The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced that the average time taken for the certification of feature films has been reduced to just 18 working days, thanks to the introduction of the Online Certificate System. Minister L Murugan shared this information in response to a question raised by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Lok Sabha. This reduction marks a significant improvement in the efficiency of the film certification process, which was previously subject to a 48-day prescribed t

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched a fierce political and institutional attack on the Election Commission of India following a nearly 90-minute meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi. Accompanied by senior Trinamool Congress leaders and families allegedly affected by the Special Intensive Revision process, Banerjee accused the poll panel of deleting voters’ names arbitrarily and functioning as an extension of the BJP. Emerging from the

Bangladesh’s political turmoil deepened further on Monday as a Dhaka court sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in two corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in government land allocations. The verdict, delivered by Dhaka’s Special Judge’s Court, marks another major legal setback for the former leader, who has been facing a barrage of cases since her removal from power in 2024. The cases revolve around the Rajuk New Town Project

A major development unfolded in Telangana politics on Saturday as the Special Investigation Team completed its first round of questioning of former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao in connection with the phone tapping case. The SIT officials arrived at KCR’s residence in Nandi Nagar earlier in the afternoon and began the inquiry at approximately 3:00 pm. What initially appeared to be a routine

Senior YSR Congress Party leader Ambati Rambabu has once again found himself at the center of controversy, with police reports confirming that as many as 16 criminal cases have been registered against him. The cases are reportedly linked to repeated incidents involving abusive language, provocative public statements, and actions that authorities believe could d

Amid continuing global economic uncertainty and renewed debate over the stability of major reserve currencies, Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated China’s ambition to build a “strong currency” and gradually elevate the yuan’s status in the global financial system. Xi said China aims to expand the use of the yuan in international trade, investment, and foreign exchange markets, underscoring a long-standing policy goal to strengthen the country’s financial influence worldwide. Xi’s remarks were outlined in a speech delivered in 2024 to senior provincial and ministerial officials and later published on Saturday in Qiushi, the Communist Party’s leading theoretical journal. The publication of excerpts from the address comes at a time of heightened volatility in global markets and growing scrutiny of the dominance of the US dollar, adding significance to Beijing’s renewed emphasis on currency strength and financial resilience. In the speech, Xi set out what he described as the essential characteristics of a global financial powerhouse. These included a solid economic foundation, world-leading technological and industrial capabilities, and a widely accepted and credible currency. He argued that currency strength was inseparable from broader national competitiveness and institutional capacity, noting that financial influence must be supported by real economic and technological power rather than short-term market movements. Xi also stressed the importance of a capable and independent central bank able to implement effective monetary policy and macroprudential management. He said globally competitive financial institutions, along with influential international financial centres, were necessary to attract global capital and exert pricing power in international markets. According to Xi, these elements must be matched with strong regulation, a reliable legal framework, and a deep pool of skilled financial professionals to ensure long-term stability and credibility. While acknowledging China’s scale in global finance, Xi noted that the country still faced structural limitations. He said China ranked among the world’s largest economies in terms of banking assets, foreign exchange reserves, and capital market size, but remained “big but not strong” overall. Transforming China into a true global financial powerhouse, he added, would be a gradual and long-term undertaking rather than an immediate achievement. Beijing has promoted the internationalisation of the yuan for more than a decade, with measurable progress in its use for cross-border trade settlement. The currency’s role in global markets, however, remains limited when compared with established reserve currencies. China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System currently clears an average of about 700 billion yuan, or roughly 100 billion US dollars, in transactions each day. This figure remains well below the nearly 2 trillion US dollars cleared daily through the dollar-based Clearing House Interbank Payments System. Yuan-denominated debt issuance in international markets also accounts for a small share of global activity, representing less than one percent of total issuance. These figures highlight the gap between China’s ambitions and the yuan’s current global footprint, despite steady domestic financial expansion. In recent months, the yuan has generally held firm against the US dollar, even amid trade tensions and uneven global growth. This stability contrasts with the sharper depreciation seen during former US President Donald Trump’s first term, when market observers speculated that Chinese authorities tolerated a weaker currency to offset the impact of tariffs. International investment banks continue to argue that the yuan remains below its long-term fair value, reflecting both policy controls and cautious foreign investor sentiment. The republication of Xi’s speech signals continuity in China’s financial strategy rather than a sudden shift. As global markets navigate uncertainty and reassess existing monetary structures, Beijing appears intent on steadily advancing its vision of a stronger yuan and a more influential role in the international financial system over the long term.

