संचालन प्रक्रिया निर्धारित की गयी है. इसके तहत आवश्यक दस्तावेज प्राप्त करने और उनका परीक्षण करने के बाद सिलेंडर आवंटन के लिए अस्थायी गैस कनेक्शन की सिफारिश की जाएगी। नैनीताल के अन्तर्गत तहसील स्तर पर अधिकारी नामित किये गये हैं। नामित अधिकारियों को निर्देश दिया गया है कि वे आवेदक से दस्तावेज प्राप्त कर उनकी जांच करें। जांच के बाद वे अस्थायी गैस कनेक्शन के लिए अनुशंसा करेंगे और संबंधित गैस एजेंसी को सिलेंडर उपलब्ध कराने का निर्देश देंगे. एलपीजी की सुचारू आपूर्ति और प्रबंधन सुनिश्चित करने के लिए यह कदम उठाया गया है।

नैनीताल में व्यवस्थित ढंग से वितरित किये गये गैस सिलेण्डर

मंगलवार को नैनीताल शहर के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में क्रमबद्ध तरीके से गैस सिलेंडरों का वितरण किया गया। पर्वत गैस एजेंसी के अनुसार तल्लीताल डांठ, पुलिस लाइन क्षेत्र में 45-45, एटीआई क्षेत्र में 45, डीएसबी क्षेत्र में 35 और नारायण नगर में 25 सिलेंडर बांटे गए। एजेंसी प्रबंधक अंकिता पांडे ने बताया कि उपभोक्ताओं को किसी प्रकार की परेशानी न हो इसके लिए वितरण प्रक्रिया व्यवस्थित की गई है। पहले दिन रोस्टर के अनुसार सूची तैयार कर प्रसारित की जा रही है। उन्होंने लोगों से अनावश्यक रूप से गैस की अतिरिक्त बुकिंग न कराने की अपील की।

खैरना में सिलेंडर खरीदने के लिए उमड़ी भीड़ खैरना

मंगलवार को जैसे ही गैस वाहन खैरना-गरमपानी बाजार में पहुंचा तो लोगों की भारी भीड़ जमा हो गई। लोगों में सिलेंडर लेने की होड़ के कारण बाजार क्षेत्र में जाम की स्थिति उत्पन्न हो गयी. भीड़ इतनी बढ़ गई कि कई लोग सिलेंडर लेने के लिए गैस वाहन पर चढ़ गए। खैरना पुलिस ने सिलेंडरों का वितरण कराया। ओटीपी न मिलने से कई लोगों को परेशानी का सामना करना पड़ा। कई लोगों को सिलेंडर खत्म होने पर खाली हाथ लौटना पड़ा। बेतालघाट गैस एजेंसी के प्रबंधक मोहन चंद्र कांडपाल ने बताया कि 216 गैस सिलेंडर बाजार में भेजे गए थे। कुछ समय बाद दोबारा वाहन भेजकर शेष उपभोक्ताओं को गैस वितरित कराई जाएगी।

For decades, the US and its allies spent billions of dollars in cyber attacks, assassinations of scientists, economy-destroying sanctions and bruising diplomacy to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions.Yet after a brutal month-long war with joint US-Israeli forces, Tehran may be getting something more deadly than any nuclear bomb from the president. donald trump: Dominance over the Strait of Hormuz.On Wednesday, the US and Iran reached a conditional two-week ceasefire, reopening a key chokepoint for Gulf oil and exports. Trump announced that he would “suspend bombings and attacks on Iran” if Tehran cleared shipping lanes through Hormuz.In a Truth Social post, he justified the stoppage because US forces had “already met and exceeded all military objectives”.It follows his earlier flamboyant threats to wipe out Iran “overnight”, warning that “the entire civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back” – threats that drew global condemnation from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Pope Leo XIV.How Iran choked the Strait of HormuzBefore the Iran–US war, about 138 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz, carrying one-fifth of global oil and vital fertilizers for crops around the world.But as the conflict began, Iranian threats and attacks halted almost all traffic through the narrow chokepoint. Traffic fell below 100 vessels in March.At the beginning of the blockade, Trump tried to resolve it through diplomatic efforts and backchannel talks. After this strategy failed, he deployed a thousand more troops to the Middle East and turned his attention to possible US Navy escort for oil tankers.Frustration began to grow on him, evidenced by his profanity-laden Truth Social post on Easter Sunday:“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day in Iran, all at the same time. Nothing like this will happen!!! Open the f****** straight, you crazy********, or you’ll live in Hell – just watch! Praise be to Allah. President Donald J. Trump,” he said.Yet Iran maintained an edge on this vital artery, taking advantage of cheap drones, sea mines, and its geography for asymmetric warfare.‘Fee for safe passage’According to reports, Iran is now attempting to formalize its control over the strait as part of a broader geopolitical strategy after several weeks of conflict.As part of its proposals for a potential long-term peace deal, Tehran wants authorities to charge transit fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. According to officials, these charges will not be fixed but may vary depending on the type of ship, the nature of its cargo and the prevailing conditions.Iran is also working on a framework that could require ships to obtain permits or licenses before being allowed to pass in coordination with regional mechanisms, which could also include Oman, Reuters reports.Despite the ceasefire, shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz remains limited following the declaration. Analysts have warned that ships and insurers are unlikely to resume normal traffic until they receive sustained safety signals, CNN reports.“The ceasefire is a necessary first step, but it does not mean that commercial shipping through international traffic routes in the strait will immediately return to normal,” said Charlie Brown, senior advisor for Dark Fleet Tracking and a former US Navy officer.Shipowners are awaiting guidance from naval security channels, flag states and maritime war-risk insurers before sending the ships back to the strait. Since the beginning of the conflict, Iran has attacked at least 19 ships near the strait, disrupting supplies of crude oil to global markets.Iran’s foreign minister has said that “safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible through coordination with Iran’s armed forces.”Joint protocol with OmanIran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said last week that Tehran was drafting a protocol with Oman that would require ships to obtain permits and licenses to pass through the strait, adding that the move was aimed at facilitating rather than restricting transit.Iran claimed that the money collected from the ships would be used for post-war reconstruction, as the conflict has caused extensive damage to the country’s defense, administrative and civilian infrastructure.At the time, Oman said it had held talks with Iran on options to ensure smooth transit, but did not say whether an agreement had been reached.The fee will vary depending on the type of ship, its cargo and other unspecified existing conditions, the official said, without elaborating.Iran in its 10-point ceasefire proposal had included a provision to allow both Tehran and Muscat to levy transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.However, Oman rejected Iran’s demand and said, “No toll can be imposed for the Hormuz crossing.”According to Oman’s transport minister, the Sultanate has signed agreements guaranteeing that no fees will be imposed on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The minister stressed Oman’s commitment to ensuring free and safe navigation at the strategic chokepoint.The 34-km stretch of water between Iran and Oman is considered an international waterway, on which no country has imposed tolls in the past. The narrow estuary of the Persian Gulf facilitates about one-fifth of global oil trade.Joint venture with America?Meanwhile, Trump said he was planning a “joint venture” with Iran to install tolls in the Strait of Hormuz after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire deal.ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl asked Trump if he approved of Iran charging tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, to which the Republican leader responded, “We’re thinking about doing it as a joint venture. This is a way to protect it – while also protecting it from many other people.”“It’s a beautiful thing,” Trump said.Therefore, the situation is not just one of a fragile ceasefire, but of a change of control at one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. What began as an effort to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions has strengthened Tehran’s hand on the world’s locus of control.