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: America's H1-B visa has been an important way for foreigners to get work here and people from all over the world try to get this document, especially Indians who go to great lengths to get an H1-B visa in large numbers. According to reports, the Trump administration is going to make big changes in the rules for issuing this visa, which can have a direct impact on Indians. The Trump administration is also considering making the citizenship test stricter. Joseph Edlow, the new director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), said in an interview to the New York Times that the Trump administration intends to make radical changes in the H-1B visa system for skilled foreign workers. Edlow said that the exam to become an American citizen is very easy and it should be changed. "I don't think we are really following the spirit of the law right now," he said. The H-1B visa programme for foreign workers has long been a matter of controversy even within the ruling Republican Party. The Trump administration has talked about major changes in the H-1B visa selection process. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) have also sent a proposal to the White House for the new H-1B visa selection system. According to Financial Express, indications from the Trump administration indicate that H-1B candidates will be selected on the basis of skills, experience level and salary. In this, selection will be done on efficiency instead of equal treatment for all. Edlow has said that in this, priority will be given to those corporations who want to pay higher salaries to foreign workers. Joseph Edlow, the director of the USCIS, said that the Trump government wants to change the citizenship test required for potential US citizens. Currently, immigrants study 100 questions of civics. To pass this part of the exam, they have to answer six out of 10 questions correctly. Edlow says the government intends to reintroduce a new version of that exam soon.
A question. Which party played identity politics in the 2024 campaign? Donald Trump and the Republicans or Kamala Harris and the Democrats? Left-leaning pundits think they know. Political consultant James Carville blamed Democrats' defeat on their "stupid, Goddamn identitarian mission." CNN anchor and Washington Post columnist Fareed Zakaria argued that one of the big mistakes Harris made was "elevating identity politics." New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd declared that "woke is broke." This one-sided attack on identity politics happens like clockwork when Democrats lose an election, eve ...Read More >
New Delhi: India on Thursday said it has "noted" the recent visit of Pakistan Army chief to the White House, even as it asserted that the India-US partnership is grounded in shared democratic values, and "we remain confident in the trajectory of this most consequential partnership of the 21st century". At the weekly media briefing in the capital, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked about the invitation that was extended to Field Marshal Asim Munir to the White House. US President Donald Trump had hosted Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff for lunch at the White House on June 18. "On your q ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Indian negotiators currently in the US for last-minute talks to finalise an interim trade deal on Monday extended their stay by three more days, raising hopes of a deal before the July 9 deadline when the Trump tariffs will kick in if there is no pact. A commerce ministry official said the Indian team would stay till July 1. The negotiators were originally scheduled to stay for two days -- June 26 and 27. The Indian team is headed by Rajesh Agrawal, special secretary, Department of Commerce. Last week, US President Donald Trump had hinted at the possibility of a big trade agreemen ...Read More >
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 4 (ANI): Following the completion of four years as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami said that in the past four years, he has faced many challenges, but with the "grace of god", every time it became an "opportunity" for him. Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the 'Northern Region Ministers Conference on Civil Aviation' in Dehradun. He was accompanied by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu. Also Read | PNB, Indian Bank and Bank of India Cut MCLR by 5 BPS in July 2025 After RBI Repo Rate Cut; Home, Personal Loans May Get C ...Read More >
New Delhi: As Americans lit fireworks to celebrate Independence Day, a powerful image emerged across the Atlantic, a mural in northern France showing the Statue of Liberty burying her face in her hands. Titled 'The Statue of Liberty's Silent Protest', the artwork was unveiled in Roubaix on July 4, a deliberate nod to the day America marks its freedom. Dutch muralist Judith de Leeuw, who painted the 50-foot-tall image, said the idea was inspired by what she called the erosion of American ideals under former President Donald Trump. "The values that the statue once stood for freedom, hope, the ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Trade talks between India and the US appear to be back on track, as President Donald Trump hinted that a "very big" agreement with India will be forthcoming soon. In a presser at the White House, Trump said, "Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, 'You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we're going to open up India, in the China deal, we are starting to open up China.""We're not going ...Read More >
Donald Trump claims he prevented a war between India and Pakistan. He says he used the threat of halting trade deals to de-escalate tensions. Trump mentions phone calls with leaders from both nations. He also notes a meeting with Pakistan's Army Chief. India maintains that the ceasefire understanding came from direct talks between military officials.US President Donald Trump on Wednesday repeated his claim that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan and told the two countries that America ...Read More >
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 4 (ANI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday took a jibe at the Bihar government for appointing principals to five colleges in Patna University via a draw of lots. She alleged that the principals have not been appointed based on their expertise in a subject. Sharing an X post, Mayawati wrote, "The issue of appointing principals through a new 'lottery' system in five prestigious colleges of the renowned Patna University in Bihar has become quite interesting, garnering significant attention across the country, especially in the media and educ ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): India on Friday refuted claims that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's request to meet US President Donald Trump was denied by the White House due to his busy schedule, terming it as 'fake news.' In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Factcheck unit stated, 'CLAIM: White House denies Indian FM Jaishankar's request to meet Donald Trump due to busy schedule. This is FAKE News. This CLAIM is false.' https://x.com/MEAFactCheck/status/1940852409657704485 MEA's statement comes after a user on social media platform X claimed that the White House d ...Read More >
