Category: India

  • CBI Busts Cyber Fraud: Rs 1.08 Crore Seized in Major Raids

    CBI Busts Cyber Fraud: Rs 1.08 Crore Seized in Major Raids

    The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has raided 11 places in Delhi and Haryana to catch cybercriminals who were pretending to be government officials. The sting operation led to the recovery of Rs 1.08 crore in cash, officials announced on Saturday. The raids took place at nine locations in Delhi and two in Hisar, Haryana, as part of a two-year investigation.

    These criminals were accused of tricking people by pretending to be government workers and were involved in scams related to cryptocurrency. They cheated individuals both in India and other countries by offering fake tech support, urging them to pay using cryptocurrencies. The money was then funneled through various crypto wallets and converted into cash.

    During the raids, the CBI found important digital evidence, including six laptops, eight mobile phones, and an iPad. They also discovered that the scammers were making calls using special software and accessing the darknet. In addition to the cash, the CBI seized foreign currency worth USD 1,000 and 252 grams of gold.

  • US Extradites Tahawwur Rana: Major Win for India

    US Extradites Tahawwur Rana: Major Win for India

    Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranji Singh Sandhu, has spoken out about US President Donald Trump’s decision to extradite Tahawwur Rana, who is accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Sandhu emphasized that this action sends a strong warning to those who threaten the friendship between the US and India.

    In an interview, Sandhu mentioned that the joint statement after talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump highlighted the importance of taking firm action against individuals who put the safety of both countries at risk. He noted that President Trump had pointed out that there are more names being considered for action, suggesting that those involved in such activities should be careful.

    Sandhu explained that the joint statement also talks about cooperating to combat various threats, including illegal crime, drug trafficking, and other dangers that could harm public safety. He expects the US government to take tougher measures against these threats.

    President Trump announced the extradition of Tahawwur Rana during a press conference with PM Modi, stating that Rana will face justice in India. Rana was found guilty for his role in the attacks, which led to the deaths of 174 people, including security personnel and foreign nationals.

    The US State Department had previously expressed its support for India’s efforts to bring justice for the Mumbai attacks. They are currently reviewing the situation for the extradition, especially since Rana has used up all legal options available to him in the US.

    With the US Supreme Court denying Rana’s petition against his extradition, India is now in discussions with US officials about the next steps to bring him back to face charges.

  • India Cuts Bourbon Whiskey Tariff – Discover Fun Facts!

    India Cuts Bourbon Whiskey Tariff – Discover Fun Facts!

    On Friday, India made bourbon whiskey cheaper by slashing the tax from 150% to 100%. This change happened after former US President Donald Trump complained about high taxes on American products being unfair. The new tax was announced just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Trump. Now, the total tax on bourbon is 100%, made up of a 50% basic tax and an additional 50% tax.

    The US is the biggest seller of bourbon whiskey to India, providing about 25% of the bourbon imported. In the year 2023-24, India bought bourbon whiskey worth $2.5 million. The US and India want to increase their trade to $500 billion by 2030 and are working on a trade deal to lower taxes.

    5 Fun Facts About Bourbon Whiskey

    1. What is Bourbon? Bourbon whiskey is America’s only spirit made mainly from corn, with at least 51% of the mixture being corn. In 1964, the US Congress officially called it a special American product.

    2. Barrel Aging: For bourbon to be called bourbon, it must be aged in a brand-new white oak barrel that has never been used before. The inside of the barrel is burned to give it flavor before the whiskey is added.

    3. Where it Comes From: Bourbon was first created in the 1800s in Kentucky, specifically Bourbon County. Many people think bourbon can only be made in that county, but that’s not true! As long as it follows the rules, bourbon can be made anywhere in the US.

    4. Reusable Barrels: After bourbon is made, the barrels can be used to age other types of whiskey. The charred barrels can be used to flavor other drinks, like single malt scotch.

    5. Mixing Bourbon: Bourbon whiskey is very versatile and can be used in popular cocktails like an ‘Old Fashioned,’ the ‘Mint Julep’ (the official drink of the Kentucky Derby), and a ‘Manhattan.’ It has yummy flavors like vanilla, oak, and caramel that blend well in many drinks.

