A high-ranking Russian general, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, was killed in an explosion in Moscow on Tuesday. Kirillov, who served as the chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops (RKhBZ), was killed by a bomb hidden in an electric scooter. The blast occurred outside a residential building on Ryazansky Prospekt, located about seven kilometers southeast of the Kremlin. Kirillov’s assistant also died in the explosion. The attack comes as Mosc

A shocking revelation from the Financial Times has disclosed that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime airlifted around $250 million to Moscow between 2018 and 2019. The cash, including nearly two tonnes of $100 bills and €500 notes, was flown to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport and deposited in Russian banks under sanctions. This move was part of Assad's efforts to bypass Western sanctions that isolated Syria from the global financial system. During this time,

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday honored the soldiers who played a pivotal role in India's victory during the 1971 war, known as Vijay Diwas. The day commemorates the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. In a post shared on X, PM Modi paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers who contributed to this historic victory. Modi emphasized the selfless dedication and determination of the Indian soldiers, notin

The Indian rupee opened at 84.83 against the US dollar on Monday, a depreciation of 4 paise compared to the previous close of 84.79. The decline in the rupee is largely attributed to the uncertainty following the announcement of a leadership transition at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Shaktikanta Das will be succeeded by Sanjay Malhotra, sparking initial concerns in the market. However, markets quickly adjusted to the news, with experts noting that the RBI is closely monitoring banking sys

Switzerland has decided to suspend the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) status granted to India, which could result in higher taxes for Indian companies operating in the country. Starting January 1, 2025, Indian companies will face increased withholding tax rates on income such as dividends and royalties generated in Switzerland. The new tax rules will impose a 10% tax on dividends earned by Indian entities. This move follows a ruling by the Indian Supreme Court in October 2023, which sta

On Friday, Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, firing 93 missiles and nearly 200 drones, marking one of the heaviest attacks on the country’s energy sector since the invasion began nearly three years ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the assault as part of Russia’s ongoing strategy to terrorize millions of people and demanded a strong global response. Ukraine's air defense systems intercepted 81 missiles, including 11 cruise miss

On Thursday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received a bomb threat via email, which was written in Russian. The threat, sent to the RBI's official website, claimed that the bank would be blown up. Following the threat, a case was registered at the Mata Rambai Marg (MRA Marg) police station in Mumbai, and an investigation has been launched. This incident comes after a similar threat was made to the RBI through its customer care number on November 16, with the caller claiming to

Efforts are underway to secure the early release and repatriation of 14 Indian fishermen, including seven from Tamil Nadu, who have been detained in a Pakistani jail since January. Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin about the ongoing diplomatic efforts. This followed a letter from Stalin, dated November 20, urging swift action for the fishermen’s release. Jaishankar stated that the Indian government had raised the matte

In a landmark energy agreement, Russia’s state oil company Rosneft has committed to supply 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day to India’s Reliance for the next 10 years, worth approximately $13 billion annually. This deal represents about 0.5% of global oil supply and strengthens energy relations between India and Russia, especially as Russia faces intense Western sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine. The deal is set to begin in January and will involve monthly deli

The potential fall of Syria’s Assad regime poses a serious challenge for Russia’s foreign policy and military strategy. One of Moscow's most prized assets from its involvement in Syria has been its naval base at Tartus, located on the Mediterranean coast. However, recent developments, including the departure of Russian warships from Tartus, signal that Moscow's long-term access to this crucial facility is at risk. This would be a major blow to Russia, which has historicall

During Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's ongoing visit to Russia, talks are progressing on a major defence agreement worth $4 billion that could significantly enhance India’s air defence infrastructure. The deal revolves around the acquisition of the Voronezh radar system, manufactured by Russia's Almaz-Antey Corporation, which specializes in anti-aircraft missile systems and radars. The Voronezh radar, with a range of over 8,000 km, is designed to detect threats such as ballisti

The Indian rupee ended the trading session stronger after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to keep the benchmark interest rates unchanged, while unveiling measures aimed at improving liquidity in the banking system. The domestic currency gained 3 paise, closing at 84.70 against the US dollar, compared to 84.73 in the previous session. As part of the monetary policy changes, the RBI raised the interest rate ceiling on one-year Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) deposits by 200 basis p

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while receiving the 'India First' award at NDTV’s Indian of the Year ceremony, celebrated the crucial role of India's democracy in shaping the country's growth. He emphasized how democracy has brought forward voices from every part of the nation, not just metropolitan cities, giving equal representation to all sections of society. This inclusiveness, he argued, has been pivotal in driving India’s development. He also noted t

During the 15th VTB Russia Calling Investment Forum, President Vladimir Putin praised India’s economic progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, particularly the "Make in India" initiative. Putin emphasized how this initiative has helped strengthen India’s manufacturing sector and attracted foreign investments, which have significantly contributed to India’s growing global economic position. He drew parallels between India's Make in India

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the country's 2025 budget, allocating $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles) to national defence, which accounts for 32.5% of the total government spending. This marks a significant increase from last year’s budget, highlighting the ongoing strain the war in Ukraine has placed on Russia’s finances. The budget sets a new record, with military spending expected to account for over 6% of Russia's GDP. In contrast, expenditu

The Indian Rupee has depreciated to a record low of 84.61 against the US Dollar, marking a fresh setback for the currency. This comes after former US President Donald Trump's threat to impose a 100% tariff on BRICS nations if they fail to continue using the US Dollar. Trump's demand for a commitment from BRICS countries not to create a new currency or back alternatives to the dollar has put additional pressure on global markets, including the Indian Rupee. Along with this geopolitical

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar recently made a strong statement about the importance of following parliamentary rules, declaring that any deviation is akin to sacrilege against the "temple of democracy." During a session on Thursday, he responded to Congress MP Jairam Ramesh’s question about how to "persuade the chair" by emphasizing that the chair is historically persuaded by members' adherence to the rules. Dhankhar stressed

Russia launched a massive assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, using 90 missiles and 100 drones. The attack has left over one million people without electricity as temperatures drop, marking the 11th large-scale attack on Ukraine's power systems this year. Ukrainian authorities have accused Russia of "weaponizing winter," with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemning the use of cluster munitions against civilians and infrastructure. At

A recent survey by global real estate services firm JLL reveals that Indian organisations require more office attendance compared to the global average. According to the Future of Work Survey 2024 – India Insights, 90% of Indian employers mandate at least three days of office presence per week, which is higher than the global average of 85%. Moreover, over half (54%) of Indian organisations anticipate an increase in the number of office days by 2030, surpassing the global expec