Rajasthan Man Arrested for ISI Spying

Alwar resident Mangat Singh held for passing sensitive military information to Pakistans intelligence.

Man arrested from Alwar for allegedly spying for Pakistan

The accused, Mangat Singh, was produced before a special court in Jaipur on Saturday and remanded in police custody for three days, officials said. He was arrested on Friday

Sonakshi Sinha claps back at troll who called her 'sinner' for wearing shoes inside Abu Dhabi mosque

Sonakshi looked enchanting in a traditional olive-green printed salwar kameez, with her head covered in a matching dupatta. In the last slide, the duo seemed mesmerized by the beauty and architecture of the mosque. Sonakshi's post came just days after Deepika Padukone faced online trolling for wearing a hijab in an Abu Dhabi tourism campaign.

'You killed it as Ajay Talwar': Vivek appreciates Bobby

Bobby Deol's recent success with 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood' has earned him widespread praise. Actor Vivek Oberoi, recalling their first meeting on 'Soldiers' in 1997, lauded Deol's enduring humility and powerful portrayal of Ajay Talwar. Deol himself expressed immense pride in the project, highlighting the collective hard work and stellar performances from the entire cast and crew.

Proton VPN review 2025: A nonprofit service with premium performance

Proton VPN stands out for two main reasons: it's one of the only virtual private networks (VPNs) to include a free plan with no data limits, and it's one of the few services majority-owned by a nonprofit. It's the best VPN in both of those categories, and it makes a strong case for being the best overall. Even if you don't care about the work of the Proton Foundation, Proton VPN is a service worth using. It's easy to install and manage, runs like the wind and meets high standards for security and privacy. It has more IP locations in Africa than any of its competitors. It's even looking toward the future by working toward full IPv6 support. In short, Proton VPN gets our enthusiastic recommendation, especially for torrenting (which it supports on almost every server). It's not perfect the apps for Apple systems lag behind their Windows and Android counterparts, and the free servers can be noticeably sluggish but the cons pale in comparison to the pros. We'll get into it all below. Editor's note (9/24/25): We've overhauled our VPN coverage to provide more detailed, actionable buying advice. Going forward, we'll continue to update both our best VPN list and individual reviews (like this one) as circumstances change. Most recently, we added official scores to all of our VPN reviews. Check out how we test VPNs to learn more about the new standards we're using. Table of contents Findings at a glance Installing, configuring and using Proton VPN Proton VPN speed test: Impacts of VPN Accelerator Proton VPN security test: Watertight protocols How much does Proton VPN cost? Proton VPN side apps and bundles Close-reading Proton VPN's privacy policy Can Proton VPN change your virtual location? Investigating Proton VPN's server network Features of Proton VPN Proton VPN customer support options Proton VPN background check: The CERN origins of Proton AG Final verdict Findings at a glance The table summarizes what we found while reviewing Proton VPN, both good and bad. Keep it open in a tab while you comparison shop for a VPN. Category Notes Installation and UI Windows has the best interface, but all apps are smooth Android users get unique preset protocols Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox can be used for split tunneling on Mac and iOS Speed Retains 88 percent of download speeds and 98 percent of upload speeds Global latency average stays under 300 ms, with 52 ms on the fastest server Security No DNS leaks or WebRTC leaks on any servers Full IPv6 support is available on Android, Linux and browser extensions; Mac, Windows and iOS still block IPv6 to prevent leaks WireShark test showed active packet encryption Pricing Best plan costs $81.36 for two years ($3.39 per month) Free plan includes unlimited data and critical security features, but you can't choose your server Bundles Proton Unlimited saves money if you want two or more Proton products Privacy policy General Proton policy prevents collection of IP addresses unless a user has violated the terms of service (such as by using a Proton VPN server to abuse another site) No third parties are allowed to handle personally identifiable information Confirmed by Securitum audit in 2024 Virtual location change Unblocked Netflix repeatedly in all five testing locations, with new content proving a successful location change A free server in Romania got into Netflix but had trouble loading the library Server network 154 locations in 117 countries More servers in Africa than any other VPN, plus many others across the globe About two-thirds of server locations are virtual Features NetShield can block just malware, or all malware, ads and trackers Kill switch on all platformsSplit tunneling on Windows, Android and browser extensions only Secure Core servers route VPN through two locations, one of which is physically secured in Iceland, Sweden or Switzerland Almost all paid servers are P2P-enabled Tor over VPN servers in six countries let you access dark web sites from any browser Profiles saves time when you repeatedly need specific connection settings Customer support Most articles in the online help center, while well-written, are invisible unless you use the search function Live chat is only for paying customers, and is unavailable from midnight to 9 AM CET Background check Launched in 2017 by the same company that developed ProtonMail Majority owned by the Proton Foundation, whose board includes the company founders and can resist takeover attempts While ProtonMail has worked with Swiss authorities in the past, Proton VPN is not governed by the same laws that compelled this Claims of a vulnerability in WireGuard's memory don't hold water Installing, configuring and using Proton VPN This section explains how it feels to run Proton VPN on the various platforms it supports. As a rule, it's not difficult. Proton VPN has more features than ExpressVPN, and a couple of them might trip up new users, but you'd have to really scrounge to find an actual inconvenience to complain about. Windows Proton VPN installs easily on Windows you'll need to grant it permission to make changes, but that's it. Once you've signed in on the app, you'll reach one of the best interfaces we've tried on a VPN. The server network is immediately visible as both a list and map, and the location search bar, connect button and major features are all laid out around the same window. Proton VPN's app for Windows. Sam Chapman for Engadget It's honestly amazing how much you can reach from the launch window without anything feeling cluttered. They even squeezed in keyboard shortcuts for the search field. We also love that settings open in the same window, since dealing with both the main VPN app and a separate preferences panel can get annoying. Our only real gripe is that there should be an easier way to adjust the size of the map. Mac The desktop app for Mac isn't quite as deftly laid out as the Windows app. You can reach most of the important features from the main window, including Profiles, NetShield, Secure Core servers and the kill switch. However, there's no longer a way to filter out a list of the P2P or Tor servers, except by digging through the Profile controls. On the plus side, you can adjust the size of the map, so it's now a viable alternative to the server list. Proton VPN's dark mode interface on macOS. Sam Chapman for Engadget The other preferences are hidden in the menu bar go to Proton VPN > Settings to reach them. They're laid out in four tabs, and shouldn't take more than a minute to go through at setup. Android The Android app takes the same design cues as the Windows app, and works as well. Four tabs along the bottom switch between the home screen, the country list, Profiles and all other settings. You can search the list of countries by tapping the magnifying glass at the top-right. In another nice touch, tapping the dots by any virtual location will tell you where the server is physically located. Proton VPN's Android client. Sam Chapman for Engadget Android users get some nifty exclusive Profiles, including anti-censorship, which automatically connects to the fastest country except for the one you're in. The Settings tab is a single menu with subheadings and no unnecessary complication. iOS Proton VPN for iPhone and iPad looks almost the same as it does on Windows and Android, but with some of the same drawbacks found on Mac. The server list is more cluttered, and once again there's no easy way to sift out the P2P and Tor locations. Proton VPN's app for iPhone and iPad. Sam Chapman for Engadget The Settings tab puts all the feature descriptions in the open, which makes it look denser than it is. But these are minor quibbles this is still a VPN that's very easy to activate and forget about. Browser extensions Proton VPN has browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. These serve as de facto split tunneling, as connecting through the extension protects only browser traffic; everything else goes unprotected. You can split the tunnel further by setting the VPN to not work on certain URLs (unlike the other apps, you don't need to know the IPs of those sites). Proton VPN speed test: Impacts of VPN Accelerator We used Ookla's Speedtest app to determine how much Proton VPN drags on a user's latency, measured in milliseconds (ms), and download and upload speeds, measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Together, these three stats show whether a VPN will noticeably slow down your internet, especially during demanding tasks. We had high hopes for Proton here because of its VPN Accelerator technology, which runs VPN communications across several parallel tracks to process everything faster. It didn't disappoint for the most part. Although download speeds didn't reach the heights we saw from ExpressVPN , Proton VPN's browsing performance still looks excellent nearly across the board. Proton VPN barely makes a dent in your download speeds. Sam Chapman for Engadget To choose our locations for the test, we checked Proton VPN's list of smart routing servers , which use servers in one country to simulate IP addresses in another. Almost all the smart routing servers are based in five cities: Miami, London, Marseille, Bucharest and Singapore. We ran these tests on a Mac using the automatic protocol setting. Server Location Latency (ms) Increase factor Download speed (Mbps) Percentage drop Upload speed (Mbps) Percentage drop Portland, OR, USA (unprotected) 16 -- 58.93 -- 5.82 -- San Jose, CA, USA (best server) 52 3.3x 55.82 5 5.58 4 Miami, FL, USA 160 10x 54.33 8 5.49 6 London, UK 332 20.8x 52.55 11 5.72 2 Marseille, France 309 19.3x 45.42 23 5.59 4 Bucharest, Romania 408 25.5x 52.51 11 5.57 4 Singapore, Singapore 394 24.6x 52.26 11 5.50 5 Average 276 17.3x 52.15 12 5.58 4 Proton VPN looks very good in that table. Its average download speed was 88 percent of our unprotected speeds. To put that in perspective, if you started with 30 Mbps down (about half what we get) and connected to any Proton VPN server, you'd almost certainly still have a fast enough connection to stream in 4K. Note the almost Proton VPN did drop noticeably on its French server in Marseille. It's not uncommon for one of a VPN's data centers to have trouble while the others work fine, and you can usually fix the problem by just disconnecting and reconnecting. Just note that while drops to about 75 percent of your download speed are rare, they're not inconceivable. Proton VPN security test: Watertight protocols When we talk about VPN security, we're really talking about reliability. Can this VPN establish an encrypted tunnel and transmit all your information through it, every time, without leaks or failures? With Proton VPN, we're happy to say the answer is yes; we probed its security and found no cracks to speak of. Read the section below for specifics. Proton VPN protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Stealth Proton VPN uses four VPN protocols to communicate between your devices, its servers and the internet. Three of them (WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2) are common choices with no serious flaws as long as they're implemented thoughtfully. The fourth, Stealth, is an obfuscation protocol you should only use if the other three are blocked. The protocol selection screen on Proton VPN's Android app. Sam Chapman for Engadget OpenVPN is the most secure option. Without getting too technical, OpenVPN encrypts its backend functions as well as the data itself, which leaves it with no obvious vulnerabilities. It can also communicate using the same ports as common HTTPS traffic, so it's hard to block. WireGuard is more efficient than OpenVPN, both in its source code and the cryptography it uses. It normally requires an exchange of fixed IP addresses, but the Proton VPN implementation overwrites those IPs with randomized addresses, cutting the security risk. IKEv2 is a safe choice that's occasionally faster than either OpenVPN or WireGuard. You probably won't use it unless it happens to come up while you've set the protocol to Smart. As such, it's on the way to being phased out of Proton VPN. Stealth is unique to Proton VPN, though its function is not. It's got the same architecture as WireGuard, but adds another TLS tunnel to evade network blocks that catch VPN traffic. That extra encryption slows it down, so we don't recommend using it unless the other three protocols don't work. The first option on the app, called Smart, is not a protocol it means your VPN client selects the protocol that will give you the best speeds on your current server. Since all four protocols are safe, there's no downside to using the Smart setting most of the time. Leak test We used AirVPN's IP leak tool to check all four of Proton VPN's protocols for DNS and WebRTC leaks. Proton VPN uses its own DNS servers to reduce the risk of sending unencrypted requests, but since leaks are still possible, we tested using a simple method: checking our visible IP address before and after connecting to the VPN. Despite testing several locations over three days, we never saw our real IP address show up on the tool. This held true even outside the Secure Core server list, where data centers might have been managed by third parties. It's not perfect proof, but it's a very good sign that Proton VPN enforces a consistent security regime on all its servers. Proton VPN successfully masked our real IP address, even on a virtual location in Angola. Sam Chapman for Engadget We also used BrowserLeaks to check for WebRTC leaks. These are mainly an issue on the browser side, but a VPN is doubly important if your browser happens to be leaking. We enabled WebRTC on our browser and tested the same set of Proton VPN servers without springing any WebRTC leaks. Proton VPN and IPv6 Proton is working on making its entire VPN compatible with IPv6 addresses. If a VPN that's only configured for IPv4 has to resolve an IPv6 address, it can cause a leak that's why most VPNs, even the best ones, block IPv6 altogether. That said, the whole internet will run on IPv6 one day, so it's nice to see Proton VPN leading the pack. So far, IPv6 is automatically enabled on Proton VPN's Linux apps and browser extensions, and can be optionally activated on its Android app. The Proton VPN apps for all other platforms still block IPv6 traffic, but this should hopefully change soon. Encryption test Even if a VPN's protocol choices are solid, it's possible for individual implementations of those protocols to fail. We used WireShark, a packet inspector app, to test whether Proton VPN's encryption worked no matter what settings were in place. We're happy to say we never saw plaintext once. How much does Proton VPN cost? To get full access to Proton VPN, you'll need a Plus subscription, which costs $9.99 per month. You can knock off half that price by subscribing for a full year and paying a lump sum of $59.88, working out to $4.99 per month. A Plus account with Proton VPN also gives you free access to every other Proton app. You can also pay $107.76 in advance to subscribe for two years, an average of $4.49 per month perhaps more convenient, but it doesn't save you much. The one-year plan is the best value, though it's also nice that you don't have to pay through the nose for only one month. There's a 30-day, money-back guarantee on all plans. Proton VPN is currently offering Engadget readers an exclusive deal that offers a 12-month plan for $47.88 ($3.99 per month) and a 24-month plan for $81.36 ($3.39 per month). Learn more about it here . One final option is the Proton Unlimited subscription, discussed in the side apps and bundles section below. The Proton VPN free plan Proton VPN is one of the best free VPNs on the market right now. No other VPN backed by as much experience and good judgment has a free plan with no data limits. Instead of capping how much data you can use per month, Proton VPN restricts which servers free users can access, limiting them to eight countries: the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Norway, Canada, Poland and Romania. The frustrating part is that you can't choose which of these servers you use; Proton VPN just auto-connects to whichever one is the least burdened. A Proton representative told us that this change goes along with improvements to the selection algorithm, better load balancing and the addition of the Poland and Romania locations. It is also possible to try for a better connection by clicking change server. The fact remains, though, that a free Proton VPN plan is useless for unblocking content in specific locations but this may be by design. The free plan seems more aimed toward privacy and anonymity than streaming, and the placement of the free locations near Russia and China reflects that. Free Proton VPN plans don't sacrifice any essential security features. Proton VPN side apps and bundles Proton VPN's main bundle is Proton Unlimited, which gets you all six Proton products in one package: VPN, Mail, Drive, Calendar, Wallet and Pass. This costs $12.99 for a month, $119.88 for a year ($9.99 per month) and $191.76 for two years ($7.99 per month). We won't be going in-depth on any of them in this review, but here's a quick rundown of each. Proton Mail: An end-to-end encrypted email service. Proton can still see a Mail user's real IP address, but can't read any of their messages. Proton Drive: Encrypted cloud storage. As with Mail, Proton can identify users, but can't read any of the content they store. Proton Calendar: An encrypted scheduling app with events and reminders. Proton Wallet: A self-custody wallet for storing Bitcoin unconnected to any exchange. Proton Pass: A password manager that generates, stores and autofills passwords for online accounts. Even if you only need two of the six, Proton Unlimited saves you money. Separate monthly subscriptions to Proton VPN and Proton Mail would cost a total of $14.98, so you've already knocked off $2 per month. That increases if you're able to commit to a year in advance. Close-reading Proton VPN's privacy policy Proton's privacy policy comes in two parts: the general Proton policy and the shorter policy specific to Proton VPN . We'll cover them in that order. General Proton privacy policy Proton tracks user activity on its product websites using its own marketing tools; the data set collected does not include IP addresses. It retains an email address connected to each user's account, but it's not allowed to connect IP addresses (and thus identities and locations) to those emails unless the user breaches the terms of service. You may rightly ask how Proton would know a user is abusing one of their services if they don't keep activity logs. The answer is that logs aren't needed; most forms of abuse can be detected in other ways and observed in real time. For example, if someone used a Proton VPN server to launch a DDoS attack, the team could inspect that server and find the hacker while the attack was still ongoing. The policy goes on to list the five third-party data processors Proton uses (Zendesk, PayPal, Chargebee, Atlassian and Stripe), none of whom are allowed to store customer activity data. Proton cautions that it will share what data it does have in response to unblockable requests from the Swiss government, but not until all legal or other remedies have been exhausted. This is standard for a VPN that wants to remain in business, and the transparency report shows the company does indeed fight court orders when it can. Proton VPN privacy policy Proton's VPN-specific privacy policy is quite short. It states that Proton cannot log user activities or identifiable characteristics of devices connected to the VPN, cannot throttle internet connections and must extend full privacy and security to free users. In one sense, a privacy policy requires you to take the VPN provider at their word, but it's dangerous for a company to make promises they don't intend to keep. The policy is legally binding, and breaking it is grounds for a lawsuit. Proton VPN's succinct no-logs policy is therefore a great sign. It's also been confirmed several times by a third-party audit, most recently in July 2024 . Can Proton VPN change your virtual location? Testing a VPN's ability to mask a user's location isn't complex all you need is a streaming subscription. We connected to five test locations and tried to unblock Netflix with each one. If we managed to access the site, and saw different shows than those on the American library, we concluded that the location had masked us successfully. Server location Unblocked Netflix? Library changed? Canada Y Y Romania Y Y Ghana Y Y Japan Y Y New Zealand Y Y Proton VPN passed the test every time in all five locations. The only hiccup came in Romania, which we chose because it's one of the free locations. The app connected us to a free server, which was too slow to load Netflix; when we chose a paid server, the problem disappeared. Proton VPN changed our virtual location so we saw the Japanese Netflix library. Sam Chapman for Engadget Investigating Proton VPN's server network Proton VPN's free plan includes servers in five locations: the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, the United States and Japan. When you connect as a free user, you'll be automatically connected to whichever location is fastest. A paid plan opens up the full network of 154 servers in 117 countries and territories. The menu includes a huge selection of African locations, more than any VPN we've tested in some time. The Middle East, along with central and southern Asia, are also well represented, and U.S. users will find 20 different locations to choose from. Proton VPN lets you know which of its locations are virtual. Sam Chapman for Engadget Keep in mind that about two-thirds of these server locations are virtual, meaning they're not physically located where they claim to be. This includes all the African servers except South Africa and Nigeria; all the South American servers except Brazil, Colombia and Argentina; and all the Middle Eastern servers except Turkey, Israel and the UAE. A majority of the locations in Asia are also virtual, including South Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. To be clear, virtual locations can hide your IP address just as well as physical ones. It's only a problem if you're expecting the kind of performance, particularly in terms of latency, that you get from a nearby server. Luckily, Proton VPN gives you fast enough download and upload speeds that distance shouldn't be a problem. None Countries Virtual Locations Cities North America 6 3 25 South America 7 4 7 Europe 42 6 51 Africa 25 23 26 Middle East 13 10 14 Asia 22 16 25 Oceania 2 0 6 TOTAL 117 62 154 Features of Proton VPN Proton VPN has a number of extra features that go beyond standard VPN functionality. We've already mentioned the Stealth protocol and IPv6 support. In this section, we'll cover an additional five features that might be of interest. NetShield ad blocker Proton VPN's built-in ad blocker is known as NetShield. It's available on the main UI page, and has two settings: one that blocks only malware sites, and one that blocks sites connected with malware, ads and trackers. The stronger feature is on by default. The Netshield page on Proton VPN's iOS app. Sam Chapman for Engadget NetShield works by checking any DNS requests against a database of web servers known to host malware, inject ads or attach cross-site trackers to your browsing session. The DNS-blocking approach means it's not capable of blocking ads served from the same domain that hosts them so no blocking YouTube video ads. On the positive side, it means NetShield works across your entire device, not just on your browser. NetShield also displays a running total of how many of each form of interference it's blocked. It catches most banner ads, but since you can't customize the blocklist in any way, it's best when combined with another browser-level ad blocker. Secure Core servers Here's an interesting one. Secure Core is a form of a common feature known as double VPN or multi-hop VPN, in which a connection runs through two VPN servers before being decrypted. If one server fails or gets compromised, the other server keeps your connection private. Secure Core servers add a second node to your VPN connection. Sam Chapman for Engadget Proton VPN takes this a step further. When you activate Secure Core, your connection will still end at your chosen server location but before that, it will travel through a designated server in Iceland, Sweden or Switzerland. A few touches make Secure Core servers more reliable than the average VPN node: All three countries are safe jurisdictions, with consumer-friendly privacy laws and courts sympathetic to privacy claims. Secure Core data centers are locked down physically; for example, the Iceland location is a refitted military base, and the Sweden location is literally underground. Proton owns and operates all Secure Core locations itself, with no rentals or third-party managers. Almost no other VPNs pay as much attention to physical security as Proton VPN does with this feature. The second hop makes Secure Core connections slower on average, but it's worth it if you have something especially sensitive to do online. Kill switch Proton VPN includes a kill switch, a standard feature. When active, a kill switch cuts off your internet whenever your connection to the VPN drops. This means you're never in danger of leaking your real identity or location, even for a second. It also protects you against the TunnelVision exploit, which requires the hacker to make a fake VPN server. Split tunneling Split tunneling is included on the Windows and Android apps, but users on other devices can access it through the browser extension. With split tunneling, some apps or websites get online through the VPN, while others stay unprotected. Split tunneling with Proton VPN on Android. Sam Chapman for Engadget Proton VPN allows split tunneling by both app and IP address. This grants you a precise level of control over your split, as long as you know the IP of each website you're placing on the list (you can find that out using DNS checker ). Torrenting servers and port forwarding Proton VPN is one of the best VPNs for torrenting. It restricts torrenting to P2P servers, but nearly every server on the list is a P2P server only Secure Core servers and some free servers don't permit torrenting. Combine that with the fact that it maintains 96 percent of your upload speeds on average, and you should have few problems using a torrenting client. Proton VPN's list of P2P servers. Sam Chapman for Engadget It also has some support for port forwarding, which can improve torrenting speed. Windows and Linux users can enable it with a simple toggle, which provides an active port number for configuring private servers. Mac users can set up port forwarding through manual OpenVPN or WireGuard configurations. Tor over VPN A handful of Proton VPN servers route you directly to the Tor network after encrypting your connection. While connected to one of these Tor over VPN servers, which are marked with TOR in their names and an onion symbol, you'll be able to open .onion links on a normal browser. This is more than just convenient Tor over VPN is the safest way to access the dark web. With the VPN as an intermediary, you're never connecting to Tor with your own IP address, so malicious node operators can't see your real identity. For maximum privacy, use Tor Browser to create your Proton VPN account, so you're never exposed at any point in the process. Proton VPN has Tor servers in six countries (the U.S., France, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany and Hong Kong). Each just has one Tor server, except the United States, which gets two. Tor over VPN is supported on all platforms, but it won't work on Mac or iOS unless you have the kill switch enabled. Profiles A profile on Proton VPN is a group of pre-established settings you can use to quickly configure the VPN for a particular task. Two profiles are available from the start: Fastest, which connects to the fastest server, and Random, which always connects to a different server. You can create more profiles by toggling four settings: Feature: The type of server used. Choose from Standard, Secure Core, P2P or Tor over VPN. Country: The country to which the profile connects. Server: A server within that country. You can also select fastest or random. Protocol: Which VPN protocol the profile will use. Smart can be selected. As an example, say you want to watch a TV series that's only available on Netflix in Canada. You could create a profile called Netflix Canada that connects to the fastest Canadian server with just one click. We'd call profiles situationally useful, but they can save a lot of time if you regularly perform the same action on your VPN. Proton VPN customer support options We went to Proton VPN's FAQ pages with two questions that came up while researching other sections: which of Proton VPN's servers are managed by third parties, and why do certain server locations (like Marseilles) run slow despite the app showing a light load? You can access the help center through any of Proton VPN's apps, or by going directly to the website. Articles appear to be organized into six categories. Oddly, clicking any category button only shows you a handful of the articles in that section for example, the Troubleshooting category looks like it only has five articles. If you type troubleshooting into the search bar, though, you'll see dozens pop up. There are even some sections, like Billing, that don't appear on the main page at all. It has the feel of a website update that wasn't adequately brought in line with the bulk of the support content. Until Proton fixes it, just use the search bar for everything. The articles themselves are well-written, give or take some stilted English. Getting quick help We couldn't find written answers to our questions about ownership and server load, so we turned to live chat. Free users should keep in mind that live chat support is only available on paid accounts, but there's a fairly active subreddit at r/protonvpn where Proton staff frequently post. Live chat is not intuitively located on protonvpn.com. We finally found it by scrolling all the way to the bottom of the main page, only to be told nobody was online to help at the moment live chat is only accessible from 9 AM to midnight Central European Time (CET). We submitted our question about the Marseille servers as an email ticket instead. Sam Chapman for Engadget This part was easy, at least, as the form helpfully populated our system information. We also got a prompt response within 24 hours. We ended the interaction there, as we weren't able to reproduce the sluggish behavior on the French server locations, but it's nice to know the team will answer quickly. Proton VPN background check: The CERN origins of Proton AG Proton VPN launched in 2017 , but its team's experience goes back much farther. The founders of its parent company, Proton AG, met while working at CERN in Switzerland, and the company remains under Swiss jurisdiction. Their first product, Proton Mail, went live in 2014 after a successful crowdfunding campaign, and claims to have 100 million users today. Proton VPN was Proton AG's second project. Like Proton Mail, it consists of a free plan supplemented by paid upgrades. Since then, Proton has introduced several more products: Proton Calendar in 2020, Proton Drive cloud storage in 2022 and the Proton Pass password manager in 2023, each designed around using end-to-end encryption to make user data inaccessible. The Proton Foundation Proton announced in 2024 that the majority of its shares had been acquired by the Proton Foundation, a nonprofit whose only purpose is to control Proton stock. Among other benefits, this prevents it from being purchased by anyone who disagrees with its mission. To sell to an objectionable parent company, the entire board of trustees would have to agree, which feels unlikely based on Proton's track record. Throughout Proton's history, we only found two incidents serious enough to comment on, and only one of them concerned Proton VPN. We'll cover them both below. ProtonMail law enforcement collaboration allegations On the page that hosts its annual transparency report , Proton states openly that it may be legally compelled to disclose certain user information to Swiss authorities (see the Privacy Policy section of this article for more on precisely what information that describes). In 2021, the company admitted it had given Swiss police (acting on a French warrant) a ProtonMail user's IP address and device logs. The police arrested the user, a French environmental activist. While that's unnerving for privacy-minded users, there are some important contextual issues to consider. Most importantly, ProtonMail is not governed by the same policy as Proton VPN. At the time the case unfolded, Swiss law obliged all email companies to comply with court orders from Swiss authorities to hand over data. VPNs aren't subject to those retention requirements . Today, Swiss email companies have been reclassified so they're also exempt from data retention requirements, thanks in part to a policy change Proton fought for . A representative from Proton confirmed that under Swiss law, we are not obligated to save any user connection logs. It's also reassuring that, despite complying with the subpoena, Proton wasn't able to turn over the contents of any emails. Alleged WireGuard memory vulnerability In January 2025, researchers at Venak Security alleged that Proton VPN lacks memory protection for keys generated under the WireGuard protocol, which might let hackers scrape the keys and decrypt intercepted communications. Proton responded to Venak in a blog post , which a Proton representative confirmed remains their official response to the allegations. In short: the Venak article only demonstrates that it's possible to view public keys, not private ones. This isn't much of a bombshell, given that public is right there in the name. But asymmetric encryption the kind used by VPN protocols like WireGuard requires both keys to decrypt any messages. Even if a hacker were able to get ahold of a private key, they likely wouldn't be able to use it for anything. WireGuard incorporates perfect forward secrecy by default, changing session keys often enough that any given key is obsolete by the time it's stolen. Final verdict In short, we're prepared to recommend Proton VPN to almost anybody. Whether you're mainly concerned with security, streaming or something else, chances are good that you'll be satisfied. The only serious downsides are that the long-term plans are overpriced and that it's hard to get live tech support if you live outside of Europe. It's also our unqualified pick for the best free VPN, but with the caveat that it's a bad choice for anyone who needs to choose specific server locations. If all you care about is staying hidden from your ISP and advertisers, Proton should be your first choice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/proton-vpn-review-2025-a-nonprofit-service-with-premium-performance-153046073.html?src=rss

