Trump Calls India & Russia “Dead Economies” — Here’s Why That’s a Strategic Blunder In a recent campaign speech that’s sparked widespread debate, former U.S. President Donald Trump labeled India and Russia as “dead economies.” While the statement may serve his political rhetoric at home, it has ignited a storm of responses from analysts, economists, and the Indian public alike. But beyond the insult, could Trump’s remark actually strengthen India’s strategic partnerships—with both Russia and others? The Remark That Shook Headlines Addressing supporters in the U.S., Trump criticized current global economic dynamics and international alliances, calling Russia a “dead country economically” and saying India is “not doing so well either.” The intention was clear: to portray America as the only economic superpower worth trusting. However, the fallout may be more complicated than he expected. Is India Really a “Dead Economy”? Let’s check the facts: India is the fastest-growing majo...

In a surprise announcement that has sparked both curiosity and criticism, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled two major developments on July 30, 2025: a new energy partnership with Pakistan to explore its untapped oil reserves, and a 25% tariff imposition on Indian imports , citing trade imbalance and India’s continued dealings with Russia. This double-edged move has left many analysts and policymakers questioning the strategic rationale , and whether Trump is undermining a long-standing ally in favor of short-term optics. The Announcement: A Diplomatic Shockwave Trump revealed that the United States and Pakistan had “concluded a deal” to develop Pakistan’s vast oil reserves , adding that an American company would soon be chosen to lead the project. In the same breath, Trump stated that India will face a 25% tariff on goods exported to the U.S. starting August 1 , with an additional “penalty” to be announced, pointing to India’s significant $45.7 billion trade surplus with the U.S...

Storytelling is as old as India itself. From Vedic chants to village folktales, from Ramayana recitals to freedom struggle songs, India has always been a land of stories — not just written, but performed, sung, and passed down through generations. However, as modern education and technology took over, these oral traditions faded into the background. Today, a surprising revival is underway — not in temple courtyards or rural squares, but on your smartphone screens, powered by OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. The Golden Age of Kathakars In ancient times, storytelling wasn’t merely entertainment — it was culture, education, and spiritual guidance wrapped in emotion. The kathakar — a traveling storyteller — would mesmerize audiences with tales from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchatantra, or local legends. These performances were often musical, expressive, and community-centered. Forms like: Harikatha (South India) – combined storytelling, poetry, and devotiona...

When one thinks of Indian temples, the first image that comes to mind is of incense-filled sanctums, chants, and long queues of devotees waiting to offer prayers. But to view Indian temples solely as spiritual centers is to miss the larger picture. In ancient and medieval Bharat, temples were multi-dimensional institutions that played a central role in the social, cultural, educational, political, and economic fabric of Indian civilization. 1. Temples as Universities and Knowledge Hubs In an era where formal education was limited to a select few, temples emerged as powerful centers of learning . They weren’t just places of prayer, but gurukuls where students studied grammar, logic, mathematics, astronomy, Ayurveda, and even political science. The temple premises often had classrooms and libraries of palm-leaf manuscripts. Temples like Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu and Jagannath Temple in Odisha were known for employing teachers and maintaining records of educational grants....

 In a fiery session of Parliament, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi launched a blistering attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the much-publicized Operation Sindoor , accusing the ruling party of using national security as a political weapon while failing to maintain a consistent foreign and domestic policy. The debate over Operation Sindoor, a recent anti-terror operation conducted by Indian forces, turned into a political battlefield, with Owaisi taking center stage in challenging the government’s narrative Operation Sindoor was a high-intensity, swift military operation reportedly carried out in Pahalgam , Jammu & Kashmir, aimed at eliminating infiltrating terrorists. The government proudly presented it as a success story — claiming over 100 terrorists were neutralized in a 22-minute assault. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah praised the operation as a symbol of India’s growing military strength and strategic capability. But as the governmen...

