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PM Modi: Freed country from tendency to link all good works with one family

Prime Minister Modi, inaugurating a memorial in Lucknow, criticized past governments for glorifying a single family and neglecting national heroes. He stated the BJP government is rectifying this by honoring all contributors and dismantling barriers like Article 370. The memorial celebrates Jan Sangh stalwarts, emphasizing the BJP's commitment to merit-based recognition over dynastic politics.

'Kohli & Rohit Lighting Up Domestic Cricket', Says Pathan After Duos Heroics In Vijay Hazare Trophy

Vijay Hazare Trophy: Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan was mighty impressed with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharmas showings with the bat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after the two stalwarts notched up centuries for their respective teams on Wednesday. Rohit, playing for Mumbai, scored a match-winning 155 against Sikkim on the opening day of the tournament, while Kohli, playing against Andhra Pradesh, notched up 131 to help Delhi win by four wickets. Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma lighting up domestic cricket. Its a lifetime experience for young domestic cricketers to share the dressing room with them and learn so much. Absolutely loving this phase of Indian cricket, Pathan wrote on X. The first half of the Vijay Hazare Trophy's opening day featured record-breaking centuries, but Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took centre stage in the second half, each scoring centuries upon their return to the premier one-day domestic tournament.Rohit hit his century in just 62 balls, soon after Kohli, who scored a swift 83-ball century, demonstrated their dominance over opponents. Rohit made a notable return to domestic cricket, scoring a century in his first Vijay Hazare Trophy match in seven years for Mumbai on Wednesday. Kohli confidently led the run chase, displaying his usual style, and reached a magnificent hundred. This is his 58th List A century and the third in four innings since the South Africa series earlier this month. With his first run of the innings, Kohli joined an elite group as the ninth player to reach 16,000 List A runs, with over 14,000 scored for India since his debut in 2008. During the match, Kohli also cemented his place in cricket history by achieving 16000 List A runs. With his first run of the innings, Kohli joined an elite group as the ninth player to reach 16,000 List A runs, with over 14,000 scored for India since his debut in 2008. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The 37-year-old now ranks as the ninth player overall to pass this mark, alongside legends like Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, Sir Vivian Richards, and others. Article Source: IANS

Memorials of Vajpayee, two other BJP icons ready, Modi to inaugurate today

LUCKNOW: Spread over 65 acres next to the embankment of the River Gomti on Hardoi Road, on the outskirts of Lucknow, the memorial Rashtra Prerna Sthal dedicated to BJP icons Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, and Deen Dayal Upadhyay will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. The complex will open to the public after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, which happens to be Vajpayees birth anniversary, an official statement said. Shaped like a lotus reflecting BJPs election symbol, the memorial features three towering bronze statues of Vajpayee, Mookerjee, and Upadhyay. It also showcases poems and speeches of Vajpayee, nationalist quotes by Shyama Prasad Mookerjee and Deen Dayal Upadhyay, and audio presentations highlighting their contributions to nation-building. Developed at a cost of Rs 230 crore, the memorial comprises three statues, each measuring 65 feet and weighing 42 tonnes, making them the tallest among all statues of personalities in the state capital. The platform on which the statues stand is surrounded by a water body. A major attraction is a two-storey museum covering 6,300 sqm, with five galleries, 12 interpretation walls, and two theatres screening orientation films on the lives of the BJP icons. Galleries display texts noting the Jana Sanghs 1952 election success, the deepak election symbol, and a lamp, Sudarshan Chakra, and Bharat Mata statue. Other features include an amphitheatre for 3,000 people, a meditation hall, yoga centre, musical block, helipads, and a rally ground accommodating over two lakh people. Party sources said it is the first memorial to house statues of three BJP stalwarts at a single location.

Blending graphite art and 'kutcheri'

While Margazhi remains rooted in tradition, the way it is being experienced is evolving. Across the city, artists are responding to the season with interdisciplinary projects that integrate music, visual art, and performance, reflecting a growing desire to engage with classical forms beyond conventional concert formats. It is within this evolving Margazhi that Rag Rekha, a three-day art exhibition by Carnatic vocalist and artist Jayakrishnan Unni, finds its place. Featuring over 100 hand-drawn pencil portraits of Indian classical musicians and dancers, the exhibition is to be held from December 26 to 28 at CP Arts Centre, Alwarpet, offers a quieter counterpoint to the seasons sonic abundance. Presented by Faber-Castell along with Poorvi, and supported by ACHEVE Foundation (USA), Rag Rekha positions itself as an invitation to immerse rasikas into multidisciplinary art this season. The show is the culmination of Jayakrishnans works that he has been creating over the last five years. For him, the coming together of music and visual art feels natural rather than experimental. Although these are of different facets, ultimately it is from the same person, he says. Everything that we do will have some taste that unites it, although the other things might be quite diverse in nature. Painting, sketching, music and rhythm, inevitably intersect because they stem from the same artistic impulse. The portraits themselves are rendered either in graphite on white paper or white pencil on black. While the medium may appear minimal, the intent is anything but superficial. Each portrait is not just the face. Its about them (the artists) exploring a raga , exploring a line, exploring a swara , he says, adding that he attempts to capture the inner world of performance. Many of these works took shape during the pandemic when Jayakrishnan returned to pencil after years of working with acrylic and oil. Working in pencil gives me a sort of meditative feel, he says. What began as an occasional exercise soon became habitual, especially as he started drawing portraits to mark remembrance days or significant moments in musicians lives. As musicians, we are always grateful to the great masters who have given us so much. They are our heroes, he says. The decision to stage Rag Rekha during Margazhi was deliberate. This is the time when the air in Chennai is filled with music, he notes, adding that the exhibitions resonance is inseparable from the city. During Margazhi, musicians are like superheroes. Nobody is looking at you strangely if youre holding a tambura and walking down the street. Outside Chennai, he feels the works would still be appreciated as portraits, but the deeper musical recognition comes alive here. The gallery space is designed to reflect this confluence. Portraits line the walls, while live Carnatic concerts unfold at the centre. We are trying to bring a confluence of art and music, he says. Its not just about looking at the paintings, its also about feeling the music that is there. Visitors can move and view the works or sit through performances surrounded by faces of musicians who have shaped the art form. Concerts form a key part of the exhibition, with performances by Sooryagayathri, Kalyanapuram Aravind, Sriranjani Santhanagopalan, and Jayakrishnan, with an interaction with dancer Meera Srinivasan on the creative process, on December 27. Ultimately, Jayakrishnan sees Rag Rekha as an offering to rasikas as much as to artistes. Quoting his guru , he says, For a lamp to be seen, there should be eyes. Otherwise, however much light the lamp spreads, there is no use.

The best VPN deals: Up to 88 percent off ProtonVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, NordVPN and more

It's the night before Christmas, and holiday VPN deals are going strong. It's a great time to grab a last-minute subscription for yourself or a loved one. With access to a virtual private network (VPN) , you can stream TV shows and events from all over the world, protect your information from hackers and thwart online trackers. It might be cute that Santa sees you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake, but Russian hacker collectives and the Amazon marketing department don't really share St. Nick's charm. Although we strongly recommend using a VPN , jumping on the first deal that comes along might get you stuck with a substandard app. Beyond that, even otherwise respectable VPNs sometimes frame their prices in misleading ways, with advertised deals not always as available as they seem to be. Even so, there are some great bargains on the table. For the holiday season, plenty of the best VPNs including our top pick, Proton VPN have end-of-year deals live that can save you anywhere from 67 to 88 percent on annual subscriptions. Most of these discounts only apply if you sign up for a year or more, but as long as you're comfortable with a service before you take the plunge, committing actually makes sense. You pay more at the start, but if you divide the cost by the months of subscription, it's much cheaper over time. Best VPN deals ExpressVPN Basic $97.72 for a two-year subscription with four months free (73 percent off): This is one of the best VPNs, especially for new users, who will find its apps and website headache-free on all platforms. In tests for my ExpressVPN review , it dropped my download speeds by less than 7 percent and successfully changed my virtual location 14 out of 15 times. In short, it's an all-around excellent service that only suffers from being a little overpriced which is why I'm so excited whenever I find it offering a decent deal. This discount, which gets you 28 months of ExpressVPN service, represents a 73 percent savings. Be aware, though, that it'll renew at the $99.95 per year price. ExpressVPN Advanced $125.72 for a two-year subscription with four months free (67 percent off): ExpressVPN recently split its pricing into multiple tiers , but they all still come with similar discounts for going long. In addition to top-tier VPN service, advanced users get two additional simultaneous connections (for a total of 12), the ExpressVPN Keys password manager, advanced ad and tracker blocking, ID protection features and a 50 percent discount on an AirCove router. As above, note that it renews at $119.95 annually. NordVPN Basic $80.73 for a two-year subscription with three months free (74 percent off): NordVPN gets the most important parts of a VPN right. It's fast, it doesn't leak any of your data and it's great at changing your virtual location. I noted in my NordVPN review that it always connects quickly and includes a support page that makes it easy to get live help. NordVPN includes a lot of cool features, like servers that instantly connect you to Tor. This holiday deal gives you 74 percent off the two-year plan, which also comes with three extra months. NordVPN Plus $105.03 for a two-year subscription with three months free (74 percent off): In another holiday discount, NordVPN has also taken 74 percent off its Plus subscription. For only a little more, you get a powerful ad and tracker blocker that can also catch malware downloads, plus access to the NordPass password manager. A Plus plan also adds a data breach scanner that checks the dark web for your sensitive information. Surfshark Starter $53.73 for a two-year subscription with three months free (87 percent off): This is the asic level of Surfshark , but it includes the entire VPN; everything on Surfshark One is an extra perk. With this subscription, you'll get some of the most envelope-pushing features in the VPN world right now. Surfshark can rotate your IP constantly to help you evade detection it even lets you choose your own entry and exit nodes for a double-hop connection. That all comes with a near-invisible impact on download speeds. With this year-round deal, you can save 87 percent on 27 months of Surfshark. Surfshark One $61.83 for a two-year subscription with three months free (88 percent off): A VPN is great, but it's not enough to protect your data all on its own. Surfshark One adds several apps that boost your security beyond just VPN service, including Surfshark Antivirus (scans devices and downloads for malware) and Surfshark Alert (alerts you whenever your sensitive information shows up in a data breach), plus Surfshark Search and Alternative ID from the tier below. This extra-low deal gives you 88 percent off all those features. If you bump up to Surfshark One+, you'll also get data removal through Incogni, but the price jumps enough that it's not quite worthwhile in my eyes. CyberGhost $56.94 for a two-year subscription with two months free (83 percent off): CyberGhost has some of the best automation you'll see on any VPN. With its Smart Rules system, you can determine how its apps respond to different types of Wi-Fi networks, with exceptions for specific networks you know by name. Typically, you can set it to auto-connect, disconnect or send you a message asking what to do. CyberGhost's other best feature is its streaming servers I've found both better video quality and more consistent unblocking when I use them on streaming sites. Currently, you can get 26 months of CyberGhost for 83 percent off the usual price. hide.me $69.95 for a two-year subscription with four months free (75 percent off): Hide.me is an excellent free VPN in fact, it's my favorite on the market, even with EventVPN and the free version of Proton VPN as competition. If you do want to upgrade to its paid plan, though, the two-year subscription offers great savings. Hide.me works well as a no-frills beginner VPN, with apps and a server network it should frankly be charging more for. Private Internet Access $79 for a three-year subscription with four months free (83 percent off): With this deal, you can get 40 months of Private Internet Access (PIA) for a little bit under $2 per month an 83 percent discount on its monthly price. Despite being so cheap, PIA has plenty of features, coming with its own DNS servers, a built-in ad blocker and automation powers to rival CyberGhost. However, internet speeds can fluctuate while you're connected. What makes a good VPN deal Practically every VPN heavily discounts its long-term subscriptions year-round, with even sharper discounts around occasions like the holidays. The only noteworthy exception is Mullvad, the Costco hot dog of VPNs (that's a compliment, to be clear). When there's constantly a huge discount going on, it can be hard to tell when you're actually getting a good deal. The best way to squeeze out more savings is to look for seasonal deals, student discounts or exclusive sales like Proton VPN's coupon for Engadget readers . One trick VPNs often use is to add extra months onto an introductory deal, pushing the average monthly price even lower. When it comes time to renew, you usually can't get these extra months again. You often can't even renew for the same basic period of time for example, you may only be able to renew a two-year subscription for one year. If you're planning to hold onto a VPN indefinitely, check the fine print to see how much it will cost per month after the first renewal, and ensure that fits into your budget. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-vpn-deals-up-to-88-percent-off-protonvpn-surfshark-expressvpn-nordvpn-and-more-120056445.html?src=rss