Malware apps posing as free VPNs are on the rise

Cybersecurity firm Cleafy just issued a report warning against a rising malware called Klopatra, which infects personal devices by posing as a free VPN app called Mobdro Pro IP + VPN. This is the latest corroboration of a series of warnings delivered by Kaspersky security researchers in 2024 about the increasing number of malware apps pretending to be free VPNs a warning that's more relevant than ever as VPN usage spikes in response to age-restriction laws. Mobdro is the name of a popular IPTV app that's been taken down by the Spanish government at least once, but the Mobdro Pro IP + VPN app appears to be unrelated, piggybacking on the name to use it as a malware vector. If you download the app, it guides you through what appears to be an installation wizard, but is actually the steps for handing over total control of your device. Once inside, Klopatra abuses accessibility services to pose as you, enter your banking apps, drain your accounts and assimilate your device into the botnet for further attacks. Cleafy believes that Klopatra has already roped around 3,000 devices into its botnet, mainly in Italy and Spain. Its report concludes that the group behind Klopatra is probably based in Turkey, and is actively refining its approach, incorporating innovations and changing with the times. Hence the use of a combined cord-cutting and free VPN app as a mask it's perfect for exploiting rising frustrations with both streaming balkanization and government clampdowns on web freedom. According to Kaspersky, other free VPNs used as malware vectors in the past year include MaskVPN, PaladinVPN, ShineVPN, ShieldVPN, DewVPN and ProxyGate. With Klopatra's runaway success, Cleafy believes that imitators will spring up. App stores aren't always quick to take down implicated apps, so be very careful to vet any free VPN app before you download it. If you're not sure, you can always go with one of the free recommendations from our best VPN list (Proton VPN or hide.me). This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/malware-apps-posing-as-free-vpns-are-on-the-rise-175629088.html?src=rss

2nd Test: Jaiswals Unbeaten 173 And Sudharsans 87 Headline Indias Dominant First Day (Ld)

Arun Jaitley Stadium: Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his ascent in international cricket arena with a commanding unbeaten 173, while B Sai Sudharsan kept his critics at bay by making a fine 87 as India posted 318/2 in 90 overs at stumps on day one of the second and final Test against West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday. From the time captain Shubman Gill won his first toss as Indias Test skipper and chose to bat on a slow pitch on a bright day with 11,000 spectators in attendance, everything went Indias way. Jaiswal and KL Rahul put on a steady 58-run stand before the former was involved in a huge 193-run partnership with Sudharsan, who hit his first Test fifty in India. Jaiswal shifted gears post-lunch to bring up his hundred with flair in a knock where he started watchfully, feasted only on bad balls, and then got runs effortlessly. The final session saw a slowdown in scoring rate, but India remained in control. Jaiswal crossed 150 for the fifth time in his young Test career, and looks set for garnering more runs on day two, with skipper Shubman Gill also looking solid while slog-sweeping his way to 20 not out. The standout aspect of the day, though, was Jaiswals knock being as a masterclass in tempo control as an opening batter. He absorbed pressure early, capitalised on loose deliveries in the middle session and tightened up again when West Indies regained discipline late in the day. West Indies, meanwhile, bowled with discipline in patches, with no extras conceded all day and had an excellent over rate. But that wasnt enough for any other bowler apart from Jomel Warrican to be amongst the wicket-takers. The chants in the stadium were initially for Kohli, Kohli, referring to the veteran batting stalwart and local lad. But it quickly changed to Jaiswal, Jaiswal by lunch. Those chants were made possible thanks to Jaiswal and Rahul negotiating an early swing before opening up with a flurry of boundaries. Rahul played shots which pleased the shutterbugs in the stadium a pristine punch and whip off Seales to pick consecutive boundaries. The barrage of boundaries became three in a row when Jaiswal whipped Justin Greaves. There was an element of sheer swagger in Jaiswal a straight drive off Philip was as fierce as a bullet fired from a rifle. The straight drive would again come up from Jaiswals willow with its execution impeccable on an overpitched ball from Greaves. After the half-century was raised of the opening stand, Rahul had just lofted Khary Pierre for six and looked to dance down the pitch again - this time to Jomel Warrican, but was undone by a sharp turn going past his outside edge and resulting in the batter being stumped for 38. Jaiswal continued to be a class apart rocking back to cut Warrican for four, before lofting and sweeping Roston Chase for boundaries. Sudharsan, walking out at number three under scrutiny, began solidly too with his flicks and punches to keep Indias rhythm intact. The second session began in a thumping fashion for India - Jaiswal cut Jaydon Seales to pick boundaries on the first two balls, before driving a half-volley through cover for four to reach his fifty off 82 balls. While Jaiswal continued to drive and cut with ease, Sudharsan used his quick hands well to flick, punch, drive and sweep nicely for boundaries. On an overpitched delivery from Pierre, Sudharsan got his second Test fifty in 87 balls with a drive going through mid-off for four. Jaiswal made full use of loose balls from Anderson Philip to get boundaries and then a flick from Pierre got him the brace to reach his century, which he celebrated by taking off his helmet, raising his bat and sending a few flying kisses to celebrate a magnificent landmark. The measured and methodical Sudharsan had a life on 58 when Greaves induced a false shot from him, only for Warrican to spill a straightforward chance at short mid-wicket. The third session then began with a bang as Jaiswal pressed forward to crunch Roston Chase through cover for four, before Sudharsan leant well into a drive to take another boundary off him. But Sudharsans knock ended when he was trapped lbw by Warrican, who got the ball to spin back in sharply from over the wicket where the batter was caught at the crease yet again. Sudharsan reviewed the decision at the fag end, but replays confirmed the dismissal, as he walked back to the pavilion 13 runs short of what could have been his first Test century. With Gill hitting two glorious slog sweeps off Pierre, Jaiswal continued to be ominous by driving off him and then cutting fiercely off Warrican for picking up two boundaries. Jaiswal brought up his 150 with a flick off the pads on his 224th ball and raised his bat to acknowledge the applause from teammates and fans. With West Indies taking the second new ball, Jaiswal and Gill were at their cautious best, before getting back to hitting boundaries. But Sudharsans knock ended when he was trapped lbw by Warrican, who got the ball to spin back in sharply from over the wicket where the batter was caught at the crease yet again. Sudharsan reviewed the decision at the fag end, but replays confirmed the dismissal, as he walked back to the pavilion 13 runs short of what could have been his first Test century. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Brief Scores: India 318/2 in 90 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 173 not out, B Sai Sudharsan 87; Jomel Warrican 2-60) against West Indies. Article Source: IANS

Theres A Bit Of Aura About Virat And Rohit: Connolly Excited To Share Field With Two 'world-class' Players

The West Australian: Australias rising star Cooper Connolly dubbed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as 'world-class players' and expressed excitement about sharing the field with the Indian stalwarts again while recalling the last time he played a game against the two stars. The 22-year-old all-rounder has been named in Australias ODI squad for their home series against India, starting from October 19 in Perth, and might get a chance to share the field with the senior Indian players again. Connolly shared the field with Kohli and Rohit during the two teams Champions Trophy semi-final clash this year in March. He was a part of Australias XI and opened the batting for them but was dismissed for a nine-ball duck. Its exciting, theyre two world-class players. Ive played them both before, and theres a bit of aura about them. You just think, these guys have played a lot of cricket and they have got that strut about them, Connolly told The West Australian. They own this game, pretty much. Its exciting; there will be a lot of fans here to watch those two go about it pretty much and were excited to play some good cricket. Theyre bringing over a pretty strong squad, but hopefully we can win the series. It would be an honour. Ive obviously looked up to Virat, hes a nice player. I havent had much communication with him, but itd be an honour to share the field one last time with him. Kohlis last game in Australia was the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which was also the last red-ball international game of his career before he announced his retirement from the format. They own this game, pretty much. Its exciting; there will be a lot of fans here to watch those two go about it pretty much and were excited to play some good cricket. Theyre bringing over a pretty strong squad, but hopefully we can win the series. It would be an honour. Ive obviously looked up to Virat, hes a nice player. I havent had much communication with him, but itd be an honour to share the field one last time with him. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score With Australia preparing to host India for three ODIs, followed by five T20Is, the seasoned duo of RoKo will finally be back in play. Article Source: IANS

