Tag: thellv

  • IOC Drops Key Sports for 2026 Youth Olympics: Impact on India

    IOC Drops Key Sports for 2026 Youth Olympics: Impact on India

    In a major setback for India’s hopes of winning medals, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided that shooting, weightlifting, and hockey will not be medal events at the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal. These sports have been moved to a special program called the “engagement programme,” which means they won’t award medals.

    At the last Youth Olympics in 2018, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, India won 13 medals, including 4 from shooting and 2 from hockey. Manu Bhaker, a talented young shooter from India, won one gold and one silver medal in shooting events.

    The IOC announced this change on December 3, confirming that the youth games will take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026. The games are for young athletes aged 15 to 18.

    Out of 35 sports, 25 will award medals, while 10 sports will be included in the engagement programme. The 25 sports that will offer medals include athletics, swimming, basketball, and many more.

    This year, for the first time, there will be equal opportunities for boys and girls in every event, with a total of 151 events planned — down from 241 in the previous games. The total number of athletes expected is 2,700.

    Originally, the 2026 Youth Olympics were scheduled for 2022, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were postponed. The games will be held in three locations in Senegal: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.

  • Police Hunt for Shooter in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Murder

    Police Hunt for Shooter in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Murder

    New York police are using facial recognition and forensic evidence to find the person who shot Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Thompson, 50, was shot on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

    People are paying a lot of attention to this case because Thompson was a well-known figure and the crime seemed strange. Investigators are focusing on a picture from a nearby Starbucks, hoping it will help them identify the shooter.

    What Happened?

    The shooting happened around 6:45 a.m. when Thompson was walking to the Hilton hotel to speak at an investor conference. The attacker was waiting and, dressed in a light brown or cream jacket with a black mask, shot Thompson multiple times in the back and leg. Even when the gun jammed, the shooter fixed it quickly and kept firing before running away.

    There were early reports that the shooter rode away on a Citi Bike, but the bike company, Lyft, confirmed that no bike was used.

    Key Clues: Starbucks and Bullet Casings

    The police are checking video from the Starbucks where the suspect was seen buying something just before the attack. Even though the person was wearing a mask, part of their nose and eyes showed, which may help police match the face using facial recognition technology.

    At the crime scene, police found three bullet casings and three live bullets with words like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” written on them. They believe these messages might be a clue about why the shooting happened. A phone was also found nearby and is being checked for evidence. Thompson’s hotel room is also being searched for more clues.

    Possible Reasons Behind the Attack

    It’s unclear why Thompson was attacked. The shooter didn’t take any of Thompson’s things, so robbery isn’t thought to be the reason. Thompson’s wife mentioned that he had received threats before, but she couldn’t give specific details about them. In 2018, there was a suspicious incident at his home in Maple Grove, Minnesota, but police found no crime had occurred.

    Attention and Ongoing Investigation

    The murder of Thompson has caused a lot of worry, and police are working hard to gather evidence. They are asking anyone who knows something to come forward.

  • Diddy Spending Christmas in Jail: What His Holiday Will Look Like

    Diddy Spending Christmas in Jail: What His Holiday Will Look Like

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will spend Christmas in jail after his request for bail was denied again. Diddy, who is facing serious charges and has been in prison since September 16, 2023, will have to celebrate the holidays away from his family this year. His trial is set for May 2025.

    Unlike his usual fancy Christmas celebrations, Diddy will take part in activities like card games and sports with other inmates. On Christmas Day, the menu for Diddy and the other prisoners will include baked Cornish hen, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and a holiday dessert.

    Recently, Diddy enjoyed Thanksgiving in jail with a special meal that included turkey or hot tofu and festive side dishes. This year has been tough for him as he has also spent Halloween and his birthday behind bars. Diddy continues to deny all the charges against him.

  • Macron Decides Next Steps After Barnier’s No-Confidence Vote

    Macron Decides Next Steps After Barnier’s No-Confidence Vote

    Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, is in a tough spot after the Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, lost a no-confidence vote. This has made the country feel uncertain and worried. Macron now has to pick a new Prime Minister who can get support from at least 288 deputies to lead France effectively and handle important national issues.

    Many people are wondering if Barnier will be nominated again, but that seems unlikely since he just lost a vote. Instead, Macron might consider Sébastien Lecornu, the former defense minister, as he is a strong option.

