Author: Supriya Jena

  • Elon Musk Calls for U.S. to Exit NATO: What It Means

    Elon Musk Calls for U.S. to Exit NATO: What It Means

    Elon Musk, the billionaire who runs Tesla, says America should pull out of NATO. He believes it’s not fair for the U.S. to pay for protecting Europe. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), he agreed with someone who called for an immediate exit from NATO.

    On March 2, Musk responded to another post that said, “It’s time to leave NATO and the UN,” and he agreed with it. His comments come just before NATO celebrates its 76th birthday in April.

    According to NBC News, former President Donald Trump talked about how the U.S. should engage with NATO. He said the U.S. might only help those allies who spend a certain amount of their money on their own defense.

    Trump mentioned, “If they don’t pay their bills, I won’t defend them,” which means he thinks other countries should contribute their fair share for defense.

    After the Cold War, Europe reduced its military strength and now relies on the U.S. for many important things like communication and leadership in military strategies. Recently, European Union leaders had an emergency meeting to talk about increasing military spending. They discussed a big plan that includes loans of about €150 billion for defense and spending up to €650 billion over four years without penalties.

    Andrius Kubilius, the EU Defense Commissioner, remarked that there has been a lot of uncertainty about what the U.S. plans to do in the future regarding NATO.

    According to U.S. law, the president cannot leave NATO by himself. A two-thirds majority in the Senate or a law from Congress is required for that.

  • Aamir Khan Turns 60: Join His Film Festival Celebrating Indian Cinema

    Aamir Khan Turns 60: Join His Film Festival Celebrating Indian Cinema

    On March 14, movie star Aamir Khan turned 60, and to celebrate, PVR INOX announced a special film festival called “Aamir Khan: Cinema Ka Jadugar.” This festival honors Aamir’s incredible work in Indian movies. The trailer for the festival was launched with special guest Javed Akhtar, a famous songwriter and screenwriter.

    At the event, Aamir shared a funny story about how Javed advised him against taking on some of his biggest hits. For example, when Aamir was cast in the movie “Lagaan,” Javed told him, “What are you doing? The hero can’t wear a dhoti! How can a hero be in a period film?” Despite Javed’s doubts, Aamir decided to go ahead, and “Lagaan” became a huge success when it came out in 2001. It even got nominated for an Oscar!

    Aamir also mentioned that Javed warned him about the movie “Rang De Basanti.” Javed said, “The hero isn’t even in the climax! How will it work?” But Aamir believes in putting the story first and making every film great, even if it means not being the center of attention.

    “Rang De Basanti,” released in 2006, became popular and won many awards. The special film festival celebrating Aamir’s legacy will start on his birthday, March 14, and go until March 27.

  • Russian Troops Surprise Ukraine with Bold Pipeline Attack

    Russian Troops Surprise Ukraine with Bold Pipeline Attack

    In a surprising move, Russian special forces traveled a long distance inside a gas pipeline near Sudzha, aiming to catch Ukrainian soldiers off guard. This comes after Ukraine took control of a significant part of the Kursk region last August, which was meant to give them leverage in future talks.

    Recently, Russia claimed that its troops had taken back the village of Lebedevka and a small area called Novenke in Ukraine’s Sumy region. Pro-Russian blogger Yuri Podolyaka reported that some Russian soldiers crawled for days inside the pipeline before attacking Ukrainian forces from behind.

    Sudzha is a critical location for gas transfer from Russia to Europe, and Russian Telegram channels shared images of the special forces in gas masks inside the pipeline. However, Ukraine’s military said they quickly spotted the Russian soldiers and launched rocket and drone strikes to defend themselves.

    Due to restrictions on what both sides can report, it’s hard to verify these accounts. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has alarmed the West, especially as U.S. President Donald Trump has recently changed America’s approach to the situation, causing fears among European leaders about Ukraine’s future in the war.

    Ukraine’s previous attack on Kursk was the most serious since World War II. As the fighting continues, Russian forces are pushing back Ukrainian troops, putting many of them in danger of being surrounded. Ukrainian forces are now moving their equipment closer to the border as battles rage on in Sudzha.

  • Delhi Honors Brave Women at Empowering Bike Rally

    Delhi Honors Brave Women at Empowering Bike Rally

    On Sunday, Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena honored seven amazing women who have done incredible things. They included social workers and athletes at an exciting event. During an all-women bike rally organized by Navbharat Times, Chief Minister Gupta praised women bikers for showing strength and power. “You have shown everyone that women can do anything!” she said.

