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The SS Rajamouli-directed epic, RRR, may not have been nominated at the 96th Academy Awards this year, but it still managed to make a heartwarming appearance during the ceremony. While RRR's presence at the 2024 Oscars wasn't in the form of nominations, these inclusions demonstrate the film's continued international recognition and its impact on the action and musical aspects of cinema. Ram Charan and Jr. NTR fans were delighted to see the surprise appearance of RRR at the Oscars 2024. RRR got featured in two distinct segments of the prestigious award show. A Tribute to Stunt Performers: A special montage celebrating the vital role of stunt coordinators and performers in filmmaking showcased a thrilling action sequence from RRR's climax. This segment aimed to celebrate the invaluable contribution of stunt performers to international cinema. The inclusion of the RRR clip highlighted the film's impressive stunts and the dedication of the stunt team behind them. A Reminder of Last Year's Historic Win: When presenters took the stage to announce the winner for Best Original Song, the background displayed visuals from last year's winner, RRR's energetic and now iconic song, "Naatu Naatu." This subtle acknowledgement served as a reminder of the song's global impact and its historic win at the 95th Academy Awards. Oscars 2024: The 96th Academy Awards, held on March 10, 2024, were a night of cinematic celebration. Jimmy Kimmel returned to host the ceremony, which saw Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" dominate the awards, taking home seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. This year also witnessed a record-breaking number of nominations (21) from a single director, Nolan, thanks to his involvement with both "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie."

On International Women's Day, Sudha Murthy was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament. she is a renowned Indian philanthropist and social worker. The news was shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet celebrating Ms. Murthy's contributions to society. In short, who is Sudha Murthy? Ms. Murthy, 73, is the wife of N. R. Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, a leading global technology company. She is known for her commitment to social causes, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and rural development. She has established several schools and libraries across India and actively supports initiatives that empower women and underprivileged communities. In recognition of her tireless social work, Sudha Murthy has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, two of India's highest civilian honors. She is also the mother of Akshata Murthy, who is married to Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the United Kingdom. Sudha Murthy was nominated to the Rajya Sabha: The President of India, Draupadi Murmu, has the authority to nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha in recognition of their exceptional contributions in fields like arts, literature, sciences, and social services. Sudha Murthy was chosen as one of these 12 distinguished members. Prime Minister Modi, in his tweet, highlighted Ms. Murthy's nomination as a powerful testament to India's "Nari Shakti" (women's power), underlining the potential and strength of women in shaping the nation's future. He expressed his best wishes for a productive parliamentary tenure for Ms. Murthy. Currently in Thailand, Ms. Murthy expressed her delight at the nomination, particularly on the occasion of International Women's Day. She thanked Prime Minister Modi and acknowledged the new platform this appointment provides to serve the country.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has not provided the Supreme Court-mandated information on electoral bonds encashed by political parties as of March 6, missing the deadline set by the apex court, according to a report by PTI. The Supreme Court had previously ordered the SBI to cease issuing electoral bonds immediately after its judgement in January 2024. Additionally, the court directed the bank to submit details regarding the already-issued bonds by March 6, 2024, to the Election Commission (EC). The bench also instructed the Election Commission to publish the information provided by the SBI on its official website by March 13, 2024. The SBI, however, had submitted a plea on March 4 requesting an extension until June 30 to disclose the requested information. This request has yet to be scheduled for a hearing by the Supreme Court. SBI cited the time-consuming nature of retrieving and matching information from various sources as the reason for seeking an extension. The bank further stated that while a total of 22,217 electoral bonds were issued between April 12, 2019, and February 15, 2024, details such as "purchaser/donor name, date of issue, place of issue (branch), denomination of bond, bond number" are not centrally maintained. Also read: https://www.thenexnews.com/post/what-is-electoral-bonds-scheme-did-the-supreme-court-declare-them-unconstitutional Currently, only the total amount received through electoral bonds is revealed to the Election Commission through audited account statements. Following the deadline's end, the non-governmental organization, the Association for Democratic Reforms, filed a contempt petition regarding SBI's missed the deadline before the Supreme Court on March 7, 2024 .

