As the New Year 2025 approaches, many cultures around the world celebrate with traditional foods believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead. From lentils to fish, these foods symbolize various aspects of wealth, health, and good fortune. Whether you're looking to add a bit of cultural flavor to your celebrations or simply want to try something new, here are some popular New Year's foods from across the globe that are said to bring good luck. 8

As the US tourism industry struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels, the hospitality sector has found hope in the rising number of Indian visitors. In 2024, nearly 1.9 million Indians traveled to the US, marking a 48% increase from 2019, driven by a rise in business and leisure visas. This influx is supporting the recovery of US tourism, with hotels and travel companies adjusting their offerings to cater to Indian tastes, such as providing chai and samosas in hotel lobbies and airing popula

India’s Rising Defence Exports India’s defence exports have seen remarkable growth, with a ten-fold increase over the last decade. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India’s exports now exceed Rs 21,000 crore, compared to just Rs 2,000 crore ten years ago. He outlined a vision to increase this figure to Rs 50,000 crore annually by 2029, demonstrating India’s ambition to become a global leader in defence manufacturing. Emphasis on Technologic

Belgium is set to become the first EU country to ban disposable e-cigarettes, popular among young people for their wide variety of flavors like apple, watermelon, and cola. Starting January 1, the sale of single-use vapes will be prohibited as part of Belgium's national anti-tobacco plan aimed at protecting young people's health. The European Union is working toward a tobacco-free generation by 2040, aiming to reduce the bloc's smoking population from around 25% to less

A new study conducted by University College London (UCL) has revealed that smoking has a more significant impact on life expectancy than previously believed. The study, commissioned by the Department for Health and Social Care, found that each cigarette smoked reduces a person’s life by an average of 17 minutes for men and 22 minutes for women. These findings are higher than earlier estimates, which suggested that each cigarette took around 11 minutes off a person’s life. This mea

On Day 5 of the 4th Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India was bowled out for 155, handing Australia a crucial victory and a 2-1 lead in the 5-match series. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the lone fighter for India, scoring 84 runs before a controversial dismissal ended his innings, marking the second time in the match he fell short of a century. India’s downfall started when wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was caught while attempting a pull shot. Senio

India has initiated anti-dumping investigations into two Chinese products—nylon filament yarn and trimethyl dihydroquinoline (TDQ). The investigations were triggered by petitions from domestic companies, such as Century Enka Ltd., Gujarat Polyfilms Ltd., and Oriilon India Ltd., for nylon filament yarn, and NOCIL Ltd. for TDQ. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) is looking into whether these cheap imports from China and Vietnam have caused material harm to local industries.

What Does a Healthy Period Look Like? A typical menstrual cycle lasts between 21 to 35 days, with bleeding lasting from 2 to 7 days. The flow is moderate, beginning as a brighter red and becoming darker toward the end. Mild symptoms like cramping, bloating, and mood swings are normal. However, extreme discomfort, irregularities, or changes in your cycle could signal an underlying health issue that needs attention. What Your Menstruation Might Be Telling You About Your H

The year 2024 was dramatic for the US, with President Joe Biden abandoning his reelection bid after a poor performance in a debate against Donald Trump. Trump, who had been absent from the White House for four years, made a triumphant return after defeating Kamala Harris in the presidential race. His comeback marks the first time since Grover Cleveland that a president has been evicted from the White House and returned four years later. While the Biden administration exits, the Indi

India completed a 3-0 series sweep over the West Indies in the final Women's ODI in Vadodara on Friday, thanks to Deepti Sharma's career-best performance with the ball and a crucial unbeaten knock with the bat. Sharma claimed remarkable figures of 6/31, supported by pacer Renuka Singh, who took 4/29, as India bowled West Indies out for just 162. India faced a brief wobble while chasing, losing four quick wickets to be at 73/4, but Sharma (39 not out off 48 balls) guided them to victor

 Tea bags, widely used for their convenience, may pose a hidden health risk, according to a study conducted by the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Researchers found that the polymer-based materials commonly used in commercial tea bags release millions of microplastics and nanoplastics into the tea when infused. These tiny particles can be absorbed by the human body, potentially entering the bloodstream and spreading throughout the body. The study highlights that food packag

Steve Smith put on an impressive display of batting during the Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), scoring a remarkable 140 runs off 197 balls. This century not only cemented his love for the venue but also extended his consistent record against India, marking his 11th century in 43 innings. Smith's innings featured 13 fours and three sixes, leading Australia to a strong position at 454/7 by the end of the first session on day two. Smith's ce

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially announced the recruitment notification for the Probationary Officer (PO) position for 2024-25. A total of 600 vacancies will be filled, including both regular and backlog posts. The application window opens on December 27, 2024, and closes on January 16, 2025. The preliminary exam is set to take place from March 8 to March 15, 2025, with the main exam scheduled for April or May 2025. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply through SB

Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd., a subsidiary of the Jubilant Bhartia Group, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Coca-Cola India Pvt. to acquire its sparkling beverage portfolio and other products from the company's authorized bottlers. The deal, set to begin in April 2025, will see Coca-Cola’s authorized bottlers supplying sparkling beverages to Jubilant FoodWorks, which will handle the marketing of these products. The move is expected to enhance Jubilant Fo

India has made substantial progress in its infrastructure development in 2024, with multiple major projects completed and new ones lined up for the coming years. The government’s commitment of Rs 11 lakh crore in capital expenditure this fiscal year, alongside strategic initiatives like the National Infrastructure Pipeline and PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, has fueled this growth. Key Infrastructure Projects in 2024:

In 2025, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is set for a profound transformation driven by innovation, research excellence, and expanded global access. With the industry projected to reach USD 130 billion by 2030, India aims to become a global hub for high-quality, affordable pharmaceuticals, focusing on areas like CAR-T cell therapy, mRNA vaccines, and biosimilars. Technological advancements like AI, machine learning, and precision medicine are expected to revolutionize drug discovery, manuf

In 2024, the wedding industry in India has seen a resurgence in spending after the lull caused by the pandemic, with metropolitan cities driving a significant increase in demand for wedding services. Wedding budgets have grown by 6.7%, with the average expenditure reaching Rs 35.6 lakh. As wedding costs rise, so has the demand for gold and jewelry, especially due to the soaring prices of gold, which have increased from Rs 63,500 to Rs 80,000 per 10 grams. Destination weddings, which

India has started a probe into the alleged dumping of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel tanks from China, following a complaint by domestic company Inox India Ltd. The company has requested the imposition of anti-dumping duties, claiming that the influx of cheap imports is negatively affecting the profit margins of the domestic industry. These LNG fuel tanks are used for transporting methane gas in vehicles like trucks. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which handles

In the ongoing India vs Australia 4th Test match in Melbourne, former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee following a shoulder barge incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas. The altercation took place after the completion of the 10th over of the Australian innings when both players crossed paths on the field. As they moved across the pitch, Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders, which led to an exchange of heated words. The incident was quickly defused by

Manu Bhaker, the double Olympic medallist shooter, recently made headlines after reports revealed her name was missing from the list of athletes nominated for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Bhaker, the first Indian athlete to win two Olympic medals in a single edition of the Games, expressed surprise over the omission, but clarified that it could be due to a lapse on her part while filing the nomination. She emphasized that awards motivate her but are not her ultimate goa