Category: News

  • Language Controversy in Mumbai: Why Marathi Matters

    Language Controversy in Mumbai: Why Marathi Matters

    Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, a senior leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), talked about the languages spoken in Mumbai and caused some confusion. He mentioned that Mumbai doesn’t only have one language. According to him, different areas speak different languages, and in Ghatkopar, for example, many people speak Gujarati. He suggested that living in Mumbai doesn’t mean you need to speak Marathi, the main language of Maharashtra.

    However, after his comments got a lot of attention, Joshi clarified his statement. He told ANI that he didn’t mean to say Marathi wasn’t important. He confirmed that while many languages are spoken in Mumbai, Marathi is still the main language, since Mumbai is in Maharashtra. He expects that people moving to the city should make an effort to learn and understand Marathi.

    In support of this, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, stated that learning Marathi is important because it is part of the state’s culture and identity. He emphasized that everyone living in Mumbai should know the language.

    Aaditya Thackeray from the Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating that people from other places should respect the local language, just like they do in other states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

  • Indian Stocks Rise: RBI Boosts Banks and Investors Cheer Lower Oil Prices!

    Indian Stocks Rise: RBI Boosts Banks and Investors Cheer Lower Oil Prices!

    Indian stock markets experienced a positive day on Thursday for the second time in a row. Investors bought stocks that were undervalued, and financial stocks went up after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to add $21 billion in cash to banks. Energy stocks also did well due to lower oil prices. The markets were helped by U.S. President Donald Trump’s temporary decision to hold off on tariffs for car imports from Mexico and Canada.

    The main index, BSE Sensex, increased by 609.86 points, finishing at 74,340.09. The broader Nifty 50 index rose by 207.40 points to reach 22,544.70.

    Key Highlights:

    – Reliance Industries, which is one of the biggest companies on the stock market, saw its shares rise by 3%. Several financial analysts said it’s a good time to invest in this stock.
    – Energy stocks gained 2% as crude oil prices dropped. Asian Paints, a popular paint brand, saw its shares jump by 4.8%.
    – Financial stocks increased by 0.5%, helped by the RBI’s decision to provide more funds to banks. So far this year, the RBI has injected a total of Rs 4.5 lakh crore since mid-January.
    – Zydus Lifesciences shares rose by 2.1% after getting approval for a leukemia drug from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    The trend in the broader market was also positive, with the Nifty Midcap 100 rising by 0.4% and the Nifty Smallcap 100 jumping by 1.3%.

    Experts are optimistic about the market, especially after Trump’s decision eased worries about trade. They also noted that falling oil prices, due to reduced demand, are giving a boost to energy and metal sectors.

    One analyst, Vinod Nair, mentioned that the market shows strength from key financial stocks. The Nifty index is recovering, and there is optimism for further gains unless it falls below 22,300.

  • U.S. Halts Military Planes for Deporting Illegal Immigrants

    U.S. Halts Military Planes for Deporting Illegal Immigrants

    The U.S. government is stopping the use of military planes to deport illegal immigrants. According to the Wall Street Journal, this decision is based on high costs. The military flights to send back illegal immigrants were found to be much more expensive than regular civilian flights. For example, deporting people to India cost about $3 million per flight, and even flights to Guantanamo Bay cost over $20,000 per person.

    Using military planes made these flights take longer and carry fewer people, which added to the costs. A recent flight to deport immigrants was canceled, and officials said this pause might continue for a long time. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that breaking the law could lead to serious consequences, hinting that some might end up in Guantanamo Bay.

    So far, military planes have taken several migrants back to different countries, including India and Guatemala. Many deportees reported being handcuffed and chained during their flights, which does not sound comfortable at all.

    Overall, the Trump administration is focused on cracking down on illegal immigration, but now they have to find a more affordable way to handle deportations.

  • Trump Thanks Pakistan for Capturing ISIS-K Terrorist Linked to Abbey Gate

    Trump Thanks Pakistan for Capturing ISIS-K Terrorist Linked to Abbey Gate

    In a recent speech to Congress, former US President Donald Trump thanked Pakistan for helping catch a man named Mohammad Shareefullah, also known as “Jafar.” Jafar is connected to ISIS-K and was reportedly part of several dangerous attacks, including the bombing near Abbey Gate during the US exit from Afghanistan in August 2021. This bombing tragically killed 13 American soldiers and injured many others.

    Trump said that the US is “standing strong against the forces of radical Islamic terrorism” and criticized how the Biden administration managed the withdrawal from Afghanistan. He called it “disastrous” and “perhaps the most embarrassing moment in our country’s history.”

    He mentioned that the arrest of Jafar was a major success that would bring some peace to the families of those lost in the Abbey Gate attack. “Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity,” Trump stated.

    After Trump’s speech, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked him for recognizing Pakistan’s efforts in fighting terrorism. He said that Shareefullah, an Afghan national, was caught during an operation near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

    Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s ongoing fight against terrorism, stating, “Pakistan has always played a key role in stopping terrorists.” He also expressed his country’s commitment to work closely with the US to maintain regional peace and stability, emphasizing their resolve in defeating terrorism.

  • Jatin Hukkeri Faces Investigation Amidst Wife’s Gold Smuggling Arrest

    Jatin Hukkeri Faces Investigation Amidst Wife’s Gold Smuggling Arrest

    Jatin Hukkeri, husband of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, is in the spotlight after her recent arrest in Bengaluru for alleged gold smuggling. The police claim Jatin frequently traveled with Ranya to Dubai. Ranya, married to Jatin in a grand wedding at Taj West End, raised eyebrows for taking four trips to Dubai in just 15 days.

    The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore (about $1.5 million) from Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport. After that, officials searched her home, finding gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash. In total, almost ₹17.29 crore (around $2 million) was seized, marking a significant fight against organized gold smuggling.

    Ranya is the stepdaughter of senior police officer Ramachandra Rao, who is currently the Chairman of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.

    Who is Jatin Hukkeri?

    Jatin Hukkeri has a degree in Architecture & Interior Design from RV College of Engineering in Bengaluru. He also studied at the Royal College of Art in London, focusing on innovative market ideas.

    According to the Della Leaders Club, Jatin started off in Bengaluru’s restaurant business with cool designs and has since made a name for himself in India and London. He is the Founder and Creative Director of WDA & DECODE LLC and established Craft CoDe.

    His LinkedIn profile describes him as an experienced designer in Hospitality Architecture and planning, skilled in custom interiors and recreation design. One of his famous projects is Hangover, a cocktail bar and diner in Bengaluru. He shared that its design is unique because it allows airflow throughout the place.

    His clients include popular spots in Bengaluru like Hangover, Bangalore XOOX, and Olive Beach. He has also worked on projects in Delhi and Mumbai, including Monkey Bar in Delhi and Gateway Taproom in Mumbai.

  • Rising Support for Nitrogen Gas Executions: What You Need to Know

    Rising Support for Nitrogen Gas Executions: What You Need to Know

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After Alabama’s first execution using nitrogen gas last January, the attorney general encouraged other states to try this method, and now some are starting to act. For instance, Louisiana plans to execute a man using nitrogen gas on March 18, and Arkansas lawmakers are considering it too after a long break from executions.

    Nitrogen gas is seen as a way for states to continue carrying out death sentences because they are running low on the drugs used for lethal injections. However, there are many arguments about whether this method is right, especially because of what some inmates experienced during their executions.

    Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall believes nitrogen hypoxia is a humane way to execute someone. But critics, like Rev. Jeff Hood, who saw the first nitrogen execution in Alabama, think it’s cruel.

    How does nitrogen execution work?
    In this method, an inmate breathes pure nitrogen gas, which takes away the oxygen they need. In Alabama, the person is strapped to a gurney and wears a gas mask, with nitrogen being pumped in for several minutes after their heart stops.

    What happened in Alabama’s executions?
    Alabama has carried out four nitrogen executions. People in the room reported that the inmates seemed to shake and gasp during the process. A doctor observing inmate Alan Miller said it looked painful, comparing it to waterboarding. State officials, however, say these movements are normal reactions to lack of oxygen.

    Louisiana’s plans to use nitrogen
    Louisiana plans to use a gas mask for the execution of Jessie Hoffman on March 18. If this goes through, it will be the second state to use nitrogen gas for executions after Alabama. Hoffman’s lawyers argue that he is being used as a test case for this new method.

    Louisiana’s Attorney General Liz Murrill mentioned that they expect to carry out multiple executions this year in order to provide justice for the victims’ families.

    Arkansas lawmakers consider nitrogen execution
    In Arkansas, lawmakers recently approved a bill to allow nitrogen gas for executions. Supporters believe this will help the state resume executions, as they haven’t killed anyone since 2017. The bill passed with many votes and needs Senate approval, with some lawmakers pushing for it after hearing from victims’ families.

    Many drug companies do not want their products used in lethal injections, which is why there’s a push for alternatives like nitrogen. Arkansas has 25 inmates on death row, but Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders hasn’t stated her plans regarding the new legislation yet.

    Experts are concerned about the secrecy surrounding these executions, questioning why states are moving to this “experimental” method. Legal challenges are expected in Arkansas, especially after the issues faced in Alabama executions.

  • Deadly Bus Crash Near Eluru: 3 Lives Lost and 20 Injured

    Deadly Bus Crash Near Eluru: 3 Lives Lost and 20 Injured

    In a tragic accident early Thursday, at least three people lost their lives and 20 others were hurt when a private bus crashed into a truck near Chodimellu village in Eluru. The bus was on its way from Hyderabad to Kakinada when it went too fast and hit a truck carrying cement. The crash was so powerful that three passengers died right away, and the others were rushed to Eluru Hospital for help. Among the injured, the bus driver is in very serious condition.

    The Eluru Rural Police shared the news, confirming that the bus was traveling to Kakinada from Hyderabad and that speeding seemed to be the cause of the crash. Authorities are looking into the accident’s details, and they haven’t yet shared the names of those who died.