  • Jaishankar Celebrates India’s Strong Democracy at Munich Security Conference

    Jaishankar Celebrates India’s Strong Democracy at Munich Security Conference

    External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with hope about India’s democracy at the Munich Security Conference. He talked about how voting takes place in India, highlighting the successful recent elections in Delhi and the national elections set for 2024.

    During a panel discussion titled “Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience,” Jaishankar shared his views alongside leaders like Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin. While many people believe that democracy is struggling globally, Jaishankar disagrees. He proudly mentioned that India has had a good turnout in elections—around two-thirds of eligible voters participate.

    “For our recent elections, about 700 million out of 900 million voters cast their votes. We count the votes in a single day, and there are never disputes about the results,” Jaishankar explained. He emphasized that India’s democracy is working well and providing for people.

    He shared that in India, being a democratic society means they can support food and nutrition for around 800 million people. He believes different parts of the world are having different conversations about democracy, and we should not think that issues facing democracies everywhere are the same.

    Jaishankar highlighted the importance of understanding the unique situations of each country. He also mentioned that many countries in the Global South might see India as a better example to follow than Western countries.

    He finished by stating that if the West wants to see democracy succeed, it should learn from successful models outside of its own. The 61st Munich Security Conference takes place in Munich, Germany, from February 14–16.

  • Karnataka Launches Strong Investigation into Covid-19 Fund Mismanagement

    Karnataka Launches Strong Investigation into Covid-19 Fund Mismanagement

    The Karnataka government is taking a closer look at how money was handled during the Covid-19 pandemic. They have handed the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This news came out on Friday, two months after police started looking into some strange financial activities.

    A team from the CID, led by Police Superintendent Raghavendra Hegde, will investigate the suspected corruption that happened under the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The current Congress-led government is using this investigation to defend itself against other accusations it is facing.

    The police had filed a First Information Report (FIR) on December 13, targeting high-ranking officials. Former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and former health minister B Sriramulu might also be in for some scrutiny as the investigation goes on.

    The government had already created a special group to look at a report from Justice John Michael D’Cunha, which helped guide their decision to investigate further. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that anyone found guilty of misusing Covid funds would face the law.

    Shivakumar raised alarms about testing numbers. He pointed out that in the area managed by the BBMP, 84 lakh RT-PCR tests were done, racking up bills of ₹502 crore, and ₹400 crore has already been paid. He questioned how such a high number of tests could be done in households.

    At Kidwai Hospital, similar issues arose. They claimed to have conducted 24 lakh tests for ₹146 crore without the right approvals. This raised serious questions about the testing process.

    Previously, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was looking into this case but was hesitant due to the senior politicians involved. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara visited Udayagiri police station after chaos erupted from a controversial social media post. He met with high-ranking officers to review what happened.

    Parameshwara shared that arrests were being made based on video footage, ensuring that justice is served. He promised that anyone responsible for the violence, especially those who attacked police, would face action. Forensic teams are examining videos to ensure only the right people are charged. They are also checking for any outside influences on the incident.

    Parameshwara eased worries about police morale, saying, “Our officers are well-trained.” He rejected claims of police being ineffective and praised them for quickly controlling the situation. When asked about using extreme measures like demolishing properties of rioters, he insisted, “The legal system in Karnataka is strong enough to handle this without going that far.

  • CRPF DG GP Singh’s First Meeting with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

    CRPF DG GP Singh’s First Meeting with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

    Guwahati: The Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), GP Singh, visited Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at his official home in New Delhi on Friday. This was the first time the two leaders met since Singh became the DG of the CRPF.

    During their meeting, Singh and Sarma exchanged friendly words. The DG gave the Chief Minister a small gift and a bouquet of flowers. Before becoming the DG, Singh worked as the Director General of Assam Police for almost two years. He is a well-respected officer from the 1991 batch of the Assam-Meghalaya IPS cadre.

    After the meeting, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) shared the news on social media site X, stating that GP Singh, the Director General of CRPF, met with Himanta Biswa Sarma for a courtesy visit.

  • Modi’s Successful Talks with Trump: A Global Lesson in Negotiation

    Modi’s Successful Talks with Trump: A Global Lesson in Negotiation

    CNN reporter Will Ripley praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent talks with US President Donald Trump, calling them a “masterclass” in negotiation. He mentioned how both Modi and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba had successful meetings with Trump, showing other world leaders how to effectively negotiate with him.

