Flood history adds a new layer to Keezhadi’s past

Archaeological excavations at Keezhadi, located along the Vaigai river in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district, have repeatedly revealed brick-built structures, drainage canals, floors and pottery that mirror descriptions of organised urban life found in Sangam literature. A new scientific study has now provided an important environmental context, suggesting that large river floods buried parts of the settlement a little over a millennium ago.

LVM3 success strengthens India’s human spaceflight roadmap

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reiterated confidence in its ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme following the successful launch of the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite aboard the LVM3 rocket. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan stated that the same launch vehicle has been identified for India’s first crewed mission, highlighting the organisation’s growing technological reliability and global standing in space exploration.

Breakthrough research offers hope for PSC patients

A new monoclonal antibody therapy has delivered encouraging early results for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare and progressive liver disorder for which no approved medical treatment currently exists. Researchers from the University of California, Davis have reported that the experimental drug nebokitug appears safe and may reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis. The findings were published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, marking an important step toward a potential disease-modifying therapy.

India advances sea-based nuclear capability with K-4 missile test

India has taken a major step in reinforcing the sea-based leg of its nuclear deterrence by successfully testing the K-4 intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from its nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat. The test was conducted in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Visakhapatnam, according to defence sources, though the Ministry of Defence has not issued an official statement.

Good Governance Day 2025: Focus on transparency, technology and citizen-centric administration

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the National Workshop on Good Governance Practices 2025 in New Delhi. The event was organised on December 25, coinciding with Good Governance Day, and brought together senior civil servants, policymakers and institutional stakeholders to review reforms and share best practices.