Author: Rasmita Jena

  • Montreal Fans Boo U.S. Anthem Again at International Hockey Game

    Montreal Fans Boo U.S. Anthem Again at International Hockey Game

    MONTREAL — Fans in Montreal loudly booed the U.S. national anthem before the game between the USA and Canada on Saturday night. This is the second time fans reacted this way during the international tournament.

    Public address announcer Michel Lacroix asked everyone to respect the national anthems, but many still booed throughout the U.S. anthem. U.S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck, after winning against Finland earlier, said he ignored the booing. “You can say what you want. We sing our anthem for the troops that protect us,” he explained.

    U.S. coach Mike Sullivan focused on the game, saying they just want to play well and represent their country.

    In Canada, fans have often booed the U.S. anthem since President Donald Trump talked about tariffs, which upset many Canadians. Veteran Canadian player Drew Doughty disagreed with the booing, saying everyone should respect each other’s anthems.

  • Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station: 18 Lives Lost in Tragedy

    Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station: 18 Lives Lost in Tragedy

    A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station happened late Saturday night, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people. Thousands of people were trying to catch trains to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh festival. The chaos started around 10 pm when the crowd became too large to manage.

    Eyewitnesses described the scene as frightening. Ajit, a sergeant in the Indian Air Force, recounted, “I was coming back from my duty, and the crowd was enormous. I tried to get people to move away from the platform, but no one listened.” Ajit and a friend helped several injured people.

    The crowd was larger than the station could handle, one witness said, “It felt like a disaster waiting to happen. There were so many people that it was impossible to control them.”

    Among the victims was Sanjay, who lost his sister in the stampede. “We were a group of 12 family members. We were still on the stairs when everything happened. We found her half an hour later, but by then it was too late,” he recalled, filled with sorrow.

    The situation worsened when an announcement changed where one train would arrive, causing more people to rush to the platform. “No one was controlling the crowd,” another witness said. “When the announcer said the train would come on a different platform, everyone pushed to get there, and a stampede broke out.”

    The station was also overcrowded because about 1,500 general tickets were being sold, and there were delays in trains. Pappu, a man from Patna, lost his mother in the panic. “She didn’t make it. We were just trying to go home,” he said, his voice shaking with sadness.

    After the incident, Daulat Ram Chaudhary from the National Disaster Response Force said, “The situation is now under control. We have rescued the injured.” The authorities had anticipated a large crowd but were surprised by how quickly things got out of hand. KPS Malhotra, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Railway, said, “We thought we could manage the crowd, but it happened so fast. We will investigate what went wrong.”

    On Sunday, the Railway Board created a special team to look into what led to the stampede. Dilip Kumar, a member of the Board, confirmed train services had resumed. “We have controlled the situation and even added four special trains to help with the crowd. Some people fainted and were taken to nearby hospitals,” he explained.

  • US-Russia Peace Talks: A Fresh Start for Ukraine?

    US-Russia Peace Talks: A Fresh Start for Ukraine?

    Top U.S. officials are planning to meet with Russian leaders soon to try to end the nearly three-year-long war in Ukraine. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will head to Saudi Arabia for these important talks.

    While the exact date and details of the meeting aren’t clear yet, sources say it will happen shortly. We don’t know yet which Russian officials will be attending, but recent reports suggest that Russia is putting together a team of important political, intelligence, and economic leaders for direct talks with the U.S. Kirill Dmitriev, a key Russian figure who helped with a recent U.S. prisoner release, might also be involved.

    These talks come as President Donald Trump is eager to fulfill his promise of quickly ending the war in Ukraine. Trump recently had a long and productive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin; it was their first conversation since Trump took office last month. Trump mentioned that discussions would kick off “immediately.”

    According to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul, the talks will take place in Saudi Arabia, where both U.S. and Russian representatives will meet with Ukrainian officials to discuss Ukraine’s future. Trump also hinted at a possible face-to-face meeting with Putin soon in Saudi Arabia, though no official plans are set yet. He suggested that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman could help with the talks.

    As the discussions are set to start, Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, said that Russia would need to make major compromises to reach an agreement. Kellogg highlighted that issues involving land and stopping military action would be very important to any deal. However, he pointed out that it is unlikely for Putin to reduce Russia’s military presence.

    Kellogg also suggested that the U.S. could put pressure on Russia by targeting their economy, especially their oil profits, which fund the war. He noted that a significant portion of Russia’s war funding comes from oil and gas sales. The U.S. hopes to use stricter sanctions to weaken Russia’s economy and encourage Putin to make tough choices that could help resolve the situation. Kellogg mentioned that Europe would not be part of these talks, stating that the previous Minsk II agreement failed due to a lack of actions from key players.

