January 2, 2026

TTD Cuts Darshan Waiting Time Using AI Amid Vaikuntha Ekadasi Crowds

TTD launched an AI-powered Command and Control Centre to manage huge crowds during Vaikuntha Ekadasi at Tirumala. Over 67,000 devotees saw Lord Venkateswara daily with shorter waits and smooth flow. The smart system spots crowd build-ups and reroutes queues to avoid chaos. Plans to expand AI tech across all darshan streams are underway.

January 2, 2026

UAE Banks End SMS OTPs from 2026, Switch to In-App Biometric Payment Approvals

From January 6, 2026, UAE banks will stop sending SMS OTPs for online card payments. Instead, users must approve transactions through bank apps using biometrics for stronger security.

January 2, 2026

China's BYD Overtakes Tesla as World’s Top Electric Vehicle Seller in 2025

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has outpaced Tesla in 2025 EV sales. BYD sold over 2.25 million cars, beating Tesla's estimated 1.65 million. The rise thanks to competitive pricing and strong demand worldwide.

January 2, 2026

Amazon Allows Limited Remote Work for Employees Stuck in India Due to H-1B Delays

Amazon has set a temporary remote work rule for workers stranded in India by H-1B visa delays. But workers cannot do key tasks like coding or customer interactions until visa issues clear.

January 2, 2026

Australia Readies Record-Breaking Electric Cars as 2026 EV Tax and Charges Loom

Australia will get new electric utes, sports cars, and hatchbacks in 2026. Prices will break records on both ends. But a new electric vehicle tax and road-user charge may slow the boom.