trade liberalization

India's strategic foothold in the Middle East strengthens with the Adani Group's acquisition of Israel's Port of Haifa. This vital hub is poised to become a cornerstone of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, promising faster trade routes. Despite regional tensions, operations remain secure, underscoring its importance for India's economic and connectivity ambitions.

US and Canada are locked in a heated dispute over new streaming regulations. American officials accuse Canada of imposing discriminatory financial burdens on US platforms like Netflix, demanding a tripling of contributions to local programming. Canada defends the move as domestic law, essential for reflecting Canadian culture on screen, potentially impacting upcoming trade talks.

A new report highlights China's key maritime vulnerability lies at the Strait of Hormuz, not the Malacca Strait. This shifts strategic competition in the Indian Ocean to a new arena involving India, France, and the US. China's energy imports through this region expose it to potential exploitation by rival powers.

The party has bought itself time after recent electoral gains. Yet the road to 2029 will test whether Congress can reinvent itself — or remain a diminished player in national politics.

Taiwan, a flashpoint in US-China rivalry, is increasingly central to global tensions. President Xi Jinping's "Thucydides Trap" warning highlights the risk of conflict as China rises. The island's strategic importance in semiconductors and trade, coupled with historical crises, underscores the escalating danger of miscalculation.

As Colombia grapples with a severe humanitarian crisis, conflict-induced displacement surged in 2025, impacting over 322,000 individuals. Armed factions, in the wake of FARC's disarmament, have intensified their violent confrontations, reaching levels not seen in a decade. Norte de Santander bears the brunt, with countless families fleeing from the turmoil.

Presidents Xi and Trump are set for a crucial summit, aiming for stability despite deep-seated issues like tech rivalry and Taiwan. While a trade deal might emerge, it won't end the underlying friction. China's focus on domestic chip production and its stance on Taiwan, deemed the 'biggest risk,' will also be key discussion points. The US may also expect China's mediation in ending the Iranian mess.

Trump’s philosophy is often mistaken for the absence of philosophy, but absence can become a system if practised with sufficient confidence. Every problem becomes a deal, every deal becomes a performance, every performance requires a winner, and the winner, ideally before anyone checks the paperwork, is Donald Trump.

US courts have again blocked Trump's 10% global tariffs, deeming them unauthorized. This ruling, following earlier tariff invalidations, signals a return to WTO's MFN rates. For India, this policy instability raises concerns, prompting advice to pause Free Trade Agreement talks until US trade systems stabilize, preventing one-sided deals.

Billionaire investors Bill Ackman and Sir Christopher Hohn are at odds over Microsoft's future, specifically concerning AI's impact. While Hohn sees AI as a threat to Microsoft's core products, Ackman views the company as central to the AI revolution and has initiated a significant investment, believing its current valuation is attractive for long-term growth.

President Trump's China visit occurs amid a US-Iran stalemate, with analysts suggesting Xi Jinping holds more leverage. Many in Beijing view Trump as a symptom of liberal democracy's instability and American decline, validating Xi's "rise of the East" worldview. This perception of US weakness could lead China to miscalculate and test Washington.

As the geopolitical landscape evolves, France's efforts to maintain influence in Africa are confronted with a shifting reality. The Sahel nations, now under military governance, are moving toward new alliances, with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger seeking support from Russia for defense needs and China for economic growth.

A version of the British Parliament has been around since 1265 in one form or another, and has survived murderous kings, civil and world wars, lord protectors, skirmishes that inspired the Game of Thrones Red Wedding, and one lettuce that briefly became a constitutional actor. It has seen its fair share of entertaining characters.

But Vivek’s rise, if things go according to plan he might become the third Indian-origin governor of an American state after Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley, is not just a litmus test of an Indian-American’s success story in US politics. It is a test of how far the MAGA tent will accommodate a brown non-Christian man and also how far an Indian-American can go in Trump’s America.

Pakistan’s sudden role in Iran war talks has put it back in the global spotlight. But at home, scepticism runs deep about how much influence it really wields — and who is actually calling the shots.

For years, the narrative of "finding your passion" blurred livelihood with purpose. Layoffs are now exposing its fragility.

A surrendered senior Maoist leader revealed extensive military training links with LTTE, Philippines, and Nepal groups. He disclosed the Maoists built barrel grenade launchers and ran arms units from multiple Indian cities. Sustained security pressure has significantly weakened their infrastructure and arms manufacturing capabilities.