Tag: llv news

  • North Korean Troops Face Casualties in Recent Ukraine Fighting

    North Korean Troops Face Casualties in Recent Ukraine Fighting

    Ukraine’s military intelligence said on Monday that around 30 North Korean soldiers were either killed or hurt during recent fighting against Ukraine’s army. This happened in Russia’s Kursk region, where Russia has been battling a Ukrainian advance for the past four months. The Ukrainian message shared on Telegram mentioned that at least three North Korean soldiers are missing in another nearby village.

    We can’t confirm these claims independently, and this is the first time we’re hearing about North Korean losses in the ongoing war that has lasted almost three years. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, told reporters to check with Russia’s Defense Ministry, which hasn’t commented on this.

    According to U.S. military officials and Ukraine, North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to support Russia in the conflict. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has committed to standing by Russia as it continues its invasion. Experts say there are language issues causing problems for coordination between Russian and North Korean troops.

    The Institute for the Study of War, a research group in Washington, noted that these communication difficulties will likely lead to more issues for Russian military efforts in Kursk in the near future. Ukrainian officials reported that their forces recently clashed with North Korean troops that have just been sent to help Russia.

    Last August, Ukraine took control of land in the Kursk region, marking the first time since World War II that Ukrainian forces occupied Russian territory. This move was an embarrassment for Russia and aimed to change the negative news coming from the front lines. However, this incursion hasn’t changed the overall situation of the war much. Over the past year, Russia has generally been moving forward, particularly in the eastern region of Donetsk, despite heavy losses.

  • Parliament Calls for Swift Action on Godown Construction in India

    Parliament Calls for Swift Action on Godown Construction in India

    A group in Parliament told the government on Monday that it has not built enough storage buildings, called godowns, in the last four years. They want the main government department to create a special committee to speed things up in the northeastern and hilly areas. In a report about money needed for 2024-25, the Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution Committee said that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) set a goal to build godowns with a total capacity of 50,100 tonnes in 2023-24, but they only managed to build enough for 1,760 tonnes, using Rs 52.75 crore. For 2024-25, the goal is to construct storage facilities with a capacity of 58,540 tonnes, but as of September 30, they have not built any at all. The FCI has not met its goals for several years because of the National Food Security Act.

    The committee also raised concerns about the slow building of godowns in the northeastern states, saying problems like delays in getting land, tough geographical conditions, and bad weather are not new issues. They suggested that the government should have planned better taking these factors into account. The committee advised the government to form a high-level group with state officials to solve these problems, speed up construction, and meet targets.

    Regarding storage silos, the committee pointed out the need for fair distribution across the country, especially in areas that consume a lot of wheat. They stressed that the building of silos should be done on time. The government is encouraged to involve private companies in this work to boost the efficiency of silo operations. Currently, there are plans for silos with a total capacity of 24.25 lakh tonnes. Out of this, 17.75 lakh tonnes have been completed, while 6.5 lakh tonnes are still being developed.

    The committee also mentioned there are many complaints about under-weighing at fair price shops. They advised the government to make sure that states connect all electronic weighing scales to Electronic Point of Sale Devices to help with this issue.

  • Pakistan Reduces Interest Rates Again: 5th Cut to 13%!

    Pakistan Reduces Interest Rates Again: 5th Cut to 13%!

    On Monday, Pakistan’s central bank announced that it reduced its key interest rate by 2% to 13%. This is the fifth time they have lowered the rate since June, trying to help the slow economy as inflation decreases. With this change, Pakistan has made some of the biggest interest rate cuts this year among countries with similar situations, except for places like Argentina.

    The country is facing tough challenges in recovering economically but got a boost from a $7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September. All 12 experts who were asked predicted this 2% cut after the inflation rate dropped to 4.9% in November, which was lower than expected and much less than the 40% high recorded in May last year.

    This latest cut follows previous reductions of 1.5% in June, 1% in July, 2% in September, and a record 2.5% in November. Overall, the interest rate has been cut by an impressive 9% since June, coming down from a record high of 22% that had remained unchanged for a year.

