Preparations are underway in full swing for the Ram Temple inauguration on January 22, which will draw dignitaries and people from all walks of life. Watch this report for more details!

PM Modi will preside over ceremonial installation of Shri Ram Lalla

Ahead of the grand inauguration of the Ram Mandir, Indian star Amitabh Bachchan has already bought a plot to build a home in Ayodhya. The megastar bought the plot in the Sarayu a seven-star mixed-use Enclave in the region.

Amitabh Bachchan buys land in Ayodhya for $1million

United Kingdom backing anti-India secessionists. British Police are warning Pro Khalistan Sikh individuals in the UK of threats to their lives. This follows the visit of the European nation's High Commissioner to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on January 10th. Watch to know more.

UK backing anti-India secessionist elements?

<p>Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Saturday (Jan 13) announced that 178 prison workers, held hostage since last Monday (Jan 1) by the inmates in at least seven prisons across the country, were finally freed. In other news, the Indian National Congress (INC) received&nbsp;a major jolt ahead of the general elections as young party leader Milind Deora announced his resignation, ending his family's '55-year-old relationship' with the political outfit.</p>

<p><strong>Click on headlines to read more:</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-violence-41-hostage-prison-workers-freed-136-remain-captive-679751"><strong>Ecuador violence: 178 hostage prison workers freed, officials claim</strong></a></p>

<p>All prison staff held by inmates at prisons in Ecuador amid a sharp uptick in violence had been freed by Saturday (Jan 13) evening, the SNAI prisons agency said.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/01/12/405237-succession-2024-01-12t012853204.jpg?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-milind-deora-resigns-from-congress-ends-familys-55-year-relationship-with-the-party-679767"><strong>India: Milind Deora resigns from Congress, ends family's '55-year relationship' with the party</strong></a></p>

<p>Congress leader Milind Deora on Sunday (Jan 14) announced his resignation from the Congress party, ending a 55-year-old association of the Deora family with the country's oldest political party.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2019/09/24/111220-deora.JPG?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-congress-leaders-reach-short-term-deal-to-avert-government-shutdown-till-march-report-679759"><strong>US Congress leaders reach short-term deal to avert government shutdown till March: Report</strong></a></p>

<p>The US Congress has reached an agreement on a short-term spending deal that would help avoid a government shutdown, according to a&nbsp;<em>CNN&nbsp;</em>report that cites sources.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/14/287599-untitled-design-8.jpg?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cannot-bully-us-maldives-president-muizzu-takes-swipe-at-india-after-china-visit-679750"><strong>'Cannot bully us': Maldives President Muizzu takes swipe at India after China visit</strong></a></p>

<p>Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has taken a swipe at India, amid the ongoing diplomatic row after returning from his five-day trip to China.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/01/08/404391-untitled-design-2024-01-08t130831950.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taiwan-elections-2024-lai-ching-te-wins-presidential-election-amid-china-threat-679771"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Taiwan Elections 2024: Lai Ching-Te wins Presidential election amid China threat</strong></a></p>

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Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Saturday (Jan 13) announced that 178 prison workers, held hostage since last Monday (Jan 1) by the inmates in at least seven prisons across the country, were finally freed.

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Saturday (Jan 13) announced that 178 prison workers, held hostage since last Monday (Jan 1) by the inmates in at least seven prisons across the country, were finally freed. In other news, the Indian National Congress (INC) received a major jolt ahead of the general elections as young party leader Milind Deora announced his resignation, ending his family's '55-year-old relationship' with the political outfit. Click on headlines to read more: Ecuador violence: 178 hostage prison workers freed, officials claim All prison staff held by inmates at prisons in Ecuador amid a sharp uptick in violence had been freed by Saturday (Jan 13) evening, the SNAI prisons agency said. India: Milind Deora resigns from Congress, ends family's '55-year relationship' with the party Congress leader Milind Deora on Sunday (Jan 14) announced his resignation from the Congress party, ending a 55-year-old association of the Deora family with the country's oldest political party. US Congress leaders reach short-term deal to avert government shutdown till March: Report The US Congress has reached an agreement on a short-term spending deal that would help avoid a government shutdown, according to a CNN report that cites sources. 'Cannot bully us': Maldives President Muizzu takes swipe at India after China visit Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has taken a swipe at India, amid the ongoing diplomatic row after returning from his five-day trip to China. Watch | Taiwan Elections 2024: Lai Ching-Te wins Presidential election amid China threat ×

Morning news brief: Ecuador prison workers freed, Congress leader Milind Deora resigns, and more

Sikhs residing in Britain have received a warning from the police that their lives are in jeopardy due to heightened tensions over the separatist movement in India and allegations of intimidation by the Narendra Modi government.

