The GST Council lowered the compensation cess rate for merchant exporters to 0.1% and reduced the tax on fortified rice kernels to 5%. The exemption for missile parts was extended. Clarification was issued on popcorn taxation, with pre-packed, ready-to-eat varieties at 12% and caramelized versions at 18%.

Tarot readings suggest that Beyonc and Jay-Z's marriage may face challenges in the wake of recent allegations against Jay-Z.

Squid Game season 2: More than three years after bursting onto screens, Squid Game is finally returning for a second season. Squid Game became a global phenomenon when it debuted in 2021, going on to become Netflixs most-watched series of all time. The season will feature seven episodes and will be available for streaming worldwide on December 26, 2024.

House of the Dragon Season 3 will be releasing om HBO Max. The question remains when!

This incident involved eight drones, six of which struck residential high-rise buildings, while one hit an industrial facility, and another was intercepted over a river.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the allocation of portfolios for his ministry would likely occur on Saturday or Sunday. This follows the swearing-in of Fadnavis, his deputies, and 39 ministers earlier this month after the Mahayuti alliance's significant election victory. The delay in portfolio allocation has been a point of discussion since the new government's formation.

Sri Lanka has officially exited default after Fitch Ratings upgraded its credit rating. The upgrade follows successful international sovereign bond restructuring and improved macroeconomic indicators. The country secured an IMF bailout in March 2023 after facing an economic crisis the previous year. President Dissanayake announced flexibility with the IMF on tax regimes, aiming to ease the burden on lower earners.

A recent appearance of Angelina Jolie at a red carpet for her Maria Callas' biopic has sparked concerns about her health on social media. Many fans are obsessed over her unhealthy appearance and promoting unhealthy dieting practices. Many have predicted it could be due to the stress of the ongoing, messy divorce battle with Brad Pitt.

Syrian rebels appointed a new foreign minister after overthrowing President Assad. The new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, aims to rebuild the nation and establish international relations. Sharaa's group, formerly linked to al Qaeda, took control of Damascus. The US removed the bounty on Sharaa. The war-torn country seeks peace and economic recovery after years of conflict.

King Charles is making genuine efforts to bond with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, this Christmas.

Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a bankers' conclave. He pushed for Northeast-specific banking guidelines. Shah stressed the region's development as a national responsibility. He urged banks to see the Northeast's potential beyond just business. The minister called for exploring the region's potential for India's growth. He highlighted the Northeast as a lucrative business destination.

The NYT word game, Connections, continues to enchant puzzle enthusiasts around the globe with its distinctive mix of logic, vocabulary, and wordplay.

Is Elon Musk and Donald Trump friendship is doomed to fail? Elon Musk, one of the closest allies of Trump, has been at the forefront and taking charge on all crucial matters. Comedian-actor Seth Meyers has mocked the alliance and has predicted that it would end in a disaster. Meyers also slammed Musk's social media posts about the potential government shutdown.

BJP MLC C T Ravi, recently arrested and released, claims a threat to his life from Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. He alleges a conspiracy, citing his arrest and transport through isolated areas as evidence. Ravi demands government protection and a judicial probe into police conduct, asserting his respectful treatment of Hebbalkar despite accusations.

Avoid combining ghee with honey, fish, radish, curd, fruits, hot water, and tea or coffee, as these pairings can disrupt digestion and may lead to health issues. Consult a dietitian or Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized advice.

Stakeholders in India's National Pension System (NPS) launched the Association of NPS Intermediaries to boost the system's reach and subscriber welfare. With over Rs 13.7 lakh crore in assets under management, the NPS is gaining popularity as a retirement solution. The association aims to promote the NPS, improve its framework, and expand pension coverage throughout India.

Sean Diddy Combs' row: Hollywood actor-singer Jennifer Lopez's name has been dragged into a $400 million sexual assault lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend Sean Diddy Combs. Sean Diddy has been in jail since September for sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitution. Sean and Lopez dated from 1999 to 2001 and then parted ways. Will she testify?

The popular Netflix series Stranger Things has finished filming its fifth and final season. The show will return in 2025. The cast includes Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard. Actor Jamie Campbell Bower hints at an exciting and intense final season. The story continues the adventures of a group of friends in Hawkins, Indiana.

Authorities led Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, in a slow, lengthy perp walk during his transportation to a New York federal prison. What caught people's attention was Mangione being flanked by NYC mayor Eric Adams. The highly publicized escort has garnered mixed reactions on social media and rekindled the debate about staging so-called perp walks.

Ex-AAP MLA Sukhbir Singh Dalal and Sikh leader Balbir Singh joined the BJP. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva welcomed them. Dalal criticized AAP's inaction on the sports university project. He praised BJP's work in rural areas. Sachdeva highlighted the Modi government's project completion record. Union minister Harsh Malhotra slammed AAP's broken promises. Delhi elections are due in February.

A warm Christmas is predicted for most of the US in 2024, with rain instead of snow expected across many regions. A white Christmas is most likely in the Rocky Mountains and along the US-Canada border. Holiday travelers should anticipate hazardous conditions in the Upper Midwest and northern Rockies early in the week, shifting to the Northeast by Tuesday.

Sixteen security personnel were killed in northwest Pakistan in an attack by Islamist militants, the deputy superintendent of police told Reuters.

ISRO and ESA have signed an agreement to collaborate on astronaut training, mission implementation, and research experiments. This partnership includes joint work on the Axiom-4 mission, with experiments on the ISS, and future cooperation on human spaceflight activities, including India's proposed space station, BAS.

Sanjay Raut accused Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis of lying about the Bharat Jodo Yatra's link to urban Naxals. Violence erupted in Parbhani and Beed. Nana Patole defended the Yatra and demanded a list of the accused organizations. He highlighted the Congress party's national service and commitment to the Constitution. Patole sought transparency from Fadnavis.

Nothing has launched Nothing OS 3.0 based on Android 15 for its smartphones. The update brings a redesigned Gallery app, customizable lock screen with Shared Widgets, an AI-powered Smart Drawer, and performance enhancements. The rollout begins with Phone (2) and Phone (2a) this year, followed by Phone (1), Phone (2a) Plus, and CMF Phone 1 in early 2025.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuwait on a two-day visit, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years. He will engage in discussions with Kuwaiti leaders, including the Emir, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and regional cooperation.

An arrest warrant has been issued for former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa over alleged unpaid employee provident fund dues totaling over 23 lakh. Uthappa, director of Centauries Lifestyle Brands, is accused of failing to remit the funds. Police, however, stated that Uthappa no longer resides at the address listed on the warrant.

Party City, struggling since the COVID-19 pandemic, filed for its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy in two years. The retailer plans to wind down its 700 stores and wholesale operations with going-out-of-business sales. Senior lenders will provide financial support during the closure process. Amscan, a Party City Holdco-operated subsidiary, also filed for bankruptcy.

Tech mogul Elon Musk played a pivotal role in derailing a bipartisan funding bill, raising questions about his growing influence in Washington. However, the US House passed the urgent funding bill to avert a government shutdown. After the key bill was passed, Elon Musk challenged the government with a cryptic 'Vox Populi' post on X.

The Winter Solstice arrives on December 21, 2024. It marks the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. India will experience the solstice around 2:30 pm. The Northern Hemisphere will see longer nights and shorter days. The Southern Hemisphere will experience shorter nights and longer days.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut indicated a potential solo run for his party in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. While clarifying that this wouldn't necessitate leaving the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Raut emphasized the strong demand from party workers to contest independently, citing a surplus of aspirants.

Novo Nordisk's reign as Europe's most valuable company is facing a challenge from US rival Eli Lilly. Lilly's weight-loss drug, Zepbound, is gaining market share, while Novo's experimental drug showed less impressive results. This competition mirrors the Nokia-Apple rivalry, raising concerns about Europe's ability to maintain its competitive edge.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25. The date links to Roman and pagan winter solstice traditions. Early Christians adopted the date to celebrate Jesus' birth. Christmas traditions include nativity scenes, Santa Claus, and decorated trees. Feasts and family gatherings are common. Christmas is now a global holiday observed by many cultures and faiths.

Elon Musk, via a barrage of X posts containing misinformation, derailed a bipartisan funding bill, prompting a government shutdown threat. His false claims targeted congressional pay raises, stadium funding, and bioweapon labs. Congress ultimately approved a different spending deal, averting a shutdown.

Defence and space leaders will gather in India next month for the DefSat Conference and Expo to discuss the growing role of space technology in modern warfare. The conference will explore topics such as quantum key distribution, non-kinetic warfare, and AI-powered solutions, with a focus on homeland security applications.

Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett are set to star opposite Anne Hathaway in Amazon MGM Studios upcoming feature Verity. The film will fall under Semi-Formal Productions first-look film deal with the studio. The story follows, Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who is on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime.

The GST Council, meeting in Jaisalmer, decided to lower the GST rate on AAC blocks with high fly ash content to 12%. Fortified rice kernels will now attract a 5% GST rate regardless of use. Ready-to-eat popcorn's GST rate will vary based on ingredients and packaging, while the rate for used cars, including EVs, has been increased to 18%.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has been receiving support from GOP lawmakers to become the US House Speaker. Elon Musk had urged Republicans to not to pass a government funding extension that would prevent a major shutdown. But the SpaceX CEO is born in South Africa. So, can he become the House Speaker? What does the Constitution says?