    There’s also a chance that someone from the left-leaning party, La France Insoumise, could be chosen. This party has made it clear they would not support any Prime Minister who isn’t from their group.

    So, will Macron make a smart choice for the next Prime Minister? The nation is waiting to see what he will do next.

  • Hama’s Capture Puts Pressure on Assad: Latest in Syrian Conflict

    Hama’s Capture Puts Pressure on Assad: Latest in Syrian Conflict

    The Syrian army has pulled back from the city of Hama after rebels managed to break through its defenses. This is a significant setback for President Bashar Assad. The army reported that they moved their troops outside the city to keep civilians safe. Hama, which is Syria’s fourth-largest city, is one of the few cities that still remained fully under government control during the ongoing conflict that started in March 2011 after a popular uprising.

    Rebels, including the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, have been pushing an offensive to take control of more territory. Recently, they also captured much of Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, which marked a major win for Assad’s opponents. Fighting in Hama had been ongoing for three days before the rebels announced they had entered the city early Thursday.

    The Syrian army admitted that several soldiers were killed during the fighting and blamed the rebels for using suicide attacks to breach their defenses. If the rebels fully take over Hama, it could signal a serious decline in Assad’s power. The next target for the insurgents may likely be Homs, the third-largest city in Syria, which is located about 40 kilometers south of Hama.

    Hama is important because it connects Syria’s center with its north, east, and west. It is also close to the coastal region of Latakia, where Assad has strong support. The city is remembered for a tragic event in 1982 when thousands were killed by security forces to destroy a rebel uprising.

    With tensions escalating once again in Syria’s long civil war, many people have had to flee their homes since the renewed violence began. Rebel commanders have claimed that their forces have entered Hama and are moving towards the center.

  • Bavuma and Rickleton Lead South Africa’s Fight Back Against Sri Lanka

    Bavuma and Rickleton Lead South Africa’s Fight Back Against Sri Lanka

    GQEBERHA, South Africa – On the first day of the second Test match against Sri Lanka, South African captain Temba Bavuma and his teammate Ryan Rickleton helped their team recover after a tough start. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, South Africa found themselves at 46-3 early on. But Bavuma, playing calmly, formed a strong partnership with Rickleton, adding an impressive 133 runs for the fourth wicket.

    Bavuma was looking good and close to scoring his century when he was out for 64. He tried to hit a fast, rising ball but ended up gloving it to the wicketkeeper. This was a disappointing end for Bavuma, as he has now scored 23 fifties in Test cricket but only three centuries.

    Ricketon, who stepped in to play after Wiaan Mulder got injured in the first test, reached his first Test fifty. He was not out at 72, with David Bedingham supporting him on one run. Earlier, Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara took his 100th Test wicket by bowling out Aiden Markram for 20 runs. Kumara also dismissed Tristan Stubbs, catching him for just 4 runs.

    South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi was out for a duck, falling to a leg-before-wicket decision that he tried unsuccessfully to review. Markram, struggling with his recent form, got out by playing a risky shot that ended up hitting his wicket. Stubbs, who scored well in the last match, also tried to play aggressively but was caught by the Sri Lankan keeper.

    Both teams are eager for victory to help their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final next year. South Africa won the first Test match last week by a significant 233 runs.

  • Government Rules Out Raising Retirement Age for Supreme Court Judges

    Government Rules Out Raising Retirement Age for Supreme Court Judges

    On Thursday, the Indian government told the Rajya Sabha that it does not plan to increase the retirement age for judges in the Supreme Court and high courts. The Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, explained that Supreme Court judges retire at 65 years, high court judges at 62, and district judges at 60.

    There was a past attempt by the UPA 2 government to change the retirement age of high court judges to match that of Supreme Court judges, but that bill was never discussed and eventually lapsed.

    During a Question Hour, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chaddha raised concerns about retired judges taking on political roles, like becoming members of the Rajya Sabha or governors. He said this could lead to conflicts of interest and uncertainty about the independence of the judiciary. Chaddha proposed that there should be a cooling-off period of at least two years before any retired judge takes on a political or executive role, and he suggested that judges should receive better pensions to avoid financial dependency on post-retirement jobs.

    In response, Law Minister Meghwal stated that Chaddha’s remarks were politically charged. He mentioned that judges are appointed based on a set process outlined in the Constitution and past Supreme Court rulings. Meghwal also noted that while a resolution was passed in a conference for increasing judges’ retirement age, there is currently no government proposal on this matter. He pointed out that the Prime Minister has not created any new tribunals for retired judges.

