Nation

New Delhi: The United States has granted India permission to purchase crude oil from Venezuela, a move aimed at reshaping global oil trade amid shifting supply dynamics. The development comes as India has pledged to significantly reduce its oil imports from Russia, according to three sources who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. The US intends for India to replace Russian oil imports with Venezuelan crude. This decision follows India’s commitment to cut back on its Russian oil purchases. Previously, the US had imposed tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil. Over the coming months, India is expected to reduce its daily oil imports from Russia by several hundred thousand barrels, sources indicated. Trump’s New Oil StrategyFormer US P...

New Delhi, Jan 31:The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Saturday carried out the demolition of several structures in the Anand Vihar area, which were allegedly encroaching on public land. The action followed a Delhi High Court order directing the removal of all encroachments at the multi-modal transit hub, one of the capital’s busiest transport points. The court had issued the order on January 22, putting an end to a prolonged dispute over street vending and the use of public space at Anand Vihar. Authorities said the demolition drive was aimed at restoring public order and ensuring smooth movement at the transit hub. Officials added that the exercise would continue in line with the court’s directives, and measures are being taken to ensure minimal disruption to commuters....

New Delhi: As global geopolitical tensions continue to rise, India is significantly strengthening its indigenous defence capabilities. In a major technological breakthrough, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully enhanced the strike range of its next-generation surface-to-air missile system, Akash-NG, to 50 kilometres, making it a formidable threat to enemy fighter jets, cruise missiles and drones. The improved range has been achieved after the successful testing of a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, a cutting-edge propulsion system that provides thrust in two phases. This advancement enables the missile to maintain high speed and maneuverability throughout its flight, significantly improving interception accuracy against fast-moving aerial threats. A...

India and Arab nations are set to hold their second high-level meeting of foreign ministers on Saturday, a significant step aimed at reinforcing diplomatic and strategic ties between India and the Arab world. The meeting will be co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will include foreign ministers from the Arab League member states as well as the Secretary-General of the Arab League. A Decade Since the First Meeting This is the first ministerial-level gathering in ten years, following the inaugural India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in Bahrain in 2016. The 2016 meeting had identified five key areas of cooperation: economy, energy, education, media, and culture, proposing several collaborative initiatives across these sectors. The upcoming meeting aims t...

The Congress party has once again targeted the Modi government, alleging a lack of coordination in policy-making. A Congress MP questioned whether the figures presented in the upcoming budget would need revision immediately after being tabled, given that new GDP and Consumer Price Index (CPI) series are scheduled to be released shortly after the budget. Budget to Be Presented on Sunday:Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said that the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 will be presented on Sunday. He wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter): “State governments are likely waiting anxiously to see what the budget holds for them, as the Finance Minister will announce the implementation of recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission.” Role of ...

Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo paid a visit to the famous Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday. Officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) welcomed him warmly and escorted him for the darshan. New Delhi: Joko Widodo, the former President of Indonesia, visited the renowned Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on Thursday. The TTD officials received him and guided him through the temple for the darshan. After the visit, he was honored with silk garments, prasadam (holy offerings), and a framed picture of Lord Venkateswara. This visit is noteworthy as Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has a rich Hindu and Buddhist heritage. It was once ruled by Hindu and Buddhist kings, and even today, several prominent H...

The government has blocked the Wingo App following allegations of cyber fraud under the pretext of online gaming. Users were reportedly targeted through fake SMS messages to extort money. New Delhi: The Wingo App, an online gaming platform, has been blocked after reports emerged that it was being used to commit cyber fraud. Through the app, users’ phones were allegedly exploited to send fake SMS messages to others to collect money. Once the issue reached the Ministry of Home Affairs, authorities acted promptly to block the app. Why the Home Ministry Took Action:Officials stated on Friday that the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), took action against the Android app following multiple complaints. Users of the app were unknowingly be...

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has stepped up preparations for the first uncrewed mission of its ambitious Gaganyaan programme, India’s maiden human spaceflight initiative. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has confirmed that the agency is firmly on track to begin the Gaganyaan programme in 2027, with multiple uncrewed missions planned before astronauts are sent into space. Speaking to journalists on Friday night, Narayanan said ISRO is currently focusing on the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, which will serve as a crucial milestone ahead of the human spaceflight. “The Gaganyaan programme is planned to begin in 2027. Before that, we have planned three uncrewed missions. At present, we are working towards the first uncrewed mission,” he said. Extensive Testing Underway Hi...

The landmark free trade agreement between India and the European Union has not only reshaped global trade equations but has also found an enthusiastic supporter in one of India’s closest partners in the Islamic world—the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Welcoming the India–EU deal, the UAE has expressed hope that it too will soon reach a similar milestone with the European bloc. UAE Applauds the “Mother of All Deals” Reacting positively to the agreement, the UAE described the India–EU trade pact as a strong model of economic partnership that promotes sustainable growth and shared prosperity. Abu Dhabi said the deal reflects how modern trade agreements can go beyond tariffs and become frameworks for long-term cooperation. The UAE added that negotiations between the UAE and the European ...

Rising tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a critical point, raising serious concerns across the world. Iran has asserted complete control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, while the United States has warned of strong retaliation against any provocation. If this standoff escalates into a full-scale conflict, its repercussions will extend far beyond West Asia—India would be among the countries most affected. Threat to India’s Energy Security One of the biggest risks for India lies in energy supplies. Iran contributes around 4–5% of global oil production, and nearly half of India’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption in this narrow maritime route could sharply reduce supplies, driving up g...