Cyclone Montha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, posing a serious threat to the eastern coast of India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the cyclone is likely to make landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday night with wind speeds reaching up to 110 kmph. Heavy rainfall, high tides, and flooding have already affected coastal districts including Chittoor, Tirupati, and Kakinada, prompting mass evacuations and widespread disrupt

Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of its Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods, marking a significant geopolitical move amid deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. The offer comes shortly after India banned the import of jute products through land routes, a major blow to Bangladesh’s export sector. The development was formalized during the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Dhaka, held after a gap of nearly 20 years, signaling a thaw in relatio

A tragic murder case has shocked the Indian community in Canada after the body of 27-year-old Amanpreet Saini was found with traumatic injuries in a park in Lincoln, Ontario. The Niagara Regional Police have identified 27-year-old Manpreet Singh, also of Indian origin and a resident of Brampton, as the main suspect in her murder. Authorities have confirmed that the killing appeared to be targeted and posed no ongoing threat to public safety. According to police reports, Manpree

India is set to launch Trishul 2025, a major military exercise off the coast of Gujarat beginning October 30, focusing on the Rann of Kutch and the Sir Creek region. The Army has deployed tanks, armed helicopters, and missile units, while the Navy has stationed frigates and destroyers, and the Air Force has sent Su-30MKIs and Rafales. The exercise covers a swathe of north-west Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan until November 10, amid rising tensions with Pakistan, which has expanded military inf

India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a Sydney hospital after sustaining internal bleeding from a rib cage injury during the third ODI against Australia. The injury occurred while he took a spectacular backward catch to dismiss Alex Carey, after which he appeared to hurt his left rib and was immediately assisted off the field. The BCCI medical team acted promptly after his vital signs fluctuated, ensuring he received urgent medical attention.

Authorities in the United Kingdom have launched a major investigation after a 20-year-old woman of Indian origin was reportedly raped in what police are treating as a racially aggravated attack. The incident occurred in the Park Hall area of Walsall, in northern England, prompting widespread concern and condemnation. The West Midlands Police confirmed that they were called to the scene after reports emerged of a distressed woman on the street. Officers responding to the call found the victim

Many Indians who migrate abroad continue to maintain strong financial ties with their home country through various savings and investment instruments, including the Public Provident Fund (PPF). However, once an individual’s residential status changes under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), different rules come into play. The guidelines determine whether Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can hold or operate PPF accounts and how the proceeds are managed upon maturity. Under exis

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has sharply criticised the United Nations, saying the global body has become increasingly ineffective and paralysed by internal divisions. Speaking in New Delhi at the release of a commemorative postage stamp marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Jaishankar said the organisation’s decision-making has failed to reflect the realities of its membership or the priorities of the modern world. He emphasised that meaningful reforms are

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued long-awaited guidance on October 20, 2025 clarifying the applicability of the newly introduced USD 100,000 one-time fee on certain H‑1B visa petitions, bringing much-needed clarity for international students, employers and visa applicants. The fee, initially announced in a presidential proclamation on September 19, 2025, had triggered widespread uncertainty about whether it would apply across the board.  The origina

Satellite imagery from US-based intelligence firms and open-source analysts has revealed a major new Chinese air-defence complex near the India border in Tibet’s Gar County. The facility, located roughly 65 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and facing India’s Nyoma airfield, includes command buildings, vehicle sheds, radar positions, and hardened munition storage. The most notable feature is a cluster of covered missile launch positions believed to be equipped with retractable roof

In a major geopolitical development, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has decided to restrict Pakistan’s access to cross-border river water by constructing a dam on the Kunar River. The directive came from Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who ordered the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction “as fast as possible.” This move comes just weeks after deadly border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that claimed hundreds of lives and amid heightened tensions followin

A horrific bus accident on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route claimed 12 lives when a Volvo bus caught fire near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of Friday. The Kaveri Travels bus, carrying around 40 passengers, began its journey from Hyderabad at midnight. Around 3:30 am, it collided with a two-wheeler near Ullindakonda on NH-44, leading to a spark that quickly engulfed the vehicle in flames. Within minutes, the fire spread throughout the AC bus, leaving passengers trapped as many

A social media post by an Australian woman has triggered widespread outrage after she described Diwali decorations in a Sydney neighbourhood as a “threat” to Western culture. The remarks have sparked an intense online debate over cultural coexistence, diversity, and the meaning of multiculturalism in modern Australia. The controversy began when Kobie Thatcher, an Australian resident, posted a short video on X (formerly Twitter) showing several homes in Nirimba Fields, a suburb i

In a significant policy reversal, U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, marking one of the most consequential economic measures against Moscow since the escalation of the war in Ukraine. The decision immediately triggered a 5% surge in global oil prices and prompted India, one of Russia’s biggest energy buyers, to reconsider its import strategy. The sanctions, announced on Wednesday, target companies

The Indian television industry has witnessed one of its most unexpected and talked-about crossovers as Microsoft co-founder and global philanthropist Bill Gates made a surprise cameo in the reboot of the iconic soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The brief appearance of one of the world’s most influential figures alongside one of India’s most beloved television characters has sparked a wave of astonishment and admiration across viewers and social media users alike.

Saudi Arabia has officially abolished the long-standing Kafala system, a major labour reform hailed as a landmark shift for millions of migrant workers across the Gulf region. The decision marks a new chapter in the kingdom’s ongoing transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, an ambitious roadmap to modernize the economy, attract foreign investment, and improve the country’s global image. The Kafala system, which governed the relationship between empl

A Diwali celebration in New Jersey turned into an online controversy after a video of Indian students bursting fireworks on a public street drew criticism from social media users. The short clip, uploaded by 20-year-old Mukul Verma, showed a group of young people celebrating the festival of lights when local firefighters arrived and began spraying water on the fireworks. What was intended to be a joyful cultural celebration soon became a subject of heated online discussion over safety, legali

Japan made history on Tuesday as Sanae Takaichi was appointed the country’s first woman prime minister after a decisive vote in the lower house of parliament. Her elevation marks a groundbreaking moment in a nation where political and corporate leadership remains overwhelmingly male. Takaichi, a prominent conservative and known China hawk, secured 237 votes in the 465-member House of Representatives, crossing the majority threshold in the first round itself. She is expected to formally assu

Direct flights between Shanghai and New Delhi are set to resume from November 9 after a gap of nearly five years, marking a major step toward restoring travel and economic links between India and China. The airline operating the route has confirmed that ticket sales have already begun for the much-anticipated service, which is expected to benefit both business and leisure travelers. The decision follows a recent agreement between the two governments to normalize travel and trade connections, sig

Washington — U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Friday that India will no longer buy oil from Russia, asserting that the South Asian nation has already begun reducing its dependence on Moscow’s energy supplies. Speaking at the White House during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump said the move reflects a broader international effort to isolate Russia economically over its invasion of Ukraine. “India will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump