DONATION MANAGEMENT OVERHAUL
Responsibility of Ram temple now on my shoulders: Trust CEO Jeetendra Mishra
Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has officially assumed the role of the inaugural chief executive officer of the Ram temple trust, shouldering the significant task of temple administration. Following an administrative revamp by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, his leadership is pivotal for enhancing both the operational and financial frameworks of the temple. Mishra plans to devise effective strategies grounded in a thorough understanding of temple activities.
In March 1945, USS Trigger sank in the East China Sea; 81 years later, restoration work on USS Silversides uncovered a flood valve that appears to connect the surviving boat to its lost sister
Historic submarine restoration has uncovered a remarkable World War II mystery. Workers found a flood valve stamped with the name USS Trigger, a sister submarine that sank in the East China Sea on March 28, 1945. The valve was discovered inside USS Silversides during its $3.5 million restoration in Wisconsin. How it got there remains unknown, creating a rare physical link between two lost wartime stories.
California startup JetZero’s ‘manta ray’ plane could change air travel forever: 250-seat Z4 aims to fly 5,750 miles and use up to 50% less fuel
California startup JetZero is innovating the aviation industry with a new aircraft featuring a blended-wing-body design, aimed at accommodating 250 passengers while optimizing fuel efficiency. Partnering with Japan Airlines lends operational insights to this ambitious endeavor. The plan includes testing a full-scale prototype by 2027 and commencing commercial flights in the early 2030s.
'I'm very good at grass.' Why Trump goes into the weeds on one of his favorite topics
US President Trump frequently discusses grass, linking it to his real estate background and golf interests. He has mentioned grass in numerous public events over the past 18 months. Trump is overseeing significant changes to the White House grounds, including a new helipad. His administration is also focused on beautifying Washington D.C.'s green spaces. These efforts aim to transform parks to resemble prestigious golf courses.
Retired bureaucrats dominate applicants for Ram temple trust's first CEO post
Retired bureaucrats are applying for the new chief executive officer position. This recruitment follows allegations of donation embezzlement at the Ram temple. An expert panel will screen applications and recommend suitable candidates. The Trust will make the final appointment after restoring its full membership. The new CEO will oversee financial oversight and temple operations.
Ram temple trust accepts Champat Rai's resignation, appoints interim gen secy; to have CEO
Krishna Mohan has been given additional duties as interim general secretary of the temple trust, treasurer Govind Giri told reporters after a three-hour meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
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Ram temple row: Congress slams BJP-RSS for 'whitewashing theft', calls for making details of donations public
Congress leaders accuse the BJP-RSS of attempting to conceal donation theft at the Ram Temple. They demand the dissolution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. A Supreme Court-supervised probe into all donations is also being requested by the party. The temple trust accepted resignations amid the ongoing donation theft controversy. Efforts are underway to overhaul the donation system and restore public faith.

Ram temple donation row: SIT flags security lapses, SOP violations as probe widens
A Special Investigation Team has uncovered serious mismanagement and alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The preliminary report details violations of Standard Operating Procedures, including lax security during cash counting and improper handling of donation box keys. Eight individuals have been arrested as the investigation into the exact amount siphoned off and the methods used continues, exposing significant lapses in the temple's financial management.

Amid Ram Mandir donation row, Tirupati Balaji Temple turns to ICAI to overhaul accounting system
Following allegations of a donation scam at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is overhauling its financial systems with the help of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). ICAI aims to implement a new, modern accounting and audit framework within 100 days, using an ERP platform. This initiative is seen as a model for other religious and philanthropic organizations nationwide to enhance transparency and prevent financial leakages.

Kansas University receives $300 million record-breaking surprise from David Booth, among largest gifts in college sports
The University of Kansas has received a monumental $300 million donation from alumnus David Booth, marking one of the largest gifts in collegiate athletics history. $75 million of the gift will kickstart the second phase of the $448 million renovation of the Jayhawks' football stadium and the adjacent Gateway District.

Apple CEO Tim Cook tells staff AI is ‘ours to grab’ in hourlong pep talk
Tim Cook addressed Apple employees, emphasizing the company's commitment to AI and its potential impact, comparing it to the internet and smartphones. Despite being a late entrant, Apple aims to lead in AI, investing heavily in research and development, including a new cloud-computing chip and AI server facility. Cook also highlighted upcoming product innovations and expansion into emerging markets.

Massive victory for Cryptocurrency as Stablecoins bill passed by US House of Representatives. What does this mean for Crypto buyers, US Dollar?
Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a constant value, usually a 1:1 dollar peg, are commonly used by crypto traders to move funds between tokens.

