The Delhi High Court has rejected Pernod Ricard’s appeal to resume sales of its popular brands, Absolut Vodka and Chivas Regal, keeping the ban in place for the third consecutive year. The ruling comes amid ongoing corporate investigations and a $314 million tax dispute, intensifying pressure on the French liquor giant. Delhi is a critical market for Pernod Ricard, representing nearly 5% of its nationwide sales. B

Siddaramaiah is scheduled to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over breakfast in New Delhi on May 29, 2026, a day after resigning as Karnataka Chief Minister. The meeting is expected to focus on Siddaramaiah’s future role, possible Rajya Sabha offer and the leadership transition as D.K. Shivakumar emerges as the likely successor. Siddaramaiah is set to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over breakfast in New Delhi on Friday, a day after stepping down as Karnataka

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation as Chief Minister on May 29, 2026, after returning from Madhya Pradesh. Siddaramaiah will continue as caretaker Chief Minister until Congress finalises the next leader and alternative arrangements are made. Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation from the post of Chief Minister, marking a major political transition in the state. The resignation was

Siddaramaiah resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 28, 2026, after following the Congress high command’s direction and submitting his resignation letter at the Governor’s office in Bengaluru. The move has triggered major political attention in Karnataka, with focus now shifting to the Congress party’s next Chief Minister choice. Siddaramaiah resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister on Thursday, marking a major political turn in the state after days of specu

Senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad has dismissed speculation about a possible leadership change in Karnataka, saying the discussions between state leaders and the party high command are focused on governance and future political strategy, not replacing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala in Delhi amid renewed polit

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan’s maiden visit to Delhi took place on May 23, 2026. He arrived late the previous night and held meetings with senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, and K C Venugopal.​   Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan arrived in New Delhi for his maiden official trip since assuming office, marking an important step in consolidating his role and engaging with central Congres

Judge Enforces Compliance With Presidential Records Act A federal judge on May 22,2026 has ruled that aides to President Donald Trump must comply with the Presidential Records Act, rejecting claims that the decades-old law infringes on presidential authority. U.S. District Judge John Bates opened his ruling with a quote from George Orwell’s 1984, emphasizing the importance of government records for accountabi

The opposition parties in Maharashtra have come out strongly in support of Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee, who has decided not to resign as the Chief Minister of West Bengal following her party's defeat in the assembly elections. Banerjee’s decision to stay in office has sparked significant political debate, with opposition leaders alleging that democratic processes were undermined during the polls and that central agencies were misused to influence the outcome.

An undercover investigation by the BBC has uncovered alarming medical negligence at a government hospital in Taunsa, Punjab province, Pakistan, which is believed to be linked to a deadly HIV outbreak among children. Between November 2024 and October 2025, at least 331 children in Taunsa tested positive for HIV, sparking serious concerns about the hospital’s unsanitary practices, including the reuse of syringes and improper handling of medical waste. The shocking footage captured d

Today marks a major political shift in Bihar as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar prepares to step down, ending his historic tenure as the state’s longest-serving leader. This move opens the door for the BJP to take control of the state for the first time with its own Chief Minister, signaling a significant change in the political landscape. Schedule of Nitish Kumar’s Final Day as CM 10:30 am: Nitish Kumar will pay tribute at the statue of Dr

Filmmaker Vignesh Shivan has opened up about his strained relationship with actor Dhanush, calling the loss of their friendship his “biggest regret.” In a recent interview, Vignesh shared that he still holds Dhanush in high r

NAIROBI/LONDON — Friday, April 3, 2026 — The United States is restructuring how it delivers critical medical supplies for diseases such as HIV and malaria to lower-income countries, a move that officials and experts warn could disrupt life-saving services across multiple regions. For nearly a decade, the U.S. managed its medical aid through the Global Health Supply Chain Program, overseen by private contractor Chemonics. Between 2016 and 2024, the program distributed more than $5 billion worth of HIV and malaria treatments and prevention tools to roughly 90 countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. That system was first disrupted in January 2025, when President Donald Trump halted international aid on the first day of his presidency. The decision left large quantities of medical supplies stranded in ports and warehouses, including antiretroviral drugs and insecticide-treated bed nets. Although a waiver later allowed the resumption of some life-saving shipments, uncertainty has persisted. The latest shift comes as the administration reduces foreign aid spending, dismantles the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and transitions away from contractor-led programs toward direct agreements with recipient governments. According to multiple sources, the U.S. State Department instructed staff in 17 African countries and Haiti via an internal email sent on Tuesday, April 1, 2026, to begin phasing out the current supply program by Friday, May 30, 2026. The same communication noted that the Chemonics contract would end on Tuesday, September 30, 2026, aligning with broader USAID program closures. However, officials cautioned that a rushed transition could create immediate risks to service continuity, potentially leading to shortages of essential medicines. Experts familiar with the process say the timeline is particularly challenging because procuring and delivering medical products to remote regions can take up to a year. Rapid changes could therefore interrupt treatment for patients relying on consistent access to HIV medications and malaria prevention tools. The U.S. government is reportedly exploring collaboration with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which already manages approximately $2 billion in annual health procurement. Still, negotiations remain unclear, and earlier discussions had anticipated a transition closer to November 2027. The administration’s broader “America First” global health strategy emphasizes direct funding to national governments and increased use of private logistics firms. Officials argue the previous system was inefficient and costly, while critics warn that abrupt structural changes could weaken established supply chains. Recent bilateral agreements have been signed with several countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, though implementation details are still under negotiation. Legal and administrative challenges in some regions continue to delay progress, adding to concerns about potential disruptions in critical healthcare delivery systems.

