A shocking revelation from the Financial Times has disclosed that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime airlifted around $250 million to Moscow between 2018 and 2019. The cash, including nearly two tonnes of $100 bills and €500 notes, was flown to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport and deposited in Russian banks under sanctions. This move was part of Assad's efforts to bypass Western sanctions that isolated Syria from the global financial system. During this time,

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

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to finalize the hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy during a virtual meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Under this model, India and Pakistan will not travel to each other's countries for ICC events. The 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will be played in Dubai, with eight teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. T

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Prayagraj on Friday, hailed the 2025 Maha Kumbh as a "mahayagya of unity" that would elevate the country's cultural and spiritual identity. Addressing a public meeting, Modi emphasized that the Maha Kumbh brings people together, transcending caste and sect divisions. He inaugurated 167 significant development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore to enhance Prayagraj's infrastructure in preparation for the upcoming Kumbh Mela.

In a significant move for the future development of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the 'Swarnandhra - 2047' Vision document in Vijayawada. The document, titled '10 Principles-One Vision', outlines a roadmap for creating a 'healthy, wealthy, and happy Andhra Pradesh' by 2047. The unveiling event, held at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, was attended by Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, along with several ministers and officials.

The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the Visa Bulletin for January 2025, providing crucial updates for green card applicants, with a notable focus on Indian applicants. This bulletin offers insights into the availability of immigrant visa numbers, which are vital for individuals waiting in the green card queue. The limits for employment-based preference immigrants have been set at 140,000, while family-sponsored category immigrants have a cap of

The aftermath of the YSR Congress' landslide defeat in the 2024 general election has left the party in turmoil, with many senior leaders defecting. Prominent figures like Alla Nani, Breda Mastan, Avanti Srinivas, and Grandhi Srinivas have already parted ways with Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership, signaling the party’s deepening crisis. Adding to the woes, seasoned Andhra Pradesh politician and former Congress MLA Gone Prakash Rao has claimed that 4-5 more MLAs are likely to leav

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

Gold has experienced a remarkable rise in 2024, reaching 40 new record highs year-to-date and appreciating by over 28%. According to the World Gold Council (WGC), this surge has made gold the best-performing asset class globally, surpassing US stocks, emerging market stocks, US bonds, and even US currency. In the third quarter of 2024, gold demand exceeded $100 billion for the first time, showcasing its robust market position. Looking ahead to 2025, the direction of the US Federal R

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is currently in turmoil due to the ongoing standoff between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly stated that it will not send its team to Pakistan, citing security concerns and political issues. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to boycott future ICC events if India does not agree to the proposed hybrid model, where India’s matches are played in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament tak

India's inflation rate, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), moderated to 5.48% in November, down from 6.21% in October, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This easing, however, is still above the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) target of 4%, with food prices continuing to drive inflationary pressure. The food inflation rate surged by 9.04%, continuing its trend of high costs. Economists had forecast a median inflation estimate of 5.5% fo

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

Venkatesh Iyer's Surprising Academic Pursuit Venkatesh Iyer, the talented all-rounder who made headlines with his hefty price tag of Rs 23.75 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auctions, is not just focused on his cricketing career. Despite his high-profile presence in the sport, Iyer is also pursuing a PhD and is on his way to becoming Dr. Venkatesh Iyer. His decision to continue his academic journey after his cricket career shows his commitment to education. Iyer even joked about his aca

Sanjay Malhotra, a 1990-batch IAS officer from Rajasthan, has been appointed as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), succeeding Shaktikanta Das. The government announced that Malhotra will take charge from Wednesday for a term of three years. With a background in computer science from IIT Kanpur and a Master's in Public Policy from Princeton University, Malhotra has had a distinguished career spanning over three decades in various sectors, including finance, taxation, pow

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

The future of the 2025 Champions Trophy is in jeopardy as tensions between India and Pakistan complicate the tournament's organization. India’s Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan without government approval, which remains pending. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially rejected the idea of a hybrid hosting model that would allow India to play in Dubai, but recently showed some flexibility, reportedl

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta is expected to release the provisional answer key for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 today. Once available, candidates can visit the official website, iimcat.ac.in, to download the answer key. The objection management window will be open from December 3 at 6 pm to December 5, 2024, at 11:55 pm, allowing candidates to raise any objections. After evaluating the objections, IIM Calcutta will announce the final results, expected by the secon

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, providing an update on the current state of India-China relations, which have seen improvement following the tensions that arose from the 2020 military clash in eastern Ladakh. The clash, which resulted in fatalities on both sides, marked a significant deterioration in the two countries' ties, making the situation "abnormal" until recent diplomatic efforts led to progress. Jaishankar explained

Bill Gates has found himself at the center of controversy following remarks he made during a podcast with LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. Gates referred to India as "a kind of laboratory to try things," which has sparked significant backlash, particularly in India. The comments, which were intended to highlight India's progress and its partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, have drawn attention to a controversial 2009 clinical trial funded by the Gates Found

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the country's 2025 budget, allocating $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles) to national defence, which accounts for 32.5% of the total government spending. This marks a significant increase from last year’s budget, highlighting the ongoing strain the war in Ukraine has placed on Russia’s finances. The budget sets a new record, with military spending expected to account for over 6% of Russia's GDP. In contrast, expenditu