The best live TV streaming services to cut cable in 2026

Price hikes , media consolidation and contract disputes that turn channels dark have made live TV streaming services feel a lot more like cable. But, for most people its still a better deal to cut the cord. For sports fans and news junkies, theres still no better option than one of the best live TV streaming services. We tried all the major players and currently recommend YouTube TV for most people. But we also spelled out just what you get from other providers (along with what we think about them) so you can decide for yourself. Editors note : YouTube TV will start offering genre-specific plans in early 2026. We dont have word on the pricing or specifics yet, but will update this guide when we do. Fans looking to watch Christmas football games will need access to Netflix as well as Prime Video. Weve detailed the schedule in the NFL streaming section below. Table of contents Best live TV streaming services for 2026 How to stream live NFL games Best free live TV streaming services for 2026 What to look for in a live TV streaming service How we tested Live TV Streaming FAQs Recent updates Best live TV streaming services for 2026 Back to top How to stream live NFL games The rights to air regular-season NFL games belong to a number of networks. Around 200 games are scheduled to appear Sundays on CBS/Paramount+ and Fox/Fox One . NBC/Peacock will host one Sunday night competition each week while Prime Video will air Thursday night contests (except for Thanksgiving week) and ABC/ESPN will show Monday night matchups. A few games will be exclusive to the NFL Network and Christmas-day games will air live on Netflix . YouTube aired a single week-one game. You can see the complete NFL schedule here (the airing network appears just below the game time on the list). On many Sundays, multiple games are scheduled to air at the same time by the same broadcaster. That means Fox and CBS will broadcast regional games through the associated local affiliate station. Select national games will air through Fox One and Paramount+. To see all Sunday (daytime) matchups, youll need the NFL Sunday Ticket thats now exclusive to YouTube TV and costs between $35 and $115 per month depending on the type of subscription you choose (YouTube recently announced monthly options for the Sunday Ticket). Note that the subscription doesnt include Sunday night games for that, youll need Peacock and/or local NBC station access through YouTube TV or elsewhere. Most of the paid live TV streaming services we recommend here include the stations youll need to see most of the games. YouTube TV, Fubo TV (including the new, cheaper Fubo Sports package ), Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV (Signature packages and MySports Genre packs) offer local Fox, CBS, ABC and NBC stations in most (but not all areas). They also carry sports-focused channels from those networks, like Fox Sports, CBS Sports and ESPN. Slings Orange plan includes access to a few local channels (varying by area), and also carries ESPN, but youll need the combined Orange and Blue plan to also get the Fox Sports channel but neither plan carries CBS Sports. How to watch Christmas pro football Viewers looking to watch games on Christmas day and the weekend after will need more than just a live TV streaming service. Two games on December 25 will air on Netflix. You can catch the Dallas Cowboys play the Washington Commanders at 1PM ET, followed by the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings at 4:30PM ET. The third game will air on Prime Video as part of its regular Thursday Night Football programming and will showcase the Denver Broncos versus the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:15PM ET. Friday is football-free, but the following Saturday, the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers game will air on the NFL Network which is carried by YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo, DirectTV and Sling Blue and Select. How can I stream NFL games for free? If you have a digital antenna hooked up to your TV, you can grab games that are broadcast over the airways for your region by tuning into your local CBS, Fox, NBC and ABC stations. You can buy a digital antenna for between $20 and $60. Of course, that wont get you the games that are exclusive to the NFL Network, Prime Video or Netflix, and you wont be able to watch games broadcast outside your area. Nearly all paid live TV streaming services are currently offering free trials ranging from a few days to a week. You could hop from service to service, catching a few games before cancelling and not pay anything, but with 18 weeks in the regular season, youll obviously not be able to watch all games for free. Alternatively, you can check out your local sports bar and watch a game for the price of a soda and maybe some nachos. As it turns out, bars and restaurants that provide those games to customers have to pay a ton of cash to do so, so you may as well take advantage of the opportunity. Does Paramount Plus stream live NFL games? Yes. Paramount owns CBS, which has historically held the rights to air many NFL games each season. This year, NFL on CBS includes more than 100 regular-season games, most of them Sunday matchups. You can see which NFL games will air on CBS/Paramount + here . Note that to watch your local CBS station you need Paramount+ Premium (formerly Paramount+ with Showtime) for $13 per month. Can you stream live football on YouTube? September 5, 2025 marked the first time YouTube was an official live NFL broadcaster when it aired a Friday night, week-one game of the 2025 NFL season from So Paulo, Brazil. It pit the Los Angeles Chargers against the Kansas City Chiefs (LA won 21-27) and aired worldwide on YouTube for free as well as for subscribers to YouTube TV. There are no other plans for YouTube to air live NFL games for the 2025 season for free, but paid YouTube TV customers will be able to watch many live matchups on their local CBS, Fox, NBC and ABC stations as part of their subscription. Both YouTube TV subscribers and anyone with the YouTube app can subscribe to the NFL Sunday Ticket add-on for $35 to $60 monthly, depending on promotions. Through the YouTube app, you can also purchase access to other Primetime Channels including Paramount+, but it costs the same as paying for those accounts directly. Back to top Best free live TV streaming services for 2026 There are loads of ways to get free TV these days. To start, many standard streaming apps have added live components to their lineups even Netflix . Peacock Premium Plus subscriptions include regional NBC stations. Paramount+ Premium subscribers can watch on-air CBS programming . The new Fox One service includes multiple live Fox stations. True, if youre already paying for a service its not technically free but at least the live content isnt extra. The smart TV operating system (OS) you use likely provides free live content too: Amazons Fire TV, Google/Android TV, Rokus built-in Roku Channel and Samsungs TV Plus all have hundreds of live channels and original programming. Some of the paid services we recommend above have a free version namely Sling Freestream , Fubo Free (available after you cancel) and DirecTVs MyFree . But if youre looking for more, here are the best free ad-supported TV (FAST) apps with live TV that we tried: Back to top What to look for in a live TV streaming service How to stream live TV Streaming live TV is a lot like using Netflix. You get access through apps on your phone, tablet, smart TV or streaming device and the signal arrives over the internet. A faster and more stable connection tends to give you a better experience. Most live TV apps require you to sign up and pay via a web browser. After that, you can activate the app on all of your devices. Monthly Price When I started testing these cord-cutting alternatives, I was struck by the price difference between live TV and a standard video streaming app . Where the latter cost between $5 and $20 per month, most live TV services hit the $80 mark and can go higher than $200 with additional perks, channel packages and premium extras. The higher starting price is mostly due to the cost of providing multiple networks particularly sports and local stations. And, in the past year or so, every service has raised base plan prices. Local channels Only two of the services I tried dont include full local channel coverage for subscribers and one of those makes no effort to carry sports at all. That would be Philo and, as you might guess, its the cheapest. The next most affordable option, Sling, only carries three local stations and only in larger markets but it still manages to include some of the top sports channels. When you sign up with any provider that handles local TV, youll enter your zip code, ensuring you get your areas broadcast affiliates for ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Of course, you can also get those stations for free. Nearly all modern television sets support a radio frequency (RF) connection, also known as the coaxial port, which means if you buy an HD antenna , youll receive locally broadcast stations like ABC, CBS, PBS, FOX and NBC. And since the signal is digital, reception is much improved over the staticky rabbit-ears era. But local channel access is another area where traditional streaming services, like Netflix, are bleeding into broadcast territory. For example, you can watch your local NBC station with a Peacock subscription and you can tune into your areas CBS station through your Paramount+ subscription. Netflix is even getting into the mix with a recently announced deal with one of Frances broadcast companies, TF1. The streaming service will now air TF1's live TV channels and on-demand content inside the Netflix app. No word if the concept will expand to other regions, but its an interesting move to anyone interested in the future of streaming. Live sports coverage One reality that spun my head was the sheer number and iterations of sports networks in existence. Trying to figure out which network will carry the match-up you want to see can be tricky. I found that Google makes it a little easier for sports fans by listing out upcoming games (just swap in NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and so on in the search bar). When you click an event, the TV & streaming button will tell you which network is covering it. That just leaves figuring out if your chosen service carries the RSNs (regional sports networks) you want. Unfortunately, even with add-ons and extra packages, some providers simply dont have certain channels in their lineups. It would take a lawyer to understand the ins and outs of streaming rights negotiations , and networks leave and return to live TV carriers all the time. That said, most major sporting events in the US are covered by ESPN, Fox Sports, TNT, USA and local affiliates. I should also point out that traditional streaming services have started adding live sports to their lineups. Peacock carries live Premier League matches, Sunday Night Football games and aired the 2024 Olympic Games from Paris. Thursday Night Football as well as NBA and WNBA games are on Amazon Prime and Christmas Day Football airs on Netflix. HBO Max ( formerly , er, HBO Max) now airs select, regular season games from the NHL, MLB, NCAA and NBA with a $10-per-month add-on . You can watch MLS games with an add-on through the Apple TV app, and Apple TV+ (now just called Apple TV ) includes some MLB games . Roku users can watch the just-added free sports channel and those who subscribe to Paramount Plus can see many of the matches aired on CBS Sports, including live NFL games. In 2025, January's Super Bowl was live-streamed for free on Tubi . While all of these alternatives may not cover as much ground as live TV streamers, they could end up being cheaper avenues to the sports you want. And if sports is all youre after, there are sports-only plans that are a touch cheaper, too. The promised sports streaming service from ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. called Venu was cancelled early this year. But on August 21, ESPN launched its own streaming service that includes all ESPN channels and costs $30 per month. Fubo Sports is $56 monthly and includes local broadcast stations from ABC, CBS and FOX plus a slew of sports networks (CBS Sport and FS1 among them) as well as all networks included with ESPN Unlimited . Fox launched its own standalone service in August as well and it includes Fox Sports and all other Fox properties (News, Business, Weather) for $20 monthly. DirecTV also has a $70-per-month , sports-only streaming package called MySports and Comcast has a sports and news bundle for that same price (as long as you're an Xfinity customer with auto-pay, otherwise it's more expensive). Traditional cable networks Dozens of linear programming networks were once only available with cable TV, like Bravo, BET, Food Network, HGTV, CNN, Lifetime, SYFY and MTV. If you only subscribe to, say, Netflix or Apple TV+, you wont have access to those. But as with sports, standard streamers are starting to incorporate this content into their offerings. After the Warner Bros. merger, Max incorporated some content from HGTV, Discovery and TLC. Peacock has Bravo and Hallmark shows, and Paramount+ has material from Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central. Other entertainment channels like AMC+ have stand-alone apps. The Discovery+ app gives you 15 channels ad-free for $10 per month (or with ads for $6 monthly). And a service called Frndly TV starts at a mere $7 per month and streams A&E, Lifetime, Game Show Network, Outdoor Channel and about 35 others. Of course, most live TV streaming options will deliver more sizable lists of cable networks, but just note that you may already be paying for some of them and if all you need is a certain channel, you could get it cheaper by subscribing directly. On-demand streaming Most live TV subscriptions include access to a selection of video-on-demand (VOD) content, like you would get with a traditional streaming service. Much of this content is made up of the movies and TV series that have recently aired on your subscribed networks. This typically doesnt cover live events and news programming, but I was able to watch specific episodes of ongoing shows like Top Chef or BETs Diarra from Detroit. Just search the on-demand library for the program, pick an episode and hit play. Partnerships, like Hulus relationship with Disney, and add-ons, such as bundling Max with your YouTube TV subscription or Starz with your Sling plan, will let you watch even larger libraries of on-demand content. But again, if VOD is all youre after, paying for those networks directly instead of through a live TV plan will be far cheaper. Digital video recordings (DVR) limits Every option I tried offers some cloud DVR storage without needing a separate physical device. Youll either get unlimited storage for recordings that expires after nine months or a year, or youll get a set number of hours (between 50 and 1,000) that you can keep indefinitely. Typically, all you need to do is designate what ongoing TV series you want to record and the DVR component will do all the hard work of saving subsequent episodes for you to watch later. You can do the same thing with sports events. Aside from being able to watch whenever its most convenient, you can also fast-forward through commercials in recorded content. In contrast, you cant skip them on live TV or VOD. Simultaneous streams and profiles per account Each plan gives you a certain number of simultaneous streams, aka how many screens can play content at the same time. And while most providers will let you travel with your subscription, there are usually location restrictions that require you to sign in from your home IP address periodically. Stream allowances range from one at a time to unlimited screens (or as many as your ISPs bandwidth can handle). Some plans require add-ons to get more screens. Most services also let you set up a few profiles so I was able to give different people in my family the ability to build their own watch histories and libraries, set their favorite channels and get individual recommendations. Picture-in-picture mode and multiview Picture-in-picture (PiP) usually refers to shrinking a video window on a mobile device or computer browser so you can watch it while using other apps. Sling, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Philo, DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV all have PiP modes on computers and mobile devices. Another feature, multiview, lets you view multiple (usually four) sports matches or other live content at once on your TV screen. YouTube TV, FuboTV and now DirecTV all let you do this. With YouTube TV, you can select up to four views from a few preset selection of streams. FuboTV offers the same feature, but only if you're using an Apple TV or Roku streaming device. DirecTV lets you do so through mixes which include sports, news, business and kids variants with a set four channels in each mix. 4K live streams Right now, just FuboTV, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream offer 4K live streams but with caveats. YouTube TV requires a $20-per-month add-on , after which youll only be able to watch certain live content in 4K. DirecTV Stream has three channels that show live 4K content one with shows and original series, and two with occasional sporting events. You dont have to pay extra for these but you do need to have either DirecTVs Gemini receiver, or a device from Fire TV, Apple TV or Roku. Youll need those same streaming devices to watch the select 4K programming on Sling as well. FuboTV shows certain live events in 4K but access is limited to the Elite and Premier packages, not the base-level Pro plan. Of course, watching any 4K content also requires equipment that can handle it: a 4K smart TV or 4K streaming device paired with a cord and screen that can handle 4K resolution. Tiers, packages and add-ons Comparing price-to-offering ratios is a task for a spreadsheet. I made three. The base plans range from $28 to $85 per month. From there, you can add packages, which are usually groups of live TV channels bundled by themes like news, sports, entertainment or international content. Premium VOD extras like Max, AMC+ and Starz are also available. Add-ons cost an extra $5 to $20 each per month and simply show up in the guide where you find the rest of your live TV. This is where streaming can quickly get expensive, pushing an $80 subscription to $200 monthly, depending on what you choose. How to stream live TV for free I also downloaded and tried out a few apps that offer free ad-supported TV ( FAST ) including Freevee , Tubi , PlutoTV and Sling Freestream . These let you drop in and watch a more limited selection of live networks at zero cost. Most dont even require an email address, let alone a credit card. And if you have a Roku device, an Amazon Fire TV or Stick, a Samsung TV, a Chromecast device or a Google TV, you already have access to hundreds of live channels via the Roku Channel , the live tab in Fire TV, through the Samsung TV Plus app or through Google TV . Back to top How we tested live TV streaming services When I begin testing for a guide, I research the most popular and well-reviewed players in the category and narrow down which are worth trying. For the paid plans, just six services dominate so I tried them all. There are considerably more free live TV contenders so I tested the four most popular. After getting accounts set up using my laptop, I downloaded the apps on a Samsung smart TV running the latest version of Tizen OS. I counted the local stations and regional sports coverage, and noted how many of the top cable networks were available. I then weighed the prices, base packages and available add-ons. I then looked at how the programming was organized in each apps UI and judged how easy everything was to navigate, from the top navigation to the settings. To test the search function, I searched for the same few TV shows on BET, Food Network, HGTV and Comedy Central, since all six providers carry those channels. I noted how helpful the searches were and how quickly they got me to season 6, episode 13 of Home Town . I used DVR to record entire series and single movies and watched VOD shows, making sure to test the pause and scan functions. On each service with sports, I searched for the same four upcoming NHL, NBA, MLS and NCAA basketball matches and used the record option to save the games and play them back a day or two later. Finally, I noted any extra perks or irritating quirks. All live TV streaming services weve tested: Philo Sling YouTube TV Hulu + Live TV DirecTV Stream FuboTV Freevee Tubi PlutoTV Sling Freestream Plex Back to top Live TV Streaming FAQs What is live streaming? Streaming simply refers to video content that is delivered to your screen over the internet. Live streaming can be split into two categories: linear programming and simultaneous transmission. That first one is similar to what you get with cable or broadcast TV, with channels that play a constant flow of movies and shows (sort of what TV looked like before Netflix). Simultaneous streaming lets you watch live events (like a basketball game) or a program (like the evening news) as they happen. What is the difference between streaming and live streaming? Standard streaming, the most popular example being Netflix, lets you pick what you want to watch from a menu of choices. Its also referred to as video on demand. Live streaming refers to sports and news events that you can stream as they happen in real time. It also refers to channels that show a continuous, linear flow of programming. What streaming service is best for live TV? FuboTV does the best job of letting you organize live channels to help you find just what you want to watch. The interface is uncluttered and when you search for something, the UI clearly tells you whether something is live now or on-demand. YouTube TV also does a good job making that info clear. Both have just over 100 live channels on offer. What is the most cost effective TV streaming service? Free TV streaming services like PlutoTV, Plex, Tubi and FreeVee show plenty of ad-supported TV shows and movies without charging you anything. Of course, they wont have the same channels or content that more premium subscriptions have. Ultimately it depends on what you want to watch and finding the service that can supply that to you in the most streamlined form so youre not paying for stuff you dont need. Is it cheaper to have cable or streaming? A basic cable package used to be more expensive than the base-level live TV streaming service. But now that nearly all major providers have raised their prices to over $75 per month, thats no longer the case. And with add-ons and other premiums, you can easily pay over $200 a month for either cable or a live TV streaming service. But those who want to cut the cord will appreciate that streaming services don't have contracts. What streaming service has all the TV channels? No service that we tested had every available channel. Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream carry the the highest number of the top rated channels, according to Neilsen . Hulus service also gets you Disney+ fare, which you cant get elsewhere. FuboTV has the most sports channels and YouTube TV gives you the widest selection of add-ons. What is the most popular live TV streaming platform? YouTube TV has the most paying customers. According to 2024's letter from the CEO, the service has over eight million subscribers. Disneys 2024 third quarter earnings put the Hulu + Live TV viewer count at 4.6 million. Slings customer count dipped from two million to about 1.9 million in 2024 and FuboTV grew its subscriber list to 1.6 million . How safe are free streaming services and websites? You may have heard certain sites that provide free content can be dangerous, leading to stolen info and/or exposing you to malware. Thats likely in reference to certain peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and file-sharing sites that let people download free movies and series which can come bundled with malicious code. But if youre talking about the free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) services listed here, from providers like PlutoTV, Tubi and Plex, they are just as safe as any other streaming service. Since you sometimes dont even have to provide your email address or credit card info, they can even be more anonymous for cord cutters than apps that require login credentials. Back to top Recent updates December 2025 : Included Fubo's channel and price adjustments. Confirmed pricing for all services. Back to top This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming-service-133000410.html?src=rss

Kohli surpasses Tendulkar, saves Delhi with 131 knock in VHT opener

India's batting stalwart Virat Kohli starred with a brilliant 131 as Delhi chased down 299 to beat Andhra by four wickets in their Vijay Hazare Trophy opener in Bengaluru. Ricky Bhuis 122 powered Andhra to 298/8, but strong support from Priyansh Arya and Nitish Rana helped Delhi seal victory in 37.4 overs.

Rohit Sharma lights up Mumbai's VHT opener with fastest ever century

India's batting stalwart Rohit Sharma smashed a brilliant 155 off 94 balls as Mumbai thrashed Sikkim by eight wickets in their Vijay Hazare Trophy opener in Jaipur. Sikkim posted 236/7, led by Ashish Thapas 79. Mumbai chased the target in just 30.3 overs, with Rohit dominating the contest. They will be confident going into the next matches.

Heroes, Villains, Side Artistes and Extras in Indias Politics of 2025

Stalwarts like Union home minister Amit Shah failed to douse the grave Opposition doubts in Parliament over the ECs functioning and the SIR issue.

Mangalam group to invest Rs 1,000 crore to expand hospitality portfolio

Manglam Group is investing Rs 1,000 crore in hospitality. Their first project, The Westin Jaipur Kant Kalwar Resort & Spa, has opened. This marks a significant step for the developer. The group is also developing serviced apart-otel units. Two more hospitality projects are in planning. These ventures aim to cater to leisure and business travelers.

Delhi Vs Andhra Vijay Hazare Trophy Match To Be Held Behind Closed Doors: Report

Andhra Vijay Hazare Trophy: As the Indian cricket star Virat Kohli is expected to make a comeback to domestic cricket, targeting the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26 for Delhi, but fans will not get a chance to witness the batting stalwart playing, as Delhis first-round match against Andhra at M Chinnaswamy Stadium will be held behind closed doors. As per the ESPNcricinfo report, the Karnataka government is set to issue an order to the KSCA to stage matches behind closed doors, with the BCCI's Centre of Excellence to be a back-up venue in case police permission isn't forthcoming for matches at the Chinnaswamy. The KSCA previously suggested opening two stands to the public, with a capacity of 2000-3000 spectators if fully utilised. However, the government strongly opposed this plan, citing potential security and compliance issues, while work on resolving these concerns is still in progress. The state government aims to avoid chaos around the venue during the holiday season, considering the prominence of the players involved. The availability of Kohli and Rishabh Pant for the first two matches previously led the KSCA to shift the venue from Alur to Chinnaswamy to address logistical issues. The BCCIs Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has become a vital hub for Indian cricket, providing top-tier infrastructure and facilities focused on developing players. Hosting numerous domestic matches creates an excellent environment for both young and seasoned players to hone their skills. Should Delhis matches be held at the CoE, it will be Kohlis first competitive appearance there, making it a memorable experience for him and his teammates. The state government aims to avoid chaos around the venue during the holiday season, considering the prominence of the players involved. The availability of Kohli and Rishabh Pant for the first two matches previously led the KSCA to shift the venue from Alur to Chinnaswamy to address logistical issues. Also Read: Live Cricket Score According to BCCI rules, centrally contracted players must participate in domestic tournaments when they are not on international duty. In line with this requirement, Kohli will play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, bringing valuable experience and leadership to the Delhi team. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will lead the team as captain during the tournament, while Kohli will serve in a senior role within the squad. Article Source: IANS

BJPs vote share shrank to 14.6 per cent in Kerala local body polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dousing the BJPs high hopes of expanding its base in the state , the partys vote share declined in the just concluded local body polls to 14.76%, according to data released by the State Election Commission on Monday. The saffron party-led NDA had secured 19.26% of total votes polled in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, while the fronts vote share hovered around 15% this time. The Congress emerged on top with 29.17% of the votes, while CPM finished second with 27.16%. However, despite leading the field, the Congress-led UDF registered a 6.35% decline in its vote share to 38.81%, compared to the 2024 general election. The LDF, meanwhile, failed to make significant inroads into opposition strongholds, managing only a marginal 0.11% increase in vote share at 33.45%. Independents, including those fielded by the three major front especially the LDF, and smaller parties together secured 13.03% of the votes. In the run-up to the civic polls, BJP stalwart and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had set an ambitious target of securing 25% vote share. However, except for wresting the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the party failed to throw up more surprises. The BJP fared comparatively better in southern districts. The party recorded its highest vote share in Thiruvananthapuram district at 23.08%. In Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha it garnered around 19% votes. Among northern districts, the BJP came closest to this tally in Thrissur (19.65%) and Kasaragod (18.88%). In Palakkad, the party secured 17.05% of the total votes polled. Malappuram (5.91%) and Idukki (7.76%) were the only two districts where the party secured less than 10% votes. Among the UDF constituents, the IUML finished second, claiming 9.77% of the total votes polled. The vote shares of other Opposition front allies were Kerala Congress (1.33%), RSP (0.48%), Kerala Congress (Jacob) (0.16%) and CMP (CP John faction) (0.21%). The second best performer in the LDF was the CPI, which garnered 5.58% of the votes. The share of other constituents in the LDF were: Kerala Congress (M) (1.62%), RJD (0.72%), JD(S) (0.39%), two factions of the NCP (0.38%), INL (0.20%), Kerala Congress (B) (0.11%) and Congress (S) (0.07%). In the NDA camp, the performance of allies, except for the BDJS, was negligible. The Thushar Vellapally-led party garnered 0.26% votes.

