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 India prepares for the Union Budget of 2025-26, the finance ministry has highlighted the need for flexibility in fiscal policy, given the ongoing global economic and geopolitical challenges. While the fiscal deficit for FY26 is expected to be below 4.5% of GDP, there are concerns over the ability to accurately project receipts and expenditures in the current uncertain environment. The global situation has worsened, with escalating conflicts, further complicating fiscal planning.

India has long been a preferred destination for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) seeking investment opportunities, thanks to its growing economy and abundant prospects. The Indian market, characterized by robust economic growth and a strong consumer base, continues to attract NRIs, especially with the government implementing pro-investment policies in recent years. As we approach 2025, the investment landscape for NRIs is evolving, bringing forth new opportunities and

Starting January 2025, individuals from India planning to study or work in the United Kingdom (UK) will need to showcase increased financial reserves. The UK government has raised the monthly maintenance cost for student and work visas by at least 11 percent to address concerns about immigration's impact on housing and the economy. The updated financial thresholds, detailed on the UK government website, outline new requirements for study and work visa applicants.

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

In 2024, immunity-boosting drinks became a popular choice for people seeking natural remedies to strengthen their immune systems amidst health challenges and environmental concerns. These drinks, rich in herbs, fruits, and other natural ingredients, have gained prominence for their health benefits. Here's a look at the top immunity-boosting drinks of the year, one for each month, providing a seasonal and holistic approach to wellness. January: Golden Turmer

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

Bangladesh's interim government has sent a diplomatic note to India requesting the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in exile in India since August 5, 2023. Hasina fled Bangladesh after student-led protests led to the downfall of her 16-year rule. The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina, accusing her and several former officials of "crimes against humanity and genocide." Foreign Affairs A

The Indian rupee weakened by 10 paise to a record low of 85.12 against the US dollar on Monday, marking a significant decline in its value. The domestic currency opened at 84.85, according to Bloomberg data, and had closed at 85.02 on Friday. This continued depreciation comes amid rising global pressures, including an increase in Brent crude prices, which rose 0.41% to $73.24 per barrel. The rise in crude prices was partly driven by easing concerns about a potential US government shutdown and

The year 2024 has been a remarkable one for Indian sports, with several athletes bringing laurels to the country, including India's T20 World Cup win and Manu Bhaker's double medal victory at the Paris Olympics. The Indian government has revealed the nominees for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor. Among the nominees are Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian men's hockey team, who led the team to a bronze medal at th

The upcoming World Economic Forum Summit in Davos, set to begin on January 20, 2024, will witness the attendance of the Chief Ministers of the Telugu states—Chandrababu Naidu from Andhra Pradesh and Revanth Reddy from Telangana. Although this will not be a formal bilateral meeting between the two leaders, both are attending the summit in their individual capacities, and it’s expected that their presence could lead to informal discussions on the post-bifurcation issues between the

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

The defence relationship between the United States and India is rapidly growing, with key developments marking an exciting period of collaboration between the two nations. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, emphasized that the US-India defence ties are progressing in significant ways, particularly in defence industrial cooperation and operational collaboration across the military services. This partnership continues to expand even as the India-China

India's stand-in captain, Smriti Mandhana, made history with her brilliant performance against the West Indies at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Mandhana scored a match-winning 77 runs off 47 balls, marking her 30th fifty in T20 internationals. This remarkable achievement broke the long-standing record held by New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who had scored 29 fifties. Mandhana’s milesto

In a move to improve efficiency, Google has reduced its managerial staff by 10%, including roles at the manager, director, and vice president levels. This decision is part of a broader initiative to streamline the company and address increasing competition from AI-driven companies like OpenAI. CEO Sundar Pichai discussed these cuts during an all-hands meeting, stating that some employees would be reassigned to individual contributor roles, while others would face position eliminations.

In a shocking incident from West Godavari district, a woman named Naga Tulsi received a parcel containing the body of an unidentified man instead of the promised electrical appliances. Tulsi had earlier applied for financial assistance from the Kshatriya Seva Samithi to construct her house and had been assured of receiving lights, fans, and switches. However, when she opened the package delivered to her doorstep, she found a male body inside, which led to immediate panic. The police

In a recent lecture on ‘India – The Vishwaguru' in Pune, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed concern over the resurgence of temple-mosque disputes, stating that certain individuals seem to believe they can become "leaders of Hindus" by stirring such controversies. Bhagwat emphasized the importance of fostering an inclusive society and stressed that India should set an example for the world in living together harmoniously. He pointed out the country's long-standing

On Friday morning, a devastating collision between a gas tanker and multiple vehicles on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway resulted in a massive fire, claiming at least eight lives. CCTV footage captured the horrifying moments as thick black smoke filled the street, followed by an explosion minutes after the crash. The inferno caused by the collision affected a nearly 300-meter stretch of the highway, causing traffic disruptions with a long line of vehicles stuck in the aftermath. More than 30 vehicle

Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) has officially rejected recent reports claiming that Starbucks is planning to exit the Indian market, calling the rumors "baseless." These reports suggested that the American coffee giant might leave India due to high operating costs, mounting losses, and the growing competition from local, cheaper alternatives. However, TCPL, which operates Starbucks in India

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