Bangladesh to Remove Mujibur Rahman's Image from Currency
In a significant political move, Bangladesh is set to remove Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's image from its currency notes, marking a dramatic shift in the country’s national identity. Known as the "Bangabandhu" or "Friend of Bangladesh," Rahman was the iconic founding father of the country. However, recent political developments, including the student-led protests and the rise of new leadership, have led to his image being gradually erased from public life, starting wit
₹23 Crore Cash and Gold Biscuit Donated to Sanwaliya Seth Temple
The Sanwaliya Seth Temple in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh recently witnessed an extraordinary wave of donations, making headlines for its record-breaking collection. Among the remarkable gifts were ₹23 crore in cash, a 1kg gold biscuit, and several smaller gold biscuits. Devotees also contributed unique silver items, including a silver pistol, silver handcuffs, and even a pure silver lock and key. Thes
Jaishankar Hails India's Growth and Democracy at NDTV Award
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while receiving the 'India First' award at NDTV’s Indian of the Year ceremony, celebrated the crucial role of India's democracy in shaping the country's growth. He emphasized how democracy has brought forward voices from every part of the nation, not just metropolitan cities, giving equal representation to all sections of society. This inclusiveness, he argued, has been pivotal in driving India’s development. He also noted t
Rebels Close In on Homs in Syrian Offensive Against Assad
Rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have launched a major offensive against the Syrian government, pushing closer to Homs after capturing Aleppo and Hama in a swift military campaign. The rebels, aiming to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, are now just five kilometers from Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, which would sever the crucial connection between the capital, Damascus, and the Assad regime’s stronghold on the Mediterranean coast. This would rep
Catherine Hosts Christmas Service at Westminster Abbey
On Friday, Catherine, Princess of Wales, will host a special Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, reflecting on "the most difficult times" as she makes her return to public life after undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. The service, which emphasizes love, empathy, and the need for support during challenging times, will feature an illustrated order of service by artist Charlie Mackesy. Guests will receive a reminder of the importance of being there for one another, with the
Trump Appoints David Sacks as AI and Crypto Czar
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed David Sacks, former PayPal COO and prominent podcaster, as the White House czar for artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency. This newly created role will see Sacks guide the administration's policy on these crucial sectors, which are seen as vital for America's future competitiveness. However, the specifics of how this new role will function within the government remain unclear. Trump praised Sacks for his business acumen, intelligenc
Indian Rupee Strengthens as RBI Keeps Rates Unchanged
The Indian rupee ended the trading session stronger after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to keep the benchmark interest rates unchanged, while unveiling measures aimed at improving liquidity in the banking system. The domestic currency gained 3 paise, closing at 84.70 against the US dollar, compared to 84.73 in the previous session. As part of the monetary policy changes, the RBI raised the interest rate ceiling on one-year Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) deposits by 200 basis p
Households' Inflation Perception Rises, Confidence Dips Slightly
In November, the median perception of current inflation among households increased to 8.4%, up by 30 basis points from the previous survey round in September, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Households’ Inflation Expectations Survey. Meanwhile, expectations for inflation over the next three months moderated slightly by 10 basis points, reaching 9.1%. However, households' expectations for inflation a year ahead inched up by 10 basis points to 10.1%. The survey
India's Foreign Exchange Reserves Rise to $658.1 Billion
India's foreign exchange reserves saw an increase to $658.1 billion for the week ending November 29, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This rise followed an eight-week decline, with a $1.5 billion increase from the previous week. In comparison, the reserves had dropped by $1.31 billion in the prior week, reaching $656.58 billion. Foreign investors have invested Rs 1.75 lakh crore into India's debt and equity markets in 2024. However, the month of November witness
Bangladesh Summons Diplomat Amid Protests Over Attacks on Hindus
In response to growing protests in Kolkata over attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, Bangladesh has called Shikder Mohammad Ashrafur Rahman, the Acting Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, back to Dhaka for urgent consultations. Rahman, who also serves as the Minister - Political Affairs, is expected to return to Kolkata by the middle of this month, after attending the foreign secretary-level talks scheduled between India and Bangladesh next week. Protests, primarily led by po