Author: Rasmita Jena

  • California’s Earthquake Alert: Is The Big One Approaching?

    California’s Earthquake Alert: Is The Big One Approaching?

    California might be getting ready for a big earthquake soon, often called “The Big One.” This earthquake could happen along the San Andreas Fault, one of the state’s busiest and most famous fault lines. If it hits a strong 7.8 magnitude or more, it could cause serious damage in places like Southern California or the San Francisco Bay Area, depending on where the earthquake happens.

    Growing Worries

    California sits on many active fault lines, making it likely to have earthquakes. Right now, pressure is building along the San Andreas Fault and others, which makes experts worry that a big earthquake could happen soon, especially in the southern part of the state. If this earthquake does occur, it could hurt buildings and homes, making it really important for everyone to be ready.

    In recent days, California felt at least nine earthquakes, which is raising alarm bells. The strongest one was a 4.3 magnitude quake near Avenal on February 13. There were also three smaller quakes in Hayward—a place known for faults—measuring 3.2, 3.3, and 2.6. The Hayward Fault had a major earthquake back in 1868, and it remains a big threat today.

    Tremors ranging from 2.5 to 3.7 magnitudes were felt in Pleasant Hill, Petrolia, Anderson Springs, and Malibu. The Malibu quake was noticed across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, making people worry even more about a larger quake coming.

    Expert Opinions

    According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), there is a 36% chance of a strong 7.5 magnitude or greater earthquake hitting Southern California in the next 30 years. Professor Jonathan Stewart from UCLA says that stress has been building on the San Andreas Fault, especially in the southern part, which hasn’t had a major quake since 1690.

    A massive earthquake of 8 magnitude could lead to around 1,800 deaths, 50,000 injuries, and about $200 billion in damages, according to the California Earthquake Authority. Even though California is trying hard to stay safe with stronger buildings and preparation plans, there are still weak spots, especially in water and infrastructure systems.

    Experts say a major quake isn’t guaranteed to happen right away, but they warn people not to ignore the risks. The state is keeping an eye on things and shares real-time updates through USGS to keep everyone informed.

  • Deported Dreams: Young Migrants Return from Failed US Journey

    Deported Dreams: Young Migrants Return from Failed US Journey

    Many young people dreamed of a better life in the United States and left their homes for that chance. Families sold their land, took loans, and made huge sacrifices to help them go abroad. Sadly, instead of discovering new opportunities, they found themselves back in Amritsar on a US military plane, deported and feeling lost about the future.

    In this latest group of deportees, 65 were from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, and a few from other states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Sourav, a 20-year-old from Chandiwala village, returned home on Sunday after being caught trying to cross the border on January 27. He had left on December 17, hoping to start a new life in America. “We were held in a detention center for 18 days,” Sourav said, explaining that their mobile phones were taken away and that they were told they would be moved to another camp before being put on a plane back to India.

    Sourav’s family sold two acres of land and borrowed a lot of money to support his journey, spending around ₹45-46 lakh. The route to the US took him through Amsterdam, Panama, and Mexico, only to end in detention.

    Harjit Singh, from Khanowal Ghuman village, had also hoped for a better life with his cousin. Instead, they returned home handcuffed. “We were caught trying to cross the US border on January 27 and kept in a detention center for 18 days. We were deported on February 13, chained and handcuffed,” he said, feeling deep disappointment. His family spent ₹90 lakh, which feels like a lot of money wasted.

    Mantaj Singh, a 22-year-old from Bodal village, also faced troubles at the US border. He took a risky route called the “donkey route,” often used by illegal migrants, trusting people who only saw him as a way to make money.

    In Behbal Bahadur village, Sahil Preet Singh’s family used all their savings—about ₹40-45 lakh—to send him abroad. His mother, Harvinder Kaur, said they sold their land and pawned jewelry, only to be tricked by a dishonest travel agent. “We were cheated,” she cried, hoping the government would help her son and take action against the agent.

    Another young man, Jaswinder Singh from Dharamkot village, had also raised money by selling land. After nearly 45 days of trying to reach the US, he and his family returned empty-handed, victims of lies from the person they trusted.

    Their experiences echo the stories of many others. When the first group of deportees arrived in Amritsar on February 5, their tales were almost the same. They all sought a better life, but returned home feeling defeated, caught in a system that exploits hope and desperation.

  • RBI Stops Kotak Mahindra Bank from Issuing Online Credit Cards

    RBI Stops Kotak Mahindra Bank from Issuing Online Credit Cards

    For the last 10 months, Kotak Mahindra Bank has been big news — and not in a good way! The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stopped the bank from giving out online credit cards and from letting customers sign up online or through their app.

    Most people think that big banks like Kotak have everything under control when it comes to online services and rules. But this situation shows that even large banks can have serious problems. You probably didn’t know this because it seems like a surprise for many.

