Category: News

  • Heron Saved from Plastic: A Symbol of Wildlife and Pollution Awareness

    Heron Saved from Plastic: A Symbol of Wildlife and Pollution Awareness

    A heron flew high in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday after veterinarians saved it from a terrible fate. The bird had a plastic cup stuck to its neck, making it hard to eat and breathe. When they rescued it, many people in Brazil became upset about how plastic pollution harms animals in the city known for its beautiful mountains and beaches.

    As the heron was released from its cage, it paused, looking around before taking off into the sky, its wings spread wide as it soared over the river in a neighborhood called Recreio dos Bandeirantes. “I hope it doesn’t find any more plastic on its journey,” said Jeferson Pires, a vet who spotted the heron and shared its story on social media.

    Before it was rescued, the logo of a popular drink was easy to see on the cup stuck to the heron’s neck. Videos showed the bird trying hard to remove the cup with its orange beak. Environmentalist Isabelle de Loys said, “This highlights how plastic affects wildlife.”

    The cup blocked the heron from eating, which could have led to starvation in just days without surgery. At one point, the heron even vomited a fish it couldn’t swallow because of the cup. Pires explained that injuries on the bird’s neck were likely from its attempts to eat, leaving it a bit underweight.

    Thanks to Pires’ social media posts, the heron became a symbol for environmental awareness, receiving attention from many news outlets in Brazil and sparking anger over the effects of single-use plastics.

    After the cup was removed, Pires was excited to let the heron go back to its home in the wild. “We had no reason to keep her,” he said. This bird, called a Cocoi heron, is the largest heron species in Latin America and can weigh up to 3 kg (7 lbs) with wings about 40 cm (16 inches) long.

  • Chhattisgarh Accident: 6 Killed, 7 Injured in SUV and Truck Crash

    Chhattisgarh Accident: 6 Killed, 7 Injured in SUV and Truck Crash

    In a tragic accident in Balod district, Chhattisgarh, six people lost their lives, and seven others were hurt when their SUV crashed into a truck late Sunday night. The group, who were from the Gunderdehi area, were returning from a family party when the accident happened.

    The SUV hit the truck head-on. Sadly, six out of the 13 people in the SUV died right away. The victims included a young boy named Jignesh Kumbhkar, who was just 7 years old, and four women: Sumitra Bai Kumbhkar (50), Manisha Kumbhkar (35), Sagun Bai Kumbhkar (50), and Imla Bai (55).

    The seven injured, including five women and a child, were taken to a local health center before being sent to Rajnandgaon district hospital for better treatment. Authorities have filed a report about the accident and are looking into what happened.

  • Biden Takes Major Last-Minute Actions Before Trump’s Return”

    Biden Takes Major Last-Minute Actions Before Trump’s Return”

    As President Joe Biden’s time in office comes to an end, he plans to take important actions that include protecting land, offering clemency, and addressing artificial intelligence. He wants to leave a lasting mark before Donald Trump is inaugurated again.

    Biden’s team is working hard to finalize key initiatives before the new administration might reverse them. In a summary, White House communications director Ben LaBolt emphasized that a president’s impact lasts beyond their term. He said, “The results of Biden and Vice President Harris’s work will continue to grow in the future.”

    Trump is preparing to sign several orders on his first day that could undo Biden’s goals. With a narrow lead in the House of Representatives, it might be tricky for Republicans to make major changes, but they could still disrupt some of Biden’s accomplishments.

    As Democrats look for new strategies after Trump’s win over Kamala Harris, they are debating whether to keep Biden’s approach or try something new. Some supporters have criticized Biden, especially for pardoning his son, Hunter Biden.

    In the last few weeks of his presidency, Biden will push several initiatives. Last week, he held a meeting about women’s health and spoke about improving the economy. One area where Trump might rethink a decision is about renewable energy grants.

    LaBolt pointed out four areas where upcoming announcements will be made:

    1. Artificial Intelligence and Student Debt Relief: Details were not specified yet.
    2. Funding Initiatives: New funds from laws about computer chips, reducing inflation, and improving internet access.
    3. Environmental Protections: Biden will continue efforts to safeguard land and water.
    4. Clemency Measures: New pardons and sentence reductions may be announced soon, possibly to counteract expected actions from Trump.

    LaBolt also praised a deal to provide Micron Corp. with $6.2 billion to boost American chip production, which promises to create sustainable energy investments and jobs in New York and Idaho.

  • Israel Closes Embassy in Ireland Amid Palestine Recognition Tensions

    Israel Closes Embassy in Ireland Amid Palestine Recognition Tensions

    Israel has decided to shut down its embassy in Ireland. This is because Ireland recognized Palestine as a country and supported a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that the Irish government has unfairly criticized Israel and acted against it. He stated that the Irish government is trying to damage Israel’s reputation and support lies about it, especially during conflicts.

