Latest from Channel 4
News18
30 minutes ago
- Business
- News18
Indian Hockey Players To Get A Monthly Stipend From Sports Ministry
Last Updated: Indian hockey players selected for national camps will receive a Rs 25,000 monthly allowance. The decision, costing Rs 20 lakh per month, was approved by the sports ministry. For the first time, Indian hockey players selected for the men's and women's national camps will receive a Rs 25,000 monthly out-of-pocket allowance, a decision sanctioned by the sports ministry after consistent requests from the sport's governing body. Eighty players (40 men and 40 women) are set to benefit from this allowance, which is extended to athletes in the developmental group of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. The decision was made during the Mission Olympic Cell's monthly meeting on Thursday. This allowance will cost the government Rs 20 lakh per month, while core group athletes receive Rs 50,000 per month. 'The allowance was being requested by Hockey India for some time, and we have decided to accept the demand. The players have performed reasonably well, and it is on merit," Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed reporters in an informal interaction. Hockey India will need to submit a list of players every month to facilitate the disbursement of funds. 'The list will consider form and fitness, and names might change depending on these factors," a sports ministry source explained. Currently, hockey players earn salaries from their respective departments and organisations, although a proposal for a graded contract system by Hockey India has been under consideration for the past few years. Their additional source of income comes from prize money for strong international performances in events like the Olympics and the Asian Games. The men's team has secured two consecutive bronze medals in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the subsequent Paris Games last year. The women's team finished fourth in Tokyo but did not qualify for the Paris event. Both teams are currently competing in the FIH Pro League's European leg, where the results have not been particularly encouraging so far. The MOC also approved financial proposals amounting to Rs 4.28 crore during the meeting. A significant portion of the funds — Rs 1.38 crore — will be allocated to tennis players such as Saketh Myneni, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, and three women players. 'Several proposals for assistance from para-athletes were also approved. Additionally, a few additions were made to the TOPS developmental group. The core group remains unchanged for now," a Sports Authority of India (SAI) official stated. The ministry has also decided to enhance its talent identification process with an app that will allow talented youngsters to upload their performances for evaluation by regional talent identification panels of the SAI. 'If found promising at first glance, the youngster will be invited to Khelo India Regional Centres where their potential will be assessed. This will broaden our talent identification mechanism, which is currently limited to age group competitions," Mandaviya said. 'It will ensure that we can reach the remotest corners of the country to find promising athletes. This is all part of the National Sports Repository System," he added. With PTI inputs.
News18
41 minutes ago
- General
- News18
What Is Juneteenth And Why Is Donald Trump Not Celebrating It This Year?
Last Updated: Juneteenth is a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States. While the United States observes Juneteenth 2025 on June 19, President Donald Trump has maintained an indifferent silence on the federal holiday this year. Trump, who honoured the day every year in his previous term as President, in fact said the US has 'too many working holidays, costing the country billions of dollars" even as he didn't mention Juneteenth in his post directly. Juneteenth is a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States. The day is observed with parades, educational events, community gatherings, and moments of remembrance across the US. What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth is observed on June 19 every year. The day marks the end of slavery in the United States. The name is a combination of 'June" and 'nineteenth." On this day in 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free, in line with President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued over two years earlier, on January 1, 1863. Texas was one of the last Confederate states where slavery remained in practice, as Union forces had not yet taken control. When Granger issued General Order No. 3, it finally brought the message of freedom to more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas. This moment came to symbolise the final end of slavery, even though it would take the 13th Amendment, passed later that year, to abolish slavery nationwide. Over time, Juneteenth grew from local celebrations in Texas to a nationwide event. It is observed with cultural events, music, food, and historical reflections. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, underscoring its importance as a day of freedom, remembrance, and a continued call for equality and justice. How Did Juneteenth Become A Federal Holiday? Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, but the journey to the day's national recognition was long and hard-fought. For decades, African American communities across the US celebrated Juneteenth locally, especially in Texas where it was first officially recognised as a state holiday in 1980. However, efforts to make it a national holiday gained momentum following the racial justice protests of 2020 after the killing of George Floyd. Activists, lawmakers, and community leaders renewed calls for federal recognition, highlighting the importance of honouring the end of slavery as a key moment in American history. One prominent voice in the movement was Opal Lee, a lifelong activist from Texas, who, walked from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C. at 89, to campaign for Juneteenth's recognition. Her dedication and the growing national awareness around systemic racism helped push Congress to act. In June 2021, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act passed swiftly with overwhelming bipartisan support, and President Joe Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021. The move marked a historic step in acknowledging the legacy of slavery and the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. Why Is Trump Not Celebrating Juneteenth This Year? This year, Trump did not issue any public statement or proclamation marking Juneteenth, a shift from his first term, when he routinely acknowledged the holiday. He, in fact, criticised 'too many non-working holidays" on his social media website Truth Social. 'Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed,"" Trump wrote. 'The workers don't want it either! Soon we'll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN," the US President added. Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don't want it either! Soon we'll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE…— Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) June 19, 2025 In January 2025, Trump had also signed an executive order dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies. This was interpreted as a move to scale back observance planning for cultural and remembrance days like Juneteenth. First Published: News explainers What Is Juneteenth And Why Is Donald Trump Not Celebrating It This Year?
News18
41 minutes ago
- Business
- News18
India Weighs Disruption Scenarios In Strait Of Hormuz, Prepares Backup Plans
Last Updated: Commerce Secretary meets officials and exporters as Iran Israel conflict threatens global oil chokepoint. The government is well prepared as far as the possibility of the closure of the critical trade route of Strait of Hormuz is concerned. This narrow stretch of sea might seem far from India but what happens there can directly impact your fuel bill, business and even stock market investments. The Strait of Hormuz is located between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the south. It connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and then to the Arabian Sea. In view of the fact that trade could be affected or the stakeholders and exporters may have to look for new routes which need not be cost effective the commerce ministry held a meeting with the stakeholders. Sources say that the Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal held a meeting with concerned stakeholders and departments to discuss the impact of the Iran Israel conflict on India's trade and the actions needed to normalise it. The participants were informed that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is at present stable, but nothing was being left to chance. The ship reporting system has been put in place to monitor any incidents. The freight and insurance rates are also being closely monitored. Apart from this the Commerce Secretary also stressed on the need to assess the evolving situation and its impact on Indian EXIM trade. He also highlighted the importance of exploring all possible alternatives in response to the situation. Sources said that India is also actively exploring alternative crude supply routes beyond the Persian Gulf to avoid short term disruptions if geopolitical tensions worsen. If implemented these decisions could impact major fuel importing nations from Singapore to the US. India is one of the largest exporters of petroleum products. In a worst-case scenario involving the closure of Hormuz government sources said these exports could be curtailed to maintain India's internal reserves and also to ensure we don't fall short of oil supplies. The government at the meeting today was optimistic of the fact that in the last 50 years despite crisis the Strait has never closed down. And with China using this route in a big way and extensively Iran may not be keen to close the Strait. But the Commerce Ministry is taking no chances and is closely monitoring the situation. First Published:
News18
41 minutes ago
- Politics
- News18
'Don't Make Excuses...': Omar Abdullah Takes Swipe At Ally Congress Over EVM Charge
