Month: January 2025

Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP convenor, visted the Election Commission on Friday and claimed that if AAP had not protested, one crore Delhi residents would have been deprived of water. He alleged bias, stating that instead of acting against Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini, ECI is targeting him.

“If we had not protested and raised a hue and cry, one crore people of Delhi would have stopped getting water… ECI has sent me a notice asking why no action is taken. I saved Delhi from water crisis and I am being threatened with punishment… Instead of filing an FIR and taking action against Nayab Saini, Election Commission is after me…Neighbouring states of election states can influence elections by stopping water… Money, sarees, shoes and jackets are being openly distributed in Delhi but Election Commission is silent. ECI does not show the courage to take action against BJP today,” he said.

He further said “Whatever punishment is given to me, I will accept it. We have not taken time from Election Commission, if we meet them then it is fine otherwise we will come to the gate and give our answer and water bottle to the three commissioners.”

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the rising ammonia levels in Delhi’s water were part of a political conspiracy aimed at disrupting the city’s water supply. He further stated that the Haryana government’s response was a politically motivated move.

“CM Atishi called Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini to complain about the rising ammonia levels in water. She asked to either reduce the ammonia levels or release extra water to dilute the ammonia levels. He agreed to the demands but did not take action. This happened thrice and after that, he stopped taking Atishi’s calls… Even Bhagwant Mann tried talking to Haryana CM to which he was given assurances but in vain… One by one, Delhi’s water treatment plants started shutting down. Delhi’s Chief Secretary also talked to Haryana Chief Secretary in this matter urging him to take action. Haryana’s Chief Secretary said something very shocking. He said this decision has been taken at the top level and he suggested that Delhi CM talk to Haryana CM. This is when we realised this is a political conspiracy to influence elections… “

Kejriwal further addressed the water contamination issue, claiming it was part of a political conspiracy aimed at creating water scarcity in Delhi. He revealed that after 15 January, ammonia levels in the water rose dramatically before gradually decreasing, attributing the reduction to the success of their agitation.

“When the Punjab irrigation secretary talked to his counterpart in Haryana, it was confirmed that it was a political conspiracy… What happened after 15 January is shocking. Ammonia levels reached 3.2 ppm and gradually started increasing and reached 7 ppm by 26 January… This is when CM Atishi organised a press conference and informed everyone about it…They thought that they would be able to blame AAP by creating water scarcity in Delhi. Now the ppm has reduced to 2.1 which means that it was well in their control… Our agitation worked..,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to souces, the Election Commission accepted the manner of meeting with Arvind Kejriwal today as a special case, altering its earlier schedule in view of the thick of the campaign period in Delhi and for leaving no scope for complaint for any stakeholder.

The Commission gave a patient hearing to Arvind Kejriwal to substantiate his statements on yamuna poisoning and mass genocide. (ANI)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has tabled the Economic Survey for 2024-25 in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Soon after, both the houses were adjourned for the day.

As is the convention, the Finance Minister tabled the pre-budget detailed state of the economy document in the Parliament, a day ahead of the Budget presentation for the next financial year – 2025-26.

What is the Economic Survey:

The Economic Survey document, prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and formulated under the supervision of the chief economic adviser, gives insights into the state of the economy and various indicators of 2024-25 (April-March) and some outlook for the next fiscal.

The Economy Survey document also typically gives some idea about the tone and texture of the actual Budget for 2025-26, to be presented on Saturday.

The first economic survey reportedly came into existence in 1950-51, when it used to be a part of the budget documents. In the 1960s, it was separated from the Budget documents and presented the day before the Union Budget.

State of the economy:

The Indian economy grew by 5.4 per cent in real terms in the July-September quarter of the current financial year 2024-25. The quarterly growth was quite lower than RBI’s forecast of 7 per cent. In the April-June quarter too, India’s GDP grew at a slower pace than was estimated by its central bank.The Reserve Bank in its latest monetary policy had cut India’s growth forecast for 2024-25 to 6.6 per cent from 7.2 per cent. The government expects 6.4 per cent growth.

India’s GDP grew by an impressive 8.2 per cent during the financial year 2023-24, and continued to be the fastest-growing major economy. The economy grew by 7.2 per cent in 2022-23 and 8.7 per cent in 2021-22.

Budget session 2025:

The budget session of parliament will begin on January 31 and, according to schedule, will end on April 4.The budget will be presented on February 1. On budget day, the Finance Minister will present the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha at 11 am. The budget speech will outline the government’s fiscal policies, revenue and expenditure proposals, taxation reforms, and other significant announcements.

