December 17, 2025

UAE Golden Visa vs Saudi Premium Residency: Gulf's Long-Term Residency Faceoff

Since 2019, the UAE and Saudi Arabia offer new long-term residency visas to attract talent and capital. UAE’s Golden Visa is broad and flexible. Saudi’s Premium Residency offers permanence with fewer categories but deeper rights. Both reflect each country’s economic aims and resident needs.

December 17, 2025

US Imposes Naval Blockade to Stop Venezuela's 'Ghost Ships' Evading Oil Sanctions

President Trump has ordered a naval blockade to block Venezuela's 'ghost ships'—oil tankers changing names and flags to dodge US sanctions. These ships help Venezuela sell discounted oil despite sanctions on its state oil firm PDVSA.

December 17, 2025

MEITY Launches DHRUV64: India's Indigenous 64-bit Dual-Core Microprocessor

India’s MEITY unveiled DHRUV64, a 64-bit dual-core microprocessor running at 1 GHz. Designed by C-DAC, it aims to boost local processor use across industries and reduce dependence on imports.

December 17, 2025

UAE Overhauls Corporate Tax, VAT, and Company Laws to Boost Business Ease

UAE introduces fresh rules on corporate tax, VAT, and company laws to simplify business, clear tax confusion, and allow flexible company setups. Key changes include clearer tax credit use, simpler VAT claims, and new non-profit company options.

December 17, 2025

UAE Overhauls Corporate Tax, VAT, and Company Laws to Boost Business Ease

UAE introduces fresh rules on corporate tax, VAT, and company laws to simplify business, clear tax confusion, and allow flexible company setups. Key changes include clearer tax credit use, simpler VAT claims, and new non-profit company options.

December 17, 2025

Yubi Launches First Digital Mortgage Platform in UAE, Simplifying Home Loans

Yubi Group has introduced Yubi Mortgage, a tech-driven platform that connects buyers to 25+ lenders in the UAE. It offers one digital application, AI-powered processing, and real-time tracking to streamline home loans.

December 17, 2025

ED raids fake Manipur ‘Chief Minister’ in ₹57 crore money laundering case

ED searched five places in Imphal linked to Yambem Biren and Narengbam Samarjit over a ₹57.36 crore money laundering probe. They posed as Manipur State Council leaders and claimed state independence in 2019, stirring sedition charges.

December 17, 2025

Australia's Mid-Year Budget Shows Smaller Deficits but Inflation Rises

Australia’s mid-year budget update reveals smaller deficits and extra funds for mental health and training. But inflation remains high, with possible rate hikes ahead.

December 16, 2025

West Bengal Govt Issues Notices Over Chaos at Messi Event; Probe Underway

West Bengal government has issued show-cause notices to top officials following mismanagement at the Lionel Messi event. A special investigation team has been set up after chaos at Salt Lake Stadium caused nearly ₹2 crore in damages.

December 16, 2025

Nagapattinam Launches Sailing Training for Fishermen's Children Ahead of Deputy CM Visit

Nagapattinam district sets up sailing training inside its port for children of fishermen. Royal Madras Yacht Club supports this new eco-friendly sport initiative to nurture local talent. Velankanni beach water sports also planned to boost tourism and provide jobs.

December 15, 2025

Calcutta High Court to Hear PILs Seeking CBI Probe into Messi Event Violence

Three PILs demand central probe into chaos and vandalism at Lionel Messi's Salt Lake Stadium event. Arrests made; court debate on investigation underway.

December 15, 2025

5th Beypore International Water Festival To Pulse Kozhikode With Sports And Culture From Dec 25

The 5th Beypore International Water Festival will run from December 26-28 in Kozhikode with water sports, kite festival, marathons, and cultural fun. Events start with a cycle rally on December 25.

December 17, 2025

UAE Changes School Admission Age Cut-Off to 31st December From 2026–27

From 2026–27, UAE will require children to meet Kindergarten and Grade 1 age limits by 31st December, not 31st August. This new rule aims to make schooling fairer and easier to switch between curriculums.

December 17, 2025

US Imposes Naval Blockade to Stop Venezuela's 'Ghost Ships' Evading Oil Sanctions

President Trump has ordered a naval blockade to block Venezuela's 'ghost ships'—oil tankers changing names and flags to dodge US sanctions. These ships help Venezuela sell discounted oil despite sanctions on its state oil firm PDVSA.

December 17, 2025

Supreme Court Orders Toll Plaza Review to Cut Delhi Pollution and Traffic

The Supreme Court has asked NHAI and MCD to consider closing or relocating nine toll plazas on Delhi's borders to reduce heavy traffic and pollution. It also urged better help for idle construction workers and stronger air quality measures.

December 17, 2025

South Africa Accuses US of Employing Illegal Workers at Refugee Centre

South Africa arrested seven Kenyan nationals for working illegally at a US centre processing refugee claims. The raid highlights visa abuse and sparks diplomatic talks with the US and Kenya.