    The women honored included:
    – Humaira Mushtaq: The first woman car racer from Jammu and Kashmir
    – Divya Kakran: A wrestler who has received the Arjuna Award
    – Sweety Mehta: A brave survivor of domestic violence who started NGOs to help other women
    – Rekha Jindal: A dedicated worker in drug rehabilitation
    – Nalini Asthana: A teacher who helps slum children learn computers
    – Kanchan Lakhani: A skilled para-athlete
    – Neetu Chaudhary: A caring social worker

    The bike rally started from Connaught Place around 11 AM. Chief Minister Gupta shared that this event has been happening every year since 2013. She mentioned that before this, Delhi faced a big tragedy. “Women should not be afraid; our strength is beyond fear,” she said.

    Lieutenant Governor Saxena added that the bike rally showed the bravery of women. He pointed out that women in India are standing strong next to men. “In some areas, women are doing better than men. During the Delhi elections, more women voted than men!” he shared.

  • Anora Shines at Oscars: Wins Big Amidst Controversies

    Anora Shines at Oscars: Wins Big Amidst Controversies

    Last Sunday, Sean Baker’s movie “Anora,” a funny yet sad story about a young woman who turns to sex work and marries the son of a Russian oligarch, took home the biggest awards at the 97th Academy Awards. It won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. The only award it didn’t win was Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Yura Borisov. Some think he could have won if it weren’t for Kieran Culkin’s strong performance in “A Real Pain,” but that led to some question about fairness in the acting categories.

    How did “Anora” become the favorite this award season? Surprisingly, it didn’t win anything at the 2025 Golden Globes, despite having five nominations. This year’s awards season was quite chaotic, with much drama on social media that affected many films’ chances.

    One big issue surrounded the film “Emilia Pérez,” directed by Jacques Audiard. This Spanish-language musical drama had stars like Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez. The movie faced criticism in Mexico for making fun of its history and misrepresenting a transgender character. Things got worse when old tweets from Gascón about sensitive topics such as George Floyd and diversity at the Oscars resurfaced, causing social media outrage. Gascón issued an apology and even deleted her social media account. “Emilia Pérez” started strong with four Golden Globe wins but stumbled after the backlash, and on Oscar night, it missed out on the Best International Feature award.

    On a brighter note, Brazil celebrated when the film “I’m Still Here” won big. Directed by Walter Salles, this film tells the story of a woman during Brazil’s military dictatorship. The audience loved it, and actress Fernanda Torres’s outstanding performance led to her winning a Golden Globe, which helped her get nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars.

    It made me ponder why Indian films haven’t reached that level of public celebration yet. This year, Payal Kapadia’s film “All We Imagine As Light” had a good shot but didn’t even make the top choice for nominations.

    Another major controversy was linked to the film “The Brutalist,” directed by Brady Corbet. This over-three-hour film was expected to win Best Director but faced criticism when it was revealed that they used artificial intelligence to change the actors’ accents. Even though Adrien Brody still won Best Actor, Corbet lost to Sean Baker.

    “Anora” gained momentum with a surprise win at the Critics Choice Awards for Best Film and won multiple guild awards along the way. It was the only film in recent years to win Best Director and Best Picture at the same time as the Directors Guild and Producers Guild.

    Despite some drama surrounding a comment by actress Mikey Madison about there not being an intimacy coordinator during filming, “Anora” made a strong impression with clever marketing from its distributor Neon. They invested an impressive $18 million promoting a film that only cost $6 million to make, with many newcomers in the cast.

    “Anora’s” big night at the Oscars was a win for independent films, closing an awards season filled with controversies and missteps. This year’s events will surely teach us about handling discussions on social media, because in the end, the internet remembers everything

  • Trump’s Golf Weekends: $18 Million Cost to Taxpayers Revealed

    Trump’s Golf Weekends: $18 Million Cost to Taxpayers Revealed

    Former President Donald Trump loves golf, but new reports show that his golfing weekends in Florida are costing taxpayers a staggering $18 million! Since returning to office, Trump has played golf on 13 of the 48 days, and the costs of his trips have been going up.

    Just on the same day that pro-Palestinian activists vandalized his Scottish golf resort, Trump played golf near his Mar-a-Lago estate. He has golfed 10 times at Trump International in West Palm Beach and three times at Trump Doral, which is in Miami.

