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Alibaba’s Qwen research team has introduced a new experimental open-source AI model, the QVQ-72B, designed to handle both vision-based analysis and advanced reasoning tasks. The model combines the abilities of analyzing visual information from images and answering complex queries through reasoning-focused techniques. According to internal benchmarks, QVQ-72B surpassed OpenAI’s o1 model on the MathVista (mini) benchmark, scoring 71.4% compared to o1’s 71.0%. The mod

Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd., a subsidiary of the Jubilant Bhartia Group, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Coca-Cola India Pvt. to acquire its sparkling beverage portfolio and other products from the company's authorized bottlers. The deal, set to begin in April 2025, will see Coca-Cola’s authorized bottlers supplying sparkling beverages to Jubilant FoodWorks, which will handle the marketing of these products. The move is expected to enhance Jubilant Fo

At CES 2025, Lenovo is set to unveil several cutting-edge products, with one of the most exciting being a self-charging Bluetooth keyboard. This innovative keyboard will feature solar and ambient light charging, eliminating the need for traditional outlets or constant charging cables. With a sleek design, it is expected to come in two colorways—black and white—and will be capable of connecti

Ahead of the Union Budget 2025-26, the government is expected to introduce measures to aid small businesses, farmers, and the export sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently held her fourth pre-budget consultation, where she discussed key economic policies and priorities with stakeholders. Sources suggest that the government may announce tax relief for middle-class citizens to help revitalize the slowing economy, along with support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Nepal's tourism industry, which saw a post-pandemic resurgence with over a million foreign visitors this year, continues to grow, attracting tourists with unique experiences like the recently held hot-air balloon festival. The event, organized by Sabin Maharjan and his team, featured more than 10 countries participating in the thrilling balloon flights. The stunning views of the snow-capped Annapurna range, mountains, lakes, and rolling hills provided an unforgettable experience for the p

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially announced the recruitment notification for the Probationary Officer (PO) position for 2024-25. A total of 600 vacancies will be filled, including both regular and backlog posts. The application window opens on December 27, 2024, and closes on January 16, 2025. The preliminary exam is set to take place from March 8 to March 15, 2025, with the main exam scheduled for April or May 2025. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply through SB

In response to Russia's Christmas Day attack on Ukrainian cities and its energy infrastructure, President Joe Biden has instructed the U.S. Defense Department to maintain its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Biden condemned Russia’s actions, which were aimed at disrupting Ukraine’s power supply and endangering the country’s energy grid during the harsh winter. The attack, which involved cruise and ballistic missiles as well as drones, is part of Russia’s ong

India has started a probe into the alleged dumping of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel tanks from China, following a complaint by domestic company Inox India Ltd. The company has requested the imposition of anti-dumping duties, claiming that the influx of cheap imports is negatively affecting the profit margins of the domestic industry. These LNG fuel tanks are used for transporting methane gas in vehicles like trucks. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which handles

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

In 2025, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is set for a profound transformation driven by innovation, research excellence, and expanded global access. With the industry projected to reach USD 130 billion by 2030, India aims to become a global hub for high-quality, affordable pharmaceuticals, focusing on areas like CAR-T cell therapy, mRNA vaccines, and biosimilars. Technological advancements like AI, machine learning, and precision medicine are expected to revolutionize drug discovery, manuf

In a shift of political support, major US business leaders and companies are lining up to donate substantial sums to Donald Trump’s 2025 inaugural committee, following his landslide victory. Corporate America, which largely supported Kamala Harris and the Democratic agenda in the 2020 presidential race, is now keen to strengthen ties with the incoming Republican administration. With some of the largest donations coming from figures like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI’s Sam A

In the ongoing India vs Australia 4th Test match in Melbourne, former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee following a shoulder barge incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas. The altercation took place after the completion of the 10th over of the Australian innings when both players crossed paths on the field. As they moved across the pitch, Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders, which led to an exchange of heated words. The incident was quickly defused by

In a major setback to the unity of the opposition bloc, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded that Congress be removed from the INDIA alliance unless the party takes action against its Delhi leader, Ajay Maken. AAP leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh accused Maken of helping the BJP in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, claiming that Maken's statements were made at the BJP's behest. The dispute intensified when Maken called AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal "anti-national," a comm

As 2025 approaches, India has already begun shaping its foreign policy for the year. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to travel to the United States to meet officials from both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump team, ahead of the U.S. power transition. Jaishankar is expected to discuss the Quad Summit, where U.S. President Donald Trump may attend, and potentially seek an early date for Trump’s visit to India. In addition to the Quad Summit,

Chandrababu Naidu has quickly emerged as one of the most influential leaders in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the central level, as evidenced by his recent busy visit to Delhi. His meetings with several key Union ministers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, reflect his growing prominence within the alliance. The day began with Naidu paying his respects at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial in Delhi, f

China has officially approved the construction of what is set to be the world's largest hydropower dam, located on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet. This ambitious project, which will span the lower reaches of the river, is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, far surpassing the Three Gorges Dam's output of 88.2 billion kWh. The new dam is also seen as a significant step toward China’s goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, alongside

As India prepares for the Union Budget of 2025-26, the finance ministry has highlighted the need for flexibility in fiscal policy, given the ongoing global economic and geopolitical challenges. While the fiscal deficit for FY26 is expected to be below 4.5% of GDP, there are concerns over the ability to accurately project receipts and expenditures in the current uncertain environment. The global situation has worsened, with escalating conflicts, further complicating fiscal planning.

Asus is set to launch new ROG Strix gaming laptops at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 on January 6. The company released a teaser showing a laptop with RGB lighting that wraps around the bottom, offering a more vibrant underglow than previous models. Although Asus has not confirmed the exact model, rumors suggest that the company might unveil the ROG Strix 18 Scar and the ROG Strix G16. The ROG Strix 18 is expected to be powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285 HX processor and

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 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