Author: Sarita Jena

  • Jay-Z’s Battle Against Old Rape Claims: Beyoncé’s Support Shines

    Jay-Z’s Battle Against Old Rape Claims: Beyoncé’s Support Shines

    Jay-Z is in a serious legal fight over some tough allegations that popped up from 24 years ago. A New York judge recently said he can’t just toss out these claims, but Jay-Z and his lawyer, Alex Spiro, are not giving up. They’re trying to use some tricky rules about dates and locations to help clear his name.

    Jay-Z’s team argues that the alleged victim, referred to as Jane Doe, waited too long to file her claims under a special law meant to help victims of violence. Spiro pointed out that the law wasn’t even in place when the bad thing supposedly happened, so it can’t be used against Jay-Z. They say this case should also be ignored because it’s too late according to New York’s Child Victims Act, which ended in 2021.

    The accusations date back to September 7, 2000, when Jane Doe says she was attacked after the MTV Video Music Awards. She claims Jay-Z, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and a famous woman assaulted her at a party involving drugs. The lawsuit came out in October 2023, but Jay-Z’s name was only included in December.

    Jay-Z insists he did nothing wrong and even urged the accuser to press criminal charges instead. “These claims are so awful, please file a police report!” he said.

    Through all this, Beyoncé is standing by her husband. A source close to her said she believes 1000% in Jay-Z’s innocence. However, it’s tough on her since she has a daughter similar in age to the accuser. She feels sad about what’s happening but is focused on supporting her husband and hoping this gets resolved quickly.

    To take her mind off things, Beyoncé threw herself into preparing for her performance at the 2023 NFL Christmas Day halftime show. She wanted to focus on that and her daughter, Blue Ivy, rather than the family’s troubles.

    This legal battle could take a long time, with more appeals likely. Meanwhile, Jay-Z and his team are committed to fighting these allegations. And with Diddy also facing his own issues, this high-profile situation is far from being over.

  • Enjoy Apple TV+ for Free: January 3-5, 2025!

    Enjoy Apple TV+ for Free: January 3-5, 2025!

    From January 3 to 5, 2025, you can watch Apple TV+ for free! This special offer is for everyone who has an Apple ID.

    What’s Happening?
    For three days, starting Friday and ending Sunday, you can enjoy all the movies and shows without paying a thing. Just log in with your Apple ID, and you’re ready to watch. No need to sign up or give your credit card information—it’s totally free!

    Why Is Apple Doing This?
    Apple wants more people to try out Apple TV+. Normally, it costs $9.99 each month or $99.99 for a year in the U.S., but for this weekend, it’s all on the house!

    What Can You Watch?
    You can catch popular shows like “Severance,” which has its second season starting on January 17, “Ted Lasso,” and “The Morning Show.” There are cool options like “Silo,” “Shrinking,” and “Slow Horses,” plus family-friendly movies like “Fly Me to the Moon” and “The Family Plan.” If you like action comedies, check out “Wolfs” and “The Instigators.” Science fiction fans can enjoy “Dark Matter,” “For All Mankind,” and “Foundation.”

    Can I Watch on Any Device?
    Yep! You don’t need an Apple gadget to watch. Just log in with your Apple ID on any supported device.

    What Happens After January 5?
    Once the free weekend is over, you’ll need to pay to keep watching. The prices go back to $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year in the U.S.

  • 2025 Festivals: Key Dates You Can’t Miss This New Year!

    2025 Festivals: Key Dates You Can’t Miss This New Year!

    In just a few hours, we will say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025! As we gear up for New Year’s Eve celebrations, it’s time to think about all the fun festivals coming our way in the new year.

    When we enter 2025, we can look forward to special occasions in different cultures. Festivals like Diwali, Navratri, and Karwa Chauth bring joy and color to our lives. Here are some important festival dates for 2025 that you won’t want to miss:

    Festival Dates in 2025:

    – January:
    – January 1: New Year’s Day
    – January 6: Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti
    – January 12: Swami Vivekananda Jayanti
    – January 13: Lohri
    – January 14: Makar Sankranti and Pongal
    – January 26: Republic Day

    – February:
    – February 14: Valentine’s Day
    – February 26: Maha Shivratri

    – March:
    – March 8: International Women’s Day
    – March 14: Holi
    – March 31: Eid al-Fitr

    – April:
    – April 14: Baisakhi
    – April 20: Easter

    – May:
    – May 12: Buddha Purnima
    – May 29: Maharana Pratap Jayanti

    – June:
    – June 21: International Yoga Day
    – June 27: Islamic New Year

    – August:
    – August 15: Independence Day
    – August 27: Ganesh Chaturthi

    – October:
    – October 2: Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra
    – October 20: Diwali

    – November:
    – November 5: Guru Nanak Jayanti

    – December:
    – December 25: Christmas

    These festivals are a great time to celebrate with family and friends. Mark your calendars, and let’s make 2025 an amazing year filled with happiness and joy!

  • Indian Stock Market 2024: Year-End Summary and Key Market Insights

    Indian Stock Market 2024: Year-End Summary and Key Market Insights

    The Indian stock market had a solid year in 2024, finishing with an annual return of about 8%. Both the Sensex and Nifty indices have enjoyed gains for nine consecutive years. However, trading on the last day of the year brought some minor losses. The Sensex fell by 109 points, closing at 78,139.01, and Nifty remained mostly unchanged at 23,644.80 due to continued selling pressure from foreign investors, particularly in technology (IT) stocks.

    Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, noted that the year’s final trading day ended with slight losses, despite a recovery from lower points earlier in the day. He mentioned that ongoing concerns such as a stronger dollar and rising US bond yields are affecting the Indian market. Selling in IT and real estate stocks contributed to these losses, but other sectors saw some gains. The pressure on the rupee and rising crude oil prices are also affecting market sentiment. Moving forward, investors will focus more on the upcoming Q3 company results for signs of growth and the Union budget.

    US Markets Overview

    In the US, major stock markets opened higher at the end of 2024, capping off a two-year bull run. The S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq are near record highs, supported by lower borrowing costs and the rise in technology stocks driven by artificial intelligence. This year, sectors like technology and consumer goods have seen impressive growth, with some stocks gaining over 30%.

    Market Technicals

    Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, commented that Nifty showed recovery after a slow start, but it still hasn’t broken through important moving averages. If Nifty goes above 23,700, it could rise to between 23,900 and 24,000. On the downside, support is at 23,550.

    Top Active Stocks

    The most actively traded stocks in terms of value included ITI Ltd, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank. In terms of volume, Vodafone Idea and Easy Trip Planners were the most traded.

    Stocks in Focus

    Stocks seeing strong interest from buyers include Avanti Feeds, Crisil, and Rites. Over 127 stocks reached their highest prices in a year, while 102 reached their lowest. Stocks like Easy Trip Planners and Adani Wilmar experienced significant selling pressure.

    Market Sentiment

    On the last trading day, market sentiment leaned towards the bulls, with more stocks gaining than losing.

  • Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Finalize Divorce: New Beginnings Ahead!

    Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Finalize Divorce: New Beginnings Ahead!

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have finally agreed on their divorce after a long and difficult eight-year battle. They were married for just two years but spent ten years together. Angelina filed for divorce in 2016. Although they have settled their divorce, they are still arguing about their French winery, Chateau Miraval.

    Their six children have been affected by the drama, and both Angelina and Brad are trying to move on. Reports say Brad is excited about marrying his new girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, who is 32. A source claims he feels relieved to close this chapter of his life. Meanwhile, Angelina’s lawyer says she is tired and wants to focus on her kids now.

    Brad wants to have a good relationship with his children, especially since some have changed their names to drop “Pitt.” He and Ines are planning to get married soon. Ines also wants kids, so she has pushed Brad to settle everything quickly. Sources say that now that his divorce is finalized, he hopes it will help him reconnect with his kids.

    Angelina’s lawyer mentioned that she feels relieved this part of her life is over and is now focused on healing her family. Overall, both stars are ready to move on with their lives.

  • Indian-Americans: Champions of Innovation and Facing New Challenges

    Indian-Americans: Champions of Innovation and Facing New Challenges

    Not long ago, Indian-Americans were known as a “model minority” in the U.S. They were seen as smart, talented, and hardworking. With successful people like Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella leading big tech companies, they gained much respect and visibility. However, things changed when people supporting Donald Trump started attacking Indian tech workers. This all started after Sriram Krishnan was named a senior advisor on Artificial Intelligence at the White House.

