Starting May 5th, the Education Department will resume collecting defaulted federal student loans, ending the pandemic-era freeze. Millions of borrowers risk wage garnishment and seized tax refunds, impacting 5.3 million currently in default and 4 million nearing it. Critics argue this move will harm struggling families amidst policy confusion and uncertainty surrounding repayment plans.
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The latest episode of Celebrity MasterChef saw an emotional eviction as Usha Nadkarni, known as the Maa of MasterChef, was eliminated. Despite her efforts in cooking a fish dish, the judges found it overcooked. Both Usha and her fellow contestant Faisu, who suggested the mystery box, were deeply emotional. The judges and crew gave her a heartfelt farewell.
President Joe Biden extended temporary legal status for about 1 million immigrants from El Salvador, Venezuela, and Ukraine, days before Donald Trump's upcoming presidency. This decision benefits over 200,000 Salvadorans, 600,000 Venezuelans, and others. Trump plans to rigorously enforce immigration policies, promising large-scale deportations and increased immigration enforcement upon taking office.
India skipper Rohit Sharma highlighted the heavy workload and lack of support for Jasprit Bumrah after their defeat in the fourth Test in Melbourne. Bumrah's exceptional bowling performance was insufficient to secure a win, raising concerns over his physical toll. Rohit called for better team support ahead of the crucial final Test in Sydney.
The Enforcement Directorate searched locations linked to Kerala-based businessman Gokulam Gopalan for alleged foreign exchange violations. The investigation, under FEMA, includes Chennai and Kochi premises. Gopalan is involved in producing the film "L2: Empuraan", which has faced criticism and received an apology from actor Mohanlal for controversial content.
The mass entertainer ‘Pushpa 2’ featuring Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna has successfully kept the box office buzzing for over a month. On its 31st day, the film collected Rs. 5.5 crore in India, with the bulk coming from the Hindi market. The total collection in India now stands at Rs. 1199 crore.
Pahalgam witnessed a terror attack. Twenty-eight tourists lost their lives. Some survived by reciting Islamic verses or due to unforeseen circumstances. A professor from Assam University recited the kalma. A techie from Bengaluru was killed for identifying as Hindu. A family from Kerala avoided the attack due to a delayed lunch order. A honeymooning couple's trip turned tragic.
The Union government is working on guidelines for investigating agencies to handle and seize documents while excluding personal, unrelated data to protect privacy. The guidelines came into focus following cases involving lottery king Santiago Martin and Amazon, where claims of unrelated personal data being at risk were raised.
Indians are opting for smaller consumer goods packs as inflation in groceries and household supplies puts a strain on budgets. Categories like soaps, snacks, and tea are significantly affected. Companies respond with price hikes to address rising commodity costs, leading consumers to adjust their purchasing habits to smaller quantities.
Australian speedster Mitchell Starc dominated young Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal during the initial tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but Jaiswal made a remarkable comeback with strategic video analysis, scoring significantly in the fourth Test. His coach highlights that experiences like these foster maturity and confidence. Yashasvi’s childhood coach Jwala Singh detailed how the 23-year-old turned his struggles into success.
The ICC has launched a task force and support fund, in partnership with the BCCI, ECB and Cricket Australia, to aid displaced Afghan women cricketers. This initiative includes financial assistance and a high-performance program with elite coaching and facilities. The ICC also approved financial statements and announced key committee appointments, including re-appointments for Sourav Ganguly and Catherine Campbell.