  • Confusion Sparks Deadly Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station”

    Confusion Sparks Deadly Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station”

    On Saturday night, a terrible stampede at New Delhi Railway Station resulted in the deaths of 18 people. The chaos was caused by confusion over two trains with similar names: Prayagraj Express and Prayagraj Special. The Prayagraj Special was set to arrive at Platform 16, which confused passengers waiting for the Prayagraj Express at Platform 14.

    Because of the announcement, many passengers rushed to Platform 16, thinking they were missing their train. This caused overcrowding and led to a stampede. Thousands of people were at the station, many of whom were traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival, creating even more excitement and confusion.

    At the same time, four trains were scheduled to leave for Prayagraj, but three of them were delayed, adding to the number of travelers at the station. Passengers who could not board the Prayagraj Express began running towards other platforms, leading to a chaotic situation.

    In response to the tragedy, Delhi Police held a meeting to discuss the incident and has begun an investigation. The Indian Railways has promised to compensate the families of those who died with Rs 10 lakh (1 million) each. For seriously injured passengers, compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh (250,000), and Rs 1 lakh (100,000) for those with minor injuries has also been announced.

  • Supreme Court: Workplace Criticism Is Not a Crime

    Supreme Court: Workplace Criticism Is Not a Crime

    The Supreme Court has decided that when a boss gives criticism at work, it doesn’t count as an intentional insult that leads to criminal charges. The court explained that this kind of action could cause serious problems in the workplace, making it hard for everyone to do their jobs properly.

    A panel of justices, Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta, stated that simply being rude, disrespectful, or mean does not qualify as an intentional insult under a specific law known as Section 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This law deals with insults that aim to provoke a fight or cause trouble. The law carries a penalty of up to two years in jail, but it will soon be replaced by a new law from July 2024.

    This ruling came when the court canceled a 2022 case against the acting director of the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. The director was accused of insulting an assistant professor for complaining about him. The professor also claimed the director did not provide enough personal protective equipment (PPE), risking the health of everyone during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    However, the Supreme Court found that the accusations were more guesses than real proof. The court said that the boss’s criticism was part of keeping things in line at work, which is expected. The justices emphasized that every person in charge should expect their team to work sincerely and with commitment.

  • Excavation Planned at Kurkihar: A Journey into Ancient Bihar’s History

    Excavation Planned at Kurkihar: A Journey into Ancient Bihar’s History

    Patna: The Archaeological Survey of India’s Patna Circle wants to dig at Kurkihar village in Bihar’s Gaya district to find hidden treasures and learn about the area’s history. Kurkihar is located about 5 km northeast of Wazirganj and 27 km east of Gaya. It is thought to have been an ancient city and a Buddhist monastery.

    In the past, a famous archaeologist named Alexander Cunningham visited Kurkihar in the 1800s. He found many Buddhist sculptures and votive stupas (small shrines). Cunningham, who explored many historical sites like Sarnath and Sanchi, was the first director of the Archaeological Survey of India.

    Sujeet Nayan, the Superintending Archaeologist for the Patna Circle, confirmed they are seeking permission to start digging at Kurkihar. Other archaeologists have also noted the site’s importance over the years. According to Nayan, Kurkihar has a large mound of bricks and remains of a significant monastery that is about 25 feet tall.

    In 1930, a historian named K P Jayaswal discovered about 226 bronze sculptures in Kurkihar, which ended up in museums, including Patna Museum. The area holds valuable historical treasures that need proper exploration. Some stone statues from the Pala period have also been found, and some are still worshipped at a local temple.

    Additionally, there are many inscriptions on the bronze sculptures related to rulers of the Pala dynasty that ruled from the 9th Century to 1074 AD. One inscription mentions a popular monastery called Apanaka that attracted visitors from far-off places. Nayan believes there is much more to uncover at Kurkihar.

  • Eight Gujaratis Deported from US Return Home: A Heartfelt Reunion

    Eight Gujaratis Deported from US Return Home: A Heartfelt Reunion

    A plane that brought back eight people from Gujarat, who were deported from the US for staying there illegally, landed at Ahmedabad airport on Sunday morning. The flight arrived from Amritsar at 11 am. After they landed, police helped take these deportees to their homes in Gujarat. Among them was a woman and a child.

    These eight people were part of a larger group of 116 Indians who were sent back to India on a US military plane that had landed in Amritsar the night before. Out of the eight deportees, three were from Gandhinagar and one was from Ahmedabad. They are from the second group of Indians who have been sent home after former President Donald Trump started a crackdown on illegal immigrants.

    In a previous incident on February 5, another US military plane brought 104 illegal immigrants to Amritsar, which sparked criticism from many people. Among those were 33 individuals from Gujarat. A third plane carrying 157 more deportees was also expected to arrive in Amritsar on Sunday.