Last Updated: He also took a swipe at the INDIA bloc, pointing out that the alliance's leaders have not held a single meeting since the conclusion of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday took a sharp swipe at the INDIA bloc ally Congress over its allegations against the Election Commission, saying that excuses shouldn't be made when someone doesn't succeed in elections. After the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Congress party repeatedly criticised the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), alleging irregularities and a lack of transparency in the electoral process. 'So what you hear from the Congress in terms of its reservations about the process of elections, this is all the Congress's own point of view. I don't share it. I don't share it simply because I'm not given to making excuses for things that I don't succeed at," said Abdullah during an interview with The Economic Times. 'If I have a problem with election results, then I need to have it when I've won as well. My party did better than we expected in the October assembly elections. Nobody expected us to get this number of seats," the Chief Minister remarked. Omar Abdullah delivers a reality check to Congress for attacking the Election Commission:'Don't make excuses for things you don't succeed at."'I got more seats than anyone expected. If I don't have a problem with how elections are conducted when I win, I can't have a problem… — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 20, 2025 Recently, the Congress leaders questioned the credibility of the EVM system and demanded a return to ballot papers or the implementation of stricter safeguards. The party also called for an all-party discussion on electoral reforms to restore voter confidence. 'So if I don't have a problem with the way elections are conducted when I win, I certainly can't have a problem with the way elections are conducted because I've lost," Abdullah said. He also took a swipe at the INDIA bloc, pointing out that the alliance's leaders have not held a single meeting since the conclusion of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. First Published: June 20, 2025, 23:38 IST
News18
41 minutes ago
- Business
- News18
‘Reality Hit Differently': Indian-Origin Man In US Shares Snippet Of Life After College
Last Updated: Chintamneedi, who earned a BA in Strategic and Corporate Communications from Chapman University, shared a heartfelt message on LinkedIn Indian-origin Gaurav Chintamneedi, who works as an Operations Leader at Amazon in the US, has struck a chord with many on LinkedIn after candidly sharing his struggles transitioning from university to the corporate world. Chintamneedi, who earned a BA in Strategic and Corporate Communications from Chapman University, posted a heartfelt message titled, 'You Didn't Peak in College; the Transition Is Difficult and That's Ok." The post quickly went viral on the platform. He began by recalling his expectations: 'When I first arrived in the DMV, I imagined living the dream early-20s life—like the ones we see on TV or romanticize on social media. I pictured myself working a 9–5, grabbing drinks with coworkers after work, striking up conversations with strangers on the metro who'd eventually become close friends. I thought weekends would be filled with brunches, coffee shop side projects, and late-night online courses to build new skills." But reality was far different. Gaurav shared that he routinely worked 50–60 hours a week, sometimes waking as early as 3 am for 'opening shifts." Weekends were consumed by overtime, and his few rare days off were spent recuperating. 'I found myself lying in bed doom‑scrolling on Instagram, drained from six consecutive days of work… Making new connections in a new city wasn't as easy as I'd hoped. I even started to wonder: Did I peak in college?" Rather than complain, Gaurav offered perspective and solidarity. 'This post isn't a complaint—it's an acknowledgment. Because I know that struggling with this transition is quite normal." He admitted he still misses college and sometimes scrolls through old photos. But as he reached the one‑year mark post‑graduation, he began to reframe the experience: 'Nope, although I feel it, this year hasn't been wasted time. It's been a year of progress that encompasses tenacity, self‑realisation and redefining purpose… Adjusting to a new society and lifestyle takes time. At the end of the day, it's a life skill that you're now equipped with for the future." Gaurav also offered three practical 'mindset shifts" to help recent graduates: Accept that college is over —and that's okay. That lifestyle isn't coming back, but that doesn't mean better days aren't ahead. Life can still be fulfilling, exciting, and full of growth. Gratitude is everything. Practice gratitude daily. It keeps you grounded and reminds you of the good around—even on the hardest days. Progress is Progress. Just because the past year hasn't been as exciting as the previous four years of university, doesn't mean you peaked in college. Adjusting takes time, and even though life has become more routine-like, you've made tons of progress just by sticking it through this past year. The response to Gaurav's post has been overwhelmingly positive. One user praised his advice, writing: 'Love the introspection and advice G! As you've said, the 20's is undoubtedly a challenging time for many of us.… You've truly grown so much this past year." 'Thank you for posting this! This was so encouraging, especially since I just graduated a few weeks ago!" another user wrote. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: June 20, 2025, 23:42 IST News viral 'Reality Hit Differently': Indian-Origin Man In US Shares Snippet Of Life After College