    Sa’ar mentioned that Ireland has not accepted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, and he believes the Irish government has not done enough to fight antisemitism itself.

    Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid disagreed with Sa’ar’s decision. He thinks that Israel should keep embassies in countries where there is disagreement, so they can address those conflicts directly.

    Ireland has been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and has often drawn comparisons to its own history of struggle against British rule. This year, Ireland recognized Palestine as a state and supported legal claims against Israel.

    Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris expressed disappointment over Israel’s decision and emphasized that Ireland is not anti-Israel. He stated that Ireland stands for peace, human rights, and international law. Ireland will continue to push for a two-state solution to allow both Israelis and Palestinians to live peacefully.

    Despite this, the Irish Foreign Minister said there are no plans to close Ireland’s embassy in Israel, and diplomatic relations will continue.

  • Jaishankar Advocates for India’s New Foreign Policy Vision”

    Jaishankar Advocates for India’s New Foreign Policy Vision”

    On Sunday, India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that India must develop a foreign policy suited for a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India). He believes that changes in the world require us to rethink how we approach foreign relations, moving past the old ways started by Jawaharlal Nehru.

    Jaishankar spoke at the launch of ‘India’s World’ magazine and emphasized that we should not be afraid to discuss a new direction in our foreign policy. He highlighted four important reasons to consider updating our approach:

    1. Old Models: Jaishankar mentioned that India’s earlier development approach led to a certain foreign policy style. As we change how we look at development in India, our foreign policy should also adapt.

    2. Changing World: The world has changed a lot since the mid-1900s when countries were either aligned or not. Now, relationships between countries have become more complex.

    3. Global Connections: In recent years, countries are more connected than ever, making international relations even more crucial.

    4. Technological Advances: Technology is now a big part of foreign policy decisions and our everyday lives.

    Jaishankar argued that if our country’s domestic situation changes, and the way countries interact changes, then our foreign policy must evolve too. He urged people not to view new ideas about foreign policy as political attacks, pointing out that previous leaders, like Narasimha Rao, have already begun this change.

    Finally, he stated that to achieve our dream of a developed India, we need a foreign policy that fits our rising aspirations.

  • Israel Closes Dublin Embassy Over Tensions With Ireland

    Israel Closes Dublin Embassy Over Tensions With Ireland

    Israel has decided to close its embassy in Dublin because of Ireland’s strong stance against it. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar mentioned that this action is a reaction to Ireland recognizing Palestine as a state and its support for taking legal steps against Israel.

    Back in May, Israel recalled its ambassador from Dublin after Ireland made its statement about Palestine. Recently, Dublin supported South Africa’s claims against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which involves serious accusations like genocide.

    Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris expressed disappointment over Israel’s decision, saying, “I completely disagree that Ireland is anti-Israel. We stand for peace, human rights, and international law.” He emphasized that Ireland wants a solution where both Israel and Palestine can coexist peacefully.

    Moreover, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin stated that while the World Court will decide on allegations like genocide, the attacks by Hamas on October 7 and the events in Gaza reflect a serious violation of humanitarian laws.

    In a separate update, Israel’s foreign ministry announced that it will open a new embassy in Moldova.

  • Indian Stock Market Rebounds: Key Insights You Need to Know

    Indian Stock Market Rebounds: Key Insights You Need to Know

    The Indian stock market bounced back from early losses to close in the positive zone on Friday. Tech stocks went up because people expect the U.S. to cut interest rates soon. Consumer stocks also recovered after a small drop of 1%, as the latest data showed that food prices in both urban and rural areas are still high.

    The main Indian stock index, BSE Sensex, rose by 843.16 points (about 1.04%) to finish at 82,133.12. The Nifty 50 index also went up by 219.60 points (around 0.89%) to close at 24,768.30.

    Vinod Nair, a senior analyst at Geojit Financial Services, said that the market quickly recovered from its low point and moved forward, helped by major companies in the index. The slight drop in food inflation and price increases by fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies have helped this sector do well. There is a feeling that consumer spending will rise due to the upcoming festive season and year-end holidays.

    Regarding the U.S. markets, major stock indexes had a mixed day. The S&P 500 remained almost the same, dropping by less than 0.1%. The Dow Jones fell by 0.2%, while the Nasdaq rose by 0.1%.

    In Europe, stocks went down due to uncertainty about interest rates and worries about economic growth. The pan-European STOXX 600 index dropped by 0.53%.

    Rupak De, a senior analyst at LKP Securities, shared that India’s equity market had a dramatic session with the Sensex’s weekly expiry. The Nifty found support at a key level before bouncing back up. He believes the trend remains strong, with the potential for a rise to 25,000 or more soon, while the lower support level is around 24,550.