2nd Test: Jaiswal Unbeaten On 40 As India Reach 94/1 At Lunch Against West Indies

Arun Jaitley Stadium: During the middle of the first session on Day 1 of the second and final Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, a small number of fans were chanting Kohli, Kohli, as they sorely missed the presence of the batting stalwart and local lad. By the time lunch was called, the sun was at its peak, and the fans had now started chanting Jaiswal, Jaiswal. They had their reasons, as Yashasvi scored an unbeaten 40 for India to reach 94/1 in 28 overs against the West Indies. It was a session where India ticked many boxes winning the toss, batting first, settling in, and slogging through the morning to build a steady foundation for a big total. Jaiswal and KL Rahul were cautious in their approach early on to take India to 15/0 in the first six overs, as a few balls from Anderson Philip and Jayden Seales swung. After that, Rahul played shots which pleased the shutterbugs a pristine punch and whip off Seales to score consecutive boundaries. The barrage of boundaries became three in a row when Jaiswal whipped Justin Greaves. There was a sense of pure swagger in Jaiswal a straight drive off Philip was as fierce as a bullet fired from a rifle. The straight drive would again come from Jaiswals willow with its execution flawless on an overpitched ball from Greaves. After a fifty-run partnership between the openers, Rahul had just lofted Khary Pierre for six and was preparing to dance down the pitch again - this time to Jomel Warrican but he was undone by sharp turn that went past his outside edge, resulting in the batter being stumped for 38. There was a sense of pure swagger in Jaiswal a straight drive off Philip was as fierce as a bullet fired from a rifle. The straight drive would again come from Jaiswals willow with its execution flawless on an overpitched ball from Greaves. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Brief Scores: India 94/1 in 28 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 40 not out, KL Rahul 38; Jomel Warrican 1-21) against West Indies Article Source: IANS

Karwa Chauth Rajasthan Moonrise Time Today: Check timings for Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner, Alwar and other cities

Karwa Chauth is a traditional festival where married women in Rajasthan and across India observe a daylong fast for their husbands' long life and well-being. Cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur celebrate it with love and devotion. Check moon rise timings for these cities here:

Google cracks down! APKs, ROMs, and Emulators banned is Android freedom over?

Google is implementing a significant policy shift, banning unverified APKs, ROMs, and certain emulators on certified Android devices starting in 2026. This move, aimed at enhancing security and combating malware, will restrict app distribution to verified developers. Critics argue this move curtails Android's famed openness, potentially impacting custom ROMs and retro gaming enthusiasts.

JPDCL Announces Power Shutdown Due to Maintenance Works

JAMMU: The Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) has announced a series of scheduled power shutdowns across several areas of Jammu Division between October 10 and October 13 for necessary maintenance and upgradation works. According to the Chief Engineer (Distribution), JPDCL Jammu, power supply to Pouni, Shiv Khouri, Dadua, Laiter, Bharakh, Ransoo, Talwara and adjoining []

2nd Test: Spin The Key Again As India Eye Clean Sweep Against Wobbly Windies (Preview)

Arun Jaitley Stadium: As the sun broke through the post-rain haze over the Arun Jaitley Stadium, it brought the Indian team through a high-intensity net session that lasted over three hours on Wednesday. The mood was focused in everything they did fitness drills, fielding sessions, batting and bowling practice. With the rhythm sharp, and the intent unmistakable, it clearly showed the Indian team was in the mood to ready themselves for what their next aim is: be at their best in all aspects and get a clean sweep over a wobbly West Indies in the second Test starting on Friday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. If there were doubts over how India would fare in a new home season, especially after the 3-0 loss to New Zealand and the retirements of stalwarts Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, all those concerns were convincingly brushed aside when Shubman & Co. wrapped a commanding win by an innings and 140 runs in three days in Ahmedabad. The foundations of that win were emphatic declaring on a commanding score of 448/5 thanks to Dhruv Jurels maiden century, KL Rahuls measured hundred, and Ravindra Jadejas unbeaten ton. The bowlers were also at their incisive best - Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah dismissing listless West Indies batters with precision. If that wasnt enough, then Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar ensured spin had its say too on a greenish Ahmedabad wicket. One would expect for the spin troika to have a larger say on a black soil pitch in Delhi. The Kotla pitch, last seen in a three-day finish against Australia in 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series (with Jadeja being chief wrecker via a seven-wicket haul in the second essay), bears familiar signs - dry patches, minimal grass to keep the surface together, and a surface likely to break down as the match progresses. With rains receding (thanks to the western disturbance bidding goodbye, though chilly winds exist) and brighter skies returning, the residual moisture should vanish by the time the game begins on Friday. As per what assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said, India are unlikely to tinker with a winning combination. Bumrah, who bowled just 20 overs in Ahmedabad, is expected to play, so as Nitish Kumar Reddy, who could get more chances to showcase his all-round skills after being surplus to requirements in the first game. The batting order bears a settled look, though India would wish for B Sai Sudharsan to live up to the high promise which the team management sees in him and ten Doeschate stated strongly. If Sudharsan manages to make big runs in New Delhi, it would mean that the last piece in Indias batting puzzle will be solved before hosting current World Test Championship winners South Africa next month. For West Indies, the challenges are very steep both on and off the field. From an on-field perspective, a depleted fast bowling attack, and an already fragile batting unit must now find answers and put up some fight against a relentless Indian team. Skipper Roston Chase will hope to extract something from the surface with his off-spin, but the burden of batting resistance lies with him, Shai Hope, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, and Alick Athanaze. Against Indias all-round firepower, the margin for error is very slim and West Indies, after being on its wrong side in Ahmedabad, is fully aware of whats needed of them to avoid making the game a one-sided affair. Facing a plethora of left-arm spinners and showing productive energy in their practice session suggests they are very keen to rectify the missteps made in Ahmedabad. But as the scoreboard resets to zero on Friday morning, its India who hold all the cards for now - in form, fitness, and familiarity with conditions. If the surface plays true to its dry character and spin takes center stage once again, India should have little trouble wrapping up a 2-0 series win in quick time under New Delhis sunlit skies. When: Friday, October 10, 9:30 AM IST Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming Squads Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score West Indies: Roston Chase (c), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shai Hope (wk), Tevin Imlach (wk), Brandon King, Justin Greaves, Johann Layne, Khary Pierre, Jomel Warrican, Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip, and Jediah Blades. Article Source: IANS

2nd Test: Both Rohit And Virat Have So Much Experience, Won So Many Games, Says Gill

ODI World Cup: Though the Mens ODI World Cup is still well over two years away, but Shubman Gill, Indias Test skipper and newly appointed 50-over captain, has dropped hints over batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remaining central to the teams plans. Both Kohli and Rohit, who retired from T20Is and Tests, will join the India squad before flying to Australia on October 15, for a three-game series starting four days later in Perth. Yes, of course, the experience that both of us have and all the matches that they have won for India, there are very few players who have won so many matches for India. The players who have the same skill and the same quality with this experience, there are very few players in the world who have all of that. So, in that respect, I am very happy, said Gill in the pre-match press conference, ahead of the second Test against the West Indies, starting at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday. Gill also said that he hopes to carry forward the calmness that Rohit, who captained India to T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy triumphs, brought to the dressing room in the 50-over format. There are so many qualities that I have inherited from Rohit bhai - one is the calmness that he possesses, and the kind of friendship that he fosters among the group is something that I aspire to have. These are the qualities that I want to take from him, he added. Reflecting on his elevation to ODI captaincy, Shubman Gill said he feels honoured to lead the national side, after being named the Test captain in May. It was announced in the middle of a Test match (after the game was over in Ahmedabad), but I got to know a little bit before that. There are so many qualities that I have inherited from Rohit bhai - one is the calmness that he possesses, and the kind of friendship that he fosters among the group is something that I aspire to have. These are the qualities that I want to take from him, he added. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score I want to stay as present as possible and don't really want to look back on what I've or as a team, we have been able to achieve. Just want to look forward and win everything that we have in the upcoming months, he said. Article Source: IANS

Nayanthara gets a bomb threat after Vijay, Trisha

Tamil actor Nayanthara's residence in Alwarpet's Venus Colony has reportedly been targeted by a fake bomb threat.

OpenAI has disrupted (more) Chinese accounts using ChatGPT to create social media surveillance tools

OpenAI has disclosed that a now-banned account originating in China was using ChatGPT to help design promotional materials and project plans for a social media listening tool. OpenAI says that this work was purportedly done for a government client. The tool was a probe that could crawl social media sites like X, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, TikTok and YouTube for specific political, ethnic or religious content as defined by the operator. The company said it cannot independently verify if the tool was used by a Chinese government entity. OpenAI disrupted similar efforts earlier this year. The company also says it banned an account that was using ChatGPT to develop a proposal for a tool described as a High-Risk Uyghur-Related Inflow Warning Model that would aid in tracking the movements of Uyghur-related individuals. China has long been accused of alleged human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims in the country. OpenAI began publishing threat reports in February 2024 , raising awareness of state-affiliated actors using large language models to debug malicious code, develop phishing scams and more. The company's latest blog post serves as a roundup of notable threats and banned accounts over the last quarter. The company also caught Russian-, Korean- and Chinese-speaking developers using ChatGPT to refine malware, as well as entire networks in Cambodia, Myanmar and Nigeria using the chatbot to help create scams in an attempt to defraud people. According to OpenAI's own estimates, ChatGPT is being used to detect scams three times as often as it is to create them. . This summer, OpenAI disrupted operations in Iran, Russia and China that were using ChatGPT to create posts, comments and to drive engagement and division as part of online influence campaigns. The AI-generated content was used on various social media platforms in both the originating nations and internationally. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-has-disrupted-more-chinese-accounts-using-chatgpt-to-create-social-media-surveillance-tools-142538093.html?src=rss

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin inspects ongoing storm water drain work in Chennai

Mr. Stalin inspected the changing of drinking water pipes being undertaken by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board in areas in Alwarpet and areas on T.T.K. Road

Two greats face the clock: Ajit Agarkar on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli face a situation in ODI cricket. Shubman Gill now leads the Indian team in the format. Selectors placed the stalwarts on notice. Their continued selection depends on scoring runs. They will play series against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Their roles in Indian cricket will no longer guide its direction.

'I am just a worker,' says Jagdish Panchal in his first address as Gujarat BJP chief

AHMEDABAD: In a strategically timed move, Gujarat BJP has officially appointed senior leader Jagdish Panchal as its new state president, making him the 14th chief of the partys Gujarat unit. Panchal, who filed his nomination on Friday, was elected unopposed. He formally took charge at BJP Headquarter Kamalam in Gandhinagar on Saturday. The suspense surrounding Gujarat BJPs leadership ended dramatically on Saturday as Jagdish Panchal was declared the new state president. The announcement came from the partys state election committee, which also oversaw his formal assumption of charge at Kamalam. The process leading to his elevation bore the unmistakable mark of Delhis strategic planning. Panchal had filed his nomination for the post on Friday, and handed it over to election office. As no other candidate entered the fray, his unopposed selection was a foregone conclusion. While his name surprised many within the state unit, recent political movements hinted that the groundwork for Panchals rise was laid well in advance. BJPs decision to conduct a formal election something not done during the appointments of CR Patil and Jitu Vaghani underscored the partys intent to showcase internal democracy even as the outcome was pre-decided. According to insider accounts, Panchals ascent began two days before the announcement when he received an unexpected call from Delhi. Dropping all commitments, he boarded a flight to the capital and held a series of meetings with top BJP leadership, including strategists and central observers. Interestingly, his visit remained under wraps, with no social media posts or political buzz a sign of tightly controlled communication from the partys command center. Within hours of his return to Ahmedabad, BJP Headquarter began to hum with activity, confirming the leadership change was imminent. At his first public address after assuming charge on Saturday, Jagdish Panchal struck a tone of humility and dedication. The identity of the president is not me it is the worker who sits in front of me, he declared, bowing before the party cadre. He invoked the BJPs ideological lineage from Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and pledged to strengthen the philosophy of Panch Nishtha and Ekatma Manav Darshan through service-oriented politics. Panchal also paid homage to past Gujarat stalwarts including Keshubhai Patel, Vijay Rupani, and praised Former Gujarat BJP president Vajubhai Vala, Jitu Vaghani, and C.R. Patil, crediting them for transforming BJP into a banyan tree of public trust. Reaffirming faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he hailed BJP as a symbol of trust, development, and new ideas. He credited Modis governance model from the abrogation of Article 370 to economic reforms like GST for propelling India to the worlds fourth-largest economy, and vowed to continue that momentum under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patels leadership. Closing his address on a personal note, Panchal recalled his fathers words Walk thinner than water as his guiding principle in leadership. If I remove the party sash, I am just a common worker. My only identity is saffron and the lotus, he said. With Jagdish Panchals elevation, Gujarat BJP appears to have balanced political equations and infused organizational continuity, preparing the ground for upcoming local elections while reinforcing its message that the partys strength lies in its disciplined cadre and unwavering leadership chain.