  • Avinash Sable: Overcoming Challenges for a Successful Comeback in Running

    Avinash Sable: Overcoming Challenges for a Successful Comeback in Running

    Avinash Sable, a 30-year-old Indian runner, had a really hard year in 2024. He competed in six 3000m steeplechase races but only did well at one, the Paris Diamond League, where he broke his own national record. Sable made history by being the first Indian to reach the finals in the steeplechase at the Olympics, but he finished 11th and was disappointed with his performance.

    Before that, he struggled at the Tokyo Olympics and did not do well in the World Championships in 2022. However, he bounced back at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, winning second place and ending Kenya’s long winning streak. He also won gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou but faced serious challenges afterward.

    Sable developed breathing problems and injured his calf, which made it hard for him to run. He realized he needed to fix these issues, so he had surgery on his nose and took time to recover. Now, he feels great and believes he can finish in the top six in big races, but he wants to aim higher for World Championships and Olympic medals.

    To improve, Sable plans to switch coaches and training locations. He feels he needs a smaller training group to work better on his skills. While most of his fellow athletes train in Colorado with their coach, Sable is training alone for now and is creating his own training plans based on his previous successes.

    He also wants to have more Indian runners join him in overseas training to help each other out. Sable thinks that having more teammates can aid in preparing for big races. He will start his season next month and is looking forward to proving himself.

  • Karnataka’s Water Mission: Blame Game Between Siddaramaiah and Somanna!

    Karnataka’s Water Mission: Blame Game Between Siddaramaiah and Somanna!

    In Karnataka, there’s a heated debate between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister of State V Somanna about the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide clean drinking water to every household.

    Siddaramaiah accused the Central government of holding back money that Karnataka deserves. He said that the Centre has only given Karnataka about ₹11,760 crore of the ₹26,119 crore they promised, which is only 45% of its commitment. Meanwhile, he pointed out that the Karnataka government has spent ₹20,442 crore, which is 88.3% of what it promised. He declared, “Every rupee released by the Centre has been fully utilized by Karnataka! Yet, the Modi government continues to block funds!”

    For the fiscal year 2024-2025, the Centre promised ₹3,804 crore, but only gave ₹570 crore. In contrast, Karnataka managed to spend around ₹4,977 crore from its budget against an allocation of ₹7,652 crore. Siddaramaiah said despite writing many letters, no further money was released. He criticized the Modi government for hurting the Jal Jeevan Mission while people like Somanna spread lies.

    Somanna responded with his own set of figures, saying Karnataka is ranked 22nd out of 34 states and union territories involved in the Jal Jeevan Mission. He said the state has only completed 52.16% of its targets for the year and managed to connect only 2,430 homes to water daily, while it should be connecting 9,744. According to him, the central government allocated ₹28,623 crore from 2019-2020 to 2024-2025, but Karnataka has only used ₹11,760 crore of it, which means there’s still ₹16,863 crore left unclaimed.

    Somanna criticized Siddaramaiah for his comments, calling them political and unfair. He claimed that the state hasn’t acted quickly enough to get its share of the money and failed to submit important reports on time. He urged the Chief Minister to focus on resolving these issues instead of making things political.

  • Register Now for UP B.Ed JEE 2025 – Important Dates & Details!

    Register Now for UP B.Ed JEE 2025 – Important Dates & Details!

    Good news for students wanting to become teachers! Bundelkhand University has started the registration process for the UP B.Ed Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) 2025. Here’s what you need to know:

    – Start Date to Apply: February 15, 2025
    – Last Date Without Late Fee: March 8, 2025
    – Last Date With Late Fee: Open from March 9 until March 15, 2025
    – Admit Card Release Date: April 14, 2025
    – Exam Date: April 20, 2025

    The exam will consist of two papers with multiple-choice questions. Remember, for every correct answer, you get 2 points. But if you answer incorrectly, you will lose 1/3 of a point!

    How to Register Online:

    1. Go to the official website at bujhansi.ac.in.
    2. Click on the link for UP B.Ed JEE 2025 registration on the main page.
    3. Register by filling in your details.
    4. After registering, log in to your account.
    5. Complete the application form and pay the fee.
    6. Submit your form and save a copy for yourself.

    Application Fees:

    – General and OBC candidates: ₹1400
    – SC and ST candidates from other states: ₹1400
    – SC and ST candidates from UP: ₹700

    If you apply late:
    – General, OBC, SC, and ST candidates from other states: ₹2000
    – SC and ST candidates from UP: ₹1000

    Payment can be made online using debit cards, credit cards, or net banking. For more information, check the Bundelkhand University website.

  • Mrs’ Sparks Debate: Dance, Gender Roles, and Household Chores

    Mrs’ Sparks Debate: Dance, Gender Roles, and Household Chores

    The movie “Mrs,” starring Sanya Malhotra, tells the story of a dancer who marries into a traditional family. At first, she finds herself stuck doing household chores instead of dancing, but she fights back against this unfair situation.

