The World Bank-appointed Neutral Expert has affirmed its authority to resolve the ongoing dispute between India and Pakistan concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. India welcomed the decision, which supported its stance that all seven issues related to the two projects fall within the expert’s jurisdiction. The dispute, which centers around the technical designs of the two hydropower plants, escalated t

Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is gearing up for his highly anticipated trip to Switzerland to participate in the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF) Summit in Davos. This business-focused event is seen as an excellent opportunity to attract significant investments to the state. In a strategic move ahead of his trip, Naidu has successfully poached a key investment body executive from the neighbori

n an impressive display of skill and strategy, the Indian women's Kho Kho team dominated Bangladesh with a resounding 109-16 victory in their Kho Kho World Cup quarterfinal on Friday, securing their place in the semifinals. Captain Priyanka Ingle led the team with exceptional leadership, guiding India to their fifth consecutive 100-point game. India's performance was flawless across all four turns, with a particularly

Continuing their unbeaten streak in the Kho Kho World Cup, the Indian women's team defeated Malaysia in commanding fashion to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. The match, held in New Delhi on Thursday, showcased India’s dominance with several spectacular 'Dream Runs' and tactical mastery. The match began with India's defenders Bhilar Opinaben and Monika setting the pace in the opening batch, leading to an evenly matched start with both teams tied at 6-6 by th

The India Open 2025 kicked off at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, showcasing intense matches and some remarkable performances from Indian players. Anupama Upadhyaya triumphed in the opening round, defeating Rakshitha Sree Santosh Ramraj 21-17, 21-18 in a well-contested all-Indian battle. Her consistency and ability to engage in long rallies helped her dominate the match and advance to the second round, where she will face Japan's sixth seed Tomaka Miyazaki. However, young stars Malvika Bansod

Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, will embark on a significant trip to Davos on January 20 to participate in the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF). This marks the return of a well-known tradition for the TDP chief, who has previously used the platform to attract global investments to Andhra Pradesh. The timing of this visit is especially important for Naidu, as it comes after a tumultuous five years under the leadership of his rival, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Redd

As the US tourism industry struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels, the hospitality sector has found hope in the rising number of Indian visitors. In 2024, nearly 1.9 million Indians traveled to the US, marking a 48% increase from 2019, driven by a rise in business and leisure visas. This influx is supporting the recovery of US tourism, with hotels and travel companies adjusting their offerings to cater to Indian tastes, such as providing chai and samosas in hotel lobbies and airing popula

A new study conducted by University College London (UCL) has revealed that smoking has a more significant impact on life expectancy than previously believed. The study, commissioned by the Department for Health and Social Care, found that each cigarette smoked reduces a person’s life by an average of 17 minutes for men and 22 minutes for women. These findings are higher than earlier estimates, which suggested that each cigarette took around 11 minutes off a person’s life. This mea

Call of Duty: World at War, Treyarch’s World War II-themed first-person shooter, is expected to arrive on Xbox Game Pass in May 2025, according to a reliable tipster. Alongside this title, Singularity, a first-person shooter by Raven Software, will also join the service. This would mark the third Call of Duty game available on Game Pass, following Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops 6. The news comes from tipster @eXtas1stv, known for ac

Nepal's tourism industry, which saw a post-pandemic resurgence with over a million foreign visitors this year, continues to grow, attracting tourists with unique experiences like the recently held hot-air balloon festival. The event, organized by Sabin Maharjan and his team, featured more than 10 countries participating in the thrilling balloon flights. The stunning views of the snow-capped Annapurna range, mountains, lakes, and rolling hills provided an unforgettable experience for the p

The World Bank has approved a substantial USD 800 million loan for the Amaravati Integrated Urban Development Program, which will support the development of Andhra Pradesh's greenfield capital city, Amaravati. The loan, approved by the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank, aims to establish Amaravati as a sustainable, climate-resilient urban center that will create economic opportunities and improve the lives of its residents. The project is set to focus on building the city as

Beleza by the Beach, a premier eco-conscious resort nestled between the green paddy fields and sandy shores of Colva, Goa, is setting a new benchmark in sustainable tourism. Their latest offering, the Two-Bedroom Plunge Pool Villas, is designed with a deep commitment to eco-friendly travel. The villas feature energy-efficient systems, low-impact lighting, and water conservation measures, all crafted using locally sourced, sustainable materials that blend harmoniously with the natural surround

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

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

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest world chess champion at the age of 18. He triumphed over the reigning title-holder, Ding Liren of China, in the 14th and final game of their thrilling showdown in Singapore. Gukesh secured the necessary 7.5 points, edging out Liren, who scored 6.5 points, after winning the last classical time control game, which had seemed destined for a draw for most of the match. Before Gukesh, the title of the youngest

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh is set to make history in the World Chess Championship as he nears a potential victory over China's Ding Liren. The series is tied at 6-6 after 12 intense games, and with a dramatic Game 13 that ended in a draw, Gukesh now has a final chance to clinch the title. This pivotal game, scheduled for Thursday, marks the culmination of years of hard work and determination for the young chess prodigy. Born in Chennai on May 29, 2006, D Gukesh began playing ch

Telangana has taken a significant lead in river tourism with its long-distance boat services on the Krishna River, operating weekend trips from Somasila in Kollapur to Nagarjunasagar. With a total capacity of 150 passengers, these boats offer a scenic 6-7 hour journey, taking tourists to destinations like Srisailam and providing meals along the way. The boats prioritize safety, including double engines, life jackets, and guides. However, services are suspended during the monsoon season and be

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finalized a hybrid model for next year's Champions Trophy, allowing India to play its matches in Dubai, while Pakistan will co-host the event in the UAE. The decision, reached after informal discussions between ICC President Jay Shah and the Board of Directors, including Pakistan's representatives, is a major step toward resolving venue concerns in international cricket. The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan, with In

On Tuesday, a bomb threat email was sent to the regional office of Uttar Pradesh Tourism, claiming a danger to the iconic Taj Mahal. The authorities swiftly responded by deploying a bomb disposal squad, a dog squad, and other security personnel to thoroughly inspect the area. After an extensive search, no suspicious objects or threats were discovered, confirming that the email was a hoax. ACP Sayed Areeb Ahmad, who oversees Taj Mahal's security, reassured the public that the sit