As the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage nears, Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted the issuance of certain categories of visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The suspension affects Umrah, business, and family visit visas and will remain in place until mid-June, aligning with the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The decision reportedly aims to address logistical challenges and prevent unauthorized participation in the Hajj. The countries impacted by this move inc

Bangkok, April 4 — At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled several bold proposals aimed at enhancing regional cooperation, economic integration, and disaster resilience among the seven member nations of BIMSTEC—India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. UPI Integration Across BIMSTEC In a major push toward financial connectivity, PM Modi proposed linking India’s UPI (Unified Pa

The White House has dismissed multiple administration officials following a meeting between President Donald Trump and far-right activist Laura Loomer. Among those ousted were at least three National Security Council (NSC) staffers, according to sources familiar with the matter. The decision came after Loomer reportedly provided Trump with a list of officials she deemed disloyal, urging their removal. Loomer, a controversial figure known for her extreme views, has gained influence

Washington, D.C. has been making strides in its efforts to improve public safety, with crime statistics showing encouraging signs of decline, particularly in violent crime. As the year progresses, both Mayor Muriel Bowser and Councilmember Brooke Pinto are focusing on making D.C. safer for its residents, launching new initiatives and holding public safety walks to raise awareness and address concerns about crime. The first quarter of 2025 has brought some positive

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a Calcutta High Court verdict that invalidated the appointment of over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff recruited by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Banerjee expressed her disagreement with the apex court's judgement, stating she cannot support a blanket cancellation of all appointments and voiced her deep

Thousands of immigrant tech workers, especially Indians living in the United States, are currently facing unprecedented uncertainty regarding their future due to President Donald Trump’s renewed focus on strict immigration policies. The tightening of these policies has left many H-1B visa holders—including employees at top tech companies like Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft—concerned about their job security, ability to travel internationally, and even the citizenship st

President Donald Trump is scheduled to convene a pivotal meeting at the White House on Wednesday to deliberate the future of TikTok's operations in the United States. This gathering comes as the deadline approaches for the Chinese-owned app to divest its U.S. operations or face a potential ban. Vice President JD Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz are among the key

In 2014, former U.S. Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia were asked whether undocumented immigrants are entitled to the rights outlined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedoms such as religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Both justices agreed that these rights apply to anyone present in the United States, regardless of their immigration status. Ginsburg explained that the Constitution does not limit its protections to cit

  In the early months of 2025, U.S. consumer spending on air travel, hotels, and restaurants saw a notable decline, signaling a shift in spending habits amid economic uncertainty. According to data from Bloomberg Second Measure, U.S. consumer spending on air travel dropped by 10% in February 2025, while spending on hotels decreased by 6%, compared to the same time last year. In addition, restaurant spending saw a 3.5% decrease, further highlighting

In Florida’s special election for the 1st Congressional District, Republican Jimmy Patronis emerged victorious, successfully fending off a challenge from Democrat Gay Valimont. This race, held on Tuesday, became a focal point for national political observers as it was widely seen as a test of Trump-era Republican strength in a district that President Donald Trump had carried by approximately 37 points in the previous election. Patronis, who was heavily favored for the tra

In a move that has stirred significant concern among global policymakers, US President Donald Trump took aim at India’s high tariffs on American goods during a recent press conference. Speaking on the matter, Trump expressed frustration over the tariffs imposed on US agricultural products, specifically highlighting the fact that India has a 100% tariff on American agricultural goods. This, according to the President, makes it “virtually impossible” for American products to b

As the new financial year begins on April 1, 2025, taxpayers, investors, and banking customers in India must prepare for several important changes in financial regulations. These reforms, previously announced by the government and regulatory bodies, are aimed at improving compliance, digital security, and financial transparency. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key changes that come into effect starting April 1.   1. Higher Income Tax Exemption Limit

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

Renowned American restaurant chain Hooters of America has filed for bankruptcy protection in Texas as part of a major restructuring effort aimed at addressing its mounting debt of $US376 million (approximately $601 million AUD). The company announced that it will transfer ownership of its company-operated restaurant locations to a group backed by the original founders of the brand, with the aim of strengthening its financial future. Despite the bankruptcy filing, Hooters has confirmed that it

Washington: As anticipation builds over US President Donald Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, the White House has confirmed there will be no exemptions in the new wave of reciprocal tariffs. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt made it clear that these tariffs are aimed at putting an end to what the administration calls decades of "unfair trade practices" against American exporters. President Trump has

A distressing incident near Madgaon railway station in Goa has triggered a wave of concern among travelers, after a tourist shared an account of being physically assaulted and verbally abused by two local men. The man, who detailed his experience in a viral Reddit post titled “Got physically abused in Goa, will probably never come back,” said the encounter has left him deeply disturbed and unwilling to revisit the popular tourist destination. According to the tourist, who

Bank of America has issued essential guidelines for customers to help them avoid their accounts being labeled as abandoned property. Accounts that show signs of inactivity for extended periods, often more than three years, are at risk of being classified as abandoned and subsequently turned over to the state. This process is called escheatment, and it can result in the loss of access to your funds if not managed properly. However, the bank provides several proactive steps for customers to kee

In India, banking services are designed to offer convenience—but they often come at a price. From ATM withdrawals to fund transfers and cheque issuance, nearly every service comes with associated costs. While some fees are minimal, others can add up over time, impacting your personal or business finances. Whether you're managing a savings account or operating a business with a current account, understanding standard banking charges is essential for smarter financial planning. Bank f

 A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar at 12:50 pm local time on Friday, unleashing chaos and destruction across the region. The epicentre of the quake was located 16 km northwest of the city of Sagaing and at a shallow depth of 10 km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The region was rocked again shortly afterward by a significant aftershock measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale. Local media reports confirm at least 20 deaths in Myanmar so far, wi

Imagine racing to make an urgent fund transfer on March 31, only to find that your bank is open, but critical transactions aren’t going through. That could be a reality for many this year, as March 31, 2025, marks the last day of the financial year—and it comes with banking limitations that could impact individuals and businesses alike. While banks across India will remain operational on March 31, customers should be aware that many essential financial services may not function as