India News & Trends

In an effort to alleviate strain on the energy supply since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, the Trump administration on Friday, March 20, 2026, approved a 30-day waiver of sanctions for the purchase of Iranian oil at sea, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.In around two weeks, the United States has temporarily waived sanctions three times. According to the license posted on the Treasury Department's website, the U.S. has earlier loosened sanctions on Russian oil and on Friday, March 20, 2026, issued a general license for the sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on boats as of March 20 to April 19."The United States will swiftly bring about 140 million barrels of oil to global markets by temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran," Mr. Bessent stated in a statement on X."As we continue Operation Epic Fury, we will essentially be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down," Mr. Bessent stated. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the waiver will assist ease strain on the energy supply and bring around 140 million barrels of oil to international markets. The action underscores the White House's worry that rising oil prices, which have risen by around 50% to over $100 per barrel, the highest since 2022, will negatively impact US consumers and businesses in the run-up to the November midterm elections, when Republicans aim to keep control of Congress. But Bessent's prior proposal for a waiver sparked worries that it might help Iran's military program.  

A conflict researcher with the Dutch fact-checking organization Bellingcat told X on Sunday night that a Tomahawk missile was responsible for the February 28 attack on a military installation in Minab, Iran, which resulted in the destruction of a school and the deaths of over 165 people, primarily children. Trevor Ball posted what he claimed to be previously unseen footage of the missile hitting a building in the compound associated with the elite Revolutionary Guard Corps from Iran's Mehr News in a thorough thread. He claimed that the footage demonstrated "for the first time, that the United States (had) struck the area."Bell also included a map showing the missile's wider impact area and satellite images of the IRGC property in his thread. Images reveal that only two buildings, including a clinic, were damaged inside this red cone. The other building looks to be a bunker coated with dirt.Washington and Tel Aviv launched hundreds of missiles at Iranian regime installations and facilities in Tehran and other major cities on February 28, the first day of the joint US-Israel war on Iran. Near the Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School, one of the strikes detonated.The United Nations and human rights monitors quickly denounced the hit, which had the largest recorded number of civilian deaths since the start of the conflict.Fact-Checker: "Iran School Hit By Tomahawk, Israel Not Known To Have It"Washington and Tel Aviv launched hundreds of missiles at Iranian regime installations and facilities in Tehran and other major cities on February 28, the first day of the joint US-Israel war on Iran. World News at NDTV News Desk    

On Friday, the Supreme Court is expected to consider a request from Tamil actor Joseph Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), challenging the Madras High Court’s order to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Karur stampede on September 27 that resulted in 41 fatalities.The plea argued that the high court, despite making an observation that raised doubts about the independence of the police investigation, ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team consisting exclusively of three senior officers from the Tamil Nadu Police. It noted that the order appointing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting exclusively of state police officers prejudices the petitioner-party and its leader, even though the high court has voiced dissatisfaction with the independence and actions of the state police.G.S. Mani, a Tamil Nadu BJP leader and vice president of the state legal cell, has submitted a petition to the Supreme Court requesting a CBI investigation into the stampede in Karur during a rally organized by actor Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), on September 27, which resulted in 41 fatalities. He has requested an inquiry to be conducted by either the CBI or an independent Special Investigation Team led by a retired or current Supreme Court judge.Mani, a practising advocate, has contested the Madras High Court's October 3 ruling that dismissed several PILs demanding a CBI investigation. This includes his own writ petition requesting the transfer of the investigation from State police to the CBI and seeking adequate compensation.  

After the Election Commission declared the dates for the Bihar Assembly elections, Congress accused the poll body of being in an "alliance" with the BJP and claimed it did not answer the questions posed by Rahul Gandhi.After the poll panel’s ‘failure’ to answer questions posed by Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, Congress alleged on Monday that the Election Commission of India operated in an ‘alliance’ with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On the day that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar declared November 6 and 11 as the dates for two phases of voting in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, the Congress charge was made. According to the poll body's schedule, votes will be counted on November 14. Following the announcement of poll dates, Pawan Khera, head of Congress' media and publicity department, stated to news agency PTI, "We don't receive answers to our questions. The Election Commission faces daily scrutiny. They established a political climate populated by illegal migrants; where are these illegal migrants? They provided no answer.The 2025 Bihar election is anticipated to be a competition between the ruling coalition of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal United (JDU) and the Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress party. Prashant Kishor, who transitioned from election strategist to politician, is competing with his Jan Suraaj Party. During an interview with PTI Videos, Khera stated, "The questions posed by Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc remain unanswered." He claimed that the announcement made on Monday provided the ruling coalition with an opportunity to provide financial resources to citizens.  

