Hamas said on April 9 that an Israeli proposal on a ceasefire in their war in Gaza met none of the demands of Palestinian militant factions, but it would study the offer further and deliver its response to mediators. The talks have so far failed to reach a breakthrough in pausing the war. Hamas wants any agreement to secure an end to the Israeli offensive, a withdrawal of forces as well as to allow displaced people to return to their homes.
The U.S. is set to announce a subsidy exceeding $6 billion to aid Samsung's expansion in Texas. The move, part of efforts to strengthen domestic semiconductor production, will see Samsung doubling its U.S. investment to over $44 billion. This follows similar initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on foreign chip supply. Watch for details!
Watch India’s representative at the UN General Assembly plenary speak on the on-going Israel-Hamas war. India supports the resolution taken by the UNSC calling for an immediate ceasefire in the region. It also vows to continue providing aid to the war-torn region.
- A suspended junior minister of Maldives’ ruling party ignited controversy with a social media post, misusing elements of the Indian national flag to target the opposition party. The now-deleted post by Mariyam Shiuna featured a Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) campaign poster with the party’s logo replaced by the Ashok Chakra on the Tricolour. Watch to know more.
New Zealand announced immediate changes to its employment visa. On April 7, New Zealand said it is making immediate changes to its employment visa program. The country saw near-record immigration in last two years, which it said was "unsustainable". According to New Zealand’s Immigration Minister Erica Stanford these changes will be effective immediately. What are the changes if you wish to apply for a job in New Zealand? Watch this video to know more.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking some or all of the sun’s light from reaching Earth. The solar eclipse occurred on April 8, 2024, was a total solar eclipse which engulfed North America, specifically crossing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It’s often referred to as the “Great North American Eclipse" due to its path over these countries. Watch the great visuals here.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking some or all of the sun’s light from reaching Earth. The solar eclipse occurred on April 8, 2024, was a total solar eclipse which engulfed North America, specifically crossing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It’s often referred to as the “Great North American Eclipse" due to its path over these countries. Watch the great visuals here!
South Korea’s First Lady Kim Keon Hee has not been seen in public since last December after a series of controversies, but many are not surprised by her long absence ahead of next week's high-stakes parliamentary election on April 10. Kim has been a drag on Yoon's popularity, which continued to dip from a recent high of 41.9% to 36.3% in an opinion survey of 2,509 people. To know more about why she is missing from the public eye, watch this video.
Since 2021, China's real estate industry has faced turmoil due to regulatory actions targeting the substantial debts accumulated by certain companies. This crackdown has resulted in a series of defaults, including prominent firms like Evergrande and Country Garden, facing liquidation petitions. The latest major developer in a survival battle is Shimao Group, which recently disclosed that it has received a liquidation petition from China Construction Bank. Watch for more details!
Israel's defence minister said on 7th April that the country was ready to handle any scenario after Iran threatened to retaliate for the killing of Iranian generals on April 1. An Iranian official said that Israeli embassies were not safe, and a semi-official news agency published a graphic showing weapons that it said would be capable of striking Israel. Watch the video to know more
Mexico suspended relations with Ecuador over the embassy raid because Ecuadorian police forcibly entered the Mexican embassy in Quito to arrest a former vice president on graft charges, which violated diplomatic norms and sovereignty. This action was deemed unacceptable by Mexico, leading to the suspension of bilateral relations in protest against Ecuador's breach of diplomatic protocol
Kotak Mahindra AMC’s Nilesh Shah on the importance of exporting and becoming a part of the global supply chain. Watch!
Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. talks about India’s contribution to global GDP. How has India’s GDP grown historically? Watch to find out.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party is set for a heavy defeat at a national election expected this year, according to a seat projection as per a YouGov report published on Wednesday which showed the opposition Labour Party winning more than 400 seats. Watch to know more!
Tesla is planning to send a team to India in April to identify suitable locations for an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant, as per a report from the Financial Times. The proposed plant's value is estimated to range between $2 billion to $3 billion. The team's focus will be on states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, which are already established as automotive hubs. This move comes amid Tesla's persistent efforts to enter the Indian market over the past few years. Watch for more details.