UK: Threat to life notices for pro-Khalistan individuals: Report

Heavy fog has led to travel disruptions and road accidents in the city and other parts of northern India. Now, Delhi has recorded its lowest minimum temperature at 3.3 degrees celcius.

India: Dense fog engulfs national capital Delhi, records lowest temperature at 3.3 degrees

The highly publicised 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' by the Indian National Congress (INC) will start on Sunday (Jan 14). The country-wide march will begin from the Nyay Maidan in Khongjom in the Thoubal district of Manipur at 12:20 pm IST.

India: Congress to kick off 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Rahul Gandhi to revive party fortunes

India's rise on the global stage dominated headlines in 2023, and the effects of that are on witness in 2024 and beyond. India's affluent class is growing and is set to surpass the 100 million mark in a few years. So, what are the factors that are leading to this wealth boom in India and what does this mean for the global economy?

India's affluent class to reach 100 million by 2027

<p>The US is mulling granting India "treaty country status" under which the new E1 and E2 visa options will open for Indian traders and businessmen travelling to American cities. The two countries are also discussing a proposal to allow H-1B visa holders and their family members to renew their visas in America only, without having to travel to India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India presented the proposals at the&nbsp;Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting on Friday (Jan 12)&nbsp;co-chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and&nbsp;US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the meeting, the two sides noted that the movement of professional and skilled workers as well as students and investors immensely enhanced the&nbsp;bilateral economic and technological partnership.</p>

<p>"The (Indian) commerce department and the ministry of external affairs have been working together on several issues and we had a very good year in 2023 in our relationship with the US," said Goyal in a media interaction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The joint statement added: “Minister Goyal highlighted challenges being faced by business visitors from India due to visa processing time periods and requested the US to augment processing."</p>

<p>As for the H-1B visa, an official in the know of the matter said New Delhi had requested Washington to make the arrangement permanent.&nbsp;Currently, in the US, the state-side facility is in a pilot programme. The state-side&nbsp;facility means the person staying with an H1B visa can get it renewed in the US only.</p>

<p>"We are asking to extend this facility not only to the original visa holder but to his/her family also so that the family does not need to come back to India for renewal of visas,” the unnamed officials was quoted as saying by <em>The Indian Express.</em></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/record-number-of-india-students-get-us-visas-664411"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Record number of India students get US visas</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>What are E1 and E2 visas?</strong></h2>

<p>The two visa types, commonly referred to as E1 (the Treaty Trader) and E2 (Treaty Investor) were established to facilitate and enhance economic interaction between the United States and other countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>US immigration law explicitly states that "E-1 visa holders must enter solely to carry on substantial trade and E-2 holders solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise&nbsp;in which he or she has invested".&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-processes-1-million-visas-to-indian-in-2023-garcetti-says-more-to-come-640571"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Record number of India studeUS processes 1 million visas to Indians in 2023, ambassador Eric Garcetti says more to come</strong></a></p>

<p>These visas are only extended to countries who are part of the treaty countries of the US. They can be renewed or extended only if the investment or trade continues to meet all applicable requirements of US immigration laws and regulations.</p>

<p>As many as&nbsp;100 countries, including China (Taiwan), Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka have been granted treaty country status but India is yet to receive it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, these visas are non-immigrant visas and thus 'temporary'. Any individual wishing to remain indefinitely in the US may need to apply for the other appropriate immigrant visa option.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The US is mulling granting India "treaty country status" under which the new E1 and E2 visa options will open for Indian traders and businessmen travelling to American cities.

The US is mulling granting India "treaty country status" under which the new E1 and E2 visa options will open for Indian traders and businessmen travelling to American cities. The two countries are also discussing a proposal to allow H-1B visa holders and their family members to renew their visas in America only, without having to travel to India. India presented the proposals at the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting on Friday (Jan 12) co-chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. During the meeting, the two sides noted that the movement of professional and skilled workers as well as students and investors immensely enhanced the bilateral economic and technological partnership. "The (Indian) commerce department and the ministry of external affairs have been working together on several issues and we had a very good year in 2023 in our relationship with the US," said Goyal in a media interaction. The joint statement added: “Minister Goyal highlighted challenges being faced by business visitors from India due to visa processing time periods and requested the US to augment processing." As for the H-1B visa, an official in the know of the matter said New Delhi had requested Washington to make the arrangement permanent. Currently, in the US, the state-side facility is in a pilot programme. The state-side facility means the person staying with an H1B visa can get it renewed in the US only. "We are asking to extend this facility not only to the original visa holder but to his/her family also so that the family does not need to come back to India for renewal of visas,” the unnamed officials was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. WATCH | Record number of India students get US visas × What are E1 and E2 visas? The two visa types, commonly referred to as E1 (the Treaty Trader) and E2 (Treaty Investor) were established to facilitate and enhance economic interaction between the United States and other countries. US immigration law explicitly states that "E-1 visa holders must enter solely to carry on substantial trade and E-2 holders solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which he or she has invested". Also read | Record number of India studeUS processes 1 million visas to Indians in 2023, ambassador Eric Garcetti says more to come These visas are only extended to countries who are part of the treaty countries of the US. They can be renewed or extended only if the investment or trade continues to meet all applicable requirements of US immigration laws and regulations. As many as 100 countries, including China (Taiwan), Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka have been granted treaty country status but India is yet to receive it. Notably, these visas are non-immigrant visas and thus 'temporary'. Any individual wishing to remain indefinitely in the US may need to apply for the other appropriate immigrant visa option. (With inputs from agencies)

