India has officially stepped into the world of franchise rugby with the launch of its first-ever Rugby Premier League (RPL), a new Rugby Sevens format tournament featuring international and domestic stars. The inaugural season began at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai and will continue through June 29. This professional competition comes at a time when Indian sports fans are saturated with constant cricket action and are eager for a fresh alternative.

US President Donald Trump has announced a major breakthrough in trade relations with China, confirming that a new deal includes guaranteed upfront delivery of rare earth elements to the United States and a renewed visa pathway for Chinese students. Posting on Truth Social, Trump declared the agreement “done,” pending final approval from Chinese President Xi Jinping and himself. He emphasized that under the terms, the US would receive “full ma

Pakistan has announced a significant 20% hike in its defence budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, marking the steepest increase in decades. This decision comes at a time when the country is struggling with a massive external debt of $274 billion and shrinking foreign reserves. Despite cutting its overall budget by nearly 7%, the government has allocated PKR 2.55 trillion approximately 14.5% of its total annual budget to the military. This reflects Pakista

The United States and China have reached a preliminary framework agreement to revive their stalled trade truce, aiming to ease export curbs and avoid a looming tariff escalation. Following two days of high-stakes negotiations in London, both sides announced they had come to terms on steps to lift restrictions on China's rare earth mineral exports and to roll back recent U.S. controls on advanced technology goods, including semiconductor software.

The cost of tariffs remains one of the most contentious and difficult aspects of international trade policy. While politically charged, the real impact on American consumers can be analyzed by modeling how the proposed tariffs influence retail prices of everyday goods. A detailed analysis by retail consultancy AlixPartners shows just how significantly shoppers might feel the pinch under former President Donald Trump’s proposed and existing tariffs, particularly when it comes to commonly

Dollar Tree, a major American discount retailer, has issued a warning that its earnings for the second quarter could fall by as much as 50% compared to the same period last year. The projected drop is largely due to increased import costs triggered by newly imposed tariffs on goods from China. The company sources the majority of its merchandise—ranging from disposable tableware, seasonal items, toys, and puzzles to low-cost clothing and accessories—from Chinese manufac

In a significant diplomatic development, Pakistan’s attempt to interfere with an Indian parliamentary delegation’s visit to Malaysia has been firmly rejected by Kuala Lumpur. Citing “Islamic solidarity,” the Pakistani embassy had urged Malaysian authorities to cancel engagements planned by the Indian delegation. However, Malaysian officials ignored Islamabad’s appeal, and the Indian delegation’s full itinerary proceeded as s

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has firmly dismissed recent concerns voiced by Pakistan over the potential threat of China halting the Brahmaputra River's flow to India. Responding to speculation on social media that raised fears about the river being used as a geopolitical weapon, Sarma labelled the rhetoric as baseless and rooted in fear-mongering rather than facts. In a post on X , Sarma dismantled th

The US dollar declined in early Monday trading, reversing some of the gains it posted last week, as investors responded to rising concerns about trade tensions and the potential for inflationary pressures. The latest drop followed the US administration's announcement to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50%, a move set to take effect this Wednesday. This aggressive shift in trade policy has reignited fears that economic growth could slow and inflation may spike.

India has urged the United States to ensure that student visa applications from Indian nationals are processed on merit and without unnecessary delays. This appeal follows growing unease among Indian students over recent changes to US visa regulations, which many fear could disrupt their academic plans just as they prepare for the upcoming academic semester. A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged the United States’ sovereign right to grant or deny v

India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri concluded a three-day visit to the United States on Thursday, where he led discussions on a broad range of strategic issues including trade, defence, and critical technologies. The visit marked a continued deepening of bilateral ties, with both nations reaffirming their shared commitment to shaping a forward-looking partnership suited for the evolving global landscape. During his visit, the foreign secretary engaged in high-level meetin

India has confirmed that over a thousand of its nationals have been deported or have voluntarily returned from the United States since January 2025, amid intensified immigration enforcement. The Ministry of External Affairs revealed this during a recent press briefing, highlighting cooperation between the two countries on migration-related issues. According to the ministry spokesperson, around 62% of these individuals returned on commercial flights. The rest were likely deported t

The Trump administration, currently embroiled in multiple legal battles over its controversial executive orders, has urged a New York court not to place a stay on President Donald Trump’s tariffs order. In a dramatic appeal, administration officials warned that halting the tariffs could not only harm American economic interests but also destabilize fragile peace agreements and undermine global diplomacy. Citing examples such as the tense India-Pakistan standoff and ongoing trade talks w

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, originally identified in China, has now reached the United States, prompting concern among health officials due to its rapid spread and high transmissibility. Detected first in travelers arriving between March and April in states including California, New York, Washington, Virginia, and Hawaii, the variant has since appeared in Ohio and Rhode Island, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The variant has become dominant i

A few years ago, a headline claiming the United States had imposed tariffs as high as 3,521% on solar panels from Southeast Asia might have seemed like exaggerated satire. Today, it barely stands out amid an unrelenting wave of policy shifts and dramatic moves that have marked Donald Trump’s second term in office. These tariffs, however, are more than just economic tools; they are signals of deeper geopolitical shifts where trade wars, technological competition, and power rivalries are

In a series of statements that have stirred global business conversations, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Apple, insisting that the tech giant must manufacture iPhones within the United States if it intends to sell them in the American market. Speaking from the Oval Office while signing multiple executive orders aimed at strengthening the U.S. nuclear power sector, Trump said it is acceptable for Apple to go to India to build plants, but under no circumstances

A historic monument in China, the 650-year-old Fengyang Drum Tower in Anhui province, suffered a partial collapse on Monday, sending shockwaves across social media and raising serious concerns over recent restoration efforts. A dramatic video capturing the moment the tiles and debris came crashing down has since gone viral, sparking a national conversation about the quality of modern restoration work on ancient heritage structures. Built in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty, the Fengyang

The recent developments in the semiconductor industry highlight a complex and evolving battle over technological supremacy, led prominently by the United States and China. When Huawei launched its Mate 60 Pro smartphone equipped with an advanced 7-nanometer chip despite stringent US export restrictions, it sent shockwaves through the global tech community. This event underscored that innovation can persist even in the face of severe sanctions. The US responded swiftly by tightening export contro

In a significant diplomatic initiative aimed at reinforcing India's resolute stand against terrorism, the Indian government is deploying multi-party delegations to key international regions. This outreach effort is intended to highlight the country’s unified position on terrorism and expose cross-border threats that continue to jeopardize regional and global security. The initiative spans a 10-day mission, with delegations scheduled to visit the United States, European Union nations, J

On May 16, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump once again reiterated his claim that India had offered a zero-tariff trade deal to the United States, in a move he framed as part of his broader efforts to mediate peace between India and Pakistan. During an interview, President Trump emphasized that his engagement in regional diplomacy and trade had led to a de-escalation of tensions between the two South Asian neighbors. His comments come amid a charged geopolitical backdrop and continuing discussio