Why you should read the News: The importance of staying informed
In our ultra-modern era, where information is disseminated at breakneck speeds, consuming news is more crucial than ever for individuals. News can be accessed through newspapers, internet articles, or news apps. Keeping up with current events influences how one perceives the world in general.
You can stay informed about what's going on in your community, country, and around the world by reading the news. Making decisions on social concerns, politics, or economic trends becomes much easier with it. It enables individuals to engage in substantive debates that could advance societal discourse.
Regular reading of news, articles on current affairs tends to refine critical thinking and analytic skills among readers. It also helps in judging information, distinguishing between authentic and questionable sources, and considering several perspectives. All these critical thinking abilities are vital in this sensationalized, deceptive environment. This therefore prompts a review of the reliability of news sources that are read.
A healthy democracy absolutely requires intelligent individuals. Keeping up with the news provides you with the knowledge necessary to actively engage in public life. The platforms of political candidates and policies are something you should be aware of whether you plan to vote, participate in town hall meetings, or advocate for social change. This assists you in making decisions that align with your priorities and values.
The social media environment we live in allows material to proliferate quickly without any quality control. Therefore, engaging with news organizations that have an excellent track record would be beneficial and give someone the chance to stay out of danger. Avoiding such lies would be made easier by using critical thinking to identify which headlines are provocative and, more crucially, by avoiding dramatic reporting and unconfirmed content. Reading the news involves fact-checking as well; resources and websites devoted to fact-checking can help discern between what is true and what is untrue.
News both in print and digital platforms provides a forum for a range of opinions and viewpoints. One usually gains some understanding of various cultures, philosophies, and experiences of people around the world from reading news, stories from available authentic sources. Exposure to such things increases empathy and broadens one's perspective, promoting inclusive thinking and a better grasp of the intricacies of society.
There are few ways readers can understand how to navigate through the sea of false information
Recognize which news portals, amid an abundance of information, you can trust. Look for credible news portals that operate with journalistic ethics. Observe their editorial standards, the credentials of reporters they are hiring, and how open they are about sourcing their news. You will be sure of the accuracy and verifiability of the information you are reading, if it comes from reliable portals.
Economic news has impacts on financial and professional decisions. Trending market and employment can really help when making the right financial decision in regards to a stock purchase or even a property buy. You are also able to seamlessly adjust to employment trends or sector changes knowing the current state of the economy.
Reading the news exposes you to the wide vocabulary and the diversity of writing styles. That would sharpen your language skills as a well-articulate speaker and writer. Good communication is indispensable in any occasion, whether personal or professional, which makes you able to communicate your ideas as well as thoughts with lucidity.
Local news brings you closer to your community, and this creates a sense of ownership. The understanding of local events, initiatives, and issues can help you to contribute positively to the surroundings through engagement with your neighbors. If you know about everything, from big community events to supporting the local businesses, then that makes for a pretty connected community.
The news must be read in search of truth. It is in the process of remaining informed that one learns to feel responsible towards communities and society at large, ensuring one is contributing positively toward the discussions and actions that are based on truth and not misinformation.
Reading the news is one way to make time for daily news but with emphasis on verification and credible source, so arm yourself to critically think and cope with fast-pace change in your world. Therefore, read a newspaper, scan the news section in an app, or listen to a podcast on the radio-you will do just fine.
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India proposes preferential trade agreement with Mexico to deal with high tariffs
New Delhi (PTI): India has proposed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help domestic exporters deal with the steep tariffs announced by the South American country, a top government official said on Monday.
Mexico has decided to impose steep import tariffs - ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that India has engaged with the country on the issue.
"Technical level talks are on...The only fast way forward is to try to get a preferential trade agreement (PTA) because an FTA (free trade agreement) will take a lot of time. So we are trying to see what can be a good way forward," he told reporters here.
While in an FTA two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on maximum number of goods traded between them, in a PTA, duties are cut or removed on a limited number of products.
Trading partners of Mexico cannot file a compliant against the decision on imposing high tariffs as they are WTO (World Trade Organisation) compatible.
The duties are within their bound rates, he said, adding that their primary target was not India.
"We have proposed a PTA because its a WTO-compatible way forward... we can do a PTA and try to get concessions that are required for Indian supply chains and similarly offer them concessions where they have export interests in India," Agrawal said.
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Citing support for local production and correction of trade imbalances, Mexico has approved an increase in MFN (most favoured nation) import tariffs (5-50 per cent) with effect from January 1, 2026 on 1,455 tariff lines (or product categories) within the WTO framework, targeting non-FTA partners.
Preliminary estimates suggest that this affects India's around USD 2 billion exports to Mexico particularly -- automobile, two-wheelers, auto parts, textiles, iron and steel, plastics, leather and footwear.
The measure is also aimed at curbing Chinese imports.
India-Mexico merchandise trade totalled USD 8.74 billion in 2024, with exports USD 5.73 billion, imports USD 3.01 billion, and a trade surplus of USD 2.72 billion.
The government has been continuously and comprehensively assessing Mexico's tariff revisions since the issue emerged, engaging stakeholders, safeguarding the interests of Indian exporters, and pursuing constructive dialogue to ensure a stable trade environment benefiting businesses and consumers in both countries.
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Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai has said that Mexico's decision is a matter of concern, particularly for sectors like automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics.
"Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk, disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop," Sahai said, adding that this development also underlines the little urgency for India and Mexico to fast-track a comprehensive trade agreement.
Domestic auto component manufacturers will face enhanced cost pressures with Mexico hiking duties on Indian imports, according to industry body ACMA.