A 28-year-old travel vlogger from Spain was allegedly gang-raped by seven men in India while camping with her husband. The horrific incident occurred on March 1st in the Dumka district, located around 300 kilometres from the state capital. The Spanish travel vlogger and her husband, who were on a motorcycle trip from West Bengal to Nepal, were discovered late Friday night by patrolling police officers in the Dumka district of Jharkhand state, said Pitambar Singh Kherwar, the district's police superintendent. According to the police report, the couple was camping for that night when three men approached and started arguing with the husband. They then assaulted him and tied his hands up. Four other men came and then allegedly threatened the woman with a dagger before throwing her to the ground and repeatedly raping and assaulting her. The report further details that the brutal gang rape and physical assault lasted for two and a half hours. The attackers appeared to be drunk during the incident. The police department arrested seven criminals and theyare said to be between the ages of 19 and 24. They are accused of taking turns raping the woman, assaulting her physically, and hitting her husband with a helmet. In an effort to support the victims, the Jharkhand administration has provided them with 10 lakh rupees (approximately $12,000 USD) in financial compensation. The police are also working towards a speedy trial and conviction of the accused.

To strengthen cybersecurity and empower citizens, Union Minister for Communications Ashwini Vaishnav launched two new initiatives: the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) and the Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal on March 5th, 2024. These initiatives, DIP and Chakshu, highlight the government's commitment - to improve coordination between stakeholders to combat cybercrime and financial fraud, to empower citizens to actively participate in reporting suspicious activity and to enhance overall cybersecurity in the country. DIP: Strengthening Collaboration Against Fraud A secure platform for real-time intelligence sharing between law enforcement, banks, telecom companies, social media platforms, and document issuing authorities. Aims to combat cybercrime and financial frauds by facilitating coordinated action based on shared information. When a number is flagged for fraudulent activity, it's shared with all stakeholders for immediate blocking across their platforms. Not directly accessible to citizens. Chakshu: Empowering Citizens to Report Fraud A citizen-facing portal on the Sanchar Saathi platform. Allows users to report suspected fraudulent communication received via calls, SMS, or WhatsApp, including attempts to get: KYC updates Bank account details Payment wallet information SIM card details Gas connection details Once a report is submitted, the system initiates a re-verification process for the reported number. Failure to re-verify the number could lead to its disconnection. Provides a mechanism to report mistakenly disconnected connections and recover frozen account funds. Sanchar Saathi portal: The launch of these initiatives builds upon the success of the Sanchar Saathi portal, which was introduced in May 2023. This government portal offers various services related to mobile connections and has already facilitated the disconnection of over 10 million fraudulent connections while also aiding in tracking and recovering over 700,000 stolen mobile handsets.

Today, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) are not immune from prosecution for Bribery charges under Articles 105(2) and 194(2) of the Constitution. This judgment overturned a previous verdict delivered in 1998, known as the "PV Narasimha Rao v. State" case, which granted legislators immunity from such accusations. The Court clarified that the existing immunity protects legislators only for their speech and votes within the legislative houses, not for criminal acts like bribery. Accepting a bribe, regardless of whether it influences a vote, is now considered a criminal offense and will be subject to legal proceedings. This ruling extends to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament, and encompasses the election of its Vice-President. The case originated from an appeal filed by Sita Soren, who was accused of taking a bribe in exchange for a vote during the 2012 Rajya Sabha election. The 1998 judgment, which protected MPs from prosecution even in such cases, had previously shielded her from legal action. During the case, arguments presented: Sita Soren: Advocated for a broader interpretation of the immunity granted under Article 105(2), allowing politicians greater freedom of speech without fear of legal repercussions. Attorney General: Opined that immunity should only apply to speech and actions essential for legislators to fulfill their duties without undue fear or consequences. The Court's reasoning for the new verdict (No immunity for Bribery) emphasizes that the intended purpose of immunity is to facilitate free and open discussions within the legislature, not to shield individuals from criminal activity. Accepting a bribe, the Court stated, undermines the very foundation of Indian democracy and cannot be protected by the immunity provisions.

