Author: Supriya Jena

  • Telegram Blocked in Russia’s Dagestan and Chechnya: What You Need to Know

    Telegram Blocked in Russia’s Dagestan and Chechnya: What You Need to Know

    On March 8, officials in two areas of Russia, Dagestan and Chechnya, decided to block the Telegram messaging app. They are worried that it could be misused by people who want to cause trouble, especially after riots at an airport in Dagestan. Yuri Gamzatov, the digital development minister in Dagestan, explained that Telegram was used during the protests against Israel last October when angry crowds tried to attack passengers coming from Israel. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the police have arrested several people for their actions.

    During the riots, people shared messages on Telegram that called for violence against those arriving on the flight. Telegram said they would remove those harmful channels. The app is widely used in Russia and many other countries, with almost 1 billion users worldwide. In the past, Russia tried to block Telegram in 2018 but wasn’t successful. Gamzatov mentioned that Telegram might be unblocked later, but for now, he advised people to consider using other messaging apps.

  • Russia Regains Villages in Kursk: Tensions Rise Before Peace Talks

    Russia Regains Villages in Kursk: Tensions Rise Before Peace Talks

    On Saturday, Russia announced that its troops had regained control of three villages from Ukraine in the Kursk border area. This comes as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called for more international sanctions against Russia after major attacks overnight that killed at least 14 people and left many more injured.

    The situation is tense as peace talks between U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled soon. Recently, the U.S. has cut off vital military aid to Ukraine after a disagreement between President Donald Trump and Zelensky. Nonetheless, Ukraine still controls a part of the Kursk region and hopes to use this in negotiations.

    However, Russian forces have been advancing, recapturing villages like Viktorovka, Nikolayevka, and Staraya Sorochina. It seems that Russia has also disrupted Ukraine’s supply lines to the town of Sudzha. As the war continues, both countries have opposing demands for peace.

    With Trump back in the White House, he has signaled a willingness to engage with Russia, suggesting it might be easier to work with them instead of Ukraine. U.S. officials are set to meet for discussions on the war in Jeddah soon.

    Zelensky and his allies are worried that they might have to give up parts of their land to reach an agreement. Recent violence has continued with drone attacks and missile strikes causing casualties.

    European leaders have reacted strongly, urging for increased military support for Ukraine. They believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not seeking peace. In damage reports, witnesses described the destruction caused by the recent violence, leaving people shocked and frightened in their homes

  • Violent Protests in Manipur: One Dead, 25 Injured Amid Clashes

    Violent Protests in Manipur: One Dead, 25 Injured Amid Clashes

    In Imphal, a protest turned violent in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Saturday, leading to the death of one protester and injuries to 25 others, including women. The man who died is Lalgouthang Singsit, a 30-year-old who was shot during the clashes at Keithelmanbi. He passed away while being taken to a hospital.

    The clashes began when Kuki protesters were upset about a new directive from Union Home Minister Amit Shah that allowed people to move freely across the state. Police tried to control the crowd by using tear gas, which made the situation worse. Protesters started setting fire to cars and blocked roads, like NH-2, by burning tires. They also tried to stop a state bus going from Imphal to Senapati district.

    The protests were also against a peace march organized by the Federation of Civil Society, a group from the Meitei community. Security forces stopped the march at Sekmai, saying it did not have permission to proceed. Police explained, “We are just following orders to stop the march. If they want to continue, they can use the state buses arranged by the government.”

    Members of the Federation of Civil Society argued that they were just following Shah’s instruction about free movement across the state. Meanwhile, a video from a Kuki-Zo village group warned that there would be strong resistance to any government plans about free movement until a separate administration is established. The video’s authenticity has not been confirmed.

  • Rohit Sharma’s Retirement Rumors: The Focus is on Winning the Final

    Rohit Sharma’s Retirement Rumors: The Focus is on Winning the Final

    As the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 final approaches, fans are surprised by rumors about Indian captain Rohit Sharma possibly retiring. Many believe that at 37, he might step away from cricket after the big match against New Zealand. However, Shubman Gill, the vice-captain, reassured everyone that the whole team has not discussed this yet. Gill stated that Rohit is only thinking about winning the final and bringing the trophy home.