    Most Active Stocks:
    The stocks that saw the most trading were Bharti Airtel (Rs 441.23 crore), Reliance Industries (Rs 139.13 crore), Zomato (Rs 101.48 crore), and others.

    Most Active in Volume:
    Stocks with the highest trading volume included Vodafone Idea (48.99 crore shares), YES Bank (9.73 crore shares), and IRB Infrastructure Developers (5.67 crore shares).

    Stocks with Strong Buying Interest:
    KPR Mill, Crisil, Westlife Foodworld, and Bharti Airtel were popular among buyers.

    52 Week Highs:
    A total of 227 stocks reached their highest prices in a year, while 35 stocks hit their lowest. Notable stocks hitting their highs include KPR Mill, Crisil, and HCL Tech.

    Stocks Under Selling Pressure:
    Some stocks that faced selling pressure were Phoenix Mills, KSB, and UCO Bank.

    Market Sentiment:
    The overall market feeling was neutral. Out of 4,105 stocks traded, 2,173 went down, 1,818 went up, and 114 remained unchanged

  • Aiyar Reflects: The Gandhis Shaped My Career, Not Just Politics

    Aiyar Reflects: The Gandhis Shaped My Career, Not Just Politics

    Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar recently talked about how his political journey has been shaped by the Gandhi family. Aiyar said that his career was both “made and unmade” because of them. He mentioned that for ten years, he did not have a chance to meet Sonia Gandhi one-on-one or have meaningful conversations with Rahul Gandhi. He has only met Priyanka Gandhi a couple of times.

    Aiyar stated, “The irony is that my political career was built by the Gandhis and also destroyed by them.” He added that he is still a member of the Congress party and will never join the BJP, despite being out of the party’s main activities.

    Aiyar, who was once an Indian Foreign Service officer before entering politics, recalled a surprising interaction with Sonia Gandhi. He once greeted her with a Christmas wish, and she responded by saying, “I’m not a Christian.” This left him surprised, as he identifies as a non-believer but respects all religions.

    In his upcoming book, “A Maverick in Politics,” Aiyar discusses the political changes in 2012. He believes that Pranab Mukherjee should have been made Prime Minister instead of being named President. Aiyar pointed out that during that time, both Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh were unwell, which affected the leadership of the Congress party.

    He mentioned that Pranab Mukherjee had the energy and ideas to lead the government. Aiyar thinks that if Pranab had become Prime Minister while Dr. Manmohan Singh was the President, the Congress party would still have lost the 2014 elections, but not by such a large margin

  • Vinesh Phogat Calls for Action on Farmers’ Protest Amid Urgent Situation

    Vinesh Phogat Calls for Action on Farmers’ Protest Amid Urgent Situation

    On Sunday, Congress MLA Vinesh Phogat said that India is in a serious situation similar to an emergency. He asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do something to help the farmers who are protesting, instead of just giving speeches. Phogat met farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri Border for a long time. Phogat showed his support for the farmers and said everyone in Punjab, Haryana, and across the country should join this protest.

    “He (Dallewal) is risking his life for others. We need action now, not just talks,” Phogat told ANI.

    On Sunday, Punjab’s Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, and an official from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mayank Mishra, met with Dallewal. They were trying to convince him to accept medical help because the Supreme Court asked them to check on him and help him since he started his fast on November 26. The meeting didn’t go well because Dallewal refused the medical aid and instead told the government to listen to farmers’ demands.

    Yadav said he told Dallewal that Punjab’s chief minister, Bhagwant Mann, is worried about him and even sent a message asking for medical help for Dallewal.

    Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni said that the farmers’ demands haven’t changed and urged the government to talk to them. “Farmers are protesting quietly, but nobody is listening. The government should call us for discussions and help find a solution,” he said

  • Trump Appoints Devin Nunes to Lead Intelligence Advisory Board

    Trump Appoints Devin Nunes to Lead Intelligence Advisory Board

    Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has chosen Devin Nunes to lead the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB). This board helps the President understand how well the intelligence agencies are working. Trump shared this news on his Truth Social platform, saying, “Devin will use his experience from being the former Chair of the House Intelligence Committee and his work to expose the Russia Hoax to provide me with his thoughts on the intelligence community’s effectiveness.”

    So, who is Devin Nunes? Here are some quick facts:

    1. Nunes is a strong supporter of Trump and is currently the CEO of Truth Social, a social media platform created by Trump in February 2022. He will do both jobs at the same time.

    2. He is a Republican and used to be a member of the House of Representatives from California.

    3. In December 2021, Nunes left Congress to become the CEO of Trump Media & Technology Group, which runs Truth Social.

    4. He was the Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in 2015 and released a memo in 2018 claiming the FBI was working against Trump. Some Democrats said the memo was misleading.

    5. This appointment is just one of many where Trump has chosen people linked to his media company, including Kash Patel for FBI director and Linda McMahon for the Department of Education, who are also on the board of Trump Media.