    Many folks on social media became upset about Indian-Americans, blaming them for taking jobs from American workers due to work visas. Laura Loomer, a controversial figure, stirred up these feelings with a post saying it was disturbing to see Krishnan’s appointment and called him part of the ‘leftist’ agenda, against ‘America First.’ What started as criticism of tech billionaires quickly turned into racist comments against Indian-Americans, who were once celebrated but are now wrongly blamed as job stealers.

    Despite some misuse of H-1B visas in the past to hire cheaper workers, this isn’t why Indian-Americans have prospered. Their success comes from hard work and talent. A recent report by BCG and Indiaspora shows that there are about 5.1 million Indian-Americans, and their average income is around $136,000, which is almost double the national average. They only make up 1.5% of the U.S. population but contribute 5-6% of the total taxes.

    Indian-Americans are successful in many fields, not just tech. “One in ten doctors in America is Indian-American, serving about 30% of patients. About 60% of U.S. hotels are owned by them, which brings in $700 billion in revenue and creates over 400,000 jobs.” They also own a significant number of convenience stores, generating up to $490 billion yearly. With the growth of startups in India, many Indian-Americans have gone on to lead successful tech companies in Silicon Valley.

    Many Indians have moved to the U.S. for tech jobs in recent years. Their education goes beyond just Math and Science; they learn to solve real-world problems and adapt to American culture. Because they often have degrees from top universities, many also move into management roles.

    According to Harbir K. Bhatia, CEO of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce, Indian-Americans are vital to the tech industry. Nearly 40% of the CEOs or founders based in Silicon Valley are of Indian descent, leading major companies like Google and Microsoft. Bhatia attributes their success to a strong work ethic and dedication.

    In the past five years, Indian-Americans have become major players in creating unicorns—startups valued at over a billion dollars. They have founded or co-founded 72 of the 358 unicorns in the U.S. since 2018, showing their significant impact on the entrepreneurial scene, with these companies worth over $195 billion.

    These entrepreneurs are more than just tech experts; they are storytellers and risk-takers combining the hustle of Indian markets with the ambition of American businesses. Despite numbering only 1.5% of the U.S. population, they excel in areas like fintech and healthcare, changing the face of many industries. Around 78% hold at least a bachelor’s degree, which is much higher than the national average of 36%, showing their dedication to education.

  • India Bids Farewell to 2024 with Breathtaking Sunset Views!

    India Bids Farewell to 2024 with Breathtaking Sunset Views!

    As 2024 came to an end, people in India shared stunning pictures and videos of the last sunset of the year on social media. In Odisha, people watched the sunset from the famous Shri Jagannath Puri Temple in Bhubaneswar. News agency ANI posted a video with the caption, “#WATCH | Odisha: The sun sets to mark the last evening of 2024.”

    They also shared videos from other places like Rajasthan, Shimla, Tamil Nadu, and the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir. In Central Delhi, the skyline was beautifully lit by the setting sun. ANI reported, “#WATCH | Sun sets to mark the last evening of the year 2024. Visuals from Central Delhi.”

    In Uttarakhand, Dehradun had a calm and peaceful sunset, and PTI shared a video from there too. Amingaon in Guwahati, Assam, also enjoyed the last sunset, with PTI tweeting, “VIDEO | Last sunset of 2024 from Amingaon, Guwahati.” PTI also shared visuals from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, showing the stunning sunset.

    Many people took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to post their own photos and videos of the last sunset. NASA even shared that the crew on the International Space Station will see 16 sunrises and sunsets while welcoming the new year. They posted amazing pictures of sunsets from space.

  • Tributes Pour In for Haryana’s O P Chautala: A True Leader

    Tributes Pour In for Haryana’s O P Chautala: A True Leader

    In Chandigarh, many important leaders came together on Tuesday to honor O P Chautala, a famous politician who recently passed away. People like Haryana Governor Dattatreya, Chief Minister Nayab Saini, Union Minister J P Nadda, and SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal shared their feelings at a memorial event held at Chaudhary Sahib Ram Stadium in Chautala village.

    Tributes from President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria were also read out loud during the event. O P Chautala served as Haryana’s chief minister five times and died in Gurugram at the age of 89 on December 20. Murmu praised Chautala for his dedication to Haryana’s growth and development.