Felix Gerald, a YouTuber from Tamil Nadu who operates the RedPix channel, was detained by Cyber Crime Police on suspicion of posting false information related to the Karur stampede at Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally.Felix Gerald, a YouTuber from Tamil Nadu, has been detained by the Cyber Crime Police on suspicion of disseminating false information related to the Karur stampede that resulted in 41 fatalities during the campaign of actor-politician Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Gerald, the operator of the RedPix YouTube channel, was arrested after police alleged that he had uploaded fabricated content related to the incident.On Monday, the Chennai Police filed cases against 25 individuals for allegedly sharing inflammatory content on social media regarding the Karur stampede that resulted in 41 fatalities during the campaign of actor-turned-politician Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The individuals are anticipated to be detained in relation to the posts.The FIR did not name Vijay, the TVK chief, but it did identify three party office-bearers: Mathiyalagan (Karur district secretary), Bussy N Anand (state general secretary), and CTR Nirmal Kumar (state joint secretary). It also stated that Vijay held unauthorised roadshows before reaching Velusamypuram, where his vehicle halted in the midst of a large crowd. A police official stated that the three party leaders have been charged under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 125 (endangering life), and 223 (disobedience to order) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992.  

As Maharashtra endured relentless rains for the third day in a row, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued red and orange alerts for heavy downpours in multiple districts, including Mumbai.As of 6:32 AM on September 29, Nashik, Palghar, Thane, Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Raigad, and Pune were placed under red alert due to predictions of overcast conditions and very heavy rain along with thunderstorms and strong winds.Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Bhandara, Ratnagiri, Satara, and Sindhudurg were under an orange alert due to forecasts of torrential rain, lightning, and squalls all day.The remaining districts — Gondia, Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha, Yavatmal, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Jalna, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Osmanabad, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur — were placed under a yellow alert by the IMD. This is the second level in their four-tier warning system.Since Saturday night, Mumbai has experienced intense rainfall. The city and its suburbs were hit by sporadic downpours on Sunday, with some regions logging over 50 mm of rain between 8 am and 1 pm, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).From 8 am to 1 pm, the island city experienced an average precipitation of 47.47 mm, whereas the western and eastern suburbs recorded rain amounts of 53.61 mm and 37.92 mm, respectively. The Thane and Palghar districts, located close to Mumbai, experienced significant rainfall in the past 24 hours. Officials reported that 262 individuals from 71 families were rescued in the Bhiwandi taluka of Thane.Palghar district is under a red alert from IMD, indicating that heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in multiple areas on September 29, with the chance of extremely heavy rain in specific spots. As worries grow about flooding and waterlogging in different areas of the district, the alert—issued after the IMD’s forecast—was released.Considering the warning, district collector Manik Gursal declared a holiday for all government and private schools in Palghar on Monday, including Anganwadis, Zilla Parishad schools, municipal schools, and aided institutions. The directive was issued to guarantee the safety of students and staff as the region prepares for heavy rain.  

"India is coming to the table. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent out a very conciliatory, nice, constructive tweet, and President Trump responded to that. We will see how this works," Peter Navarro told CNBC in an interview on Sunday (local time)."India will be joining the table.They have extremely high tariffs on the trading side. Their non-tariff obstacles are extremely high. As with any other nation that engages in such behavior, we had to deal with that," Navarro added."There's also this issue of India buying Russian oil, which it never did," he continued. You know this. It didn't do that prior to 2022.Trump's advisor asserted, "They exploit us through unfair trade, and many workers suffer." "The Russians use that money to purchase weapons, and they use that money to purchase Russian oil."Trump's advisor asserted, "They exploit us through unfair trade, and many workers suffer." "The Russians use that money to purchase weapons, and they use that money to purchase Russian oil."The comments are made as US lead negotiator Brendan Lynch prepares to travel to India late Monday evening for a full day of talks on Tuesday, September 16, to talk about the proposed bilateral trade agreement between the US and India.Navarro had previously stated that trade talks with the US "won't end well" for Delhi until India "comes around" at some time.Howard Lutnick, the secretary of commerce, claimed on Sunday that despite boasting of 1.4 billion people, India will not purchase a single grain of American corn. Additionally, Lutnick cautioned that New Delhi will have a "tough time" doing business with the US until it lowers its tariffs.  

