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 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

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

The US Treasury Department confirmed that a China state-sponsored actor was responsible for a recent cyber breach, compromising its workstations and some unclassified documents. The incident occurred earlier this month when the actor gained access through a third-party cybersecurity provider, BeyondTrust. Once the breach was detected, Treasury swiftly contacted the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and began working with law enforcement to investigate the incident and assess

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.

Surge in Norovirus Cases Norovirus cases in the United States have surged, with 91 reported infections in just one week this December, more than double the usual count in the past three years. The spike in cases mirrors trends in Minnesota, where infections have also been reported at more than double the usual rate for December. What is Norovirus? Often called the stomach flu, Norovirus is a highly contagi

Adani Enterprises is set to exit its joint venture with Adani Wilmar, selling its 44% stake to Wilmar International. This move is expected to raise over $2 billion for Adani Enterprises, which will be used to boost investments in its core infrastructure platforms, including energy, utilities, transport, and logistics.   The transaction involves two steps: Adani Enterprises will sell 13% of Adan

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

Laura Loomer, a prominent right-wing figure, has harshly criticized Elon Musk for his views on immigration in the tech sector. Loomer's grievance stems from Musk's support for increasing immigration in the United States, particularly from countries like China and India, which she opposes. On social media, Loomer accused Musk of trying to influence Donald Trump’s policies, labeling his collaboration with Vivek Ramaswamy on the “Department of Government Efficiency” pro

A groundbreaking study has uncovered notable differences in the nut-cracking abilities of chimpanzees within the same group, shedding new light on their cognitive and motor skills. Researchers analyzed extensive video footage of wild chimpanzees from Bossou, Guinea, where they observed 3,882 instances of chimps attempting to crack open nuts using stones as tools. The study found varying levels of efficiency among individuals, indicating differences in cognitive abilities and physical dexterit

Cephalopods, including octopuses, cuttlefish, and squid, have long fascinated researchers due to their exceptional cognitive abilities. While we still don’t fully understand the extent of their emotional states or conscious experiences, there's no doubt that these marine creatures display remarkable intelligence. For example, cuttlefish like Squirt have demonstrated highly accurate aim and a complex level of learning, raising questions about their capacity for intentional behavior.

Eugene Spector, a US citizen originally born in Russia, was sentenced to 15 years in a Russian maximum-security prison this week after being convicted of espionage. According to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Spector passed sensitive biotechnology and biomedical information to the United States, including state secrets, for the purpose of creating a genetic screening system targeting the Russian population. Spector had been serving a separate sentence for bribery before the espi

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

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently responded to a discussion about foreign-born tech workers in the U.S., defending their contribution to the industry. The conversation began when Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit, questioned whether foreign workers were truly displacing qualified Americans in the tech sector. Masad pointed out the large number of unfilled tech jobs, expressing skepticism about claims that foreign workers were taking opportunities from native-born Americans. Musk, who is origina

The Mega Millions jackpot has soared to $1.15 billion, making it the fifth-largest prize in the game’s history ahead of the drawing on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 11 p.m. ET. However, the amount you take home depends on your payout choice and the taxes you owe. Federal Taxes on Lottery Winnings Lottery winnings are subject to federal taxes. While 24% is automatically withheld upfront, winners w

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

Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is looking to add something to his impressive list of achievements: his own company town. After moving his SpaceX operations to Texas due to political reasons, Musk now plans to create a new municipality in the state's coastal South. The town, known as Starbase, is home to a growing number of SpaceX employees, many of whom are pushing to establish it as an official town. Since July, SpaceX employees at the Starbase launch site have begun

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