Author: Supriya Jena

  • Gold Steady Before Key Interest Rate Decisions This Week

    Gold Steady Before Key Interest Rate Decisions This Week

    Simplified Rewritten Article
    Gold Prices Hold Steady Ahead of Important Rate Decisions This Week

    Gold prices are staying the same as everyone waits to hear about big decisions on interest rates from central banks. Interest rates are the costs of borrowing money, and they can affect how people buy gold.

    This week, key meetings will be held, where leaders will discuss if they will change interest rates or keep them the same. Changes in interest rates can influence gold prices because when rates go up, gold can become more expensive to hold since it doesn’t earn any interest. Conversely, if rates go down or stay low, gold can become more appealing as an investment.

    Traders and investors are watching closely to see what happens. The price of gold is currently around $1,875 per ounce, which is a strong position as it prepares for these decisions.

  • Nasdaq Hits Record High as Fed Plans Rate Cut – What You Need to Know

    Nasdaq Hits Record High as Fed Plans Rate Cut – What You Need to Know

    On Monday, the Nasdaq stock market reached a new record high, and the S&P 500 also saw some gains. Investors are looking closely at the latest economic data and are excited about the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rates, which will be announced on Wednesday.

    Most investors believe a rate cut is very likely, with a 95.4% chance of a 0.25% drop. This means the Fed might lower rates to help support the economy. However, experts like Sam Stovall suggest that even with a cut, the Fed may still be cautious and might not plan many more cuts next year than some people expect.

    In terms of economic health, the S&P Global reported a drop in manufacturing activity, with the latest numbers showing a reading of 48.3. This is lower than economists predicted and signifies potential issues as higher tariffs could raise prices on imported materials next year.

    On the market front, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 110.58 points (0.25%), closing at 43,717.48. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 went up by 22.99 points (0.38%) to reach 6,074.08, and the Nasdaq climbed by 247.17 points (1.24%) to 20,173.89. The Nasdaq has now seen four weeks of gains, while the Dow has dropped for eight straight days.

    Prominent companies performed well, with Alphabet (Google’s parent company) rising by 3.6% and Tesla jumping by 6.1%. Tesla’s stock price target was recently raised to a record $515 by Wedbush Securities.

    As investors await the Fed’s decision, they will also pay attention to retail sales data coming out on Tuesday to see how strong consumer spending is.

    This year, the S&P 500 has grown more than 27% due to optimism around companies benefiting from artificial intelligence, the Fed’s expected rate cuts, a strong economy, and anticipated business-friendly policies from Donald Trump’s upcoming administration.

    Honeywell International’s stock rose by 3.7% after they revealed plans to consider separating their aerospace business. Among the stocks traded, more declined than advanced on the NYSE, while there were more advances than declines on the Nasdaq.

    Overall, the S&P 500 saw 14 new highs and 18 lows, with the Nasdaq recording 112 new highs and 193 new lows. The total volume of shares traded was 15.33 billion, compared to the average of 14.04 billion shares in the last 20 trading days.

  • Nifty and Sensex Drop: Why Volatility Is Here to Stay

    Nifty and Sensex Drop: Why Volatility Is Here to Stay

    On Monday, the Nifty and Sensex dropped by almost half a percent. This small dip was not surprising, as both indices had recently risen quite a bit. However, the overall situation in the market was better than it used to be during past drops. Many stocks were still doing well even when the main indices fell. Will the market stay shaky? The answer is yes. The last three months of the year often bring ups and downs in the market, making it a tricky time for investors

  • Trump May Pardon Mayor Eric Adams Facing Bribery Charges”

    Trump May Pardon Mayor Eric Adams Facing Bribery Charges”

    Donald Trump, who is about to become president again, said he might think about helping Mayor Eric Adams from New York City, who is in trouble for bribery charges. During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday, a reporter asked if Trump would support the former police officer. Trump simply replied that he would “look at” a pardon for Adams. This situation is developing, so stay tuned for more updates!

  • Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis: Stage-IV Measures Imposed

    Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis: Stage-IV Measures Imposed

    Delhi is facing a serious air pollution problem. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided to bring back strict rules, called Stage-IV measures, because the city’s air quality has dropped to a dangerous level.