The White House has instructed NASA to develop a consistent timekeeping system for the moon and other celestial objects. This move reflects the United States' desire to establish global standards in space, particularly as various nations and private entities compete in lunar exploration endeavours.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is currently exploring the potential adoption of a groundbreaking technology known as Direct-to-Mobile. This technology enables the broadcasting of videos and other multimedia content directly to your mobile phones, without the need for an active internet connection. But, how does it work? And, will it be for free? Watch this video to find out.
NATO foreign ministers met to discuss a proposal for a 100 billion euro five-year fund.The proposals would give the Western alliance a more direct role in coordinating the supply of arms, ammunition and equipment to Kyiv as it fights Russia's invasion, diplomats say. But it is unclear whether the 100 billion euro figure would be accepted or how it would be financed. Any decision by the NATO group requires consensus of its 32 members. Watch the video to know more.
Pressure mounts on Israel as seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen got killed in an attack in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labels it as a war incident, while concerns rise over aid supplies. Will this tragedy change the course of the conflict and increase Israel's isolation?
Israeli chief of staff Herzi Halevi apologised on April 3 for the 'unintentional harm' to the members of the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Gaza. Halevi said that the findings of the investigation will be shared with the World Central Kitchen and other international organisations. Watch the video to know more
The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, was asked about the U.S.' silence on the arrest of Pakistan's opposition leaders while being vocal on the arrest of AAP's Arvind Kejriwal. The spokesperson replied, saying that the U.S. wants Pakistan to treat everyone consistently with the rule of law. Watch the video to know more.
Jonathan D. Gray, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blackstone, the world's leading alternative asset manager and India's largest corporate landlord talked about India's trajectory towards growth and its openness to foreign investments. He mentioned that Blackstone plans to diversify its investments in India, particularly focusing on areas such as infrastructure, digital growth, equity, and more.
Suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Iran's embassy in Syria on April 1 in a strike that Iran said killed seven of its military advisers, including three senior commanders, marking a major escalation in Israel's war with its regional adversaries Watch to know more!
Dozens of daring adolescents and adults mounted up on children’s plastic tricycles to ride down a famous curvy road to mark the return of the annual Bring Your Own Big Wheel event in San Francisco, California on March 31, watch this video.
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, provides insight into his remarks on the CAA in India and addresses the concerning rise in attacks on Indian students in the US. Discover his firsthand experiences from his India tour, including memorable encounters with Bollywood icon Shahrukh Khan and discussions about cricket
Pope Francis delivers a powerful Easter Sunday address, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages. Amidst a backdrop of global conflicts, the pontiff's message resonates with urgency and compassion. Join us as we delve into his significant words and the impact on international affairs.
Sam Bankman Fried man who was on pinnacle of success, leading a luxurious life in Bahamas, to a sudden downfall that led to a 25-year-old facing jail time. Sam, also known as 'SBF,' soared to the second spot on Forbes' Crypto Rich List, only to see it all come crashing down. Sam Bankman started FTX in 2019 and it grew into one of the leading exchanges for crypto derivatives. Watch.
In select Parisian chocolate shops, the classic Easter chocolate eggs have undergone a whimsical transformation into sports-themed figures. With the approaching Olympic Games in mind, chocolatiers have crafted intricate pieces depicting egg-shaped track athletes, podiums, and medals. Ahead of the Easter holiday, shelves were adorned with these creative confections, reflecting the anticipation of the upcoming Games scheduled from July 26 to August 11 in Paris. At La Maison du Chocolat store, esteemed head chocolatier Nicolas Cloiseau has conceptualized a remarkable chocolate centerpiece weighing 7.6 kilograms. The centerpiece resembles a stopwatch frozen at 20.24 seconds, paying homage to the year of the Paris Olympics. It features three egg-shaped athletes engaged in a sack race around a cocoa bag-shaped racetrack, reminiscent of traditional French sack races in certain regions of the country.
Alyona Kazinskaya, a Russian artist, and her friend purchased last-minute tickets to attend a concert by the Soviet-era rock band "Picnic" near Moscow on Friday night, March 22. Little did they know, they would become involved in the deadliest attack to occur within Russia in two decades.