A moment of immense joy and celebration has arrived for the Konidela and Kamineni families as popular Tollywood actor Ram Charan and his wife Upasana Konidela have been blessed with twins. The couple welcomed a baby boy and a baby girl on January 31, spreading happiness across their families and among fans

The political atmosphere in Andhra Pradesh has heated up once again following a controversial incident involving YSR Congress senior leader Ambati Rambabu. The YSR Congress Party has been attempting to counter criticism surrounding the Tirupati Laddu controversy by highlighting the findings of a Special Investigation Team report, which stated that no animal fats were mixed in the sacred prasada

Annapolis Police are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found on a hiking trail in Truxtun Park, with authorities believing extreme cold weather played a significant role. Officers were called to the area near the tennis courts on Wednesday after receiving a report of an unresponsive person on the trail. Upon arrival, first responders located the woman and determined she had died at the scene. Preliminary findings suggest the woman slipped on ice while walking along t

The Budget Session 2026 of the Indian Parliament commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi. The opening of the session marks the beginning of one of the most significant legislative periods of the year, during which the government outlines its economic vision and policy priorities. Lawmakers from across political parties assembled as the President delivered her customary address, setting the tone for deb

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday after a chartered aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport. He was 66. The tragic accident also claimed the lives of two pilots and two security personnel who were on board the aircraft. Authorities described the crash as extremely severe, with most parts of the plane engulfed in flames after impact. The incident has sent shockwaves across Maharash

Maharashtra was plunged into deep shock on Tuesday after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was dead in a plane crash during landing at Baramati airport. The charter aircraft, which was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati, met with a fatal accident at around 8:45 am while attempting to land. DGCA officials confirmed that there were no survivors in the crash and that five people were on board the aircraft, including Ajit Pawar, three passeng

A major incident shocked Maharashtra on Tuesday after reports emerged that a plane carrying Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed while landing in Baramati. According to early inputs shared through live updates, the aircraft encountered difficulties during the landing process, leading to a crash that immediately triggered emergency protocols at the site. First visuals from the location began circulating online, showing heightened security presence and rescue teams rushing to the scene. Aut

Seven people were killed and one crew member was critically injured after a private business jet crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday evening, as a large winter storm swept across New England and much of the United States. Federal aviation authorities confirmed the fatalities and said the sole survivor was transported for emergency medical treatment with serious injuries. The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 600, was carrying eight people when i

Air Force One, the aircraft carrying US President Donald Trump to the World Economic Forum in Davos, was forced to make an unexpected U-turn late Tuesday after a minor electrical issue was detected mid-flight. The aircraft, which had departed from Joint Base Andrews near Washington, reversed its course while flying over the Atlantic Ocean near Montauk, close to the eastern tip of Long Island. According to White House officials, the decision to return was taken purely as a precaution, with no

