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Ranya Rao Linked to 38 Crore Hawala Racket, NDTV Reports

BENGALURU: Actor Ranya Rao has been arrested for allegedly smuggling gold and being involved in a hawala racket worth over Rs 38 crore. Investigators revealed that she, alongside her aide Tarun Raju and gold merchant Sahil Jain, smuggled gold from Dubai and laundered money through hawala channels. Jain, the third accused, reportedly helped Rao dispose of nearly 50 kg of gold valued at around Rs 40 crore and facilitated hawala transactions totaling Rs 38 crore. Rao was apprehended at Bengaluru airport on March 3, where authorities seized 14.2 kg of gold bars concealed on her person, worth Rs 12.56 crore. Further searches at her residence uncovered gold jewelry and cash, suspected to be hawala money. Rao is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramchandra Rao, who claims to be unaware of her illegal activities and has been placed on compulsory leave. Her frequent trips to Dubai, totaling 27 last year, raised suspicions. sources

Published:
Apr 03 2025, 4 pm

Sacked Teachers Target Bengal Government: 'Everything Will End'

The Supreme Court's recent decision to annul the appointments of over 25,000 teachers and school staff in West Bengal has ignited a significant political controversy, pitting the ruling Trinamool Congress against the opposition BJP and CPM. The court found the selection process, conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission in 2016, to be fundamentally flawed due to widespread irregularities, leading to the cancellation of all appointments. Affected individuals, like teachers Pratap Roychowdhury and Amit Ranjan Bhuyan, expressed their despair over job loss, financial burdens, and the impact on their families, questioning the state government’s accountability for the corruption that led to this crisis. While the court has mandated a new selection process within three months, many, including Bhuyan, worry about their future job prospects. Amidst this turmoil, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused opposition parties of plotting against the education system, while the BJP condemned the ruling party's alleged corruption. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 12 pm

PM Modi Meets M Yunus After Bangladesh's Regime Change

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim government chief advisor, during the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, marking their first encounter since Yunus assumed leadership following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in August 2022. The meeting is particularly significant as India monitors Bangladesh's increasing ties with China amid strained relations since the political upheaval. Yunus's recent comments about India's Northeastern states, describing them as "landlocked" and positioning Bangladesh as their "guardian of the ocean," have provoked backlash, particularly from Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who condemned the remarks as offensive. Sarma emphasized the need for improved connectivity to the Northeast, which is strategically vulnerable due to the "Chicken's Neck" corridor. Modi had previously expressed goodwill towards Bangladesh in a letter, underscoring the importance of mutual respect and shared historical ties. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 12 pm

BJP Seeks Apology from Sonia Gandhi Over Waqf Bill Comments

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for an apology from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi following her criticism of the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill, which she described as a "brazen assault" on the Constitution. Gandhi accused the BJP of fostering societal polarization and claimed the Bill was "bulldozed" through the Lok Sabha during a Congress Parliamentary Party meeting. She also condemned the proposed One Nation, One Election Bill as a constitutional subversion. The Lok Sabha approved the Waqf Bill after a 12-hour debate, with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, despite opposition claims that it is anti-Muslim and unconstitutional. Following her remarks, BJP MPs protested in the Lok Sabha, demanding Gandhi's apology. The Congress plans to challenge the Bill's constitutionality in the Supreme Court, asserting its commitment to defending constitutional principles against what they view as government overreach. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 12 pm

Probe Agency Raids 'L2: Empuraan' Producers Over ₹1,000 Crore Case

The Enforcement Directorate has conducted searches at the Tamil Nadu and Kerala offices of Gokul Chit Fund, a financial services firm linked to the Malayalam film 'L2: Empuraan', amid allegations of Rs 1,000 crore foreign exchange violations. The investigation began early Friday, with the agency probing potential cheating allegations as well. This development coincides with ongoing controversy surrounding 'Empuraan', which references the 2002 Gujarat riots and critiques the misuse of central investigative agencies. Following violent protests from right-wing groups, the film's production team agreed to make 17 cuts, including altering scenes depicting violence and renaming the antagonist. The revised version has grossed over Rs 80 crore in its first week. Amidst political tensions, the ruling Left Democratic Front and Congress have defended the film, while BJP leaders have been cautious in their comments, reflecting the complex political landscape in Kerala ahead of upcoming elections. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 11 am

