China, the world's second-largest economy, is working to recover from the effects of its three years of pandemic isolation. In a bid to attract more international visitors and boost its economy, China recently announced an expansion of its visa-free transit policy. The new policy, which is effective immediately, allows travelers from 54 countries, including the US, Canada, and several European and Asian nations, to stay in parts of China for up to 10 days. Previously, the visa-f

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was discharged from a Sao Paulo hospital on Sunday after undergoing emergency surgery for an intracranial hemorrhage. The 79-year-old leader made a surprise appearance at a news conference where he assured reporters, "I am here in one piece... returning home calmly." He smiled and waved as he left Hospital Sirio-Libanes, where he received treatment. The surgery, which took place on Tuesday, was necessary after Lula fell

Robots are increasingly becoming a part of everyday life, and in a groundbreaking development, China has introduced an advanced AI-powered spherical police robot known as RT-G. Developed by Logon Technology, the RT-G is designed to go beyond traditional surveillance and actively pursue and apprehend suspects. Unlike many Western models focused on monitoring, this robot can chase criminals, shoot nets, and even withstand falls from heights. The RT-G robot is equipped with advanced se

Anoushka Kale's Election as President Anoushka Kale, a 20-year-old English Literature student at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, has been elected as the president of the prestigious Cambridge Union Society for the Easter 2025 term. Kale won the election uncontested, receiving 126 votes. As the current Debates Officer for the society, she is recognized for her commitment to pro

In a significant statement made in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the need for peace and tranquility in the border areas as a prerequisite for improving bilateral ties with China. He emphasized that both nations will engage in discussions on de-escalation and managing activities in these areas in the near future. Jaishankar shared that disengagement has been fully completed in eastern Ladakh, particularly in the regions of Depsang and Demchok. J

In a significant escalation of trade tensions, China announced on Tuesday that it would ban the export of several key materials, including gallium, germanium, and antimony, to the United States. These materials are vital for high-tech applications, including advanced electronics and military technologies. The Chinese Commerce Ministry's decision follows a recent expansion of the U.S. “entity list,” which now includes 140 Chinese companies—many based in China, though some

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

US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he had granted a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of making false statements on a gun background check and illegally possessing a firearm. Hunter Biden had also pled guilty to federal tax charges, admitting to failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes. President Biden expressed that his decision to pardon his son came after years of what he described as unfair, politically motivated prosecution. Biden stated that he had pr

China has issued a strong warning against escalating trade tensions with the United States after President-elect Donald Trump vowed to impose significant tariffs on goods from China and other countries. Trump’s proposed tariffs are a response to concerns over illegal drug trade and immigration, with a particular focus on China's role in the fentanyl smuggling issue. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the United States, reiterated that China views US-China

At the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, China presented a range of cutting-edge military technology, reaffirming its growing strength in defense and its ambition to be a global leader in military innovation. The biennial event, which attracts industry leaders and military experts from around the world, was a key platform for China to display new advancements in weapons, aircraft, and naval systems. Among the highlights was the J35-A Stealth Fighter, China's second stealth fighter after the

Recently re-elected for a second term, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has suggested to House Republicans that he might consider pursuing an unprecedented third term. Known for making bold statements, Trump said, “I suspect I won’t be running again unless you (supporters) say otherwise,” stirring excitement among his audience at a Washington, D.C., hotel event ahead of his meeting with President Joe Biden. While the U.S. Constitution restricts any president to two terms, q

Donald Trump’s presidential appointments of Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz mark a decisive shift in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to China. Rubio, tapped as Secretary of State, and Waltz, named National Security Advisor, represent a hawkish approach to international relations, one that sharply contrasts with

Gold prices have been on a downward trend since the US presidential election, with December future contracts opening lower on MCX. The price of gold fell by 0.37% to Rs 76,369 per 10 grams, while silver prices also dropped by 0.24% to Rs 90,601 per kg. In the last two days, gold prices have plummeted by Rs 2,100 per 10 grams and silver prices by Rs 4,050 per kg. According to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA), the current prices for different carats of gold are a

Donald Trump is on track to make history as the first Republican in two decades to win the popular vote in a U.S. presidential election. His victories in key swing states like North Carolina and Georgia have solidified his path to the presidency, narrowing Vice President Kamala Harris's chances of reaching the White House. If confirmed, Trump would become the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to win the popular vote, marking a significant milestone in American politics.

In a positive development for India-China relations, both nations have completed the disengagement process in the Depsang and Demchok regions of Eastern Ladakh, with patrolling expected to commence soon. Army sources confirmed that the verification process is ongoing and that ground commanders will finalize the patrolling modalities. To celebrate Diwali, Indian troops are set to exchange sweets with their Chinese counterparts on Thursday. Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, exp

Sri Lanka has recently elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake as its new President in a historic presidential election, marking a significant recovery from the economic turmoil experienced in 2022. Dissanayake, a leftist leader with Marxist ideology, achieved a remarkable feat, securing 42.3% of the votes despite lacking prior political experience in high-ranking positions. In the 2019 presidential elections, Dissanayake garnered less than 3% of the vote, indicating a stark contrast to hi

Title and Overview: Defending champions India achieved a hard-fought 1-0 victory over hosts China to clinch their fifth Asian Champions Trophy title. The final, held amidst intense competition, saw India’s perseverance and strategic play ultimately lead them to triumph. Match Highlights: Despite a challenging match where India struggled to penetrate the Chinese defense in the first three quarters, the breakthrough c

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has provided an update on the ongoing disengagement process between India and China, revealing that approximately 75% of the boundary issues have been resolved. Speaking in Geneva at the Global Centre for Security Policy, Jaishankar highlighted the progress made but also pointed out the persistent challenges, notably the increasing militarization of the frontier. Jaishankar discussed the lasting impact of the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020

India is set to become a dominant force in the MSCI emerging markets index, potentially surpassing China in influence. As of August, India’s weightage in the index rose to 19.8%, narrowing the gap with China’s 24.2%. This increase, from 9.2% in December 2020, highlights India's growing appeal to foreign investors. Morgan Stanley's latest analysis notes that this shift could lead to more foreign capital inflows, enhancing India’s stock market performance further.