India and China’s Special Representatives for the border mechanism, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, met in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss a wide range of issues, including peace management along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the restoration of bilateral ties. These ties had been severely impacted by the military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which began in May 2020, following a deadly clash in Galwan Valley. The meeting, marking the 23r

Indian cricket team spinner R. Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. Ashwin, who played a pivotal role in India’s rise to the top of Test cricket, made the announcement during a joint press conference with captain Rohit Sharma, after the game ended in a draw. Ashwin, with 537 wickets in 106 Test matches, is the second-highest wicket-taker for India, following only Anil Kumble's record of

Vikram Ashok Deshmukh, a 31-year-old software engineer, tragically passed away from a heart attack while playing cricket at Mumbai's Azad Maidan last Sunday. Deshmukh, who worked in an IT company, was an avid cricket player and participated regularly in matches at the popular ground. On the day of the incident, he was playing in a 25-over practice match where his team was chasing a target of 159. During the match, Deshmukh complained of chest pain in the 10th over but continued pla

At Chennai Airport, an Air India cabin crew member was arrested for helping a passenger smuggle 1.7 kg of gold. The incident occurred when the flight from Dubai landed on Sunday. Customs officials intercepted the passenger and the crew member after the passenger admitted to handing over the gold during the flight. Upon searching the crew member, officials found the gold concealed in the undergarments, l

Cyclone Chido hit Mozambique on Sunday, causing widespread destruction and claiming at least 34 lives across multiple provinces. The hardest-hit areas were Cabo Delgado, where 28 people lost their lives, followed by Nampula and Niassa, which each saw three fatalities. The storm, which brought intense winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) and heavy rainfall of up to 250 mm (10 inches) in just 24 hours, left a sign

China has expanded its visa-free transit policy, allowing travelers from 54 eligible countries, including the United States, Canada, and several European and Asian nations, to stay in the country for up to 10 days (240 hours) without a visa. This move is part of China's effort to boost international tourism and revive its economy post-pandemic. Eligibility: Passport holders from 54 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Germany, France

The weakening of Asian currencies is bringing key levels into focus as traders prepare for further dollar gains, fueled by expectations surrounding Donald Trump's economic policies. The Bloomberg Asia Dollar Index is on track for its third consecutive monthly loss, with traders betting that Trump’s low-tax and high-tariff approach will increase inflation and boost the dollar. According to the latest data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, both hedge funds and asset manag

China, the world's second-largest economy, is working to recover from the effects of its three years of pandemic isolation. In a bid to attract more international visitors and boost its economy, China recently announced an expansion of its visa-free transit policy. The new policy, which is effective immediately, allows travelers from 54 countries, including the US, Canada, and several European and Asian nations, to stay in parts of China for up to 10 days. Previously, the visa-f

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently made significant remarks regarding India’s Constitution, highlighting the democratic process of its adoption and emphasizing its deep connection with India's traditions. Shah stated that the Constitution was adopted after extensive feedback from the people, marking a democratic milestone in India’s history. Some of his key quotes touched upon the ongoing debates in Parliament about the Constitution, noting that they have served

On Tuesday, the Lok Sabha voted to introduce two bills aimed at amending the Constitution to allow simultaneous federal and state elections under the BJP’s One Nation One Election initiative. The bills passed with a simple majority—269 votes in favor and 198 against—but the opposition pointed out that the government failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority, required to amend the Constitution. Congress MPs, including Manickam Tagore and Shashi Tharoor, emph

In a significant political development, the BJP has decided to send notices to MPs who were absent in the Lok Sabha during the introduction of the government’s flagship One Country One Election Bill. Sources revealed that more than 20 BJP MPs were not present during the division of the house, even though the party had issued a three-line whip instructing all members to be present. Despite the absences, the government successfully passed the bills, which aim to amend t

Konidela Naga Babu, the well-known actor and politician, is set to join the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet under the NDA government, but his appointment process is expected to take longer than initially anticipated. Discussions between Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan have confirmed that Naga Babu will be appointed to the Cabinet, but the process will involve first nominating him to the Legislative Council (MLC). The MLC elections are scheduled for March next year, and Naga

A New York judge recently denied US President-elect Donald Trump's request to have his conviction for covering up hush money payments to a porn star thrown out on the grounds of presidential immunity. Judge Juan Merchan ruled that the immunity typically granted to presidents for official actions does not apply to the conduct involved in this case, which he deemed as "unofficial." This ruling keeps Trump's felony conviction intact, despite his legal team's attempt to use

In a swift move following Chrystia Freeland’s resignation as Canada’s Finance Minister, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed long-time ally Dominic LeBlanc to the pivotal role. The 57-year-old LeBlanc, who previously served as Public Safety Minister, now faces the daunting task of managing Canada’s finances amidst a growing Can$62 billion deficit—far exceeding initial projections. The Canadian economy is also grappling with various challenges, including the looming

In response to growing opposition doubts over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee has dismissed the allegations and called on critics to prove how the machines can be hacked. Banerjee stated that if people have concerns, they should demonstrate their claims to the Election Commission. He emphasized that if proper procedures are followed, including EVM randomization and mock polls at polling booths, the allegations lack substance. Banerjee's

The recent discontinuation of the Canadian Student Direct Stream (SDS) program as of November 8, 2024, has left many Indian students reassessing their plans to study in Canada. The SDS program previously allowed students to speed up the student visa process if they met specific English proficiency test (EPT) requirements like IELTS or PTE. However, with the end of SDS, students now have the opportunity to explore a broader range of EPTs accepted by Canadian institutions. One of the

The Telangana Assembly was adjourned on Monday after BRS MLAs raised slogans and disrupted the debate on the Telangana State Tourism Policy. The debate, which resumed after a tea break, was halted when opposition members continued to protest against the Congress government. In response to the disruption, Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu criticized the BRS legislators for not adhering to the rules and traditions of the House. Speaker G. Prasad Kumar intervened, directing

On Monday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited the Polavaram project in Eluru district to review its progress. During his inspection, he sought details from the officials overseeing the project. The officials informed him that more than Rs 1,200 crore would be needed for constructing the diaphragm wall and guide bund, crucial components of the project. Speaking to the media, CM Naidu highlighted that the government aims to finish the entire Polavaram project b

Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $106,000, marking a significant milestone just 10 days after surpassing the $100,000 mark. The cryptocurrency’s surge is fueled by expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates during its upcoming policy meeting. Lower interest rates historically benefit Bitcoin, as they weaken the US dollar and increase the money supply, driving investor interest in digital assets. Bitcoin has risen over 77% in the last year, and its rec

A shocking revelation from the Financial Times has disclosed that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime airlifted around $250 million to Moscow between 2018 and 2019. The cash, including nearly two tonnes of $100 bills and €500 notes, was flown to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport and deposited in Russian banks under sanctions. This move was part of Assad's efforts to bypass Western sanctions that isolated Syria from the global financial system. During this time,