Author: Supriya Jena

  • Afghanistan vs Australia: Thrilling Champions Trophy Showdown

    Afghanistan vs Australia: Thrilling Champions Trophy Showdown

    Group B of the Champions Trophy 2025 is reaching an exciting climax as Afghanistan faces Australia at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday. Both teams are fighting for a chance to play in the semi-finals, making this match super important!

    In their recent meetings during ICC events, both teams have had thrilling moments. In the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, Glenn Maxwell led Australia to victory. But last year, Afghanistan got their revenge in a nail-biting match at the Men’s T20 World Cup. Both teams had close wins against England, so it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top this time!

    Recent Form:
    – Afghanistan: Their performance has been mixed. However, they are riding high after their recent victory over England. Before this win, they lost badly to South Africa by 107 runs. Afghanistan showed they can win by beating teams like Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe in their last four series.
    – Australia: The Australians kicked off their tournament with an exciting win against England, but their big game against South Africa was rained out. They have not been in great shape, having lost 2-0 to Sri Lanka in their last series. The team is also missing star bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.

    Probable Playing XI:
    – Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

    – Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (w), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.

    Match Details:
    – When: February 27, 2025, at 2:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM local time
    – Where: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

    What to Expect:
    Since 2022, Lahore has seen 10 One Day Internationals (ODIs), with teams chasing scores winning half of those matches. The average score for the first inning is about 300 runs. In this tournament, Australia chased down a massive 351 runs against England, while Afghanistan defended a score of 325 in a nail-biting game. There might be light rain, but conditions are expected to improve later in the match!

  • Kernex Microsystems Scores Big: Rs 325.33 Crore Safety Project Announced

    Kernex Microsystems Scores Big: Rs 325.33 Crore Safety Project Announced

    Kernex Microsystems is in the spotlight this Friday! The South Eastern Railway has given them a big thumbs up with a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for a massive project worth Rs 325.33 crores. This project is about making trains safer by setting up a system called Kavach along 688 route kilometers in the Kharagpur and Chakradharpur areas.

    Kavach is an advanced safety system designed to stop train crashes by preventing trains from passing red signals, speeding, or colliding with each other. The whole project needs to be completed in 1,000 days. Kernex Microsystems is leading a group, called the Kernex-MRT consortium, to work on this project.

    Recently, Kernex Microsystems reported a profit of Rs 7.14 crores in the third quarter of FY25, which is a nice change from a loss of Rs 3.50 crores in the same time last year. Their total earnings reached Rs 36.81 crores, which is an increase of 342.7% from last year. However, compared to the previous quarter, it dropped by 10.7%.

    On the stock market, Kernex Microsystems shares closed at Rs 852, up by 4.7%. Although the stock has gone down 40% this year, it has shot up by 208% over the last two years. The company’s total market value is Rs 1,428.7 crores.

  • JD Vance Criticizes UK on Free Speech Amid Controversial Arrests

    JD Vance Criticizes UK on Free Speech Amid Controversial Arrests

    At a recent press conference, US Vice President JD Vance openly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about problems with free speech. During the Munich Security Conference on February 14, Vance stressed the importance of free speech in Europe.

    He said, “We have a special relationship with the UK and our European friends, but there have been issues with free speech. This affects not only British people but also American technology companies and citizens.” He mentioned that they would discuss this topic further at lunch.

    Vance also talked about the case of a military veteran named Adam Smith-Connor. Smith-Connor was arrested for quietly praying near an abortion clinic, which raised Vance’s concerns about the rights of religious people in the UK.

    Vance described the situation: “A British government charged Smith-Connor with the terrible crime of standing 50 meters from an abortion clinic and praying silently for three minutes. He wasn’t bothering anyone; he was just praying by himself.”

    In response, Prime Minister Starmer defended the UK’s commitment to free speech, saying, “We’ve maintained free speech for a long time and will continue to do so.” However, doubts linger after the UK government took strict actions against riots in the summer of 2024, which included using facial recognition and asking social media to control harmful content.

    Recent reports also suggest that the UK may arrest and extradite US citizens for online comments that could lead to violence.

  • Tech Workers’ Shocking Layoff Stories: Triumphs and Challenges

    Tech Workers’ Shocking Layoff Stories: Triumphs and Challenges

    A tech worker from India shared a surprising experience on Reddit about being fired by the CEO during a company meeting. The worker explained that during this big town hall meeting, the CEO announced layoffs because the company was losing money. The worker, who just found a new job, said that even though they received three months’ salary, the whole situation felt very sudden.

    It turned out that the bosses had known about the layoffs for a month and some had already found new jobs. The worker mentioned that it was a difficult time, but they made strong friendships with their colleagues, and they still stay in touch.

    In the comments, many others shared their own layoff stories. One person mentioned they got a big promotion and a raise just before being fired, and they found a better job soon after. Another person said they hoped to get a referral to that new workplace. Others voiced their concerns about how some startups in India are not paying salaries on time or even at all.

