Biden Eases H-1B Visa Rules to Attract Skilled Workers
The Biden administration has introduced important modifications to the H-1B visa program, aimed at facilitating the hiring of highly-skilled foreign workers, particularly in the tech sector. These changes are expected to benefit thousands of Indian professionals seeking to work in the United States. The rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), expands the definition of specialty occupations and introduces provisions for nonprofits and governmental research organizations t
Software Engineer Dies of Heart Attack While Playing Cricket in Mumbai
Vikram Ashok Deshmukh, a 31-year-old software engineer, tragically passed away from a heart attack while playing cricket at Mumbai's Azad Maidan last Sunday. Deshmukh, who worked in an IT company, was an avid cricket player and participated regularly in matches at the popular ground. On the day of the incident, he was playing in a 25-over practice match where his team was chasing a target of 159. During the match, Deshmukh complained of chest pain in the 10th over but continued pla
Air India Crew Arrested for Gold Smuggling, Kenyan Woman for Cocaine
At Chennai Airport, an Air India cabin crew member was arrested for helping a passenger smuggle 1.7 kg of gold. The incident occurred when the flight from Dubai landed on Sunday. Customs officials intercepted the passenger and the crew member after the passenger admitted to handing over the gold during the flight. Upon searching the crew member, officials found the gold concealed in the undergarments, l
Asian Currencies Struggle as Dollar Strengthens Amid Trump Policies
The weakening of Asian currencies is bringing key levels into focus as traders prepare for further dollar gains, fueled by expectations surrounding Donald Trump's economic policies. The Bloomberg Asia Dollar Index is on track for its third consecutive monthly loss, with traders betting that Trump’s low-tax and high-tariff approach will increase inflation and boost the dollar. According to the latest data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, both hedge funds and asset manag
Sitharaman Calls GDP Dip a Temporary Blip, Sees Strong Growth Ahead
Finance Minister’s View on GDP Growth: In a recent statement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the lower-than-expected growth in India’s GDP for the September quarter, calling it a "temporary blip." She emphasized her confidence that India’s economy will regain strong growth in the upcoming quarters. Despite the slowdown in the second quarter, she highligh
Cyclone Chido Hits Mozambique, Kills 34 and Causes Severe Damage
Cyclone Chido hit Mozambique on Sunday, causing widespread destruction and claiming at least 34 lives across multiple provinces. The hardest-hit areas were Cabo Delgado, where 28 people lost their lives, followed by Nampula and Niassa, which each saw three fatalities. The storm, which brought intense winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) and heavy rainfall of up to 250 mm (10 inches) in just 24 hours, left a sign
Natnov Bioscience Turns Seafood Waste into Bioplastics for a Sustainable Future
Natnov Bioscience, a biotech startup based in Odisha and recognized by India’s Start-up India initiative and Mukhya Mantri Krishi Udyog Yojana, is making notable strides in addressing the growing problem of seafood waste. The company aims to convert 5,000 metric tons of seafood waste into valuable bio-economy products, including bioplastics. By utilizing the by-products of India's marine fisheries, particularly crustacean waste, the team is developing a sustainable alternative to sy
India Resumes Embassy Operations in North Korea to Strengthen Ties
India’s focus has largely been on strengthening its ties in the east, particularly under the Act East policy. While the global attention often centers on the Middle East and Europe, India has quietly turned its focus to the Korean Peninsula, particularly North Korea. This effort has been marked by caution, with diplomatic relations being conducted discreetly and behind the scenes. In July 2021, India temporarily closed its embassy in Pyongyang due to COVID-19, and the entire staff was r
Russian General Igor Kirillov Killed in Moscow Explosion
A high-ranking Russian general, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, was killed in an explosion in Moscow on Tuesday. Kirillov, who served as the chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops (RKhBZ), was killed by a bomb hidden in an electric scooter. The blast occurred outside a residential building on Ryazansky Prospekt, located about seven kilometers southeast of the Kremlin. Kirillov’s assistant also died in the explosion. The attack comes as Mosc
China Expands Visa-Free Transit Policy to Boost Tourism and Economy
China, the world's second-largest economy, is working to recover from the effects of its three years of pandemic isolation. In a bid to attract more international visitors and boost its economy, China recently announced an expansion of its visa-free transit policy. The new policy, which is effective immediately, allows travelers from 54 countries, including the US, Canada, and several European and Asian nations, to stay in parts of China for up to 10 days. Previously, the visa-f