Author: Supriya Jena

  • Missing Student: New Footage Emerges in Sudiksha Konanki Case

    Missing Student: New Footage Emerges in Sudiksha Konanki Case

    A new video from a surveillance camera shows missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, who is 20 years old and of Indian background, smiling and holding hands with a man before she disappeared. Sudiksha went missing while on vacation in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, during spring break. The last time anyone saw her was on March 6 at 4:50 a.m. at the Riu Republica Resort’s beach.

    According to the news outlet Noticias SIN, this video is the last clear image of Sudiksha. It shows her walking down a path at the resort with friends, and it came out after the FBI joined the search for her. In the video, Sudiksha can be seen with her arm around the man’s back as they walk with others. They were having a good time at a disco around 3 a.m. before going to the beach.

    The last person who saw Sudiksha was Joshua Stevem Ribe, a 24-year-old tourist from Iowa. He said he drank too much and passed out on the beach. When he woke up, Sudiksha was gone. He has talked to the police and given different stories about what happened before she disappeared. They are still trying to find out if something bad happened to her.

    Local authorities say that both Dominican and U.S. officials are working together to investigate this case. The Dominican police released a statement saying they confirmed Sudiksha disappeared after 4:15 a.m. on March 6, and that they caught her on surveillance video just before she entered the beach area.

    The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, mentioned that they are worried about Ribe’s changing stories. He said, “We are concerned. All government agencies are searching… because reports say that a wave crashed into them on the beach.

  • Godrej Agrovet to Fully Acquire Creamline Dairy Products

    Godrej Agrovet to Fully Acquire Creamline Dairy Products

    On Wednesday, Godrej Agrovet announced an exciting plan to buy the remaining 48.06% of Creamline Dairy Products (CDPL) for ₹930 crore. This move means that Creamline, a company known for its milk and dairy products sold as ‘Godrej Jersey,’ will become completely owned by Godrej Agrovet.

    Currently, Godrej Agrovet already owns 51.94% of Creamline. With this new deal, they will purchase a 47.38% stake from Creamline’s original founders. The main aim of this purchase is to have full ownership of CDPL, allowing Godrej Agrovet to strengthen its position in the dairy market. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.

    Creamline Dairy Products is based in Hyderabad and focuses on collecting, processing, and selling milk and dairy products. It’s one of the top private dairy companies in southern India, and its products are well-loved under the brand name ‘Godrej Jersey.’ For the financial year ending March 31, 2024, Creamline recorded a revenue of ₹1,540 crore.

    In the last year, Godrej Agrovet’s shares increased by 43.63%, significantly outperforming its competitors. Over the past three years, the stock has seen a 52% return. Recent data shows that Godrej Agrovet has performed better than its industry and major market indexes like Nifty50 and Sensex.

  • India’s Broadcasting Services Bill: What’s New in Media Regulation

    India’s Broadcasting Services Bill: What’s New in Media Regulation

    The parliamentary committee dealing with communication and technology in India has asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to quickly present a new Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill in parliament. This bill aims to improve the way media is regulated in India.

    In January, the MIB told the committee they would finish talking to different groups about the bill by October 15, 2024. After that, they will create a new draft of the bill and a note for the cabinet to discuss. The committee wants to know how long this will take and stressed that the MIB should talk to all necessary groups during this process.

    Currently, the cable TV industry has to follow many different rules and regulators, such as the MIB, TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), and the Department of Telecommunications. The committee believes there should be one comprehensive law to manage all of this.

    The recent bill also includes rules about online streaming services, known as OTT (over-the-top) services. For the first time, the MIB mentioned this new version of the bill. The first draft was shared for public input in November 2023, while a second version was given to select groups in July 2024 without being made public. The second draft had a special watermark to track who had copies.

    The new rules aim to include everyone creating news content online, even people not part of traditional media. This means, for example, a person making videos about cooking or taxes on YouTube could also be affected if they have enough followers.

    The proposed rules require these content creators to set up a review team to check their work. In August 2024, the government asked groups to return their copies of the draft and mentioned they would release a new version after further discussions.

  • India’s Renewable Energy Rises: Key Goals and Achievements for 2024

    India’s Renewable Energy Rises: Key Goals and Achievements for 2024

    In the first part of 2024-25, renewable energy made up 22.49% of all the electricity generated in the country, according to the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The news was shared with the Rajya Sabha by Shripad Yesho Naik, the Minister of State for Renewable Energy. He also mentioned that the government is working hard to reach a goal of 500 GW of electricity from sources like solar and wind by 2030.

    The contribution of renewable energy has grown over the years, up from 17.28% in 2014-15 to 20.75% in 2023-24. In the last full year (2022-23), renewable energy accounted for 22.61% of electricity generation. India also aims to cut its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 and increase the use of non-fossil fuels to 50% of its total power capacity.

    When it comes to solar power, Naik noted that India’s solar energy capacity has skyrocketed over the last decade, jumping from just 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100 GW in 2025. He highlighted that the country’s solar panel manufacturing has also seen great growth, rising from 2 GW in 2014 to 67 GW today.

