India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
New Delhi: A storm is brewing over Washington. And at the center of it is a fungus, not a virus this time, that has sent alarms ringing across U.S. national security circles.Two Chinese nationals, who are scientists by profession, now face charges that read more like the script of a bioterror thriller than a court indictment. The couple, 33-year-old Yunqing Jian and 34-year-old Zunyong Liu, are accused of trying to sneak a dangerous fungus into the United States. But this is not mold on bread. This is Fusarium graminearum, a grain-killing pathogen known to destroy wheat, maize and barley. And it is not just about crops. Exposure to this fungus can cause vomiting, liver damage and even reproductive disorders in both animals and humans. The U.S. Department of Justice calls it a potential agroterrorism weapon. Experts say its economic and biological damage potential is no joke. It is already responsible for billions in losses each year. Enter Gordon G. Chang. Known for his hardline takes on China and his bestselling book 'China Is Going to War', Chang did not mince words in his appearance on Fox News. "This was an attack on the United States at a time when China thought it was at war with us," Chang said bluntly. He went on to say that this was also not a rogue act. He believes it could be part of a larger strategy from Beijing. In his words, the United States should stop ignoring hostile intent just because it is masked in science or trade. "In May 2019, the state-run People's Daily published a landmark editorial declaring a people's war on the United States. That is not rhetoric, but a signal. When the Communist Party uses that language, they are preparing for action. That couple? They should be sent to Guantanamo," Chang said. His most chilling warning came next. "We are going to get hit really hard. Not just with Covid. Not just with fentanyl. But perhaps with something even worse," Chang warned. He cited previous suspicious incidents such as unsolicited seed packets being sent from China to American households in 2020. This year, he said, Chinese e-commerce giant Temu was allegedly behind another round of mystery seed deliveries. "That is not random. That is an effort to introduce invasive species and weaken our agriculture. It is warfare, not with missiles or guns," he said. Chang even questioned whether Americans truly grasp the scale of what is coming. "Xi Jinping talks about war all the time. He is mobilising the entire Chinese society for it. And here we are, doing next to nothing. We might be stronger, but we are not defending ourselves with enough determination," he alleged. He concluded with a proposition, "The only way to stop this is to sever ties with China. And I know people think that is drastic, but we are being overwhelmed." This is not the first time Chang has raised red flags over China's activities. But this time, the warning carries more urgency and more stakes.
New Delhi: Something is cracking inside China. It is quiet, hidden but real. President Xi Jinping vanished from public view in late May. Now, he skipped the BRICS summit in Rio. Unusual? But this is not only about a diplomatic cold. The whispers in Beijing are growing louder - his own generals are no longer trusting him. Behind the walls of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), rumblings have begun. Once held total control, Xi has been purging top commanders. Two defense ministers. Multiple rocket force heads. Even General He Weidong, once seen as China's second-most powerful man, was dismissed ...Read More >
Beijing/Hyderabad, July 15 (Maxim News): In a significant diplomatic engagement, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss the current trajectory and future prospects of India-China bilateral relations. This meeting marks a crucial step in efforts to stabilize and strengthen ties between the two Asian giants. Here To Join Us On WhatsApp The interaction took place during the call on President Xi by foreign ministers participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting, currently under ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his intent at stopping wars across the world. And, during his Asia tour, he appeared intent at calling a truce to the tariff war that he is held responsible for initiating. As in the case of ending armed conflicts, where he has succeeded in most, if not all, President Trump may have opened a space for truce, if not eliminating all uncertainties over trade relations in the current world order. Trump, who was seen as softening his stand on India of late, after imposing a 25 per cent "reciprocal tariff" and another 25 per cent as pe ...Read More >
Kishangarh (Rajasthan) | Once known for its marble industry and Bani Thani paintings, Kishangarh has assumed a new identity over the years -- a viral tourist destination that often features in selfies and reels. The biggest attraction here is the all-white marble dumping yard, Asia's largest, which is often confused for a snow-covered landscape. It draws more than 5,000 visitors every day and up to 20,000 on weekends. While the administration and business owners in the area are pleased with the 'Marble City of India' finding a place on the national tourism map, farmers in nearby villages are ...Read More >
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], October 28 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Monday released the "Himachal Pradesh Human Development Report 2025" prepared jointly by the Department of Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change, Government of Himachal Pradesh, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India, under the theme "Building the Future in a Climate-Impacted World." Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister Sukhu said the report marks a significant milestone in assessing the state's progress through an independent, evidence-based ...Read More >
Kishangarh (Rajasthan), Mar 31 (PTI) Once known for its marble industry and Bani Thani paintings, Kishangarh has assumed a new identity over the years -- a viral tourist destination that often features in selfies and reels. The biggest attraction here is the all-white marble dumping yard, Asia's largest, which is often confused for a snow-covered landscape. It draws more than 5,000 visitors every day and up to 20,000 on weekends. While the administration and business owners in the area are pleased with the 'Marble City of India' finding a place on the national tourism map, farmers in nearby ...Read More >
