Author: Sarita Jena

  • Top Train Booking Apps for Stress-Free Holiday Travel!

    Top Train Booking Apps for Stress-Free Holiday Travel!

    The holiday season is coming, and that means Christmas and New Year’s are just around the corner. Many people want to travel during this time, so we’ve found some great apps that can help you book train tickets easily. These apps are popular and have lots of features that make traveling smoother, especially when it’s really busy.

    1. Confirmtkt
    Confirmtkt lets you see alternate trains and check your chances of getting confirmed tickets. It also offers a full refund if your ticket is canceled. Plus, you can track your train status anytime! With over 50 million downloads and a 4.6-star average rating, this app is reliable and comes with 24/7 customer support.

    2. Ixigo
    Ixigo is another popular app in India for booking trains. It is simple to use and is an official partner of IRCTC. Besides train tickets, you can also book hotels and flights. With over 100 million downloads and a rating of 4.5 stars, it’s a favorite for many travelers.

    3. redRail
    redRail, from RedBus, makes booking train tickets easy. You can also get refunds quickly and track your PNR status. It’s also an IRCTC partner. The app has around 5 million downloads and an average rating of 4.5 stars.

    4. MakeMyTrip
    MakeMyTrip is a long-time favorite for booking trips in India. It offers features like confirmed tickets or your money back if that doesn’t happen. You can also pay just 25% of the ticket price to reserve a seat. The app has more than 50 million downloads and a 4.6-star rating.

    Happy traveling! Make sure to check these apps for your train bookings this holiday season!

  • Kharge Accuses Modi of Distorting History and Ignoring Constitution

    Kharge Accuses Modi of Distorting History and Ignoring Constitution

    Mallikarjun Kharge, the President of Congress and the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of lying in the Lok Sabha. He said, “The PM either thinks about the past or imagines things, but he never talks about what’s happening now.” Kharge claimed that during the NDA’s 11 years in power, the Constitution and democracy have not improved.

    Kharge responded to Modi’s attacks on Jawaharlal Nehru during a debate about the Indian Constitution. He defended the Constitutional amendments made shortly after India gained independence and criticized the BJP as well as its parent organizations, the Jan Sangh and the RSS, for opposing important symbols like the Tricolor flag and the Constitution.

    Speaking after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who studied at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Kharge said, “The RSS, Jan Sangh, and BJP have wanted to create laws based on outdated texts. Those who opposed the flag and the Constitution are now pretending to teach us about them. No amount of vaccines can erase their past mistakes. Before giving us advice, they need to fix their own government.”

    He urged, “Are you here to twist facts or discuss the Constitution? JNU students are progressive and contribute greatly to nation-building. But some people are making undemocratic statements. The public will push the BJP to be better after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.”

    Kharge also pointed out that the RSS was against the Constitution and claimed that the BJP’s founding leaders did not fight for India’s independence. He challenged the PM and Rajnath Singh, saying, “You have never truly talked about what you did for the country or how many times you were arrested for independence. If you didn’t fight for India’s freedom, how can you appreciate it?”

    In response to the PM saying the Congress’ main slogan is “garibi hatao” (remove poverty), Kharge called the PM the biggest fraud. He highlighted Modi’s unfulfilled promises of giving ₹15 lakh to poor families, creating 2 crore jobs, and doubling farmers’ income, claiming that the PM is trying to distract people from real issues.

    Kharge emphasized that in the 11 years of Modi’s rule, he has not strengthened the Constitution. He praised past initiatives like food security and mandatory education, which helped during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kharge also defended some Constitutional amendments, including one that empowers marginalized people. He reminded everyone that Jan Sangh leader Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was part of the cabinet that approved these amendments.

    Kharge accused the PM of disrespecting Nehru and delegitimizing Mukherjee’s contributions. He pointed out that the provisional Parliament, which made the first amendment, included Mukherjee, and that Ambedkar and Patel also supported these changes. He said, “In criticizing Nehru, you insulted everyone who stood with him. Ambedkar defended these amendments for two hours. The BJP is simply against reservation and that’s why they don’t support counting people by their caste.”