  • Arrest in Pune Bus Rape Case: Safety Measures Ordered

    Arrest in Pune Bus Rape Case: Safety Measures Ordered

    After days of searching, Pune police arrested Dattatray Ramdas Gade, who is accused of raping a 26-year-old woman on a Shivshahi bus. The police found Gade in a village near Pune late at night. Thirteen police teams spread out in different areas, using drones and dogs to find him, and a reward of ₹1 lakh was offered to anyone who could help.

    What Happened in Pune

    The crime took place on Tuesday morning when the woman was waiting at the bus depot to go to Phaltan, about 100 km away. Gade approached her, pretending her bus was at a different location. He led her to an empty bus inside the depot, followed her inside, assaulted her, and then ran away.

    Gade, 37, has a long history of crime, including theft and robbery. He had been released on bail for another crime in 2019, raising concerns about repeat offenders and how the justice system handles them.

    Government Action

    Maharashtra’s Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik, is taking action to improve safety at bus stations. He ordered a security check at all bus depots in the state. “The safety of passengers, especially women, is very important,” he said. The government plans to remove unregistered buses and increase the number of female security guards. They also want to fill a key security position in the State Transport Corporation with a police officer.

    A departmental inquiry is looking into the Assistant Transport Superintendent and the Bus Depot Manager to see if they failed to keep the bus depot safe.

    Public Reaction

    The incident has upset many people in Pune, leading to protests. Members of the NCP-SCP party held rallies, calling for strict punishment for Gade and demanding better safety measures for women. “The government needs to take action now. We can’t let these crimes happen at bus stations,” said one protester.

    While the government has promised changes, it’s essential that they actually make our public transport safer. Everyone is watching to see if these security promises will turn into real improvements.

  • Mexico Sends Drug Lords to the U.S. Amid Tariff Pressure

    Mexico Sends Drug Lords to the U.S. Amid Tariff Pressure

    Mexico has sent 29 dangerous drug cartel members to the United States, including Rafael Caro Quintero, who was involved in the murder of a U.S. drug agent in 1985. This move comes as Mexico’s leaders visit Washington to discuss the threat of big tariffs on all Mexican exports, set to start soon.

    The prisoners were taken from various jails in Mexico to board planes bound for different U.S. cities. Among them were high-ranking members of major Mexican drug gangs, including people who planned horrific crimes. Caro Quintero, once the leader of the Guadalajara cartel, was free for almost ten years after a court set him loose. He returned to crime until he was caught again in 2022.

    U.S. officials, including Attorney General Pamela Bondi, promised to punish these criminals to honor the brave law enforcement agents who risk their lives fighting against drug cartels. This historic action marks a significant change in Mexico’s cooperation with the U.S. regarding drug trafficking.

    Caro Quintero’s return to the U.S. means he might face new charges, including for the murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. The extradition process this time bypassed the usual legal steps, making it easier for the U.S. to prosecute him.

    The action against these drug lords has raised concerns about how drug gangs might react against the Mexican government in response to this cooperation with the U.S.

  • India and EU Discuss Key Trade Agreement Amid Global Tariff Threats

    India and EU Discuss Key Trade Agreement Amid Global Tariff Threats

    New Delhi: India and the European Union (EU) are meeting to talk about a new free trade agreement (FTA). This meeting is important, especially since US President Donald Trump has threatened to place high tariffs on goods coming from the EU, which can impact trade for many countries.

    EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in New Delhi with 20 other EU leaders. This is their first big visit since they started their new jobs last year. They will be meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other important ministers like S. Jaishankar (External Affairs), Piyush Goyal (Commerce), and Nirmala Sitharaman (Finance).

    Von der Leyen has called India a “strategic ally,” especially during these times of global competition. She said, “In times of conflict, you need trustworthy friends. For Europe, India is one of those friends.” They plan to discuss how to strengthen their partnership.

    India will bring up the issue of new laws in the EU like a carbon tax and rules against deforestation that could affect small Indian businesses. The EU wants to help its smaller businesses sell more products, and they should also help Indian businesses in return.

    Important trade talks will take place during this visit, leading into a series of discussions scheduled in Brussels in mid-March. These talks were paused for six months and are now resuming. Both sides hope for friendly discussions, especially because of the potential tariffs from the US.

    Hours before Von der Leyen’s arrival, Trump announced plans for big tariffs on EU goods, claiming the EU is hurting the US economy. He plans to charge 25% on cars and other products. The EU has said they will respond strongly to these tariffs.

    Von der Leyen’s team aims to build better ties with India, focusing on trade and security. They will discuss high-tech areas like telecommunications and artificial intelligence at their meeting.

    Both sides also want to work together more on defense matters, with talks about sharing information and joint exercises between the Indian Navy and the EU navies.

