'Pushpa 2' has now crossed Rs 1000 crore at the box office and saw a good jump on third Saturday. It made Rs 25 crore on Saturday and the Sunday numbers are expected to be even bigger.

Indian artists witnessed a surge in global demand in 2024, with modern masters like M.F. Husain and S.H. Raza leading the way. A 32% increase in inquiries propelled India to the top of the list, alongside rising contemporary artists like Raghav Babbar and Tanya Goel, whose international presence continues to grow.

India's 2023-24 forest fire season witnessed a decline in fire hotspots, attributed to improved wildfire management strategies. Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh reported the highest fire incidences. Globally, Russia experienced the most significant tree cover loss due to fires from 2001-2022. The Union environment minister expressed concerns and emphasized ongoing efforts to combat wildfires.

Notorious gangster Vishal Meshram, wanted for two murders and drug peddling, was dramatically apprehended during a midnight screening of 'Pushpa 2' in Nagpur. Police, after a 10-month pursuit, tracked him to the cinema, deflated his vehicle's tire, and strategically captured him during the film's climax.

2024 has been a groundbreaking year for female-led performances, with actresses delivering exceptional portrayals across OTT and theatrical releases. Their work highlights evolving narratives in Indian cinema and showcases their unparalleled talent. Heres a look at the most notable performances of the year.

A deadly LPG tanker explosion in Jaipur, India, following a collision with a truck, claimed 13 lives, including two more on Saturday. Eleven people died on Friday, with four initially unidentified. Twenty-six remain hospitalized, several critically injured with severe burns and lung damage from the toxic fumes. Doctors are battling to stabilize the survivors.

An LPG tanker collision with a truck near Jaipur left nearly 30 people with severe burns. A nearby farming family provided refuge and, using a ladder, helped the victims over a wall to reach Kandoi Hospital. The hospital staff administered first aid and swiftly transported the victims to SMS Hospital via ambulance.

UAE clinched a thrilling two-run victory over Kuwait in the ILT20 Gulf Cricket Championship (GCC) final. Alishan Sharafu and Tanish Suri provided crucial runs for UAE. Meet Bhavsar's 72 almost led Kuwait to victory. The match went down to the wire. Muhammad Jawadullah held his nerve in the final over. UAE secured their first ILT20 GCC title.

Aston Villa triumphed over Manchester City with a 2-1 victory on Saturday, increasing the pressure on City's manager Pep Guardiola. Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers scored for Villa, while Phil Foden netted a late consolation goal for City. This win elevates Villa to fifth place, surpassing City who now sit precariously in sixth.

Sameer Rizvi, the Delhi Capitals' recent acquisition, smashed a breathtaking 201* off just 97 balls in an Under-23 match against Tripura. His stunning innings, featuring 13 fours and 20 sixes, is the fastest double century in the tournament's history.

In 2024, major tech companies like Tesla, Intel, and Microsoft faced significant layoffs due to cost-cutting, AI adoption, and economic pressures. Over 150,000 jobs were lost, highlighting the need for job seekers to adapt. Key strategies include upskilling in AI and cloud computing, building professional networks, showcasing versatility, and aligning with emerging industry demands to secure career growth in the evolving job market of 2025.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy criticized actor Allu Arjun for attending a Pushpa-2 screening despite police denial, alleging his presence led to a fatal stampede. Reddy highlighted Allu Arjun's roadshow amidst the chaos and contrasted the support he received from film personalities with the lack of empathy for the stampede victim's injured son.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has announced the Round 2 seat allotment results for DNB counselling for DNB Post-Diploma courses. A total of 225 qualified candidates have been allocated seats in this second round of counselling for admissions to the respective courses. Candidates can check the direct link here.

Former US President Barack Obama has shared his highly anticipated list of favourite books for 2024, revealing ten titles that reflect his literary interests. In a social media post, he encouraged followers to read these selections during the holiday season, emphasising their lasting impact on him.

Ariana Grande has put music tour plans on hold, focusing instead on her burgeoning acting career. The Wicked star confirmed she won't be touring in 2025, prioritizing her current passion for acting. While music remains important, she's embracing Hollywood opportunities, including her Golden Globe-nominated role as Glinda. Fans can anticipate her return to the big screen in Wicked's sequel.

Chennai police arrested a lawyer and her husband. The couple conned a car driver out of Rs 20.76 lakh. They promised him a High Court job. The lawyer posed as a civil judge. The driver gave them money in installments. He received a fake appointment letter. He complained to the police. The couple were arrested and sent to judicial custody.

Two men were arrested in Delhi for defrauding a woman of Rs 4 lakh by posing as Delhi Jal Board officials. They threatened to disconnect her water supply and tricked her into installing a malicious APK file, stealing her bank details. Police traced the funds through various accounts and apprehended the culprits, recovering a portion of the stolen money.

The CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2025 will start on February 15, with the Physics exam scheduled for February 21. With less than three months left, students are focusing on preparation. Shailendra Pandey from Physics Wallah has provided expected questions, and students should practice with textbooks, sample papers, and previous years papers available on CBSEs website. Key topics include Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current.

Pankaj Tripathi, star of the blockbuster 'Stree 2', remains humble despite its success. He emphasised the importance of not letting success affect one's mindset and highlighted unique storytelling in franchise films. Tripathi shared that a bonus clause was included in his contract, with the sequel's target surpassed in just two days.

Agniva Chakraborty's 2025 calendar honors Marathi cartoonist Shivram Dattatreya Phadnis (SDP) as he approaches his 100th birthday. Phadnis, known for his caption-less cartoons in publications like Mohini, is celebrated for his simple yet profound humor. The calendar recognizes Phadnis's seven-decade career and his unique contribution to Indian cartooning.

The Maharashtra legislature referred the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024 to a joint committee for review. The bill aims to combat Naxalism's urban spread by targeting hideouts and frontal organizations. Concerns about the bill's scope led to its referral, with a revised draft expected in the July session after committee review.

The Varanasi division wrestling team was selected on Friday at Dr Sampurnanand Sports Complex, Sigra, for the Junior Girls State Level Wrestling Championship in Mau from December 25-27. Ten girls across different weight categories, representing Varanasi, Chandauli, and Ghazipur, were chosen. The selection trial was inaugurated by Chandauli's sports officer and attended by several wrestling coaches.

'In terms of designers back then, there were names like Ritu Kumar, Rohit Khosla, Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, but people didnt really know what a fashion designers role was,' says fashion designer Payal Jain

IIT Kanpur has released the information brochure for JEE Advanced 2025. Registration will start on April 23, 2025, and close on May 2, 2025, with the fee payment deadline on May 5, 2025. The exam will be held on May 18, 2025, consisting of two papersPaper 1 and Paper 2, each lasting three hours.

The Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) has declared the results for the VIT Research Entrance Examination (VITREE) January 2025. Candidates can visit vit.ac.in to check and download their results. The exam, held on December 7, 2024, is for students seeking admission to PhD programs. Check direct link here.

Here's looking into how 2024, especially the last quarter of the year - from October to December - was at the movies! With 'Pushpa 2' creating a huge dent and a case study with those big unthinkable numbers, here's the lesson which should also be carried forward to next year. Trade experts weigh in!