    In a different accident in Andhra Pradesh’s YSR district, three more people died when a lorry crashed on Maddimadugu Ghat Road. The lorry, which was bringing fish feed from Bengaluru to Eluru, lost its brakes and fell 50 feet into a valley. Both the driver and the cleaner died, with the cleaner passing away at a hospital. The accident was so severe it split the lorry into three pieces.

    Officials are reminding drivers to be careful, especially on fast roads and hills. Investigations for both accidents are still happening.

  • Security Breach During Jaishankar’s Visit: Pro-Khalistan Protest in London

    Security Breach During Jaishankar’s Visit: Pro-Khalistan Protest in London

    During a recent trip to London, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar faced a security scare when a supporter of Khalistan rushed towards his car and tore the Indian flag. This happened as Jaishankar was leaving the Chatham House, where he had just finished a discussion.

    A video shows the man running aggressively toward Jaishankar’s convoy. The police were initially slow to react, which allowed the protester to rip the flag while others nearby shouted slogans in support of Khalistan. After a short delay, the police stepped in and took the protester and others in his group away.

    Outside Chatham House, another video showed a larger group of Khalistan supporters protesting with flags and chanting slogans. Jaishankar was in the UK from March 4 to March 9 for official talks.

    During his visit, Jaishankar met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. They talked about many important topics, including how both countries could work together on trade, education, and technology.

    In his discussion at Chatham House, Jaishankar strongly defended India’s stance on Kashmir. He said that India does not need help from anyone else to resolve the issue. He explained the steps India has taken, like removing Article 370, helping the local economy, and encouraging elections. He pointed out that the main problem is the part of Kashmir that Pakistan controls. “We’re waiting for the return of the part of Kashmir that Pakistan is holding illegally. Once that happens, I promise Kashmir will be resolved,” Jaishankar stated.

  • Southern States Fear Losing Power in Delimitation Debate

    Southern States Fear Losing Power in Delimitation Debate

    The debate over how to draw new voting districts, known as delimitation, is back in focus and could shape the politics of India for years to come. Recently, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has called for the southern states to stand united against this delimitation challenge, saying it’s like a sword hanging over them.

    States like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala are worried about losing their fair share of representation in Parliament. Meanwhile, states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh could gain more seats just because they have larger populations. This seems unfair to southern states that have had successful population control measures through education and better healthcare.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured that Tamil Nadu will not lose any seats due to delimitation. However, this raises questions. If seats for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar increase, how will that not affect southern states? It feels unfair to the southern states, as they feel punished for successfully controlling their population growth.

    Delimitation is about giving more seats to Hindi-speaking states based on population, which leads to a major concern: why should southern states pay the price for their success in controlling population growth? The Centre and the BJP argue that this process is not meant to be discriminatory, but southern states see it differently. They want a review of this approach and the criteria used for delimitation.

    The head of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit suggested that discussions about delimitation were distractions from more pressing issues like corruption and governance. But it’s important to note that southern states are united in their concerns about this issue. Leaders like Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Telangana’s Chief Minister Revanth Reddy have expressed distrust in the government’s assurances regarding delimitation.

    Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is also likely to voice his concerns over delimitation. As the situation gets serious, this issue could significantly affect the BJP government, and they can’t ignore it.

    During a recent all-party meeting in Tamil Nadu about delimitation, the BJP boycotted the event, which raises questions about their willingness to discuss these critical issues. There’s a need for all southern states to rally together for justice. This isn’t just fear-mongering from the DMK; it’s a genuine concern that needs to be addressed.

  • Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested in Gold Smuggling Scandal

    Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested in Gold Smuggling Scandal

    Ranya Rao, a Kannada film actress, was arrested for smuggling gold after being watched for months by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Her father, K Ramachandra Rao, a senior police officer, said he is not involved in her actions.

    The DRI suspected Ranya because she traveled a lot to Dubai with her husband, Jatin Hukkeri, who is an architect. They noticed a strange pattern: she made four trips to Dubai in just 15 days! In total, she traveled to Dubai 30 times last year, which made officials think she might be involved in smuggling.

    On Monday, when she returned to Bengaluru, she tried to avoid security checks with help from a police constable named Basavaraju. DRI stopped her and found gold in her bag. Ranya was arrested and taken for questioning. When they investigated her home, they found gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore (around $250,000) and ₹2.67 crore (around $330,000) in cash.

    The DRI confirmed that the total value of everything they found is around ₹17.29 crore (over $2 million), which includes 14.2 kg of gold. Ranya has been accused under the Customs Act and is now in jail for 14 days. During questioning, she claimed someone forced her to smuggle.

    Meanwhile, the police arrested the constable Basavaraju for helping her challenge security at the airport. Ranya’s stepfather, DGP K Ramachandra Rao, stated he has no connection to her smuggling activities, saying she got married only a few months ago and hasn’t talked to him since.

    The Karnataka Home Minister, G. Parameshwara, has asked for a detailed report from the police following Ranya’s arrest. He mentioned that investigations are ongoing, but he cannot comment more until they get more information.