Agitation intensifies against SC ruling on Aravalli definition in Rajasthan, ex-CM Gehlot alleges systemic attack

JAIPUR: Environmentalists and social organisations staged demonstrations against the Supreme Courts acceptance of the Union Environment Ministrys definition of the Aravalli mountains in several cities of Rajasthan on Monday. Meanwhile, a political war of words has erupted between former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. Protests were held in Udaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, Alwar and Ajmer, with police action reported at some places. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully described the Aravallis as the lungs of Rajasthan and warned that the agitation would intensify if the decision was not reversed. Responding to the protests, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma accused the Congress of spreading misinformation, saying, Former CM Ashok Gehlot is misleading the public on the Aravalli issue. The state government is fully committed to protecting the Aravalli range, and no decision will be allowed that causes harm to Rajasthans environment. The BJP further intensified its attack, with former Leader of the Opposition Rajendra Rathore alleging that Gehlot was misinterpreting the Supreme Court order for political gains. Rathore said the 100-metre criterion was finalised during the Congress regime in 2003. Centre will draw up new conservation plan for Aravalli, says Environment Minister amid row over SC order Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav also sought to clarify the Centres stand , stating, The Aravalli range will remain protected. Hills and slopes above 100 metres continue to be under protection, mining is completely banned in the NCR, and limited mining is permitted in only 0.19 per cent of the area. Twenty wildlife sanctuaries and four tiger reserves in the Aravallis are fully secure. Yadav added that the government is committed to keeping the Aravallis green and to strengthen protection standards in the range. The Aravalli range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, and we are fully committed to ensuring that it remains green. At the same time, it is important to establish clear and uniform standards for its protection, MinisterYadav said in an interview. The 100-metre criterion refers to the entire mountain structure, from the peak down to the ground level where its permanent base is located. In the absence of a clear definition earlier, there were irregularities in the grant of mining permits in the Aravalli region, he said. Gehlot, however, strongly rebutted the Centres claims. In a statement issued onMonday night, Gehlot said, The claims being made by the Union environment minister are completely misleading and far from the truth. He argued that the 100-metre definition should not be viewed in isolation and alleged that recent decisions point towards a systematic weakening of environmental safeguards. Gehlot also alleged that attempts to alter the Critical Tiger Habitat in Sariska and the September 5, 2023 notification bringing the Supreme Court-monitored Central Empowered Committee under the Environment Ministry reflect the governments intent to open protected areas to mining interests. With protests spreading and political rhetoric escalating, the controversy over the Aravalli definition is expected to intensify in the coming days. SC ruling on Aravalli definition sparks opposition in Rajasthan, former CM Gehlot warns of ecological disaster

BJP emerges single largest party in Maharashtra local body polls as Mahayuti sweeps municipal councils

NAGPUR: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the BJP has set a record in local body polls with 48 per cent of councillors winning on the party symbol, and its candidates elected as presidents in 129 municipal councils. He attributed the Mahayuti alliance's success in the municipal council and nagar panchayat elections to the BJP organisation and development agenda of the government. Counting of votes for elections to the posts of president and members in 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats held in two phases began in the morning. Fadnavis said the BJP has once again emerged as the single largest party. 48 per cent councillors have been elected on the BJP symbol, which is a record. The BJP has created another record with 3,300 councillors being elected from the party. BJP candidates have been elected as presidents in 129 municipal councils. In 75 per cent of the local bodies, Mahayuti nominees have been elected as municipal presidents, he said. Fadnavis emphasised that the BJP's national leadership has put faith in the state leadership for elections. It is the team effort - the organisation and government. We fought the polls on the development plank. I led a positive campaign on the development agenda. I never criticised any political leader or party. I solicited votes on the development agenda, the work done by the government so far, and our blueprint for the future, the chief minister told a press conference. In the multi-dimensional contests, Mahayuti allies- the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP- contested against each other in some places. There were alliances as well as friendly fights among Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents- the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress. The opposition Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) virtually conceded defeat in the elections, accusing the election commission of facilitating the victory of the ruling Mahayuti. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal congratulated the party candidates who won the posts of municipal president and councillors. In a terse comment, he congratulated the state poll body for helping the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut attributed the victory of Mahayuti to ampering of EVMs. He said the opposition couldn't withstand a hailstorm of money. His party colleague Ambadas Danve alleged money and muscle power shaped the Mahayuti win. The Mahayuti has bagged a larger number of seats as compared to constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, thanks to the muscle and money power deployed by the ruling parties, Danve told PTI in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan claimed the party had got a decisive mandate as voters had rejected the Opposition's fake narrative. He claimed the Mahayuti had won more than 250 councils, nagar parishads and nagar panchayats out of 288, with BJP candidates securing 134 out of 236 council chief posts and over 3,000 councillor seats. The Opposition levelled all kinds of allegations during the campaign, but people saw through them. Uddhav Thackeray himself said he had nothing to offer to the people and that is why his party was rejected. His party could not even win council chairperson posts in double digits, Chavan claimed. Now, Mumbaikars too would reject the opposition's narrative in the upcoming BMC polls, he said. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the overwhelming success of the BJP was a victory of the (party) workers. This is a victory of our workers. Thank you to the people who supported the BJP by maintaining faith in its development-oriented working style, the Union minister stated. Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule claimed the Mahayuti is headed to secure two-thirds seats. The Mahayuti has taken a very good lead in Maharashtra and the people have rejected the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), he added. State minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale claimed BJP candidate Amol Mohite was elected municipal president in Satara district by 42,000 votes, an outcome that even surpassed the vote margins typically seen in assembly elections. Minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam claimed the Mahayuti had registered a clean sweep in Khed municipal council in Ratnagiri district by winning all 21 seats, including 17 seats won by Shiv Sena. The BJP has won the president's post in four out of five local bodies in Udgir, Ahmedpur, Nilanga, and Renapur in Latur district, while its ally NCP bagged the seat in Ausa. In the Beed district, the Mahayuti combine has taken a decisive lead. People have demolished the plot of the Opposition to defame Parli and Beed through the results of the local body polls, former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde claimed. The Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) claimed they had retained their party bastions in Chandrapur and Sangli districts. The Congress won the municipal council president's post as well as 21 of the 23 seats in the Brahmapuri municipal council in Chandrapur district, party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said. The BJP and NCP have secured one seat each. In the Urun-Ishwarpur municipal council in Sangli district, the NCP (SP) has won 23 seats as well as the post of council president, senior leader Jayant Patil claimed. In Palghar district, the Shiv Sena has won the president's election in the municipal councils of Palghar and Dahanu, while the BJP bagged the president's posts in Jawhar municipal council and Wada Nagar Panchayat. Recounting of votes was ordered after the Congress objected to the 116-vote win of BJP candidate Ajay Agrawal in Kamptee municipal council polls in Nagpur district, an official said. In a setback for the BJP, the party candidate for the post of Loha municipal council president, Gajanan Suryavanshi, and his five kin lost. The post was won by Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, whose candidate, incidentally, is named Sharad Pawar. The NCP emerged victorious in Loha, Kandhar, Degloor and Umri, while the BJP won in Kundalwadi, Mudkhed and Bhokar in Nanded district. The Shiv Sena and Marathwada Janhit Party won from two places each, while the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress emerged victorious from one place each, officials said. Only the NCP (SP) led by opposition stalwart Sharad Pawar failed to capture any of the municipal councils that went to polls in the district, they added. BJP consolidates Mahayuti dominance in Maharashtra local body polls, big blow to MVA

Malayalam film stalwart Sreenivasans legacy: A timeline

Malayalam film veteran Sreenivasan passed away due to ailments on December 20, 2025. Here is a look at his journey in film.

MFA to honour stalwarts of Meghalaya football

Shillong, Dec 19: The Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) will honour past and present footballers, coaches and referees who have lifted the standing of the sport in the state over the years at an awards night on Monday. The function will take place at the State Convention Centre at 6pm where 40 individuals, both men and []

Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam in Tirumala on December 23

The purificatory ritual will be performed from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., during which period Astadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva will remain cancelled

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin opens Anna marriage hall, lays stone for school complex

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday inaugurated Perarignar Anna Marriage Hall, built at a cost of Rs 25.72 crore, at Jambulingam Salai in GKM Colony, and presided over the marriage of 15 couples at the venue. The chief minister also unveiled a bust of Dravidian stalwart Perarignar Anna at the 40,300 sqft hall, constructed by the Greater Chennai Corporation. Stalin laid the foundation stone for a school complex for GKM Colony Government Model School at a cost of Rs 11.17 crore. The 32,676 sqft complex will comprise a ground floor and three upper floors, housing 23 classrooms, five smart classrooms, modern laboratories, an examination centre and a library among other facilities. He laid the foundation stone for an Amudham store building to be built at Periyar Nagar in Kolathur at a cost of Rs 6.3 crore. Addressing the newlyweds, Stalin referred to a popular saying that there is a woman behind every mans success, and credited his wife for standing by him during difficult times.

SC ruling on Aravalli definition sparks opposition in Rajasthan, former CM Gehlot warns of ecological disaster

JAIPUR: The Supreme Courts recent ruling, issued on the recommendation of the central government, to limit the definition of the Aravalli mountain range to landforms rising more than 100 metres above their surroundings, has triggered sharp opposition in Rajasthan. Joining the growing protests, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot has warned that the decision could lead to huge ecological damage. Gehlot termed the ruling a red carpet for illegal mining, and a direct invitation to environmental destruction. On November 21, the apex court held that only hills in the Aravalli region with a relative height of 100 metres or more would be considered part of the mountain range. The Aravalli is not just a mountain range for Rajasthan; it is our protective shield, Gehlot said. He argued that narrowing the definition on the Centres recommendation amounts to a death sentence for nearly 90 per cent of the states hills. According to him, almost 90 per cent of the Aravalli formations in Rajasthan are below the 100-metre threshold. Gehlot cautioned that excluding these hills from the legal definition is not a technical adjustment but the removal of a critical layer of environmental protection, leaving vast areas vulnerable to mining and degradation. Highlighting the ecological importance of the Aravallis, Gehlot said the range plays a crucial role in preventing desertification by blocking hot winds from the west and stopping the Thar Desert from advancing into eastern Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Experts, he noted, have pointed out that even small hills and mounds measuring 10 to 30 metres are effective in checking dust storms. Allowing mining in these areas, he warned, could accelerate desert spread towards the national capital. He further said that the rocky structure of the Aravalli range enables rainwater to percolate underground, making it a major source of groundwater recharge across the region. Removing these hills could prove disastrous for northwest India, which is already facing a severe water crisis, Gehlot said. He added that history would not forgive the injustice being done to future generations, alleging that although the Supreme Court proceedings began to protect the Aravalli, acceptance of the Centres recommendation has effectively erased 90 per cent of the range. He urged the court to reconsider the decision in the interest of future generations, calling it a direct invitation to destruction. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, Tikaram Jully, also strongly criticised the move, warning that without the Aravalli range, nothing will be left. Launching a sharp attack on the central government and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Jully said the looming threat to the Aravallis existence has become a question mark on the future of Rajasthan. Jully said that the fight to save the Aravalli range is no longer the responsibility of any single political party but a collective social duty to protect the state and the future of the coming generations. Targeting Union environment minister and Alwar MP Bhupendra Yadav, Jully said it was the greatest irony of democracy that those entrusted with environmental protection were now paving the way for destruction. He pointed out that Yadav was educated in Ajmer and represents Alwar, both regions closely linked to the Aravalli range and home to important pilgrimage sites such as Pushkar. Despite this, Jully alleged, the minister was acting like Dhritarashtra, the blind king from the Mahabharata, silently witnessing the destruction of the Aravalli range and ignoring the future of his own land and its people.

A legacy lost to neglect and silence

Remembering Kashyap Bandhu Avtar Nehru Many stalwarts and scholars within the Kashmiri Pandit community privately concede that Pandit Kashyap Bandhu was among its greatest figures for much of the twentieth century. He was widely respected as a public intellectual and, importantly, was deeply networked with the leading minds and institutions of his time. His stature was formally acknowledged when he was included among the 75 Personalities commemorated during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), marking seventy-five years of Indias independence in [] The post A legacy lost to neglect and silence appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Beachville Caf hosts Carnatic concert series this Margazhi

As Margazhi fills Chennais sabhas, a parallel Carnatic concert series unfolds inside a caf in Alwarpet, where proximity, timing, and format reshape how the music is experienced

The offbeat Margazhi mela

Few Tamil months arrive with an unspoken agenda. Aadi signals feminine divinity, Purattasi leans into devotion and abstinence, and Margazhi unfolds with utmost precision. Dawn musical alarms, packed sabha schedules, tradition-clad audiences, and season tickets. Over the years, Margazhi has grown into a cultural machine, its rhythms familiar and its expectations firmly set. What happens when Margazhi loosens its grip on convention? As the season returns once again, a quieter counter-current is emerging one that questions whether tradition must always follow the same script. It is within this space of gentle defiance that Aalaaps Margazhi programming positions itself. For founder Akhila Krishnamurthy, curation has never been about scale or spectacle. Every year, we try to do something different with our curation, she says, adding that Aalaaps larger exploration has been to see how music shifts when its located in a space outside of the proscenium. The shift, she believes, is not merely spatial but emotional. In an intimate environment, the artiste retunes themselves to connect with an audience, and the audience responds differently when the artiste is sitting so close to them. This insistence on intimacy has shaped Aalaaps collaborations this season, particularly its ongoing engagement with non- sabha spaces. The goal, she says, is to enable interaction without diluting seriousness. This philosophy finds its most visible expression in Carnatic Shot, a seven-day concert series at Beachville Coffee Roasters, starting from December 22. Conceived as a collaboration between Aalaap and the caf, the series is also, as Akhila puts it, a collaboration between artistes and between artistes and audiences. Each day brings together musicians in unexpected pairings, reinforcing what she calls a celebration of collaboration. Running every afternoon, the series invites listeners into a space that feels closer to a practice room than a performance hall. The line-up features a diverse artistes, including Rithvik Raja with his students, Girijashankar Sundaresan, Aditya Prakash, Praveen Sparsh with his students, Vignesh Ishwar, Srinidhi Pennathur, among others reflecting the many ways collaboration can unfold within the Carnatic ecosystem. Midway through the season, Aalaap also turns its attention to slowing the Margazhi rush down. Margazhi Mehfil, a ghazal evening on December 22 at The Folly, Amethyst, is imagined as an antidote. The idea, Akhila explains, is to create a laid-back evening, where poetry and music can be absorbed without urgency. Dance, too, finds a reimagined platform through the third edition of The Diaspora Dance Festival. The festival was born out of a simple question. During Margazhi , the artistes are often competing for space, Akhila notes. What if I created a platform where only they would be there? By doing so, she says, the festival ensures visibility and continuity, while also enabling dialogue between dancers from across geographies. The two-day festival will unfold at Medai, Alwarpet, on December 30 and 31. On December 13, Lil Margazhi marked another facet of Aalaaps curatorial vision. Akhila describes it as a collaboration between children and master storyteller Janaki Sabesh. Across all these formats, Akhila is clear that informality does not mean compromise. What changes, instead, is the atmosphere one that allows art to breathe, audiences to listen without hesitation, and Margazhi to move beyond habit into lived experience.

