Nation

A major development has emerged in India-US trade relations, raising hopes that a long-pending trade deal could be finalized soon. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during which both leaders discussed the ongoing bilateral trade agreement and broader economic cooperation. Analysts suggest that this dialogue brings India and the U.S. closer to reaching a formal agreement. Key Points from the Call The discussion between Rubio and Jaishankar was not limited to trade. Both leaders also exchanged views on regional developments and reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. According to an official statement from the U.S. State Department, Rubio extended New Year greetings to Jais...

In a historic move on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti (14 January 2026), Prime Minister Narendra Modi is shifting his office (PMO) to a brand-new building. The new PMO is now located at the ‘Seva Teerth’ complex, developed under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. This state-of-the-art complex has been designed to house the Prime Minister’s Office, the Cabinet Secretariat, and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in separate buildings. Seva Teerth: A Modern Hub of Governance The new PMO will operate from Seva Teerth-1, featuring modern workspaces and ceremonial halls themed around the spirit of ‘Seva’ (Service). With this shift, an era comes to an end, as the Prime Minister’s Office had been functioning from the South Block since India’s independence in 19...

After weeks of biting cold, northern India may finally see some relief. Traditionally, Makar Sankranti marks the turning point of winter, as the sun begins its northward journey. This year, however, the change is expected to be gradual, with temperatures rising slightly over the next couple of days. Morning fog may still pose a challenge intermittently. Northern India: Clouds, Cold Waves, and Fog Today, on 14 January, northern parts of the country are expected to remain under the grip of cold and dense fog. Weather experts indicate that while winter’s hold is slowly easing, there is no major shift in conditions yet. Hilly regions, including the western Himalayas, are likely to experience cloud cover throughout the day and night. Cities such as Delhi, Jaipur, Bhopal, Lucknow, Patna...

Pakistan’s long-standing use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy is no longer a hidden truth. Recent audio and video messages attributed to Jaish‑e‑Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and his deputy Saifullah Kasuri have once again brought Pakistan’s terror ecosystem into sharp global focus, exposing the deep nexus between extremist groups, the Pakistani military, and the ISI. In an audio message circulated widely by social media handles believed to be aligned with Pakistan’s intelligence establishment, Masood Azhar claimed that JeM has prepared thousands of suicide attackers ready to strike India. Earlier, Saifullah Kasuri appeared in a video boasting that he was invited to offer prayers at the funerals of Pakistani soldiers killed during “Operation Sindoor.” More disturbingly,...

New Delhi, January 13:The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark statement regarding incidents involving stray dog attacks, emphasizing that state governments and individuals who feed or care for stray dogs can be held accountable for injuries or deaths caused by these animals. States to Face Compensation Liability A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria expressed concern over the lack of enforcement of laws governing stray animals over the past five years. The court stated that victims of dog bites, especially children and the elderly, should receive substantial compensation from state governments due to this negligence. Justice Nath remarked, “For every case of injury or death caused by dog bites, we will demand significant compensation fro...

New Delhi, January 13:As India prepares to celebrate Makar Sankranti on January 14, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for dense fog, cold waves, and snowfall in parts of northern India. Citizens are advised to exercise caution, as weather conditions may affect festivities like kite flying and travel across several states. Northern India Faces Cold Wave IMD has issued warnings for Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh due to dropping temperatures. Light snowfall is expected in hilly regions, which may hamper Makar Sankranti celebrations. While rainfall is unlikely, dense fog in six northern states could affect visibility. The IMD has specifically highlighted Uttar Pra...

New Delhi, January 13:Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticized the central government over its attempt to block the release of Tamil actor Vijay’s film ‘Jan Nayakan’, calling it an attack on Tamil culture. He asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never succeed in silencing the voices of the Tamil people. The remarks came a day after the producers of ‘Jan Nayakan’ challenged a Madras High Court interim order in the Supreme Court. The single-judge bench of the Madras High Court had previously stayed an earlier order directing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to immediately grant the film a censor certificate. This created uncertainty over the release of Vijay’s film, which is being promoted as his final cinematic project before fully entering politics. ...

New Delhi, January 13:AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday raised questions about the RSS’s role in India’s independence movement, claiming that its founder Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar was jailed not for opposing British rule, but for supporting the Khilafat Movement, a purely religious movement led by Indian Muslims. Speaking at a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, ahead of municipal elections, Owaisi criticized the RSS and the BJP, alleging that they promote a Hindutva agenda while distorting historical facts. He questioned, “Is there any RSS leader who was jailed while fighting the British?” Hedgewar and the Khilafat Movement Owaisi pointed out that while the RSS claims that Hedgewar went to jail for nationalist activities, he was actually impr...

New Delhi, January 13:In a significant win for gig economy workers, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the central government after it decided to remove the controversial ‘10-minute delivery’ branding from quick-commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy, and Zomato. The move comes amid growing concerns over the pressure and safety risks faced by delivery riders. A Much-Needed Step for Worker Safety Chadha, who has been actively raising the voices of gig workers, said the government’s decision was timely and necessary. “Satyamev Jayate! Together, we have achieved a victory. I am deeply grateful to the Centre for its decisive and compassionate intervention to remove the ‘10-minute delivery’ branding,” he wrote on social media platform X (formerly...

New Delhi, January 13:Ahead of Army Day on January 15, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi delivered a strong and unambiguous message to Pakistan, stating that Operation Sindoor is not over yet and that the Indian Army remains fully prepared to respond decisively to any provocation. Addressing a press conference, General Dwivedi revealed that during Operation Sindoor, conducted in May, the Indian Army was not only executing precision strikes but was also fully prepared for ground operations inside Pakistan. “We were waiting for just one mistake from Pakistan. Our tanks and ground forces were ready to move in,” the Army Chief said. Ground Action Was a Real Option General Dwivedi disclosed that during the operation, Indian armed forces had targeted multiple terrorist camps a...