In yet another setback to India’s rapidly growing digital economy, UPI (Unified Payments Interface) services across the country suffered a major disruption on Saturday morning. This marks the third significant outage in less than a month, severely impacting users and businesses who rely on the platform for quick and seamless financial transactions. Saturday’s outage left countless users stranded, unable to send or receive money through popular UPI-enabled apps such

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has landed in fresh controversy after social activist H Ramamurthy Gowda submitted a formal petition to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, seeking sanction to prosecute the CM under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The complaint alleges that Siddaramaiah accepted a Rs 500 crore bribe in 2015 for renewing eight mining leases without opting for the auction route. The petition, accessed exclusively by India Today, claims that Siddaramaiah’s

As the new financial year begins on April 1, 2025, taxpayers, investors, and banking customers in India must prepare for several important changes in financial regulations. These reforms, previously announced by the government and regulatory bodies, are aimed at improving compliance, digital security, and financial transparency. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key changes that come into effect starting April 1.   1. Higher Income Tax Exemption Limit

IIT Guwahati has recently implemented a series of initiatives aimed at improving student mental health and addressing concerns following recent student deaths. The measures focus on easing the transition for new students, strengthening peer support networks, and ensuring access to mental health services. These efforts aim to create a healthier, more supportive academic environment for students. The decision to introduce these initiatives comes in response to student protests last semester fol

Many users have faced difficulties in removing old or inactive mobile numbers linked to their UPI ID, leading to security risks and potential fraud. However, a new directive from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will simplify this process. By March 31, 2025, all banks and Payment Service Providers (PSPs) offering UPI services must update their databases to automatically remove inactive or recycled mobile numbers. The new rule is aimed at reducing errors and fraud that may ari

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently confirmed the successful repatriation of over 500 Indian nationals who had fallen victim to fake job offers in Myanmar and Thailand. According to the MEA, 266 Indians were repatriated on Tuesday by an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, following the return of 283 Indians on Monday. These individuals were reportedly rescued from cybercrime scam centres operating along the Myanmar-Thailand border. The MEA, through its spokesperson Randhir Jai

Health officials in Prince George’s County are urging families to take extra precautions as flu cases continue to rise in schools, leading to the tragic deaths of two students. The district confirmed the fatalities on Friday night, emphasizing the need for flu vaccinations and proactive measures to prevent further outbreaks. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) reported a significant increase in flu cases across the district, with multi

A new study from the University of Cambridge has revealed that aspirin, a commonly used painkiller, could play a significant role in preventing cancer from spreading. Researchers have found that the drug might help the immune system target and eliminate metastasizing cancer cells, potentially making it a powerful, accessible, and affordable tool in cancer treatment. While the findings have been described as groundbreaking, experts caution that more research is needed before aspirin can be wid

The food children consume plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels and maintaining overall health. Poor dietary choices can negatively impact insulin sensitivity, increasing the risk of diabetes and metabolic disorders. Parents must understand how different foods affect insulin function to encourage healthier eating habits for growing children.Insulin sensitivity refers to how effectively the body's cells respond to insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar.

A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over the rising burden of breast cancer worldwide. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), breast cancer diagnoses and deaths are set to increase dramatically by 2050, underscoring the need for improved awareness, early detection, and prevention strategies.   Projected Rise in Breast Cancer Cases and Mortality Rates The study published in Nature

Houston Independent School District (HISD) has come under scrutiny after failing to report truancy prevention measures to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for four consecutive school years. This revelation has raised concerns about the district's efforts to address student absences and its compliance with state regulations. Truancy Prevention Measures and Compliance Issues

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to introduce a major digital upgrade by allowing employees to withdraw their provident fund (EPF) claims using the Unified Payment Interface (UPI). This move is part of the Indian government’s broader initiative to enhance digital financial transactions and streamline fund disbursements for millions of subscribers. The feature is expected to launch in the next two to three months as EPFO collaborates with the National Paymen

The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark ruling on February 17, 2025, stating that an employee’s gratuity can be forfeited on the grounds of moral turpitude, even in the absence of a criminal conviction. This ruling expands the interpretation of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, allowing employers to withhold gratuity from employees dismissed for unethical or fraudulent actions.Previously, in a 2018 Supreme Court ruling in the Union of India vs. Ajay Babu case, the court had st

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Manikrao Kokate has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Nashik district and sessions court in a 1995 case involving the use of fraudulent documents to obtain government flats under a special housing scheme. In addition to the jail term, he has been fined Rs 50,000. His brother, Sunil Kokate, was also convicted in the same case.The verdict was delivered by Additional Chief Justice

Despite constant warnings from banks, government agencies, and corporates about the growing threat of online scams, many individuals continue to fall victim to these digital frauds. Recently, two retired government officials from Noida were scammed out of Rs. 2.87 crore, one through a digital arrest scam and the other via a forex trading fraud. Authorities have now launched criminal investigations into both incidents, hoping to curb the increasing number of cyberc

World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4th, serves as a global initiative to raise awareness about cancer and encourage preventive measures, early detection, and better treatment. Millions of lives are affected by cancer every year, and through education, lifestyle changes, and advancements in treatments, the goal is to reduce cancer-related deaths significantly. A healthy diet plays a crucial role in cancer prevention, and certain foods have been shown to contain compounds that prot

In a shocking revelation, an illegal land grab attempt targeting property originally meant for Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Chandrababu Naidu has come to light in Bapatla. This land, registered 25 years ago by a loyal TDP supporter, was designated for the construction of a party office in the Bapatla constituency. Over time, the value of the land surged, now estimated at ₹1.5 crore. However, when the landowner recently approached a bank for a loan using the property as collateral, he was

A recent report by global analytics firm FICO has highlighted the increasing threat of scams in India's real-time payments (RTP) ecosystem. According to the survey, over one-third (34%) of respondents have lost money to scams, paying for goods, services, or investments that were never delivered. The report further reveals that 60% of respondents have received messages from scammers, and 54% reported that friends or family members have been scammed. Despite fewer people reporting

A British woman in Birmingham was left contemplating suicide after being deceived by a close friend of twenty years, Sumaiya Khurram, who catfished her online and drained her life savings of £92,300 (Rs 98.5 lakh). Khurram, 33, posed as a "pretty boy" on WhatsApp, claiming to be in love with the victim and asked for money to pay for cancer treatment at a private clinic. The fraud occurred between 2015 and 2017 when Khurram introduced the victim to someone named Etesh

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a widespread viral infection with over 200 strains, some of which can cause serious health problems, including various cancers and genital warts. The HPV vaccine is a preventive tool, designed to protect individuals from the most harmful strains of the virus. Despite its proven effectiveness, several myths about the vaccine persist. This article takes a closer look at 10 of the most common myths surrounding the HPV vaccine and provides evidence-based facts to cle