The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is at the center of a major political storm as it is set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha today amid mounting opposition from the INDIA bloc. The bill, intended to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, is being promoted by the government as a long-overdue reform aimed at improving the administration and efficiency of waqf property management. However, critics argue that several of its provisions threaten the very autonomy of Muslim religious endowments, making it a dee

Google is set to collaborate with Taiwan's MediaTek to develop the next generation of its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which are expected to launch next year. This strategic move signifies a shift in Google’s approach to AI chip development, although the tech giant will continue working with its current chip partner, Broadcom. According to a report by The Information, Google’s partnership with MediaTek is largely driven by cost efficiency and MediaTek’s stron

The Income Tax Department has issued a crucial reminder for taxpayers regarding the final instalment of advance tax for the financial year 2024-25. As per the official directive, taxpayers must clear their advance tax dues by March 15, 2025, to ensure compliance with Indian tax laws. Timely payment of advance tax not only prevents interest penalties but also contributes to the government's efforts towards economic growth, supporting the ‘Viksit Bharat Movement’ aimed at making

In a dramatic turn of events, the Andhra Pradesh MLC election witnessed what is now being described as one of the costliest nomination filings in the state's political history. This extraordinary development unfolded during the nomination process of BJP candidate Somu Veerraju, which involved multiple complications, last-minute approvals, and two special flights to ensure the documentation was completed before the deadline.   The Nomination Crisis

Nine months after the formation of the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, the state is showing a strong economic turnaround. The latest fiscal survey presented in the Assembly highlights that Andhra Pradesh has recorded a 12.94% growth in fiscal management, a clear indication of recovery from the previous administration’s economic downturn. The progress is primarily driven by agriculture, industrial development, and energy production, reflecting the effectiveness of new policies focused

Apple CEO Tim Cook has sparked excitement among tech enthusiasts with a cryptic teaser hinting at the launch of a new MacBook Air. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Cook shared a short video with the phrase, “There’s something in the air,” along with the caption, “this week.” The phrase echoes Apple’s tagline from the launch of the first MacBook Air in 2008, strongly indicating that a refreshed MacBook Air is on the horizon.  

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit to Guntur Mirchi Yard has stirred a political debate, with accusations of violating the election code ahead of the MLC elections. The Election Commission had reportedly denied permission for the interaction, but Jagan and his party leaders proceeded with the visit, drawing attention to what they claim is the AP government’s failure to ensure fair prices for chilli farmers.Jagan, accompanied by a l

On Monday, the Germany Women’s Hockey Team arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, India, for their upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 matches. The team, led by co-captains Linnea Wiedemann and Sarah Strauss, will face Spain on February 15 and 16, followed by a crucial matchup against hosts India on February 21 and 22 at the Kalinga Stadium. After finishing as runners-up in last season’s Pro League behind the Netherlands, Germany has struggled for form th

In a significant development, the CBI investigation team has arrested four individuals connected to the laddu prasadam adulteration scam. The arrested individuals include Vipin Jain and Pomil Jain, former directors of Bhole Baba Dairy (Roorkee, Uttarakhand), Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, CEO of Vaishnavi Dairy (Poonambakkam), and Raju Rajasekharan, MD of AR Dairy (Dundigal).   The accused were arrested under Crime No. 470/24 and produced before the Tirupati court. Investiga

On Wednesday, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) led by Jagdambika Pal adopted the draft report and the amended Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The committee's report, which includes significant revisions to the bill, will be tabled in Parliament on Monday as part of the ongoing Budget Session. The amendments to the bill are aimed at ensuring the benefits of Waqf properties reach marginalized groups, such as the poor, women, and orphans. This inclusion marks a major development in the b

Projected Economic Growth India’s economy is expected to grow between 6.3% to 6.8% in the financial year 2025-26 (FY26). This forecast comes from the Economic Survey 2024-25 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament. Economic Fundamentals The survey highlights that the

In preparation for the Mauni Amavasya "Amrit Snan" on Wednesday, authorities managing the Maha Kumbh have issued a comprehensive safety advisory to ensure a smooth and secure experience for the millions of devotees expected to attend. The second Amrit Snan of the Maha Kumbh is anticipated to be one of the largest gatherings of the pilgrimage, and the authorities are taking extensive measures to manage crowd movement and safety. The fair administration, in collaboration wit

Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who led the team to victory in IPL 2024, has opened up about not being retained by the franchise for the upcoming season. In a candid interview, Iyer revealed that the lack of communication from the Shah Rukh Khan-owned team left him perplexed, making him uncertain about his future with KKR. He mentioned that despite winning the IPL title, there were no concrete talks regarding retention until just a week before the retention deadline,

Gavaskar's Take on Samson's Omission Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his thoughts on the exclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2024. Despite a stellar record and calls for his inclusion, Samson was left out of the 15-man squad, with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant being preferred as the designated wicketkeepers. The omission has led to widespread criticism from fans and experts

Impact of China’s Export Restrictions on Indian Manufacturing: India’s manufacturing industry is facing significant disruptions due to China’s export restrictions, which are part of the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China. These curbs primarily affect industries in India that rely on raw materials, machinery, and components from China, such as the solar po

Months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented an interim budget in February to manage the government’s immediate financial needs. After the BJP-led NDA returned to power for a third term, she unveiled the comprehensive Union Budget for the financial year 2024-25 on July 23. While both budgets play a significant role in the nation's fiscal planning, their objectives and scope are different. An interim budget is a temporary financi

The Union Budget for the upcoming financial year is expected to include provisions for promoting artificial intelligence (AI) in India. According to sources, a special policy package for AI is being formulated, with a focus on AI-skilling schemes and the establishment of AI centres. Additionally, the budget is likely to allocate funds to support these initiatives, ensuring measures are in place to safeguard employment in light of AI's rapid advancement. The Ministry of Finance h

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has strongly rebutted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s claims regarding the 2024 Indian elections, labelling them "factually incorrect." Zuckerberg, in a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, suggested that most incumbent governments globally, including India's, lost in the 2024 elections due to post-Covid dissatisfaction. However, the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a decisive third term in India, securing the trust

On Friday, Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term as Venezuela's president, despite widespread accusations of election fraud and a growing wave of international opposition. Having served as president since 2013, Maduro has weathered numerous crises, including a collapsing economy, US sanctions, and ongoing protests. His controversial victory in the July 2024 elections was followed by violent crackdowns, which saw over 2,400 people arrested and at least 28 killed. This marks

Expansion of China's Trade-In Scheme China is extending its consumer trade-in program, originally launched in March 2024, to help stimulate demand in the struggling household sector. The scheme now includes additional home appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, and rice cookers. In an effort to boost the digital goods market, subsidies are also being offered for products like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Consumers who trade in old products can receive subsidies