Peter Mandelson has announced that he will step down from the United Kingdom’s House of Lords following fresh disclosures connecting him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a development that has prompted a government review and renewed scrutiny from law enforcement authorities. The former British ambassador to Washington informed parliamentary officials of his decision to retire from the unelected upper chamber earlier this week. The move was confirmed by the Speaker of th

As the Union Budget 2026 draws closer, India’s gems and jewellery industry has stepped up its demands for policy reforms aimed at reviving demand, supporting employment and improving transparency. Industry leaders believe the upcoming Budget can play a decisive role in restoring consumer confidence at a time when global trade uncertainty and high prices have made buyers cautious. With jewellery being both a cultural and economic mainstay, the sector is urging the government to adopt growth-

Bruce Springsteen has released a new protest song addressing recent fatal incidents in Minneapolis, using his music to respond to what he describes as escalating state violence tied to immigration enforcement. The song, titled Streets of Minneapolis, was unveiled this week and directly references the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two individuals killed during encounters involving federal immigration agents. The release comes amid heightened tensions following an immigration

Thousands of nurses across several major hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after labor negotiations failed to produce a new contract before the deadline. The walkout, which began early January 12, involves nurses from Mount Sinai Hospital and two affiliated campuses, as well as staff at New York-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Union officials say the action represents one of the largest nursing strikes in the city’s history, both in scale and i

A 24-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh pursuing a master’s degree in the US state of Texas has been reported missing after undertaking a solo winter trip to Alaska during the Christmas holiday period. The student, identified as Karasani Hari Krishna Reddy, is a native of Guntur district and had travelled to Alaska on December 22 with plans to return within two weeks, according to information shared by his friends. Reddy, who was studying in Texas, had informed his friends and r

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

In a strong and widely discussed Thanksgiving announcement, Donald Trump stated that the United States may “permanently pause migration from all Third World countries” under his proposed immigration plan. The statement immediately sparked national and global conversations, amplifying the ongoing debate around the future of U.S. immigration policies. A Strong Position on Migration During his Thanksgiving message, Trum

Switching from a long corporate career to consulting in your 40s can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You may wonder whether clients will trust you, whether your skills are relevant in today’s market, or whether it is too late to start something new. The truth is—your 40s are one of the best times to begin consulting. You have industry experience, leadership exposure, professional networks, and the maturity to offer real strategic value. With the right plan, you can

An Australian traveller’s heartfelt praise for India’s hospitality has touched hearts across social media. Solo adventurer Duncan McNaught shared an emotional video recounting the extraordinary kindness he experienced during his trip, describing Indian hospitality as “unmatched like any other in the world.” His Instagram post quickly went viral, resonating with audiences who celebrated his genuine appreciation for the country’s warmth and generosity. In hi

Roger León’s life story is one of vision, perseverance, and deep connection to his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. Born and raised in the city, he grew up attending Newark’s public schools, learning early on the value of education and community. Today, he stands as the superintendent of Newark Public Schools, leading the same system that shaped his earliest dreams. León’s journey from a local student to the city’s first Latino superintendent is a story of commitment to service and t

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

The State Fair of Texas has officially opened its gates for the 2025 season, bringing with it a mix of exciting new attractions, traditional events, and the kind of festive atmosphere that has made it a landmark in Dallas culture for decades. The fair began its three-week run on Friday morning when Fair Park opened at 10 a.m., followed by the opening day parade at noon. To mark the start of the season, an evening ceremony took place on the steps of the Hall of State at 6:30 p.m., drawing crowds

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced the launch of India’s first hydrogen highways at the inaugural World Hydrogen India event organized by S&P Global Commodity Insights. The initiative marks a significant step toward clean mobility and reducing India’s heavy dependence on crude oil imports. Backed by a budget of ₹500 crore, large-scale hydrogen truck trials have

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the UP International Trade Show in Greater Noida and made it clear that India would not yield to tariff pressures from the United States. At a time when Washington has raised duties to unprecedented levels, Modi shifted focus to India’s long standing partnership with Russia. He referred to Russia as a time tested friend and expressed satisfaction that Moscow was the partner nation for this year’s exhibition. A

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a strong message of economic self-reliance while inaugurating the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show in Greater Noida. Against the backdrop of a tariff war with the United States, Modi said that “India is not ready to be dependent on anyone.” He urged traders and manufacturers to embrace the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by focusing on local production and promoting swadeshi goods.

The Government of India has rolled out a historic reform in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system by eliminating the 12% and 28% slabs and restructuring the tax categories. The changes, which took effect today, bring relief to households as 99% of daily-use products will now fall under lower tax rates. However, in order to balance revenue and discourage harmful or luxury consumption, the government has introduced a new 40% GST slab for specific goods.

With the rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) completed, the Indian government is preparing a targeted relief package for exporters impacted by steep US tariffs. According to official sources, the Centre is working on a set of schemes designed to help sectors that have been hit hardest by the 50 per cent import duties imposed by President Donald Trump, which included a 25 per cent penalty linked to India’s Russian oil purchases.

Scientists assumed that decision-making in mammals was controlled by a single brain region. A new study published in Nature has now challenged that long-held belief, showing that decision-making is a much more distributed process involving multiple areas of the brain. The research highlights the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus as two central hubs of decision-making. While the PFC is known for planning, ev

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

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has approved a series of new measures aimed at easing the compliance burden for businesses in India, with a focus on reducing the registration time for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) and start-ups. Sources confirmed to that the new policy will reduce the MSME registration time from 30 days to just three days, streamlining the process significantly. In addition, a proposal for automated GST refunds for