Category: News

  • SEBI Proposes Lower Donation Minimum on Social Stock Exchange

    SEBI Proposes Lower Donation Minimum on Social Stock Exchange

    The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed an important change that could make donating easier for everyone. They want to lower the minimum amount you need to donate using special “Zero Coupon Zero Principal” (ZCZP) instruments on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE). Right now, the minimum amount is Rs 10,000, but SEBI is suggesting it be reduced to either Rs 5,000 or even just Rs 1,000!

    These ZCZP instruments are basically ways for people to donate to non-profit organizations (NPOs) that are listed on the SSE. By making the minimum donation smaller, more people will be able to join in and support these causes.

    This idea came about because many people want to give through the SSE but find the current minimum too high. Recently, SEBI has also made other changes to make it easier for donors. In November 2023, they reduced the total amount needed for ZCZP issues from Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 lakh and lowered the minimum application size for donors from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10,000.

    The SSE is a special place in India where social organizations can connect with donors, helping to bring in more money and support. This unique concept was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her 2019 budget speech. Now, SEBI is looking for public feedback on this latest proposal until March 14.

    This change could open the door for many more people to become involved and make a difference!

  • PM Modi Addresses Obesity Crisis and Launches New Projects in Gujarat

    PM Modi Addresses Obesity Crisis and Launches New Projects in Gujarat

    On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned about the rising obesity rates in India, mentioning a report that says nearly 440 million people could be obese by 2050. He called this number “huge and scary” and stressed the need for action to address this health crisis.

    During his two-day visit to Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, PM Modi inaugurated projects worth ₹2,587 crore. He also launched a new food security campaign in Surat to help people access better nutrition.

    Speaking at rallies in Silvassa and Surat, Modi pointed out that obesity can lead to many health problems. He encouraged everyone to exercise regularly and cut down on edible oil by 10%. “Lifestyle-related diseases are a big risk today, and obesity is the main cause of many of these problems,” Modi said. He warned that if things don’t change, one in three people could be obese by 2050, which poses a serious threat to public health.

    The Prime Minister urged everyone to buy 10% less oil and engage in physical activities like cycling to help reduce obesity. He also announced plans to open 25,000 new Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country, where affordable medicines will be available. He mentioned that middle-class and low-income families have saved around ₹30,000 crore by buying medicines from these government centers.

    Modi encouraged residents to work together to develop the Union Territory, comparing it to the transformation of Singapore from a fishing village to a modern city. He believes that if the people are committed, great changes can happen.

    During this visit, he inaugurated several important projects, including a 450-bed hospital in Silvassa and new facilities in Diu and Daman. After his work in Silvassa, he went to Surat to talk about the new food security campaign and to address the people there.

    Modi also took a jab at the Congress party, saying that those with no power might have problems understanding the ₹32 lakh crore in loans given out under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, which aims to help small businesses.

  • Lalit Modi Surrenders Passport, Becomes Citizen of Vanuatu Amid Legal Issues

    Lalit Modi Surrenders Passport, Becomes Citizen of Vanuatu Amid Legal Issues

    Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has applied to give up his Indian passport at the High Commission in London. He has also become a citizen of Vanuatu, a small island country in the South Pacific. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India confirmed this news and stated that they are aware of his move.

    The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, mentioned that they are still working on all legal cases against Modi. “We will look into this application following the rules,” he said. Modi has faced serious accusations, including cheating, money laundering, and breaking foreign exchange laws.

    He used to be the Vice-President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and was suspended shortly after the IPL in 2010. He left India that same year and has been living in London since then. The BCCI claims that Modia defrauded them of a huge amount—753 crore rupees—through dishonest actions with certain officials of the World Sports Group.

  • UK’s 80th VE Day Celebration: Events, No New Holiday in 2025

    UK’s 80th VE Day Celebration: Events, No New Holiday in 2025

    In 2025, the United Kingdom will honor the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with four days of celebrations from May 5 to May 8. These events will include a military parade, planes flying overhead, concerts, and a special service at Westminster Abbey.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy mentioned that on this important day, people will get a chance to hear stories from veterans to remember and reflect on their contributions.

    Will There Be a New Bank Holiday?

    Despite the special nature of this anniversary, the government has confirmed that there will be no new bank holiday. According to reports from NiftyStat, this decision was made in November 2024. A spokesperson explained that the celebrations will take place along with the existing Early May Bank Holiday on May 5.

