Category: News

  • Gyanesh Kumar Appointed as New Chief Election Commissioner of India

    Gyanesh Kumar Appointed as New Chief Election Commissioner of India

    Gyanesh Kumar has been named the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), according to the Union law ministry. He will take over from Rajiv Kumar, who is leaving the job when he turns 65 on Tuesday. CECs serve for six years or until they reach the age of 65, whichever comes first. Gyanesh Kumar is the first person to be appointed CEC under a new law about how election commissioners are chosen.

    His name was chosen by a committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi also on the panel. This meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office.

    Earlier that day, Congress suggested that the selection meeting should be postponed until after the Supreme Court hears a related case on February 19. Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said the government is trying to control the Election Commission instead of keeping it trustworthy by not including the Chief Justice of India in the selection committee.

    Singhvi said, “We believe the government should wait until the hearing is done before making any decisions.” He also criticized the new law for creating a system that favors the government when choosing Election Commissioners.

    According to Singhvi, this new committee goes against a Supreme Court ruling from March 2nd, 2023, which stated that the CEC and other Election Commissioners should be chosen by a team that includes the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India.

  • “Bannon Warns Republicans: Medicaid Cuts Could Harm Trump’s Base

    “Bannon Warns Republicans: Medicaid Cuts Could Harm Trump’s Base

    Right-wing activist and podcaster Steve Bannon has a serious warning for Republicans about cutting Medicaid. He says that if Medicaid is reduced, many working-class people who support Donald Trump will be affected. Bannon reminded his listeners that around 80 million people rely on Medicaid for their health care, including many Trump fans. He warned Republicans to think carefully before making cuts, as it could upset a lot of their supporters.

    On a recent episode of his show, War Room, Bannon talked about how Republicans are looking to cut government spending by a massive $880 billion between 2025 and 2034. These cuts are part of their early budget plans. Bannon said that these cuts would help the wealthy while hurting poorer people. He expressed doubt that these cuts would actually work and mentioned the confusion among lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

    Bannon just wants to see significant cuts made without causing too much damage to important services. He believes the upcoming government spending deadline on March 14 shouldn’t lead to a government shutdown

  • The Chosen Series Now Streaming Exclusively on Prime Video

    The Chosen Series Now Streaming Exclusively on Prime Video

    The Chosen is a show about the life of Jesus Christ. Now, it will be available only on Amazon’s Prime Video in the U.S. This is part of a big deal between 5&2 Studios, the company that makes the show, and Amazon MGM Studios. The deal also includes movie releases for new seasons.

    Where to Watch
    With this new agreement, all five seasons of The Chosen can be streamed exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S. Future seasons will also come out first on Prime Video. Before this, you could watch The Chosen on many different platforms, but those options have now ended.

    Theatrical Releases
    This partnership also means that Amazon MGM Studios will take care of movie releases for Seasons 6 and 7, which will show the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Season 5 will be in theaters next month, handled by Fathom Events in the U.S. and Trafalgar Releasing all over the world.

    Expanding The Chosen Universe
    Dallas Jenkins, the founder of 5&2 Studios, wants to grow The Chosen universe. They are planning a new unscripted show called The Chosen In The Wild, where Bear Grylls will take the cast, including Jenkins, on exciting outdoor adventures. There’s also an animated series called The Chosen Adventures in the works, which will tell the story of Jesus for younger viewers. Voices for the show will include Paul Walter Hauser and Yvonne Orji.

    FAQs
    – When will Season 5 be on Prime Video?
    Season 5 will start streaming on Prime Video in the U.S. this June.

    – What new projects are coming?
    We can look forward to The Chosen In The Wild with Bear Grylls and an animated series called The Chosen Adventures.

  • Major Bank Fraud: Rs 122 Crore Embezzlement Leads to Arrests in Mumbai

    Major Bank Fraud: Rs 122 Crore Embezzlement Leads to Arrests in Mumbai

    A high-ranking official at The New India Cooperative Bank has been arrested for allegedly stealing Rs 122 crore. Hitesh Mehta, the bank’s general manager, admitted to giving Rs 70 crore to a real estate developer to help complete a building project in Charkop, Kandivali. The developer, Dharmesh Paun, was also arrested.

    This case started when Devarshi Ghosh, the acting CEO of the bank, reported the missing money to the police. It was then handed over to the Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai police. They discovered that Mehta took money from the Prabhadevi and Goregaon branches of the bank.

    Both Mehta and Paun are in police custody until February 1. The authorities are investigating why the bank’s audits didn’t catch the missing money, which has been happening for five years. Mehta is also suspected of misusing some of the stolen money for his personal needs. Meanwhile, Paun claims he didn’t take all the money from Mehta, and it’s unclear if he applied for a loan from the bank.

    This whole situation came to light when officials from the Reserve Bank of India visited the bank’s office and noticed there was less cash than there should be.

