Author: Sarita Jena

  • Nadda Condemns Congress Claims Against Dhankhar, Defends Parliamentary Integrity

    Nadda Condemns Congress Claims Against Dhankhar, Defends Parliamentary Integrity

    The president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), JP Nadda, spoke to the media on Thursday about some serious accusations made by the Congress party against the Chairman and Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar. Nadda strongly condemned these claims and pointed out that Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, being a senior politician, should know that the Chairman’s decisions are final and cannot be questioned.

    Nadda criticized Kharge for saying that opposition leaders aren’t allowed to speak in Parliament. He argued that Kharge had enough chances to share his views and was invited to discuss with the Chairman, but he chose not to go. Nadda accused Congress of not wanting to work together and trying to create chaos instead.

    He also pointed out that Kharge skipped important meetings that help plan what to discuss in Parliament. Nadda found it silly for Kharge to talk about parliamentary rules when he himself hasn’t participated in these meetings. He reminded everyone that Rahul Gandhi once made fun of the Chairman in Parliament, which Nadda compared to silly behavior often seen in schools.

    Further criticizing opposition leaders, Nadda mentioned that they wanted to remove Dhankhar from his position. He argued that their goal is to distract people from questions about Sonia Gandhi’s connections to a foundation linked to George Soros, who is accused of wanting to disrupt the Indian government.

  • Indian Films Win Big at tve Global Sustainability Film Awards in London

    Indian Films Win Big at tve Global Sustainability Film Awards in London

    In London, an Indian film called “The Kumbaya Story” won a trophy at the 13th tve Global Sustainability Film Awards at the famous BAFTA theater. Produced by Kumbaya Producer Co. Ltd, this film took home the award for the best short film that changes society. “The Kumbaya Story” tells the amazing story of strong women who changed their lives by learning to weave, which helped them start their own company, the Kumbaya Producer Company.

    Another Indian film, “GOBUK- Harmony in the Highlands,” made it to the shortlist for young filmmakers. This film, created by Greenhub India, focuses on sustainable tourism.

    India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025, “Laapataa Ladies,” was also shortlisted for the Founder’s Award. This award in the Feature category went to the Kenyan film “NAWI,” which talks about the serious issue of child brides. “NAWI” has already won awards, including the Best Young Actor at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards, and is also Kenya’s official entry for the Oscars.

    In the Docu-Feature category, the Founder’s Award went to a Canadian documentary called “500 Days in the Wild.” This film tells the story of a woman who explored Canada by hiking, biking, and paddling. “500 Days in the Wild” is Canada’s entry for the Oscars too.

    Surina Narula, who started the tve Global Sustainability Film Awards, presented the Founder’s Award to the winners. Narula, a champion for women’s and children’s rights, praised “NAWI,” saying, “I’ve been working in this area for thirty years, and I’ve never seen a movie that explains the problem of child brides so powerfully.”

    The tve Global Sustainability Film Awards highlight amazing films from different fields that inspire people with real solutions for a better future. Now in its 13th year, the awards support stories that help build a fairer and more sustainable world.

  • India Gears Up for pivotal Test Against Australia at The Gabba

    India Gears Up for pivotal Test Against Australia at The Gabba

    The Gabba in Brisbane is one of the two Test cricket venues in Australia still using traditional pitches, along with Sydney’s SCG. This stadium is also home to the Brisbane Lions, a local Aussie Rules Football team, and the bright maroon and yellow seats reflect the team’s colors.

    The Gabba is famous for hosting India’s unforgettable Test win in January 2021. Even though the Indian team was missing key players like captain Virat Kohli and star bowlers, they pulled off an incredible victory against Australia, a team that hadn’t lost at this ground since 1988. India chased down a target of 328 runs with help from young players Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, along with the determination of Cheteshwar Pujara, winning by three wickets.

    This time, some of the players from that match are back, including Rohit Sharma as captain and Mohammed Siraj, who is now a key bowler. However, they are not thinking about the past; instead, they need to focus on their current situation. India has struggled with batting lately, managing to score over 200 runs just once in their last five Tests. So, their training session before the upcoming third Test against Australia is all about improving their batting performance.

