The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) registered 9.69 per cent growth (month-on-month) in net payroll addition in December 2024 at 16.05 lakh net members, the government said on Tuesday.

According to the provisional payroll data for December, the year-on-year analysis revealed a growth of 2.74 per cent in net payroll additions compared to December 2023, signifying increased employment opportunities and heightened awareness of employee benefits, bolstered by the EPFO's effective outreach initiatives.

The organisation enrolled around 8.47 lakh new subscribers in December 2024. The new subscribers’ addition shows year-on-year growth of 0.73 per cent from the previous year in December 2023.

This surge in new subscribers can be attributed to growing employment opportunities, increased awareness of employee benefits, and the EPFO's successful outreach programmes.

Consumer expenditure through credit cards has shot up by 10.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.84 lakh crore in January 2025 with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank recording the highest increase, according to the latest data compiled by the RBI.

The country’s leading credit card issuer HDFC Bank registered a 15.91 per cent year-on-year growth to Rs 50,664 crore during the month while ICICI Bank’s credit card spending increased by 20.25 per cent to Rs 35,682 crore. However, SBI registered a 6 per cent decline to Rs 28,976 crore. Similarly, Axis Bank’s customers’ spending fell by 0.45 per cent to Rs 20,212 crore in January.

The per-card expenditure during the month worked out to Rs 16,910, which represents a 1.09 per cent increase over the same month last year.

HDFC Bank issued 2,99,761 new credit cards in January while SBI Cards added 2,34,537 new cards and ICICI Bank issued another 1,83,157 credit cards. However, Axis Bank’s net credit card additions declined by 14,862 during the month.

Higher levels of physical activity may not only prevent the risk of cancers but also boost survival rates in people who have undergone treatment.

Researchers from the Louisiana State University in the US focussed on long-term survival rates in colon cancer survivors. Individuals with colon cancer face higher rates of premature mortality than people in the general population.

To assess whether exercise might reduce this disparity, the team analysed data from two posttreatment trials in patients with stage 3 colon cancer. A total of 2,875 patients self-reported physical activity after cancer surgery and chemotherapy.

Former England captain Michael Atherton has described the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan as "one-sided", following India's win in the Group A match of the Champions Trophy.

The highly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the 2025 Champions Trophy turned out to be another lopsided affair, with Rohit Sharma’s men securing a dominant six-wicket win in Dubai to seal their place in the semfinals.

Speaking on the Sky Sports Podcast, Atherton highlighted that despite all the hype surrounding the fixture, the match has not lived up to expectations.

In a shocking incident, bullet-riddled bodies of a man and woman were found in a hotel room on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway on Tuesday, police said.

The deceased were identified as Komal (21), a resident of Shikohpur village in Gurugram, and Nikhil (23), a resident of Lokri village in the Pataudi area.

Preliminary investigation suggested that it could be a case of suicide.

Police received information about the bodies lying in a room of the hotel in Manesar and sent them for post-mortem.

Global FMCG giant Unilever announced on Tuesday that Hein Schumacher is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Fernando Fernandez will be appointed to replace him in the top job with effect from March 1, 2025.

"A thorough internal and external search process is being initiated to appoint a permanent CFO. From 1 March 2025, Srinivas Phatak, currently Unilever’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Group Controller, will become acting CFO. Srinivas has served in global and local senior finance, strategy and supply chain roles including a successful term as CFO of Hindustan Unilever Limited. Srinivas’ leadership qualities and his broad experience will enable him to partner Fernando in successfully executing Unilever’s strategy," Unilever said in a statement.

Schumacher has decided to quit as a Board Director as well on March 1, 2025, by mutual agreement, and will leave the company on May 31, 2025, Unilever said.

The pan-India film ‘Devara: Part 1’ starring NTR Jr is gearing up for its release in Japan on March 28.

As a part of the promotions, NTR Jr is busy with the media rounds in the land of the rising sun. He will also travel to Japan on March 22 for promotions. For NTR Jr, Japan has always been a land of love and admiration. His film ‘RRR;, directed by SS Rajamouli, became a cultural sensation there, winning hearts with its breathtaking action and larger-than-life drama.

His fans in Japan have long revered his performances, with ‘Student No. 1’ being a massive success in the region. Now, with ‘Devara: Part 1’, they are set to witness yet another cinematic spectacle headlined by their beloved star.

The Income Tax Department, Chandigarh organized a Mega Blood Donation Camp on 21st February, 2025. DGIT (Inv.), NWR Monika Bhatia inaugurated the camp as the Chief Guest. It was organised in collaboration with and on the Campus of GGDSD College, sector- 32, Chandigarh at recreation Hall of the college.

This event is organized under the agies of worthy Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (NWR) Amrapalli Das and the able guidance of Shalini Bhargav Kaushal, Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax-1, Chandigarh .

The Chief Guest set a remarkable tone of the event as a leader who leads by example by donating blood herself on the spot. Her rousing speech, filled with real-life anecdotes of the benefits of blood donation, motivated one and all. She also interacted with the donors, which included members of Aaykar Pariwar as well as college students. The donors were felicitated by a certificate and a customised mug with the departmental logo. They were also provided with healthy refreshments post donation. A team of doctors from PGI, Chandigarh was responsible for collecting the blood after thorough testing. The camp achieved great success as-about 150 units of blood has been donated.

The Chief Guest , Guests of Honour and other officers were also felicitated by the college management.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday announced that women's self-help groups will be allotted land for setting up one petrol pump in every district.

Inaugurating the first petrol pump set up by the Zilla Mahila Samaikhya in Narayanpet district, the Chief Minister said it was a delightful moment that a women's group has set up a petrol pump for the first time in the country.

He stated that initially, the government would make arrangements for women groups to set up one petrol pump in each district on government land. Later, steps will be taken for one petrol pump in each Assembly constituency.

He claimed that the ‘people’s government’ accorded top priority to the welfare and development of women. "Self-help groups have been revived soon after the people's government assumed power in the state. As many as 67 lakh women members are part of the self-help groups. The government's main objective is to promote one crore women millionaires in Telangana. Women are being encouraged in all fields," he said.

The Chief Minister mentioned that women groups are already the owners of 600 buses in Road Transport Corporation. The government is also providing opportunities for women to set up 1,000 MW solar power plants. Women self-help groups are being allowed to set up stalls at Shilparamam to sell products manufactured by them.