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 5 (ANI): Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended the sixth convocation ceremony of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, and conferred degrees upon the graduates. On the second day of his visit to Jammu & Kashmir on Friday, Shivraj Singh said, 'I've been in Srinagar since yesterday. The cool breeze, the fragrance of the soil, the natural beauty, and the warmth of the people have truly touched my heart. Jammu & Kashmir is the crown jewel of ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 19: U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a $20 billion libel lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, its parent company Dow Jones, and two of its reporters over a story involving a collection of letters reportedly gifted to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, one of which allegedly included Trump's name and some pictures, reports CNN. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Miami, marks an escalation in Trump's broader legal campaign against media outlets he accuses of spreading misinformation. Trump's legal team has challenged the authenticity of the alleged letter and drawing, accuse ...Read More >
Medak: Telangana State BJP President N. Ramchander Rao on Friday appealed to the people to give the committed party an opportunity to meet the aspirations of the poor and downtrodden. Addressing a large gathering of party workers in Medak, the BJP chief remarked that citizens have experienced the rule of the BRS and the Congress party and have had bitter experiences with the deceitful practices of both. He urged people to support the BJP wholeheartedly in the upcoming local body elections as a way to teach the ruling Congress party a lesson for its unfulfilled promises. Rao emphasized that t ...Read More >
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], October 3 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday directed all the administrative secretaries to set clear targets and complete the pending tasks to extend benefits of development projects to the people. In a high level meeting with all the administrative secretaries here today, the chief minister said that the state government from the very first day had been working to ensure good governance and betterment of the people of the state. He said that the Chief Secretary would regularly review the progress of departmental project ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Punjab health minister Balbir Singh on Wednesday called for a united, scientific approach to tackle the country's growing pollution levels, saying this was necessary instead of "petty politics and blame games" over the issue.The minister urged the Centre to convene a joint meeting of all chief ministers, environment and health ministers, and environmental experts to draft a comprehensive national action plan on pollution.A day after Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa blamed stubble burning in Punjab for Delhi's pollution, Balbir Singh accused BJP leaders of making "irresponsible ...Read More >
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], November 11 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday announced a significant hike in financial assistance for families affected by natural disasters, raising the aid for partial loss from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. The announcement was made during a public gathering at Paddal Ground in Mandi, said the release. Despite limited resources, the state government was steadfastly moving toward making Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant state, the release said. Sukhu stressed that "Atmanirbhar Himachal" was not a political slogan but the p ...Read More >
In numerous parts of Africa, the struggle for clean drinking water continues due to resource constraints and insufficient infrastructure. Finding and applying affordable water purification techniques is crucial. This article explores various cost-effective methods that can be employed to guarantee the supply of safe drinking water. It focuses on simple and readily available solutions, addressing the needs of communities seeking a sustainable resolution to this critical challenge. One of the cheapest and simplest ways to clean water in Africa is solar disinfection. This method involves filling ...Read More >
Beijing/New Delhi: India and China should build on 'good progress' in normalising the bilateral ties to address border-related issues, including de-escalation, and it is essential to avoid 'restrictive trade measures and roadblocks', External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Monday during talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. In his opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar said the bilateral relations can develop in a "positive trajectory" on the foundation that differences should not become disputes and nor should competition become a conflict, adding that the ties can be built onl ...Read More >
New Delhi: The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki has announced the rollout of its first made-in-India electric vehicle - the e-Vitara SUV - in a major boost to the green segment from its upgraded Gujarat plant, which is now set to become one of the world's largest automotive manufacturing hubs with a projected annual capacity of one million units. Crucially, this facility will serve as Suzuki's global production base for electric vehicles (EVs), exporting to over 100 countries, including advanced markets in Japan and Europe, which is aligned with India's vision of becoming a global aut ...Read More >
In return, India may reduce imports of Russian oil and open its market to non-genetically modified American corn and soymeal products. The U.S. and India are close to a possible trade deal that would reduce tariffs on Indian exports to about 15% to 16% from the current 50%, according to the Mint. In return, India may reduce imports of Russian oil and open its market to non-genetically modified American corn and soymeal products. The bilateral trade agreement could be announced when President Do ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Backing embattled Adani Group, rating agency CRISIL Ratings on Friday said the conglomerate has sufficient liquidity and operational cash flows to meet debt obligations and committed capex and that there has been no negative actions so far by lenders and investors following the US indictment of group founder chairman. The Adani Group, which has the flexibility to reduce certain discretionary capital expenditure (capex) depending on developments in financial markets and future capital availability, has a healthy Ebitda and cash balance that reduces its dependence on external debt to ...Read More >