In a landmark decision, the International Court of Justice has unanimously ruled that Israel must take immediate action to ensure essential food supplies reach the Palestinian population in Gaza and prevent the spread of famine. Aid agencies report that only a fraction of the necessary supplies are currently reaching the enclave, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The judges of the World Court emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that famine is now a stark reality for the people of Gaza. Watch for more.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates at his residence in New Delhi. They discuss artificial intelligence, climate change, G20, digital payments and more. Watch!
Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant milestone by officially entering the Miss Universe pageant this year for the first time. The global event is set to take place in Mexico on September 18. In an announcement shared on Instagram, 27-year-old Rumy Alqahtani revealed her participation as the Kingdom’s first-ever contestant in the international beauty pageant. “I am honored to participate in the Miss Universe 2024 competition. This marks the first participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe pageant,” the Riyadh-born model and content creator wrote in her post. Watch here for more details -
Amul fresh milk will be available in the US for the first time as the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation is set to launch four variants of milk in the US market within a week. The milk co-operative hopes to cater to the Indian diaspora and Asian population in the country. But which states will it be available in? And what will it be priced at? Watch here for more details
Federal authorities raided two of Sean Combs aka Puff Daddy’s properties in Miami and Los Angeles -- and amid allegations of sexual misconduct. A lawyer for Combs said the raids, paired with “advanced, coordinated media presence” at the properties seemed more of a witch hunt. There are at least four civil complaints in recent months leveling sexual assault allegations against Combs
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on March 26 signed a bill that bans children aged under 14 from social media platforms and requires 14 and 15-year-olds to get parental consent. The state's Republican-led legislature passed a bill in February that would have banned children under 16 from social media entirely. DeSantis, had vetoed that bill earlier this month
Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro stayed for two nights at the Hungarian embassy in Brasilia, just days after federal police confiscated his passport and arrested two former aides on suspicion of plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 presidential election. There is speculation from his opponents who alleged that Brazil’s former president may have been attempting to evade arrest. Watch for more!
US President Joe Biden lauded the 22-member Indian crew aboard the freighter Dali for their prompt ‘Mayday’ distress call, credited with saving many lives during the ship's collision with the Baltimore bridge. The president also lauded the local authorities for their prompt action.
The Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group said it's offering up to $3.75 billion to buy out the 36 percent stake it does not already own in Cainiao. Group Chairman Joe Tsai said there was "significant long-term opportunity" in building out a global logistics network, saying the firm had decided to double down on the business. Watch for more details
During Exercise Tiger Triumph, the Indian Army, US Marines, and US Army National Guard come together for joint sub-conventional operations training. The USS Somerset, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, arrives in Visakhapatnam as part of this exercise. The ship's decks are adorned with memorabilia from Flight 93, including a dedicated passageway leading to the Memorial Room. The crew of the USS Somerset expressed their gratitude for the joint exercise and their memorable visit to Visakhapatnam on March 23. Aircraft Pilot Ashley Ambuehl highlighted the ship's capacity to transport numerous military vehicles. Named in honor of the lives lost on 9/11, Somerset is one of three San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships.
The 1.6-mile (2.57 km) long Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed in the early hours of March 26 after a container ship hit it, local emergency services. The Baltimore City Fire Department described the collapse as a mass-casualty incident, and said workers were searching for 20 people in the river. Watch for more
The suburban Moscow music hall, where gunmen attacked concertgoers, lay in ruins on Saturday, with the death toll surpassing 130 and four suspects arrested by Russian authorities. President Vladimir Putin claimed they were apprehended while attempting to flee to Ukraine. Kyiv vehemently denied any involvement in the assault on Friday at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, while the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate claimed responsibility. Putin, in his address to the nation, made no mention of IS, prompting Kyiv to accuse him and other Russian politicians of falsely implicating Ukraine to drum up support for Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now in its third year. U.S. intelligence officials confirmed the IS affiliate's claim.
