Eugene Spector, a US citizen originally born in Russia, was sentenced to 15 years in a Russian maximum-security prison this week after being convicted of espionage. According to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Spector passed sensitive biotechnology and biomedical information to the United States, including state secrets, for the purpose of creating a genetic screening system targeting the Russian population. Spector had been serving a separate sentence for bribery before the espi

In the wake of the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's governing coalition, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has ordered parliament to be dissolved and set a new election date for February 23. Scholz's coalition, a three-party alliance, fell apart on November 6 after a bitter dispute over economic policies led to the firing of his finance minister. Following a confidence vote loss on December 16, Scholz now leads a minority government. As the post-World War II German constitu

On Christmas, an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau city in Kazakhstan, leading to the deaths of 38 people out of the 67 on board. The flight had originally departed from Baku, Azerbaijan, headed for Grozny, Russia, but was diverted when it was unable to land in Grozny due to dense fog. The aircraft, rerouted over the Caspian Sea, crashed in an open field near Aktau after encountering difficulties. 29 passengers survived the crash. Azerbaijan Airlines, in

What Does a Healthy Period Look Like? A typical menstrual cycle lasts between 21 to 35 days, with bleeding lasting from 2 to 7 days. The flow is moderate, beginning as a brighter red and becoming darker toward the end. Mild symptoms like cramping, bloating, and mood swings are normal. However, extreme discomfort, irregularities, or changes in your cycle could signal an underlying health issue that needs attention. What Your Menstruation Might Be Telling You About Your H

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

India completed a 3-0 series sweep over the West Indies in the final Women's ODI in Vadodara on Friday, thanks to Deepti Sharma's career-best performance with the ball and a crucial unbeaten knock with the bat. Sharma claimed remarkable figures of 6/31, supported by pacer Renuka Singh, who took 4/29, as India bowled West Indies out for just 162. India faced a brief wobble while chasing, losing four quick wickets to be at 73/4, but Sharma (39 not out off 48 balls) guided them to victor

A new report reveals that 2024 is set to become the warmest year on record, with global temperatures averaging 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, marking a significant milestone in the climate crisis. According to Copernicus, the year also saw an alarming increase in extreme heat days, with the world experiencing 41 more days of dangerous heat than in previous years. The study, conducted by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central, indicates that small island nations bore the b

As 2025 approaches, bridal hairstyles will feature a stunning blend of glamour and effortless chic. We will see a resurgence of voluminous, tousled waves, textured buns, and soft face-framing tendrils, inspired by vintage glam but with a modern twist. These styles, which balance sophistication with a playful edge, will make their mark not only on red carpets but also on bridal looks. Expect to see a ris

Cochin Shipyard’s stock saw a significant surge on Friday, hitting an upper circuit limit, following the announcement of a major order from Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. The order, valued at approximately Rs 450 crore, is for the construction of eight state-of-the-art harbour tugs, making it the largest contract for the company under the government’s Make in India scheme. Adani Ports emphasized its commitment to the "Make in India" and "Aatman

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released the admit cards for the upcoming CA Foundation and Intermediate exams scheduled for January 2025. Candidates who have registered for either of the two exams can now download their admit cards by visiting the official ICAI website and logging in with their CA registration number and date of birth. The admit cards contain essential details such as the candidate’s name, CA roll number, photograph, signature, date

Steve Smith put on an impressive display of batting during the Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), scoring a remarkable 140 runs off 197 balls. This century not only cemented his love for the venue but also extended his consistent record against India, marking his 11th century in 43 innings. Smith's innings featured 13 fours and three sixes, leading Australia to a strong position at 454/7 by the end of the first session on day two. Smith's ce

At CES 2025, Lenovo is set to unveil several cutting-edge products, with one of the most exciting being a self-charging Bluetooth keyboard. This innovative keyboard will feature solar and ambient light charging, eliminating the need for traditional outlets or constant charging cables. With a sleek design, it is expected to come in two colorways—black and white—and will be capable of connecti

Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd., a subsidiary of the Jubilant Bhartia Group, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Coca-Cola India Pvt. to acquire its sparkling beverage portfolio and other products from the company's authorized bottlers. The deal, set to begin in April 2025, will see Coca-Cola’s authorized bottlers supplying sparkling beverages to Jubilant FoodWorks, which will handle the marketing of these products. The move is expected to enhance Jubilant Fo

India has started a probe into the alleged dumping of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel tanks from China, following a complaint by domestic company Inox India Ltd. The company has requested the imposition of anti-dumping duties, claiming that the influx of cheap imports is negatively affecting the profit margins of the domestic industry. These LNG fuel tanks are used for transporting methane gas in vehicles like trucks. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which handles

In response to Russia's Christmas Day attack on Ukrainian cities and its energy infrastructure, President Joe Biden has instructed the U.S. Defense Department to maintain its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Biden condemned Russia’s actions, which were aimed at disrupting Ukraine’s power supply and endangering the country’s energy grid during the harsh winter. The attack, which involved cruise and ballistic missiles as well as drones, is part of Russia’s ong

In a shift of political support, major US business leaders and companies are lining up to donate substantial sums to Donald Trump’s 2025 inaugural committee, following his landslide victory. Corporate America, which largely supported Kamala Harris and the Democratic agenda in the 2020 presidential race, is now keen to strengthen ties with the incoming Republican administration. With some of the largest donations coming from figures like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI’s Sam A

In a major setback to the unity of the opposition bloc, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded that Congress be removed from the INDIA alliance unless the party takes action against its Delhi leader, Ajay Maken. AAP leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh accused Maken of helping the BJP in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, claiming that Maken's statements were made at the BJP's behest. The dispute intensified when Maken called AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal "anti-national," a comm

China has officially approved the construction of what is set to be the world's largest hydropower dam, located on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet. This ambitious project, which will span the lower reaches of the river, is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, far surpassing the Three Gorges Dam's output of 88.2 billion kWh. The new dam is also seen as a significant step toward China’s goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, alongside

Chandrababu Naidu has quickly emerged as one of the most influential leaders in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the central level, as evidenced by his recent busy visit to Delhi. His meetings with several key Union ministers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, reflect his growing prominence within the alliance. The day began with Naidu paying his respects at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial in Delhi, f

Top 10 Most In-Demand Skills for 2025: Shaping the Future of Work The professional landscape of 2025 is dynamic, driven by technological advancements, globalization, and evolving consumer behaviors. Staying relevant in this ever-changing world requires embracing the skills that are reshaping industries. Here’s a deep dive into the top 10 most in-demand skills and why they matter. 1. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Drivi