  • Royal Family Plans Big Christmas Celebration at Sandringham This Year

    Royal Family Plans Big Christmas Celebration at Sandringham This Year

    This year, the Royal Family is excited to celebrate Christmas at their Sandringham home. King Charles and Kate Middleton want to make this holiday special for their family. After facing a tough year with personal challenges, they are looking forward to a calm and joyful Christmas together.

    Royal expert Jennie Bond shared some details about their plans with OK! Magazine. This Christmas will be all about family, with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton hosting 45 family members at Sandringham.

    When asked about accommodations, Bond mentioned that Catherine’s parents might stay at Anmer Hall. However, she thinks they’ll only host close family there, while the York family will be at Wood Farm. No matter where everyone stays, the royals want to come together to support each other and create a happy atmosphere.

    Prince William recently attended an event for military families and joked, “We’ll be in Norfolk, at Sandringham. We’ll be 45 for Christmas. It won’t be quiet; it will be noisy.” He added, “Am I ready for Christmas? No way!”

    This year, the Royal Family will focus on making the celebrations fun for the children, as they have more kids in their family now. Bond explained that after everything they’ve been through, it means a lot to King Charles and Queen Camilla to have their family close. With more kids around, Christmas will be filled with joy and laughter, just like it should be.

    Prince Harry and Meghan will not be joining the family in the UK for Christmas, but the rest of the Royal Family will enjoy their traditional holiday together in Norfolk.

  • Pushpa 2: The Rule Breaks Box Office Records Amid Allu Arjun’s Arrest!

    Pushpa 2: The Rule Breaks Box Office Records Amid Allu Arjun’s Arrest!

    Allu Arjun was recently in the news because he was arrested after a woman tragically died in a stampede linked to the movie “Pushpa 2: The Rule.” But despite this sad event, the movie is doing really well in theaters. It has become the second-best film ever in its second weekend at the Hindi box office.

    “Pushpa 2: The Rule” made a whopping ₹128 crore (about $15 million) just in its second weekend! On its first day, it earned a fantastic ₹72 crore. Even on regular weekdays, the movie has been making over ₹30 crore daily.

    A popular film tracker, Taran Adarsh, shared on X (formerly Twitter) that “Pushpa 2” is now the highest-grossing Hindi film in its second weekend! Over the weekend, it earned ₹27 crore on Friday, ₹46 crore on Saturday, and ₹54 crore on Sunday. This brings the total earnings in India to nearly ₹909 crore!

    The film beat other big movies like “Stree 2,” “Gadar 2,” “Animal,” and “Jawan,” which had lower collections in their second weekends.

    Directed by Sukumar and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, “Pushpa 2: The Rule” features Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj, Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli, and Fahadh Faasil as the cop Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat.

    The movie continues to do well and is getting closer to setting the record for the highest-grossing Indian film!

  • Canada’s Tough Challenge with U.S.-Bound Migrants”

    Canada’s Tough Challenge with U.S.-Bound Migrants”

    Canada is trying to stop migrants from crossing into the United States, but it’s not easy. Six concrete blocks have been placed at a rural road leading to the U.S.-Canada border to prevent cars from driving over, yet people can still jump over them on foot.

    Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer Daniel Dubois says these blocks aren’t enough. They’ve set up more cameras and sensors, but it’s tough to catch every migrant. Canada also promised to send more officers to the border because U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened high tariffs if Canada doesn’t control migrant crossings better.

    In the past year, Canada turned back about 1,000 people who tried to cross into the country at unofficial spots, while U.S. authorities caught over 23,000 trying to head to America. Most migrant activity is still happening at the southern U.S. border with Mexico, where the numbers are much higher.

    Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller told a group that Canada needs to show the U.S. it has a strong immigration system. He said Canada is facing a “credibility challenge” regarding its border security.

    The RCMP patrols a 105-mile section of the border that’s known for migrant crossings. They rely on tips from the public and surveillance cameras. They can’t arrest people in Canada unless they’re breaking the law, even if they suspect those people might try to cross into the U.S.

