Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has strongly rebutted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s claims regarding the 2024 Indian elections, labelling them "factually incorrect." Zuckerberg, in a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, suggested that most incumbent governments globally, including India's, lost in the 2024 elections due to post-Covid dissatisfaction. However, the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a decisive third term in India, securing the trust

On Friday, Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term as Venezuela's president, despite widespread accusations of election fraud and a growing wave of international opposition. Having served as president since 2013, Maduro has weathered numerous crises, including a collapsing economy, US sanctions, and ongoing protests. His controversial victory in the July 2024 elections was followed by violent crackdowns, which saw over 2,400 people arrested and at least 28 killed. This marks

Blue Origin's long-awaited New Glenn rocket is preparing for its inaugural launch on Sunday, signaling a major step forward for Jeff Bezos’ space company and a potential challenge to Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Standing 30 stories tall, New Glenn represents a significant multibillion-dollar effort by Blue Origin to compete with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and capture a share of the growing satellite constellation launch market. If successful, New Glenn will also enable the deployment of A

Expansion of China's Trade-In Scheme China is extending its consumer trade-in program, originally launched in March 2024, to help stimulate demand in the struggling household sector. The scheme now includes additional home appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, and rice cookers. In an effort to boost the digital goods market, subsidies are also being offered for products like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Consumers who trade in old products can receive subsidies

Infosys, the major IT company, has postponed its annual salary hike for the fourth quarter of FY 2024-25, following the last increase in November 2023. This delay highlights the ongoing uncertainties within the domestic IT sector. One of the key reasons cited for the slowdown is the lack of increased IT spending from clients, influenced by macroeconomic factors, including potential tariffs under the upcoming Donald Trump administration. Infosys is not alone in this move, as other large IT com

A court in Bangladesh has issued a second arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of enforced disappearances during her time in power. The new charges, which were announced by the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Tajul Islam, involve Hasina, her military adviser, and several law enforcement officials. Over 500 people were allegedly abducted by Bangladesh's security forces under her regime, with some of them detained in secret locati

The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has opened applications for the 2025-27 MBA programme. Interested candidates can apply via the official websites acad.uohyd.ac.in and uohyd.ac.in. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2025. Applicants must have a minimum of a three-year first-class Bachelor's degree, with 60% marks or equivalent, and must have appeared for CAT 2024. Shortlisted candidates will undergo a Grou

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a series of transformative development projects in New Delhi. The initiatives include the opening of 1,675 newly constructed flats for residents of Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters under the slum rehabilitation program, aimed at providing better living conditions with modern amenities. In addition, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for a new Veer Savarkar College at Roshanpura, Najafgarh, which will offer state-of-the-art facilities for h

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

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

In 2024, the collective wealth of the world’s top 500 billionaires surged to a staggering $10 trillion, marking an unprecedented milestone. The year saw tech giants Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jensen Huang dominate the wealth rankings, with their fortunes significantly boosted by a rally in US technology stocks. Tesla, Meta, and Nvidia stocks performed exceptionally well, contributing heavily to the increase in wealth. Musk, the wealthiest individual, saw his fortune soar to $442.1

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 Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has officially announced the date for the SSC CPO 2024 Paper 2 examination. Scheduled for March 8, 2025, Paper 2 will be an essential part of the selection process for Sub-Inspector (SI) positions in Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Candidates are advised to regularly check the SSC official website for any updates or changes to the exam schedule. The SSC CPO selection process consists of four stages: Paper 1, Physical Stan

The highly anticipated OnePlus Watch 3 is expected to launch soon as the successor to the OnePlus Watch 2, which debuted at MWC 2024. Recent reports have revealed several features of the smartwatch, but a new update has introduced the possibility of a Pro variant. According to a report, the "OnePlus Watch 3 Pro" was discovered in the source code of the OHealth app, alongside the Oppo Watch X2 series monikers. This suggests that the OnePlus Watch 3 Pro and Oppo Watch X2 could share s

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

Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations draw massive crowds, with festivities reaching their peak during the midnight fireworks display. While the energy of the night is thrilling, it also presents certain risks, particularly when it comes to overcrowding, alcohol-related violence, and other hazards. One of the primary dangers of large public gatherings is the risk of a crowd crush, which can occur when crowds become too dense, pushing individuals uncontrollably forward. These situations

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

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, follows the lunar calendar and is one of the most significant cultural celebrations for the Chinese people. In 2025, Chinese New Year will begin on January 29, ushering in the "Year of the Wood Snake." The Chinese zodiac, which consists of 12 animals, assigns one animal and one element (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) to each year. In 2025, the Snake is paired with the element Wood, which symbolizes adaptability and creativity. T

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