Nuclear

PM Modi cites Pokhran, says no power in the world can make India bow down

On National Technology Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday remembered the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests and said India is emerging as a global leader in different aspects of technology. National Technology Day commemorates the momentous events of May 11, 1998, when India conducted successful nuclear tests under Operation Shakti and saw the maiden flight of the indigenously-developed Hansa-3 aircraft. In recognition of these achievements, then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had declared May 11 as National Technology Day. "Best wishes on National Technology Day! This is a day to express pride and gratitude to our scientists and remember the 1998 Pokhran tests. They were a landmark event in our nation's growth trajectory, especially in our quest towards self-reliance," Modi said in a post on X. "Powered by our people, India is emerging as a global leader in different aspects of technology, be it space, AI, digital innovation, green technology and more," he said. Modi reaffi

NTPC to seek AEC approval for first 1,400 MW nuclear project soon

State-run NTPC plans to set up two 700 MW PHWR units and may invest around Rs 28,000 crore in the project targeted for commissioning by 2032

Iran presses for end to war within 30 days; Trump expresses doubts

Iran's latest proposal to the United States calls for issues between the two countries to be resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire, according to Iran's state-linked media. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he was reviewing a new Iranian proposal to end the war, but also expressed doubt it would lead to a deal. Iran's 14-point proposal calls for an end to the war, rather than just an extension of the truce. The proposal, a rebuttal to the US nine-point plan, also calls for the US to lift sanctions on Iran, ending the naval blockade, withdrawing forces from the region, and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel's operations in Lebanon, according to the semi-official Nour News agency, which has close ties to the country's security organisations. Iran sent its reply via a Pakistani intermediary, the news agency reported. Pakistan has hosted previous negotiations between Iran and the United States. Trump rejected a previous Irania

PM Modi hails Kalpakkam reactor criticality during Mann Ki Baat broadcast

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed as a "historic milestone" the Kalpakkam fast breeder reactor achieving criticality, and said Indian nuclear scientists have brought glory to the country. In his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat', he said Indian scientists are advancing the civil nuclear programme and their efforts are making a significant contribution to nation-building. "Our nuclear scientists have brought glory to India through a major achievement. The fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu has achieved criticality," he said. Modi said this is a "historic milestone" in India's nuclear energy journey, and the remarkable thing is that the atomic reactor has been entirely built using indigenous technology. The prime minister said he had the privilege of witnessing the core loading of the reactor in Kalpakkam in March 2024. "I congratulate all those who have made invaluable contributions to India's nuclear program," he said. Modi said the efforts of the ...

China hints fourth aircraft carrier may be nuclear-powered in new video

A latest video released by the Chinese navy highlighting China's blue-water naval ambitions has sparked speculation that its fourth aircraft carrier currently being built will be a nuclear-powered one. The video film 'Into The Deep' was released on Wednesday to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army Navy showcased Chinese navy's transition from maritime ambitions and coastal defences. The video also highlighted China's "blue-water" navy capable of deep-sea operations, including footage from real-life drills in the western Pacific far from home and the use of advanced equipment. It also showed a compass being handed down through generations of naval officers named after the three aircraft carriers Liao Ning, Shan Dong, and Fu Jian currently in operation. But a fourth character was named He Jian, hinting that it could be a nuclear-powered ship because "He" sounds like the Chinese word for "nuclear" and "Jian" is the word for a "ship", the Hong ...

Why this suspected nuclear site in Iran is central to talks with US

Little is known about Pickaxe Mountain, but some experts say it illustrates the impossibility of relying on force alone to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb

Four decades on, Chernobyl stands as testament to nature's resilience

On contaminated land that is too dangerous for human life, the world's wildest horses roam free. Across the Chernobyl exclusion zone, Przewalski's horses - stocky, sand-colored and almost toy-like in appearance - graze in a radioactive landscape larger than Luxembourg. On April 26, 1986, an explosion at the nuclear power plant in Ukraine sent radiation across Europe and forced the evacuation of entire towns, displacing tens of thousands. It was the worst nuclear disaster in history. Four decades on, Chernobyl - which is transliterated as "Chornobyl" in Ukraine - remains too dangerous for humans. But the wildlife has moved back in. Wolves now prowl the vast no-man's-land spanning Ukraine and Belarus, and brown bears have returned after more than a century. Populations of lynx, moose, red deer and even free-roaming packs of dogs have rebounded. Przewalski's horses, native to Mongolia and once on the brink of extinction, were introduced here in 1998 as an experiment. Known as "takhi