    A report from HuffPost says that Trump’s trips to his Florida golf course have already cost taxpayers over $18 million. During his four years in office, these trips have added up to more than $151 million! In 2017, his first trips were estimated to cost around $3.4 million each, and that number has likely increased due to inflation.

    When Trump travels, his motorcade is moved using big military planes, and he flies on Air Force One. His trips require heavy security, including police boats and Coast Guard patrols, and extra costs come from local law enforcement and security measures, like explosive-sniffing dogs.

    Trump’s trips started just after he was inaugurated. He enjoys golf, owning over 16 golf courses around the world, including in the US, Scotland, and the UAE. His niece, Mary Trump, once joked that Trump could go anywhere with his wealth but prefers to stay at his golf courses.

    Jack Nicklaus, a famous golfer, once said that Trump loves golf more than money. In his 2005 book, Trump wrote that golf is not just a game but a passion for him. He opened his first golf course in 1999 in West Palm Beach and has continued to expand his golf business.

  • Malaria Season Threatened by U.S. Aid Cuts: Urgent Action Needed

    Malaria Season Threatened by U.S. Aid Cuts: Urgent Action Needed

    Malaria season is starting this month in many African countries, which is a big worry because malaria is very dangerous, especially for kids. The Trump administration has decided to cut 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts. This has local health officials worried that many people will get sick.

    Dr. Jimmy Opigo, who leads Uganda’s malaria control program, told The Associated Press that the sudden end of many aid programs leaves them preparing for a disaster. The U.S. is the biggest donor in the fight against malaria in Africa. Opigo said that medicines and special mosquito nets are crucial for health. “We need these supplies regularly,” he emphasized. As these supplies run low, he fears there will be a significant rise in severe malaria cases this year, which can cause serious health issues like organ failure. Sadly, malaria has no cure, but a vaccine is being used in some areas, supported by a global vaccine alliance.

    According to Malaria No More, a Washington-based organization, if the supply of malaria-control items is disrupted for just one year, there could be an extra 15 million cases and 107,000 more deaths from malaria worldwide. They have urged the Trump administration to restart important health programs before things get worse.

    In 2023, Africa’s 1.5 billion people faced 95% of the 597,000 global malaria deaths, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Health workers in Nigeria, Congo, and Uganda, the three countries hardest hit by malaria, are beginning to feel the impact of the U.S. funding cuts.

    The U.S. government provides hundreds of millions of dollars yearly to these countries through USAID’s President’s Malaria Initiative. This funding helps non-governmental organizations and charities provide malaria prevention and treatment services, especially in rural areas where people can’t afford to pay.

    During 2023, Uganda recorded 12.6 million malaria cases and about 16,000 deaths, most of whom were children under five and pregnant women. Opigo mentioned that the U.S. usually donates around $30 million to $35 million each year for malaria control. He noted that various research projects have also been impacted by the cuts.

    Some of the U.S. aid in Uganda was used to spray insecticides in certain areas to reduce mosquito populations. Those operations were supposed to start in February before the rainy season, when mosquitoes breed. Now, they have to wait. “We must spray before the rains, so the mosquitoes don’t multiply,” he explained.

    Long lines of malaria patients usually form outside clinics every year. In Uganda, malaria makes up 30% to 50% of all visits to health facilities.

    Nigeria and Congo

    Nigeria has one-fourth of the world’s malaria cases but has seen malaria-related deaths drop by 55% since the year 2000 with the help of the U.S. and others. In 2023, the U.S. provided about $600 million to Nigeria for health care, though it’s unclear if all this funding will continue.

    The President’s Malaria Initiative has given Nigeria nearly 164 million fast-acting medicines, 83 million special bed nets, and other treatments since 2011.

    In Congo, U.S. funding has helped with around $650 million towards fighting malaria since 2010. However, the loss of this support might reverse some of the gains made in controlling malaria, making it hard to track outbreaks as supplies and skills for testing become sparse.

    The worsening violence in eastern Congo has also put health workers at risk, making it even harder to help those in need. Dr. Yetunde Ayo-Oyalowo, who runs a nonprofit in Nigeria, warned that without significant support, many people will suffer because they can’t afford malaria treatment. Up to 40% of her patients are diagnosed with malaria.

    Despite the cuts to USAID, some hope remains for continued U.S. funding through organizations like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. However, that group has not commented on the U.S. aid cuts.

