India's Fiscal Policy Flexibility Ahead of 2025-26 Budget Amid Global Uncertainty
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 Teases New ROG Strix Laptops with RGB Lighting at CES 2025
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
WhatsApp to Stop Working on Android KitKat Devices from January 2025
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
Vande Bharat Express Change of Route Clarified After Allegations
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
Human Brain Processes Information at Just 10 Bits Per Second, Study Finds
In a groundbreaking study, scientists have quantified how quickly the human brain processes information, revealing a surprisingly slow speed of just 10 bits per second. Despite receiving billions of bits of data from our senses, including sight, hearing, touch, and smell, the brain only processes a tiny fraction of this information. Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) conducted the study, publishing their findings in the journal Neuron last week.
The Real Origins of Santa Claus: From Turkey to the North Pole Debate
The question of where Santa Claus lives has sparked a variety of claims from countries across the globe. Finland, for instance, touts Korvatunturi in Lapland as Santa's home, drawing tourists to the region. Denmark points to Greenland, Sweden suggests Mora, and all these locations are close to the North Pole, contributing to the myth of a snowy Santa home. However, this image of Santa as a jolly man with reindeer and a sleigh was not always so cheerful. Historically, European fo
ICC Announces Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule with Key Matches for India
After much anticipation, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally revealed the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The prestigious tournament, set to be played in a hybrid format across Pakistan and Dubai, will kick off with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19, 2025, in Karachi. The tournament will conclude with the final on March 9, 2025, hosted in Lahore, with a backup plan for Dubai if India qualifies for the final. India's campaign will beg
Allu Arjun Faces Investigation After Stampede Tragedy at Hyderabad Theatre
On December 4, a tragic stampede at Hyderabad's Sandhya Theatre during the screening of Pushpa 2: The Rise resulted in the death of a 35-year-old mother, Revathi, and left her eight-year-old son, Sri Tej, critically injured. Footage from the scene captures the confusion and chaos as a crowd surged through a doorway, tearing metal gates from their hinges and littering the ground with plastic bottles and paper. The stampede reportedly followed the announcement that actor Allu Arjun
Manu Bhaker's Khel Ratna Nomination Missing: Shooter Responds Amid Criticism
Manu Bhaker, the double Olympic medallist shooter, recently made headlines after reports revealed her name was missing from the list of athletes nominated for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Bhaker, the first Indian athlete to win two Olympic medals in a single edition of the Games, expressed surprise over the omission, but clarified that it could be due to a lapse on her part while filing the nomination. She emphasized that awards motivate her but are not her ultimate goa
Rs 3.08 Lakh Crore Income Tax Refunds Disbursed in FY 2025, Up 46%
Between April and November 2024, the Indian government dispersed Rs 3.08 lakh crore in income tax refunds, reflecting a significant 46% increase compared to the same period last year. As of November 22, about 98.35% of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) filed have been e-verified, with a record-breaking 69.93 lakh ITRs submitted on a single day, July 31. The total number of ITRs filed by November 22 stands at 8.50 crore, a 7.32% increase from the previous year. The introduction of innovation