India and the European Union (EU) have set a year-end deadline to finalize a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA), marking a crucial milestone in their bilateral trade relations. The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met in New Delhi to strengthen India-EU economic and strategic ties.The trade agreement, under negotiation for several years, aims to expand economic cooperation, boost trade, and enhance market access b

The World Bank has advised India to lower import tariffs, ease regulatory restrictions, and simplify trade processes to enhance its global trade competitiveness and attract foreign investment. In a report released on Friday titled the Economic Memorandum on India, the World Bank highlighted that high trade costs caused by import tariffs on intermediate and capital goods, as well as non-tariff barriers, are limiting India's participation in global value chains (GVCs).The report emphasized

Technicolor India, a leading visual effects (VFX) and animation studio, has announced the closure of its operations in Bengaluru and Mumbai, affecting 3,200 employees. The decision is part of a global shutdown by its parent company, Technicolor Group, headquartered in Paris.This sudden move has left thousands of employees in distress, particularly in Bengaluru, where nearly 3,000 professionals were employed. The closure marks a significant blow to India's VFX and animation industry, which

A massive avalanche struck Badrinath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, leaving 47 workers trapped near Mana village. The workers, who were engaged in clearing snow for army movement, were caught in the disaster when a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp was hit.Rescue operations are underway, with the Indian Army, ITBP, and Garhwal Scouts actively working to save those trapped under the snow. Ten workers have been rescued and moved to an army camp in Mana for medical attention. Howeve

A Forbes report on billionaire immigrants who started their journey in the U.S. on an H-1B visa highlights a few notable Indian entrepreneurs. Among them, Raj Sardana, the founder and CEO of Innova Solutions, stands out for building a $2 billion fortune from scratch.   Early Life and Struggles in India Born in Delhi in 1960 to Punjabi parents, Raj Sardana grew up in a modest household. His family, displaced during the 1947 partition, lived in

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced recruitment for Flight Operations Inspector (FOI) positions under various categories. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, is offering these contractual roles with competitive salaries, providing an excellent opportunity for experienced pilots.The last date to submit online applications is March 7, 2025 (3 PM), and the deadline for sending the hard copy of the application along with required documents is March 14,

India strongly criticized Pakistan at the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Thursday, dismissing its false claims on Jammu and Kashmir and branding the country a "failed state" reliant on international aid. India’s Strong Response to Pakistan’s Allegations In response to Pakistani Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar’s allegations of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, Ksh

The family of Indian student Nilam Shinde, who is in a coma in the US following a tragic accident, has made an urgent appeal to the Indian government for a visa to be by her side.Nilam, 35, a Master of Science student, suffered severe fractures and head injuries after being hit by a four-wheeler in California on February 14. Her family in Satara, Maharashtra, learned about the accident two days later and has been struggling to secure a US visa since February 16. Vis

Former US President Donald Trump has announced a significant shift in US immigration policy, introducing the ‘Gold Card’ visa program, which allows Indian graduates from US universities to secure jobs and eventually gain citizenship. This move is seen as a major boost for international students, particularly those from India, who have often struggled with restrictive visa policies despite their high qualifications.   The ‘Gold Card’ initiative, un

India has moved closer to next-generation high-speed transportation with the unveiling of its first hyperloop test track. The project, spearheaded by IIT Madras and funded by the Ministry of Railways, has resulted in the construction of a 422-meter-long hyperloop test facility. The development marks a major leap in India’s transportation sector, with hyperloop technology promising to cut travel times between major cities to mere minutes.With the successful completion of the first test t

The Indian government is reportedly working on a Universal Pension Scheme, a voluntary initiative designed to provide retirement benefits to individuals across all sectors, including those in unorganised employment, traders, and self-employed individuals aged 18 and above. Unlike traditional job-based pension plans, this scheme will not be tied to any specific employment, making it accessible to a wider range of individuals.The Labour Ministry has already initiated discussions on the framewor

India’s six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked widespread discussions, but a bizarre claim by Pakistani media has caught global attention. A segment aired on 'Discover Pakistan' suggested that India’s success in the match was not due to cricketing skill but rather rituals, prayers, and black magic (jaadu-tona). The claim has since gone viral on social medi

Apple has officially launched its first product of the year, the iPhone 16e, on February 19, with pre-orders beginning on February 21. The latest addition to the iPhone lineup is set to go on sale starting February 28. In India, the iPhone 16e starts at ₹59,900, but Apple’s official distributor, Redington, has announced attractive offers, allowing customers to avail up to ₹10,000 in discounts.   iPhone 1

Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has stirred controversy within his party after praising the economic policies of the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala. His remarks, which acknowledged the state’s progress under the Left government, have been met with sharp criticism from Congress leaders, deepening existing tensions within the party.Tharoor’s comments came during a podcast interview, where he also highlighted the absence of a strong

The Indian automotive sector has been buzzing with activity, with major developments in both the two-wheeler and four-wheeler segments. Recent trends include the much-anticipated Tesla entry into India, Mahindra’s electric SUV success, the launch of the Skoda Kylaq, Kia’s expansion with the Syros, and Toyota’s plans for an all-electric Innova Crysta.   In the two-wheeler segment, bikes like the TVS Ronin and the Aprilia Tuono 457 have captured attention

Mumbai, India – February 21, 2025: India’s Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 has become the largest congregation in human history for a religious, cultural, and social event, attracting more than 550 million devotees in just six weeks. Hosted in the northern city of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, this grand Hindu festival has surpassed all previous records, making it one of the most significant religious gatherings ever witnessed.The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, carries deep spiritual meaning f

For over twenty years, Virat Kohli has been synonymous with performing under pressure, and his latest outing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 reaffirmed that legacy. In a highly anticipated Group A clash at the Dubai International Stadium, Kohli once again delivered a match-winning performance, scoring his 51st ODI century to help India secure a six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan. The win not only boosted India’s confidence but also booked their place in the semi-finals of the

The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark ruling on February 17, 2025, stating that an employee’s gratuity can be forfeited on the grounds of moral turpitude, even in the absence of a criminal conviction. This ruling expands the interpretation of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, allowing employers to withhold gratuity from employees dismissed for unethical or fraudulent actions.Previously, in a 2018 Supreme Court ruling in the Union of India vs. Ajay Babu case, the court had st

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has accused the Congress of acting as the BJP’s "B team" in the recent Delhi Assembly elections, blaming the party for facilitating the BJP’s return to power in the capital after 27 years. In a series of tweets on Friday, she lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had earlier criticized her for staying away from the opposition-led INDIA bloc.Mayawati claimed that the Congress’s decision t

Finding love is never easy, and for divorced individuals in 2025, the journey remains a challenging one. Despite evolving mindsets and growing conversations around individual happiness, societal acceptance of divorce is still far from ideal. A survey conducted by Cosmo India, covering respondents between the ages of 25 and 44, revealed that 60% of individuals are single simply because they haven’t found the right person. For divorced women, the situation is even tougher, with 38% agreei