Man held for threatening YouTuber, abusing CM Stalin

CHENNAI: A TVK worker was arrested on Friday for allegedly issuing death threats to a YouTuber and abusing Chief Minister MK Stalin in a live video at Koyambedu on Wednesday. According to the police, the suspect, 29-year-old Gokul, a softyware developer, from Alwar Thirunagar, threatened a YouTuber while he was recording public reactions to a newly released film outside a movie theater in Koyambedu. While the YouTuber was recording a video, Gokul interrupted the live filming, allegedly verbally abused Chief Minister MK Stalin in connection with last weeks Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives, and issued direct death threats to the YouTuber, the police said. The incident was captured on the live video, which quickly went viral. Following a complaint at the police station, a special team traced and arrested Gokul at his friends house near Valasaravakkam.

Dattatretyas Alai-Balai brings many stalwarts on a common stage

Saumitra P Srivastava Takes Charge As Director (Marketing), Indian Oil

DE Web Desk JAMMU, Oct 2: Saumitra P Srivastava today assumed the charge as Director (Marketing) at Indian Oil, bringing with him a distinguished career spanning over three decades within the Corporation. An academic stalwart, Srivastava is a Civil Engineering Graduate from IIT Roorkee and holds an Executive MBA from SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai. His career has been instrumental in shaping key business segments, starting with initial four-year tenure in the LPG business before transitioning to [] The post Saumitra P Srivastava Takes Charge As Director (Marketing), Indian Oil appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Womens World Cup ENG vs SA Preview: England, South Africa eye winning start in Guwahati clash

Edwards could lean on her experience in India as a player and MI coach. So could some of the English players who have taken part in the WPL. South Africas two main players have also had the WPL experience. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt whose cover drives should be one of the highlights of this World Cup and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp are two stalwarts the Proteas could be banking on.

Chakra Snanam Arrangements Completed At Tirumala

Singhal said entry and exit points have been arranged systematically to ensure smooth movement of devotees. Snapana Tirumanjanam and Chakrasnanam will be performed for the processional deities along with Chakrathalwar during the scheduled hours.

A festival where art barriers get broken

The faint yet serene light from the lamps that illuminate the old-world charm of the Navaratri Mandapam at Padmanabhaswamy temple can be misleading. Surrounded by that antique magic, one feels the space is tucked away in yesteryears, seemingly untouched by time. But change has found its way in. From the introduction of instrumental music in the early 20th century to 1996, when women were permitted to sing at the prestigious forum dating back to the Swathi Thirunal period, the Navaratri Mandapam has moved with the times. Open to the public during the nine days of festivities, it continues to showcase the finest music talents from across the country. This year, too, the Mandapam had concerts destined to go down in history. On Tuesday, the first recital of the series was by T V Gopalakrishnan, who, at 94, is considered the oldest artist ever to perform at the hallowed venue. The veteran from Tripunithura is a revered guru, having mentored stalwarts including Ilaiyaraaja and A R Rahman. A composer with several pioneering works, he remains low-key despite accolades that include the Kalaimamani title, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Padma Bhushan. It is a great honour for me to be performing here for Navaratri, says the maestro. I opened the concert with Devi Jagajanani in Raga Shankarabharanam, as per the schedule for the festival drawn up by Swathi Thirunal. I also sang a few Hindustani songs composed by the monarch-composer, whose works are traditionally rendered at the Mandapam during the nine days. TV Gopalakrishnan Known simply as TVG in Carnatic circles, he hopes to return for more. I am still learning. There are many rare krithis that need to be made popular. I also want to reach out to the music lovers of the West with our music, which is nuanced in a surreal manner, says the artist, who has collaborated with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar and Ustad Alla Rakha, taking fusion music to great heights. In sharp contrast to the oldest performer, the Mandapam also saw its youngest female artist yet: Charulata Chandrasekhar, a 19-year-old veena player who shared the stage with her grandmother, R S Jayalakshmi, on Thursday. A performer since the age of nine, Charulata calls the opportunity a blessing. Its such a traditional stage, which opened up to women only in recent years. To be able to perform there this young is god-sent, says Charulata, who has already done about 600 recitals. Charulata Chandrasekhar (right) with her grandmother R S Jayalakshmi The veena is quite intricate in its musical structure and rendition. It was handed down through generations and I want to take the legacy forward. Inclusivity in performances is not confined to the Navaratri Mandapam. Across the capital, known for its rich spread of Navaratri art events, this openness is palpable. At Saraswathi Mandapam in Poojappura, performances start as early as 6.30 am and go on till late at night. This year, the organisers introduced a separate venue, Aarkum Padaam, where anyone can sing. The main stage, however, remains the 200-year-old Swathi Mandapam, where both veterans and budding artists perform. On the opening day, the stage witnessed a poignant recital by Kanmani S, a 22-year-old music graduate from the Swathi Thirunal College of Music, who was born without hands. Kanmani S She opened with fine compositions including Devi Jagajanani in Raga Shankarabharanam, proving that passion and perseverance can shatter physical barriers. I was born this way, but to me it is my biggest plus. My mother initiated me into music when I was young and since then, I have been encouraged to pursue the passion. I hope to do my PG and PhD in music, and then take up music academically, she says. The spirit of diversity and inclusivity extends beyond the popular venues. This year, the Sammohan 2025 festival came to the capital on September 27. The two-day fest featured 300 artists, each of whom had overcome disabilities to embrace art. Korok Biswas Among them is 22-year-old Korok Biswas, who calls himself a self-advocate of art. A Gaudiya dancer from Bengal with rigorous training in Bharatanatyam under Dr Arkadev Bhattacharya at Kerala Kalamandalam, he takes a rural project of the Ramakrishna Mission to people, spreading awareness that barriers can be overcome with will and aspiration. At Sammohan, to be held at Magic Planet in Thiruvananthapuram, he performed both gaudiya and bharatanatyam, says his father Kallol, proud that his son is arguably Indias first classical dancer with Downs Syndrome to have gained national and international recognition. Joining him is 25-year-old Megha Chowdhury, a disciple of Hindustani maestro Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty. She sang Rabindra Sangeet, for which she has received training. And since it is Navaratri, she opened with a Saraswati Vandana, says her mother Archana. Megha, who is autistic, began talking late, but music as therapy transformed her journey. Training at Ajoy Chakrabortys Shrutinandan School gave her further grounding. A state awardee, Meghas rendition was a mix of classical and semi-classical, reflecting the inclusivity that has allowed her aspirations to take flight. Megha Chowdhury Sreemayi and her friends at Poojappura Saraswathi Mandapam. Inclusivity has also found expression off stage. At several venues, Sreemayi S and her team were seen immersed in bharatanatyam performances. We are to have our arangettam two months from now, says Sreemayi, a transwoman who volunteers with the District Legal Services Authority and works with the Transgender Justice Board. She and 10 other transwomen have been training under guru Gayathri Subramanian. I always wanted to learn the art form but it was costly when I was growing up. Then came the phases of gender identity and the surgery that made me who I wanted to be. Finally, the lessons began three years ago when I was 32. Now, I am preparing for my debut on stage, and hope to perform a full classical repertoire in the seasons to come. Now, its time to observe the nuance and learn, she says with a smile, posing for a picture with her friends. True art can grow only when it has space for all. I am so happy that Navaratri here is evolving to incorporate that universal spirit.

Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu: Nayanthara's Look Is Here

Nayanthara enjoys immense popularity among Telugu audiences, having shared screen space with stalwarts like Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, and Ravi Teja.

Industry Stalwart Ashwinder R. Singh Honoured as 'Real Estate Person of the Year' at Construction Week Awards

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Two more held in Gujarat's Rs 194 crore turmeric farm scam, total arrests rise to 12

AHMEDABAD: Gujarats Rajkot witnessed one of the biggest-ever financial scams where traders were lured in with hopes of a high-return turmeric farming, only to be duped of Rs 64.80 crore. The traders were duped by Maharashtra-based A.S. Agri & Aqua LLP, which later defaulted on a total payment of Rs 194 crore as per the agreement. Two key engineers-turned-marketing-executives, who played a pivotal role in the racket, were arrested by the Crime Branch in Maharashtra, taking the total arrests to 12. The duo has been remanded till September 30. However, seven accused, including the mastermind and the companys 55 per cent owner, Prashant Jade, still remain absconding. The arrested have been identified as Kamlesh Mahadevrao Ozhe and Avinash Baban Sangle, from Maharashtras Kalwar and Narpoli areas. Both are engineers-turned-marketing executives and 2.5 per cent partners in the company. Investigations revealed that Rs 62 lakh was funneled into Kamleshs account and Rs 92 lakh into Avinashs account directly from the companys funds. Initially investors themselves, the duo later joined the company as partners in 2021, aggressively marketing the scheme to other investors. They collected sensitive data, built investor networks, and convinced traders with slick presentations and YouTube videos showcasing successful turmeric farms. The complaint, filed by Rajkot businessman Prashantbhai Pradeepbhai Kanabar, details how the scam took place. In 2021, Kanabar invested Rs 64.80 crore after being promised Rs 1.20 crore returns per acre every year for six years. He leased 108 acres of land across Gujarat for the project. The agreement stated that the company would build polyhouses, manage cultivation, and handle sales. However, after receiving the funds, the company did none of what was promised. When payment became due in January 2023, the company only gave written assurances, promising to return Rs 58.32 crore after administrative deductions. Suspicious of delays, Kanabar personally met company chairman Ivan Albert D'Cruz in Mumbai, who again verbally assured repayment, however, no money was returned. The scam deepened further as investigators uncovered frauds in Vadodara, Amreli, Thane, and Pune, suggesting a multi-state network. Rs 194 crore, due between 2023 and 2025, remains unpaid. The Crime Branch, led by PI Manoj Damor, has formed multiple teams to trace the remaining absconding accused. It is reported that Prashant Jade had hired over 100 marketing agents and made use of a massive promotional campaign to lure unsuspecting investors. Police are now tracking the flow of money through the accounts of several Maharashtra-based individuals to expose the full scale of the operation.

Bhopal Diary: CMs back-to-back Delhi visits spark buzz

CMs back-to-back Delhi visits spark buzz CM Mohan Yadavs back-to-back visits to Delhi this week have set tongues wagging in political circles. While senior state BJP leaders have maintained that the CMs tours are related to important development projects, political pundits in Bhopal are making their own guesses, spanning from something big about to happen to a rejig of the states council of ministers. Several others are linking it to possible announcements of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of independent corporations and boards which have been long overdue. What gave momentum to speculations was the BJP national joint general secy (organisation) Shiv Prakashs meeting with the CM in Bhopal. Alls not well between DCM & BJP MLA All doesnt seem to be well between Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla and first-time BJP MLA Siddharth Tiwari in Rewa district of Vindhya region. The issue has been making news, particularly since Shuklas pictures were found missing from posters of an event in Tiwaris constituency Teonthar, which was graced by CM Mohan Yadav. Importantly, Shukla gave the event a miss after welcoming the CM at the Rewa Airport, triggering speculation about all not being well between Shukla (most powerful BJP leader of Vindhya) and Tiwari, who is the grandson of Congress stalwart and ex-Vidhan Sabha Speaker Late Shrinivas Tiwari. Cell-phones looted from IG-Intel in VVIP area Three teenagers recently looted two cell-phones from the IG-Intelligence of state police Dr Ashish while he was on a night stroll with his wife near to his bungalow in Bhopals high-security and VVIP Char Imli area. The incident with the senior IPS officer by the three motorcycle-borne minors has exposed the state of security in the state capitals high-security areas, prompting the opposition Congress to question the government, If this is the situation in a VVIP area, what might be the state of affairs in other areas of the state capital. The Char Imli area houses the bungalows of senior politicians, bureaucrats and police officers. Anuraag Singh Our correspondent in Madhya Pradesh singhanuraag.jaurno@gmail.com

LG felicitates Army, NDRF, SDRF, J&K Police personnel for exceptional service during recent natural catastrophe

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 27: For Viksit Bharat and rapid growth we must maintain ecological integrity and economic integrity, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said today. Securing the biodiversity should become the national mission and all sections of society must work together for protection, restoration and regeneration of natural resources. He was speaking at the award ceremony, Pride of J&K. The award honored stalwarts and champions of Jammu Kashmir who shaped the regions development and always stood as pillars of hope [] The post LG felicitates Army, NDRF, SDRF, J&K Police personnel for exceptional service during recent natural catastrophe appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

H-1B: The Visa That Links Musk, Nadella And Pichai's Rise In US

The H-1B visa has helped highly skilled professionals from across the world to advance America's technology sector. Three stalwarts who have made an indelible mark in the US after obtaining an H-1B visa are, Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella

Lutyen's Delhi's iconic 95 years old bungalow, once owned by Alwar's Maharaj sold at staggering Rs 3100000000 deal; Who is the buyer?