Congress stalwart Shivraj Patil passes away at 90

PTI Latur Veteran Congressman Shivraj Patil, who served as the Lok Sabha speaker and was Union home minister during the 26/11 attacks, passed away at his hometown Latur in Maharashtra on Friday morning, family sources said. Patil (90) passed away at his residence Devghar after a brief illness, they said, adding his funeral will be [] The post Congress stalwart Shivraj Patil passes away at 90 appeared first on The Navhind Times .

206 films from 82 countries to be screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With over 206 films from 82 countries ready to be screened across 26 categories, the Capital city is all set to welcome cinema lovers from across the world from Friday for the 30th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala. Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako will be presented the Lifetime Achievement Award in the 30th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). Five of his films, including the Oscar-nominated Timbuktu and Golden Bear-nominated Black Tea, will be screened under the category The Global Griot: Sissakos Cinematic Journey as part of the festival. Annemarie Jacirs Palestine 36, which talks about the resilience of the Palestinian people, will be the opening film of the festival. Set against the backdrop of the 1936 Palestine revolt, the film had earlier won the award for Best Film at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Reflecting the struggles of the Palestinian people, three films will be screened in the Palestine package, including Cherien Dabiss All Thats Left of You, Shai Carmeli-Pollaks The Sea, and Arab Nasser-Tarzan Nassers Once Upon A Time in Gaza. Attracting the fans of acclaimed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, the 4K restored version of his fan favourite film Pulp Fiction will also be screened in the festival. Three films of noted Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine, including Cairo Station, Alexandria Again and Forever, and The Other, will be screened in the Retrospective category. In the Contemporary Filmmaker in Focus category, three films of Indian parallel cinemas stalwart Saeed Mirza and five films of Indonesian new wave filmmaker Garin Nugroho will be screened. 57 films will be screened in the World Cinema category, including queer films The Little Trouble Girls, Enzo, Mirrors Number 3, The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo. Selected films of previous Lifetime Achievement Award winners, and those which have earlier won the Golden Crow Pheasant (Suvarna Chakoram), will also be shown as part of the festival. A lorry loaded with materials for the 30th IFFK preparations enters the main gate of Tagore Theatre, the main venue of the festival being held in Thiruvananthapuram from December 12 to 19 | Vincent Pulickal Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako will be presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 30th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala Lijomol to receive first delegate kit today State Award-winning actress Lijomol will receive the first delegate kit of IFFK at Tagore Theatre here on Thursday at 11am. Kits for other delegates will also be distributed here In solidarity Annemarie Jacirs Palestine 36 will be the opening film of the festival Reflecting the struggles of the Palestinian people, three films will be screened in the Palestine package

GPS spoofing of flights reported at major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai: Centre tells Rajya Sabha

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday disclosed that incidents of GPS spoofing and interference with flights have been reported at major airports in the country, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Amritsar, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. In a written reply to questions raised by YSRCP MP S Niranjan Reddy in the Rajya Sabha, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu confirmed that GPS spoofing was reported in the vicinity of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi. Some flights reported GPS spoofing in the vicinity of IGIA, New Delhi while using GPS based landing procedures, while approaching on RWY (runway) 10. Contingency procedures were used for GPS spoofed flights approaching to RWY 10. There were no effects on movements of flights, on other runway ends having conventional navigational aids being operational, the minister said. Global Positioning System (GPS)/ Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) spoofing and jamming refer to attempts to manipulate a user's navigation system by giving false signals. The minister stated that the Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) has been directed to identify the source of the spoofing. Airports Authority of India (AAI) has also requested Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) to possibly identify the source of interference/ spoofing. During the high-level meeting, WMO was directed to mobilise more resources to identify the source of spoofing based on approximate spoofing location details shared by DGCA and AAI, Naidu said in a written reply. WMO comes under the Department of Telecommunications. After being mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to report instances of GPS jamming/ spoofing since November 2023, regular reports are being received from other major airports in the country. GNSS interference reports are being received from Kolkata, Amritsar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai airports, the minister said. Last month, DGCA asked airlines, pilots and air traffic controllers to report GPS spoofing incidents within 10 minutes of the occurrences, amid recent such incidents at the Delhi airport. In the written reply, Naidu said Minimum Operating Network (MON), consisting of Conventional (Ground-based) Navigation and Surveillance Infrastructure, are retained in accordance with global best practices. India is also participating in global platforms to keep itself abreast of the latest methodology and technology for the timely implementation of the same. To a query, Naidu said the global cybersecurity threats to the aviation sector are in the form of ransomware/ malware. To enhance cyber security against global threats, AAI is implementing advanced cyber security solutions for IT networks and infrastructure. These actions have been taken in accordance with the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) and Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) guidelines. Cyber security is ensured by continuous upgradation. As the nature and type of the threat changes, new protective measures are being taken, he added. (With inputs from PTI)

Travel Chaos Fears Ease After Airbus Update On A320 Software Upgrade

Fears of days of travel chaos across Europe and the world eased on Saturday after plane manufacturer Airbus intervened rapidly to implement a software upgrade it had said was immediately needed on some 6,000 of its stalwart A320 planes.

Cong Worked Hard To Erase Sardar Patel From History, Says Nadda; Slams Nehru For Article 370

Vadodara, Nov 29: BJP president JP Nadda on Saturday said the Congress made great efforts to erase Sardar Patel from history, with the party even questioning the cost and need for the Statue of Unity constructed as a memorial to the stalwart by the Narendra Modi government. The Congress did not want Sardar Patel to be remembered, Nadda said while addressing a gathering at the Sardar@150 Unity March at Atladra village here. He also said the countrys first prime minister [] The post Cong Worked Hard To Erase Sardar Patel From History, Says Nadda; Slams Nehru For Article 370 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Delhi Police warns against fake traffic challan messages with malware links

Delhi Police warns of a surge in fraudulent WhatsApp and SMS messages impersonating traffic challan notifications. Scammers trick users into downloading malicious APK files to install malware, steal financial information, and gain remote control of devices. Citizens are urged to verify challans only through official portals and never click on suspicious links or download unknown files.

Struggle for Congress

While the results of the Bihar assembly elections were agonizing to the Congress, the party is now faced with another serious pain in Karnataka, where it held power for the past over two and a half years. Two stalwarts behind the partys big electoral win there in 2023, namely Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief []

Pakistan's New WhatsApp-Based Spy Tactic Targets CAPF Officers After Red Fort Blast | Exclusive

Agents posed as officials on WhatsApp, lured CAPF officers into fake groups, then used the join link to infect devices with Trojan malware and gain remote access to sensitive data

Two More Sentenced In Pakistan-Linked Navy Espionage Case, NIA Secures 8th Conviction

New Delhi, Nov 25: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday awarded over five years of simple imprisonment to two more accused in the Pakistan-linked espionage case involving surveillance of Indian Navy installations, taking the total convictions in the case to eight. The accused, identified as Ashok Kumar of Jhunjhunu district and Vikas Kumar of Alwar district of Rajasthan, will have to undergo SI of 5 years and 11 months under each of section 18 of [] The post Two More Sentenced In Pakistan-Linked Navy Espionage Case, NIA Secures 8th Conviction appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

2 More Accused Get Imprisonment in Visakhapatnam Navy Espionage Case

The accused, identified as Ashok Kumar of Jhunjhunu district and Vikas Kumar of Alwar district of Rajasthan, will have to undergo SI of five years and 11 months under each of section 18 of UA(P) Act and section 3 of Official Secrets Act

Iconic film personality, phenomenal actor: PM Modi's tribute to Dharmendra

The legendary Dharmendra, a stalwart of Indian cinema, has sadly left us at the age of 89. In a heartfelt tribute, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognized him as a timeless icon and extraordinary performer. Spanning an impressive sixty years and more than 300 films, Dharmendra's passing signifies the conclusion of a cinematic chapter that shaped millions.

Meet Swiftee: The AI companion by ConveGenius Turning Education HarDware into Heartware

ConveGenius, a leading Indian AI and edtech company, unveiled Swiftee, its on-device multimodal AI companion, at SwiftEdge 2025 the companys flagship partner summit held in New Delhi. The event brought together 40+ OEM leaders and education innovators, including representatives from HP, Lenovo, and Google Chromebook. Mr Jairaj Bhattacharya, CEO & MD, ConveGenius Group at the launch of Swiftee Despite the rapid scale of device shipments, most classroom hardware still functions as passive screens, with limited ability to support how children actually learn. ConveGenius is addressing this gap by introducing a new category that shifts Indias devices from Hardware to Heartware. Heartware is the AI layer that makes hardware emotionally aware, contextually relevant, and purpose-driven for learning. At the centre of this shift is Swiftee, an on-device multimodal AI companion that transforms any tablet, panel, or device into an active, guided learning tool. Positioned as a heartware layer, Swiftee sits atop existing hardware to make digital learning safer, more personal, and more meaningful for children aged 5 to 18. Built on ConveGenius decade-long research in AI-led learning, Swiftee offers capabilities such as homework support, safe search, creative exploration, emotional check-ins, and guided engagement. Live demos at the summit showcased Swiftee running seamlessly across diverse hardware ecosystems and operating systems, reinforcing how easily it integrates with both entry-level and premium devices. Unlike generic cloud-AI tools, Swiftee works in low-connectivity settings, understands multilingual inputs, and responds safely around children. For OEMs, this means a device is no longer just a screen. It becomes an intelligent assistant built for real learning use cases, an evolution the education sector has long awaited. On the vision behind Swiftee, Jairaj Bhattacharya, CEO, ConveGenius Group said: Over the last ten years, weve learned that AI becomes meaningful only when it fits the lives of the people it is meant to support. Weve seen this firsthand across 22 states and 170 million users. That is why we built Swiftee-to make AI relevant for students, helpful for teachers, and dependable for parents and schools. It is intelligence shaped by India and not imported for India. Swiftee has the potential to immensely contribute towards accomplishing Indias commitment for ensuring inclusive and quality education to all children by 2030 . With Swiftees API framework, hardware companies can also build custom AI agents to shape solutions around the exact needs of their buyers. Wellbeing support for students, assistance for teachers, lesson planning automation, curriculum-aligned remediation, and much more. The possibilities are endless. Everyone is excited about AI, but operational challenges like cloud costs, unpredictable behaviour, and constant oversight often hold hardware players back , said Viprav Chaudhary, Senior Vice President, ConveGenius . Swiftee removes those constraints. It runs locally, operates on safe AI guardrails, and works with all types of hardware. Theres no need to rebuild systems, one can plug into our stack and start delivering value immediately . Industry partners echo this sentiment. Mrs. Kamini Talwar from Iris Global Services said, Education has long needed a solution that goes beyond hardware upgrades and brings educational intelligence directly into the device. An AI layer like Swiftee makes hardware truly meaningful for classrooms, adapting to real use cases for students, supporting teachers in instruction, and helping schools deliver better learning outcomes. This is the kind of custom-built innovation the education sector has been waiting for . As Indias device market continues to grow, the next phase will not only be defined by bigger screens or faster processors, but also by the intelligence that lives inside them. Swiftee represents this new category of Heartware, where devices become intelligent companions that understand classroom realities and accordingly support learning. About ConveGenius ConveGenius is a leading AI and EdTech company delivering learning, assessment, and data-intelligence solutions for state governments and education partners. Its data and AI tools power decision-making at Vidya Samiksha Kendras (VSKs) and bring data-driven governance to public education across India.

Fake call centre targeting US citizens busted in Navi Mumbai; 20 held

THANE: Police have busted a fake call centre in Navi Mumbai, from where cyber frauds involving at least Rs 12 crore were allegedly committed mostly against US citizens, and arrested 20 persons in this connection, officials said on Thursday. The police suspect that the scale of the crime is very large and many wanted accused are involved in it. The action against this call centre, which was in operation in Turbhe area of Navi Mumbai was taken on Thursday, they said. Navi Mumbai Cyber police station and the Crime Branch took the action. The police received a tip-off on November 18 that a call centre was in operation under the guise of various bogus companies to defraud citizens. Immediately, a joint team of police conducted a raid and uncovered two distinct methods of fraud being run from there. In the first method, the employees of the call centre targeted US-based citizens through WhatsApp groups and lured them by promising high returns on stock market investments. Separately, they also targeted the American citizens by carrying out ransomware or malware attacks on their computers, an official statement said. The raid brought to light a massive scale of the financial crime, it said. The investigators found 97 persons working at the fake call centre. They also found several WhatsApp numbers and bank accounts being used by those found at the location, it added. The transactions of 71 bank accounts, details of which were sent to US citizens and others, for fraud were checked. Out of these, 61 accounts were found to have transactions worth a total of Rs 12.29 crore. Some of these bank accounts were checked on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) developed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was found that 31 cyber fraud complaints have been registered across the country, the statement added. The police seized 108 computers, 38 mobile phones, and 5 GSM servers, it said. A case was registered at the Cyber police station in Thane under Sections 318(4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 319(2) (punishment for cheating by personation), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with sections of the Information Technology Act. So far 20 accused have been arrested and remanded in police custody till November 23 by a local magistrate, the police said. The scale of the crime is very large and many wanted accused are involved. After a thorough technical investigation of the crime, the amount of fraud is likely to increase further, the police said in the statement.