    Von der Leyen started her visit by honoring Mahatma Gandhi. After their meeting, Jaishankar praised the importance of strengthening ties between India and the EU. While discussing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, India made it clear it believes that dialogue between Russia and Ukraine is the best way forward.

    The EU is India’s biggest trading partner, with trade between the two exceeding $137 billion this year. They have been discussing a free trade agreement since 2007 but only resumed talks in 2022 after many years.

  • Kim Jong Un Tests Missiles and Boosts North Korea’s Nuclear Readiness

    Kim Jong Un Tests Missiles and Boosts North Korea’s Nuclear Readiness

    North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, recently watched a test that launched strategic cruise missiles. He said the country must be ready to use its nuclear weapons as a form of protection. According to state media, the test aimed to send a warning to “enemies” and show that North Korea is prepared for any confrontation.

    Kim emphasized that having strong weapons is the best way to keep the country safe. He claimed it’s the duty of North Korea’s military to protect the nation’s independence and security using their nuclear defenses. The missile test took place over the sea near the west coast of Korea.

    South Korea’s military noticed signs of the missile launches and tracked several missiles that were shot off around 8 a.m. on Wednesday. North Korea has been working on cruise missiles for a long time, which can carry nuclear warheads. These types of missiles often cause less worry compared to ballistic missiles since they are not outright banned by international rules.

    While Kim didn’t name any specific countries in his warnings, he has continued to speak harshly about the United States and South Korea. This news comes after Kim visited military schools, stressing the need for loyalty and better training for young officers.

  • Government Pushes for Fair Revenue Sharing in Journalism

    Government Pushes for Fair Revenue Sharing in Journalism

    In New Delhi, the IT and Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw talked about how news publishers aren’t getting enough money from big tech companies like Google and Meta. He asked the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) to suggest clear steps to help news outlets shift from traditional media to digital platforms. Vaishnaw emphasized the need for fair payment for quality content created after careful checks.

    Sanjay Jaju, the information secretary, added that the government is thinking about new rules to ensure fairness and modernization in the news industry. He pointed out that many media companies create great content but aren’t getting enough money in return, which could hurt quality journalism.

    At the same conference, IndiaAI CEO Abhishek Singh announced plans to work with Prasar Bharati and All India Radio. This partnership aims to gather news in multiple languages, which will help people creating AI models. Singh encouraged news publishers to share their multilingual content, which can be valuable for developing AI applications.

    Singh mentioned that the first version of the IndiaAI Datasets Platform will launch soon and that they have chosen 30 useful applications aimed at helping farmers and diagnosing diseases. There are ongoing efforts to clean and organize government data that can help develop AI services too.

    During the event, IT Secretary S. Krishnan stated that existing laws are good enough to handle problems like deepfakes and misinformation, although new rules might be introduced if needed. He said AI can benefit society far more than it can harm it, and regulations should support growth while protecting people.

    The topic of AI and copyright was also important during the conference. The DNPA and some of its members are involved in a lawsuit over copyright issues concerning AI-generated content. Jaju expressed concerns that AI often favors certain stories without paying original creators, which raises important questions about ownership.

    Jaju highlighted the need for a fair revenue-sharing system to keep quality journalism alive. He warned that misinformation and sensational journalism could hurt democracy, and the current laws are sometimes misused to avoid accountability for spreading false news. He urged media platforms to take responsibility for the dangerous effects of their algorithms.

  • Hamas and Israel: New Ceasefire Talks Amid Rising Tensions

    Hamas and Israel: New Ceasefire Talks Amid Rising Tensions

    On Thursday, Hamas announced it is prepared to negotiate the next stage of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This comes after they returned the remains of four hostages, and in exchange, Israel released over 600 Palestinian detainees. This swap is the last of its kind before a truce ends this weekend. Talks for the next phase, where Hamas would release more hostages in return for additional prisoner releases and a lasting ceasefire, haven’t started yet.

    An Israeli official has stated that the army will not leave a key area along the Gaza-Egypt border as agreed in the ceasefire deal. This decision could create problems with both Hamas and Egypt, who are trying to mediate peace.

    In a separate incident in Israel, a man drove his car into a group of people at a bus stop, injuring at least eight. The driver, a 53-year-old Palestinian, was shot and killed by police. This attack was seen as a show of defiance by Hamas, who praised it even though they did not claim responsibility.

    Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is planning to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington. This meeting could impact U.S. policies on Israeli settlements, which many countries consider illegal.

    Also, on Thursday, Israel released 46 Palestinian teenagers and women back to their families in Gaza. They were greeted with hugs and tears. Many had been held in Israeli prisons, and rights groups have highlighted concerns about their treatment. Israeli officials have admitted they are still holding 24 Palestinian detainees whose release was supposed to happen together with the others.

    The final release came after Israel sent back the bodies of four hostages, including three that have already been identified by families.