    Former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel expressed sympathy for the deported Gujaratis, stating that many of them went to find jobs or careers, and they should not be seen as criminals.

  • Chhaava’: Vicky Kaushal’s Epic Film Earns ₹100 Crore in Just 2 Days!

    Chhaava’: Vicky Kaushal’s Epic Film Earns ₹100 Crore in Just 2 Days!

    Vicky Kaushal’s new movie, “Chhaava,” has become a big hit in Bollywood, earning over ₹100 crore (about $12 million) globally in just two days! The film, which is a historical action movie about the brave Maratha ruler Sambhaji Maharaj, made ₹68 crore (around $8 million) in India alone. Internationally, it pulled in more than $2 million (roughly ₹19 crore).

    “Chhaava” is the second Hindi film of 2025 to make over ₹100 crore, following Akshay Kumar’s movie “Sky Force.” The great response at the box office suggests that “Chhaava” might soon surpass the total earnings of “Sky Force.”

    The movie has been especially popular in Maharashtra, where Sambhaji Maharaj is seen as a hero. In many theaters, the occupancy rate is above 70%, and some places even report up to 97% full seats at night shows. Because of the high demand, additional shows are being added, like early 6 am and midnight screenings!

    “Chhaava” stars Vicky Kaushal as Sambhaji Maharaj and Akshaye Khanna as Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, along with Rashmika Mandanna and Divya Dutta. While some critics loved the acting, they felt the story moved a bit slowly.

  • Indian Companies Lose Rs 2 Lakh Crore: Market Update and Insights

    Indian Companies Lose Rs 2 Lakh Crore: Market Update and Insights

    Last week, the value of eight of the ten richest companies in India fell by a huge amount—Rs 2 lakh crore! This drop happened as the entire stock market was struggling. The stock market index shows a continuous slide, with the Sensex and Nifty both going down for eight days straight.

    The BSE Sensex decreased by 2,644.6 points, which is about 3.36%, and the Nifty went down by 810 points, or 3.41%. Many big companies saw their market values shrink. For example:

    – Reliance Industries lost Rs 67,526.54 crore, dropping its value to Rs 16,46,822.12 crore.
    – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) lost Rs 34,950.72 crore, now valued at Rs 14,22,903.37 crore.
    – HDFC Bank lost Rs 28,382.23 crore, bringing it down to Rs 12,96,708.35 crore.
    – ITC’s value dropped by Rs 25,429.75 crore to Rs 5,13,699.85 crore.
    – Infosys lost Rs 19,287.32 crore and is now at Rs 7,70,786.76 crore.
    – State Bank of India saw a decline of Rs 13,431.55 crore to Rs 6,44,357.57 crore.
    – Hindustan Unilever’s value dipped by Rs 10,714.14 crore to Rs 5,44,647 crore.
    – Bajaj Finance fell by Rs 4,230.4 crore to Rs 5,20,082.42 crore.

    On the brighter side, Bharti Airtel and ICICI Bank were two companies that gained some value during this tough week. Bharti Airtel added Rs 22,426.2 crore to its worth, reaching Rs 9,78,631.54 crore. ICICI Bank increased by Rs 1,182.57 crore, now valued at Rs 8,88,815.13 crore.

    As of now, Reliance Industries is still the number one most valuable firm in India, followed closely by TCS, HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, Infosys, State Bank of India, Hindustan Unilever, Bajaj Finance, and ITC.

  • Yashasvi Jaiswal Ruled Out of Ranji Trophy Semifinal: Injury Concerns

    Yashasvi Jaiswal Ruled Out of Ranji Trophy Semifinal: Injury Concerns

    Mumbai faced a tough break on Sunday when their star opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, had to pull out of the Ranji Trophy semifinal match against Vidarbha. This match will start on Monday in Nagpur. Jaiswal is dealing with pain in his left ankle, which could also affect his chances of being a reserve player for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

    According to a report from Times of India, Jaiswal felt uncomfortable during practice and wasn’t moving well while batting in the nets. This injury is not new; it’s a recurring issue from before. He is heading to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) center in Bengaluru for more medical help.

    Because of this injury, the selection committee might have to choose another batter as a backup for the Champions Trophy. Jaiswal was part of the preliminary 15-member India squad last month and made his ODI debut in Nagpur against England on February 6. However, he was moved to the reserve list when India decided to pick another spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, for the final Champions Trophy squad.

    Interestingly, the Mumbai selectors, who already included Jaiswal as the 18th member of their Ranji Trophy team, are not planning to find a replacement for him. On a brighter note, Suryakumar Yadav, who had a wrist issue during the quarterfinals against Haryana, is fit to play in the semifinal match.