Palestinians celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: AP Israel and Hamas agreed on the first draft of a ceasefire deal on Wednesday (January 15, 2025), signalling the biggest step yet toward an end to the conflict. Among other things, … Read more
(1) Trump returns to the White House Donald Trump is all set to return to the White House with his second inauguration as president of the United States. Mr. Trump, 78, will formally be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at 12 p.m. ET (1700 GMT) on Monday (January 20, 2025). … Read more
In July 2024, the EU sourced close to 15% of its crude oil from the U.S | Photo Credit: Peter Boer U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on many countries if they do not fulfil certain conditions. In November last year, he said he would impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, China, … Read more
More than 80% of government schools in India are equipped with functional electricity, ramps, boys’ and girls’ toilets, handwash, and libraries. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Government schools have notably improved in the provision of basic infrastructure facilities to students over the past 10 years, and are almost on a par with private schools, data … Read more
(1) Thailand is third in Asia to enact same-sex marriage Hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand made their wedded status legal on Thursday (January 23, 2025), the first day a law took effect granting them the same rights as heterosexual couples. The enactment of the Marriage Equality Act makes Thailand the first country in Southeast … Read more
One in three consumers in India is eyeing electric vehicles (EVs) for their next purchase, says the ‘Think Mobility’ report by Google and BCG. Women are emerging as key decision-makers in the EV market. While EV-related challenges persist, innovations and localised manufacturing could pave the way for greater adoption, says the report. The report highlights … Read more
Migrants seeking asylum from Mexico, India and Ecuador waiting to be apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers after crossing over a section of border wall into the U.S. in Arizona | Photo Credit: Brandon Bell United States President Donald Trump introduced sweeping changes immediately after being sworn in, which could have a lasting … Read more
Village women work under MGNREGA scheme at Jagannath Prasad village in Odisha | Photo Credit: PTI The share of the Union Budget allocated for the social sector has declined rapidly in recent years. Data show that the outlays to most schemes under the rural development, education, health, and social welfare heads have either declined or … Read more
Image for representation purpose only. | Photo Credit: KRISHNAN VV Reliance Jio leads the wireless subscriber market in 12 of India’s 22 telecom circles, while Airtel dominates nine. This leaves Vodafone Idea as the leader in just one circle — Kerala. In the north-eastern and Jammu and Kashmir circles, Airtel leads the market, with around … Read more
New Delhi: Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman chairs the eighth pre-budget consultation in New Delhi, on Jan. 6, 2025. With Budget FY2025-26 scheduled to be presented on February 1, here is a look at some of the recently launched schemes, older schemes with significantly reduced funding, schemes under the Production Linked … Read more