    On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached over 400, which means the air is very unhealthy. The CAQM quickly held an emergency meeting to discuss this issue. They announced that the new rules will start right away.

    To protect students, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has told all schools to switch to a hybrid learning model, which means students up to Class V will learn partly online and partly in school. This rule applies to all government and private schools.

    What does Stage-IV mean for Delhi?
    Stage-IV is the highest alert level for air quality. Here’s what it means:

    1. Vehicle Rules: Non-essential trucks can’t enter Delhi unless they are carrying important goods. Trucks that run on cleaner fuels, like LNG, CNG, or are electric, are allowed.

    2. School Changes: Most schools will have online classes except for students in Classes 10 and 12. The Chief Minister confirmed that this will last for as long as needed.

    3. Work-from-Home: Government and private offices may allow employees to work from home to limit their exposure to bad air.

    4. Construction Ban: No construction work is allowed, even on roads and power projects, to prevent adding more dust into the air.

    5. Health Warnings: People, especially kids and seniors, should stay inside and avoid going out if possible. The CAQM is asking everyone to help reduce pollution.

    Wider Impact on the NCR Region
    These measures are also being applied in nearby areas including parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The air quality in these regions has also been very poor, especially in winter when there’s little wind.

    Medical experts warn that bad air can lead to health problems like breathing issues and heart disease. So, the government is asking everyone to be careful and stay indoors when possible.

    What’s Next?
    The goal of these Stage-IV measures is to quickly lower pollution levels and improve air quality. However, weather conditions may not improve soon, possibly lengthening the pollution problem.

    The CAQM is trying to manage the air quality as best as they can, but they admit that growing vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and burning crops in nearby states make it hard.

    As the pollution crisis unfolds, the government is ready to take more actions if needed, like more limits on businesses or vehicle restrictions. Delhi residents should keep an eye on any new rules and follow health advice during this urgent time.

  • Mizoram Launches Rubber Mission: A Boost for Local Farmers!

    Mizoram Launches Rubber Mission: A Boost for Local Farmers!

    In a big move to change farming in Mizoram, Chief Minister Lalduhoma recently started the Mizoram Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission in Aizawl. He talked about how farmers in Mizoram have struggled with different crops in the past, which made them lose trust in government help. He believes rubber is a great crop that many people want, and it can help farmers earn steady money while also being good for the environment.

    The Chief Minister promised that this mission is well thought out and will use Mizoram’s land in smart ways. The goal is to make the state a center for rubber production. Before launching the mission, important officials studied rubber farming in other states like Tripura and Kerala and learned from the Rubber Board of India to make sure the project goes smoothly.

    Lalthansanga, the Minister for Land Resources, praised the Chief Minister’s vision. He shared that the idea for this mission came after talking to Dr. Sawar Dhanania, the head of the Rubber Board of India. He also confirmed that the team is ready to make this mission work and help farmers.

    The Rubber Mission will begin in the financial year 2025-26, with plans to farm on 1,000 hectares of land each year, helping 1,000 farmers annually. Over the next four years, the mission aims to develop 4,000 hectares of land. At the launch event, Pankaja Borah, the General Manager of NABARD’s Mizoram office, provided a check of Rs 27.98 crore for the mission’s first phase, which will involve seven districts in Mizoram

  • 12 Indian Nationals Found Dead in Georgia: Investigation Underway

    12 Indian Nationals Found Dead in Georgia: Investigation Underway

    In a sad event in Gudauri, Georgia, twelve Indian employees of an Indian restaurant were found dead in their bedrooms. Authorities believe they may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. At first, there were no signs of hurt or violence on their bodies, as stated by Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

    Officials from the Indian embassy in Tbilisi confirmed that all twelve victims were Indian nationals. However, there was some confusion, as Georgia’s report said 11 victims were foreigners and one was a local citizen.

    The Indian embassy expressed deep sorrow over the loss and stated they are working with local authorities to support the families of the deceased. They also promised to offer all possible help.

    Early investigations suggest the poisoning might have happened due to a power generator that was turned on in a closed space near their rooms on Friday night. A forensic team is working to determine the exact cause of death.

    The Georgian police have started an investigation into the incident, focusing on negligent manslaughter as they look into this tragedy further.

