Author: Supriya Jena

  • Doug Collins: Designated Survivor for Trump’s Congress Speech

    Doug Collins: Designated Survivor for Trump’s Congress Speech

    Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has been chosen as the “designated survivor” for President Donald Trump’s upcoming speech to Congress. This means that while Trump and other important leaders attend the event in person, Collins will stay in a secure location. This special role is vital in case something bad happens, ensuring there is always someone ready to lead the country. Collins will watch the speech safely from a different place while everyone else is at the venue.

  • Gold Prices Drop As Tariffs and Yields Rise

    Gold Prices Drop As Tariffs and Yields Rise

    Gold prices fell slightly on Wednesday because U.S. Treasury yields went up. Investors are watching how President Donald Trump’s tariffs might affect prices and global trade.

    – Gold Prices: Spot gold dropped by 0.1% to $2,916.09 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures went up 0.2% to $2,926.10 per ounce.
    – Treasury Yields: The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose from a four-month low. When yields rise, gold is less attractive because it doesn’t earn interest.
    – Tariffs Impact: Trump’s new 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada started on Tuesday. He also doubled tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%. These trade wars could hurt the economy and increase prices for Americans, who are still dealing with high inflation.
    – Retaliation: Canada and China responded by imposing their own tariffs on various U.S. goods.
    – Federal Reserve’s View: Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said that these tariffs might lead to higher inflation, but thinks the current interest rates are fine and shouldn’t change for now.
    – Interest Rates: The Fed has kept interest rates steady after lowering them three times last year. However, markets expect more cuts soon, possibly in June and September.
    – Market News: Investors are waiting for the ADP employment report later today and the U.S. non-farm payrolls report on Friday for hints about future Fed plans.
    – Other Precious Metals: Spot silver fell 0.2% to $31.90 per ounce, platinum dropped 0.2% to $958.75, and palladium declined by 0.3% to $939.00.

  • Indian Stocks Fall for Tenth Day: Key Insights and Market Update

    Indian Stocks Fall for Tenth Day: Key Insights and Market Update

    The Indian stock market fell again for the tenth day in a row because of worries from around the world. The USA put a 25% tax on products coming from Canada and Mexico, and they also added a 20% tax on goods from China. Analysts say that without strong support from our own economy, the Indian stock market might stay sluggish.

    On Monday, the market didn’t change much. Investors were worried about foreign investors selling their shares, the new taxes from the U.S., and ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine. They think the market could stay the same or drop more because of mixed signals from other countries and not much local news to boost confidence.

    Looking ahead, experts believe that even if the market opens lower, some resilience shown by Nifty 50 stocks might bring some hope for a bounce back. If the market rises above 22,142 points, it might push up further. However, if it does not, it may continue to fall, with strong support at 21,851 and deep support at 20,900.

    India VIX: This is a way to measure fear in the markets and it increased by 0.5%, reaching a level of 13.83.

    Stocks to Watch: Today, “Manappuram” is under special watch as it has hit a limit on trading.

    Buying Trends: Foreign investors sold shares worth ₹3,406 crore on Tuesday, while domestic investors bought shares worth ₹4,851 crore.

    Currency Update: The Indian rupee improved a bit, gaining 13 paise to settle at 87.19 against the US dollar due to a weaker U.S. dollar and lower oil prices.

  • U.S. Freezes Military Aid to Ukraine: What’s Next for Its Defense

    U.S. Freezes Military Aid to Ukraine: What’s Next for Its Defense

    The U.S. has paused military aid to Ukraine, which could make it harder for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia. Analysts worry that without American support, Ukraine might struggle in the coming months. From 2022 to 2024, the U.S. provided almost half of all military help to Ukraine, according to the Kiel Institute, a research group in Germany.

    Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko explained that Ukraine can still defend itself for about six months with its current weapons, including seven U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems gifted by the U.S., Germany, and Romania. These systems are crucial for protecting cities from missiles and drones.

    Ukraine needs more missiles and spare parts to keep these Patriot systems running, but it’s unclear if other countries can get them from the U.S. In addition, Germany is planning to build a factory for these parts, but it won’t be ready until 2027. Ukraine also has two European-made SAMP/T systems for high-altitude interceptions, but analysts believe European nations will have a hard time replacing U.S. Patriot support.

    Europe can provide some fighter jets, like F16s and Mirage 2000-5s, to help defend against Russian attacks, but Ukraine mainly relies on U.S. help for long-range strikes. The U.S. has given Ukraine ATACMS rocket systems, which are hard to find in Europe.

