The article discusses the growing inequality in the workforce, particularly for low-wage service workers who lack access to essential benefits like paid holidays, vacation days, and sick leave. It addresses the issue that many workers in the service industry, often categorized as "low-skilled," are essential to the economy, yet they are largely ignored in policy discussions. Despite fears surrounding AI and automation, many of these jobs—such as those in restaurants, hotels, a

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has released the admit card for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2025. Registered candidates can now download their admit cards from the official website, gate2025.iitr.ac.in. GATE 2025 is set to take place on February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025, and it will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode across eight different zones. Results are expected to be announced on March 19, 2025. Candidates can follow a simple ste

Trump's Abraham Accords and Saudi Arabia's Involvement Former President Donald Trump’s Abraham Accords were a significant diplomatic achievement, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. However, Trump’s ultimate goal was to bring Saudi Arabia into the fold due to its geopolitical significance as the custodian of Islam's holiest sites and a major oil exporter. Despite informal talks, the kingd

On January 6, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched its first Starlink mission of the year from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket carried 24 new Starlink satellites into orbit, adding to SpaceX’s expansive satellite network aimed at providing high-speed internet across the globe. This launch highlights SpaceX's ongoing efforts to improve connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved areas. The Falcon 9's first stage completed a flaw

In an effort to curb excessive spending and reduce alcohol abuse, Ballo village in Punjab’s Bathinda district has introduced a unique initiative. The village panchayat has announced a cash reward of Rs 21,000 for families who choose not to serve liquor or play DJ music at wedding functions. Sarpanch Amarjit Kaur explained that such practices often lead to quarrels and disturbances, particularly when alcohol is involved, and loud music disrupts the studies of students. The init

A groundbreaking new theory suggests that Pluto's moon Charon may have been captured in a "kiss and capture" scenario billions of years ago, offering a fresh perspective on the formation of planetary systems. Led by NASA postdoctoral fellow Adeene Denton at the U of A Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, this study challenges long-standing models of moon formation. Instead of the traditional collision model, the researchers propose that Pluto and Charon had a brief, icy encounter, wh

​​ HMPV Surge in China and India: China is experiencing a surge in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, leading to overcrowded hospitals and public health concerns. India has reported three new cases of HMPV, with two case

The United States will soon allow highly skilled professionals, especially Indians working in specialized fields, to renew their H-1B visas without leaving the country. This change follows a successful pilot program launched a year ago, which involved approximately 20,000 participants. The new process, aimed at making visa renewals quicker and more convenient, eliminates the need for applicants to travel back to their home countries for a visa stamp. This has been a long-awaited relief for ma

Infosys, the major IT company, has postponed its annual salary hike for the fourth quarter of FY 2024-25, following the last increase in November 2023. This delay highlights the ongoing uncertainties within the domestic IT sector. One of the key reasons cited for the slowdown is the lack of increased IT spending from clients, influenced by macroeconomic factors, including potential tariffs under the upcoming Donald Trump administration. Infosys is not alone in this move, as other large IT com

On December 13, 2024, the United States and China signed a bilateral science and technology agreement, revising a 45-year-old pact. However, this new agreement limits research collaboration and narrows the scope of topics allowed for joint study, reflecting heightened concerns over international research security. Governments worldwide, including the U.S., European Union, Canada, and Japan, have introduced stricter measures to safeguard sensitive scientific data from foreign interference, esp

A court in Bangladesh has issued a second arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of enforced disappearances during her time in power. The new charges, which were announced by the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Tajul Islam, involve Hasina, her military adviser, and several law enforcement officials. Over 500 people were allegedly abducted by Bangladesh's security forces under her regime, with some of them detained in secret locati

Improves Digestion: Papaya is rich in papain, a digestive enzyme that helps break down proteins, easing digestion and preventing issues like bloating and constipation. Eating papaya in the morning ensures smoother digestion throughout the day. Supports Weight Management: Low in calories and high in fiber, papaya help

A new infrared photodiode, developed using Germanium, offers a 35% increase in responsivity at a 1.55 µm wavelength, which is widely used in telecommunications. Unlike traditional Indium Gallium Arsenide sensors, this Germanium-based photodiode achieves exceptional performance in infrared light detection, making it a promising solution for various applications, including self-driving vehicles, virtual reality, and telecommunications. This breakthrough is made possible through

Ajay Kumar Bhalla took the oath as the 19th Governor of Manipur in a formal ceremony at Raj Bhavan, Imphal, on Friday. The oath was administered by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur, Justice D Krishnakumar. Following the ceremony, Bhalla inspected the guard of honour presented by the Manipur Rifles personnel. Bhalla, a retired 1984-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, is notably recognized as the longest-serving Union Home Se

Hari Babu Kambhampati was sworn in as the 27th Governor of Odisha in a formal ceremony at Raj Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, on Friday. The oath of office was administered by Orissa High Court Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, and other notable dignitaries in attendance. Kambhampati succeeded Raghubar Das, who recently resigned from the post. Before the ceremony, Kambhampati arrived in Bhubaneswar on Thursday a

On September 8, 2024, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) declassified details of a bold and successful military operation known as "Operation Many Ways." Israeli commandos raided and destroyed a key underground missile manufacturing facility in Syria, which was allegedly funded by Iran. The facility, located near Masyaf in western Syria, was a significant part of Iran’s missile production program intended to supply precision missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Assad regime in Sy

A dense fog blanket has gripped Delhi and parts of North India, causing severe disruptions in daily life. The dense fog has reduced visibility to near zero, particularly affecting flight and train operations. At Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, 202 flights were delayed as visibility dropped significantly. The fog has also caused delays in train services, with over 24 trains, including major routes like the Ayodhya Express and Gorakhdham Express, running late. The wea

​ Surge in HMPV Cases in China:  China is currently experiencing a significant rise in human metapneumovirus

Manu Bhaker, India's twin-Olympic medallist, and D Gukesh, chess prodigy, are among the four recipients of the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The other two recipients are India's men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar.   This announcement comes after a week of controversy surrounding Bhaker's nomination, which was initially overlooked. Bhaker ackn

India's government is investigating rising steel imports, particularly in two categories of flat-rolled steel products (HS 7208 and 7210), which account for over 75% of the surge in imports. Instead of implementing global safeguards, experts suggest that India should focus on Free Trade Agreement (FTA)-specific safeguards and measures targeting China. Many imports come duty-free under FTAs with coun