India's strategic autonomy is under scrutiny as Trump-era tariffs and penalties disrupt US relations, impacting its global ambitions. To avoid being a mere 'tightrope walker,' India must leverage its unique position to become a bridging power. By focusing on unconventional spaces like health and climate change, India can strengthen its global leverage and deliver on multilateralism.
Trade talks with the US are facing challenges due to India's reluctance to open its protected agricultural sector. Market failures, climate dependence, and undercapitalization hinder high-yielding crops. Reforms are slow, particularly regarding land use, credit, and irrigation, while subsidies create import dependency and distort production. Policymakers must address opening access to the global marketplace for farmers.
Bihar's Seemanchal region faces challenges in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, particularly in Muslim-dominated Kishanganj, due to a surge in domicile certificate applications. The administration struggles to verify applications amidst concerns about Bangladeshi infiltrators.
Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Tuesday's Gone' from their debut album is a powerful Southern rock ballad. The song evokes heartbreak and resignation through mournful steel guitar and Ronnie Van Zant's vulnerable vocals. Allen Collins' guitar work, piano, and strings create an emotional experience. The lyrics express loss and longing. The song's honesty and ability to transform pain into beauty make it enduring.
India's telecom operators increased content spending in FY25, reaching ₹1,676 crore, after a dip in FY24. Jio Platforms significantly boosted its content costs by 153% to ₹915 crore, driven by deals with JioHotstar for cricket events. Meanwhile, Airtel and Vodafone Idea reduced their content budgets, focusing on cost management and strategic partnerships with various OTT platforms to enhance customer engagement.
A meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska has sparked optimism in New Delhi. India anticipates a potential agreement leading to reduced tensions and the removal of sanctions on Moscow. This could ease transactions between India and Russia. It may also lead to the elimination of the 25% tariff imposed on India's imports of Russian oil.
The Supreme Court's ruling in 'Hyatt International vs ADIT' establishes that significant operational control, even without physical presence, can create a taxable permanent establishment (PE) in India. This decision emphasizes economic substance over legal form, potentially impacting global hospitality brands operating in India through strategic oversight agreements. Companies may need to restructure contracts to mitigate PE risks.
Apple $100 Billion US Investment Boost is here with Apple quarterly results, stock market reaction, share performance and challenges ahead. Apple will invest an additional $100 billion in US businesses and factories, raising its total domestic commitment to $600 billion over four years. The move, announced by CEO Tim Cook after a White House meeting, coincides with new tariff threats and triggered a 12% weekly gain in Apple shares.
An Air India flight AI2455, traveling from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi, had to land in Chennai. The unscheduled landing happened because of a possible technical problem. Unfavorable weather also contributed to the decision. The aircraft will be checked in Chennai. Air India is helping passengers affected by this change. The airline is working to get them to their destinations quickly.
A Delhi woman's social media post about roadside garbage in Gurugram prompted swift action from local authorities. Frustrated by the unhygienic conditions, her online appeal resonated with many, leading to a same-day clean-up by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram. This incident highlights the power of social media in addressing civic issues and demanding accountability for a cleaner city.
