HAPPY DIWALI 2025 

Thousands of Americans took to the streets this weekend under the banner “No Kings”, marching in cities across the country to defend democracy and protest what they call President Donald Trump’s “authoritarian overreach.” In Austin, Texas, demonstrators rallied for “the power of the people,” chanting that the United States has had “No Kings since 1776.”

In San Francisco, hundreds gathered on Ocean Beach, forming massive human signs reading “No King!” and “Yes on 50”—a show of support for California’s Proposition 50 and a symbolic rebuke to what protesters described as Trump’s “fascist tendencies.”

“It feels like an America I don’t recognise anymore,” said one participant. Another, a former CIA officer, warned that “extremism is pushing us toward civil conflict.”

This marks the third mass ‘No Kings’ demonstration since Trump’s return to the White House. The previous wave in June saw coordinated rallies at over 2,100 locations nationwide, uniting millions under a shared message: to defend the Constitution, reject tyranny, and reaffirm that in the United States, ultimate power must always rest with the people.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has once again stirred controversy by linking India to Islamabad’s escalating tensions with Afghanistan. In an interview with Samaa TV, Asif cautioned that India “could play dirty at the border” and claimed Pakistan was prepared for a “two-front war” amid rising hostilities with Kabul. When asked about possible Indian provocations, Asif said, “You cannot rule that out. There are strong possibilities,” adding that “strategies are in place” though he declined to reveal details.

Earlier, Asif had accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of “fighting a proxy war for India,” alleging that Delhi was influencing Kabul’s actions. Speaking to Geo News, he said, “I doubt the ceasefire will hold because the Taliban’s decisions are being sponsored by Delhi.”

His remarks came soon after Islamabad and Kabul agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire following a week of deadly border clashes that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians. The Taliban had launched an offensive along sections of the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, prompting Islamabad to threaten retaliation. Pakistan, long accused of sheltering militant networks, has blamed Kabul for providing refuge to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) — a charge the Taliban firmly deny.

Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya and one of Africa’s most influential political leaders, passed away on Wednesday morning in Koothattukulam, Kerala, after suffering a massive heart attack during his morning walk. He was 80.

Odinga, who was in Kerala for Ayurvedic treatment, collapsed around 6:30 a.m. and was rushed to the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. His body has been kept at Deva Matha Hospital in Koothattukulam.

Arriving in the state six days ago with his daughter and close family members, Odinga had been undergoing therapy and maintaining a routine of morning walks.

A towering figure in Kenyan politics for over four decades, Odinga served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, steering the nation through post-election turmoil and constitutional reforms. Leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, he contested several presidential elections and was known for his steadfast advocacy of democracy, reconciliation, and social justice.

Officials from the Kenyan Embassy in New Delhi are coordinating with Kerala authorities for the repatriation of his body. Kenyan communities and local leaders expressed deep sorrow at his sudden demise.

Taliban spokesperson Zabeehullah Mujahid claimed his forces killed at least 58 Pakistani soldiers and wounded over 30 in retaliatory strikes near the Durand Line in Behrampur, warning Islamabad that no attack would go unanswered. Accusing Pakistan of turning a blind eye to ISIS elements allegedly sheltering on its territory, Mujahid urged authorities to expel or hand over key militants to the Islamic Emirate, asserting there is documented evidence of recruitment and training centers operating via Karachi and Islamabad.

He maintained that the Afghan side had cleared its own territory of troublemakers, but that new bases were established across the border and used to plan attacks inside Afghanistan. Defending the strikes, Mujahid said a cache of weapons fell into the Islamic Emirate hands, though he acknowledged more than 20 of his fighters were killed or wounded in the clashes.

The air campaign was halted after appeals from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes, saying the Pakistan Army delivered a response, destroyed several Afghan posts and forced Taliban fighters to retreat, vowing there would be no compromise on national defence. The exchanges underscore rising tensions along the border provinces where both sides have intermittently struck posts again.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to scientists John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for their groundbreaking work on "macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit." The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award on Tuesday, praising the discovery for opening new pathways in quantum technology.

“These discoveries have paved the way for advances in quantum cryptography, quantum computing, and precision quantum sensors,” the Academy stated.

All three laureates are based in the United States and will share the prize sum of 11 million Swedish crowns (approximately $1.2 million).