  • Outgoing CEC Rajiv Kumar Calls for Respect for Election Results

    Outgoing CEC Rajiv Kumar Calls for Respect for Election Results

    In his farewell speech on Monday, Rajiv Kumar, the outgoing Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has often been unfairly blamed by people who do not want to accept the results of elections. He pointed out that blaming election officials after an election is becoming a common problem.

    Rajiv Kumar emphasized that candidates and their parties are involved in every part of the election process and that they should voice any issues during the process, not after the results are announced. He called for an end to this blame game.

    “Talking things out should always be the first choice. Even though the Commission stays calm and collected, it is upsetting to see this trend of blaming after losing,” he added.

    His comments come as some opposition parties claim that the ECI favors the ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The ECI has firmly denied these claims.

    For example, on February 7, Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the Congress party, stated that the number of voters in Maharashtra jumped by 39 lakh between Lok Sabha elections in April-June 2024 and the assembly elections in November. In the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party won 30 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. However, the BJP-led party won 230 out of the 288 assembly seats in the state.

    The opposition has also raised concerns about using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), asking to switch back to paper ballots. In October 2024, after losing to the BJP in Haryana despite the BJP’s ten-year rule, Congress shocked everyone by refusing to accept the election results, claiming that there was a big mismatch between votes counted and actual votes cast.

  • Everything You Need to Know About Presidents’ Day 2025

    Everything You Need to Know About Presidents’ Day 2025

    The United States celebrates Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 17, 2025. This special day honors all past U.S. presidents, but it started as a way to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Washington was born on February 22, but the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved the holiday to the third Monday in February, so people could enjoy a long weekend.

    While many people call it Presidents’ Day, some states like New York, Illinois, Virginia, Iowa, and Florida still call it Washington’s Birthday.

    Federal Holidays and Workers

    Not every worker gets a day off on federal holidays. These holidays mainly apply to government employees. Private companies can choose if they want to give their workers the day off or pay them extra if they work.

    List of Federal Holidays in 2025

    The U.S. has 11 federal holidays in 2025, plus one special day that happens every four years, Inauguration Day. Here’s the list:

    – January
    – New Year’s Day – January 1 (Wed)
    – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – January 20 (Mon)
    – Inauguration Day – January 20 (Mon, once every four years)

    – February
    – Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday) – February 17 (Mon)

    – May
    – Memorial Day – May 26 (Mon)

    – June
    – Juneteenth Day – June 19 (Thu)

    – July
    – Independence Day – July 4 (Fri)

    – September
    – Labor Day – September 1 (Mon)

    – October
    – Indigenous Peoples’ Day (also Columbus Day) – October 13 (Mon)

    – November
    – Veterans Day – November 11 (Tue)
    – Thanksgiving Day – November 27 (Thu)

    – December
    – Christmas Day – December 25 (Thu)

    Other Notable Days in 2025

    There are some important days in 2025 that aren’t federal holidays but are widely celebrated, including:

    – Valentine’s Day – February 14 (Fri)
    – St. Patrick’s Day – March 17 (Mon)
    – Good Friday – April 18 (Fri)

    Federal Holidays vs. State and Local Holidays

    While federal holidays apply to the national government, different states may celebrate local holidays. For example, Texas and Alabama have Confederate Memorial Day, and Hawaii and Alaska celebrate the days they became states.

    Some holidays have different names depending on where you are. Presidents’ Day can be called different names in different states, and while some places have Indigenous Peoples’ Day, others still call it Columbus Day.

    FAQs

    – How many U.S. federal holidays are there in a year?
    – There are 11 federal holidays each year, plus Inauguration Day, which is celebrated every four years.

    – Which country has the most federal holidays?
    – Nepal has the most public holidays in the world, with 39 holidays every year

  • Are Tom Cruise and Ana De Armas Dating? Here’s What We Know

    Are Tom Cruise and Ana De Armas Dating? Here’s What We Know

    There are new rumors that Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas might be dating! This speculation began after they were seen together on Valentine’s Day in London. They got into a taxi after enjoying dinner, and the pictures got fans talking.

    Fans are curious if they are just friends, working together, or if there is something more romantic happening. However, it’s interesting to note that both stars have never worked on a project together. According to reports, they have not collaborated in any way, and until now, there were no signs of a friendship between them.

    Ana de Armas was recently linked to Manuel Anido Cuesta, who is the stepson of Cuba’s president. They were seen getting cozy back in November 2024, so it’s unclear if she’s dating him or Tom Cruise.

    Despite the rumors, Ana has praised Tom Cruise in the past for doing his own stunts in movies. She said it’s hard work but rewarding, and although she isn’t at his level yet, she admires what he does.

    So, fans are left wondering: Are Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas in a relationship or just friends?

    ### FAQs
    – Are Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas dating?
    No one has confirmed it yet, but their Valentine’s Day dinner has sparked a lot of speculation.

    – Have they ever worked together?
    No, they haven’t worked on any projects together, making their outing even more interesting.

