The Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on certain items, including cigarettes, carbonated drinks, and luxury cars, may soon see a hike, according to government sources. This change is being considered as part of a proposal to replace the existing compensation cess with a new health and green cess, aimed at promoting sustainability and addressing health concerns. Currently, items like cigarettes, carbonated drinks, an

Trapit Bansal, an IIT-Kanpur alumnus and former OpenAI researcher, has officially joined Meta's newly established Superintelligence Labs (MSL). Bansal’s hiring is part of Meta’s aggressive push to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) and rival industry giants like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic. As part of his new role, Bansal will bring his expertise in deep learning, meta-learning, and natural language processing to help Meta

The property market in Dubai has seen an increasing influx of Indian investors in recent years. Despite perceptions of cheaper real estate, the reasons behind this boom go beyond just affordability. With rising property prices in India and increasing dissatisfaction with local real estate conditions, many Indians are turning their eyes to Dubai for more promising returns and opportunities. Although the average price

Cardiac surgeon Dr. Ramakanta Panda has raised alarms over the increasing number of heart-related deaths among young Indians, following a series of sudden heart attacks in Hassan, Karnataka. On June 30, four men, aged between 50 and 63, tragically died of cardiac events, adding to the alarming number of heart-related deaths in the district, with 22 deaths reported over the past 40 days. The youngest victim was just 19 years old, which has sent shockwaves throu

In an effort to tackle the growing issue of late-night youth gatherings and associated disturbances, city leaders have approved an emergency summer curfew targeting minors. The curfew, which took immediate effect and is set to last through the end of August, applies to anyone aged 17 or younger and restricts their presence in public spaces after 11 p.m. Aimed at reducing violent behavior and improving safety in troubled neighborhoods, the measure also empowers city officials to impose stricter c

More than 100 children facing cancer and other life-threatening conditions were treated to a magical day of fun and excitement at a major indoor entertainment mall this week, thanks to a special summer camp that is dedicated to bringing joy and relief to young patients and their families. The outing offered a rare opportunity for the children to experience carefree moments filled with laughter, games, treats, and connection with their peers—all within a safe, medically supervised environme

San Jose has taken a bold legal step to address persistent drug activity and public safety concerns in one of its most historic public spaces. Repeat drug offenders are now officially prohibited from entering or lingering near St. James Park in the downtown area, following a court-issued injunction designed to reclaim the park for broader community use. The order was granted in late April and allows authorities to arrest individuals with prior drug offenses if they are found within 100 yards of

California is taking a significant step toward establishing the country’s first official insurance standard for smoke damage, aiming to address a persistent and often overlooked issue affecting wildfire survivors. Every year, wildfires leave behind more than scorched land—they also blanket homes in soot and smoke that can carry toxic substances, even when structures remain standing. Currently, there are no statewide or national guidelines requiring insurers to cover the cost of testi

The US dollar is undergoing an unprecedented decline in 2025, losing its long-held status as the world's most reliable safe-haven currency. The steep fall is being driven by investor panic over erratic and unfunded economic policies, ballooning national debt, and an erosion of confidence in the country's financial institutions. As a result, global markets are experiencing turbulence not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. At the heart of the crisis are a series of unpred

As the July 9 deadline approaches, India and the United States are engaged in crucial extended negotiations to finalize an interim trade agreement. The urgency behind these talks stems from the looming reimplementation of 26% reciprocal tariffs, which were initially imposed several years ago and temporarily suspended for 90 days. Should the two nations fail to reach an agreement by the deadline, these tariffs will automatically return, potentially destabilizing the trade relationship between the

Indian cricketer Mohammad Shami has faced a significant legal setback as the Calcutta High Court ruled in favor of his estranged wife, Hasin Jahan, by increasing his monthly alimony payments to Rs 4 lakh. This new order mandates Shami to pay Rs 1.5 lakh per month for Hasin Jahan's personal maintenance and Rs 2.5 lakh for their minor daughter’s care and expenses. The ruling comes after Jahan appealed against

Actor Shefali Jariwala's sudden death has raised numerous questions, and forensic tests are now underway to determine the exact cause. Despite an autopsy at Cooper Hospital, the cause of her death remains undetermined. Forensic experts have sent samples for histopathology and chemical analysis to Kalina Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in hopes of uncovering the truth behind her untimely passing. Initial reports

Renting a home in the US requires more than just finding the perfect property. To secure a rental, you need to provide various documents that demonstrate your ability to pay rent, your rental history, and your identity. While the exact requirements can vary by landlord or property management company, there are a few key documents that are typically required when applying for a rental property. Below is a checklist of essential paperwork you’ll need to have prepared when renting in the US.

Infosys, one of India’s leading IT companies, has rolled out an internal campaign focusing on employee health and work-life balance. In response to the growing concerns over health issues caused by overwork, the company is now closely monitoring the remote work hours of its employees and urging them to stick to regular working hours. The company has implemented a policy where employees are asked to limit their

National Doctor's Day, observed every year on July 1, holds great significance in India, as it honors the invaluable contributions of doctors and healthcare professionals to the well-being of individuals and communities. The Government of India officially designated July 1 as National Doctor's Day in 1991, marking the birth anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, one of India’s most respected physicians and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Guru Purnima 2025, a sacred day in the Hindu calendar, will be observed on Thursday, July 10, coinciding with Ashadh Purnima. This day is of immense significance as it marks the spiritual connection between devotees and their spiritual teachers, commonly referred to as Gurus. The festival also holds particular importance because it is believed to be the birth anniversary of Sage Ved Vyas, the revered author of the Mahabharata and the compiler of the Vedas. Addit

Pawan Kalyan, the celebrated Powerstar of Indian cinema, took to Twitter to offer his heartfelt congratulations to Kamal Haasan for being selected as a member of the prestigious Academy Awards 2025 committee. In his tweet, Pawan called it a proud moment for the entire Indian film industry, highlighting Kamal Haasan's enormous contributions to cinema across the globe. Pawan praised Kamal, often referred to as Ulag

The deadly explosion at the Sigachi Chemical Industry unit in Pashamylaram, Telangana, has claimed at least 42 lives. Initially reported as 39, the death toll climbed as rescue operations continued into Tuesday. The explosion, believed to have been triggered by a chemical reaction, sent shockwaves through the plant, completely destroying the industrial shed. The blast’s force was so powerful that it hurled workers as far as 100 meters, leaving many trapp

A devastating explosion at a firecracker factory in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, on the morning of July 1, 2025, has left four workers dead and several others injured. The incident occurred at a factory in the Chinna Kamanpatti village area, located near Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district. Witnesses reported hearing continuous bursts of firecrackers and seeing thick smoke rising from the building after the explosion. Emergency services, including fire brigades, quickl

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has signaled that the long-awaited trade agreement between India and the United States may soon be finalized, as both nations appear to be in the advanced stages of negotiations. Speaking at an event in New York, Jaishankar highlighted the complexity of the talks, acknowledging that reaching a deal requires flexibility and compromise on both sides. While noting the progress made, he emphasized the importance of patience in what he described as a very det