The incoming US president has vowed to press for a quick deal to end Russia's war - leaving Kyiv scrambling to position itself ahead of his January inauguration Nato foreign ministers looked set to rebuff Tuesday a push from Ukraine for progress on joining their alliance ahead of Donald Trump taking power in the United States. The incoming US president has vowed to press for a quick deal to end Russia's war - leaving Kyiv scrambling to position itself ahead of his January inauguration. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said getting security guarantees from the Western alliance and ...Read More >
AMRITSAR, India (AP) -- A U.S. military plane carrying 104 deported Indian migrants arrived in a northern Indian city on Wednesday, the first such flight to the country as part of a crackdown ordered by the Trump administration, airport officials said. The Indians who returned home had illegally entered the United States over the years and came from various Indian states. The move came ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington, which is expected next week. U.S. President Donald Trump and Modi discussed immigration in a phone call last week and Trump stressed the impo ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], February 10 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday met Minister Delegate to the Minister of Defence and Chief of Staff of the National Army of Algeria General Said Changeriha in Bengaluru at Aero India 2025. Singh called their meeting a "great interaction." Also Read | US: Judge Finds Trump Administration Hasn't Fully Followed Order To Unfreeze Federal Spending, Orders White House To Release All Money. In a post on X, he said, "Great interaction with the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Defence and Chief of Staff of the National Army of Algeria Ge ...Read More >
Srinagar: Before towering cranes and cutting-edge engineering transformed the Himalayan landscape, the monumental dream of connecting "Kashmir to Kanyakumari" by rail began with the plodding footsteps of humble mules. This extraordinary backstory underpins the official realization of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, a project crowned by the awe-inspiring Chenab Bridge. According to Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the company behind the Chenab Bridge, the earliest and most formidable hurdle wasn't just the design of ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 27, 2025 -- Indian equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty 50, are poised for a strong start on Friday, riding the wave of global optimism and supportive domestic sentiment. Gift Nifty was trading around 25,715, nearly 100 points above Nifty futures' previous close, signaling a positive bias at the opening bell. The Nifty 50 had closed Thursday at a 9-month high of 25,549, while the Sensex rallied 1,000 points to end at 83,755. With the Israel-Iran ceasefire holding, investor sentiment across Asia and the US improved further overnight. Also Read: Bank Nifty Hits Record 57,076; HDFC ...Read More >
Mumbai: Indian stock markets opened on a positive note Friday, buoyed by optimism over a potential "great" trade deal between India and the United States, as hinted by former US President Donald Trump. Early morning trade saw gains led by PSU banks and IT stocks, with benchmark indices climbing steadily. At 9:15 AM, the BSE Sensex was up 150.40 points or 0.18%, trading at 83,906.27, while the NSE Nifty gained 54.50 points or 0.21% to trade at 25,603. Speaking at the 'Big Beautiful Event' held at the White House, Trump indicated a significant bilateral trade deal with India could soon materia ...Read More >
June 30 (Reuters) - Futures tracking the S&P 500 and Nasdaq touched record highs on Monday, as optimism over U.S. trade negotiations with its key partners helped support upward momentum in markets. Shares of technology heavyweights rose premarket after Canada scrapped its digital services tax targeting U.S. tech firms, just hours before it was due to take effect, in a bid to advance stalled trade negotiations with the United States. Shares of Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab, Meta Platforms (META ...Read More >
India is concerned with a U.S. Senator's proposal to slap a 500% tariff on goods imported in America from countries buying Russian oil, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, adding that the world's third-largest crude oil importer has conveyed these concerns to the U.S. lawmakers. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has proposed a bill to impose a huge tariff on any country buying Russian oil. In an interview with ABC News this weekend, Senator Graham said that President Donald Trump appears to be on board for the bill to be moved forward. "If you're buying products from Russia ...Read More >
Trump warns BRICS nations against replacing US dollar Dec 2 (Reuters) - A gauge of emerging market stocks rose on Monday, driven by positive manufacturing data from China and expectations of continued policy support from Beijing, while India's rupee hit a record low because of weaker-than-expected economic data. As of 0932 GMT, the MSCI's index for emerging market stocks had risen by 0.7%, on track for its biggest percentage gain in over three weeks. China's blue-chip CSI 300 climbed 0.8%, and the Shanghai Composite index jumped 1.1% after a private survey indicated that Chinese factory act ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, June 27: Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his Gujarat visit on a spiritual note early Friday morning by participating in the Mangala Aarti at the historic Shri Jagannathji Temple in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad. The visit coincides with the auspicious occasion of the annual Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, a major religious event that draws thousands of devotees every year. Arriving at the temple at 3:15 a.m., HM Shah joined in the sacred rituals and offered prayers to Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Sharing his experience on social media platform X, he posted, "On the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra, par ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 27: The US Embassy in India has issued a strict warning for all visa applicants regarding social media disclosures on their DS-160 visa application forms. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the embassy stated, "Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas." All applicants are now required to list every social media username or handle they've used in the last five years -- regardless of whether the accounts are still active. This mandate is part of broader vetting procedures implemented by the US State Department to stren ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Signalling the government's intent to move ahead with the impeachment motion of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that main opposition parties have given their in-principle approval to support the motion in the upcoming monsoon session scheduled for July21-August 21. Rijiju said that the government is yet to decide whether the motion would be brought in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. For the Lok Sabha, signatures of a minimum 100 MPs is required. The requirement is the support of at least 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. H ...Read More >
The U.S. dollar continued its strong run on Monday, bolstered by soaring Treasury yields and expectations of limited Federal Reserve rate cuts. Meanwhile, the yen steadied ahead of a key speech by Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, where he may hint at a possible rate hike in December, with markets pricing a 55% chance of such a move. Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato's warning on yen intervention caused a temporary pullback, while the dollar index touched a one-year high of 107.07. Analysts forecast further dollar gains as U.S. economic policies and performance outshine global peers. K ...Read More >
New Delhi [India] January 22 (ANI): Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a stand in defending the rights of Indian immigrants in the United States. Surjewala also highlighted the contributions of over 20,000 Indian immigrants and expressed concerns over the government's silence on the deportation orders under President Donald Trump's administration. Sharing a detailed post on X Surjewala said, "Dear Prime Minister Modi ji, Pls spare a few moments to watch Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde speaking the truth to President of United States of Amer ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): Silver prices on Thursday, crossed USD 35 mark per ounce and hit its highest level since March 2012, boosted by a combination of factors such as weaker US dollar, rising geopoltical tension and robust industrial demand. 'With the trust in dollar decreasing silver appears to be a good avenue for money to move to and the Gold Silver ratio was recently above 1.10 so the only way forward was either silver prices rise up or gold prices fall, and thats what has happened silver has risen far more than gold,' said Mrinesh Jain Director, Bombay Bullion Metal Hub LLP. ...Read More >
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New Delhi: In his latest rant against the administration and the 'Big Beautiful Bill', Tesla CEO Elon Musk on June 5 claimed that US President Donald Trump would have lost the 2024 election without his support. The billionaire further accused Trump of "ingratitude". "Without me, Trump would have lost the election, the Democrats would control the House, and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate," he posted on X. This comes after President Trump said that he is disappointed with the former DOGE chief, who recently stepped down as his senior adviser. Now, Musk is going after the administ ...Read More >
GENEVA -- India's push toward winning the 2036 Olympics hosting contest seemed to stall a little on Thursday in the first big decision of Kirsty Coventry's IOC presidency. Coventry paused the fast tracking of a preferred bidder -- a signature policy of her predecessor and mentor Thomas Bach -- in a concession to International Olympic Committee members who have wanted more say in decisions under new leadership. "Members want to be engaged more in the process" of picking Olympic hosts, Coventry acknowledged, citing "overwhelming support" at meetings this week to stop and review how it is done ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Ravada A Chandrasekhar took charge as the new State Police Chief on Tuesday. He succeeds Shaik Darvesh Saheb, who retired on June 30. His tenure will run until July 1, 2027. A 1991-batch IPS officer currently serving as Special Director with the Intelligence Bureau, Chandrasekhar is on central deputation. He was selected over Nitin Agarwal, who topped the official list of probables. The appointment order, issued by Kerala Chief Secretary Dr A Jayathilak on behalf of the Governor, was released soon after a cabinet meeting held on Monday. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh's Godav ...Read More >
New Delhi: After a dramatic all-night session and a nail-biting 50-50 Senate split, President Donald Trump's signature "One Big Beautiful Bill Act", a sweeping package of tax breaks and spending cuts, has cleared the Senate thanks to Vice President JD Vance's tie-breaking vote. The bill, which now heads back to the House, represents the biggest overhaul of tax and social spending policy in years. Here's a detailed look at what will change if the legislation becomes law. The bill makes Trump's 2017 tax cuts, previously set to expire at year's end, permanent, locking in lower rates for individ ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 3 (PTI) An Air India flight from Delhi to Washington, which took off on July 2, could not complete its journey after it developed a technical glitch during a scheduled refuelling stopover in Vienna, the Tata Group-owned airline said on Thursday. Consequently, its return flight from Washington to Delhi, scheduled on July 2, was also cancelled. Also Read | India Weather Forecast: Monsoon in Active Phase, Heavy Rainfall to Continue in Most Parts of India for Almost Entire Week, Says IMD Scientist. Of late, frequent delays and cancellations of long-haul flights by Air India have bee ...Read More >
123 Guwahati: Assam's chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the govt was evaluating comprehensive changes to the Aadhaar registration process for adults, where by district deputy commissioners will be the sole authority for processing Aadhaar cards as part of the govt's plans to identify illegal migrants from Bangladesh.This is a departure from the usual practice of utilising seva kendras or external agencies for Aadhaar cards that is prevalent across other regions in India.Sarma said that illegal Bangladeshi foreigners, who are mostly adults, will find it difficult to get Aadhar c ...Read More >