Nineteen years and counting: Nitishs unbroken grip on Bihar

On Thursday, Nitish Kumar achieved yet another rare political milestone, becoming Bihars longest-serving chief minister, despite his party repeatedly finishing as the second-largest partner in both the Mahagathbandhan and NDA alliances in recent times. With this latest swearing-in , he joins the group of Indias ten longest-serving chief ministersa list long dominated by political stalwarts such as Sikkims Pawan Kumar Chamling and Odishas Naveen Patnaik. Chamling served as chief minister for 25 years, while Patnaik has held office for 24 years. West Bengals Jyoti Basu governed for more than 23 years, and Arunachal Pradeshs Gegong Apang for over 22 years. Mizorams Lal Thanhawla also crossed the 22-year mark, while Himachal Pradeshs Virbhadra Singh served more than 21 years. Tripuras Manik Sarkar held office for 19 years. Nitish Kumar, similarly, has now completed roughly 19 years as Bihars chief minister. Tamil Nadus M. Karunanidhi served for more than 18 years, and Punjabs Parkash Singh Badal is also credited with over 18 years in office. In Bihar, however, what distinguishes Nitish Kumar most is his repeated return to the top post, even after shifting between alliances. While Prime Minister Modi promotes the mantra of Sabka Vikas with Sabka Saath through Sabka Prayas, Nitish Kumar is often described as Sabka CM. Political observers in the state believe this contributes to his steady influence among minority voters. He has again included a Muslim minister in his cabinet, and the JD(U) fielded four Muslim candidates in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections. Another point of alignment between him and Prime Minister Modi is his refusal to allow family members to hold roles within the JD(U), reflecting his firm stance against dynastic politicssomething that contrasts with many parties in the Mahagathbandhan. Just as Modi maintains a stance of zero tolerance for corruption and nepotism, Nitish Kumar has ensured that neither corruption, nepotism, nor communalism gains a foothold in his administration. The political chemistry between Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi within the NDA is often regarded as one of the most dependable partnerships in Bihar. Both leaders have no family members active in politics and are widely seen by the public as hardworking, sincere, and trustworthy.

1.3 billion passwords and 2 billion emails leaked online, check if youre at risk and protect your accounts

A massive collection of 2 billion email addresses and 1.3 billion passwords has been compiled. These credentials come from hundreds of past data breaches and malware infections. Users can now check if their information is exposed through Have I Been Pwned. This data helps identify compromised accounts. It is crucial to change passwords if found in the database.

Body of MBBS student found dead in Russia brought back to Rajasthan; family suspects foul play

JAIPUR: Ending an agonizing 11-day wait for the family, the body of Ajit Chaudhary, an MBBS student from Laxmangarh in Rajasthan's Alwar district, arrived in India from Russia on Monday morning. A medical board conducted a re-postmortem soon after the body reached Alwar, and the funeral was finally conducted. Ajits body arrived at Delhi airport at around 4:05 AM and was taken to Alwar District Hospital by 9 AM. Although a post-mortem had already been conducted in Russia, the family requested another examination. For this, a group of doctors was formed. Ajits father, Dharm Singh, a farmer, said his son was studying MBBS at Bashkir State Medical University in Russia and was in his third year. The family last spoke to him on 19 October, after which he suddenly went untraceable. A friend had called him, after which he disappeared. Later, we were told that Ajits clothes and shoes were found on the riverbank. His body was found 18 days later on November 6, Dharm Singh said. The grieving father further added, His mother was dying waiting for her son. Alleging negligence by both the administration and the government, Ajit's family bid him a tearful farewell and reiterated their demand for an impartial investigation into the circumstances of his death. Ajits uncle, Bhom Singh, expressed strong suspicion regarding the circumstances. He questioned why another student, Jeet Kasana, informed the family of the disappearance when the college had the familys contact details. He also raised doubts about why the body was found without clothes, saying, Why would someone committing suicide remove his clothes? He added that Ajit had asked for money shortly before 19 October and had reportedly argued with another student. We dont believe our son committed suicide; we suspect it is murder, he said. The family has already spent around Rs 29 lakh on Ajits education. Ajit had travelled to Russia in October last year to pursue MBBS at Bashkir State University in the Ufa region. His family had arranged the funds for his education by selling three acres of agricultural land. Since recieving the news about his death, Ajit's family had been struggling to bring the body home. Frustrated by the delay, relatives and locals last week staged a shutdown in Laxmangarh, demanding swift action from the government to expedite the repatriation.

Uttarakhand Police bust cybergang swindling victims of Rs 3.37 crore

NAINITAL: Uttarakhand Police have arrested four members of a major interstate cybercrime network for allegedly hacking into people's phones and transferring money from their bank accounts. The gang allegedly used to send links on social media to gain access to victims' phones. All transactions were made to mule accounts to keep their identities hidden, police said on Sunday. According to a preliminary probe, transactions of Rs 3.37 crore have been found to be suspicious. Tallital police intercepted a car at Bhediyapakhad mod in Do Gaon on Saturday during a checking drive conducted by Superintendent of Police Jagdish Chandra and Deputy Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar. Police said the four occupants of the car were found suspicious, and a thorough search revealed 11 phones, nine SIM cards, several Aadhaar and PAN cards, cheque books, QR codes, and several debit and credit cards. During interrogation, they revealed that they sent APK files via social media to access victims' phones. After hacking the devices, they transferred money to various mule accounts. Police said that a QR code was linked to a bank account related to a case in Delhi. Shubham Gupta from Alwar, Rajasthan; Piyush Goyal from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh; Rishabh Kumar from Ghaziabad, UP and Mohit Rathi from Gurugram, Haryana have been arrested. Several high-end smartphones and a car used by the accused have also been confiscated.

Not giving first over to your best bowler Jasprit Bumrah was questionable: Kumble

The opening Test saw India falling short against South Africa by 30 runs, sparking a discussion on the effectiveness of the Indian bowling strategy. Anil Kumble, a stalwart of cricket, expressed concern over the missed opportunity to utilize Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball on a pitch that demanded precision.

Bengaluru tech park scam: How fraudsters used ads, malware and fear to loot U.S. victims

Chhote Sarkar of Mokama wins from jail, Shahabuddins son retains Siwan

NEW DELHI: The Bihar elections witnessed numerous family members and even bahubalis (strongmen) themselves contesting, but the results, dashed the hopes of many of them who were aspiring to enter the House as peoples representatives and lawmakers. The RJD had fielded the son of former Siwan MP Md Shahabuddin, Osama Shahab, from the Raghunathpur Assembly seat against JDUs Vikash Kumar Singh. He won the seat by 9,248 votes, defeating the JDU candidate. Similarly, another bahubali, Anant Singh widely referred to by his supporters as hhote Sarkar also contested from the Mokama seat on a JDU ticket and won, defeating the RJD candidate Veena Devi, who is the wife of another stalwart, Suraj Bhan Singh. The RJD also fielded Shivani Shukla, daughter of jailed Munna Shukla and a UK-educated law graduate, from the Lalganj Assembly seat. After a neck-and-neck contest against BJP MLA Sanjay K Singh, Shukla lost the election. Rital Lal Yadav, another bahubali contesting on an RJD ticket from the Danapur seat, lost to BJP candidate Ram Kripal Yadav by a margin of 29,000 votes. Hulas Pandey -the LJP candidate and bahubali, also lost from Brahampur. According to rough data, 15 candidates who were either bahubalis or members of their families contested. Of these, eight were fielded by the NDA and seven by the Mahagathbandhan. Amrendra Singh, another bahubali candidate, won the Kuchaikote seat on a JDU ticket, while Anita Devithe wife of strongman Ashok Mahtoalso won the Warisaliganj seat. Manoranjan Singh won the Ekma Assembly seat on a JD(U) ticket. Chetna Anand, son of Anand Mohan, won Nabinagar on a JD(U) ticket.

Bihar election result: Big day of mandates dawns, political futures of many a stalwart at stake

Bihar Assembly election results: Most exit polls suggest the NDA, led by the BJP and JD(U), is on course for a comfortable victory with 130170 seats, well past the majority mark of 122. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper story -- about leadership fatigue, shifting loyalties and the search for new political narratives.

Congress leader Bhanwar Jitendra Singh faces court case over alleged custody of MF Husain painting

JAIPUR: Assam Congress in-charge and former Minister of State for Home Affairs Bhanwar Jitendra Singh is set to face trial in Delhis Rouse Avenue Court for allegedly failing to return a painting by renowned artist Maqbool Fida Husain (M.F. Husain). According to the complaint, Singh, a member of Alwars erstwhile royal family, had borrowed the artwork from then Congress MP Prabha Thakur in 2014. Despite repeated requests from Thakur and her family, the painting was allegedly never returned. Prabha Thakurs son, Rohit Singh, has filed a petition in court over the matter. The court accepted the petition on November 11, 2025 and scheduled the hearing for November 25. Rohit Singh alleged that the former Union Minister had offered to give the family miniature Bundi paintings in exchange for the Husain artwork. However, despite several written and verbal reminders from his mother, the painting was never returned. The petitioner informed the court that he and his mother had purchased the M.F. Husain painting from Saatchi Gallery, Mumbai, in 2013 for Rs 2.25 lakh. He further claimed that the artworks current market value exceeds Rs 1 crore. Earlier, Rohit Singh had approached the Magistrate Court in March, but the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate dismissed the complaint, ruling that no case of fraud or criminal breach of trust had been established. However, the Special Judge later set aside that order, observing that the painting had been handed over to Bhanwar Jitendra Singh in April 2014 merely for viewing and possible purchase, not as a gift. Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, a senior Congress leader considered close to the Gandhi family, has previously served as a two-time MLA from the Alwar City Assembly constituency and was elected MP from Alwar in 2009. He later lost two consecutive Lok Sabha elections, and the party did not field him from Alwar in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Soch's Strategic Pivot Fuels E-commerce with 65% Growth and Disciplined Retail Expansion

Soch , India's leading evening and occasion wear brand, announced a significant leap in its e-commerce performance alongside a disciplined, profitability-driven retail strategy. The brands online business is on track to grow 65% year-on-year, looking to close at 90 crore this fiscal, underscoring the success of a purposeful pivot toward sustainable omni-channel growth. Soch's E-commerce site The Indian retail industry is entering a new era where profitability and sustainable growth are the north stars, not just raw expansion. Apparel and fashion brands are embracing a fewer, better philosophy, curating memorable destinations, integrating digital experiences, and leveraging analytics for sharper store selection. Reflecting this macro shift, Soch has redefined its growth playbook with an equal focus on disciplined offline expansion and accelerated e-commerce growth and profitability. While Soch continues to remain predominantly an offline-first brand, its e-commerce business has grown tenfold over the past five years, from INR 5.3 crore in FY20 to INR 54 crore in FY25, and is now targeting over six-fold growth to INR 350 crore by FY30 . The online channel contributed 12% of total revenue last year, projected to rise to 18% this year and to 30% of overall business within five years. This impressive jump in e-commerce revenue has not come at the sacrifice of profitability. On the contrary, its online division has transitioned from breakeven to delivering a 10% profit margin this fiscal, powered by exclusive online collections, sharper product curation, and data-led innovations. The brands omni-channel approach has also been a key enabler, integrating store-level inventory with digital fulfilment to ensure speed and availability across channels. While many brands began digital-first and are now exploring offline channels, Soch represents the next evolution, an offline-first brand mastering online with speed and precision. Our e-commerce transformation reflects the strength of our brand trust combined with the agility of technology. Its proof that growth and profitability can and should coexist , said Vinay Chatlani, CEO & Co-Founder, Soch . Soch exemplifies the Offline First, Digital Fast approach, leveraging its established offline trust to swiftly scale online. This blend of strong offline credibility with rapid digital growth creates a powerful growth flywheel, amplifying both brand loyalty and ecommerce profitability. Despite the recent success with its Online platforms, retail operations remain Sochs core strength. On this front the Brand is taking a measured approachfortifying its retail base while advancing in product and customer innovation. Over the last two years, the brand has consolidated its offline portfolio with a clear focus on performance. While continuing to expand new outlets in high-potential markets, it has closed its underperforming stores. This strategic optimisation is projected to deliver over 2.5% improvement in store-level EBITDA. With over 175 stores across India, Canada and Malaysia, Soch now prioritises same-store growth by driving customer conversion, ticket size, and average transaction value. This has been one of the outcomes of its premiumisation journey, which has seen the brand expand its evening and occasion wear portfolio to meet evolving customer expectations. In a 5-year period the brand has seen a 40% jump in ASP (average selling price), 50% increase in average transaction value along with a 10% increase in average basket size. The brand also records one of the highest trading densities in its category, exceeding INR 16,000 per sq. ft. Store openings today are sharper and more strategic , added Chatlani . We close locations that dont meet benchmarks and double down on those that drive value and engagement. Its not about being everywhere; its about being of substance wherever we are . Through a blend of offline trust and digital speed, Soch has built a resilient growth engine designed for the future of Indian retail. Our investments in technology, digital capability, and disciplined retail operations are already yielding strong results , said Chatlani . Weve built a business thats both resilient and ready for scale, anchored in profitability and confident in our ability to sustain and accelerate this momentum . The Brand has successfully navigated a challenging consumer environment where many have faced revenue and margin pressures. Soch is building a future-ready omnichannel business for steady, sustainable growth, positioning itself as a confident leader in Indian ethnic and occasion wearharnessing e-commerces momentum while strengthening its retail foundation for long-term success. About Soch Soch Apparels, the largest evening-occasion wear ethnic brand for women in India, seamlessly combines tradition and modern artistry. Our meticulously crafted outfits, featuring elaborate embroideries and handpicked fabrics, celebrate the rich heritage of Indian aesthetics. It offers a wide range of stylish designer ethnic wear, including sarees, salwar suits, kurtas, tunics, kurta sets, lehengas, and kaftans. With over 175 stores nationwide, Soch is the go-to destination for stylish and elegant designer ethnic wear. The brand has been consecutively recognized as the Best Ethnic Fashion Retailer of the Year 2023 and 2024 by IREC (Industry of Retail & eCommerce) and continues to redefine traditional Indian fashion. soch.com to explore our collection.

Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam Purifies Padmavathi Temple Ahead of Brahmotsavams

Singhal told reporters that elaborate arrangements were in place. Around 1,600 police personnel would be deployed, the TTD Annaprasadam wing will serve free meals to about 10,000 devotees daily, and nearly 75,000 devotees on Panchami Theertham day on November 25.

Kids Can Grow Up But Should Be Obedient: BJP On Ajit Pawar's Land Scam Reply

The controversial land deal linked to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son, Parth, has given a new handle to the NCP stalwart's traditional political rivals to target him over his response to allegations.

Pak-linked hacker group targets Indian government, military networks with advanced spyware: Report

NEW DELHI: An Intelligence Agencys report has alerted the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to a major cyber-espionage campaign by Pakistan-linked hacker group Transparent Tribe, which is targeting Indian government and military networks with an advanced spyware called DeskRAT, sources said on Friday. The report warns that the group has upgraded its tactics this year, moving from public cloud platforms like Google Drive to private servers, making detection and blocking more difficult. According to sources, the hackers are believed to be exploiting ongoing border tensions in Ladakh, attempting to intercept intelligence related to Chinas military movements through compromised Indian systems. Agencies said the attackers are using sophisticated phishing emails disguised as government notices, ZIP files and intelligence briefings, often timed with security alerts or border incidents, to trick officials into downloading infected attachments. Once installed, DeskRAT, a remote access tool tailored for BOSS Linux systems widely used in government offices, can secretly monitor, extract and transmit sensitive files without detection. The latest attacks are faster, stealthier and harder to detect, a source said. The report also highlights the hackers use of artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs) to rapidly develop new malware variants, outpacing traditional cybersecurity defences. Experts have warned that only automated, real-time threat detection can counter such adaptive attacks aimed at long-term espionage of Indias defence and administrative networks. The Transparent Tribe has been previously linked to attacks distributing Crimson RAT malware, often through phishing documents disguised as security briefings. During the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, the group allegedly circulated fake government messages to lure officials into opening infected attachments. Following the alert, the MHA has directed all ministries and defence units to step up cyber vigilance and strengthen security protocols, calling the threat a matter of national security.

31stKolkata International Film Festivalinaugurated;toshowcase215 films from 39 nations across 21 theatres

Films from Palestine and movies of stalwart filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak to be in the limelight in the coming week

Former BJP Leader and Ex-union Minister Rajen Gohain Joins Assam Jatiya Parishad

Mr Gohain, once regarded as a BJP stalwart in the state, had resigned from the party on October 9, citing growing discontent with its leadership and direction.

Allahabad HC orders SP MP to pay Rs 30k monthly maintenance to his fourth wife amid marital dispute

LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court has directed Samajwadi Party MP from Rampur and Imam of the Parliament Street Mosque, Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, to pay 30,000 per month as maintenance to his fourth wife, Rumana Nadvi. The order, issued on October 14, 2025, came following a petition filed by Rumana seeking financial support. The bench referred the matter to the High Courts Mediation and Conciliation Centre and granted both parties three months to reach a mutual settlement. The court said that until a resolution was reached, Nadvi must continue paying the maintenance amount. It also stayed the recovery of arrears from the date of filing till the order but warned that failure to comply would lead to revocation of the interim relief. Nadvis counsel, Narendra Kumar Pandey, informed the court that the case was a marital dispute and his client was willing to settle the matter amicably. To demonstrate goodwill, Nadvi offered to pay 50,000 upfront at the first mediation meeting. Rumana Parveen, who married Nadvi on October 22, 2012, alleged that he concealed details of his previous marriages and children from her. He deceived me at every step, she said, claiming that Nadvi forced her to leave her home and pressured her to abort their child. Currently living with her son in Agra, Rumana said that Nadvi married her without disclosing that he already had two daughters. I lived with him for about three years before he abandoned me, she added. This was also Rumanas second marriage. Nadvis personal life has come under intense scrutiny following the court order. According to close associates, his first marriage was to Afia Khatoon of Sambhal, who died of cancer ten years after their marriage, leaving behind two daughters. His second marriage to Najifa of Rampur lasted barely 15 days, as she returned to her parental home and never came back. The third marriage of the SP MP with a woman from Bulandshahr ended on the very night of the wedding when both decided to part ways. Rumana, his fourth wife, lived with him for over three years before filing the maintenance case. Nadvi later married Samra Naz for the fifth time. Naz is a relative of Nadvis first wife and has two children with him. In his 2024 Lok Sabha election affidavit, Nadvi mentioned five dependents two daughters from his first wife, a son from Rumana, and a son and daughter from his fifth wife. Besides serving as the SP MP from Rampur, Maulana Nadvi is also the Imam of the Parliament Street Mosque in Delhi. In July 2025, top SP leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav, met him, sparking debate over his growing influence within the party. Originally from Rajanagar village in Swar tehsil of Rampur, Nadvi currently resides at the Jama Masjid premises in Parliament House, New Delhi. However, his strained relationship with SP stalwart Azam Khan has become another political talking point. Both leaders have exchanged barbed remarks since Azams release from jail. When asked about Nadvi, Azam said he did not know who he was. Nadvi responded sharply, saying, He has become old. After being in jail for long, he naturally has trouble recognising people.

Film Stars Hail History Makers: Team India's Maiden Cricket World Cup Glory celebrated

From Bollywood heavyweights to other film stalwarts like SS Rajamouli and Jr NTR, they expressed immense pride, hailing the team's grit, spirit, and world-champion performance.

Harmanpreet Grateful to Share Maiden WC Win with Jhulan and Mithali

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Kaur revealed what it was like sharing the gold with two of India's biggest stalwarts

Revanth Seeks 30K Majority In Jubilee Hills

Promising to honour Congress stalwart P. Janardhan Reddy, Revanth announced that Borabanda would be renamed PJR Borabanda, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

Hometowns of Kannada stalwarts to receive 1 crore each for development

At first Prez's birthplace in Bihar, Yogi rakes up 'insult' of Rajendra Prasad by Congress PM Nehru

Yogi Adityanath alleged that Jawaharlal Nehru insulted Rajendra Prasad by preventing him from attending the Somnath temple inauguration. Adityanath also criticized Congress for disrespecting Indian stalwarts and heritage. He highlighted the BJP's commitment to building the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Theatre play, Yellara Ambedkar, to depict the stalwarts life tomorrow

Gmail data leak: Infostealer malware dumps 183 million email passwords online; heres how to check and protect your gmail

A huge email breach has compromised 183 million accounts. This includes many Gmail users. The data was stolen by malware, not a direct hack of Google. Passwords were found in plain text. Users should check Have I Been Pwned. Google Security Checkup and strong passwords are recommended. Businesses must enhance security measures.

Virat Kohli second-highest run-getter in ODIs

Sydney, Oct 25: Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli on Saturday broke another record as he became the second-highest run-getter in the ODI format. Kohli, who endured a subdued form in the first two ODIs against Australia, broke the shackles and announced his return on the international stage. The No.3 batter, who is famously known as []

Rohit, Kohlis game plan to be decided post-SA ODIs: Gill:

Sydney, Oct 25: Indias young ODI captain Shubman Gill has said that a final decision on how to ensure regular game time for senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be taken only after the upcoming South Africa ODI series. Both stalwarts, who now feature exclusively in the 50-over format, are expected to require []

IBM says conventional AMD chips can run quantum computing error correction algorithm

The U.S. stalwart is racing to develop quantum computing against Microsoft and Alphabet's Google, which announced a breakthrough algorithm this week

Operation Shutter Down: Major cybercrime racket siphoning funds from government schemes, PM Kisan busted in Rajasthan; Rs 3 crore, luxury cars seized, 30 arrested

At least 30 people were arrested by Rajasthan's Jhalawar police in a major crackdown on cybercrime network operating across multiple states. Under Operation Shutterdown, Jhalwar Police have busted an interstate cybercrime module allegedly involved in siphoning funds from government welfare schemes.

Illegal mining in Doodh Ganga in violation of SC ban

Irfan Tramboo SRINAGAR, Oct 22: In blatant violation of a Supreme Court-imposed ban, illegal riverbed mining continues in the Doodh Ganga stream in district Budgam, allegedly under the cover of Disposal and Short Term Permits issued by authorities. Instances of such illegal mining have surfaced from Kralwari Borwah village in the Chadoora area, where the agency granted permission is reportedly indulging in the illegal extraction of gravel, sand, and boulders (GSB) using heavy machinery. Reports indicate that heavy machinery is [] The post Illegal mining in Doodh Ganga in violation of SC ban appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

No rustiness in Ro-Ko's game, they are looking in great touch: Sitanshu Kotak

With a calm demeanor, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak reassured fans about the form of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, asserting their readiness for the ODIs against Australia. He pointed out that the rain interruptions during the opener affected their batting strategy.

24-year-old MBBS student from Rajasthan missing in Russia

JAIPUR: A student from Kafanwada village in the Laxmangarh area of Alwar district has gone missing under mysterious circumstances in Russia. The missing student, 24-year-old Ajit Singh, was pursuing an MBBS degree in Bashkir State Medical University in Ufa, Russia. He has reportedly been missing from his hostel since around 11 pm on October 19, and his mobile phone has been switched off since then. According to family members, Ajits jacket, shoes, and mobile phone were found on a riverbank, raising serious concerns about his safety. Following news of his disappearance, family members and villagers contacted Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, seeking his intervention to expedite the search. They have also appealed to the Alwar District Collector to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs to locate the student. Ajits uncle, Bhoom Singh, told the media that the family received a call from the Russian police on October 20, but the situation was unclear at the time. Later, his roommate informed the hostel warden about Ajits disappearance, but now even the warden is not responding properly. We tried to reach out to the college authorities, but havent received any reply yet. We are completely in the dark about what has happened to Ajit, he said. He added that after speaking with the warden, it appeared the authorities were trying to suggest that Ajit might have jumped into the river, but no one has confirmed this version. Just an hour before he went missing, Ajit had spoken to his mother, Santara Devi, and sister, Geeta, on a video call around 10 pm on October 19. During the call, he wished them a happy Diwali. The family said Ajit was scheduled to return to India next month. They had even sold their land to fund his medical education in Russia. This incident comes at a time when another student from Rajasthan, 22-year-old Rahul Ghosalya, who was pursuing MBBS in Kazakhstan, suffered a brain hemorrhage. He was brought to Jaipur by air ambulance on Monday after extensive efforts. Rahul is currently admitted to the ICU of SMS Hospital, where a team of four specialists is overseeing his treatment.

RJD leader Anil Sahani, convicted by CBI court, joins BJP

In a surprising political twist, former RJD stalwart Anil Sahani has made a shift to the BJP. This move comes three years post his disqualification from the Bihar assembly due to a fraud conviction involving forged air tickets for Leave Travel Concession.

