The recent discontinuation of the Canadian Student Direct Stream (SDS) program as of November 8, 2024, has left many Indian students reassessing their plans to study in Canada. The SDS program previously allowed students to speed up the student visa process if they met specific English proficiency test (EPT) requirements like IELTS or PTE. However, with the end of SDS, students now have the opportunity to explore a broader range of EPTs accepted by Canadian institutions. One of the

A tragic shooting at a makeshift club in Houston late Saturday night resulted in the deaths of two teens and the injury of four others, including a 13-year-old girl. Police responded to the chaotic scene, where a large crowd was seen fleeing the venue. The incident occurred at an unsanctioned pop-up party, which appeared to have been organized via social media, in an empty business space. According to Assistant Chief Luis Menendez-Sierra, witnesses reported seeing a man dressed in b

The Telangana Assembly was adjourned on Monday after BRS MLAs raised slogans and disrupted the debate on the Telangana State Tourism Policy. The debate, which resumed after a tea break, was halted when opposition members continued to protest against the Congress government. In response to the disruption, Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu criticized the BRS legislators for not adhering to the rules and traditions of the House. Speaker G. Prasad Kumar intervened, directing

On Monday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited the Polavaram project in Eluru district to review its progress. During his inspection, he sought details from the officials overseeing the project. The officials informed him that more than Rs 1,200 crore would be needed for constructing the diaphragm wall and guide bund, crucial components of the project. Speaking to the media, CM Naidu highlighted that the government aims to finish the entire Polavaram project b

US President-elect Donald Trump, set to assume office in January 2025, has begun implementing stricter immigration policies, leading to a significant crackdown on undocumented individuals. Among the 1.45 million people slated for deportation, nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians are at risk. India Among "Uncooperative" Countries India has been classified as one of the "uncooperative" countries in the deportation process, alongsid

India’s economy has consistently been a focal point for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) seeking long-term investment opportunities. With its rapid economic growth, demographic dividend, and government reforms, India offers several promising sectors for NRIs to invest in. Himanshu Kohli, an expert in wealth management, highlights the top four sectors that provide significant potential for long-term returns. 1. Real Estate The Indian real estate m

Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $106,000, marking a significant milestone just 10 days after surpassing the $100,000 mark. The cryptocurrency’s surge is fueled by expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates during its upcoming policy meeting. Lower interest rates historically benefit Bitcoin, as they weaken the US dollar and increase the money supply, driving investor interest in digital assets. Bitcoin has risen over 77% in the last year, and its rec

Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has once again defended his controversial call for a 70-hour workweek, which he initially proposed in 2023. Murthy believes that young professionals in India must work harder to make the country globally competitive. Speaking at an event in Kolkata, Murthy highlighted the importance of aiming high and working towards making India the best. He pointed out that millions of Indians still live in poverty, and working hard is crucial to improving the nation&rsquo

A shocking revelation from the Financial Times has disclosed that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime airlifted around $250 million to Moscow between 2018 and 2019. The cash, including nearly two tonnes of $100 bills and €500 notes, was flown to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport and deposited in Russian banks under sanctions. This move was part of Assad's efforts to bypass Western sanctions that isolated Syria from the global financial system. During this time,

Ukraine has condemned FIFA after a map displayed during the European World Cup qualifiers for 2026 appeared to omit Crimea from Ukraine. The map, shown during the December 2024 draw for the joint-hosted tournament by the US, Mexico, and Canada, sparked backlash when it excluded Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhy accused FIFA of supporting Russian propaganda and violating international law by "redrawing b

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

Congress has criticized National Conference leader and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his changing approach to EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) allegations. This criticism came after Abdullah dismissed claims raised by Congress and other opposition parties about EVM manipulation following the Maharashtra election results. Senior Congress leader Manickam Tagore pointed out that while opposition parties like the NCP, Shiv Sena, and Samajwadi Party have questioned the integrit

Nikita Singhania, the estranged wife of techie Atul Subhash, was arrested by Bengaluru police in Gurugram after being accused of abetting his suicide. Atul Subhash, aged 34, was found dead at his Bengaluru home, leaving behind a suicide note and a video accusing Nikita and her family of cruelty and dowry harassment. Nikita, along with her mother and brother, initially evaded arrest by constantly changing locations and using WhatsApp for communication. However, a single phone call by

In a heated debate in the Rajya Sabha marking the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a scathing attack on Congress, accusing the party of repeatedly undermining the Constitution through amendments during its rule. Sitharaman specifically targeted India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, referring to the first Constitutional amendment in 1951 that aimed to curb freedom of speech, despite Nehru's public support for press fr

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was discharged from a Sao Paulo hospital on Sunday after undergoing emergency surgery for an intracranial hemorrhage. The 79-year-old leader made a surprise appearance at a news conference where he assured reporters, "I am here in one piece... returning home calmly." He smiled and waved as he left Hospital Sirio-Libanes, where he received treatment. The surgery, which took place on Tuesday, was necessary after Lula fell

Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has confirmed that general elections will likely take place by the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026. Yunus, who was appointed the country’s "chief adviser" after a student-led uprising in August toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is overseeing a temporary administration that is focused on restoring democratic institutions in the country. Yunus, 84, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning microfinance pioneer, h

Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has become embroiled in a new scandal involving an alleged Chinese spy. The businessman, identified only as "H6" for legal reasons, gained significant trust from the Duke of York, reportedly even acting on his behalf in an international financial initiative related to China. Court documents reveal that H6 had such a close relationship with Prince Andrew that he was invited to the Duke's birthday party and granted access to

Ahead of Bangladesh's Bijoy Dibosh, commemorating the country's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 Liberation War, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a sharp critique of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. She accused Yunus of leading a "fascist" administration that was "secretly supporting anti-liberation extremist-communal forces" and undermining the spirit of Bangladesh's independence. In her statement, Hasina poin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday honored the soldiers who played a pivotal role in India's victory during the 1971 war, known as Vijay Diwas. The day commemorates the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. In a post shared on X, PM Modi paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers who contributed to this historic victory. Modi emphasized the selfless dedication and determination of the Indian soldiers, notin

Officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have seized counterfeit drugs worth Rs 1.85 crore after conducting raids at two locations in Maharashtra’s Thane district. The raids, which took place in Bhiwandi and Mira Road over the past few months, uncovered a scheme where the accused were manufacturing and selling spurious medicines while falsely branding them as original products. The drugs were distributed across several states, deceiving patients and jeopardizing p