A luxurious bungalow at Delhi's iconic Lutyens Bungalow Zone (LBZ), once owned by Alwar's Maharaj has been sold at a staggering Rs 310 crore. Who is the buyer?

Navratri Day 4 sunshine style: Aaman Devgan, Shanaya Kapoor, Navya Nanda radiate bright yellow vibes

Bollywood's Gen-Z style icons lit up Navratri Day 4 in vibrant yellow ensembles, blending traditional elegance with modern flair. From Aaman Devgan's effortless kurta to Shanaya Kapoor's glam corset saree and Navya Nanda's chic salwar suit, these looks set major festive fashion goals.

Around 40 minor girls found locked inside toilet of unregistered madrassa in UP's Bahraich

LUCKNOW: Around 40 minor girls, aged between nine and 14, were found locked inside a toilet of an unregistered madrassa in Pahalwara village under Payagpur tehsil in Bahraich district, officials said on Thursday. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ashwini Kumar Pandey said the girls were discovered during an inspection of the madrassa, which had repeatedly drawn complaints for operating illegally. The three-storey building was initially resistant to the inspection, but police accompanied the officials upstairs. When the door of the toilet on the terrace was opened by female police personnel, the girls came out one by one. They were frightened and unable to speak clearly, Pandey said. District Minority Welfare Officer Mohammad Khalid confirmed that locals reported the madrassa had been running for around three years without registration. The management and staff were unable to produce any documents proving legality. During a 2023 survey, 495 unregistered madrassas were identified in Bahraich, but this one appears to have escaped notice. When questioned about why the girls were hiding in the toilet despite the madrassa having eight rooms, a teacher, Takseem Fatima, claimed the children panicked during the commotion and locked themselves inside. Authorities have ordered the madrassa to be shut down. The management has been instructed to safely send the girls home, and it appears all have now returned to their families, Khalid said. Additional Superintendent of Police Ramanand Prasad Kushwaha said no FIR has been registered yet. The parents, SDM, or minority welfare officer have not approached us for lodging a case. If a complaint is received, appropriate legal action will be taken, he added.

40 minor girls found locked inside toilet of unregistered madrassa in UP's Bahraich

LUCKNOW: Around 40 minor girls, aged between nine and 14 years, were found locked inside a toilet of an unregistered madrassa in Bahraich district of central UP, officials said on Thursday. According to Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Payagpur Ashwini Kumar Pandey, the girls were located during an inspection. He claimed that the district administration had received repeated complaints regarding the functioning of an illegal madrassa inside a three-storey building in Pahalwara village under Payagpur tehsil. Pandey said that the team of officials went to the madrassa building for an inspection on Wednesday. The madrassa operators initially tried to stop them from going upstairs. With accompanying police authorities, as we entered the premises, we found the toilet on the terrace locked, he said. When the door was opened by female police personnel, the 40 girls hiding inside came out one by one. The girls looked frightened and were unable to say anything clearly, said the SDM. The SDM said District Minority Welfare Officer Mohammad Khalid was asked to verify the registration and legality of the institution. According to Khalid, locals said that the madrassa had been running for around three years without registration. The management and staff could not produce any document related to registration or legality. During the 2023 survey, 495 unregistered madrassas were identified in Bahraich and it appears this one escaped the survey team's notice then, said the SDM. During questioning, when the management staff was asked about the girls hiding inside the toilet despite there being eight rooms in the madrassa, a teacher Takseem Fatima said the girls panicked in the commotion and locked themselves inside, added Khalid. He said the madrassa records were being examined, and orders were issued to shut it down. The management has been told to send the girls safely to their homes and it seems all have now reached back home, Khalid said. Additional Superintendent of Police Ramanand Prasad Kushwaha said no FIR was registered so far. The parents, SDM, or the minority welfare officer has not approached us for lodging a case so far. If any complaint is received, appropriate legal action will be taken, he said.

40 Minor Girls Found Locked Inside Madrassa Toilet In UP's Bahraich

The girls, aged between 9 and 14, were found inside the toilet of the illegal madrassa in Pahalwara village during a police inspection here.

Sahai represents J&K in ICCs Global B-Summit

Excelsior Correspondent MUMBAI, Sept 24: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted its Global Business Summit- 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, with the theme One Nation, Multiple Opportunities. The two-day summit brought together global leaders, senior Government officials, Industry stalwarts, and delegates from more than 20 partnering countries like Greece, Cyprus, France, Italy, Israel etc . The summit among others were also addressed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Milind Deora Member Parliament, Ranjan Gogoi former CJI & [] The post Sahai represents J&K in ICCs Global B-Summit appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

'Towering stalwart': Kannada literature legend SL Bhyrappa passes away; political leaders pay tribute

Kannada novelist SL Bhyrappa, a Padma Bhushan recipient and influential voice in Indian literature, passed away at 94 in Bengaluru due to cardiac arrest. His six-decade career produced over 25 novels, including acclaimed works like 'Parva' and 'Vamshavriksha,' exploring themes of morality and social change.

Entrepreneur-Investor Luke Talwar Bets Big on Indian Startup School Initiative by Shivang Slathia

Viral photo: Shah Rukh Khan attends 71st National Awards with Rani Mukerji, fans can't handle Kuch Kuch Hota Hain reunion: 'Kajol jealous hogi dekh ke'

Shah Rukh Khan, along with other stalwarts, attended the 71st National Awards. Fans noticed that SRK attended the ceremony while sitting beside Rani Mukerji, and they are drooling over their reunion.

Viral photo: Shah Rukh Khan attends 71st National Awards with Rani Mukerji, fans can't handle Kuch Kuch Hota Hai reunion: 'Kajol jealous hogi dekh ke'

Shah Rukh Khan, along with other stalwarts, attended the 71st National Awards. Fans noticed that SRK attended the ceremony while sitting beside Rani Mukerji, and they are drooling over their reunion.

As Cholamandal turns 60, artists recall the struggles and the spirit of its early days

As Cholamandal Artists Village approaches its 60th year, three of its stalwarts P Gopinath, SG Vasudev, and C Douglas reflect on its beginnings, struggles, and the spirit of community

From Emerging Developer to Fastest-Growing Brand: Bhumika Realty Shines with Dual Honours at Realty+ Awards 2025

The Group was honored with two prestigious awards, reflecting its commitment to growth, innovation, and excellence in the real estate sector: Fastest Growing Realty Brand of the Year, received by Mr. Amitav Sinha, President - Sales & CRM, and Mr. Yogesh Thakur, President - Marketing, and Emerging Developer of the Year, awarded to Mr. Vikas Verma, President - Sales & CRM and Mr. Yogesh Thakur. These accolades further reinforce Bhumika Group's dedication to redefining India's real estate landscape through customer-centric, design-led, and future-ready developments. The event brought together the stalwarts, innovators, and disruptors of the real estate industry. Bhumika Group's leadership made an impactful presence with Mr Uddhav Poddar, Managing Director, contributing as a speaker on the thought-provoking panel discussion Delhi-NCR 3.0: Reimagining the Capital Region for the Next Decade. His insights on infrastructure-led growth and the evolving aspirations of NCR residents resonated strongly with the audience. Uddhav Poddar, CMD, Bhumika Group , said, We are truly humbled to be recognized with these prestigious awards at the Realty+ Conclave 2025. For us, this recognition is not just about growth numbers, but about the trust our customers place in us and the responsibility we carry to deliver on that promise. Real estate is ultimately about creating communities where people feel proud to belong, and these honors reaffirm our journey of building future-ready spaces that reflect aspirations and redefine the way people experience real estate . Siddharth Katyal, CEO, Bhumika Realty , said, These awards reflect the evolution of real estate itself. The industry is moving from being product-driven to experience-led, where sustainability, technology, and lifestyle aspirations converge. At Bhumika Group, we see ourselves as enablers of this change, creating environments that resonate with how people will live, work, and connect in the future. This honor motivates us to think bigger, design smarter, and set new benchmarks that not only meet today's needs but anticipate tomorrow's possibilities . The 17th Realty+ Conclave & Excellence Awards was a collective call for innovation, resilience, and visionary leadership in real estate. With these dual wins, Bhumika Realty has further cemented its position as one of the most dynamic and trusted real estate players in North India.

Who is Rahul Jhansla? The SBSC grad and law student who became DUSU Vice President 2025

Rahul Jhansla, a law student at Delhi University and NSUI leader, has been elected DUSU Vice President in 2025 with 29,339 votes. Hailing from Alwar, Rajasthan, and a graduate of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, he is known for activism on hostel facilities, sports infrastructure, and student rights. His win marks a crucial foothold for NSUI in DU politics.

CIIs Space Meet Showcases Isros Global Collaborations

The conference, which began on September 8, brought together 650+ delegates, government leaders, industry stalwarts and global experts

Samajwadi Party's Azam Khan gets bail in land grab case, to walk free after 23 months in jail

LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court on Thursday gave major respite to incarcerated Samajwadi Party stalwart and former cabinet minister Mohammad Azam Khan by granting him bail in connection with the Rampur Quality Bar land grab case. The single bench of the court, comprising Justice Sameer Jain, had reserved its order after the final hearing on August 21. The decision, announced this week, paves the way for the veteran Samajwadi Party leaders release from Sitapur jail, where he has been lodged since 2023. With this decision, Khan is expected to walk out of the prison. Earlier, his bail plea was rejected by the Rampur MP-MLA Court in May. The case pertains to alleged fraudulent allotment/possession of a property called Quality Bar, located in the Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh. The area is Saeed Nagar, Hardoi Patti, on a highway under Civil Lines police station. The allotment reportedly happened in 2014. Azam Khans legal team comprising senior lawyers, including former Additional Advocate General Imran Ullah, Mohammad Khalid and Vineet Vikram, argued that the case, filed in 2019, was based on alleged irregularities dating back to 2013 and that Azam Khan was named as an accused only in 2024, almost a decade later. In the complaint lodged against Khan, it was claimed that during his tenure as cabinet minister in Akhilesh Yadavs government, he attempted to take over Rampurs Quality Bar by influencing the tender process. His lawyer contended that the tender was issued in the names of his wife and son through due procedure and there was no evidence of power misuse. The FIR, lodged on November 21, 2019, by bar owner Gagan Arora, alleged that an attempt was made to forcibly occupy the property located on Rampurs Saeed Nagar highway stretch. The then Revenue Inspector Anangraj Singh had registered the case. Along with Khan, his wife Dr. Tazeen Fatima, son and ex-MLA Abdullah Azam, and former Chairman Syed Zafar Ali Jafri were also named in the case. Khan has been lodged in Sitapur Jail since October 2023 after being convicted in a fake birth certificate case. Khan, along with his wife and son were sentenced to seven years by the Rampur MP-MLA Court. For security reasons, Khan was shifted to Sitapur Jail. The High Court later stayed his sentence in the case. Earlier on Tuesday, the SP leader was acquitted by a special MP-MLA court in a 17-year-old case involving a road blockade and damage to public property. The 76-year-old leader faces over 89 cases, most of which were filed between 2017 and 2019. He had earlier walked free in May 2022 after getting bail in multiple cases, but was re-incarcerated the following year. His legal troubles, combined with his frail health, have kept him away from active politics for the last seven to eight years. Despite his court battles, Azam Khan remains a formidable figure in Rampur politics. A close associate of late Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, he has been a party loyalist for over four decades. Even while in jail, Akhilesh Yadav retained him as the partys national general secretary, underlining his continued importance within the SP.

