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 ongoing debate over Hindi imposition and Tamil language rights has once again fueled a major political clash between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and BJP state president K Annamalai. The two leaders engaged in a heated exchange on X, where Stalin accused the BJP of prioritizing Hindi and Sanskrit over Tamil, while Annamalai defended the Modi government’s commitment to Tamil culture.Stalin strongly criticized the central government’s language policies, urging the BJP to

US President Donald Trump delivered a triumphant address to Congress, emphasizing his administration’s policy shifts in global trade, domestic regulations, and federal restructuring. Within just six weeks of taking office, Trump boasted of achievements that have significantly altered America’s foreign relations, triggered trade disputes, and reduced the size of the federal workforce. His speech was met with a standing ovation from Republican supporters, while Democrats protested s

After the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YCP) launched a campaign questioning the legitimacy of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) polling system. Several key YCP leaders, including Roja and Ambati Rambabu, repeatedly voiced concerns, suggesting that election results were manipulated. This narrative was an attempt to discredit the public mandate that had overwhelmingly favored the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). However, TDP remained largely indiffere

Tencent Holdings has expanded its stake in Kadokawa, the parent company of FromSoftware, acquiring an additional 1.11 percent of shares. This move increases Tencent’s ownership in the Japanese publishing giant from 6.86 percent to 7.97 percent. The transaction was made through Tencent’s subsidiary, SixJoy Hong Kong Limited, and was disclosed in a large shareholding report submitted to the Kanto Finance Bureau.   Tencent initially invested JPY 30 billion (appr

The latest round of tariff hikes by US President Donald Trump has triggered immediate countermeasures from Canada, China, and Mexico, escalating tensions in global trade. Beginning Tuesday, the US is imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada while also raising tariffs on all Chinese imports from 10% to 20%. In response, these nations have announced their own economic retaliations, signaling a sharp rise in trade disputes.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese officia

Microchip Technology has announced plans to lay off 2,000 employees, approximately 9 percent of its global workforce, as part of a restructuring plan aimed at cost reduction and operational efficiency. The decision is driven by declining semiconductor demand, particularly from the automotive sector, where companies are struggling to clear existing chip inventories before placing new orders.The semiconductor industry has faced challenges over the past year, with demand fluctuations affecting m

Nine months after the formation of the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, the state is showing a strong economic turnaround. The latest fiscal survey presented in the Assembly highlights that Andhra Pradesh has recorded a 12.94% growth in fiscal management, a clear indication of recovery from the previous administration’s economic downturn. The progress is primarily driven by agriculture, industrial development, and energy production, reflecting the effectiveness of new policies focused

Apple CEO Tim Cook has sparked excitement among tech enthusiasts with a cryptic teaser hinting at the launch of a new MacBook Air. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Cook shared a short video with the phrase, “There’s something in the air,” along with the caption, “this week.” The phrase echoes Apple’s tagline from the launch of the first MacBook Air in 2008, strongly indicating that a refreshed MacBook Air is on the horizon.  

Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has rejected concerns over strained relations between Bangladesh and India, asserting that the diplomatic ties between the two neighboring nations remain strong despite recent tensions. Yunus acknowledged that some conflicts have emerged but attributed them mainly to misinformation and propaganda rather than any fundamental changes in the relationship.In an interview with BBC Bangla, Yunus highlighted the historical, political, and ec

FIFA, the world governing body of football, has officially lifted its suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after the necessary constitutional reforms were approved. The decision comes after PFF Congress members reached a consensus last Thursday to amend the constitution as required by FIFA, ensuring smooth governance and compliance with international football regulations.The suspension, which had been in effect since February 5, 2025, was imposed after the PFF failed to implem

India continued its unbeaten run in the Champions Trophy 2025, securing a 44-run victory over New Zealand in a low-scoring thriller. With Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul leading the charge, India’s spinners showcased their strength, defending a total of 249/9. Despite a resilient innings by Kane Williamson, New Zealand struggled against India’s well-coordinated spin attack, failing to chase the target.The win marked India’s third consecutive victory in the league

Tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated once again as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced a complete halt to aid and supplies into Gaza. This decision follows a deadlock in ceasefire negotiations, with Israel demanding a new hostage release deal and Hamas rejecting the revised proposal.The fragile six-week ceasefire, brokered with the help of Egypt and Qatar, now hangs in the balance as both sides refuse to compromise on key demands. While Israel insist

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed confidence that US-Ukraine relations can be repaired following an intense diplomatic confrontation with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Speaking from London after a European security summit, Zelensky emphasized the need for closed-door discussions and reaffirmed his stance that Ukraine would not concede any territory to Russia in exchange for peace.Zelensky’s remarks came just days after his tense meeting with Trump and

Choosing the right tax regime is an important decision for taxpayers in India. The old and new tax regimes offer different benefits, and individuals must carefully analyze their financial situation before selecting the most suitable option. While salaried employees have the flexibility to switch every year, business professionals have a more restricted choice.The decision between the two regimes depends on factors such as tax-saving investments, exemptions, and deductions. Understanding these

Reports circulating on social media recently claimed that country music icon Reba McEntire had passed away. These rumors, however, are completely false. The beloved singer, songwriter, and actress is alive and continuing her work in the entertainment industry. The misinformation, which quickly spread across platforms like Facebook, led to widespread confusion and concern among her fans. This is not the first time that

  Fire Destroys Buildings on Vosseller Avenue, Causes Road Closures and Displaces Families A massive fire erupted on Vosseller Avenue late Friday morning, severely damaging multiple buildings and forcing the evacuation of several residents. The fire, which started around 10:30 a.m. between two structures, prompted an immediate emergency response as flames quickly spread.

Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho has been handed a four-match suspension and fined €42,000 by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for his controversial remarks following a heated Istanbul derby against Galatasaray. The decision, announced on Thursday, penalizes Mourinho for comments deemed unethical and unsportsmanlike after his team played to a 0-0 draw in the high-stakes Turkish Super Lig clash on Monday.The suspension comes as Fenerbahce trails Galatasaray by six points in the le

Technicolor India, a leading visual effects (VFX) and animation studio, has announced the closure of its operations in Bengaluru and Mumbai, affecting 3,200 employees. The decision is part of a global shutdown by its parent company, Technicolor Group, headquartered in Paris.This sudden move has left thousands of employees in distress, particularly in Bengaluru, where nearly 3,000 professionals were employed. The closure marks a significant blow to India's VFX and animation industry, which

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, has made headlines with the launch of a bold new feature in its Grok 3 model: an uncensored AI voice interaction mode that allows users to engage in conversations with various personalities, some of which push the boundaries of ethical AI. Unlike other AI companies that impose strict content moderation, xAI is taking an open-ended approach, providing users with an experience that is largely unfiltered. This move has sparked excitement am