In a significant escalation of trade tensions, China announced on Tuesday that it would ban the export of several key materials, including gallium, germanium, and antimony, to the United States. These materials are vital for high-tech applications, including advanced electronics and military technologies. The Chinese Commerce Ministry's decision follows a recent expansion of the U.S. “entity list,” which now includes 140 Chinese companies—many based in China, though some

During a meeting at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, President-elect Trump reportedly joked with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about making Canada the 51st state of the United States. The two leaders were discussing serious issues, including trade imbalances and border security, which had become a focal point for the incoming administration. Trump had previously threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods if Canada did not address issues like illegal immigra

Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist has shared his insights on Marnus Labuschagne's recent dip in form, attributing it to tough conditions and strong opposition rather than any technical flaws. Gilchrist expressed confidence in Labuschagne's abilities, calling him a "class act" who has shown resilience in the face of challenges. Despite recent struggles, Gilchrist believes Labuschagne remains a top player in world cricket, having dominated for years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the country's 2025 budget, allocating $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles) to national defence, which accounts for 32.5% of the total government spending. This marks a significant increase from last year’s budget, highlighting the ongoing strain the war in Ukraine has placed on Russia’s finances. The budget sets a new record, with military spending expected to account for over 6% of Russia's GDP. In contrast, expenditu

The President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, strongly criticized both the U.S. and Russia for interfering with the court's investigations, accusing them of threatening the institution with economic sanctions and issuing arrest warrants for key officials. The remarks were made following the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others in connection to crimes in Gaza, which prompted backlash

Krish Arora, a 10-year-old boy from Hounslow, West London, has made headlines by achieving an IQ score of 162, surpassing iconic figures like Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. His remarkable intelligence has earned him a spot in Mensa, the world’s most exclusive society for individuals with high IQs. Krish is also set to attend Queen Elizabeth's School, one of the top grammar schools in the UK. In addition to his academic brilliance, Krish excels in music, holding a gra

In a rain-affected pink-ball warm-up match in Canberra, Sam Konstas emerged as the standout performer for Australia's Prime Minister's XI, scoring a brilliant century against the Indian side. Despite India's dominance throughout the fixture, Konstas showcased his potential as a promising cricketer, drawing attention to his skills and his confidence in facing top-level bowling. Notably, India’s marquee pacer Jasprit Bumrah was rested from the practice match, meaning Konstas d

The Indian cricket team has significantly boosted its chances of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final with a commanding 295-run victory over Australia in Perth. However, the qualification process remains complex, with multiple scenarios playing out over the next few months. India, currently leading the WTC points table, needs to secure a solid result against Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series, while also hoping for specific outcomes from South Africa and Sr

The Indian Rupee has depreciated to a record low of 84.61 against the US Dollar, marking a fresh setback for the currency. This comes after former US President Donald Trump's threat to impose a 100% tariff on BRICS nations if they fail to continue using the US Dollar. Trump's demand for a commitment from BRICS countries not to create a new currency or back alternatives to the dollar has put additional pressure on global markets, including the Indian Rupee. Along with this geopolitical

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that the government has not received any communication from the United States regarding the Adani Group. In its weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected media reports about the US summoning Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and other executives. He emphasized that the issue is a private legal matter involving individuals and the US Department of Justice, with no prior notification sent to the Indian government.

Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun fulfilled his unusual promise by eating the $6.2 million banana artwork titled "Comedian," created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. The artwork, which features a banana duct-taped to a wall, was sold at a Sotheby's auction in New York, with Sun being one of seven bidders. At a high-end hotel in Hong Kong, Sun took a bite of the banana in front of a crowd of journalists and influencers. He described the fruit as "much better than

India has raised serious concerns with Bangladesh over the growing incidents of violence against the Hindu minority and the rise of extremist rhetoric in the country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that India has been in consistent communication with Bangladesh’s interim government regarding the targeting of Hindus and other minorities. In its weekly press briefing, the MEA reiterated that India has consistently raised the issue with Bangladesh, urging the g

Former Australia captain Allan Border has voiced his frustration over the team's failure to control Virat Kohli during the first Test in Perth, highlighting that this could have serious implications for the rest of the five-match series. Kohli, who had gone without a Test century for 18 months, made a triumphant return to form, scoring an unbeaten 100 in India's dominant 295-run victory. Border expressed his disappointment over Australia's lack of resistance, saying that letting K

Russia launched a massive assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, using 90 missiles and 100 drones. The attack has left over one million people without electricity as temperatures drop, marking the 11th large-scale attack on Ukraine's power systems this year. Ukrainian authorities have accused Russia of "weaponizing winter," with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemning the use of cluster munitions against civilians and infrastructure. At

On Thursday, both houses of the Indian Parliament were temporarily suspended as opposition lawmakers disrupted proceedings for the third consecutive day, demanding a discussion on the serious bribery allegations against the Adani Group. U.S. authorities have accused Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and Adani Green’s managing director Vneet S. Jaain of paying $265 million in bribes to secure Indian solar power supply contracts. Additionally, they are accused of misleading U.S. inves

The State of Sustainability Readiness Report 2024 by IBM reveals a strong trend among Indian business leaders to significantly increase investments in IT for sustainability over the next 12 months. With 98% of respondents planning to expand their IT budgets, Indian executives view sustainability as essential for driving environmental responsibility, long-term business resilience, and improving brand reputation. The report highlights AI's transformative potential in helping busine

Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh has proposed several strategies to address the growing drug abuse problem in the state. Speaking at a meeting of the ministers' sub-committee on narcotics, Lokesh suggested that a chapter about the dangers of drug addiction should be included in the school curriculum to educate youth. He also recommended the use of drones to identify and destroy ganja plantations and the creation of anti-narcotics committees across schools, colleges,

The Indian rupee opened flat at 84.24 against the US dollar on Thursday, following a slight dip of 11 paise to close at 84.45 on Wednesday. On Tuesday, it had closed at 84.34. The minor decline reflects the ongoing volatility in the foreign exchange market. The rupee had also opened weaker by 5 paise at 84.39 on Wednesday morning. Analysts predict that the rupee's range for the day will likely stay between 84.30 and 84.50. Anil Kumar Bhansali, head of treasury and executive dire

Norwegian diplomat and former UN Environment Programme Executive Director Erik Solheim has strongly criticized the US government's recent report regarding the Adani Group, calling it a case of "American overreach." The report alleges that certain individuals linked to the Adani Group discussed bribes to secure solar energy contracts in India, but Solheim pointed out that the allegations lack evidence of actual bribe payments or involvement from the Adani Group’s top leader

India's fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings, overtaking South Africa's Kagiso Rabada and Australia's Josh Hazlewood. Bumrah's match-winning performance in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Perth, where he took 8 wickets for 72 runs, played a crucial role in India's 295-run victory over Australia. With this performance, Bumrah's ranking points surged to a career-high of 883, putting him back at No. 1.