Category: NEWS

Washington: The White House has said it is aware of the allegations against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group, who was indicted in New York over his role in an alleged multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme. Addressing reporters during her daily briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed confidence that Indian and the US could navigate the issue without compromising their robust partnership. “So, Obviously, we’re aware of these allegations, and I would have to refer you to the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and DOJ (Department…

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin during the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Vientiane, Laos, on Thursday, November 21, 2024. This meeting highlighted the increasing alignment of strategic goals between India and the United States, marking another step forward in strengthening their bilateral defence relationship. Advancements in Defence Collaboration Both leaders applauded the substantial progress achieved through the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap. This strategic initiative has paved the way for advancements in crucial areas, including co-production agreements for…

Passports are essential for international travel, but did you know their costs can vary drastically depending on the country? In 2024, passport fees range from as low as Rs. 1,400 to over Rs. 19,000. While some countries offer affordable travel documents, others have hefty prices. This article explores the most expensive and cheapest passports in the world, including India’s standing, and highlights where you can get the best value for your passport. Passports come with different price tags depending on the country you live in. The cost of obtaining a…

PAKISTAN: In a horrific attack on Thursday, gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in the Kurram tribal district of northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 38 people and injuring 29 others. Among the victims were a woman and a child, with the death toll expected to rise. The attack occurred on two convoys traveling between Peshawar and Parachinar. One convoy was carrying passengers from Peshawar to Parachinar, while the other was heading in the opposite direction. Local resident Ziarat Hussain confirmed that his relatives were traveling in one of the convoys.…

Washington: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have announced a significant expansion of the H-2B visa program for Fiscal Year 2025. An additional 64,716 visas will be made available, bringing the total to 130,716 visas for the year, up from the standard 66,000 allocated by Congress. This marks the third consecutive year of H-2B visa increases, a move designed to support US businesses and ensure that labor shortages are addressed. DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas emphasized that this expansion would not only meet the…

Hindus feel that it is fine to incorporate Bible teachings in Texas elementary public schools as long as wisdom from ancient Sanskrit scripture Bhagavad-Gita is also included. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who has read invocations in Fort Worth City Council and US Senate and US House of Representatives, in a statement in Nevada today, said that Bhagavad-Gita was a historically significant document, recognized throughout the world, and was a treasure that should be taught in elementary public school classrooms in Texas. This sacred text was plainly the word of…

Thiruvananthapuram, 19 November 2024: A wide range of delicacies took centre stage as enthusiastic employees at the UST Thiruvananthapuram campus came together yet again, for this year’s edition of Yummy Aid, the annual culinary festival-cum-fund raising event, on November 18, Monday. The 11th edition of the annual fundraising event was organised at the UST Thiruvananthapuram Campus by NowU (Network of Women USsociates) an internal volunteer organization that facilitates the development and executive mentoring of the company’s women employees. Yummy Aid 2024 went on to be a grand success with the…

New Delhi: The air quality in Delhi and its neighboring cities—Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram—reached alarming levels on Tuesday morning, November 19, with several Air Quality Index (AQI) stations touching the 500-mark, categorized as “severe plus.” This marked the seventh consecutive day of dense smog engulfing the National Capital Region (NCR), raising serious health concerns. Universities Move to Online Classes Amid Hazardous Conditions Amid the deteriorating air quality, Delhi University announced a shift to online classes until November 23, while Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) extended virtual learning till November 22. Both…

Washington:  U.S. President Joe Biden announced major climate initiatives on Sunday in a bid to fight against climate change. President Biden, who is in Brazil to attend the G20 Summit scheduled to be held on Monday in Rio De Janeiro, visited the Amazon rainforest on Sunday and became the first US sitting president to do so. Addressing the press after his visit, Biden promised an additional 50 million dollars as a contribution to the Amazon fund. The US has previously contributed 50 million dollars. During the address, Biden stated that…

Washington: As Donald Trump gets ready to return to office in January, immigration has again become a central topic of debate. His rhetoric signals plans to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history, targeting undocumented immigrants. However, his tough stance on immigration goes beyond deportations, extending to visa programs that are crucial for many Indian nationals. Trump’s focus on non-immigrant visa programs, such as H-1B, L-1, and F-1, has caused growing anxiety among visa holders and their families, who now fear stricter regulations and potential rollbacks of current…