Just moments before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, the United States issued a pointed message reaffirming its commitment to its relationship with India. The U.S. Embassy described the India-U.S. partnership as one of the most significant of the 21st century, underscoring Washington’s ongoing effort to keep its ties with New Delhi close amid shifting global alignments. The timing of the message drew attention, coming as Modi held talks not only with Putin but also with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The rare interaction between the leaders of India, Russia, and China was widely viewed as a moment of diplomatic engagement in a complex geopolitical environment. During the meeting, Modi and Putin reaffirmed their long-standing cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Meanwhile, India continues to navigate international pressure over its oil trade with Russia. Washington recently raised tariffs on certain Indian exports in response to India’s growing energy imports from Moscow. Despite this, New Delhi has maintained its position, balancing its global partnerships while pursuing its national interests. The SCO summit has highlighted the fine line India walks between major global powers. While ties with Russia and China remain rooted in regional and historical contexts, the United States’ message served as a clear reminder that it values its strategic partnership with India—especially during moments when global alliances appear to be evolving.

Manoj Jarange, an activist, stated on Monday that if the government does not declare Maratha reservation "within the legal framework" by Tuesday, he will go on to Mumbai to start an agitation.He stated that he has no interest in traveling to Mumbai for a "indefinite hunger strike," which he said would be a nonviolent protest, if the demand is met by Tuesday.Jarange has called for a protest to begin on August 29 in Mumbai's Azad Maidan, calling for the Maratha community to be given preference in government employment and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.He has been leading the push to recognize all Marathas as Kunbis, an agrarian caste that falls under the OBC category, so that they can be given preference in government employment and education.In order to demonstrate the Marathas' Kunbi identity, the activist has emphasized the community's need for the application of historical records, such as the Bombay, Satara, and Hyderabad gazettes."Give us reservation that fits in the legal framework," Jarange stated during a press conference held in the Jalna district's Antarwali Sarati hamlet, from which he intends to depart for the agitation on August 27. He claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is purposefully adopting a "stubborn stand". 29 castes were been added to the OBC category by the government. According to the activist, this is akin to inciting the Maratha community. "Today and tomorrow belong to the government. Give us our reservation; we don't want to travel to Mumbai," he remarked.Jarange has been demanding the quota under the OBC category, despite the state government's announcement last year of a 10% reservation for the Maratha community under a different category. "A quota ought to be granted to the Maratha group since they have records of Kunbis. We don't want the 10% reservation to be canceled at any time," he stated. He stated, "We will also stand with him if reservation is given," if the chief minister believes that the OBC community supports the BJP.  

OnePlus has officially confirmed that its upcoming flagship, the OnePlus 15, will debut with a super-smooth 165Hz display — the highest refresh rate ever seen on a OnePlus device. Designed for an ultra-responsive experience, this upgrade is expected to benefit gamers and everyday users alike, making scrolling, animations, and gameplay feel faster and more fluid than ever. Under the hood, the OnePlus 15 will be powered by Qualcomm’s next-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite chipset, promising significant boosts in performance, AI processing, and power efficiency. While full specs are still under wraps, this combination of display and silicon signals OnePlus’s continued push to stay at the forefront of premium Android smartphones. With an official launch expected in the coming months, the OnePlus 15 is shaping up to be a major contender in the flagship space. More details — including camera upgrades and software features — are likely to surface soon.