    In terms of artillery, Europe has increased its production, and Ukraine is also improving its own weapons. The EU is expected to produce 1.5 million artillery shells this year, more than the 1.2 million from the U.S. Ukraine has also developed its own anti-tank weapons and drones that can strike Russian positions.

    For spying on enemy locations, Ukraine depends heavily on U.S. satellite support, while European countries have some tools but not as advanced as those provided by the U.S.

  • BJP Condemns Praise for Aurangzeb by Congress Leader

    BJP Condemns Praise for Aurangzeb by Congress Leader

    The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) criticized the Congress and other opposition parties for the comments made by Abu Azmi, the leader of the Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP). Azmi had praised Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, mentioning that during Aurangzeb’s rule, India was prosperous and known as the “golden sparrow.” He also talked about India’s borders reaching as far as Afghanistan and Burma (now Myanmar) and claimed that India’s GDP accounted for 24% of the world’s GDP during that time.

    When asked about the conflict between Aurangzeb and Sambhaji Maharaj, Azmi called it a “political battle.” In response, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi stated that Azmi’s comments insulted Indian society. He accused the opposition coalition, known as ‘INDIA,’ of trying hard to show they are against Hindu beliefs to gain support from minorities. Trivedi described the praise of Aurangzeb, a ruler known for his cruelty, as disrespectful to Indian culture and traditions.

    He also recalled that a Congress leader had visited Aurangzeb’s tomb, showing how far the opposition is willing to go in their campaign against Sanatan Dharma, which is a way of referring to Hindu traditions.

  • SSC CHT Paper 1 2024: Final Answer Key & Results Released

    SSC CHT Paper 1 2024: Final Answer Key & Results Released

    The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced the final answer key for the SSC Combined Hindi Translators Examination (CHT) Paper 1, 2024. If you took this exam, you can check the results and the final answer key on the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in.

    Here’s how to find the final answer key:

    1. Go to the SSC website: ssc.gov.in.
    2. Look for the link about the SSC CHT Paper 1 2024 final answer key on the home page.
    3. Click on it, and a new PDF file will open.
    4. Follow the link and enter your login details.
    5. Click submit, and you will see your final answer key.
    6. You can download it and print it for future reference.

    The exam was held on December 9, 2024, using computers at different locations across the country. The results were made public on February 14, 2025. To pass Paper 1, you need to score at least:

    – 30% for General (UR)
    – 25% for OBC/EWS
    – 20% for all other categories

    A total of 2,145 candidates have passed Paper 1 and will move on to take Paper 2, which will be a descriptive test. The schedule for Paper 2 will be shared on the SSC website. This recruitment drive aims to fill 320 positions.

    For more information, you can visit the official SSC website.

  • Pope Francis Struggles with Pneumonia but Remains Hopeful

    Pope Francis Struggles with Pneumonia but Remains Hopeful

    Pope Francis, who is 88 years old, is facing serious health problems as he battles double pneumonia. Early on Tuesday, the Vatican announced that the Pope had a rough time on Monday and needed help breathing again. Doctors had to use a special mask that pumps oxygen into his lungs.

    During the night, Pope Francis was able to sleep well and is now resting, but his situation is still serious. The Vatican reported that doctors removed a lot of mucus from his lungs using a small camera and suction tool. This mucus was his body’s response to the pneumonia and not a new infection, which is hopeful news.

    Pope Francis has a history of lung disease, having had part of one lung removed when he was younger. He is not very active, uses a wheelchair, and struggles with his weight. While he has been receiving therapy to help improve his breathing, doctors are concerned that he is having trouble clearing mucus from his lungs on his own.

    Dr. John Coleman, a lung doctor in Chicago, mentioned that the situation looks worse than a previous issue Francis had just a few days earlier. At that time, he coughed and accidentally inhaled some vomit, but he improved quickly.

    Doctors are trying to avoid putting the Pope on more serious breathing machines. They have not needed to put him on invasive support so far. It’s unclear if he has made plans for his care if he becomes unable to make decisions, but Church teachings state that ordinary care should always be given.

    Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia said that today, the Pope is teaching everyone about fragility and the importance of caring for one another. Pope Francis’s hospital stay has lasted 18 nights, which is not a record but still important for his health.

  • Hasan Piker Banned from Twitch for Controversial Comments on Rick Scott

    Hasan Piker Banned from Twitch for Controversial Comments on Rick Scott

    Popular Turkish-American streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker has been banned from the streaming platform Twitch after making a shocking statement about Senator Rick Scott from Florida. During a live stream, Piker said people should “kill Rick Scott,” accusing him of being involved in “the largest Medicare fraud in U.S. history.”

