In 2024, the wedding industry in India has seen a resurgence in spending after the lull caused by the pandemic, with metropolitan cities driving a significant increase in demand for wedding services. Wedding budgets have grown by 6.7%, with the average expenditure reaching Rs 35.6 lakh. As wedding costs rise, so has the demand for gold and jewelry, especially due to the soaring prices of gold, which have increased from Rs 63,500 to Rs 80,000 per 10 grams. Destination weddings, which

India has started a probe into the alleged dumping of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel tanks from China, following a complaint by domestic company Inox India Ltd. The company has requested the imposition of anti-dumping duties, claiming that the influx of cheap imports is negatively affecting the profit margins of the domestic industry. These LNG fuel tanks are used for transporting methane gas in vehicles like trucks. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which handles

In the ongoing India vs Australia 4th Test match in Melbourne, former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee following a shoulder barge incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas. The altercation took place after the completion of the 10th over of the Australian innings when both players crossed paths on the field. As they moved across the pitch, Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders, which led to an exchange of heated words. The incident was quickly defused by

After much anticipation, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally revealed the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The prestigious tournament, set to be played in a hybrid format across Pakistan and Dubai, will kick off with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19, 2025, in Karachi. The tournament will conclude with the final on March 9, 2025, hosted in Lahore, with a backup plan for Dubai if India qualifies for the final. India's campaign will beg

As India prepares for the Union Budget of 2025-26, the finance ministry has highlighted the need for flexibility in fiscal policy, given the ongoing global economic and geopolitical challenges. While the fiscal deficit for FY26 is expected to be below 4.5% of GDP, there are concerns over the ability to accurately project receipts and expenditures in the current uncertain environment. The global situation has worsened, with escalating conflicts, further complicating fiscal planning.

Bangladesh's interim government has sent a diplomatic note to India requesting the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in exile in India since August 5, 2023. Hasina fled Bangladesh after student-led protests led to the downfall of her 16-year rule. The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina, accusing her and several former officials of "crimes against humanity and genocide." Foreign Affairs A

Trade and maritime ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have been strengthening recently, raising concerns for India. A second cargo vessel, 'MV Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan,' from Karachi arrived at Chittagong port carrying essential industrial materials and consumer goods. This is part of a broader trend of increased trade between the two countries, which has coincided with a diplomatic push by Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus to improve relations with Pakistan. This s

The defence relationship between the United States and India is rapidly growing, with key developments marking an exciting period of collaboration between the two nations. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, emphasized that the US-India defence ties are progressing in significant ways, particularly in defence industrial cooperation and operational collaboration across the military services. This partnership continues to expand even as the India-China

India's stand-in captain, Smriti Mandhana, made history with her brilliant performance against the West Indies at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Mandhana scored a match-winning 77 runs off 47 balls, marking her 30th fifty in T20 internationals. This remarkable achievement broke the long-standing record held by New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who had scored 29 fifties. Mandhana’s milesto

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, announced on Thursday his intent to strengthen relations with Pakistan, a step that could further strain the already tense ties between Bangladesh and India. Yunus, who met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a summit in Cairo, emphasized the importance of addressing unresolved issues stemming from Bangladesh’s brutal 1971 war of independence. The two countries, once united, split after a violent conflict, with Bangladesh la

In a recent lecture on ‘India – The Vishwaguru' in Pune, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed concern over the resurgence of temple-mosque disputes, stating that certain individuals seem to believe they can become "leaders of Hindus" by stirring such controversies. Bhagwat emphasized the importance of fostering an inclusive society and stressed that India should set an example for the world in living together harmoniously. He pointed out the country's long-standing

Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) has officially rejected recent reports claiming that Starbucks is planning to exit the Indian market, calling the rumors "baseless." These reports suggested that the American coffee giant might leave India due to high operating costs, mounting losses, and the growing competition from local, cheaper alternatives. However, TCPL, which operates Starbucks in India

Pakistan, a country grappling with terrorism, political instability, and economic challenges, has once again found itself in a precarious diplomatic situation with its long-time ally, China. The latest controversy centers around Pakistan's attempt to negotiate over the use of Gwadar port in Balochistan, which is part of the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). During a high-level meeting, Pakistan reportedly demanded that China provide a second-strike nuclear capability in e

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

India and Pakistan have reached an agreement to play their upcoming ICC tournament matches at neutral venues, following a dispute over the 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy, which was originally set to be hosted by Pakistan. The decision was made after India refused to send its team to Pakistan, citing security concerns and political tensions between the two countries. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that matches involving both nations during the 2024-2027 cycle will take

 On Wednesday, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, informed the Lok Sabha that the government had blocked 18 OTT platforms this year for publishing obscene, vulgar, and in some cases, pornographic content. This action is in line with the IT Rules of 2021, which impose specific due diligence obligations on intermediaries to ensure they take reasonable steps to prevent the spread of such content. The IT Rules also set out a Code of Ethics for publishers

India and China have reached a significant agreement on six points to resolve their long-standing border issues. This agreement was made during a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, marking the first Special Representative-level discussions since the 2020 border clashes. Key points of the agreement include maintaining peace at the border, cross-border tourism in Tibet, resuming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and boosting Nathu La border trade.

The United States imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities on Wednesday, including the National Development Complex (NDC), a key state-owned aerospace and defense agency responsible for Pakistan's ballistic missile program. The sanctions, announced by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, target entities involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, specifically missiles. These sanctions freeze US property linked to the targeted co

India, having recently surpassed China as the world's most populous country, faces a significant demographic challenge. Fertility rates have dramatically declined across the country, especially in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where rates have fallen below the replacement level of two children per woman. This poses a dual challenge: the southern states worry about the implications for political representation and federal revenues, as population shifts could reduce th

 Hamida Banu’s incredible journey from isolation to reunion underscores the transformative impact of social media in today's digital era. Deceived by a recruitment agent in 2022, Banu was promised a job in Dubai but was instead taken to Pakistan, where she spent 23 years unable to contact her family in India. Her life changed when a video interview of her, shared on social media by Pakistani activist Waliullah Maroof, went viral. Indian journalist Khalfan Shaikh shared the vide