Instead of a thrust on key areas such as women and children’s health, the government has chosen to expand tertiary healthcare. India’s Budget 2026–27 was presented on February 1 with much celebration and described as a transformative step toward inclusive growth. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring access to resources and opportunities for every family and community. Health sector allocations were highlighted as a sign of social development. Yet, a closer reading reveals a troubling gap: primary healthcare—the foundation of any public health system—remains neglected. The…
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U.S. and global oil and gas prices surged higher Monday as concerns grew that attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran could spiral into a broader war and disrupt global energy supplies. The U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior government officials while talks between Washington and Tehran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program were reported to be ongoing. European benchmark Brent crude oil surged by as much as 13% in early trade on Monday,…
New Mexico Begins Investigating Allegations of Abuse at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch Property. As victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s multinational sex trafficking operation continue to push for justice, New Mexico authorities look into allegations of buried bodies at Epstein’s Zorro ranch, about 30 miles from Santa Fe. In other news, a study finds that the right cognitive training can reduce dementia risk over two decades, and California’s mental health diversion is applied to a perjury case involving a retired California Highway Patrol officer. Last week, New Mexico lawmakers approved an investigation into…
On February 6, the U.S. and India announced that they have reached a framework for an interim reciprocal trade agreement which lists tariff reductions on several products traded between the two countries. However, the announcement has raised concern among farmer groups and food security activists over potential increases in agricultural imports, including genetically modified (GM) grain. The India-U.S. joint statement says, “India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all U.S. industrial goods and a wide range of U.S. food and agricultural products, including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum for…
US-India trade negotiations have shown how domestic tariff policy has become inseparable from foreign policy. India must recalibrate its tariff framework from a protectionist, reactive shield, to a strategic tool. The White House’s latest announcement on finalising the Indo-US deal, and lowering of tariffs from 25 to 18 percent for India has once again brought to the fore the complex geopolitics of trade negotiations. The exchange between the US and India over the past year proves that modern trade negotiations extend beyond tariff schedules. Sanction regimes and geopolitical alignment have…
India’s mineral production has seen consistent growth over the past six years, led by strong performance in iron ore, bauxite, and limestone. The metallic minerals segment has driven much of the value increase, while non-metallic minerals have shown steady, demand-based expansion. Mineral production is a key driver of industrial growth and energy transition worldwide. As countries compete for critical resources to support manufacturing and clean technologies, reliable and sustainable mineral supply chains have become strategically important. Minerals such as iron ore, bauxite, and limestone form the foundation of global industries,…