Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has reported an impressive Rs. 1,365 crore in Hundi donations for the year 2024. The temple saw a significant number of pilgrims, with 2.55 crore devotees visiting the holy site. A remarkable 99 lakh devotees participated in the tradition of tonsuring their heads as an offering to Lord Venkateswara. TTD also ensured the spiritual nourishment of the devotees, with 6.30 crore serving of Anna Prasadam, a free meal provided to pilgrims. In addition, 12.14 cror

As 2024 comes to a close, many people are reflecting on their achievements and setbacks. Amidst this reflection, a few individuals have stood out as true change-makers, selflessly dedicating their time and resources to make the world a better place. Two such individuals are Gattu Giri and Paluri Siddhartha, whose acts of kindness and charity have touched the lives of many. Gattu Giri, who established the Matrudevobhava Orphanage in 2018, was inspired by a personal tragedy—the

Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has publicly rejected the idea of engaging in revenge politics following his wrongful arrest by Jagan Mohan Reddy over a questionable skill scam case. After Jagan's rise to power, a section of TDP loyalists believed that Naidu might retaliate and have Reddy jailed as payback for the political vendetta. However, Naidu dismissed these speculations, maintaining his commitment to serving the public rather than seeking personal revenge.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has postponed the release date for the GATE 2025 admit cards. Initially scheduled for January 2, the admit cards will now be available for download starting January 7, 2025. Registered candidates can access their admit cards by visiting the official GATE 2025 website, gate2025.iitr.ac.in, using their login credentials. The GATE 2025 exam is scheduled for February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025, and it will be conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mo

On Wednesday night, a mass shooting occurred outside the Amazura nightclub in Queens, New York, injuring at least 10 people. The shooting took place around 11:20 pm near the club in Jamaica, where approximately 80 people had gathered outside the venue. Although the victims sustained injuries, none are believed to be in critical condition, and they are all expected to survive. The injured were transported to Long Island Jewish Hospital and Cohen's Children Medical Center for treatment.

On New Year’s Day, hundreds of anti-Israel demonstrators gathered in New York City's Times Square to rally for an "intifada revolution." The protest was organized by groups such as the Palestinian Youth Movement, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the People's Forum. Attendees waved Palestinian flags and held signs that read slogans like "Zionism is cancer" and &qu

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has launched its recruitment drive for 89 Junior Assistant (Fire Services) positions across India. Candidates interested in applying for these positions must meet the educational qualifications, which include being a 10th pass with a three-year approved diploma in Mechanical, Automobile, or Fire disciplines, or having completed their 12th standard (regular study). The online registration for the recruitment will close on January 28, 2025, and applicants ca

The UK government has updated its travel advisory for India, particularly focusing on the possession and use of satellite phones. According to the revised advisory from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), British nationals are cautioned that carrying or operating satellite phones in India without a valid license is illegal. The advisory notes that several Britons have been arrested for attempting to bring satellite phones and other satellite-enabled navigational devices i

The political landscape of West Bengal has been rocked by a renewed focus on the Sandeshkhali region, with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee exchanging sharp statements regarding the controversial island. Sandeshkhali had been in the news earlier this year during the Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP highlighted allegations of land grab and exploitation of women. In response to these claims, Mamata Banerjee dismissed them as false, pointing to a financi

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

In a recent conversation with IANS, Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group, shared his thoughts on the ongoing work-life balance debate, emphasizing the importance of personal happiness and choice. He argued that work-life balance is subjective, highlighting that what works for one person may not work for another. For some, spending time with family for a few hours may bring joy, while others might find fulfillment in longer hours. Adani stressed that the essence of work-life

Tonight, skywatchers will be treated to a rare and exciting astronomical event: a black moon, which is the second new moon to occur in December. While blue moons, or two full moons in a month, are relatively well-known, black moons are much rarer and are often misunderstood. A black moon occurs when the second new moon of the month takes place, and the new moon’s natural invisibility is further enhanced. As a result, this phenomenon makes it difficult to spot with the naked eye, but it

Ukraine's military intelligence confirmed that a Ukrainian naval drone had successfully destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter and damaged another in the Black Sea near Crimea. The attack took place near Cape Tarkhankut, where a Magura V5 maritime drone, equipped with missiles, targeted the Russian aircraft. This incident is notable as it marks the first time a Ukrainian naval drone has downed an aerial target, underscoring the increasing use of drones in the ongoing conflict. Whil

Elon Musk, known for his online antics, caused a stir on the internet when he changed his X (formerly Twitter) account name to ‘Kekius Maximus’. Along with the name change, Musk updated his profile picture to a humorous rendition of the iconic ‘Pepe the Frog’ meme, dressed in gold armor and holding a video game controller. The meme’s association with internet culture has made it widely recognized, and Musk’s choice to feature it on his profile added fuel to

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

Actor Shah Rukh Khan has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the media and entertainment industry, expressing his support for the upcoming World Audio Visual Entertainment (WAVES) 2025 summit. Shah Rukh shared a message on X, stating that the WAVES 2025 summit would “champion and foster creativity.” In response to PM Modi's tweet, Shah Rukh said, "I eagerly look forward to WAVES—a summit for the film and entertainment world to be held in

A South Korean court has approved an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking a historic first in the country. The Seoul Western District Court granted the warrant after an investigation into Yoon’s decision to impose martial law on December 3. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials confirmed the court's approval, making this the first time an arrest warrant

Germany's government has accused US billionaire Elon Musk of attempting to influence the upcoming February elections by publicly supporting the far-right political party, Alternative for Germany (AfD). Musk, who is known for his support of US President-elect Donald Trump, made headlines earlier this month by claiming that "only the AfD can save Germany" on his social media platform X. He further solidified his stance with an opinion piece in a German Sunday newspaper.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recently addressed Chief Minister Atishi in a letter filled with both praise and sharp criticism directed at her predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal. Saxena expressed disappointment over Kejriwal's remark calling Atishi a "temporary Chief Minister," emphasizing that such a comment disrespects the democratic principles laid out by India's Constitution. He clarified that there is no such position, calling the remark an insult to the President of In

New Taliban Order on Women Employment in NGOs The Taliban government has declared that all national and foreign NGOs in Afghanistan must stop employing women or face being shut down. This decision follows a previous instruction to suspend female employment due to the alleged improper wearing of the Islamic headscarf. NGOs that fail to comply with this order will lose their licenses to operate in Afghanistan, as per a warning issued by the Ministry of Economy on Sunday. Impact