With this upcoming Budget Presentation, Sitharaman will have presented the eighth budget. (ANI)

Ayodhya is witnessing a surge in devotees arriving from Maha Kumbh 2025, with many seeking shelter in government-run facilities. Night shelters like ‘Green Basera’, established under the leadership of PM Modi and CM Yogi, are providing free accommodation, ensuring comfort and security for pilgrims.

Devotees have praised the well-organized system, highlighting the cleanliness, safety measures, and accessibility of essential amenities.

One devotee shared his experience, saying, “I’m currently staying at the Green Basera in Ayodhya, a facility run by the government, led by Modi ji and Yogi ji. We arrived last night from Kumbh after Mauni Amavasya. We traveled here by government bus and got to know about Green Basera, which offered free accommodations, a welcome respite from the expensive hotels. The police have been respectful and responsive, providing helpful information and directions. The facilities here are good… with a reliable water supply, clean toilets, and bathrooms. The overall system is well-organized, making it an ideal model for other religious sites.”

He further added “The check-in process was seamless, requiring only our Aadhar cards and a few signatures. We received blankets to keep us warm and had access to lockers for secure storage of our belongings. CCTV cameras ensured our safety and security. I firmly believe that replicating such facilities at every religious site would greatly benefit the public, especially the underprivileged.”

Another devotee recalled her journey from Prayagraj Kumbh, stating, “”We visited the Sangam Ghat at Prayagraj Kumbh, where we took a dip in the sacred river. However, after bathing, we faced difficulty exiting the area as several bridges were closed. We tried multiple bridges, finally managing to exit from the 25th bridge. We were wandering there, then we got a car that bring us to this wonderful place. We aere happy to come to this place, we could rest and refresh ourselves. We have all facilities here, a meal and everything…. we bathed at the Sarju Ghat. Afterwards, we visited the Ram Mandir and returned here to rest.”

Earlier, on Thursday, the Yogi Government announced that VIP movement was restricted on major bathing days. All VIPs and VVIPs delegations planning to visit Prayagraj during Vasant Panchami, Magh Purnima and Mahashivratri — as well as a day before and after these festivals would not receive special privileges, a press release by the UP government stated on Thursday.

The three-member judicial commission formed to investigate the tragic stampede during the Prayagraj Mahakumbh on Mauni Amavasya, which resulted in the deaths of 30 people, has officially commenced its work, according to a release.

The commission members arrived at their office in Janpath, Lucknow, on Thursday, and immediately took charge of the investigation.

Commission Chairman Justice (Retd.) Harsh Kumar said, “Since the investigation is a priority, we have taken charge within hours of the announcement.”

He added, “Although we have a month to complete the probe, we will make every effort to conclude it as quickly as possible.” Justice Kumar also confirmed that the commission would soon visit Prayagraj to assess the situation firsthand.

Meanwhile, in Prayagaraj, UP DGP Prashant Kumar, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and other officials conducted an on-site inspection. (ANI)

Squid Game fans are in for a treat as Netflix announced the much-awaited third and final season of ‘Squid Game.’

The hit Korean drama is set to return on June 27 this year while wrapping up the intense survival series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the announcement was made during Netflix’s Next on Netflix presentation. Squid Game remains the streamer’s most popular series, with season two earning 4.92 billion minutes of viewing in a single week in the U.S. after its release on December 26, 2024.

The final season picks up after the dramatic ending of season two. According to Netflix, the story will follow Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) as he continues his mission to stop the deadly game. Meanwhile, The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) prepares for his next move, and the remaining players face even deadlier consequences with each round.

According to the publication, Netflix also released a chilling new poster for season three, with the tagline: “Prepare for the final game.”

The artwork hints at a more intense and brutal finale, featuring sinister silhouettes of Young-hee and her companion Cheol-su, characters first teased in season two’s post-credit scene.

Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, who returns as writer and director for the final season, originally planned Squid Game as a three-season story. However, he has not ruled out the possibility of a future spinoff.

“When we were doing season one, I was saying there was never going to be another season,” Hwang told The Hollywood Reporter during season two’s launch. “And so if the time comes, and it just so happens that I’m able to come up with a character or a different story, then maybe there might be a comeback. But I’m thinking more along the lines of a spinoff,” he added.

Fans will have to wait until June 27, 2025, to see how the Squid Game story comes to an end. (ANI)

United States citizens on Thursday expressed grief over the mid-air plane collision near Reagan National Airport in Washington DC in which 67 people are feared to be dead.

A local citizen speaking with ANI said that it is one of the worst tragedies to happen in Washington DC.

“When the rescue operations were going on here, as you see it right now, it was similar to this. It wasn’t like there was a lot of police. I have seen more police at a traffic stop or at a car accident than I saw here today. But it was really a tragedy… This is one of the worst tragedies to ever happen in the DC area or Arlington in general. It’s really sad to see this happen. I’m praying for the community,” he told ANI.