    Rohit, who has been a strong player and a great opening partner for Gill in ODIs, recently faced criticism after stepping down from a Test match in Sydney due to poor performance. Despite this, he bounced back with a century in an ODI against England and has been giving good starts in the Champions Trophy matches, even if his scores haven’t been huge.

    Gill said, “We are focused on winning the final, and no one has talked about Rohit’s retirement.” He added that Rohit is not contemplating his future right now. An earlier report suggested that if India loses the final, Rohit might consider retiring. But even if they win, it’s uncertain what decision he will make.

    Currently, Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill are being considered for the next ODI captain. Throughout the Champions Trophy, Rohit’s scores have been modest, but he clearly showed his talent in his comeback against England.

    Previously, when Rohit stepped away from the Sydney Test, many speculated that it could be his last match in Test cricket. But he has confirmed, “I’m not going anywhere.” He said he wants to keep playing and lead his team, even if it sometimes means sitting out of a match to find his form.

  • One-Legged Jeans Trend: Fashion Statement or a Fad

    One-Legged Jeans Trend: Fashion Statement or a Fad

    A new fashion trend has taken over social media: one-legged jeans that cost a whopping ₹38,330 ($440). While some people are excited to try these different jeans, others are questioning how useful and lasting they really are.

    Influencer Kristy Sarah, who has 16 million followers on TikTok and more than 7 million on Instagram, tried on these unusual jeans and called them “possibly the most controversial jeans on the internet.” Her husband, Desmond, wasn’t impressed at all, saying, “Nobody’s wearing that.” Many people online voiced their opinions too, calling the design “weird” and “ridiculous.”

    One user commented, “It’s a little too short for anybody’s preference.” Another wrote, “This is like sleeping with one leg out of the sheets lol.” Some even said, “I want to see it with knee-high boots!” and “That has to feel so weird.” Stylist Carson Kressley, known for shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, joked about it saying, “Let’s hope this trend falls short and doesn’t have a leg to stand on.”

    The one-legged jeans, made by the fancy brand Coperni, have already sold out in all sizes: extra small, small, and medium. Some people, who couldn’t buy them, are cutting one leg off their old jeans to make a similar look.

    Coperni claims these jeans are a big break from usual styles, mixing high-waisted shorts with a single-leg bootcut design. This trend originally started last October when model Amelia Gray wore a half-and-half pantsuit on the runway. Other well-known brands like Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton are also trying this style.

    As denim remains popular in fashion, especially with the return of flared jeans thanks to Kendrick Lamar, brands are eager to experiment with new ideas. Kressley believes that nowadays, social media shapes fashion trends more than designers or cultural influences.

  • Tragic Finding: Three Missing Civilians Found Dead in Kathua, Jammu

    Tragic Finding: Three Missing Civilians Found Dead in Kathua, Jammu

    Three missing civilians, including a 15-year-old boy, were discovered dead near a waterfall in the Kathua district of Jammu on Saturday. They had been missing since Friday night. After their disappearance, security forces started a search operation, and a drone helped find their bodies on Saturday.

    Police officials, including senior officer Shobhit Saxena, said they could see the bodies but needed more time to find out what happened. The missing individuals were Darshan Singh (40), Yogesh Singh (32), and Varun Singh (15).

    Before they were found, BJP MLA Satish Sharma spoke about these missing men in the assembly on Friday. He urged the government to provide answers about their disappearance. The assembly Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, said the session was busy with another topic but would address this concern later.

    Previously, in February, two men named Shamsher (37) and Roshan (45) were found dead in the nearby Kohag village after they went to collect wood, but the details about their deaths are still unclear.

  • Taxi Driver Dies After Attack Over Parking Dispute in Kolkata

    Taxi Driver Dies After Attack Over Parking Dispute in Kolkata

    Kolkata: A 38-year-old taxi driver named Jayanta Sen died on Friday after he was reportedly beaten by five men over a parking argument that happened earlier in the week. Police say no arrests have been made yet.

