India

US, India Reach Trade Deal; Trump Announces Tariff Cut After Call With PM Modi

US, India Reach Trade Deal; Trump Announces Tariff Cut After Call With PM Modi

Washington/New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump on Monday announced that the United States and India have reached an agreement on a trade deal, marking a significant step toward easing recent strains in bilateral economic relations. As part of the agreement, both countries will move to reduce reciprocal tariffs. President Trump said the US would lower tariffs from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, signalling a de-escalation in trade tensions and a push toward strengthening commercial ties with India. Earlier in the day, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor confirmed that President Trump held a telephonic conversation with…
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Arvind Kejriwal Slams Union Budget 2026-27, Says It Fails to Address Unemployment and Inflation

Arvind Kejriwal Slams Union Budget 2026-27, Says It Fails to Address Unemployment and Inflation

New Delhi, February 2, 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday strongly criticised the Union Budget 2026-27, claiming it lacks a clear strategy to deal with rising unemployment and inflation. Kejriwal said that, from a national standpoint, the Budget would worsen inflationary pressures and lead to further job losses, at a time when employment and price rise remain the biggest concerns for the country’s youth. “There is no concrete roadmap for job creation in this Budget. Instead, it will push inflation even higher,” Kejriwal alleged, adding that young people continue to suffer due to the absence…
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Delhi wakes up to dense fog with reduced visibility; trains delayed, flight operations hit

Delhi wakes up to dense fog with reduced visibility; trains delayed, flight operations hit

National Times Bureau :- Dense fog blanketed Delhi on Monday morning, significantly reducing visibility across several parts of the city and triggering an alert from the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport over possible flight delays. Visuals shared by ANI from areas such as Akshardham and Dhaula Kuan showed vehicles moving at a crawl, as drivers struggled with extremely poor visibility. In many locations, visibility fell below 50 metres, severely disrupting traffic on key roads and highways. Officials cautioned that conditions could worsen as the morning advanced. Flights Likely to Be Disrupted Air travel was also affected due to the foggy…
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Dalai Lama wins first Grammy as historic moments mark 68th Grammy Awards

Dalai Lama wins first Grammy as historic moments mark 68th Grammy Awards

National Times Bureau :- The 68th annual Grammy Awards began on a historic note on Sunday, delivering a series of first-time wins and emotional moments during the star-studded Premiere Ceremony held ahead of the main telecast in Los Angeles. Among the most unexpected winners was the Dalai Lama, who secured his first-ever Grammy in the category of Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording. The Tibetan spiritual leader edged out notable nominees, including US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The award was accepted by musician Rufus Wainwright, who contributed to the project. “I am not the Dalai Lama,” Wainwright…
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Bishnoi Gang Claims Role in Firing Outside Rohit Shetty’s Juhu Home; Mumbai Police Launch Manhunt

Bishnoi Gang Claims Role in Firing Outside Rohit Shetty’s Juhu Home; Mumbai Police Launch Manhunt

Mumbai (Rajeev Sharma): Mumbai Police have launched an extensive probe after the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for a firing incident outside the Juhu residence of Bollywood director and producer Rohit Shetty. The claim, made through social media posts, is currently being verified by investigators, police officials said. At least four suspects have been detained for questioning in connection with the incident, while the Mumbai Crime Branch has formed 12 special teams to identify and apprehend those involved. Officials said efforts are also underway to determine the motive behind the attack and assess whether the threat claim is credible. The…
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Union Budget 2026-27 Launches Divyang Kaushal and Divyang Sahara Schemes to Empower Persons with Disabilities

Union Budget 2026-27 Launches Divyang Kaushal and Divyang Sahara Schemes to Empower Persons with Disabilities

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Union Budget 2026-27 introduced new initiatives aimed at empowering Divyangjans, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the vision of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas,” which seeks to provide every community, family, and sector with access to resources, opportunities, and meaningful participation. While presenting the Budget in Parliament, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted measures designed to create dignified livelihood opportunities and improve accessibility for persons with disabilities. Under the Divyang Kaushal Yojana, customized training programs will be offered to Divyangjans in sectors such as information technology, animation, visual effects, gaming (AVGC), hospitality, and food and beverages. These…
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Union Budget 2026-27 Introduces Sports Goods Initiative and Khelo India Mission to Boost Manufacturing and Talent Development

Union Budget 2026-27 Introduces Sports Goods Initiative and Khelo India Mission to Boost Manufacturing and Talent Development

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Union Budget 2026-27 includes a dedicated initiative to strengthen India’s sports goods sector, aiming to establish the country as a global leader in high-quality and affordable sporting equipment. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Budget in Parliament, stated that the initiative will focus on promoting manufacturing, research, and innovation, covering both the design of equipment and advancements in material sciences. This move aligns with the Budget’s broader objective of accelerating economic growth, improving productivity, and enhancing India’s competitiveness while building resilience against global uncertainties. The sports goods initiative is expected to tap into…
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Union Budget 2026: India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 Launched with Rs 40,000 Crore Boost

Union Budget 2026: India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 Launched with Rs 40,000 Crore Boost

New Delhi, February 1, 2026: In a major step to strengthen India’s semiconductor sector, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced the launch of India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 with an allocation of Rs 40,000 crore while presenting the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament. The second phase of the mission aims to expand capabilities across the semiconductor value chain, including manufacturing equipment and materials, developing homegrown intellectual property, and reinforcing domestic supply chains. Sitharaman said the initiative would also support industry-led research and training centres to develop advanced technology and prepare a skilled workforce. Highlighting the success of earlier…
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Budget 2026: Rs 10,000-Crore ‘Bio Pharma Shakti’ Scheme Announced to Boost Biopharma Industry

Budget 2026: Rs 10,000-Crore ‘Bio Pharma Shakti’ Scheme Announced to Boost Biopharma Industry

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a major policy push for India’s biopharmaceutical sector, unveiling the ‘Bio Pharma Shakti’ programme with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore for the next five years, while presenting the Union Budget in Parliament. The initiative is aimed at creating a robust ecosystem for biopharma products and biosimilars, strengthening domestic manufacturing, innovation, and global competitiveness. Sitharaman said the programme aligns with the government’s broader vision of building self-reliance in high-end healthcare and life sciences. In addition to the biopharma push, the Finance Minister proposed measures to expand manufacturing capacity in strategic…
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Watch Live! Union Budget Presented in Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Watch Live! Union Budget Presented in Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha today, laying out the government’s roadmap for economic growth, fiscal management, and development priorities for the coming financial year. The budget addresses key areas including public welfare, infrastructure expansion, employment generation, and policy reforms. The annual budget presentation is a crucial parliamentary event, as it outlines proposed government expenditure, revenue measures, and strategic initiatives that shape the nation’s economic direction. Members of Parliament and stakeholders across sectors are keenly observing the proceedings for major announcements and policy signals. The budget presentation and related parliamentary…
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