Category: News

  • Netanyahu’s Vow: Responding to Hamas Over Hostage Body Confusion

    Netanyahu’s Vow: Responding to Hamas Over Hostage Body Confusion

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised strong action after a ceasefire violation by Hamas. Hamas recently released a body that was meant to be that of Shiri Bibas, a mother with two young sons. However, it was revealed that the body was not hers, raising serious concerns about the fragile ceasefire agreement in place.

    As part of the ongoing ceasefire, six living hostages are set to be released on Saturday, following the handover of four bodies by Hamas, including those of Shiri’s sons, Kfir and Ariel, as well as 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz. Only Lifshitz and the two boys were correctly identified; the fourth body was identified as a woman from Gaza, not Shiri Bibas or any other Israeli hostage.

    Netanyahu expressed his determination to bring Shiri and all hostages back home, stating, “Hamas will pay the full price for this cruel violation.” He emphasized the loss of Lifshitz and the Bibas boys, declaring that their memory would live on in Israel’s heart.

    The return of the wrong body shocked many, particularly the Bibas family, which has become a symbol of the struggle of Israeli hostages. During the current truce, which started in January, Hamas has been releasing living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. This was the first time body remains of deceased hostages were returned.

    The Israeli army reported that the fourth body released was still unidentified. The Bibas family has been informed, including Yarden Bibas, who had been released earlier this month.

    Hamas claims that Lifshitz and the Bibas family were killed by Israeli airstrikes, while Israel argues that they were killed by their captors. US envoy Adam Boehler called the release of the wrong body “horrific” and a “clear violation” of the ceasefire. He warned Hamas could face serious consequences if they do not release all hostages.

    It remains uncertain how this incident will impact the scheduled hostage swap on Saturday. Hamas plans to release more bodies next week, completing the first phase of the ceasefire. However, there are worries about the truce continuing past early March.

    Recently, explosions were reported in central Israel. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the Israeli military is increasing its presence in the West Bank, which might lead to further conflicts.

    If all goes as scheduled, Hamas will still have around 60 hostages left, with half believed to be alive. Hamas has stated it will not release the rest without a lasting ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Netanyahu, supported by the Trump administration, aims to destroy Hamas and return the hostages, which many see as opposing goals.

    Overall, the situation remains tense and unpredictable, with many innocent lives affected by the ongoing conflict.

  • CAG Report to be Presented in Delhi Assembly: Key Details Revealed

    CAG Report to be Presented in Delhi Assembly: Key Details Revealed

    BJP MLA Vijender Gupta, who is nominated to be the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, announced that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report will be presented on February 25. This report will be a key topic during the assembly session, which will happen over three days: February 24, 25, and 27.

    On February 24, all 70 members of the Delhi Legislative Assembly will take their oaths. After that, they will vote for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Gupta explained that the first thing they will discuss after the elections is the CAG report. He mentioned that the report has already been received by the Speaker’s office.

    BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam also spoke earlier in the day, saying that anyone involved in wrongdoing will be held accountable. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised that the CAG report would be presented during the very first session of the new assembly.

    The CAG report highlighted a big revenue loss of ₹2,026 crore linked to mistakes in the Delhi government’s alcohol policy. It pointed out problems like a lack of fairness in price-setting and not punishing those who did wrong.

  • Power Sector In 2023-24: Balancing Government and Private Players

    Power Sector In 2023-24: Balancing Government and Private Players

    In 2023-24, three major industries experienced a big boost in their value, and the power sector stands out because it has a nearly equal mix of government-owned companies and private companies. This is important because other sectors like railways and defense mostly have government companies, which are seeing a drop in their value. Even though the power industry has some large government-owned companies, it’s also feeling some pressure from these changes in other sectors. However, what people are missing is that there are positive developments happening in the power sector that may not be immediately visible.

  • Two Arrested for Threatening to Bomb Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s Car

    Two Arrested for Threatening to Bomb Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s Car

    The Mumbai police have arrested two people from Buldhana for sending an email that threatened to bomb the car of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The two suspects are Mangesh Achyutrao Wayal, 35, and Abhay Gajanan Shingane, 22. Both live in Deulgaon Mahi, a town in Buldhana district in Maharashtra.

    The threat email was sent to the Goregaon Police Station. In response, the police filed a report against the accused under specific laws related to threats and public safety. The police will bring the suspects to Mumbai for further questioning, and an investigation is ongoing

  • TikTok Returns: Downloads Surge, Rivals Fall!

    TikTok Returns: Downloads Surge, Rivals Fall!

