Category: MISC.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has updated the rules for small-value digital payments in offline mode, raising the transaction limits for UPI Lite. The revised guidelines now allow a maximum of Rs. 1,000 per transaction, with an overall wallet limit of Rs. 5,000. This change has been implemented immediately, marking a significant increase from the previous limits, which were set at Rs. 500 per transaction and Rs. 2,000 as the total limit for offline payments. This amendment is part of the RBI’s ongoing effort to promote the use of…

Upset Hindus are urging Bentonville (Arkansas, USA) headquartered multinational retail corporation Walmart for immediate withdrawal of all 74 varieties of underwear carrying the image of Hindu deity Ganesh; calling it highly inappropriate. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that Lord Ganesh was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to adorn one’s crotch or for “moisture-wicking” or for making underwear appear “sexy”. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for…

Three UK universities namely, University of Central Lancashire (Uclan), De Montfort University, and Nottingham Trent University, have been placed on “action plans” by the UK Home Office due to breaches in their student visa sponsorship compliance. These action plans are implemented when universities fall short of serious violations but need corrective measures to improve their processes. The Home Office’s action plans help institutions avoid more serious consequences, such as the revocation of their sponsorship licenses. These licenses are vital for enrolling international students. The specific reasons behind these actions have…

As Advent begins in the Holy Land for the second consecutive year amid the ongoing conflict, Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, stands as a symbol of hope in the midst of hardship. Despite not being directly involved in the violence, the town continues to struggle with the economic crisis, tensions with Israeli settlers, and an increasing wave of emigration. This year, the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, inaugurated the Advent celebrations in Bethlehem. A festive atmosphere surrounded his entrance, with children lining Star Street to welcome him.…

Starting December 10, Kolkata Metro will introduce a Rs 10 surcharge on all tickets for its night service operating on the Dum Dum-New Garia corridor. This decision comes as part of an effort to address low ridership on late-night trains. The night service runs in both directions at 10:40 pm, providing a crucial transport option for night-time commuters. However, it has struggled with low passenger numbers, prompting the Metro authorities to implement the surcharge. The goal is to improve the financial viability of the service, which has lower demand compared…

SpiceJet is set to generate an estimated Rs.185 crore in revenue from its Haj flight operations in 2025. The airline has secured exclusive rights to operate Haj flights from four major Indian cities—Kolkata, Guwahati, Srinagar, and Gaya. The operation will transport nearly 15,500 pilgrims, marking an 18% increase compared to the 13,000 pilgrims flown in 2024. For the upcoming season, SpiceJet will operate over 100 special Haj flights, utilizing both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft to meet the growing demand. The airline, which has been handling Haj operations since 2019, views…

Uber Launches Unique Shikara Service in Dal Lake, Srinagar – Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – In a move to promote tourism and provide a unique experience to visitors, Uber has launched its Shikara service in the iconic Dal Lake, Srinagar. The service, which was launched recently, allows users to book a traditional Shikara ride on the picturesque Dal Lake. The Shikaras, which are intricately designed and decorated, will be equipped with all necessary safety features and will be operated by experienced and trained drivers. This innovative move by Uber aims to…

Wolves have made a remarkable comeback in Europe over recent decades, but their resurgence has sparked tension, particularly among farmers. The European Commission is set to decide this week whether to weaken legal protections for the European grey wolf, which could lead to the legalisation of culling or hunting the animals. The proposal, backed by many farmers and EU officials, including President Ursula von der Leyen, has drawn criticism from environmental groups. They argue that the move lacks scientific backing, pointing out that the proposal is based on a report…

Each year, December 4 marks World Wildlife Conservation Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the critical need to protect wildlife and their habitats. Established in 2012 by Hillary Clinton, then U.S. Secretary of State, this day serves as a reminder of the urgent challenges facing wildlife populations, including extinction, endangerment, and the illegal wildlife trade. Despite ongoing efforts to combat these issues, wildlife crime remains a global crisis. According to recent statistics, over 41,000 species are currently at risk of extinction, representing 28% of all assessed species. This…

Patna: The Bihar Regional Bishops’ Council (BRBC) has taken a transformative step by formally adopting the CCBI Pastoral Plan Mission 2033 during its annual joint meeting held on November 27, 2024, at Navjyoti Niketan, Patna. The initiative, developed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), outlines a visionary roadmap to invigorate the Church’s mission over the next decade, with a special focus on synodality, youth involvement, and grassroots evangelization. The plan was unveiled by His Excellency Most Rev. Cajetan Francis Osta, Bishop of Muzaffarpur and Chairman of the BRBC.…