As the Union Budget 2025 approaches on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to address rising concerns over high inflation and shrinking disposable incomes, with a focus on tax relief for salaried individuals. One of the most anticipated measures is the potential increase in the standard deduction for salaried employees. Under the current system, a standard deduction of Rs 75,000 is available for those opting for the New Tax Regime, while the Old Tax Reg

The West Bengal government is making significant strides in exploring underground coal gasification as a method of coal extraction at the Deocha-Pachami block in Birbhum district. This coal block, which is considered India's largest and the world’s second-largest reserve, poses challenges for traditional mining due to basalt rock in the area. In response, the government has decided to use a combination of open-cast mining, underground mining, and gasification to tap into the coal de

In a move to strengthen infrastructure and promote economic growth, the Uttar Pradesh government has approved the formation of a new development authority that will integrate Prayagraj and Varanasi, following the model of the National Capital Region (NCR). This new authority will include seven districts—Prayagraj, Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Mirzapur, and Bhadohi—aiming for coordinated regional planning, better resource management, and improved services. The

Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed cases against former leader Sheikh Hasina and her family members, including British minister Tulip Siddiq and World Health Organization (WHO) official Saima Wazed, in connection with an alleged large-scale land grab. The cases, filed on Monday, accuse Hasina and some government officials of illegally allocating lucrative plots in Dhaka's suburbs for personal gain. Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh in August 2024 and to

A court in Bangladesh has issued a second arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of enforced disappearances during her time in power. The new charges, which were announced by the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Tajul Islam, involve Hasina, her military adviser, and several law enforcement officials. Over 500 people were allegedly abducted by Bangladesh's security forces under her regime, with some of them detained in secret locati

Bangladesh's interim government has sent a diplomatic note to India requesting the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in exile in India since August 5, 2023. Hasina fled Bangladesh after student-led protests led to the downfall of her 16-year rule. The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina, accusing her and several former officials of "crimes against humanity and genocide." Foreign Affairs A

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

The weakening of Asian currencies is bringing key levels into focus as traders prepare for further dollar gains, fueled by expectations surrounding Donald Trump's economic policies. The Bloomberg Asia Dollar Index is on track for its third consecutive monthly loss, with traders betting that Trump’s low-tax and high-tariff approach will increase inflation and boost the dollar. According to the latest data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, both hedge funds and asset manag

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

India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, made a day-long visit to Dhaka on Monday for crucial talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin. The visit comes amid deteriorating relations between India and Bangladesh, following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August due to a massive uprising. Mr. Misri arrived in Dhaka on an Indian Air Force jet, marking the first high-level visit from New Delhi since the political upheaval in Bangladesh. He was receiv

 In a dominant performance at the U19 Asia Cup 2024, India secured their spot in the semi-finals with a resounding 10-wicket victory over the UAE in their final group match in Sharjah. Chasing a modest target of 137, India sailed through to the target in just 16.1 overs, thanks to an unbroken 143-run partnership between Vaibhav Suryavanshi (76*) and Ayush Mhatre (67*). Earlier, UAE, who opted to bat first, were bowled out for just 137, with six overs to spare. Muhammad Rayan was the top

Sheikh Hasina, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh, has strongly condemned the arrest of a Hindu priest and the violence in the country that followed. She demanded the immediate release of the arrested Hindu priest, describing the action as unjust. Hasina also spoke out about the death of a lawyer in Chittagong, who was killed during clashes related to the protest over the priest’s arrest. She condemned the rise in religious and communal violence, pointing out that temples, mosques,

With its massive and ever-growing population, India has the propensity and financial muscle to challenge the US in many industries. So, could it take on Las Vegas for the spoils of being the ultimate betting destination? Best Indian Alternatives to Las Vegas When looking for a direct Indian substitute for Las Vegas, the first choice has to be Goa. The Panaji city area is considered an affluent part of the state and the entire country. The ocean meets the land here, and gamblers

Indian kudo athlete Sohail Khan has made history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal at the senior level in international kudo events. He claimed a bronze medal in the -250 PI men's category at the prestigious Eurasian Cup 2024, held in Yerevan, Armenia. Sohail's impressive performance began with successive victories that propelled him into the knockout stages. He secured a submission win against Kazakhstan's Dastan Utimanov in the Round of 16, followed by a deci

In a significant move reflecting the turbulent political history of Bangladesh, the former palace of ex-leader Sheikh Hasina, known as Ganabhaban, is set to be converted into a museum. This decision comes from Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and current chief advisor of the caretaker government, who aims to honor the student-led uprising that led to Hasina's ousting in August. The museum is envisioned as a space that will not only preserve the memories of Hasina&r

Indian Americans have become the largest "Asian-alone" group in the United States, recently surpassing Chinese Americans, according to new Census Bureau data. While Chinese Americans remain the largest Asian group when including multiracial individuals, the number of people identifying as solely Indian on the 2020 census has grown to nearly 4.4 million—a 55% increase over the last decade. This shift reflects a long-standing trend since the 1990s when the U.S. tech bo

Zeeshan Siddique, the son of the late former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, has publicly called for justice following his father's tragic assassination on October 13. In a heartfelt post on social media platform X, Zeeshan emphasized the importance of not politicizing his father's death, stating, "My father lost his life protecting and saving the lives and homes of poor innocent people." Baba Siddique, aged 66, was shot outside his Bandra East office by three

The investigation into the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique has led police to focus on Shubham Lonkar, who is believed to be a key conspirator in the crime. Siddique, a three-time MLA and member of the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, was murdered in Bandra last week. Lonkar had previously been questioned in relation to a firing incident outside actor Salman Khan's residence, but was released due to a lack of evidence. Authorities allege that he, along with his brother Pr

US-based Pinnacle Group, a leader in global workforce solutions, has officially opened its new office in Chennai, marking its first regional headquarters in the Asia Pacific region. Situated on the bustling Rajiv Gandhi Salai, known as the IT Corridor, this facility is set to enhance the company's engagement with its existing clientele while exploring new market opportunities. Since establishing operations in India in 2007, Pinnacle Group has made significant investments in the

n a hard-fought battle during the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers, India’s U20 football team faced off against the formidable Iranian side, ultimately succumbing to a narrow defeat by a score of 1-0. The match took place amidst high hopes and expectations, as the Indian squad aimed to showcase their talent against one of Asia’s traditional football powerhouses. From the outset, the game was marked by resilience and determination from the Indian players, who managed to conta