US mulls 'treaty country' status for India as New Delhi seeks easier visa norms for traders

The anticipation is high as we approach the Indian Budget 2024. Now we focus on the Fintech sector and the specific schemes that could reshape its trajectory. From innovations to inclusivity, the budget is expected to unfold crucial initiatives.

Fintech's expectations in Indian Budget 2024

Indian tech stocks including giants like Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys have a major weightage in the country's benchmark index - Nifty 50. While the index rose over 20% in 2023, the tech giants lagged gains. But the latest earnings report by 4 major tech firms indicates that the worst may be over for the sector.

Can Indian tech firms boost market returns?

Is the worst over for Indian tech firms?

The body of former model Divya Pahuja, who was shot dead in a Gurgaon hotel last week, has been found in a Haryana canal. Police said that the body had been thrown in Bhakra canal in Punjab and had drifted to the neighbouring state.

Divya Pahuja murder case: Former model's body found in a canal in Haryana

Mauritius gearing for Ram Temple celebrations. Mauritius Minister Dr Anjiv Ramdhany has compared the Ram temple consecration ceremony to Diwali, highlighting the government's plan to install projectors to enable everyone in the country to witness the live broadcast of the ceremony on January 22. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Mauritius, he said, "This historic event provides us with an opportunity to come together, transcending political, religious and cultural divides." Watch to know more!

Mauritius announces special leave on Ram Mandir inauguration day

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has been selected as the chairperson of the opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A, according to sources. An official announcement is yet to be made by the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.

Congress President Kharge appointed chairperson of opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A: Sources

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday kickstarted his second large-scale outreach programme ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ from ethnic strife-torn Manipur's Thoubal district today.

Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Rahul Gandhi-led yatra takes off from Manipu

Cultural celebrations are held across many states of India under different names – Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, etc. on January 14. Unlike many Hindu festivals, the date for these festivals is largely fixed.

Lohri, Makar Sankranti to Pongal: India celebrates these harvest festival

In a diplomatic move aimed at strengthening ties and addressing crucial issues, India's External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, is set to visit Iran on Monday, January 15. The visit marks a continuation of diplomatic engagements between the two nations, focusing on key topics such as the Chabahar port, Afghanistan, and recent developments in West Asia. Watch to know more!

India: EAM S Jaishankar's two-day visit to Iran amid rising tensions in West Asia

In a huge setback to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, oppostion party Maldives Democratic Party (MDP)'s candidate Adam Azim won the mayoral elections of Male amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff with India.

Maldives President Muizzu's party loses key local polls amid diplomatic tensions with India

The Indian and Japanese Coast Guards have recently conducted a successful joint exercise named 'Sahyog Kaijin' off the coast of Chennai. This exercise is a part of the ongoing collaboration between the two countries under the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed in 2006.

India-Japan coast guards conduct 'Sahyog-Kaijin' exercise

The highly publicised 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' by the Indian National Congress (INC) will start on Sunday (Jan 14). The country-wide march will begin from the Nyay Maidan in Khongjom in the Thoubal district of Manipur.

India: 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Congress' Rahul Gandhi to begin from Manipur

Maldives: President Muizzu's party loses mayoral polls amid diplomatic tensions with India

Is the worst over for the Indian Tech sector? Indian Tech majors report numbers in-line. HCL technologies reports revenue growth. Wipro's profit declines 12% year-on-year. Watch to get more insights!

Indian Tech sector outlook for 2024

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals in India. The ancient Indian festival, which is celebrated to mark the beginning of the harvesting season in India, is probably the only festival that is celebrated in every region of India, on the same day, but in different manners and names.

Makar Sankranti: Here's how Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different Indian states

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