    TikTok is back on mobile app stores in the US! When TikTok was taken down, a competing app called Xiaohongshu, also known as Rednote or China’s Instagram, became very popular. However, after TikTok came back, downloads of Rednote dropped by an incredible 91% in just five days.

    According to Sensor Tower, TikTok’s downloads more than doubled once it reappeared on Apple and Google app stores. Other social apps like YouTube, Snap, Facebook, and Instagram also saw fewer downloads after TikTok returned.

    Even though TikTok is back, it cost its parent company, ByteDance, a lot of money—about $142 million in US spending was lost while the app was gone.

    TikTok’s future in the US isn’t certain yet. Former President Trump gave ByteDance 75 more days to sell TikTok’s US operations or risk facing a ban. So far, ByteDance has said no to selling, while various companies have shown interest, including Perplexity AI and Frank McCourt, a former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

    Currently, people in the US spend about $4.7 million a day on TikTok, which is slightly less than before it was removed. TikTok has 170 million users in the US, and because of its popularity, other platforms like YouTube and Instagram are changing to keep up with TikTok’s success.

  • Renu Bhatnagar & Rajneesh Gupta Appointed as Delhi High Court Judges

    Renu Bhatnagar & Rajneesh Gupta Appointed as Delhi High Court Judges

    On Friday, Renu Bhatnagar and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta became judges of the Delhi High Court. Their appointment brings the total number of judges to 41, out of a maximum of 60. Chief Justice DK Upadhyay administered their oaths, just a day after the Indian government announced their positions. On Wednesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared the news on X (formerly Twitter).

    The recommendations to appoint Bhatnagar and Gupta were made by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and two other judges on February 6. They stated, “On February 5, 2025, the Supreme Court collegium approved the following judicial officers as judges of the Delhi High Court: Renu Bhatnagar and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta.”

    Before becoming judges, Bhatnagar was the principal and district sessions judge at Karkardooma court, while Gupta served as the principal district and sessions judge in the Saket Court. Both judges started their careers in the Delhi Judicial Services in 1992. Bhatnagar was promoted to a higher judicial service in August 2003, and Gupta got his promotion in 2006.

    Over their 30 years of service, Bhatnagar has worked in various courts, handling cases in civil, criminal, labor laws, and family matters at different court locations, including Tis Hazari, Patiala House, Karkardooma, Dwarka, and Saket Courts.

  • Mayawati Fires Back at Rahul Gandhi: Congress’s Double Standards Exposed

    Mayawati Fires Back at Rahul Gandhi: Congress’s Double Standards Exposed

    Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati responded to Rahul Gandhi’s criticisms about her party’s current strategy. In a message on X, Mayawati mentioned that many people believe the Congress party acted like a “B team” for the BJP during the recent Delhi Assembly elections, which helped the BJP win. She pointed out that Congress performed poorly, with many of its candidates losing their deposits.

    Mayawati advised Rahul Gandhi to reflect on his own party’s issues before criticizing others, especially her party. Gandhi, while speaking to Dalit students in Raebareli, expressed disappointment that Mayawati did not join forces with him to fight against the BJP, suggesting that their unity could have led to a different election outcome.

    In several posts, Mayawati highlighted that in regions where Congress is strong, there is a hostility towards the BSP and its supporters. She accused Congress of being inconsistent by talking about an alliance with the BSP only when it suits them.

    After Gandhi’s comments, BSP members protested in Raebareli by putting up posters accusing him of being two-faced, claiming he pretends to help Dalits while also trying to undermine Mayawati, who has been a long-time supporter of the Dalit community.

  • EU Urged to Keep Strong 2025 Car Emission Rules for Electric Vehicles

    EU Urged to Keep Strong 2025 Car Emission Rules for Electric Vehicles

    European electric transport groups are urging the European Union (EU) to stick to strong 2025 car emission rules instead of making them easier. They wrote a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, saying the EU should not allow delays in lowering carbon dioxide emissions from cars or change how fines are calculated. They want any fines to help pay for the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

    Some car makers in Europe are struggling to compete with cheaper Chinese cars and fear hefty fines that could reach 15 billion euros if they can’t meet the emission limits by 2025. However, the electric transport groups believe that extending the deadline will only delay Europe’s progress in electric vehicles and hurt investments in charging stations and battery manufacturing.

    E-Mobility Europe and ChargeUp Europe, the groups that sent the letter, represent EV makers and those who build charging stations. They insisted that Europe’s charging stations are not as crowded as car makers claim and actually have room for many more vehicles. Aurélien de Meaux, a guy in charge of a charging company, warned that loosening the car rules would be a big mistake.

