A Quiet Revision with Loud Implications The United States has revised its official factsheet on the evolving trade arrangement with India, removing references to tariff reductions on pulses — a sensitive agricultural category for New Delhi. The adjustment came shortly after the White House initially suggested India would lower duties on items such as lentils…
Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia — A quiet mountain community in northern British Columbia was thrust into horror after a deadly school shooting left at least 10 people dead — including the suspected female gunman — and 25 others injured in one of Canada’s most devastating recent acts of violence. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) rushed…
A Renewed Bid for a Six-Nation Gulf Pact India is once again exploring a sweeping trade arrangement with six Arab economies—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain—under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). After years of stalled discussions, negotiators have revived plans for a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) that could reshape commercial, energy,…
President Droupadi Murmu returned to her home turf in Odisha on February 4, 2026, inaugurating and laying foundation stones for development projects worth ₹284 crore in Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj district. The visit combined ceremony with substance: new facilities across health, education, sports and civic infrastructure were launched in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and local…
Odisha’s remote Malkangiri district, once synonymous with Maoist violence and isolation, was officially declared “Naxal-free” on February 4, 2026. The announcement followed the surrender of Sukhram Markam, a key insurgent commander carrying a significant bounty, marking the end of an era in a region that had long been considered one of India’s most entrenched rebel strongholds….
A new US–India trade arrangement announced by President Donald Trump has reduced tariffs on a large share of Indian exports to 18% from earlier punitive levels near 50%, while also removing a proposed 25% penalty tied to India’s purchases of Russian oil. The revised tariff rate places India marginally ahead of Pakistan, whose exports to the US…
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink on Wednesday delivered an emphatic endorsement of India’s long-term economic prospects, declaring that “this is the era for India” and urging millions of citizens to invest alongside the nation’s ascent. Sharing the stage with Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, the discussion centered on India’s sweeping economic ambitions — including a potential expansion toward a $30 trillion…
India’s defence manufacturing ambitions received a major boost with Adani Defence & Aerospace signing a strategic partnership with Italy’s aerospace major Leonardo to expand helicopter production in the country. Announced on February 3, 2026, the collaboration marks a significant step toward building a domestic helicopter ecosystem at scale—one that supports both military readiness and civil aviation needs…
President Returns to Her Roots President Droupadi Murmu began a six-day visit to Odisha—her home state—on February 2, marking one of her most extensive engagements in the region since assuming office. Spanning key districts including Khurda, Jajpur, Balasore, Puri, and Mayurbhanj, the visit blends personal symbolism with public purpose, reflecting both her deep roots in the…
A Trade Pact with Currency Implications As India and the United States reset their trade relationship in early 2026, markets are asking a critical macroeconomic question: can this deal help stabilise the rupee and rekindle foreign investment inflows? With the Indian currency under pressure for much of 2025 and capital flows turning volatile, the tariff…
