Author: Supriya Jena

  • First Ever THAAD Interception in Israel Boosts Regional Missile Defense”

    First Ever THAAD Interception in Israel Boosts Regional Missile Defense”

    The U.S. deployed its THAAD anti-missile system in Israel, and it was used for the first time to intercept a missile from Yemen. This happened after President Joe Biden sent the system to Israel last October. THAAD, made by Lockheed Martin, was activated recently and a source said they are deciding if the interception was successful. The Pentagon hasn’t commented yet.

    The THAAD system is part of Israel’s efforts to improve its air defense against rising threats, especially from Yemen’s Houthi fighters. Recently, Israel launched airstrikes on targets in Yemen linked to the Houthis, which has caused at least six fatalities according to Houthi reports. In response, the Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Israel, showing support for the Palestinians in Gaza.

    The United Nations (U.N.) is worried about the growing conflict. Julien Harneis, a U.N. official in Yemen, said the airstrikes on Sanaa Airport have harmed humanitarian efforts in the area. This airport is crucial for delivering help to northern Yemen, and if it gets damaged, it will stop a lot of important aid. Harneis highlighted that the airport hasn’t been seen as a military target since 2016.

    Yemen is facing a terrible humanitarian crisis, with over 18 million people needing aid. This number may reach 19 million next year due to worsening conditions. Harneis also mentioned worries about the Hodeidah port, an important place for food imports; damage to it could cause great suffering for the Yemeni people.

    The use of THAAD in Israel shows a new direction in the U.S.-Israel defense relationship as missile threats from groups like the Houthis become more serious. The THAAD system can hit both short- and medium-range missiles, helping Israel defend itself in a tense region.

  • Groom Abandons Bride Over Food Delay, Marries Relative in Shocking Twist

    Groom Abandons Bride Over Food Delay, Marries Relative in Shocking Twist

    In a surprising event in Hamidpur village, Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh, a wedding turned sad when the groom left the ceremony because the food wasn’t served quickly enough. This left the bride, who was all dressed up for her big day, heartbroken. Soon after, the groom ended up marrying someone else.

    The wedding had been planned seven months earlier and started with fun celebrations on December 22. The bride’s family welcomed the groom’s friends with sweets and planned to serve a nice dinner. However, things got tense when a member of the groom’s side claimed the family was taking too long to serve the bread, known as rotis.

    Despite attempts to calm down the angry groom and his family, they became even more upset. Later that night, the groom, named Mehtab, mysteriously vanished. Reports say he got married to a relative soon after, leaving the bride and her family feeling embarrassed.

    After the shocking turn of events, the bride’s family went to the Industrial Nagar Police Station to file a complaint. When they didn’t get a response, they took their case to the Superintendent of Police (SP) two days later.

    The bride’s family mentioned they lost about ₹7 lakh due to the incident, which included ₹1.5 lakh given as dowry. They want the police to register a case against five members of the groom’s family and take action.

    The bride’s brother, Raju, was frustrated with the police’s slow response. He noted that despite promises from the SP, there was still no action. He expressed disappointment, especially since Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had set up women’s help desks in police stations to help people quickly.

    This sad story highlights the emotional and financial troubles the bride’s family faces and raises concerns about the lack of attention given to women’s issues

  • Kramnik Accuses Carlsen of Threatening FIDE Over Chess Tour Deal”

    Kramnik Accuses Carlsen of Threatening FIDE Over Chess Tour Deal”

    Vladimir Kramnik, a famous chess player, recently accused Magnus Carlsen of trying to bully the International Chess Federation (FIDE) into making a deal with a group called the Freestyle Chess Players Club (FCPC). Kramnik shared his thoughts on social media, asking FIDE why they agreed to host a private event, the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, and claimed Carlsen threatened to drop out of another tournament if they didn’t comply.

    In a twist, Carlsen had earlier accused FIDE of threatening players who wanted to join the Freestyle Chess Tour. Recently, Carlsen was kicked out of a Rapid and Blitz Championship in New York for not following the dress code after being warned multiple times.

    FIDE’s chief, Emil Sutovsky, responded to both Kramnik’s and Carlsen’s claims. He clarifies that Carlsen hasn’t been banned but can return on Saturday. Sutovsky said that FIDE never threatened players who wanted to join the Freestyle Tour and that they are open to working with different chess events. He emphasized that only FIDE should approve any tournament called a “World Championship.”

