Author: Sharad Natani
In a landmark decision, Belgium’s Antwerp Court of Appeal has cleared fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi for extradition to India, rejecting his claims of political persecution and confirming that the charges against him are criminal, not political. The court’s ruling is being hailed as a major diplomatic and legal victory for India in its decade-long pursuit of justice in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case—one of the largest banking scams in the country’s history. Court Confirms Dual Criminality, Dismisses Political Allegations According to reports, the Belgian court held that the offences attributed to Choksi—fraud, criminal conspiracy, breach…
In a major relief for thousands of Indian tech professionals and students in the United States, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has clarified that the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee will not apply to existing visa holders or those switching their visa status within the country. The clarification comes amid confusion after the US administration’s recent announcement sparked concern among Indian workers, who make up nearly 70% of all new H-1B allocations annually. What USCIS Clarified According to the latest USCIS statement, foreign nationals already in the US — such as those holding F-1 (student) or L-1 (intra-company…
India has achieved a remarkable environmental milestone, securing the 9th position globally in total forest area, according to the latest Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The country has also retained its 3rd rank worldwide in annual forest area gain, reaffirming its strong commitment to sustainability and ecological restoration. A Testament to India’s Green Revolution The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) hailed this as a major achievement, crediting it to India’s large-scale afforestation programmes and community-led forest protection efforts. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav called the development a…
A new wave of electricity bill scams is sweeping through Noida and neighbouring regions, with fraudsters impersonating Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) officials to cheat unsuspecting consumers. These scammers send alarming messages threatening immediate disconnection of power supply unless the “unpaid bill” is cleared urgently. How the scam works Victims typically receive messages resembling official notices, complete with fake NPCL logos and fabricated designations. One such message claims, “Your Noida Power Company Limited will be disconnected tonight at 10:30 PM because your previous month’s meter reading was not updated.” It then urges the consumer to call a so-called “helpline number”…
Once mocked for his accent and left with zero customers, Rinchen, a home chef from Sikkim, has now become Kolkata’s very own ‘Momo King’ — a name that symbolizes resilience, passion, and the power of never giving up. From Corporate Life to Cooking on the Streets Rinchen was once a corporate employee living a regular city life until personal and financial struggles turned everything upside down. Facing depression and uncertainty, he decided to quit his job and start over — this time doing something close to his heart: selling momos, a delicacy he grew up making with his mother. But…
In a world where technology often fuels online hate, a 17-year-old Mumbai student is using Artificial Intelligence to fight back — with compassion. Meet Fia Inamdar, the young innovator behind CyBud, an AI-powered chatbot designed to help teens and adults cope with cyberbullying, online harassment, and emotional distress. The Birth of CyBud: A Digital Friend, Not Just a Bot For Fia, the idea came from a simple but powerful question — what if technology could listen, not just reply? “Many students fear visiting counsellors because of social stigma. CyBud is a friend who listens, understands, and never judges,” says the…