    Dr. Opigo in Uganda said other U.S. agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might still offer aid. But he insists, “We need to be careful in how we work with the U.S

  • Apply for 750 IOB Apprentice Positions – Last Chance

    Apply for 750 IOB Apprentice Positions – Last Chance

    Are you looking for a job opportunity? Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) is looking for new apprentices! You can apply until Sunday, March 9, 2025. If you’re interested, go to the official website at iob.in to submit your application. This recruitment drive will help fill 750 apprenticeship positions.

    Who Can Apply?
    – To apply, you should be between 20 and 28 years old as of March 1, 2025.
    – If you are from the General Category or Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), your birth date must be between March 1, 1997, and March 1, 2005.

    Application Fees:
    – ₹472 for PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities)
    – ₹708 for Female, SC (Scheduled Castes), and ST (Scheduled Tribes)
    – ₹944 for General, OBC (Other Backward Class), and EWS

    You can pay your application fee online.

    Selection Process:
    – Candidates will be chosen based on an Online Exam, which will also check your knowledge of the local language where needed.
    – There will be a personal interview as decided by the bank.

    The online exam will have 100 questions and will last for 90 minutes. You’ll be tested in areas like General Awareness, English, Math, Reasoning, and Computer Knowledge. Mark your calendar; the exam is tentatively scheduled for March 16, 2025.

    How to Apply:
    1. Visit the official IOB website at iob.in.
    2. Click on the “Current Openings” link.
    3. Find the link for “Indian Overseas Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2025.”
    4. Enter your details and click “Submit.”
    5. Log in to your account and fill out the application form.
    6. Pay the application fee and submit your form.
    7. Download the confirmation page and keep a printout for future reference.

  • Is Melania Trump Hiding? New Book Raises Shocking Questions

    Is Melania Trump Hiding? New Book Raises Shocking Questions

    Melania Trump doesn’t often appear in public with her husband, Donald Trump, but she’s not really hiding away. A source told OK! magazine that while some people say she has disappeared, Melania is just busy behind the scenes.

    During Donald’s campaign events, she wasn’t seen much, but he explained that she’s a private and confident person who loves the country. He believes she’ll show up when the time is right.

    An insider mentioned that Melania is very careful about how she wants to present herself. However, a new book by Michael Wolff called All or Nothing claims that Melania “really dislikes” Donald. The author said Melania’s feelings became worse partly because of Donald’s legal troubles related to paying Stormy Daniels to keep quiet.

    Another source said Melania cares about children’s issues but will only engage in politics if it interests her or she has time. The source emphasized that politics isn’t her focus, and she doesn’t worry about her public image.

  • Shocking Deaths of Three Civilians in Jammu: Terrorism Suspected

    Shocking Deaths of Three Civilians in Jammu: Terrorism Suspected

    On Sunday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that terrorists might be involved in the killings of three local people in a small area of Billawar tehsil, Kathua district. This shocking news has led to protests and a shutdown in the area.

    The bodies of 15-year-old Varun Singh and his two uncles, 32-year-old Yogesh Singh and 40-year-old Darshan Singh, were found in a stream called Ishu nullah on Saturday. Minister Singh described the killings as very troubling, stating, “This brutal act by terrorists is deeply sad, and there seems to be a plan to disturb the peaceful atmosphere here.”

    To address the situation, the Union Home Secretary will visit Jammu to see what is happening firsthand, and officials are working hard to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

    J-K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary expressed his sadness over the killings and mentioned that rising crime is worrying. He also talked about an attack on local MLA Rameshwar Singh, who was confronted by protesters while visiting the hospital where the victims’ families were. Singh indicated that his visit was misunderstood and warned against creating a tense environment.

    He also stood up for those speaking out for Muslims and said, “Is speaking for a Muslim a sin? Anyone who speaks up for them is labeled a terrorist.” He confirmed his commitment to speak up for victims, regardless of their faith.

    On Sunday, people in Billawar and nearby areas went on strike to protest the killings. Local BJP leader Gopal Krishan stated this is a clear case of targeted killings by terrorists and asked the government to step up efforts to find terrorists hiding in the forests.

    Senior BJP leader and Billawar MLA Satish Sharma said it’s too early to blame anyone for the killings, as no one witnessed what happened, and police are investigating all angles, including terrorism.

    Meanwhile, Congress leaders called for a thorough investigation to ease the fears of local residents and improve safety across the region.