Spain has formally joined India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, marking a significant diplomatic development that strengthens India’s expanding leadership role in the Indo-Pacific region and deepens cooperation with European partners. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares handed over Spain’s Declaration of Accession to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi earlier this week, officially confirming Spain’s entry into the India-led framework launched in 2019. The m

Amazon is poised for a new round of layoffs, expected to affect as many as 16,000 employees, adding to the 14,000 roles eliminated in the previous round. These job cuts come as part of Amazon's broader restructuring plan, aimed at streamlining its operations and becoming more efficient, particularly in light of shifting demands in the tech industry and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. The latest wave of layoffs is set to target several core teams, including those at Amazon We

Good cholesterol, also known as HDL, is crucial in protecting your heart and maintaining overall cardiovascular health. However, it often doesn't receive the attention it deserves in regular health discussions. With the rise in cardiovascular diseases among Indians, understanding how to improve HDL levels has become more important than ever. In an exclusive interview with cardiologist Dr. Praveen Chandra, he shared valuable insights on the significance of HDL, why medications aren't the best

The prolonged delay in H-1B visa stamping that began in December has continued into the new year, with no signs of immediate relief for thousands of skilled workers dependent on timely consular processing. No new interview slots have been opened at US consulates in India, and applicants are now receiving notifications that their previously scheduled appointments are being deferred as far as 2027, intensifying anxiety among visa holders and employers alike. Immigration attorneys and

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a high-level conversation that emphasized the continued growth and future potential of the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership. During the discussion, Prime Minister Modi expressed his anticipation of welcoming President Lula to India in the near future, underscoring the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across economic, technological and geopolitical fronts. Modi des

Ratha Saptami, also known as Surya Jayanti, is a highly auspicious festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya, the Sun God. Celebrated on the seventh day (Saptami) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Magha month, this festival is observed with great devotion by millions of Hindus worldwide. In 2026, Ratha Saptami will be observed on January 25th. The day honors Lord Surya for his life-giving energy, seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth. Th

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed strong optimism about the future of India–US trade relations, indicating that discussions between the two countries were moving in a positive direction. Speaking about the ongoing trade negotiations, Trump highlighted his confidence that both sides would be able to arrive at a mutually beneficial agreement, underlining the importance of c

Telangana made a significant splash at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, showcasing its ambition to become a global hub for innovation, technology, and sustainable development. Led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the Telangana delegation secured several key partnerships and investments aimed at propelling the state’s economy to new heights. One of the most notable agreements was with Blaize, a US-based company specializing in energy-efficient AI hardware and sof

The 2026 Solar Eclipse will occur on February 17, and it is set to be a remarkable celestial event. This eclipse will be an annular solar eclipse, often referred to as the Ring of Fire eclipse. Here's everything you need to know about this rare event: Eclipse Type: The eclipse will be an annular solar eclipse. In this type of eclipse, the Moon will cover about 96% of the Sun, but due to the Moon being farther from Earth, it will appear slightly smaller than the Sun. As a

Global geopolitics is witnessing a major shift as India positions itself for what is being described as the “Mother of All Trade Deals” with the European Union. This development comes at a time when United States President Donald Trump has intensified tariff pressures and sanctions on several nations, including India. These aggressive trade policies have forced multiple global powers to rethink their economic alliances, creating fresh opportunities for India on the international stage.

India may be witnessing a quiet reproductive shift as GLP-1 weight loss drugs gain popularity across the country. Doctors in major cities are reporting an increasing number of unexpected pregnancies among women who previously struggled with infertility. Popularly referred to as “Ozempic babies” globally, these surprise conceptions are now being observed in India just months after GLP-1 injectables such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic entered the market. While these medicines were original

Indian passport holders are facing new travel restrictions in 2026 despite an improvement in the passport’s global ranking. India’s passport rose from 85th in 2025 to 80th in the Henley Passport Index for 2026, reflecting enhanced global mobility. However, the number of countries Indian citizens can visit without a prior visa has decreased from 57 to 55. This reduction is due to updated entry rules in two countries that previously offered visa-free or visa-on-arrival access: Iran and Bolivia

China’s manufacturing success was attributed to cheap labour. That perception has now changed completely. Factory wages in China have climbed close to eight dollars per hour, far higher than those in Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and India. By cost logic alone, China should have lost its position as the world’s manufacturing hub. Instead, it continues to dominate global production, contributing nearly 28 percent of worldwide manufacturing output. The reason lies not in wages, but in produc

Retirement is often seen as a reward for years of hard work, offering time, freedom, and flexibility. However, it also brings a significant change in how income is earned and taxed. Instead of a single salary slip, retirees begin receiving income from multiple sources such as pension, bank interest, fixed deposits, rental income, and investment withdrawals. This sudden shift creates confusion, and even small tax oversights during the first year of retirement can quietly reduce lifetime saving

India is rapidly advancing its deep sea exploration ambitions as the Samudrayaan mission prepares for its first manned trial dive in May 2026. The National Institute of Ocean Technology in Chennai is currently completing final integration work on the Matsya 6000 submersible, a 25 tonne vehicle designed to carry three aquanauts into the deep ocean. The upcoming dive, planned at a depth of 500 meters, is considered a critical milestone toward India’s long term goal of reaching 6,000 meters un

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has made a major announcement that has brought fresh hope to Telugu NRIs living across Europe. Speaking during an interaction with Europe’s Telugu diaspora, the minister assured that the central government is actively exploring the possibility of launching direct international flights from Europe to Andhra Pradesh. Proposed destinations include Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and other major cities in South India. If implemented, this move would signi

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi triggered a major political controversy on Tuesday after walking out of the state Assembly session, refusing to deliver the speech prepared by the MK Stalin-led DMK government. His sudden exit, captured on video, showed him leaving the premises and departing in his official car, drawing immediate attention across political and public circles. Soon after, the Raj Bhavan released a detailed 13-point explanation accusing the state government of disrespecting the natio

Nitin Nabin formally assumed charge as the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, creating history as the youngest leader to head the party at the age of 45. He succeeds JP Nadda, who is currently serving as a Union minister. The ceremonial change of leadership took place at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and several senior leaders of the

Aspect Independence Day Republic Day

Republic Day celebrations in 2026 are set to become one of the most meaningful national events in recent years, blending patriotism, history, culture, and India’s modern progress. Organised by the Ministry of Defence, the grand parade will take place at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2026. This year’s celebrations will highlight 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram while also reflecting the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. According to Defence S