    Prime Minister Modi described him as an experienced leader and good administrator. J P Nadda, the BJP chief, said that Chautala’s passing is a sad moment not only for his family but for everyone in the state, marking the end of an important era in politics. Punjab Governor Kataria added that losing Chautala is a significant loss for both Haryana and the country.

    Governor Dattatreya highlighted the many things Chautala did for Haryana’s progress. Chief Minister Saini mentioned that Chautala worked hard for Haryana and provided new direction for its development. Sukhbir Singh Badal spoke about how the Chautala family has always supported farmers and weaker sections of society, referencing the close relationship between his family and the Chautalas.

  • CBI Inspector Loses Award for Accepting Bribe: A Lesson in Integrity

    CBI Inspector Loses Award for Accepting Bribe: A Lesson in Integrity

    New Delhi: The government has taken back the Union Home Minister’s medal for Excellence in Investigation that was given to CBI Inspector Rahul Raj in 2023. He was caught taking a ₹10 lakh bribe, and has been fired from his job, officials reported. This decision follows the advice of CBI Director Praveen Sood, who is focused on cleaning up corruption within the agency.

    Raj was arrested on May 19 after allegedly accepting a bribe from Anil Bhaskaran, the chairman of Malay College of Nursing, and his wife Suma Anil. They were both taken into custody too. The CBI acted on information received from its internal team that noticed corruption involving nursing college inspections ordered by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

    Officials revealed that Director Sood firmly believes in the need for strong internal checks to support outside actions against corruption. To show their commitment to fighting corruption, the CBI quickly fired Raj without going through a long investigation process, citing Article 311 of the Constitution. The CBI also asked to cancel his medal, and the home ministry agreed.

    The notification stated that the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation received by Rahul Raj on November 17, 2023, has now been canceled under Rule-9 of the award rules. In response to their strict anti-corruption policy, the CBI dismissed three officers without inquiry and forced five others to retire early in 2023-24, according to officials.

  • 2024 Gold & Silver Boom: Price Predictions for 2025

    2024 Gold & Silver Boom: Price Predictions for 2025

    In 2024, gold had one of its best years in ten years, growing by 26%. This rise was thanks to central banks buying gold, conflicts around the world, and hopes that global banks, including India’s Reserve Bank, would keep money policies friendly for the economy. Gold’s price crossed the big milestone of Rs 80,000 for every 10 grams this year, showing strong growth before facing a few challenges. The last price reported was Rs 76,469, which is about 5% lower than its highest point of Rs 80,282.

    Narinder Wadhwa, the Managing Director & CEO at SKI Capital, said gold and silver are important for a smart investment mix. With inflation expected to slow and many global issues, both metals are likely to do well in 2025. Investors should see gold and silver as long-term options for keeping their wealth safe against uncertainty.

    Wadhwa also noted that silver did even better than gold, climbing nearly 42%. Beginning the year at around Rs 70,000 per kilogram, silver soared past Rs 1 lakh, thanks to strong demand from industries like solar energy and electric vehicles. The festive and wedding seasons in India also increased the demand for these precious metals.

    On the other hand, stock markets had a shaky year, with the main indexes, Nifty and Sensex, returning around 9% and 8%, respectively.

    Gold’s Performance Over the Last 10 Years

    Gold has done well over the past decade, giving back about 8% per year on average, especially during tough financial times or when inflation rises. In 2023, gold saw a 13.1% return.

    Looking Ahead to 2025

    Gold might face a bumpy road in early 2025. With Donald Trump coming back as U.S. President, a lot could change. Experts worry about how the U.S. dollar may strengthen, which could lower gold prices. Anuj Gupta from HDFC Securities predicts gold could reach Rs 82,000 but might face resistance around Rs 84,500.

    Add some more uncertainty to the mix, such as India’s Union Budget 2025 and the Reserve Bank’s decisions under a new governor. Jateen Trivedi from LKP Securities thinks gold will range from Rs 82,000 to Rs 85,000. He also expects silver to do well, with a target of Rs 1.1 lakh, potentially reaching Rs 1.25 lakh.

    (Disclaimer: These views and predictions are from experts and do not represent the views of Economic Times.)