Category: News

  • Deputy CM Calls for Death Penalty in Pune Bus Rape Case

    Deputy CM Calls for Death Penalty in Pune Bus Rape Case

    On Wednesday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar spoke out strongly against the rape of a woman in a bus at Swargate, Pune. He said the crime was very serious and that the person who did it should face the death penalty.

    Pawar shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “What happened to our sister in Pune is really sad and infuriating. What the accused did is awful, and he deserves no punishment other than death.”

    A 26-year-old woman was attacked while on a Shiv Shahi AC bus at the Swargate bus stop. The attacker, currently on the run, tricked her into an empty bus before committing the crime.

    The Deputy Chief Minister has told the Pune police to find the accused quickly and bring him to justice. He said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is also taking this crime very seriously.

    Pawar assured everyone in Maharashtra that the government will do everything possible to make sure the accused is caught and punished. He mentioned that the Minister for Women and Child Development, Aditi Tatkare, and Rupali Chakankar from the state women’s commission will provide help and support to the victim and her family.

    This incident has sparked protests, with some opposition leaders criticizing the Maharashtra government for rising crime rates. Protesters, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More, voiced their anger at the Swargate bus stop, claiming the government has failed to keep women safe.

  • Iran Boosts Uranium Production, Raising Global Concerns

    Iran Boosts Uranium Production, Raising Global Concerns

    Iran is making more near-weapons-grade uranium, which is causing worries as tensions rise with the U.S. after President Donald Trump took office. A recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) shows that as of early February, Iran has 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60%. This is a jump of 92.5 kilograms (203.9 pounds) since November.

    This 60% enriched uranium is just a step away from being weapons-grade, which is 90% enriched. Last November, Iran’s stockpile was 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds), and it was even less in August.

    The IAEA says that about 42 kilograms of uranium at 60% can be turned into one atomic bomb if it gets enriched to 90%. Overall, Iran has 8,294.4 kilograms (18,286 pounds) of enriched uranium, which is up by 1,690.0 kilograms (3,725.8 pounds) since the last report.

    Trump had earlier pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear deal with Iran and put sanctions back in place. He even ordered the killing of a key Iranian military leader, Qassem Soleimani.

    Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, the IAEA leader, Rafael Mariano Grossi, warned that Iran could make “several” nuclear bombs if it wanted to. While U.S. intelligence believes Iran hasn’t started a weapons program yet, it is getting ready to create a nuclear device if it chooses.

    Iran’s production of this uranium puts extra pressure on Trump, who has said he is open to talks with Iran while also increasing sanctions on their oil sales.

    Even Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hinted in August that talks with the U.S. could be possible but later stated that negotiating with America is not wise or honorable.

    The IAEA also said that Iran hasn’t changed its decision to ban some experienced inspectors from monitoring its nuclear activities. The report shows that despite suggesting they might accept more inspectors, they still haven’t agreed to it.

  • Shop Demolished After Family’s Anti-India Slogans Post Cricket Match

    Shop Demolished After Family’s Anti-India Slogans Post Cricket Match

    In Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, officials knocked down the shop of a scrap dealer named Kitabullah Khan after he and his family were arrested. They were accused of shouting “anti-India” slogans following India’s cricket victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy on February 23.

    Khan, 38 years old, was taken into custody late Sunday night after some local residents told the police about his actions. They claimed Khan and his family also cheered loudly when the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, got out. To protest against this, some people organized a bike rally in the area.

    Khan, his wife Ayesha, 35, and their 15-year-old son were arrested and faced charges, including promoting hatred between different groups. Following this, officials from the Malvan Municipal Council demolished Khan’s shop on Tarkarli Road, saying it was an “unauthorized” construction.

    Officials stated that they acted quickly because of the seriousness of the situation. India won the match against Pakistan by six wickets and moved on to the semifinals, while Virat Kohli scored a brilliant hundred. Meanwhile, Delhi police humorously commented on the loss, mentioning how some Pakistani fans break their TVs after losing to India in cricket.

  • DISA Data Breach Exposes Personal Info of 3.3 Million People

    DISA Data Breach Exposes Personal Info of 3.3 Million People

    Recently, a major leak occurred affecting over 3.3 million people in the U.S. DISA Global Solutions, a company that checks backgrounds and conducts tests for many businesses, including big companies, announced that they had a data breach.