  • Wall Street Struggles as Tariff Woes and Volatility Rise

    Wall Street Struggles as Tariff Woes and Volatility Rise

    Recent news about a possible ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia had investors feeling hopeful, but Wall Street struggled to recover from losses. Ukraine announced they would consider a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S., which initially made stocks rise, especially the tech-heavy Nasdaq. However, President Trump’s decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada to 50% cast a heavy shadow over the markets, causing stocks to drop significantly.

    Key Market Updates:
    – All major stock indexes on Wall Street closed at new lows not seen in five months. The S&P 500 is now down over 10% from its peak and the Nasdaq is down 15%.
    – The U.S. dollar fell to a five-month low against other currencies, despite some gains in Treasury yields.
    – The euro rose above $1.09, its highest since October, and could climb further.
    – Bitcoin hit a four-month low but ended the day up 5%, breaking a five-day losing streak.
    – Britain sold inflation-linked bonds at record-high yields, showing rising borrowing costs in parts of the developed world.

    While the potential ceasefire is a glimmer of hope for investors, the uncertainty created by the trade tensions and tariffs continues to worry everyone. About $5 trillion has been lost in U.S. stock values since the market peak, and the dollar is slipping, creating higher volatility in markets.

    Trump seems determined to push his tariff agenda despite its negative effects on market confidence. This situation complicates things for the Federal Reserve, which may need to think about cutting interest rates due to fears of economic slowdown, even as inflation forecasts rise.

    One worrying trend is the rapid decline in open interest in Treasury futures, signaling less investor commitment. Open interest measures how much money is on the line in these contracts, and a sharp drop can lead to problems in market stability.

    As major funds adjust their positions, there are concerns about market liquidity and how much buying or selling can affect prices. The downward trend in open interest may be a sign of increased caution among investors.

    What to Watch Tomorrow:
    – Japan’s wholesale inflation (February)
    – India’s CPI inflation (February)
    – U.S. 10-year Treasury note auction
    – Bank of Canada’s interest rate decision
    – U.S. CPI inflation (February)

  • Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson Launch Exciting New Podcast

    Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson Launch Exciting New Podcast

    Michelle Obama is inviting fans to check out her new podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson. In a fun teaser video shared on Instagram, she said, “We are so excited for you to listen to our brand new podcast!” The podcast is called “IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson” and it will start on Wednesday.

    In each episode, Michelle and Craig will talk with special guests about big questions in life. The first two episodes will be available on YouTube, and you can listen to them wherever you like to get your podcasts. They want to help listeners with their own life challenges because these times can feel lonely and confusing for everyone.

    The teaser video showed clips of upcoming guests like actor Seth Rogen and actress Keke Palmer. While they say they might not have all the answers, they definitely have “plenty of opinions!” They want listeners to send in their questions for future episodes.

    This podcast is made by Higher Ground Media, the production company started by Michelle and Barack Obama. According to The New York Times, Michelle and Craig will share advice from their own lives and won’t really talk about current events or politics.

    The second episode will feature actress Issa Rae, where they will discuss how to keep adult friendships, based on a listener’s question.

  • Young Mukbang Star Dies: A Warning About Obesity Risks

    Young Mukbang Star Dies: A Warning About Obesity Risks

    Efecan Kultur was just 24 years old and loved making mukbang videos on TikTok. These are videos where people eat a lot of food while chatting with their fans. He spent three months in the hospital because of health problems related to being overweight. Sadly, he passed away on March 7.

    Efecan gained a lot of followers by showing himself eating huge amounts of food, from fast food to homemade meals. But this lifestyle caught up with him. He became so unhealthy that he couldn’t even move on his own or visit his mother’s grave, who died last year.

    Before he died, he appeared in a video interview where he had to stay in bed because his health was so bad. His eyes were often closed, showing how much he struggled.

    The mukbang trend can be dangerous. Many young viewers do not realize the health risks of overeating. Efecan’s death is a reminder that these videos can lead to serious health problems. The government in Turkey is aware of this issue and might make new rules to limit social media access for kids under 16 to help keep them safe.

  • Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy: Leading India to ICC Champions Trophy Glory

    Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy: Leading India to ICC Champions Trophy Glory

    Virender Sehwag, a former Indian cricket star, praised Rohit Sharma for his amazing captaincy in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Thanks to Rohit’s leadership, India won two important ICC titles in just nine months—something no other Indian captain has done before. This makes Rohit the second Indian captain, after MS Dhoni, to win both the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy. With these victories, Rohit joins the ranks of the most successful cricket captains in history.

    Rohit has transformed Indian cricket by encouraging a bold style of play. His aggressive batting during the early overs of matches inspired his teammates and helped India perform brilliantly in various ICC tournaments. In the Champions Trophy final, he scored an important 76 runs, helping India secure victory over New Zealand.

    Sehwag, who was part of the leadership team when MS Dhoni was captain, highlighted Rohit’s strong management skills. He noted how well Rohit communicated with his players, even those who weren’t chosen to play. “We often overlook how good he is as a captain. After winning these two trophies, he has become the second Indian captain to win multiple ICC titles after MS Dhoni. Rohit has done a great job of using his bowlers and managing the team,” Sehwag said, speaking on Cricbuzz.