    Sutovsky also mentioned he discussed this in an interview on an app called Take Take and invited fans to ask other players, like world champion D Gukesh, for the truth about what really happened.

    The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour is set to start on January 4 and will include five events worldwide featuring famous players like Carlsen, Gukesh, and Viswanathan Anand. Kramnik also replied to a fan’s joke about trusting Carlsen or FIDE, saying, “Probably neither,” hinting he doesn’t fully back either side.

  • Inquiry Launched over Personal Data Collection in Delhi Women’s Scheme

    Inquiry Launched over Personal Data Collection in Delhi Women’s Scheme

    In New Delhi, the Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has started an investigation into private individuals who are collecting personal information from women under a program called Mahila Samman Yojna. This announcement came on Saturday.

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is worried about losing in the upcoming Assembly elections and is trying to stop their scheme. The Lieutenant Governor suggested that the Delhi government’s chief secretary inform the Election Commission of India about these activities, especially since the elections are approaching.

    The inquiry was prompted by a complaint from Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, who recently spoke with Saxena. Dikshit expressed concern over the Mahila Samman Yojna, a scheme promising women above 18 years old in Delhi ₹1,000 per month. He fears that AAP workers are misleading women into signing forms at their homes.

    In a letter sent to the chief secretary and police commissioner, the LG’s principal secretary instructed that an inquiry be conducted to find out who is collecting these personal details illegally. The police have also been told to take action against anyone violating citizen privacy.

    Earlier this week, the Women and Child Development Department announced it will set up a digital portal for the scheme once it is officially launched and warned people not to trust forms given by unauthorized individuals.

    In response, AAP accused the inquiry of being driven by the BJP. They insisted that the Mahila Samman Yojna is popular among women, claiming over 22 lakh women have already registered for the program.

  • “Manmohan Singh: A Bold Leader Behind India’s Nuclear Deal Triumph

    “Manmohan Singh: A Bold Leader Behind India’s Nuclear Deal Triumph

    Manmohan Singh was often seen as a quiet and gentle leader, but he surprised everyone in 2008 by fighting hard for the important Indo-US nuclear deal. This deal would allow India to join the global nuclear energy market. Singh faced strong opposition from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), especially their leader, Prakash Karat, who threatened to withdraw their support from Singh’s government.

    On August 7, 2007, Singh stood firm and told Karat, “If you want to pull out, go ahead.” When the Left did decide to withdraw, it created a tense situation in politics. Singh’s government faced strong challenges from the BJP and other parties, but he managed to gather enough support to pass the deal.

    This moment changed how people viewed Singh. He went from being just a smart economist to a strong political leader who could handle tough situations. His decisive actions helped the Congress party win a big victory in the general elections of 2009.

    The Power of Alliances

    Behind the scenes, Singh skillfully built alliances. The Samajwadi Party, led by Mulayam Singh Yadav, became very important during this time. After being ignored in earlier governments, Mulayam wanted to support Singh’s government to gain benefits for his party members. High-level meetings helped solidify this crucial alliance, giving Singh the votes he needed to pass the nuclear deal in Parliament.

    During this politically charged time, the capital was alive with late-night meetings and negotiations. The opposition, led by the BJP, tried everything to bring down Singh’s government, including scandalous accusations of bribery.

    “Singh is King”

    Despite all the drama, Singh’s leadership proved successful. By the evening of July 22, 2008, people were saying, “Singh is King.” He showed great determination under pressure, combined with clever political moves, allowing him to succeed in making the nuclear deal happen. This victory not only shaped India’s future with nuclear energy but also transformed Singh’s image into a strong leader willing to risk his political career for India’s growth.

    In the years to come, Singh would be remembered as a leader who took bold actions, even when it was risky, to ensure India’s role on the world stage

  • Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli: A Competitive Spirit on the Cricket Field”

    Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli: A Competitive Spirit on the Cricket Field”

    Sam Konstas is a fierce competitor, much like Virat Kohli, and they could be seen laughing about a recent shoulder bump incident after the Boxing Day Test, according to Stuart Clark, a former Australian fast bowler. Kohli bumped into Konstas during the fourth Test in Melbourne, which earned him a fine from the ICC and some boos from the Aussie fans. Clark believes these two tough athletes will eventually get along well. “Konstas is driven and wants to do well, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Kohli takes him under his wing,” Clark shared.

