Months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented an interim budget in February to manage the government’s immediate financial needs. After the BJP-led NDA returned to power for a third term, she unveiled the comprehensive Union Budget for the financial year 2024-25 on July 23. While both budgets play a significant role in the nation's fiscal planning, their objectives and scope are different. An interim budget is a temporary financi

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the most advanced telescope ever built, has provided a groundbreaking view of the universe by revealing detailed 3D maps of interstellar dust and gas. Recently, it captured the infrared glow of this cosmic material, showing delicate patterns that resemble wood grain. This discovery marks the first time scientists have been able to map the interstellar medium in such detail. The findings offer a fresh perspective on star formation and galaxy evo

Bitcoin saw a strong rebound on Wednesday, reaching $98,800, up by 2% after the US Labour Department released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for December. The CPI showed a 2.9% increase, which was in line with expectations. The Core CPI, excluding volatile items like food and energy, came in slightly under expectations at 3.2%. This data eased fears of severe inflation, bolstering investor confidence and supporting the bullish outlook for Bitcoin. Crypto prices, including Ether

On Wednesday, the Sleeper Vande Bharat Express completed its first trial run from Mumbai Central Railway Station to Ahmedabad. The train ran at a speed of 130 km/h and covered the distance successfully. However, the train will undergo several more trials before its final deployment, including tests in Rajasthan and other regions under North Railway (NR). According to a senior official from Western Railways (WR), the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) is conducting a Confirmator

The India Open 2025 kicked off at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, showcasing intense matches and some remarkable performances from Indian players. Anupama Upadhyaya triumphed in the opening round, defeating Rakshitha Sree Santosh Ramraj 21-17, 21-18 in a well-contested all-Indian battle. Her consistency and ability to engage in long rallies helped her dominate the match and advance to the second round, where she will face Japan's sixth seed Tomaka Miyazaki. However, young stars Malvika Bansod

Kodi Pandem, also known as cockfighting, is a notorious yet deeply rooted tradition in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, especially during the Sankranthi festival season. Every year, the event sees intense competitions, with bets often reaching astronomical figures. This year, however, the tradition has gained even more attention due to a particularly high-stakes match that has gone viral on social

Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) has secured a significant contract worth Rs 3,622 crore from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) for the development of Bharat Net's middle-mile network. The contract, awarded on a design, build, operate, and maintain model, involves the creation, upgradation, and operation and maintenance of the network. The project is set to be completed within three years, with a maintenance period of 10 years. The contract also includes an annual maintenance cost based on a per

The American Civil War, which began in 1861, was a defining moment in the history of the United States. Following increasing tensions over slavery and political divisions, 11 southern states broke away from the Union to form the Confederate States of America (CSA). The secession marked a pivotal moment in American history, mirroring the disintegration of the Soviet Union 130 years later in 1991. The conflict stemmed largely from disagreements over the future of slavery, with souther

Delhi is facing a pollution crisis as dense fog and an air quality index (AQI) dangerously close to the ‘severe’ category prompt the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reintroduce stricter pollution measures under GRAP-3 and GRAP-4. These measures were only revoked recently, with the AQI at 396 at 6 pm and expected to exceed the 400 mark. In response to the deteriorating air quality and in compliance with Supreme Court orders, the CAQM has immediately enforc

In a historic move on Wednesday, India commissioned three indigenously developed warships and a new attack submarine, signaling a major step in enhancing its naval power. The warships include the stealth frigate INS Nilgiri, the guided missile destroyer INS Surat, and the attack submarine INS Vaghsheer. This marks the first time India has commissioned three entirely home-built vessels at once, showcasing the country’s growing military self-sufficiency. The simultaneous commiss

Virat Kohli, the star India cricketer, made his return to Mumbai after a brief stay at his Alibaug holiday home, which was recently in the news for its luxurious features and stunning design. The 8-acre property, built on a plot Kohli and his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, purchased for Rs 19 crore in 2022, spans an impressive 10,000 square feet and is replete with world-class amenities such as a temperature-controlled pool, jacuzzi, and a bespoke kitchen. The villa was designed by t

The Mahakumbh Mela, the world's largest peaceful gathering, began in Prayagraj on January 13 and will conclude on February 26. This grand event attracts millions of pilgrims who believe that bathing in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers during the Kumbh Mela grants liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, paving the way to Moksha. Amidst this spiritual celebration, a han

In a controversial remark made on Wednesday, senior BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri made a sexist comment about Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. At a rally in the capital, Bidhuri compared Atishi's actions to a deer roaming the streets, saying that she was now "roaming the city like a deer in the forest" when, according to him, she had never previously met the people of Delhi. Bidhuri's comm

The ongoing battle between the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Arvind Kejriwal, the chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), took a significant turn today with the Ministry of Home Affairs giving its nod for the prosecution of Kejriwal. This decision is connected to the ongoing money laundering case linked to the controversial Delhi excise policy. Earlier, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, had already granted permission for the prosecution of the former Delhi Chief Minister. T

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. will hold a meeting on January 24 to consider the payment of an interim dividend for the financial year 2024-25. The company has set February 1 as the record date for determining the eligible members for the dividend payment, if declared. The interim dividend will be for the equity shares of Rs 5 each. Earlier, Samir Mehta, President of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance and Chairperson of Torrent Group, highlighted the industry's plans to grow signi

Diageo India, the owner of popular brands like Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff, has appointed Praveen Someshwar as CEO-Designate, succeeding Hina Nagarajan, who has led the company for the last four years. Someshwar, currently the CEO and Managing Director of HT Media, brings extensive leadership experience, having worked with PepsiCo for 24 years across various roles in general management, finance, and strategy. Hina Nagarajan, the first woman to lead Diageo India, played a pivotal rol

The Union Budget for the upcoming financial year is expected to include provisions for promoting artificial intelligence (AI) in India. According to sources, a special policy package for AI is being formulated, with a focus on AI-skilling schemes and the establishment of AI centres. Additionally, the budget is likely to allocate funds to support these initiatives, ensuring measures are in place to safeguard employment in light of AI's rapid advancement. The Ministry of Finance h

DCM Shriram Ltd. has scheduled a Board of Directors meeting on January 18, 2025, to discuss various financial matters, including the potential payment of a second interim dividend for the fiscal year 2024-25. The company will also review its unaudited financial results for both its standalone and consolidated entities for the quarter and nine months ending December 31, 2024. The record date for the second interim dividend, if approved, will be January 24, 2025, with payment expected

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

Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed cases against former leader Sheikh Hasina and her family members, including British minister Tulip Siddiq and World Health Organization (WHO) official Saima Wazed, in connection with an alleged large-scale land grab. The cases, filed on Monday, accuse Hasina and some government officials of illegally allocating lucrative plots in Dhaka's suburbs for personal gain. Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh in August 2024 and to