    Ripley highlighted that Modi may have faced pressure during these talks, worrying that Trump would announce tariffs that could embarrass him back in India. However, after their meeting, they managed to announce what seemed like the best results for both countries.

    Just hours before his meeting with Modi, Trump mentioned a plan for new tariffs, but they wouldn’t take effect right away. In the past, Trump has criticized India for having very high tariffs, even saying it hurt companies like Harley Davidson, which struggled to sell their bikes in India due to tariffs.

    Earlier this month, Trump imposed significant extra tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China too. But he later delayed the tariffs on Canada and Mexico for a month.

  • DMRC’s Student Travel Plans for CBSE Exams: Fast & Easy Commute!

    DMRC’s Student Travel Plans for CBSE Exams: Fast & Easy Commute!

    The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is getting ready for the CBSE Board Examinations for Classes X and XII, which will happen from February 15 to April 4, 2025. They expect around 3.30 lakh students and many school staff to use the metro during this time. To make travel smooth and simple, DMRC is working with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to help everyone.

    Easy Travel Helpers for Students

    DMRC has teamed up with school principals to share information about the nearest metro stations to their schools. Posters will be put up in schools showing the closest metro stations and QR codes, which students can scan to buy their tickets easily.

    Also, DMRC will make important announcements at metro stations to guide students so they know what to do. Their DMRC Momentum mobile app and website have lists of metro stations near exam centers, so students can plan their journeys better.

    Quick Check for Students with Admit Cards

    Students can show their CBSE Admit Cards to get special treatment at security checks, which means they won’t have to wait long. When buying tickets, they will also have priority at Ticket Office Machines (TOMs) and Customer Care (CC) centers, speeding things up during busy hours.

    DMRC advises students to plan their travel early to avoid problems since many students will be on the move during exam time. Parents and students should use the DMRC Momentum app or website to get the latest travel updates!

  • PM Modi to Select New Chief Election Commissioner Next Week

    PM Modi to Select New Chief Election Commissioner Next Week

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a committee next week to choose the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. This committee also includes Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet minister chosen by Modi. They will meet on either Sunday or Monday, just before the current CEC, Rajiv Kumar, retires on February 18.

    The committee will pick a name from a list of candidates provided by a search committee. The President will then officially appoint the new CEC based on their choice. After Rajiv Kumar, Gyanesh Kumar, who is the senior-most election commissioner, will serve until January 26, 2029. There is also Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, another election commissioner.

    In the past, the most senior election commissioner would automatically become the CEC when the current one retired. However, a new law was introduced last year that requires a search committee to shortlist five qualified candidates for the prime minister’s committee to review.

    Besides choosing the new CEC, the committee might also select a new election commissioner to fill the vacancy left by Rajiv Kumar’s retirement. This new law about appointing CECs and ECs has never been applied to choose a CEC before. It was used to appoint Gyanesh Kumar and Sandhu last year after other commissioners retired.

    According to the law, the CEC and other election commissioners must be people who have experience working at a senior government level and have knowledge of elections. This means they can be either current or former high-ranking officials in the government.

  • Prime Minister Modi Launches School of Ultimate Leadership in Gujarat

    Prime Minister Modi Launches School of Ultimate Leadership in Gujarat

    On February 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially open the School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL) in Gujarat. The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, started the construction by performing a ceremony called ‘Bhoomi Poojan’ on Friday. This new school will cost ₹150 crores and will be built on a 22-acre campus near Gujarat Biotechnology University in GIFT City. It is expected to be finished in two years.

    The goal of SOUL is to help fulfill Prime Minister Modi’s vision to bring 100,000 young people, who have no political experience, into politics. SOUL will work independently and will not be connected to the government or any universities.

    When it opens in March 2027, the school will offer different courses that last from one week to a year. These programs will prepare students for jobs in public areas like health, education, rural development, and sanitation. To join, students will need to apply and go through interviews.

    Elected leaders and public officials will train for free, while other students will pay a small fee. SOUL has already been busy, hosting workshops to help leaders understand things like the National Education Policy and the state budget. Until the new campus is ready, SOUL will hold short classes and special events at temporary locations. The project is being led by a team of successful professionals from the private sector who will focus on creating strong leaders and promoting good governance.