India and the European Union (EU) have set a year-end deadline to finalize a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA), marking a crucial milestone in their bilateral trade relations. The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met in New Delhi to strengthen India-EU economic and strategic ties.The trade agreement, under negotiation for several years, aims to expand economic cooperation, boost trade, and enhance market access b

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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has laid off hundreds of weather forecasters and federal employees, a move that has sparked widespread concern over public safety, disaster preparedness, and the future of extreme weather warnings in the U.S.. The job cuts primarily targeted probationary employees, including those working in National Weather Service (NWS) offices nationwide, where meteorologists provide crucial local forecasts and severe weather alerts.  

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

Technicolor India, a leading visual effects (VFX) and animation studio, has announced the closure of its operations in Bengaluru and Mumbai, affecting 3,200 employees. The decision is part of a global shutdown by its parent company, Technicolor Group, headquartered in Paris.This sudden move has left thousands of employees in distress, particularly in Bengaluru, where nearly 3,000 professionals were employed. The closure marks a significant blow to India's VFX and animation industry, which

Meta is preparing to launch a standalone app for its AI assistant, Meta AI, which will join its existing suite of apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. According to sources familiar with the development, the app is expected to debut in the second quarter of 2024, marking a significant expansion of Meta AI beyond its current integrations.Meta AI was first introduced in September 2023 as a generative AI-powered assistant embedded into Meta’s platforms, enabling users to gener

Google has announced another round of job cuts, this time affecting employees in its People Operations (HR) and Cloud divisions. The move is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations, reallocate resources, and focus more heavily on artificial intelligence development. This restructuring follows Google's commitment to investing heavily in AI infrastructure while simultaneously seeking cost efficiencies across different business units.According to a report by CNBC, Google has laun

The Indian stock market is going through one of its worst phases in nearly three decades, with the Nifty 50 slipping 15% from its September peak. This marks its longest losing streak in 29 years, causing investor wealth to shrink by more than ₹90 lakh crore. On Friday, Nifty lost over 400 points, and the Sensex plunged by 1,400 points, sending shockwaves through Dalal Street.Investors are increasingly concerned about foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows, small- and mid-cap stock de

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in the final stages of electing its new national president, with the decision expected to be announced by March 15, 2025. The position became vacant after JP Nadda was elevated to a Union ministerial role, prompting a keenly contested leadership race within the party. The BJP’s national leadership is working towards selecting a strong candidate capable of guiding the party through the next five years, as it prepares for crucial state and national elec

The Trump administration has announced a new measure requiring undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to register with the federal government. The mandatory registry, enforced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), applies to all individuals aged 14 and older who do not have legal status in the country. Those who fail to comply could face fines, imprisonment, or deportation.This move is part of the administration’s broader crackd

As an 18-year-old Harvard freshman, Bill Gates had multiple job offers from major tech companies like General Electric, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), and Honeywell. While these offers boosted his confidence, Gates acknowledges that accepting any of them could have altered the course of his life—potentially delaying or even preventing the creation of Microsoft, which is now a $3 trillion tech giant.Gates details this pivotal phase of his life in his new memoir, Source Code, publis

A Forbes report on billionaire immigrants who started their journey in the U.S. on an H-1B visa highlights a few notable Indian entrepreneurs. Among them, Raj Sardana, the founder and CEO of Innova Solutions, stands out for building a $2 billion fortune from scratch.   Early Life and Struggles in India Born in Delhi in 1960 to Punjabi parents, Raj Sardana grew up in a modest household. His family, displaced during the 1947 partition, lived in

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced recruitment for Flight Operations Inspector (FOI) positions under various categories. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, is offering these contractual roles with competitive salaries, providing an excellent opportunity for experienced pilots.The last date to submit online applications is March 7, 2025 (3 PM), and the deadline for sending the hard copy of the application along with required documents is March 14,

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs were stopped from entering the Delhi Assembly on Thursday after being suspended earlier this week for creating a ruckus in the House. The barricades placed at the entrance road to the Assembly complex prevented them from accessing the premises, further escalating the political standoff between the AAP and BJP in Delhi.Atishi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, condemned the move and accused the BJP-led Delhi government of dictatorial tactics. She to

A federal judge in Maryland has issued an injunction against immigration enforcement in houses of worship, marking a significant legal victory for religious groups challenging the Trump administration’s revised deportation policy.The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chang, temporarily halts immigration operations targeting Quaker congregations, Baptist churches, and a Sikh temple, following a lawsuit that argues the policy change violates religious freedom.  

DBS Group, Southeast Asia’s largest bank, has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 4,000 employees over the next three years due to the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in banking operations. The move, confirmed by outgoing CEO Piyush Gupta, signals a major transformation in the financial sector, where AI-driven efficiencies are gradually replacing traditional job roles.   Speaking at an industry conference in Mumbai, Gupta r

Personal loans are often marketed as quick and hassle-free financial solutions, but borrowers are frequently caught off guard by hidden charges that increase the total cost of borrowing. While interest rates are clearly disclosed, additional fees, penalties, and deductions can reduce the actual loan amount disbursed and increase monthly EMIs.Lenders often do not fully disclose these fees upfront, making it essential for borrowers to understand all associated charges before finalizing their lo

The Church of England is once again embroiled in controversy following its General Synod meeting, which opted for a compromise in handling safeguarding and abuse complaints instead of establishing an independent oversight body. The decision has reignited concerns about institutional accountability, as survivors and advocacy groups continue to demand real reform.This move comes amid a growing crisis within the Church, which has faced multiple abuse scandals that have severely damaged its moral

A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over the rising burden of breast cancer worldwide. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), breast cancer diagnoses and deaths are set to increase dramatically by 2050, underscoring the need for improved awareness, early detection, and prevention strategies.   Projected Rise in Breast Cancer Cases and Mortality Rates The study published in Nature