Thousands of Congolese have been forced to flee their homes due to a conflict between the Congolese army and M23 rebels, leading to what the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says is one of the worst displacement crises in the world. Watch to know more
Dubai Floods: A storm hit the United Arab Emirates and Oman this week bringing record rainfall that flooded highways, inundated houses, grid-locked traffic and trapped people in their homes. At least 20 people were reported to have died in the deluge in Oman while another person was said to have died in floods in the UAE that closed government offices and schools for days. Cloud seeding is a process in which chemicals are implanted into clouds to increase rainfall in an environment where water scarcity is a concern. Watch.
Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, announced a re-evaluation of Qatar's role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas. Al Thani cited concerns about the abuse of Qatar's mediation for narrow political interests. This development comes amid ongoing efforts to negotiate a cease-fire deal between Hamas and Israel, with mediators facing challenges in bridging the gap between the two sides.
Italy takes the helm as it hosts the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, grappling with the shadows of ongoing conflicts worldwide. The Group of Seven foreign ministers gathers on the scenic Italian island of Capri, prioritizing discussions on imposing fresh sanctions against Iran in response to its recent attack on Israel. Amid escalating tensions, the summit, under Italy's presidency, also focuses on rallying support for Ukraine against Russia's aggression, underscoring the urgent need for international cooperation and diplomatic efforts.
The United Arab Emirates recently experienced unprecedented rainfall, shattering a 75-year record with some areas seeing over 100 mm in just 24 hours. This deluge led to significant disruptions in air travel, including flight diversions, delays, and a temporary 25-minute suspension of airport operations. Watch for more details!
Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices on April 17 signaled skepticism toward an obstruction charge brought by the Justice Department against a Pennsylvania man in the 2021 Capitol attack - a case with possible implications for the prosecution of Donald Trump for trying to overturn his 2020 election loss. Watch for more.
The countdown clock at the Eiffel Tower for the Paris 2024 Olympics hit the 100-day mark on Tuesday, signifying the commencement of the last phase of preparations for the Games. Watch for details.
Tensions escalate as a Hezbollah commander is killed in an IDF strike, while three people sustain minor injuries in a drone attack on northern Israel. The Israeli military and Hezbollah exchanged fire after the terror group launched two explosive-laden drones near Beit Hillel. Hezbollah claimed to have targeted an Iron Dome battery, echoing similar claims in recent months, which the IDF dismisses as empty boasts. Meanwhile, questions arise as to why sirens did not sound to warn forces. Stay updated on the unfolding situation as the IDF investigates this latest incident.
Dubai floods: Unstable weather and heavy rain left parts of the United Arab Emirates drenched on April 16. Dubai International Airport also witnessed disruptions due to the weather conditions. Watch for more.
Indian authorities will be allowed to meet the 17 Indian crew members of an Israel-affiliated cargo vessel that was seized by Iranian commandos in the Gulf of Hormuz, confirmed by Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
The FBI has initiated a criminal investigation into the cargo ship Dali, which caused the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Authorities are examining whether crew members were aware of the vessel's 'serious problems' before departure. The incident on March 26 claimed six lives as the bridge partially collapsed, plunging construction workers into the Patapsco River. Only three bodies have been recovered to date.
Georgian lawmakers came to blows in parliament on Monday (April 15) as ruling party legislators looked set to advance a controversial bill on "foreign agents" that has been criticized by Western countries and sparked protests at home. Watch the video!
Former President Donald J. Trump railed against the judge on the first day of his historic criminal trial, the first to involve a former president, even as Justice Juan Merchan dismissed dozens of potential jurors on April 15, who said they could not impartially decide whether the former U.S. president is guilty or innocent of criminal charges.
Thousands of Israelis rallied against their government on Saturday (April 13), with some demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu call off the half-year-old war in Gaza amid a deadlock in diplomatic efforts to retrieve hostages held there by Hamas.
President Zelenskyy of Ukraine condemns Iran's attack on Israel and appeals for international assistance against airborne threats. As the conflict intensifies, Ukrainian forces brace for crucial battles, while ongoing Russian assaults on energy infrastructure escalate the crisis. Zelenskyy urges U.S. Congress to approve vital aid, while House Republicans respond to the Iranian attack with legislative action supporting Israel.