    Experts don’t believe new technology or extra officers will significantly stop crossings. Many think these efforts are just to give the appearance of security.

    Advocates for refugees say that making it harder for migrants to cross the border only puts them in more danger. This year, at least nine people died near the Quebec-New York border after a rule change allowed either country to send asylum seekers back.

    Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has not commented on these plans. Some experts suggest that Canada should prevent migrants from arriving in the first place. Canada has started denying more visas and turning away travelers at the border.

    Terry Rowe, a resident near the border, set up cameras and ended up recording migrants passing by his house. He has shared many videos with U.S. border patrol.

    As the situation changes, Canadian authorities are preparing for an increase in migrants fleeing the potential deportations promised by Trump. RCMP officer Charles Poirier said they are ready for a possible surge, as Rowe notices more people coming from the U.S. to Canada.

  • India’s World Test Championship Hopes at Risk: Gabba Challenge Awaits!

    India’s World Test Championship Hopes at Risk: Gabba Challenge Awaits!

    India is in a bit of trouble during the Day 3 play at the Gabba, and it’s not looking good for them. Australia’s fast bowlers have made it tough for the Indian batsmen, leaving them at 4 wickets down for just 51 runs by the end of the day. If India gets out for less than 246 runs, it would be their worst performance in 13 years. Adding to their worries, rainy weather could stop the game, allowing a draw, which wouldn’t help India either.

    India needs to win this Test match to keep their hopes alive for the World Test Championship final. They started off strong with a big win in the first Test in Perth but lost in Adelaide. South Africa’s strong performance at home pushed India down to third place in the points table.

    What if India loses?

    If India loses this Test match, they could be out of the running for the final for the third time in a row. Even if they win the next two matches in Melbourne and Sydney, the most points they can get is 58.8 percent. Australia, in second place, could go up to 60.5 percent if they beat Sri Lanka at home. This means India would need Sri Lanka to do really well against Australia to have any chance of qualifying for the final.

    What if there’s a draw?

    With rain expected for the next two days, India’s best chance is to finish the game in a draw. However, that still wouldn’t be enough for them. They would then need to win in Melbourne and Sydney. If they lose even one of those matches, finishing the series 2-2, they will need Sri Lanka to win at least one match against Australia to qualify. This would leave India at 55.3 percent and Australia at 53.5 percent, enabling India to secure their spot in the final.

  • Cyclone Chido Hits Mayotte: Tragedy and Destruction Unfold

    Cyclone Chido Hits Mayotte: Tragedy and Destruction Unfold

    Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm in nearly 100 years, hit Mayotte, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. This powerful cyclone brought winds over 200 kph (124 mph) and caused widespread destruction. Many homes, government buildings, and even a hospital were damaged. Local officials estimate that hundreds or even thousands of people may have died.

    Mayor Francois-Xavier Bieuville said that the situation is indeed tragic. A resident named Mohamed Ishmael described Mayotte as looking like a place hit by a nuclear war, as entire neighborhoods vanished. The cyclone also moved to northern Mozambique, where damage and effects are still unknown.

    Rescue efforts were complicated because internet and phone services were damaged. There were reports of destroyed homes and capsized police boats onshore. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his sadness and support for the people of Mayotte, saying many victims had lost everything, including their lives.

    Finding the precise death count is difficult, especially since many families quickly bury their loved ones according to Muslim customs. This disaster is a big challenge for Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who just took office. The French government is sending help from Reunion island to assist the affected people.

    Mayotte, which is far from Paris, is poorer than most parts of France. It has struggled with crime and unrest for many years. Many people from nearby Comoros try to enter Mayotte for a better life in France. Unfortunately, about 100,000 undocumented migrants live in Mayotte, and most residents live below the poverty line. Earlier this year, a water shortage increased tensions among the local population.

    In 1843, France took control of Mayotte, and by 1974, most of the islands wanted independence. However, a majority in Mayotte chose to stay French, while other islands declared independence in 1975. Today, Mayotte remains ruled from Paris.

