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 US-sponsored ceasefire proposal for Gaza on Tuesday was hinging on Hamas's response to the 20-point plan which President Donald Trump has said was "beyond very close" to ending the two-year-old conflict in the enclave. Mediators Qatar and Egypt shared the document with Hamas late on Monday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood alongside Trump at the White House and pledged his support for the proposal because he said it met Israel's war aims. Hamas was not involved in the negotiations that led to Trump's plan, which calls on the Islamist militant group to disarm, a demand it has previously rejected. A source close to Hamas told Reuters the plan was "completely biased to Israel" and imposed "impossible conditions" that aimed to eliminate the group. However, an official briefed on the talks told Reuters early on Tuesday that Hamas negotiators "would review it in good faith and provide a response". Trump warned Hamas that if it rejected his offer, Israel would have full US support to take whatever action it deemed necessary. The plan specifies an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of all hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional government led by an international body. Many elements of the 20 points have been included in numerous ceasefire deals proposed over the last two years, including those accepted and then subsequently rejected at various stages by both Israel and Hamas. One of Hamas's main conditions since the outset of the war has been a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in return for the release of the remaining hostages. And while the group has indicated its readiness to relinquish administrative authority, it has consistently ruled out disarming. "What Trump has proposed is the full adoption of all Israeli conditions, which do not grant the Palestinian people or the residents of the Gaza Strip any legitimate rights," a Palestinian official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters. However, Hamas faces considerable pressure to accept the plan, with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt all welcoming the initiative. Turkey's head of intelligence will join Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Doha to discuss the peace proposal later on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry said. Turkey has not previously been involved as a key mediator during efforts over the last two years to bring peace to Gaza. It was unclear if Hamas officials would join Tuesday's meeting. The last time Hamas leaders gathered to discuss a U.S. peace plan in Qatar, Israel tried, and failed, to kill them with a missile strike. Netanyahu apologised on Monday to his Qatari counterpart for the September 9 attack, the White House said. Although he initially backed the Trump plan, Netanyahu later expressed doubts about elements of the proposal, including the prospects for eventual Palestinian statehood -- something he has repeatedly ruled out. Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from a war-weary Israeli public to end the conflict. But he also risks the collapse of his governing coalition if far-right ministers believe he has made too many concessions for a peace deal. In Gaza itself, some Palestinians hailed Trump's peace plan, saying it could end the bombardment and deaths, but they wondered whether it would end Israel's control of the enclave. "We want the war to end, but we want the occupation army that killed tens of thousands of us to get out and leave us alone," said Salah Abu Amr, 60, a father of six from Gaza City. "We hope the plan will end the war, but we are not sure it will, neither Trump nor Netanyahu can be trusted," he told Reuters via a chat app. Israel began its Gaza offensive after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken as hostages back to Gaza. The offensive has killed over 66,000 people in Gaza, Gaza health authorities say. Israeli forces pushed deeper into Gaza City on Tuesday, reaching the centre of the territory, which Netanyahu has described as the last Hamas bastion. Israeli planes also dropped new leaflets over the city ordering Palestinians to immediately leave and head south. "The battle against Hamas is decisive and will not end until it is defeated," the leaflet said in red writing.
Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, Director General of the Ministry of Health has accused Israel of using unknown and banned weapons in Gaza to evaporate human bodies and even buildings in residential areas. In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Al-Bursh stated that in the northern Gaza strip, Israeli forces are using "unknown weapons" that results in the evaporation of human bodies, thereby preventing the local authorities from determining the full scale of destruction. Al-Bursh stated that Israel's use of such dangerous weapons reveal a new level of destruction in Gaza, which is unlike any other conflict in t ...Read More >
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that on his first day in office he would impose a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and the trade of illicit drugs. "On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Trump said the tariffs would remain in place until the two countries ...Read More >
Iran plans to significantly expand its uranium enrichment capacity, raising proliferation concerns despite claims of peaceful intent Iran has informed the UN nuclear watchdog that it plans to install more than 6,000 extra uranium-enriching centrifuges at its enrichment plants and bring more of those already in place online, a confidential report by the watchdog said on Thursday. The International Atomic Energy Agency report seen by Reuters details what Iran meant when it said it would add thousands of centrifuges in response to a resolution against it that the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Gover ...Read More >
The newly elected President of the United States Donald Trump is extending his hands to unapologetically stand firm with United States most reliable ally, Israel. Donald Trump on 2nd December has issued a stark warning, declaring that there would be "hell to pay" in the Middle East if hostages held in the Gaza strip are not freed before his January 20, 2025, inauguration. During October 2023 terrorist attacks led by Hamas upon Israel, the terrorist group captured over 250 innocent individuals, with Israeli reports confirming dual Israeli-American nationals among the hostages. Currently, aroun ...Read More >
