Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has linked corruption under the UPA government as the primary cause of non-performing assets (NPAs) in Indian banks. In a recent interview, Rajan explained that following the global financial crisis, several projects began facing severe delays due to corruption scandals, land acquisition issues, and other regulatory obstacles. These factors, he argued, significantly contributed to the rise of NPAs. Rajan praised the

Snack prices are feeling the impact of rising palm oil and potato costs, pushing many packaged food products to become more expensive. While domestic supply issues have caused potato prices to spike, global disruptions and increased import duties have made palm oil—a key ingredient in many snacks—costlier. As of recent reports, palm oil prices have hit their highest in over two years, with an all-India average price of Rs 130.5 per kg. Snack manufacturers, including Bika

The US government is facing a potential shutdown as the Friday night deadline for passing a spending bill approaches. The shutdown, driven by political deadlock, could furlough around 875,000 federal workers while 1.4 million essential workers would continue without pay during the holiday season. Although essential services like air traffic control and law enforcement would remain operational, employees will not be paid immediately, though they typically receive retroactive compensation once

A new study published in Archaeology International suggests that Stonehenge may have been constructed to help unify ancient Britain, long before the establishment of kingdoms. The iconic site in Wiltshire, southern England, was built in phases between 3100 and 1600 BC, with stones transported from as far as southwest Wales and northeast Scotland. The research posits that people from Scotland and Wales contributed stones to the project as a symbol of political unification an

The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in 2014, with 239 people on board, remains one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history. The Boeing 777, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, vanished after its last transmission at 40 minutes into the flight. Military radar showed it veering off course and flying back over Malaysia before heading south into the Indian Ocean. Despite extensive searches, no wreckage was found, and the mystery of its final location persists. A

In a move to improve efficiency, Google has reduced its managerial staff by 10%, including roles at the manager, director, and vice president levels. This decision is part of a broader initiative to streamline the company and address increasing competition from AI-driven companies like OpenAI. CEO Sundar Pichai discussed these cuts during an all-hands meeting, stating that some employees would be reassigned to individual contributor roles, while others would face position eliminations.

In a shocking incident from West Godavari district, a woman named Naga Tulsi received a parcel containing the body of an unidentified man instead of the promised electrical appliances. Tulsi had earlier applied for financial assistance from the Kshatriya Seva Samithi to construct her house and had been assured of receiving lights, fans, and switches. However, when she opened the package delivered to her doorstep, she found a male body inside, which led to immediate panic. The police

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, announced on Thursday his intent to strengthen relations with Pakistan, a step that could further strain the already tense ties between Bangladesh and India. Yunus, who met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a summit in Cairo, emphasized the importance of addressing unresolved issues stemming from Bangladesh’s brutal 1971 war of independence. The two countries, once united, split after a violent conflict, with Bangladesh la

Om Prakash Chautala, a five-time Chief Minister of Haryana and a prominent figure in Indian politics, has passed away at 89 following a cardiac arrest at his residence in Gurgaon. Born on January 1, 1935, in Sirsa, Haryana, Chautala’s political career spanned several decades. He first became Chief Minister in 1989, but his tenure was marked by short stints due to political instability. His third term in 1991 was also brief, as President's rule was imposed within two weeks. However,

Top Side Hustle Trends for 2025: Opportunities for Growth As we step into 2025, the side hustle landscape continues to evolve, shaped by technological advances, changing consumer behavior, and lessons from recent years. With nearly 70% of Americans now engaged in side hustles (according to DollarSprout’s 2024 Side Hustle Study), the gig economy is becoming integral to financial strategies. Here a

6 Financially Smart Ways to Start 2025 As 2025 approaches, it's the perfect time to reassess your financial situation and make adjustments to help you achieve your goals. A little planning now can set the stage for a successful year. Here are six detailed steps to guide you: Revisit Your Budget: Start by thoroughly reviewing your current budget. Take stock of your income sources and all expenses, including fixed c

For many, a cup of tea is an essential part of the morning routine, offering comfort and warmth. But concerns about the caffeine in tea and its potential health risks have led some to wonder if even a single cup can be harmful. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), both tea and coffee contain caffeine, which can lead to dependency if consumed in excess. The recommended daily caffeine limit is 300 milligrams, which equates to about two cups of tea. Drinking one

Beleza by the Beach, a premier eco-conscious resort nestled between the green paddy fields and sandy shores of Colva, Goa, is setting a new benchmark in sustainable tourism. Their latest offering, the Two-Bedroom Plunge Pool Villas, is designed with a deep commitment to eco-friendly travel. The villas feature energy-efficient systems, low-impact lighting, and water conservation measures, all crafted using locally sourced, sustainable materials that blend harmoniously with the natural surround

In India, a growing number of people are turning to matrimonial detectives to investigate the background of their prospective spouses, particularly in love marriages. Bhavna Paliwal, the founder of Tejas Detective Agency, has been running this business for over 20 years and finds that her services are in higher demand than ever. While arranged marriages, where families play a central role, remain highly popular, many young people are opting for love marriages, prompting some families to hire

In a recent lecture on ‘India – The Vishwaguru' in Pune, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed concern over the resurgence of temple-mosque disputes, stating that certain individuals seem to believe they can become "leaders of Hindus" by stirring such controversies. Bhagwat emphasized the importance of fostering an inclusive society and stressed that India should set an example for the world in living together harmoniously. He pointed out the country's long-standing

On Friday morning, a devastating collision between a gas tanker and multiple vehicles on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway resulted in a massive fire, claiming at least eight lives. CCTV footage captured the horrifying moments as thick black smoke filled the street, followed by an explosion minutes after the crash. The inferno caused by the collision affected a nearly 300-meter stretch of the highway, causing traffic disruptions with a long line of vehicles stuck in the aftermath. More than 30 vehicle

Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) has officially rejected recent reports claiming that Starbucks is planning to exit the Indian market, calling the rumors "baseless." These reports suggested that the American coffee giant might leave India due to high operating costs, mounting losses, and the growing competition from local, cheaper alternatives. However, TCPL, which operates Starbucks in India

Virat Kohli, the iconic Indian cricketer, is reportedly planning to shift his base to the United Kingdom with his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, and their children. The couple has already been spending considerable time in London, especially since the birth of their second child, Akaay. Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, confirmed that the cricketer is looking to make the UK his permanent residence soon. Kohli, who is 36 years old, recently retired from T20 international

Pakistan, a country grappling with terrorism, political instability, and economic challenges, has once again found itself in a precarious diplomatic situation with its long-time ally, China. The latest controversy centers around Pakistan's attempt to negotiate over the use of Gwadar port in Balochistan, which is part of the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). During a high-level meeting, Pakistan reportedly demanded that China provide a second-strike nuclear capability in e

India introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 to simplify the tax structure and reduce the tax burden. Recent data shows that the gross GST collection for October 2024 rose by 9% to ₹1.87 lakh crore, a record second-highest figure. However, a recent proposal by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST Rates Rationalisation suggests a new 35% GST slab on products like aerated drinks and tobacco, which has raised concerns. The proposal aims to target 'sin' products such as thos