Recent Indian policy proposals reveal a persistent 'nanny state' mentality, hindering economic growth and consumer welfare. Goa's ban on app-based taxis protects incumbent drivers' profits at the expense of affordable, reliable transportation. Mandating AC temperature settings limits consumer choice despite a functioning electricity market. EV manufacturing incentives with import concessions and performance clauses introduce unnecessary complexity.

Despite Donald Trump's unpredictable behavior and potential tilt towards Pakistan driven by personal interests, the US-India relationship shows resilience through institutional support. The US aided India diplomatically regarding terrorism and extradition, even as Trump reviewed alliances like AUKUS. India navigates these shifts by strengthening ties with the US system and Congress, ensuring a stable partnership beyond Trump's vacillations.

The global economy faces heightened uncertainty due to trade disruptions and fragile public finances. Policymakers must act consistently to maintain public trust and secure sustainable growth. The Bank for International Settlements highlights trade fragmentation, declining productivity, and debt distress as key vulnerabilities. Addressing these challenges requires growth-oriented reforms, debt management, and strengthened financial regulation to foster economic resilience.

Donald Trump's tax and spending bill faces scrutiny. It resembles Ronald Reagan's policies. The bill could reduce federal revenue and public spending. Critics fear a rising deficit. Some Americans may lose benefits. Corporate tax rates are a point of contention. The bill's impact on the national debt is a concern. The writer suggests a repeat of past economic mistakes.

Prada's recent 'toe ring sandals' sparked controversy, drawing comparisons to traditional Kolhapuri chappals. While Prada acknowledged the Indian inspiration, the incident highlights the broader issue of cultural appropriation by Western luxury brands. Indian artisans, despite their skill, lack the resources to compete in the global luxury market, necessitating stronger IP protection and government support to elevate Indian craftsmanship.

The author reflects on the anniversary of the Emergency in India. It coincides with his mother's birthday. He examines how the Emergency is now used to deflect criticism of current government actions. Comparisons are drawn to other historical events. The author also highlights the detention of Umar Khalid. He contrasts India's situation with that of Pakistan.

Polo faces scrutiny as a dangerous, elitist sport with a history of high-profile casualties, including Jaipur's maharaja and industrialist Sunjay Kapur. Critics question its relevance in modern society, citing animal welfare concerns and the absurdity of the game itself.

Carlos Alcaraz's French Open victory highlighted the age-old association of courage with anatomy, particularly manliness. Neuroscience reveals that courage isn't rooted in anatomy or testosterone alone. Instead, it's a complex interplay of hormones, brain regions like the prefrontal cortex, and environmental factors that shape individual decisions, proving courage is far more nuanced than simple biology.

A vegetarian recounts dining at Granite, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris. The restaurant is located near the Louvre. The diner enjoyed a six-course vegetarian meal. Chef Yoshitaka Takayanagi prepared the meal. The courses included hummus, sushi, tomatoes, and morel mushrooms. The diner also enjoyed cherry ice and chocolate banana dessert. The restaurant offered thoughtful hospitality and artisanal flair.

Amidst evolving India-China relations, strategic opportunities emerge for commercial ties. India can leverage the 'China plus One' strategy to become a manufacturing hub, attracting Chinese investment in electronics and other sectors. A calibrated approach with safeguards, focusing on joint ventures, technology transfer, and excluding sensitive sectors, is crucial for mutual benefit and strategic autonomy.

University rankings face criticism for prioritizing easily measured factors over essential aspects. Current systems emphasize research output and faculty credentials, neglecting student needs. Rankings often overlook teaching quality and meaningful learning outcomes. Institutions chase prestige at the expense of genuine academic excellence. Rankings should evolve to reflect academic impact, student success, and societal contribution.

Despite the global gaming industry's success with folklore-rich narratives, Indian itihasa remains largely untapped in AAA gaming. This absence presents a significant opportunity to showcase India's ancient epics, like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, to a global audience. AAA gaming offers a dynamic platform to bring the depth and complexity of Indian itihasa to the youth, fostering cultural understanding and influence.

India is actively considering reforms to empower its CA firms and enable them to compete globally. The government committee is exploring ways to scale up Indian firms by addressing regulatory hurdles related to cross-functional capacity, capital access, and branding.

As leaders convene in Seville, reforming the credit-rating system to prioritize developing countries' needs is crucial. The current system, dominated by a few agencies, unfairly increases borrowing costs for these nations. Regulations like Basel 4 and IFRS 9 further discourage investment in vital sectors like agriculture and climate adaptation, hindering development and perpetuating inequality.

Donald Trump's engagement with Pakistan, highlighted by a meeting with Asim Munir, signals a US endorsement of the military leadership, sidelining the civilian government. This shift, building on previous actions, has implications for regional dynamics, potentially strengthening Pakistan's position with the US and China while creating challenges for India.

Axiom Mission 4, featuring India's Shubhanshu Shukla, is set to dock at the ISS, facilitating over 60 experiments in microgravity. This mission supports India's Gaganyaan program by providing invaluable experience in space medicine and orbital operations. These efforts align with India's long-term goals of establishing its own space station and crewed lunar missions, reinforcing its role in global space exploration.

Axiom Mission 4 marks India's significant return to human spaceflight after 41 years, with Shubhanshu Shukla's historic journey to the ISS. This mission facilitates crucial microgravity research and international collaboration, involving Poland, Hungary, and the US. It underscores India's growing space capabilities, paving the way for future indigenous missions and a strengthened global presence in space exploration.

A ceasefire has been reached between Iran and Israel after a 12-day conflict sparked by internal Israeli political issues and IAEA statements on Iran's nuclear program. Israel's miscalculations about Iran's military strength and societal response, coupled with the limitations of US airstrikes, led to a stalemate.

The new RBI Governor has adopted an aggressive approach, signaling a departure from incremental measures with a significant rate cut and CRR reduction. This bold move aims to achieve sustainable 8% growth, prioritizing market impact over gradual adjustments. The strategy seeks to influence inflation expectations by delivering impactful changes, potentially causing market volatility but ultimately driving desired economic outcomes.

In an effort to secure lasting peace, the Centre held discussions with Meitei and Kuki community representatives to resolve ongoing conflicts in Manipur. The government prioritizes restoring normalcy and maintaining law and order, as well as reconciling the communities.

Speaking at the General Bipin Rawat Memorial Lecture, the Army Chief said that China has been challenging the rules-based system and taking a lead in disruptive activities.