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

The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Mumbai's Central Railway issued a clarification regarding the change of route taken by the CSMT Madgaon Vande Bharat Express. The clarification came in response to allegations made by Akhilesh Yadav, the national president of the Samajwadi Party, who claimed that the train went to Kalyan instead of Goa. The DRM denied these claims, calling them "factually incorrect." According to the statement, the Vande Bharat Express started at

Starting January 1, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer support Android devices running Android KitKat (version 4.4) or older. Meta has made this decision as the messaging app gets updated with new AI features that demand more advanced hardware. As a result, over 20 Android devices from brands like Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG, and Sony will lose access to WhatsApp. The affected devices include models such as the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Motorola Moto G (1st Gen), HTC One X, LG Opt

The surge in wheat flour (atta) prices, which have reached a 15-year high, is significantly affecting the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in rural India. According to a recent Kantar report, the rise in atta prices is slowing growth in rural FMCG consumption, which recorded just a 4% increase in the quarter ending October, lower than urban growth at 4.5%. Wheat flour prices have remained elevated for several months, despite government efforts to control food inflation. In December, t

Apple is reportedly developing a new smart doorbell camera with advanced features, including Face ID for unlocking doors. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the doorbell could be released by the end of next year. The device is expected to function similarly to an iPhone, where the door automatically unlocks when you look at the camera, thanks to the integration of Apple’s Secure Enclave chip. The new smart doorbell will compete with Amazon's Ring and will work seaml

The controversy surrounding Allu Arjun’s actions during the deadly stampede at the Pushpa-2 screening on December 4 continues to escalate. Police have revealed that despite being informed about the death of a woman, Revathi, and the chaos unfolding at the cinema hall, Allu Arjun remained inside the theatre until the movie ended. City police commissioner CV Anand shared a video, compiled from news channels and cellphone footage, showing the situation during the stamped

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

Governor Challenges State Government's Search Committee: On Wednesday, Governor R N Ravi took a bold step by canceling the search committee formed by the Tamil Nadu State Higher Education Department for appointing a new Vice-Chancellor at Annamalai University. The Governor's office stated that the state’s committee excluded the UGC Chairman’s nominee, violating the Supreme Court’s interpretation of UGC re

A fire broke out at the Udaan Bhawan office complex, located near Safdarjung airport in South Delhi, on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred at around 12:54 pm, was reported from the building's basement, specifically from the battery room in the second basement. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) responded swiftly, deploying five fire tenders to control the blaze. The fire has now been brought under control, and a police team was

As of 6:50 a.m. today, gold prices stood at Rs 77,170 per 10 grams, according to the India Bullion Association. This represents a slight dip from the highs seen on Monday when prices had briefly climbed after falling from Rs 79,100 on Friday. The price of gold had reached its highest level for the month on December 11 before experiencing a drop of over Rs 1,000 on Monday. Compared to November's peak of Rs 78,060 on Nov. 23, the current price of gold reflects the ongoing volatility in the

Gold has experienced a remarkable rise in 2024, reaching 40 new record highs year-to-date and appreciating by over 28%. According to the World Gold Council (WGC), this surge has made gold the best-performing asset class globally, surpassing US stocks, emerging market stocks, US bonds, and even US currency. In the third quarter of 2024, gold demand exceeded $100 billion for the first time, showcasing its robust market position. Looking ahead to 2025, the direction of the US Federal R

India's inflation rate, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), moderated to 5.48% in November, down from 6.21% in October, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This easing, however, is still above the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) target of 4%, with food prices continuing to drive inflationary pressure. The food inflation rate surged by 9.04%, continuing its trend of high costs. Economists had forecast a median inflation estimate of 5.5% fo

Coffee prices have reached record highs, driven by a significant reduction in Brazil’s coffee crop. As the world’s largest coffee producer, Brazil's struggles with adverse weather conditions have created a global supply shortage, pushing Arabica coffee futures up by 73% over the past year and 31% in the last month. Additionally, Robusta prices have also surged due to similar global supply constraints, with prices for Q2 rising 82% year-on-year. This price surge is im

Telangana has taken a significant lead in river tourism with its long-distance boat services on the Krishna River, operating weekend trips from Somasila in Kollapur to Nagarjunasagar. With a total capacity of 150 passengers, these boats offer a scenic 6-7 hour journey, taking tourists to destinations like Srisailam and providing meals along the way. The boats prioritize safety, including double engines, life jackets, and guides. However, services are suspended during the monsoon season and be

Robots are increasingly becoming a part of everyday life, and in a groundbreaking development, China has introduced an advanced AI-powered spherical police robot known as RT-G. Developed by Logon Technology, the RT-G is designed to go beyond traditional surveillance and actively pursue and apprehend suspects. Unlike many Western models focused on monitoring, this robot can chase criminals, shoot nets, and even withstand falls from heights. The RT-G robot is equipped with advanced se

As of 7:10 a.m. today, gold is priced at Rs 76,520 per 10 grams, according to the India Bullion Association. The commodity's price recently crossed the Rs 77,000 mark but has since fluctuated. On December 2, it had dipped to Rs 76,680, reflecting the volatility in gold prices over the past month. This decline follows a period of lower demand post-festivities, with prices peaking at Rs 81,500 in October due to festive demand, before slipping below Rs 74,390 in November. Global fa

India's practice sessions for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against Australia have been closed to fans after a disruptive event during the team’s training in Adelaide. Fans, who were initially allowed to watch the training, became a source of distraction with rude comments directed at the players. The situation worsened during India’s session, where over 3000 fans gathered, overwhelming the practice facility. This caused a chaotic environment with players like

Oil prices have shown remarkable stability, remaining in a narrow range since mid-October, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fluctuating around $70 per barrel. This rangebound trend has been characterized by a significant drop in volatility, with recent levels at their lowest since August. Despite ongoing geopolitical risks, such as the tensions between Iran and Israel and the potential impacts of a second Donald Trump presidency, traders have remained cautious. The market's curren

Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist has shared his insights on Marnus Labuschagne's recent dip in form, attributing it to tough conditions and strong opposition rather than any technical flaws. Gilchrist expressed confidence in Labuschagne's abilities, calling him a "class act" who has shown resilience in the face of challenges. Despite recent struggles, Gilchrist believes Labuschagne remains a top player in world cricket, having dominated for years.

The President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, strongly criticized both the U.S. and Russia for interfering with the court's investigations, accusing them of threatening the institution with economic sanctions and issuing arrest warrants for key officials. The remarks were made following the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others in connection to crimes in Gaza, which prompted backlash