Rising left-arm wrist spinner Shivang Kumar made a notable impression during his Indian Premier League debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad, signaling the arrival of a promising new talent in one of cricket’s most competitive tournaments. Kumar’s debut came during the ongoing IPL season, where he was brought into the lineup as part of Hyderabad’s effort to strengthen its bowling attack. Despite the pressure of performing on a major stage, the young spinner displayed composure and con

A new chapter in Karnataka's ongoing power struggle unfolded when Pranavananda Swamiji, a prominent seer, made claims regarding the state budget. The Swamiji alleged that mutts, or Hindu monasteries, that had supported Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s bid to take over as the state’s chief minister were deliberately sidelined in the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. According to the seer, not a single rupee was allocated to these mutts, despite their vocal backing of Sh

In a significant diplomatic development, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankarhighlighted India's successful engagement with Iranthat

Maha Shivratri is one of the most important festivals for Lord Shiva's devotees, the god of destruction and transformation. While it is celebrated every month, it holds a special place when it falls during the months of Magha or Phalguna in the Hindu calendar. This festival marks the beginning of the summer months and is a time for fasting, prayers, and deep reverence for Lord Shiva. It is a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, filled with rituals, celebrations, and an opportunity to reflect on the

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in the United States has announced that it will return three historic bronze sculptures to India after concluding that the works were illegally removed from temple sites in Tamil Nadu. The decision follows an extensive provenance review of the museum’s South Asian collection and marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing issue of illicit trafficking of cultural heritage. The most prominent of the sculptures slated for return is a bronze depiction of Shiva Nataraja, dating to around A.D. 990. Created during the Chola period, the sculpture represents the Hindu deity Shiva in his cosmic dance, symbolizing the cycle of creation and destruction. The figure shows Shiva dancing upon a demon that embodies ignorance, encircled by a ring of fire and standing on a lotus base. Art historians regard this form as one of the most visually powerful and symbolically rich representations in Indian art, revered both within India and among global audiences. Alongside the Shiva Nataraja, the museum will repatriate a Somaskanda sculpture from the 12th century, also from the Chola period. This bronze depicts Shiva seated with his consort Parvathy and their son Skanda, reflecting devotional traditions that were central to temple worship in medieval South India. The third work to be returned is a 16th-century bronze titled Saint Sundarar With Paravai, dating to the Vijayanagar period, which portrays the revered Shaivite saint with his companion. The museum stated that the return of these works reflects its commitment to ethical museum practices and responsible stewardship. A comprehensive review was initiated to determine whether any objects in the collection had been unlawfully acquired. During this process, researchers uncovered evidence that raised serious concerns about the origins of the three bronzes. The Shiva Nataraja entered the museum’s collection in 2002 through a New York art gallery. Subsequent investigation revealed inconsistencies in the documentation associated with the acquisition, including the inability to verify the gallery’s listed address. Researchers later established that the sculpture appeared in photographs taken at a Tamil Nadu temple during the 1950s, confirming that it had been removed from its original religious setting. Further inquiry connected the gallery to a network involved in the trafficking of stolen antiquities. Court records have shown that individuals associated with this network engaged in smuggling cultural objects from South Asia and falsifying provenance records to introduce them into the international art market. In recent years, other institutions have also returned comparable works linked to the same sources. The Somaskanda and Saint Sundarar With Paravai sculptures were donated to the museum in 1987 as part of a major private collection. Their provenance came under scrutiny after a tip prompted researchers to consult archival material held by the French Institute of Pondicherry. Photographs from the 1950s in the institute’s archives showed both sculptures installed in temples in Tamil Nadu, providing clear evidence that they had been stolen and exported illegally. Experts note that bronze sculptures from South Indian temples have been frequent targets of theft due to their artistic value and global demand. Replicas have circulated widely in tourist markets, while original works disappeared from sacred sites, often leaving communities without objects of worship that had been central to their cultural and religious identity for centuries. The Smithsonian’s decision is being viewed as part of a broader international movement toward repatriation and accountability in the museum sector. By returning these sculptures, the institution acknowledges the importance of restoring cultural heritage to its place of origin and reinforces growing global standards for transparency and ethical collecting practices.

With the Tamil Nadu elections drawing nearer, the political landscape is heating up, and one of the most anticipated moments for fans and political observers alike has finally arrived. Thalapathy Vijay, the popular actor and political leader, has officially received his party's electoral symbol for the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections. The central election commission has confirmed that Vijay’s TVK party will be using the iconic whistle symbol in the polls. The whistle symbol carries

A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 6.4 struck offshore near the town of Baculin in the southern Philippines on Wednesday, January 7, underscoring the persistent seismic risks faced by communities in the region. The earthquake occurred at sea, approximately 58.5 kilometers from the nearest coastline and around 27 kilometers east of the town of Santiago on the island of Mindanao. The tremor was felt across parts of eastern Mindanao, prompting heightened monitoring by authorities, though

The Mahayuti alliance recorded a sweeping victory in the Maharashtra local body elections, winning 207 municipal president posts across the state and establishing strong control over urban local governance. Results from the State Election Commission showed the Bharatiya Janata Party leading the tally with 117 seats, making it the single-largest party in the polls. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena followed with 53 posts, while the Nationalist Congress Party secured 37, giving the ruling allianc