Nation

New Delhi: India’s ties with Germany are entering a new phase, following the recent visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India. This visit coincided with 25 years of strategic partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, underscoring a shift from purely trade and investment-focused interactions toward a comprehensive strategic partnership. During the visit, 19 significant agreements were signed, aiming to bridge the gap between Europe’s advanced technologies and India’s production capabilities. Defense and Industrial Cooperation A highlight of Chancellor Merz’s visit was the joint declaration on defense industrial cooperation, signaling a move beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship. India and Germany are expected to collaborate on wea...

New Delhi: UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrives in India today on an official visit that is being closely watched amid rising tensions in the Gulf and an increasingly assertive US presence. The geopolitical stakes are high, with deteriorating Iran-US relations, mounting friction between Saudi Arabia and UAE over Yemen, and political instability in Gaza. In this scenario, the India-UAE partnership is under global scrutiny. This marks Sheikh Nahyan’s third visit to India as President and his fifth visit in the past decade. The UAE Embassy in India described the visit as a milestone in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, providing an opportunity for President Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to chart new avenues for cooperation. Why the UAE Pre...

New Delhi: On 19 January 1966, an unprecedented scene unfolded in the Central Hall of Parliament, as the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), for the first time since India’s independence, elected its leader through a full-scale vote. After four hours of dramatic proceedings, 48-year-old Indira Gandhi emerged victorious, becoming India’s first woman Prime Minister. The Times of India at the time described her entry: “Draped in a white sari with a light brown shawl over her shoulder, Indira received a thunderous welcome in the hall.” The returning officer declared, “I hereby declare Mrs. Indira Gandhi elected as Prime Minister.” The hall reverberated with cheers, marking not just a personal victory but a significant turning point in Congress’ internal succession politics. Vacancy After...

New Delhi: Following Western sanctions on Russian oil, India’s crude oil imports from Russia have fallen by nearly 29%, while China appears to be the primary beneficiary of the diversion. The geopolitical shift underscores the growing volatility in global oil supplies amid US and EU restrictions. Turkish Port Sees Rare Russian Delivery On the evening of 6 January, a Panama-flagged tanker, Bela 6, docked in Izmit, Western Turkey, and began offloading roughly 100,000 tons of Russian crude. According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), this delivery was an exception. The Turkish refinery Tupras had reduced Russian crude imports by 69% last month, ahead of the EU sanctions effective 21 January, which ban refined products made from Russian crude in Europe. These mea...

New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has strongly reiterated that pre-conviction bail is a fundamental right of every citizen, in the context of the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant bail to Umar Khalid, accused in the Delhi riots case. Speaking at an event in Jaipur, Chandrachud warned that prolonged imprisonment without trial undermines constitutional justice and highlighted the urgent need for safeguards ensuring timely hearings. Bail Should Be the Rule, Not the Exception Chandrachud said, “Umar Khalid has been in jail for five years. I am not criticizing the court… Bail conditions can be imposed to prevent misuse, but it is essential that the accused has the right to a speedy hearing. If immediate hearings are not possible due to current circumstances, bail must...

New Delhi: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making remarkable strides in the healthcare sector, and a new study from AIIMS Raebareli has shown that AI can sometimes detect eye diseases even before doctors. While ophthalmologists remain the most reliable diagnosticians, AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini are rapidly proving their capabilities. Early detection of retinal diseases is critical, as delayed diagnosis can lead to permanent vision loss. The study, conducted by the Department of Ophthalmology at AIIMS Raebareli, analyzed 30 patients. Each patient’s fundus photograph (image of the retina) along with relevant medical information was provided for assessment. Doctors vs AI: Accuracy and Speed The cases were evaluated in three ways—by an experienced ophthalmologist, by ChatGPT,...

New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has reiterated that obtaining bail before conviction is a fundamental right of every citizen, while emphasizing that cases involving national security require careful scrutiny before granting such relief. His remarks come amid ongoing debates over the denial of bail to student leader Umar Khalid, raising concerns about the state of liberal democratic values in the country. A Personal Anecdote: Congress Leader Pawan Khera Speaking candidly as a private citizen, Chandrachud recounted a notable incident involving Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera. According to the former CJI, Khera was on a flight to Guwahati and was on the verge of being arrested. Paramilitary forces had reportedly surrounded the aircraft, preparing to detain him....

New Delhi: The Congress Party has decided to ramp up its grassroots outreach at the panchayat level as part of its ongoing campaign, ‘Save MGNREGA Movement’, aimed at protecting the integrity of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Party leaders are demanding that the law be restored to its original form. The campaign, launched on 10 January, is a 45-day nationwide initiative protesting the alleged dilution of MGNREGA by the ruling alliance government. The opposition party has called for the repeal of the amendments and full reinstatement of the act in its original form. Panchayat-Level Outreach and Ward-Level Protests Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said that the party conducted an online review meeting and collectively resolved to stren...

New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump has formally invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to become a member of the Gaza Peace Board, signaling a new opportunity for strengthening India-US ties. The invitation comes after last year’s planned visit of PM Modi to the United States was cancelled, during which External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India. A letter from the White House addressed to PM Modi stated:"As Prime Minister of the Republic of India, it is my distinct honor to invite you to join this historic and ambitious effort to advance peace in the Middle East and adopt a bold new approach to resolving global conflicts." The letter highlighted the roadmap announced on 29 September 2025, a comprehensive 20-point plan to end the...