TikTok Unavailable in U.S. App Stores: What's Happening and What Are the Alternatives? The TikTok Ban and Legal Limbo TikTok, the widely popular short-form video platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced scrutiny over national security concerns due to its handling of user data and potential ties to the Chinese gov

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nara Lokesh, the Information Technology and Human Resource Development Minister of Andhra Pradesh, discussed the state's progressive approach to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in key sectors including governance, education, and healthcare. Lokesh highlighted Andhra Pradesh's real-time governance model and emphasized how AI could serve as a game-changer, particularly for students, women, and farmers, promoting inclusive development.

Mexican authorities have started constructing large tent shelters in Ciudad Juarez in anticipation of a possible surge in deportations from the U.S. under President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. The shelters, part of a broader strategy across northern Mexico, aim to accommodate thousands of deported Mexicans, providing them with food, housing, medical care, and assistance with identity documentation. This move comes as Trump’s administration plans mass deportation

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and World Championships bronze medallist Lakshya Sen will spearhead a 14-member Indian team at the upcoming Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship 2025, set to be held in Qingdao, China, from February 11-16. India clinched a bronze medal at the last edition of the competition in Dubai in 2023, and the team is aiming for an even better performance this year, with the target set on reaching the finals. The squad, selected based on world rankings and

A tragic train accident occurred near Pachora station in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, after a fire rumour spread on board the Pushpak Express, causing panic among passengers. The incident took place around 5 pm when passengers jumped off the train after a fire rumour, and were struck by the oncoming Karnataka Express, which was traveling on an adjacent track. Initial reports suggest that sparks inside a coach of the Pushpak Express, possibly caused by a "hot axle" or "brake-

In a move to strengthen infrastructure and promote economic growth, the Uttar Pradesh government has approved the formation of a new development authority that will integrate Prayagraj and Varanasi, following the model of the National Capital Region (NCR). This new authority will include seven districts—Prayagraj, Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Mirzapur, and Bhadohi—aiming for coordinated regional planning, better resource management, and improved services. The

Spiritual tourism in India has been on the rise, with an increasing number of travelers seeking personal growth, adventure, and spiritual experiences. Atlys, a visa processing platform, reports a 21.4% increase in inbound travel to India for spiritual purposes, showing global fascination with the country’s rich spiritual heritage. The journey for self-discovery and spirituality has become more popular among millennials, especially women. Women make up 66% of millennial spiritu

Nandamuri Balakrishna, the well-known actor and politician, has mastered the art of balancing two demanding professions: acting and politics. Serving as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Hindupur in Andhra Pradesh for three consecutive terms, Balakrishna, or Balayya, has proven to be a successful public representative while maintaining a strong acting career. Despite his busy schedule in the film industry, where he recently enjoyed the success of his blockbuster Daaku M

Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUL) has approved a plan to demerge its ice cream operations, including well-known brands like Kwality Wall’s, Magnum, and Cornetto. Shareholders of HUL will receive shares in the new entity after the demerger is completed. The new company will be listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). This decision follows the board’s earlier approval to separate the ice cream business, which is expected to enhance operation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on BJP booth-level workers to expose the failures of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. During the 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' program, the PM instructed workers to document and share evidence of AAP's inability to improve basic amenities such as drainage, waste management, and other essential services. He stated that this initiative would help reveal AAP's shortcomings to the public and highlight the need f

ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) has successfully completed the integration of the liquid propulsion system for the Crew Module of Gaganyaan, India's first human spaceflight mission. On January 21, 2025, ISRO dispatched the Crew Module to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota for further processing and integration. This uncrewed mission, known as Gaganyaan (G1), is a crucial step in ISRO's efforts to acquire human spaceflight capabilities. The Crew

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been attending the ongoing investment summit in Davos, Switzerland, where his visit has garnered increasing national attention. While the Telugu media primarily focuses on his efforts to attract investment to Andhra Pradesh, national media interest has grown due to his scheduled meeting with Microsoft founder Bill Gates. The meeting, set to take place at 7 PM IST on Wednesday evening, is drawing particular attention because Gates i

Janet Petro has been appointed as the acting administrator of NASA, making history as the first woman to hold the position since the agency’s founding in 1958. This appointment comes after President Donald Trump took office, with Petro replacing Bill Nelson, the 14th NASA administrator. In her new role, Petro is responsible for overseeing NASA’s budget, programs, and operations until the U.S. Senate confirms a new administrator. Notably, Trump had nominated entrepreneur

Jasprit Bumrah has maintained his position as the undisputed No. 1 Test bowler in the latest ICC rankings, while Ravindra Jadeja continues to dominate the all-rounders' category. Bumrah, who made history earlier in January by achieving the highest-ever ICC Rankings rating for an Indian bowler at 907 points, has now reached a career-best 908 points. Australia's Pat Cummins (841) and South Africa's Kagiso Rabada (837) occupy the second and third spots respectively, while P

In a move to enhance efficiency, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has revised its procedures to allow for quicker profile updates for its 70 million subscribers. With the new system, members who have their Universal Account Number (UAN) validated through Aadhaar can now update their details such as name, gender, marital status, and more, without uploading any supporting documents. The change aims to reduce delays and human intervention, allowing almost 45% of

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

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced that the application forms for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025 will be released today, January 22. Candidates who wish to appear for the prestigious Civil Services Examination can visit the official UPSC website to access the detailed notification and fill out the application form. The last date to submit applications is February 11, 2025. The Civil Services Prelims will take place on May 25, 2025, alongside

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold his first bilateral meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Washington. Jaishankar is visiting the US at the invitation of the US Government to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Rubio’s meeting with Jaishankar is noteworthy, as it marks Rubio's first official bilateral engagement as Secretary of State and underscores the importance of strengthening US

The U.S. decision to withdraw from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) global tax deal, led by President Trump in his second term, could lead to significant shifts in the global tax landscape. However, according to tax expert Rakesh Nangia, India's tax policy will not be heavily impacted by this move. India had taken a more cautious approach toward implementing the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules and had not introduced substantial changes to it

Trump's Tariff Announcement and Border Security: President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Mexico and Canada, effective February 1, 2025, arguing that both countries are contributing to illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the US. This move, part of his broader trade policy agenda, comes after his inauguration address, where he emphasized using tariffs to strengthen the US economy. However, such tariffs could risk igniting a trade con