US President Donald Trump sharply criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday following the central bank’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged, accusing him of delaying necessary rate cuts and undermining the nation’s economic strength, national security and global competitiveness. The comments came shortly after the Federal Open Market Committee announced it would maintain its benchmark interest rate, a move that aligned with market expectations but drew strong poli

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in New Delhi, days ahead of his scheduled visit to Washington, D.C., for a high-level engagement on critical minerals. The meeting focused on multiple aspects of the India-US relationship, reflecting the breadth and depth of cooperation between the two countries across strategic, economic and defence domains. Following the meeting, Jaishankar said the discussions covered

As the Union Budget 2026 draws closer, India’s gems and jewellery industry has stepped up its demands for policy reforms aimed at reviving demand, supporting employment and improving transparency. Industry leaders believe the upcoming Budget can play a decisive role in restoring consumer confidence at a time when global trade uncertainty and high prices have made buyers cautious. With jewellery being both a cultural and economic mainstay, the sector is urging the government to adopt growth-

Silver prices in India have surged to a historic high, crossing the Rs 4 lakh per kilogram mark in futures trading and pushing up spot prices across major cities. The sudden spike has caught many buyers by surprise, especially as silver was trading at much lower levels just weeks ago. The rally has been sharp and swift, making silver one of the strongest-performing commodities in recent times and raising questions among consumers and investors about whether prices will continue to rise or cor

India’s Economic Survey 2025–26 has raised a serious warning over the rapid rise of digital addiction among children and adolescents, calling it a growing public health and economic risk. Tabled in Parliament on Thursday, the report highlights how excessive use of smartphones, social media, gaming platforms, and online entertainment is increasingly affecting mental wellbeing, academic performance, and long-term productivity among the country’s youth. The survey defines digital addiction

The Indian rupee weakened to a fresh all-time low of 91.99 against the US dollar on January 29, extending its recent slide amid persistent pressure from global and domestic factors. The currency has now fallen 2 percent so far this year and nearly 5 percent since the United States imposed higher tariffs on Indian merchandise exports. The sharp decline reflects continued weakness in foreign capital inflows and a surge in corporate demand for dollar hedging, which have outweighed the positive i

Justin Bieber is set to make a highly anticipated return to the global spotlight as he prepares to perform at the Grammy Awards 2026, marking his first major public performance since 2022. The announcement has generated widespread excitement among fans and industry insiders, as the pop star steps back onto one of music’s biggest stages after a four-year hiatus from large-scale live events. The ceremony, scheduled to take place this Sunday, is expected to be a defining moment in Bieber’s o

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has launched an internal review following the upload of sensitive contracting documents to a public version of ChatGPT by its acting director, according to officials familiar with the matter. The incident, which occurred last summer, triggered multiple automated security alerts within the Department of Homeland Security and has renewed scrutiny around the use of artificial intelligence tools inside federal agencies. The documen

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Wednesday that two federal agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis have been placed on administrative leave, a move the agency described as routine procedure following any deadly use of force by federal officers. The announcement comes amid mounting public anger over ongoing immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and increasing political pressure on the White House to address concerns about federal conduct on t

Bruce Springsteen has released a new protest song addressing recent fatal incidents in Minneapolis, using his music to respond to what he describes as escalating state violence tied to immigration enforcement. The song, titled Streets of Minneapolis, was unveiled this week and directly references the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two individuals killed during encounters involving federal immigration agents. The release comes amid heightened tensions following an immigration

India has reiterated its firm support for Israel and renewed its condemnation of terrorism in all forms, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri drawing clear parallels between the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and India’s long experience with cross-border violence. Speaking at an International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration hosted by the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, Misri underscored India’s position that acts of terror cannot be justified under any circumstances and must be co

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, marking his first public appearance since the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. Rubio outlined the administration’s approach toward Venezuela, defended the operation that led to Maduro’s detention, and emphasized the strategic concerns the United States has regarding the region. His testimony came amid scrutiny from senators on both sides of the ai

The Pawar family occupies a unique and dominant position in Maharashtra’s political history. For over five decades, the family has shaped regional politics through electoral victories, control over cooperative institutions, and sustained influence in policy-making. Ajit Pawar, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party and a multiple-term Deputy Chief Minister, was a central pillar of this legacy. His untimely death in a tragic plane crash on January 28, 2026, has brought renewed pub

The sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a tragic air crash has sent shockwaves across the state’s political landscape, leaving the Nationalist Congress Party facing deep uncertainty. As leaders, cadres, and voters struggle to come to terms with the loss, attention has swiftly shifted to a name that until recently stayed away from daily political combat: Sunetra Pawar. A Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and Ajit Pawar’s wife, she is now being widely discussed as

The Budget Session 2026 of the Indian Parliament commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi. The opening of the session marks the beginning of one of the most significant legislative periods of the year, during which the government outlines its economic vision and policy priorities. Lawmakers from across political parties assembled as the President delivered her customary address, setting the tone for deb

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday after a chartered aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport. He was 66. The tragic accident also claimed the lives of two pilots and two security personnel who were on board the aircraft. Authorities described the crash as extremely severe, with most parts of the plane engulfed in flames after impact. The incident has sent shockwaves across Maharash

US President Donald Trump has publicly defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as his administration faces growing pressure over the fatal shooting of a US citizen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota. Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, Trump dismissed questions about Noem’s future in the cabinet and offered strong praise for her leadership amid mounting criticism. When asked directly whether Noem was being removed from her p