Pakistan’s request to reduce the 18 percent GST on condoms and other contraceptives has been rejected by the International Monetary Fund, leaving the government unable to make birth-control products cheaper in a period of rising population and financial pressure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked the Federal Board of Revenue to approach the IMF for immediate approval to remove the tax, but the lender made it clear that such changes cannot be made mid-year and may only be considered du

The debate surrounding censorship on OTT platforms in India has intensified in recent years, with discussions rising over the language, visuals, and narrative formats used in digital entertainment. As the popularity of online streaming surged, so did public and political scrutiny, raising questions about whether OTT content would come under the same certification framework as theatrical releases. For a period, there were reports hinting at the possibility of the Central Board of Film Certific

German lawmakers are widely expected to approve a defense procurement package exceeding 50 billion euros on Wednesday, marking one of the most significant military spending decisions in the country’s post-war history. The move reflects a broader shift in Germany’s security policy as the government seeks to strengthen national and allied defense capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Agenda documents for the Bundestag’s Budget Committee indicate that members are

Gil Gerard, the actor who rose to international fame as the title character in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, has died at the age of 82. His death was confirmed on Tuesday by his wife, Janet Gerard, who shared the news through a personal message accompanied by photographs reflecting their life together. According to her statement, the actor died following a brief but aggressive battle with a rare form of cancer, a diagnosis that progressed rapidly over the course of only a few days.

Warner Bros Discovery has officially rejected Paramount Skydance’s massive $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid, stating that the proposal lacked credible financial backing and posed serious risks to shareholders. In a regulatory filing addressed to investors, the company’s board made it clear that Paramount’s offer could not match the certainty, stability, and financial strength presented by Netflix’s competing merger proposal. According to the board, Paramount repeatedly cl

U.S. crude oil prices fell to their lowest level since May on Tuesday, deepening a prolonged downturn that has put the market on track for its weakest annual performance in seven years. The decline reflects growing concerns over a looming supply surplus and shifting expectations around geopolitical risks, particularly the possibility of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. West Texas Intermediate crude briefly dropped to $55.69 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude

Two women from New York are facing shoplifting charges after police say they stole more than $9,000 worth of merchandise from multiple stores at the Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus, New Jersey. Authorities allege the thefts took place Monday afternoon and involved a coordinated effort to bypass store security systems. According to police, the suspects, identified as Jenai Crawford and Shanique Roberts, were observed moving between several retail locations inside the mall and repe

Filmmaker Mira Nair has shared a candid behind-the-scenes revelation about her acclaimed television adaptation of Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy, offering fresh insight into the casting process behind the ambitious BBC series. In a recent interview, Nair disclosed that her son, Zohran Mamdani, was originally her first choice for the central role that was eventually portrayed by actor Ishaan Khatter. According to Nair, Mamdani possessed the essential qualities she believed were requi

US President Donald Trump said on Monday, December 15, that efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine were making unprecedented progress, describing the possibility of a peace deal as “closer than ever.” His remarks came amid a series of high-level diplomatic engagements in Europe, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with key European leaders in Berlin as part of renewed international efforts to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict. Speaking t

WASHINGTON — As the holiday shopping season accelerates, consumer protection officials are warning residents to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated gift card scams. District Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a public consumer alert on Monday, cautioning shoppers about a growing form of retail fraud known as gift card draining, which has become more prevalent during peak gift-giving periods. According to Schwalb’s office, gift card draining differs from traditi

US President Donald Trump issued a controversial response on Monday following reports of the deaths of veteran filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, as authorities in California continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The comments, posted on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, quickly drew attention for their political tone and for linking the tragedy to long-standing ideological disputes. In his statement, Trump referred

Australia is mourning after a devastating terror attack at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday evening left at least 15 people dead and more than 40 injured, sending shockwaves across the nation and around the world. The attack occurred during a gathering marking the first night of Hanukkah, turning a moment of religious celebration into one of profound tragedy and grief. Emergency services responded swiftly, but the scale and brutality of the incident have deeply scarred the community an

Few figures in Hollywood history have reached the age of 100 with their reputation not only intact but warmly cherished. Dick Van Dyke reaches that milestone today, standing as a rare constant in an industry defined by reinvention and impermanence. Once known for tripping over an ottoman on television and dancing with animated penguins on film, he has outlived many of his contemporaries and even the criticisms that once followed his most famous performances. Van Dyke’s career span

In-N-Out Burger has quietly removed the number “67” from its in-store ordering system after a viral social media trend began drawing disruptive crowds of teenagers to its locations across the western United States. The decision follows weeks of incidents in which young customers gathered inside restaurants, waiting specifically for the number to be called over the intercom, often responding with loud celebrations that disrupted normal operations. Videos circulating widely on Tik

United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to halt fighting following days of deadly clashes along their disputed border, raising hopes for a return to stability in the volatile region. The announcement came after Trump held separate phone conversations with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, as tensions threatened to escalate into a broader military confrontation. In

Illinois has joined a growing number of states allowing medical aid in dying after Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation authorizing physician-assisted death for certain terminally ill patients. The governor’s office announced Friday that the measure, formally known as the Medical Aid in Dying Act, will take effect on Sept. 12, 2026, giving state health officials time to establish oversight procedures and implementation protocols. The law permits eligible adults diagnosed with termi

Crews from Veolia Water and the New Jersey Department of Transportation are continuing repair operations following a water main break that disrupted traffic along Route 17 North in Mahwah. The incident occurred near milepost 4.7, where damage to the underground water line forced the closure of two travel lanes and led to significant traffic slowdowns in the area. According to officials on scene, the left lane of Route 17 North remains heavily impacted as multiple service and support

The US Embassy in India has postponed temporary work visa interviews scheduled for mid-December, triggering widespread concern among Indian professionals awaiting H-1B visa processing. The affected interviews have now been rescheduled to March and April 2026, according to communications sent to applicants and legal experts familiar with the matter. The unexpected decision has disrupted travel and employment plans for thousands of workers who rely on timely visa stamping to continue their role

Visakhapatnam has taken a significant leap toward becoming a major IT hub with Cognizant officially beginning operations at its new 1,000-seat facility in the Mahati Fintech building at Rushikonda IT Park Hill 2. Industry experts say this marks the beginning of a new growth phase for the city’s technology ecosystem. The development comes months after discussions held in Davos, where Minister Nara Lokesh met Cognizant’s leadership on January 23. The company approved its Visakhapa