2024 has been officially declared the hottest year in China’s history, with the national average temperature reaching 10.92°C (51.66°F), according to the China Meteorological Administration. This marks the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking heat in the country. The year witnessed the hottest month, July, along with the warmest August and autumn season on record. Global temperature records were also shattered, with the United Nations confirming that 2024 was set to be the

The arrival of New Year’s 2025 will be celebrated across the globe, starting with the Pacific island nations and moving westward as the clock strikes midnight in each time zone. The very first to welcome 2025 will be Kiribati, specifically Christmas Island (Kiritimati), at 5:00 am EST (3:30 pm IST). This remote island, located in the Pacific Ocean, enjoys the honor of being the first in the world to c

The U.S. Treasury Department recently suffered a major cybersecurity breach attributed to a China state-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor. The hackers gained remote access to certain Treasury workstations and unclassified documents, sparking concerns about the potential theft of sensitive information ¹.   The breach was discovered on December 8, when the Treasury Department

The US economy is facing uncertainty ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, with the Conference Board's Expectations Index dropping to a five-month low. This decline in consumer confidence is a significant concern, as it can have a ripple effect on the US stock market and the national economy ¹.   Rising inflation and interest rates, coupled with Trump's reportedly inflationary

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away at the age of 100. The Carter Center announced that he was surrounded by his family at his home in Plains, Georgia, during his final moments. Tributes from Leaders President Joe Biden: Described Carter as a “model of what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose”

A new report reveals that 2024 is set to become the warmest year on record, with global temperatures averaging 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, marking a significant milestone in the climate crisis. According to Copernicus, the year also saw an alarming increase in extreme heat days, with the world experiencing 41 more days of dangerous heat than in previous years. The study, conducted by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central, indicates that small island nations bore the b

President-elect Donald J. Trump intensified his rhetoric this week, threatening to reclaim control of the Panama Canal. Trump accused Panama of permitting Chinese military presence at the canal and overcharging U.S. ships, though these claims lack evidence. He has demanded lower fees for U.S. vessels and insisted that the canal be returned to American control "quickly and without question" once he takes office next month. In a fiery statement on Wednesday, Trump announce

Beijing: China has greenlit the construction of what is set to become the world’s largest hydropower dam, marking the beginning of a monumental project on the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau. This development has the potential to impact millions of people downstream in India and Bangladesh. The dam, planned for the lower stretches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, is projected to generate an estimated 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, a

Between April and November 2024, the Indian government dispersed Rs 3.08 lakh crore in income tax refunds, reflecting a significant 46% increase compared to the same period last year. As of November 22, about 98.35% of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) filed have been e-verified, with a record-breaking 69.93 lakh ITRs submitted on a single day, July 31. The total number of ITRs filed by November 22 stands at 8.50 crore, a 7.32% increase from the previous year. The introduction of innovation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit the United States from December 24 to 29, 2024. During this trip, he plans to engage with officials from both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration to discuss key bilateral, regional, and global issues. While specific details of his meetings have not been disclosed, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that Mr. Jaishankar will chair a conference of Indian Consul Generals i

As we transition from 2024 to 2025, several global trends and findings have emerged, shedding light on the current state of the world and offering insights into the year ahead Global Happiness Rankings The World Happiness Report 2024 reveals that Finland continues to lead as the world's happiest country, followed closely by Denmark and Iceland. Notably, the United States has dropped out of the top 20 for the first time, ranking 23rd. This decline un

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with Kuwait's highest accolade, the 'Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer,' on Sunday. The award was presented by Kuwait's Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This marks the 20th international honor bestowed upon PM Modi by various nations. The 'Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer' is a prestigious Kuwaiti knighthood conferred upon Heads of State, foreign sovereigns, and members of royal families as a sym

Billionaire Jeff Bezos has refuted reports claiming that his upcoming wedding to fiancée Lauren Sánchez will cost $600 million. Addressing the rumors on social media platform X, Bezos labeled the claims as "completely false" and cautioned the public against believing such misinformation.  Investor Bill Ackman also expressed skepticism, suggesting that such a sum would be implausible "unless you are buying each of your guests a house." Bezos con

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the 55th GST Council meeting in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Saturday, December 21. This meeting will focus on several important discussions related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. The agenda includes deliberations on taxability issues concerning food delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato, and potential changes to GST rates on products like health insurance premiums, life insurance, wristwatches, shoes, and apparel. The cou

India introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 to simplify the tax structure and reduce the tax burden. Recent data shows that the gross GST collection for October 2024 rose by 9% to ₹1.87 lakh crore, a record second-highest figure. However, a recent proposal by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST Rates Rationalisation suggests a new 35% GST slab on products like aerated drinks and tobacco, which has raised concerns. The proposal aims to target 'sin' products such as thos

Bangladesh's interim government has accused Adani Power of breaching a multi-billion-dollar agreement related to the supply of electricity from its coal-fired plant in India. The dispute centers on Adani Power withholding tax benefits that the power plant was entitled to under the agreement. The Indian company signed a deal with Bangladesh in 2017 to supply power from the Godda plant, but Dhaka claims that Adani Power failed to pass on the tax exemptions it received from the Indian govern

 Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, is increasingly becoming involved in global politics, extending his influence far beyond the business world. In recent developments, Musk has met with Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, to discuss possible financial support, with Musk considering a $100 million donation to help the party. Farage has expressed admiration for Musk's political strategies, especially his cash incentives to encourage voter turnout, a tactic

The Bharat Mobility Global Expo, scheduled for January 17-22, 2025, is poised to become the world's largest event in the automotive sector, with over 1,500 exhibitors and an expanded exhibition space of 200,000 square meters. This second edition of the expo will bring together leading global vehicle manufacturers, showcasing electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient vehicles, as well as advanced automotive technologies. The event will include the unveiling of new models and electric vehicles f

In a landmark energy agreement, Russia’s state oil company Rosneft has committed to supply 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day to India’s Reliance for the next 10 years, worth approximately $13 billion annually. This deal represents about 0.5% of global oil supply and strengthens energy relations between India and Russia, especially as Russia faces intense Western sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine. The deal is set to begin in January and will involve monthly deli

During Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's ongoing visit to Russia, talks are progressing on a major defence agreement worth $4 billion that could significantly enhance India’s air defence infrastructure. The deal revolves around the acquisition of the Voronezh radar system, manufactured by Russia's Almaz-Antey Corporation, which specializes in anti-aircraft missile systems and radars. The Voronezh radar, with a range of over 8,000 km, is designed to detect threats such as ballisti