December 17, 2025

MEITY Launches DHRUV64: India's Indigenous 64-bit Dual-Core Microprocessor

India’s MEITY unveiled DHRUV64, a 64-bit dual-core microprocessor running at 1 GHz. Designed by C-DAC, it aims to boost local processor use across industries and reduce dependence on imports.

December 17, 2025

Yubi Launches First Digital Mortgage Platform in UAE, Simplifying Home Loans

Yubi Group has introduced Yubi Mortgage, a tech-driven platform that connects buyers to 25+ lenders in the UAE. It offers one digital application, AI-powered processing, and real-time tracking to streamline home loans.

December 17, 2025

Dubai RTA Uses Drones to Clean Traffic Signals, Boosting Safety and Cutting Costs

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is testing drones to clean traffic signals. The tech speeds up work, improves safety, and lowers costs while saving water and fuel.

December 17, 2025

Six Women Sue Tinder, Hinge Owner Over Doctor's Years of Sexual Assault on Apps

Six women have sued Match Group, owner of Tinder and Hinge, for ignoring reports that allowed a Denver doctor to drug and rape women via the apps. Despite warnings, the doctor’s profile stayed active for years before his 2024 conviction and prison sentence.

December 16, 2025

Thousands of Dinosaur Footprints Found on Italian Mountain in Stelvio Park

Over a thousand dinosaur footprints dated 210 million years were found on a mountain wall in Italy’s Stelvio national park. The prints belong to prosauropods, herbivorous dinosaurs. Experts say this discovery offers a rare glimpse into dinosaur behavior and history.

December 16, 2025

MBCCET Students Build and Launch Rocket to Study Peerumade Climate

Students at Mar Baselios Christian College of Engineering and Technology (MBCCET) in Idukki built a rocket with local materials. The rocket will be launched on December 18 to study Peerumade's aerosol content. It's the first Indian college to design, assemble, and launch a rocket on its campus with help from ISRO.

December 16, 2025

Australia’s 82% Renewable Electricity Grid Could Slash Generation Costs by One-Third: CSIRO

CSIRO’s new report reveals Australia can cut electricity generation costs by a third with 82% renewables in its grid by 2030. Renewables will cost $91 per MWh, much less than today’s $129. This challenges claims that solar and wind will hike power prices, showing cheaper power lies ahead.

December 16, 2025

New Study Finds Harmful Microplastics in Delhi and Other Cities' Air, Raising Health Concerns

A recent study reveals tiny inhalable microplastics in the air of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. These particles can enter lungs deeply and carry toxic chemicals and microbes, posing serious health risks. Delhi and Kolkata show the highest levels, especially in winter when pollution peaks.

December 17, 2025

Bombay High Court Acts on Unsafe Home Deliveries in Maharashtra's Hills

Bombay High Court has taken suo motu notice of pregnant women in Maharashtra's hilly areas forced to deliver at home without medical help. Unsafe practices like cutting umbilical cords with blades and giving liquor to ease pain were exposed. The court orders government to submit data by December 19, 2025.

December 17, 2025

WA Farmer Dies After Tree Crushes Car While Fighting Bushfire

A 34-year-old farmer died in Western Australia when a tree fell on his car while helping firefighters battle a large bushfire. The blaze burned over 5,000 hectares, and this marks the second recent bushfire-linked death in the region amid ongoing heatwave warnings.

December 17, 2025

Karnataka Faces New Challenge in Female Foeticide with Portable Ultrasound Devices

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao says portable ultrasound machines make illegal sex determination harder to track. Authorities are working to tackle female foeticide despite these technological hurdles.

December 17, 2025

Australian review flags rat poisons' threat to wildlife but stops short of full ban

Australian review says common rat poisons risk killing native animals. Some products may be canceled but many will stay with stricter rules. Public consultation is underway.

December 17, 2025

South Africa Accuses US of Employing Illegal Workers at Refugee Centre

South Africa arrested seven Kenyan nationals for working illegally at a US centre processing refugee claims. The raid highlights visa abuse and sparks diplomatic talks with the US and Kenya.

December 17, 2025

SIT Arrests Former TDB Officer S. Sreekumar in Sabarimala Gold Loss Case

Kerala SIT arrested ex-TDB officer S. Sreekumar in the Sabarimala gold loss case. Kerala HC recently rejected his anticipatory bail, fearing the probe would collapse if bail is granted.

December 17, 2025

Indian Army Catches Pakistani Woman Crossing LoC into Poonch After Family Dispute

A 35-year-old Pakistani woman crossed into India’s Poonch district along the LoC after an argument with her father in PoK. Indian Army troops caught her on December 16. She is yet to be handed over to police.

December 17, 2025

Bomb Threat Emails to 10 Ahmedabad Schools Turn Out to Be Hoax

Ten private schools in Ahmedabad received threatening emails about bomb blasts on November 17, 2025. Police found no explosives and declared the emails a hoax. Afternoon shifts were canceled as a precaution. Cybercrime teams are investigating the source.