Trump again suggests Iran has agreed to hand over enriched uranium

US President Donald Trump on Friday again claimed that Iran has agreed to hand over enriched uranium "The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear Dust,' created by our great B2 Bombers - No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form," Trump said in a social media post. "Nuclear dust" is shorthand that Trump frequently uses to refer to the highly-enriched uranium believed to be buried under nuclear sites that the US bombed during last year's 12-day war between Israel and Iran. If true, it would be a major concession from Iran and would lock in a key US demand to end the conflict. But neither Iran nor countries acting as intermediaries in the conflict have said that Tehran has made such an agreement. Trump on Thursday also asserted that Iran has "agreed to give us back the nuclear dust".

Atomic Energy Commission clears FDI policy for nuclear power sector

Proposed policy approved by Atomic Energy Commission moves to consultations stage as India looks to open nuclear power sector to private participation

Trump claims Iran ready to hand over enriched uranium, says deal 'close'

Trump asserted that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon and has "agreed to that very powerfully". He added that Tehran had also agreed to hand over enriched uranium

L&T up 26% from March low, nears pre-West Asia conflict price; here's why

L&T's long-term outlook for the Middle East business remains robust with no news of project cancellations or payment delays, says brokerage firm JM Financial.

India’s fast breeder reactor attains criticality: Why it matters | Nuclear Energy | Plutonium

India has hit a major nuclear milestone. At Kalpakkam, the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) has attained criticality — a key step before full power generation. But why does this matter?

Smart pumps power nuclear energy growth in India's clean energy shift

Smart pumps power India's nuclear leap as Kalpakkam Fast Breeder Reactor achieves criticality, marking a milestone in clean energy ambitions

India inducts nuclear-powered submarine INS Aridhaman, boosts deterrence

India on Friday commissioned its new indigenously-built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Aridaman into service, further strengthening the naval component of nuclear triad, authoritative sources said. India's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) programme is a closely guarded project. INS Arihant was the first boat under the SSBN project that was followed by another boat, INS Arighat. India is among a select group of countries that possess nuclear-powered submarines. The countries that have such assets are the US, Russia, the UK, France and China. INS Arihant is India's first home-made nuclear submarine. It was launched in July 2009 and was quietly commissioned in 2016. The navy commissioned its second indigenous SSBN, INS Arighaat, in August 2024 The SSBN stands for ship submersible ballistic nuclear or nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. INS Aridaman has been commissioned after months of sea trials. It is learnt that Defence Minister Rajnath

US and Israel hit Iran's nuclear facilities as Tehran attacks Gulf

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said the country's military would escalate its assault on the Islamic Republic in response to the targeting of civilians

Trump's peace plan: What is the US 15-point plan to end the West Asia war?

As the West Asia war enters its fourth week, the US has proposed a 15-point ceasefire framework to Iran. The plan focuses on dismantling Tehran’s nuclear and missile capabilities

France to temporarily deploy nuclear aircraft to allies, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that France will increase its number of nuclear warheads from the current level of below 300, but did not give a figure for the increase. It will be the first time France increases its nuclear arsenal since at least 1992. "I have decided to increase the numbers of warheads of our arsenal," Macron said at a military base at L'Ile Longue in northwestern France that hosts the country's ballistic missile submarines. Macron's speech was aimed at spelling out how French nuclear weapons fit into Europe's security amid concerns raised on the continent by recurring tensions with US President Donald Trump.

IAEA sees no strike on Iran's nuclear sites even as Tehran alleges one

Iran's nuclear programme has been among the reasons Israel and the US have given for the attacks, alleging Iran was getting too close to being able to eventually make an atom bomb

US, Iran deal possible if nuclear, non-nuclear issues are separated

Trump said on February 19 that Iran must make a deal in 10 to 15 days, warning that "really bad things" would otherwise happen