The Nobel Prizes, established by Alfred Nobel in 1901, recognize outstanding contributions across science, literature, peace, and economics. Physics, the first category listed in Nobel's will, remains among the most prestigious scientific honors.

Previous physics laureates include Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Niels Bohr—icons of scientific history. Last year’s prize went to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for machine learning research that fueled today’s AI boom.

The Nobel week continues with the chemistry prize on Wednesday and the peace prize announcement on Friday. Laureates will receive their awards in Stockholm on December 10, marking the anniversary of Nobel's death.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Israel and Hamas to act swiftly on the proposed Gaza peace plan, warning that delays could lead to further violence. Writing on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the urgency: “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW – SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!”

His remarks come ahead of key negotiations between Israeli and Hamas delegations in Egypt, where technical teams are expected to finalize the first phase of the plan. That phase reportedly centres on the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire.

Trump noted that there had been "very positive discussions" over the weekend involving Hamas and international stakeholders. He stated that progress was made toward ending the war in Gaza and pushing for a broader Middle East peace.

On Friday, Hamas conditionally accepted parts of the peace proposal, including Israeli withdrawal, hostage exchanges, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction plans. Trump had earlier issued a stark ultimatum, warning Hamas to accept the deal or face “all hell.”

Despite the warning, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed six people in Gaza shortly after Trump’s comments. A day later, Trump claimed Israel agreed to an initial withdrawal, pending Hamas confirmation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that talks were underway and said he hopes to announce the release of all hostages within days. However, he made clear that a full withdrawal from Gaza was not on the table.

“Disarming Hamas will happen—either the easy way or the hard way,” Netanyahu said, reinforcing that Israel will maintain control over key areas in Gaza until Hamas is neutralized, either diplomatically or militarily.

The situation remains fragile as the world watches for signs of a breakthrough or a return to devastating conflict.

In a landmark statement that can have far-reaching consequences, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh confirmed that Indian forces shot down five Pakistani fighter jets, including US-made F-16s and Chinese JF-17s and a large surveillance aircraft during Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The Indian Air Force also struck deep into Pakistani military infrastructure.

Precision missile strikes targeted and damaged key Pakistani military assets, including four radar stations, two Command & Control centres, runways, and multiple aircraft hangars. A Pakistani AEW&C aircraft, hit over 300 km away, marks India’s longest-ever surface-to-air strike. Singh also said a C-130-class transport plane may have been hit during the strikes.

India’s air defence, including the Russian-made S-400 system, effectively countered a barrage of Pakistani missile and drone attacks, safeguarding both military and civilian sites. Air Marshal Singh dismissed Pakistan’s claims of downing Indian aircraft, including a Rafale jet, as baseless propaganda. Pakistan has provided no evidence to support these assertions.

The Air Chief revealed that Pakistan initiated the ceasefire, not the United States, contrary to former US President Donald Trump’s claims of intervening. PM Modi reportedly made India’s position clear in a June call with Trump.

Operation Sindoor was launched following the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. India presented evidence of Pakistan’s involvement to the global community before targeting nine terror camps, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“The world saw our precision and resolve,” said Singh. “When terrorists strike innocent civilians, they will be held accountable, wherever they hide.” India’s swift and effective response underscores its growing military capability and zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.

Eight civilians were killed Wednesday as violent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) entered a third straight day, deepening the region’s unrest. According to sources, four people died in Dhirkot, two in Muzaffarabad, and two in Mirpur. This follows two deaths reported Tuesday in Muzaffarabad, bringing the toll to 10 in just 72 hours.

The protests, led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), have triggered a shutdown of markets, businesses, and transport, paralyzing daily life. Demonstrators accuse Islamabad of decades-long denial of basic rights, with demands ranging from economic relief to political reforms. A major flashpoint is the abolition of 12 legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees in Pakistan, which locals say dilutes representative governance.

Tensions escalated when protestors hurled stones and toppled shipping containers placed on bridges to block their march towards Muzaffarabad. The JAAC has alleged that Pakistani Rangers and the Army opened fire and shelled civilians, causing several deaths.

JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir warned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government that the current strike was only “Plan A,” with harsher strategies in reserve. The group has also demanded compensation and jobs for victims’ families, while calling for the ISI-backed Muslim Conference to be designated a terrorist outfit.

