Ram, Sita and Hanuman in Moscow: Ayodhya’s Inspiration Goes International

Lucknow: The cultural vision spearheaded by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Ayodhya is now inspiring artists thousands of miles away, as Russia prepares to host a grand Ramleela performance in Moscow on February 20. Inspired by the spectacular Deepotsav celebrations held in Ayodhya, the event is being seen as a new chapter in India-Russia cultural ties. Under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, Ayodhya’s Deepotsav — marked by millions of illuminated lamps and grand spiritual festivities — has gained global recognition. The visual grandeur and spiritual atmosphere of the celebrations have…

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Rising Chinese Influence or Debt Trap? U.S. Flags Sovereignty Concerns Over Peru Port

Washington: The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has raised fresh concerns over China’s growing footprint in Latin America, warning that Peru’s sovereignty could be at risk amid Beijing’s expanding control over key infrastructure projects. The warning follows a Peruvian court decision that reportedly limited the oversight powers of a local regulator over the Chinese-built deep-water port in Chancay, located north of the capital, Lima. The $1.3 billion Chancay Port has emerged as a symbol of China’s strategic presence in the region and a focal point of rising U.S.–China tensions.…

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BRICS vs NATO: Russia Hits Back at U.S., Claims ‘Global Majority’ Strength

Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has launched a sharp critique of the United States and the Western military alliance NATO, asserting that emerging global platforms like BRICS represent a more democratic and consensus-driven world order. In an interview with a Russian YouTube channel, Lavrov argued that organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) function largely through consensus, unlike NATO, which he claimed operates under U.S. dominance. “You cannot make decisions…

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Tarique Rahman’s Rise Signals Shift in India–Bangladesh Equations

Dhaka: A major political transition is underway in Bangladesh as Tarique Rahman and his party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), secured a sweeping mandate in the February 12 parliamentary elections. Winning more than 200 of the 299 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, the BNP is set to form the next government, positioning Rahman—son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia—as the country’s new Prime Minister. Rahman’s victory over the alliance that included Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party marks a decisive political shift. Analysts believe the change in leadership could significantly…

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Trade Deal Impact: India Signals Major Cut in Russian Crude Oil Purchases

Washington | India is likely to gradually reduce its purchases of crude oil from Russia as part of a revised trade understanding with the United States that includes tariff relief, according to sources familiar with the matter. While imports are not expected to stop immediately, refiners have been advised to scale back future purchases amid shifting geopolitical and trade priorities. On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order отменing the proposed 25 percent punitive tariff on all Indian imports. The move followed New Delhi’s commitment to reduce its…

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After Oil, What Next? Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Faces Headwinds as Crown Prince MBS Weighs New Strategy

 Riyadh | Saudi Arabia’s ambitious economic transformation plan, Vision 2030, is showing signs of strain, prompting the kingdom to prepare a major strategic recalibration. According to a Bloomberg report, the Saudi government is working on a revised approach that will reshape spending priorities and adjust policy focus in response to mounting financial pressures and changing global economic conditions. The plan, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), was designed to reduce the kingdom’s dependence on oil and diversify its economy. However, rising costs and fiscal challenges have led authorities to…

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Shabana Mahmood, the Woman Who Could Become Britain’s First Muslim Prime Minister?

London | Political uncertainty is mounting in the United Kingdom amid speculation that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government could face collapse. Against this backdrop, discussions have intensified over the possibility of the UK getting its first Muslim woman prime minister, with Shabana Mahmood emerging as a leading contender. Currently serving as the UK Home Secretary, Mahmood is regarded as one of the most influential leaders within the Labour Party and a potential successor to Starmer should a leadership transition take place. The speculation has gained momentum as governments across the…

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US–Bangladesh Deal: Trump Administration Cuts Tariffs, Praises Yunus’ Leadership

Dhaka | Following India, the United States has reached a new trade understanding with Bangladesh, easing tariff pressure on key exports and offering relief to the country’s crucial garment sector. According to official sources, the US government has reduced tariffs imposed on Bangladeshi goods and has also decided to eliminate duties on certain textile products. The agreement comes amid speculation that Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, was in advanced talks with Washington to finalize a trade arrangement. On Monday, both sides concluded a bilateral deal, which will…

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Bangladesh Elections: Pre-Poll Survey Signals BNP Lead as Anti-India Jamaat Appears on Weaker Footing

Dhaka | With Bangladesh heading into a crucial general election, the political climate in the country has intensified sharply. The polls come at a turning point, with the Awami League barred from contesting and an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus governing since the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. The upcoming vote is expected to usher in a full-time prime minister after nearly 18 months of interim rule. Main Contenders The election battle is largely centered between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led…

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The Epstein Files: Power, Proximity, and the Limits of Accountability

Washington: Few criminal cases have unsettled the public conscience as deeply as that of Jeffrey Epstein. The story combines extreme wealth, systemic sexual abuse, elite access, institutional failure, and a lingering sense that full justice was never achieved. Even years after Epstein’s death in federal custody in August 2019, the case continues to reverberate—less as a closed chapter and more as an open wound in the public imagination. That fascination reached a new peak with the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by U.S. President Donald…

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