Author: Supriya Jena

  • IndiGo and Akasa Air Move Operations to New Terminal 1 at Delhi Airport

    IndiGo and Akasa Air Move Operations to New Terminal 1 at Delhi Airport

    On Tuesday, IndiGo and Akasa Air moved their flights to Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Terminal 2 is closed for repairs. Right now, Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are open for passengers. The airport has four runways, but one is also closed for maintenance.

                                                                                        Terminal 2 has been around for nearly 40 years, and only IndiGo and Akasa Air were using it. Now, all their flights have shifted to Terminal 1. IndiGo has made sure to inform customers about the change, while Akasa Air is working hard to make the transition easy.

                                                                               Terminal 1 has been upgraded to handle 40 million travelers every year, while Terminal 3 can manage 45 million. The older Terminal 2 could only deal with 15 million passengers each year. The new Terminal 1 will provide a better experience with modern technology and friendly features.

                                                                            Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the upgraded terminal on March 10. However, part of the roof collapsed in June, so it was closed for repairs.

                                                                             Green Initiatives
    Terminal 1 is now designed with the environment in mind. It has received a special green certification and uses recycled water for plants and restrooms. The goal is to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

                                                                               More Space and Art
    The terminal is larger now, with high ceilings and colorful roof designs. Beautiful artwork from famous artists will also be displayed to showcase India’s culture.

                                                                          Advanced Technology
    The terminal features high-tech self-check-in machines, mobile check-in to avoid long lines, and improved security scanners. There are more baggage belts and better transportation options like cabs, shuttles, and the Metro. A 24/7 shuttle service runs every 20 minutes to help passengers move easily between terminals.

                                                       Passenger-Friendly Features
    The terminal offers great amenities for travelers. There are better shopping options, tasty food choices, comfortable seating, and charging ports everywhere. There are also spaces for yoga, prayer rooms, and baby care facilities to make travel easier for everyone.

  • Renowned Physicist Ranjit Nair Passes Away at 70: A Tribute

    Renowned Physicist Ranjit Nair Passes Away at 70: A Tribute

    Ranjit Nair, a famous physicist and founder of the Centre for Philosophy and the Foundations of Science, sadly passed away in New Delhi on Monday. He was 70 years old. Ranjit studied physics and philosophy at the University of Cambridge and wrote important books like “Mind, Matter and Mystery” and “The Republic of Science.” He was also the editor of the collected works of the well-known physicist ECG Sudarshan.

                                                                                     A passionate supporter of Indian science and history, Ranjit helped put up a statue of the famous scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose at his school, Christ’s College Cambridge. When he was a student at University College in        

                                                Thiruvananthapuram, Ranjit was part of a science club with other bright students, including the late astrophysicist Thanu Padmanabhan and Professor V. Parameswaran Nair from City University of New York.

                                                                             Ranjit is survived by his wife, Rukmini Bhaya Nair, who is a poet and linguist, along with their daughter, Vijayanka Nair, and son, Viraj Nair. His funeral will be held on Wednesday, and there will be a memorial service later that week.

  • Ambassador Ono Enjoys Litti Chokha: A Heartwarming Cultural Moment

    Ambassador Ono Enjoys Litti Chokha: A Heartwarming Cultural Moment

    Japan’s Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Keiichi Ono, has made many people happy online after posting a photo of himself enjoying a famous dish from Bihar called litti chokha. While visiting Bihar, he shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter) and called litti chokha “world-famous.” In Bhojpuri, he said, “Gajab swad ba,” which means “Great taste.”

                                                                                 He wrote, “Namaste, Bihar! Finally had the chance to try the world-famous Litti Chokha – Gajab Swad Ba,” along with a joyful picture of himself eating the dish. His use of the local language touched many hearts and made his post popular.

                                                                                The post got more than 180,000 views and lots of positive comments. People loved that the ambassador not only enjoyed the local food but also spoke in the regional language. One person said, “You’ve won hearts in Bihar today.” Another comment read, “This is soft diplomacy at its finest.” Some joked that he should try other local foods like sattu paratha and thekua. Others praised his Bhojpuri accent, saying, “That accent is on point!”

                                                                             Many comments showed pride in Bihari food, with one saying, “When a Japanese envoy praises our litti-chokha, we know our heritage is global.” Another added, “Now even foreigners know what we eat with pride.” Some even offered to show him more amazing Bihari dishes.

                                                                             Along with enjoying the local food, Ambassador Ono talked about his official work. He mentioned visiting the Bihar National Highway Improvement Project, which is supported by Japan. He wrote, “Together with the Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency, I visited the Bihar National Highway Improvement Project funded by the Govt of Japan. The project will help reduce travel time and improve tourism in the state.”

  • Six Arrested for Assaulting Woman Over Affair Rumor in Davanagere

    Six Arrested for Assaulting Woman Over Affair Rumor in Davanagere

    In Davanagere district, six people were arrested because they attacked a 38-year-old woman who was rumored to be having an affair. The incident happened on April 9 in Tavarekere village when the woman was visiting relatives. She was seen with a man named Fayyaz, and this caught the attention of someone related to her. They thought she was doing something wrong.

