Apple’s App Store continues to make a significant economic impact in India, facilitating a staggering Rs 44,447 crores (approximately $5.31 billion) in developer billings and sales in 2024, according to a newly published report. An overwhelming 94 percent of this commerce flowed directly to developers and businesses without any commission deducted by Apple. The report, authored by IIM Ahmedabad professor Viswanath Pingali, sheds light on the transformative effect the App Store

In a landmark defense agreement, India has signed a Rs 63,000 crore government-to-government deal with France to procure 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets, aimed at strengthening the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities amid rising maritime challenges posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region. The contract was signed under an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA), ensuring direct procurement without any intermediaries. The agreement covers the delivery of 22 single-seater Rafale-M jets and four t

RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka, known for his witty and thought-provoking social media posts, has once again struck a chord with netizens. This time, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a humorous yet insightful comparison between material purchases and long-term investments particularly gold. Using real-life anecdotes involving his wife, Mr Goenka cleverly highlighted how investing in gold has proven to be far more valuable over the years than spending on depreciating assets like cars,

Non-Resident Indians have long played the role of cultural ambassadors, but their economic contribution is now more vital than ever as India navigates an increasingly turbulent global landscape. Amid rising trade tensions and monetary uncertainties, the Reserve Bank of India has acknowledged that NRI remittances and investments are not just sentimental gestures but strategic assets. The RBI, in its recent monthly bulletin, noted that with the right policy support, India can transform global v

India’s young boxing stars continued to shine at the Asian U-15 Boxing Championships 2024 in Amman, Jordan, as five boxers—three boys and two girls—secured their places in the semifinals with dominant performances on the fifth day of competition. From the boys’ category, Nelson Khwairakpam (55 kg) set the tone with a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) win in the very first round over Wang Sheng-Yang of Chinese Taipei. Displaying aggressive and accurate punches, Nelson left no

Music maestro AR Rahman, known for maintaining a remarkably private life despite his global fame, has finally addressed the widespread public attention surrounding his separation from wife Saira Banu. The couple, married for nearly thirty years, announced their separation in November of last year, bringing an intensely private chapter of Rahman’s life into the public spotlight. In a rare interview with Nayandeep Rakshit on his YouTube channel, Rahman reflected with grace and h

In 2024, the United States saw a slight but notable increase in its national birth rate, reversing a record-setting decline the year before. Approximately 3.6 million babies were born, marking a 1% increase from 2023. While modest, this uptick represents a shift in reproductive trends that have been steadily evolving since the late 2000s. One of the most significant patterns to emerge from the data is the rising number of births among older women. The birth rate for women aged 30

KL Rahul’s return to the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday was anything but routine. The former Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain came back not in blue and gold, but wearing the Delhi Capitals (DC) jersey—a shift that carried with it not just tactical implications but emotional undertones that were hard to ignore. In the lead-up to this IPL 2025 fixture between DC and LSG, one subplot stood out—the tense relationshi

As gold prices hit historic highs in India, Zoho founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu took to social media to praise India’s traditional trust in gold while delivering a scathing critique of modern financial systems, central banks, and even Bitcoin. With retail gold prices crossing ₹1 lakh per 10 grams, driven by global economic uncertainties and demand for safe-haven assets, Vembu reinforced the sentiment that gold has long been at the core of India’s economic and cultural stability.

Veteran Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has often spoken about nurturing young talent, but a recent revelation by his father Yograj Singh has shed light on just how hands-on and firm his mentorship has been — especially with rising star Abhishek Sharma, who recently etched his name into IPL history. In a conversation with CricketNext, Yograj Singh shared how his son had to discipline Abhishek, who once led a carefree lifestyle full of late nights and distractions. “Late-night parties..

In the quiet town of Vadakara in Kerala, a remarkable woman continues to defy both age and convention. Meenakshi Raghavan, affectionately known as Meenakshi Amma, is 82 years old and still going strong as a master and teacher of Kalaripayattu – India’s oldest martial art. In a world where retirement is often expected at her age, Amma has no such intentions. "I'll probably practise Kalari until the day I die," she says, her voice brimming with quiet determination and

As the summer heat intensifies across India, staying cool and hydrated becomes a top priority for many households. While most of us rush to load our pantries with fresh fruits, summer veggies, and cooling drinks, we often forget about an equally important area of our homes—the kitchen. The combination of rising temperatures, humidity, and grease can quickly turn this space into an unmanageable, unhygienic zone, attracting pests and raising food safety concerns. But there's a solutio

Following India’s disappointing 3-1 series loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the Indian cricket team finds itself embroiled in a fresh controversy off the field. Multiple post-series leaks have surfaced from the dressing room, revealing internal conflicts, coaching grievances, and alleged power struggles within the setup. In a swift response to this growing unrest, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly preparing to take decisive action, with

After nearly a decade of uninterrupted growth, the flow of Indian students to top international study destinations—Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom—has seen a significant and unexpected downturn in 2024. For the first time in over five years, all three countries have reported a simultaneous drop in student visa approvals for Indian applicants. The decline comes amidst changing immigration policies and growing domestic pressures in host countries, raising concerns amo

Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli, once hailed as one of the most promising batters in the country and childhood friend of Sachin Tendulkar, is currently battling severe health issues and financial instability. The 52-year-old ex-India star, who played 104 ODIs and 17 Test matches, came into the public spotlight again in December 2024 after being hospitalized in Thane for urinary infections and severe cramps. Kambli was admitted to Akruti Hospital on December 21, 2024. His medical conditio

In a heartfelt act of faith and gratitude, Anna Lezhneva, wife of actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, visited the sacred Tirumala temple and made a generous donation of Rs.17 lakhs. The gesture was made in the name of her younger son, Mark Shankar, who recently recovered from a serious fire accident that occurred at his school in Singapore. The young boy is now safe and has returned to Hyderabad to be with his family. Anna Lezhneva, known for maintaining a low profile, touched the hearts of many w

A devastating small aircraft crash in New York state has claimed the lives of a prominent Indian-origin surgeon, her husband who was piloting the aircraft, and four other family members. The tragedy unfolded on Saturday when a Mitsubishi MU2B plane, en route to Columbia County Airport from Westchester Airport, went down during a second landing attempt. The accident occurred approximately 200 kilometers from New York City, close to the Massachusetts border. The deceased have been i

As immigration concerns and political unpredictability in the United States intensify, Britain—particularly London—is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for not only global travellers and academics but also for vibrant artistic talent. Recent trends highlight a noticeable drop in the number of British citizens traveling to the US, while simultaneously showcasing a surge in visibility and success of Indian-origin actors on the West End stage The drop in Briti

In the digital-first world of 2025, it’s no surprise that children and teenagers are spending increasing amounts of time on smartphones. Whether it’s chatting with friends, gaming online, or creating content, there’s an app for every social or entertainment need. But with digital connection also comes risk — and not all apps are created equal. As a parent, knowing what apps your kids use is the first step in protecting them from online predators, cyberbullying, and ina

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today delivered a forward-looking and comprehensive address at the convocation ceremony of the 80th Staff Course at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington. Stressing the importance of modernization, jointness, and preparedness, he urged the armed forces to be technologically empowered and resilient in facing evolving multi-domain threats in the current global security landscape. With 479 officers attending the 80th Staff Course, in