  • Father Arrested for Alleged Assault on His 6-Year-Old Daughter in Thane

    Father Arrested for Alleged Assault on His 6-Year-Old Daughter in Thane

    In Thane district, Maharashtra, a 42-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly hurting his six-year-old daughter. The police say the man, who lives in Dombivli, reportedly molested his daughter several times since June when she was alone at home.

    The man’s wife found out about the abuse and reported it to the police. As a result, the police have registered a case against him this past Saturday. He faces serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are taking the matter very seriously.

  • Rashid Khan Returns to Tests: Afghanistan Faces Zimbabwe in Series!

    Rashid Khan Returns to Tests: Afghanistan Faces Zimbabwe in Series!

    New Delhi,India – Rashid Khan, the famous leg-spinner from Afghanistan, is ready to play in his first Test match since March 2021. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced the team that will play two Test matches against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, starting on December 26.

    Rashid, who is only 26 years old, hasn’t played red-ball cricket for Afghanistan since a match against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi over two years ago. This time, he will face Zimbabwe again. He is part of an 18-player squad for the upcoming series.

    Although Rashid has played more than 200 one-day and T20 matches for Afghanistan, he has played only five Test matches, taking 34 wickets at an impressive average of 22.35. His return to the Test team is a big boost as it includes seven new players who are eager to earn their first Test caps in Africa.

    Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, the interim chief selector, is excited to have Rashid back in the team. He believes that the players are well-prepared to compete strongly against Zimbabwe.

    “We are happy to see Rashid back, which is good news for our red-ball cricket. The team has trained well in Nangarhar province, and we have picked some new players who did well in the recent tournament,” Ahmad Shah said.

    Series Schedule:
    – First Test: December 26-30, Bulawayo.
    – Second Test: January 2-6, Bulawayo.

    Afghanistan Test Squad:
    – Hashmatullah Shahidi
    – Rahmat Shah
    – Ikram Alikhail
    – Afsar Zazai
    – Riaz Hassan
    – Sediqullah Atal
    – Abdul Malik
    – Baheer Shah Mahboob
    – Ismat Alam
    – Azmatullah Omarzai
    – Zahir Khan
    – Zia Ur Rehman Akbar
    – Zahir Shehzad
    – Rashid Khan
    – Yamin Ahmadzai
    – Bashir Ahmad Afghan
    – Naveed Zadran
    – Fareed Ahmad Malik

    Reserves:
    – Nasir Jamal
    – Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi
    – Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai

  • Tailor’s Tag Leads to Arrests in Shocking Odisha Murder Case

    Tailor’s Tag Leads to Arrests in Shocking Odisha Murder Case

    A blood-stained shirt found near a river helped the Odisha Police solve a mysterious murder case involving a 35-year-old woman. The woman’s body was discovered on December 13 on the banks of the Kathjodi River in Cuttack. Since no one reported her missing, police were unsure how to identify her.

    The police found a weapon, a chopper, and tried to piece together the clues. There were tattoos on the woman’s arms, but they didn’t help in identifying her. However, they discovered a blood-stained shirt and pants that had a tailor’s tag from ‘New Star Tailors.’

    The police decided to investigate this tag and found several tailors with similar names across Odisha. They checked each one but found no match. Then, a tailor in Ganjam told them that such tags are also used in Gujarat. So, they contacted the Gujarat police, who located a tailor in Surat.

    The tailor revealed that the shirt was made for a customer named ‘Babu.’ He also mentioned he had sent ₹100 to ‘Babu’ via mobile pay. The police tracked down the mobile number, which led them to Jaganath Duhuri, known as Babu.

    Jaganath was found traveling by train back to Surat when the police arrested him. During questioning, he confessed that he was the deceased woman’s brother-in-law and had committed the crime with the help of his brother, Balaram Duhuri (the woman’s husband), and his cousin, Hapi Duhuri. All three men have been arrested.

    The police said the motive behind this crime was a long-standing marital disagreement between the woman and her husband. Balaram was suspicious that she was having an affair.