Author: Rasmita Jena

  • New UGC Rules: Study Any Discipline After Class 12!

    New UGC Rules: Study Any Discipline After Class 12!

    Good news for students wanting to pursue higher education! The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced new rules. Now, whether you studied science, arts, or commerce in Class 12, you can apply for any undergraduate (UG) or postgraduate (PG) program as long as you pass a national or university entrance exam.

    UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar explained this change aims to make learning more flexible and open to everyone. You won’t be limited by what you studied earlier. For example, if you took arts in high school, you can still join a science program if you pass the test.

    The universities can also admit students in the second, third, or fourth year of study based on what they have completed. If you’re interested in exploring different fields, you can even study two UG or PG programs at the same time, and you can switch between different subjects or schools.

    Furthermore, students can now focus on important skills and work experiences while studying. They can earn 50% of their credits in their main subject and the rest can go towards skill-building activities or exploring new subjects.

    These improvements mean that Indian higher education will meet international standards while also being welcoming to all types of learners!

  • Pushpa 2: The Rule Breaks Records on Opening Day!

    Pushpa 2: The Rule Breaks Records on Opening Day!

    Sukumar’s new movie, Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, hit theaters on December 5, with special previews on December 4. According to niftystat, the film made an amazing ₹50 crore in both Telugu and Hindi languages on its very first day!

    Pushpa 2: The Rule was released in several languages like Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, and Hindi. Fans could watch it in different formats like 2D, IMAX, 4DX, D-Box, and special PVR ICE. The 3D version will come out later. Even though it was a weekday, the movie’s earnings were incredible!

    To attract more viewers, the movie team raised ticket prices during its first week. This move faced some criticism, especially since the highest ticket cost as much as ₹2500 in certain theaters in Mumbai and Delhi. The local governments in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh also allowed the team to raise prices and plan special shows. The team hopes that these efforts will bring in larger audiences before prices drop after the first week.

    About Pushpa 2: The Rule
    Pushpa 2: The Rule is a continuation of the hit 2021 film, Pushpa: The Rise. Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil are back as Pushpa Raj, Srivalli, and Bhanwar Singh Shekawat. The story picks up after Pushpa becomes a powerful red sandalwood smuggler and leader. Not only does this movie continue the thrilling tale, but it also sets the stage for Pushpa 3: The Rampage.

  • Delhi MLA Naresh Balyan in Judicial Custody for Organized Crime Case

    Delhi MLA Naresh Balyan in Judicial Custody for Organized Crime Case

    A judge in Delhi sent Naresh Balyan, an MLA from AAP representing Uttam Nagar, to jail for a day in a case about organized crime. Judge Kaveri Baweja decided to keep him in jail because the police wanted to question him for 10 more days, but the discussion about this is still ongoing and will continue on December 6.

    The police believe Balyan holds important information about a larger plan related to the case. Earlier, another judge stopped the police from taking him into custody and told them to bring Balyan to the right court that deals with cases involving lawmakers. When the police tried to justify their actions, the judge pointed out that they were wasting time.

    Balyan was arrested on December 4 and had recently been granted bail in a different case related to extortion.

  • IOC Drops Key Sports for 2026 Youth Olympics: Impact on India

    IOC Drops Key Sports for 2026 Youth Olympics: Impact on India

    In a major setback for India’s hopes of winning medals, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided that shooting, weightlifting, and hockey will not be medal events at the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal. These sports have been moved to a special program called the “engagement programme,” which means they won’t award medals.

    At the last Youth Olympics in 2018, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, India won 13 medals, including 4 from shooting and 2 from hockey. Manu Bhaker, a talented young shooter from India, won one gold and one silver medal in shooting events.

    The IOC announced this change on December 3, confirming that the youth games will take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026. The games are for young athletes aged 15 to 18.

    Out of 35 sports, 25 will award medals, while 10 sports will be included in the engagement programme. The 25 sports that will offer medals include athletics, swimming, basketball, and many more.

    This year, for the first time, there will be equal opportunities for boys and girls in every event, with a total of 151 events planned — down from 241 in the previous games. The total number of athletes expected is 2,700.

    Originally, the 2026 Youth Olympics were scheduled for 2022, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were postponed. The games will be held in three locations in Senegal: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.

  • Police Hunt for Shooter in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Murder

    Police Hunt for Shooter in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Murder

    New York police are using facial recognition and forensic evidence to find the person who shot Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Thompson, 50, was shot on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

    People are paying a lot of attention to this case because Thompson was a well-known figure and the crime seemed strange. Investigators are focusing on a picture from a nearby Starbucks, hoping it will help them identify the shooter.

    What Happened?

    The shooting happened around 6:45 a.m. when Thompson was walking to the Hilton hotel to speak at an investor conference. The attacker was waiting and, dressed in a light brown or cream jacket with a black mask, shot Thompson multiple times in the back and leg. Even when the gun jammed, the shooter fixed it quickly and kept firing before running away.

    There were early reports that the shooter rode away on a Citi Bike, but the bike company, Lyft, confirmed that no bike was used.

    Key Clues: Starbucks and Bullet Casings

    The police are checking video from the Starbucks where the suspect was seen buying something just before the attack. Even though the person was wearing a mask, part of their nose and eyes showed, which may help police match the face using facial recognition technology.

    At the crime scene, police found three bullet casings and three live bullets with words like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” written on them. They believe these messages might be a clue about why the shooting happened. A phone was also found nearby and is being checked for evidence. Thompson’s hotel room is also being searched for more clues.

