The News Journal

The recently released film Satluj , starring Diljit Dosanjh, has been taken down from the ZEE5 streaming platform just days after its premiere, with sources indicating that certain portions of the movie raised concerns about potential misuse by anti-India elements. The film, originally titled Punjab 95 , debuted on ZEE5 on July 3 after facing years of delays and controversies surrounding its release. However, following a review, the platform withdrew the movie from its catalogue in India. According to sources, the film had previously sought clearance for a theatrical release but was unable to obtain approval in its existing form. Concerns were reportedly raised over specific scenes and content that authorities believed could be sensitive or open to misinterpretation. While OTT platforms are not required to obtain certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), digital content is governed by self-regulatory mechanisms and government guidelines for sensitive material. ...

 The Indian government strongly criticised Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif after he questioned the honour recently awarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Seychelles. Government sources dismissed Asif's remarks and accused him of making uninformed statements regarding matters beyond his understanding. According to sources, the comments made by the Pakistani minister reflected a lack of awareness about the significance of the award and the circumstances under which it was conferred. They also alleged that Asif frequently makes controversial remarks on international issues. The reaction came after Asif raised questions about the "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" Presidential Distinction awarded to Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Seychelles last month. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif raised questions over the "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" honour awarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Seychelles. The honour, introduced under Seychelles...

Traffic on the Pune-to-Mumbai lane of the recently inaugurated Missing Link section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway was diverted on Monday after heavy monsoon rains triggered a landslide near Tunnel 2, authorities said. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) implemented the diversion from 4 a.m. as a safety precaution. Officials stated that continuous rainfall had weakened the surrounding terrain, leading to debris movement near the tunnel exit. The agency is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Highway Traffic Police. The incident has disrupted traffic movement along the Khandala Ghat stretch, where waterlogging and the landslide have caused significant delays. Vehicles travelling toward Mumbai have been redirected through Lonavala, resulting in severe congestion on alternate routes. Officials are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Highway Traffic Police. Several commuters reported being stranded for hours after the diversi...

The political unrest in Bangladesh has severely impacted Kolkata's traders, with over 500 businessmen facing significant losses due to the decline in Bangladeshi customers. The collapse of the Bangladeshi government has halted the influx of Bangladeshi visitors to Kolkata, affecting various businesses dependent on their patronage. Kolkata Traders Suffer Due to Bangladesh Unrest Their business had been declining for the past 15 days, but since Monday, after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country and the government collapsed, Kolkata businessmen have been experiencing huge losses. Many people who come to Kolkata from Bangladesh live in Marquise Street, Kyd Street, Esplanade, and the Newmarket area. Since Bangladeshis prefer to stay in these areas whenever they visit Kolkata, traders here are completely dependent on Bangladeshi citizens for their livelihood. From foreign currency exchange centers to travel agencies, visa assistance centers, and bus, train, and fligh...

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced a major reduction in customs duty on cancer medicines and mobile phones, which will significantly bring down their prices in the retail market. Imported gold, silver, leather goods and seafood will also get cheaper. Budget 2024 "The government will exempt 3 more cancer treatment drugs from Customs duty. I will also reduce basic customs duty on mobile phones, chargers and other mobile parts," Ms Sitharaman said while presenting Budget 2024 in the parliament. Ms Sitharaman slashes import duties on gold and silver to 6%, a move that industry officials say could boost retail demand and help in curtailing smuggling in the world's second-biggest bullion consumer. Higher demand for gold from India could support global prices, which hit a record high earlier this year, although that could increase India's trade deficit and weigh on the ailing rupee. On the other hand, the government will raise customs duty on ammonium nitrat...

Standard deduction in the new tax regime will be increased from ₹ 50,000 to ₹ 75,000, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Tuesday as she announced the 2024 Union Budget.  Finance Minister Ms Sitharaman also announced revisions to tax slabs in the new regime. As a result, the Finance Minister told Parliament, salaried employees can save as much as ₹ 17,500 in the new regime. It will also, she said, provide salaried individuals with higher tax savings and more disposable income. Existing new tax regime slabs (effective for FY 2023-24) were as follows: Income up to ₹ 3 lakh - Nil  Rs 3 lakh to ₹ 6 lakh - 5 per cent Rs 6 lakh to ₹ 9 lakh - 10 per cent Rs 9 lakh to ₹ 12 lakh - 15 per cent Rs 12 lakh to ₹ 15 lakh - 20 per cent Above ₹ 15 lakh - 30 per cent The increase in standard deduction was one of the most anticipated ahead of the budget speech. Industry experts speculated this could double to ₹ 1,00,000, but Ms Sitharaman fell slightly short. In addition, deduction on fami...