Author: Sarita Jena

  • India and UAE: Boosting Trade and Defense Partnerships Together

    India and UAE: Boosting Trade and Defense Partnerships Together

    NEW DELHI: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are working more closely together, especially in energy and defense. They held important talks on Friday about long-term agreements for energy supplies, joint projects, and investments in oil and gas reserves.

    External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan led the discussions. Jaishankar described the India-UAE partnership as a “model relationship.” He highlighted that trade between the two countries has grown steadily and reached an impressive level of $85 billion since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) kicked in last May.

    They also talked about expanding cooperation in new energy areas, including nuclear energy and green hydrogen. Jaishankar noted that there are now several long-term contracts for oil and gas.

    Furthermore, Jaishankar mentioned exciting new projects like Bharat Mart, a virtual trade corridor, and a special system called MAITRI to ease international trade. They aim to increase non-oil trade to $100 billion.

    On the defense side, both countries have seen increased collaboration, including military exercises and a forum for defense industries. Jaishankar said their joint efforts contribute to regional stability and security.

    He also thanked the UAE for treating the large Indian community (around 3.89 million people) well. Both sides agreed to meet more often to resolve any consular issues and improve skills and workforce collaboration.

    Recently, India opened an IIT campus in Abu Dhabi, and they are also working on opening campuses of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Dubai. They are focusing on improving partnerships in education, research, technology, and several other important areas like space, healthcare, and food security

  • Delhi-Dehradun Expressway to Cut Travel Time in Just 3 Months!

    Delhi-Dehradun Expressway to Cut Travel Time in Just 3 Months!

    Union minister Nitin Gadkari recently shared exciting news about the new Delhi-Dehradun expressway. This road will make the trip between Delhi and Dehradun much faster, cutting travel time down to just two hours! Right now, it takes five to six hours to travel between these two cities.

    Gadkari also mentioned that the construction of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is almost done and will be finished in about two months. Once this expressway opens, it will reduce the travel time from 24 hours to just 12 hours!

    He highlighted that the Delhi government has approved a ₹10,000 crore project for a new road that stretches from Kalindi Kunj in Delhi to Faridabad. This exciting project will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the next 15-20 days.

    Gadkari explained that improving roads also helps the environment. The transport sector contributes to 40% of air pollution in India. By using rice straw for making fuels, he believes the issue of stubble burning, which often causes pollution, can be solved in two years. He also mentioned that they are working on 400 projects aimed at using rice straw effectively.

    The minister shared that India’s logistics costs are much higher than those of other countries. The goal is to bring these costs down from 14-16% to 9% in the next two years, which would help increase India’s exports significantly.

    Regarding road safety, India has a very high number of traffic accidents, with 1,78,000 deaths from 5,00,000 accidents each year. Gadkari explained that many accidents occur due to poor road conditions and a lack of awareness about road safety. He expressed hope that new measures to fix dangerous spots on highways will reduce accidents.

  • Gracie Abrams Announces North American Tour Dates for 2025!

    Gracie Abrams Announces North American Tour Dates for 2025!

    Gracie Abrams is exciting her fans with new tour dates for 2025! The 25-year-old singer shared the news on social media about her The Secret of Us Deluxe Tour. This tour will feature a special guest, Role Model. It begins on July 24 in Boston and is part of her previously announced The Secret of Us Tour, which started earlier this year in September.

    Recently, Gracie revealed the new North American tour details. The tour supports the deluxe version of her second album. Here’s a look at her new tour dates:

    New North American Tour Dates:
    – July 24 – Boston, MA at TD Garden
    – July 26 – Toronto, ON at Budweiser Stage
    – July 28 – New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
    – August 6 – Los Angeles, CA at Kia Forum
    – August 11 – Morrison, CO at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
    – August 26 – Mexico City, Mexico at Pepsi Center