    The government plans to spend over £10 million on these celebrations. An official said, while this anniversary is important, an extra day off could disrupt businesses and public services. So, the holiday schedule will stay the same, and the Early May Bank Holiday will be the main day for VE Day events.

    The Four Days of VE Day Celebrations

    The celebrations will be as follows:

    May 5: A parade will march down Whitehall, featuring military formations and a special flypast by RAF planes, including the famous Red Arrows. The Cenotaph and HMS Belfast will be decorated with Union Jacks, and there will be a street party.

    May 6: A display of ceramic poppies will be at the Tower of London to honor those who died in the war, and famous buildings across the UK will light up at night.

    May 7: There will be a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert at Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster.

    May 8: The final day includes a memorial service at Westminster Abbey, followed by a grand concert at Horse Guards Parade, expected to attract around 10,000 people.

    No Extra Bank Holiday for VE Day Why80?

    The government decided against having an extra bank holiday due to economic reasons. They believe an additional day off could hurt businesses and public services.

    The 2025 bank holiday dates will be:

    – Good Friday: April 18
    – Easter Monday: April 21
    – Early May Bank Holiday: May 5
    – Spring Bank Holiday: May 26
    – Summer Bank Holiday: August 25
    – Christmas Day: December 25
    – Boxing Day: December 26

    These upcoming celebrations are expected to be grand, especially since the last time the UK celebrated VE Day, in 2020, was limited due to COVID-19. This year, many living veterans and groups like the Royal British Legion will be involved in the events, while promoting community participation.

  • Trump Proposes Nuclear Talks with Iran: A Peaceful Path Forward

    Trump Proposes Nuclear Talks with Iran: A Peaceful Path Forward

    US President Donald Trump has announced that he sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to discuss a possible nuclear deal. In an interview with Fox Business News, Trump said, “I hope you’re going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing.”

    The White House confirmed that Trump has invited Iranian officials to talks about their nuclear program. The detailed interview will be shown on Sunday. Trump expressed his desire to negotiate a deal instead of going to war, mentioning, “I would rather negotiate a deal… We can make a deal that would be just as good as if you won militarily.”

    He added that the time to act is now, saying, “Something’s going to happen one way or the other.” Trump emphasized that negotiating would be better for Iran and suggested they should consider his letter. He reminded everyone that Iran shouldn’t have nuclear weapons.

    Iran claims its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, but as tensions with the US grow, Iranian officials are hinting at developing nuclear weapons. Iran’s state-run news agency reported Trump’s comments, but there has been no response from Khamenei’s office.

    The Trump administration has stressed preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons, especially after a new report suggested Iran is producing more uranium suitable for weapons.

  • Ranya Rao Arrested: Concerns Over Alleged Abuse in DRI Custody

    Ranya Rao Arrested: Concerns Over Alleged Abuse in DRI Custody

    Karnataka actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai. After her arrest, a photo showing her with swollen eyes and bruises started spreading on social media. This raised questions about whether she was treated badly while in custody of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

    The chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, Nagalakshmi Chaudhary, responded to concerns about Ranya’s condition. She said they cannot investigate unless Ranya files an official complaint. Chaudhary strongly condemned any violence against Ranya, emphasizing that no one should ever be assaulted.

    She stated that if Ranya decides to file a complaint, the commission will look into it and help her. For now, without a complaint, they can’t take any action.

    Meanwhile, Ranya is in DRI custody for three days, as the agency wants to check where the smuggled gold came from and who was supposed to receive it. They mentioned possible connections to “anti-national activities.”

  • Trump’s Game Plan to Save Federal Jobs and Improve Efficiency

    Trump’s Game Plan to Save Federal Jobs and Improve Efficiency

    Former President Donald Trump is stepping in to address a wave of job cuts happening in U.S. federal departments. This situation is happening because of a new initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which aimed to save money by reducing staff.

    Many lawmakers and federal workers are unhappy with the layoffs, so Trump has told DOGE to focus on keeping the most productive employees. He wants to make sure that people who truly contribute value to the government stay in their jobs.

    During a meeting at the White House, Trump spoke with key advisors, including Elon Musk, who leads DOGE. Trump suggested that the layoffs might have been too severe, and he wants a more careful approach. Instead of making broad cuts, he believes they should be more thoughtful.

