President-elect Donald J. Trump intensified his rhetoric this week, threatening to reclaim control of the Panama Canal. Trump accused Panama of permitting Chinese military presence at the canal and overcharging U.S. ships, though these claims lack evidence. He has demanded lower fees for U.S. vessels and insisted that the canal be returned to American control "quickly and without question" once he takes office next month. In a fiery statement on Wednesday, Trump announce

Beijing: China has greenlit the construction of what is set to become the world’s largest hydropower dam, marking the beginning of a monumental project on the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau. This development has the potential to impact millions of people downstream in India and Bangladesh. The dam, planned for the lower stretches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, is projected to generate an estimated 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, a

Between April and November 2024, the Indian government dispersed Rs 3.08 lakh crore in income tax refunds, reflecting a significant 46% increase compared to the same period last year. As of November 22, about 98.35% of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) filed have been e-verified, with a record-breaking 69.93 lakh ITRs submitted on a single day, July 31. The total number of ITRs filed by November 22 stands at 8.50 crore, a 7.32% increase from the previous year. The introduction of innovation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit the United States from December 24 to 29, 2024. During this trip, he plans to engage with officials from both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration to discuss key bilateral, regional, and global issues. While specific details of his meetings have not been disclosed, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that Mr. Jaishankar will chair a conference of Indian Consul Generals i

As we transition from 2024 to 2025, several global trends and findings have emerged, shedding light on the current state of the world and offering insights into the year ahead Global Happiness Rankings The World Happiness Report 2024 reveals that Finland continues to lead as the world's happiest country, followed closely by Denmark and Iceland. Notably, the United States has dropped out of the top 20 for the first time, ranking 23rd. This decline un

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with Kuwait's highest accolade, the 'Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer,' on Sunday. The award was presented by Kuwait's Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This marks the 20th international honor bestowed upon PM Modi by various nations. The 'Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer' is a prestigious Kuwaiti knighthood conferred upon Heads of State, foreign sovereigns, and members of royal families as a sym

Billionaire Jeff Bezos has refuted reports claiming that his upcoming wedding to fiancée Lauren Sánchez will cost $600 million. Addressing the rumors on social media platform X, Bezos labeled the claims as "completely false" and cautioned the public against believing such misinformation.  Investor Bill Ackman also expressed skepticism, suggesting that such a sum would be implausible "unless you are buying each of your guests a house." Bezos con

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the 55th GST Council meeting in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Saturday, December 21. This meeting will focus on several important discussions related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. The agenda includes deliberations on taxability issues concerning food delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato, and potential changes to GST rates on products like health insurance premiums, life insurance, wristwatches, shoes, and apparel. The cou

India introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 to simplify the tax structure and reduce the tax burden. Recent data shows that the gross GST collection for October 2024 rose by 9% to ₹1.87 lakh crore, a record second-highest figure. However, a recent proposal by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST Rates Rationalisation suggests a new 35% GST slab on products like aerated drinks and tobacco, which has raised concerns. The proposal aims to target 'sin' products such as thos

Bangladesh's interim government has accused Adani Power of breaching a multi-billion-dollar agreement related to the supply of electricity from its coal-fired plant in India. The dispute centers on Adani Power withholding tax benefits that the power plant was entitled to under the agreement. The Indian company signed a deal with Bangladesh in 2017 to supply power from the Godda plant, but Dhaka claims that Adani Power failed to pass on the tax exemptions it received from the Indian govern

 Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, is increasingly becoming involved in global politics, extending his influence far beyond the business world. In recent developments, Musk has met with Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, to discuss possible financial support, with Musk considering a $100 million donation to help the party. Farage has expressed admiration for Musk's political strategies, especially his cash incentives to encourage voter turnout, a tactic

The Bharat Mobility Global Expo, scheduled for January 17-22, 2025, is poised to become the world's largest event in the automotive sector, with over 1,500 exhibitors and an expanded exhibition space of 200,000 square meters. This second edition of the expo will bring together leading global vehicle manufacturers, showcasing electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient vehicles, as well as advanced automotive technologies. The event will include the unveiling of new models and electric vehicles f

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

The Finance Ministry is set to review the windfall tax on fuel exports, including petrol, diesel, and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), following the stabilization of global crude oil prices. The tax, introduced in July 2022, was implemented to address the substantial profits earned by oil refiners exporting fuel, which had an impact on domestic supplies. The review will assess the tax’s effectiveness and the revenue it has generated, with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas already re

A groundbreaking study using data from NASA and German satellites has revealed a concerning and persistent decline in Earth's freshwater reserves since May 2014. The findings, published in Surveys in Geophysics, highlight a significant reduction in the amount of freshwater stored on land, including in lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers. This shift, tracked by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, suggests a transition towards drier conditions across co

Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 US presidential election has sent shockwaves through global markets, with countries around the world feeling the effects of his win. The dynamics between nations are shifting, and conflicts are being impacted in new ways, highlighting the significant role Trump plays on the world stage. One country that stands to benefit from Trump's policies is India. With China currently dominating the market as the largest exporter of iPhones, India is

In a bold move towards establishing India as a global sports powerhouse, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has formally expressed its intent to host the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics. A Letter of Intent was sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Future Host Commission on October 1, reinforcing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of bringing the Games to Indian soil. PM Modi has publicly shared his enthusiasm for the 2036 Games, emphasizing their potential to foster economi

Nara Lokesh, the scion of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), is currently on an extended trip to the USA, where he is actively engaging with global tech giants to attract investments to Andhra Pradesh. One of the highlights of his visit occurred in Atlanta, where he unveiled a statue of the legendary Sr NTR, commissioned by the NRI TDP workers. The unveiling ceremony was a grand affair, marked by a unique spectacle of flower petals showered from a helicopter, adding a festive atmosphere

Both political parties have ramped up their outreach to Indian Americans, who wield growing influence and political clout. While Harris remains a key figure for the Democrats, the Republican party also features prominent Indian American leaders, including Nikki Haley, a former presidential contender and ex-ambassador to the United Nations, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Usha Vance, wife of Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance. With four days until the election, the race

During the Seventh Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the significance of the strategic partnership between India and Germany, describing it as a vital anchor in a world beset by tensions and uncertainty. PM Modi emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is transformational, rooted in shared democratic values, rather than merely transactional. As the world navigates complex challenges, pa