Trump puts Colombia tariff, sanctions on hold after agreement on deportation flights | N18G
The U.S. and Colombia avoided a trade conflict after Colombia agreed to accept deported migrants on military flights, a move that had previously been refused. President Trump had threatened tariffs, sanctions, and other penalties on Colombia in response to its refusal to accept deportation flights as part of his immigration crackdown. Under the new agreement, Colombia will accept all deported migrants without delay or limitation, including those arriving on U.S. military planes. In exchange, the U.S. will suspend proposed tariffs, travel bans, and financial sanctions. Colombian President Gustavo Petro had condemned the military deportation flights, offering his presidential plane for a more dignified return of deportees. The U.S. had also planned to implement increased border inspections and suspend visa processing in Colombia. The trade relationship between the two countries remains significant, with Colombia being the U.S.'s third-largest trading partner in Latin America.
For BJP’s growth in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai should graduate out of the lone ranger role
With a median age of 37, the state’s younger voters are less entrenched in traditional Dravidian ideologies, offering fertile ground for fresh narratives and icons. However, Seeman and Vijay are also targeting this demographic. Annamalai’s charisma alone cannot convert voter interest into electoral success. The road ahead demands more than fiery speeches and headline-grabbing protests
Episcopal bishop gives Trump earful on immigrants and LGBT youth at prayer service
President Donald Trump began his first full day in office attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday (January 21) and got a sermon he may not have been expecting: an appeal to protect immigrants and respect gay rights.
A day after declaring in his inauguration speech that there were only two genders in America and signing executive orders to crack down on immigrants, Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde pleaded with Trump, from the pulpit, to show mercy on people. Watch here for more details -
Trump’s MAGA agenda is clear. The question now is can it reinforce India’s own economic goal
Donald Trump is set to become president in the backdrop of three consequential challenges, Russia-Ukraine conflict, the unsettled state of West Asia and the adverse global fallout of China’s economic model. On China, the signals have been mixed, with his team comprising hawks and members such as Musk who are invested there. His decisions on China will have a bearing on India and so will the choices exercised to realise the MAGA agenda
Trump 2.0 and the 'Madman Theory' of nuclear deterrence
Being disruptive and provocative is part of the Donald Trump playbook. Therefore, his observations on Greenland and Panama Canal should not really be a surprise. His position on nuclear equilibrium, however, should of greater concern because after August 1945, the US has maintained a certain degree of nuclear rectitude. But that doesn’t gel with Trump’s unsettling approach to security
Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on Ram Temple and India's independence explained in historical context
RSSFACTS: Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks linking the consecration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya to India's true independence have sparked controversy. He emphasised that the Ram Temple represents a victory of civilisational values over centuries of foreign invasions and religious intolerance
A proposed dam on the Tibetan plateau shouldn’t unleash panic in India
China’s proposed 60GW dam at the ‘Great Bend’ of the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet may have its roots in the country’s internal investment dynamics. Moreover, once the river enters India as the Brahmaputra, its rainfall which mainly contributes to the volume of flow. Indeed, China cannot weaponize the dam without severe adverse consequences to Tibet. The way forward is to combine downstream readiness and negotiations with Beijing
J&K’s Omar Abdullah finds his hands are tied
Legal changes in J&K have empowered the Lieutenant Governor at the expense of the elected Chief Minister. The power hierarchy is at odds with public accountability as the elected government is the one which has to deal with people’s expectations. It puts the National Conference government in a tight spot
INDIA bloc's journey may end with Delhi Assembly elections
India Bloc is under fire as AAP faces its toughest election in Delhi assemblies
India must engage with the Taliban, for regional stability
India's engagement with the Taliban reflects changing regional dynamics, balancing security, trade, and humanitarian aid. India acknowledges the Taliban's influence, focusing on regional stability, security, and continued investments in Afghanistan's infrastructure and development
Underlying the Narayana Guru controversy is the Left’s fight to hold on to its political base in Kerala
The political battle to appropriate a towering figure of Kerala’s Renaissance Movement represents the CPM’s effort to retrieve lost ground before the next set of elections. Ezhavas, who closely identify with Sree Narayana Guru, have begun to move away from CPM towards BJP. That’s the nub of the matter
RSS baiters need to understand the organisation, it is ‘Ajatshatru’
RSSFACTS: In this article the author addresses the misconceptions about RSS, explaining its ideological influence on the BJP, and the society as a whole. It urges critics like Kejriwal and Gandhi to join and experience the RSS firsthand for better understanding
RSS prepares for centenary year with organisational growth and outreach
RSSFACTS: As the RSS approaches its centenary in 2025, it continues expanding its organisational presence across India. With a focus on youth engagement and social transformation, it is also at the forefront of disaster relief and community service
Live: Rajiv Memani on lowering and simplifying tax rates under Modi 3.0
Rajiv Memani, Chairman, EY India tells Moneycontrol that the government needs to take a more aggressive stance on disinvestment which could give it more fiscal space and create greater room for capex. Watch the video to know more.
