The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the significant increase in executions in Iran, with reports indicating at least 901 people were executed in 2024, including a particularly high number in December. UN rights chief Volker Turk called the situation "deeply disturbing" and urged Iran to take action to end the rising tide of executions. Iran remains one of the leading countries in carrying out the death penalty, following only China, where reliable figures a

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

In South Korea's deadliest air disaster, a Jeju Air passenger jet, Flight 7C2216, crashed during its landing attempt at Muan International Airport on Sunday, resulting in 179 fatalities. The crash occurred after a series of events, starting with a bird strike reported by the pilot as the flight was approaching the airport. According to the final timeline of the flight, the aircraft was cleared by air traffic control at 8:54 am to land on runway 01. However, just minutes later, a

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino firmly rejected any negotiations with US President-elect Donald Trump regarding control of the Panama Canal, affirming that the canal belongs solely to Panama. Mulino emphasized that the canal, which was transferred to Panama in 1999 after being built by the United States, cannot be the subject of talks with Washington. Trump's recent comments, which criticized the tolls for US vessels passing through the canal and expressed concern over China's a

STEM Scholarships for 2024: Opportunities and Application Strategies As the demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates continues to grow worldwide, numerous scholarships have been designed to support students pursuing education in these critical fields. While earning a STEM degree can be expensive, scholarships help make it more accessible for students, including those from India. This guide provides insights into STEM schol

In a significant change to school education, the Centre has scrapped the 'no-detention policy' for classes 5 and 8 in schools under its control. This means that students who fail the year-end exams will no longer automatically be promoted. Instead, they will have the chance to retake the exam after additional coaching within two months of the results. If they still fail, they will be held back in the same grade. This move follows amendments to the Right to Education Act (RTE

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term in office, a growing number of U.S. colleges and universities are advising international students to return to campus before January 20, 2025, due to concerns that Trump may reinstate or expand travel restrictions. This advice follows the previous travel bans imposed during his first administration, which restricted entry to the U.S. for citizens from certain predominantly Muslim countries. Many schools, including Ivy League institu

Indian students are increasingly looking beyond traditional study destinations like the US and UK to explore new opportunities in countries such as Malta, Singapore, Dubai, Italy, and various European nations. These countries have simplified their visa regulations, and their competitive living and tuition fees, along with diverse academic programmes, are attracting a growing number of students. The ease of access and affordable education options are key factors driving this trend. Many expert

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

NASA has announced that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since June, will remain in space at least until late March 2025. Originally, they were meant to spend just eight days aboard the ISS, but due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft's propulsion system, their mission was altered. After Starliner faced difficulties, NASA decided to send the astronauts back with the Crew-9 mission, which arrived in S

Aarit Kapil, a nine-year-old chess prodigy from Delhi, has made history by becoming the youngest Indian to defeat a chess Grandmaster. In the penultimate round of the KIIT International Open tournament in Bhubaneswar, Aarit triumphed over Raset Ziatdinov, a 66-year-old Grandmaster from the United States. At just 9 years, 2 months, and 18 days old, Aarit is now the third youngest player globally to beat a Grandmaster under classical time control. The game, which lasted 63 moves, saw

The President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, strongly criticized both the U.S. and Russia for interfering with the court's investigations, accusing them of threatening the institution with economic sanctions and issuing arrest warrants for key officials. The remarks were made following the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others in connection to crimes in Gaza, which prompted backlash

Is Pursuing a Computer Science Degree in 2024 Still Worth It? As the technological landscape rapidly evolves, many students are questioning the value of a Computer Science (CS) degree in 2024. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation reshaping industries, it's essential to assess whether a CS degree remains a viable and rewarding path. The Current State of the Tech Industry The tech sector has experien

Andhra Pradesh’s IT and Education Minister, Nara Lokesh, has announced an ambitious vision to create a distinctive "Andhra Pradesh model" of education, which he claims will surpass the existing educational frameworks of Delhi and Kerala. His reforms aim to bring revolutionary changes to the state's education system, spanning from KG to PG levels, with a focus on quality and holistic development. Lokesh emphasized that his approach would break awa

For astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the beauty of sunrise and sunset is not a once-a-day event; instead, they experience this breathtaking spectacle up to 16 times in a single Earth day. NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, currently on the ISS, knows this phenomenon well. During a 2013 event at the University of Gujarat, she reflected on her unique experience of witnessing 16 sunrises and sunsets while orbiting the Earth in a fast-moving shuttle. Due to delays i

During a compelling interview at the  World Summit, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar shed light on the deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Canada, which have faced significant strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations regarding India's involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar criticized what he termed "double standards" in diplomatic treatment, noting that while Canadian diplomat

In a significant policy shift, the Netherlands government has proposed to limit the use of English in universities to manage the growing influx of international students. Education Minister Eppo Bruins outlined his vision in a letter to parliament, stating a desire to re-establish Dutch as the primary language in higher education. Bruins emphasized the necessity for both international and Dutch students to invest in Dutch language proficiency, asserting, "I want to make Dutch t

India has strongly rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claims that there was a substantive discussion regarding the "safety of Canadians" during his brief encounter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ASEAN Summit in Laos. According to government sources, the two leaders only exchanged greetings and did not engage in any meaningful dialogue. In light of ongoing concerns regarding Khalistani activities in Canada, Indian foreign ministry sources reiter

As we approach International Coffee Day on October 1, 2024, coffee enthusiasts are eager to indulge in the rich flavors and aromas that distinct global destinations have to offer. A recent survey by Booking.com reveals that 85% of Indian travelers are keen to explore indigenous foods and flavors this year, and what better way to experience local culture than through its coffee? Here are six must-visit destinations for coffee lovers, each known for its unique brews and vibrant coffee culture.

India has launched an innovative Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. This initiative aims to significantly reduce the time taken for immigration clearance, slashing wait times from a minimum of 30 minutes to just a few seconds. The program utilizes biometrics to provide pre-verified travelers with a smoother experience during both arrival and departure. The Ministry of Home Affairs has plans to expand the