    In places like Brisbane, batsmen must learn to defend their wicket and ignore balls outside off-stump, especially when they just come in to bat. Virat Kohli, despite being an experienced player with 30 Test centuries, has often fallen for deliveries he should let go. He’s now trying to be more disciplined in his approach to batting.

    During their training, India’s bowlers worked hard in smaller groups with the help of coaches. KL Rahul was particularly focused, staying in the nets longer to refine his skills since he now has the pressure of opening the batting.

    Concerns about Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness arose after he received treatment for his groin, but he looked strong and ready during practice. Bumrah and Siraj will likely form a strong bowling attack with Akash Deep joining them, while Washington Sundar is expected back in the team, taking Ashwin’s spot.

  • Supreme Court: Protect Tigers and Pilgrims in Sariska Reserve

    Supreme Court: Protect Tigers and Pilgrims in Sariska Reserve

    New Delhi: The Supreme Court said on Wednesday that while protecting tiger habitats is crucial, we also need to consider the feelings of people who visit temples. The Court asked the Rajasthan government to create a committee to look into the concerns of pilgrims going to a temple inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve. This comes before a plan to stop private vehicles from entering the sanctuary by March 2025, which aims to help protect the tigers.

    Private vehicles have led to pollution and made it easier for poachers to reach the area. The Rajasthan government wants to replace these vehicles with 20 electric buses for the pilgrims. However, the Hanuman Pandupole Temple Trust believes this plan is not enough for the thousands of visitors, especially on busy days.

    Justice Bhushan R. Gavai, who led the bench, said that while it’s important to protect the tiger reserve, the feelings of the devotees also matter. Advocate Ashok Gaur, representing the Trust, claimed the ban could stop 6,000 to 7,000 visitors from fulfilling their religious duties.

    The bench, which also included justice K.V. Viswanathan, called for a practical solution to avoid any issues. They instructed the creation of a three-member committee, headed by the Sariska collector, to work out a gradual ban on private vehicles while caring for the needs of the pilgrims.

    Due to the short time until the March 2025 deadline set by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), the Court extended this date to March 2026. The committee will seek a balanced way to protect the tiger reserve and still support the devotees.

    The Court discussed a similar situation at the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, where a Ganesh temple is located, suggesting that similar actions may also be needed there. Rajasthan’s additional solicitor general, Aishwarya Bhati, told the Court that the state understood the pilgrims’ concerns and would try to make it easier while also keeping the environment safe.

    Senior advocate K. Parmeshwar, who helped the Court, noted that poachers had taken advantage of the lack of restrictions in Sariska. The CEC suggested closing one entrance to help reduce poaching, a suggestion the bench agreed with, making it clear genuine pilgrims should not be harmed in the process.

    The CEC also recommended changing how the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) in Sariska is arranged so that it aligns with the breeding patterns of the tigers. The Court allowed the state to follow this advice by adhering to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, while also considering opinions from environmentalists and private miners affected by the sanctuary’s plans. However, any changes to the sanctuary’s boundaries will need the Court’s final approval.

  • UK Bans Puberty Blockers for Kids: Key Facts and Reactions

    UK Bans Puberty Blockers for Kids: Key Facts and Reactions

    On Wednesday, the UK government decided to stop using puberty blockers for children who feel they are in the wrong body. Experts found these medications may not be safe for kids, leading to this indefinite ban. This decision goes against what many doctors and experts in other countries, like those in Europe and the US, recommend.

    The ban means that doctors cannot give these drugs to kids who are struggling with their gender identity. This is a big change since many doctors have used puberty blockers as a way to help young people transition to their true gender. The ban will be reviewed again in 2027.

    This decision comes after a judge decided to keep a temporary ban that was put in place earlier this year. The Conservative government first announced this ban, and now the Labour government will continue it. The ban does not affect children who are already taking these blockers or those studying them for special medical conditions, like early puberty.

    Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said they will set up a new clinical trial next year to better understand how these drugs affect young people. He said it’s important to be careful when dealing with such a vulnerable group.

    The National Health Service (NHS) in England stopped giving puberty blockers to kids last year because they believed there wasn’t enough evidence to support their safety and effectiveness. A judge also mentioned that there were serious risks and very few benefits to the treatment, noting that the evidence around these options is weak.

