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 Trump administration has taken a dramatic step in reshaping U.S. foreign aid by terminating 2,000 employees from the U.S. Agency for International Development while placing thousands more on administrative leave around the globe. Following a ruling by a federal judge, the decision affects both domestic and international USAID staff, leaving only those designated as essential for mission-critical functions, leadership, or specific programs in active service. As of 11:59 p.m. EST on

Finding love is never easy, and for divorced individuals in 2025, the journey remains a challenging one. Despite evolving mindsets and growing conversations around individual happiness, societal acceptance of divorce is still far from ideal. A survey conducted by Cosmo India, covering respondents between the ages of 25 and 44, revealed that 60% of individuals are single simply because they haven’t found the right person. For divorced women, the situation is even tougher, with 38% agreei

 This Valentine’s Day, as prospective brides and grooms prepare to unite their lives, discussing financial goals and aspirations is crucial for setting a solid foundation for a healthy marriage. Honest conversations about money help align values, reduce the chances of future conflicts, and create a framework for long-term financial success. Couples should focus on shared goals such as saving for emergency funds, planning for home buying, setting a budget for yearly expenses, and ad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to France has been marked by a warm reception and significant diplomatic engagements. Upon arriving in Paris, PM Modi was greeted with chants and drumbeats from the Indian diaspora, a gesture that reflected the deep ties between India and France. At a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, the leaders embraced and expressed their mutual admiration.   Modi’s visit aligns with the co-chairing of the third

 In his address at the IIC-Bruegel annual seminar, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the growing importance of a strong and strategic relationship between India and the European Union, particularly in a world that is increasingly volatile and uncertain. He noted that amidst the ongoing geopolitical challenges, including global conflicts and regional instability, fostering a closer India-EU partnership could play a key role in stabilizing global dynamics. Jaishankar point

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to the United States starting February 12, where he will engage in extensive talks with US President Donald Trump. The visit will take place shortly after Modi's two-day trip to Paris, marking the prime minister's first bilateral visit to the US since Trump's second term in office. The trip will provide an opportunity to strengthen ties between India and the US and discuss key issues, including trade, security,

India and China recently concluded a two-day foreign secretary-level meeting where several important decisions were made, marking a step toward stabilizing and rebuilding bilateral relations. The most significant outcome was the agreement to resume the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra during the summer, which has been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption of this sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar lake in Tibet is expected to ease tensions and foster people-

Trump's Tariff Announcement and Border Security: President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Mexico and Canada, effective February 1, 2025, arguing that both countries are contributing to illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the US. This move, part of his broader trade policy agenda, comes after his inauguration address, where he emphasized using tariffs to strengthen the US economy. However, such tariffs could risk igniting a trade con

Afghanistan has expressed its desire to enhance diplomatic relations with India, assuring that it does not pose a threat to any nation. In a statement after the first publicly acknowledged engagement between Kabul and New Delhi since the Taliban came to power, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry highlighted its intent to strengthen ties, particularly in political and economic spheres. The meeting, held in Dubai, involved Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan M

Republican Congressman Andy Biggs has reintroduced a bill in the US House of Representatives that seeks to revoke Pakistan’s designation as a major non-NATO ally. The bill stipulates that the U.S. president should not certify this status unless Pakistan continues to take significant military action against the Haqqani Network, a militant group that has long used Pakistan as a safe haven. The bill&

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the controversial comments made by President-elect Donald Trump regarding the potential US acquisition of Greenland, stating that such an action is not realistic and urging the world not to waste time discussing it. Speaking in Paris during his farewell tour, Blinken stressed that the Biden administration's foreign policy focuses on maintaining strong alliances, with the belief that the US is more effective when working alongside its allies.

A significant high-level meeting took place in Dubai between senior Indian officials and the Afghan Taliban leadership. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India, while Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi attended on behalf of the Taliban government. The meeting, which is vital for fostering stronger bilateral relations, aimed to improve cooperation across various sectors, including humanitarian aid, development, trade, and security. One of the

Lisa Kudrow Remembers Matthew Perry with a Heartfelt Tribute While appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show, Lisa Kudrow reflected on a touching memento from her late Friends co-star, Matthew Perry. The actress shared that she recently discovered a note Perry had left inside a cookie jar he gifted her when the sitcom concluded. “Matthew

India has strongly rejected two reports published by The Washington Post, accusing the country of involvement in two significant issues. The first report linked India to a failed plot in the Maldives to impeach President Mohamed Muizzu through bribery attempts targeting members of Parliament. The second report alleged that India’s intelligence agency, RAW, had been running covert operations in Pakistan since 2021 to eliminate specific individuals. In response to the r

In his New Year's Eve address, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his stance on Taiwan, declaring that "no one can stop the reunification" of Taiwan with mainland China. This declaration comes amidst heightened tensions, as Beijing has intensified military pressure on the island through numerous air force and naval drills in recent years. Taiwan, a democratic nation, stands in contrast to China’s communist government, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as an integral part of

The year 2024 was dramatic for the US, with President Joe Biden abandoning his reelection bid after a poor performance in a debate against Donald Trump. Trump, who had been absent from the White House for four years, made a triumphant return after defeating Kamala Harris in the presidential race. His comeback marks the first time since Grover Cleveland that a president has been evicted from the White House and returned four years later. While the Biden administration exits, the Indi

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently responded to a discussion about foreign-born tech workers in the U.S., defending their contribution to the industry. The conversation began when Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit, questioned whether foreign workers were truly displacing qualified Americans in the tech sector. Masad pointed out the large number of unfilled tech jobs, expressing skepticism about claims that foreign workers were taking opportunities from native-born Americans. Musk, who is origina

In 2024, Bollywood's leading ladies not only dazzled on the silver screen but also enchanted us with their exquisite bridal ensembles, setting trends and inspiring brides-to-be across the globe. Aditi Rao Hydari  

In a recent post on Truth Social, Donald Trump raised concerns about the growing influence of China over the Panama Canal, warning that the US would not allow the strategic waterway to fall into "the wrong hands." His remarks were sparked by rising tariffs imposed by Panama on the use of the canal, which Trump criticized as excessive. The Panama Canal, originally constructed by the US and transferred to Panama in 1999, is a critical trade route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean