Martin said Ireland is ready to work with the US to bring peace

The Irish Prime Minister said Ireland is ready to work with the US to bring a "just, lasting and durable peace" to Ukraine and the Middle East. The comments came as Micheal Martin presented a bowl of shamrocks to US President Donald Trump at the White House as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations. It came after a bilateral meeting between the two leaders in which the President raised the "massive" trade imbalance with Ireland and accused the EU of treating the US "very badly". At the shamrock presentation ceremony on Wednesday evening, Martin made reference to the US intervention during the Troubles in Northern Ireland and its role in the creation of the Good Friday Agreement. "The story of peace in Ireland is one we have written together," the Taoiseach said. "We know that building peace is a difficult and painstaking task, but when the mighty United States puts its shoulder to the wheel, there is no mountain it cannot move." Martin also praised Trump's "tireless focus and energy" in bringing peace to Ukraine and the Middle East. "In my view, there is nothing more noble than the pursuit of peace and that's what you're doing," he said. In earlier remarks, President Trump said he "loves the Irish people". "We will always maintain that special friendship," he added. "The bond between our countries is as old as our country." Earlier, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump addressed the "enormous deficit" with Ireland. "We want to equalise that as well as we can, and we will work very closely together." Martin told President Trump that foreign investment is a two-way street, adding that Ireland is "investing a lot in the US now". The EU's move comes in response to President Trump imposing a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports to the US, which came into effect overnight.

Trump said this has created "ill-will".

"The EU has been very tough, and now it's our turn. We'll get a chance at it," he said.

"I'm not criticising it, they're doing the same thing they're doing to the EU, but that creates ill will and you know we're going to have reciprocal tariffs as well," he said.

'We don't want to do anything to harm Ireland'

Official figures from Ireland's statistics agency show the country had a goods-trade surplus with the US of just over €50 billion (£41.6 billion) in 2024.

Ireland's goods exports to the US were worth €72.6 billion (£60.4 billion) in 2024 while its imports from the US were €22.5 billion (£18.7 billion).

Trump said the EU was "set up to take advantage of the United States".

When asked if Ireland was also taking advantage of the US, Trump said: "Of course."

"I have a lot of respect for Ireland, what they did and they should have done what they did. But the United States should not have allowed this to happen. We had stupid leaders, we had leaders who didn't know anything." He added: "Suddenly we've got pharmaceutical companies in Ireland, this beautiful island of five million people has taken the whole US pharmaceutical industry by storm.

"The Irish people are very smart and you took our pharmaceutical companies - and other companies - but you know, through taxation, proper taxation, they made it very, very good for companies to move over there," he added.

Trump also said that "I would probably lose the Irish vote" if he drove all US companies out of Ireland.

"We don't want to do anything to harm Ireland, but we want fairness and [Martin] understands that," he added.

However, Martin said that pharmaceutical companies were "doing very well in Ireland", and there was room to discuss a deal.

"I think there's room for those companies to grow in the US and a number of them, by the way, have already announced quite significant manufacturing investments [in the US]," the Taoiseach added. said.

Martin said Ireland served US companies well with a strong, educated workforce and access to the EU's single market.

The president said Ireland's housing crisis was caused by the country doing "too well".

The availability and cost of housing in Ireland is a major political and social issue, with reports showing that thousands of new homes are needed each year to meet demand.

"Do you know why they have a housing crisis? Because they're doing too well, they're not able to build homes fast enough," Trump said.

Martin said it was a "good answer".

The comments have however been criticised by opposition parties, with Sinn Féin saying joking about the housing crisis is "never a good answer".

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US tech firms hit by China tariffs,had Deena Ghazarian

Dina Ghazarian had been in business for just a year when the trade policies of President Donald Trump's first term hit her company hard.

It was 2019 and her California-based firm, Ouster, had agreed to supply several major US retailers with its high-end audio and video accessories, which are largely manufactured in China.

Then Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on China, and overnight Dina had to pay a 25% surcharge on every cable and component, up from zero before.

She was forced to absorb the costs and for a while thought she would go bankrupt.

"I literally thought I would start and close the business in less than a year," she says. "I had spent so much time, money and effort, and to have something like this come at you was shocking." The firm took the job, but like many other US businesses it now finds itself in a similar position.

Since coming back into office in January, Mr Trump has increased tariffs on all goods imported from China by 20%, and imposed taxes of 25% on Canadian and Mexican products, only deferring some until April. The president says he wants to force these countries to do more to stop the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the US, bring more manufacturing back to the US and address unfair trade imbalances. But the tariffs are much broader than last time, when they were gradually phased in and many products were exempt. Goods such as smartphones, desktop computers and tablets are now incurring tariffs for the first time, while taxes on others have gone higher. "US importers will have to pay these taxes, not exporters," says Ed Brzytwa, vice president of international trade at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), a North American trade body. It represents more than 1,200 tech firms. "It is American businesses and consumers who will suffer." Businesses like Ms Gazarian's are particularly exposed. China is still the number one supplier of electronic products to the US, with imports set to total $146 billion (£112 billion) in 2023, according to official figures.

Meanwhile, 87% of video game consoles imported into the US that year came from China, along with 78% of smartphones, 79% of laptops and tablets and two-thirds of monitors.

While many US companies such as Ouster have diversified their supply chains away from China since Mr Trump's first term, countries such as Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam still do not offer the same manufacturing capacity and expertise.

As well, the US president is now targeting Mexico - another major electronics supplier. And while domestic manufacturing in the US has increased, partly due to tariffs, it is still limited by high costs and strict regulations.

"Yes, Apple now makes some iPhones in India and [Taiwanese chipmaker] TSMC is diversifying to Arizona," says Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute in Washington DC. "But China is still a big part of the supply chain. It takes time to develop relationships with new suppliers, it's expensive to develop them." Research suggests companies pass on a large part of the cost of tariffs by raising prices. Earlier this month Corie Barry, the boss of US electronics retailer Best Buy, said the "vast majority" of the new tariffs "will likely be passed on to the consumer" because vendors in the industry have very thin margins. In February, Taiwanese firm Acer said it would likely increase the price of its laptops by 10% based on the 10% tariffs applied to China at the time, while US group HP warned its profits would be hit by tariffs. Ms Gazarian says she may have to raise her prices this year, but she worries it could backfire. "There is a price point where the customer is satisfied with the value of the goods provided. "The minute I go above that, I start losing customers. High inflation has squeezed Americans." During Mr Trump's first term, companies such as Apple successfully secured discounts for products, and we may yet see reductions. Insiders have also suggested that Mr Trump sees tariffs as a negotiating tactic and may reduce them if he gets concessions, as he did when China agreed to buy more US goods in a deal struck in 2020. Fears of a US economic slowdown could also force him to change course. For the time being, however, tensions are likely to remain elevated. China, Mexico and Canada have vowed to retaliate against any US tariffs imposed on them, and this week Mr Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium, but backed down at the last minute. He plans to impose "reciprocal tariffs" on the rest of the world soon, and threatened to raise tariffs on Chinese goods by up to 60% during the campaign.

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Greenland's mineral riches: the race to grab them

Donald Trump said that he believes the US will take control of Greenland. He has been adamant about his claim to the Arctic island and cited "economic security" on more than one occasion as a reason. The autonomous Danish territory is quick to insist that it's not for sale. However, its vast mineral resources and largely untapped nature are highly sought after.

As the motorboat navigates rough coastal waters and dramatic Fjords, we see jagged grey peaks.

Eldur Olafsson is the CEO of Amaroq Minerals. He says: "Those high, pointy mountains are basically a gold band."

After two hours of sailing, we arrived at a valley under the Nalunaq Mountain where the company is drilling for gold.

The company is also searching for valuable minerals in the nearby mountain ranges and valleys. It has acquired exploration licenses covering an area of over 10,000 square kilometers (3,861 square miles).

The Icelandic boss says, "We are looking for rare earths, copper, nickel and other metals." This is a new area that has the potential for multiple large deposits.

Base camp is a cluster mobile buildings, bright orange tents and more than 100 employees, including former British coal miners, Australians and Greenlanders. The road ascends the valley and we follow a dark tunnel up into the mine.

"See here!" "Look here!" says Mr Olafsson, pointing at a white quartz seam and a thin line of dark. "Gold, gold, gold. "Gold, gold, gold. "Isn't it extraordinary?"

Amaroq purchased the mine in 2015 after it had been closed for most of a decade due to falling gold prices and high operating costs.

Amaroq believes that the mine is now profitable. It plans to increase production in this year. A brand new processing facility has been built to crush ore and refine precious metals into gold bars.

"We could either leave the site each month with a bag of gold or a ship that carries 30,000 tonnes [of ore]", explains Mr Olafsson.

He claims that Greenland is a unique opportunity due to its vast mineral reserves, which are still largely untapped.

"It could be the source of all minerals that the Western World will need for decades," says Mr Olafsson. "And this is a unique position."

There are only two mines active on the island.

Greenland, a self-governing region that is part Denmark but has its own natural resources, is an independent territory.

The country has the eighth-largest reserves of rare earth elements. These are essential for everything from batteries to electric motors and mobile phones. The country also has high amounts of lithium and cobalt, two other important metals.

Oil and gas are also present, but drilling has been banned. Deep-sea mining is also prohibited.

Christian Kjeldsen is the director of Greenland’s Business Association. He says the "global geopolitical environment right now" is driving interest to the world’s largest island.

He argues that China has the largest reserves of rare-earth metals in the world, whereas the West is looking for alternative sources.

He says, "You've got a very powerful China that is sitting heavily on critical raw materials."

This has fueled a growing interest among Western nations in gaining access to Greenland’s minerals. China is also interested in getting involved, but it has a limited presence.

Reuters reported that US lobbied a mining company in Australia to not sell Greenland’s largest rare earth project to Chinese buyers.

Naaja Naajasen, Greenland's Minister of Business, Trade and Raw Materials, claims that the interest in Greenland's minerals "absolutely" increased over the past five years.

She continues: "We are used to being the hotspot of climate crises." We want to contribute to the solution."

Greenland has now issued permits for 100 blocks, where companies are looking for deposits. The largest foreign mining companies are British, Canadian, and Australian firms, with only one American.

There are still many steps to be taken before these sites can become mines.

Greenland's mineral wealth is a huge asset, but the "gold rush" has been slow to come.

The public sector and the fishing industry still drive the economy. The territory is also dependent on a $600m annual subsidy from Denmark.

Greenland politicians hope mining revenue will help reduce Greenland's dependence on the $600m annual subsidy from Denmark and boost independence efforts. In the meantime, Greenland makes more money through tourism.

Javier Arnaut of Greenland University's Arctic Social Sciences department says that mining is important for independence. In practice, it is clear that very few mining licences are awarded.

Ms Nathanielsen admits that "we have still not seen large sums of money flowing into this industry". She hopes to see three or five more mines in operation within the next ten years.

Greenland's remoteness and harsh weather make mining difficult. Greenland is the largest island in the world and it's covered with ice to 80%. There are no roads and rugged mountains.

Jakob Klove Keiding from the Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland who has mapped deposits on the territory, says "It is an arctic landscape." We have to deal with the harsh climate conditions and limited infrastructure. So it's quite expensive to open a mine."

These high costs, combined with the low metal prices in the world, have kept investors away.

Some blame the slow growth of the sector on red tape. There are strict environmental and social impact regulations in the territory, and getting permits takes time.

Ms Nathanielsen asserts that the majority of communities support mining and that it boosts local economy. "They [overseas miners] shop in local shops. They hire local workers. She says they're renting a boat or helicopter from the local area.

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DeepSeek AI from China shakes the industry and dents America's swagger

It is amazing how quickly the Chinese AI app DeepSeek has shaken up the tech industry, markets and American sense of superiority when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI).

Marc Andreessen, a venture capitalist, may have put it best. He wrote on Sunday that "DeepSeek R1 is AI's Sputnik Moment". This was a reference to the satellite that started the space race.

DeepSeek, Apple's US App Store's most popular free app over the weekend. On Monday, DeepSeek had caused a sell-off in major tech stocks that were already in freefall due to fears about America's dominance in the sector.

By the close of US markets on Monday , shares of AI chip designer Nvidia, a recent Wall Street darling, had fallen by 17%. Or, to put it even more bluntly, the market value of Nvidia fell by nearly $600bn, which according to Bloomberg is the largest drop in US stock market history.

The cost is a major factor in this extraordinary and historic spooking. DeepSeek developers made a claim that raised serious questions in Silicon Valley.

DeepSeek developers claim that while ChatGPT maker OpenAI is losing money, spending $5bn in the last year alone, they built their latest model for just $5.6m.

This is a fraction of what AI giants such as OpenAI, Google and Anthropic spent to create their models.

When I called those in Silicon Valley who usually love to chat, the silence was palpable. Many analysts, investors and observers appeared shocked.

Others wondered if it was a good time to buy. Some questioned DeepSeek's information.

Gene Munster, a veteran analyst, told me Monday that "I believe the truth lies below the surface" when it comes to what is actually going on. He questioned DeepSeek's financials, wondering if it was subsidised and if its numbers were accurate.

He said that the chatbot was "surprisingly good", which made it difficult to believe.

To use his words, DeepSeek’s sudden arrival was a “flex” by China and "a black eye for US technology."

Last week, OpenAI's Sam Altman, and Oracle's Larry Ellison, joined President Donald Trump at a news event that could have easily been a release.

The event was a culmination of American swaggering on AI.

Stargate is a joint venture which promises private investments of up to $500bn for AI infrastructure. Data centres are located in Texas and elsewhere, with the promise of 100,000 new jobs.

The US appeared to believe that its abundance of data centres and control of the highest-end chip gave it an overwhelming lead in AI despite China's dominance over rare-earth materials and engineering talent.

Many people have assumed that America will dominate the AI race despite warnings by top executives, who warned against taking the advantages of the country for granted.

DeepSeek may have shaken off some of the US's swagger, but it is still possible that they will continue to dominate this sector.

Altman and Ellison were likely not comforted by Trump's comments after the sudden appearance of the Chinese app in recent days. He said that this was a "wake up call" for American tech companies and that finding a cheaper way to implement AI would be a good thing.

Also, it is worth mentioning that not only tech stocks took a hit on Monday. The same thing happened to energy stocks. DeepSeek has changed the way we think about AI development.

Perhaps the nuclear renaissance, which includes restarting America's Three Mile Island power plant, will not be required. It may not require so much computing power, capital or capital.

The future of semiconductor giants such as Nvidia is still uncertain.

DeepSeek claims that its model was created using existing technology and open-source software, which can be shared freely by anyone.

WIRED reports, however, that High-Flyer, the hedge fund of DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfung, has been stockpiling GPUs (graphics processing units) for years.

The company said that its models used H800 chips manufactured by Nvidia. The new Trump administration may reconsider the US policy that restricts sales of high-powered chips in China.

OpenAI's Sam Altman remained mostly silent on X Monday. He wrote, very late in his day, that DeepSeek "was impressive... especially around what they are able to deliver for their price".

"We'll deliver better models, and it is a real boost to have a competitor!" He wrote.

Sputnik was the one who truly brought in the age of space. The US was also caught off-guard. It will be interesting to see how the US tech sector reacts to this apparent surprise by a Chinese company. This could have added serious fuel for the AI race.

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Sinner vs Zverev - Australian Open final start time, how you can watch,

Jannick Siner is aiming for a second Australian Open title in a row as he takes on Alexander Zverev Sunday afternoon.

In the final for men on Sunday, defending champion Jannik Sinner is looking to win back-to-back Australian Open and deny Alexander Zverev his first Grand Slam title.

On Sunday, the final of the women's doubles will see top seeds Katerina Simiakova (Lettonia) and Taylor Townsend facing Taiwan's Hsieh su-Wei (Taiwan) and Latvian Jelena Ostapenko.

What is the favorite to win the Australian Open Men's Final?

Jannik Sinner, who won the 2024 final in five sets after defeated Daniil Medivedev in that year's final will be the favourite to win the Sunday decider. He'll become the first man since Novak Djokovic to "three-peat", from 2019-21.

Sinner, the top seed, would be the 11th professional to win back-to-back matches, joining Roger Federer (2006), Andre Agassi (2007), and Andre Agassi (2000).

Sinner, who won the US Open in 2010, could become the first Italian man to win three Grand Slams, surpassing Nicola Pietrangeli's record of two consecutive men's singles titles at Roland Garros, from 1959-60.

How did Sinner make it to the finals?

Sinner, who has won 20 of his last 21 matches, is in excellent form and arrives at the final with a winning streak.

In the quarterfinals, he thumped Australian number one Alex De Minaur and also defeated rising American talent Ben Shelton with straight sets .

The 23-year old has had a few bumps in the road. He suffered from a cramp during the match against Shelton, and also experienced dizziness on a very hot day when he beat Holger Rune by four sets in the fourth-round.

Sinner will be glad to know that Sunday's match is in the cool evening.

What happened to the doping case against Sinner?

The case of doping he has been involved in since March, when he failed a drug test, is still hanging over his head.

The World Anti-Doping Agency is seeking a two-year ban for the Italian, despite the fact that the tennis integrity authority cleared him to play. April is the date of the hearing.

What did Sinner say before the final?

Sinner is a champion who has defended his title and so far, he's been able to withstand external distractions.

He said, "I am trying to remove the things in my mind, the pressure." "Even though it is easy to say but hard to do.

I will do my best to achieve that, but also take time to enjoy the moment. We won six tough matches."

What is the chance of Zverev winning in the final?

Zverev, as a teenager and up-and-coming player, once generated the excitement that Sinner experienced before winning his first Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park in Melbourne Park 2024.

The 27-year old German has not won any major trophies despite some near misses.

In the French Open final, he lost to Carlos Alcaraz by two sets to one. He also fell to Dominic Thiem after a two set lead in the US Open final in 2020.

Zverev, despite having a powerful serve, a backhand that is one of the most powerful in tennis, and a decent court movement, despite being 6 ft 6 in (1.98 metre) tall, can wilt under pressure. He has also struggled to overcome perceptions of mental fragility.

Is Zverev's new beginning?

The younger generation, led by Sinner & Alcaraz, has emerged in recent years to stop Zverev from achieving his goals.

Zverev, who was chastened after his French Open final defeat to Alcaraz in which he tired at the end of the match last year, rehired Jez Green as a trainer to help him build endurance for five-set matches.

Zverev is relatively fresh for Sunday's final after Djokovic was injured and retired after the first set in their semifinal.

What did Zverev say before the final?

Zverev may have the best chance to win by dragging Sinner into a dogfight, and using his serve in tiebreaks.

Zverev said, "My goal is to continue to compete against the top players and win these tournaments."

I'm looking forward Sunday. "I feel ready to go."

Head-to-head

Zverev has a 4-2 record of victories over Sinner, including wins on hardcourt at the US Opens in 2021 and 2023.

Last year, Sinner was untouchable when he won the last match they played on Cincinnati's hardcourt.

What is the prize money?

The total prize money for 2024 is $59.8m. This represents a 12.5% increase.

The Australian Open will award $2.16m to the singles champions, and $502,000 each to the men's and woman's doubles champions.

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The RBI Ombudsman Scheme has seen a 32.81% increase in complaints from bank customers to 9,34 lakh

In the Reserve Bank's Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, complaints by banking customers increased 32.81 percent in one year. They reached 9.34 lakh. This dramatic increase in complaints suggests that customer service standards have declined within the banking industry, and highlights the need to improve.

The complaints were filed with 24 Offices of RBI Ombudsman and the Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre of the RBI.

The RBI reported in its Annual Report on Ombudsman Scheme that a significant number of 85 281 complaints were received (as high as 29,01 percent of all complaints) regarding loans and advances. This represents a 42.70 percent increase compared to last year.

The number of complaints related to mobile/electronic banking increased by 32.61 percent from the previous year. The report stated that while 46,358 complaints were made about opening and using deposit accounts (showing a 34.45 percent increase), 42,329 complaints (14.40%) were received about credit cards. This was a 23.95 percent rise over the previous years.

The RBI reported that Chandigarh and NCT of Delhi were the top contributors of complaints to ORBIOs, in terms of the number of complaints per lakh accounts (deposits and credits). Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan were the next five highest contributors. Mizoram was the lowest contributor, followed by Nagaland, Ladakh and Manipur.

The Reserve Bank found that lenders were using unfair practices to charge interest during the on-site examinations of banks for the period ending March 31, 2023. Some unfair practices included charging interest from the day of sanctioning the loan or the date the loan agreement was executed and not the actual date the funds were disbursed to the customer. In the same way, when loans were disbursed via cheque, interest was often charged on the date of cheque even though the cheque wasn't handed to the customer for several days. Some REs charge interest on loans disbursed or repaid during a month.

Customers have complained about fraudulent activity, uninvited cards being issued, and disputes with retailers. Customers complained of not receiving promotional and rewards benefits from credit cards, and about arbitrary changes to card norms.

The RBI Ombudsman's report stated that a total 934,355 complains were received between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2024 at ORBIOs. This represents a 32.81 percent increase over the previous years. The ORBIOs received 25.24 percent more complaints from FY2023 than FY2024. The CRPC received 36.59 percent more complaints from FY2023 than FY2024.

In FY 2023-24, the share of individual complaints in total complaints reached its highest level at 256 527 (87.27%). The RBI reported that complaints against banks and non-bank financial companies accounted for 82.28 percent and 14.53 percent of total complaints, respectively.

The ORBIOs handled a total number of 284,355 cases during the past year. This represents a 95.10 percent disposal rate. The ORBIOs have disposed of 192,886 complains, which is 67.83 percent of all complaints.

It said that 57.07 percent of maintainable complaints resolved by mutual settlement, conciliation, or mediation, while 40.78 percent of maintainable complains were rejected due to lack of deficiency in service.

CRPC received 766,957 (including those assigned to ORBIOs/Consumer Education and Protection Cell), a 30.10 percent increase compared to last year. CRPC disposed of 758,483 of these complaints.

While 631.876 complaints were classified as non-complaints/non-maintainable, 126.607 were assigned to ORBIOs/CEPCs for further resolution. Of the non-maintainable cases, 47.75 percent were closed as First Resort Complaints. The report stated that the complainant approached directly RBI before lodging a complaint with the RE concerned.

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Telegram releases 2025 update with collectibles, custom-emojis and more

Telegram's latest update for 2025 includes collectible gifts, improved search filters, service messages reactions, third-party confirmation, customizable chat folders emojis and an integrated QR scanner for easy link access.

Telegram's first major update for 2025 has been released. It includes a number of new features including collectible gifts and enhanced search capabilities.

Instant messaging has recently announced some new features.

CollectiblesTelegram Users can now upgrade gifts received into collectibles. These digital gifts have unique looks created by artists. They feature customised traits such as background colours, icons and unique numbers.

More than 1,400 variations of over 20 gifts such as Homemade Cakes, Jelly Bunnies, and Santa Hats can be upgraded into collectibles. Upgraded gifts are also available for trading with other users, or to be auctioned off on NFT marketplaces. Users can send gifts as upgraded collectibles to add a personal touch. The recipient will unwrap their artwork as they chat. Telegram Stars are required to upgrade the collectibles. These Stars cover the blockchain transaction costs.

Reactions to Service Messages

Telegramhas added reactions to service messages. This allows users to interact and respond with notifications such as group joinings, changes in profile photos, or gift receptions. This feature allows users to respond directly to updates within the chat.

Message Filter

Telegram has also improved its search capabilities. Users can filter the results on the 'Chats tab' to see messages from specific channels, groups or private chats.

Verification by a Third Party

Telegram now offers a decentralised platform to verify third parties, bringing additional security and transparency. Third-party services that have been verified can assign verification icons for users and chats. These icons are displayed next to usernames and indicate the verification status. They also provide an explanation in user profiles.

Custom Emoji in Folder Names

Premium users can now customize their chat folders using custom emojis. This allows for expressive or minimalist designs. This feature allows for greater flexibility when it comes to organising conversations.

In-App QR Code Scanner

This update contains an in-app scanner for QR codes. allows users to access links without having to leave the app. This feature is built into the camera in-app, and can be accessed by a simple swipe or tap.

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Elon Musk announces that X will prioritise entertaining and informative content when overhauling its algorithm.

Elon Musk announced a major update to X’s algorithm that prioritizes engaging content. More details will be provided via @XEng. Users will have more control over the feeds.

Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and tech mogul, has revealed plans to update the algorithm for X. This social media platform was formerly known by the name Twitter. Musk stressed the importance of prioritising the content that users find engaging and valuable in a series posts on the platform.

"Algorithm tweak coming soon to promote more informational/entertaining content. We will announce the changes on @XEng. "Our goal is to maximize unregretted-user-seconds," Musk said. He said that negative content can increase the time users spend on the platform but it doesn't contribute to "unregretted time."

Musk revealed that the platform was developing tools to allow users more control over their feeds. In a subsequent tweet, Musk said: "We are also working on ways to allow you to easily adjust the feed dynamically so that you can have whatever you want at any moment."

Musk has a broader vision of how to redefine the way users interact with X. The goal is to create a positive, personalised experience. The changes will appeal to long-term users as well as newcomers by addressing the concerns regarding the negativity that is prevalent on the platform.

More details on the algorithmic changes will be provided by @XEng 's official engineering handleforX. The announcement has generated a lively discussion online. Users speculated about how the system could change their interactions on the platform.

Musk acquired X in the year 2022 and has since implemented a number of updates and reforms that have positioned the platform as a hub to meaningful conversation and entertainment.

Musk has advocated improved accessibility for X's mute words feature. Musk's remarks came after a recent post from Dan, an X-employee, who highlighted the functionality of the tool on the platform.

Dan said, "As a friendly reminder, you can mute certain words in X by navigating settings > privacy > mute. You can do this permanently or temporarily if needed. This feature allows users the ability to customize their feeds by blocking certain words or phrases.

Musk responded by acknowledging the importance of this feature, but admitting that users may have difficulty finding it. Musk replied, "We need to make it easier to locate."

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The economy is on a recovery path in the third quarter, driven by festive activity and rural demand.

A Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in an article, said that the Indian economy was showing signs of recovery after a slowdown in momentum in the previous quarter. (April to June 2024).

In July-September of 2024, the country's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is a measure of gross domestic product, fell to its lowest level in seven quarters at 5.4 percent. The RBI projected that the economy would grow by 6.8 percent in the quarter of October-December 2024.

The article titled 'State of the Economy,' published in the December Bulletin of the RBI, stated that "High frequency indicators" (HFIs), for the third quarter of FY2024-25, indicate the Indian economy has recovered from the slowdown of momentum seen in Q2 of FY2025. This recovery is attributed to strong festival activity as well as a sustained increase in rural demand.

In November, the volume of e-way bills increased 16.3 percent (y-o y) (Graph III.4a). In November 2024 toll collections grew by double digits, both in volume and value terms. In November 2024, vehicle registrations grew by double digits year-over-year (y-o y), with an increase in non-transport vehicles. Fuel consumption in the country increased in November 2024 due to farm harvesting, rural activity, and robust air travel.

Michael Patra, the RBI's deputy governor, and other officials from central banks prepared this article. The RBI stated that the opinions expressed in the article were those of the authors, and not the institution.

India's growth trajectory will accelerate in the second half 2024-25, primarily due to a resilient demand for private consumption at home. The article stated that rural demand is growing, mainly due to the record-high foodgrain production.

It said that "sustained government expenditure on infrastructure will further stimulate economic activity, and investment."

The global headwinds pose a risk to the future outlook of growth and inflation .

In the article, it was also stated that India's growth trajectory is expected to be resilient in the future, but with a more sustainable foundation, as a result of climate action. This includes a greater focus on renewable energies, electric vehicles (EVs), and green hydrogen.

These coordinated efforts point to a promising route towards achieving net-zero emission. The use of global frameworks to facilitate carbon trading, and the scaling up of climate finance including green bonds will reinforce the decoupling between growth and emissions.

India, too, is riding the digitalisation wave to boost its growth, increase productivity, and expand the reach of services and products. This is a result of a shift in consumer behavior and the growing popularity of online shopping in small towns.

The article stated that "this surge also highlights a growing investor's confidence and the momentum behind innovative energies which are driving India's FinTech ascent."

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Look at Politics in 2025: A landscape of rifts, challenges and rifts

A record number of nations voted in 2024 to elect new governments. In India and other countries, 2024 saw political relations become more strained, and the middle ground shrink. The year 2025 is a good time to think beyond elections.

In 2024, the political landscape in India and its immediate surroundings, as well as in many other countries, took an unexpected turn.

In some cases, these developments were rapid and unexpected. They could also be a catalyst for dynamic shifts in narratives and discourses.

In India and other countries, the relationships between political actors and parties continued to deteriorate. The divisions between governing parties and opposition parties grew, and their mutual hostility worsened.

The world was stunned by the scale of Donald Trump’s victory in America and Keir starmer’s landslide win in the United Kingdom. Long-standing regimes like Bashar al-Assad's in Syria and Hasina's in Bangladesh also fell in a matter of days.

Many people in India's neighborhood did not predict the victory of Anura Dissanayake, in Sri Lanka. Pakistan's political turmoil continued to worsen.

In Europe, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, there were political upheavals. The governments lost the confidence of the Parliament, signaling uncertainty and possible crises for the New Year.

In India, a second term for Prime Minister NarendraModi and the BJP was on the cards. Many thought the Lok Sabha elections were a formality. After the opening of Ayodhya's Ram Temple, the BJP had a positive outlook. The Stock Market performed well. It looked like the deal was done.

But , the result stunned the BJP and forced Modi to for the first time of his political career form a coalition government with regional parties that were ideologically diverse. The opposition was jubilant and many believed that the BJP would soon lose its hold on power.

Then came another surprise. In spectacular fashion, the BJP recovered in the Assembly Elections in Haryana, and Maharashtra. It regained its electoral mojo, and put the opposition under pressure, particularly the Congress. The Congress, who was inexplicably euphoric following its third consecutive defeat in Lok Sabha election, now faces increased challenges from its INDIA partners.

In the same year, Jammu & Kashmir saw the return of democratic elections. The people remained loyal to mainstream parties despite the presence of candidates supported by Engineer Rashid’s Awami ittehad party and Jamaat-e-Islami.

After a record-breaking 24 years, Naveen Patel, and the BJD left power in Odisha. This was a small political earthquake.

2024 was a year of elections. The year 2025 is a great opportunity to see beyond elections. This year will be one in which governance takes centre stage. The economic front is facing pressing challenges, as the growth rate has been slower than expected during the second quarter.

Here are five major issues, trends and developments which could influence the political discourse of India in 2025.

1. Political bitterness is increasing

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections sent a message that the people preferred continuity and moderation. Both the BJP as well as the Congress appear to have deliberately misread the mandate. They have consolidated their positions and have brought this bitter rivalry to everyday politics, the Parliament and beyond. The winter session of Parliament was the low point in the relationship between the ruling party, and the opposition.

The two sides, by their words and actions have reduced the scope for the democratic requirement of dialogue or engagement - whether in Parliament or out. First time in Indian history, the opposition parties attempted to remove the vice president from office, but failed. The move was not directed at Jagdeep dhankhar but clearly was aimed at government.

Anger will grow as a result of the ugly fight in Parliament and the filing of a FIR by the Leader of Opposition Rahul Ahmed. In order to restore some semblance to normality, both sides must find a middle ground of engagement and discussion, while pursuing their political and ideological goals.

2. Mandir-Masjid: Continued

The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the flood of civil lawsuits challenging the ownership of Muslim places-of-worship that were allegedly built on top of the ruins of Hindu temples. RSS Sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat, has stated that it is not acceptable to raise similar issues after the construction in Ayodhya of the Ram Temple.

It is unlikely, however, that the politics surrounding mandirs and masjids will end in 2025. At least 18 court cases involving 10 mosques/shrines are currently in the courts. Most of the suits claiming Hindu right over Muslim sites were filed in Uttar Pradesh where the BJP was heavily defeated by the SP and Congress during the Lok Sabha elections. The political climate in Uttar Pradesh is already heating up, even though the Assembly elections are still two years off.

3. Two Elections, Three Brands

Three major political brands will be tested in the 2025 Assembly elections: Nitish Kumri Arvind Kjriwal and Narendra Modi.

Nitish has been able to turn political and electoral failures into opportunities for more than 20 years, always staying afloat. He was also accused of choosing politics over ideology.

The Assembly elections in Bihar scheduled for October/November 2025 will be a major test for Nitish whose political demise has been predicted more than once. Tejashwi, who has been waiting for a long time to become Bihar's Chief Minister, will also be tested by the election.

Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi party in Delhi, which has been in power since 2013, is facing pressure unlike any other time. Will Kejriwal be able, after he was released on bail and was put in jail on corruption charges, to lead the AAP into a third consecutive term?

AAP was India's most popular political startup more than a decade back. Today, Kejriwal’s image as well as his brand of politics is at risk.

Both in Bihar and Delhi, the brand value of Prime Minister will also be tested. Delhi has been a political desert for the BJP for over two-and-a-half decades despite it winning all seven Lok Sabha Seats thrice since 2014

4. Legislation that is controversial

In 2025, the Parliament will take up at least two controversial and polarising Bills -- the Constitution Amendment Bill for synchronising Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections and the Bill regulating Wakf Properties.

The One Nation, One Election Bills, which have been referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament, will test the BJP’s ability to work across the aisle. A special majority of at least 50% of all members of the House, plus two thirds of those present and voting is required to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill. The BJP doesn't have this kind of majority in either House.

In the past 10 years, BJP has been able to pass controversial legislation including the Bill that would divide Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. Now, the dynamics are completely different. The opposition is almost unanimously against the One Nation One Election plan. The Wakf Bill is a test of the BJP’s ability to negotiate, especially with its allies TDP and JD(U), who have a large Muslim base.

5. Caste, Census and UCC

The rhetoric about caste is only going to get louder in a year, when the central government plans to start the decadal Census exercise. The biggest question is whether or not the government will include caste in its Census -- a politically explosive issue that the BJP so far has avoided.

The Congress believes that caste and social injustice can counter the BJP’s Hindutva. It is also for this reason that the BJP uses slogans such as " Batenge Toh Katenge " and " ek hain to safety hain". The Prime Minister has described the farmers, the youth, the poor and the women as "the biggest castes". The language in Parliament about the legacy of B R Ambedkar shows that the gloves have been taken off.

In his Independence Day address, the Prime Minister stressed the need to move towards a "secular" civil code instead of the "communal" civil code that currently exists. He returned to this topic when he responded to the debate in Lok Sabha on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution.

Amit Shah , the Home Minister of , has announced that BJP governments will introduce a civil code in all states. Uttarakhand's UCC is set to come into force in January 2025. The BJP is represented by Chief Ministers of 14 states including those in the Northeast. The UCC could lead to new political cleavages if efforts are made to expand the envelope.

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Messi-Ronaldo Era Ends amid Manchester City Crisis; Sunil Chhetri Bidding Farewell Highlight Drama-Packed 2024 2024 was an eventful year in football - from triumph to heartbreak it saw it all!

Real Madrid enjoyed an outstanding campaign, winning both La Liga and Champions League trophies simultaneously. Manchester City continued their dominance of domestic league play by retaining their Premier League crown - yet Pep Guardiola's squad only managed a single victory out of twelve matches over that span, something unprecedented among reigning champions.

Sunil Chhetri announced his international football retirement for 2024 with emotional resonance for Indian football fans. Meanwhile, Spain ushered in a golden age on the European stage by winning UEFA Euro 2024 championship over England with a thrilling comeback win.

Rodri won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, beating Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior. Rodri was an integral player for Manchester City during their recent success and played an integral part in Spain's triumph at UEFA Euro 2024, where he earned himself Player of the Tournament honors.

Manchester City have felt Rodri's injury absence acutely this season - one of their worst campaigns since 2010. This underlines his immense importance to their team. Real Madrid were infuriated after his Ballon d'Or win caused much debate and decided to boycott its ceremony as a protest measure, further inflaming the rivalry between these two giants.

Lionel Messi's performances for Inter Miami this past season demonstrated that his move into Major League Soccer (MLS) wasn't simply retirement plan. The Argentine maestro proved both his enduring brilliance and desire for success; Miami became an immediate title contender despite losing this year.

Messi had an outstanding campaign for David Beckham-owned Miami FC, scoring 20 goals in 19 matches while providing 16 assists en route to becoming their top scorer and helping guide them to an impressive 74 regular-season points total. Messi made an even larger mark during their postseason run; although Miami were unfortunately eliminated in their opening round playoff match. He earned himself the Most Valuable Player award as recognition of his efforts, further solidifying his legacy as one of soccer's greatest ever players.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano may soon reach the end of their respective eras in 2024, after both veterans were conspicuously absent from the Ballon d'Or's 30-player shortlist for 2024. Between them, these veterans have won 13 world footballing awards (usually against each other) with 11 runners-up finishes; both currently play for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia while Messi remains with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami; expectedly both are nearing retirement with the 2026 World Cup likely being their last international contests before retirement in 2026.

Manchester City were expected to dominate the English Premier League this season after winning it last year, yet Pep Guardiola's team have fallen into an unprecedented slump, winning only one match from their last 12 compared to nine losses and two draws; far removed from their usual dominance.

Erling Haaland, City's star striker, has struggled in his early season form. Haaland began the year on fire scoring 10 goals in City's first five Premier League matches; since August his output has decreased and now only has three goals; which is an extra blow during an already difficult period for City.

Real Madrid had an exceptional first half of 2024. Under Florentino Perez's leadership, they won both La Liga and European Cup championships - beating Borussia Dortmund in both Finals 2-0 - for their 36th La Liga and 15th European Cup titles respectively. Carlo Ancelotti led them to yet another European victory - his sixth overall and his third in Madrid alone! This success cemented Ancelotti as the most successful coach ever in this competition's history.

Dani Carvajal outdid legendary figures like Karim Bale, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo by winning six European Cup titles himself like Paco Gento.

Sunil Chhetri announced his Retirement

Sunil Chhetri has long been a source of frustration among fans of Indian football, yet his continued inclusion on their side has caused many concerns among them. Now 40, this legendary figure has announced his departure from international football after an illustrious and successful career which netted him 94 goals over 18 seasons and ended on 6 June in Kolkata for a 0-0 tie against Kuwait - his final appearance!

Chhetri holds the all-time top scorer title in Indian Super League history and currently plays with Bengaluru FC. Additionally, he is India's all-time top scorer which adds yet more recognition of his greatness within football history.

Kylian Mbappe decided not to renew his PSG contract and joined Real Madrid instead, signing a five year contract which began on January 1. Since joining Madrid he has shown mixed results; scoring nine goals out of 15 matches but failing to impress in major matches like losing an El Clasico against Barcelona.

Mbappe now plays as a central striker for Real Madrid, an unfamiliar position compared to his time at PSG and France as a left winger. Adjustment has been difficult; fans eagerly anticipate whether Mbappe can fully embrace Madrid life and deliver big moments.

Spain won UEFA Euro 2024 with young talents such as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams leading their starting lineup. Spain defeated host nation Germany in their quarterfinal matchup and secured victory 2-1 over England for an amazing journey that ultimately culminated in winning their historic third Euro title!

Dani Olmo of Barcelona was Spain's leading scorer, scoring three goals to share this honour with England's Harry Kane and Georgia's Georges Mikautadza as well as Germany's Jamal Musiala as well as Cody Gakpo and Serbian Ivan Schranz from Netherlands Cody Gakpo and Serbia Ivan Schranz respectively. Rodri won Player of Tournament while Yamal claimed Young Player of Tournament status while his stunning semifinal goal against France earned Goal of Tournament status from him and Goal of Tournament designation!

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Gukesh, world champion: "My goal is to be the best player in all of the world... this is what motivates me more easily"

Gukesh Dommaraju, who has spent 18 days and 635 moves in a chess war in Singapore that lasted 56 hours, is taking a break. It's not voluntary. The media, politicians and well wishers have all demanded his time.

In the 10 days that have passed since Gukesh was crowned world champion, he has spent more time away than he allowed himself to do in the last decade.

"I've been trying to relax my body and mind over the last few days because last year was very intense. It was hard work and discipline that were required. Now I'm taking it easy. Gukesh says, "I will be returning to chess very soon," as he is traveling from one public event to another. "I feel a lot of enthusiasm to play in the next tournament and get back to playing chess, but it is smart to take some time to recover and then get back into chess."

Gukesh said that becoming a world champion was his "reason for waking up every morning" during a press event in Singapore. You wonder if a boy who's been driven by a single childhood dream for the past decade is experiencing something that borders on a motivational vacuum. Abhinav bindra felt the same way after becoming an Olympic champion at Beijing 2008. He was emotionally and mentally exhausted.

"I do not feel any lack of motivation. A Shot At History, Abhinav bindra's autobiography is one of my favorites. I am really inspired by him. Our cases are different, but I do think that ours is a little bit different. The Olympics is the ultimate goal in his sport. The four-year preparation for the Olympics is intense. The World Chess Championship also ranks pretty high in the world of chess. For me, my goal was to be the best player on the planet. Since it will still be a long road and there will still many challenges, I find it easier to motivate myself," said Gukesh. He has stated more than once that Magnus Carlsen remains the best player of the world.

Gukesh will compete in the Tata steel chess tournament at Wijk aan zee, from January 17-February 2, against a group of compatriots including Arjun Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa as well as Leon Luke Mendonca and some of the top stars around the globe like Fabiano Caruana and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Vincent Keymer, one of his second players, will be at the tournament.

Gukesh, as the world champion, will be scrutinized at every event he attends.

"It was difficult to become world champion, but I'm sure there will be more challenges in the future -- and they will be even harder." But I love challenges, and I'll do my best to learn and improve every day. I want to be my best self. As the World Champion, it's obvious that a lot players will want to beat me. "I'm excited to play against them and prove my strength," says he.

Wasn't expecting Ding to be so tough'

Gukesh has been preparing for the World Championships since April of this year. He won the Candidates, and thus earned the right to challenge Ding Liren as world champion. Grzegorz Gajewski assembled a team of five members, including Pentala Harikrishna. Radoslaw Wojtaszek. Jan-Krzysztof duda. and Vincent Keymer. Paddy Upton, a mind-guru, was also brought in to help him prepare.

Was there still a surprise in Singapore at the start of the action?

"The World Championship was intensely prepared for. It was a long trip! I am so grateful to my team for their support and help in this journey. It was a goal that I set from the start and it means a great deal to me to have achieved this. I must admit that I didn't expect Ding to be so tough in games where he was placed in a worse position. It was a little surprising, but we adapted quickly," says Gukesh.

Gukesh has a number of obligations off the board that will keep him from playing chess for now. He is not bothered, knowing that being a world champion brings with it a certain amount of responsibility.

Open doors for sponsorship

The crown will return to India after 11 years and this is great news for Indian chess. The government has supported the sport in many ways, but I believe this victory will open up the door for many sponsors (for chess-players). The future of chess looks bright. "I'm so grateful to be a part of this chess boom."

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As a new dispute erupts, the GST rate on popcorn is reduced. Insurance premiums are also delayed.

The Goods and Services Tax Council (GST), in its 55th Meeting held in Jaisalmer on Saturday, deferred the decision to lower tax rates for health and life insurance and food delivery fees charged by e-commerce companies such as Swiggy or Zomato. The council also discussed the inclusion of Aviation Turbine Fuel under GST but decided to defer a decision because most states did not want to lose their taxing rights.

The Council's explanation of why different types of popcorn, i.e. regular, salted, spiced and caramelised, are subject to different GST rates, was what caught the attention of many. Jairam Ramesh, a Congress spokesperson, called it "absolutely incredible" and "sheer nonsense".

The Council discussed taxes on popcorn that is ready to eat and mixed with spices and salt. The Council clarified and agreed that popcorn with spices and salt has the essential characteristics of namkeen, and therefore should be subject to a 5 percent GST (others than pre-packaged products). If the popcorn is packaged and labelled, then the GST rate should be 12 percent. If mixed with sugar, (e.g. Caramel popcorn was considered a sugar confectionery item (items that have 'added' sugar) and would therefore attract GST of 18%.

There is no new tax being imposed in this case. It is only a clarification, as some field units demanded different tax rates. The GST Council is therefore recommending a clarification to settle disputes that arise from interpretation," said an official statement. The GST Council has decided to normalise the taxation of popcorn in the past, on an "as-is" basis.

The Group of Ministers on Rate Rationalisation (GoM) requested more time to discuss the proposed rate changes for up to 148 items. This will be discussed by the Council at a later date. Council also gave the GoM on compensation cess an extension to make its recommendations.

It's (rate-rationalisation) an exercise that looks at the whole picture of reducing the burden for everyday items. Rates will need to be reduced from the current levels for more than five years. All agreed on a certain level of stabilisation. They are looking at the issue in a holistic manner," said Union Finance Minister Nirmala SITHARMAN after the Council Meeting.

The GST Council has recommended that the GST rate for used electric vehicles be harmonised at 18%. Sitharaman stated that the Council had decided to increase the tax rate on all used EVs to 18% from 12 percent, as it did for non-electric cars.

No GST will be charged on the sale of used EVs to individuals. For the sale of used EVs outside of individuals, GST of 18% will be levied. This is the difference between the price of the vehicle and the selling price, or the depreciated value if it is claimed. "At the moment, new EVs attract a 5 percent GST. The Centre, with 1/3rd of the voting rights, proposed that GST be 5% on used and old EVs. After a thorough deliberation it was decided to charge 18% on the selling price of old and used EVs," Sitharaman stated.

The GST Council also recommended that there will be no GST payable on penalties levied by banks and NBFCs against borrowers who do not comply with the loan terms or default on loans. The Council recommended a reduction of the GST rate for fortified rice to 5 percent from 18 percent, regardless of the end use. They also decided to grant an exemption for gene therapies.

GST Council has approved in principle a concept note on the registration issues of small companies. Sitharaman stated that this may require changes to GST laws in order to make it easier to register small businesses.

A decision has not been made on the taxation of charges for food delivered by platforms such as quick commerce or food delivery. Sitharaman stated that the Fitment Committee would review the matter again. The Fitment Committee is currently debating whether the tax on food should be equal to the GST of 5 percent or higher.

Samrat Chaudhary (Bihar's Deputy chief minister), who is also convenor of ministerial panel on rate rationalisation, insurance premiums and other issues, said earlier in the day that many ministers felt that a second meeting was needed to discuss in depth the issue before the final submission of GoM report. We will hold another meeting to discuss the issue, whether it's for senior citizens insurance, group insurance or individual insurance. "We will cover it all at the next meeting," Chaudhary stated.

Council discussed the inclusion of ATF in the GST ambit. The matter will be further discussed later. The Council discussed a special request by Andhra Pradesh for a discussion on levying an additional 1 percent GST above the 28 per cent top rate in case disasters. This is similar to the flood cess imposed by Kerala in 2019. The GST Council decided to refer the discussion on a special tax for disasters to an GoM.

According to sources, there was no consensus reached in the GoM meetings on insurance premiums. Some states were worried about revenue losses for the states due to the proposed GST rate reduction. We are also awaiting comments from the insurance regulator IRDAI on this issue.

GoM discussed earlier exempting GST from premiums for senior citizens who pay for health insurance, and for all term life insurance premiums. The GST exemption on term insurance premiums was discussed for all people, including family plans. The exemption of senior citizen health insurance premiums, regardless of coverage, was also being considered.

Health insurance coverage up to Rs 5 lakh was exempted for other citizens. For health insurance coverage above Rs 5 lakh, the existing 18% rate would have continued.

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Ahmedabad University Vice-Chancellor Prof Pankaj Chandra: 'IIMs must become universities...or else they will shrivel up and die.

Newness is our advantage. You could experiment without penalty... Why should we exist if we design something similar to them (existing organizations) at a brand new institution? We have to change our thinking.

Ahmedabad University launched the International Fintech Institute at GIFT City in collaboration with IIT-Gandhinagar, University of California San Diego and IIT-Gandhinagar. In an exclusive interview, AU Vice Chancellor, Dr Pankaj Chandra, talks about the importance of liberal arts and the challenges facing students today.

Excerpts:

What do you think the IFI will look like in five years' time?

GIFT City is a huge fintech hub. One of the biggest challenges is that it has about 600 companies. They kept complaining that they didn't have enough talent. The biggest problem is that many operations people have no idea about technology. What finance program in this country teaches technology? The tech guys who have computer science degrees know nothing about banking, finance, regulatory tech, insurance and pensions. The need for a different training is evident. These (IFI) trained people will be a very strong supply of relevant talent to GIFT or other companies in the country, and for those who wish to start up.

What would you say about AU in comparison to other institutions?

You could experiment without any penalty... You could experiment without penalty... Why should we even be here if we are going to start designing things similar to them (existing organizations)? We have to change our thinking.

Do you mean by 'them' the IIMs or not?

IIMs and IITs are all existing institutions. IIMA was my university, and other colleagues came from IITs. We felt we needed to bring complex issues into the classroom. We created four studio courses. They are: Climate Change, Democracy and Justice, and Neighbourhoods. This is an urbanisation proxy. In the water studio we give kids bottles on the first day to collect samples from all the wards of the city. First time ever, the kids will be going from South Bopal in West Ahmedabad to Maninagar in South Ahmedabad or Juhapura in a Muslim neighborhood or anywhere else. This is an educational experience, in my opinion. You'll be able to see different types of people. They'll then go and collect data. They build an instrument, and then measure the water quality. They then learn data science and put these data on a GIS Map. They'll map out the entire city -- This is research-based thinking. You can now teach them any theory because they are primed.

Do you have parents who object to their children going to certain parts of the city?

We cancel their admission. We tell them to go home. This is our education...we started in 2019....I sat down with a 50-child class on the first day. The engineers and scientists were sarcastic, saying "what is this foundation program?" and the children in social science and management and humanity were ecstatic. Students from across the country are now coming to AU because of our Foundation Programme.

What are the main challenges you have faced since taking over in 2015?

Our education system has a strong content focus. Everyone talks about content, not pedagogy...we needed to hire people with very different backgrounds. We have created a curriculum that is different than anyone else in India or anywhere else. We put arts and science together because we want people to talk with each other. The physicists and biologists sit together with the history professors and talk. They also conduct classes together. The NAAC chair said: "You're an institution for the future."

What percentage of the NEP (National Education Policy, or National Education Policy) do you implement?

We did not implement it "as NEP". We have just followed good practices we learned from other places. We still have a long way to travel. If I have to climb 20 steps, I'm probably at step 5. We have a strategy for 2035.

Do you have any expansion plans?

We will continue to grow, but not in terms of geography. Our masters will increase. We currently have 4,000 students, but we could reach 6,000 in five years. We currently have 200 full-time professors, and we will increase that to 500. We are opening a new performing arts school in the visual arts. We are setting up a brand new STEM lab and enhancing STEM in a big way. In partnership with ATIRA, (Ahmedabad Textile Industry Research Association )...last year's academic year we launched a new program, called BXMX. This programme allows you to do your bachelors at one school and then go on to complete your masters at another.

Many people pursue liberal arts, but they don't get jobs. What do you think of this?

Liberal arts education is important to me. The companies are the problem. Parents and students need to be educated on the importance of liberal arts. They are bright kids, but they can't get into IIM MBA because of the stupid CAT exam. It is biased towards those with a quantitative bent. You want to discuss business as an agent for social change. How can you create that agent? Engineers are not the answer. It is possible to make it in the workplace by bringing people who are different from you, with different training, and a different understanding of society. Liberal Arts Education has a long way to go.

What do you think is the problem with IIMs?

These institutions (IITs, IIMs, AIIMSs) are "siloed". You can't solve COVID epidemics if you're a mere biologist. If you're a manager, you can't solve the financial crisis. You need humanities. You need social sciences. Only universities can provide the other people you need to come. All great business schools around the world are part of universities, such as Harvard, Wharton, and Stanford. They (IIMs, etc.) have been very successful in serving India. They have excellent faculty and attract top-class students. These institutions should expand and be influenced by other knowledge systems. They would eventually shrivel up and die.

It's very complex. With the rise in income, I believe there has been a big gap between parents. The bridge between parent and child has been broken somewhere. There is so much information on the internet that the kids aren't mature enough to handle. We have a counseling system, and I get monthly reports on what the kids are talking about... it's all about the family and relationships, not academics or job pressures.

Growing up, you had always a friend who was there for you. I don't believe that the current generation has such ties. The schools have also been "over-pressured". Despite the pressures (at AU), we have decided to not hold any exams or tests. Each test increases your anxiety.

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Composite license: only private insurers are eligible

The composite license allows the insurer to run multiple lines of business, such as life, health and nonlife insurance, under one entity. As of right now, this is not permitted.

In the event that the government amends the Insurance Act to allow composite licenses, it will likely put public insurers at a competitive disadvantage with their private counterparts. Only the latter are eligible to receive these licenses.

Insurance experts have warned about the uneven playing field that exists for PSU insurers, who are already on the defensive against the intense competition unleashed in the domestic markets by their counterparts from the private sector.

On November 

26, the Finance Ministry had proposed an Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2024 by amending various provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938, including raising foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector to 100 per cent, reduction in paid-up capital, and provision for composite license allowing insurers to do life/general/health in single registration/insurance.

The introduction of composite licences is intended to increase the penetration of insurance in the country. This will be achieved by allowing insurers operate multiple lines of businesses under one entity. (Representative/ File)

In the event that the government amends the Insurance Act to allow composite licenses, it will likely put public insurers at a competitive disadvantage with their private counterparts. Only the latter are eligible to receive these licenses.

Insurance experts have warned about the uneven playing field that exists for PSU insurers, who are already on the defensive against the intense competition unleashed in the domestic markets by their counterparts from the private sector.

On November 26, the Finance Ministry had proposed an Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2024 by amending various provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938, including raising foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector to 100 per cent, reduction in paid-up capital, and provision for composite license allowing insurers to do life/general/health in single registration/insurance.

Insurance sector officials stated that, based on the current plans, composite licenses will only be available to private insurers after appropriate legislative changes. PSU insurers cannot apply for these licenses. The decision could hinder the ability of PSU insurers to compete with private insurance companies, who will be able to offer multiple products under one license.

The composite license allows the insurer to run multiple lines of business, such as life, health and nonlife insurance under a single entity. As of right now, this is not permitted.

The government must amend two Acts to allow PSU insurers to obtain composite licenses. These are the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 (GIBNA) and the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 (LICA). According to the Office Memorandum and the list proposed amendments however, these documents do not contain such provisions.

The General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 2002 (GIBNA) was enacted to nationalise the general insurance industry in India. It also governs the operations of the four PSU General Insurance Companies that transact general insurance.

New India Assurance (also known as United India Insurance), Oriental Insurance Company, National Insurance Company, and New India Assurance are the four PSU general insurers.

The Life Insurance Corporation Act of 56 nationalised India's life insurance industry by transferring the business to a corporation, and setting up regulations for its management. The Life Insurance Corporation of India was established on September 1, 1956, after the act passed in Parliament.

The government has proposed some amendments to the LIC Act of 1956, but no enabling clauses are mentioned that would allow the corporation the option of going composite. After it was created in 1956, by merging life insurers that also did non-life insurance, the corporation was doing non-life and had a department to manage its business until a few years ago.

The government's plans to introduce composite licenses to the insurance industry have nothing to do the corporation's foray into health insurance. It doesn't require a composite licence to partner with a health insurer.

"Composite registration will be allowing insurers to do life/general/health in single registration/insurance company promoting operational efficiency for insurers having common brand across different lines of business,'' said one of the proposed amendments proposed by the Finance Ministry.

The note from the ministry stated that a review of the entire legislative framework for the sector was conducted in consultation with IRDAI, and the industry.

It said that such changes would help improve the efficiency of the insurance sector, facilitate ease of business, and increase insurance penetration in order to reach the goal of "Insurance for All By 2047".

By allowing insurers the ability to run multiple lines of insurance under one entity, composite licenses aim to increase penetration of insurance in the country. The move by the government is part of an effort to reform and make more competitive the insurance industry. The government's decision to exclude PSU insurers, who are not eligible for composite licenses, may have implications on their viability in the long term and ability compete with private players.

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What's new in Saudi Arabia: A futuristic arena, domes along the Red Sea Coast, and quirky roof designs

Saudi Arabia secured the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup, the sporting equivalent to the jewel on the crown. Saudi Arabia has elaborate plans for the spectacle, despite critics calling their massive spending on sporting events'sportswashing.' They have done this to boost Saudi's stature and reputation.

Stadiums are being proposed for the future

According to the FIFA report, Saudi Arabia's World Cup bid has proposed 15 stadiums. Eight of these are described as new-builds. Three of the stadiums are currently under construction, and four of the existing ones would be renovated.

King Salman International Stadium, Riyadh: According to Saudi's bid document, the stadium will host both the opening and final. The stadium will be built in the north east of Riyadh, near the airport. The stadium is expected to be finished by 2030, and will be the home of Saudi Arabia.

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Riyadh Stadium: Located in the southwest part of Riyadh it will host matches, including the third place playoff. According to FIFA, it will have a unique "three-sided design" and be integrated with a cliffside location. Construction will begin in 2026, and should be completed in 2029. The stadium will host two Saudi Pro League teams, but after the 2034 World Cup. It is also a multipurpose entertainment facility.

NEOM stadium (NEOM) : This is one of most talked-about stadiums. It is being built 350 meters above ground level in Neom, the futuristic city currently under construction. This is the first phase of THE Line, a sustainable development plan that uses renewable energy. The stadium will use giant express lifts to transport people vertically, along with horizontally integrated metros and diagonal pedestrian thoroughfares, to create a 'three-dimensional approach to transportation', according to the FIFA document.

Qiddiya Coast Stadium, Jeddah: The stadium will be located north of Jeddah along the Red Sea Coast and will feature a unique design that will look like the Mexican Wave. According to FIFA, after the World Cup the stadium's capacity will be lowered and the retractable field will be used as a multipurpose entertainment venue in the Qiddiya coast development.

The retractable pitch of the stadium will facilitate the hosting e-sports events and concerts following the World Cup. After the World Cup, the upper-tier seating will also be removed to reduce the venue's capacity from 46,096 to 25,000.

King Abdullah Economic City Stadium, Jeddah: The planned state-of-the-art stadium will host matches up to the Round of 32. It is located north of Jeddah along the Red Sea Coast. Construction will begin in 2027, and should be completed by the year 2032.

The FIFA document stated that after the World Cup it would serve as an entertainment venue with multiple uses at the center of the King Abdullah Development City. Its stadium precinct would be open to the public to encourage connections with nature.

New Murabba Stadium, Riyadh: This stadium will be built in the north-west area of Riyadh and host matches up to the Round of 16 fixtures. It will have a roof design based on native acacia bark. Construction will begin next year, and be completed in 2029.

ROSHN stadium (Riyadh). The stadium will be constructed in the south-west part of Riyadh. Its structure will feature a crystalline pattern that will blend in with the surroundings. Work is expected to begin in 2028, and finish in 2032.

South Riyadh Stadium, Riyadh: The new stadium is being built to the south-west and will connect the Wadi Nmar park. It will also be part of the Green Riyadh Project. The stadium's construction will begin in 2029, and be completed by the year 2032.

Stadiums under construction: Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City Stadium; Jeddah Central Development Stadium; Aramco Stadium

Potential dates

Saudi Arabia has not confirmed it but it is possible that it will be in winter like Qatar's edition in 2022. The document states that temperatures are at their mildest in October and April. The average daily temperature during these seven months ranges from 15 to 30 degrees. Between May and Septembre, however, the average daily temperature is between 17 and38 degrees.

Saudi Arabia will be hosting the Asian Games in Riyadh from November 29 until December 14, 2034. Therefore, it may not be possible to host a FIFA World Cup at this time. The organizers would also take Ramadan into consideration, which is the month-long period of fasting and prayer that occurs between mid-November to mid-December.

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Bills on simultaneous voting are approved by the Union Cabinet

Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and other CMs call it an attack against democracy and federalism

The Union Cabinet approved on Thursday (12 December 2024) two Bills relating to the implementation simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha as well as State Assemblies. This will pave the way for the introduction of the draft legislations to Parliament during the Winter Sessions.

The first bill amends the Constitution in order to have simultaneous elections. The second amends provisions of laws that deal with Union Territories with Legislative Assemblies, so as to bring them into line with other Legislative Assemblies.

Chief Ministers from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu responded with sharp words, calling the draft Bills an "attack on democracy and federalism".

Sources say that no official announcement has yet been made, but the Bills will be referred to the joint committee once they have been introduced in the House.

The Cabinet has approved the draft legislation to hold simultaneous elections in the Lok Sabha, and Legislative Assemblies. Sources said that the Constitution Amendment Bill for simultaneous elections will not need to be ratified at least by 50% of states.

The Cabinet decided to not take up the issue of simultaneous local body elections. A high-level panel, led by the former President Ram Nath Kovind had recommended it. It would have required not only a Constitutional Amendment to add a new Article 324, but also ratification from half of the State Assemblies.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minster M.K. Stalin stated, "This unpractical, anti-democratic action will erase regional voices and erode federalism. It will disrupt governance. #INDIA, rise up! "Let us resist this attack against Indian democracy with all of our strength!"

In a separate X-post, West Bengal Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee described it as "an authoritarian encroachment designed to undermine India’s democracy and federal system".

"Our MPs are going to fight this draconian law in Parliament tooth and nail. Bengal will never bow down to Delhi's dictatorial whims. "This fight is about saving India from autocracy!" added she.

In an X-post, Jairam Ramesh reiterated Congress' opposition to simultaneous elections and shared Mallikarjun Kharge’s letter to Kovind's panel. In a country with parliamentary system of government, the concept of simultaneous polls has no place. The government's proposal for simultaneous elections goes against the federalism guarantees in the Constitution.

The second bill on simultaneous elections aims to align the terms of the Legislative Assemblies in three Union Territories - Puducherry (India), Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir - with those of other Legislative Assemblies, and the Lok Sabha as proposed by the Constitution Amendment Bill.

The government wants to consult with the Speakers of the various State Assemblies via the joint committee in order to have a wider consultation on the draft Bills. The Kovind committee submitted its report to President India in March. However, the Union Cabinet accepted it in September. The draft Bills represent the first steps in implementing simultaneous elections.

Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, has advocated for simultaneous elections in order to reduce poll-related expenses and the number of days that the government is affected by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which is implemented across the country when polls are held. Modi's government also noted that the country held simultaneous elections for both its Lok Sabha and Assembly between 1951 and 1967.

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