Donald Trump’s dramatic escalation of H-1B visa fees to $100,000 has sent shockwaves through corporate America, prompting firms to re-evaluate their global workforce strategies. With restrictions tightening around skilled immigration, economists and industry leaders say US companies are accelerating a shift of critical, high-value work to India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

India already hosts 1,700 GCCs—over half the global total—and has evolved far beyond its traditional back-office role. Today, these centres drive innovation in artificial intelligence, drug discovery, product design, and cybersecurity. Experts argue that the new visa curbs will turbocharge this trend, transforming India into an even stronger hub for strategic and innovation-led mandates.

“GCCs are uniquely positioned for this moment. They act as resilient, in-house engines,” said Rohan Lobo of Deloitte India, noting heightened activity in financial services and technology. Lalit Ahuja of ANSR added that urgency among US firms is unprecedented, with many fast-tracking India plans that were once long-term.

Big Tech and Wall Street giants—Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, JPMorgan, and Walmart—already operate extensive GCCs in India. Now, rather than battling immigration hurdles, companies may double down on expanding these centres. Some may also explore nearshoring to Mexico, Colombia, or Canada, but India remains the largest and most cost-effective ecosystem.

By 2030, India is projected to host over 2,200 GCCs worth nearly $100 billion—a target that may arrive much sooner under Trump’s policies. Yet, risks loom. Proposals like the HIRE Act, which could impose a 25% outsourcing tax, threaten to disrupt India’s service exports.

Still, analysts believe that even if traditional IT revenues take a hit, rising demand for GCC-driven services could cushion the blow. In effect, Trump’s crackdown may inadvertently hand India’s GCC ecosystem a historic growth spurt.

India clinched the Asia Cup 2025 title with a commanding all-round display, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan in the final. Chasing a modest 147, India were in early trouble as Abhishek Sharma (5), skipper Suryakumar Yadav (1), and Shubman Gill (12) fell cheaply. Sanju Samson steadied the innings with a handy 24, but it was Tilak Varma who rose to the occasion with a composed half-century, guiding India home in style. Varma’s calm temperament with Dube's power hitting under pressure proved decisive, ensuring India crossed the finish line with confidence.

Earlier, Pakistan began brightly after being asked to bat first. Openers Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 38 balls) and Fakhar Zaman (46 off 35 balls) stitched a strong partnership, putting India on the back foot in the powerplay. At 84 for no loss, Pakistan looked set for a big total. However, the game turned dramatically once the Indian spinners came into play. Kuldeep Yadav led the charge with a superb four-wicket haul, dismantling the middle order. Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel chipped in with two wickets each, while Jasprit Bumrah’s disciplined bowling earned him two scalps as well. Pakistan collapsed to 146 in 19.1 overs, leaving India to script a memorable title triumph.

Canada is positioning itself as a new hub for global technology talent in the wake of sweeping changes to the United States’ H-1B visa program under President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Mark Carney signaled that Ottawa intends to capitalize on the uncertainty, particularly for highly skilled workers who would once have headed to Silicon Valley.

Trump’s recent executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas has left tech firms scrambling. For decades, the program has been the backbone of U.S. innovation, enabling companies to hire software engineers, data scientists, and specialists from around the world. Now, with mounting costs and red tape, many firms are questioning whether they can continue relying on the pipeline.

Carney, speaking in London, said Canada will craft a “clear offering” aimed at absorbing displaced workers, especially from the technology sector. “What is clear is that the opportunity to attract people who previously would’ve got so-called H-1B visas,” he noted, underlining Ottawa’s intent to seize a competitive edge in the global war for talent.

The move aligns with Canada’s broader immigration strategy, which has consistently emphasized skilled migration as a driver of economic growth. Over the past decade, Canada has streamlined work permits for STEM professionals, launched targeted visa programs, and fostered tech clusters in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

Other nations are also stepping up. Germany has expanded its “Blue Card” scheme, while the UK is touting its Global Talent Visa as a pathway for skilled migration post-Brexit. But Canada’s proximity to the U.S. and established multicultural workforce give it a unique advantage.

As barriers rise in the U.S., Canada is betting that openness and opportunity will draw the next generation of innovators northward.