Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her eighth consecutive budget, highlighting key initiatives for education, healthcare, and national growth. The budget includes the establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs, broadband connectivity in government schools, multilingual education schemes, and Centres of Excellence in AI and skilling.
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Indian travelers renewing their American B1/B2 visas now face longer wait times as the US reinstates its pre-Covid policy. With wait times still over 400 days in major cities, the visa renewal process has become more cumbersome, affecting travel industry growth and reflecting an increase in in-person interview requirements.
Aries to Pisces, 2025 brings diverse fortunes with financial stability, career growth, and personal development. For Aries, expect lucrative investments; Taurus sees career prospects in banking and IT; Gemini students must focus; while Cancer needs to balance work and home. Health and strategic planning will be vital for most signs, particularly women excelling professionally.
The BJP criticized the AAP for hypocrisy, accusing it of catering to Hindu voters with pre-election promises while providing salaries to Imams for a decade. This follows Kejriwal’s announcement of a new scheme offering a monthly honorarium to temple priests and granthis ahead of the Delhi assembly elections.
India and Japan are finalizing designs for bullet trains on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, modifying Shinkansen trains for Indian conditions. These modifications include enhanced luggage capacity, higher temperature tolerance, and dust resistance.
Toronto's Casuals Cakery's Drake lookalike contest gets a $10,000 boost from the rapper himself. The December 14th event at Apt. 200 follows a trend of celebrity doppelgänger competitions, including recent Rocky, Timothée Chalamet, Paul Mescal, and Harry Styles lookalike events.
Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni is set to become the Mahamandleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara on January 24, marking her complete transition to spiritual leadership. The ceremony will include significant traditional rituals and signals a noteworthy shift from her film career to a deeply spiritual path.
Pop star Taylor Swift, sporting a stylish red ensemble, attended boyfriend Travis Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs game against the Houston Texans. Joined by her parents, Swift's appearance marks her return to Arrowhead Stadium after skipping away games due to security concerns following a concert terror threat and Kelce's home invasion.
The BJP criticized the TMC-led West Bengal government for allegedly banning Holi celebrations at Santiniketan, accusing CM Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics. They urged Hindus to celebrate without fear. The state government clarified that there was no ban, but rather a request for environmental caution in protected areas. The BJP claimed the move was politically motivated.
Bank holidays in March 2025 will affect various cities and states due to regional festivals and observances. Customers should plan financial transactions in advance as banks will be closed on specific dates, but ATMs, mobile banking, and internet banking services will remain available.
BJP MLA Usha Thakur sparked controversy by asserting that voters who accept money or gifts will be reincarnated as animals. She highlighted the BJP government's financial aid programs, expressing dismay that votes are still traded for small sums. Thakur urged citizens to protect democracy and support the BJP, which she believes serves national interests.