    The groups pointed to the launch of 11 new affordable EV models and a 40% rise in EV sales in January 2025 as proof that meeting the 2025 targets is possible. De Meaux also mentioned that the 15 billion euro fine estimates were incorrect and that real fines could be around 4 to 6 billion euros, which could be halved using credit trading.

    Both groups support setting targets or offering incentives for business car fleets to go electric since they make up about 60% of new car sales.

  • Dhananjay Munde Diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, Shares Health Update

    Dhananjay Munde Diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, Shares Health Update

    Maharashtra’s Minister Dhananjay Munde shared some surprising news on Thursday. He revealed that he has Bell’s palsy, a condition that has made it hard for him to talk and attend important meetings. He also mentioned that he recently had surgery on both of his eyes two weeks ago.

    Munde wrote on X that he had eye surgery under the care of renowned doctor Padma Shri Dr. T.P. Lahane. After the surgery, Dr. Lahane advised him to keep his eyes safe from bright light, dust, and the sun for 10 days.

    While healing from his eye surgery, he discovered he had Bell’s palsy. He is currently being treated by Dr. Arun Shah at Reliance Hospital. Because of Bell’s palsy, he finds it very difficult to speak clearly for even a short time. This issue has stopped him from attending a couple of cabinet meetings and public events, known as Janata Darbar programs.

    Munde has told Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his party leader, Ajit Pawar, about his health problems. He is hopeful that he will be able to return to public duties once he recovers.

    What is Bell’s Palsy?
    Bell’s palsy is a health issue that suddenly causes weakness or paralysis in the muscles of the face. It usually gets worse within 48 hours. Luckily, most people recover in two weeks to six months. Although doctors don’t know exactly what causes it, it might be related to conditions like diabetes, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), high blood pressure, or Lyme disease. Bell’s palsy can cause difficulties like not being able to close one eye and having trouble with facial expressions like smiling or blinking.

  • Is Now the Right Time to Invest in Nifty Stocks?

    Is Now the Right Time to Invest in Nifty Stocks?

    Recently, the Nifty index dropped by 16% when looking at US dollars since it hit a high in September. This drop has led many to wonder if it’s a good time to buy stocks, especially since 29 out of 50 Nifty companies have prices below their average from the past five years.

    Looking at some specific company numbers, Tata Motors is currently priced at a low P/E (price-to-earnings) ratio of 7.89, while its average has been 15.77—this is a big drop! Asian Paints is also down, with its P/E falling from 69.73 to 50.70, a 34% price drop from its peak. On the other hand, Reliance Industries, a big player in India, is at a P/E of 24, which is just slightly below its five-year average of 25.23.

    Some stocks have held steady despite the market drop. For example, HUL (Hindustan Unilever) has a P/E of 49.22, compared to an average of 62.10, while Sun Pharma sits at 35.21 versus 41.46. This shows that people still trust businesses in the consumer goods and healthcare sectors.

    However, IT stocks like Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and HCL Tech are doing well and are priced higher than their averages. Experienced investor Manish Chokhani thinks the market’s drop is actually good news. He mentioned, “Markets have corrected to give investors a chance to buy stocks they want for the long term.” He also pointed out that during good times, people “rent” stocks, but in tough times, they find their real owners again.

    Chokhani believes this drop can help investors purchase shares in good companies at lower prices. Even large companies are now trading at about 19 times what they’re expected to earn next year, but the market can move up and down quickly.

    Foreign investors are pulling out money due to worries about company earnings and tariffs from former US President Trump, leading to a 16% decline in the Nifty in USD since its peak in September 2024. Mid-cap and small-cap stocks have suffered worse with drops of 21% and 23%, respectively. Additionally, the Nifty’s P/E ratio has fallen to 19 from a peak of 21.3.

    The earnings season has been tough, with companies announcing lower profits. Nomura noted that earnings estimates for companies in the Nifty50 were lowered by 3.5% since January 2025.

    Anand K Rathi from MIRA Money sees things similarly. He thinks that prices of many stocks are starting to look more reasonable. Rathi advises a smart investment strategy, like investing slowly over the next few months, especially as companies report their earnings. This way, investors can take advantage of price changes and position themselves well when the market bounces back.

    In conclusion, although many Nifty stocks are trading lower than their usual prices, caution is still important as market ups and downs continue. A gradual investment approach may help deal with risks, and focusing on strong companies is essential. Overall, this market might hold some exciting opportunities for thoughtful investors.