  • Anil Kumble Denounces Fake Quotes During Border-Gavaskar Trophy

    Anil Kumble Denounces Fake Quotes During Border-Gavaskar Trophy

    Former Indian cricket captain Anil Kumble is unhappy about people misusing his name and picture on social media. This issue has come up during the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Some false quotes were shared online that made it seem like Kumble was criticizing famous players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. These fake statements led to a lot of noise and anger among fans.

    Kumble wants to make it clear that he has nothing to do with these quotes or the accounts spreading them. He wrote a message on social media saying, “I want to deny any connection with these fake quotes and accounts. The things being said are not my thoughts or opinions.” He also reminded everyone to be careful and not believe everything they read online. “Please check if the information is real before sharing. My official accounts are the only places where you can find my real views,” he added.

    His statement came while India was struggling in the third Test match against Australia, trailing with a score of 51/4 after Day 3, while Australia scored 445 runs.

    Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has also faced the same problem as Kumble. He recently found a fake article published under his name and reacted quickly by calling it a lie. Gavaskar threatened to take legal action, similar to Kumble’s advice for fans to think critically about the information they see online.

  • ARISE 2024: Shaping India’s Future in School Education”

    ARISE 2024: Shaping India’s Future in School Education”

    On December 13 and 14, 2024, the ARISE Annual School Education Conference took place at Hotel Shangri-La Eros, Janpath in New Delhi. This two-day event, held in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), gathered over 400 people. They included government officials, teachers, business leaders, and innovators who came together to talk about the future of K-12 education in India.

    The theme for this year was “The Learning Revolution – Breaking Boundaries, Building Futures.” Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended and spoke about the importance of improving school education quality. He wants Indian schools to set a global example for innovation and top-notch education, while also encouraging people to be job creators.

    Dr. Jyotsna Suri, who used to lead FICCI, discussed how education is changing. She talked about new teaching methods and the need for helpful policies that support these changes.

    Prabhat Jain, President of ARISE, emphasized how emerging technologies like AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning can transform education.

    During the conference, participants worked on creating a roadmap for making education more student-centered. They focused on making it easier for students to use technology and encouraged partnerships between public and private sectors. They also emphasized the importance of personalized learning using AI to meet each student’s needs while boosting critical thinking and creativity.

    The event also included unique features like visits to successful schools to learn from their practices, and special meetings with top EdTech innovators. This conference aimed to inspire change and improvement in the education system.

  • Rajya Sabha’s 75-Year Constitution Debate: Rights, Justice, and Unity

    Rajya Sabha’s 75-Year Constitution Debate: Rights, Justice, and Unity

    In New Delhi, a discussion in the Rajya Sabha marked 75 years of India’s Constitution. Members from the ruling party talked about the negative effects during the Emergency and praised the removal of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. They claimed this change, among other benefits, helped improve the rights of Dalits.

    Opposition members argued that the current government is breaking important rules of the Constitution. They suggested that the rights of minorities are under threat, elected governments are falling, and governors are misusing their power.

    Union Minister Hardeep Puri explained that Article 370 was not in line with the ideas of India and was introduced without Parliament’s help. He pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi bravely removed it despite fears that this could cause trouble. Puri also praised government efforts to protect Sikh rights and named December 26 as Veer Bal Diwas.

    Sanjay Jha from JDU spoke about the struggles during the Emergency when people’s rights were taken away. He reminded everyone of the serious riots in Bihar during the Congress party’s rule.

    In contrast, Congress members claimed the current government threatens important institutions. MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the Indian Constitution has succeeded for decades, while many other nations have struggled. He emphasized that the Constitution supports diversity and unity, but today there is fear and division among people.

    Singhvi criticized the government’s “bulldozer politics,” which targets specific communities. He claimed governors are acting against elected officials, turning the Constitution’s solid foundation into something weak.

    Mukul Wasnik, a former minister, countered claims about Nehru’s work in Jammu and Kashmir, saying he improved conditions there.

    Independent MP Kapil Sibal raised a big question: “Has the Constitution failed us or have we failed the Constitution?” He pointed out that a small number of people in India hold most of the wealth. He questioned how political justice can exist when governments are dismissed quickly. Sibal also called for a review of how the Election Commission is working