Author: Supriya Jena

  • Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested in Gold Smuggling Scandal

    Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested in Gold Smuggling Scandal

    Ranya Rao, a Kannada film actress, was arrested for smuggling gold after being watched for months by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Her father, K Ramachandra Rao, a senior police officer, said he is not involved in her actions.

    The DRI suspected Ranya because she traveled a lot to Dubai with her husband, Jatin Hukkeri, who is an architect. They noticed a strange pattern: she made four trips to Dubai in just 15 days! In total, she traveled to Dubai 30 times last year, which made officials think she might be involved in smuggling.

    On Monday, when she returned to Bengaluru, she tried to avoid security checks with help from a police constable named Basavaraju. DRI stopped her and found gold in her bag. Ranya was arrested and taken for questioning. When they investigated her home, they found gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore (around $250,000) and ₹2.67 crore (around $330,000) in cash.

    The DRI confirmed that the total value of everything they found is around ₹17.29 crore (over $2 million), which includes 14.2 kg of gold. Ranya has been accused under the Customs Act and is now in jail for 14 days. During questioning, she claimed someone forced her to smuggle.

    Meanwhile, the police arrested the constable Basavaraju for helping her challenge security at the airport. Ranya’s stepfather, DGP K Ramachandra Rao, stated he has no connection to her smuggling activities, saying she got married only a few months ago and hasn’t talked to him since.

    The Karnataka Home Minister, G. Parameshwara, has asked for a detailed report from the police following Ranya’s arrest. He mentioned that investigations are ongoing, but he cannot comment more until they get more information.

  • Wipro Unveils TelcoAI360: A Game-Changer for Telecom Companies

    Wipro Unveils TelcoAI360: A Game-Changer for Telecom Companies

    Wipro has introduced a new service called TelcoAI360 that helps telecom companies use technology better. This smart platform is designed to help these companies work faster, save money, and provide a better experience for their customers.

    TelcoAI360 was created with the help of Wipro’s partners and uses tools from ServiceNow, which is known for its solutions in the telecom industry. It helps these companies improve how they run their networks, increase performance, and keep customer data safe.

    This platform allows telecom service providers to lower their costs by simplifying their tasks, automating their processes, and using their resources more effectively. It also helps them launch new products and services faster—meaning they can make more money.

    Recognizing that each telecom company has unique needs, TelcoAI360 is designed to be flexible, allowing each business to customize and use the parts that are right for them.

    The platform includes several features:
    – It connects different telecom technologies to work well together.
    – It offers smart automation and real-time monitoring to keep networks reliable and reduce service problems.
    – It has advanced security features that can find threats and prevent fraud.
    – It provides customizable customer portals and standard APIs for better compatibility.
    – It supports multi-cloud use so telecom companies can grow their services as needed.
    – It also helps manage the entire life cycle of telecom products—from planning to launching and even retiring them.

    In Wipro’s recent performance report, the company shared a solid profit growth of 24% with a net profit reaching Rs 3,354 crore for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. Their earnings from operations only slightly increased by 0.5% to Rs 22,319 crore.

    Despite flat revenue growth, Wipro’s operating cash flow improved, indicating good financial health. Analysts expect Wipro shares to rise slightly, with an average target price of Rs 293, suggesting a 3% potential upside. Most experts recommend holding onto the stock.

  • NASA’s Astronauts Williams and Wilmore Soon to Return From ISS Adventure

    NASA’s Astronauts Williams and Wilmore Soon to Return From ISS Adventure

    Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two astronauts from NASA, are getting ready to return to Earth after spending nine months in space. However, they cannot leave until their replacements arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) next week.

    In a recent press conference, Sunita Williams responded to a suggestion made by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Musk said that the ISS should be retired earlier than planned. Williams disagreed and stated that the ISS is still important for science. “This place is amazing right now. We shouldn’t quit just yet,” she said.

    Williams also shared that she is looking forward to seeing her Labrador retrievers again. She explained that waiting to go home has been tough. “It’s been a roller coaster for our families, more than for us,” she said. “Every day is exciting for us because we are in space and it’s a lot of fun.”

    When Williams and Wilmore left Earth in June on Boeing’s Starliner capsule, they were only supposed to be in space for about a week. But, NASA found some serious problems with the Starliner. They decided it was not safe for transporting people back to Earth, which delayed their return.

    NASA said that the next crew will launch on March 12 using a used SpaceX capsule. Before Williams and Wilmore head back home with NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov, the two crews will spend almost a week together in space.

  • New Tax Bill: Are Your Online Accounts Now Fair Game

    New Tax Bill: Are Your Online Accounts Now Fair Game

    The income tax department may soon have the ability to look at people’s social media accounts, personal emails, bank information, and online trading accounts if they think someone is hiding money to avoid paying taxes. This is because a new income tax bill contains a rule that gives tax officials the power to get into these online spaces, even if they don’t have the passwords.

