Formerly known as Grofers, Blinkit, a quick commerce company, was recently acquired by Zomato. In a cheeky social media post, Blinkit's CEO Albinder Dhindsa shared that over 1 lakh packets of condoms and 45,000 bottles of mineral water were being delivered for the New Year's Eve prep. However, standup comic Kunal Kamra raised important questions about the wages of the company's delivery partners. This incident brings attention to the exploitation of gig workers by platform owners in the gig economy.
The Kerala State Beverages Corporation has reported a whopping Rs 108 crore in liquor sales on New Year's Eve, surpassing last year's figures by Rs 13 crore. With the state already relying heavily on alcohol taxes, this increase in sales is expected to significantly boost the state's revenues. The highest sales were recorded at the Ravipuram outlet in Kochi, and with one more quarter left in the fiscal year, it is predicted that this year's liquor sales will surpass the previous year's record of Rs 19,088.68 crore.
Maximilian Bachmann and Steve Bellman, owners of Verified Wines and Fine Spirits and Wine and Spirits aficionado, respectively, teamed up for a champagne tasting on DMV Zone in preparation for New Year's Eve. Tasting Table's own Sarah Klimek also shared her ranking of 10 store-bought English muffin brands, with one particular restaurant brand coming in at the bottom. And for those on a budget, there may be a scientific reason why rotisserie chicken is often cheaper than fresh chicken at the grocery store. Plus, learn about a common cooking ingredient that may help reduce gas when cooking beans.
As the clock strikes midnight in beautiful Niue Island, located between Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands, the world's second-to-last New Year's Eve celebration is underway. The tiny island nation is finally ringing in the new year after countries across Australasia, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas have already started their celebrations. Despite some events being cancelled for bad weather, the UK and the United Arab Emirates both put on dazzling fireworks displays to welcome 2025. Meanwhile, Syria celebrates its first new year since President Bashar al-Assad's removal with fireworks and DJ sets in the capital city of Damascus. Watch a compilation of the world's top new year celebrations here.
Despite a tragic car accident in Jalna district that claimed the lives of four individuals and injured two, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis remains hopeful for the state's future. In a press conference during his visit to Gadchiroli, Fadnavis announced that Naxalism is on the decline with Maoist cadres willingly surrendering and no new recruits being attracted to the outlawed movement. He also revealed plans for development in the district, such as a new bus service and potential for it to become India's next steel city.
Despite his team's poor performance in the Premier League, Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim remains optimistic about the year ahead. The Red Devils have had a rough start to 2025, with five league losses in a single month for the first time in over 60 years. However, Amorim expressed his enthusiasm for the team's potential in a New Year's Eve message, acknowledging the hard work that will be needed to improve. Despite facing criticism and discussions about potential relegation, Amorim remains committed to sticking with his 3-4-3 system despite the players' struggles to adapt.
Google's visually stunning and magical New Year's Eve doodle for 2025 captivated audiences with its sparkling animation and celestial theme. The central star in the iconic 'Google' logo symbolized new beginnings and hope for the upcoming year, while a countdown clock added to the excitement. This creative touch from Google marked the start of a new chapter and reminded viewers of the endless possibilities that 2025 had to offer.
As the New Year approaches, many people are making plans to celebrate and toast to the year ahead. However, with busy schedules and holiday closures, finding a place to eat can be a challenge. Thankfully, some popular fast food and casual restaurants will be open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Check out their operating hours and plan your perfect New Year's dinner with loved ones.
Rapper Cardi B opened up about her recent weight loss, attributing it to a stomach problem she faced for a week. She shared that she is not happy with the way her body currently looks and credits engaging in s*xual activity for helping her gain back the weight. The Grammy winner also mentioned that she and her estranged husband Offset rekindled their relationship for a night on New Year's Eve.
The legendary MS Dhoni, known for surprising his fans with his decisions, has yet AGAIN made a big announcement on the eve of this year's IPL! He has relinquished his captaincy and named Ruturaj Gaikwad as the new leader, continuing with the succession process in one of the most successful franchises of the tournament, Chennai Super Kings. This move not only marks the start of a new era for Chennai, but also for other teams like Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and more, as they opt for younger captains. Dhoni's shoes will be hard to fill, considering his multiple roles in the team - leader, mentor, finisher, wicketkeeper, coach and strategist, but the rest of the league is excited for the tournament to begin and see who emerges victorious at the end.