Tag: llv news

  • Madhuri Dixit: Pay Parity for Women in Bollywood Still a Dream

    Madhuri Dixit: Pay Parity for Women in Bollywood Still a Dream

    In Jaipur, Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit said that women in Hindi movies still face big pay gaps. They have to keep proving they can bring in fans. This news came during a talk called “The Journey of Women in Cinema” at the 2025 IIFA Weekend, where Madhuri was joined by Guneet Monga, a producer who just attended the Oscars.

    Madhuri expressed that women actors need to show they are just as good, but still, things are unfair in terms of pay. She said, “Every time, we must prove ourselves to say we can attract an audience. There’s still a long way to go.” Guneet added that people should take more chances on female artists because it often feels like women have to work much harder to be noticed.

    She pointed out that “Stree 2” did really well at the box office, which shows that movies with women can succeed. Guneet urged for more opportunities for women in film.

    Madhuri shared that she has always played strong female characters, and she particularly loved her role in “Mrityudand,” which focused on women’s empowerment. She explained that in the past, very few women worked behind the scenes in filmmaking. Now, she sees women in various roles, like directors and writers, which is a big change for the better.

    Guneet also shared some concerning facts, saying that only a small percentage of women are directors or work in film crews. She urged everyone in the industry to create more chances for women to shine.

    The silver jubilee of the IIFA Awards will be held soon, hosted by Karan Johar and Kartik Aaryan, featuring special performances by stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

  • Deepika Padukone Talks Motherhood and Mental Health Journey

    Deepika Padukone Talks Motherhood and Mental Health Journey

    Deepika Padukone is a new mom! Last year, she and her husband, Ranveer Singh, welcomed their baby girl, Dua, in September. While they haven’t shown Dua’s face, Deepika shares little bits of her life as a mother.

    At a recent event in Abu Dhabi by Forbes, Deepika was asked about the last thing she Googled. She smiled and said it was probably something like, “When will my baby stop spitting up?” This is a question many new parents probably look up too!

    Deepika also talked about something really important: mental health. She shared her experience with depression during a program with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025.’ Deepika opened up about a tough time in her life. She explained how she couldn’t see her depression, even though it was very real. One day in 2014, she fainted and later discovered she was struggling with depression. “Depression is invisible. I smiled and interacted with everyone, but nobody knew how I felt inside,” she said.

    Deepika, known for her role in “Om Shanti Om,” has spoken about her anxiety before. She starred in films like “Kalki 2898 AD” and “Singham Again.” As of now, there’s no news about her next project.

  • Nita & Mukesh Ambani Celebrate 40 Years of Love and Marriage

    Nita & Mukesh Ambani Celebrate 40 Years of Love and Marriage

    Nita Ambani and Mukesh Ambani are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary today! The couple got married on March 8, 1985, and have become very important figures in India’s business and charity scenes. To celebrate this big milestone, a special video from their son Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding festivities is trending online.

    At Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s fabulous pre-wedding party in Jamnagar, Gujarat, there were many stars and amazing performances. One heartwarming moment was when Mukesh and Nita Ambani danced to the classic Bollywood song “Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua Hai” from the old movie “Shri 420.”

    In the video, Mukesh looked great in a kurta-pyjama, while Nita shimmered in a beautiful saree. The audience enjoyed the performance, and many recorded it on their phones, making the celebration even more special.

    As they celebrate 40 years of love, Nita Ambani’s stunning wedding outfit from 1985 is remembered fondly. She wore two special sarees that show her journey as a bride.

    The first saree, called a Panetar, was a gift from her mother’s family, symbolizing her saying goodbye to her childhood home. It is usually white or ivory with a red border. The second saree, a Gharchola, was given by her husband’s family, welcoming her into their home. This bright red saree is essential for Gujarat weddings.

    In her bridal look, Nita wore beautiful jewelry like bangles and a maang tika. Her makeup was simple but gorgeous, with classic bindi dots and neatly styled hair in a bun, making her beautiful on her special day.

  • Justice Department Investigates Soaring Egg Prices Amid Avian Flu Outbreak

    Justice Department Investigates Soaring Egg Prices Amid Avian Flu Outbreak

    The U.S. Justice Department is looking into whether big egg producers, like Cal-Maine Foods and Rose Acre Farms, are raising egg prices unfairly by limiting how many eggs they sell. This investigation is just starting, and the department plans to ask for internal information about prices and supply.

