Pakistan’s request to reduce the 18 percent GST on condoms and other contraceptives has been rejected by the International Monetary Fund, leaving the government unable to make birth-control products cheaper in a period of rising population and financial pressure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked the Federal Board of Revenue to approach the IMF for immediate approval to remove the tax, but the lender made it clear that such changes cannot be made mid-year and may only be considered du

A woman from Arunachal Pradesh has alleged severe harassment and illegal detention by Chinese immigration authorities at Shanghai Pudong Airport after they refused to recognise her Indian passport during a transit halt. In detailed posts shared on X, Pema Wang Thongdok described an ordeal that lasted nearly eighteen hours on November 21, when officials insisted her passport was invalid simply because her birthplace was listed as Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as its territory.

Amid heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, two separate US Navy aircraft — a helicopter and a fighter jet — crashed into the South China Sea on Sunday during routine operations. The incidents have reignited regional security concerns as the United States continues its strategic presence in the disputed waters, where China maintains sweeping territorial claims. According to a statement from the US Pacific Fleet, the first incident involved an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter assigned

United States President Donald Trump has once again defended his administration’s tariff policies, claiming that the strategy has played a major role in strengthening the U.S. economy and boosting the stock market. Since returning to office for his second term, Trump has emphasized a renewed focus on economic nationalism, arguing that countries trading with the United States must pay tariffs determined by the government to protect American interests. In his latest remarks, Trump a

Global competition in the satellite internet market is intensifying as Europe and China prepare to launch large-scale projects aimed at rivaling Elon Musk’s Starlink network. The developments mark a significant shift in the global communications landscape, with governments and private aerospace firms seeking to establish independent systems to reduce reliance on the American provider. Europe’s leading aerospace manufacturers have reached an agreement to combine their satellite p

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

The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged to another record close on Tuesday, buoyed by a series of strong corporate earnings reports that reinforced investor optimism about the resilience of major U.S. companies. Gains from household names such as Coca-Cola, 3M, and General Motors helped the blue-chip index climb even as technology shares lagged, reflecting a rotation from growth stocks into more traditional sectors. The 30-stock Dow rose 218.16 points, or 0.47%, to finish at 46,924.

U.S. President Donald Trump conceded in a recent interview that imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese imports would not be a lasting policy, saying, “It’s not sustainable, but that’s what the number is.” He asserted that Beijing “forced me to do that,” pointing to China’s tighter export controls—especially on rare earth elements—as justification for the heightened measur

The United States has warned that steep tariffs could soon be imposed on China if Beijing proceeds with its newly announced restrictions on rare earth exports, heightening concerns of another trade confrontation between the two largest economies in the world. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Tuesday that the decision now rests largely on China’s next actions, suggesting that the situation remains fluid in the run-up to a crucial diplomatic meeting later this month. Pr

It has been more than two weeks since the rollout of GST 2.0 on September 22, but a nationwide consumer survey indicates that the expected benefits of lower taxes are not being fully passed on to buyers. The reform, which aimed to make a wide range of goods and services more affordable, appears to have produced uneven results across product categories, with automobiles emerging as the only sector showing substantial price reductions. According to a large-scale survey conducted acros

Bitcoin has once again shattered its previous records, rising to a new all-time high of $125,689 during Asian trading hours on October 5, 2025. This marks a significant milestone for the world’s largest cryptocurrency, surpassing its earlier peak of $124,514 set in August. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $123,791.15, up by more than 10 percent over the past week, reaffirming its position as the dominant force in the digital asset space. The latest rally has reig

The United States federal government has entered a shutdown after lawmakers in Congress failed to agree on a funding plan before the latest deadline. The deadlock has forced thousands of federal employees across the nation, including those in New Jersey, to either stop work or continue essential duties without pay. While citizens brace for delays in federal services and economic uncertainty, the focus has now shifted to elected representatives and whether they will personally share the burden

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has approved a major overhaul of India's GST system, effective September 22, 2025. This comprehensive revamp introduces significant changes, impacting everything from household essentials and food items to vehicles and healthcare products. The council has streamlined the tax slabs by reducing the existing four-tier system to just two primary slabs 5% and 18% and introduced a 40% slab for select luxury and harmful it

Following the narrative established during the Trump administration, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has drawn a connection between US tariffs, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and India’s role in the global energy market. On Wednesday, Graham responded sharply to reports of a deadly Russian strike in Kyiv that killed at least 23 people. His message on X directly addressed India, China, and Brazil for their continued purchase of Russian crude.

The Indian men's shooting team secured a silver medal at the 2025 Asian Championships in the 10m air pistol team event. Comprising Anmol Jain (580), Aditya Malra (579), and Asian Games gold medallist Saurabh Chaudhary (576), the team collectively scored 1,735 points, finishing second behind China, who took the gold with a score of 1,744 points. Iran bagged the bronze with 1,733 points. The team’s effort marked a strong performance in the ongoing comp

AI is everywhere right now — writing emails, powering chatbots, predicting your shopping habits… and maybe even taking your job. But here's the real question: What’s next? What comes after AI? What’s the next big thing that could be bigger, bolder, and more life-changing than artificial intelligence? You’re about to find out. Let’s dive into 5 f

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has issued a clear and stern warning to countries maintaining economic relations with Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. During recent meetings with U.S. senators, Rutte emphasized that countries like India, China, and Brazil risk facing severe secondary sanctions, including 100 percent tariffs, if they continue their commercial engagements with Russia. His message, delivered just a day after President Donald Trump revealed a new arms package for Uk

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has approved a significant overhaul of India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, paving the way for major reforms to simplify the tax structure. The proposal is set to be discussed in the upcoming GST Council meeting in August. The finance ministry has already initiated discussions on the changes, which are expected to streamline the GST system and ease compliance for businesses and consumers alike.

Tomorrowland, the world’s largest electronic dance music (EDM) festival, is about to make its grand debut in Asia with Thailand and China as the first two host countries. After years of being a global phenomenon, Tomorrowland is expanding its immersive experience to a whole new audience. The festival, known for its grandiose stage designs, techno beats, vibrant crowds, and magical atmosphere, will bring its iconic style to Asia for the first time, starti

China has issued a firm response to remarks made by United States President Donald Trump regarding the imposition of additional tariffs on countries aligning with the BRICS bloc. The Chinese government strongly opposed what it described as the coercive use of tariffs in international diplomacy, saying such tactics undermine global cooperation and stability. The statement came after President Trump warned that the United States could impose an extra 10 percent tariff on imports from countries tha