  • Philippines and Japan Sign Vital Defense Pact Amid Rising China Tensions

    Philippines and Japan Sign Vital Defense Pact Amid Rising China Tensions

    The Philippines has officially agreed to a new defense agreement with Japan that lets both countries send their troops to each other’s land. This move is aimed at boosting their friendship and standing strong against China, which has been pushing for control in the region.

    Both the Philippines and Japan have long been allies of the United States, which wants to help stop China’s claims over disputed territories in the Pacific Ocean. The Philippines’ senate approved the pact quickly, with no one voting against it. Now, lawmakers in Japan also need to agree before the agreement starts working.

    This agreement aims to strengthen the military cooperation between the two countries, especially in sea areas where they face shared security problems. The idea for this pact was discussed for seven months and was finalized in July.

    Many years ago, Japan invaded the Philippines during World War II, but now they work together with the U.S. against threats from China. Japan has about 54,000 American soldiers stationed in the country and has disagreements with China over islands in the East China Sea.

    In the South China Sea, Filipino and Chinese ships often have run-ins over a shoal taken by China in 2012. Also, Taiwan is causing tension as China claims it fully and may use force to assert its control. China also claims almost all of the South China Sea, which is crucial for $5 trillion in trade each year, despite an international ruling saying this claim has no legal support.

  • Nasdaq Leads IPOs Again: What to Expect in 2025

    Nasdaq Leads IPOs Again: What to Expect in 2025

    Nasdaq, the exchange where many companies sell their stocks, is likely to do better than the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in getting new companies to list their stocks for the sixth year in a row in 2024. This year, companies raised about $22 billion from 160 initial public offerings (IPOs) at Nasdaq, while NYSE attracted nearly $17 billion from just 34 IPOs, according to figures from Dealogic and Nasdaq. This is the highest number of new listings in three years.

    People in the finance world are feeling hopeful about IPOs because many companies want to go public. The recent rise in interest rates by the Federal Reserve has made it harder for companies to raise money, but many believe the situation will improve in 2025. Investors are excited that Donald Trump, who is expected to become president again, might make changes to rules that help businesses.

    Jeff Thomas, Nasdaq’s head of listings, said he thinks this is a great time for IPOs and that they are actively talking to companies about going public in the early part of next year. Both Nasdaq and NYSE compete hard to attract new listings, and both are popular choices for global companies.

    The strong performance of U.S. stocks has made investors more confident. The S&P 500 index is up nearly 27% this year, while the Nasdaq Composite has risen about 33%. This year, notable companies like Lineage, Waystar, and Astera Labs made their stock market debuts on Nasdaq.

    Nasdaq also had 44 special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) IPOs, which is pretty normal for them. They even attracted big-name companies like Palantir Technologies and Campbell from the NYSE.

    However, NYSE says they focus on the quality of the companies listed, not just the number of deals. They pointed out that 62% of the IPOs on Nasdaq this year wouldn’t have been good enough for their exchange and highlighted that they added over $400 billion in market value this year.

    In the first half of 2024, NYSE had seven of the ten biggest U.S. stock launches. Still, many companies are choosing Nasdaq, especially as more investors are interested in tech stocks like Nvidia and companies moving from NYSE to Nasdaq.

    Looking ahead, forecasts for a strong IPO market depend on U.S. interest rates dropping and the economy staying strong. Some think that inflation targets might slow down how quickly interest rates could drop in 2025. Additionally, Trump’s plans to impose tariffs might put pressure on the economy if other countries retaliate.

    For now, people are feeling optimistic. The Nasdaq IPO Pulse Index, which predicts IPO activity, reached its highest level in over three years in October, showing that things are looking good for early 2025. Owen Lau, an analyst at Oppenheimer & Co., believes there is a lot of demand waiting to be met in 2025, and it could be a big year for IPOs.

  • Kharge Accuses Modi of Distorting History and Ignoring Constitution

    Kharge Accuses Modi of Distorting History and Ignoring Constitution

    Mallikarjun Kharge, the President of Congress and the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of lying in the Lok Sabha. He said, “The PM either thinks about the past or imagines things, but he never talks about what’s happening now.” Kharge claimed that during the NDA’s 11 years in power, the Constitution and democracy have not improved.