    Possible Reasons Behind the Attack

    It’s unclear why Thompson was attacked. The shooter didn’t take any of Thompson’s things, so robbery isn’t thought to be the reason. Thompson’s wife mentioned that he had received threats before, but she couldn’t give specific details about them. In 2018, there was a suspicious incident at his home in Maple Grove, Minnesota, but police found no crime had occurred.

    Attention and Ongoing Investigation

    The murder of Thompson has caused a lot of worry, and police are working hard to gather evidence. They are asking anyone who knows something to come forward.

  • Diddy Spending Christmas in Jail: What His Holiday Will Look Like

    Diddy Spending Christmas in Jail: What His Holiday Will Look Like

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will spend Christmas in jail after his request for bail was denied again. Diddy, who is facing serious charges and has been in prison since September 16, 2023, will have to celebrate the holidays away from his family this year. His trial is set for May 2025.

    Unlike his usual fancy Christmas celebrations, Diddy will take part in activities like card games and sports with other inmates. On Christmas Day, the menu for Diddy and the other prisoners will include baked Cornish hen, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and a holiday dessert.

    Recently, Diddy enjoyed Thanksgiving in jail with a special meal that included turkey or hot tofu and festive side dishes. This year has been tough for him as he has also spent Halloween and his birthday behind bars. Diddy continues to deny all the charges against him.

  • Macron Decides Next Steps After Barnier’s No-Confidence Vote

    Macron Decides Next Steps After Barnier’s No-Confidence Vote

    Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, is in a tough spot after the Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, lost a no-confidence vote. This has made the country feel uncertain and worried. Macron now has to pick a new Prime Minister who can get support from at least 288 deputies to lead France effectively and handle important national issues.

    Many people are wondering if Barnier will be nominated again, but that seems unlikely since he just lost a vote. Instead, Macron might consider Sébastien Lecornu, the former defense minister, as he is a strong option.

    There’s also a chance that someone from the left-leaning party, La France Insoumise, could be chosen. This party has made it clear they would not support any Prime Minister who isn’t from their group.

    So, will Macron make a smart choice for the next Prime Minister? The nation is waiting to see what he will do next.

  • Government Rules Out Raising Retirement Age for Supreme Court Judges

    Government Rules Out Raising Retirement Age for Supreme Court Judges

    On Thursday, the Indian government told the Rajya Sabha that it does not plan to increase the retirement age for judges in the Supreme Court and high courts. The Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, explained that Supreme Court judges retire at 65 years, high court judges at 62, and district judges at 60.

    There was a past attempt by the UPA 2 government to change the retirement age of high court judges to match that of Supreme Court judges, but that bill was never discussed and eventually lapsed.

    During a Question Hour, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chaddha raised concerns about retired judges taking on political roles, like becoming members of the Rajya Sabha or governors. He said this could lead to conflicts of interest and uncertainty about the independence of the judiciary. Chaddha proposed that there should be a cooling-off period of at least two years before any retired judge takes on a political or executive role, and he suggested that judges should receive better pensions to avoid financial dependency on post-retirement jobs.

    In response, Law Minister Meghwal stated that Chaddha’s remarks were politically charged. He mentioned that judges are appointed based on a set process outlined in the Constitution and past Supreme Court rulings. Meghwal also noted that while a resolution was passed in a conference for increasing judges’ retirement age, there is currently no government proposal on this matter. He pointed out that the Prime Minister has not created any new tribunals for retired judges.

  • Rohit Sharma on Dropping Ashwin and Jadeja for Australia Test Match

    Rohit Sharma on Dropping Ashwin and Jadeja for Australia Test Match

    India’s cricket captain, Rohit Sharma, shared that it was tough not being able to tell star players Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja that they wouldn’t play in the first Test against Australia in Perth. Many people were surprised when the team chose to leave out these experienced players for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener.

    Young all-rounder Washington Sundar got the chance to play instead of Ashwin and Jadeja, even though he didn’t have much impact with his bat or ball in the first innings. However, he did show good skills with his bowling in the second innings and formed an important partnership with Virat Kohli while batting.

    Rohit, who was away for paternity leave when India played Australia, noted that leaving out experienced players like Ashwin and Jadeja is always a hard choice. “It’s never easy to leave out players like them,” he said, emphasizing the decision was made to benefit the team at that moment.

    He believes Ashwin and Jadeja, who together have taken 855 wickets in Test matches, will play important roles in the remaining games of the series. “They are quality players who have brought a lot to Indian cricket,” Rohit stated, recognizing their contributions.

    Regarding Washington Sundar, Rohit praised the young player, saying he has the ability to thrive in different playing conditions around the world. Rohit hopes Sundar can stay healthy and continue to grow as a player, as his skills bring balance and depth to the team.

    Rohit also talked about two new players, Rana and Reddy, who impressed him with their fighting spirit during the first Test. He pointed out that these kinds of players, who show determination and strong attitudes, are vital for winning big matches and series.

  • Blinken Accuses Lavrov of Misinformation at OSCE Meeting in Malta

    Blinken Accuses Lavrov of Misinformation at OSCE Meeting in Malta

    On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, for spreading a lot of false information. Blinken blamed Russia for making the war in Ukraine worse. Both men were in Malta for a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). This was Lavrov’s first visit to a European Union country since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

    Blinken expressed disappointment that Lavrov had left the meeting room without listening to others speak, saying, “It would have been nice if he stayed to listen to us.” He warned everyone not to be fooled by Lavrov’s lies, saying this war has nothing to do with Russia’s safety. It’s really about Russian President Putin wanting to erase Ukraine entirely.

    Blinken also discussed the idea of “escalation” in the conflict. He pointed out concerns like North Korea sending troops to help Russia and ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy, which could impact every country in the room. Despite the tensions, Blinken and Lavrov were not scheduled to meet directly in Malta.