    Previously Announced European Tour Dates:
    – February 8 – Madrid, Spain at Palacio Vistalegre
    – February 9 – Madrid, Spain at Palacio Vistalegre
    – February 11 – Lisbon, Portugal at MEO Arena
    – February 15 – Stuttgart, Germany at Porsche Arena
    – February 17 – Amsterdam, Netherlands at Ziggo Dome
    – February 19 – Hamburg, Germany at Sporthalle Hamburg
    – February 21 – Dusseldorf, Germany at Mitsubishi Electric Halle
    – February 22 – Berlin, Germany at Velodrom
    – February 24 – Zurich, Switzerland at The Hall
    – February 25 – Milan, Italy at Unipol Forum
    – February 27 – Paris, France at Accor Arena
    – February 28 – Brussels, Belgium at Forest National
    – March 3 – Nottingham, UK at Motorpoint Arena
    – March 4 – Leeds, UK at First Direct Arena
    – March 6 – London, UK at The O2
    – March 7 – Manchester, UK at Co-op Live
    – March 8 – Cardiff, UK at Utilita Arena Cardiff
    – March 10 – Dublin, Ireland at 3Arena
    – March 12 – Glasgow, UK at OVO Hydro

    Previously Announced Asian Tour Dates:
    – April 3 – Singapore at The Star Theatre
    – April 6 – Seoul, South Korea at Myunghwa Live
    – April 8 – Tokyo, Japan at Zepp Haneda
    – April 10 – Shanghai, China at Music Park
    – April 14 – Hong Kong at MacPherson Stadium
    – April 17 – Taipei, Taiwan at TICC
    – April 19 – Bangkok, Thailand at Samyan Halls

    Don’t miss your chance to see Gracie live!

  • Bail for Former Officials in Doctor’s Rape and Murder Case in Kolkata

    Bail for Former Officials in Doctor’s Rape and Murder Case in Kolkata

    On Friday, the Sealdah court in Kolkata said that Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and Abhijit Mondal, the former officer-in-charge of Tala police station, can go free on bail. This happened because the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) didn’t file their charge-sheet within the required 90 days.

    The CBI is looking into the sad case of a trainee female doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital on August 9. Ghosh and Mondal were arrested because they were accused of interfering with evidence and setting up a quick cremation for the doctor without her family’s permission, who wanted a second autopsy.

    The public prosecutor from the CBI said they were not asking to keep the two men in custody. Since no charge-sheet was filed in time, their lawyers requested bail, which the court granted. According to the law, people can get bail if no charge-sheet is filed within 90 days. Ghosh and Mondal were both found without evidence against them.

    However, Ghosh won’t be released yet because the CBI alleges he was involved in financial problems during his job at the hospital from 2021 to 2024. The case has caused outrage across the country.

    The young doctor, who was 31 years old, is said to have been attacked and killed by Sanjay Roy, a volunteer for Kolkata Police, on August 9. The high court decided to switch the investigation to the CBI on August 13.

    On October 7, the CBI charged Roy with the crimes of rape and murder. They recently updated the Supreme Court about how the investigation is going.

    The CBI claimed that Ghosh and Mondal tried to hide evidence and even created fake records at the police station to cover up the case. However, their lawyers denied these claims. The CBI wanted to run tests on Roy, Ghosh, and Mondal, but Mondal and Ghosh initially refused.

    The CBI also opened another case about Ghosh’s financial issues at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They filed a report against him and several companies for corruption on August 24 and arrested him and others on September 2 for those charges.

  • Bihar BPSC Exam Sparks Protests Over Alleged Question Leak!

    Bihar BPSC Exam Sparks Protests Over Alleged Question Leak!

    Today, the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) held its 70th combined competitive exam from 12 PM to 2 PM. Many students on social media claimed that some exam questions were leaked, and there were protests at the Bapu Exam Centre in Patna. BPSC chairman Ravi Manu Bhai S Parmar dismissed these claims as a trick, saying, “We haven’t received any complaints about the exam anywhere.”