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 8 (ANI): Bihar cabinet on Tuesday approved 43 schemes and projects, including the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission, 35 per cent reservation for women native to the State and Rs 100 diesel subsidy for farmers. Bihar Chief Secretary S Siddharth said, 'Today, 43 agendas have been stamped in the Council of Ministers, in which the most important agenda is the formation of the Youth Commission. This commission is related to the youth of 18-45 years, which will have one chairman, two vice-chairmen and seven members.' 'The beneficiary group related to this includes ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, marking a significant diplomatic engagement amid efforts to stabilise India-China ties. In a post on social media platform X, Dr. Jaishankar said he "called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers." He conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and "apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilat ...Read More >
Beijing/New Delhi, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) China on Saturday officially began construction on a mega dam project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo - upper reaches of the Brahmaputra - River in Tibet, raising major concerns in the downstream countries, including India and Bangladesh. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the groundbreaking ceremony and announced the official start of the Yarlung Zangbo River Lower Reaches Hydropower Project in the Tibet region. Resp ...Read More >
MUMBAI, Aug 3 -- US President Donald Trump on Thursday slapped a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods after prolonged talks that got bogged down over access to India's labour-intensive agricultural sector, which New Delhi has pledged to protect. Why is India opposing the products the US is lobbying for? The United States is pressing India to open its markets to a wide range of American products, including dairy, poultry, corn, soybeans, rice, wheat, ethanol, fruits and nuts. While India is willing to provide greater access for US dry fruits and apples, it is holding back on corn, soybeans, whe ...Read More >
Wheat is the main rabi (winter) crop, with sowing beginning from late October, while harvesting from March onwards. Other rabi crops include jowar, barley, gram and lentil. The government on Wednesday announced a 6.59 per cent increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat to Rs 2,585 per quintal for 2026-27 marketing year. The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here. Last year, wheat MSP was fixed at Rs 2,425 per quintal for 2025-26 market ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) Paddy, wheat and maize farmers in Bihar have lost around Rs 10,000 crore in 2024-25 due to the non-implementation of Minimum Support Price according to the C2+50 per cent formula given by the MS Swaminathan-chaired National Commission on Farmers, the All India Kisan Sabha said on Thursday. Overall, in the year 2024-25, farmers cultivating the 20 major Kharif and Rabi crops could have earned nearly Rs 3 lakh crore more if their produce had been procured at prices fixed as per the C2+50 per cent formula, the AIKS said. "The Swaminathan Commission's recommendation of 1.5 ...Read More >
INDIA bloc MPs, donning black jackets with slogans like "Modi Adani Ek Hai", protested at Parliament demanding a joint probe into the Adani issue. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused PM Modi of evading discussion on the "Adani mega scam" while defending Adani's alleged corruption. Rahul Gandhi asserted that Modi won't investigate Adani as it would be like investigating himself.Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Thursday said the country's people want the "Adani mega scam" to be discussed in Parliame ...Read More >
New Delhi: The clock is ticking. Only a few days left before the July 9 deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. Hopes of a limited trade deal between India and the United States still linger. But the mood around the negotiating table feels anything but settled. The White House has publicly hinted that the deal is all but done. In New Delhi, officials have echoed a similar sentiment, calling the potential agreement "big, good and beautiful". Trump claimed it would open Indian markets to American goods. But behind closed doors, things remain tangled in tough back-and-forth. Key concerns h ...Read More >
Srinagar: The Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) unit of Jammu and Kashmir Police is conducting searches at ten locations across four districts in the Valley. An official told news agency -- Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the raids are part of an ongoing investigation into a terror-crime case linked to a terrorist sleeper cell and recruitment module handled by Jaish commander Abdullah Ghazi from across the border. The searches are underway at one location in Pulwama, six in Ganderbal, one in Srinagar, and two in Budgam district -- (KNO) ...Read More >
At least 12 people, including five children, have died in 15 days at Chayansa in Haryana's Palwal, prompting a health department probe amid growing concerns about contaminated drinking water and infectious disease spread. Health officials said the deaths between late January and mid-February were linked to severe liver-related complications. Preliminary findings pointed to viral hepatitis and possible water contamination. On January 31, jaundice-related deaths were first reported in Chayansa, a ...Read More >
The United States congressional subcommittee's final report on the Covid-19 pandemic has pointed to the "lab leak" theory, making it the latest US report pinning the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the Wuhan lab in China. "Four years after the onset of the worst pandemic in 100 years, the weight of the evidence increasingly supports the lab leak hypothesis," the 500-plus page report said, adding that since they began their work in February 2023, more senior intelligence officials, politicians, science editors, and scientists had "endorsed the hypothesis that COVID-19 emerged as the result ...Read More >
CHANDIGARH: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that as the Indus Waters Treaty has been put in abeyance, efforts will be made to ensure that more water reaches farmers in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. He said that 80 per cent of water from the Indus river system was flowing into Pakistan. "Giving 80 per cent water to Pakistan at that time was not justified. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan require water and that water is ours. Now we will utilize that water for our farmers," said Chouhan. Chouh ...Read More >
New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has announced that he does not plan to extend the 90-day pause on tariffs beyond the July 9 deadline. Speaking to Fox News Channel's Sunday Morning Futures, Trump said that letters notifying countries of upcoming trade penalties will be sent out shortly. "We'll look at how a country treats us, are they good, are they not so good, some countries we don't care, we'll just send a high number out," he said. The letters will state, "Congratulations, we're allowing you to shop in the United States of America, you're going to pay a 25 per cent tariff, or a 35 per ...Read More >