    Rohit has led India to only one loss in their last three ICC events, which was the 2023 World Cup final against Australia. Sehwag also pointed out that Rohit makes sure every player feels secure and valued in the team, which he believes is key to good leadership. “He focuses more on his team rather than himself. He helps players feel comfortable because he knows that insecurity can affect their performance. This is what makes Rohit Sharma a fantastic captain,” Sehwag concluded.

  • Stocks Plummet as Tariff Worries Roil Markets

    Stocks Plummet as Tariff Worries Roil Markets

    U.S. stock markets fell on Tuesday, continuing one of the biggest selloffs in months. Investors were concerned about new tariffs that could hurt the global economy. There was a lot of ups and downs in trading because of mixed news about tariffs, but some hope came when Ukraine and Russia seemed closer to a ceasefire in their conflict.

    The S&P 500 index dipped to 5,528.41 points, marking a 10% drop from its all-time high of 6,144.15 points reached on February 19, which is what we call a market correction. President Donald Trump announced he would double tariffs to 50% on all imported steel and aluminum from Canada, making investors even more nervous. People worried that Trump’s trade policies might lead to an economic slowdown or even a recession.

    On Monday, the S&P 500 had its biggest drop in a day since December, losing over $1.3 trillion in market value and around $4 trillion since reaching its peak. The tech-heavy Nasdaq also fell into a 10% correction late last week. Over the past two days, the S&P 500 dropped more than 3.4%, the largest drop since early August.

    According to Ken Polcari, a market expert, this situation creates worry in the market, leading to quick reactions from investors. There was a bit of recovery when the U.S. decided to continue military aid and support for Ukraine after positive talks with the country about a ceasefire with Russia.

    Additionally, the Premier of Ontario announced he would temporarily lift a tax on electricity exports to several U.S. states, which also helped boost sentiment. Chris Fasciano, another market strategist, explained that it’s hard for investors to make big changes unless they see clear ideas about tariffs or government spending.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 478.23 points, or 1.14%, closing at 41,433.48. The S&P 500 lost 42.49 points, or 0.76%, ending at 5,572.07. The Nasdaq Composite fell by 32.23 points, or 0.18%, to 17,436.10.

    The ongoing trade conflicts started by Trump have caused turmoil in global markets, and new data shows the economy might be slowing down. A report on consumer prices is expected on Wednesday to check on inflation. Meanwhile, a report showed more job openings in January.

    All major S&P sectors ended lower, with technology and consumer goods experiencing smaller losses. The uncertainty from tariffs has affected consumer confidence, and many companies have warned that earnings may drop. Kohl’s warned of a bigger-than-expected sales drop, causing its stock to plummet by 24.1%. Dick’s Sporting Goods shares fell by 5.7% after it announced weak results, while Delta Air Lines dropped 7.3% after cutting its profit estimates, and American Airlines fell 8.3% due to expected losses.

    These declines in airline stocks pushed the Dow transportation index down by 3.1%. Oracle shares also dropped by 3.1% after it missed revenue expectations. Citi, a financial firm, has downgraded its outlook on U.S. stocks to neutral. On the NYSE, more stocks fell than rose by a ratio of 1.6-to-1, and on the Nasdaq, the ratio was 1.1-to-1. The S&P 500 saw four new 52-week highs and 17 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 22 new highs and 352 new lows. Total trading volume was 19.01 billion shares, which is higher than the average of 16.56 billion shares in the past 20 trading days

  • China, Iran, and Russia Conduct Maritime Drills Amid Rising Tensions

    China, Iran, and Russia Conduct Maritime Drills Amid Rising Tensions

    On Tuesday, China, Iran, and Russia held joint naval drills in the Middle East. This show of strength comes at a time when people are worried about Iran’s growing nuclear program and the threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are planning to attack ships. The drills, called the Maritime Security Belt 2025, took place in the Gulf of Oman, close to the important Strait of Hormuz where a lot of the world’s oil passes through.

    This event was the fifth time these three countries worked together in such drills. Just before the drills, the British military warned about GPS problems in the strait, which may have been caused by interference designed to help avoid targeting by drones and missiles. There have been similar reports of GPS issues in the area before, usually when tensions are high.

    Russia sent several naval ships, including the corvettes Rezky and Aldar Tsydenzhapov, and China sent the guided-missile destroyer Baotou and the supply ship Gaoyouhu. These countries do not usually patrol the Middle East waters, which are mainly managed by the US Navy. Other countries like Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Qatar also watched the drills, likely noting the U.S. presence too.

    China is still buying oil from Iran, even though it’s facing Western sanctions, while Russia relies on Iran for drones in its war with Ukraine. The joint drills are significant for Iran as they show strength after an Israeli attack on its military sites. Iran is increasing its stockpile of uranium at levels close to weapons-grade, even though it says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Both the U.S. and Israel have warned Iran against developing a bomb.

    Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels are threatening to attack ships in nearby waters again, citing aid issues in Gaza. They have previously attacked over 100 ships and warned that actual attacks could resume soon if their demands are not met.