India

India, US Begin Key Bilateral Trade Talks in Washington DC

India, US Begin Key Bilateral Trade Talks in Washington DC

Washington DC [US], July 14, 2025: A high-level delegation from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has arrived in Washington DC to advance negotiations on a much-anticipated Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States, officials confirmed on Sunday. The new round of talks, scheduled to begin Monday morning (US time), will continue over four days and aims to narrow gaps on key issues, including agriculture and automobiles, which have posed hurdles in previous discussions. Rajesh Aggarwal, India’s Chief Negotiator and Special Secretary in the Commerce Ministry, is expected to join the discussions on Wednesday. The advance arrival of the…
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Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh Appointed as New Governor of Haryana; Rashtrapati Bhavan Announces Key Changes

Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh Appointed as New Governor of Haryana; Rashtrapati Bhavan Announces Key Changes

New Delhi (National Times): In a significant reshuffle of gubernatorial appointments, President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of Brigadier (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) from the post of Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh and approved several new appointments across states and Union Territories. As per an official statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh has been appointed as the Governor of Haryana. A seasoned academic and former university administrator, Prof. Ghosh's appointment marks a key change in the Raj Bhavan leadership in the northern state. Alongside the Haryana appointment, the President also approved the following:…
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Saina Nehwal Announces Separation from Parupalli Kashyap After Nearly Seven Years of Marriage

Saina Nehwal Announces Separation from Parupalli Kashyap After Nearly Seven Years of Marriage

New Delhi (National Times): Indian badminton icon and Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal has confirmed her separation from husband and fellow shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, bringing an end to their nearly seven-year-long marriage. The announcement came via Saina’s official Instagram account, where she posted a heartfelt note acknowledging the mutual decision. “Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We're choosing peace, growth, and healing—for ourselves and each other. I'm grateful for the memories and wish nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for understanding and respecting our…
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Veteran Actress B. Saroja Devi Passes Away at 87, Leaves Behind a Timeless Legacy

Veteran Actress B. Saroja Devi Passes Away at 87, Leaves Behind a Timeless Legacy

Chennai (National Times): Indian cinema has lost one of its most iconic stars. Veteran actress B. Saroja Devi, affectionately known as “Abhinaya Saraswathi,” breathed her last on Monday morning at the age of 87. A legendary presence in the South Indian film industry, Saroja Devi’s illustrious career spanned over seven decades, with more than 200 films to her credit across Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi languages. Saroja Devi made her debut at the age of 17 with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955. Her rise to fame was meteoric, especially after her role opposite M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) in the…
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Chandigarh-Manali Highway Closed Again After Fresh Landslide Near Mandi

Chandigarh-Manali Highway Closed Again After Fresh Landslide Near Mandi

Mandi (National Times): The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway (NH-3) has been closed once again following a fresh landslide near Char Meel in Mandi district, causing major disruptions for travelers and residents alike. The highway had only reopened yesterday after remaining blocked for 28 hours due to a previous landslide in the region. However, a fresh landslide early this morning forced authorities to shut the road down once again, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the blockage. Officials from the Mandi district administration confirmed that the landslide occurred due to continuous rainfall and loosened soil in the hilly terrain.…
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Body of Missing DU Student Sneha Debnath Found in Yamuna, Raises Questions Over Bridge Safety

Body of Missing DU Student Sneha Debnath Found in Yamuna, Raises Questions Over Bridge Safety

New Delhi, July 13, 2025 — The body of 19-year-old Sneha Debnath, a Delhi University student missing for six days, was recovered from the Yamuna river near the Geeta Colony flyover on Sunday evening, police confirmed.Debnath, originally from Sabroom in South Tripura and residing in Delhi’s Paryavaran Complex, was reported missing on July 7. Her disappearance sparked an intense search operation after a missing person’s FIR was filed at Mehrauli police station.Investigators revealed that Debnath had left behind a handwritten note suggesting her intention to jump off the Signature Bridge, a prominent structure spanning the Yamuna. Police tracked her last…
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Veteran Actor and Former MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao Passes Away at 83, Tributes Pour In

Veteran Actor and Former MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao Passes Away at 83, Tributes Pour In

Hyderabad, July 13, 2025 — Renowned Telugu actor and former BJP legislator Kota Srinivasa Rao, celebrated for his commanding screen presence and versatile performances, passed away in Hyderabad on Sunday due to age-related ailments. He was 83.Rao, who had been battling health issues for several years, breathed his last in the early hours at his residence, film industry sources confirmed.His death triggered an outpouring of grief from political leaders, film personalities, and fans alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, describing Rao as a stalwart of Indian cinema and a dedicated public servant.“Anguished by the passing of Shri Kota…
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Himachal Monsoon Fury Claims 98 Lives, Rs 770 Crore Losses as Landslides and Floods Ravage State

Himachal Monsoon Fury Claims 98 Lives, Rs 770 Crore Losses as Landslides and Floods Ravage State

Shimla, July 13, 2025 — Himachal Pradesh reels under a relentless monsoon onslaught that has so far claimed 98 lives and inflicted property damage exceeding ₹770 crore, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).Between June 20 and July 13, torrential rains triggered deadly landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, leaving 57 people dead in rain-related incidents alone. Fatalities stemmed from landslides (8), flash floods (15), cloudbursts (9), drowning (10), electrocution (4), and various other rain-induced mishaps (10), including falls from rocks and trees.Adding to the grim toll, 41 people have perished in road accidents across the hilly terrain, where treacherous…
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Sonia Gandhi to Lead Congress Strategy Meet Ahead of Stormy Monsoon Session in Parliament

Sonia Gandhi to Lead Congress Strategy Meet Ahead of Stormy Monsoon Session in Parliament

New Delhi, July 13, 2025 — Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi will chair a crucial strategy meeting on Tuesday to chalk out the party’s approach for the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, as the opposition gears up for potential clashes with the government over a host of sensitive issues.The session, now scheduled from July 21 to August 21, has been extended by a week beyond its original timeline, signaling the government’s intent to push through significant legislative business. Among the key items on the government’s agenda is legislation to pave the way for private sector participation in India’s nuclear…
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IPL Valuation Soars to $18.5 Billion, Cementing League’s Global Sports Dominance

IPL Valuation Soars to $18.5 Billion, Cementing League’s Global Sports Dominance

New Delhi, July 13, 2025 — The Indian Premier League (IPL) has surged to an astonishing valuation of USD 18.5 billion (approx. ₹1.56 lakh crore), marking a robust 12.9% year-on-year growth and underscoring its stature as one of the world’s most powerful sporting brands.The latest figures, released by global investment bank Houlihan Lokey, also peg the IPL’s brand value alone at USD 3.9 billion (₹32,721 crore), reflecting a 13.8% increase in dollar terms and an even sharper 16.1% rise in rupee terms compared to last year.The report highlights how the IPL continues to set benchmarks in sports business, driven by…
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