                                                                                    A group of about eight to ten people showed up with ropes, sticks, and iron pipes and started attacking the woman and Fayyaz. One person even tried to throw a stone at them. The police found out about the attack after a video of the incident went viral on social media.

                                                                            When the police contacted the woman, she decided to file a complaint against the six attackers she recognized. These men — Mohammad Nayyaz (32), Mohammad Ghaus Peer (45), Chand Peer (35), Inayit Ullah (51), Dastagir (24), and Rasool TR (42) — were arrested. They are facing serious charges, including intimidating the woman and disrespecting her.

                                                                               The six men were taken to court and will spend 14 days in jail. The police are still looking into whether more people were involved or if the attack was planned beforehand.

  • Gold Prices Rise Amid Tariffs: What’s Next

    Gold Prices Rise Amid Tariffs: What’s Next

    Gold prices went up slightly on Tuesday as people remained worried about U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans for tariffs and how they could affect the global economy.

                                                                              Here are the key points:

                                                                                  Current Gold Price: The price of spot gold increased by 0.1%, reaching $3,211.49 per ounce. It had a record high of $3,245.42 in the previous session.

                                                                         Futures Prices: U.S. gold futures also rose by 0.1% to $3,227.90.

                                                                              Tariff News: The Trump administration is looking into imposing tariffs on pharmaceuticals (medicines) and semiconductors (computer chips) because they believe relying on foreign products could be a national security risk. Trump plans to announce the tariff rates for semiconductors within a week, which is keeping investors anxious.

                                                                             Gold’s Role: Gold is often seen as a safe investment during uncertain times, and it does well when interest rates are low.

                                                                        Inflation Expectations: Many Americans expect rising prices in the near future, with inflation expectations reaching the highest level since Fall 2023.

                                                                          Interest Rates: Traders predict that interest rates may decrease by about 86 basis points by the end of 2025.

                                                                    Investment in Gold: Investment in gold exchange-traded funds in China has been higher this month compared to the whole first quarter of the year and has outpaced inflows into U.S. funds, according to the World Gold Council.

                                                                              Other Precious Metals: The prices for other metals fell slightly as well. Spot silver decreased by 0.3% to $32.26 per ounce, platinum dropped by 0.3% to $948.60, and palladium eased by 0.6% to $950.25.

                                                                     Upcoming Data Releases:
    – 0600 GMT: UK unemployment changes
    – 0645 GMT: France’s consumer price index
    – 0900 GMT: Germany’s economic sentiment and current conditions
    – 1230 GMT: U.S. import price data

  • Did Trump Really Raise the Minimum Wage to $25? Find Out

    Did Trump Really Raise the Minimum Wage to $25? Find Out

    Recently, a claim went viral online saying that former President Donald Trump signed a new rule to raise the minimum wage to $25 an hour. This rumor spread quickly on platforms like TikTok and Facebook, with videos mimicking news reports showing Trump in the Oval Office, making it seem real. The videos claimed, “As of April 8, 2025, no American worker will earn less than $25 per hour.”

                                                                                    It sounds dramatic, but it’s completely false!

                                                                                  On April 8, 2025, Trump did sign four executive orders, but none of them had to do with raising the minimum wage. In fact, a month earlier, he signed something that actually rolled back a rule set during President Biden’s time, which was meant to increase the pay for federal workers to $15 an hour.

                                                                               This step was meant to help workers feel better and stay in their jobs.

                                                                                The videos made it look like Trump made an important change, but they were misleading and created using real footage mixed with pretend news voices. The same accounts posted other false claims, such as Trump saying he would create a 32-hour work week, which is also not true.

                                                                       Members of Trump’s team have made it clear they do not plan on raising the minimum wage right now, which has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009. During his confirmation hearing in January 2025, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he does not support any increase. Vice President JD Vance even avoided talking about it clearly in a speech.

                                                                                  On the same day that Trump signed his orders, two lawmakers, Bernie Sanders and Bobby Scott, proposed a new bill to raise the minimum wage to $17 gradually. However, since the Senate is controlled by Republicans, it seems unlikely to pass.

                                                                                   In conclusion, there is no new law for a $25 minimum wage. This claim is simply a well-designed hoax.

  • Choksi Arrested: Unpaid Maintenance Fees of ₹63 Lakh in Mumbai

    Choksi Arrested: Unpaid Maintenance Fees of ₹63 Lakh in Mumbai

    Mehul Choksi, a businessman wanted in India for allegedly stealing over ₹13,500 crores from Punjab National Bank, has been arrested in Belgium. He hasn’t paid the maintenance fees for his three apartments in Gokul Apartments, located in the wealthy Malabar Hills area of Mumbai. A member of the building society reported that he owes about ₹63 lakh in unpaid fees, which have built up over seven years without any interest.