    Officials can also physically break into locked doors, boxes, and safes to gather information as part of their investigation. The bill explains what “virtual digital space” means, which includes:

    1. Email servers
    2. Social media accounts
    3. Online investment and trading accounts
    4. Banking accounts
    5. Websites that show ownership of assets
    6. Cloud storage
    7. Any similar online space

    Who Can Access This Information?

    The bill has a list of officials who can do this:

    – Joint Director or Additional Director
    – Joint Commissioner or Additional Commissioner
    – Assistant Director or Deputy Director
    – Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner
    – Income Tax Officer or Tax Recovery Officer

    Concerns About Privacy

    Many experts are worried about the impact of this bill on people’s privacy. Prateek Bansal, an expert at a law firm, says that allowing tax officers to look at private emails and social media is a big concern for our right to privacy, a right protected by the Supreme Court. He mentions that people may be scared to express themselves online if they worry that their conversations are being watched.

    Lawyer Sohail Hasan called the bill “groundbreaking and controversial,” saying it gives too much power to officials. Critics warn that this could lead to a serious invasion of privacy, allowing authorities to snoop on private information in the name of tax collection.

    Ketan Mukhija, another legal expert, has called this bill a threat to personal freedom. He argues that there should be strict rules and checks in place to protect people from having their private online space invaded without good reason. In his view, without proper oversight, this could lead to unfair investigations rather than just tax collection.

  • Hathras Stampede: Report Reveals Shocking Cause Behind 121 Deaths

    Hathras Stampede: Report Reveals Shocking Cause Behind 121 Deaths

    A special team investigating the tragic stampede during a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, has said that a call to gather “Charan Raj” (holy dust from the feet) of spiritual leader Bhole Baba caused the chaos. This stampede occurred on July 2, leading to 121 deaths.

    The team, led by former judge Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, dismissed claims from organizers that a harmful spray was used to start the stampede. They believe that rumors about the spray were made up by Bhole Baba’s followers to distract from the real cause of the stampede.

    The investigation report, which is 1,680 pages long, was shared with the Uttar Pradesh government and discussed in the state assembly. According to the report, many eyewitnesses said that Bhole Baba promised that gathering the Charan Raj would solve all their problems. When people rushed to collect it, they lost control, leading to the stampede.

    The commission also noted that there were too many people at the event, far exceeding the number of attendees allowed. No announcements were made to help manage the crowd. Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd was three times bigger than expected, making it hard for Bhole Baba to leave the venue.

    The report criticized the event’s management, saying that the organizers kept police and officials away and did not let the media cover the event. People responsible for managing the crowd were not known to the authorities, making the situation more dangerous.

    The commission suggests that there may have been a plan behind the stampede to divert attention. They recommend a deeper investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, Bhole Baba’s lawyer, AP Singh, continues to claim that unknown individuals sprayed a harmful substance.

  • China Sets 5% Growth Target for 2025 Amid Economic Challenges

    China Sets 5% Growth Target for 2025 Amid Economic Challenges

    On Wednesday, China shared its plans for economic growth and spending for 2025. Here are the five most important points to know:

    1. Growth Goals: China has set a goal to grow its economy by about 5% in 2025. This is what many experts expected, but the country is having a tough time recovering from COVID-19 due to issues like problems in the property market, low consumer spending, and high unemployment among youth.

    2. Focus on Domestic Demand: Premier Li Qiang said that boosting domestic demand will be crucial for economic growth. However, he admitted that getting people to spend more money is a challenge. He noted that there isn’t enough strong demand to support steady recovery.

    3. Job Creation and Inflation: China plans to create around 12 million new jobs in cities this year and aims to keep inflation at around 2%. They will also issue 1.3 trillion yuan (about $181 billion) in special bonds, which is more than the previous year’s one trillion yuan.

    4. Defense Spending and Social Programs: China will raise its defense budget by 7.2% in 2025. This increase is important as China tries to modernize its military amid tensions with the U.S. Additionally, China will raise the minimum pension for elderly citizens and improve care for older people, especially in rural areas. They also plan to support parents by subsidizing childcare and eventually making preschool free.

    5. Support for Private Companies: Premier Li promised to help private companies grow, saying that China would protect their rights and interests. However, experts warn that this growth will depend on how well these companies align with China’s government goals.

    Li stressed that the global environment is becoming more challenging, with rising protectionism and trade barriers. He said China will resist such actions, without naming specific countries.