Tel Avis [Israel], November 18 (ANI): An Israeli strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut killed Hezbollah's media relations chief Mohammed Afif on Sunday, Times of Israel reported. According to the Times of Israel, Hezbollah has confirmed the death of Mohammad Afif. Afif was killed in an IDF strike on the headquarters of the Syrian Ba'ath Party in central Beirut, Times of Israel reported. Israel is yet to confirm the killing of the Hezbollah spokesman, as per the Times of Israel. According to Al Jazeera, Afif hosted several press conferences for Hezbollah, providing information regarding the ...Read More >
In a revealing Knesset speech on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel was behind a series of devastating attacks on Hezbollah in September, revealing that the operation was brought forward after concerns that a secret Israeli intelligence method was about to be uncovered. Netanyahu disclosed that the attack, initially planned for October, was accelerated to prevent the planned operation from being exposed. Also read: Caught on camera: Moment Israel strike on Beirut killed Hezbollah media chief Mohammed Afif (WATCH) The attacks, which included a massive page ...Read More >
Hindus and members of other minority groups say they have faced more attacks than ever since an interim government replaced the ousted prime minister, as Islamist groups have become more prominent and demoralized security agencies have left a security vacuum. The government says the threat to Hindus has been exaggerated. Around 91% of Bangladeshs population is Muslim, with Hindus making up almost all of the rest. Officials, witnesses and local media reports said that Krishna Das Prabhu, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was arrested in Dhakas main airport on Monday while traveli ...Read More >
xternal Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, on Monday, met with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine and discussed the conflict with Russia at the sidelines of the MED Mediterranean Dialogues Conference in Rome, Italy. Apart from Ukraine, EAM Jaishankar met with his counterparts from France, Lebanon, and Croatia as well. On his meeting with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the EAM reiterated India's support for "dialogue and diplomacy" to end the long-running conflict. "Good to meet FM of Ukraine @andrii_sybihain Rome today. Useful exchange on advancing our bilateral cooperation. ...Read More >
United Nations, November 27 (IANS): The United Nations welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, a senior UN official said in a statement. The agreement marks the starting point of a critical process, anchored in the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), to restore the safety and security that civilians on both sides of the Blue Line deserve, said Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported. The UN statement came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the nation's ...Read More >
A ministerial conference kicked off on Monday in Cairo to garner regional and international support for the besieged Gaza and alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinian people. The meeting is being held under the auspices of the Egyptian President with the participation of 103 delegations of various countries, international organisations, and financial institutions, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini told the conference that "UNRWA has preserved the Palestinian ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: Amid a rising controversy over US President Donald Trump's claim of having negotiated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday claimed that the Narendra Modi government succumbed to pressure from Trump and backed down from the opportunity to crush terrorism and defeat Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack.Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had turned down the US President's offer to mediate and stop the war with Pakistan in 1971. It is unfortunate, Revanth said, that the present US President cla ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a significant boost for 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbharta' in the aerospace and defence sector, and Hyderabad's growing stature as a global aerospace hub, the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter jet will now be made in India at Hyderabad. This move marks the first time that these Rafale components will be manufactured outside France for the Indian as well as global markets.French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing key sections of the Rafale fighter jet, including the lateral ...Read More >
Lebanese health ministry confirms 3,841 dead in Israel-Hezbollah conflict Lebanese armed group Hezbollah confirmed its media relations chief Mohammad Afif was killed by an Israeli strike on a building in central Beirut on Sunday. Israel has rarely hit senior Hezbollah personnel who do not have clear military roles, and its air strikes have mostly targeted Beirut's southern suburbs where the group has its heaviest presence. Israel's military, which earlier declined to comment, issued a statement late on Sunday reporting it had "eliminated" Afif. The Lebanese health ministry said the strike h ...Read More >
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia and Canada on Monday signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that aims to strengthen economic ties between the two G20 members, three years after negotiations began. The agreement will take effect in 2026 and was signed in Jakarta by trade ministers of both countries. Indonesia's trade minister, Budi Santoso, said Indonesia appreciated Canada's support for its plan to prioritise its critical minerals sector, which was vital for its sustainable growth. "Together, we advance sustainable critical mineral management, supporting Indonesia's net ...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 >
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Import tariffs expected to be implemented by the administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could lower economic growth and inflation in the 20 nations sharing the euro, European Central Bank board member Piero Cipollone said on Tuesday. Most economists agree that the possible tariffs would impact growth, though views diverge on the effect on consumer prices. Some argue the U.S. trade barriers will push up the value of the dollar, making imports of key commodities more expensive, while likely retaliation from Europe will also raise costs. Cipollone, speaking i ...Read More >