    Following the backlash, Piker’s Twitch channel is now offline, showing a message that reads, “This channel is temporarily unavailable due to a violation of Twitch’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Service.”

    Piker later apologized on social media, saying, “I’m sorry! I’ll choose my words more carefully next time. If Mike Johnson cares about Medicare fraud, he should call for strong punishment against Senator Scott, who has done the most Medicare fraud in U.S. history!” He backed up his claims by sharing documents about Rick Scott’s company, which had to pay over $1 billion in fines due to fraud.

    In a follow-up comment, Piker also criticized those who defended his ban and mentioned concerns about free speech.

    Who is Hasan Piker?
    Hasan Piker is known for his streaming, YouTube videos, and left-wing political commentary. His content includes social and political topics, gaming, and discussions about the news. He started streaming on Twitch in March 2018 while working for The Young Turks, a news channel. As of 2024, he was the 21st most-subscribed channel on Twitch.

  • Brutal Murder of Sarpanch Sparks Outrage and Political Shake-up in Beed

    Brutal Murder of Sarpanch Sparks Outrage and Political Shake-up in Beed

    In December, Santosh Deshmukh, the village head (also known as a sarpanch) from Beed district in Maharashtra, was kidnapped, tortured, and killed. The people who did this recorded 15 videos, took 8 photos, and made 2 video calls during the incident. They abducted him because he tried to stop them from extorting money from an energy company.

    The terrible details of Deshmukh’s murder made a lot of people upset. Dhananjay Munde, a leader in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a government minister, stepped down from his position on Tuesday because many people were demanding it after one of his aides, Walmiki Karad, was arrested for being involved in the case.

    The videos showed Deshmukh being beaten with a pipe and stick, and he was forced to chant a phrase about one of his attackers. In another video, one of his attackers even urinated on him while he was hurt.

    As the torture went on, one of the accused, Krishna Andhale, who is still on the run, made two video calls on WhatsApp. The police report doesn’t say who he called. They found broken pieces of the pipe that was used to hurt Deshmukh, and it turns out that Sudarshan Ghule, one of the main suspects, runs a crime gang in Beed. This gang has been involved in many illegal activities across various areas.

    Munde initially wanted to explain his side of the story in front of the state assembly before he resigned. However, the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his colleague Ajit Pawar rejected his request after the brutal details of the murder became public and the videos spread on social media.

    Karad, who helped Munde during his election campaign, is one of the seven people arrested. Munde’s cousin, Pankaja Munde, a leader in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), mentioned that Dhananjay Munde couldn’t do his job without Karad.

    The videos and photos recorded by Deshmukh’s attackers are included in the police report, which many people have seen. This situation caused a protest, or bandh, in Beed on Tuesday. Sandeep Kshirsagar, a lawmaker from the NCP, said that things got tense when the videos were shared online. He added that it was good for the community that Munde has stepped down. The Beed Police also released a statement asking people to remain calm and not to take the law into their own hands.

  • Russian Missile Experts Strengthen Ties with Iran Amid Rising Tensions

    Russian Missile Experts Strengthen Ties with Iran Amid Rising Tensions

    Several senior Russian missile experts have traveled to Iran in the past year as both countries strengthen their defense ties. Travel records show that seven Russian specialists flew from Moscow to Tehran on two occasions last year: April 24 and September 17.

    Out of these seven experts, six were on official state business, indicated by their special passport numbers. All seven have high-ranking positions in the military. Two are colonels, two are lieutenant-colonels, and others are experts in air defense, artillery, and weapon development.

    An Iranian defense official stated that Russian experts visited Iranian missile production facilities, including some in underground locations. Although it’s unclear exactly what they were doing, these visits occurred during a tense period for Iran, which was engaged in military exchanges with Israel.

    Attempts to contact the Russian specialists were met with varied responses. Five of them denied visiting Iran or their military roles, while one did not comment, and another hung up.

    Both Iran and Russia signed a significant military agreement last January. Their cooperation has already affected Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, notably with the deployment of Iranian-designed drones.

    The information about these flights was provided to Reuters by a group of Iranian hackers opposing the government. They mentioned that the Russian experts traveled as VIPs.

    The names, ranks, and backgrounds of these men show their capabilities in various military operations, from missile defense systems to advanced weapons research. One expert on the September flight was Sergei Yurchenko, who has also worked for the Russian military.

    This collaboration between Russia and Iran highlights the ongoing military developments between the two nations amid rising tensions in the region.