    Recently, a group called SIFF (Save Indian Family Foundation) criticized the film strongly, claiming it promotes negativity towards men. They argued that men work hard in jobs like construction, while they feel it’s wrong to show women doing home chores as a form of oppression. SIFF even suggested that men shouldn’t help with housework because many household items are chosen by women.

    Fans of the film quickly came to its defense. One viewer pointed out that many women also work in tough jobs but still have to do household tasks at home. Others asked why critics feel threatened by a movie if it doesn’t affect real life.

    “There’s a big difference between doing chores and being denied a chance to follow your dreams,” one fan said, highlighting that it’s about freedom, not just work.

    Despite the backlash, SIFF continued to challenge the film and called its supporters “toxic feminists,” suggesting that the film was harmful.

    “Mrs” is directed by Arati Kadav and is based on the well-known Malayalam film “The Great Indian Kitchen” (2021). You can watch “Mrs” now on ZEE5, where it has become very popular.

  • India Cuts Bourbon Whiskey Tariff – Discover Fun Facts!

    India Cuts Bourbon Whiskey Tariff – Discover Fun Facts!

    On Friday, India made bourbon whiskey cheaper by slashing the tax from 150% to 100%. This change happened after former US President Donald Trump complained about high taxes on American products being unfair. The new tax was announced just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Trump. Now, the total tax on bourbon is 100%, made up of a 50% basic tax and an additional 50% tax.

    The US is the biggest seller of bourbon whiskey to India, providing about 25% of the bourbon imported. In the year 2023-24, India bought bourbon whiskey worth $2.5 million. The US and India want to increase their trade to $500 billion by 2030 and are working on a trade deal to lower taxes.

    5 Fun Facts About Bourbon Whiskey

    1. What is Bourbon? Bourbon whiskey is America’s only spirit made mainly from corn, with at least 51% of the mixture being corn. In 1964, the US Congress officially called it a special American product.

    2. Barrel Aging: For bourbon to be called bourbon, it must be aged in a brand-new white oak barrel that has never been used before. The inside of the barrel is burned to give it flavor before the whiskey is added.

    3. Where it Comes From: Bourbon was first created in the 1800s in Kentucky, specifically Bourbon County. Many people think bourbon can only be made in that county, but that’s not true! As long as it follows the rules, bourbon can be made anywhere in the US.

    4. Reusable Barrels: After bourbon is made, the barrels can be used to age other types of whiskey. The charred barrels can be used to flavor other drinks, like single malt scotch.

    5. Mixing Bourbon: Bourbon whiskey is very versatile and can be used in popular cocktails like an ‘Old Fashioned,’ the ‘Mint Julep’ (the official drink of the Kentucky Derby), and a ‘Manhattan.’ It has yummy flavors like vanilla, oak, and caramel that blend well in many drinks.

  • Marius Høiby Faces Serious Allegations: Rape and Assault Claims Rise

    Marius Høiby Faces Serious Allegations: Rape and Assault Claims Rise

    Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been accused of a serious crime. He is said to have raped Linni Meister, a well-known TV presenter, during a party at Skaugum Castle in 2018. At the time, Meister was unconscious, and she only learned about the assault when the police informed her later.

    Marius, who is now 28 years old, has a history of legal trouble, including charges for domestic abuse. He has been known to host wild parties, called Skaugum Festivals, where he invited people with criminal backgrounds. The police found videos and photos from that party on Marius’s laptop, which helped bring these accusations to light.

    The police are looking into the claims. Meister’s lawyer spoke out, saying, “It’s not common for someone in his position to refuse to testify, but he has the right to do so.” Marius faced multiple arrests in early 2024, with other serious accusations against him, including abusive behavior toward ex-girlfriends and other women. As this situation unfolds, many are paying close attention to the royal family’s image.

  • Babar Azam Faces Criticism: Should He Return to Number 3?

    Babar Azam Faces Criticism: Should He Return to Number 3?

    Recently, Pakistan’s cricket team made a big decision to let star player Babar Azam open the batting in One Day Internationals (ODIs). This change happened because young opener Saim Ayub got injured. Former players Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Hafeez have shared their concerns about this move.

    Babar has struggled to perform well in this new position. In three matches during a series against New Zealand and South Africa, he scored only 62 runs, with his best score being just 29 runs in the final game in Karachi. Critics like Amir believe that forcing Babar to open has hurt his game. Amir pointed out that Babar is best suited for the number 3 spot, where he can build his innings and guide the team.

    Amir said, “Babar knows how to build an innings from number 3. Opening requires a different mindset, especially in ODIs and Tests.” He emphasized that while trying new things can be helpful, Babar’s strength lies in batting at number 3.

    Hafeez also expressed his thoughts, suggesting that Babar should return to his original spot. He proposed options like Shaan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, or Abdullah Shafique as openers, allowing Babar to focus on what he does best at number 3.

    As Pakistan prepares to play against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy on February 19, along with a big matchup against India on February 23, fans are hoping Babar will regain his form and shine in these crucial games.