The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called an urgent meeting of its Apex Council to appoint former Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Jyoti as the electoral officer for upcoming elections to fill the positions of secretary and treasurer. These posts were vacated by Jay Shah and Ashish Shelar, who assumed new roles in December. According to the BCCI constitution, the Board must call a Special General Meeting and appoint an electoral officer at least four weeks before the

Bangladesh's interim government has accused Adani Power of breaching a multi-billion-dollar agreement related to the supply of electricity from its coal-fired plant in India. The dispute centers on Adani Power withholding tax benefits that the power plant was entitled to under the agreement. The Indian company signed a deal with Bangladesh in 2017 to supply power from the Godda plant, but Dhaka claims that Adani Power failed to pass on the tax exemptions it received from the Indian govern

 On Wednesday, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, informed the Lok Sabha that the government had blocked 18 OTT platforms this year for publishing obscene, vulgar, and in some cases, pornographic content. This action is in line with the IT Rules of 2021, which impose specific due diligence obligations on intermediaries to ensure they take reasonable steps to prevent the spread of such content. The IT Rules also set out a Code of Ethics for publishers

OpenAI has introduced a new feature that allows users in the US and Canada to interact with ChatGPT directly through WhatsApp. By calling the number 1800-242-8478, users can now access the AI chatbot through voice calls, with 15 minutes of free voice calling available per month. This new feature is compatible with flip phones and landlines, making it accessible to a wider audience. OpenAI is testing this functionality as part of an experimental phase, and the availability of voice calling, as

Infosys Ltd. has launched its new state-of-the-art development centre in Kolkata, West Bengal, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion and commitment to innovation in the region. The 320,000 sq. ft. facility, built with an investment of over Rs 426 crore, will host over 4,000 employees who will work on cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation. This centre will cater to a variety of industries, including

 Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, is increasingly becoming involved in global politics, extending his influence far beyond the business world. In recent developments, Musk has met with Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, to discuss possible financial support, with Musk considering a $100 million donation to help the party. Farage has expressed admiration for Musk's political strategies, especially his cash incentives to encourage voter turnout, a tactic

Russia is shifting its focus toward building stronger diplomatic and military ties with countries like India, China, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela, as its relations with the West continue to deteriorate. According to Valery Gerasimov, Russia's Chief of the General Staff, Moscow has lost trust in the United States and other Western powers, making arms control agreements increasingly irrelevant. Gerasimov criticized the "double standards" of the West, stating that trust is esse

India and China have reached a significant agreement on six points to resolve their long-standing border issues. This agreement was made during a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, marking the first Special Representative-level discussions since the 2020 border clashes. Key points of the agreement include maintaining peace at the border, cross-border tourism in Tibet, resuming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and boosting Nathu La border trade.

The United States imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities on Wednesday, including the National Development Complex (NDC), a key state-owned aerospace and defense agency responsible for Pakistan's ballistic missile program. The sanctions, announced by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, target entities involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, specifically missiles. These sanctions freeze US property linked to the targeted co

A heated exchange between the BJP and Congress unfolded in Parliament following Home Minister Amit Shah's remark that "Ambedkar is the fashion." His comment, made during a debate on the Constitution, sparked outrage from the opposition, leading to protests and physical scuffles at the Parliament's main entrance. The BJP accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of using physical force to block BJP MPs' entry, while Gandhi claimed it was BJP MPs who shoved him and Congress lea

India, having recently surpassed China as the world's most populous country, faces a significant demographic challenge. Fertility rates have dramatically declined across the country, especially in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where rates have fallen below the replacement level of two children per woman. This poses a dual challenge: the southern states worry about the implications for political representation and federal revenues, as population shifts could reduce th

Andhra Pradesh Environment Management Corporation Limited (APEMCL) is expanding its operations to tackle new waste management challenges in the state. As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure environmental sustainability, APEMCL will now focus on monitoring and controlling biomedical waste, battery waste, and e-waste generation. The announcement was made by APEMCL chairman Polamreddy Dinesh Reddy, who was inspecting the Coastal Waste Management Plant in Nellore. Along with local MLA Kurugondl

Governor Challenges State Government's Search Committee: On Wednesday, Governor R N Ravi took a bold step by canceling the search committee formed by the Tamil Nadu State Higher Education Department for appointing a new Vice-Chancellor at Annamalai University. The Governor's office stated that the state’s committee excluded the UGC Chairman’s nominee, violating the Supreme Court’s interpretation of UGC re

Telangana High Court Directs Action on JHCHS President’s Disqualification: The Telangana High Court has intervened in a dispute over the disqualification of the president of Jubilee Hills Co-Operative Housing Society Limited (JHCHS). In a recent ruling, Justice T. Madhavi Devi ordered the commissioner for cooperation and registrar of cooperative societies to review the membership records of the cu

A significant drug and arms seizure took place in Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, as a result of a joint operation conducted by the Indian Army and local police. The operation, based on specific intelligence inputs, was carried out in the Chinotra area of the Tangdhar sector near the Line of Control (LoC). The search led to the recovery of approximately four kilograms of narcotics, including heroin-like substances, along with four pistols, six magazines, and other ‘war-like stores.

How AI Is Uniquely Revolutionizing the NRI Connection to India Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just making life easier for NRIs but is opening doors to innovative and less-explored opportunities for staying connected with India. Beyond the common uses of communication and entertainment, AI is diving deep into areas like cultural preservation, hyper-personalized investments, and even emotional health support. Here’s a fresh perspective

As the world evolves, so do the challenges faced by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The year 2025 brings unique obstacles for Indians living abroad, ranging from navigating financial complexities to maintaining strong ties with their cultural roots. Here, we explore the top five challenges NRIs face in 2025 and provide practical solutions to overcome them. 1. Economic Uncertainty and Financial Planning The global economy continues to fluctuate, with rising

 A Cessna 208 passenger aircraft, operated by Kamala Air, lost control and crashed near Honolulu Airport in Hawaii on a training flight. The crash occurred in an industrial area when the plane lost altitude rapidly, made a sharp left turn, and collided with a vacant building. The incident tragically claimed the lives of passenger Preston Kaluhiwa and 22-year-old trainee pilot Hiram deFries. Following the crash, the aircraft caught fire, and a large plume of smoke rose from the

The Pakistan High Commission announced on Wednesday that it has issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims for a visit to the Shree Katas Raj temples in Chakwal district, Punjab, Pakistan. The pilgrimage, scheduled from December 19 to 25, will allow Hindu pilgrims to visit this sacred complex of temples, also known as Qila Katas. The temples are a significant religious site for Hindus and are linked by walkways. These visits are part of the long-standing Pakistan-India bilateral protocol on

Ircon International Ltd. has announced the appointment of Alin Roy Choudhury as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and key managerial personnel, effective January 1, 2025. Choudhury, who is currently the Chief General Manager of the finance division at the company, will succeed B Mugunthan. Mugunthan will be repatriated to the Ministry of Railways on December 31, 2024. Choudhury, a qualified cost and management accountant, has extensive experience spanning over 30 years in various do