Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu has ruled against granting YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Jagan Mohan Reddy the status of Leader of the Opposition. The decision follows YSRCP’s significant electoral defeat, which reduced its representation in the 175-member Assembly to just 11 MLAs. According to legislative norms, a party must hold at least 10 percent of the total seats, equivalent to 18 MLAs, to be eligible for the Opposition Leader position. As YSRCP fail

Ramadan is a time of fasting, reflection, and togetherness, and Iftar—the meal that breaks the fast—is a cherished moment for families and friends. Along with traditional dishes, indulging in a sweet treat after a long day of fasting is a special way to celebrate. Whether you prefer classic recipes or healthier options, these seven delicious and easy-to-make sweets will add a flavorful touch to your Iftar table.   1. Sheer Khurma

The Indian Coast Guard Ship Sachet set sail for Sudan on Friday, carrying over two tons of life-saving medicines, including anti-cancer drugs, as part of India’s ongoing humanitarian efforts. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the aid consignment, reinforcing India's commitment to providing relief in conflict-affected regions."Extending Humanitarian Assistance to the People of Sudan. An Indian Coast Guard Ship Sachet departed today for Sudan, carrying a consignmen

Microchip Technology has announced plans to lay off 2,000 employees, approximately 9 percent of its global workforce, as part of a restructuring plan aimed at cost reduction and operational efficiency. The decision is driven by declining semiconductor demand, particularly from the automotive sector, where companies are struggling to clear existing chip inventories before placing new orders.The semiconductor industry has faced challenges over the past year, with demand fluctuations affecting m

Amazon Web Services, the cloud computing arm of Amazon, is set to invest approximately $8.2 billion in Maharashtra over the next few years, according to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the investment would play a key role in job creation while strengthening India’s cloud computing infrastructure. The investment is expected to be rolled out between 2029 and 2030.AWS is also planning to introduce its own graphics processing

Teleperformance, the world’s largest call center operator, is implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to neutralize Indian accents in real-time for clients in Western countries. According to a report by The Telegraph, the French company is using AI-powered software to enhance communication between customer service agents and callers by reducing accent-related misunderstandings.   AI Accent Neutralization for Improved Customer Interact

Canada has tightened its immigration and visa policies, affecting thousands of Indian students, workers, and temporary residents. Since the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations came into effect on January 31, 2025, reports indicate a rise in study permit revocations, visa scrutiny, and stricter departure enforcement.The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has projected that 7,000 study permits could be revoked this year, impacting more than 4.27 lakh Indian stud

The Indian government is working on refining the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to increase local value addition and export-driven growth in key industries. While the scheme has successfully attracted investment across multiple sectors, officials believe that further improvements are needed to address import dependency and enhance India's global manufacturing competitiveness.Since its launch in April 2020, the PLI scheme has been instrumental in drawing substantial investments i

Choosing the right tax regime is an important decision for taxpayers in India. The old and new tax regimes offer different benefits, and individuals must carefully analyze their financial situation before selecting the most suitable option. While salaried employees have the flexibility to switch every year, business professionals have a more restricted choice.The decision between the two regimes depends on factors such as tax-saving investments, exemptions, and deductions. Understanding these

A massive avalanche struck Badrinath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, leaving 47 workers trapped near Mana village. The workers, who were engaged in clearing snow for army movement, were caught in the disaster when a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp was hit.Rescue operations are underway, with the Indian Army, ITBP, and Garhwal Scouts actively working to save those trapped under the snow. Ten workers have been rescued and moved to an army camp in Mana for medical attention. Howeve

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in the final stages of electing its new national president, with the decision expected to be announced by March 15, 2025. The position became vacant after JP Nadda was elevated to a Union ministerial role, prompting a keenly contested leadership race within the party. The BJP’s national leadership is working towards selecting a strong candidate capable of guiding the party through the next five years, as it prepares for crucial state and national elec

As an 18-year-old Harvard freshman, Bill Gates had multiple job offers from major tech companies like General Electric, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), and Honeywell. While these offers boosted his confidence, Gates acknowledges that accepting any of them could have altered the course of his life—potentially delaying or even preventing the creation of Microsoft, which is now a $3 trillion tech giant.Gates details this pivotal phase of his life in his new memoir, Source Code, publis

A Forbes report on billionaire immigrants who started their journey in the U.S. on an H-1B visa highlights a few notable Indian entrepreneurs. Among them, Raj Sardana, the founder and CEO of Innova Solutions, stands out for building a $2 billion fortune from scratch.   Early Life and Struggles in India Born in Delhi in 1960 to Punjabi parents, Raj Sardana grew up in a modest household. His family, displaced during the 1947 partition, lived in

The family of Indian student Nilam Shinde, who is in a coma in the US following a tragic accident, has made an urgent appeal to the Indian government for a visa to be by her side.Nilam, 35, a Master of Science student, suffered severe fractures and head injuries after being hit by a four-wheeler in California on February 14. Her family in Satara, Maharashtra, learned about the accident two days later and has been struggling to secure a US visa since February 16. Vis

Former US President Donald Trump has announced a significant shift in US immigration policy, introducing the ‘Gold Card’ visa program, which allows Indian graduates from US universities to secure jobs and eventually gain citizenship. This move is seen as a major boost for international students, particularly those from India, who have often struggled with restrictive visa policies despite their high qualifications.   The ‘Gold Card’ initiative, un

India has moved closer to next-generation high-speed transportation with the unveiling of its first hyperloop test track. The project, spearheaded by IIT Madras and funded by the Ministry of Railways, has resulted in the construction of a 422-meter-long hyperloop test facility. The development marks a major leap in India’s transportation sector, with hyperloop technology promising to cut travel times between major cities to mere minutes.With the successful completion of the first test t

Washington: Errol Musk, the father of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has raised doubts about his son's potential political career, citing concerns over his ability to connect with people at all levels. In a candid interview with Al Arabiya News, Errol expressed skepticism about Elon’s suitability for politics, emphasizing that his son is more accustomed to working with elite professionals than engaging with the general public.   E

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents is expected to make a pivotal decision regarding the next chancellor to lead its vast network of 11 universities and eight state agencies. The board, which is meeting in Houston, could vote on a sole finalist for the position, initiating a mandatory 21-day waiting period before finalizing the appointment. According to sources familiar with the search process, the board has identified five candidates for c

Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has stirred controversy within his party after praising the economic policies of the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala. His remarks, which acknowledged the state’s progress under the Left government, have been met with sharp criticism from Congress leaders, deepening existing tensions within the party.Tharoor’s comments came during a podcast interview, where he also highlighted the absence of a strong

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Manikrao Kokate has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Nashik district and sessions court in a 1995 case involving the use of fraudulent documents to obtain government flats under a special housing scheme. In addition to the jail term, he has been fined Rs 50,000. His brother, Sunil Kokate, was also convicted in the same case.The verdict was delivered by Additional Chief Justice