Russia's FSB security service has apprehended 11 individuals allegedly linked to an attack at a Moscow rock concert, resulting in the deaths of at least 133 people. Among those detained are the four assailants directly involved in the shooting, as confirmed by the FSB on Saturday. Although the terror group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, US officials have indicated no doubts regarding the credibility of the claim. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted at potential Ukrainian involvement. In a televised address, Putin condemned the attack as a "bloody, barbaric terrorist act," yet refrained from mentioning ISIS. Putin stated that the assailants were attempting to flee towards Ukraine, suggesting that arrangements had been made for them to cross the state border. The FSB reported detaining the gunmen in the Bryansk region, bordering Ukraine. The FSB alleges that the suspects were trying to escape to Ukraine and had "relevant contacts" there. However, Kyiv has vehemently denied any involvement in the attack.
In a video statement, Catherine reveals that following her abdominal surgery in January, cancer was unexpectedly discovered in subsequent tests. As advised by her medical team, she commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy, currently in its early stages since late February. The palace has decided not to disclose any additional private medical details, including the specific type of cancer.
US Federal Chairman Jerome Powell announces interest rate decision. Federal Reserve officials maintained their outlook for three quarter-point rate cuts this year but forecast fewer cuts than before in 2025 following a recent uptick in inflation. Officials decided unanimously to leave the benchmark federal funds rate in a range of 5.25% to 5.5%, the highest since 2001, for a fifth straight meeting. Policymakers signalled they remain on track to cut rates this year for the first time since March 2020, but they now see just three reductions in 2025, down from four forecasts in December, based on the median projection. “The committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are moving into better balance,” said the central bank’s policy-making Federal Open Market Committee.
The Bank Of Japan heralded a new era as it shifted away from years of ultra-easy monetary policy. It raised its short-term interest rates to around 0% to 0.1% from -0.1%. The Central bank also abandons yield-curve control policy, though it pledged to continue its purchases of Japanese government bonds as before. The Japanese yen weakened to as much as 149.92 against the greenback, while the Nikkei stock index swung between gains and losses following the BOJ decision.
Tech giants Google and Apple are reportedly in talks to integrate Google's AI engine Gemini into the iPhone. Apple plans to enhance its upcoming software update with new AI capabilities but seeks a partner for generative AI features like image creation and essay writing. Negotiations are ongoing, with a potential deal unlikely to be announced before Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Additionally, Apple has explored collaboration with Microsoft-backed OpenAI for its AI model. This partnership could reshape AI integration in smartphones, potentially revolutionizing user experiences and capabilities. Watch.
Chinese military and state-run media accused the United States of threatening global security, days after a Reuters report which found Elon Musk's SpaceX was building hundreds of spy satellites for a U.S. intelligence agency. A social media account run by the People's Liberation Army or PLA said the SpaceX program exposed U.S. "shamelessness and double standards".
Feeling down? You're not alone, especially if you live in the UK. A recent survey ranks the UK second-worst globally for mental health. But wait, there's a silver lining! The happiest country might surprise you. This video dives into the surprising results of the "Mental State of the World" report, exploring why the UK struggles and what we can learn from toppers like Sri Lanka. Watch to know more.
Expected to secure another six-year term, incumbent Vladimir Putin, aged 71, holds control over all facets of the state machinery. Despite being criticized by Kremlin opponents as an authoritarian figure, Putin is anticipated to win by a wide margin, supported by a majority of Russians who see him as a resolute leader capable of confronting what they perceive as Western interference and expansionism. Domestic opinion polls suggest over 75% readiness among Russians to vote for Putin. A former KGB lieutenant colonel, Putin assumed the role of acting president on the final day of 1999 under Boris Yeltsin's tenure. He served two consecutive four-year terms from 2000 to 2008 before transitioning to the role of prime minister from 2008 to 2012. Returning to the presidency in 2012 under the extension of presidential terms to six years, Putin secured another term in 2018. Amendments to the constitution in 2020 now allow him to potentially remain in power until 2036, with the option of two additional six-year terms starting from 2024.
A Romanian court has approved a request from Britain to extradite internet personality Andrew Tate but postponed doing so until Romanian trial proceedings finish. Watch for more details!