    They found out about the breach on April 22, 2024, but the hackers had begun accessing their system back on February 9, 2024. This means the hackers had access to important information for more than two months without anyone noticing it.

    In a letter to those affected, DISA briefly mentioned that some personal information had been stolen. According to their filing with the attorney general of Massachusetts, about 360,473 people were affected. The types of leaked information include:

    – Social security numbers
    – Financial account details
    – Credit and debit card information
    – Driver’s license numbers

    However, DISA confirmed that no medical records were accessed.

    On their website, DISA explained that they are still working to understand all the details of the breach. As part of their job, they collect a lot of personal information, like previous jobs, school history, criminal records, and credit details, which is why this data leak is very concerning.

  • Fiber vs. Starlink: The Fight for Rural Internet Access

    Fiber vs. Starlink: The Fight for Rural Internet Access

    When President Joe Biden announced a plan to spend $42 billion on high-speed internet for everyone in the US, he chose to go with fiber-optic cables. This decision frustrated Elon Musk, as he believed his Starlink satellite internet could connect rural areas much faster and cheaper. As a result, relations between Biden and Musk soured, especially since Musk used his influence to help Donald Trump gain support.

    Now, some Republicans are pushing to let Starlink compete with fiber-optic internet, potentially giving a lot of money to Musk. Starlink, a service from Musk’s SpaceX, has been helpful in connecting areas affected by disasters—like floods in North Carolina and conflicts in Ukraine. Although fiber internet is known to be faster and more reliable, installing it can take a long time. Critics argue that satellite and 5G wireless connections can quickly bring internet access to remote locations.

    Biden’s program, called the Broadband Equity and Access Deployment (BEAD) Program, has faced criticism for not getting people connected fast enough. Some Republican lawmakers, like Senator Ted Cruz, say the program favors fiber too much and keeps out newer technologies like satellites.

    SpaceX recently opened a factory in Texas, claiming it can produce millions of Starlink terminals each year. During hurricanes, many people in troubled areas have relied on Starlink to stay connected. One Republican Senator, Dan Sullivan from Alaska, cautioned that Starlink’s coverage might not be as reliable yet, and he wants to ensure that internet upgrades in his state don’t slow down because of new rules.

    In Louisiana, where they’re planning to spend BEAD money, officials have set a high cost limit for fiber installation, while some experts think the threshold should be much lower to encourage using satellite solutions like Starlink. Although connecting to satellite internet is cheaper initially, it can come with higher monthly bills compared to fiber.

    Musk has tried to convince the US government that Starlink could help rural areas connect quickly but has faced opposition from regulators. In 2022, the Federal Communications Commission withdrew an $885 million grant that Starlink was supposed to receive. Musk was very upset with this decision and has voiced his frustrations repeatedly.

    He claims that Starlink could provide service to remote locations like the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for a fraction of the cost of installing fiber there. Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, worry that Musk’s financial interests might lead to decisions that aren’t in the public’s best interest, especially since he benefits from various government programs.

  • Exciting News: Arunachal Frontier Highway Approved

    Exciting News: Arunachal Frontier Highway Approved

    The Indian government has given a green light for a new highway called the Arunachal Frontier Highway, which will help people travel better in border areas. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced this exciting news in Boasimla, Kamle district, during the first-ever Joint Mega Nyokum Yullo Celebration. He said this highway will connect 12 districts near the India-China border, making it a very important project for Arunachal Pradesh.

    The highway is expected to cost ₹42,000 crore, which is a record amount for one project from the government. It will stretch about 1,400 kilometers and will come as close as 20 kilometers to the Line of Actual Control (the border line with China). This development supports the government’s focus on improving villages near the border and getting troops to move quickly if needed.

    Rijiju pointed out that while other highways, like the Mumbai-Pune and Kolkata-Chennai roads, were built for less money, this new highway needs a lot more money because of its importance and tough landscape. The Arunachal Frontier Highway will pass through important districts like East Kameng, Bichom, Upper Subansiri, and more. This will greatly help remote areas by providing better road access.

    The minister also encouraged everyone to support the government’s plans. He highlighted Arunachal’s potential for generating hydropower and assured that the government would work on developing it carefully and sustainably.

    Additionally, Rijiju praised Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for attending the celebration, calling it a historic moment for Boasimla. He said, “Today, we can proudly say that the Vice President has joined us in celebrating Nyokum Yullo!” The Vice President also expressed hope that the frontier highway dream would soon become a reality, as funding is already in place.

