Author: Virgin News

The Comptroller and Auditor General/CAG report has reportedly identified a staggering ₹2,026 crore loss linked to the Delhi government’s excise policy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of deliberately withholding the report from the Delhi Assembly to conceal alleged irregularities. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, BJP leader Anurag Thakur outlined the alleged findings, calling out former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as the “kingpin of the scam.” According to Thakur, the report highlights 10 critical lapses in the now-scrapped excise policy. He demanded that Kejriwal explain where the missing funds went, stating, “He will…

Glenn Maxwell’s aspirations for a Test cricket revival have suffered a significant blow as the Australian all-rounder was omitted from the 16-man squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. The squad, captained by Steve Smith, reflects a strategic shift towards nurturing young talent and preparing for the demands of subcontinent conditions. Joining Maxwell on the sidelines is all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who has also been overlooked after a lackluster performance with the bat in the recently concluded series against India. Marsh was dropped for the final Test in Sydney, and his exclusion from the Sri Lanka squad marks another setback in…

Six people lost their lives, and more than 20 sustained critical injuries in a stampede at Tirupati on the evening of January 8, 2025. The incident occurred as thousands of devotees scrambled to secure tickets for the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival scheduled at the Tirumala temple on January 10. B.R. Naidu, Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board, confirmed the tragic event, citing overcrowding and inadequate arrangements as contributing factors. The TTD had established around 90 ticket counters across Tirupati, announcing that ticket distribution would begin at 5 a.m. on January 9. However, the massive turnout overwhelmed the facilities,…

India’s ambitious Digital Personal Data Protection Rules (DPDP), 2025, currently in draft form, are expected to be notified and implemented by mid-2025, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed. The announcement underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding personal data while fostering digital innovation. ,Mr. Vaishnaw confirmed that stakeholder consultations have been extensive, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. “Most stakeholders are okay with the provisions. We don’t foresee significant amendments, only minor tweaks,” he noted. The government has set February 18 as the deadline for public comments on the draft. While larger firms are prepared to comply…

In a significant leadership transition, Dr. V Narayanan, a distinguished expert in rocket and spacecraft propulsion, has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He will assume the role on January 14, 2025, succeeding the current chief, S. Somanath. An official order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet announced that Dr. Narayanan will lead ISRO and the Space Commission for a two-year term or until further directives. Dr. Narayanan, currently the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), has been a pivotal force in India’s…

Old Mehfil Restaurant Building in Sector 17, Chandigarh, collapsed early this morning. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported, as the building had been vacated weeks earlier due to visible signs of structural instability. Authorities are lauding the timely evacuation as a crucial step that saved lives. The collapse of the Mehfil Hotel has reignited concerns about aging infrastructure in Chandigarh. Built in the late 1950s, the city is celebrated for its modernist architecture and meticulous urban planning under the vision of Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. However, the tragedy highlights the pressing need for proactive building maintenance and infrastructure assessment…

Prashant Kishore, Jan Suraaj Chief, noted political strategist and activist, was arrested at Gandhi Maidan, Bihar, today morning while staging a fast unto death . The protest was aimed at pressing for action against the alleged BPSC exam paper leak. The peaceful demonstration escalated when police forcibly intervened, arresting Kishore while dispersing a large gathering of students and supporters who had come to show solidarity. Eyewitnesses reported instances of manhandling as students were evicted from Gandhi Maidan by police, leading to chaotic scenes. Videos circulating on social media show students chanting slogans and resisting the authorities’ efforts before being removed…

As Bangladesh continues to navigate a period of political unrest and social upheaval, one man has emerged as a pivotal figure in shaping the nation’s trajectory: General Waker-uz-Zaman, the country’s military chief. From his early days as a young infantry cadet to his current role as a balancing force between competing power centers, Gen. Zaman’s journey is a reflection of Bangladesh’s tumultuous history and uncertain future. The political turbulence that engulfed Bangladesh in mid-2024 was far from unprecedented. Decades after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the devastation of Cyclone Bhola, the nation remained vulnerable to both natural and…

As PM Modi gears up for a significant visit to Paris in February, India and France are finalizing two monumental defence deals and advancing their collaboration in artificial intelligence. The agreements, valued at over $10 billion, strengths ties between the two nations and their shared vision for progress and innovation. The defence contracts, pivotal for bolstering India’s naval capabilities, include the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets tailored for aircraft carriers and three additional Scorpene-class submarines. Both agreements are in the final stages of approval and are expected to be placed before India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) within weeks.…

Paracetamol, a widely trusted remedy for pain and fever, hides a darker side. Despite its reputation as a “safe” drug, paracetamol poisoning silently claims thousands of lives each year worldwide. A recent tragic death in a Liverpool hospital has reignited discussions about the dangers of paracetamol overdose, a topic often overshadowed by the drug’s everyday use. Globally, paracetamol poisoning accounts for tens of thousands of hospital visits annually. In the United States alone, it leads to over 60,000 emergency cases and more than 500 deaths each year. Despite its widespread impact, this issue rarely garners the same attention as aviation…