    Egg Prices Soaring

    Egg prices have shot up a lot, hitting a record of $4.95 per dozen in early 2025—some places are even charging $10 per dozen! Wholesale prices have jumped by 255% in just four months, leading many people to wonder why.

    Producers say the avian flu outbreak is the main reason behind these price hikes. Since 2022, around 163 million birds, including chickens and turkeys, have either died from the disease or were put down to stop it from spreading. However, others think the losses aren’t big enough to explain such steep price increases.

    Who’s Responsible?

    People in the egg industry insist that bird flu is the only reason for high prices. Chad Gregory, CEO of United Egg Producers, claims it’s causing chaos in the egg supply. Emily Metz, CEO of the American Egg Board, agrees that bird flu is the main issue. But some, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, believe companies might be taking advantage of this outbreak to raise prices and make more money.

    Past Issues With Price Fixing

    This isn’t the first time egg producers have faced accusations of unfair pricing. In 2011, several big food companies, like Kraft and General Mills, sued egg producers for working together to limit supply and raise prices. In 2023, a jury found these producers guilty of manipulating the market and ordered them to pay $53 million.

    Recently, a group called Farm Action, which fights against big companies in agriculture, asked the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate possible price fixing again. They noticed that even after egg production started to recover in 2023, prices stayed really high.

    The top five egg companies, which include Cal-Maine and Rose Acre, control about half of all egg sales in the U.S. Cal-Maine, the biggest supplier, reported an 82% rise in revenue at the end of 2024, making $954 million—almost double what they earned the year before! The company said this jump was mostly due to higher selling prices for eggs.

    Research by Food and Water Watch showed that having fewer companies in the egg business is keeping prices high. Amanda Starbuck from Food and Water Watch pointed out that bird flu doesn’t fully explain why eggs cost so much—corporate control is playing a big role too. They also found that prices started to go up even before bird flu affected local farms, raising further questions about price manipulation.

    The Justice Department’s investigation might not lead to legal actions, but it has sparked new conversations about the power big companies have in our food system. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking into solutions, including bringing in more eggs from other countries and increasing funding to handle bird flu outbreaks.

    For now, American consumers are stuck dealing with high egg prices while companies and regulators figure out what’s really causing this crisis.

  • Inflation Report: What It Means for the Stock Market This Week

    Inflation Report: What It Means for the Stock Market This Week

    Next week, an important inflation report could make the already shaky U.S. stock market even more jumpy. Investors are worried that the economy might slow down, and President Trump’s tariffs are adding to these concerns. Although the S&P 500 had a small gain on Friday, it still faced its worst week in six months. The Nasdaq, which focuses on tech companies, has dropped more than 10% since it reached its highest point last December.

    Investors are trying to understand recent changes in government policy around the world. Trump’s unpredictable tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China are causing worries about the economy. Markets were also unsettled by Germany’s unexpected plans to spend more money, which made German bonds less valuable.

    The latest U.S. economic data hasn’t been great, but some good news for stocks is that many believe the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates to help the economy if it weakens. However, if Wednesday’s consumer price index report shows that inflation is higher than expected, it could change that thinking. A high inflation number might scare investors, as explained by Bryant VanCronkhite, a portfolio manager. He said that until inflation comes down, the Fed won’t be able to help the economy as much.

    Last month’s inflation data showed a big increase of 0.5% in January—the highest since August—so all eyes are on February’s numbers, which are expected to rise by 0.3%. This report will come just before the Fed meets on March 18-19. While the Fed is likely to keep interest rates the same for now, many expect cuts later in the year.

    If inflation is too high, it could hurt market optimism about those rate cuts, according to John Velis, a macro strategist. Investors are also concerned about “stagflation,” which means slow economic growth with rising prices—a tough situation for investments. If inflation is high, it could make investors nervous about this scenario.

    On the jobs side, recent data showed that job growth in February was strong, but there are signs that the labor market is weakening due to uncertain trade policies and federal spending cuts.

    In Washington, lawmakers are busy negotiating a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. Trade policies are still a big worry, as tariffs can lower company profits and raise consumer prices. However, investors are unsure how long these tariffs will last or if they are just part of negotiations. Trump stated that Mexico and Canada won’t need to pay those tariffs until April 2. With new policies being launched, uncertainty remains for both businesses and consumers.

