Russia has said it has not received any official confirmation from India that the country plans to halt purchases of Russian oil, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed New Delhi agreed to scale back those imports as part of a new trade agreement with Washington. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow had yet to hear directly from Indian authorities regarding any change in energy flows. While acknowledging the evolving relationship between the United States a

US President Donald Trump held an extended telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, engaging in wide-ranging discussions that touched on trade ties, energy cooperation, agricultural purchases, and several pressing geopolitical concerns, according to remarks shared by the American leader. Posting about the exchange on his social media platform, Trump described the dialogue as “excellent,” emphasizing that the call was both lengthy and substantive. He

A Turkish Airlines passenger aircraft carrying 236 people was forced to divert and make an emergency landing on Wednesday afternoon after its right engine caught fire shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, officials confirmed. The incident triggered a brief operational halt at the airport and prompted swift coordination between air traffic control and emergency services to ensure the safety of everyone onboard. The wide-body Airbus A330-303, operati

The Telugu Desam Party once again found itself at the centre of national attention after one of its newly elected Members of Parliament delivered a commanding performance in the Lok Sabha. Krishna Prasad Tenneti, a first-time MP from Bapatla, went viral on social media after firmly handling a tense situation on the floor of Parliament. The incident highlighted the party’s long-standing tradition o

For the first time in Indian history, a sitting Chief Minister will argue a case in the Supreme Court. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, is set to make history by appearing in person to argue a case before the country’s highest court. The case involves the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, a topic that has stirred significant political debate in the state. Mamata Banerjee’s appearance in the Supreme Court as a "party in person"

February 4, 2026, is shaping up to be a critical day in Andhra Pradesh politics with significant developments involving top political figures in the state. A high-profile meeting between Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is expected to make waves as the two leaders convene to discuss several pressing political issues. This meeting is anticipated to cover important topics such as the ongoing Tirumala Laddu controversy and the political exchanges between th

The tragic deaths of three sisters in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, have raised serious concerns about the influence of online gaming on young minds. The sisters, aged 12, 14, and 16, tragically ended their lives by jumping from the ninth floor of their residential building in the early hours of February 4, 2026. The girls were reportedly addicted to a task-based Korean gaming app, which assigned them a series of challenges to complete. According to their father, Chetan Kumar, he had no knowledge

Federal and local law enforcement leaders gathered Tuesday morning in Dallas to present a unified strategy aimed at addressing violent crime across the city and surrounding North Texas communities. The briefing, led by representatives from the Department of Justice and several investigative agencies, outlined ongoing enforcement efforts and emphasized closer coordination among federal, state and local authorities to disrupt criminal networks and improve public safety. Ryan Raybould, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, opened the press conference by describing violent crime as a top priority for federal prosecutors. He said the Justice Department is working alongside regional partners to pursue cases involving firearms offenses, drug trafficking, organized crime and repeat offenders. According to Raybould, combining investigative resources and intelligence-sharing has already strengthened cases brought before federal courts and increased the likelihood of long-term sentences for individuals responsible for serious offenses. Senior officials from multiple agencies attended the event, including Brian Garner, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Dallas; Joseph Tucker, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Jeremy Wright, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Travis Pickard, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations; Christopher Altemus, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation; and Major Eric Wilson of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s North Texas Criminal Investigation Division. Each agency highlighted its specific role in combating crime, from targeting illegal firearms and narcotics distribution to tracing financial crimes and dismantling trafficking operations. Garner said the ATF continues to focus on removing illegal guns from the streets and investigating firearm-related violence. Tucker noted that the DEA has increased operations against drug supply chains that often contribute to violent incidents, while Wright emphasized the FBI’s work in intelligence coordination and complex investigations involving gangs and organized groups. Pickard described HSI’s efforts to disrupt cross-border smuggling and related criminal enterprises, and Altemus explained how financial investigations conducted by IRS-CI help uncover money laundering tied to illegal activities. Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux underscored the importance of partnerships between federal agents and local officers, calling collaboration essential to responding quickly to emerging threats. He said the department has seen benefits from joint task forces that allow investigators to share data and conduct targeted enforcement in neighborhoods experiencing higher crime rates. Officials said these efforts are intended not only to make arrests but also to deter future offenses and restore confidence among residents. Throughout the briefing, leaders stressed that sustained cooperation, combined with community engagement, remains central to their approach. They said continued operations, coordinated raids and prosecution strategies will aim to reduce violence, hold offenders accountable and improve safety across Dallas and the wider Texas region.