Cyberattack on literary stalwart M. Leelavathy over starving children of Gaza remark draws widespread condemnation

Responding to the cyberattack, Leelavathy says children are just children and that she sees them with motherly affection, no matter which country they hail from or what caste or religion they belong to

Grandeur marks Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam in Tirumala

The traditional ritual was conducted as a prelude to the annual Brahmotsavams scheduled to begin from September 24

BMS College of Law wins Alwar Das National Moot Court Competition

TTD to Hold Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam Ahead of Tirumala Brahmotsavams

The ritual is held on the Tuesdays preceding Ugadi, Anivara Asthanam, Vaikuntha Ekadasi, and the annual Brahmotsavams.

7 Sai Pallavi outfits perfect for Durga Puja

Sai Pallavis festive wardrobe proves that elegance lies in simplicity. Her outfits are timeless, graceful, and easy to recreate for upcoming Durga Puja. From sarees to salwar suits, she embraces traditional wear with minimal styling. Each look is effortlessly chic and perfect for the season.

Congress questions 'need' for installation of additional CCTV cameras in Rajasthan Assembly

JAIPUR: A massive political storm has erupted over the installation of additional CCTV cameras in the Rajasthan Assembly. It shows no signs of getting subsided. The Opposition Congress, which has been against the move from the beginning, has now alleged that the cameras are being used not only to keep watch on its MLAs but also over the faction of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully has called the issue serious and demanded an investigation. However, Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani and BJP MLA Jogaram Patel have dismissed the allegations as baseless. Raje, notably, has been in the spotlight since her recent meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat during a RSS-Sangh Parivar program in Jodhpur. Initially, LoP Jully had claimed that the ruling party is misusing the new cameras to monitor Congress MLAs. However, now he claims that the cameras are also designed to keep an eye on those MLAs who are close to BJP stalwart Raje. He alleged that when Raje visited the Assembly recently, the cameras even tracked on legislators who went to meet her. Calling it a violation of democratic decorum, Jully accused the government of running a campaign for spying through hidden cameras and demanded that a joint committee of the House be formed to probe the matter. Raising questions on the need for extra surveillance, Jully pointed out that two cameras already exist in the Assembly. Why was there a need to install additional cameras? These remain switched on even after the House proceedings are over, which is objectionable, he said. He further challenged that if proceedings are adjourned for 15 minutes, he could show access to the cameras in question. Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani rejected the allegations, saying cameras have been a part of the Assembly since its inception and are primarily used for recording proceedings. Their use has increased recently for live broadcasting on YouTube and during Commonwealth Parliamentary Committee seminars, he said. Devnani explained that an additional camera was installed following complaints of movement in the official gallery. He added that the cameras rotate 360 degrees and do not target any particular member. Citing security concerns, Devnani noted that a person had recently jumped from the gallery in the Lok Sabha. Therefore, cameras are necessary. Neither has anyones privacy been violated, nor will it be in the future, he assured. BJP MLA Jogaram Patel also dismissed the allegations, saying cameras have been installed since the Assembly building was constructed. Neither Vasundhara Raje nor any MLA has been spied upon, he said, adding that Jully should direct his questions to former CM Ashok Gehlots OSD instead.Patel further attacked Gehlot, claiming he lacked the courage to come to the House and present his views. Meanwhile, Jully met Governor Hari Bhau Kishan Rao Bagade along with senior Congress MLAs and submitted a memorandum. He alleged that hidden cameras were being misused to spy on opposition members and accused the ruling party of damaging the dignity of the Assembly through objectionable remarks made by the Government Chief Whip and BJP legislators.

Man arrested from Rajasthan for duping senior cardiologist of Rs 6.69 lakh

NEW DELHI: A 33-year-old man was arrested from Rajasthan for duping a senior cardiologist of a private hospital of over Rs six lakh. The accused, identified as Jalaluddin, a resident of Alwar district in Rajasthan, posed as an army cantonment official and induced the complainant to transfer funds for medical consultations of army personnel, police said on Thursday. He was previously found to be involved in seven cases in Delhi and Haryana. A complaint was received on August 30 from a senior cardiologist of a private hospital where he reported that he was contacted by a person claiming to be an army cantonment official, requesting medical consultations for 25 army personnel at Rs 1,500 each. Believing the request, the complainant transferred a total of Rs 6.69 lakh across four transactions from his wifes account and from his own. Later, when the arrangements did not materialise, he realised the fraud and approached police, a senior police officer said. During investigation, police traced the money that was transferred from the complainant to the fraudster and it was revealed that the Rs 6 lakh was used to repay a loan for a car, and the remaining amount was diverted towards credit card settlement, Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Ankit Chauhan said. Later, the accused was traced to Alwar, Rajasthan. A police team went there and his location was zeroed in at Khairthal, Alwar. A raid was conducted and the accused was arrested. One car purchased from cheated funds, three mobile phones, and Rs 70,000 frozen in a fixed deposit linked to credit card settlement, the DCP said. The accused made video calls showing pre-recorded visuals of army personnel to gain trust. Later, he convinced the complainant that payments would be routed via credit card and induced him to make transfers, which were actually diverted to settle his own liabilities, police added.

Devine to lead White Ferns in Womens ODI World Cup

Auckland, Sep 10: Veteran all-rounder Sophie Devine, featuring in her fifth campaign, will lead New Zealand in the Womens ODI World Cup later this month, with four cricketers set for their maiden senior ICC tournament. The 15-member squad announced on Wednesday has six players making their World Cup debuts. The squad also has stalwarts Suzie [] The post Devine to lead White Ferns in Womens ODI World Cup appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Industry Stalwarts Ravi Kant Rajesh Srivastava address session at RGU

GUWAHATI, Sept 9: The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) today hosted an impactful Management Development Program titled Leading from the Back to Achieve the Impossible, featuring distinguished industry leaders Ravi Kant, Former CEO & Vice Chairman of Tata Motors, and Rajesh Srivastava, Former President of JK Helene Curtis, Raymond Group. Through engaging sessions, the eminent []

U.S. probes malware email targeting trade talks with China, WSJ reports

U.S. authorities are investigating a bogus email, purportedly from Representative John Moolenaar, that contained malware. Cyber analysts traced the malware to APT41, a hacker group believed to be working for Chinese intelligence. The email, sent to U.S. trade groups and government agencies, aimed to gain insights into the Trump administration's trade talks with Beijing, raising concerns about Chinese cyber espionage.

Tirumala temple to remain closed due to lunar eclipse

The Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala will be closed for the lunar eclipse. The temple will remain shut from September 7 afternoon to September 8 early morning. Offline Srivani darshan on September 7 is rescheduled. VIP recommendation letters will not be accepted on September 15 due to Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam ritual. Devotees are requested to cooperate with the arrangements.

John Cena appeared on Smackdown for the final time and Brock Lesnar spoiled the party with his shocking return; heres how action unfolded

John Cena appeared for the final time on Smackdown in Chicago. During his final match on WWE Smackdown, Cena was neck and neck with Zayn and he gave him a hard time inside the ring. Cena hit an Attitude Adjustment on Zayn, who recovered and went for a corner exploder that the stalwart managed to block.

Ethereum smart contracts hijacked: Hackers use ETH to hide malware is blockchains security at risk?

Ethereum smart contracts, a backbone of the blockchain ecosystem, are under attack. Hackers are now exploiting ETH to hide malware, using decentralized infrastructure to bypass security tools and compromise developers, applications, and crypto networks worldwide.

6 Stunning desi styles you can copy from Preity Zinta

Preity Zinta effortlessly channels classic Indian style through her elegant salwar suits and ethnic ensembles. From vibrant festive colors to timeless embroidery, her Instagram showcases a blend of tradition and modern grace. Explore six of her most stunning Indian suit looks that celebrate heritage with a contemporary flair.

Army builds another Bailey bridge to restore traffic on NH-244

Jammu Tawi, Sep 2: Braving incessant rains and rough terrain, the Army on Tuesday constructed a Bailey bridge over the Jangalwar stream along National Highway-244, restoring crucial connectivity to Doda and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the second Bailey bridge built by the Army within a week to overcome the large-scale damage [] The post Army builds another Bailey bridge to restore traffic on NH-244 appeared first on Northlines .

Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam Held At Tiruchanoor Temple

The temple premises were cleansed with water and fragrant substances like sandalwood powder, turmeric, kumkum, kasturi and camphor: Reports

Koli, Kabbaliga, Talwar community members stage mega protest in Yadgir

They are demandingexternment of those who made derogatory remarks against Nija Sharana Ambigara Chowdaiah and Kolis Kabbaligas

Indian Navy warships INS Tamal, INS Surat dock in Jeddah to boost Indo-Saudi ties

NEW DELHI: Aiming to strengthen ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, INS Tamal, a Talwar-class stealth frigate, and INS Surat, the latest indigenously constructed guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy, arrived at Jeddah on 27 and 28 August 2025, respectively. The Indian Navy (IN) in its statement said, During the port call, the crew will engage with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) and Border Guards through sports fixtures, familiarisation with naval facilities and discussions towards fostering Indo-Saudi Arabian relations. The Navy said the visit underscores India's commitment to strengthening defence collaboration and friendly ties with Saudi Arabia. It will also provide an opportunity for both navies to share best practices and explore avenues for further engagement. The Indian side will host a cultural exchange for senior dignitaries of the RSNF, Border Guards, diplomats, prominent members of the diaspora and local government officials, the IN added. Indian Navy commissions latest frigate INS Tamal As reported in detail earlier by The New Indian Express , INS Tamal (F71), a multi-role stealth guided missile frigate, was commissioned in July at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. INS Tamal is the eighth multi-role stealth frigate in the series of Project 1135.6 and the second of the additional follow-on Tushil class of ships. The first ship of the Tushil class (INS Tushil) was commissioned on 09 December 2024 in the presence of the Defence Minister. TNIE reported on INS Surat, which was commissioned this January, is the latest indigenous guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Mumbai, and designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau, the ship is a shining example of Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and boasts an indigenous content of over 75%.

Google is setting up a verification process for all Android app developers

Android said that developer verification was being added in order to protect people from bad actors spreading malware and scams

Rahul Gandhi's voter yatra reaches crescendo as Priyanka joins

PATNA: The Voter Adhikar Yatra reached a crescendo when Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the rally, which entered its tenth day on Tuesday. Priyankas participation in the yatra on the auspicious occasion of Teej is being viewed as a morale booster for the INDIA bloc supporters, especially women, who, like in previous elections, will play a crucial role in the upcoming state assembly elections. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy also joined the 16-day, 3000-km Yatra, covering 23 districts of the state. Rahul, along with Priyanka, Revanth, Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML), and Mukesh Sahani (VIP), travelled from Supaul to Madhubani in an SUV, waving to the people waiting for hours on the roads in long queues and bracing the scorching sun. The 51-km stretch from Hussain Chowk in Supaul and Lohia Chowk in Madhubani district was adorned with welcome arches and flags representing the INDIA allies. Young people carrying flags accompanied the cavalcade, while women and girls welcomed the leaders from the rooftops and balconies of multi-storied buildings. Priyanka, dressed in a blue kurti and white salwar, carried a black handbag, as she greeted the crowd from the SUV. Rahul, in his usual white T-shirt and trousers, shook hands with the supporters. Standing in the middle of the Gandhi siblings was Revanth, who also greeted the gathered people. During the yatra, Rahul interacted with a youth named Prem Sagar Kumar, who introduced himself as someone who has undergone one year of training at ISRO. Kumar lashed out at the state government for its poor education system, expressing his aspiration to become a scientist despite facing financial constraints. As the rally reached Lohia Chowk, Phulparas (Madhubani), for breakfast, a large number of supporters gathered to meet their leaders, raising Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod slogan at regular intervals. RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav also joined the yatra later. Security personnel had a tough time managing the crowd.

