India-Maldives trade records three-fold jump in last 8 years
New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) The bilateral trade between India and the Maldives has grown more than threefold over the last eight years, with India’s exports doubling to 680 million in FY 2024–25 and imports from the Maldives taking a huge 20-fold leap to $119 million. Along with the rising flow of Indian tourists to […]
Nepal implements online system to track foreign nationals
Kathmandu, Jan 1 (IANS) Nepal has implemented the Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS) to ensure the safety of foreign nationals visiting the country and to control potential crimes involving foreign nationals. Developed by the Department of Immigration, the FNMIS is a nationwide digital database designed to collect real-time information on foreign nationals from the […]
Amsterdam’s iconic church destroyed by fire
The Hague, Jan 1 (IANS) The iconic Vondelkerk church in the Dutch capital Amsterdam was almost destroyed by a fire early Thursday morning, the Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported. The flames broke out shortly before 1 am local time (00:00 GMT) in the church tower located in Vondelpark, said the report. No injuries were reported, […]
Train collides with car at rail crossing in Japan’s Saitama Prefecture
Tokyo, Jan 1 (IANS) A train collided with a car at a railway crossing on the JR Utsunomiya Line in Shiraoka City, Saitama Prefecture, on Thursday, police and fire officials said, adding that the train may have derailed after the incident. The accident occurred at around 2:20 pm local time when the train struck the […]
Bulgaria officially adopts Euro with short transition period
Sofia, Jan 1 (IANS) Bulgaria joined the eurozone and adopted the Euro as its official currency on New Year’s Day, becoming the 21st member of the Euro area. To ensure a smooth transition to the new currency, throughout January, the Bulgarian lev will remain in circulation alongside the Euro. Starting February 1, the Euro will […]
Denmark, Faroe Islands assume 2026 presidency of Nordic Council of Ministers
Oslo, Jan 1 (IANS) Denmark and the Faroe Islands on Thursday formally took over the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers for 2026, pledging to deepen Nordic cooperation with a focus on societal security, competitiveness and updating the Helsinki Treaty. According to a press release by the Nordic Council of Ministers, one of the […]
Downed 250 Ukrainian drones, including 12 targetting Moscow: Russian Defence ministry
Moscow, Jan 1 (IANS) Russian air defences have downed 250 drones over the past day, including 12 targetting the Moscow region overnight, Russia’s Defence Ministry said Thursday. The air defences also shot down one guided aerial bomb and a Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft, the ministry said. Russian forces have hit Ukrainian energy facilities, ammunition depots, drone […]
Former Google engineer convicted in AI espionage case
Washington, Jan 31 (IANS) A federal jury in San Francisco has convicted a former Google software engineer of stealing sensitive artificial intelligence trade secrets for the benefit of China, marking the first-ever conviction on AI-related economic espionage charges, US officials said. Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, 38, was found guilty on seven counts […]
Trump says Ukraine talks stand chance of settlement
Washington, Jan 31 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said that talks aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine stand a chance of success, saying negotiators are close to a settlement despite deep hostility between the two sides. “I think they stand a chance,” Trump said on Friday, when asked about the prospects for […]
US CENTCOM urges Iran guards to avoid escalation at sea
Washington, Jan 31 (IANS) US Central Command urged Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to avoid escalatory behavior at sea after Tehran announced a two-day live-fire naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz scheduled to begin Sunday. In a statement, CENTCOM said the Strait of Hormuz is an international sea passage and a critical trade corridor, […]
