A massive nationwide strike, known as the Bharat Bandh, is set to paralyze India’s public services today, with over 25 crore workers from essential government sectors participating in the protest. The strike, organized by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions, supported by farmer and rural worker organizations, is aimed at protesting the central government’s policies, which they consider "anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate

Bomb threats at four prominent locations in Hyderabad, including the City Civil Court, Raj Bhavan, Gymkhana Club, and Secunderabad Civil Court, caused a major security scare on July 8, 2025. The alert was triggered after an email was sent to the City Civil Court claiming that bombs planted at these places would detonate. The email specifically mentioned that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) containing RDX were hidden at the various sites. Following the thre

A nearly two-decade-old Transportation Security Administration policy requiring passengers to remove their shoes during airport screenings may soon become a thing of the past. According to senior officials, the TSA is in the early stages of phasing out the mandatory shoe removal rule for travelers going through standard security checks at select airports across the United States. The updated security procedure marks a significant shift in post-9/11 travel protocols that have lo

Washington, D.C. has implemented a stricter summer youth curfew following a weekend that saw multiple teen arrests and the recovery of hundreds of fireworks in the Navy Yard neighborhood. Mayor Muriel Bowser officially signed the new legislation into law on Monday, establishing a citywide curfew for all minors for the months of July and August. This new law changes the previous standard by lowering the curfew time to 11 p.m. for anyone under 18. Prior to this, the curfew only applied to youth

Smriti Irani, former Member of Parliament (MP) and popular actress, sat down for an exclusive interview with Shiv Aroor after the first promo of the reboot of her iconic TV show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, was released. The serial, which first aired 25 years ago, saw Irani portray the character of Tulsi Virani, one of Indian television's most beloved and influential characters. Now, as the show returns with a reboot, Irani is stepping back into t

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington to meet with US vice-president JD Vance and House speaker Mike Johnson, following his announcement that he will nominate US president Donald Trump for the Nobel peace prize. The meetings come at a crucial time as the Gaza conflict continues, and tensions with Iran remain high. Netanyahu’s day began with a morning meeting at Blair House with JD Vance. This was followed by a discussion with Mike Johnson at the Capitol.

President Donald Trump has triggered a new wave of international trade tension by announcing that the United States will impose steep import tariffs on 14 countries starting August 1. The new tariffs, set at a minimum of 25 percent, will affect both rivals and close allies, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, unless trade agreements are finalized before the deadline. This marks one of the most aggressive trade policy shifts under Trump’s renewed administration and represe

The United Arab Emirates has launched a new golden visa scheme, offering lifetime residency to Indian nationals through a nomination-based model that no longer requires property investment. This major policy development opens doors for skilled professionals, innovators, and contributors across key sectors to settle in the UAE for a one-time payment of approximately ₹23 lakh. Previously, Indian applicants needed to invest at least AED 2 million, equivalent to around ₹4.66 crore

President Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Japan and South Korea starting August 1. The formal notification was delivered to the governments of both countries, accompanied by warnings that any retaliatory measures would lead to further tariff hikes above the 25% rate. The announcement sent global markets into a tailspin as investors weighed the potential fallout of rising trade tensions. The U.S. stock market opened the week with sharp declines. The

Infosys, one of India’s top IT companies, is making headlines again this time for promoting work-life balance by discouraging employees from working beyond 9.15 hours a day. The company’s HR team now monitors logged hours and sends automated emails to employees who exceed this limit regularly, reminding them to take breaks and avoid overworking. This policy applies to all staff, whether they work on-site or remotely, and marks a strong shift in cor

China has issued a firm response to remarks made by United States President Donald Trump regarding the imposition of additional tariffs on countries aligning with the BRICS bloc. The Chinese government strongly opposed what it described as the coercive use of tariffs in international diplomacy, saying such tactics undermine global cooperation and stability. The statement came after President Trump warned that the United States could impose an extra 10 percent tariff on imports from countries tha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack while addressing world leaders at the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Speaking during a high-level session on ‘Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance,’ Modi referred to the recent terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir as not just an attack on India but on the whole of humanity. “Terrorism is among

At a high-voltage rally in Mumbai on Saturday, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray shared a public stage for the first time in nearly two decades. The powerful political reunion was triggered by the widespread backlash over the Maharashtra government's controversial decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language in primary schools. Addressing a p

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living in Texas, obtaining a driver’s license is a vital step towards settling down and gaining mobility. Whether you have just moved to the state or are planning to drive as a resident, understanding the process of acquiring a Texas driver’s license is essential. While the procedure can seem complex for NRIs, it is fairly simple once you know the steps and gather the required documents. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you through the proces

Australia has announced a significant increase in its student visa application fee, raising it to AUD 2,000, effective July 1, 2025. This sharp hike, now making Australia the most expensive destination for student visas among major English-speaking countries, is expected to generate AUD 760 million over the next four years. The government justifies this increase as part of its efforts to manage the growing international education sector sustainably, ensuring equi

Apple has made headlines with its latest real estate investment spree, spending over half a billion dollars in just one week. The tech giant finalized two major property purchases in Silicon Valley, underscoring its commitment to expanding its footprint in the region. On June 24, Apple closed a deal to acquire the 220,000-square-foot Cupertino Gateway complex for $166.9 million. Located on North Tantau Avenue in Cupe

Kentucky has confirmed its first measles outbreak of 2025, joining a growing list of states across the United States battling resurgent infections of a disease that had once been declared eliminated. As of early July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,267 confirmed measles cases nationally, placing the country on the verge of its highest annual case count in more than three decades. The outbreak in Kentucky involves four confirmed cases in Fayette and W

A growing controversy is unfolding in Silicon Valley involving Soham Parekh, an Indian software engineer who has allegedly held multiple full-time jobs at different startups without informing any of his employers. The case has sent shockwaves across the startup ecosystem, especially among early-stage founders who believed they had hired a promising and committed candidate. Now, they are left grappling with what they see as deception, resume fabrication, and a major breach of trust in the age

The RRB NTPC Undergraduate (UG) Exam 2025 schedule has been officially released, marking an important step in the recruitment process for aspiring candidates who want to join Indian Railways. The examination will be conducted in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format from August 7 to September 8, 2025 (tentative dates). This exam provides an excellent opportunity for candidates to secure positions within the Indian Railways, and it is crucial for all interested ca

As Wimbledon 2025 heats up, the host nation of Britain is eagerly looking for the next tennis star to rise after the retirement of two-time champion Andy Murray in 2024. With Murray’s departure, a new generation of British talent is stepping up, and leading the charge is 23-year-old Jack Draper. Draper, who is currently the fourth seed, has quickly become the face of British men’s tennis and one of the most exciting prospects since Murray’s W