    He went on to say there might be a photo of them smiling together after the match. Both players are competitive and won’t back down easily, which made the bump not a great moment. Clark, who has known Konstas since he was a teenager, noted that his first innings in Test cricket was not typical of his usual aggressive style. “I’m curious to see how he plays in his next innings. Will he play aggressively or use a more traditional approach?” he wondered.

    Clark also talked about a run-out that was caused by a mix-up between Kohli and his teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 82 runs before getting out. “It was a genuine misunderstanding, and it’s not fair to blame Kohli for that,” he said. He also defended Rishabh Pant for a risky shot that led to his out, saying that players sometimes miss the mark with their big shots. “We shouldn’t be too harsh on him because he’s a world-class player. It was just the wrong moment for that shot,” he explained.

    Finally, Clark feels that India can still save the Melbourne Test since the pitch is not very challenging for batsmen. He described the pitch as mostly flat and good for batting, saying it wouldn’t be surprising if the strong Indian team successfully plays through the day in their second innings.

  • Bollywood’s Tough Year: Pushpa 2 and Stree 2 Shine Amidst Struggles”

    Bollywood’s Tough Year: Pushpa 2 and Stree 2 Shine Amidst Struggles”

    Bollywood is struggling this year as audiences turned away from its usual action-packed movies and formulaic stories. Instead, many moviegoers are flocking to Telugu films like “Pushpa 2” and “Kalki 2898 AD,” which offer exciting, larger-than-life tales. While films like “Stree 2” did well, earning Rs 597 crore, most other Hindi films fell short.

    “Pushpa 2,” featuring Allu Arjun, was a massive hit, making over Rs 700 crore just in the Hindi version, with worldwide earnings of more than Rs 1,700 crore. Its makers promoted it as a pan-India movie. “Pushpa 1” also found success in the Hindi market back in 2021. Malayalam actor Mohanlal praised this trend, saying such films are important for the Indian movie industry and that creating a big hit isn’t easy.

    Another success this year is “Kalki,” directed by Nag Ashwin and featuring stars like Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone, which made over Rs 290 crore in Hindi alone.

    In comparison to 2023, which had blockbusters like “Pathaan,” “Jawan,” and “Gadar 2,” 2024 has seen a drop for Bollywood. Experts believe there’s still time for Bollywood to bounce back. Taran Adarsh, a trade analyst, noted that only “Stree 2” made big waves this year.

    Amit Sharma from Miraj Entertainment said Bollywood’s revenue is down by 30% this year compared to last year. Among 2024’s Hindi films, only “Stree 2” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” performed well.

    The horror-comedy genre looks promising, with movies like “Stree 2” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” finding an audience. However, action films like “Fighter,” starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, didn’t do as well as expected. This movie, which had a big budget of around Rs 250 crore, only made Rs 212 crore.

    Even “Singham Again,” starring Ajay Devgn, while decent, didn’t reach blockbuster status, earning Rs 247 crore and suffering from competition. Movies like “Yodha,” “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” and “Jigra” were also disappointing at the box office.

    Interestingly, medium-budget films like “Shaitaan” and “Crew” found success, with “Shaitaan” earning Rs 148 crore. With the drop in Bollywood releases, theaters are showing classic films to draw audiences back. Movies like “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” “Kal Ho Naa Ho,” and “Karan Arjun” returned to the big screen and performed better than before.

    Actor Manoj Bajpayee mentioned that Hindi cinema is experiencing a lull but believes filmmakers will adapt and create new and exciting stories. He also pointed out that expensive movie tickets might keep some audiences from enjoying Hindi films, as many prefer watching their favorite stars in films like “Pushpa.”

  • SC Orders Punjab to Assist Fasting Farmer Leader Dallewal

    SC Orders Punjab to Assist Fasting Farmer Leader Dallewal

    The Supreme Court asked the Punjab government to convince farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to leave his protest and go to the hospital by December 31. Dallewal has been on a hunger strike for over a month. During a special court session, Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan expressed anger towards the Punjab government for not handling the situation properly and not following earlier orders to help Dallewal get medical care.

