US President Donald Trump has indicated that India’s recent reduction in Russian oil imports was partly aimed at appeasing Washington, suggesting that the United States could impose tariffs on New Delhi “very quickly” if it so chose. Speaking alongside US Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump commented on the evolving energy trade dynamics between India, Russia, and

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In a major administrative reform aimed at smoothing India’s infrastructure development, the Union government has decided that all newly appointed district-heading bureaucrats will undergo specialized training on land acquisition. The move, currently being formulated by a committee of secretaries, seeks to minimise delays and disputes that often arise when acquiring land for large-scale projects. India, the world’s

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New Delhi is expected to host Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi next week for high-level consultations with senior Indian officials, according to sources familiar with the matter. Preparations for the visit are reportedly still being finalised, but Araghchi is likely to be in the Indian capital between January 15 and 16. This will mark Araghchi’s second visit to

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The Supreme Court on Monday took a strong view of large-scale forest encroachments in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, directing the state government to submit a comprehensive account of all persons occupying forest land in the city. The apex court expressed serious concern over the scale of private occupation, indicating that such encroachments could not have persisted for decades without

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The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable areas, faces a monumental funding challenge to address the growing threats posed by climate change. According to a new report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the region will require approximately $12.065 trillion between 2020 and 2050 to meet its climate mitigation and

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Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is reportedly considering the imposition of stricter regulations on private gun ownership in the wake of violent clashes in Ballari district that resulted in the death of a Congress worker, Rajashekhar Reddy, on January 1. The incident, which involved confrontations between supporters of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

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Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday distributed 200,000 free laptops to eligible college students under the “Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil” (The World in Your Hands) scheme, aiming to promote education, digital literacy, and AI usage among youth. Key Highlights This initiative aligns with Tamil Nadu’s strategy to equip students with technology and AI skills, supporting both educational advancement and long-term

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Thiruvananthapuram: BJP leader and former Kerala DGP R. Sreelekha, who won the Sasthamangalam ward in the recent Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections, addressed speculation over her being overlooked for the mayor’s post, saying she respects the party’s decision and will focus on her role as a councillor. Promise of Mayor Post Sreelekha revealed that while contesting the

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In an emotional address to the Telangana Legislative Council on Monday, Kalvakuntla Kavitha, president of Telangana Jagruti, formally tendered her resignation as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), marking her official exit from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Tearfully recounting her two-decade-long political journey, her role in the Telangana statehood movement, and the circumstances that led

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The Congress party in Kerala wrapped up a high-profile two-day leadership conference in Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad on Monday, exuding confidence that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will secure over 100 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. The conclave, titled ‘Lakshya 2026’, brought together nearly 150 state and district-level leaders to formulate a detailed electoral strategy aimed

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