India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has sharply criticised the United Nations, saying the global body has become increasingly ineffective and paralysed by internal divisions. Speaking in New Delhi at the release of a commemorative postage stamp marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Jaishankar said the organisation’s decision-making has failed to reflect the realities of its membership or the priorities of the modern world. He emphasised that meaningful reforms are

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued long-awaited guidance on October 20, 2025 clarifying the applicability of the newly introduced USD 100,000 one-time fee on certain H‑1B visa petitions, bringing much-needed clarity for international students, employers and visa applicants. The fee, initially announced in a presidential proclamation on September 19, 2025, had triggered widespread uncertainty about whether it would apply across the board.  The origina

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

In a major geopolitical development, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has decided to restrict Pakistan’s access to cross-border river water by constructing a dam on the Kunar River. The directive came from Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who ordered the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction “as fast as possible.” This move comes just weeks after deadly border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that claimed hundreds of lives and amid heightened tensions followin

A horrific bus accident on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route claimed 12 lives when a Volvo bus caught fire near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of Friday. The Kaveri Travels bus, carrying around 40 passengers, began its journey from Hyderabad at midnight. Around 3:30 am, it collided with a two-wheeler near Ullindakonda on NH-44, leading to a spark that quickly engulfed the vehicle in flames. Within minutes, the fire spread throughout the AC bus, leaving passengers trapped as many

A social media post by an Australian woman has triggered widespread outrage after she described Diwali decorations in a Sydney neighbourhood as a “threat” to Western culture. The remarks have sparked an intense online debate over cultural coexistence, diversity, and the meaning of multiculturalism in modern Australia. The controversy began when Kobie Thatcher, an Australian resident, posted a short video on X (formerly Twitter) showing several homes in Nirimba Fields, a suburb i

In a significant policy reversal, U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, marking one of the most consequential economic measures against Moscow since the escalation of the war in Ukraine. The decision immediately triggered a 5% surge in global oil prices and prompted India, one of Russia’s biggest energy buyers, to reconsider its import strategy. The sanctions, announced on Wednesday, target companies

The Indian television industry has witnessed one of its most unexpected and talked-about crossovers as Microsoft co-founder and global philanthropist Bill Gates made a surprise cameo in the reboot of the iconic soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The brief appearance of one of the world’s most influential figures alongside one of India’s most beloved television characters has sparked a wave of astonishment and admiration across viewers and social media users alike.

Saudi Arabia has officially abolished the long-standing Kafala system, a major labour reform hailed as a landmark shift for millions of migrant workers across the Gulf region. The decision marks a new chapter in the kingdom’s ongoing transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, an ambitious roadmap to modernize the economy, attract foreign investment, and improve the country’s global image. The Kafala system, which governed the relationship between empl

A Diwali celebration in New Jersey turned into an online controversy after a video of Indian students bursting fireworks on a public street drew criticism from social media users. The short clip, uploaded by 20-year-old Mukul Verma, showed a group of young people celebrating the festival of lights when local firefighters arrived and began spraying water on the fireworks. What was intended to be a joyful cultural celebration soon became a subject of heated online discussion over safety, legali

A dramatic robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris has captured the world’s attention — and the internet’s imagination. Thieves made off with priceless jewels in a swift, cinematic-style operation that lasted less than ten minutes. But what has truly taken the spotlight is how netizens have turned the event into a meme fest, drawing hilarious parallels with Hrithik Roshan’s iconic heist scene from Dhoom 2.

In a dramatic twist following India’s victory in the Asia Cup 2025, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi has finally congratulated Team India but not without controversy. Despite India's win, the trophy remains in Naqvi's Dubai office, with the ACC president refusing to hand it over unless the BCCI organizes an official presentation ceremony in Dubai. This condition has been met with resistance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had earlier wr

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.

Japan made history on Tuesday as Sanae Takaichi was appointed the country’s first woman prime minister after a decisive vote in the lower house of parliament. Her elevation marks a groundbreaking moment in a nation where political and corporate leadership remains overwhelmingly male. Takaichi, a prominent conservative and known China hawk, secured 237 votes in the 465-member House of Representatives, crossing the majority threshold in the first round itself. She is expected to formally assu

Direct flights between Shanghai and New Delhi are set to resume from November 9 after a gap of nearly five years, marking a major step toward restoring travel and economic links between India and China. The airline operating the route has confirmed that ticket sales have already begun for the much-anticipated service, which is expected to benefit both business and leisure travelers. The decision follows a recent agreement between the two governments to normalize travel and trade connections, sig

Washington — U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Friday that India will no longer buy oil from Russia, asserting that the South Asian nation has already begun reducing its dependence on Moscow’s energy supplies. Speaking at the White House during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump said the move reflects a broader international effort to isolate Russia economically over its invasion of Ukraine. “India will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump

Law enforcement agencies across the United States are warning the public about a growing online trend that has already led to unnecessary 911 calls and police deployments. The so-called “AI homeless man prank” uses artificial intelligence to create hyper-realistic images of strangers appearing at people’s doors or even inside their homes — and officials say it is causing panic and wasting emergency resources. Police departments and sheriff’s offices from multiple states ha

India is once again at the center of global diplomatic attention after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt Russian oil imports. The Indian government swiftly denied the statement, emphasizing that its energy decisions are made independently and based solely on national interest. This move highlights New Delhi’s determination to maintain strategic autonomy amid increasing international pressure. Over the past two years

Diwali 2025 Overview Diwali, also called Deepavali, is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals across India and the Indian diaspora globally. In 2025, the main Lakshmi Puja (Diwali Day) falls on: Date: Monday, October 20, 2025 Diwali is observed over five days, starting from Dhanteras (Oct 18) and ending with Bhai Dooj (Oct 22). Amavasya Tithi (New Moon)

Thousands of Indian students studying in the United States are facing growing uncertainty over their post-graduation career prospects as new immigration policies and enforcement actions threaten the stability of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B visa systems. The OPT program has long served as a bridge for international students transitioning from study to work, but recent developments suggest that this once-reliable path may soon become more complex and costly. The anx