    At the Bapu centre, students said that the question papers and answer sheets were given to people outside, ruining the fair process of the exam. They also mentioned that there were problems with how the exam was managed and that the papers were given out late. In some places, students even reported that some candidates ran away with the test papers. “The fairness of the exam is very important. If we lose that, what do we have left?” worried students said.

    As the situation in Patna got tense, district magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh came to help but ended up getting frustrated and slapped a student. He explained that one exam room was set up for 288 students, but only had 188 questions in the box. They had to get more questions from another room, which took time, and the students complained. Some even left with the exam papers, and police plan to file reports against them.

    However, Parmar said he hadn’t received any complaints from the 912 exam centres across the state. He noted that even an hour after the exam, everything seemed fine. “The exam process went smoothly, and the students can’t use their phones during the exam, so they don’t know what is happening outside. It’s all just mischief in the age of social media,” he said.

    He added that once the exam started, students only had their papers, with no electronic devices allowed. BPSC has been watching everything closely to ensure everything is alright and stated that if someone tried a trick, it didn’t affect the whole process. “The exams went well,” he concluded.

  • Divorce Mehndi: A Powerful Expression of Heartbreak and Freedom

    Divorce Mehndi: A Powerful Expression of Heartbreak and Freedom

    A surprising new style of Mehndi (henna) art is taking social media by storm! Mehndi is usually used in weddings to celebrate love and happiness. But now, there’s a creative twist called “Divorce Mehndi.” This art shows women’s journeys through difficult breakups.

    Unlike the pretty patterns seen at weddings, Divorce Mehndi tells a touching story. Each design represents feelings of sadness, betrayal, and the joy of being free. A video of this unique art has gone viral on Instagram, getting over one million views!

    Pain in the Henna

    In the video shared by Urvashi Vora Sharma, a woman tells her story of a troubled marriage through the Mehndi on her hands. Her designs say “Finally Divorced!” instead of the usual wedding patterns. The art shows her experiences—like feeling like a servant, loneliness, and the lack of support from her husband. The images reveal misunderstandings, fights, and moments of deep sadness, leading to her decision to end the marriage.

    Watch the Video Here!

    The emotional video has made a big impact, and social media is buzzing with reactions. Many people are sharing their thoughts on this brave expression of art. One user wrote, “This is such a powerful way to tell your story. More strength to her!” Others found it inspiring, saying, “This is not just art; it’s a movement. Women are taking charge of their stories.”

    More comments showed understanding, with one saying, “This hit close to home. Divorce is never easy, but this Mehndi shows the strength it takes to start over.”

    Goodbye to Traditional Mehndi

    This new trend goes beyond weddings, showing real feelings and experiences. It’s about freedom, strength, and owning one’s story.

  • India Urges Canada to Investigate Murder of Three Indian Students

    India Urges Canada to Investigate Murder of Three Indian Students

    NEW DELHI: On Friday, India expressed sadness over the recent murders of three Indian students in Canada, calling them “terrible tragedies.” The Indian government urged Canadian authorities to investigate these crimes closely.

    Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India’s external affairs ministry, shared that the Indian high commission in Ottawa and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver are actively following up with Canadian officials. They have also been in touch with the families of the students involved. “We send our deepest condolences to the grieving families,” he stated.

    Jaiswal highlighted that the safety and well-being of Indian citizens, especially students, in Canada is very important to India. The Indian missions in Canada are regularly communicating with local authorities to ensure their security.

    In light of recent events, India has advised its citizens and students to be extra careful and aware of their surroundings due to an increase in hate crimes and violence in Canada.

    India-Canada relations have worsened lately. In September last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that Indian government agents might be linked to the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Since then, diplomatic tensions have escalated, with both countries expelling several diplomats.

    Jaiswal also responded to a report claiming that Canada was preventing pro-Khalistan individuals from getting Indian visas. He called it “disinformation” spread by the Canadian media. He stated that India has the right to refuse visas to anyone who threatens its territory.

  • Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala’s Beautiful Wedding Highlights

    Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala’s Beautiful Wedding Highlights

    Actors Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala have just gotten married in a beautiful ceremony in Hyderabad! Pictures from their special day are now trending on social media.

    In one lovely photo, Naga and Sobhita are smiling and bowing their heads with their hands folded, while Ram Charan stands in front of them, looking happy as he gives them his blessings. Ram Charan looked great in a black kurta and matching pants.

    Another picture shows movie legends Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna smiling and folding their hands together. There’s also a sweet photo of the new couple with their families. SS Rajamouli and his wife, Rama, were there too! Rajamouli wore a black T-shirt and beige pants, while Rama looked stunning in a green and white saree.

    Naga and Sobhita got married on December 4 in a traditional Telugu wedding at the famous Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. The wedding was filled with Telugu traditions, and all the important rituals were guided by their elders. Many friends and family celebrated with them on this special occasion.

    Sobhita looked gorgeous in a gold Kanjivaram silk saree with beautiful temple jewelry to celebrate her culture. Naga looked sharp in a traditional white outfit.

    Just a few days after their wedding, Naga and Sobhita visited the Srisailam temple in Andhra Pradesh to seek blessings. They wore beautiful ethnic clothes, with Naga in a white pancha and Sobhita in a yellow saree. Naga’s father, Nagarjuna, joined them for this special visit.

    Naga was previously married to actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. They announced their separation in October 2021. Just a few months ago, Naga confirmed he was dating Sobhita by sharing photos from their engagement!

  • Master the Exciting NYT Connections Puzzle Challenge!

    Master the Exciting NYT Connections Puzzle Challenge!

    Do you love puzzles that get your mind working? The NYT Connections puzzle is a thrilling challenge that mixes logic, creativity, and pattern spotting. In this game, you see a grid full of random words and your goal is to find hidden connections to group them into categories. This game sharpens your thinking skills and boosts your creativity while helping you learn new words.

    Connections, made by Wyna Liu, asks you to look for clever patterns among the words. It’s a fun brain workout! You can play on any device, making it great for a quick break or a deep-thinking session. With its easy-to-use design, it’s enjoyable for everyone, no matter how good you are at puzzles!

    How to Play NYT Connections?

    In Connections, you get 16 random words and must sort them into four groups based on hidden themes. The words cover a lot of topics, like science, history, pop culture, and current events. Some words might trick you, so think hard and creatively to find their links!

    Every puzzle has one correct answer, which makes it a blend of strategy and quick thinking. Are you ready to challenge your mind? Jump into Connections, find the patterns, and see how fast you can group the words!

    NYT Connections Hints for December 13

    – Fantasy Creatures: DRAGON, GIANT, PIXIE, TROLL
    – Email Folders: DRAFTS, SENT, SPAM, TRASH
    – Citrus Sodas: CRUSH, SPRITE, SQUIRT, STARRY
    – Animal Homophones: BORE, LINKS, PHISH, TOWED

  • Priyanka Chopra Shines at Red Sea Film Festival with Honorary Award!

    Priyanka Chopra Shines at Red Sea Film Festival with Honorary Award!

    Priyanka Chopra, the famous actor, shared her experiences at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah. She talked about how, early in her career, people told her that movies with subtitles or that were not in English wouldn’t be successful worldwide. But she proudly said, “Look at us now!” This shows how films can cross all borders, languages, and backgrounds.

    During the event, Sarah Jessica Parker presented Priyanka with a special award. Sarah praised Priyanka for her amazing work and called it a “true honor” to celebrate her achievements. Priyanka thanked Sarah and expressed how much her kind words meant to her. Afterward, Priyanka also showed appreciation for her family, especially her husband, Nick Jonas, whom she called a “gentleman” for always supporting her.

    Priyanka remembered her late father, Ashok Chopra, sharing fond memories of how much joy he brought to any gathering and how he inspired her to be confident and entertaining. She ended her speech by congratulating all the winners and filmmakers at the festival, emphasizing how wonderful it is for artists to come together to celebrate the magic of cinema.