Dhaka: India should 'unequivocally' recognise the July-August uprising, which toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's regime, to start bilateral ties afresh, a key aide of Bangladesh's interim government said Wednesday. In a Facebook post, Mahfuj Alam -- considered a de facto minister in the interim government and a key leader of Bangladesh's Anti-Discrimination Students Movement -- noted that the Indian establishment tried to portray the uprising as "something militant, anti-Hindu, and an Islamist takeover" and asked India to "change the Post '75 playbook and realise the new Bangladesh realit ...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 >
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Trade talks between Indian and U.S. officials have been extended into next week as both sides seek consensus on tariff cuts in the farming and auto sectors, aiming to finalise an interim deal before a July 9 deadline, Indian government sources said. A U.S. delegation led by senior officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) held two days of discussions in New Delhi with Indian trade officials headed by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, the sources said. "The two countries are actively engaged in focused discussions to facilitate greater mark ...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 >
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): Congress leader Jignesh Mevani on Saturday questioned the government over the ceasefire in Operation Sindoor, alleging foreign pressure and demanding clarity on its terms. Mevani accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of backing down under US influence and asked why the remaining terrorists haven't been caught. 'It's been a month since the government launched Operation Sindoor and claimed to have caught a terrorist. The Prime Minister boasts of a 56-inch chest, says India is a Vishwa Guru, and speaks of vermilion running through our veins. Then why haven't the ...Read More >
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces a significant political challenge as his budget proposal encounters resistance in a divided parliament. His coalition could collapse if a no-confidence motion is pushed by opponents, risking financial instability and investor confidence. Ongoing negotiations are crucial as deadlines loom. French Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government is teetering on the brink of collapse amid struggles to pass the 2025 budget through an increasingly divided parliament. Experts warn that the coalition could fall before Christmas if a no-confidence motion forces Ba ...Read More >
Srinagar, May 21: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Wednesday hit out at External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's statement that India had informed Pakistan beforehand about the missile strikes on terror infrastructure in the neighbouring country. "Our external affairs minister says that we informed Pakistan that we are going to strike at terror training centres. Are wars fought like this? Do you give advance notice?" Karra said, while addressing a 'Jai Hind' yatra in Anantnag district. The JKPCC chief also questioned the BJP-led central gov ...Read More >
After the banned CPI (Maoist)'s general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju was killed in an encounter with security forces on May 22, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that Naxalism will be eliminated from the country by March 31, 2026. In the Congress-ruled Telangana, however, B Mahesh Kumar Goud, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, says that the government should not use iron fist to wipe out Maoists but deal with them through "legal and constitutional means". He has urged the Centre to hold "peace talks" with the Maoists and declare a "ceasefire" w ...Read More >
NEW DELHI - India is committed to efforts to develop its restive territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on June 6, accusing neighbour Pakistan of seeking to destroy livelihoods there with April's deadly attack on tourists. He was speaking on his first visit to the Himalayan region since Islamist attackers targeted Hindu tourists in the popular Pahalgam area, killing 26 men, triggering hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours that ended in ceasefire last month. "The atmosphere of development that emerged in Jammu and Kashmir will not be hindered by the attac ...Read More >
Katra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to inaugurate multiple rail projects, including the world's highest Chenab Rail Bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, and the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. These railway projects directly connect Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of the country. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link is an all-weather railway corridor designed to provide seamless connectivity to the region through the rail network. During his visit, PM Modi reviewed the Chenab bridge, world's highest ra ...Read More >
Patna, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) On a day-long visit to Bihar on Friday, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the government "surrendered" during Operation Sindoor under pressure from former US President Donald Trump. Speaking at the Samvidhan Sammelan (Constitutional Dialogue) in Rajgir, Gandhi cited Trump's repeated public claims about mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and questioned the Prime Minister's silence on the matter. "US President Donald Trump has publicly claimed 11 times that he forced PM Modi to a ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
Still, the ongoing U.N. climate talks have thrown a spotlight on their efforts to tackle global warming. While the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, is tasked with agreeing a goal to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars for climate, leaders of the Group of 20 major economies half a world away in Rio are holding the purse strings. G20 countries account for 85% of the world's economy and are the largest contributors to multilateral development banks helping to steer climate finance. "The spotlight is naturally on the G20. They account for 80 percent of global emissions," U.N. Secretary Ge ...Read More >
(Reuters) - The euro dropped versus a strengthening dollar on Monday, with investors concerned about political developments in France. France's far-right National Rally (RN) party will likely back a no-confidence motion against the government in the coming days unless there is a "last minute miracle", RN president Jordan Bardella said on Monday. The growing uncertainty over France's budget pushed the risk premium on the government's bonds to a more than 12-year high last week. ...Read More >