    Finally, market anxiety is rising, reflected by a jump in the Cboe Volatility Index, which is nearly at its highest level since last year. Irene Tunkel, a chief equity strategist, stated that volatility will continue because we lack clear economic and trade policies.

    Wall St Week Ahead runs every Friday. Stay tuned for the daily stock market report.

  • Jerome Powell Explores Changes to Fed’s Interest Rate Predictions

    Jerome Powell Explores Changes to Fed’s Interest Rate Predictions

    Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently talked about possible changes to the Fed’s interest rate predictions during a conference in New York. These predictions are part of a larger review of the Fed’s policies that will be finished by the end of summer.

    Powell mentioned that the Fed will closely look at how it shares information after meetings, especially its Summary of Economic Projections (SEP). This report shows what the Fed’s policymakers think will happen with the economy, unemployment, inflation, and interest rates in the next few years. Each policy maker’s rate idea is shown as a dot on a chart, which many economists and markets use to guess the Fed’s future actions on rates.

    Supporters of the dot plot believe it makes it easier to understand monetary policy. They think that after the global financial crisis, the dot plot helped show that the Fed expected to keep rates at zero for a long time. However, it’s important to stress that the dot plot isn’t a firm promise about future rates; it’s just a mix of opinions from different policymakers.

    Historically, the dot plot has not always predicted actual rate changes well because the economy often behaves differently than expected. For example, at the end of 2021, the dot plot suggested rates would stay below 1% at the end of 2022. But instead, the Fed raised rates to between 4.25% and 4.50% to deal with rising inflation.

    Over the years, many have suggested ways to improve the dot plot. Former Fed Vice Chair Don Kohn said that the median projection doesn’t show the uncertainty and different possible outcomes. He proposed that the Fed also share the economic reasons behind each policymaker’s rate opinion to help people understand why the Fed makes its decisions.

    Looking at how other central banks work could provide new ideas. For instance, the European Central Bank gives regular updates on inflation that help shape expectations about future rates. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand and others share inflation forecasts and their policy rate paths. The Bank of England even shows possible future inflation and growth paths in a fan chart, something that former Fed Chair Ben Bernanke recommended they change to provide better alternative scenarios.

  • Russia Open for Peace Talks with U.S. and Ukraine: Key Insights

    Russia Open for Peace Talks with U.S. and Ukraine: Key Insights

    New Delhi: In the search for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, said that Russia is ready to discuss solutions together with the U.S. and Ukraine. Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Alipov noted that the current U.S. government is making positive moves compared to past administrations by wanting to end the conflict.

    Alipov mentioned a recent meeting in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. officials showed a willingness to listen to Russia’s concerns. He expressed that while some leaders in Ukraine and Europe continue to demand Russia withdraw from Ukraine, they are also planning to strengthen Europe’s military presence.

    “The situation is tricky,” he stated, adding, “Although we believe we are winning the war, we still want peace.” He feels that Ukraine and Europe are preventing a quick resolution.

    Regarding Donald Trump’s recent announcement about wanting to end the conflict, Alipov said they would be open to meetings involving Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He claimed that while the U.S. sees Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as a rightful leader, Russia does not feel the same way. However, they are still open to discussions.

    When questioned about India’s role, Alipov said, “We don’t expect anything from India.” He emphasized the strong friendship between India and Russia and said they’re hopeful for future cooperation. He also mentioned that Russia supports better relations between India and China and wants to help both nations achieve that.

    Alipov summed it up by saying, “We look at situations in terms of cooperation, not conflict. We hope everyone can work together fairly.”

  • SEBI Proposes Lower Donation Minimum on Social Stock Exchange

    SEBI Proposes Lower Donation Minimum on Social Stock Exchange

    The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed an important change that could make donating easier for everyone. They want to lower the minimum amount you need to donate using special “Zero Coupon Zero Principal” (ZCZP) instruments on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE). Right now, the minimum amount is Rs 10,000, but SEBI is suggesting it be reduced to either Rs 5,000 or even just Rs 1,000!

    These ZCZP instruments are basically ways for people to donate to non-profit organizations (NPOs) that are listed on the SSE. By making the minimum donation smaller, more people will be able to join in and support these causes.

    This idea came about because many people want to give through the SSE but find the current minimum too high. Recently, SEBI has also made other changes to make it easier for donors. In November 2023, they reduced the total amount needed for ZCZP issues from Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 lakh and lowered the minimum application size for donors from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10,000.

