In a turning point for bilateral relations, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer today signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement. The accord, aimed at doubling trade to roughly $120 billion by 2030, removes tariffs on virtually all Indian exports and dramatically lowers duties on key UK goods—boosting growth, jobs, and consumer choice in both countries. A Decade in the Making Negotiations for the India–UK Free Trade Agreement began in January 2022 and unfolded over 15 formal rounds before culminating in today’s signing ceremony in London, attended by PM Modi and PM Starmer. The pact also includes a “double contribution convention”…
Author: Jitendra Kumar
In a development that caught both political observers and the public by surprise, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his constitutional post on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons. The resignation, submitted to President Droupadi Murmu under Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution, brings an abrupt end to his tenure that began in August 2022. Dhankhar, who also served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said in his resignation letter that he was stepping down “with a heavy heart” on the advice of medical professionals. The former Governor of West Bengal and seasoned political figure offered words of…
In a move that has sparked international debate, Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly stated that he is open to peace negotiations with Ukraine—but only under the condition that Kyiv formally surrenders control of four key regions currently under Russian occupation. Speaking at a recent summit in Moscow, Putin reiterated that peace was “possible today” if Ukraine accepted Russia’s “new territorial realities.” The four regions in question—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—were unilaterally annexed by Russia in 2022 following controversial referendums not recognized by the international community. A Conditional Peace Offer Putin’s proposal outlines the following key demands: The announcement came…
The European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia has sent shockwaves across the global oil industry—but none more acutely than in India, where Nayara Energy has become the first Indian refinery to be directly impacted. With the EU blacklisting Nayara’s Vadinar facility due to its partial ownership by Russian state-controlled Rosneft, a new set of challenges is unfolding for India’s refining sector, foreign investment climate, and geopolitical balancing. Nayara Energy: The Strategic Anchor Nayara Energy, formerly Essar Oil, operates the Vadinar refinery in Gujarat—India’s second-largest private refinery, capable of processing 20 million tonnes of crude annually. Rosneft, Russia’s state-owned oil…
In a dramatic and emotionally charged development, the execution of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse from Kerala sentenced to death in Yemen, has been temporarily postponed. The decision comes just a day before her scheduled execution on July 16, 2025, providing a narrow but significant window for renewed legal and diplomatic intervention. The stay has been described as a result of persistent efforts from Indian activists, legal experts, religious leaders, and civil society groups, all working to avert a potentially irreversible tragedy. For Nimisha’s family, supporters, and countless well-wishers in India and abroad, the news offers a fragile sense of…
Shamsher Singh’s journey from the small village of Assi Kalan in Ludhiana, Punjab, to becoming a promising Punjabi music artist has inspired countless young people. Born on June 27, 2001, Shamsher’s story is one of passion, hard work, and determination, showing that with dedication, dreams can be realized no matter where you come from. Growing up in a rural setting, Shamsher faced many challenges. Opportunities were limited, and pursuing music was not seen as a conventional or secure career path. Despite this, Shamsher followed his heart, using every chance to practice, write, and perform. His songs reflect his experiences and…
The AAIB’s preliminary findings on the tragic Air India Flight AI 171 crash have offered key technical insights — but rather than providing closure, they’ve opened a Pandora’s box of unanswered questions. The accident, which killed 260 people, including those on the ground, has now been officially linked to an inexplicable simultaneous fuel shut-off of both engines shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. This headline focuses on the ambiguity and unresolved factors, highlighting the growing concern among aviation experts, families, and international observers. The Known Facts According to the AAIB, within 15 seconds of liftoff, the fuel-control switches for both engines…
A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Haryana’s Jhajjar district on Thursday morning, July 10, 2025, jolting large parts of Delhi-NCR out of their daily routines and triggering temporary panic among residents. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the quake occurred at 9:04 a.m., with the epicentre located approximately 3 km northeast of Jhajjar and at a depth of 10 km beneath the Earth’s surface. Wide Area Affected, Tremors Felt Across NCR The tremors were felt across a broad region, including New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and several parts of western Uttar Pradesh. Many residents described the experience as a…
Starting November 1, 2025, Delhi’s neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) — including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Sonipat — will begin enforcing a fuel supply ban for overage vehicles. The ban, already in effect in Delhi since July 1, targets “end-of-life” (EOL) vehicles — diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. This is part of a broader initiative to combat rising pollution levels and is being implemented under the guidance of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). Despite strong environmental justifications for the measure, authorities across districts are expressing growing…
In a move that could significantly impact the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), backed by the broader INDIA bloc, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. The petitioners allege that the process, announced just months before the state elections scheduled for October–November 2025, is hasty, exclusionary, and unconstitutional. Background of the Dispute On June 25, 2025, the ECI initiated a sweeping review of Bihar’s voter rolls, claiming the need to update outdated records and…
In a troubling recurrence of one of the world’s deadliest viruses, Kerala has reported two confirmed Nipah virus cases in the Palakkad district. The state government has swung into action, invoking protocols honed through past outbreaks and COVID-19 preparedness. According to the Kerala Health Department, the first patient—a 38-year-old woman—began showing symptoms late last month. She was initially treated for fever, but when her condition worsened, tests were conducted, revealing Nipah virus infection. A second patient, believed to be a close contact, also tested positive, prompting health officials to expand containment operations. Schools in the affected area have been temporarily…
In the high-stakes world of Karnataka politics, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remains in power well past the anticipated mid-term leadership change. Despite widespread speculation and reported friction within the Congress ranks—especially with his deputy DK Shivakumar—Siddaramaiah continues to lead the state. What explains his staying power? Here’s a closer look at the seven major reasons behind his continued grip on the Chief Minister’s office: 1. The DK Shivakumar Dilemma: Power Without Position? Siddaramaiah’s sharp political move came when he challenged DK Shivakumar to step down as the Karnataka Congress president if he wanted the CM seat. This cornered Shivakumar—he couldn’t afford…