Leftover missile money? US Air Force spends ICBM funds to revamp Qatar’s gift jet to Trump
Trump Qatar jet Air Force upgrade sparks huge debate after the U.S. Air Force used leftover nuclear missile funds to retrofit a private Boeing 747-8 jet gifted by Qatar to Donald Trump. With nearly $400 million redirected from the Sentinel ICBM project, the jet is being transformed into a temporary Air Force One. Critics call it wasteful, while officials insist the missile program remains fully funded. The plane could fly Trump by late 2026 before heading to his presidential library.

Trump booed and cheered at the Kennedy Center while attending 'Les Miserables'
President Trump's attendance at "Les Miserables" at the Kennedy Center sparked both cheers and boos, highlighting his increasing influence over the arts. His appearance, accompanied by political figures, followed his controversial overhaul of the Kennedy Center's leadership and programming.

WHO meets in Geneva amid US funding uncertainty
The annual assembly, with its week of sessions, votes and policy decisions, usually showcases the scale of the UN agency set up to tackle disease outbreaks, approve vaccines and support health systems worldwide. This year - since US President Donald Trump started the year-long process to leave the WHO with an executive order on his first day in office in January - the main theme is scaling down.

India’s insolvency law has bankers going bald
India's bankruptcy code faces new challenges. A court ruling threatens to reverse completed resolutions. Lenders may have to return funds received from distressed asset sales. This decision creates uncertainty for investors. It also undermines the effectiveness of the insolvency process. The government must address these issues to restore confidence. Reforms are needed to ensure fair and predictable outcomes.

Amit Shah defends Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024; calls Oppn's claims 'tactic to instill fear in minorities for votebanks'
Amit Shah defended the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha, addressing concerns that the amendments target Muslims. He emphasized that the changes are administrative, not religious, and assured that non-Muslims can be part of the Waqf Trust. Shah also criticized Opposition claims of corruption.

H-1B clash exposes a tough choice for Trump: MAGA or Musk
Trump's skilled worker visa program, H-1B, faces tension as Silicon Valley backers like Elon Musk clash with MAGA supporters. Critics highlight its flaws, including wage suppression and displacement of American workers. Reform is needed to strike a balance between attracting skilled foreign workers and protecting local jobs, challenging Trump's previous hardline immigration stance.

LGBTQ+ creators brace for Meta's pro-Trump changes
The changes to Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, were announced last week by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, with critics saying the move was designed to appeal to President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office next week.

Notre Dame re-opens five years after devastating fire in 2019
The archbishop of Paris re-opened Notre Dame cathedral on Saturday by symbolically knocking on the doors and entering the 12th-century landmark which has been restored after a devastating fire in 2019. Ulrich commanded the cathedral to "open your doors" and he entered the magnificently-restored edifice.

Tata Trusts plans to trim cost flab with fitter management; several roles to be done away with
Tata Trusts is undergoing restructuring to streamline expenses by eliminating CFO and COO roles, reducing external consultants, and focusing on core philanthropic missions. The move aims to cut administrative costs following an internal audit and financial review, emphasising efficient governance and resource allocation.

Waqf Act: 'Waqt' for Waqf to change? How the battlelines are drawn
The Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed the Waqf Board's claims on ASI-protected monuments in Burhanpur. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposing key changes such as repealing Section 40 and increasing women's representation in Waqf boards. The amendments faced opposition from several parties and organizations.

Love following new fashion trends & buying cheap clothes? You are slowly killing the planet
Did you know that around 85% of garments produced every year end up in the dump?

HSBC cuts top investment bank jobs despite wider firing freeze
CEO Quinn last month announced a temporary halt to plans for 35,000 redundancies across the bank because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Quinn, who took on the permanent CEO role in March after a lengthy audition process during which Chairman Mark Tucker courted several external candidates, faces a nightmarish task to steer Europe's biggest bank through the crisis.

View: The Jet lesson on why Indian capitalism must be saved from Indian capitalists
There are many reasons why Jet's avoidable collapse must serve as a warning for the next government.

What I read this week: When state wants to know what you do with your money
There are instances of banks reporting cash transactions to the police, of laws making money withdrawals punishable and our very own demonetisation drive.

Philanthropy: When will India get its Melinda Gates?
Rather like an efficient office manager, hers is a detailed hands-on engagement with the nitty-gritties of the task at hand.

Act of giving: Luis Miranda acts as a philanthropic catalyst to NGOs and helps them organise funds
Miranda has recast himself as something of a philanthropic catalyst , using his powers of persuasion and strong business network to advocate the cause of a bunch of organisations.
Did India Inc thumb its nose at Bill Gates & Warren Buffett?
If India,s super-rich do not want to take the Gates-Buffett 'giving pledge', it does not mean they do not give.
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