Joanne Hill

 The Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project returned to the political spotlight after Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy made remarks about the project in the Assembly recently. His comments were quickly picked up by the YSRCP, which used them to target the ruling TDP led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh, accusing it of failing Rayalaseema. However, the Andhra Pradesh government says these attacks are politically driven and that the facts behind the project tell a very different story. According to AP government and irrigation department officials, the Rayalaseema Lift project was taken up during the previous YSRCP regime without securing mandatory statutory and environmental clearances. Officials point out that as early as 2020, several central agencies and regulatory authorities had clearly instructed that no work should be carried out without prior approvals. Despite these warnings, the project was announced and initiated, which later led to legal complications. The gover...

The Kerala government has notified the appointment of officials for both rural and urban areas as part of preparations for Census 2027. As per an earlier order issued by the General Administration Department, the first phase of the exercise — Houselisting and Housing Census — will be conducted over a one-month period between April and September 2026. The second phase, Population Enumeration, will be held in February 2027, with March 1, 2027, fixed as the reference date. The move follows the Central government’s notification under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948, declaring that the Census of Population of India will be conducted in 2027. Under the Act, State governments are required to appoint officers for specified areas, authorise them to appoint subordinate Census officials, supervise the related operations within their jurisdictions, and empower District Collectors to sanction prosecution ...

The Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS), which is virtually a replica of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), is also an improved version of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). Except for the monthly individual contribution and pension revision at the time of constitution of every pay commission, the proposed pension scheme follows the broad guidelines of the OPS. One of the key features of the OPS is death-cum-retirement gratuity (DCRG). For instance, in the event of death in harness of those whose length of service is 20 years or more, gratuity not exceeding ₹25 lakh will be paid. This aspect has been included in the TAPS. As in the case of the OPS, family pension will be equivalent to 60% of the pension. Inflation indexation will also be made. Pension under the TAPS will be based on 50% of the pay drawn in the last month of service whereas it is 50% of the average of the last 12 months’ basic pay under the UPS. On death of the pensioner under the UPS, only the legally wedd...

United Forum of Bank Unions announces nationwide strike on January 27, demanding five-day working week implementation for bank employees. The strike could disrupt public sector banking operations for three consecutive days, with unions proposing 40-minute daily extensions Monday-Friday to compensate. UFBU argues that RBI, LIC, GIC, and government offices already operate five-day schedules, making their demand reasonable and aligned with industry practices. *this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has announced a nationwide strike on January 27, demanding the implementation of a five-day working week for bank employees. The strike threatens to disrupt banking operations across the country, particularly affecting public sector banks for three consecutive days due to the timing with existing holidays on January 25 and 26. Current Working Schedule and Proposed Changes Bank employees currently receive time off on...

 A Colombian soldier stands guard at the border between Venezuela and Colombia, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Cucuta, Colombia, January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Jan 4 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened military action against Colombia's government, telling reporters that such an operation "sounds good to me." "Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, in an apparent reference to Colombia's President Gustavo Petro. The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here. Asked directly whether the U.S. would pursue a military operation against the country, Trump answer...