    Some groups, like the British Medical Association and TransActual, disagree with the ban. TransActual said, “Banning medications without proof of serious harm is unfair towards trans people.” They believe the risks of this permanent ban will lead to more problems for young people in the future.

  • Review of Kraven the Hunter: A Confusing Superhero Movie

    Review of Kraven the Hunter: A Confusing Superhero Movie

    “Kraven the Hunter” is about a character named Kraven, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. This movie is the latest effort by Sony to create interesting stories with Spider-Man’s enemies. Unfortunately, it’s stuck in the past and feels outdated. The movie tries to tell Kraven’s story but gets lost trying to explain other villains like The Rhino and The Foreigner before finishing with Chameleon, hinting there might be a sequel.

    Kraven, originally named Sergei Kravinoff, becomes a superhero after a strange event in Africa where he is attacked by a lion. He drinks a special potion made with lion’s blood, which gives him extraordinary hunting skills. He repeatedly claims, “Hunting people down is kind of my thing.” However, his actions don’t always make sense.

    Director J.C. Chandor seems to struggle with keeping a clear story. Instead of focusing on Kraven, the film gets distracted by other villains and odd effects. At times, the movie’s fight scenes are so ridiculous they become funny.

    Kraven is supposed to have animal-like abilities, but it’s confusing when he uses weapons like blow darts. He loves animals but wears a necklace made of teeth and a leather jacket. His powers, like glowing eyes and spotting far away objects, come across as silly rather than impressive. He can talk to animals, but they seem to ignore him most of the time.

    Russell Crowe plays Kraven’s father, a tough and ruthless man who gives advice like, “Never fear death.” Crowe’s performance is so over-the-top that it feels more like a cartoon than real life. The film’s other villains, particularly The Rhino, are also poorly created, with costumes that look cheap.

    Some talented actors, like Fred Hechinger and Ariana DeBose, don’t get enough screen time in this messy film, which doesn’t answer whether Kraven is a hero or a villain. In the end, you start to wonder, without Spider-Man in the picture, what’s the point?

    “Kraven the Hunter” is rated R for strong bloody violence and language, and it runs for 127 minutes. It earns only one star out of four.

  • Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s Heartwarming Thanksgiving Together

    Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s Heartwarming Thanksgiving Together

    Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner showed how close they are this Thanksgiving by giving back to the community together. The former couple, who have three kids—Violet, 19, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12—spent their morning volunteering at the Midnight Mission in downtown Los Angeles. They wore matching aprons and gloves while serving meals to homeless people in Skid Row. The organization praised them on social media for their kindness and hard work.

    After volunteering, Ben joined Jennifer and their children for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at her home. Even though both have been in other relationships since their divorce—Ben married Jennifer Lopez in 2022 and separated from her earlier this year, while Jennifer is dating John Miller—they still share a strong bond.

    Recently, they have traveled to Japan, celebrated Ben’s 52nd birthday, and even helped Violet move to Yale University. Their close relationship has led some friends to wonder if they might get back together.

    A source said, “Ben and Jen are closer than ever. They have a strong friendship that they didn’t have before. Some friends think they might rekindle their romance.”

    Ben has gone through a lot, including battling alcohol addiction. After getting the help he needed, he became sober and is now divorcing again. His hard work on himself has impressed Jennifer. “She’s seen the changes in him, and it has changed how she feels about him,” the source added. “Ben believes Jen is the best thing that ever happened to him.”

    Ben has called their split “the biggest regret of my life” and admitted that his drinking caused problems in their marriage. Despite everything, Jennifer once said, “He’s the love of my life. I would marry him again if I could.”

  • Diljit Dosanjh Tops 2024 Top 50 Asian Celebrities List!

    Diljit Dosanjh Tops 2024 Top 50 Asian Celebrities List!

    In London, popular singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh is now number one on the list of the ‘Top 50 Asian Celebrities in the World’ for 2024. He recently wowed fans with his big music tour and hit movies. At 40 years old, Diljit has taken over from last year’s top star, Shah Rukh Khan.

    Diljit is famous for his catchy songs and exciting performances. His concert, called ‘Dil-Luminati’, was a huge success, making him the most popular South Asian celebrity to ever go on tour! His amazing appearance on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ was a big step forward for Indian music. Along with singing, Diljit also showed off his acting skills in films and celebrated his Punjabi culture.