  • CUET PG 2025: Essential Tips and Exam Details You Need

    CUET PG 2025: Essential Tips and Exam Details You Need

    The Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduates (CUET PG) is a crucial exam for students who want to pursue various master’s degrees like MSc, MA, MBA, MTech, and LLB in universities across India. With just one test, students can apply to multiple universities, making it one of the most popular postgraduate entrance exams. This year, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the exam from March 13 to March 31, 2025, at test centers in India and abroad.

    What You Need to Know About CUET PG

    – Eligibility: You can take this exam if you have completed or are about to finish your bachelor’s degree. There’s no age limit, but make sure to check if your university has specific requirements.

    – Exam Format: The CUET PG 2025 exam will be a computer-based test in English and Hindi. It has 75 questions, each worth 4 marks, making a total of 300 marks. This year, the exam time has been shortened from 105 minutes to 90 minutes, so manage your time wisely!

    Exam Preparation Tips:

    1. Know the Exam Pattern: Understand how the exam works. You will be penalized 1 mark for every wrong answer, but no marks will be taken away for unanswered questions.

    2. Study Smart: Make a study schedule. List your subjects and prioritize them based on how difficult they are. Spend more time on tough topics and try to practice solving questions daily.

    3. Revise and Practice: As the exam date gets closer, focus on revising what you’ve learned. Use summaries and mind maps for quick reviews and take practice tests to build your confidence and improve your timing.

    4. Practice with Previous Papers: Solving past year question papers can help you understand question patterns and boost your speed and accuracy. This practice will also help you stay calm during the exam.

    Being prepared and practicing regularly will help you perform your best on exam day!

  • Ranya Rao Arrested: Shocking Family News from Kannada Film Industry

    Ranya Rao Arrested: Shocking Family News from Kannada Film Industry

    Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who is famous for her roles in movies like “Maanikya” and “Pataki,” was arrested on March 3, 2025, in Bengaluru. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) took her into custody. Ranya is the stepdaughter of Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao, the Director General of Police (DGP) in Karnataka. DGP Rao is trying to separate himself from this issue. He told the Times of India, “I have no connection to my daughter’s activities. She got married four months ago and hasn’t visited us since. We don’t know anything about her or her husband’s business. This news has shocked and disappointed us. The law will take care of it,” he said.

  • Boatman Earns ₹30 Crore in 45 Days at Maha Kumbh: A Success Story

    Boatman Earns ₹30 Crore in 45 Days at Maha Kumbh: A Success Story

    Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared an amazing story about a boatman during the recent Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The boatman and his family made a whopping ₹30 crore in just 45 days! He owned 130 boats, and each one earned about ₹23 lakh during the big religious event. That’s around ₹50,000-₹52,000 every day!

    While speaking in the state assembly about the budget for 2025-26, Adityanath highlighted how the Maha Kumbh brought people together from over 100 countries. He emphasized that the event did not care about caste, religion, or borders; it was a mix of tradition and progress.

    The Chief Minister responded to claims of unfair treatment during the Kumbh, saying the event was open to everyone and showed off Uttar Pradesh’s strengths to the world. Despite some disagreements from opponents, he said that the faith of the devotees remained strong. More than 66 crore people took a sacred dip at the Sangam during the Kumbh.

    He pointed out that while the opposition sees the visitors as a chance to get votes, his government views them as part of their heritage and faith, which is why they have the people’s trust.

    Yogi Adityanath estimated that the Maha Kumbh helped the economy of Uttar Pradesh a lot, contributing about ₹3.5 lakh crore. Here’s how the money broke down:
    – ₹40,000 crore from hotels
    – ₹33,000 crore from food and daily needs
    – ₹1.5 lakh crore from transport
    – ₹20,000 crore from religious donations
    – ₹660 crore from donations
    – ₹300 crore from toll fees
    – ₹66,000 crore from other activities

  • Kejriwal’s Meditation Trip Sparks Outrage Over VIP Culture Criticism

    Kejriwal’s Meditation Trip Sparks Outrage Over VIP Culture Criticism

    Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), went to Punjab for a 10-day meditation retreat, which caused quite a stir in politics. After losing the Delhi assembly elections to the BJP, many people criticized him for arriving in a huge security convoy. AAP’s MP Swati Maliwal compared his security to that of former US President Donald Trump.

    Kejriwal is known for criticizing VIP culture, yet he was seen traveling in a large group of bulletproof cars, surrounded by over 100 police officers. BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa said Kejriwal now acts like a “maharaja” instead of being a common man, which he used to pretend to be. Congress also joined in the criticism; Sandeep Dikshit pointed out that Kejriwal, who used to promote simplicity, now leads an extravagant lifestyle with an enormous convoy to attend a meditation retreat.

    Kejriwal and his wife, Sunita, arrived late Tuesday at a rest house and will attend the meditation course at the Dhamma Dhaja Vipassana Centre, near Hoshiarpur.