Category: World

New Delhi | In any democratic nation, strategic autonomy is not merely a technical term of foreign policy but a fundamental question of sovereignty and self-respect. A country’s true strength is not measured by military budgets, global speeches, or high-profile photographs with foreign leaders, but by its ability to take independent decisions aligned with its national interests. In this context, the debate around whether India is genuinely making its own decisions has become increasingly significant. India today projects itself as a strong nation, an emerging global power, and a potential…

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Washington | The United States has confirmed the killing of a infamous terrorist leader linked to Al-Qaeda in the third round of retaliatory strikes carried out in Syria. According to US officials, the militant was directly connected to an Islamic State (IS) operative responsible for a deadly ambush last month in Syria that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that a precision strike conducted  in northwestern Syria resulted in the death of Bilal Hassan al-Jasim. CENTCOM described him as a top terrorist…

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New Delhi: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey are reportedly advancing discussions on a joint military alliance that could function similarly to NATO, combining financial resources, nuclear deterrence, advanced conventional forces, and technology sharing. Sources indicate that an attack on any member may be treated as an attack on all, echoing NATO’s collective defense principle. What began as a bilateral Riyadh-Islamabad pact is now evolving with Ankara’s involvement. Analysts note that Saudi Arabia would contribute funding, Pakistan would provide nuclear weapons, missiles, and troops, while Turkey brings its extensive military expertise…

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Access to skills, increased awareness, and local leadership has changed the lives of Sarita Bhuriya, Nirmala and Reshma Ninama New Delhi: India has an estimated 378 million young people, nearly two-thirds of whom live in rural areas. Yet despite accounting for about 70 per cent of this population, rural India contributes only around 46 per cent to the national GDP. Nearly 80 per cent of the rural workforce remains dependent on agriculture and allied activities. According to the State of Rural Youth Employment 2024 report by Transform Rural India (TRI),…

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Kyoto: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is planning to dissolve the House of Representatives at the start of the regular Diet session on January 23, paving the way for a snap general election, local media reported citing sources familiar with the matter. According to reports, Takaichi has already conveyed her intention to senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The move comes at a time when her Cabinet approval ratings remain strong, prompting expectations within the ruling camp that an early election could help consolidate her leadership. The…

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Rabat: Morocco has officially declared the end of a prolonged seven-year drought following significantly above-average rainfall during the current winter season, Water Minister Nizar Baraka announced on Monday. Addressing members of parliament, Baraka said winter rainfall levels have surged 95 per cent compared to the same period last year and stand 17 per cent above the seasonal average. The improvement has led to a marked recovery in the country’s water reserves, with the average dam-filling rate rising to 46 per cent. Several major reservoirs have now reached full capacity, according…

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Caracas: Venezuela’s prominent opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, has pledged to return to her homeland as soon as possible, declaring her readiness to contest a free election following the U.S. capture of President Nicolás Maduro. “I’m planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible,” Machado, 58, told Fox News. She praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in Maduro’s arrest and said her movement is prepared to secure victory in free and fair elections, claiming they would win more than 90% of the vote. Machado, who…

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Victoria, Australia: Thousands of firefighters in Victoria are battling devastating bushfires that have destroyed homes, cut power to tens of thousands, and consumed hundreds of thousands of hectares of bushland. The fires, which ignited amid a severe heatwave midweek, have burned more than 300,000 hectares (741,000 acres) across the state. Authorities reported at least 130 structures, including homes, destroyed, while roughly 38,000 residences and businesses remain without electricity. Ten major fires continue to burn across Victoria. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said thousands of firefighters are actively working to contain the…

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Brussels: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal concluded a two-day visit to Brussels, engaging in intensive discussions to accelerate the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. The meetings, held on January 8–9, included a high-level dialogue with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič. Both sides reviewed progress across key negotiating tracks and directed their teams to resolve pending issues, signalling strong political commitment to finalising a comprehensive agreement after months of technical talks. Goyal’s visit followed senior-level meetings between Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Sabine…

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Minneapolis: Tens of thousands of people marched through Minneapolis on Saturday to protest the fatal shooting of Renee Good, 37, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, part of over 1,000 rallies planned nationwide this weekend against federal deportation operations. Despite freezing winds, the massive turnout reflected public outrage over the incident, which has drawn sharply contrasting accounts from Minnesota Democratic leaders and the federal government. Demonstrators, led by Indigenous Mexican dancers, marched toward the residential street where Good was shot in her car, chanting slogans like “Abolish ICE”…

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