In a significant move aimed at reshaping the American education system, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing the closure of the Department of Education. This bold move aligns with long-standing Republican ambitions to transfer educational authority to individual states and reduce federal involvement in schools. The signing ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House, where Trump, surrounded by schoolchildren, proudly displayed the signed order.

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has requested the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to introduce long-term government bonds, including 100-year bonds, to support their investment strategies for whole life insurance policies. This request was confirmed by Siddhartha Mohanty, Managing Director and Chief Executive of LIC, during an event in Mumbai. Speaking on the sidelines of the GCA25 conference, Mohanty explained that LIC’s investment portfolio heavily depends on long-term bonds to

Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), emphasized the growing strength of US-India relations during her visit to New Delhi. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Gabbard highlighted the close ties between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, underscoring their shared commitment to defeating Islamic terrorism and ensuring global security. “The ties between the US and India go very far back,” Gabbard stated. “In Trump's second ter

The Trump administration is reportedly considering implementing sweeping travel restrictions on citizens from 41 countries as part of a proposed travel ban, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo obtained by Reuters. The internal memo outlines three distinct groups of countries facing varying levels of visa restrictions. In the first group, a total of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, are listed for a full visa suspension. Thi

The ongoing language debate in India has intensified following remarks by actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan, which drew sharp criticism from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Janasena Party leader had accused Tamil Nadu politicians of hypocrisy for opposing the imposition of Hindi while continuing to release Tamil films dubbed in Hindi for commercial gain. Responding to these remarks, DMK spokesperson Dr Syed Hafeezullah criticized Pawan Kaly

US Vice President JD Vance is set to visit India later this month, marking his second international trip since assuming office. Accompanying him on this visit will be Second Lady Usha Vance, who will visit her ancestral homeland for the first time in her official capacity. This visit follows JD Vance’s recent diplomatic trips to France and Germany, where he attended the Munich Security Conference and made headlines with his sharp critique of European governme

Lauki, commonly known as bottle gourd, is not just a staple in Indian cuisine but also a hidden gem for improving skin health. Packed with essential nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and antioxidants, lauki offers a range of benefits that can rejuvenate your skin, leaving it clear, glowing, and youthful. With its hydrating and detoxifying properties, lauki can address common skin concerns such as acne, dryness, pigmentation, and even signs of ageing. Here's how incorporating lauki into your

Foreign professionals looking to work in the United States are preparing for the upcoming 2026 H-1B visa season, which introduces key changes to the registration and selection process. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the H-1B visa registration period will open on March 7, 2025, and close by March 24, 2025. During this time, employers can submit registrations for potential beneficiaries. Under the revised selection process,

Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all Texas state employees to return to the office full-time, marking a significant shift away from the remote work arrangements many have relied on since the pandemic. While Abbott has not set a strict statewide deadline, individual agencies are implementing their own return-to-office timelines, with some requiring employees to be back at their desks by March 31, 2025. This move has sparked mixed reactions among state employ

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, reinforcing the United States’ role in cryptocurrency management. This move marks a significant shift in federal policy toward digital assets, as the US government will now officially stockpile Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies seized in criminal and civil forfeiture cases.Unlike traditional government reserves, this initiative does not involve taxpayer funds. Instead, the reserve will be bui

Andhra Pradesh : Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu made headlines during his visit to Delhi, once again proving his political acumen and diplomacy. As a seasoned politician, Naidu was the center of attention for the national media, which attempted to corner him on the controversial Hindi imposition debate in South India.With rising concerns in South India over the promotion of Hindi over regional languages, national media pressed Naidu for his stance on the issue. However

The United States has reportedly asked India to eliminate tariffs on nearly all goods except agricultural products, according to a CNBC-TV18 report on March 6. If India accepts this demand, it would mean removing key trade protections while receiving little in return. The proposal has raised concerns in India, as it comes amid escalating trade tensions between the two countries.US President Donald Trump has been vocal in his criticism of India’s trade policies, repeatedly labeling them

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump called Hamas "sick and twisted" for keeping hostages and withholding the bodies of those killed. He emphasized that if Hamas fails to comply, there will be severe consequences, promising Israel full support to eliminate the group.This warning comes amid direct talks between the U.S. and Hamas regarding t

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed confidence that US-Ukraine relations can be repaired following an intense diplomatic confrontation with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Speaking from London after a European security summit, Zelensky emphasized the need for closed-door discussions and reaffirmed his stance that Ukraine would not concede any territory to Russia in exchange for peace.Zelensky’s remarks came just days after his tense meeting with Trump and

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

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been accused of sending over $2 billion in aid to Hamas since the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, raising concerns over how U.S. foreign aid is allocated. The claims were presented during a House Committee hearing on USAID’s financial practices, bringing renewed scrutiny to the agency’s funding policies.   Additionally, reports suggest that USAID provided financial assistance to Falah-e-In

The World Bank has advised India to lower import tariffs, ease regulatory restrictions, and simplify trade processes to enhance its global trade competitiveness and attract foreign investment. In a report released on Friday titled the Economic Memorandum on India, the World Bank highlighted that high trade costs caused by import tariffs on intermediate and capital goods, as well as non-tariff barriers, are limiting India's participation in global value chains (GVCs).The report emphasized

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced major updates to the RuPay Debit Select Card, offering enhanced lifestyle benefits in fitness, travel, wellness, and entertainment. These new features will be effective from April 1, 2025, providing cardholders with complimentary airport lounge access, gym memberships, spa sessions, OTT subscriptions, and accident insurance coverage.RuPay Debit Select was introduced as a premium debit card offering exclusive privileges. In a circ

Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his decision to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and the European Union, tying them to border security concerns and trade imbalances. The tariffs, initially set for March 4, are now expected to take effect on April 2, giving businesses and trade partners a brief window to prepare.   Trump Links Tariffs to Fentanyl Crisis and Border Security During his first Cabinet mee