    The SSE is a special place in India where social organizations can connect with donors, helping to bring in more money and support. This unique concept was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her 2019 budget speech. Now, SEBI is looking for public feedback on this latest proposal until March 14.

    This change could open the door for many more people to become involved and make a difference!

  • PM Modi Addresses Obesity Crisis and Launches New Projects in Gujarat

    PM Modi Addresses Obesity Crisis and Launches New Projects in Gujarat

    On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned about the rising obesity rates in India, mentioning a report that says nearly 440 million people could be obese by 2050. He called this number “huge and scary” and stressed the need for action to address this health crisis.

    During his two-day visit to Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, PM Modi inaugurated projects worth ₹2,587 crore. He also launched a new food security campaign in Surat to help people access better nutrition.

    Speaking at rallies in Silvassa and Surat, Modi pointed out that obesity can lead to many health problems. He encouraged everyone to exercise regularly and cut down on edible oil by 10%. “Lifestyle-related diseases are a big risk today, and obesity is the main cause of many of these problems,” Modi said. He warned that if things don’t change, one in three people could be obese by 2050, which poses a serious threat to public health.

    The Prime Minister urged everyone to buy 10% less oil and engage in physical activities like cycling to help reduce obesity. He also announced plans to open 25,000 new Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country, where affordable medicines will be available. He mentioned that middle-class and low-income families have saved around ₹30,000 crore by buying medicines from these government centers.

    Modi encouraged residents to work together to develop the Union Territory, comparing it to the transformation of Singapore from a fishing village to a modern city. He believes that if the people are committed, great changes can happen.

    During this visit, he inaugurated several important projects, including a 450-bed hospital in Silvassa and new facilities in Diu and Daman. After his work in Silvassa, he went to Surat to talk about the new food security campaign and to address the people there.

    Modi also took a jab at the Congress party, saying that those with no power might have problems understanding the ₹32 lakh crore in loans given out under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, which aims to help small businesses.

  • Chakravarthy vs. New Zealand: A Clash of Spin and Strategy

    Chakravarthy vs. New Zealand: A Clash of Spin and Strategy

    Last Sunday was an exciting match between Varun Chakravarthy and New Zealand, where the Kiwi batsmen struggled to figure out the Indian spinner’s tricky deliveries. The upcoming match this Sunday has higher stakes, with New Zealand needing to adjust their strategy.

    Chakravarthy took 5 wickets for 42 runs, which might make it seem like an easy win, but it was a tough game. New Zealand has some skilled batters who can hit big shots, but facing mystery spin can be confusing. When England played Chakravarthy before the Champions Trophy, many of their batters didn’t know how to tackle him. They often swept, but it didn’t go well for them.

    New Zealand tried to play safe, but the pitch was slow, and they couldn’t keep up with the scoring rate. When their star batter, Kane Williamson, had to take risks, he was out, which hurt their chances. “The pitch wasn’t as bad as people thought; it did spin a bit, which made it harder for batsmen. I owe my five wickets to my teammates too,” Chakravarthy said.

    If New Zealand thinks the pitch will grip less this time, they might attack more. But if it’s similar to last week, it could be tricky again. “It’s easier to read a wrist spinner in daylight. He’s a great bowler, and we need a plan to score against him,” said New Zealand coach Gary Stead.

    Rachin Ravindra could really help if he stays longer at the crease. With experience playing at Chepauk, he has the shots to handle spin. Daryl Mitchell is also good at dealing with spinners. The team may consider moving Michael Bracewell up the order because he can hit long.

    All batters will have their own game plans, and good communication during the match is vital. “We’re ready to take on this challenge; India has good spinners,” Stead added.

    On the other hand, Chakravarthy knows the Kiwis will be better prepared this time. As a mystery spinner, he needs to keep changing and being patient. “On slow pitches, the ball turns slowly, so you have to be patient and wait for opportunities,” he explained.

    Matt Henry’s Injury Concern: New Zealand bowler Matt Henry landed awkwardly on his shoulder during the semi-final against South Africa and is uncertain for the final. “We’ve done some scans, and we’ll do our best to get him ready. He’s sore, but hopefully, he’ll be fine,” said Stead. Henry has taken ten wickets in the tournament, including five against India. If he can’t play, Jacob Duffy might take his place.