    Kharge responded to Modi’s attacks on Jawaharlal Nehru during a debate about the Indian Constitution. He defended the Constitutional amendments made shortly after India gained independence and criticized the BJP as well as its parent organizations, the Jan Sangh and the RSS, for opposing important symbols like the Tricolor flag and the Constitution.

    Speaking after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who studied at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Kharge said, “The RSS, Jan Sangh, and BJP have wanted to create laws based on outdated texts. Those who opposed the flag and the Constitution are now pretending to teach us about them. No amount of vaccines can erase their past mistakes. Before giving us advice, they need to fix their own government.”

    He urged, “Are you here to twist facts or discuss the Constitution? JNU students are progressive and contribute greatly to nation-building. But some people are making undemocratic statements. The public will push the BJP to be better after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.”

    Kharge also pointed out that the RSS was against the Constitution and claimed that the BJP’s founding leaders did not fight for India’s independence. He challenged the PM and Rajnath Singh, saying, “You have never truly talked about what you did for the country or how many times you were arrested for independence. If you didn’t fight for India’s freedom, how can you appreciate it?”

    In response to the PM saying the Congress’ main slogan is “garibi hatao” (remove poverty), Kharge called the PM the biggest fraud. He highlighted Modi’s unfulfilled promises of giving ₹15 lakh to poor families, creating 2 crore jobs, and doubling farmers’ income, claiming that the PM is trying to distract people from real issues.

    Kharge emphasized that in the 11 years of Modi’s rule, he has not strengthened the Constitution. He praised past initiatives like food security and mandatory education, which helped during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kharge also defended some Constitutional amendments, including one that empowers marginalized people. He reminded everyone that Jan Sangh leader Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was part of the cabinet that approved these amendments.

    Kharge accused the PM of disrespecting Nehru and delegitimizing Mukherjee’s contributions. He pointed out that the provisional Parliament, which made the first amendment, included Mukherjee, and that Ambedkar and Patel also supported these changes. He said, “In criticizing Nehru, you insulted everyone who stood with him. Ambedkar defended these amendments for two hours. The BJP is simply against reservation and that’s why they don’t support counting people by their caste.”

  • Royal Family Plans Big Christmas Celebration at Sandringham This Year

    Royal Family Plans Big Christmas Celebration at Sandringham This Year

    This year, the Royal Family is excited to celebrate Christmas at their Sandringham home. King Charles and Kate Middleton want to make this holiday special for their family. After facing a tough year with personal challenges, they are looking forward to a calm and joyful Christmas together.

    Royal expert Jennie Bond shared some details about their plans with OK! Magazine. This Christmas will be all about family, with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton hosting 45 family members at Sandringham.

    When asked about accommodations, Bond mentioned that Catherine’s parents might stay at Anmer Hall. However, she thinks they’ll only host close family there, while the York family will be at Wood Farm. No matter where everyone stays, the royals want to come together to support each other and create a happy atmosphere.

    Prince William recently attended an event for military families and joked, “We’ll be in Norfolk, at Sandringham. We’ll be 45 for Christmas. It won’t be quiet; it will be noisy.” He added, “Am I ready for Christmas? No way!”

    This year, the Royal Family will focus on making the celebrations fun for the children, as they have more kids in their family now. Bond explained that after everything they’ve been through, it means a lot to King Charles and Queen Camilla to have their family close. With more kids around, Christmas will be filled with joy and laughter, just like it should be.

    Prince Harry and Meghan will not be joining the family in the UK for Christmas, but the rest of the Royal Family will enjoy their traditional holiday together in Norfolk.

  • Pushpa 2: The Rule Breaks Box Office Records Amid Allu Arjun’s Arrest!

    Pushpa 2: The Rule Breaks Box Office Records Amid Allu Arjun’s Arrest!

    Allu Arjun was recently in the news because he was arrested after a woman tragically died in a stampede linked to the movie “Pushpa 2: The Rule.” But despite this sad event, the movie is doing really well in theaters. It has become the second-best film ever in its second weekend at the Hindi box office.