    Nyokum Yullo is a major festival for the Nyishi tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, celebrating prosperity and unity in the community.

  • Sharpshooter Jitu of Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Killed in Meerut Encounter

    Sharpshooter Jitu of Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Killed in Meerut Encounter

    In Meerut, a sharpshooter from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was shot and killed by special police forces on Wednesday morning. The man, named Jitu or Jitendra, was wanted by the police and had a ₹1 lakh bounty on him. He lived in Sivan village, Haryana.

    The police surrounded Jitendra early in the morning after they exchanged gunfire. Amitabh Yash, a senior police officer, said that Jitendra was hit by police shots and fell to the ground. His friends managed to escape because it was dark. The police took him to a hospital, but he died while getting treatment.

    Jitendra had a serious criminal history. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2016 for a double murder but got out on parole this year. After he was released, the police started looking for him because he was involved in another double murder case in Ghaziabad. They put a reward of ₹1 lakh for information leading to his capture. During his time in prison, he became a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and worked for them.

    According to police reports, Jitendra was linked to about eight serious crimes, including murder and robbery, in Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.

    Last year, another gang member named Yogesh Kumar, also known as Raju, was arrested in Mathura after a police encounter. Raju was one of the shooters involved in the murder of a gym owner named Nadir Shah in Delhi.

  • 7 New Ministers to Join Nitish Kumar’s Bihar Cabinet Ahead of Elections

    7 New Ministers to Join Nitish Kumar’s Bihar Cabinet Ahead of Elections

    In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is getting ready for upcoming elections. To make his government stronger, he has added seven new ministers to his cabinet. These new faces will help him lead the state better.

    The new ministers come from different areas and backgrounds. This allows the government to connect more with the people they serve. Each minister has specific responsibilities, such as improving education, health, and infrastructure in Bihar.

    Nitish Kumar believes that having these new ministers will bring fresh ideas and energy to the team. As they step into their roles, many are eager to see what changes they will implement in preparation for the elections.

  • Delhi Court Orders ED to Release Documents in Kejriwal Money Laundering Case

    Delhi Court Orders ED to Release Documents in Kejriwal Money Laundering Case

    New Delhi: A Delhi court has ordered the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to give certain documents to people accused in a money laundering case related to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others involved in a suspected scam. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja issued this order on February 25 after multiple accused claimed they had not received important documents tied to the case’s chargesheet. The case also includes AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh.

    The court is currently examining the documents and has scheduled the next hearing for March 3. This money laundering case began because the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) started an inquiry after Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena asked for a probe into alleged problems with the city’s excise policy. The CBI and ED say there were irregularities during changes to this policy, which gave unfair advantages to certain license holders. The Delhi government launched the excise policy on November 17, 2021, but canceled it by the end of September 2022 after corruption allegations came to light.

  • Maha Kumbh Mela: Millions Gather for a Sacred Celebration

    Maha Kumbh Mela: Millions Gather for a Sacred Celebration

    On Wednesday, February 26, millions of pilgrims from all over India gathered at the Triveni Sangam to take a holy bath during Maha Shivratri. This major religious event, known as the Maha Kumbh, happens every 12 years and started on January 13. So far, over 65 crore people have visited this year’s Kumbh in Prayagraj.

    The event has attracted lots of attention from both local and foreign news. The Wall Street Journal mentioned that more people came to Maha Kumbh Mela than the entire population of the United States, with estimates of nearly 500 million people joining over the six weeks. The Huffington Post called it the biggest pilgrimage in the world, highlighting the rituals and traditions that make the festival special.

    On Maha Shivratri, which is the last day of the Kumbh, over 11.66 lakh people bathed in the Sangam by 2 am. The numbers rose to 81.09 lakh by 10 am as people continued to seek blessings.

    While the festival had some tragedies, including two stampedes that claimed lives, it continued to attract crowds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party views the festival as a success that showcases Hindu culture.

    After the Kumbh ends, organizers will have a big job cleaning up the area, but they are happy to see so many people come together. The 2025 Maha Kumbh is also known as the ‘Digital Maha Kumbh’ because it used cool technology to ensure safety. Many media people, including CNN and The New York Times, shared stories about the beautiful ceremonies, Naga Sadhus, and the unity of people from all walks of life.