 What’s Changing: Key UPI Updates from 1 August 2025 1. Daily Limit on Balance Checks UPI users will be restricted to a maximum of 50 balance inquiries per day per app (e.g. 50 via Google Pay, and separately 50 via PhonePe, if using both) Razorpay +15 Jagranjosh.com +15 Angel One +15 . Purpose: Reduce API overload from frequent balance requests that strain the system, especially during peak hours. 2.Linked Account Views Cap You can view your linked bank accounts (like switching between banks within the app) only 25 times a day per UPI app Travel And Tour World Zee News +4 Jagranjosh.com +4 Angel One +4 . 3. Transaction Status Check Limits NPCI has limited how often you can refresh or check pending UPI transaction status. You’ll only have a few retries per transaction —often capped at three attempts with wait times between them Jagranjosh.com Angel One Angel One . 4. AutoPay Mandates Restricted to Off‑Peak Hours Scheduled payments like SIPs, subscriptions,...

  Date: July 28, 2025 Location: Harwan Forest, Srinagar By: The Bharat Brief In a major breakthrough in India’s counter-terrorism efforts, security forces gunned down Suleiman Shah , the dreaded mastermind behind the Pahalgam tourist massacre , during a fierce encounter under Operation Mahadev in Srinagar’s Harwan forests. The operation, carried out by a joint team of the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police , also eliminated two other foreign terrorists, Abu Hamza and Yasir , in what is being hailed as one of the most significant anti-terror operations in recent times. Who Was Suleiman Shah? Suleiman Shah, also known by the alias Hashim Moosa , was no ordinary terrorist. According to intelligence agencies, he was a former Pakistani Army Special Service Group (SSG) commando , who later defected and joined Lashkar-e-Taiba , one of the most notorious terror outfits operating from Pakistan. Trained in modern warfare and guerrilla tactics, Shah had infiltrated Indi...

In a major shake-up of global manufacturing, India is rapidly emerging as a tech manufacturing powerhouse . According to the latest trade figures and market analysis, 1 out of every 3 smartphones shipped to the United States in 2024–25 was manufactured in India . This marks a huge milestone not just for India, but also signals a dramatic shift away from China’s long-standing dominance in electronics manufacturing. This development isn’t a one-off fluke — it’s the result of years of planning, policy reforms, and global realignments . The Rise of "Made in India" For years, "Made in China" dominated electronics labels across the world. From budget Android phones to premium iPhones, China was the go-to hub for global brands. But recent years have seen a strategic pivot , especially among companies that want to de-risk their supply chains due to: The U.S.–China trade war COVID-19 lockdowns and supply chain disruptions Rising labor costs in China Geopoli...

Billionaire philanthropist George Soros is no stranger to controversy. Known for his outspoken criticism of nationalist governments around the world, he has now turned his attention to India — accusing its leadership of undermining democratic values. But his remarks have gone beyond mere criticism. In India, many believe Soros is actively supporting a political ecosystem that includes the Congress Party and opposition voices like Rahul Gandhi . So, is this global figure really concerned about Indian democracy, or is he influencing it for ideological gains? Let’s explore what’s behind the Soros-India clash — and how it ties into Indian politics. Who Is George Soros? George Soros is a Hungarian-American hedge fund manager and the founder of the Open Society Foundations (OSF) . Through this foundation, he has spent over $32 billion globally to promote causes such as civil liberties, minority rights, media freedom, and democratic reforms. But his involvement in politics — especially...

In the dense forested terrain of North Bengal lies a narrow land corridor that is perhaps one of the most strategically sensitive regions in all of India — the Chicken’s Neck , also known as the Siliguri Corridor . This sliver of land, barely 22 km wide at its narrowest point, holds the key to India’s connectivity with its northeastern states and plays a pivotal role in national security, foreign policy, and military strategy.  Where Is the Chicken’s Neck? The Chicken’s Neck is located in the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal , near the city of Siliguri . This corridor connects mainland India to the Seven Sister States of the Northeast — Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Nagaland. It is flanked by: Nepal to the west Bhutan to the north Bangladesh to the south and east Its strategic location, wedged between multiple international borders, makes it both crucial and vulnerable.  Strategic Importance 1. Lifeline to ...