Green card holders will no longer be eligible for government-backed small business loans in the United States beginning March 1, 2026, following a policy change by the US Small Business Administration that tightens citizenship and residency requirements for borrowers. The revised rules limit access to key SBA lending programs exclusively to US citizens and nationals who maintain their principal residence within the country or its territories, effectively barring lawful permanent residents from participation. According to an official policy notice issued in early February, the agency updated its Standard Operating Procedure 50 10 8, the framework that governs lender and development company loan programs. The revision rescinds earlier procedural guidance that permitted limited ownership by foreign nationals or certain residents living outside the United States. Under the new language, every direct and indirect owner of a small business applicant must meet the citizenship criteria. The SBA said the updated rules require 100 percent of ownership interests in any applicant or borrowing entity to be held by eligible US citizens or nationals. As a result, even minority ownership by a legal permanent resident will disqualify a company from receiving SBA-backed financing. The policy applies broadly to applicants, operating companies, and entities tied to the loan structure, leaving little flexibility for mixed-ownership businesses. The change is expected to affect a wide range of small and early-stage firms that rely on SBA loans for working capital, equipment purchases, and expansion. Many startups and family-owned enterprises depend on these lending programs because they offer lower interest rates and government guarantees that make financing more accessible. With the new restrictions in place, businesses that include green card holders among their owners may need to reconsider ownership arrangements or seek alternative sources of credit from private lenders. Agency officials indicated that the revisions align loan eligibility standards with existing federal regulations and a recent executive directive emphasizing stricter residency compliance. The policy will take effect for all new applications submitted on or after the effective date. Existing and prospective borrowers are being advised to review their ownership structures carefully to ensure continued eligibility under the updated requirements. The move marks a significant shift in how federal small business lending programs define qualification, narrowing access to public funds and reshaping the financing landscape for immigrant entrepreneurs. As the implementation date approaches, legal and financial advisers expect increased demand for guidance from affected business owners who must evaluate their options within the new framework.

The US House of Representatives moved closer to preventing a government shutdown on Tuesday after Speaker Mike Johnson rallied Republican lawmakers behind a sweeping government funding bill, setting the stage for final passage of legislation designed to keep federal agencies operating through the end of the fiscal year. The procedural victory marked a critical step in advancing the appropriations package and reflected intense negotiations within the Republican conference to maintain unity ahe

Peter Mandelson has announced that he will step down from the United Kingdom’s House of Lords following fresh disclosures connecting him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a development that has prompted a government review and renewed scrutiny from law enforcement authorities. The former British ambassador to Washington informed parliamentary officials of his decision to retire from the unelected upper chamber earlier this week. The move was confirmed by the Speaker of th

The Tirumala Laddu controversy has recently emerged as one of the most heated political issues in Andhra Pradesh, drawing attention from all corners of the state. During a three-hour cabinet meeting held today, the controversy was discussed at length with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan at the helm of the discussions. The cabinet's primary focus was on the discrepancies noted in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report regarding the La

In a shocking incident, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was vandalized and stolen in Melbourne, sparking outrage both in India and abroad. The incident has drawn immediate attention from the Indian government, who has called for urgent action from the Australian authorities. The statue, which stood as a symbol of peace and non-violence, was reportedly cut and taken by unknown individuals in an act of desecration. The Indian government swiftly condemned the incident and expressed deep con

The Lok Sabha session on Tuesday was thrown into chaos after Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, attempted to refer to an article based on former Army chief M M Naravane’s unpublished memoir. The reference ignited a fierce confrontation between the opposition Congress and the ruling BJP, which ultimately led to the adjournment of the proceedings. The tension arose when Gandhi, speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, insisted on citing an article he claimed was lin

Sitara Ghattamaneni, the 13-year-old daughter of Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu and actress Namrata, has been garnering considerable attention due to her growing presence at public events. Known for her poise and maturity beyond her years, Sitara is currently the brand ambassador for a jewellery label and recently attended a promotional event in Hyderabad, further solidifying her place in the public eye. Despite her fame, Sitara is not rushing into the world of acting, a field that

As many residents across New Jersey look ahead to a shift in seasonal weather, this year’s Groundhog Day forecasts offered contrasting visions of what lies ahead. Two well-known groundhogs from different parts of the state delivered opposing predictions, leaving the ultimate outlook for winter and spring unresolved and adding to the tradition’s familiar uncertainty. At Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County, Essex Edwina emerged before a crowd of families and visitors to make her annua

Voters in Tarrant County delivered a significant political upset on Saturday by electing Democrat Taylor Rehmet to represent Texas Senate District 9 in a special runoff election, flipping a seat that had been controlled by Republicans for decades. Rehmet defeated Republican opponent Leigh Wambsganss with 5

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed a significant reduction in tariffs on Indian exports to the United States following an announcement by US President Donald Trump that the two countries had reached a bilateral trade agreement aimed at lowering reciprocal duties. Under the new arrangement, tariffs on Made in India products entering the US market will be reduced to 18%, marking a notable shift in trade relations between the two major economies. The agreement also provide

In a significant development affecting global trade and energy policy, United States President Donald Trump announced a bilateral trade agreement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a direct telephone conversation on Monday. According to an official post shared by the US Ambassador to India on social media, the leaders discussed a range of strategic and economic issues, culminating in an accord that reduces key economic barriers between the two countries. In his publi

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched a fierce political and institutional attack on the Election Commission of India following a nearly 90-minute meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi. Accompanied by senior Trinamool Congress leaders and families allegedly affected by the Special Intensive Revision process, Banerjee accused the poll panel of deleting voters’ names arbitrarily and functioning as an extension of the BJP. Emerging from the