The recent discontinuation of the Canadian Student Direct Stream (SDS) program as of November 8, 2024, has left many Indian students reassessing their plans to study in Canada. The SDS program previously allowed students to speed up the student visa process if they met specific English proficiency test (EPT) requirements like IELTS or PTE. However, with the end of SDS, students now have the opportunity to explore a broader range of EPTs accepted by Canadian institutions. One of the

The Telangana Assembly was adjourned on Monday after BRS MLAs raised slogans and disrupted the debate on the Telangana State Tourism Policy. The debate, which resumed after a tea break, was halted when opposition members continued to protest against the Congress government. In response to the disruption, Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu criticized the BRS legislators for not adhering to the rules and traditions of the House. Speaker G. Prasad Kumar intervened, directing

On Monday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited the Polavaram project in Eluru district to review its progress. During his inspection, he sought details from the officials overseeing the project. The officials informed him that more than Rs 1,200 crore would be needed for constructing the diaphragm wall and guide bund, crucial components of the project. Speaking to the media, CM Naidu highlighted that the government aims to finish the entire Polavaram project b

Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $106,000, marking a significant milestone just 10 days after surpassing the $100,000 mark. The cryptocurrency’s surge is fueled by expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates during its upcoming policy meeting. Lower interest rates historically benefit Bitcoin, as they weaken the US dollar and increase the money supply, driving investor interest in digital assets. Bitcoin has risen over 77% in the last year, and its rec

A shocking revelation from the Financial Times has disclosed that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime airlifted around $250 million to Moscow between 2018 and 2019. The cash, including nearly two tonnes of $100 bills and €500 notes, was flown to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport and deposited in Russian banks under sanctions. This move was part of Assad's efforts to bypass Western sanctions that isolated Syria from the global financial system. During this time,

Ukraine has condemned FIFA after a map displayed during the European World Cup qualifiers for 2026 appeared to omit Crimea from Ukraine. The map, shown during the December 2024 draw for the joint-hosted tournament by the US, Mexico, and Canada, sparked backlash when it excluded Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhy accused FIFA of supporting Russian propaganda and violating international law by "redrawing b

Congress has criticized National Conference leader and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his changing approach to EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) allegations. This criticism came after Abdullah dismissed claims raised by Congress and other opposition parties about EVM manipulation following the Maharashtra election results. Senior Congress leader Manickam Tagore pointed out that while opposition parties like the NCP, Shiv Sena, and Samajwadi Party have questioned the integrit

Nikita Singhania, the estranged wife of techie Atul Subhash, was arrested by Bengaluru police in Gurugram after being accused of abetting his suicide. Atul Subhash, aged 34, was found dead at his Bengaluru home, leaving behind a suicide note and a video accusing Nikita and her family of cruelty and dowry harassment. Nikita, along with her mother and brother, initially evaded arrest by constantly changing locations and using WhatsApp for communication. However, a single phone call by

In a heated debate in the Rajya Sabha marking the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a scathing attack on Congress, accusing the party of repeatedly undermining the Constitution through amendments during its rule. Sitharaman specifically targeted India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, referring to the first Constitutional amendment in 1951 that aimed to curb freedom of speech, despite Nehru's public support for press fr

Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has confirmed that general elections will likely take place by the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026. Yunus, who was appointed the country’s "chief adviser" after a student-led uprising in August toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is overseeing a temporary administration that is focused on restoring democratic institutions in the country. Yunus, 84, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning microfinance pioneer, h

Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has become embroiled in a new scandal involving an alleged Chinese spy. The businessman, identified only as "H6" for legal reasons, gained significant trust from the Duke of York, reportedly even acting on his behalf in an international financial initiative related to China. Court documents reveal that H6 had such a close relationship with Prince Andrew that he was invited to the Duke's birthday party and granted access to

Officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have seized counterfeit drugs worth Rs 1.85 crore after conducting raids at two locations in Maharashtra’s Thane district. The raids, which took place in Bhiwandi and Mira Road over the past few months, uncovered a scheme where the accused were manufacturing and selling spurious medicines while falsely branding them as original products. The drugs were distributed across several states, deceiving patients and jeopardizing p

Switzerland has decided to suspend the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) status granted to India, which could result in higher taxes for Indian companies operating in the country. Starting January 1, 2025, Indian companies will face increased withholding tax rates on income such as dividends and royalties generated in Switzerland. The new tax rules will impose a 10% tax on dividends earned by Indian entities. This move follows a ruling by the Indian Supreme Court in October 2023, which sta

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to finalize the hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy during a virtual meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Under this model, India and Pakistan will not travel to each other's countries for ICC events. The 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will be played in Dubai, with eight teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. T

On Friday, Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, firing 93 missiles and nearly 200 drones, marking one of the heaviest attacks on the country’s energy sector since the invasion began nearly three years ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the assault as part of Russia’s ongoing strategy to terrorize millions of people and demanded a strong global response. Ukraine's air defense systems intercepted 81 missiles, including 11 cruise miss

In a significant move for the future development of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the 'Swarnandhra - 2047' Vision document in Vijayawada. The document, titled '10 Principles-One Vision', outlines a roadmap for creating a 'healthy, wealthy, and happy Andhra Pradesh' by 2047. The unveiling event, held at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, was attended by Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, along with several ministers and officials.

The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the Visa Bulletin for January 2025, providing crucial updates for green card applicants, with a notable focus on Indian applicants. This bulletin offers insights into the availability of immigrant visa numbers, which are vital for individuals waiting in the green card queue. The limits for employment-based preference immigrants have been set at 140,000, while family-sponsored category immigrants have a cap of

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concerns in the Lok Sabha regarding the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly following reports of attacks on Hindus. His statement came amidst rising incidents of communal violence in the neighboring country, where the treatment of minorities, especially Hindus, has become a matter of increasing alarm. Jaishankar emphasized that the government of Bangladesh must ensure the safety and security of its minority communities, highlighti

A special two-day debate will begin on Friday in the Lok Sabha to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution. Newly elected Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is expected to make her maiden speech during this significant discussion. The debate will kick off with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and more than 12 BJP leaders, including prominent figures such as HD Kumaraswamy, Srikant Shinde, and Jiten Ram Manjhi, are anticipated to take part. Prime Minis

The Lok Sabha will hold a two-day debate starting today to mark 75 years of the Indian Constitution, though tensions are high between the BJP and Congress, which are embroiled in a bitter political war. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will kick off the debate for the BJP, with several MPs from the ruling party and allies, including Karnataka's former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, expected to speak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will respond to the debate and opposition attacks on Saturday