India poised to become Canva’s largest global market: Co-founder Adams; Trump loyalist Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director; Qatar Summit & more
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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta will not stay in ‘Sheesh Mahal’ — three options being explored
Rekha Gupta has taken over as the Chief Minister of Delhi. The allocation of departments within the Delhi government has been finalised, and Gupta's proactive approach is already visible. In her first cabinet meeting, the Ayushman Bharat scheme and the CAG report received approval.
Now, a question on everyone’s mind is: where will Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reside?She has made it clear that she will not live in the 'Sheesh Mahal.' In a conversation with News18 India, she said that she plans to convert the Sheesh Mahal into a museum. Meanwhile, discussions and preparations are underway to decide where the new Chief Minister will live.
Three Options for the Chief Minister’s Residence
The Public Works Department (PWD) has shortlisted three options for Rekha Gupta's official residence, according to a News18 India report.
Trump loyalist Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director by Senate despite deep Democratic doubts
The Senate on Thursday narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as director of the FBI, moving to place him atop the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency despite doubts from Democrats about his qualifications and concerns he will do Donald Trump's bidding and go after the Republican president's adversaries.
“I cannot imagine a worse choice," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told colleagues before the 51-49 vote by the GOP-controlled Senate. Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were the lone Republican holdouts.A Trump loyalist who has fiercely criticised the agency, Patel will inherit an FBI gripped by turmoil as the Justice Department over the past month has forced out a group of senior bureau officials and made a highly unusual demand for the names of thousands of agents who participated in investigations related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol.
BJP names Rekha Gupta as new Delhi CM: Top factors that seem to have worked in her favour
After more than 10 days of grueling suspense, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, February 19, finally announced Rekha Gupta as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, heralding a significant shift in the city’s leadership. The announcement was made during the BJP legislative meeting today. The BJP’s decision has ignited discussions on the criteria the party considered when selecting Gupta for this prestigious role in the national capital.
Here are the top factors that seem to have worked in Rekha Gupta’s favour
Youthful LeadershipA key factor in the BJP's decision to choose Gupta was her relatively young age. The party has been promoting younger leaders in recent years, as seen in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, where senior leaders were replaced by fresh faces. The trend continues in Delhi, with the BJP aiming to infuse vitality into its leadership.
Uttar Pradesh Budget 2025-26: ?1.06 lakh crore for Education, ?50,550 crore for Healthcare and ?89,353 crore for Agriculture
In a significant move, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a robust ?8.08 lakh crore budget for the financial year 2025-26, prioritising critical sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Key allocations include ?1.06 lakh crore for education,?50,550 crore for healthcare, and ?89,353 crore for agriculture and rural development, signaling the state's commitment to the well-being and development of its citizens.Key Budget Allocations for FY26Finance Minister Suresh Khanna presented the state’s budget in the assembly, highlighting a focus on infrastructure, social welfare, and sectoral growth. The largest share, a staggering ?1.79 lakh crore (22% of the total budget), has been allocated for infrastructure development. This includes:
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India poised to become Canva’s largest global market, says co-founder Cameron Adams
Cameron Adams, Co-Founder of Canva, has high expectations for the company’s growth in India, predicting that the market could soon become Canva’s largest globally.“India can be huge, it is our fourth biggest market at the moment. It was fifth just a few months ago, but it continues to rapidly grow. I think we can reach the number one position within the next few years,” Adams stated.Canva, a leading graphic design tool, has gained immense popularity among Indian users, driven by both individuals and businesses utilising the platform for a variety of purposes. “We are seeing incredible usage, incredible diversity of Canva across the Indian market as well. It is not just individuals producing social media content, it is also businesses and workplaces using Canva for presentations, pitch decks, etc.,” Adams noted.
Web Summit Qatar 2025 set to redefine innovation and networking
The countdown has begun for one of the most anticipated tech gatherings of the year. Web Summit Qatar 2025 at Doha, Qatar is not just another conference, it’s a gateway to the future. From February 23-26, the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) will become the epicenter of groundbreaking innovations, world-changing ideas, and billion-dollar deals as over thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, and tech visionaries descend upon the city. For startups and visionaries who are looking to witness the next big thing in AI, fintech, and digital transformation, this is where you need to be.
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Google Pay introduces convenience fee on bill payments via credit, debit cards: Report
Google Pay has announced a convenience fee for electricity, water, and gas bill payments made via credit and debit cards, according to a report by The Economic Times (ET).
However, UPI payments made directly through bank accounts remain free.The report states that Google Pay will levy a fee ranging from 0.5% to 1% of the transaction amount, plus applicable GST.This follows a similar move last year when the platform introduced a ?3 convenience fee on mobile recharges.
Google Pay, which holds a 37% share of UPI transactions in India, joins competitors PhonePe and Paytm, which already charge fees on bill payments.The report also highlights the growing adoption of UPI Autopay, which has surpassed card transactions for recurring payments.
National Pension System: All about tax benefits under NPS
An Indian citizen is required to pay Income Tax, depending on the slab their earnings fall. Individuals, however, can lower their tax obligations by making certain investments. For investments in particular financial products, the government provides tax benefits.
The National Pension System (NPS) is among the top tax-saving investment options in the country, offering a wide range of tax benefits. It provides several other advantages in addition to the tax incentives.Investing in NPS allows a person to minimise their taxable income, cutting their overall tax liability.
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NOTO Ice Cream raises ?15 cr in funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures
Start-up NOTO Ice Cream on Thursday said it has raised? ?15 crore in its latest funding round, led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), with participation from JITO and Lets Venture.
The funds will be utilised for expanding into Tier-I and Tier-II cities, launching innovative flavours and formats for the summer, supporting marketing on food-tech aggregators and quick-commerce platforms, upgrading infrastructure, and boosting brand awareness through experiences, the company said in a statement.The brand, also backed by renowned personalities such as John Abraham, Rannvijay Singha, and Kunal Bahl, is currently operational in cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune.
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