ZEESHAN AFZAL

India could lose USD 6bn in exports to US on 10 pc tariffs, rising to USD 31bn at 25 pc: New Delhi [India], March 29 (ANI): India could see a loss of around USD 6 billion, or 0.16 per cent of its GDP, in exports to the US if broad tariffs of 10 per cent are enacted, Emkay Global, a research & investment firm, said in a latest report. The Financial services company said in the report that the impact could increase significantly, reaching up to USD 31 billion if tariffs rise to 25 per cent. While the specifics of reciprocal tariff measures remain uncertain, a broad country-level tariff on India appears to be the most likely scenario, the report added. Despite potential fallout in key sectors such as auto, pharma, and electronics, the report highlights that India's most vulnerable industries are apparel and gems/jewellery. Additionally, the report suggests potential "easy wins" in tariff negotiations, such as higher energy and defence imports, which could help mitigate ...

FIFA Considers Banning Country from International Competitions, Including 2026 World Cup. The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off in June next year, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico An African country is at risk of being suspended by FIFA, which could impact its participation in the global tournament Several countries including the co-host nations, have already secured their places in the global football tournament With over 400 days to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA has issued an official warning to an African country. The body cautioned that failure to comply with its regulations could result in a ban from international football and exclusion from the highly anticipated tournament. African nation at risk of FIFA ban. An African nation that recently played against Russia is at risk of suspension from the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup. As per Soccer24.zw FIFA has reportedly issued a warning to the Football Association of Zambia, cautioning th...

                                             Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh                                                 "A shared commitment": India and US reaffirm strengthening of strategic partnership. New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI): India and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership during high-level bilateral engagements in Washington, DC, as stated in a release by the Ministry of External Affairs. The External Affairs Minister, representing the Prime Minister as his Special Envoy, attended the inauguration of the US President on January 20, 2025, where discussions covered a wide range of issues, including security, technology, a...

French, British urge ‘reassurance force’ for Ukraine. France and Britain want to move ahead with an initiative to send European troops to Ukraine if a peace deal materializes. Currently troop numbers and participating countries are unclear, but details are expected soon. After talks among close to 30 mainly European and NATO leaders in Paris on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron touted plans to deploy troops from "several" European countries to Ukraine should a lasting peace deal be established. The contours of any such arrangement are still unclear but could take firmer shape in the coming weeks. British and French defense officials will soon visit Ukraine to scope out security needs on the ground, Macron announced. There will be a reassurance force with several European countries who will deploy," to Ukraine, Macron told the press after a three-hour meeting of leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Pri...

We share Indian foreign policy's concept, 'The whole world is a family', says Russian FM. Moscow [Russia], March 27 (ANI): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov while speaking at the conference on "Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations" said that it was symbolic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia. The conference is jointly hosted by the Embassy of India in Russia and the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC). Lavrov in his address said that Russia saw eye to eye with India's belief on Vasudha Iva Kutumbaka, which aimed at the benefit of the humankind. "We share the philosophy of the Indian foreign policy concept, 'the whole world is a family', aimed at ensuring international cooperation for the benefit of all mankind based on a balance of interests of all states. We value our joint work in the UN, the G20, BRICS, SCO and other multilateral platforms," he said. The Russian Foreign Minister stated t...

Putin's death economy, fallen soldiers are an asset for Russia. Examining the role of fallen soldiers in Russia's growth. As reported by the Wall Street Journal and stated by Vladislav Inozemtsev, a noted Russian economist, families of 35-year-old soldiers who serve for a year and are killed in action might be awarded up to 14.5 million rubles, approximately equivalent to $150,000. This amount encompasses both the salary and death compensation. Worth more dead than alive. The amount doesn’t include bonuses and insurance payouts, and in some regions of Russia, it’s more than what a man would have earned as a civilian if he worked until the age of 60. An attractive offer for recruits. Moreover, in order to attract the largest number of recruits to the Ukrainian front, Vladimir Putin decided last July to double the monthly salary of contract soldiers. Ten times the average salary. This amount increased from 195,000 to 400,000 rubles (a little over 4,000 euros or 4,400 US dollars),...

NATO will unleash 'full force if Russia attacks 'Poland or other ally'. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin, promising a 'devastating' response should Russia launch any attack on Poland or another member state. 'If anyone were to miscalculate and think they can get away with an attack on Poland or on any other ally, they will be met with the full force of this fierce alliance. Our reaction will be devastating,' the bloc's chief declared in Warsaw today. This has to be very clear to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and anyone else who wants to attack us,' he concluded in comments delivered alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.  Rutte's unequivocal statement comes as nations along the eastern flank of the 32-member alliance, particularly Poland and the Baltic states, expressed concern that US-Russia talks on ending the war in Ukraine could offer Putin a favorable settlement. They fear such an outcome wo...

Who can join the European Union ? Any European country can apply for EU membership, but the process is long and involves rigorous assessments. While the EU primarily considers European nations, geopolitical and economic factors also influence eligibility. Recently, there has been online speculation about whether Canada could join the EU, especially after tensions with the US. Advocates argue that Canada's European-style healthcare, bilingual culture, and NATO participation make it a strong candidate, though its geographical and cultural distance from Europe presents a significant obstacle. The Copenhagen Criteria. To become a member of the EU, a country must fulfill the Copenhagen Criteria, which sets essential political, economic, and legal standards. These include having stable institutions that guarantee democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, ensuring the country upholds fundamental EU values. Economic readiness and legal alignment. Additionally, it must have a functionin...