Manmohan Singh: A gentle colossus
Two consequential developments of his prime ministership were an unprecedented economic growth spurt and a reset in India’s strategic position through the nuclear deal with the U.S. A London-based writer says that while Manmohan Singh’s grasp of economics was well known, his understanding of international affairs was possibly second only to his knowledge of economic issues. Unsurprisingly, he was appreciated abroad with awe and admiration
BJP’s master message was the defining feature of 2024’s political mobilisation
Percolation of BJP’s ideology allowed the party to overcome negative effects of economic hardship felt by a section of voters. It also set the template for the polity, with other political formations pushed into a reactive mode
The political churn: Clash of identities
To make sense of global political trends which emerged prominently in 2024, the traditional Left-Right framework of analysis needs to be abandoned. Globalisation has led to a churning where nationalism undergirded by perceptions of threats of dominant groups has become the focal point of Right Wing mobilization. That, in turn, will lead to new fault lines
The Eastern Window: India-Sri Lanka relations soar but hurdles remain
Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to New Delhi show that he has overcome his past opposition towards India and is ready to do business. But he is also trying to balance his relations with India and China
AAP expands sops for women ahead of Delhi polls, following recent election trends
With increased amount under the Mahila Samman Yojana, AAP aims to boost its popularity among women voters. Timed before the Delhi Assembly elections, it reflects AAP’s strategy to strengthen its appeal amid national party challenges, and position itself as a champion of economic equality for women
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra likely to be on joint committee of Parliament on ONOE bills: Report
Two bills that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous elections were introduced in the Lok Sabha after a fiery debate on Tuesday.
The Eastern Window: How the end of Assad's reign over Syria alters Middle East power equations
The fall of the Assad regime has created a power vacuum in Syria with several countries keen to exploit the situation by supporting or weakening the new leader, Jolani. Little attention is being paid to the declining economy that has left millions of Syrians starving and helpless
Russia remains a critical defence partner, but a recalibration is due
India’s defence and geostrategic ties with Russia are integral to its posture of strategic autonomy. A large section of India’s frontline defence equipment is of Russian origin – a legacy of more than half-a-century of defence collaboration. This partnership has led to evolution of mutual sensitivity on core interests. That said, a recalibration of defence ties in inevitable
Misinformed Narrative: Edward Anderson's book a flawed primer on Hindu nationalism and RSS
RSSFACTS: Edward Anderson's book — ‘Hindu Nationalism in the Indian Diaspora’ is marred by factual errors, biases, and a lack of understanding of the organization's workings, perpetuating stereotypes and misinformation about Hindu nationalism and the RSS
What would Asia look like without US leadership?
There is no easy way to deal with Trump’s return, but imaging a world without America only shows how indispensable it is
Syria: Liberation or perdition?
Unless extraordinary effort is made into transition of power, power-sharing, handling of various interest groups within and outside, and dealing with jihadist elements firmly, the possibility of Syria descending into an unchartered territory of chaos is very real-- and very troublesome for the region
