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

The Indian rupee weakened by 10 paise to a record low of 85.12 against the US dollar on Monday, marking a significant decline in its value. The domestic currency opened at 84.85, according to Bloomberg data, and had closed at 85.02 on Friday. This continued depreciation comes amid rising global pressures, including an increase in Brent crude prices, which rose 0.41% to $73.24 per barrel. The rise in crude prices was partly driven by easing concerns about a potential US government shutdown and

The year 2024 has been a remarkable one for Indian sports, with several athletes bringing laurels to the country, including India's T20 World Cup win and Manu Bhaker's double medal victory at the Paris Olympics. The Indian government has revealed the nominees for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor. Among the nominees are Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian men's hockey team, who led the team to a bronze medal at th

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

Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has linked corruption under the UPA government as the primary cause of non-performing assets (NPAs) in Indian banks. In a recent interview, Rajan explained that following the global financial crisis, several projects began facing severe delays due to corruption scandals, land acquisition issues, and other regulatory obstacles. These factors, he argued, significantly contributed to the rise of NPAs. Rajan praised the

The US government is facing a potential shutdown as the Friday night deadline for passing a spending bill approaches. The shutdown, driven by political deadlock, could furlough around 875,000 federal workers while 1.4 million essential workers would continue without pay during the holiday season. Although essential services like air traffic control and law enforcement would remain operational, employees will not be paid immediately, though they typically receive retroactive compensation once

In a move to improve efficiency, Google has reduced its managerial staff by 10%, including roles at the manager, director, and vice president levels. This decision is part of a broader initiative to streamline the company and address increasing competition from AI-driven companies like OpenAI. CEO Sundar Pichai discussed these cuts during an all-hands meeting, stating that some employees would be reassigned to individual contributor roles, while others would face position eliminations.

In a shocking incident from West Godavari district, a woman named Naga Tulsi received a parcel containing the body of an unidentified man instead of the promised electrical appliances. Tulsi had earlier applied for financial assistance from the Kshatriya Seva Samithi to construct her house and had been assured of receiving lights, fans, and switches. However, when she opened the package delivered to her doorstep, she found a male body inside, which led to immediate panic. The police

On Friday morning, a devastating collision between a gas tanker and multiple vehicles on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway resulted in a massive fire, claiming at least eight lives. CCTV footage captured the horrifying moments as thick black smoke filled the street, followed by an explosion minutes after the crash. The inferno caused by the collision affected a nearly 300-meter stretch of the highway, causing traffic disruptions with a long line of vehicles stuck in the aftermath. More than 30 vehicle

A significant drug and arms seizure took place in Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, as a result of a joint operation conducted by the Indian Army and local police. The operation, based on specific intelligence inputs, was carried out in the Chinotra area of the Tangdhar sector near the Line of Control (LoC). The search led to the recovery of approximately four kilograms of narcotics, including heroin-like substances, along with four pistols, six magazines, and other ‘war-like stores.

How AI Is Uniquely Revolutionizing the NRI Connection to India Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just making life easier for NRIs but is opening doors to innovative and less-explored opportunities for staying connected with India. Beyond the common uses of communication and entertainment, AI is diving deep into areas like cultural preservation, hyper-personalized investments, and even emotional health support. Here’s a fresh perspective

As the world evolves, so do the challenges faced by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The year 2025 brings unique obstacles for Indians living abroad, ranging from navigating financial complexities to maintaining strong ties with their cultural roots. Here, we explore the top five challenges NRIs face in 2025 and provide practical solutions to overcome them. 1. Economic Uncertainty and Financial Planning The global economy continues to fluctuate, with rising

The Pakistan High Commission announced on Wednesday that it has issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims for a visit to the Shree Katas Raj temples in Chakwal district, Punjab, Pakistan. The pilgrimage, scheduled from December 19 to 25, will allow Hindu pilgrims to visit this sacred complex of temples, also known as Qila Katas. The temples are a significant religious site for Hindus and are linked by walkways. These visits are part of the long-standing Pakistan-India bilateral protocol on

Ircon International Ltd. has announced the appointment of Alin Roy Choudhury as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and key managerial personnel, effective January 1, 2025. Choudhury, who is currently the Chief General Manager of the finance division at the company, will succeed B Mugunthan. Mugunthan will be repatriated to the Ministry of Railways on December 31, 2024. Choudhury, a qualified cost and management accountant, has extensive experience spanning over 30 years in various do

Indian cricket team spinner R. Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. Ashwin, who played a pivotal role in India’s rise to the top of Test cricket, made the announcement during a joint press conference with captain Rohit Sharma, after the game ended in a draw. Ashwin, with 537 wickets in 106 Test matches, is the second-highest wicket-taker for India, following only Anil Kumble's record of

Finance Minister’s View on GDP Growth: In a recent statement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the lower-than-expected growth in India’s GDP for the September quarter, calling it a "temporary blip." She emphasized her confidence that India’s economy will regain strong growth in the upcoming quarters. Despite the slowdown in the second quarter, she highligh

A New York judge recently denied US President-elect Donald Trump's request to have his conviction for covering up hush money payments to a porn star thrown out on the grounds of presidential immunity. Judge Juan Merchan ruled that the immunity typically granted to presidents for official actions does not apply to the conduct involved in this case, which he deemed as "unofficial." This ruling keeps Trump's felony conviction intact, despite his legal team's attempt to use

India’s economy has consistently been a focal point for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) seeking long-term investment opportunities. With its rapid economic growth, demographic dividend, and government reforms, India offers several promising sectors for NRIs to invest in. Himanshu Kohli, an expert in wealth management, highlights the top four sectors that provide significant potential for long-term returns. 1. Real Estate The Indian real estate m

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc