A growing clash between academic independence and federal oversight has erupted into a full-scale standoff after the Trump administration announced a freeze on over $2 billion in federal grants to Harvard University. The decision comes after the Ivy League institution firmly rejected a list of sweeping federal demands, including audits of student viewpoints and the dismantling of diversity and inclusion programs. On Monday night, the administration's Joint Task Force to Combat

In a significant escalation of political and legal resistance, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of 20 state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump’s decision to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a move that threatens millions in federal funding for cultural institutions across the country. Illinois stands to lose $11.3 million in annual support for its libraries, museums, and historical archives if the

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a financial trail connecting billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros’s Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) to Indian entities operating in the NGO sector, sparking serious questions about potential violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and foreign direct investment (FDI) norms. The revelations, based on detailed investigations, have triggered fresh scrutiny over the methods used to funnel foreign fun

Dallas County’s health department is currently grappling with significant financial challenges after losing two federal grants that totaled $70 million. These federal grants, which were frozen as part of the broader effort under the Trump administration to cut government spending, played a crucial role in funding key public health initiatives, including immunizations and research. The decision to rescind these grants has left Dallas County’s Health and Human Services scrambling to

United States – The U.S. government announced Monday it will initiate a sweeping review of $9 billion in federal funding to Harvard University over allegations of anti-Semitism and campus unrest linked to pro-Palestinian protests. This move marks the latest escalation by President Donald Trump’s administration in its campaign against elite academic institutions that have seen intense student demonstrations related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The General Services Administration co

In a significant move aimed at reshaping the American education system, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing the closure of the Department of Education. This bold move aligns with long-standing Republican ambitions to transfer educational authority to individual states and reduce federal involvement in schools. The signing ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House, where Trump, surrounded by schoolchildren, proudly displayed the signed order.

China has announced a 7.2% increase in its defence budget for 2024, raising military spending to $249 billion as the country continues its aggressive modernization efforts amid escalating regional tensions. The budget, which was revealed in a draft report submitted to the National People's Congress (NPC) by Premier Li Qiang, underscores China’s strategic focus on military expansion in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and its border with India. This increase follows China’s

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been accused of sending over $2 billion in aid to Hamas since the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, raising concerns over how U.S. foreign aid is allocated. The claims were presented during a House Committee hearing on USAID’s financial practices, bringing renewed scrutiny to the agency’s funding policies.   Additionally, reports suggest that USAID provided financial assistance to Falah-e-In

A total of 205 Indian nationals who had illegally entered the United States were deported aboard a US military C-17 aircraft, which took off from Texas. Each deportee’s nationality was verified, signaling New Delhi’s involvement in the process. This is likely the first of many such deportations as part of a broader effort to address illegal immigration. The aircraft, typically equipped for larger transports, can accommodate up to 205 passengers, though it only has one toilet unles

On the eve of Republic Day, Wing Commander Akshay Saxena of the Indian Air Force was conferred the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for his remarkable leadership and courage during a high-stakes mission off the Somali coast. The operation, which took place on March 16, 2024, involved rescuing 17 crew members from the MV Ruen, a merchant ship that had been seized by pirates. The pirates had previously attacked merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea and even fired at the Indian Navy’s INS Kolkata

On Friday, a Pakistani court convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in a landmark corruption case related to their welfare foundation, the Al-Qadir Trust. Khan received a sentence of 14 years in prison, while his wife was handed a 7-year sentence. This verdict marks another chapter in Khan's ongoing legal and political battles since his ousting from office in 2022. T

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the controversial comments made by President-elect Donald Trump regarding the potential US acquisition of Greenland, stating that such an action is not realistic and urging the world not to waste time discussing it. Speaking in Paris during his farewell tour, Blinken stressed that the Biden administration's foreign policy focuses on maintaining strong alliances, with the belief that the US is more effective when working alongside its allies.

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the country's 2025 budget, allocating $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles) to national defence, which accounts for 32.5% of the total government spending. This marks a significant increase from last year’s budget, highlighting the ongoing strain the war in Ukraine has placed on Russia’s finances. The budget sets a new record, with military spending expected to account for over 6% of Russia's GDP. In contrast, expenditu

Over the last few years, military coups have reemerged in countries like Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Guinea, raising alarm among observers and analysts. These coups reflect a broader return of militarism in African politics, a political system where military objectives blur into governance, and military values dominate the state. Despite the Cold War-era decline of military dictatorships, recent events suggest that the political order in West and Central Africa is being reshaped by

At the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, China presented a range of cutting-edge military technology, reaffirming its growing strength in defense and its ambition to be a global leader in military innovation. The biennial event, which attracts industry leaders and military experts from around the world, was a key platform for China to display new advancements in weapons, aircraft, and naval systems. Among the highlights was the J35-A Stealth Fighter, China's second stealth fighter after the

Adani Total Gas Ltd. (ATGL) announced on Friday that it has successfully secured $375 million in funding from international lenders to expand its city gas distribution (CGD) network. This financing marks the largest global investment in the CGD sector, underscoring the growing importance of natural gas in India's energy landscape. The funds will enable ATGL to extend its services to over 200 million people, representing approximately 14% of India's population. The financing

On Tuesday, a devastating Israeli airstrike targeted a humanitarian zone in Gaza's Khan Yunis, resulting in 40 fatalities and 60 injuries, according to Gaza's civil defense agency. The strike hit Al-Mawasi, a designated safe area where tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians had sought refuge. The Israeli military stated that the strike was aimed at a Hamas command center operating within the humanitarian zone, but the attack has drawn significant criticism from humanitarian organ

The Virendra Kumar Dhall Scholarship for Sporting Excellence has been introduced by Indian entrepreneur Aman Dhall at Loughborough University to honor his late father and support emerging athletes. This new initiative is a five-year program valued at GBP 12,500, designed to assist Indian students who are either competing at or aspiring to compete at the international level in sports. By