On the auspicious occasion of Deepavali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed a profound message to the citizens of India through a national letter. He described the festival as a beacon of energy, enthusiasm, and righteousness, noting its enhanced significance with the second Deepavali following the historic Ram Temple consecration in Ayodhya. Drawing inspiration from Lord Ram’s life, PM Modi lauded ‘Operation Sindoor’ as a testament to India’s commitment to justice. ‘Lord Shri Ram teaches us to uphold righteousness and also gives us the courage to fight injustice. We have seen a living example of this… during Operation Sindoor,’ he wrote,…
Author: The Chhattisgarh
New directives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security provide much-needed clarity on the controversial $100,000 H-1B visa fee. This move comes shortly after legal action was taken by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which challenged the previous administration’s policies as unlawful. For those already holding H-1B visas, the new guidelines offer reassurance. Workers switching to H-1B status from alternative visa categories, like student F-1 visas, are explicitly excluded from the $100,000 application charge. Similarly, current H-1B employees seeking an amendment, change of status, or an extension of their current stay within the U.S. will not be subjected to this…
The political arena in Jammu and Kashmir is buzzing with the conclusion of the nomination process for by-elections in Budgam and Nagrota constituencies on October 20, 2025. Voting is scheduled for November 11, 2025, with results to follow on November 14. The vacancies arose after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah resigned from Budgam and the passing of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana in Nagrota. Budgam’s seat, a traditional bastion of the National Conference (NC) in a Shia-majority region, has transformed into a dramatic family affair. The NC has nominated Aga Syed Mehmood, facing off against PDP’s Aga Muntazir, who is Mehmood’s…
A significant trade confrontation looms as President Donald Trump declared he would slap 155% tariffs on Chinese imports unless a satisfactory trade agreement is reached with Beijing. This ultimatum was delivered just before Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit later this month. Trump, speaking after finalizing a critical minerals pact with Australian leader Anthony Albanese, pointed out that China is already subject to considerable tariffs. ‘China’s paying 55 percent and a potential 155 percent come November 1 unless we make a deal,’ Trump stated. He underscored a shift in…
The fervor of the Bihar elections has ignited political discussions in Jharkhand, hinting at a transformative phase for the state’s political arena. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is reportedly feeling a deep sense of betrayal following its experience in the Bihar polls. What began as an intention to contest seats culminated in a decision to withdraw entirely from the electoral fray, forcing the party to break away from the Mahagathbandhan. This leaves JMM contemplating its future strategy. Many believe the perceived injustice from Congress and RJD in Bihar necessitates a reciprocal action in Jharkhand. Severing ties with these parties is…
Diwali, the festival of lights, has arrived, bringing with it an abundance of joy and celebration. Indian celebrities from Bollywood and the South film industry are actively participating in the festivities, sharing their festive greetings and best wishes with their vast fan bases. The digital realm is aglow with messages from beloved stars. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan shared glimpses of his Diwali celebrations, including a heartwarming scene of him interacting with fans and the quintessential glow of diyas. He conveyed his wishes with a simple, “Many, many happy wishes for Diwali.” Actor Akshay Kumar wished his followers a Diwali filled with…
Pakistan cricket has seen a significant leadership transition with the announcement that star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will now captain the ODI team, succeeding Mohammad Rizwan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the change on Monday, following deliberations in Islamabad attended by key figures including white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Director of High Performance Aqib Javed. Afridi’s first challenge as the new 50-over captain will be a three-match ODI series against South Africa, kicking off on November 4th. The young pace sensation has already carved out a strong reputation in ODIs since his 2018 debut, boasting 131 wickets from…
Delhi residents woke up to severely polluted air on Tuesday morning, a day after Diwali festivities. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has slipped into the ‘very poor’ category, with predictions of it worsening to ‘severe’ levels by Wednesday. This sharp decline in air quality is a direct consequence of post-Diwali pollution. The ITO area recorded an AQI of 259, indicating ‘poor’ air quality. Earlier on Diwali morning, the CPCB registered Delhi’s AQI at 335, and by Monday evening, it had climbed to 345, firmly in the ‘very poor’ zone. This trend is mirrored in surrounding cities like Ghaziabad and Noida,…
President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to China, suggesting tariffs could skyrocket to 155% if a trade deal isn’t secured by November 1st. This aggressive tariff threat comes alongside surprisingly conciliatory remarks from the President regarding U.S.-China trade relations. Trump acknowledged that China has been “very respectful” and is currently transferring “tremendous amounts of money” to the U.S. via tariffs. He detailed that China is presently paying a substantial 55% tariff, which he characterized as “a lot of money.” The implication is that failure to reach an accord could trigger a dramatic increase to 155%. Nevertheless, Trump conveyed…
In a significant geopolitical shift, China is now employing tactics long associated with the United States, asserting greater control over global technology supply chains. New regulations issued by Beijing mandate that foreign companies must seek government authorization for any exports incorporating Chinese rare earth elements or leveraging Chinese technological innovations. This directive effectively places China in a position to scrutinize and potentially block a vast array of tech products, from everyday consumer electronics to specialized components. This strategic maneuver is widely seen as a direct response to and emulation of US export control policies, particularly the ‘foreign direct product’ rule…