Harmanpreet Kaur is Ultra-Competitive And Feisty: Suzie Bates

Ahead of this crucial match, New Zealand Captain Sophie Devine, all-rounder Suzie Bates, and star spinner Amelia Kerr spoke about the qualities of Indian stalwarts Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur

Band, Baaja, Bank Fraud: Wedding Invites Steal Data, Target Bank Accounts

When wedding invites on WhatsApp come with malware instead of mithai

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 7 runs in Womens World Cup

NAVI MUMBAI, Oct 20: Half-centuries from captain Nigar Sultana and batting stalwart Sharmin Akhter went in vain as Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka by seven runs in a thrilling Womens World match, here on Monday. With this loss, Bangladesh are out of the competition, while Sri Lanka kept their slim chance of securing a place in the knockouts. Chasing Sri Lankas target of 203, built on Hasini Pereras 85, skipper Chamari Athapaththus 46, and Nilakshika Silvas 37, Bangladesh were going [] The post Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 7 runs in Womens World Cup appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Devyani, Harshdev foreign educated; JKNPP-I candidate has 3 criminal FIRs

BJP rebel Matriculate but richest with shops, plots *NC nominee PG but with no assets, meagre cash Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Oct 20: Devyani Rana, the BJP candidate from Nagrota and daughter of BJP stalwart late Devender Singh Rana and Harshdev Singh, former Education Minister and JKNPP-I nominee are foreign educated while Shamim Begum, a DDC member who joined fray as NC representative, is Post Graduate from Jammu University. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Devyani Rana, Harshdev Singh and [] The post Devyani, Harshdev foreign educated; JKNPP-I candidate has 3 criminal FIRs appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Lucknow Diary | Snubbed by allies, SBSP wooing Azam Khan

12 teams behind Viksit UP-2047 vision docu Efforts are on to prepare the Viksit UP-2047 vision document, which may take a week or two. A final document will be out by Decemberend following consultations. At least 12 teams are working almost round the clock to evaluate a large number of suggestions to be incorporated in the document. As many as 36 lakh suggestions have been received so far. The teams have been asked to shortlist 50-60 suggestions, taking three to five each from 12 sectors, such as animal husbandry, industrial development, IT and tourism. The state government proposes to reward three best suggestions from every district along with the five best ones at the state level. Stage set for display of countrys naval history With 20% of the physical work on Nausena Shaurya Sangrahalaya (Naval Museum)being constructed by the UP govt in collaboration with the Indian Navynow complete, the focus is now on the transportation of naval artefacts for display. The museum, being built on a sprawling 15,800 sqm of land near Ekana Stadium in Lucknow at an outlay of `23 crore, will show relics from the decommissioned INS Gomati. A TU-142 naval aircraft and an SK-42B helicopter are also being relocated to the museum. Once logistics are worked out, the two aircraft would be transported from INS Rajali, the Indian Naval Air station in Tamil Nadus Arakkonam. Snubbed by allies, SBSP wooing Azam Khan OP Rajbhars Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), which has charted its own course over 153 seats in pollbound Bihar after being denied a single seat by allies, is trying to woo Azam Khan, the Samajwadi Party stalwart. SBSP national general secretary and Rajbhars son Arvind is considering visiting Rampur to meet Azam and convince him to join his party. The Rajbhars believe that leaders who work on the ground should not be sidelined and that dialogue with them should continue. Rajbhar Sr, miffed with the attitude of the BJP and other allies over the Bihar polls, has warned that if the NDA did not want SBSP in Bihar, the party would fight alone.

We Played Catch-up After Losing Three Wickets in Powerplay: Gill

India lost openers Rohit Sharma and Gill, and batting stalwart Virat Kohli in the powerplay overs from which the tourists could never recover as they lost the rain-shortened match by seven wickets

Lights, Love & Rituals

From crackling fireworks and nostalgic family traditions to quiet moments of reflection and renewal, Diwali holds a unique place in everyones heart. Celebs share their brightest memories, writes Puja Talwar

NDA to form govt in Bihar, people trusting CM Nitish, says Haryana CM

With the Bihar elections on the horizon, the National Democratic Alliance is gearing up for what they believe will be a landmark victory. Confidence in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi runs high among party stalwarts. In contrast, the opposition Mahagathbandhan is criticized for its splintered approach and lack of a cohesive leader.

Nothing has changed in my relationship with Rohit and Virat: New skipper Gill

PERTH, Oct 18: Indias new ODI captain Shubman Gill says his bond with the Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is as strong as ever despite contrary narratives floating on social media in recent weeks, insisting that he will not hesitate to approach the two stalwarts, if he is in a fix during a match. Gill replaced highly successful Rohit as Indias new ODI skipper. The future of the two legends has become a matter of intense speculations since then. Gills [] The post Nothing has changed in my relationship with Rohit and Virat: New skipper Gill appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

DC Edit | 3rd Growth Engine For Andhra?

Septuagenarian political stalwart N. Chandrababu Naidu rode back to power in Andhra Pradesh in 2024, banking heavily on the double-engine sarkar slogan. To everyones surprise, a third engine not Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena seems to have been added in the recent past to finally put the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, which suffered greatly due to the bifurcation and thereafter, on the track of development

Watch: BCCI Drops Special Video as Rohit, Kohli Reunite in Nets in Australia

In a video posted by BCCI on X, Hitman and Kohli were seen together sweating it out in the nets, where the stalwart batters showcased some of their batting skills as they middled the ball during the practice sessions

Rajasthan Police Busts Gang That Stole 226 Phones from Flipkart Truck; 7 Arrested, 47 Lakh Goods Recovered

Jaipur, October 16 (Udaipur Kiran): In a major breakthrough against online fraud and logistics theft, the Alwar police have busted an inter-state gang involved in stealing high-value electronic goods from a Flipkart transport truck. Acting under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Sudhir Chaudhary, the Laxmangarh police team arrested seven accused and recovered 108 stolen ... Read more Rajasthan Police Busts Gang That Stole 226 Phones from Flipkart Truck; 7 Arrested, 47 Lakh Goods Recovered

KRN Heat Exchanger Rises as Subsidiary Begins Bus AC Operations in Rajasthan

Mumbai, October 16 (Daily Kiran): Shares of KRN Heat Exchanger and Refrigeration gained nearly 1% in Wednesdays trade after its wholly owned subsidiary, KRN HVAC Products, commenced commercial production at its new Bus AC Division in Alwar, Rajasthan. The stock was trading at Rs. 840.25, up 0.82%, compared to its previous close of Rs. 833.45 ... Read more KRN Heat Exchanger Rises as Subsidiary Begins Bus AC Operations in Rajasthan

KRN Heat Exchanger Rises as Subsidiary Begins Operations at Bus AC Division in Rajasthan

Mumbai, October 16 (Daily Kiran): Shares of KRN Heat Exchanger and Refrigeration Ltd gained nearly 1% in Thursdays trade after the company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, KRN HVAC Products, has commenced commercial production at its Bus AC Division in Kolila Joga, Alwar (Rajasthan). The stock was trading at 840.25, up 6.80 or 0.82%, ... Read more KRN Heat Exchanger Rises as Subsidiary Begins Operations at Bus AC Division in Rajasthan

How Pt. Narayanrao Vyas made classical music accessible with his three-minute recordings

A four-part book on the Gwalior gayaki stalwart, which was released recently, shows how he was much ahead of his time in approach and ideas.

Alwar Police ASI and Middleman Arrested Taking 1.3 Lakh Bribe

Jaipur, October 15 (Daily Kiran): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday arrested Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Kanhaiyalal of Kotwali Police Station, Alwar, and a private middleman Majlish Khan red-handed while accepting a 1,30,000 bribe. According to Smita Srivastava, Director General of Police, ACB Rajasthan, the Alwar ACB unit had received a complaint alleging that ASI Kanhaiyalal, ... Read more Alwar Police ASI and Middleman Arrested Taking 1.3 Lakh Bribe

ASI and Middleman Caught Taking 1.3 Lakh Bribe in Alwar

Jaipur, October 15 (Udaipur Kiran): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Alwar First Unit, has arrested Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Kanhaialal, posted at Kotwali Police Station, Alwar, along with a private person Majlish Khan, while accepting a bribe of 1,30,000. The trap operation was conducted under the direction of the ACB Headquarters, Jaipur. According to Smita Srivastava, Director ... Read more ASI and Middleman Caught Taking 1.3 Lakh Bribe in Alwar

BJPs first Bihar candidate list signals calculated caste engineering

NEW DELHI: In a state where caste calculus defines electoral outcomes, the BJPs first list of 71 candidates for the Bihar assembly elections is a textbook exercise in political social engineering. Released amid intense jockeying over seat shares within the NDA, the list reflects a sharpened strategy to retain core voters, recapture lost ground, and counter emerging threats while sparing no effort not to alienate the traditional upper-caste supporters. The partys approach is notably caste-calibrated. Of the 71 candidates, a significant portion, around 50 per cent, hail from Dalit, OBC, EBC, and other socially deprived backgrounds. The inclusion of 9 women candidates, spanning multiple caste groups, reinforces the BJPs messaging around inclusive representation, a counter to the oppositions social justice plank. Yet, conspicuous by their absence is any Muslim representation, which is widely seen as the BJPs continued reliance on Hindu consolidation in a state where Muslim voters are a decisive force in nearly 50 seats. The list repeats sitting MLAs and top leaders, including the two current Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary (fielded from Tarapur) and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with former deputies Renu Devi and Tarkeshwar Prasad. However, it also drops senior stalwarts like Nand Kishor Yadav and Amrendra Pratap Singh, signaling a generational shift and caste recalibration. A surprise re-entry is Ram Kripal Yadav, a prominent OBC face and former Union Minister, now fielded from Danapur, an RJD stronghold dominated by Yadav voters. His selection appears aimed at eroding the RJDs OBC base, particularly after his defeats in Patliputra to Misa Bharti. The BJP is attempting to dent VIP leader Mukesh Sahnis influence over the Nishad community by fielding Rama Nishad, wife of former MP Ajay Nishad, who recently returned to the party fold after a ticket denial. New faces, too, reflect social and political rebalancing. The inclusion of former JD(U) MP Sunil Kumar Pintu, ex-bureaucrat Sujit Kumar Singh, and turncoat Congress MLA Siddharth Saurav demonstrates the BJPs willingness to absorb defectors with local clout and caste relevance. A detailed caste breakdown reveals, 20 OBCs, 11 EBCs, 7 SC/STs, 15 Rajputs, 11 Bhumihars, 7 Brahmins, 1 Kayastha, 4 Yadavs, 8 Vaishyas, 3 Kurmis, and several others. This may be the BJPs most caste-diverse list since 2010, designed to blunt Mandal-era narratives while preserving its Savarna base. With this list, the BJP hopes to counter claims of caste injustice and elite dominance. Its success will depend on whether this careful mix of castes and communities actually turns into real voter support in Bihars divided political landscape.

ODI WC is Still 2.5 Years Away, Need to Stay in Present: Gambhir on Rohit, Kohli Future

With Shubman Gill's appointment as the ODI skipper, the national selectors have already hit the transition button in ODI cricket and there is a lot of doubt over the future of the ageing stalwarts who will be 39 (Kohli) and 40 (Rohit) respectively in 2027

Alwar Police Constable Hazarilal Turns Saviour, Rescues 4-Year-Old Trapped in Locked House

Jaipur, October 14 (Daily Kiran): In a remarkable display of courage and compassion, Rajasthan Police Constable Hazarilal risked his life to rescue a four-year-old girl trapped inside a locked house in Alwar city. The daring operation, carried out late Monday night, has been hailed as an extraordinary example of service, sensitivity, and bravery by the ... Read more Alwar Police Constable Hazarilal Turns Saviour, Rescues 4-Year-Old Trapped in Locked House

Idol Wing steps up efforts to recover three idols from U.K., Netherlands, and Singapore

The Idol Wing has been corresponding with foreign museums, the Union Ministry of Culture, and the respective foreign offices to recover the idols of Thirumangai Alwar, Kannappa Nayanar, and Hanuman

Rajgarh Municipality Employee Arrested Taking 12,000 Bribe in Alwar

Jaipur, October 13 (Daily Kiran): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday caught Ramhet Bairwa, In-charge of the Revenue/Land Branch (Assistant Employee) at Rajgarh Municipality, Alwar district, red-handed while accepting a 12,000 bribe from a complainant. According to Smita Srivastava, Additional Director General of Police, ACB Headquarters, the Alwar First Unit received a complaint alleging that ... Read more Rajgarh Municipality Employee Arrested Taking 12,000 Bribe in Alwar

Capturing the tough journey and phenomenal success of Parasakthi

A 1,120-page book titled Parasakthi Thadai: Achil Varatha Arasanga Ragaisya Avanangal compiles the documents that trace the journey of the 1952 Sivaji Ganesan-starrer, whose dialogues were penned by DMK stalwart M. Karunanidhi

Capturing the tough journey and phenomenal success of Parasakthi

A 1,120-page book titled Parasakthi Thadai: Achil Varatha Arasanga Ragaisya Avanangal compiles the documents that trace the journey of the 1952 Sivaji Ganesan-starrer, whose dialogues were penned by DMK stalwart M. Karunanidhi