Another local, Michelle Boudreau, recounted her experience of listening to the incident and called it “heartbreaking.

“We listen to a lot of live air traffic controllers and track flights… Last night I was listening and heard everything happening. It was devastating. We usually come here at least once a month to watch the flights land, track them and listen to the controllers. So it felt very personal because I listened constantly and heard it happen. It was pretty heartbreaking,” she told ANI.

A mid-air collision occurred between an American Airlines plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport outside Washington, DC on Wednesday night. The collision resulted in both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River. US authorities have confirmed that all 67 people are feared to be dead.

Meanwhile, the American Airlines plane’s data recorder-also known as black box has been recovered from the Potomac River, CNN reported.

According to CNN, 40 bodies have been recovered from the river so far while the rescue operations continues.

Additionally, US President Donald Trump said that he would be meeting with the families of victims, CNN reported.

“I will be meeting with some people that were very badly hurt with their family member, obviously, but I’ll be meeting with some of the families, yeah,” Trump said.

Earlier, Donald Trump expressed grief over the loss of lives in the plane crash, calling it a “devastating moment” in the nation’s history.

Acknowledging the impact on families across the United States and abroad, including Russian nationals on board, he assured that efforts would be made to determine the cause of the disaster and prevent such incidents in the future.

Addressing a press briefing on the aviation disaster, Trump said, “Sadly, there are no survivors. This was a dark and excruciating night in our nation’s capital and in our nation’s history and a tragedy of terrible proportions as we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly. This is really shaking a lot of people, including people from other nations.”

Trump also blamed former Democratic Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama for lowering air safety standards.

Trump blamed Obama and Biden for ‘putting’ policy first instead of the safety of the citizens. He emphasised that the job requires people with “superior intelligence.”

“Democrats put policy first and they put politics at a level that nobody’s ever seen,” Trump said during the press briefing.

“They actually came out with a directive too white and we want the people that are competent,” He added. (ANI)

Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla and Indian Air Force (IAF) officer who was recently chosen as the ‘Prime’ astronaut for Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Gaganyaan mission, has been selected as the pilot for Axiom Mission 4, scheduled for Spring 2025.

Shubhanshu Shukla, a serving IAF officer, will serve as the pilot for Ax-4 mission. The Ax-4 mission will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Axiom Space’s director of Human Spaceflight. The two mission specialists are ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

The Ax-4 mission will “realize the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years.

Shubhanshu Shukla will be India’s second astronaut to go to space since 1984..His journey began when he was commissioned into the IAF fighter wing in June 2006. As a combat leader and seasoned test pilot, he boasts an impressive 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. His ascent to the rank of group captain in March 2024 reflects his exceptional contributions.

In 2019, Shukla received a momentous call from ISRO. He embarked on rigorous training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Moscow, Russia–a year-long preparation that would shape his destiny.

On February 27, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Shukla as one of the elite astronauts undergoing intensive training for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, scheduled for launch in 2025.

In August 2024, Shukla was selected as the ‘Prime’ astronaut for the upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair was selected as the ‘Backup’ astronaut.

Notably, the Gaganyaan project envisages the demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission and bringing them back safely to earth by landing in Indian sea waters.

India’s space sector has experienced significant growth and achievements over the past year, marking a new era of innovation and exploration.

From the successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing to the launch of the Aditya L1 Solar Mission, ISRO has demonstrated its capabilities on the global stage. The organisation has also made strides in its Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, conducted critical tests for reusable launch vehicles, and expanded its satellite portfolio with missions like XPoSat and INSAT-3DS.

On January 29, ISRO successfully launched their GSLV-F15 carrying the NVS-02 on 6:23 AM at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This was ISRO’s 100th launch from the country’s space port. Furthermore, the country has laid out ambitious roadmaps for lunar exploration and human spaceflight, including plans for an Indian space station by 2035. (ANI)

British musician Ed Sheeran on Thursday kick-started his 6-city India tour with a mesmerising performance in Pune.

Bringing his + – = / x Tour to Pune, Ed Sheeran took the stage donning a t-shirt that said ‘Pune’ celebrating the city and the crowd erupted in cheers!

One of the highlights of the evening was where Sheeran paused for a moment to express his gratitude. He shared that he has performed twice in India, both times in Mumbai and was excited to bring his music to other cities this time. He also expressed that every visit makes him feel like a tourist exploring this beautiful country and that he is always grateful for the opportunity to perform for the people of India.