December 17, 2025

Supreme Court Orders Toll Plaza Review to Cut Delhi Pollution and Traffic

The Supreme Court has asked NHAI and MCD to consider closing or relocating nine toll plazas on Delhi's borders to reduce heavy traffic and pollution. It also urged better help for idle construction workers and stronger air quality measures.

December 17, 2025

UAE Braces for Rain, Gusty Winds, and Dust Alerts This Week

The UAE will see slight rain, cloudy skies, and strong winds today, with dust reducing visibility in some areas. Temperatures will drop and rough seas are expected through Friday as rain intensifies.

December 17, 2025

Fog and Pollution Halt 21 Flights at Delhi and Chennai Airports on December 17

Dense fog and heavy air pollution caused 21 flights to be cancelled at Delhi and Chennai airports on December 17, affecting passengers and flight operations across northern India.

December 17, 2025

Five People Trampled to Death by Wild Elephants in Jharkhand in One Day

Five people, including two women, died after wild elephant attacks in Jharkhand's Ramgarh and Ranchi districts within 24 hours. Officials are tracking the elephant herds roaming the region.

December 17, 2025

Rome Metro Opens Two Museum Stations Displaying Ancient Ruins and Treasures

Rome's new Metro C stations, Colosseo-Fori Imperiali and Porta Metronia, open to public with impressive ancient ruins and artifacts uncovered during construction. Commuters can now enjoy history on the go as the metro expands.

December 16, 2025

Ernakulam Karayogam Marks 100 Years with Mohanlal Inauguration

Ernakulam Karayogam's 100th anniversary kicks off December 19, with actor Mohanlal launching the event. The celebrations close on December 25 with Swami Anandavanam Bharati and Union Minister Suresh Gopi attending.

December 16, 2025

DJ Ahmet Shines at 30th IFFK with Magical Realism and Youthful Charm

DJ Ahmet, a fun and heartfelt coming-of-age film from North Macedonia, won hearts at the 30th IFFK. It blends magic and reality, following a boy's joyful journey and friendship with Aya, amidst life’s challenges.

December 16, 2025

Henry Farny Painting Worth $300,000 Shock Owner on Antiques Roadshow

A modest family painting was valued at $200,000-$300,000 on Antiques Roadshow. The owner was stunned to learn it was a rare Henry Farny original depicting Native Americans. The emotional appraisal touched viewers worldwide.

December 17, 2025

UAE Golden Visa vs Saudi Premium Residency: Gulf's Long-Term Residency Faceoff

Since 2019, the UAE and Saudi Arabia offer new long-term residency visas to attract talent and capital. UAE’s Golden Visa is broad and flexible. Saudi’s Premium Residency offers permanence with fewer categories but deeper rights. Both reflect each country’s economic aims and resident needs.

December 17, 2025

US Imposes Naval Blockade to Stop Venezuela's 'Ghost Ships' Evading Oil Sanctions

President Trump has ordered a naval blockade to block Venezuela's 'ghost ships'—oil tankers changing names and flags to dodge US sanctions. These ships help Venezuela sell discounted oil despite sanctions on its state oil firm PDVSA.

December 17, 2025

South Africa Accuses US of Employing Illegal Workers at Refugee Centre

South Africa arrested seven Kenyan nationals for working illegally at a US centre processing refugee claims. The raid highlights visa abuse and sparks diplomatic talks with the US and Kenya.

December 17, 2025

Indian Army Catches Pakistani Woman Crossing LoC into Poonch After Family Dispute

A 35-year-old Pakistani woman crossed into India’s Poonch district along the LoC after an argument with her father in PoK. Indian Army troops caught her on December 16. She is yet to be handed over to police.

December 17, 2025

UAE Changes School Admission Age Cut-Off to 31st December From 2026–27

From 2026–27, UAE will require children to meet Kindergarten and Grade 1 age limits by 31st December, not 31st August. This new rule aims to make schooling fairer and easier to switch between curriculums.

December 17, 2025

Fog and Pollution Halt 21 Flights at Delhi and Chennai Airports on December 17

Dense fog and heavy air pollution caused 21 flights to be cancelled at Delhi and Chennai airports on December 17, affecting passengers and flight operations across northern India.

December 17, 2025

Delhi High Court Rejects PIL Seeking 4X Compensation for IndiGo Flight Cancellations

Delhi High Court refused a PIL demanding four times compensation for IndiGo passengers whose flights were cancelled after new pilot duty rules. The court said the issue is already part of another pending case and allowed the petitioner to join that.

December 17, 2025

Two Young Riders Killed in Head-On Crash on Kozhikode Beach Road

Two motorcycle riders died in a head-on crash on Kozhikode beach road early Wednesday. Others were injured and rushed to hospital. Speeding may be to blame.