                                                                           Choksi owns three apartments on the 9th, 10th, and 11th floors of the building. The member also revealed that Choksi has illegally occupied part of the building’s terrace on the 11th floor. They mentioned that in 2020, the building underwent renovations, costing around ₹30-35 lakh per unit. So, if you add the costs for all three units, it totals about ₹95 lakh.

                                                              Furthermore, the member expressed that the lack of maintenance from Choksi might endanger the building. They noted that big trees are growing in his flat, which could damage the structure. “We’ve done nothing wrong, yet we’re facing this problem. We trust India’s legal system and hope that the Enforcement Directorate will help us recover the dues,” the member stated.

                                                                           Mehul Choksi was caught in Belgium after trying to escape to Switzerland, saying he needed medical help. His arrest is a big step forward for Indian authorities who have been searching for him for the past seven years.

  • SBI Reduces Fixed Deposit Rates: Latest Updates You Need to Know

    SBI Reduces Fixed Deposit Rates: Latest Updates You Need to Know

    The State Bank of India (SBI) recently announced a drop in interest rates for its special fixed deposit plans that last 444 days. This change comes just five days after the central bank cut interest rates to help the economy. Now, SBI is offering 7.05% on these 444-day deposits, down from the previous rate of 7.25%.                        

       These special deposits were introduced in July 2024 to attract customers for a limited time. For regular fixed deposits, SBI’s highest rate is 6.90%. Starting Tuesday, April 15, seniors can earn more: 7.55% for seniors and 7.65% for super seniors over 80 years old.

    Earlier, in April 2023, SBI had launched a different special deposit plan for 400 days at 7.10%. Banks, including SBI, started these special plans to attract more deposits as there was a slowdown in deposit growth.

    Additionally, SBI has lowered interest rates on loans linked to external benchmarks by 0.25%, starting April 15. However, they haven’t changed their main lending rates, which stay between 8.20% and 9.10%.

    The bank’s External Benchmark Lending Rate (EBLR) will drop from 8.90% to 8.65%, and the repo-linked lending rate will decrease from 8.50% to 8.25%.

    Experts say this move shows that banks, especially state-owned ones, are still trying hard to attract customer deposits. Other banks are likely to follow SBI’s lead on reducing rates as well. For example, Indian Bank has already extended its special deposit scheme until the end of June.

    SBI has also made some small changes to rates on deposits below ₹3 crore, reducing them by 0.10%. Fixed deposits that mature in one to less than two years will now earn 6.70%, down from 6.80%. Deposits maturing in two to less than three years have gone down to 6.90%.

  • Van Dijk Anticipates Busy Summer and Title Triumph for Liverpool

    Van Dijk Anticipates Busy Summer and Title Triumph for Liverpool

    Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, believes that this summer will be very important for the team’s future. After a 2-1 win against West Ham, where he scored the winning goal, Liverpool is close to winning their 20th English league title. They are 13 points ahead of Arsenal with only six games left to play and could secure the title next weekend if everything goes well.

      Van Dijk is also expected to sign a new two-year contract this week, just like Mohamed Salah did earlier. Last summer, the only player Liverpool brought in was forward Federico Chiesa, who hasn’t played much. The team’s manager, Arne Slot, is looking to make more signings to strengthen the squad.

    “I believe Liverpool can win more titles in the future,” said Van Dijk. He mentioned that fans should trust the board to make the right decisions for the team. He believes all teams in the Premier League are strong this season, with anyone able to win against anyone else.

    Van Dijk, who is 33 years old, also thinks that having a good training camp this year will help the team get better. There are no big international tournaments, so they will have time to improve their skills. “A proper pre-season will help us be more consistent,” he said.

    He is excited about the chance of lifting the Premier League trophy and wants to continue being successful with Liverpool. “I love this club, and it shows in how I speak and play for Liverpool,” he added, emphasizing his commitment to the team.

  • MI Breaks Losing Streak: Dramatic Collapse of DC in IPL 2025

    MI Breaks Losing Streak: Dramatic Collapse of DC in IPL 2025

    On Sunday, the Mumbai Indians (MI) broke their losing streak in a thrilling match against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. MI scored 205 runs for 5 wickets in their 20 overs, thanks to a powerful 59 runs off 33 balls by Tilak Varma.

    While chasing 206 runs, DC started strong with Karun Nair scoring an impressive 89 runs. However, after he got out in the 12th over, DC’s hopes faded quickly. The game took a wild turn when Jasprit Bumrah took charge in the 19th over, causing three run-outs in a row. As a result, DC ended their innings with just 193 runs.

    The match was not just exciting on the field; there was also a big fight between fans in the stands. A video of a female fan hitting another person went viral, but it’s unclear what started the fight.

    Karun Nair, who was bought for ₹50 lakhs during the mega auction, had an outstanding domestic season. He scored the most runs in the 2024 Vijay Hazare Trophy and had great performances in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

    After the match, Nair shared his feelings: “I felt confident and well-prepared to play in the IPL. It was about waiting for my chance and working hard. I respect the team’s choices, and I stay ready to help my team succeed.”