Palestinians in Gaza City queue for bread as 'Kamel Ajour Bakery' reopens after months, facing flour scarcity. Residents speak out on the challenges amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. Watch!
President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran, according to a White House official. This report was produced by Chris Dignam. Joe Biden and other leaders of the G7 nations condemned Iran's attack on Israel on Sunday, saying it risked provoking an "uncontrollable regional escalation." Watch for more.
Iran has launched a swarm of explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel in its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory. The Iranian missiles amounted to more than 200 drones and missiles so far. This has prompted the UN Security Council call to convene an emergency meeting on 14th April.
Estimates say $20 Billion will be spent in the US presidential elections 2024. With that there is a lot of buzz about the unprecedented surge in ‘Dark Money’ flooding in the US election. But what is Dark money? And how does it work? Watch to find out!
Kathmandu, the capital of the Himalayan nation, is facing severe air pollution, topping the global Air Quality Index for days. With PM2.5 levels soaring to 258 micrograms per cubic meter, exacerbated by forest fires, the valley's air quality has plummeted. The lack of precipitation and dense population worsen the situation. This calls for immediate measures to combat air pollution in the region.
During a recent briefing on the H5N1 strain of bird flu, experts highlighted concerns regarding its potential to trigger a new pandemic. Scientists warned that the virus is approaching a critical threshold where it could spark a worldwide outbreak. Watch the video.
Simona Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion, expressed nervousness as she flew to Florida for the Miami Open, marking her return to professional tennis after 18 -month doping ban was reduced on appeal. Uncertain about both on-court performance and off-court reception, Halep confided in her mother about her apprehensions. Watch for more details
Governments, business leaders, and development banks have two years to take action to avert far worse climate change, UNs climate chief has said, warning global warming is slipping down politicians' agendas. Speaking at an event at the Chatham House think-tank in London, Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said the next 24 months are 'essential in saving our planet'
Mercurial tech billionaire Elon Musk is visiting India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the week of April 22, along with revealing plans to invest and open a factory in the country, according to Reuters. Tesla, one of the world's largest automakers, has lobbied for several years to cut import taxes in India. After refusing to budge for years, the Indian government finally unveiled a new EV policy last month. This policy offers import duty concessions, provided manufacturers fulfill certain conditions. Following this, Musk is expected to make announcements on where Tesla will be setting up a factory in India.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that President Joe Biden has slightly extended his advantage over Donald Trump in the lead-up to the November presidential election. In the nationwide online survey of 833 registered voters, approximately 41% indicated they would vote for Biden if the election took place today, while around 37% expressed support for Trump. Watch for more details!
Watchmakers are showcasing their most luxurious creations in Geneva this week at the Watches and Wonders fair. The fair will open its doors for three days – up from two last year– from 13 to 15 April. Watch for more details!
South Africa’s Electoral Court ruled that former President Jacob Zuma can run for office in the upcoming general election, overturning an earlier decision that had barred him from contesting the polls. The decision paved the way for Zuma to run for president on behalf of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, or MK, a new political organization that he joined last year after denouncing the ruling African National Congress party that he once led. Watch for details!
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said Canberra would consider recognition of a Palestinian state, a shift in policy as the international community looks for a two-state solution to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict. In a speech at the Australian National University, Wong backed comments by Britain's foreign minister David Cameron who has said that recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations, would make a two-state solution irreversible. Watch to know more
Israel for the first time deployed its ship-mounted defence system, called the C-Dome, against a “suspicious” target that entered the country’s airspace near the southern city of Eilat. The C-Dome is a naval version of the Iron Dome air defence system used to shield against rocket and missile attacks. Watch for more details.
During an event titled 'Impact & Innovation: 25 Years of Making Development a Ground Reality' in Delhi, the US Ambassador in India referred to India as the place of the future. The ambassador also participated in a session with foreign policy experts which was organized by VIF India. You can watch the video to learn more about the event.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that a date has been set for an Israeli invasion of Rafah, Gaza's last refuge for displaced Palestinians, without disclosing that date. He made his statement as a new round of ceasefire talks was ongoing in Cairo. The United States has said a ground operation into Rafah would be a mistake and has demanded to see a credible plan to protect civilians.
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?