In light of the ongoing discussion and controversy about the impact of AI chatbots on youth mental health, OpenAI has announced that it is developing a "different ChatGPT experience" tailored to teens that will be released later this year.OpenAI has said that it is developing a "different ChatGPT experience" tailored for teens that will be released later this year, amid ongoing discussions and debates over the impact of AI chatbots on youth mental health.A number of important policy changes have been published by OpenAI, the company that created the popular ChatGPT, with the goal of improving user safety for its youngest users. The action was taken in the midst of growing criticism and a lawsuit brought by the family of a 16-year-old who committed suicide, claiming the AI chatbot was responsible for his demise. Under the new precautions, users under the age of eighteen will automatically activate a "teen-friendly" version of ChatGPT. Stricter content filters will be included in this version to block sensitive subjects including self-harm conversations and explicit sexual material. "Safety ahead of privacy and freedom for teens," according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is a significant philosophical shift in the company's approach to AI ethics.Highlights of the New Teen Safety Plan: Age Forecast Technology: Based on a user's interaction patterns, OpenAI is creating a system to determine the user's age. The safer, under-18 experience will be used by default if the system is unsure.  

Manoj Jarange, an activist, stated on Monday that if the government does not declare Maratha reservation "within the legal framework" by Tuesday, he will go on to Mumbai to start an agitation.He stated that he has no interest in traveling to Mumbai for a "indefinite hunger strike," which he said would be a nonviolent protest, if the demand is met by Tuesday.Jarange has called for a protest to begin on August 29 in Mumbai's Azad Maidan, calling for the Maratha community to be given preference in government employment and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. He has been leading the push to recognize all Marathas as Kunbis, an agrarian caste that falls under the OBC category, so that they can be given preference in government employment and education.In order to demonstrate the Marathas' Kunbi identity, the activist has emphasized the community's need for the application of historical records, such as the Bombay, Satara, and Hyderabad gazettes."Give us reservation that fits in the legal framework," Jarange stated during a press conference held in the Jalna district's Antarwali Sarati hamlet, from which he intends to depart for the agitation on August 27. He claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is purposefully adopting a "stubborn stand". 29 castes were been added to the OBC category by the government. According to the activist, this is akin to inciting the Maratha community. "Today and tomorrow belong to the government. Give us our reservation; we don't want to travel to Mumbai," he remarked.Jarange has been demanding the quota under the OBC category, despite the state government's announcement last year of a 10% reservation for the Maratha community under a different category. "A quota ought to be granted to the Maratha group since they have records of Kunbis. We don't want the 10% reservation to be canceled at any time," he stated. He stated, "We will also stand with him if reservation is given," if the chief minister believes that the OBC community supports the BJP.  

Google has introduced its latest foldable phone, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, offering a refined design and performance upgrades. The device features a large 8-inch main display and a 6.4-inch cover screen, both designed to deliver a smooth user experience whether folded or open.   Powered by Google's new Tensor G5 chip and 16 GB of RAM, the phone supports multitasking and demanding apps with ease. It includes a triple rear camera system—featuring wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses—along with dual front cameras tailored for both folded and unfolded use.   Google has also brought in subtle AI features across the phone, including smarter camera tools and on-device assistance, aiming to make everyday tasks feel more fluid without overcomplicating the experience.   With a starting price of ₹1,72,999 in India, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold targets users who want a flexible form factor without sacrificing power or reliability. It marks Google's most polished attempt yet in the foldable space.