    The Punjab government explained that they face a lot of pushback from other farmers around Dallewal who are stopping him from going to the hospital. Punjab’s Advocate General Gurminder Singh said that experts tried to talk to Dallewal, but he refused to accept any medical help, even IV drips, because he believes it would harm their cause.

    The court was upset with the farmers stopping Dallewal from seeking help and suggested that those leaders could be committing a serious crime by encouraging him to continue his fast. The Supreme Court allowed the Punjab government to ask for help from the Central government if needed and expressed hope that Dallewal would be taken to the hospital soon.

    They noted that Dallewal seems to be under pressure from other farmers who might not have his best interests at heart. On Friday, the court showed concern about Dallewal’s health and ordered the Punjab government to make sure he gets medical help. They also warned the state about consequences for not following court orders to assist Dallewal. Dallewal has been fasting at the Khanauri border since November 26 to urge the government to accept farmers’ demands, including a legal promise for minimum support prices for their crops

  • Mumbai’s Pollution Problem: Rising AQI and Key Causes Explained

    Mumbai’s Pollution Problem: Rising AQI and Key Causes Explained

    People in Mumbai are dealing with very high pollution levels, as shown by the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI). In some places, the AQI is much worse than usual. The latest weather report from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) says Mumbai will have a cloudy day on Saturday. Morning temperatures will be cool at 18 degrees Celsius and rise to 32 degrees Celsius later in the day.

    According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app, Mumbai’s air quality was in the ‘moderate’ category this morning, with an AQI of 160 recorded at 9:05 AM. So, why is the AQI so high? One major reason is the thick smog that has been covering the city. A former member of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board noted that usually, the smog disappears by 9:30 AM. However, in recent days, it has stayed around until 11 AM or later.

    Reasons for High Pollution in Mumbai

    3. Other Factors: Besides construction and traffic, changes in wind patterns, cooler ocean surfaces, dust, and the use of bad-quality oil are also increasing the pollution levels in Mumbai.

    1. Construction Activities: The large number of construction projects in the city is a big reason for the increased pollution. In 2023, there were about 6,000 construction sites. Now, that number has jumped to 11,000! The R Central ward has the most construction sites with 942, and K East and K West wards follow closely. Reports say that several skyscrapers and buildings are under construction in and around Mumbai.

    2. Traffic Congestion: Mumbai has around 1.2 million private vehicles, which causes heavy traffic. This traffic slows down movement and adds to the pollution problem.

  • India’s Young Weightlifters Win 33 Medals at Doha Championships!”

    India’s Young Weightlifters Win 33 Medals at Doha Championships!”

    India’s young athletes did an amazing job at the Asian youth and junior weightlifting championships held in Doha from December 19 to 25. They brought home a total of 33 medals! Now, they are setting their sights on qualifying for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2026. The national coach, Vijay Sharma, who also mentored Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu, thinks our future in weightlifting looks bright thanks to the strong performance in Doha.

    The competition featured 40 different categories, with 20 for youth (ages 13-17) and 20 for juniors (ages 15-20). In the youth section, India’s lifters earned 21 medals, including 7 golds. The junior team added 12 more medals to the tally. A standout performer was 16-year-old Jyoshna Sabar from Uttar Pradesh, who set an Asian record in the women’s youth 40kg class by lifting a total of 135 kgs!

    Khelo India has helped young athletes by spotting talent and training them to excel. Out of the 24 athletes from India, 22 were part of the Khelo India program. They trained at one of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centers located in Patiala, Imphal, and Aurangabad. Alakesh Baruah, who manages high performance in weightlifting at NIS Patiala, praised the youth athletes for their potential in future competitions.

    Maibam Martina Devi, who won silver in the women’s Junior +87kg category at the 2024 Asian meet, talked about her plans. She said, “In 2025, we will start trials for the Commonwealth Games 2026.” This series of events will happen in Ahmedabad, and she will also take part in the National Games in Uttarakhand.

    In the men’s category, Sairaj Pardeshi broke a national record with an overall lift of 310 kgs in the 81kg youth category. Sairaj, who joined NIS Patiala after training in Maharashtra, expressed gratitude for the support from SAI centers, saying they greatly helped him with discipline, diet, and coaching.

    Overall, India’s young weightlifters show great promise for the future!