Day: July 25, 2024

Noida Doctor Loses ₹ 59 Lakh in ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam

Manish Kumar

Dr. Puja Goyal, a Noida-based doctor, fell victim to a sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ scam, losing ₹ 59 lakh. On July 13, Dr. Goyal, a resident of Noida Sector 77, received a call from an individual claiming to be an official from the Telephone Regulatory Authority of India. The caller accused her of using her phone to circulate pornographic videos. The Deception Despite Dr. Goyal’s denial, the scammer coerced her into joining a video call. She was threatened with severe consequences and informed that she was under ‘digital arrest’. After 48…

Rashtrapati Bhavan Renames Iconic Halls to Reflect Indian Heritage

Manish Kumar

Introduction of New Names On Thursday, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India, renamed its historic ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ to ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’, respectively. The President’s Secretariat emphasized that this change aligns with the ongoing efforts to make Rashtrapati Bhavan more accessible and reflective of Indian cultural values. Durbar Hall to Ganatantra Mandap The ‘Durbar Hall’, now ‘Ganatantra Mandap’, is renowned for its historical significance, being the site of the swearing-in ceremony of Independent India’s first government. Originally known as the Throne…

Netanyahu’s Fiery Response to Protests Outside US Congress Amid Gaza Conflict

Manish Kumar

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at anti-Israel protesters demonstrating outside the US Congress against the Gaza war and his visit to the United States, labeling them as Iran’s “useful idiots.” In his impassioned speech, Netanyahu defended Israel’s stance on the Gaza conflict and sought American support amid thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Capitol. “For all we know, Iran is funding the anti-Israel protests happening right now outside this building—not many, but they’re there—and throughout the city,” Netanyahu stated. “I have a message for these protesters:…

Key Insights on Laos as India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar Visits to Strengthen ASEAN Ties

Manish Kumar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is in Laos to participate in the ASEAN meeting, marking a significant step in deepening India’s ties with the ASEAN bloc as India celebrates a decade of its Act East Policy. Invited by Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Jaishankar’s visit underscores India’s commitment to ASEAN unity and the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from other countries, further emphasizing India’s engagement with ASEAN. Here are seven…

Union Budget: Indian Startup Ecosystem Welcomes Abolition of Angel Tax

Manish Kumar

New Delhi: The Indian startup ecosystem on Tuesday hailed the Union Budget 2024 for abolishing angel tax — the tax imposed on funds raised by startups from angel investors — for all classes of financiers. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech, said that the move was aimed at bolstering the Indian startup ecosystem, boosting the entrepreneurial spirit, and supporting innovation. “The removal of angel tax is great news for early-stage startups and shows the government’s support for startup funding. The focus on creating jobs, developing skills, supporting MSMEs,…

Lady Gaga to Perform at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Manish Kumar

Singer-songwriter and actor Lady Gaga is set to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Earlier, fans had speculated that the ‘Shallow’ singer would take the stage on the River Seine in Paris alongside Celine Dion, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, and French singer Aya Nakamura. However, the ceremony’s lineup of performers has mostly been kept under wraps. As per the reports, speculations started when Gaga and Dion were seen landing in Paris ahead of the Olympics, a worldwide multisport event. The ‘A Star Is Born’ actor was…

Excise ‘Scam’: Delhi Court Extends Judicial Custody of Kejriwal, Sisodia, and K Kavitha

Manish Kumar

A Delhi court on Thursday extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in money laundering and corruption cases related to the alleged excise scam. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja extended Kejriwal’s custody in a money laundering case, being probed by the Enforcement Directorate, till July 31, while his judicial custody in a corruption case, lodged by the CBI, was extended till August 8. The judge also extended the judicial custody of Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha,…

Telangana Budget 2024 LIVE: ₹1,525 Crore Allocated for Regional Ring Road

Manish Kumar

The Telangana government presented its budget for the 2024-25 financial year today, July 25, 2024. Deputy chief minister and Finance minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka present the budget in the state legislative assembly. This will be the first full Budget presented by a Congress-led state government after the formation of Telangana. The vote-on-account Budget introduced by the Congress government in February, following its assumption of power in December, is set to expire on July 31. Consequently, this Budget will cover the period from August 2024 to March 2025. LIVE updates 1:45…

US Stock Market Plunges After Tesla and Alphabet Quarterly Results

Manish Kumar

On Wednesday, U.S. stock indexes experienced their worst losses since 2022, triggered by quarterly profit reports from Tesla and Alphabet. These reports dampened Wall Street’s enthusiasm for artificial intelligence technology, leading to significant declines across major indexes. Major Index Drops Nasdaq Composite: The Nasdaq Composite recorded its largest single-day percentage drop since October 2022, closing at its lowest level since June 10. The index fell by 654.94 points, or 3.64%, to 17,342.41. Dow Jones Industrial Average: The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 504.22 points, or 1.25%, closing at 39,853.87.…

India Successfully Tests Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System

Manish Kumar

On Wednesday, India successfully conducted a flight test of its Phase-II ballistic missile defence system, showcasing its advanced capability to defend against hostile missiles with a range of up to 5,000 km. This significant achievement was accomplished at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. The test fully met all trial objectives, thereby validating a comprehensive network-centric warfare weapon system. Ministerial Praise Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for this remarkable achievement, underscoring India’s robust ballistic missile defence capabilities. “The DRDO successfully flight-tested…