A low-intensity explosion occurred at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru on Friday, injuring nine people. The incident took place during lunchtime, causing panic among people. According to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, preliminary investigations indicate the use of an IED as the cause of the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast. CCTV footage is being thoroughly examined to identify the perpetrator, who reportedly left behind a bag containing the explosive device. Rameshwaram Cafe: The Rameshwaram Cafe is a well-known vegetarian restaurant chain offering South Indian cuisine. The founders, Raghavendra Rao, a mechanical engineer with food industry expertise, and his wife Divya Raghavendra Rao, a chartered accountant, have successfully expanded the chain to multiple locations across the city. One of their outlets in Brookfield became the target of a horrific attack on March 1, 2024. What are IEDs in Rameshwaram cafe blast: Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are homemade bombs. These are often constructed from readily available materials, making them difficult to detect and potentially causing significant damage and casualties. IEDs can be triggered by timers, remote controls, or even pressure plates, posing a serious threat to public safety. Investigation: "The explosion caused injuries to nine people, but fortunately, none were life-threatening," said a spokesperson for the Bengaluru Police Department. "We are currently conducting a thorough investigation to identify the culprit and determine the motive behind this attack." Forensic experts are diligently collecting evidence from the scene and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to join the probe. The incident has sparked widespread concern, and a multi-agency investigation is underway to determine the motive behind the attack. Cafe Owner's Response: The blast occurred when the cafe was crowded, causing widespread panic and damage to the interior. Cafe co-founder Divya Raghavendra Rao reported hearing two distinct explosions in quick succession. "We are deeply saddened by this incident. We extend our heartfelt support to the injured and are fully cooperating with authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice,"said Ms. Rao.

Prime Minister Modi and philanthropist Bill Gates met in New Delhi on Thursday. They discussed about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to improve people's lives. They talked about using AI to make things better in India and around the world in areas like digital technology, healthcare, job creation, climate change, and more. In Modi- Bill Gates meeting- Gates praised India's digital progress, such as its cashless payment system, and emphasized the need for collaboration in vaccine development. He also mentioned the potential of AI to enhance people's lives while addressing concerns about job displacement and the development of AI with human-like abilities. Modi-Bill Gates Meeting highlights: Gates and Modi talked about using AI to help the public, giving women more opportunities, and innovation in agriculture, health, and ways to deal with climate change better. Gates said that India has shown us some things that can be used around the world. He said that India is a leader in making vaccines and that he was excited about investing more in that field. He talked about how India has made progress in connecting people digitally, like with Aadhaar and bank accounts, which is changing how things are done in different fields like agriculture. Overall, the meeting was a great way for India and the Gates Foundation to work together on important issues that affect people all over the world in terms of society, the economy, and the environment. Key Points from Bill Gates interviews: Digital Leadership: Gates said that India's strong digital infrastructure and cashless payment system could be examples for other countries. Vaccine Development: Gates said that India is a very important producer of vaccines and talked about how working together is important for making new vaccines, including mRNA vaccines. He also said that we need to make longer-lasting vaccines for different diseases. AI and Job Displacement: Gates said that he didn't think AI would make a lot of people lose their jobs. He looked at what happened in the past and said that new technology usually creates new jobs and makes people's lives better. Combatting Malnutrition: The Gates Foundation wants to help India fight anemia and malnutrition. Gates also talked about a new way to treat anemia with one shot. Climate Change: Gates said that climate change affects developing countries like India more than other places and talked about how it's important to both stop it and get ready for it. He also talked about how things are getting better in terms of getting ready for climate change. Lighthearted Moment: At the end of the talk, Gates said he really liked the "great chai" he had in Hyderabad.

The golden couple of Bollywood, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, is in the news with a happy announcement. They took Instagram to announce their pregnancy. Deepika and Ranveer got married in 2018. After 6 years of dating, they are ready to start their own family. Pregnancy post: According to sources, she is expected to be in her second trimester. Congratulatory texts for Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh: Many of the couple's industry colleagues like Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Neena Gupta, Masaba Gupta, Vikrant Massey, Mira Rajput, Neha Dhupia, Sonakshi Sinha, Shreya Ghoshal, Kriti Sanon, Varun Dhawan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Aahana Kumra, Angad Bedi and many others took to social media to express their congratulations on the happy news. Recent media reports have suggested that Deepika Padukone may be expecting a child. This speculation arose following her appearance at the 77th BAFTA red carpet in London. In a January interview with Vogue, Deepika Padukone expressed her and her husband's desire to start a family, stating, "Ranveer and I love children. We look forward to the day when we will start our own family."