    “Pushpa 2: The Rule” made a whopping ₹128 crore (about $15 million) just in its second weekend! On its first day, it earned a fantastic ₹72 crore. Even on regular weekdays, the movie has been making over ₹30 crore daily.

    A popular film tracker, Taran Adarsh, shared on X (formerly Twitter) that “Pushpa 2” is now the highest-grossing Hindi film in its second weekend! Over the weekend, it earned ₹27 crore on Friday, ₹46 crore on Saturday, and ₹54 crore on Sunday. This brings the total earnings in India to nearly ₹909 crore!

    The film beat other big movies like “Stree 2,” “Gadar 2,” “Animal,” and “Jawan,” which had lower collections in their second weekends.

    Directed by Sukumar and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, “Pushpa 2: The Rule” features Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj, Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli, and Fahadh Faasil as the cop Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat.

    The movie continues to do well and is getting closer to setting the record for the highest-grossing Indian film!

  • Canada’s Tough Challenge with U.S.-Bound Migrants”

    Canada’s Tough Challenge with U.S.-Bound Migrants”

    Canada is trying to stop migrants from crossing into the United States, but it’s not easy. Six concrete blocks have been placed at a rural road leading to the U.S.-Canada border to prevent cars from driving over, yet people can still jump over them on foot.

    Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer Daniel Dubois says these blocks aren’t enough. They’ve set up more cameras and sensors, but it’s tough to catch every migrant. Canada also promised to send more officers to the border because U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened high tariffs if Canada doesn’t control migrant crossings better.

    In the past year, Canada turned back about 1,000 people who tried to cross into the country at unofficial spots, while U.S. authorities caught over 23,000 trying to head to America. Most migrant activity is still happening at the southern U.S. border with Mexico, where the numbers are much higher.

    Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller told a group that Canada needs to show the U.S. it has a strong immigration system. He said Canada is facing a “credibility challenge” regarding its border security.

    The RCMP patrols a 105-mile section of the border that’s known for migrant crossings. They rely on tips from the public and surveillance cameras. They can’t arrest people in Canada unless they’re breaking the law, even if they suspect those people might try to cross into the U.S.

    Experts don’t believe new technology or extra officers will significantly stop crossings. Many think these efforts are just to give the appearance of security.

    Advocates for refugees say that making it harder for migrants to cross the border only puts them in more danger. This year, at least nine people died near the Quebec-New York border after a rule change allowed either country to send asylum seekers back.

    Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has not commented on these plans. Some experts suggest that Canada should prevent migrants from arriving in the first place. Canada has started denying more visas and turning away travelers at the border.

    Terry Rowe, a resident near the border, set up cameras and ended up recording migrants passing by his house. He has shared many videos with U.S. border patrol.

    As the situation changes, Canadian authorities are preparing for an increase in migrants fleeing the potential deportations promised by Trump. RCMP officer Charles Poirier said they are ready for a possible surge, as Rowe notices more people coming from the U.S. to Canada.

  • Bavarian Nordic Partners with Serum Institute for mpox Vaccine Production

    Bavarian Nordic Partners with Serum Institute for mpox Vaccine Production

    Bavarian Nordic A/S, a biotech company from Denmark, has teamed up with the Serum Institute of India, the biggest vaccine maker in the world. They agreed that Serum Institute will help produce Bavarian’s mpox vaccine for people in India. This partnership will also let Serum make more vaccines for Bavarian, helping them sell more worldwide.

    Bavarian will not get any upfront money for this deal, but they will share profits from the vaccines. After announcing the deal, Bavarian’s stock price dropped by 3%, although it’s still up by 9% this year.

    This year, over 65,700 mpox cases have been reported, mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where about 1,200 people have died from the illness. Unfortunately, many of these cases are affecting children. A new, stronger version of the monkeypox virus that causes mpox has been found in several African countries, as well as in the US, UK, and Thailand. This new version spreads faster through sexual contact and has a higher chance of causing death.

    Bavarian Nordic is one of the few companies that make an mpox vaccine. Their vaccines were essential during a previous outbreak in 2022. Sadly, because people became less aware of the disease, another global emergency was declared earlier this year.