Operations at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport were significantly disrupted Tuesday after a burst water pipe forced the evacuation of the airport’s primary air traffic control tower, triggering a prolonged ground delay program and affecting hundreds of flights throughout the day. Federal aviation officials confirmed the incident occurred during the early morning hours and continued to impact air traffic well into the evening. The situation began at approximately 1:10 a.m. when a water pipe failed inside the main air traffic control tower. The incident prompted the immediate evacuation of air traffic controllers working in the facility as a safety precaution. Controllers were temporarily relocated to the airport’s south control tower, where they resumed operations under adjusted procedures to maintain essential flight management functions. Shortly after the evacuation, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented a ground delay program for O’Hare. The measure was designed to manage air traffic flow while staffing and operational capacity were reduced. As of mid-morning, the FAA indicated that the ground delay program remained in effect and was expected to continue for much of the day, with projected delays extending into the evening hours. Flight tracking data showed widespread disruption across the airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in the United States. More than 400 flights were reported delayed by Tuesday morning, with many experiencing wait times exceeding 45 minutes. The delays affected both arriving and departing flights, creating a ripple effect across domestic and international travel schedules. FAA officials confirmed that the main air traffic control tower remained closed as crews assessed the extent of the damage caused by the water intrusion. The full impact on equipment and infrastructure had not yet been determined, and officials said it was too early to estimate when normal operations would be fully restored. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the pipe failure and to evaluate any structural or maintenance issues that may have contributed to the incident. Airport authorities worked alongside federal officials to manage passenger flow and minimize congestion within terminals. Travelers were advised to check directly with airlines for updated flight information and to allow extra time when traveling to or from the airport. Airlines adjusted schedules and staffing as they worked to accommodate delayed passengers and reposition aircraft. Despite the disruption, officials emphasized that safety remained the top priority and that the relocation of controllers allowed critical air traffic services to continue. The incident underscored the complexity of airport operations and the cascading impact that infrastructure issues can have on air travel, particularly at major hubs such as O’Hare. As repair efforts and inspections continued, officials said updates would be provided as more information became available. The FAA noted that restoring full capacity would depend on the outcome of the damage assessment and the completion of necessary repairs, while reiterating its commitment to maintaining safe and efficient air travel operations.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is expected to attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court on Wednesday in a closely watched case challenging President Donald Trump’s authority to remove a sitting member of the central bank’s governing board. The case centers on Trump’s attempt to dismiss Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a move that has raised fundamental questions about the independence of the nation’s monetary policymaker. Powell’s decision to be present for the arguments is unusual for a sitting Fed chair, underscoring the significance the central bank places on the outcome. Within the Federal Reserve, the dispute is widely viewed as having far-reaching implications for the institution’s autonomy and its ability to conduct monetary policy without political interference. The case asks whether a president can remove a Federal Reserve governor outside the narrow circumstances traditionally allowed by law. The backdrop to the Supreme Court proceedings includes heightened scrutiny of Powell himself. Earlier this year, the Fed chair disclosed that he is the subject of a criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office related to a multi-billion-dollar renovation of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters and statements he made to Congress about the project. Powell has said the investigation is being used as a pretext tied to policy disagreements, particularly the Fed’s refusal to reduce interest rates as aggressively as the White House sought last year. In a rare public statement issued in January, Powell argued that the threat of criminal charges stems from the Federal Reserve’s mandate to set interest rates based on its assessment of what best serves the public interest, rather than political preferences. He emphasized that the central bank’s decisions are made collectively by the Board of Governors and are guided by economic data and long-term stability considerations. The legal fight began after Trump announced in August that he was firing Cook from the seven-member Federal Reserve Board, alleging mortgage fraud connected to two homes she owns. Cook has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime. She subsequently filed suit in federal court in Washington, seeking to block her removal and arguing that the president lacked cause under the law to dismiss her. A federal district judge issued an injunction in September preventing Cook’s removal while the case proceeds, a decision later upheld by a federal appeals court. Those rulings kept Cook in her post and set the stage for the administration’s appeal to the Supreme Court. In filings before the high court, the Department of Justice has argued that the lower court orders amount to improper judicial interference with the president’s removal authority. The government contends that the Constitution grants the president broad power to remove executive branch officials, including members of the Federal Reserve Board, for cause. Opponents of that view warn that allowing such removals could undermine the central bank’s independence and expose monetary policy to political pressure. The Supreme Court’s decision could therefore reshape the balance of power between the White House and the Federal Reserve, with potential consequences for interest rate policy, financial markets, and the broader economy. As the justices prepare to hear arguments, Powell’s attendance signals how consequential the case is for the Federal Reserve’s leadership. The ruling, expected later this year, is likely to define the limits of presidential authority over one of the country’s most influential economic institutions.

A Florida man has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of three tourists outside a short-term rental home in a popular Kissimmee vacation neighborhood near Disney theme parks, authorities said. The incident has shaken the central Florida tourism corridor, an area known for its family-oriented accommodations and steady flow of out-of-state visitors. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest of a 29-year-old man on three counts of murder after deputie

At least 21 people were killed and more than 70 others were injured after a devastating collision between two high-speed passenger trains in Spain’s southern Andalusia region on Sunday evening. The incident has been described by national authorities as one of the deadliest rail disasters in recent years, triggering a large-scale emergency response and a nationwide investigation into rail safety. According to information released by the country’s rail infrastructure operator Adif

Bank of India’s Mumbai North Zone recently organised an NRI Meet titled “Pravasi Sampark” as part of its ongoing efforts to deepen engagement with Non-Resident Indian customers and better understand their evolving banking, investment, and remittance requirements. The initiative reflects the bank’s focus on strengthening long-term relationships with the global Indian diaspora by offering customer-centric and technology-driven financial solutions. The event was attended by sen