The Nothing Phone 3 has officially arrived, positioning itself as a serious competitor in the premium smartphone market. It is easily the brand’s most advanced smartphone to date. Launched on July 1, 2025, the Phone 3 brings smarter software, stronger hardware, and a higher price tag—all wrapped in the same transparent design language that made the brand stand out in the first place. Based on Counterpoint's April report, Nothing shined as the fastest-growing brand in India during that quarter. It saw an impressive 156% increase compared to the previous year, mainly thanks to the launch of the 3a series. The research firm highlighted that this was the fifth straight quarter where Nothing held the top spot for growth in India. The entry into the premium segment might be a sign of the brand's hopeful outlook in the market. With this new chapter in its smartphone journey, Nothing is poised to be compared with the top brands in the premium smartphone range.   Nothing has refined its signature look with cleaner lines, a sturdier build, and now IP68 water and dust resistance. It still looks like a Nothing phone, but it now feels more like a proper flagship. The new Glyph Matrix on the back is a major update—489 small LEDs form a circle that lights up for notifications, calls, time display, and even games. It’s unique, fun, and functional.   Up front, the Nothing Phone 3 has a bright 6.67-inch LTPO AMOLED display, with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of nearly 4,500 nits. This makes it easy to see outdoors, whether you're watching videos or reading in direct sunlight. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, so everyday performance is fast, responsive, and future-proof.   For the first time, Nothing delivers a well-rounded camera setup. The triple 50MP rear camera system includes a main lens, an ultra-wide, and a 3x periscope zoom lens. You get sharper details, better low-light photos, and smoother 4K video at 60fps. There’s also a 50MP selfie camera, making it great for both content creators and casual users who want solid results without much effort.   The battery size has increased to 5,150mAh globally (and 5,500mAh in India), offering a full day of use with ease. It supports 65W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and even reverse wireless charging, so you can top up accessories or other phones on the go.   Running on Nothing OS 3.5 (based on Android 15), the software stays minimal and clean, but adds useful features like Essential Space, Essential Search, and Flip to Record for fast video capture. Nothing promises 5 years of Android updates and 7 years of security patches, which puts it on par with leading Android flagships in terms of long-term value.   The Nothing Phone 3 is no longer just about looking different—it’s about offering a complete experience. With stronger cameras, better performance, smarter software, and longer support, it feels like a proper flagship. However, with the price now in premium territory, it’s a choice for those who want a phone that’s both stylish and capable.   The Nothing Phone 3 is stylish, fast, and well-built. But with a higher price, it’s no longer just about being different—it’s about proving it can compete. If you value design and are ready to spend more, it could be a smart upgrade. Otherwise, earlier models might still offer better value. If you're upgrading from an older model or switching from another brand, the Nothing Phone 3 is worth considering, especially if you want to stand out without compromising on function.

Greater unity and command efficiency in the armed forces are made possible by the Center's notified regulations, which were developed under the Inter-Services Organizations Act.In accordance with the Inter-Services Organizations Act, the Center has issued regulations that improve military unity and command effectiveness. This measure avoids duplication of proceedings, speeds up disciplinary actions, and gives heads of ISOs more authority.The official notification states that personnel from any of the three services posted or attached to Inter-Services Organizations (ISOs) will now be subject to full disciplinary and administrative authority from the Commander-in-Chief of a Joint Services Command, the Officer-in-Command of an inter-services establishment, and the Commanding Officer of an inter-services unit.By facilitating quicker decision-making and effective treatment of disciplinary problems, the implementation of these rules completely operationalizes the Act and is anticipated to improve ISO effectiveness. Given the upcoming theater command structures, this development takes place against the backdrop of continuous efforts to encourage greater unity among India's military services. The action is regarded as a crucial reform in India's defense management system and enhances the power of ISO chiefs. Center Notifies Rules for Unified Command Under Inter-Services Act 1881764 https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/  

New Delhi: The Indian Gazette has announced a port restriction on the import of specific commodities from Bangladesh into India. Monday was the official date of the gazette notification, which was published today.Following contentious comments made by Bangladesh's interim chief advisor Muhammad Yunus regarding the northeastern region of India during his visit to China, India has placed restrictions on the entry of Bangladeshi ready-made garments (RMG) and other products through its northeastern land ports, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, as well as Fulbari and Changrabandha in West Bengal.In a lecture in China, Yunus, the chief adviser for Bangladesh, referred to the northeastern provinces of India as a "landlocked region with no access to the ocean." Since Indian officials see this remark as undercutting the region's status and connectivity, it has caused diplomatic tension. Bangladesh was forced to reroute exports, including ready-made garments (RMG), plastics, melamine, furniture, juices, carbonated drinks, bakery goods, confectionery, and processed foods, through Kolkata port in West Bengal or Nhava Sheva port in Maharashtra due to the new restrictions, which were imposed on May 17 and went into effect immediately. This resulted in a significant increase in logistics costs.Previously, 93% of Bangladesh's exports to India went via these land routes, so the impact on the country's ready-made clothing industry, which sends around USD 740 million worth of clothing to India each year, might be significant. It is anticipated that the action will upend Bangladesh's apparel sector, increasing prices and restricting access to markets while opening up new prospects for Indian producers.