Video: Lion Surprises Residents in Gujarat Home

In a startling incident on Wednesday night, a family in Gujarat's Amreli district found a lion in their kitchen, perched on a wall and staring back at them. The lion remained in the kitchen for nearly two hours, prompting the family to flee and call for help from villagers, who ultimately used lights and sounds to drive the animal away. The lion had entered the house through an opening in the roof while the family was asleep. A viral video captured the moment, showing the lion peering into the kitchen with glowing eyes. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. This encounter is not an isolated case; earlier in February, traffic on the Bhavnagar-Somnath Highway was halted for 15 minutes when an Asiatic lion was spotted crossing the road, illustrating the increasing interactions between wildlife and residential areas in Gujarat. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 11 am

PM Modi Calls Waqf Bill Passage a Watershed Moment

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by Parliament as a "watershed moment" in India's pursuit of socio-economic justice and inclusive growth. Speaking during a visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka, Modi emphasized that the new legislation will benefit marginalized communities, particularly Muslim women and the poor. He expressed gratitude to Parliament members and citizens who contributed to the legislative process, underscoring the importance of dialogue. Modi noted that the previous Waqf system lacked transparency and accountability, adversely affecting vulnerable groups. The new laws aim to modernize the framework, ensuring greater efficiency and safeguarding rights. While the government asserts these changes will enhance Waqf bodies' operations, the Opposition has raised concerns, claiming the legislation undermines minority rights and suggests ulterior motives regarding Waqf properties. The bills await President Droupadi Murmu's approval to become law. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 8 am

Couple's Anniversary Dance Ends in Heart Attack Tragedy

NEW DELHI: A joyous 25th wedding anniversary celebration in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, turned tragic when 50-year-old businessman Wasim Sarwat suffered a fatal heart attack. The couple, who had invited relatives to a party along the Pilibhit bypass road, were seen in videos enjoying the festivities, with Farah and family dancing on stage. Suddenly, Wasim collapsed mid-performance, prompting immediate concern from his wife and relatives. Despite being rushed to a nearby private hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival. The shocking turn of events has left family and friends in mourning, highlighting the unpredictability of life even during moments of celebration. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 8 am

AI Model Passes Turing Test, Considered More Human Than Humans

OpenAI's GPT-4.5 model has reportedly surpassed the Turing Test, achieving a 73% success rate in being identified as human when prompted to adopt a persona, according to a preprint study awaiting peer review. Conducted by researchers at UC San Diego, the study involved nearly 300 participants who were tasked with distinguishing between a human and the AI model in a three-party setup. When given a "no-persona" prompt, GPT-4.5's success rate dropped to 36%, highlighting the impact of persona on performance. Lead author Cameron Jones cautioned that the ability of AI to convincingly mimic human interaction could lead to job automation and increased risks of social engineering attacks. The Turing Test, established by Alan Turing in 1950, remains a benchmark for assessing artificial intelligence, evaluating whether a machine's behavior is indistinguishable from that of a human. Reactions on social media have ranged from amusement to concern about the implications of AI's advancements. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 8 am

Shashi Tharoor: Manipur Struggles with Illegal Immigration Issues

NEW DELHI: Following the Lok Sabha's approval of President's rule in Manipur, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor expressed hope for a swift return to peace and stability in the troubled state. Tharoor emphasized the need to restore public trust in both the state and its institutions, highlighting ongoing challenges such as illegal immigration and drug trafficking. He referenced the resignation of Brinda Thounaojam, a prominent police officer who accused the government of interfering in drug investigations. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reported that there has been no violence in Manipur for four months, asserting that the situation is under control. Ethnic tensions between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes have led to over 250 deaths and significant displacement since May 2023, with disputes over land rights and political representation escalating demands for a separate administration by the Kukis. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 8 am

Veteran Actor Manoj Kumar Passes Away at 87 in Mumbai

Veteran actor Manoj Kumar, renowned for his iconic roles in patriotic films like *Purab Aur Paschim* and *Kranti*, has passed away at the age of 87 in a Mumbai hospital. He was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani Hospital, where he succumbed to heart-related complications, with decompensated liver cirrhosis noted as a secondary cause of death, according to the medical certificate. Born Harikrishnan Goswami in 1937 in Abbottabad, British India (now in Pakistan), Kumar made his Bollywood debut in 1957 with *Fashion*, gaining prominence with his performance in *Kanch Ki Gudiya* in 1961 alongside Sayeeda Khan. His legacy in Indian cinema, particularly in films that evoke national pride, has left an indelible mark on the industry. sources

Published:
Apr 04 2025, 7 am

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