    After the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social, saying that as secretaries get to know their teams better, they will be able to make better decisions about who to keep and who to let go. The idea is to cut only unneeded positions while retaining valuable workers.

  • Amit Shah Honors Tamil Culture and Urges Education in Tamil Language

    Amit Shah Honors Tamil Culture and Urges Education in Tamil Language

    On Friday, Amit Shah, India’s Union Home Minister, praised Tamil culture, language, and traditions, emphasizing they are a vital part of India’s identity. He spoke at the 56th raising day parade of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Thakkolam.

    Shah highlighted that the whole country recognizes the importance of Tamil language and culture, especially during discussions about federalism and language identity in Tamil Nadu. This state has a history of resisting the push for Hindi and has fought for the pride of the Tamil language since the 1900s, wanting more control over how their language is used in schools and government.

    During his speech, Shah announced the CISF training center will be renamed after the brave Chola warrior, Rajaditya Chola. He expressed his admiration for Rajaditya, saying he dedicated his life to protecting his culture and shared tales of bravery from the Chola kingdom.

    Shah also hopes Tamil Nadu will join other states in offering medical and engineering courses in their own language. He believes this will help the Tamil people connect more with their roots and provide equal opportunities. He encouraged the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to make this vision a reality, noting that no steps have been taken yet towards this goal.

  • NYPD Detective Sparks Outrage with Risqué Music Video Appearance

    NYPD Detective Sparks Outrage with Risqué Music Video Appearance

    Detective Melissa Mercado, who has been with the NYPD for seven years, made headlines after appearing in a suggestive music video for the rapper S-Quire called “Doin That.” The video, published in February by World Hip Hop, features Mercado dancing, twerking, and showing off her body in a thong and a bra. Although her name is not mentioned in the video, police sources confirmed it is indeed her.

    The video has stirred up talk among officials. A police union source said, “What she does in her personal life is separate from her job as a detective. She doesn’t show any NYPD logos or mention her detective work in the video. If she is paid for this, she would need to inform the department about her outside job.”

    Mercado’s choice of outfits has caused some controversy online. While some of her fellow detectives believe she deserves respect because she has done good work, others are criticizing her for her choices. Retired NYPD Chief Michael Osgood commented that while some people think what officers do off duty is their own business, he feels her conduct is inappropriate. He said it doesn’t align with the values expected from a police officer, especially one investigating sensitive cases like special victims.

    Eric Sanders, a retired NYPD officer, added that the department should review Mercado’s actions to ensure public trust remains strong. Mercado has a yearly salary of $144,000 and works in the Bronx’s special victims unit. She joined the police force in 2018. The video was filmed in 2022 at Club Vanity in NYC, and S-Quire mentioned he didn’t realize she was a detective when they met. Now, it’s unclear if Mercado will face any consequences for her side job.

  • Fadnavis Defends Projects and Unveils Exciting Developments for Maharashtra

    Fadnavis Defends Projects and Unveils Exciting Developments for Maharashtra

    Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently criticized Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), saying that he doesn’t want to hold up any ongoing projects like Thackeray did. During a speech thanking Governor CP Radhakrishnan for his address to the legislature, Fadnavis emphasized that the decisions made while Eknath Shinde was Chief Minister were made together by him and Ajit Pawar, not just by Shinde alone.

    Fadnavis highlighted how the Mahayuti government, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, works together with all leaders contributing to decisions. He defended himself against accusations of stopping projects, explaining that sometimes officials might delay something because it doesn’t meet central guidelines, but people still blame him.

    He mentioned that the last assembly elections showed strong support for the Mahayuti, with people trusting their leadership. Fadnavis shared that his government has a new 100-day action plan aimed at improving how things work at all levels of government. The Quality Council of India will judge each department based on its performance during this time, and the top achievers will be recognized on May 1.

    Fadnavis also announced that Mumbai’s Metro 3, the longest underground metro line in India, will be fully open by June 2025, with all metro lines set to finish by 2027. He criticized the opposition for praising Gujarat’s investment, saying Maharashtra has attracted three times more investment than Gujarat.

    He introduced the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, a 802-kilometer road that will improve travel in Marathwada and connect different regions of Maharashtra to Goa. He mentioned that 200 farmers supported the project during a meeting.