The prominent Indian company that makes ayurvedic products, Patanjali, is in the news for its false and misleading advertisements in the healthcare sector. The Supreme Court of India issued a Contempt Notice to Patanjali Ayurved, co-founded by Ramdev Baba and CEO Balkrishna. The notice was issued on 27th February 2024 in response to allegations made by the company of misleading consumers with its advertisements, which say that its medicines cure different diseases. The petitions were filed earlier in 2022 regarding the same issue. On this, the Supreme Court questioned the Centre for not taking any action on the misleading and false promises since then. Now again, the situation reemerged with the case filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against Patanjali Ayurved and Ramdev Baba. The IMA claimed that the Patanjali company made false advertisements about their products and discouraged people from using modern medicine, which has scientific evidence. The Supreme Court bench, comprising of judges Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Hima Kohli, in a hearing on 27th February, stated that Patanjali failed in keeping the promises they made to refrain from making false claims and advertisements for their medicines. The bench expressed strong dissatisfaction against the false claims and stated that the "entire country is being taken for a ride" and that the government was "sitting with its eyes closed" concerning the issue. The next steps in this case remain to be determined, as Patanjali Ayurved has been granted time to respond to the contempt notice.

India has called on foreign countries to take stricter action against Khalistani activities, including violent protests, attacks on Indian missions, and threats to diplomats. These activities, according to India, endanger diplomats while damaging their public image. Call for action due to specific Khalistani activities: India has specifically requested action from Canada, Australia, the United States, and the UK following incidents such as: Attacks on the Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Consulate in San Francisco were both carried out by pro-Khalistani elements. Threats faced by Indian diplomats in Canada led to the temporary suspension of visa issuance in that country. Differing Experiences with Different Countries: India's External affairs minister, Jaishankar, highlighted India's varied experiences with different countries: Canada: The situation in Canada was the most concerning, with repeated threats and lack of support from the Canadian system leading to a temporary halt in visa issuance. UK: Although India initially felt the UK didn't provide adequate protection for its High Commission in London, the situation there has also improved. Australia and the US: India has received a "much firmer response" from these countries regarding similar incidents. India is demanding a stricter response from foreign countries against activities by Khalistani elements that they consider a misuse of free speech. This includes violent protests, attacks on Indian missions, and threats to diplomats. India emphasizes that such activities, like throwing smoke bombs at embassies or advocating separatism, endanger their diplomats and damage their image and, therefore, fall outside the protection of free speech. India expects host countries to investigate and act against these individuals, as inaction reflects poorly on their commitment to safety and security.

Bengaluru city residents will experience a 24-hour water cut starting from 6 AM on February 27th till 6 AM on February 28th. This disruption is due to essential maintenance work and the installation of new water meters. Areas Affected and Duration: Several areas across Bengaluru, including BHEL Layout, Nandini Layout, Dasarahalli, and RR Nagar, will be without water supply for 24 hours. Click here for a complete list of affected areas: <  https://www.livemint.com/news/india/bengaluru-to-face-24-hour-water-supply-cut-from-feb-27-to-feb-28-amid-water-tank-prices-hike-list-of-affected-areas-11708831907895.html> More Than Just a Day's Discomfort: The water cut might only be for a day, but it shows a more significant problem - the water crisis that Bengaluru is facing all the time. Residents are already facing the consequences of this crisis in several ways: Costlier Water: The price of water tankers has doubled, reaching up to ₹2,000 for a 12,000-liter tank, making it a financial burden for many. Less Water, More Worries: The shortage has forced residents to use water sparingly, impacting daily activities like washing clothes and cleaning. Everyday Challenges: People are finding it difficult to maintain their gardens, are forced to shower less often, and face challenges booking water tankers due to high demand. Why is this Happening? The primary reason for the water crisis in Bengaluru is weak monsoon rains. This has led to a decrease in groundwater levels and the Cauvery River basin reservoirs holding less water. However, authorities claim that the city receives enough water overall. Water Crisis in Bengaluru: Efforts to Fix the Problem The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is taking action by allocating ₹131 crore to drill new borewells in water-scarce areas, focusing on critical zones like Mahadevapura and Bommanahalli. Additionally, 110 surrounding villages will also benefit from this initiative. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has identified areas with severe water scarcity and is currently providing water through both their own and hired water tankers. They are also repairing and redrilling existing borewells and plan to install temporary water tanks in the most affected areas.