  • Ronaldo Rests: Al Nassr Faces Persepolis in AFC Champions League

    Ronaldo Rests: Al Nassr Faces Persepolis in AFC Champions League

    Cristiano Ronaldo, the star player for Al Nassr, is doing great this season! He has scored 16 goals and made three assists in the Saudi Pro League, plus six more goals in the AFC Champions League. However, ahead of the important match against Persepolis, fans are asking: Will Ronaldo play?

    The answer is no. Al Nassr has announced that Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Jader Duran will not play in today’s match against Persepolis. Although the team hasn’t said why, it seems they are giving Ronaldo some rest before more important games ahead. Reports say neither player is injured.

    Since Al Nassr has already made it to the knockout stage, they can afford to rest their star players. Even though fans will be disappointed not to see Ronaldo, the team must show how strong they are without him.

    Without Ronaldo, Al Nassr faces a big challenge. The last time he missed a game was in December 2024 against Al Sadd, and they lost 2-1. Al Nassr scored only once from an own goal by Romain Saiss, showing how much they rely on Ronaldo’s scoring ability.

    The match against Persepolis won’t be easy. The Iranian team is fighting for their chance to qualify too. Al Nassr’s other key players, like Sadio Mané and Marcelo Brozović, will need to shine in Ronaldo’s absence.

    Predicted Lineup for Al Nassr vs. Persepolis:

    – Goalkeeper: Bento
    – Defenders: Al Ghamdi, Simakan, Laporte, Al Nadji
    – Midfielders: Mané, Al Khaibari, Brozović, Otávio
    – Forwards: Al Fatil, Ghareeb

    This setup will push Sadio Mané to take on a bigger role in attack, while Brozović will need to keep control in midfield for stability.

    Match Prediction: Will Al Nassr win without Ronaldo?

    Al Nassr is generally a stronger team, but they might face challenges without Ronaldo. Persepolis has a good defense and likes to counter-attack. A lot will depend on how well Mané and Ghareeb perform.

    Match Prediction:
    – Al Nassr: 1
    – Persepolis: 1 (Possibly a draw)
    – If Al Nassr struggles to score, Persepolis might win 2-1.

  • Indian Market Holds Steady as Sensex Rebounds; Global Worries Persist

    Indian Market Holds Steady as Sensex Rebounds; Global Worries Persist

    The Indian stock market ended almost where it started on Monday. The Sensex index climbed back after dropping 702 points early in the day, finishing slightly up. This recovery came from strong performances by big banks and Reliance Industries. However, overall feelings in the market were weak because of worries about global trade, slowing company earnings, and ongoing selling by foreign investors.

    The BSE Sensex gained 57.65 points, ending at 75,996.86. The Nifty 50 index also rose, closing at 22,959.50, up by 30.25 points. Analysts like Vinod Nair from Geojit Financial Services feel that modest earnings growth and foreign investors selling stocks are holding back the market. Concerns over a weakened rupee and a growing trade deficit are making investors cautious.

    Even with recent drops in broader market indices, many stocks are still overvalued. There is some hope that easing trade worries from the U.S. and early signs of increased spending could help the market bounce back.

    In the U.S., stock markets were closed for George Washington’s birthday. Meanwhile, European stocks saw gains, particularly in defense-related shares, driven by talks of increased military spending due to the ongoing Ukraine war.

    Technically, the market has shown some signs of recovery, but overall sentiment remains weak. Buyers were active on the lower end of the trading range, but until the index crosses the 23,150 mark, selling may continue.

    Most active stocks included Godfrey Philips, Mahindra & Mahindra, and HDFC Bank, while the most traded stocks by volume were Vodafone Idea and YES Bank. A total of 69 stocks reached their highest prices in a year, but 907 stocks saw their lowest prices. Overall, the market sentiment was bearish with more stocks declining than advancing.

  • Ashley St. Clair Claims Elon Musk is the Father of Her Child

    Ashley St. Clair Claims Elon Musk is the Father of Her Child

    Ashley St. Clair, a 26-year-old author and supporter of former President Trump, recently made a shocking statement on social media. She claims that she had a baby with Elon Musk, who is well-known for being the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX.

    Just after saying she gave birth to baby number thirteen for Musk five months ago, St. Clair called him out for not acknowledging their child. She reminded him that they had agreed to co-parent and asked him to finish setting that up, according to reports.

    On February 15, St. Clair posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying that her team has been trying to reach out to Musk, but he hasn’t replied. Musk did respond to another post related to St. Clair, but not about her claim. Instead, he said, “Whoa,” when he saw an old joke she made about wanting to marry him.

    St. Clair, upset with criticisms on social media, told Musk that it would be better to discuss these issues privately and not online. Her representative, Brian Glicklich, stated they have been working on a plan to raise their child together and are hoping Musk will publicly recognize his role as a father soon.

    In another post, St. Clair accused Musk of reacting to some inappropriate photos shared online as well. She insists that they should keep these matters private for the child’s well-being.

    In Short: St. Clair wants Musk to accept their child publicly and finish making a co-parenting plan. Musk has not directly responded to her claims yet