Singer-actor Dot., best known for “The Archies”, opened the India leg of British musician Ed Sheeran’s ‘The Mathematics’ tour. The Indian tour is produced and promoted by AEG Presents Asia and BookMyShow Live,

Ed Sheeran will next perform in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Shillong and Delhi-NCR. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump ihas once again held out the threat of tariffs to BRICS nations if they try to replace the US Dollar with any other currency. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:

“The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar, while we stand by and watch, is OVER. We are going to require a commitment from these seemingly hostile Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty US Dollar or, they will face 100 per cent Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful US Economy. They can go find another sucker Nation. There is no chance that BRICS will replace the US Dollar in International Trade, or anywhere else, and any Country that tries should say hello to Tariffs, and goodbye to America!”

The statement reinforced Trump’s position on de-dollarisation, warning that BRICS countries must commit to maintaining the US dollar’s role in global trade or face economic consequences. His post emphasised that any attempt to introduce a new BRICS currency or back another alternative to replace the dollar would result in a complete trade tariff against those nations.

Trump’s remarks signal a firm stance against financial shifts that could challenge the US economy’s influence in international trade.

Trump had previously reiterated his position during a signing ceremony at the Oval Office, where he directly warned BRICS countries against moving away from the dollar. Speaking on the matter, he said:

“As a BRICS nation… they’ll have a 100 per cent tariff if they so much as even think about doing what they thought, and therefore they’ll give it up immediately.”

He also rejected the idea that the US was in a vulnerable position, referencing a statement from former President Joe Biden. Trump insisted that the US holds leverage over BRICS countries, stating:

“It’s not even a threat. In fact, since I made that statement, Biden said, they have us over a barrel. I said, No, we have them over a barrel. And there’s no way they’re going to be able to do that.”

Trump had made similar warnings before assuming office as the 47th President of the United States, stating that BRICS nations would face 100 per cent tariffs on imports to the US if they launched a new currency. His latest remarks reinforce his administration’s commitment to protecting the US dollar’s dominance in global trade.

BRICS nations have been actively working on reducing dollar dependence. During the plenary session of the 15th BRICS Summit in 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for de-dollarisation, stating that “BRICS countries must expand settlements in national currencies and enhance cooperation between banks.” In June 2024, BRICS foreign ministers met in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, where they advocated for the “enhanced use of local currencies in bilateral and multilateral trades and financial transactions between the member countries.” (ANI)

Actor Aadar Jain, who recently tied the knot with Alekha Advani in a beautiful Christian ceremony in Goa, shared an adorable wedding video on social media, giving fans a glimpse into their intimate celebration.

On Thursday, Alekha dropped a video on Instagram and wrote a heartfelt note which read, “In the place I grew up, With the person I grew up with, We said forever. ~12.01.25~.”

The wedding video begins with beautiful shots of the resort by the sea. The stage was set at the beach with the beautiful setting sun above the sea in the backdrop. The couple can be seen excited in the video.

The family members also shared their reactions to the couple on the stage.

In one of the glimpses, Alekha can be seen walking to the stage with her parents and Aadar is seen getting teary-eyed as he receives Alekha on the stage.

The video also captured candid shots of the guests’ reactions. They were all smiles and excited for the marriage.

They also shared their love story on the stage. After the vows, the couple sealed it with a kiss and fireworks painted the sky. Then, the night was welcomed with parties and dances.

Family members like Neetu Kapoor and cousin Karisma Kapoor were also spotted, smiling to see the couple mesmerised by each others’ vows. Karisma was seen cheering for the couple.

As soon as Alekha shared the video on Instagram, netizens showered love and blessings on the couple with heart emojis in the comment section.

For their special day, Alekha wore a stunning white gown with a veil, while Aadar looked dapper in a grey suit.

The newly married couple shared glimpses of their intimate wedding on Instagram Stories, including a tender hug and their first kiss as husband and wife.

Karisma and Neetu also treated their fans with a glimpse of the wedding. Karisma took to her Instagram Stories to post a photo of the couple with the caption, “Celebrating Alekha and Aadar.”

She also posted a picture of Aadar sporting a jacket with “Vows and Vibes” written on it.

Neetu also shared a family portrait from the wedding on her Instagram Stories.

The couple’s roka ceremony took in November last year and was attended by several celebs from B-town including Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Neetu Kapoor.

Aadar announced his engagement to Alekha Advani in September last year with an adorable proposal by the sea.

Jain shared intimate pictures of the moment on Instagram, showing him down on one knee, holding Advani’s hand in a picturesque beach setting.

Jain and Advani’s relationship became public in November 2023 when Jain shared a photo of them together on social media, describing her as the “light of my life.”

Aadar Jain, the son of Reema Jain and Manoj Jain, previously dated actress Tara Sutaria.

The couple, who made their relationship Instagram official in August 2020, reportedly ended their relationship.

Aadar Jain, who debuted in Bollywood with ‘Qaidi Band’ in 2017, was last seen in ‘Hello Charlie.’ (ANI)