    In second place is pop star Charli XCX, who had a fantastic year with sold-out concerts and seven Grammy nominations for her popular album, ‘Brat’. Allu Arjun, known for the blockbuster ‘Pushpa: The Rule’, is in third place. Dev Patel is fourth for his impressive work on the film ‘Monkey Man’, where he was the writer, director, producer, and star.

    Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who has exciting projects like movies and her new series ‘Citadel’, is fifth. Just behind her is actor Vijay, who starred in a hit Tamil movie and started his own political party. Singer Arijit Singh is in seventh place, and the top ten also includes actresses like Geraldine Viswanathan, Hania Aamir, and Simone Ashley.

    The oldest star on the list is legendary Amitabh Bachchan at 82 years old, while the youngest is 17-year-old Nitanshi Goel, who wowed audiences in the film ‘Laapataa Ladies’. Nitanshi expressed her gratitude, saying, “It’s a huge honor to be recognized. The love for my character Phool has been amazing, and I hope to inspire many young dreamers.”

    This list celebrates South Asian stars who excelled in 2024 through their remarkable achievements and inspiring work. Readers and social media users helped select their favorites, making this list a true reflection of public admiration!

  • Aaliyah Kashyap’s Beautiful Wedding Journey Begins!

    Aaliyah Kashyap’s Beautiful Wedding Journey Begins!

    Aaliyah Kashyap, the daughter of famous director Anurag Kashyap, is getting married to her boyfriend Shane Gregoire on December 11. People on social media are excited to see her beautiful bridal look! Aaliyah is wearing a pretty light pink dress for her big day.

    In a video shared by a paparazzi account on Instagram, Aaliyah made a stunning entrance, walking towards the wedding stage with her bridesmaids holding a flower-covered canopy above her. One of her friends, actress Khushi Kapoor, looked lovely in a light green outfit. Actress Kalki Koechlin, who used to be Anurag’s wife, also attended the wedding.

    Before the wedding, Aaliyah and Shane celebrated with fun events. Aaliyah chose to have designs on her hands made from her pets, Cosmo and Kai, for her mehendi (henna ceremony). Shane kept his design simple, showing Aaliyah’s name in a heart and little pictures of a cat and dog on his hands.

    Anurag Kashyap shared a sweet picture from Aaliyah’s haldi ceremony. In it, she is embracing Shane, surrounded by friends all wearing matching yellow outfits. Aaliyah also posted fun moments with Shane from the haldi ceremony on her Instagram stories.

    Aaliyah is a social media influencer who shares fashion and beauty content on her accounts and her YouTube channel. She and Shane met on a dating app and have been together for a while. They got engaged in Mumbai last year, and Shane proposed to her while they were in Bali.

  • India Reduces Wheat Stock Limits to Control Prices and Inflation

    India Reduces Wheat Stock Limits to Control Prices and Inflation

    New Delhi: The Indian government has decided to lower how much wheat traders and millers can keep in stock. This change is being made to help bring down prices. By limiting the amount of wheat that traders, like wholesalers and big stores, can hold, the government hopes to stop hoarding and make sure there’s enough wheat available for everyone. These kinds of limits are usually set when wheat is hard to find or too expensive.

    According to the government, India produced a good amount of wheat this year — around 113.2 million tonnes. As a result, traders can now keep only 1,000 tonnes, down from 2,000 tonnes. Wheat processors also have new limits, allowed to store only 50% of what they can process in a month.

    Many people believe that the price of wheat has climbed recently, but the new limit of 1,000 tonnes isn’t too strict. CP Gupta, a trader from Kota, Rajasthan, said it’s a fair measure and that the limits should change when prices go down.

    In addition, India’s inflation is higher than the Reserve Bank of India’s target of 4%, with retail prices reaching 6.21% in October — the highest in 14 months. Food prices went even higher at 10.47%. Last week, the Reserve Bank decided to keep interest rates the same at 6.5% despite a slowdown in the economy, mainly due to ongoing issues with rising food prices.

    India, known as the second-largest wheat producer in the world, once banned wheat exports to control rising prices after bad weather affected production in 2022 and 2023. However, this year, they have lifted that ban.