Rain lashes Jammu for third consecutive day, traffic on Jammu-Srinagar NH suspended

JAMMU: Moderate to heavy rains lashed Jammu division for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, leading to suspension of traffic along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, officials said. Almost all the rivers and streams are flowing above or close to the danger mark, submerging a number of low-lying areas and roads in the city and elsewhere, they said. The officials said the traffic on the 250-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway was suspended as a precautionary measure this morning following the shooting of stones from the hillocks at Chanderkote, Kela Morh and Battery Cheshma in Ramban district. The vehicular movement on the highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, was suspended at Udhampur in Jammu and Qazigund in Kashmir, they said, adding it was raining heavily all along the highway when last reports were received. The officials said a portion of the Padder road near Traith Nallah was washed away in Kishtwar district, while Ramnagar-Udhampur road in Udhampur and Jangalwar-Thathri road in Doda were closed following landslides at Konga and Thathri, respectively. Reports of damage to nearly a dozen houses and cowshed were also received from higher reaches of Kishtwar, Doda and Rajouri districts. As Jammu battles incessant rains, MeT forecasts more intense downpour; warns of cloudburst, flash floods The officials said the overflowing Modhopur barrage has crossed one lakh cusec mark and is continuously rising, triggering heavy flooding in several low-lying areas along the Ravi river in Kathua district. The officials said water levels in the Taranah River, Ujh River, Maggar Khad, Sahar Khad, Ravi River, and their tributaries in Kathua are simultaneously rising and nearing the danger mark The Tawi river has crossed the 20 feet danger mark in Udhampur district, while downstream in Jammu it is flowing currently below the alert level, the officials said, Chenab is also flowing close to the warning level in Jammu. Basanter River in Samba also crossed the danger mark of 4.5 feet this morning, they said. According to meteorological department, Kathua district recorded the highest 155.6 mm of rainfall during the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am followed by Bhaderwah in Doda at 99.8 mm, Jammu (81.5 mm) and Katra (68.8mm). Authorities have already issued advisories, asking people to stay away from water bodies and landslide-prone areas amid the weather forecast predicting moderate to heavy rainfall at many places in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts with possibility of cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides in high altitude areas till August 27.

J&K government bans use of USBs, pen drives in government offices

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has banned the use of USB and pen drives on official devices across all administrative government departments in the Union Territory to protect sensitive government information and minimise risks of data breaches. According to an official order issued by M Raju, Commissioner Secretary to the Government, the move is aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity posture of the Union Territory of J&K. To enhance cyber security posture of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, protect sensitive government information, and minimize the risks of data breaches, malware infections, and unauthorized access, it has been decided to prohibit the use of pen drives on official devices across all Administrative Government Departments in Civil Secretariat Jammu and Srinagar, Deputy Commissioner Offices in all districts of UT, the order read. In exceptional cases where operational needs justify their use, controlled whitelisting may be permitted for up to 2 to 3 pen drives per department, upon formal request routed through the respective Administrative head to the State Informatics Officer (SIO), National Informatics Centre. After approval pen drive must be physically submitted to the respective NIC Cell for reconfiguration, authorisation, and ownership registration prior to use. As a secure alternative, the government departments have been directed to adopt ( https://govdrive.gov.in ) GovDrive, a cloud-based, multi-tenant platform offering every Government official 50 GB of secure storage with centralized access and synchronisation across devices. As per the government order, the use of public messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or unsecured online services like iLovePDF for processing, sharing, or storing official or confidential materials is strictly prohibited to uphold data sovereignty and prevent security breaches. All sensitive technical information, including ICT architecture diagrams, system configurations, vulnerability assessments, IP addressing schemes, and strategic technology plans, must be classified as confidential and handled exclusively through approved secure channels in accordance with Information Security Best Practices by MHA, CERT-In directives, and departmental data classification policies, added the order. The government has warned that failure to adhere to the instructions shall be viewed seriously and may invite disciplinary action under relevant rules governing official conduct, IT usage andadministrative responsibility. All departments have been asked to accord top priority to the implementation of the guidelines in the interest of the secure and safe e-Governance.

Opposition VP candidate to meet CM Stalin, DMK allies in Chennai on Sunday

Chennai: Retired Justice Sudershan Reddy, the Oppositions Vice-Presidential candidate, is in Chennai on Sunday to kickstart his campaign in Tamil Nadu. He will begin the day by meeting Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at his Alwarpet residence. During the meeting, Stalin is expected to felicitate Reddy and host a tea reception in his honour. Reddy will Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

CPI stalwart Suravaram Sudhakar Reddys body to be donated to medical college

Hyderabad: The mortal remains of former Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary and two-time MP Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy will be donated to the Gandhi Medical College on Sunday, August 24, for the purpose of students medical research.. His mortal remains will be brought from Care hospitals in Gachibowli to Makdhoom Bhavan on Street Number Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

India Tops Global Malware Attack Chart As AI Drives Ransomware Surge: Report

India has emerged as the most-targeted nation for malware attacks, topping global charts, with Artificial Intelligence fuelling a surge in ransomware, a new report by cybersecurity firm Acronis has said.

India Tops Global Malware Attack Chart As AI Drives Ransomware Surge: Acronis Report

AI is empowering cybercriminals to operate at scale and with higher precision.

Saw Them Putting Papa's Body In Drum: Son Of Man Killed By Wife, Lover

Days after a man's rotting body was found in a blue drum in Rajasthan's Alwar, his 8-year-old son has emerged as a crucial witness to the case in which his mother and her alleged lover are the prime accused.

Rajasthan Teacher Dies As Hospital Delays Treatment Over Aadhaar

A school lecturer died at the Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital in Alwar, Rajasthan, after staff allegedly delayed treatment demanding an Aadhaar card

Man's Body Found Rotting In A Drum In Rajasthan, Wife And Children Missing

A man's rotting body has been recovered from a drum on the first floor of his rented home in Rajasthan's Alwar, said the police Sunday.

Seventh death anniversary of Vajpayee: PM Modi leads nation in paying tributes

Several other dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, Union Ministers and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, visited his memorial 'Sadaiv Atal' to pay tributes to the BJP stalwart

VSSUT Burla Enforces First-ever Uniform Dress Code For Freshers

As per the official notification, male students must wear formal pants and a shirt, while female students can opt for either formal pants and a shirt or a shalwar-kameez paired with a waistcoat. Dupattas have been banned, citing security concerns

Pakistan-Based Malware Network Targeting Millions Globally: CloudSEK

The criminals posted links to cracked versions of high-demand software such as Adobe After Effects to attract victims.

BJP Demands NIA Probe Into Alleged Murder Of A Hindu Activist in Koppal

According to BJP leaders, a Hindu activist Gavisiddappa was allegedly murdered by Sadiq Kolkar using machetes, swords and talwar and stated the murder of Gavisiddappa was brutal one and heinous considering the accused severed the head of the deceased

Country In Safe Hands: Ahmed Patel's Son Praises Narendra Modi Government

Congress stalwart late Ahmed Patel's son Faisal has praised the Narendra Modi government and said the country is in safe hands, but clarified that he is not upset with the Congress and has taken a break from public life

Sourav Ganguly backs Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharmas continued ODI careers

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has addressed swirling media speculation about the future of Indias white-ball stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Australia A inflict 114-run defeat on India A in second Womens T20

MACKAY (AUSTRALIA), Aug 9: Australia A bowlers, led by pace-bowling stalwart Kim Garth, ran roughshod as India A suffered a demoralising 114-run defeat in the second unofficial T20I as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. For the second consecutive match of the multi-format series, India A won the toss and chose to field, a decision that backfired big time with Australia A batting stalwart and the Southern Stars skipper, Alyssa Healy played a superb 70-run [] The post Australia A inflict 114-run defeat on India A in second Womens T20 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Germany suspends military exports to Israel for use in Gaza war

Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday said his country will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza until further notice. Germany has been a stalwart supporter of Israel for decades. In a statement, Merz emphasised that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas terror and said Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Amit Shah Becomes Countrys Longest-Serving Home Minister, Surpasses Advanis Record

New Delhi, Aug 5: Amit Shah has become the longest-serving Union Minister of Home Affairs of India on Tuesday. With 2,258 days in office since assuming the role on May 30, 2019, Shah has now surpassed the previous record held by senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani. Shahs tenure has also overtaken that of Congress stalwart Govind Ballabh Pant, cementing his position as a key pillar in the current National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Coincidentally, Shah achieved this milestone on [] The post Amit Shah Becomes Countrys Longest-Serving Home Minister, Surpasses Advanis Record appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Environmental activists gather at Jantar Mantar to demand cancellation of STR rationalisation plan

NEW DELHI: Eminent environmental activists from across the country gathered at Jantar Mantar to demand the cancellation of the Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) rationalisation plan, which could potentially reopen more than 50 mines that were previously closed by a Supreme Court order in May 2024. People from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan appealed to the Chief Justice of India and the Union Minister of Environment to intervene and cancel the rationalisation plan for STR to protect Indias national animal. On June 26 meeting, Indias top wildlife body approved a proposal to redraw the boundaries of the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) of the STR in Rajasthan. It involved the exclusion of about 48.5 sq km area, primarily from the southern and south-western parts of the Sariska CTH. In compensation, the state will designate around 91 sq km as quality tiger habitat, mostly in the STRs north. As a result, the CTH area will increase from 881.11 sq km to about 924 sq km, while the buffer zone shrinks from 245.72 sq km to 203.2 sq km. The protesters called for the immediate revocation of the National Board for Wildlife's approval for the boundary changes in the STR. Sariska boundary rationalisation: A recipe for conservation disaster? They also demanded full transparency in all Environmental Impact Assessments and public hearings related to mining in and around protected areas, as well as recognition of local community rights and their involvement in conservation decisions. Akhil Chandra, a former director of the World Wildlife Fund, expressed shock that both the National Board for Wildlife and the National Tiger Conservation Authority approved the plan to redraw the boundaries of Sariska's Critical Tiger Habitat, which would allow previously shut mining operations within a one-kilometre radius of the reserve's boundary. He stated, Allowing mining in an eco-sensitive zone such as Sariska can have serious long-term harmful impacts on its flora and fauna. Sneha Solanki from the Tiger Trails Trust in Alwar highlighted the threat posed to the Aravalli hills and surrounding forests, referencing a 2018 report by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee. This report indicated that 31 hills in the Alwar district had disappeared over time. The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee revealed in 2018 that out of the 128 hills sampled in Alwar district, 31 hills have vanished since the Survey of India topographic sheets were prepared in 1967, Solanki stated. She added, This move to redraw the boundaries of Sariska is unacceptable to the citizens of Alwar district, as it will end up rewarding violators of the law and set a dangerous precedent for allowing similar illegalities in other protected areas across India.

Shah Rukh Khan thanks Kamal Haasan, Mohanlal, Juhi Chawla for their wishes after his first-ever National Award win

Shah Rukh Khan, who won the National Film Award for his movie Jawaan, receives heartfelt wishes from industry stalwarts such as Mohanlal, Kamal Haasan and Juhi Chawla

Mukul signals end of road for TMC in Mlaya

SHILLONG, Aug 3: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) which made a grand entry in Meghalaya in November 2021 by roping in twelve sitting MLAs, including the likes of Mukul Sangma and Charles Pyngrope, is now staring at a dead end with no plans of its revival in the state. Leader of Opposition and TMC stalwart Mukul [] The post Mukul signals end of road for TMC in Mlaya appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Mukul slams GHADC over alleged misuse of Rs 100-cr central funds

Fund misuse derailed fiscal future of all councils in state By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Aug 2: Leader of Opposition and TMC stalwart Mukul M Sangma has come down heavily on the NPP-led Executive Committee in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) over alleged misappropriation of Rs 100.71 crore from the Centres first-ever special assistance [] The post Mukul slams GHADC over alleged misuse of Rs 100-cr central funds appeared first on The Shillong Times .

All about Turla, the elusive Russian spy group hacking diplomats computers

Turla, a sophisticated Russian cyber espionage unit linked to the FSB, is targeting foreign diplomats and embassies through compromised Moscow-based ISPs. This long-standing group, also known as Venomous Bear, employs advanced techniques like spear-phishing, living-off-the-land tactics, and unique malware such as KRYPTON for data theft from air-gapped systems.

Prakash Hinduja On The Science Behind Water Revival In Alwar

Their goal is to build a water-literate society where people understand the risks and solutions clearly.