    Jayanta was returning home from work around 10:30 PM on Tuesday when he accidentally hit a parked motorcycle. Later that night, five young men came to his house, called him outside, and attacked him. Despite attempts from his mother, brother, and wife to help him, they couldn’t stop the violence. “They beat him badly. Doctors said he had serious injuries in his stomach. We rushed him to the hospital, but he died on Friday. We want those responsible to face justice,” said Prasanta Sen, Jayanta’s brother.

    The police have opened an investigation for a serious crime that isn’t classified as murder but involves causing death. “We have filed a report based on what his brother told us. We are looking at security camera footage from the area,” said a police officer.

  • Maharashtra’s Media Monitoring Centre: What You Need to Know

    Maharashtra’s Media Monitoring Centre: What You Need to Know

    Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, said on Saturday that the state government does not want to control the media with the new center they are planning to set up. This center, called the Media Monitoring Centre (MMC), will help the government keep track of news articles and broadcasts. The goal is to understand how news about government programs is reported, so they can quickly respond to any misinformation or negative stories.

    Some people are worried that this center could be a way for the government to control the news. The Chief Minister explained that they will hire a professional to sort the news into different categories, like good and bad news, and issues related to people and departments.

    During a chat with women journalists for International Women’s Day, Fadnavis discussed a proposed law about interfaith marriages, sometimes called “love jihad.” He said that marriage between different religions is fine, but marriages where people hide their identity or force someone to change their religion are not acceptable. The government is forming a committee that includes officials and police to address these issues and create a new law.

  • Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet: Searching for Dream Homes in Europe

    Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet: Searching for Dream Homes in Europe

    Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet, the newest couple in Hollywood, are exploring the beautiful cities of Rome and Paris for a special place to live together. After showing off their romance at the Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, they are now looking for luxury apartments!

    A real estate expert is helping them find amazing homes worth anywhere from $2 million to $8.2 million. These properties are perfect for the young couple, making it easy for them to enjoy privacy and comfort together. An insider revealed, “They love these cities and want to make a cozy space that feels like theirs.”

    Timothée’s father is French, so Paris and Milan sound just right for him. Kylie is also excited about living in these fashion capitals.

    Here are some great home options in France:

    1. A beautiful two-bedroom apartment for $4.2 million with fancy features like warm wooden floors and fireplaces.
    2. A bigger 4,000-square-foot place with five bedrooms for $4.6 million near nice parks.
    3. A 2,055-square-foot peaceful home for $7.5 million with a lovely wooded terrace.
    4. An elegant $8.4 million apartment on a famous street that was built in 1779.

    Now for Milan:

    1. A $2 million three-bedroom loft in a trendy area.
    2. A stylish $3.8 million house in a top district of Milan close to great shops and restaurants.
    3. A charming home for $2.3 million that feels welcoming and embraces the elegance of Milan.
    4. An exclusive property in Milan for $3.1 million.

    Are they going to choose one of these fabulous homes? Stay tuned!

  • Rachel Maddow Shuts Down Trump’s Confusing Mice Comments

    Rachel Maddow Shuts Down Trump’s Confusing Mice Comments

    This week, former President Donald Trump made some confusing comments about an $8 million grant given by the Biden administration. During a long speech to Congress, Trump claimed that the government was wasting money trying to “transgenderize mice.” Many people were puzzled by what he meant.

    Experts think Trump might have confused “transgender” with “transgenic.” “Transgenic” mice have their DNA changed to study how human diseases and medicines might work, helping scientists understand what could happen to people.

    Rachel Maddow, a host on MSNBC, had some fun with Trump’s claims. She joked that not many people watched his speech, which was the least popular of all his speeches. Maddow pointed out that Trump got it wrong, stressing that what they are really studying is “transgenic” mice, not “transgender” mice. She added, “But sure, go ahead and shut down all the labs studying all the diseases because what are you, 5?”

    Meanwhile, the White House defended the funding, stating that they had indeed spent millions on research involving animal experiments, including studying how hormones affect diseases. They pointed to specific examples of research projects that used that funding, like investigating how hormones relate to asthma.

    The White House called out CNN for trying to fact-check Trump and labeled them “Fake News losers.” They clarified, “Under Biden’s administration, the National Institutes of Health granted money for these studies on mice.