​​ HMPV Surge in China and India: China is experiencing a surge in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, leading to overcrowded hospitals and public health concerns. India has reported three new cases of HMPV, with two case

The United States will soon allow highly skilled professionals, especially Indians working in specialized fields, to renew their H-1B visas without leaving the country. This change follows a successful pilot program launched a year ago, which involved approximately 20,000 participants. The new process, aimed at making visa renewals quicker and more convenient, eliminates the need for applicants to travel back to their home countries for a visa stamp. This has been a long-awaited relief for ma

During his two-day visit to India, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced that the United States is taking steps to remove long-standing regulatory barriers preventing effective civil nuclear cooperation between India and the US. This move is expected to breathe new life into a landmark deal that has been in the works for over a decade. Sullivan revealed that the US is finalizing steps to enable cooperation between India’s nuclear agencies and US companies. The c

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who recently suffered from back spasms, is likely to be rested for most of India’s home white-ball series against England. The move is part of a strategy to ensure Bumrah’s fitness ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19. Bumrah, who had an outstanding performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, claiming 32 wickets, was unable to bowl in the final innings due to the injury. His back spasms are believed to be linked to his heavy

Bahadur Singh Sagoo, a former shot put champion and Asian Games gold medallist, is set to be elected unopposed as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) during the organization's Annual General Meeting (AGM). He will replace Adille Sumariwalla, who has served as AFI president since 2012. Sagoo, a member of the outgoing AFI executive council and senior selection committee, is the lone candidate for the presidency after Anju Bobby George, the current senior vice presid

India strongly condemned the Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan civilians, which resulted in at least 51 deaths, including women and children, in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on December 24. In a statement on Monday, Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the attack, describing it as part of Pakistan's longstanding practice of blaming its neighbors for its internal problems. The airstrikes targeted areas in Paktika, particularly affecting the village of Laman,

On Monday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna recused himself from hearing two significant pleas regarding the finalisation of the constitutions for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). These constitutions were drafted by former Supreme Court judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao. CJI Khanna informed the bench, which included Justice Sanjay Kumar, that he would not participate in the proceedings because of his prior involvement with the case in t

The Supreme Court of India on Friday emphasized the need for an effective mechanism to combat caste-based discrimination in educational institutions across the country. The bench, consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, addressed the sensitive issue and directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to notify draft regulations to ensure that caste-based discrimination is prevented in central, state, private, and deemed universities. The Court specifically asked the UGC

Rohit Sharma’s future in Test cricket has come under scrutiny after the Indian opener was left out of the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. Officially, Rohit "opted to rest" from the game, but this decision has raised questions about his long-term role in the format. Sunil Gavaskar, one of India's cricketing legends, speculated that this might signal the end of Rohit's Test career, suggesting that the selection committee may look to younger players who can lead t

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

India's government is investigating rising steel imports, particularly in two categories of flat-rolled steel products (HS 7208 and 7210), which account for over 75% of the surge in imports. Instead of implementing global safeguards, experts suggest that India should focus on Free Trade Agreement (FTA)-specific safeguards and measures targeting China. Many imports come duty-free under FTAs with coun

India has officially declared 2025 as the "Year of Defence Reforms" with the goal of modernizing its military and enhancing synergy between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined a nine-point reform plan that includes the creation of integrated theatre commands to improve collaboration and resource utilization among the three services. These reforms will ensure a technologically advanced, combat-ready force capable of operating across multiple domains

Rohit Sharma's future in India's Test cricket setup has become uncertain following the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Amidst poor batting performances and leadership criticism after India's loss to New Zealand, reports suggest that Rohit may not be part of India's Test plans beyond this series. Although his retirement is not imminent, the chances of his continuation in the format remain unclear. With Rohit possibly on the brink of his final Test ap

The H-1B visa is a temporary work permit issued by the U.S. to foreign nationals with specialized skills in fields like technology, engineering, medicine, and finance. Initially granted for three years, the visa can be extended up to six years, with the possibility of indefinite renewals for those pursuing permanent residency through a Green Card. The visa provides a vital bridge for skilled workers to join U.S. companies facing talent shortages. The application process for the H-1B

In 2024, the rural development ministry of India put a strong emphasis on women empowerment, particularly through self-help groups (SHGs). Over 10 crore rural households were mobilized into nearly 91 lakh SHGs, with a large number of women benefiting from various rural development schemes. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has been a major contributor to women's employment, with over 6.7 crore women workers provided employment in the current financial

The UK government has updated its travel advisory for India, particularly focusing on the possession and use of satellite phones. According to the revised advisory from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), British nationals are cautioned that carrying or operating satellite phones in India without a valid license is illegal. The advisory notes that several Britons have been arrested for attempting to bring satellite phones and other satellite-enabled navigational devices i

In a recent conversation with IANS, Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group, shared his thoughts on the ongoing work-life balance debate, emphasizing the importance of personal happiness and choice. He argued that work-life balance is subjective, highlighting that what works for one person may not work for another. For some, spending time with family for a few hours may bring joy, while others might find fulfillment in longer hours. Adani stressed that the essence of work-life

As the US tourism industry struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels, the hospitality sector has found hope in the rising number of Indian visitors. In 2024, nearly 1.9 million Indians traveled to the US, marking a 48% increase from 2019, driven by a rise in business and leisure visas. This influx is supporting the recovery of US tourism, with hotels and travel companies adjusting their offerings to cater to Indian tastes, such as providing chai and samosas in hotel lobbies and airing popula

India’s Rising Defence Exports India’s defence exports have seen remarkable growth, with a ten-fold increase over the last decade. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India’s exports now exceed Rs 21,000 crore, compared to just Rs 2,000 crore ten years ago. He outlined a vision to increase this figure to Rs 50,000 crore annually by 2029, demonstrating India’s ambition to become a global leader in defence manufacturing. Emphasis on Technologic

On Day 5 of the 4th Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India was bowled out for 155, handing Australia a crucial victory and a 2-1 lead in the 5-match series. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the lone fighter for India, scoring 84 runs before a controversial dismissal ended his innings, marking the second time in the match he fell short of a century. India’s downfall started when wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was caught while attempting a pull shot. Senio