  • West Bengal Pushes for Direct Flights to Europe and the US from Kolkata

    West Bengal Pushes for Direct Flights to Europe and the US from Kolkata

    In Kolkata, the state assembly is urging the Indian government to encourage airlines to start direct international flights to Europe and the US. Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya mentioned that working together with the Centre could help solve travel problems for people in the region and boost tourism.

    The assembly passed this proposal unanimously. Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition, promised that BJP members would join any effort to talk to the aviation minister about this important issue. However, he criticized the ruling Trinamool Congress for not providing land needed to improve some state airports, including Hasimara and Kalaikunda, which belong to the Indian Air Force.

    Bhattacharya explained that many travelers from Kolkata and eastern India have to stop in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai, or Singapore to travel to Europe or the US since the last direct flight to Europe was stopped in 2022. She believes that new flights would greatly benefit students, businesspeople, and tourists.

    Recently, there has been some good news. Malaysia Airlines started flying to Kolkata again after 18 years. The airline is now running five weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur, using a Boeing 737-800. The inaugural flight was packed, showing there is a strong demand for travel to Kolkata.

    This renewed service is part of a collaboration with IndiGo, expanding travel choices for people between Malaysia and 16 destinations in India. Kolkata Airport announced this exciting development on social media, celebrating the new connection.

  • Rohit Sharma on Dropping Ashwin and Jadeja for Australia Test Match

    Rohit Sharma on Dropping Ashwin and Jadeja for Australia Test Match

    India’s cricket captain, Rohit Sharma, shared that it was tough not being able to tell star players Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja that they wouldn’t play in the first Test against Australia in Perth. Many people were surprised when the team chose to leave out these experienced players for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener.

    Young all-rounder Washington Sundar got the chance to play instead of Ashwin and Jadeja, even though he didn’t have much impact with his bat or ball in the first innings. However, he did show good skills with his bowling in the second innings and formed an important partnership with Virat Kohli while batting.

    Rohit, who was away for paternity leave when India played Australia, noted that leaving out experienced players like Ashwin and Jadeja is always a hard choice. “It’s never easy to leave out players like them,” he said, emphasizing the decision was made to benefit the team at that moment.

    He believes Ashwin and Jadeja, who together have taken 855 wickets in Test matches, will play important roles in the remaining games of the series. “They are quality players who have brought a lot to Indian cricket,” Rohit stated, recognizing their contributions.

    Regarding Washington Sundar, Rohit praised the young player, saying he has the ability to thrive in different playing conditions around the world. Rohit hopes Sundar can stay healthy and continue to grow as a player, as his skills bring balance and depth to the team.

    Rohit also talked about two new players, Rana and Reddy, who impressed him with their fighting spirit during the first Test. He pointed out that these kinds of players, who show determination and strong attitudes, are vital for winning big matches and series.

  • Sebi’s Game-Changer: New Method for Stock Closing Prices!

    Sebi’s Game-Changer: New Method for Stock Closing Prices!

    On Thursday, India’s markets regulator, Sebi, suggested a new way to decide the closing prices of stocks in the equity cash market. Currently, the closing price is figured out using the Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) over the last 30 minutes of trading. This method helps find a fair price but doesn’t let investors buy or sell stocks at that exact closing price.

    The new idea, called the Close Auction Session (CAS), aims to make prices more stable during the busy closing moments of the market, especially on important days like index rebalancing and when derivatives expire. It will help big investors complete their trades at the closing price and make tracking indices easier for passive funds, which are investment funds that follow the performance of an index.

    Sebi pointed out that as more Indian stocks join big international indices, investors face challenges in keeping track of these stocks. The current method of using the last half-hour’s average price can lead to differences that hurt investors.

    To solve this, Sebi wants to replace VWAP with CAS as a call-auction system, similar to what many countries already use. The new method would be gradually introduced, starting with stocks that have derivatives available.

    Sebi suggests that this auction session should take 15 minutes, from 3:30 PM to 3:45 PM, and split into different parts. These include figuring out a reference price, accepting orders, a no-cancellation period, and finally confirming and matching trades. Alternatively, Sebi could also hold it in three parts, without a no-cancellation phase, similar to how pre-open sessions work.

    Sebi is looking for public feedback on these proposals until December 26.